CHIMESNEWSPAPER.COM
VOLUME 83, ISSUE 6
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
CHIMES
THE BIOLA UNIVERSITY
‘I feel so loved here’
Senior music performance major David Chung embraces a fellow student while on a walk through campus. He has overcome financial difficulties by receiving over $140,000 in support over his seven semesters at Biola. Read more on page 5.
Yehju Park|THE CHIMES
NEWS
A&E
OPINIONS
SPORTS
WEB
Indonesian Connection Indonesian students fit right into a growing community at Biola. //3
The Maine Act Student director Emily Delgado takes on Theatre 21’s fall production of “Almost, Maine.” // 6
Civil Conversations Three tips to overcome the hostility of difficult conversations and instead expand your understanding. // 9
Final Grades Austin Green reviews the five fall sports teams and hands out grades for their 2018 seasons. // 11
Mumford and Sons Check out our review of the alt-rock band’s new album at chimesnewspaper.com/category/ entertainment.
@CHIMES_NEWS
@CHIMES.NEWSPAPER
@CHIMESNEWS
2
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
UPCOMING EVENTS:
BIOLA.EDU | Courtesy
November 30
Christmas Fair and Annual Tree Lighting — Metzger Lawn and Bell Tower Walkway 4:30 - 9 p.m.
Hosted by Alumni Relations and Parent Relations, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony (7 - 9 p.m.) features Biola’s festive worship and a time-honored tradition. The Christmas Fair (4:30 - 9 p.m.) will also feature handbell carols and $1 hot drinks.
BIOLA.EDU | Courtesy
December 2 - January 6
The Advent Project V — Online
Advent Project V is an online resource with scripture, devotionals, art, video and music focused around the Christmas season. To subscribe and receive daily devotionals delivered to your email inbox, visit ccca.biola.edu.
CRIME LOG Trespassing — Tradewinds Apartments
Reported Nov. 19, 2:38 p.m.
A resident reported an individual digging through the trash cans behind the apartments. Officers made contact with the individual and asked them to leave the area. The individual left without further incident.
Trespassing — University Drive Reported Nov. 20, 8:06 p.m.
A staff member reported three individuals on skateboards near Lot K. Officers made contact with the group, determined they were not students and had them leave campus. They left without further incident.
BIOLA.EDU | Courtesy
November 19-20
Christ v. the gods: Using Legal Apologetic Methodology for Defending the Faith — Online 12 - 1 p.m.
This lecture will provide viewers with essential tactics for doing Christian apologetics, both for defending the Christian faith and for showing how false religions fail to prove themselves. The lecture will be broadcasted live on the Biola Christian Apologetics Facebook page.
NOVEMBER 13 – NOVEMBER 27
Possession of Loaded Firearm(s) on School Grounds/Trespassing — Gatehouse #1 Reported Nov. 20, 6:26 p.m. Occurred 6:26 p.m.
A gate attendant reported an individual who was attempting to enter campus while carrying a firearm. Though the individual had a concealed carry license, a California statute prohibits non-law enforcement members from bringing guns to school grounds and he was not allowed to enter campus. Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputies temporarily detained the individual and gave him a trespassing warning. Campus Safety and the LASD are continuing the investigation.
Trespassing — Alpha Hall Reported Nov. 26, 11:10 a.m.
An employee reported an individual who appeared to be loitering around the area and looking into vehicles and at bicycle racks. The individual claimed they were looking for the horse trail near La Mirada Boulevard, but the employee said they saw the individual walking along the horse trail earlier. Officers made contact with the individual, gave them a trespassing warning and escorted them off campus.
Vandalism — Bookstore Restroom Reported Nov. 26, 2:07 p.m. Occurred sometime prior.
A facilities worker reported writing in black marker inside the restrooms near the bookstore. Facilities management later had the writing removed. Campus Safety is continuing the investigation.
Read the full crime log and coverage of the fire posession incident on Nov. 20 on chimesnewspaper.com.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Christian Leonard MANAGING EDITOR Austin Green NEWS EDITORS Macie Cummings Isabelle Thompson ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Pierce Singgih OPINIONS EDITOR Logan Zeppieri SPORTS EDITOR Joel Ashor
WEB EDITOR Sasha Terry VISUAL EDITOR Thecla Li DESIGN EDITORS Faith Lee Rafik Abousoliman
STAFF WRITERS Kayla Santos Micah Kim COPY EDITORS Victoria Chiang Kyle Kohner OFFICE MANAGERS Jana Eller Kyle Kohner
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Aaron Zhang Benjamin Lee Yehju Park
BUSINESS MANAGER Daniel Yosafat
STAFF VIDEOGRAPHER Michael Nerud
BUSINESS STAFF Michael Adoe
DISTRIBUTOR Filip Peia FACULTY ADVISER Michael Longinow The Chimes is published every other Thursday except during vacations and examination periods. The Chimes 13800 Biola Ave. La Mirada, CA 90639 Office: 562.903.4879 chimesnewspaper.com Advertising: chimes.business.manager@biola.edu
Editorials, columns and letters to the editor express the opinion of those signing and not necessarily that of the Chimes. The opinions expressed in the Chimes do not necessarily represent Biola University, nor are they endorsed by the university.
NEWS
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
3
Analysis: Indonesian students find second home
Local and national organizations are cultivating a comforting community for Indonesian students at Biola.
BISA|Courtesy
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION: Biola’s Indonesian Student Association celebrates their culture with their growing, tight-knit community at a group-sanctioned event in October. By Pierce Singgih chimes.arts.editor@biola.edu
I
was raised by Indonesian immigrants in the predominantly white desert suburb of Murrieta, California, where I had little exposure to a real Indonesian community. Apart from attending family gatherings and being raised with a unique heritage, I was primarily surrounded by a white monocultural majority. My house was only one of two Asian American households on my block, and my sister and I were just two of the few Asian Americans in the schools we grew up in. Gradually, our city diversified with growth, introducing me to new cultures to learn from, but according to a 2017 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, Murrieta was still 66.4 percent Caucasian, while Asians made up only 8.8 percent. Suffice to say, other than my own family, I hardly knew any other Indonesians in my life who shared the same culture, experiences or tastes that I did. This certainly makes sense demographically because according to the Pew Research Center in a 2015 study, the U.S. has a relatively small Indonesian population of 113,000 compared to 4.9 million Chinese or 3.8 million Filipinos. When I first transferred to Biola in 2017, I was surprised to meet other Indonesians. My first roommate was now-junior business major Alden Rasilim, an international student from Jakarta, and as I wandered
around campus, I was surprised to hear several students speaking Indonesian. As I continued to meet more Indonesian students, I have come to understand that Biola has a thriving Indonesian community, giving those students a second home here on campus. Moving from another country can certainly be difficult. There are new cultures to adapt to and a new community to flourish in, but for Indonesian students coming to Biola, a community is already established. Biola has connections with a high school in Jakarta called Sekolah Pelita Harapan, an international institution that sends many students to the university. President of the Biola Indonesian Student Association and senior journalism major Fiona Gandy appreciates the comfort this connection brings. “I was raised in Indonesia, so I had no prior knowledge of American culture when I came here [and] I was very worried about making friends with American students,” Gandy said. “But at Biola, I knew about the growing Indonesian population, so that gave me a sense of comfort.” This sense of comfort allowed Gandy to find a home away from home as she was able to connect with her own culture in a foreign land, giving her a community to eat comfort food, speak her native tongue and listen to regional music with. Associate professor of sociology Nancy Yuen remarks that this sense of developing familiar community mirrors the behavior of immigrants who move to America. Although she says finding relatable cultural groups may not be a make-or-break factor when
choosing a university to attend, limiting drastic changes allows for an easier transition into a new culture. “Immigrants go to ethnic enclaves,” Yuen said. “Think about Chinatowns, Little Tokyos and Filipinotowns. They establish those because [of] language. Language is the predominant thing but also food and familiarity [with] other cultural things, because when you’re in a different world, you definitely want to limit the cognitive dissonance you’re going to experience in everything you’re doing... The community is added value.” Biola’s Indonesian community is very tight-knit and often spends time together through BISA-sanctioned events, according to Gandy. They even have a massive messaging group that includes many Indonesian students and even some alumni. “We have a WhatsApp group and every time there’s an Indonesian freshman, I always add them to this group,” Gandy said. “We always have welcome back parties and we have events and...for the girls, we have sisterhood events. So, creating places where we’re able to gather is the best way to foster relationships.” A BISA event staple is the “Indo dinner,” which takes place every semester during Torrey or Missions Conference weekend, where upwards of 50 Indonesian students gather together to connect and foster relationships. “[Indo dinner] is really nice for community building,” said Lydia Batanghari, junior business major. “I was able to meet a lot of new Indonesians there, a lot of new Indo freshman.
That’s the main reason I go to those, because I want to occasionally get in touch with my Indonesian roots.” While BISA seeks to connect Indonesian students here at Biola, another organization called PERMIAS Nasional seeks to connect Indonesian students with each other throughout the United States. PERMIAS stands for Persatuan Mahasiswa Indonesia di Amerika Serikat, which translates the Indonesian Student Associations of [the] United States of America. According to its website, this non-profit organization has regional PERMIAS chapters in Missouri, Los Angeles and throughout the nation, aiming to “foster a sense of unity and co-operation among Indonesian students as well as a forum for the development of a dynamic young generation.” Dewa Parandita is the PERMIAS Nasional Chief of Staff and a sophomore at Temple University. For him, uniting Indonesian students ultimately serves to spread Indonesian culture throughout PERMIAS’ regional chapters. “Each chapter always have [sic] either one or two events that enhance Indonesian culture by promoting dances or languages and musics,” Parandita said. “It’s also our minister’s project from Indonesia, that they want all Indonesian students to help them [promote] Indonesian culture.” Although I have never had the cultural community that many Indonesian global students have, their efforts to cultivate a flourishing group on campus throughout the nation only opens doors for students everywhere to learn more about our unique culture.
4
NEWS
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
Biolacounselingcenter.org|Courtesy
LOCAL HELP: The Biola Counseling Center, located on La Mirada Avenue, offers discounted help for students who are experiencing stress and other mental health-related issues.
What is making ‘Generation Z’ stressed?
Worries about relationships and current events weigh on the minds of young people.
By Preet Christian preet.a.christian@biola.edu Note: The writer is a Resident Advisor in Hope Hall South.
A
recent Biola report shows that students, like many other young people, are experiencing stress due to academics, but also that problems with relationships may affect them more than other college students. As the most rapidly growing generation with 23 million people and counting, Generation Z, defined by the American Psychological Association as Americans between the ages of 15 and 21, is feeling the effects of many different societal issues. Generation Z’s stress level is very high compared to that of previous generations, according to the APA. According to the APA, most people in this category have different stressors, but the primary factors stem from current events and news topics, especially mass shootings. Different departments on campus have done surveys and determined that Biola students also face many of these stressors.
According to dean of Student Wellness Lisa Igram, over 1,000 Biola undergraduate students took the National College Health Assessment at the end of the academic year with 51 percent of Biola students reporting academics are traumatic or very difficult to handle, and 37 percent reporting similar experiences with family relationships. “It is interesting to me that relational problems, whether family or friends, cause Biola students more stress than the average college student in the United States. Biola students care about relationships, and struggles in relationships can hit our students hard,” Igram said. There are many resources on campus to help students who are dealing with stress or any other mental health needs, according to Igram. Along with these resources, Igram says that many campus ministries and departments are opening up their doors for students to slow down and process their stress. “Student Development recently restructured, in part to create a new ‘Student Wellness’ area tasked to continue finding ways to embed preventative and proactive wellness strategies into our campus culture,” Igram said. Hope Hall South’s Residence Life
Current events are clearly stressful for everyone... but young people are really feeling the impact of issues in the news.” - Arthur Evans, American Psychology Association CEO
staff also conducted a survey of their own in early November in which they had students from the dorm come and put a sticky note on a graph to indicate which categories cause them the most stress. The categories included work, the past, homework and lack of sleep. “I think the graph ultimately succeeded in creating a reflective visual for Hope South residents,” said Hope South RA Camille Agers. “This graph was a simple way of helping students think more intentionally about what stresses them out. Simply acknowledging these things in our lives is a really important part of self-awareness and helped residents take inventory of their own stress.” Freshman biology major Josh Stanley also participated in the survey and considered what makes him stressed. “Pressures of success is a main stressor for me, as well as in my past it was moving states and making new friends,” Stanley said. Recent events have also affected young people’s mental wellness. According to U.S. News and World Report, the “threat and emotional toll of mass shootings are the most common source of stress among the members of Generation Z.” Results extracted from a recent survey by the APA of 3,400 adults as well as interviews with 300 individuals aged 15 -17 between the months of July and August concluded that 57 percent of Gen Z-ers felt stressed about separation and deportation of migrant families. Another source of stress among Gen Z-ers is sexual harassment and assault, issues with which more than half of the respondents identified. APA CEO Arthur Evans stated in the U.S. News report, “Current events
Student Stressors Academic
51%
Biola undergraduate
National undergraduate
52%
Family problems
37%
Biola undergraduate
National undergraduate
32%
Other social relationships
37%
Biola undergraduate
National undergraduate
31%
Infographic by Faith Lee |THE CHIMES Data from Student Wellness
are clearly stressful for everyone in the country, but young people are really feeling the impact of issues in the news.” The APA gives several tips on how to manage stress, including understanding how one experiences stress, identifying the sources of stress, learning one’s own stress signals and recognizing how one should deal with stress. “Student wellness matters, because we want students to foster the kind of learning and curiosity that will help them step into the gifts and calling God has for them to impact the world for his kingdom,” Igram said. “It’s challenging to do this when stress and anxiety loom large.”
Biola.edu|Courtesy
STRESS RELIEF: The Rosemead School of Psychology and the American Psychology Association, which has found high stress levels among young people, look at the effects of mental health for students.
NEWS
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
5
SOARING STORIES: ‘I am God’s miracle’
Music student David Chung shares the miraculous story of his blessings at Biola.
Yehju Park| THE CHIMES
NATURAL TALENT: David Chung is known around campus for his strong, operatic singing.
By Micah Kim micah.s.kim@biola.edu
S
enior music performance major David Chung says that his college journey, while difficult, has also been miraculous. He states that while he has faced obstacles in his visual impairment and financial difficulties, he has faced these obstacles not by himself but with God. He is currently funded through scholarships and personal fundraising, enabling him to graduate without debt. Chung and his family immigrated to the United States when he was 10 because of greater opportunities for those with disabilities compared to South Korea. After a public education in South Korea, Chung looked for a college education until he seized an opportunity to visit Biola. “When I was 14, a [Talbot School of Theology graduate] gave me a tour on [Biola’s] campus,” Chung said. “When I first came to Biola to visit, I immediately got hooked. It was not only the integration of faith and learning into every academic discipline that was very appealing, but the tangible presence and peace of God on this campus was [engaging] as well, which I’ve never experienced anywhere else.”
While the move was successful, the family later found out they were short on money to renew Chung’s visa. This eventually resulted with Chung being designated as an “undocumented student.” Because of this, Chung could not request any kind of loan or financial aid from the government, leading him to study at a community college as a math major. During his study, he realized he could not see himself as an accountant. He wanted to reach out and be active with people. Around that time,
another route opened in the process of his application to Biola, which he says God told him to attend in a dream. “I asked God, ‘I thought you wanted me to come to Biola? Why is it so hard?’” Chung said. “And God said to me, ‘You didn’t try one thing.’ And I’m like, ‘What are you talking about, God?’ And he goes, ‘You know exactly what I’m talking about.’ For the past two years when I was trying business and psychology at community college, people told me that I should audition as a music major, like, hundreds of people.” After Chung’s music performance audition at Biola, what he describes as a miracle happened. Not only was he accepted to Biola, but he was financially provided with scholarships, grants and donations. “Though I know that there are people who are more qualified than I am, God, being so merciful, has blessed me with so many things, including being able to go to Biola,” Chung said. “Seeing God provide for me like this over and over again, I just cannot express how thankful I am for how extravagant his grace and faithfulness has been to me throughout my time at Biola.” Chung estimates he has received $140,000 worth of financial support throughout his seven semesters at Biola. Chung has also broken out of the status of an undocumented student through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals act that then President Obama passed in 2012. Chung commuted during his first two and a half years and did not find it an easy experience. He used the Access Service transit system near the campus and says having to
go back and forth was very inconsistent. Chung had always looked for an opportunity to live on campus and began dorming last semester. Though Chung raised about $2,000 to pay for housing in just two weeks, he still fell short of the $6,000 he needed—until he was not. “When I thought it was all over, somebody whom I don’t even know donates over $4,000 dollars in one shot,” Chung said. Chung’s vision is only able to distinguish between light and darkness. While he could have been suffering through the difficulty, Chung says he appreciates every little bit of support from the Biola community including his friends, professors, faculty and even the cafeteria. “Biola University is my home away from heaven. I mean, I feel so loved here. I feel like I can be myself because people don’t see me as an incomplete person who is a burden to society. I don’t have to prove my work to anybody,” Chung said. “I can be so comfortable here and take risks. It’s the most amazing feeling, apart from heaven itself.” Chung says his love for Biola has inspired him to become a professor in the music department after studying through graduate school. “Because of how much I love Biola, I don’t see myself working anywhere else,” Chung said. “It would be fun for me to pour into other students’ lives as well, just like so many of my professors had done for me.” Chung is currently running another fundraising campaign with a goal of $8,000 in order to be able to graduate and pay off his room and board fees.
Seeing God provide for me like this over and over again, I just cannot express how thankful I am for how extravagant his grace and faithfulness has been to me throughout my time at Biola.” - David Chung, senior music performance major
Yehju Park|THE CHIMES
ALL SMILES: David Chung feels blessed as he reflects on his years at Biola as a music preformance major graduating in the spring.
6
A&E
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
Meet the student director of “Almost, Maine” Emily Delgado faces tall task of helming Theatre 21’s fall production.
By Kayla Santos kayla.santos@biola.edu
F
rom early on in her life, junior theater major Emily Delgado has always been comfortable on stage. Since kindergarten, Delgado has actively participated in theater alongside classmates and friends, both as an actor and as a backstage crew member. Delgado’s rich experience with the arts has helped her get the opportunity to direct Theatre 21’s upcoming production of “Almost, Maine.” “I always say I literally came out of the womb tap dancing,” Delgado said. Delgado says she was drawn to theater because of her natural ability to empathize with others. Channeling her emotions and putting herself in her character’s shoes have broadened her experience as both an actor and a backstage member. “I’m wildly empathetic, so I feel so deeply for people. One of my favorite things is just to make people feel,” Delgado said. With unwavering confidence and a head full of ideas, Delgado, a sophomore at the time, marched into assistant professor of theater Zachary Bortot’s office as soon as she knew that she wanted to direct a play. Admiring the symbolism and heart-wrenching scenes of the production, she chose John Cariani’s “Almost, Maine” to direct. At the beginning of the summer, Bortot contacted Delgado to inform her that he had chosen her play for the fall semester, sparking a season of growth in Delgado’s life. Although she has previously directed skits and other shorter projects, “Almost, Maine” marks Delgado’s first experience directing a full-length show. The concerns of stitching every single part of the play together, especially on a tight budget, immediately
filled her mind. However, among the many challenges she faces as a director, Delgado says she found her greatest challenge to be expressing grace toward the actors and crew members. “It’s been a real experience for me to learn how to meet someone halfway and grow with them and be open and honest about where I’m coming from,” Delgado said. “Learning grace through Zachary Bortot has been one of the best gifts of all time. I’m learning to be more graceful with my actors.” Delgado credits Bortot as one of her greatest influences throughout her theater career at Biola. Bortot’s practice of consistently spending time in prayer with his students became a pattern that Delgado made sure to include in her leadership role. At the beginning of each rehearsal, she asks for some prayer requests and praise reports from her cast and crew. Moreover, Delgado receives much influence from women who have empowered her, including her mother, who is a teacher. “I pray for each people [sic] individually even if they had a prayer request or not,” Delgado said. With her history in both acting and backstage roles, Delgado definitely understands the differing mindsets of theater in general. As an actor, she says she finds it easier to snap out of her character’s role when rehearsals finish. However, as a director, she has to constantly think about the play even after rehearsals are done. “As a director, I have my binder next to me in class. It’s always in the back of my mind. I just have so many random notes on my computer,” Delgado said. Delgado’s favorite part about directing is the opportunity to care for her cast and crew differently than what she is accustomed to. Because she has spent most of her life in secular theater, she appreciates Theatre 21’s space to acknowledge God in the arts. Delgado prizes the gift of genuinely loving her cast and crew and receiving that love in return. In addition to theater, Delga-
Thecla Li|THE CHIMES
STUDENT LEADER: Emily Delgado directs peers during “Almost, Maine” rehearsals. do is also pursuing a minor in secondary education with aspirations of teaching theater at the high school level. She says she yearns to wield her imaginative ideas on stage while also demonstrating authentic Christlike love to those who need it most.
“God created us to be creators, and that was one of the most beautiful gifts,” Delgado said. “The creator of all chose us to be creators.” “Almost, Maine” opens next Friday, Dec. 7 and runs until Dec. 9. Tickets can be bought online.
Thecla Li|THE CHIMES
FOLLOWING DIRECTION: Emily Castro (left) and Micah Johnson (right) take prayerful direction from Emily Delgado during rehearsals for Theatre 21’s final fall production.
A&E 7
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
“Creed II” throws a knockout blow The latest installment in the rebooted “Rocky” series uppercuts expectations.
By Adam Pigott adam.c.pigott@biola.edu
A
donis Creed, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan, came a long way in the first “Creed” film. He journeyed from juvenile hall and prison to becoming the light-heavyweight boxing champion of the world. “Creed II” director Steven Caple Jr. has done a tremendous job picking up where the first film’s director, Ryan Coogler, left off. Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, has improved greatly since his battle with cancer in the first movie and Adonis is still with his girlfriend Bianca, portrayed by Tessa Thompson. As the film progresses, we discover the main fight of the film is intimately personal, as Adonis’ opponent is Viktor Drago, played by Florian Munteanu. Viktor is the son of Ivan Drago, who is once again played by Dolph Lundgren. The elder Drago is the man who killed Adonis’ father in “Rocky IV.” It is clear that Adonis’ fight with Viktor Drago is deeply emotional. “They killed my pops,” Adonis says in one scene. “I can’t let that slide.” “Creed II” profoundly highlights the downsides that come alongside the pursuit for vengeance. During their first fight, Adonis’ judgement and
skills are clouded by his emotional desire for revenge, and as a result, he does not perform as well as his skills would otherwise allow. To put it simply, Adonis comes to the realization that he must completely rectify his mindset and rebuild himself as a fighter if he wants to win against Viktor. What makes the situation more difficult for Adonis is Viktor’s obvious advantages over him. The younger Drago is basically a fictional version of current Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov. He is an absolute monster of a human, with strength, speed and boxing skills that some would consider inhumane. There are other boxing matches sprinkled in throughout the film, and the comparison with Nurmagomedov becomes apparent as the audience sees Viktor decimate the opponents he faces. Lastly, the soundtrack of “Creed II” reaches nothing short of magnificence by mixing different genres. It throws in a folk track by singer and songwriter Bon Iver called “Do You Need Power?” as well as a few R&B tracks. However, the most dominant genre featured in the soundtrack is hip-hop. The soundtrack pulls in contributions from talents such as Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane, who dominate the hip-hop
IMDB|Courtesy
HITS HARD: Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky and Michael B. Jordan’s Creed wait in the ring. scene in the South; A$AP Rocky, one of the biggest faces of the hip-hop scene in the East Coast; and West Coast legends Kendrick Lamar, YG and Schoolboy Q. The album’s production is also handled by veteran hip-hop producer Mike WiLL Made-It, who has worked with hip-hop artists from coast to coast. The soundtrack perfectly captures the hostile and arrogant feelings throughout the film and draws the audience deeper into the story. In the track “Kill ‘em with Success,” Schoolboy Q raps, “Can’t be average. Got success, needed more. Made the Forbes, needed more.” These lyrics capture Vik-
tor’s mindset perfectly, as his mission in the film is to be on top. In the track “Fight,” YG raps, “Hit you with that left, right, left, right, him in the chest right.” Lyrics like these capture the built up animosity between Drago and Creed. “Creed II” not only does an excellent job of showing us how much the characters have developed, but also sheds light about what the revenge mindset does to the heart, body and mind. The soundtrack then brings everything altogether, exentuating the palpable emotion, resulting in a great film that excellently blends boxing, drama and hip-hop.
Scholarship opportunities available.
Choose Your Program: Azusa Pacific Seminary
Lead Transformation Through Ministry
Master of Divinity (M.Div.) M.A. in Pastoral Studies M.A. (Theological Studies) M.A. in Transformational Urban Leadership Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
Deepen your theological studies and prepare to impact lives with Azusa Pacific Seminary’s graduate degree programs. Choose the program that best fits your calling and join a supportive and vibrant community committed to transforming the world with Christ.
Apply today! apu.edu/seminary Locations: Azusa • Los Angeles • San Diego 22959
8
OPINIONS
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
Lessons learned from facing shyness It is okay to be shy, but you should not allow yourself to become lonely. Sparing you the details, three semesters after starting college, I was still wondering if I belonged. I sat, sometimes alone, in the cafeteria while groups of students who had the gift of effervescence made conversation seem so simple. For me it was not. They did not notice me noticing them. Weekends were especially awkward. As Fridays approached, I would hope to find guys on my floor who, like me, were looking for kindred lonesome spirits. Then one day it changed. Brian played football and was an emerging thought leader in our sophomore class. If I recall, he was also something like the class president. An enviable trifecta—intercollegiate sports, student government, dean’s list. At a basketball game one Saturday night, Brian was sitting beside me and asked if I would like to go with him and other students to a birthday party off campus. My palms began to sweat, though I disguised my restlessness by sitting on my hands. What if nobody talked to me? What if I say something awkward? What if this and what if that? I muttered something about having a paper due or some lame commitment that made “no thanks” easier. Lies. Not long after the game ended I walked, once more, the long lonely sidewalk from the basketball arena to the residence hall, wondering what I would do that night. Halfway to my dormitory, I had a metamorphic moment. I was done es-
Tomber Su| THE CHIMES [File]
PRESIDENT COREY: As an introvert, take the risk of bursting outside your private bubble.
By President Barry Corey
L
ast week in the Biola Collegium, a student asked me to tell her something about myself most people do not know. I told her I was an introvert. If I had more time or had more foresight, I would have also told her I was a shy college student.
When I started as a college freshman, my parents drove me to the airport in Boston and put me on a plane to the Midwest where I would begin college, 18 and reserved. Though I was ready to start college, I was honest enough to acknowledge—at least to myself—that being in a new place halfway across the country with 1,800 strangers would not be easy for me. I was right. It was not.
“
caping into safety. I would go to that party. I would find Brian. I would take him up on his offer to drive me. 180 degrees, I about-faced and beelined to the parking lot to join Brian and his friends for the birthday party. Where was the Volkswagen? I knew what his car looked like. Ready to change my course of life, I spotted him pulling out of a parking spot. It wasn’t too late. Nervous but determined, I walked to his car and knocked on the window. Rolling it down, Brian asked me what was up. I responded, “I think I will go to the party after all.” He turned around in the car and motioned to the three crammed in the backseat, “Sorry, Barry, the car is full.” I thought I’d throw up. But someone in the back seat shot back, “Hey, we’ll make room for you.” I thought I’d cry. They made room. I went to the party and laughed a lot that night. What’s more, I made others laugh. They thought I was funny, not lonely. I still remember two lessons from that night. First, I had to turn myself around on that sidewalk and pry myself out of the bubble I had been in. Second, I needed people who would notice me stretching beyond my comfort parameters and say, “Barry, we’ll make room for you.” Maybe some of my experience in this will speak today to some of yours, you who are shy like I was or you who need to say to that risk-taker, “Come with us. There is room.”
My palms began to sweat, though I disguised my restlessness by sitting on my hands. What if nobody talked to me?” - President Barry Corey
Thecla Li| THE CHIMES
MAKE ROOM: It is not always enough to go outside your comfort zone–you must also find the appropriate people who appreciate your efforts and are willing to make room for you.
OPINIONS 9
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
We can learn from our disagreements Disagreements are opportunities to expand our understanding, not chances to inflate our egos and belittle our opponents.
“
Christian Leonard | THE CHIMES
ERASING EGO: A great difficulty facing our argument culture is our inability to divide our ego from our positions, according to Daniel Elliot, pictured above, coaching Biola’s debate team. By Daniel Elliott daniel.a.elliott@biola.edu
I
“
do not know where to begin. I just do not.” Do you feel this way after engaging in a conversation, especially when it turns into a sensitive issue? Do you, like many others I know, sometimes feel like you have to hide what you really think and feel for fear that it will spark an argument whenever issues about politics, gender, immigration or any other contentious topic arise? This phenomenon has been around for quite some time, as Deborah Tannen wrote in “The Argument Culture” back in 1999. This “argument culture” seems here to stay and has become quite destructive. One could ask, “How can I engage in conversations over contentious issues, yet still be civil despite heavily disagreeing?” Let me give you some tips. #1: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO AGREE. Two things are important to note about this. First, if I reject an argument you make, I am not rejecting you. Yet so many of us seem to hold to positions where we accept very few alternatives to what we actually believe. The Social Judgement Theory calls this ego involvement. My research suggests that ego involvement often results in personal rejection when one hears an-
other utter an opinion that is different. We need less of our ego and less of our identity wrapped up in every opinion we have. The second is this: if we agree on everything, one of us is not necessary. This should free us to be able to say things like “I disagree” and not feel the need to try to persuade the other person of the error of that person’s ways. We can disagree on 99 percent of the issues and still be friends. #2: VALUE AGREEMENT.
CLARITY
bigoted, all because of a disagreement. Attacking the character of the person you disagree with neither strengthens your argument nor makes your position more persuasive. In fact, it reveals a weakness in your logic as you turn to verbal aggression rather than to civility
to settle disagreements. The more we follow these guidelines, especially as believers, the more we can create discussions that enrich our lives and expand our understanding. And this can all happen even when we disagree.
OVER
This is scary given our “argument culture,” but it is much needed. It is more helpful to listen and ask questions than to try to build a case for why you are right. Ask people to define what they mean when they say something that rubs you the wrong way. Seek to understand what they are saying and, hopefully, why they are saying it. See if you can repeat their view back to them using different words than what they used. And finally, invite them to correct your understanding. This invaluable skill will help diffuse tensions and give you time and space to share differing perspectives because you took the time to understand the other perspective first.
Christian Leonard | THE CHIMES
CONTENTIOUS CIVILITY: Lexi Stefani, pictured above, is part of Biola’s debate team, #3: REFRAIN FROM AD HOMINEMS. where disagreement is not rooted in hostility but provides opportunity for deeper understanding. This should be a no-brainer, but I have to say it. I have been falsely accused, even at Biola, of being sexist or
Daniel Elliott is an associate professor of communications studies and the director of forensics at Biola.
SPORTS
10
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
Athletic trainers’ big role behind the scenes The sports training staff plays an important part in athletes’ health as they continue to help them stay at the top of their game.
By Joel Ashor chimes.sports.editor@biola.edu
W
hen students and fans attend Biola athletics events, they see student athletes playing their various sports and putting their respective talents on display. What they often do not see is the athletics training staff, who work to keep Biola’s athletes in good health and make sure they are ready to compete regularly at an NCAA Division II level. While the public may not be aware of the training staff’s impact, student athletes are quick to emphasize trainers’ everyday importance to their teams. “They play a really big role. We’re in there everyday getting tape before practice and stuff like that,” said senior men’s basketball player Alex Talma. “Any little injury we have, we go and get checked out with them right away. They’re always on top of it and they’re always willing and happy to treat us. They’re a huge part of the athletic program.” Talma knows how much of a role trainers play as he enters his fourth year with the basketball team, and redshirt junior women’s basketball player Brenna Khaw also acknowledges
their impact. “They’re really important, because we pretty much use them before every practice and game and after to do treatment,” Khaw said. “We get massages, and ice and taping and they’re super important to keep us active and healthy.” Assistant athletic director for sports medicine John Wiese has been the Eagles’ head athletic trainer since 1988. Although he did not originally plan on working in athletic training, he says he has found a perfect niche at Biola in his 30 years here. “I enjoy the sporting environment,” Wiese said. “I went into college thinking I would become a paramedic and was introduced to the field of athletic training, which was just budding at the time. I decided to go into that field and combine my passion for sports as well as emergency medicine.” Wiese says he and his staff do not only impact the player’s physical health, but that they also look to make sure each player is confident and mentally ready. “We all try to treat the whole athlete. We don’t look at them as just an individual with an injury that we just need to get the physical aspect better,” Wiese said. “We want to make sure that their whole being is being attended to and that they’re returning, not only physically ready for sport, but mentally, psychologically and spiritually
as well.” Many athletes experience an injury at some point in their career, and when this happens a relationship of trust is key between players and athletic trainers. “We’ve got a lot of trust in John and the rest of the staff there. We believe that they know what they’re doing and we trust them with our bodies and getting us back to full speed,” Talma said. Trainers dedicate countless hours per day, from morning to night, to ensure the safety and well-being of the athletes, according to Wiese. “Each team has an athletic trainer specific to that team, so they’re responsible for taking care of the needs of the various teams and their practice times,” Wiese said. “Some days the staff will have an early morning practice, [or] late night practice, so the schedule is always changing and the days vary from week to week whether you’re on the road or in the office here. Some weeks are shorter and some are long—six days a week and even seven sometimes.” Trainers have a difficult task given the amount of concurrent sports seasons at Biola, and the athletes greatly appreciate all they do. “The staff there is really good at managing each team,” Talma said. “They do a great job of managing it and getting us in across all sports and all the athletes.”
Biola Athletics|Courtesy
HEAD HONCHO: John Wiese is now in his 30th year as the head athletic trainer at Biola.
Help People Thrive with a Master’s in Social Work or Psychology Advance your skills as a professional social worker or counselor with Azusa Pacific’s Master of Social Work (MSW) or M.A. in Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) programs and graduate equipped to empower others with tools to thrive.
Master of Social Work
M.A. in Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy
Prepare to help others through professional counseling, community-based interventions, and nonprofit leadership. California prelicensure courses are available.
Help couples and families restore relationships through this program that meets current California licensure requirements.
Full-time, part-time, and Advanced Standing options I 60 units
apu.edu/mft
apu.edu/msw
GET STARTED TODAY!
Call (626) 815-4570 or email gpadmissions@apu.edu.
2-4 year program options I 67-86 units
SPORTS 11
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
Fall Sports Report Cards Handing out grades for how each of Biola’s five fall teams fared this year.
Biola Athletics|Courtesy
CONFERENCE CHAMPS: Men’s cross country poses with the trophy after capturing the school’s first PacWest conference title. Gabe Plendcio also took home Biola’s first individual title. By Austin Green chimes.managing.editor@biola.edu MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY:
A+
1st place PacWest, NCCAA national champions
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY:
B
3rd place PacWest, NCCAA national champions
VOLLEYBALL:
A-
2nd place PacWest, NCCAA Tournament bid
MEN’S SOCCER:
C+
5th place PacWest, Eliminated from NCCAA play
WOMEN’S SOCCER:
B+
6th place PacWest, Eliminated from NCCAA play
W
e have reached Christmas season, which also means finals season for us busy, tired college students. Most of us are probably starting to worry about grades right about now, if not outright freaking out about them. So in the spirit of the holidays, I give you the chance to take a break from obsessing over our own grades so we can hand some out to Biola’s fall teams, starting with the Eagles’ first-ever PacWest conference champion. What more could you have asked from this team? By the end of 2017, with a National Christian College Athletic Association championship banner in tow, it was clear head coach Sean Henning had the program on the verge of dominance. The Eagles’ peers in the PacWest conference recognized that coming into 2018. Both inside and outside the program, expectations were high for not just the team in general but also its individual standouts, chief among them being talented junior Gabe Plendcio. Fast forward a few months, and it is hard to find any major disappointments. Plendcio is now a bona fide star with a school record in the men’s 8k as well as individual and team PacWest titles—a first for Biola in each category— to go along with his second straight NCCAA win, and another national title for the Eagles as well.
Like the men’s team, women’s cross country was voted first in the PacWest preseason coaches’ poll back in late August. Unlike the men’s team, they could not close the deal in the conference championships in November, taking third place as a team. But that should not diminish another solid year that signals a bright future for some of the Eagles’ best young runners. McKenna Mason was a revelation in 2017 and took another step in her sophomore season with a first team all-PacWest nod. Mason paced her team in every race she ran this year, including a third place individual finish in the NCCAA national championships to lead her team to their first national title banner.
Aaron Seltzer’s veteran team proved, unsurprisingly, that they could go toe-to-toe with anyone else in the PacWest. Even though the Eagles came up just a game short of living up to my [admittedly] bold prediction that they would win the conference, they still cemented the program’s place in its top tier. Two second-place finishes in the first two years of membership is a pretty good way to announce your arrival, and they are not done yet, heading to Missouri this week to defend last year’s NCCAA championship. It also helps when senior middle blocker Sierra Bauder blossoms into a superstar and beats out Azusa Pacific’s Julianne Miller, the preseason favorite, for PacWest player of the year. Bauder’s .440 hitting percentage this season gave her a conference record, and according to the PacWest, was second-highest across all of NCAA Division II. Bauder also became the first Biola athlete to be honored as a Division II All-American, receiving the nod Wednesday from the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association. She was the only PacWest player to make the list, though Miller received an honorable mention.
Before BUMS fans react like Ralphie from “A Christmas Story” did when he got his paper back— “C-plus? C-Plus?!”— let us remember that Todd Elkins had the unenviable task of replacing half of the previous year’s starters in 2018. Still, it stings to once again have just missed out on postseason play. The Eagles’ fifth-place finish comes just as Biola’s self-imposed qualifications for NCCAA eligibility were raised from a top-five conference finish to top-three, only one year after the Eagles finished sixth in the PacWest. That said, silver linings can easily be found from this past season and in looking towards the future. Junior defenders Jake Munivez and Axel Van Cleve saw heavier minutes than ever and were a huge factor in that back line’s success. Junior Leo Thompson, another transfer newcomer, accounted for 11 of those 24 goals, essentially carrying the offense. In their first seasons as Eagles, freshman Oscar Rubalcava and redshirt sophomore Atu Galadima also impressed, notching two goals each. The Eagles will miss their senior captains, defender Parker Setran and midfielder Kousei Mattox, but the foundation for next year’s squad is already very much in place.
Posting a winning record in conference might seem expected at this point for Erin Brunelle’s squad, but to do so while two of the Eagles’ best players—defender Maddy Brown and goalkeeper Christina Rodriguez—missed the entire season is downright impressive. Rodriguez might not even be guaranteed a starting job when she returns, which was unthinkable at this point last year. But that shows how ridiculous freshman keeper Viviana Poli was this season, and junior Alyssa Joel was no slouch either. Meanwhile, junior forwards Annmarie Alvarez and Sarah Jeffries took bigger roles in the offense, and capitalized with six goals each. It all adds up to a solid building year toward what looks like, on paper, one of the best women’s soccer teams in school history in 2019. When I came in as a freshman, alongside several current stars of the team, the program was a juggernaut, going undefeated until a brutal loss in the conference championship game. During my—and their—senior year, it might be even better. To see this week’s full column, search “Everything Eagles” on chimesnewspaper.com
12
SPORTS
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
Eyes on the prize
Guard Will Shannon dribbles up the court during a game against Saint Katherine’s University on Nov. 15. The Eagles beat SKU twice over a six-day span to finish nonconference play at 4-2 before starting their PacWest schedule at home on Thursday. Read full game coverage at chimesnewspaper.com.
Aaron Zhang|THE CHIMES [File]
NEWS
A&E
OPINIONS
SPORTS
WEB
Indonesian Connection Indonesian students fit right into a growing community at Biola. //3
The Maine Act Student director Emily Delgado takes on Theatre 21’s fall production of “Almost, Maine.” // 6
Civil Conversations Three tips to overcome the hostility of difficult conversations and instead expand your understanding. // 9
Final Grades Austin Green reviews the five fall sports teams and hands out grades for their 2018 seasons. // 11
Mumford and Sons Check out our review of the alt-rock band’s new album at chimesnewspaper.com/category/ entertainment.
@CHIMES_NEWS
@CHIMES.NEWSPAPER
@CHIMESNEWS