Share: Decades after his boss at Lucky Supermarket told him he wasn’t “worth a shit,” James Aragon found himself working in higher education; an unlikely spark that changed the trajectory of his life. Newly elected Trustee James Aragon, who’s taking over Area 2 from Jim Osterling, has worked in higher education since that fateful day his journeyman dreams were shattered. Twenty-six of those 30-plus years were dedicated to Pasadena City College, where he was a full-time counselor and associate professor of college success courses. Now …
For the first time ever, Area 6 gets a new board member
Share: Inaugurations for office can be an elaborate all-day affair but for the newly elected Pasadena City College Board of Trustees members, they took place in the early afternoon in a small conference room of the Jack Scott Building. The event was done before the bellowing lecture a floor above them wrapped for class. New board member Ryan Liu walked in wearing a commuter black backpack and a suit, smiling as if excited for the first day of school. But this time it’s to be …
‘The Book Club Play’ cast and crew write their own chapter in PCC’s theater department
Share: On the opening night of the theater arts department’s spring main stage show, “The Book Club Play,” actors of varying backgrounds and experiences were surrounded by an audience in PCC’s CA Theatre. The audience wrapped around the disk-shaped seating area, on the stage was a carefully constructed set modeled after a modern home, further immersing the actors into the private world of a tight-knit group of friends. A little over a month before working together, all six main cast members waited in line for …
Overbearing landlords leave tenants feeling ‘isolated, alone, harassed’
Share: With an increase in housing issues like higher rent prices, residents in Los Angeles County are facing the possibility of being unhoused. The Pasadena Tenants Union (PTU), was formed the same year a real-estate tycoon was elected president. Funded entirely by members’ dues, this grassroots organization protects Pasadenans from controlling landlords and other issues that pose a threat to people potentially losing their homes. The union strives in many ways to protect residents by providing a sense of community in Pasadena. The PTU notably …
Farm workers’ union president sows seeds of leadership with PCC Equipo
Share: In August 2022, the United Farm Workers Union marched from Delano to Sacramento, following the same path labor leader Cesar Chavez took in 1996. Inspired by Chavez’s achievements, this 335-mile march was held in hopes of passing the California Agriculture Labor Relations Voting Choice Act Assembly Bill. This bill would create more ways for farm workers to vote on union elections without pressure from growers or supervisors. Marching in the heat of summer along those farm workers, for the second time, was the president …
Local Muslim community balances joy of Ramadan with sorrow for Gaza
Share: As Ramadan continues, Hedab Tarifi finds herself struggling to observe the holiday as she ordinarily would. Tarifi is an active member of her community, a devout Muslim, and the first woman on the boards of the Southern California Islamic Center and the Muslim Public Affairs Council. However, as a Gaza City native, her anxiety is centered on home as war is waging and her people are dying. “It’s the month that we focus on spirituality; it’s a month that cleanses the body and soul, …
Octavia’s Bookshelf PCC pop-up celebrates diverse voices
Share: Nikki High beamed with excitement and pride as curious PCC students gathered around her popup table in the north patio of the CA building on Tuesday, March 19 to learn more about her local bookstore Octavia’s Bookshelf. Octavia’s Bookshelf is an independent bookstore in Pasadena founded by High to promote the joy and passion of literacy by sharing stories from BIPOC authors. It is named after award-winning author of New York Times Best-Seller “Parable of the Sower” Octavia Butler, who was a PCC alumna. …
8-Bit comes to life in PCC orchestra’s video game concert
Share: As the lights dimmed in the Sexson Auditorium, the bright opening titles of “The Legend of Zelda” played on an overhead screen and the dazzled audience then looked to the PCC Orchestra, walking through some of the most beloved music scores in video games. The event, held on Mar. 23, was the group’s first concert of the 2024 spring semester and focused entirely on an idea presented by students, video games. Conductor and Orchestra professor Henry Shin wanted to act on this idea for …
Latinx author guides students through generational trauma
Share: As the boisterous crowd began to quiet down and the jazz music heard outside the PCC gymnasium grew louder on Thursday, March 21, author Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez prefaced to the packed room by saying she was not looking to lecture or sugarcoat her words, which included more than a few instances of cursing. “I think it’s important to remind people that cussing doesn’t make someone dumb, that you could be highly successful and still cuss all the time and as much as you …
Queerchata moves PCC students to dance beyond boundaries
Share: Latinx music blared from a PCC conference room as students gathered together and practiced the steps of bachata, carefree of any gender norms that interfered with the expression of dance. On Mar. 12, PCC’s Puente club hosted an event with Queerchata that offered a safe space for students to embrace their culture and sexual identity. The one-time event was held at the Creveling Lounge with Latinx music and food provided, welcoming all students interested. Discovering a community or organization within a college institution that …