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The Student News Site of Elgin Community College

Observer
The Student News Site of Elgin Community College

Observer
The Student News Site of Elgin Community College

Observer
Shayndel Valles

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor

Hi! My name is Shayndel Valles and I am a second-year marketing student here at ECC. I love graphic design, sewing, traveling, and all things happy. After I graduate this spring, I plan on taking a gap year abroad before attending Loyola University Chicago. I look forward to continuing to work with the Observer and being involved in our community!

All content by Shayndel Valles
Attendees walk along las casetas at la Feria de Abril en Seville, Spain.

La Feria de Abril in Seville, Spain

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor
May 2, 2024
La portada, or the great entrance to la Feria, is lit up at midnight on the first night. This is called the alumbrao and festival goers typically eat pescaito, or little fried fish.

Attendees walk through the carnival rides at la Calle del Infierno located within la Feria de Abril in Seville, Spain.

A coachman stands beside his horses at la Feria de Abril in Seville, Spain.

Horses are often adorned with decorations including fresh flowers, pom-poms and bells.

Horses drink water on the side streets at la Feria de Abril in Seville, Spain.

The city of Seville changes nearby pedestrian lights to reflect a flamenca dancer and a man with a guitar during la Feria.

A typical traje de flamenca or gitana will feature an up-do with a large front-facing flower, an embroidered shawl called a mantón and a voluminous, flared skirt. Accessories are highly encouraged and espadrille-style heels are very common. Overall, the trends continue to change year-by-year.

Girls dance Sevillanas, a traditional style of dance native to Andalusia, at la Feria de Abril in Seville, Spain.

The dance style features four distinct parts and is commonly taught in Andalusian culture.

A coachman and a coachwoman await clearance at la Feria de Abril in Seville, Spain.

Casetas line the streets of la Feria de Abril in Sevilla, Spain. While these are mostly private, there are some public casetas for the general public to enjoy. Deemed the soul of the fair, these are sites of joy, drinking and dancing.

Flamencas take pictures at La Plaza de España before heading to the fair in Seville, Spain.

The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office and TRIO Office at ECC in Building B.

Nuevo formulario de FAFSA disponible para este año escolar 2024 – 2025

Angela Tovar and Shayndel Valles
March 24, 2024
Estudiante accediendo al sitio web FAFSA.gov el 20 de marzo de 2024.

Los estudiantes enfrentan desafíos en medio de ‘Un Mejor Proceso FAFSA’

Angela Tovar and Shayndel Valles
March 22, 2024
Estudiante accediendo al sitio web FAFSA.gov el 20 de marzo de 2024.

Students face challenges amidst ‘A Better FAFSA Process’

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor
March 21, 2024
Angela Tovar and Shayndel Valles at the ACP Spring Conference in San Diego.

The Observer wins national awards at ACP Spring Conference

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor
March 20, 2024
The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office and TRIO Office at ECC in Building B.

New FAFSA form available for 2024-2025 school year

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor
March 20, 2024
A sea lion rests at La Jolla Beach in San Diego, California on Mar. 6, 2024.

Photos: Sea Lions at La Jolla Beach

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor
March 7, 2024
Sea lions at La Jolla Beach in San Diego, California on Mar. 6, 2024.

A couple sits on a rock at La Jolla Beach in San Diego, California on Mar. 6, 2024.

Palm trees in San Diego, California on Mar. 6, 2024.

Student cars parked in lot B at the ECC campus.

Update on Alleged On-Campus Burglary

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor
February 28, 2024
Estacionamiento B, frente al edificio A en ECC Spartan Drive dos horas antes de que ocurriera el robo del automóvil el 1 de febrero de 2024.

[Photo] Ex estudiante de ECC enfrenta cargos penales por presunto robo en el campus

February 26, 2024
So. Sarah Duque defends in the Events Center on February 20, 2024.

Women’s Spartans Lose 33-59 to Moraine Valley Community College

Daniel Nachampassak and Shayndel Valles
February 22, 2024
The Women Spartans Basketball team on February 20, 2024.

The Women's Spartans lost 59-33 to Moraine Valley Community College on February 20, 2024.

Fr. Zoey Wilson takes the ball from the referee at the game against Moraine Valley Community College on February 20, 2024.

The Spartans cheer for their teammates in the Events Center on February 20, 2024.

Fr. Izzy Vidallo defends at the game against Moraine Valley Community College on February 20, 2024.

The Elgin Vintage storeroom on South Spring Street in Downtown Elgin.

Elgin Vintage Opens Permanent Storefront in Downtown Elgin

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor
February 21, 2024
Balloons commemorating ECC’s 75th anniversary outside of the Events Center.

[Photo] Spirit Night: Women’s Spartans lose to Oakton Community College

February 7, 2024
Freshman Linda Blackwell-Hill throws the ball down on January 30, 2024.

Sophomore Sarah Duque surveys the court on January 30, 2024.

Athletes spring towards the ball on January 30, 2024.

Freshman Mikaylah Patronas goes up for a shot on January 30, 2024.

The Spartans lost 46-60 against Prairie State on January 30, 2024.

Freshman Mikaylah Patronas holds the ball on January 30, 2024.

Freshman Ceili Ramirez during the game against Prairie State on January 30, 2024.

Freshman Zoey Wilson looks to her teammates on January 30, 2024.

Freshman Zoey Wilson shoots and scores on January 30, 2024.

Athletes await a rebound on January 30, 2024 in the Building J Event Center.

Women’s Basketball loses 46-60 against Prairie State

Daniel Nachampassak and Shayndel Valles
February 1, 2024
ECC Emergency Management Administrator Stephen Stassen on January 25, 2024.

[Photo] Making the Call: An Inside Look at Emergency Management

January 31, 2024
Snow falls at the Algonquin Commons on January 13, 2024.

[Photo] Weathering the Storm: Student Experiences in Recent Winter Conditions

January 31, 2024
Stephen Stassen, administrador de manejo de emergencias de ECC, el 25 de enero de 2024.

Haciendo una llamada: una mirada al interior de la gestión de emergencias

Angela Tovar and Shayndel Valles
January 31, 2024
ECC Emergency Management Administrator Stephen Stassen on January 25, 2024.

Making the Call: An Inside Look at Emergency Management

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor
January 31, 2024
Nevada en Algonquin Commons el 13 de enero de 2024.

Superando la Tormenta: vivencias de los estudiantes en las condiciones invernales recientes

Angela Tovar and Shayndel Valles
January 31, 2024
Snow falls at the Algonquin Commons on January 13, 2024.

Weathering the Storm: Student Experiences in Recent Winter Conditions

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor
January 31, 2024
Anamika Dua on May 10, 2023.

“If Speech was Silver, Silence was Gold”: Lessons from a Silent Retreat

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor
December 10, 2023
Second floor walkway in Building A on November 21, 2023.

Addressing the Red Zone: Tackling Sexual Harassment on Campus

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor and Brand Manager
November 21, 2023
Second-year student Isabela Almanza at the Center for Financial Empowerment and Wellness on Sept. 27, 2023.

Explore ECC’s new Center for Financial Empowerment & Wellness

Shayndel Valles, Digital Editor/Brand Manager
September 30, 2023
Branch Manager Valerie Gideon at the Center for Financial Empowerment and Wellness on Sept. 26, 2023.

Branch Manager Valerie Gideon talks to a student at the Center for Financial Empowerment and Wellness on Sept. 26, 2023.

Member Service Specialist Gabriela Rango holds up a flyer advertising Affinity Debit Cards at the Center for Financial Empowerment and Wellness on Sept. 26, 2023.

The Center for Financial Empowerment and Wellness in Building C on Sept. 26, 2023.

Member Service Specialist Gabriela Rango at the Center for Financial Empowerment and Wellness on Sept. 26, 2023.

ECC's Center for Civil Engagement can be found in Building F at room 116.

Elgin Vintage owner David Hill at his storefront in Downtown Elgin on Monday, May 8.

Sustainable Streetwear: ECC alum reopens Elgin Vintage summer storefront

Shayndel Valles, Staff Writer and Photographer
May 12, 2023
ECC trustee John Duffy smiles at his retirement reception in Building E's Dining Room on Monday, April 10, 2023.

ECC Trustee John Duffy retires after 48 years: ‘You do it a day at a time.’

Shayndel Valles, Staff Writer and Photographer
April 20, 2023
The entry hallway to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Muirhead Farmhouse in Hampshire, IL on April 6, 2023. Built of Chicago brick and Southern cypress, the home features a heated concrete floor.

Photos: Inside Hampshire’s Frank Lloyd Wright-designed farmhouse

Shayndel Valles, Staff Writer and Photographer
April 8, 2023
The kitchen inside the Muirhead Farmhouse in Hampshire, IL on April 6, 2023. Mrs. Elizabeth Muirhead requested high ceilings and tall cabinetry in letters written to architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1948.

Original family photos hang in the kitchen at the Muirhead Farmhouse in Hampshire, IL on April 6, 2023. The Muirhead family was one of the first settlers in Kane County in the late 1800s.

The dining room in the Muirhead Farmhouse in Hampshire, IL on April 6, 2023. Natural light and a clear connection to nature were very important to American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Mike Petersdorf flips through a book highlighting works by Frank Lloyd Wright in Hampshire, IL on April 6, 2023. The bottom right desk and chair is located in the Johnson Wax Administrative Building in Racine, WI.

The living room inside the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Muirhead Farmhouse in Hampshire, IL on April 6, 2023. Recessed lights are located above the center of floor concrete tiles throughout the home.

Mike Petersdorf reads through a copy of a letter written to Frank Lloyd Wright from the Muirhead family in Hampshire, IL on April 6, 2023.

The front porch of the Muirhead Farmhouse in Hampshire, IL on April 6, 2023.

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Muirhead Farmhouse in Hampshire, IL on April 6, 2023. The Usonian-style home is believed to be the only farmhouse designed and built by Wright completely within his lifetime.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi points at a large check that he presented to ECC during a breakfast for local leaders in manufacturing at ECC on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

Rep Raja Krishnamoorthi presents ECC with $936,000 for new manufacturing center

Shayndel Valles, Staff Writer and Photographer
March 26, 2023
Dr. David Sam reads a sample marketing pamphlet in his office in Building B on Feb. 22, 2023.

Dr. Sam celebrates 16 years as president: “This is the work of everybody in the college.”

Shayndel Valles, Staff Photographer
March 5, 2023
Kelly (left), played by Olivia Litton, leans against a vintage car as Sam, played by Gabrielle Urbina, speaks in the Spartan Auditorium on Feb. 23, 2023.

Beverly, played by Pamela Hart, performs in the Spartan Auditorium on Feb. 23, 2023.

Sam (left), played by Gabrielle Urbina, untwists the lid to a flask handed to her by Kelly, played by Olivia Litton, in the Spartan Auditorium on Feb. 23, 2023.

Adam (left), played by Chase Nelson, and Sam, played by Gabrielle Urbina, passionately sing to each other in the Spartan Auditorium on Feb. 23, 2023.

[Photo] Meet the actors in ECC’s recent musical, "The Mad Ones"

March 4, 2023
Sam (left), played by Gabrielle Urbina, and Kelly (right), played by Olivia Litton, sing together behind the wheel in the Spartan Auditorium on Feb. 23, 2023.

Kelly (left), played by Olivia Litton, addresses mother-daughter duo Sam (center), played by Gabrielle Urbina, and Beverl, played by Pamela Hart, in the Spartan Auditorium on Feb. 23, 2023.

Director of Labor and Employee Relations Tonisha Via speaks at 'Conscious Conversations' event in the Building B Heritage Room on Feb. 8, 2023.

Photos: Black Student Achievers and Wellness Department hosts ‘Conscious Conversations’

Shayndel Valles, Staff Photographer
February 12, 2023
Students create interactive Valentine's Day cards for seniors in the Jobe Lounge on Feb. 7, 2023.

Photos: ADAPT Club hosts ‘Smiles for Seniors’

Shayndel Valles, Staff Photographer
February 11, 2023
Lizzo, Doja Cat, Taylor Swift, and Bad Bunny (left to right) at the 65th annual Grammy Awards hosted in Los Angeles, California on Feb. 5, 2023.

How did your Grammy picks turn out?

Yesenia De La Torre and Shayndel Valles
February 11, 2023
Student Life Coordinator for Student Equity Erik Enders speaks at the 'Conscious Conversations' event in the Building B Heritage Room on Feb. 8, 2023.

EDI Administrative Assistant Mica Dugas (left) and student Tyra Benson listen at 'Conscious Conversations' event in the Building B Heritage Room on Feb. 8, 2023.

The 'Conscious Conversations' event discussed equity issues faced by the Black Community was hosted on Feb. 8, 2023 in the Building B Heritage Room.

Faculty members talk prior to the 'Conscious Conversations' event in the Building B Heritage Room on Feb. 8, 2023.

Faculty and administrative staff confer at 'Conscious Conversations' event in the Building B Heritage Room on Feb. 8, 2023.

First-year students Shaleea Hayes (left) and Tatianna Brown engage in 'Conscious Conversations' event in the Building B Heritage Room on Feb. 8, 2023.

'Smiles for Seniors' event organizer Nadia Shaaban makes cotton candy in the Jobe Lounge on Feb. 7, 2023.

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