Hal Hargrave, founder of the Be Perfect Foundation greets guest Robert Tyler as he enters the fifth annual Be Perfect Foundation fundraiser, “These Boots are Made for Walking,” Saturday. The event, located at the Hafif Estate in northern La Verne, featured a silent and live auction, dinner and a special guest performance by the Silverados. / photo by Zachary Horton

Mariela Patron
News Editor

In a night filled with country music and country attire, the Be Perfect Foundation, founded by junior communications major Hal Hargrave, brought awareness and donations to spinal cord injury survivors.

Around 1,200 donors and benefactors joined Be Perfect’s fifth annual fundraiser called “These Boots are Made for Walking,” at the Hafif Estate Amphitheater in La Verne on Saturday.

“This is my release,” said Hargrave who suffered a spinal cord injury himself in 2007 and uses a wheel chair. “I feel like it’s part of my mission.”

For the ticket price of $125, donors were guaranteed a table with a three-course meal.

The event raised more than $300,000, bringing the foundation’s total to more than $2 million raised.

The event commemorated the difference Be Perfect has made in a video where spinal cord injury patients retold the story of their accidents and explained how the foundation has helped them financially in their recovery.

The video moved some audience members to tears.

Brigitte Epstin was there to support her 6-year-old grandson Johnathon Williams, who at the age of 2 became unable to walk after a viral infection hit his spine. Williams went through rehabilitation at the Project Walk Claremont, which is a gym started by Hargrave to help disabled patients have a place to work out and improve their chances of walking again.

“With exercise he became very strong,” Epstin said. “Now he’s walking with crutches.”

For Lauren Moore, it was the first time attending the fundraiser to support Hargrave, who she has known since high school.

“It hits home for me as I have a spinal cord injury,” she said. Moore suffers from Brown-Séquard syndrome, a rare form of spinal cord injury.

“A lot of spinal cord patients don’t get a lot of recognition,” Moore said.

In 2007, Hargrave lost control of the truck he was driving; the accident left him paralyzed from the neck down, though he has since regained some control over his arms and hands.

He founded the Be Perfect foundation after he noticed many spinal cord injury patients were not able to afford the costs for their continuted rehabilitatin and recovery.

“It’s something that’s become part of my life,” Hargrave said.

Throughout the evening attendees were able to bid in a silent auction on memorabilia ranging from autographed movie posters to collectible baseball cards.

Erika Eckley bid on a two-night stay at the Double Tree hotel. She has attended the Be Perfect fundraisers before.

“It’s always inspirational,” Eckley said. “It makes you appreciate life.”

This is the first year the annual fundraiser had a theme; the idea came from Hargrave’s love of country music.

“I’m very much a cowboy myself,” he said. “We hope people would be able to put those boots on and do a little line dancing.”

The night ended with music from the Silverados.

“We hope at the end of day we can reassure our donors,” Hargrave said. “It’s all attributed to the help we get.”

Mariela Patron can be reached at mariela.patron@laverne.edu.

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During a warm-up session, Soetan Osifeso, 19, tries a few tricks while Jose Carerra, 18, and Soyemi Osifeso, 15, watch and wait for their turn to show off. The Hip Hop School of Arts in Pomona is a unique space that features lessons on how to DJ, create modern street art, and dance in a variety of hip-hop styles. The school is located on the southwest corner of Garey Avenue and Holt Boulevard in Pomona. The school’s executive director Julio Cesar Rivas leads the new program, inaugurated Feb. 27. The school is in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Pomona Valley. / photo by Chelsea Knight

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Freshman kinesiology major Andrew Phillips prepares for impact at ASULV’s Soakfest on Tuesday. The event included two water slides, a water gun battle area, a foam pit, and a watermelon-eating contest. With temperatures rising above 90 degrees on Tuesday, the third annual Soakfest could not have happened at a better time. Food was also provided via food trucks and prizes were given away. / photo by Zachary Horton

Candice Nuñez
Staff Writer

Summer was in full swing a students migrated towards the large inflatable water slide and foam pit that was placed in the South Quad behind Campus Center on Tuesday.

With the weather at a high of 90 degrees, large groups of students flocked to the grassy area to enjoy a day filled with water activities, food trucks, free prizes, and a chance to escape from the stress of finals week approaching.

“We had to initially reschedule the event that was planned for last Thursday because of the bad weather, but I’m really glad we did because it ended up being perfect weather,” senior speech communications major Brittany Martinez said.

Martinez, who is also CAB co-chairwoman of major events, was ready and prepared to put her spin on the annual Soakfest event and top the year before.

CAB wanted more participation in the water activities this year so they decided to rent out a few fun water filled inflatable jumpers for students to splash around.

Other attractions included a water slide, giant slip-n-slide, foam pit and an area for water gun fights.

The crowd favorite was the huge double-sided water slide that ended in a small pool.

Students were able to race one another down the water slide in hopes of being the first one to the bottom.

Another was a large foam pit complete with huge amounts of bubbles that students jumped and ran around in, going in completely dry and coming out covered in all white and looking sudsy.

The last water activity was a huge version of a childhood favorite, the slip-n-slide.

Students could not get enough of racing against each other down the slippery water inflatable, even some of the Leopard athletic strength and conditioning coaches had their fun trying out the slip-n-slide.

CAB also created a small area where students could chase each other around with water guns while staying safe so they could have the complete Soakfest experience.

“I liked the fact that they had more than one water activity this year compared to the previous years, this year was definitely the best one,” senior sociology major Christine Camacho said.

When students worked up an appetite from all the water fun, long lines stretched across the courtyard where they waited patiently to be treated to two food trucks, the Greasy Weiner and the Munchie Machine, which served hot dogs and French fries.

There was also a watermelon eating contest for the students who felt they had the skills to take down the large fruit with haste.

“I did every single water activity including the watermelon contest,” senior movement and sports science major Christina Kinney said.

Most students who participated walked away with free neon tank tops, sunglasses, and sunscreen to prepare for summer.

“My favorite part about Soakfest was the tank tops and sunglasses and not to mention the hotdogs that were wrapped in bacon, because bacon is basically the best thing ever,” sophomore psychology major Ky Dorsey said.

“Soakfest was extremely convenient for the crazy hot weather that came out of nowhere,” Dorsey said.

“I loved everything about Soakfest. It was so much fun I felt like a big kid again,” Kinney said.

Students can look forward to the annual Soakfest event around the same time next year in hopes that it will be even bigger and better than this year.

Candice Nuñez can be reached at candice.nunez@laverne.edu.

Lance Durant, son of strength and conditioning coach Matt Durant, takes a break from the other attractions to jump into piles of bubbles in the foam pit. / photo by Hunter Cole

Senior business major Cooper Durette and senior liberal studies major Scott Jones enjoy the fun offered at Soakfest Tuesday along with many others. / photo by Chelsea Knight

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Members of Phi Delta Theta – sophomore biology major Wesley Lam and senior e-commerce major Dylan Malloy – spend their half hour shift on the teeter-totter goofing off, singing and doing tricks at their ALS event Tuesday. Fraternity members raised money by collecting donations, selling tickets for their Zumbathon, and selling items at their various events. / photo by Stephanie Ball

Alison Rodriguez
Staff Writer

Karla Rendon
Staff Writer

What used to be a single day event turned into a week full of games and fun as the men of Phi Delta Theta raised money and awareness for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Foundation.

The event started on May 8 with their ALS information booth where they were selling wristbands for $1 to support their cause, as well as allowing students to make sack lunches for the poor.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gherig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Other events during the ALS week included a Zumbathon, taking place at Latin Steps Fitness in West Covina, a Rock painting and their annual 24-hour teeter totter event in Sneaky Park.

The Zumbathon was organized by senior public relations major Anthony Juarez.

Originally intended to be his senior project, Juarez used the opportunity to support his organization’s philanthropy.

“To raise awareness for ALS everyone usually hosts a walk,” Juarez said. “ I figured why not do Zumba? It’s more fun; you get a good workout and have fun while dancing.”

“I realized during this event that things like this are really important,” Mason Sustayata, junior liberal studies major and philanthropy chair said.

“Getting messages from students and others saying ‘I really appreciate it’ or ‘How can I help?’ and they’re not even a part of our frat really has an impact on you. “

The Phi Delts finished off their weeklong event with a 24-hour teeter totter.

“The fact that they’re giving so much of their time for their cause, it really shows dedication” sophomore athletic training major Lindsay Gonzalez said.

During the 24-hour teeter totter there was also food, a DJ, a projector to play video games and water games for people who came out to support the riders.

Laughs echoed throughout Sneaky Park as the students played, ate and had a good time.

“I’m kinda jealous because I wish I was on a teeter totter,” sophomore criminology major Ashley Harris said. “It’s different and interesting. I think philanthropy should be more important because, honestly, not a lot of things go to charity.”

With this all of the week’s events Phi Delta Theta raised $300 for the ALS Golden West chapter, to benefit hospitals in the Inland Empire.

“It’s part of ULV’s mission and it’s one if the reasons we came here,” freshman physics major Ashley Hernandez said. We’re not just college students, we don’t just care about partying, we care about making the world a better place.”

Alison Rodriguez can be reached at alison.rodriguez2@laverne.edu.

Karla Rendon can be reached at karla.rendon@laverne.edu.

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Junior speech communication major Chancise Watkins does more than run track. He enjoys video games, collecting hats and getting tattoos. Watkins gets his tattoos from a friend back home in Blythe, Watkins’ dorm walls are covered with his awards that he has accumulated over the years. Watkins won the 200-meter at the SCIAC Championships with a time of 21.31. / photo by Stephanie Ball

Julian Mininsohn
Staff Writer

Junior track and field team member Chancise Watkins was just minutes away from the biggest race of his career.

As the other 200-meter competitors exchanged greetings, Watkins did not talk to anyone.

He didn’t have to. He was in his lane, limbering up for the sprint ahead.

As the officials told the runners to take their marks, Watkins lowered his bright orange-lensed sunglasses over his eyes.

Just 21.31 seconds after the gun sounded, he was finished – on his way to the podium where he belongs, where he always wants to be.

It was intensity, it was focus. But those that know Watkins also know that this is nothing new.

Watkins had a record setting season, capturing the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title for the 200-meter at the SCIAC Championships on April 5 and 6 at Occidental.

Watkins tied the school record time of 21.31.

The performance ranks as the third fastest in the nation at Division III to date.

Watkins also ran the fifth-fastest 400-meter this season with a personal best 47.75.

Not to mention, he ran with a strained hamstring.

“It just felt good to be on top for once,” Watkins said. “It felt like I was in my own world at the time.”

“I was visualizing the Olympics and how they feel when they stand on that podium and get the gold medal,” he said.

Along with leaving an impression on the record books, Watkins has left an impression on his teammates as well.

Among the track team Watkins is also known as quite the comedian.

“He is hilarious,” junior teammate Matt Rehder said. “He doesn’t say much, but when he does, everyone listens.”

“As a competitor, Chancise’s greatest asset is his work ethic,” Rehder said. “It pushes you to have a teammate that works as hard as he does.”

Watkins grew up in Blythe, Calif., and began running at the of age 4.

He was a rambunctious boy, always being chased by his parents, who discovered his running talent early on and knew he would become a track star.

He ran track at Palo Verde Valley High School where he competed in state championships.

“Track is my first love,” Watkins said. “It is my passion and heart to this day.”

Watkins is a speech communication major and an aspiring ESPN analyst.

He hopes to one day have his own talk show where he interviews athletes who share his same passion for sports.

Watkins attributes his success to his coaches.

“They’ve been pushing me to limits I didn’t think I could go,” Watkins said. “They’ve been keeping me motivated and my head held high when things haven’t gone my way.”

“I’m proud of him,” head track and field coach Pat Widolff said. “It has been kind of neat for me to see someone grow like this emotionally and intelligently, outside of track.”

In 2012 Watkins made the Dean’s List.

In his free time Watkins likes to work out and play videos games, such as “Madden ‘13” and “NBA 2K13.”

Watkins will compete in the 200-meter and 400-meter at the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships May 23-25 in La Crosse, Wis.

His said his goal is to break the record for the 400-meter and his own 200-meter record.

He said he also yearns to win a national championship and to earn an All-American title.

“I am just trying to get mentally prepared and focused,” Watkins said. “I am trying to get my body ready to be at top shape and just go out there and run my race.”

“He hates to lose,” Widolff said. “He always runs his best time against the best competition.”

“Once you are this good it is hard to get better, but he will be ready,” Widolff said.

Julian Mininsohn can be reached julian.mininsohn@laverne.edu.

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Ladies of Leo – a group comprised of junior liberal studies major Melissa Molinaro, sophomore music and theatre arts major Mona Lutfi, sophomore photography and theatre arts major Sonora Hernandez and junior music major Amanda Timko – perform “I Don’t Mind,” “On My Own,” and “Ma, He’s Making Eyes At Me” The at the barbershop harmony concert May 9 in Morgan Auditorium. / photo by Nicole Ambrose

Karla Rendon
Staff Writer

Exceptional harmonies, matching attire and talented vocalists entertained an estimated audience of 70 as Morgan Auditorium hosted the Barber­shop Harmony Concert on May 9.

Seven quartets showed off their talents and took the audience back to an era of simpler times.

The groups’ songs were a cappella, and each quartet brought their own charisma to the stage.

One group named American Pastime had the audience laughing as the lead introduced the tenor, bass and baritone by the wrong name and another group known by the name of the Newfangled Four introduced themselves not to the audience, but to each other, which also had the audience roaring with laughter.

“It really throws you back to where those old movies take place,” junior biology major Jacqueline Marquez said.

“I’m glad I came to this, I find it soothing. I don’t know much about this music but I can tell each person has their own role. It’s a learning experience,” Marquez said.

Each singer in a barbershop quartet plays their own role in the group. The lead is responsible for singing the melody, the tenor sings a higher pitch of the melody, the bass sings the lowest notes and the baritone completes each chord.

“One of the things I liked the most was the timing,” said Mt. San Antonio College student Rosalind Charles.

“They were all very unified, I could tell who was who and they all had good voice texture and a good balance, no one sung over another,” Charles said.

Charles’ favorite quartet was the Newfangled Four, a group consisting of four young men dressed in matching black suits with blue shirts that started less than a year ago.

“I would say they were my favorite because they were really animated. They blend well together and their a cappella was very balanced,” Charles said.

Also representing University of La Verne was Ladies of Leo.

They stunned the audience with their cover of “On My Own,” a song from the musical “Les Miserables.” Their cover gained a standing ovation from a few audience members.

Member of the Leo Singing Dudes and junior music major Ernie Reyes found himself instantly fascinated with barbershop quartet from the time he first heard it.

“I heard everyone singing and thought to myself, ‘Oh my God, where has this been all my life,’” Reyes said.

“Barbershop quartet is a lot of fun. We’ve been trying to put on something like this for so long,” Reyes said.

Reyes advised anyone interested in joining a barbershop quartet to find a place with support.

“Just do it. The barbershop quartet community is really nice and there is no better way than just jumping into a group. It just has this way of making you smile,” Reyes said.

Karla Rendon can be reached at karla.rendon@laverne.edu.

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Illustration by Jacob Bogdanoff

Sydney Daly-Weber
Staff Writer

Tires screech; hearts stop. That is the feeling I get when I ride around school and an accident almost occurs.

Being a student who rides a long board around campus, I know first-hand how crazy drivers can be.

They drive too fast, do not completely stop at stop signs, and they do not pay enough attention to their surroundings.

They are not putting themselves in danger. It is people like me – long boarders, skateboarders and cyclists – who suffer the consequences.

“There have been numerous times I’ve been crossing the street and a car almost hit me,” said Stephanie Ellis, freshman biology and child development major. “It’s ridiculous.”

Last semester, La Verne issued a notice to students via email regarding jaywalking.

It explained that there had been a number of close calls where pedestrians were almost hit by cars, and any pedestrians caught jaywalking will receive a citation.

However, pedestrians walking by foot are not the only ones that need to be worried.

Many students at the University of La Verne use a different means of transportation besides walking or driving.

They use skateboards, bikes, scooters, long boards, nickel boards and penny boards as speedy, efficient and entertaining ways to get around campus.

The only potential problem is the fact that most students do not wear helmets when they are riding their bikes or boards around school.

A study by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia states that each year more than 500,000 people in the United States are treated in emergency departments, and more than 700 people die as a result of bicycle-related injuries.

Protecting your head is a serious issue. Not protecting your head can lead to head injuries and concussions.

Ky Dorsey, a sophomore psychology major, rides his skate board all around the school, but he never wears a helmet.

“It does no harm to wear a helmet except to your swag maybe, but if you’re a good enough and observant and attentive enough skater, then I don’t think you’ll need it,” Dorsey said.

Obviously, many other students have the same opinion as Dorsey; they know that helmets are good protection, but they look strange and childish.

I do not wear a helmet. I choose not to wear one because I am a decent long boarder and I do not like the way they feel and look on my head.

One of the biggest reasons I do not wear a helmet around school though is simply because of the fact that I am at school.

I should be able to feel safe riding around the campus and not have to worry about being hit by a car.

Most college students have been riding their bikes or boards for a while, so they are observant and skilled riders.

Sasha Jones, junior criminology major, rides her bike and her long board around campus.

“I don’t feel the need to wear a helmet because I feel like I’ve been doing this for so long that I am well trained,” Jones said.

What Jones said is probably true for most students, but they still need to be aware of what is going on around them.

“I’ve almost been hit a few times, but I know how to be aware of my surroundings,” Jones said.

“I don’t ride a bike or long board around school, I just walk,” Ellis said. “But I make sure to always pay attention because you don’t know what to expect.”

It is a reciprocal situation for drivers and pedestrians.

Drivers need to look out for pedestrians and pedestrians need to be on the lookout for cars.

The simplest way to avoid disaster is for drivers and pedestrians to be aware of each other’s presence and to share the road.

Sydney Daly-Weber can be reached at sydney.daly-weber@laverne.edu.

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The Lordsburg Taphouse and Grill will take over the D Street home of T. Phillips Alehouse, which recently closed its doors.

The Taphouse, scheduled to open by the end of the month, promises to have various new menu items and a variety of beers.

The restaurant will feature a trendy but old school ambience, high quality ingredients and possibly wi-fi in the near future, said its manager.

“We’re new and improved and we’re going to be better than T. Philips with lots of beers on tap,” said Bryan Fredericksen, bar manager.

“It’s going to be upscale, casual dining and we’re hoping to bring in the family and college crowd.”

The new restaurant features high white ceilings with intricate dark wood trimmings, creating an ambience that restaurant owner Mike McAdams describes as, “Mad Men meets La Verne.”

McAdam’s wife and co-owner of the restaurant, Britt McAdams, also described the eatery as a homage to the city of La Verne.

“Everything in it is going to be about La Verne,” she said.

“All our photos in the restaurant are of La Verne, from new to old photos.”

In addition to its renovated interiors, the menu will feature a selection of American cuisine including hamburgers, pastas, steaks, and some of the fare from the former T. Philips

“We’ve given our chef, Rolando, a certain leeway with coming up with new, fresh and delicious dishes,” Mike McAdams said.

“It’s going to be more homemade and we’re going to use high quality ingredients like Harrah’s Ranch Beef, which will be one of our featured upgrades.”

The owners also hope to interact with the college crowd better by featuring student chefs from local schools.

“We look forward to having guest chefs from schools and let them cook whatever their specialty is or let them come up with something so that we can put it on the menu for that night,” Mike McAdams said.

McAdams and Fredericksen are also in the workings of installing a more sophisticated wi-fi system in the restaurant.

“We want students to be able to come in and open up their laptops and do their homework or do some research.”

The McAdams’ decided to take over the restaurant after the previous owner of T. Phillips approached them with an offer.

“It was … an opportunity,” Mike McAdams said.

“We weren’t seeking to be the owners but I’ve lived here my whole life,” Britt McAdams said.

The restaurant is set to open between May 20 to the 25, the McAdams’ said.

Students who show their university I.D. will receive a 10 percent discount.

“It’s a labor of love and we’re just hoping that everybody shows up,” Mike McAdams said.

Monica Dien can be reached at monica.dien@laverne.edu.

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La Verne Police Chief Scott Pickwith walks down the line inspecting his officers’ uniform requirements Tuesday morning. The entire force, including sworn police officers, parking enforcement personnel, and senior patrol volunteers, gathered to take a department photograph in the middle of Third Street between Sneaky Park and the Public Safety facility. / photo by Zachary Horton

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Al Clark, associate vice president of academic affairs, presents “ Water, Watershed and Warming: An Environmental History of the San Gabriel River, 1542-2042” at Monday’s faculty lecture. Clark, who has been researching this topic since he was an undergraduate, is compiling his research into a book. / photo by Kelley Maggiulli

Candice Nuñez
Staff Writer

Al Clark, wearing a watering can with flowers neck tie, gave students and faculty a quick glimpse into his upcoming book about water, watershed and warming in the President’s Dining Room Monday.

Clark covered a variety of issues discussed in his book like climate, flood control, waste disposal, watershed, water law and species.

“All water is reclaimed water even if it you get it out of the tap or in a bottle, it’s still dinosaur pee,” Clark said.

Clark has been behind the scenes coordinating the colloquium faculty series at La Verne and decided to share the project he has been working on for more than 43 years.

The audience first started off viewing pictures of the San Gabriel Mountains, rivers and valleys where the peak of Clark’s interest was found.

Being a native to Azusa, Clark wanted to dig deeper into the past, present and future dealings and causes of watershed and global warming in the surrounding areas of California.

Although his soon to be 280 page book goes more in depth, Clark managed to show the audience what he has been researching for years.

Clark ran an overview starting all the way to the Ice Age Watershed 18,000 BCE to the Land Boom Watershed of the 1880s to the Future Watershed of 2013-2042-2100.

The audience was surprised to hear that Clark believes global warming first started during the Spanish Watershed of 1769-1820.

“Here is the beginning of global warming,” Clark said, referring specifically to the 1776 global turning point and the beginning of the industrial revolution.

This was also during the time when the Spanish began to start the irrigation of water and cement and brick buildings were first starting to be built, resulting in an astounding number of deaths.

After a brief insight on the past, Clark introduced the new times and ideas that are currently present today, like conservational ideas, agricultural watershed, such as nitrate fertilizers, and the start of dam’s being built.

“This is stuff we’ve been hearing a lot about living here in California, it brought all the focus about water and conservation all into one and helped me understand a little more,” Mary Miller, junior mathematics major, said.

Clark hit key points on the Reclaimed Water aspect that began in 1962 and is currently still used in the present.

Toward the end of Clark’s presentation, students in the audience were hit with some facts that will affect the majority of them and their generation.

Clark said that in the Future Watershed of 2013-2042-2100, there will be less rain and more droughts, not only in Southern California, but worldwide.

Also, water-waste treatment and recycling will become the No. 1 source of new water from people.

For example, we will have to start collecting rain water in barrels.

In addition, because the ocean will reclaim the lower watershed, we might see the beaches gone soon.

“The problems we’re facing locally is kind of scary to see where we’re heading to as a society,” Cristobal Gutierrez, senior psychology major, said.

Clark mentioned the idea that because the ocean will reclaim the lower watershed, that we might see the beaches gone soon too.

“I learned a lot about how it’s important even locally for global warming and environmental concerns because it’s easy to just think it’s so far away,” freshman business communications major Melanie Loon said.

“I was very interested in attending this one because it was Al Clark’s presentation and I wanted to see what his in particular was all about,” Miller said.

Clark hopes to finish his book so that future generations can help take preventive measures for the future regarding our world and its water.

“It’s easy to just think it’s so far away and doesn’t matter, but hearing how it affects places that are so close by was pretty effective on me towards conservation and recycling water,” Melanie Loon, freshman business communications major, said.

Candice Nuñez can be reached at candice.nunez@laverne.edu.

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Thank you for stating your opinion on the gun control issue (“Background checks are needed,” May 3), however I am shocked on your stance of the Second Amendment and would like to provide a different opinion.

First of all, the background check bill failed because of the same reason many others fail: it was full of high controversial gun control issues.

When Obama states that 90 percent of gun voters support background checks, he is using a manipulated statistic. When I researched this I found that only a small portion of people in one area were asked – it could not be accurate.

Many people do not like background checks because they feel it gives more power to the government. Indeed in some states such as New York, backgrounds checks have been extended to include a proof of need clause. Allowing anyone to decide whether I need a gun is like having someone else decide whether I need a car. Both are weapons that are used in murder. I am somewhat split on background checks myself and would rather a neutral agency deal with this.

You wrote, “…the Second Amendment is wildly outdated.” Unfortunately this displays ignorance of the origin and purpose of the Second Amendment. Many mistakenly believe that the Second Amendment applied only to “hunting rifles,” or personal safety from a potential robber. These options are certainly covered by the Second Amendment, but they are not the reason for its creation.

The Second Amendment was not to protect hunting rights, but to protect the people from the government. People who cannot protect themselves without the help of the government are a weak people and an easy target for any power hungry individual or nation. A country is only as strong as its people, and America is supposed to be a country that is by the people, of the people and for the people. Gun control is not a matter of whether I need a gun, but about whether I have a right to a gun. Unfortunately most of those who are arguing for more gun control either do not own guns themselves, have their own security or know the right people so that their own weapons will not be at risk.

Thank you once again for your opinion editor, however many of us Americans, who have lived outside the big cities and have studied the founding fathers and world history extensively, beg to differ.

Annunciata Williams
Senior

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The women’s tennis team finished the season in fourth place in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Con­fer­ence after falling to Redlands, 6-3, in the third place match at the SCIAC Champion­ships May 4 at the Upland Tennis Club.

La Verne finished the year with a 13-8 overall record and 5-4 in SCIAC. The 13 wins are the most in La Verne history. The Leopards also finished the season ranked No. 28 nationally for Division III, the first national ranking the team has earned.

“This was a breakout year,” head coach Yolanda Duron said. “At the end of our season I was extremely proud and I was near tears. Thank God I had sunglasses on.”

Freshman Shenelle Trujillo and sophomore Laina Matsuda won their respective singles matches. Trujillo won 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (6) against freshman Gabriela Vasquez. Matsuda won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1 against sophomore Ceara Sumida. With the win, Matsuda avenged her regular season loss to Sumida last month.

“Last year we were more individually focused,” Matsuda said. “We are more of a team this year than we were last year.”

In the doubles matches, Matsuda and junior Jeanette Losaria fell 8-6 to the Bulldog team of Sumida and junior Jessica Ly. The combination of junior Carly Tucker and freshmen Megan Soucey suffered a 9-7 defeat to Vasquez and freshman Lauren Villanueva. However, Matsuda and Losaria finished the season as the No. 9 nationally ranked women’s doubles team.

“It was hard to adjust to each other at first, but it worked out,” Losaria said. “It is good to see rewards and be ranked.”

Losaria is also ranked No. 23 nationally in women’s singles.

Freshman Andrea Madrigal, ranked No. 7 nationally in women’s singles, recorded a straight sets win over Ly, 6-2, 6-3. Ly defeated Madrigal in the regular season.

“I had a lot people telling me I need to beat her,” Madrigal said. “It made me want to win more.”

Madrigal is ranked the No. 1 alternate in the West Regional. If given the opportunity to play in the NCAA Championships, Madrigal said she will be ready.

“I’m just going to practice” Madrigal said. “That is what I do more than anything.”

The national champion­ships will be held May 21-26 in Kalamazoo, Mich.

“This was the best La Verne tennis has ever done,” Duron said. “The energy every single girl brought really helped the experience of our team.”

“Since our team has such great chemistry on and off the court it definitely helped us throughout the season,” Losaria said. “It is rare to get a group of girls to get along and the fact that we all stuck by each other during season made the journey that much more rewarding.”

“Making La Verne history was that much sweeter because we truly came together and competed as a team in the end regardless of all the ups and downs we had gone through,” she said.

Julian Mininsohn can be reached at julian.mininsohn@laverne.edu.

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Terry Clark engages in some lively conversation with two fair-goers in one of the various vendors’ tents at the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire on Saturday. The fair runs annually from the beginning of April to the end of May at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, featuring an assortment of interesting characters, shows and hand-made items for sale. / photo by Chelsea Knight

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The International Students Organization featured co-president Tahil Sharma’s presentation on India for its last meeting of the semester, May 9, in the Campus Center Ballroom.

Sharma’s slide show was full of knowledge, but the samosas he and his mother made for the occasion were the highlight of the event.

“I like being a part of the ISO because I’m learning formally about different cultures,” said freshman psychology major Roxana Bautista.

Sharma was born in Los Angeles but comes from Indian descent.

He referred to samosas as the Indian version of Mexican empanadas. They are fried pastries stuffed with a mix of potatoes, carrots, peas and spices. He also brought a green dip for the pastries, which was made with yogurt and basil.

Sharma said the concoction helps to prevent heartburn.

The samosas were an example of the healthy lifestyle followed in India. It is a vegan dish and is made with grape seed oil because it does not allow the food to retain oil. The samosas were just a small sample of the many delicious foods normally eaten in northern India.

“The food tends to change all throughout the 26 different states and territories in India,” Sharma said.

Sharma also mentioned how India is known as the land of spices.

“Every single spice known to man is found in India,” said Sharma.

Various combinations of the spices are used to create over 500 different curries found in India.

“It is ignorant to say ‘India equals curry’ because they don’t have just one,” said Sharma.

Clarified butter is also used to cook opposed to regular butter because it is healthier.

Sharma also informed the audience of the fact that there are various churches and temples throughout India practicing different religions such as Hindu, Christianity and Islam.

The Golden Temple is one of the biggest temples in India. It is also one of the biggest soup kitchens in the world, serving 40,000 meals a day.

It has four doors, one on each side, which means people from all walks of life are welcome.

During his presentation, Sharma played two Bohemian dance videos.

The dances, unique in their own way, have religious significance. They are interpretive dances of Indian stories.

The Taj Mahal was also a significant building in India that Sharma spoke about during the meeting.

When the temple was built, the side pillars were purposefully tilted when they stood. The purpose of this structuring was in the case of a natural disaster, the pillars would fall outward so it would not harm the main mausoleum.

“Not many people know that the people who made the Taj Mahal got their tongues cut out afterwards so it could not be replicated,” said Sharma.

It is learning interesting facts like this that make the ISO a unique organization on campus.

“We do a lot of interesting activities to learn about cultures and we talk to new people,” Xareni Reyes, junior math major, Soto said.

Within the past six years, the organization has had students from 25 different countries, like Mexico and China, give presentations on their cultures and the countries they come from.

The ISO meets every other week to discuss different students’ backgrounds and cultures.

The group will continue meeting when the fall semester begins. Meetings are always open to the public and becoming a member is encouraged.

“We are always looking for people to represent their different perspectives and cultures,” said Sharma.

Sydney Daly-Weber can be reached at sydney.daly-weber@laverne.edu.

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While University of La Verne has diverse clubs that cater to student interests, a new club called Reaching Out for Animal Rights’ main ambition is to serve the animal community and bring awareness.

Founded this semester by freshman criminology major Leah Parkhurst, the club’s mission was to educate students about the welfare of animals.

There are about 20 active members.

“We are an animal rights club and our goal is to raise awareness and promote a cruelty-free lifestyle,” Parkhurst said.

“We mean a lifestyle that doesn’t involve eating meat, going to the circus or wearing fur,” she said.

“I feel bad that as a superior species, we treat other species like dirt. We forget sometimes that we’re animals, too,” she said.

Parkhurst, who is also the club’s president, was inspired to start the club after watching a video on a fur trade factory.

“I was really passionate about it and couldn’t believe other people didn’t know about this,” she said. “The club means a lot to me and I thought other people might be interested.”

Parkhurst’s enthusiasm and passion for the club motivated freshman biology major Amber Parra to join the club, where she currently serves as the vice president.

“I think so far the club has been a success,” Parra said. “A lot of people this semester were interested and I want to see what we could do for upcoming semesters. Hopefully I’m still here and I get to help more, we could do a lot.”

While several members joined because of ROAR’s mission to help animals, freshman psychology major Destinee Sales said she joined because of the vegetarian/vegan promotion Parkhurst discussed.

“I know that when Leah talked, she was advocating vegan and vegetarian options in Davenport and I’m vegetarian so then I thought that was cool,” Sales said.

Because the club is new it has only organized a few events this semester.

“The big thing we did this semester was have a truck come and tell people about the club,” freshman psychology major and ROAR member Ashyln Cross said.

The interior of the truck had televisions showing short films about animal cruelty and each student who supported the event by watching the video was given $1.

“It’s a newer club so I want to see it grow and see where we can get with it and see if we can have our goals met,” Sales said.

Parkhurst plans to continue the club next year and expanding the group’s events in hopes of raising more awareness within the La Verne community.

“I know we want to go Christmas caroling later next semester. We also want to volunteer by walking dogs and pet sitting for the community,” Parkhurst said.

Karla Rendon can be reached at karla.rendon@laverne.edu.

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Ramsey made the news when he helped rescue three missing women in Cleveland, but when his newscast interview went viral, he turned into an Internet celebrity.

Ramsey was eating his McDonald’s when he saw Amanda Berry, a woman who was presumed dead, yelling and trying to get out of the house she was in. Ramsey kicked down the locked door, called the police and helped save three women who had disappeared years ago.

The three women were held captive against their will and were tortured by Ariel Castro, a man who Ramsey had lived next to for a year.

Ramsey’s eccentric personality quickly caught the eye of millions surfing the Web and rightfully so. Ramsey was completely himself in front of the camera and is a funny guy.

Soon Ramsey’s face and quotes were everywhere, but somewhere in the video, as it was being passed along, the real reason why Ramsey was being interviewed in the first place was lost. People seemed to forget why the “pretty little white girl” was running into the black man’s arms. Soon memes and out of context screenshots were turned into Internet jokes. The expected autotuned version of his interview came next, one of the oldest jokes on Youtube.

Once Ramsey’s interview was autotuned and received over 10 million views on YouTube, it all seemed like the same situation Antoine Dodson went through.

Dodson’s rise to Internet fame came from a local news interview where Dodson gave his famous “Hide your kids, hide your wife” quote. But do you remember what he said at the beginning of the interview? When he was recollecting the events that occurred the night before Dodson told the news station that he rushed into his sister’s room after he heard her scream and found a man trying to rape his sister.

Dodson fought the man off and saved his sister from becoming a victim of rape. You would not know that if you only saw the autotuned version of the interview.

It is hard to tell if this trend will ever go away. The hilarious black neighbor has outlived acts like Psy, Tay Zonday and Rebecca Black.

The trend of autotuning these men has not only become obnoxious, but also offensive. It has become a trend that pokes fun at lower class African Americans.

It is easy to laugh at the news interviews that these charismatic men give, but the auto tuned versions are cringe worthy. These are funny men and have personalities that attract laughs, but when is the line crossed from when we are laughing with someone to when we are laughing at someone’s economic class and race?

When we lose focus on why these people are in the news in the first place and we mock them rather than praise them there is a bigger issue present than just these jokes existing.

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The presentation was held May 9 and given by registered dietian Nancee Renee Perez.

Those in attendance included cancer survivors, newly diagnosed patients and those interested in learning more about helping prevent the disease.

“I developed an early interest in healthy eating and exercise because I suffered from weight problems and it kind of became a habit,” said Perez.

She has previously given a similar presentation at Pomona Valley Hospital. Attendees were given handouts of the presentation so they could follow along.

Perez started by talking about “super fruits” – goji berries and acai berries, whose antioxidants can help prevent many different types of cancers such as stomach and colon cancer. She also talked about foods that increase one’s chances of getting cancer.

“It was really easy to understand the material she was presenting,” said Joanne Martinez, Pomona resident.

“I’m really excited to use the information I’ve been given to better myself and my family.”

One of the topics that caused some debate was soy.

Researchers have said that too much soy can be harmful and could cause breast cancer in both men and women, but Perez’s facts differed.

Nanette Jauregui, a former medical nurse and pharmacy technician who was diagnosed with a stage two tumor under her arm, was the first to argue the opposite.

“As soon as I started coming to the classes they gave me what I needed to know about nutrition labels,” said Jauregui.

“There are a lot of facts and cancers that do not get out there in the world.”

Perez’s goal was to help people understand that it is easy to take care of themselves without stressing over the little things.

—Christian Garay

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The ULV Chamber Singers and Gospel Ensemble performed their last concert of the semester Tuesday in Morgan Auditorium.

The choirs sang pieces entitled “The Jazz 150th,” “Vita De La Mia Vita,” “Elijah Rock,” “Go Down Moses,” “Bulle­rengue,” and their rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Freshman communications major, Timothy May sang George Gershwin’s “It Ain’t Necessarily So” solo with a background chorus and assistant director Ernest R. Reyes leading the song. May’s jazzy tenor solo was supported by the choir as they scatted along with him during the chorus.

The singers were accompanied by Reed Gratz and freshman music major Caelin Eager on piano, sophomore music Phillip Greenwood on percussion and sophomore biology major David Vorobyov on bass.

“My favorite songs were ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’ and ‘Go Down Moses;’ they appealed to me and out of all of the songs they sounded the best,” junior Coleman Goode said.

After a ten minute intermission, the Gospel Ensemble came on stage with Director James M. Calhoun accompanying on the piano and sang “Praise His Holy Name,” “My Life, My Love, My All,” “Dwell in the House,” “I Will Sing Praises,” and Calhoun joined them in singing “Total Praise” to conclude the concert.

“I was a little disappointed when I only saw five people up there, but they were amazing,” La Verne resident Joy Hofer said.

Their harmonies and a capella techniques helped them capture the audience’s attention.

“They were so into it and so sincere and really with the music. All five of them were on the entire time, it was great,” said Hofer.

“I think my favorite part of it was just seeing the expressions on everyone’s faces and seeing that they were all really into the music,” Hacienda Heights resident Monica Molinaro said.

The performers rehearsed twice a week for two hours at a time under Calhoun’s direction in order to prepare for the show.

“I feel bittersweet. It’s nice that it’s finally over, but I look forward to next semester where I’ll be doing some big things with the choir as a part of my senior project,” junior music major and performer Emmanuel Lagumbay said.

Kat Simonelli can be reached at kathryn.simonelli@laverne.edu.

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Imagine waking up, getting ready for class, leaving your home and seeing the letters S-L-U-T written all over your car. In Chelsea Pitcher’s story in “The S-Word,” this is a reality for a 17-year-old girl.

The story follows similar coming-of-age stories that take place in high school. The feeling of “tiers” of popularity shares the same kind of structure as “Mean Girls” minus the focus on destroying “the plastics.”

Like books before it, the story demonstrates the tiers by identifying sexuality, extracurricular activities and interests. However, rather than focusing on the climb to popularity, we witness the voluntary fall of one of the high school’s most popular girls.

The book touches on some sensitive topics such as bullying, confrontations and suicide and does a great job of looking at each situation carefully and breaking up tension with either romance or comic relief. The story is a great way to show examples of what high school has become for some students and how they should and should not handle the situation.

The narrative follows Angie in her final semester as a high school student. She and her best friend, Lizzie, are inseparable and often talk about going to the same college to maintain their friendship.

They both only see being together after high school as the only future they need.

That is before Lizzie sleeps with Angie’s boyfriend, Drake, at prom. Angie shuns Lizzie and allows the cruelty of gossip and high school students to take revenge.

Lizzie is plagued by the word “slut” being written, carved and spat at her every day for a week after prom until eventually she kills herself.

Now, with only about two weeks left of high school Angie’s world is falling apart. She stops being the stereotypical cheerleader, dyes her hair black, dresses in drab clothes and cuts all ties with the popular girls she once called her friends. She spends every second of her free time trying to piece together what happened to her best friend.

While placing some blame on herself, Angie sets out to make sure that she finds out exactly who else is responsible and what else could have lead to Lizzie’s suicide.

Naming her book “The S-word” was a clever move. At first the only “s-word” that is paid any attention to is “slut” but as Angie goes back in Lizzie’s timeline the story slowly shifts to the word being “suicide.”

This is when the true meaning of the book seems to be unveiled. Yes, high school students can be cruel when they are in a mob. Yes, readers are treated to the hierarchy that is formed in high school and what it means to be “popular.”

But the book addresses a topic that only recently came to the front of everyone’s mind — when people commit suicide, there is a real reason.

After Lizzie’s death someone takes it upon himself or herself to post copies of her diary pages along the walls of the high school and write, in her pretty handwriting, “suicide slut” over Lizzie’s locker.

The passages give Angie a small peak into what it was like in Lizzie’s mind as she went from happy to completely depressed in less than a week.

The passages all seem to be written to a specific person that Lizzie was harboring feelings for but it is not until the end of the book that it is revealed who she is referring to.

This secret romance plays a key-role in Lizzie’s embarrassment over being caught with Drake.

Now while the overarching story is Angie’s investigation, there are several side stories going on as well. Drake is still pursing Angie after being caught with her friend; Angie is doing her best to keep up appearances with the popular girls of the school and, eventually, Angie has a small romance that saves her from following Lizzie’s example.

There is a lot to keep track of but the entwining of all of these stories together is done in a realistic way that keeps the story believable and stays away from the cheesy disaster it could have been.

Angie being a main character made sense for the story. If Pitcher had opted for third person there would not have been as strong as an emotional tug.

Through Angie’s eyes we can see the pain that the friends and family of suicide victims go through.

We also observe the uncomfortable shift of conversation when it is brought up in front of people not willing to deal with the topic.

The secondary character that comes into play is a boy named Jesse. He was one of Lizzie’s friends till the bitter end and also one of the most ridiculed in school.

Jesse wears a dresses, skirts, vests and dress shirts to school; this makes him the target of almost everyone the interacts with him. As soon as readers are introduced to Jesse the only word used to describe his personality is “gay.”

He is dismissed quickly by many and pursued by the head cheerleader of the school to be her best friend.

Angie’s interaction with him builds an almost Pinnochio and Jiminy Cricket relationship. As she tells him her discoveries and theories about Lizzie’s death, he gives feedback and tries to keep her levelheaded.

Angie also ends up getting a crush on Jesse over time since he is the only one that reaches out to her during her personal downward spiral.

Jesse is an effective moral character and demonstrates the emotional tug-of-war that Angie is facing as she tries to hang onto her memory of Lizzie and move on with her own life.

Now even though she dies at the opening of the book Lizzie also plays a key importance to the development of the story. Lizzie is described as a “fairy” and how she is this pure being in Angie’s eyes. She was raised by her single father who is a devote catholic and keeps her on a short leash.

Lizzie is a “safe-rebel” and will only go against what her father believes when she knows that she will not get caught. Lizzie represents a sort of innocence in the story and even though she is smeared through the opening of the book, her true personality is revealed in Angie’s hunt for answers.

The theme boils down to this: Forgive when you can and do not judge based on one mistake.

The true story of what happened to Lizzie on prom night is revealed slowly. From her leaving the dance floor to Angie walking in on her and Drake, there is more of a back-story.

As the book progresses there are constant reminders that there is more to the story than the gossip floating around school. Hopefully readers will keep an open-mind while trying to unravel all of the pieces.

Once the story reaches its climax, it might be surprising to discover who is behind it all. Of all of the people that Angie interrogates the answer reveals itself in an unlikely way. The story is an interesting take on finding the roots that lead to a person’s suicide.

The one hint that can be given is yes there was a spark that pushed Lizzie over the edge. It is hard to accept but there is a “life goes on” tone near the end of the book that is suppose to offer some small comfort but only does the job of sealing off Angie’s hatred for herself.

One thing that is appreciated with the story is that there is not really a happy ending with the characters. Angie’s crush on Jesse pulls her out of her depression while her investigation helps her get out of her guilt she feels over Lizzie’s death.

However, there is no great riding off into the sunset for Angie.

She feels better, but only enough to hint at recovering from losing someone she cared about. Real experiences leak through instead of everything being completely OK in the end of the story.

Hopefully readers will take a minute to read through “The S-Word” and reflect on their own beliefs on the situations that come up in the book.

The story goes deep but keeps readers’ heads just enough above the water to where they will not get lost in the sad situation that Angie is determined to go deeper.

Critical readers will enjoy the thoughts the story brings up rather than feeling as if they are being pushed away.

Chelsea Pitcher’s “The S-Word” is available for $7.61 on the Kindle, $8 on the Nook. Both Barnes and Noble and Amazon carry “The S-Word” for $9 paperback.

Christina Collins Burton can be reached at christina.burton@laverne.edu.

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Senior executive director of the San Fernando Valley campus Nelly Kazman accepts the Administrative Professional Employee of the Year Award during the Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony in the Athletic Pavilion May 10. The ceremony is an annual event recognizing and thanking the many employees who work for the University of La Verne. / photo by Christopher Mora

Erica Maurice
Staff Writer

On May 10 members of the University community gathered in Sports Science and Athletic Pavilion for the annual Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony.

The event was MC’d by Paul Alvarez, athletic training and education program director, and professor of movement and sports science.

“We have so many people to honor,” Alvarez said. “We are all in this together.”

Tiffany Ballesteros, human resources operations and communications manager, organized the ceremony.

“It was … a great event that started on time,” Ballesteros said.

Special awards included the Ellsworth Johnson Faculty Service Award, the University of La Verne Academy membership, La Verne Scholars Award, Excellence in Teaching award and emeritus recognition for retiring faculty.

Awards were also given for faculty who marked the milestones of five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of employment.

Professor of Mathematics Michael Frantz, Director of International Student Services Jeffrey Nonemaker, Assistant Dean for Advising and Retention Services Carie Lewis Hasse and Professor of Education Peggy Redman were all recognized for reaching the 30 year mark.

Professor of Movement and Sports Science Marilyn Oliver, Associate Dean of the College of Business and Public Management Rita Thakur, and Associate Director of the Campus Center Doug Waite were recognized for 35 years of service. Professor of Business Administration Jack McElwee was recognized for 40 years.

Special award winners included Alvarez, who to his surprise received the Ellsworth Johnson Faculty Service Award, which honors faculty members who show outstanding service to the community.

Kristin Howland, administrative assistant in the history- political science department, received the Classified Employee of the Year award.

“It means a lot because we all work really hard,” Howland said. “It’s too bad we could not give more because everyone deserves it in their own way.”

Nelly Kazman, senior executive director of the San Fernando Valley campus in Burbank, received the Administrative Professional Employee of the Year Award.

“I’m usually good at telling this stuff but they pulled one over on me,” Kazman said. “The best part is that my husband and daughter were here. That made it more special.”

Associate Professor of Political Science Gitty Amini and Professor of Psychology Dorie Richards received Excellence in Teaching awards.

And inductees into the La Verne Academy Associate Professor of Public Admini­stration Matthew Witt, and Professor of Law Kevin Marshall were inducted to the University of La Verne Academy – a recognition of their contribution to research in their respective fields.

Winners of the La Verne Scholars Award, receiving grants to support their research were Assistant Professor of Management Omid Furutan, Assistant Professor of Movement and Sports Science Megan Granquist, Associate Professor of Art History Jon Leaver, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Ricardo Morales and Assistant Professor of Psychology Rocio Rosales-Meza.

Retiring professors receiving emeriti recognition included professors William Bearley, Lawrence Machi, Robert Neher, retiring after 55 years, administrator emerita Jean Bjerke, administrator emeritus Michael Welch and administrator emeritus Philip Hofer.

Erica Maurice can be reached at erica.maurice@laverne.edu.

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Junior computer engineering major Nicole Crutchfield helped lead the women’s track and field team to a SCIAC Conference Championship this season. Crutchfield is a sprinter for the Leopards, competing in the 100, 200, 4x100 races. She took first place at the SCIAC Championships in the 100 and anchored the 4x100 where La Verne finished third. / photo by Ryan Gann

Karleigh Neff
Staff Writer

Nicole Crutchfield first fell in love with track and field her sophomore year of high school, when she decided to put her natural born speed to use on the rubber turf.

Since then, she has put in countless hours of dedication and hard work into improving her abilities.

Now, as a junior track and field runner, Crutchfield is the fastest woman in the Southern California Intercollegiate Conference for the second consecutive year in the 100-meter race, and a SCIAC Division III champion.

“She is an extremely hard worker,” said Crutchfield’s head coach Pat Widolff.

Widolff recruited Crutchfield from her high school in San Diego three years ago.

“I don’t think I’ve met a harder worker, she puts so much effort into every single thing she does. I cannot express how much I appreciate everything she has done for the team.”

According to close friend and teammate Ebony Williams, Crutchfield pushes herself in every aspect of life, and constantly sets goals only to achieve them.

Crutchfield manages to improve her running time on the track even while being a computer engineer major and vice president of her sorority Phi Sigma Sigma.

“She’s always encouraging me to do better,” Williams said. “We push each other. We know each other’s weaknesses and try to make them better.”

Crutchfield’s success on the track is mostly due to the coaches she has had throughout her years of competing and close friends on the team.

“My coaches have taught me everything,” Crutchfield said. “They are the reason I am doing better, and my close friends are always helping me and defending me.”

Off the track and aside from school, Crutchfield enjoys spending time with her family and parents who are her biggest supporters. She also loves outdoor activities, sleeping, eating and shopping whenever she has the time.

However, Crutchfield’s main passion and focus will always be track and field.

She plans to continue running in track events after college, and hopes to compete in the Olympics one day. Crutchfield was never interested in other sports or activities. She appreciates track for what it is: a sport that cuts straight to the point.

“I never liked sports with an object like a ball,” Crutchfield said. “Track and field exploits speed and talent. It doesn’t center around something else.”

Crutchfield takes her training for track and field seriously. She keeps her body healthy by eating right and getting enough sleep. She also ices her muscles after every workout and practice.

“As an athlete, she knows what she wants,” friend and teammate Lili Bolanos said. “She is so determined and accomplishes a lot, and as a friend she is always there for you.”

Crutchfield’s college athletic career has been a success since her freshman year, when she was one of the four women to win the SCIAC championship in the 4×100 relay.

Her hard work paid off again at the end of her sophomore and junior year, earning the title as fastest woman in SCIAC in the 100.

Crutchfield plans on going into the Air Force after graduation. She grew up with a father in the Navy so the military was always in her future, she said. It is also where her strong work ethic comes from.

“Track and field is my passion,” she said. “I am happy to do the work for this sport, I have such a love for running and one day I plan on racing the 100 in the Olympics, and I won’t stop until I do.”

Karleigh Neff can be reached at karleigh.neff@laverne.edu.

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In it Lewis brings back to light a 2006 interview in which Jeffries is quoted saying, “That’s why we hire good-looking people in our stores. Because good-looking people attract other good-looking people, and we want to market to cool, good-looking people. We don’t market to anyone other than that.”

Jeffries goes on to say that they want Abercrombie to have a sense of exclusiveness and only want the “cool people” at school wearing their clothing.

The idea of marketing a company like a high school is ludicrous, especially when its targeted audience are teenagers who face the daily pressures of fitting in.

Promoting a brand to the “popular” kids at school further alienates teenagers who are already feeling excluded from their peers.

What is more disturbing is that XL and XXL sizes are not available for women, but are for men.

This makes the company seem sexist. Why are only the larger size options available for men?

This feeds to women’s insecurities. Why make someone feel like they are not good enough for a clothing brand?

Teenage girls should not have to worry about trying to fit into a brand of clothes they want to wear. Jeffries is crossing a treacherous line by excluding a group of people for their weight, as it can play a part in creating eating disorders.

Jeffries also said, “Abercrombie is only interested in people with washboard stomachs who look like they’re about to jump on a surfboard.”

In a time when more designers have taken a strong stance against hiring ultra thin models, Abercrombie is taking a step back by continuing to alienate full figured women by using Caucasian, tan and blonde models in the majority of their ads.

In an attempt to cover up the embarrassment of this quote Jeffries released a statement to try and calm the masses. The statement apologized for the “resurrected quote” that “has been taken out of context.” He went on to state: “We are completely opposed to any discrimination, bullying, derogatory characterizations or other anti-social behaviour based on race, gender, body type or other individual characteristics.”

This statement after media and consumers have criticized the CEO’s comments. The post even went up on the company’s Facebook page and was met with sarcastic and negative feedback. A lot of commenters pointed out that Jeffries straightforward statement could not have been taken out of context. Instead of remedying the situation, Jeffries just fanned the flames of hate for his company.

It seems like Jeffries was not part of the “cool” crowd in high school and is now trying to make up for his past insecurities.

Abercrombie needs to stop being the mean girl, step into 2013 and start embracing all different types of body types instead of only sharing how accepting the company is when they are being criticized.

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Students in the theater department are taking a new twist on the traditional senior project by breaking free from the educational realm and entering the world of professional theater as they enter the 2013 Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Theater majors Cody Goss, Alexis Robles and Sierra Taylor are organizing their own original production called “Jason <3’s Medea” for their senior projects.

“It’s modern thoughts intertwined with Greek ideas. It’s going to be a very interesting production,” Robles said. “It’s basically a piece of hyper theater-like lights, puppets, shadow puppets and other elements blended to make a solid production.”

The Hollywood Fringe Festival is an annual event celebrating freedom of expression and collaboration in the performing arts community.

They are entering the show into the fringe festival that runs from June 15 to June 30 where the productions will be presented for theatre professionals.

“We came up with the idea of doing this show last summer. Alexis and Sierra approached me about it, and I was like yeah, sounds great,” Goss said. “I’ve always loved Greek mythology, and as soon as I found out we were entering the Fringe Festival, I was sold.”

Fringe Festivals exist throughout the world as havens for underground and emerging arts scenes. Artists use this opportunity to get noticed and possibly earn cash prizes as well as break through into the professional realm of the entertainment industry.

As amazing as the festivals are, they are also quite expensive. The students involved developed a way to fund their expedition through a fundraiser known as KickStarter. The fundraiser was a success and they exceeded their goal of $3,000 by $705.

After reading about eleven different translations of the Medea myth as well as Jason’s, the young actors developed a new story of their own, with the help of director Matt Hill and writer A. Michael C.

Their version of Medea is based on the original Greek myth, but twisted and shaped into something more modern and fun, depicting love and hate in its most primal form.

The students have been working non-stop on this production since the beginning of the fall semester. During spring break, they worked on it seven hours straight each day.

“It’s amazing to be working with these people and know that they don’t have a day job, this is what they do for a living, this is where I want to be.” Goss said.

The students will team up with ULV alumni Melody Rahbarl and Tanya Wilkins in their production of “God of Carnage,” by Yasmina Reza.

“I’m super excited to be professionally critiqued and meet a bunch of fantastic people,” Goss said. “I met the people I want to be through this process, and I want bring something new to everyone.”

Alison Rodriguez can be reached at alison.rodriguez2@ laverne.edu.

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The theater department’s student-directed works, consisting of one-act plays, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Jane Dibbell Cabaret Theatre. Admission is free.

Guitar Ensemble

Guitar ensemble students will perform at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Morgan Auditorium. Admission is free.

Student Art Show

The art department presents the Spring Student Art Show at 3 p.m. Thursday in the art studios in the Arts and Communications Building. Artwork from students in Painting II, Sculpture and Design will be on display. Admission is free.

‘Geolocation’

The Carlson Gallery is hosting photographers Nate Larson and Marni Shindel­man’s exhibit “Geo­location: Desert­scapes,” which will run through May 24. The gallery is open to the public 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

‘Campus’

The Harris Gallery exhibit “Campus: Selec­tions from the La Verne Art Collection” features works by several student artists. The exhibit is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, through May 20. Admission is free.

Warped Tour 2013

The annual Vans Warped Tour will be at the Fairplex in Pomona on June 20-21. The concert will feature performances by Sleeping With Sirens, August Burns Red, Chiodos, Forever the Sickest Kids and more. Tickets are available online at vanswarpedtour.frontgatetickets.com.

­–Alison Rodriguez

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University administrators will launch phase two of the La Verne Experience – the sophomore experience – in the fall of 2014. The Sophomore La Verne Experience, or SOLVE, will essentially be a two-unit course centered around student involvement.

An optional pilot program of SOLVE will launch during spring semester 2014. Administrators are currently working to fill out the details of the program.

The program will likely have three components: campus activities and events, exploration of the University’s core values and a written personal reflection, said Jonathan Reed, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

“It’s a course that’ll introduce students to all of the things available on campus,” said Peggy Redman, professor of education and director of the La Verne Experience. “They’ll go, attend those events and return to reflect in a classroom setting to produce something written for that. That keeps who we are as an institution.”

“I think the first misconception is that many people think that it’s just going to be FLEX again,” associate professor of political science Gitty Amini said.

FLEX, or the Freshman  La Verne Experience, which started fall semester 2013, is a linked classes program for which the same group of freshmen takes two or three classes together.

“They think it’s just going to be FLEX again with the same courses, so they’re like, ‘Ugh, we’ve already done this.’ But it’s not round two of FLEX, it’s completely different.”

FLEX, the freshman La Verne experience, is different from the proposed sophomore experience, which will only be one class linked to out-of-class activities.

“It’s kind of a progression,” Redman said. “FLEX deals with the academic role, linking the two courses with writing class and with community engagement. Now, coming into the sophomore experience, it’s about becoming exposed to all the things the campus has to offer. Those reflective pieces will be the beginning pieces to the e-portfolio.”

The e-portfolio is a component that will be introduced as part of the entire four-year La Verne experience, where students will reflect. Some of the tabs suggested for the e-portfolio include having a transcript section, career development, a compilation of student work and a letter written during the freshman year that would only be available when the student graduates.

The SOLVE program will collaborate and have leadership with student affairs to connect the curricular with the co-curricular, Redman said.

“We’re sort of trying to figure out what we emphasize during the sophomore year,” Amini said. “‘What do they need in their sophomore year?’– that’s the question we posed to ourselves. So we tried to come up with something that would service the sophomores, and that is to really get them engaged.”

While administrators have been working on the second phase during the school year, the plan for the La Verne Experience was introduced in 2011 when President Devorah Lieberman was inaugurated.

“I came in and said what I’d like to do is create the La Verne Experiences so every student is participating in a program that’s different at the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior levels but has connections to disciplines and faculty outside of classes,” Lieberman said.

After interviewing for the position of president, Lieber­man noticed that if students were focused on completing their majors, they were not able to see the connection between disciplines and building a connection with faculty members, she said.

The College of Arts and Sciences was looking at ways to make more intensive learning experiences, but did not package it as the La Verne Experience until Lieberman.

“We wanted to look at doing more,” Reed said. “The La Verne Experience is the student-faculty relationship, so we have to make sure we are creating opportunities for students to establish these relationships.”

Faculty is responsible for creating the curriculum of the sophomore program and assessing it.

Two years ago, before Lieberman came, the University had around 1,500 students on main campus, but now that the figure has nearly doubled to 2,600 students, it’s gotten harder to connect with other students on campus, Reed said.

Four years ago part-time faculty taught 75 percent of all classes to freshmen, Reed said. Because of this, a program was needed to build relationships.

In developing the sophomore experience, administrators looked toward other courses for inspiration.

“I think the one we put it over is the Honors Colloquium, and what they do is really an effort to bring students into an understanding of all of the links in life between academics and their co-curricular activities,” Redman said.

Another came from a “Skills for Success” course from the business school. The models of each course can benefit all students, Amini said.

Still, there have been several issues with developing the sophomore year experience.

One has been re-articulating the baccalaureate goals, which are the basic skills and values the University wants all students to graduate with. The sophomore year experience has to be tailored to meeting those goals, Reed said.

Another issue has been deciding when the program should be implemented.

Though the sophomore experience will not be a requirement for the current freshman class, those students will have the option next year, as sophomores, to participate in the pilot program.

The hope is to have, at most, two sections in the spring of 2014.

Yet administrators are still working on having the classes satisfy a general education requirement in the catalog.

“We all agree that, conceptually, it’s a really exciting opportunity,” Amini said. “But what always happens is that you have a brilliant idea and then you try to actualize it and you get the details wrong, and then it flops. We just want to make sure it doesn’t flop, we want to make sure we get those details right before we go with the full rollout.”

Perhaps the biggest issue has been the skepticism students and faculty have shared over how little is known about the sophomore year experience.

“I’m not entirely clear what the purpose of it is,” Professor of Sociology Hector Delgado said. “Is that really just the purpose, to just encourage students to get out? I see it sort of as a student affairs thing, I don’t see it as much in an academic realm, as I understand it.”

The University is increasingly concerned with students meeting one another, with students thriving socially, whereas the emphasis should be on academics, Delgado said.

“Honestly, out of all the people I met in the FLEX community, there is only one I keep in contact with and he ended up being in a different FLEX group,” freshman chemistry major Alexander Malinick said.

Students left in the dark have created scenarios, often asking whether the new program would decrease their chances of graduating within four years.

“In the La Verne experience, there are no wasted courses and you still graduate in the same amount of time,” Lieberman said. “La Verne experience courses become all a part of that, if you’re very efficient.”

Eventually, the goal is to fully integrate the sophomore experience with the GEs, so that the two-unit course is not an additional requirement, but instead fulfills requirements in place already, Reed said.

“They are requirements, so you can look at requirements as being forced or being guided,” Redman said. “It all depends if you want to look at it as the glass half-full or the glass half empty. If you want to feel like you’re being forced, then you have every right, but the reality of it is that you’re not taking anything different than what you would have to take anyway.”

Some freshmen that have had difficulty with the FLEX program are hoping the sophomore experience will do a cleaner job its first time out.

“(FLEX) was a little restrictive when it came to us choosing what classes we wanted,” freshman political science major Kalyn Taylor said. “While it was a great idea, it’s a new program and has some problems to fix.”

“I don’t blame the students for feeling a little frustrated, because we had a new president, she has an agenda, so we were trying to get her off the ground,” Redman said. “I think the FLEX thing went really well, but it did create some angst among some students because they don’t see the big picture.”

The big picture is to provide a curricular structure when having students involved in campus events, Amini said.

Another freshman, psychology major Shea Gaier had a bad experience with the FLEX program because she was unable to drop a course she did not want without dropping the program requirement itself.

“I feel nervous about the incoming freshmen because they don’t know what they’re getting into,” she said.

Overall, there has been a general feeling that there has been little student input in the decision making process.

“It would be a good idea for them to involve students in the process; I don’t know to what degree they are,” Delgado said. “Are students really involved, or are they being involved in simply having pizza with the president and asking questions? That, to me, is not the same thing. They may want to involve students.”

“We probably have not communicated as well as we should have with students,” Reed said. “There hasn’t really been a well-orchestrated event to get feedback from students.”

Despite any criticisms of the new sophomore experience, administrators implementing the program remain optimistic.

Even more, there are already plans to for the junior and senior experiences to launch in the upcoming future as well.

“We’re looking at junior and senior experiences and for these next parts they’ll be created out of current components,” Reed said.

Two of these components would be blending the major requirements and using the senior capstone projects.

The junior and senior experiences are likely to create some discussion as well.

“Every four to five years there are curriculum changes, so there’s always a bit of nervousness for the generations in between,” Reed said. “Those students always have the option of going with the new or staying with the old.”

“The junior year experience concerns me more, because then at this point they want to pair up classes with departments,” Delgado said.

“There I think they crossed over into an area that is academic freedom, telling people in their discipline how they should run their major. I think that violates academic freedom as far as I’m concerned.”

With the next three phases of the La Verne experience in progress, there are many details to be figured out before they are fully implemented.

Robert Penalber can be reached at robert.penalber@laverne.edu.

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B.o.B performed at the fourth annual LaVernapalooza on May 2 at the Fox Theater in Pomona. The concert was opened by DJ Earworm and Mike Posner. B.o.B’s latest album, “Strange Clouds,” was released last year. / photo by Nicole Ambrose

Karleigh Neff
Staff Writer

The Fox Theater in Pomona rattled with bass Thursday night as exuberant students and locals jumped to the beats of DJ Earworm, Mike Posner and B.o.B at La Verne’s annual LaVernapalooza.

The crowd entered to thumping upbeat songs played by DJ Earworm.

Around 300 students showed up to the concert, and only a few people were asked to leave because of intoxication, said Associated Students of the University of La Verne President Ava Jahanvash.

“The music was good even when we first got here,” said freshman business major Brayden Capitano. “It’s better than what I was expecting.”

Mike Posner was the perfect opening act for B.o.B with his high energy and musically diverse performance. Posner included live piano playing and rapping.

Posner ended with Justin Bieber’s hit song “Boyfriend,” which he originally wrote.

“Mike Posner was even better than B.o.B,” said junior liberal arts major Brett Stephan. “He is actually a very talented guy, and he was performing well. I’ve always liked him. He just seems genuine.”

B.o.B came out to a full crowd cheering and chanting his name.

Simmons put on a lively show filled with some of his biggest hits such as, “Out of My Mind,” “Airplanes” and “Magic,” which the crowd sang along to.

“The best part was when he jumped into the crowd and attempted to crowd surf,” Stephan said. “He was full of so much energy.”

“I thought they could’ve gotten someone better at first, but I ended up having so much fun and loving it,” said freshman psychology major Amy Escamilla.

ASULV and the Campus Activities Board hosted the event with the help of Director of Student Life Barbara Mulligan and Associate Director of Student Life Angie Anderson.

“We go through an agent,” Jahanvash said. “The agent gives us a list of possible artists we can get for the show who are in our budget, and then he contacts them.”

After two rounds of student voting, they were able to book B.o.B for the concert.

Karleigh Neff can be reached at karleigh.neff@laverne.edu.

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Derek Zachman, senior business administration major, was named to the All-SCIAC First Team for the second year in a row at the SCIAC Championships on April 27-29. / photo by Kelley Maggiulli

Kristina Bugante
Staff Writer

Senior Derek Zachman had a successful second and final season with the golf team which continued its winning streak, capturing its seventh consecutive league title at the 54 hole Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships last month in Beaumont.

Zachman was one of the three La Verne golfers to earn a place in the All-SCIAC First Team alongside Keven Holliday and Kelby Scharmann, with Paul Gomez in the Second Team.

This is Zachman’s second consecutive All-SCIAC selection, while tying for second place at the 54-hole Championships.

As a junior, he was also awarded the Lee Fulmer Award, which is given to the SCIAC player of the year.

With these accomplishments and more under his belt, Zachman still maintains a humble attitude and credits most of his success as part of a team effort.

“Honestly, winning conference as a team is the most important for me,” Zachman said. “All I cared about this year was bringing home SCIAC as a team, and kind of just helping the team out any way I could.”

Zachman enjoys the special connection he has with his teammates and owes much of the team’s success to their good chemistry.

“It’s a pretty special team we have this year,” he said. “We’re always clicking and we’re always in a good mood.”

“He’s always thinking of the team first,” junior business major and teammate Keven Holliday said. “He has his individual goals, but as long as we bring home the trophy at the end of the day, that’s his main goal.”

Golf coach Chris Davis considers Zachman not only an outstanding player, but almost an assistant coach.

“He works very hard, he knows how to have a good time, he knows how to lighten the pressure when the guys are feeling a little tense,” Davis said. “He’s been an incredible asset to the team.”

Zachman had what some would consider a late start in golf. After playing baseball his entire life, he decided to take up golf more seriously as soon as he entered high school at 14 years old.

“(I like) how competitive it is,” he said. “It’s a different type of competition. It’s not physical, but it’s mental – I can’t describe it; it’s a really exhilarating experience.”

Playing golf can take a lot of concentration, but Zachman utilizes the opposite approach while on the course.

“I try to stay as loose as possible, because when I get a little too focused or too serious, it can mess me up,” he said. “I’m really laid back on the golf course. I just try to have fun and enjoy the experience out there.”

After spending his first two years of college at William Jessup University, Zachman transferred to La Verne in 2011 with the knowledge of its already established successful golf team.

“It just seemed like a perfect fit,” he said. “Southern California weather, good golf, good kids – it just seemed like the best opportunity.”

Zachman will graduate June 1st as a business major with a concentration in marketing, although professional golf is definitely his No. 1 prospect for the future.

“In 10 years, if everything works out, I’ll be in the PGA Tour,” he said. “If not, then I’ll be working in golf somewhere in marketing, maybe caddying for someone else. Somewhere in golf for sure.”

The golf team will continue on to the NCAA Division III Golf Championships May 14-17 in Destin, Fla.

“It was a huge accomplishment,” Zachman said. “I hope the readers understand how important this is for the school and our program.”

Kristina Bugante can be reached at kristina.bugante@laverne.edu.

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Devan and Sanjay Pandya take a break from school and work to enjoy a meal at the weekly food truck fest at Glendora Friends Church. The Glendora-based church just started this weekly event, along with Freddy’s Food Court, an online company that supplies food trucks and catering services to organizations in the greater Los Angeles area. / photo by Christopher Mora

Sydney Daly-Weber
Staff Writer

Burgers, hot dogs, barbecue, Hawaiian food, sandwiches, loaded fries and scrumptious food filled the Glendora Friends Church parking lot from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 1.

The Glendora Friends Church will now host this event Wednesday nights for anybody looking for a good time with friends and family, filled with upbeat music, interesting accessories and creative food.

“The event is also for local outreach,” church member Steve Osborn said.

“It is mainly for meeting our neighbors,” he said.

This weekly event is a fundraiser for the church’s Family Camp in July.

On May 1, there were five trucks: Stuff It Burgers + More, Crazy Train Barbecue, Azteca Truck, Sam Choy’s Pineapple Express and Meet N’ Potatoes. There was also a booth for Sam’s Kettle Corn.

The event was organized by Fred Duran, owner of Freddy’s Food Court, which is a marketing company for restaurants, caterers and gourmet food trucks.

“If they need a food truck for a fundraiser, they call me,” Duran said.

Freddy’s Food Court hires different food truck vendors every week to sell their unique creations at the fundraising event.

The kettle corn’s aroma filled the air as people entered the event.

“Our kettle corn is all fresh,” Joe Segura, Sam’s Kettle Corn employee, said. “This batch is not even an hour old.”

Once people arrived and spotted the food trucks, the aroma attracted them to try new, maybe rare, cuisine.

The savory smell of the Crazy Train Barbecue would pull guests in one direction while the loaded French fries from Meet N’ Potatoes pulled them another.

“I tried the spicy barbecue roast beef loaded fries with a fried egg on top from Meet N’ Potatoes,” Covina resident Reannon Valencia said. “It was delicious. I’m trying to get a variety of stuff, but I’m also here to support the church.”

Sam Choy’s had its own twist on Hawaiian dishes, like Sam’s Original Kalua Pork Sandwich, but the Ahi Poke seemed to be a favorite.

The Ahi Poke is a fresh sashimi-style fish, cubed and mixed with soy, sesame oil, tomatoes, onions and mild pepper flakes. Its popularity swayed hungry spectators as it sold out within the first 45 minutes of the event.

People also lined up for Stuff It Burgers’ 100 percent Angus beef burgers, along with their hot dogs piled with various condiments.

The Piggy Fries, french fries topped with cheese, pulled pork, barbecue sauce and the Stuff It Burger special sauce, were also enjoyed by family and friends throughout the evening.

Besides all the unique selections, there were two vendors selling accessories. Whether it was sunglasses or electronics, everything was sold for less than $10.

“This is only the second week,” vendor Keith Parrish said.

“The first one was great. The church is a good location. It’s prime on a nice street,” he said.

The weekly food truck event is scheduled to run through the end of May.

However, it may be extended through the rest of the summer because the reaction has been spectacular.

“We weren’t sure how it was going to be perceived by the public, but they accepted it surprisingly well,” Osborn said.

Sydney Daly-Weber can be reached at sydney.daly-weber@laverne.edu.

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The violin group the Rosé Trio performs May 3 in Morgan Auditorium. The group was formed in 2011 by violinists Irene Shiao, Sarah Wallin Huff and Danielle Cummins, together with pianist Masako Okamura Klassen. The performance included several classical pieces as well as original compositions. They have performed at several schools including La Verne, Mt. San Antonio College and Cal State San Bernardino. / photo by Chelsea Knight

Kat Simonelli
Staff Writer

The gentle tune of violins and piano treated a small audience as the Rosé Trio performed a short concert on May 3 in Morgan Auditorium.

The trio is made up of the three violinists: Sarah Wallin Huff, Irene Shiao and adjunct professor Danielle Rosaria Cummins and was officially formed two years ago after a faculty performance in the Campus Center.

“I think it was interesting seeing just the violins and the piano rather than the whole orchestra since I just came from another concert with a full orchestra on Sunday,” junior biology major Estefania Gomez said.

“I find classical music a little bit difficult, but I did really enjoy this performance,” she said .

Some of the pieces the trio performed included: “Selections from Sonata Prima,” “Suite for Three Violins, Op. 133,” “Angel’s Landing,” and they were joined by pianist Masako Okamura Klassen for the last few pieces including, “Suite for Two Violins and Piano in G Minor, Op. 71,” “Allegro energico,” “Allegro Moderato,” “Lento Assai” and “Molto Vivace” which was arranged by Wallin Huff.

Many of the pieces sounded much like their titles suggested, as most of them were named after the different tempos that the music is meant to be played.

Although it came off to a slow start. “Allegro energico” which literally means to play energetically and lively, was fast paced and full of positive energy that was brought out by the performers.

“By far my favorite part of the concert was the ‘Solitude’ piece by Danielle Cummins because I thought it was really beautiful,” Arcadia resident Jim Nahas said. “Her other piece ‘Water and Sun’ was also amazing.”

“Angel’s Landing” was composed by the trio’s own Cummins and the group performed it in front of a live audience for the first time on Friday.

“It’s quite an exciting feeling to put your own piece out there for people to listen to,” Cummins said.

“Most composers would tell you that it’s a pretty intense feeing when you finally present your piece to a live audience and you get to see what works and what doesn’t, with the live audience you get to hear it from their perspective.”

The composition included pieces entitled “Water and Sun,” “The Storm,” “Solitude” and “Adagio-Allegro Vivace.”

“Angel’s Landing” was a hit with most of the crowd and gathered the most applause at the end of the piece.

“I liked “Angel’s Landing” because it really correlated with the title and I could have a better picture of what was going on and what was intended,” Gomez said.

“I also think that some of the sounds that were coming from the violin almost sounded human, like a person was singing it, so I think that’s why I liked it best.” Gomez said.

Though the audience was small, they were made up of a few students and locals who came out to support the group’s concert.

“It is such a great opportunity to see local performances that are really professional and well done,” Nahas said. “I would have expected to see this kind of a concert with a lot more people in a bigger venue.”

“I like classical music and especially music like this so it was a great opportunity for some very cheap entertainment in such a nice venue,” Nahas said.

Kat Simonelli can be reached at kathryn.simonelli@laverne.edu.

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Senior criminology major Claudia Gonzalez steps under a canopy in front of the Barkley Building on D Street on her way to class Monday morning. The surprise rain showers continued all day Monday and into Tuesday morning. / photo by Zachary Horton

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Editorial cartoon by Jacob Bogdanoff

College would not be college without stress and procrastination. With stress levels increasing each year, it only makes sense that the University of La Verne will try to create ways that students can relieve stress.

Studies from the American Psychological Association show that Millennials (ages 18 to 33) have the highest average stress levels. Both Millennials and Gen Xers report an average stress level of 5.4 on a 10-point scale. Due to stress, more than 52 percent of students report having lain awake at night in the past month and 44 percent of Millennials and Gen Xers report experiencing irritability or anger.

To remedy the stress that sets in during finals the Associated Students of University of La Verne and the Campus Activites Board have a solution: Destination Procrastination. The event is scheduled for May 17 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Campus Center.

It has come to that time in the semester where all the students are burnt out and the countdown to finals begins. It will begin the ultimate procrastination to study for finals and what better way to procrastinate than by playing arcade games, getting free massages, free giveaways and eating tons of free food?

With the coordinators still at work to finalize the final schedule, students can be assured that there will be serveral events throughout the night and delicious food every hour. This event will be free to both residents and commuters.

Students should take advantage of this event to help relax before finals week kicks off. The APA’s five tips to help manage stress are take a break from the stressor, exercise, smile and laugh, get social support and meditate.

Destination procrastination definitely hits all the APA’s tips to help manage stress. It will help students take a break from studying which will allow their brains to relax. There will be a live DJ that will allow the students to dance the night away and get their stress out through dance.

Socializing with friends will bring out the smiles, laughs and the venting of how much they hate finals. Talk about free massages and food trucks at midnight, if that does not win students over, who knows what will.

For those students who actually want to get a start on studying but still want to participate and eat delicious food, there will be tutors from the Leaning Enhancement Center available to help students. Finals goodie bags will also be handed out filled with supplies for finals.

So if students are ready for the ultimate procrastination experience do not do it on your own, do it at the school’s expense.

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Neil Gilbert leads his group of birdwatchers on a two-hour walking tour of the loop at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden in Claremont. He started as a guide for the botanical garden 20 years ago when he found his love for bird watching. Bird watching is available the first Sunday of every month with free admission. The garden is open daily and student admission is $6. / photo by Mitchell Aleman

Monique Parra
Staff Writer

The Claremont community gathered early Sunday morning for their monthly bird walk at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.

Adults and students collected binoculars, provided by the garden, as they started off on their bird watching adventure.

The garden is home to over 147 species of birds. The tour caught a glimpse of about 26 birds from the western scrub jay to the California thrasher.

The tour guide for the student group, Neil Gilbert, is a Claremont resident and has been learning and giving tours about the different species of birds for 20 years.

“I began when I knew the birds and now I forgot them,” Gilbert said, jokingly.

Although Gilbert noted that many of the birds seen on the two hour tour were more likely to be seen on the ground, many were flying from tree to tree.

“I love seeing the variety of birds with their different colors here at the garden,” Tanner Cohan, freshman at John W. North High School said.

The Spotted Towhee bird was seen several times throughout the morning tour.

The garden opened in 1927 in Orange County, but moved to Claremont in 1951. Now, visitors come to enjoy the variety of plants and animals.

“I’m working on a school project, but didn’t realize how interesting it was going to be,” Brandon Spencer, Riverside resident said.

“The spotted towhee is my favorite bird, so I’m glad I was able to see one in person.”

Anna’s hummingbirds, California thrashers, California towhees, cliff swallows, Nuttall’s woodpeckers, tree swallows and bushtits are all known to nest in the garden and were seen by the group.

“I’m fascinated over the amount of birds seen today, since it’s a gloomy day,” Kayla Larsen, a senior at John W. North High School, said.

“We were able to see a hawk, when we went off exploring on our own.”

Not only did the students get to see different types of birds, but they were also able to see birds that are going instinct like the hawk.

The hawk seen was a female, who recently lost her mate.

Gilbert believes that an owl got a hold of the male hawk, after finding it further back in the garden.

Bird watching is the first Sunday of every month and is sponsored by the Pomona Valley Audubon Society. Admission is free and binoculars are given to those who do not own a pair.

The next event held at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden will be in the Pavilion exploring butterflies this Sunday, May 12.

Admission is $2 and begins at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Guests are suggested to wear comfortable shoes, light colored and/or white clothing.

For more information about the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden visit www.rsabg.org.

Monique Parra can be reached at monique.parra@laverne.edu.

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Greg Beran, assistant professor of chemistry at UC Riverside, presents his research, "Molecular Crystal Polymorphism: Can We Predict How Molecules Pack Together in Solids?" in the Science Seminar class May 1. One example Beran used was chocolate bars. Cocoa butter has six polymorphs, the most desirable being Metastable Form V, which has a glossy appearance, is crisp and melts at 34 degrees Celsius. Cocoa butter is more stable in Form VI, in which the chocolate is dull, soft, has a grainy taste and often turns partially white after it changes into Form VI. / photo by Katherine Careaga

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Vicky Campos, junior music major, and Zachary Green, senior theater major, perform at Sunday’s student recital. Campos sang “Va! Laisse couler mes larmes” by Jules Massenet and “I’ve Heard an Organ Talk Sometimes” by Aaron Copland. Green sang “Someone to Fall Back On,” by Jason Robert Brown. / photo by Katherine Careaga

Candice Nuñez
Staff Writer

Sweet sounds of student voices rang loudly throughout Morgan Auditorium Sunday night at the student recital.

The music department presented many talented musicians, ranging from mezzo-sopranos, tenors and pianists to trumpet and flute players.

“The recital was all together very nice. I didn’t know we were so talented at La Verne,” freshman kinesiology major Nasjua Palmer said.

The recital featured students from the studios of MohWeu Chen-Hribar, Karen Knecht, Eileen Holt, Jonathan Mack and Carol Stephenson with Jennifer Cruz as the accompanist.

“I’ve never attended one of these recitals before but ended up really enjoying it,” freshman criminology major Lyndsay Godwin said.

“Every performance was different in its own way and had everyone in the audience so intrigued.”

Each performance had a different feel, from energetic broadway numbers to classic opera pieces.

Mezzo-sopranos junior music major Amanda Timko, junior music major Vicky Campos, sophomore theater major Victoria Wyatt and freshman biology major, Ashley Valiente sang a variety of songs such as the powerful and heartbreaking opera piece, “Va! Laisse couler mes larmes,” the fun and flirty, “Broadway Baby,” and the somber “On My Own” from “Les Misérables.”

The audience was also treated to the sounds of freshman music major Caelin Eager on the piano and the flute trio consisting of sophomore psychology major Liz Garcia, freshman chemistry major Jacky Castaneda and sophomore English major Chandler Heath. who played “Pavanne” and “Three Nuns in the Desert.”

“Caelin was my favorite part of the show; she played with such passion and was so great to watch,” Godwin said.

Although the performance consisted predominately of female vocalists and musicians, the audience was also able to enjoy the vocal talents of the only four male tenors of the evening, junior music major, Paolo Kespradit, freshman communications major Timothy May, junior music major Ernie Reyes and senior theater arts major Zachary Green.

Green sang two different songs to show the audience the versatility in his voice.

The first song was an opera performance followed by his rendition of “Someone to Fall Back On,” by Jason Robert Brown.

“I’ve performed in about 10 recitals since I’ve been at La Verne and tonight I felt pretty good,” Green said. “Carol has been challenging me with really difficult stuff lately so it was nice to give it a good shot.”

A crowd favorite, freshman music major Brianna Nemback, sang two opera style numbers “Der Tod und das Mädchen” and “Un bel di.”

Some audience members were left in tears after soprano singer Nemback sang her rendition of the songs.

“Brianna is always amazing. She’s always so great in class and tonight was no different,” Green said.

The music department will host another student recital May 24 in Morgan Auditorium at 7:30 pm.

Candice Nuñez can be reached at candice.nunez@laverne.edu.

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Elsie Ramos, Sports Editor

It has been long overdue. Finally an active member of one the four major sports leagues in the United States has come out as an openly gay man.

NBA free agent Jason Collins broke Twitter the morning of April 29 with his announcement, via a Sports Illustrated essay, that he was gay.

While he is not the first athlete to come out, he is the first active male athlete to do so. What Collins did took courage and should be applauded.

He knew what the consequences of his actions might be: a team may not be willing to sign him for fear of distraction or other players might ridicule him, but he still did it.

For 34 years this man held on to this secret, and the burden he must have felt is something unimaginable. In his essay for Sports Illustrated, Collins wrote, “I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, ‘I’m different.’ If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”

It is 2013, Collins raising his hand should not be a big deal. It should not matter who these athletes date or who they go home with after a game. As long as they are not committing crimes, who cares which sex is in bed with them?

The fact that Collins had to do this on the cover of a magazine shows how far the sports world has made steps to accepting all people. Hopefully, the next athlete will not have to come out through a magazine.

Players should not have to wait until retirement to come out of the closet because of fear of ridicule of teammates and coaches. They should be able to express themselves freely and be who they are.

If a straight athlete were to go to a club with his supermodel girlfriend, he would get praised or it simply would not be news. Hopefully the first time Collins steps out with his partner it will not be all over TMZ and every other gossip site. It is time we moved past this and just let them live.

While many NBA players, celebrities, athletes from other sports, former President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama praised Collins for his bravery, there were still many ignorant and derogatory comments made.

Those people and their responses do not deserve any attention from anyone.

The attention and focus should be on Collins and what he has done for the other gay athletes that are still trapped in the locker room wanting to come out, and for the rest of the people who are too afraid to raise their hands.

Elsie Ramos, a senior journalism major, is sports editor of the Campus Times. She can be reached by email at elsie.ramos@laverne.edu.

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Freshman Andrea Madrigal smashes the ball over the net for a point against a doubles team from Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the tournament semifinals at the Upland Tennis Club May 3. Winning more games this season than any other season, with a record of 5-3 in conference play, the team earned a spot to play and host the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship. The Leopards placed fourth in the tournament and fourth overall in the conference. / photo by Hunter Cole

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Mariela Patron, News Editor

As a Mexican-American, every year I have witnessed people abuse Cinco de Mayo as a way to fully embrace every Mexican stereotype and march the streets with their sombreros, bright colored ponchos and tequila in hand.

Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day and it is a bigger deal in America than in Mexico.

Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of La Batalla de Puebla (Battle of Puebla) in 1862 when a weak Mexican army defeated the French, who were trying to expand their empire in Mexico.

I am proud of my culture, and during Cinco de Mayo I find it offensive that Americans decide to interpret Mexican culture with mostly drinking.

In a time where Mexican immigrants have to fight against being stereotyped as being lazy alcoholics by many anti-immigration supporters, the way Americans celebrate it furthers the negative views.

In addition, it seems like this holiday is also an opportunity for racists to poke fun at traditional Mexican clothing, which is meant to be worn with pride and respect.

In a Twitter search of “Happy Cinco de Mayo,” there were multiple pictures of people wearing over-the-top sombreros, as well as pictures of people jumping the border.

One that specifically stood out was a tweet that said, “Happy Cinco de Mayo from your cleaning service Rosa y Javier” with a picture of a girl vacuuming while wearing a sombrero.

As surprising as it may seem, I rarely see any men wearing sombreros whenever I go to Mexico.

Unfortunately, Cinco de Mayo is not the only holiday that has fallen victim to stereotypes and drunkenness. St. Patrick’s Day is awaited with more anticipation here than in Ireland itself.

I am all for celebrating holidays, but not in the way that could be interpreted as offensive to a culture.

If you do not understand what Cinco de Mayo represents, do not celebrate it.

If Americans really wants to embrace and understand Mexican holidays, watching the televised celebrations on Sept. 15, the night before Mexican Independence Day, is a good place to start.

Here, the country comes together in Mexico City with festivities displaying its art, history and military pomp and circumstance- not drunken ragers.

Mariela Patron, a junior journalism major, is news editor of the Campus Times. She can be reached by email at mariela.patron@laverne.edu.

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Needless to say, the proposal has done little for the organization amid the controversy, instead shedding light on the group’s out-dated discriminatory values.

The decision, should it be approved later this month by the 1,400 members of the national council, would take effect Jan. 1 2014. Yet it’s clear that whatever the outcome of the vote is, the BSA is continuing its discrimination against homosexuals.

While lifting a ban on gay youth is an important step forward, continuing a policy to ban gay adults is hypocritical – and actually seems to encourage its gay youth to stay in the closet by prohibiting the participation of positive gay role models.

Essentially nothing would be changing from the BSA’s current effectively “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Rather, the message sent is that gay children will be shunned from the Scouts once they hit the legal adult age of 18.

The organization has continued to draw religion into the controversy, arguing that the organization must reflect the conservative influence of the Roman Catholic churches, Mormon churches and the Southern Baptist Convention, who are its largest sponsors.

Still, not all religious affiliations opposed the BSA’s proposal.

“United Methodists affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth,” executive of the General Board of Church and Society Jim Wrinkler told the Los Angeles Times recently.

The Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organization GLAAD also released a statement through vice president of communications Rich Ferraro, arguing that “By refusing to consider an end to its ban on gay and lesbian parents, the Boy Scouts have missed an opportunity to exercise leadership.”

While the topic continues spark debate from both sides of the issue, a study of 200,000 respondents conducted by BSA in February found that parents from three of four Scouts regions were against the current policy of not allowing gay to participate in Boy Scouting.

A resolution will come during the week of May 20 when the national council meets in Texas, but regardless, it appears the discrimination in the century-old organization will continue. For now, at least.

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Sophomore journalism major Ingrid Rodriguez and sophomore music major Vicky Campos take the first shift selling homemade baked goods at the La Verne Choral Organization bake sale in front of the Campus Center Wednesday. The event was a fundraiser for the choir to perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall this summer. Pineapple muffin turnovers, peanut butter cupcakes filled with jelly and chocolate brownies were among the items for sale. / photo by Ryan Gann

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Students are continuously complaining that they cannot get the classes they need because they fill up right away. The University is finally taking action and trying to figure out a solution to the problem, and students are still not happy. It is becoming a trend at La Verne to complain about something, and when a good solution is brought up, everyone still complains. Well it is time to suck it up and stop complaining.

Yes, students are going to have to wake up earlier. Yes, parking will probably still be horrible. Yes, Starbucks runs will probably be needed to try and stay awake, but it is all worth it knowing that if it is possible to survive one 7:40 a.m. class to graduate on time then students should be thankful.

The University is trying to get all the students to graduate in four years and that is something everyone should thank them for because graduating from college in four years, especially in California, is becoming very rare.

A student whining over 8 a.m. classes is also pointless when half of them do not show up on time. With classes now starting at 7:40, they can show up at 8 a.m. and pretend they are on time.

We should also be thankful that the University decided to only start classes 20 minutes earlier. Many other colleges and universities, like Mount San Antonio College, start some of their classes as early as 7 a.m. And their parking is 10 times as bad as ours.

Morning classes are something every student tries to avoid, but with an increase in enrollment every year, it is becoming harder to do. It is going to take some adjusting but when an education is on the line that all students pay for out of pocket it is time to stop being a diva. So stop complaining, deal with the changes and set the alarm clocks 20 minutes earlier.

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Enzo Fina and Roberto Catalano performed songs about Italian tradition and culture using exotic instruments to an intimate crowd Saturday in Morgan Auditorium.

The Mediterranean sounds were part of the duo’s “Musi­cantinca: Music and Culture from Mediterranean Italy” concert.

Some of the instruments they used were guitar, mandolin, jaw’s harp, bells, shakers and tambourine.

Fina and Catalano came into the auditorium playing clarinet and an animal horn clarinet, respectively, because they thought they would be able to attract people outside the auditorium to come see them perform.

The first song was “Mediterranea (San Giuanni and Sant’Ancilu)” a song about asking two patron saints not to ruin the harvest, in which they used a pair of small cymbals, wind chimes and jingle bells to create a sound similar to water. While playing the instruments, the duo chanted in two different Italian dialects “Keep nasty weather at bay, save our crops.”

Afterward, they went straight into playing “Mara L’Acqua- Maronna De La Grazzia, a song about the hardships in life and a prayer to the Virgin Mary. “Bendulzania (Albert Ayler Took a Hike on Mount Etna)” using mandolin and tambourine.

Fina said that the songs they performed had been passed down through generations ever since their ancestors were back in Italy.

“As immigrants, we keep the music alive,” Fina said.

They performed a song from the 19th century called “Acqua E Sali” that was used against evil energies by their ancestors.

The song had a personal connection to the duo because they dedicated the song to former United States President George W. Bush and former Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi.

“It’s like a formula against the evil eye,” Fina said. “Once we started singing this song, Bush and Berlusconi were in the government. We consider them bad souls.”

“Trance-A- Minasi” was the second part of “Acqua E Sali” and in contrary to the mellow sounds of “Acqua,” “Trance” was what they self-described as, “a hot mix of steroids and ecstasy pills.”

The duo had decided when they performed “Bena Cupa (The Lullaby of the Cyclops)” at the Getty Villa that the song was going to be completely improvised.

Fina and Catalano dedicated the song to the mythological creatures such as the Cyclops, who was found sleeping. The sound of the “Bena” had a relaxing tone similar to a lullaby.

“It was really soothing,” Natalie Lawrence, senior at Rancho Cucamonga High School, said. “It imitated snoring.”

The last two songs were “Pizzicarella” and “Pizzica Sthreusa.” Both songs were acoustic and they sang together.

The “Pizzica” was inspired by the drumming styles of North Africa, which has cultural ties to Mediterranean Italy.

“It reminded me of traditional Italian music,” Kelly Lawrence, freshman at Cal Poly Pomona, said. “It was what I was expecting when I came in.”

For more information visit musicantica.org.

Clo Hidalgo can be reached at clotilde.hidalgo@laverne.edu.

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The ULV Choral Ensembles, conducted by James Calhoun, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Morgan Auditorium. General admission is $5 and are students free.

West African Drum Concert

The University of La Verne West African Drum Ensembles will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Morgan Auditorium. General admission is $5 and students are free.

Directing Projects

The theater department’s student-directed works, consisting of one-act plays, will take place at 7:30 p.m. from May 15 to 18 in the Jane Dibbell Cabaret. Admission is free.

‘Geolocation’

The Carlson Gallery is hosting photographers Nate Larson and Marni Shindel­man’s exhibit “Geo­location: Desert­scapes,” which will run through May 24. The gallery is open to the public 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

‘Campus’

The Harris Gallery exhibit “Campus: Selec­tions from the La Verne Art Collection” features works by several student artists. The exhibit is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, through May 20. Admission is free.

Warped Tour 2013

The annual Vans Warped Tour will be at the Fairplex in Pomona on June 20 and 21. Tickets are available online at vanswarpedtour.frontgatetickets.com.

­–Alison Rodriguez

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Lane Jackson, a sophomore biology major, had no idea what was happening when he felt intense stomach pain while on a family vacation in Hawaii when he was 10 years old.

The 20-year-old said he was just enjoying the sights and food 10 years ago, when the pain struck out of nowhere and his parents had to rush him to the hospital.

“I just felt miserable,” Jackson said. “It was this constant crippling pain. We had no idea what was going on.”

In the year following this painful event, Jackson was given numerous tests to find the source of his pain. Blood test, shots and biopsy: the end result was inconclusive. Jackson was eventually told to fast to see what foods might be causing his symptoms.

When he was 11, doctors finally found his diagnosis: celiac disease, an auto-immune disorder that causes an intense reaction to food containing gluten. Besides the pain, the condition causes damage to the lining of the small intestine, making it difficult to absorb nutrients.

The earliest documentation of celiac disease was in the First Century by Aretaeus of Cappadocia, a Greek physician, who named it koiliakos, after the Greek word koelia, or abdomen. However, it was not until the early 19th Century when Dr. Matthew Baillie published its first observations on a chronic diarrhea disorder on adult patients with malnutrition and characterized by a bloated belly, according to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center.

Jackson’s intestines were inflamed the day following his episode in Hawaii. He learned later that it was the gluten in wheat as well as grains like rye and barely that were causing this. Since celiac’s has no cure, his only option is to switch his diet, avoiding everything that contains gluten.

Ted Breslow, also a sophomore biology major, took a different path to the gluten-free diet. Although eating foods with gluten did not cause him as much pain as it did Jackson, Breslow felt enough discomfort to know something was wrong.

“I started getting stomachaches once in a while,” Breslow said.

But when he was 17 he watched his brother become healthier.

“He was trying to lose weight and I was surprised how quick he got so lean,” Breslow said.

Along with exercise, his brother had gone gluten free. Breslow had never heard of it but after seeing his brother’s results, he decided to give it a try.

After going on this diet for a couple of months, Breslow said the stomachaches were gone.

“I felt so much better, and I stuck with it,” Breslow said.

He later went to his doctor and told him he was gluten-intolerant. Gluten intolerance has similar symptoms to celiac disease, but it does not cause intestinal damage, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.

People who commit to a gluten-free diet need to avoid consuming food containing this particular protein. This can be difficult since gluten is in grains such as wheat, rye and barely, which are key components in of many favorite foods.

Besides breads, pastas, cereal and cakes, gluten can be found in food like coffee, beer and salad dressing, lunch meat and hot dogs.

Gluten is also used as a protein supplement, and meat substitute in vegan and vegetarian diets, according to WebMD.

The gluten-free diet is a necessary solution for 3 million people in the United States with celiac disease, and roughly 18 million who are gluten intolerant. Gluten free is the only treatment for these conditions.

Today, however, the diet has become a popular choice for many who do not suffer from either of these conditions. Time magazine labeled the gluten-free diet the second most popular diet trend in 2012, behind posting food pictures on Instagram. And New Product Development Group, a marketing research firm, found in their “Food for Thought” study that approximately 29 percent of people said they are trying to avoid gluten.

This trend has resulted in a $4.2 billion profit to the gluten free industry last year alone, according to the market research firm Packaged Facts. The firm predicts this will grow to $6.6 billion by 2017. There was no event or report that sparked the sudden demand for the gluten-free products,which cost on average 242 percent more than their gluten-containing counterparts.

“It always seems to start with buzz,” said Darren Seifer, New Product Development Group food and beverage analyst. “It’s just a sense of well-being that if you curb certain things of your intake, you will feel better.”

This trend shares a similar attraction of previous mainstream. People were told to avoid sugar, followed by saturated and unsaturated fats and more recently carbs.

Yet in the long run, Seifer said that fad diets that require limiting something do not usually last long.

“If you hear someone say, ‘avoid this and this,’ they may find it confusing,” Seifer said. “Some people may not know the difference between saturated and unsaturated fat. To them it is just fat.”

Jackson said he has mixed feelings about the gluten-free trend. While this popularity has restaurants and food manufacturers providing gluten-free products, he thinks that people who go gluten-free by choice are taking it too seriously.

“It kind of gives celiac and gluten-intolerant people a bad name,” Jackson said. “When­ever I visit a restaurant, I hear some people ask if they provide gluten-free food. If they don’t, they get pissed and take it out on the waiters.”

“It upsets me as well, but in a way the trend helps because now we don’t have to explain our life stories,” Breslow said.

There are claims that gluten-free diets promote numerous health benefits like better cholesterol and energy levels but none of this has been confirmed, according to NPD Group.

Gluten, a combination of different proteins, is seen as this scary ingredient, but Judi Adams, president of the Wheat Foods Council, said many are ignorant on the subject.

“Out of the 29 percent who switched to gluten-free, 28 percent probably do not even know what gluten is,” Adams said.

“They think it is something that is added in food but it has been here for thousands of years.”

Along with its health benefits, gluten is used to add texture and chewiness in baked goods, which is why it is found in flour and bread. It is also used as a thickener in food like soups, broths and ketchup.

Whole grain foods may help lower the risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes and some forms of cancer, according to WebMD.

“It is added so people can eat it (the food) and give it a light feel,” Adams said. “There is nothing wrong with it, and we want people to eat healthy.”

Another reason why gluten is added to some food products is because it enhances flavor, from spice blends to dairy products. Adams said that it is the customers’ demand for better tasting food is why gluten is added.

According to research and advisory firm Nerac, Inc., only 36 percent of standard markets contain gluten-free products.

For people who are not affected by celiac disease, gluten is healthy yet it is seen in a negative way, Adams said.

However, the gluten-free diet has also attracted some celebrities, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and Miley Cryus – all of whom have neither celiac nor gluten-intolerance.

Adams thinks that if people seeing them gluten-free and looking good, then it may work for them.

But switching diets can cause nutritional deficiencies, according to WebMD. Grains that contain gluten are rich in vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B, iron and fiber.

Some say gluten-free products are not as tasty as their counterparts. Since gluten, the flavor enhancer, is taken out, food manufacturers now have to find some way to keep the flavor them same without the gluten.

“People enter into this diet because they say they want to lose weight, but what is ironic is that gluten-free food has more fat and sugar added, just for taste,” Adams said. “They are using this medical diet as a fad.”

Adams said she is not against the gluten-free diet. Her organization offers information and makes sure people have access to such food.

She has experience with people who have dealt with celiac disease, like her brother who was diagnosed with celiac disease 50 years ago.

It just worries her how people and restaurants are jumping onto this bandwagon without thinking it through.

Celiac disease tends to cluster in families but the inheritance pattern is currently unknown, according to Genetics Home Reference.

Liza Sauls, former customer of Power Over Flour which was a gluten-free market located in Claremont, is also affected with celiac disease, along with her family.

Some of her family members were diagnosed in 1960s and it first did not know how to treat it. They were eventually referred to the gluten-free diet, but finding such products was difficult.

“The rest of the family had significant damage and health issues before the real reason was found and the proper foods were eliminated,” Sauls said.

“We used to get most products online and they would be costly with the shipping.”

This is when her daughter took ownership the store from a previous owner in January 2012. Here, Sauls’ family, along with others affected with celiac disease, could find numerous gluten-free products, like Fabe’s gluten-free chocolate fudge cake and Kape’t Gatas Coney Island Tropical Ice Cream.

However, when major stores like Ralph’s and Albertson’s started selling gluten-free products, Power Over Flour was unable to compete and closed in October.

“We found people wanted to have every item on their grocery list in the same location,” Sauls said.

The gluten-free market may be closed but she is still actively spreading the word about the benefits of a gluten-free diet for those who need it. While the majority of people are not gluten intolerant, she advises people to reduce their wheat intake.

“Pretty much anyone should at least minimize wheat-based products because now they are mostly genetically modified,” Sauls said. “They are resistant to pesticides and contain up to 10-times more gluten than they did 10 year ago.”

While some believe genetic modification has affected gluten levels in wheat, there is no definitive evidence of this. According to Dr. William Davis, cardiologist and the author of “Wheat Belly Cookbook,” while wheat has been exposed to practices like hybridization with non-wheat plants, introducing new genes to the wheat, or genetic modification is not used in wheat.

Regardless, Sauls spreads the word through social media and attending celiac support groups, along with Lynne Turner, an event coordinator for a local celiac support group.

Turner promotes this diet because when some people switch to a gluten-free diet by choice, like Breslow, they notice how much better they feel.

“When they switch people lose their allergies over a period of time,” Turner said. “Some people may just be gluten-intolerant without even knowing it.”

By choice or as a necessity, the gluten-free diet has been accepted one way or another.

“It is a necessary part of our lives,” Breslow said.

Alex Forbess can be reached at alex.forbess@laverne.edu.

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Both the Barkley Building and the Barkley Annex were evacuated, Matthew Luna from the ULV Evacuation Team said.

“We were right in the middle of class and then we heard something, and I looked out the window and there was an explosion and a blue surge of light,” David Asbra, freshman political science major, said.

Students from the Honors 103 class in the Barkley Building were some of the first to go outside after the first explosion.

“There was a bright blue light and somebody goes ‘Aliens!’ and we looked out the window, and then we see the electrical wire on fire and the tree was on fire,” said Kevin Norman, junior liberal arts major.

A student dressed in a Spiderman costume came out of the Oaks and entertained the large crowd that had formed.

Zachary Robertson, freshman English major, called 911 at 3:30 after the first explosion.

“It was two small fires in the outlying branches on the trees,” Robertson said.

The La Verne Police Depart­ment closed off the Oaks parking lot, while the La Verne Fire Department crew put out the blaze. At 4:05 p.m. the LVPD lifted the evacuation order and reopened the parking lot.

Kevin Wilton, an engineer for the La Verne Fire Department, said as of 5 p.m. Thursday, the cause of the explosions was still under investigation by Southern California Edison.

“They removed the power source and were able to disconnect the wires to repair the ones that were damaged,” Wilton said.

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, power in the Oaks was still out.

—Mariela Patron and Katie Madden

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Karen An-Hwei Lee shares poetry from her book, “Phyla of Joy,” at a poetry ready on April 25 in the  Chapel. The poems look at the joy of simple things with a focus on prayers, dream-like worlds and the intimate beauty of small moments. Lee described writing as an act requiring discipline while being therapeutic at the same time. Lee lives and teaches in Southern California. / photo by Chelsea Knight

Katie Madden
Arts Editor

With rays of blue and yellow light streaming in to set a soothing backdrop, poet Karen An- Hwei Lee performed a reading and short presentation to an intimate group in the University Chapel last Thursday.

Lee read from her most recent book, titled “Phyla of Joy,” and shared a Prezi online presentation that she uses to teach one of her classes.

Before Lee spoke, Cathy Irwin, associate professor of writing and co-director of the creative writing, gave a short introduction highlighting Lee’s education, experience, awards and background. Lee began her talk by reading several selections from “Phyla of Joy.”

She briefly explained the meaning or inspiration behind each poem before reading them in her quiet, yet passionate voice that moved with twinkling, fairy-like inflections. While each poem was unique, the constant themes of nature and organic bodies continually appeared.

“Here we are so separated from nature and it is dazzling when Lee finds ways to bridge nature to us,” said Irwin. “She is able to show us what we do not notice or see.”

Lee connected to nature with childhood memories in her poem about flying ants that had the audience laughing and in another poem she compared an airplane pilot to a wasp. She explained that nature is a force that naturally appears in her work because she is so interested in it.

Lee’s work also dealt with serious and historical events such as the experiences of the Asian women who lived on Angel Island in San Francisco for years in near imprisonment while awaiting entry into the United States. Lee told the audience that only the works of male poets from Angel Island were made famous and consequently only the male experience was heard because the 1940 fire destroyed the women’s poetry that was written on the walls. In “Petty Skills like the Carving of Insects,”

Lee wrote from the perspective of an Asian woman trapped on the island because she wanted to give them a voice.

This poem was a favorite among the audience.

“I found it really interesting because it touched on history and it paid homage to the people on the island.” said Monique Osorio, a senior political science major.

Much of Lee’s work also focused on female relationships and bonds between mothers, sisters and daughters. Feminist themes and focusing on strong women such as the first Asian-American female pilot were also apparent in Lee’s poetry.

“As a woman writer it is so important to get our voices out there,” said Lee. “We still continue to develop and grow and the truth is; these voices are still competing. I want to offer a different perspective.”

Lee then shared a multi-media presentation that she used in her class to teach the audience about different Asian forms of poetry that are not well-known. She also explained how she combines her experience and love of creative and academic writing and gave advice for students struggling to do the same.

“Understand writing as an art and a practice,” Lee said. “Read a lot of different genres and make writing a discipline. Create a mental and physical space for writing.”

Irwin, who helped to plan this event, said she was happy to bring in a local poet with such a great track record.

“She (Lee) takes poetry so seriously and the work she puts into it is just amazing,” Irwin said. “The poetry infuses her. She lives for these languages and the lexicon and knowledge she has is amazing.”

Katie Madden can be reached at kaitlin.madden@laverne.edu.

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Cal State Fullerton student Ashley Lunsford presented “Verbal and Written Exhibitionism: Demonstrating Transformations Through Language” using examples from Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice.” ULV hosted its inaugural Shakespeare Conference in Dailey Theatre on April 27. / photo by Hunter Cole

Monica Dien
Staff Writer

Shakespeare fans from far and near gathered, debated theories, and shared their love of the writer’s many works at the University of La Verne for the campus’ first Shakespeare conference last Saturday.

The event, organized by Professor of English Jeffrey Kahan, was an inaugural event that brought together nearly 100 attendees.

“We’re creating a Shake­speare center and this is a way of launching the center and letting the academics and artistic companies in the area know of our existence,” Kahan said. “We’re attempting to do more than just a conference.”

The conference opened up with a few participants reading their excerpts on their respective topics followed by a question and answer portion where theories and ideas were debated and discussed in depth.

Professor of English at the University of Texas at Austin, Eric Mallin, read his piece, “Perverse Portia,” that ignited a heavy series of questions where the audience debated over the idea of perversity and blood.

“Even though I was already familiar with the topic, it was interesting to hear them talk about Portia’s legalistic logic about the pound of flesh,” Jeanette Baugh, teacher at Los Osos High School, said.

Baugh attended the event with her husband, a teacher at Rubidoux High School where they both teach Shakespeare.

“It has been interesting to get everyone’s perspective on Shakespeare,” Baugh said. “I can’t wait to find out what else I’m going to learn to take back to my students.”

Mallin was able to use the earlier discussions on other papers to add to his own.

“The question and answer portion was very helpful in helping me explain my paper and for my future work and thoughts about my project,” Mallin said.

Not only was this La Verne’s first Shakespeare Conference but Mallin’s first as well.

“Professor Kahan has done a very good job organizing the event and getting a bunch of good people to come,” Mallin said.

As the day progressed to evening, more people trickled in to join the other festivities. The film, “The Merchant of Venice,” was shown in the Arts and Communications screening room, followed by a panel discussion.

The conference closed up the night with the production of “The Merchant of Venice” by ULV’s department of theater that brought in a full house.

Kahan has been prepping for the conference since November of last year. He also hopes to use the conference as a launch pad to reach out to different high schools in the area to start another program.

“We want to partner with high schools to practice a Shakespeare class and we’re also working with local theater companies to bring them both into La Verne to perform here,” Kahan said.

“We hope in the coming months and years to build it into a go to place for all things Shakespeare in Southern California,” Kahan said.

Kahan hopes to network with companies as recruitment tools for students so that they will have jobs when they graduate as well as make the conference an annual event for ULV.

Monica Dien can be reached at monica.dien@laverne.edu.

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Marina Schuster, a member of the German Parliament, spoke on “Human Rights and International Justice: A Common U.S.-European Agenda?” Wednesday in the Campus Center. Schuster is a leader in foreign policy and human rights. Her lecture was presented by the Benazir Bhutto and Ahmed Ispahani International Lectureship, and the International Studies Institute. / photo by Kelley Maggiulli

Clo Hidalgo
Staff Writer

The University of La Verne hosted its sixth annual Benazir Bhutto and Ahmed Ispahani International Lectureship with guest speaker, German Parliament member, Marina Schuster in the Campus Center Ballroom on Wednesday.

The lecture concentrated on human rights and international justice throughout the world, in which her branch of parliament specializes. Schuster has been a member of the German Bundestag since 2005.

She started the lecture by discussing the euro and its currency value as it has been a topic of interest given that it has gone up and down in the past few months.

Schuster said that in Europe the condition of the euro is their number one issue, but she believes that the euro is not suffering a currency crisis.

Instead, she said that it is important to have reforms in the labor market in order to get things fixed.

“It is not a solution to just print money,” Schuster said. “Structural reforms are the only way out.”

In the lecture she did not want to emphasize the euro, but thought it was important to address it since it has become a popular topic in the news.

She stated how the European Convention on Human Rights is the only organization that provides the best protection toward human rights.

Each European country that is part of the ECHR has voluntarily joined.

As an activist for human rights, she talked about a new bill Russia has signed concerning propaganda, which would criminalize homosexuality and keep kids “safe” from displays of homosexual affection.

Schuster said Russia is going against the beliefs of the ECHR because they are discriminating against a group of people and their ideas go against those of Russia.

She also addressed the issues in Syria and said that each week they receive new data about the ongoing problems in the country.

Her parliament branch is currently trying to figure out a plan to help Syrians and their rights.

“We believe justice is important for the reconstruction of Syria,” Schuster said.

She said Russia should care about the problems in Syria and the Middle East because if they do not, the problems they choose to ignore will eventually hurt them.

As part of being on the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, she gave tips on how people can help make a change towards those who do not have a voice.

She said that anyone could be a human rights ambassadors and promote the well being of others. She suggested that people write letters on serious issues to Congress and get involved through campaigns in order to let people’s voices be heard.

Elsa Castillo, senior international business major, said the lecture was very informative and could relate to the issues Schuster talked about because her class had discussed such topics.

Steve Morgan, former president of ULV, liked that Schuster talked about problems going on around the world.

“She did an excellent job,” Morgan said. “It’s easy to focus on our own world. She brought some international perspective to the issues going on.”

At the end of her lecture, Ahmed Ispahani, professor of business administration and economics, gave Schuster an award for her effort in fighting for human rights and justice.

Clo Hidalgo can be reached at clotilde.hidalgo@laverne.edu.

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The Santa Fe 3751 roared past La Verne Sunday, traveling from Bakersfield to Los Angeles on a rail fan excursion. The 4-8-4 steam engine hauled its first passenger train in 1938, and thanks to the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society, Santa Fe 3751 still carries passengers through Southern California on 80-inch drive wheels, and can be viewed south of Arrow Highway between San Dimas Canyon Road and Wheeler Avenue. The San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society was founded in 1981. / photo by Mitchell Aleman

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Freshman jumper Angelina Arreola competes during the women’s high jump final Saturday. She placed 14th in SCIAC, clearing a height of 1.47m. The women’s team won its first SCIAC Championship since 2005 with 162 points. The men’s team finished second with 149 points. / photo by Zachary Horton

Karleigh Neff
Staff Writer

Julian Mininsohn
Staff Writer

The women’s track and field team won the Southern Cali­fornia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Crown, finishing off a perfect 8-0 season, while the men placed second Saturday at Occidental.

The women team claimed their fourth crown, their first since 2005, with 162 points. They finished 13.5 points over Cal Lutheran.

The men finished with 149 points, 63.5 points behind SCIAC rival Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

“I’m nervous,” head coach Pat Widolff said before the meet. “But I think we’re ready for this. This is what we have been preparing for all season, and I think we can do really well.”

The women stacked up the majority of their points in throwing events. Junior Deanna Doss placed first in hammer, throwing 159 feet, 10 inches, and second in discuss, throwing 119-1.

Senior Losa Akauola placed first in discuss with a throw of 122-11, and second in the hammer with 142-4.

In running events, junior Ebony Williams and junior Nicole Crutchfield qualified for day two in the 100-meter and 200.

Senior Samantha Tucker qualified in the 200 and 400. Clocking in at 26.33 in the 200, and 58.59 in the 400.

“I’ve been getting a lot of rest,” Tucker said. “I think we are pretty prepared for today and this weekend. My biggest competition is coming from Redlands.”

Although the men did not take first on day one, they did have some great individual performances. Junior James Francis leaped into first place for long jump, with a personal best of 23-3.

On the track, All- American Chancise Watkins took first in the 400 with a time of 49.19, and the 200 with a 22.03.

Freshman Nicolas Gonsalves placed first in the 100, with a time of 11.08.

In the 400-meter hurdles, freshman Andrew Cruz and junior Victor Rodriguez qualified for Nationals as they both placed second.

In field events, junior Matt Rehder placed first in the javelin, throwing 201-2 in the javelin, throwing 201-2 for the Leopards.

“I’m really pleased, we had some amazing individuals,” head coach Pat Widolff said. “Any time you win a conference championship you‘re successful.”

For the women, senior Losa Akauola captured her second individual crown of the day with a winning toss of 43-0 1/4 in the shot put.

Junior Nicole Crutchfield won first place in the 100 for the second year in a row with a season best 12.25.

Crutchfield was also named the fastest woman in SCIAC for the second consecutive year with a 12.25 run.

She was the only La Verne athlete awarded first place in the track category of the All-SCIAC awards.

Junior Ebony Williams took third place in the 100 for the Leopards tying her personal best of 12.42.

Senior Lenore Moreno raced a school record in the 5,000, running 17:10.50.

Moreno finished second overall but exceeded the SCIAC record of 17:25.45 set in 1985.

For the men, senior Michael Anderson repeated as SCIAC champion in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.12.

“During the race it was vicious arms and attacking,” Anderson said. “On the podium it was all about giving back to my teammates and symbolizing La Verne.”

Junior James Francis scored in four events during the two-day championships.

He also took third place in the high jump, clearing 6-1 1/2.

“I always tell myself it is mind over matter,” Francis said. “Just having fun was the main part.”

Junior Chancise Watkins won his first conference individual title with a time of 21.31 in the 200, tying a La Verne school record.

It was the third fastest 200 in the nation at the Division III level.

Also, freshman Jacob Lopez took first place as La Verne finished 1-2-3 in the men’s triple jump.

Lopez scored a 44-11 3/4 to claim the title.

Sophomore Jabre Millon took second, followed by Francis in third.

“I just got in the zone,” Lopez said. “When it was all over I was champion. I love all my teammates out there and on the podium with me.”

With their impressive performances, many Leopards qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championships, which are set for May 23-25 in La Crosse, Wis.

Julian Mininsohn can be reached at julian.mininsohn@laverne.edu.

Karleigh Neff can be reached at karleigh.neff@laverne.edu.

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Paul Buch, cantor at Temple Beth Israel in Pomona, sings with the University of La Verne Chamber Singers during the Jewish and African-American Gospel Fusion Concert Monday in Morgan Auditorium. The concert, which included works from George and Ira Gershwin, revealed the influences of both the Jewish and African-American religious communities throughout the past century. / photo by Mitchell Alemann

Kristina Bugante
Staff Writer

The unlikely mix of George Gershwin tunes and traditional African American spiritual pieces amazed a large audience in “Gospel Fusion: Gershwin and Beyond” on Monday night in Morgan Auditorium.

The multicultural concert featured the talents of vocalist Karen Hart, members of the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, the Kol HaEmek Choir, the University of La Verne Choir, cantor Paul Buch, pianist Grace Zhao and the Reed Gratz Trio.

“It was a fantastic program,” Pomona resident Gary Toops said. “Especially the fuse of Jewish and African American cultures.”

Artistic director and guest conductor Noreen Green of the Jewish Symphony described Gershwin, a Jewish American-born composer, as the “glue” that held together the Jewish and African American musical communities.

“(Jews and African Americans) were both really oppressed people for many years,” Hart said. “For that respect, maybe it came out in our music.”

The unexpected fusion of the two cultures provided a diverse repertoire that consisted of Gershwin’s pieces, other classical jazz compositions, traditional spiritual gospel and even an arrangement by Hart herself.

The concert kicked off with an instrumental version of Gershwin’s “Swanee,” with Green encouraging the audience to sing the lyrics along with the melody.

Buch led the choirs with his rich baritone in Gershwin’s “It Ain’t Necessarily So” from the opera “Porgy and Bess.” Green described the song as an “ingenious mix” of Jewish liturgical chant and African American scat.

An a cappella version of the traditional spiritual “Elijah Rock” showed off the harmonies and vocal capabilities of both choirs. A rhythmic “Keep Your Lamps,” another spiritual, ended with a powerful crescendo.

“The Jazz 150th” by Allan Davies highlighted the voices of La Verne soprano soloists Taleah Graves, Justeen Montelongo and Sarah Alonzo.

German-Jewish composer Kurt Weill’s “Kiddush” had traditional writing and was headlined by tenor soloist Jeremy Eichberg.

Hart followed with a rhythmical “Miriam,” by Elizabeth Swados, and which had the audience clapping along.

“Judah and His Maccabees,” arranged by Hart herself, showed her own jazzy interpretation of a Gospel song.

“I wanted to have fun with the story and tell it in a way that was contemporary and kind of like the way that I talk,” Hart said. “Something that would mean something to people today.”

“(It is) a fun piece,” Toops said. “It is fun to hear her interpretation as the composer.”

The closing choral portion was an epic version of another traditional spiritual, “Go Down Moses,” with Hart and Buch as soloists.

The Reed Gratz Trio opened the instrumental portion of the concert with their own arranged medley of Jerome Kern’s “All the Things You Are,” Gershwin’s “A Foggy Day” and Richard Rogers’ “My Funny Valentine.”

The grand final piece, Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” with Zhao on piano, received a standing ovation.

“There’s nothing quite like a powerhouse piano piece to bring down the audience,” said Laguna Woods resident Karin Mayer.

Cantor Judy Sofer conducted the Kol HaEmek Choir, and Director of Choral Activities James Calhoun conducted the La Verne Choir.

La Verne’s Music Department collaborated with Temple Beth Israel, the Jewish Federation and La Verne’s Office of Religious and Spiritual Life to put together “Gospel Fusion.”

Kristina Bugante can be reached at kristina.bugante@laverne.edu.

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Picking up Meg Wolitzer’s “The Interestings” and trying to read the book between projects is a mistake. After getting past a plot set-up that takes a while to get off the ground, there is no going back. This book will entertain and completely absorb readers. This story of friendship that is followed from the 1970s to the modern world is like trying to get out of bed in the morning – the blankets are just too warm.

The story follows what it means to have talent, be gifted and being successful. Some burn too bright too fast and others are meant for the long-term. The story deals with the reaction of the main character when faced with the desire to be noticed among stars. The soft glow of childhood friendship diminishing and restrengthening into adulthood is Wolitzer’s shining glory with this book. The story is almost heartbreaking. Following these characters as each of them gains a life of their own would bring any reader to remember their own lives as they turn the pages.

The only person who can be assumed to be the main character, Julie “Jules” Jacobson, is awkward but funny to a group of eccentric teens. As the story opens she has been accepted into the “cool group” of teens attending the Spirit-in-the-Woods summer camp. While she and one other character are there on a scholarship from school, the rest of their new friends are from extremely wealthy families. The remainder of the group includes dumpy Ethan Figman, busty Cathy Kiplinger, musical Jonah Bay, elegant Ash Wolf and trouble-making Goodman Wolf. They have dubbed themselves “The Interestings” because according to their group, they are the most interesting group of people at the camp. After having nothing but fun during summer camp, the group stays close through the rest of their lives and are only separated when one goes through something traumatic. By the end of the book, the only ones left of the group that are still close are Ethan, Jonah, Ash and Jules.

While they are all at camp, however, the reader gets to witness the awkward courting of Ethan and Jules for all of two minutes. Though it seems like a trivial thing to focus on, this relationship proves to be the most important in the entire book. At 16 years old Ethan decides that he will continue to make his feelings known to Jules in one form or another even though all she feels is affection towards him. This short-lived fluttery romance keep them completely devoted to each other for the remainder of their lives and keeps this group of friends connected. The duo, though they marry different people, are grounded in the fact that they want to keep the group of friends they have. The group goes through a tearing apart as one is accused of rape, an unlikely pairing gathers greatness and our main character must deal with her own feelings toward the awe she gathered from her time at the camp. Her coping with not being able to be as interesting as the people she surrounds herself with runs in and out of the twists the story takes. All the while these realizations ground the reader so they can absorb each story as it is explained.

The only slow part of the book was the opening three chapters. The introduction of Wolitzer’s world seems to drag through a description rather than launch the reader right into the action. Setting up key relationships is important for this story, so it is a necessary evil that readers will have to get through. This group of teenagers is complicated to describe. Every connection that ties their friendship together is touched on as the story progresses and while it is slow, the opening of the book is important to get through.

The title of the book is ironic because this group of “Interestings” is not that interesting. Besides the lavish wealth some of the characters posses, their experiences do not separate them from the average person by that much. Each character’s history is broken down, each one having about two chapters that develop them further for the reader. It just proves that everyone has that one story about their life they could write about and Wolitzer’s beautiful piece emphasis how even the average can be interesting. The book is separated into three sections, each with as many chapters as needed to expand on these parts of the character’s lives.

One thing that this book did very well is take the reader through the lives of these characters. It was never awkward when one chapter would be talking about something that happened back in the ‘70s and then jump to 2009 when all of the characters are entering the golden years of their lives. The author used history to remind the reader of what decade they were reading very casually. A character might recall that all the songs they loved were about Vietnam or that 9/11 had deeply affected their feeling of safety being separated from one another. It pulls all of the plot turns in the story into the real world and gives a time period to be considered to figure out the passage of time.

One issue that readers may have with the story is the use of language. Wolitzer is not shy in describing the innermost thoughts that most people have so do not believe for a second that anything will be sugar coated unless it is to fall in line with a character’s development. The other half of language in this book is the vocabulary list that is used. To clarify this – they use “big” words. Not to make anyone feel dumb, but because these characters believe themselves too sophisticated to use smaller terms to describe how they feel about something. It slowly is sprinkled less as the book goes on but still present throughout.

There might be some frustration aimed at Jules as a main character. Her easily molded and changed personality is heavily affected by Ash’s opinion and beliefs and it is not until she is a fully recognized adult that Jules is seen as a leader rather than a follower. However, she is still enjoyable to listen to as the story progresses. She has realistic realizations about herself and her life. The lingering she does on certain memories is always important for the reader to understand and while she might be a tad anxious at times, she is only human.

As the end of the year approaches and students look for something to read this title should definitely be on that list. The story is moving and causes self reflection as each character’s individual life is unwrapped chapter by chapter. Just make sure that there is time to spare when reading this story. This is a book that will be extremely difficult to put down once it has someone’s attention.

Meg Wolitzer’s “The Interestings” is available for $12.99 on Kindle and Nook. Barnes and Noble carries hardback copies for $16.63 and Amazon for $15.99 and lower.

Christina Collins Burton can be reached at christina.burton@laverne.edu.

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The background check bill, created by Senators Democrat Joe Manchin III from Virginia and Republican Patrick Toomey from Pennsylvania, was voted against 54 to 46 on April 17. In the wake of the Boston bombings tragedy, this news was all but ignored by most Americans.

President Obama spoke with anger and disappointment with the Senate for blocking “common sense gun reforms.” He also said that “90 percent of American people support universal background checks that make it harder for a dangerous person to buy a gun.”

Even in states that already have background check laws, there are several loopholes. Whether it is through purchasing firearms online or at gun shows, there are ways to get around the law. This bill specifically addressed those two issues as well.

There are many factors as to why the bill did not pass and though a shock to some, it should actually not be surprising that it did not pass. Because of how the Senate works, disproportionate power is given to the smaller states, many of which are “red” and pro-gun. Although largely supported, voter apathy in regards to what the bill actually consists of is far too high and Senators took advantage of constituents’ ignorance.

Lastly, and perhaps most unfortunately, in order to keep in good faith with the NRA, one of the largest lobbying groups that has helped to continually push gun legislation off the table, some senate Democrats voted against the bill.

Background checks are not the only way to prevent gun violence, and critics of the bill have been quick to point out that guns used in mass shootings such as the Newton massacre were obtained legally. The NRA responded with a statement that said “expanding background checks, at gun shows or elsewhere, will not reduce violent crime or keep our kids safe in their schools.”

However, it is only common sense that we try to make some progression towards creating a safer future for this country.

Opponents also fear that these steps will lead to a snowball effect that will destroy the second amendment and result in police being able to forcibly enter homes and take away guns and ultimately freedom. What they fail to recognize is that first, the second amendment is wildly outdated and second, background checks already exist in some states and the government has yet to take away peoples’ guns in New York or Massachusetts, states with some of the strictest gun laws in the country.

This should not be a political issue for either party to cling to. This should be a common sense, no-nonsense piece of legislation that the people of this country need to start truly caring about if there is going to be any sensible gun safety in the future.

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Students gathered Wednes­day afternoon in the Arts and Communications Building to watch “Soul Kitchen,” hosted by the Foreign Languages Enhancement Activities club, to wrap up its German Cinema Month.

“This is a way of enhancing foreign language on campus,” said Josue Alvarez, the Spanish instructor who heads the club.

This film focuses on a Greek immigrant, Zinos, who owns a restaurant in Hamburg named “Soul Kitchen.”

Although Zinos’ restaurant is a favorite among regular customers looking for a greasy and simple meal, its fate is constantly hanging by a thread.

However, the food and the crowd suddenly change when Zinos hires a brilliant, yet psychotic gourmet chef.

After enjoying success and having several odd experiences, Zinos eventually loses everything. But in the end, the film stays true to its upbeat tone and audiences can rest assured that there is a happy ending.

Through this program Alvarez wanted to show films that showed what different countries cultures are like.

“Well for this I try to select a different variety of genres that depict culture,” Alvarez said.

One of the aspects of this film that Alvarez enjoys is that it gives a realistic look at the country and how culturally diverse Germany is due to immigration.

The quirky and fun film had surprising scenes that audience members made clear they did not expect.

“I thought Germany was a little more reserved and stoic but the movie was relaxed and kind of raunchy,” said senior political science major Mary Anne Mendoza.

A raunchy scene that stuck with audience members was when Zinos and his chef put an aphrodisiac into the dessert that made the whole restaurant sex crazed, making for an interesting scene when they headed to the dance floor.

“It is important to see that Germany is not what they read in history books and not what it was 50 years ago,” Alvarez said.

Mendoza had her own discrepancies with the film.

“I thought it was very lacking in character development and the scene transitions were scattered,” Mendoza said.

An example is when Zinos’ brother is arrested and then in the next scene he is released from prison without any explanation of how he got out.

A scene Mendoza did enjoy was when Zinos easily and comically wins his restaurant back in an auction.

She said it was entertaining but also the most predictable and cheesy part of the film.

“I thought it was cute even though it was cheesy,” said Jeanine Arana, freshman undeclared major. “I really enjoyed the ending scene because it was very romantic.”

The FLEA club provides students with the chance to view films in Spanish, French, German and Japanese.

FLEA wants to help students see and change their perspectives on countries and culture.

Erica Maurice can be reached at erica.maurice@laverne.edu.

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The Honors program is in for change as associate professor of writing Sean Bernard will take the reigns as director next semester.

Bernard, 36, has taught at ULV for eight years. He started teaching a language of art class with current director Jon Leaver his second year, and has been involved with the program ever since. He is now stepping up to the plate as director to replace his colleague.

“Working with students who want even more of a challenge than what they find in their major curricula is always exciting–expectations are raised, and the energy is a little more kinetic in a way that suits me,” Bernard said.

The prospective director grew up in Tuscon, Ariz. He attended three different universities before receiving two master degrees, one in English and the other in fiction.

He began teaching at ULV in the fall of 2006 and was the associate professor of creative writing.

After being encouraged by several colleagues and administrators to pursue the position, he applied to be the new director of the Honors program.

Bernard said that he would use his position to reach out to and recruit prospective students, and oversee advising for Honors students and continue Jon Leaver’s work in finding excellent faculty who produce and teach uniquely challenging courses.

He also plans on keeping the current Honors curriculum not only up-to-date but also in line with the changes that go on throughout ULV, specifically through the FLEX program.

“I plan on being a non-major faculty mentor to Honors students, someone they can turn to when they need help outside their major coursework, so that they feel the Honors program is a wonderful and crucial part of their undergraduate experience,” Bernard said.

Most Honors students seem to be content with the shift in director positions.

“I’m sad to see Leaver go, but I’ve heard really good things about Bernard so it’ll be fun to see what he does as director,” freshman honors student and theater and international studies major Jordan Klomp said.

“I never had Bernard as a professor since I took my writing classes with the honors professors,” freshman movement and sports science major Sahar Shahidi said. “But I’m looking forward to having him as our new director and seeing what changes he plans for us.”

Other students were not so thrilled to see Leaver go.

“I’m kind of sad Leaver is leaving, he was a really good teacher,” freshman theater major Stefan Celeketic said.

Either way, Bernard will be a new addition to the Honors program next fall, and he looks forward to the change with an optimistic view.

“I hope that students know they’ll be able to come to me with any suggestions, questions, or concerns they have, and that the program – both in and out of the classroom – will be as exciting as ever, and hopefully even more so,” Bernard said.

Alison Rodriguez can be reached at alison.rodriguez2@laverne.edu.

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The baseball team suffered a tough 5-4 loss to Pomona-Pitzer Sunday at Alumni Field in Claremont.

The Leopards then ended their season Tuesday with an 11 inning win against the Poets at Whittier, 4-3.

Despite the win La Verne fell short of qualifying for the Southern California Inter­collegiate Athletic Conference post season tournament.

On Sunday, the Sagehens grabbed a first inning lead and never looked back as the deficit was too insurmountable for the Leopards.

“It was the missed opportunities,” freshman second baseman Michael Reyes said. “We just didn’t play our game.”

Sophomore first baseman Jake Bruml and senior outfielder Nick Gentili led the offensive attack for the Sagehens.

In the first inning, Bruml hit an RBI double followed by a Gentili RBI single to help the Sagehens to an early 2-0 lead.

Bruml went 2-5 with one RBI and Gentili went 3-5 with two RBIs. Senior outfielder Erik Munzer went 5-5 with two RBIs for Pomona-Pitzer as well.

The Sagehens finished the game with 15 hits.

Sophomore Leopard Sean Beckman pitched 2.1 innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits in the losing effort. He suffered his third loss of the season.

Freshman Brett Early was a bright spot on the mound for the Leopards, pitching 4.2 innings of scoreless relief.

“All the coaches told me to compete for the team,” Early said. “I had my fastball, slider, and the occasional curveball working for me.”

“He was a tough pitcher all the way through,” senior catcher Jason Moralez said.

Trailing 5-1 in the sixth inning, the Leopards received a pair of RBI singles from junior outfielder Josh Surdo and sophomore outfielder Jared Hovsepian to cut the lead to 5-3.

After a bases loaded walk with one out in the eighth inning, the Leopards cut the lead to 5-4.

Junior infielder Nicholas Bergara hit a fielder’s choice groundout to second, but was called out at first after running in the path of the first baseman. The interference call ended the inning and the comeback rally for the Leopards.

“We have to take good swings with runners in scoring position and not back down,” Moralez said. “That’s what it all comes down to, that’s how you win games.”

Surdo and Hovsepian led the offensive attack for the Leopards. Surdo went 1-2 with a walk and an RBI. Hovsepian went 1-4 with a walk and an RBI.

Senior infielder Mason Stoltenberg went 2-5 from the plate in the losing effort for La Verne as well.

In the 11th inning of Tuesday’s game with Whittier, Surdo came up with a runner on second and beat out an infield single to give the Leopards the win.

The Leopards finish the season in fifth place with a SCIAC record of 16-12 and 22-16 overall.

Julian Mininsohn can be reached at julian.mininsohn@laverne.edu.

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Assistant Professor of Music James Calhoun is joined by sophomore music major Vicky Campos, junior music major Paolo Kespradit, and junior liberal studies major Melissa Molinaro to sing Richard Smallwood’s, “Total Praise.” Calhoun’s lecture, “The Roots and Evolution of Gospel Music” was noon on Monday in the President’s Dining Room. / photo by Nicole Ambrose

Mariela Patron
News Editor

James Calhoun, director of choral activities, showed how gospel music became the lively music it is today by explaining the evolution of spirituals starting from the 18th century.

In the faculty lecture titled, “The History and Evolution of Gospel Music,” Calhoun described the changes gospel music underwent during three great awakenings and prominent gospel musicians that emerged across time.

“There was a demand for livelier music,” Calhoun said about colonial America during the first awakening period, which started in 1730.

During this time, blacks started breaking away from white congregations.

The separation of the races in the church led to a second great awakening with the creation of Negro spirituals at the height of slavery.

“The music took on a whole different dimension with the addition of their own indigenous experiences,” Calhoun said.

Negro spirituals followed certain characteristics like repetition, rhythmic freedom, were a capella and had hidden messages.

Calhoun gave the example of a spiritual that said, “steal away to Jesus,” which could mean the person was tired and wanted to die, or it served as a signal time to runaway to the Underground Railroad.

The third awakening period started in 1850 with the development of white gospel hymns, which Calhoun describes as just being songs written by white people.

In comparison to Negro spirituals, white gospel hymns were straightforward and suppressed emotional outbursts.

“They were similar in style to the early 19th century camp fire songs,” Calhoun said.

During the third awakening, new religious folk genres were also being created like hymn lining, which is when congregations come together and sing verses such as, “I love the Lord he heard my cry,” in their own interpretation.

The moans and howls expressed by the congregation while singing was directly related to the blues music of the time, Calhoun said.

“It creates a haunting effect,” Calhoun said.

Thomas Dorsey, known as the father of gospel, who was influenced by Methodist preacher Charles Tindley, ultimately coined the term “gospel music.”

Dorsey is best known for his song “Precious Lord,” which was played in Lyndon B. Johnson’s and Martin Luther King’s funeral.

The public initially rejected gospel music for being too lively, and found its use of blues chords sacrilegious, Calhoun said.

Most recently, in the 1960s, gospel music became more mainstream in pop culture with the help of Edwin Hawkins’ hit, “Oh Happy Day.”

“He is the father of building the bridge of old gospel and new gospel,” Calhoun said.

The lecture concluded with three of Calhoun’s students performing the gospel songs “My Life, My Love, My All” and “In Total Praise.”

“I just feel there’s some kind of enlightenment,” said Vicky Campos, sophomore music major, who performed. “It’s a blessing to sing with them and feel their devotion.”

Junior music major Paolo Kespradit grew up with Catholic music and feels overjoyed while performing gospel.

“It’s something I look forward to practicing,” Kespradit said. “It’s a little bit more lively than some other styles.”

Mariela Patron can be reached at mariela.patron@laverne.edu.

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Adults and children alike excitedly gathered to enjoy Uplands annual Lemon Festival this weekend.

The three day long celebration filled parking lots and residential areas surrounding the festival leaving people in cars circling for any spot they could find in a four-block radius.

“Every year its been getting a little better, they have more things for the kids and every year it improves a bit more,” Gina Alvarez, Ontario resident said.

Alvarez has attended the festival for several years now and was accompanied by her two-year-old daughter and husband.

“I think it is nice, it is very enjoyable, upland has this every year and I don’t know of any other city that has anything like this,” Alvarez said.

Hundreds of vendors lined up in the closed off streets selling things that ranged from hand made children’s clothes to spa days.

Variety surrounded those in attendance having fun attractions for children along with games and rides for teenagers and food and drinking for adults, but one thing that was enjoyable for all ages was the petting zoo.

“The kids like the deer the best the parents are the ones most excited for the pigs, especially the dads,” said Elizabeth Supthin, an attendant at The Great American Petting Zoo.

“We have goats, sheep, lamas, alpacas, pot bellied pigs,” Supthin said. “I would consider us as very diverse.”

“Its my first time walking through the festival, I would always walk by it and never really take part,” Doug Mallard, Upland resident said.

One booth that brought in a lot of curious eyes was the one of Gary Saderup.

His charcoal drawings attracted the yes of all passersby and had pieces with subjects that ranged from Jackie Robinson, Lucille Ball and Justin Bieber.

“When I pick who to draw next it is a culmination of what I want to do and what I like to do giving me a lot of variety,” said Saderup.

“The average is 4 or 5 weeks to finish a piece but can take up to two months.”

Saderup was just one of the many characters that helped set the upbeat and excited mood for the weekend’s events.

The festival was fairly large taking up several city blocks, which held their own themes such as rides and games, a western theme, an artistic theme and a corner with a stage that included dance performances and live music.

“It is a family atmosphere,” said Supthin.

“The people are nice and it’s a pleasant environment,” said Saderup.

Having a pie eating competition and a bakeoff was a given for this family friendly festival.

All in attendance seemed like they were having fun leaving no age group out of the loop.

Veronica Orozco can be reached at veronica.orozco@laverne.edu.

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John Gilmore, Jezze Tu, Melodi Ramquist, Sandra Patlan and Tahil Sharma lead the YMCA lap at the Claremont-La Verne Relay for Life Saturday. Relay for Life is a community fundraising event to benefit the American Cancer Society. The relay lasted 24 hours, from 9 a.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday. The 30 relay teams raised more than More than $60,000. / photo by Katherine Careaga

Veronica Sepulveda
Metro Editor

The fight against cancer came home as many participated in a Relay for Life to promote “Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.”

Claremont hosted the annual Claremont-La Verne event on April 28 and 29 at Claremont High School.

With 30 teams totaling more than 340 participants, the Claremont-La Verne relay raised $60,937 for the American Cancer Society and will continue collecting until August.

“We look forward to the day when we can say Claremont-La Verne one, cancer zero,” event chair Andrew Johnson said.

The event began with an opening ceremony that included a speech from Bob Kinzle, a Hero of Hope.

Kinzle was chosen by the American Cancer Society to be a “Hero of Hope.”

He spoke about his battle with cancer and gave an inspirational speech that touched the hearts of many of the survivors present in the crowd.

“We are all here because we want to kick cancer in the rear end,” Kinzle said.

“Heroes of Hope share their stories of survival to inspire those going through the same thing,” Johnson said.

“It validates what we (American Cancer Society) do.”

The ceremony kicked off the celebration portion of the relay, which is dedicated to celebrating the lives of people who are living with cancer and who have survived the battle.

“We celebrate them,” Johnson said.

“They have gone through this treacherous journey but they are still here walking laps, giving speeches, carrying on with their normal lives. It’s fantastic.”

Survivors led the first lap as the song “We Are the Champions” played though the speakers around the track.

Among the walkers was cancer survivor Cynthia Vant Hul.

Vant Hul was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. After the news, she was not sure how to cope with it.

After a surgery in 2003, she decided to participate in the Claremont Relay for Life, where she and her mother Becky Lozano started a team called “Rebels with a Cause.”

“I was so sad because I didn’t know what was going on,” Vant Hul said.

“So I got here and saw people like me, ‘my people’ I called them, and this event ended up changing my life.”

Due to the inspiration of the event, Vant Hul felt the support of all the people present that day and, with help from her friends she was able to finish her first lap.

Vant Hul decided she would not let cancer get the best of her and after beating the disease she became more involved in Relay for Life.

Vant Hul served as event chair for Relay for Life and now serves as an ambassador for the American Cancer Society and is on the council for the San Gabriel Board for the American Cancer Society, which overlooks the Relay for Life events.

As a council of the board, Vant Hul was one of the main people who fought to combine the La Verne and Claremont Relay for Life. This is the fourth year the two cities have been combined.

Now, organizations from Claremont and La Verne continue to support the relay.

“What’s different about this year is we really reached out to the University of La Verne and to get them involved,” Johnson said.

“They have 3 teams this year with more than 40 people.”

Among these teams was Team Stu-Han Clan.

The team was created after Sasha Jones, Stu-Han RA, met John Gilmore on the trip for the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Day. Gilmore is the captain for the ULV team “Cure-iffic!”

Jones took initiative and started her own team with the residents of Stu-Han.

“It all started simply because we all had something to fight for,” Jones said.

“Everyone has been affected by cancer in one way and we all came together and we knew through all of it, it was worth it.”

Members of the Stu-Han Clan sold cupcakes in order to raise money for their team. They raised a total of $225.

All the teams came together for one cause and enjoyed themselves at the event with all the activities scheduled.

At 9 p.m. the “Remember” ceremony began, where families purchased luminaries, which are bags decorated in memory or in honor of a loved one who is affected by cancer. The bags are placed around the track with a candle inside and a lap was lead in silence.

The “fight back” ceremony began the next morning, where participants learned how they could fight back and use resources available.

“All our efforts that we put in year after year will eventually lead to that last and final breakthrough that will make it so we live in a world where we don’t have to hear the words, ‘you have cancer,’ that’s why I relay,” Johnson said.

Veronica Sepulveda can be reached at veronica.sepulveda@laverne.edu.

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At the reception for “Geolocation: Desert­scapes,” senior communications major Anthony Juarez speaks to featured photographer Marni Shindelman via Skype and an iPad because the photographers could not make it to the reception. The exhibit, also featuring the work of Nate Larson, runs through May 24 in the Carlson Gallery on the ground floor of Miller Hall. / photo by Ryan C. Gann

Karla Rendon
Staff Writer

Students, faculty and fans of photography attended the Carlson Gallery’s latest exhibit, “Geolocation: Desertscapes” on April 25.

Photographers Nate Larson and Marni Shindelman were present for the reception via Skype through iPads while guests browsed the gallery and enjoyed refreshments such as coffee, tea and the usual assorted cheeses and fruits.

Although the photographers’ Skype participation caused strange looks from some, many students thought it was innovative and appropriate for the gallery theme.

The exhibit consists of more than a dozen landscape photos, each accompanied by a tweet and the numerical GPS location of the photo’s setting.

Larson and Shindelman read through numerous tweets and found the location of the source to take the photographs.

“It’s a different look on social media,” senior public relations major Jessica Hernandez said. “I think it’s a prime example on the way social media can find you and know your location.”

Junior psychology and photography major Pablo Cabrera and freshman and photography and computer science major Kaung Myat Tun both agree with Hernandez about the gallery’s connection with social media.

“I like the idea of involving social media,” Cabrera said. “I think it’s important to involve Twitter since social media is on our lives and Twitter is just such a great marketing tool.”

“It’s interesting because I’ve never seen anyone connect Twitter with art,” Tun said.

“That’s what people are doing. I put my photos on Facebook too but I’ve never seen anyone do it with Twitter,” Tun said.

One photo that was popular among the crowd was a photograph of a street sign reading “right turn only,” with streaks of light in the back taken at night.

The accompanying tweet reads, “Mark 3: 1-6. What’s Jesus want to whisper in your ear tonight.”

Guests had much to say about the photo.

“The photo gives a feeling of life happening,” Cabrera said. “You can relate it to Twitter since it’s life going on. Life just happens and another thing happens. I’m not sure how to describe it other than life just goes on.”

“I like the tweet the photo comes with,” freshman photography major Cameron Mendez said. “The lights and the blur makes it look eerie and kind of scary.”

This crowd favorite was taken in a church parking lot, Larson said.

“Marni and I liked the idea of Jesus whispering something to you,” Larson said.

Knowing nothing on the internet is private, Larson said he and Shindelman hope people realize that.

“I don’t like Twitter. All you see is bits of information of that person. Twitter is so public so if you join, anyone can see your posts,” Larson said.

“Geolocation: Desertscapes” will be in Carlson Gallery until May 24.

Karla Rendon can be reached at karla.rendon@laverne.edu.

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Members of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity serenade the organization’s president, Michael Wahba, as part of their routine for Wednesday’s Greek Perfect event. Phi Delta Theta took third place. The winning routine – judged by Bon Appétit staff members Rebecca Farraj, Shanon Levine, and Justin Alarcon – was performed by the Sigma Kappa sorority. / photo by Christopher Mora

Veronica Orozco
LV Life Editor

Kat Simonelli
Staff Writer

Students and faculty gathered on the South Quad to watch Greek Perfect, an event organized and put on by the Greek community to showcase an original capella song.

All six organizations performed in front of a secret pannel of judges and audience members battling for the top spot.

The judges were later revealed to be Bon Appétit staff members Rebecca Farraj, Shanon Levine, and Justin Alarcon.

The crowd cheered as each organization took the stage seeming like every performance was better than the last.

“We prepared as best we could thanks to some brothers that took that lead behind this, we practiced as best we could and I think we did great considering how stressful it was,” Steven Castellanos, sophomore psychology major and Sigma Alpha Epsilon member, said.

“It was amazing because we were all in it together. Even though we were small, it was great hearing us harmonize,” said Castellanos.

A crowd favorite and one of the most memorable performances was Phi Delta Theta fraternity, who performed covers of popular songs sung by boy bands while serenading and competing to win the heart of their president, Michael Wahba, who was sporting a pink dress to better fit his role.

“This was a fear that I had to overcome but thanks to my brothers and all of their support and everything that they did for us like all of the practices I was able to perform and just have a good time,” Juan Mejia Simental, sophomore criminology and psychology major and Phi Delta Theta member, said.

Lunch was also provided drawing in hungry students and curious stragglers to enjoy the show.

At the end of the event, scores were tallied and Sigma Kappa took first place in the standings with Iota Delta closely following them in second, Phi Delta Theta at third, Phi Sigma Sigma coming in fourth, Sigma Alpha Epsilon at fifth and Alpha Omicron Pi came in the final spot.

“It was amazing that I did this with my sisters its just something we had fun doing together, and I had a great time especially sharing it with them,” Perla Fuentes, junior psychology major and Phi Sigma Sigma member, said.

This was the first Greek singing event held by the University since the last Lip Sync competition held during Greek Week in 2010.

It was planned in cooperation with the College Panhilenic Association and the Ine- Fraternal Council.

All participating organizations will receive a cash prize, amount according to what they placed.

Veronica Orozco can be reached at veronica.orozco@laverne.edu.

Kat Simonelli can be reached at kathryn.simonelli@laverne.edu.

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Junior art minor Nikki Godinez tells graduate student Mauricio Medrano the story behind her art installation. The piece represents what Godinez perceives to be her parents’ disapproval of her art – and society’s eyes always on her, Godinez said. The art department displayed students’ art at the West Gallery in the Campus Center, for one day, April 30. / photo by Stephanie Ball

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What started as a typical light-hearted comedy turned out to be a show covering different social issues, from anti-semitism to feminism to the struggle of class within a wealthy Venetian society, as the Dailey Theater premiered William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice.”

The show opened with warm, inviting chaos, with sounds of the bustling town square echoing throughout the theater.

This element of liveliness stayed constant throughout the entire first half of the show.

The characters Gratiano, Solanio, Salerio and the Moroccan Prince, played respectively by actors Alex Freitas, Cody Goss, Jordan Klomp and Raymond Del Rio, provided comedic relief.

From the sly innuendo provided by Freitas’s character, to the drunk slapstick laughs from Klomp and Goss, the audience was kept laughing as long as these characters were onstage.

However, not even the exuberance from these few could diminish what the audience could pick up on as an uncouth commentary on the treatment of people who are considered outsiders.

This exclusionary attitude is found with the treatment of the Jewish character Shylock, played by senior Alvaro Renteria.

Renteria embodied what would be considered to be the typical Shylock, a seemingly cold miser, more concerned with the safety of his wealth than the safety of his own daughter.

However, as the show continued on, it was revealed that there is more to this man than meets the eye. A heroic villain, one might even feel sorry for him by the end of the show.

Playing Renteria’s opposite, senior Stephanie Aguilar portrayed the heroine of the show, the lovely Portia.

She also played this strong-willed female quite well for someone who normally has motherly roles.

Overall the show is very well cast, even the director commented that it’s the best cast he’s had in thirty years. The leads are strong and the ensemble plays their part well. Even the servant in Portia’s household, played by David Ovcharenko, caused laughter to erupt from the audience.

One of the central themes of the show is the triumph of mercy over justice. The hypocrisy with that idea is shown through the struggle of power between the higher and lower classes. The higher classes talk of mercy but treat those seemingly lesser than them with none.

They blatantly look down upon those who are poor, of a different race, or female. By the end of the show when all is resolved, there is still a sense that Shakespeare’s work is unfinished, that there is more to be said and done to fix the situation between the Christians and the Jews.

To the audience it may seem that the first half moves quicker than the second half of the show, possibly because the heavier elements come into play after intermission. Merchant brings a little bit of light and darkness together in its twisted plot of love, debt, family and mercy. Audiences are sure to laugh as well as ponder the intentions of the characters shown onstage.

Alison Rodriguez can be reached at alison.rodriguez2@laverne.edu.

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Sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, Ty Aponte conducts the workshop on April 30 titled, “Mind and Body” a multicultural event involving karate and pilates. Aponte, who has taught karate for three years, has been practicing it since childhood. Aponte grew upon the lower east side of New York in a neighborhood where there was a lot of gang violence. His father introduced him to karate in order to keep him out of gang violence and trouble. / photo by Stephanie Ball

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Chinese native Chun Wang speaks on April 25 about his culture, growing up in China and his thoughts on Chinese politics and policy, in a lecture hosted by the International Student Organization in the West Dining Room as part of their “Focus On” series. / photo by Christopher Mora

Monique Parra
Staff Writer

The University of La Verne International Students Organ­iza­tion sponsored a talk by Chun Wang, a graduate student in the College of Education, April 25 in the West Dining Room.

Wang, whose name means “pure king,” described Chinese culture and the Chinese Zodiac through his personal experiences of growing up in China.

The traditions of Chinese families stem from government concerns with achieving an ideal system: more people means more power.

The ideas and ethics used came from the philosopher Confucius who was known for his moral values and as the founder of Confucianism.

While China represents 1.4 billion people out of the 7 billion people in our world, Wang discussed how the population boom began and the effects it will have on the country in the future.

In 1979, China adopted the one-child policy to try to limit the starvation, poverty and lack of economic growth caused by overpopulation.

Wang’s birth drove his family to move from town to town, in fears of being caught by the government. If they were caught, they would be faced with taxes, fines, loss of job or even demotion.

“I hate the one child policy,” MBA student Yating Zhang said. “I feel so lonely because of this policy and didn’t grow up with any brothers or sisters.

With the large amount of people living in China today, concerns have surfaced on to who will take care of the elderly when the time comes.

“If I was in that situation I’d pay more to have that other child,” MBA student Araceli Sanchez said.

Today China is considering ending the one-child policy based on other needs.

Wang then moved on and asked the audience what they knew about the Zodiac calendar. Wang gave out red Chinese ornament coin tassels that represent heaven, earth and attracts money with the knots that are located on the top.

The snake is the Chinese zodiac symbol of the 2013 calendar. The snake represents malevolence, cattiness and mystery according to Wang.

The zodiac calendar began as a sense of belonging and a way to record time. Now, the zodiac calendar continues with its traditional meaning and gives people a fortune of what the future may hold.

Wang was born under the year of the dragon. The year of the dragon represents enthusiasm and intelligence.

Wang concluded his presentation with authentic Chinese almond cookies and macaroons for his audience.

“Chun Wang was very informative and he really engaged people during his presentation,” Sandra Koury, senior English major, said.

The next ISO meeting will be at 11 a.m. May 9 in the Campus Center focusing on India, led by junior foreign languages major Tahil Sharma.

Monique Parra can be contacted at monique.parra@laverne.edu.

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The ladies of Phi Sigma Sigma rocked their charity event last week bringing teams together in a competition that ended with team BSU being awarded the title of champions.

The eighth annual Rock-n-Jock charity basketball competition was held April 23 and 25 in the Athletics Pavilion to raise money for the Neddie Scholarship, a national scholarship given to women Phi Sigma Sigma members.

Neddie Iniguez was a sister who passed away from leukemia in 2005 so members of the chapter began the scholarship in her memory.

The event began with 14 teams competing for a chance to play in the finals. Guests were asked to pay $2 to compete and $1 to watch the games.

Hordes of people lined up at the door and along the walls of the gym.

“I didn’t think it would be as crowded as it was,” said Niall Harrison, sophomore sociology major and member of Leak Out.

Despite competing with La Verne Idol and a karaoke and sushi event, the first round of games had nearly 200 guests packed into the gym.

“A lot of our supporters came to support us along with doing whatever else they wanted to do,” said Brianna Romero, junior psychology major and co-philanthropy chairwoman for Phi Sigma Sigma.

Along with charging for admission and participation, they were also taking donations and selling shirts that publicized the event.

“I think this is good, it’s for a good cause and I think sports definitely bring people together,” Remy Easterling, sophomore English major, said.

“It’s really neat because I know a lot of people on campus are really involved in athletics and to have competition and at the same time raise money for a good cause is always fun,” Harrison said.

The event did come with a few setbacks including a participant getting injured and a small fight breaking out, but nothing too severe occurred.

Senior public administration major Paul Turner was a part of Team BSU and got hurt the first night of the competition. He is also on the track and field team as a triple jump and high jump competitor.

“I know I shouldn’t have played,” Turner said. “I had SCIAC championships this weekend I know better. I just though I was invincible, it was a humbling experience to say the least.”

“I might be out for the season and it sucks because it is my senior year. But I’m praying, praying I make it back by nationals,” Turner said.

Aside from a few setbacks, Phi Sigma Sigma was able to raise around $415 through participation and donations from supporters.

Winners of the competition received an event shirt with the word champion on it.

“We didn’t have a technique, we didn’t really practice. We just showed up and had fun,” Harrison said.

Veronica Orozco can be reached at veronica.orozco@laverne.edu.

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Thank you, Jason Collins. The courage and dignity that it took to reveal your true identity is very inspiring. I watch a segment of our society continue to vilify gays and lesbians and I am struck by the fact that same-minded people were vilifying interracial marriage (“It will destroy the institution of marriage”) and equality for African-Americans (“The Bible says they should be separate”) 45 years ago. How many years from now will we look back as a society and wonder what was wrong with us “back then?”

In the eternal quest for civil rights in the “land of the free,” it’s wonderful to see someone take a stand and refuse to be silenced by “religious” people. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “The opposite of good is not evil; it’s apathy.” If we as a society never questioned anything, there would still be slavery in this country, women could not vote, and countless other “civil wrongs” atrocities would still be true today.

My father once told me that we all stand on the shoulders of giants (Dr. King, Rosa Parks, Cesar Chavez, etc.).

Thank you, Jason Collins, once again – for being a giant.

Dan Kennan
Adjunct Professor of Sociology

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Editorial cartoon by Jacob Bogdanoff

After the damage from the Pegasus pipeline spill in Arkansas last month, it is surprising to hear the government is already considering another pipeline construction proposal for an Keystone XL pipeline to be constructed through the mid-west.

The Keystone pipeline would require a budget of approximately $7 billion and would span 1,179 miles.

The Keystone pipeline pumps tar sands oil from near the Canadian border to the gulf of Mexico for processing. Tar sands crude are petroleum deposits that are loose sand or partially consolidated sandstone containing mixtures of sand, clay and water. The sand is saturated in thick, tar-like oil so thick that it will not move unless it is heated or diluted in some way. On top of being difficult to mine, tar sands oil is toxic to the point of being able to kill animals that are unlucky enough to land in it.

The Environmental Protection Agency has taken a firm stand against the pipeline and issued an assessment of how the pipeline will impact the environment, if approved. One of the biggest details they released was the release of green house gases. Compared to the processing of regular crude oil, tar sands oil releases 81 percent during processing and 17 percent more from well to tank.

With the burst that happened on March 29 in Mayflower, Ark. and then again on April 30 in Ripley County, Mo. of the same pipeline it is surprising that anyone is considering construction on this much larger and much more toxic project. The only positive that has come out of the announcement and proposal is the economic benefit and jobs for construction. The project is so large that it would generate 9,000 jobs, have a $20 billion economic impact and generate $5 billion in property taxes during its operational life according to keystone-xl.com.

If the government really wanted to win support for this project then the budget for this pipeline could go towards making sure that all other crude oil pipelines are up to code and will not burst anytime soon.

The Keystone project sounds like it would have a mountain of benefits for the United States on paper, but if it burst or was damaged in anyway then the environment and people around the spot are at risk.

Hopefully supporters of this pipeline who are seeing dollar signs will take a step back and see the bigger picture before the pipeline is approved.

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Golf, SCIAC Championships, April 29
La Verne – 867 (1st)
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps – 881
Redlands – 891
Cal Lutheran – 893
Chapmann – 905
Occidental – 948
Whittier – 962
Pomona-Pitzter – 971

Schedule

Friday
Tennis vs. Whittier, @ SCIAC Championships, 10 a.m.

Saturday
Track and field @ Occidental Invitational, 3 p.m.

Softball Standings

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The theater department presents William Shake­speare’s “The Merchant of Venice” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in Dailey Theatre. General admission is $10, staff admission is $8 and students are $5. For reservations call 909-593-3511, ext. 4386.

Rose Trio

The Rose Trio will perform at 8 p.m. Friday in Morgan Auditorium. General admission is $5 and students are free.

‘Musicàntica’

The music department will host “Musicantica” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Morgan Audi­tor­ium. General admission is $5 and student admission is free.

Film Festival

The San Bernardino Valley College is hosting the second annual SBVC Student Film Showcase all day Friday and Saturday. University of La Verne communications department students will have 10 videos featured. For more information visit valleycollege.edu.

‘Geolocation’

The Carlson Gallery presents photographers Nate Larson and Marni Shindelman’s exhibit “Geo­location: Desert­scapes,” which will run through May 24. The gallery is open to the public 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

‘Campus’

The Harris Gallery presents “Campus: Selections from the La Verne Art Collection.” This exhibition features works by several student artists. The exhibit is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, through May 20. Admission is free.

­–Alison Rodriguez

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Robert Neher, professor of biology and chairman of the natural sciences division, is retiring after 55 years of service to the La Verne community. Neher is an avid collector of Native American artifacts. He recently acquired a kachina, a Native American character carving that can represent anything from an element, a location, a quality, a natural phenomenon or a concept. Neher loves collecting coins and has been doing so his entire life. / photo by Katherine Careaga

Candice Nuñez
Staff Writer

After 55 years of dedicated service to the University, Robert Neher, biology professor, respected colleague and friend to many is retiring at the end of spring semester.

Among his accomplishments during his tenure, Neher has published numerous works, obtained nine educational honors and participated in more than 30 administrative-faculty-student appointments and committees.

“It’s just been more than I could have ever imagined,” Neher said. “I love the students, I think the faculty is just tremendous, I like the philosophy of the area,” Neher said. “You tie everything in with really great students and great cohorts that you work with, and you just can’t beat it.”

Neher grew up in Mt. Morris, Ill., where his father was also a biology professor who encouraged him to Neher to venture out of Illinois.

Neher received his bachelor’s degree in biology, but soon after decided to study religious education. He earned his master’s degree in religious education and eventually went back to earn his doctorate degree in botany.

In 1958 Neher received a promising call from La Verne College about developing a pre-med program for the institution. So he ventured out to La Verne and stayed.

With all the success that Neher has had in his time, he had many opportunities to go elsewhere but knew that La Verne was going to be the place for him.

Besides his teaching and research, Neher has served brief stints as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and interim provost. He has also been chairman of the natural sciences division since 1978.

Neher has also served the city on the La Verne City Council and has helped lead a campaign for a more sustainable campus and community.

“It’s been wonderful working with professor Neher, “ said Sharla Geist, and administrator in the biology department who has worked with Neher for 25 years. “He’s been so much more than a boss… He’s like family.”

She said Neher is a firm believer in the notion of giving back.

“He gives so much to people and it’s amazing that he lives such a simple life just to be able to give back,” Geist said.

Professor of Biology Jeffery Burkhart described Neher as a great leader.

“He has clear vision of the place, and he … provides a lot of support verbally and otherwise,” Burkhart said. “He’s going to be extremely difficult to replace.”

Students, likewise, appreciate his concern for them.

“He has been such an incredible adviser and mentor to me,” junior biology major Taylor Williams said.

When he is not impacting lives here on main campus, one of Nehru favorite places to spend time is the University of La Verne’s Clark Ford Field Research Facility in Drummond, Mont.

The area is known as Magpie Ranch and is being developed as a multipurpose year-round research facility. Neher and his wife run the ranch and it is open to students and alumni during the summer.

Different types of research projects are developed at the ranch, such as life history studies, and plant and animal surveys.

Neher made this facility possible by finding a suitable location where volunteers spent hours building the facility that holds a laboratory, dormitory, storage facility and recreation space.

The ranch, among so many programs and positions, will be part of his rich legacy.

And although he is retiring from his teaching and administrative posts this spring, Neher’s work here is not completely done. He plans in retirement to continue his research here at La Verne, specifically focused on genetics.

Candice Nuñez can be reached at candice.nunez@laverne.edu.

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Bethie Ross, junior biology major, and David Asbra, freshman political science major, have been elected president and vice president of Associated Students of University of La Verne for 2013-2014. Ross has been involved with ASULV since her freshman year and has served as a senator every year. She will succeed Ava Jahanvash. This year is Asbra’s first year being involved with ASULV. He served as a senator before running for vice president. / photo by Nicole Ambrose

Christian Orozco
Editor-in-Chief

Junior biology major Bethie Ross and freshman political science major David Asbra were elected as the 2013-2014 Associated Students of the University of La Verne president and executive vice president, respectively, on April 10.

Ross will succeed Ava Jahanvash and Asbra will succeed Michael Wahba.

Ross is currently serving as senator pro tempore and Asbra is currently serving as a senator at large.

Can you outline your plan for me while you hold the ASULV office?

Ross: One of the first key things we want to do is implement a focus group and with that focus group we would have better representation across the campus.

There would be one person from every major, one person from every club, a commuter, a resident and from that group we would be able to reach out and better broaden the spectrum of information and we would be able to spread it.

We would meet twice a semester.

Asbra: Dispel any misconceptions because there is a lot of things that ASULV can do for the students and not everyone understands or fully knows and our focus group is going to help students get their voice heard to administration because that is something that students are not happy with.

Ross: And what it will do is point students to the person in administration that they need to talk to concerning their problems.

What short term and long-term goals do you have?

Asbra: Personally, make it more of a family and community feeling because if we are really close with each other we are able to use that and actually go out and get people to know us more because that’s one thing we really want is students to know who our senators are.

We’re open all the time for people to come in and ask questions and not a lot of people know that and we want them to know that for next year.

So our short term goal is to get people to know who’s on ASULV.

Ross: So typically there are 12 senators on ASULV and people usually can’t name the two senators that represent them for their specific college and with better representation with that people can put a name to a face.

How do you plan to achieve your goals?

Ross: We’re planning to have a retreat before school starts so starting day one we can get the ball rolling on events. We’re going to have a welcome back event with ASULV and the students like an all-campus lunch.

Your focus involves three main agenda items: parking, commuters and residential life. Can you explain what each of those items means to your agenda?

Asbra: It can be really hard to get involved sometimes as a commuter.

Sometimes it’s a push to get in clubs or get involved or even be informed as a commuter. We want to bring more commuters to more events even if it means making the events earlier, just trying to make it fit their schedule.

Ross: A large input that we received from campaigning is spirit on campus. Students wear other school’s sweatshirts.

They wear USC, UCLA. We want to create a more spirit environment because at games, we have good sporting programs. Our baseball team wins SCIAC and all that, but yet do we have students going and supporting their games?

One thing that was a major issue was that people were saying could they, like, get more support for athletes.

Things like that, like creating a better spirit, will create better enjoyment on campus here. That’s like a residential/commuter connection. We can create a ULV day where you just wear green and orange and show support for the school.

There has been a steady tuition increase for the past few semesters at ULV, hypothetically if the University were to implement another tuition increase, what steps would you take to have the student body’s voice heard?

Ross: A benefit that students usually don’t take advantage of, we do have open student forums and not just the ones at town hall at 10 p.m. We had one from 11 to 1 in the green space.

Students need to voice their opinions because we can’t read students’ minds.

Currently, in ASULV we see the money benefitting students in a way, but tuition is typically a tougher thing to reach but if we have student backing we can better support their voice of what they want.

Asbra: As for, specifically, this last tuition increase there was not too much that students could do because administration didn’t really want to do it but because it was more of insurance, I think. Insurance went up like 20 percent, or I don’t know the exact number, but something like a big number, and so administration didn’t want that. They kind of had to. In that case there’s nothing even administration can do.

What issues do you see at the University?

Ross: At the University there’s always issues and from that pin pointing major issues that the student’s are focusing on are No.1 parking, tuition increases, stuff like that, so our main issue is information.

We need to make a better bridge of communication because as ASULV we get information and we just need to disperse that information properly to different groups.

So, in my opinion that’s my No. 1 issue.

If certain things were justified with information maybe students wouldn’t be so opposed to it.

Asbra: That kind of ties into involvement. We want to get more people out to events and actually understand the information that we’re giving out and for people to come out and voice their opinions.

How do you plan on getting the information out?

Ross: Well with that focus group because there’s representation at every level, then we’d have our normal forums, maybe introduce more forums once every month and it wouldn’t be that big of a deal because there would be a better connection with students and they would be more willing to come in to student life.

Our doors are always open, there’s typically one person always sitting in the office that they can talk to.

Christian Orozco can be reached at christian.orozco@laverne.edu.

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Editorial cartoon by Jacob Bogdanoff

During the day, all anyone will see in the parking lot is the blank, black pavement as they circle the lot hunting for a spot, little does the driver know that the vehicles are hiding a dirty little secret.

At night, when the sea of cars has subsided and only those that live on campus are left in the lot, it is obvious to see that something is wrong.

Parking spots are littered with garbage; cups, beer cans, paper bags and even used condoms line the parking spots.

The University has made an effort to ensure that there are trash cans within a close vicinity to parking lots, including several placed in the new lot behind Vista La Verne, but it seems the 15 foot walk from the car to the trash can is too far for most.

Out of all of the lots on campus it seems that the new lot is the most affected, but it is also ironic that it is the one with the most trash can accessibility.

When students complain about the cleanliness of the school and contests like Adopt-a-Spot have to be made in order to have some of this mess cleaned up, it only imposes more on the people willing to help the University grow and enables those leaving the trash to continue trashing the lot.

There seems to be nothing more the University can do short of holding the students’ hands and walking them to the trash can.

Ideas such as fines and tickets for littering seem like a good idea, but when mentioned to students, outrage and chaos ensues.

Students need to realize that La Verne is home to a lot of their peers and they are treating someone’s backyard like a dump. It’s fine if people want to trash their own homes but that is your pigsty, not La Verne’s.

The school’s image is directly affected by what is portrayed by the students, and if students show that they do not respect the school or care enough to keep their lots clean, then the university is ultimately a very expensive trash can.

Students, no one needs to know what was for lunch when a visitor pulls up to the spot that was just left vacant.

The tuition money everyone put forward paid for that parking lot and for those trash cans so please start using them.

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Sophomore Jake Simpson enjoys a piece of art while junior Danielle Zamora and senior Daniel Sillas mingle at the reception for “Campus: Selections from the La Verne Art Collection” that was held on Tuesday in Harris Art Gallery. The exhibit features several artists’ work that was curated and organized by Dion Johnson, the Director of University Art Galleries. “Campus,” which opened on April 23, will run through May 30. / photo by Chelsea Knight

Clo Hidalgo
Staff Writer

The University of La Verne hosted a reception to celebrate the exhibition of “Campus: Selections from the La Verne Art Collection” that is currently displayed in the Harris Gallery on Tuesday.

“Campus” opened on April 16 and will be in the Harris Gallery until May 30.

Pieces from artists such as Martin Durazo, Ruby Osorio, Kelly Sears and Jennifer Vanderpool are on display throughout the gallery.

Vanderpool’s photo, which was untitled, focused on a pink daisy and a paper made butterfly with a plain backdrop. The branches on top of the flower have the appearance of ice forming on it.

Martin Durazo’s “Violator” was an abstract piece with vibrant neon yellow and orange. Most of the paint strokes are vertical, but it also has a couple of splatters throughout the painting.

“It’s really cool to see different type of art come together because they’re all different. It’s not all one thing,” said Estefania Gomez, a junior biology major.

Robin Szidak’s “Chromatic Centigrade” and Macha Suzuki’s “The Rider” were two of sculptures that stood out to the crowd because of their unique appearance.

“Chromatic Centigrade” is a vertical sculpture that is made up of different bright color paint rollers.

“I liked the idea of using rollers that refers to a painting, but it’s a sculpture,” said Robin Szdiak, the sculptor. “I like using everyday objects that maybe you pass by and see them in a new way. It is surprising how many different colors the paint rollers come in and they refer to paint and painting without putting any paint to it.”

For senior speech communications major Daniel Sillas, the sculpture made him remember when he first joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon and attended several of their rock painting events.

“The idea of painting brought back many memories of pledging,” he said.

“The Rider” is a playful sculpture of a child figure that is riding what seems to be some sort of hybrid animal with dog legs and a cotton ball body that may represent a sheep with a three-dimensional, octagonal shaped head that has antlers attached to it.

Jacob Talamantes, a junior psychology major, said he found “The Rider” to be striking because of the disturbing way it looked.

Samantha Burns, a junior theater major liked the piece “Interloper’s Dilemma,” by artist Ruby Osorio. The piece is a collage composed of several mediums. The odd scene shows a woman holding a long pole that extends into a cage where a man is trapped as an owl looks down from a tree.

“I liked the details of the reflection of it,” Osorio said. “I was drawn to the owl because my friend likes owls.”

The art pieces showcased at the gallery are part of the University’s permanent collection.

“I started acquiring them as early as 2008 and until very recently there are five very recent acquisitions as of 2012-2013 in the show,” said Dion Johnson, university galleries director. “It’s sort of a thing where we are highlighting works that we’ve had for some time as well as new ones.”

Johnson made sure that artwork of different styles were displayed at the gallery.

“With any show you try to pick works that will have good dialogue with one another so that there is a variety, but there is also something in common with them,” Johnson said. “While there are works that are abstract, they are balanced by works that are representational and figurative. There is a harmony that happens from different works.”

Clo Hidalgo can be reached at clotilde.hidalgo@laverne.edu.

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Three recent La Verne alumni and former Campus Times editors were honored this month by the Society of Professional Journalists for stories published in the Campus Times in 2012.

Jason Cox, class of 2012, received first place for general news reporting; Kristen Campbell, who graduated in January 2013, received second place for feature writing; and Karo Chakhlasyn, a January 2013 graduate, received second place for breaking news reporting.

“It’s a huge honor for the students and for the Campus Times,” said Elizabeth Zwerling, associate professor of journalism and faculty adviser for the Campus Times.

Cox’s story, “Law school ABA bid begins again,” centered on ULV College of Law losing its ABA accreditation and attempting to win it back.

“The law school debacle has been going on for awhile,” Cox said. “Since 2007, I believe, so what my story essentially did was chronicle the timeline from 2007 to now.” The story was a part of Cox’s senior project and took an in-depth look at the expensive project.

“I tried to contextualize everything so it was easy for people to digest, and I think that’s why it got the recognition,” Cox said. “I was very surprised. It was nice to know my article was clear and concise.”

Chakhlasyan’s story, “Debaters face judicial review,” focused on the ULV team and the DUI arrest of debaters on the way to a tournament.

“It was terrible that it happened,” Zwerling said. “But Karo covered it aggressively and it was handled very well.”

“The first paragraph about the weed is pretty hard hitting,” Chakhlasyan said.

Campbell’s three-part series, “Keeping It Together: Mental Health and College Collide,” took an in-depth look at mental illness on college campuses through the eyes of three students and their personal struggles.

“Kristen’s series was important,” Zwerling said. “Mental illness affects more people than we know.”

“I think the judges noticed the hard work that was put into the series,” said Campbell whose stories were also part of her senior project. “It was a higher caliber of reporting.”

The regional contest pitted the  Campus Times stories against those from colleges across the Western United States. SPJ, founded in 1909, is one of the nation’s oldest and largest organizations representing journalists.

Christian Orozco can be reached at christian.orozco@laverne.edu.

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Head coach Scott Winterburn leaves a meeting at the mound during Friday’s loss to Cal Lutheran. Led by starting pitcher Jake Petersen, the Kingsmen held the Leopards to one run and won, 5-1. Cal Lutheran extended its winning streak to 12 games and clinched the top seed heading into the SCIAC tournament. The Leopards dropped to fifth place in standings and will have win their four game remaining games to qualify for the tournament, which begins May 3. / photo by Christopher Mora

Kat Simonelli
Staff Writer

Cal Lutheran swept the Leopards in a three game series last weekend. The Kingsmen took game one, 5-1, game two 4-2 and game three 7-1.

In game one, Cal Lutheran started the second inning with a 4-0 lead. After the first two batters reached, the Kingsmen would hit four consecutive singles.

La Verne was able to come back with their only run of the game in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI single by sophomore third baseman Jared Hovsepian.

“When I came into the game on Friday night I went out there and just tried my best to do my job, which was to throw strikes,” senior pitcher Brandon Montalvo said. “I knew if I just believed in my pitches and just competed in the strike zone I’d help my team out and give them a chance to come back and tie or win the game in the bottom of the ninth.”

Cal Lutheran would add one more run in the top of the eighth inning, finishing the game 5-1.

“The problem this year on the team is finishing off the other team,” freshman pitcher Brett Early said. “Our offense hasn’t clicked to where we can put other teams away yet.”

The Leopards went into the next day’s doubleheader in Thousand Oaks looking for a win, but couldn’t get the big hit.

On Saturday, Cal Lutheran started game one with an early 2-0 lead with an RBI single to left field by sophomore catcher Spencer Dubois.

After one more Cal Lutheran run, the Leopards would tack on two runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to one, but it would not be enough for the win.

“Our pitchers kept us in the games, and we had poor at bats when it mattered with runners in scoring position,” senior third baseman Mason Stolenberg said.

The Leopards lost game two 7-1 with junior second baseman Nicholas Bergara bringing in the lone run with his first homer of the season

“This weekend our team just wasn’t able to execute in key situations,” freshman pitcher Alec Garcia said. “Our offensive was struggling through the whole series with runners on and we never really came through.”

“The team started out pretty well this year, but recently we’ve struggled and fallen in the standings,” freshman outfielder Ben White said. “Hopefully we can make up enough ground this week to get into the SCIAC tournament”

“We have been struggling recently having lost a few games we just need to get back on track and believe in our abilities,” sophomore pitcher Sean Beckman said.

Head coach Scott Winterburn said that he feels the playoffs have already begun for the Leopards because every game until the end of the season is a must win.

“I expect that with our last four games we win each of them,” senior first baseman Michael Stewart said. “We just need to come out ready to play and compete as if we have nothing to lose.”

The Leopards will play a four games this week, starting Saturday with a doubleheader at Rio Hondo College against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 11 a.m. and Cal Lutheran at 3 p.m. The team will then travel to Pomona-Pitzer at 11 a.m. Sunday. A game at Whitter at 3 p.m. Tuesday will conclude their Southern California Inter­collegiate Athletic Conference play for the season.

“It’s ironic that we’re playing (Cal Lutheran) again the next week,” Winterburn said. “Maybe there will be some more familiarity. Maybe we can take some confidence in the fact that it’s hard to beat the same team four times in one year.”

“Since we lost three, it kind of feels like the odds are clicking in our favor. Either way we know what we need to do this weekend.”

Kat Simonelli can be reached at kathryn.simonelli@laverne.edu.

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Stan Preston from Covina waits for Ribs to Spare to open on a recent weekday morning. Ribs to Spare is a new restaurant on North Citrus Avenue in Covina. The store sells Chicago-style barbecue foods, including tri-tip, chicken, pork ribs, and hot links. Offering take-out and catering, Ribs to Spare also caters company parties and festivals. / photo by Ryan Gann

Alex Forbess
Food Editor

It is 9:30 a.m. and commuters are greeted by the savory smell of ribs being cooked in a smoker on the corner of Citrus Avenue and San Bernardino Road in Covina.

On this corner people will find Ribs to Spare, located at 506 N. Citrus Ave., where owner Joe Wofford serves up bring Chicago-style barbecue to Southern California.

While this establishment started as a catering company six months ago, it has developed a diverse clientele and now offers take-out orders for customers to bring authentic barbecue to their homes.

“It shocked us,” Wofford said. “We’re getting people from all parts.”

Before Ribs to Spare existed, Wofford had a successful job as a regional manager of a construction manufacturer for 27 years, providing products for roofers, homebuilders and architects.

However, when the housing bubble burst in 2008, he was forced to lay off workers, which also made him uncertain about his own job security.

“I knew at some point they were going to let me go also,” Wofford said. “No one was going to pay me what I was worth.”

While searching for another career, Wofford remembered barbecueing with friends and family back in Chicago to perfect his work. Figuring out the right amount of sugar, the right temperature to cook the ribs: a memorable experience.

“I’ve always enjoyed feeding friends,” Wofford said. “Sometimes we even joked that I should open a barbecue place.”

He decided to give it a chance with his wife, Joann, and daughter, Malia. When they found this property just outside of downtown Covina, he and Joann created the menu.

While Wofford handles the main course like the slow-cooked ribs, hot links and barbecue chicken – Joann has presented homemade desserts from the South such as sweet potato pie and peach cobbler.

Malia did a great job with the internet marketing, like creating a website displaying fresh collard greens and mouth-watering potato salad.

What jump started their business was Wofford’s selling skills, which helped him get customers like people from Southern California Edison, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Dr. Phil Show.”

“When we got customers like that, we realized we were into something good,” Wofford said.

Wofford was also amazed that when he signed a campaign with Living Social, it sold over 500 vouchers in the first week.

These customers eventually became regulars and Ribs to Spare’s main marketing strategy is word-of-mouth; people just praising these meals and writing great reviews on yelp.com.

“It put us on the map that nobody knew we existed,” Wofford said.

Merle Hurst, Covina resident and regular customer, appreciates the effort they put into their food, whether it is rubbing the herbs in the pork ribs or selling a sweet potato pie that has people mesmerized with one bite.

“Their sweet potato pie is just out of this world,” Hurst said.

With Covina not having many barbecue establishments, Joann is glad bring food people can enjoy. Some praises customers give are unexpected.

“It’s hilarious because we will have people try our food and say, ‘we haven’t had this in 20 years,’” Joanna said.

Wofford’s main goal now is to stay consistent, having Ribs to Spare as his new chapter.

“When I feel confident if we keep making great food and service, our customer base will grow and grow,” Wofford said.

Alex Forbess can be reached at alex.forbess@laverne.edu.

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William Shakespeare took center stage at Dailey Theatre last night as the theater department presented “The Merchant of Venice.”

Directed by theater arts professor David Flaten, “Merchant” was put together in less than two months and will be premiered tonight at 7:30 p.m. as “the biggest show of the semester,” junior theater major Cody Goss said.

“I’m really looking forward to all the energy the audience will bring to the show,” senior theater major Raymond Del Rio said.

Set in 16th century Venice, this romantic comedy tells the story of a merchant who is forced to default on a large loan from an abused Jewish moneylender for a friend with romantic ambitions. However, the show takes a turn when the vengeful creditor demands a gruesome payment instead.

The heroine of the show, an intelligent young heiress named Portia, is portrayed by senior Stephanie Aguilar. She is using this show as her performance emphasis.

Aguilar considers the role to be a great opportunity to break out of the traditional motherly roles she usually plays, and the fact that it is a period piece makes it even greater.

“I think the hardest part about this play is the language,” Aguilar said.

“You need to look at your script everyday; Shakespeare is super specific and you need to scan the lines to figure out the cues and what’s going on.”

Senior Alvaro Renteria, who plays the Jewish moneylender Shylock, is also using “Merchant” as his acting thesis.

“My acting thesis was originally supposed to be ‘Three Penny Opera’ from last year, but then we switched it to ‘Merchant’,” Renteria said.

“It was weird at first, but I’m glad I did it. I don’t usually get to play the lead so this is a fun experience.”

Despite all of the good aspects of the production, as it happens with any show, the cast and crew ran into some problems. Many schedules conflicted this semester, hurting the rehearsal times, and there were issues with people arriving to build the set, but in the end they completed it all.

“The audience should know that mercy is for everyone. That’s what this show is about,” freshman theater major Alex Freitas said. “Shylock is written to seem like an evil character but in reality he’s very human and loyal.”

“I want the audience to have a good time, however also to be provoked, some of the topics aren’t too nice,” Aguilar said.

“There is racism, exclusion, making people feel like they are the ‘others,’ lots of controversy. I want them to leave laughing, but also thinking about moral issues.”

The director has high praise for the production.

“This is the best cast we’ve had in the 30 years here at La Verne,” Flaten said. “As the actors delve deeper into the script, they also get darker. However I hope that with this show they have joy, its called a play not a suffer. The audience is sure to enjoy it.”

“The Merchant of Venice” runs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and May 2-4, with a 2 p.m. matinee on May 5.

For more information call 909-593-3511, ext. 4386.

Alison Rodriguez can be reached at alison.rodriguez2@laverne.edu.

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Students and faculty gathered together and joined the Japanese Culture Club to see world famous Kyoko Kageyama perform a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony April 18 in the Campus Center.

The ballroom was filled with curious spectators sitting in seats and some even lined up against the wall trying to catch a glimpse of this symbolic ceremony.

“I knew there were meanings and symbolism behind the ceremony but this just made me want to learn more,” Zandra Wagoner, University chaplain, said.

“I know how special tea can be and that it has a sacred quality in the culture but was never able to watch anything like this,” she said.

The night began with Gloria Montebruno Saller, JCC adviser, presenting a historical slideshow giving a bit of background about the tools used for the ceremony along with some of the meanings behind them and an explanation of some of the different customs and traditions of the ceremony.

“Every tea cup has its own imperfections and that is what makes it beautiful,” Montebruno Saller said.

“This ceremony is exquisite and every aspect means something, may it be the amount of tea or space left in the cup,” she said.

After her presentation, she introduced Kageyama, most recognized for her part in instructing and supervising the tea ceremony scenes in award winning film “The Last Samurai.”

The audience stayed in complete silence as Kageyama began the ceremony and time went on it seemed as if they were entranced by the process.

From the precise delicacy of turning the cups to adding the right amount of water, everything was crafted for perfection.

A translator was provided to help narrate each step of the process.

Former JCC president Erika Lozano volunteered as Kageyama’s guest to demonstrate how to serve tea to a guest.

“I loved learning more about the culture and experiencing it was so great,” Lozano, an international business and language major, said.

Lozano had previously seen a tea ceremony performed by geishas while on her January interterm trip to Japan.

Outside of the ballroom were tables filled with refreshments, beverages and Japanese pastries provided by both the JCC and the Bon Appétit.

The tasty Japanese treats soon ran out due to the audience members returning for seconds and thirds leaving behind the cookies the school provided.

The Department of Modern Languages and the JCC brought this presentation to the University and with the help of Montebruno Saller, they were able to have Kageyama come for the demonstration.

“We wanted to show people how graceful the process is and how meaningful it is in Japan,” Kimberly Navarro, JCC president and sophomore business administration major, said.

Navarro said the club looks forward to having this presentation again and was surprised to see such a turnout.

“I am happy to give another demonstration,” Kageyama said. “The students are really friendly and everyone was so focused and quiet.”

The JCC meets Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in the Chapel and meetings are open to everyone.

Veronica Orozco can be reached at veronica.orozco@laverne.edu.

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The Campus Activities Board informed students about practicing safe sex with an interesting spin in an event dubbed Sex-travaganza: Condom Casino Wednesday night in the Campus Center.

“We’re all in college and we all have sex, there’s no denying it so we all need to learn how to practice safe sex and be safe while we’re doing it,” sophomore CAB philanthropy chairwoman Catti Helper said.

As soon as students walked in to the Condom Casino, they were given morning after bags containing items such as deodorant, wipes, condoms, Tylion, chapstick and mouthwash. The walls were decorated with posters and signs stating facts and statistics about practicing safe sex.

Throughout the night love songs filled the air setting a romantic yet comical ambiance. Even the food and drinks had a romantic feel to them.

Chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, pineapples and cherries were served along with plastic champagne glasses filled with sparkling apple cider and orange juice.

Students sat at tables with casino games that each had its own twist tailored to teach sex education.

“I think this event is good because it lets students become more aware of personal things like sex, that maybe they don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents about,” freshman liberal studies major Alexis Zamora said.

One of the educational games students were able to play was Fact or Crap, where they could bet their casino chips on whether the fact that the dealer read was true or not.

Other games available were Texas Cond Om, a little twist on the game Texas Hold ‘Em, Down the River, Cheaters Never Win, Play It Safe and War also made a debut.

“I wanted to come to Cab event, Sex-travaganza, because there seemed to be a lot of hype behind it,” junior movement and sports science major Eric Dorado said. “And I also like playing poker with my friends so coming to this seemed like a lot of fun.”

“The event is very interesting,” senior biology major Heather Takelma said. “It’s such a unique idea.

“I learned how to play Texas Hold ‘Em while learning some interesting information,” she said.

After the night was over and the games were played, students were able to cash out their winnings in exchange for more condoms.

“I wanted everyone to have fun and learn something from this event even if they got a little bit of knowledge, the smallest thing is good,” Helper said. “But most importantly I wanted the students to learn how to practice safe sex.”

Candice Nuñez can be reached at candice.nunez@laverne.edu.

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Veganism is the practice of refraining from animal products in one’s diet and life style. But what some people fail to realize is that veganism is more than just a diet; it is also a lifestyle.

Adhering to the constraints that lifestyle means to abstain from eating cheese, most cookies, Jell-O and not wearing leather, wool and suede. According to a Gallup poll, 2 percent of Americans consider themselves vegan.

Although some consider veganism too restrictive, I volunteered to become vegan for a week and share my experience with the Campus Times.

I assumed it wouldn’t be a dramatic change to my diet since I am already a pescetarian, someone who doesn’t eat meat but eats fish, but it’s different not wearing my Dr. Martens or lipstick for seven days.

Several doctors say veganism reduces the chance of diabetes and heart diseases; however, others argue that veganism can lead to poor nutrition and lethargy.

In preparation of my experiment, I searched online for several ingredients I wouldn’t be able to consume, tried to wear animal-friendly clothes and went to Trader Joe’s for animal-free grocery shopping.

During this preparation, I also spoke with freshman criminology major and president and founder of The Reaching Out for Animal Rights club Leah Parkhurst for advice since she is vegan.

“Go vegetarian first,” Parkhurst said. “If your body is OK and you aren’t sick, then cut out milk, then cheese and things that have animal products in it. Take a couple of weeks to take out things and get vitamins.”

Throughout the week, my diet consisted of salads, fruits, nuts and meat alternatives such as soy chorizo and crispy chickenless tenders.

Since I was not used to suddenly cutting animal products from my diet, I constantly felt hungry even after I would eat. I found myself eating fries often throughout the week to satisfy my hunger.

As the week went on, veganism became easier since I was getting used to not having any animal product in my diet.

As for clothing, that was easy to manage since I didn’t feel much of an abrupt change.

Once the week was over and I had my first non-vegan meal, I felt incredibly heavy with the sudden intake of milk and cheese. Even though I only ate vegan for a week, the affect it had on my body made me feel disgusted with my first non-vegan meal.

My advice to anyone who is interested is to research as much as possible. In addition to looking up further information about veganism, take Parkhurst’s advice of taking veganism step by step instead of making the sudden change.

I feel this would make it easier and make the temptation of quitting less likely.

Not only that but to see if your body reacts positively to this sort of change.

I failed to follow her advice since I took advantage of being able to eat animal products a day before my week started.

I regret the decision since the temptation to eat animal products was high and my body reacted negatively to my sudden change in diet.

Karla Rendon can be reached at karla.rendon@laverne.edu.

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Junior communications major Candice Nuñez went to bat at the bottom of the second inning against Pomona-Pitzer, where she hit a single. La Verne won both games in their double-header home game at Wheeler Park on April 19, trouncing the Sagehens on their senior day. / photo by Stephanie Ball

Christian Garay
Staff Writer

The softball team earned its spot in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Con­ference Postseason Tournament by winning a doubleheader over Pomona-Pitzer April 19 at Wheeler Park.

La Verne took the first game, 6-1, and the second game, 3-2.

Before the game, the Leopards honored their only senior Amanda Copas as part of the Senior Day festivities.

The Leopards clinched fourth place in the league standings for the right to play in next weekend’s conference tournament.

“I feel really confident if we play the SCIAC Tournament,” La Verne head coach Julie Smith said.

The Leopards got on the board at the start of the first game with a two-run homer by Raven Freret over the right field fence in the bottom of the first to give the team a 2-0 lead.

The momentum was high until the Sagehens got a run in the top of the second bringing the score to 2-1. La Verne stretched its lead to 5-1 because of three hits from Danielle Vega, Katherine Kibbe Candice Nunez and an opposing team error in the bottom of the third.

Freret, who finished 3-4 at the dish, scored an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to complete the scoring for the game.

“It felt good, we came out and did what we needed to do,” Kibbe, an undeclared freshman major, said. “We could have made better adjustments on bat though.”

The second game started off a lot different than the first did with both teams scoring twice in just the first inning. That was until Vega walked with bases loaded, bringing the game to 3-2.

The game was scoreless almost the whole time after until the top of the seventh when the Sagehens’ Paige Oliver hit a double to reach second base. Luckily for the Leo’s Rachel Hong would end the scare by striking out Stephanie Boden to end the game.

Kibbe pitched the first inning, while Rachel Hong pitched the second to win the game for La Verne. Hong only allowed six hits in her seven innings of work.

“I’m very happy, I think Katy did a great job on the mound,” Smith said. “We started off slow but shut them down in the end.”

The leopards finish the season with an overall record of 24-14, and a record of 16-12 in SCIAC play.

With their fourth place finish, La Verne joins Redlands, Chapman and Claremont in the SCIAC tournament.

The tournament begins at 9 a.m. today against Redlands on the road.

“Well we are very excited because we made it to the tournament and the coaches will prepare us. and we are going to give it our all,” said freshman business administrations major Jessica Morales. “I’m looking forward to finishing off strong and making it regionals.”

Christian Garay can be reached at christian.garay@laverne.edu.

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Gitty Amini, assistant professor of political science, will replace Kenneth Marcus, professor of history, as director of the International Studies Institute starting in September.

Amini hopes to continue Marcus’ legacy and focus on increasing ISI’s awareness on campus to provide more funding for the organization.

“Dr. Marcus has left it in such great shape,” Amini said.

“I don’t want to be the one to ruin it.”

ISI is an intercollegiate organization that provides scholarships and research in international studies, along with bringing speakers to the University of La Verne.

As a political science professor, Amini will bring her interest in crisis to ISI.

“I’ll be indulging my preference for that a lot,” she said.

She plans to host more events that focus on international conflict and conflict resolution, while striking a balance with topics like global economy.

“In an ideal world we would fund more conferences and round tables,” Amini said.

For the Hot Spots lecture series, Amini wants them to be more robust and bring speakers from outside learning communities.

“I anticipate we’ll see some changes that would get students more interested in foreign relations,” Al Clark, associate vice president of academic affairs, said.

Clark hopes ISI will have more involvement in the study abroad program.

This is something Amini intends to do by providing more student support for international students, and with enough funding, more scholarships for students to study abroad.

As Marcus is on sabbatical in the Netherlands, Amini currently serves as interim director of ISI, and was previously associate director.

“I’m excited, but also really nervous,” Amini said.

With newly acquired responsibilities, Amini will count on her advisee committee for support in budget and creative decisions.

“I think she will build on Ken Marcus’ success,” said Jonathan Reed, dean of college of arts and sciences.

This change in leadership is part of an instituted program that rotates directorships on a three-year term that can be renewed, Reed said.

For ISI, directors will be rotated from faculty in the history and political science departments.

“I’m excited for all the possibilities we can do,” Amini said.

Mariela Patron can be reached at mariela.patron@laverne.edu.

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Rachel V. Huang plays during the Friday Noon Concert series at Scripps College April 19. Huang played Amy Beach’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in A minor, Op. 34. The concerts are every Friday at 12:15 p.m. in Balch Auditorium. / photo by Stephanie Ball

Monica Dien
Staff Writer

The sweet sound of the violin accompanied by the piano came together as the Mei Duo performed their rendition of Amy Beach’s work at Scripps College last Friday.

Hao Huang, pianist and professor of music at Scripps College, shed light on Beach’s background as a Boston native and commemorated the recent Boston marathon bombings before the performance.

“(Amy Beach) is a life long Bostonian and we would like to think of Boston right now who have experienced meaningless violence,” Huang said.

The Mei Duo, consisting of Huang on piano and his wife Rachel Huang, adjunct professor of Music at Scripps College on violin, performed Beach’s Sonata for violin and piano in A minor.

The Sonata began its first movement with sweet chords that filled the auditorium before transitioning to its folk-like second movement.

The third movement, Largo con dolore, featured an expressive style, before ending with a grand finale of Allegro con fuoco.

Rachel Huang said Beach’s style was “often criticized because people found her pieces over done” but the performance was filled with intense feelings and emotions in respect to the recent bombings.

“If you play her entire work there is so much to them,” Rachel Huang said.

“Her music gives lots of room to contextualize everything.”

Jonathan Wright, audience member and associate professor of biology at Pomona College, enjoyed the performance.

“(Rachel) is a terrific player,” Wright said.

“The piece was beautifully executed with a very organic feel which is very challenging,” he said.

“(The Mei Duo) performed it with a beautiful quality to their interpretation with a very intimate feel.”

Rachel Huang is a classical violinist who has also been honored by both the National Endowment of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Huang felt the piece was also appropriate in paying homage to female composers who are still struggling to gain representation in the classical world.

“(The Sonata) is just so beautiful and its a magnificent piece written by a woman from a time when there were actually people who believed that it wasn’t possible for woman to do that,” she said.

“It just feels like a wonderful affirmation to be here and playing her piece,” she said.

The Mei Duo was brought together by the Huangs when they first began performing together.

The word Mei is part of the Chinese word for America and ‘Mei Duo’ has the connotation of being American and beautiful, according to Rachel Huang.

The two eventually coined the name Mei Duo with its final meaning of beautiful land.

After 18 years, the Mei Duo came back on stage to perform the piece again in nearly two decades on Scripps College.

“Its a very special experience (to play on the stage again) to be able to encapsulate your own history and your history of the location,” Rachel Huang said.

“Our sons have grown up in the meantime and we are so grateful for the people who have come here to hear us,” Rachel Huang said.

“In the meantime, it really feels like a privilege to get to do that again.”

Monica Dien can be reached at monica.dien@laverne.edu.

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The University of La Verne Society of Accountants will host the annual Academic Awards Banquet in the Campus Center Ballroom May 3 at 6:30 p.m. Professor of accounting Claudio Munoz encourages all students to join the banquet, where business and accounting students will be recognized for their academic work. RSVP by contacting Professor Munoz at cmunoz@laverne.edu. / photo by Mitchell Aleman

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When it was confirmed that the bombings were in fact a terror attack, the automatic reaction from some Americans was to assume that Muslims were somehow behind this. For a country like America that prides itself on being accepting of different beliefs, the initial reactions show the reality.

While there was still panic on the streets of Boston, Fox News hosted Joe Arpaio, Sheriff of Maricopa County and notable anti-immigrant supporter, swayed viewers into thinking that Muslim immigrants were most likely responsible for the attacks. The assumptions are a true reflection of how the United States has not grown since 9/11 and still accuses Muslims first for violence.

Meanwhile, the media faced the pressure to be the first to report breaking news that confirmed or denied viewers’ suspicions. Media outlets that should be reporting the facts immediately reported the Boston bombings as a terrorist attack and confirmed alleged suspects without any affirmation from police authorities.

Two days after the bombings, CNN, along with other news sources, reported that an arrest had been made. An FBI agent had to go on CNN denying these reports. Similarly, The New York Post ran an inaccurate article headlined, “Authorities ID suspect as Saudi national in marathon bombings, under guard at Boston hospital.”

When everything is uncertain, it is not wrong for news sources to ask questions and discuss possible reasons behind the attack, but it is irresponsible to report unconfirmed speculations as facts.

Both media and citizens should wait for confirmation from authorities before making any accusations. Blaming an innocent person, or accusing a religious group for violent actions further spreads stereotypes.

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“For too long, the state’s prison system has been a revolving door for lower-level offenders and parole violators who are released within months, often before they are even transferred out of a reception center,” Brown said in a press release on April 5, 2011. “Cycling these offenders through state prisons wastes money, aggravates crowded conditions, thwarts rehabilitation, and impedes local law enforcement supervision.”

The state’s solution to overcrowding in prisons is avoiding the real problem at hand in this country: the war on drugs.

Releasing non-violent criminals is not working. Prisoners convicted of things such as grand theft auto are being released early, but those are actual crimes for which one should serve time for.

Many Americans do not realize what putting someone in jail for drugs actually does to that person. It affects their family and their community, and more often than not the person abusing drugs has a problem that needs to be dealt with by rehabilitation, not punishment.

Drug abusers go through a lot of pain and attempt to self-medicate, especially if their economic standing is not the best, and what does the government do? The government tells them that they are going to give them a lot more pain and make the rest of their lives a living hell. For what? An ounce of marijuana.

Ironically, drug abusers are not the only addicts in this situation. In this country we run a prison industrial system where essentially it is a system of mass incarceration and this how many Americans and politicians make their living. Without the war on drugs many prisons across the country would lose many of their inmates.

The system of mass incarceration relies upon many people going in and out of the prison system. Prisons are now businesses and business is booming.

With a business that has tight ties with politics and money it would be hard for the drug war to end, but if we took a good look at what we are doing to drug abusers who need help, not punishment, they would see the moral move would be to end the war on drugs.

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San Dimas welcomed parents and students to San Dimas High School for the 43rd Annual City Olympics Track and Field Meet last Saturday, April 20.

Track athletes from Allen Avenue Elementary, Ekstrand Elementary, Shull Elementary, Gladstone Elementary, Lone Hill Elementary, Holy Name of Mary and home-schooled children were invited to participate.

Physical education teachers nominated children they believed were the top competitors in their school.

“I want my son to live the experience of a track meet and know what it’s like to be out there,” Gloria Emcinas, San Dimas resident said.

Emcinas’s son ran the 400 meter for his first year participating in the event.

In previous years, Bonita High School hosted the event on its track and football stadium.

This year marked the first year San Dimas High School hosted the event on its brand new track and football stadium.

“I think the stadium was a waste of money,” Karen Dieterich, San Dimas resident said.

“It’s beautiful, but the money could have been spent somewhere else.”

Though some people were hesitant on the amount spent on the track and football stadium, others were pleased with the facility and were thrilled that the children were able to use it.

“I just love the stadium, it’s absolutely awesome,” Joan Ekstrand La Verne resident said.

Ekstrand came as a fan cheering on her second and third grade combination class students who were participating in all the track events.

The day began at 9 a.m. with the 400 meter relay. Relays, runs and softball throw were among the activities students were able to qualify for.

Each participant wore their school color jersey to represent his or her school. Schools were sectioned off on the stadiums bleachers to cheer on their athletes.

Louis Loya, a retired football coach from Bonita High School and La Verne resident, has been training with his stepdaughter the past week to get her ready for her 400.

“I love training with my step dad and being out here, it’s great,” Jolie Buorgas, fifth grade student said.

Many students participated in more than one event, like San Dimas resident, Theresa Caceres’ fourth grade daughter.

“She is participating in the 800 meter and the softball throw,” Caceres said.

“I want her to be interested and to not be afraid to take part in middle school experiences as she gets older.”

First and second place winners of each relay category will represent the city of San Dimas in the San Gabriel Valley Championships later on this year.

For the list of winners visit cityofsandimas.com.

Monique Parra can be reached at monique.parra@laverne.edu.

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Kristina Bugante, Staff Writer

Over a month has passed since Trent Mays and Ma’lik Richmond of the Steubenville rape case were found guilty for raping a 16-year-old girl while she was unconscious back in August, 2012.

Mays and Richmond, both football players of Steubenville High School, were sentenced to juvenile detention until they turn 21.

This has opened up discussion between many on numerous issues surrounding the case.

However, as a journalism major, one of the things that disturbed me greatly was the media coverage of the trial.

CNN correspondent Poppy Harlow, who was covering the trial live from Steubenville, held a note of lament in her voice as she reported how difficult it was for “an outsider like (her)” to see these “two young men” with “promising futures” have their lives “fall apart.”

CNN anchor Candy Crowley asked legal analyst Paul Callan about how much Mays and Richmond will suffer from the fact that they are now registered sex offenders.

“That will haunt them for the rest of their lives,” Crowley said.

It is perhaps a bit extreme to accuse Harlow and Crowley of being rape apologists, but I feel accusing them of practicing poor journalism is justifiable.

I get it; journalists love a good sob story to report. However, given how CNN covered it, this is the wrong story to have your audience sob over.

Harlow and Crowley must have forgotten that Mays and Richmond publicly and repeatedly raped an unconscious girl, dragged her body around from place to place, and as if it were not disgusting enough, posted the evidence on social media sites, deeming themselves as part of the “rape crew.”

I do not know if CNN is aware of this, but many people, including myself, look to them as a legitimate news source.

Their rape case coverage not only shows that they were neglecting journalism ethics, but they are also needlessly emphasizing the fact that we live in a culture that empathizes with criminals and blames and shames rape victims.

The perpetuation of this rape culture will guarantee that future generations will not fully understand the concept of giving consent and that victims should keep quiet about their assault, as it will only lead to them being ostracized.

This is already evident. The victim, who was brave enough to speak out, was and still is being shamed for something that was committed against her while she was unconscious.

I bet the victim sincerely apologizes about how selfish she was for single-handedly ruining the lives of these “star football players” and “very good students.”

I do not think it is right for professional journalists to be focusing on the sex offenders. How about the young victim? How will she recover from this horrific ordeal?

A Change.org petition created by Gabriel Garcia of Knoxville, Tenn., has over 290,000 supporters demanding that CNN formally apologize for their coverage of the case.

“Change must start with you,” the petition states. “As journalists for a major network that reaches millions of households in the United States and worldwide, it is your responsibility. Accept it.”

Kristina Bugante, a freshman journalism major, is a staff writer the Campus Times. She can be reached by email at kristina.bugante@laverne.edu.

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Sophomore defender Maddie Lovrensky rips a shot over Cal Lutheran freshman attacker Morgan Cook during the SCIAC contest held at Las Flores Park April 17 in La Verne. The Regals shot down the Leopards, 13-2. The water polo team finishes its season with a SCIAC record of 1-7 and an overall record of 11-21. La Verne begins SCIAC tournament play at 1 p.m. Friday against Caltech in Pasadena. The tournament will continue through the weekend. / photo by Zachary Horton

Karleigh Neff
Staff Writer

La Verne’s women’s water polo team lost to Cal Lutheran Wednesday at the La Verne Aquatics Center, 13-2, in their last Southern California Inter­collegiate Athletic Con­ference regular season game.

Now the Leopards will head into the SCIAC championships with a ninth place record of 1-7 in SCIAC and 11-21 overall.

“I think we need more teamwork,” head coach Alex La said. “We needed more communication, and we’re going to focus on that.”

The Regals started off hot in the first quarter with a goal from center Shannon Streeter. Cal Lutheran would have scored another three goals, but Leopards senior goalkeeper Lauren Shepard saved the shots.

In the second quarter, the Leopards’ junior attacker Stephanie Tuning scored, tying up the game. The Regals answered back with a goal of their own from attacker Skylar Vasquez.

The Regals scored two more goals before the end of the quarter, making the score 4-1.

“I think we struggled mainly offensively,” Tuning said. “I think we could’ve slowed it down, and made better passes. We really need to review everything before the championships next weekend”

The Regals dominated in the third quarter scoring seven goals in eight minutes. The Regals had outstanding offense, but had a very strong defensive effort by their senior goalkeeper Kylee Tomasetti stealing the ball seven times throughout the game.

Going into the third, the score was 11-1 Cal Lutheran. Leopards’ junior center Melissa Pryor was able to score a goal in the fourth.

However, the Regals strong defense forced the ball out of the Leopards possession, and they scored two more goals.

Shepard had a great performance for the Leopards, saving nine goal attempts overall. The Regals had strong defense by sophomore defender Adrienne Ingalla, who had six steals.

“We just couldn’t put away our shots,” Shepard said. “There was a lot of cherry picking instead of playing better defense. I think we’ll focus on more offensive plays going into next week.”

The Regals had goals from eight different players in total. Cal Lutherans’ freshman center Julia Samarin and Ingalla both scored two goals, while sophomore center Jordan Card made three goals.

The Leopards will focus on offensive strategies going into the SCIAC championships, according to La.

“ We need to build more confidence,” Shepard said. “It’s all about what we do in the pool, not what the other team does.”

The water polo team will play in the SCIAC champion­ships on Friday, and depending on their success, will advance to the next round April 27 and 28.

Karleigh Neff can be reached at karleigh.neff@laverne.edu.

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Junior athletic training major Lauren Martino attends the 50 Shades of Green Earth Day event hosted by CAB Monday in the South Quad. To promote sustainability CAB handed out reusable containers to everyone who attended. / photo by Kelley Maggiulli

Elsie Ramos
Sports Editor

The Campus Activities Board hosted “50 Shades of Green” Monday in the South Quad to celebrate Earth Day.

Free lunch and reusable lunch trays were given to the first 150 commuters and to the first 350 residents.

“In today’s society the environment is a big issue,” CAB Chair Carina Gonzalez said.

“I think in the past the environment has been abused and now we’re trying to change it up and be better to Mother Nature. It’s a pretty important day and I think it’s important that we celebrate it.”

Each year, Earth Day, April 22, marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970, according to earthday.org.

Former Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day after the horrendous 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbra.

The event at ULV had cardboard signs up that read “Save the planet!” and “I used to be cardboard, now I’m a sign.”

There was a demonstration station where Bon Appétit was serving a low carbon diet meal, which included an edamame burger topped with sumac-spiced carrot peels.

The burger was an acquired taste for many but students still lined up to get one for themselves.

Toni Morbitt, an assistant manager for Bon Appetite who does not work at the University, put together the demonstration.

“A low carbon diet is about reducing your mileage with purchasing vegetables and produce that are locally grown,” Morbitt said.

“It’s also being aware of what animals produce into the environment. The edamame burger reduces the production of beef and cheese because cows produce a large amount of methane.”

Morbitt also said buying fruits within a 150 mile radius of where you live is better for the environment.

She also said that Bon Appétit has always tried to produce a low carbon diet for the University.

This includes reducing the portion sizes of meat served at Davenport Dining Hall, ensuring that all vendors are local businesses and using produce that is grown within 150 miles.

Many students and staff feel that the school should do more than just have an event once a year to recognize the environment.

The University has made recent efforts to “go green” with the installation of water bottle refilling stations throughout campus.

“I think the refilling stations that ASULV put in are really good, I use them all the time,” Gonzalez said.

“I know last year they had ride your bicycle to school day, so maybe encouraging people to do that more often and have a lot of small events rather than just one big one.”

“There should be more carpool options because there are so many commuters,” English Language Services instructor Kathleen Juten said.

“They should also have more bicycle infrastructure because a lot of people don’t think it’s cool. I also think the school is doing a good job with the lunch containers and the water fountains, but they should also raise awareness that driving isn’t they only lifestyle”

Juten said she has not had a car for 10 years and tries not use fossil fuels and thinks more students should welcome this lifestyle because La Verne is such a small city.

The University is taking small steps to becoming more environmentally friendly in the forms of LEED certified construction including the gold certification of Vista La Verne residence hall and the silver certification of the Campus Center

Elsie Ramos can be reached at elsie.ramos@laverne.edu.

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Eboo Patel encouraged students of all religious backgrounds to stand up for their beliefs at La Verne’s annual Fasnacht Lecture, titled “Standing Your Sacred Ground.” He explains how his upbringing led him to establish the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based organization striving for interfaith cooperation. / photo by Mitchell Aleman

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Hard-set on producing all of his own music, it seems Mr. Rager’s latest album attempts to live up to the commercial success of 2009’s “Man on the Moon: The End of the Day,” looking for the next “Pursuit of Happiness.”

But try as he might, the pursuit continues, as Cudi falls just a bit short on “Indicud.”

While he will not gain any new fans, he will certainly entertain those that have been waiting for new music since the launch­ – and failure – of 2012’s WZRD.

Since the “Man on the Moon” series, Cudi has set out on a new beginning from the lamenting he once sang about. Now, the inert focus has turned to rage and a self-proclaimed triumph.

In one of his more powerful tracks, “Just What I Am” Cudi belts out, “I’m just what you made God, not many I trust / I’mma go my own way, God, take my fate to wherever you want,” and continues on to talk about his stoner habit, a signature for the artist.

Another verse from “Immortal” goes, “Spent the last month feeling bad ‘bout myself / I couldn’t speak anything of real hope / And the day came when it hit me like lightning through my veins / A sudden change in my groove, in my walk,” indicating how far he has come from “The Prayer” in 2008.

Though the album starts off strong for much of the track list’s first half, the listener may grow tired of the textural sounds and synthesizers Cudi plays around with, indicating that “Indicud” may have needed a bit of reorganization.

Still, the album pays homage to everyone that has helped him since his amicable split from G.O.O.D. Music, with tracks featuring good pals Kendrick Lamar, King Chip and A$AP Rocky.

Perhaps the best verse, one reminiscent to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, is given to A$AP Rocky in the minimalist track “Brothers,” as he admits, “Max with the homies try to teach them things / Teach them how to make a piece of change, even keep the change / But they neva change, bought a set of chains with another chain.”

Luckily there are still elements of 2009’s Cudi scattered throughout the tracks of the album, hidden behind all of the texturally intriguing production.

If fans can adjust to his new profession, then they may be satisfied with the few gems found in the album. For die-hard Cudder fans, the leak of “Indicud” one week before its initial release date could not have come early enough.

Robert Penalber can be reached at robert.penalber@laverne.edu.

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Assistant Professor of Psychology Nadine Nakamura presented “Examining the Psychological Impact of Immigration on Diverse Immigrant Populations,” for the faculty lecture series Monday. During her talk Nakamura discussed the report “Crossroads: The Psychology of Immigration in the New Century,” which she co-wrote with the other five members of the 2011 American Psychological Association’s Presidential Task Force on Immigration. / photo by Hunter Cole

Erica Maurice
Staff Writer

Nadine Nakamura, assistant professor of psychology, presented “Examining the Psycho­logical Impact of Immigration on Diverse Immigrant Popula­tions” at noon Monday in the President’s Dining Room as part of the faculty lecture series.

Her lecture focused on the struggles same-sex couples in Canada face after one of them is denied citizenship in the United States.

Nakamura worked with the American Psychological Association’s Presidential Task Force on Immigration.

For the project she studied 17 participants between the ages of 30 and 56 who had immigrated to Vancouver, British Col­umbia, from the United States.

Approximately 12 percent of same-sex couples in the United States have a partner who is not an American citizen.

There is no way of knowing how many people have left the United States to stay with their partners because no one has tracked that information, Nakamura said.

Like other immigrants, some same-sex immigrant couples experience mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

Her study found that immigrants with these mental health problems also tended not seek mental health services.

“I thought it was interesting,” said senior psychology major Cristobal Gutierrez, who attended the lecture. “It had personal connections because my parents are immigrants.”

“What was impressive was that she was invited by the APA and other high level scholars to participate in the project,” Jonathan Reed, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said.

Nakamura’s research will be published in May in the Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling.

In future studies Nakamura said she would like to look at binational couples in California and binational couples in the United States and abroad.

She would also like to look at the effects forced immigration has on the children of LGBT couples.

Erica Maurice can be reached at erica.maurice@laverne.edu.

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The Renew Christian Club hosted a paint war at Las Flores Park on April 13. The event included water balloons filled with food coloring, and bowls of diluted paint in which participants soaked their weapons. sponges in stockings. / photo by Kelley Maggiulli

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Junior political science and law major Valerie Lezin returns a volley during her match against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps’ Erin Coughlan April 19. Lezin lost the match, 2-1. The Leopards fell to CMS, 9-0, at CMS as the Athenas finished undefeated in SCIAC. / photo by Ryan Gann

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The theatre department presents William Shake­speare’s “The Merchant of Venice” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and May 2-4, and 2 p.m. on May 5 in Dailey Theatre. General admission is $10, staff admission is $8 and students are $5. For reservations call 909-593-3511, ext. 4386.

LaVernapalooza

ASULV, CAB and the Office of Student Life present the 4th Annual LaVernapalooza, featuring headliner B.o.B. at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Fox Theater in Pomona. Free tickets are sold out. Additional tickets are on sale at foxpomona.com for $35.

Rose Trio

The Rose Trio will perform at 8 p.m. next Friday in Morgan Auditorium. General admission is $5 and students are free.

Gospel Concert

The music department presents “Gospel Fusion: Gershwin and Beyond” at 8 p.m. Monday in Morgan Auditorium. General admission is a $20 recommended donation and student admission is free.

‘Geolocation’

The Carlson Gallery presents photographers Nate Larson and Marni Shindelman’s exhibit “Geo­location: Desertscapes,” which will run through May 24. The gallery is open to the public 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

‘Campus’

The Harris Gallery presents “Campus: Selections from the La Verne Art Collection.” This exhibition features works by several student artists. The exhibit is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, through May 20. Admission is free.

–Alison Rodriguez

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Softball, Game 1, April 19
Pomona-Pitzer – 2
La Verne – 3

Softball, Game 2, April 19
Pomona-Pitzer – 1
La Verne – 6

Tennis, April 19
La Verne – 0
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps – 9

Schedule

Friday
Softball @ Redlands, 9 a.m.
Women’s water polo @ Caltech, 1 p.m.
Men’s and women’s track and field, SCIAC Championships prelims @ Occidental, 2 p.m.

Saturday
Men’s and women’s track and field, SCIAC Championships finals @ Occidental, 2 p.m.

Women's Tennis Standings

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The Claremont Chamber of Commerce hosted a presentation “Take a Bite Out of Crime” Wednesday for the Claremont Police Department to inform business owners of some ways to secure their businesses.

Crime alerts have been sent to the email inboxes of Claremont business owners due to recent crime increases in Claremont.

“The Chamber is very proud to put on this event thanks to the cooperation of the Claremont Police Department,” Maureen Aldridge, Claremont Chamber of Commerce CEO, said.

“We felt after seeing all the crime alerts coming through that it was important to put this on for our businesses.”

Claremont has seen a major increase in crime going from 92 thefts and 35 burglaries in 2012, to 118 thefts and 65 burglaries so far this year.

Last weekend there were three burglaries reported to the Chamber and another alert was sent out. All three businesses’ windows were broken and money was stolen.

The police department is aware of the increase in crime and knows it is a problem. Officers and detectives are meeting with the chief of police on a regular basis to implement different strategies and find solutions, Sgt. Lori Davenport said.

Davenport and Detective Isaac Reyes gave a presentation including several tips to help businesses protect and make themselves less appealing to potential burglars.

The tips included installing a better alarm systems where all doors and windows have sensors and to have more lighting in businesses that will allow the police officers to see inside the businesses as they patrol, Reyes said.

Police officials are encouraging all business owners to work together to be more aware of what is going on.

“It’s not just the responsibility of the police department to police the community,” President of the Claremont Crime Prevention Coalition Edgar Reece said.

“It is us as citizens to be involved in that process. Police can’t be everywhere, resources are limited. We in the community can have the opportunity to pay attention, to remember incidents and be a good witness, as well as to report when something is odd.”

The Claremont Crime Prevention Coalition was established a month ago so that citizens, businesses and community organizations could work together to promote crime prevention. Currently there are 208 members.

With the efforts of the Chamber, police department and the Coalition, they are working together to help prevent these crimes but it is ultimately up to the business owners to take measures into their own hands and install as much security as possible.

The police department is encouraging business owners to report any suspicious activity.

The Chamber will continue to send out crime alerts from the police department. With the cooperation of the businesses and increased awareness the hope is to decrease the amount of crime.

“We don’t like seeing the crime rate go up, it’s stressing us out and we want it to stop,” Davenport said.

For more information about the Crime Prevention Coalition, visit claremontcpc.org.

Veronica Sepulveda can be reached at veronica.sepulveda@laverne.edu.

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Speaking with extreme opposition on the issue of a woman’s right to an abortion, Ben Kornfeld and teammate Samuel Ward-Parker argue their way to the winner’s seat Sunday at the United States Universities British Parliamentary National Debating Champion­ships. The team from Yale University was named champion after the final round in Morgan Auditorium. More than 160 schools visited the University of La Verne last weekend to compete in the tournament. Other schools participating included the University of Southern California, Harvard University, Cornell University and many other distinguished universities. / photo by Hunter Cole

Kristina Bugante
Staff Writer

Clo Hidalgo
Staff Writer

Yale University proved victorious at this year’s United States Universities British Parliamentary National Debate Championship hosted by the University of La Verne April 12-14.

After a fierce final debate Sunday in Morgan Auditorium against finalists from Carroll College, Loyola Marymount University and Stanford University, Yale’s team of Ben Kornfeld and Samuel Ward-Packard were ultimately named the champions out of 160 teams from more than 40 schools from across the nation and around the world.

“This is awesome,” Kornfeld said. “There are ton of great teams here and we were really fortunate to make it to this round. (We) acquit ourselves well enough that the panel thought we won the round, but it’s really exciting.”

This is ULV’s first time hosting a national tournament. This year also marks the debate team’s 101st anniversary.

ULV freshman Gia Kar­pouzis and sophomore Melanie Nadon made it to the semifinals.

Additionally, Karpouzis was eighth out of the top 10 speakers of the competition.

Senior Carl Decker and senior Sam French competed all the way up to the quarterfinals.

During the first two days of the tournament, six preliminary rounds were held all over campus.

Before each round, teams gathered in the Athletics Pavilion to find out the position they would be arguing, the room they were in and most importantly, the motion they would be debating.

For British Parliamentary style debate, each pair from a school debate team would make up a faction.

Two of the factions are in support of the motion and the other two oppose it.

Each member of the four factions have roles either as prime minister, deputy prime minister, member for the government, government whip, leader of opposition, deputy leader of opposition, member of the opposition or opposition whip.

In each round, the debaters had different roles that were chosen at random.

The motions ranged from topics such as Anglicization, legitimization of female vigilantes’ violence, whether or not the United States should provide nuclear weapons to South Korea.

Debaters passionately spoke for their side, while dismissing any personal beliefs that might have conflicted with the position they had to defend.

“In order to win, you have to embody whatever the side is that you’re representing,” said Sterling Higa, a debater at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

“One of the things debate helps people do is get rid of dogma. Debate forces you because you have to consider different viewpoints.”

Judges from all over the world sat in on the rounds and ranked each team from one to four.

“I think the right way (to judge) is you listen carefully, you don’t actively try to rule out the way a speaker is speaking from,” said judge Shengwu Li from Stanford University.

“Ultimately, the question is, ‘Who’s persuasive?’ Who said things that sound reasonable and persuade you that their side is true, and the words they choose are obviously an integral part of that.”

Technical problems with the initial tabulation software, which compiles all of the data from rankings and speaker scores, caused a delayed after the first round.

Chief Adjudicator Josh Martin and Deputy Chief Adjudicator Mary Nugent ended up taking over the tab team.

“It’s really difficult to run our side of things and tab at the same time,” Martin said.

“It turned out that the things (the original tab team) told us they could do, they weren’t able to do,” he said.

Martin and Nugent decided to go with the “trite and true method” of tabulating by switching to Tournament, tabbing software used for British Parliamentary style debate.

Once the debates were over for the day, ULV planned many outside events such as a public speaking competition and a break party back at the Sheraton Hotel.

“I went to the national tournament last year at Willamette and (La Verne’s) a lot more fun,” said Mt. Hood Community College debater Stephanie Saracco.

Cameron Hickert, a debater from the University of Denver, enjoyed his time in Southern California.

“The accommodations have been absolutely incredible. (ULV) set up nice dinners, transportation, and the Sheraton’s awesome,” Hickert said.

“It was an absolutely great tournament,” he said.

Some members of ULV’s debate team opted to volunteer at the tournament instead of competing.

Many of the volunteers were in charge of running ballots, setting up and taking down, and ensuring that debaters found their correct rooms.

“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a group of people on campus who work as hard, if not, harder than any other student organization,” said Championship Director and debate coach John Patrick.

“Our debaters astound me everyday with what they’re willing to do. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

At the awards ceremony Sunday night, the nationals committee expressed its gratitude for Director of Forensics Rob Ruiz, whose dream was to run a world-class debate at ULV.

After a presentation during the coaches’ forum at last year’s nationals in Willamette University in Salem, Ore., ULV hosting was a done deal when it brought on former World Debate Council Chair and speech communications department chair Ian Lising.

“Rob, you are simultaneously one of my greatest students, as one of my greatest teachers,” Lising said at the awards ceremony.

“Approximately 4,291,283 words were spoken this week. Now, only four words really matter: thank you, Rob Ruiz,” he said.

“I don’t do this for myself,” Ruiz said.

“I do this for the students who come to this university, and that’s my mantra – students first.”

Kristina Bugante can be reached at kristina.bugante@laverne.edu.

Clo Hidalgo can be reached at clotilde.hidalgo@laverne.edu.

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La Verne sophomore Allison Gunby treads against Occidental senior Danielle Garcia in an attempt to draw a foul in the offensive two-meter position from the goal line. The Leopards held the Tigers to two goals, losing 4-2 at Las Flores Park Saturday. La Verne finishes its season with a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record of 1-7 and a record of 11-21 overall. / photo by Mitchell Aleman

Karleigh Neff
Staff Writer

Even with a full La Verne home crowd cheering, the women’s water polo team could not come through against Occidental at the La Verne Aquatics Center in Las Flores Park Saturday, losing 4-2 on the Leopards’ senior day.

Before the game, La Verne’s three seniors – goalie Lauren Shepard, attacker Alex Gudeneau and two meter Katie Lacek – were honored for their contributions to the team.

“I’m really going to miss it here,” Shepard said. “I think my best memories are from my freshman year, when we only had eight girls, and we all had to work so hard. It made me grow a lot.”

The game was a defensive battle between the Leopards and Tigers in all four quarters.

The Tigers had a total of 11 steals during the game, four of which came from senior attacker Danielle Garcia.

Freshman attacker Ryanne Bible scored in the second quarter for the Leopards, tying it up at 1-1.

However, the Tigers were able to score two goals afterward, making the score 3-1 going into the third.

“We just missed our opportunities,” head coach Alex La said. “I thought the girls played great, we just didn’t come up with the goals.”

In the third quarter, Leopard freshman center Catie Tuning scored a goal in the first four minutes.

However, Tigers’ junior center Lindsay Albino answered with a goal of her own and made the score 4-2.

Defensively, Occidental goalie Rachel Adeleye was prepared and kept the Leopards from scoring six times during the four quarters.

“We just couldn’t put our shots away,” sophomore defender Maddie Lovrensky said. “We could’ve scored in a lot of situations, but we just couldn’t quite get it done. I think we kept up with their defense though.”

The Leopard defense was strong despite the loss. Shepard kept the Tigers from scoring 12 times throughout the game.

She is also leading the Southern California Intercol­legiate Athletic Conference in blocks, according to La.

“We have great defense,” Shepard said. “Our counter attack needs to be stronger, and we need to be able to make those long shots.”

In the fourth quarter, both teams were scoreless and both goalies rejected three goals.

“We’re always trying to improve,” La said. “I’m really going to miss our seniors. They’re a hard working group and they put it all out there today.”

La said the team will now work on making more goals in practice, and put less focus on defense.

He also said Occidental was a great opponent.

The Leopards did a good job defending SCIAC Player of the Year Nanea Fujiyama, limiting her to just one goal.

“Last time they scored six alone from her,” La said. “Our defense was really focused on her, and we did a good job forcing her to miss.”

The Leopards took to the pool for their final game Wednesday at Cal Lutheran.

Once again the offense fell short and the Regals proved to be too much, beating the Leopards 13-2.

With the loss La Verne’s final record is 1-7 in SCIAC and 11-21 overall. They finished eighth in the conference, seven games behind first place Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

Karleigh Neff can be reached at karleigh.neff@laverne.edu.

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