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After building up ecstatic movement throughout the event, Long Beach Ballet dancers performed "The Nutcracker" finishing off with their fourth act on Dec. 3 at the Terrace Theater Plaza.
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land acknowlEdgmEnt
Here at the Long Beach Current we acknowledge that the school we report on is located on the sacred site of Puvungna, “the gathering place.” We are on the land of the Tongva/Gabrieleño and the Acjachemen/Juaneño Nations who have lived and continue to live here.
We also acknowledge the Gabrieleño/Tongva (pronounced: GABRIEL-EN-YO/TONG – VAH) and Acjachamen/Juaneño (pronounced: AH-HACH-AH-MEN/JUAN-EN-YO) as the traditional custodians of the Los Angeles region along with the Chumash (pronounced: CHOO-MOSH) to the north and west, and the Tataviam (pronounced: TAH-TAH-VEE-YUM) and Cahuilla (pronounced: KAH-WEE-YAH) Nations to the east.
We respect and value the many ways the Tongva/Acjachemen cultural heritage and beliefs continue to have significance to the living people and remind us about the sacred and spiritual relationship that has always existed here at what we now call California State University Long Beach.
Editorials: All opinions expressed in the columns, letters and cartoons in the issue are those of the writers or artists. The opinions of the Long Beach Current are expressed only in unsigned editorials and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the journalism department or the views of all staff members. All such editorials are written by the editorial board of the Long Beach Current.
lEttEr Policy: All letters and emails must bear the phone number of the writer and must be no more than 300 words. The Long Beach Current reserves the right to edit letters for publication in regard to space.
Tumultuous year for the Pyramid leaves unanswered questions
BY ETHAN BROWN News Assistant
The LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid, formerly the Walter Pyramid, remains singularly significant to the south Long Beach skyline and will now net the school another $8.5 million.
The 12-year partnership that Long Beach State enters into with LBS Financial provides The Beach with upfront funds for immediate use, once the college decides which needs are most pressing.
“We are in the process of evaluating the needs across all of our 19 sports,” LBSU athletic director Bobby Smitheran said. “We will then determine the best usage that has the greatest impact both in the long and short term.”
The naming rights deal was approved by the CSU Board of Trustees in a unanimous vote on Nov. 20, following the agreement’s first announcement on Nov. 7.
LBS Financial was founded in 1935 as the Long Beach School District Employees Federal Credit Union. They have eight branch locations and currently service over 140,000 members.
The Campus Activities Fund is scheduled to receive $850,000. This funding would go toward transportation, including campus shuttles and centers such as the Student Recreation Wellness Center, as well as programs such as Student Life and Development and the ASCEND program.
The collegiate sports recruiting landscape has shifted in the Name, Image and Likeness era, meaning mid-major universities like Long Beach State must have deep pockets to attract top athletic talent to the Beach.
“We have a number of opportunities throughout our facilities to improve how our student-athletes utilize their respective facility, as well as how our fans experience our facilities in terms of amenities and the in-game experience,” Smitheran said.
While the bulk of the funding is expected to go toward athletic scholarships, the Pyramid’s infrastructure has been called into question when the forecast calls for rain.
The Pyramid recently began leaking from its roof on Nov. 14, forcing women’s volleyball to hold their senior night and
final regular season home game at the Gold Mine in the Kinesiology Building.
The Gold Mine, roughly the size of a high school gym, played host to five home games for men’s volleyball and both basketball programs early in 2025 following a similar roof leak.
Representing Beach Building Services, Capital Development Project manager Melissa Soto told the Current they are “in the final stages of a comprehensive, multi-year study to explore long-term, cost-effective options for addressing the aging LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid roof.”
LBSU women’s volleyball played host in the Pyramid this past week for the Big West Conference tournament, falling in the semifinals to eventual champion Cal Poly on Nov. 28.
“While leaks remain a challenge during inclement weather, our facilities management and development teams have strengthened coordination,” Soto said.
Soto said although inclement weath-
er continues to cause leaks, their facilities management and development teams are streamlining collaboration efforts.
“[By] implementing new processes, communication channels, and event-day protocols [we] improve our ability to respond quickly, protect student-athletes, and maintain operations and the fan experience whenever possible,” Soto said.
Officially opening on Nov. 30, 1994, the Pyramid’s blue hue blends with Long Beach’s trademark and traditionally sunny skies. Believed to be the largest spaceframe structure in North America, the ‘Mid towers 18 stories high and extends 345 feet on each side of its perfectly square base.
It was named the Walter Pyramid on March 5, 2005, in honor of former Dean of the College of Business Mike Walter and his wife, Arline.
The home of men’s and women’s volleyball and basketball, the Walters’ $2.1 million donation was the largest gift in LBSU Athletics history at the time.
“For such a unique and complex, 31-year-old iconic structure, we are examining a broad range of architectural and engineering solutions,” Soto said. Brief timeline of recent leakages and other Pyramid infrastructure issues: 2021: A consistently leaky roof forces CSULB to get an estimate on the cost to fully repair the roof–to the tune of a reported $55 million.
Jan. 16, 2025: Part of the suspended ceiling over the loading dock on the south entrance of the Pyramid collapsed, causing the facility to shut down.
Jan. 29, 2025: Main work on all the entrances was completed, normal operations resumed.
Nov. 14, 2025: The Pyramid leaks from its roof, one week after the sponsorship deal with LBS Financial was announced, leading to a name change. Nov. 20, 2025: Coinciding with the formal sponsorship declaration, another leak forces women’s basketball to move its matchup against the University of San Francisco into the Gold Mine.
JORGE HERNANDEZ/Long Beach Current
The main entry of the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid, formerly the Walter Pyramid, remains closed on Nov. 18.
Associated Students, Inc. President Sonny Ciampa addresses members of the senate at the Anna W. Ngai Alumni Center on Dec. 3. Ciampa praised ASI's accomplishments during his tenure.
JORGE HERNANDEZ/ Long Beach Current
ASI president highlights resilience amid turbulent semester in address
BY JOSHUA MIN Opinions Assistant
With the fall semester’s end looming, Associated Students, Inc. President Sonny Ciampa delivered the State of Associated Students Address to the Senate board on Dec. 3 at the Anna W. Ngai Alumni Center.
Ciampa discussed the issues students faced with the Future U project— including limited seating around campus, relocation of services and power outages—but applauded ASI’s resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges.
“These challenges were real, and for many, they were exhausting, but through all of this, I witnessed something powerful,” Ciampa said. “Resilience, patience, flexibility and most importantly, the kindness of our Long Beach State students proved once again that even in the midst of disruption, they continue to build a community, stay engaged and look out for one another.”
Despite the turmoil, ASI was still able
to accomplish a productive fall:
The Lauren Chalmers ‘83 Beach Pantry expanded its support and provided fresh groceries to students during statewide SNAP delays.
Beach Pride Events organized a record-breaking turnout for Smorgasport in September.
Events such as the “Meet your ASI president” series collected feedback from over 350 students who had the opportunity to connect with Ciampa and other leaders.
Community Voices at the Beach was launched, increasing visibility for campus communities such as the Crisis Assistance & Resource Education Support team and Counseling & Psychological Services.
The Student Recreation & Wellness Center celebrated its 15-year anniversary with Rec Fest, which the Board helped arrange, in addition to enhanced facilities through continued oversight.
“These are not small accomplishments,” Ciampa said. “They represent a community refusing to let change diminish creativity, compassion or purpose.”
Ciampa also recognized several ASI leaders for their work this semester and
highlighted their initiatives focused on improving student transportation, parking and funding.
Executive Vice President Shelton King Jr. helped pass one Senate policy agenda relating to student parking and transportation concerns.
Vice President of Finance Kim Nguyen led 18 fiscal certification sessions, which ensured over 500 student organization leaders were prepared to manage their budgets, according to Ciampa.
“Across ASI, our teams continue to excel in ways that shaped the student experience despite all of the obstacles,” Ciampa said.
Ciampa also looked ahead to his goals for 2026, which include an initiative called “Home at The Beach,” involving athletics, alumni and current students.
“It’s an initiative that will bring students, athletes and alumni together for a celebration of identity, pride and connection,” Ciampa said.
After Ciampa’s speech, representatives from ASI leadership and university departments gave reports and updates to the Board, primarily on previous events they hosted and upcoming events.
ASI executive director Miles Nevin
his time to address the unionization efforts of ASI and Beach Shop student employees and the protest planned for Dec. 4.
Flyers have been distributed on campus urging students to hold ASI management accountable and call for student fees to go toward students and workers.
“I just want to remind you all once again that many of the things that are being said are untrue and are very offensive and just unnecessary,” Nevin said. “ASI and the shops are not fighting student unionization efforts. We fully support them.”
ASI is the largest employer of students on campus while committing to mandatory increases in minimum wage and wage compression for students every year, Nevin said.
“We are one of the most pro-employee organizations on campus,” Nevin said. “We are always trying to do right by our employees, and unfortunately, we have a special interest group that is spreading a lot of lies and mistruths about us right now in order to win their election, which we think they’re just going to win anyway.”
used
ASI, Beach Shops employees and CSUEU members rally for student worker rights
University Housing and Residential Life
the quad on Dec. 4.
BY JOSEPHINE ROBINSON Contributor
Associated Students, Inc., Beach Shops student workers and CSU faculty assembled outside the Long Beach State University Bookstore to advocate for wage increases, better working conditions and scheduling accommodations for all on-campus workers.
Student workers from ASI and Beach Shops announced on November 21 that they were forming a union.
With the support of the California State University Employee Union, student workers believe that “with a union, we will be able to shape our work lives in a way that will not only benefit us but also the future of all the student workers ahead of us,” they said in a statement.
The CSUEU represents over 16,000 CSU staff and student assistants throughout all 23 Cal State Universities, working with CSU employees for “salary struc-
ture, workplace environment concerns and classification standards,” as stated on the CSUEU Long Beach chapter website.
The rally was run by the members of the California Faculty Association Long Beach State chapter, along with additional CFA union members.
Passing students were encouraged to approach the union’s booth, learn about the movement, and join other speakers in discussing their experiences working for ASI, Beach Shops and the CSU.
“We make $16.50 [an hour] minimum wage,” said Giselle Garcia, a second-year social work major and a student employee for Parkside Dining Hall. “Fast food workers make way more money than we do, and if we’re not working the same jobs sometimes we’re working more, or even doing different stuff. We’re open all day, so it sucks to not get paid as much as other people.”
The minimum wage for fast-food workers in California is currently $20 an hour, according to the Department of Industrial Relations.
Additionally, on-campus workers are
requesting parking accommodations because they currently pay for regular student parking and don’t receive designated parking areas, even though they are considered campus employees.
“I have to pay my own rent and parking permit; a lot of workers, they commute and it’s a little harder for us to be affording that type of stuff,” Garcia said.
Garcia also spoke about the unreliable work schedule and lack of job security for student workers. Garcia said they aren’t sure how much money they will make throughout each week or if schedule change requests will result in being asked to resign.
“It kind of feels like you can just get fired, and you don’t really have any respect as a student assistant,” said Jada Payne, a second-year African Studies and Cinematic Arts major, who is also a student assistant at the Parkside Dining Hall.
Payne works alongside Garcia, and they both hope to spread awareness about the CSUEU and the issues on campus workers are facing, “because we support them [non-student workers], and
they should support us in return,” Garcia said.
Among the CSUEU and CFA members were representatives from the CSULB Divest organization, including Marcus Bode, a fourth-year major in Women and Gender Sexuality Studies and Psychology.
“There should be a level of solidarity that we all feel as students who are paying tuition costs that are rising every single semester,” Bode said. “We don’t see those returns from those increased costs back to students and we certainly don’t see it coming back to our fellow student workers.”
Aside from students, campus union staff also showed up to support the students’ rally.
“The president, chancellor, board of trustees, the executives at the ASI Beach Shops, they need to give the workers what they deserve and pay them what they deserve,” said Ray Santiago, a custodian at CSULB and one of the union organizers at the rally.
CHARLOTTE LOCICERO/Long Beach Current
Custodian, Letty Babra, is protesting with the CSUEU to advocate for change on campus, located in
Speeding e-scooters pose safety concerns on campus
BY NIKOLETTA ANAGNOSTOU
Contributor
Zooming past students at high speeds, the growing presence of e-scooters and e-bikes is creating an increasing safety problem on campus—and police are struggling to keep riders in check.
Long Beach State Police Chief John Brockie reports that the number of people he’s seen zipping through campus on motorized vehicles has only increased in the past few years.
Even in designated areas, coasting divides are only allowed to go 5 mph, but e-scooters can often exceed 15 mph. As of now, the university police don’t have a safe way to enforce these rules, as speedsters can quickly escape police trying to stop them.
In accordance with CSULB and state regulations, electric and motorized scooters are allowed to be used to travel to campus but must be left at drop-off zones.
Some additional rules riders must also follow include:
Do not park scooters on sidewalks that block pedestrian paths.
Ride on the road and avoid being on sidewalks that are pedestrian-only.
Yield right of way for pedestrians.
May not operate with any additional passengers besides the operator.
Emily Quintero, a fourth-year theatre arts major, said that throughout her time at CSULB, motorized scooters and bikes have become an increasing cause of concern.
“Honestly, I’m a little frightened,” Quintero said. “They zoom past very fast and don’t even look where they’re going.
It kind of feels like one is going to crash into you at any moment.”
Quintero said while she understands the need for some to use e-scooters, she’s experienced multiple incidents in which she was almost hit by a speeding two-wheeler, especially on the sidewalks surrounding the yellow “Go Beach” letters.
“Whenever you’re in that area, or even waiting to cross by the ‘Go Beach’ sign, there are always e-scooters, and they are always zooming past you,” Quintero said. “It’s a very tight sidewalk and there are so many students on it.”
According to Brockie, the streets surrounding CSULB, especially Atherton and Seventh Street, are filled with fast scooters, and many of the riders are children. Brockie stated that he is working with the Long Beach Police Department to make the streets surrounding CSULB safer for the community.
“A lot of the really fast ones aren’t our students; they are people from the neighborhoods that are coming here,” Brockie said. “Some will stop—oftentimes they are juveniles—so we have to contact their parents.
Brockie said that, due to the high speed and instability of e-scooters compared to bikes, he has not yet included them in the police department’s free “Bike U-Lock Program,” as he is concerned that doing so would only encourage unsafe riding practices on and around campus.
In addition to the danger e-scooters pose to pedestrian students, they can also be dangerous for riders.
NIKOLETTA ANAGNOSTOU/Long Beach Current
A student on an e-scooter flies past the bookstore to get to the street. They previously were riding in a prohibited area for scooters.
Quinn Bergau, a second-year choral music education student, has been riding her scooter to campus every day since her apartment is nearby, but said she never wears protective gear.
While she hasn’t had any accidents with other students, she said that once she almost ran into a row of bikes because it was wet out. She encouraged students to wear helmets to protect themselves—especially when the weather is rainy.
Bergau doesn’t always ride to upper campus as a music student, and though she said she understands the need for restricted coasting device zones, she wasn’t aware of which areas or sidewalks she needed to avoid.
Still, when she’s going from class to class or back home, she rides at speeds well over the parking lot speed limit for cars, but has never had a police officer
stop her, and she isn’t worried about it either.
“I go past [the police] all the time,” Bergau said. “Twenty-two miles per hour—they don’t stop me.”
That lack of intervention is precisely what police said they are struggling with—not because officers don’t see violations, but because enforcing the rules is nearly impossible.
Brockie said if an officer tries to stop them, the riders quickly zoom away, never to be identified. As of now, Brockie said there’s no safe way to prevent students from reckless riding.
“I’m not going to put police officers on electric bikes chasing people on electric scooters or electric bikes—then we just compound the danger,” Brockie said. “If anyone comes up with an amazing way to get everyone to comply, I’m all ears.”
BY VIOLETA ZARATE Contributor
Long Beach State’s 2025 Panetta Congressional intern, Andre Achacon, has returned from Washington, D.C. with rare firsthand insight into federal policymaking and the impacts of the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.
Achacon, a third-year political science major with minors in finance and communications, was selected by President Jane Close Conoley for the Panetta Institute for Public Policy Congressional Internship Program this year.
The prestigious program selects one student from each CSU campus and several private colleges, covering all costs including tuition, airfare, housing and living expenses.
“As a first-generation student, opportunities like this were not imaginable,” Achacon said. “I never thought I would be able to secure a competitive internship working for Congress or afford to move out to Washington, D.C. for a few months.”
The semester-long program starts with a two-week academic orientation at the Panetta Institute, followed by 11 weeks of experiential learning as a Panetta intern in a California House member’s Washington, D.C. office, along with regular seminars.
After returning to California, interns complete a 20-page policy paper and a 20-page reflective journal, earning a letter grade worth 20 full-time academic units.
CSULB Vice President for Student Affairs Beth Lesen, who oversees the campus selection process, said Achacon stood out from the beginning. Four other students applied for the selection process.
“Andre distinguished himself as possessing impressive leadership potential very early in his time at CSULB,” Lesen said. “He applied to be a student trustee in his first year on campus. Most people don’t know what a trustee is, but Andre had done his homework and wanted to represent students in important ways.”
Lesen added that Achacon’s success in ASI leadership only confirmed what staff already saw in him. Achacon served as the ASI vice president of finance during the 2024-25 academic year.
“He was a responsible, passionate and effective student representative,” she said. “It seems clear that we can expect great things of Andre, so I’m honored to have helped connect him with leadership training experiences that will contribute to his continued development.”
Before heading to Capitol Hill, Pa-
Student returns from congressional internship after historic federal shutdown
deeply.
“She demystified the entire immigration system and its flaws,” he said.
Achacon was placed in the office of Rep. Jimmy Gonzalez (CA-34), where he quickly advanced from administrative tasks to major communications responsibilities.
“One morning I’d be photographing the congressman at an event, and that afternoon I’d be producing rapid-response clips,” he said.
He supported messaging on housing affordability, immigration issues and the national conversation surrounding ICE deportations.
Halfway through the internship, the federal government shut down – furloughing House interns, including Achacon.
“Witnessing the shutdown firsthand showed just how fragile our democracy is,” Achacon said. “Federal employees kept working, but the pay never came. You could see the low morale everywhere.”
Apart from the typical daily 9-to-5 work in congressional offices, the internship usually includes special tours at the CIA, FBI, Treasury and other federal agencies, Achacon said.
“Due to the shutdown, those tours were unfortunately canceled,” Achacon said. “It was disappointing to miss out on half of our work experience.”
No congressional officials were unwilling to participate in what?. The cancellations primarily affected the special programming, rather than meetings or office responsibilities.
Many interns struggled emotionally and professionally during the shutdown.
“We were stuck at home instead of contributing to meaningful work in the Capitol,” Anchacon said. “For many, it was a tough adjustment to living alone for the first time, far from family.”
Still, Achacon found a sense of community within his cohort. The shutdown also allowed Achacon more free time to expand his professional network.
“I met over 35 professionals who became part of my network, many of whom have become mentors and will help me secure a job post-graduation,” he said. “If I had continued with my congressional tasks as planned, I would’ve only met half of those people. On the other hand, I missed out on valuable hands-on experience like writing speeches, press releases or photographing the congressman at special events.”
netta interns complete a two-week academic orientation at Cal State Monterey Bay, where classes run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day–including weekends.
“It was one of the most exhausting yet transformative experiences I’ve had,” Achacon said.
With laptops prohibited, he said he
finished over 70 pages of handwritten notes.
Achacon said a lecture on immigration policy by Bipartisan Policy Center senior advisor Theresa Cardinal Brown was among the most impactful.
As the son of Filipino immigrants, Achacon said the discussion resonated
Achacon said the experience reinforced his career goals.
“My dream is to one day lead the White House communications team,” he said. “This internship reminded me that public services isn’t just important: it’s essential.”
Photo courtesy of Andre Achacon
Andre Achacon (center) with Panetta Institute founders Leon Panetta (left) and Sylvia Panetta (right).
Above: The Long Beach Ballet group performed The Nutcracker at the Terrace Theater Plaza on Dec. 3. 3rd at the Terrace Theater Plaza. Right: The live band, which performed after the Christmas tree lighting, attracted crowds to the stage as they kicked off the holiday season at the Terrace Theater Plaza on Dec. 3. Left: TThe children’s performance warmed the hearts of many audience members as the opener of the Long Beach Ballet group at the Terrace Theater Plaza on Dec. 3
Photos by DIEGO PEREZ Long Beach Current
Long Beach kicks off Christmas season with festive tree illumination Lights On!
BY ANNA KUCHISON News Assistant
Long Beach transformed into a winter wonderland Wednesday night, with falling snow, ballet performers dancing The Nutcracker and the lighting of a 67-foot-tall Christmas tree.
The city celebrated the 11th annual Long Beach Christmas Tree Lighting at the Terrace Theater on Dec. 3.
Toward the climax of the event, mayor Rex Richardson and his children pulled the switch for the Christmas lights, following a crowd countdown. At 6:45 p.m., the lights turned on.
The joyful moment was marked by fireworks bursting from the theater’s roof, faux snow, and live Christmas music performances.
The event also featured the Long BeachFire Department’s “Spark of Love” Toy Drive, photos with Santa, free train rides and a variety of Christmas decorations in front of the Terrace Theater.
The event was a special moment for community members, brimming with holiday spirit, family traditions and city pride.
For Long Beach resident Michelle Brannon, the event symbolizes the spirit of Christmas and Long Beach pride.
“I love the holiday spirit and I love my city,” Brannon said. “I haven’t been able to go to this in the past, but this year my family planned ahead and got tickets in advance, so we could go.”
Local resident Sydney Bautista feels the Christmas lighting is an important tradition for the city of Long Beach.
“My mom and I live in Long Beach and we really
love the Christmas time traditions here,” Bautista said. “This event is very special to us and we try to attend it every year. I really like watching Long Beach Ballet perform, seeing the Christmas tree light up, and watching the fireworks. It’s a really fun experience.”
Attendees outside Long Beach also consider the event to be a special tradition.
Los Angeles local Omar Moodie described himself as a Christmas enthusiast who participates in as many Christmas activities in the L.A. area as possible.
He shared that of all the Christmas events he attends, the Long Beach Christmas Tree lighting is one of his favorite traditions.
“So far this season, I’ve been to four different Christmas tree lightings, including this one, and I’ve got two more scheduled for this week,” Moodie said. “This tree lighting probably takes the cake for me, though. Everything is so beautiful and the music is incredible.”
For event attendee Linda Tidwell, this event was not just special because of the holiday spirit but because of a family tradition of watching her son’s band perform live.
“My son Bradford Tidwell is part of a jazz band that performed tonight,” Tidwell said. “I always come to his shows, anytime he performs. I will always try to make it to as many of them as I can. So that’s why I came out tonight.”
The holiday spirit was heavy in Long Beach throughout the night and will continue through December as the lights remain on display in front of the Terrace Theater.
The Long Beach Fire Department will also continue accepting toy donations at local fire stations for its toy drive.
For those who missed the Christmas tree lighting, a live stream of the event is available on Facebook.
ARTS & LIFE
A Long Beach State student looks at artwork that is a part of the “Revelations” exhibition by graduating CSULB Bachelor of Fine Arts students at the West Max L. Gatov Gallery in the Fine Arts 2 building on Dec. 2.
BFA students reveal their artwork in campus spotlight
BY DEREK ELLIS Contributer
This week, visitors browsing the Max L. Gatov Gallery were able to view a variety of student artwork in the “Revelations” exhibition, including mechanical-themed art, sculptures and oil canvas paintings.
As part of the BFA student art show, three selected students had the opportunity to display their exhibits, with access to an entire gallery room to show off their work.
The fourth room served as a group art exhibit titled “Revelations.”
The exhibit focused on four artists
and seniors within the Long Beach State Bachelor of Fine Arts program: Danna Contreras, Vincent Martinez, Celina Villanueva and Alexis Miranda Gaona.
The three individual exhibits were “Holding on to Smoke” by Emilia Perez, “Sanctuary of Judgement” by Monica Meza and “The Recasting” by Atani Nelson.
For “Holding on to Smoke,” Perez created about 10 art pieces surrounding the theme of letting go.
In her exhibit statement, she said: “The work circles the moment before release. Holding onto smoke is an exploration of tension, time and the uncomfortability of letting go.”
Next to Perez’s exhibit was Meza’s “Sanctuary of Judgement,” which ex-
presses her viewpoint on the differences between God and the church.
“Growing up, I always felt very connected with God; however, I did not always see eye to eye with the church,” Meza said. “The ‘Sanctuary of Judgement’ is my way of separating the church from God himself.”
Almost all of Meza’s works in the exhibit were in white, resembling the purity she feels with God, and when the church is taken out of the equation.
“The Recasting” by Nelson was dedicated to the Black animation characters that influenced her life. On one side, she pictured the Black animated characters that shaped the woman she is today.
Framed on the wall were characters such as Static Shock and Cyborg from
Teen Titans. In the center was a canvas painting by Nelson of herself as a little girl watching TV, with a collage of all her positive role models.
On the other side, Nelson framed every negative character. Photos of Blackface Mickey and Mr. PoPo from Dragon Ball Z were among the negative portrayals in the exhibit.
In the middle of her exhibit, a slideshow of scenes showcased animated characters from both sides of the exhibition coming together.
“I felt like they needed to be here,” Nelson said. “Although most characters on the right side of the wall I see in a negative light, it is important to show where we come from and how we have grown from it.”
EDDY CERMENO/Long Beach Current
ARTS & LIFE
Indie pop singer to perform at The Beach
BY JASON GREEN Arts & Life Assistant
Indie pop singer and songwriter
Chloé Caroline will perform an acoustic set for the Long Beach State community on Dec. 9 as part of “Beats at the Beach.”
The event, organized by Associated Students, Inc., will take place at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center Plaza from noon to 1 p.m.
Caroline described her music as a “new Southern California sound” where “soul meets pop meets storytelling.”
Her music has been featured on Radio Disney, Disney Channel and Nickel-
odeon Music.
“I hope that my music brings ... to a lot of people this kind of healing energy and in this kind of dreamy thing that hopefully inspires,” Caroline, the Manhattan Beach native, said. “I think California is a place for people to kind of dream and escape and get away; that’s kind of what my music is.”
Caroline first released music in 2015 with her country EP, “One Left Standing,” but has since transitioned into the pop genre. Her debut pop album, “Everywhere I Go,” was released in 2020 during the pandemic.
Caroline played a role in the 2018 Hallmark movie “Love, Of Course” and wrote songs for the film. Her most popular featured song was “Indian Summer,” released in 2016.
Last December, Caroline opened for the rock band Sixpence None The Richer in their sold-out show at the Troubadour.
Since then, she has released three songs: “Get Lost,” “You Don’t Love,” and “Then Life Happened.”
Caroline is looking forward to her CSULB debut, as she has never performed at a university.
“When you’re in college, it is a really interesting time, because you’re on the precipice of this world as an adult and it can be really scary, you can feel really lost,” she said. “You’re also trying to navigate who you are and what you want and in every single way, whether it’s career or in relationships.”
Photo courtesy of Chloé Caroline
Pop singer Chloé Caroline is poised to perform original music at Beats at the Beach on Dec. 9. She previously opened for Sixpence None The Richer at the Troubadour in December of last year.
ARTS & LIFE
SIPS of success: Art club offers community, professional development
BY DULCE GALVEZ
Contributor
If you’re a student at Long Beach State, chances are you’ve seen Michi the shapeshifting cat somewhere on campus, whether on a flyer or at an event.
Yet, Michi isn’t a real cat; they’re the two-dimensional mascot of the Student Illustration Production Squad.
Founded in fall 2022, SIPS has become a collaborative organization spanning multiple art disciplines.
Their mission? To help members understand their worth as artists and gain experience before they graduate and enter the workforce.
Through hands-on collaborative projects, SIPS produces zines, badges, stickers and fun events every semester to gear up for future work environments.
This year’s club president is marketing analysis graduate student Serena Logan.
“We are a club on campus that offers our services to people of all majors and years … regardless of your experience, as long as you have a passion for the arts,” Logan said.
SIPS offers members a creative space to pursue art, whether they are interested in illustration or professional development skills.
The club hosts a variety of events geared toward developing art students,
from professional development and networking to copywriting in the arts, sketch crawls and special guest speakers.
SIPS meets every Monday from noon to 12:45 p.m. in LA4-Room 307, where you’ll be sure to see the cute, shapeshifting black cat Michi.
“We set you guys up with professional development skills to feel more confident upon graduating and afterwards to find jobs and to collaborate with team members,” Logan said.
One of the club’s biggest events this semester was the Scair Fair, which took place in late October. The event, a joint project with the Society of Student Illustrators and Animators, showcased student art vendors, some of whom took a spooky approach.
SIPS also fosters self-promotional items and zines created each semester, with a recent issue titled “Alternative Futures.”
SIPS previously hosted an event at the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum on Oct. 30, inviting members for an afternoon of spooky face painting and games outside the art gallery.
Logan’s plans for the future of SIPS include creating more fun, engaging events, like another Scair Fair in spring 2026.
“I enjoy the home that Student Illustration Production Squad has brought to me and my friends while creating illustrative art together,” third-year cinematic arts student Jordan Syllegie said.
REHANSA KULATILLEKE/Long Beach Current
Graduate student, Serena Logan is one of the members of Student Illustration Production Squad (SIPS). The club meets every Monday from 12 to 12:45 p.m.
Photo provided by SERENA LOGAN
The Student Illustration Production Squad pose for a group photo during a SIPS gathering.
LBSU’s King loses out on freshman award
BY JUNIOR CONTRERAS
Sports Assistant
Long Beach State women’s volleyball redshirt freshman opposite Logan King had a historic 2025 campaign, tying the record for the most Big West Freshman of the Week awards with seven in a single season.
However, King was robbed of the Freshman of the Year award.
UC Santa Barbara freshman outside hitter Gabi Martinez took home the Big West Freshman of the Year award after winning the Freshman of the Week award just three times compared to King’s seven.
“Martinez is an awesome player, and this is nothing against her, but we really missed on not getting Logan King freshman of the year,” LBSU head coach Natalie Reagan said. “To be freshman of the week seven out of the 14 weeks and the stat lines that she has, and her carrying this team at times, I really felt like that
LBSU's redshirt freshman opposite Logan King racked up 14 kills in a winning effort over freshman outside hitter Gabi Martinez and the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at the Pyramid on Oct. 3. Martinez and King battled it out for the Big West Freshman of the Year award this season, with Martinez taking the accolade in the end.
was a missed opportunity.”
King’s seven Freshman of the Week awards were the most a player has won since 2015, when Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Adlee Van Winden won seven en route to taking home Freshman of the Year.
King, the Canadian native, dominated throughout the season, opening the year in September with back-to-back Freshman of the Week awards, while Martinez earned the award for the first time to close out the month.
After Martinez took her first award home, King went on to win the weekly accolade three out of the four weeks in October, while Martinez was not awarded throughout the month.
In the final month of the season, Martinez ruled the first two weeks, earning the award back-to-back before King received the final two weekly awards of the regular season. King and Martinez split the month of November as the best Big West freshmen.
With the significant gap between the two players, one might think the weekly awards don’t show the whole picture,
and that maybe individual stats help Martinez’s case for Freshman of the Year.
They don’t.
King averaged more kills per set than Martinez with 3.59, finishing third in the Big West. Martinez averaged 2.81 and finished 13th in the Big West.
Martinez’s hitting percentage was .251, and once again, King performed better, averaging .273 while attacking 254 times more than Martinez.
King finished the season with 424 total kills, leading the Big West, whereas Martinez finished her season with 320 kills, finishing 11th in the conference despite playing in just four fewer sets.
The Freshman of the Year had 13 assists and 18 service aces, and King outperformed those stats too, doubling Martinez’s assists with 26 and finishing the season with 20 service aces and just three more service errors than Martinez.
King outperformed Martinez statistically on the defensive end as well, finishing with 262 digs compared to Martinez’s 154. King finished in the top 20 in total blocks in the conference with 89, whereas Martinez is not found with 50.
The Freshman of the Year did not outperform King in any major statistical category, as King finished first in the Big West with total points, 491, and fourth in points per set at 4.16. Martinez landed herself in 12th with 3.24.
There is no case where Martinez deserves this award over King.
When analyzing the overall success of both teams, LBSU finished 22-9 and was the No. 3 seed in the Big West Tournament, while UCSB finished 23-9 and was the No. 4 seed in the tournament, where both teams were eliminated in the semifinals.
King reflected on not earning Big West Freshman of the Year after LBSU’s first-round playoff victory over UC Irvine on Nov. 26, where King recorded 11 kills in a sweeping effort.
“It’s all good … all the freshmen have worked really hard,” King said. “I’m always gonna push myself as hard as I can, and if I maybe didn’t do enough to get that accolade, then that just means more work from my side.”
DIEGO PEREZ/Long Beach Current
Long Beach’s new pro baseball club opens tryouts to local talent
BY TIMOTHY HESSEN Sports Editor
Long Beach’s new minor league baseball team, currently dubbed the Long Beach Baseball Club, hosted tryouts looking for star local talent on Thursday, Dec. 4 at the St. Anthony High School Athletic Complex.
As part of the Pioneer Baseball League, one of four Major League Baseball partner leagues, the LBBC’s inaugural season will begin in May of 2026.
Leading the search for new talent as the team’s inaugural manager is a face familiar to many Long Beach locals in former Anaheim Angels pitcher and 2002 World Series champion Troy Percival.
“It doesn’t take much with our experience and our eyes to see real talent and
we’re just looking for diamonds in the rough that can compete on this level,” Percival said.
Joining Percival on the coaching staff is his former teammate and four-time MLB All-Star and World Series MVP Troy Glaus, along with Jerome Williams, a former MLB pitcher.
“I obviously played with [Glaus] for a long time, and he’s going to be really good for these guys’ approach at the plate,” Percival said. “I think we’ve been given the tools to go out and compete.”
Percival joins the LBBC after leading another PBL team, the Idaho Falls Chukars, to the PBL Championship Series last season, before losing to the Oakland Ballers.
Paul Freedman, the co-founder and CEO of the Ballers, is also a member of the LBBC's ownership group.
Freedman emphasized that a major leg-up for the LBBC is that in the world of minor league baseball, where every -
DANTE ESTRADA/Long Beach Current
Local Long Beach baseball talent try out for the Long Beach Baseball Club on Dec. 4 at the St. Anthony High School Athletic Complex.
one is a free agent and players typically choose to play close to home, the team will benefit from the strong baseball community in Long Beach.
“That pipeline of amazing talent means that over time, this team is going to be really good,” Freedman said.
As the team prepares for its first season, local players with NCAA experience like Jake Baer look to the LBBC as the big break they have been waiting for.
A 2016 graduate of El Camino Real
High School, Baer played college ball at Loyola Marymount University and New Mexico State, and is the founder of TORQ Sports, a start-up app that helps connect athletes directly to coaches and scouts.
“A couple years ago, they cut down the minor leagues and took away a lot of opportunities,” Baer said. “So it’s a good thing for the community to be involved, especially in an area where baseball is so prevalent, it’s just great for baseball.”
Catching The Wave: The Beach’s best this semester
BY TIMOTHY HESSEN Sports Editor
As the fall 2025 semester nears its end, so does the first semester of the Long Beach Current’s weekly sports column, “Catching the Wave.”
With the majority of Long Beach State’s sports programs wrapping up, this week’s column ranks the top three Beach teams this season.
3. Women’s tennis
Ranking third in the conference standings in 2025, women’s tennis at The Beach saw the peak of its season at the Big West Fall Tournament in October.
While sophomores Diana De Simone and Thea Jagare performed admirably in doubles, reaching the main-draw quarterfinals, the star of the show was sophomore Pamela Badillo.
The Puebla, Mexico native emerged as the lone vic-
tor of the 64-woman singles draw at the tournament before going on to represent the entire conference at the ITA Conference Masters Championships.
LBSU will return Jan. 16 to 18 to host the Beach Tennis Winter Invitational at the Rhodes Tennis Center.
2. Women’s volleyball
A 22-9 record and semifinal finish in the Big West Championship Tournament does not tell the whole story of The Beach’s season.
After losing the majority of last season’s starters, LBSU head coach Natalie Reagan’s squad brought in 10 fresh faces, consisting of six transfers, four true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen.
“This should have been a rebuilding year,” Reagan said following the team’s elimination in the Big West Championship Tournament. “We lost nine seniors, four starters in the transfer portal, and instead these girls are setting records, they’re winning 20-plus games … I’m just so floored and impressed with this group.”
Following Reagan’s second year at the helm of the
program, The Beach has a major foundation to build upon going forward, most notably with All-Big West First Team selection freshman Logan King and All-Big West Second Team selection sophomore Madi Maxwell.
1. Men’s water polo
LBSU men’s water polo was on the doorstep of destiny this semester, with the chance to repeat as Big West champions and earn another trip back to the NCAA Tournament.
While The Beach were stunned in the tournament final against UC Davis, The Beach still had a very successful season, going 17-9 and finishing as the No. 8-ranked team in the country.
Star sophomore center Gabi Acosta repeated as Big West Player of the Year with a conference-high of 68 goals.
After leading the Big West in goals scored for a second straight time in his two seasons at LBSU, Acosta is on pace to shatter the all-time program record for goals scored after his senior season.
LBSU bids farewell to a champion: Alan Knipe retires
BY BRIANNA APODACA
Sports Assistant
After more than two decades of building a dynasty with Long Beach State's men’s volleyball team, head coach Alan Knipe has hung up his clipboard after winning the NCAA National Championship last season.
“It’s the finality of separation,” Knipe said. “You put so much time, effort, love and passion into something and you receive so much back; it’s really difficult, so the emotions have been incredibly high.”
Before becoming the coach who would lead The Beach to three national titles, Knipe’s deep roots within the program were first planted in 1990.
As a student-athlete, Knipe played a key role in the program’s first-ever NCAA title in 1991.
In 1996, Knipe returned to The Beach to serve as an assistant coach, where he had the opportunity to learn from veter-
an coaches and build his own coaching style.
In 2001, he was named head coach for the program, and by 2004, everything really started to click.
After a season that saw LBSU go 28-7 with an appearance in the NCAA Championship final, Knipe won his first of three career American Volleyball Coaches' Association Coach of the Year awards.
Despite falling short in the 2004 NCAA title game, Knipe would eventually lead the program to numerous championship victories.
Knipe brought The Beach its first NCAA title in 2018, finishing 28-1 with a win over UCLA in a dramatic five-set final.
The success carried over to the next season, as the team finished 28-2 and brought the NCAA trophy back to Long Beach for the second consecutive year, defeating the University of Hawai’i.
“Something that’s really, really special is [making] eight of the last nine final fours," Knipe said. “The NCAA is different than pro sports, the fact that it’s a single elimination tournament ... I’m
so proud of that entire group because I think it could’ve went either way."
Last season, Knipe led The Beach to greatness for the final time under his tenure, bringing the NCAA Championship trophy back to the Pyramid before he was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame.
Senior outside hitter Skyler Varga led LBSU’s title-winning team with 270 kills last year, and his choice to come play for The Beach was heavily impacted by Knipe.
“It was a pretty on-the-fly decision; I played one year of university back home in Canada and Alan had a connection with my national team coach and got me in contact with [associate head coach Nick MacRae] and Alan," Varga said. “They invested in me and believed in me and that was the most important thing of believing that I could make an impact for Long Beach State.”
MacRae has not only worked alongside Knipe for 13 seasons, but was also coached by him while playing at The Beach.
After returning to the program as a
coach, MacRae is a two-time AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year. He was promoted to associate head coach in 2018.
Following the news of Knipe’s retirement, it was announced that MacRae would take the helm of the program.
“[I’m] trying to leave this program, community and university better than I find it here today, which is at the best it’s ever been,” MacRae said. “And to bring as many people along for this journey as possible.”
Knipe’s legacy will continue to live on in the program as MacRae follows in his footsteps. But Knipe has no plans to disappear from the world of volleyball.
Knipe is the president and founder of Champions Unlimited, a company focused on coaching clinics and youth camps. Knipe is eager for future opportunities to continue to work in the sport he loves.
“I’m definitely not going to just fade into the sunset," Knipe said. “There will be quite a few options that present itself over the next months to years that I will want to be involved in.”
Photo courtesy of LBSU Athletics
LBSU head coach and AVCA Hall of Famer Alan Knipe announced his retirement on Dec. 1. Knipe is the only person to be involved with all four of the program's national titles, winning one as a player and three as a coach.
SPORTS
Second half shooting drought sinks LBSU against UC San Diego
BY CHAD DUPRE Contributor
Despite an 8-0 run led by Long Beach State’s sophomore forward Petar Majstorovic early in the second half, LBSU men’s basketball fell short of its first conference win to UC San Diego 80-74 on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.
After snapping their 21-game losing streak against Division I opponents last week, The Beach (2-8) has looked to build on its momentum, but has stumbled late in their first two conference matchups, stacking a pair of back-toback losses.
“My expectation is when we sub, guys go in the game and the score continues to go up, and it didn't,” LBSU head coach Chris Acker said, “So we put the starters back in and we left guys out there that were tired, and it's hard.”
To open the second half, LBSU took the lead for the first time of the contest, courtesy of two consecutive buckets from Majstorovic, as he split a double team to lay the ball in off the glass, followed by a set foot corner three.
Another transition triple from LBSU junior guard Isaiah Lewis pushed LBSU ahead 38-35.
Coming off an impressive 24-point performance in the second half of LBSU’s previous game, LBSU standout freshman guard Gavin Sykes finished with a team-high 20 points despite a cold night from distance, shooting 1-for-7 from beyond the arc.
The three-pointer played a significant role in the first half, as Tritons junior guard Aidan Burke came out hot, shooting 4-for-5 from the arc, contributing to the Tritons' (8-1) impressive 46% shooting from deep, compared to The Beach's 21%.
Burke could not miss in the first eight minutes as he scored all 11 points for UCSD, capping off his first-half scoring with back-to-back threes. Still, Sykes kept LBSU close with efficiency of his own, shooting 60% from the field and sinking his first bucket that tied the game 17-17.
The Beach brought the energy in the first half as Lewis connected with Shay Johnson Jr., sending a lob to the senior center soared above the Tritons, finishing with authority and sending the crowd into an emphatic roar.
But it was the bench play from the Tritons that sealed the game, or the lack of it from The Beach, as they were outscored 22-14 in bench points.
“We have a lot of guys that, you know, do a lot of the same stuff,” Acker said.
“And so the expectation is when you go in the game, you’re ready.”
Junior guard Rob Diaz III was ready, contributing 12 of the 14 bench points for The Beach, adding five assists as he sent a Tritons defender flying with a pump fake and laying it in to bring them within seven points late.
But it was too little too late for The Beach as they dropped their second-straight conference game, despite Diaz and Majstorovic combining for 15 points in the closing four minutes of the game.
LBSU will start a four-game stretch against non-conference opponents on Tuesday, Dec. 9, facing San Jose State in a road matchup at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
Photos by ETHAN COHEN/Long Beach Current
LBSU freshman guard Gavin Sykes drives the ball through the Tritons defense during an 80-74 loss to UC San Diego at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Saturday, Dec. 6. Sykes led The Beach with 20 points in the loss.
LBSU freshman guard Gavin Sykes goes up for a layup against UCSD at the Pyramid on Saturday, Dec. 6. Sykes led the Beach with 20 points against the Tritons.