El Paisano Newspaper Vol. 72 Issue 1

Rio Hondo Club Rush: An Opportunity for Students

By: Edwin Ramos

On Feb. 11, Rio Hondo College hosted its club rush at the lower quad. Held in the main part of campus, the event gave students the opportunity to explore a variety of clubs and programs.

All clubs had their own unique posters and sign-up sheets as club representatives and members welcomed students.

There were over 15 clubs present ranging from a wide variety from Black Scholars Club, Psych Club, Creative Writing Club to Health Education and Resources Club, Nursing Program, and Puente Club.

The club rush showcased the amount of diversity of student life at Rio Hondo.

All students were encouraged to ask questions and to learn about the benefits each club has to offer.

Many club members were excited about the new opportunities students can have in their career path.

Nursing Club member, Megan Melendez, who is the ICC Representative, talked about the goals the program wants to achieve and show students that it’s a great club to be part of.

“We want to spread awareness about the Nursing Program, we have an ADN RN, an LVN to RN, and the CNA program… we want to let people know it’s very accessible to get into these programs here at Rio and we

encourage them to do so,” Melendez said.

Throughout the event, students were able to collect flyers, scan QR codes, and share their interest with different clubs.

Additionally, clubs offered snacks, games, and more to students who had an interest in learning more about the program.

There weren’t just clubs there, as there was music and live caricature drawings for students to see and have a chance to draw during the event.

For first-year students, Club Rush serves as an important part of becoming involved in campus activities. These events can help students engage in activities beyond

the classroom that can help grow their personal skills and interests.

First-year student, Stephen Zamora, gave his thoughts about how Club Rush can help him in the present and future.

“The Club Rush has given me a bigger sense of how many clubs there are and how each have their own benefits, for me understanding what I want to do right now will help me focus on the career path I want to have later on,” Zamora said.

Club Rush was a success and showed there are many interests and experiences students can have during college that will help them build connections with other individuals.

Women Empowerment: The Vagina Monologues Auditions

By: Marissa Chavez

Associated students and the Victory club on campus hosted auditions for the Vagina Monologue. This student led production and audition was advised by Diana Madueno and had students like Estefany Garces Olivares. “The Vagina Monologue is a collection of stories, the author interviewed ladies and they all shared different stories that can range from curiosity, sexuality, identity, empowerment, sexual assault, domestic violence” Madueno says. “There’s one where’s it’s like giving birth,” Madueno says. There have been about 5 different productions for Vagina Monologues on campus. “It started as a student initiative; it’s always started through associated students,” Madueno says. The event is also hosted by

not only associated students but the victory club as well.

“Victory club is a student life club here on campus that is focusing on bringing issues and education to light on topics related to sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and domestic violence” Madueno says. The monologues were created to help students build a community within each other and find relations in the

monologues that were said from women. “This is my first participation, right now I feel personal with my monologue, I feel like I identify with the monologue” Olivares says. “I think that’s the best thing to learn, to educate, and to really embrace that powerful woman in your life, or even extend the hand to support right?” Madueno says.

Rio Hondo is well known

for the community that is created on campus, with all the student-led clubs; students always find a way to build a solid foundation for everyone around them.

“Sometimes we don’t realize how much certain folks go through and make sure that you’re there and that you give that support and you’re also listening and you’re also hearing the stories” Madueno says.

The performance will take place on April 22 starting from 4p.m. to 7p.m. in the lower quad. Students will decorate a tent in the lower quad. The event will be free to anyone that is curious about what the Vagina Monologues have to offer. With the theater still ongoing construction, the performance will be held in the lower quad.

By: Damian Zamora

For Ms. Miyo Stevens

Reflects on a Life in Photography

Gandara, Photography began not as a clear career plan, but as a something she liked. While attending Schurr High School in Montebello, Ca during the late 1980’s, she discovered a passion that would ultimately shape her life’s work. “I didn’t really like school that much,” she recalled, but I liked photo class.” Under the guidance of her teacher, Mr. Oka, Ms. Gandara was introduced to an impressive high school photography program complete with a darkroom, color processing lab, and five professional cameras. It was there, during her junior yar, that she first found her creative side to photography.

What began as a class soon became a hobby and what would soon become her profession. Gandara enrolled in advanced Photography courses and participated in an occupational R.O.P photography program. In those early days, she experimented freely like photographing graveyards, staging vampire themed shoots with her friends, and exploring imaginative concepts.” It Was both something for school and hobby at that time,” she said.

However, the journey was not without challenges. Ms.

Gandara described herself as an intuitive and artistic person rather than a technical person. Photography, she explains, demands both creativity and technical accuracy.” there’s a huge technical component to photography, and thar was challenging for me,” she said. Determined to grow, she persevered, eventually earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degree in photography during the era of film, long before digital cameras and computers became the standard tools for photography.

Between her undergraduate and graduate studies, Gandara gained very valuable industry experience. She worked in a film lab printing in darkrooms and later scanning films, where she learned how to use photoshop on the job. Her work spanned a wide range of clients, from entertainment to major corporations. “I learned so much, and I’m grateful for that,” she shared. Embracing technology transformed her mindset. What once was something she was afraid of became empowering and turning her into someone highly confident with technical tools.

Today, Gandara gives credit as a major factor behind her continuous growth of creativity. As a professor not,

she is constantly looking for emerging technique Such as HRD imaging and advanced lighting settings to stay up to date for her student. “Teaching allows me to be more creative,” she explained. It reminds me of how magical photography can be.”

Watching students bring their own stories and their world into the classroom, she says it’s one of the most rewarding parts of her career.

Connection plays a crucial role in Ms. Gandara’s work. When photographing people, she refers to choosing her subjects personally and often visits them in their own spaces to build comfort and authenticity. “There’s always a connection,” she said. Even when capturing landscapes or objects, she seeks meaning and imaging, for example, a spiderweb as a metaphysical portal. If she doesn’t feel connected, she admits, she loses interest.

Lighting, above all else, captures her attention.” The subject can be anything, but lighting can make it interesting,” she explained. Her favorite categories include still life and landscape photography, particularly scenes around Montebello and Los Angeles where natural features intersect with human impact.

Beyond art, Mr. Gandara believes photography offers

psychological benefits. The act of photography can Quiet the mind, creating a focus like gardening or yoga.

“Everything in the world falls away,” she said. In this

way, Photography becomes both creative expression and self-care.

Artist Talk: Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Chambers

By Jordan Salcido

World-renowned dancer, Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Chambers, “popped” into Rio Hondo College for an inspirational artist talk. He made his big break in 1984’s Breakin’, a box office success that put West Coast hip hop street dancers on a world stage. Chambers has used the power of dance and the beats and sound of Los Angeles to build community and inspire the next generation of creatives.

It all began in Wilmington, where Chambers was raised in

a multicultural neighborhood.

“I thank my brothers and sisters from San Gabriel and East Los because people may not realize it, but Latinos had a hand in building hip hop dance. I was always learning, taking notes and watching their footwork,” he shares. Dance became a tool to make connections, build relationships and look past differences. “It was infectious because we used dance as a peace treaty,” he reveals. In the early 80s, “before Instagram, the only way to showcase was to go to parties.” As a young teen, the

first competition Chambers joined took place locally, off of Carmenita Road and Painter Avenue in Santa Fe Springs. Soon, his moves gained the attention of pop icons like Michael Jackson and Paula Abdul. Chambers recalls being invited to meet and perform for the Jackson family. He nervously showcased his flavor of popping and breaking, techniques that inspired many of Michael Jackson’s most famous moves.

Chambers demonstrates captivating moves like ticking, waving and backsliding. But he isn’t just a dancer, he’s also

an actor, singer and comedian. His storytelling and sense of humor bring about roaring laughter from the standingroom-only audience.

Students have the opportunity to ask questions and are eager to learn more about his creative process.

Chambers describes his passion for bringing joy to the people he loves, and the hard work that goes into making your dreams a reality.

“I practiced so much!” he exclaims. “It’s so important to have and to protect your creative space. Find your niche and find the time and space to

devote to your art.”

These days, Chambers has ventured into a new realm of creative expression. His children’s book, Aqua Boogie, inspires the next generation to care for our local waterways. A nod to his hometown of Wilmington and invitation to young people to care for and contribute to their community. Crowned as one of the great innovators of dance, Chambers continues to bring people together through his passion for dance and culture. Students left feeling inspired and ready to take on their next creative endeavor!

You shouldn’t have to leave Whittier to build your future. No deberías tener que irte de Whittier para construir tu futuro.

James Becerra is running for Mayor to make our city safer, more affordable, and full of opportunity — so students and working families can live, work, and succeed right here at home.

PRIORITIES:

• Safer streets and transit areas

• Practical housing solutions

• Local jobs and internship partnerships

Vote James Becerra for Mayor. Your future belongs here.

RHC Womens Basketball Road to Playoffs

By Sylvia Martinez

From pregame jitters to the buzzer sounding after every quarter, The Rio Hondo Women’s basketball team gave it their all against Mt Sacs Women’s Basketball team. With Mt Sac entering the season ranked #1 in California, Rio Hondo came out short with a score of 21-81, in a Wednesday night game, on February 11, 2026.

focus more on the next game. We went in knowing that we might lose the game because Mt Sac is a tough school to beat,” says Rachmat.

James Becerra se postula para alcalde para hacer nuestra ciudad más segura, más accesible y llena de oportunidades — para que estudiantes y familias trabajadoras puedan vivir, trabajar y salir adelante aquí mismo.

PRIORIDADES:

• Calles y transporte más seguros

• Soluciones prácticas de vivienda

Vota por James Becerra para Alcalde. Tu futuro está aquí.

• Empleos locales y pasantías VOTE

After Wednesday night’s loss, Rio Hondo’s Women’s Basketball Coach Rene Herrera, discusses what needs to be worked on for the next game, which is against ELAC, on Friday, February 13,2026.

“The girls need to really work on communication. They talk so much off the court but once in it, not a word. They also need to work on rebound and defense rotation for the next two games,” stated Coach Rene Herrera. “The girls went in knowing they might take a loss in this game.”

Kathleen Rachmat, #21,who plays the position of Guard, like most athletes has a pregame ritual. She usually goes for a Jersey Mike sub sandwich and a Starbucksiced coffee. The game isover and Rachmat explains how they manage a loss. “We basically take the loss but try to move on from it and

Curious as to how someone joins the team and manages school while playing and also maintaining a job? Rachmat explains her process. “So, I kind of already knew Coach Rene. He would come to my basketball games in high school, since his brother was my coach and he would tell me I played well and if I ever decided to continue to play basketballball in college, I could go play for him,” says Rachmat. For those who are not in athletic sports it may seem hard to consider playing sports while going to school and working. To Rachmat, nothing is impossible. She explains that they make sure to schedule classes around playing basketball and ensure to finish up all her assignments before playing.

Regardless of the loss against Mt. Sac, the Rio Hondo Women’s basketball team are still in the right direction of making the playoffs, with the win against ELAC, 6552, on February 13,2026. And with just one game left in the Conference against Pasadena City College, on February 20, 2026, let’s wish Rio Hondo the best of luck. Let’ go Roadrunners!