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“She was the light of this house”: LBCC student actress continues to be honored by family and school

Paloma Maciel
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“She was the light of this house”: LBCC student actress continues to be honored by family and school

After the passing of a student actor who loved to sing, silence accompanies a home filled with instruments she played, marigolds she loved and her piano adorned with pictures of her as a baby.  

All of these details in the Johnson home showed the family’s commitment to remembering their daughter, Daisy Johnson who passed in April, a month after starring as the lead female actress in LBCC’s musical “In the Heights.”

LBCC continues to remember and honor Daisy through the creation of a scholarship in her name, The Daisy Johnson Memorial Scholarship, which will be given to students in future musicals, acknowledging Daisy’s love for theater.

Actors surround Daisy Johnson, center, who played Nina in LBCC’s production of “In the Heights” on Mar. 4. (File photo)

Daisy Johnson sings as “Nina” during a dress rehearsal for “In the Heights” on Mar. 4. (File photo)

Daisy’s parents shared that she started singing when she was just 4 years old, being self-taught until attending The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, an acting school with alumni like Marilyn Monroe, Lady Gaga and Angelina Jolie, where Daisy was awarded a $60,000 scholarship to study at.

Daisy’s parents recalled memories of her passion for singing with laughter, while taking pauses in between stories to cry. 

Andrew Johnson and Veronica Johnson, light up as they share stories of their daughter’s childhood with The Viking News in their home. (Isaiah Ryan)

“She was the light of this house. This house now, without her, is so quiet. … The voice that you can hear in this house was always Daisy, talking, singing,” Daisy’s mother, Veronica Johnson, said. “She’d go to her room and she practiced and practiced. Sometimes she was so loud I would say, ‘hey, you need to stop, the neighbors, you know, they’re sleeping’.”

Her father, Andrew Johnson, described the grief that he and his family have gone through, and still continue to experience. 

“It was just like a wave of pain and then you just start to realize there’s no way to get around this. You have to go through it. … My wife’s family lives in Ensenada. When we were down there at my sister in law’s house, and it was just laying in bed and just having this unimaginable amount of pain. And then the only thing you can do is endure it, and then you get through it, and then there’s another one. … Just being at the beach with constant amounts of pain,” Andrew said. “It’s probably true what my grandma said, you know, that losing people for everybody is hard, but losing a child is probably the hardest.” 

Daisy’s parents remember her as kind and super friendly, emphasizing that she even had a lasting impact on people who she just met, with Veronica mentioning a friend Daisy made while working at a LBCC tutoring center, saying that although he knew her for just a month, it felt like he knew her for years. 

“That’s what a lot of people say,” Veronica said. “When you know Daisy, you don’t need to know her for a long time, she was so friendly, she had so much love and she was so transparent, so unique that yeah, it was easy to get along with Daisy.”

Veronica recalled a moment from Daisy’s childhood, when her friendliness posed trouble.

“I say ‘Daisy, you can’t trust everybody mama, not everybody’s your friend,’… But it’s how she was, she had too much love,” Veronica said. 

For Dia de los Muertos, the family made a large ofrenda, a traditional Mexican alter, in their home, placing marigolds on the floor around a cross alongside the instruments she used to play, and made a second ofrenda diorama that decorated the shelf where Daisy’s ashes rest with candles and toys.

The ofrenda that the Johnson family built in their home in memory of Daisy Johnson for Dia de los Muertos. Photo courtesy of Andrew Johnson.

Daisy Johnson’s ashes are decorated with a Dia de los Muertos diorama, a braid of her hair and crown from her belated quincenera celebration. Daisy’s quincenera was postponed until she was 18 years old because of COVID-19, and one day she was suprised by her family with a dress. She was able to celebrate the day with her friends, with Veronica describing the experience for Daisy as “a dream come true for her.” (Isaiah Ryan)

Daisy loved Dia de los Muertos despite the family rarely celebrating it because of their religious beliefs. This year, the family was willing to adopt the holiday and decorate for her.

“Daisy had this passion for Dia de Muertos. It was like, she feels so excited with all these colors, this flower, she loved these flowers, the smell, and all the colors and everything,” Veronica said. 

While attending The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, Daisy enrolled at LBCC where she met Skye Angulo, vocal studies professor and vocal music director of “In the Heights,” who would go on to put a scholarship in her name into motion

Andrew shared that Angulo helped “refine” Daisy’s voice during “In the Heights.”

“(Daisy) always loved Whitney (Houston) and different people that did stuff like that, but I felt like she had a very Adele thing going on, where it was just very simple and very powerful and I think Skye really helped her get there,” Andrew said. “We heard her sing all the time, but there’s a difference between singing in the house and singing in a theater, and the first time I heard what was there in the opening, I was like ‘Wow.’ She actually got better.” 

The first musical that The Daisy Johnson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded at is in the upcoming spring musical “Into the Woods,” where during the last show, three $1,000 scholarships will be given to a cast, crew and orchestra member

The scholarship requirements are minimal, only needing students to be in the musical and enrolled at LBCC. 

Angulo mentioned that the intense rehearsal schedules of musicals can cause financial strains on students, as it’s difficult to manage both the long rehearsal hours and working a job, which the scholarship serves to overcome. 

“These cast members and crew members and orchestra members, they work tirelessly because they love it and they want to be in the show and they want to reach others. They want that audience to really feel inspired and fulfilled,” Angulo, who is the main facilitator and creator of the scholarship, said. 

In order for the scholarship to continue running based on interest, the Long Beach City College Foundation needs to raise a minimum of $25,000. 

Letty Totah, Manager of Operations and Scholarships at The Long Beach City College Foundation explained the math involved with the scholarship, saying that based on reports from stock experts, who examine the successful rate interest of stocks, a 4% interest is a safe return to rely on. 

Four percent of the $25,000 that the scholarship needs to raise is $1,000, meaning that the scholarship will be able to award one student in the long run if it reaches its minimum, meaning the more money donated, the more scholarships that can be given to students in the upcoming musicals at LBCC.

Although the $25,000 goal hasn’t been met yet, three students from “Into the Woods” will receive the scholarship from the $3,000 that Superintendent President Mike Munoz donated to jumpstart the scholarship. 

Munoz pitched the scholarship to Angulo at a gathering in the school’s auditorium for Daisy’s passing, saying that he wanted to start a scholarship in Daisy’s name. 

“He came to meet with us and to grieve with us, which was so touching,” Angulo said. “It was after that meeting that he approached me and he said ‘Sky, I am very affected by this and I’m very moved. I want to help … set up a scholarship in her name for future years.’”

Angulo mentioned that Munoz understood that she wasn’t ready at that moment to move forward with the process, and he reassured her that the opportunity would be open until she was. Angulo reached out to Munoz in the summer, and worked with a team at LBCC’s Foundation to set up the scholarship. 

Totah didn’t share an estimate of how many donations the scholarship has received so far, but mentioned the scholarship was just started “in the last few weeks” and that the LBCC Scholarship Foundation “only just started advertising for it, so I don’t think they’ve hit very much yet.”

Andrew expressed his support for the scholarship, hoping that it will provide for students in the theater community. 

“I’d love to see it grow. I’d love it to be worth more than they’re aiming for. That’ll be something I pray for. It’s like, I’d love to see it be worth 50, 75, 100,000, and where it’s growing and just helping those kids, … I was able to help Daisy get through, we had a car for her, a home for her, and some kids want to go, and they don’t have the support, the parents can’t or they don’t have them, or there’s a lot of things. So those would be the ones I want (to receive the scholarship), but you know, I trust (the faculty who will decide the recipients),” Andrew said. 

Daisy’s caring personality, musical talent, and friendliness are ways in which her loved ones will remember her by. 

A photo of Daisy Johnson displayed on a shelf in the Johnson family’s home. (Isaiah Ryan)

Veronica Johnson, mother of Daisy Johnson, holds her daughter’s guitar and microphone with images of Daisy on her nails at their home. (Isaiah Ryan)

Andrew Johnson and Veronica Johnson, parents of Daisy Johnson, hold Daisy’s lego flowers during a portrait in their home where they shared memories of their daughter with The Viking News. Daisy’s parents shared that Daisy loved legos, and that when she got her first pay check from working at McDonald’s, the second thing she bought was a $350 lego Ninjago castle. (Isaiah Ryan)

At LBCC, Daisy made history by being one of the cast members in LBCC’s first musical in 18 years where she performed powerful ballads in her lead female role as “Nina” in “In the Heights.”

Veronica expressed that Daisy left behind a legacy that she wishes Daisy knew about. 

“I think that she don’t have (an) idea that after she passed away, she leave behind all those things. Like the time that was the memorial in the church here, like it was almost like 400 people that was there. A lot of people, … loved her so much,” Veronica said. 

Anyone interested in donating to The Daisy Johnson Memorial Scholarship can follow the link to help it reach it’s $25,000 goal.

Vikings defeat Rio Hondo 69-66 in first win of the season

Alex Pina
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Vikings defeat Rio Hondo 69-66 in first win of the season

Wing Kamron Fontenot made nine rebounds, had three assists and scored 18 points to help lead the Vikings men’s basketball team to a 69-66 at home victory over Rio Hondo on Friday. 

The Vikings started the game off slowly, not being able to shoot the ball well, all while Rio Hondo was making baskets and playing with a fast pace.

As the first half progressed, the Vikings were trailing Rio Hondo by 17, with the score being 24-7.

When the Vikings needed a spark, Fontenot started to dominate getting rebounds, blocking shots, and scoring.

“I definitely did better on the glass. The big difference tonight was being on the glass, so I made sure to focus on that knowing that they were going to throw about two or three at me tonight with us being a bigger team, could have finished a little bit, executed more on defense but otherwise we were straight. We started off 0-2 so getting this win, hopefully we get on a nice little run and turn the season around,” Fontenot said.

The Vikings continued to find their rhythm and took the lead as the first half ended the Vikings lead Rio Hondo 34-33 heading into halftime. 

Point guard Lawrence Brown spoke about his performance along with being a leader that tries to impact his teammates. 

“I feel like I could have done better, but we got the team win and found my guys, my guys were hitting so that was my main focus is getting everybody involved making sure the team comes out with a win today,” Brown said

Brown started to find his rhythm in the second half with the assistance of his team, hitting shots and setting up his teammates with assists along with a slam dunk. 

 “Overall, I feel like I definitely played a lot better than the past couple of games. Did a lot of the dirty work. We asked the best guys to come through and they came through for us, they kept us very close in the game got us the lead in the late first half so I just had to come through for my guys,” Brown said.

Brown ended the night with 13 points, two rebounds and three assists and was the third leading scorer for the Vikings. 

“I got up on the floor, got rebounds , made good passes just to encourage my team to keep shooting and keep doing better,” Brown said.

As the second half continued, Rio Hondo was starting to make a comeback with the score of 45-44.

The Vikings continued to get rebounds as well as shooting the ball efficiently. Brown got multiple free throw offers and made key free throws down the stretch to extend the Viking’s lead.

LBCC Lawrence Brown point Guard goes up for a jumpshot whlile in a game against Rio Hondo on Friday. The Vikings won 69-66 at LBCC Hall of Champions. (Asa Liberty)

The defense of the Vikings made big stop causing Rio Hondo to turn over the ball due to a traveling violation.

Vikings defeated Rio Hondo 69-66, getting their first win of the season and improving their record to 1-2. 

Coach Barnes spoke about the importance of this win, how rebounds and free throws made the difference in the game, also feeling proud of the team for making a comeback and winning the game.

“It feels good. We played and we made some free throws that counted, rebounded, and made key free throws down the stretch and I’m proud of the guys. We were down, we were down by 20 and we got some guys that came in, picked us up, took the lead going into halftime. Just that feeling to get the win and get the monkey off your back, (it feels) good man,” Barnes said.

The Vikings men’s basketball team’s next game will be on the road against Riverside City College on Friday at 4 p.m..

Vikings Win Championship Game Against Mt. San Antonio 21-5

Liam Hollon
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Vikings Win Championship Game Against Mt. San Antonio 21-5

Long Beach City College attacker Federico Gulisano scored 7 goals to help lead the Vikings to their 21-5 championship victory against Mt San Antonio in the South Coast Conference Tournament. 

This win had impacts beyond more than just a championship victory in this conference for the Vikings. 

“It puts us in a really good position for rankings for the regional championship, which should make our path a little easier,” Head coach Djoko Radunovic said.

The defense of the Vikings stepped up in this match, giving them a great opportunity to have a dominant win. 

“Our goalie only touched the ball about 4 times in the first half, which means our defense was spectacular,” LBCC goalkeeper Mauricio Bonilla said. 

In this first half, the Vikings outscored Mt. San Antonio 12-1 scoring on most trips down the pool and had very few turnovers. 

“Working as a team was definitely important for us as well as the energy off the bench,” Viking attacker Elijah Webb said. 

Despite the blowout victory, the team recognizes that there is always room for improvement, and growth especially with the increasingly difficult competition they will be facing in future tournaments. 

LBCC’s defender Maxwell Earheart aims to shoot the ball toward the opposite goal. The Vikings won the SCC championship game by defeating MT. Sac 21-5 at Cerritos College on Saturday . (Jose Calix)

“Communication is one thing we can always improve and also not getting stupid ejections. Playing smart defense.” Webb said. 

There is a common message throughout the team that says that they can not be satisfied with just this victory, but also continue to get better. 

“We celebrate tonight, but the next thing we have is regionals, so we gotta stay focused for that,” Bonilla said.

The first match of the SoCal Regionals tournament for the Vikings will be on Thursday, Nov. 13 at Southwestern College. 

Lives lost in ICE custody and family remembered for Dia de los Muertos

Diosa Hippolyta
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Lives lost in ICE custody and family remembered for Dia de los Muertos

Ofrendas remembering family and people who had lost their lives in ICE custody were decorated with marigolds, burning candles, and offerings of food they once loved during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30.

LBCC student clubs and organizations were invited to design and create their own ofrendas to display for the evening during the event.

”On our altar tonight we are honoring the victims of violence from ongoing I.C.E. Raids,” said Martha Torres, ESL Club Secretary. 

Fruits and breads accompany marigolds on the ofrenda made by the ESL Club to honor those who have died while in ICE custody, displayed at the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. (Diosa Hippolyta)

A message acknowledging the deaths of those who have passed in ICE custody on the ESL Clubs ofrenda surrounded by fruit offerings and pictures of the dead during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. (Diosa Hippolyta)

The ofrenda displayed pictures of the deceased and a message of acknowledgement of the lives lost across the country while in ICE custody.

“Some of them were from this year, and others were from other years, but all of them were people who died while in custody of ICE,” Torres said.

Torres spoke of Gabriel Garcia Aviles, who died on Oct. 23 while in ICE custody in Victorville from what the Department of Homeland Security said was a “cardiac arrest due to alcohol withdrawal,” his picture being one of the many on the ofrenda.

A portrait of Gabriel Garcia Avila, who died while in ICE custody on Oct. 23, on the ofrenda made by LBCC’s ESL Club. (Diosa Hippolyta)

“Dia de los Muertos has a very special meaning for me and the connection to my father who died many years ago. … So many of these cases have been impactful, even if they aren’t family. … Sometimes they have illnesses, but in the detention center they aren’t given the necessary care, or another who was shot to death by ICE, so it impacts us enough to honor these people.” Torres said

Torres explained that even if those on the ofrenda were not directly connected to the local community, their loss of life is a reminder of the reality that the immigrant community faces.

“They were working people looking for jobs and what they found was death for whatever reason,” Torres said.

Voz Club President Edgar Rosales, set up an ofrenda honoring his father and the grandmothers of two close friends.

“Tonight is about me taking the time to remember and spend time creating a display that is dedicated to them,” Rosales said.

Dia de los Muertos is partially dedicated to remember the dead, while also being a time to celebrate the lives they lived through food, song, dance and face painting.

A community made ofrenda on display during the Dia de los Muertos celebration event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. (Isaiah Ryan)

A large community ofrenda where attendees could place pictures of loved ones throughout the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. Multiple ofrendas were present at the event, including some made by clubs at the college. (Diosa Hippolyta)

”I wanted to bring my daughter to experience the ceremony for the first time at LBCC,” said Amanda Covarrubias, TTC EOPS and Care Counselor.

Face painting was done by face painting artist and Happy Caritas’s owner, Monica Conde, which was available for both kids and adults.

”I wanted pink roses because they are my favorite,” LBUSD kindergartener Terese Asaaderaghi, said.

Face paint artist and owner of Happy Caritas Monica Conde, left, paints the face of kindergartener Terese Asaaderaghi during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. The face painting of the calavera was a way for the dead to be represented, and was available for all in attendance. (Diosa Hippolyta)

Local Mexican food truck Las Guajolotas provided the catering with red or green chile tamales made specifically for the event, pan de muerto and champurrado.

“We want students to understand they don’t have to separate their identity from their culture at LBCC. … We wanted to make it as authentic as possible,” Director of Student Equity Eric Becerra said.

During Dia de los Muertos, it is believed the dead have a brief window to leave the spirit realm and visit their loved ones in the mortal world. 

“By speaking their names, displaying their photos, bringing them their favorite foods and drinks they liked when they were alive, we keep them alive,” Becerra said.

LBCC student mariachi band Los Vikingos performs during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. This performance was the premiere for the band, formed from LBCC’s first music class for the mariachi style. (Isaiah Ryan)

A child colors a Dia de los Muertos themed sheet during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. The face painting of the calavera was a way for for the dead to be represented, and was available for all in attendance. (Isaiah Ryan)

Lauren-Elise Asaaderaghi, right, watches as her sister Terese Asaaderaghi, middle, gets half her face painted by face paint artist and owner of Happy Caritas Monica Conde during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. (Diosa Hippolyta)

An attendee with his calavera face paint during the Dia de los Muertos celebration event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. The face painting of the calavera was a way for for the dead to be represented, and was available for all in attendance. (Isaiah Ryan)

Vikings women’s water polo team gets dominant victory 21-2 against Pasadena City College

Liam Hollon
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Vikings women’s water polo team gets dominant victory 21-2 against Pasadena City College

Long Beach City College center Miranda Ferguson scored nine goals for the Vikings strong 21-2 victory over Pasadena Community College on Friday. 

This quarter-final victory solidified their spot in the semifinals of the South Coast Conference Championship. 

“Being able to play well like that gives us confidence going into our next game and we’ll try to carry over the positive things that we did in this game,” LBCC Head coach Chris Oeding said.

There are many different aspects of their dominant victory that they hope to take into their next match, like a strong performance on defense. 

“I think we were really efficient defensively in terms of getting stops and allowing ourselves to get down on offense,” Oeding said

The Vikings credit a lot of their success to their relationships as teammates and how close they have all become. 

“We’re always cheering each other on. We’re always coming together. We’re always hyping each other up and I think that’s why we’re so successful,” Viking utility Alyssa Artist said. 

The strong relationships the team has built in and out of the pool with one another has helped improve their communication during the games. 

Pasadena’s attacker Genesis Rojas, right, tries to block LBCC’s Attacker Devon Fletcher while she aims for the goal. The Vikings won the first round of the SCC Championships 21-2 against Pasadena City College on Friday at Cerritos College Aquatics Center.(Jose Calix)

A win like this can build momentum going forward, especially for the tournaments the team has coming up.

“This helps us prepare ourselves for state and higher games. It lets us know what we need to work on for future games,” Viking attacker Leslie Vargas said. 

The Vikings had a perfect 10-0 record in conference and will begin playing in the SoCal Regionals on Nov. 13. 

Gallery: Dodgers World Series Parade

Emma Rojas
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Gallery: Dodgers World Series Parade

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their second consecutive World Series win with a parade that started in downtown LA and ended at Dodger Stadium.

Streets were filled with fans listening and dancing to banda music, eating and drinking..

Fans rallied around metal barricades shoulder to shoulder, cheering as they watched Dodgers players drive by celebrating their win.

Two dogs meet at the Dodgers World Series parade on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

Dodger fan holds high a poster of pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto at the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov 3. (Emma Rojas)

Dodgers fans begin to fill up sidewalks and gather at the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3. (Emma Rojas)

A Dodgers fan sits and poses along the sidewalk while holding a poster of Shohei Ohtani at the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov 3. (Emma Rojas)

Dodgers fans pose for the passing drone cameras while they wait along the sidewalks at the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, in Los Angeles, California. (Emma Rojas)

Dodgers take out their phones to get photos and videos of the Dodgers at the World Series parade on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

A young Dodgers fan poses with her rally towel at the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3. (Emma Rojas)

Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell poses and waves to fans from atop of the parade bus at the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3. (Emma Rojas)

Dodgers players Clayton Kershaw, left, Kike Hernandez, center and Miguel Rojas, right, wave to fans from atop the parade bus at the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3. (Emma Rojas)

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and his wife, Chelsea Freeman, wave and greet fans from atop the parade bus at the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov 3. (Emma Rojas)

Two Dodgers fans celebrate the Dodgers’ World Series win in downtown LA on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

Dodgers fans pack the sidewalks and climb traffic lights to watch the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov 3. (Emma Rojas)

Dodgers pitcher Anthony Banda smiles and points at fans from atop the parade bus at the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3. (Emma Rojas)

Dodgers fans pose with food and drinks as they celebrate the World Series win with a parade on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

Dodgers fans make their way up the stairs of the 7th Street/Metro Center Station in downtown Los Angeles on their way to the team’s World Series parade on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

Dodgers fans cheer with posters of pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto at the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3. (Emma Rojas)

Dodgers fans stand around and wait for the Dodgers team to pass by in Downtown LA at the World Series parade. (Isaiah Ryan)

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and his wife, Chelsea Freeman, wave and greet fans from atop the parade bus at the Dodgers’ World Series Parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov 3. (Emma Rojas)

Dodgers fans make their way up the stairs of the 7th Street/Metro Center Station in downtown Los Angeles on their way to the team’s World Series parade on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

Dodgers fan pack the streets of downtown Los Angeles to celebrate and watch the Dodgers parade on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

Dodgers fans crowd downtown LA to see the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series parade on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

Dodgers fans dance in the streets of downtown Los Angeles during the team’s World Series parade on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

Dodgers fans and an officer at the World Series parade in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate the Dodgers’ win on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

Dodgers fans dance in the streets of downtown Los Angeles after the team’s World Series parade on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

Dodgers fans look around downtown LA after the Dodgers’ World Series parade on Nov. 3. (Isaiah Ryan)

‘We all deserve a second chance’: Rising Scholar mother prevails with education

Jessica Rodriguez
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‘We all deserve a second chance’: Rising Scholar mother prevails with education

For a system-impacted single mom with two kids and two “baby daddies,” starting school at 32 wasn’t about becoming an inspiration to others but rather a way to survive.

Ana Camino was among the formerly incarcerated student panelists at the Justice Scholars Program’s transfer fair and panel on Oct. 23, sharing her experience of transferring from community college to university as someone who has loved ones who were incarcerated.

“I’m system-impacted because of my children’s father. There’s nobody else that I could relate to on campus. How else am I going to explain to people that I grew up having to fist fight people to get respect on the streets,” Camino said.

Camino began her educational journey at Cypress College, and with the help of the Rising Scholars Program, was able to transfer to UCI, where she is pursuing her master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

The Rising Scholars Program at Cypress is the equivalent to the Justice Scholars Program at LBCC, and “strives to encourage formerly-incarcerated, system-impacted, and substance abuse recovery students,” according to its website.

At a young age, Camino struggled with a lot of self-doubt, needing to clean houses with her mom as she grew up in South Orange County. 

She explains that her imposter syndrome began when she started seeing the disparities within her socioeconomic status at a young age.

“It followed me everywhere, into every job that I took, everywhere I went. I never felt comfortable,” Camino said. “But that first semester I stuck it through. And when I received my first A on my paper, I almost dropped out just because I didn’t want to write it. And I just remember, Rising Scholars kept pushing me like ‘no, that professor is so cool.’ And when I got a 50 out of 50, I was in shock. That was the first time I ever felt a sense of confidence, like I can do this. And I just kept going,”  said Camino.

The Justice Scholars Program (JSP) transfer fair had various re-entry organizations attending the event, directing system-impacted students with mental health resources for those who are struggling with addiction and re-entry in general. 

Luis Trujillo, who is from the Master’s program at USC, attended the event. 

As someone who was also formerly incarcerated, he encourages JSP students not to let their past life define them. 

“I’m here because I want to be an example that we can make it, even to schools like USC and Yale,” Trujillo said. 

Trujillo also makes it a point to ask, as a bio-physics major, why it is that a lot of JSP students don’t go into science and math. 

“We do recognize that there’s a need for the community. We do have a partnership with CSUN called Meta+Lab, which focuses on promoting STEM with our formerly incarcerated students, but we also need to recognize that there is a technology divide, especially for students who have spent time incarcerated. They have to learn the basics of how to use a computer,” said Jose Ibarra, Interim Assistant Director of CalWORKS. 

It’s common for students to choose the path of social work, however, Camino explained that it’s the lack of exposure that discourages students from going into STEM.

“I think a lot of that has to do with a lot of us being first-gen students too. My parents are immigrants, so I didn’t learn English till I was six. And I had to translate a lot for my parents. So, I mean, math and anything in STEM is not going to come from my parents. And that’s where we really gained most of our knowledge, in our upbringing,” said Camino. 

Despite the hardships formerly incarcerated students all face, whether it’s stigma or unsupportive family and friends, Camino says “we all deserve a second chance.”

Formerly incarcerated transfers from community colleges to universities Devin Rose, left, and Efrain Lopez, right, prepare to share their journey of pursuing higher education after prison at Long Beach City College on Oct. 23. (Heaven Herrera)

“This is my life. This is my journey, and I’m breaking these generational curses for my family,” said Camino.

LBCC throws down at self-defense class

Heaven Herrera
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LBCC throws down at self-defense class

LBCC hosted a free self-defense class with a tarp for students to learn and practice on top of. Students learned how to punch and dodge, they also learned to tackle and how to fall the correct way on Oct. 30 for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the event took place in the quad in front of the Financial Aid building. 

A group of students learn how to fall to the ground safely during a self-defense class that was taught during Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the Liberal Arts Campus on Oct. 30. The event was put on by Zahalea Anderson, who teaches self-defense programs. (Bella Schultz)

Many students and staff participated because of their thrill-seeking urges but also because they wanted to learn how to keep those around them safe. 

Some students said to have taken self-defense classes before, which made them feel better about taking the free course and lesson.

“I’ve taken fighting classes before but it’s been a minute so I might as well take advantage of the free resources that LBCC is offering and I believe they should have more just like this,” student Ayrin Reed said.

LBCC students had fun and shared laughs with Professor Zahalea’s jokes when they would mess up a move just so they felt more comfortable instead of having to feel pressured when it came down to the fact of learning new skills to help keep themselves safe.

“I love volunteering for the community…I’m all about self-defense, whether or not it’s for the spirit, mind, and body for the community,” said Professor Zahalea from RA Life Defense, who also taught the class.

Zahalea has been learning how to defend herself since an early age and wants to continue to help teach those around.

Zahalea has influenced most of her students to learn and continues to encourage her students who take her outside classes and attend LBCC to tell others about the program and what they stand for. 

“I want to help my professor and I’m so glad to share it with the campus,” Ameena Stinson, LBCC student, said.

Stinson has taken martial arts classes for quite some time and once she met Zahalea, it made her even more excited to learn.

“I always tell people about our program, especially if they express interest in martial arts…This is more than just a class, it’s about spreading awareness,” Stinson said.

Everyone will be able to take self-defense classes with Professor Zahalea Anderson at The Bluff park in Long Beach. 

Prices will vary on age, Zahalea doesn’t have a set date for her classes but the best way to ask would be to contact her or follow her on Instagram.

Filipino Heritage Month Kick-off embraces martial arts, music and traditional food

Aira Tabao
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Filipino Heritage Month Kick-off embraces martial arts, music and traditional food

LBCC’s Filipino American History Month Kick-Off event celebrated the community with traditional music; adobo and chop suey; martial arts and musical performances; and student resources like the MANA program, the Filipino Migrant Center and the Filipino Solidarity Organization on Oct. 16 at the TTC campus.

Sign Language Interpreter, left, at LBCC translates for a guest speaker at the Filipino Heritage Kick-Off at TTC on Oct. 16. (Hailey Hildreth)

Guests were served adobo, a popular Filipino dish made with chicken or pork marinated in vinegar and soy sauce for a savory, tangy flavor with a hint of heat from peppercorns.

Alongside, guests enjoyed chop suey, a vegetable stir-fry, with rice and lumpia, which are pork egg rolls, all paired with soft drinks. 

As attendees enjoyed their meals, they were accompanied by a live acoustic performance by artist Siva Aguilar from Sulong West Side, a Filipino youth organization based in Westside Long Beach. Aguilar performed songs in Tagalog, which created a warm and nostalgic ambiance.

The comfort of the atmosphere felt like a traditional Filipino home, brought together through the combination of food and music.

Pamana Kali, a Filipino Martial Arts organization, also had a tent available at the event. 

Students were able to learn more about the practice’s roots, wisdom, and values in greater detail at the booth. 

Pamana Kali practitioners performed stick movements, an art originally used with blades, which showcased demonstrations of defense mechanisms and combat drills.

Martial arts performers, Vivian Catacutan, left, and Dindi Belmonnte, right, demonstrate stunts during LBCC’s Filipino Heritage event at the TCC campus in Long Beach, California on Oct. 16. (Hailey Hildreth)

Alvin Catacutan, a cultural educator and martial artist, explained that Kali is a practice that’s thousands of years old, was used in fields of war and is now commonly used in famous movies like “Dune,” “Furious 7” and “Taken.” 

Guro, the term for martial arts trainer, Alvin Catacutan poses in front of the “Pamana Kali”booth during the Filipino Heritage Month event at TCC in Long Beach, California on Oct. 16. Catacutan has trained actors from the movie “Dune,” and the Pamana Kali is a Filipino Martial Arts training center. (Hailey Hildreth).

When asked what role Kali plays in Filipino history and identity, Catacutan said, “Our martial art is about adaptation. Our greatest gift as a culture is that we’re willing to make changes to what we do and how we do things, we’re willing to learn anything it takes to survive, and eventually thrive.”

LBCC Office Assistant for the Extended Opportunities Program Nash Neyra said the event was a great opportunity to celebrate cultural heritage.

“To embrace your culture, to get people to be aware of the culture as well, because some people aren’t very aware or never been exposed. This is a great way for people to get involved through the food, to the culture, to the music, to the performance,” Neyra said.

The event was not only a place to connect through celebration, but also served as a reminder of the strong community and support systems available to students.

“I think these types of cultural events are important not only for the people that identify with these spaces, but even more important for those that don’t. Because this is an opportunity to share with them, maybe things they don’t understand,” Tristan Nguyen, success coach of MANA, a program that helps build cultural and educational experiences for Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi students, said.

Representatives from MANA, the Filipino Migrant Center, Healthy Viking, Student Health Services, and the Filipino Solidarity Organization were present, reminding students of the various resources they can access for academic, cultural, and personal support.

Renters learn their rights and eviction defense options at workshop

Diosa Hippolyta
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Renters learn their rights and eviction defense options at workshop

An eviction defense attorney and groups focused on housing explained landlord harassment, the importance of acting quickly and the options for renters facing eviction during Long Beach City College’s “Know Your Tenant Rights and Eviction Defense” workshop on Oct. 14 at the TTC campus.

Landlord harassment is an annoying or inconvenient behavior in a deliberate attempt to intimidate, pressure or harm tenants in violation of their legal rights.

The workshop was open to both students and community members struggling with landlord harassment, with renters in Long Beach being offered direct access to an attorney and other services during the session.

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) Eviction Defense Attorney Amanda Golob spoke to participants on how to address issues like lease agreements, roach infestations and the eviction process.

A simple thing to do is to document all contact with your landlord regarding any rental or lease agreement issues in an email, taking photos and save receipts as evidence to support your case.

According to the State of California Attorney General’s website, under California law, residential tenants are protected from certain rent increases and may be protected from certain types of evictions.

It is very important to act quickly if you are served with an eviction notice, told to move out or raise your rent illegally.   

Many legal procedures that affect tenants move quickly, so tenants should not ignore important notices. Instead, they should reach out for legal assistance as soon as possible to discuss their options.

“Most of our representation is after the landlord has filed in court, so a lot of what we try to do in the community is provide education like today,” Golob said.

LAFLA is a local organization that seeks to achieve equal justice for people living in poverty across Greater Los Angeles, offering clinics to educate the community.

Presentations by Long Beach Residents Empowerment (LiBRE), a grassroots tenant-led organization, and Stay Housed L.A. offered ideas and supportive solutions.

“Housing is a human right,” Jill Collins of LiBRE said. 

Stay Housed LA is a partnership between Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, local community and legal service providers from Lancaster to Long Beach. 

In California, tenants are protected from landlord harassment under laws that prohibit them from using intimidation, threats, or force to get tenants to vacate their homes. 

Workshops are offered in both English and Spanish to aid and support students and community members experiencing landlord intimidation or other issues regarding their living conditions.  

“The goal right now is we would come quarterly to share information and offer legal support.  We hope to build up to a legal clinic to do one-on-one services with students on campus,” LIBRE Senior Manager of Outreach and Education Lilly Pierdra said.

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