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Opinion: LBCC desperately needs to modernize its online resources

Sam Villa
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Opinion: LBCC desperately needs to modernize its online resources

LBCC’s recent on-campus projects, including the construction of a new performing arts center and the remodeling of the E Building, reflect a clear investment in improving the educational experience for in person students, but not so much for online students.   

Although these updates are necessary for the advancement of the school, crucial online resources for current and future students are being neglected.   

LBCC needs to prioritize funding to modernize its online resources, just as it has with its classrooms and buildings.  

LBCC’s website remains severely outdated and difficult to navigate. A search for ‘class schedule’ presents a page from May 2017 as the second most relevant source. 

Resources to make counseling appointments are unnecessarily difficult to use. Making these appointments online should be easier than doing it over the phone or by email, not harder. 

Many students rely on taking classes online, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

They are often presented as classes students can take to get an easy A, rather than being challenging and advantageous to their education. 

With LBCC recently achieving large college status, the school will be receiving an extra $2 million annually. 

This money will be used for “additional student services and academic programs”, according to the school’s website.  

The Board of Trustees should consider using these funds to invest in an improved website and online courses. 

LBCC’s website can get the updates it desperately needs, including sorting and archiving articles, making applications more user friendly, and ensuring information is up to date.

Online classes can receive more advanced materials and engaging curriculums that can make these courses worthy of students’ time and money. 

These improvements will benefit current and future students in the long run just as much as new or remodeled buildings. 

LBCC has definitely shown its commitment to bettering its campuses for the next generations of students. 

The school needs to start showing that same dedication to its online resources. 

 LBCC Halloween Carnival showcases the film Coco

Kiomi Valdez
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 LBCC Halloween Carnival showcases the film Coco

The TTC campus hosted a Halloween carnival that included events such as a film showcase of Coco, costume contest and games set up  by several campus clubs. 

Due to a homecoming event that was held on campus a week prior, the school was prompted to move their Halloween event to the following Friday despite it being the day after Halloween, giving families an extra day of spooky festivities.  

A variety of clubs attended the event and provided different games such as child safe knife throwing, cookie decorating, ring toss and ping pong ball toss. 

Patrick Star (Jayden) playing ring toss at one of the booths. The Halloween carnival took place at TCC on Nov.4, 2024. (Gilberto Roman)

Clubs that were in attendance include the International students club, Nutrition and Dietetics club, Metal Fabrication and Welding club, Automotive club and more. 

These clubs also showed up to “inform other students about their club,” said Emily Crisp, the vice president of the Nutrition and Dietetics club which brought different healthy smoothies for attendees to try.

These clubs also participated in a contest for different categories with a $200 prize for the winning club. 

The Undocumented Students club celebrated Dia de los Muertos at the event by setting up an ofrenda, a traditional Mexican altar, at their booth.   

Founder and vice president of the Undocumented Students club, Jesus Bernabe says that the club is fairly new.

“(The club) has been around since the 2023 fall semester,” Bernabe said.

The club also won the category of most participants and hosted the child safe knife throwing game at their table. 

Kids were also able to participate in the costume contest in different categories as well. 

The winner of best costume overall went to four year old Sophie Trias who was dressed as a police officer. 

“I’m so happy that my heart can’t take it,” Trias said while accepting her certificate. 

Winner of the cutest costume went to one year old Anahi Castillo who showed up as Snow White. 

The spookiest costume went to Alejandro Trigo who was dressed as a plague doctor, and the funniest costume went to Jayden Thomas who dressed as an inflatable Patrick Star.

After the games and costume contest, families set up their lawn chairs and blankets to relax and watch the film Coco on an inflatable screen. 

Attendees were invited to grab some free popcorn and cotton candy to snack on while watching the film.

Although there were some technical difficulties with the screen initially deflating as the movie started, the issue was quickly fixed and the film was able to be shown.  

Hiring event gives students opportunity to seek employment

Samantha Navarro
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Hiring event gives students opportunity to seek employment

A hiring event meant to connect students to companies looking to recruit was recently held at LBCC’s Liberal Arts Campus. 

Some organizations included Modern Times Inc., Athens Services, Internet Brands, as well as Pacific Gateway and Goodwill SOLAC among others.  

One program in attendance was Volunteers of America Los Angeles. 

This organization’s main goal was to help the local community through educational and empowerment services, said two of its representatives, Roman Alaol and Anibal Cervantes,

Some empowerment services include Women’s Care Cottage, Homeless Youth Services and Gang Reduction Youth Development. 

“There’s a lot of opportunities for college students to start (their) career early while learning,” Alaol said. 

Many students were present collecting business cards and flyers from different companies, including LBCC student Antonio Avila. 

“Events like this kind of provide opportunities, they open doors for everyone,” Avila said. 

Another organization involved was The Education Team, which helps to ensure an easy glide from college life into the teaching field for students who want to become educators.. 

Representative Valerie Namocatcat discussed options for potential education career oriented students wishing to dive deeper into the pathway of teaching. 

“We are looking for those that have the desire to help, passionate and educated to teach and inspire”, she says in regards to her program and its goals.

This program handed out flyers in search for students for hire aiding in special education along with after school teachers by giving experience in homework help, snack distribution, and supervising a class of up to 25 students. 

Pacific Gateway was also a program in search of interns.

This organization had several separate groups including a youth program specializing in those 14 to 24, an adult for those above 24, these resources assist in job searching, training and scholarships.  

Drop-in counselors available to help students apply for graduation

Destiny Garcia
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Drop-in counselors available to help students apply for graduation

With graduation deadlines approaching, the completion counseling center in building A-1153 of the LBCC Liberal Arts Campus is offering students help with their graduation applications. 

This workshop ensures students are on track and have all the paperwork necessary to graduate or claim their certificate.

 The drop-in graduation application workshop is offered every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. until the end of the semester.

Spring 2025 graduations applications opened on Oct. 12 in the student’s Viking portal.

They also offer  drop-in enrollment assistance for the upcoming semester, where students can show up without an appointment and receive help, but no students were present.

“We at the completion counseling center help students with more than graduation applications, we offer students help with transfer applications and long-term goals,” Victoria Betran, completion counseling desk worker said.

With many students graduating from LBCC every year, completion counselors often encounter issues helping students apply for graduation.

“The most common issue we face is students not knowing their graduation requirements for their certificate or degrees. We provide check labs with the transfer center providing one-on-one assistance to ensure they understand and have all requirements met,” Brandon Pu, a lead student success coach said.

Completion counselors have also implemented new tactics to make the whole process much quicker. 

“We created The Second Year Experience (SYE) in 2023 to support students who completed the first year experience to continue a sense of belonging and help them stay on track and reduce their time to complete their degree,”  academic counselor Micheal Hubbard said.

Many students use their services to transfer to 4 years from LBCC. 

Spring 2025 graduations applications are due Feb. 13, 2025 and for transfer they are due March 7, 2025.

Women’s volleyball shuts out Cerritos 3-0 on Sophomore Night

Kameron Hendricks
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Women’s volleyball shuts out Cerritos 3-0 on Sophomore Night

Sophomore and opposite hitter Enaya Vaielua scored the game winning point to shut out Cerritos 25-19, 25-20, 25-23 as the Vikings women’s volleyball team celebrated sophomore night on Wednesday. 

“It was amazing. I think that was even better is the fans that were here and the families. I think this is a huge testament to go with what they have been doing. They were the sophomores that were with us when we were 3-16. They were the first sophomores that came after that season, and they changed everything around,” head coach Tyler Jackson said.

The Vikings are now the number one seed in the South Coast Conference with a record of 6-1 in the conference and ended the regular season undefeated at home.

Vaielua was not the only sophomore to be honored as the team also honored about eight more teammates who were honored with a framed jersey and flower leis from their families.

“It was very special, honestly I didn’t think I would make it this far. It’s crazy that I’m here, I’m making big moves for myself and not only for myself but for my family,” outside hitter Ryannah Gagau said.

The Vikings also honored the sophomores on the Cerritos team by handing each of them roses before the game started. 

In the first set Vaielua scored the first point of the game to start the team off as the Vikings took the set 25-19. 

As for the defense, both teams seemed to lack communication at times which led to multiple lead changes. 

“The team can work when we are up like 16-10 keeping the lead, we get a little too relaxed and comfortable and we just start making unforced errors,” Jackson said.

The second set saw Cerritos amending to take advantage of the defensive mistakes that the Vikings made but ended up failing as the Vikings were still able to win the set 25-20.

Cerritos did not make the third set easy for the Vikings and there were multiple times where the set was tied but the Vikings were able to win the set 25-23 as Middle blocker Jubilee Allen and Enaya Vaielua the last points the Vikings needed to win the game. 

“Me playing back row, it was just get the pass for them and being able to have my setter set the ball and have my hitters bang it away,” outside hitter Danika Iosua said on strategies going into the game. 

The Vikings will play round one of the SoCal regionals on Nov. 23. The location is still to be determined.

Opinion: Humanities degrees are just as needed as STEM

Sam Villa
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Opinion: Humanities degrees are just as needed as STEM

If you still believe that humanities and art degrees are less lucrative or narrower job markets than than S.T.E.M degrees, then you are one of the many who have been lied to.

In this day and age, humanities and arts degrees open up a world of opportunities outside of what those who look down on those fields believe there to be.

Political Science majors can go into business and public relations, English majors are now at the forefront of AI development and those with degrees in the arts, of course, create the majority of the entertainment industry.

These are just a few examples of what these majors can do with their degrees and the success that they have outside of school when they are applied in terms of projects, jobs, and internships.

According to U.S News, 90% of graduates who land internships outside of college are in fact English majors.

The idea that humanities and arts degrees are less in demand is damaging and leads to real world consequences, take for example the dozens of colleges across the U.S that are cutting or suspending programs in the humanities and arts to prioritize other fields.

As of March of 2024, the CSU’s chose to cut or suspend 137 programs as compared to both 2023 and 2022 when they cut and suspended 47 programs combined, majority being humanities and arts.

On that list included universities like California State San Diego suspending programs like Special Education, Music Theory, and International Relations.

This is just one of the many colleges that are choosing to cut or suspend humanities and arts programs.

With things like budget costs, enrollment rates, and many other factors, it’s important for colleges to recognize the need and importance of these majors and what they mean for students.

LBCC was ranked one of the highest recipient rates for associate degrees for transfer in California, which means a lot of students are looking at higher education after their time at LBCC.

According to Niche, a website dedicated to collecting statistics of colleges, the most popular majors at LBCC are in humanities and arts, with a difference of 1000 graduates or more as compared to other majors.

Humanities and arts programs are dying because they are not viewed in the same regard as S.T.E.M. fields.

Unfortunately, many students hold a stigma against humanities and arts degrees, believing that they are useless or lead to low-paying jobs, the reality could not be further from the truth.

In a report by the Academy of Arts and Sciences, the unemployment rate from state to state ranges from 2%-4% for the humanities, similar to both business and engineering majors.

This disproves the idea that it is harder to gain a job as a humanities major than any other.

While it is true STEM majors on average make more money the moment they start working, humanities majors eventually catch up and even surpass the average tech or engineering salary after time.

Humanities majors are in recent demand as well in the job market because of their creative problem solving skills, communication techniques and leadership qualities.

Regardless of the money, those in humanities and art fields have the important job of supplying our communities with connections and creativity.

When you believe the stigma around being a humanities major, you discourage students from pursuing what they are passionate about for the sake of monetary success.

That is why students need to recognize the importance of humanities and arts majors, including one such as LBCC with such a high percentage of these majors.

Solace in sound: students finds escape through his passion for guitar

Kiomi Valdez
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Solace in sound: students finds escape through his passion for guitar

Found wistfully playing a Spanish-esque melody, completely engrossed in his music, Jonathan Aldaco raised his head at the end of the song and gave a startled, but cool smile to an onlooker. 

Musician and sophomore LBCC student Aldaco has been playing guitar for eight years and already shows signs of being a maestro of his craft. 

His most earnest passion though is for music and is currently in two music acts, Máquina de Roquera, Spanish for “Rock Machine” as well as Six Finger Hand which is Aldaco’s solo project. 

Heavily inspired by metal and blues music, two genres that are intertwined with each other, Aldaco’s play style reflects as much. 

While his music can be the fast-paced dissonant sounds of metal, there are also much slower sections that are self-reflective and honest, elements closely tied with the blues. 

LBCC student Jonathan Aldaco is a psychology major with a special talent for playing the guitar. He finds that when he plays guitar he is calmer and less stressed. (Emma Lloyd)

Aldaco can attribute these influences to his parents, although separated and moving between households, Aldaco’s taste and love for music was shaped by them.

While not being from a musically inclined family, Aldaco inherited an acoustic guitar from his father.

His choice of acoustic guitar was initially a matter of convenience, but during a tumultuous point of his life the ease of portability brought him joy and a sense of meditation.

Aldaco’s second passion is psychology. He developed an interest in the field during high school and decided to pursue it as his major. 

Originally a student at Cerritos college, Aldaco began attending LBCC to major in music, he has since switched back to psychology due to aspects of the music curriculum that Aldaco was not interested in. 

“There was some stuff I didn’t want to do, I’d rather be a psych major, plus I miss the psych classes which is weird, I didn’t think I would miss it,” said Aldaco.

With his interest in Psychology and music theory, he has become more analytical in his listening to music, he tries to understand the mode of thought of the artist and what they are going through.

“I started to try to get into the head of the singer or even the guitar player if they are two different people. What kind of headspace do you have to be in to write a riff like that? Or what kind of headspace do you have to be to write a song like that…. As a musician if I learn their song on the guitar I can kind of access that headspace,” Aldaco said.

As a coping mechanism Aldaco utilized music to give himself peace of mind during the Covid lockdowns.

However, after seeing a high school friend lose his passion for skateboarding after an injury, the fear of a similar loss for music began to manifest, especially during his transition into adulthood and college life.

“For a time I got really busy with work and school. I was getting grants, which is awesome, but part of the grant was like you have to take four classes, so I was really busy and my home life was like, I don’t go home to relax, I go away from home to relax,” said Aldaco.

With a hectic schedule of school, work, and troubled home life, Aldaco had to cram in an hour dedicated to playing guitar, which he found were his happiest moments.

At home, he was dealing with an alcoholic stepfather and a strained relationship with his parents.

For a moment Aldaco had thought he would not only lose his passion for music, but his coping mechanism during the most tumultuous time of his life.

However, since then Aldaco has managed to reconcile with his parents and despite balancing work and school, he has managed to find more time to play guitar and write music. 

He has also joined the Rok Academy to further hone his knowledge of guitar and music theory.

Music was of such a vital importance that it gave Aldaco the strength to continue his life with passion but also furthered his academic career.

Aldaco believes he did the music instead of the drugs, where his life could have spiraled into a life addiction, he went down the path of music and passion. 

Native American Heritage Month kicks off at TTC

Kiomi Valdez
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Native American Heritage Month kicks off at TTC

LBCC students and staff gathered to celebrate this year’s Native American Heritage Month Kickoff hosted at the Trade Technology and Community Learning  (TTC) Campus on Nov. 7 to shine light on the history, and culture of Native Americans.

Surrounded by beautiful colors, delicious food, and talented performers, this year’s kick off truly encapsulated a vibrant energy.

There were multiple booths set up such as the United American Indian Involvement (UAII), Sacred Path, the Native American Indigenous Collaborative (NAIC), and more, all providing information on Native American culture, different tribes, and other fun events such as Pow-wow dancing for anyone who was interested. 

Once the event started, it didn’t take long for a lengthy line to start forming for the complimentary Navajo Fry bread, more commonly known as “Indian tacos,” which were definitely a fan favorite as multiple people lined up for seconds.

As people sat down to enjoy their food, the meal was accompanied by the beautiful traditional performances of Native American Dancers. 

Native American culture is full of traditional practices and healing rituals, hoop dancer Eric Hernandez danced to the beautiful flute sounds titled “Circle of Life” by his friend Tony Duncan. 

Hernandez was formerly a lead man in ‘Totem’ by Cirque Du Soleil, a live experience including circus acts and other forms of live entertainment.

His hoop dancing wowed the crowd as he made them look like forms of different animals and plants as he danced within them. 

“The person sitting next to you may see something completely different. We all have our own imaginations, our own life experiences. You may see your own life story in this,” Hernandez said. 

Fancy feather dancing, along with Hoop dancing are different types of traditional Native American performances usually seen at Native American ceremonies known as Pow-wows.

Along with Eric was Fancy Feather dancer Michael Tiger who is newer to the Pow-wow scene and had barely started dancing one year prior. 

Michael Tigers dancing his traditional Native dance. The Native American Kick-Off event took place at Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus (TCC) on Nov. 7, 2024. (Darla Perez)

“It’s always a little nerve wracking because I try to be a perfectionist, make sure I get all the stomps down. But it’s always exciting, I love performing,” Tiger said. 

Each entertainer had different explanations as to why their dance or performance was important in Native American Culture .

Cheyennena Bedonie performed a dance known as “Southern Cloth Traditional,” but added a twist of her own style into it, dressed in a vibrant red dress with turquoise accessories.

“I dance a little differently than the normal people you’d see at a Pow-wow because I incorporate my mom and dads tribal elements into the dance,” Bedonie said.

LBCC will continue to run other events in celebration of Native American Heritage month throughout the month of November with a Sip n’ Paint on Nov. 21 available to all.

Opinion: College continues to target Viking News

Sam Villa
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Opinion: College continues to target Viking News

A student reporter trying to do a routine story on how the school is helping students manage finals stress was turned away by secretary Dawn Truesdelle, who declined to give her name and said she couldn’t talk to students without the communication departments permission.

A handout given to a student reporter redirected him to contact the college’s communications department and communications director Stacey Toda to request a formal interview.

This little handout represents the college doubling down on their refusal to abide by student press rights.

Earlier this semester, the presence of a student reporter led to the cancellation of a planned parenthood workshop on domestic violence.

After that, two reporters from the Viking were told that student lounge staff was not allowed to talk to any student journalists.

Student reporters, like every other student at LBCC, are at this college to learn and refine the necessary skills for their respective field.

The continuous refusal to talk to reporters hinders journalism students’ ability to get their coursework done.

Not only that, if there is an administrator telling school staff that they are not allowed to talk to the press without prior approval, the college is actively violating the first amendment right to free speech.

If faculty at this campus do not feel comfortable talking to reporters, it is perfectly within their rights to say so and decline an interview.

However, this handout and previous comments made to the Viking make it seem like there are departments where staffers are told they cannot talk to the press at all.

This is a serious legal violation and raises the potential for the college to be sued if anyone took it to court.

There is no other department at LBCC that has its students continually prohibited from doing their work on campus. 

The college’s concerted effort to stifle student press on campus follows a pattern across the nation of Trumpian rhetoric to silence the free press.

LBCC does not seem to have a vested interest in the success of its journalism department. In fact it seems to despise it.

It is counterintuitive for the college to offer journalism and fund a student-run newspaper while actively going against it.

Why is the college scared of reporters covering routine stories on campus? 

What is so secretive about these public events and workshops that are “open to all” yet have event organizers turn away student reporters and even tell other attendees they cannot talk to the press?

LBCC Art Gallery showcases the work of previous students

Kiomi Valdez
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LBCC Art Gallery showcases the work of previous students

The opening ceremony for the newest art gallery at LAC on Nov. 1 focused on the work of various LBCC alumni, all of which have displayed individual pieces to portray who they are as an artist. 

Rather than giving the art gallery a specific theme, multiple LBCC alumni were invited to display their preferred piece, all of which differed in genre and style. 

Many attendees such as Greg Martin were intrigued at the various pieces, some of which left them with many questions. 

“I’m pretty fascinated by the film, however I’m not sure who Tony is, but it captures you and looks really good,” said Martin in response to what piece has been most interesting. 

Anthony Razo Rico’s piece seemed to draw eyes as multiple people said it was their favorite, and it was based on the Marlboro man.

Anthony Rico’s art work that represents the dissection of the famous advertisement labeled the Marlboro Man. The piece represents both his work in advertisement while also including his background in graffiti art with the incorporation of spray paint. This piece was shown at the LBCC Alumni Art Gallery on Nov. 2, 2024 in Long Beach, California. (Samantha Navarro)

This was an advertisement that was shown on the packaging of a cigarette box for the brand “Marlboro,” which depicted an image of  a cowboy, and many of the attendees knew of the advertisement prior to seeing this piece.

“It’s my commentary on western masculinity and growing up in the 80s and inner city, there were a lot of ads on Marlboro man,” Rico said. 

Rico explained how this advertisement seemed to shape what a man should be, creating a stereotype and heavy influence for men of all ages, especially for those who may not have had a male figure in their life to look up to. 

“At that time, it appealed to me because I grew up without a father, so it was one of my resources as to what I thought a man should be,” Rico said. 

He began painting a lot of different advertisements which led him to focus on this work and question how advertising has affected himself and others subconsciously based on what they represent. 

This piece correlated with the term, “Machismo,” which stems from Latino culture and represents the idea of males having a strong or aggressive sense of masculine pride. 

“(The painting) is my confrontation on Latinos and what they think a man should be. I’m trying to disrupt it and ask about it. Using the marks as a foundation for sign painting, but also the idea of taking a breath and focus on my inner self,” Rico said. 

Rather than investigating the traits of toxic masculinity presented by Rico, artist Daniel Barajas said his piece focused on being, “more direct with the content of the male gaze towards the gays. Touching more into the softness of it all, exploring my queer voice.” 

Barajas hadn’t painted in years and is currently working as an illustrator for movies and TV posters, but after receiving a message from the school about displaying his work he rediscovered this piece and is inspired to continue the series.  

Varying forms of digital media were shown at the gallery including short films and prints, such as the piece, “Feeling Blue?” by Jin Mo. 

“I do paint, but I’m experimenting with printings lately. A lot of my images start off with a collage with artwork that I like to collect. I made a digital collage and it’s easy to tweak things around and bring out effects that you would think you couldn’t do on paper,” Mo said. 

Another display at the art gallery was Rodrigo Miguel Lopez’s piece that resembled a doorway with a short hallway and newspapers pasted alongside the outside walls. 

“All photo transfers are from November 16, 1989 newspaper which was the day of the massacre of six Jesuits priests in El Salvador. I wanted to present it as a day in the life without portraying images of the dead. I printed them on fabric to reference clothing and garments,” Lopez said. 

LBCC Alumni, Rodrigo Miguel Lopez presented his multi-dimensional artwork which represents the massacre of six jesuit priests in El Salvador. This was done by creating photo transfers of newspapers dated on Nov. 16, 1989 which was the day of the massacre printed onto different pieces of cloth. The piece had a doorframe that opened to a “hallway” with the image of the Virgin Mary. This was presented at the Alumni Art Gallery on Nov. 2, 2024 in Long Beach, California. (Samantha Navarro)

All of the newspapers were actually collected and kept by his father, creating an unintentional collaborative piece. 

The alumni art gallery is free and available to all for viewing from Nov. 2 to Dec. 5. 

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