Athlete of the Issue - Victor Valley College

Victor Valley College
RamPage
May 27, 2011 · Volume 31, No. 7
“I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it.” —Charles M. Schulz
VVC Says Farewell to Retiring Faculty and Staff
―I am just ready,‖ said Claudia Basha,
a Professor of English, Drama and
French of over 23 years here at VVC. ―I
am a heart transplant patient so there are
physical issues that played a part in my
As the months wind down and spring
decision as well,‖ said Basha.
semester comes to a close, some teachPaul Mount, a VVC custodian for 14
ers and faculty members prepare to retire
years, also felt that the timing was just
from their distinguished careers here at
right.
Victor Valley College.
―I was offered
In an effort to reduce
the SERP twice
staff in order to help
within the last Coach Paine in pre-retirement at the North Shore of
cope with the tightenthree months but Kauai Nov. 2009. Photo courtesy of John Paine
ing budget, the SupI finally got all
plemental Employee
Paine and his wife had taken days in
my finances to
Retirement Program
order to more carefully deliberate about
where I can
was proposed by Keewhich course of action to take, but with
(retire),‖
said
nan and Associates, a
the SERP package, they knew that it was
Mount. ―I also
company who deals
the right time for retirement.
had surgery on
with VVC‘s employee
With the California budget crisis and the
my knee last
benefits. The SERP
retirement of a large number of the
year and I‘m still
program provides for
teachers and staff at VVC, it will be
having problems
an early retirement for
―serious no matter where you look. That
with it.‖
staff and faculty, who
means fewer courses, less seats and
―I saw a great
qualify, and provides
more pressure on the faculty,‖ said
opportunity,‖
an additional payment
Paine.
said John Paine,
of income in addition
But events taking place beyond VVC
a
Professor
of
VVC Lady Rams Softball Team. 1998 Foothill
to their state employ- The
had definitely been on the minds of
Physical EducaConference Champions with Coach Paine. Photo
ees‘ retirement pro- courtesy of John Paine.
some.
tion at VVC for
gram.
17 years. ―I was―(Keenan and Asson‘t going to retire until next summer but
ciates) proposed a plan with pros and
the college came to us and offered a
cons…some critical positions may have
Continued in Retirement on page 6
great package,‖ said Paine, ―I took a
replacements,‖ said Jeri Kay Falkowski,
look at it and decided it was right for
Executive Administrative Assistant of
me.‖
Human Resources, ―I hope they still
have it when I‘m old enough.‖
In This Issue
According to Falkowski, after the
presidents, vice presidents, and directors
of each campus department submit a list
of necessities, a SERP committee will
decide what positions will and won‘t
have replacements in an effort to overlap
responsibilities and reduce costs.
For some it was just a matter of time,
though the incentives offered by the
SERP helped to make the idea of early
retirement much more enticing.
Story by:
Phillip Phan
Reporter
Athlete of
the Issue
Page 17
Hangover 2
Review
Page 14
RamPage VVC
News
May 27, 2011 Page 2
Ready Rams and CCC Hold Multiple Campus Events
Story and Photo by
Micah Raimo
News Editor
Ready Rams and Campus Crusade for
Christ Clubs are teaming up for a bundle
of events at Victor Valley College ending on June 1. There will be different
dates: first, the clothes drive will be on
the May 25, and then the blood drive
will be on June 1. In addition to the
blood drive, the clothes drive will take
place again on that same day.
―I enjoy working with such clubs on
campus as Ready Rams. This club has
wonderful students and I admire their
example of team work and reaching our
community,‖ said Aimee Cash, Vice
President of Campus Crusade for Christ.
The first event that was held was a Hot
Wing Eating Contest on May 18 at 2
p.m., The Ready Rams (RRC) were the
front runners with Campus Crusade for
Christ (Tripple C) providing the sound.
Thomas Jimenez, President of The
Ready Rams, purchased Buffalo Wild
Wings Blazin‘ sauce to cover the mini
drum sticks.
―The history of the partnership between the Ready Rams Club and Campus Crusade for Christ has been a very
amazing journey and influential lesson.
RRC and Triple C have teamed together
on several events which include our
Lights of Love Celebrations, Playstation
Opportunity Drawings, Dodgeball Tournament, and many more,‖ said Jimenez.
Contestants Tyler Griffin, Garland
Brotherton, Edward Valdez, Marquisha
Cail, Gabriel Diaz, Jerald Croox, Dale
Morgan, and Juan Lopez attempted to
eat eight wings in three minutes with a
bottle of water in front of them. If they
drank the water, the contestants would
be disqualified. Winner of the contest
was Juan Lopez who was the first to eat
all of them in minutes.
During the event, Ready Rams held
President of Ready Rams Thomas Jimenez and
CCC President Wadmar Miguel.
an ipod raffle where a single ticket cost
one dollar or six for five dollars. Second
place winners receive a gift certificate
from Buffalo Wild Wings and Third
place receives a gift certificate from InN-Out. The last day of the raffle is June
ninth where Ready Rams will contact
the winner.
―The Wing Frenzy event was, I
think, a huge success and I‘m looking
forward to working together with Ready
Rams again or any club we can have the
blessing of collaborating with. We have
a Blood Drive/Clothes Drive event coming up together with Ready Rams,‖ said
Wadmar Miguel, President of Campus
Crusade for Christ.
All clothes will go to the Victorville
Rescue Mission and the clothes drive
box locations are at the VVC library, the
Student Activity Center Bookstore and
the ASB Office.
On May 25, Triple C had spread the
boxes around the campus. In total, two
boxes were filled plus several bags of
clothes were donated by the students of
and faculty of VVC. Ready Rams
pitched a booth alongside the Campus
Crusade for Christ, already advertising
their Life Stream Blood Drive Bus that
will be here on June 1. The Blood and
Clothing Drive event was titled ―Drive
for the World.‖ Their earnings amounted
to 100 volunteer signatures and the numbers are still rising.
―I think it‘s awesome to work together
with other clubs to promote teamwork,
unity and fellowship—the way Jesus
Christ shows us to be. Without judging
each other or closing ourselves off to
each other, but opening our hearts to one
another to let the friendship build up and
take its proper course. I‘m hoping that
by working together with Ready Rams
we will show that clubs are better together and that we as one student body
can do good things for this campus,‖
said Miguel.
―Triple C is a wonderful club who
focuses on the students and community,
as well as always donating a hand or so
to a fellow club. One word stands out
above all when it comes to explaining
the way RRC feels about Triple C blessed,‖ said Jimenez.
VVC Commencement to be Held on June 10
Story by
Tracy Martinez
Reporter
Victor Valley College Commencement Ceremony will be held on June 10,
2011 at 5 p.m. in the gymnasium. Students have to arrive at the Adapted PE
building 70 to line up and march into the
gym. Graduates must arrive 60 minutes
prior to the ceremony.
Tickets will be limited to five per
graduate. These are for the guests to be
admitted into the gym. Small children
also need tickets to enter into the gymnasium.
The graduate‘s diplomas will be available for pickup and all holds from library and financial aid should be
cleared. The certificates will be mailed
on an ongoing basis as the graduates
complete the requirements.
Honor cords can only be worn at the
commencement ceremony by the students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher, based on the
completion of degree requirements.
Continued in Grad on Page 3
RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 3
Victor Valley College Accreditation Follow Up
Story by
Tracy Martinez
Reporter
The Institutional Effective Committee
commended Victor Valley College for
having innovative outreach programs,
student-centered facilities, ASB participation and Sustainable building projects.
Grad from page 2
The Honor cords are available for students at the Ram‘s bookstore.
The proper wear for the cap and gown
is very strict. The cap for both men and
women should have the tassel on the
right side. The robes of the gown will be
maroon and should be shorter than the
women‘s dresses.
Organization will be enforced. The
graduates are to follow a guide‘s instructions since there will not be a rehearsal.
―Don‘t be nervous, you should be happy that you are going to walk, everyone
will be watching you on what you have
VVC has eight general recommendations which would be further detailed in
the final report. College has to establish
and maintain an ongoing self-reflective
planning process that includes measurable goals, evaluation of all programs,
documented assessment results, integration with budget and decision-making,
dialogue about continuous improvement,
systematic use of financial resources,
accomplished,‖ said Edikan Akapabio, a
writing center tutor.
For the degrees the President will announce the graduates to the Board of
Trustees. Once the degrees are conferred, the guides will take individual
rows of graduates to the platform. It is
the graduates job to receive the degree
with the left hand and shake hands with
the right as a form of receiving congratulations.
Once the ceremony ends the students
have to remain standing for the order to
exit the gymnasium. The ones to go out
first will be the platform members, faculty and then graduates. Guides will lead
the way for exiting the building.
formalized evaluation of effectiveness
processes and recognition of total cost of
ownership in planning.
―The exit report is comprehensive and
gets submitted to the Commission. Results will be given on June once you are
evaluated look for improvement,‖ said
Virginia Moran Dean of Inst. Effectiveness.
College has to examine and provide
evidence of appropriate leadership for
distance education and services support
for the learning of students. Also, they
have to accelerate assessments by Fall
2012.
―Accreditation is a necessary and important process,‖ said Deedee Orta,
Budget Analyst.
Fiscal plans have to be developed to
ensure transfers and balance the budget.
Projections have to be based on priorities and data.
Leadership programs have to be
formed to help the students with services
and education based on skills.
RamPage VVC
Features
Beta Sigma Phi Sorority Hopes To Grow
Story by
Tiandra Bullock
Reporter
new motto was selected for the now sorority. It developed through the Greek
letter system using ―Beta‖, ―Sigma‖, and
―Phi‖ which are the first Greek words
for life, learning and friendship, or BSP.
Beta Sigma Phi is a non-academic
In April 1932, the state of Missouri
sorority and presents to the High Desert
granted the incorporation of Beta Sigma
Chapter 92: Xi Phi Iota.
Phi under a charter and today it is curNedra Murphy, 35-year founding
rently a nonprofit corporation. Chapters
member of Chapter 92, explains that
are involved in local and international
Walter W. Ross originally generated
philanthropic projects that they fundraise
Beta Sigma Phi in 1931 in Abilene, Kanfor.
sas as the What to Read Club. It began
There are over 12,500 chapters internationally
and
over
1,000,000 members. Chapters are community based
and are available on college
campuses although not required.
As listed in the Chapter
Year Book, Chapter 92: Xi
Phi Iota Victorville, CA
chartered March 30, 1984.
Xi Phi Iota is active nine
months throughout the year
beginning in September and
ending in May. Involvement
includes attending two
meetings a month, one business meeting and one social.
The badge of Nedra Murphy after 35 years in the organization .
A white and yellow chapter
as a social and cultural organization that
badge is worn at each meeting and the
integrates services into the club activisorority flower is a yellow rose which
ties.
emblems a token of friendship and sisCreation of the club was for cultural,
terhood.
social and civic enrichment amongst its
There are currently 14 active members
members given little exposure to the
in this chapter and they are hoping to
cultural aspects throughout the depresgrow. This sorority is distinct because
sion.
the women involved highly value friendWith progression, a new structure for
ship, support, and honesty. These memthe organization was established and a
bers have developed everlasting relationships, truly care and can be there
for one another.
Xi Phi Iota welcomes all women
of the community who are interested in learning more about the sorority and potentially joining to
visit
the
BSP
website:
www.betasigmaphi.org or call
Nedra Murphy at (760) 964-3513.
―A man comes and goes, but a
sister is forever.‖ – Debi Hartzler,
President of Xi Phi Iota.
May 27, 2011 Page 4
A Satirical Look at Being
Editor in Chief by the
Numbers
127: Hours spent in the office over seventeen days. Ironically its also the same
amount of hours Aron Ralston spent
stuck between a boulder and a canyon.
141: Number of times a fellow editor
was told to sit down and shut up (You
know who you are Micah!)
336: Number of phone calls received by
RamPage reporters, editors and advisors.
793: Number of readers on our website
this semester alone.
280: Dollars spent on food and drinks
for the editors on production days combined.
75: Pieces of coffee cake consumed by
my fellow editors and I.
3,210: The amount of times I have been
blamed for something because I‘m Editor-in-Chief.
3,209: Number of times I actually deserved it.
70-80: Percent of these numbers are
estimated or entirely made up.
In all seriousness, it has been an honor
and a pleasure to serve as Editor-inChief of the Victor Valley College RamPage. I want to thank Evan Spears, for
taking the time out of his busy schedule
to actually sit down and give me a
walkthrough of how to layout the paper.
I would also like to thank Roderick Gray
for believing in me enough and giving
me the chance to succeed as Editor-inChief.
It was a bit tougher than I expected
and would not be able to do it without
the help of my fellow editors and advisor. Adreana Young has put in the same
amount, if not more, hours than I have
and I feel does not get the credit she
deserves for the help and dedication to
this paper.
I would also like to thank Judith Pfeffer, my advisor, for opening my eyes to
the journalism field. Without her I
would have never considered journalism, or writing, as a career.
On a final note, I would like to thank
everyone else who has helped with the
production of the RamPage and for putting up with me all semester. I wish my
successor the best of luck with the prestigious VVC RamPage.
— Joseph Ciulla, Editor-in-Chief
RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 5
Second Annual Transfer Celebration Honors Students
Story by
Charaye Franklin
Reporter
At the second annual transfer celebration
held on Thursday, May 26, many students felt excited and relieved to receive
their certificates of transfer from Victor
Valley College.
The Department Head of Counseling Diane Wallon, acknowledged the
coordinator of the celebration Lorena
Ochoa and the Dean of Student Services
Tim Johnston for putting together a great
ceremony for the students transferring to
the many different schools of their
choice.
―Life throws obstacles in our way
and you students who are transferring
have overcome those obstacles and are
on the right track to becoming successful,‖ said Vice President of Student Services Mark Zacovic. He wanted the students to know that as they go on their
journey to another college, the relationships that they have built with the staff,
faculty, and administrators at Victor
Valley College will not end and if they
ever need anything, they will be there
for them in any way that they can.
ASB President Monica Cabingatan
gave a heart warming speech to the
transfer students about what their success meant to her and many other students who are on their way to becoming
transfer students themselves.
―You are an inspiration to all of us
students who are trying to reach the goal
that you have just now reached. This is a
celebration of your hard work and determination. Victor Valley College does
one thing: readies the students to transfer
to their university of choice.‖
―Three years ago, I didn‘t know
what I wanted to do, where I wanted to
go, or what I wanted to be, and now I am
transferring from Victor Valley College
to major in psychology. This celebration
is an achievement of the coursework we
have completed and transferring is a
mile stone that I have crossed to take the
next step in furthering my education,‖
said Jaime Ruiz-Rubio who is transferring to UC Riverside with five other
students.
Along with the transfers form UC
Riverside, two students transferred to the
University of Laverne. Seventeen transferred to Cal State University of San
Bernardino, and eleven student s transferred to the other many Cal States in
California. Five students transferred to
private and out of state universities, and
three transferred to some of the Universities of California.
In closing to the celebration, the
representative from the University Dr.
Parker had a few closing word to say.
―Don‘t let anyone steal your dream.
A person with a dream will never be
denied.‖
Policewomen Who Made History: Breaking through the Ranks by
Robert L. Snow
HV 8023 S66 2010
Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The
Secret Danger of Everyday Things
by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie
RA 1213 S65 2009
The World has Changed: Conversations with Alice Walker edited by
Rudolph P. Byrd
PS 3573 A425 Z96 2010
Friedrich Nietzsche: A Philosophical Biography by Julian Young
B 3316 Y68 2010
The Feminist Promise: 1792 to the
Present by Christine Stansell
HQ 1150 S723 2010
The Shallows: What the Internet is
Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas
Carr
QP 360 C3667 2010
Sherri Pierce Appointed as DSPS Coordinator
Story by
Carlos Garcia
Reporter
Sherri Pierce, a counselor for the Disabled Students Programs and Services has
now been appointed as DSPS coordinator.
―They weren‘t able to fill the vacancy
that they had and so they were looking
for people that had the experience within
the department that were willing to take
on those duties. They asked several people. I don‘t know all of their names, but
I was one of the people that was willing
to take it on.‖
Pierce has come a long way before
getting this position.
―Well I was a student here from 1985
to 1990. I got my liberal arts associates
degree here. I started working part time
here in 1998, and then I got my full time
counseling position in 2000,‖ said
Pierce.
Though she didn‘t always know her
calling would be to become a counselor
for disabled students, Pierce can relate to
her department and what it strives to
accomplish.
―Well I‘ve had a disability all my life.
So it‘s just something that I naturally
just came to do. I thought I might be a
teacher when I was younger and I found
out that counseling was very similar to
teaching. And so I chose a slight change
in career path. I know a lot about disability, having grown up with one, and
experiencing my own life with a disability, and also college and education and
having ventured it myself and knowing
where the students are coming from and
the barriers that they‘ve come up
against, I understand that. And I‘ve been
a good problem solver in my own life so
it just seemed like a natural fit for me.‖
Now as coordinator, she will make the
effort to address issues for the benefit of
the disabled students attending VVC.
―To help VVC provide accommodations to make everyone, every student,
active to make their success achievable,
and that VVC and the DSPS department…
Continued in Pierce on page 18
May 27, 2011 Page 6
RamPage VVC
Retirement from page 1
don‘t see how (the custodial staff) can
handle the additional workload.‖
―As far as I know, they won‘t be replacing me, though they will be having
interviews for other positions,‖ said Basha. The recent string of retirements will
vaheripour. ―But we believe we can save
about $1 million after taking into ac―A lot of teachers and faculty are taking
count new hires.‖
the SERP because they see the looming
Interestingly, the SERP proposal does
budget crisis,‖ said Mount, ―maybe I can
allow employees who decided to retire
leave and save someone else‘s job.‖
with the program to return to teaching,
Mount was also worried that
though only as a part-time
states would follow in the
adjunct, which some faculty
footsteps of Wisconsin‘s
are opting for.
Senate by removing bargainDespite the uncertain preing rights for state employsent, the past and the future
ees.
remain places of refuge for
With employee salaries
the soon-to-be retirees.
composing about 84 percent
Basha plans to attend to her
of the school budget, includranch, which is home to 29
ing benefits, it was only nathorses, to visit her mother in
ural as a target for reduction.
Arizona, who is 90 years old,
―In the last two years, we
and to ―attend to those prohave taken vacant positions
jects that we all say we‘ll get
out of the budget. Last year,
around to.‖
17 faculty members and staff
Though she will be retirtook the SERP offer while 30
ing, she plans to still teach as
took the offer this year,‖ said
an adjunct.
G.H. Javaheripour, Vice
―I‘m going to miss VVC,‖
President of Administrative
said Basha.
Services.
Mount plans to always
It has been estimated that Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mount sitting together at the retirement lunch ceremony. Photo cour- keep busy and has plans to
in a best-case scenario the tesy of Roderick Gray.
supplement his retirement
school‘s budget will be cut
income while having fun. In
―affect the (school) dramatically,‖ said
by $2.5 million. In the worst-case, the
general, ―to just stop and smell the rosBasha, ―we are losing a lot of full-timers
budget will be reduced by a staggering
es,‖ said Mount.
in all departments…they‘re the ones
$4 million.
―I‘ll miss everybody,‖ said Mount. ―I
with the institutional memory.‖
―There will be a natural reduction in
spent about 12 years at the night shift
Basha hoped that she could help train
courses,‖ said Javaheripour.
and then decided to switch to day. I had
the new part-time faculty, or adjuncts,
But Paine still wonders why there had
the opportunity to interact with students
but they have yet to appear.
been a sizeable amount of money spent
and faculty…one of the best decisions
Both Paine and Mount were equally
on improving campus appearance, deI‘ve ever made. I will miss them all.‖
concerned about a lack of replacements
spite the recent budget constraining.
Paine echoed the same sentiments.
for their position once they retire. ―I do
―I emailed them asking why they spent
―It has been a very very good place to
hear that they will add a lot of (non$1 million on rocks instead of educawork. I‘ve had a wonderful career here,‖
teaching) faculty, but
tion,‖
said
said Paine. ―This has never been like a
I haven‘t heard much
Paine.
job to me. I come smiling and leave
about hiring. I do
Though
smiling.‖
wish they hired more
there
was
Activities in the future would include
faculty for Special
plenty
of
more time spent at the beach and paddle
Ed though,‖ Paine
reassurance
boarding, though coaching still remains
said.
that the qualin his heart.
Mount also was
ity and num―If I could just coach without instructunsure about his reber of sering (courses), I‘d do it in a heartbeat,‖
placement.
vices would
said Paine. ―The money isn‘t worth it,
―Not
to
my
be
mainbut the memories are.‖
knowledge,‖
said
tained, othPaine summed up the collective expeMount. ―Originally
ers
were
riences and memories of the outgoing
someone from night
doubtful.
and retiring staff when he wrote, in a
With three Claudia Basha's other horse, Rusty dressed up. Photo courte- shift but I heard they
letter to the Community College Associsy of Claudia Bash.
might not do that.‖
additional
ation‘s newspaper, The Advocate, ―The
But according to Javaheripour, the
custodians retiring, Mount worries that
classroom is not just about academics,
school does plan to hire new members,
the school won‘t have the necessary staff
but about learning how to establish
though to what extent is yet t be reto maintain the campus.
healthy relationships and learning about
vealed.
―The appearance of the campus is allife.‖
―We will have to hire some new faculready on the decline,‖ said Mount. ―I
ty, at least six or seven,‖ said Ja-
RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 7
Annual Tech-X Event Showcases VVC Departments
Story by
Tiandra Bullock
Reporter
Technology, education, fun activities,
and competition warped together on
May 13 and 14 for the Victor Valley
College annual Tech-X event.
As documented on the Tech-X flyer,
the theme of Tech-X was technology,
education and sustainability. Tech-X
focused on providing ideas and effective
ways to preserve and reuse energy, how
to maintain these practices and keeping
an ecological, economic, social and political balance of natural resources in the
high desert.
Tech-X was a free event and made was
available for all interested in possibly
finding a new hobby, career or job skill
while stimulating your imagination.
Two hundred volunteers from the
community, VVC faculty and students
organized this event to present multiple
outlets of technology and programs
available on campus.
The calendar of events for Saturday, as
listed in the Tech-X brochure included
the High Desert Car Club Council car
show, woodworking, an articulation
Firefighters show kid how to use a fire hose.
ramp, bamboo pole fishing, fireman‘s
make and break, robotics, street art,
technical math decathlon, electric vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles, solar
boats, recycled boat races, Tech-X
Awards and the car show awards.
In front of the Students Activities Center, the Educators Band played music
A piece of technology displayed during Tech-X.
throughout the event while food
vendors and guest services were
available as well.
The Fire Academy demonstrations and the fireman‘s make and
break coordinated
with the VVC
Fire Academy‘s
35th graduation
on May 14, as
reported by Glen
Stewart, Faculty,
and Instructor in
the Fire Technology department.
Family
and
friends came out
to support their
families
and
check out the
festivities as well.
Ray
Dodd,
teacher at Colum- Two gentlemen working on a car.
bia International Science and Technology Magnet School in Adelanto, Caand had over two hundred people in
lif. presented the seventh and eighth
attendance. The community and future
grade students robots from the technolostudents are welcome to come out when
gy program for the robotics portion of
this event is given and explore the world
the day. Students created robots and
of technology. For more information,
call (760) 245-4271 extension 2246.
programmed each one to complete a
task.
The Tech-X event was very successful
RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 8
San Bernardino County Fair Entertains High
Desert Residents
Story and photos by
Abbey Mullen
Reporter
The annual San Bernardino County
Fair continues to be one of the few places in the High Desert where affordable
fun can be found for the whole family.
The fair took place at the Victorville
fairgrounds May 14 through the 22.
For the 2011 fair, everyone who attended only had to pay an entrance fee
of $5, and with a coupon that could be
found online or in the Daily Press the
cost was only $4.
The Green Acres-themed fair started
off on Saturday May 14, with a crowd of
enthusiastic people waiting for the gates
to open. The fair set a new opening day
record, according to general manager
Ken Alstott, and fair officials even had
to open a reserve parking lot.
―I‘ve never seen this in my seven
years,‖ Alstott said of the crowd as stated in the Daily Press. He also went on to
say that 6,000 people attended the Skillet concert.
Along with local schools, local residents of all ages brought in their livestock to showcase and hopefully win
best in show. Allison Andrews, an 18year-old representing Future Farmers of
America of Chino, won first place in the
Showmanship category as stated in the
Daily Press, according to the Daily
Press.
―Showmanship is how you present
your animal to the judges,‖ she said,
adding, ―This is my fourth year coming to the SBC fair and my last with
FFA. I am excited to be here,‖ as stated in the Daily Press.
Attending the SBC Fair for the first
time Jose Gonzalez was eager to have
a good experience with his friends.
―Being able to enjoy the fresh air,
good food, and just having fun trying
to win the biggest prize is what I enjoyed the most,‖ Gonzalez stated
about his experience at the fair.
This year the fair had many different
performances on the grandstands
throughout the week to entertain fairgoer‘s. Some of the big name concerts
included Skillet, Gerardo Ortiz, Nathan
Owens,
Bucky
Covington,
Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and
Clay Walker.
On a smaller stage, yet still just
as entertaining were the Doo-Wah
Riders, Jeffery Perez: A tribute to
Michael Jackson, and Stevie
Wright a semi-finalist for 2009
American Idol. Now in a band
with her dad as lead guitar, and
Tamara Cox, one of her former
High School music teachers as
backup, Stevie Wright enjoys
singing rock and roll.
San Bernardino County Fair
ended its nine-day run Sunday
with increased attendance, including two record-breaking Saturdays, according to Alstott, chief
executive officer for the 28th District Agriculture Association at the San
Bernardino County Fairgrounds as stated
in the Daily Press.
RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 9
RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 10
More Things to do in the High Desert
Story and Photos by
Anna Vivar
Features Editor
The RamPage is bringing an update on
more places and activities to make sure
that people living in the High Desert are
fully aware of all their extracurricular
opportunities.
The Bullet Hole Training Center was
established in the year 2000, by Craig
‗The Bullet‘ Buchanan, a worldrenowned Muay-Thai Boxer. At the Bullet Hole you can enjoy indoor rockclimbing and direct access to Buchanan
as he trains you personally on the ring
turning any amateur quickly into a fit
athlete.
Gymnastics is very popular in the
High Desert. 360 Freestyle gym in Apple Valley, High Desert Cheer in Victorville, and High Desert AcroBrats in
The scenery at Mojave Narrows.
Hesperia have facilities that
have classes for children and
adults.
Mojave Narrows is an often
overlooked hideaway that is
available to residents of the
High Desert. A lake is available
on the premises and several
grills for you to enjoy a barbeque with friends and family.
Stables are also available where
you can have a nice guided one
hour tour on horseback through
the forest for a $50 fee.
In the nearby city of Littlerock
visitors can enjoy sailplane Palmdale residents preparing to ride a sailplane.
rides, better known to some as
interested in obtaining their gliders ligliders. Southern California Soaring
cense.
Academy offers several types of rides
At Southern California Soaring Acadethat can range from scenic rides to more
my you can meet Candace Schroeder, a
daring aerobatic rides in which the pilot
22-year old Palmdale resident.
actually inverts the glider. The academy
―I love gliders. They are different from
also offers training for those who are
other types of aircraft. They provide a
quiet, smooth flight, I enjoy performing
aerobatics with the gliders,‖ said
Schroeder.
Schroeder is currently a student pilot
who has been flying gliders for about
four years and Helicopters around two
months.
Close by the Southern California Soaring Academy is Big Rock Creek. The
creek is a wonderful scenic area located
in the San Bernardino Mountains where
visitors can actually go find their own
nice relaxing place to unwind. A Forest
Adventure Pass is required and can be
S.T.E.M. Program at Victor Valley College
Story by
Cassie Ulrich
Reporter
Victor Valley College‘s instructional
programs Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.)
division offer many transferable classes.
―S.T.E.M. is a nationally recognized
name across the country,‖ said Dean of
Instruction Dr. Lori A. Kildal.
S.T.E.M. came from a federal mandate. The programs have many opportunities to get National Science Foundation grants and are just at the end of a
title five grant that focused on math and
science. The school was able to buy new
equipment for the science labs. It also
allowed the school to hire a faculty
member as a counselor and students as
science tutors.
―I really like the lab rooms and supplies they have for biology and anatomy,‖ said student Hannah Jennison.
―When I took Biology I was happy
that they provided most of the materials
for the lab because it would have been a
lot extra and I wouldn‘t want to spend
that much money on something I wasn‘t
even majoring in,‖ said student Heather
Malone.
The grant also funded school fieldtrips both local and abroad as well as
gave some of the school‘s staff members
the opportunity to attend workshops to
further their knowledge on the subjects
they were teaching.
S.T.E.M. has many classes that fall
under its division. It‘s not just your normal science and math classes but also
classes like nursing and digital animation.
These classes were all put together
under one division because they have
similar aspects within the world of education. Each involves some math and
science.
Continued in Stem on Page 18
May 27, 2011 Page 11
RamPage VVC
Car Show Presents Classic Automobiles
Story by
Rueben Hagens
Reporter
Live music filled the air as spectators
peaked inside of nicely restored automobiles. Some event goers were spotted
checking and buying small Hot Wheels
toys from a local vendor and member of
HDCCC, Mike ―Hot Wheeling Mike‖
McGail. Mike had over 500 Hot Wheel
cars on display and proudly confessed
that he had over 40,000 Hot Wheels that
he personally collects.
High Desert Car Club Council created
a Saturday event where car enthusiasts
wanted to be. On the campus of Victor
Valley College, HDCCC hosted their
annual car show and fund raiser event.
HDCCC provided over 40 classic cars
from 19 different car clubs within numerous cities for spectators to view and
enjoy. HDCCC also set up vending tables selling classic hot rod memorabilia,
in conjunction with VVC prominently
being involved providing their list of
vendors for partakers. Filled with festive
activities for participants, faculties and
students, many people found multiple
ways to be entertained. V.V.C faculty
was in full bloom creating a great atmosphere on the campus.
Tech X was on display as well,
―One of the features we‘re glad to do
demonstrating
and providing insights to
is the Recycle Boating Regatta where
the powers of Solar Paneling. Part of the
students and faculties build from used
event was a presentation from this group
recycled materials and create boats to
to bring out alternative power awareness
race them in our campus lake,‖ said Dato the high Desert. The Broadcaster Club
vid Desterhouse an instructor in the
was also on location snapping photos
Construction Technology department.
and collecting film footage.
The winners of the Regatta race were
Cars lined up almost around the whole
the Ladybug created by the Automotive
lake
and offered colorful auto eye candy
Department; the second place was ASto
all
spectators. One of the cars that
B‘s ―The What Boat‖ The VVC fire
sparked
a fair amount of interest was a
academy also participated in the event.
Champagne brown 1961 Chevy Impala,
Located next to the Performing Arts
intricate interior designs, expensive and
building they displayed their trucks and
classy inside and
hosted water hose
out. When asked,
contests. Individuone of the car club
als would line up
members
who
to shoot the fire
watched
the
car‘s
hoses and who
renovation said the
would ever hit the
engine alone had
most fire cones the
set the owner back
fastest would win
ten thousand dolthe contest.
lars. It was aston―Everyone just
ishing to find the
had fun shooting
same car was for
hoses,
knocking
sale at a mere forty
over the cones and
-seven
thousand
Photo
courtesy
of
Tiandra
Bullock.
just enjoying the
dollars.
spirit of doing the
By the end of the day HDCCC was
exercise,‖ said Glen Stewart one of the
handing out awards to members and
Fire Academy Instructors and Fire Techaffiliates for different contests and autonologist.
mobiles. Everyone who came out went
―This is my second year doing this,
home with some kind of memorabilia
this is for Tech X and this year they
physically and emotionally.
have a lot of really neat activities,‖ Glen
went on to say.
Deaf Movie Night Shown at VVC
Story and Photo by
Roderick Allen Gray Jr.
Special Projects Editor
To promote diversification in events
held at Victor Valley College members
of the Diversification Committee held
the screening of The Legend of the
Mountain Man during the movie night
May 16.
The movie was screened in the Student
Activities Center on a Monday Night
and was completely shown without
sound, but was completely produced in
American Sign Language with subtitles.
A Combination of students and area residents totaled nearly 60 viewed the film
of a dysfunctional family that was
shipped to their grandparent‘s ranch in
Montana by their father.
―This was an interesting film, because
it was completely without sound; like a
silent film in color. However, the American Sign Language aspect of it allowed
the sound for the movie to be created in
your imagination, ―Jon Garcia area resident. The showing of the film was sup-
Top: Deborah Chesser, Ray Navarro Bottom:
Sherrie Pierce
ported by The High Dessert Deaf Community and was this year‘s VVC Culture
Craze event.
―Based on a campus survey the topic
of interest was sharing information on
disabilities and the campus wanted more
info on disabilities,‖ said Sherri Pierce
committee chair.
In the past VVC has held a Culture
Craze event that emphasized the diversification of different cultures in the Victor valley community with food vendors
and entertainment providers.
―What we tried to highlight was that
the Deaf as a culture has a number of
talented people,‖ said Deborah Chesser
committee member.
RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 12
Memorial Weekend Event Honors Veterans
Story and Photo by
Jason Becker
Reporter
Excelsior students did not let King put
this event on by himself and many of
them got involved and participated in the
day, from announcing speakers at the
podium to the school band playing patriotic songs throughout the morning.
―Students were really excited and
wanted to help,‖ said Alex Ruger, a stu-
Hundreds of high desert residents
gathered on the Victor Valley College
soccer field to honor those that have
served in the United States military and
their families on May 27. The event,
which was put together by Derek King
of Excelsior Charter School, kicked off
Memorial Day weekend in the Victor
Valley.
The event opened with skydivers and
the United States Marine Corps mounted
color guard. It also included several
speeches from local leaders or their representatives and an award ceremony
honoring fallen military veterans of all
branches of service followed by the releasing of doves in their honor.
The day was not only about the older
generation of veterans but of today‘s
veterans and active duty service mem- Serviceman at the Memorial Day Celebration.
bers as well. This sediment was exdent at Excelsior and member of the
pressed through United State Marine
Associated Student Body.
Corps Major J. Ed Christiansen. ChristiRuger felt it made the students more
ansen spoke of Sept 11, 2001, and his
aware of veterans, of Memorial Day and
memory of American Airlines Flight 77
proud to be Americans. This could also
as it flew directly over him while he was
be seen in the excitement that the stuin the Navy Annex building then into the
dents showed during the day.
Pentagon, where his co-workers still
For the students it was an ―educational
were in their offices across the street.
experience to see America‘s true heroes‖
said Victor Valley Elementary School
Superintendent Dr. Dale Mardsen and
that it was ―an outstanding event for us
to bring the community together.‖
The event was funded using community donations. Not only monetary but for
services as well.
―I heard about it and wanted to help,‖
said Dan Alexander, owner of
Lemonade Express. Alexander,
whose own father Paul was an
Army Ranger, brought his mobile
lemonade trailer and offered free
lemonade to everyone in attendance. Food was also available
right next to Alexander‘s trailer.
Victor Valley Trophy Company
also donated to the event, making
plaques to remember fallen service members at no cost to Excelsior or the families. Plaques include a photo of the service member and a short biography in their
recognition.
Additionally,
congressional
recognition awards were given to the
families by US Representative Buck
McKeon.
When the event was over King was
excited about the results and enjoyed the
large turnout after four months of hard
work and planning.
Senior Career Launch Aims to Prepare High
Story and Photo by
Jason Becker
Reporter
Local high school seniors got a
firsthand look at 17 different departments during the Senior Career Launch
at Victor Valley College on May 19.
Students attending the event represented
10 different area high schools.
According to Nord Embroden, department chairman of the Construction
and Manufacturing Technology Department and one of the organizers of the
event, about 134 high school seniors
were in attendance.
―We knew we wanted to do something more focused than Tech X…we
wanted to gear the program to high
school seniors only,‖ said Embroden.
The senior career launch is still only
college and gives them priority registraa pilot program,
tion over other
and the students
first-year
stuwho
attended
dents.
will be tracked
The
high
academically to
school seniors
determine
the
not only were
success of the
able to preview
program to see if
academic departthey have a
ments that interhigher success
ested them, but
rate at VVC than
also were given
other
students
the opportunity
matriculating
to speak to curfrom
high
rent VVC stuschool. All stu- Students learn the nursing program requirements.
dents.
dents in attend―I really look
ance were also part of the Bridge Proforward to coming to VVC…
gram, which prepares the students for
Continued in Senior on Page13
RamPage VVC
Senior from Page 12
I was really nervous at first, but now I
feel comfortable,‖ said Raquel Bravo, a
senior at Serrano High School. She was
previewing the Nursing Department,
which also had the largest number of
participants of the day.
―It was a great opportunity to come
here…I‘m ready,‖ said Luzbeth Vasquez
from Victor Valley High School.
Vasquez also plans on entering the nursing program at VVC.
―It‘s just a community college,‖ said
Amilcar Ceballos, describing his viewpoint before the event began. A senior at
Apple Valley High School, Ceballos had
his perceptions of VVC change quickly.
He continued, ―I didn‘t even know they
had an auto shop here…I like the shop.‖
―It blew away my expectations,‖ said
Sarah Nyberg from Victor Valley Christian School. She toured the Digital Animation Department, whose presentation
included allowing the seniors to try out
the animation software firsthand.
Nyberg, who wants to find a career in
media arts, enjoyed the campus but was
still undecided where she plans on attending college.
―We are looking forward to next
year,‖ said Embroden when asked how
he thought the event turned out. The
success of the program however will not
be known for a few years.
May 27, 2011 Page 13
Educators Discuss Student Opportunities at Seminar
Story and Photo by
Roderick Allen Gray Jr.
Special Projects Editor
Dean of Vocational Technology Education Patricia Luther welcomed regional K-12 and college
educators to the Green
Technology Pathways
seminar at Victor Valley College May 18.
This event highlighted ways to interoperate the technological
and green resources at
VVC to create professional career pathways Officials at the event.
for students and establish an educational
bridge for high school students to matriculate into community college.
―This seminar bridges the gap between
high schools and community college
programs in green and renewable energy
areas. High school teachers and VVC
faculty are here today for the benefit of
all our students to ensure they have a
clean and clear pathway to career success,‖
said
Fleming.
―We appreciate the opportunity to
learn about the regional resources available in the area of green technology, as
well as collaborate with our high dessert
colleagues,‖ said Educational Coordinator for Antelope Valley Union High
School
District
Diane
Walker.
VVC Vocational Technology faculty
members Neville Slade and Tony
Malone joined panelists
Evgeniya Lindstrom Director of Regional Center
of Excellence for San Bernardino County, Troy
Seagondollar Kaiser Permanente, Logan R. Olds
Victor Valley Wastewater
Reclamation
Authority,
John C. Davis a 40 year
veteran of California public agencies, Glenn Bland
Co-Owner and President of Solar Seminars, Hugo Calvilo District Conservationist at Natural Resources Conservation Services and Antonio D. Penna
Construction and Efficiency Manager
for the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority for discussions on the
value
of
area
resources.
―These recourses are here with people
and connections; and we would like this
seminar to be the catalyst for students
and new programs,‖ Slade said.
Career Works Holds Instructional Workshop
Story and Photo by
Roderick Allen Gray Jr.
Special Projects Editor
The Child Development Program of
Victor Valley College held its annual
CDC Career Works Program Spring
Workshop for nearly 40 students in the
Communication Center from 8 a.m. to 4
p.m. on Saturday May 21.
This event was made possible by a
grant from the Foundation of California
Community Colleges a division of the
Chancellor‘s Office. It was specifically
designed to assist career development
for students who are enrolled in public
assistance programs, but it was open to
all CDC students.
A morning and afternoon workshop of
instructions was provided for the participants.
The first workshop introduced students
to the Keynote speaker and presenter
Kati Bee creator of
CDC. Mary Ann Dane
Mrs. Flutterbee‘s Play
and Jan Espinoza proand Make Believe
vided the afternoon
Workshop. This porinstruction.
tion of the seminar
―Make it simple and
was designed to proenjoy,‖ Dane said.
vide CDC students
―The whole study of
with
the
creative
early childhood develmeans to interoperate
opment has transmovement, song and
formed the sick in the
play with curriculum
mud type of instrucMrs. Bee during her keynote speech.
development.
tion into a creative
―Be free to be you,‖
educational facilitator
Bee said.
where educators engage the learners,‖
The afternoon workshop was a make
said CDC student Dewey Kelleygray.
and take book creation opportunity
Event facilitators Sandy Visser and
where students learned how to make
Kimberly Day provided students with a
story books and illustration materials
Professional Growth Certificate at the
from flannel. With patterns provided and
end of the day; breakfast and lunch was
precut flannel shapes students made ilalso served.
lustrative materials that there were able
―We were able to help more students,‖
to take home and later utilize in their
Day said.
laboratory classrooms settings at the
RamPage VVC
Entertainment
May 27, 2011 Page 14
Sequel More Like Migraine than Hangover
Review by
Roscoe Esparza
Photo Editor
Let's see if this sounds familiar to anybody. A group of friends are preparing
for the wedding of one of their own.
They have a crazy evening and wake up
the next day with no memory of the
events that transpired the night before.
Additionally, there is a missing comrade
they must find before the wedding. The
group travels around getting into lots of
comedic trouble while they try to piece
together what happened and where their
friend is. This is the plot for the first
Hangover. Disappointingly, the sequel
shares the exact same plot, almost detail
for
detail.
The Hangover 2 is a good movie if all
you‘re looking for is a couple of decent
laughs. All of the comedic elements and
sight gags that made the original a hit
are present in the sequel; they're only
amped up a bit. This is both a good thing
and a bad thing. It's good because these
things made the first movie memorable
and hilarious. Where this is bad is that
Hangover 2 doesn't really try anything
new. It's almost an identical movie to the
original, only in a different setting. This
is still good for laughs, but some of the
attempts to repeat the success of the
original ended up not working while
Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers
making the film feel tiring and repetitive.
For example, in the original film, one
of the funnier scenes involved a random
naked Asian guy jumping out of the
trunk of a car and beating the crap out of
all the main characters. It was unexpected and very funny, even if that guy‘s
junk was on full display. In this sequel, Ken Jeong has his nude scene
yet again, only with more screen time
than the first. It almost seemed as
though the writers half-assed parts of
the script and looked at the original,
thinking that if they throw in more
random nudity it would be that much
funnier. This may or may not work
for some, but either way there is no
shortage of wiener in this movie.
Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper and
Zach Galifianakis reprise their roles
of Stu, Phil and Alan respectively.
Each character is the same as they
were in the first. In fact, if it wasn't
for the comedy timing and talents of
these men the movie would have fell
very flat indeed. Even if the characters feel stale and recycled at times,
they are still the reason people will
tune in to see the movie.
If you're a fan of the original Hangover then there's a good chance that
you will appreciate the humor of the
sequel. While it isn't as funny as the
first, it is edgier and ups the raunchiness, often for the sake of 'shock value'. The original movie was one of those
‗love it or hate it‘ movies. And if you
hated the original, then it's a safe bet you
will hate this movie as well. Nonetheless, if you like dirty humor and smoking monkey drug dealers, then this movie will serve to entertain you for a couple
hours.
Almost Maine Showcases Cast’s Talents
Review by
Robert Rust
Reporter
"Almost Maine" a play written by John
Cariani, is stuck between love and a cold
place, this production at Victor Valley
College was delightfully funny and emotionally touching. The production dates
were May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 at 7:00 PM
and May 8 and 15 at 2:00 p.m. all in the
black box.
Directed by Ed Heaberlin, the play is
set in the frigid cold of Maine and with
the synchronized events at one time in
different places in the town called Al-
most. There were
several
different
scenes that had different ways to fall
in and out of love.
Each scene captivated
audiences
with an array of
emotional ties from
embarrassment to
sexuality.
Each
scene implemented how delicate relationships can be but with complex variations that sought out the meaning of
love.
The actors in the production were:
Brian Owen, Brittney Harter, Ceisley
Jefferson, Chris Johnson, Denise Pem-
berton, Denice Wolf,
Giovani
Maldonado,
Jazmin Cheek, Jorge
Ferguson, Kailey Lombardi, Mike Paszkowski, Nick Martinez,
Nicolas Dye, Nicole
Perry and Samantha
Nickole Hammond, all
of whom preformed
with amazing enthusiasm. Each part had something that everybody could relate to and the actors
demonstrated their skills very nicely and
with professional quality.
Continued in Maine on page 16
RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 15
Pirates’ Commandeers Summer Blockbusters
Review by
Garrett Johnston
Reporter
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger
Tides opened to mass fanfare grossing
an impressive $90.2 million in its opening weekend, placing it in the No. 1 spot
and making it the highest- grossing
weekend opener of the year.
The new Pirates‘ movie loosely based
on the book by Tim Powers, On Stranger
Tides is a fun look at another adventure
of everyone‘s favorite pirate, Jack Sparrow.
The movie starts out with Sparrow in
London trying to save his longtime
friend Joshamee Gibbs from a terrible
fate at the gallows, but quickly ends up
in his own capture, giving him an unwanted audience with the king. Through
quick wit, some blundering and a lot of
improvisation, Sparrow finds himself
once again free and on the run.
Sparrow hearing rumors that he is in
London looking for a crew, quickly goes
to investigate to find out who the imposter is. This search leads him to pub
and into a back room where a sword
fight breaks out between Sparrow and
his imposter. This leads Sparrow down a
path toward the fountain of youth that he
can‘t seem to escape from throughout
the rest of the movie.
The characters in the movie are all
well done and well-acted. Johnny Depp
Photo courtesty of Disney.
does another fantastic job acting as the
strange, sometimes effeminate Jack
Sparrow as expected. Geoffrey Rush is
back playing Hector Barbossa, though
the twist to his character this time
around is a little hard to get used to and
believe, even with Barbossa‘s reveal as
to why he is the way he is in this movie.
Edward Teach (Blackbeard) played by
Ian McShane, is a threatening man who
almost lives up to the fearful reputation
that the real Blackbeard has. Angelica,
played by Penélope Cruz, the first female pirate for the series, is quite a
match for Sparrow, oftentimes just as
quick-witted as he is.
The new pirate movie was shot in full
digital 3D, and at some parts throughout
the movie it was useful or ―cool,‖ but for
the rest of the movie it wasn‘t needed.
There are times in the movie where a
character or an object is shadowed and
in the foreground, making it very hard to
see what is happening in the background
as the shadow takes up a lot of the
screen. Other times the 3D is done well,
like moments where water falls from
above or sword tips point toward the
audience.
The music, done by Hans Zimmer as
in past pirate movies, is incredibly well
done. From the exciting and adventurous
Sparrow theme to the new haunting and
devilish theme for Blackbeard, they are
all masterpieces in their own right. My
one gripe about the music in the movie
is Sparrow‘s theme; I felt was overused
in moments where he is acting heroically, or at least as heroic as a pirate can be.
Filmed in Hawaii, the locations and
sets in the movie are stunning. The jungles are thick with greenery, the water is
a beautiful shade of blue and everything
just looks gorgeous. Blackbeard's ship,
The Queen Anne's Revenge, is just as
frightening as its captain. There is a lot
to look at in this movie, and it's all
breathtaking in its own way.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger
Tides is another great movie to start out
the summer blockbuster season. I would
recommend watching this movie knowing it's not perfect but it's still enjoyable.
RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 16
L.A. Noire Raises the Bar for Rockstar Franchise
Review by
Mario Gonzales
Reporter
Jonathan Brown
Entertainment Editor
Taking place in the year 1947 in the
city of fame, fortune, and corruption that
is Los Angeles. Cole Phelps, the main
character, is an LAPD officer who rises
through the ranks of the department.
Phelps who was a World War II hero
who joined the police force to clean up
the wrongs he had committed and clear
the streets of Los Angeles of horrid
criminals.
Throughout the game Phelps goes up
in rank after every few crime investigations. You first start off as a patrol man
then from there you become a traffic
detective, homicide, vice, and finally
arson investigator. Each rank has a
unique case, clues, and people similar to
crimes before.
Photo courtesy of Rockstar Games.
Unlike Rockstar‘s previous titles, L.A.
Noire is an open world, free-roaming
based game but has a linear angle to the
story. When you‘re off-duty, you can
explore L.A. or complete various side
missions given by choice through the
police radio.
L.A. Noire balances out shooting,
fighting and chasing down crooks
throughout the entire game. The sequences of these cases are very life like
simulations of just how criminals react
Fans Will Go Gaga for Born This Way
Review by
Joseph Ciulla
Editor-in-Chief
In 2008, Lady Gaga released her debut
album The Fame, which brought her
superstardom after 5 songs broke into
the billboard top 10 charts.
Photo Courtesy of Interscope Records.
Gaga gained true fame for her appearances at various events dressed in the
most outrageous costumes. From an outfit made out of pure meat to arriving on
the red carpet of an awards show in a
giant egg, Gaga sure does know how to
make an entrance and keep the eyes focused on her.
With the release of her second studio
album, Gaga shows she has no intent of
slowing down. Born This Way brings the
fans the same Gaga flavor that she
brought on her debut album.
The first and final track in Born This
Way is ―Marry the Night‖ and ―The
Edge of Glory,‖ which begins and ends
the album with a bang. ―The Edge of
Glory‖ contains a sweet saxophone solo
to close out the album.
The album shows the same flare and
has dance hits comparable to The Fame,
bringing those synthpop beats that you
will find yourself fist-pumping to. The
album will surely have great commercial
success and be in dance clubs all over
the world.
to the LAPD. One
second you could be
walking through the
doors of an establishment, and the minute
a scoundrel sees you
coming; he will take
off running.
As a good cop,
there‘s more to it than
simply arresting some
bad guy off the street.
In order to solve cases, you need to find
clues to figure out
exactly what happened to pin point the culprit.
Similar to Law and Order, Cole will
need to investigate the crime scene
searching for new leads and motives for
the crime.
L.A. Noire sets the bar in games with
its lengthy crime investigations; its
amazing real-life like graphics and realism compared to old style films back in
the day. This game has the potential to
not only advance Rockstar but video
games period. The down sides of not
having any multiplayer or co-op game
play; L.A. Noire has plenty of replay
value considering the option to replay
cases and obtain a higher score on that
particular case.
With certain restrictions in game, the
linear approach works well in storytelling. I can‘t wait to see further franchises
of this game and what we could be in
store with in the near future of gaming.
Maine from page 14
Rehearsals started at the beginning of
the semester and the actors did various
parts though out the performance dates,
which made the production all the more
unique.
Ed Heaberlin will be directing the next
two plays over the summer as well;
"Snow White and You!" by Maurice
Berger and also "A Midsummers
Dream" by Shakespeare setting in the
1960's. These plays will be performing
in the Performing Arts Center in July.
For more questions about the times and
dates of the upcoming plays contact the
Victor Valley College Theatre Arts Department.
RamPage VVC
Sports
May 27, 2011 Page 17
Athlete of the Issue: Zac Bilsland
Freshman
Height: 5’10” Weight: 160
Born: June 25,
1988 in Orange
County, California
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
V
V
C
Batting Statistics
R
A
M
S
Zac Bilsland
Shortstop
Story and Photo by
Stephen Boyce
Reporter
Zac Bilsland is the starting shortstop
for the Victor Valley College Rams
baseball team. He holds an overall batting average of .386 with 16 runs batted
in and two home runs in 24 games
played.
Bilsland started playing baseball
around the age of 8 years old and first
became serious about the sport at the
high school level. He was cut as a freshman, but kept working to prove to his
coaches that he was good enough to be a
starter for the team. He eventually made
the junior varsity team and worked his
way up to varsity in his sophomore year.
After high school, Bilsland began
playing collegiate level baseball for Cal
State Monterey Bay and eventually Cal
State San Bernardino, but things didn‘t
work out for him at either school. He
#6
AVG
R
RBI
HR
SLG
OBP
.386
17
16
2
.518
.446
Mini Bio
- Made 2011 Second Team All-Conference
- Favorite Baseball Team: Seattle Mariners
- Favorite Player: Felix Hernandez - Pitcher
- Hobbies: Fishing & Working Out
- Has previously played Division 2 baseball for
Cal State San Bernardino and Cal State Monterey Bay
debated on whether or not he should
continue playing baseball at a collegiate
level until his previous coach at Cal
State San Bernardino suggested that he
should continue playing at Victor Valley
College.
Bilsland balances his athletic talents
with his responsibilities in the classroom. He is currently a year away from
achieving his bachelor‘s degree and
plans on continuing his education towards a master‘s degree. According to
Bilsland, the most difficult part of being
a student athlete is ―time management.
It‘s definitely rough but if you have
good time management, you can do it all
at one time,‖ he said.
For his efforts on the field, Bilsland
was recognized as being a part of the
2011 Second Team All-Conference and
he looks to continue his consistent play
in hopes of higher recognition in the
future.
Bilsland also received recognition and
praise from his coach Jesus Beltran.
―Zac is a hard worker. (He‘s) always
striving to get better. He was kind of the
spark that started the fire for the team.
He's dedicated to what he does. He just
continues to get better,‖ Beltran wrote in
an email message.
Bilsland focuses mainly on selfmotivation to fuel his desire to be the
best baseball player he can be on the
field. ―It is my life; it‘s what I live for. I
couldn‘t ask for more,‖ he said.
Bilsland plans to continue playing
baseball with the hope of receiving an
athletic scholarship from Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He wants
to go as far as he can go with the sport,
and he has aspirations of one day playing Major League Baseball.
Bilsland also looks to continue his
education by majoring in the science
field where he plans on forming a career
in water management.
Photo above provided by the Daily Press
RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 18
Pierce from page 5
Stem from page 10
...work very hard to make sure that students have equal access to their education.‖ said Pierce.
No doubt Sherri will see to it that
VVC become much more disabled student friendly.
―Im going to work really hard and try
to be one of the best coordinators that
they‘ve had, and I hope that I do the
students proud.‖ said Pierce.
While she was explaining why all these
classes were put together under the
S.T.E.M division Dr. Kildal said, ―We
looked at what made sense to start aligning.‖
These classes are not just for people
who want to major in subjects having to
do with science and math but for almost
anyone who wants to transfer to a four
year school.
Next semester they are looking into
adding an electrical engineering program
under S.T.E.M. that may be partnering
with California State University Long
Beach for students with a grade point
average of 2.5 or higher.
Comic by Carlos Garcia, Reporter
Upcoming Events
-June 2 Victor Valley Music Department Present
Thursday Night Jazz at
7:30pm.
-June 3 Victor Valley Music Department Present
Joint Concert with CSUSB
at 7:30pm.
-June 4 Victor Valley Music Department Present
VVC 50th Anniversary
Concert Beethoven Spectacular at 7:30pm.
-June 11 Spring Semester
ends.
-June 20 Summer Session
begins.
-June 23 Grade submission
deadline for Spring.
- Cassie Ulrich, Reporter
Your feedback is always
appreciated:
[email protected]
Scan with your
smart phone to go to
our website
RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 19
Heard Around the Lake
How are you preparing for finals?
―Basically studding no crash time at all.‖
-Edward Bentley
―Studding every night and getting rid of
my social life.‖ -Heather Hamrick
―I‘m stressing and cramming like no other.‖
-Cynthia Cox
- Cassie Ulrich, Reporter
RAMPAGE STAFF
Editor-in-Chief: Joseph Ciulla
Managing Editor: Adreana Young
Copy Editor: Lili Berni
News Editors: Micah Raimo, Wyketta Wilfong
Features Editors: Reyna Arvizu, Anna Vivar
Entertainment Editors: Racheal Rickman, Jonathan Brown
Sports Editors: Shaun Canady, Arvin Sulikhanyan
Photo, Video and Web Editor: Roscoe Esparza
Special Projects: Roderick Allen Gray Jr.
Adviser/Instructor: Judith Pfeffer
Reporters: Jason Becker, Stephen Boyce, Tiandra Bullock, Charaye
Franklin, Carlos Garcia, Mario Gonzalez, Rueben Heagens, Lisa Johnson,
Garrett Johnston, Sky Martinez, Tracy Martinez, Valente Molinar, Abbey
Mullen, Samuel Mullen, Christopher Peatrowsky, Phillip Phan, Robert
Rust, Cassandra Ulrich
Administration/Faculty/Staff Mentors: Carl A. Durheim III, Jennifer
Fowlie Patty Golder, Bev Huiner, Tim Isbell, Scott Mulligan, Deanna
Murphy, Christopher O‘Hearn, Robert Sewell, Shirley Snell-Gonzalez,
P.J. Teel, Paul Williams
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CONTACT INFORMATION
VVC RamPage, 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
Phone: (760) 245-4271 Extension 2773 • Fax: (760) 241-5723
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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Amendment Public Forum by students at Victor Valley College in Victorville, Calif.
Issues come out approximately twice a month in the two full-length semesters,
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RamPage VVC
May 27, 2011 Page 20