Hands-on native plant project sprouts up at PCC

Share: The strip of lawn that once consisted of grass, hedges, and sprinklers in front of the C-building’s eastward entrance has undergone a series of major overhauls, culminating in the creation of a space covered in California native plants. This past Friday, Nov. 8, student volunteers from the Environmental Sustainability and CORE clubs planted California native plants and began installing drip irrigation lines after two weeks of education and preparation. For three consecutive Fridays now, from 12 to 1 p.m., student volunteers have been welcomed …

Some pro-Palestine students are voting for Kamala, but they aren’t happy about it

Share: As the 2024 elections loom upon America, one of the most divisive topics that polarizes an already polarized country is the on-going conflict in the Gaza strip between Israeli forces and Hamas. The continued funding of the Israeli government by the United States has influenced many young adults’ decisions on who to vote for, or even the decision to vote entirely. Many young adults believe it is important to prioritize the actions a party takes inside the country, while many are adamant on not …

Pride Center students say yes to Halloween with Jordan Peele’s ‘Nope’

Share: Plastic pumpkins and cloth ghosts joined the collection of rainbows and Pride flags in the Pride Center on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Students got comfortable amid the decorations as the Center’s staff prepared the room for our spooky movie viewing. The bookshelf, along with its collection of gay histories and biographies, includes a collection of rulebooks for the fifth edition of Dungeons and Dragons.  “That,” says a voice behind me as I browse the rulebooks, “Is how you know for sure there are gay nerds …

‘It just felt like we were one big unit’: Pilipinx students frolic at the Friendship Games

Share: It isn’t every day that you see four people all on a pair of skis together at the same time, but this became a common event for members of Pasadena City College’s club TROPA as they prepared for the annual Friendship Games hosted by Cal State Fullerton. The Friendship Games are an annual competition where Pilipinx American student organizations from California, Nevada, and Arizona are invited to face off against one another in a series of Filipino inspired games. Competing in an event like …

CORE Scholars rise above the system

Share: Genesis Holmes is a second-year business major at Pasadena City College. Originally from Tennessee State University, a historically black college (HBCU), she came to California to continue her education at PCC. Through family members and her experience as a black woman, Holmes had always felt system-impacted, so she joined and took a leadership role in the Community Overcoming Recidivism through Education (CORE) program to highlight that experience and to have a voice for other marginalized groups, especially the roughly 4% of black students at …

A paper crown prize for PCC’s ultimate Smash Bros. player

Share: Adorned in a paper crown fastened together with packing tape, Jose Chavez took his bottle of original-flavored Ramune and Super Mario Bros. mushroom-shaped candy container and held them up high in victory. These were the rewards of conquest for Chavez, who was the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament champion. The audience of 30-odd club members, some former opponents of his, applauded. Using only Dr. Mario, Chavez played in what could only be considered a surgical fashion, breaking down contestant after contestant on his way …

How a queer, undocumented poet remains positive in a neglectful society

Share: Before formally introducing himself and delving into his presentation about his life and the opportunities for success in which he took advantage of despite being an undocumented migrant, poet Yosimar Reyes reads a poem of his entitled “Undocumented Joy.” The poem expresses Reyes’ inability to accurately remember the exact moment he crossed the border and the direct impacts of crossing the border at such a young age. The poem set the tone of the presentation, giving some insight on the source of his embracement …

Ceramics artist uses mythology to challenge stagnant gender roles

Share: “Only one drop revives stagnant water,” were the words of Jewish, transdisciplinary artist Nicki Green when asked about her latest piece. This is a recurring theme in many of Green’s ceramic pieces, which intersect aspects of trans identity and queer history with traditional Jewish ritualistic practices.  Green, a ceramic artist and professor at Alfred University in New York, spoke in PCC’s very Westerbeck Hall on Monday, October 7. Green began her talk by acknowledging the anniversary of Hama’s coordinated attacks on Israeli targets and …

Filipino American heritage month kicks off with a party

Share: Two long bamboo poles rest on the floor of the Circadian room while the smell of BBQ and the sound of a Sarah Geronimo power ballad blasts on the overhead speakers. The poles are for a traditional folk dance from the Philippines called “tinikling,” where two people clap the bamboo poles together while dancers step over and in between them, weaving it all into a seamless partner dance. Miguel Bernardo, the new president of The Reunited Organization of Pilipinx Americans (TROPA) together with inter-council …

Pasadena’s art walk explores intersection of community and art

Share: The blocks between Los Robles and El Molino were filled with Pasadena residents and locals for the annual two-day Art Walk. Booths lined up showcasing different styles of art including oil painting, jewelry and handcrafted pottery from Mexico. For some attendees, this was their first Art Walk, enjoying the creative atmosphere, food and a live singer playing an acoustic guitar.  One local resident shared her excitement, saying, “This is my first time. I live down the street and saw something going on, so I …