A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION Woodland Hills, California
Volume 136 - Issue 11
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
One copy free, each additional copy $1.00
'Reanimate' brings energy to campus MICHAEL SMITHLIN Reporter
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ollowing the restricted guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the art and athletic programs at Pierce College have shared struggling moments for students and faculty. The 2022 spring dance concert, “Reanimate,” was the first performance at Pierce since 2019. The Pierce Arts Department partnered with Charter High School of the Arts Multimedia and Performing (CHAMPs) to deliver a three-day concert, ranging from films of dances detailing the struggles with COVID, to ones celebrating Latin culture. Artistic Director Denise Gibson and dance professor Brian Moe led the concert. “We’ve been off the stage since fall of 2019, so to come back and do anything, especially to have a high school with us too, feels great,” Moe said. “We’re so excited and proud of everything the dancers have done, along with the student and faculty choreographers. We couldn’t be more proud.” Moe directed, choreographed and made the musical scores for two of the dances. “We did one film piece, which we filmed on campus over five or six different weekends, on top of rehearsing for the other piece at the same time,” Moe said. “It was a long process with a lot of editing, and I did the scores for
Photo by Rozie Tadevosyan Student dancers rehearse for the 2022 spring dance concert "Reanimate" on the Performing Arts Building Mainstage at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Thursday, May 26, 2022. The concert is the first dance performance in more than two years, devised by director Denise Gibson and choreographer Brian Moe.
both of them, which led to no sleep, but it was worth it, and I was so happy with how they turned out.” Moe and Gibson shared optimistic views that the concert would allow for current Pierce art and incoming students to feel welcomed, while highlighting the art program’s reanimated presence on campus. “We’re hoping this really gets some great attention, and people realize dance is back at Pierce College, and we’re going to revitalize with what we can,” Moe said. Following the spring and
summer semesters, Moe will lead the Arts Department in the upcoming fall semester. “I’m hoping to either get CHAMPS, Taft or another high school, such as when we’ve had VAAS (Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences) in the past,” Moe said. “We’re hoping to get one of them in with us and get more students involved, more student choreographers, more people auditioning, and we’re really hoping to build back the department strong.” Gibson referenced the work that led to the concert, and how much the students had to prepare.
“I think it was really important for the students to become more active, and I think they got accustomed to sitting down a lot,” Gibson said. “Just on a level of physical fitness, it’s been really rewarding to see everyone get back in shape, get motivated and excited to dance again.” Many of the performers came back after a multi-year hiatus. “Especially in the last dance piece, a lot of the students were with me pre-COVID, and they came back when they were able to for in-person classes,” Gibson said. Pierce arts student and dancer
Alejandra Leon looked forward to the concert for some time. “I think it’s really exciting getting back to it and finally being able to perform and be on stage, and kind of reminding people what the arts are really about is so special,” Leon said. Having been away from the dance program was difficult for Leon, but she was happy to return to reunite with other performers. “It was really emotional having been at this school and dancing for as long I have been, and finally being able to perform and return with professor Gibson. Dancing and seeing everyone that
we used to work with is really fun and truly an amazing feeling,” Leon said. “In a way, it’s very much a stress reliever.” Leon offered advice to incoming students who are interested in the arts and dance programs. “Have fun with it, be yourself, and show your personality, because it really shines on stage,” Leon said. “It is really nervewracking coming in, especially as a new student, but everyone here, especially in the dance community, is really sweet and welcoming.” msmithlin.roundupnews@gmail.com
Graduate speaker expresses unity with peers JAYNA KUKLIN Copy Editor/Reporter
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anise Daaku will use her moment during the Pierce College commencement June 7 to reflect with her peers on their hard work together, while vocalizing hope for the eager graduates anticipating their next step toward a promising future. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. in Rocky Young Park. The Umoja student and business major, who switched from studying biology, expressed how graduating from college is a huge deal for her. “My experience [at Pierce] was great, and I had a great support system,” Daaku said. “I changed my major once, and I was able to graduate and transfer in two years.” Daaku went to Granada Hills Charter High School, where she studied the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which is a twoyear educational path designed for high school students in 140 countries around the world. Daaku graduated from Granada and got into University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) and University of Southern California (USC).
But, Daaku said that she decided to attend Pierce because classes were moved online and the expense of the UCs. Daaku said that the biggest lessons she learned while attending Pierce were timemanagement and social skills. She plans on being an entrepreneur and a business owner. “I like the medical field, so I want to open my own clinic,” Daaku said. “I also want to open up my animation studio.” Daaku serves as a Peer to Peer mentor for first-year students in the Umoja program, where she guides them on adjusting to college and how to find resources. Umoja coordinator and counselor Kalynda McLean said Daaku is the right person to speak during the ceremony because she embodies Pierce’s values. “Her dedication to excellence, sense of community, commitment to perseverance, and collaborative nature exemplify the Pierce College spirit,” McLean said. McLean praised Daaku for her active participation in the Umoja program. “Yanise is quiet, focused and very personable,” McLean said. “She is a hard-working student that recognizes the value in communicating and getting to know her professors and
Photo by Michael Moreno Yanise Daaku, this semester's graduation speaker, smiles in Rocky Young Park at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 27, 2022. Daaku is deciding between attending UCLA or USC.
counselors." "She is determined to do well and will dedicate the necessary time to whatever endeavor she is engaged in to ensure that she is
successful.” Student Engagement Coordinator and counselor Lara Conrady said that she is a peer mentor who has made the most
Soccer player looks ahead to UCLA [see FEATURES on pg. 8]
of her school experience. “She is able to connect with students, and we have confidence that her story will resonate with the other Pierce
College graduates during the ceremony,” Conrady said. jkuklin.roundupnews@gmail.com
Opinions................................2 News.......................................3 Commencement List........4-7 Features.................................8 Photo Essay...........................9 Sports...................................10