Tag Archives: Renegades

It’s summer…yet KCCD is on the move!

This week started off with a great Sunday on July 11th. Wimbledon, Unity 22, Euro 2020, …..

“Breakfast with Wimbledon” has been something I have associated with my mom who would wake up early and get ceremonially ready to watch the big event.

Miss you so much mom

So, on Sunday I tuned into the game just to feel her presence …. Although mom always rooted for Nadel over Djokovic I suspect she would not have complained too much since Nadel was not the opponent this time.

Novak Djokovic claims a record-tying 20th Grand Slam victory.

Also tuned into the Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity launched into a sub-orbital spaceflight with Virgin Group founder Richard Branson on board. Branson is hoping to usher in a new age of space tourism, and the Unity 22 flight was a successful test flight in that quest.

Wrapped up my Sunday watching Italy beat England in a penalty shootout, dashing England’s hopes of winning its first major title since the 1966 World Cup — followed by giving Neo his weekly bath.

Have not had such a relaxing Sunday in a long time.

Good morning, friends…
It is July 17, 2021.
The sun shines bright over KCCD.

This week, the Coyotes, the Pirates and the Renegades continue to Dare Mighty Things:

Cerro Coso Community College

CCCC offering certificate program in Digital Media and Marketing

In a world where more and more activities are centered online, developing an effective digital marketing strategy is a must for every organization. 

Cerro Coso is offering a NEW certificate program in Digital Media and Marketing this fall.  Ideal for those who work in business office technology, real estate, sales, marketing, administration, education, science, engineering, healthcare, small business, and other industries. This program will teach how to develop high-performing integrated visual communication and social media marketing that delivers on key metrics. 

Sign up today!

Lecture Center updated as part of Measure J

The first of several projects at Cerro Coso’s Ridgecrest Campus funded by Measure J included updating the college’s Lecture Center.  The project involved installing handrails and lighting along the steep stairs, refinishing the floors, installing new curtains and carpet, and making needed updates to the lighting and sound system original to the facility,  The project will be completed over the next few weeks.   

Thank you Kern County for voting YesonJ!

Police Office Standards and Training Modular Academy is relaunching

Cerro Coso has an upcoming Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Modular Academy re-launch in Tehachapi this fall. More information on what can be done with the Level 3 and 2 certification is available at www.cerrocoso.edu/academy under the FAQ Section. 

In addition to enabling becoming a full-time officer, the progressive certification through the series of courses is perfect for code enforcement, arson investigators, reserve officers, county probation, park rangers, etc. 

Contact Department Chair and Academy Director Peter Fulks at peter.fulks@cerrocoso.edu for additional information.

Peter Fulks

Porterville College

PC Welcomes Division 1 Standout and Former Pro-athlete as New Head Basketball Coach

Porterville College (PC) has announced the appointment of Amaurys Fermin as the new Pirates Head Men’s Basketball Coach.

After competing at the High School level at John F. Kennedy High School in Bronx, NY, Fermin began his career at the Junior College level at Missouri State and Hagerstown Community College. He then went on to play Division I ball at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in history.

During his senior season at Cal Poly, he led the Big West Conference with 119 assists, and helped the Mustangs reach the program’s second-highest victory total in 18 Division I seasons. He comes to us directly from Allan Hancock College where he was the Lead Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for 5 seasons. He also served as the West Coast Elite UA Central Region Program Director.

Fermin has also spent time as a professional athlete, playing on the Dominican Republic National Team alongside the likes of NBA players Al Horford, Karl Anthony Towns and Francisco Garcia. In 2012, they brought home the CentroBasket Championships Gold Medal. Fermin has also played professional ball for teams in Cyprus, Greece, Finland, and Puerto Rico.

PC “Mobile” Campaign Continues to Increase Awareness While Directly Supporting Students

Porterville College has employed several new methods of marketing and engagement with our community. One such method is the “PC Pirate Fleet” campaign. Check out the cars “wrapped” with branded decals promoting PC.

The current “cohort” of cars hit the road this July. The first cohort recently completed an 8 month campaign that boasted some very impressive results. An average of 8,000 miles per month were driven by the fleet of eight cars, adding up to over 100,000 people seeing these cars and their messaging per month in Porterville and our surrounding service areas.

Look for the Pirate Fleet to start making coordinated appearances in Porterville and surrounding communities in the Fall, starting with our opening week festivities on campus! 

PC Focuses on Water Conservation During Times of Severe Drought

The need for water conservation is critical for California with our most recent drought conditions. According to the latest data from the state government, 94.7 percent of California has now reached the “D2 – Severe Drought” category, 84 percent has reached the “D3 – Extreme Drought Conditions”.

Even without these severe drought conditions, water conservation is crucial for college campuses in California and across the nation. Porterville College has been working on this problem for many years–long before the current drought conditions–and the campus is doing some amazing things with its conservation efforts, including an average savings of 2.5 million gallons of water per month in the summer months.

This conservation is accomplished through the hard work of the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) department, led by Director John Word. PC has incorporated two water retention basins into the campus infrastructure during the complete repaving of the back service road on campus. This allows water from irrigation  to seep back into the ground to re-charge aquafers.

PC has adjusted irrigation systems removing sprinklers for trees and shrubs and replacing them with drip systems.  By shutting off irrigation to open fields that are not being used for any specific purpose, the college has realized high savings on our water consumption.

Another big year-round savings comes from replacing sections of live turf along College Ave and in front of the AC building with synthetic turf – thus removing the need to irrigate. This, along with the addition of low flow sprinkler heads and the incorporation of drought tolerant shrubs and trees into the landscaping on campus also realize additional water savings.

Porterville College is actively participating with the City of Porterville as they construct a city-wide water reclamation system and we are beginning to incorporate pipe systems into future construction projects that will be ready to connect to the city system. Additional retention basins are also being engineered for all future construction projects.

PC is in the process of developing an Engineering and Environmental Science program to better serve the community.

Bakersfield College

BC’S First Cohort Completes Introductory Course Focused on Electric Vehicles

Bakersfield College’s first set of auto tech students looking to increase their employability have completed AUTO B70NC – Introduction to Electric Vehicles, a brand new course focused on electric vehicles, repairs, and maintenance. The course is part of a larger program that’s still in the final stages of curriculum development aiming to provide students with the trainings and certifications necessary to secure well-paying jobs in the growing field of zero-emission electric (ZEV) vehicles.

Developed in partnership with Valley Clean Air Now (Valley CAN) and with funding provided by Electrify America, the comprehensive curriculum provides students with the training needed to diagnose, repair, and maintain electric plug-in vehicles. Dean of Instruction Anthony Cordova says this course is one of the first and perhaps the only one of its kind.

BC To Offer Free Summer Performing Arts Academies

Starting next week, Bakersfield College will hold three free summer academies for participants interested in music, theater, and arts. The Choral Academy will run July 20-23 from 9:00am to 3:00pm daily. The Jazz and Commercial Music Academy will run July 26-30 from 9:00am to 2:15pm daily. The Theater Acting Workshop will run August 2-5 from 9:00am to 3:25pm daily. There is no cost associated with these summer offerings but registration is limited.

Professor of Music and Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Bakersfield College Dr. Jennifer Garrett is excited for this new opportunity to engage participants. She says, “After finding innovative ways to stay connected throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I am overjoyed for the opportunity to bring participants together for this multi-day summer academy where we can explore music in a shared space.”

Thank You from BC’s Early College Industrial Automation Summer Academy

I so appreciated this email from Job Specialist Carlos Medina:

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for opening your doors and participating in our Early College Industrial Automation Summer Academy. The students enjoyed every visit and were delighted they had the opportunity to explore four different industries. A big special thanks to our partners at Phillips 66 for providing this opportunity for our Early College students and making our Industrial Automation Summer Academy possible.

We look forward to working together again in the near future as we prepare for the fall semester and get our Class of 2022 ready for the workforce. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Chancellor’s Seminar Series

On Tuesday, I kicked off the Chancellor’s Seminar Series with a Back to Campus discussion. Thank you to our panelists, Dena Rhoades and Eileen O’Hare-Anderson, for providing answers to our KCCD community. I’d also like to thank Tina Johnson (BC CSEA), Matt Crow (KCCD CCA), and Manny Mourtzanos (KCCD Management Association), who represented our employee groups and asked the questions during the seminar. And of course, thank you to Todd Coston for providing our introductory comments and technology support.

Here are a few of the highlights from the presentation:

Will vaccines be required on campus, and will we require proof?

How about wearing a mask?

Are there contingency plans if variants pose an increased risk?

How should we handle conflicting reports and guidelines?

You can see all the videos from the seminar on the KCCD Chancellor’s Communications webpage.

Poetry Corner

Please enjoy this poem from Jack Hernandez:

Weightless

With all their money
they launched themselves
into space,
were admired
for their weightless
distance from those
starving on the earth.

Spotted on Social Media

Porterville College President Claudia Habib got a chance to meet with students on campus:

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That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!

The future remains bright at KCCD.

-sonya
a joyful and grateful Chancellor

KCCD Daring Mighty Things. Happy Fourth.

BC opened the Outdoor Theater for the first time since COVID with the Airforce Band – thank you Mary Jo Pasek. It was a beautiful evening listening to patriotic songs and seeing our community out enjoying the college campus and programs. Here is a 1-minute glimpse of the evening. What a way to start the July 4th weekend and a new chapter in my professional life.

On July 1st, I started my new position — deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and messages from friends and colleagues. We do live in a very special community.

And on my first weekend in my new role the country celebrates new beginnings — our nation’s birthday.

I suspect you will enjoy this article on History.com as much as I did.

I did not know that John Adams expected our yearly celebration to be on July 2? The actual vote for independence took place on that date, but the Continental Congress didn’t formally adopt the Declaration of Independence until two days later, on July 4, 1776.

In a letter to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776, he wrote:

“But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The feuding ex-presidents died within hours of one another. Thomas Jefferson died first. Historians believe John Adams’ last words were “Thomas Jefferson survives,” as he hadn’t learned of Jefferson’s death.

The tradition of setting off fireworks on July 4 goes all the way back to July 4, 1777 – one year after the signing. In Philadelphia, the festivities began with a ship blasting 13 cannons (in honor of the 13 colonies). Additional fireworks were set off by the Sons of Liberty in Boston Common.

Happy Fourth all!

July 1, 2021 a selfie in my new office

Good morning, friends…
It is July 3, 2021.
The sun shines bright over KCCD.

On April 19, 2021 Trustee President Romeo Agbalog publicly introduced the sixth Chancellor of KCCD.

Sonya Christian with trustees Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, Romeo Agbalog, Kay Meek, Yovani Jimenez
5th Chancellor Tom Burke, 6th Chancellor Sonya Christian

As it happens, also on April 19th a helicopter named Ingenuity made the first flight ever on another world — thank you Nick Strobel for making sure I am up-to-date on celestial happenings! Earlier when the Perseverance rover that carried the Ingenuity helicopter to Mars was landing, a coded message to “Dare Mighty Things” was discovered on the parachute that delivered the rover close to the Martian terrain. Apparently the scientists and engineers at NASA are notorious pranksters and are known to hide “Easter eggs” on spacecrafts.

The phrase to “Dare Mighty Things” comes from a longer Teddy Roosevelt quote:

“Far better is it to dare mighty things,
to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure …
than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much,
because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”

Bill Thomas, Sonya Christian

This week, the Coyotes, the Pirates and the Renegades continue to Dare Mighty Things:

Cerro Coso Community College

Incarcerated Student Education Program (ISEP) student earns writing award

Patrick Larmour, an ISEP student, participated in the USC Underground Writing Project. His piece, “The Art of Killing Monsters,” was ranked 1st place out of 177 submissions.

The writing contest asked for a 1000 word essay on how education has positively impacted their lives. Larmour is also one of twenty-six Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) members to have his writing published in the 2019 issue of PTK’s online literary journal, Nota Bene.

Here’s an excerpt from his piece:

“I simply could not handle hating myself anymore. Something had to change. It was around this time that California began offering college inside prisons. I signed up, eager to have some distraction from my depression. Little did I know that this decision would change my life. Amazingly, each class I took seemed to teach me something new about myself.”

You can read the full submission in the July Edition of the Coyote Howler.

Students of the Year

I’d like to take this moment to congratulate the three students selected as Cerro Coso’s Site Students of the Year: Noa Lish for Eastern Sierra College Center, Morgan Green for KRV Lake Isabella, and Maya Plata for East Kern.

The ‘Site Student of the Year” awards recognize those students who have made a significant contribution to their own education as well as the campus community.

Enjoy the videos honoring these outstanding students.

Noa Lish:

Morgan Green:

Maya Plata:

Information about all of this year’s Cerro Coso Student Award winners can be found at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/studentservices/2021-spring-awards-student-awards.

“Cheers to Charity” event will benefit Cerro Coso students

Tickets are still available for the Cheers to Charity event planned for August 14 at Aviator Park in Tehachapi Airport. Cerro Coso Community College is among the Tehachapi Non-Profits that will benefit from this year’s event.

Buy your tickets today at www.cheerstocharity2021.eventbrite.com.

Porterville College

PC Receives Large Gift from MacKenzie Scott Foundation in support of “Empowering Voices”

Porterville College received a $7 million gift from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and her husband Dan Jewett, which will provide support for our continuing efforts to educate underserved students and communities.

In a post on her website, MacKenzie Scott identified Porterville College as one of “286 Teams Empowering Voices the World Needs to Hear”. 

“Higher education is a proven pathway to opportunity, so we looked for 2- and 4-year institutions successfully educating students who come from communities that have been chronically underserved,” she wrote.

Over the next few months, Porterville College will consult with various stakeholders, about where to target this wonderful investment.  

Reagen Dozier selected for national fellowship program

Reagen Dozier, the new Title V Program Director at PC, was selected for the US Department of Agriculture’s E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program.

The program’s goal is to offer experiences in policymaking and research through direct interaction with USDA agencies. Attendees met with USDA representatives over Zoom to learn about programs and create networking connections.

PC to give students additional flexibility with HyFlex Courses this fall

In order to provide equity for those students with hectic schedules and lifestyles, Porterville College is expanding opportunities for learning with a new type of course offering being made available this coming Fall Semester.

HyFlex classes offer weekly sessions in three ways. Each week, students can choose to take a HyFlex class in-person on campus, watch the lectures online with other students in a weekly live zoom meeting, or watch a recording later according to the student’s own schedule.

This HyFlex concept is being piloted in classes this Fall semester. Check out http://www.PortervilleCollege.edu for a complete list of available sections.

Bakersfield College

Gerry Haslam Honored with history award

Gerry Haslam

Gerry Haslam, one of BC’s more famous alums, was posthumously recognized as the 2021 recipient of the American Association for State and Local History Award of Excellence for Individual Achievement.

Gerry, who passed away earlier this year, wrote novels, short stories, essays, biographies, and nonfiction works about rural and small-town California in the San Joaquin Valley. He was always generous in sharing his time and talents with BC.

Jerry Ludeke sent along an email from Gerry’s wife, Jan, about the award:

“Dear Friends,  It is with great pride and pleasure that we announce that Gerry has won an American Association for State and Local History Award of Excellence for Individual Achievement.  We’re just sorry that he isn’t here to acknowledge it.   Sincerely, Jan”

A2MEND Battle of the Field 7-on-7 and Lineman Challenge

This past weekend over 120 high school athletes were on campus to compete in the first A2MEND Battle of the Field 7-on-7 and Lineman Challenge. The competition came down to South High vs Frontier High in the finals, with Frontier winning the championship and taking home the hardware. Frontier Lineman won the lineman challenge, making it a clean sweep! Congratulations to Frontier High and all the teams that took part in the event.

Not only did this event facilitate healthy competition, but it informed the community about all the amazing things happening at BC.

If you are interested in partnering with or learning more about A2MEND, please contact Daron Mackey at daron.mackey@bakersfieldcollege.edu

Poetry Corner

Let’s hear from our favorite author and poet who contributes regularly to my blog, Dr. Jack Hernandez:

                                      Visions

                             When the future is short

                             we have few steps left,

                             the seeds we have planted

                             have few remaining

                             clinging to shallow soil.

                             Their flowers we must see,

                             their bright colors

                             our remaining visions

                             sealed upon our hearts

                             as special gifts.

In the News

Sierra View helps train the registered nurses of tomorrow

Check out this article from the Valley Voice about Sierra View Medical Center’s Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program, which helps ensure new graduate nurses are better equipped to provide care and make clinical choices for their patients. 

To date, 50 nurses have completed the program – and 35 of those came from Porterville College!

17-year-old perseveres to graduate from PC – then high school

Check out this article by Esther Avila in the Porterville Recorder about Candelaria Sanchez, who earned her Associate of Arts degree from Porterville College last December – 6 months before she graduates from Summit Collegiate High School.

“I’m a first generation (going to college) and I’m extremely proud of how far I’ve come and where I come from,” Sanchez said. “I decided that I was going to put in the effort and break those generational curses. Although it has happened in my family for generations, it does not need to continue with me — and it won’t.”

Nine graduate from Cerro Coso before high school

This article in the Tehachapi news shares the story of 9 students who earned their degrees from Cerro Coso shortly before their high school graduations. Two of the students attended the college’s Tehachapi Campus, one from the online program, and seven from the Mammoth Lakes Campus.

Taking Cerro Coso classes really helped me get prepared for university. I am going to UC San Diego this fall, and because I was able to graduate high school with my associate’s degree, I have saved thousands of dollars by taking classes I would have had to take my first two years at college for free during high school. I genuinely feel more prepared, by taking freshman English and math classes at Cerro Coso and doing well in them, I know I can be successful at a four-year university.” – Student Isla Lackey

Looking back at the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes: where we’ve been, where we’re going

Sunday and Monday mark the 2-year anniversary of the historic earthquakes that hit the Ridgecrest area in 2019. The earthquake on July 4 had a magnitude of 6.4 The next day, another earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 hit the area.

I wanted to share this article in the Ridgecrest Daily Independent looking back at the earthquakes and showing how the city has recovered, and is still working to recover.

Bakersfield College to offer free one-week courses that provide public health certificate

The Bakersfield Californian and KGET shared the news about BC’s new one-week courses that will allow students the chance to earn a Certificate of Achievement in Public Health.

The first courses begin July 19. Support and help to get registered is available through BC’s Student Information Desk.

Community Voices: A fond recollection of a Renaissance Man

Bakersfield College professor emeritus Peggy DeStefano wrote this piece in the Bakersfield Californian about her friendship with Chuck Wall. Longtime BC professor Chuck Wall, Bakersfield’s “Kindness Ambassador”, passed away on June 8.

“Chuck Wall and I gravitated to one another on the first day of the academic year at the new faculty orientation at Bakersfield College. I met Chuck, a member of the business faculty who exuded charisma and collegiality. From the outset, we shared an eclectic and expansive sense of humor and didn’t take ourselves too seriously. “

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

No Sister Left Behind shared this post on Facebook honoring outgoing KCCD Chancellor Tom Burke:

“We are truly grateful to the retiring Chancellor, Thomas J. Burke and Kern Community College District for becoming a Corporate Sponsor of the NSLB Higher Education Empowerment Program. Special added thanks to Danielle Hillard, KCCD and Vikki Coffee.

Butterfield Charter School shared a post thanking Porterville College program technician Monica Daniels, who visited PUSD Summer School to share information with students about PC:

Carlos Medina shared this photo from the BC INDA student visit to GAF Roofing’s Shafter plant:

Escaped the heat for a few days at the beach

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Photo by Alex Horvath

That’s a wrap for now.
See you next Saturday!

The future remains bright at KCCD.

-sonya
a very joyful and grateful Chancellor

Remembering Tom Nery, a true Renegade

Nery-Christian-01

Sonya Christian with Tom Nery. Fall 2014

We lost a true dyed-in-the-wool Renegade earlier this month.

Thomas Nery, a BC grad and member of the storied 1961 Renegade football team that played in the historic Junior Rose Bowl against Cameron University, passed away a few weeks ago.

I first met Tom, 76, at last year’s Homecoming game and was immediately struck by his winning personality and deep sense of pride and enthusiasm for his alma mater. So it was with great sadness that I received this email earlier this week from Tom’s daughter Kim Nery Drndarski.

Hello Sonya,

I wanted to share the news of the passing of my father, Thomas Nery, a former BC Renegade from 1961.

Tom Nery

Tom Nery with daughter Kim

At last year’s homecoming, you interviewed him and me during the game. You really made him feel special that afternoon, the hero he is to his family.

We went to the GWC game last week, and I saw you there. I wanted to tell you my thanks in person and give you a giant hug, but I knew I was going to cry and I decided to send you cyber hugs instead.

My Dad passed on 9/1/15, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. It takes the worst cancer to bring down a Renegade. He will be placed at Greenlawn on River Blvd., on 10/3/15 at 11am. He worked there when he was attending BC. I made sure that his niche faces the school and asked if he could hear the game from where he is on Saturday nights. :o)

Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for making him feel so special that day.

Blessings,

Kim Drndarski

Nery-02Kim also sent this photo of Tom in his vintage 1961 BC jersey along with his grandson.  50 years later and the jersey still fits…

During our time together at 2014 Homecoming, I shot this quick video talking with both Tom and Kim.

First, a thank you to Kim for taking the time to reach out and pass along the sad news. I’m returning that cyber hug and adding my thoughts and good wishes for you and your family as you go through this difficult time.

And also, a sincere thank you to Tom. You represented Bakersfield College with distinction 50 years ago on the gridiron, then spent a half-century further honoring this institution by leading a life that bettered your community while raising a beautiful, loving family.

As Tom himself said in the video, “I had a good life.” No one could ever ask for more.

I know I’ll be thinking of you when I head out to Memorial Stadium Sept. 26 for our next home game against Allan Hancock. And I’m heartened to know that your spirit will be there cheering on future Renegade squads for decades of Saturday nights to come.

Rest easy, Tom.

Gearing Up for Renegade Athletics 2014-15

If you follow me on Facebook and Twitter (@sonyachristian), you’ll know that I consider our athletics programs a critical path to the academic success of our student athletes.
Last year, I ran into little Torrance at a game as she prepared to cheer on her brother Chris, decked out in Renegade red. Let’s hear from Torrance.


Let’s now switch from Torrance to Bob Hodel who was in the 1957 graduating class from BC.

selfie with Bob Hodel and Bob Covey Sep 4 2014

A selfie with Bob Hodel and Bob Covey on Sep 4, 2014

On September 6th, join me at Riverside where BC kicks off our first game of the season.  We will be back in Memorial Stadium on Sept 13th.

Athletics Department launches the Renegade Report:

BC’s Athletics Department has launched a new program called Renegade Reports on Bakersfield.com to get the word out about Renegade Athletics.  The show is produced by Francis Mayer and hosted by Greg Kerr of Channel 29.  It airs every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. for 15 weeks this fall term.  I was a guest on the premiere episode along with Coach Britnney Goehring, Coach Jeff Chudy, and Rick Van Horn, author of Haley Street Heroes.  Check out the video clips at:

 

With Kevin McCarthy Aug 29 2014

Craig Rouse, Kevin McCarthy, Sonya Christian, Brett Clark, Janet Tarjan

Friday Night Lights back at the memorial Stadium

A few of us from BC, along with over 5000 others packed the stadium to watch the relaunch of the Friday Night Lights High School games on our campus.  It was a double header with the Drillers playing Oak Christian School in the second match.  The Drillers won 34-21.  Thnx to Ed Davis for getting our field ready; it was not an easy feat.
Here is a picture of some of the BC gang with Kevin McCarthy.  Craig Rouse, Director of Facilities and M&O; Brett Clark, Wrestling Coach; Janet Tarjan, Math Faculty.

Gavilan vs BC Aug 30 2014

BC vs Gavilan

 

Volleyball on August 30th

On Saturday, I attended part of the Gavilan game.  BC won!   If you have not seen the recent article in the Californian about our Volley Ball team, check it out at http://tinyurl.com/mv8dl83

Cross Country

The Women’s Cross Country team finished 3rd at the Ventura Invitational over the weekend, with a total time of 1:57:10, and an average individual time of 23:26.

Two ladies cracked the top ten of the field of 82 for Bakersfield.

Sophomore Jessica Campbell placed seventh, with a total time of 22:24.68, and an average mile time of 7:12.

Her teammate Sophomore Leah Theroux placed eighth, with a total time of 22:40.30.

The Men’s Cross Country team finished seventh out of 12 schools.

Juan Calderon was the highest placer for BC, finishing in 19th place out of 117 runners.

Women’s Golf:

Women’s Golf, under the direction of first year Coach Brittney Goehring started their season at the Indian Canyon Country Club Saturday.

First year transfer Lindsey Maribal from Sandia High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico led the team on the first day with a seven over par 79, but Coach Goehring said improvements caught her eye more than scores.

Meet Gathered Colleges at Memorial Stadium for Track & Field Competition

On Friday, March 28 the Western State Conference’s Inland Meet for Track & Field was held in the Memorial Stadium. Four other community colleges traveled to Bakersfield College for this meet: College of the Canyons, West Los Angeles, Glendale, and Antelope Valley.

Even if you have not attended any Track & Field meets, the events may be familiar to those who have watched any Summer Olympics-skilled and dedicated athletes competing in running, jumping, or throwing. It takes its name from the fact that these events are held on a track and field.

The WSC Inland Meet was an exciting event–athletes, coaches and spectators alike were abuzz with evident enthusiasm. There was a never a dull moment; As soon as an event ended, another started merely minutes afterwards. Scores of student athletes lined up not only to score points for their schools, but to prove to themselves that they are making progress. “I got a season best, so I’m happy about that. [The team] is getting a lot of PRs (Personal Records), especially the girls. We’re all improving,” said Renegade runner Jonathan Salinas, in between deep breaths.

It was amazing to see so many athletes wearing red and white doing their absolute best out on the track and in the field. Apparently, they faced some stiff competition! “It was hard, there’s a lot of fast kids here,” Jonathan explained. One of his teammates concurred. “On the first heat, [the girls] were really competitive,” Bakersfield College long-distance runner Cristina Herrera said, “We will need to practice harder.”

All in all, it was an exceptionally fun place to be. Family members and faculty cheered for their students during the events, rivaling athletes high-fived and congratulated each other at the finish line, and teammates spent some quality time together sprawled out on the cool grass after their events. Bakersfield College was proud to host this years Western State Conference’s Inland Meet! In the end, the Men placed 5th and Women 3rd overall. Go ‘Gades!