Volume 61 Issue 19

THE USD VISTA

Lana Del Rey headlined the Coachella music festival on Friday April 12, 2024, at the Empire Polo Club, followed by Tyler, The Creator on Saturday April 13, and Doja Cat on April 14. About 125,000 people attend the event each day of the festival. Slower ticket sales in January of 2024, as well as a decrease in Airbnb rentals, prompted some on the internet to speculate that the festival would be underwhelming, which they attributed to a lackluster lineup.

However, Lana Del Rey dispelled that perception when she rode into her Friday night set in a sparkling blue dress on the back of a motorcycle, with an entire motorcade. The roar of “Lana, Lana, Lana,” was dizzying, especially because some fans spent hours standing to get a front-row view, including several who passed out waiting, or midperformance. Del Rey mounted the Coachella Main Stage to the song “Jealous Girl,” recognizable on TikTok by its distinct hook:

“Baby, I’m a gangsta’ too, and it takes two to tango.”

From there, Del Rey swept through her set with hit songs, “West Coast,” “Summertime Sadness,” “Cherry” and “Ride,” the last of which she delivered from a swing, adorned with leaves, and acrobatic tricks from accompanying performers.

Imagery from the “Ride” music video in the background, Del Rey sang: “I hear the birds on the summer breeze, I drive fast, I am alone at midnight. Been trying hard not to get into trouble, but I’ve got a war in my mind.”

However, Del Rey was not actually “alone at midnight,” because she performed a duet of “Candy Necklace” with Jon Batiste, from atop his piano. Then, Del Rey was joined by Billie Eilish, whom Del Rey called, “the voice of our generation, the voice of your generation.” In return, Eilish stated on stage about Del Rey, “this is the reason for half you b**** existence, including mine.” Together, they sang Eilish’s song “Ocean Eyes,” and Del Rey’s breakout hit “Video Games.”

See Coachella, Page 9

Trigger warning: Topics of sexual assault, harassment and rape

April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM); this is a time to not only bring visibility to the issue of sexual assault, harassment and rape, but also to hear survivors’ stories to become more educated on sexual assault prevention. While these are difficult conversations to partake in, they are relevant to have even after April ends.

By opening up a door to talk about sexual assault there can be a better understanding of survivors and what they have faced. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) published that in the U.S., there are around 463,634 survivors (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault every year, with the most risk being for people aged 12-34.

As college students, SAAM can be a month to better inform people about what sexual assault and rape is, as some survivors

might not know how to define what they experienced until they’ve been educated on these topics.

Toreros helped shed light on this serious issue, discussing why SAAM is important to them.

USD senior Adriana Ventura shared that this month is an opportunity to speak about consent and why it is necessary.

“For college campuses, because of the fact that we’re all

very young and we’re growing into ourselves, it’s really important to learn about boundaries — about respecting other people’s boundaries and respecting your own boundaries, and especially how to set boundaries,” Ventura explained. “When it comes to consent, it’s important [because] it teaches people about setting and respecting boundaries.”

Expanding on why consent

is essential for safety of all parties involved, Ventura offered insight on what these boundaries may sound like.

“‘No’ means no, but ‘maybe’ also means no, or ‘I don’t know’ also means no, or ‘can we just kiss’ means we’re just gonna kiss, and that’s it.”

In other words, even if someone consents at first, they can stop it and take back their consent at any time, and giving your consent to someone once does not make that consent indefinite, or permanent.

Ventura also asserted that there’s more to this type of conversation: listening to survivors.

“Allowing people to share their stories is probably the most effective way to get people to empathize with victims and understand what it’s like to be in that situation. Because we talk about ‘fight, flight and freeze,’ and in a lot of peoples’ situations, a lot of people’s reaction [to being assaulted, harassed or raped] is to freeze up. And a lot

Kesha (right) made a surprise appearance Reneé Rapp’s (left) Coachella set to perform ‘Tik

2 candidates run to be the next ASG president A preview of their potential initiatives

ANJALI DALAL-WHELAN NEWS EDITOR

With the end of spring semester around the corner, there are two candidates vying to be the president of USD’s Associate Student Government (ASG) for the 2024-2025 school year.

ASG presidential candidate

Morgan Pheng is currently a junior at USD. She is a cheer captain, the marketing chair for the BullPit and an active member of The Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization (FUSO).

Pheng has been involved in ASG for two years, first serving as at-large senator and on the Executive Board this year as the Public Relations Chair.

ASG presidential candidate

Jolie Beegle is also a junior at USD. She is the treasurer of the Pre Veterinary club and a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Beegle has been an ASG senator for two years, and this year serves as the Academics Committee Chair.

On Friday April 12, ASG hosted a debate for the two candidates where they discussed their views on key issues that affect the USD community.

Initiatives

The candidates discussed key initiatives they would attempt

to create as ASG president.

Beegle spoke about improving USD’s career readiness programs, increasing school spirit and looking at the inner workings of ASG.

“I want to meet with each committee that we have once or twice a semester to really make sure that we are getting stuff done and being proactive,” Beegle said.

Pheng explained that she wanted to create a garden on campus to help students who don’t have cars or access to grocery stores. She also plans on expanding the food pantry.

Another initiative Pheng hopes to accomplish is banning the social media app Fizz. At the debate, Pheng explained this potential initiative.

“Fizz is probably one of the most harmful social media platforms today... So I think implementing an anti-bullying campaign and having those talks with administrators… pushing to advocate for taking down Fizz, or doing something about it within the administration and providing resources for students that are being affected by Fizz and what is being said [on the platform].”

School Spirit

Both candidates listed increasing school spirit as one of their main objectives if elected.

Pheng described it as “disheartening” that many USD students don’t come to games and listed ideas to improve school spirit, such as giveaways, pep rallies and tabling to increase game attendance.

Beegle said that ASG needs to do more to connect the campus community in athletics in other areas. She said ASG should be more present on campus to show school spirit and pride in USD.

Diversity and Inclusion

Pheng lists amplifying underrepresented voices as one of her main values. She described how her identity affected these beliefs.

“Being a part of FUSO and being a marginalized student here on campus, I myself have firsthand experience with admin not supporting students in diversity and inclusion,” Pheng said.

Following the debate, The USD Vista contacted USD for comment on Pheng’s statement about administration’s support for student diversity. USD Associate Director of Media Relations Cameran Zech responded to the statement, on behalf of USD.

“One of USD’s core values is recognizing the dignity that each and every one of us deserves. That means fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated —

diversity of ideas, languages, cultures and people,” Zech said.

To advance diversity as president, Pheng said she would attend the United Front Leadership Council meetings and implement a “students of color conference” to bring students together from different backgrounds and organizations.

Beegle explained that, although she can’t fully understand the experience of every group on campus, she wants to promote diversity and inclusion by listening to students and taking their ideas and feedback into consideration.

“I want to meet with clubs and organizations to learn about everyone’s background specifically and ask what they want to see changed,” Beegle explained. “I can never know the experience directly unless someone is asking me about my very own experience, so in that way I have to get down to the nitty-gritty and get to know every one of the students here.”

Non-tenure track union

Both candidates expressed support for the College of Arts and Sciences’ non-tenure track professors’ unionization effort.

Communication from ASG

Pheng and Beegle both

said that they want to increase ASG’s communication with students. Beegle said she would create an email from the ASG president to students, which Pheng countered saying she would create videos on social media, to reach a wider audience.

Pheng said that as president she would try to find avenues to communicate with the student body through social meida as well as by meeting with constituents.

Beegle also shared her ideas on how to increase communication.

“One of the most disappointing things to me about being involved in ASG is realizing we do so many things that no one knows anything about, and we fund so many groups and no one knows about it,” Beegle said. “Being able to tell people ASG is a resource and helping them recognize that we are there. Having senate on the patio sometimes, having some Q and A sessions with people walking to class I think that’s really crucial to gathering opinions.”

A full recording of the debate is available on ASG’s Instagram account @usd_asg. Elections were held online from April 15-16, the results had not yet been announced by the time of The USD Vista’s publication deadline.

California’s minimum wage raise

USD students react to higher pay and food prices

The minimum wage for fast food workers in California increased to $20 an hour, as of April 1, 2024. Whether this is positive news for California citizens remains up in the air.

The legislation, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2023, created a 25% wage increase from the previous $16 an hour. Additionally, it established the Fast Food Council, which has the authority to continue raising the minimum wage over the next decade and monitor working conditions for the fast food industry.

While the wage increase applies to any fast food chain restaurant in the state with 60+ locations nationwide, a handful of exemptions were written into the law. These include chain locations in grocery stores, airports, museums and theme parks.

As with any new law, there are pros and cons for both workers and consumers. USD finance professor Daniel Roccato gave his take on the multi-faceted nature of the law.

“On the one hand, it’s terrific that thousands of people have a pay raise, but then there are the consumers who are paying more,” Roccato said. “This is a classic example of benefiting one group and having good goals, but the problem is the policy makers haven’t thought through what the long-term harm is.”

With the rise in labor costs, many companies such as Starbucks have increased their prices in response to the wage. USD senior Celia Raney, a barista at Starbucks, explained her experience with the menu price increase.

“I’m not going to complain, because it’s nice for me, but we did have to increase our prices, which our customers were not happy about, especially our regular customers who get the same thing every day and even have their cash ready,” Raney stated.

These increases in prices are projected to add to the already existent spike in inflation, which began about three years ago in the U.S. With the overall cost of living getting increasingly higher, the new fast food menu prices could affect the lives of middle and lower income

consumers in the long run.

Besides increases in prices, other fast food chain locations have resorted to staff cuts or even closures. Due to its small size and commitment to quality, USD does not offer fast food chains on its campus. Therefore, any students or staff working in dining remain set in the nonfast food minimum wage of $16.85 an hour. USD sophomore Kat Harris, a student worker at USD’s market and grocery

store Tu Mercado, explained her frustration with the lack of wage increase at on-campus sites.

“I’ve worked in fast food service previously, and — when it gets busy in Tu Merc — it’s definitely a similar stress level and workload [as working in fast food],” Harris said. “Some of my coworkers are either providing for themselves and their families, putting themselves through school and might have another job… I think USD needs

to get its priorities straight and start paying their professors and workers a fair wage.”

Whether the minimum wage will increase for all jobs in California—including those on USD’s campus — is uncertain. Ultimately, the $20 an hour minimum wage increase for fast food workers in California highlights the delicate balance between worker salaries and market stability in an ever-changing economy.

In some states across the country, public universities face an incoming ban on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. A bill passed in the Texas state legislature banning the implementation of DEI initiatives in its public universities caused 60 faculty members at The University of Texas at Austin to be released from their positions, reportedly two weeks ago. This event is the latest in an ongoing effort by some states to ban DEI from their universities’ campuses.

Previously, Florida and Utah passed bans and more than 30 states have introduced a bill doing so. Supporters of the ban believe that DEI offices promote “white guilt,” a term describing the practice of shaming white students for the past actions of other white people, and exert unfair political influence upon students. Supporters of the ban say that DEI funds should be diverted to other academic or extracurricular programs. Those opposing the ban credit DEI

initiatives with encouraging equal opportunities for all students and opening up conversations about injustice and prejudice.

USD first-year Emily Salvador expressed her opinion on why DEI should remain at other colleges.

“As someone who is firstgeneration, I think that it is really important for universities to have diversity resources so that students can feel included and have a comfortable space. It is important for students to have equal access to opportunities because the system isn’t set up equally.”

USD first-year Nico Mosley also shared similar sentiments.

“I think it is pretty insane that [The University of Texas at Austin] is able to do that, since DEI is something that is really important in our education system and provides opportunities for people of different races and cultures.”

Despite such attempts throughout the country, USD remains committed to their DEI initiatives, such as the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CID), the Multicultural Commons, LGBTQ+ Commons and the Kumeyaay Tribal Liaison.

Written on the CID’s website, USD Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dr. Regina Dixon-Reeves stated the importance of DEI at USD. “We want to feel safe to be our authentic selves and we want access to opportunities and experiences that can be used to ultimately change the world. That’s how we want people to feel when they come to the University of San Diego.”

Vice President of Mission Integration at USD, Dr. Michael Lovette-Colyer explained the relationship between the University’s mission and DEI initiatives.

“One of the values at the very foundation of Catholicism is human dignity. As a Catholic university, our conviction that all people are created in the image and likeness of God and thus possess infinite dignity and worth grounds and motivates our efforts to ensure that all members of our community know they are cherished and celebrated. The diversity, inclusion and equity efforts on campus are designed to promote a sense of belonging as well as the thriving

of all students, faculty and staff.”

USD’s mission aligns with Catholic social teachings of human dignity, which promotes the ability to thrive amongst all individuals, regardless of race, gender and religious affiliation.

In some areas of campus, names have changed to reflect the significance and influence of Native American communities, such as the Kumeyaay Nation, in San Diego. For example, Mata’yuum Crossroads, formerly known as Missions Crossroads, was renamed in 2019 for the Kumeyaay Nation’s word for “gathering place.”

However, some students believe that USD’s mission statement may be more performative than practiced.

The name of “Saints Hall” has remained controversial since the building’s renaming in 2019, changing from “Serra Hall” to “Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall.”

USD first-year Ivy Mendez finds the title of Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall contradictory.

“I see the name Saints Tekakwitha and Serra hall to be contradictory, because

USD is attempting to honor the indigenous community by putting Tekakwitha’s name on the building. However, by leaving Serra’s name on there it takes away any of that honor. Serra committed horrible atrocities to [indigenous communities], and by having both their names on the building it seems to say that they deserve the same amount of honor and remembrance,” Mendez stated.

“While I appreciate the work that USD is doing to be more equitable and inclusive, I believe that there is much work that needs to be done when reflecting on harmful Catholic practices that may deter the [DEI] efforts we are deciding to implement on campus,” Mendez expressed.

USD has stated that it remains committed to DEI programs and initiatives, because it plays a vital role in campus life and culture. However, students, faculty and staff at other institutions across the country — like The University of Texas at Austin — are learning how to manage the new environment brought upon by the banning of DEI at their respective universities.

A new minimum wage law gave fast food workers in California a pay raise to at least $20 an hour. Photo courtesy of @jeremybishop/Unsplash

ARTS & CULTURE

The ups and downs of situationships

Coachella weekend 1 kicks off in Indio

Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator and Doja Cat headline

Coachella, from Page 1

Del Rey later appeared in hologram form, alongside Jack Antonoff of Bleachers: a singer and producer who frequently works with Del Rey and other major singer-songwriters. As a hologram, Del Rey wore the same dress from her infamous and criticized “SNL appearance:” an allusion — or illusion — to that event, from her past.

Friday night ended with a fireworks finale, to end the hour-and-forty-minute party with a Gatsby-esque display. The performance was a highlight of the festival for USD senior Angela Amaro.

“I’m a bigtime fan of [Lana Del Rey] for a long time, since middle school. Being able to see her was really exciting. The grandness of it all, her entrance, she executed it very well. She used up a lot of space at the festival. The outro really brought it all together with the fireworks and the [live] band, and the whole thing was very well constructed,” Amaro shared.

More performances from Friday included Peso Pluma on the Coachella Main Stage, and also Sabrina Carpenter

with her new song, “Espresso,” and also “Nonsense” as an encore. Chappell Roan stirred up the audience with her hit “Casual” and an interactive dance for “HOT TO GO!”

On Saturday, Paris Hilton appeared onstage with Vampire Weekend to play cornhole, while Kevin Abstract was joined by Dominic Fike. RAYE also performed her set, which was a favorite of USD senior Marco Jimenez.

“I especially loved RAYE, No Doubt, Barry Can’t Swim and more. A lot of people didn’t like the lineup, but I thought it was great,” Jimenez stated.

Olivia Rodrigo accompanied Gwen Stefani from No Doubt, to sing “Bathwater.” The band No Doubt had an energetic show, with Stefani reminding the crowd that this was their first performance together in nine years. Both “Underneath It All” and “Just a Girl” were crowd favorites, with Stefani extending her hit songs by several minutes, interacting with the audience.

“No Doubt [was a highlight], because they hadn’t performed together in forever and they hadn’t made music,” Amaro

said. “My dad used to play them all the time, so it was kind of very nostalgic for me.”

Taylor Swift was present with Travis Kelce at performances by Bleachers and Ice Spice, as an observer — but she did not join in any of the acts.

A DJ set by Grimes at the Sahara stage was afflicted by “major technical difficulties” which caused the performer to shriek with rage while performing. On X, she promised to have the issues resolved before Coachella weekend two, April 19-21.

Saturday night’s headline act, Tyler, The Creator, was joined by Donald Glover and A$AP Rocky. Tyler, The Creator performed an extensive set of 21 tracks and reserved hit songs “EARFQUAKE” and “See You Again” until nearly the end of the show.

On Sunday, Kesha performed at Reneé Rapp’s set, where the duo sang Kesha’s hit: “Tik Tok.” The song’s lyrical mention of P. Diddy was revised to, “wake up in the morning, like f*** P. Diddy”: an apparent reference to the recent raid on P. Diddy’s LA and Miami homes

by Homeland Security, as part of an ongoing investigation. Reneé Rapp belted out song after song, including fan favorites “Tummy Hurts” and “I Hate Boston,” and concluded her set to resounding applause.

Also on Sunday, Bebe Rexha brought out David Guetta, and J. Balvin performed a space-alienthemed laser show, culminating with Will Smith on stage to sing “Men In Black,” and pretending to wipe the audience’s memory like his character Agent J.

Doja Cat’s headline act on Sunday night was widely attended, but the crowd began to whittle down early, due to the cold and windy desert conditions, while — in contrast — her stage design incorporated pyrotechnics and mud wrestling.

Doja Cat also saved her hit songs for the end and ditched her biggest pop songs altogether, leading some to call it a “rebrand effort.” By the time she performed “Paint The Town Red,” and mud wrestling to “Wet V*****,” some of the audience had already departed, because it was the final night of three, intensive days of festival attendance.

“It did get super cold at night, though, which I was definitely not prepared for… the walk back to the lot was rough after a day of dancing,” Jimenez said.

Amaro seconded the impact of the weather on her experience.

“Our tent [canopy] flew away because of the high winds. Our neighbor’s tent kind of collapsed.”

The temperature and long walks weren’t the only challenges, especially if attendees decided to car camp, like Amaro. On the final night, she discovered that the car battery had died.

“The battery kind of went out, but luckily the people who organized it kind of expected it… there was a tow truck there on site to help us with the charge,” Amaro said.

Overall, the experience was not hampered by the setback.

“For the most part camping wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Safety was one of my concerns, like theft, but as the days went by I got more comfortable.”

Weekend two of Coachella, begins this Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 21.

Lana Del Rey brought out Billie Eilish for her set on Day 1 of Coachella. Photo courtesy of @lanagoddestr/Instagram

Doja Cat during her headlining set on Day 3 of Coachella while performing her song ‘Demons.’

Photo courtesy of @coachella/Instagram

Mercury is in retrograde (again) The lore behind the infamous phenomenon

Hold on to your luck for dear life, because the disastrous season of the mercury retrograde is upon us. Whether you’re into astrology or not, the phrase “mercury retrograde” has been recently infused into pop culture with its reputation of being the causal force behind inconveniences and unwanted problems. Since we are in one right now, anything bad that has happened to you in the past few weeks can hypothetically be blamed on this astrological event. But what is this phenomenon in the first place and why is it said to twist and turn everyone’s fate into utter chaos?

The phrase “Mercury Retrograde” refers to the period of time when the planet Mercury moves slower than the Earth around the sun. Usually, the planet closest to the sun moves at a faster pace compared to Earth, finishing its rotation within 88 days compared to Earth’s 365 days. But every now and then, Mercury slows down and creates an illusion of almost moving backwards. Since Mercury is the planet that rules over communication, intellect, memory, thinking patterns, rationality/reasoning and transportation, this period of retrograde is considered a

time when a range of mishaps in these fields are expected. Issues with miscommunication, falling out with friends and unexpected mood swings are all written in the course of mercury retrogrades.

USD senior Taniah Ayala believes in the retrograde and talked about all it’s capable of doing.

“These

careful with your relationships.”

We are currently in the second retrograde of the year which, funnily enough, started on April Fool’s Day and is set to end on April 24. The first retrograde of the year also had an outlandish timing, with its last day falling on the first day of 2024: Jan. 1. But 2024 has blessed us with not one, or two but, rather, four of

Since this time falls right during the astrological sign of Aries, those born in April may be the ones facing most of the effects of the electrically charged push and pull. To try to equalize the effects of the retrograde, there are some dos and don’ts that everyone should keep in mind, especially all Aries suns.

Some dos include

the retrograde and be aware of your driving. You should also try to communicate very clearly, because misunderstandings seem to come around a lot during this time. Something is always bound to go wrong during mercury retrograde so go easy on yourself, don’t make big decisions, especially financial, and be

most level of novelty, because it is sandwiched between two eclipses. The start of this mercury retrograde fell on April 1, which is right in the middle of the lunar eclipse that occurred on March 25 and the most recent solar eclipse on April 8. This makes the already charged retrograde more intense, because of the fusion of energies.

electronics and technology so make sure you save all your important documents and carry portable chargers for unexpected battery deaths.

Some don’ts during the season of mercury retrograde is to stay away from major decisions in the area of romance. It is a time period where people from your past

may come crawling back because eclipses and retrogrades can heavily impact one’s mood and decision making. So staying away from bigger choices in your love life is a wise choice, since your own mood is also being flipped around by cosmic energies. Staying away from road rage, aggression and any immediate bursts of anger you might feel is also advisable because people tend to be hypersensitive during this time.

USD junior Itzel Esparza, who is an Aries, shared her own experience dealing with the retrograde turbulence in her life.

“I would say definitely the last month has been eventful to say the least,” Esparza said. “I was kind of all over the place at the beginning of the retrograde period. I’ve definitely had to restrain myself from making big purchases and being overly emotional about certain things. People I haven’t interacted with in a while have come back into my life and it is just interesting to see how there are similarities between the start of the retrograde and the start of all these things happening in my life. Whether you believe in the energy shifts of the retrograde or not, protecting your peace is always a good choice. Now, when things go wrong out of the blue and you’re confused on the reason behind these changes, you have the universe to blame.

The making of ‘(Anon)ymous’ USD Theater department’s

ALEX KUETER ASST. OPINION EDITOR

Each semester USD puts on an undergraduate play. This year the spring play is “Anon(ymous)” by Naomi Iizuka. According to playscripts, “(Anon)ymous” is the story of a young refugee boy named Anon, who gets separated from his mother. The play follows the journey of Anon as he ventures through the U.S., encountering a wide variety of people — some kind, some dangerous and cruel — as he searches for his family. He journeys through fantastical situations, meets strange and exciting new people and navigates the at times perilous landscape around him in a novel interpretation of Homer’s ‘The Odyssey.’”

Usually, in the fall, USD’s plays follow a traditional pattern, where tech students apply for jobs to be part of designing the play and actors audition to be cast in varying roles based on performance and availability. The spring plays, however, follow a different pattern. Instead of the customary audition process, the spring plays are done through two classes – the Acting/ Stage Management section and the Design/ Tech section. The acting section is led by Lisa Berger and meets every weeknight, while the Design/Tech section is led by Robin Roberts meets twice weekly and when needed for changes. The change to class led

performances was made last year with the performance of “Almost, Maine,” and appears to be the new pattern for spring productions. While there are usually fewer roles to be filled, everyone in the class is given a role. The goal of this new design and set up for the spring plays is to create a more collaborative environment where the students are thrust into every aspect of what it takes to make a production. From directing to picking out props, students receive lots of staff support but are able to make their own creative decisions and work with each other to create the performance.

USD first-year Tanner Blackington acted in the fall production and now works as a prop manager in the spring talked about his experience with this updated style of play production.

“It’s been very different doing this in a course style, rather than the open rehearsal style,” Blackington said. “[Rehearsals] have been mixed with lessons and actual practical application of those lessons which has been really fun and let me learn a lot.”

This hands-on style of learning is much more similar to real word play design and productions and allows students to learn from the ground up. Despite this, students receive lots of one-onone support from faculty and staff.

USD sophomore Casper Finnegan talked about his experience being in the Design/

new approach on spring productions

Tech section of the class.

“We’re all working together and talking with Robin and Lisa about their specific ideas as well,” Finnegan said. “I’m about to talk to some people in the music department about some scenes for ideas and guidance. We have a lot of fun and I think it’s good to work on big creative projects like this, it helps time management skills, it helps creativity, it helps group project skills and more.”

While a variety of students with different majors audition for the fall plays, the spring play is a more underground production. The fall plays also tend to be bigger and usually cast only theater majors, whereas the smaller spring ones branch out to others, due to the educational nature of the production. As such, the spring play is a unique opportunity for theater students

and others to learn valuable skills about acting, management, people skills, organization and more.

The plays are also chosen by a panel of students and staff who carefully consider the play’s relevance, importance and tone. They also consider what the plays mean to the students of USD and why are they important to hear.

USD senior Josh Venegas who is cast in the show talked about how he views the story told by “(Anon)ymous.”

“Our show is centered around Anonymous, who is a representation of refugees; it’s a very heavy story in that sense because this is something we want to shine a light on in our community especially with everything going on in the world in the past couple years,” Venegas said.

While the play is loosely based off of “The Odyssey,” you

don’t need to know the story well to follow along. Assistant Director Carly O’Rear talked about the connection between both the plays.

“The play does follow the trajectory of ‘The Odyssey’ and if you’re familiar with it you’ll be able to look at moments and be like, ‘oh haha I know what’s going on,’ but if you don’t know it you won’t be lost… It’s still the recognizable arc of a hero’s journey whether it’s ‘The Odyssey’ or not,” O’Rear said.

The collaborative process of the spring plays creates a truly unique and diverse production, where you see how various ideas came together. Rather than have one director telling everyone how they envision the play, students are encouraged to present their ideas and expected to contribute in new ways. The play premiers from May 2-5, and all students are highly encouraged to attend.

A behind-the-scenes shot of the cast of ‘(Anon)ymous’ during rehearsals for the play in the Blackbox Theater.

Photo courtesy of Carly O’Rear

ARTS & FEATURE

Highlighting Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The importance of sexual assault awareness and prevention

From SAAM, Page 1

Trigger warning:

Topics of sexual assault, harassment and rape of people are not socialized to fight either… Just because you think you would be comfortable fighting in that situation… people get scared and peoples’ brains don’t know what to do. You can’t really control that.”

Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) Associate Director of Prevention and Education

Sarah Diamond communicated her knowledge and perspective on sexual violence.

“Sexual violence is more than the legal definition of rape and when we only talk about sexual violence as ‘rape,’ we are erasing and invalidating the many forms of sexual violence that exist. This makes it much harder for victim-survivors to come forward about their experiences and access the resources they need,” Diamond said. “It’s also important for students to know that sexual violence is never the victim-survivor’s fault — no one asks to be sexually assaulted, and being under the influence

or wearing revealing clothing never indicate consent. Additionally, it’s important to know that people’s response to this type of traumatic event can vary, and each response is valid and normal.”

As an advocate for sexual assault awareness and prevention, Diamond discussed her own feelings toward this month.

“To me, SAAM can be a time for healing and recognizing that many of us have been or know someone who has been impacted by sexual violence; it can help shed light on this serious form of harm, so those impacted by harm know they are not alone. I think there is a lot of power in healing communities together, and SAAM provides that opportunity.”

Diamond also brought up ways in which everyone can prevent sexual violence and begin to change the dialogue around sexual assault, harassment and rape.

“We all have a role to play in ending sexual violence. We can do this by learning healthy communication skills in order

to communicate about our boundaries, asking for consent in non-sexual situations so it becomes more comfortable during intimate acts, breaking down myths about sexual violence; for example… ‘it only happens to women,’ intervening when someone says something that perpetuates rape culture [societal and cultural norms around sexual violence] and believing survivors when they come forward about their experiences and supporting them in their decision making. By doing these things, we can help cultivate a culture of consent and care here at USD.”

“Rape culture” is the way society normalizes conversations, attitudes and expectations around sexual harassment, assault and rape; it furthers the idea that sexual violence is somehow the survivor’s fault and is to be expected.

Valdez emphasized the way that rape culture encourages jokes around sexual violence.

“Sexual assault is obviously not a joke... in whatever media we’re consuming, it can be a joke so often or pushed aside,”

Valdez said. “I’m so tired of hearing it as a joke... I just really think it’s important that we take the time to really think about the severity of situations like that, instead of thinking about things lightheartedly because it makes us uncomfortable.”

Ventura, Valdez and Diamond spoke on an aspect of this issue that doesn’t always get addressed: sexual assault can happen to any gender or sexual orientation.

“Sexual violence is a serious form of harm that impacts many people across all socio-economic statuses, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, abilities and other identities; it is not a cisgender woman’s issue,” Diamond said.

There are multiple options for care and support at USD for students who have faced sexual violence.

“For students who have been impacted by relationship violence, we offer both confidential and private options to students,” Diamond said. “Our Confidential CARE Advocate is available to consult with students to learn more about

their options, help a student with accommodations, and help begin the reporting process, if the impacted student wants to.”

Confidential Care Advocates can be reached by calling the Student Wellness Center at (619) 260-4655 and asking to speak with a Confidential CARE Advocate. For more confidential options, there is the Counseling Center on campus and Pastoral Clergy in University Ministry. The Title IX office can be contacted at titleix@sandiego. edu. The Department of Public Safety can be contacted by phone at 619-260-2222 and they are available to assist students in reporting their case. Sexual assault, harassment and rape are never your fault. From one survivor to another, you are not alone. Your story and your pain is valid. Dealing with sexual violence can be a terrifying and traumatic experience but know that you are loved, and there are multiple paths for receiving support, including the resources in this article. Your voice is powerful and worthy of being heard. You are so much stronger than you know.

OPINION

Eclipse casts shadows of doubt

Ridiculous conspiracy theories about the eclipse got out of hand ALEX

On April 8, a total solar eclipse occurred over a large portion of the U.S. Total solar eclipses are rare events, especially if they go over large swaths of land. Despite the fact that the majority of the country was excited to watch the celestial event, many began to develop conspiracy theories about the totally natural phenomenon. These theories ranged from fear about increased radiation, the Christian rapture and the government taking over people’s minds. Now a week later, we are (mostly) confident none of these events happened, but they offer an interesting insight into how common and outlandish conspiracy theories have become. Why when we know more than we ever have do people fail to perform simple internet searches? Have we come so far that we can no longer trust the foundations we built in the process?

First, to debunk some theories: yes, NASA did launch three rockets that day, but that was neither a coincidence nor done with malicious intent.

Total solar eclipses over land are very rare events, and the rockets were launched to observe the conditions of the ionosphere (the space between earth and space) during such an event. This space is important, because it is composed of particles that become electrically charged from solar rays. The rockets’ technology tests the ions present and see how an eclipse affects the charge. The goal of this was to understand how eclipses affect normal systems such as GPS, radio waves and more.

Second: the rapture is the Christian idea that one day

Jesus will return to earth, take all of his believers up to heaven and leave behind non-believers on earth to eventually die. While it does not state anywhere in The Bible when or where it will happen, some Christians were certain it would happen during the eclipse because the path of the eclipse’s totality is allegedly across seven towns named “Nineveh.” However, only two Nineveh’s are in the path of totality, not seven.

Third: many people suggested others should block out their windows and unplug machines such as microwaves, due to worries about increased

radiation during the eclipse (despite the fact that a key feature of an eclipse is that the sun is covered).

According to NASA, “The electromagnetic radiation from the corona, seen as light, is perfectly safe” and does not cause issues from radiation. The corona is the outer rim of the sun from behind the moon and what you see during totality. This is no more harmful to you than regular light from the sun, and, in fact, it is less dangerous because there is less light.

Many Instagram conspiracists who voiced their concerns about the phenomenon spoke about theories our ancestors had about what dangers the eclipse posed, but a crucial point there is how little we used to know. The same ancestors who said eclipses were dangerous or radioactive had no problem with bloodletting or hanging witches. Just because a practice or belief is old, does not make it good. That, in my opinion, is the most fascinating thing about these vast theories, how easily they can be debunked with a Google search. So why in a modern age of information, where we have the answers to everything we could ever want to know at our fingertips, do wild theories thrive? How can people

believe everything they hear without deciding to Google it?

One answer is that conspiracy theorists feel pressure from outside groups (that they perceive as a threat), which causes them to trust others less. In a 2023 study the American Psychiatric Association (APA) found that overall, “people were motivated to believe in conspiracy theories by a need to understand and feel safe in their environment and a need to feel like the community they identify with is superior to others.” The idea of being in the “in” group is a powerful force and allows people to feel more secure in the more uncontrollable aspects of their lives.

Interestingly, the APA found that, while theories seemed to provide clarity or a supposed secret truth about strange events, “a need for closure or a sense of control were not the strongest motivators to endorse conspiracy theories.” Largely they found that people “were more likely to believe specific conspiracy theories when they were motivated by social relationships.” This goes back to the idea of “in” and “out” groups.

Overall, we are social creatures and want to fit in and be accepted by a group of people like us. Additionally people

often find a sense of security in being victims, because victims are often perceived as being “correct” or “right.” Believing in conspiracy theories allows people to feel like victims or misunderstood, within a larger group or collective unit, providing them comradery in an “in” group. Many people look down on conspiracy theorists which cause them to double down on their beliefs and further isolate themselves from greater society. This is where the informational disconnect becomes the strongest.

Even though simple Google searches can debunk most conspiracy theories, “out” group pressure causes people to further distrust sources that can help them understand what is happening around them. If people point out that their ideas are conspiracy theories, believers are more likely to double down and exile other streams of thought.

Because the eclipse was such a wide reaching event, it allowed more people to develop theories about it, and with increased outside pressure the theorists began to double down and distrust the debunked theories and the sources that allow for it. This is what caused them to become so wild, and for example, allowed people to believe that eclipses cause greater radiation, without really thinking about the logic behind that. This is incredibly important because in the age of the internet, it’s easy to get lost in wild theories and ignore the weak points in your argument, especially if you find yourself falling down a rabbit hole into a group who only want to believe one answer to a question.

As such it’s really important to closely examine everything you hear, and help debunk arguments without blindly agreeing. I find myself to be a very scientific and rational person, but upon hearing the news about the rockets I also was suspicious and wondered why NASA would choose to do that on such a day.

Rather than blindly theorize, I chose to research it and in hindsight the answer is obvious to me. So always take the time to research and look through your own biases. While people who fall for conspiracy theories are generally no less intelligent than the average person according to the APA, it does amaze me how little people think about their sources or how they get their information and blindly pass it on.

NASA launched three rockets on April 8, but not for reasons conspiracists think.

Photo courtesy of @NASAWallops/X

On April 8, 2024, the moon passed between the sun and the Earth, causing a total solar eclipse in some parts of the U.S.

Photo courtesy of @nasajohnson/Instagram

ABC’s “The Bachelor,” a renowned success in the realm of reality television, has captured audiences everywhere with its romantic promise of love. Crucial to “The Bachelor’s” charm is its unique dating process, all crammed into a short eight weeks of filming. Within this time frame, 30 or more different women are thrown into extravagant dates and heartfelt confessions, while on the quest for a fiancé. Meanwhile, the male star eliminates one or two women each week based on the initial connection he feels — or doesn’t feel — with them.

Beneath the fairytale lies a distorted example of relationships, further emphasizing unrealistic standards around dating and pushing aside the pursuit of real, true love. While it is okay to indulge in this fantasy, it is crucial to recognize that it does not portray real love.

“The Bachelor’s” engagements rarely last. The average length of the relationships after the show is just over three months, and so far, only one couple out of 28 has gotten married and stayed together. While the most recent love birds, Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson, seem to

OPINION

Love beyond the final rose?

be going strong, the “Golden Bachelor” contestants have not experienced this success.

On April 12, Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, who were wed three months ago, announced their divorce. They reported that they still love each other, but their life plans ultimately do not align. They will be looking for love with other people independently.

These relationship failures are a direct result of the way that “The Bachelor” is set up.

Studies indicate that men typically fall in love after around three months, while women need approximately 4.5 months. These statistics directly contrast the rushed pace of “The Bachelor,” where contestants are expected to proclaim their love within a matter of weeks.

The show often romanticizes the notion of “love at first sight,” portraying it as a transformative and instantaneous phenomenon. However, relationship experts, such as psychotherapist Angela Ficken, caution against confusing initial attraction with genuine love. “Love at first sight” is frequently fueled by physical desire, masking the depth of emotional connection essential for enduring relationships. On top of this, misguided feelings can also make it easy to “love bomb,” which is manipulating someone by dramatically expressing affection.

“The Bachelor” is fond of grand gestures like helicopter rides, candlelit dinners and international trips, which invoke an image of romance steeped in extravagance. However, true love thrives in everyday moments. It grows through shared grocery shopping, morning conversations over coffee and the predictable nuances of life. The show doesn’t allow these regular occurrences, shocking couples when they enter their normal lives.

The premise of “The Bachelor” is also completely different from normal courtship. Its setup mirrors a buffet-style approach to

dating, where contestants are sampled, evaluated and ultimately chosen or discarded. Genuine love goes beyond such superficial evaluations; it is a complex journey traveled through shared experiences, mutual understanding and strong commitment.

Viewing relationships, even in their beginning stages, as something that you can easily throw away is a dangerous narrative to push. This concept reinforces hookup culture, which many college students are familiar with. In these early stages, the bachelor usually has no problem sending women home since he has so many other options, yet the women are devastated because they already had their heart set on him.

After the show concludes, the contestants experience the peak of the “honeymoon phase.” They are so happy to have found their person that they cannot think and see clearly. They are also celebrated in the public light as well, immediately after they are allowed to resume spending time together. The real world is too much to handle when this awe eventually disappears. On top of figuring out how to live life as partners, the couple is also subject to intense media scrutiny. Many failed couples blame the spotlight for the fall of their relationship.

Susie Evans and Clayton Echard, who were on season 26 of “The Bachelor,” explained on Instagram, “We know no healthy relationship comes without its struggles, but we’ve realized that we were not prepared

for the external forces that hindered our ability to not only heal as individuals but also as a couple.” Had their relationship formed under more typical circumstances, they wouldn’t have had to deal with the intense pressure of the media.

Dr. Jenn Mann, a psychotherapist who focuses on celebrity relationships, acknowledges that contestants on “The Bachelor” may experience infatuation but stresses that love needs much more time to deepen and evolve. She asserted that developing a mature love takes around 18 months.

Dr. Mann explained that many Bachelors fall victim to the “scarcity principle.” This psychological concept refers to our innate tendency to value something because of its rarity. Since the bachelor spends so much time away from the women competing for his love, he tends to fall in love with the idea of them. Unlike women, men usually need time apart from their love interests to strengthen their feelings. It is no surprise that the bachelor is under the impression that he is in love by the end of the season; he spends most of his time away from his future wife.

The show is not only a confusing, difficult process for the show’s male lead but also for the women participating. Being forced to watch the person you are interested in pursue other people is a concept that most contestants admit to be torturous. This stress causes their perception of the bachelor to change, viewing him as more desirable.

I’ll admit, I’m a big fan of “The Bachelor” myself, albeit a new one. Bonding with friends over shared laughs at its sheer entertainment value is fun. During spring break, I found a bar that was having a watch party, and I got to experience the excitement surrounding the live finale.

Having said this, it’s essential to recognize that real love transcends reality TV’s scripted narratives and settings. Instead, it thrives on authenticity and vulnerability. By embracing a more holistic view of romance that extends beyond artificial constructs, we can lift up healthier relationships rooted in genuine connection. In redefining our understanding of love, we shift away from fairy tale fantasies and towards more profound, meaningful connections — ones that actually withstand time.

Joey, the most recent Bachelor, fell in love in just eight weeks.

Photo courtesy of @bachelorabc/Instagram

During Joey’s season he had 32 women lined up for him, the largest number of women to ever be on ‘The Bachelor.’ Photo courtesy of @bachelorabc/Instagram

Women’s tennis reached its highest ranking Team ranked No. 12 in Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings

PRIYA COOPER ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The women’s tennis team is climbing in the ranks after each match so far this season. The highest seed the team has ever reached in its history was also this season at spot No. 12 in the ITA rankings, but it has receded back to No. 21 as of April 16.

USD senior Jordyn McBride talked about her emotions surrounding making history with this program.

“It feels so fun, because I’ve always loved my teammates and competing alongside my teammates because they’re my friends. But being best friends with your team and doing well in winning, it’s the best,” McBride shared.

McBride also mentioned how she and her teammates plan to maintain this record going forward.

“We have an extremely deep team. We practice insanely hard, and so I feel confident going into the season because of how much work we’re putting in, and level wise we’re a very stacked team. A lot of teams, they have maybe one or two great players, but from line one to six, we’re all solid players which makes us really tough to beat,” McBride said.

Teams flourish for a lot of different reasons. The tennis team shared how the positivity they share with one another can make a real difference, both on and off the court.

“We all have a lot of big personalities, and we all are very outgoing and extroverted and

love to laugh and have a good time. And our main word that we carry with us is ‘vibrancy.’ So we all like to be very vibrant on the court and just have good energy and positivity,” McBride said.

The team’s chemistry on and off the court is one of the reasons they have been able to perform so well this season, McBride explained.

“My favorite team thing about my team is the fact that we are all very accepting of each other...

We all just respect and love one another. And it definitely correlates to how we’re able to thrive on court, because I definitely think chemistry off court is just as important,” McBride shared.

Traditions and pre-game rituals are an important component of a lot of great teams, and the Toreros on the tennis team are proud of some of the pre-match tactics they have adopted over time, which help bring a certain energy level to the game.

“Our headspace is extremely important to us, when we’re competing in matches. We do an affirmation right before we go out. It’s the same each time, I actually read it to the group of girls. We all close our eyes and focus on our breathing and words which consist of, ‘we can do it,’ ‘we’ve worked so hard for this,’ ‘we’re meant to be here’ and just kind of motion a motivational speech, grounding exercise” McBride said.

USD senior Abigail Desiatnikov shared her feelings on making team history, by reaching this ranking.

“It’s so cool to be a part of it, but specifically for Jordyn and I, because we came into [USD] together. It’s our last semester. It’s really cool to experience being in the top 25 every single year in college, but there’s something special about achieving this, knowing it’s my last one.”

Desiatnikov also included her thoughts on the rest of the season.

“I do feel confident about the upcoming season because everyone is at a similar elite level. In addition to being surrounded by such a high level consistently, I’ve seen every single person play better before and I think that speaks to [the fact/idea] that we haven’t hit our peak yet,” Desiatnikov remarked.

The women’s tennis team hopes to continue to rise, as the rest of the season plays out as its only barely begun. The team has another match at Pepperdine on Friday, April 19. Desiatnikov noted one of the reasons the team has been so successful was due to the bonds they have forged with one another.

“The atmosphere of my team is

like a family. I think what’s so amazing about this team is everyone on match day can put anything to the side and has been able to not only compete, but compete for each other. For our family, there’s this underlying love and trust that’s a huge element of our team this year,” Desiatnikov said.

The team has gotten to the place it’s at today through their dedication and commitment. Desiatnikov spoke about the spirit of the team that led them to this position.

“I would say that half of it is the amount of work that we’ve been putting in day in and day out and also being able to compete in practice. In regular practice, even when you’re competing for a spot, I feel like I’m hitting with people that want me to get better before they want to beat me and I feel like not every team can say that.”

The success of the team so far can also be attributed to the people behind the scenes.

“None of this would be possible without the coaches. They’re great coaches. But more importantly they’re great people. And I feel like as a player, you compete harder and better for when you want to win for the person rather than win for the coach,” Desiatnikov added.

After the match on Friday, the Toreros will play in the West Coast Conference Tournament to close out the season. The rankings throughout the season reflect the dedication of the women’s team. The rest of the matches will take the women’s tennis team and decide their final standing.

A San Diego ‘must-do’ Vista staff member shares her take on her first Padres game

ABIGAIL

CAVIZO ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The San Diego Padres hold a special place in the hearts of San Diego natives. Beyond just baseball, the environment at Petco Park is contagious, exploding with energy as fans cheer on their team with unwavering passion. Even for those who may not be die-hard baseball aficionados, the ambiance of being at the game is infectious. Whether it’s the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd or the breathtaking views of Downtown San Diego from the ballpark, Padres games are a “must-do” at least once, as someone living in San Diego.

Flashback to Monday, April 8: it’s the Torero Program Board’s chosen game day for USD students to attend and take part in the Padres experience. Before the game, Downtown San Diego was bumping — people on the streets wear the signature brown, yellow and special edition Padres jerseys. Game time was at 6:40 p.m., and tonight’s opponent was the Chicago Cubs.

Although USD senior Sean

McAllister has lived in San Diego for the last four years, this was his first time attending a Padres game.

“I’ve never really followed baseball that closely, so that was actually my first time going to a Padres game. I have wanted to get out to one for a while now, and I’m glad I finally did. The game was a lot of fun and had a good atmosphere,” McAllister recalled.

In the beginning, the Cubs were off to a good start. By the second inning, the Cubs scored four runs against Padres’ pitcher Yu Darvish. Darvish — who had pitched for the Cubs back in 20182020 — fought hard to keep the opposers down, but was taken out of the game by the third inning.

When the score was 8-0, with Chicago leading, San Diego made a comeback by the sixth inning.

The Padres’ game-turning inning featured two-run homers by Jake Cronenworth and Xander Bogaerts, as well as a flurry of hits, walks and an error. Cubs’ right-hander Javier Assad, rattled by the Padres’ sudden surge, was relieved after allowing a leadoff walk (meaning that the pitcher threw at least four

pitches) to Fernando Tatis Jr., followed by Cronenworth’s homer.

Then, at the bottom of the eighth inning, Tatis blasted a two-run

home run with two outs — which propelled the Padres ahead to a 9-8 victory over the Cubs. The field was electric, with Padres fans screaming

cheers and high-fiving one another. This was the fourth time this year that Tatis has come in clutch for the Padres, by getting a hit in when the team was trailing behind the other.

USD senior Chris Schafer grew up in San Diego. For him, wins like these for his hometown team never gets old.

“As a San Diego native, I’ve been watching the Padres for my whole life. The team has been the only one to actually stay loyal to the city and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown to appreciate them more and more,” Schafer said. “The games are an absolute blast and I try to go to at least a few every season, especially now that I’m older and can enjoy downtown with friends before as well.”

This game marked a major comeback for the San Diego Padres. Even for those who don’t keep up with baseball, it was a fun, high-energy environment. The Padres’ season is still going strong, and for those who want the full-out San Diego experience this season, tickets are a click away for as cheap as $15 in the nosebleeds of Petco Park.

The women’s team next match is at Pepperdine on Friday April 19. Photo courtesy of @usdwtennis/Instagram

Cavizo attended a Padres game before the end of her USD experience. Abigail Cavizo/The USD Vista

The mountain that moved fate USD football alum’s life story changed by hiking Mt. Fuji

LAUREN CEBALLOS SPORTS EDITOR

“Be where your feet are at,” USD football coach Sam Anno told Al-Rilwan Adeyemi throughout his football career at USD.

Adeyemi or “Ade” for short graduated USD class in 2012. Ade was born in Nigeria by a newer American citizen, his father. Ade’s family was adamant about his initial upbringing being in Nigeria and settled that the age of ten would be a good time for him to go to the U.S., allowing him to be bilingual.

“I could have come at any age, but my parents decided that ten would be the perfect age to still learn everything I needed to in Nigeria, which is family, religion, ethics, morals and hunger. And that 10 was the perfect age where I could still integrate myself within the American society and further my studies,” Ade expressed.

Growing up, Ade lived with a multitude of family members, designed by his parents’ hope of providing a humbling, cultural experience.

“I would live in a city for two or three years that I would be sent to the village to live with grandparents that would be back to the city and sent to the village and as I went back and forth, back and forth, so the humbleness that you get in a village is different than the city life. I went to a private school in the city. I went to military school in the city. I went to a normal school in the village... so I got an experience of everything,” Ade explained.

When referencing his career, one may assume that Ade has played football for his whole life.However, he expressed otherwise. In Nigeria, the national sport is soccer which he grew up playing as well as tennis, ping pong and cricket, which all aided in his physicality and athletic abilities. While Ade did not know the rules of football, he explained how these experiences helped with the game.

“I had a set of skills that were easily transferable and they translated to some of the new rounds and detailed things that you need to be doing with football. For example, soccer helped tremendously with my conditioning in football, tennis helped with eye coordination,” Ade said.

Ade explained that the biggest struggle was getting used to the physicality of football when he began his football career at Santa Monica High School.

“I didn’t know anything about the sport really until that Super Bowl, when I was 13. The Raiders Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl, and then I started

playing football,” Ade said. Ultimately, Ade was able to use his four years of high school to prepare for college ball, which he played at USD. While studying Political Science and Marketing, Ade achieved many awards on the field: All-PFL First Team Defense, Team Captain and Defensive MVP, PFL Defensive Player of the Week, PFL Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, All-PFL Second Team and USD Most Outstanding 1st Year Player Award.

After his time at USD, Ade was hoping to be drafted into the NFL. Despite the pros showing interest, Al-Rilwan Adeyemi’s name was not called in the 2012 draft, but he was instead invited to a camp with the New York Giants and, later on, the Detroit Lions told him to stay in shape and they may call him.

Ade knew that he could not go two years without playing football, so he became resourceful and decided to play in the pro-league for Japan, taking one out of four spots for foreign players on Japan’s teams.

Ade joined Japan’s team Fujitsi, one of the contenders for the Japan X Bowl, equivalent to the Super Bowl. Two weeks into his time in Japan, Ade’s coach planned for the team to climb Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, as preparation and hopes of winning the championship of the league, as Ade was hoping to get a call from the NFL after winning.

However, the course of events looked different after Mt. Fuji. While hiking, Ade started to feel abdominal pain and knew he had to go down the mountain. After going in and out of the hospital with his coach by his side due to his family being so far away, Adeyemi lost 14 pounds of muscle, due to the sickle cell trait and when he was climbing, his body began to work against him.

“It’s a predominantly African American trait. So the Japanese hospital, they don’t see cases of

that. They’ve never met a doctor that had ever seen it. He’d only seen it in school,” Ade shared.

His mom, a nurse, asked one of her friends who was a doctor to call the doctor in Japan and work to help heal Ade.

“I was in the middle of this medical exchange between a Japanese doctor and an American internal medicine specialist. And a deputy doctor was so happy to know, he’s like, ‘I’m probably one of you know, 10 doctors in Japan, they get to have this experience.’ And so to this day, he’s still very thankful that I gave him that experience but on the other side, I’m like, ‘no, no, no. I’m thankful for you.’ So the humility within that process was amazing as well,” Ade expressed.

About a week later, he was discharged and headed back to his team. The team developed a training plan to get him back into shape and build his muscle back with a six-week program. Ade explained how he felt due to the help of his coach throughout his recovery process.

“I felt like I owed him an unspoken debt. In the end, I felt a high sense of gratitude. Not so it was just him though, but his wife as well. It was to have their family and it was just that I felt like I almost became like a part of their family,” Ade said.

In the last three minutes of the 2013 Championship game between the Obic Seagulls and the Fujitsu Frontiers, Obic won. Ade was in shock and felt bad for not winning the game for his coach. The next morning, he woke up to missed calls from the Detroit Lions due to a defensive back getting injured at training camp. The coaches told him to get there that night and that he would be ready to play the next day.

“So that ultimately the NFL was always the goal, right? It’s the dream. It’s the pinnacle of our sport. So when the whole Mount Fuji experience happened I wanted to win for Fajita San, the

but a very powerful quote. He used to say ‘Be where your feet are at.’ And it’s just, you know, be present... Once the whole Mount Fuji thing happened and I let myself be present in Japan, rather than looking at the next opportunity. I started to appreciate it for what it was.”

The NFL 360 documentary about Ade is entitled “Ikigai,” meaning “Doing what you love and loving what you do and getting paid for it,” Ade said.

In Japan, Ade attested to finding just that and a harmony that he was looking for in his life. His Islamic faith, his parents, his coach and his values led him to decide to stay in Japan where he now attests to flourishing.

Ade admitted to wondering if he ever did the wrong thing, but ultimately decided otherwise.

coach, because I felt like I owed him an unjust. It’s an unspoken debt, right? It’s someone does you a really, really huge favor and if you feel like you’re indebted to them, it’s unspoken. They don’t hold it over your head but it’s unspoken. I intended with the help of my teammates to win the championship and then work my way back to America to continue further the NFL dreams. So that was the big picture for me,” Ade explained his decision.

Ade decided to remain with Fujitsi not only due to the unspoken debt and the family that he had found on the team throughout his recovery process, but also due to his falling in love with the Japanese culture. Whether it was the structure, the company teams, where Japan X league players worked for the companies of their teams, practiced and played for them, he found a new home.

“Japan fits my personality very well. It’s a clean society. It’s a respectful society. It’s a structure in society… I used to have a coach at USD actually, his name was Sam Otto, and he used to say a very simple

“Having no regrets in life is a big thing. You know, you are where you are supposed to be and faith is a big big thing… if you remove one piece of the equation, maybe I never meet my wife... So it’s just those things that you think where your life is the blessings that you have and you realize that if this didn’t change then this would be here so you can’t live with any regrets because you are so thankful for where you are today, again be where your feet are at,” Ade said.

While Ade’s dream of joining the NFL might be seen as not coming true, he admitted that the call showed the interest in him as a player and helped with the completion of his story.

“I did get the call that I was waiting for. But I think you know now that the NFL did a documentary about it, it came full circle. I did a Good Morning Football interview… and the first joke that I made was, ‘It took me going all the way to Japan for Good Morning Football to call,’” Ade laughed.

Adeyemi found his path when he stopped looking and is living his dream in Japan.

Adeyemi (right) got the call from his first love the NFL, while accidentally falling in love with Japan. Photo courtesy of @alreal1/Instagram

Adeyemi wore number 10 as a USD Torero, pictured here during a game. Photo courtesy of @alreal1/Instagram