Although the afternoon dismissal bell has rung at Torrance Elementary School, principal Gerardo Yepez (Class of '93, liberal studies; '96, teaching credential) isn't finished working. He can be seen at the school's entrance, greeting parents and saying goodbye to students for the day. Yepez, a Los Angeles native, taught for many years in the Lennox and San Mateo-Foster City school districts before becoming an administrator. During his eight years as principal at Torrance Elementary, the school has consistently earned high marks on real estate sites such as redfin.com and trulia.com for its high level of service to the community, a population that Yepez regards as his ... Read More
Social Work
Teatro Dominguez: Local Second Graders Learn From Multicultural Theatre
There are few better ways to start the day than to watch kids having fun, unless you're an actor from California State University, Dominguez Hills who gets to perform for an auditorium full of second-graders. Theatre major Eduardo Frias got to do just that recently. On Nov. 9, he and 18 fellow Teatro Dominguez members wrapped up a five-week tour performing “The Storytellers” for Carson area second-graders. In the folktale play, Frias portrayed a young boy who learns patience. “Telling folktales to children uses their experiences and what they are exposed to, so they can relate to the story,” said Frias. “Using talking animals, insects, birds… it's a way to get children's attention. ... Read More
Anthropology Students Help Present Cambodian Culture in Long Beach
For the second year, students in Susan Needham's ethnographic field methods class will assist Cambodian artisans in presenting the 2nd Cambodian Arts & Culture Exhibition in the Long Beach community of Cambodia Town, Inc. which will take place on Saturday, Nov. 20 at MacArthur Park in Long Beach. Along with discovering a new culture, the students have found connections to their own experiences through learning how seemingly obscure traditions are preserved and nurtured for the generations to come. Lillian Justice has been working with Dosokhum Roth, a former Buddhist monk, to present the art of yoan, sacred drawings that serve as protective talismans and prayers to be ... Read More
Niecy Nash: Alumna Takes the Stage to Talk About Her Journey to Fame
On Nov. 3, California State University, Dominguez Hills welcomed actress/comedienne and theatre arts alumna Niecy Nash back to campus, where she spoke to students, faculty and the community at the Loker Student Union. Until last August, she has been the original host and producer of the Style Network's number one-rated program, “Clean House.” Nash is also well-known for her role as Officer Raineesha Williams in Comedy Central's “Reno 911!,” which aired from 2003 to 2009. She is currently a celebrity host on CBS Entertainment's “The Insider,” for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award last summer. Nash addressed her audience at CSU Dominguez Hills with the story of her journey to a successful ... Read More
Students Present Research on Voter Propositions to OLLI Community
As voters across the nation prepare to cast their ballots tomorrow, they are turning to a variety of sources to do their research. Members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Dominguez Hills were able to look to the next generation when students from Dr. Annie Wilson's State and Local Government class presented their research last week on Propositions 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 25. Pamela Prieto, a senior majoring in philosophy and political science, says this year's issues are focused on remedies to the state's lagging economy as well as the preservation of the natural environment for future generations. “In tough economic times, more ... Read More
