Archive for May 6th, 2010

Please be kind to your server

By Eric Townsend

It’s time to get on my proverbial soap box and address a few frustrating issues that pertain not only to me, but to other students as well.

I have worked as a restaurant server throughout my academic career to pay for my schooling, bills and nearly non-existent social life. I would like to clarify a few guidelines on what I call “dining etiquette.”

Tipping: Always tip, no matter what! Even if the service was terrible, remember that tips account for more than 50 percent of a server’s hourly wage. Not tipping is a huge disservice. 

Tips usually range from 15-20 percent, but the recent rule of thumb is to leave 18 percent or more.

Patience: I know it can be irritating when you wait for what seems like an eternity for that much-needed drink, but try to understand. Servers may be occupied and are trying their very best to get to you as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

I understand you want service and want it quickly, but don’t take it out on your server. After all, you are not the only one dining out.

Please and thank you: Try your very best to use these simple phrases. They are much appreciated and show common courtesy. There’s no need to snap at your server with phrases like, “Can I get my check?” or “I need another drink.”

I don’t mean to preach at everyone reading this, but just inform and give you a perspective from the server’s point of view. Please do your part to make it less stressful on your server.

Aztec Calendar

Thursday, May 6:

Women’s tennis @ NJCAA championships, Randolph Tennis Center, 50 S. Alvernon Way, opponents and times TBA.

Through May 8: PCC Dance: A Celebration of Nations, Proscenium Theater, West Campus. Admission $6, discounts available. Details: 206-6986.

Odyssey Storytelling presents Borders: Cross-Cultural Stories, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 6:30 p.m., $7. Details: 730-4112.

Friday, May 7:

First Friday Shorts, The Golden Gongs year-end showdown, Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd, 9 p.m., $5. Details: loftcinema.com/firstfridayshorts.

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars (World) with Spirit Familia, Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St., 7 p.m., $21 adv/ $24 at door. Details: rialtotheatre.com.

Saturday, May 8:

Stephan George, free patio show, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 7 p.m. Details: 622-8848.

Boys R Us, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 7 p.m., $8. Details: 622-8848

2nd Saturdays presents The Portland Cello Project, Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., 7-10 p.m., free. Details: www.portlandcelloproject.com, foxtucsontheatre.org.

Sunday, May 9:

Mother’s Day

PCC Music: Chorale and College Singers, CFA Proscenium Theater, West Campus, 3 p.m., gadmission $6. discounts available. Details: 206-6986.

Movies with Mom: A special mother’s day screening of “His Girl Friday,” The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., 1 p.m., $8. Details: http://www.loftcinema.com/node/1577.

Monday, May 10:

Fight Fair, Kill Paradise, Honor Bright Concert, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 6 p.m., $10 adv / $12 day of show. Details: 206-6986

A killer workout, “Aerobicide,” The Loft Cinema, 3233 E Speedway Blvd, 8 p.m., $2. Details: loftcinema.com.

Tuesday, May 11:

Hello Dali! The Salvador Dali Super Surreal Birthday Bash!, The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., 7:30 p.m., $8. Details: http://www.loftcinema.com/HelloDali

Straight No Chaser, Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St., 7 p.m., $24 adv, $29 @ door. Details: rialtotheatre.com.

Wednesday, May 12:

FAFSA Frenzy Help Session, West Campus Computer Commons, 3 p.m. Details: farsvp@pima.edu.

Man from Magdalena, Community Performing Arts Center, 1250 W. Continental Road, 7 p.m., $25. Details: http://www.performingartscenter.org.

Thursday, May 13:

Shearing Pinx with Nu Sensae Early Show, Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 7 p.m., $5. Details: hotelcongress.com.

The Optimist Club, Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 9 p.m., $3. Details: hotelcongress.com.

LAVA Music presents MJ Bishop, Nancy Lynn Bright and Claudia Nygaard in Concert,  Civano Neighborhood Center Courtyard, 10501 E. Seven Generations Way, 6:30 p.m., suggested donation of $5. Details: lavamusic.org.

Friday, May 14:

May 14-15, PCC Digital Arts: Digital Video & Film Screening, CFA Proscenium Theater, West Campus, 7 p.m., free. Details: 206-6986.

Mostly Bears, The Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 9 p.m., $5. Details: 206-6986.

Saturday, May 15:

“Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., midnight $5. Details: http://www.loftcinema.com/rockyhorror.

Border Action Network Fundraiser, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 6 p.m., $5 donation suggested. Details: 622-8848

I Dream in Widescreen, Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., 7 p.m., free. Details: foxtucsontheatre.org.

Sunday, May 16:

May  16, 18: National Theatre Live presents “The Habit of Art,” The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., Sunday -1 p.m., Tuesday – 7 p.m., $15. Details: http://www.loftcinema.com/node/1499.

Brokencyde with Jeffree Starr + Blood on the Dance Floor + Stereos, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 6 p.m., $13 adv / $15 day of show. Details: 622-8848.

Volunteer Fair, Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St., 1-4 p.m., free. Details: rialtotheatre.com.

Monday, May 17:

“Yeti, Giant of the 20^th Century,” The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., 8 p.m., $2. Details: loftcinema.com.

SoulTown Motown’s Greatest Hits, The Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway Blvd., 7 p.m., $17.95. Details: 886-9428

Tuesday, May 18:

Poetry reading by West Campus poetry students, 7 p.m., Center for the Arts Recital Hall. Free. Refreshments available.

Int/Advanced Modern Dance Technique Class, The Dance Loft, 620 E. 19th St. #150, 6:40-8:10 p.m., $7-12. Details: thedanceloft.com

The Bickersons: Tax Refund, Beowulf Alley Theatre Company, 11 S. Sixth Ave., 7 p.m., $8. Details: beowulfalley.org.

Wednesday, May 19:

Gil Mantera’s Party Dream, Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 8 p.m., $8. Details: hotelcongress.com.

Tucson Toros Summer Baseball, Hi Corbett Field, 3400 E. Camino Campestre Tucson, 7 p.m., $6. Details: 325-1010.

Chorale and College Singers perform May 9

By William Brown

Pima Community College’s Chorale & College Singers will present a Mother’s Day Concert on Sunday, May 9, at 3 p.m.

The concert, under the direction of Benjamin Sorenson, will take place in the Proscenium Theatre at the West Campus Center for the Arts. Admission is $6, with discounts available.

The Chorale is a large mixed-voice choir, while the College Singers are a smaller mixed-voice choir.

Program selections will include “Bourrée” and Fugue in C minor” by J.S. Bach, “Four Folk Songs” by Johannes Brahms, “Lebenslust” by Franz Schubert and “Agnus Dei” by Greg Gilpin.

The singers will also perform “Life Is Happiness Indeed” by Leonard Bernstein, “Choose Something Like a Star” by Randall Thompson, “And So it Goes” by Billy Joel, “The Dream Tree” by Buffy Sainte-Marie and “At The River,” a hymn tune adapted by Aaron Copland.

In addition, the concert will feature the premiere of “Perfect Night,” an original composition by music student Tony Spar.

For further information, call 206-6986 or visit www.pima.edu/cfa.

PCC Chorale & College Singers

Photo courtesy of PCC Center for the Arts

FYI

What: PCC Chorale & College Singers Mother’s Day Concert
When: Thursday, May 9, at 3 p.m.

Where: Proscenium Theatre, CFA, West Campus
Tickets: $6, with discounts available.
Box office: 206-6986

Stagecraft class introduces students to behind-the-scenes theater

Stagecraft instructor Deana Radtke shows off a production costume.

Story and photos by Elizabeth Holtz

The sound of sizzling hot dogs cooking over a grill. The scent of burger juices dripping into an open flame. Someone’s bringing out a plate of veggie burgers.

“Chicago,” the musical, plays from a small boom box. People gather ‘round to sing along. They enunciate each word correctly, with pizzazz. Could this be the right class?

“Welcome to Stagecraft,” says a voice from the crowd. Yes, this is Theater 111, holding its weekly Friday noon “meeting” at the loading dock outside Pima Community College’s Center for the Arts on West Campus.

“Stagecraft is an introductory-level theater class,” instructor Deana Radtke said. “We talk about theater in general from the dawn of time to the present and into the future. We talk about all things theatrical, mostly backstage.”

Students who want to learn more are invited to attend the weekly potluck barbecue. Any contribution, from homemade goodies to a bag of chips, is welcome.

Current and potential Stagecraft 111 students gather for a weekly barbecue.

Radtke is a product of PCC theater arts. She graduated in 1996, and has taught stagecraft at the college for two years. She also teaches classes in stage lighting and basic theater graphics.

“You can’t divorce what’s backstage from what’s onstage,” Radtke said.

Stagecraft 111 teaches students how to work in a show from pre-production through the performances to striking the set.

Students learn how to build sets. They also learn about costumes, props and scenery, and study different structures and styles of theater.

“You learn a lot,” student Robbye Dewitt said. “Not just about construction, but how much goes into a show. I like working with my hands. I like to be creative, and I like to use power tools.”

Potential student Kayla Hughes checked out the class, and hopes to enroll.

“I have a fear of power tools,” she said. “I would like to help out with other stuff, like making masks. I’d be willing to try it.”

Another potential student, Jodi Von Colln, is currently enrolled in a scene design class at PCC. “I want to take stagecraft,” she said. “There is still a lot I don’t know.”

Current student Robert Armentrout said the best part of the class was becoming confident that he knows what he is doing.

“It actually stems back to high school,” Armentrout said. “I’ve always liked building things and knowing about different kinds of ropes and knots and how the flywheel system works.”

Radtke said the first week of class is all about safety. Students go through extensive training and receive a tour of the Center for the Arts facilities. In the weeks that follow, they learn to use stationary and hand power tools.

“Stagecraft is important,” Radtke said. “It builds life skills and confidence.”

Radtke said the class prepares students to work in theaters outside of PCC, like Tucson’s Invisible Theatre or Gaslight Theatre. Some of the people who work in the Tucson Convention Center’s stage, costume and lighting shops graduated from PCC.

Todd Poelstra, technical director for the PCC performing arts department, said his favorite part about stagecraft is when students see they can do things they never imagined.

“Very few students come in with the experience of working with power tools or painting, sculpting or metal working on a large scale,” Poelstra said.

Poelstra took his first stagecraft class at PCC in 1978. He said that each show is new and different, even if you have done the production a thousand times.

For more information on classes offered and registration, visit www.pima.edu.

Masks from a production rest on a theater shelf.

‘The Losers’ make a winning movie

By D.J. Ochoa

With most action comedies, only two scenarios can take place. The film either leaves the audience wanting more, or makes them wonder why they bothered to view a 90-minute disaster.

“The Losers” gives the audience what it wants and more. Do not let the title of the film deter you from spending your hard-earned money for a ticket. It’s a fun, action-packed ride that keeps you entertained from beginning to end.

The film is based on a 32-issue DC comic graphic novel written by Andy Diggle.

The plot is very simple: The losers are members of an elite U.S. Special Forces unit (each with a distinctive personality) who are double-crossed by a mysterious boss who contacts them only by phone.

With their government crucifying them, the losers set out to take revenge on Max (Jason Patric), the man who betrayed them.

The leader of the group, Clay, played by Watchmen’s Jeffrey Dean Morgan, is trying to cope with what happened to his team and is desperate for some help.

Aisha, played by the lovely Zoe Saldana, seems to have the solution and helps the group find Max.

The action in the movie is slightly mediocre, but four losers keep the film together. The four are Jensen (Chris Evans), Pooch (Columbus Short), Roque (Idris Elda) and Cougar (Oscar Jaenada).

The film’s most entertaining parts come when Jensen and Pooch share the big screen. From Pooch limping to safety after being shot in both legs to Jensen’s comedic escape to Journey’s classic hit, “Don’t Stop Believing,” the two will surely have audiences laughing away.

“The Losers” will not surprise anyone watching it for the first time. It is a film that holds the definition of “it is what it is.”

There are more funny moments than action moments, but the movie is still well worth viewing.

If you love action and comedy, “The Losers” is a great start to an action-filled summer while we await the release of “Iron Man 2.”

Track and field carries high hopes into final meets

Story and photo by Daniel Gaona

For the Pima Community College men’s and women’s track and field teams, regionals and nationals are nothing like ordinary meets.

Pima will travel to Mesa Community College on May 11 and 13 for the Region 1 Championships. Head coach Greg Wenneborg wants either the men or the women to be runners-up at regionals.

“Our goal is to get the upset,” he said. “Right now we’d probably take third or fourth at the region meet but we want to get runner-up.”

The teams are fully aware of what they need to do to bring home the hardware.

“We want to take a trophy home and everyone is going to have to do their part in order for that to happen,” Wenneborg said.

He also said the confidence level is high heading into the meet. Wenneborg feels that the team is set for a breakout meet and that it would surprise other teams because on paper it doesn’t look like Pima has a shot.

“Looking at the entries and looking at how our team is doing right now I think we could steal either a men’s or women’s second place finish,” Wenneborg said.

“The upside potential for the regional and national meet is so great and we’re just really excited for everyone.”

However, there is still some anxiety on the team.

“We’re a little nervous right now because there are sometimes downside potential and there are bad days,” Wenneborg said about regionals. “But right now I think we are poised to have a good meet.”

The biggest success factor through the whole season has been the depth and widespread talent for the Aztecs. It isn’t just a few events in which Pima is a contender.

“The thing I am so impressed right now is that we have such depth across the whole team,” Wenneborg said. “We’ve got our jumps crew in order, we’ve got our sprints crew in order, we’ve got our distances clicking right now and our throws are going to be a big surprise for us and score some huge points.”

Shortly after the regional meet, those on the team who qualified will head to Hutchinson, Kan. for the National Junior College Athletic Association Championships on May 20-22.

Middle distance runner Stephan Bullard and javelin thrower Sharissa Korn will be the top two Aztecs to watch during the upcoming meets. Both are legitamate contenders for NJCAA titles.

Bullard is currently the national No. 3 800-meter runner on the men’s side and his season best was 1:52.65.

“He has had some great workouts recently and I think as usual we expect him to go for a national title,” Wenneborg said. “He has a great shot because he is sharpening very well right now.’

Korn is the No. 2 female javelin thrower in the NJCAA with a best of 139 feet, 2 inches. Wenneborg thinks she can break the school record, which is 142-4, and win the regional and national titles.

Other athletes to watch include sprinter Derrick Coker and Kat Howard, who are both freshmen.

Coker ran the 100-meter dash in 10.70 but he needs a 10.69 to qualify for nationals.

Howard is the No. 6 5,000-meter runner and the No. 5 10,000-meter runner in the NJCAA.

“She is a machine,” Wenneborg said about Howard. “She improves every time she steps on the track.”

In field events on the men’s side Christian Tovar is a threat in multiple throwing events. He is No. 11 in shot put and No. 9 in the hammer throw. Wenneborg expects him to be a “big force” in both events.

Anthony Johnson should stand out in the high jumps. He is currently No. 11 in the country and Wenneborg said he’s clearing close to 7-0 at practice.

Both the 4×100 and 4×400 relay squads are ranked nationally. The 4×100 is No. 16 and the 4×400 team is No. 10. Chris Phillips and Matthew Robertson are on both of the relay crews.

Matthew Robertson and Chris Phillips

Chloe’ Nowell placed third at the Region 1 multiple-events meet on May 3-4. Her point total of 3,695 puts her at No. 10 in the nation and qualifies her for nationals in the heptathlon. She had already qualified in the triple jump as well.

On the men’s side, Dylan Moeykens is ranked 10th in the decathlon with 5,673 points.

Visit AztecPressOnline.com for updates and results.

Track and Field national qualifiers as of May 6
Men
Stephan Bullard
Derrick Coker
Anthony Johnson
Nathan Manigault
Daniel McIver
Dylan Moeykens
Chris Phillips
Mario Portillo
Matthew Robertson
Frederick Scarber
Antoine Thomas
Christian Tovar
Women
Kathy Acosta
Brittany Bishop
Jessica Davis
Julia Dittiger
Ashley Dorado
Kat Howard
Sharissa Korn
Annalisa Loevenguth
Magda Mankel
Stephanie Montano
Chloe’ Nowell

Graduation ceremony to be held May 20

By Manny Manriquez III

The 2010 ceremony for Pima Community College spring graduates will be held on Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at the Tucson Convention Center Arena.

Graduates must arrive by 6 p.m. to check in at the Exhibition Hall. Graduates will receive an information card with their name and degree/certificate information.

For those who want to take graduation photos, Focus on Events will be in the Cochise/Apache Room on the ground level of the Convention Center between 4:30-6:30 p.m., and after the ceremony until 10 p.m.

Parking for the ceremony is free for graduates and their guests at designated lots. Parking on the east side of the convention center may be limited due to construction.

Graduates may bring as many guests as they wish. No tickets or reservations are needed.

Only graduates and dignitaries are allowed on the arena floor during the ceremony. Graduates will be seated in the order of line-up.

Caps and gowns are mandatory and can be purchased at all campus bookstores until Thursday, May 20, for $30.27. There will also be a limited selection of caps and gowns the day of graduation in the Exhibition Hall.

Graduates will receive a scroll in place of their degree/certificate, then return to their seats after receiving their scroll. The official document will be mailed within 12 weeks if all requirements are met.

PCC’s Multicultural Convocation, an event that celebrates the academic achievement and cultural diversity of PCC graduates, will be held Friday, May 7, at the West Campus gymnasium. Graduates must register for the convocation.

For more information about the graduation ceremony or convocation, visit www.pima.edu or call 206-4888. For more information on Focus on Events, call 544-0210.

ASK GABI: Be careful with summer romances

By Gabi Piña

Summer waits patiently around the corner while the end of another grueling semester nears.

Worn-out students have started mapping their summer events. For some, this might include finding themselves a little summer romance.

Summer flings can either be very good or can go horrendously wrong. A happy medium is rarely found.

In most cases, when people find themselves a summer lover, one individual is always willing to put in more effort than the other. In most scenarios, feelings are hurt, friendships end badly and it sours the tone for the rest of the summer.

The best thing to do is to keep an open mind. Dive into a new relationship knowing that it might just be a summer affair.

Although this might sound a bit cynical, it causes less damage. Let’s get real. Most people (both female and male) are just looking for summer hook ups. If you’re single, summer is a time to have fun, not be tied down.

The rules of being friends with benefits can all be applied to a summer love story. The minor exception is that you are more likely to be just one out of a few other devotees.

Whatever it is summer brings, you should be concerned with only one thing. Enjoy it. Squeeze every bit of fun out of every relationship or hook up you encounter.

Life is short and you might not get any other opportunities like the ones in front of you.

Cracking Wise: Roommates Are Weird

By David Mendez

The thing about becoming roommates with people you’ve known for a long time is finding out really just how weird you each are.

I mean, it’s easy to think that your friends are normal when you only have to see them once a week – if that.

It’s when you have to see them every time you step through your front door, staring slack-jawed at the TV playing X-Box, listening to God-knows-what music they’ve dragged from the depths of iTunes and awkwardly turning up your music to muffle the sounds coming through the walls (“Isn’t he alone in there?”) that you realize “you know, I might actually be the most socially acceptable person in this house.”

It’s not like I’m the one fascinated with throwing fruit (both ripe and rotten) off of the balcony, onto the waiting street below, and refusing to clean it up afterwards. After all, “nature will take care of it.”

(Fun reflex test, by the way: Dodging watermelons hurled at you in the dark of the night as you’re getting home. The fun doubles when you chase down your roommate in an attempt to make him resemble the mess that’s now all over the sidewalk.)

Nor am I the one who was discovered cleaning the house in a headband, knee-high socks, Daisy Dukes and nothing else. Keep in mind, I live with guys. Guys who, apparently, are all too willing to make their own cutoffs when they see that someone else has done it.

Now, I’m not going to say that I’m a beautiful looking man, or that my roommates are the kind of hideous that you typically only find living under bridges in German fairy tales.

But no grown man looks good in cutoffs. I don’t care who you are, you will look manlier in pink tights that you will in cutoffs, aviator sunglasses and a red bandanna.

I’m also CERTAINLY not the roommate who destroyed a laptop with a hammer for 20 minutes in an effort to destroy the private information on it…without damaging the hard drive at all.

No, I’m simply the slack-jawed gamer, listening to weird rap remixes I’ve found on various corners of the Internet and avoiding leaving the room on Cleaning Sundays. Nothing wrong with that, as far as I can see.

And no, I have no idea what those awkward noises are either, though I’ve got five bucks saying someone decided to hide a small dog in the walls. It wouldn’t be the first time one of us had randomly carried a canine into the house.

Korn following family roots, eager to end season with wins

By Eric Townsend
Photo by Daniel Gaona

When Sharissa Korn travels to Kansas later this month for the National Junior College Athletic Association Championships, she hopes to follow in her brother’s footsteps and bring home a national trophy.

Jeremiah Korn, Sharissa’s older brother and roommate, won the shot put title two years ago.

“I’m very excited,” Sharissa Korn said. “Just to have the opportunity is pretty awesome.”

As a sophomore, Korn is currently the nation’s No. 2 female community college javelin thrower. Colleen Felix from South Plains is the top thrower with a best of 146 feet, only 6 feet, 8 inches farther than Korn’s top throw this year.

“I don’t really know anything about her but I’ve seen her marks and they are impressive,” Korn said about Felix. “I just have to stay focused and have fun. There is really no point in doing a sport if you don’t have fun.”

The surprise is that Korn has been throwing the javelin for just two years because high schools in Arizona don’t offer it as an event. Last year was her first year and she immediately connected.

“It’s by far my favorite event,” she said. “I haven’t been throwing for long, but it’s by far my best event.”

Sharissa Korn

Korn’s athleticism and work ethic can be attributed to her athletic family. Jeremiah has helped guide her this season, providing his sister with insights about nutrition, training and weight lifting to help her compete at the highest level.

“He is very supportive,” she said about her brother. “We are both pretty level-headed, but he’s been making sure I’m getting into the weight room and eating right.”

Korn competes in all of the throwing events but javelin is the only event in which she qualified for nationals. She isn’t too concerned about shot put, discus or hammer throw.

“I’m just average at those other events,” she said. “I’m trying to focus on javelin and improving my techniques at this point. I just want to get into the weight room and improve my throws.”

Her talents have garnered national attention and she has recently received a few scholarship offers. She said the recruiting process has gone well, and she is looking at schools in Colorado and Kansas.

Come May 20, in addition to repeating her family history, Korn will also try to keep a streak alive for the track and field team. Pima has produced at least one national champion in each of the last three years.

Sharissa Korn

Moustafa confident for success in the long-run

By Chris Beck
Photo by Daniel Gaona

As the Pima Community College men’s tennis team earned its place at nationals, head coach Sharif Moustafa was named coach of the year in the Arizona region.

Originally born in Minnesota, Moustafa moved to Arizona as a child and quickly picked up tennis. Even from a young age, it was clear that the game was his calling.

“I was recruited to go to Phoenix when I was 16 to play for a junior tennis program,” Moustafa said. “I was the top-ranked southwest player.”

His skill took him to the University of Arizona, where he played for the tennis team. Unfortunately an injury ended his collegiate career.

Sharif Moustafa

Although his career at UA was cut short, his time there proved to be helpful and maybe even critical to his recent coaching success.

“I was coached by guys who coached top-25 players in the world,” Moustafa said. “I was very fortunate to have them as head coaches.”

While the 2010 season was his first at PCC, Moustafa had plenty of coaching experience before he arrived on campus.

He served as head pro at Club Yuma Fitness Center and as a pro for the Ron Smith Tennis Academy in Tucson. He has been a pro at the Tucson Racquet & Fitness Club since 2007.

“I had been coaching top juniors in the nation for four years,” Moustafa said. “When I heard the Pima job was open, I felt like I could bring what I knew about the community and what I knew about tennis into Pima and make it a national team.”

After a single season, Moustafa has no doubt achieved his goal. The team will head to Plano, Texas, on May 10-14 to compete for the national title.

In preparations for nationals, Moustafa is putting his team through grueling training in order to stay in top shape. His techniques prove that being coach of the year is not about babying players.

“The kids knew coming in that I was going to be one of the toughest coaches they ever had to face,” Moustafa said. “Especially with nationals coming in, they have been running three miles in the sand every day so I can get them prepared.”

“We are playing in Texas, which has the highest humidity, so I have to be able to strategize and get my players to not cramp out there.”

These strategies, among many others, have boosted PCC onto the national scene and earned Moustafa coach of the year honors. While the league recognizes his coaching excellence, he acknowledges that he could not do it without his players.

“I couldn’t be here without these players,” Moustafa said. “Without their heart and talent and the will that they put in for me. They are the ones, I just assisted them.”

In a single year at Pima, Moustafa has had incredible success with the team and only has higher expectations for seasons to come.

“My future plan is to build Pima to be a top-ranked team nationally,” he said.

Men’s Tennis Nationals lineup
Singles
No. 1 Andrew Barnett
No. 2 Alan Barrios
No. 3 David Tellez
No. 4 Default
No. 5 Rafael Sepulveda
No. 6 Matt Lancaster
Doubles
No. 1 Default
No. 2 Barrios/Sepulveda
No. 3 Lancaster/Tellez

UA transfer made ‘big’ impact for Pima baseball

By James Sargent
Photo by James Kelley

Although the Pima Community College baseball team had a disappointing season, sophomore outfielder Shaun Cooper did not let it affect his play. He improved tremendously to earn himself another Division I scholarship.

Cooper played last season for the University of Arizona and had a strong season, hitting .300 in 27 games for the Wildcats.

“I wasn’t going to have a chance to be a starter at defense, it was more designated hitter,” Cooper said about his transfer to Pima. “I wanted to improve on my defensive skills.”

Cooper finished this season as Pima’s top batter and was the only Aztec to start all 55 games. He scattered 197 hits, including 17 doubles and four home runs. He totaled 44 RBIs on the year. His 18 stolen bases were also a team high, along with his .330 batting average.

“My main reason why I came to Pima was to improve on my outfield skills,” Cooper said. “Hitting was good, I’m always trying to improve on my hitting. I did pretty good for my first real, full season.”

Pima head coach Edgar Soto thinks Cooper made a big impact.

“Cooper has been a huge part, especially since Justin Zumwalde has been injured most of the year,” Soto said. “He helped us a bunch, not that we are having a great season, but who knows how it could have been without him.

Shaun Cooper

“He is also an about-average outfielder now. The more he played, the more live game opportunities you get, you are going to improve and I think he has improved tremendously. He is such a hard worker, runs well, so he just needed the reps out there.”

Cooper accepted a scholarship at the University of Utah and will be eligible to play for two more years.

“They recruited me out of high school. I took a visit up there and the facilities were really high-class,” Cooper said about the University of Utah. “It was very similar to UA and I think I will really enjoy it.”

Cooper said he hopes to start immediately in either left field or center field and wants to bat in the middle of the lineup, but he will have to prove himself to the coaches.

His main goal is getting drafted to a Major League Baseball team, hopefully at the end of his junior year. If that does not happen, he will stay for his senior season.

Cooper has declared his major as sociology, but plans on getting into emergency medical technician programs at Utah. If not for baseball, Cooper would love to become a paramedic and work in the health field.

His hobbies outside of baseball include weight lifting and playing “Call of Duty” on his Xbox 360.

Pima closed the season with a sweep of Central Arizona College, and finished 21-33-1 overall. Cooper was named All-ACCAC first team and All-Region second team.

Women’s tennis on late-season hot streak

By Steve Choice
Photo by Steve Choice

The Pima Community College women’s tennis team capped off its late-season surge with a strong showing at the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament, held May 2-6 at the Reffkin Tennis Center in Tucson.

“I am very happy how the season is ending,” head coach Gretchen Schantz said. “This year’s team improved after every match and peaked exactly when we needed to, at regionals and nationals. We are now beating teams that we lost to in the beginning of the season with authority.”

The national tourney had not concluded at press time, but a top-20 finish for Pima was all but assured, according to Schantz.

Three Aztecs were still alive in their respective draws as play wrapped up on Day Three of the competition.

Freshman Gabriela Rodriguez and sophomore Lori Cinnamond punched their tickets to the consolation draw semifinals in singles play, while Cinnamond and sophomore Ana Gallardo advanced in the doubles consolation bracket.

The tournament is double-elimination, which means a player that loses early can still rack up victories in the “back draw”.

Freshman Lucy Gaynor continued her flair for the dramatic at No. 5 singles against Marley Myers from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Day Two.

Gaynor spotted the visitor from Georgia a 5-2 lead in both sets, but mounted furious comebacks in each one. Gaynor frustrated the lanky southerner with her effective defensive game, and Myers’ impatience led her to commit numerous unforced errors.

Gaynor also sent many well-placed passing shots past her opponent, to the delight of her teammates eating lunch courtside and cheering her on. Despite her spirited effort, she fell short, 7-5, 6-4.

Lucy Gaynor and Daisy Quezada

“I always have hope that I’m going to come back,” the native of San Carlos, Mexico said. “I never give up.”

Gaynor is already primed for next season, especially since she will be able to get in a whole year’s worth of training with the team.
“I didn’t start on the team until January this past year, so I was a little behind,” said Gaynor, who has only been playing tennis for five years. “I’m going to start in August this time, so I’m going to rock. I’m going to come with the big guns next year.”

The Aztecs will be without the services of Cinnamond, Gallardo and Ashley Oesterle in 2011, but Schantz remains optimistic about the squad’s future.

“I have half the team returning next year, and I am looking forward to seeing them continue to improve.”

With an almost certain top-20 showing at nationals as their springboard, the whole Aztec team will look to level their sights on their opponents next year.

Visit AztecPressOnline.com for updates.

Horoscope Issue 8

By Taylor Bock

Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Do you have a dog, Taurus? Do you take really good care of that dog? Is he waiting at home right now? Is he thinking about you while you’re gone? Is he thinking about you when he licks his butt? Yeah, there’s something to think about.

Gemini (May 21-June 21)
It’s really easy to wish someone was dead, Gemini. It’s a challenge to be specific when you hate someone. Like, you wish that all their possessions have slight cracks in them. Not terrible cracks, just noticeable ones that make them ugly.

Cancer (June 22- July 22)
Hey Cancer, I have a question. If the Christian god and the Greek god Zeus did a high five, would that create a whole new dimension of life? What if they did a fist pound? That would either give everyone super powers or destroy existence.

Leo (July 23- Aug. 22)
You know who’s a really awesome set of gods, Leo? The Norse gods. If I worshipped a Norse god, I would be so much more willing to go to war. Because then when I die, I get to eat Viking food and beat up Vikings all day.

Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22)
Have you ever gone through a bad breakup, Virgo? It’s a difficult time. You always have to line up the ball, make sure there’s no wind resistance and choose the right club. But it’s worth it to get the ball in the hole. Oh wait, that’s golf.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
You should read more, Libra. Books will never give you viruses or error messages. Books never give you three red lights and have to be sent for repairs for the third time because Microsoft can’t make a solid console.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Did you ever look for dinosaur bones in your backyard when you were a kid, Scorpio? Well, I did. I found a live Tyrannosaurus Rex with laser eyes and lava breath. Then I was told to take these little pills. I never saw him again.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec 21)
Do you keep a lot of toys around, Sagittarius? It’s kind of cool to line your room with action figures. Action figures are cool. Don’t collect dolls though; dolls will try to kill you in your sleep. I know this, I’ve seen it happen.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan 19)
You should try acting, Capricorn. For your first exercise, go to a nursing home dressed as death, but walk around like you don’t know you’re dressed like that. “What? What are you talking about? I’m not death, I’m Steve! I work here! You’re seeing things.”

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You should figure out how to make a pipe bomb, Aquarius. Don’t use that knowledge to actually make one and hurt anybody, just find out how to make one. Just so you can bring it up in conversation. “Yeah, I know how to make a pipe bomb. And key lime pie.”

Pisces (Feb.19-March 20)
I’m going to pass on some wisdom to you, Pisces. If you see a van parked outside the elementary school and the side says “Free Candy,” don’t trust it. All he has is peanut brittle. The dude’s a liar, he should be arrested.

Aries (March 21-April 19)
Hey Aries, your astrological sign is the same name as the Greek god of war. You should go declare a war on something. Put on a toga, find an anthill and start stomping on it. Scream, “MORTALS, YOU CANNOT STAND AGAINST THE GOD OF WAR!”

Phi Theta Kappa chapter receives international awards

By Laura Halverson

Alpha Beta Chi, the Pima Community College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, has been recognized internationally.

A group of PCC officers and advisors recently attended the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention in Orlando, Fla., where the chapter received multiple awards.

Awards include Distinguished Chapter President (Cynthia Berens), Distinguished Chapter Officer (Jacquelyne Echave, vice president of scholarship) and Leadership Hallmark Award.

The PCC chapter won the Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Award, for the third year in a row. The award is given only to chapters that have received the Distinguished Chapter Award for three or more consecutive years.

Chapter advisor Robert Carey received the Distinguished Advisor Award. Chapter member and Arizona Southern District Vice President Natasha Stephens received Distinguished Regional Officer and Distinguished Regional Officer Team awards.

At the international convention, chapter members attended educational forums and heard guest speakers Rachel Maddow, Sanjay Gupta and author Wes Moore, a Phi Theta Kappa alumnus, talk on the new Honors Study Topic, the Democratization of Information: Power, Peril and Promise. They also met Phi Theta Kappa members from around the world.

Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society for two-year colleges dedicated to the hallmarks of scholarship, leadership and service.

For more information about Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Pima College’s chapter, visit  www.ptk.org and http://ecc.pima.edu/~ptk.