Campus News Fall 2018 Issue 11 - Pup Edition

VOLUME 76, ISSUE 11 | ELACCAMPUSNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018 SINGLE COPY FREE - ADDITIONAL COPIES 50 CENTS

Transforming Lives Campaign helps students Development Program can benefit homeless students. Staff Writer “Eighteen percent of the homeless population are students,” Homelessness has become an said Vela. Vela is working with college issue for students at East Los presidents from Orange Coast, Angeles College. Non-profit organizations such as Sierra, and Compton Colleges to the Transforming Lives Campaign provide housing for students in (TLC) and Jovenes Inc offer help need. In addition, Vela also emphasized to students in need to acquire the importance of how mayors, housing, food, and even clothes. The TLC committee held a panel CEOs and politicians have come discussion yesterday to provide an together in an initiative to provide update on the progress they have more housing. Cruz told the made with their audience that there partner Jovenes Inc. are many underlying Paul de La Cerda, issues to why a executive director of student is having “Investing in the East Los Angeles College Foundation, higher education trouble. “I sit down started the event by is a true way out with them, have a introducing speakers on the panel and of homelessness conversation about what is going on in briefly informed the for young their lives and why audience about the they are having adults.” problems homeless food insecurity and students face, usually there are a ranging from having lot of other issues ANDREA MARCHETTI insufficient food to Executive Director, or challenges that going place-to-place Jovenes, Inc. a student may be to have a place to facing,” said Cecilia sleep. Cruz, ELAC Student “1 in 5 students in the district were homeless, in fact Health Center coordinator. However, by asking for help she on the ELAC campus, 70.3 percent of our students have experienced is able to provide relief. Executive Director of Housing food insecurity,” said Cerda. Speakers on the panel offered Works Celina Alvarez stated it was their insight on how the TLC has important to find the root cause of poverty and homelessness to help helped students. Los Angeles Community College prevent it from becoming a bigger District Board of Trustees member issue. Andrea Marchetti, Director of David Vela gave information on how the Affordable Housing Jovenes Inc., spoke about their

BY MAURICIO BATISTA

CN/STEVEN CARDONA

TENDER LOVE AND CARE — Xavier Santibanez (Left), Andrea Marchetti, Celina Alvarez, Cecilia Cruz, David Vela, Marvin Martinez discuss the homeless population of students at East Los Angeles College during the panel discussion yesterday. partnership with TLC and how they aim to provide permanent housing solutions to help students. He followed up by saying education was very important and without committing to educational plans, life would be very difficult. “Investing in higher education is

a true way out of homelessness for young adults,” said Marchetti. ELAC President Marvin Martinez reminded students to apply for the Pell Grant. He is working on financial aid awareness to help notify students about the Free Application for

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) resources and grants available. At the end of the presentation Xavier Santibanez, ELAC student, shared his personal experience as a homeless student. He also talked about how during this trying time of his life

professors were able to help on the dilemma he was facing. Cerda closed the event by thanking the panel members for their support and presented Marchetti a $10,000 check to Jovenes Inc on behalf of the ELAC Foundation.

Newly proposed rule threatens student civil rights BY MELISA VALENZUELA Staff Writer

CN/ JOSE PAULO DE PAZ

Internet outage slows down daily academics BY JOSE PAULO DE PAZ Staff Writer This past Tuesday, students and staff alike were surprised with no internet on campus. The outage not only affected East Los Angeles College (ELAC) but six other colleges within the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). Many students and staff were upset as they were unable to get much done. There was no service at 8 a.m. and IT continuously updated staff on the status of the internet situation. Around 11 a.m. the internet was working again but issues were still present. Printers and wi-fi were down, making it difficult for students and staff to receive much help from the facilities on campus. Among those heavily affected were the Helen Miller Bailey Library, the Learning Center, the Reading and Writing Center and Transfer Center. The library staff

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was only able to access an offline catalog. Other centers were also unable to provide assistance because a majority of their systems need internet to fully operate. “Students came in, but they couldn't do anything. We told them they were more than welcome to stay, but they just left,” said Learning Center Director Amanda Ryan-Romo. Students were upset as they rely heavily on the resources provided by the Learning Center. Ryan-Romo explained that the tutoring system relies extensively on the internet and, with it down, tutors couldn't help those who had appointments. The system allows for tutors and staff to see who is scheduled for appointments online. “Internet started coming back around one o’clock, but it was onand-off,” said Ryan-Romo. According to an email sent out by the IT Department, the outage was

due to a regional service failure by Internet Service Provider (ISP) CENIC and AT&T. “It was not an internal problem. Something out of our hands,” said IT Manager Gonzalo Mendoza, “They [AT&T] had a circuit problem. They had fixed it, but it kept fluctuating.” Mendoza said the internet was not back until 1 p.m. In the e-mail sent out by Mendoza, staff was told not to start any internet-based transactions around noon, as the internet was fluctuating and could result in incomplete processes. The e-mail also said the internet was not operational until 4 p.m. that afternoon, with confirmation from both AT&T and CENIC. Both AT&T and CENIC confirmed and monitored the internet until it was back to normal. The six colleges and universities that were affected were Elac, Pierce College, Long Beach City College, and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

The East Los Angeles College Academic Senate meeting was held yesterday to discuss two recent changes happening both on campus and at the state level. One important issue discussed was the need to address the culture and climate of sexual harassment on campus. As part of Title IX, the education secretary recently proposed a new rule that would significantly reduce the obligations of colleges to investigate complaints of sexual misconduct. Title IX of the Education Amendments is the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex and also includes sexual harassment, rape and sexual assault. The Academic Senate agreed that the proposed rule puts student’s civil rights in jeopardy and must be stopped.

They have decided to start a campaign against its passage and plan to write multiple letters to the state senate. Another significant issue discussed was the importance of having legislative liaisons. Last year, assembly bill 705 was passed which requires colleges to take into consideration high school transcripts and records, and also requires students to finish transferable courses within a year. It does not accommodate parttime students who are employed, which is a majority of community college students. As a result of its passage, enrollment at Mount San Antonio College has dropped significantly. Jeffrey Hernandez, president of the Academic Senate, said state legislatures have become more involved with educational issues in recent years. He said this poses a problem because even though the state legislatures may have good

intentions, they are not on campus often to know what is really going on and therefore might not make the best decisions. The academic senate has agreed that representatives from the school, or legislative liaisons, are critical in strengthening communication between schools and local senates. These liaisons would attend local senate meetings and report about legislation and legislative issues, facilitate or act as a source for legislation and collaborate with local senate officers to create the most effective communication with faculty on campus. “It is important for us to take responsibility,” said Hernandez. “Our community college system in California is one of the best in the world and to keep it that way we need to build allies with the legislature.” The next meeting will be on Dec. 11 at 12:10 p.m. in G1301. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend.

CN/ STEVEN ADAMO

Fall Scholarship Recipients

Saint Joan

Pup Edition

The Fall 2018 Scholarship Recipients Thursday, in the F-5 Multi-Purpose room at 7 p.m. RSVP contact Irma Aguilar at (323) 265-8901 or by email at agilaic@elac.edu

Theatre Arts Department presents Saint Joan. Evening showtimes start at 8p.m on Friday; Dec. 1,6,7 and 8. Matinees will be on Dec. 1,2,7,8,9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available in P2-101A.

This week’s issue of Campus News was written, produced, edited, and photographed by the Journalism 101 classes.

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OPINION

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

Technology desensitizes, changes our children BY KATY GARAY Staff Writer As an educator for young children, I’ve worked with hundreds of children for 10 years. I have seen how much positive and negative impact technology has made on children today. People often forget that children are the future and will one day be the leaders of society. News is always there to tell people about another mass shooting. They become more and more frequent to the point that they are less shocking. What is lacking in young people these days and how can we raise our own children to assure that they don’t become this? I’ve seen children throughout the years and it seems like every year children are changing more and more. It’s normal to have different generations of children, but I

see that there’s a pattern that is becoming more evident. That is that children are stressed out due to technology. Technology is having a negative impact on the development of social skills and emotional coping. Parents are less interactive with their children and are not spending enough time with their children. I’ve seen young children showing signs of anxiety, like biting their nails chewing on their own clothes, aggressive temperament and being unable to sit for no more than two minutes. Their attention span is shorter than the previous generation’s. This is due to parents giving their children iPads and phones for long periods of time. Yes, children have become smarter and have developed advanced language skills. But what is the use if they are not able to socialize or develop emotionally? Before anything, children must

develop socially and emotionally and this is no longer a priority for parents. I want to encourage parents to spend time with their children, not just time, but quality time. Kids today feel uneasy when touching glue and mud because children are not exposed to the outdoors. A parent told me that her son’s punishment was to go outside and play. I was so shocked to hear this. Limited time on the tablet is best and it has to be closely monitored. Children depend on us, and parents are their first teachers. They should pay close attention to their growth and behavior. It is fearful to think that the future generation will develop negative patterns in their brains. It is possible they may become aggressive and depressed as adults. This is a subject that should be discussed and we should not forget about our children.

CN/IVANA AMARAL

New audio sensation helps more students than people think BY CARINA ORTIZ Staff Writer With finals just around the corner, it’s difficult for students to find time for themselves. It’s even harder to find time for relaxation and peace. Students might be able to find some instant solace right at their fingertips. The phenomenon ASMR has been ongoing for a few years on YouTube and has just now managed to come forth into what most people would refer to as mainstream social media.

ASMR is short for autonomous sensory meridian response which is a fancy way of describing the tingling sensation one might experience when watching an ASMR video. Although originating on YouTube, these videos have trickled down to Instagram and other popular social media outlets. These videos are created specifically to trigger the phenomenon of tingling sensations The feeling of euphoria is often sought out by avid ASMR consumers and a major part of the community are college students. Because of the ongoing stress that

comes with being a student, it is easy to see why a majority of them turn to ASMR for relaxation. Sandra Benavides, a student at UCI said, “I understand why people get so into these videos. “It’s relaxing. I personally don’t watch it a lot, but I get it. “I see why people turn to it during their times of stress.” Although not everyone experiences ASMR, it has undeniably taken over the internet. Some might even go as far as to say that ASMR has helped them with anxiety. I have personally struggled with

anxiety and panic disorder since the age of 14. I developed it at an early age and found myself looking for ways to calm myself down in times of stress. Having tried affirmations and meditation before, nothing has worked the same way ASMR has. I came across my first ASMR video in December 2016 and now watch ASMR before bed at least two times a week. I turn to it on days where I can’t get my mind to stop thinking before bed. For those 20 minutes, I am focused on nothing else but the

sounds coming from the video. Sometimes I find myself in an entire state of euphoria until I give in and naturally fall asleep. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? The most popular ASMR videos a whopping 60 million views while the most subscribed channels have more than 1 million. The community, however, doesn’t just exist exclusively on YouTube. The Reddit community r/ASMR is home to well over 160 thousand subscribers. For those students who can’t help but overstress during finals, give ASMR a try.

Smart consumers avoid Black Friday BY ARMINDA APARICIO Staff Writer

CN/IVANA AMARAL

Street racing joins law enforcement against illegal races BY GISELLE ARROYO Staff Writer The Street racers and law enforcement are working together to increase public safety in California through legal and controlled drag racing. “Peace Through Wheels,” said Donald Galaz. The streets of Los Angeles are some of the most exciting places for car racing. The thrill of racing can be addictive and through the Brotherhood of Street Racers their addictive need for racing can be used for good. The Brotherhood of Street Racers are determined to create a successful program where car racing enthusiast can race in the streets legally. They believe that if people have a controlled and safe environment where they are allowed to race it will keep them off the streets. Galaz is the elected spokesman for the Street Racers. He is determined to suggest to the public that drag racing is the right way to help youth in California. “This is where it first started… California is one of the places where most people like to street race,” said Galaz.

Galaz was at the Los Angeles City Hall to provide the City Council with information about their cause. They also had police officers to support them. They are determined to lower the statistics of violence through racing. The idea for this came from the late William “Big Willie” Andrew Robinson. Who wanted to decrease gang violence through drag racing. He was the creator of the Street Racers organization. His values were appreciated by many in his time and presently. This is why so many people follow him to this day. Having a safe environment to race has many reasonable arguments to it. They are not only looking to have a safe location for the street racers but to have a more convenient place for everybody to race. “We're not saying don’t race. We want you to race but in a safe location someplace were it can be acceptable. Where you can get loud and bring whatever car you have to race in,” said Lucy Hoback. Hoback is a member of the Street Racers and she is also determined to pass on the message to the public. An idea that can be appreciated by many not only can this idea help

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lower violence, but it can also lower disturbance in our neighborhoods. People sleep won't be affected by disruptive and obnoxiously loud cars racing up the street. Also, bystanders will be safe from dangerous drivers. “We want something safe for everyone to participate in,” said Hoback They are always looking for ways to help pursue the idea of street racing to the community. They believe it is an efficient way to keep the public safe. “Everything is happening here in LA… we are the racing capital of everything,” said Hoback. The Street Racers are asking for a suitable place for street racing in Los Angeles. They would like it to be accessible for everyone, so people are not left with the option to race in a highly populated area or near homes and business. “Racing started in Southern California,” said Bill Hoback husband of Lucy Hoback. The Street Racers and law enforcement are working together to help decrease violence through the hobby of racing, starting with Los Angeles.

Black Friday is an event we shouldn’t be thankful for. Black Friday has varying stories behind its history, but the one that we know is the idea of it as a retail holiday. As Thanksgiving approaches, we begin to reflect on our lives and think about what we are thankful for. In my family, Thanksgiving was a day to spend with each other being grateful for what we have. Recently Black Friday seems to take all the attention. I always get asked the same question: “Are you going Black Friday shopping?” This so-called retail holiday has ruined the idea of togetherness that surrounds Thanksgiving. Black Friday was a day created after the Thanksgiving holiday to help record the losses retail stores had. They believed that the consumers would spend money on discounted merchandise and their losses would turn into profits. More recently, department stores started their sales on Thanksgiving Day with stores openimg as early as 6 p.m. People camp outside of department stores a week ahead of the actual day. Meaning that they do not even spend the day with their family.

Instead they spend it with complete strangers who are waiting in a line like they are. When it is time for the sale, people have to rush in to get what they want before it sells out. People are savages when it comes to buying things they want. Every year, we hear horror stories of people getting into fights and others getting pepper sprayed, for one day of sales. Instead of participating in that, my family would all come together for dinner and spend all night sharing what we are grateful for and telling stories around the fire. Some people even spend time with their friends having dinner. As I grew older, I got the idea that Thanksgiving was not about that anymore. The Thanksgiving holiday became more materialistic because of Black Friday. This day made up to trick consumers into thinking they are getting deals at their favorite stores. When you really think about it, do the sales after Thanksgiving really increase profits for stores? I would think that around the Christmas holiday, stores would benefit from shoppers. They are, after all, spending money to buy gifts for all their loved ones-- and lets not forget the secret santa shoppers. We s h o u l d a l l s p e n d o u r Thanksgiving day being grateful for what we have in life and the people we are surrounded by.

“This so-called retail holiday has ruined the idea of togetherness that surrounds Thanksgiving.”

EDITOR IN CHIEF Andrew Ayala MANAGING EDITOR Steven Adamo ONLINE EDITORS Adam Robles Alex Handy FRONT EDITORS Jose Paulo De Paz Melissa Valenzuela

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NEWS EDITORS Vincent Austin Katy Garay FEATURE EDITORS Mariana Montoya Alexis Suarez ARTS EDITORS Samantha Iniguez Micheal Ramos Cher Antido Maritza Ibarra SPORTS EDITORS Sonny Tapia Christopher Elizalve PHOTO EDITORS Arminda Apaticio Destiny Galindo COPY EDITORS Diego Linares Anastasia Landeros CARTOONIST Ivana Amaral STAFF WRITER Jose Cabrera Carina Ortiz Melissa Valenzuela Nancy Lazalde Elisa Nava STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Steven Cardona Vanessa Ramos Mauricio Batista ADVERTISING Stefanie Arocha DISTRIBUTION Gustavo Buenrostro Steven Adamo ADVISERS Jean Stapleton Sylvia Rico-Sanchez Campus News encourages letters to the editor relating to campus issues. Letters must be typed and double spaced. Submitted material becomes the property of Campus News and cannot be returned. Letters should be limited to 300 words or less. Campus News reserves the right to edit letters for grammatical errors or libelous content. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers must sign submissions and print their names and a phone number where they can be reached. Letters should be addressed to the editor of Campus News. Submissions can be made at the mailroom in building E1 or the Journalism department office in the Technology Center in E7-303. East Los Angeles College Campus News 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez E7-303 Monterey Park, CA 91754 (323) 265-8819, Ads (323) 265-8821 Fax (323) 415-4910 The East Los Angeles College Campus News is published as a learning experience, offered under the East Los Angeles College Journalism program. The editorial and advertising materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The opinions expressed are exclusively those of the writer. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the Los Angeles Community College District, East Los Angeles College, or any officer or employee thereof. PRINTING BY NEWS PUBLISHERS PRESS

Opinion

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

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Christmas shopping, scam plagues students’ wallets BY SAMANTHA INIGUEZ Staff Writer Christmas shopping is the biggest scam in the history of all scams. I get a headache even thinking about it. It is scientifically proven that Christmas music causes stress. After Thanksgiving, the radio is putting us all in a constant state of fight or flight, which some often literally do fly to visit out-of-state family. They are forgetting our instinct to flee from stress, not buy an expensive plane ticket to fly directly toward it. All the time spent claiming to be spreading Christmas Spirit is wasted. What stresses me out the most is the amount of money that needs to be spent, money that I don’t even have. To avoid spending too much money, I look for deals, but even the deals are stressful. I watch like a Christmas vulture for the best sales. Once a unicorn sale seems to come my way, I watch it and I wonder for hours before finally deciding to order or not to order. Deciding whether or not to act on a Christmas deal or not is worse than gambling. You can buy all your presents today thinking you’re getting the best deals, but the next day brings forth an even better deal. Being put in this situation many times before, the decision to make

every single purchase stresses me out. A store dresses up a sale as a blessing and hours later it turns out to be the devil in disguise. I often find myself wondering if I should just cancel the whole order! Maybe order it again just to get this better deal? You might think I’m overreacting, or that the $20 dollars are already gone-that I should just suck it up and move on. Keep in mind I’m a broke college student with about 15 more gifts to buy. That $20 could be another gift or two if I find a good enough deal. Most people would just be happy to have gotten a deal, but not me. I want the BEST deal. I don’t have the type of money to settle for a 10 percent off deal, but I also don’t have the type of money to be risking any deal at all. What if 10 percent is the only deal the brand offers this Christmas season and I lost it all while waiting for the next best thing? Every Christmas I try to go the cheap way: just buy gifts for my favorite people or my closest family members because that’s the way my family works. I try but I soon find myself in a pool of guilt and once I buy one of them a present, I must buy all of them a present. Not to mention the second gifts I often buy after comparing each gift

to each other in my head. A meeting with my subconscious that usually goes something like this: “I bought this for Johnny and this for Vanessa, but oh my god, Johnny’s gift is clearly better. What if Vanessa feels like she’s my least favorite in the family because her gift seems to be the less extravagant one?” Most people like to say “It’s the thought that counts.” Nonsense, but keep it real. People prefer a cool gift. They don’t care how hard you thought of getting them a gift, especially if they don’t really get one. This is usually the type of situation that leads me into buying people little extra gifts just to make up for the inferiority of their first gift, which of course, I made up in my own head. My mom is a whole different struggle during Christmas. First, she is the most expensive woman I have ever met. She knows what she wants and she expects to get it. She has a specific taste so you can’t just guess what she wants because she might hate it and give you this kind of what-the-hell? expression. Or you know, she might love it. It’s just too much of a risk to take, so I always just find it safer to ask her what she wants. I then try to convince myself that

CN/IVANA AMARAL

I’ve bought her enough expensive gifts, but she’s my mom and can I really put a price on her happiness. After all, I literally owe her my life. Of course, I find that one gift is not enough for the woman that is responsible for my entire existence, so I get her what I like to call a bonus gift. Yes, she might not like it, but at this point, it does not matter because she already got what she

wanted. The worst thing of all must be the shipping and taxes added at the end of an order unless you shop in person, which is usually recommended I don’t have the time or money for a car. Maybe I would if I didn’t buy anyone gifts, so I stick to ordering online. I love having five gifts in my basket and seeing a nice low price ,forgetting the fact that more is

going to be added once I’m done inputting my information. Happy with the deal, I come to the complete order page and find myself spending an extra $30 dollars for shipping and taxes and I realize it was too good to be true. There is no better way to say “ I love you, Merry Christmas” than to risk having a stress-induced heartache over Christmas presents for family.

Coffee drinks vary in form, taste fantastic BY MARIANA MONTOYA Staff Writer With finals around the corner, you have to know what “latte you gotte.” Students often find themselves going to coffee shops and drinking different types of coffees with fancy names. But what do they mean? What are they and what should they taste like? One of the most popular drinks is a latte, but do people know what a latte truly is? The latte is an Italian word for milk and the word caffè is the Italian word for coffee, giving it its meaning coffee with milk. Most people call a cafe latte just a latte. This drink is one of the most

popular and very delicious coffees on the menu because it is standard. It is a smooth tasting drink. The hot version of the drink is formed with espresso shots, steamed milk, and topped off with a little bit of foam. By the time you are finished with the drink you are left with the foam all the way at the bottom. The foam takes this drink to another level. The cold version of a latte is made from espresso shots over milk and ice. Many different coffee chains have modified the latte by adding different flavors. The most popular flavors are vanilla, hazelnut, and mocha. Another example of a popular misinterpretation of coffee is the macchiato. The macchiato is a shot of espresso

with a spoon full of steamed milk and a dollop of foam. Unlike the Starbucks version of the macchiato, the original Italian version is meant to be out fast and drunk in a quick manner. It is a very straight drink. The tiny portion of milk is often used as a sweetener. Next we have the cappuccino. The cappuccino is made with one or two shots of coffee followed by steamed milk and lots of foam. This one is a classic. To make cappuccino, it takes a great deal of work, especially to get the foam to a perfect point. If anyone is looking for a very foamy drink and appreciates the bitter taste of espresso combined with the natural sweetness of the

steamed milk, this is a great drink to try. During finals, students who are staying up to get extra study time tend to go to the strongest versions of drinks-drinks with a lot of caffeine, or quick drinks. Because of this, many think that the Americano is the strongest caffeine-leveled drink in the menu because it has the most shots of espresso. Brisa Garcia, a freshman student at East Los Angeles College, said “Finals really drain us because this is our last shot to get a good grade in our classes, so we will take the strongest coffee.” Contrary to popular belief, brewed coffee is actually stronger than shots of espresso. “The reason many people think

drinks such as the Americano have the most caffeine is because they taste really strong,”said Cynthia Sanchez, a barista for the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. The lighter the roast, the stronger in caffeine. So what kind of coffee is the best coffee to have during such a delicate time? Truth is, the type of coffee that is best for you depends largely on the kind of person that you are. Some people love the bitter taste of the espresso by itself, while others love the taste of a freshly brewed batch of coffee. Some love coffee with lots of milk and others enjoy the sweetness of a flavored latte. Here’s a recipe to enjoy during the

start of finals season. ¼ cup of room temperature water 2 tablespoon of instant coffee ¼ cup of ice ¼ cup of almond milk ¼ cup of carnation milk 3 tablespoons of honey First, start with the 1/4 cup of water and mix in two tablespoons of instant coffee. Once those two tablespoons are mixed in, mix in the three tablespoons of honey. Then you pour your drink inside the cup where you have your ice and let it sit for five minutes, then mix almond milk with carnation milk. As soon as it is mixed, pour it over your coffee. Finally taste, enjoy and add to your liking.

BY CHER ANTIDO Staff Writer California State Universities provide a week-long break during Thanksgiving week, while most UCs and community colleges, ELAC included, only give their students two days off for the holiday. Thanksgiving is a U.S. national holiday, so all college students should get the whole week off. There is no denying that college is difficult. Students face the stress of taking exams, having to pick their majors, and thinking about their future careers. It is generally an overwhelming experience, especially for those attending college for their first year. A week break would benefit them in doing better in their studies. CSU student Michelle Tatekawa said, “College students really need that one week of break. People tend to get more depressed during school time. If I didn’t get that one week break, I would feel like I’m falling apart.” as November comes around, the semester is ending and there are multiple exams happening during the month. Being able to take the week off would allow students to take a breather and relax their minds. This would improve their academic performance and would help them do well in exams. Other than the stress from school, it’s upsetting that some students get a week break from school while others don’t. All college students should be able to spend time with their families during the holiday. A majority of students attending UCs live away from home.

It is essential for students to get that week off for them to be able to visit their families.An article for NBC News revealed a study by the UCLA Higher Education Institute that found 69 percent of first-year college students report feeling homesick. Wong says, “it can even contribute to a decision to abandon the pursuit of a higher education, experts say.” For most attending University, it is their first time being away from home and independent. Giving them that short break will help relax the burden they feel and the feeling of being overwhelmed. There are also cases where students move out-of-state for college. Homesickness is more likely to happen to them as they are far away from home. Two days simply would not be enough time for them to go home. Most colleges that don’t have a week off only have Thursday and Friday off. UCLA student Justin Bueno states, “It throws off the schedule if you cut off in the middle of the week.” There are many students who go out of town for Thanksgiving despite not having the week off. This only causes them to miss class discussions and throw off their academic performance. I, for one, am not able to see my family for Thanksgiving due to the short amount of days off. I am seven hours away from home and there is not enough time to travel back and forth in two days. A lot of distant relatives that haven’t seen each other in a while come together during Thanksgiving. It’s a holiday that should be spent with family. It shouldn’t be spent at school buried in assignment

CN/IVANA AMARAL

Students deserve longer Thanksgiving break

Students desire mental health days BY CARINA ORTIZ Staff Writer In the midst of the chaos that comes with being a college student, it’s easy to understand why so many become overwhelmed. Imagine being able to skip class if you need to. Imagine being able to take a day off for the sake of your mental health and well-being. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Because most of us are busy working a part-time job, studying our nights away and still trying to maintain somewhat of a social life, we tend to neglect ourselves by failing to take any time to reflect on our mental health. Sadly, mental health can still be considered taboo and never spoken about, or even mentioned by these individuals. Everybody is running on some sort of schedule and it’s difficult to slow down or just breathe.

It is not about the workload of pursuing a college career or the pressure to finish as fast as possible, it is instead far deeper than this. Because our mental health is not as visible as our physical health, it tends to be overlooked.

“We should be able to have at least two or three days to take a mental break.” STEPHANIE SICAL ELAC student

If someone does not have a cast over their arm, there would be no way to know that it is broken. People can argue the fact that schools are not responsible for a

student’s mental state. Although it is true, this is also further supports the idea that somebody’s mental health is not as important as their physical health. However, the statistics are alarming. According to CBS News, one in five college students are stressed so much that they consider suicide. Digging deeper, CBS News reports that “among more than 67,000 students surveyed, over 20 percent said they experienced stressful events in the last year that were strongly associated with mental health problems, including harming themselves and suicidal thoughts or attempts.” Students are often pushed to a level of stress that forces them to put their well-being aside in order to progress in their college careers. Stephanie Sical, a student at East Los Angeles College said, “we should be able to have at least two or three days to take a mental break. We should at least give it a try and see if this improves

students’ energy and focus.” A day off can be more beneficial than we think. In a poll conducted via Twitter and Instagram, I found that 60 out of 70 students agree that mental health days should be available. Some days seem almost impossible to get out of bed because of the exhaustion. This is the struggle that reveals why students should be able to put aside responsibilities and focus on themselves for at least one day. So why don’t they just miss class? Students are often graded on attendance, and because of this, skipping class reflects on their overall percentage. Therefore, they show up. If taking a day to do nothing and not worry about missing anything in class is going to help break the stigma, then the option should be available. One day off will not hurt anyone. Endless hours of no sleep, and keeping the stress bottled up, will. www.ELACCampusNews.com

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EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

Students showcase muscial talent at recital BY MARITZA IBARRA Staff Writer The East Los Angeles College Music Department presented a student recital on November 21 which included accompanist Melissa Sky-Eagle. Guitarist Eric Qing Xie rocked the electric guitar with beautiful strumming, elegant and sweet sound. It added a perfect dynamics to the song, “Days of Wine and Roses” by Henry Mancini. The second song, ”Etude, No.3 Op.60,” consists of string-picking -lullaby tone written by Matteo Carcassi, performed by Ruben Gomez Jr., who played with smooth transitions of his fingers on the guitar. The third act was soprano Alondra Ruiz, who sung with nice riffs and perfect jumps. She has a beautiful vibrato for “Pur dicesti o bocca ella,” written by Antonio Lotti. Violinist Daniela Herrera, strummed with nervousness but regained confidence ending with strong fingers and a good bow hand to the tune, “The Two Grenadiers,” written by Robert Schumann. Harry Faustino finger picked on the guitar with lightning fast fingers to the song, “Etude No.6” written by Leo Brouwer. “Sarabande Etude No.7,” written by Anonymous and Matteo Carcassi, was played on the guitar by Alexander Botello. He played with great feeling, smooth transitions and strong fingers. Marco Solis, a tenor with great breathing,and beautiful vibrato performed a challenging song, ”Danza, Danza, Fanciulla Gentile,” a piece from Francesco Durante. Pianist John Solano played with such enchantment capturing the mood in the room to “Capricci No.1 Op.76” by Johannes Brahms from Klavierstucke.

Claire Dalia Marquez sung with character, dynamics, and great tone to, “Porgi Amor” by W.A Mozart from Le Nozze di Figaro, K.492. Zhaotong Tang hit the soprano notes perfectly while also lightly grasping the lower notes. She then finished the song with a dramatic belt from Semele, HWV 58, the song “Where’er You Walk” by G.F. Handel. The song, “Sento Nel Core” by Alessandro Scarlatti was performed by Rosamaria Garcia, the only mezzo-soprano. Garcia used her mixed voice with great resonance in her performance. Daniel Lopez played, “Prelude and Fugue in C Minor.”

He played with great build up to notes, his fingers were well relaxed and he had outstanding energy on the piano. He played with great build up to notes, his fingers were well relaxed and he had outstanding energy on the piano from “Well-tempered” Clavier by J.S. Bach. Baritone Eugene Lopez sang with great vowels, great energy, overall smooth transition to the song, “Avant de quitter ces lieux” from Faust, by Charles Gounod. Pianist Shan Jiang dazzled the audience with her fast crossing hands and mood manipulating skills to, “Etudes-Tableaux, Op.33, No.6 in E flat Minor,” by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Ismael Mayoral kept the mood and character with outstanding breath support and dynamics to, “Sonata for Clarinet and Piano” by Francis Poulenc Romanza.

CN/STEVEN CARDONA

BARITONE MASTER—Eugene Lopez (right) sings Avant de Quitter Ces Lieux by Charl Gounod from Faust accompanied by Dr. Melissa Sky-Eagle on the piano on Monday at the S2 Rectial Hall.

CN/STEVEN CARDONA

QUEEN OF THE KEYS—Shan Jiang plays the piano as she hits every note on Etude-tableaux, Op.33,No.6 in Eflat Minor by Rachmaninoff on Monday at the S2 Recital Hall.

In the

SPOTLIGHT

Music Department to showcase students’ talent BY ELISA NAVA Staff Writer

CN/VANESSA RAMOS

PARADE PERFORMANCE—L.A Nebuta performing traditional dances across Hollywood Boulevard for the annual Christmas Parade celebration on Nov. 25.

Hollywood hosts 87th annual Christmas parade BY VANESSA RAMOS, MELANIE CORTEZ, SAMANTHA INIGUEZ Staff Writers Los Angeles started off the Christmas season by hosting it’s 87th annual Hollywood Christmas parade which followed a 3.2-mile route along Hollywood Boulevard, then back along Sunset Boulevard. The event was hosted by Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams, with co-host Elizabeth Stanton and Garrett Clayton. “Hosting the parade is always fun [and] exciting.” Clayton said. This year was even more special than the last because of the United States Marines. The gifts were donated by the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation that are given to less fortunate

children all over the world. enjoy the appearances of Snoopy, The parade took place in the Charlie Brown and Lucy on the red heart of Hollywood, closing down carpet. every block from Sierra Clair, a three-mile range reporter from down Sunset Hollywood Glam Boulevard and Magazine, asked The help of the Sycamore Street. Santa Claus what he United States Gigantic was most excited for balloons in this Christmas. marines, the the shape of Santa pointed to gifts, and ornaments and the two Marines presents donated alongside him and favorite holiday characters such said, “I am most by the Marines as the Grinch and excited to see the Toys for tots the Cat in the smiles on every Hat sparked the child’s face when Foundation streets. they receive the gifts Ripley’s they deserve, thanks Believe It or Not, to these wonderful Aquarium of the gentlemen.” Pacific, and Knott's Merry Farm General Pete Osman, President were among the other sponsors. and CEO of Marine Toys for Tots, Partnership with Knott’s Merry gave both gentlemen a pat on the Farm allowed the attendees to back.

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Popular artists, such as Ashanti and The Band of Merrymakers, strolled through the red carpet. Performances included the Band of Merrymakers with their new single, “Christmas Everyday,” Tearaways with, “Stuff Your Stocking,” and singer Clare Dunn with “O Holy Night” and her single “Tuxedo.” Past American Idol contestants, Mikalah Gordon, Blake Lewis, Kimberly Caldwell-Harvey, David Archuleta and Elliot Yamin all sang classic songs like “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Nancy O’Dell, Grand Marshal, was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from The City of Los Angeles. The Hollywood Christmas Parade will premiere December 14 at 8 p.m. on the CW Network and on Hallmark after the CW broadcast.

The East Los Angeles College Music Department will present six musical performance events in December. These events will be the last ones held before the end of the semester. Music students will have the opportunity to showcase their talent through various recitals and concerts. “All music majors are required to participate in our December events. Vocalists will need to perform in at least three of the shows and instrumentalists must perform in two” said Music Department’s chair Anthony Lupica. The shows will feature ELAC instrumentalists, composers, vocalists, and others involved in the performance productions. Students have dedicated over two weeks of their time in preparation for the musical events. The first event is the Student Piano Recital directed by piano professor Lucy Nargizyan and will feature piano students on Monday at noon. This show will be free admission. The Christmas Choir Concert will also be held on Monday at 7:30 p.m. and will be free admission. It will feature the ELAC College Choir and Chamber Chorale along with Lupica as conductor. Students of the ELAC Music Department will hold the Student Recital 4 on December 5th at noon. This show will be free admission. Jazz Ensemble director Bobby Chavez will direct the Christmas Jazz Concert on Wednesday at 8 p.m. The performance will feature the Jazz Ensemble and there will be no admission charge. The Orchestra Concert will be held on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. It will be conducted by strings professor Samuel Chilingarian and will feature the Symphony Orchestra. This show will also be free admission. The last musical event of the semester will be the Symphonic Band Concert on December 7 at 8 p.m. Music professor Jesus “Chuy” Martinez will conduct. For tickets contact the Music Department at (323)265-8948. All of the events will be held on campus in the S2 building’s recital hall, which has a large audience seating area for 350 people. The events are not limited to students. Anyone can attend and support the performances. There will be free parking for all attendees in parking structure four.

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

Coach strives to inspire athletes BY MARIANA MONTOYA Staff Writer Ricardo Raygoza, assistant coach for the East Los Angeles College men’s soccer team, started off as a player for the Huskies before he became an assistant coach. He played at ELAC in 2005, and 2006. In those two years, he found head coach, mentor and main inspiration men’s soccer head coach Eddie Flores. “He came to me as an older player and played two years for me. He came in with the understanding and desire to make it far, which we did that year,” said Flores. He became assistant coach in 2008. He took a two year pause from coaching to play soccer and obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science Corporate fitness at Kansas Wesleyan University. Within those two years, he shared success with his team by winning two consecutive championships. He said it impacted his career. His main goal after graduating Wesleyan, was to return and continue being a coach for the Huskies.

“I want kids to succeed. I want them to be the best within their abilities and do what they want whenever they want.” RICARDO RAYGOZA

Men’s soccer assistant coach

“I am strict on the field with what I want. I give my players freedom, yes, with the understanding that when we are on the field business means business,” said Raygoza.

SPORTS

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Sports Briefs Women’s Basketball Women’s basketball has gone on an eight game winning streak. The Huskies managed to hold on a victory against Riverside College with a score of 79-71. Its last win was against Palomar College with a score of 88-86 in preseason. East Los Angeles College will face Santa Monica College at Cypress College on Friday at 8 p.m.

Men’s Basketball CN/ LILIANA MARQUEZ

SOMBRERITO — Men’s soccer assisant coach Ricardo Raygoza showcases his athletic skills at Weingart Stadium at the end of the Fall 2014 season. One of his main goals in pursuing a career in coaching was to inspire younger generations to do something impactful with their lives. “I want kids to succeed. I want them to be the best within their abilities and do what they want whenever they want. However, there has to be a lot of discipline. I try to squeeze as much juice out of my players, at least as much as I can to help them understand how great they can become as players,” said Raygoza. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, he said he understood the value of having someone who believes in his abilities as a player on the field and as a human. “Sometimes players come from the hood, but he understands what it

took to climb the ladder of success, ” said Flores. Not only does he make sure his players and his friends are up to date with discipline and with their goals, but he also makes sure that they see someone in him to which they could look up to, said Raygoza. “Ricardo is someone who I genuinely admire. He inspires me to continue pushing forward. I admire his tenacity and I know that he is where he is as a result of his hard work, dedication to his players and determination to be and give the best of himself despite the odds,” said Melanye Lopez one of Raygozas good friends. She has known him for four years. She said he is like her brother, a friend and a person she admires deeply.

“I try to make sure I am leading my players with clear examples in myself or with clear explanation of something that I would like to see out in the field,” said Raygoza. He said that one of the most important parts for him as a coach is that he gets to change lives. “I get to save a lot of kids from having a bad life, so it is full on happiness,” said Raygoza. He knew early on in his career as a soccer player that he wanted to become a coach, however, Raygoza said that the transition from player to coach was not a simple task. “The level of respect is a lot different. You have to obviously make your players feel that there is more to them rather than trying to do it better than them,” Raygoza said.

Men’s basketball is preparing for its next game against Saddleback College on Dec. 5. They have taken more wins than losses, especially in the Alvin Hunter Classic. The Huskies are 4-2, averaging 83.6 points per game. Their last win came against San Bernardino Valley College by a score of 81-72.

Wrestling East Los Angeles College wrestling is gearing up for its next match on Friday at Rio Hondo College. At the beginning of September, the Huskies started off with a win against Victor Valley College with a score of 44-9. The last time the Huskies faced Rio Hondo, they took home the victory with a score of 27-25.

CN/ STEVEN ADAMO

Water Polo ends one-win season BY JORGE SERRANO PACHECO Staff Writer Water Polo wrapped up the fall season with an overall record of 1-10 and a conference record of 1-8. When the season started, the team had 15 players, but the team ended up with nine players. Although East Los Angeles College took several beatings in the season, head coach Kimberly Diana Romero noticed the team multitasked, grew and improved. “Both captains were the glue to stick the team together. Alexis and Vicky were a great help,” said Romero. The two captains were freshmen wing Vicky Zia- Lopez and freshmen goalkeeper Alexis Sifuentes. “This year we started off with a new group (that had) no water polo experience,” said Romero. Lopez, Sifuentes, and Romero managed to keep the team alive and committed. ELAC took its only win at home against Pasadena City College with a score of 5-0.Throughout the season, water polo gave everything they had. unfortunately they ended with an overall record of 1-10. “This year we started off with

a very new group. They didn’t really play water polo in the past. Everyone else, as well, never played before. We had a fresh new team.” said Romero. Romero also said the team learned everything and improved throughout the season.Romero said

“This year we started off with a new group (that had) no water polo experience.”

KIMBERLY DIANA ROMERO Water polo head coach

one of the games that stood out was against El Camino College. “We were losing by four and I knew we would win if we would get it together, but it was too late. We let in too much goals. It was a good game to watch. We were tied at one point,” said Romero. Romero said practice would have benefited the team. There were times

where not enough players showed up to have a complete practice. Another factor that affected the team was the short amount of time they had to practice. Water polo had two weeks to practice before the season started. Both captains said the season served as a learning experience. Sifuentes said that she learned this sport is tiring, however, she still had fun. She also said she will play next year and will have a better season. “It was my first year being a captain and it was challenging to keep the girls working together and motivated them to finish the season. It taught me to be a team player and handle situations under pressure,” said Lopez. Although Lopez said she enjoyed the season, she said she won’t be participating next year. The water polo team said they learned a lot about commitment, teamwork and multitasking. “I really enjoyed watching the team grow as people,” said Romero. For the next season, water polo will start recruitment early. They will also start practice early and have a higher roster number. Through these adjustments, Romero said she hopes to have a better season. www.ELACCampusNews.com

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Feature

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

Student shares insight into Dreamers’ struggles 2012, by President Barack Obama. When his presidential term ended in 2017, Donald Trump threatened that he would get rid of DACA. His administration is now trying to go through with that threat. Growing up, it was always hard for Chagolla to watch her peers have different and easier opportunities given to them simply because of their citizenship . Trump’s election in 2016 gave her a new definition of fear. “I have to watch what I do and say to make sure my actions don’t portray anything negative toward myself or other DACA recipients,” Chagolla said. Now she lives everyday with the pressure of always having to

BY ANNETTE QUIJADA Staff Writer .

Emily Chagolla is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient who wakes up every morning dealing with the emotions of fear and worry. She was brought to the U.S. from Irapuato, Guanajuato by her parents when she was one year old. The only place she considers her home is Los Angeles. DACA is a policy that provides a work permit and protection from deportation to children who were brought to the United States illegally. It was set in place on June 15,

be perfect when it comes to school and how she uses her work permit, The constant racism and hate toward students like her affects the way she trusts people and with who she shares that she is undocumented. Chagolla is not embarrassed of her status, but she said she is afraid of the backlash she will receive from certain types of people. Not only has this affected her, but also her parents, who are also immigrants. For that reason they worry for the safety of themselves and their daughter. On the eve of the 2018 midterm election, the Trump administration decided to put pressure on the termination of DACA. The administration sent a letter to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to

demand a decision, but they did not issue one because of this. The administration was able to bypass three appeals courts in order to get an immediate review. A panel of the U.S Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled against the Trump administration’s effort to end DACA. Majority did not agree with the Justice Department who claimed the policy is unlawful. The panel said “DACA lets them devote much needed resources to enforcement priorities such as threats to national security, rather than blameless and economically productive young people with clean criminal records.” Upon receiving this news, Chagolla became ecstatic.

“If people were highly educated on this topic, and would realize that [they] came here for a better life, they would put themselves out there to bring us a bit more sense of security,” Chagolla said. Even with this administration trying hard to eliminate this program, she feels hope as she continues to see more people in favor of the program. As DACA makes its way to the Supreme Court, many Dreamers hope the program grows positively over time. Although many recipients see this as another win in their favor, they want actual movement. Chagolla would like for them to “expand [their] voting and travel options and to eventually have a

pathway to citizenship.” Her future and the future of many others is still left hanging with uncertainty. The Court’s decision influences the Supreme Court. They could move to settle the DACA debate by June of 2019. Currently, U.S immigration services have said that if you have never applied for DACA, you are not able to do so today either. Renewals are the only process available. ELAC has its own Dream Resource Center for any questions Dreamers may have regarding financial aid, residency status and registration assistance. The center is located in the Student Services Building E1-142.

Automotive program prepares students for the future BY JORGE SERRANO PACHECO Staff Writer

CN/ JAMES JOHNSON

FAMILY BAGGAGE— Toni, played by Jasia Topete (left), complains to her son Rhys, played by Garrett Weitzl, about her personal problems in the play Appropriate. The play ran from Oct. 12-21.

Student actor commands stage BY SAMANTHA INIGUEZ Staff Writer Jasia Topete crowned herself the family clown, as a child mastering the craft of imitations by imitating her uncle and well-known comedians. She was inspired to become a performer who brought happiness and laughter to a broader audiences. Her love of entertainment paved her way to the theater. Although she was sure about wanting to perform, she had little support and guidance. As a result, she found herself in college. Like many first-generation college students, Topete found the college system to be confusing. She failed some classes and roamed around aimlessly until

oneday she found what she now considers her “home,” the theater. After having experienced many departments within the theater program on campus, she found herself in front of Rodney Scott, a director at ELAC. He would soon open many doors for her. Topete performed a monologue which she said helped Scott recognize the potential in her and inspired him to cast her in her first lead role at ELAC, Maggie in “Den of Thieves” in the spring of 2016. Topete considers this her best experience in theater because she learned a lot of new techniques. Despite not having worked together before, she felt full support from Scott. Topete said she is very grateful for him because he taught her “a whole

other world inside of my world.” She said Scott taught her to never settle and always strive to be the best. Topete said, “He believes I can do anything. And to have someone who believes in you, sometimes even more than you believe in yourself, is nice.” Topete was cast in another one of Scott’s plays last spring called “Chavez Ravine” in which she played 13 different characters. She enjoyed the rush of sudden changes in costumes, character movement and accents. The need to be a completely different person in a matter of seconds was a lot of fun for her as well as for the judges who came to watch the performance. They loved it so much they nominated Topete, as well as

the play for scholarships and awards. In the case that it does make it to competition, ELAC students will get a second chance to watch it here on campus and see Topete in her element. Topete’s recent role as Toni in Scott’s take of Appropriate by Branden Jacob Jenkins was one she considered to be her toughest role. One of the reasons being that the role was of a more serious tone with a hint of dark comedy. She said getting into character was difficult because of the lack of confidence in physicality, maturity and wittiness, all traits that make Toni the strong character that she is. Read more online on our website elaccampuesnews.com

Diego Oviedo is on the verge of getting his final Automotive Service Excellence certificate. He is also getting his Associate’s degree in the automotive technology program at East Los Angeles College in spring 2019. Oviedo works at Service Tire Co. there he’s currently learning and getting his foot in the automotive field. Thanks to the help of ELAC’s Automotive program, Oviedo has managed to reach his dream and eventually expand his knowledge of cars. Oviedo wished to become a pro skater as a teen, but as Oviedo grew up, he noticed that computer information was for him. Oviedo's knowledge for computers started in Roosevelt High School, where Oviedo graduated in 2014. After high school, Oviedo got accepted into Cal Poly Pomona . He decided to major in computer information systems. After finishing his first year at Cal Poly Pomona, Oviedo decided to commute to school instead of dorming at Pomona. One day, as he was commuting to school, Oviedo’s 1987 Mazda RX-7 started having engine problems. Oviedo couldn’t drive to class and ended up dropping his classes at Pomona. Eventually, Oviedo left Pomona and decided to stay local and attend ELAC. His RX-7 motor issues inspired him to enter the automotive

program at ELAC. Ever since he started his first 101 class, he was into the program. Oviedo said, “The program is really good and very simple in terms of prerequisites needed to take higher level classes.” Oviedo is about to finish the automotive program. He learned about everything from pistons, engine’s suspension, breaks, transmission and the fluids within cars. Although Oviedo feels the program cover everything, he wishes there was a course on diesel and rotaries. “Rotaries are obsolete, as in no present manufacturer makes a rotary engine powered vehicle in the current market for sale,”Oviedo said Oviedo wishes in the next 10 years, to focus more on rotary vehicles and tuned vehicles in maintenance and upgrades to make car faster or better looking. The Mazda brand has been around Oviedo’s lifetime. “He’s brought several cars and loves working on them”said Jiner Oviedo his brother. Today, Oviedo wishes to participate in drift events. He prefers drifting over drag racing because there’s more style involved within the set ups and maneuvering within the car drifting. “I want to drift the RX2, it would be cool to see an old school car doing something people wouldn’t expect it to,”Oviedo said. He found himself in the automotive field however it wasn’t what he expected. Oviedo said “It’s been a bit difficult to really get your foot into the field.”

Theater professor advises students on how to reach success BY GISELLE ARROYO Staff Writer Vanessa Mizzone’s favorite role was as Lois in “American Horror Story- Asylum” and her other big role was as Elise, a sonogram tech, in “Jane the Virgin.” A theater role she was particularly proud of was the role of Emily in “Our Town” at The Actor’s Gang. “It was an iconic role,” said Mizzone. She described it as a turning point in her experience as an actor. “If there is something you enjoy doing or want badly enough, you will find time in your day to do it,” Mizzone said, relating to how she makes time for auditions. “Prioritizing is key,” she said. She suggests to her students that they find what works best for them and to organize their life so they can be as efficient as possible. Not just in class, but when scheduling auditions. She said that sometimes her priorities will have an impact on her

sleep, but thats it worth it. When dealing with a difficult actor in the entertainment business, Mizzone says to just “take a breath.” She mentions that blowing up will affect the whole atmosphere of the rehearsal. Having a good support system is important when dealing with rejection in the entertainment industry. Venting is a good way to move on. An actor also needs a “strong sense of self” when dealing with rejection. “You have to have a thick skin and you have to try not to take things personally," said Mizzone One piece of advice she has for students who are pursuing a career in film or theatre is if your heart is in it, you have to work for it. “You have to work 150 percent. It’s not enough to be talented, it’s not enough to work hard you have to do everything possible,” she said. The important thing is to have perseverance and never give up. “It’s not going to be eas. You have to be realistic. You have to find a job that pays you

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money,” Mizzone said. “As an artist, you have to find a way to be financially stable," she said. Mizzone prepares for an audition by “research, scoring the script, and then making strong choices.” When auditioning for television or film, she practices with the camera. “I practice as much as possible,” Mizzone said. Coming into an audition with a memorized script can improve an actor’s reaction to other actors lines. “It’s important for me to not be worried about the lines,” Mizzone said. In film and television, there is no time for character development like in theater. “You make your choices and go,” Mizzone said. “In theater it all comes out during rehearsals.” Mizzone has never had any regrets in her professional career. “There is nothing I regret because it put me where I'm supposed to be right now,” Mizzone said. A lesson that she has for actors is “don’t care what people think of

you.” Mizzone put all of her energy that she spent on trying to get people to like her, back into her work. This was a tactic that helped her succeed. “I wanted people to like me and that got in the way of the work,” she said. After the birth of her children, her priorities changed. She doesn’t care if people don’t like her because she doesn’t have time to waste. Mizzone said “Being liked or being accepted should not be a concern “as long as you're being honest to yourself and putting yourself in the work.” said Mizzone "Know who you are and own it. Don’t try to be something you are not.” She has received more work because of this.If you did your best, did the prep and didn’t get the role, “it’s not because of you,” Mizzone said. “Someone else just fit the role better… it’s not because you’re not good enough,” A good age to start acting is “as soon as you want to do it,” said Mizzone. There is no age limit when it comes to acting because there are

actors of all ages needed to play different roles. ELAC is a good place to try out acting or experiment in anything else, “Take a class here. Just go for it,” Mizzone said. Getting experience is how to get a foot in the door. “Training is key,” Mizzone said. Students need to have a technique or discipline on how to approach roles and projects, “Unless you have experience it’s going to be really tough,” Mizzone said. Taking classes is the first step. Learn to build resumes with plays or student films. Currently, she is preparing to appear in a short film named “I Never Got to Say Goodbye.” She is also preparing to do a live reading of a musical named “Swan Song.”It is a pitch for theater producers that was put together by the writer. Mizzone has a professional career in the entertainment business, as an actor, producer, and writer, all while being a full-time instructor. Most importantly, she is a mom to two

young children. She is a part of both the SAGAFTRA and the Actor’s Equity Association unions. “I feel like I found a really great home here,” Mizzone said. She has had the pleasure of working with some of the best people in her field. The theater department focuses on creating pathways and opportunities for their students. Students are working with professionals who can help them create a good foundation in theatre. Jasmine Alcala a Theater 100 student for professor David Scott, is planning to take a theater class with Mizzone. “ I think it would be really cool to take one of her classes next semester.”said Alcala. These bases in theater can be applicable to film and television training as well. They have the chance to apply their training just outside their door. “We’re in the middle of the entertainment industry,” Mizzone said.

Arts

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS N EWS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

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Best albums of 2018 offer listeners variety BY CARINA ORTIZ Staff Writer With an overwhelmingly amount of diversity, 2018 has some of the best albums.With artists opening up on their addictions and shining a light on deeper issues through music, it is easy to understand why these projects made the list. Travis Scott showcases his skill yet again on his third studio album “Astroworld.” He takes his listeners on a journey through psychedelic inspired hip-hop with the support of Kevin Parker from Tame Impala, Drake, The Weeknd, and to everyone’s surprise, Frank Ocean. At only 26 years old, Scott has risen to mainstream rap and everybody can’t help but watch what he does next. Kanye and Cudi fans were treated to a collaborative album this year. The bond between Kanye West and Kid Cudi was evident on their album, “Kids See Ghosts.” “Reborn” is the standout track out of the seven on the project. Just over a year of Kid Cudi’s last album, “Passion Pain & Demon Slayin’,” he and West join forces to shine a light on prosperity and the importance of mental health. Cudi emerges as a warrior after spending time in rehabilitation for

CN/MAURICIO BATISTA

GREATEST HITS OF 2018—Popular albums of 2018 are aligned side by side, ranging from the “Black Panther” soundtrack to Travis Scott’s “Astroworld “ his addictions back in 2016. His message seems more powerful now than ever, keep moving forward. After a four year hiatus, Arctic Monkeys have managed to completely reinvent themselves yet again with their sixth studio album “Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino.” Following the release of their 2013 album, “AM,” they received mixed reviews from classic Arctic Monkeys fans everywhere.

With this album having a strong jazz inspired ‘60s lounge-type sound, frontman Alex Turner made it clear that the Arctic Monkeys are still full of surprises. Card B has become a household name because her huge Instagram presence, to selling millions and dominating the music charts with her debut album “Invasion of Privacy,” Her rags to riches story drew the public in and we were

instantly in love. Invasion of Privacy was Cardi’s debut studio album with the hits “Be Careful” and of course “Bodak Yellow.” “Invasion of Privacy” features Migos, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Kehlani, and more. The soundtrack for arguably one of the best movies released this year, “Black Panther,” was produced by Kendrick Lamar. The album has a mix of upbeat and mellow hip-hop anthems that

“Celeste” was developed by Matt Makes Games Inc. and is a 2-D action platformer. This game was released January 25. It has a very deep story that deals with overcoming depression, which is rare for video games. It has a lot of replayability, with an lots of collectables such as the golden strawberries, which are always located in hard to reach places, for the post game adding to the replay value. It currently has a 92 metascore. The “Spyro Reignited Trilogy” is simple, it’s the first three Spyro games. They’ve been completely remade from scratch to run on modern consoles. This trilogy was developed by Activision and Toys for Bob. It is a 3-D action platformer and was released November 13. It has an 82 metascore. “Starlink: Battle for Atlas,” the Nintendo Switch version to be specific. The reason why, is because it comes with the legendary cast Nintendo’s Star Fox crew. The switch version is seemingly a different game compared to the PS4 and Xbox One version due to the fact that you can play as Fox McCloud throughout the whole game. “Starlink” was developed by Ubisoft and released October 16th.

It is a space simulator that tasks the player with traveling across space, exploring new planets and assembling your own spaceship. This game has a 74 metascore. “Monster Hunter World” takes a big step forward in the right direction for this series, finally jumping onto powerful consoles. This game was developed by Capcom and released January 26. It is a role-playing,action game that allows you to go on quests to hunt many big and dangerous monsters in order to improve armor and weapons. “Monster Hunter World” currently has a 90 metascore. “Detroit: Become Human” is a third person, action-adventure game available only on PlayStation 4 that is very plot heavy and allows you to interact with the game environment. This game was released May 25 and was developed by Quantic Dream. “Detroit: Become Human” is a lot like “Heavy Rain” in decision making interactivity of story. It had a futuristic plot that will make you cry depending on how much you let your heart invest into the characters. It has a 78 metascore. “Marvel’s Spider-Man” was extremely anticipated by many Marvel fans for years because it had lots of potential. Fortunately

for the fans, the developers at Insomniac Games delivered. This Spider-Man game is an open world action adventure game that puts you in the suit of Spider-Man. It is a PlayStation exclusive and came out September 7. It has an 87 metascore. “God of War” came out April 20 This game is an action adventure with some RPG mechanics. It was developed by Santa Monica Studios and the game allows players to play and know what’s going on without needing to play the previous six games. It takes place in Norse mythology and has a very intense story. It has a 94 metascore. “Red Dead Redemption 2” was developed by Rockstar Games and released in late October. RDR2 serves as a prequel to the previous entry, “Red Dead Redemption.” It is an open world, action adventure game that takes place in the old west. This game is nice to look at and has a very good story. This virtual world is very alive and full of unique experiences. You might start off with the mundane task of cleaning your horse, and then some random bear attacks you. This game has a 97 metascore.

BY ERICK GERARDO VILLARREAL

Bianca, played by Tessa Thompson is a singer with a music career full of aspirations of her own. Bianca suffers from progressive hearing loss, having to wear a hearing aid and with the constant fear she might go completely deaf

features the best names in music today. Featuring everybody from Vince Staples, ScHoolboy Q, Jorja Smith, Anderson Paak, and more, the soundtrack earned the top position in Billboard’s 200 chart. After a long break from music, Ariana Grande returned this summer to dominate with “Sweetener.” Following the tragedy of the Manchester attack that happened

during her Dangerous Woman tour in May of last year, Grande stayed away from the limelight while working on music without a deadline. She returned in April to release her first single off “Sweetener,” “No Tears Left To Cry,” charting at number one in multiple countries. Grande left her fans with just a taste of what her album would consist of. “Sweetener” was then released three months later, with hits like “God is a Woman,” “Breathin’” and “Better Off,” Grande collaborated with Pharrell to create a pop-inspired feel good album. On his fifth studio album, the late Mac Miller expresses his vulnerability through music on “Swimming.” His previous album “The Divine Feminine” was a love letter to his last partner/muse Ariana Grande. He went from expressing his profound love for someone to opening up about his feelings of loneliness, addictions and overall mental state. Mac Miller has always been an open book when it came to speaking about his addictions, in specific, and he laid it all out through his music on “Swimming.” Miller passed away due to what was ruled an accidental overdose on September 7 of this year.

Nine impactful games of 2018 BY ADAM ROBLES Staff Writer Every year, the gaming industry seems to positively and negatively impact the perspective on video games as a form of art, 2018 is not an exception. Unfortunately, games like “Super Smash Bros,’ Ultimate” and “Just Cause 4,” which are definite contenders for being in the top 10, aren’t coming out until December. Therefore, titles within that release window will be excluded from this list. Each game will be provided with its current metascore, which is its overall graded score that it earned by critics on metacritic at the time of making this list. “Dead Cells” is a 2-D action platformer that has randomly generated levels. It was developed by indie developer Motion Twin and was released August 7. It is one of those gaming experiences where you die a lot and become stronger by using the cells from the enemies you kill to gain new abilities when you respawn. This game has satisfying controls and relentless enemies. It is currently sitting with an 89 metascore.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION JOSE PAULO DE PAZ

‘Creed’ knocks it out in second round Staff Writer

PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB

KNOCK OUT—Adonis Creed, played by Michael B. Jordan, throw a punch in “Creed II”

Filled with legacy and aspirations, Creed II deals with the weight of cementing yourself while focusing on the originality of its characters to create a compelling sequel. “Creed II” is a true sequel that does everything that the first film did but better and with a different theme. While the first “Creed” movie hit themes of living up to individual aspirations, this movie shows the other side-- what kind of legacy do we leave behind and can it be controlled or shaped? “Creed II” in no way ignores what has happened in previous installments of both the “Rocky” franchise and the first “Creed.” The film rewards fans of both series with nods and call-backs to the previous “Creed” and with a story coming directly from the events of “Rocky IV.” Creed stays true to the “Rocky” formula, but adds its own thing into the mix.

“Creed stays true to the ‘Rocky’ formula, but adds its own thing into the mix.”

one day. As her relationship with Adonis Creed advances and gets more serious, she is faced with balancing the two. Adonis has to carry the weight of being a winner with everyone out for his blood. The championship belt was held by both his father Apollo Creed and his Uncle/trainer Rocky Balboa. Adonis wants to rewrite history against Drago paving the road to his own story and his own legacy. Life waits for no one as the same brutal

hooks and jabs being thrown in the ring are being thrown in Adonis’s personal life. Rocky is prominent in the film and goes through his own struggles, but what they have done is separate Adonis from his Father. Since the movie revolves around a grudge match between the son of a dead man and the son of his killer the film acknowledges that the match is between the son of a dead man, and the son of his killer. Ivan Drago, the man that killed Apollo Creed in Rocky IV, brings his son to the United States, The Russian champion wants revenge on Rocky for beating him, directly being the cause of his people losing respect for him, in his home country. Drago’s son Viktor Drago has been raised to avenge his father’s loss. He wants nothing else but to break Adonis Creed, the movie makes it clear he isn’t fighting for his father. He is fighting for himself. The film handles its characters and the connections they all have

to each other skillfully. Adonis has to deal with anger and stress from two sides, Bianca deals with her career and future and Rocky deals with closing the past in more ways than one. The cinematography in the first “Creed” was amazing especially with the fights and this “Creed” is no different. Creed II feels exhilarating and packed with gut-wrenching hits that are only amplified by the music. The score is amazing, sucking you into the story and the matches, enhancing the story. When the music is somber you feel somber when the music is hype you get hype. The dialogue between Adonis and his mother is welcoming. She is a big part of his life. Rocky and she arethe voices of reason and wisdom for the protagonists Adonis and Bianca. The beauty of this movie is that it cherishes the past while setting up the future with all the things fans love about the Rocky movies will power is tested. Tested limits are pushed, bonds are strengthened and broken all in this well written film.

www.ELACCampusNews.com

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Arts 2

EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE CAMPUS NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

Students chop chop into chicken shop their food. The menu is affordable for college students. “The college [ELAC] helps a lot. That’s why we are trying to put the 10 percent discount. First of all, they are students. Second, they are the main customers," said Bazikian.

BY GISELLE ARROYO Staff Writer Chop Chop Chicken is a new restaurant in the Prado Center in Monterey Park with delicious options. It opened its doors on Nov. 12. They are temporarily giving out samples to potential customers. “I will ask everyone to try it…and then let them decide why they liked it and why they didn’t like it,” said co-owner Rafik Bazikian. He said he has confidence that his food will satisfy customers. “First of all, I would ask them to try it and then let them find the reason of why they should be here,” said Bazikian. He said he’s positive that customers will return because the food is fresh, healthy, tasty, and the best variety of food combinations a person can have. Their menu may seem small, but it is delicious. The menu is a simple combination of chicken or beef, rice and vegetables paired with five homemade sauces of the customers' choice. “You can’t find the beef, the chicken, rice and vegetables anywhere else,” said Bazikian. Bazikian and his business partner Ara Tifn are the co-owners of Chop Chop Chicken. Everything on the menu is fresh. The vegetables, beef, and chicken are never frozen. The veggies consist of zucchini, onion, carrots, lettuce and red bell pepper. All are equally nutritious and delicious.

“That’s how we do it, simple, small menu, and fresh in quality. We like to create something different...we bring the real food in with quick service.” RAFIK BAZIKIAN

co-owner of Chop Chop Chicken

CN/GISELLE ARROYO

BEHEADED CHICKEN BOWL—Chop Chop Chicken’s chicken plate with fresh vegetables. The ingredients to their dishes are marinated, spiced and seasoned for a perfect flavoring. The meat is marinated so it's tasty the way it is or you can add extra flavors like garlic sauce, sriracha sauce, chipotle sauce, etc. “That’s how we do it, simple,

small menu, and fresh in quality,” said Bazikian. They try to be all inclusive with their menu. They even offer a vegetarian option. “It’s different and much healthier,” said Bazikian about his menu. “It’s quick service, but not a fast

food,” said Bazikian. Although they have quick service, they will not leave you unsatisfied and sluggish like fast food places, because the food is fresh and different. Students can get a 10 percent discount anytime as long as they show their school ID when ordering

Chop Chop Chicken has a positive, calming and welcoming atmosphere. The room, as well as the music, make the place welcoming for all. “ T h e r e ’s p l e n t y o f s p a c e where you can come eat and do homework,” said Crystal Maceda, an ELAC student and a current employee at Chop Chop Chicken. This place is not only for students to enjoy, but for ELAC's faculty and staff as well. “I’ve seen a few professors come and eat with their students,” said Maceda. Sometimes a change of education venue can help students concentrate. It's convenient for everyone.

“We have lots of room, not only in our dining room. but also in our hearts to accept everyone,” said Bazikian. They are also working on having Wi-Fi available in the building. “We have a big place. They [students] can hang out and I am working on having internet,” said Tifn. The workers here believe in where they work. They enjoy working in the restaurant and what they are doing. “I love it. Everybody here is really friendly, customer wise and coworker wise,” said Maceda.. Bazikan and Tifn both share the same values about the quality of healthy food, which is why they are collaborative business partners. “I believe his food is much better. That’s why I partnered with him,” said Tifn. Tifn left Yoshinoya, a Japanese fast food chain, after 10 years to partner up with Bazikian. They welcome any questions and comments from customers because they collectively agree there is always room for improvement. A playful comment from some of the restaurants' first customers became their new slogan, “No heartburn,” said Bazikian. “The first time they eat it, they noticed it's fresh food.” “We like to create something different…we bring the real food in with quick service,” said Tifn. Chop Chop Chicken is located in the Prado Center at 2211 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754.

‘Ralph’ plugs into the internet BY KELLY VASQUEZ Staff Writer Disney returns to the world of “Wreck-it-Ralph” in “Ralph Breaks the Internet“ and introduces viewers and their characters to the internet, which is filled with laughter and tears. R a l p h a n d Va n e l l o p e a r e respectively voiced by John C Reilly and Sarah Silverman. Ralph rebels against his bad guy code to save his new best friend, Vanellope, and her game. Taking place six years after the first film, Vanellope and Ralph remain the best of friends. When they aren’t performing their duties in their arcade games, they are having fun together right from when the arcade closes, ‘til it opens. Vanellope though, starts to wonder if there is more to life than this repetitive routine, both inside and out of her game. When an unexpected reason causes Sugar Rush to be unplugged, it leaves Vanellope and all those other characters homeless. In its place, a Wi-Fi router is plugged in. In order to save his best friend’s game, Ralph believes he and Vanellope should travel to the Wi-Fi and find out how to save Sugar Rush. It is here where the viewer is introduced to the internet through the eyes of Vanellope and Ralph.

In the movie, the internet is full of colors and different buildings labeled Amazon, Ebay, Google, Facebook, Twitter and more. The audience is introduced to a search bar owl named Knowsmore, voiced by Alan Tudyk, who predicts everything you are about to search, which is very amusing. Disney introduces a new character named Yesss, voiced by Taraji P. Henson, who is the algorithm for a website called “Buzztube” in charge of making videos viral. It’s all fun and games until the dark side of the internet such as pop up ads, viruses and the comments section is shown. Perhaps the best section of the internet is when the characters are introduced to the website, “Oh My Disney.” In this section, stormtroopers, superheroes and the most anticipated scene since the trailer’s release, the beloved Disney princesses. This whole scene was perfectly put together. All of the Disney princesses are almost all being voiced by their original voice actors. The group gets to interact with Vanellope with some fun teasing of myths Disney princesses using witty dialogue. While trying to find out how to save Sugar Rush, the characters meet Shank, voiced by Gal Gadot, an amazing streetcar racer that Vanellope is immediately smitten

by. Unknown to Ralph, she starts to consider if Slaughter Race should be her new home. Throughout the movie Ralph and Vanellope’s friendship is put to the ultimate test. Vanellope has to decide if she should go back to Sugar Rush and live her monotonous life with Ralph. Meanwhile, Ralph is scared of change and doesn’t want to let go of his best friend. Ralph does everything in his power to try and save Sugar Rush, including embarrassing himself all over the internet making viral videos to earn “hearts” which equal cash. Even through all of that, however, Ralph is still painted as the villian due to his insecurity. Although Ralph let his insecurity get the best of him, causing him to literally break the internet, Vanellope wasn’t being a good friend either. She is too afraid to let Ralph know how she truly feels and in fact is going to ghost him. But at no point is she supposed to apologize for being a bad friend because it was all Ralph’s fault. In reality they both had blame to share. This movie is quite hilarious and is filled with many nods to the internet, viral videos from the past and even Disney making fun of itself. Overall, it’s definitely a fun sequel to watch, but it is nowhere near better that it’s predecessor, “Wreck it Ralph.”

CN/MAURICIO BATISTA

THE DOG HOUSE—customers line up to order their dirty dogs, enjoying Los Angeles street food hospitality.

Dogs have gone dirty in downtown LA BY KELLY VASQUEZ Staff Writer Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, Dirt Dog is the place to eat. Dirt Dog has a massive following on instagram, rounding out to 87.2 thousand. Its Instagram page, @ dirtdogla, is covered in mouthwatering pictures of all the delicious food they have to offer. Dirt Dog’s menu has all of your favorite street foods in one place. Their most famous item is their Dirt Dogs, hence the name. Dirt Dogs are wrapped in bacon and come in different styles of the classic hot dog. Some styles include The House Dog, which includes thousand island dressing and green chile spread; The Patty Melt Dog which has melted cheddar fries and

chipotle aioli spread; The Brown Dog which has teriyaki sauce and sesame sweet aioli. Another famous dish there is their dirty corn. The dirty corn is absolutely to die for. It includes Mexican cream, cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro and bacon bits. They even have dirty esquite which is not as messy as the dirty corn, since the corn is in a cup. If you’re looking for some delicious sides, Dirt Dog has you covered. They also offer garlic fries, dirty chili fries with housemade all-beef chili and melted bacon cheddar, filthy fries with guacamole, chipotle aioli, cheddar, cotija and sea salt and pepper fries. To follow all that dirty food, they also offer delicious desserts. They have churros, deep fried oreos, deep fried twinkies, the

horchata ice cream, which has vanilla bean ice cream, homemade horchata syrup, rice krispies and almonds. Not only is the food excellent, but the service is as well. The employees are extremely accommodating and attentive. They can bring out a special batch for those allergic to certain food items. This way, everyone will feel included. Ultimately, Dirt Dog definitely lives up to the hype. It’s absolutely delicious and expertly brings the street food we all know and love in our neighborhoods and crafts them into a new, yet familiar, taste. Dirt Dog is located on 2528 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles. Be prepared for a line when visiting since it is quite popular and small. Definitely grab napkins too, because it does get quite dirty.

Kurt Russell dashes through Netflix as Santa Claus BY ALEX HANDY Staff Writer “The Christmas Chronicles” is a Netflix original that tells a story of two siblings crossing paths with Santa on Christmas Eve. Netflix starts the holidays off with a Christmas story that sounds like a cliché Christmas story, but in reality, is a wild ride with a great take on Saint Nick. The story begins with a family of five who share great memories on Christmas every year. The first few minutes of the film begins with a montage of the family opening presents on Christmas day, starting in the year 2006, going all the way to the present time of 2018

with the father missing due to a fire rescue he took part in earlier that year which took his life. The youngest family member Kate Pierce, played by Darby Camp, doesn’t want their family’s tradition of recording Christmas day to end because of the death of her father. Her older brother Teddy Pierce, played by Judah Lewis, is the complete opposite and does what seems like what every other teen does and bottles up his emotions. Teddy is seen falling into generic juvenile delinquency, which the writers of this movie illustrate by having him drink alcohol and steal cars. When their mother takes an emergency call from work, the two siblings have an idea to catch sight

of Santa. The two succeed in capturing video a of Santa, so Kate’s next move is to infiltrate Santa’s sleigh.

Director Clay Kaytis keeps things moving and doesn’t try to make this movie something it’s not. This leads to them being whisked off into the night, which leads to Santa being startled and crash landing into the Chicagoland area. This is where the movie seems to fall flat with both Camp and

Lewis not acting up to par with Kurt Russell, one of the best Santas in years. Russell plays a slim Santa that goes against all of the clichés we hear when we were children. Even with its subpar acting, this movie is still quite enjoyable with some humor that was surprisingly not cringy, which is something you see in a lot of Christmas movies. Director Clay Kaytis keeps things moving and doesn’t try to make this movie something it’s not. Kurt Russell seems to carry this movie and looks like he’s having a great time playing Santa. T h i s m o v i e i s n ’t t h e b e s t Christmas movie, but it does its job and can be enjoyable. This movie is rated PG and is streaming on Netflix.

PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB

JINGLE ALL THE WAY HOME—Kurt Russell portays Santa Claus in Netflix’s Christmas Chronicle.