Author: Philip J. Perez

Campus, Community

Donation of $1M benefits students

Philip J. Perez

First-generation Del Mar College students now have another opportunity to help pay for their education thanks to a new scholarship. The Legamaro Family Endowed Scholarship is a $1 million gift in appreciated stock that will be used to support first-generation students in specialized fields of study. “This will take students all the way through their programming here at Del Mar, particularly in those areas that help get good jobs in the community,” said Mary McQueen, executive director of development for the Del Mar College Foundation, when making the announcement on April 14. “It also can help them through a bachelor…

Campus

Nursing career fair held at Windward

Philip J. Perez

Over 20 local companies in the health care field participated in the Nursing and Allied Health Career Fair on April 21 in the Coleman Center on Del Mar College’s Windward Campus. The event, put together by the Career Development department, allowed students to get information on the many fields under the health care umbrella and in many cases, fill out applications for work and talk to hiring personnel.  Among the many companies represented were the Nueces Center for Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Kids First Pediatric Homecare, South Texas Health Systems and Christus Spohn Hospital.  This was the first in-person…

Features

Coping with mental health

Philip J. Perez

Navigating through life with love and support Editor’s Note: Due to the nature and sensitivity of mental health, we have chosen not to reveal last names of the participants in this story. This is part 2 of 2. Common mental health disorders for Latinos include anxiety disorder, major depression, PTSD and substance abuse, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Cultural taboos and stigmas keep many in the Latino community from seeking help. The perception, according to an article on Medical News Today, is that seeking outside help is inappropriate, embarrassing or even shameful.  The article adds that potential…

Column

Embrace your college bonds and experiences

Philip J. Perez

Hello fellow Vikings, and congratulations on making it through another semester.  Another academic year is about to pass and many of you will be moving on to the next step toward a new tomorrow.  Then there’s me and others like me, who just can’t seem to get through college algebra without feeling the need to flip a table every time we forget how to solve a quadradic equation. Still, failure is not an option and we must power through because everyone deserves success — no matter how long it takes to get there. Through our times here at Del Mar,…

Campus

Foundation announces large scholarship

Philip J. Perez

Funds will help first-generation students First-generation Del Mar College students now have another opportunity to help pay for their education thanks to a new scholarship. The Legamaro Family Endowed Scholarship is a $1 million gift in appreciated stock that will be used to support first-generation students in specialized fields of study. “This will take students all the way through their programming here at Del Mar, particularly in those areas that help get good jobs in the community,” said Mary McQueen, executive director of development for the Del Mar College Foundation, when making the announcement on April 14. “It also can…

Features

Breaking cultural barriers

Philip J. Perez

Overcoming the stigma of mental health in the Latino community Editor’s Note: Due to the sensitivity of mental health issues, we have chosen not to reveal last names of the participants in this story. This is part 1 of 2. For many children, the spectacle of watching your parents get ready for a night on the town can be a bit overwhelming to the senses. The preparation in front of the mirror, the selection of the right outfits and the aromas of overlapping perfumes and colognes leave a memorable impression in a child’s life.  Most often, this memory of confusion…

Entertainment

Spring break entertainment calendar

Philip J. Perez

From classic rock to metal to rap to country music, fans of live music will have plenty of options for spring break this year. For those who grew up in the 80s, R.E.O. Speedwagon will bring their hits to the American Bank Center’s Selena Auditorium on March 12. The bands hits include “Keep on Loving You” and “Take it on the Run” among many others. Also on March 12. Reggae music with Flat Broke at the Black Monk Tavern. On March 13, the House of Rock presents Soulfly. The band provides hard grinding metal tunes such as “Back to the…

Editorial

Stop the mask mandate madness

Philip J. Perez

Let’s start by saying our Editorial Board is a collective of many views and ideals. We are a blend of many viewpoints from different walks of life. We are conservatives and liberals and independents. We are straight out of high school or 25 years removed. We are parents of teens and we are also looking at life with fresh young eyes. We are different and unique like so many of you. As different as we are, we are still Americans who are all witnessing the potential decline of our once great nation, all because of a mask.  Since this COVID-19…

Entertainment

Wicked Age proves that rock is not dead

Philip J. Perez

As music continues to evolve, the art of good old rock ‘n’ roll seems to be fading away. Bands like Motley Crue, Ratt and Poison, whose mantras were “Live Fast, Die Young and Rock Hard,” have almost become distant memories except for the multitude of farewell tours. One local band continues to rock on and provide rock ‘n’ roll connoisseurs with heavy grooves and party jams that will motivate fans to get up and dance. “Our influences range from Queen to Led Zepplin to AC/DC and many other classic rock bands,” said Ruthless Jon, drummer for the band Wicked Age.…

Column

Feeling like you’re old? Deny. deny, deny, deny

Philip J. Perez

Diary of a Non-trad  At what age did you realize you were getting old? Maybe it’s not a certain age but a specific moment in life that causes an “Oh Hell, I’m Freaking Old” realization.  Perhaps it’s the moment you let out an involuntary grunt as you got off the couch or maybe it was the sudden urge to snag multiple packs of crackers from a restaurant. Maybe all it took is one look in the mirror to notice a random hair growing off the bridge of your nose. Heck, it could even be a combination of multiple things or…