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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. 

SALTER on Small Sounds

Samantha Navarro
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SALTER on Small Sounds

Small Sounds is a new video series for local artists to showcase their music in a scaled-down performance accompanied by a podcast interview.

This episode features SALTER, an alternative-pop artist from the Long Beach area.

This up-and-coming artist performs three songs on his acoustic guitar, including his newest single, “Scars.”

In this episode, SALTER discusses heartbreak, expanding his social media presence, and what it’s like to be part of a very complex industry.

Phia Moore on Small Sounds

Samantha Navarro
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Phia Moore on Small Sounds

Small Sounds is a new video series for Long Beach artists to showcase their music in a scaled-down performance accompanied by a podcast interview.

This episode features Phia Moore, a Long Beach singer/songwriter. 

She performed “when the candles are mine” off her first EP “group therapy” along with an unreleased song. 

Tune into the Small Sounds podcast where Phia Moore debriefs heartfelt lyrics, the de-stigmatization of grief, and the title of her sophomore EP that will be released in 2025.

LBCC’s women’s volleyball sweeps ELAC 3-0

Kameron Hendricks
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LBCC’s women’s volleyball sweeps ELAC 3-0

The Vikings secured their 10th sweep of the season on October 30th with a 3-0 win against East Los Angeles College. 

Both teams donned pink uniforms during the match in support of breast cancer awareness month. 

When asked the significance of the team’s uniform choice, head coach Tyler Jackson mentioned that the team and her own family had personal connections to what the month represents.

“It means a lot to us, we really wanted to squeeze in a game for it and just bring awareness. We’ve talked with some of our players and asked if any friends or family to come out, not only for breast cancer but any cancer. My mom has been battling ovarian cancer for several years,” Jackson said.

During the first round LBCC smashed East LA with a final score of 25-13.

ELAC’s poor defense contributed to the win and led one of their coaches to call for a time out and admonish the team for their performance.

The second round provided some trouble for the Vikings as the match went neck and neck with the Huskies re-strategizing their play. 

LBCC’s Hadassah Odeyale spikes the ball between two East Los Angeles College defenders during their match up on Wednesday Oct. 30, 2024 at Long Beach City College. The Vikings swept ELAC 3-0. (Kameron Hendricks)

The match ended in the Vikings favor with the final score of 25-21. 

As to why the match was so close, middle blocker Jubilee Allen provided some insight.

“We were mainly losing because of our mistakes but we got over it pretty quickly,” Allen said.

This was proven when LBCC crushed the Huskies once again in the final round with the final score of 25-11. 

Since the loss against Cerritos on Oct. 16, the women’s volleyball team is back on a winning streak with this game securing their third straight win.

Outside hitter Tainea Allen attributes the current success to a stronger sense of trust for each other as a team. 

“We’ve been working on having each other’s backs, offensively, defensively and on and off the court. In practice we’re able to build that connection with each other so when it’s game day, game day’s are easy for us,” Allen said.

Vikings lose 31-24 after tough battle with Golden West

Kameron Hendricks
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Vikings lose 31-24 after tough battle with Golden West

After a tough battle between the Vikings and the Golden West College Rustlers, the Vikings fell short with a final score of 31-24 on Saturday. 

At halftime, the Vikings were down by seven points with a 10-3 score due to their field goal and the Rustlers touchdown and field goal. 

The Vikings made a tremendous comeback in the third and fourth quarters scoring three touchdowns, by wide receivers Norvell (PJ) Holmes, Semaj Dunn and Tyson Bordeaux, but it was not enough to secure a win.

Despite the loss, Coach Peabody was extremely proud of how the team played, especially since they were down 17-3 up until the end of the third quarter.

“I was just very disappointed at some of the calls that went against us, I thought some of those unfortunately had an impact on the outcome of the game,” Peabody said.

Although they faced setbacks like this, the Vikings still powered through the rest of the game and fought hard until the end.

“This team is really easy to coach because there’s been great buy-in, so I know that Monday they’re going to come to work because they want to keep fighting and they want to win,” Peabody said. 

The Vikings’ season started off rough with a two game losing streak but the team managed a five game winning streak up until this game.

Long Beach defense bringing down a Golden West receiver. The game ended with a 31-24 loss for the Vikings. (Bella Schultz)

Quarterback Jett Peddy admitted that in the first half he had a couple mental mistakes but was proud of the efforts displayed by his team in the second half.

“We started off 0-2, our backs against the wall, but this team really came together as a family and we’re in position, but it just didn’t go our way tonight,” Peddy said.

Peddy is confident that the team has what it takes to win every game, taking the loss as a learning opportunity and chance to grow so the Vikings can be victorious for the rest of the season.

Defensive end Zeph Misa shared that the game was full of ups and downs, but he understood that he and his team didn’t capitalize on opportunities that were handed to them by the Rustlers, which ultimately led to their defeat.

“We as a team have grown to hold each other together as a family and push through the adversity and this game was just one of those lessons for us,” Misa said.

Misa shared that although this was a tough loss, the team’s goals are still the same from the beginning of the season and they’re going to attack and execute their assignments and continue to grow their bond on and off the field, so that they’ll become an even stronger team.

The Vikings are set to play their next game at Mt. San Antonio College on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. with hopes to reboot their winning streak and make a comeback for the rest of the season.

Legacy runner dedicates his 40th marathon to his daughter

Kameron Hendricks
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Legacy runner dedicates his 40th marathon to his daughter

A Long Beach Marathon legacy runner dedicated his 40th marathon completion to his daughter who died during 9/11.

Runner Tom “Frosty” Frost has been running in the Long Beach marathon since 1984 and has no plans on stopping. 

He dedicated this race to his daughter who was in the second plane during the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers.

Frost and fellow participants wore t-shirts honoring his daughter Lisa Frost who died at 22.

“23 years later we are still honoring her memory,” Frost said.

Other runners who weren’t part of legacy races were participants with no marathon experience. 

These participants opted for several ways to prepare for the race.  

“I found an image with mile suggestions and trained based on that but that’s pretty much all I,” half marathon participant Jackie Bryant said.  

Other participants like Amelia Diaz came to the marathon with four years of prior marathon experience. 

“I come from Gardena and ran daily to train for the event,” Diaz said.

Long Beach recently celebrated the 40 year anniversary of its marathon, half marathon, and bike tour. 

Participants had to register online and in person the day before the event, during sign-ins many shops and companies used the time to advertise and sell merchandise for athletes before the event.  

Jason Yang finished first in the marathon with a time of two hours, 27 minutes, and seven seconds and an overall mile pace of 5.37. 

Yang placed first in the overall male category and Ryley Fick placed first in the overall female category with a time of two hours, 54 minutes, and 42 seconds and an overall mile pace of 6.4. 

The event took place in front of the ocean front giving runners and bikers a scenic view to begin and end their race.

Rapper makes waves at TTC performance

Isabel Murty
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Rapper makes waves at TTC performance

Iconic record store V.I.P. Records, known for being the location of Snoop Dogg’s “Who Am I?” music video and a piece of Long Beach history, made an appearance at LBCC, bringing with it two guest star rappers.

V.I.P. Records set up a booth at a block party held at the Trade Tech and Community Learning Campus (TTC), formerly known as the Pacific Coast Campus, to celebrate the campus’ 75th anniversary with students and staff. 

V.I.P. Records also happened to be celebrating its own 45th anniversary. 

The hip-hop energy flowed through the air, as well as the many hands that went up when the rappers came on stage.

Kolby Cordell, an R&B singer from San Bernardino, put on quite the show in his opener performance for rap artist Nikko “Najih” Bey.

Kolby Cordell dances to the break in the music during his live performance on Oct. 19. (Tenoa Stewart)

The crowd gave Cordell a warm welcome as he serenaded the audience with his song “Hello” that had the crowd jamming out.

“It’s always a pleasure to give back to the community, I appreciate an invitation to the LBCC experience, hopefully they live out the journey with me,” Cordell said.

Cordell two-stepped to the break in the music and gave a “jazzy feel” to the environment according to some of the onlookers.

 As the crowd danced along with him, a man danced in the distance with his daughter and gave her a twirl.

“This event is amazing. I’m not from the area so I feel a part of–like I have a sense of belonging here. Shout out to Long Beach, I love it,” Cordell said.

The band Black Collar was also a part of the show, doing musical numbers in between artists and playing in the background of each performance.

The hip-hop show was not over yet with rap artist Najih Bey performing the headliner with his songs “Grind 4 U” followed by a song called “Healed.”

The crowd was feeling it when the music broke because Bey gave out the command to “throw your hands in the air” and the audience did just what he asked – everyone had their hands in the air as the hip-hop spirit flowed around the campus. 

“The crowd was vibing in the climate, the band played good as well and set the mood, I was feeling it too. I lived here for five years and Long Beach is my second home,” Bey said.

For the finale, Najih ended with the song “Numb to Pain” that had both the crowd and the artist in harmony.

“I love Long Beach, it’s a melting pot for many diverse cultures of collective comradery,” Bey said.

Bey Is not just a rapper but also a producer for Inland Records, where he has worked with Cordell before and Black Collar too.  

 Inland is a multimedia company for artists, athletes, creators, businesses, actors & actresses and you can check out more of their work at https://www.inlandhq.com/ . 

LBCC workshop offers break from election stress

Isabel Murty
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LBCC workshop offers break from election stress

LBCC students decorated miniature pumpkins and colored pictures of flowers as part of an election therapy workshop held inside the Student Union section of the B Building on Wednesday.

The workshop allowed students to process their emotions following the results of the 2024 presidential election

“Coloring helps because it takes your mind off of things. I think it will help out students especially on the psychological basis and especially how hard the student may have taken the elections,” LBCC student Sergio Atanacio, said.

The workshop provided students with stress balls and snacks like cupcakes, donut holes, and granola bars.

LBCC student Jennifer Cortez shared her thoughts about Donald Trump being elected for a second term at the meeting. 

“I was a bit distraught because Trump has been impeached. He’s been caught doing stuff, lying, and you can’t put feelings over facts and he seems really emotional. When you’re a politician you can’t be emotional, you need to think with this (points to head) not your heart,” Cortez said. 

The students who attended the workshop did not know the school would be hosting one until staff members announced that the event was starting.

“I didn’t even know they were going to have one, but it seems nice. Everyone is on edge because it’s the election, it’s really stressful, some people were going bonkers, it’s nice to have these things to kind of distract,” Cortez said.

The stress and anxiety following the election was a new feeling for LBCC student AJ Cryer, as this was the first election he was able to participate in. 

“It’s my first time being able to vote. I’ve always been an unbiased watcher, and I guess now I was an unbiased participant. I knew the possibilities of what could happen if Trump won, but I always thought of it as we don’t really know what’s going to happen in the end,”  Cryer said.

Another student, Parker Ellertson, was particularly stressed after the results of the election were announced.  

“I myself identify as bisexual. I have been with a boyfriend for eight years, but it is hard to keep the mentality. With Trump being elected, it is going to affect people with my identities,” Ellertson said. 

Other workshops to help students deal with election stress will be available for students to attend on Nov. 13 and 14 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Emotions high at election watch parties in Downtown Long Beach

Destiny Garcia
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Emotions high at election watch parties in Downtown Long Beach


LA’s GOP and Long Beach Area Republicans hosted an election night watch party at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in Downtown Long Beach on Tuesday.

Only a few minutes away, the Long Beach Young Democrats (LBYD) hosted a similar event inside the historic Hamburger Mary’s.

The electricity in the air could be felt in the audience at Roscoe’s as more states tallied their votes and results were announced.

People got out of their seats and cheered in front of the television broadcasting NBC news’ coverage of the election as more and more electoral votes went to Trump.

Meanwhile at Hamburger Mary’s, the energy started out relaxed, but as more and more state races were called, the downshift in people’s attitudes became apparent.

Long Beach Young Democrats’ Executive Vice President Aliah Reza Khan expressed her disappointment at the foreseen outcome, but said she was unsurprised by the close call races in battleground states.

“Even for me, filling in that bubble was a little difficult,” Khan said. 

Khan added that she felt the close call races were due to the Harris campaign’s lack of outreach for Muslim voters and people concerned with the conflict in Gaza.

“Harris ignored muslim voters and ignored Gaza, which I think is going to contribute to the close calls,” Khan said. “It’s hard when (Harris is) telling me to go f-ck myself.” 

Many of those at the Roscoe’s watch party were there to network with other republicans in the area, including the mayor of Rancho Palos Verde, John Cruikshank. 

Cruikshank ran for the 2024 LA County Board of Supervisors in early 2024, but lost to the incumbent candidate for his district, Janice Hahn.

“I have to stay relevant,” Cruikshank said.

Cruikshank plans to run again in 2028 when Hahn’s seat goes up for reelection.

As the night went on and more and more results were announced, it became more likely that the Republican party would take the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

More and more people trickled into Hamburger Mary’s as the evening went on, but the energy remained melancholy, with people staying in their seats and nursing their drinks despite the upbeat music in the bar.

President of LBYD, Dorian Bonner, wanted to make it clear that even if the national elections did not look good for the Democratic Party, there were still local elections and measures to remain hopeful for.

“The work doesn’t stop tomorrow,” Bonner said. 

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