June 5 Newsletter
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Happy Thursday!
The fifth and final issue of the spring 2025 semester is now available in print on newsstands around campus and online.
Pick up a copy in-print and read the online version here!
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NEWS
Future graduates decorate caps at event in anticipation for their big day
By Nick Miller
The Associated Students Organization and the First Year Experience program hosted an event together that allowed graduating El Camino College students to decorate their caps Wednesday, May 28, at the Student Services Plaza. The 78th Annual Commencement Ceremony will take place Friday, June 13, from 4-7 p.m. at ECC’s Murdock Stadium. Read more.
El Camino Health Center offers more services, resources than other colleges
El Camino College offers free resources including virtual and in-person mental health therapy, contraceptives, chiropractic services and workshop events; however, a minority of students utilize them. Students pay a $26 health fee each semester, or a $20 health fee each summer term, entitling them to receive services from El Camino Health Services. Read more.
Bookstore proposed as location for Student Activities Center
By Tina Talley
Initial steps to turn part of the El Camino College Bookstore into a student space were approved by the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, May 27. A feasibility study will provide plans and cost estimates on partially turning the Bookstore into a student lounge, meeting and activity space while keeping the store operation. Read more.
Governor’s updated budget includes college funding cuts affecting El Camino
Community colleges will receive less funding in the state’s updated budget, El Camino College officials said at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, May 27, in the Kenneth A. Brown Board Room. Over $400 million in funding from Proposition 98 toward California Community Colleges has been discarded, according to the presentation. Read more.
El Camino cuts tennis, badminton and golf teams
El Camino College has made the decision to indefinitely suspend four athletic programs: the women’s badminton team, men’s golf team, and both the men’s and women’s tennis teams Wednesday, May 28. The decision, which has not yet been accompanied by an explanation, has left students and coaches stunned. Read more.
SPORTS
History in the making: El Camino athletes break sports records
Warriors Lexi Ramirez (softball), Tilliana Wakefield-Carl (track and field), and Iyanah Samayoa (swimming and diving) broke records this spring. The athletes won awards and took home first place finishes in competition. Read more.
Long-time award winning women’s basketball coach demoted at ECC
Warriors Lexi Ramirez (softball), Tilliana Wakefield-Carl (track and field), and Iyanah Samayoa (swimming and diving) broke records this spring. The athletes won awards and took home first place finishes in competition. Read more.
Alumni athletes and coaches honored at 32nd annual Athletics Hall of Fame
Former and current athletes and coaches who have contributed to El Camino College’s athletic programs were recognized in a ceremony Thursday, May 29. The 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame reception celebrated the accomplishments of thirteen inductees and four scholarship recipients in the ECC Gym Complex’s Multi-Purpose Room. Read more.
Out-of-state and international athletes find their path at California community colleges
The number of out-of-state and international athletes playing at community colleges have been growing over the past five years. Several community colleges such as EL Camino, Cerritos, Long Beach, East Los Angeles, Orange Coast, Santa Rosa, Mount San Antonio and Riverside all have out-of-state and international athletes in their athletic programs. Read more.
ARTS & FEATURES
Retiring professor, choral director honored at 30th anniversary concert
Joanna Medawar Nachef, El Camino College professor and director of choral and orchestral activities, took her final bow after 30 years alongside Kenner Bailey, piano accompanist for 25 years, who are both retiring. Several musical groups combined for “A Legacy of Excellence – 30th Anniversary Celebration” at 8 p.m Saturday, May 31, in the Marsee Auditorium. Read more.
Equations and elections: The story of Mayor Alex Vargas
Before he was elected Mayor of Hawthorne, El Camino College part-time physics professor Alejandro “Alex” Vargas spent his days helping design defense systems at Raytheon and L3 Communications. But even while navigating the world of aerospace engineering, he found himself drawn to something less predictable: public service. Read more.
Behind the rigorous training of El Camino twin circus artists chasing Cirque du Soleil dreams
Twin circus performers Brooklyn and Brinkley Baker have been part of Le Petit Cirque since they were 10 years old, specializing in duo straps, a demanding aerial act built on strength, precision and trust. Though they’re fraternal twins, their identical height and weight allow them to create perfectly symmetrical shapes in the air—a major advantage in their duo trapeze and aerial performances. Read more.
Jake Smith harmonizes politics and a passion for percussion
By Jamila Zaki
With a tall, slim stature, one might think he’s a basketball player. However, he can be found spending most of his time on the first floor of the Communications Building in meetings with the Associated Students Organization. But once the weekend commences, melodic tunes spark from his fingers through the mallets he maneuvers on the marimba. Read more.
Twin Telepathy: Two brothers’ aim toward becoming public service workers
By Jamila Zaki
Born just one minute apart, the John and Rafael Valadez-Prieto forged two different career pathways that share a common goal: Protect and serve their loved ones and community. Read more.
EDITORIALS
Instead of consulting fees, invest in academic programs and existing faculty
Though not exclusive and not alone, El Camino College tends to hire outside consulting companies to assemble a pool of candidates, usually from outside areas, to fill vacant administrator positions. ECC administrators, as well as the Board of Trustees, should keep in mind the capable, qualified and deserving employees already in house and support academic programs instead of paying for costly consultants. Read more.
STORY MAPS
A guide to the five best campus study spots
These top five study spots on campus offer something for every student’s preference. Each spot balances comfort, lighting and atmosphere to help students make the most of their study time. Click here to explore the five best study spots located on campus. Read more.
WARRIOR LIFE
Twin telepathy: Two brothers’ journey in becoming public service workers
By Jamila Zaki
Twins Rafael and John Paladez-Prieto are students at El Camino College – one studying to become a firefighter, while the other would like to become a police officer. Learn more about their story. Read more.
Digital art professor by day, tarot card reader by night
By Tina Talley
By day, Professor Robert Lacki teaches digital art at El Camino College — but in his free time, he taps into a deeper calling through tarot readings that blend spirituality and healing. Discover how Lacki’s journey from design to divination is helping students and friends find clarity and connection in uncertain times. Read more.
Top 5 energy drinks consumed by students at El Camino College
From Red Bull to Alani Nu, Warrior Life discovered the top five energy drinks consumed by students. Find out how these energy drinks have helped these students. Read more.
Find Your Frame: See through the lens of 5 types of glasses worn by students
By Eddy Cermeno
According to research by Overnight Glasses, approximately 66% of adults in the United States used some form of vision correction including eyeglasses, contact lenses and/or vision correction surgery in 2023. Warrior Life discovered five frames used by students on campus. Read more.
PHOTOS
(L-R) El Camino College automotive tech students, Atilla Gahbro (21), Jackson Culella (20), and Charles Anderson (18) work together to diagnose the HVAC system on a Honda Civic for their auto-tech class on Monday, June 2. (Eddie Inclan | The Union)
El Camino College Librarian Linda Cooks operates the ECC Book Bike in the Student Services Plaza on Wednesday, June 4. The Book Bike is a converted ice cream bike and is displayed in the Schauerman Library lobby when not at events (Katie Gronenthal | The Union)
A squirrel enjoys break time near the old Art and Behavioral Sciences Building on Wednesday, June 4. (Erica Kusaba | The Union)
Dancers at El Camino College rehearse choreography to The Weeknd's song "São Paulo," featuring singer Anitta, in the Physical Education Building on Monday, June 2. (Oriana de Quay | the Union)
The Union’s spring 2025 publication schedule
The Union is publishing five print newspaper issues during the spring 2025 semester. Find the last issue out today — Thursday, June 5 — at The Union’s newsstands found throughout campus to keep informed and support local journalism.
• March 13
• April 3
• May 1 and 15
• June 5
The Union, volume 79, issue 10
The fourth spring 2025 issue of The Union is available online and in print on newsstands around campus.
Access the digital version of our newspaper here.
NEW! Warrior Life magazine, spring 2025
The spring/summer 2025 issue of Warrior Life magazine is now available online. Print copies of the 72-page magazine are coming soon to newsstands around campus.
Access the digital version of the issue here.
About The Union
The Union is El Camino College’s student-run newspaper and the only local source of news for its college community. Everything published by The Union is produced by student journalists. The Union is proud to present the college community with weekly newsletters each semester.
The Union dedicates itself to public service, accuracy, fairness and journalistic independence. The Union is committed to covering stories that deliver the truth and highlight diversity, equity and inclusion on campus at El Camino College and in its surrounding community.
If you have any questions, comments or story suggestions, please feel free to contact Editor-in-Chief Nikki Yunker by sending an email to eccunion@gmail.com.