Orientation Issue 2026 by Daily Bruin

AN UNUSUAL WELCOME ORIENTATION ISSUE 2020

BY THE DAILY BRUIN

Orientation Issue 2023 BY THE DAILY BRUIN ORIENTATION ISSUE 2026 | By The Daily Bruin

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CONTENTS 6

The Westwood Village Theater reopened after a two-year closure

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Kyodo Taiko is the first collegiate taiko drumming ensemble in the United States

Jayha Buhs Jackson wants to improve the student experience

Jordan Roiland seeks to uplift students during his two-year term on the UC Board of Regents

Opinion: Creating friendships from scratch is an important skill freshman year teaches Bruins

Opinion: The job search should be led by curiosity and a willingness to try new things

The Latine Film and Theater Association works to uplift Latino representation onstage and onscreen

Aurum Cosmetics connects students with the beauty industry

Moriah Contreras explores adulthood through debut EP

Current and former UCLA athletes and coaches prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles

UCLA alumni discuss their participation in certain tight-knit campus organizations

The gameday experience at the Rose Bowl is filled with sights and sounds beyond just the game at hand

Daily Bruin Photo staffers share photos from their summer break – taken with whatever camera they had at their disposal

Editorial cartoons: “Ease the TraNS(A)ition” “Battle (School Year) Ready!”

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UCLA Athletics programs have dominated across the board since joining the Big Ten ahead of the 2024-25 season

PRIME: As UCLA’s Spring Sing competition returned to Royce Hall for the first time since its beginning, past participants and directors reflect on the evolving tradition

Podcasts: Interview with internationally renowned health economist, global health reform leader and UCLA Associate of the Chancellor Felicia Marie Knaul

Video: Daily Bruin Video talks with new students being “baptized” in the Inverted Fountain as they start their UCLA journey and recent grads as they step back into the water for the first time

Cover illustration by Haley Park and design by Karina Aronson

Dear incoming Bruins, Every year, the Daily Bruin – UCLA’s independent, student-run newspaper – mails its Orientation Issue magazine to incoming students to help acquaint them with campus and Westwood. As UCLA’s storytellers and recordkeepers, we hope this magazine gives you a taste of the university: its people, its happenings and its 107 years of history. In this magazine, you’ll learn about issues that shape our campus, including our student body president’s plans for the upcoming school year, the Bruins leading the country’s first taiko drumming ensemble and the revitalization of Westwood’s iconic movie theater. We’ll walk you through UCLA’s accomplishments in the Big Ten and which Bruins are eyeing a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. You’ll also hear our staffers’ perspectives on parts of the college experience, such as studying abroad and the job search. As you read through this magazine and learn more about what UCLA has to offer, it’s possible some of you may see

yourself on the other side of these pages. We encourage those of you to apply to join our staff of journalists, a group of more than 500 students who are fiercely dedicated to serving the UCLA community and pursuing the truth. We encourage you to follow @joindailybruin on Instagram for application cycle updates. We’re excited to meet you in the fall. Until then, enjoy this magazine, and congratulations on the start of an exciting new chapter.

Yours faithfully,

Alexandra Crosnoe | Editor in chief Lucine Ekizian | Managing editor Nora Gallagher | Digital managing editor

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fter shuttering in 2024, the Westwood Village Theater – now rebranded as the Directors Village – brought hundreds of people to Westwood to see "The Odyssey." The theater was purchased in February 2024 by a collective of filmmakers including Christopher Nolan, director of "The Odyssey," an adaptation of the epic poem written by ancient Greek poet Homer. The Village Theater closed after the operator’s lease expired in July 2024 and remained closed for nearly two years until the film’s screenings began July 16. "The Odyssey" was screened at the Directors Village until Aug. 6 three times a day – 10 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. "It was beautiful," said Summer Hull, who lives near Westwood. "As soon as I walked into the theater, I was like,

‘It’s so beautiful because there’s so much detail in it.’" The single-screen theater seats 1,341 people per viewing, said Joaquin Dominguez, the assistant general manager of operations for nonprofit organization the American Cinematheque, which partnered with the Village Directors Circle to operate the theater. Tickets for the evening showing of "The Odyssey" were sold out from July 16-19, he said. The first two screenings typically attracted between 600 and 900 viewers daily, he added. Because Nolan shot the entirety of "The Odyssey" on 70mm IMAX cameras, watching it at the Directors Village – where it is projected on film – gives people the proper viewing experience, Dominguez said. There are only eight theaters in California that can show film in specifically IMAX 70mm,

according to the Los Angeles Times. The revitalization of the historic theater has led to a renewed interest in Westwood, said Michael Russell, the executive director of the Westwood Village Improvement Association. By the time the doors opened for the evening showing on July 21, the general admission line extended about 100 feet, past Falafel Inc. People began waiting for the 7:30 p.m. screening around 5:40 p.m. Adjacent businesses – including Diddy Riese and Starbucks – have seen increased foot traffic around the three showtimes, Russell added. Scott Hyde, the first person in the general line, said it was his first time at the Directors Village theater since its reopening. He came because the theater was one of few in the area with a 70 mm projection that still had tickets available. Gina Decas, a rising fourth-year business economics student who got in line around 6:30 p.m., said she came to the Directors Village because of its proximity to campus and lower ticket prices compared with other theaters in the area. General admission tickets to "The Odyssey" are $23 through American Cinematheque, while tickets for AMC Century City 15 – one of the next closest theaters to campus – cost up to $30, depending on the format. "There’s not much to do around Westwood," Decas said. "It would be nice to have another activity to do down here." James Hull, who lined up with Summer Hull around 1:30 p.m., said he believes the theater’s reopening will cultivate community in Westwood. Viewers can see a movie and walk to a nearby restaurant or visit another local business afterward, he added. "It would be awesome if this came back to life the way that it was in the mid-’90s," James Hull said. "It used to be a really great place."

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UCLA club celebrates

Japanese American history and culture

BY VIVIAN STEIN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KYODO TAIKO

hunderous drumbeats, synchronized movements and sharp vocalizations fill performances by UCLA’s Kyodo Taiko, the first collegiate taiko drumming ensemble in the United States. The student-run organization, founded in 1990, brings around 30 members together each year to learn taiko – a 12,000-yearold traditional Japanese art form – and engage with Japanese American history and culture. Taiko combines elements of music and athletics, said Eiji Harrison, who is entering his third year as a

and focused vocalizations to express energy during a taiko performance. Michelle Trinh, a rising third-year psychology student, said she joined Kyodo without any prior experience. Regular practices and the time members spend together help create a close-knit community, said Trinh, who is entering her third year in the club. Members come from many different backgrounds and majors but work together to play as one, she added. "Sometimes some students think that people at UCLA are all

"I feel more free when I’m playing taiko" club member. "I feel more free when I’m playing taiko," said Harrison, a rising fourth-year anthropology and human biology and society student. Members choreograph body movements alongside the rhythms they perform, allowing room for creativity, Harrison said. He added that the performances incorporate kiai – short, loud

against each other – it’s so competitive – but I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way in Kyodo," Trinh said. "Kyodo" has two meanings in Japanese – "family" and "loud children," according to the club’s website. Arjun Brahmandam, a rising second-year applied mathematics student, said the club hosts workshops for students in the fall

where members teach attendees about taiko fundamentals. Members learn songs orally rather than through written sheet music, and the club passes songs down from one member class to the next, Trinh said. Harrison added that the club has an education committee, which works to preserve Japanese American culture by giving history presentations to new members. The club visits the Manzanar War Relocation Center in California’s Owens Valley, east of the Sierra Nevada, each spring, Trinh said. The center was one of the 10 camps where the United States government incarcerated Japanese immigrants ineligible for citizenship and Japanese Americans during World War II, according to the National Park Service website. Before going to the site, the club holds group discussions where members learn more about the camp and unpack their own family histories, Trinh said. "It’s such an eye-opening experience to even be on the camp site because you’re able to see the environment that the JA (Japanese American) community had to endure during that time," she said. The organization performs throughout the year at campus and community events, including the Nikkei Student Union’s annual Cultural Night at Royce Hall. The culture night draws more than 1,000 students, staff, alumni and community members and showcases Japanese American culture and experiences through music, dance and theater. Kyodo Taiko also hosts an annual spring concert on the Hill where the club plays around 10 songs, Trinh said, adding that seeing audience reactions after months of preparation makes the

performance especially rewarding for members. "That day is always very special because we put in so much time and effort into a performance, and then we lay it out within these couple of hours," she said. Trinh said the organization performs throughout Southern California, adding that Kyodo Taiko’s performance at the 626 Night Market in Arcadia in June was one of her favorite memories with the club. Kyodo Taiko’s members support each other during performances and beyond the sport, Harrison said. "It is an empowering form of art," he said. "That’s the spirit of Japanese American Taiko."

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BY NICHOLAS MOUCHAWAR PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANDREW RAMIRO DIAZ DESIGNED BY CRYSTAL TOMPKINS

UCLA’s student government president shares term goals

ndergraduate Students Association Council President Jayha Buhs Jackson is focused on increasing transparency and making campus resources accessible for students. Jackson, a rising third-year African American studies and public affairs student, spoke with campus politics editor Nicholas Mouchawar about her plans as president and the issues she believes students should be aware of. She was previously a USAC general representative during the 2025-26 academic year. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Daily Bruin: For Bruins who may be unfamiliar with student government, what is USAC, and how does its work affect their everyday experience at UCLA? Jayha Buhs Jackson: Fifteen of us are elected every spring quarter to represent the undergraduate student body. That consists of our executive cabinet, president, internal vice president and external vice president. We also have three general representatives. The main thing that I want new Bruins to understand is we have a budget of $10 million in student fees. They have full right to comment on how those student fees are being used.

But there’s also a significant amount that goes to pay each of the USAC officers, that goes to pay our election board and that goes to pay our judicial board, which are known as USAC entities. We are their overseers, and those are other opportunities for students to apply and be appointed to. A lot of the additional funding goes to funding under USAC that students are able to apply through their participation with student organizations. DB: Looking back on both the successes and challenges of the previous council’s term, what lessons are you bringing into your presidency? JBJ: I was really hopeful about intentional USAC bonding within our officers. It was important we all established great working relationships. We are all students, but we are also all going to be on council together for this year. Those cordial working relationships will be very important in co-facilitating programming. A common reoccurring issue was people not knowing who these officers are. I was most concerned when I saw people running for positions and not knowing who their possible predecessors would be, and I feel like that was a huge failure on our part, not doing general promotion of who USAC is. We’ll be doing a lot of new student orientation programming. It’s very important people know who the reps are because they could be helpful in so many ways. There was no enforcer of the bylaws, and the president is supposed to be doing that because they have full executive power and have to carry all those things out. It’s very important that the president, as the chair, is enforcing those meetings. DB: What are your office’s main priorities for the upcoming academic year? JBJ: Something I really want to be doing is greater promotion of the student impacts that are happening and what’s actually going on in these committee meetings. Something else I’m trying to do is letting students come to meetings with me with the “Seat at the Table” initiative. I’ve been able to regularly meet with all these different organizations less familiar with USAC, getting to know about USAC’s resources, funding and how USAC works. It’s very important that USAC uses its standing to pull in student resources, especially if students feel like they’re not being adequately met by the university. We have a lot

of students who are Pell Grant and Cal Grant recipients. We want to be attuned to students who have a variety of socioeconomic statuses. Another thing I’ll be working on as I’m hiring my fellowship director is revitalizing our USAC fellowship. It’s good teaching our fellows about USAC, but I want to give them skills that would be tangible in real life – something that is actually going to be supportive of them on their resume and having me as a reference. I was hoping to use it as an opportunity to match them with these community partners I’m making within UCLA and Los Angeles organizations, to match them into those internship opportunities through the fellowship. DB: What issues facing UCLA students do you think students should be most aware of? How is USAC working to address these? JBJ: Cost. Last year, the cohort tuition model increased, and then we saw Bruin One Access increase by ASUCLA. This was not communicated to me. There was no formal communication even to our own representatives. We had so many students who were like, “This was already a dent in my pocket, and now you want to increase it.” We’re seeing UCLA just steadily keep increasing these things. DB: What advice would you give incoming students as they begin their time at UCLA? JBJ: One, please go explore LA. Get out of the Westwood bubble. You will thank yourself so much later. Do LA public transit. Go outside. Touch grass. Two, if you get a B, it will be fine. It’s not the end of the world. Your GPA will go a little lower, but it’s fine. You can get it up. You have time. You’re only a freshman. Three, if you don’t want to get involved and you just want to take it easy, and you’re coming from a semester system and have to get used to this quarter system, that’s fine. But don’t let fear scare you from getting involved. Don’t let other people tell you, “It’s super competitive.” Just apply. If you want to do something, just do it. You’ll thank yourself for it. Four, don’t be afraid to change your major. I got into UCLA as a biology major. I went to an organizing conference hosted by the UC Student Association, which I would later be a board member for that same year. I realized that wasn’t for me, and I had a better calling. I was undeclared for a bit, then was political science. I did that, then became African American studies, and then was pre-public affairs and completely switched paths. Now I’m applying to law school. Do not be afraid if your path leads you somewhere else that you didn’t expect. I really wanted to be a pediatric surgeon. I thought that was the best way I could help my community, and now I’m doing that in a different way through advocacy, policy and law. Don’t be afraid to make those changes. You’ll be surprised by how much better you’ll be at where that path is leading you.

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Meet the newly appointed UC student regent BY RUNE LONG PHOTO COURTESY OF JORDAN ROILAND DESIGNED BY ARMAAN DHILLON

ordan Roiland, the newly appointed student regent-designate, is looking to bridge gaps between students and the UC Board of Regents. The board appointed Roiland, a student in the UC Berkeley-UC San Francisco joint medical program, to be the 2027-28 student regent at its July meeting, held at UCSF. Roiland will be the first medical student to hold the position. The student regent serves two years – one as a nonvoting regent-designate and one as a voting member of the board – and is the only UC student with the ability to vote on systemwide policies. Roiland said his background as a medical student makes him a strong communicator, listener and creative thinker. They added that their studies taught them to recognize gaps in their knowledge. “Every day I’m learning and developing and strengthening my communication skills, listening, trust-building with patients, understanding the systems that I and my patients navigate and developing creative thinking skills,” Roiland said. Student leaders across UC campuses reviewed applications for the position and interviewed semifinalists before the regents’ special committee reviewed three selected finalists, according to a July 14 University of California Office of the President press release announcing Roiland’s appointment. Roiland said his experience in communicating with patients and superiors will help him balance students’ perspectives with the board’s policies. Roiland is a strong advocate for patients

“Where there is any struggle, all of our struggles are united.” in both academic and clinical settings, said Shelene Stine, the head of assessment and clinical transition at the UC BerkeleyUCSF joint medical program, in an emailed statement. “I am confident that, as a Student Regent, Jordan will represent the Student voice with maturity and a measured approach, with a focus on ensuring shared and deepened understanding, building solutions and improving the structures and systems that serve Californians,” she said in the statement. While Roiland said they hope to address issues affecting students, including affordability and uncertainty for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, they added that they will not advocate for specific policies until they have a holistic understanding of different students’ perspectives. Roiland said he has already spoken to student government members across the UC but wants to hear from students of all backgrounds. “It’s really important for me to be a good steward and represent student voices while also learning a lot more about the challenges of governance and the nuance,” they said. “I want to hear from students and know what they need to see from me to feel represented.” Roiland said students can share their concerns by emailing him through UCOP. They added that they plan to set up other modes of communication, including an office phone number, in the future. “I’m not just passionate about the things that affect me,” he said. “Where there is any struggle, all of our struggles are united.” Roiland is a strong collaborator and well-suited to the role of student regent, said Dr. Jyothi Marbin, the director of the UC Berkeley-UCSF joint medical program, in an emailed statement. “He is someone who consistently makes space for quieter voices and builds trust across differences,” Marbin said in the statement. “He isn’t afraid to say the hard thing, but he does

it in a way that leaves people feeling respected rather than challenged.” Regent Greg Sarris, the chair of the special committee, said at the regents’ July 14 meeting that Roiland’s intellect, humility and commitment to public service set them apart from other candidates. Roiland, who graduated from Stony Brook University in 2021, worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a public health associate in the Northern Mariana Islands, where he focused on HPV and cervical cancer prevention. At UC Berkeley, Roiland was a student advisor to the vice chancellor for student affairs, a graduate student instructor and a student ambassador for the UC Berkeley-UCSF joint medical program. They also created prevention and awareness campaigns for the UC Berkeley School of Public Health’s Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee. “He proved to be a deeply engaged and curious leader who brought creative ideas and an equity and belonging lens to key issues,” said Stephen Sutton, who worked with Roiland as UC Berkeley’s former vice chancellor of student affairs, in an emailed statement. Sutton added that he believes Roiland will bring the same dedication while serving as the student regent as he did on the advisory committee. Roiland said these experiences helped them understand the gaps between local needs and institutional solutions. Balancing CDC guidelines with the reality of working for the local health department showed him the difficulty of directly addressing people’s needs, he added. “I firmly believe grassroots activism is the best way to develop immediate solutions for communities and get exactly what communities need, but I’ve always felt very comfortable navigating this level of advocacy where it’s more institutional and structural at the higher level,” Roiland said.

There’s no place like UCLA, so get comfortab le with starting over

BY LILLY LEONHAR DT ILLUSTRATED BY A MELIA CHIEF DESIGNED BY CAR A PUTTERMAN

hat’s your name? Your major? Where are you from? What dorm are you living in? These questions will be the soundtrack to new students’ first few weeks at UCLA. While it can be tedious, it’s necessary to learn about your peers and cycle through dozens of new students to find the friends who will make your college experience fantastic. I’m an introvert, and I was anxiously awaiting those days to be over. Introducing myself over and over again, going out with people I hardly knew and sitting next to someone I had never met in class left a pit in my stomach. But the experience was transformative, and without those awkward introductions, I never would have grown close to the many amazing Bruins I call friends today. Closing out my sophomore year, I was confident in my place at UCLA and with the friends who made my first two years so wonderful. I was hardly ready to start again. Studying abroad has made me realize that the freshman fall experience of meeting new people and working to build strong friendships is a recurring theme in many of our lives. Instead of wanting to get it over with, we should learn to appreciate the growth that these moments bring. I had been looking forward to studying in Rome for months,

especially as an avid lover of art, history and pasta. That’s all I had been thinking about: the thrill of living in a new city. I didn’t focus on the fact that I knew no one in my program. I had buried the soundtrack of introductions deep in my memory, but it was utterly familiar when it resurfaced. What’s your name? Your major? What school are you from? What apartment are you living in? Different, but the same. I was a freshman again. I was anxious about how I was being perceived and trying desperately to make a respectable first impression. I thought I had escaped the freshman fall – yet it was coming back, quickly, to haunt me. The introvert in me was struggling. But my first few weeks in Rome have made it clear that freshman fall is not a one-time thing. It’s a recurring cycle that will repeat itself at every new endeavor. Summer internships, first jobs and relationships. New roommates, new cities and studying abroad. We start over again and again in life as we experience more and more. After orientation and my freshman fall, I felt like I had jumped over that hurdle. I made my college friends and was set for life thereafter. But I failed to recognize the friends who would come in later

years. I failed to recognize that the mindset of being set for life can hinder us from experiencing new things. I urge Bruins to embrace the freshman fall mindset and learn to love our silly little introductions, that ubiquitous soundtrack. They can lead to relationships that last a lifetime. As I continue to study in Rome – which has been absolutely magical – I am working to revel in the process of starting from scratch and getting to know new people. It will be so valuable to return to UCLA with friends who study at universities spanning the West Coast. More than that, I now understand that this is not the last

time I will start over. While I hope my community at UCLA will stay in my life for a long time, I cannot wait to see who else the world will bring my way. Freshman fall lasts far beyond your first quarter at UCLA – it’s an ongoing part of life. So, to freshmen: know that your freshman fall should be memorable, but it will not be singular. Take the time to learn about your campus and meet your friends. And learn to love such a feeling, because it is simply part of life.

Freshman fall lasts far beyond your first quarter at UCLA – it’s an ongoing part of life.

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ABOUT

Alpha Chi Omega · @axoucla Alpha Delta Pi · @adpiucla

Panhellenic is the governing body of UCLA's 10 National Panhellenic Conference sororities and 1 associate member sorority.

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Delta Gamma · @ucladeltagamma Gamma Phi Beta · @uclagammaphi Kappa Alpha Theta · @uclatheta Kappa Delta · @uclakappadelta

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Describe the job you want . . .

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I’m looking for . . .

Bank Internship The job search should also be a search for passion BY NICK LEVIE

ILLUSTRATED BY MONSERRAT MONSERRAT RODRIGUEZ

DESIGNED BY SRI SUBRAMANIA SHARMA I hate my job. I’ve uttered this phrase more times than I can count. It seems like every new position leaves me anxious for the next. But peeking through these convictions, one true lesson has emerged: as I attempt to find my true path in this expansive yet elusive job market, the jobs, internships and other opportunities I throw myself into are all just an exercise in curiosity. Instead of jumping to pessimism, students should view each opportunity they don’t enjoy as a step toward finding the one they love. Discovering what you don’t like should be just as important as discovering what you love. In college, there have been a few different careers I’ve explored as possible futures. Positive an economics double major would be my ticket to success, I interned at a bank in my hometown. I took an introductory economics

course at the same time. Not only did I hate supply and demand curves, I also discovered I had no interest in the loan applications and balance sheets piling up in my cubicle. The next summer, I found myself at the same bank and working part time at a UCLA research institute. Still toying with a future in finance but also experimenting with research, I discovered a new world at the intersection of academia and public policy. But just like loan applications and balance sheets, I felt my eyes go glassy as I trudged through mountains of data. I learned a career in academia and research might not be my path, either. Each of these internships may not have been in a field I see myself pursuing. But at this stage of my life, that’s not the point. Maybe the point, instead, is curiosity. One job stands out in my mind with a positive

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connotation: being a barista at Starbucks. Customer service is a path I am drawn to, despite all the time I spend scrolling through internship listings on Handshake or reading LinkedIn posts from peers thrilled to announce new, prestigious titles. I love being on my feet, finding a fast-paced routine that makes the time fly or chatting with a stranger for just the right amount of time to make their drink. And "hating my jobs" doesn’t mean they were a waste of my time. It means I’m checking off the boxes in a laundry list of possible careers, coming closer to the one that is perfect for me. Every now and again, I will find jobs with aspects I love, like being a barista. At such a large school filled with the most ardent overachievers from every hometown, securing that legal internship or lab assistant position can be harder than it sounds. So instead of looking for that perfect title to add to their resume, I invite students to explore a variety of careers. Now is the best time to be curious – and if you’re lucky, you’ll find a pearl. Every job you hate is just another arrow pointing you in a direction closer to your true north. And each opportunity, no matter your love or hatred for it, offers a new skill set that makes you a valuable, interesting applicant. Interning at a bank gave me experience reading tax returns, which allowed me to secure a new job in the fall

in the public sector helping people understand their taxes. Through it all, the career I have tentatively settled on pursuing is law. I love learning about the law, and I want to work with and help people – a lesson I learned at Starbucks. But, who knows. I have yet to intern at a law firm, and I might hate that job as much as I did the previous ones. So, incoming freshmen, as you confront the looming monster that is internships, let curiosity guide your search.

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BY VISHNU POTHARAJU PHOTO COURTESY OF LFTA DESIGNED BY VALENNY NAHUE

he Latine Film and Theater Association is uplifting Latino voices on stage and onscreen. LFTA is a student club focused on increasing Latino representation in theater and film by producing various short films and stage productions throughout the school year, said theater co-chair Sammy Andrade-Mayen. The rising second-year theater student added that the club emphasizes creating tangible work, which showcases members’ projects through events such as their annual Night of Cultura. What makes LFTA special, they said, is its celebration of Latino identity in the arts. "It’s one thing to be a Latino in the film industry, but it’s another thing to make the film industry Latino," AndradeMayen said. "We want to combine culture with our passion for the arts. ... We want to see what a Latino project made by Latinos looks like."” One of the club’s main focuses is the short films it produces – a process that starts with outreach to gather script ideas from within and beyond the club, Andrade-Mayen said. After collecting ideas, they added that LFTA’s board picks a handful of scripts to produce, and the rest of the members determine casting, shooting locations and editing to bring the ideas to life. Casting calls, Andrade-Mayen said, are also open to anyone outside the club, while members are involved in the filmmaking process, from writing to editing. A unique aspect to LFTA’s production process, said rising third-year psychology student Kenia Hidalgo, is that the club does not require prior film and theater experience from its members. The organization’s new co-chair added that many members first explored filmmaking and theater roles on LFTA sets. "For our last film, our director of photography, it was their first time doing it," Hidalgo said. "It is a lot of working together with those who are more experienced in the club. ... they are able to come into the space and ask others who have done them before."” The preparation process for Night of Cultura – LFTA’s annual showcase that presents short films and theater productions – takes months, added rising fourth-year philosophy student Jason Ruvalcaba. Club members devote fall and winter quarter to making films and preparing the theater productions, and the board provides logistics and supports the preparation process, Ruvalcaba, the co-chair of public relations, added. One of the biggest difficulties in planning such an event, Ruvalcaba said, is the limited preparation time because of the quarter system’s pace. However, he added that the club is willing to work

overtime to ensure a smooth preparation process. Through the topics of their short films and theater productions, LFTA blends art and politics, Andrade-Mayen said. They added that the club does not shy away from exploring topics such as racial identity, drug use and other social issues. Andrade-Mayen said LFTA also explores these subjects across a variety of genres, like with its recent comedic short film "The Closers,"”which discussed challenges surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States. Similarly, Ruvalcaba said another short film, "Beto’s Note,"” explored the impact of alcoholism while examining how substance use can affect Latino communities. Hidalgo said the stories being pitched are up to the discretion of the writer, as the club aims to give writers the space they need to tell stories that matter to them. The club puts its resources toward amplifying stories that need to be reiterated within their community, Hidalgo added. "We do find a great middle ground where art and politics do go hand in hand," Andrade-Mayen said. "We can use politics to help improve our art, and we don’t shy away from making hard statements."” What differentiates LFTA from other clubs is the way the community members feel open to express themselves, Ruvalcaba said. He added that it is weird not to be weird in the organization, as everyone has their own personality and can connect with each other over their experiences. Andrade-Mayen said finding a Latino community through LFTA has been crucial to their time at UCLA. They said they found themselves feeling isolated before finding the organization, but being able to meet other people who speak the same language and understand cultural references has made such a large school feel more like a home. Andrade-Mayen, Hidalgo and Ruvalcaba all said their favorite memory with LFTA was the club’s annual beach bonfire, where members share stories and celebrate graduating seniors. Andrade-Mayen said the social is an opportunity for them to reminisce on both the work they’ve done throughout the year and the connections they made. "It’s even more important to do these plays and to write these films because the way to gain empathy from those is to have others join in the experience – to feel the feelings, to feel the heartbreak, to feel just the dread," Hidalgo said. "It reminds them that people are actually living it."””

UCLA club

builds the future of beauty leaders BY JESSICA LI LE GUAN TESY OF NICO PHOTOS COUR PEYTON CHO DESIGNED BY

rom products to business, members of Aurum Cosmetics know beauty is more than skin deep. Founded in 2022, UCLA Aurum Cosmetics serves as a social and professional development space for beauty industry aspirants and casual beauty enthusiasts alike. The chapter organizes guest speaker events, brand collaborations and networking opportunities with companies such as L’Oréal and e.l.f. Aurum Cosmetics is the only student organization on campus that offers exposure to all beauty-related career paths, said incoming club president Nicole Guan. "The beauty industry is open to anyone who can be interested in it," said Guan, a rising fourth-year chemical engineering student. "The members that come into our organization and the members that join my executive board – we’re so diverse that we can hopefully be a reflection of what the beauty industry can look like down the line as we’re building the next generation of beauty leaders."

Aurum Cosmetics comprises about 50 to 60 active members and aims to meet weekly, Guan said. She added that its Spring Into Beauty event, which she spearheaded spring quarter, was UCLA’s first beauty-centered networking event that introduced students to over 15 professionals from the beauty industry, including cosmetic scientist Rebecca Gadberry, who has formulated thousands of beauty products. Incoming vice president of external outreach and rising fourth-year economics student Bhavya Batra said other events unique to Aurum include its tour of L’Oréal’s West Coast headquarters, its Black Voices in Beauty speaker panel and its Ulta Beauty scavenger hunt. Batra said the club’s diverse range of industry panels helps students build meaningful connections that outlast their four years at UCLA. She added that Aurum Cosmetics emphasizes one-on-one conversations at its networking events rather than centring on resume reviews. Jasmine Floro, the organization’s incoming internal vice president, said she enjoys the club’s formulation workshops, where members can create custom lip glosses. New members are typically enamored by the abundance of freebies the club receives from brands like NYX and Drunk Elephant, the rising third-year biochemistry student said. Floro added that she felt pride witnessing the club’s membership increase threefold since her first year as a member. While she initially joined Aurum Cosmetics to meet new people, Floro said the club encourages students to consider the beauty

“Cosmetics isn’t a very traditional path for chemical engineers.”

industry as a potential career path. "Cosmetics isn’t a very traditional path for chemical engineers," Guan said. "I had acne, and I was really fascinated about the science behind the products I was using in my skincare and how it could help people alleviate their acne while also making them feel more confident. And I realized that there is a role for chemical engineers in the beauty space." Floro said her interest in beauty stemmed from the dolls and makeup kits she had growing up, eventually merging with her love of science through Aurum Cosmetics. Batra said watching her mother’s makeup routine for work and taking monthly Sephora trips with her family sparked her passion for discovering new products. "When I see it from a business perspective, the beauty industry is growing at a massive scale," Batra said. "There are so many different products, which are so supportive to every skin type, every problem that you’re currently facing." As social media influencers and consumer culture continue to shape beauty standards, Floro said she plans for the club to highlight mental health awareness in relation to beauty. She said as a longtime beauty enthusiast, she has experienced how social media can damage self-esteem through comparison. "Sometimes I can feel really confident, and makeup is a means of self-expression and a means of empowerment," Floro said. "But sometimes if you get caught up in what everyone else is doing, or all the trends, it can be very damaging." Batra said one of Aurum Cosmetics’ major goals is to create a supportive, collaborative and diverse community for students, regardless of their background and major. Guan said

she looks forward to organizing more events that represent the beauty industry’s cultural diversity, particularly as consumers gain access to makeup and skincare products from communities around the globe. Batra said she has felt empowered at Aurum Cosmetics’ events as an international student from India. The diversity of professionals and enthusiasts has made her feel connected to the beauty world at large, she added. "I’ve become more confident in how I present my views because of how open the industry is, how open our club is and how diverse it is," Batra said. "The different opportunities that you can pursue in the beauty industry are amazing to see, and in that sense, I feel like I have expanded professionally the way I think."

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UCLA alumnus channels

Hannah Montana in debut EP M

oriah Contreras is embracing the emotional journey toward adulthood. The music industry alumnus graduated in June and will release her debut EP "Extra Ordinary" this year. Born from her senior capstone project, the EP draws inspiration from the Disney Channel pop star persona Hannah Montana, Contreras said. She added that Hannah Montana’s affirmative lyrics encouraged her to pursue music. Featuring four to five original songs and a cover, the EP blends feelings about growing up and creativity with an indie pop sound and folk-adjacent elements influenced by artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Laufey, she said. "I was just feeling a lot of contradicting feelings, like feelings of imposter syndrome and trying to do adulting ... just all of these things that were on my mind the past few years," Contreras said. "It’s really introspective and kind of like a diary entry

of everything that I’ve been thinking about lately." Contreras said she took voice lessons when she was younger and studied music technology in her second year of community college before transferring to UCLA. Passionate about live music and TV’s relationship with the music industry, the singer-songwriter said she first looked into pursuing music supervision or working on live tours when planning for college. However, a dream of attending music school sharpened her focus on her artistry, and Contreras said she felt pushed toward songwriting. With "Extra Ordinary" as her senior capstone, Contreras said she spent her last year at UCLA shaping the EP. Originally, she said she planned to write, record, mix and master the project herself, but she realized the scope was too much for a single person given the limited time. Learning to ask for help, she said she collaborated with others who were able to bring her vision

to life while refining her sound. Contreras’ friend, co-writer and producer Clarissa Santos said she first joined Contreras’ project as a way to reconnect with the alumnus since their time together at Rio Hondo College. Santos said working with Contreras on multiple projects has allowed her to observe Contreras’ relationship with songwriting, which has inspired Santos to be less judgmental of her own work. She said she looks forward to working with Contreras more and to the two helping each other grow as artists. "She was a huge, necessary reminder for me to continue to step out of my shell and to not be so rigid and to allow myself to have fluid and movement in anything that I do in my personal projects," Santos said. "She’s always had that in her, and I’ve only seen that part of her strengthen over time at UCLA." The alumnus said she worked on the EP, writing and recording over two months, at the recording center in UCLA’s Evelyn and Mo Ostin Music Center. While she initially intended to arrive at the studio with demos already made, as this was her first time working in a studio, she said the project’s fast-paced nature forced her to start the recording process right away. Contreras said her creative process usually begins with writing by herself in her room, followed by showing her work to friends and collaborators. In the case of "Extra Ordinary," she added that those friends helped her shape the sound and overall aesthetic of the EP, with some becoming part of her band,

assisting in production and even working as stylists. Her artistry, she said, is spontaneous, often making her stop whatever she is doing to write ideas down. Contreras said her songs are first shaped as she writes lyrics – often in a poetrylike style she eventually soundtracks. Co-writer and band member Amelia Nelson said Contreras’ lyrics never feel overly metaphorical or pretentious but tend to be honest and straightforward, making them more impactful. The music industry alumnus said working with Contreras has inspired her to develop a creative identity, something that – as a bass player, she finds more rare in "background" musicians. "It’s one thing to have creativity and talent, and it’s another thing to have that and combine it with organization and with perseverance and trying to consistently get things done," Nelson said. At UCLA, Contreras said she was able to learn about the process of releasing music beyond the creative side. She added that her professors, who she said were her most important resource on campus, helped her understand the logistics of becoming an artist, from legal coverage to monetizing her work. She also said the school has multiple resources that aided her growth as an artist, such as access to often-expensive mixing equipment and courses on how to use that equipment. She said highlighted UCLA’s De Neve Learning Centers, which have music, sound and production equipment, resources she said she wished she had had more time to take advantage of. Now graduated, Contreras said she hopes to continue growing her platform after releasing her EP. Having interned at the independent music publisher APG, she said she wants to continue pursuing sync licensing and deepen her connection to the field within the industry. "My best piece of advice is to just give yourself grace and give yourself the opportunity to learn and be a beginner at something," Contreras said. "For me that was kind of scary – to be new and kind of bad at music or bad at playing guitar ... just beginner, and that’s fine, and that’s a starting point that you can grow off of."

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UCLA GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE FILLED WITH MORE THAN JUST THE GAME BY KATE BERGFELD ILLUSTRATED BY QUAKE QUINTANA PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANDREW RAMIRO DIAZ DESIGNED BY EL YANG

The roar of the crowd. The sounds of the band echoing throughout the stadium, providing a background track for the dancers and cheerleaders on the sidelines. Thousands of students crowd together, creating a sea of blue and gold, leaning anxiously over the barrier as helmets clash and the leather ball rises before dropping into the waiting hands of a Bruin receiver in the end zone. Commotion. UCLA football is less than a month away from its home opener against San Diego State. But gameday starts way before kickoff. The Bruins play home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, which means for students living on or near campus, a commute of at least 30 minutes is required to reach the festivities. UCLA offers a Rooter Bus, where students can purchase a ticket to secure their ride to and from the game, with the earliest buses leaving from campus three hours before kickoff. Upon reaching the Rose Bowl, swarms of Bruin faithful set up around the stadium. Clubs and organizations often set up tents for tailgating, with plenty of games, food and music ready to set the stage. Walking through the parking lot and surrounding grass, fans are immersed in a high-energy atmosphere with pom-poms, banners and flags decorating pop-up tents and truck beds.

But football season is for more than just the students. While the seating behind the field goal and end zone is typically packed with current Bruins, the surrounding areas are made up of sections dedicated to families, season-ticket holders and alumni. "We were in the family section," said Jason Vo, a rising third-year civil engineering major. "It was a really nice experience where you see alumni and their kids and all these happy families celebrating every play." Alumni often continue to represent their alma mater, with special appearances from the alumni band or graduation classes of the dance and cheer teams. But the abundance of speakers and eight-clap cheers isn’t the only musical background throughout the day. The UCLA Marching Band, known as the "Solid Gold Sound," is made up of over 250 students. Brass, woodwinds, drumline and color guard create the ensemble that performs on the field before the game and during the half. "When I got here, I saw the already-present school spirit within the student section and all the traditions that we have," said Rylan Post, a rising second-year biology student and a member of UCLA’s marching band. "And I knew being in the band is going to help me maximize this and boost the school spirit that’s already there."

The band welcomes the team into the stadium before they warm up. Then, they march out to begin the festivities in the stadium with a pre-game show. They continue to play in the stands throughout the match, with sections of "Crazy in Love" and "California Love" echoing in the Rose Bowl to continue energizing fans. At halftime, the Solid Gold Sound descends the stands for a themed show featuring a collection of songs before returning to the stands once more. "Whether you’re spirit squad, whether you’re part of the Den, or just a general member of the student section, it’s such a uniting experience that makes you feel all the more passionate for your school," Post said. With the band, UCLA has a sole baton twirler. Former Bruin Oliva Pacheco, decked out in a gold, rhinestoned uniform, twirled alongside the band for the past three seasons. Now, the baton will be passed down to someone new to represent UCLA on the field. Throughout the game, the UCLA Spirit Squad – made up of cheerleaders, dancers and the Joe and Josie Bruin mascots – surrounds the edges of the field. Joe and Josie often roam in front of the crowd, pausing for pictures with fans or a jumbotron appearance. The cheerleaders and dancers split, with a group going to the sideline on either side of each end zone. "The Rose Bowl is a historic stadium, and so having these people add to that environment, whether it’s the cheerleaders or the Bruin mascots walking around, it all adds to the experience, Vo said. "It hypes you up, gets you engaged, keeps you rooting for your team when there might be a lull in the game itself. The energy might still be coming from the cheerleaders or the band putting on a great performance." Often the cheerleaders and dancers will have short, quick routines while on the sideline. During larger pauses in the game, such as between quarters or during a TV timeout, they will perform longer numbers in the end zone. About to enter their fourth season, the Elegant Bruinettes stand tall on the turf of the Rose Bowl, performing dance-

“It’s a great experience. ... Just make the most of it by letting yourself live in the moment” line – a style of dance that originated at historically Black colleges and universities. They take part in the pregame show before lining up in a section of the stands to continue dancing. Every moment of the day brings something new, and everyone in attendance brings their full energy. "Feeling the roar of the crowd at the Rose Bowl ... being a part of that iconic UCLA energy," said rising-senior Kaelani Keese in a UCLA Spirit Squad Instagram caption. "I’ve dreamed of performing at major college games, and now I get to live that dream at one of the most spirited campuses in the country." Game days are more than just football. They bring together communities, highlight a multitude of Bruin talents and offer a chance for alumni and current students to share their Bruin pride. And no matter the outcome, the day isn’t one to miss. "Show out with UCLA merch," Vo said. "It’s a great experience. ... Just make the most of it by letting yourself live in the moment."

UCLA sports adapts to and dominates the Big Ten in first two seasons

conference titles that UCLA Athletics would capture that year. BY BADRI VISWANATHAN UCLA men’s soccer took one additional season to reach the AND SINCLAIR RICHMAN top of Big Ten play. PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRIANNA Coach Ryan Jorden’s squad posted a 3-4-3 conference record CARLSON, KAI DIZON AND ZIMO LI and fell in the Big Ten tournament semifinals to Michigan in DESIGNED BY AVA JOHNSON 2024. But in 2025, the team improved to 5-3-2 in conference AND ARMAAN DHILLON play. It defeated Maryland 2-0 in the Big Ten tournament

n 2024, UCLA Athletics left the Pac-12 after 96 years of competition. Most programs moved to the Big Ten, with some sports that did not compete in the new conference playing in the MPSF. There were doubts about how the programs would transfer over, but those doubts no longer remain. In the two seasons since departing from the Pac-12, UCLA teams have combined for 11 conference tournament titles and four national championships. Big Ten dominance Upon joining the conference ahead of the 2024-25 year, every squad was thrown into the fire. Yet the Bruins did not falter in their transition to the Big Ten. UCLA women’s soccer took home Westwood’s first-ever Big Ten tournament championship just months after beginning competition in the new conference. The squad took down former Pac-12 foe Washington in the semifinals before a dominant 5-0 victory against Rutgers in the championship match, securing the first of five

semifinals before exacting revenge on Michigan 5-0 to secure the tournament title. But for some teams, there was no learning curve when joining the Big Ten. UCLA women’s basketball amassed a 33-2 conference record in its first two seasons in the Big Ten, including an undefeated 18-0 2025-26 season. The squad secured its first trophy by taking down crosstown rival USC in the conference championship game after falling to the Trojans twice in the regular season. In addition to being the first conference tournament title for the program since 2006, the 2025 title helped the squad secure its first No. 1-overall seed for March Madness in program history. In its second season in the Big Ten, coach Cori Close’s squad reached dominance in the Big Ten tournament, winning its three games by a combined point differential of 79. To punctuate their second conference campaign, the Bruins trounced Iowa by 51 points. Led by Olympic medalist and former Bruin Jordan Chiles, UCLA gymnastics also claimed its spot atop the Big Ten mountain in consecutive seasons. At the 2025 Big Ten championships, coach Janelle McDonald’s squad posted a meet-winning score of 198.450. The following season, the squad again paced the conference at the Big Ten championships with a 198.100 en route to back-to-back titles. Far from indoor mats, the Bruins also dominated on the golf course.

Coach Armen Kirakossian’s men’s golf squad secured backto-back Big Ten championships and first-place finishes, posting scores of +2, 842 and -8, 832 in 2025 and 2026, respectively. And for UCLA men’s tennis, the transition to Big Ten play was seamless. After a 2-6 start to the 2025 season, coach Billy Martin’s squad began conference play on a six-match winning streak that included five sweeps and a 30-1 cumulative score. But despite the early dominance, Martin said the transition had its challenges. "It was a real learning curve for me, too,"”Martin said. "That many years in the Pac-12, going to the same schools, knowing the hotels I wanted the guys to stay in, the restaurants we want to eat. Everything was new. There were a lot of those campuses I had never been to."” But the Bruins continued their winning ways. Led by thenredshirt sophomore Emon van Loben Sels and then-freshmen Rudy Quan and Kaylan Bigun, Martin’s squad finished the season 11-2 in conference play despite missing 2024 Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year and All-American Spencer Johnson for much of the season. And on April 27, 2025, the squad downed No. 1 seed Ohio State 4-3 to win its first Big Ten tournament, with van Loben Sels winning Most Outstanding Player. "We played an incredible match in the finals to upset them,"” Martin said. "That was probably as satisfying a win in my career."” The Bruins also dominated at the ballpark after their conference switch. After finishing as the runner-up to Nebraska in the 2025 Big Ten Tournament, UCLA went the distance in 2026. Then-junior first baseman Mulivai Levu played hero, blasting walk-off hits in both the quarterfinal and semifinal games. And the squad that went a historic wire-to-wire as the consensus No. 1 for all of the 2026 regular season downed No. 3 seed Oregon in 11 innings to win its first conference championship in program history. UCLA baseball’s 2026 iteration was loaded with talent – 10 Bruins were selected in the 2026 MLB Draft. But while it seemed inevitable all season long, UCLA baseball capturing the conference crown was an unprecedented feat – the squad had never won a

conference title in the Pac-12. MPSF play For three sports, conference play was not impacted. Men’s volleyball and men’s and women’s water polo did not play in the Pac-12, but were already competing in the MPSF. But beach volleyball was a program that did have to make the move from Pac-12 play to MPSF play. UCLA was one of seven teams to make the move to the MPSF, including USC, with the crosstown rivals being two of three programs to have ever won the national championship. With additional Pac-12 schools also joining the MPSF, there was not a large shift in the Bruins’ schedule. "It honestly wasn’t much of a transition at all – it’s a lot of the same teams," said beach volleyball coach Jenny Johnson Jordan. "We’re in charge of our schedule, so we can schedule whoever we want outside of our conference obligations that we do. But really, they’re not obligations at all. We have a strong conference, and it helps prepare us for any and everything that we do competition-

wise as the season goes on."” Despite the lack of change competition-wise, the media rights revenue alone doubled the amount of media rights revenue given by the Pac-12. "When our department benefits, our program benefits as well," Jordan said. "For us, we got a lot of increases in terms of making fueling a huge priority." Although the program has yet to capture the MPSF title – falling in the semifinals in 2025 and in the championship match in the 2026 season – the transition could end up paying off in the future. Despite three of the Bruins’ four national championships in the past two seasons coming from MPSF squads, only one MPSF title has been taken home by the four non-Big Ten teams. UCLA’s team with the most national championships captured the 2026 MPSF men’s volleyball tournament title after a conference season with just one dropped match. The squad started the season with its best start since 1984, going 20-0 with 14 of those wins being sweeps. And although the Bruins were upset early in the NCAA tournament, this MPSF victory – alongside their 21 national titles – showcased the continued dominance of the men’s volleyball program out of Westwood. National championships UCLA athletics holds the second-most NCAA championships in the country, boasting 127 – a mark that is bested only by Stanford’s 139. And with four of those national championships being won in the past two years, the Bruins show no intention of slowing down. The first two in this span came from men’s water polo’s back-to-back rings in 2024 and 2025. After dropping the MPSF championship match to USC both years, coach Adam Wright’s squad was able to conquer the crosstown rivals when it mattered most – the national championship games. Nabbing its 13th and 14th titles, the program took its place as third in national championships at UCLA, behind only men’s volleyball and men’s tennis. But success at the new conference’s big stage did not come immediately for all Bruin

squads. The women’s basketball team was able to finish the job a year after joining the conference. After a regular season with one loss and an undefeated Big Ten record, the 2025-26 Bruins entered March Madness as a No. 1 seed and the second-highest overall seed. A revenge win against Texas – the only squad to defeat coach Cori Close’s group throughout the regular season – in the Final Four sent UCLA to its first national championship in the March Madness era. The dominant 79-51 victory over South Carolina gave the team its first-ever national championship in the March Madness era. This title was also the only one from the past two years to be from a Bruin team competing in the Big Ten. And the Bruins kept pushing. Jordan’s beach volleyball team entered the 2026 NCAA tournament as the No. 3 overall seed and upset No. 2 overall seed Texas in the semifinals before downing No. 1 overall seed Stanford in sweeping fashion for the championship. "UCLA is equivalent to family for me, and that’s because of the people that have gone in and out of those doors, and on and off of those courts," Jordan said. "They’ve made it what it is for me, and so being able to win a championship, nothing would be more special than that." The Bruins’ victory secured the third NCAA national championship in program history and made the 2025-26 athletic season the first time since the 2017-18 season that three teams donning the blue and gold won at the highest level. A national title in the 2026-27 year would make five straight seasons with at least one NCAA national championship for UCLA Athletics. The success of one team carries over into other squads across Westwood, and the consistency of the Bruins through the Big Ten and the MPSF should help them see even more success in the coming years.

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UCLA athletes and coaches prepare for LA 2028 Olympic Games BY STEVEN CHAPARYAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY HOLDEN YUNG PHOTOGRAPHED BY ZIMO LI DESIGNED BY EL YANG

hen it comes to the big stage, Bruins are no strangers. But representing an entire nation doesn’t come without intense preparation. Two years out from the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, UCLA athletes and coaches across eras of Westwood history are gearing up to showcase their skills to the world. Forty-nine Bruins competed in the 2024 games in Paris, gathering 14 medals across seven different sports. With UCLA racking up a total of 284 Olympic medals, 2028 will be another opportunity to bolster the historic Bruin legacy. Miles Partain, who played for the UCLA men’s volleyball for three years, stepped away from the team in 2023 to pursue a spot on the United States Olympic Beach Volleyball Team and eventually earned a place as one of those 49 Bruins at the Paris games. Partain made this Olympic debut at 22 years old, becoming the youngest U.S. beach volleyball player in Olympic history. For the Pacific Palisades local, playing at the Olympic level took some adjusting to. "I’ve heard people play at 80% or 70% as well as they typically can at the Olympics because the pressure is higher," Partain said. "It’s the biggest part of our sport, and there are a lot more eyeballs." While Partain and his partner, Andrew Benesh, tied for fifth and failed to medal in 2024, Partain now has his sights set on the LA Olympics. And preparation begins before even stepping foot on the sand. For the former MPSF Player of the Year and AVCA First Team All-American, getting his body and movements in shape is the first step toward an elite Olympic performance. "I have to get the right people around me, especially from a biomechanics and training perspective," Partain said. ‘If I can improve my physical qualities, like my vertical jump, I think I

could make (the Olympics). But of course, those things need to be in place." Several of Partain’s fellow UCLA men’s volleyball alumni – including a few of his former teammates – recently competed with the indoor U.S. squad at the 2026 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League and could be eyeing roster spots for the LA Olympics. Former UCLA setter Micah Maʻa, who produced some notable performances at the 2026 VNL, was part of the bronze medalearning U.S. men’s volleyball team at the Paris Olympics. Maʻa set the UCLA single-season record with 67 aces in his final year with the program in 2019 and now has another shot at representing his country on the big stage. Playing alongside Ma’a at the VNL were former Bruins middle blocker Merrick McHenry and outside hitters Ethan Champlin and Cooper Robinson. Champlin, a three-time AVCA First Team All-American while in Westwood, raked in a total of 27 kills and 17 digs across the Americans’ first three matches of the tournament. McHenry added to the offensive production, posting 18 kills across a four-match stretch. Robinson, on the other hand, played a more limited role throughout the tournament. With none of the three competing for the U.S. at the Paris games, they will now have a shot at making their Olympic Games debuts in 2028. The current Team USA volleyball roster also features athletes less removed from their careers in Westwood. Former Bruin setter Andrew Rowan, outside hitter Zach Rama and middle blocker Cameron Thorne – who all played their final season at UCLA in 2026 – could also move up the ranks with the national team to potentially see action in two years. U.S. men’s water polo has experienced a similar roster shake-up, now boasting more Bruin representation than it did at the Paris Olympics. The national squad features eight Bruins

– past and present – who will compete to make the final cut for 2028. The group most recently competed in a monthlong exhibition series against three opposing nations, which concluded July 12. Taking to the pool during the seven-match showcase were former Bruin attackers Chase Dodd, Nicolas Saveljic and Max Irving and utility Jack Larsen. All of them were national champions during their time in Westwood and will now compete to bring that glory to the American side. And four more current Bruins have earned spots on the national team. Senior utility Ben Liechty, as well as juniors attacker Ryder Dodd and utilities Peter Castillo and Bode Brinkema, will join the pursuit of representing the red, white and blue in 2028. Yet it isn’t just experienced Bruins looking to the LA Games but also up-and-coming stars. That is the case for Zoey Molomo, who will join UCLA gymnastics for the 2027 season. At just 15 years old, Molomo made her senior national team debut for the U.S. at the 2024 Winter Cup and could not have been prouder to represent her country. "It means everything to me," Molomo said. "It’s probably one of the greatest honors I’ll ever have in my life. Putting on your Team USA jacket and going out there, it’s so special. You realize that you’re coming together for something way bigger than yourself, and you’re supporting something so much greater than you." The Plano, Texas, local most recently put on a show at the 2026 American Classic. She achieved an all-around total of 52.700 and earned the second-highest scores of the meet on the vault and floor exercises, finishing third on uneven bars and sixth on balance beam. While she may have to become acquainted with Westwood before focusing on the Olympics, Molomo still has the goal of making the games. "I have to, right?" Molomo said when asked about whether she is looking to compete in 2028. "It’s in our backyard. I want to take everything one at a time and pace myself, but ultimately, that would be incredible to make a run and go as far as I can." Molomo narrowly missed the opportunity to be UCLA teammates with 2026 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year and 23time All-American Jordan Chiles, but the two could don Team USA jackets together in LA should Chiles compete in her third Olympic Games. In her senior season with the Bruins, Chiles won her second career NCAA floor exercise title and her fourth NCAA title overall, posting a 9.9750 at the NCAA championships. The Houston local led Team USA to a team silver medal at the 2020 Olympics before earning Olympic team gold and floor bronze in 2024. While Chiles was initially stripped of her Paris bronze because of an alleged late judging inquiry, her case was reopened earlier this year for the Court of Arbitration for Sport to reexamine its decision. While she has not made a decision yet regarding her participation in the LA Games, Chiles is still holding the door open for a possible Olympic return, according to Forbes. And Bruin coaches are just as decorated at the Olympic level. Jenny Johnson Jordan recently completed her third season as head coach of UCLA beach volleyball, having been with the team for 10 years prior to taking the lead. Under her guidance, the Bruins won their third national championship in

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2026 after a sweep of No. 1 seed Stanford in the title match. Similar to Partain, Johnson Jordan took to the beach after her collegiate career with UCLA women’s volleyball, displaying her skills at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. Johnson Jordan placed fifth in beach volleyball at the games alongside her partnerformer Bruin Annett Davis. She was also an alternate at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, and it was in that year that she and Davis became the second team in the world to compete in 100 events together. "Beach volleyball is a very athlete-driven sport at the pro level," said Johnson Jordan. "When Annett and I qualified, we were basically our own bosses. We’re hiring our own coaches, and we’re deciding when we’re going to train. The Olympic experience is more similar to the high school experience, where you can play in whatever tournaments you want with whatever partners you want." Abby Van Winkle and Lexy Denaburg, two former Bruins whose collegiate careers came to an end in 2023, were beneficiaries of Johnson Jordan’s coaching during their time in Westwood. The two are currently part of the U.S. beach volleyball squad and could represent the nation in two years. And while Johnson Jordan is not currently coaching at the national level, several Olympic coaching staffs in 2028 will feature some of Westwood’s finest. Both the U.S. men’s and women’s volleyball squads have Bruins at the helm. Erik Sullivan, who won two national championships with UCLA men’s volleyball in 1993 and 1995, was named the head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2025. He will have Brandon Taliaferro, who was a standout setter with UCLA men’s volleyball from 1996-2000 before returning to join the program’s staff, as an assistant coach. Sullivan succeeded former head coach Karch Kiraly, who guided the squad to three Olympic medals and a World Championship title during his tenure. Kiraly – another UCLA men’s volleyball alumnus – won three titles of his own from 1979-82 and is now the head honcho of the U.S. Men’s National Team. Joining the two at the LA Games will be Adam Krikorian, who has served as head coach of the U.S. women’s water polo team since 2009. Krikorian captained the UCLA men’s water polo team in his final year with the group in 1995, helping capture the program’s first national title in 23 years. During his time with the women’s national team so far, Krikorian has led the squad to three Olympic gold medals and six World Aquatics Championships titles. Whether on the playing or the coaching side, the LA Games will have no shortage of Bruin representation. "It’s so exciting that campus is going to be buzzing with Olympic athletes and that’s going to be their home," Johnson Jordan said. "We’re going to get exposure to all these really cool experiences and events that, as a city and a campus, we haven’t had since 1984. I’m looking forward to watching all the Bruins that make Olympic teams get the opportunity to compete.

Gallery:

Indisposable Stories 2026

DESIGNED BY KARINA ARONSON What a Daily Bruin staffer shoots during the school year is often determined, at least in part, by someone else – like a writer whose article needs art, or an editor who needs an event photographed. But with summer in full swing, our photojournalists had the opportunity to document and share whatever they were already doing. Daily Bruin Photo previously produced an annual “Disposable Stories” gallery by outfitting photojournalists with disposable cameras over spring break. The Bruin last published it in 2024. In the same spirit, staffers shared photos from their summer break – taken with whatever camera they had at their disposal.

Chenrui Zhang/Daily Bruin staff Clouds roll across the ridges of Los Padres National Forest. I backpacked through the wilderness near Ojai, California, and witnessed a spectacular sea of clouds.

Leydi Cris Cobo Cordon/Daily Bruin senior staff Fireworks reveal the silhouette of a palm tree near Marina del Rey. Despite the grandeur of the scene, my eye is drawn to a small yellow burst. The closer you look, the more colors are revealed.

William Gauvin/Daily Bruin staff In the Dutch countryside, a windmill rotates beside a canal as a cyclist clad in orange rides by. During a recent trip to Amsterdam, I rented a road bike and cycled over 95 miles throughout the Netherlands, riding along the coast and through quaint towns.

Amelia Chief/Daily Bruin senior staff Early morning clouds sit above Kiyomizudera – a Buddhist temple and one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. The city’s buildings, including Kyoto Tower, are visible behind a landscape of maple and cherry trees.

Ruby Galbraith/Daily Bruin staff Karla Cardenas-Felipe/Daily Bruin staff People in Rome walk the streets at night. The more time I spend in Europe, the more I understand why so many choose to beat the summer heat by staying indoors until the sun sets.

Bettina Wu/Daily Bruin senior staff Pharty the Party Animal places his banana crown on Oregon Ducks mascot Puddles’ head during the Savannah Bananas and Party Animals’ first game at a soldout Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

A phone booth in Hanalei, Hawaii, is covered with stickers.

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THE EVOLUTION OF SPRING SING BY JULIETTE REGIER | PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAILY BRUIN STAFF DESIGNED BY CRYSTAL TOMPKINS

hen Katie Boeck was in high school, she was moved by an online performance of UCLA alumnus and singer Sara Bareilles – so much so that she reached out to her on MySpace. Boeck would be attending UCLA in the fall, and coincidentally, Bareilles had gone there too. Being Bruins was not the only thing they had in common – Boeck was a singer-songwriter herself. Later that year, in the cold air of the Los Angeles Tennis Center, Boeck waited in the wings of the Spring Sing stage with hand warmers in her fists. She was minutes away from performing her original song "Colorblind" to thousands of members of the UCLA student body. Boeck would go on to win the 2007 Spring Sing. She won her second year performing to students at the LATC as well. But for her third year in the contest, the event was relocated to Pauley Pavilion – a venue with an almost 3,200-capacity increase. From the inaugural event in Royce Hall in 1945 to the Hollywood Bowl in the ‘50s to the many locations where students have come together to share their work with the world, the culture surrounding one of UCLA’s longest-standing traditions has evolved. Even in years when the event lacked a physical venue, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, the performance has prevailed. Budget cuts to the Student Alumni Association – which orchestrates every step of the event – have moved the event back to its birthplace of Royce Hall, said Shirin Dunker, director of 2026 Spring Sing. However, alumni and students involved in the tradition throughout the years do not see the change in venue as a negative but rather a natural evolution of a decades-long tradition. Boeck had first tried out for the acapella group Awaken after hearing classmates speak about the competitive process. She didn’t get in. Instead of giving up, she frequently found herself practicing piano in Dykstra Hall. Songwriting became her way to process the world around her, and when Spring Sing rolled around just two quarters after

Awaken had turned her away, she said she knew she had to audition – it was her only chance to perform that year, after all. A few months later, she found herself on the stage at the LATC. But Boeck’s last time performing at the LATC – for her second Spring Sing – wasn’t the last time students took its stage for the signature event. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue became part of the modern Spring Sing tradition. Alumnus Kayla Samuels, who was Spring Sing director in 2019, believes many benefits stem from allowing Spring Sing to continue changing over time. "Spring Sing and SAA as a whole were adaptable and had to do it outside. But I love that they’re taking a step to have the ability to have more people, if that’s possible, because why not make it a community event?" Samuels said.

“

Why not make it a space where all of Los Angeles wants to come, but also to have another iteration of envisioning what else it could feel like?

“

Jon Augustine, winner of the UCLA Mortar Board Award for Best Solo in the 1991 Spring Sing, gave his performance at the LATC, a space which has hosted many highly ranked tennis players over the years. Walking by the tennis center is an everyday experience for many UCLA students, Augustine said. Shaping it into an amphitheater transformed the space so it felt "electric" and even intimate – despite the venue’s 8,100-person capacity – the night he won, he said. The lighting created an especially warm atmosphere at the LATC. 2023 Spring Sing director and alumnus Laura de Beer spent much of the night of their event worried about a slight drizzle over the tennis stadium and pinning the stage down for safety. Rather than blowing the stage or any of its equipment away – a genuine concern of organizers that evening – the drizzle added to the atmosphere. "Someone was doing a solo, and the lights were kind of dim, and I was just looking out at the audience instead of looking at the stage," de Beer said. "Everyone just looked so entranced in the moment, and that was something that really stuck with me." But in Pauley Pavilion, Samuels explained how the athletic environment translated into a venue for performances by the creation of an indoor concert environment. "I love outdoor venues more than the next person when it comes to concerts and live music," Samuels said. "But there’s something really unbelievably earthshattering about being in a building where people are just shrieking in joy and excitement for things that are so specifically UCLA." Samuels held the performance in

Pauley Pavilion. After the show ended, the entire team stayed to break down the stage. In their little bubble, Pauley Pavilion became a place where sports and art events blended together, creating an atmosphere where the sounds reverberated off the walls in all directions. “Traditions can change, and they should change with the times and with what’s realistic,” Samuels said. But not every Spring Sing has had a physical venue. The 2020 and 2021 Spring Sing events were online. During de Beer’s freshman year, she had worked on the Spring Sing committee online. When it was time for the performance, de Beer had flown in from London, where she was living at the time, to join the rest of her peers in a watch party of the performances. While this was the first time she was meeting so many people on the committee, it was a way to celebrate all the work that had gone into the preparation. De Beer said students who had experienced events such as Spring Sing or Dance Marathon exposed the events to

hadn’t attended them yet. She noticed the excitement of those who were experiencing those events for the first time and how special passing along the traditions to them was. "My hope is that this is a tradition that can withstand cultural shifts, and it’s really just about empowering students and letting students have a space to speak up and show their craft," de Beer said. Boeck said Spring Sing was about the moments of togetherness that a performance brings. Regardless of the venue, Boeck said it is an opportunity for the student body to share their creativity and artistry in a world where people are becoming more and more divided. As a professional musician now, Boeck performed a high number of cover songs within the year to be able to play her own original music at a festival. Spring Sing allowed her and other UCLA students to play those original songs. "It’s a privilege, really, to have a stage that big to share your original music on," Boeck said. Spring Sing gives the performers an opportunity – not only to share their songs but also to build their credibility as artists. De Beer said that many of the performers can use Spring Sing as a platform for their music. Oftentimes, there are talent agencies in the audience, ready to give opportunities to students. After Augustine’s Spring Sing performance, a talent scout approached him and asked Augustine if he was interested in going on a show called "Star Search." The talent scout said Augustine was the kind of talent they were looking for. While the LATC and Pauley Pavilion each had their own benefits and limitations, Boeck did not recall feeling particularly drawn to one venue over the other and focused more importantly on how the performance moved the audience and performers. The excitement surrounding Spring Sing has not dissipated. At the 2025 Spring Sing, director Jaden Oquendo recalls peeking through the curtain on the night of the performance and seeing the crowd with their flashlights and excited faces engaging with the performance.

In 2026, for the first time since 1947, Spring Sing was held in Royce Hall. Dunker said switching the location this year built new excitement for the event. "If they’ve been in the past three years, they’ve seen the tennis courts," Dunker said. "But now maybe this is something new, and then in the future, if they change it again, it’ll be a new experience, new kind of culture and vibe to the show in general – that allows us to keep things creative for something that’s just been around for so many years." While the seating has decreased from approximately 8,100 at the LATC to 1,800 in Royce, those involved in Spring Sing are looking to the future of what the event might hold. Oquendo said many of the performers are already comfortable with performing in Royce since it is a venue that the performing arts departments use frequently. Physically, the building is central to campus, and students are already familiar with it. De Beer said Royce is already a performance venue, and there would be no effort needed to convert the space into a stage. Royce Hall also alleviates the LATC’s concern about the weather, making it a predictable venue. Dunker added that Royce is an elevated and exclusive experience, allowing for a more intimate feeling for the audience. While Samuels wants to see Spring Sing return to Pauley Pavilion, she explains it is understandable because her years of experiencing Spring Sing occurred there. Her longing for the nostalgia of what she remembers of her Spring Sing is normal. However, it is important to revitalize the traditions of Spring Sing, Samuels said. "I don’t know if anything’s lost by going to Royce, as much as what it’s gained by creating a new iteration of a tradition," Samuels said.

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ith more than 33,000 undergraduates at UCLA, many Bruins look for their home away from home in clubs and organizations. UCLA’s hundreds of organizations, however, can make the university seem even more intimidating. But several organizations, often known to students as UCLA’s "campus cults" – such as the Student Alumni Association – are a place to find the community Bruins may be looking for, members said. Charley Nunley, an economics and political science alumnus and former SAA director of member experience, said she appreciates how SAA – which hosts campus traditions like the Beat ‘SC rally and Dinners for 12 Strangers – brings people together from different parts of campus, rather than focusing on one field of study or professional aspiration. “"We want to see your personality," she said. "We want to see how you work."” "Overlapping membership is common among the organizations," Sarah Borton said. Sarah Borton, an alumnus and former member of Campus Tours and the UCLA Club Ski and Snowboard Team, said five clubs, including SAA and the ski team, often hosted parties and other events together. These events offered a pathway to becoming a member of more than one of the organizations, said Borton, the 202223 Club Ski and Snowboard president. Some of the other organizations included SAA and the Pediatric AIDS Coalition, she added. Kathryn Maffeo, the 2025-26 president of SAA and a UCLA alumnus, said these organizations often carried a significant time commitment. Members are dedicated to their work for the club and the relationships they make within it, she added. “"It’s not just a random club that you join, and you do it on the

side," Nunley said. "A lot of people who join SAA – that becomes their tight-knit group."” Borton said she recently attended a wedding between two members from the Ski and Snowboard Team. She added that she travels to Lake Tahoe annually for a Ski and Snowboard Team reunion. "I was in Joshua Tree with my ski team friends that still live in LA, and every New Year’s, we do a ski trip," she said. "Every time my friends are in town, I say ‘hi.’ A bunch of UCLA alumni up here as well, so it’s awesome having these connections after the fact."” As a transfer student, Abigail Porter said joining Campus Tours helped her acclimate to campus – something she believes would have been more difficult had

she not been in the organization. “"You bond with everyone just because learning an 80-page script of information about UCLA, practicing and going out and doing it so many times – it’s a very steep learning curve, and it’s really hard," Porter said. Much of that community comes from the intensity and the goal-oriented missions of the organizations themselves, Maffeo said. The time commitment required to organize events often brings members closer together, she added. "The exhaustion of working on a large event and staying up super late or making time throughout the week to spend time with your group members, so that way you’re able to put on this event," Maffeo said. "That’s really special."”

“We want to see your personality,” she said.

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Alexandra Crosnoe | Editor in chief Lucine Ekizian | Managing editor Nora Gallagher | Digital managing editor

News

Amanda Velasco | Editor Delilah Brumer, Julian Duaybis, Charlie Hamilton, Nicholas Mouchawar, Alexis Muchnik, Keira Perkin | Assistant editors Caitlin Brockenbrow, Danielle Cho, Alexandra Crosnoe, Reese Dahlgren, Anthony Folsom II, Alisha Hassanali, Phoebe Huss, Maggie Konecky, Leilani Krantz, Natalia Mochernak, Saya Mueller, Josephine Murphy, Shiv Patel, Vivian Stein, Yashila Suresh, Shaun Thomas, Zachary Turcios, Lilly Wellons, Dylan Winward, Patrick Woodham | Staff

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Sara Green | Editor Lilly Leonhardt, Nick Levie | Assistant editors Angelina Alkhouri, Sierra Benayon-Abraham, Bockman Cheung, Tia Jolie Cooper, Ruby Galbraith, Alessandra Kahn, Makenna Kramer, Grecia Linares, Reid Sperisen | Staff

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Natalia Mochernak | Editor Eugenie Chang, Conner Emery, Liam McGlynn, Sarah Soroosh Moghadam, Mridhula Thyagarajan | Staff

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Jeremy Wildman | Business Manager Taylor Eagan | Online and outdoor operations manager Remy Sufrin | Social media operations manager Cassidy Nash | Influencers’ manager Bridget Binderman, Mollie Blatschke, Josetter Bremner, Kaleb Bowler, Lindsey Fitzpatrick, Bailey Holliman, Rory McMahon, Rania Mehta, Rachael Thompson, Camryn Vehlow | Sales Account Executives Maddie Lew, Soleil McKoy | Classifieds Sydney Ken, Stella Paulsen, Ava Santini | Social Media Amaya Antonio | Creative Sofie Hallberg, Rory McMahon | Collections

MIS

Jose Hernandez | Chief technology officer Akhilesh Basetty, Max Fukuhara, Edin Le, Irvin Qi and Florence Zhao | Staff

Advisors

Abigail Goldman | Editorial advisor Doria Deen | Student media director

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Karina Aronson, Peyton Cho, Elise Hu, Ava Johnson, Valenny Nahue, Cara Putterman, Sri Subramania Sharma, Crystal Tompkins, El Yang The Daily Bruin (ISSN 1080-5060) is published and copyrighted by the ASUCLA Communications Board. All rights are reserved. Reprinting of any material in this publication without the written permission of the Communications Board is strictly prohibited. The ASUCLA Communications Board fully supports the University of California’s policy on non-discrimination. The student media reserve the right to reject or modify advertising whose content discriminates on the basis of ancestry, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation. The ASUCLA Communications Board has a media grievance procedure for resolving complaints against any of its publications. For a copy of the complete procedure, contact the publications office at 118 Kerckhoff Hall. All inserts that are printed in the Daily Bruin are independently paid publications and do not reflect the views of the Editorial Board or the staff. The first five copies of the Daily Bruin are free. If you wish to obtain additional copies, please email editor@dailybruin.com. To contact any member of the Daily Bruin, submit news tips or request a reprint of any photo appearing in the Daily Bruin, please visit dailybruin.com/contact.

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If these waters could talk: How an orientation ritual becomes a lifetime memory

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