Cerritos College
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Denny Cristales

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief

Fall 2014

The Big Cheese! I am the Editor-in-Chief Denny Cristales. Just your average, mild-mannered pupusa lover who covers news. I’m not one of those jerks who would ramble on and on about what they do - such as being a former Sports and News Editor, in addition to earning third place at the CCMAs for my sports page design - no, I won’t do that (My staff also conquered the LA Times in local breaking news coverage).  What I will do is tell you to look at talonmarks.com and admire the work we do.

Also, talk to me on Twitter: @Den_Crist , or email me: . I embrace the criticism (Also, I get lonely).

All content by Denny Cristales

[Video] A Look At Miles Aiello

Denny Cristales, Freelancer May 21, 2015

Miles Aiello leaves as ASCC President, but not without his share of struggles. This profile delves into his growing up, his controversial stance on getting his ASCC President position paid, Veteran's...

Cambria Rodriguez, history major. She will be transferring at the end of the semester and will be walking at the commencement ceremony on May 16. She will either transfer to Cal State Fullerton or Cal State Dominguez. Photo credit: Denny Cristales

End of the beginning for Rodriguez

Denny Cristales May 7, 2015
Give or take a few days from graduation and school is still just as stressful now as it was three years ago for Cambria Rodriguez.

The battle for playoffs

Denny Cristales April 30, 2015

Preparing for playoffs is a battle in its own right, according to Dan Clauss. The Director of Athletics has been busy getting preparations together for playoffs, with the looming situation of a lack...

Track and field feature

An event where running speed and distance is tested to test the runner mentally. There are seven running events in track and field: 100m dash, 200m dash, 400m dash, 800m dash, 1500m dash, 5000m dash,...

Team relies on one heading into State

Denny Cristales April 29, 2015
Amanda Loya will be the lone woman swimmer representing Cerritos College this weekend at the CCCAA State Championships.

Prelim competition coming off heels of championship, broken records

Denny Cristales April 29, 2015
A weekend of broken records and a conference championship will be expanded on this Saturday for the Southern California Prelims.
Commercial Music Program hosted its first Battle of the Bands, Wednesday night, April 22.  Metal band, Dragonknite won first place and will play at  the Commercial Music Fair in June alongside Amplified Inception. Photo credit: Nicolette Aguirre

Genres collide at rock concert

Denny Cristales April 28, 2015

The battle was best left for the stage in the Commercial Music Program’s Battle of the Bands last Wednesday. The concert had student-led bands perform in a venue in front of the Music Department...

A much needed break

Denny Cristales April 15, 2015

If you could have less school, why would you say no? At least that’s the mindset taken if you’re a scumbag college student like myself. The thought of shortening the school semester to...

Voting numbers increase, more can be done

Denny Cristales, Freelancer April 15, 2015
Voting turnouts were higher, but more can be done to increase the numbers, according to ASCC students.
Preparing his swing before practice, Kimo Hinton strikes at the ball by the baseball field. The team is emphasizing batting for the string of three games against East Los Angeles College. Photo credit: Denny Cristales

Adjustments necessary for three-game series with ELAC

Denny Cristales, Freelancer April 13, 2015

ELAC and Cerritos College are going to be very familiar with one another once the week concludes.A string of three games against ELAC for the baseball team will have it fighting to win at least two of...

‘Pressure’ for women’s SCC dive, swim

Denny Cristales, Freelancer April 6, 2015
Pressure. A great amount of it looms with South Coast Conference Championships coming up for both the women's diving and swimming teams.
Suleyma Castillo | Student Trustee Candidate Interview

Suleyma Castillo | Student Trustee Candidate Interview

Denny Cristales, Freelancer April 3, 2015

Student Trustee Candidate Suleyma Castillo discussed running for the position, her motivating factor in running, her new scholarship and her personal inspiration. Listen to the full podcast.

[Video] Mr. Cerritos, School Mascot Named | Spring Festival

Spring Festival ran rampant with a chili cookout, the naming of the school mascot and determining who Mr. Cerritos would be on Wednesday, April 1. Here's what people had to say.

Video Game Truck Allows Clubs To Compete

[Video] Video Game Truck Allows Clubs To Compete

Denny Cristales, Freelancer March 26, 2015

The Falcon Games conclude with its third day of events: A video game competition, over 20 clubs participated in order to compete for scholarship money in a tournament-based contest on Wednesday, March...

Stamina a factor for Cuesta, NCAA schedule

Denny Cristales, Freelancer March 5, 2015
The women’s swim team is exploiting its increase in endurance swimming in order to accommodate for both the three-day Cuesta meet this Friday and an NCAA-style schedule.

The 31st gala raised money for student scholarships and had an attendance boost

Denny Cristales and Nicolette Aguirre March 5, 2015

Students got to see their teachers perform in another setting besides the classroom on Sunday. The Faculty Gala had live music and entertainment to raise money for student scholarships at the Burnight...

Child Development Center gets frozen for Snowy Day

Denny Cristales, Freelance Writer March 4, 2015

It was a day filled with ice, snow and blizzards. And, no, this wasn't the east coast. Elsa, Olaf and other Frozen-like wonders were present, as the Child Development Center was host to Snowy Day on...

[Video] Snowy Day | Feb. 20

Denny Cristales, Freelancer February 28, 2015

Denny Cristales, freelance writer, visits the Child Development Center as it hosts a Snowy Day for the children. It is the first time the event was hosted at the new renovated center.

Exhaustion evident at invitational, long distance a problem

Denny Cristales February 26, 2015
"Exhausting" is one way the women's swim team would describe swimming 10 events in one day

Women’s swim focuses on long-distance

Denny Cristales, Freelance February 26, 2015

"Exhausting" is one way the women's swim team would describe swimming 10 events in one day, but that's exactly what it did on Friday, Feb. 20 at the Golden West Invitational. The invitational had women...

UMOJA helps students find dream career

Denny Cristales, Freelancer February 23, 2015
“Unity.” In Kiswahili, it translates to “umoja.” For Cerritos College, however, it translates to student success, according to Sheila Hill, a student services professional.

Counselors guide students on college planning

Denny Cristales, Freelancer February 18, 2015
A dialogue, which featured California State University Fullerton professors, involved counselors directing students about collegiate opportunities and planning when it comes to community college.

Falcon Sports| Cerritos College Women’s Basketball Preview

Alex Naveja, Denny Cristales, and Kris Carrasco February 12, 2015

Join Sports Editor Alex Naveja as he interviews two of the Cerritos College women's basketball team members and how they prepare for the upcoming conference game. Remember to like, comment and subscribe...

Falcons “swim” their way to their next meet

Denny Cristales February 12, 2015

Some “tired” swimming is what’s expected from the men’s swimming team after an emphasis on long-distance swimming has been integrated to practice sessions in preparation for a South Coast Conference...

Periodic Table of Cerritos College

  Click on the image to enlarge it, taking you to the interactive infograph.   We created the Periodic Table of Cerritos College. But, what does that mean? Well, it's an interactive...

News: Page 1 of the December 10, 2014 issue

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief December 11, 2014

New member inaugurated, possible pay raises

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief December 11, 2014

A new member of the board of trustees was inaugurated, along with two others who were re-inaugurated; in addition to talks about third-party media procedures and pay raises for trustee members during the...

Potential initiative should be phrased differently

Denny Cristales and Gustavo Lopez December 9, 2014
The new media procedures being worked on and being presented at during meetings - namely Faculty Senate - is an initiative that requires better structure in terms of its language, and is something everyone in the community of Cerritos College should learn and be involved with.

Director Richardson discusses cross country season

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief December 2, 2014

The following is a Q&A session with Track and Field and Cross Country Director, Christopher Richardson. Explain to me as a director, how it was to see the cross country program develop for this...

Podcast: Amna Jara | Q&A

Podcast: Amna Jara | Q&A

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief December 1, 2014

The following is a Q&A session with Student Activities Coordinator Amna Jara.

Ilene Ochoa | Nov. 25 | Talon Marks Podcast

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 25, 2014

Commissioner of the Student Center Ilene Ochoa talked about the noise level in the library, some new implementations she hopes to make and a cafe possibly replacing the Game Room.

Clauss reflects on fall season, his upbringing

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 25, 2014

The following is a Q&A with Athletic Director Dan Clauss: How has the fall season shaped up thus far? It's been very good. Our men's and women's cross country team did a lot better than we...

John Paul Drayer | Podcast

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 24, 2014

  Trustee John Paul Drayer, from trustee area three, came by and talked about his personal life, dealing with the death of his father, the campaigning process and what to expect with the Board...

[Video] Women’s Soccer | Sounds Of The Game | GoPro

Denny Cristales, Armando Jacobo, and Sebastian Echeverry November 24, 2014

The women's soccer team shows off its practice in this iteration of "Sounds of the Game." "Sounds of the Game" captures the sounds of all Cerritos College athletics.

Slideshows: Falcons best Vaqueros to win bowl championship

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 23, 2014

  The Cerritos College football team became bowl champions after beating the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros Saturday night.

[Video] Football Wins Bowl Championship Against Santa Barbara City College

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 23, 2014

Trailing the entire game, the football team managed to churn out one critical play - a pass from Jimmy Walker to Justin Caines, smothered with man-to-man defense, allowing the team to gain a 22-19...

Football bowl champions, late game-winning catch seals deal

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 23, 2014

Trailing the entire game, and about three minutes left, it seemed the Cerritos College football team had a disappointing loss in its grasp. It took just one risky pass and one smothered catch to finally...

Miles Aiello Highlights | Nov. 21 | Mr. Denny’s Grand Slam

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 21, 2014

Here are some highlights from Miles Aiello's conversation about ASCC, his tenure as president, juggling school, future initiatives and his experience with a woman whose veteran husband committed suicide. Full...

Miles Aiello | Nov. 21 | Mr. Denny’s Grand Slam

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 21, 2014

  ASCC President Miles Aiello came by for a podcast and discussed some stuff that has happened now that the semester soon draws to a close. He touch based on some current initiatives (Fall Awards...

Talon Marks Enrollment Ad

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 19, 2014

Game over for the Game Room?

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 18, 2014

It seems like it could be “game over” for the Game Room. Discussions at ASCC have intensified regarding the Game Room and the possibility of removing it entirely and replacing it with something else. The...

Gilbert Gonzalez, zoology major, starting up the game of pool by serving up and shooting off the first hit. He was playing pool with his other group of friends. He usually comes by Monday and Wednesday. Photo credit: Denny Cristales

Game Room provides lounging spot, social interaction

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 18, 2014

For students, the Game Room serves as a neat pit stop between classes, with pool and other arcade games available for recreational use. The popular choice at the Game Room seems to be pool, or billiards....

‘Shhhhh’: Noise an issue in library, Student Center

Denny Cristales November 17, 2014

Students expressed one irony about the library - it's too loud.   Noise has become an issue for students regarding the Student Center and library areas. There is concern with students...

Los Cerritos hosts Microsoft opening, Kelly Clarkson concert

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 17, 2014
Kelly Clarkson and new Microsoft merchandise debuts on Saturday, Nov. 22.

[Video] Zurich Lewis | Nov. 14 | Talon Marks Podcast

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 14, 2014

The recently-elected Zurich Lewis, now in charge of district seven - which includes La Mirada, where Lewis grew up - sat down and talked about being a trustee, his political mindset and his mission to...

StubHub Center host to Veterans Day celebration

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 11, 2014

Brady Mazzola, a founder of the Watering Seeds organization, is helping orchestrate a Veterans Day celebration at the StubHub Center in Carson, featuring paralympic athletes, veterans and a guest singer...

Veterans celebrated in a passionate way

Denny Cristales and Jennifer Medina November 10, 2014

  ASCC's Veterans Day celebration was on Monday, Nov. 10, in front of the Burnight Center. See what ASCC President Miles Aiello and other veterans had to say about the event.

‘Leditors’ to the Editor

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 5, 2014

Editor-in-Chief Denny Cristales replies to some of the 'Letters to the Editor' Talon Marks has received this semester.

Protest against Lacy, petition for resignation

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 5, 2014

A woman, along with two other individuals, were protesting against President Linda Lacy, advocating that she resign, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, outside her office. The woman, the mother of her daughter who...

President Aiello plans Veterans Day event

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief November 4, 2014

Miles Aiello took one look at an article and knew that veterans deserved better than this. “These veterans have not received the recognition that they deserve at Cerritos College, ” the ASCC president...

Festival of ‘harvest’: The Child Development Center hosted the Harvest Festival as a seasonal celebration for children and family. The event had activities like face painting. It’s the last event before the move to the new building in December. Photo credit: Denny Cristales

Child Development Center hosts fall ‘Harvest’ event for kids

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief October 28, 2014
Family connects through harvest.

No one knows, no one goes

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief October 28, 2014
Workshops involving critical information, like scholarships, financial aid and transferring out of school, should get top billing and advertising priority above any other school activity.
Interim Chief Tom Gallivan fills out his daily reports. I never stop, he said about the paperwork.

Tom Gallivan: A man of two hats

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief October 27, 2014
Tom Gallivan is both the captain and interim police chief of Cerritos College.

Wife of late Bukowiecki issues ‘thank you’ statement

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief October 14, 2014
Cathy Bukowiecki said she would like to give a "thank you" to those who attended Police Chief Richard Bukowiecki's memorial last September.

A Haunting at Hollywood

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief October 13, 2014

[Video] Haunted Hollywood Sports Walkthrough | Cerritos College Night | GoPro

Denny Cristales and Daniel Linares October 10, 2014

We went to Haunted Hollywood Sports and attached a GoPro to ourselves and shot up some zombies and went through some mazes. We even put it on one of the monsters, too! Take a look. Cerritos College...

Crime report shows numbers are down

Denny Cristales October 10, 2014
A majority of the statistics show that crime rates have gone down in the past two years.

Skateboards on campus should go away

Denny Cristales October 9, 2014
Your precious little wood-on-wheels can catch on fire for all I care.

Timeline for Fresh and Natural re-rating pending

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief October 7, 2014

An official rating re-evaluation of Fresh and Natural will have to wait on the word of a health specialist, who will come to check out the vendor in an unspecified amount of time. Dean of Student Services...

Hollywood Sports held Cerritos College Night on Friday, Oct. 3, giving students a 50 percent discount on their tickets. Colleges from around the area will have their own designated nights for the month of October. Photo credit: Grester Celis-Acosta

[Video] Hollywood Sports ‘Cerritos Night’ spooks with exotic mazes, gimmicks

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief October 5, 2014
Haunted Hollywood Sports proved to be a lot different than your typical scare fest.

[Video] Men’s Water Polo | Sounds of the Game

Denny Cristales and Armando Jacobo October 3, 2014

Men's water polo shows off its practice in this iteration of "Sounds of the Game." "Sounds of the Game" captures the sounds of all Cerritos College athletics. The goal is for all sports to be integrated....

Stacey Sandoval was out campaigning for people to vote during the Homecoming Elections. She is ballot 10.

Homecoming candidates campaign for votes

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief October 3, 2014

UPDATE (Oct. 3, 3:41 p.m.): The results are in. This is the Homecoming Court: Marnie Arcilla, Kabarkada Club Wendy Sixtos, Child Development Club Jaci Navas, Independent Areal Hughes, Queer Straight...

Facilities Master Plan talked about at Board of Trustees meeting

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief October 1, 2014

An overview of building schematics and layouts of construction was presented by David El Fattal at the board of trustees meeting Wednesday, Oct. 30. The revised item on the agenda had El Fattal break...

Taken from Leche Cafe and Bookstores Facebook page.

Cafe allowing ‘open mic’ time on Friday

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief October 1, 2014

With available spots declining and word of the event being spread by its representatives, Leche Cafe and Bookstore hopes for a crowded house Friday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. for "Open Mic" Night. For one night,...

October means awareness for breast cancer

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief September 30, 2014
Awareness for breast cancer is at an all-time high for October; but, remember, it affects everyone.
Students dont like what they C

Students don’t like what they ‘C’

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief September 30, 2014
Fresh and Natural, deemed to be a healthy replacement on campus, is anything but, according to students.
PHOTO BY: Ryuji Higurashi/CAPCOM

Super Smash Bros., the fourth installment in the Nintendo fighting franchise, hits stores for the 3DS console Friday, Oct. 3, with the Wii U release coming along Holiday 2014. One of the new fighters in the game is Mega Man (center).

‘Smash’ on the go becomes reality Oct. 3

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief September 27, 2014
A new "Smash Bros." game hits the shelves, but this time - it's portable!

News: Page 2 of the September 17, 2014 issue

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief September 17, 2014

Is it a bird, is it a plane? Nope

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief September 16, 2014
Talon Marks 'got somethin' you don't got.
Picture from September11-Pictures.com - Students recall where they were when terrorists attacked the United States 13 years ago on Sept. 11.

Students remember where they were on Sept. 11

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief September 11, 2014
13 years later, and a nation still refuses to forget.

Search team to take shape with firm interviews for new president

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief September 3, 2014

President Linda Lacy’s looming retirement has the board taking action and starting a search team. The board will interview two firms during the board of trustees meeting Wednesday, Sept. 3. The meeting...

Cerritos College gears up for the next few phases of construction, with the Child Development Center and the Culinary Arts kitchen set by the end of Fall. The most recent addition to the campus is the new Liberal Arts and DSPS building, which was finished last June.

Renovations on campus ready students and staff for future

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief September 3, 2014

A bunch of rubble, obnoxious noise and talk of the future is all that’s immediately evident thus far on campus. But what goes down, must come up - er - right? With the emergence of the Liberal...

[Video] Liberal Arts, DSPS building a piece of ‘Facilities Master Plan’ puzzle

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief September 3, 2014

The all too familiar scene of construction, serving as Cerritos College’s mask at the corner of Alondra Boulevard, was but a memory when students bore witness to what was now towering over them. A...

News: Page 1 of the August 27, 2014 issue

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief August 27, 2014

––

Taken from owlsports.com

Hall of fame coach, hall of fame life

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief August 25, 2014
“She was a person who wanted to be up and alive and living. And if she couldn't be that, I think she died the best death that you could die."
Courtesy of Troy Oxford: Illustration of a young girl standing alone with a sad expression next to a pond while her reflection shows her standing with her father. (The Dallas Morning News/MCT)

Death gives insight on life

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief August 22, 2014
Death’s a fickle thing. Certainly, it’s always common knowledge that we’re all dead at some point. But, it’s not always there, there - it’s always in the back of your mind.
The board members make their way into the Culinary Arts building.

Board of Trustees construction tour | Aug. 20

Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief August 20, 2014

Tilden-Coil, the construction affiliate in charge of the long-term landscaping of Cerritos College for the next few years, provided a campus tour of the construction happening at school. Board members...

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