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Woodland Hills, California
Volume 114 - Issue 7
A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION
One copy free, each additional copy 50¢
April 27, 2011
GSA takes a stand in silence Rodrigo Carbonel/ Roundup Hands firmly tied with a wire and beaten, two teenagers died in a crime of hate years ago and their story is still remembered. Nireah Johnson, 17, and Brandie Coleman, 18, were put into the back of a car by their assailants who drove them to a deserted wooden area in Fall Creek Corridor Park in Indianapolis, Ind., only to shoot them on the forehead and abandon them inside the vehicle on the night of June 23, 2003. Their assailants came back that same night to pour a can of gasoline on the back seat and set the car on fire after discovering that Coleman’s friend, Johnson, was a transgendered woman. In memory of people killed in hate crimes due to their sexuality, the Pierce College Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) wore black lipstick, and taped their mouths shut as they hosted a Day of Silence Thursday on the campus Mall. Rick Rose/ Roundup
WELCOME: Randi Katz, a Registered Veterinary Technician major, adorns a cow costume to greet children during Pierce College’s 19th annual Farmwalk April 10.
Takin’ a walk on the farm side Melody Soto/ Roundup
john Gutierrez/ Roundup
PLANNING AHEAD: Members from the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) listen to Amber-Rose Kelly, president, during a weekly meeting.
“We do this for people to be educated, for them to be aware that this kind of crime happens,” said GSA Secretary Daniel Maldonado. “The more we educate people and get the word out, the more people we can help.” Sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the National Day of Silence happens every year on April 15, which is a day in which students across the country take some form of a vow of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. It was created in 1996, when students at the University of Virginia organized the first Day of Silence in response to a class assignment on non-violent protests. Over 150 students participated in the event, so the following year organizers took the protest nation-wide and nearly 100 colleges and universities participated. The first Day of Silence Pierce hosted was in 2009. In a Harris Interactive study on bullying, students said two of the top three reasons students are harassed in school are actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender expression. R U Online? For full story please visit www.theroundupnews.com
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Laura LaFayette stood next to her mobile classroom and waited for the canopycovered chairs in front of her to fill for her first presentation. She was the main speaker but the growing crowd was not there to see her, they were gathering to see the 1,400-pound 4-year-old standing beside her. LaFayette, an instructor with the Dairy Council of California traveled with Milky Way, a black and white Holstein cow from Covina, Calif., to speak about milk production and all other aspects concerning the life of a dairy cow. The Mobile Dairy Classroom was one of several educational features during the activity filled 19th annual Farmwalk, April 10, hosted by the Pierce College Agriculture Department. Farmwalk showcased the department’s working facilities to the public. A total of 6,700 people attended the event, according to Dr. Leland Shapiro, the department chair. Joshua Rodriguez, 19, a student of Southwest College, and his father were two of those people. Interested in Pierce’s pre-veterinary program, Rodriguez expected to find a tra-
ditional orientation, instead he found various activities happening throughout the farm and Equestrian Center. “There’s a lot of different stations, so we’re just going to walk around and see about each one,” Rodriguez said. Officer Alex Stein of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Forestry Division set up a table on El Rancho Drive. His table displayed skulls of animals native to Los Angeles and was adorned with different species of tree seedlings that were free, including Hollyleaf Cherry, Coast Live Oak and Valley Oak. Stein, who works at the Malibu Forestry Unit in Calabasas, was present to speak about several subjects. “Today, we’re going to educate people on native plants, smart landscaping and basic species removal,” Stein said. “We’re getting people ready for wildfire season and just answering any questions anybody has.” A few feet away, a pedal steel guitar was being plucked. Music originated from the Agriculture Science building, where band members from country western act Simply Marie and her Canyon Country Cowboys, was getting situated while they awaited the arrival of lead singer Marie Wise-Hawkins.
At the Equestrian Center, three live performances with horses took place. Most riders were Pierce students, but guests such as the Southern California Peruvian Paso Horse Club, which took part in the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, participated as well. Kate Anderson, a resident of Mar Vista, and her 6-year-old twins sat on bleachers waiting to watch the first horse performance scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Anderson heard about Farmwalk through an e-mail a friend sent her. She remembered growing up in a rural area and decided to attend with her daughters because she felt the experience of being in a farm surrounded by a city was unique. “I really appreciate Pierce doing this,” she said. “We think it’s a great service.” Darby Anderson had her face painted. Emeline Anderson played close attention to the tomato plant growing in a red plastic cup she had been given. “We’re really exited to go home and plant it,” Anderson said. Ron Wechsler, who started the Pierce Equine Science Program in 1972, watched over the first live horse performance as well. He retired four years ago but still volunteers his time at Pierce. “We have such a beautiful facility to
Rick Rose / Roundup
SHEEP TO SHEAR: Alice Christensen, a Pre Veterinary major and Agricultural Ambassador, brings out a sheep for a demonstration during Farmwalk.
bring the public in and let them see what’s here,” Wechsler said. “I think it’s just a great day. The weather is perfect; you couldn’t ask for any more.” R U Online? For full story please visit www.theroundupnews.com
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Hands Across California lacks support Kevin Reynolds/ Roundup
The Associated Students Organization (ASO) is hosting fundraising programs to raise money for scholarship programs, according to ASO student representative Jonathan Fackler. Fackler helped organize a fundraising rally Sunday, April 17, put together by the Hands Across California organization, formerly the Hands Across America organization The event was created to help raise awareness and money for the crumbling budget in the California college system.
All money raised during the event is to be used for scholarship programs for California students, according to Fackler. The Bernard Osher Foundation agreed to give 50 cents for every dollar raised during the event. The event raised $10,500 after the match from the Bernard Osher Foundation. The Hands Across California organization was hoping for strong student support. “We wanted about 2,000 people,” said Fackler. “But realistically, I’m thinking about 500.” Even with the lowered expectations, the event failed to even approach expectations.
“The turn out was really sad,” said Amy Mandel, a 21-year-old child development major. “It’s spring break and a lot of people are out of town.” With such a low turn out, some felt that attending the event had been a waste of time “This was just poorly planned,” said Jessica Saber, a 26-year-old English major. “Not only is it spring break, but it’s Coachella weekend; how many people did they think would be in town?” Rumors had been circulating that actor Joe Spano, an award winning actor from TV shows such as NCIS and Hill Street Blues, would be attending the event.
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Those rumors were confirmed, however, the celebrity failed to make his appearance after cancelling last minute, according to Fackler. “We also had a local band scheduled to perform,” said Fackler. “But they canceled last minute as well.” The ASO will continue to host programs to raise money for the state’s crippled scholarship programs, according to Daniel Axelrod, ASO president. “It’s not over yet, we have until June 2 to raise money,” said Axelrod.
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See the serious side to farm life in a photo slide show.