HARBOR TIDESTHE

VOLUME I NO.1 April 15, 2013 LOS ANgELES HARBOR COLLEgE WILMINgTON,CA

Famed Tuskegee Airman visits Los Angeles Harbor College By Waylette Thomas and Layshon DabbsHarbor Tides Staff Writers

On February 21, in honor of Black History month, Los Angeles Harbor College students had the extraordinary opportunity to hear from one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. Lt. Col. Robert J. Friend spoke to students during Professor Sun Nguyen’s History 12 class about what is was like to belong to a group that broke racial barriers while serving their country.

“You can’t change people from things they believe, I don’t think you can try,” Lt. Col. Friend said to a crowded room of Harbor college faculty and students.

The Tuskegee Airman existed to help anyone that wasn’t white, according to Lt. Col. Friend, who grew up and attended school in a Jewish neighborhood in New York. One of the oldest veterans to ever visit the campus, Lt. Col. Friend, 93, joined the air force at age 19.

For Lt. Col. Friend flying came naturally, “I learned to fly an airplane before I learned to drive a car,” he said.

Not only did Lt. Col. Friend belong to a group who helped change the air force, he was also one of the distinguished Tuskegee airmen who helped bring opportunities to African Ameri-cans in the military and beyond. He was lucky to have benefited from the trust of his white commanders who allowed him to lead when they were gone out on missions.

“As a young black male, it was an honor to be able to speak with a real live piece of African American history,” said Tysun Roberts, a political science major. “The motivation from see-ing him I will carry with me for a lifetime. I truly feel that my life has been changed by his life story. I feel that if he can accomplish so much in a time when African Americans were being held down, that I am bound to continue that level of greatness”

Before 1940, in an era where racism and segregation were a regular part of life in America, African Americans and other minorities were not allowed to serve as pilots in the U.S. mili-tary. In 1941, on an airfield in Tuskegee, Alabama, this group was established to train single and double engine air plane pilots. Those accepted at Tuskegee had to attend two years of college to join. All recruited members of the first class of Tuskegee Airmen were college graduates.

Additionally, more African Americans provided civilian power training (CPT) to support the pilots. Yet, they never received recognition for their effort

After Lt. Col. Friend finished his speech, Korean War veteran Joel Patterson, who is Prof. Craig Patterson’s father, spoke briefly. He presented Lt. Friend with awards in recognition of his outstanding achievement during his military service. Joel Patterson also mentioned a woman named Macy Harrington. She served as secretary of the Tuskegee Airmen, and is the only female officially documented as a member of the group. About 15 years ago, she tried to get the U.S. postal service to create a stamp to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, but her effort was turned down. Tuskagee continued on pg 2

Lt. Col. Robert J. Friend speaking to Harbor students about his wartime experiences (Photo courtsey of Marian Locascio)

Lt. Friend and other Tuskagee Airman (Friend located in red circle)

By James AndrewsEditor-in-Chief

In an aggressive effort to encourage a cleaner and healthier campus, Los Angeles Harbor College will be issuing citations for any student caught violating the new policy that prohibits smoking on campus.

The unconfirmed cost of a ticket ranges between $50-100, according to the Harbor College Sher-iff’s Department. Campus security also wanted to stress that they sympathize with those who want to smoke and will most likely ask any offenders to walk off campus before writing a ticket. And ac-cording Sgt. Harry Van, no citations have been issued because so far, students have agreed to either smoke off campus or extinguish their cigarettes.

When asked about enforcing the new policy, Sgt. Van replied, “We’re asking students to smoke at your car, just not on campus.”

But if individuals are inclined to push their luck, then campus security won’t hesitate to enforce the new policy. However, the newly established smoking ban has seen mixed results. Students are scarcely being confronted by campus security. Many are ignoring the signs and still smoking on campus.

“You know, I think it’s a good policy to keep it a smoke-free campus, but I’m addicted to ciga-rettes,” said Justin W., who requested that his full name not be used because he feared negative repercussions. “So I go places where I know people are going to smoke anyway. I’ve had a campus security guard drive by, and tell me this is a smoke-free campus. A professor said something to me, too.”

“They should have a designated place where people can smoke.” He said this while sitting outside of the NEA building with a lit cigarette in hand.

Well, smoking has finally been snuffed out at Harbor College. And along with hundreds of other college campuses nationwide, a healthy conscience campaign has set a goal to make every campus in the United States tobacco free.

The Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative is a proactive effort using health education and sup-port from its students and faculty to ensure the success of the program. Created by U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Howard Koh, and University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman, this plan was originally implemented to ban smoking on all of the University of Michigan cam-puses. Because of its successful implementation, the idea caught on and the Tobacco-Free Initiative furthered its campaign across the United States.

About 17 percent of colleges and universities in the United States already have tobacco-free or smoke-free policies, according to the Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative website. They also estimated that at least 1,129 colleges in the country have complied with achieving a smoke-free campus.

As for any final results concerning the implementation of the smoking ban, Harbor college will eventually be a tobacco-free campus. Installation and acceptance of the policy however, will take time. Success will really depend on students and staff who are smoking on campus to accept the new policy, and hopefully, encourage a healthier lifestyle.

(Photo courtsey of Erin Auerbach) Justin W., one of many students who chooses to ignore campus smoking

Student Life Feature Stories Sports, Entertainment and More..Smoking Ban on Campus...............................pg.1Welcome back the Harbor Tides...............pg. 2New Financial Aid Qualifications...............pg. 3Spring Fashion at LAHC.................................pg. 3

Tuskegee Airman............................................pg. 1-2King Carter.........................................................pg. 2Self Defense Class...........................................pg. 2.4Summer Session Returns.............................pg. 4

girls Basketball Returns...........................................................pg. 3Fashion on Campus..................................................................pg.3Making the grade.....................................................................pg. 4Financial Literacy Day.............................................................pg. 4

Los Angeles Harbor College slowly adpating to becoming a Tobacco Free campus

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Tuskegee continued from pg. 1

“Tuskegee Airmen were America’s war heroes,” said Latasi Tufele, a journalism major. “These guys are war gods. When they tried to keep them out the war; they fought their way to stay in. They ended up being one of the best [groups of] fighter pilots in the history of Amer-ica. I’m surprised it took America so long to recognize them.”

Although their acknowledgement was delayed, Tuskegee Airmen are now admired all across the world, especially by Americans who served in wars after them. Their contribution to the war effort was substantial. It’s having the opportunity to speak to such honorable individuals that helps acknowledge these men and their heroic efforts.

Current Harbor Tides Staff 2013Editor-in-Chief: Web Editor: Staff Writers: Academic Adviser:James Andrews Waylette Thomas Layshon Dabbs Erin AuerbachAssistant Editor: Jasmin ClardyD’Andre’ Hillman Kia Jackson

Editorial: Welcome Back, You and IAfter nearly a yearlong hiatus, the Harbor Tides is back. Thanks to the efforts of LAHC Communications Division Chair Carmen Carrillo, Journalism 218, the course responsible for producing the campus newspaper, was restored to the spring 2013 schedule. Because of its absence, the small but devoted Harbor Tides Staff has worked especially hard to get the paper started again. Thank you for reading. We look forward to bringing you more informa-tion about the people and events that influence and affect cam-pus life at LAHC. Harbor Tides Editor-In-Chief James Andrews

What is the Harbor Tides? The Harbor Tides is a college newspaper produced by LAHC students attending Journalism 218. The Harbor Tides was established to inform both stu-dents and faculity with all issues and stories regarding the college itself.

King Carter; contributing to black historyBy Layshon Dabbs and Waylette ThomasHarbor Tides Staff Writers

On February 28, a meaningful aspect of black history was brought to Los Angeles Harbor Col-lege students’ attention.

Retired LAHC Professor King Carter stood on a podium as if he were still teaching the students from his black history class that he is very well known for. As a black man and an academic, he shared his unique perspective with students who were excited to learn about his experiences. He dispensed with the following advice.

“If you really want to make black history, get your butt in class and do what the teacher tells you,” he said.

There was no mistaking the aggressive tone in his voice. He meant what he said. It was very im-portant for him to let students know where he was coming from and the message he was deliver-ing. It’s a message from his heart for those who are willing to listen.

Tysun Roberts is one of the students who took his words to heart, saying, “Black history is an everyday continuing progression that we should all be active in.”

Carter has come from a long line of the hard knocks of life. He grew up in the Ramona Gardens Projects on the eastside of Los Angeles where his mother raised him and his brother. The two brothers were both driven to do well and set high standards for themselves because they wanted to break stereotypes. They graduated from some of the lowest performing schools in the area.

Carter then proceeded to go to college at the University of Redlands, where he studied sociology, philosophy and history. He admits to having a couple of problems at first at this predominately white campus, but he resolved them without violence and by changing his attitude.

After a particular incident where fellow students attempted to haze him and his roommate, Carter stood up to them but refused to engage in a physical altercation. This episode had a profound impact on how he would continue to approach conflict throughout his life.

Carter went on to become an inspiration and mentor to students from diverse communities. Although he’s not currently teaching classes, he continues to serve an important role at LAHC as director of the Program for Accelerated College Education (PACE).

PACE director King Carter in his office (Photo courtsey of Waylette Thomas)

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By D’André HillmanAssitant Editor-in-Chief

For students seeking to improve on their confidence, mental and physical health, Los Angeles Harbor College has been offering a self-defense class for the past 25 years. At one time, mostly men took this class. Now the class is more diverse and includes women and those with martial arts experience.

Mits Yamashita, a self-defense instructor at LAHC, said he has trained thousands of students, male and female alike. Yamashita said he has been a self-defense instructor for the Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol and Los Angles Sheriff’s Department.

Yamashita has been teaching on campus for 25 years and studying martial arts for more than 40 years. Practicing years of boxing and Jiu Jitsu, he focuses his teaching by employing those methods as well as Judo. Yamashita considers these particular martial arts practical in a re-al-life scenario. Recalling a story about one of his female students being attacked and using an easy elbow throw technique, Yamashita said she was able to defend herself and escape. She only suffered minor bruises on her arm from blocking hits from her attacker.

“It has to be simple and effective,” Yamashita said.

He has had many students come back and tell him that the techniques they learned in his class were effective and saved their lives. Many work in law enforcement and used techniques learned in class to engage with suspects in the field. Self-defense continued on pg. 4

Self defence student Kyle Kawahara with Instructor Mits Yamashita (Photo courtsey of D’André Hillman)

Self-defense class teaches students the benefits of self-control

3Financial Aid; changes students need to be aware of

(photo courtesy of Joseph Valdez) Students seating outside the finiancial aid office

By Jasmin ClardyHarbor Tides Staff Writer

Financial aid has gone through many changes. In fact, it goes through a number of changes every year, and some of these affect more students than others. The official Federal Student Aid Website, http://studentaid.ed.gov, highlights some of the most major recent changes to federal aid.

As of July 1, 2012, the maximum number of equivalent full-time semesters for students to be eligible to receive a Pell Grant is 12. The maximum applies to all semesters in which students ever receive a Pell Grant at any college, not just the semesters they may have received a Pell Grant at Los Angeles Harbor College. For example, those who have taken a full-time load of classes over a period of five or six years and received a Pell Grant for each of these terms, may now no longer be eligible for a Pell Grant with the new regulations.

Students who have reached ‘Maximum Timeframe’ status and had their aid eligibility extended due to an earned degree, diploma, or certificate, are most likely to be impacted by this change. The maximum Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for which a student is eligible to receive a Pell Grant decreased from $5273 to $4995. Students with an EFC of $4996 or higher will not be eligible for a Pell Grant for the 2012-2013 academic year. Financial aid eligibility may also be limited to those who plan to enroll as part-time students.

Those seeking a Direct Loan need to be aware of the following changes. Since July 2012, there is no longer an interest rebate. Also, the loan origination fee has increased from 0.5 percent to 1 percent of the total loan amount received.

On the Federal Student Aid Website, other changes for direct loans are stated as follows: “Direct Subsidized Loans are not eligible for an interest subsidy during the six-month grace period….The U.S. Depart-ment of Education can no longer offer borrowers repayment incen-tives.” A detailed explanation of these changes may be found at http://studentaid.ed.gov/about/announcements/recent-changes.

Many schools have decided to handle more of the financial aid pa-perwork and questions online because it’s faster and more efficient, according to Sheila Millman, who is the Financial Aid Manager at LAHC. Millman expressed that the number students receiving finan-cial aid increases more than 30 percent each year. Because thousands of students receive assistance, she said the paperless aspect has helped tremendously.

In an informal and unscientific survey taken from a small number on the LAHC campus, it was revealed that students have varying degrees of knowledge about the changes to financial aid. Factors such as the students’ ages, technological savvy or interest in the subject affected how much they knew about it.

When asked if they were aware that there were changes to financial aid and there are changes made in financial aid every year (and sometimes even in between), more than half said no.

Most of the students surveyed knew very little about financial aid. All they knew is that they applied, were approved and received money.Students were also asked if they appealed a denial of financial aid. About half of them have. Of those who had made an appeal, few said they saw any result from it. Many of the students who have not made an appeal did not know that they had that option and assumed that the decision was final.

When asked if going paperless presented problems or challenges, some students with smartphones, as well as those who have jobs where they frequently check their email, were more likely to benefit from this process. As for those older students and those who haven’t gotten too hip to the technology era just yet, they are having a hard time with the adjustment.

Millman stated that the financial aid staff is highly trained on the things that they must express to each student. They attend workshops and other seminars throughout the year to acquire all the knowledge they need help each student. There are also opportunities for students to learn about financial aid.

Spring Fashion at Harbor College

“Guys should NOT wear jean shorts!”

Randy Hawkins, 22 Major: Communications

“Girls should not wear high heels to school”

Theresa, 17 Major: Nursing

Harbor College students show off their fashion sense and give a few tips for the Spring season !

By Jasmin ClardyHarbor Tides Staff Writer

The Los Angeles Harbor College women’s basketball team may be making a comeback to the school soon, ac-cording to Coach Albert Turner and the athletic advisor Nabeel Barakat. The team has been approved, but a coach has not yet been named. The basketball P.E. class offered during the current spring semester has bout 15 girls preparing for the return of an official team to LAHC.

At least some of the students enrolled in the class hope to become members of the team. LAHC’s previous wom-en’s basketball team won the state championship twice. The college has not had a women’s team since 2008. In the co-ed basketball P.E class, the women and men practice together as a way to boost their skills. Coach Turner works with a majority of female students who would like to be on the potential team, including his class T.A Jac-queline Carrie. However, he stressed that a coach has not yet been named for the team.

Two of the students enrolled in basketball P.E., Brianna Moss, 14, and Keisha Teal, 19, joined the class for the love of the game. When asked about joining the women’s basketball team if it was to return, their eyes lit up.

“I can’t wait until the team gets started, I’m definitely going to try and be on the team,” Teal said.

While the formation of a new women’s basketball team awaits approval, several questions remain. In addition to selecting a coach, tryouts, practice schedules, and other requirements will need to be determined.

“I’m inspired to dress different from others”

Alejandra Iriarte, 19Major: Nursing,

“Not really inspired by anyone. I have my own way of dressing.”

Jasmine Brink, 20 Major: Anthropology

““Don’t mix too many colors at once.”

Ruth CaballeroMajor: Biology, 19

“No pullover grandma sweaters”

Adriana, 18 Major: Psychology

Don’t call it a comeback, or should we?

4D’André HillmanAssitant Editor-in-Chief

Receiving a grade of B on an exam would satisfy most students. However, a cafeteria receiving anything less than an A may worry people about the level of sanitation in the area where their food is prepared. Los Angeles Harbor College cafeteria received a B grade from the Los Angeles County’s department of Health.

Despite that fact, students continue to eat there. Many seem to have apathy about the grade or don’t notice.

First year LAHC student Happy Tutupou, dines at the cafeteria regularly.

“It’s always clean,” she said. “The food is always good.”

Kitchen manager Erik Pastara has worked in the cafete-ria for about six years. He said that they had received the grade when the Department of Public Health inspected the cafeteria while it was closed last semester for fire instal-lation. The debris from the work caused the drop from the grade A to a B.

“I’m 100% sure the cafeteria will get an A next time,” Pastara said.

The public health department’s website listed 12 viola-tions at LAHC, two of them classified as high risk. Lack of cleaning or sanitizing surfaces, no hot water and/or no water are examples under the high-risk violation subcate-gories. However, no specific details were provided about the exact infractions at the LAHC cafeteria. (The depart-ment’s report on its inspection of LAHC can be found by searching http://publichealth.lacounty.gov. Simply enter the school’s name to pull up the report.)

Executive Chef Giovanni J. Delrosario, who is the di-rector of Culinary Arts Program as well as an Associate Professor at LAHC, said that he is not receiving any help from administration and has difficulty raising money to keep the cafeteria running.

“You support your faculty, you support your students,” Delrosario said. This building was built in 1949. It is very old. However “It’s clean,” said Delrosario.

LAHC student Judith Bocanegra didn’t know the cafeteria is rated B. Although she brings her food from home, she doesn’t believe a grade B is very bad.

Many students’ responses were positive to the grade B and understanding that everything can’t be perfect.

But other students didn’t think the grade was acceptable. LAHC student Joseph Shofner said, he stopped eating there when he discovered it has a grade B.

“The microwaves be dirty sometime [sic],” said Shofner.

Even though the department of public health does unan-nounced inspections, the cafeteria averages one inspection a semester. Every student chef interviewed for this story had confidence of getting an A on the next inspection.

“We clean every day,” Chef Mahogany Ray said.

Making the Grade

A health rating posted in the Harbor College cafeteria (Photo courtsey of D’André Hillman)

He said the rise in female students came in the last 15 of his 25 years working at LAHC.

As a child, Cervanates saw her mother perform Karate which motivated her to take self-defense.

Daniel Delgadillo, 18, joined the class to get back into boxing. He said he has learned other defense techniques in Yamashita’s class that he wouldn’t learn in boxing. He learned to get out of locks and grabs, situations that can happen to him, which he now knows how to defend. Delgadillo said he has been in a situation where he’s been verbally attacked and chose to ignore it, because of what he knew he was capable of doing. He said that fighting is senseless. He spars after almost every class with LAHC student Joshua “Purple” Graham, a former student of Yamashita.

“It’s actually fun.” Graham said. “He [Yamashita] does a great job.”

With national attention on the subject of bullying, self-defense can help people to protect themselves in threatening situations. “I rather know it and not use it, than need it and not know it,” Delgadillo said.

Instructor Yamashita displaying techniques to self-defense students(Photo courtsey of D’André Hillman)

Self-defense continued from pg.2

“It’s not pretty but it is effective,” he said.

Ariadna Cervantes, 20, is a first year LAHC student who is taking the class. She said she feels confident to use the methods Yamashita teaches her. “My sensi really knows how to motivate,” Cervantes said. “He’s a real good teacher.”

Cervantes grew up with four brothers, who she would wrestle with frequently, and she’s not bashful about spar-ring with other male students in her class. “I’m ready for it!” she said.

Her worry-free and optimistic attitude is a quality Yamashita wants all of his students to have. “Martial art has a philosophy, and it’s not to worry.” Yamashita said. “Your attitude should be one of joy.”

As a child, Cervanates saw her mother perform Karate which motivated her to take self-defense.

Although self-defense classes have been popular with women, Yamashita has had some classes that were all male students in the past.

Harbor College hosts first Financial Literacy Day

Financial Literacy Day organizers Eric Romero and Armando Villalpando(Photo courtesy of Erin Auerbach)

By Harbor Tides Staff

In an effort to provide students with information that can help them make sound financial decisions, Los Angeles Harbor College hosted its first Financial Literacy Day on April 9.

LAHC established a Financial Literacy Program in the summer of 2012. As part of this program to help students develop ways to manage their finances, career guidance and college assistants Eric Romero and Armando Villalpando created this event.

Financial Literacy Day featured representatives from insur-ance companies, veterans associations and student volun-teers.

The event’s goal is to create awareness about available resources on campus.

“I hope this event will open students eyes to see that there are resources here on campus,” Romero said. “I want students to see that LAHC wants to help them and provide services, We also hold workshops where we build ideas for generating income.”

At one booth, students were trained on how to manage their finances. They could play with monopoly money to figure out how to prioritize their monthly budgets.

At the Farmers Insurance booth, agents gave out sand-wiches and information. Livier Jimenez, an LAHC alumna, wanted to make sure that students know about the insurance company’s good student discount.

“I know how hard it is for students to pay for insurance,” she said. “That’s why Farmers offers discounts for students with a 3.0 or higher.”

LAHC’s Financial Literacy Program is available to all students but has the specific goal of helping former foster youth and veteran students gain the financial savvy and assurance that will help them achieve academic success.

Harbor College Summer 2013 Courses ReturnNeed to fulfill academic requirements? Want a productive way to beat the summer heat? Whether you need help with basic skills or want to take your first music or theater course, Los Angeles Harbor College has several classes available. Summer Session I runs from June 17 & July 26 and Session is June 17 & August 9. For more information, visit www.lahc.edu/classes/schedules

Laura Meza and Livier Jimenezof Farmers Insurance made sure LAHC stu-dents knew about rate discounts for good students (Photo courtesy of Erin Auerbach)