Standing atop the artificial track turf, Saul Villegas faced the home crowd as the only male cheerleader, surrounded by confidently radiant female faces. What started off as an innocent and unsuspecting hip roll soon turned into an explosive hip thrust. Villegas was dressed in spandex with the cardinal and gold Lancer logo on the face of the shirt. Lip gloss—check. Highlight—check. Hair styled—check. And don’t forget the contacts. No, not those. The one’s with the blue tint. Yeah, that’s better. Perhaps the night would be …
Olivia Loo: International Student Center’s go-to
As she roamed around the halls of USC, a young Olivia Loo felt out of place. It was nothing like Panama. She could speak English, but she could not relate to anyone nor to the culture. She was cold, miserable and lonely. Then, she decided that no one should have to go through what she went through. Director of PCC’s International Student Center (ISC) Olivia Loo works an administrative job that consists of providing documentation, forms and reports to the Dean of Counseling & Student …
Chicana advocates for those affected by incarceration
As a young child who has been affected by the incarceration system, PCC student Jasmin Lopez found her passion of helping those in similar situations through school involvement. Being in many different programs and clubs that reach out to people affected by prison impaction gave her the opportunity to learn how to support and give back to her community. Lopez grew up in a single parent household. Having her father incarcerated for her entire life and a brother who was wrongly convicted has shaped her …
Say ciao to California’s largest Italian program
As Italian professor Laura Godio approached Italian professor Rita D’Amico, there was an instant ease and the mood of this interaction seemed almost too perfect. These are two professors that, when they speak about the language they teach others, are enthusiastic about it even if they both have different teaching experiences.
First-gen student sustained by PCC’s pantry
Maneuvering freshman year of college is often a complicated time where students need information timely to the start of the semester, with their first source often being a family member. However, as Sarhay Medina learned, being the first in the family to attend college came with another set of challenges.
Defined by the Grind
Growing up with dyslexia, being bullied throughout his entire educational career, battling isolationism and low self esteem, Pasadena City College student Jacob Yanez turned to music for solace. Yanez found not only music, but also a community in one of music’s most underground genres- grindcore.
Filmmaker’s superpower is doing, well, everything
When Xavier Kai DuBose appears, he’s cool and collected with a massive backpack on his back and a skateboard in his hand. He’s friendly; he feels familiar. His eyes, though visible and attentive, are tucked behind gently shaded sunglasses. His smile is out in the open though, it’s wide and gleaming, even brighter than the glint of his septum ring. DuBose’s shirt is emblazoned with an intricate galaxy, a smattering of bleach and several colors of paint, his own personal design. Creating handmade galaxy-inspired clothing …
Triumphs and trombones at PCC
As the army of musicians sit outside of the Center for the Arts practicing their instruments for their upcoming shows, there lies a long time veteran of the trombone, PCC, and the Army.
PCC professor speaks of technological impact on education
At first glance, the classroom seemed to be in disarray. Stacks of paper lay haphazardly on Charmaine Cordero’s work desk. Vintage posters hung precariously on the walls. The tiled floor was heavily marked by shifting room arrangements, furniture and the shuffling of students.
Back to school while turning tables
After working a long day as a full-time store manager, Jose Robles takes his free time to practice his mixing skills. Robles loses himself in the music, finding the right songs to blend together, learning the right transitions and discovering himself as person. Due to his aspiration to become a DJ, Robles believes Communications and Television-Radio could push him towards that direction. Acknowledging his passion, he decided to go Pasadena city college and continue his education. “I came to a point whether or not I wanted …