May 15 Newsletter
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Happy Thursday!
The Union has just published its fourth print issue of the spring 2025 semester. Read it online here and find it on newsstands around campus.
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NEWS
Courses added to associates degree requirements, transfer patterns merged
Changes to El Camino College’s general education requirements for associates degrees, including the addition of an ethnic studies course and a math course—instead of math competency–take effect fall 2025. Next academic year, students applying to institutions in the University of California and California State University systems will only need to follow one transfer pattern. Read more.
Student speakers selected for Commencement at El Camino
By Nikki Yunker
Commencement will return with speakers from the Associated Students Organization this year at El Camino College. ASO President Danielle Kabboul, 20, and Student Trustee Wesley Marshall, 20, will speak at the event. Read more.
Celebration event to honor LGBTQ graduates and allies at El Camino
By Seph Peters
LGBTQ students and allies are invited to attend a graduation celebration and receive free embellished sashes and rainbow tassels at 6 p.m. Monday, May 19, in the East Dining Room. The Lavender Celebration, an annual event at El Camino College since 1995, will be hosted by the LGBTQIA+ Pride Center. Read more.
Free speech policy addressed by college administration at Academic Senate meeting
Faculty concerns about revisions to El Camino College’s time, place and manner policy—which balances protecting freedom of speech with maintaining campus security—were voiced at the Academic Senate meeting Tuesday, May 6. Read more.
SPORTS
Los Angeles Sparks film at El Camino College ahead of season
For the third consecutive year, the Los Angeles Sparks have used ECC's facilities to practice and prepare for Women’s National Basketball Association games. The first game of the regular season for the Sparks is Friday, May 16, against the Golden State Valkyries, a new franchise and the 13th team to join the WNBA. Read more.
Warriors softball head to state championship in a thriller against Long Beach
The Warriors won Saturday, May 10 of a score of 4-3 against the Long Beach City College Vikings. Catcher Anahi Pintado hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning to send the Warriors to the 3C2A State Championship. Read more.
Badminton duo win consolation title at state championship against San Diego Mesa
Warriors badminton duo Anya Gore and Montila Winyaworapon competed in doubles action on Saturday, May 10, at the City of College of San Francisco. In the final round, Gore and Winyaworapon defeated Christina Nguyen and Thien Nguyen in a competitive two sets, winning the consolation championship. Read more.
Home runs with heart: Softball coach celebrates 400 win milestone
Standing proud in the field, arms crossed and head high, is head softball coach Jessica Rapoza. She has been the head of the ECC softball program for 11 years, but the coaching world counts by wins rather than years—and she recently reached 400 of them. Read more.
ARTS & FEATURES
Leaving behind a legacy in the music program
The music program will lose two faculty members this semester as two colleagues wrap up decades of work. Joanna Nachef, fine arts professor, has worked alongside Kenner Bailey, ECC piano accompanist—also known as a collaborative pianist—for more than 20 years. Read more.
Fine Arts Division to host open house and student show reception
By Nikki Yunker
Jazz music, refreshments and an abundance of art will all be part of the open house and annual student art show reception happening Friday, May 23, from 4-9 p.m. at El Camino College. Read more.
‘Puffs’ play to spellbind Campus Theatre with humor and magic
By Erica Lee
Puffs, a clever and parodic retelling of a familiar wizarding story—from the perspective of misfit students—will premiere at El Camino College’s Campus Theatre at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 16. Read more.
STORY MAPS
Maintain your wealth: Best credit unions in the South Bay
By Jamila Zaki
Whether a student is in university, college or community college, being financially literate is essential. Banks are for-profit enterprises, while credit unions are not-for-profit, member-owned cooperatives. Here are the top five credit unions in the South Bay. Read more.
The price is right: Best pet food deals in the South Bay
Pets are loved and cared for by their owners. While dogs may come in many sizes—small, medium and large—they all share a big appetite for good food. No matter the size, click here to join The Union in finding the best prices for dog food in the South Bay area. Read more.
EDITORIAL
Don’t destroy the campus
Plans for a new bond measure, increasing local taxes to pay for campus construction and demolitions, are being posed to El Camino College’s board of trustees for approval in an election as soon as 2026. Instead of demolishing our history with architecturally-indistinct replacements, the college should invest in projects that will benefit students, faculty and the local communities—not developers. Read more.
OPINION
El Camino needs to take a firm stance on protecting its immigrant students
El Camino College is home to people from all walks of life that carry various backgrounds to form the diverse community we see today. This is why it is disquieting to see a lack of any formal statement by the college regarding its stance on the controversial operations of the current federal administration. Read more.
WARRIOR LIFE
Spiritual journey through Umrah
By Jamila Zaki
Staff writer Jamila Zaki navigates the emotional weight of a post-pandemic gap year, battling anxiety, loneliness, and the pressure of feeling left behind. But everything changes when her grandfather invites her on a spiritual journey to perform Umrah in Mecca. Amid the sacred rituals, diverse crowds, and shared devotion, she finds more than just faith—she finds healing, clarity, and connection. Read more.
How COVID changed life for me and my lungs for the worst
By Tina Talley
Staff writer Tina Talley shares her lifelong struggle with asthma—a silent yet suffocating condition that returned with a vengeance after a COVID-19 infection. From childhood hospital visits to adult flare-ups that leave her gasping for air, this story chronicles the physical toll and mental isolation of living with a chronic illness few fully understand. Read more.
Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
By Erica Lee
Don’t get burned this summer. Check out these five sunscreen products recommended by esthetician students. Read more
Dishing up a meal
Whip up a delicious meal using ingredients obtained from the Warrior Pantry. Come make chicken fajitas for a nutritious and balanced meal. Read more.
Trinkets on the go: Five blind boxes to add flair to school essentials
By Elise Fauni
Give your school essentials extra bling with blind boxes containing cute trinkets. From Labubu to Hirono, these characters can bring your essentials some personality. Read more.
PHOTOS
El Camino College football players practice their strength and conditioning for off-season training on the PE & Athletics Field on Monday, May 12. (Eddie Inclan | The Union)
Ceramics lab technician Roderick Almazan works in the ceramics classroom in the Arts Complex on Monday, May 12. Almazan has worked in ceramics at ECC since 2016. "I noticed that ever since COVID happened, more people are joining ceramics class[es] and other art classes," Almazan said. (Erica Kusaba | The Union)
El Camino College communications major Vanessa Correa, 19, builds a makeshift bouquet of flowers from the wild flowers in front of the Humanities Building on Monday, May 12. It was Correa's friend's birthday. (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. Be on the lookout for our new issue today—Thursday, May 15—and make sure to stop by The Union’s news racks 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 9
The fourth spring 2025 issue of The Union is now available in print and on newsstands around campus.
Access the digital version of our newspaper here.
In case you missed it: Fall 2024 Warrior Life
The fall 2024 issue of Warrior Life magazine is still available.
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 or comments, please contact our Editor-in-Chief Nikki Yunker by sending an email to eccunion@gmail.com.