Heavy Metal Jewelry  

Cover of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist MagazineECC alumna and jewelry artist Raminta Jautokas raminta.com recently had her work featured on the cover of the May/June issue of "Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine.” The full-color photo features a dramatic corrugated copper pendant that Raminta made; a related article gives step-by-step instructions on how to create the pendant, including tips for successful pressing. Raminta attended ECC in the late ‘90s and took several of Professor Irene Mori's jewelry and metalsmithing classes. She is a board member of the Metal Arts Society of Southern California (MASSC), and a member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG).

 

“Irene Mori is a fantastic teacher who provided an environment for me to explore many different metalsmithing techniques,” said Raminta, a studio artist/metalsmith based in Los Angeles. “Since then I have been taking various jewelry workshops and continue to expand my knowledge in the field. To this day I am grateful to Irene Mori and El Camino College for providing me with a great background in the jewelry arts.” See the magazine here.  

Career Advancement Academy to Open for Fall   

Career Advancement AcademyA new Career Advancement Academy will open at El Camino College this fall, offering students the education and training needed for high-demand careers. The one-year program begins in the fall and will focus on careers in machine tool technology and welding; books, workbooks and a variety of career workshops are also provided for enrolled students. An electrical utility technology program will be added in the spring. Part of a statewide initiative, the Career Advancement Academy combines career technical education with basic skills in high-demand career areas where new workers are needed immediately. The program is funded by a $662,700 grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, and also has technical support from the Careers Ladders Project. Read more here. For more information about the El Camino College Career Advancement Academy, check out the Web page or call 310-660-3589.


ECC Professor Launches New Radio Program  

SharkSense Book“The Shark is in the House!” So begins Sharkie Zartman’s new radio talk show on the South Bay-based HealthyLife.Net Radio Network. Sharkie, a physical education professor at El Camino College, launched her “Sharkie’s Pep Talk” this summer with the goal to inspire listeners through discussions on empowerment, fitness, yoga, and anti-aging. The hourlong show, billed as “your weekly 'get up and go' fix!” features guests who share their words of wisdom about living a healthy lifestyle. A recent show featured El Camino College football Coach John Featherstone, two-time national and eight-time state coach of the year. Sharkie has taught health, fitness and volleyball at El Camino College for more than 30 years. She is a former member of the US National Volleyball Team and the World University Games. At UCLA, where her jersey was retired, she was a member of the first national championship team.  Sharkie was also a five-year WPVA (Women’s Professional Volleyball Association) beach player.  More…


Kay Amano, programs director of the Japan-America Society of Southern California, accepted the donation at a special ceremony and thanked club members for their efforts, as she presented them with a certificate of appreciation. More than $1.2 million in aid has already been sent through the society. Japanese Culture Club adviser Sue Oda-Omori congratulated the students on their ambitious donation drive, crediting the generous spirit from all those who donated everything from pocket change to large checks. The El Camino College Japanese Culture Club is open to all students who are interested in learning more about the Japanese culture. To see a video supporting this recent donation drive, click here.

Fashion Forward   

Walter Mendez DressCongratulations to ECC graduate Walter Mendez for winning a design competition led by Style Network’s Jeannie Mai. Watch for Mai, host of Style Network’s Emmy-nominated show "How Do I Look?" wearing a Walter Collection original in an upcoming show. Walter transferred last fall to California State University, Long Beach, where he continues to major in fashion. Mai challenged CSULB students to design an outfit for her in this first-ever contest. According to the competition’s guidelines, the winning outfit should demonstrate “personality,” quality,” and “consistency.” Walter’s winning design, “Yellow Goddess Dress,” features Grecian-inspired draping with a modern one-shoulder sleeve in a heavy silk jersey. The right shoulder is padded to create a structural look. Rhinestone trim adds that extra “wow” factor.  More...


"It's an honor to win the competition; it really goes to show that hard work pays off,” Walter said. “In fashion I've learned that it is always about reinventing yourself and moving forward. When I first began to design dresses for Jeannie, I saw it as a challenge, to create a dress that not only represented the Walter Collection but also represented who Jeannie is – a fun, fashionable, strong woman. The end result truly left me speechless. When I saw her in my dress I was thrilled! Not only did it fit like a glove but she was glowing in it.”

Art Walk Amazement!    

Claudia Prada
Colombian Consul
Dr. Carlos Augusto
Celis Gutiérrez meets
with Claudia Prada
Kudos to Claudia Prada, ECC Spanish language instructor and artist, who curated the July 14 Downtown Art Walk in downtown Los Angeles right in the heart of the fashion district and just a few blocks away from Gallery Row. The free, Thursday night art tradition features a merger of art and fashion, and restaurants stay open late, adding to the festivities. The show featured works from Columbian artists and was designed to celebrate Colombia's Independence Day (July 20) while introducing the new Consul Dr. Carlos Augusto Celis Gutiérrez to the Colombian community. Claudia also presented some of her own art creations. Born in Colombia and raised in Central America, Prada displays colorful folk art reflective of her roots. She has master’s degrees from UCLA in Spanish-American literature and theater, and film and television. In 1995, she was awarded the UCLA Film and Television Graduate Woman of the Year Award, as well as the Edward James Olmos Award in film and television. Her animation film “After the Rain” was screened at the Latino Film Festival.

ECC Child Development Center Open for Fall Enrollment   

The El Camino College Child Development Center’s (CDC) fee-based, year-round preschool program is now open for enrollment for children ages 2 to 5 who are completely toilet trained. Located on the ECC campus, CDC enrollment is open to all children, including those of college students, employees, and members of the community. Low child/staff ratios and an emphasis on social skills are hallmarks of the academic curriculum. For the last 18 years, the El Camino College Child Development Center has been preparing youngsters to enter elementary school, setting the stage for a lifetime of learning. The school’s mission has become increasingly important in recent years, as kindergarten curriculum adopts more rigorous standards, with the bar of achievement rising higher and higher.

 

ECC Art Gallery to Present Earth and Sky by ECC Professor Emeritus Carson Gladson

View Thru TreesThe ECC Art Gallery will present Earth and Sky, a retrospective survey of work by ECC Professor Emeritus Carson Gladson from August 29 through September 23. An artist’s reception is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. September 8. The El Camino College Art Gallery is located on campus, 16007 Crenshaw Boulevard, near Torrance. The exhibit’s curator is Susanna Meiers. Earth and Sky shows Carson Gladson’s painting, drawing and digital work through his career. Gladson taught painting and drawing at El Camino College for nearly 40 years, where he instructed and inspired generations of students in their pursuit of artistic development. More...

Robotics Program Success     

Robotics ProgramCongratulations to our 10 students who recently completed the Fanuc Robot Certified Training Pilot Program this past spring. This program required students to work through online curriculum, simulation, and tests then apply skills to programming an industrial robot. A STEM grant supported Fanuc faculty training, making this program possible. Fanuc is the largest automation company in the world, with 100,000 robots sold in the United States. Some Southern California manufacturers have already discovered and are using industrial robots in the workplace. Our students are prepared to help local businesses become more competitive.

Voices of Compton Literary / Arts Journal Event 

El Camino College Compton Center students, faculty and staff celebrated the publication of the third annual Voices of Compton, a literary journal of student work. The event, sponsored by the Humanities Division, Academic Affairs Office, and Office of Student Life, was a success both in terms of attendance and student participation. In total, 75 students’ academic and creative writings and expressions were published. Several students also had the opportunity to present their work. The 2010-2011 journal is now available for download online here.


To see the awards listed by category, click here.

 

Voices of Compton Awards by Category:

Painting
Anthony Pittman, First Prize Painting "Jimi Hendrix"
Cover
Velatta L. Wilson, Cover Prize “3-D”
Drawing
Kayla Salisbury, First Prize Drawing “Sunlight in the Tree” and Third Prize Drawing “The Lady”
Malaika Houston, Second Prize Drawing “Self Picture”
Sketches
Tony McGee, First Prize Sketch “The First Lady”
Lorena Ramos, Second Prize Sketch “Untitled”
Linzy Hicklen, Third Prize Sketch “Man-N-War”
Antoinette B. Nezey, Third Prize Sketch “In Hiding”
Wilfredo Bernal Lemus, Honorable Mention for “Maria”
Brian Macias, Honorable Mention for “Untitled”
Song Lyrics
Kairo Warren, First Prize Song Lyrics “Spaceship Dreams: Victory Lap”
Poetry
Izzy Micheo, First Prize Poem “Confused Society”
Carrie McClain, Second Prize Poem “I too, am America”
Vicky Wong, Second Prize Poem “I Am”
Precious Hicks, Third Prize Poem “Nature of Love”
Demeris Wycoff, Third Prize Poem “Just Love Me”
Dulce Selene Garcia-Kubota, Honorable Mention for “In Silence”
Ellizabeth Weissmann, Honorable Mention for “How to Be Beautiful”
Short Story
Tamela D. Miles, First Prize Short Story “Breathe”
Spoken Word Art
Timothy Francis, First Prize Spoken Word Art “Man in This Land”
Elizabeth Jackson, First Prize Spoken Word Art “Gone Back”
Alan Gonzalez, Second Prize Spoken Word Art “Man with the Name Unknown”
Essays
Kasey Williams, First Prize Essay “Learning Life Lessons by Example”
Summer Dickerson, Second Prize Essay “By Any Means Necessary”
Jeremy Madrid, Third Prize Essay “My Perception”
Timothy Eubanks, Honorable Mention for “Death: A Real Life Event”
Maria Lermas, Honorable Mention for “Great Times with My Dad”

Track & Field Transfer, Scholarship Success   

Track and Field Group PhotoWith the conclusion of the 2011 track and field season, several ECC students signed with universities to receive scholarships to continue their athletic and academic careers. Sprint standout Shalé Garland officially signed with the University of Arizona. Javelin state champion Myshauna Alexander signed with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Southern California pole vault champion Kara Kalmar signed with California State University, Fullerton. Four-time state champion and 1500/5000 school-record-holder David Cardona signed with California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in February. The coaches for this outstanding team were also recognized: the Track & Field Coaches Association of California announced that ECC coaches Dean Lofgren and Kevin Hughley were named the 2011 Women's Head Coach-of-the-Year and 2011 Women's Assistant Coach-of-the-Year for Track & Field. It is a very rare accomplishment to have a head coach/assistant coach combo awarded in the same year, and a well-deserved honor for both Dean and Kevin. Click here for a full list of 2011 track & field student athletes who plan to transfer this fall:


2011 ECC Track/Cross Country Transfers
Shalé Garland (sprints) - University of Arizona
David Cardona (distances) - Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Kara Kalmar (pole vault) - Cal State Fullerton
Myshauna Alexander (throws) - University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Eric Ledford (distances) - Cal State Northridge
Naomi Altamirano (distances) - Cal Poly Pomona
Maria Colin (distances) - Cal State Los Angeles
Katelyn Boudewyn (jumps) - University of British Columbia
Milchu Perez (distances) - Cal State Los Angeles
Samuel Barke (distances) - UC Irvine
Tatsuya Kurosawa (distances) – Sophia University; Tokyo, Japan
Rio Enomoto (distances) – Cal State Los Angeles
Shavette Williams (jumps) - Cal State Los Angeles
Noah Lopez (distances) – CSU Dominguez Hills
Patrick O’Rourke (distances) – Cal State Long Beach
Derion Taylor (jumps) - Boise State University; planned after fall 2011
Jason Harrell (throws) - UC Santa Barbara; planned after fall 2011
Jose Lezama (distances) - San Jose State University; planned after fall 2011

El Camino College Compton Center Students Shine at Annual Academic Awards Tea

Tea Awards Group PhotoCongratulations to the El Camino College Compton Center academic standouts who were honored at the annual Academic Awards Tea this past spring. The event recognized the academic achievements of ECC Compton Center students who graduated on June 9 with honors, and also acknowledged 14 honor students and 51 scholarship recipients. The program included a welcome by members of administration, musical presentations, featured alumni, as well as honors and scholarship award presentations. Click here to view photos of the Academic Awards Tea.

More...


Class of 2010 alumnus Terrance Stewart, who is now attending UC Riverside, shared his own student success story and offered the current graduates words of encouragement. Faculty Council President Saul Panski and Math Professor Jose Villalobos presented the students with their scholarship awards. Compton Community College District Interim CEO Keith Curry. And Foundation Board President Anthony Williams, presented the Foundation Scholarship awards. In addition to making closing remarks, El Camino College Compton Center Vice President Barbara Perez joined Dr. Curry in presenting this year’s Presidential Scholar awards to Marisela Chavez, Monique Harris, and Luis Paredes.

Share your comments about these stories!

You can use your Facebook, Hotmail, Yahoo or AOL account to make a comment!