Home of the Free
The story is all too frequent. Natasha Perez, Irma and their mother Yrma wanted to leave a country filled with political unrest, hoping to find serenity, the proverbial “gold paved streets” and the freedom of living the American Dream.
Like many of these stories, that path to U.S. citizenship has been filled with trials and tribulations.
Yrma is half-Italian and half-Venezuelan,...
Why Do We Love Our Pets So Much?
Molly the dog, photo courtesy of: Nathalee Montano Photo of Samwise the cat, courtesy of: Aleczandra Vick(Left to Right) Patty Esmeral and Raisa Esmeral hold up their cats Toki and Pepper to their window at their home in Reseda Calif., on May 6, 2020. Photo by: Chelsea Westman(Left to right) Claudia Miranda and John Miranda hold their...
Greek Organizations: Lost In Translation
Decorum. Courtesy. Togetherness.
Students have used these standards as the foundation to build the Greek system that is prevelent across U.S. colleges and universities.
But as fraternities and sororities have blossomed, these ideals have been lost on many campuses due to hazing, vandalism and drug abuse.
On Oct. 24, 2014, California State University, Northridge, shut down all activities that relate to Greek...
Sole Searching
Stairs lead up from the garage to the main living area of the split level apartment. The color palette in the room is fairly neutral, from the white walls to the beige couch. However, in one corner near the front entrance, colorful shoes sit on display. Red, purple and green sneakers pop among the grey and white. This is...
Fighting for our furry friends
Saskia Chiesa poses with her four pet guinea pigs at the Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue in Chatsworth, Calif. on April 23, 2020. Photo by: Chelsea WestmanInside the Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue in Chatsworth, Calif. on April 23, 2020. Photo by: Chelsea WestmanPodrick is a black and white guinea pig that lives with four other males....
Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release
Wendy Leeds holds down a baby elephant seal at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna, Calif. on March 13, 2020. The rescued patients go through a process of tube feeding when malnourished. This method does not hurt the animals and is needed so they can be weaned onto fish eventually. Photo by: Chelsea WestmanA California sea...
To love or to match: the tradition of arranged marriages
Napur Kumar is 23 years old, and is considering settling down. She has tried online dating, but says, "Sometimes I would come across men that would use me to the advantage of getting a green card, and it was just weird."
Nupur is willing to let her mother, Vandana Kumar, do some of the searching for her.
If she goes that route, she'll...
Ranch Blessing
Natalamb the sheep is one of the animals at the Sheep Unit at the Pierce College Farm in Woodland Hills, Calif. Photo by: Adam BaronJulio Wong smiles as he feeds the goats at the Pierce College Farm in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 23, 2020. Photo by: Chelsea Westman A baby goat sits in a bucket at...
Walking a Ruff Road
Daniel Habas poses with his dogs Honey and Molly by his home in Encino, Calif. Photo by: Adam BaronDaniel Habas poses with his dogs Honey and Molly by his home in Encino, Calif. Photo by: Adam BaronDaniel Habas walks his pomeranian-mix dogs Honey and Molly by his home in Encino, Calif., on May 19, 2020. Photo by:...
From the punk show to the classroom
Pierce College English Professor standing in his office in Woodland Hills Calif., holding some memorabilia from his time as lead singer and guitarist for punk band Still Life. Photo by Cameron Kern
Blue dyed hair, skin-tight jeans, ear piercings, skull tattoos and fast-paced strumming of guitar strings- these are just some...