Pursuit | Fall 2020

VO LU M E 1 0 . I S S U E 1 . FA L L 2 0 2 0

a call for justice 36 Expanding the Boundaries

of Social Activism, Outreach and Ministry

CO N T RELATIONSHIPS

THE CONCERNED FAMILY MINISTRY 06 Forsaking Everything to Follow Christ

FINDING YOUR TRUE TYPE 12 Dating and the Enneagram

CHRISTIAN INTIMACY & ETHICS 16 Understanding the Biblical Purpose of Relationships

TRAVEL

CHA CHA MATCHA 20

L.A. Tea Shop Offers Healthy Caffeine Alternative and Vibrant Atmosphere

L.A. FOOD 26

A Guide to the City’s Diverse Food Stops

FIDALGO ISLAND 30

Exploring a Hidden Treasure in the Pacific Northwest

LIFESTYLE A CALL FOR JUSTICE 36

Expanding the Boundaries of Social Activism, Outreach and Ministry

LADY FORTUNA 42

A Legend of Fortune and Femininity

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Cover Photo by Phillip Ndowu

TRENDS SKATING THROUGH QUARANTINE 4 4 The Trending Sport’s Return to Popularity

ALABASTER CO 50

E N TS

Reveling in the Beauty of the Word

EDUCATION IN ISOLATION 54 Life of a Remote College Student

ARTS

25 YEARS OF SELENA QUINTANILLA 58 The Singer’s Enduring Influence on Latinx Artists

ART FOR THE NON-ARTIST 62 Cultivating Creativity

PURSUIT SPOTIFY 66

Pursuit Staff’s Favorite Playlists

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featu res

CHA CHA MATCHA

L.A. Tea Shop Offers Healthy Caffeine Alternative and Vibrant Atmosphere

SKATING THROUGH QUARANTINE

The Trending Sport’s Return to Popularity 4 | Pursuit

ED’SNOTE

Testimony seems to have no beginning or end, no alpha or omega. After we tell God’s story, it tells us, and then we have a new story to tell. The stories shape the community, and the community responds with new stories.

But both the telling and the hearing have the power to transform.

— Lilian Daniel

EDITOR’S NOTE Stories are what shape us. This may sound cliché, but cliches are often cliché because they are true. God saved sinners by writing the greatest story ever told, and now we are invited to pursue that story in every area of our lives. As Christians we are called to share and live gospel of Jesus Christ.

As editor-in-chief of Pursuit magazine, my hope is every story we tell would reflect and honor the one who writes them all. I agree with Lilian Daniel: Stories weave their way through time, surpassing our differences and connecting people throughout generations. We have recorded some of these stories with the intent to participate in the timelessness of storytelling, and we would love for you to join us.

Let’s be honest — it has been a rough year. Everything has changed and nothing is predictable. It is easy to long for the future or wish for the past, but that often causes us to miss the beauty right in front of us. Pursuit magazine will present you with some of that beauty.

We have been learning to make the most of this chaos, to enjoy the process of things and to welcome differences and unfamiliarity in new ways. There are seemingly endless challenges to overcome, but each of these challenges bring new opportunities for joy.

Every story has an end and a beginning, but what would it be without the in-between? It is this part, this in-between, that is most important. This is where learning and growth takes place, the moments of joy and laughter that continue beyond the ending. These middle moments are what impact us the most. We hope to take you on a journey through this magazine that is full of middle-moments.

So, let’s savor our pursuit of the process and welcome it with all its highs and lows. Let’s remember to pursue Christ, who is steadfast in all things. Let’s plant our feet where we are, look around, and soak in the entirety of our present moments.

Sophie Gravitt

Sophie Gravitt Editor-in-Chief

staff Managing Editor Alyse Messmer

Photo Editor Kelsie Stevens

Design Editor Lauren Sawdey

Asst. Design Editor Zachary Cleek

Section Editor Carolyn Bokinskie

Creative Director Korah Robinson

Staff Designer Kia Harlan

Staff Designer Emilie Thomas

Director of Student Publications Dr. Mary Ann Pearson

Asst. Director of Student Publications Sonya Singh Pursuit | 5

family THE CONCERNED

MINISTRY 6 | Pursuit

R E L AT I O N S H I P S

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Forsaking EVERYTHING

TO FOLLOW

Christ

Written by Sophie Gravitt Photos by Luc Stringer

Previous Page: Volunteers help pass out food to those who come to the food bank.

Above: Lincoln and Fortunate Cooper, founders and directors of Concerned Family Ministry, proudly partake in their project.

Top: Many come to the food bank to get food for their families while volunteers help them fill out the necessary paperwork.

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Top Right: Volunteers continue to help those in need while maintaining safe distancing and sanitary procedures during the pandemic.

Right: The pantry stocks a variety of foods, such as the nopal pictured, to accommodate different cultures that may come to receive food. This helps rid those in need of the extra stress of learning new recipes.

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he life of Jesus was not the kind of life that we would expect the king of heaven to live. He was born in a poor town, lived the life of an outcast and served the lowest people of the earth. Yet he was the most joyful, most content person to ever walk the earth. Now, he calls his followers to live this life also, to serve others and devote themselves to his mission, even if it means sacrificing everything. Lincoln Cooper, founder and director of The Concerned Family, left everything to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

Founded in 1989, The Concerned Family (TCF) is a nonprofit organization located in Perris, Calif., that offers services to those in need throughout the Inland Empire.

The organization seeks “To assess the needs of homeless individuals and families and to empower them to live independent and self-sufficient lives,” as outlined in TCF’s mission statement.

TCF is primarily a food bank, but they also offer shelter, clothing, healthcare and counseling services. Additionally, they hold church services every Sunday morning at which everyone is welcome. TCF is the only reliable place for many families in the area to access free daily meals.

This organization has provided health, happiness and hope to countless people who have little.

Twenty years ago, before he started TCF, Cooper was working at a pharmaceutical company when he came

across a homeless man in front of a McDonald’s, asking for food. Cooper bought him a coffee then got in his car and wept for those who live with almost nothing. From that moment on, Cooper began to serve and minister to those without homes.

Admitting the reality of his reluctance to continue this practice, he says, “It was a calling. It was not something I wanted to do. It had nothing to do with me. It was God that brought me into this ministry.”

Cooper left the pharmaceutical company to pursue the call of Christ. After Cooper found a new job, his calling deepened and he felt convicted to get a part-time job instead of a full-time job. God led him even further.

“God was telling me that he wanted me full-time, so I felt I needed to quit my job. I struggled with this for a long time, at least three or four months. At first I told God, ‘Wait, let’s talk about this. I have to eat! I have to live!’

But the calling remained. So finally, I said ‘Ok, God. It’s all yours. I give it all to you Lord, even if I have to sleep in a tent.’ It was not easy. It was extremely difficult. But Scripture tells us, ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’

You have to lose in order to gain. That’s what Jesus did,” Cooper says.

Cooper did not sleep in a tent. Instead he slept in a van in the Walmart parking lot for months. ➤

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There were many times he says he became deeply discouraged, and he often cried out to God seeking assurance. He explained that sometimes God seemed to be silent, while other times he heard Jesus whisper, promising to always be with him.

Unexpectedly, he says discouragement did not hinder his ministry at all. In fact, it caused it to flourish.

Cooper was hired in a new position while he sought to expand his ministry by attaining a building. After months of searching, he got a building at March Air Force Base in Riverside where he could provide shelter and daily food for those in need.

In 2013, Cooper found a new building in Perris, Calif., where TCF is currently located. Since its move, TCF has been able to feed an average of 2,000 people every month at its food bank, but that number has doubled in recent months. At this location, TCF has a storage closet full of free clothes, a warehouse full of food, multiple buildings for shelters and a bus full of medical supplies.

TCF is constantly growing. Because of their partnership with schools and other nonprofit organizations throughout the community, TCF is able to remain financially stable and maintain its resources to provide for families in need.

Lincoln Cooper was not the only one who received a calling for this mission. While he was starting TCF, Fortunate Cooper, co-director of TCF and Lincoln’s wife, was in Zimbabwe, Africa deciding whether she should move to the United States. God had called her to missions work in America, and like her husband, she followed even though it seemed impossible. Fortunate

Cooper moved to America in 2002 with only $200 in her pocket and earned a college education. In 2013, she attended the official opening of TCF’s new location where she met Lincoln Cooper. They were married just a year later and have been running this ministry together ever since.

Fortunate Cooper did not lose her ties to her homeland. She is passionate about serving those in need not only in the Inland Empire but across the globe. When COVID-19 began to spread, she felt compassion for pastors around the globe who lost their source of income and lacked resources to keep their churches open or stay healthy in Zimbabwe. When she received her coronavirus stimulus check from the government, she wanted to do something for those in her hometown.

“When I received a stimulus check I wanted to do something. I have clothing, I have food, I have somewhere to lay my head. I do not want to spend this money on me — I can bless somebody else. Fortunate Cooper says, “When the pastor that I reached out to told me about other pastors in need, I knew my $1,200 would not be enough. It is a disturbing sight to see pastors in a despondent place because they are a pillar of hope in their community. So, I sat down with my husband and asked, ‘What can we do?’”

After realizing what great need pastors have in Zimbabwe, Fortunate Cooper started a program called Pastoral Crisis Outreach so she could send money and resources to pastors in Africa. They put together a care package consisting of cornmeal, cooking oil, cabbage, and dried fish.

When I received a stimulus check I wanted to do something. I have clothing, I have food, I have somewhere to lay my head. I do not want to spend this money on me — I can bless somebody else.

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R E L AT I O N S H I P S “It is barely anything, but you should see the gratitude on their faces for so little. And then, we had the same call from India,” she says.

Since then, the Pastoral Crisis Outreach has expanded. TCF is now providing for pastors throughout Africa, India, Malaysia and Uganda.

“What is most important to us is reaching the world for Jesus,” she says.

Since COVID-19, all of TCF’s main resources shut down. They gain most of their food from schools and restaurants which were closed. They were sure they had to put their ministry on pause, but they knew that the people they served had nowhere else to get food.

The Coopers were convicted to stand by faith alone, so they remained open. Following this decision, everything changed.

“We were reluctant to remain open, but we know our God. We had nowhere else to go, so we went to our heavenly father. He is rich. So, we prayed, and food began to come from everywhere. We are feeding more people than we ever have. We have more food than we know what to do with. God shifted everything,” Lincoln Cooper says.

In addition to many different food donations, an organization called Hope for Health donated a bus to TCF so that they could provide free healthcare services to the community. Hope for Health is a nonprofit organization of healthcare professionals that offer free healthcare and counseling in the United States. In the future, they intend to take the bus door to door so that they can care for people who are unable to leave their homes.

TCF has volunteers of all ages from many different places. Ruby Alvarado, TCF volunteer, has been serving at this ministry since she was young. She says the people there are her family.

“My favorite part of volunteering at TCF is supporting my community by feeding people without homes,” Alvarado says. “I love giving back to them even with a simple smile. It makes my day to hear how they have benefited from this ministry.”

TCF is committed to loving all people and sharing the gospel with them. Its website explains that “No one is turned away without food and there is no discrimination in relation to race, religious, persuasion or lifestyle.” The Coopers are dedicated to serving those in need, providing for those without anywhere to go and primarily, showing others the love of Jesus Christ.

TCF’s top priority is feeding and clothing homeless individuals. However, it also seeks to provide skills to these individuals so that they can live self-sufficient lives. TCF offers free counseling for addiction and mental health. They have also established a Parent Support Training Program which helps parents overcome challenges to reunite with and provide for their children. ◆

Top: Jose, a visitor to the food bank who wished not to be fully named, happily receives his daily meal and drink provided by the ministry.

Middle: Those who visit the pantry help one another carry and package their food.

Bottom: Volunteers help organize food to make the process of distributing it to people easier.

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57 5 7 5 48 4 8 4 92 9 2 9 31 3 1 3 75 7 5 7 16 1 6 1 48

FINDING YOUR TRUE TYPE Relationships and the Enneagram

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R E L AT I O N S H I P S

Written by Kerri Collins Illustration by Lauren Sawdey

“What type of Enneagram personality are you?”

T

he Reformer. The Helper. The Achiever. The Individualist. The Investigator. The Loyalist.

The Enthusiast. The Challenger. The Peacemaker.

All nine types of the Enneagram personality assessment provide insight to who someone is and why they are the way they are. Whether someone lives by the Enneagram or considers it insignificant, it has had a clear impact on young adults in current culture, relationships and even hiring processes.

This personality test is used to better understand oneself or others in a deeper way. Communication styles, motivations, strengths and weaknesses can be identified through dissecting an Enneagram personality type.

FINDING YOUR TYPE There are several ways to go about finding what Enneagram number an individual is, whether it be taking a test, reading a book, listening to a podcast or researching.

“There are lots of different tests, however, test-taking can be misleading. People can test on who they want to be, not who they actually are,” says Katie Ramsey, Program Director of the Neighborhood Day Camp at Forest Home.

“I recommend taking the basic test, taking the top three you ranked really high on and then read more about those. The book ‘The Road Back To You’ by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile gives a really great overview of how each number sees the world.

I suggest people read it and have an open mind to what they think resonates with them.”

The type a person tests into is called their basic personality type, which is the dominant personality type. While people may express qualities of other numbers during seasons of life, this number does not change. After finding this number, one can figure out what “wing” they are. This comes from the adjacent numbers to the dominant number.

According to the Enneagram Institute, “Your basic type dominates your overall personality, while the wing complements it and adds important, sometimes contradictory, elements to your total

personality. Your wing is the ‘second side’ of your personality, and it must be taken into consideration to better understand yourself or someone else.”

MISCONCEPTIONS The Enneagram movement has allowed people to dive deeper into themselves and reach a level of vulnerability that can be freeing. Discovering oneself on a deeper level has many joys, but it also can be damaging if not used properly.

Ramsey says how this test can be used for both good and evil.

“It is a beautiful picture of humanity and how we all need each other in this world. If used properly, it’s a great tool for empathy and connection”, Ramsey says. “When used in an unhealthy way, it can put people into boxes and that can be damaging for themselves and their relationships.”

It is important to recognize the complexity of humanity and understand that while the Enneagram is a tool to better understand individuals, it does not give every inside detail to who a person is.

There are stigmas and stereotypes around each number that can affect how people are viewed.

9’s are considered lazy, 3’s are overachievers, 8’s will always challenge you and 4’s have to be and think differently in every single way. While these stereotypes can have some truth to them, it is not an accurate representation of who these people are.

“People take one stereotype with or without realizing it and put it as the blanket label for that number,” Ramsey says. “Those stereotypes are not based in truth. They come from a lack of knowledge and not having that human connection to the test. If you don’t know about it, you can’t have compassion or understand it. People do not take the time to learn more and dig deeper into what the Enneagram truly is.”

While this test gives insight to someone’s characteristics, it is not to be used as a shield to the outside world or an excuse for the decisions one makes.

Mitchell Maberry, senior nursing major, ➤

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touches on this problem.

“I think a lot of people try to blame how they are on the Enneagram and that is not what it is meant for. When people say ‘it’s because I’m this number,’ that is wrong. You are in control of what you do. At that point, you are putting yourself in a box,” Maberry says.

ENNEAGRAM AND RELATIONSHIPS The purpose of dating is to find someone one connects with on a deeper level. One of the biggest conversations around the Enneagram is how it can impact relationships. Understanding communication styles, core motivations, fears and desires allow couples to better love and understand one other.

A recently engaged couple, Maberry (type 1) and his fiance Alyssa Waite (type 9) said the Enneagram has helped their relationship grow.

“This test helps give more grace to the other person and to yourself. I have realized that when I ask Alyssa, ‘Where do you wanna go for dinner’ or ‘what do you want to do’ and she says she does not give an answer, it’s not that she doesn’t care, it’s that she doesn’t have an opinion because both are good. She can see all the pros and cons for every single option, so it leaves her without an opinion in this situation.

Understanding this allows me to have more grace for her in those times and take the lead.”

Adding to that, Waite says, “This test has helped me learn the weaknesses I have. When you understand those you are able to communicate how you are, which allows your significant other to better understand you.”

Finding someone compatible with one’s type is something avid followers of the Enneagram try to do. While this is understandable, it is important to note that it is not necessarily the number that makes someone compatible with others — it is their own personality.

Kennedy Brown, senior graphic design and illustration double major, shares her thoughts on type compatibility.

“I believe it is all about the individual’s self-awareness and emotional health,” she says. “I’m a 4 and 7, so I’m very in my feelings and like to have fun.

I’ve found that I tend to be attracted to people very easygoing and more chill than me. It is truly about balance. There are beautiful things about each type.”

When it comes to better understanding a significant other, it can be dangerous to base everything off of an Enneagram type.

Ramsey said when she first started dating her boyfriend, Andy, this was something she found herself doing.

“Looking back, I was so eager to know him at a deeper level at the beginning of our relationship.

I wanted to put him in a box by figuring out what number he identified as and basing my knowledge of him off this number,” Ramsey says. “Just because I know a lot about the Enneagram doesn’t mean I know everything about who Andy is. I don’t get to be the authority on his motivations or who he is. I’ve had to let myself back down because he’s a human, not just his number.”

ENNEAGRAM AS A TOOL At the end of the day, the Enneagram is a tool. It is not an end-all-be-all rule for forming relationships with others. It is a beautiful way to better understand others and connect with people on a deeper level. It offers those a set of tools to support one another.

Maberry said that while this test is helpful in relationships, it is not a steadfast rule.

“At the end of the day, if we want to make it work, we’re going to make it work. It doesn’t have anything to do with me being a 1 and her being a 9,” Maberry says.

While the Christian community has adopted this test and added a faith-based twist to it, the Enneagram isn’t only useful for those who are believers.

Christians have used the Enneagram to help them better understand their own struggles with sin, and churches have even done sermon series on this test.

At the end of the day, it is meant to show how differences in personality are valuable and necessary.

“We can all resonate with humanity coming together,” Ramsey says. “Human connection is such a common thread of our lives. Knowing yourself and being able to create authentic connections with people is a tool for anybody.” ◆

Enneagram Types The Reformer (1) The Helper (2) The Achiever (3)

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The Individualist (4) The Investigator (5) The Loyalist (6)

The Enthusiast (7) The Challenger (8) The Peacemaker (9)

one two three

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fourfive six seven eight

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Christian Intimacy & Ethics Understanding the Biblical Purpose of Relationships

Written by Austin Romito and Carolyn Bokinskie Photo Illustrations by Kelsie Stevens

W

e all long for intimacy – it is rooted in our human nature to express love and be loved by others. We desire that significant other who makes us laugh, knows every little detail about us, and is willing to travel the ups, the downs, and to the ends of the earth by our side. We want to be known and live in community. This seems to be a part of the holy design that God had intended for humankind. Just as Jesus loved and sacrificed for the church, man and woman can display love and sacrifice in a marriage as a visual and physical representation of God’s goodness.

This desire for love, sex and intimacy are natural feelings instilled in us by our creator, as are the rules he set down regarding when it is acceptable. Yet, these are not necessarily appealing standards to live by compared to culture’s pervasive notion of immediate gratification. People quickly become turned off to the biblical realities of sexual standards as soon as they perceive these standards as lofty ideas that tie them down.

According to the Lexico dictionary,

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powered by Oxford University, ethics are a set of moral principles that govern a person’s behavior; a principle is defined as a fundamental truth that serves as the foundation of a belief system. Biblically, Christians are commanded to rely on the Bible’s fundamental principles to guide our lifestyle and daily choices. Christian sexual ethics is the standard that Christians use to inform their sexual thought, expression, and behavior based on the truths found in the Bible.

In a postmodernist world, it can be difficult for unbelievers to understand a lifestyle that is motivated by a single source of truth when we live in a world that promotes no absolute truths at all.

In “Hidden Worldviews,” Steve Wilkens and Mary L. Sanford write that central to postmodernism is “the belief that our perceptions of time, ethics, the sacred, death and a host of other things always come to us through the filter of culture.” The growing influence of postmodernism in our world tells the next generation that there is no absolute truth and that truth can be defined ➤

R E L AT I O N S H I P S

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by individuals and their chosen cultural identity. This seems to infringe upon Christian ethics, as described by Dr. Ken Pearce, a psychology professor at California Baptist University.

“People living together happens more than marriage, even in Christian based relationships,” Pearce says. “The rationalizations for their love and desires does not align with Scripture or the biblical foundation of marriage, but they still do it.”

While we live in a society with shifting beliefs, how can Christians maintain an appropriate worldview that consults the Bible for wisdom about their sexual ethics and standards?

Julie Dobbins, director of Women’s Ministries at CBU, urges believers to shift their perspective on Christian sexual ethics. Christian ethics are often perceived as a set of rules people are obligated to follow simply because they proclaim they are Christians.

What does it look like to stop associating sexual standards with rules that tie us down and to allow biblical sex ethics to inform our lifestyles as a whole?

Dobbins says we have to start by accurately understanding the Biblical view of sacrifice.

“It’s pretty counter-cultural for someone to say sacrifice is perfect for you, because we think that sacrifice means we are getting robbed of something … which

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is not a biblical view. Having healthy sexual boundaries before marriage in the moment, huge sacrifice. Long-term, it creates more opportunity for intimacy and fidelity.”

The obstacle to truly understanding God’s design for sex in our current culture is that sexuality in the church has been reduced to “don’t.” It is common in the

evangelical world to hear the advice of “Don’t have sex until marriage” because this would violate the standards that God intended for us.

This is true, but let’s face it — a lot of Christians today are trying to push the boundaries without feeling like they are breaking the “rules.”

Dobbins adds that “a lot of us will just get as close to the line as possible so that we feel like we’re in the clear, and you’ve missed the point at that stage.” The reasoning behind the sexual ethics God has outlined for us in the Bible is not so that we feel bound by a set of rules, but so we understand and choose the sexual framework that God designed for us.

Choosing a high sexual ethics lifestyle does not just apply to sex itself, either.

We have also been told constantly by the church not to lust, watch porn or masturbate. Again, these morals are good for us to uphold. The question is, are we upholding these ethics because we feel like we have to follow them as rules to be a good Christian, or do we choose to integrate a high sexual ethic into our lifestyle because we understand this is what God had intended for us?

Sex. Lust. Porn.

These are the “don’t” topics that have become hot-button issues when Christian sexual ethics is on the discussion table. However, when we flood our sexual ethic with “don’t” we begin to perceive God as an apathetic rule-maker that restricts humankind from experiencing the fun and pleasure of our sexual nature. God is just the opposite, though. Actually, God is someone that desires pleasure for us, and in Genesis 1:28 commands us to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”

God created us to seek closeness with

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one another in many forms of relationships. This does not mean buying into the lies of the deceiver, but better understanding how to approach these relationships in a faith-centered way. Pearce gave an example of the cross seen as your hands praying to God and the closeness in agape love to the father.

The horizontal line is where other relationships are formed and created from that center connection.

It has to begin with God and having a relationship that does not rely on other people or things to make it whole. This is crucial when looking at future relationships and intimate connections as there has to be a base in the father before anything else can grow properly.

How are we to fight these dangers, though our church leaders are refraining from addressing the hard conversations?

“Most churches have tolerated and deemed it ok to be living together or having sexual relations outside of marriage and don’t confront it so they do not appear judgmental,” Pearce says.

Having these conversations in a way that is loving and within the way of the Lord is almost impossible to do if there is no relationship. Pearce explained that it takes time and effort to build a connection with someone in a way you can lovingly address sin and what the Bible says about it. Simply condemning those who fall or encouraging people to fight against urges and lusts when they have no biblical knowledge as to why can be fruitless and damaging. Loving people in relationships need to be at the forefront of this fight and continues to be pushed in Christian culture.

Building an ethical base founded in faith and following after God’s heart is what changes the culture and reinforces biblical principles. There is no accounting for how society chooses to follow after the desires of the heart, but as Christians, we are called to live differently and stand upright in the faith. That means adhering to the word of God and understanding the value and importance in what he asks in regard to intimacy and love. ◆

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CHA CHA

MATCHA

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T R AV E L

L.A. Tea Shop Offers Healthy Caffeine Alternative and Vibrant Atmosphere Written by Eunice Hahn Photos by Luc Stringer and Camille Grochowski

T

he life of a coffee addict hinges on a 9 a.m. fix.

Driven by the high that hits 30 minutes later, coffee drinkers accept the 3 p.m. jittery crash as a bitter part of life. But what if there was an easier way to wake up in the mornings? In West Hollywood, a tea shop offers an ancient Eastern alternative: matcha.

Take a walk down North Robertson Boulevard,

just off Melrose Avenue, and you’ll hear it before you see it: cheery music weaving through gray studios leading you to an out-of-place palm tree paradise. Welcome to the oasis of Cha Cha Matcha, a tea bar dedicated to its titular star ingredient. Originating in New York, the tea bar occupies a niche space in the tea world as a photo-friendly atmosphere operating as a serious ➤

Left: Cha Cha Matcha’s Pink Drink is a seasonal hibiscus tea with bee pollen and other additives that give the tea multiple health benefits.

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caffeinating buzz.

Like many great 21st century innovations, Cha Cha Matcha first started as the brainchild of two sleep-deprived college friends, Matthew Morton and Conrad Sandelman. After many Red Bull-fueled all-nighters, the two came across matcha and fell in love with it as a healthier alternative to mainstream energy sources. However, when searching for a go-to tea house, they found themselves disappointed with the options.

“What we found was that all of these places were super bland,” Morton said in an interview with Tory Daily. “They had ambient spa music or were super traditional, with tea ceremonies. We were like, ‘Why can’t we get this somewhere quick, some place cool … let’s combine the quality of Japanese matcha with a place our friends and we would want to hang out in.’”

Once the idea settled in place, the fields were all but ripe for reaping. All that was left for them was to spread their approachable version of the green tea gospel to the masses.

See, unlike coffee and energy drinks, what makes the boost of matcha different lies in a caffeine-regulating compound — L-theanine — naturally found in green tea leaves. Unlike coffee, where the alertness comes and goes in spikes, matcha delivers a sustained release of relaxed focus that does not cause shivering withdrawals.

Cha Cha Matcha does not just use any green tea either. According to their website, they source their stone-ground ceremonial blend directly from the grower where the Japanese emperor gets his stash, resulting in a smooth, potent signature blend with enough caffeine and antioxidants to compete with the strongest of espressos. This is not a regular grocery store bag of tea.

This magical green powder makes an appearance in every aspect of the Cha Cha Matcha experience.

From the retro pink and green interior to the vibrant rainbow of drinks, the tea house exists as the ➤

Left Top: John Houx, a Cha Cha Matcha barista, carefully swirls Cha Cha Matcha’s signature matcha soft-serve ice cream.

Left Center: Pink lemonade matcha softserve ice cream.

Left Bottom: John Houx, a barista at Cha Cha Matcha, greets customers while placing toppings onto the signature softserve.

Right: Cha Cha Matcha serves traditional matcha that is whisked as a part of the tea production process.

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Our aesthetic is a driving factor that sets our shop apart.

— John Houx, Cha Cha Matcha barista

antithesis of the busy modern coffee shop: tropically relaxed, simple in menu and perpetually uncrowded despite the constant flow of customers. For people like Los Angeles resident Zoe Josephson, the combination is pure paradise.

“I genuinely like coming here,” Josephson says. “I get the same thing every time I come, so I guess it was like a one-hit-wonder kind of thing, but I like that it’s always chill when I come. Whenever I go to a coffee shop and it’s too crowded, I end up not coming back for a couple weeks, but honestly the vibe is great and their matcha is so addictive. If I ever need caffeine I come here.”

Regulars know that the Instagrammable aesthetic is a large part of the Cha Cha Matcha experience. Everything from their couches to their drinks.

Picture-perfect blue algae collagen lattes exist in photo-ready form. Having collaborated with designers and brands like Versace, Virgil Abloh and Nike, the tea bar uses its creative art direction to stay on top of trends while providing the ideal atmosphere for curious Californians. Barista John Houx, who has worked at the West Hollywood location since its opening, says he believes that while customers come for a quick photo, they return for the matcha.

“Our aesthetic is a driving factor that sets our shop apart,” Houx says. “But nowadays people also (seem to be) more curious about making some better and healthier eating choices. Our specific location offers an accessible, fun way to step into that lifestyle.”

Upon its first entrance onto the LA scene, Cha Cha Matcha made a name for itself by straddling the line between health and effortless cool. Their smooth tea and peaceful ambience is perfect for anyone looking for a getaway space to sit and have a genuine conversation over lattes. ◆

Cha Cha Matcha is located at 510 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, Calif.

90048. They are open Monday–Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekends.

Left: Cha Cha Matcha’s West Hollywood location is one of the many colorful and pinkthemed stores throughout the United States.

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LA FOOD A GUIDE TO THE CITY’S DIVERSE FOOD STOPS

Written by Alyse Messmer Photo by Elijah Hickman and Alex Iannone

L

os Angeles is the home of many different attractions, venues, museums and more. But one thing L.A. is known for is its diverse food choices and Instagram-worthy restaurants. Whether looking for a new favorite coffee shop, a celebrity-favorite Chinese restaurant, or just an off-campus pizza or taco place, L.A. is home to many famous food stops to satisfy any and every craving.

YANG CHOW RESTAURANT Yang Chow Restaurant is home to the famous Slippery Shrimp dish that brings celebrities and food bloggers alike to visit.

Found in Chinatown, the storefront could be easily overlooked, but inside it is home to acclaimed food such as Orange Chicken, Yang Chow Lamb, Lemon Scallops, Kung Pao Squid and other traditional Chinese cuisine. Yang Chow Restaurant is known as an LA staple and has walls covered with photos of celebrity customers such as Mel Gibson and Jack Black. Yang Chow

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Restaurant is located at 819 N Broadway Street and is open daily from 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.

CARRERA COFFEE Carrera Coffee is a trendy, modern coffee shop and is known for its aesthetic atmosphere and printed coffee drinks.

Careera Coffee is able to take any photo and print it on the foam of lattes, tea or other hot drinks. Kia Illulian, Managing Partner of Carrera Coffee, says their shop strives to offer customers an experience other coffee shops do not.

“We have the unique ability to print any type of artwork on your latte or cappuccino beverage, providing our customers with an Instagrammable moment that is delicious and memorable,” Illulian says.

The coffee shop is also across the street from the famous LA photo opportunity, The Pink Wall. Carrera Cafe is located at 8251 Melrose Ave. and is open daily from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ➤

T R AV E L

Above: Casa Bianca chefs cut and prepare one of their margherita pizzas.

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LA ESTRELLA RESTAURANT This street-side taco stop, La Estrella Restaurant, is known for its carne asada tacos, traditional burritos, tortas and other Mexican foods. The bright blue building is surrounded by vivid painted murals and outdoor seating for its customers, as well as affordable prices for college students. La Estrella is a great place for a quick bite or a late night dinner. The restaurant is located at 6103 N. Figueroa Street and is open daily from 8 a.m.–3 a.m.

CASA BIANCA Casa Bianca is a family-owned restaurant that was opened in 1955, and it is one of the most popular L.A. spots for traditional Italian food.

Recognizable by the bright neon sign outside, Casa Bianca is known for its pepperoni pizza, homestyle pastas, soups, sandwiches and appetizers.

The family’s traditional recipes remain consistent as they have continuously been passed down over the years. Its familial atmosphere and celebrity appeal makes the restaurant all the more popular. The waiting area is full of photos featuring celebrities such as Steve Carell. Casa Bianca is located at 1650 Colorado Blvd. and is open Tuesday through Thursday, from 4 p.m.–Midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m.–1 a.m.

As these food stops offer visitors unique dining experiences, award-winning dining and unique L.A. flavors, adding these stops during your next L.A. visit is sure to provide an exciting experience and great food for every visitor. ◆

Top Left: Yang Chow is famous for its traditonal Chinese orange chicken with a modern twist.

Left Center: Carrera Coffee uses 3D-printing technology and coffee extract to print peronalized photos onto customers’ coffee.

Left Bottom: La Estrella has a variety of traditionally Mexican tacos, such as chicken and carne asada, topped with cilantro and onions.

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T R AV E L

Above: Carrera baristas prepare the coffee prior to the drink receiving its printed photo on top.

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FIDALGO ISLAND

North Beach sits below Deception Pass, allowing vistors to view the teal, slowmoving waters.

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T R AV E L

Exploring a Hidden Treasure in the Pacific Northwest Written and Photographed

by Alyse Messmer Illustration by Kia Harlan

h

idden away and a 20 hour drive from California Baptist University is an island in the Pacific Northwest, about an hour and a half north of Seattle, called Fidalgo Island. Home of the small town of Anacortes, this humble island has stunning sightseeing around its coasts, great coffee and food stops, and even views of the neighboring islands, the San Juans. As this island offers visitors and locals “small town feels,” the historic town of Anacortes has many great locally-owned restaurants, shops, coffee shops and more.

Washington Park Washington Park is on the west side of Fidalgo Island, and offers camping, beaches, a boat dock, playgrounds, covered picnic areas and a loop road through the forest around the edges of the island. Only 20 minutes from historic downtown Anacortes, the drive follows the curves of the island, showing the north side of the island.

Bob Vaux, assistant director of Parks and Recreation of Anacortes, believes the park is a must-see and holds much value.

“To coin an old phrase, we are good at making more people, but we have not come up with a way to make more land,” Vaux says. “Any open space that can be preserved, should be, and benefits all of us. Washington Park is a unique 220-acre marvel, surrounded by water on 3 sides.”

In addition to being a popular camping and boat launch site, it also provides solace to those looking for a quiet forest/shoreline hike, as well as the communal joy of sharing the Loop Road with others. The park has a rich 100 year history that includes Havekost, a German immigrant who settled on Fidalgo Island in 1871, uttering the phrase, “Make my tomb a park,” as well as the Ladies Auxiliary selling lemon pies to secure the purchase of Sunset Beach. Weddings, funerals, reunions — every kind of get-together has happened for generations at the park. It is a cornerstone for

locals and an unbelievable surprise for first time guests,” Vaux says.

The beaches of Washington Park offer stunning views of the sunset and the golden light reflecting on the tall trees surrounding the beach. Caitlyn Rice, junior graphic design major and California resident, had the chance to visit Washington Park.

“Washington Park was one of my favorite places that I visited on the island,” Rice says.

“The sun was setting over another island in the distance and it was breathtaking. The sun cast a beautiful orange glow over the water and the surrounding trees and it was absolutely mesmerizing.

It was a very different experience from a California sunset, because there was a lot less smog in the air, the colors were bolder and more vivid. It was truly unforgettable.”

Washington Park is perfect for an evening sunset drive, barbeque on the beach or a fun park date.

Deception Pass State Park Deception Pass State Park is a must-see for visitors and is already popular as it is the most visited park in Washington State. It is home to the Deception Pass bridge, a large green steel bridge built in 1935 that connects Fidalgo Island, Pass Island and Whidbey Island.

More than 20,000 cars cross the bridge each day, and it allows locals to be connected to the mainland of Washington. Visitors can park their cars and walk the bridge, crossing underneath it to see the teal ocean passing between the islands below. Local photographers are also known for capturing views of comets and the Milky Way above the bridge’s vast arch. Only 22 minutes from downtown Anacortes, Deception Pass State Park also offers visitors both a north and west beach, camp sites, canopy tree tours, lakes for ➤

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Below: Cailtyn Rice, junior graphic design major, looks out at the ocean while crossing over the Deception Pass bridge.

Above: An evening fog covers the ocean dividing the few islands from one another.

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Above: Deception Pass bridge consists of a pair of two-lane bridges connecting Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island.

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Below: Guemes Trail offers a boardwalk trail along the coast of the north side of the island.

swimming and fishing, scuba diving, kayaking, crabbing, 38 miles of hiking trails and much more.

Mount Erie At 1,273 feet tall, Mount Erie is the highest point on Fidalgo Island and offers visitors extraordinary views of the surrounding nearby islands, lakes on Fidalgo Island, Skagit Valley, and a far view of the Olympic Mountains across the ocean. Only 15 minutes from downtown Anacortes, driving to the Mount Erie trailhead

and road offers scenic forest views and lakeside drives. There is a paved road up to the summit of Mount Erie, but for those looking for more adventure, there are plenty of scenic trails to climb the elevation on a 5.0 mile day hike.

Guemes Channel Trail This trail is the perfect seaside walk right next to the ferry terminal that provides ferry rides from Fidalgo Island to all four San Juan Islands: Friday Harbor, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw,

as well as to Canada. This trail is an easy, no-elevation walk on a wooden boardwalk that opens up to the beach and forest alongside the island’s north edge.

When the aurora borealis is also visible in the Pacific Northwest, this trail has been known to offer great views of the green and gray lights.

Guemes Channel trail also offers views of the neighboring island, Guemes Island, that has a population of less than 1,000 people. Guemes Channel trail is located 10 minutes away from downtown Anacortes and on the way to Washington Park. ➤

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D O O F

S P O ST Dad’s Diner

Dad’s Diner is a favorite local stop for a great breakfast.

Dad’s Diner started as a barbeque trailer in 2011, and a year later became a brick-and-mortar restaurant in downtown Anacortes.

Owners Fletcher Mclean and Neil Stuchal have strived since then to offer their customers more than just great food.

“We believe in the community of the table,” Mclean says. “No matter who you are or where you may hail from — you are certain to have a favorite dish and a happy memory of sharing that meal with a loved one. That act of making food for us is the same as making music. It’s all about conceiving, creating and sharing.

Combining traditional concepts and comfort foods and adding our spin is what inspires us.

“The concept has always been everything from scratch. We do everything we can to not open a can. At Dad’s we make the bacon, the mayo, the hot sauce, grind the beef for the burgers.

We are also blessed to be able to share the bounty of other kitchens and gardens of the valley through the relationships we have developed over the years.”

Mclean says Dad’s Diner is also thankful for its small town community in Anacortes for supporting them throughout the years, and especially in this unpredictable time of COVID-19.

“We have been blessed with not only business through these uncertain times but also with the kind of genuine concern and support that makes money seem worthless. These kinds of gestures are an affirmation that we live in a community filled with strength and compassion. The kind of place you can be happy and proud to call home.

Anacortes is a destination for people from all over the world. Dad’s is proud to host this diverse community and share our passions for the table and community with them. We still believe that one of the best compliments we have received was that the experience we provide was more like being invited into someone’s home, not merely going out to eat,” Mclean says.

Caitlyn Rice also had the chance to visit Dad’s Diner on her trip to Fidalgo Island.

“I was really impressed by the breakfast we had at Dad’s Diner,” Rice says. “Everything I ate was awesome, but there were a few items that stood out above the rest. The homemade biscuits and fresh raspberry jam was unlike anything I’ve had in California.

The biscuit was soft on the inside but had a nice crust on the outside. And the homemade jam was from a local farmer and it was the perfect pair for Dad’s biscuit. They also had a great roast from Fidalgo coffee, which I really enjoyed, as well.”

Dad’s Diner is located in downtown Anacortes at 906 Com-

Above: Dad’s Diner Restaurant on Commercial Avenue, Anacortes, serves up locally owned breakfast and lunch, such as homemade biscuits, bacon, potatoes and eggs.

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T R AV E L mercial Ave., and is open Wednesday-Sunday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.

LEGEND

Penguin Coffee For the coffee lover, Penguin Coffee offers great local roasts, teas, pastries and more. Located at 2119 Commercial Ave., Penguin Coffee is a local favorite. It’s open seven days a week from 5:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Anthony’s If you’re looking for a fancy dinner spot on the island, Anthony’s Restaurant at Cap Sante Marina is a local favorite. Anthony’s restaurants are located throughout the Pacific Northwest, usually right on the ocean side and serves the freshly caught seafood of the day. Known for its seafood, steaks, burnt creme dessert and breathtaking views of the marina and Cap Sante vista point of the island, Anthony’s is a great spot for a fancy island dinner.

Anthony’s is located in Anacortes at 1207 Q Ave. and is open Sunday–Thursday from noon–8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from noon–9 p.m.

Fidalgo Drive-In Fidalgo Drive-In brings all the deliciousness of a drive in with a small town feel. Locally owned and operated, Fidalgo Drive-In is loved by locals for its root beer floats, burgers, fish and chips, milkshakes and more. Located at 2908 Commercial Ave. in Anacortes, this staple restaurant is a great stop for a quick lunch or dinner.

Whether visiting Fidalgo Island for a weekend or a summer, this Pacific Northwest treasure offers breathtaking scenery, local shops, festivals, fairs and more. As fog sometimes covers the neighboring islands or rain and snow make the local coffee shops even cozier, this island is home to a great community of people as well as great stops and sights.

“When you travel anywhere spend time opening yourself up to the experience before you go,” Vaux says. “Talk with people in the know, read about the place, start pointing your senses in the direction of your destination. When you arrive, do so with respect and a healthy curiosity.

No matter where you go, it is important to somebody. Focus less on the inevitable selfies and more on the moment.” ◆

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Above: Protesters come together during the summer to support each other in front of the Tennessee State Capitol.

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Above: Morgan Banducci, CBU alumna, helps plant a mango tree on a previous International Service Project. All in-person ISP outreach is currently on hold as a result of the pandemic.

LIFESTYLE

Expanding the Boundaries of Social Activism, Outreach and Ministry Written by Teddy Peña Photos by Phillip Ndowu, Austin Romito and Luc Stringer

T

he landscape of this year, drastically altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, has left an imprint of uncertainty on the future. Nationwide, job security is shaky, schools remain closed, national sporting events air to empty stadiums and music festivals have halted. The pandemic has affected all interpersonal interaction, nationally and globally, whether through health, employment, education, social issues or humanitarian outreach.

California Baptist University’s International Service Projects, for example, faced cancellation for the second year in a row. John King, director of Mobilization, said many students showed dedication to continue serving virtually this year despite the difficult decision to suspend ISP for another year.

“We knew that students were really looking forward to going on their ISP trips this year. It was not an easy decision to suspend travel again for this year. It really ended up coming down to the timeline that we had to make the decision on,” King says. “However, some students had an amazing opportunity to engage in a virtual service project. A couple of people from an ISP location had reached out to us in hopes to continue a service project that could take place over video chat. These international students wanted to improve their English and were even given the opportunity to hear the gospel message. For

an hour each week, the students connect with each other and talk about life and whatever it is that is on their minds.”

Julie Dobbins, director of Women’s Ministries at CBU, said students have still been searching for ways to serve in the community that conform to pandemic safety guidelines.

“Students were still seeking ways to be in community and serve through Spiritual Life at CBU. We were looking for programs that were still following safety protocols so that we could give students opportunities to serve while still being careful about COVID-19,” Dobbins says.

“Even though we were unable to host events due to the pandemic, we connected students with organizations such as Feeding America and Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful, where they were able to serve their community in a safe and effective way.”

Feeding America is a food pantry that seeks to alleviate hunger nationwide. Its local banks have remained open, following guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while offering limited services to the Inland Empire community. Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful, another nonprofit organization, partners with institutions to participate in beautification projects in the city of Riverside such as tree-planting, litter prevention and graffiti eradication. ➤

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The unprecedented global pandemic that created these limitations on outreach has also overlapped with widespread calls for social reform, creating a moment that looks unlike any other in American history, both figuratively and literally. In the wake of the death of George Floyd, advocacy for social justice sparked a nationwide call to activism that took shape through protests, education and conversation among people from every background.

“I was at the protest in downtown Riverside in early June,” says Haley DeLacy, junior psychology major. “There were a lot of people there. There were signs, masks and social distancing. There were even tables set up with water and snacks. The organizers had Black men and women speak before we marched.

Being able to support these men and women, letting their voices be heard, marching with them, chanting with them, kneeling with them — it made me feel a part of something so much greater than myself. It was really humbling.”

These demonstrations swiftly garnered national news, with the goal of igniting tangible, practical social change in a country experiencing the repercussions of injustice. Many popular social movements received coverage from the press, with coronavirus concerns bringing these rallies both positive and negative attention.

Rising concern over the risk of spreading COVID-19 prevented on-the-street protesting for many who support the cause. However, the prevalence of social media and other online platforms allowed people to creatively advocate for social justice through avenues that did not exist in the not-so-distant past.

Jenesis Andrews-Kendale, junior applied theology major, created and published her own devotional, rooted in the topic of biblical justice, on Instagram earlier this summer. The 14-day devotional, titled “Love Justice: I Dare You,” was released amid ➤ Above: Protesters unite in pursuit of justice and equality over the summer in downtown Riverside.

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LIFESTYLE

— Damon Horton, program director of Intercultural Studies

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intense civil unrest in response to the treatment of Black people in America.

“I really spent the most time just deciding whether I should write it or not. It started out as a regular Bible study when I figured out that it was something that I truly wanted to do. I then grew to realize that there is a lot that the Bible has to say about justice. It was personally so encouraging,” Andrews-Kendale says. “Then I thought to myself, ‘I should put this all together somehow so more people can learn about biblical justice.’ I took the opportunity to read the Scriptures and meditate on them and do my best to be obedient to what the Lord was telling me to do when I was writing the parts of the devotional that were my own commentary.”

Damon Horton, assistant professor and

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director of CBU’s Intercultural Studies program, explained that the idea of authentic biblical justice is one rooted in equity.

“Biblical justice is God’s people literally seeking to imitate God’s character to the best of their ability. Human beings are fallen. We’re broken. We’re sinful. But, God is absolutely perfect and righteous,” Horton says. “God expresses equity, justice and fairness all throughout his word. And so followers of his should do the best we can to apply those principles in the complex nuances of our society. Biblical justice is God’s character and nature.”

After the initial response to this summer’s racial justice movement came the wave of conversation exchanging experiences and ideas and raising educational and social awareness. Then,

many people faced the dilemma of what do to next. Across mainstream and social media, activists have stressed the importance of building one another up, learning from one another and showing grace in this rapidly evolving digital era of social justice.

While media platforms introduced many to the need for social justice and continued to allow for important conversation amid rising activism, they also present the risk of engagement burnout.

“One thing that really contributes to burnout — not just Black Lives Matter activism, but with activism involving modern-day slavery and sexual assault — is the influence of media.

Media approaches you at all sides constantly,” DeLacey says. “There’s the propensity

LIFESTYLE

Left: Protesters of from a variety of backgrounds gather to call for for justice in Nashville this summer after the death of George Floyd.

for some of the information to be extremely biased or inaccurate. I try not to take everything I see in the media as a hard fact. Compassion fatigue is something to watch out for as well.

Once that sets in, it’s hard to express empathy and compassion for the things we have a fire in our hearts for.”

Dr. Charles Lee-Johnson, director of CBU’s Master of Social Work program, offered a spiritual approach to combating burnout during eras of civil unrest.

“The Black Lives Matter Movement is one of the first-ever movements in the history of Black civil rights that is disconnected from the church. It’s one of the few movements that have no spiritual foundation. I believe that many individuals are currently experiencing burnout

because when there is no spiritual connection, then there is no place to get refueled,” Lee-Johnson says. “It’s anger. It’s disappointment. It’s frustration. In the Bible, Jesus explains to the woman at the well that he is the water of life that never runs out. And that is what people need to continually reignite their passion for justice and equality.”

Lee-Johnson also offered advice for maintaining passion for social justice while also putting action to words. A concept practiced with students in the Master of Social Work program, Lee-Johnson said, is the idea of healing circles as part of the restorative justice process.

“One of the things that the program encourages people to do is create healing circles.

This is a part of a process that is known as re-

storative justice. This concept grew out of places where people had experienced severe trauma and you put them in mixed groups in order for these individuals to talk about their experiences,” Lee-Johnson says. “We’ve been encouraging folks to engage in these healing circles. Find folks that don’t look like you or have different experiences than you, usually 10–12 people, and talk about issues and what’s going on today.

There is an aspect of individuality when it comes to activism. Every individual with a passion for social change has their own personal journey explaining how they were introduced to their admiration for justice.”

Students like Andrews-Kendale strive to live out this concept in word and deed, making the daily effort to understand differing perspectives.

“I didn’t want to be somebody that I wasn’t, because I do not want to come off as not genuine,” Andrews-Kendale says. “I started listening to a lot of people like Latasha Morrison, Jemar Tisby and Albert Tate, who is my pastor at Fellowship Monrovia. Then I made an effort to talk to the community around me and learn about the experiences of my peers.”

This intentional commitment to learning the experiences of those unlike us has been a pillar of hope in a time of uncertainty. While we have been stretched physically, mentally and emotionally, we have also learned together, marched hand-in-hand together, and continue to advocate for social justice and equality together. This year more than any other has required from each of us a renewed courage, grace and resiliency — a resiliency that fights for the spirit of humanity. Our collective yearning for justice has planted a new hope and reality for a better tomorrow for ourselves and our neighbors — a tomorrow of unity and of peace. ◆

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A LEGEND OF

Written by Luc Stringer Photo By Kia Harlan

T

he sun caresses the serene face of Lady Fortuna, a statue of a goddess standing tall and proud at the old entrance to California Baptist University.

Once the symbol of a pagan god, Fortuna has come to represent love, fertility and a happy ever after.

The statue was created in Sept. 1927, although it is unclear who built it. Previously located in El Monte, California, the thennamed California Baptist College acquired Fortuna when it moved to Riverside in 1955.

Just a few years later, Fortuna would become a popular proposal spot on campus.

In Greco-Roman mythology, the goddess Fortuna represented luck and good fortune, although some accounts also connect her to fertility. Her image appears throughout Roman history in many forms. Sometimes, she is an oncoming storm — bad or dubious luck. In other accounts, she is good fortune for those who remain pure of character. Yet CBU’s statue seems to show Fortuna as Lady Luck, her most popular form.

Perhaps it was the mysticism and mythology surrounding Fortuna that propelled students to ritualized the fountain. In 1963, Vi Estel, who would later work at the university library as an archivist until 2017, popularized a “candle lighting” tradition. The 1963 Banner newspaper reported that 30 people came to the first candlelight ceremony to celebrate the engagement of a female student. Yet, it seems this was just the beginning.

Toni Kirk, professor of English, arrived on campus as a freshman in 1972. She recalls her experience of the ritual.

“You would get an invitation to a Fortuna announcement,” Kirk says. “You wouldn’t know who it was for. All of the women would arrive at the location, and then … people would think up (various types of ceremonies), but they would announce who was going to get married around Fortuna.”

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LADY Kirk remembers receiving a hand-written invitation to the ceremony. Of course, she would dress nicely for the event, wearing a long dress, the fashion of the time. The event took place after sundown. Kirk joined the group of women around the fountain, taking a candle that was offered to her. Then, someone would announce their engagement.

One account even ended with the groom being thrown into the fountain.

Interestingly, although no candlelight ceremonies have been reported in decades, some portion of reverence remains. On Jan. 14, 2012, YouTuber user Lindsey Malcom published a video titled “Stuff CBU Girls Say,” in which student Ryan Baxter dressed up as a woman and ran around the fountain, claiming that the more times you run around Fortuna the more fertile you would be. The video was satire, but illustrates the pervasive myth surrounding Fortuna and fertility.

This idea of circling the statue is a commonplace idea in today’s CBU. Like stepping on the CBU seal next to the Yeager Building (which may result in a late graduation, as the superstition goes), many students still speak of Fortuna’s promise of fertility.

Alumna Cristin Wondergem, who graduated CBU with a public relations degree in 2013, said that she had heard about the myth and even participated in it.

“The myth is that seniors would walk or run around the fountain three times, I believe, and then you were supposed to have good fertility and be able to have many children.” Wondergem said. “I did it, and it hasn’t worked out for me yet!”

The legend of the Fortuna fountain is just that — a legend. Yet, it has united students for almost 60 years. While we may have lost some of the celebrations and traditions, it remains a landmark on campus that will have a lasting impression on nearly every student to graduate CBU. ◆

LIFESTYLE

FORTUNE AND FEMININITY

FORTUNA

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Skating Through Quarantine The Trending Sport’s Return to Popularity Written and Photographed

by Kelsie Stevens othing says “quarantine” like picking up a new skill. Nothing says quarantine like picking up a new skill.

While many people chose to learn how to make whipped coffee or homemade bread, another group of people were learning how to roller skate.

Although roller skating has been a popular sport for years, coronavirus isolation and social media have helped make the hobby more prevalent than ever before. According to local shops such as Empire Skate in Upland, Calif., “recreational roller skating was starting to get popular last year but increased tenfold during the quarantine.”

These skate shops, like Empire Skates and more have seen business boom in all aspects of outdoor activities, but roller skating has become its main focus thanks to social media.

“They say a TikTok video increased awareness on roller skating during the pandemic,” says Amy Frilot, co-owner of Empire Skates. “We used to sell a lot of roller derby skates, but now it’s mainly recreational skates with outdoor wheels.”

While this trend has been great for small shops, for people trying to get into the hobby, the popularity has

N

Above: Katie Zander, Instagram fashion blogger, gets ready to start practicing her skating at Newport Beach.

Right: Roller skates from Empire Skates in Upland feature a variety of colors and styles to give skaters their personal touch.

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only made it harder. Katie Zander, Instagram fashion blogger and a newcomer to the roller-skating hobby, has seen this issue firsthand.

“In the beginning of COVID, everyone wanted roller skates so they were sold out everywhere,” Zander says. “I had to drive an hour away to buy skates at a small, random skate shop.” Despite her troubles getting into the hobby, Zander still has a positive view of the skating scene thanks to her social media connections.

“My whole Instagram Explore page is full of roller skating accounts. I like following them because it encourages me to get better,” she says. This rise of skating on social media has allowed people like Zander to not only gain new followers but a new community.

She says many people over social media have begun planning meetups at skate parks and beaches to help one another and teach new techniques. These groups have become creative with where they are meeting, and are continually trying to follow COVID-19 guidelines, but Zander says that “once things like roller rinks start to open back up, I feel like more people will go to them instead.”

Along with making new connections, people have also begun using this new wave of skating to talk ➤

TRENDS

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TRENDS

I highly recommend shopping secondhand, making a playlist of songs that make you feel good and getting out there and skating.

Even if you fall seven times over, you’re still improving. — Allison Weaver, junior English major

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Bottom Left: Roller skates from Empire Skate shop in Upland come in an outdoor style to combat the many elements they may encounter.

Bottom Right: Katie Zander practices dancing while in her skates to prepare for post-quarantine fun.

Top Left: Katie Zander poses in her roller skates for a photo for her Instagram page where she highlights her fashion and hobbies.

Top Right: Skaters who practice by the beach check their wheels for debris and

TRENDS

about social issues.

“I saw when the protests were going on, groups of skaters would get together to skate and protest,” says Zander of Black Lives Matter protests in Southern California.

While perhaps unexpected, this form of protest is not new to the roller skating community. According to Vice news, roller skating has a deep history in the Black community, popularized in the 1960s and used as a protest during the Civil Rights movement.

These roots of the sport are still present in today’s roller-skating community, with many veterans of the craft highlighting the significance of skating concerning the Black community. One of these veterans is Allison Weaver, junior English major at California Baptist University and active member of the roller-skating community, who says there is still as strong presence of Black people skating, but is not shown within the media.

Weaver and many of those who are aware of the history

of the sport hope people do not forget where the hobby came from.

“There is a rich history behind roller skating and the harsh repercussions Black people had to endure just to practice their craft,” says Weaver.

While the social movement is not losing any momentum soon, it is hard to say the same for the roller skating community. With COVID-19 restrictions tightening and skates becoming even harder to find, many wonder how long this trend will last. Many who are still a part of the hobby hope the sport continues to grow and offer advice for those still hoping to get involved: “Have fun with it,” says Weaver.

Weaver encourages those who are wary of where to begin to start somewhere.

“I highly recommend shopping secondhand, making a playlist of songs that make you feel good and getting out there and skating. Even if you fall seven times over, you’re still improving.” ◆

Above: Katie Zander admires the skateboard of a passerby while lacing up her skates at Newport Beach.

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alabaster REVELING IN THE BEAUTY OF THE WORD

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Written by Sofia Eneqvist Photos Courtesy of Alabaster Co

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hat if we design the Bible beautifully?” This question sparked the beginning of a company dedicated to exploring the intersection of creativity, beauty and faith.

Alabaster Co, founded in Los Angeles, launched as a Kickstarter in 2016. Co-founders Bryan Ye-Chung and Brian Chung wanted the Bible to be a beautiful reading experience. Since its launch, Alabaster Co has sold more than $800,000 worth of products and built a strong social media presence focused on promoting products to a community of creatives.

Brian Chung, co-founder of Alabaster Co, said the inspiration for the company came from a book called “Real Life” by James Choung, which discusses how each generation asks a spiritual question.

“The question Gen Z is going to be asking is, ‘What is beautiful?’,” Chung says. “We felt like what would that look like to apply that in a faith-based context. What would it look like to apply that in art, beauty and faith? We wanted to show that as Christians, we can create a beautiful reading experience. Early on, the church used to be the center of art of beauty, and somewhere along the line that was sort of lost. We wanted to bring art and beauty back to the center again.”

Alabaster Co specializes in creating beautifully designed books of the Bible. As of 2020, the company has released 11 books including, Genesis, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Isaiah, Romans and Revelations. The product site also features five books focused on creativity, beauty and faith, as well as, prints, encouragement pairings for the books and paper notebooks.

“What is beautiful?” has been a driving force in the company’s design process since the beginning. Chung said their design process begins with an in-depth study of the Scripture.

“We printed out pages and pages and pages of the Bible, we put it up on the hallway walls and we look at Scripture as a whole and thought what are the connecting points, what are the themes, what are some images that we want to show to highlight the themes,” Chung says.

The images used are unique to the themes and Scripture relevant in each book. Chung said the design process includes taking a variety of images and deciding which best represents the themes.

“We try to have a variety of images and want to show the diversity of the world through our photography through places and people represented,” Chung says. “Afterwards, the harder part is trying to fit all these ideas and thoughts into a layout that makes sense.” ➤ Left: Brian Chung, co-founder of Alabaster Co., makes notes on spreads that will go into a future book.

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Above: Bryan Ye-Chung (left) and Brian Chung (right), co-founders of Alabaster Company, pose with Alabaster’s versions of Matthew and Psalms, covering the two corresponding books of the Bible.

“For us, we didn’t just want to pair landscape photos with Scripture. We really wanted them to deepen their experience with God. 'How can this picture deepen the themes of Scripture?' sometimes is obvious and sometimes it doesn’t make sense, but I think what we really love about art is it causes us to ask more questions.”

Kaitlyn Merced, senior graphic design major, said she loves the unique experience Alabaster Co creates through its Bibles which can help bring customers closer to God. “God himself is creative, and I think it’s incredible to think that he has given us that characteristic to share with him,” Merced says. “So, in that way, any art we as humans make will always point back to him. I think it’s so special that Alabaster has found a way to combine that so people can experience reading Scripture in a new way.”

Chung said throughout the process of growing Alabaster Co he has become ok with not having all the answers. Understanding God’s desire for his creation to ask questions and connect with him has changed Chung’s experience with Christianity.

David Ardill, junior photography major, shared a similar sentiment on how he connects God to the world of art.

“When it comes to the Bible and Christianity, art

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goes hand in hand,” Ardill says. “God is an artist and I believe he created us as creative people as well. We all learn and experience the world in different ways and if we can use the gifts we are given to enhance and expand our relationship with God, I’m all for it.”

Alabaster Co’s Instagram @alabaster_co, which has 100 thousand followers, is just one of the successful platforms used to promote its brand. The company also uses Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Alabaster Co’s blog to reach its community. Each platform serves as a different purpose in furthering the Alabaster Co’s vision to explore creativity, beauty and faith.

Throughout the journey of creating such a large social media presence, Alabaster Co has partnered with many organizations in hopes of giving back. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company partnered with Feeding America to provide students with lunches and seniors with groceries. Alabaster Co was able to donate 10,000 meals in the process.

Alabaster Co has been featured by news media outlets such as The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Fox News, Vanity Fair, Forbes, The New Yorker, Business Insider, GQ and many more. Their media connections have helped contribute to awareness on projects with Hillsong, Fujimura, BibleProject and InterVarsity Press.

Through its partnerships, Alabaster Co hopes to continue answering the question of “what is beautiful?”

TRENDS Alabaster Co’s goal within its brand is to encourage creatives through their products to start conversations.

Chung said the beauty of art and the beauty of Alabaster Co’s Bibles is the approachability they bring to taboo subjects like religion. Many of the customers in their growing audience have been people who are not religious. The goal of drawing in this target market is to break down stereotypes about the Bible and show the beauty of Christianity.

“Human’s ability to create is also a reflection of our creator,” Chung says. “By creating art, it is a way that we

love God, worship God, sometimes when we create art it can be self-serving. The question we have been asking, how can you use art and design to love your neighbor. And in all different forms of art, there is the ability to think through how I can use my craft to love my neighbor or inspire others to love their neighbor.”

The vision of Alabaster Co, Chung says, is to see humanity experience that God is good and beautiful as they continue to create content and products that explore the answer to “what is beautiful?” ◆

Above: Photos from Alabaster Co’s version of Psalms help tell the story of the book of Psalms from the Bible.

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EDUCATION IN ISOLATION Life of a Remote College Student Written by Alyse Messmer Photos by Kelsie Stevens or college students around the globe, getting an education looks very different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools across the country range from offering in-person classes, fully remote classes, or offering on-campus housing for students, California Baptist University has chosen to remain open for the Fall 2020 semester and provide students on-campus housing and dining while they complete their classes fully online. As online classes differ from the usual college class format, students are having to determine what value they place on schooling, if living on campus is worth it and what online schooling looks like for them.

But according to a statement from CBUs President Ronald L. Ellis, even with the changes in class format and health guidelines, CBU had another groundbreaking year of enrollment, totaling 11,317 students in Fall 2020.

The university announced the housing protocols and guidelines students would need to follow in order to keep on-campus housing open for students in a coronavirus update on July 31, 2020: “CBU has taken steps to provide safe residences but the responsibility to prevent the spread of coronavirus is a shared responsibility. … Residents

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are expected to assist in the effort to promote safety by following all CBU health guidelines and directives. Students are expected to keep personal living areas clean and avoid behaviors that would jeopardize their health as well as the health of others.”

CBU implemented new guidelines and rules in addition to asking students to be safe, such as daily health screenings, face masks and social distancing, no visiting hours and canceling all in-person events for the semester.

For Hudson Goegebuer, senior mechanical engineering major, living on campus was important to him because it is his senior year.

“I don’t want to be the reason somebody’s life is at risk from unknowingly spreading COVID-19, though it is practically undeniable that it is much harder to learn online than in person,” Goegebuer says. “I read my Bible outside in the morning, but I otherwise sit in my room all day until my classes are over. I try and schedule at least a single oneon-one every day as well as schedule time with friends to try and maintain a healthy life balance.

It is what it is, but hopefully next semester I’ll be able to watch movies with my friends again before I graduate.” ➤

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As a Residence Life community adviser, Goegebuer’s on-campus job also looks different this year.

“My job has changed a lot. There are many more limitations as to how we can relate and care for residents now. Some people do operate well with the passive approach we have to take and it is meaningful to them, but not everyone is the same. It’s hard because it means that I can’t pour love into everyone the way they need to receive love,” Goegebuer says.

As many students are still trying to get used to the change of online learning, housing restrictions and other changes to lessen the spread of COVID-19, students’ typical days look different from those of last semester.

Tyler Doench, junior marketing major, says his life has changed since not being on campus this semester.

every day, let alone even once this semester. Being online at home puts the challenge of not getting to hang out with your friends, not getting to go to in person office hours for your classes.

“It’s a lot more of a challenge to put in the effort to keep connections going at home than it is to be on campus. But with that said, I would rather have it be this year than any other year just because I feel like junior year is the year that most people have their friendship from college figured out so it’s easier to stay in touch with people,” Doench says.

Kirk Bernal, associate director of Residence Life at CBU says he believes that although classes look different this semester, being able to offer on-campus housing is important for students.

“Since we are online, I decided to stay at home to save money on housing but because of that I’m not able to see my friends from CBU and that has been hard. Plus with classes being online it feels harder to really engage in class, whether that is making new friends or asking professors questions about the material we cover in class”, Doench says.

Staying home and taking online classes outside of the CBU campus community can also be challenging for students’ mental health.

“I’d say overall I’m bummed to have my junior year be online just because this wasn’t how I thought I would be starting my junior year as well any year of my college experience,” Doench says. “I’m seven hours away from CBU. It’s not like I can see all my friends from school

“CBU has been working hard to determine how best to adapt to the ever-changing landscape.” Bernal says, “we have seen and heard that students want to be on campus to experience the CBU community, even if their classes are in a distance learning setting. These students’ experiences would have been very different from their expectations of CBU had we not been able to house students on campus. As such, we continue to strive to offer housing for as many students that want to live on campus.”

As CBU continues to navigate the changing guidelines and regulations of COVID-19, providing housing was the first step to get students some sense of the normalcy of college life after having to leave the Spring 2020 semester early because of COVID-19. ◆

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We have seen and heard that students want to be on campus to experience the CBU community, even if their classes are in a distance learning setting. — Kirk Bernal, associate director of Residence Life

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e n l a e S lena e S lena e S lena e S lena e S lena e S lena e S lena e S e

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25 Years of Selena Quintanilla The Singer’s Enduring Influence on Latinx Artists

Written by Diana Corona Illustration by Emilie Thomas

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n March 31, 1995, the rising Mexican-American singer, songwriter, spokesperson and OG influencer Selena Quintanilla was shot and killed. She was just 23. Known as the “reina” of Tejano — its queen — the young woman was relishing in the beginning of her stardom when her life was taken abruptly, a shocking and devastating loss not only to the Latinx community but to her growing American audiences.

“I was in high school when she died,” says Esmeralda Bermudez, a Salvadoran Los Angeles Times staff writer who has covered Quintanilla’s impact over the years. “My best friend and I sat in her kitchen just stunned. We were about only 14, but we knew then it was a moment of tremendous loss in the Latino community.”

The loss of Selena’s life brought Latinx people and ideas together, influencing innovation where there was a previously unknown need — Latinx media. People wanted to, and needed to, know information on the young woman’s death, a public interest so massive it led to the birth of People en Español, Newsweek en Español and Latina Magazine.

Those who might not be familiar with Quintanilla’s contributions might ask, “What’s the big deal with Selena anyway? Why has she influenced so much of the Latin community for so long?”

While her impact was well-received and valued by many Latinos of all backgrounds, in this case, it might be helpful to ask a Mexican why a Mexican-American mattered so much.

Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times features writer and author of the book “Ask a Mexican!,” has dedicated his life to investigating and telling the stories of Latinos. When he’s not writing about the importance of foods in Latinx cultures, he’s answering the question proposed above — “What’s the big deal

with Selena, anyway?”

“Selena is an icon of Latinx folks for many reasons. Her life ended tragically short, just like Mexican legends like Pedro Infante, Chalino Sanchez, and Jenni Rivera,” Arellano says. “She was someone who was unapologetically herself — Tejana and proud — in an era and culture that preferred women like her to be quiet and subservient. More importantly, her talent is immortal — the music, the fashion, the sense of pride in herself and her culture. A leyenda!”

A “leyenda,” which translates to legend, indeed. A leyenda whose influence is profound, especially in the arts. She was a force within the Latinx community; a catalyst who drove and continues to drive creativity, hustle and unity. March marked 25 years without Selena, a date to reflect on her eternal presence in the media and in the arts. Her presence nationally has withstood the test of time thanks to many artists, who use different mediums to tell her story and remember her impact on communities everywhere.

PERFORMING ARTS Daniel Marquez, 26, also known as @dannypicante on social media platforms, is a Mexican-American content creator, actor, and screenwriter from the Inland Empire and current Los Angeles resident. A California Baptist University alumnus with a degree in communications, he is a lifelong, devoted fan of Quintanilla. Although he was very young when she passed, as a child he was inspired by her music and her presence.

“I performed her whole concert when I was 4 at my birthday party. I stood up on a pool table and I knew every song from her Disco Medley performance in the Astrodome,” Marquez says. ➤

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As an adult, Quintanilla’s presence became an inspiration not only in his art but in his identity. “She provided a pillow of comfort when I came out; she softened it,” Marquez says. “She’s always been that muse for me and for us; undeniable beauty and a resilient soul that we could all relate to. She showed me we could all be beautiful in our own way even if it is gay or being different. We found common ground in Selena.”

Marquez said Quintanilla resonates with Latinx artists in a special way. “She worked nonstop since she was a little girl. One of the only Latina legends we have to look up to. We lack representation in the media, and specifically with movies and roles performers get — it’s pretty dismal. We have to hold onto her as an example of a great artist, performer, singer, artist,” Marquez says.

Visual Artists & Painters Daisy Carlene, known as @daisycarlene on social media platforms, is a Mexican-American painter with roots in Colima and Mazatlan, Mexico. Originally from the San Fernando Valley and now based in Los Angeles, her first experience was like that of many Latinx young adults who weren’t old enough to embrace Selena in her lifetime. She experienced

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Selena through Jennifer Lopez’s portrayal in the 1997 film “Selena.”

“Even though I didn’t get to physically experience her talents in person, through her music, work ethic, style and persona we can all feel that radiant energy,” Carlene says.

As a creative artist, Carlene was influenced by Selena’s craft.

“Seeing her live performances on screen and how she designed her own outfits — I mean, the woman had style and at such a young age. So dope! Her charismatic personality and passion for music and fashion is definitely admirable.”

Vanessa Ayala, known as @artbyayala on social media platforms, is an artist and painter based in New York City with roots in Colombia, South America.

Her work is largely inspired by Black and brown figures in her day to day life and in American and Latino pop culture. For her, Quintanilla was an inspiration not only as an artist and muse, but as an intimate representation of her own identity.

“I recently did my DNA test and discovered I am 80% Native American, so being an indigenous Latina I feel like I can identify with Selena in this way and I love to create art as an homage to her and celebrate her beauty,” Ayala says.

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Considering representation in the media, Ayala said she resonated with her experience.

“As I got older I realized she is still one of the only celebrated Latinas with indigenous features.

So many Latinas in the mainstream lean towards having a more Eurocentric appearance, such as lighter skin tone, light eyes, mainly dyed blonde or brownish hair. But Selena, being of Mexican heritage, clearly has a Native American beauty.”

Content Creators & Social Media Mayam Victoria Lillard, known as @mayamvictoria on social media platforms, is an Afro-Latina creator of Ecuadoran descent who is one of the two voices of the podcast “Homegirls from the Valley.” A San Fernando Valley native, Lillard said Selena was an integral part of her upbringing that introduced her to the world of Spanish-language music.

BIDI BIDI BOM BOM “The words she says in bidibidibombom — she’s in love. It’s a feel good song. I feel happy; I can visualize that she’s in love and smiling when she says ‘mi corazon se enloquece’ my heart goes crazy).”

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“You know all the mamas would play it in the house, at family parties, your neighborhood swap meet, she was there! You can’t help but to bust a groove real quick. Thankful we were graced with her essence.”

— Daisy Carlene

Apart from being a bridge that allowed Lillard to embrace her roots, Selena also inspired her experience as a Latina artist.

“Her dedication to her craft and her tenacity to ‘make it’ in an industry that wasn’t as open to a Latinx woman artist is very inspiring to me,” Lillard says. “I also really identified with her pride in being a first-generation Mexican-American. Although I am Ecuadorian, the sentiment of being proud of where your family comes from and representing is something I hold close to my heart.”

Similar to Ayala, Lillard said she knew Quintanilla represented a hustle and a group of underrepresented Latina women in a positive light.

“As a Latina woman, she just showed all of us what you can be,” Lillard says. “Regardless of where you come from, where your family’s from, whether your Spanish or English is perfect, you can become who you want. It’s always inspiring to see that, but even more when that person looks like you. Representation matters and Selena did that.” ◆

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“It’s such a tragically beautiful song and she sings it with so much emotion.

It really brings me close to tears every time I listen to it. My mom and grandma always make me sing it around the house, too. I love it so much because although things didn’t work out for her and this guy, and clearly the man did her wrong, she’s still living her truth and not allowing the circumstances to make her jaded in love — which is so easy to do after a breakup. She’s saying that yes, she maybe chose wrong and fell in love with the wrong person, but it was beautiful for what it was and she’ll never forget it. Ugh, tears.”

— Mayam Victoria Lillard

“I feel like to this day no one has been able to recreate or capture the same passion she put into that record.

It really is a masterpiece.”

— Vanessa Ayala Pursuit | 61

ART FOR The NONARTIST Written by Sophie Gravitt Photo Illustrations by Reagan Lee

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ARTS

CULTIVATINg CREATIVITY

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here are two common classifications of people when it comes to art: good artists and bad artists.

What if there was more to art than simply being good at it?

Art can help people cope with hardships, expand their creative skills and contribute to their academic ability as well as their career. Art has both personal and professional benefits for all kinds of people, not just those who are considered artistic. For some, art may entail classical practices such as drawing, painting or sculpting. For others, it may be interior design, photography, theatre or writing. Most importantly, the purpose of art is creativity, not always a finished product.

The World Economic Forum, an international organization that shapes industry agendas, completed a study on creativity in April 2019. Researcher Kate Whiting says that creativity is crucial for effective leadership, ranking creativity as the third most important skill for employers. After interviewing 1,500 CEOs of successful businesses across the world, WEF concluded that those who listed creativity as one of the top three leadership traits were up to 20% more likely to pursue innovation through business model change.

According to Dr. Erin Smith, associate professor of psychology and certified developmental psychologist, there is a much more meaningful purpose to artistic practices than most assume.

“Everyone should dabble in the arts if we define art broadly. It is so important psychologically to have more than just the thing you want to do for the rest of your life,” Smith says.

Smith explains that there are two different types of thinking: convergent and divergent. Convergent thinking is thinking normally or following the usual patterns of the brain. Divergent thinking is diverging away from those normal patterns. Thinking exercises creativity, which in turn enhances many other cognitive abilities and skills.

“To be exceptional in anything you do requires creativity. To be a good scientist you must be a creative scientist. You must find new ways to solve old problems,” Smith says.

Annette Armenta, alumna of California State University, San Bernardino, earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. She says she always admired art growing up but did not pursue it until halfway through college. Armenta discovered the many benefits of artistic practices including enhancement of academic thinking.

“I am a very visual learner. Practicing art helped me academically because it helped me see things in a new way,” Armenta says. “I need something new to feed my creativity, and art is constantly changing, which helps me see things in a new way. Art added color to the dark places of my world.”

Creativity does not always need to be used for professional or academic purposes. People have found that it is actually most beneficial when you practice creativity for the sole purpose of practicing creativity.

Shekiah Warren, senior intercultural studies major, is interested in travel photography, but she refrained from pursuing this for a long time because she did not consider herself to be creative. ➤

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ARTS

“It’s been especially therapeutic during the projects I’ve done only for myself, the ones that don’t exist to the world outside of my knowledge and creation of them. Those have breathed life into my creativity because it was a chance to experiment without the pressure of meeting expectations of others,” Warren says.

Art also helps us cope with our emotions. When going through a very difficult time of loss in her life, Smith realized many things about her identity.

She realized that who she was a person seemed too limited because everything she did revolved around work or family. She began to question what she was doing for herself. Smith bought an art book and began to explore the unfamiliar realm of drawing.

Smith had always considered herself to be bad at art, and even when she started learning how to draw, she still considered herself a “bad” artist. However, her goal was not necessarily to become good at it.

“The point is not that I got good at it — the point was that I did something that had no other end in and of itself than to give another dimension to who I was. Society implicitly suggests that our worth is in what we can produce, and I think that is wrong, un-Christian and psychologically unhealthy. To pursue things with no output has value. I won’t get paid to do art, but I do it anyway,” Smith says.

Smith says it is psychologically proven that there is a kind of happiness associated with stress.

Some people consider art to be a stress reliever, but the reality for others is that it can sometimes add stress. This does not have to be a bad thing. Smith described the three different states of happiness, one of which is called Flow. Flow occurs when someone is so immersed in a task that time flies by without them even noticing. This state of happiness is often motivated by stress, which contributes to the rewarding factor of a task once it is accomplished.

“This kind of happiness leads to a full, contented life, which I think is much closer to the Christian version of happiness. Engaging fully in a task, including one that involves artistic expression, is very beneficial for our well-being, even if stress is experienced in the process,” Smith says.

Creativity is not a trait that some are born with and some are not. Creativity can always be cultivated. Artistic ability can always be developed. It is not the product of creativity that matters, it is the pursuit of it. ◆

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To Access Playlists Open the Spotify app and click the camera icon in the search bar to scan code and listen to the playlist each Pursuit staff member made just for you.

Enjoy these playlists thoughtfully curated by the Pursuit staff.

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My playlist includes songs that often cause me to daydream and make me feel melancholic in a good way.

My playlist is my favorite alternative R&B and randomly chill songs that I enjoy listening to at every point of the day.

An indie-pop playlist with a little bit of everything for every person and mood.

My playlist consists of uplifting songs that brighten my day and encourage me whenever I’m feeling down.

PURSUIT Pursuit magazine is a student-produced publication of California Baptist University that works to utilize professional, balanced journalism to tell the stories of CBU’s community and the real-life, relevant factors that affect that community.

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Photo by Alyse Messmer Pursuit | 67