Daily Forty-Niner; May 16, 2021

Commencement special issue

DAILY FORTY-NINER EST p 1949

Vol. LXXI, Issue 32

www.daily49er.com

May 2021

2 COMMENCEMENT

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Students from the classes of 2020 and 2021 gather at the GO BEACH sign.

Photo by Richard Grant

‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’

By Madalyn Amato Editor in chief Class of 2021

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ask mandates are being lifted, people are being vaccinated, in-person classes are returning in the fall — hope is on the horizon.

But for the graduating class of 2021, hope seemed all but lost when we embarked into the uncharted territory of an entirely online education in what was supposed to be the best year of our lives.

Many things were lost. Sports games went unattended and unplayed, performances were given to audiences of little black squares and friendships were formed in the chat box of Zoom.

But many things were gained, too. We had time to look inside of ourselves, explore our passions and discover that we are more resilient than we’ve given ourselves credit for.

When I think back on my senior year of college, I think I speak for many when I say this: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

This quote was written by Charles Dickens in 1859. Who knew that message would ring true to this day?

As we, the graduating class of 2021, begin this next chapter of our lives, how you look back upon this time will shape not only your own future, but the future of our world.

Take these lessons that you’ve learned, both in and out of the classroom, with you. Take the time to mourn, to look introspectively and to decide who you are going to be.

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News Editor Julia Terbeche news@daily49er.com Arts & Life Editor Paris Barraza arts@daily49er.com Opinions Editor Kelsey Brown opinions@daily49er.com Sports Editor Samantha Diaz sports@daily49er.com Design Editor Alejandro Vazquez design@daily49er.com Advertising Manager Carter Magee advertising@daily49er.com Business Manager Sai Zin Phyo Lwin business@daily49er.com Special Projects Editor Peter Villafañe Photo Editor Andrea Ramos Video Editor Abel Reyes Social Media Editor Celeste Huecias Podcast Editor Cameron Johnston Podcast Assistant Luke Pajari Design Assistant Anna Karkalik Gisele Robinett News Assistant Iman Palm News Assistant Fernando Haro Opinions Assistant Bella Arnold Special Projects Assistant Giselle Alexandra Ormeño Photo Assistant Richard Grant Social Media Assistants Desiree Aguilera Dominique Hernandez Briet Sarthak Sheladia

The class of hindsight

By Austin Brumblay Former editor in chief Class of 2020

T

here’s that ole cliche that hindsight is 20/20. It means that looking back at a situation you now see it with perfect vision.

It’s eerie how similar the class of 2020 is to that cliche. This past year has given us nothing but time to reflect. Time to reflect on what it could have been. Time to think about the choices we made and what we could have done differently.

Many of our last memories consisted of solemnly sitting in front of a computer while collecting our e-degree. And outside of that bubble was fear, pan-

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ic, isolation, death and loss of hope.

But that’s the problem with hindsight — it makes you only look at the bad times. Don’t let your last memory at Long Beach State define your experience.

It was bad, sure, and the “normal” was taken from us, but it opened an opportunity like never before.

We can leave that normal behind and rebuild it new in our own vision.

This pandemic has opened the eyes of many to how unfair the world is. We can be the ones to create a normal that challenges oppression, racism, sexism, inequality, homophobia and injustice.

A lot of people will look back on 2020 as a year to forget. Let them forget the year, but don’t let them forget your accomplishments old and new.

Always look ahead.

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2020 &

2021 PRESIDENT JANE CLOSE CONOLEY

#BeachGrad2020

#BeachGrad2021

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CONGRATULATIONS CHHS CLASS OF 2020 AND CLASS OF 2021!

“Our graduates are an incredibly special group of people. You have completed Health and Human Services (CHHS) degrees during one of the most critical times in our nation’s history.

Despite everything that has happened in 2020 and 2021, I am optimistic because our future is in your hands. It’s your time.

It’s a challenging time, but I know that you are up to the task.

Our degree programs have prepared you to take on the critical challenges.”

-CHHS Dean Dr. Monica Lounsbery you Did ow? kn

you Did ow? kn

The entire college and many of our graduates today stood up against racism and took action to address inequity on our campus and beyond. Through classwork, research, and work in the community, our graduates helped change some of the biggest institutions and industries. ‧ The Department of Health Science partnered with the City of Long Beach to advance Black Health Equity. Our student interns have been instrumental in this effort. ‧ Students and faculty from Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management are engaging in efforts to reform our police, prison, and court systems. ‧ Public Policy and Administration, Recreation and Leisure Studies, and Social Work graduates serve in communities and local government, like Flor Aguiluz, MSW graduate, who was elected as one of the CA State Assembly District Delegates for her region.

Long Beach has been publicly recognized for its response to COVID-19. CHHS graduates across all our Schools and Departments have played a critical role in the fight against coronavirus while serving all other health needs. ‧ PT@The Beach remained open, and our Physical Therapy students helped hundreds of patients improve their mobility. ‧ The Speech and Language Clinic was one of the first in the region to transition to teletherapy. These free online services have been a lifeline for people with communication disorders. ‧ Over 200 of our Nursing faculty, staff, and students worked on the frontline throughout the pandemic and courageously volunteered to provide vaccinations — while continuing to provide care for all other health needs.

you Did ow? kn

Throughout the pandemic, our students have championed the health and safety of the campus community and have embodied the spirit of ONE BEACH. They have hosted yoga nights via Zoom, mentored their fellow students, and made wearing masks a fashion statement. ‧ Fashion Design and Merchandising students designed and distributed masks to friends, family and community members. ‧ Kinesiology faculty and graduates have examined and discovered ways to improve the physical performance, mental health, and well-being of our student athletes. ‧ Our students recognized the need for broadened mental health support and championed the creation of the Beach Buddy Peer Mentoring Program, a new way for students to connect with each other for emotional support.

Your actions big and small make a difference and they help shape a better, more just, and equitable world. Be Optimistic.

Visit the CHHS Website to learn more: csulb.edu/chhs

COMMENCEMENT 5

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Tipping your cap to CSULB Graduates show how they took their caps and turned them into works of art.

BY PARIS BARRAZA, ARTS & LIFE EDITOR, CLASS OF 2021

C

SULB students share photos of their decorated caps with the Daily Forty-Niner, complete with quotes, humor and lots of color to celebrate their success visually.

Soon-to-be and recent graduates from Long Beach State show how they got creative with paint, paper and glitter to transform their caps into extensions of themselves.

Giselle Torres, a fourth-year criminal justice major with a certification in legal studies: “I’m a major advocate for intersectional feminism, therefore, I wanted to make my grad cap theme be revolved around that!

I also added a personal quote that I love saying, ‘powerful and empowering.’ I wanted my cap to highlight women’s empowerment and expressing the importance of higher education among women, most specifically, women of color! Graduating from undergrad pushes me to begin my next degree! Long Beach State was the best school to complete my undergrad.”

Celeste Huecias, a fourthyear journalism major: “I chose to put this on my cap because I definitely don’t know what’s in store for me, but I know that there are so many different places I can and will go. The bible verse reiterates that same thing, and I of course had to add something special for my parents since I am a first-generation student. I’m excited for my future after my four years at the Beach!”

Nickolas Cruz, a fourth-year choral music education major with a minor in American Sign Language Linguistics and Deaf Cultures: “For me, this cap and graduation are representing a lot of hard work, dedication and countless memories that I will cherish forever. GO BEACH!”

Sarah CoelhoNascimento, a fourthyear choral education major: “I’m so grateful for my family and friends that supported me through this journey.”

Alison Steinmetz, a fourth-year American Sign Language Linguistics and Deaf Cultures-English interpreting major and translation studies minor: “I decorated my cap with the ASL sign for interpreter.

I aspire to be a successful ASL interpreter after graduation!”

Arturo Lopez, a 2020 graduate in psychology: “It’s a quote from Modest Mouse’s song ‘Education.’

I wanted something quirky that hadn’t been thought of yet and I find it funny as well.

But that wouldn’t fit on my cap. As funny as it is, I got by without buying books. I either found PDF versions or borrowed from friends that had already taken my same classes. It was awesome.”

Estefany Villegas, a fourth-year sociology major: “You came here with nothing, and you gave me everything, thank you, Mom.”

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Graduates galore Almost every college in the university has seen more graduating students from the class of 2021 than the class of 2020.

By Julia Terbeche News Editor Class of 2021

A

fter enduring some of the most unorthodox semesters to date, over 20,000 total students from the classes of 2020 and 2021 are graduating from Long Beach State.

Across all colleges, there are a total of 10,539 students graduating from the class of 2020 and 11,019 graduates from the class of 2021. This spring alone, a total of 6,708 undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to receive their degrees, 500 more than last spring.

Over 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students were awarded degrees from CSULB between the fall 2019 and winter 2021 terms, and 10,895 students will be awarded theirs between spring and fall 2021.

President Jane Close Conoley said she feels confident that students and faculty did their best “under trying circumstances” and that graduates should acknowledge the accomplishment of completing their degrees during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Be proud of your accomplishments, especially graduating in 2020 or 2021. You did an amazing job,” Conoley said.

The College of Liberal Arts, the university’s largest college, has seen a total of 6,804 gradu-

Graphic by JULIA TERBECHE

ates since fall 2019, with 2,894 from the class of 2020 and 3,078 from the class of 2021.

The next largest group of graduates came from the College of Health and Human Services, with a grand total of 6,240 students who have earned their degrees since fall 2019. Of those, 2,706 received theirs in 2020 and 2,824 in 2021.

Since the fall 2019 term, the

College of Business has seen a total of 3,770 graduating students, 1,578 from the class of 2020 and 1,657 from the class of 2021. The College of the Arts has seen 2,264 total graduates, 982 from the class of 2020 and 1,016 from the class of 2021.

The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics has seen 1,656 students graduate since fall 2019, with 650 in 2020 and 798

in 2021. The College of Education has had 1,131 graduates, 506 from the class of 2020 and 523 from the class of 2021.

A total of 2,860 students have graduated from the College of Engineering since fall 2019, with 1,223 from the class of 2020. Unlike the other colleges, there were fewer graduates from the class of 2021, with a total of 1,123.

Since the transition to on-

line instruction in March 2020, CSULB students have had to forego classroom interactions, many on-campus resources and social activities. This forced adaptation to at-home learning, Conoley believes, has led to difficulties balancing school and home life.

Students have faced what she considers “barriers to satisfaction,” like finding quiet places to attend Zoom class or, in some cases, taking care of relatives during this time.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, and I think most of our students made it work,” she said.

Looking back on the 2020-21 academic year, Conoley said she is most pleased with the university’s ability to accommodate its student body, particularly through rehousing efforts, the technology loan program, Associated Students, Inc.’s Beach Pantry, and the on-campus vaccine clinic.

She remains hopeful that the world will bounce back from this difficult time and wants graduates to be proud of their strength.

“As I look back at the arc of the past two centuries, I realize that our forebears endured two world wars, a devastating economic depression, a 1918 pandemic, seemingly endless wars in Southeast Asia and now the Middle East, racial injustice, gender discrimination, intolerance toward LGBTQ+ individuals and more. Despite the severity of the COVID 19 challenge, we’re part of an unbroken line of humans who have had to deal with their times in history – the good and the bad,” Conoley said in an email. “It’s important, I think, to not say, ‘why me,’ but, rather, to say, ‘I did it.’”

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Congratulations 2020-2021 Graduates!

The College of Professional and International Education (CPIE ) is proud of all the hard work it took to achieve your goals during such a challenging year.

We especially commend all graduating international students, who will always be an important part of our interconnected global community.

We’re thrilled to celebrate all of the accomplishments of this year’s graduating class, and we look forward to the exciting journeys ahead for each and every one of you.

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Wishing Everyone a Happy Graduation.

From the Faculty, Staff and Administration of the College of Liberal Arts

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COMMENCEMENT 9

Behind the scenes: ‘A commencement like no other’ Graduation at Angel Stadium is the eighth iteration of ceremony planning since spring 2020. The commencement team had nine weeks to do nine months’ worth of work to make it happen.

By Austin Brumblay Former editor in chief Class of 2020

T

his year’s commencement worried Christopher Reese the most; it kept him up at night.

Pacing back and forth in his house, the idea came to him. He turned to his wife and asked: If students can't walk across a traditional stage, what if they could walk across something that at least resembles it?

Would they be happy with that?

“Well, if you compare it to a drive-thru [ceremony] they probably would be,” she told him.

For Reese, associate vice president of university relations, this was one of many ideas that the commencement team considered this past year.

“We have done nothing but plan versions and versions and versions, and every time thinking about, what is the thing I can add back?” he said. “And so every time somebody says ‘Why aren't you doing this thing for me?’ I want to be able to go back and say, ‘We totally want to.’”

Commencement at Angel Stadium of Anaheim was the product of 14-hour days and seven scrapped ceremony ideas. Whenever coronavirus regulations changed, so did the ceremony. This effectively meant that the team would have to start from scratch.

“We had nine weeks to plan nine months’ worth of activities,” he said. “We were doing a weeks’ worth of work in one day.”

But what weighed heavily on Reese and the four other team members was the backlash from students who demanded a traditional ceremony.

“The hate that we received, I guess, is expected,” Reese said. “I understand that until we can [provide] the picture-perfect setting and an event that is in their minds, that we probably will not make everybody happy.”

Students and families voiced their displeasures with the team’s decisions over social media, email and phone. A big blow to the team’s morale was when graduating students found out they might be receiving only one guest ticket. Students and parents commented on Instagram that this decision was “tearing families apart” and making students “choose a parent.”

“Time to answer the age-old question: which parent do you love more?” commented Matt James, a fourth-year journalism major.

One of the first things that Reese asked for during in-person planning at Angel Stadium was at least two guest tickets, but he said he was denied at the time due to stadium protocols.

Commencement officials received hundreds of emails after each update.

“What hurt the most was when they asked ‘Don’t you care?’”

The decisions were all in the face of COVID-19 regulations, Reese said. For a

commencement to happen, the team had to follow strict guidelines.

“There are so many rules,” he said.

“There are CDC guidelines and state rules and county rules and city rules and campus rules and chancellor office rules. And then there's just health and safety rules and stadium rules that we have to follow.”

When COVID-19 restrictions were loosened in mid-March and an in-person ceremony was theoretically possible, Reese contacted every major stadium in the Southern California area. He said every soccer stadium said “no,” and all the football stadiums couldn’t accommodate a ceremony because of limited staffing during the offseason.

Reese got a call back from Angel Stadium officials who wanted to “make it happen.”

Contracts with the stadium usually take 90 days: This contract was put together in 48 hours. Students were notified via email of the venue the same day that the contract was finalized.

“When we found out, students found out,” he said.

The schedule had to fit while the Angels were away and plans had to be made to keep the stadium vendors on-site to quickly build and tear down commencement venue items.

“All of their staff is actually going to be working more than they normally would just to accommodate us having our commencement,” he said.

Capacity is capped at 15,000 individuals per ceremony, or one-third of the stadium’s seating capacity. Reese anticipates the larger ceremonies, such as the College of Liberal Arts, will meet that capacity: “We had to take what would normally be eight ceremonies and shove them into two,” he said.

Over the course of the three days, 75,000 students and guests are expected to be seated at the stadium. And for Reese, it is quite a contrast to the car ceremony that was planned just nine weeks before.

“Everyone will walk out feeling pretty damn proud of what they experienced,” he said. “And I think what students get inside that stadium and outside that stadium will be so far beyond their expectations that I'm really proud of what we've done.”

A look back: ‘You can’t build a commencement after April’ Spring 2020 Planning for a traditional Long Beach State ceremony begins right after the prior year’s ceremony ends, Reese said. It takes months to finalize the location, contract vendors, obtain permits from Los Angeles County, find volunteers and numerous other logistics.

When CSULB transitioned to alternative learning in March 2020, Reese knew that an in-person commencement wouldn’t be possible.

It was going to be delayed.

“You can’t build a commencement after April,” he said. “You need 90 days to make vendors happen; to make anything in that world happen.”

The commencement team polled a small group of students and consulted

Associated Students, Inc. senators, and the overwhelming consensus was that students wanted an in-person ceremony.

But that would have to wait due to surging COVID-19 cases and California stay-athome orders.

So, a virtual ceremony was held to honor the class of 2020 because it’s important not to miss the chance to recognize student accomplishments, Reese said.

“Two weeks after a graduate crosses this threshold, we felt like you have to acknowledge it because there will be something lost,” he said.

The team worked through the summer with the anticipation of a fall in-person commencement. Reese knew it would be hard, but they would hold fast until the “very last minute.”

The plan was for a ceremony during fall break. But in late August, the California tier system of COVID-19 regulations was released, halting the plan.

“We realized the tier system will never allow us to do the things we wanted to do,” he said.

Three versions of an in-person commencement had been developed, but the process had to start all over again.

Fall 2021 The commencement team now knew that an in-person ceremony was impossible so it looked at what other schools were doing; many had converted to drive-thru ceremonies. By October, new vendors were contacted and driving routes were planned.

But a fall commencement was now out of the question, and it would have to be pushed back to May. It would now be a double commencement for the classes of 2020 and 2021.

“By the time we're able to deliver anything based off of health guidance and the surges that were happening, it [was] going to push us out into spring,” Reese said.

Four different versions of the drive-thru ceremony had been workshopped. Reese said he shared the plans with other colleges so they wouldn’t have to do as much planning. The commencement team had “been through it all.”

The delay to spring meant that all fall vendors had to be released and, again, new vendors would have to be contracted, a new health and safety plan would have to be developed and driving routes would need to be reapproved.

Spring 2021 The fourth iteration of the drive-thru ceremony was finalized by early March.

Everything was ready to go.

In mid-March, however, Reese heard that rules were going to change once again and there would be commencement guidance added to the California reopening plan.

Commencement planning would again have to start over. But this time, it was for an in-person ceremony with only nine weeks to make it happen.

And so Reese began pondering ideas while pacing in his home.

“Most people said ‘hell no.’ And I said, ‘hell yes,’” Reese said. “Give that to me. I will fight for it.”

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COMMENCEMENT 2020 & 2021

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16 COMMENCEMENT

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Drinks and dining in Anaheim

By Madalyn Amato and Julia Terbeche Staff Writers Class of 2021

The FIFTH Rooftop Bar and Restaurant | $$ 1650 S Harbor Blvd. Anaheim Distance from stadium: 3.2 miles Dining regulations: Outdoor dining only

Benihana | $$$

With a view of the happiest place on Earth, The FIFTH is sure to give you and your party a magical experience. The food and drink menu won’t hurt either.

2100 E Ball Rd., Anaheim Distance from stadium: 2 miles Dining regulations: Indoor and outdoor dining Positively a classic, Benihana provides dinner and a show with its live cooking experience. Enjoy your dinner and cap the night off with a Sake bomb...or two.

Golden Road Brewing Anaheim | $$ 2210 E Orangewood Ave. Anaheim Distance from stadium: 0.4 mile Dining regulations: Outdoor dining only Located within walking distance from Angel Stadium, Golden Road Brewing Anaheim provides a selection of craft beers and steppedup bar food. Offering a little bit of everything, this spot is a great, close option to go before or after the ceremony with friends and family.

*For more spots, check out daily49er.com

Peter Villafañe contributed to this article

Morton’s The Steakhouse | $$$$ 1895 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim Distance from stadium: 2.8 miles Dining regulations: Indoor dining only Lobster, steak and a luxury dining experience can be expected if you and your family decided to go to Morton’s The Steakhouse. A staple in the Anaheim area, this classy dining establishment may spread your budget a little thin, but will for sure be a night to remember.

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COMMENCEMENT 19

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Spill the Tea is a weekly section for students to share their opinions and make their voices heard. Long Beach State students answer a question that can rnage from the silly the political. We at the Daily Forty-Niner value diverse opinions of the CSULB student body and look forward to you sharing them with us.

Where is the class of 2020 now?

By Rachel Barnes, Managing Editor, Class of 2020

Samantha Gelera - History Major How did you feel graduating during the height of the pandemic?

“Graduating during a pandemic felt unfair to me because I felt that my life had ultimately changed, but I know things will get better for all of us. I didn’t get a proper graduation ceremony, and I feel that even now, with what the university has proposed, we’ve been robbed of our dream celebration. Even though we didn’t get to graduate with all of our friends and peers in person, it still feels rewarding to say that we pushed through a historical event.”

It has been about a year since you graduated; what have you been doing and how have you been?

“I’ve been just trying to finish my subject matter for the Social Science Credential Program. I also became an AP United States History tutor, which has been very rewarding. I’ve been also trying to practice self-care like exercising more or spending some downtime watching anime. I’m lucky to be alive and have my friends and family with me. My mental health has taken some dips here and there, but I am improving.”

Chris Hernandez - Nutrition and Dietetics Majors How did you feel graduating during the height of the pandemic?

“Like many others, I worked 20 to 30 hours a week, went to school full-time, volunteered, participated in many extracurriculars and made many sacrifices to get myself through and graduated from college with honors. For a long time, I was pretty bummed out because I would never know what the feeling would be like, to walk across the stage alongside my colleagues and reflect on all the sacrifices, blood, sweat and tears we had gone through to get that piece of paper. As time progressed, I started to think back on all that had happened this past year.

People lost family, loved ones, and their whole lives work in the blink of an eye, and there I was, pouting that I didn’t get graduation. I felt foolish. After letting that sit for a while, I realized how blessed I was. This year’s trials brought me closer to some friends, gave me time to fine-tune my passions and ultimately remind me of what was important in my life.”

It has been about a year since you graduated; what have you been doing and how have you been?

“I got accepted into CSULB for my supervised practice, and I am just about to finish that up in June and take my boards come the end of July. It’s been a very productive and crazy year between working 40 hours as a dietitian trainee for free, 15 to 20 hours at a restaurant, doing DoorDash while I study, working with my strength/nutrition clients, photo/video clients, getting in my two-hour lifting session and studying with my girlfriend. Plenty of 16-to-18-hour days in there. If there is anything this year and my undergrad have taught me, there is always time for the things you love, you just have to prioritize it.”

Audrey Toucey - Psychology Major, Sociology Minor How did you feel graduating during the height of the pandemic?

“Well, honestly I felt robbed. I’ve been in school for six years, and I felt as though I didn’t get the graduation I deserved. I do understand the situation wasn’t in the hands of anyone, but it still sucked.”

It has been about a year since you graduated; what have you been doing and how have you been?

“I’m currently unemployed still because of the pandemic, but I started my own business selling handmade accessories I make and I’m facilitating Dr. Fiebert’s clinical interviewing class. I’m looking into grad programs and plan on applying at the end of the year. I’m just going with the flow as of right now, but I’m looking forward to things getting better and hopefully more ‘normal.’”

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COMMENCEMENT 21

Dear class of 2021, we did it!

By Iman Palm News Assistant Class of 2021

I

didn’t anticipate for my senior year of college to be spent mostly online. Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S in March 2020, I assumed that it would be over by the time I started my final year at Long Beach State. I was selfish to think that this global health crisis would have no effect on me.

Now, over a year later, I’ve wrapped up my college career looking at my computer screen, saying goodbye and sending virtual hugs to my classmates and professors while sitting at my kitchen table.

Enduring an entire academic year online was a challenge for me. There were moments when the finish line couldn’t be seen, moments when I wanted to do anything but turn my computer on and moments when I cried feeling like my workload was never ending.

However, not every moment was bad. It was during the pandemic when I found my first internship with EdSource, a news outlet that reports on California education news, when I achieved a 4.0 GPA for the first time ever and when I won journalism awards related to my coverage of Puvungna, COVID-19 and sports.

Finishing my B.A. in journalism in the midst of a pandemic shows how resilient I am. I could have easily given up — with a valid reason for doing so. College is hard as is, and continuing

your studies online is even harder. For me, taking college classes online is more difficult than doing so in person because the boundaries between work, home and social life all become blurred. My workspace doubled as my break and rest area. I didn’t have a moment to rest after a lecture, as I went straight into another meeting or began working my homework assignments.

My mind was constantly on the go. There were moments when I seriously questioned if I even needed a degree.

However, I didn’t quit. And that’s partially due to my mom and other family members encouraging me not to give up. I prayed a lot, asking God to give me the strength to finish the year.

With the encouragement and strength from God, I didn’t give up on myself. I didn’t let the stresses of going to school, 100% remotely, affect my future.

Now that I have made it to the other side, I’m glad I didn’t let those obstacles stop me.

As I enter post-grad life, I don’t have a solid plan lined up. During the semester, I applied to numerous entry level reporter positions and even had an interview for one prospective job. I’m still waiting to hear back from the company with their official decision. Until then, I’m going to celebrate my accomplishments with my friends and family.

I’ve deserved that.

My last year of college taught me about myself. The challenges I faced have shown me that I will always overcome obstacles thrown my way.

I think that same statement is true for the rest of my fellow graduates. We earned this moment, and I hope we all get the chance to soak it up.

We have faced a pandemic and still managed to get our degrees. We can face anything.

Photo courtesy of Iman Palm

For the first time in my life, I do not have a plan How working multiple temp jobs during the pandemic has been a detour on the way to my dream job

By Aubrey Balster Multimedia Managing Editor Class of 2020

I

am an on-paper idealist, in the most literal sense.

Every new year I produce an interminable list of resolutions, all but forgotten within a few days. I was always the kid with piles of half-filled notebooks detailing my greatest aspirations.

Simply put, I’m a planner.

My college experience was no different. I had a written roadmap for each semester, down to the last unit of coursework. I arranged internships and personal projects, all leading up to a May 2020 graduation date.

Unlike most of my childhood master plans, however, this one seemed to be working. I completed each step, the boxes next to my dreams finally being checked off. There was just one box left after graduation: get a job in the media industry.

I’ve always fantasized about my first job. Probably a production assistant of some variation, I romanticize the endless coffee runs and chaotic days on set. My only hope is to get a foot in the door.

I’m sure you know what happened next.

I found out that I completed my degree in a Target breakroom. It was a quiet moment, far from the one I

AUSTIN BRUMBLAY | Daily Forty-Niner

Whole Foods Market is one of four companies that Aubrey Balster has worked at since graduating in 2020. had envisioned for so many years. I allowed only a few happy tears to stain my cheeks before returning to work.

I picked up this seasonal position at Target a few weeks after school went virtual. I figured a short-term assignment would be perfect, as it would end by the time I secured my degree and subsequent dream job. But as the socially distant lines of people waiting outside grew longer, so did the time away from my desired industry.

During the past year in lockdown, I have worked for four companies, all retail and grocery. I have run around a warehouse gathering items for pickup

orders, helped kids find their perfect Halloween costumes, folded and unfolded the same jeans and wrangled shopping carts on busy Sundays.

I have gained a variety of skills during this time; now more confident in public speaking and conflict resolution. I even formulated the perfect balance between politeness and firmness when telling people to pull their masks above the nose.

It really does no good below the nose, ma’am.

And do not get me started on those sequined monstrosities that are basically free-flowing air vents. But, I

digress.

I have enjoyed most days at work over the past year. My coworkers have all been lovely and welcoming; bosses never too overbearing. However, I can’t shake this overwhelming feeling that I have lost a bit of myself.

Now I would like to recognize the sheer privilege that comes along with this statement. I have been lucky enough to maintain employment during a pandemic, and my family and I have remained healthy. My feelings do not stem from a place of ungratefulness, but instead frustration.

For the first time in my life, I do not have a plan.

I have felt devoid of creativity, ripped away from those with whom I used to collaborate. I, like most, was suddenly left alone with nothing to motivate me but sheer willpower. I am just now developing the level of self-discipline needed to push forward.

I have made it this far. A college degree, which seemed insurmountable just a few years ago.

It has taken time for me to realize that my dreams are not too big, but they have simply not gone to plan.

Perhaps the greatest growth I have done during this pandemic lies in the fact that I am now OK with that. There once was a period when I would simply toss the entire blueprint to avoid failure, but not this time.

I will check off that last box.

22 COMMENCEMENT

MAY 2021 | DAILY49ER.COM | @DAILY49ER | EIC@DAILY49ER.COM

Photos courtesy of LBSU Athletics. Style by AUSTIN BRUMBLAY | Daily Forty-Niner

Dirtbags senior outfielder Calvin Estrada wants to be remembered as “someone to look up to.” As of May 14, he has a .303 batting average, the best of his Dirtbags career.

‘He plays hard for that Long Beach name across his chest’ We appreciate him now, but we risk forgetting senior outfielder Calvin Estrada’s contribution to the Dirtbags’ identity.

Estrada is a player who fulfills the Dirtbags’ name, according to head coach Eric Valenzuela.

By Robert Hollar Staff Writer Class of 2020

A

s much as we have praised Dirtbags outfielder Calvin Estrada for his incredible baseball abilities, we have also failed to give him the

credit he deserves.

For as many headlines as the media has written his name in, for as many times as students have told their roommates “you’ve gotta see this guy play,” for as many times as residents of Long Beach have stomped on the Blair Field bleachers after his doubles, we have all fallen short of recognizing his true value as a player and a person.

“He wants to get this program to where it belongs,” Dirtbags head coach Eric Valenzuela said.

We have described him as a dedicated player. We have thrown his stats around in newsrooms and on newsstands and play-by-play broadcasts. We’ve thought of him as someone committed to success, without recognizing whose success he is pursuing. We have failed to recognize that Estrada is, at most, only marginally interested in his success.

“The most valuable thing is definitely the time spent with my teammates,” Estrada said.

To watch Estrada play baseball is to understand the meaning of devotion.

There is a love in his play that the media – myself included – the students, and the city have never aptly appreciated. He isn’t playing for himself; he is playing for us.

“He plays hard for that Long Beach name across his chest,” Valenzuela said.

We ask players to be this selfless, but we rarely inscribe them into history for doing so. The players cemented into Dirtbags lore such as Jason Giambi, Evan Longoria, Jeff McNeil and Jered Weaver are revered. It’s not because of what kind of teammates they were, but because of their accomplishments, particularly in Major League Baseball.

“I don’t even think about personal highlights,” Estrada said. “I think about that good laugh we had or that one joke

that was told in the locker room.”

So if Estrada doesn’t think in terms of personal highlights or statistical accomplishments, why should we? The danger is that we are holding Estrada’s memory hostage to his future athletic accomplishments. The danger is that four years from now, very few of us will remember his name.

Estrada might go on to have a successful MLB career, or he might not.

If he does, we will remember him, but for the wrong reasons. If he doesn’t, we will forget the man who has epitomized the ethic of Dirtbags baseball for the past three seasons.

“He’s able to adapt to whatever situation is needed,” Valenzuela said.

“Whether he has to be that older leader that’s gonna push guys or the lighthearted guy that needs to loosen up the group as well.”

Valenzuela perfectly captures how Estrada interacts with people, but his words also describe how the Dirtbags have come to play baseball. Being a Dirtbag is no longer just about grinding out at-bats and producing runs with aggressive baserunning.

“Playing baseball at Long Beach means everything to me,” Estrada said.

“It goes deeper than just the game of baseball ... It’s about my friends and my family. Representing Long Beach and playing at prestigious Blair Field, it’s an honor and I’m blessed to be here.”

Being a Dirtbag has come to mean being someone who plays with a sense of community, the less aggressive equivalent of having a chip on their shoulder. We may not realize it, but looking back on his career, it’s hard to argue against the fact that Estrada has facilitated that transition in the team’s identity.

“When you talk about a Dirtbag and what that means, I think he fulfilled that for sure,” Valenzuela said.

Fulfilling the Dirtbag name, not to mention redefining it, is not something to be taken lightly. It is an act that creates a legacy. If that legacy is to be remembered, however, it’s up to us to recognize it.

“I just want [future fans] to think that guy was a good teammate and he was good to the fans,” Estrada said. “That he was someone to look up to.”

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