A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION Woodland Hills, California Volume 138 - Issue 13
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Making a role model
BENJAMIN HANSON
A mother and future UCLA student will be the speaker at graduation
The Bull Editor-in-Chief
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he COVID-19 pandemic brought misfortune and loss to many people. But for Roxanne Gannon, it was a blessing in disguise. Caught between raising her daughter and working full-time jobs, Gannon didn't have time to pursue a degree. She took advantage of 2020's stay-at-home culture to make a change. Gannon is the Vice President and Webmaster of Pierce’s Pi chapter of Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS), the statewide community college honor society, and she will be the student commencement speaker. The commencement will take place at Shepard Stadium for the first time on June 8 at 9 a.m. Gannon said speaking at the graduation ceremony was on her mind for a year before she found out there was a contest to determine the student speaker. Gannon said she entered because she wanted to inspire other students with her journey from childhood to motherhood and to Pierce. “I discovered so many things that I was capable of here,” Gannon said. “I really wanted
to share my story with other students and encourage people that they may also have unique journeys, they matter, they’re seen and they’re not alone.” Gannon had recently won the Ed Walsh Outstanding Service Award and the Robert Mantovani Award scholarships according to Economics Professor and Department Chair Kaycea Campbell. Campbell said Gannon is one of the most impressive students she’s ever met. “Roxy has been an inspiration since she first joined AGS,” Campbell said. “She shares her energy, experience, and makes the chapter much stronger with all her contributions.” Campbell said Gannon’s accomplishments within AGS include building a new website, being involved in student committees, tutoring calculus, volunteering at food banks and beach clean ups and using her skills to help her peers understand that education is important. “Roxy’s story is an inspiration,” Campbell said. “She has had personal struggles in life but has never let that stop her from accomplishing her goal.” Gannon's parents emigrated from the Philippines when
they were young. Her parents' struggles with adjusting to a new country led to Gannon facing her own. “That affected me a little bit,” Gannon said. “Because I’m trying to fit in too, and I’m like this little odd Asian girl that feels out of place. They said ‘We don’t know how to make you fit in. We don’t even know how to fit in.’” Gannon’s parents divorced when she was 2. She said she had to move schools or districts every year until she got to high school. “I really struggled with my identity and who I was in the world,” Gannon said. “My parents are wonderful people, but I dealt with a lot of emotions that I don’t think they knew how to handle.” Gannon dropped out of Cal State Fullerton after one semester and ran away from home when she was 18. “It's okay for life to be a little unpredictable and get off track,” Gannon said. “It's okay to not be perfect. You're still worthy of the things that you want. It just takes a little time and a little faith in yourself. You'll get there.” [see SPEAKER on pg. 3]
Photo by Benjamin Hanson
Roxanne Gannon at the Center for the Sciences building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on May 29, 2023. Gannon will give the Student Commencement Speach at graduation on June 8.
Celebrating with pride
The Lavender Graduation honors students from the LGBTQIA+ community DREW HOKAMA The Bull Reporter
Photo by Hunter Hammerot
Student speaker Kate Halperin of Pierce College speaks to the graduates during the Lavender Graduation at Los Angeles Trade Tech on May 25 2023.
The air was filled with joy as families settled in their seats. Their loved ones donned their purple stoles as they walked across the stage and stopped to take their pictures. The room echoed with applause after each name was read. Te Lavender Graduation of 2023 was held at Los Angeles Trade Technical College in celebration of the LGBTQIA+ students of the Los Angeles Community College District. Created by Ronni Sanlo, a Lavender Graduation is a celebration to honor the accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ students. Faculty Liaison for the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for LGBTQIA+
Matters Felipe Agredano shared the significance of the event. “The most important part of the Lavender Graduation is that we get to celebrate our students that are LGBTQIA+ and that we get to highlight their success, which is our success,” Agredano said. “We want to make sure that our students feel that this is a safe and brave space so that they can carry on with their journeys wherever they go. They are representing us, and we expect them to be successful, to be proud, to be bold, and to make an impact in our world.” The ceremony created a space for many to rejoice in their successes, according to graduate Judy Suazo. “I recall there's a time that we couldn't celebrate like this, and this gives everyone in the queer community a chance to really be
celebrated and appreciated for all their hard work.” Many graduates weren’t alone in their celebration. After student speaker Kate Halperin delivered her spoken word poetry, her family was the first to cheer for her. Halperin’s mother shared the joy the graduation brought to her. “One of the best things for me is to come out and say I support my daughter,” Halperin said. “I love my daughter, I love everyone, and this is such a great event. There should be more events like this, and I never even knew about this. When I found out about the Lavender Graduation, I was like, ‘Oh my god, this is beautiful.’” While many graduates celebrated with their biological families, found families were just as welcomed at the event.
Graduates Joshua Erikson and Jen Nash were celebrated by CJ Rose and Al Schoenberg, friends and members of their found family. Rose and Schoenberg remarked how great it was to see the LGBTQIA+ community and allies gather to support and honor one another. While other colleges hold their own graduations, graduate Sean Caldwell chose to attend the Lavender Graduation out of pride for who he is. “I want to let people know that my sexuality doesn't mean anything,” Caldwell said. “I'm welcome and free to be whoever I want to be.”
dhokama.thebull@gmail.com
Photo by Hunter Hammerot
Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District Francisco C. Rodriguez looks on as the Board of Trustees President David Vela gives a speech to the graduates at The Lavender Graduation at Los Angeles Trade Tech on May 25, 2023.
Photo by Hunter Hammerot
Student speaker Liz Carlin speaks to the graduates during the Lavender Graduation at Los Angeles Trade Tech on May 25, 2023
Table of Contents Opinions..............................................................2 News....................................................................3 Fall 2022 grads...................................................4 Spring 2023 candidates................................5 & 6 Campus Life........................................................7 Sports .................................................................8
Graduation list inside [see pages 4-6 ]