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LBCC cheer and dance team collaborate for halftime show

Paloma Maciel
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LBCC cheer and dance team collaborate for halftime show

LBCC’s cheer team and hip-hop club Cypher Crew, worked together for three weeks to rehearse their halftime routine that was performed at LBCC’s football homecoming game on Oct. 18. 

According to the head coach of the team, Diana Galias, this moment marked the first time in over 10 years that the cheer team and the dance department collaborated in putting on a halftime performance. 

Ayrin Reed, the president of Cypher Crew, mentioned that the collaboration was “perfect timing,” since the club already had a dance ready to put into the halftime performance when they were asked by cheer to join them. 

They had performed this dance a couple of times before at their own events. 

“We didn’t have to come up with anything new, stress over rehearsals like that. We were like, we’re just gonna do what we already know. Cuz coming up with something new before a performance, like a week or two before, is stressful,” said Ayrin Reed. 

Ten minutes before the halftime show, Jalen Stokes, a member of Cypher Crew, shared how excited and confident he felt about performing. 

“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling great, yeah I feel I’m finna do a great job, we finna work the turf, yeah and I’m finna work that 50-yard line out,” said Jalen Stokes. 

Reed was a standout performer, dancing with confidence and sass the entire time and exaggerating her moves to fit the hype and punchy music being played. 

Ayrin Reed, middle, and other members of LBCC’s hip-pop dance club Cypher Crew dance during their halftime performance at the homecoming game on Oct. 18 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Cypher Crew and LBCC’s cheer team collaborated to put on the homecoming halftime performance, having practiced for three weeks together to prepare for it. (Paloma Maciel)

During the first scene of the performance, Reed quickly paced the stage, emoting the lyrics of Missy Elliott’s hype announcement with fast hand movements to the song “Bomb Intro/Pass That Dutch.”

The performance was split into three sections, with the opening dance being a hip-hop routine that Cypher-Crew danced, while the cheerleaders did stunts in the background, and some tumbling. 

After, there was a section that focused on cheerleading stunts where the cheerleaders performed their most advanced stunt in the routine, rewinds during a pyramid. 

This skill is characterized by flyers being brought up to do a back tuck in the air and their feet land the jump on the hands of the bases which are lifted up.  

One of the cheer’s assistant coaches, Ava Sedillo, mentioned that the cheer team learned the skill a week before the performance. 

Before the halftime performance, the cheer team experienced some adversity while practicing their rewinds, as they had difficulty landing them. 

However, during the actual performance, they were able to land their rewind.

 A cheerleader on the team spoke about overcoming that moment while describing how she felt about the team’s performance. 

“I think we did really good, I think we pushed through, I loved that we hit our ending pyramid. I’m like all the ups and downs and we still get it, period. I loved my dance section, guys I think I ate that dance up,” Alexandra Zarate said.

Following the stunt section of the dance, the dance team joined the cheer team again as the groups performed an energetic and fast cheer-like dance, with the category being indicated by the sharpness of the moves. 

Reed emphasized that the performance was a success and that it was the first time the hip-hop club performed at a football game. 

“I think it went really well for us, it’s actually our first time doing a football game. So not our first time performing but just the football game in general. It was good for it being the first time, so it was very fun. We were all cheering after, like we did good,” said Reed.

Reed gave some insight as to what it was like having the two teams rehearse together to put on the show. 

“It’s more simple than you would think actually because as long as we go over who’s part is who’s, or what we’re in, it’s smooth from there because dance is always adapt(ive). So it was pretty easy and it was more fun because it’s new people,” said Ayrin Reed. 

The homecoming game was the first time this season that LBCC’s football team won a home game. 

Cheerleader Mia Heneise shared how this winning atmosphere encouraged the team’s performance. 

“I think it went really well, and it’s our first like win, I feel like the whole homecoming vibe just took all of our like spirits and we all did such a great job today,” said Heneise.

Long Beach community members celebrate Halloween at TTC carnival 

Ryenne Jolliff
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Long Beach community members celebrate Halloween at TTC carnival 

Colorful costumes, the smell of fresh popcorn and a plastic skeleton in a modified hearse filled the quad at the TTC Campus for its annual Halloween carnival on Friday. 

A skeleton sporting goggles and a Long Beach City College shirt sits inside a modified hearse in the quad of the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus in Long Beach, California on Oct. 24, 2025. The display enhanced the spooky atmosphere of the event, which included trick or treating and Halloween music. (Ryenne Jolliff)

Spooky season hits like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Oingo Boingo’s “Dead Man’s Party” and Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London” could be heard on full blast as kids played games and went trick or treating at different booths set up for the event. 

“I love Halloween. I love dressing up, going out with my friends, and eating junk food and candy,” LBCC student Jessica Cervantes, who attended the event after her class ended, said.

The booths were run by some of Long Beach City College’s clubs and organizations looking to promote their services. 

“I think this event is special because children can feel connected to their parents’ education, and parents can give their kids a safe Halloween event on campus. We want them to have fun,especially during midterms,” said Joanna Hernandez, assistant director for EOPS and CalWORKS. 

The CalWORKS booth was set up with supplies for kids to make their own cat-themed crafts. 

Another booth at the carnival, run by EOPS, handed out bags for children to collect their trick-or-treat candy. 

“A lot of our students are parents, and we want to build a sense of belonging and community,” said EOPS staff member Jacky Garcia about the event. “It’s generational, not just for the students but for the kids as well.”  

Members of the English as a Second Language (ESL) club used their setup as a way to celebrate their Mexican heritage. 

The booth was decked out in vibrant Dia de los Muertos decorations including marigolds, sugar skulls, and papel picado, which are traditional paper decorations. 

Club members also handed out Mexican candy and glasses of jamaica, a drink made from hibiscus flowers. 

“We wanted to represent our culture today,” said LBCC student and ESL club member Elizabeth Ruiz. 

Ruiz and her young daughter Jasmine were both dressed up as La Catrina, an iconic character traditionally associated with Día de los Muertos. 

“I know that everybody has special customs. Halloween is an American tradition, and Dia de los Muertos is ours, so we wanted to blend it into one,” Ruiz said. 

The International Students club also sought to blend different cultures and traditions at the event. 

“A lot of people see our logo and ask us about the club. It’s all about exchanging culture. I feel like I’m representing my country when I talk to people here,” said LBCC student and club member James Trinh. 

Originally from Vietnam, this is Trinh’s second year celebrating Halloween in America. 

“Being international students, most of us have never celebrated Halloween before,” Trinh said.

According to Trinh, the most fascinating aspect of Halloween is seeing everyone’s elaborate costumes. 

“It’s marvelous. It’s amazing to see people go out of their way to put so much time and detail into their costumes,” said Trinh. 

Once the sun went down, the kids in attendance were able to participate in a costume contest. 

Kids line up and prepare for judging at a costume contest held in the quad at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus in Long Beach, California on Oct. 24, 2025. The contest was won by Grayson Barrett, who was dressed as Huggy Wuggy, a character from the video game “Poppy Playtime”. (Ryenne Jolliff)

Three total awards were given out at the end of the night: Clarity Lee’s Chucky costume won her the funniest costume award; sisters, Scarlett and Valentina Rodriguez, won the scariest costume award for their clown costumes; and Grayson Barrett, dressed as Huggy Wuggy from the video game “Poppy Playtime,” won best overall costume. 

Clarity Lee shows off her award after winning funniest costume at a costume contest held at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus in Long Beach, California on Oct. 24, 2025. Lee was dressed as Chucky from the “Child’s Play” franchise. (Ryenne Jolliff)

Sisters Scarlett Rodriguez, left, and Valentina Rodriguez win the award for scariest costume at a costume contest held at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus in Long Beach, California on Oct. 24, 2025. The sister duo won 1 of the 3 awards given out for the contest. (Ryenne Jolliff)

The evening’s festivities concluded with a screening of “Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie,” which families watched from blankets and lawn chairs spread out across the quad. 

“My favorite part of Halloween is that everyone gets a day to express themselves and experience a feeling of being someone else,” Cervantes said. 

Spotlight on Fall Dance Concert: A dance vision confirmed through mushroom soup

Paloma Maciel
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Spotlight on Fall Dance Concert: A dance vision confirmed through mushroom soup

What started as a dancer eating mushroom soup at “a friend of a friend’s house” turned into a dreamy, abstract dance, about an abusive relationship that holds the protagonist from blooming into her full, beautiful, ruffly mushroom self.

The dance, choreographed by LBCC student Joshuah Snel who wrote an original song to accompany it, will debut today at the Fall 2025 Dance Ensemble In Concert at 7:00 p.m. at LAC’s Bob and Barbara Ellis Auditorium, alongside 10 other performances by students and faculty, with most following a spooky theme until Sunday.

Intrigued by the ruffly form of the cooked snow fungus in the Chinese medicinal soup he received, Snel was curious as to how the mushroom looked in its natural uncooked state. 

When Snel researched it, he was shocked to find out that its appearance perfectly aligned with a vision he had. 

“I looked it up and funny enough, it’s almost exactly what I had envisioned like weeks before with that costume that was all ruffly and white and with blue lighting… So I was like I need to make this piece, this is where the solo is,” recalled Snel. 

Dancer Raychell Rymer falls to the ground during the number “Tremella” while supporting dancers Phyre Romero and Shalaja Rudder-Wilson are in the background at the dress rehearsal. (Paloma Maciel)

A need to express his troubled feelings and passion for nature drove Snel to extensively research the role of the tremella mushroom, commonly known as snow fungus.

Through this research, Snel wanted to ensure that the storyline of his dance gave the mushroom’s role justice and humanized its relationship with other aspects of nature. 

“I found out that she is a parasite to the parasitic fungus that is actually killing the tree. And that … she’s a gelatinous white like, sludge until she touches that other parasitic fungus. And the only way that she’s able to become this beautiful, roughly fruiting body that looks like a snowflake is if she is attached to that other parasitic fungus, and she’s getting her nutrients from that one that’s like killing the tree,” said Snel.  

Snel deeply resonated with the parasitic function of the mushroom. 

“At the time, I was working with parts of myself that were feeling like I was not providing enough and I was being more of someone who was like, I was worried that I was being a parasite to my friend groups or my family. And I was like I really want to move through this,” Snel said.

Snel created an original song to accompany the fantasy world that he envisioned with the help of a friend who’s a songwriter, a friend who plays drums and another who plays the piano. 

They only had three in-person sessions to practice the song together, and they recorded the song on the fourth session. 

“So then we got together, and I was like, I just had a vocal recording of like, ‘this is like the general vibe,’ it wasn’t even lyrics, it was me humming. And me going like ‘I’m hearing this on a piano’ and maybe ‘this is making me feel like this’ type of beat and I’m almost like drumming it out,” said Snel. 

The song has a sorrowful feel, expressing the pain through the lyrics that the abusive relationship causes to the protagonist, constantly followed with recurrent eerie piano notes. 

Snel also worked with a hired dance costume designer for the show, Andrew Palomares, to bring his fungi fantasy world to life. 

Palomares shared that the fluffy and airy costume that was meant to resemble snow fungus was made by deconstructing a $150 wedding dress that he bought online. 

Working with the organza material that was used to create the costume was not the most favorable experience for Palomares. 

“It’s an organza, which is a very slippery and difficult fabric to work with. Not my favorite, but it was part of the vision that Joshuah was having in terms of the dancer representing a specific type of mushroom that looks very, kind of like organza would, gathered organza, where it has these frills and kind of like roughly look and semitransparent,” Palomares said.

Though the dance has an ethereal aesthetic, the story is heavy, as the main dancer, who resembles the mushroom, represents someone who is in an abusive, codependent relationship. 

The supporting dancers, who represent the fungi that are actually killing the tree in nature, are the abusers in the relationship. 

“In the grand scheme of the characters in this piece, they are that manipulator that are like intoxicating and trying to coax her to stay in the relationship, this coexistive relationship that they have,” said Snel. “Who’s telling her she can only be this fruiting person and only be her true self if she’s attached to it.”

Snel connected the metaphor of the snow fungus, having to rely on the black fungus to survive, and them collectively contributing to the destruction of the tree, to his own life. 

“To me, I envision that (the tree) as like a house, or like a family unit, and how I mean I grew up in a broken home, how the parental units, like that sort of dynamic was toxic for not only the children, which could be, you know the roots, or the innards of the tree. But like the house to me is the tree, and how is this relationship causing harm to the household at the end of the day?” Snel said. 

Dancer Raychell Rymer dancing during the number “Tremella” with supporting dancers Phyre Romero and Shalaja Rudder-Wilson at the dress rehearsal. (Asa Liberty)

Raychell Rymer, Snel’s sister and another student dancer, plays the protagonist in the dance, and shared that she completely trusted her brother’s vision from the start because of his naturally explorative creative process, and because of Snel’s success with the other previous projects. 

Before dancers are chosen to be a choreographer for the Fall 2025 Dance Ensemble In Concert, they must audition a rough draft of their dance to the faculty. Rymer explained her brother’s plan for it, believing that him being detail oriented comes from his background in theater. 

Dancer Joshuah Snel, holds dancer Marissa Ramos during the number “Sombras de Colibri” at the dress rehearsal on Tuesday. (Paloma Maciel)

“He’s extremely detail oriented, extremely. For his presentation for the audition of his piece, he had pages of just costumes, like when he had an idea of what he wanted for the costume, a whole page dedicated to the lighting for what piece, what the trees should look like, what other parts should be on stage,” said Rymer. 

Rymer described the dance as abstract and contemporary, noting that unlike modern dance, this style “isn’t meant to be pretty.”

Snel’s creative process for dance differs from his sister’s, saying that when she comes up with new choreography she is able to envision the new moves in her head, while he sees “shapes and colors, but not necessarily the exact movements right away.”

He thinks his sister is able to have a clear vision because she has a trained background as a dancer, while he started dancing later on in life, taking his first dance class in 2017, and not being able to pursue dance when he was younger because he was pushed into sports. 

Although his process is less conventional, Snel still sees the unique value of his experimental process. 

“It’s not to diminish the process that I have because, while my process may not be as precise, it is extremely explorative, which can take you out of the realms of what you normally might see in a trained dancer choreographer’s expression. So some of my moves are quirkier and less technique based,” Snel said. 

Dancer Raychell Rymer performing the number “Tremella” at the dress rehearsal of LBCC’s Fall 2025 Dance Ensemble In Concert. (Paloma Maciel)

Audiences can see Snel and Rymer’s choreographies and dances at the Fall 2025 Dance Ensemble In Concert, which will be debuting today at 7:00 p.m., with the following dates being on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and the last show is on Sunday at 1:00 p.m..

All performances will take place at LAC’s Bob and Barbara Ellis Auditorium, and tickets can be purchased at this link, or before each performance in the box office, with student, senior, staff, veteran, and children (under 12) tickets being $10, while general admission is $17.

Dancer Essence Cooper jumps in the air during the number “Chicago Medley” at the dress rehearsal of LBCC’s Fall 2025 Dance Ensemble In Concert on Tuesday at LAC’s Bob and Barbara Ellis Auditorium. (Paloma Maciel)

Dancer Janell Cobian, right, dances on pointe during the number “Exquisite Bellows” along with other dancers during the dress rehearsal. (Asa Liberty)

Dancer Myrei Desouza, left, and Maura Merida Arias soar on stage during the number “Tethered” during the dress rehearsal. (Asa Liberty)

Dancer Marissa Ramos poses on the ground during the number “Sombras de Colibri” at the dress rehearsal. (Paloma Maciel)

Basic Needs program prepares for SNAP benefits cut

Chloe Hall
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Basic Needs program prepares for SNAP benefits cut

Millions of Americans who rely on food aid will see a drop in support after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be issued Nov.1 due to the ongoing government shutdown. 

Despite SNAP benefits being paused, LBCC’s Basic Needs’ Viking Vault will continue to provide food and offer resources to help students.

LBCC’s Basic Needs Director Justin Mendez discussed immediate plans for students facing the benefit cut on Wednesday.

“We’re definitely anticipating an increased financial burden, a lot of our CalFresh students rely on those benefits all the time… we have a mail delivery program called Everytable, we’re going to be increasing that enrollment (which) provides five free meal deliveries every week… we do prioritize housing insecure students so we’re going to email those students who are requesting support… and we’re going to be purchasing extra food gift cards, so students can show us their EBT card or some form of proof that they have benefits that are being cut to receive an extra card,” Mendez said.

Events organized by the Viking Vault like Better Breakfast on Tuesdays at LAC, Wednesdays at TTC, and the Viking Village Market on Nov. 19 where access to free fresh produce and community resources are offered will still be held as resources are district funded, and food donations will continue to be accepted. 

Mendez also plans on bringing back a grab-and-go distribution event to offset the concerns brought by the SNAP cut further in the month. 

“We used to pack big grocery bags that had a mix of produce, non-perishable goods, and now we’re even looking at maybe some hygiene items to include in there, so the the Basic Needs team is looking into creating an order form that we can send out to students and will be distributing 200 bags… Thanksgiving week is when we’ll distribute them,” Mendez said. 

Information on other public benefits being unaffected and other free food resources in Long Beach is another resource Mendez wants to provide. 

Student Jonah Foster, right, looks at various snack bars offered at the LAC Viking Vault on Wednesday. Foster visited the vault during breaktime for a class. (Hailey Hildreth)

“Beyond direct support… We’re working on a message for students to say ‘Hey, this is what to expect if your benefits are being cut.’ We just found out too that it’s just SNAP, so CalWorks, General Relief, Childcare Subsidies and other public benefits are not being impacted in the same way that SNAP is. We’re trying to inform students about that, as well as all of the other food banks in the city of Long Beach… I would say from our student parents specifically, I’m hearing that concern because our student parents have a higher amount that they get from CalFresh, that means that’s a higher amount they’re not going to have anymore,” Mendez said

The ripple effects of the SNAP cut have still reached campus partnerships such as the TTC Food Pantry, which usually operates every fourth Tuesday in collaboration with the LA Food Bank but was forced to cancel due to the food assistance cuts. 

“This is the first time ever since we’ve been doing this event that they had to cancel one of our events. So that’s why we’re replacing that fourth Tuesday with our own grab-and-go distribution. We’re closing the gap in that way and hopefully our students don’t feel that loss,” Mendez said.

In California alone, approximately 5.5 million Californians depend on CalFresh to aid their food budget each month according to the California’s Department of Social Services.

Among them is student Maria Trejo, a single mother who balances being a full-time student while providing for her daughter and three grandchildren. She uses CalFresh and the Viking Vault as a means to feed her family, and visits the vault often.

LBCC student Maria Trejo, right, picks out a banana from the produce boxes at the LAC Viking Vault on Wednesday. With the upcoming SNAP cut, Trejo is concerned about being able to continue her studies without reliable funds for her family’s food needs. (Rafael Gomez)

“I decided to study and I don’t work right now. I’m thinking of having to cut some of my classes to find a part-time job and continue with classes, but now it’s going to affect (my) plans to transfer… this help means so much for my house,” Trejo said. 

CalFresh student ambassador Alexis Johnson encouraged any students in need to visit either of the Viking Vaults, especially with the SNAP cut in mind. 

“The Viking Vault has always been here and we are always providing food every day for students that come in and get as much as they can according to what we are able to give out… you can come to both (vaults) in one day actually, and you would just abide by the rules of one item per each (section),” Johnson said.  

The Viking Vault is located at B-103 at LAC and open from Monday through Thursday, and at the GG-Cafeteria at TTC from Tuesday to Thursday.

Both locations are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for every open day.

LBCC ensembles merge to make monstrous music at the ‘Revenge of the Jabandestra’

Isaiah Ryan
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LBCC ensembles merge to make monstrous music at the ‘Revenge of the Jabandestra’

A band director dressed as Godzilla and inflatable dinosaur suits accompanied LBCC’s wind, big band and orchestra ensembles for an evening of cinematic music at the LAC auditorium on Oct. 10 to perform the “Revenge of the Jabandestra.”

Director of Instrumental Jazz Studies, Patrick Sheng and a vocalist sing to the crowd as Godzilla takes the stage during Revenge of the Jebandestra performance on Oct. 10 at the Liberal Arts Campus auditorium. The concert featured performances by the jazz, big band and orchestra ensembles. (Isaiah Ryan)

The program included music inspired by classic films, such as “Godzilla,” along with original compositions by band professor and symphony orchestra conductor Rodger Przytulski, who wore the Godzilla costume.

Two additional inflatable dinosaur suits joined Przytulski and the performers on stage during the grand finale, while a rendition of Blue Oyster Cult’s song “Godzilla” was played.

Band director Roger Przytulski takes the stage as Godzilla alongside two inflatable dinosaur suits during the “Revenge of the Jabandestra” performance on Oct. 10 at LBCC’s LAC auditorium. (Isaiah Ryan)

LBCC student and a founding member of local band Jazz Book Club Josh Shetland said one of his highlights was the middle section of “Count Bubba’s Revenge,” and described it as “one of the most diabolical soli sections there is.”

“There are soli sections for the trumpets, saxophones, and trombones. It’s definitely a fun one,” Shetland said.

The Jabandestra series started two years ago, and has become an annual fall event, each with a unique movie-inspired theme. 

Past installments included “Attack of the Killer Jabandestra,” “Beware of the Jabandestra” and “Springtime for Jabandestra,” each carefully curated to challenge musicians while keeping the performances enjoyable.

“A sense of wonderment, love, and appreciation for our craft and the music we play, that’s what we want the audience to leave with,” LBCC trumpet player Abraham Corona–Carachure said.

Many musicians participating are returning community members, not all of whom are current students.

Students highlighted the value of playing in ensembles as a way to connect with others. “It’s way more fun and fulfilling to practice with a group than at home alone with no end goal,” said Andrea Dicky.

Przytulski explained how music is chosen for the ensembles, and said they’re designed to be immersive.

“I select music based on who my personnel is. It’s challenging enough to keep us interested, but not so hard that we can’t play it. We also try to include works by multicultural and female composers. Most importantly, we choose pieces that are fun for both the musicians and the audience… I want the audience to feel it sonically, the vibrations, the room, the energy. We want them to have fun, be curious, and experience live music in a new way,” Przytulski said.

LBCC’s water polo teams swim with international players

Heaven Herrera
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LBCC’s water polo teams swim with international players

LBCC’s water polo teams have players from around the world, coming from places as close as Florida and as far as Croatia.

Some of these students have come to LBCC for the opportunity to be seen, as there may not be a significant water polo scene in their hometown, or the coverage is insufficient.

From left to right, Vikings men’s water polo players Balazs Hajdu, Thomaz Figueiredo and Aidan Sepulveda, dive underwater with the ball at Monte Nitzkowski Aquatics Center on Oct. 21. (Liam Hollon)

“Coming from Rio, it was a pretty dangerous city, and in America, you have a lot more opportunities,” said attacker Thomaz Figueiredo from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

For players like Figueiredo, who began playing for the Vikings in November 2024, it’s hard on these players to leave their families and loved ones, but a sacrifice they need to make if they want to pursue their dreams.

“I miss home a lot. I wouldn’t say I’m homesick, but I really miss my family and parents. I go home every winter because that’s when it is summer in Brazil, and it’s the best time to go,” said Figueiredo.

The players want an opportunity to play at D1 schools, as well as D2 and D3 Schools, to get noticed and receive the recognition they deserve for their hard work.

From left to right, Vikings men’s water polo players Aidan Sepulveda, Thomaz Figueired and Balazs Hajdu jump for the ball at Monte Nitzkowski Aquatics Center on Oct. 21. (Liam Hollon)

Long Beach’s coastal weather is a draw to some students like attacker Aidan Sepulveda who comes from Orlando, Florida.

“Coming from Florida, it’s unbelievably hot and humid, but in Long Beach, the weather is just perfect, especially with the breeze and the lack of humidity,” Sepulveda said.

Attacker and freshman Irene Pueyo Caballero, who comes from Barcelona, Spain, believed that an appeal to coming to the U.S. is the overall acceptance from others, going hand in hand with the idea that the bonds that teams have are crucial to the sport.

“The friendships you make here are a key point. They have made me feel welcome in the United States,” Caballero said.

Both teams have had successful seasons so far, with the women’s team holding a 29-1 record, on pace to match last season’s 39-2 record, and the men’s team being at a 19-6 record as of Sunday.

The Vikings men’s water polo team’s next game will be at home against Cerritos College at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by the women’s team playing at 4:30 p.m. against Cerritos.

LBCC to host second HBCU Caravan since 2017

Asa Liberty
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LBCC to host second HBCU Caravan since 2017

LBCC will be hosting its second-ever Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Caravan on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the LAC A Quad, where there will be 21 HBCUs offering students help with transfers, applications, and even on the spot admissions. 

“The caravan itself is an opportunity in California to take admission professionals from various colleges, HBCUs, and bring them to our campuses so our students have an opportunity to see and hear about the different HBCU experiences as well as then connect with admission professionals,” LBCC’s Vice President of Administrative and Business Services Candace Jones said.

Although one of the focuses of HBCUs is to create educational opportunities for Black students, Jones mentioned that HBCUs  “serve a host of different communities”, so therefore all students are encouraged to attend.

Students will have the opportunity to win a $250 Southwest Airline gift card during the raffles that occur every half hour until the event is over beginning at 10:30 a.m., along with other smaller gift cards.

The event will also have free food from local hamburger food truck StormBurger, and students can choose between receiving a burger, a chicken burger, or a grilled cheese sandwich, with each option including fries and a drink. 

In the past, some colleges and universities have reviewed students’ applications, and offered them admissions into their colleges at the event, however these opportunities may depend from school to school.

Jones mentioned that students can expect a step show performance from a CSULB Black fraternity and sorority, as well as a live DJ. 

“(They) are actually going to come out and do a little step show for the community, kind of highlighting the experiences that happen on HBCU campuses,” said Jones.  

Speeches from the Board President of LBCC Uduak-Joe Ntuk, President Mike Munoz and representatives of HBCUs will be held. 

Angela Fowlkes, coordinator of the Black Student Success Center, shared how HBCUs aren’t common on the west coast.

“The Black representation in the institutions is not prevalent here on the west coast, so we want to make sure Black scholars get to experience being in some institutions that want to maximize their Black excellence and potential,” said Angela Fowlkes, coordinator of the Black Student Success Center. 

Folks mentioned that this caravan is the second HBCU Caravan that LBCC has hosted, with the first being in 2017. 

Since LBCC is the host of the HBCU Caravan, they have invited other students from local community colleges to attend like Santa Monica College, Compton, Cypress, Rosemont, Pasadena City College and Cerritos.  

Jones mentioned that the main goal of this event is to “connect our students to the various HBCU admissions professionals,” and they have decided to do so in an interactive way through all the activities that will be provided. 

Black student success coach Grace Dower believes the HBCU event will be helpful for Black students at LBCC since it will provide awareness to the partnerships that LBCC has with some HBCUs that guarantees a student’s admission to one HBCU.

“I think it’s going to be very successful and help LBCC students because a lot of people don’t even know about HBCU’s opportunities to transfer, especially with the guarantee and all the opportunities that come with that guarantee,” Dower said.

Women’s volleyball defeats Pasadena  3-1 on sophomore night

Alex Pina
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Women’s volleyball defeats Pasadena  3-1 on sophomore night

Outside hitter Kyla Jones made nine kills to lead the Vikings women volleyball team to a 3-1 victory against Pasadena at home during sophomore night on Wednesday.

With this win, the Vikings continued to extend their win streak to 10 games and improved their record to 12-8 for the season. 

Assistant coach Hadassah Odeyale commented on the team’s win streak and the team’s overall performance.

“The girls have been working hard and they’re definitely very aware on how important it is to keep (the ball) alive… we kinda struggled a bit in the first set but we got it all together. It’s something we’ve been working at. I also think the team did well on serving and applying service pressure,” Odeyale said. 

During the first set of the game, neither team allowed a big lead to be made and both teams played well defensively, but ultimately Pasadena won 27-25.

At the start of the second set the Vikings got the first points with outside hitter Kyla Jones was dominant, having multiple kills.

The Vikings had a big lead and let the momentum run leaving Pasadena to earn only ten points with the Vikings to win the second set 25-10. 

Jones commented on her performance during the second set where she had multiple kills, allowing the Vikings to end the set 25-10, wanting to get the win for the sophomores, along with the impact she’s had on the team as a freshman. 

“I feel like I played more confident today and I definitely wanted to play for the sophomores and give them a special night. It feels really good and I’m really trusting in my training and I give all the credit to my coaches,” said Jones. 

Middle blocker Ryleeh Tuaolo made six kills along with five blocks, allowing the Vikings to win the third set 25-17, and continued supporting the team in the final set alongside Jones to win the last set 25-15..

Tuaolo also wanted a win for the sophomores and spoke about her nerves during the game. 

“For the sophomores and also for my family, I had a lot of family that was coming, so I really wanted to win for them… I felt kinda iffy going into the game and I felt really nervous and I was kinda making mistakes in the beginning but once I got a block, I felt good.” said Tuaolo.

Assistant coach Hadassah Odeyale spoke on how the team can keep the momentum going and their goal as a team.

“I think we just remember our ultimate goal which is to make it to state and to make another state run this year and we kinda just see Compton as a stepping stone to that,” Odeyale said. 

The Vikings women’s volleyball team will play their next home game against Compton College at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Kylie Cosmetics celebrates 10-year anniversary with 2015 immersive experience

Hailey Hildreth
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Kylie Cosmetics celebrates 10-year anniversary with 2015 immersive experience

Kylie Jenner drew in crowds of people with vibrant pink decor, a playlist filled with 2015 and 2016 throwback hits and walls of visual displays of her early social media influence for the Kylie Cosmetics 10th anniversary pop-up event on Melrose.

The pop-up will run through Sunday, on Melrose Ave in West Hollywood and serves as a re-launch of the “King Kylie” collection and a walk down memory lane. 

“I love the King Kylie era because it’s so iconic and authentic, so I’m happy to see it make a return to the beauty industry,” Natalie West said. 

Visitors were greeted by a Snapchat photo booth with the iconic dog filter, the era when Jenner’s Snapchat presence dominated pop culture, then by a wall displaying her signature lip logo, the lip kit mark with dripping gloss. 

Fans smile with their dog for a photo in the Snapchat photo booth at the Kylie Cosmetics pop-up shop in West Hollywood, California on Oct. 21, 2025. (Aira Tabao)

From there, guests were guided to the gallery of Jenner’s most famous Met Gala outfits, including her 2016 shimmer silver Balmain dress and her lavender feather Versace dress from 2019.

Kylie Jenner’s custom gowns, designed by Versace, right, and Balmain, left, that she wore to the Met Gala in 2016 and 2017 both on mannequin display at her pop-up shop in West Hollywood, California on Oct. 21, 2025. (Aira Tabao)

The next section of the store transitioned into her Kylie Skin and Kylie Cosmetics collections.

A full throwback to the original 2015 and 2016 aesthetic took place in the back of the storefront, which included her earliest merch and PR boxes of her first product launches.

“I love how they are promoting the re-launch of the brand, you know, with the party, the influencers coming out, it’s so pretty and pink,” says Lili Aragon. 

One event staffer, Julie Dawson, who has been working for the store pre-production, shared that Kylie’s private launch party on the first day was “really extravagant and a cool sight to see, it was really special to serve food that’s really high end to the Jenner and Kardashian family.”

Dawson also mentions, “It’s been really fun rebranding, it’s been exciting to see the fans show up, and we’re all having a good time.”

Outside the venue, guests were treated to small bites and desserts prepared by Chef K., the Kardashian and Jenner family’s personal chef and culinary team. The attendees were sponsored with tacos, pink donuts, ice cream, soft beverages and popcorn sponsored by Khloe Kardashian’s “Khloud” popcorn brand. 

Celebrity chef, “Chef K,” poses in front of life-sized Kylie Lip Kits outside of the pop-up where she helped serve guests and chat with fans who recognize her work at the Kylie Cosmetics pop-up shop in West Hollywood, California on Oct. 21, 2025. (Aira Tabao)

For many fans, the event wasn’t just about buying makeup, it was revisiting a cultural era.

The Melrose pop-up will continue to remain open daily through Oct. 26, giving fans one last chance to relive the original King Kylie era. 

Last chance to see Star Montana’s nature filled, and introspective exhibition at LBCC

Matthew C. Bautista
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Last chance to see Star Montana’s nature filled, and introspective exhibition at LBCC

Time is running out to experience a journey of self-reflection and migration, as Star Montana’s LBCC photo gallery, “By The River, I May Destroy You,” will hold its closing reception on Saturday.

The event will take place from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in room K-100 at the LAC campus.

Utilization of water is strewn throughout Montana’s exhibition, like the LA River and the Rio Grande from both sides of the border.

Many of the photos show Montana letting herself be controlled by the water, going so far as to lie down in the LA River to “embrace the more feminine, beautiful side of natural water formations,” said Karla Aguiniga, a curator for the exhibition hall.

Aguiniga described the gallery as “sort of a visual representation of connecting back to the places you or your family have come from,” expressing how Montana wanted to convey her journey of reconnection with her ancestors.

Montana’s roots can be traced all the way back to the early Spanish settlers in the Americas, and she herself was raised in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood in East LA. 

Photo artist, Star Montana poses against a sunset on her porch in East LA during a photoshoot with The Viking. Many of Montana’s art encapsulates nature in a scenic way. (Jacyn King)

Her Mexican-American heritage influences much of her work.

One recurring motif in her art is the rebuilding of connections to her ancestors: “These bodies of water have been there longer than borders, and I was interested in activating ancestors in that body of water, and I wanted to conjure ancestors, since my family has lived near the border for many years,” Montana said on why she chose to showcase her photos taken from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande.

During these “conjuring rituals” as she described the acts, the US Border Patrol noticed Montana and went as far as to send a tank, which can be seen in the photos. “It’s really unnecessary, as obviously I wasn’t going to cross the border, but it’s clear that they really just wanted to instill fear(in us),” said Montana. 

To pay her respects to her ancestors, she went out to a massive graveyard in El Paso, and tracked down some of the graves of her lineage. In some of her photos in the art exhibition she shows herself cleaning them. 

Isaac Acosta, a student working at the gallery shared that this experience deeply resonated with him. 

“I’ve gone through that process, finding my family’s graves in El Paso, and to know someone else went through all that effort just makes me feel strongly for her,” said Acosta. 

Montana’s projects usually take years of research and shooting before they’re released to the limelight, with Montana only publishing her work when she’s fully satisfied. 

She drew a parallel between herself and accomplished musicians: “My work is more like albums, so it’s really slow, and it takes forever for me to make a new album, but when it does finally come out, I usually think it’s good.”

Acosta is also an East LA native and commented on one of Montana’s photos depicting a backyard cookout, emphasizing how it felt to recognize familiar moments and shared experiences. 

“I can smell that picture, I can hear it. It’s interesting, I didn’t think that other people could be from there too. It also just makes you really curious,” said Acosta.  

While never having been an LBCC student, Montana attributes her experience in community college to much of the success she’s been able to find.

“I made friends in community colleges, I would show my stuff at coffee shops, and just try to contribute to little art shows, or anywhere I could,”, said Montana. 

That sense of community was a major factor in her ability to put herself out there, helping instill the confidence she needed to show the world her work. 

“I was always really shy, but being in community college and making great friends there helped me build myself up,” said Montana. 

When asked what advice she had for any aspiring artists, Montana said “Everyone I know who’s successful now also started off at mom and pop shops, showing off their stuff, just building themselves up.” She expressed that hard work and effort are the common denominators between success and passion.

These community values are further deepened through her collaboration with FOTOSoCal to put on this event, as the organization focuses on highlighting works from up-and-coming Latinx photographers throughout community colleges in SoCal. 

When asked about any timelines related to other projects, Montana repeated the sentiment “I really can’t say, I have to just keep working.” 

Montana will be present at the closing reception of her gallery to speak on her work, and is open to answering any questions students will have in regards to her or her art.  

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