Student voices matter in campus decisions, El Camino College’s COVID Task Force moves to keep indoor mask mandate
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EDITORIAL
Student voices matter in campus decisions
By: Editorial Board
With the recent decision to keep El Camino College’s mask mandate, it was revealed that a large majority of students did not have their voices heard on the decision. In order to be sure that a majority of voices are heard, El Camino College should have sent out surveys on decisions such as the mask mandate for individuals to fill out and give them time to answer. Read more.
NEWS
El Camino College’s COVID Task Force moves to keep indoor mask mandate
By: Ethan Cohen
The El Camino College COVID Task Force decided to keep indoor masking requirements for students and faculty until the end of the semester. The COVID Task Force vote came a few days after concerns were raised at the Academic Senate meeting on March 15, that the Associated Students Organization could not reach all students for their input. Read more.
Defendant in Hernandez homicide case pleads not guilty
By: Kim McGill
Ethan Kedar Astaphan, 28, pled not guilty to the first-degree murder of 21-year-old late El Camino College student Juan Carlos Hernandez. Astaphan was arraigned at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles and faces a sentence of 25 years to life. Read more.
Homicide occurs at a bar on Crenshaw Boulevard
By: Elizabeth Basile
Torrance Police officers responded to a call of shots fired on 182nd Street, which became a homicide investigation 1.4 miles from the El Camino College campus. The officers made attempts to save the man’s life but he was pronounced dead after being transported to Harbor General Hospital. Read more.
Undisclosed settlement has been reached in sexual misconduct case
By: Kim McGill
A settlement has been reached in the lawsuit filed against former El Camino College Police cadet Sgt. Dalfiery Toruno, found to be in violation of District policy when he sent multiple nonconsensual pornographic, racist and homophobic text messages and videos to an 18-year-old ECC police cadet. The Stanley Mosk Courthouse scheduled the hearing on Thursday, March 10. Read more.
SPORTS
Warriors women’s tennis crush Rio Hondo in single and double matches
By: Katie O’Brien
The El Camino Women's Tennis team continues its undefeated streak this season, beating the Rio Hondo Roadrunners 8-0 and 8-1. Players on the team express their thoughts on the current season and what is to come for the remaining part of the season. Read more.
El Camino Women’s Softball team defeated by Cypress College 2-4
By: Charlie Chen
The El Camino Softball team lost both March 19 games against Cypress College (2-4) and College of the Canyons (2-5). In their game against Cypress College, the Warriors attempted a final inning comeback but didn't execute according to plan. Read more.
OPINION
The pandemic freed me from a seven-year job to follow my passion
By: Delfino Camacho
Before the pandemic, Delfino Camacho worked at an aeronautical fastener plant in Torrance taking care of his family. During the pandemic, he was given the opportunity to focus on a career he loves. Read more.
I thought I had COVID. No one knew what to do, including El Camino
By: Katie O’Brien
Getting sick with the cold or flu used to be simple for students: rest at home, then come back to campus once you feel better. During the pandemic, Katie O’Brien didn't know how to come back after testing negative for COVID-19, and neither did El Camino College. Read more.
ARTS & FEATURES
CW show ‘All American’ filming on El Camino College campus
CW show "All American", a teen drama about a South Crenshaw student named Spencer James, played by actor Daniel Ezra, and his path to becoming a professional football player was spotted filming on-campus from March 17 to 19. Read more.
NASA Astronaut speaks on campus for Onizuka Space Science Day
Onizuka Space Science Day held at the Marsee Auditorium featured keynote speaker NASA astronaut Michael Reed Barratt. Scientific activities such as an egg drop competition, planetarium visits, chemistry labs, bird watching, paint-making and more engaged students' interest in scientific fields. Read more.
‘Spring Awakening’ emphasizes controversial topics concerning teenage growth and development
By: Safia Ahmed
The rock musical "Spring Awakening" performed by students in the theater department is a 90-minute rock musical about identity, sexuality, abuse and suicide. The performers related the message to the audience in-person through use of lighting, effective acting and emotional song performances. Read more.
Behind the scenes of ‘Spring Awakening’
By: Safia Ahmed
In preparation for "Spring Awakening", student actors and director Daniel Nakawatase aimed to highlight the human experience through the different characters with varied personalities. Through the making of the show, student actors were able to gain experiences with professionals, designers, technicians and creative team members. Read more.
El Camino’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival returns after hiatus
By: Katie O’Brien
El Camino’s Cherry Blossom Festival is returning to campus after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 on March 31 in the Student Services Plaza. The festival will include poetry readings, a professional taiko drumming performance and a plaque dedication to the late Nadine Ishitani Hata, who started the festival 22 years ago. Read more.
Salsa Club dances back in-person
By: Delfino Camacho
Members of the Salsa Club at El Camino College which offers dancing lessons, as well as a social space for students, are on the move once again after the pandemic. Talented and inspired students take the opportunity to reintegrate back into social life through dynamic activities. Read more.
Pets from your community
Times can be tough and to help put a smile on your face, here is The Union’s weekly selection of adorable pet photos provided by members of the El Camino College Community. Enjoy!
Gohan, 2-year-old Siberian husky
Belongs to: Delfino Camacho, Journalism and Communications major
Irene Adler (left) and Purrfessor Moriarty (right), rescue cats
Belongs to: Stefanie Frith, Journalism instructor and advisor for The Union
Snoop Catt, 6-year-old black cat
Belongs to: Kate McLaughlin, Journalism instructor and advisor for The Union
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 done by student journalists. After exclusively reporting online for the past two years, The Union is now back in the newsroom with weekly newsletters delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday morning.
The Union will commit to covering stories that highlight diversity, equity and inclusion both on the El Camino College campus and surrounding neighborhoods in Torrance, California.
If you have any comments or questions about this issue of The Union’s newsletter or any of the stories you’ve read, please contact our Editor-in-Chief Khoury Williams by emailing him at khoury_williams@elcamino.edu. If you feel satisfied with what you read today, let us know by sharing this newsletter and tagging us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Seeing Charlie Chen’s name as one of the “ journalists of this campus makes me sick. This guy peopagates fake news, photoshop images containing factual data, post memes that are intentionally damaging to an athlete , plagiarizes people’s comments, posts among others. Where can i contact the authorized person wo report this irresponsible, devious staff of yours?