RUONLINE? /theroundupnews @roundupnews @roundupnews @roundupnews
A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION
/roundupnews
Expression of Chicano culture
Woodland Hills, California Volume 130 - Issue 11
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
One copy free, each additional copy $1.00
Dancing, singing and traditional dress shows off a vibrant heritage ABDUL ALI Reporter @abdulal20224210
C
inco de Mayo is a nationally celebrated holiday that highlights Chicano culture. The anniversary stems from the Mexican Army’s win over the French Forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The date remains a day to commemorate the courage and struggle for the independence of a culture rich land. The fourth annual M.E.CH.A. de Pierce celebration was held on Thursday, May 2, in the Great Hall. The event encouraged students to enjoy the food, music and dance from the Chicano culture. Angelita Rovero, M.E.CH.A. adviser and Chicano Studies professor at Pierce, wanted this event to be a celebration of mexican culture and nothing more. “I believe we need to have a presence in our community and celebrate the fact that we are mexican and to also celebrate our culture with music and food,” Rovero said. Adam Escalante, a communications major, attended the celebration to pay homage to his roots. “I’m here to learn more about my culture and ethnic background,” Escalante said. “I don’t want to be placed in a 123 genetic test, I want to truly understand where I come from.”
Chelsea Westman/ Roundup Danza Fernanda Gonzales performs a ceremonial dance with Kalpulli Teotlalli Tepeyolotl for Cinco de Mayo in the Great Hall at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 2, 2019.
The event was funded by the Associated Student Organization (ASO) and was
organized by M.E.CH.A, a club that promotes cultural awareness, community
outreach, and seeks to empower the Chicana community through education and higher learning.
M.E.CH.A. celebrated individuals from Pierce that supported cultural inclusivity
on campus. Awards were given to those acting as an advocate for the support of Chicano community. “We wanted to give back to those people who support the mission of cultural awareness so the people that we chose to honor have been vidal in pushing the discipline of Chicano studies here at Pierce College,” Rovero said. Maria Ramirez, the copresident of M.E.CH.A., attributed the success of the event to the club as a whole. “We've been planning it for about a month so it took a lot to put this event together but thankfully we have a large group of members in our club who worked hard and helped contribute to everything,” Ramirez said. Shafiq Nomair, computer science major, chose to attend the event for a different perspective. “I attended because I’m interested in Mexican culture and heritage and I’d like to get to know a different culture other than mine,” Nomair said. As for why this event was so important to the community, Rovero believes that it is our obligation to teach the next generation about cultural awareness. “We are not a one culture America anymore, we have to expose and teach our children to all types of culture and events like these are a good starting point,” Rovero said. aali.roundupnews@gmail.com
Keep calm because you're transferring on CSUN and UCLA meet and celebrate students that are considering their universities GINA WONG Reporter @ginabwong99 If 2017 is any indication, more than 1,100 students enrolled at Pierce will go to CSUN and about 100 will attend UCLA in the fall. Students were able to ask representatives from both schools about information regarding their major at CSUN/UCLA day, which took place Thursday, May 2, in the Great Hall. CSUN is the most popular destination, and, according to the Pierce website, the school has the number one acceptance rate to UCLA in California. Part-time Pierce Counselor, Judy Lam said the event is exciting for the students because it is a celebration of their accomplishments. “So CSUN and UCLA are here since many of the students transfer to those schools,” Lam said. “This is their chance to go and talk to the departments directly so they can find out more about where they're transferring to.” Director of Student Services Center/ EOP from the College of Science and Mathematics Elizabeth Riegos-Olmos at CSUN said the importance of the event is to expose transfer students to their options.
“We can give them a better idea of certain aspects from their department major, and give them examples of what they will need once they arrive at CSUN,” Riegos-Olmos said. “I think by talking to representatives from the university they plan to attend, students will be able to ask more detailed questions.” CSUN representatives Adela Macias and Danielle Rodriguez from the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics said their department offers a minor program in entrepreneurship which has started about three years ago, and is relatively new. “Currently, the entrepreneurship minor program is only offered at a minor level,” Macias said. “However, CSUN is definitely thinking about expanding into a major option because it is a popular and growing major.” Marlandree Ruiz a Criminal Justice major, who is transferring to CSUN said she came out to the event because her EOPS counselor told her that she can gain information about her major and receive her transfer tassel. “When I visited the table for my major, I needed information about a transfer workshop and everything CSUN related was helpful,” Ruiz said. “Also, the picture booth where we can take pictures celebrating our
Chelsea Westman / Roundup (Left to right) Cherry Lai tells Jenni Mora about the Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP) program during CSUN / UCLA day at the Mall at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 2, 2019. CCCP connects Pierce College students to UCLA and CSUN.
transfer was a fun addition.” Peer-mentor at UCLA Miriam Santana said the of the Center for
Community College Partnerships (CCP) program offers resources, advice, guidance and insight
The Weather Roundup The Pierce College Weather Station has provided meteorogical data to national agencies since 1949 Find out more at piercecollegeweather.com
Wed. May 8 High:66 Low: 55 Sunny
Thur. May 9 High: 66 Low: 55 Cloudy
Fri. May 10 High: 66 Low: 56 Showers
Sat. May 11 High: 69 Low: 55 Showers
Sun. May 12 High: 72 Low: 56 Sunny
Mon. May 13 High: 72 Low: 56 Cloudy
Tues. May 14 High: 73 Low: 56 Cloudy
Wed. May 15 High: 69 Low: 55 Cloudy
into what it's like to be a current UCLA undergraduate student. “I think the biggest importance
for a program like CCP is that we provide community college students the opportunity to meet other transfer students from community colleges that have already successfully transferred to a university,” Santana said. “Our mentorship program ranges from various disciplines. So we have STEM, humanities and social sciences.” Phoebe Phillips, a sociology major, and Joshua Figueroa, a multimedia major, who are both transferring to CSUN, said the free churros and graduation cords are what brought them out to the event. Manager of Undergraduate Adviser for Biology Eileen Mansoorian at UCLA said the predominant question she has been asked is, what do I need to do to be competitive at UCLA to go to med school? “It's very interesting to think that they expect like a three-point answer that there is this strategic way of being successful when in reality, it's, there is no one way,” Mansoorian said. “There are some ways that are more constructive and more realistic, but it's a matter of who are you as a student and what are the resources available now and how can you bridge everything together.” gwong.roundupnews@gmail.com
Opinions .................2 News.............................3 Features ............................4 Photo Essay............................5 Sports.........................................6