“No matter what your zip code is, no matter what school you sign up to, every single child deserves to have the same quality education.” – Clarissa Doutherd

Clarissa’s Battle tells the story of single mother, caregiver, essential worker, and social justice warrior Clarissa Doutherd’s fight for the dignity of all parents and children. She builds a powerful coalition to illuminate the lack of childcare, exacerbated by the global pandemic. They struggle for the rights of millions impacted globally, especially women of color. The film follows Clarissa’s journey from Oakland to Washington D.C. as she battles for childcare and early childhood education, sparked by her own loss of childcare and housing. Equally riveting is the film’s portrayal of the mental and physical health tolls paid by working mothers and the ways in which lockdown intensified their already desperate circumstances.

In her latest documentary premiering in May at the Human Rights Watch Festival at NYC’s Lincoln Center, Director|Producer and Skyline College Film Professor Tamara Perkins, asks the question – why do people fight so hard against funding resources that will allow parents to work, keep families off the streets, give children a chance at a productive future, and thus ultimately benefit every citizen in a community?

 

WHERE TO SEE CLARISSA’S BATTLE

 Human Rights Watch Festival

Playing at NYC’s Lincoln Center and on the festival’s digital platform:

Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 5:15 p.m.

BUY TICKETS HERE

 

21^st San Francisco Documentary Film Festival

Playing at SF’s Roxie Theater House 1 and on the festival’s digital platform:

Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 4:15 p.m.

Available online June 1, 2022 at 12:00 a.m.

BUY TICKETS HERE

 

Tamara Perkins is an award-winning filmmaker and changemaker focused on documentaries that inspire transformative change through dialogue, healing, and advocacy through her company Apple of Discord Productions. Perkins’ films (Life After Life (2018), Rebound (2021), Clarissa’s Battle) were each inspired by a personal connection to the subject matter and provide an often over looked proximity in storytelling. As a national speaker, Perkins’ repertoire spans from filmmaking to prison reform and human rights. She is a recipient of Evident Change’s Media fora Just Society Award. Perkins’ work has become a catalyst for change, learning and advocacy for some of our nation’s most misunderstood and overlooked issues.

 

If you are interested in taking a summer class with Professor Perkins, check out:

Film 100 – Introduction to Film – https://webschedule.smccd.edu/course/202205/56150

Film 123 – Documentary Film: Studies and Practice – https://webschedule.smccd.edu/course/202205/55991

 

Sara Maamouri is the film’s Editor|Producer and was a panelist at the 2021 Stories of Transformation Film Festival. Sara is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker and editor who has explored a diverse range of topics for over 20 years. Her work touches on social, educational, and political issues, from a teacher and students performing under extraordinary circumstance. Her most recent films include We Are Not Princesses (2018) and the Peabody Award-winning film The Judge (2017) both of which were featured at the 2021 Skyline College Stories of Transformation Film Festival.

 

Clarissa Doutherd (Protagonist, Advisor) is the executive director of Parent Voices Oakland, a chapter of Parent Voices California. Clarissa has been a strong advocate for mothers like herself who were caught in the crosshairs of ineffective public policy. As a collaborative movement builder, Clarissa has forged deep partnerships with large local government agencies including the Alameda County Social Services Agency, Public Health, and Behavioral Health Services. After stepping into leadership as the co-chair on the Alameda County Early Childhood Policy Committee with First 5of Alameda County, Clarissa led efforts to refocus the group to become a cross-sector collaborative, connecting community-based organizations, parents and service providers to advance innovative strategies for county-wide system change. As a leader and mentor, Clarissa works to elevate parent leadership in public policy.

 

Interested in Film? Find out more at:  skylinecollege.edu/film

The International Student Program (ISP) hosted its Recognition Ceremony in-person after two years of virtual end-of-year celebrations! On Tuesday, May 10, 2022, ISP students, their family members, administrators, as well as staff and faculty members from both Skyline College and the District Office came together in the picturesque Farallon Room for the celebration.

The event began with an engaging welcome speech from the College President, Melissa Moreno, followed by congratulatory remarks from the Interim Vice President of Instruction, Danni Redding-Lapuz and Dean of Global Learning Programs and Services, Russell Waldon. Throughout the event, guests enjoyed live music provided by Coyote Creates, a Bay Area native musician, a Boho-themed buffet, and a photo booth where students could try on graduation gowns and ISP stoles.

The highlight of the afternoon was hearing remarks from three transferring/graduating ISP students; Da Wang from China, Win Yu San from Myanmar and Vivian Marcos from Guatemala.

In his speech, Da Wang, expressed how community college was a great start for his educational journey, helping him pave the way to top universities. As a Global Online Learning (GOL) student, Da Wang completed three semesters entirely online and only came to the U.S. for his last semester. He is now headed to UC Berkeley as an Art History major.

Win Yu San agreed that Skyline College has always provided encouragement and supported her success. Sure enough, Win Yu has admissions offers from UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz (with a $15,000 scholarship), San Francisco State, Cal Poly Pomona, & Cal Poly San Luis Obispo!

Vivian Marcos, graduating with a Certificate of Achievement in Business Administration, sent us a heartfelt video message. She was unable to attend the event in person as she now holds a full-time position with American Airlines! In her video message, Vivian encouraged fellow international students to “do the best with your classes, but also get involved with everything you can”. Originally from Guatemala, Vivian started her first semester in the middle of the Pandemic and completed her program of study last fall.

Felicia Mazzi, ESOL faculty member who attended the ceremony, commented “my current students who attended (the event) were clearly inspired by hearing and seeing those who were ready to transfer and move on”.

It was a beautiful moment to honor and acknowledge the hard work and accomplishments of our resilient and dedicated international students. ISP is grateful for the support of the entire Skyline College community as well as the District International Education team. It truly takes a village to build a supportive community for our international students!

ISP provides services and programs for international students and the entire Skyline College community. If you are interested in learning more about future ISP programs and events, contact the ISP office at skyinternational@smccd.edu.

 

Article by Chikako Walker | Photo by Chris Woo

For the first time since 2019, Skyline College held its annual scholarship awards ceremony in Building 12 on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Scholarships recipients, donors, staff, faculty, San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation and District staff came together to celebrate this momentous occasion. The event was also lived-streamed for family, friends, and the college community who were unable to attend in-person.

This year, approximately 300 scholarships totaling $187, 577 were awarded. A special recognition to this year’s UC Santa Cruz Karl S. Pister Opportunity Award scholarship recipient, Ms. Hannah Mayfield and the San Bruno Crestmoor Memorial Neighborhood Scholarship recipients, Isabel Martin and Patricia Mae Sumang. During these times of rising educational costs and extraordinary financial difficulties, the support of our donors, through the scholarship program directly impact our students’ ability to continue their education.

On behalf of the Scholarship Committee and the Financial Aid Office, we extend our gratitude to the Skyline community for helping and encouraging students to apply for scholarships.

To view the prerecorded Scholarship ceremony, click here.

 

Article by Patricia Flores | Photos by Zaw Min Khant

Expand your network in ways that will lead to your dream job. The Career Readiness & Job Placement team is excited to share the following paid internship opportunities with you. Check them out—

• Science, Technology & Health Internships
• Society & Education Internships

How may we assist you in landing your dream job? Whether you’re interested in short- or long-term career planning, the Career Readiness & Job Placement team offers a variety of services and career readiness experiences to assist you with your specific career needs. If you want to work with a Job Placement Coordinator, please fill out this brief welcome form and someone will contact you soon to schedule an appointment!

How may we assist you in landing your dream job? The Career Readiness & Job Placement team is excited to share the following job opportunities with you. Check them out—

• Arts, Languages & Communication Jobs
• Business, Entrepreneurship & Management Jobs
• Science, Technology & Health Jobs
• Society & Education Jobs
• Just-In-Time Jobs

Whether you’re interested in short- or long-term career planning, the Career Readiness & Job Placement team offers a variety of services and career readiness experiences to assist you with your specific career needs. If you want to work with a Job Placement Coordinator, please fill out this brief welcome form and someone will contact you soon to schedule an appointment!

The 2022 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday May 27, 2022 at 1 p.m. outdoors at the Skyline College Track & Field. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Gymnasium in Building 3.

Attendees/guests are advised to dress in layers for this outdoor ceremony and to wear shoes with flat soles for safety and maintaining field integrity.

For more information, please visit https://skylinecollege.edu/commencement.

 

 

On May 6 and 7, 2022, Skyline College’s Annual Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) returned onstage with its 17th feature play and first intercultural show, Ang Kulay Ng Pag-Ibig / El Color Del Amor / The Color of Love.

The Color of Love was a collaboration of the Kababayan, Puente, and CIPHER Learning Communities, another first in PCN history. The play was written in the ENGL 103 class in Fall 2021 by Emi Robles and Ezekiel John Recto; in Spring 2022, the ENGL 104/695 students directed and produced the play. Dr. Liza Erpelo teaches both courses.

The story followed two gay San Francisco State University seniors who announced their engagement to their conservative Filipino American and Mexican American families. The couple continued to fight for love and freedom as they faced opposition from their families and discovered their twisted secrets.

For two nights in a row, the audience positively received this PCN’s cross-cultural components that included but were not limited to Filipino American and Mexican American family dynamics, languages, dances, and music.

All proceeds from the ticket sales went directly to the Friends of Kababayan scholarship fund. More information about the Kababayan Learning Community and ways to donate to the scholarship fund can be found here: https://skylinecollege.edu/kababayan/index.php

The show would not be possible without the help of several important people. Many thanks to the Theatre Events Manager, Joshua Harris; Jae Tioseco and Bonjun Valera, Barangay Dance Company; Amanda Bortoli, Skyline College Graphic Arts & Graphic Production; Dr. Nicole Porter and Kathy Fitzpatrick, Social Sciences/Creative Arts Division; Alex Urbina, Puente Counselor and Pilipino Cultural Night actress; and Ezekiel John Recto, Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant and Pilipino Cultural Night executive director.

Thank you and mabuhay! 

 

Article by Ezekiel John Recto & Dr. Liza Erpelo

Join us for a Self-Defense Workshop with Master Joseph Bautista from Legacy Filipino Martial Arts on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

We will meet up at the Intercultural Center Event Area (Bldg. 4) and proceed outdoors. This special workshop is open to the first 25 registrants and a waiting list will be available. Register here: https://bit.ly/selfdefenseFMA

For more information, visit https://www.legacyfma.com/

Description of Workshop: Learn how to defend against a punch, a push, and a choke. You will also be given basic self-defense tips and tactics regarding situational awareness and verbal de-escalation. You will leave having working knowledge of how to use everyday items as a tool for self-defense. Expect to have fun while learning to defend yourself!

 

About Master Joseph Bautista:

Master Joseph Bautista is all about safety, specializing in Filipino martial arts. He began his training in martial arts at the age of 4.  Since 2003, he has been mainly focused on Filipino Martial Arts. Joseph runs Legacy Filipino Martial Arts, a Filipino martial arts school based in Daly City, California.

He also teaches self-defense with Self Defense For the People, a self-defense program with clients such as Salesforce, Airbnb, Gap, UPS, and UCSF. When not teaching self-defense, he is teaching CPR and First Aid Skills to 911 Dispatchers and Local Police Officers in the SF Bay Area with 1st Five Minutes.

 

Coordinated by the Anti-Asian Hate Task Force at Skyline College

 

The Free Drive-Thru Community Market at Skyline College relies on volunteer support to provide groceries to members of the local community. We are currently running low on volunteers and urgently need your support to ensure we can maintain service levels and continue to fill this critical need.

Please help us support the community and sign up to volunteer! Register here: bit.ly/food-dist-volunteer

A bit more about what you’ll be doing as a volunteer:

This is a Drive-Thru site with Pre-Boxed food that takes place outdoors at Lot G on the Skyline College campus. Food distribution is a hands-on volunteer activity. Activities could include assisting with set up, unloading and moving food from pallets, sorting and distributing food, and clean up.

The Biotechnology and Manufacturing Club and the Chemistry department at Skyline College provided hands-on experience for students and staff on the study of microplastic pollution, as well as checking water samples on campus and around Pacifica, CA. This opportunity (Thursday, May 5, 3:00 – 5:00 pm) was hosted by Dr. Nick Kapp (Biotechnology Faculty), Dr. Susanne Schubert (Chemistry Faculty), and Benjamin-Rafael Mingoa (Student Researcher). The research study was started with Dr. Christine Case (Biology Faculty), who mentored and supported students on the identification of microplastic pollution.

Participants tested environmental samples (sand and creek water) from Pacifica and observed different types of pollution in waterways leading out into the ocean. They found microplastic particles were in sand samples, compared to very small concentrations in the creek water. For students, this event was eye-opening to the importance of personal awareness of pollution in our community.

An attending student shares, “This has been one of the most eye opening experiences that I have had. Overall, I am impressed by the research that was developed by my peers. I found it very impactful and it has changed my perspective significantly.”

For more information on how to get involved in research, reach out to the Honors Transfer Program and visit their website at: https://www.skylinecollege.edu/honorstransfer/

 

Article by Benjamin-Rafael Mingoa and Kaileiani Louie | Photo by Benjamin-Rafael Mingoa