Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks
Mirella Vargas

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor

Mirella Vargas is the Life editor of Talon Marks for Spring 2021. This is her second semester with Talon Marks, last semester she was the editor of Opinion. As a staff writer, she has covered politics, entertainment, community, and both local and international news. Mirella is from Los Angeles, California and is currently living in Seoul, South Korea. She is graduating with an Associate’s Degree of Journalism at the end of this semester, and will transfer to CSU to continue her Journalism studies and receive her B.A.

All content by Mirella Vargas
Cerritos College alumnus has announced he will be running for election to represent California’s 38th congressional district. Ani will be going up against incumbent Rep. Linda Sanchez in the 2022 nonpartisan elections.

Cerritos College alumnus running for election to represent CA 38th district

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor • June 3, 2021
Cerritos College alumnus, Sylvester Ani, has announced he will be running for election in the 2022 nonpartisan primary, to represent California's 38th Congressional District.
Nick Holmes goes by Maia P. Sparkles when performing drag on stage. Holmes has been living in South Korea for 10 years and started doing drag in 2017. Photo credit: Photo Credit: Robert Michael Evans

Members of the LGBTQ community share reality of being queer in South Korea

Mirella Vargas • May 24, 2021
Members of the LGBTQ community & drag scene in South Korea share their experiences on what it's like being a queer person living in a society where homosexuality is still largely considered taboo.

May 12, 2021 – Page 6

Mirella Vargas and Jazmin Taha • May 12, 2021

May 12, 2021 – Page 5

Mirella Vargas and Jazmin Taha • May 12, 2021

A demonstrator protesting the police killing of Andrew Brown Jr. raise their hands in front of a police line Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in downtown Elizabeth City. At least six protesters were arrested when police in riot gear marched toward roughly a dozen protesters two hours past curfew. Protesters were peaceful but refused to clear the streets.

New anti-protest laws expose GOP’s alarming campaign against democracy

Sean Davis and Mirella Vargas • April 29, 2021
The Republican Party is using their own political violence to crack down on anti-police and anti-racist protests in a brazen attempt to silence dissent. Shocking, right?
Kara Jue, is a part-time swimming coach and teacher in the island of Jeju, South Korea. She moved from her hometown in Texas to Jeju on August 2019, after accepting a coaching job in the island.

Latinas building their futures in South Korea

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor • April 29, 2021
Meet two driven Latinas making a name for themselves in South Korea, as they share their experiences living in a foreign country, talk about their future goals and some of the cultural challenges they face.

April 21, 2021 – Page 5

Mirella Vargas and Jazmin Taha • April 21, 2021

The Automotive Training Program at Cerritos College shifted to online-only classes in Spring 2020. This semester, the program is split into two -- with half of the classes being taught on campus and the other half still remain online-only. Photo credit: Unsplash.com

Cerritos college automotive training program endures tumultuous year

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor • April 15, 2021
The Automotive Training Program at Cerritos College share their experiences and how they adapted their program after the college closed its doors.
Faculty member, Rebecca Pang holds and traditional lantern at a candlelight vigil in Alhambra on March 2021. Different communities came out to support, chanting “Stop Asian Hate” and “Black Lives Matter”.

College hosts ‘healing circle, community conversation’ amidst anti-asian hate crimes

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor • April 15, 2021
Students, faculty and members of the APIDA community reflected on the ongoing anti-Asian hate crimes, during the '#StopAsianHate: Healing Circle and Community Conversation' event hosted on April 1.
A hooded white supremacist argues with the anti-racist counter-protesters at the Huntington Beach Pier. Police escorted the man to safety at their substation on April 11, 2021.

[Photo] Counter-protesters prevent KKK organized “White Lives Matter” rally in Huntington Beach

Vincent Medina, Lola Ajetunmobi, Mirella Vargas, and Sean Davis • April 12, 2021

A hooded white supremacist argues with the anti-racist counter-protesters at the Huntington Beach Pier. Police escorted the man to safety at their substation on April 11, 2021.

March 31, 2021 – Page 5

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor • March 31, 2021

High school student and elementary student using laptop computers to attend school remotely from home. With many school districts in LA county set to reopen in March 2021, the topic of resuming in-person learning has become a controversial one amongst teachers, parents and lawmakers. Photo credit: Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash.com

One year in, the challenges and lessons of teaching online

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor • March 11, 2021
It's been a year since schools first shut down and classes shifted to online learning. Teachers reflects on the challenges faced and the positive learnings from teaching online.
Republicans in Georgia are restricting early voting on weekends in their latest attack on voters rights. They're leading efforts to change election rules in Arizona and Georgia, both went blue in 2020. Photo credit: Photo by Elliott Stallion on Unsplash

H.R. 1 needs to pass the senate, even if it costs Dems the filibuster

Daniel Suarez Jr. and Mirella Vargas • March 11, 2021
H.R. 1 is the largest voting rights bill since the Voting Rights Act in 1965, and while it faces tough opposition in the senate, it's crucial that it pushes through.
Cerritos College alumnus and award-winning journalist, Erick Galindo '09, was the latest guest on 'Alumni Conversations', a monthly virtual series which highlights the careers of former Cerritos College students. Galindo talked about his motivation for his NYT article, 'The Mexican Beverly Hills' and discussed some of the pushback he received, on Feb. 25, 2021.

Cerritos alumnus Erick Galindo discusses working at New York Times, advice for students

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor • March 4, 2021
Cerritos College alumnus, LA Times and New York Times contributor and award-winning journalist Erick Galindo was the latest guest on 'Alumni Conversations', where he talked about his buzz-worthy NYT article, 'The Mexican Beverly Hills,' and shared some advice for students considering journalism as a career.
A jimador demonstrates the original, traditional way of bringing the blue agave from the fields: by the "workhorse" donkey and caged baskets. Nowadays, the heart of the plant is brought into the distilleries by the truckload.

Celebrities need to stop making their own tequila brands

Mirella Vargas, Jacqueline Cochran, and Janet Chavarria • February 25, 2021
Kendall Jenner announces her own tequila brand, 818, to the disapproval of many on social media. Here is why her gentrified tequila brand is a problematic form of cultural appropriation.
February 24, 2021 – Page 6

February 24, 2021 – Page 6

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor • February 25, 2021

February 24, 2021 – Page 5

February 24, 2021 – Page 5

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor • February 25, 2021

A recent study shows the US ranking as one of the lowest in workers’ benefits, and being on one of the few developed countries that do not provide any parental leave for new parents. With many child care facilities also closing their doors permanently in 2020, the already poor child care system in the US is falling apart. Photo credit: unsplash.com

The child care crisis in US affects all aspects of society

Mirella Vargas • February 13, 2021
Child care is not just a woman’s responsibility but of society as a whole. The child care system in the US is a failure compared to other developed countries, affecting both parents and the country's long-term economic potential.
The Love We Don’t See nonprofit organization was founded by Cerritos College alumnus, Sylvester Ani. The scholarship was inspired by the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the work he was doing against poverty.

Cerritos college alumnus creates scholarship to support students, promote social justice

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor • January 29, 2021
The Love We Don't See nonprofit organization created a new scholarship for Cerritos College with support from NBA Player and LA native Jrue Holiday and his fund called the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Justice Fund.
LA based DJ Hazeus, is one of many DJs who have resorted to virtual live sets amid the pandemic. He hosted a livestream fundraiser featuring other local artists and DJs, with proceeds going to families affected by Covid-19 on Nov. 27, 2020.

LA DJs adapt their craft during pandemic

Mirella Vargas, Life Editor • January 14, 2021
As clubs remain closed, DJ's stay connected with audiences via online and drive in concerts. Others have engaged in dangerous underground parties, endangering lives.

December 9, 2020 – Page 10

Mirella Vargas and Jazmin Taha • December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020 – Page 9

Mirella Vargas and Jazmin Taha • December 9, 2020

COVID-19 cases hit record highs on Dec. 3 with 7,713 new cases. The state is expected to implement new stay-at-home orders as a vaccine is still underway. Photo credit: unsplash

Let’s not make the same mistakes for this second wave of COVID-19

Daniel Suarez Jr. and Mirella Vargas • December 3, 2020
COVID-19 cases are spiking in California as the state approaches a new set of restrictions to prevent more hospitalizations
Photo credit: Photo by Rosemary Ketchum from Pexels

Don’t let political division ruin your holiday gatherings

Rebecca Aguila and Mirella Vargas • November 22, 2020
Friends and families are being torn apart by political differences. With the upcoming holidays, it's important to stay civil at the dinner table and avoid having a fall-out with loved ones.

November 18, 2020 – Page 11

Mirella Vargas and Jazmin Taha • November 18, 2020

November 18, 2020 – Page 10

Mirella Vargas and Jazmin Taha • November 18, 2020

Followers of QAnon are mostly conservative, extreme far-right groups that can be seen at Trump rallies. QAnon conspiracy believers claim Trump is the savior to defeat the "satanic elites" and "pedophile Democrats".

Trump is leaving, QAnon is here to stay

Mirella Vargas, Opinion Editor • November 13, 2020
QAnon conspiracy believers claim Trump is the savior to defeat the "satanic elites" and "pedophile Democrats". With Trump leaving office, this baseless conspiracy group is growing, and looks like it's here to stay.
Psilocybe Cubensis, otherwise known as 'magic mushrooms', is finally decriminalized at the ending of the United States 2020 Election. Oregon became the first state to legalize remedial use of psilocybin mushrooms on Tuesday, November 4, 2020.

Decriminalization: an alternative to incarceration

Mirella Vargas and Daniel Suarez Jr. • November 8, 2020
In a huge step towards ending the drug war, Oregon voters decriminalized all drugs and it is time for the rest of the U.S to do the same.
The NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars Project is offering a course to eligible Cerritos College students. An online information session was hosted for interested students on Oct. 24. Photo credit: Mirella Vargas

NASA scouts talent at Cerritos College

Mirella Vargas, Opinion Editor • November 4, 2020
Cerritos College students can join a NASA community college program, giving them a look behind the curtain of what it takes to join NASA.
My struggle with endometriosis showed me we need better education on women's health

My struggle with endometriosis showed me we need better education on women’s health

Mirella Vargas, Opinion Editor • October 27, 2020
“How is it possible that at my age, I’ve never heard of this incurable menstrual disease that affects 1 in 10 women?”
Students from the college's costume and makeup program transform themselves into elaborate, imaginary creatures using special effects makeup. Professor Susan Watanabe, who teaches the program, shares this photo from a previous class taught on campus.

Theatre students miss out on annual Knott’s Scary Farm hands-on learning experience

Mirella Vargas, Staff Writer • October 23, 2020
Professor Susan Watanabe from the Cerritos College costume and makeup program shares challenges of teaching makeup online and how their annual Knott's Scary Farm trip has been impacted.
Social Media and Body Image

Social Media and Body Image

Mirella Vargas, Staff Writer • October 16, 2020
How social media's highlight reels and influencer culture can negatively impact one's self body-image and self-worth.
Two people sit on a park bench socially desitancing. COVID has claimed over 200,00 thousand lives.

COVID won’t disappear because you want it to, just ask the 200,000 dead

Mirella Vargas and Vanessa Maya • October 9, 2020
With hundreds of thousands dead, Americans seem to think wishful thinking will bring back "business as usual."
President of Cerritos College Dr. Jose Fierro hosts the Cerritos College 65th Anniversary Closing Ceremony. The virtual event, which marked the end of this year's anniversary, celebrations took place on Sept. 24.

Cerritos College 65th anniversary closing ceremony

Mirella Vargas, Staff Writer • October 1, 2020
President Jose Fierro hosts virtual closing ceremony wrapping up the Cerritos College 65th anniversary celebrations.
The Cerritos College Music Department performs the Happy Birthday song during the 65th Anniversary Virtual Party. They delivered were able to deliver a coordinated performance from home, all while maintaining social distancing. Photo credit: Mirella Vargas

Music, memories and cake designs: Cerritos’ 65th year celebrated in style

Mirella Vargas, Staff Writer • September 23, 2020
A cake challenge, a special performance by the college's music department and a DJ livestream from a former alumni, were among the celebratory activities held on Thursday, marking the Cerritos College 65th Anniversary Day.
Cerritos College President, Jose Fierro, speaking during the 65th Anniversary Kickoff event. All anniversary activities this year will be held online due to Covid-19.

College alumni share memories during 65th anniversary event

Mirella Vargas, Staff Writer • September 18, 2020
Current and former Cerritos College faculty members, staff and students reflect on their favorite memories and express their appreciation for the college during the online kickoff event.
(L-R) Jimin, Jungkook, RM, J-Hope, V, Jin, and SUGA of the K-pop boy band BTS visit the "Today" Show at Rockefeller Plaza on February 21, 2020 in New York City. Photo credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

BTS makes history, tops Billboard Hot 100

Mirella Vargas, Staff Writer • September 10, 2020
K-pop group, BTS, makes history as first South Korean act to lead the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their new hit single "Dynamite".
Sales employee at popular cannabis retailer assisting a customer. All employees are required to wear a face mask and gloves during their shift. Photo credit: Mirella Vargas

Cannabis retailers report record sales during pandemic

Mirella Vargas, Staff Writer • September 3, 2020
The cannabis industry shows no signs of slowing down amid the pandemic.
Dining guest fills out mandatory customer log with their contact information before entering a local restaurant. Restaurants and bars are required to keep a log of all their visitors for contact tracing purposes. Photo credit: Mirella Vargas

Seoul Connection: COVID-19 cases on the rise in South Korea

Mirella Vargas, Staff Writer • August 28, 2020
COVID-19 cases sharply increased days after thousands of cult-like church members and anti-government protesters gather in the nation's capital.
Photo credit: Chris Ware

Congress during COVID: The best circus in town

Edgar Mendoza, Keanu Ruffo, and Mirella Vargas • August 21, 2020
If you're looking for jokes, look no further than how our government treats small businesses during this pandemic.
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Mirella Vargas