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LBCC’s three day Spring Market offering unique student art and horticulture is set to begin Thursday

Enrique Martinez
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LBCC’s three day Spring Market offering unique student art and horticulture is set to begin Thursday

LBCC’s Horticulture Program will be hosting a three day Spring Market from April 17 to April 19 in the TTC campus’ garden that will bring students together from the horticulture, ceramics, jewelry and engineering departments, giving them the opportunity to showcase and sell their handmade products to the campus community and public.

Along with the self-grown plants and the unique ceramic and jewelry pieces that students have made, the event will feature continuous workshops all three days alongside an art gallery. 

The Spring Market will take place at different times throughout a three day long period, on April 17 it will be open from 1 p.m.  to 7 p.m., on April 18 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on April 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. all taking place at the TTC campus garden, which is located in the NN building. 

This market is the first of its kind to incorporate works from the horticulture, ceramics, jewelry and engineering mediums all together.

“You look at the art, interact with students, and if you want to purchase something that’s great,” said Jorge Ochoa, a horticulture professor who is also one of the organizers for this event. 

Among the art for sale, Mark Smalley, a jewelry student and artist, will be selling metal rings with distinctively large, natural gemstones.  

“I prefer the rawness of the stone, the beauty of it and how it’s sort of natural to the stone as oppose to a polished process,” Smalley said about his ring designs.

Another jewelry artist, Claudia Gallegos will be selling jewelry that encompasses “a combination of feminine and abstract” features, as she described. 

A multitude of Gallegos’ jewelry contains chunky elements and delicate flowers. 

  • Ring with shape of a bouquet of flowers made by jewelry student Claudia Gallegos on Thursday, March 29. Gallegos has prepared a big assortment of rings that she will be selling during the LBCC Spring Market at the Horticulture garden on April 17 through the 19. ( Jose Calix)
  • Assortment of jewelry made by jewelry student Claudia Gallegos with the purpose of selling at the LBCC spring Market on Thursday, March 29. Gallegos has been working on her pieces since the beginning of the semester. (Jose Calix)
  • Rings made by jewelry student Mark Smalley in the jewelry and metal fabrication room at LBCC, Smalley will have plenty of rings to be sold during the Spring Market at the LBCC Horticulture garden on April 17 through 19. (Jose Calix)
  • Jewelry Student Mark Smalley in the jewelry and metal fabrication room using a blowtorch to smelt metal on Thursday, March 29 at LBCC. Smalley will have plenty of rings ready to be put up for sale during the Spring Market at the LBCC Horticulture garden on April 17 through 19. (Jose Calix)

Ceramics students will be selling traditional ceramic pieces such as cups, bowls and plates along with sculptures, vases and planter pots. 

Cat statues, mythically inspired creatures and troll-like figures are among some of these sculptures being sold. 

The artists of these sculptures include Isabella Alvarez, Cassidy Taylor, and Kaitlyn Corona. 

  • Cartoon-esque clay cats made by ceramics student Isabella Alvarez on Thursday, March 29. These clay sculptures are still a work in progress, they will be ready to be sold in the Spring Market at LBCC’s TCC campus on April 17 through the 19. (Jose Calix)
  • Clay sculptures with monster features made by ceramics student Cassidy Taylor in the LBCC ceramics room on Thursday, March 29. Taylor is working on a variety of other sculptures that will be put up for sale during the Spring Market from April 17 through the 19. (Jose Calix)
  • Troll-like Sculptures made by the ceramics club president Kaitlyn Corona on Thursday, March 29. The sculptures will be put up for sale in the Spring Market at the LBCC TCC campus on April 17 through 19 . (Jose Calix)

Wearable ceramic pieces like necklaces, pins, and keychains will also be sold at the event, and attendees can expect to see ceramics students and professors constructing pieces on a spinning potter’s wheel. 

The Horticulture Club wants to introduce the public to new variations of plants that aren’t commonly sold in stores, they will have watermelon plants for sale that when grown will produce yellow colored watermelons, as well as orange colored watermelons. 

Following this theme, they will also have non-traditional varieties of tomato plants, including a variety that produces tomatoes which individually can weigh up to two pounds. 

Familiar herbs like sage, thyme, and dill will also be available in addition to normal pumpkins, zucchini, and squash plants. 

  • Healthy batch of newly grown tomato plants inside the LBCC horticulture garden’s green house on Thrusday, April 10. The horticulture program and club has been getting ready for the Spring Market by growing a variety of plants that will be sold in the garden from April 17 through 19. (Jose Calix)
  • Terrarium made by horticulture student Alma Tamara at LBCC horticulture garden on Thursday, April 10. The terrarium will be on display during the Spring Market on April 17 through 19. (Jose Calix)
  • Various recently sprouted plants at the LBCC horticulture garden on Thursday, April 10. All these plants will be put up for sale during the Spring Market at the Spring market on April 17 through 19. (Jose Calix)

The Society of Women Engineers and the Engineering Club will also be present at the market and will sell 3D printed plant pots. 

If a student purchases a ceramic or 3D printed plant pot they will receive a free plant potted in their new pot. 

Attendees can also expect to learn how to care for plants and how to build decorative plant displays called terrariums.

Purchases can be made via cash, credit card, and tap to pay. 

LBCC addresses $990 million bond and other future plans at ‘State of the College’ event

Kay Pham-Nguyen
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LBCC addresses $990 million bond and other future plans at ‘State of the College’ event

A $990 million bond measure was passed that will fund LBCC and provide infrastructure needs and upgrade campus facilities, Superintendent Mike Munoz acknowledged at the annual 2025 State of the College event.

Measure AC is a college facilities bond measure that will fix repairs and upgrades needed to the LBCC college facilities; people within the Long Beach community are able to vote on the passing of Measure AC. 

The event was coordinated by the Board of Trustees, which provided information for students and staff to get informed on the accomplishments and further advances to LBCC recently at the Bob and Barbara Ellis Auditorium where students, alumni and faculty attended.

The event started with speaker ASB President Shamonique Harris and Student Trustee G Gonzalez as they welcomed the audience to the event.

Students, Daisy Johnson and Christopher Johnson, who were a part of the cast of “In the Heights” at LBCC started off the event with a performance of the song, “When You’re Home.” 

“In The Heights” was the first musical produced by LBCC in 18 years.

“The musical ‘In The Heights’ was such a success we will do it again next year,” said Harris. 

The students put on a captivating performance that left the crowd stunned with a standing ovation. 

Uduak-Joe Ntuk, president of the Board of Trustees, spoke about his experience at LBCC.

“LBCC will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Ntuk. 

Ntuk then spoke about his educational journey and how impactful it has been on his life in achieving his aspirations.

“The power of education can change lives and open up new doors,” said Ntuk.

Munoz spoke for the rest of the event, and informed the audience on the accomplishments of the past year as well as the upcoming advancements that will be made to LBCC.

“This bond ensures that students from generations to come will have access to state of the art environments,” said Munoz. 

Munoz acknowledged LBCC’s strengths and how much progress has been made in the last year.

“LBCC is truly the community college of the future,” said Munoz.

Munoz spoke about a variety of different things being added to campus from student housing, a new stadium complex project and the grand opening of the Esports lab.

Throughout the event, Munoz provided the audience with videos regarding these advancements so they were able to get a better understanding of the new improvements.

Overall, the event left the audience hopeful and excited for the future of LBCC.

Vikings Softball completes a season sweep against Mt. San Antonio

Bella Schultz
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Vikings Softball completes a season sweep against Mt. San Antonio

With catcher Zara Mineo hitting the game’s only home run, and pitcher Hailey Harris putting up a fight, LBCC softball swept Mt. San Antonio College with a 6-1 win at the April 1 home game.

Mineo’s home run came during the first inning, with two outs and two runners on first and second base, bringing them both home.

“It feels pretty good to be playing to my best, doing what I know how to do, and being able to be there for my team,” said Mineo.

The home run brought the score to 4-0, ending the first inning on a high note. 

The first run was made by outfielder Sienna Rievly, who was the only player to drive in two runs in this game.

In the second inning, Rievly hit a double that allowed second baseman Alexa Gonzalez to complete her run, Rievly was then batted in by a single from first baseman Anaya Togia.

The Vikings’ tight grip on the score was challenged in the fourth inning. 

After batting at the plate with a total of five foul balls, Mt. SAC’s first baseman Amanda Porterfield made a hit, allowing Mt. SAC to earn their first run of the game.

However, this did not intimidate Harris.

“I love that kind of stuff. She put up a good fight. She’s a good hitter. I’m just grateful to be in those opportunities to compete with good players, and coming out on top feels good. I feel like that’s the stuff that challenges us and makes us a championship team,” Harris said.

With runners at third and second base, Harris subsequently picked off the third base runner, moving the game into the top of the inning. 

Harris pitched the entire game and, despite a challenging fourth inning, prevented Mt. SAC from making any more runs for the rest of the game.

Despite neither team earning any more runs after this, the game remained tense until the very end. 

“We have a good rhythm right now. Our entire team is really effective right now, they play really well together. And it’s always fun to sweep a conference opponent,” coach Megan Martinez said.

Martinez was optimistic following the win.

“We stranded a lot of runners. We’re gonna work on not leaving our runners on base,” Martinez said regarding improvements.

With this win, Vikings Softball’s record improved to 24-2, but they are currently 29-4, remaining first in their division.

Playlist Pending: Nate Hertweck

Jose Rivera
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Playlist Pending: Nate Hertweck

Nate Hertweck, English Professor and former Grammys recording academy writer shares some of experiences as a music journalist as well as his journey in becoming an English Professor.

Hertweck discusses his top five songs with an eclectic range of genres, from the bebop jazz of Dizzy Gillespie to the Post-Metal band Neurosis.

Playlist Pending is a LBCC Viking News podcast that seeks out the favorite music of people and how life stories are interwoven into music.

High powered offense leads to 15-6 win for the Vikings against Mt. San Jacinto

Isabel Murty
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High powered offense leads to 15-6 win for the Vikings against Mt. San Jacinto

Shortstop Eshua Desai batting in the first run and center fielder Danny Rodriguez consistently defending the outfield helped the Vikings get a series sweep with a 15-6 win on Tuesday against the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles.

With two outs in the first inning, and left-fielder Caleb Brandon on second, Desai was up to bat and hit a single, which allowed Brandon to make it home. 

Outfielder Caleb Brandon slides into third base attempting help the Vikings get another run. (Brianna Apodaca)

After right-fielder Sabin Tomlinson made a walk to first, pitcher Aaron Mingo made a single, advancing Desai to third base. 

With second baseman Cross Stephens at bat, the Eagles’ catcher failed to catch the fourth pitch, however Desai and Tomlinson managed to steal home plate and brought the score up to 3-0.

Starting pitcher Aaron Mingo preparing to throw a pitch to opposing team batter. (Brianna Apodaca)

In the third inning, Desai was batted in by a double from Mingo, earning another run.

Desai maintained this energy playing in the infield, specifically in the second and third innings when he quickly tagged out two runners on second base. 

He revealed that his performance in this game is the result of improvement. 

“I’ve been struggling lately but I’m picking it up at the bat and on the field. It feels good to be able to help my boys,” Desai said. 

First baseman Max Ghiglieri runs to home plate to get a run for the Vikings. (Brianna Apodaca)

Meanwhile, Rodriguez got seven Mt. San Jacinto batters out throughout the game by catching fly balls that were hit to the outfield. 

This included a diving catch in the eighth inning. 

However, Rodriguez revealed that he feels more pride for his hitting in this game.

“I think I did better at hitting today than catching. I think I had a lot of good at bats today, two doubles,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez made five hits during the game, including two doubles.

Outfielder Danny Rodriquez celebrates with teammate Sean Lovett after getting a run for the Vikings. (Brianna Apodaca)

At the bottom of the eighth inning, with Tomlinson’s help, Rodriguez was batted in for the final run of the game, bringing the score up to 15-6. 

Despite these highlights, the Vikings struggled in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, particularly with pitchers not being able to strike out the Mt. San Jacinto batters, and many failed catches by the infielders. 

This was especially the case in the seventh inning when the Eagles scored four runs. 

Aaron Mingo revealed that the team struggled mainly with defense. 

“We need some more energy. The defense tends to fall asleep a little bit. We score a lot in the first four (innings) and then we go into the fifth and we kinda get lazy a little bit. If we stay a little better throughout the whole game with good energy we’ll be fine,” Mingo said. 

Despite these setbacks, the Vikings came out on top. 

With this win, Vikings Baseball now has an overall record of 19-13 and is in third place of the South Coast Conference with a record of 12-6.

Opioid crisis: Zero attendees at Narcan training event

Kay Pham-Nguyen
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Opioid crisis: Zero attendees at Narcan training event

No students showed up to the Narcan training event on March 11 intended to inform students on the nasal spray used to reverse opioid overdoses, how and why it works when using it on someone who has overdosed. 

Narcan training is an important skill in learning to increase community safety by allowing people to quickly take action in a state of an emergency. 

Event host Gabriel Paz from the Helping Youth Counseling organization came prepared to give students information and provide resources in navigating opioid overdose, only to be let down when he saw no students at the event.

Fentanyl deaths in California have tripled in the past years, there are now over a thousand deaths a year due to fentanyl overdose.

“I was expecting to see some students attend, Narcan training is important for students to learn due to rising deaths in opioid overdoses,” Paz said. 

Informational training events on Narcan usage are important because of the current fentanyl epidemic, fentanyl use is at an all time high and has a large impact on young adults.

“These events are not being promoted well enough, which causes students to not come,” Paz said.

The promotion and lack of advertising for Narcan informational events is an ongoing issue, there is little to no advertising on campus. 

Promotional flyers for the training event are posted around the campus, however the flyers are not captivating and only list the dates of the events but not much else information. 

Paz talked about wanting to form more informational booths that provide resources on Narcan and the events being held.

Paz mentioned these booths being in the quad to raise awareness and provide students with information on the events and how they can learn about Narcan. 

 “This is not the first time students haven’t attended,” Paz said. 

These events have been held three times so far this semester, with only a handful of students attending. 

Students have expressed not being interested in these events, and when organizers have talked to students about attending they often decline.

Paz spoke about wanting to add more promotion around campus advertising for these events being held to encourage students to attend.

“I was never aware of this event on campus, if there were more resources and information it would definitely be something I’d check out,” LBCC student Chellan Mier said. 

More advertising around campus may entice students to come check out the event, and see what it’s about.

Student Affairs Dean Deborah Miller wants to improve the acknowledgment of events on campus.

“These events are important for students, adding welcome signs and other decor is something we will definitely add moving forward,” Miller said.

According to Paz, students attending the event receive a certificate for participating in a Narcan training event and having this certificate can be beneficial for students majoring in the medical field.

Women’s beach volleyball conference meet ends with 3-2 loss to Mt. San Antonio, 4-1 win over College of the Desert

Bella Schultz
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Women’s beach volleyball conference meet ends with 3-2 loss to Mt. San Antonio, 4-1 win over College of the Desert

 LBCC’s women’s beach volleyball team played two home conference matches on March 28, losing 3-2 to Mt. San Antonio College, but bounced back when Alexandra Rosquin and Ryannah Gagau locked down the third match point, 21-16 and 21-9, for a 4-1 win against College of the Desert.

With a 4-2 conference record, LBCC wrapped up the fifth week of the South Coast Conference.

As this set of matches approached, head coach Tyler Jackson clarified that the team felt pressured by Mt. SAC’s first position rank in the conference, who now have a 6-0 conference record.

“We came in knowing that we needed to perform really well to have a shot at the conference title, so we prepped all week. I think that made the girls a bit nervous,” Jackson said. 

The only duo to defeat Mt. SAC in two sets were Enaya Vaielua and Mikayla Curry, who scored 21-12 and 23-21 but lost 21-18 and 21-17 against College of the Desert.

“The first game was definitely a personal thing for us, the second game we just went into it a little lax, more comfortable. That’s when it got hard to play catch up towards the end,” Curry said.

Curry further elaborated that the team is constantly learning how to play as partners despite changes.

“You build relationships with your partner, so it’s kind of hard when you flip and flop with who you play with. I think Enaya being off taught me how to be a better teammate when she came back, it made me realize dang, she handles a lot of stuff on her own that I didn’t realize,” Curry said.

An unchanged duo that had opposite results were Alanna Jones and Maggie Acevedo, who lost 21-19 and 28-26 against Mt. SAC, but came back in full swing with wins of 21-11 and 21-14 against College of the Desert.

LBCC beach volleyball player Ryleeh Tuaolo jumps in front of the net during the first match of the conference game against Mt. San Antonio. The Vikings lost the match 3-2 on March 28, 2025. (Kay Pham-Nguyen)

Jones reminisced over her time as a player for the Vikings, as this match marked the final home game for her as a sophomore. 

“We were battling it out, and I know they were on the other courts, too. Sometimes things like that happen, and it’s ok, we bounce back from that… I love these girls but I’m a sophomore, I’m leaving. So it’s bittersweet. Everybody just makes it so fun to play here, and everyone really puts in their all, all the time.” Jones said.

Head Coach Jackson ended the day off with a debrief with her team, discussing how the team will move forward.

“Everyone’s trying to figure out what their weaknesses are, and trying to turn that into strength. You’re gonna have your days when you win some, you lose some… right now we figure out how we can come back,” said Jackson.

Eight new Inductees to the Hall of Champions

Bella Schultz
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Eight new Inductees to the Hall of Champions

LBCC’s Hall of Champions welcomed eight inductees including two football players and two track and field runners at the 2025 Induction Banquet hosted at The Grand Long Beach.

William Amelong was awarded for his time as a linebacker for the Vikings football team in the 1986-1987 season. 

In 1990, while playing for the University of Alabama, Amelong played in the Sugar Bowl, an annual college football game played in New Orleans, although Alabama lost the game 25-33 to the University of Miami that year.

Amelong has also been recognized as Defensive Back of the Year for the Moore League, a high school sports league that comprises seven high schools in the Long Beach area, in 1984 and became an All-State Champion in 1987.

“I’ve been recognized before, but now I’m back home and getting honored back home is just amazing. I’m established,” said Amelong.

The Hall of Champions also honored Lafayette Fletcher, who played for the Vikings as a running back in the 1981-1982 season.

After LBCC, Fletcher went to play for Fresno State, where he was recognized as the Most Valuable Special Team Player, and later for UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas), where he was voted Defensive Player of the Year in 2007.

The ceremony was attended by previous Hall of Champions football inductees like Bruce Young, Derek Santifer, and Raider Greg Townsend.

Athletic director Kal Stewart presented the inductees and gave small bits of background on each inductee as they walked up.

The first inductee Stewart presented was the first of the two track and field inductees, Sam Cesar. 

Cesar is the LBCC record holder of the 4×400 relay to this day with a time of 3:07:07, and ran for the Vikings during the 1979-1980 season.

Track and field runner Sharifa Batts was also honored with induction for her many accomplishments between 1991-1993, including winning the South Coast Conference twice in 1992 and 1993. 

Batts is also a two-time recipient of the Long Beach Century Club Sports Achievement Award, for 1992 and 1993, and also received the Harold Hofman Memorial Award for Outstanding Scholar Athlete, which was also awarded by the Long Beach Century Club.

“It’s great, and I think I’m one of few people to be at the LBCC Hall of Fame and at the LBCC Hall of Champions now,” said Batts.

Auggie Luuga was given a meritorious induction for his more than 30 years of volunteer work in the athletic department.

Luuga prepared and funded many football and volleyball team meals throughout the years, and developed the weekly 12-unit compliance report for athletics.

The weekly 12-unit compliance report is meant to ensure that athletes are on track to complete LBCC’s 12-unit minimum requirement for certification and/or transfer by reviewing student athletes’ academic progress and performance every week, and offering any help if needed.

Kim Hayes-Jebo, who was on LBCC’s women’s water polo team from 2003-2005, was also inducted. 

Hayes-Jebo was recognized as the best defensive player in 2004 while on the team.

“It’s such a blessing to be honored and I’ll really try not to cry during my speech,” said Hayes-Jebo.

Shadie Sickles, who played softball, and Chris Brazier, who played men’s basketball, were also inducted during the ceremony.

Sickles was the South Coast Conference MVP in 1997 and won the Golden Bear Award, which recognizes athletic achievements, at Baylor University in both 1998 and 1999. 

Brazier was recognized mainly for achievements beyond LBCC such as becoming a two-time best defensive player from his time at Montana State in 1983 and 1984.

Before the ceremony dinner was served on the Grand’s patio, Amelong described how seeing old teammates again all together felt almost like a reunion.

“Hope Restored: Justice Scholars” closes doors with a surprise Mariachi performance

Addie Farris
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“Hope Restored: Justice Scholars” closes doors with a surprise Mariachi performance

Students, staff and art curators gathered to listen to selected featured artists expand on their experiences as formerly incarcerated or system-impacted students to be surprised with a mariachi band during the closing ceremony of the “Hope Restored: Justice Scholars” art exhibition on March 22.

A moderated speaker panel by art curators Summer Bernal and Alberto Lule, featured artists, Francisco Baldonado, Brian Burten, Mia Julianna, Adrian Nowak, Joshua Reyes and Miguel Zavala, shared their perspective on how to be comfortable as a professional artist, and how the criminal justice system affects both artistry and education.

According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 92,493 people were incarcerated in 2024.

“There are more prisons in California than there are universities,” Lule said. 

Both Bernal and Lule had been working on curating the exhibition for over a year, after the initial idea was introduced to them by Justice Scholars program manager Sara Rodriguez.

Joshua Reyes opened by reciting an original three poem series, written during his time in prison. 

The ceremony focused on the art and storytelling of the selected artists and many of them shared both their pasts and current realities that were not limited to homelessness, drug addiction and troubled childhoods.

Within the panel, it was expressed that the art pieces being shown in this exhibit are mainly forms of self reflection and how the Justice Scholars program helped students become confident in the transition of learning to rebuild their lives from incarceration.

“I think we are so conditioned to, depending on our upbringing and society, the communities we’re around, you don’t get that time to play and nurture that creative side of you until you go into spaces that allow it and encourage it and school is one of those places,” Bernal said.

Paintings, poetry, photographs, and films were displayed throughout the exhibit to show that life does not have to end after being impacted by the criminal justice system. 

Featured artist Brian Burten speaking during the “Hope Restored: Justice Scholars Student Exhibition” closing ceremony artist panel on Satuday March 22. 2025. (Enrique Martinez)

Featured panelist Brian Burten shared information on his short film, after detailing his past: A 30 year addiction rooted in his parents’ drug use and his time spent on Skid Row, which fueled his fascination with film production.

Burten continued to tell the audience how he found his craft and what influenced the decision to pursue filmmaking.

He shared that movies from the 1980s had inspired him, especially when he would walk out of a movie theater and felt like he was coming back into a different world, realizing he wanted to make people feel the same way he did. 

Community building was a large part of what attendees had said was important within the art culture. 

“Justice Scholars believed in me when I didn’t even know what believing in myself was,” Burten said.

Women’s History Month Sip N’ Paint emphasizes stress-free creativity

Enrique Martinez
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Women’s History Month Sip N’ Paint emphasizes stress-free creativity

This month’s Sip N’ Paint didn’t have much of an emphasis on Women’s History Month, however is still allowed for students to enjoy a creative stress free space to express their artistic abilities on March 20.

The event did not entirely focus on the celebration of the month in comparison to the past Sip N’ Paint events, with a focus more so on the art rather than reflecting on Women’s History Month. 

Event coordination was handled by Brianna Pinkerton, who serves as administrative staff assistant and  Sip N’ Paint coordinator.

The event provided food and sparkling cider, which allowed for students to socialize before painting began.

Pinkerton started off the event by introducing herself and providing students with a reference drawing of a woman’s face next to a wine glass.

“This drawing can be used for inspiration, or you can use your own ideas and creativity to complete the painting,” Pinkerton said.

Students tried to carefully follow along with the reference drawing. 

Many students attending the event were new to painting and wanted a new experience or were simply trying to advance their artistic skills.

“I haven’t painted in a while and I have been wanting to get back into it,” said student Brittany Stuart.

Students were given 40 minutes to sketch out their painting before the actual painting process began. 

Students were then provided with different art materials such as paintbrushes, pens and pencils.

After completing their sketches, students were able to pick from different paints and colors to begin painting. 

Once students were done, they were able to see their peers’ finished artwork and attendees were able to take a group photo that concluded the event.

“This event was a spontaneous thing for me, I would definitely go to another  Sip N’ Paint event again,” said student Kadeja S. 

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