Calvin Contreras passed away March 6 at the tender age of 22 after suffering from a heart attack and shortly after falling into a coma at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
The result of his untimely death was from an injury two weeks prior at work when an air compressor fell on his left arm which killed his arm muscles and later created a flesh eating bacteria.
Contreras served in the theatre department at Cerritos College for three years as a theatre technician.
Contreras then met girlfriend Chrissy Burch of three years. Both met at Cerritos and were inseparable ever since.
“We had a class together and I had a huge crush on him,” Burch said, “after a mutual friend told him I liked him, he then asked my father if it was ok to date me.”
The two welcomed their first child Blayke Contreras who was born on Jan 3.
“Raising a child on my own will be a challenge, Burch said, “But I have a piece of Calvin in Blayke and it’s truly a blessing.”
Burch is now one month pregnant with Contreras second child.
Recently engaged on Feb. 16, both were planning on moving in together.
At school, the two work closely together during productions that went on at Cerritos. Both were in charge of theatre technique such as costume designing, light directing, and building sets.
Contreras also helped out the department with welding and carpentry.
“Calvin loved to work anywhere and everywhere in the theatre, that’s where he was most happy,” Burch said.
In his time at Cerritos, Contreras became a successful stage manager.
“Being a stage manager is a hard job because they work closely with the director, actors and the tech side with the designers,” Dave Ward technical director and scene designer instructor at Cerritos, “it’s a tough balancing act but Calvin managed it like an expert.”
Contreras was recently awarded a “Burnie” for Outstanding Stage Manager in the annual spring award ceremony. The award is given out by the faculty in the theatre department in celebration to the students who shine.
Portable entertainment is a program that was granted in 2008 by the theatre department. Contreras served as a main figure in the program and worked side by side with friend Vincent Cuevas, theatre major.
“In the summer we worked closely together, we were at school by 6 a.m. and we loved it,” Cuevas said, “we were always goofing off and being guys.”
Outside of school, Contreras also worked closely with Bradford Williams theatre instructor for live sound and staging.
After receiving one of two top grades in Williams class, Contreras was offered a summer paying gig at On-trax, an audio production company that focus on all kinds of productions.
“He was the jack of all trades,” Williams said, “He was valuable in helping set up sound systems, video projections, lighting, and rear projection screens.”
Williams later stated, “It was nearly a 20-hour day job and he was a trooper, from that experience I knew Calvin was trustworthy and knowledgeable.”
Contreras hard worked payed off and landed him as the “poster child” and representative for Cerritos Theatre department. Public Affairs featured a picture of him which was seen all around town on busses and billboards.
He was chosen along with four other students at Cerritos.
Faculty and students who knew Contreras will remember him because his attributes he brought to the theatre department.
Susan Watanabe, Costume and Make-up professor seen first-hand what Contreras had to offer to Cerritos.
“Calvin was top of his class, one of the few students professors here would recommend.” Watanabe expresses, “he had a bright future and was going do really well, he was a hard worker and his dedication to the department was everything we look for in our students”
“I can name on one hand of students who had all the qualities and he is one of them. He was an ideal student and we appreciate all his work he put in here at Cerritos,” Ward said.
Contreras viewing will take place Thursday March 25 from 4-8 p.m. at All Souls Mortuary Chapel in Long Beach followed by the funeral on Friday at 1 p.m.
Both viewing and funeral will be open to students and faculty who knew and loved Calvin.
A fundraiser is also in process to help pay for the fees for Contreras funeral services.
Because the school is not able to put on personal fundraisers, Cuevas has been putting a lot of time in finding a venue for the event.
The fundraiser will take place April 4 at the Alternative Wrestling Show 19650 East San Jose Ave. in Rowland Hills at noon.
There will be an entrance fee of $10. Further donations will be accepted.
Contreras leaves behind Mother Linda, Brothers Eric and Ivan, Girlfriend Chrissy, son Blayke, and all those who were lucky enough to be in his life.
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