June 2018

Cal City Prison Holds FirstCollege Graduation Ceremony 1

Class of 2018 1

Signing Day for Torres andMartinez 2

Honors Program CelebratesStudent Success 2

Student Awards CeremonyRecognizes Achievements 2

Young Receives AthleticAcademic Achievement Award 3

Student Alexxa Varella 3

Shout Out to Our HardworkingTeam 3

45th Anniversary Zombie FunRun 4

Meet Shay Scott 4

Foundation Feature:1993 Coyote Baseball TeamInducted into Hall of Fame 4

Inside this Issue

Cal City Prison Holds First College Graduation CeremonyEight men became the first graduates of Cerro Coso’s Prison Education Program at the California City Correctional Facility on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. Inmates donned traditional caps and gowns and various colored stoles before a welcomed assembly of family, inmates, custody staff, educators, and administrators. Mr. Johnny Lavender gave the student address and Dr. Lincoln Johnson served as the CDCR guest speaker. All eight graduates received Associate degrees, and three are Phi Theta Kappa members along with 14 other inmates. The California City House Band, featuring Ms. Tiffany Argumedo, provided the music for the event. The first eight to graduate from the College’s Prison Education Program included Andrew Ariaga, John Classick, Van Do, Adam Gordon, Lorenzo Gunn IV, Cristin Jimenez, Johnny Lavender, Frank Rivera, and Adam Ullah. DIRECTED. FOCUSED. NURTURED. VALUED.

Class of 2018

Each student who walks across the stage to get a diploma or certificate of achievement has a unique story about the journey to graduation day. Commencement isn’t just a ceremony, it’s a season of celebration. Cerro Coso held three separate commencement exercises to celebrate student success beginning with the ESCC Graduation held in Bishop on Friday, May 4, 2018. May 9th marked the first California City Prison Commencement Ceremony for incarcerated students. And May 11th was Cerro Coso’s 45th Anniversary Commencement at the Ridgecrest Campus. All of the graduates were guided by Cerro Coso’s mission to improve the life of every student it serves, and are well prepared to thrive, contribute to, and lead in a global society. This is the time for students to chase their dreams and set new goals. Believe that you can, and you will! Cerro Coso believes in all of its graduates and their dreams. Work Hard. Dream Big! DIRECTED. FOCUSED. NURTURED. VALUED.

Cerro Coso President Jill Board (left) and Dr. Lincoln Johnson (right) congratulate the first graduating class of students from the College’s Prison Education Program in California City.

May your graduation be the beginning of a future filled with success and happiness. Graduate Rachel Lebsock at the Ridgecrest Campus Ceremony and the four Commencement Speakers for the ESCC Ceremony in Bishop l to r: Calvin Forsythe, Nayeli Villalobos Rodriguez, Tanner Bissonette, and Hayley Moss.

“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world”

—Nelson Mandela

Students Awards Ceremony Recognizes AchievementsThe Student Government of Cerro Coso (SGCC) celebrated the achievements of students, faculty, and staff at all CCCC campuses and across all academic programs at their 34th Annual Spring Awards Luncheon held on May 3, 2018. The following awards were presented:President’s Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards: Macklin Arbiola, Alison Baker, Carol Blair, David Blair, Britney Brown, Tanya Brown, Kathleen Delacruz, Vitalii Dubytskyi, Devyn Durham, Chance English, Gladys Reynoso, Danielle Hensel, Holly Hill, Anita Keller, Greg Kutzbach, Grace Lloyd, Vanessa McAllister, Luke McGowan, Heather Menzel, Benjamin Miller, Caitlin Peterson, Yvonne Reyes, Ryan Richard, Justin Searle, Bryce Simonsen, Carlos Solorio, Nayeli Villalobos RodriguezPhi Theta Kappa All-California Academic Team: Britney Brown, Caitlin Peterson, Mariela Germann, and Greg KutzbachHonors Transfer Council of California Exemplary Achievement Award: Britney Brown and Caitlin PetersonCCCC Foundation Athletic/Academic Award: Corey Young, Men’s BaseballDepartment Awards for Outstanding Achievement: Greg Kutzbach, Business and Information Technology; Jenna Daugherty, English and Foreign Languages; Ryan Richard, Industrial Arts; Shantaal Hernandez, Kinesiology; Britney Brown, Mathematics; Vitalii Dubytski, Science; Holly Hill, Social Sciences; Britney Brown, Visual and Performing Arts; Laurie Alderman, Paralegal; Samuel Kelley, Allied Health.Site Student of the Year: Nayeli Villalobos Rodriguez, Eastern Sierra College Center; Lisa Burt, East Kern Tehachapi Campus; Kimberly Dochterman, Kern River Valley CampusTutor of the Year: Ryan RichardCCCC Excellence in Education Award: Nikki Gardepe, Julianne Maikai, Ashlin Mattos, and Paul KuttigSGCC Awards for Teaching Excellence: Matthew Crow, IWV Full-Time Faculty; Nakysha Cummings, Online Faculty; Karen Moore, IWV Adjunct Faculty; Carlos Wright-Tkacz, ESCC Faculty; Debra Rundell, KRV Full-Time Faculty; Jeff Welsh and Jennifer Flenner, KRV Adjunct Faculty; Melissa Bowen, East Kern Faculty.Staff Awards: Ashley Nichols-Lampkin, Library Technician I – Academic Senate Staff of the Year. Kathryn Bachman, Administrative Assistant – Classified Senate Staff of the Year. Inge Olsen – KRV Staff of the Year.

Honors Program Celebrates Student Success

On Saturday, May 5, 2018 Cerro Coso’s Honors Program celebrated its 2018 graduates: Ethan Borden, Janice Baldorado, Sydney Barney, Jonathan Blair, Taylor Frye, Jessica Hiatt, Shantaal Hernandez, Caitlin Peterson, and Britney Brown. The graduates their families, Cerro Coso faculty, and fellow Honors Program students attended the luncheon to recognize the outstanding achievements of these students. Two $500 Faculty Honors Scholarships were awarded to Britney Brown and Caitlin Peterson, and a $1,000 President’s Honors Scholarship went to graduating high school student Emma Gilmartin (Burroughs High School) for her exceptional academic performance. DIRECTED. FOCUSED. NURTURED. ENGAGED. CONNECTED. VALUED.

2 COYOTE HOWLER

Signing Day for Torres and Martinez

Two Cerro Coso Baseball players, outfielder Rey Torres (left) and pitcher Jose Martinez (right), have signed letters of intent to play for Arizona Christian University in Phoenix. Both players came to Cerro Coso to play

ball from Puerto Rico and are excited about their next adventure at the accredited, private, non-profit, Christian university in Phoenix. The school is a member of the NAIA’s Golden State Athletic Conference. FOCUSED. DIRECTED. NURTURED. ENGAGED. VALUED.

Honors Program students’ front l to r: Janice Baldorado, Taylor Frye, Emma Gilmartin (BHS), and Shantaal Hernandez. Back l to r: Britney Brown, Ethan Borden, Caitlin Peterson, Jessica Hiatt, Sydney Barney, and Jonathan Blair.

KRV Student of the Year Kimberly Dochterman (left) receives her certificate from East Kern Director Lisa Stephens (right).

COYOTE HOWLER 3

Young Receives Athletic Academic Achievement Award

Student-athlete Corey Young is the recipient of the Cerro Coso Community College Foundation Athletic Academic Achievement Award. As a sophomore, Young has demonstrated dedication and commitment both on the field and in the classroom. A graduate of Burroughs High School, Young has played for the Coyotes for 2 years and has signed to play baseball at Tarleton State University in Texas. He graduated from Cerro Coso this May with an Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration for Transfer and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Science. DIRECTED. FOCUSED. NURTURED. ENGAGED.

Shout Out to Our Hardworking Team From the time our students step foot on campus to the time they head home at the end of the day, every aspect of their educational experience is impacted by our classified employees. From the classroom, to the Library, to the financial aid office – classified employees make a significant difference in the daily lives of our students. They are the heartbeat of our college, and every year we take the opportunity to express our gratitude and recognize the crucial role of our non-academic staff during Staff Appreciation Day. On Thursday, May 17th, 2018 staff and administrators came together to share a day of leadership activities filled with team building exercises, service recognition, and good food. This year’s program, “True Colors” presented by the Classified School Employees Association (CSEA), provided tips for creating work-life balance by developing an understanding of self and others; and expanding an appreciation for valuing differences. Service recognition was given to: 25 Years – John Daly; 20 Years – Lisa Couch, Heidi Allen; 15 Years – Candy Caine, Tiffany Haynes; 10 Years – Loy Salarda, Stephen Nemeth, Jennifer Marshall, Kim Blackwell; 5 Years – Michael Cowley, Lisa Stephens, Caroline Sanderson, and Julianne Maikai. The College also recognized the classified retirement of Deborah Martell who has been serving students at the Bishop Campus since December of 1990. Special thanks to the Cerro Coso Community College Foundation for funding staff appreciation day that provides a day of learning, fun, relaxation, and inspiration for personal and professional growth. DIRECTED. FOCUSED. NURTURED. ENGAGED. CONNECTED. VALUED.

Student Alexxa Varella

Meet Alexxa Varela, Secretary of the Student Government of Cerro Coso. She handles the tough job of keeping accurate minutes of each of the General Body meetings and is responsible for working with SGCC President Sam to get the agenda made and available to the public. It is a lot more work than it may sound, but her efficiency and awesomeness makes it look easy. Lexy is a Biology/Chemistry major and wants to be a veterinarian. Amazing! Vets play a major role in the health of our society by caring for animals and using their expertise and education to protect and improve their lives. She has applied for colleges and hopes to get into Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Lexy has been with the SGCC for about a year and a half and has served a secretary for both the Senate and the Executive Board. “I am so thankful for this opportunity to get involved in my school. I have been able to meet so many wonderful people and help with super fun events! My main goal for student government is to make every student’s time here at Cerro Coso an enjoyable one. It makes me so happy when I see that our events are brightening a student’s day!” ENGAGED. CONNECTED. VALUED.

Deborah Martell (left) receives some kind words from ESCC Director Dr. Deanna Campbell (right) on her almost 28 years of services to the students at the Bishop Center before her retirement in August.

The Coyote Howler is a publication of Cerro Coso Community College. For more information about the stories in this publication, or to include information in this publication, contact Natalie Dorrell, Public Relations

Director, at 760-384-6260 or email ndorrell@cerrocoso.edu.

BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE

CERRO COSOCOMMUNITY COLLEGE

PORTERVILLE COLLEGE

About this Publication

4 COYOTE HOWLER

1993 Coyote Baseball Team Inducted into Hall of Fame

On May 19, 2018, the inaugural 1993 Coyote Baseball Team was inducted into the Cerro Coso Athletic Hall of Fame. This team represents the starting point of the Coyote baseball program which just completed its 25th season. “This group is recognized for laying the foundation for which the program stands, and we were honored to have representatives from the original team attend the ceremony alongside their former coaches, Dick Adams and Dave Navarro,” said Athletic Director and former Coyote baseball player John McHenry. It was an event filled with emotion and memories of the glory days as the 1993 team reunited alongside baseball alumni from following years on the Cerro Coso campus. Hosted by the Cerro Coso Coyote Club, the focus of the night was recognizing athletic achievement in the Indian Wells Valley while enshrining former Coyotes into the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Award recipients for the 2018 event included: Burroughs High School Boys Varsity Football Team, Burroughs High School Girls Varsity Tennis Team, California City High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team, IWV Youth Baseball Sidewinder (Pony Division) Baseball Team, 5th Grade League Champions Gateway Elementary School 5th Grade Girls Basketball Team, and the Gateway Elementary School 5th Grade Boys Basketball Team. Our congratulations to all award recipients! ENGAGED. CONNECTED. VALUED.

FOUNDATIONFEATURE

Meet Shay ScottWelcome to Cerro Coso’s new Athletic Department Assistant III, Shay Scott. Though not new to the College, Scott has volunteered for many sporting events, and played a major role in the Measure J Bond campaign that will allow for many essential upgrades and improvements on our campuses. She attended Middle Tennessee State University where she graduated with a B.S. in Psychology. While there, Scott

met her husband Justus Scott, who is the head coach of the Coyote Baseball team. The two have lived in Ridgecrest for almost four years with their two sons, Brook (16) and Chasen (12), and daughter Finley (10). She loves to spend time with her family, playing and watching sports, as well as coaching her children, and camping. Her favorite motto to live by is “Everyone always knows what to do in a situation, until they are in that situation.” Welcome to team Cerro Coso, Shay! FOCUSED. NURTURED. ENGAGED. CONNECTED. VALUED.

45th Anniversary Zombie Fun Run The 45th Anniversary Zombie Fun Run put on to help students de-stress and burn off some of the anxiety of final exams was a wild adventure. A friendly competition between the living and the undead. The humans who participated enjoyed the thrills of being chased by bloodthirsty zombies through a series of obstacles without losing their flags through a course of screams. Students started with three flags and tried to cover the course weaving through mazes, dodging over and under obstacles, and completing fun tasks- all while avoiding the dead. Everyone survived the zombie apocalypse finishing in the Sculpture Garden with hot dogs, drinks, music, games, and information booths. It was a great opportunity to help students de-stress before finals with some fun physical activities, food, and share information on the Cerro Coso Promise Scholarship, and other important information. ENGAGED. CONNECTED.

Representatives of the 1993 Coyote Baseball Team inducted into the CC Athletic Hall of Fame (l to r): Dave Navarro (Assistant Coach), Jason Harrison, Kevin Sarna, Paul Basset, Ernie Verso, Keith Habig, and Dick Adams (Coach).