Skip to Main Content
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Perla Lara

Perla Lara, Managing Editor

I am a journalism student with a love of photography which makes me a photojournalist at heart. My objective is to write about people and the stories they create. I also believe that photography and journalism are great ways to document history and to connect with other people throughout space and time. My goal is to take photographs, and write stories that make an impact in peoples lives.

All content by Perla Lara

April 12, 2017 – Page 4

Perla Lara, Managing Editor May 12, 2017

Cerritos College Faculty Senate President Michelle Lewellen discussing the options for a 16-week calendar during the Tuesday, May 2 Faculty Senate meeting. Lewellen and other senators discussed the possibility of adding a winter intersession to the academic calendar. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Discussion on the change to a 16-week calendar, winter intersession continue

Perla Lara May 10, 2017

The discussion for changing the college’s academic semester to a 16-week semester continues from earlier in the semester; adding a winter intersession to the academic calendar is a possibility that...

Vice President of Business Services Felipe Lopez, updating Faculty Senate on the progress of making changes to the Class Cancellation Administration Procedure during the Tuesday, May 2 Faculty Senate meeting. Lopez has been providing support to the Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs Rick Miranda on the issue since he began his job at Cerritos College in January. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Class cancellation procedure frustrates faculty

Perla Lara May 9, 2017

One or two weeks before the class starts and an email arrives saying Sociology 215 was canceled. What happened next was the search for a substitute class that still fit within student senate Liaison Allen...

Arthur Hanney at the Take Back the Night event speaking during the open mic portion of the event on behalf of his niece who faced assault in her past. Hanney is an ASCC senator and helped out set up the event. Photo credit: David Jenkins

One student’s journey to success

Perla Lara May 2, 2017

It was the desire to teach theater arts to kids that made a 54-year-old become a student at Cerritos College. Two years later Arthur “Art” Hanney is now an ASCC Senator, a member of Phi Beta...

From left to right Cosmetology Instructor Nina Motruk, Chair of Professional Relations Committee Joseph Van de Mortel, Acting Dean of Academic Affairs Gary Pritchard and Director of the Cerritos College Art Gallery James MacDevitt at the Outstanding Faculty Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 27 in the Student Center. MacDevitt won Most Outstanding Faculty of 2017, he received congratulations from colleges including Pritchard who stated, “James’ wonderful sense of humor and artistic talent is only surpassed by his love of teaching.” Photo credit: Perla Lara

[Photo] Awards were given to the Outstanding Faculty of 2017

Benjamin Garcia May 1, 2017

From left to right Cosmetology Instructor Nina Motruk, Chair of Professional Relations Committee Joseph Van de Mortel, Acting Dean of Academic Affairs Gary Pritchard and Director of the Cerritos College...

Court’s interpretation of financial bylaw, cause for concern

Perla Lara April 26, 2017

ASCC Court interprets Financial Code Bylaw 4.24 one week before presenting the proposed $1,700,000 budget for the 2017-2018 academic year. Due to the court’s interpretation any amendments to the...

Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs Rick Miranda spoke during the second day of the Open Forum for the Cerritos College Vice President of Academic Affairs held Tuesday, April 18. Miranda is also the current Dean of Academic Affairs and will continue to work closely with whoever is chosen for the position. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Forum held for second Vice President Of Academic Affairs candidate Rick Miranda

Perla Lara April 19, 2017

Standing in front of a room filled with more than 55 attendees Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs Rick Miranda stated why he was the best candidate to fill the Vice President of Academic Affairs...

From left to right Juan Avila, English literature major, Javier Reyes, undecided major and Brian Ellison who was speaking at the first of three open forums for the Cerritos College Vice President of Academic Affairs position held on Monday, April 17. Ellison is the current Vice President of Instruction at Merced College; both students found the forum to be interesting. Photo credit: Perla Lara

[Photo] Forum held for Vice President Of Academic Affairs candidate

Karina Quiran-Juarez April 18, 2017

From left to right Juan Avila, English literature major, Javier Reyes, undecided major and Brian Ellison who was speaking at the first of three open forums for the Cerritos College Vice President of Academic...

Karen Patron ASCC  President Elect for the  2017-2018 accademic year. Photo credit: Perla Lara

[Photo] Election winners for presidential candidates, student trustee

Jenny Gonzalez April 11, 2017

Karen Patron ASCC President Elect for the 2017-2018 accademic year. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Photo illustration Trustee John Paul Drayer in the Cerritos College Board room.

[Photo] John Paul Drayer photo illustration

Photo illustration Trustee John Paul Drayer in the Cerritos College Board room.

Photo illustration

[Photo] 2017 ASCC Election photo illustration

April 11, 2017

Photo illustration

March 29, 2017 – Page 1

Perla Lara, Managing Editor April 6, 2017

Trustee John Paul Drayer particiapates at his final board meeting on Wednesday, April 5. His retirement will take effect on Wednesday, April 19.

[Photo] Trustee Drayer retires from board

Monique Nethington and Perla Lara April 5, 2017

Trustee John Paul Drayer particiapates at his final board meeting on Wednesday, April 5. His retirement will take effect on Wednesday, April 19.

From left to right Commissioner of sustainability Phil Herrera, Senator Art Hanney, and President Saul Lopez-Pulido during the Cerritos ASCC Senate Town Hall meeting on Thursday, March 2. Throughout the three-hour long meeting there was a continuous flow of students and had an audience max of 15 people at a single moment.

[Photo] ASCC Government hosts Student Town Hall meeting

Perla Lara March 6, 2017

From left to right Commissioner of sustainability Phil Herrera, Senator Art Hanney, and President Saul Lopez-Pulido during the Cerritos ASCC Senate Town Hall meeting on Thursday, March 2. Throughout the...

Lab technicians express art through photography

Perla Lara March 29, 2017

Lab technicians, to students, to artist to showcase the multiple roles that a person has is seldom easy to do. This year with one exhibit titled La Ayuda, the help. The six photography lab technicians...

Circle of healing teaches students how to recognize trauma

Perla Lara March 14, 2017

Knowing that trauma is something you work on at your own pace whenever you’re ready, was the main message of the Thursday, March 9 Women’s History Month: Healing circle, lecture. Long Beach...

Academic Excellence Committee Chair David Betancourt listens to faculty comments discussing the Professional Development Senate Committee during the Tuesday, March 7, Faculty Senate meeting. The creation of the Professional Development Senate Committee will be a way to institutionalize and give permanence to the current Center for Teaching Excellence advisory board. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Center for Teaching Excellence will be replaced by faculty senate subcommittee

Perla Lara March 10, 2017

Polite frustration was the tone of Academic Excellence Committee Chair David Betancourt's speech during the Faculty Senate meeting discussing the topic of the establishment of the Senate Committee on Professional...

Physical Education Instructor Debbie Jensen, spoke during the Tuesday, March 7, Faculty Senate meeting on the Physical Educators for Discipline, Attitude and Learning Program. The program requires students to take math and physical education classes together. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Faculty Senate seeks volunteers for help with P.E.D.A.L. Program

Perla Lara March 10, 2017

Creating the opportunity for students to link a physical education class with a math or english class may seem like an odd pairing, however Physical Education Instructor Debbie Jensen presented Faculty...

A call for banning together as college against unjust Trump policies

A call for banning together as college against unjust Trump policies

Perla Lara, Managing Editor March 1, 2017

“Whilst men are linked together, they easily and speedily communicate the alarm of any evil design […] When bad men combine, the good must associate." That is a quote from the essay titled “Thoughts...

Ana Torres-Bower, Women’s and Gender Studies department chair, giving a Lecture on Global Gender Justice to her philosophy 104 class on Thursday, Feb. 23. Torres-Bower allowed faculty and students to attend her class lecture as an event for the college’s 30-year celebration of Women’s History month.

[Photo] Seminar promotes Women’s rights

Perla Lara February 25, 2017

Ana Torres-Bower, Women’s and Gender Studies department chair, giving a Lecture on Global Gender Justice to her philosophy 104 class on Thursday, Feb. 23. Torres-Bower allowed faculty and students to...

Mark Sillings Educational Master Plan Project Manager for Moore Iacofano Goltsman Incorporated speaking during the final part of the EMP meeting held on Friday, Feb. 10 at Cerritos College. The meeting was held to collect suggestions and ideas to implement during the next five-years; and had over 110 people in attendance. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Faculty and students attend Educational Master Plan meeting

Perla Lara February 14, 2017

All were welcomed at the Educational Master Plan charrette; a meeting that had over 110 participants from the Cerritos College community. “It was great to have the collaboration across the campus...

Family, friends, students and those who knew Rene Bloch gathering in front of Burnight Center Theater on Thursday, Feb. 9 for a vigil for Bloch. The crowd of over 60 people listened as past students of Cerritos College Theater Department shared their memories of Bloch and the difference she made in their lives. Photo credit: Perla Lara

[Photo] Renee Bloch vigil held Thursday

Benjamin Garcia February 14, 2017

Family, friends, students and those who knew Rene Bloch gathering in front of Burnight Center Theater on Thursday, Feb. 9 for a vigil for Bloch. The crowd of over 60 people listened as past students of...

Entropy album release concert slideshow

Perla Lara, managing editor February 14, 2017

   

On bass Joel Alvarez, vocals Emili Romano, push synthesizer Eric Orellana, programming and vocals director of Cerritos College commercial music Andrew Maz, drums Mikey Enriquez, during the Entropy Album releases concert on Friday, Feb. 3. Entropy was created by Maz and the proceeds of the album will be used for the purchase of musical equipment for the college. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Maz presents ‘Entropy’ holding live concert at Burnight

Perla Lara February 7, 2017

Burnight Theater became the stage for a showcase of student talent; the student band “Out of Nowhere” and student dancers performed as accompanying acts for director of commercial music Andrew Maz...

The Tracey Weiss Foundation for Art Research Bazaar exhibit titled “Carousel” on Saturday, Jan. 28. The sculptures and room set up took about one week to create and brought an un expected interaction as exhibit viewers played with the slides and took some home as mementos. Photo credit: Perla Lara

The art of history slides

Perla Lara February 7, 2017

If there were one word to describe Tracey Weiss slide exhibit "Carousel" for the Foundation for Art Resources Bazaar event, it is nostalgia. Weiss transformed the small room that stored art history slides...

Artist Tommy Burns Mural, “Bolt from the blue: Kiss of the tides” on the wall of the old Fine Arts Building at Cerritos College, done over the span of one week for the F.A.R. Bazaar event. Burns chose to paint what he calls a “simple romantic” art that everyone who saw could understand and relate to. Photo credit: Perla Lara

‘Bolt from the blue: Kiss of the tides’

Perla Lara February 5, 2017

“Tides come and go, they represent change, the kiss represents being in the moment. […] We all want love to last forever but we don’t know when it might end. Love, anything really, nothing...

Art created out of broken left behind electronic pieces created during the two-day Foundation for Art Resources Bazaar held at Cerritos College on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29. Summercamp’s ProjectProject collective took over the once journalism class’ breakroom and turned it into an artist run live-work space, were people could break, assemble, and display their creations. Photo credit: Perla Lara

[Photo] Artists transform crumbling newsroom into art

Benjamin Garcia February 5, 2017

Art created out of broken left behind electronic pieces created during the two-day Foundation for Art Resources Bazaar held at Cerritos College on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29. Summercamp’s...

From left to right Cerritos College Board of Trustee Member Shin Liu, Cerritos College President Jose Fierro, Trustee Zurich Lewis, Trustee Carmen Avalos and Trustee Martha Camacho-Rodriguez looking at a PowerPoint presentation during the Wednesday, Jan. 25 board meeting. The presentation consisted of 92 slides after which the board members were able to ask questions and make suggestions on what other data they wanted to see, like data on the percentage of students that live outside of the cities of Norwalk and Cerritos. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Board of Trustees discuss Educational Master Plan which affects all students

Perla Lara January 31, 2017

The Cerritos College Board of Trustees meeting began moving through the agenda items at a fast pace. The board had no comments from the public, or reports and comments from constituent groups during the...

Fa4 Collective artist Cynthia Lujan working on her mural for the FAR Bazaar event being held on Saturday Jan. 28, and Sunday Jan. 29. For her subject matter she choose to paint recreations of real instagram photos of the Syrian refuge crisis. Photo credit: Perla Lara

[Photo] Far Bazaar inspires refugee art

Monique Nethington January 26, 2017

Fa4 Collective artist Cynthia Lujan working on her mural for the FAR Bazaar event being held on Saturday Jan. 28, and Sunday Jan. 29. For her subject matter she choose to paint recreations of real instagram...

Back-row from left to right commercial music majors Terrance Alexander, Alejandro Haegendoreens, Oscar Chavez, Andrew Jones,  front-row from left to right commercial music majors, Emili Alexa Romano, and Justin Matteau. Photo credit: David Jenkins

Music from ‘Out of Nowhere’

Perla Lara January 26, 2017

“Honestly I thought ‘we’re not going to be a band’. That was my honest thought [...] I was like I don’t know if we can do this we all have very different styles," songwriter and vocalist Emili...

From right to left undecided major Cynthia Vega, and child development major Maricela Vargas enjoying time in the new fine arts building lobby.  The lobbies tables also has a electrical and usb outlets to charge portable devices. Photo credit: Perla Lara

New Fine Arts and Math CIS buildings receive mixed feelings from students

Perla Lara, Managing Editor January 19, 2017

Students and staff returned to Cerritos College not only to start a new semester but to be the first to have classes inside the new Fine Arts and the Math Computer Information Science buildings. It’s...

The student center had one of the two ATMs on campus, the empty wall now shows a flyer with a map to the only ATM on campus. After a break-in to the student center prior to starting the Spring 2017 semester Cerritos College administration decided to remove the ATM. Photo credit: Perla Lara

[Photo] Cerritos College suffers from multiple break-ins

Monique Nethington, Editor in Chief January 19, 2017

The student center had one of the two ATMs on campus, the empty wall now shows a flyer with a map to the only ATM on campus. After a break-in to the student center prior to starting the Spring 2017 semester...

Trump’s golden showers and other tremendous controversies

Perla Lara January 13, 2017

With only one week before inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump is involved in another controversy.Amongst other scandals, Trump’s name is now alongside the term “golden showers”...

Editors's tips: what are your new year resolutions?

Editors’s tips: what are your new year resolutions?

Perla Lara December 7, 2016

"I want to get another tattoo (or more if possible), read twice as many books than I did this year and get back into yoga." -Opinion Editor, Jenny Gonzalez "I want to read my favorites...

Page 4 – December 7

Perla Lara, College Life Editor December 7, 2016

From Left to right, Samuel Schirmer-Grace, Anthony Riestra, and Jovan Orozco, gathered to play Pokémon Sun during the Thursday Dec. 1 Anxiety Gaming Club meeting. The club has 230 registered members with about 15 members that regularly attend the meetings. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Anxiety Gaming Club creates a place to connect for students

Perla Lara December 6, 2016
Gaming is no longer about being behind a console trying to beat your best score; as video games evolve so do their players, and features. Thanks to the internet, players can connect with each other from all over the world.

LGBT Resource Interactive

Perla Lara, College Life Editor December 6, 2016

List of safety tips for the holiday season

Perla Lara November 28, 2016

Shopping, gifts, packages, thefts and safety are words that go together during the holiday season. An increase in shopping means an increase in the probability that thefts will occur. The Cerritos College...

Students reaction to Trump’s win

Perla Lara, College Life Editor November 17, 2016

Compassion In Action club advisor Kim Berling introducing the concept of Effective Altruism and the C.I.A club during the Philosophy club meeting on Tuesday Nov. 15. The 36 students and faculty in attendance were became familiarized with the concept of EA changing people’s lives through long term solutions and not immediate temporary relief aid. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Compassion In Action club encourages students to stop hunger on campus

Perla Lara November 16, 2016
C.I.A. club presents the Effective Altruism movement and makes students aware of the issue of college students facing food insecurity.

November 16 – Page 5

Perla Lara, College Life Editor November 15, 2016

November 16 – Page 4

Perla Lara, College Life Editor November 15, 2016

Senator Isaac Simons-Araya at the Wednesday Nov. 9 ASCC Senate at the meeting. During the meeting the approval of implementing a Title IX Task Force and the KCACTF conference travel fund which Simons-Araya presented where put in jeopardy by almost loosing quorum at the end of an almost two-hour long meeting. Photo credit: Perla Lara

ASCC focuses on student awareness, outreach and involvement on campus

Perla Lara November 14, 2016

Student awareness, outreach and involvement are the three things that ASCC Senate Vice-President Enrique Rodriguez wants to see from all the students on campus. Conferences, task force and reaching the...

Cerritos College Police Captain Hans Strand speaking with Art major Ernest Sandoval during the Coffee with a Cop meeting on Thursday Nov. 3. Sandoval was seeking advice on what to do about a person possibly stalking him, Strand listen attentively as Sandoval described the different situations that involved a person approaching him in a challenging manner. Photo credit: Perla Lara

‘Say hello’ and have coffee with a cop

Perla Lara November 6, 2016

Free coffee and deserts attracted students to room BK 111 on Thursday Nov. 3, once in the room they introduced themselves to police officers who were there as part of the Coffee with a Cop meeting. The...

November 2 – Page 4

Perla Lara, College Life Editor November 2, 2016

Political Science major Candice Garcia playing a zombie at the Cerritos College Zombie Fest held on Thursday Oct. 27. Garcia followed the rules established by ASCC and got as close as she could without touching the participants, she stayed in the maze the entire time the event was happening. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Zombie infestation takes over the campus

Perla Lara November 2, 2016

The living dead came out to play and scare those who dared enter the Zombie Fest maze. ASCC put together a Zombie Maze on Thursday Oct. 27 filled with about 13 students disguised as zombies. This year...

Biology major Jasmine Ortega (left) and nursing major Fabiola Nepomuceno (right)playing billiards in the game room on Thursday Oct. 29. Both Ortega and Nepomuceno visit the game room once a day and are looking forward to the changes to the game room a budget of $150,000 can make. Photo credit: Perla Lara

ASCC Government asking students what a $150,000 game room looks like

Perla Lara November 1, 2016

What does a $150,000 game room look like? What would students like to see in it? Those are the questions that ASCC government is asking. ASCC President Saul Lopez said, “I’m telling students...

Editors' tips: what's the best way to spend time between classes?

Editors’ tips: what’s the best way to spend time between classes?

Perla Lara October 27, 2016

"Listening to music is the best way to relax after a hard class." -Monyca Cedillo, Co-Multimedia Editor"Use the restroom of your choice." ...

Jessica Faye Summers a transgender student advocating for transgender acceptance her new name is the start of creating her identity as a woman. Her new first name Jessica begins with the initial for birth name she wanted to have a connection to her birth name, Faye means fairy comes from the T.V. show Lost Girl, and her last name Summers comes from the movie 21. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Call me Jessica Summers: A transgender student’s struggle to be respected

Perla Lara October 25, 2016

William Shakespeare wrote "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." His famous quote suggest that a name is not important that it is the essence of a thing,...

October 26 – Page 4

Perla Lara, College Life Editor October 25, 2016

Student Trustee Karen Patron introducing speaker Director of Education division in the Taipei Economic and Cultural office Los Angeles Li-Ling Liang at the Wednesday Oct. 19 ASCC Senate meeting. Liang made a brief presentation on the different scholarships that Taiwan has available for students, and the possibility of going to one of Taiwan’s universities to study. Photo credit: Perla Lara

ASCC Senate presented with a paid travel opportunity

Perla Lara October 24, 2016

Free room and $800 a month living income in the city of Taiwan and the only thing that is asked in return is to learn mandarin, that’s the opportunity that was presented at the ASCC Senate meeting...

October 19 – Page 5

Perla Lara, College Life Editor October 20, 2016

October 19 – Page 4

Perla Lara, College Life Editor October 20, 2016

Uc personal insight writing tips infograph. Source: admission.universityofcalifornia.edu

[Photo] UC personal insight writing tips

October 19, 2016

Uc personal insight writing tips infograph. Source: admission.universityofcalifornia.edu

The UC application changes personal insight questions

Perla Lara October 18, 2016

Transferring to any of the UC universities is determined by the UC application that is submitted. The application takes into account the applicant’s grade point average and how well the personal insight...

Photoillustration Photo credit: Perla Lara

Safe Zone provides allies for LGBTQ community

Perla Lara October 18, 2016

The Safe Zone program is not just another sign that is posted around campus. For undecided major Jessica Summers, it is a comforting sign that reminds her there are people on campus who will understand...

UC personal insight questions, common mistakes to avoid. Source: Brittany Lundeen

[Photo] Project Safe: a help guide for finding resources

Lizette Sainz October 11, 2016

UC personal insight questions, common mistakes to avoid. Source: Brittany Lundeen

October 12 – Page 4

Perla Lara, College Life Editor October 12, 2016

Homecoming court princess Ashley Vasquez and education major Rosana Maya campaigning on the library side walk on Thursday Oct.6. Vasquez said some of the students she approached didn’t know about homecoming and “didn’t want to be bothered with it.”

Potential homecoming court running for more than a crown

Perla Lara October 11, 2016

The homecoming court princesses had to face more than each other for the students votes, they faced the indifference of fellow students and the stereotype that a queen should be chosen based on sexiness.The...

Photo Illustration by Perla Lara Photo credit: Perla Lara

[Photo] FAFSA changes starting the 2017-18 school year

Monyca Cedillo October 11, 2016

Photo Illustration by Perla Lara Photo credit: Perla Lara

Geology major Valeria Jaramillo presenting her power point presentation at the opening ceremony for the fifth STEM open house at Cerritos College. Jaramillo’s presentation was on her experience during her internship with Proyecto Dinosaurios, she encouraged STEM students to look for opportunities like internships and be more involved with clubs. Photo credit: Perla Lara

[Photo] STEM opening ceremony – Student intern finds bones

Benjamin Garcia October 6, 2016

Geology major Valeria Jaramillo presenting her power point presentation at the opening ceremony for the fifth STEM open house at Cerritos College. Jaramillo’s presentation was on her experience during...

Engineering major Neel Patel, and undecided major Aelin Lopez (right) and other Counseling 200 students listening as Puente counselor Rosa Carrillo discusses Patel’s group poster board on Tuesday Oct. 4. Carrillo was part of the Hispanic Heritage committee that planned the student presentations in the library sidewalk. Photo credit: Perla Lara

Students take learning out of the classroom and onto the library side walk

Perla Lara October 6, 2016

Students from the Counseling 200 class gathered on the library sidewalk to display poster boards with research on issues that affect the Hispanic community. As part of the Hispanic heritage month activities...

Nursing major Rodrigo Salcedo (left) and sitting from left to right nursing majors Vanessa Ramirez, Joshua Christopher Calderon, and Alyisha Marise Panlillo in Falcon Square on Tuesday Oct. 4. Salcedo was trying to guess, which snack contained the most sugar like other students who stopped to guess he was surprised by the answer. Photo credit: Perla Lara

[Photo] Health fair teaches students about STDs and college drinking

Karla Enriquez October 5, 2016

Nursing major Rodrigo Salcedo (left) and sitting from left to right nursing majors Vanessa Ramirez, Joshua Christopher Calderon, and Alyisha Marise Panlillo in Falcon Square on Tuesday Oct. 4. Salcedo...

September 21 – Page 5

Perla Lara, College Life Editor October 3, 2016

September 21 – Page 4

Perla Lara, College Life Editor October 3, 2016

Ahmad Chahine, biochem club member (left) helping Avid Diaz (right) make a stress ball out of cornstarch water and a balloon at the fifth STEM open house at Cerritos College on Friday Sept. 30. The clubs at the open house wanted to show the fun side to science by playing games, and making things like silly putty, stress balls and ice-cream. Photo credit: Perla Lara

The fifth annual STEM Open house showcases the fun side of science

Perla Lara October 2, 2016

Mix together one part fun, two parts information, one part hope and five parts science and you get the Fifth annual Science Technology Engineering Mathematica Open house. STEM clubs and STEM majors...

Load More Stories
Activate Search
Perla Lara