The RenegadeBakersfield College Rip Vol. 86 ∙ No. 6 www.therip.com Wednesday, November 19, 2014 BC campus holds Vet Fest for second year By Alisia Sanchez Photographer The Bakersfield College Veterans Club showed support for its veteran students at this year’s second annual Vet Fest, held on campus Nov. 6. The event took place in the open grass area between the Grace Van Dyke Bird Library and Student Ser- vices building, and consisted of vendors Spotlight whose collaborative goal was to assist The community also veteran students and their family mem- honored Veterans at bers, as well as those who support vet- the Bakersfield City’s erans. “We’re trying to let the Bakersfield annual Veterans Day College community know that we’re Parade. part of the general community, and that See page 12 we’re in the classes,” said Veterans Ser- vices Educational Adviser Tina Mendo- za. “We’re also here to be part of the BC ELIAS C. AHUmada / THE RIP family, so, if possible, [the event is] not solely for veterans, but it’s BC defensive backs Patrick Marzett (4) and Khalil Ealy (2) tackle the Ventura running back Chris Beeson (25) for a loss. for people that support veterans.” Last year, the event was put together by Veterans Club President Wesley Barrientos and Interim Associate Dean Paul Beckworth. Mendoza said that due to the fact that last year’s event was put together a month before its date, it was a little disorganized. This year, however, the event was put together four months before by Barrientos, Beckworth, Mendoza, and Counseling Office Supervi- BC wins, hosts bowl sor Bernadette Martinez. A team effort contributed to this year’s organization, Mendoza said. “The turnout’s great,” Mendoza said. “From my understanding, we’ve doubled our vendors from last year, and we’ve had less dis- Renegades organization … Last year was the first time, so this was the second year, and we’ve learned from our mistakes, and it’s way better.” Some of the vendors in attendance were the Employment De- Please see VET FEST, Page 6 stun Ventura, face Chaffey in bowl game By Daniel Ojeda Sports Editor Despite a less than stellar start of the season, the Bakersfield College football team finished the regular season on a five- game winning streak, securing a bowl game at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 22 and finishing with a 6-4 record. The Renegades’ defense, ELIAS C. AHUmada / THE RIP which had trouble finding its The Renegades’ defense celebrates after sacking the quarterback, sealing a victory for BC. footing earlier this season, came up big in BC’s last two games. first quarter that led to a Pasa- tackle Dominique Banks broke Despite the blunder, the de- Against Pasadena City Col- dena player being ejected. The through the Ventura offensive fense never panicked and forced lege on Nov. 8, the Renegades’ Renegades’ home crowd also got line to sack the Pasadena quar- a turnover on downs. defense held Pasadena to only into the game as they exchanged terback on fourth down, forcing “We did what we needed to three points, while sacking the “We are BC” chants with “We Ventura to turn the ball over to do to get it done at the end. No quarterback four times and re- are VC” chants by the Ventura seal the win for BC. one panicked. It’s a tribute to the covering two fumbles as the fans that made the trek to Ba- “The center was small. I came players and our coaching staff,” Renegades controlled the entire kersfield. off the block and pushed him said head football coach Jeff game to win 28-3. On the field, the BC defense back about four yards,” Banks Chudy. The win gave BC a winning was able to come up with enough said. Ventura was able to reach the record for the first time this sea- stops when the Renegades need- Before the sack sealed the win, red zone six times, but the BC son, and set up a showdown with ed them, while Triton Douglas Ventura was facing a fourth and defense held the offense to only division leader Ventura College carried the offense, rushing for 18 and was about to punt, but a one touchdown and four field ALISIA SANCHEZ / THE RIP on Nov. 15, with a bowl game at 124 yards and two touchdowns high snap and pressure from the goals, the last of which put Ven- Veteran Wesley Barrientos is the president of the stake. as BC won a nail biter by the Renegades’ defense forced the tura up 19-17 with 10:40 remain- score of 25-19. Ventura punter to scramble, and, ing in the fourth quarter. Bakersfield College Veterans Club, and helped start and From the onset of the game against Ventura, tensions were With the victory still in doubt miraculously, he was able to run Starting at its own 25-yard line, organize last year’s first annual Vet Fest, continuing his high, as players from both teams and with Ventura driving late in for 24 yards to pick up the first the BC offense drove right down participation in this year’s event. had a shoving match early in the the fourth quarter, BC defensive down. Please see FOOTBALL, Page 10 New campaign aims to help students stay above the influence By Phillip Rodriguez Gutierrez and Preston have been walking across campus for Reporter several days during school hours, asking students if they would fill out the colored slips of paper, describing what each student Multicolored strips of paper decorate multiple walls in the feels they are “above.” Language Arts Building of Bakersfield College. Each strip Gutierrez said that she believes the campaign will have an bears the statement “I am (above)” with a variety of words on overall positive effect, as she has noticed many people stopping each paper. to read the papers that are posted on the walls on the second The strips of paper are part of a project that was introduced floor of the Language Arts Building. by the Above the Influence Campaign, a national organization “I think overall and in the long run, it will make them aware created to raise awareness of negative influences through com- of things they didn’t know could be a negative influence,” said munity involvement and local efforts. Gutierrez. Preston agreed, saying that the papers will help The Department of Mental Health and the Kern Stop Meth “make [students] see the consequences, too.” Now Coalition are having students work with these organiza- The strips aren’t limited to drugs and alcohol, as Gutierrez tions. Dori Gutierrez and Breanna Preston, two Human Servic- stated. The strips name things such as GMOs, closed-source es majors at Bakersfield College, are students participating in networking and suicide. the project and spoke positively about it. You can contribute what you feel you are “above” on the Kern ALISIA SANCHEZ / THE RIP “It opens peoples’ eyes to what influences are out there. It’s Stop Meth Now Facebook page, as well as find other informa- Colorful slips for the Above the Influence Campaign, displayed in all around students,” Gutierrez said. tion involving the group. the Language Arts Building, promote substance abuse awareness. NEWS Page 2 The Renegade Rip www.therip.com Wednesday, November 19, 2014 Gang activity peaks in Delano community By Elias C. Ahumada schools and local government can help fill in some “We had three of those homicide cases that ap- “They pointed the gun at me and they told me Opinions Editor voids, but ultimately it is the parents’ responsibil- pear not to be gang related in the past 18 months.” to come, and [the gunmen] directed us toward my ity. The homicides DeRosia mentioned involved mom’s room.” “Stop the violence, stop the violence, don’t they “If there is nothing out there for them to do, they John Holguin Espinoza, 88, a local barber, who Navarro said that there were a total of three bur- see who they are hurting?” said Maria Juana Gon- will find things to do,” DeRosia said. He believes was found in a canal inside of his own trunk Sep- glars and they all had ski masks. The crime went on zalez-Pena, 49, who’s son, Alberto Juan Gonzalez, that many parents feel that the police department is tember of 2013. for about two hours. 19, was found dead in a triple homicide in Delano mainly responsible for allowing crime to happen in Erika Padron Lango, 26, from Delano, was also “I had found some pictures on my cell phone that on Oct. 25. the city, but that is not true at all. found in a canal after she was reported missing for were uploaded from my iCloud … but I think when Homicides aren’t the only crimes that some resi- Compared to stats from last year, auto theft has about two months. I was trying to explain to the detective, he didn’t dents in the area have been exposed to. Some resi- gone down 12 percent, with 373 thefts in 2013. As Cody Harris, 20, was shot and killed at Kalibo understand, but there were pictures of guns and dents have experienced home invasions, car thefts, of October, 325 auto thefts have been reported this Park in Delano, Nov. 18, 2013. stuff like that on my phone,” Navarro noted. and rape. year, according to DeRosia. DeRosia said that although the victim did not ap- The burglars took Navarro’s phone on the night In recent years, Delano has become a hot spot Other crimes that are down from last year in- pear to be a member of a gang, the shooting had of the crime and she believes the criminals used for gang activity.