ASPCC candidates pitch platforms ahead of election

Share: Elections for the Associated Students of PCC (ASPCC) are open from Wednesday, May 21 through Thursday, May 22. This is your guide to who is running in the election, including their experience and their planned policies. Disclaimer: Two Courier staff writers are running in this year’s election, and are included in this article. Darya Dereakhshani, a political science major, is running for student trustee. As someone who is particularly interested in public policy and politics, she feels like this is a position where she …

‘Bringing Past and Present’ ties communities together through music

Share: Two grand pianos, new Steinway & Sons directly from New York and Hamburg, sit quietly at center stage as the audience prepares to be immersed into the next act. Alumni Edward Pan ’20, violin, and Emily Su ’17, piano, enter through stage left to a round of applause as they take their place. The artists glance at each other and take off with Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5. The instruments suddenly come alive, taking the audience through twists and turns, each note flooding …

Mariachi and Ballet Folklórico bring Mexican culture to life at International Culture Week

Share: As part of International Culture Week, Mexican heritage was celebrated through live mariachi music, traditional dancing, all cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.  On Tuesday, April 29th, in the quad, the Foreign Language Department hosted a mariachi band that played live music that the folklore ballet dancers performed to.  As soon as the mariachi started playing their instruments, the festive tone was set and the dancing began. The violin, trumpet, and guitar, all complemented one another to offer an upbeat melody that the crowd …

My Territory: A walk through Hansen Dam showcases Pacoima’s scenic and cultural charm

Share: Located in the San Fernando Valley, Pacoima is a neighborhood deeply rooted in culture and history. Known for its vibrant Latino community, its strong Mexican-American heritage seeps through each and every pore of its local businesses, colorful murals, and neighborhood festivals. Understanding the history of Pacoima adds a layer of depth to my experience here. Originally inhabited by the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, Pacoima has a legacy that dates back centuries, reflecting the resilience and spirit of its people. The Tataviam tribe …

Armenian Heritage Month celebration unites a scattered people

Share: Joyful Armenian pop-style music filled Galloway Plaza as Armenian students, faculty and vendors gathered to celebrate Armenian History Month while dancers from Lilia Dance Studio dressed in colorful clothes to perform traditional Armenian dances to the delight of the crowd. With a chef on-site to teach everyone how to make traditional Armenian dishes, the activities demonstrated the many aspects of Armenian culture. Last Tuesday, April 29, PCC’s Joint Armenian Network (PCC JAN) presented an Armenian Market as the last event celebrating Armenian Heritage Month …

Pasadena pitching pitfalls prompts Lancers to perish in playoffs

Share: After taking game 1 in a surprise upset, Pasadena City College dropped both ends of Saturday’s doubleheader to No. 3 seed Palomar, ending its postseason run.  Heading on the road to face the SoCal Regional Tournament’s no. 3 seed was a tall task for the Lancers, but following a 6-4 victory in game 1, Pasadena turned the series on its head, putting the Comets on the brink of elimination. “We didn’t snag [game 1],” head coach Pat McGee said. “We beat them.”  The Lancers’ …

PCC celebrates Earth Day with paint, plants, and peaceful discussion

Share: Sunshine, laughter, and community bonding set the scene as students gathered around the quad for a harmonious Earth Day celebration. Chatter floated through the air as tables buzzed with activity, hands busy threading bracelets and holding paint stiff brushes.  The event brought forth a reminder that contributing to our planet can be both meaningful and fun. Whether painting, planting, or just passing by, everyone left a little lighter. “Today’s inspiring,” said Nareh Kiledjian, ASA director of communications, “I like the initiative of earth, and …

Lancers leash the Huskies as Pasadena heads to playoffs

Share: The Lancers defeated conference opponent East Los Angeles with an 8-4 victory at home last Thursday afternoon.  The pendulum of momentum swung in favor of the Huskies early on as a lead-off double began the flurry of hits East Los Angeles had all game. Pasadena’s pitching struggles in the top of the first inning led to an early 2-0 deficit.    Pasadena’s confidence didn’t waver despite the early fall in the scoring department.  “We had our backs against the wall [early on], so there’s nowhere …

A family bond forged by fire: Inside PCC’s first Wildland Fire Academy

Share: “You really do become family.” That’s how Madeline Woodman, class leader of Pasadena City College’s first Wildland Fire Academy, or Wildland Fire Academy 1, described the eight relentless weeks of training — weeks that, in her words: “pushed every one of us physically, mentally, and emotionally,” forging a group of strangers into a unit shaped by fire. On the morning of April 12, that unit, 38 strong, gathered into the Creveling Lounge to celebrate what they’d accomplished. As friends and relatives filled the room, …

Lancers keep eyes on playoffs after big swing and miss

Share: The Lancers keep their hopes for the playoffs high after a blowout loss at the hands of the Mt. San Antonio Mounties last Tuesday afternoon.    The first of their three matches against Mt. San Antonio saw Pasadena falter at the plate, with the batters tallying only one run across nine innings. Lancers pitchers joined the rough outing, allowing eleven runs, two of which were unearned.   “We’re looking to get in the playoffs, for sure,” center fielder Tyler Garcia said.  “We definitely have to wake …