Voices of Hope club founder Ruth Welland (left) and Dean Rhonda-Rios Kravitz connect during City College's Club Day. Voices of Hope advocates for the physically and mentally disabled on campus. Photo by Tamara Knox

Waking up early when you’d rather sleep in, too many classes, too much homework, not enough free time, and a tight working schedule — these are typical problems many college students endure on a routine basis. However, not all college students face problems so typical— especially students with disabilities.

Voices of Hope is a City College club that advocates for the physically and mentally disabled on campus. It also promotes integration between those with disabilities and those without, according to club founder Ruth Welland.

Welland, a 37-year-old honors student, lost her sight seven years ago due to diabetes. She says that she started the club to help “students with disabilities understand what their potential is and also understand what their rights are.”

“[The club] was birthed out of a lot of different issues, but the thing that really kind of sent me over the edge was when last March Regional Transit was having a Paratransit hearing about making cuts to Paratransit services,” Welland says. “Paratransit is a service that provides transportation to people with disabilities.”

Welland says that the hearing taught her about the political hierarchy of power and the need to help facilitate the voices of the people.

“I felt it is important for disabled students to have a place where they can feel like they have a support system as well as a place that will advocate and also educate,” Welland says. “Our mission is to empower disabled students with the knowledge to become independent active advocates.”

Voices of Hope also helps disabled students overcome obstacles relating to their disability. Welland says that one of the biggest obstacles the disabled face on campus is communication. Club adviser and reading professor Jan Lee agrees.

“I think that a lot of the faculty, other students and staff really don’t understand some of the struggles that the [disabled] students have, and I think information is always key,” Lee says. “So when people understand the students with disabilities better and communication gaps are filled, it’s going to be a lot better for everybody.”

“With my conditions, when people see them out in public, they aren’t sure how to approach it,” says club Vice President Lincoln Scott, who was diagnosed with epilepsy, cerebral palsy and paroxysmal movement disorder. “A lot of the times people think I’m drunk or high.”

Scott is a two-time Paralympics silver medalist, winning second in the 100 meter dash and the four by 100 meter relay. Scott says he sees his Paralympics achievements as a testament to the power of overcoming difficult obstacles.

“Now that I’m older and I look back on it, I kind of see [the experience] more as seeing people with disabilities achieving the goal they want to achieve, because everybody has a dream,” Scott says.

Despite her own impairment, Welland believes that hardship can impart valuable life lessons.

“We can learn good things from the lessons of the bad things we experience in life, it’s a matter of perspective,” Welland says.

Published March 23, 2011

SacCityExpress.com

Photo courtesy of the Saito Family

On Dec. 7 1941, Japanese American City College student Fumiko Yabe took to the stage of the City College

Auditorium to sing the “Star Spangled Banner.” It was a quick addendum to the City College orchestra’s annual symphony play list and it was signifi cant- on that day Pearl Harbor was bombed and the United States was jettisoned into the second World War.

When 17-year-old Yabe was asked to sing in observation of the bombing in Pearl Harbor on that day, she had no idea where the bombing had taken place or how dramatically the event would affect her life and the future of her education.

“They said Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Of course, I didn’t even know what Pearl Harbor was… That was my awakening on what was happening,” says Yabe, now known as Fumiko Saito, 87.

On Feb. 19, 1942 president Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, an act that allowed the U.S. military to create areas of exclusion for immigrants. German and Italian American citizens were the initial targets of the act, but the threat posed by Japan, as well as the increasing anti-Japanese sentiment, led to Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants on the West Coast becoming primary targets of Executive Order 9066.

Saito did not return to receive her degree until last year.

Japanese living in the exclusion zones that ran from Washington, California, Oregon and Southern New Mexico, were forced to give up their homes and belongings when they were sent to relocation camps.

In the spring of 1942, Saito and her family were sent to the Walerga Assembly Center, a prospect which at first seemed exciting to her.

Photo courtesy of the Sacramento Bee

“I was 18, and all I thought was ‘adventure’ in my mind,” Saito says. “Until I went to camp and I saw all these old people who just didn’t know what to do, then it struck me that we were in a terrible position.”

In compliance with Executive Order 9095, which authorized the control, seizure and administration of alien property, the Japanese were allowed to bring very few of their possessions and often had their financial accounts frozen, which prevented them from leaving the exclusion zone.

“You have to get rid of your tables, chairs, anything you had because you could take only two suitcases per person, and we didn’t even have one suitcase,” Saito says.

Though Saito quickly realized what a bad situation living in an internment camp was, she says it wasn’t terrible. Saito and her family were soon moved from the Walerga Assembly Center to the Tule Lake relocation center, where Fumiko met her future husband Perry Saito, named after Commodore Perry, the historical figure who compelled Japan to open up to Western powers in 1854.

“Perry was the handsomest man in the whole camp,” Saito says. “He was 6 feet tall. Tall for an Asian.”

Aside from her blossoming love life, Saito says that she spent much of her time simply looking for something to do while interned.

“I taught voice at the recreation center… And the rest of the time, I don’t know, I just wasted my time, I think,” Saito says. “There was nothing to do.”

After roughly a year-and-a half spent being bounced around between different internment camps, Saito left Manzanar, the third and final camp where she and her family were quartered in the spring of 1944. Both Fumiko her future husband Perry headed out to Bloomington Illinois on full scholarships to different universities. She says that both applied for scholarships while in interment and once accepted, were allowed to leave. Fumiko’s application was sent with a vocal recording.

“People told me if I wanted to go to school that I had to do something, so I had a recording and I sent it to Curtis Institute of Music and they wanted me to come to school there,” Saito says.

Fumiko Yabe and Perry Saito married in August 1944 and soon had their fi rst child. Four more would follow. She recalls that the family additions meant she eventually had to curb her college education but she was happy to be a housewife.

Though Fumiko had to leave Sacramento City College early due to her internment and had long left Sacramento behind, City College archivist Pat Zuccaro and Admissions and Records Supervisor Kim Goff were able to secure Saito an honorary associate degree after Zucarro came into contact with Fumiko.

The honorary degree was awarded in 2010 as part of the Nisei Diploma Project, signed into legislation Oct. 11 2009 as part of Assembly Bill 37. The bill requires that California universities and community colleges “confer an honorary degree upon each person, living or deceased, who was forced to leave his or her postsecondary studies as a result of federal Executive Order 9066.”

“I always wondered what it was like for her to get up and sing in front of the audience in light of the fact she’s Japanese and the Japanese had just bombed Pearl Harbor,” Zuccarro says. “I just envisioned that it must have been a very emotional time for her.”

Saito currently lives in Wisconsin with her husband, who has worked as a Methodist minister for nearly 40 years. She now has 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Though she is 87 years old, she says she makes it a point to get out and walk 2 miles each day, rain or shine.

Published May 12, 2011
SacCityExpress.com

Jan Haag, adviser for Susurrus, with the 2010 literary journal, won second place in the Pacific Western region of the Community College Humanities Association annual contest. Photo by Jack Remson

The staff of Susurrus recently learned that the 2010 edition of the City College Literary Journal won second place in the Pacific-Western Division of the Community College Humanities Association Literary Magazine competition.

“We’re thrilled and honored to be recognized again by the CCHA,” said Susurrus adviser Jan Haag. “When a national organization gives a student literary journal an award, it is a major validation of the students’ work.”

‘Susurrus has won many past awards in the annual CCHA competition, including the top Best in the Nation prize in 2002 and 2004, as well as second place in 2001 and third place in 2005 in the Pacific-Western Division.

“Every year our students turn out a top-quality magazine,” said Language and Literature Division Dean Albert Garcia, who helped launch the journal. “With its quality poems and stories, it’s beautiful artwork and design, Susurrus is stronger than many university journals.”

Since Susurrus’ inception, a new edition of the literary journal has been published every May for the past 16 years, much to Haag’s surprise.
“When Tom Miner, Albert Garcia and I started Susurrus in the fall of 1994, we hoped the book might last a good five years,” Haag said. “When we got to 10 years, we looked around and were frankly astonished.”

The current Susurrus class, which meets on Tuesday nights, is reviewing creative writing for the 17th annual literary journal, Haag said. The EngCW450/451 class continues its work in the spring semester.

Susurrus makes its debut each spring, showcasing original short fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and artwork by City College students and former students. The word “susurrus” means “a light whispering or rustling; a murmur,” according to the definition on the back of every journal.

“It’s the sound wind makes through trees,” Haag said. “It was so named because the first staff hoped it might create just that—a murmur—on campus and in our city.”

Though the writing submission deadline for Susurrus’ 17th issue has already passed, the literary journal will be accepting artwork from late January until March 1, 2011. Submissions of .jpg files of 1 megabyte or less with the artists’ name, email address and phone number can be sent to ||Jan Haag|| haagj@scc.losrios.edu.

Additional reporting by: Lucian McKinney, staff writer, and Stephanie Rodriguez, online news editor

City College quarterback Cody Allen(#4) eludes two Diablo Valley Vikings in the second quarter at Hughes Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 9. Photo by Vincent Fernadez vfernandz@gmail.com

The Panthers’ football team defeated the Diablo Valley Vikings, handing the Vikings the first loss of the season Oct. 9 at Hughes Stadium by a score of 52-47.

Though the Vikings led by 10 points going into the half, the Panthers came out fighting in the third quarter and scored 21 quick points with three touchdowns and extra points. They would hold on to the lead for the rest of the game’s duration.

The Panthers racked up over 159 yards on scoring plays alone, the majority coming from the passing game executed by starting quarterback Cody Allen, who has already passed for over 1,400 yards this season. Allen passed for four touchdowns and one interception.

According to Head Coach Dannie Walker, the message all week has been about the Panthers finishing what they’ve started.

“They took the coaching this week. They just finished.” said Walker.

With their victory over the Vikings, the Panthers improved their season record to 3-2.

The Panthers next game is at Solano College on Oct. 16.

Additional reporting by Vincent Fernandez.

City College running back Devian McKinnie scores a 2nd quarter touchdown on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 at Hughes Stadium. The Panthers beat Yuba City College 31-23. Photo by Vincent Fernandez.

The Panthers’ football team defeated Yuba City College Saturday, Sept. 25, by a score of 31-23 at Hughes Stadium.

Though the Panthers were behind by 4 points in the first quarter, after a Yuba City touchdown during their first possession, the Panthers were able to tie the score by the second quarter and lead Yuba City throughout the rest of the game.

Panthers’ football head coach Dannie Walker pumped up his players saying, “If you start something, finish it,” going into the fourth quarter.

Though Yuba City rallied in the final quarter with a touchdown and nine minutes left of play, cutting the Panther’s lead to 8 points, the team failed to score the extra point and was held scoreless by the Panther’s for the rest of the games duration.

“Basically, our week in practice gave them understanding on what they needed to do,” Walker said of the Panthers’ play against Yuba City.

City College wrestler Tyler Edwards places Santa Rosa Junior College wrestler Derrick Sanchez in a powerhalf hold Saturday, Sept. 18. Photo by Jesse Charlton

The City College wrestling team took home nine medals and placed second overall Sept. 18 in its first wrestling tournament of the season.

The Panthers took on several schools, including Chabot, Cuesta, Delta, Fresno City, Lassen, Modesto, Shasta and Skyline colleges.

For the Panthers, Jon Champine placed fourth in the 133 pound weight class. Tyler Diamond placed second in the 141 weight class. Russell Williams placed third in the 165 weight class. Tyler Hodel placed third in the 174 weight class. Jesse Hellinger placed second in the 184 weight class. Jesse Green placed third in the 197 weight class, and Ben Davis placed second in the 285 weight class.

Although the Panthers placed for many medals, Fresno came up on top and placed first overall in the competition.

“Fresno always starts good, but we build to finish better,” said head wrestling coach David Pacheco.

Pacheco added that the Panthers will use the tournament as a learning opportunity to help further condition the wrestlers .

“Wrestling is all about learning and being tired is more mental than physical,” Pacheco said.

The Panthers will be taking on Sept. 25 at Bakersfield College. Click here for the full schedule of upcoming wrestling events.

Brown Issues club members reflect on the death of club co-founder Victor Hugo Perez Zavala Sept. 14. Photo by Vincent Fernandez.

A City College student was killed and three others were injured after a shooting that took place during Second Saturday, a popular art walk in Midtown Sacramento, Sept. 12.

Victor Hugo Perez Zavala, a sociology and international relations major, was an innocent bystander caught in the middle of crossfire at this weekend’s Second Saturday, according to the police.  He died three days before what would have been his 25th birthday.

The shooting took place shortly after midnight at J Street between 18th and 19th streets.

Zavala made a big impact on City College campus as a founding member of the Brown Issues club.  He was in the Puente club and also played the lead role in a film City College English instructor Travis Silcox wrote and produced in 2008. The film, “AB 540” examines how a bill passed by the state Legislature allowing undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition affected a City College student.

“When I heard it was Hugo that had been shot and killed, I couldn’t believe it,” Silcox said. “He was the type of student that was always there if you needed a hand.

Zavala’s younger brother Ricardo said in a Sacramento Bee interview that he didn’t expect anything like this to happen since Zavala was never involved in bad activities.

According to friends and family members, though Zavala sometimes sported a tough demeanor he was a kind person, a family man intent on finishing up a college degree and stayed out of trouble.

Brown Issues club member Jacquelyn Vargas said Zavala was a consummate hard worker and lived up to his personal motto: ‘get work done or get out.’

Vargas said that Zavala’s death will encourage other Brown Issues club members to step up and fill the void.

“I think more than anything it will motivate us to do more,” Vargas said. “Once a leader leaves,  you don’t have to replace him—not necessarily, but more people have to take over some of the projects that he had.”

Zavala worked part-time at the State Department of Managed Health Care, helping people with insurance issues and also for his father’s landscaping business.  He performed as a disc jockey at family parties and enjoyed Mexican music.

Zavala graduated from Luther Burbank High School in 2004 and planned to attend UC Riverside after graduating from City College in 2011.

“He brought warmth to the [“AB540”] set and sensitivity and groundedness,” Silcox said. “ This is a young man, 24, who was very grounded, unflappable.

Zavala is survived by his six younger siblings and his parents.

A candlelit vigil for Zavala will be held today, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. between 18th and J streets to remember his life and celebrate his birthday.

To watch Zavala play lead in the short film “AB540,” click here.

By Jamie Santiago

Reporters contributing to this article: Vincent Fernandez, Christopher Geanakos, Libby Parenti, Michael Saechao and Amy Wong.

Where do City College students go on Friday nights?

Where to go on a Friday nightbyuser3419206

Produced by Christopher Geanakos

Staff and administration feedback on March 4 student protestsbyuser3419206

Sac City Express

April 23, 2010

Editor’s note: ASG announced Friday April 23 Renee Worley had won the ASG presidency after all student ballots had been counted.

ASG President Debby Dixon campaigns via bullhorn April 20 on the Quad. Photo by Christopher Geanakos

City College held elections for the fall semester associated student government April 20 and 21 while candidates made their rounds on campus promoting themselves, ASG and the necessity for students to get more involved with the electoral process, while also taking swipes at each other’s campaigns.

Among the more visible candidates on campus, current ASG President Debby Dixon made her desire to hold office for one more term known on the Quad via bullhorn. Dixon’s message: ”Vote with your head, not your stomach,” a dig at her sole rival, Renee Worley, who was offering free pizza to students who had voted.

“My opponent is trying to buy the election,” Dixon said. “In truth, she’s our current secretary and doesn’t do her job now, and so I’m not quite sure how she thinks she’ll accomplish being president.”

The ASG presidential office is the only competitive race in the election, as all other candidates are running unopposed for all other positions.

Despite running unopposed for the vice president’s position, current Vice President Justin Turner is running as part of Dixon’s ticket.

“I just want the students to be represented realistically and fairly instead of by empty promises,” Turner said, alluding to Worley’s platform and campaign promise to foster a more eco-friendly campus. “Yes, I did team up with Debby Dixon for that reason, because I have worked with her in this past year and she’s been phenomenal.”

Worley disagreed with Dixon’s and Turner’s characterization of her and her campaign.

“She’s [Dixon] spending a lot of her time trying to put me down, trying to say ‘Oh, Worley isn’t qualified,’ where I think she should be focused on herself if she’s confident enough with her qualifications,” Worley said. “I’ve only been on the board for one year and I’m already secretary for ASG. I think that’s pretty impressive based on the fact that I graduated from highs school last year.”

Worley said if she is elected, she will open a public forum once a month for City College students to talk directly with the ASG. She also said she wants to implement more green policies. She plans to spend less time lobbying the state and more time trying to change the campus locally.

Students voted on the fall semester’s ASG inside the City Café April 20 and April 21. Photo by Christopher Geanakos

Despite the rancor involved for the top position in the ASG election, Dixon, Turner and Worley all agreed that it is important for students to out to vote.

“Whoever you vote for, that’s your right, but just make sure you’re involved in the process. That way we can get more involved with the students and find out what they really want,” Turner said. “We’re here for you guys.”