Cerritos College
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Lauren Gandara

Lauren Gandara, Editor in Chief

Hello, my name is Lauren Gandara and this is my fifth semester providing content for Talon Marks. After being a section editor for three years in a row since Fall 2011, I decided to take a semester off and did some freelance work. Coming back from taking a semester off, this is my final year as a member of the newspaper before I graduate as a journalism major. After leaving Cerritos College, my goal is to attend the University of Southern California and study telecommunications with a minor in fashion. After obtaining my Bachelor's, my goal is to become an on-camera reporter for E! News.

All content by Lauren Gandara

Keep Snapchats private

Lauren Gandara December 12, 2013
The government goes through enough of our stuff as it is, there is no real reason for them to go through our Snapchats.

Video games aren’t sports

Lauren Gandara December 12, 2013
Video gaming is something anyone at any age level can do and requires very little physical activity and therefore should not be considered a sport.

Once is enough to pass your class

Lauren Gandara December 10, 2013
Students need to stop being so lazy in their classes and not have the mindset that they can take classes that they don’t care about over again.

Talon Talks 5

Lauren Gandara November 22, 2013

Episode 5: Black Friday Lauren and Gustavo discuss their opinion on one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

Talon Talks 4: Online Dating

Lauren Gandara and Gustavo Olguin November 19, 2013

Episode 4: Online dating

Talon Talks 3: Dating Classmates

Lauren Gandara, Gustavo Olguin, and November 19, 2013

Episode 3: Dating your classmates?

Talon Talks

Lauren Gandara and Gustavo Olguin November 19, 2013

Episode 1: Homecoming at Cerritos College.

Students learn about facts and myths of rape and how to protect themselves.

Lauren Gandara, Editor In Chief November 19, 2013

One in every four women becomes a sexual assault victim or is involved in an attempt on a college campus, according to Cerritos College speech instructor Minodora Moldoveanu, who was the speaker at...

Cerritos College Astronomy Club president Hugh Rivera and treasurer Enrique Rueda stand in front of their table, selling donuts to raise money for their clubs field trip to Joshua Tree. The club will visit the site to view stars in a clearer setting.Photo credit: Lauren Gandara.

Astronomy Club hopes to attract students into their orbit

Lauren Gandara November 18, 2013

Cerritos College Astronomy Club president Hugh Rivera and treasurer Enrique Rueda have a goal to raise money for their club field trip, selling donuts on last Wednesday in Falcon Square. On the table...

Women’s Basketball season preview

Lauren Gandara and Luis Guzman November 5, 2013

We will be previewing the Cerritos College women's basketball team's upcoming season.

A successful first home outing

Lauren Gandara, Editor In Chief November 1, 2013
Competing for the first time in its home gym in three years, the Cerritos College wrestling team came out with a win against Palomar College 22-15, on Wednesday, Oct. 30 in the Cerritos Falcons Gymnasium.

Candidates try to gain votes

Lauren Gandara October 24, 2013

Candidate No. 7 Itza Moreno said that she witnessed people ripping her posters off the wall but, despite that, she is keeping the competition friendly as she and her fellow homecoming princess pushed for...

Avoid an extra-curricular meltdown

Lauren Gandara October 15, 2013
Students should not try to juggle so many extra-curricular activities just to look impressive on their transcripts.
Cerritos College driver Albert Kim gets ready to pass the ball as Los Angeles Trade Tech player defends against him. Cerritos defeated LATT 18-4.

[Photo] Home success ends at tournament

October 2, 2013

Cerritos College driver Albert Kim gets ready to pass the ball as Los Angeles Trade Tech player defends against him. Cerritos defeated LATT 18-4.

Cerritos College driver Albert Kim gets ready to pass the ball as Los Angeles Trade Tech player defends against him. Cerritos defeated LATT 18-4.

Home success ends at tournament

Lauren Gandara October 2, 2013
From an easy win to a pair of losses, the Cerritos College men's water polo team defeated Los Angeles Trade-Technical College 18-4 on Wednesday, but suffered a double loss to Concordia University 17-11 and then Cal Lutheran University 14-9 on Thursday.

Fall: Season of the year

Lauren Gandara September 30, 2013
Fall is the best time of the year from the colors and the smells to the wardrobe.
Sex crime in mens room

Sex crime in men’s room

Lauren Gandara September 25, 2013
A Cerritos College student was sexually harassed by a man in the men’s restroom on the ground floor of the Social Science Building in the morning of Monday, Sept. 16.

Page 1 — News — 09/11/13

Lauren Gandara, Editor-in-Chief September 14, 2013

2013 issue of Talon Marks. " src="https://www.talonmarks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Screen-Shot-2013-09-14-at-11.05.40-AM-196x300.png" />

Parking should not be an added expense

Lauren Gandara September 9, 2013
The fact that students need to pay money to park on campus is ridiculous and is a burdening fee that they should not have to deal with.

Page 4 — Arts — 08/28/13

Lauren Gandara, Editor-in-Chief August 28, 2013

2013 issue of Talon Marks. " src="https://www.talonmarks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/p4.jpg" />

Wrestling ready to tackle the season

Lauren Gandara August 27, 2013
Cerritos College head wrestling coach Don Garriott takes on the new gym and his team of returners and newcomers as they prepare for their next season.

Students should learn about school services

Lauren Gandara August 27, 2013
Students have no excuse to say that they don't have resources on campus to get the help they need.
Freshman wide receiver Ricky Carrigan Jr. makes a catch during practice. Carrigan was awarded Most Valuable Player by his team last year at Cabrillo High School.

New confidence for football this season

Lauren Gandara August 23, 2013
Cerritos College football prepares for this season with almost an entirely new team.

Dec. 12, 2012 – Page 4 – News

Lauren Gandara December 11, 2012

Dec. 12, 2012 Page 4 Click image to see full pdf.

Dec. 12, 2012 – Page 4 – News

Lauren Gandara December 11, 2012

Dec. 12, 2012 Page 4 Click image to see full pdf.

Wrestling places 8th at State Championships

Lauren Gandara December 11, 2012

At the beginning of the season, Cerritos College head coach Don Garriott said he didn’t have any high or low expectations for this season compared to last. He just knew that there would be some contenders...

Wrestling places 8th at State Championships

Lauren Gandara December 11, 2012

At the beginning of the season, Cerritos College head coach Don Garriott said he didn’t have any high or low expectations for this season compared to last. He just knew that there would be some contenders...

Loitering and gambling becomes a problem on campus

Lauren Gandara December 10, 2012

History major Carlos Diaz says that trying to dodge the companies permitted by the Cerritos College Campus Police to try to sell him things is bad enough but having to dodge solicitors on campus without...

Loitering and gambling becomes a problem on campus

Lauren Gandara December 10, 2012

History major Carlos Diaz says that trying to dodge the companies permitted by the Cerritos College Campus Police to try to sell him things is bad enough but having to dodge solicitors on campus without...

Tostitos works with Cerritos to help veterans

Lauren Gandara December 10, 2012

Working together to help out veterans, Tostitos and Cerritos College team up to host a special event and concert that will take place on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Falcon Stadium. The gates...

A look at Falcon superstitions

Lauren Gandara December 10, 2012

Whether it's putting on one sock before the other, having a special playlist they listen to or wearing a lucky shirt, some Cerritos College athletes believe in doing these types of good luck rituals in...

A look at Falcon superstitions

Lauren Gandara December 10, 2012

Whether it's putting on one sock before the other, having a special playlist they listen to or wearing a lucky shirt, some Cerritos College athletes believe in doing these types of good luck rituals in...

Wrestling team can finish dismal season on high note

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara December 1, 2012

As the season comes to end, with only the State Championships remaining, the Cerritos College wrestling team’s record since competing at the East Los Angeles Quad on Nov. 17 is 230-240. At the start...

Being called out wrap up

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara November 30, 2012

Since my article on teachers calling out students was published, I now more than ever stand behind my opinion. I have witnessed the remarks made to students and I think about every class I have had where...

Nov. 14, 2012 – Page 2 – News

Lauren Gandara November 13, 2012

Nov. 14, 2012 Page 2 Click image to see full pdf.

Falcons football team wins last game of the season

Lauren Gandara November 13, 2012

At the end of its season, the Cerritos College football team ended with a win against Moorpark College, 42-20, on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Falcon Stadium. By the end of the first quarter, both teams had scored...

The election results that will affect Cerritos

Lauren Gandara November 7, 2012

Four new Board of Trustees members have been elected and one measure and one proposition that will help to provide more funding for the college were among the things voted for during the general election...

Nov. 7, 2012 – Page 1 – News

Lauren Gandara November 6, 2012

Nov. 7, 2012 Page 1 Click image to see full pdf.

Cerritos College athletes are working hard in classrooms toward their goal of transferring to major univsities such as UCLA or USC.

Transferring is pivotal

Lauren Gandara November 5, 2012

In an article from Ezine Articles, athletic scholarship expert Gary Hawkins said that compared to academic scholarships, athletic scholarships are much harder to obtain when it comes to being picked by...

Oct. 24, 2012 – Page 1 – News

Lauren Gandara October 23, 2012

Oct. 24, 2012 Page 1 Click image to see full pdf.

Professors aren’t paid to humiliate their students

Lauren Gandara October 18, 2012

Teachers who call out their students in front of the entire class are pretty mean because they seem to find some sense of joy in humiliating other people. No one likes being called out in general, so...

Oct. 17, 2012 – Page 2 – News

Lauren Gandara October 16, 2012

Oct. 17, 2012 Page 2 Click image to see full pdf.

Oct. 3, 2012 – Page 1 – News

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara October 1, 2012

Oct. 3, 2012 Page 1 Click image to see full pdf.

Sept. 26, 2012 – Page 1 – News

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara September 26, 2012

Sept. 26, 2012 Page 1 Click image to see full pdf.

Wrestlers ready for challenge at Mt. SAC duals

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara September 21, 2012

Assistant coach Eric Gould said that the outcome isn't what's important but rather the technique as the Cerritos College wrestling team prepares for its season opener on the road at the Mt. San Antonio...

Jason Roberts, a Marine Corps trainer, travels with his religious group to visit colleges and preach about Christian faith. Last week the group traveled to Fullerton College.

Religious groups preach on campus

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara September 21, 2012

Religious groups walking around campus, yelling at students about the word of God and eternal life are a common occurrence around the Cerritos College campus. However, students feel that the way...

Sept. 19, 2012 – Page 1 – News

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara September 18, 2012

Sept. 19 2012 Page 1 Click image to see full pdf.

Brown readies himself to transfer to Brigham Young

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara September 17, 2012

Known to the Cerritos College football team as a “physical force on the defensive line” last season, defensive end Ma’ataua “Ma’a” Brown begins this season trying to impress his future coaches...

Sept. 12, 2012 – Page 2- News

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara September 11, 2012

Sept. 12 2012 Page 2 Click image to see full pdf.

Sept. 12, 2012 – Page 1 – News

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara September 11, 2012

Sept. 12 2012 Page 1 Click image to see full pdf.

Freshman wrestler Dalton Foster practices his technique with 149-pounder Orlando Alfaro during their practice. There are 36 freshmen wrestlers and 21 sophomore wrestlers on the team this season.

Young wrestling team prepares to tackle 2012 season

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara September 7, 2012

Last season, the Cerritos College wrestling program took 11th place in the State Championships, and as far as this season is concerned, Fresno City College, as in past seasons, is the team to beat for...

Online classes can set up students for failure

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara September 7, 2012

Online classes suck in comparison to traditional classes. Like the saying goes, "Don't fix what isn't broken." Even though sometimes it can be more difficult to enroll into a traditional class, students...

Obama deserves your vote

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara September 7, 2012

There is no doubt that students should vote for Barack Obama this November. With all that he has accomplished these past four years, it is exciting to think of all of the other amazing things he will do...

August 29, 2012 – Page 2 – News

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara August 28, 2012

August 29, 2012 Page 2 Click image to see full pdf.

August 29, 2012 – Page 1 – News

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara August 28, 2012

August 29, 2012 Page 1 Click image to see full pdf.

Vice President of Student Services David El Fattal leads a presentation discussing the current budget issue. The Board of Trustees and the Faculty Senate were invited for an open discussion and questions as the meeting went on.

Board of Trustees discusses possible budget cuts from the current semester

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara August 27, 2012

Drastic cuts to this school year’s budget were discussed amongst the Faculty Senate and Board of Trustees on Friday. Business Services Vice President David El Fattal and Fiscal Services Director Noorali...

May. 9, 2012 – Page 5- Sports

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara May 8, 2012

May 9, 2012 Page 5 Click image to see full pdf.

Spring sports season comes to an end

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara May 8, 2012

As the spring semester comes to an end, so does the sports season. With only track left to finish off its season, several of the Cerritos were able to reach state championships and conferences. Both...

April 25, 2012 – Page 6- Sports

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara April 24, 2012

April 25, 2012 Page 6 Click image to see full pdf.

April 25, 2012 – Page 5- Sports

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara April 24, 2012

April 25, 2012 Page 5 Click image to see full pdf.

Cosmetology students help cancer patients with haircuts

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara April 24, 2012

While watching one of her favorite television shows, political science major Nallely Bodillo was inspired to donate her hair to cancer patients that have lost theirs due to chemotherapy. With each donation,...

Speech instructor Angela Hoppe-Nagao hugs Sofia, her youngest daughter, after receiving the Most Outstanding Faculty award on Thursday. Hoppe-Nagao was one of twelve faculty members who were acknowledge at the Outstanding Faculty Award at the Cerritos College Student Center.

[Photo] Twelve instructors recognized as outstanding faculty

Speech instructor Angela Hoppe-Nagao hugs Sofia, her youngest daughter, after receiving the Most Outstanding Faculty award on Thursday. Hoppe-Nagao was one of twelve faculty members who were acknowledge...

Above is part of what the participants of Cover the Night did to show support for Invisible Children. Due to the lack of participation only a few of these displays were scattered throughout the Cerritos College campus and the surrounding areas.

Participants lack in Kony 2012

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara April 23, 2012

After all of the buzz about Kony 2012 Cover the Night on Twitter and Facebook, on Friday there was very little sign of Kony 2012 participation. There were very few posters and even fewer volunteers...

Three former Falcons inducted into the Hall of Fame

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara April 17, 2012

Two former athletes and one former Falcon coach were honored at the Cerritos College Hall of Fame Awards on Thursday at the Cerritos Sheraton Hotel. Wally Kincaid won the Distinguished Coach Award. Former...

April 18, 2012 – Page 8 – Sports

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara April 17, 2012

April 18, 2012 Page 8 Click image to see full pdf.

April 18, 2012 – Page 7- Sports

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara April 17, 2012

April 18, 2012 Page 7 Click image to see full pdf.

Cheerleaders have better things to do

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara April 17, 2012

Cheerleaders are athletes themselves and cheer at enough sporting events already. Therefore, it is best if cheerleaders just stick to cheering for the two main sports they cheer for: football and basketball. It...

Talon Marks Online News

Distinguished faculty accept awards at Inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara April 16, 2012

Talon Marks Online News Faculty members, honorees and their families attended the Cerritos College Hall of Fame Awards ceremony on Thursday at the Cerritos Sheraton Hotel. With Cerritos College's Culinary...

The Breast Cancer Awareness Walk took place on March 22.

[Photo] Almost $800 raised in Cerritos College’s 12th Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

Talon Marks Staff Writer, Talon Marks Staff Writer, and Talon Marks Staff Writer March 27, 2012

The Breast Cancer Awareness Walk took place on March 22.

Talon Marks Online Sports

Baseball breaks its losing streak

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara March 20, 2012

Talon Marks Online Sports Making a comeback after a six-game losing streak, the Cerritos College baseball team won its home game 3-2, against El Camino College Compton Center on Monday. The Falcons...

March 21, 2012 – Page 8- Sports

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara March 20, 2012

March 21, 2012 Page 8 Click image to see full pdf.

Getting a job is a step away

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara March 16, 2012

A common topic among college students is them complaining about how they need a job. But what are these students actually doing about it? Students need to stop sitting on their butts and waiting for someone...

We should do away with voting for highschool type activities

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara March 16, 2012

After senior year of high school, you would think that college students would be over the whole voting for king and queen of the school stuff and it would just end there, but it doesn't. We have homecoming...

March 14, 2012 – Page 5- Sports

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara March 13, 2012

March 14, 2012 Page 5 Click image to see full pdf.

Talon Marks Online News

More budget cuts discussed at Faculty Senate meeting

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara March 13, 2012

Talon Marks Online News The budget cuts that will go into affect in the 2012 fall semester were the main topics of the Cerritos College Faculty Senate meeting on Tuesday at the Cheryl A. Epple Board Room. On...

Talon Marks Online Sports

Baseball loses two in a row to LBCC

Lauren Gandara, Lauren Gandara, and Lauren Gandara March 13, 2012

Talon Marks Online Sports Losing two games in a row against Long Beach City College, the Cerritos College baseball team lost its away game 1-5 on Saturday. In the first two innings, neither of the...

March 7 2012 – Page 6- Sports

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara March 6, 2012

March 7, 2012 Page 5 Click image to see full pdf

School’s computers and social networking sites shouldn’t mix

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara February 29, 2012

Campus computers are not available so that students can update their status on Facebook or Twitter and should therefore be unaccessible to students. Computer labs in classrooms and the library are there...

The road to playoffs: Shown above is an illustration of the brackets for each round of playoffs. Cerritos is currently ranked No. 5 in its conference with a 23-7 record. The team has two games left in order to the championship at Consumnes River College.

[Photo] Women’s basketball advances to third round of SoCal playoffs

February 29, 2012

The road to playoffs: Shown above is an illustration of the brackets for each round of playoffs. Cerritos is currently ranked No. 5 in its conference with a 23-7 record. The team has two games left in...

Feb.29, 2012 – Page 8- Sports

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara February 28, 2012

Feb. 29, 2012 Page 8 Click image to see full pdf.

Feb.29, 2012 – Page 7- Sports

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara February 28, 2012

Feb. 29, 2012 Page 7 Click image to see full pdf.

Feb.15, 2012 – Page 5- Sports

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara February 14, 2012

Feb. 15, 2012 Page 5 Click image to see full pdf.

Cerritos faces Moorpark after postponed game

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara February 8, 2012

Splitting the win in their doubleheader against LA Valley College, the Cerritos College baseball team will play away against Moorpark College on Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. Shortstop Chris Hefner talked about preparing...

Six Falcon football players sign their letter of intent

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara February 7, 2012

National Football Signing Day occurred Feb. 1 as six Cerritos College football players were signed to four-year schools. Among the six were defensive tackle Fred Lavulo and offensive guard Semisi Tupou. Lavulo...

Feb. 8, 2012 – Page 5- Sports

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara February 7, 2012

Feb. 8, 2012 Page 5 Click image to see full pdf.

Jan. 25, 2012 – Page 6- News

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara January 24, 2012

Jan. 25, 2011 Page 6 Click image to see full pdf.

Jan. 18, 2012 – Page 6- Sports

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara January 17, 2012

Jan. 18, 2011 Page 6 Click image to see full pdf.

Center Isaac Okebiorun works on drills during practice. Okebiorun moved from Germany to California to pursue a basketball career.

German-born player looks toward NBA

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara December 6, 2011

Traveling from Germany to the United States in hopes of becoming a professional basketball player, Cerritos College men's basketball center Isaac Okebiorun looks to fellow coaches and teammates to gain...

Sophomore midfielder Alex Ayala practices dribbling the ball in a drill. The Falcons have a bye during the first round of playoffs.

Men’s soccer has first-round bye going into playoffs

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara November 15, 2011

Philip OkoliSophomore midfielder Alex Ayala practices dribbling the ball in a drill. The Falcons have a bye during the first round of playoffs. With a 11-1-2 regular season record, the Cerritos College...

Cerritos College mens wrestling vs. Rio Hondo. One eighty four pounder Keith Nieves lost against Rio Hondos Daniel Allen.

Wrestling can’t grapple Rio Hondo

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara November 10, 2011

Lauren GandaraCerritos College men's wrestling vs. Rio Hondo. One eighty four pounder Keith Nieves lost against Rio Hondo's Daniel Allen. Ranked number three in the state, Cerritos College wrestling was...

Cerritos College linebacker Donovan Amituanai bares his chest that displays the name of his daughter who is named after his deceased mother. Amituanai is one of several Falcon football players with tribal tattoos.

Amituanai’s ink displays family history

Lauren Gandara and Lauren Gandara November 8, 2011

Inked with the reminder of those closest to him on his arm and chest, Cerritos College linebacker Donovan Amituanai talks about the influence his tattoos has on his life. Being Samoan and Polynesian,...

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