Renegade Rip Issue 1, Sept. 7, 2022

The Renegade Rip
Vol. 99 ∙ No. 1 Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022
Bakersfield College
BC campus is busy
again
Aron Ralston speaks
at BC
BC beats Pierce in
hot football opener
Campus, Page 5 News, Page 2 Sports, Page 3
JOCELYNN LANDON / THE RIP
BC’s Dining Commons now features a Starbucks and
baked goods.
JOCELYNN LANDON / THE RIP
Cheerleader Bleau Faz jumping for the Robot Dog
made the CTE department.
ANTHONY VASQUEZ / THE RIP
Aron Ralston talks to audience as first Distinguished
Speaker for 2022-2023 at BC.
The Renegade Rip @bc_rip @bc_rip Follow us online at www.therip.com

Page 2
News
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022
Aron Ralston Speaks at BC
By Anthony Vasquez
Editor-in-Cheif
After two years of BC hosting the special
Distinguished Speaker series online,
the first installment of the series within the
fall semester of 2022, was finally hosted
in-person. “127 Hours, Turning Adversity
into Advantage,” featuring Aron Ralston,
was
the first installment of the series.
When asking KCCD Student Trustee
and BCSGA President, Shehrazad Barraj
what it was like to host the event in-person,
she stated, “It feels really good you know,
we’re back in-person so people get to actually
meet the speaker who’s actually coming
in here today, Aron Ralston, and to get
to hear his story which sounds amazing.”
Ralston came to speak at BC last Thursday,
Aug. 29, at the Levan Center at 2:00
p.m. and the Edward Simonsen Theater at
7:00 p.m. During both of the scheduled
events, BC was able to host an audience
of students, staff, faculty, and the Community.
He is known for his story of how he
was able to survive being trapped by an
800-pound boulder while hiking in a canyon
in Utah. His story has impacted many
around the world as it has been shared, by the Oscar-nominated
film “127 Hours,” along with his New York Times
Bestselling Book, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place.”
ANTHONY VASQUEZ /THE RIP
Aron Ralston speaks at BC about his survival
story. It was the first in-person Distinguished
Speaker Event in more than two years.
Ralston recounted the
story, he talked about
the process that went
through his mind when
he was in a severe situation,
such as him trying
to carve his way out of
the boulder, to then realizing
that his only way
out was to cut through
his arm.
He did not skip any
details while he spoke
about the process of
cutting his arm. The
pain of how he first had
to stab through his flesh,
then cut through the
arm, to have to break
his bones, and finally
cut the arm’s nerves, all
made the audience understand
how severe it
all was.
“It’s not the will to
live, but the will to love,”
Ralston stated last week.
He expressed that the
biggest reason that he
was able to survive was
because of the people that he loved in his life. He also told
the audience that the “Boulders” in life will come along, but
that the blessings in life will follow along.
BC hosts Energy & Ag Academy
By Eduardo Martinez
Reporter
BC will host the Annual
KCHCC Energy
& AG Academy with
sessions from Sept. 30
through Dec. 2. Application
forms for joining
are due by 5 p.m.
on Sept. 12.
Chevron, KCHCC,
and other partners
are looking for eligible
high school students
and students enrolled
at Bakersfield College,
Taft College, CSU
Bakersfield, and CSU
Fresno who are interested
in the energy
and agriculture sectors
to participate.
The academy will
introduce participants
to local professionals
and experts in the Energy
and Ag industries,
financial scholarships,
field trips to Energy
and Ag facilities, leadership
opportunities,
and other features
from the industries.
Kern Community
College District has
partnered with Energy
and Ag sector
group leaders and
has worked alongside
them to secure funding
for energy focused
programs and to ensure
the transition to
renewable energy and
net zero carbon emissions
in the San Joaquin
Valley.
Kern Community
College District is positioned
to establish
the California Renewable
Energy Laboratory
(CREL) with
centers of excellence
focused on three areas:
Carbon Management,
Clean Energy &
Grid Resilience, and
Clean Transportation.
Several officials are
opportunistic of how
these partnerships will
help Kern be recognized
as an energy
leader. “It has now
expanded to be an Energy
and Agriculture
program with tremendous
value as Kern
is increasingly recognized
as a national
leader for energy resilience,”
Kern Community
College District
Chancellor Dr. Sonya
Christian said in a
press release. This year
academy will provide
opportunities not only
to students who are
interested in the Energy
and Agriculture
sectors but to Kern
County as a whole.

Page 3
Sports
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022
Football: BC Renegades hot
with big win in home opener
over Pierce College Brahmas
By Amanda Hernandez
Reporter
Bakersfield College’s football
team opened its season
on Sept. 3 with a huge 59-12
win over Los Angeles Pierce
College.
The first touchdown was
made by Jihad Marks, assisted
by BC quarterback
Joseph Campbell, and their
teammates followed in their
footsteps throughout the
game.
The Renegades’ defense
also stepped up against the
Brahmas’ offense with multiple
interceptions, first by
Christopher Thompson in
the first quarter, and another
by Jayden Harris-Elvin in the
second quarter.
The team worked well together
to keep the numbers
up in the first half, going
into halftime with a score
of 49-6. One of the major
plays was made by Freshman
Jaquell Bonner who scored
an 80-yard touchdown in
the second quarter. He had a
few words about his play. He
explained, “I felt good about
it. I had not only that touchdown
but two touchdowns
during the game, and I am
only a freshman. We are going
to go far this season, and
when I say that, I mean deep
into the playoffs.”
As the second half began,
the Renegades continued to
put numbers on the board.
Bonner laid down another
touchdown and kept the
rhythm of the game in their
favor.
One of the major factors
that goes into how well these
players perform is weather
conditions. The game was
originally scheduled for 6
p.m. but was pushed back
an hour due to extreme heat.
Considering the way the
Bakersfield College football
team carried out their duties
on the field, it was clear that
the weather had no negative
impact on the Renegades.
In fact, the team ended the
game with a touchdown and
celebrated their victory right
there on the field.
After the game, the players
talked about their expectations
of the season going forward.
“The game was cool, we
started off a little slow, but we
definitely got it done on offense,”
running back Anyale
Velazquez said. “The lineman
did really well, and the
rest of the season is only up
from here.”
Coach R. Todd Littlejohn
explained that the team’s
performance resembled the
way they have been practicing
all summer. “Thankfully
yes. It was good to see multiple
guys get an opportunity
to perform what we have
been preaching all summer,”
he said.
With this dominant performance,
the Renegades set
high expectations for the season
ahead.
AMANDA
HERNANDEZ/
THE RIP
Right: DB Dylan
Tooker running
the ball into the
endzone, scoring
a touchdown
while fellow DB
Jakwon Lamb
and safety
Tyrone Wilson
celebrated his
victory alongside
him.
AMANDA HERNANDEZ/
THE RIP
Left: QB Joseph
Campbell, RB Antonio
Robinson and WR-
Dominique D’Amato
working as a team
in the second half to
keep the up the score.

Campus
Page 4
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
BC students return to campus
By Blake Burton
Reporter
During the first week of the fall 2022
semester, many students returned to BC’s
campus on Panorama, creating an atmosphere
that more closely resembled pre-pandemic
numbers of people on campus.
Several students shared their thoughts on
what it was like to be physically back at BC.
Alexis Brown is a nursing and psychology
major and stated, “It’s been a tiring week
but overall has been good.”
Jocelynn Landon said, “It’s been a good
and super fun week and it feels great being
back on campus. Finding classes was
easy because of the resources that are on
campus.” She also explained that she was
looking forward to the student involvement
festival scheduled for the following week,
and that it is super important to get involved,
so she can’t wait to see all the clubs
and resources.
Harvind Grewal is a Political Science
major at Bakersfield college and stated
that his first week was “enthusiastic, energetic
and very inspiring to see so many students
on campus,” he said, adding,“ I look
BLAKE BURTON/ THE RIP
Students hang out on BC’s main campus in
Aug. 24. The first week of school saw the
biggest number of students on campus since
before COVID-19 hit in 2020.
forward to the many events
next week such as the distinguished
speaker series
with Dr. James Lindsey.”
Nick Harris, a criminology
major at BC, said “It
has been a pretty good and
easy week and that finding
classes was easy.”
Yakelin Canales, a Biology
major at Bakersfield college,
stated that she “overall
had a great week” even
though it was somewhat
difficult to find her classes,
but next week she plans to
get more comfortable with
her classes.
BC Librarian Faith
Bradham explained that
she loves the energy of being
on campus and seeing
students enjoying being
back on campus. “It was
a really good first week,
and it was really busy,” she
said.
Starbucks at BC Commons
By Jocelynn Landon
Reporter
The new dining
commons at Bakersfield
College, formerly
known as the BC
café, was renovated
this past year and is already
a popular choice
to eat for not only the
students but faculty
and staff as well.
It features a variety
of foods, and several
staff member work
there, offering help.
“It’s really like kind
and respectful and
welcoming,” BC student
Yareli Campos
said. “You can’t deny
the food… tons of
choice.”
This includes everything
from healthy
selections to daily specials
everything is also
super affordable making
it a great place to
stop by to crush your
hunger. Students who
bring their BC ID card
to campus will also get
the perk of not having
to pay tax on food.
Have you heard of
BC Starbucks? Over
the summer of 2022,
Bakersfield College
got a Starbucks. Staff
member Kellie Tucker
said, “The coffee first
thing in the morning,
especially if you're
running late” is a perk.
The Starbucks at BC
is something unique
because they employ
mostly BC culinary
arts alumni. The cafe
manager, Gabrielle
Mosley, a recent graduate
of Bakersfield
College stated, “The
culinary team here
and the culinary team
at the Renegade Room
really try and partner
here so we make the
best like experience for
the students.”
The staff members
also put their creativity
to a test with their
“Drink of the Week''
option. At the start
of the fall 22’ semester,
they had Dragons
Blood, created by
barista Austin, a mango
dragon fruit lemonade,
with strawberry
purée.
In addition to coffee,
plenty of
snacks are available.
From blueberry muffins
to wraps, there are
several options to satisfy
a sweet tooth.
JOCELYNN LANDON/THE RIP
Bakersfield College Starbucks employees
helping make the students drinks.

Page 5
Campus
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022
Student Involvement Festival
By Jocelynn Landon
Reporter
Bakersfield College has put on several
events since the school year began
two weeks ago to help students find resources
and make connections with the
start of the new Fall 22 semester. These
“Welcome Weeks’’ saw BC host events
to encourage student engagement and
help new and returning Renegades find
their way around campus. The last day
of the event was the student involvement
festival.
“I’m most excited about meeting people
and getting more people into our
program,” Umoja club Vice President
Alexis Brown said.
Over the last two years, Bakersfield
College has seen a drop in not only students
but in activities and engagement
from peers due to COVID-19. This year
they are trying to get back in full swing
and help the students get involved.
The event started off with the Folklorico
Club dancing the day away with
their Mexican-inspired dancing and
outfits. This is the first Folklorico club
at BC.
“I’m most excited about teaching
some of these kids here at BC some
moves, and I can’t wait to get the group
started,” said club president Isabell
Ramirez. They will be teaching their
By Jason Mena
Reporter
Bakersfield College Student
Government Association
Officers held a public
meeting on Aug. 29 in the
Levan Center for the student
government and staff members
to introduce themselves
to students and answer some
questions as the fall semester
kicks off.
BC Dining Commons provided
tacos and beverages
for the event with an array
JOCEYLNN LANDON/THE RIP
Celeste Gonzalez and Isabell Ramirez dancing
during the Student Involvement Festival
of options between carne
asada, chicken, and even a
vegetarian alternative.
SGA President Shehrazad
”Raz” Barraj, Vice President
Brenda Abad, and the
directors and senators who
lead the student body gave
insight on some of the activities
they engage in, on and
off campus. President Barraj
is also a KCCD Student
Trustee and provides advice
and a young perspective at
the monthly KCCD Board
of Trustees Meetings.
Director of Legislative
affairs Harvind Grewal is a
board member for CA Coalition
for Youth, a Statewide
nonprofit Organization in
charge of serving disconnected
students between the
ages of 12-24.
“Follow the BCSGA social
media pages, all the
upcoming events are posted
there” Vice President Abad
said. “Or join SGA, there
are plenty of open positions
including Director of Finance,
Secretary, and seven
members dances and having showcases
throughout the year.
The student involvement festival was
filled with vendors, clubs, small businesses,
and organizations, from Bakersfield
College personnel to the surrounding
Bakersfield community. Within BC they
had representatives from all sorts of organizations
such as the Consent
Project, which aims to promote
healthy relationships, and to
chemistry club which puts on
experiments to get students excited
about science. The event
also featured a variety of clubs
that are eager to start back up
or start for the first time, such as
the International Student club,
which connects fellow international
students to each other
NAMI, which is advocating for
mental health.
Booths on Financial literacy,
community outreach/ partnership,
spirituality, and creativity
all were busy giving out information
to many BC students
and faculty walking around the
campus center to gain new, or
more, knowledge of the school’s
offerings.
More information on what
type of Bakersfield College
student organization,
clubs, and resources are
available through the Bakersfield
College website under
the student life section.
Some “taco” about SGA involvement
senator positions.”
If you’d like to join SGA,
applications are in “Student
Government” under the
Student Services tab on the
BC Website. The Codes of
the Bakersfield Renegade
Association (COBRA) is also
located there. This document
contains information
ranging
from the duties of the
SGA, to the contextual requirements
for applying and
joining.

Page 6
Campus
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022
Rengegades get their Gameon
at campus event
By Jaspreet Multani
Designer and Reporter
Renegades
sing way into
new semester
at Karaoke
Night Aug. 30
By Amanda Hernandez
Reporter
Bakersfield College organized
the open Game-on event on Aug.
31 at Campus Center from 11
a.m. - 3 p.m.
Students were invited to join in
an experiment in playing video
games. Office Center of Bakersfield
college arranged the projector
and TV screens with tons of
video games for students to play.
Eveyone had great time by playing
childhood games, it brought
back lots of good memories and
helped refreshed students for the
upcoming semster.
A welcome week event
had BC students sing
“Karaoke” in the Center
Ballroom, on the
Third Floor of Campus
Center building.
Students from various
backgrounds joined
the event and had fun
singing along to lyrics
displayed on a video
screen and music
video images.
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by Associated Collegiate Press
The Renegade Rip is produced by Bakersfield College
journalism classes and is circulated on Thursdays
during the fall and spring semesters. The newspaper is
published under the auspices of the Kern Community
College District Board of Trustees, but sole responsibility
for its content rests with student editors. The Rip is
a member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association,
Associated Collegiate Press, and California
Colleges Media Association.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Editor-in-Chief....Anthony Vasquez
Designer..............Jaspreet Multani
The Renegade Rip
Adviser.........................................Erin Auerbach
STAFF
Reporters/photographers:
Blake Burton
Amanda Hernandez
Jocelynn Landon
Eduardo “E.J.” Martinez
Jason Mena
Jaspreet Multani
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Page 7
Opinion
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022
“Nope” uses sound over gore
to scare audiences to the core
By Eduardo Jr. Martinez
Reporter
Jourdan Peele has struck it again with
his most recent film, “Nope,” starring
Keke Palmer, Daniel Kaluuya, Steven
Yeun and, Brandon Perea. The film
subverts the usual depiction of aliens
and westerns while delivering to audiences
a critical lens to view exploitation
within the film industry and its lasting
effects.
The film shifts away from conventional
scare tactics within horror films
and character tropes. Instead, it uses
suspense and subverts the usual horror
characters fates that end up leading the
cast to victory.
The story begins with O.J.’s,
(Kaluuya), father’s death as O.J. must
now must take over the family business
of a horse supply company for film and
television. As the family business fails to
keep afloat, O.J. and his sister, Emerald
(Palmer), concoct a plan to make money
by attempting to film aliens after an
alien appears on the family ranch.
“Nope” twists our usual understanding
of extraterrestrials and UFOs,
or unidentifiable ariel phenomenon
(UAP), on its head as we watch this
brother and sister’s desperate attempt
at filming aliens as havoc breaks loose
around them.
Peele has proven himself to be a master
director of suspense even comparable
to the late great Alfred Hitchcock in
the way he withholds the monster and
the gore from the audience.
The audience does not see the actions
of the heinous monster but they sure
hear it. And that makes it all the more
terrifying.
The instrument of the use sound to
convey violence is evident in this one
scene that depicts Gordy the chimpanzee
as he goes on a rampage on set every
time a balloon pops, filling the audience
with a sense of terror and suspense.
Jordan Peele and his spectacular cast
has found a way to convey absolute terror
with the minimum amount of gore
on camera.
“Bullet Train” full of action
By Edgar Quintanilla
Reporter
The Brad Pitt movie lead
“Bullet Train,” based on
the book, does the most to
surprise anyone watching.
It’s easily one of the top
contenders for best action
movie of the year. Despite
all the mixed reviews this is
something you must experience
for yourself. You’re either
going to love it or hate
it, and for most casual viewers
maybe you might feel a
bit unsure.
It takes place in Japan
and, you guessed it, on a
Bullet Train. Pitt plays a
character named Ladybug
as he is taken throughout
many different stops on
the train’s route to retrieve
a mysterious suitcase and
meets many others along
the way.
Director David Leitch is
no stranger to action movies
as he has some serious pedigree
under his belt directing
movies such as “Fight
Club,” “John Wick,” and
“The Matrix Reloaded.”
He does not skimp out on
this one. Many beautifully
shot action sequences are
jam packed into this movie.
It’s filled with many jaw
dropping scenes that really
keep you intrigued throughout
the entirety of the film.
Even the music goes perfectly
with what the movie
has to offer as one of the
standout songs was “Staying
Alive” by The Bee Gees,
which goes perfectly since
this movie is a giant free for
all battle throughout a bullet
train.
Not only does “Bullet
Train” offer tons of action,
it features an all-star cast of
actors. This includes Sandra
Bullock, Brian Tyree
Henry, Benito Antonio
Martinez Ocasio aka (Bad
Bunny), and even more
surprise cameos spread
across the film that will
make you jump up from
your seat and say, “Oh my
god.”
At times you may think
to yourself ‘what is going
on?’ at certain points in the
movie, but one of the main
themes of the film is fate.
All throughout the film it is
brought up so many times
you don’t even realize it
until the very end of the
movie. Each little detail
plays a role that contributes
to drive the plot forward.
Despite a confusing
plot at certain points if you
pay close attention, you
will easily be able to understand
this film.
GOOGLE IMAGES

Page 8
Opinion
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic
brought so many challenges
to international students
By: Jaspreet Multani
Designer and Reporter
The beginning of a new chapter makes life very interesting. Shifting a
base from India to the United States of America to study can be quite a
change, especially for the first time being outside the country.
The first thing which I noticed upon arriving in America was the clouds,
as I felt they were falling on me. But it was quite beautiful to see huge
buildings between the clouds and people walking on the streets as they
were in a rush to win the golden prize.
It took me some time to learn new ways of living in another country,
learn a new language, adjust to the taste of new food, try to make new
friends, and cope with the difficulties of getting around in a new country.
During the pandemic, the struggle for international students doubled
and it also hit our mental health, due to financial burdens, living expenses,
transportation, homesickness. At that point in time, I realized that there
was no one to take care of us.
I graduated from Full Sail University, Florida on December 20, 2019,
hoping to join a company and kick-start my career with the Multimedia
designer position, but life had a different path for me. After six months
beginning of pandemic, I suddenly got financial stress from my parents, it
was getting difficult for them to afford my living expenses.
At one point I started hating my situation and went into a phase of
emotional distress. I felt that anxiety, frustration, sadness, and restlessness
behavior.
Finally, I met a businesswoman on LinkedIn, and she wanted me to
design her three editions of her magazine named “Living day by day”.
That day I felt, my work has been recognized.
Over the years, international students have been very competitive and
worked hard to get good grades in their fields of interest. In my opinion
colleges and universities should encourage and guide international students
in the right direction.
In daily life, mental stress has a higher rate; in international students, it
can be helpful to talk to them and make them feel comfortable discussing
their daily challenges.
The National Library of Medicine says international students are more
prone to mental disorders, struggle with the local medical system, and less
motivated to seek psychological services than their domestic peers.
“During the pandemic, the struggle for
international students doubled and it also
hit our mental health, due to financial
burdens, living expenses, transportation,
homesickness. At that point in time, I realized
that there was no one to take care
of us.”
Renegade Events
Campus Events
Sept. 7: Science & Engineering Building
Grand Opening , BC Panorama Campus, 9:15
a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Sept. 8: Distinguished Speaker, Dr. James
Lindsay, Levan Center, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: Artist Lecture by Fresno-based
artist Audia Yvonne Dixon, 2:40 – 3:40 p.m.
– Fine Arts 30 Artist’s gallery reception, Jones
Gallery, 4 – 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: Opening, “Eden,” a solo exhibition
by Fresno-based artist Audia Yvonne Dixon,
Wylie and May Louise Jones Gallery, open
through Oct. 13 (Fall 2022 Jones Gallery hours
of operation are: Monday-Thursday: 2 - 5 p.m.)
Sept. 12: Transfer Day, Renegade Ballroom
Campus Center, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sept. 28 & Oct. 5: Panorama Music Summit,
Edward Simonsen Indoor Theater, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30: Manufacturing Day, Bakersfield
College Outdoor Theater, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m
Oct. 2: Distinguished Speaker, Rev. James
Lawson, Renegade Ballroom Campus Center,
1 p.m.
Oct. 5 -15: Kern Shakespeare Festival featuring
performances of “Romeo and Juliet”
and “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” Edward Simonsen’s
Outdoor Theater
Oct. 11: Bad Deal for America: A Conversation
with Dr. David Schein, Levan Center, 6
- 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 15: Inaugural Renegade Promenade:
Alumni, Family, & Friends Day at BC! Admission
is FREE! Panorama Campus, 11 a.m. - 4
p.m.
Oct. 28: Fall Choir Concert, Edward Simonsen
Indoor Theater, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 15: Distinguished Speaker Mark Rabbitt,
Renegade Ballroom, 3rd floor, Campus
Center, Panorama Campus, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.