Spring 2024 Vol.II

Conflicts on campus pg.06

Students and faculty get involved on campus due to recent events

table of Contents Conflicts on Campus

How has the Chapman community dealt with opposing opinions about Israel and Palestine?

06

By. Sarah Hart & Makenna Kunimura Cover photos courtesy to Lisa Wong

Dog Ate Your Homework? Might As Well Skip Class

14

By. Kiana Kalahele

The Mold is Getting Old

Students in the older dorms are sick of the mold By. Makenna Kunimura

26 32

Just Keep Streaming By. Nicole Kavros

From Campus To County

Are queer students caught up on the new anti-LGBTQ legislation?

By. Sarah Hart

38 Retro Renaissance By. Sukhman Sahota

20

Freshman Fun to Senior Slump

How involved are Chapman students after the first few years of fenzy?

44

By. Marjorie Stemmler

Radio Revival

Chapman Radio goes from Henley basement to headlines

48

By. Allie Leichter & Brian Guevara

4+1= Success?

Many students say an accelerated master’s is worth the challenge By. Holland Hatch

58 62 68

Jury’s Out on Chapman Court By. Sophie Wehrlie

The Intern-Ship has Sailed Students Scramble to Find Internships By. Brian Guevara

Panther CEOs are in Business By. Alexandra Der Boghosian

54

72

Chapman Outdoors Club Climbs The Ranks By. Dylan Nichols

76 Splitting With the Swipe By. Lauren Cavalieri

Columns 80

Clinging onto K-pop By. Marjorie Stemmler

82

My Tattoo Journey (College Edition)

88

Superpowers are Real: You Just Need to Look

By. Kiana Kalahele

By. Brian Guevara

90 Bangs

By. Sarah Hart

94 I’m With The Drummer!

By. Sophie Wehrlie

STaff page

Conflicts

on Campus How has the Chapman community dealt with opposing opinions about Israel and Palestine?

By Sarah Hart and Makenna Kunimura

(From left: Israel protest demonstration in Piazza, collage of Palestine posters by parking garage) Photos by Lisa Wong and Makenna Kunimura

J

olina Hamdan, a sophomore who is half Palestinian, has heard stories about conflict in Gaza from her family since birth.

pro-Palestinian students at Columbia University were arrested after their protests led to the university calling in the New York police. A few days later, a similar protest at UCLA led to more arrests. The Students for “Palestinians are some of the bravest people Justice in Palestine is running an encampin the world,” said Hamdan. “These are real ment on Chapman’s campus to continue to people, who right now, as we speak, are be- push for university divestment, which is the ing killed for their ethnicity.” group’s primary goal. It is located between Wilkinson Hall and Memorial Hall.

Edward Lukowsky, a Jewish sophomore software engineering major, has also heard While Chapman protests on both sides have about the Israel-Palestine conflict his entire been more controlled, its students are no life, having family who lives in Israel. less passionate on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

“No, I don’t think it’s a genocide. Obviously, there are people dying, and that’s terrible,” A look at the pro-Palestinian side: said Lukowsky. “But that’s what happens in war. And if [Hamas] didn’t want a war, they Duran Aziz, first year graduate student and should have never attacked.” executive member of the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), is This school year, on October 7, 2024, Hamas, among those upset because it sees Chapa group from the Gaza strip, launched an at- man as contributing indirectly to attacks on tack on Israel. In retaliation, the Israeli gov- Palestinians through its business ties. ernment launched an all-out attack on the Gaza strip, which is where the majority of “I think it’s the responsibility of every othwhat is left of the Palestinian people reside. er American to know what is going on over there because our government is funding The result is bitter, passionate feelings on the genocide,” Aziz said. “Our tax dollars go both sides around the U.S. Especially on col- directly towards the killing of Palestinian lege campuses. men and women and children.”

Even at Chapman. This contentious topic has created a divisive campus environment for some students. Political campus activism is rare at Chapman, but this issue has brought forth many political demonstrations from both sides. Many passionate students have hosted walkouts, protests, and an encampment on campus in attempts to advocate for university divestment.

Tuesday evening, April 30th dozens of

Gina Faris, a third year student who is half-Palestinian, feels that the conflict consumes every waking moment of her life.

“I think about Gaza every single day,” said Faris. “I’m eating lunch I’ll be like, ‘Damn.

They don’t have lunch over there.’ I’m sitting here, sleeping in my bed. I’m not scared of being bombed in the middle of the night, but they are.”

She adds how because her family is directly affected by the conflict, she is passionate about advocating for Palestinian justice.

Especially considering her grandparents were forced to leave their homes forever.

“My grandmother, she has dementia,” said Faris. “But she remembers her home.

That’s one key thing that she always talks about. I don’t think she’ll ever forget fleeing her home.”

Hamdan, an executive member of SJP, has grandparents who were also forced to flee from Palestine. To acknowledge Palestinians whose homes have been taken away or destroyed, SJP put up a “key of return” display in the Piazza.

Shira Klein, chair of the History Department.

Photo by Makenna Kunimura

“Palestinians still have a key to their home and there’s no home anymore, since 1948,” Ellie Metters, a junior creative writing masays Hamdan. “That’s what [the key of re- jor, feels that those who don’t support Israturn] display is about…they hope one day el are misinformed. they can go back.”

“It’s like [supporters of Palestine] just believe things that are either outright untrue, or out of context, or exaggerated, or misinAccording to senior business major and SSI formed,” said Metters. “And then they see executive Eli Schechter, Jewish students any attempts to challenge them as just furare the most targeted group on campus. ther proof that they’re right.”

A look at the pro-Israeli side:

“The other side [believes] that you should But some know that both sides have a right destroy the State of Israel, which is basical- to their perspectives. ly calling for the second Holocaust,” said Schechter.

Shira Klein, chair of the History Department, explains how her heavy heart “I am surrounded by people who does not get in the way of seeing the think differently than me about two sides of this issue.

this issue and I think the key is to “As an Israeli, I’ve been affected by always assume good faith.” what happened in Israel and Pales- Doctor Shira Klein

tine,” said Klein. “This comes from a

very personal place. But I am surrounded by people who think differently than me about this issue and I think the key is to always assume good faith.”

“This is peoples’ land and they’re just trying to live there.”

- SJP member Hamdan

Still, not every person who has been vocal what Israel is doing is fundamentally unon campus believes that those with oppos- ethical, no matter how you look at it. ing opinions have “good faith.”

“This is peoples’ land and they’re just try“I think that (Students for Just for Palestine) ing to live there,” says Hamdan. “To be and the people in it are really bigoted,” said murdered for living there and for your etha student who requested anonymity for nicity when your family has lived there for safety reasons. “I can see where they’re generations is just so evil.” coming from, but they don’t understand what’s actually going on. I feel like a lot Students supporting both sides of the conof them, who would chant ‘ceasefire now’ flict have complained about flyers and flags would also support Iran shooting missiles that they have put up around campus beat Israel.” ing removed, as well as members receiving threats, hate speech, and being doxxed.

Other students, like Hamdan, feel that

Encampment on campus run by Student Justice for Palestine. Photo by Lisa Wong

Klein reacts to the Palestinian flags that and when times get tense there’s always were put up in the Piazza on campus. a greater chance of some conflict,” Price said. “It’s not uncommon for college stu“I think that it is wonderful that the students dents to address or take positions on confeel comfortable enough to express them- troversial issues.” selves this way,” Klein said. “[It’s] a sign of a healthy campus culture where students The Office of Public Safety recently sent can express their hopes or their concerns out an email responding to students who have raised concerns about a pro-Palestine or their anger so I think that’s great.” public speaker who was invited to campus With tensions building across campus, by Students for Justice in Palestine named Dean of Students Jerry Price expressed his Maya Abdallah. responsibility to house a safe environment “Some in our community have expressed for passionate students. that they feel adversely affected by the “Our first priority is keeping people safe upcoming event and feared for their safety,” reads an email from the Office of Public Safety. “The views expressed by the speaker may be deemed controversial and abhorrent to some in our community. You can contact Public Safety if you have a concern about your safety.”

Some students found the email to be insensitive, which provoked a negative response from pro-Palestinian students.

“It was definitely disappointing to see that, but not surprising,” an anonymous student said. “It’s just funny when there have been other speakers who have been more inflammatory and have actually said very terrible things, and they still had no response to that.”

Another student felt anger, and expressed that they think there needs to be stronger action taken to let administration know that the email was not in the best interest of students of (From top: Israel display, Palestine protest at Dodge) Photos by Lisa Wong and Sarah Hart

color on campus.

“I feel like we need to make ourselves known on campus and show students, faculty, and administration that their black and brown students care about these things,” they said. “Their Middle-Eastern students care about these things.”

Students aren’t the only ones who feel the email was a misstep.

“It’s a bad situation all the way around,” Price said. “Normally we wouldn’t send that…It was not a public safety decision to send it, it was a larger university leadership decision. Normally we wouldn’t do anything like that but in this case, we reStudent apart of Students Supporting Israel wearceived such a high volume of concerns.” ing Israel shirt. Photo by Makenna Kunimura With situations like this, there are instances that involve harassment on campus. According to Price, there’s a line between harassment and disagreeing with someone.

Justice on Palestine’s Instagram page.

“This includes but is not limited to, Aruba Networks, Lockheed Martin, and the Boeing Company.”

“If they are being harassed then we wanna know about it,” Price said. “Not everyone has the same opinions on what being harassed is. If students are just being critical, voicing that criticism in itself is not harassment. Unwanted communication certainly could be harassment.”

The aforementioned companies all supply Israel with technology, money for military equipment, or military equipment itself.

Another anonymous student involved in Students for Justice in Palestine attests that Chapman’s choice to invest is unjustifiable no matter what side you’re on.

For the foreseeable future, the main objective of Students for Justice in Palestine is “To hear that some of the money, either for Chapman to divest. But what is divest- from donors or students is going towards companies that help war and genocide, its ment? inexcusable and unacceptable,” they said.

“We…are calling for a complete and total “No matter where you are on the spectrum divestment from all weapons manufactur- of politics, I think we can all agree that eduers and institutions that aid in the occupa- cational funds should not be used towards tion of Palestine,” reads a pinned post on war or violence.” the Chapman chapter of Students for

In terms of Students in Support of Israel, their primary objective is to support students who identify as Zionists. Zionism is the belief that states have the right to self-determinate, which is what Israel is doing.

The only work we do is support the ethnic Zionist students on campus,” said Schechter. “[Zionism] is the belief that the State of Israel should exist.”

Across the country, university students have set up encampments in order to push for university divestment. Notably, Chapman’s neighbors, UCLA, USC, and UC Irvine, all have active encampments.

As for Students Supporting Israel, members regularly post flyers around campus, and recently hosted an event inviting Israeli soldiers to campus to speak.

As the semester ends, it is clear that the conflicts brought to campus by the deaths on both sides in Gaza is not unique to Chapman’s campus, nor will it be resolved on Chapman’s campus alone.

Israel display with items of clothing portraying Israeli victims. Photo by Lisa Wong

Messages written by SJP members in chalk on the library steps. Photo by Sarah Hart

(From top: SJP key of return display, SSI baby crib display) Photos by Nicole Kavros and Lisa Wong

DOG ATE YOUR HOMEWORK? Might As Well Skip Class

By Kiana Kalahele

T

raveling to Vietnam for a Study Abroad course was supposed to have been a fun trip for Jessica Miyasato. But after returning to California with a high fever—courtesy of a monkey bite—and a bad case of jetlag, Miyasato could only think about one thing.

And it didn’t have to do with getting better.

“I was more worried about missing my class the day than I was about the strange monkey that b arm,” Miyasato, a senior business administratio jor said. “I didn’t even go to a hospital to get (the checked out.”

She made it to class. If only all students were that dedicated, right?

or simply, because they didn’t want to go.

Chapman is no exception.

“I always try to go to class because I feel guilty if I don’t,” said Miyasato.

“But, a lot of the time, I notice that at least three or four kids in each of my classes are always absent.”

Currently at Chapman, there is not one specific attendance policy that the entire student body is required to follow. According to the course catalog, the university’s attendance policies are determined by each professor and are included in the course syllabus that is distributed at the beginning of each semester.

However, the university has made suggestions on what they deem to be “good attendance.”

Now more than ever, students are missing class, meaning there are more empty seats than occupied ones in classrooms.

Illustration by Sukhman Sahota

e next But not all Chapman students would have folbit my lowed her example. on mae bite) Following the COVID-19 pandemic, chronic absenteeism in schools across the U.S. has risen to 26% as of 2023—up 15% from before the pandemic—with both students and even teachers t missing classes due to sickness and illness, academic conferences and trips, personal issues, or

“The university recommends as a minimal policy that students who are absent 20% of a course should be failed,” the catalog stated.

Additionally, Chapman believes that students who don’t attend the first class of a course in which they are registered may be dropped. The only exception would be if arrangements with an instructor were made prior to the first day of class.

However, even with these policies

Jessica Miyasato was on her Study Abroad trip when she was bit by a monkey, but she still made it her mission to go to class. Photos courtesy of Miyasato

“I do notice when students miss class, but I try not to let it affect me (or my teaching) too much because if students don’t want to show up, that’s on them,” said assistant professor of psychology Amy Moors.

While Moors does have an absence policy outlined in her course syllabus, there’s only so much she can do to make students adhere to them.

“I allow students two excused absences as long as they communicate with me beforehand,” she said. “But, I don’t follow up with them if they don’t email me.” in place, the university doesn’t have much jurisdiction She is grateful for those of her students when it comes to punishing students. who do make it their mission to attend all class sessions or send an email deInstead, the punishment is left up to each individual tailing an absence. professor.

“It makes sense that my higher-per- “ Senior computer science major Alexa Zuch has noticed forming students are the ones who how relaxed attendance policies have become in her come to class frequently,” she said. classes, especially following the pandemic.

However, not only are students missing “There are some professors who do really care about out on learning, but they are also losing students coming to class, but there’s also the latter,” out on money by skipping classes. said Zuch. “Those are the professors who don’t even bat an eye when half of their class is missing.”

According to College Info Geek, skipping class means losing out on part of In many of Zuch’s classes, her professors do allow at the money that you are paying for your least one or two excused absences per semester. But, college tuition. At Chapman, tuition according to her, there doesn’t seem to be any intense is currently $32,290 per semester. Hyconsequences if a student were to miss more than the pothetically, if a student is taking five allotted amount. classes with each class equaling three

credits, this would mean that each Mental health days have become a common trend three-credit course they are taking costs among students—-both in high school and college—roughly $6,458. where they’re able to take the day off to rest, recharge, and prevent burnout from the overwhelming stressTo break that down even further, there ors that come along with school. are around 34 class sessions per semester at Chapman, with a focus on classes Orta—who is a full-time student, has an off-campus that meet twice a week. This would mean job and is also involved in two student organizations— that each individual class session costs is no stranger to mental health days. roughly $190 of a student’s tuition.

“I take days off from school a lot because it helps me Therefore, each time a student misses recover from the busyness of everyday life,” she said. class, they are losing out on almost $200 of their tuition money.

Even with taking some days off of school, Orta does understand that it is important not to take advantage Zuch explains that she’s heard all types of too many absent days. of excuses from her friends who have missed class. Sore stomach. Going to “I have skipped class before by saying (to my profesa concert or festival. An “emergency.” sor) that I had a stomach bug, when in reality, I was They had to take their dog to the vet. driving to the LAX airport to pick up my friend,” she They didn’t finish their homework and said. “But I don’t abuse these excuses too much bedecided to skip. Or the most common cause if you aren’t going to school at all, how will you one: They just didn’t feel like getting out ever learn anything?” of bed and making the long trek to class.

During the 2022 to 2023 school year—-which was Chapman’s first year back to in-person classes follow“After the pandemic, it almost ing the pandemic—-many students would use the exfeels like everyone’s relation- cuse of ‘having COVID-19’ in order to get out of going ship with school has become to their classes. According to the university, the abuse

optional, including mine.”

- Senior Alexa Zuch

“I’m much more willing to take mental health days or personal days now than ever before,” Zuch continued.

And, students including senior screenwriting major Alesia Orta, say it does more help than harm.

Alexa Zuch has heard tons of different excuses from her friends for skipping class. Photo courtesy of Zuch

of students requesting unnecessary doctor’s “It was hard for me because I would actually be notes continued to worsen to the point where sick with a fever and I would tell my professor Chapman’s Student Health Center decided to or tell the health center, and they wouldn’t bemake doctor’s notes not as easy for students to lieve me,” Li said. receive.

To many students’ relief, the rule was revoked According to Jacqueline Deats, the director of once the year ended, making doctor’s notes for the health center, students were only able to re- those who needed them more accessible. ceive notes from the center if it was deemed “absolutely necessary” by a medical provider.

For the current school year, professors are still able to request doctor notes from students for “During the pandemic, we didn’t want any stu- absences related to sickness if it’s outlined in dents to go to class if they were having COVID-19 their course syllabi. symptoms, and therefore, a lot of notes were given out to students,” Deats said. “It became very “I’ve never had a professor this year who has complicated trying to decipher who really need- demanded doctor notes when we’re sick, but ed a note.” some of my friends haven’t been as lucky,” Miyasato said.

However, students, including junior business administration Kaylin Li, who weren’t abusing While there isn’t one fixed method for addressthe ‘COVID-19 excuse’ were anything but happy ing absences at Chapman, the university’s with the rule.

COVID-19 policy is a different story.

Chapman’s COVID-19 policy was recently changed on March 1 to reflect new updates in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

The main update: Removal of the five-day isolation period for those who contract the virus.

“Removing the five-day isolation period does not increase community transmission,” said Jeff Goad, who serves as the inaugural chair of Chapman’s School of Pharmacy. “We’ve seen through computer modeling systems that there is no difference in community spread with or without the five-day isolation period.”

Students are able to go to Chapman’s Student Health Center to receive doctor’s notes. Photo courtesy of the health center’s website

According to Goad, over 50% of COVID-19 transmission takes place among people who show no symptoms.

The updated COVID-19 policy emphasizes the university’s commitment in working to revert back to how classes were being run before the pandemic.

However, this could pose a struggle for some professors who have been canceling classes or using virtual classes to their advantage.

Kaylin Li has her frustrations with her fellow classmates using COVID-19 as an excuse to skip class.

Photo courtesy of Li

Chapman LGBTQ+ studies professor Liz Martinez believes that some professors are more suscepti- catch up on homework, or hit up the mall or ble now than ever before to cancel classes because the beach for the day. they don’t think that students care.

But for others, not so much.

“It can be a bit discouraging coming to class ready to teach (the students) and then seeing that almost “It just seems like a waste of my tuition and half of the class is missing,” Martinez said. “I think time if I am signed up for a class that just it discourages professors to the point where some ends up getting canceled most of the time,” of them don’t even see the need to have classes said Li. “At that point, it makes me wonder if in-person or have them at all.” college is really worth the money you put in.”

While some students have been disengaging from While Chapman’s policies on absences may their classes, so have some professors, citing pro- not be getting changed any time soon, Miyafessional burnout and other personal responsibil- sato believes that it’s still very important to ities as their reasons. keep attending classes—even when you don’t feel like it.

“Professors undergo problems just like students that can make it hard to be able to make it to every Not just for your own learning, but also to single class,” they said. “I try my hardest to make make use of that $32,290 tuition fee. sure that I am always there, but I know for some of my colleagues, it can be a bit overwhelming with “Not everyone may like school or may have just everything else going on.” things going on in their lives that make it more difficult to go, but you have to try,” said Upon receiving a message from a professor stat- Miyasato. “Without trying, it could just end ing that class has been canceled for the day, some up hurting you more in the long run.” students jump with joy. It gives them time to rest,

Students in the older dorms are sick of the mold

By Makenna Kunimura

C

overing her mouth, trying not to gag, freshman Kendall Nelson was petrified seeing black mold living between the cracks and crevices in the comfort of her Henley Hall dorm room.

deep breath and walk away because it was so bad. I avoided our bathroom for a whole day after.”

The freshmen living in the dorms are feeling uncomfortable seeing mold growing in “When I first saw the toilet mold it was game their showers, on toilets, and on surfaces. over,” Nelson said. “I literally had to take a Students are claiming to obtain illnesses

from the mold that are worrisome to their future health. Some of the oldest dorms, Pralle-Sodaro Hall and Henley Hall, have shown the most grievances from students regarding mold issues.

things juxtaposed to each other. It’s hard medically to prove your condition came from this thing.”

When first coming to Chapman, students get assigned to live in one of five of the Administration officials say they are do- available freshman dorms on campus. To ing the best that they can to resolve such most students, it’s obvious which ones are issues. But some students think they could older and newer. be doing better.

Stepping foot into Pralle-Sodaro Hall and Henley Hall today, there are occasionally rooms under repair for mold issues. But recently workers were also coming in and out of Pralle-Sodaro Hall from a recent flood that required some students to move out into houses near campus.

Freshman TV and film production major Annsley Helenhouse is currently a resident in Pralle-Sodaro. She’s fearful that the black mold living upon her and her roommates could possibly lead to more than just a cold.

“The mold is definitely affecting our physical health,” said Helenhouse. “All of us got really sick in the room. It’s not like a normal sickness like the flu where you could take medication and it just goes away. This could have an everlasting effect which makes me really uncomfortable.”

Flyer to encourage students to fill out a work order with any concerns. Graphic by Makenna Kunimura

“Having experienced living in Henley and Sandhu, Sandhu is significantly nicer than Henley or even Pralle,” said Katrina GilDean of Students Jerry Price thinks stu- lette, freshman strategic communications dents are too quick to assume where their major. “You can tell Henley is older. Sandsickness is coming from. hu actually has floor space instead of just three beds all side by side like a prison.”

“I think students assume since there’s grimey stuff in the air conditioner and Henley Hall resident Becky Alonso, freshthen they’re feeling bad, it must be caused man business major, shared her second by the mold,” Price said. “Students see two moving experience of the semester.

Mold growing in a Pralle shower. Photo courtesy of Annsley Helenhouse “My Henley roommate informed me about something growing in our bathroom,” Alonso said. “We submitted a work request.

They said mold was growing and moved us into Sandhu for a month. They tore down the walls of the entire bathroom and put up new walls. The whole move out process was a hassle.”

Alonso isn’t the only one who had to move out.

“Due to mold, my roommates and I last year were moved to a house for about two weeks,” said Brooke Bettencourt, sophomore theater major.

Living in such tight proximity, mold growth and sickness is inevitable.

“It’s definitely unsettling how close to each other we live,” Gillette said. “If the mold causes sickness, and one person is sick in the room, then everyone in the room is sick.”

With these concerns, administration is working hard in efforts to meet students’ needs.

Juan Tinoco, assistant dean of Students, Residence Life and First Year Experience, expressed that the Resident-Life team makes it their top priority to make sure students are getting the attention they need for safety concerns regarding mold in the dorms.

“I would encourage any students concerned of any micro growth to submit “I did not fill out a work order a work order,” Tinoco said. “Any time we get a concern about micro growth, for our mold because I was too we send our project managers to get scared they were going to move eyes on it, and send our industrial hygienists to assess it so we can deal with me out of my dorm room.” it as soon as possible because our top priority is to keep our students safe.”

- Freshman Savannah Frederick

When students have a concern or need something fixed in their dorm room, they are required to fill out a work order form that states what kind of service they need.

Yet, some students choose to ignore their problems.

Others complain too.

“We contacted the admin and we submitted a form for the mold but they never came,” Helenhouse said. “So we had to get our parents involved and then eventually “I did not fill out a work order for our mold they came. A lady came and said there’s because I was too scared they were going nothing she could really do.” to move me out of my dorm room,” said Sandhu resident, Savannah Frederick, un- Despite these issues, some students who live in Glass Hall have not yet experienced declared freshman. this infamous mold.

While work orders pile up from the fresh“My roommates and I have not had any man dorms, some go unseen. mold in our dorm here in Glass,” Madalynn “I think work requests are good but some- Chernoh, communications major said. “A times they don’t even go through,” Alonso lot of people in Pralle and Henley have said. “I submitted one and I didn’t get the mold. I feel like there’s mold in the walls help I needed. Especially when it’s mold I in Pralle and Henley because walking in, it think sometimes they don’t see it as much smells like cat pee.” of a problem as it should be.”

(From left: Pralle housing worker working on construction, Henley shower walls being replaced) Photos courtesy of Annsley Helenhouse and Becky Alonso

Some dorms are older than others but over- Students are hoping that next year’s freshall, the administration thinks that they are man class gets a cleaner and more cooperstill up to par. ative experience. Until then, Resident-Life shares tips on how to avoid mold growth.

“I do think the dorms are worth what students are paying,” Price said. “I think we “I call these the three C’s to help prevent have an excellent first year experience, micro growth,” Tinoco said. “Cleanliness, some are older, some are newer.” climate, and communication.”

Some students don’t agree.

“I don’t think the dorms are worth what we are paying,” said Frederick. “I think we are paying a lot of money for such small rooms and they are gross because they have mold.

It would be one thing if just one room had mold, but there’s so many.”

Students expressed what Chapman should be doing differently.

“I think the workers should be doing room checks every once in a while,” Frederick said. “They should be giving us more resources to be aware of how to prevent mold.”

Glass Hall resident Michelle Correa, freshman business major shares advice for people with mold in their dorm rooms.

“If you don’t have your fan on after you shower it can definitely make mold grow in the bathrooms,” Correa said. “Since there’s no windows in the bathrooms, I say use the fan as much as possible.”

Mold growing between cracks of a Pralle shower.

Photo by Makenna Kunimura

Chapmans advice to avoid mold growth. Photo courtesy of Chapman University

JUST KEEP STREA

By Nicole Kavros

R

emember a time when watching a new movie was an event: a trip to the theater with buckets of extrabuttery popcorn, a gigantic bubbly drink, and the beautiful sound of Dolby Atmos surround systems?

Then came the Big Bang of the film industry.

Streaming platforms.

“There’s less enthusiasm to get in your car and go spend $17 on a movie,” said Quinn Haba, a freshman studying creative producing.

The film industry is in an era where movies are often put on streaming platforms just weeks or months after a theater release — or sometimes even in conjunction with its premiere.

The days of going to the movies are fading away. Studies have found that only 43% of participants reported going to a movie theater between July 2021 and July 2022.

Haba wanted to work in the film industry to team up with talented people and watch his creative visions come to life. He can’t help it if now, with the overwhelming amount of content being marketed to consumers through streaming, his work never sees the light of day.

“It’s overwhelming for an audience to watch everything, so your work might not be recognized,” said Haba. “You’re not changing the world like you used to.”

“You’re not changing the world like you used to.”

-Freshman Quinn Haba Haba wanted to work in the film industry to team up with talented people and watch his creative visions come to life. He can’t help it if now, with the overwhelming amount of content being marketed to consumers through streaming, his work never sees the light of day.

“It’s overwhelming for an audience to watch everything, so your work might not be recognized,” said Haba. “You’re not changing the world like you used to.”

It’s a sad reality for nostalgics. Sitting on your couch just doesn’t have the same

AMING

It’s a sad reality for nostalgics.

Sitting on your couch just doesn’t have the same effect as the theater release — or sometimes even in Illustration by Sukhman Sahota The average student is just more likely to lean into the accessibility and ease of watching their content on one of these media services.

The days of going to the movies are fading away. Studies have found that only 43% of participants reported going to a movie theater between July 2021 and July 2022.

Freshman Quinn Haba sees the difference that streaming services have made in the film industry. Photo courtesy of Haba

“I haven’t found a need to go to movie theaters,” said sophomore political science major Brandon Mahgerefteh.

“Most popular mainstream movies release on streaming the same day, or right after hitting theaters.”

Mahgerefteh isn’t a fan of the costs that usually come with a trip to the movies.

“I don’t see a point in wasting $20 to sit in an uncomfortable, dirty movie theater chair that they never clean,” he continued. “And to get a cup of water or soda, it costs more.”

effect as the smell of popcorn and the glow of the silver screen.

It’s not exactly cheap to subscribe to a

streaming service, either. Netflix’s highest Fred Bancroft, a sophomore majoring in subscription — premium — costs $22.99 a writing for film and television, prefers to month. Fortunately, the services usually watch his movies for the first time in the offer more affordable options as well. old fashioned way — in theaters.

Netflix’s standard with ads subscription is $6.99 a month, and Hulu offers a $1.99 “Going to the movies is superior,” said Bancroft. “It’s a full experience. It’s immersive.”

People still love going to the movies, Haba and Bancroft are just a few examples of modern-day movie buffs.

But in a poll answered by Chapman students, more than half said that they prefer to wait until a new movie comes out on a streaming service to watch it for the first time.

Sophomore Brandon Mahgerefteh doesn’t see a point in going the movies rather than watching media on streaming. Photo Nicole Kavros

g to by

deal for college students.

Viewers would argue that this is roughly

“Movie theaters are becoming almost extinct, which breaks my heart.”

-Professor Saga Elmohtaseb

Dodge Professor Saga Elmohtaseb says that theaters are having trouble selling tickets for movies because of the rise more wallet-friendly than the price of a in streaming popularity. Photo courtesy of Elmohsateb

casual movie theater outing.

behind the scenes of this new form of Which poses the question: Is it worth it to media consumption. A limited series that buy a streaming subscription and ditch the she produced called 10 Days in Watts was released for streaming on PBS SoCal last theaters altogether? year.

More than half of Chapman students answered in a poll that they are currently subscribed to more than four streaming platforms.

19% of these students subscribe to six or more services.

“Most people don’t want to pay $18 to see a show, and then park, and get your popcorn, and your candy,” said Saga Elmohtaseb, a professor at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. “When you stream something, everyone can watch at home.”

Elmohtaseb is familiar with the

“There’s more quantity over quality.

It’s the weirdest, most interesting thing ever.”

-Sophomore Riley Foulk

them.

Even cinephiles like Elmohtaseb know that streaming is more accessible.

“Movie theaters are becoming almost extinct, “We did [10 days] on PBS, which has 21 which breaks heart. million subscribers a month,” Elmohtaseb my They can’t said. sell tickets for A streaming-themed take on the Graphic by Nicole theaters,” “Viewership is currency. Once it’s out in the the Elmohtaseb said.

“Soon enough, that flick will be streamed.”

Riley Foulk, a sophomore creative producing major, estimates that his family holds active subscriptions for around six to eight different platforms.

“There’s the biggest content overload. That in itself is detrimental to the medium, because people enter a state of content purgatory. You’re in a position where you have so much content to watch, so you’re like, ‘What do I do?’” said Foulk.

Sophomore Chris Perazzo prefers to watch movies in theaters uNoGS, a website dedicated to listing all because of the viewing quality. Photo by Nicole Kavros

movies and series available on Netflix in world, it’s how the content generates non- each country, states that Netflix has just under 6,700 options for watching movies monetary revenue.” or TV. Times are changing, and the ways that we consume content are changing with With several different platforms on the

market (Hulu, MAX, theaters four times. I’ve never Disney+, Amazon seen it on streaming, because I Prime, ESPN+, and think that watching is a better Paramount+, to experience in theaters,” said Perazzo. name a few) there’s what feels like an Sometimes, the movie itself isn’t what unlimited supply draws him to the reclining seats and lit-up of content for the marquees. It’s the magic of the theater. average consumer.

Even the most “I feel like movies right now are pretty dedicated viewer dry, there’s nothing really interesting,” he couldn’t possibly said. “But I get more excited to watch them because I can see them in theaters.” watch it all.

“The backhand is that while there’s so What has been deemed “The Streaming Wars” in popular much cool stuff, there’s culture is the influx of new services. Graphic by Nicole Kavros more quantity over quality,” continued Foulk. “It’s the weirdest, most interesting thing ever.”

e classic Netflix screen. e Kavros

Sophomore animation major Chris Perazzo could stay at home and watch content until his eyelids grow heavy and the screen asks “Are you still watching?” He could never go to the theaters again. Him and his friends could order DoorDash and watch the newest Marvel movie from the comfort of their couch, and the whole experience would cost less than a singular movie ticket.

But it’s the experience — the “indescribable feeling we get when the lights begin to dim,” as actress Nicole Kidman says in her iconic AMC Theaters ad — that makes it worth it for him and so many other students.

“For Spiderman: No Way Home, I saw it in

By Sarah Hart

Huntington Beach residents hold a 50 ft pride flag at the city’s pier in lieu of a city-wide ban on pride flags. Photo by Sarah Hart

During Kari Lien’s first week as a creative writing major at Chapman in 2020, a student came into a class intoxicated, and started yelling hate speech about members

of

the

Danielle Jagiello, a Huntington Beach resident, holds a pride flag at a march for the death of Nex Benedict. Photo by Sarah Hart

LGBTQ

community. W h i l e s o m e As a non-binary student, Lien students, was incredibly uncomfortable. like Lien, feel as To make matters worse, around that t h o u g h same time, students began to receive c o n s e r emails from P-Safe which talked about v a t i s m a local Nazi group that had been post- is preving recruitment flyers on campus. alent on campus, “There was a lot of culture shock hap- o t h e r s pening for me…‘I was like, ‘What did I feel that Chapman is safe, for the most part. just get myself into?’ said Lien. “It was freaking me out so much, I couldn’t “I’ve heard there’s a lot of homophobia leave my room. I was just so scared.” in Orange County, but that’s it,” says Rebecca Greenwood, a junior majoring While Lien isn’t alone in their experience, in documentary filmmaking. “I think many other queer students feel as though it depends on who you interact with.” the safety issues that they may face on campus are not as extreme as what Lien Greenwood added that she feels there experienced. Still, queer students can feel is a difference between certain discithat the general environment may not plines. Especially between her film classbe as LGBTQ friendly as they would like. es and classes for her GE requirements.

“In Dodge as a whole I feel like everyone is pretty accepting, that’s where I am the most,” said Greenwood. “There’s definitely been times I’ve been in class… where you can tell that the students are just less exposed to diverse people.”

While the majority of Chapman students are relatively removed from the conservative environment of Orange County on campus, some queer members of the Chapman community still feel as though there could be a stronger sense of connection between the queer communi- In terms of Orange County, many ties of Chapman and Orange County. students aren’t as aware of local politics outside of campus.

Chapman campus is surrounded by Orange County, a conservative area. “I’m from rural Wisconsin, so [Orange] is like

Stickers and prints available at Fem Queer Fest, a LGBTQ studies event. Photo by Marjorie Stemmler

home, but California-flavored,” says Jade Watson, a senior majoring in Anthropology.

They go on to admit that they know very little about any legislation that has been passed locally.

Valentine Chung, a junior majoring in socioloology, also expressed that she doesn’t know that much about Orange County politics, despite having technically lived in the city of Orange for three years.

“I’m not a California voter, because I’m from out of state,” said Chung. “So I feel like I don’t really keep up with any of the legislature here, even though I probably should.”

According to Dr. Joshua Liashenko, director of the LGBTQ studies program, this is normal for a college campus like Chapman.

Joshua Liashenko is the director of LGBTQ studies at Chapman. Photo courtesy of the Chapman website

“Frankly, I feel like there is a disconnect with the information that’s happening in the news and how it impacts folks on campus,” said Liashenko. “Oftentimes college campuses, especially when it’s Orange County, become bubbles.”

Despite the campus feeling relatively safe to queer students, instances of LGBTQ hate is commonplace in Southern California. Considering that the area has historically been a haven nia. Considering that the area has historically been a haven for white supremacist groups, there has recently been an array of anti-LGBTQ legislation being passed within the last year.

In Huntington Beach, the city council recently voted to ban the flying of pride flags at public buildings, including government offices, the civic center, and in public schools. The council is also moving to privatize the city’s library, in efforts to ban books.

In Murrieta School District, just south of Orange County, the school board is aiming to maintain a forced-outing policy, despite a state order to remove the policy on grounds of discrimination. The policy being held up would mean that if a student in Murrieta School District is suspected to have a “change in gender identity” while on school property, the school would be obligated to report it to the student’s family.

For queer college students born and raised in Orange County, things are a different story.

Orange County residents gather at the Huntington Beach pier for an event organzied by Pride at the Pier. Photo by Sarah Hart “It’s just concerning, because people don’t know that their rights are being taken away,” says Meschuk, a sophomore majoring in anthropology at UC San Diego. “I want people to look it up. But at the same time, if they don’t know, then they’re not going to.”

According to LGBTQ Studies professor, Liz Sanchez, there is a reason that there is a lack of strong queer activism in Orange County. Learning about social issues and queer history can be daunting.

“It’s hard because I know it can be traumatizing to read about these things over and over and over again. But to be complacent, to ignore it, I think can just be as harmful,” said Sanchez. “And something that I see often as a queer educator, a lot of young folks [are] not investing into queer studies and queer politics.”

Meschuk adds that they have noticed that many students who come from out of state to southern California don’t realize that there are real issues affecting marginalized groups in the area due to the assumption that California is a politically liberal place.

“Being by the beach is not going to protect you from homophobia or transphobia!” said Meschuk. “Unfortunately, it’s still going to be there. It’s just going to be dressed up in a different way.”

- UC San Diego Sophomore Kate Meschuk

Kate Meschuk is a queer anthropology student at UC San Diego and aspiring activist. Photo courtesy of Meschuk

Liashenko had a similar observation.

“There is this perception around the country that California is a haven for LGBTQ people, and in parts of the state, that is absolutely true,” said Liashenko.

“However, there are a lot of people here in California, with a lot of different regions, with a lot of different interests.”

Meschuk often attends rallies and protests against anti-LGBTQ legislation in Orange County, and keeps up with city council meetings in Huntington Beach, their hometown. However, they understand that it’s difficult for college students to be active in politics because Meschuk struggles with it themself.

“We just need to be more proactive with organizing, and trying to find ways to connect queer people on college campuses to organizations outside of campus,” said Meschuk. “But then there’s always the problem of well, how do we do that?”

- Director of LGBTQ studies Joshue Liashenko

Meschuk adds that apart from the fact that they are only 20 years old and do not have the resources to organize, they are very busy as a full time student.

Liashenko agrees that encouraging a connection between the queer community within Chapman, a college campus, and the greater queer community of Orange County is a good idea.

“I think there needs to be more education concerning how the queer community here at Chapman interacts with the queer community beyond our campus,” said Liashenko. “Getting our students more engaged in the community around us in Orange and also broader Orange County could be a really great way to expand that.”

On the other hand, there is still the issue of a lack of accessibility to queer spaces and resources for the average student.

“Orange County…has few and far between queer spaces,” said Liashenko. “There is

Liz Sanchez is a professor of queer studies at Chapman and has been active in activism in Orange County for a decade.

Photo courtesy of the Chapman website

Hu n t i n g t o n Beach residents march at the city’s pier after the death of teenager Nex Benedict. Photo

by Sarah Hart

an LGBTQ center here in Orange County, there are a handful of queer establishments. Unfortunately, a lot of queer establishments are bars, and the majority of our student population isn’t of drinking age.”

Meschuk also feels that the lack of queer organization is probably another reason for a lack of knowledge about local politics on college campuses in Orange County.

“There is a problem with the lack of organizations that are showing up to meetings to resist legislation [and] stage protests,” said Meschuk. “Because [queer activists in Orange County] don’t have far reaching connections, we’re not really sure how to execute something on a large scale.”

Sanchez speaks from their experience as a queer activist who has been in Orange County for nearly a decade.

I’ve been…organizing [in Orange County] for years for years. I’m definitely a queer activist with those groups.

They’re not sustainable, though,” said San

chez.

“They

always

fall

apart.”

Sanchez goes on to say that they feel as though here is work that people interested in getting into queer activism can do whether they are an ally or part of the LGBTQ community.

“Go take a class [on queer studies]. Get educated on the rich history, the academics behind it, the research. Then they can go in and be really awesome as an advocate,” says Sanchez. “We all got to do the work.”

According to Meschuk there is still work to be done to make students more aware of what’s going on locally. Still, Lien, now a senior, feels as though finding an immediate niche on campus is what got them to the end of their fourth year at Chapman.

“I feel better now that I joined different clubs and found different communities,” said Lien. “I have had professors who have advocated for me…and those professors really make a difference.”

W

hen senior Caroline Shinner first came to Chapman University, her expectations of a college community were massively let down. Living in the middle of a global pandemic, she felt stuck in her dorm with her two roommates.

Re

Until she had an idea to revive Chapman’s social scene, one vintage find at a time. “[Chapman Flea and Thrift Club] are students from different walks of life coming together over one common hobby,” Chapman Flea and Thrift co-president Shinner said.

As the younger generations navigate through a tumultuous era marked by pandemics, social injustice, and global conflicts, there’s a yearning to look back at simpler times. And the collective nostalgia for low-waisted jeans, CDs, and mini handbags has turned into daily micro trends with the help of social media.

College students can be seen wearing big baggy pants and mini skirts from the 90s, as styles from decades ago seem to make their way into every aspect of college life. And it couldn’t be more evi-

“When you’re seeing these styles every day, you start asking yourself, ‘Am I behind? Am I not dressing well enough?”

- Junior Shandon Obergon

Consignment Store in the Circle. Photo by Nicole Kavros

dent than at Chapman’s campus.

“When you see a fashion trend on TikTok, there’s almost a 100% guarantee the next day you’ll see someone wearing it,” political science major Shandon Obergon said.

As fashion eras and music crazes from the

e c n a s s i a n etro Re

By Sukhman Sahota

past rule over today’s culture, their acces- cial, economic status, so they have access sibility can seem limited to some students. to the quickness of these trends,” Obergon said. “They are on top of ‘what’s new and Trends stay popular for a few weeks before cool’ because they can afford it.” the next big thing takes over, and participating in them can become a financial bur- For Obergon, it was easy to ignore the den. changes in fashion until he came to Chap“We go to school with people of a higher so- man.

“When you’re seeing these styles every day, you start asking yourself, ‘Am I behind?

Am I not dressing well enough? Am I not trendy?’” he said.

Shinner and her roommates’ attempt to socialize with her peers during COVID-19 has become one of the biggest clubs at Chapman, founded with a center of fashion sustainability.

However, revitalizing trends are not new; they are pretty common. The only differ- “You’re passing it [old clothes] down; it gets ence is the speed at which fashion trends to live on and not go to a landfill. These clothes hold memories and value, and it’s a stay popular. beautiful thing to share,” Shinner said.

“It’s not crazy that we’re having a fashion revival,” junior creative writing major Mo- Even though Chapman Flea is for college ria Wu said. “But what’s interesting is that students, the vendors aren’t immune from the timespan between trends is getting the temptation of upselling — persuading a customer to buy something higher than shorter and shorter.” it should be.

Chapman Thrift and Flea offers a solution for students like Obergon when purchas- “I’ve gotten some stuff from there and defiing clothes. They host a flea market month- nitely paid way too much for it,” Wu said. ly with mostly Chapman student vendors Finding a balance between being on-trend selling their old clothes. and still having your style can take time “We don’t make our vendors pay a fee to for some students. But Chapman alum and sell or charge tickets to let students shop Chapman Thrift vendor Adi Takei uses her around,” senior Chapman Flea and Thrift individuality to dictate whether she’ll parco-president CJ Dinowitz said. “It’s purely ticipate in a trend. for the students by the students.”

“If I see something trending, and I genuinely think it’s cute, I’ll think, ‘Yeah, I want to get it,’” Takei said. “It has to appeal to me.”

Wu uses a similar method to decide whether to incorporate a trend into her wardrobe.

Junior Will Swan selling his clothes at Chapman Flea and Thrift’s May event. Photo by Brian Guevara

“There’s nothing wrong with picking up on trends and seeing which ones you like, but like it’s more about genuinely thinking about it: ‘Does this fit into like the things that I already have in my wardrobe?’ and ‘I’m I gonna wear it in like three

“Just by participating in the second-hand nature of clothing swaps is already a step above going to shop at Zara or Princess Polly [fast fashion companies].”

- Senior Caroline Shinner

While a small percentage of students end up working towards solving social justice, a majority of them start to take steps towards ethical shopping.

Starting with thrift stores.

“Although seemingly small [thrifting] helps with the overall cycle of months,’” Wu said. fashion and can add up in the long term by Some students try not to rely on ‘what’s unsubscribing from the cycles of fast fashnew’ in the fashion world and find inspi- ion,” she said. ration elsewhere, like walking on campus. And Chapman’s surrounding area is perfect for students to begin thrifting.

“I’ll see a person and really like how a certain article of clothing looks on them or how they’re wearing it, and then I’ll go out and try to find something like that,” Dinowitz said.

“Since Orange has so many vintage and antique, it’s walkable for students to participate in second-hand shopping,” Obergon said. “I love Deelux or the Antique Mall in the Circle.”

The Chapman Flea presidents built the club to spread knowledge about fast fashion — rapidly produced clothes with cheap fabrics and labor of the latest trends.

“Just by participating in the second-hand nature of clothing swaps is already a step above going to shop at Zara or Princess Polly [fast fashion companies],” Shinner said.

Creative and Cultural Industries Professor Lisa Maracine has spent her professional career pushing sustainability to the forefront of fashion. And for her, a college campus is the exact starting point.

“Many of the fashion-based social enterprises were started by college students seeking social justice at the intersection of the fashion, business, and nonprofit industries,” Maracine said.

Junior Moria Wu shares their thoughs on Chapman’s vintage and thrift culture. Photo courtresy of Wu

present clothes from second-hand stores.

“When larger companies take hold of these trends, they often sell the idea of a trend and not the actual physical embodiment of it,” graphic design major Easton Clark said.

As prices become out of reach at vintage or thrift stores, instead of shopping fast fashion, Maracine encourages students to champiCo-Presidents of Chapman Flea and Thrift CJ Dinowon companies with sustainability itz (right) and Caroline Shinner at their last flea mar- goals. ket. Photo by Brian Guevara

“Students can create change to shopping small or slow fashion by bringing awareHowever, as thrifting becomes more pop ular for students, the increased demand ness to those who are seeking to impact the drives up the costs at many of these stores. industry on a small scale,” Maracine said.

Wu has been thrifting since high school and has first-hand seen the price increase. Many students have found their interest in past fashion as a means of conveying “Thrifting has become a privilege thing in themselves visually. Making it into a new hobby they can have forever. some ways,” Wu said.

Wu isn’t the only one who has noticed this “I like to be presentable and knowledgeable about what I wear because it’s an extension cost change. of you. It’s one of the only real things you “It has gotten to a point where it’s too ex- can express yourself with and without verpensive for people who go to thrift stores, bally talking to somebody,” Clark said. not for trendy fashion or good finds to afford the clothes,” business major and avid Clark’s interest in past trends goes beyond fashion. thrifter Emily Paris said.

It forces people to settle for cheap fast “I have an interest in things vintage if you fashion companies attempting to recreate look at my design work, but it’s all old packaging and things that I’ve come to appreciate,” Clark said.

“Thrifting has become a

privilege thing in some ways.”

- Junior Moria Wu

Vintage style has seeped its way into every aspect of Clark, allowing him to give

his clothes, work, and life more value and sense of individuality that you couldn’t get care. from a fast fashion company.”

Dinowitz and Shinner can both admit the pressure Chapman students may feel to conform to popular trends. A problem they hope to solve with their flea markets.

Trends come and go, but Obergon has found confidence in wearing whatever he wants rather than focusing on fashion trends.

“On a college campus, everyone is trying to fit in and stand out in a certain way,” Dinowitz said. “But when you’re buying clothes from your friends or other students, it gives you a chance to garner that

And he hopes more students follow suit.

“In my opinion, sticking out like a sore thumb is the best way to go, especially at Chapman,” Obergon said.

“Students can create change to shopping small or slow fashion by bringing awareness to those who are seeking to impact the industry on a small scale.”

- Professor Lisa Maracine

Collection of photos of vintage store in the Circle and Chapman Flea Photos by Nicole Kavros and Brian Guevara

G

oing into freshman year, communications major Etta Lauchland was more than excited to be part of Chapman’s school spirit. From clubs, to activities, to events, she was signed up for everything.

Now a senior, Lauchland groans at the idea of adding anything to her plate.

She’s been struck with a sickness too many seniors catch: Senioritis.

“I almost punched a man trying to get me to go to a career event,” said Lauchland. “I just want to head home after class.”

This sentiment is shared amongst many students who were once the wide eyed freshmen, excited to be part of Chapman. Now older, students don’t feel that same motivation to get out there and be involved. Whether it’s other time commitments, class loads too much, or the “senioritis” feeling, some students are tired of the extroverted life.

Jerry Price, the Dean of Students at Chapman, said he’s seen the senioritis bug spreading, but he sees it in a different manner.

“Some students do get senioritis where they kind of lose motivation all the way around,” said Price. “But mostly what I noticed is that their priorities change and their motivations are applied in kind of new directions.”

Lauchland said she loved her clubs and sorority meetings in the beginning, but after a few years, she found other commitments and dwindled out. This also meant that she wasn’t on campus as much as she once was.

By Marjorie S

Stremmler

“I think throughout the year I’ve spent much less time on campus, whereas when I did clubs and sorority, I was on campus all the time I was tabling and doing fundraisers,” said Lauchland.

Carter Hogan, a senior animation major, shared the same sentiment about being too busy for clubs and events, but since the end is soon, they want to make the most of Chapman while they can.

“I am busy now with things like my thesis, but I want to take advantage of what the campus has to offer,” said Hogan.

Hogan said there’s only one thing holding them back from doing everything they want: senioritis.

Senioritis is the idea that when students can see the end goal is approaching, they start to lose motivation to do just about anything.

And Hogan said they’ve started slacking.

Lauchland backs up this sentiment, saying, “I think I’ve had senioritis since senior year started.”

“You would have to pay me to go to my classes now, I can’t go on my own free will,” said Lauchland.

With the impending stress of graduation and finishing those last classes, how can seniors find time to do events and other fun things Chapman offers?

Illustration of a senior totally not into what’s going on around campus. Photo courtesty of Aixian Wiriadinata

Kiana Kalahele, a senior English major, has But, Kalahele does say she is feeling the secracked the code on finding time to get to all nioritis bug, but more with classes and less the events and clubs she wants, but she said it with clubs. comes at a price.

“I don’t wanna do anything or I’ve been pro“I’m currently the president of the three clubs,” crastinating. But for club meetings and stuff said Kalehele. “It hasn’t died down since I’ve I’m still very active. It’s something that I really enjoy doing” said Kalahele. been a senior.”

Ever since high school, Kalahele said she keeps up with her clubs because she’s the type to “stick with it until the end.” She also said that since she’s paying to be at Chapman, she wants to get her money’s worth by putting herself out there.

Losing motivation is not just a senior issue.

Chloe Lehmann, a junior business administration major, doesn’t find herself on campus as much as she once was.

“I will only go to an event or something if I’m on campus, if even,” said Lehmann.

Jerry Price said while the administration can be a motivator to students, it also takes the willpower for themselves.

“I think there’s a fine line between being sympathetic and supportive, but also not somehow sending a signal that obligations don’t matter anymore. They still do and they’re always going to,” said Price. “If you have obligations you’re responsible for seeing them through.”

Even with Chapman pushing for students to get out there in clubs and events, some have never had the desire to show their school spirit.

Sydney Scott, a senior English major, said she was much more into what high school had to offer her, but now in college, she’d much rather go to class and head straight home.

Kiana Kalahele taking a selfie in her new gown. Photo by Kalahele

“I almost punched a man trying to get me to go to a career event”- Senior Etta Lauchland

Etta Lauchland posing for her grad pictures. Photo courtesy of Lauchland

“I was involved in everything in high school, from class in the morning to soccer games at night,” said Scott. “Now I have ‘college-itis.”

Scott said she’s tried going to the club fairs, but didn’t find anything of interest. She’d rather make her own fun outside of Chapman.

“I like taking day trips or going to LA with Even Jerry Price leaves a message for the students who might have any regrets for not friends, not being on campus,” said Scott. branching out.

Even with the loss of interest, Etta Lauchland, and the other seniors, still encourage students “Investing a lot of energy backwards is not a to get involved and try everything when they great investment,” said Price. “It’s good to reflect and learn, but regret and shame are only still have the chance. valuable in small doses. Putting your energy “Sign up for as much as you can,” said Lauch- into things you can actually change and do land. “If you don’t like it you can always quit something about is the best advice I could or drop it, but you’ll definitely find something give.” that you’ll be really into and want to stay in for all of college.”

Juniors Lisa and Chloe Wong (from left) doing a broadcast in the piazza. Photo courtesy of Lisa Wong

J

unior Lisa Wong walks into the Henley Hall basement every Wednesday night, puts on her headphones, and starts talking into a mic with her co-host Chloe Wong.

She doesn’t know how many people are listening, but it doesn’t matter.

She loves her Chapman Radio show, “State of Mind,” and 60+ episodes, it’s a highlight of her college career.

Radio R

Listener Chapman Radio Goes from He numbers

By Allie Leichter might not be high, but the Chapman Radio brand is growing.

It has survived over the decades to be Chapman’s second oldest program. It now even has its own credit class. And it’s even getting national attention. Chapman Radio in recent years cracked into the Top Ten of the best college radio stations according to the Princeton Review.

“Is there ever going to be another time where I get to capture a weekly Its 70+ shows and sports broadcasts have conversation with my friend for been gaining relevance in recent semesters. the whole world to hear?” she said. Even though it’s not getting Netflix level

Revival

enley Basement to Headlines

numbers r and Brian Guevara — just over 100 listeners for each segment would be at its peak, its followers have proven to be dedicated listeners.

and

where

could

they

do

better?

It’s gotten popular recently due to its Covid-19 era overhaul, which allowed the station to change its approach.

There are three streams accessible to students on the Chapman Radio website and app: sports, music-only, and student “I love listening to Chapman Radio. I talk shows. Each with multiple DJs. think it’s another way to bring students together and support friends” said junior For those who struggle to find the station, film production major Rithika Vighne. all streams can be accessed by downloading the Chapman University Radio app on the But how have the DJs and engineers Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. done this? How have they found footing in the Chapman community,

Senior vocal performance major Evan Raymond finds it hard to engage with the station for multiple reasons.

Travis Bartosh on air for Chapman Radio. Photo courtesy of Issuu

“We want to be [formatted] more like a Netflix, a Prime, or a Hulu where you can pick and choose what you want to tune into. We want to be the future of radio.”

-Professor Travis Bartosh

The 24-hour live stream consists of weekly shows with music in between.

They also have their own events ranging from live broadcasts on campus with students to open mic nights.

As popular as Chapman Radio has been compared to other college stations, though, there are many students — most students —- who don’t listen at all.

“I’m not too in-touch with the campus culture and don’t care much about audio-only media,” said Raymond. “I’m surrounded

by Chapman whenever I’m on campus and don’t want to hear more Chapman when I go home.”

Another thing Chapman Radio is susceptible to is the high turnover rate.

Students who take initiative graduate and younger students who aren’t as attached to the program come in.

The culture can always change at the station and it has ended with struggle.

While listenership can always be improved, the involvement in the station itself is at a high. The reason why stems from how easy it is to get involved.

Chapman Radio has its own class, COM 108, where students learn and put into practice engineering and programming skills.

They even have their own club. They can run their own show, or help produce.

Who hasn’t imagined themself having a radio show? With this program, students can actually become an on-air personality, with listeners and a studio.

“On a personal level, it brought me closer to the people who listen to my show. We have group chats where we chat about the show and they even send me messages about what I am saying while we are on the air.”

- Junior Chloe Wong, “State of Mind cohost

Not that the numbers don’t make them wince at times. Many of the shows have 80-plus listeners at a time. But for a few, they can count listeners on one hand.

But many do listen for the music, which plays between shows, and is piped in to the Student Union.

“I really enjoy their music,” said junior film production major Gwendolyn Allison. “When they play Taylor Swift it makes me dance a little bit.”

Jerry Price posing with the Chapman Radio mascot. Photo courtesy of Chapman Radio succeed in getting broadcasting jobs.

“What I tell the new DJs is that you’re only ever talking to one person,” said Bartosh. “The point of college radio isn’t listenership, it’s about training the DJs to be the best they possibly can.”

Not all students feel this way, however.

Senior JP Olalia, in fact, feels the opposite.

“It’s cool. I don’t know, I spend a lot of time in AF and I don’t really care about the music they’re playing,” he said. “I just tune it out.”

The popularity and on-campus success of Chapman Radio can be questioned, but one thing is certain: It helps students

Chapman Radio Logo. Graphic courtesy of Chapman Radio

One example, 2011 graduate Tyler McCusker, who was the station’s student manager, went on to have a successful radio show in Palm Springs, then later owned his own radio station in Laguna Beach.

Dodgers last year, often gives thanks for his position as sports director, producer and host on Chapman Radio.

Maybe,

just

maybe,

a

current

Photo of former Chapman Radio sports director, producer and host, and current Dodgers play-by-play announcer Stephen Nelson. Photo courtesy of TrueBlueLA

For an even more successful example, Chapman 2010 graduate Stephen Nelson now is one of those currently filling the historic shoes of Vin Scully, a legendary baseball commentator for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who died two years ago.

Nelson, the only Asian American play-by-play announcer in major league baseball when he joined the

Chapman him in

Radio student will join success in the future.

Maybe, that student is Lisa Wong.

Her show, a combination of music and music talk, has won multiple “Chapman Radio” awards, and has over 100 followers on Instagram. This might just be the thing she ends up crediting in 10 years for her successes. As a student that wants to go

into broadcasting, she believes Chapman Radio has prepared her well for that world.

“Being [a DJ] has helped me develop skills that I know will be beneficial to wherever I end up in the sports or news world.”

-Junior Lisa Wong, “State-of-Mind” co-host

Evan Fenley and Jordan Beal in the Chapman Radio booth hosting their weekly show, “Life With Jevan.” Photo by Brian Guevara

4+1=Success?

Many students say an accelerated master’s is worth the challenge

By Holland Hatch

The work for 4+1 students doesn’t stop after undergraduate graduation.

Illustration by Holland Hatch

E

mi Thomas, English journalism major, will be graduating in a few weeks. But while her peers are moving on to careers, she’s still stuck at Chapman.

Not that she’s complaining. She’s going to graduate again next year. This time with a master’s degree.

It’s called 4+1. Students can take master’s classes as an undergraduate to give them a head start. That way they can get a master’s Senior Emi Thomas. Photo courtesy of Thomas degree in just one year instead of the usual But those who do say it’s worth it. two.

Erick Cunanan, for example, is currently in For Thomas, that means working overtime his last semester in Chapman’s accelerated right now to keep up – and being left behealth and strategic communication mashind by her friends. Which can be a little ter’s. Cunanan graduated last spring with awkward. bachelor’s degrees in both psychology and strategic and corporate communication.

“So many people are ready to take the next step in their lives, and I’m just here,” said Cunanan described entering the graduate Thomas. program last year as intimidating, requiring him to hurdle a tremendous mental Thomas is a part of the Integrated Bachebarrier. lor’s/Master’s in English that allows her to take graduate level courses starting her se“[Grad school] is a beast,” said Cunanan. nior year of undergraduate. This program “It’s something that people cry over.” is just one of 19 integrated programs that Chapman currently offers.

But the familiarity of the Chapman culture and community has helped him thrive.

Students are able to apply for this growing Some not in the program still stay at Chap4+1 program anytime in their junior year. man for a master’s.

But for now, only a small number of Chapman’s nearly 8,000 student population is taking advantage of it due to the heavy “[Grad school] is a beast.” schedule required.

- 4+1 student

Erick Cunanan

Emily Hayes, MBA class of 2026, missed the deadline for 4+1. But she still had her heart set on Chapman for her graduate degree.

“I do feel more isolated,” said Cunanan.

“I’m no longer a part of the Hawaii or Filipino club.”

Cunanan has remained the president of the Communications Honor Society, Lambda Pi Eta, for the past two years, which has “I have roots here from undergrad,” said helped him maintain involvement. But he Hayes. “So I was going to stay at Chapman attributed most of his connections to his 4+1 cohort of students. or nothing.”

As Hayes finishes up her first year of graduate school, she admits that being left behind by the rest of her graduating class has been difficult.

“I kind of still feel like a kid,” said Hayes.

“Stuck.”

Dean of Students Jerry Price described the 4+1 program as complex.

“On paper it looks so smart,” said Price.

“But the experience of doing it is different.”

Thomas addressed the uncomfortable middle-man position But at the same time, she holds as both an this “extension of unundergraduate and dergrad” according to graduate student this Hayes, has been a posErick Cunanan celebrates his 2023 underyear. itive experience overgraduate graduation. Photo courtesy of all. Hayes has been Cunanan “I get serious imposter able to stay connected with her community at Chapman through syndrome every time I go into my graduate her sorority and softball team with eligibil- classes,” said Thomas. ity from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cunanan also described his experience as Cunanan has also kept connections with a simultaneous undergraduate and graduhis Chapman community, but admits he is ate student as “very confusing.” rarely on campus anymore.

“I had to figure out how to balance my

accelerated pre-pharmacy program. Even more intensive than other accelerated graduate programs, pre-pharmacy is a two year undergraduate experience followed by three years of graduate school at Rinker campus.

“I was 17, getting ready to start graduate school at 19,” said Sazon. “I just wanted to enjoy my college life.”

Dean of Students Jerry Price reflects on the 4+1 student experience. Photo courtesy of Graduate level classes are a lot of stress, OC Register especially in conjunction with completing identity,” said Cunanan. an undergraduate degree. The demanding

“I just wanted to enjoy my college life.”

- Junior Lyn Sazon “It gets tricky,” said Price. “When you stop Dean Price emphasized the difficulties students face during this transition period.

being a senior and start being a graduate student is not a clearly defined line.” course load requires a sacrifice of the traditional relaxing senior year. Or in the case This leaves students like Thomas and Cu- of accelerated pre-pharmacy, a sacrifice nanan with a lot of logistical questions be- of a traditional undergraduate experience yond their emotional confusion. overall.

“There are financial aid implications, registration implications, housing eligibility questions,” said Price. “We help to resolve some of those things.”

“I know a lot of seniors who are part-time because they don’t have anything left to do,” said Thomas. “I’m constantly doing homework all the time.”

The rigor of preparing for and completing But to her, the hard work now is worth it a master’s degree is not for everyone. for one less year of school.

Lyn Sazon, junior communications ma- “All that time and effort is jor, discovered this early on in her time at going towards something Chapman. worthwhile,” said Thomas.

Sazon started her Chapman career in the

Jury’s Out on Chapman Court

By Sophie Wehrlie

Photo by Sophie Wehrlie

M

any excited students flocked to tour the new Chapman Court apartments within the past month.

But for some, they left the tour knowing they’d never live there.

“Being told I wouldn’t have a parking space, was an immediate no for me.”

- Sophomore Cami Martin

Sophomore Cami Martin was one of those es, a two story gym, and no price differwho dropped out. Why? Inadequate park- ence between the alternative off-campus ing. housing options. How could students resist?

However, some students left their tours over the parking. With 600 parking spaces available, despite 800 students planning to be housed there, they worried it wasn’t the right fit for them.

Cami Martin. Photo Courtesy of Martin “I’m from out of state and if I weren’t able to get a parking spot at Court, I wouldn’t have anywhere else to put my car,” said Martin. “I’m pretty car dependent, so I need a parking space and being told there was a high chance I wouldn’t be given one, was an immediate no for me.”

A quick three miles from campus, Chapman Court is the latest addition to Chapman housing. With Chapman’s newly implemented three year housing requirement, Chapman Court serves as a solid housing option. Sophomores and above can live in Court, but the housing lottery is on a first come, first basis.

For those students who aren’t lucky enough to acquire a parking spot in the garage, the alternative is parking at Panther Village, which is a 15 minute walk away.

Chapman Court’s housing team informed students that, “Parking is assigned by unit and at this time requests for additional spaces are not being accepted.” Therefore, it’s safe to assume that Panther Village’s lot will be packed with Chapman Court’s overflow parking, which causes anxiety amongst potential residents, like junior Katy Wathen.

“What if you bought groceries but are forced to park in the overflow lot and have to haul them on the shuttle, or if you come back super late and the shuttle service isn’t operating anymore?” said Wathen. “So I just decided to stay safe Offering larger rooms than other Chaprather than sorry and live at Chapman man complexes, with up to date applianc- Grand again next year.”

Tracey Cervantes, representing Chapman’s Parking and Transportation program, assured students that, “5 shuttles have been purchased to expand services to accommodate students living at Chapman Court.”

Photo Courtesy of Chapman Website However, the shuttle only runs Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 11:55 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Students who may be traveling outside of those times have expressed safety concerns making the 15 minute walk, from Panther Village, alone at night.

“Having to park and walk from Panther Village was an absolute deal breaker for Chapman Court, especially since I usually have class or rehearsals until 10 p.m.” said junior Rose Lindblom. “Then once I’m at Panther Village, I’d either have to wait for a shuttle to Court or walk home, and I would not feel safe making that walk at all, let alone at night,” continued Lindblom.

Chapman Dean of Students Jerry Price defends its housing selection.

“Court was selected because it was avail-

“Having to park and walk from Panther Village was an absolute deal breaker for Chapman Court - Junior Rose Lindblom able. We were in the process of planning to build a new facility with about 1,100 beds where the current Panther Village is.

It was going to be very expensive and take about four years,” said Price. “With Chapman Court, we could get the same amount of beds- immediately.”

Despite Court being a popular housing option, Dean Price does understand the anxiety students feel regarding the parking situation, “A lot of people don’t want to be the guinea pig with this, but it might end up working fine. We just have to wait and see.”

However, with so many students not living in Court, that frees up a lot of space for excited incoming residents. Many students seem to be pleased with the modern aspects of the complex.

“Chapman Court was appealing to me because it’s the ‘new’ thing. It has a resort type of vibe with the cabanas and pool.

My room specifically has a gigantic kitchen which is going to be so nice to host weekly dinners with friends,” said freshman Ruby Beckerman.

Sophomore Eliza Gibbs seemed to agree with Beckerman, “I also chose Chapman Court because of the newer features.”

With Chapman Grand and The K being the two most popular housing options, students find the newness of Court very refreshing.

Illustration by Sophie Wehrlie “I decided to live in Chapman Court because I knew that I wanted to live off campus, and the building is brand new which was appealing to me. I also really liked the amenities that came with living in Court,” said freshman Dylan Magic.

Despite Magic not having a car, she does feel concern for her roommates, who will have to navigate that situation, “I am currently unsure how many of my roommates will have cars next semester, however, if all of us bring cars, I will be more concerned with what to do with the extra car.”

It seems for those who aren’t concerned about parking, Chapman Court will be a great fit.

The building officially opens for move-in in August 2024.

Photo by Sophie Wehrlie

Students Scramble to Find Internships

By Brian Guevara

C

hloe Smigla was stressed in the fall of 2021. Stressed about internships.

She needed an internship for her Strategic and Corporate Communications major, but those were hard to come by. The only ones she could find in her field were summer internships.

And she would’ve had to pay for it.

“It just felt so backwards to Smigla at an event hosted by the company she have to pay to work,” said was interning for last year. Photo courtesy of Smigla. “That just sounds wrong.” Smigla postings because they’re ‘required’ to.”

Internships have been getting more to Crowe, Chapman’s competitive every year. More students According to this is Handshake. are applying than ever, and yet the solution actual number of internship positions are declining, according to Forbes. But Handshake, which is available to all just how difficult is it to get a desirable Chapman students, is a platform that internship in a relevant field? And what shows students internship and job postings is Chapman doing to address difficulties that are looking for college students, students might have getting one? particularly Chapman students. All postings are reviewed by the university and Student Internship Lead Henry checked for legitimacy so students have the Crowe explains that getting an best possible chance at getting experience. internship recently has been rough for students, and for one large reason: This has helped Chapman students find some success with internships, with The job postings aren’t real. an estimated 70% of students having at least one internship in their time at “Companies are posting internship the university according to Chapman’s positions they’re not actually hiring for,” career education manager Janelle Farkas. said Crowe. “They look internally but create That’s nearly double the national amount.

Among those students is senior educational studies major Jordan Beal, who has benefited from Handshake. Thanks to the software, she got an internship at Make-A-Wish, something she considers to be a shining entry in her resume.

“I got my internship because of Handshake,” said Beal. “It made my resume so much stronger going into grad school.”

It hasn’t worked for everybody, though. In fact, junior Lyn Sazon believes it’s more about who you know than any Chapman service.

“Chapman didn’t help much with connecting me to opportunities,” said Sazon, who recently has worked for TMZ and Warner Records. “I had to hustle on my own and apply on every website and portal. I didn’t even have a mentor.”

Farkas

agrees.

To

an

extent.

“Networking is an important part of job searching because it allows someone to help vouch for you. That can help move your application along in the process, but rarely does it “guarantee” you the job,” she said.

She believes it’s about knowing people, but also that it’s in students’ control.

“It’s less about knowing the ‘right people’ already. It’s more about being willing [to] initiate conversations by introducing yourself and your merits to new people in your field.”

- Career Education Manager Janelle Farkas This essentially means that every student has the power to make connections, and Chapman simply makes it easier for them.

While Chapman may not be of help to some students, multiple schools in the university take internship opportunities into their own hands, with department chairs directly reaching out to students with information.

That includes Crean College, which senior health sciences major Kate Sheafor has to thank for her internship.

Sazon at her internship in 2024. Photo courtesy of Sazon

Chapman’s Career and Professional Development Center helps students find internships. Photo courtesy of Chapman University She found her job through an event organized by the college where speakers came and had information about internships.

“That was so helpful.

I don’t know how I would’ve found an internship otherwise.”

- Senior Kate Sheafor What if students can’t find an internship?

Maybe their grades aren’t good enough.

Maybe they need a paid job to deal with tuition.

Crowe has seen this before, and believes Chapman has a solution to that as well.

Sheafor at her internship last year. Photo courtesy of Sheafor

“We can help students find internships that don’t check GPA or experience. We can also help make their resume and application as optimized as possible to make up for any other weaknesses.”

- Henry Crowe, Student Internship Lead On top of this, Chapman gives students free access to Udemy courses through the Argyros College, allowing students to nurture their skills in ways that help their resume.

Some students believe internships aren’t very fair. They’re doing work for a company, but aren’t getting paid. In some instances, they’re actually paying money to do work for their employer, which makes no sense to some.

Sazon nearly fell victim to this possibility. Her freshman year, she got a summer internship but decided not to have it registered for credit, since she didn’t want to pay to work.

She risked not counting an internship in her field at Chapman, because of this policy.

At the end of the day, Smigla found an internship for interterm, meaning she escaped the financial trouble of paying to work. And she found it externally, without the help of Chapman University, a common thread among many students.

Percentage of current students that have had at least one internship in college. Graphic by Brian Guevara

Illustration by Alexandra Der Boghosian

By Alexandra Der Boghosian

E

ver had a business or start up idea that actually had potential? But couldn’t do much about it because you are still in college.

Chapman programs. From baking to jewelry to tech companies, Chapman student entrepreneurs are breaking barriers “The resources at Chapman definitely helped me guide my business and allow That isn’t a problem for a growing number me to further develop my business after of Chapman students. graduation,” said Green. “It felt very validating for someone to see my vision and That’s in part because Chapman’s Leath- take the time to listen to me and say ‘okay, erby Center for Entrepreneurship and what can we do to help.’”

Business Ethics not only has classes in the field, but its own mentorship program to As the semester starthelp students get a head ed in the fall, Taylor Green showcases her start.

Green realized sweet treats. Photo courtesy of that running a Taylor Green One of those is Taybusiness and lor Green, a junior going to class who now has her own will take a lot baking business and of patience is getting dozens of and time management. orders each month.

Her business, Taylor “Our vision is for students Baked, offers a variety to have an entrepreneurof cakes and pastries ial mindset. Whether and delivers in the Orstudents have their own ange County and Los company, a start-up or go Angeles area. Howevto work for a large corpoer, Green’s speciality ration, you can still bring is adding health conthat mindset with you,” scious restrictions, said Cynthia West, direcsuch as gluten free tor of the Leatherby Cenand peanut free ingreter. dients.

“Baking is my creative outlook, I may feel stressed at times but because baking is very therapeutic for me, I enjoy it,” Green said.

The Center, which guides the students through their journey, has more than 80 different mentors from different entrepreneurial backgrounds and experience.

In this new world of social media and advanced technology, a new era for students is emerging in college campuses – studentpreneurs. Chapman student entrepreneurs have been working on creating their own startup empires with the help of different

“From getting hands-on experience to networking, I’ve seen students grow and take their start-ups to the next level,” said West.

“The Leatherby Center has really helped me with my business and get the word out,

By starting from scratch and making it on her own, entrepreneur and senior Carissa Nelson began her jewelry business in middle school when she began creating handmade hair bows. During her freshman year, she created her very own jewelry business, Eye Candy by Iris. With now over 900 followers, Nelson has grown her business with a professional website and eclectic style of jewelry.

“It’s something that I’ve always had a passion for, I like creating things, I like having a platform to show that creativity and I love sharing that as well. I do everything,” Nelson said.

neurship club organizes meetings by bringing in local businesses and entrepreneurs to discuss their business and their experiences.

Carissa Nelson’s Eye Candy by Ris Instagram page. Photo Courtesy of Eye Candy By Ris Instragram Page

In Eye Candy by Ris, Nelson has taken the role of founder, owner, website designer and creative director. Taking jewelry and student-run “It’s very businesses to the next level. rare you get the chance to talk about your idea and get real life feedback from real life entre“In the beginning, starting was harder because preneurs,” said Aylo Corshen, a senior busiI took a full load of classes. But at the end of my ness administration student and the president junior and senior year, I’ve been able to focus of Chapman’s Entrepreneurship Club. more on the business. If a student is serious about a business idea, I say go for it. But you Corshen has been involved in the entrepreneed to be 100% and committed,” Nelson said. neurship club for three years and competed in the 2022 Panther Cage Match, a competiStudents with business and entrepreneurial tion where students can pitch startup ideas to goals have the a group of judges, ultimately networking and opportunity to maybe getting the opportunity to take their Jewerly from Eye Candy By Ris Photo courtesy of Eye Candy By Ris visit the Leath- idea to the next level. website erby Center and get their busi- “Just do it, it will be something you learn no ness to grow as matter what and students are lucky enough to a college stu- be at a university that encourages people to dent. The cen- try, rather than discouraging them to not havter works with ing a ‘perfect’ idea,” Corshen said. the Entrepreneurship club The Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship to collaborate and Business Ethics collaborates with the stuon events and dent club but also coordinates events for the w o r k s h o p s . community to strengthen the entrepreneurial Every Friday world. The Panther Cage Match is just one of the entrepre- many events.

In 2022, Chapman students competed in the Panther Cage Match, with the best overall score went to Safe Title, a blockchain technology insurance for luxury items and protects its authenticity and enhances its value.

However, this year, the Leatherby Center brought in Colleen Schwab from Amazon Web Services as a keynote speaker. As well as, inviting outside entrepreneurs to compete in this year’s competition. With this new change, the competition has been organized between two groups, one student, whether from Chapman or outside schools, and another group of older entrepreneurs.

“We host weekly events where students can come in and talk to mentors from the Leatherby Center. Many students always feel motivated and inspired to take their start up to the next level when talking to their mentors,” said Kajal Petal Reddy, a marketing intern for the Leatherby Center.

a marketing Aylo Corshen consultant.

Photo by Alexandra Der Boghosian Like many entrepreneur students, Tran also had her own business when a student at Chapman.

Her apparel business reshaped her creativity outlook and her goals for the future.

“As a student, it is a huge responsibility to undertake having a business, I remember I was checking orders and working in between classes. Learning how to file your taxes, figure out your expenses, and look for people to Reddy is not only a marketing intern for the hire for help,” Tran said.” center but also the director of marketing for the Entrepreneurship Club.

Tran emphasized how crucial it is for businesses to give back and have a social impact, “I’ve met so many amazing people from the especially Leatherby Center, and have made so many Kajal Petal Reddy when the busigreat connections, not because I knew what Photo courtesy of Kajal Petal ness has the I wanted but because I tried and I just did it.” Reddy opportunity to change the The Panther Cage Match brought colleges world. from around the area to Chapman and pitch start-up ideas and network, a real life Shark “I noticed Tank episode. that many student en2017 alumni April Tran was a part of the Ent rep re n e u rs trepreneur program and participated in the at Chapman Panther Cage Match as a competitor and had a passion judge. Not only did the competition open opbehind their portunities for Tran, but it also influenced her b u s i n e s s ,” future and mindset for her career today as Tran said.

I

t’s scorchingly hot. An open, rocky environment doesn’t leave much room for shade. No wildlife dares to walk around the hilly and cracked terrain, save for a few lizards. And yet there’s a group of students jumping and smiling as they prepare to tackle what’s in front of them; a giant boulder.

Senior business major Matthew Pool came to Chapman on a high school academic hot streak.

He was involved in non-profit work, joined a lot of clubs, and worked in student government. That continued at Chapman.

There’s even a club for car enthusiasts, and a club just known as the outdoor club, for those who want to be involved outside but not with anything too rigorous.

Pool discovered it wasn’t that hard to create his club.

“As my interest in climbing grew I started talking to more and more people here at Chapman and discovered there’s a massive amount of climbers here that don’t have a community to bring them together,” he said.

The club now has more than 20 students at its meetings and outings.

But coming out of the COVID-19 Junior Matthew Pool out for a climb. Photo pandemic while courtesy of Pool at Chapman, With the Outdoor Pool realized he needed more physical ac- Club, pretty much anything goes. Said its tivity. The upshot: He created the universi- vice president, Hannah Bauer, “Things ty’s first climbing club. that anyone would want to do in their free time - it’s better to make an event out of it.”

He’s not the only one anxious for physical activity. Chapman now has 17 clubs that re- This semester alone, the Outdoor Club has volve around getting active, ranging from had a sunset hike, potluck, beach day, and a Chapman Gym Club to a Triathlon Club. a camping trip to Yosemite.

By Dylan Nichols

“Things that anyone would want to do in their free time and it’s better to make an event out of it.”

- Junior Hannah Bauer

Basketball club also has a hold on the hearts of young campus athletes.

“Basketball Club this semester was just a great opportunity for me, and other people still actively playing to get some work in and for people who don’t play as much to reignite their love for the game.” says freshman business major Jacob Christopher Sarabhayavanija. “Overall, it’s a good time for everybody and I loved how it got people together.”

Roaring rapids in Yosemite captured during a Chapman University outdoor club trip. Photo courtesy of Hannah Bauer

“I stuck with those guys [from snow club] throughout the last four years.”

- Senior Evan Fenley pher Sarabhayavanija. “Overall, it’s a good time for everybody and I loved how it got people together.”

on campus is the Snow Club. It offers trips and social events that bring the snowsport community together on campus.

Senior business major Evan Fenley has found his home there amongst his fellow ski/board enthusiasts.

“I stuck with those [snow club] guys throughout the last four years,” Fenley said.

It’s common practice for students who can’t compete at a college level, (whether it be due to time constraints or varying skill levels), to join clubs as an outlet to continue doing what they love as they study at university.

For example, the process of joining the Chapman swim team can be difficult for those looking to participate casually.

“When we’re doing our recruiting process, times are the most important thing. We use the latest results of our championship meet as a benchmark.” said coach Jason Willman. “We want to make sure they have time to achieve that standard, or are on trajectory for it.”

Another prevalent club Outdoor Club vice president Hannah Bauer in Yosemite. Photo courtesy of Bauer

A study by the National Institute of Health states “Researchers reported that about 40% to 50% of college students are physically inactive.” These Chapman clubs have helped combat that statistic on campus.

After a pandemic that kept current Chapman graduates inside, students have grown to love the University’s outdoor outlets.

Chapman Outdoor Club students lay in the grass of Yosemite.

Photo courtesy of Hannah Bauer

SPLITTING WITH THE SWIPE

Lots of Chapman students go on dating apps looking for love, and finding little beyond frustration.

By Lauren Cavalieri

“Y

ou’re so amazing.”

“I’m so glad I met you.”

“You’re the type of girl I can bring to my family.”

These were all things senior engineering major Viviana Arroyo heard from men she met on the popular dating app Hinge. It made her excited for the dates, gifts, and introductions to friends that followed.

Except they always tell her the same thing: “I’m not ready for a relationship.” Dating apps have become the epitome of manycollege students’ romantic lives - but they don’t want them to be. They’re marketed as the place for students to find good

Illustration by Holland Hatch relationships with commitment, strong emotions, and trust. But some Chapman students struggle with the consequences of dating apps such as Tinder and Hinge like ghosting — ending all communication — or non-exclusivity becoming the norm.

As they become less and less interested in meeting people digitally, students wonder if meeting people the old-fashioned way is worth a shot. “[Dating apps] only go off image and whatpeople find most appealing,” said sophomore strategic communications major DJ Limp. He adds that only having a handful of photos of someone on an app “doesn’t show others who you really are.”

Viviana Arroyo receives a lot of forward messages from men on Hinge. Photos courtesy of Arroyo

Match Group, the company that owns Tinder, Hinge, and several other popular dating apps and websites, saw its stock plunge to an all time low last year with paying users falling by 6% from the year before. A Statista Survey from last year reported the apps are lost to Gen Z users, making up only 26% of users vs. millennials at 61%.

And for Chapman students, these numbers make sense.

Freshman animation major Alessandra Robbins believes relationships have become “all the more casual” thanks to dating apps. Photo courtesy of Robbins

Alessandra Robbins, a freshman animation major, believes dating apps have made dating “all the more casual.”

“I don’t think many people value long-

term relationships anymore,” she said. “I have a

She added that a lot of people, including herself in the past, aren’t looking for a relationship at all on these apps, but free compliments: “It was definitely more of a validation thing.”

Sometimes that goal can get out of hand, though. Arroyo admits some of the messages she gets from men are a way too forward. “I’m actually from the future and we’ve been married for 20 years,” one reads. Another: “Babe just you’re smile alone makes me want to be a better man.”

Survey of 812 Chapman students via Fizz. Graphic by Lauren Cavalieri

Sophomore strategic communications major DJ Limp said that dating apps “don’t show others who you really are.”

Photo courtesy of Limp

friend who used them and believed in people who said they wanted to be ‘exclusive.’

Turns out these people were cheating.”

But as dating apps continue to offer an infinite pool of partners and easyaccess to finding your “match.” It makes sense for some students to hit the download button.

“I replied to people, but not when they were being weird,” she said.

But should the apps take the blame for “With dating apps, it’s so much easier to meet people, and then they don’t know who users not using the app in the way they intended? else you’re talking to,” said senior biology major Myriah Leah.

“Maybe it’s a change in the times. Maybe we as humans are getting more superficial,” said senior communications major Alden Ianelli.

Instead of blaming the users or the apps, some students think the problem lies with the lack of substance online interactions have. They believe there’s a big difference between flirting in person and over an app.

“I feel like you lose a lot, and it has a tendency to create a false sense of intimacy,” said freshman computer science major Jackson Feldman.

But for other students, the simple idea of not fully knowing someone online is enough to avoid the apps altogether.

“I think that when you are meeting with a complete stranger, not knowing what age they are and what they look like is scary

because they could be lying,” said freshman dance major Isabella Mendez.

However, there have been a few lucky couples to have come from dating apps. Riley Eaves, a sophomore English major, met her current boyfriend on Hinge. They talked online a for a month before actually going on their first date. Now, the couple has reached the past year’s marker.

“I don’t mind [dating apps],” she said.

She does acknowledge the fear of being ghosted online but states that users shouldn’t take it personally.

Her philosophy: “People just do what they want to do.”

Arroyo seems to make her verdict on dating apps.

“I can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting it to be different,” she said.

However, it won’t stop her from meeting someone one day. Maybe this time outside the walls of an algorithm.

“If I meet someone in person, at least it happened naturally,” Arroyo said.

Senior communications major Alden Ianelli thinks maybe the problem is us, not dating apps.

Photo courtesy of Ianelli

Columns

Clinging onto K-pop

By Marjorie Stemmler

F

or my whole life my go-to tunes has always been pop music.

I’m not really into rap, country isn’t my vibe, and heavy metal gives me a headache.

Even though it seems basic, I’ve always liked the songs that were on the radio, the ones that everyone knew and could recognize.

When I was in middle school, I was a huge “directioner,” or fan of the group One Direction. I was truly obsessed, owning too many posters, CDs, and even bed sheets of them (I wish I was joking).

Until in 2016 when they broke up. I was shattered. Devastated. Empty inside.

“What group am I going to listen to? Everyone has a favorite group or artist, what will mine be?”

For almost three years I would listen to whatever was on the radio, never finding an artist that I connected to.

A seven member boy group from South Korea, my friend Chiara told me I had to give them a listen.

At first listen I was confused, I didn’t know what they were saying, and I couldn’t tell if I really liked the song. And then I listened to it again. And then I listened a third time.

I played their song, “Boy with Luv” all the way home that day. I was hooked.

First I learned their names. Then I started watching their music videos. Then I got into dance performances, which then turned into me learning the dances myself, which I would force my mom to watch.

That was until the summer of 2019, while in a dance class with my friend Chiara, she showed me a group that will change my whole One boy group turned into another, when I life for the better. stumbled upon a video of the boy group “Seventeen” and started listening to their songs The group was BTS. too. The cycle would start all over again. I was officially a K-pop fan.

I had a dozen of groups I was following, I bought their albums, merch, and started going to their concerts. I was deep into the fangirl life, and I loved it. I felt like I was finally filling the void the One Direction had left.

For a while it was all for fun. Then, it was January of 2021. COVID-19 had slowed down enough that I could move into my freshman dorm, and I moved in alone with no roommates. I was extremely homesick and had no friends going into Chapman.

Not even a week later, my boyfriend breaks up with me. School started the next week and I had to immediately drop a class because it was all remote and I wasn’t doing any of the homework in it.

Chapman called Twilight. I auditioned and got in. I later went on to be a board member for two years. I’ve met lifelong friends from this club.

Fast Forward to today, I’m living with two people who I met in Twilight and have become two of my best friends. I’m still recovering from a K-pop concert I went to last week.

And while I’m writing this I’m currently staring at my K-pop shelf filled with albums and memorabilia.

I was able to turn an absolute shitty situation into a great college career just because of a music genre.

Thank you, BTS.

I was extremely depressed, very lonely, and constantly on edge. I only had one thing that was keeping me from dropping out of school and moving back home. It was K-pop.

Whenever I was moping in my bed I’d watch a Youtube video of a boy group, or listen to some K-pop songs. If I ever needed to get out of my room I drove to the K-pop store and picked myself up something to feel better.

K-pop helped me in a situation where I felt miserable, and was one of the only glimmers of hope I had. Some people may think that sounds dumb, but it was true for me. I got out of that rut thanks to the music and videos these singing groups would make.

Sophomore year I was feeling better and was trying to get more involved on campus.

I learned there was a K-pop dance team at

Marjorie with her friend Emma Walker at a K-pop concert.

My Tattoo Journey (Coll

Columns

By Kiana Kalahele

S

ome people are reminded of memories through photographs, songs, or Why it may seem really weird to some, all items they’ve received from loved 14 of my tattoos mean something to me.

That’s because each of them comes with ones. their own memory. Their own story. Their It could be something as simple as “Girl- own accomplishment to celebrate or obfriend” by Avril Lavingne that you heard in stacle that I overcame in the past few years. the second grade or something as strange as a large donkey figurine that your aunt My first tattoo—a lady with flowers—came gifted you for your birthday in high school. at a very low point in my life. At the beginning of my sophomore year of college, my But, the exciting thing about memories is grandmother was diagnosed with breast that you can uncover them anywhere—in cancer. Her fight was long and brutal and in the end, she didn’t make it. any shape or form.

As I finish off my fourth and final year here at Chapman, I have found myself reminiscing. Whether it’s regarding how awful I did in my finance class in junior year or how much love and dedication I put into reporting about the Maui wildfires for my internship at Hawaii News Now, it all still fills me with excitement as I delve into a new part of my life.

She passed away in December of that same year.

I got my first tattoo to keep her close to me—and with it, I’ve never felt closer. I remember how she would always smell like plumeria—a flower native to Hawaii—and it’s the reason my tattoo is embellished with flowers.

For my second And, while some things haven’t remained tattoo, I got constant in the four years, there is some- it just two thing very important to me that has.

My tattoos.

llege Edition)

months later with my best friend. A strawberry plant on the right side of my back.

My friend got a koi pond on his left thigh.

The two of us have been inseparable since the 7th grade and even though he lives in Hawaii while I’m up in California, it has For my fourth, I got it in Hawaii in the kept us connected over the last three years. summer of 2022. An angel and devil holding a heart located on my right thigh. The My third tattoo was a spur-of-the-mo- reason: I had just quit a really shitty summent decision at a swap meet in Anaheim mer internship in Santa Ana and moved during March 2022. The tattoo cost a mere back down to the island for the summer. $20 and was done in a small room at the It was a hard choice, but the right choice. back of the building. Both my close friend This tat Nicole and I got cheap tattoos—mine, a small heart with flames on my collarbone. too represents that.

If you ask to look at it, I will hesitate. It’s My fifth tattoo was just two weeks later with the same artist. This one is still one just really ugly. of my favorites—a doodle of a sheep that But, it symbolizes a growing friendship I named Shaun—who lives on my right eland bond between the two of us. Fast for- bow. I won’t lie, there’s no real memory ward two years later and our friendship is behind this one. I just thought he was restronger than ever. We’ll be moving into a ally cute. house together in Los Angeles, beginning August of this year.

Columns won’t lie, there’s no real memory behind this one. I just thought he was really cute.

And yes, I was a huge fan of the cartoon show, Shaun the Sheep, growing up.

An abstract-looking angel on my left forearm was my sixth. This tattoo to me symbolized the universal idea that everything happens for a reason. I remember getting it two days after my partner and I broke up in the fall of 2022.

While devastated in the moment, I look at it now with hope and excitement for the future.

My seventh tattoo was a strawberry cake on my left thigh that I got in west Los Angeles in December 2022. It came at a very celebratory moment in my life: I had just declared my second major at Chapman— English journalism. I remember being so excited to have finally found a major that I was extremely passionate about.

draped the tattoo stencil over me.

That quote has been stuck in my head ever since.

It was also during this time that my sister was beginning to apply to colleges and my parents asked me to help her out with the whole process. Shout out to my fellow firstgen students.

To be honest, my business major just wasn’t doing it for me.

Number nine is where things get a bit blurry.

The eighth tattoo—a fairy perched on a bellflower—has been sitting on my right But, my Miffy tattoo on my right arm should shoulder since January 2023. It reminds me be the next one if I’m counting correctly. of the close-knit connection my sister and I This one was done with the same artist who share. did my strawberry cake tattoo. It signified a huge milestone in my professional life for “The fairy kind of looks like you. You both journalism. have curly hair,” she said as the artist

But, my Miffy tattoo on my right arm should be the next one if I’m counting correctly. This one was done with the same artist who did my strawberry cake tattoo.

It signified a huge milestone in my professional life for journalism.

I remember receiving the call from the national Dow Jones News Fund journalism program that I had been accepted as one of its students for its annual summer internship. I was going to be a digital media intern at Hawaii News Now—one of the most well-known news stations in Hawaii.

I remember almost falling down, calling up my parents, and booking my Miffy tattoo appointment all in the span of one hour.

My tenth tattoo comes from Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo.

I remember getting this tattoo in Los Angeles in April 2023 alongside Angelique, my big in my sorority. Ponyo is my third favorite movie of all time—behind Big Hero 6 and Little Women—so after seeing this flash design on Instagram, I knew I had to have it.

The tattoo rests on the inside of my left arm near my first tattoo—the one I got for my grandmother. Now over halfway through my junior year, memories of her circled within my brain. She loved Ponyo.

My family and I would watch it together every year during Thanksgiving break. It only felt fitting to put the lovable character permanently on my skin.

The 11th tattoo is an homage to my love for Sanrio. Hello Kitty. Kuromi. My Melody. Pompompurin. All of them. I became obsessed with Sanrio during 2020, and it only felt right to finally get my obsession tattooed. Now, the flan-inspired character Pompompurin sits atop my left shoulder for the world to see.

A mirage of tattoos wouldn’t be complete without a family one. Coming back home to Hawaii for the summer of 2023 was a big one, especially for my mother. My sister was leaving for college soon in Las Vegas and it would be the last summer we were together.

Columns My mother surprised the two of us on our final day in Hawaii by taking us to a small tattoo parlor in Kapolei—just a 15-minute drive from our house. There, the three of us got matching tattoos on our right ankles. A treble clef surrounded by tiny stars.

Was it a bit cliche? Yes.

2022, we kept in close contact for a year after. We were in the same friend group, which made things increasingly difficult. It wasn’t until September 2023 that I knew it was time to fully cut contact. The constant breakdowns I had. The feelings of not being good enough. It was dreadful.

But, do I still look down at it and smile? AbThrough all that pain solutely. though, he seemed to be My 13th tattoo is another homage to my moving on with ease. love for Sanrio. A double feature, I know.

Kuromi—colored in pink and black—sits Finally, after months of goon the back of my right calf and while su- ing back and forth, I did it. My per cute, serves as a testimony to my heal- Kuromi tattoo followed just a week after. ing journey.

While my partner and I broke up back in fall While it hasn’t been an easy journey since then, cutting contact was necessary for me to be able to find myself again.

And in the present day, I can now say with ease, that I’m doing much better.

To wrap up, my 14th tattoo—a girl wearing a bellflower hat holding her pet ladybug—is permanently etched onto my right forearm. I got it in January 2024 in Hawaii when I visited family and friends for winter break.

To me, it symbolizes new beginnings.

2024 was and so far has been a crazy year filled with making new friends, starting up therapy, preparing for graduation, and planning what my future will look like post-grad.

It’s been scary, but that’s the thing with new beginnings. They always are.

As I continue on my professional, personal, and heaing journey, glancing at this tattoo helps to remind me that change isn’t a bad thing. It allows me to question myself, stay open to potential opportunities, and make new memories.

Currently, my goal by the end of 2024 is to hit 18 tattoos.

Columns

Superpowers are Real. You

By Brian Guevara

S

ometimes it only takes the sound of bullets flying over your head to know that you can handle dangerous situations better than you thought.

Thanks to my ADHD, by the time it got really bad, I had jumped the far fence and helped my friends over as well. We ran across the campus and got to safety.

It was Thanksgiving 2021, and I was in the Bay area visiting my family. My high school had a championship game while I was there, so I decided to go with some of my old buddies. The first half was fine, “we” were winning and the vibes were high. Then, I heard something scary.

ADHD is a pain in the ass. But it just might have saved my life.

Pop pop pop pop pop!

To put it simply, what it feels like for me is that Gunshots don’t sound like what you’d think. They there’s one thing I should be focusing on, but don’t have the boom of fireworks. They’re not even instead I’m focusing on everything else. That loud. In fact. Most people didn’t hear it. means I’m typing this sentence while I’m looking at every little item on my desk, or noticing that my But I did. smart lamp is slowly dimming to show the end of the night. It sucks to have ADHD in a society that The thing is, my ADHD, which is technically a rewards the repetitive nature of work. disorder, allowed me to put all my attention on my surroundings at all times. Not the football game, But it wasn’t always like this. but everything else. So while nobody heard the first shots, I did.

Numerous studies have shown that older civilizations, like hunter-gatherers, were led I took my friends and we started running. by those with ADHD traits. This is because it Down the bleachers, to the far gate where I felt naturally causes the person to gravitate towards we wouldn’t be in danger. My friends stopped, the most interesting thing, the thing that your confused because they didn’t hear anything. Right body and instincts believe is something you need as I started second guessing myself, it happened to pay attention to. So, they would notice small again. Louder this time. yet important details like an animal’s movement pattern, or a sound in the distance signaling an Everyone started running. attack.

u Just Need to Look.

That part of my ADHD doesn’t show up often, but it’s happened enough to the point where I can be just as grateful for my “superpower” as I am discouraged by my daily struggles to keep on a task.

It’s been something that I’ve believed was a burden since I was 13. I failed classes, lost friends, and struggled in just about every part of my life due to it. It’s caused high highs, and even lower lows.

It gave me depression so deep that I genuinely considered dropping out of school and giving up on everything.

My work to overcome it is one thing. I’ve worked hard to deal with symptoms, learn about what works for me, and put myself in a position where I feel confident I can handle a lot of what life might throw at me. But I never felt grateful for my ADHD until that Thanksgiving night.

A screenshot of the broadcast from the game that night.

they searched the perimeter. By the time that happened, I was at my house safe and sound, There have been more times since then that the thank God. “superpower” has been activated. Tense moments in bars, near-accidents on the highway, etc. They My point in all this is to remind you that, no all could’ve ended much, much worse if I didn’t matter what you have to deal with physically or have that little war-captain in my head telling mentally, it’s more than just a burden. Something me subconsciously what the right thing to pay you thought might be holding you back might be attention to is. valuable in another facet of life. Enjoy everything about yourself, every perceived flaw or quirk, One of my friends had a bullet hole in their truck because there’s a place for it in this world. that Thanksgiving night in 2021. It ended in two people going to the hospital and the police holding everyone in the crowd laying low while

Columns

By Sarah Hart Me, sophomore year of college.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Wong ou should go blonde,” my boy- me I should go blonde. But I had been dyfriend had told me. ing it for much longer.

“Y

I remember staring at him. We’d only been dating for a month or so, so he didn’t know at the time that I’m a natural blonde. How would he? When we first met I had medium-length dark brown hair and bangs.

My freshman year of high school I wanted to make a change. My hair had been dirty blonde and long for my entire life. I remember one time in middle school my mom had let me get highlights that turned out looking highlighter yellow, which in My hair had been brown for nearly three 7th grade I had loved, but by 9th grade years by the time my boyfriend had told made me cringe.

I was starting high school. I wanted to look old, like a teenager. The next time my mom took me to my annual pre-school-year haircut, I told her that I wanted something different. My mom wouldn’t let me dye my hair any crazy colors, but she did let me make my hair lighter. So freshman year of high school, my hair was icy blonde.

At the end of my freshman year, my grandma wanted to take me to get my hair done to celebrate the end of my first year of high school. I still wanted to look older. We went

Me, freshman year of high school, at the roller rink.

Photo courtesy of Ella Acciacca

to Goldenwest College, where at the time you could get your hair cut by cosmetology It was only a matter of time before I students for cheap. I opted to get bangs. changed my hair too.

Everyone’s reaction fulfilled my need to receive attention. I became the girl with bangs. Whenever someone described me, they would bring up the fact that I had bangs first.

“You know Sarah?

Bangs, blonde, white girl? Sophomore?”

And this was fine with me, for a while. Then during my sophomore year, we had to transition to online school. At first I was fine with my hair growing shaggy. With my roots growing in.

Then I got bored.

It started with pink streaks. It made me feel confident and adult. I felt really cool, like the kind of girl who had over 1,000 followers on instagram, that did activism, that was effortlessly able to look like she doesn’t care about how others perceived her.

So I kept going.

My head was pink, purple, red, and blue, on and off again in no particular order.

I cut microbangs and drew my eyeliner on so thick and long that my liner wing was longer than my eyebrows.

The summer before my senior My transformayear, I finally got to tion started with go back to school online shopping. shopping in a real I ordered things mall again. After like bright clothes a year and a half and colorful eyeliner that would make me online, I was ready to make my debut as a look like I was interesting and fashionable. fully in-person senior at Huntington Beach The justification was that I would wear all High School. of the cool clothes and do my makeup in interesting ways every day once I got to go On a whim, I dyed my hair brown. It was back to school. That’s what I told myself, the biggest change so far. The other colors anyway.

Columns

I’d done had been extreme, but I had never My sibling was in the hospital. They had fully covered my blonde roots before, and tried to take their own life. He had to go back to the hospital now because my sibI’d never had a color so dark on my head. ling was still being processed, but he wanted to tell me what had happened in person.

And so I started senior year.

The brown hair was good. I think because it had been so long since my classmates had seen me in person that most of them had forgotten I had been blonde, which was exactly what I wanted. They saw me as someone who was grown up.

The Friday before Thanksgiving break was the worst day of my life. I came home late after eating out with my friends. My dad stood in our kitchen. I remember it was dark, with only one lamp on. I remember thinking it was weird that the TV was off during the Lakers game.

Nearly 50 percent of non-binary kids aged 11 to 17 attempt suicide. My English teacher had told us that statistic near the beginning of the year. I mused this statistic over as I sat in the salon chair at a hair appointment during Thanksgiving break that I had planned a month in advance.

I ended up making my hair even darker at that appointment. I liked how it made my blue eyes, intended to be paired with blonde hair, look.

That same year, I got accepted to Berkeley, which was somewhere I had really wanted to go for school. I lied and told my parents I was rejected, and opted to go to accept a scholarship at Chapman instead so I could stay close to home, in case anything happened.

I dyed my hair dark red the last week of UC admission decisions.

The week before I moved into college, my hair had faded to a light scarlet color. In a panic, the night before move-in I wasted two boxes of dark brown dye to make my hair look better, but it didn’t work. I started college with red hair.

Me, junior year of high school, with purple hair. Photo by Sarah Hart

Me , at my high school graduation.

Photo courtesy of Isabelle Scarpino Since the red faded, I’ve been dying my hair ing never heard of Zoom, worn makeup to dark brown over and over. It’s stable. Most school before, drove a car, gone to therapy, people I’ve met since starting college, like smoked weed, kissed someone. my boyfriend, haven’t seen my real hair.

I don’t know if I could look at a reflection of myself in the mirror if I had blonde hair. It Why don’t I stop dying my hair? would remind me too much of everything I don’t know. I guess in some way, it’s hard I’ve experienced since I was blonde. I don’t to see myself as blonde again because it know if my body could take it. feels like the blonde version of myself is lost. I can’t go back to being 14 years old, But who knows. It’s just hair. having never dyed my hair before. Hav-

Columns

I’m With The Drummer!

By Sophie Wehrlie

I

think everyone has dreamed about dating Blushing and giggling, “Mom, he’s a druma musician, at least once in their life. That mer.” dream, I also once had after seeing Charlie Puth in concert when I was 12, is now my realHer excited smile faded just a tad. Drummers ity. have a shitty reputation, you know?

I met my now boyfriend, when I was 17. He From Tommy Lee to Peter Criss, my mom’s was playing a small concert in my hometown mind imagined what this kid could be like. and I went up to him and asked if I could play with his drums. I twiddled the drumsticks Well, that was three years ago and I’m still dataround and flirted with him just enough to get ing said drummer. Surprise! his number.

The lore of dating a musician is crazy, but most of it’s true. Going backstage of concerts, being the “rockstar’s girlfriend”, meeting ing famous people like Rob Trujilo (bassist of Metallica).

So have I convinced you to date a musician yet? Yes? Hang on. Dating a musician is not for the weak or faint of heart.

Let me explain why.

Us at the WhiskeyMy mother often recalls the first time I told A-Go-Go her about him.

Rob Trujilo and I

Within the past year, my boyfriend has started to tour. Yippee! He is gone for weeks at a time, traveling out of the country or to a different state each day, playing shows, meeting new people, and being a rockstar 24/7.

The down-side of that, he also misses important things, like anniversaries, parties, dinners, and family events, because he is at whim to his schedule. If a show comes up, he has to play. It’s his job. So basically, we’re in a part-time, long distance relationship.

The transition for us, specifically me, was and still is hard, because I had to accept that I did not come first anymore.

Some of you might not be okay with that, and at first I wasn’t either. I struggled to accept my position as runner-up to a drum kit. It’s rather humbling when I phrase it like that.

Sometimes, I crave little things that I don’t often get to have in my relationship. I don’t get to walk around campus with my lover, hand-in-hand as the beautiful socal sunsets. We don’t go grocery shopping together to prepare for another long week of classes.

I also can’t call him and casually ask him to come over. In order to see him, we usually have to plan at least a week in advance.

However, I’m learning that comparing my normal to someone else’s normal is not only unfair, but can make the transition harder.

I’ll be the first to admit that my boyfriend is the most tenacious, hard-working person I have ever met in my entire life. He has overcome adversities, pushed himself beyond his limits, and surpassed everyone’s expectations of him.

He made me realize how hard one needs to work to be that good. As someone who is also going into the entertainment industry, I know that success is never guaranteed. It’s rather daunting, but he makes it look easy.

Before he started going on tour, we were together almost every weekend. I was very dependent. But since we’ve stopped seeing each other as much, I have grown so much. The physical distance between my boyfriend and I caused us to grow closer emotionally and mentally. We support each other constantly, whether we’re in-person or not. I have learned to communicate my needs with my boyfriend while he’s on the road, I have learned to not be apologetic about how I feel, and when I need to stand up for myself.

But this is what love is about. When you find that person, making it work is so worth it.

Because at the end of the day, he’s my person and I’d rather work through the hard parts than not be with him.

I give him a lot of credit for inspiring me to be so hard-working. He doesn’t know it, but he pushes me everyday to work harder. He makes me want to be a better person.