Renegade Rip, issue 1, Feb. 1, 2023

The Renegade Rip
Vol. 99 ∙ No. 1 Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023
Bakersfield College
Men’s basketball
wins a thriller
Evan Austin speaks
at BC
“M3GAN” is mean
Sports, Page 3 Campus, Page 6 Opinion, Page 8
ANTHONY VASQUEZ/THE RIP
Folklorico dancers perform one of their
traditional dances during Ariba Norte event
at BC on Jan. 28.
COURTESY OF DAVE SEY-
MOUR
Drone footage from BC’s
first Light up the night on
NICOLAS “PETER” CHAVARIA/THE RIP
Golden Empire Transit (GET) gives students free
rides for spring 2023 semester
MADELINE RUEBUSH/THE RIP
Paralympian gold medalist Evan Austin speaks at BC
The Renegade Rip @bc_rip @bc_rip Follow us online at www.therip.com

Page 2
News
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023
GET free bus services for all
By Nicolas “Peter” Chavaria
Reporter
Following a recent grant, Golden Empire Transit is now
providing a free pass for students to use for the Spring 2023
semester.
The pass can be used by students from kindergarten through
college, including private and vocational schools. The pass
is valid for any GET Bus Fixed route and the On-Demand
Paratransit; it lasts from January until the end of May, and
isn’t limited to only traveling to and from a student’s campus.
In order to receive this pass, students have to go to their respective
offices of administration. For students of Bakersfield
Colleges’ main campus, head to the Office of Student Life,
take a quick survey, and receive your pass from the front desk.
The pass works like any other GET transit card by swiping
the free pass into the fare box. Something worth noting for
students in 7th grade and over, whenever they go to use a
route, they need to present their student ID card.
Interestingly enough, this free pass comes at the perfect
time for students who rely on GET busses for transportation.
Usual GET Bus patrons would know the regular 31-day
passes are $45, and the express passes are $60. But now, as of
January 1st, the amount has been increased to $57 and $70,
respectively. This followed a public hearing held by Golden
Empire Transit back in early November of last year.
Bakersfield College student, Adam Biezad, said how he felt
about this, and his response echoed a common feeling shared
by other students.
“That’s insanity; while I don’t use the bus myself, I can definitely
see how this can affect someone a lot. $57 can almost
pay for two tanks of gas for my car. If you aren’t on financial
aid, 60-70 dollars is the same for a textbook, if you’re lucky.”
While the price increase is very unfortunate for bus users
not in school, this goes to show just how invaluable this free
price is for students, especially those in situations where every
dollar matters.
The Bakersfield Art Museum
celebrates social themes
By Amanda Hernandez
Digital and Sports Editor
The Bakersfield Museum of Art held a
winter exhibition, which opened on Jan.
26 for public viewing.
The exhibition featured many different
works of art including abstract, and
a special collection titled “Of Rope and
Chains her Bones are Made,” which will
be on display until May 6.
This was created by artists Lavialle
Campbell, Sydney Croskery, Pamela
Smith Hudson, Taylor Kibby, Christy
Mason, Blue McRight, Brittany Mojo,
Claudia Parducci and Diane Silver.
The collection used ropes, chains, vessels,
and fabrics, which signified and
represented identity, femininity and sociopolitical
concerns.
The gallery was a hit amongst the community
as people gathered with friends
and family to view the different pieces
of art that were creatively made and displayed.
Most visitors spent about an hour viewing
the art.
This is a smaller gallery compared to
others located in other parts of the world;
however, it houses some of the most creative
pieces by local artists.
There was also quite a bit of fascination
occurring in the abstract room.
Families and friends gathered together
to take photos in front of the hanging abstract
art.
There were complimentary drinks offered,
and those working the event extended
kindness toward the guests.
Art is becoming more discovered as
time passes, and more individuals are
learning how to understand and view art
regardless of the way some pieces are first
perceived.
The museum holds many events
throughout the year and you can find
more information related to your interests
on the website at bmoa.org.
AMANDA HERNANDEZ/THE RIP
An extremely unique art piece
located at the Bakersfield Museum
of Art winter exhibition.

Page 3
Sports
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023
BC wins thriller vs LA valley
By Steven Kertis
Reporter
The Bakersfield College Renegades
won an incredible double overtime
thriller against the Los Angeles Valley
Monarchs 75-71 on Jan. 25.
The Renegades started out slow and
flat footed as the Monarchs jumped
out to an early 17-12 lead in the first
10 minutes of the first half. The Renegades
then kicked it up a notch by going
on a 22-4 run of dominance that lasted
for nine minutes.
That run was led by Eloy Medina
and Terrin Dickey who scored 20 of
the Renegades 36 points in the first half
as they led by nine over the Monarchs
at halftime.
The Monarchs made adjustments in
the second half and held the Renegades
to just 21 points in the second half. The
Renegades got into foul trouble early in
the second half which let the Monarchs
come back to tie the game with five
minutes to go. Back and forth the lead
swapped between the two teams however,
no one could get an edge to claim
the victory in regulation so we headed
into overtime with the score all tied up
at 57.
Overtime began and the lead continued
to swap between the Monarchs and
the Renegades. As soon as the Renegades
would score, the Monarchs would
answer back very quickly. Less than a
minute to go when the shot clock was
winding down, Eloy Medina knocked
down an incredible 3-pointer to put the
Renegades up 68-63 with 50 seconds to
go in overtime.
The Monarchs would not go away
quietly as they made a quick jump shot
to put them down 68-65. The Monarchs
would have one more opportunity
to tie the game and they did not let
that chance go to waste as Nikko Rodriguez
made an incredible buzzer beater
to tie the game at 68 and force double
overtime.
The Renegades jumped out to an
early five point lead thanks to Eloy
Medina making his eighth 3-pointer
of the game that put him at a total of
24 points on the night as the Monarchs
never took the lead again for the rest of
the game.
“This game should have been finished
in regulation,” Bakersfield College
assistant coach Jonathan Glover
said after the victory.
STEVEN KURTIS/THE RIP
Renegades Guard Sean Fry lays the ball in the
net after a fast break opportunity.
STEVEN KURTIS/THE RIP
Renegades Guard Eloy Medina attempts to pass the
ball to a teammate

Page 4
Sportss
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023
BC Women’s
team falls to
Valley College,
64-33 on Jan. 25
By Amanda Hernandez
Digital and Sports Editor
The Bakersfield College Women’s Basketball lost to LA Valley
Jan. 25 night in a home game with a score of 64-33.
LA Valley began the game in motion scoring 20 points within
the first couple of minutes of the game, putting themselves in a
good position of taking the win against Bakersfield College.
During the first half of the game, the Renegades struggled to
get the ball down low as LA Valley dominated them on defense.
Cynia Scott, from Bakersfield College led her team throughout
the game, attempting to make a comeback before fouling out
in the fourth quarter.
The Renegades
fell short by 31
points and they now
stand 8-15.
The team plans
to put more methods
into play during
practice to make a
turn around and
change the rhythm
of their season.
Coaches Paula
Dahl, Kel Dean,
Emre Ozoral, and
Rosebrooke Check
are working together
to prepare the
girls for what the
rest of the season
has to offer.
The team’s next
home game is Feb. 4
where they will face
West LA .
AMANDA HERNANDEZ/THE RIP
Womens Basketball player Tori Robertson looks for a clear
path to the basket.
Controversies
All Things Sports
By Steven Kertis
Reporter
This week of sports led to
some very critical ref calls
that won and lost games
for certain teams. Also, we
now know the two NFL
teams who will be playing
in Super Bowl 57.
NFL
It was Championship
Sunday in the NFL as we
had our final four teams
left with a trip to the Super
Bowl on the line.
In the afternoon game,
it was a cold sight out in
Philadelphia as the Philadelphia
Eagles took on the
San Francisco 49ers in the
NFC Championship game.
49ers quarterback Brock
Purdy was hit on the first
possession of the game for
the 49ers and was knocked
out for most of the game.
The Philadelphia Eagles
offense absolutely bullied
the 49ers top defense
scoring four touchdowns
running the football and
cruising to a 31-7 trouncing
victory.
In the evening game, it
was a rematch of last season’s
AFC Championship
game between the Cincinnati
Bengals and the Kansas
City Chiefs. The Chiefs
and Bengals went back and
forth for much of the game.
With 15 seconds left to play,
Chiefs quarterback Patrick
Mahomes scrambled to the
sideline and got pushed out
of bounds by Bengals defensive
end Joseph Ossai
late on the play, which resulted
in a 15-yard penalty
for unnecessary roughness.
The Chiefs would go on to
win the game with a field
goal 23-20.
Steven Kertis
The two teams that will
play in Super Bowl 57 will
be the Kansas City Chiefs
and the Philadelphia Eagles.
NBA
Controversy was the
main topic in the NBA on
Saturday night as the Los
Angeles Lakers played the
Boston Celtics.
The game was tied at
105 when Lakers shooting
forward LeBron James
drove the ball towards
Celtics power forward
Jayson Tatum. James
missed the layup and time
expired sending the game
into overtime however,
James was clearly fouled
by Tatum as Tatum’s hand
hit LeBron James’s wrist.
James expressed his reaction
as he was enraged by
the no call on the court.
Lakers guard Patrick
Beverley grabbed a camera
to show the ref to get the
foul called, instead he was
called for a technical foul at
the beginning of overtime
which let the Celtics shoot
free throws to take the lead
in overtime. The Celtics
won the game 125-121.

Page 5
Campus
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023
“Ritmo y Sabor” brings fresh
folklorico to BC’s campus
By Anthony
Vasquez
Editor-in-Chief
Bakersfield College
has expanded
more programs on
the campus in recent
years, and one
of these programs is
known as the Folklorico
program Ritmo
y Sabor. The
program was created
back in September
2022, by advisor
Cynthia Zamora,
but it wasn’t until
last year that they
were able to introduce
themselves to
BC and the rest of
Kern County.
Ritmo y Sabor
aims on expanding
the art of traditional
dance that Folklorico
is known for.
The group focuses
on representing the
culture that lives
through the history
of Mexico, and several
other regions of
the world. Through
their representation,
they also hope
that they could become
a safe space
of culture for BC
students. Their most
recent event, Arriba
Norte, occurred on
Saturday night, Jan.
28, and presented a
show that had over
80 dancers perform
their choreographed
dances alongside
other partnered
groups that are similar
to theirs from
Kern County.
These different
groups of performers
ranged from
presenting cultural
dances and cultural
music.
One of the groups
that were present
at the event was
a three-girl band,
known as “Las
Damas Del Valle.”
They opened up
the event with a few
songs that originated
from the region of
Northern Mexico,
that ranged from
traditional cumbias
to romantic classics,
and more.
The three band
members ranged
from the ages of
17 to 19, and they
came to support
Ritmo y Sabor with
their event that night
by coming in from
Porterville. Yadria
Lucatero had said,
“We’re here to support
Cynthia, with
this big, beautiful
event, and her colleagues.”
Other groups such
as Teocalli Culture
Academy from Fresno,
Calif., who came
to perform several
cultural dances, had
also come in to support
Zamora and
the Arriba Norte
event that night.
ANTHONY VASQUEZ/THE RIP
A folklorico dancer performs during the opening dance at the Ariba
Norte show at BC on Jan. 28.

Page 6
Campus
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023
Paralympic gold medalist
speakes about perseverance
By Madeline Ruebush
Reporter
The first Distinguished Speaker
event of the spring semester, hosted
by BC’s Office Student of Life took
place on Jan. 19 where paralympic
gold and bronze medalist speaker,
Evan Austin spoke about his disability
and how he was able to “get back
up” and become the accomplished
swimmer he is today.Austin’s number
one message to the crowd was
to “get back up” just as he had to.
According to him, Austin was diagnosed
with spastic paraplegia, a
neurological and genetic disorder
affecting his legs, at age 3. He spoke
of how, at such a young age, he had
to learn the lesson that “getting back
up” was not a measure of motivation,
but of discipline saying, “You
have to get up, both metaphorically
and physically.”
He also spoke of his able-bodied
brother, Adam. He explained
that both he and his brother were
“born with a competitive spirit”, but
Adam was able to be good at everything
Austin could not do. Austin
expressed how much this irked him
as a kid, that his brother was able to
be good at all the things he wished
he could be good at. At 10 though,
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by Associated Collegiate Press
The Renegade Rip is produced by Bakersfield College
journalism classes and is circulated on Thursdays
during the fall and spring semesters. The newspaper is
published under the auspices of the Kern Community
College District Board of Trustees, but sole responsibility
for its content rests with student editors. The Rip is
a member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association,
Associated Collegiate Press, and California
Colleges Media Association.
Austin revealed, that he found the
one thing his brother was not good
at; swimming. He had found his passion
he explained saying it was,” the
first environment I ever felt safe”.
And he noted that he had decided
that swimming would become his
whole life.
Austin went on to describe how he
started trying out for the US team in
high school. The first time he tried
out he explained, he did not make
it. He said that he never wanted to
feel that way again, like a failure. He
finally revealed that in 2012, his senior
year he made the team and later
noted that “failure is fuel – it is like
gold”. He said that he would go on
to compete in the paralympic and
eventually he won both a gold and
bronze medal. He said that “comfort
is the enemy of success” and that is
how he is where he is today.
Austin now is a coach and a
philanthropist as well as an accomplished
athlete. He wants people to
understand that his success came
from perseverance and those that
surrounded him. He ended the talk
by letting everyone know that they
could also achieve success, just as he
did.
The Renegade Rip
EDITORIAL BOARD
Editor-in-Chief.................Anthony Vasquez
Editor........................................Blake Burton
Digital &Sports Editor..Amanda Hernandez
Opinion Editor.......Eduardo “E.J.” Martinez
STAFF
Reporters/photographers:
Samantha Britt
Nicolas “Peter”Chavaria
Steven Kertis
AJ Manalili
Nadeen Maniord
Madeline Ruebush
Essiah Torres
Emily Urias
Adviser.........................................Erin Auerbach
MADELINE RUEBUSH/THE RIP
Evan Austin tells audience at BC how he
was able to “get back up” and become
an accomplished swimmer despite his
disability.
Write The Rip
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or the letter writer. Anonymous letters
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-Phone: (661) 395-4324
-Email: ripmail@bakersfieldcollege.edu
-Website: therip.com

Page 7
Opinion
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday,Feb. 1, 2023
Bakersfield’s
chewable air
issue
By Nadeen Maniord
Reporter
Bakersfield Calif– Due to the recent flooding in California,
Bakersfield residents have been given a chance to breathe
the air rather than chew it. Unfortunately, most residents are
used to wheezing through the hazardous air, and it doesn’t
seem to be improving anytime soon despite the efforts to create
clean energy.
According to the Bakersfield Air Quality Index, “Bakersfield
is frequently reputed to be the most polluted city in the
United States.” Finally, Bakersfield is number one at something.
Bakersfield continues to dominate in their poor air
quality, by continuing to add to fuel emissions.
There is no doubt that location should be taken into consideration,
when thinking of the poor quality. Bakersfield, located
within the Central Valley of California, has the Sierra
mountains that surround it. Therefore, when industries such
as oil or crop burning, emit chemicals like nitrogen oxide,
a chemical that harms the ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere,
it continues to swirl around like a vacuum seal, according
to the AQI.
This is not just applicable to major companies, however,
but how residents also add to the poor quality. Accountability
should be held to those who reside in Bakersfield. For example,
according to Data for Portal Cities, residents who take
any type of transportation create up to 49% of emissions.
This can be thanks to the lack of efficient transportation.
Bakersfield has also been ranked an F multiple times because
of the amount of smoking that occurs, according to
KGET. Having these types of ranks should be alarming to all
residents inhaling smoke, whether first or secondhand.
People of all ages should be worried about the poor conditions
of their city. According to Spare the Air, poor air quality
like Bakersfield’s, can aggravate asthma, cause itching in
sinuses, affect the cardiovascular system, etc. Despite known
causes of health problems, not much has been done to help.
There is no easy solution to fixing the current state of Bakersfield’s
air. However, there are things that can be done
to perhaps lessen the gravity of the issue. For example, one
could not drive, and instead ride their bike to things that are
close by. Another solution would be for residents, who do
smoke to quit it or even take baby steps toward smoking less.
Residents of Bakersfield, although it isn’t easy, creating a
better environment can not only help us breathe resulting in
better quality of life, but also to sustain our planet. If not for
yourself, think of others, let’s stop chewing air for 2023.
Bookworm talk
An Instant New York
Times Bestseller “The Stories
We Tell” by Joanna
Gaines made headlines on
the Today show in 2022.
The book is a memoir detailing
Gaines’ experiences
and how important each
piece was to create the story
that she tells today.
Throughout the book, she
speaks boldly about memories
from her past and how
those moments created fear
within her while growing up.
This is a relatable concept
for most individuals.
I think we can all say that
there were moments in our
childhood so profound that
we still deal with the internal
messages they left behind.
For some, this book can
spark a sense of self-awareness
and motivate them to
begin healing parts of the
past to come to terms with
their own story.
Significantly, Gaines normalized
what adulthood,
growth, and change are like.
She wrote “I certainly
don’t have all the answers.”
That statement highlights
her authenticity as an author.
It allows readers to connect
with her and understand
that even though she
embarked on a journey of
change, self-discovery, and
healing, she still does not
have all the answers.
That is the most important
takeaway of the memoir.
You don’t have to be perfect,
have all the answers, or
even pretend as though the
past didn’t occur because it
is all part of the story that
The Bookworm
By Amanda Hernandez
Digital and Sports Editor
Amanda Hernandez
you will one day tell.
Throughout the book, she
emphasizes fear, bridges,
paying attention, holding
on, letting go, your roots,
growing, untethering, piecing
things together, and just
having fun.
You’ll likely begin uncovering
your strengths, weaknesses,
lies you’ve been told,
hurts, pains, things that anger
you and so much more.
Regardless of your own
experiences ,and how different
they may be from
Gaines’, there is something
you can relate to on just
about every page.
In addition, her style of
writing is very easy to comprehend
and so conversational,
you’ll feel like she’s
speaking directly to you.
This is a memoir that
sparks ideas, understanding,
and a whole lot of conversation.
If you haven’t already, go
grab yours today, so you can
begin piecing together each
part of your own story.

Page 8
Opinion
The Renegade Rip www.therip.com
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023
“M3GAN,” The
new killer doll in
stores now
By EJ Martinez
Opinion Editor
Watch out Chucky, there is a new
killer doll entering cinema and her
name is “M3gan” directed by Gerard
Johnstone and starring Allison
Williams, Violet McGraw and
Amie Donald.
This movie succeeds in everything
that other artificial intelligence
and doll horror films have
failed to achieve in recent years
exploring themes surrounding the
evolution of tech upon future generations.
The flick centers on the character
Cady (McGraw) after being gifted a
protype A.I. doll, M3gan, from her
aunt, Gemma (Williams), while the
doll takes every measure to make
sure Cady will never be hurt again.
The movie is an interesting take
on toys and artificial intelligence
within children’s devices.
The flick questions the dangers
that come from children being
raised on technology that is actively
replacing the role of parents and is
damaging to the emotional development
within children.
While the film is rated PG-13, it
does have interesting deaths that
sadly never have a chance to play
out often having the camera panning
away or cutting to something
else beforehand which may be a
turn off for audience members
accustom to more graphic horror
scenes from other films.
However, that does not detract
from the danger that M3gan imposes
on the characters within the
film with her titanium body, voice
mimicry and her connections she
has with smart devices presenting
her as an unkillable killing machine.
This flick has a clear understanding
of its goals and what it seeks
out to do for its audience with its
campy tone surrounding the commercialization
of toys and products
for kids and the difficulties faced by
Silicon Valley engineers and higher-ups.
The effects and makeup for the
film were spectacular, especially for
M3gan design and graphic scenes;
some scenes appear to have fun
with the prosthetics and props used
during horrific scenes.
Overall, while the film may not fill
in the need for blood and gore for
some audience members “M3gan”
does provide an interesting take on
A.I. horror genre that was gladly
needed.
GOOGLE IMAGES
Renegade Events
Campus Events
.
Feb. 1: Deadline to apply for scholarships:
https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/finaid/
scholarships
Feb. 8: The Gadfly Cafe, Topic: Artificial Intelligence,
Levan Center,12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Feb. 9: Dr. Eddie Cole Jr. , Professor of
Higher Education and Organizational Change
at UCLA, speaking at the Levan Center at 2:00
p.m., and at the Indoor Theater, PAC building
at 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 14: Deep Cuts and Conversations: an
informal discussion of music, with Josh Ottum,
Kris Tiner, and Reggie Williams, Levan Center,
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 & 20: BC will be closed on Friday
Feb. 17 and Monday Feb. 20 in observance of
Presidents’ Day weekend
Feb. 22: Art, Architecture, and Archetypes:
a faculty panel on art, architecture, and mythology,
featuring Rae Ann Kumelos, Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg,
Krista Moreland, and Ronnie
Wrest, Levan Center, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 22: Kwame Anthony Appiah, NYU
Professor of Law and Philosophy, speaking on
Race and Cultural Criticism., Ball Room, 3rd
floor of Campus Center, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
March 2: Dr. Rosemarie Zagarri, author,
historian, and professor speaking at BC at the
Levan Center at 2:00 p.m., and at the Indoor
Theater, PAC building at 7:00 p.m.
March 23: Will Gadd, professional top adventure
sports athlete speaking at BC at the
Levan Center at 2:00 p.m., and at the Indoor
Theater, PAC building at 7:00 p.m.
March 13: Dr. Melanie Lundquist, philanthropist
speaking at BC at the Ball Room, 3rd
floor of Campus Center, 2:00 P.M. & 7:00 p.m.