Issue Nine

There was more like 500 issues, with issue 9. It was the most intense and just trying issue of the semester. I really wanted to make it my best and I gave it my all. I'm pleased to say how thrilled I am about the final product. I'm honored to have the opportunity of having a photo essay in the Union. I can't tell you how hard Haipha and I worked to produce that page by deadline. The pressure was so thick in the news room, it could be cut with a knife. I just have to say that if it wasn't for the staff and their support and friendship, I wouldn't have been able to make it. I'm so great full to everyone on staff. All the writers, photographers, and editors thank you for your support. It was a chaotic semester with good times, bad times and just oh shit what are we going to do times. It's incredible to see how far we've all come from the first issue to the ninth. Despite the bumps in the road, I had a positive semester. Mainly because I had great people around me to guide and give me direction. From a bad day to bad assignment I could count on any of the staff. I just hope that you'll take me back next semester. Check it out at http://media.www.elcaminouniononline.com/media/storage/paper354/news/2009/11/19/Arts/Behind.The.Stage.Curtain-3836539.shtml
<3 Heather

This past weekend the newspaper club Beta Phi Gamma attended the ECC Warrior football game and homecoming dance. It was such a fun experience!! It started at the game where EC cleaned up with a huge victory to make the team 8 wins and 1 loss in their season. They have one more game left with Mt. SAC, where they're hoping to bring home another victory and clench a playoff spot. During half time nominees for the homecoming court rode in vintage cars around the stadium. I was lucky enough to ride in as a filler in an extra car. It was a 1961 Chevy convertible Corvette. These cars were cherry and all worthy of a show! I really was an experience to photograph people taking photos of me. After the half-time extravaganza the game continued until we reached out victory. After the EC news staff headed to the Activities Center on campus to celebrate the 70s' theme dance. We all danced and partied our bums off!! There was a little bit of snacking and then more dancing. Almost the whole staff was commanding the dance floor all night! Then toward the end of the evening came the moment of truth, with the announcement of King and Queen. The nominees for Beta Phi Gamma were Miles our Editor-in-chief and Erica. They did such a good job at the rally to promote the club and themselves. Unfortunately Tailor Made, the fashion club swept by us witht he victory for the evening. The best part is every event our group attends the closer we get. The sad part is the semester is almost over, but there is always next semester!! For more on homecoming visit www.elcaminouniononline.com.

<3 Heather

Marijuana in the Media

Marijuana has been in media frenzy in 09'. This year it has been a weekly topic in the media and the subject of people's conversations every where. This year the medical use of Marijuana has made much progress for patients and supporters nation wide. Organizations like M.M.P. (Medical Marijuana Project) are getting media attention. They are now being interviewed on air and recognized as organized movement. In the past years, weed has become increasingly popular and now becoming part of American society on a daily basis. Alaska, California, Colorado, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Maine, Minnesota, Ohio, and Oregon are states that have decriminalized the possession of 1 ounce of marijuana. As of Nov. 5th Massachusetts ballot initiative passed to be among the other states. Like wise in the same election Michigan has become the 13th state to offer medical pot to patients. Most importantly President Obama signed the new policy about medical marijuana and it's users. The memo advises prosecutors they "should not focus federal resources in your states on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana." This is huge for the country. More importantly it affects everyone on a personal level. During one issue I shot the section 'View Points' and the question was 'Should we legalize Marijuana?'. It was over whelming the support the students had for the substance. I had tons of students volunteering with yes answers, and ready for a photo. It was almost a struggle to find ones who disagree. Even if the student wasn't a user themselves, many did not care and supported the change. We a still very far away for marijuana being legalized in the United States, but it has made much progress since the 'Reefer Madness' days. The new reforms to policy are only making it safer for patients to access medicine, while allowing state governments to collect millions on taxes, on the control and dispensing of the substance. As for the county being full of lethargic Americans stoned on the couch, which is not the direction that users, supporters, and government are taking marijuana. For more info on this topic visit www.mpp.org/ and http://media.www.elcaminouniononline.com/media/storage/paper354/news/2009/04/02/Opinion/No.Should.We.Legalize.Marijuana-3688050.shtml.

<3 Heather

Sports

I know how we all love sports! Football is back, baseball is almost over, baseball and basketball are comming in the spring, and hockey is going strong. All of the professional league sports are followed by millions religiously. I myself am a season ticket holder for kings hockey. This season hass been great for us. We've only lost a number of times so far and have been great on our powerplay. The team overall has been on the same page reading plays and acting as a cohesive team rather than individual players. They need to get it together on the penalty kill, because that is when they are allowing other teams to score. It was really exciting for me to meet and talk to about 8 players, last Thursday. After the game that we lost in over time, I was able to go down stairs and talk to the Kings. I had a great conversation with Matt Greene, about the dynamic of the season and the players themselves. He elaborated on how they have the same goal in mind and it makes a difference.

Likewise here on campus we have great sports! Right now we have cross country, water polo, soccer, and football. In the spring baseball and basketball are going to be on the schedule, as well. I had the pleasure of shooting a Woman's Water Polo, game against Rio Hondo. It was intense with the players yelling and splashing around at each other. Not to mention how much energy it takes for the players to swim from one end of the pool to the other. It's a workout and a talent to be a water polo player, and the lady warriors all are equally impressive. That game my camera and I took a splash from the warriors, and they came out of the game victorious.

ECC Warrior football is not a force to be reckoned with. They were number one on the top teams in the country on a community college level. Led by their quaterback Matt Simms, the warriors have been victorious in every opponet they have faced. Until, they played Mt. Sac and lost for the first time of the season. They came out crushed with a score of 42- 26 here at Murdock Stadium on Saturday. This loss brough our ranking from number one to five, on the list. This is super dissapointing for the team, but there will be many more action packed games to come this season for many different sports. For more sports info check u out online at http://media.www.elcaminouniononline.com/media/storage/paper354/news/2009/11/05/Sports/Warriors.Mistakes.Prove.Costly.In.Loss.To.Mt.Sac-3823469.shtml.

<3 Heather

Shooting on Campus

Hey everyone it's Heather back with more photo notes. I have been going crazy walking around campus shooting events and connecting with students. It's been such a pleasure too. It seems like many students volunteer themselves for photos and shoots. I did campus viewpoints for almost an entire year now and every time it seemed like a struggle to get a student that would like to have the photo done. Yet when I am on assignment I find students willing to stand in front of the camera for me. I was looking around this week at the costume sale going on, on campus. The costume dept. of ECC was selling older costume pieces on the grass just south of the library on Monday and Tuesday. They were offering all types of costumes and accessories for very cheap prices. I caught some students that were standing next to the sale and asked for a photo. I accpeted and let them know where I am from and who I am shooting for and he was glad to help. I was able to capture him and a friend for a wild art photo. The image is posted above and features students Christian Youngman It's so fun to meet and interact with students and then later i see them in a class and they always say 'Hey you took my picture and it was in the newspaper. It was really cool.'.

<3 Heather

Paul's Photo

Hey there everyone I am back again with another post. This time i'm super excited about the student photo show at Paul's Photo. It's going to be up all month. They are open 6 days a week until 6pm. Many of the staff photographers here on EC Union are showing images in the show. I have one image in the show entitled "Clara". That is the image above. It meant a great deal to me to have this photo in the show. Others have multiple images in the show, and all are amazing. It really shows how far the photo program has come at ECC. I started in the photo program here almost 4 years back and almost every student in the photo classes were taking them for fun or the transfer credits. It's so nice to see many of the students have continued to make it their major. Not to mention, the ammount of students sucessful with their photos and progress. I myself and a few other students, will be obtaining an A.S. in photo next semester. While others are being offered internships and other helping experience positions. So come out to Paul's Photo anytime in October and support ECC photo students. For info and directions go to www.paulsphoto.com.

<3 Heather

How Safe are We??

Hey there here I am back again. I was walking to my car the other night at ECC in Lot L, when i saw something very alarming. I noticed a few rows up that there was an ECC officer. That was comforting to me at first having it been night time and second the common attacks that have occurred on campus. Until I noticed what he was doing. I saw this officer shinning his light into some one's vehicle and then try the door handle to see if it was open. My mouth dropped and I literally stopped and stared for a second. The worst part was he quickly made it look like something else and then made a comment to me as to intimidate. I was so shocked and appalled. How can students feel a sense of safety when we catch police blatantly trying to get in to our vehicles.

As if that's not bad enough, I was recently informed that if a student's vehicle is stolen on campus there is no protection. The lots are "Park at your own risk" yet it is controlled, charged, and ticketed like a private lot. So not only do we all constantly park at our own risk, if we get out parking pass stolen (By someone breaking in or stealing the whole car) you are responsible to purchase an entirely new pass. Once a pass is given if it is never seen again, the school will not replace it no matter what and it is your responsibility to buy another. I am so aggravated to find this information. It makes me feel like i can't be safe on campus.

This is really serious for all students because we already have to deal with physical attacks and our sense of safety being compromised. Now I feel like my car and I are not being protected to the best ability. I think this is some useful information and really alarming as well. Just remember knowledge is power and contagious. Things like this are only allowed and accepted because people don't know about it. For more info on crimes that happen on campus check out ECC P.D.'s page at http://www.elcamino.edu/police/SpecNotice/index.asp.

<3 Heather

Photo Notes: Shooting Darilyn

Hey everyone it's Heather back at ya again. I've been having a wonderful time going out on campus and taking photos. I really enjoyed shooting Darilyn Rowan. She is an amazing teacher, photographer, and woman. We really got to have a ton of fun together. We went out at about 10 a.m. and walked around campus looking for good lighting and backdrop. We ended up shooting in some beautiful diffused lighting by some roses and the cashier's office. I shot a ton of photos! Some to test lighting and color, and once my camera was set, then i started to shoot Darilyn.

I took about 30 images of her. Some were just profile shots, only being the side of her face. Others were full length shots, much like the one that ran in issue 2 of EC Union News. I am so honored to take images of Darilyn Rowan. Especially because i am a photographer myself and i find it to be very uncomfortable to be on the other side of the camera. I would assume, much like me, that she would rather be on the other side of the camera. I am great full she has given me the instruction and opportunity to shoot her. One of the hardest parts was that as her student I have to make it perfect. Not to mention, she is a world recognized photographer. That is very intimidating and a lot to live up to and impress. I was really happy with the images that were made of her and so was she. I was mortified at minor mis-print errors, but she went out of her way to let me know how much she loved it. I feel so accomplished as a photographer getting her warm recognition and I find it inspiring. This one shoot has given me a huge confidence boost. Although I will continue to learn to be a better photographer, this is a significant shap shot in my photographic experiences and learning. For info about photo on campus check out Darilyn's photo blog at http://reginarowanart.wordpress.com/.

<3 Heather

Back to School

The parking lots, classes, wait lists, and hallways are full of returning and new students at El Camino College. Yet, the challenges students are facing seem to remain. The parking is always a main issue here on campus. Since the new parking structure has opened the traffic has decreased. There is also an abundant amount of parking compared to previous years. Students may still experience some trouble at peak times, like before classes at 8am. Over all the amount of spaces have increased significantly and the construction in Lot "L" shouldn't contribute to any future problems.
One thing that is costing students time that they usually would spend parking, would be navigating through the construction on campus. I find myself stopping to direct students in the right direction at least three times a day. As a student I find it to be frustrating to walk through an area one day and then it's closed the next. Unfortunately, it will not be ending anytime soon with the renovations and the new Humanities mall under construction. So be sure to give yourself enough time to get from one end of campus to another.

The main issue that is reoccurring on campus is the sexual assaults. In every student's email we received a notification about another occurrence here on campus. I was shocked to hear that this has happened again, and the magnitude of the attack was unbelievable. What happened overall is that a gentleman asked a female student to escort him to his vehicle, where a second abductor was waiting. The female was blindfolded and taken to an isolated area, and sexually assaulted. She was later dropped off at Crenshaw Blv. and 110th st. and contacted the police. It was another occurrence in broad daylight that could have possibly been avoided. It's super important for female students to remain aware of what is going on around them at all times. I also suggest to use the buddy system and never walk alone (especially at night). Remember El Camino College has strict rules about weapons and the police will not make exceptions to these rules. But, they are here to protect all students so familiarize yourself with the emergency poles to contact police. I also encourage bringing pepper spray and holding it in hand, especially while walking at night. For more info on this topic visit www.elcaminouniononline.com 0r www.elcamino.edu.

<3 Heather