MESA was math and science before math and science were cool. It lived the life of pi before Robert Parker hit the scene. Southwestern College started a Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement center (MESA) in the 1970s before STEM classes became PC during the Reagan Administration. SWC’s long-running and highly-successful MESA Center in room 396 provides support for under-represented students in a studious yet relaxed environment with support from tutors. MESA has a legion of successful alumni. This year MESA students make up a small percentage of the campus population, but account for 30 percent of Southwestern College’s Student of Distinction Award (SODA) winners. (Journalism students are second with 25 percent). Raul Soto, MESA Club advisor and tutor, is one …

Chula Vista is famous for its Little League baseball champions, American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez, Bonita Vista High School’s show choirs and Southwestern College’s mariachi and student publications. Hamburgers, though, may be the next big thing. Travel Channel foodies Andrew Zimmern, Adam Richman and Anthony Bourdain, have celebrated some of San Diego’s best seafood and Mexican food, but always stayed north of Chula Vista. Burgers and beer may soon stamp Chula Vista on the foodie map. Thanks to A La …

Condensing Phil into 250 words is difficult, but so was he. He heartily embraced the role of curmudgeon, yelling out the car window at slow moving pedestrians or moaning loudly when gas bags droned on and on and on at meetings. That last bit will always be my favorite. I was a terrible audience for Phil because I loved it when he moaned or rolled his eyes, saying “Geez,” right in front of the perceived offender. How many times did …

Angela Van Ostran rolls over the toes of adversity and races over the speed bumps of life in her wheelchair like Ben-Hur in a chariot, Vin Diesel in a hot rod or Bruce Springsteen on Thunder Road. No retreat, baby, no surrender. A 2012 SDSU graduate, Southwestern College Student of Distinction and disability rights warrior, Van Ostran is hard of hearing and has Cerebral Palsy, but is an athlete, musician, award-winning writer, crusader, mentor and mother. Sometimes all in the …

For many poverty-stricken children, an opportunity to play youth sports is transformational. It’s usually their coach that does the transforming. Southwestern College students can now sign up to serve as miracle workers thanks to Coaching Corps, a volunteer program that places college students to serve as football, soccer, basketball and baseball coaches in low-income communities in San Diego County. Sheilagh Polk, Coaching Corps director of communications, said the organization is always searching for dedicated students who are passionate about kids, …

Very soon my generation will define what the world will be like. It is up to us to make it a better place. I don’t want fame or fortune. I want to do something meaningful. I want to inspire my community. I want to make a difference. The best way to help shape the future is to become a teacher. My dad barely graduated elementary school and my mom earned a high school diploma, but my parents never truly realized …

ROME—Katia Lopez-Hodoyan lives the old saying, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.” That, and she also covers the pope. With the Vatican and the entire Catholic world in a frenzy over the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of Pope Francis, the former Southwestern College Sun News Editor finds herself in the middle of the world’s biggest story, scanning the rooftop of The Vatican for the white smoke that means the world has a new pope. …

National City native Matt de la Peña has had his novels made into major motion pictures and won prestigious national writing awards. Not bad for a guy who flunked second grade because he could not read. Peña spoke at the Southwestern College Guest Writers Series and explained how a reluctant reader became a respected writer. “It’s not that I didn’t like books,” he said, “it’s more that I wasn’t exposed to books when I was young. I never saw my …

Dry freezing temperatures and a whole lot of snow. Dressed in full battle rattle—an armored protective vest, M4 semiautomatic rifle, a Beretta M9 semiautomatic pistol at the side, a Kevlar battle helmet, ballistic eyewear, strap cutters, tourniquets and several magazines in clear reach. For U. S. Navy Reservist, Lt. Cmdr. Luís Nuñez Jr., that was last Christmas in Afghanistan. It was at a spring administrative retreat training when Nuñez, director of the Medical Lab Technician (MLT) program at the National …

Military heroes, civil rights heroes and everyday heroes will assemble January 18 for the Fifth Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast at Southwestern College. Dr. Willie Blair, president and chairman of the Black American Political Association of California, will be a featured speaker. “It is with a deep sense of humility and excitement that I have been asked by the African-American Alliance at Southwestern College to give a special tribute in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” he said. “I find this solicitation for the rendering of this marvelous tribute an absolute honor to this great man and to his enduring legacy.” U.S. Navy captain and physician Samuel Young will be the main speaker. Young currently serves …