El Paisano

News

Students vote for new ASB positions and fate of GoRio

The Associated Students of Rio Hondo College (ASRHC) held an online election from May 7-11 to fill the positions of the Student Body and determine the fate of the Go Rio program.
50 years! Rio then and now

A crowd slowly gathers into an enclosed Whittier Union High School District boardroom on April 21, 1960 preparing to discuss this particular matter. A resolution to this matter that would not have possibly existed without help from Merton Wray, WUHSD Superintendent Heber Holloway, Dr. Leonard Grandy, Douglas Ferguson, Ted Snyder, the Jon Moreno, Dr.Phil Putnam and Roland Beck.
Last blood drive of the semester is success

The last blood drive of the semester was held on May 8 through May 10 by the Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital below the Business building breezeway from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dreyfuss appointed interim president

The Board of Trustees Wednesday night appointed Teresa Dreyfuss, vice-president of finance and business, as interim President/Superintendent beginning July 1.
Fire drill prepares students

A campus-wide fire drill was conducted at the Rio Hondo College campus on May 2 at 10 a.m. The mock drill is done to instruct and prepare faculty, professors and students in the case of any emergency that may occur which would require the evacuation of the campus.
Art Dean position is still in flux here

Rio Hondo College has yet to appoint a new Dean of Arts and Cultural Programs as the deadline to apply for the position was April 12 and then applications were accepted until May 4.
How El Paisano got its name

We are recognized as the Rio Hondo College Roadrunners yet to many students and faculty the origin of our name remains a mystery. The Spanish term “El Paisano” translates to “countryman” in English and was chosen by the first news staff after a reporter discovered it in an article published in the Arizona Highways Magazine.
A strong finish for debate team

The forensic speech and debate team finished off their semester with two skilled debate teams placing in the final round of the PSCFA Cool-Off tournament.
A Taste of Rio supports student success

“A Taste of Rio” was a night where board members, professors, local businesses and restaurants were given the opportunity to let their hair down and appreciate great food and wine while also showing their support for Rio Hondo.
Forensics team sets bar high at nationals

Vanessa Cazares and Christian Sanchez-Bartz, two members of the Forensics team, placed at the 78^th annual Phi Rho Pi National Speech and Debate Tournament on April 3-8 in Schaumburg, Ill.
Pico Rivera grants award for “GO RIO” program

The City of Pico Rivera has decided to sponsor the “GO RIO” Bus Pass Program for the fourth year in a row on April 11.
Writes of Spring gets good start

The Writes of Spring, presented by the Division of Communication and Language, was a two-day celebration of writers and writing that occurred in the Wray Theater on April 25 and 26.
Pacheco honored

Professor also honored as fellow of college

“You don’t always know who’s watching and you don’t always know when something that you have said or done will make an impact that will create a long term effect on someone.” spoke Mary Ann Pacheco, English Professor at Rio Hondo College, in regards to her recent achievement.
It's a bug's life

Teacher finds a surprise in RioCafe taco

Professor Kevin Smith, psychology, discovered an insect in his taco from RioCafe on April 17. Smith decided to dine at the eatery at around 1 p.m. eating ‘street tacos’. “I was in a hurry (in between class and a meeting) so I thought that the ‘street tacos’ would be a good option for me,” Smith said.
No classes cut for summer

With summer school registration occurring from April 10 through the 27, students are left wondering whether they will be able to register for the classes that they desperately need to obtain their educational goal.
Pierson, Cano honored at JACC

Communications and Languages Dean Kenn Pierson was honored as the recipient of the First Amendment Award from the State Journalism Association of Community Colleges and Melissa Cano was elected Student State President of JACC for the 2012-13 school year at the organization's annual convention held in Burbank March 25.

Martinez to retire

President/Superintendent Dr. Ted Martinez, at an emergency Deans meeting Friday, announced his retirement from the college effective June 30 after five years on the job.

Martinez told the college in a campus wide email "As I conclude my 41 years of serviced to community college education, I have informed the Board of Trustees of my intention to retire effective June 30, 2012."

Martinez met with the Board after Wednesday night's meeting to appraise them of his plans to retire.

Nakamura honored by congress

Honored for his part in WWII with regiment 442

“Let me be the first to say that I do not consider myself a hero,” stated Yoshio Nakamura, former Vice President of Community Services and Institutional Development at Rio Hondo College.
Complimentary fitness classes

Rio Hondo College staff and students can enjoy complimentary fitness classes starting April 6 until May 17. These classes will be held Monday through Thursday, at 12:15 and 1 p.m. behind the L-Tower in the grassy area (across from the brown trailers).
RiOlympics on the go

Rio Hondo College’s annual RiOlympics competition is happening from April 10 and ending on April 17.
Phi Beta Lambda lights a fire at State Conference.

Rio Hondo’s Phi Beta Lambda chapter competed at the California State Conference held at the Radisson Hotel in LAX on March 30-31. The competition involved a focus in business knowledge, with this year’s theme, ‘Light the Fire Within’. Rio Hondo College competed against two year and four year colleges including; UCLA, USC, Cal Berkeley and many others.
Experience UCI Summer 2012

Experience student life at UC Irvine by joining the Summer Scholars Transfer Institute program, where Rio Hondo College students will be given the chance to eat, sleep, study, and live on campus for ten days and earn transferrable units this summer.
Spring 2012 scholarships available to students

Rio Hondo College foundation is offering numerous scholarships for students to apply to. Below is a list of some of the upcoming scholarships.
More budget cuts on the way for California Community Colleges

Another round of budget cuts will be coming soon to local community colleges. Some of the colleges that will be affected are Citrus College, Mt. San Antonio College and Rio Hondo College.
Students give blood

Rio Hondo College had a Blood Drive on Tuesday, Feb. 28 and Feb. 29 that was hosted by Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital underneath the Business Building right next to the Art Department from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New smoking areas are set

Beginning April 2, students who smoke will be designated to five different areas on campus as the only places they will be able to light up.
New path to campus coming soon

An estimated $1 million Lower Tier Staircase construction is currently underway in parking lots four, five, and six.
Ready for $46 per unit?

Rio Hondo College again took part in the March in March rally at the state capital, Sacramento, taking 50 students, consisting of members of ASB Senate, ICC Representatives, Student Ambassadors, and Rio Hondo College students, by bus, to the rally to help protect our education.
Rio excels with diversity

Rio Hondo College remains ranked in the top state and national polls of community colleges for associate degrees produced in the 2011 academic year.
Downey-Schilling is offered Cerritos post

El Paisano has learned that Cerritos College officials have made an offer to JoAnna Downey-Schilling to become its new Vice-President of Academic Affairs, the same position that she holds here in an interim basis.
Building gets official ceremony

An official building dedication and ribbon Cutting Ceremony or the new Student Services and Student Union Complex and Quad Renovation took place on Feb. 29.
Board to examine hearing findings

Board President Norma Garcia said that after a closed executive session at a March 1 special meeting, that two board members will review the findings of President Ted Martinez’s grievance against three faculty members to see it has any merit.
Paul Weber Showcase

Rio Hondo's Speech and Debate team will be hosting their 2^nd annual showcase featuring the well-known, Hollywood casting director, Paul Weber.
Clubs ‘rush’ to seek new members

Club Rush occurred on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. out on the Rio Hondo Breezeway between the back of the Wray Theatre and in front of the Rio Café. Club Rush is an opportunity for clubs to recruit people for their clubs and a chance for students to join a club that they are interested in or get information about a particular club.
Downey now interim Vice-President

Acting Vice President JoAnna Downey has been appointed the interim position of Vice-President of Academic Affairs on Feb. 13. When Dr. Paul Parnell resigned as Vice-President, there was a need for someone to be placed in that position quickly therefore Downey stepped in. Parnell resigned his position on Dec. 14 and Downey has been the acting vice president since Dec. 15.
You’re busted!

California Highway Patrolmen have been staking out the North Drive exit of the campus pulling over motorists that make illegal left turns onto Workman Mill Rd. ever since the beginning of the spring semester. The Highway Patrolmen wait in the parking lot of flower shop/book store across the street from campus, waiting for unsuspecting motorist to make the illegal left turn.
New eco-friendly student shuttle

Starting this spring semester, a new shuttle bus has been added to help Rio Hondo students with the commute up the campus's hills. This new eco-friendly bus, El Dorado National AeroElite Ford F-550 CNG, runs on compressed natural gas (CNG). The other shuttles that the school has been using run on diesel fuel.
Black History Month nears end

The Associated Student Body hosted a panel discussion and film screenings in honor of Black History Month.

Commemorating those who have made an impact, February is a time to recognize the role that African Americans have made in the course of the United States history. The celebration began on Feb. 8 with Dean of Counseling Dr. Walter Jones as the guest speaker and a special performance by Steppers from Cal State Dominguez Hills in the Middle Quad from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Forensics debate and showcase

The Sunset Cliffs Tournament dubbed the "Blood Bath by the Sea" is how forensics students would describe their last speech debate at Point Loma Nazarine University in San Diego. From Feb. 3-6, participants of the speech team faced their toughest tournament yet with a wide range of topics covering areas of assimilation, civil rights, women's relationships as well as interpersonal relationships.
Santa Fe Springs welcomes a new Homeland Security Center

The new Rio Hondo Regional Homeland Security Training Center celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 19. This center is a result of all the hard work by local, state, and federal departments pushing for the safety and well being of communities all around. In attendance at the grand opening were Rio Hondo College board members, Santa Fe Springs City Council members, the area's chambers of commerce members and Rep. Grace Napolitano.
Parking is a disaster

With the amount of drivers and ongoing construction, parking can cause major time delays. Students do not like the traffic when they are trying to find parking at Rio Hondo.
Butler let go by trustees

Associated Student Body Adviser Cathy Butler has not been re-hired by the college effective last month when the Board voted not to keep her on. Butler took an extended leave from the college after just two weeks into the college year.
Parnell hired by Norco College

Vice President, Paul Parnell, of Academic Affairs for Rio Hondo College resigned Dec. 15 after having served four years. Soon after resigning from Rio, Parnell was hired as President of NORCO College in the Riverside area.