Feb. 8, 2023, Issue 1

Nap

In The Loker Student Union Is Available To All To Rest And Relax

See page 5 See page 6

ULLETI B N

California State University, Dominguez Hills

women’s basketball team has had an incredible winning season @dhbulletin

What’s a 1098-T?

By JOSEPH SANKER Staff Reporter

The 1098-T Tuition Statement is a tax form that a college or university sends to the federal government informing them on how much a student has paid in tuition for that tax year.

Stephen Kennedy, the owner of the tax preparation and consultation business Kennedy Tax Service and who has serviced the people of the Los Angeles area for decades, explained why.

Program Launches Campus Food Pantry

At CSUDH

By BRENDA SANCHEZ BARRERA Editor-in-Chief

For years, California State University, Dominguez Hills has been the only CSU without a campus food pantry. However, the Basic Needs Program has changed that for current students, and last

December, the Toro Food Pantry officially opened its doors to the campus community.

Upon entering the food pantry, located on the second floor of the library in room 2514, students sign in with their names and student IDs on a sign-in sheet that lies on the table by

the entrance. There they are allowed to browse through the many different types of food available including canned beans, bread, pasta, and snacks like granola bars or chips.

The pantry also carries Ziploc bags filled with everyday necessities such as menstrual products, body

City of Carson To Install More EV Chargers

By LICIA SUMMERHILL Staff Reporter

As more residents choose electric vehicles over traditional gas-powered vehicles, the demand for public chargers is growing. To meet this demand, the city of Carson has unveiled its plan to install more electric vehicle chargers in an effort to reduce emissions within the city.

The plan, which is already underway, allows residents to

access level two chargers at 11 public parks. Once installed, each park will allow residents to access electric vehicle charging stations in the comfort of their own neighborhoods without having to wait at shopping centers to charge.

For electric vehicle owners, the acronym ABC – Always Be Charging – is a way of life. ABC is a paradigm shift to remember that the electric way of fueling your vehicle differs from a regular, gasoline-pow-

ered vehicle. Instead of fueling up a vehicle once a week, the electric vehicle could very well recharge on a daily basis after work or at work during working hours. Similar to a cell phone, an electric vehicle would theoretically charge with enough battery to last for a few days. This allows for a smaller amount of miles per tank since the fueling is frequently done on a daily to

lotion and soap. All of this is free and accessible to CSUDH students. There are no fees to pay and no strings attached.

According to the Basic Needs team, the pantry is set up on the honor system. Each week, students are

“They send it out to the students so they can put it on their taxes, get credit on their taxes and get a refund for their credit,” Kennedy said. “If you receive the form 1098-T you can take it to the person that is doing your taxes, have them put it on your taxes and get a [refund for] the tuition that you pay.”

However, the tax credit only applies to the student’s taxes if their financial aid is less than the tuition they paid. Meaning if the student’s financial aid is more than the tuition that they paid for the university then they do not qualify for the refundable tax

Brenda Sanchez Barrera Bulletin

Granola bars, canned fruit, and hygiene products were among the many available things on the opening day of the Basic Needs Food Pantry.

Carson’s public parks will soon feature level two EV chargers.

Novak Djokovic With The Chance Of A Lifetime

By GABRIEL GOMEZ Art Director

Novak Djokovic has won the first Grand Slam of the 2023 season, the Australian Open in Melbourne. Just a year ago, he was barred from playing at the tournament after being deported from the country due to not being vaccinated. On whether or not he plans to become vaccinated, Djokovic stated that he does not want to nor does he plan on getting vaccinated.

“I was never against vaccination,” he told BBC News. “But I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.”

His closest competitor and longtime rival, Rafael Nadal, pulled out of the Aussie Open due to a left hip injury. Djokovic cruised to the final with relative ease as there were initial reports of him having a wrist injury, which he denied. It was revealed just this week that he was suffering from a three-centimeter tear in his hamstring throughout his run in the tournament. This didn’t seem to bother him at all as he ended up beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final in straight sets (6-3, 7-6, 7-6).

The 24-year-old Tsitsipas looked as though he could not keep up with the 35-yearold, who looked to be in the best shape of his life. Now reaching a career-high of 22 Grand Slams, tying with his closest rival Nadal who also has 22 after winning his 14th French Open Tournament last year, Djokovic now levels the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all Time) debate without question. The new question that tennis fans raise is who will end their career with more slams?

Last year, Djokovic only played one Grand Slam due to him being excluded from the other three (Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows) because of his vaccination status. This put him behind in the slam tally and gave Nadal the edge last year in having 22 over Novak’s 20 before he earned his 7th Wimbledon title in July.

With Djokovic not being excluded from any more tournaments this year, the tennis community and many analysts theorize that Djokovic could be headed to a career Calendar Slam in 2023. What is a Calendar Grand Slam?

[See Chance, page 8]

Athletes Sitting Out: Is It Fair To Fans?

By ANTHONY ARROYO Staff Reporter

On Jan. 24, a young boy from Argentina flew about 4,000 miles to see his favorite NBA star, Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, play against the Boston Celtics.

Unfortunately for the boy, Butler was ruled out right before the game started. Although Butler made it up to the boy by meeting him later that week, there are many similar instances where fans do not get accommodated.

With professional sports, there is often a debate when it comes to the issue of players taking rest days when many fans paid their hardearned money to see them play. It is especially devastating when some of these fans travel long distances to see these players, just for them to sit out. Over the last decade, the practice of load management, limiting an athlete’s physical activity to preserve their health and prevent injury, has been common.

Many people argue that fans are entitled and that players need to do what is best for their health, even if that means sitting out during games. While it may be true that players should prioritize

their health, there should be a balance of sitting games when necessary versus sitting out games when you want to.

It is incredibly frustrating from a fan’s perspective especially when they pay so much money just for players not to take the court, as advertised. At times, it feels like a gamble because you do not know who is going to play.

As a Los Angeles Clippers fan, I have fallen victim to this gamble many times. Our star players, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are known to rest or sit out many games during the season. Last December, I finally saw them both play live. Before that, at least one of them was always missing. Not only is this a problem for fans who attend the games, but it is also a problem for those watching at home. Unless you are a diehard fan of one of the teams that are playing or the sport itself, there is usually no reason to tune in at all if the star players are missing.

It seems players always have a say when they are advised to sit out games by management. This was never an issue 15 to 20 years ago, as pro athletes seemed

to have played every game that they possibly could. During the Hall of Fame induction of the late great Kobe Bryant, his wife Vanessa mentioned that the reason Bryant played through many injuries during his playing career was because of the fans. She recalled, “I remember asking him why he couldn’t just sit a game out because he was hurting; he said, ‘What about the fans that saved up to watch me play just once?’”

The impact that fans have on the world of sports cannot be argued. Part of the reason sports leagues are successful is because of fan support. They bring in money through merchandise and ticket sales, as well as television ratings. During the pandemic, many pointed out that the atmosphere for the games without any fans just was not the same. Now that they are allowed back into the arenas, it seems like they are being taken for granted. Fans are crucial to any sport, and they should be given more acknowledgment from the players. Any time a player thinks of sitting out, they should at least take fans into consideration.

Courtesy of Tennis TV Novak Djokovic, affectionately called the “Djoker,” is back on top.

Art by Anthony Arroyo Bulletin

Jimmy Butler sat out for a game that a young fan traveled 4,000 miles to see him play in.

Dems Push For Stronger Gun Laws

Nation goes through a repetitive cycle of gun violence

By ALIYAH BROWN Staff Reporter

Last June the Supreme Court ruled that the 2nd Amendment, the right to bear arms, overrules California laws that restrict who is allowed to carry a weapon in public.

Just last month, there were three mass shootings within the span of 44 hours – all in California.

In response to the tragedies that were felt throughout the Golden State, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) announced new gun safety legislation, Senate Bill 2, to strengthen California’s public carry laws.

“Only in America do we see the kind of carnage and chaos of gun violence that destroys our communities and our sense of safety and belonging,” Newsom said in a statement. “America is number one in gun ownership and we far surpass every developed nation on Earth in gun deaths – it’s not complicated.

“In California, we’ve passed common sense gun safety laws and they work: we have a 37% lower gun death rate than the national average. We’re doubling down on gun safety and strengthening our public carry law to protect it from

radical Republican attacks.”

America is not new to gun violence. In fact, the nation continues to go through a cycle of grief as more folks lose their lives in gun-related violence.

Last month, during a Lunar New Year celebration, a gunman opened fire at a dance studio in Monterey Park, killing eleven individuals and wounding ten more.

In 2012, the nation witnessed children being removed from their schools and parents mourning at the Sandy Hook primary school. A 20-year-old used a .22-caliber Savage Mark II rifle to murder his 52-yearold mother before traveling to Sandy Hook Elementary. Twenty children and six adults lost their lives that day.

Nikolas Cruz, 19 years old at the time, opened fire on students and faculty in 2018. As 17 students were murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, frightened classmates recorded cell phone footage of themselves hiding and being trapped in their classrooms.

In 2019 alone, there were at least 11 school shootings in the United States. Last year, there were 647 mass shootings. In the United States, there have been 1,230 gun-related deaths so far in 2023, including at

least 69 mass shootings.

SB 2 is designed to enhance California’s gun restrictions by updating the current gun licensing system, setting the minimum age requirement to 21 years old to obtain a concealed carry weapon license, and adding stronger training requirements.

In a statement, Bonta said,

“The mass shooting incidents we have seen over recent weeks bring to light the need for stronger protections for our communities. The fact is, individuals who are not law-abiding, responsible citizens simply shouldn’t possess firearms — and they especially shouldn’t be allowed to carry concealed weapons in public. When a gun is placed in the wrong hands, it is deadly.

“The Second Amendment is not a regulatory straightjacket — we must protect our communities. The time for thoughts and prayers has long passed, we need brave and immediate action by our leaders – here in California and beyond. We owe our community stronger protections. I urge our state leaders to quickly adopt SB 2. We can’t afford to wait even one minute more.”

Robin DiAngelo Challenges & Engages CSUDH Community

By BRIAN HINCHION Staff Reporter

California State University Dominguez Hills hosted author and University of Washington professor, Robin DiAngelo last week in the latest installation of the Dymally Distinguished Speaker Series.

DiAngelo is an affiliate associate professor of education at the University of Washington and focuses her research on whiteness studies and critical discourse analysis. Over the past few years, DiAngelo has authored numerous successful books highlighting racial discourse in the United States today. Her 2018 book “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism” was on the New York Times best-selling list for over a year. DiAngelo’s latest book “Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm” was released in 2021.

In an hour-long slideshow to hundreds of attendees, DiAngelo presented some of her research and concepts from her recent books, such as the challenges of educating white

people about racism and reflecting on past and current forms of racism in America.

At times, DiAngleo spoke directly to white people in the audience; Other times directly to the Black attendees. The subject matter was no doubt difficult for some and painful for others, but she managed to interweave important racial concepts while still managing to get the audience to laugh a couple of times at amusing and relatable examples of experiences everyone has been a part of.

In the question and answer portion after the lecture, DiAngelo was asked numerous questions including if racism played a role in the recent police brutality case where Tyre Nichols, a Black man, was killed by five Black police officers in Memphis, Tennessee. DiAngelo in her answer referenced a disagreement between her and author Ibram X. Kendi about whether Black people can be racist, but referenced Kendi’s claim that Black people can uphold the tenets of white supremacy.

DiAngelo credits her initial engagement in whiteness studies and critical discourse

analysis, areas she has dedicated her life’s work to, to an essay by Peggy McIntosh entitled “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” She remarked how it completely resonated with her at the time she read it and influenced her to research and study these topics in the future.

The Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political & Economic Institute is a non-partisan public engagement think tank housed at CSUDH. The institute stages and supports cultural events for CSUDH students and the community at large that highlight the Dymally influence on the African diaspora.

The organization has hosted anti-racism lectures from Tim Wise and Ian Haney Lopez, as well as Cornel West and Angela Y. Davis as part of their Dymally distinguished speaker series in the past.

Through reflection exercises, personal anecdotes, and introducing concepts and analysis from her recent books, DiAngelo delivered an engaging, thought-provoking and question-inducing lecture that resonated with attendees.

Infographic detailing data surrounding gun violence in the U.S.

Graphic by Aliyah Brown Bulletin

Robin DiAngelo (left) and Anthony Asadullah Samad (right) at the conclusion of Wednesday’s lecture.

Brian Hinchion Bulletin

Review: “You People” Got It Wrong

Race, Religion Misrepresented In The Latest Rom-Com

By SAIDA MAALIN Staff Reporter

Netflix’s “You People” starring Jonah Hill and Lauren London, follows an interracial couple attempting to navigate their newfound love while also tackling race consciousness and interfaith marriage issues when families clash.

The number one movie trending on Netflix has Black Twitter squirming with embarrassment for many reasons including the lack of Muslim representation and the cringy patronizing interactions between the disapproving in-laws.

“Kenya Barris needs to stop using budgets to project! I feel like he just wants to be accepted, but all of his messages seem to be diluted and stereotyped. It never feels authentic,” said one Twitter user, Jasmine McGee.

“Black-ish” and “Grownish” creator Barris co-wrote this film with Hill, and that left many confused and questioning the reason why this romantic comedy was distasteful.

“Pulling surface pieces in attempts to represent the culture is not enough especially if it comes at the expense of disrespecting the racial

experience,” said McGee, “Obviously the conversation is needed and I can respect him for bringing it to the platform, he just needs to do better.”

Hill played Ezra, an aspiring cultural podcaster who falls for Amira (played by London), a 38-year-old

costume designer. Ezra comes from a Jewish family in Los Angeles and Amira comes from a Nation of Islam Muslim household. Seeing an interfaith couple was far from the issue; it was the representation of the Muslim family.

Eddie Murphy and Nia Long

played London’s parents in the film and Murphy’s character had many contradicting habits that didn’t add up.

Some examples are the consumption of alcohol, the scene where both families said grace at the dinner table, London wearing the Ankh, an ancient

Egyptian symbol and so much more.

Another Twitter user stated how they felt Netflix needs to stop portraying Muslim characters if they aren’t going to respect Muslim values. Is the

School Mode Loading: Tips to succeed in Spring 2023 semester

By JULIA MCINTYRE Staff Reporter

Starting a new semester after a 6-week break can be stressful. After sleeping in, celebrating holidays and not worrying about cramming at the last minute for a test, it may be challenging to get back into the groove of things. Although returning to the classroom or logging back in for online classes can bring anxiety or worry, the start of a new year is a great time for fresh starts and new excitement. For those having a bit of trouble, here are some helpful tips to dive head-first into the new semester and adjust your brain back into school mode.

1. Get Organized

A solid first step to starting the semester successfully is to make sure you have all your tools and resources in order. This includes getting together folders and notebooks necessary for each class, a planner to keep track of assignments and potential events, cleaning out your backpack from last semester, and organizing your computer files.

2. Readjust Your Sleep Routine

To avoid rushed or overslept mornings, it is important to get back into a routine as early as possible. The longer you stick to a toxic sleep schedule of staying up until 1 a.m. and waking up at noon, the more difficult it will be to have productive mornings throughout the semester. Getting enough sleep also puts less stress on your dayto-day life and keeps you alert throughout the day.

According to SCLHealth, a better sleep routine can boost your immune system, strengthen your heart, put you in a better mood, increase productivity and improve memory.

3. Morning Caffeine: Friend or Foe?

A tip that goes hand in hand with readjusting a “vacation mode” sleep schedule is to avoid jumping straight into a pot of coffee right when you wake up. According to nutritionists and dietitians featured on CNBC, “Having coffee right after waking may cause you to feel jittery and hyper-alert soon after drink-

ing it and then very tired a few hours later.” If you do not want to feel the crash around 2 p.m., perhaps put off that Starbucks run until you are already awake and alert.

4. Improve Time Management

Most students are well aware of the stress and anxiety that comes with the bad habit of procrastination. Many simply need the motivation of a deadline, however, there is always a positive outcome to good time management. Even if you may want to binge-

watch that new Netflix series or if you’re worried about FOMO (fear of missing out) if you miss a night out with your friends, remember it is better to get work done first. You will avoid stress, produce better assignments, and have a better night out if tasks are checked off your list.

5. Make To-Do Lists

A quick and easy way to make sure you are completing all work is to write down everything you need to get done. As you move through the list, you can check things off and

get a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. According to the Harvard Business Review, there is a psychological aspect of to-do lists. “With the mountain of tasks we have to do each day, we cannot solely rely on our ability to remember them...when we check things off, it’s proof that we were able to get things done and that makes us feel good.”

6. Remember: M.I.T.

During the semester, you may feel overwhelmed when your workload feels heavy. When this time approaches, a helpful acronym to consider is M.I.T., otherwise known as the “most important thing.” It reminds you to focus on the most important task at the moment and push back the rest. What assignment is due first? Which class has an exam already scheduled? What is a simple assignment to quickly get out of the way? You can ask yourself these questions to decide what to tackle when stress arises.

These tips and ideas will help your brain snap out of vacation mode, boost productivity and assist you to have a successful semester.

Jonah Hill on right, Lauren London on left.

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Turning off vacation mode can be tough. Here are some tips.

Marvin Meyer Unsplash

[See ‘People’, page 5]

Unwind From The Grind

Nap Room In The Student Union Available To All

By SARA BHATT Staff Reporter

California State University, Dominguez Hills Loker Student Union (LSU) has many facilities and amenities available for its students, such as a gaming room and sports lounge. One of the various resources provided is the infamous “nap room,” located in room 112 on the lower level of the LSU.

The nap room is exactly how it sounds… a room that provides the ability for students and staff to rest or nap. The pods, also referred to as “energy pods,” are intended to rejuvenate their users with details like the inclination of the legs and lowering of the chest: a combination proven to relieve the cardiac system.

LSU employee and Dominguez Hills student, Alexis Green, noted that, “The nap room is available for all students, staff, and anyone who would like to come in just to take a break.”

The nap room, which is ADA-accessible, was created

‘PEOPLE’

From page 4

movie too woke for its own sake, or are we missing something or failing to understand critical race discussions?

“The problem with “You People” was Barris’ involvement. It had his same self-hating Black vibe written all over it. He did not have to make the Black family more unbearable and less understanding than all of the other characters. That man hates the Black community,” said Kenzie on Twitter.

The Struggles and Highlights of a Small Business Owner

By JASMINE SANCHEZ Staff Reporter

Walking into the endless sea of potential manufactures with a burning passion for art and creativity, and a dash of courage, the first step to starting a small business is never easy. It’s terrifying and sometimes, isolating.

The public’s perception of owning a small business doesn’t inspire confidence but rather the fear of failure looms over like a blackened cloud. The common generalization of artists is that they will never be successful to make enough to sustain themselves. This perception trickles down to the people closest and while their intention is understandable, it can also be discouraging.

in 2019 after CSUDH conducted a campus-wide survey in 2017, regarding campus events and activities. In this survey and of the 801 respondents, they found that “85% of students reported not getting the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night during a week-long period,” and “60% of students reported their academic performance had suffered on one or more days during a given week due to poor sleep quality.”

In past semesters, a prior reservation had to be made in order to use one of the five nap pods, however, this semester, no reservation is necessary. Those looking to catch a few z’s in between classes can simply walk into the nap room, find a vacant pod, and kick up their feet!

The nap room is available during the LSU’s operating hours which vary by day.

Monday through Thursday

the Loker Student Union is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday

The other issue critics addressed was how Hill and London lacked serious onscreen chemistry and although both are fan favorites, many could have done without the cast selection. Their characters had about as much romantic chemistry as oil and water said one Twitter user.

Yes, the movie could have been funnier and could have addressed these topics in a different light. The jokes failed to land and it truly isn’t all of the cast’s fault.

The Rotten Tomatoes audience rated the film 2.5 out

from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The flexibility of operating hours allows for all students and staff to utilize the nap room facility and all that it has to offer. If you’re needing a 20-minute power nap or an hour-long snooze, the nap pods allow you to get exactly what you need as there is no time limit or restrictions on how long an individual can occupy a pod.

For personal belongings, staff and students are offered lockers that correspond with the pod they choose to securely store their items. Each nap pod has a variety of different functions including a timer, LED light display, reclining seat settings, music and vibration. While the pods do include a music setting, they are not Bluetooth accessible.

Next time you’re on campus and want a moment to yourself, need a power nap or simply some quiet time, check out the nap room and all it has to offer.

of 5 stars. One critic, Clarisse Loughrey, said the movie carries the unresolved, disjointed tension of a sitcom that’s been stretched to the two-hour mark.

The movie did have moments that were undeniably touching such as the tribute to the late Los Angeles rapper Nipsey Hussle, solidifying a promise London made that in everything she does, she will always represent Hussle.

Watch “You People” out on Netflix and see for yourself. Maybe your take could be different from others.

given this luxury,” she said.

For Hollingsworth, who suffers from chronic pain, being her own boss has been a godsend. An average job would penalize her for taking time off due to her disability. As a small business owner, she can announce the situation to her customers and rest as much as she needs without worry or stress.

Apart from this, running a small business is not as different from a regular job than many might think.

There are certain responsibilities that a business owner must tackle to run a successful business, such as working more hours. Increased hours is the standard for most small businesses, and this depends on how busy or slow the day is.

Jessica Hollingsworth, a spirited entrepreneur and owner of Sivryn, a small online business primarily focused on selling art prints, stickers and occasionally tackles commissions. Hollingsworth faced doubts from family and friends when she began exploring the possibility of starting her own business. Her family was stuck on the “starving artist” stereotype, while her friends wondered if anyone would be interested in her business.

“I chose to ignore this… my family and friends don’t make my business work. I make my business work,” Hollingsworth said.

However, becoming a small business owner is not all gloom and doom. There are some silver linings that vary depending on the type of small business. For Hollingsworth, being her own boss is beneficial because she can rest more if any pain flares were to emerge.

“I was not able to hold my pen to draw, so instead I gave myself the task to do inventory… Had this been a standard job at a big box store, I would not have been

Dean Grayson, an online shop seller and owner of DeanDraws, typically begins his day checking emails and messages while eating breakfast. He then goes to his office to pack and ship orders around three times a week.

On off-days, he’ll be “creating new graphics, negotiating with manufacturers, quality checking products, or a bunch of other little things like creating social media posts.” The amount of work that is necessary for a small business to function successfully, often frightens newcomers from the venture.

Starting a business is not a small feat. It requires an immense amount of work and perseverance. Many factors develop along the journey to either dispirit or motivate. It entirely depends on the individual and whether starting a small business is the right path for them.

Grayson advises aspiring entrepreneurs to “never ever let yourself feel like your work isn’t ‘good enough’. As long as you’re enjoying creating something- if you like it- then there will always be someone out there who enjoys it too.”

Sara Bhatt Bulletin

One of five nap pods was occupied during the late afternoon, as indicated by the red light.

Courtesy of Jessica Hollingsworth Jessica Hollingsworth’s desk where she runs her small business.

NFL’s Top Teams Face Off In The Super Bowl

By BRIAN HINCHION Staff Reporter

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will meet each other for the first time in the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb.12 in Glendale, Arizona.

This year’s edition of the NFL’s championship game features both No. 1 seeds from each conference. Both the Chiefs and Eagles finished with the best records in the league during the regular season at 14-3.

All In and Ballin’

CSUDH Women’s Basketball Team On Track To Finish Strong

By SARA BHATT Staff Reporter

The Toros’ women’s basketball team has had a historic season thus far and continues to excel. Led by head coach John Bonner, who is in his seventh season at California State University, Dominguez Hills, the Toros impressively went on a 19-game win streak. They recently lost their first game more than two-thirds into the season to opponent California State University, Chico.

In regards to the success of the team, John Bonner credits “Chemistry and buy-in” in addition to the obvious talent of the student-athletes on his squad. As for team chemistry, Coach Bonner stated, “This team really likes each other; they can be their full genuine selves while they’re spending time with each other.”

Fully embracing the culture of Dominguez Hills, Bonner recognizes that “The biggest thing is being like a family” with a tight-knit bond and trust between the players that translates onto the court. No amount of profound statistics can encapsulate authentic chemistry which is especially true with some of the most successful and iconic sports teams in history, who owe much of their achievement to having good chemistry.

The 1998 and ‘99 Denver Broncos, 2012 San Francisco Giants, 2014 Golden State Warriors, and 2023 Dominguez Hills Toros… just to name a few.

Along with the natural chemistry of the roster, Bonner noted “buy-in” as a fundamental factor to the outstanding team. He said, “For us, buy-in means doing

all the little things off the court: showing up on time, leaving places better than we found them, always saying ‘thank you’, and expressing gratitude.”

Practicing and implementing these little things outside of basketball has certainly transpired and reflected in the Toros’ performance on the court as well, as they currently lead the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference in offense, averaging 78.4 points per game.

Each athlete plays an important part in contributing to the team’s accomplishments, however one player, in particular, has consistently stood out on the court. Senior guard, Dawnyel Lair, has put up impressive numbers this season scoring 252 points and counting. She has received CCAA Player

of the Week not once, not twice, but three times this season alone, along with the Division II national honor of Player of the Week. The Los Angeles native commended much of her personal success to the dedication and commitment of her teammates.

Lair noted that the team has been committed to holding each other accountable and making each other better which in turn has tremendously aided in the team’s success.

With a 19-1 record, the Toros will head north for their next matchup as they take on Sonoma State University (11-9) on Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m. The Toros are expected to continue their magnificent season and make a lengthy postseason run, all with the love and support from their Dominguez Hills family.

The Chiefs have had plenty of postseason success in recent years. They have reached the AFC championship game five years in a row, making it to the Super Bowl three times on this run, and winning once in 2020. It took a come-frombehind effort in the second half, but the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 3120 in Super Bowl LIV, their first championship since the 1969 season. Super Bowl LVII will be the Chief’s third appearance in pro football’s final game in 5 years.

The Eagles have also done their fair share of winning lately, making the playoffs five out of the last six years including a victory in Super Bowl LII. In 2018, they beat the New England Patriots 4133 in a thrilling, high-scoring final game that saw the Eagles capture their first championship of the Super Bowl era.

James Lyles, a senior majoring in Advertising and PR at California State University, Dominguez Hills has a few things he is looking out for in this year’s championship.

Wright and The Boys Gearing Up For Their Shot At The CCAA Crown

By RAYMOND CASTILLO Sports Editor

It is often cliché to say a team has improved from one year to the next and is ready to compete everyday. Of course they are, that is why they practice so hard everyday. But in the case of head coach Tyler Wright and the California State University, Dominguez Hills baseball team; this is different.

The Toros are coming off a trip to the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) tournament championship game that saw them fall short of the title. That is something Wright focused on during the offseason. “We brought in a lot of guys,” Wright said. “They have come

in, competed, and have been good additions to the culture.

We’re excited about them.”

A lot of the players

brought in have been to address the issues of the bullpen, which struggled at times last year for the Toros.

Wright and his staff have poured their resources into finding a solution.

“We have a lot of depth,” Wright said. “We’re hoping those guys step up in the first two, three weeks to prove that they can fill the holes at the front end of a rotation.”

The Toros will carry a stacked roster of 35 active players (18 pitchers) for game day plus seven players listed as redshirts.

Players to look out for:

Scott Ogrin- The shortstop for last year’s team will serve in more of a utility role for the Toros as he looks to build off his record setting 2022 campaign. The “quiet leader” slugged his way to a .324 average, 24 home

runs (CSUDH single season record), and 63 RBI. It will be tough to repeat last year winning seven awards (ABCA Second-Team All-American, NCBWA All-America Honorable Mention, First-Team AllCCAA, CCAA Championship Co-MVP, CCAA Championship All-Tournament Team, CSUDH Male Athlete of the Year, and NCBWA West Region Player of the Week) but if Ogrin can produce something similar, then the Toros will be in good shape.

Eric Smelko- The centerfielder of the team and leadoff hitter does way more than just hit and play the field. Smelko’s infectious positivity

Scott Ogrin celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run in the CCAA tournament.

Jason Halley Chico State

Dawnyel Lair pushes past Stanislaus State opponent and goes for the lay-up.

Chris Perry CSUDH Athletics

Toros Coming Down To The Wire

CSUDH Needs To Go On A Run To Make Playoffs

By RAYMOND CASTILLO Sports Editor

The young and explosive California State University, Dominguez Hills men’s basketball team is just that. That can serve as both a blessing and a curse for head coach Steve Becker, who is in his 10th season as the leader of the program and has made the conference tournament in each of his last five seasons.

“We’re just really young,” Becker said. “We’re learning how to win. In all my years of college coaching, this has been the strangest year we’ve had.”

Each season possesses its own set of challenges, and this season is no different. The Toros have just three seniors on their roster, so experience in tough situations is extremely limited. A multitude of injuries to key players has forced Becker into a number of lineup changes that have never allowed the team to get a solid footing in practice, let alone throughout games.

Despite losing their last six games in some of the most heartbreaking fashions, including losing an overtime thriller to San Francisco State University and a loss by one point at home on a last-second free throw by California State

From page 6

“The Maholmes factor back in the Super Bowl. I’m actually digging the storyline not being brought up much about Andy Reid going up against his former team. Philly’s top-ranked defense going up against the Chiefs high powered offense,” said Lyles.

Besides Kansas City’s star quarterback, Reid coaching against the Eagles in the championship, and the great matchup this game will bring, Lyles is also looking forward to the commercials and prop bets on Super Bowl Sunday.

A few things to look out for in this year’s championship game are obviously both

CROWN

From page 6

for life and love for the game rubs off on his teammates and coaching staff. Not to mention his ridiculous .357 batting average and insanely low strikeout percentage of less than 8% (18 strikeouts in 230 at-bats). The 2022 FirstTeam All-CCAA member

University, Stanislaus, the Toros are still battling to the bitter end. The high intensity and fierce competitiveness are the core of Becker’s teams.

“That is something we will do,” Becker said. “We will play hard and we will defend at a high level.”

A couple of wins over two tough opponents for the Toros in the next week can easily push the Toros right back into the thick of things or they can set them back even further with time quickly running out to make a run. They will travel to Sonoma to take on Sonoma State University on Thursday, Feb. 9, followed by a matchup in Arcata on Saturday against California Polytechnic University Humboldt.

teams’ starting quarterbacks.

Patrick Maholmes, the star quarterback of the Chiefs, is wrapping up his sixth season in the NFL having sustained success throughout his pro career. Jalen Hurts, quarterback of the Eagles, showcased his talents this year in only his third season in the NFL, resulting in both quarterbacks being finalists for the MVP award this season. Both quarterbacks also had late-season injuries that threatened their respective Super Bowl runs this year.

Hurts missed games in weeks 16 and 17 this season due to a sprained shoulder in his throwing arm. Maholmes sustained a high ankle sprain in the divisional round of the playoffs against the Jaguars,

and CCAA Newcomer of the year and has a year in Carson under his belt and looks to improve his numbers as an individual but more importantly as a team in wins.

Anthony Accordino- The now full-time first baseman for the Toros is taking over for Pierson Loska in which he split time with

Having lost to Humboldt the last time they played, the Toros will not be given anything easily and need huge contributions from their best players so far this season.

DJ Guest, Jordan Hillstock, and Cameron Barry have led the Toros this season and are needed to step up big.

Guest, the redshirt sophomore coming off of knee surgery after his freshman year, has steadily improved this season. He averages 13.2 points and 7.0 rebounds for the Toros while providing a steady defensive presence, guarding multiple positions. Becker called Guest “tremendous” with the way he has evolved this season and has committed to getting better.

but despite a visible limp at times, has not missed either playoff game for the chiefs this year. Both quarterbacks will be happy to use the two weeks off in between the conference championship round and the Super Bowl to rest up.

Kansas City also has injuries to three of their top wide receivers. JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), Kadarious Toney (ankle) and Mecole Hardman (pelvis) all sustained injuries in the AFC Championship game and are listed as questionable for Super Bowl LVII.

Philadelphia is hopeful that starting left guard Landon Dickerson, who is also listed as questionable with an elbow injury, will be healthy enough to bol-

last year. Accordino batted .287 and surprised some with his power as he mashed eight home runs. A good offseason for Accordino has some expecting a breakout year for the senior.

Overall, the Toros are poised to make some noise this season. They have significantly improved season after season since the arrival

Hillstock, the junior guard, has been the team’s best defender this season, often taking on the opposition’s best offensive player. After playing in only 16 games as a freshman, and 23 as a sophomore, Hillstock has started every single game this season and has taken full advantage of that opportunity.

“Jordan just defends the basketball at a high level, he’s so fast, so physical, he works really hard, and he’s been shooting the ball really well all year,” said Becker.

Barry, the team leader in points per game with 14.1, has been a marksman from deep, leading the team with 58 three-point makes this season which is good for fourth in the

ster the Eagles left side of their offensive line along with beleaguered left tackle Jordan Mailata. The Chiefs will counter with formidable pass rushers Frank Clark and Chris Jones on defense.

Isiah Pacheco will be a player to watch for his explosiveness as a running back and pass catcher out of the backfield for the Chiefs. Pacheco ran for 95 yards against the Jaguars in the AFC Divisional playoff game and caught five passes for 59 yards against the Bengals in the AFC Championship game.

This year’s Super Bowl also features the first matchup of two Black quarterbacks should Jalen Hurts and Patrick Maholmes start for their

of Coach Wright, and this season is no different. According to the 2023 CCAA coaches poll, CSUDH is expected to finish fourth. That would mean exactly what Coach Wright expects of the team, competing day in and day out, while also giving themselves a chance to make an impact.

The Toros officially began

CCAA.

If the playoffs started today, the Toros would be on the outside looking in. However, after weathering the worst part of the storm, the boys are poised to make a late-season push to the conference playoffs.

“It’s about finishing ball games at this point,” said Becker.

Finishing games are what makes good teams great, but if you can not, it makes heartbreaking losses hurt even more. The Toros sit 3 ½ games out of a playoff spot with six games to play and no easy games coming up. It is now or never for the Toros and they are ready for the fight.

respective teams.

Andy Reid, head coach for the Chiefs, will be going up against his former team of 14 years in the Eagles.

Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce will be the first brothers to play against each other in the Super Bowl. Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh coached against each other in Super Bowl XLVII.

Besides the great matchup on the field, the sure-to-be entertaining halftime show featuring nine-time Grammy award winner Rihanna, and commercials in between, the Super Bowl always brings people together to share good food, cold drinks, great laughs and tons of fun. Super Bowl LVII should be no different.

their preseason schedule as they faced Azusa Pacific University yesterday, in Azusa.

They will be home Feb. 9, to open their home schedule against Concordia University Irvine, and Friday, Mar. 3, to open their conference schedule against California State University, Los Angeles.

Jordan Hillstock surveys his options as his team looks on.

Chris Perry CSUDH Athletics

PANTRY

From page 1

allowed one visit in which they have 15 points to “spend.” Food items typically cost one point, and smaller products such as granola bars are priced differently. For instance, one loaf of bread costs one point, while granola bars are “two-for-one.”

While some students have worries about the pantry working on a “grab and go” system, others are more optimistic. “If there were

TAX

From page 1

credit.

“If their tuition is $10,000 and the financial aid is $5,000, they are able to receive a tax credit of $5,000,” Kennedy explained.

A tax credit, as defined by L.A.-based law firm Bartley Law Office, is a “dollar-for-dollar reduction of the income tax you owe,” meaning whatever the student owes in taxes, based on the total income that they made for that

CHANCE

From page 2

This is the almost impossible feat of winning all four slams in the same year.

This has only been done by Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) for the men, and for the women’s side, Maureen Connolly Brinker (1953), Margaret Court (1970) and Steffi Graf (1988). The fact that only five

more snacks, I could see it not working out, but the fact that it’s like beans and pasta… I think 10 [points] is more than enough for a couple of nights of dinner,” said Shamak Panthaki, a recent CSUDH graduate.

Panthaki, who graduated a few days after the food pantry opened, had been living in the university dorms. Similarly to other students living on campus, he believed that the cost of the dorms was not justified due to their overall quality.

“The dorms really suck. For the amount they charge, it’s really bad,” he said.

Although he wished the food pantry would have been available to him earlier, Panthaki is glad to see that it’s around now. “Even now I think it’s really good; If you can’t afford dinner or you can’t afford lunch, to be able to grab something is really awesome,” he said.

The food pantry is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. The pan-

try is closed on the weekends.

Chris Weller, a graduate student, is one of the many on-campus CSUDH community members who greatly benefits from the food pantry. “It’s a great idea. There have been plenty of times where I’ve been too broke to… buy food and I get really hungry,” he said.

Now that students have a food pantry accessible to them, Weller and other students in similar positions can now access their basic necessities with ease.

CHARGERS

From page 1

weekly basis.

Carson is currently installing 20 Tesla Superchargers at city hall which are scheduled to be operational by the end of 2023. There are plans in place to install an additional 128 ChargePoint outlets across 11 public parks and two corporate businesses within Carson limits. With an average of 10 ports per public park, Carson will be able to provide enough public charging stations for both visitors and residents.

Among the parks scheduled to receive ChargePoint electric vehicle charging stations are: Veterans Park, Dominguez Park, Anderson Park, Carriage Crest Park, Carson Park, Dolphin Park, Stevenson Park, Hemingway Park and Hemingway Aquatic Center.

Back in 2019, the city council made its commitment to a net zero advanced energy community. The plan included finding a feasible way to add electric vehicle charging stations in the community as a way of life. While local businesses have offered charging stations as a way to increase profits and provide extra income, the city has developed a holistic approach to rethinking how to involve the community in a greener lifestyle.

Why is it issued in

year, will be reduced because they have a refundable tax credit for attending college or university. Kennedy said that “(The refund) they receive will be determined by how much income they made that year.”

An example of this would be if a student made $20,000 last year and reported it on their taxes, they would “get back a pretty good amount,” according to Kennedy. “It’s hard to say until I actually do the tax, but an estimated guess would be around $2,000.”

players have achieved this feat in a set of tournaments originating over 100 years ago speaks volumes to the degree of difficulty involved with obtaining it.

In the past, not even Roger Federer nor Rafa Nadal have achieved this record and both are regarded with Djokovic as the greatest players to ever step on a tennis court. If Djokovic manages to surpass Nadal, it will

A student with no job or income is also encouraged to include their 1098-T form in the filing of their taxes as there is a potential for a sizable return.

“I think a person with no income will get back around $1,000 but I will have to look at their taxes and see,” Kennedy said. “You still could qualify for the [tax] credit.” If a student does not wish to use their 1098-Tax form, one can still file their taxes without that form as it is not a mandatory form for a student

forever solidify him as the greatest tennis player ever. While I am not Djokovic’s biggest fan by any means, I cannot overlook how wildly talented he is. I have always loved Nadal as I am also a Spaniard. Nadal will always be regarded as the “King of Clay.” He respectfully holds 14 Grand Slam titles on the surface.

Djokovic has the chance to make his tally of Grand Slams

to file.

“You can file your taxes without it, it’s not mandatory that you take the credit but if you have the 1098-T you’d want to get the credit cause it’s a refundable credit that comes back to you,” Kennedy said.

The 1098-T Tax Form is now available in California State University, Dominguez Hills student center portals. Students who have not received a form in their student center are encouraged to contact the financial aid office.

to 25 in total at the end of the year. If Nadal does not defend his Roland Garros (French Open) title, I think that there is no stopping Djokovic from achieving the calendar slam.

Considering how his vaccination status has affected his chances last year at gaining even more titles than he currently has, the conversation on whether or not he could have had more will always linger.

The approach included finding a way to incorporate chargers in locations that would be accessible to all community members and allowed residents to walk home from the charging station. The distance between public parks and the residents seemed to be the perfect fit to encompass accessibility for city residents.

The electric vehicle plan will benefit all residents and visitors by allowing electric vehicle charging at parks where the community comes together for sports, recreation and local events. The idea behind the plan is to afford Carson residents a place to charge their vehicles in a safe, public area that allows recreation while charging, along with a central area that provides charging close to home.

For some drivers, electric vehicle charging is a luxury that not everyone can afford. The price of electricity is minimal, according to the latest report published by the U.S. Department of Energy costing only $0.16 per kilowatt compared to a national average of $4.05 per gallon of gasoline, however, the sparsity of public electric chargers may deter owners from buying an electric vehicle.

Although every student receives this form, many questions surround this tax form such as what is it exactly? What is it used for?

the first place?

Art by Joseph Sanker Bulletin