But it feels like that has changed in the past few years as the Los Angeles Dodgers have become what appears to be an unstoppable force.

Why? Because of their unprecedented spending

The Dodgers have always had a large payroll, but over the past few years, their spending has reached another level. According to Spotrac, the Dodgers have the highest payroll in baseball at $415 million for the 2026 season which is the largest payroll of all time.

In the offseason, the Dodgers continued to add to what was already the most talented and expensive roster in baseball by signing all-star outfielder Kyle Tucker to a four-year $240 million contract and closer Edwin Diaz to a three-year $69 million contract.

The biggest problem I have with their spending is the way they are going about it, with all of the deferred payments they are giving to many of their star players including two-way player Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani signed a 10-year $700 million deal to join the Dodgers in 2024 and is making $2 million annually. This is because the other $68 million is being deferred to a later date.

The Dodgers don’t have to pay the deferred money on Ohtani’s contract until 2034, which is when his contract ends. According to Clutchpoints the Dodgers have surpassed $2 billion in deferred contracts.

Because a large portion of the Dodgers contracts are being paid in deferred payments, this has freed up more financial flexibility for them in the short term which has allowed them to add elite talent.

Although paying for a majority of contracts is legal under current Major League Baseball rules, it feels like the Dodgers are taking advantage of a loophole in the system.

The payroll disparity between big market and small market teams has continued to widen over the past few years. This has left many fans of small market teams feeling hopeless because their team can’t compete with big market teams that have large payrolls like the Yankees and the Dodgers.

Some fans would argue that other teams can spend like the Dodgers but they just choose not to which is not accurate.

There are a portion of smaller market teams that do not have the same financial resources as some of those bigger market teams and could not spend at a high level even if they wanted to. For example, teams like the Cleveland Guardians have a $ 87 million payroll and the Tampa Bay Rays who have an 108 million dollar payroll.

The extent to which the Dodgers have spent has angered every fan base in baseball outside of Los Angeles.

At the end of the day, professional sports are nothing without support from the fans, so if they aren’t happy with the product, then changes need to be made.

The collective bargaining agreement between the MLB owners and players expires at the end of the 2026 season, which has created growing speculation about whether a salary cap will be implemented in MLB or not.

MLB is currently the only major North American sports league that does not have a salary cap, but many owners and fans are pushing hard for it.

There needs to be a way to level the playing field for all 30 teams and put a set limit on the Dodgers’ spending.

The primaries allow voters to narrow down candidates on the ballot for the general election in November. Laws governing primaries vary by state.

“California does not run a Democratic and a Republican primary,” said political science professor Elizabeth Huffman. “In the California primary, everybody runs in the same race and the top two, regardless of party, go on to November.”

Leading candidates for the governor’s race include six Democrats and two Republicans.

“The Democratic Party is freaking out about this because their vote is being split among numerous candidates,” Huffman said.

Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, businessman Tom Steyer and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond are among the Democratic candidates.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton make up the Republican ballot.

Catharine James, a 19-year-old political science and Spanish major, said she factors social issues and debate etiquette into her vote.

“This year, some of my main focuses has been positions on immigration, housing and the homelessness crisis,” James said. “I dislike the culture of our debates where everyone’s interrupting each other, and I think that also plays a role in who I would like to vote for.”

Only about a fourth of the voting-age population in California participates in primary elections, according to a report by the States United Democracy Center. This number is even lower for students.

“The decision of who the candidate is going to be is made by a much smaller number of voters and, typically, the most diehard or go-getter,” Huffman said. “Your choices are going to be shaped by those who are most fervent about their ideas.”

Khloe Nguyen, a 19-year-old engineering major, said she wasn’t aware of the upcoming primaries.

“Even though it indicates who’s on the ballot, it doesn’t indicate who’s going to be appointed,” Nguyen said. “So, to me, it doesn’t bear as much direct importance.”

James said she believes low student voter turnout is a result of limited political education among students.

“We are just starting to pay taxes all the time,” James said. “We’re just starting to kind of notice, ‘Oh, we have this right now.’”

She added that trust in government is generally low.

“There is low government efficiency, so there’s a low belief that our vote does something,” James said.

Nguyen said unfamiliarity with the process may also play a role.

“Voter registration might be kind of confusing for students who are not used to voting, or people who just turned 18,” Nguyen said. “Also, people just are too busy studying.”

Huffman said students can find more information about the primaries on Ballotpedia and CalMatters.

“Your November choices are being shaped now, so you want to get a word in,” Huffman said.

The final day to vote in person or mail a ballot is June 2.

Students who are eligible to vote can register online or submit an application at any local county elections office or Department of Motor Vehicles field office.

The Hawkeye Grill is open Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. Their menu offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items including omelettes, sandwiches and burgers. Additional snacks, sweets and beverages are available for purchase.

The dining services on campus are run by Pacific Dining, a California-based food service provider that manages California community colleges including the Los Rios District. The partnership began after cafeteria renovations in 2023, according to a CRC news update.

At a little over an hour before closing, the cafeteria wasn’t too busy, with many spots available to both eat and study. Soft piano music and light chatter filled the background, but it made for a great area to relax in the quiet. However, we decided to eat our food elsewhere.

Students can order online through the Pacific Dining website or place it in person with a cook. Once your order is complete and your number is called, the cashier will finalize your order at the register.

Ordering four items at the grill resulted in a 13-minute process that included ordering and paying.

I ordered the Zesty Chicken Filet that is advertised differently on the website than it is on the cafeteria menu. The website picture shows that the sandwich comes with lettuce and tomatoes, but the menu description says pickles and “a choice of sauce.” When I got my order there were no tomatoes, but there was lettuce, onions and pickles. The sandwich itself is $9.60, but I added bacon and avocado, which together led to an upcharge of $4.05. With an added side of garlic fries for an additional $3.99, the total amounted to $19.18 with tax.

The sandwich was good. The chicken and bacon were crispy, the lettuce was crunchy, the onions and pickles were tangy and the avocado was creamy. However, it would be much better to call the garlic fries parmesan fries… with an aftertaste of garlic. They were also on the lukewarm side, granted it might have been from the short walk outside. The side of ranch tied the flavors of the fries together better.

While the sandwich was nothing too fancy and could have just as easily been made at home with frozen chicken, it was good nonetheless.

This meal was average at best, but better than other community college cafeteria food I have encountered. If I were to be on campus longer than one class, I would come here again and try other options on the grill. It is convenient and has many options to choose from.

Rating: 6.8/10 | Would recommend: Yes

I ordered the Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla, which happens to be one of the more popular items on the menu. It’s a large quesadilla that includes grilled chicken, chipotle sauce and shredded cheese with a side of sour cream and salsa verde. The $8.95 quesadilla, together with a medium fountain drink for $1.99, brought my total to $11.90 with tax.

The outside of the quesadilla was nicely grilled, giving a nice crunch that wasn’t too hard. The portion of grilled chicken was generous, leaving me with enough chicken in each bite I took. The cheese was fully melted, which has been a problem I’ve encountered at other fast food and fast casual restaurants that serve quesadillas.

The chipotle sauce was creamy, giving the quesadilla a good kick and enhancing its flavor while not overpowering the dish.

The price is absolutely worth it. It’s not only a good serving size, but it’s also cheaper than a protein-filled quesadilla from Chipotle and around the same price as one from Taco Bell.

Rating: 9.5/10 | Would recommend: Yes

I ordered a Ciabatta Pesto Caprese, which is one of the vegan panini options available on the menu.

It was what you’d expect from a typical panini, with the added bonus of ingredients being fresh and hot off the grill. The bread was warm and crispy, with a slight tang from the pesto and balsamic glaze. While the panini offered nothing particularly special, I enjoyed the balance of flavors and the crunch of the bread with each bite.

The $9.20 ($10.40 with tax) dish was comparable to Starbucks’ Tomato & Mozzarella on Focaccia sandwich, which is priced a couple bucks lower. Even then, the panini takes the cake for having fresh ingredients.

Despite the slightly long wait and pricey cost, the dish was tasty and filling—a pleasant surprise coming from community college dining.

Given The Grill’s expansive menu, students will have no problem finding a dish of their liking, with the cafeteria also offering cold items like sushi and ice cream.

Rating: 8/10 | Would recommend: Yes

The story was written by local playwright Min Khang and was created for children with autism and other special needs.

The show was directed by theatre professor Ambre Shoneff, who said it is important for the children’s theatre to have performances that kids with special needs can also enjoy.

“It’s an underserved community as far as theater,” said Shoneff. “That’s why I’m very happy that we step into that void and bring something to them they wouldn’t otherwise receive.”

The performance was narrated by a shark puppet, and the actors asked for audience participation, including singing and dancing along with the cast.

The show is about a group of story explorers who go on different adventures, including a medieval joust and outer space.

The story explorers used song and dance to advance from one setting to the next.

The cast of the musical are students in the CRC children’s theatre rehearsal and performance classes.

Shoneff said they have performed for different elementary and middle schools throughout the 2026 spring semester. Individual schools were able to book a performance on their campus.

Eric Charlton, a 20-year-old music and theatre arts major and actor in the show, said the show is intended to give kids an enjoyable experience that they might not be able to have in a traditional theater.

“The show focuses on inclusivity and gives kids who don’t get to experience theater in a normal sense because of sensory things,” Charlton said.

The show featured different interactive elements for kids to touch like kinetic sand and clay.

Sterling Bell, a member of the audience, said she enjoyed the performance.

“It was fun,” Bell said. “I was raised by theater folks so this was like a trip back to my childhood.”

College President Edward Bush said the designation is important to have and highlights the commitment to student success on campus.

“Hopefully being a BSI will give us the motivation to do the work and make sure Black students are achieving equitable outcomes when they come in and when they leave our college,” Bush said.

Tadael Emiru, vice president of student services, helped put the application together for the designation. Emiru said CRC has been making changes to the system for 10 years and saw that the work fit into the requirements of being a BSI.

“We have made many changes in how we onboard students, how we serve students in various areas like counseling and financial aid,” Emiru said. “We’ve tried to be intentional about improving the experiences of our Black students in many different areas, outside and inside of the classroom.”

Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Research and Planning Sabrina Sencil said that in order to have a BSI designation, a college has to meet the requirements of having 10% of its population identifying as Black or African American, showing support to these students and closing equity gaps.

Sencil said that because California does not have Historically Black Colleges and Universities, having a BSI designation shows the campus is challenging the “status quo.”

“What we’re doing actively is challenging norms, hoping to change the status quo, being intentional, being aware, being informed, and then actively pushing back,” Sencil said. “I want our students to feel seen, valued and empowered in the same way that a student who goes to Howard or any HBCU does.”

Once a school has the designation, it is valid for five years, according to the California Legislative Information website.

CRC provides resources for Black students to have the support they need including spaces like the Black Empowerment Center, UMOJA, A2MEND and the Black Student Union.

Brianna James, a student support specialist for the BEC, said the center is a place where students can feel at home and get access to the information they need.

“We acknowledge that we value them and that we’re like a bridge between the student and their resources,” James said. “Connecting them to financial aid, connecting them to different resources on campus, and making sure we have a pipeline, so that they feel safe coming through the BEC to expand their presence and their confidence on campus.”

Dean of Student Engagement and Equity Brianna Ellis said that, with the physical Black spaces having only opened after the pandemic, the journey of inclusion has a long way to go.

“We really get to root ourselves and grow in a way that really centers our Black students,” Ellis said. “It’s not just the beginning, but it’s a renewed focus for the work that we do.”

Bush said while having these designated spaces and programs for Black students, they alone will not achieve full equity. He said it needs to happen all over campus.

“Black students exist in all aspects of our college that have different types of educational goals,” Bush said. “We need to make sure that all of those spaces that Black students interface with are spaces in which they can thrive.”

Bush said the Zero Textbook Cost program and improving course success rates can help with this. He said that these programs are to not only help one group of students, but the whole campus.

“That work is going to benefit all students, but we know perhaps the greatest beneficiaries are going to be, again, students who are most vulnerable – it’s going to be Black and brown students,” Bush said.

Bush said that there is still work to do, but with the designation, he wishes to see this campus and its students thrive.

“I hope, as we continue to grow into this designation, that we will continue to double down our effort to make sure that every student, regardless of what they look like, will each have the same equitable opportunity to reach their educational goals and remove those systemic barriers,” Bush said.

The third installment of The Connection’s series “A Day in the Life” follows the cafeteria workers as they feed the campus in the Hawkeye Grill and the Oasis Cafe.

The Hawkeye Grill is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The dining options on campus are run by Pacific Dining, following the cafeteria renovations in fall 2023. Pacific Dining is a family-owned, California-based food service provider that focuses on serving the community colleges in the state, according to a news update on the Cosumnes River College website.

Victoria Estrada, 26-year-old general manager of food services, said the busiest days for the cafeteria are Mondays and Thursdays, seeing as many as 300 students and staff to as few as 50 on Fridays.

Along with overseeing the cafeteria, Estrada is also in charge of catering. She said anybody can order for catering as long as they are a part of the campus. Estrada said those who order can choose what they want for their menu and the cafeteria will cook it.

The Oasis Cafe, connected to the cafeteria, is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. While the cafe offers snacks, bakery items and drinks, it is also partnered with Nestle who provides contracts with Starbucks including many familiar beverages from the Starbucks menu.

Estrada said that the cafeteria team this semester is smaller than usual with a total of four workers, meaning she and her team have to work multiple stations to keep up with food demands.

Check out our previous photo galleries following photography instructional assistant Raymond Neuharth and sports information officer and social media content creator Jonathan Wong.

The showcase featured projects from multiple RTVF production classes and gave students an opportunity to present work that highlights the hands-on experiences the program has to offer.

RTVF Professor and Academic Senate President Lauren Wagner said students in her classes had an average of two weeks to complete their projects depending on the guidelines in each class including pitching their ideas, interviewing, rehearsing, recording and editing.

Kalil Trepagnier, a 21-year-old RTVF major, presented a PSA focused on online privacy and data security. Trepagnier said recent data breaches and companies requesting personal information were the inspiration for his project.

“What inspired it was the increase of companies wanting personal information and ID verification checks,” Trepagnier said. “And with some recent hacks that expose people’s personal information, I figured I’d talk about that.”

Trepagnier said the showcase was also an opportunity to gain experience and work toward his future goals as a voice actor.

“I’d say it’s a great way to show my talents,” Trepagnier said. “Hopefully it’ll be a great stepping stone for what I want to do.”

Students involved in larger productions said collaboration and time management were some of the biggest challenges throughout the semester.

Lisa Thayer, a 20-year-old film, television and electronic media major, said students in her intermediate multi-camera class balanced multiple productions while working with small crews and overlapping deadlines.

Thayer said students were divided into small groups for projects that included a client video and a show focused on the Arts, Media and Entertainment division. Because of the small class size, she said students often had to step into additional roles and help on multiple productions.

“It was a matter of not having enough hands for each thing,” Thayer said. “We had to kind of step up on other people’s projects.”

Despite the challenges, Thayer said she was impressed by the quality of work students across the department produced this semester.

“I think a lot of people overlook the department, especially in college,” Thayer said. “This is how we show them that we’re actually making good work. We’re making our portfolios to go out into the industry.”

Audience members praised the quality of the productions.

Qusay Abdulqader, a 45-year-old digital media major, attended the showcase to support classmates and observe projects from RTVF courses.

“Some of the clips that I saw reached almost a professional level,” Abdulqader said. “I really like it, and I’m so proud I’m one of the RTVF family members.”

Lindsay Terzich, a 24-year-old digital film and media studies major, participated in a variety-show-style production created in RTVF 340 Television Production Workshop 1.

“It was a pretty collaborative process to put it all together,” Terzich said.

Terzich said that seeing audience reactions during the showcase helped students understand the impact of their work.

“It’s kind of nice to see what other people think and see how it impacts them,” Terzich said. “Because that’s what art’s supposed to do.”

A message left by the group on Canvas threatened to leak user data unless parent company Instructure complied with their settlement request. 

A Los Rios alert sent hours following the outage said that the leak did not contain any confidential information like passwords or social security numbers. 

“We do not have any evidence that any confidential Los Rios student or employee information was a part of this breach,” the email said. “However we are taking every possible precaution given how quickly this situation has escalated.” 

Over 8,000 schools worldwide and half of college students in the United States use Canvas as a learning platform, according to the Instructure website.

A list released by ShinyHunters showed that other schools in the University of California and California State University systems were also affected.

While Canvas is back online, a Los Rios update said that the State Chancellor’s Office advised users to remain “cautious and vigilant.”

“Be wary of any new Canvas messages or emails soliciting money to access any element of Canvas or complete Canvas activities,” the email said. “They recommend avoiding accessing any links in messages from any user they are not familiar with.”

Users who notice any suspicious behavior or communications should report it at servicecentral.losrios.edu.

Kat Gaston, a mental health advocate with the Student Health and Wellness center, said the event centers on both education and survivor support.

“We’re here to show survivor solidarity– that we support them and we believe them,” Gaston said. “Education is the first point of change, so educating students on sexual assault is really important.”

Gaston also explained the historical significance behind the movement. She said the event traces back to a case in which a survivor’s assault was dismissed based on what she was wearing– a ruling that helped spark global awareness efforts and continues to shape Denim Day’s message today.

Denim Day originated from a 1990s court case in Italy in which a sexual assault conviction was overturned based on the argument that the victim’s tight jeans implied consent, according to the Denim Day website. The case sparked international outrage and led to a global movement reinforcing that clothing is never an excuse for assault.

“Denim Day is basically an awareness around sexual assault and sexual violence or intimate partner violence,” said Brianna Ellis, dean of student engagement and equity and Title IX officer at CRC. “It’s an acknowledgment of those who have been impacted and it sheds light on these dynamics that people are facing.”

Throughout the event, campus departments and community partners hosted tables offering information and support. Organizations such as WEAVE, the crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault standing for “When Everyone Acts, Violence Ends,” were present to provide confidential advocacy services, while the Student Health and Wellness team led outreach efforts.

Ellis said that one of the most persistent misconceptions about abuse is that it is always visible.

“I think people assume that abuse is obvious, but it might not be physical,” Ellis said. “It could be emotional or mental abuse, and it might not always be very visible that someone is navigating harmful dynamics.”

In addition to raising awareness, the event highlighted available campus support systems, including Title IX services, mental health counseling and partnerships with community organizations. These resources aim to ensure students have access to both immediate and ongoing support.

Brianna Chan, a 21-year-old alumna and current student support center clerk, said events like Denim Day help make important information more accessible.

“I feel like not everyone knows too much about sexual assault and the history of it,” Chan said. “So it’s a good way to educate students while also creating a community.”

Organizers said the goal of Denim Day goes beyond a single event. By creating space for conversations and increasing awareness, they hope to build a campus culture rooted in accountability, education and support.

Ellis said the message is not just about recognizing the issue, but about what happens next. When students understand the realities of sexual violence, know where to turn for help and feel responsible for looking out for one another, awareness turns into action and support becomes something people can actually count on.

Organizers said the event is ultimately about making sure students feel supported and heard.

The average price of gasoline in California is currently $5.88 per gallon, according to AAA.

Students at Cosumnes River College said the spike in gas prices is starting to affect their commute.

“I have a 40-minute commute that I have to do twice a week and the high gas prices take a huge chunk out of my paycheck,” said 18-year-old architecture major Sean White. “I’d rather be putting my money into my college savings for the future or my personal account, but I just can’t.”

Julissa Rivas, a 23-year-old general science major, said she thinks many students will have to find other ways of getting to campus if gas prices continue to rise.

“I feel like carpooling would become more common and people will take advantage of the bus passes,” said Rivas.

Eligible students are able to use Sacramento Regional Transit bus and light rail services with the free Universal Transit Pass that Los Rios offers.

Rivas said that being a commuter and working student makes dealing with gas prices more difficult.

“I also do have a job I have to drive over to,” Rivas said. “Every day I’m driving either to school or work.”

Nineteen-year-old computer science major Diego De Jesus said he usually drives two vehicles, a truck or his SUV, but has had to adjust to driving the SUV more to save money.

“Either way, filling my tank is still $120,” De Jesus said.

With gas prices still on the rise, some students are beginning to look for more affordable alternatives.

Torin Weaver, 19-year-old computer science major, said he commutes to both CRC and Sacramento City College for classes.

“That’s like 40 miles, which is like a quarter of my tank,” Weaver said.

He said he’s been looking to find another way to get to school.

“I have been looking into getting an e-bike or a different form of transportation that’s cheaper,” Weaver said.

Now a sophomore in his second season on the Cosumnes River College baseball team, he led the team in batting average, extra-base hits, walks, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Quirarte-Guzman said he had interest from other Los Rios baseball programs but was drawn to CRC because of assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator Scott Haynes’ belief in him.

“Coach Scott was really persistent in texting me and just letting me know that he wanted me and believed in me to come here,” Quirarte-Guzman said. “After a meeting with him, I ended up deciding to come here, and it’s been the best decision I’ve made so far.”

In Quirarte-Guzman’s freshman season, he led the team in batting average and hit .343. He was named to the All-American list by the California Community College Baseball Association.

Quirarte-Guzman said his first year with the Hawks was a challenge with trying to manage balancing school, baseball, work and family.

During that year, he said his mom had to have treatment for cancer. Quirarte-Guzman said he felt completely supported by head coach Don Mico and his teammates during his mom’s battle with cancer because Mico encouraged him to put family first.

“He was there for me every step of the way,” Quirarte-Guzman said. “He would just check in on me and make sure everything was good.”

Since then, his mom has been in remission.

Mico said Quirarte-Guzman has been professional in how he’s navigated everything going on in his life.

“He’s handled everything to the utmost, so I’m very proud of how he’s handled all of the situations,” Mico said.

Quirarte-Guzman said his favorite memory from his two years at CRC was a team gathering that was held after he told Mico about his mom’s cancer.

“When I first told Mico about the stuff going on with my mom and my family, he had the team get together in front of the bleachers, and me and like two other teammates agreed to shave our heads on camera,” Quirarte-Guzman said.

This year, Quirarte-Guzman has been a mainstay for the Hawks, playing in every game of the season. In addition to his consistent offensive performance, he has played multiple positions around the infield including shortstop and all three base positions.

This season, he has also become more of a team leader.

“He’s definitely been the team captain,” Mico said. “He’s taken that whole leadership role and he’s done a good job.”

Quirarte-Guzman’s teammate, sophomore outfielder Angelo Nunes, described him as a team leader and a good person.

“He hustles, and he’s a really hard worker,” Nunes said. “He’s somebody that leads by example as a player and as a person. Alan is one of the nicest dudes I know.”

Quirarte-Guzman batted .395 in the regular season with four home runs and 21 doubles. He was also named to the first team all conference.

Quirarte-Guzman said he credits his successful season to the hard work he put in the off-season.

“I was in the weight room a lot more, and also in the spring I am still trying to work out three times a day,” Quirarte-Guzman said.

Another person Quirarte-Guzman relied on was Judah Morris, a former CRC baseball player who now plays for the Athletic’s single-A affiliate, the Stockton Ports.

Morris came to some practices and worked with him on his swing.

“Him and I really just worked on trying to hit for more power and just more consistency,” Quirarte-Guzman said.

Quirarte-Guzman said he was happy to see the results of his hard work pay off and that his time at CRC has helped him grow not only as a player but as a person.

“I feel like I wouldn’t be the same person now if I hadn’t chosen to come to CRC and play baseball here,” Quirarte-Guzman said.

Nunes said that one quality that stands out about Quirarte-Guzman is his integrity.

“Over the last two years Alan’s been one of my best friends on the team because of his high character on and off the field,” Nunes said.

After CRC, Quirarte-Guzman plans to transfer to a four-year college to study computer engineering. He hopes to continue his baseball career when he transfers.

“I think he’s going to be a good get for any baseball program that recruits him,” Mico said.

The event, co-hosted with MI CASA, focused on testimonio, a form of first-person storytelling that highlights lived experiences and exposes social injustice. Students used digital media to combine visuals, audio and writing to share personal narratives with attendees.

Ethnic studies professor Ricky Gutierrez said the event was rooted in the course’s emphasis on personal and social awareness.

“A testimonio takes lived experiences and places it into conversation with larger systems of power,” Gutierrez said.

The testimonios explored themes including domestic violence, identity and prejudice, with many students connecting personal experiences to larger social issues.

Alondra Torres Gerson, a 31-year-old business major, shared her experience breaking free from a domestic violence situation and starting over with nothing but her children.

“I feel a lot of immigrant women are too scared or ashamed to talk about this,” Torres Gerson said. “But it’s more common than what we think. If I stay silent, I am part of the problem.”

Torres Gerson said leaving was not a simple decision given the hardships and risks survivors face.

“Me and my kids left that house with absolutely nothing,” she said. “Sometimes starting from zero but with dignity is more than enough.”

Manuel Garcia, 28-year-old business finance major, shared a story about the prejudice he and his brother face because of their father’s strong ethnic appearance.

“My father was being harassed and no one believed we were his children because we are of a lighter complexion,” Garcia said. “It’s something that is still going on and needs more awareness.”

Cony Reyes, a 19-year-old psychology major, said she sometimes feels that if only she could say in English what she is thinking in Spanish, they could understand. Reyes focused her testimonio on embracing her accent as part of her identity.

“When I first came to the States, I thought I had to accommodate or adapt and I tried to assimilate and not stand out,” Reyes said. “But I learned from this that I don’t need to change.”

Megan Anaya Marin, a 22-year-old business major, brought along her sister, Sarahi Anaya Marin, a 19-year-old mechanical engineering major from Sacramento State, to support and watch her classmates’ videos.

“Seeing how different everybody’s stories are and how much even a small situation could have a really big impact makes me want to come out to more events like this,” Megan Anaya Marin said.

Sarahi Anaya Marin said she didn’t realize there was a place like this to speak out about certain events that are happening.

“I feel like everybody could relate or connect in some way,” Sarahi Anaya Marin said. “It makes you want to speak out.”

The event focused on connecting personal stories to broader experiences.

“These stories are personal, but they also reflect larger truths about the world students are navigating,” Gutierrez said.

Heath Buckmaster, the marketing director on the Elk Grove Fine Arts Board of Directors, said the annual event happens on the last Saturday of April. He said it allows the community to come together and interact with over 30 vendors in the visual and performing arts field while enjoying food and live music.

“It brings together visual and performing arts organizations that are local to Elk Grove or regional organizations to celebrate the arts,” Buckmaster said. 

Buckmaster said the event started because the board of directors wanted to bring the community together to support local artists. 

“It was an opportunity for us to create what we felt was a much-needed community event for families and individuals who had an interest in either the visual and performing arts,” Buckmaster said.

The Elk Grove Fine Arts Center originally hosted a gallery for local artists to open their home studios to the public, but Buckmaster said it was difficult not having everything in one spot. He said having a festival like this made it easier for attendees to experience the art in a single location. 

The event featured vendors ranging from local and regional organizations to independent artists.

The artists were chosen through a casting call in January, Buckmaster said. 

“We are very specific that they have to be in the visual and performing arts world and we do give preference to artists who are actively making and selling work because we want the public to be able to come in and buy a piece of art if they are so inclined,” Buckmaster said.

Citrus Heights artist and owner of Beautifully Bound Permanent Jewelry Ashley Nelson, 45, said that after being laid off from her job six months ago, she decided to finally start her own business. 

“I was kind of like, ‘Let me see what I can do for myself,’ and so I finally took the risk because I had always wanted to be my own boss,” Nelson said. 

She said permanent jewelry wasn’t always the plan, but seeing her friends wearing the jewelry caught her interest. 

Nelson said she is still looking for the right place for her business.

“I am still trying to figure out the business and what the areas that are going to work for me, so I am just kind of going all over the place,” Nelson said. “I am still feeling it all out.”

Cosumnes River College alumna Kayla Wong, 21, was invited to the Laguna Creek High School booth by her former high school ceramics teacher to show off her ceramic and crochet pieces. Wong said she has been creating since her freshman year at LCHS and used her art to start making money. 

“It is really fun and you can make so many things,” Wong said. “I kind of just developed it into this business that I have today.”

She said she has been attending events like these for a while and that they are beneficial for young artists.

“This event in general is a good place for students to engage in the community and show off their artwork,” Wong said. “It’s a great opportunity.” 

The festival is a great way for the community to see art, buy a piece of art, learn about performing arts in the region and keep art at the forefront of their lives, Buckmaster said.

“The arts are important to us and I think that we never want to see them go away, so having events like this continues to remind the community of the importance of the visual and performing arts,” he added.

Sophomore outfielder Imani Black said the team played a good all-around game.

“Today’s game went really good,” Black said. “We played as a team, we got our outs and were able to collect hits altogether.”

It was sophomore day, which featured a post-game ceremony that celebrated all of the sophomore players for their contributions to the team.

Head coach Kristy Schroeder said it was good to see the sophomores be recognized for all the work they have put in this season.

“You always want to celebrate the people who come and play hard for you and love the game,” Schroeder said. “So it was a nice day to focus on the sophomores.”

The Hawks offense got on the board early with an RBI single from sophomore catcher Alexis Hoke.

In the third inning, the Hawks took advantage of defensive miscues from the Beavers. Sophomore utility player Ashley Garcia stole home, and Hoke came around to score on a throwing error after stealing third.

The Hawks added on in the fifth inning when sophomore Imani Black hit a two-run home run.

Black said the win was important because the team had not been playing as well recently.

“It felt really good because we’ve been struggling lately,” Black said. “It felt good to have a team win and pull together.”

Hawks sophomore starting pitcher Xotchi Atayde threw a complete game, only giving up one run and striking out two.

Atayde said the defense behind her was strong and that the team had good energy throughout the game.

“They all really had my back today, and it was super fun to see everyone getting excited over little plays,” Atayde said.

The Hawks finished the regular season with a record of 23-16 and now look to the playoffs.

Schroeder said playing with high energy and enthusiasm is key heading into the playoffs.

“Hopefully, we’ll come out and play with some fun energy because that’s when we play the best,” Schroeder said.

The Hawks’ next game is the first round of the playoffs at Cabrillo College. The first game will be on Friday at 2 p.m. and the second game will be on Saturday at 12 p.m.

Directed by Anthony D’Juan, a Sacramento-based director, playwright and adjunct professor at CRC, the production blends humor with heavier subject matter, even including a content advisory warning, reflecting the pressures of competitive professional environments.

D’Juan said he was drawn to the script for its depth and challenge.

“It was assigned to me by the chair, and I took it as a challenge,” he said.

He added that a lot of time was spent reading through the script and discussing its themes. The approach to balancing humor and heavier subject matter was “grounding it in humanity and real people, real behaviors and real responses,” D’Juan said. “In the end, it’s about the dangers of ambition.”

The play follows a group of young editorial assistants navigating a competitive publishing office before a pivotal and unsettling moment shifts the trajectory of their lives. The production includes a content advisory for audiences due to its mature subject matter.

Despite its heavier themes, the production incorporates moments of humor through distinct character choices and performances.

Cast members described the emotional and technical demands of bringing those themes to the stage.

Faye Crook, a 20-year-old music major, plays Kendra, an abrasive and self-focused editorial assistant who prioritizes her own ambitions over her responsibilities, often leaving the office for personal errands.

Crook said understanding her character required looking beyond surface-level behavior.

“Understanding her motives was hard but I think it’s about understanding her, not judging her,” Crook said. “Even though Kendra is a terrible person, she’s not heartless.”

With this production, many cast members were able to take on many different roles during the show.

Kaleb Roberts, a 20-year-old film and digital media major, portrayed multiple characters, each bringing a different perspective that was both challenging and rewarding.

“Making each character unique and different, while also bridging the gap between all of them, was very exciting,” Roberts said. “Although my characters were often overlooked, they were filled with optimism, hope and faith.”

Peter Demarzio, a 32-year-old local community member, takes on dual roles as Dean, an ambitious writer determined to succeed before turning 30, and Devin, an underappreciated IT worker who only exists on the margins of the office.

Demarzio said portraying Dean required fully committing to the character’s intensity and unfiltered behavior, despite how different it is from his own personality. His portrayal highlights the character’s gradual emotional breakdown while maintaining the play’s dark comedic tone.

“He’s trying to catch sand with a sieve,” Demarzio said, describing how the character begins to unravel, symbolizing the futility of trying to grasp onto both sanity and control.

Sevryn Michael, a 28-year-old theatre arts major who plays Lorin, described his character as grounded in realism, which offers a contrast to the heightened personalities around him.

“I think a lot of people can relate to him if they’ve ever been in an environment that was toxic and full of fake people,” Michael said.

CRC’s “pay-what-you-can” model allows students and community members to attend performances regardless of financial barriers.

“It is a theatre program that is built foundationally on accessibility to the arts for all communities, which is a very powerful thing and not something that you see every theatre trying to do. Keeping theatre accessible, affordable,” Demarzio said.

Audience members said the production was both surprising and engaging.

CRC alum Katie Pinkston said this production really stands out for its tone and that she always looks forward to attending our shows.

“It was definitely the most serious that I’ve seen, but really enjoyable,” Pinkston said. “I really appreciate that everyone out here is very talented.”

Pinkston said she and her good friend Maya Bell make an effort to attend CRC shows together, taking advantage of the program’s accessibility.

Bell said attending CRC’s theater productions has become a regular experience.

“I’ve committed to coming to shows with her,” Bell said. “I love Cosumnes River College’s ‘pay-what-you-can’ model.”

She added that going into the play without reading the content advisory made the experience much more intense.

“I didn’t read the audience warning ahead of time,” Bell said. “I’m glad because it made it more like, ‘Oh my goodness!’”

Demarzio said the meaning behind the show and the real topics addressed is what makes the show distinctive.

“CRC is one of the few college theaters that I see doing shows that don’t pull punches,” said Demarzio. “It’s important that we’re talking about these things and doing these kinds of shows because it’s the reality of the world we live in.”

Demarzio also said the program stands out for its environment and sense of community.

“It is one of the most supportive, fun, refreshing theater experiences I’ve ever had—and I’ve worked with a lot of theaters in the Sacramento area, both professional and community theater.”

Demarzio said that commitment, along with the program’s willingness to take on challenging material, makes it unique.

““Gloria” will run from April 24 through May 3 at the CRC Black Box Theatre, with multiple afternoon and evening showtimes. Tickets are available for as little as zero dollars and can be found on the CRC events calendar or directly through the ticketing website.

The mission tested the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft to “verify today’s capabilities for humans to explore deep space,” according to NASA. The 10-day journey included a lunar flyby that passed over the far side of the moon.

The mission was crewed by commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency mission specialist Jeremy Hansen.

Koch and Glover were the first woman and Black astronaut, respectively, to travel to deep space, according to CNN.

“I’m very happy with who they have as crew,” said 19-year-old psychology and art history major Sofia Brusatori. “It’s not—not to be rude—all white men, because that was the majority back then.”

Brusatori said she believes the mission would usher in “a new age of exploration.”

Artemis II is part of a larger campaign that aims to return to the moon to prepare for an eventual mission to Mars, according to NASA. Artemis III is scheduled to test commercial landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin in 2027, while Artemis IV is expected to land on the lunar surface in 2028.

Alison Hickox, a 20-year-old environmental science major, said that while the mission is a historic achievement, she believes more attention should be given to problems on Earth.

“I think it’s really cool that we’re doing that, and I think it’s a really amazing advancement in science and engineering,” Hickox said. “But I also think before we get too deep into space travel, we have a lot of stuff to take care of on this planet before we expand to other planets.”

Catharine James, a 19-year-old political science and Spanish major, said that space exploration could potentially offer solutions to some of the world’s environmental issues.

“However, I think that we have a good understanding of what we should be doing right now, and we’re refusing to do the simpler things because corporations don’t want to, the government doesn’t want to, people don’t want to,” James said.

The crew returned on April 10, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean with recovery operations headed by the U.S. Navy.

The entire mission, from launch to splashdown, was broadcast across major streaming platforms, including NASA+, YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime. Other moments from the mission circulated on social media.

“It was all over my TikTok For You page,” said 20-year-old digital media major Aubreigh Scholl. “And I’ve always been into space and interested in the topic, so learning about it was really interesting.”

James said the diversity of the crew along with their media presence is important for younger generations to see.

“There are children, there are young people who are watching that, and it gives them inspiration,” James said. “It lets them know that it’s reachable—that you don’t have to be a certain gender, a certain ethnicity from a certain background in order to do the things that seem impossible.”

“Since we’re going to have a virtual bookstore and not a brick-and-mortar bookstore, we’re trying to anticipate what that’s going to mean for the college,” Tena said.

Students needing supplies for class will have the option to order online and pick them up on campus or have supplies delivered at home, Tena said. She also said that vending machines and department offices could be additional points of access, with specific procedures yet to be finalized.

“We are discussing different strategies in terms of having things available in vending machines to potentially distributing out to instructional department offices,” Tena said. “We haven’t landed on exactly how that’s going to happen, but our goal is to make this as seamless for students as possible.”

Librarian Emily Bond said students can also access textbooks and other supplies at the library.

“The library right now has some free supplies that we’re able to give out to students, including Scantrons, blue books and some small school supplies,” Bond said. “We did request some grant funding to be able to continue that.”

Academic Senate President and radio, television and film professor Lauren Wagner said faculty are in the process of identifying materials needed for their classes.

“Once I heard about it, I made sure to share with faculty via the Academic Senate,” Wagner said. “I also went to the Department Chairs Council to let department chairs know like, ‘Hey, this is coming. So as you’re thinking about supplies or other things that you use in your departments, we should start thinking about how that’s going to look in the future.’”

While CRC and Folsom Lake College will move their bookstores online, Sacramento City College and American River College will continue to operate physical bookstores on their campuses.

Bond said that Open Educational Resources and Zero Textbook Cost programs are the main reasons for this change.

“We have a lot of faculty who are not using commercial textbooks—they’re using free educational resources,” Bond said. “And so the amount of business for the bookstore was a lot smaller.”

The closure coincides with the Los Rios District’s decision to use Barnes & Noble College as its new bookstore vendor after the end of its contract with Follett, according to a CRC email.

Starting July 1, B&N College will host operations of CRC’s online bookstore. Tena said students who purchase materials online will pay a flat shipping fee of $7.99.

“For the start of the fall semester, [B&N College] talked about running some pop-ups where they will come and assist with doing distribution to students who order books and select CRC as the pickup,” Tena said.

The Hawk CARES and Health and Wellness centers will take over the space currently occupied by the bookstore, Tena said.

“I know this sounds so far off, but our goal is to have the new space available come fall semester 2028,” Tena said. “It’s just a lot of things have to kind of fall into place to renovate that space.”

Bond said students should plan ahead to prepare for the upcoming changes. She said that Canvas announcements and email reminders will come out closer to the July 1 deadline.

“Pay attention to what’s coming from your instructor in terms of communications about what you need,” Bond said. “For fall, you won’t be able to just walk in and grab something on day one. You’ll need to have plans if it is a class that requires you to purchase a textbook.”

The panel was focused on “Inked Traditions: A Glimpse of Cultural Tattoo Practices in Asia and the Pacific Islands” and featured student-led research alongside professional artists specializing in henna, Filipino and Polynesian tattoo traditions. The panelists highlighted the cultural, spiritual and historical significance behind these art forms.

Panelist Mel Orpilla, a professional tattoo artist and cultural educator, said he specializes in traditional Filipino tattoo art known as “batok,” which is the indigenous practice of hand-tapped tattooing.

Orpilla spoke virtually about the cultural weight behind these practices and showed his own traditional Filipino tattoos; a full-body tribal design representing his family’s ancestral lost tribes.

“A lot of these tattoos are sacred. They’re protective and they’re special to you,” Orpilla said. “When you wear them, there’s a responsibility that you’re representing your culture, your ancestors and your community.”

Orpilla said his tattoos push him “to be an honest and just man, to be a warrior in every sense of the word. As a leader, an educator, a nurturer, a provider and a protector.”

He also said that traditional designs should not be replicated without understanding their meaning, calling it “very taboo” to copy another person’s tattoo exactly.

Joel Albañez, a 46-year-old cultural practitioner and renowned tattoo artist specializing in Neo Tribal, Pacific Islander and Filipino tattooing at his shop in Oakland, Soul Signature Tattoo. He said his connection to tattooing grew out of hip-hop culture, which he described as a bridge to tribal identity. As access to cultural knowledge has expanded, he said artists must be mindful in how they interpret it because there is an etiquette and mannerism of how you go about your work.

“In the new age of technology there’s so much information available,” Albañez said. “It’s about having knowledge of our past and respect for our elders and knowing which traditions are unchanged.” He described his work as part of a “new tribalism,” blending cultures while preserving traditions.

Henna artist Sanaa Reff presented in person and shared the history of henna across the Middle East where it has long been used to mark celebrations and rites of passage.

“Henna is not just visual,” Reff said. “It carries heritage and history and connects people across generations and cultures.”

Reff said she prefers freehand designs, especially big body designs and believes in tailoring each piece to the person wearing it. She encourages people of all backgrounds to try henna without fear of appropriation, as long as it is approached with respect.

“You’re not disrespecting it, you’re embracing it,” said Reff. “Henna commemorates life’s special occasions, not something that’s mimicking tattoos.”

She said not to get the imported henna chemical cones from Indian stores, but to go to a henna artist because the chemicals used to make them last gives very fast color that doesn’t last as long and can often cause a reaction or be harmful to your skin.

David Yee, 20-year-old psychology major and APIDA Hawks club member, said the art is more than looks.

“A lot of people see tattoos and think they’re just cool,” Yee said. “But they don’t always understand the cultural history and personal meaning behind them.”

Kalia Yang, a 20-year-old biology major and APIDA Hawks club member, said the event aimed to add context to a popular form of self-expression.

“It’s not just about the visual art,” Yang said. “It’s about understanding the history and tradition behind it.”

For attendees like tattoo artist and student Veah Davis, a 20-year-old political science and English major, the event offered both professional and personal insight. She said the event offered a chance to reconnect with her cultural identity.

“It’s important for me to learn from people who already know what they’re talking about,” Davis said. “I’ve been trying to understand where I come from and what these traditions mean.”

The location of the campus plays a part in rising enrollment, said Vice President of Instruction and Student Learning Michael Lawlor.

“We want to be as accessible as possible,” Lawlor said. “We’re in a region that’s growing, and so we want to make sure that we can satisfy the educational goals for the students in our region.”

To keep up with the growing numbers, Lawlor said administrators keep increasing the amount of classes.

“As enrollment goes up, we need to offer more sections to keep up with that and we’ve been doing that,” Lawlor said.

Paul Meinz, an IT business and technology analyst, said there are various factors that impact campus enrollment, including economic recession, persistence, the Zero Textbook Cost program and how classes are scheduled.

About 50% of classes offered at CRC are online, which is low compared to the pandemic era, but historically high compared to pre-pandemic times, Meinz said.

“There’s another possibility that just having these online courses facilitates a larger enrollment increase when things get bad economically,” he said.

Bush said it’s not just about getting students enrolled, but keeping current students enrolled and making sure they’re taking enough units.

The opt-out schedule and ZTC initiative has attracted students to CRC specifically, with 76% of classes using the Open Education Resources, a program that allows teaching or learning materials to be easily accessible and free, according to an FAQ PDF from OER Commons, and ZTC programs, Bush said.

Bush said CRC is the only college in the Los Rios district that encourages the opt-out schedule, a program that allows new students to have a full-time schedule curated for them based on their major.

“There’s been some other colleges around the state that have adopted our model because of the impact that it’s had in not only increasing student enrollment, but increasing student success,” Bush said.

Raymond Neuharth, an instructional assistant for the photography department, said that with OER and ZTC classes, students come to class needing more camera equipment.

“Students at the beginning were coming in and going, ‘Hey, I got this digital camera. I’d like to learn how to use it,’ and they’d come to class with a digital camera,” Neuharth said. “Now we’re having students just coming straight here with no camera and needing a camera.”

Neuharth said that they have always known they will have to supply students with film cameras, but with more students enrolling into introductory digital photography classes without a camera, the department is having to buy and source more digital cameras.

“We’ve known in our hearts that we’re going to always have to go out there looking for these cameras that are 30, 40 years old now and just keep them going,” Neuharth said. “Year after year we have to start buying more and more cameras and keeping more cameras in stock to provide.”

Though not everybody knows about tutoring services or what they have to offer, their student-use rate continues to grow every semester, said Tutoring Services Coordinator Ryana Fisher.

“Every year since the pandemic we see an increase of utilization going up and up and up, sort of back to pre-pandemic times,” Fisher said.

The use of tutoring services has gone up 12.5% between the fall 2024 semester and the fall 2025 semester, according to a CRC Tutoring Services fall 2025 data overview.

Bush said there’s an academic advantage to taking in-person classes, from engagement to student success.

“It exposes students to a variety of different types of learning that happens outside of the classroom,” Bush said.

He said he wants to do right by not only new students, but also students currently enrolled.

“We make sure that we’re providing the support necessary to meet them where they are to ensure that they stay with us once they get to our institution until they’re ready to go into the workforce and are transferred to another institution,” Bush said.

The Hawks trailed early in the game, but the offense answered back and helped them come away with a win.

With three regional conference games left in the season, head coach Don Mico said getting a win at this point is key.

“Getting a win any way you can in the Big 8 is big,” Mico said. “The fact that we got the win, that’s huge. You know we’ve had an up and down season, so I’m just glad these guys got a win.”

The Beavers struck first with a two-run triple in the first inning. The Hawks responded with two runs of their own on a single from freshman first baseman Lukas Huston.

The Beavers offense tacked on four runs in the third inning against sophomore pitcher and infielder Ty Collum who was relieved by sophomore pitcher Jacob Schreiber later in the inning.

A three-run home run from sophomore first baseman Guadalupe Gonzalez in the third inning which cut the deficit to one making it 7-6.

Gonzalez said he could feel the momentum shift in the Hawks favor after his home run.

“Everyone on the team knows I’m not a home run hitter, and it was just like the craziest thing,” Gonzalez said. “It was good. It had everyone’s energy up. Slowly but surely, we picked it up and started scoring.”

Schreiber held the Beavers scoreless for the next four innings, which kept the Hawks in the game.

Schreiber said the extremely windy conditions throughout the game impacted how he pitched.

“So my cutter was moving like a sweeper and my changeup was hanging up a bit,” Schrieber said. “I just learned to adjust with it and I adjusted my pitching style a little bit too.”

The Hawks scored two runs on an RBI double from sophomore catcher Ryan Okino and an RBI single from Hutson in the sixth inning which gave them the lead.

The Beavers tied the game in the top of the eighth inning with an infield pop fly that fell in between three infielders.

In the bottom of the inning, the Hawks retook the lead when freshman outfielder Jaylen Dawson scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball. Freshman pitcher and infielder Brent Martin got two strikeouts in the ninth inning and closed out the win for the Hawks.

Martin said the team understood the importance of this game and that they needed to come back in the game.

“I think we just knew what we needed to do because we needed this win for playoffs,” Martin said. “If we didn’t get this win we were lowkey probably on the fence to even get in. Now we actually gave ourselves a chance.”

The Hawks went on to lose against American River College 7-5 on Saturday.

Catch the Hawks again in the next home game against Diablo Valley on Tuesday starting at 2 p.m.