“Picking up the spare”

Juan Daniel FloresOnline Art Designer Editor

Bowling: it’s a sport, it’s an opportunity for socialization, but is it a course?

Many students might not be aware that Cerritos College offers a beginner and advanced bowling course.

The course teaches you the basics and if you’re advance you work on you performance.

“Don’t use another player’s bowling ball, without permission.” Beverly Sweet, physical education instuctor, advised her bowling students.

The course is taught at Keystone Lanes, on Firestone and Imperial.

Just about 50 students are enrolled in the course. Many for the obvious reason, to have fun.

Chelsea Anderson, undecided major, says she bowls, “Because I like it and it seems to be fun.”

Michelle Durazi, Nursing, says she bowls, “To improve my game.”

In the end there are many different reasons why students join the class, like Yovi Park, Business, who joined, “Just to have fun.”

Michelle Michael, returning student, says “I was planning to join a [bowling] league so I wanted to improve, before I wasted my money.”

Lei Zhang Business Administrationgives this reason for bowling, “It’s interesting and I like it; it’s very good exercise.” Vanessa Avila, undecided, says her goal for the semster is, “To improve my form in bowling and learn not to twist my arm in doing it.”

Fun and lots of practice are not the only reason to bowl.

Melissa Hardrict, liberal arts, says she takes the class because, “My parents are in a league and I grew up with bowling, but I don’t have time to join a league.”

With the semester still beginning, the class is in a learning stage.

“Right now we’re barely learning our averages and handicaps, once we’re done with that we’re ready to go.” Sweet said

And there is a lot of learning to be done.

According to Sweet, in the class, the students learn how to properly grip the ball, how to choose a ball, what proper form is, and even what the little arrows on the front of the lanes mean.

Later on in the semester the students will divide into groups of four to five, and they will start a mini league of their own.

Alex Alvades, computer information systems, “I took it last semester and it was fun, my goal this semester is to get three strikes in a row, “a turkey.”

Danielle McKay, culinary arts, alson has her sights set high. “My goal this semester is to get a perfect game.”

She adds, “I would recommend this course to anyone. It’s fun, you met new people and you get a credit for it.”

Charrylaine Wallace, business administration, agrees “It’s a lot of fun. It’s a form of exercise. I started out as a beginner three semesters ago, now I am better than ever.”

Heather Phillips, liberal arts says she took the class because she wanted to be a better bowler. “It’s like my fun class. I have met a lot of new people and reacquainted with old friends.” Levi Alikhan, music, has this reason for taking the class, “My friends and I go out and bowl, and I don’t know how, so (I took the class) to better myself.”

Fred Amparano, general education said “I took this class, because I need a physical activity, and I wanted to have fun.”

And many student in the class agree that it is fun.

But not all fun.

Just like any other course offered at Cerritos, “There is a written test at the end of the semester.” Sweet said

So if you’re tried of bowling a score of 30, and ready to end the laughs and giggles you hear behind you when you bowl, or if you just need one more credit to be a full time, this course is for you.

Pick up the spare.