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March 28, 2016
“Sit Down” Comedian Visits TC
By Jonathan Celiz
On March 1, The Taft College English Language Arts Division was host to a unique individual, Miguel Lugo who goes by the stage name, “El Chueco.” He is an Hispanic comedian who also has cerebral palsy and is a advocate for people with disabilities.
He spoke at the Cougar Room about his life, his career, and what motivated him to take up comedy as well as raise awareness about people with disabilities and helping those people make the most out of life and not be tied down by the low expectations of peers or society in general all while incorporating humor.
His speech also coincided with a short film entitled “My Reality” which is an honest look at how society views others with disabilities such as his. It’s freely available to view on youtube and on his site www.elchueco.com
March 28, 2016
Black History Month
By Nick Kawano
Every February, Americans in retrospect think about how far this country has come when it comes to racism and The Civil Rights Movements. Black History Month is when we pay our respects to legends such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, and many others.
I remember when my father would always tell me the stories about Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on the bus, Jackie Robinson changing the game of baseball by being the first negro player to ever play Major League Baseball, and of course, the famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Being a young college student makes me feel very blessed and fortunate that I have not been exposed to as much racism. I couldn’t imagine watching people being harassed because of the color their skin. The fact that black women and men had to use different restrooms, drink from different water fountains, and go to different schools is crazy to think about. Now in today’s world, we pay homage to the men and women that dealt with a lot of adversity to make the world a better place.
Walking around the TC dorms at Taft College, I asked people I’ve never met about their opinion of Black History Month. Whyhella Haley said, “I’m very thankful for all of the brave men and women that risked their lives to help better this country and make everyone equal. It’s not about what color of skin you have, it’s about what kind of person you make yourself out to be and that’s the most important thing.”
Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other Countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history. February 24th and 25th, Taft College celebrated Black History Month with a quiz about black history and a “Taste of Soul” cooking lesson.
Whyhella Haley at Black History celebration
March 28, 2016
Finding the Pot of Gold and Black
By Ashley Renteria
Traditional Irish foods, games, and raffles, these are the things you found if you attended Taft College’s ASB St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
The celebration was held on March 17th in the Conn Expo room in the cafeteria.
Traditional Irish dishes consisted of shepherd’s pie, Irish soda bread, red cabbage salad and a cereal bar treat that consisted of lucky charms, white chocolate drizzle, and pretzels. Candied pecans with local honey were prepared by Shoshana Kukuliev who is student trustee of ASB.
There were cup stacking games where the winner from each round played other winners. Winners of each round were awarded one raffle ticket for the prizes.
Ariel Manzano, Arielle Stoyanow and Nancy Reynaga discuss rules of the cup stacking game
Ryan Gaunt prepares to play against opponent
First place prize was Ryan Gaunt who won a $50 Visa Gift Card and 2nd place was Nancy Reynaga who won a gift basket and goodies.
Nancy Reynaga and her gift basket and goodies pictured with ASB Vice President Alicia Huizar
March 16, 2016
Kentucky Wildcats Top Texas A&M to Claim SEC Title
Photo CourtesyTroy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
By Veronica Renaker
The Kentucky Wildcats faced Texas A&M Sunday afternoon and did not disappoint.
The Cats went up against the Aggies earlier in the basketball season but lost 79-77 on a disputed technical foul with Alex Poythress on the bench. Poythress, a 6-foot, 8-inch, 230-pound small forward, is a crucial player on Kentucky’s team, averaging 10.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and .4 assists per game.
After stumbling earlier in the season, the Cats are back, and are their claws out! The two teams hashed it out in a tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena. With 18.7 seconds left on the clock Danuel House of Texas A&M hit a three pointer which tied the game at 71.
Tyler Ulis of Kentucky quickly returned the favor with a jump shot putting his team back in front. With 15 seconds until victory, House hit nothing but net from the three point line, followed by a layup, putting TAM ahead 75-73.
With such a close call the stadium was brought to their feet. TAM’s final jump shot of the night brought the scoreboard to 77-76, UK. Not allowing a victory for Aggies, the Wildcats did not give up hope. Both Willis and Murray had back to back three pointers to win the game right before the buzzer. The final score was 82-77.
”We’re disappointed, but we don’t have time to hang our heads or be disrupted in the journey we’re trying to accomplish,” said Texas A&M coach Billy Kennedy. TAM was seeded third in March Madness’ Western Regional.
UK coach John Calipari was disappointed with Kentucky’s seeding in the upcoming March Madness, fourth in the tough Eastern Regional.
“A&M got a 3-seed. Did we not play a basketball game today?”
It was Kentucky’s 29th SEC tournament championship. Now winning 14 of the past 24 SEC tournaments, it’s safe to say that the Cats are a force to reckoned with.
Kentucky will play Stony Brook this Thursday, March 17.
Courtesy of Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports!
March 14, 2016
Robin Ledford Says Goodbye to TC
Goodbye Taft, Hello China
By Etelvina Castillo and Nick Kawano
Taft College has said goodbye to a faculty member, Robin Ledford. She has been part of the Taft College faculty for 7 years and is now saying goodbye to Taft College and hello to China. Ledford loves traveling and teaching English so what better than doing both at once. She has been offered a job in China as an English teacher and is really excited about this new opportunity.
This will be her first time having her own English classroom as a teacher. She is not required to speak Chinese since English will be the only language allowed to be spoken in her classroom.
Ledford admits to be a bit nervous about the food and etiquette there is in China but is still excited for this new journey in her life.
Ledford started off as a student worker at Taft College and moved her way up to being VP Assistant of Instruct to now teaching abroad. Besides China, Ledford said she would like to teach in another country perhaps somewhere in South America.
Her last day at Taft College was March 14th, and faculty and staff members organized a small farewell party for her. Ledford will definitely be missed by Taft College.
To students who are interested in teaching abroad she said, “It’s way easier than you would think, if you want to do it then just do it.”
As a farewell to Robin, her colleague Jeanene Robertson wrote:
The time to face reality has come
Her time here is really done
She brought so much to the table
So willing, so inspiring, so able
So innovative
So creative
Pushed the envelope
Helped things develop
Created relationships that are everlasting
Willing to give her all without ever asking
Saw the bigger picture
Did everything to make sure
Taft College would be successful for the future
She’s been here since she was twenty
Growing, maturing, stressing…oh plenty
Being a part of Instruction is not easy
It’s a giant task that sometimes makes you queasy
No problem she said
She still came to work knowing that
She was an important piece…that’s a fact
It won’t be the same
But that’s ok
She will leave knowing we are still in the game
Thank you is the least we can say
And good luck as you go on your new way
Enjoy this new step
Make memories to be kept
We will miss you
And if you know anything to be true
Instruction is throwing a party for you
Not just one…but two
So come one come all
Say your good byes
But please do not cry
It is just time for our Robin to fly…