Pursuit | Fall 2019

International Coastal Cleanup

6 Global Activism 16 Sustainable Fashion 38 Four Legs Good

LIFE WITH JUNIPER MAE

F E AT U R E S

My battle with mental illness — and the golden girl who saved me

16

FOUR LEGS GOOD BAKERY Brooke Fenex — vegan baking superstar

2 | Pursuit

10

38

SUSTAINABLE FASHION Sustainable changes in fashion and beauty can lead to a brighter future

LIFESTYLE TRENDS T R AV E L

International Coastal Cleanup Global activism to protect the world's bodies of water

12

Life with Juniper Mae

16

Sustainable Fashion

22

Climate Change The fight to preserve islands

26

LA Cultural Towns A student's guide to LA's ethnic districts

30

Traveling Solo

REL ATIONSHIPS

The art of the independent voyage

ARTS

CONTENTS

6

32

Breaking Away from Traditions How college students find their faith away from home

36

A Note to My Past Self Students reflect on their college lives

38

Four Legs Good Bakery

42

Literary Feature: Ry Reed, Pink Grapefruit

Pursuit | 3

S TA F F

Heather Scurti Managing Editor

Alyse Messmer Lifestyle, Travel & Trends Editor

Sage Zbinden Design Editor

Reagan Lee Photo Editor

Ninasophia Stowe Relationships, Arts & Trends Editor

Kerrilyn Collins Editorial Assistant

Kailey Sniffin Assistant Design Editor

Dr. Michael Chute Adviser and Director of Student Publications

4 | Pursuit

Sonya Singh Assistant Director of Student Publications

Joseph Smallwood Staff Designer

Jim Veneman Photojournalism Consultant

EDITOR’S NOTE

Korah Robinson

It is finally here.

This magazine was created so carefully by many brilliant people, with you, dear reader, in mind. Pursuit magazine has always been a beacon of stories from around the world. We strive to be an avenue by which all people from all walks of life can be heard and share their experiences. Between these covers, there are stories of life, loss, religion, mental health and even dogs. There truly is something for everyone.

My hope is that the stories in these pages speak to you on a level deeper than face value. In our busy lives, it can be so easy to give little attention to the things we see, read and encounter on a daily basis. I emplore you to take your time with this magazine. Let the words on these pages permeate your mind and stimulate a conversation. Let them speak.

Let the words on these pages permeate your mind and stimulate a conversation.

Pursuit | 5

INTERNATIONAL

COASTAL CLEANUP

6 | Pursuit

LIFESTYLE

Global Activism to Protect the World’s Bodies of Water Written by: Kelsie Stevens Photography by: Reagan Lee and Kelsie Stevens Design by: Kai Sniffin and Korah Robinson

A

plastic straw, a food wrapper, a cigarette butt, some water bottle lids and a fork. What do all these have in common? They are some of the most common pieces of trash found by volunteers, including California Baptists University’s Environmental Science Club, during this year’s International Coastal Cleanup.

The event is held once a year on Sept. 21 all around the world. Its goal is to encourage people to help stop trash pollution at their local beaches. At California beaches, the California Coastal Commission helped organize the event and arranged specific cleanup spots, one of which was at Huntington Beach, Calif. At this location, volunteers were given resources and materials to help pick up waste from the beaches and parks.

Pursuit | 7

Brad Slater, beach operations crew leader for the City of Huntington Beach, says volunteers are given gloves, bags, grabbers and water to help them pick up the trash around the beach.

“Even though there is no drinking or smoking on the beach, the most common trash found is bottle caps, cigarettes and beer cans,” Slater says.

Slater explains that the cleanup is the “big event” of the year for public workers at Huntington Beach, but for him and his crew it is a nightly routine.

“People do not like to hit the trash cans. Even when they are empty, there is trash right next to them,” Slater says. “Put your trash in the trash cans, even if they are full. There are lots of other ones around.”

Although Slater’s team cleans the beach every night, on coastal cleanup day, they are given a break and volunteers take over. One volunteer group present at the Huntington Beach cleanup was CBU’s Environmental Science Club, which brought about 20 volunteers to

help pick up the waste.

Among these volunteers was Madison Santiago, sophomore environmental science major, who says she is passionate about ocean conservation and reducing plastic waste.

“The cleanup spreads awareness. There are a lot of little kids here and educating them is important. Even if they do not pick up a lot of trash, they are being exposed to, ‘Oh, there is plastic here and all these people are helping clean it up — let me do that, too.’”

Santiago says she understands the importance of the Environmental Science Club attending the cleanup.

“If we do not do it, then who else is going to?” she says.

Alongside CBU volunteers were many families trying to make a difference in their community. One mom, Priscilla Cruz, a resident of the Inland Empire, brought her children to the cleanup. “(My children) are 2, 3 and 5 years old, so they are

Previous page: Zyanya Rubio, biology and environmental science double major, holds up her collected bag of trash.

Right: Madison Santiago, sophomore environmental science major, walks around Huntington Beach searching for refuse buried in the sand.

Next page: Alie Minium, freshman environmental science major, hold up the bag of trash she collected at Huntington Beach.

8 | Pursuit

LIFESTYLE

new to all this,” Cruz says. “They think everyone picks up after themselves, so having them (at the cleanup) is really eye-opening for them because we get to explain how important (being environmentally conscious) is, not only for the planet but for the animals that are around the ocean.”

In participating in the cleanup, volunteers say they hope to invest in the next generation.

“It all starts with them. I want them to understand that volunteering is a great step to making the world a kinder place,” Cruz says.

Another volunteer, Zyanya Rubio, sophomore biology and environmental science double major, says she feels the weight of helping the next generation.

“For future generations, if we do not pick up the trash, they are not going to get to enjoy the beaches like we do because there is going to be a lot of trash and plastic. It is not

Pursuit | 9

10 | Pursuit

LIFESTYLE

going to be a safe place for people to come bring their families and enjoy,” Rubio says. “They won’t be able to go swimming in the ocean, they won’t be able to eat the fish in the ocean or go surfing, or anything like that, because it is going to be destroyed and full of plastic. It won’t be safe for anyone.”

Volunteers around the world feel the weight, as well.

The Ocean Conservancy, an organization that works to facilitate these events, reported about 23 million pounds of trash was collected worldwide during International Coastal Cleanup day.

Despite all this, many who work in the environmental field want to see the habits of the cleanup become an everyday occurrence.

“It is important (that) every day we make sure we are maintaining our beaches, (keeping them) free of debris, trash and any pollutants that could harm our marine habitat and, of course, ourselves as well,” says Michelle Galvez, City of Huntington Beach environmental specialist and cleanup leader.

Galvez encourages those coming to the beach to not pollute and to pick up after themselves due to the adverse effects caused by trash pollutants. One of the most common effects caused by this physical pollution is the death of marine life that ingest trash or chemicals given off by it.

According to the California Coastal Commission, “Marine debris affects at least 817 species worldwide, including all known sea turtle species and about half of all marine mammal species. More than 80 percent of these impacts were associated with plastic debris.”

This plastic debris was found in overwhelming amounts during the cleanup with more than 45 million plastic pieces picked up, according to the Ocean Conservancy.

Although a great deal of plastic was picked up during the cleanup, the trash has collected over time.

Galvez and Slater encourage those who wish to participate in the event to not make it a once a year occurrence.

“Groups and organizations can come in and go down to the lifeguard headquarters and get a permit to come in and clean the beach at any time of the year,” Slater says.

The International Coastal Cleanup is not only a day to pick up trash, but a day to bring awareness to the consistent pollution going into the marine systems every day. Whether it’s at a major cleanup event or just another day at the beach, keeping trash away from the beach and ocean is important to sustaining marine life and the ecosystems within them.

Pursuit | 11

Life with

JUNIPER MAE My battle with mental illness — and the golden girl who saved me

Written by: Korah Robinson Illustrated by: Hannah Jones

F

or as long as I can remember, my mother has called me a “worrier.” I remember being young and not able to sleep because I was absolutely certain someone was going to break into my room and kidnap me.

I clearly recall my mother ’s gentle frustration at my 6-year-old self. She couldn’t understand why I was always so worried about things that had a slim-to-none chance of happening. As calmly as she could, she would tell me to think of happy thoughts “like balloons and birthday parties” until I fell asleep.

And it worked. That is, until I began to face real problems: Cue middle-school hormones.

When I was a tween and young teenager, I often felt sad for no reason. I wore hoodies, never did my hair, and just sort of floated through life.

I would have never said I was depressed then because that was a “bad” thing and God forbid that you were a “bad” thing. I actually never realized what it could be until I was a sophomore in high school.

My depression was on and off, as it typically is. There were good days and bad days; there were good months and bad months. I always just wrote it off

12 | Pursuit

as being a teenager and going through life.

Then, one day in sophomore year, all of my friends began ignoring me. To this day, I have no idea why. And that began a very dark spiral.

I didn’t really have anyone. My family and I weren’t going to church; my friends had decidedly all turned against me simultaneously; and I was left with no real relationships. Yes, my parents were there but few teenagers want to talk to their parents about their problems in high school.

I began to feel suicidal. I didn’t want to live life if this is what it was going to be like forever. I read stories about it; found the easiest ways how. All that worry from my childhood swirled with doubt, confusion and depression was too much for my 15-year-old brain to handle. I wanted to be done. I was so tired.

But, as it does for everyone, things did get better — albeit slowly. I found new friends who invited me back to church and God reached me through

LIFESTYLE

them when he knew I wouldn’t dare open a Bible. I began to feel safe enough to open up to them about my mental health issues and they listened and cried with me. I began to feel better. The dark thoughts were fought off with love and compassion.

But, even still, there were good days and bad days, good months and bad months.

When I left home for college, I finally had a strong support system in my friends and church leaders, but my relationship with my parents was rocky at best. We couldn’t have a single conversation without yelling one way or another. I didn’t feel any respect from them and decided they hadn’t earned mine.

I “got out” as soon as I could and moved into my cousin’s house with him, his wife and his two young daughters.

Thus began “Korah’s Depression: The Return.”

As a freshman commuter living away from home, making friends was incredibly hard.

My then-boyfriend had gone to St. Louis for college and all of my friends were in my distant hometown. I felt like I had been abandoned by everyone I knew and loved — again.

I spent my freshman year of college, a time that should have been reserved for exploration and freedom, feeling trapped. I would lock myself in my room, only come to campus to attend classes and not talk to anyone face-to-face for days at a time.

I found myself crying daily and spending any moment not at school in bed. It was

truly my lowest of lows. The depression was back and so were the suicidal thoughts and tendencies, as well as a new feeling I hadn’t experienced before.

I felt like I was floating, dreaming, living life outside of my body. It’s rather hard to explain but it’s almost like I was a shell of myself and was watching someone else experience my life from the outside, like I was my own ghost watching my living self interact with a world of which I was no longer a part.

Late one night, I had fallen down a hole on YouTube and rediscovered a singersongwriter called Dodie Clark, who I remembered having enjoyed in the past.

Hoping to feel some kind of joy again, I began scrolling through her videos.

I had all but given up after an hour of letting the autoplay scroll through her recent uploads when Dodie popped on screen saying, “Hi, my name is Dodie, and I feel like I’m dreaming all the time.” She went on to explain that she has a mental health condition called derealization, another term for chronic dissociation.

In that moment, it all clicked.

That’s what I was feeling and it all began to make sense.

Yet, in my hurting, stubborn brain, I was convinced I didn’t need help. I would fight it on my

Pursuit | 13

own and I would be just fine, thank you very much.

I struggled with my mental health for the next year. My mom has always told me that happiness was a choice and it was all in my head. And that was partially true. The issue was all in my head, but not in the way she thought. And for me, happiness wasn’t a choice. I couldn’t choose to not be anxious or to wake up from the dream state in which I was stuck. I felt truly helpless.

In January, I finally caved: I was going to see a therapist. After a tumultuous Thanksgiving and Christmas break at home, I decided it was time. I booked an appointment at the CBU Counseling Center, and, starting Jan. 23, I decided to put my mental health first.

In the following weeks, I saw my therapist every Wednesday. She referred me out to a psychiatrist who could properly diagnose me and, for the first time, my “issues” had names.

I was diagnosed with a generalized anxiety disorder and depression, symptomatic of depersonalization and memory loss. I was amazed at what I learned that day. Everything I had thought was permanent began to feel like it could actually be temporary — manageable.

As time passed, my therapist, psychiatrist and I began looking into different treatment options. The medication was working well but I could tell I was missing something.

While medication helped my brain work properly and encouraged serotonin, there was nothing tangible to help me feel grounded in my everyday life. I’ve never been good at grounding techniques and it was really showing itself in my therapy sessions.

Then, I found it in the form of a wet nose, countless tennis balls and an incomparable love.

14 | Pursuit

Emotional Support Animals provide therapeutic support to their owners in dayto-day life. Having always loved dogs and knowing how they make me happy no matter what, I chose to look into this.

Instantly, I fell in love with the idea.

Having my own personal dog to hold and love when I was having a rough day? Sign me up. I talked to my psychiatrist who gave a resounding “yes” to my idea and began paperwork with CBU. It was finally time to look for my dog. I knew I wanted a Golden Retriever. I didn’t know why; I had never had one before. But for some reason, I got stuck on that breed. As I am very anti-breeder on principle, I knew it would be nearly impossible to find a Golden in a shelter, especially in California.

And yet.

One weekend, home from working at a camp this past summer, my best friend Liana sent me a photo of a Golden Retriever she found on our local shelter ’s adoptable pets webpage.

She was a young, red Golden and, from her profile that described her as “sweet, energetic and overweight,” I knew she had to be the one, extra pounds and all.

I drove to the shelter that instant, signed in and made a beeline for the dog section.

As soon as I walked in, I saw her. Her fiery hair, trapped, squirming in the metal cage, caught my eye instantly. I felt my heart leap nervously. What if she wasn’t actually perfect? What if she wasn’t the one? I approached her cage, crouched down and put my hand to the bars and was met with her wet nose.

She was the one. To this day, I am still so in awe because she was nowhere near perfect the first time I met her.

A volunteer brought her to a meet-and-greet

LIFESTYLE room with me and she hid in the corner the entire time. But still, I knew. I was taking her home that day and I was naming her Juniper.

Life with Juni was definitely a learning curve at first. She was, as the webpage described, overweight. She went on a strict diet as soon as she came home. She had ticks, needed a haircut and a proper bath and I began to feel overwhelmed.

Did I make a mistake? Was Juni more of a stressor than something to provide relief in my life? It definitely felt that way at first.

But over time, she has become an incredible source of relief for me.

It took Juni a while to get used to me and my daily schedule. I had to crate-train her, teach her basic obedience, and help her lose 15 pounds — all before returning to CBU for the fall. And she proved herself to be so smart and so willing to learn.

Now, Juni loves her new life and brings me and my roommates so much joy. She loves squeaky toys, expensive treats and rolling around in the grass. If she sees me overwhelmed or stressing, she comes to me and lays her head in my lap. When I’m quiet, she places her paw on my thigh or in my hand. When I lay on the ground, consumed by anxiety, stress or frustration, she lays next to me and allows me to cuddle with her until I am content.

She has become my No. 1 girl and I am constantly impressed with how much her presence truly anchors me.

Juni, more than any medication, therapist or the like, has changed my life dramatically in only four months. She cares for me unlike any person and always makes sure I’m doing OK without me asking or feeling embarrassed.

She is everything and has made my mental health journey so incredibly full.

To this day, I don’t

She cares for me unlike any person and always makes sure I’m doing OK without me asking or feeling embarrassed. remember much from my first two years of college. Memory loss, I later found out, is a huge side-effect of depression and anxiety.

I still struggle daily with intrusive and depressive thoughts. Juni is, by no means, a cure-all. But her affection has a huge impact on my well-being.

Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough research out there for every ESA to be justified.

I was fortunate to have a psychiatrist who supports them in treatment.

“Without specific training as a service animal,” says Veola Vazquez, professor of psychology, “we have very limited data about the nature of how (ESAs) are helpful or whether they actually are. Obviously, we have case reports or personal reports (but) to be able to scientifically say, ‘Yes, we know that (ESAs) are helpful,’ studies need to be done.”

However, Vazquez says that, while there isn’t much research surrounding ESAs, certain ideas can be inferred about an animal’s affect on mental health.

“If you’re experiencing any anxious or depressive symptoms, there is a lot of evidence that being able to develop a sense of mindfulness where you cultivate attention to your breathing, attention to your surroundings and being very present and focused can help reduce those symptoms,” Vasquez says. “If the animal comes alongside you and helps with that process, that can be very helpful.

"Do we have a lot of evidence as far as the literature goes in that? No. But is the process of using mindfulness techniques proven to be helpful? Absolutely.”

Though they aren’t necessarily backed by science yet, my emotional support animal has changed my experience in life and college drastically. For those reading this and resonating with my story, I implore you to seek help and find a treatment plan that works for you. Only good things can come from looking to better one’s self.

Pursuit | PB

ble na

susta i

Written by: Kerrilyn Collins Photography by: Madison Santana Illustrated by: Sage Zbinden 16 | Pursuit

TRENDS

sustainable changes in fashion and beauty can lead to a brighter future

T

oday, the fashion and beauty industries are faced with issues such as increased water usage, hazardous chemicals, short life-cycle (time the product is spent in the market) and excessive waste.

According to Harpers Bazaar magazine, many well-known brands are unethical in their treatment of workers, and produce clothes or products that are horrible for the environment. The Huffington Post writes that unsold clothes are burned or thrown in the trash rather than being recycled or donated.

According to Vox.com, skincare products contain toxic ingredients that many consumers don’t know exist in their products.

Consumers generally don’t realize the influence their buying habits have on the industry and the workers involved in producing these products, and often shop uninformed. Having knowledge about these industries can make a big difference.

What changes can people make to their lifestyle to make a positive difference? How does one consumer ’s shopping habits make a difference in multi-billion dollar industries?

By shopping sustainably, understanding the production process of goods and knowing what makes clean beauty products, consumers can do their part to fight against waste and practices of unethical companies.

Pursuit | 17

HOW TO SHOP SUSTAINABLE FASHION Buying ethically sourced clothing may seem daunting to some. Where does someone start?

What shops are ethical and which ones are not? With all of the changes needed to be made in the fashion industry, it can be easy to be overwhelmed and feel like one person cannot make a difference. However, making a difference can be as simple as someone looking at his or her lifestyle and finding product alternatives or new ways to be more eco-friendly.

Brands that are Fair Trade Credited give equal pay and treatment to the people that produce their clothing. The first step to shopping sustainably is researching what brands fit into this category and are making a difference in the industry by being ethically produced.

Dakota Shyres, youth pastor and ambassador for Poshmark, shared the importance of having the right mindset when starting out.

“Having a mindset of awareness of sustainable fashion is so important,” Shyres says.

“Remember the reason why you’re doing it. I needed to switch my mindset from ‘I’m going to change the entire world’ to doing it for my own convictions and personal ethics. Once you have that mindset it’s really easy to not shop fastfashion. You’re so much more willing to shop at stores that you know where your money is going toward.”

One of the best and easiest ways to shop sustainably is to shop at thrift stores.

“I thrift a lot of my fashion and when I want to buy new things, I research the brands I want to buy and make sure I love it and want to make sure I wear it for a long time, and the person after me wears and loves it for a long time,” says Elizabeth Johnson, senior early childhood studies major.

Brands such as Levi’s, Everlane, H&M Conscious, Patagonia, Reformation, Madewell and J.Crew are all considered sustainable by ethically producing their clothes. Buying higher-priced items can be worth it if they’re ethically sourced cherished for a long time by the consumer.

One of the major issues the fashion industry faces is waste and short life-cycle.

A large part of being sustainable is what consumers do with unwanted clothes. After an item is no longer needed or wanted, it’s important to either reuse it or recycle it in a proper way. Donating clothes to charities is a 18 | Pursuit

TRENDS

great way to get rid of unwanted clothes while giving someone else the chance to use it.

It’s a popular trend to reuse clothing by taking something old and sewing it into a new style, eliminating the risk of more waste and the impact on the environment.

CLEAN BEAUTY Clean beauty is a term that has become more prevalent to modern consumers. The question of what is being put into your skincare and beauty products is a question worth asking.

Seeing terms such as “natural” and “crueltyfree” on labels doesn’t mean that the products aren’t filled with animal ingredients or that the company is not testing on animals or not putting animal ingredients into the products are two separate things.

Ingredients like squalene (shark liver oil), ambergris (whale vomit), carmine (crushed up beetles), gelatin (cow/pig bones and tendons), allantoin (cow urine) and placenta (sheep organs) are commonly found in skincare and beauty products.

According to Women’s Market, fifty percent of women consumers are looking to buy clean beauty products without sacrificing efficacy. But what brands can they trust?

One of the most prominent issues in the beauty industry is the lack of regulation. The United States has not passed a beauty law since 1938. To put it into perspective, The Guardian reports that the European Union has banned more than 1,300 unsafe ingredients while the United States has only banned 11. This may seem alarming, and it most definitely is.

How do we know what products are truly safe?

To be sure about the safety of which products you are using, self-regulation is the way to go.

Researching on harmful ingredients and which brands are using them will help the consumer identify what products are or are not beneficial for them. Apps such as Think Dirty do just that.

Think Dirty allows a consumer to either scan

or look up a product to see how toxic it is. The app rates the product from one to 10, with one being the best for you and 10 being the worst.

The app tells you what harmful ingredients are in the product as well as the side effects of those ingredients.

Many companies will “greenwash” the consumer, falsely conveying that they factor environmental responsibility into their production.

“When I heard of ‘greenwashing,' I looked more into it and was shocked at how many of my 'clean' products weren’t actually clean,” says Kaylyn Kakuska, owner of Lux Clothing and regional vice president for Arbonne. “Marketing is so tricky. Just because it says vegan doesn’t mean it’s clean. I fell in love with Arbonne because its not only what it put into the products but also what it leaves out.”

A major fear when it comes to clean beauty is the lack of efficacy. It seems that either a brand is high-performing but extremely toxic, or great for the environment and your skin but lowperforming.

Beauty Counter is a brand that decided consumers shouldn’t have to compromise on efficacy or ingredients. In 2013, it launched its first product with a “never” list of more than 1,500 harmful chemicals such as benzalkonium chloride, parabens, formaldehyde, ethanolamines, phthalates and synthetic flavor and fragrance. Beauty Counter's company policy states that all the products it makes, beauty or otherwise, will never contain any of those 1,500 chemicals on the list.

Pursuit | 19

As a consumer, the best thing to do is to research and understand why clean beauty matters. Skin is a person’s largest organ and it’s important that people treat it with the best products available. Finding products that are 100 percent clean and do the job is key.

Some amazing clean brands that rate well on Think Dirty are Beauty Counter, Arbonne, Glossier, Farmacy Beauty, REN, Youth to the People and E.L.F. However, it can be difficult and unrealistic for some college students to make the switch to clean beauty.

“It’s difficult to completely switch over to clean beauty because it can get expensive,” says Maddie Brenton, senior exercise science major. “I’ve been gradually switching over different aspects of my skincare routine that I find are the most important.

I do a ton of research on different products and try many samples.”

She also shared the importance of being clean on the inside of her body as well as the outside.

“Being clean doesn’t necessarily just apply to the products you put on your

face,” says Brenton. “What you put in your body can show through on your skin. I’ve become a huge advocate for taking care of your body by getting rid of the toxins in all that I eat and put on my skin.”

Knowledge is power when it comes to the beauty and fashion industry. The more a consumer knows, the smarter he or she can shop and the more that can be shared with the community. What he or she wears and puts on his or her skin should be products with “good for you” ingredients representing ethical companies.

“Learn why you care. Don’t just do it because it’s a fad, but really care and know why you care,” Johnson says. “Start small because you’re only going to overwhelm yourself and then forget about it and go right back to where you started. This is a lifestyle, not just a trend.”

Being sustainable and clean is more than just a shopping habit — it’s a lifestyle.

Acknowledging that something needs to change and implementing sustainable practices in one’s life are the first steps to making a difference in the fashion and beauty industry.

Knowledge is power when it comes to the beauty and fashion industry. The more a consumer knows, the smarter he or she can shop and the more that can be shared with the community.

20 | Pursuit

TRENDS

Pursuit | 21

CL I

E G

CHA E T A N M

Written by: Heather Scurti Illustrated by: Joseph Smallwood

F

orty-eight hours of pure devastation. Fifty people pronounced dead. Thirteen hundred still missing and more than 70,000 in need of lifesaving assistance. Hurricane Dorian, one of the strongest on record, is the latest national disaster to leave its mark on the planet. So, the question is presented: Was it just another large weather system or a direct result of rapid climate change?

For the United States, this is yet another issue in a list of many that is debated among politicians. However, for other countries — especially those in poverty — climate change is a matter of life and death, according to a 2019 Mercy Corps article.

Mariah Vertulfo, junior environmental science and global community science double major, was born and

22 | Pursuit

raised in Bohol, a province in the Philippines, where she has gradually seen environmental changes occur.

Vertulfo lived in the urban city of Tagbilaran for part of her childhood. During this time, she couldn’t help but notice how congested the city was and how the air quality suffered because of it.

“The emissions produced by the greater number of cars and factories have only worsened pollution in the city.”

She also lived in the rural area of Magtangtang, Danao, where she witnessed plentiful vegetation, cleaner air and plenty of water. Unfortunately, this is no longer what she sees when she visits her family now.

“Now, I notice trees have been cut down and the streams are nearly dry from the increasing heat. Before, the rivers were

T R AV E L

The Fight to Preserve Islands

constantly rushing with water.

They used to be too dangerous to swim in. Now, they are so shallow that you can walk across them without a problem.”

She still keeps in contact with friends in the Philippines who have changed their careers as a result of the climate. “(My friends) see the impacts of climate change in our home country and want to contribute to promote environmental health.”

Ashley Iobos, senior environmental science major, is another student who has experienced the effects the current climate has had on other countries.

Iobos had the opportunity to travel with the environmental science program at California Baptist University on an eco-tour led by Dr. Bonjoo Koo, professor of environmental science. During these tours, students and faculty learn about different ecosystems across the world, most recently in Australia and New Zealand in 2018, and in Iceland in 2019.

Iobos went on the Australia and New Zealand tour, alongside Koo, where they traveled to three

biomes — desert, rainforest and city — and studied the different climates, plants and species.

In New Zealand, Koo quickly noticed the negative effects of human activity.

“Some of the habitat (and) organisms got lost or altered by human activity, so some unique, native bird species went extinct,” Koo says.

Iobos noticed the most significant change when the group visited the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

“We did notice a lot of the corals were dying. They weren’t as vibrant; when we actually went it wasn’t really that colorful, it was already white and that means that they were almost dead,”Koo says.

As a result, sections were closed off to limit human contact and restore the reef. In addition, visitors can only bring specific brands of sunscreen that are less harmful to the corals.

“The pollution in (the) ocean is critical now," Koo says.

Koo also led the most recent tour to Iceland where students, including Sabrina Tamimi, Written by: Illustrated by:

Pursuit | 23

senior environmental science major, went on a 2 1/2 mile glacial walk and witnessed the major decline of glaciers because of global warming.

“Students realized, ‘Wow, we lost that much glacier.’ It’s a weird phenomenon now. I couldn’t remember how much exactly they’ve lost but it was a tremendous amount of glacier — it became just liquid water instead of ice,” Tamimi says.

Despite the devastating glacial melt, the people of Iceland are still doing their part to make a difference by utilizing geothermal activity underground to use as renewable energy.

“Once they have stored this energy, they recycle the exhaust or emissions and capture them, pump them back into the ground, and form minerals and layers underground to keep the cycle going. The country is running on more than 90 percent renewable energy with little to no emissions.”

With major environmental shifts happening around the world, the need for solutions such as these has become more urgent.

Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, Pacific Islands advisory board

24 | Pursuit

coordinator, and father of a current CBU student, resides in Apia, Samoa, and has dedicated his career to helping others address the growing concerns and find these solutions.

Schuster works with clients to develop plans to combat the negative effects of the climate. His clientele includes governments, private sector businesses, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions and community-based groups.

In addition, he has worked with the United Nations development program for more than 25 years on environmental projects in the Pacific region.

With major environmental shifts happening around the world, the need for solutions such as these has become more urgent.

Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, Pacific Islands advisory board coordinator, and father of a current CBU student, resides in Apia, Samoa, and has dedicated his career to helping others address the growing concerns and find these solutions.

Schuster works with clients to develop plans to combat the negative

T R AV E L

effects of the climate. His clientele includes governments, private sector businesses, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions and communitybased groups. In addition, he has worked with the United Nations development program for more than 25 years on environmental projects in the Pacific region.

Environmental consultants work on a range of environmental issues from biodiversity conservation to chemicals to environmental impact assessments to climate change and energy.

With Samoa still considered a developing country, it makes the issue of climate change much more pressing. Schuster has seen firsthand the impacts it has on his country.

“Many of the coastal communities have lost land up to 200 meters due to coastal erosion, surging high tides, cyclones and typhoons," Schuster says. Many of the inshore reefs have been decimated by cyclone damage (and) coral bleaching. While the intertidal zones and wetlands have either dried up due to long droughts, cyclones have caused tremendous

damage to family homes [and] national infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, water supplies, as well as causing health and agricultural problems.”

As a result, Samoan villages along the coast have been relocated inland but the need for new infrastructure, roads, electricity, schools and homes has put financial stress on the local economy.

Schuster says he worries that it will be too late if global action isn’t taken soon.

“We are on the brink of being too late if actions are not taken immediately, especially for the bigger greenhouse gas emissions industries," he says.

Despite the negative social climate surrounding the environment, people such as Koo and Schuster are still hopeful that progress can be made.

“It’s late but not too late. If we start now, we can minimize the negative impact of human activity so we can take care of our Earth," Koo says.

With the efforts being made not only at CBU but also across the world, there is still hope for the environment.

Written by: Illustrated by:

Pursuit | 25

L. A Written by: Alyse Messmer Photography by: Kengkue Her Design by: Joseph Smallwood

Cultural Towns A STUDENT'S GUIDE TO LA'S ETHNIC DISTRICTS

L

os Angeles is one of the largest cultural centers in the United States. For those who are looking for a new experience in LA, cultural districts such as Chinatown, Olvera Street, Historic Filipinotown and Little Tokyo provide people with a way to step out of their comfort zone and learn more about the world around them, even when they can’t travel across the world.

Shellyn Beltran, California Baptist University’s assistant director of International Students Services, says students should take the time to immerse themselves in these different cultures.

“It doesn’t take hopping an airplane to interact with another culture. We have students from 49 different countries represented on our own campus. Not everyone can afford a trip overseas and that’s OK because the nations are in our own backyard and even on the CBU campus,” Beltran says.

While Los Angeles is home to the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory and many museums, the cultural neighboorhoods within LA hold the ability to take visitors to new places and experience new cultures around each corner.

26 | Pursuit

Olvera Street

T R AV E L

Olvera Street is a Mexican marketplace full of authentic architecture, street vendors, restaurants and historic museums.

Walking through the colorful street one finds are traditional masks, clothes, instruments and gifts. For a food stop, Cielito Lindo offers authentic Mexican burritos, tamales and its famous taquitos with avocado sauce.

The stand has been serving its delicious specialties since 1934, and continues to draw a crowd.

Chinatown

Chinatown is full of authentic food, markets, street vendors and architecture that make it seem like you are a little more than a few miles from the Hollywood sign.

The main street begins with an arch of golden dragons, followed by a block of shops and Thien Hau Temple.

Mathew Graves, junior business administration major, says Chinatown is one of his favorite stops to show friends. “My favorite parts about Chinatown are the food and all the small markets that have unique items I can’t find anywhere else," Graves says.

Chinatown offers many selections for anything to do with Chinese culture.

"I would recommend Chinatown to my friends

because it is fun to make a day trip out of it. It feels like you are in a different country because everyone is speaking a different language and all the shops and restaurants are very much traditional Chinese. Chinatown offers the most authentic feeling of being in China so close to home," Graves says.

The colorful markets offer Chinese souvenirs and traditional presents, such as Japanese Maneki-neko (lucky cat figurines), oriental folding fans and clothing.

Throughout Chinatown, street vendors sell fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and more to its visitors. For a food stop, Yang Chow restaurant offers Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine, along with its famous Slippery Shrimp.

Pursuit | 27

Filipinotown

Historical Filipinotown is known for its main street of historical murals, shops and The Park’s Finest restaurant.

At Unidad Park, the 150-foot wall mural “Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana” walks viewers through 5,000 years of Filipino history painted more than two decades ago.

For a food stop near the end of Filipinotown is The Park’s Finest BBQ restaurant, which is known for its famous Mama Leah’s Coconut Beef.

The restaurant was started as a catering service in 2009 but opened its storefront in 2012. It’s known as “the place where American cuts meet Philipino flavor,” according to its website, and uses the Mama Leah’s Coconut Beef as a reflection of the Philippine Islands. This restaurant serves Filipino food with a Los Angeles vibe and invites customers to be a part of their family.

LA

Los Angele s

28 | Pursuit

Cu

l tu

ral

To

wn

s

T R AV E L

Little tokyo Little Tokyo, hidden between streets of skyscrapers, offers visitors authentic food, shops and lantern-covered streets.

Throughout the streets is the Little Tokyo Mall where people can shop or play card games, the marketplace and grocery store, and the Koyasan Buddhist Temple.

Braden Olson, sophomore accounting major, says he would recommend visiting Little Tokyo because of all the authenticity it holds.

“My favorite part about visiting Little Tokyo is how immersive it is. From the architecture to the decor, the culture and shops, it feels like you’ve stepped out of the city and onto another continent," Olsen says.

"I would recommend visiting Little Tokyo because it offers so much to do. You can shop, try authentic cuisine, take some awesome photos, and enjoy a unique outing with friends.”

For a food stop, Donatsu doughnuts offers a tasteful experience for every visitor, offering unusual and tasty doughnuts such as matcha pistachio, cookies and cream, mocha and churro flavors.

Pursuit | 29

THE PULL Solo trips are not for everyone. There’s a reason why police officers have partners and presidential candidates have running mates. The support of another person offers security and perspective, something greatly appreciated when dropped in an unfamiliar environment. The comforting presence of someone who is there for each step of the ride decentralizes the daunting travel responsibilities among those along for the ride, allowing one to focus more on the majestic scenes and less on safety precautions.

That being said, traveling stag also comes with its own appeal. It offers individuals an exciting opportunity to grow in independence, says Garrett English, director of Academic Engagements. Having overseen and advised students preparing for study abroad programs, English knows the added value found when students choose to take on a study abroad trip solo.

“When you’re with another person, a lot of the times they’ll figure out (everything), so you tend to rely on them,” English says.

“But when you’re by yourself, you’re by yourself, you’re completely reliant on your own abilities to adapt, problem-solve, critically think and be flexible. That really builds a lot of confidence (in students).”

30 | Pursuit

THE ART OF THE INDEPENDENT VOYAGE

T

here are some shared moments in the world all solo travelers regularly experience. The panicked pat-down to check for your phone, ticket, ID, wallet and phone again while next in line at the security checkpoint. The sense of dread that grows while walking down the aisle and futilely listing the reasons that crying toddler in 24B will make the perfect fivehour seat mate. And no one can forget the casual phone game and headphone combo that doubles as the international sign for “Why yes, I’m here alone. Please don’t talk to me.” While every exciting trip and Instagram-worthy shot shows a small glimpse of the exhausting journey, the siren of the unknown calls more and more to travelers each year to pack his or her bags and set out to explore the world, even when it means doing it alone.

Solo

Traveling

Written by: Eunice Hahn Illustrated by: Sage Zbinden

T R AV E L

builds a lot of confidence (in students).”

THE PREP Having a fun solo trip, especially one involving a high level of cultural difference, requires plenty of prior planning. To avoid tripruining surprises, travelers should triple-check Plans A and B before departure. Packing a variety of essentials in a carry-on, such as a toothbrush or change of clothes, helps minimize casualties if a check-in bag is misplaced between transits. Getting the dates right on tickets, visas and lodging is also a must, but the intangible preparation, such as cultural research, is equally important.

English advises that students try to learn phrases in the local tongue and emulate the customs of the area as much as possible — which means maybe not packing flip flops on a New York trip — so they can learn from the culture and have respect for its norms.

While planning requires hefty responsibilities, once solo travelers step off the plane, train or car, what’s left of the trip rests entirely in his or her hands, allowing for an exciting level of freedom.

Stefan Rupp, senior history major, experienced this freedom last summer. Describing himself as having a reserved yet independent personality, Rupp undertook a three-month backpacking trip around eastern Europe, guided only by local conversation and a strong sense of wanderlust.

“The only part (of my trip) that was planned was my first flight to Europe from Chicago,” Rupp says. “The rest was just heading north and meeting people on the way. When you travel with other people, you always have someone

to talk to, but when you travel by yourself, you’re forced to speak to people (you normally wouldn’t).

You’re able to learn more about life or even where to go next.”

THE PRACTICE For the unsure traveler, a weeklong trip or overseas plane ticket might seem intimidating, but solo sightseeing doesn’t need to be a whole endeavor for it to be worthwhile. The thrill of adventure can be found even through a 20-minute drive around the local Riverside area.

For Hannah Lapos, sophomore forensic chemistry and criminal justice major, spontaneous lone road trips allow her to decompress after a long week and see as much of California as she can before she graduates.

While she’s undertaken larger trips, such as an overnight campout at Joshua Tree, most of her trips involve taking random roads as far as they go and discovering hidden outlooks or scenic routes.

“Solo carpool karaoke,” Lapos says is her favorite part of traveling alone. “Nobody’s judging you. Play whatever (music) you want because you’re the one with the AUX.” Whether it be the grocery store or halfway around the world, going somewhere alone can be scary.

But no one should let the lack of companions stop him or her from trying something new and having a good time.

Whatever one makes of it, solo travel offers the opportunity for people to push beyond what’s comfortable. So if there’s been a bucket list trip vacation you’ve had on your mind, who are you still waiting for?

Pursuit | 31

B r e a k i n g A w ay from Traditions Written by: Heather Scurti Illustrated by: Korah Robinson

How college students find their faith away from home

32 | Pursuit

REL ATIONSHIPS

I

t’s Sunday. You’re sitting in the same place you always sit as the music begins. Hundreds of people are singing, praying and worshiping God. You feel like you should be one of them, like you should be connecting, like you should be doing what your parents taught you to do. But you’re not.

You’re waiting for the hour to pass.

You’re struggling to engage. You feel alone, embarrassed and out of place.

You want so badly to make your parents proud, despite knowing this is not the church for you.

As college students affiliated with the church, we hear it all the time. It’s OK to doubt. It’s OK to question. It’s OK not to know everything. But what happens when those questions and doubts cause us to break traditions, cut ties and create a new path?

Miguel Iniesta, senior theology and film double major at California Baptist University, has experienced these doubts firsthand.

Iniesta grew up in a Mexican-American ultra-conservative community in Compton, Calif.

Within the religion, members were required to adhere to strict rules such as wearing suits, no piercings and no tattoos.

“It’s legalism in a whole other way,” Iniesta says.

About 11 years old, he found himself questioning his faith after his oldest brother was ex-communicated from the

congregation for a sin he committed.

“When they ex-communicated him, the elders of the congregation told us, ‘You can’t talk to him. You can’t have any relationship with him. He can’t live with you guys,’” Iniesta says.“So, my dad kicked him out and he was homeless for a while. A lot of that just didn’t make sense to me. Why we would practice this? It didn’t seem to connect with what Jesus is teaching.”

After years of doubt, 18-year-old Iniesta made the decision to move out and ultimately leave the religion behind.

With reluctance to get involved in any organized church, he began to travel a lot with bands as a photographer and videographer.

While touring in Texas, he crossed paths with Jared Burt, senior pastor at Taylor’s Valley Baptist Church. Burt took it upon himself to disciple Iniesta, teach him about Christ and gradually introduce him to his church.

“Jared was patient and gracious with me,” Iniesta says. “He encouraged me to fact-check him in what he was telling me about the Bible and about who Jesus is.”

Iniesta says he felt called to stay in Texas and pursue his renewed faith. He started attending church and a small group regularly. As his love for God grew, he felt it was time to recommit. In 2013, he was baptized at Dorcas Wills Memorial Baptist Church in Trinity, Texas.

Pursuit | 33

It shaped me in my faith, and I found God through it,

Despite his past challenges, Iniesta says he is now a devote Christian. In addition to his discipleship at CBU, he’s part of the community at Redeemer Baptist Church in Riverside — a community he considers to be his family.

“I haven’t talked to (my family) in maybe six years now, so when I say my church Redeemer is my family, I literally mean they’re my family,” Iniesta says.

“They’re all I’ve got. They’re my people. They’re literally my family because they’re all that I have.”

Similar to Iniesta, Joshua Ventenilla, junior biomedical science major, was raised into a religion from which he later found himself disconnecting.

Ventenilla was born and raised in the Catholic church where he attended catechism classes, took part in youth groups and was later confirmed. During these experiences, his faith began to grow.

“It shaped me in my faith, and I found God through it, and I discovered that I love Jesus,” says Ventenilla.

The friends he made in youth groups played a big role in his faith. But as time passed, they all eventually graduated and moved on to college. Ventenilla, being the youngest, watched as the people he once looked up to began to give into sin.

"It disheartened me a little bit to see them fall into the world,” says Ventenilla. “At a point in my life, I thought they were the most holy people ever. I thought these people are instruments of God and always will be. And to see them fall into drugs, fall into premarital sex, addiction and even suicide, it made me (feel) lost.

It made me feel like I was in limbo... in my faith in God, (and) in general.”

After graduation, he felt called to attend CBU. Ventenilla explored several churches during his first two years as a student. However, after finding a Chris-

34 | Pursuit

REL ATIONSHIPS

and I discovered that I love Jesus. tian fellowship with which he connected, he was still concerned with what his family would think of him transitioning away from Catholicism.

It wasn’t until the death of Colden Davis, his friend and former student, that he decided to recommit to his faith and pursue the church of his choosing.

“It was easy for me to make decisions in my spiritual faith after (Colden’s death),” he says.

In March 2019, Ventenilla was baptized at Fellowship Monrovia Church and continues to serve God through the discipleship program on campus.

Mike Lovato, CBU alumnus and adult ministries pastor at Magnolia Church in Riverside, has seen his share of young adults discovering their faith, much like Iniesta and Ventenilla.

Throughout his 14 years of ministry, Lovato has worked with people of various ages, denominations and backgrounds, but spends most of his time with college-aged adults — some of which are struggling to find themselves.

"There are a lot of identity struggles — trying to figure out who they are, what their life is going to be about and whether it is going to really matter,” Lovato says.

He encourages young adults struggling to find the right church to make it a priority to find a place and get involved.

“There is no such thing as a perfect church — every church has issues,” Lovato says. “Church is family, just like every family has issues, every church has something that’s going to be a struggle for somebody. So, I tell them first to know that it’s not perfect but then also to pick a place and land.”

Pursuit | 35

Compiled by: Alyse Messmer Illustrated by: Sage Zbinden

College is a time filled with lots of growth, especially for young people as they are thrown out of the comfort of their family home into a life of independence, surprise and uncertainty. For many, looking back on their lives and some of the diďŹƒcult times they’ve faced shows them more clearly how they have learned what they know, become who they are, and how their stories can help encourage others.

36 | Pursuit

REL ATIONSHIPS

Hey Matt,

Dear Vera,

One day you are going to hear about imposter syndrome and it’s going to take a huge weight off your shoulders. When I heard about this from a friend, who is a lot smarter, it helped to bring acceptance to the way I feel about big things in life. With imposter syndrome you feel like your achievements aren’t your own — that you are not adequate enough. You feel like a fraud and you feel like you don’t deserve or haven’t earned your success or achievements.

For me (and you) that feeling was the U.S. Army. You didn’t feel like you could complete basic training, and after you did it, you felt like it was just dumb luck. You feel that with your EMT, you feel like you can’t do what it takes when the time comes, but you do, and you doubt yourself every time.

We got into the nursing program, finally. You will feel like you are not supposed to be there, as if they made a mistake taking you.

Same story, same feelings, but different stage in life. That’s when your friend comes in and explains imposter syndrome. Suddenly, the way you feel makes more sense. You’ll still have hard feelings about yourself, but it’s not so scary anymore. It’s a worry you can take off and give to God — a worry that you didn’t even realize you were carrying, but it was always there.

Stop and reflect, lighten the load and release that burden. Psalm 139:14: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Matt, you give lip service to your faith, but you don’t walk by your faith. Go all in. Commit fully to God and what he asks of you. You can do the things you feel called to do.

— Matt Rankin, senior nursing major

Dear Younger Grantham,

Prepare to be surprised. Every time you say you are not going to do something or decide you are not going to go somewhere, God will surprise you. Remember your roots but continue to be adventurous. Pride is worthless and it doesn’t get you very far. Overall, just remember to value the spiritual needs of others and don’t miss out on the opportunities God has placed in front of you.

— Grantham Wash, sophomore Christian studies major

Almost four years is a lot of time, but it isn’t. It will go by faster than you realize. The worst thing you can do is use it foolishly. If nothing else, know this: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. That’s a cliché, but it’s true — go to that event by yourself, take that class that you said you wouldn’t, lift those heavy weights. Those are the things that you will remember and that will grow you.

Also, water and sleep are your best friends. You need more of them than you know, and you won’t be able to think clearly without them. Even as much as we want to think coffee will counteract a lack of both, it doesn’t.

Most importantly, know and trust that God is good and faithful. He will always provide you what you need when you need it, whether it’s time, money or even just the energy to get through the day. Choose to trust him every day and that will be enough.

— Vera Tuan, senior accounting major

Dear Past Self, Be more outgoing, be open to meeting new people and to getting involved in living area events. Get out of your comfort zone and apply for student leadership early in college, because student leadership can foster some amazing friendships and can teach you how to serve and love others well.

Use this opportunity to be surrounded by a Christian community, to get involved with other Christ-loving people and to invest in others while being invested in. The benefit and relationships that could come from a small Bible study on campus could truly affect your pursuit of God. I would like to tell you ahead of time that life might get complicated and tough, but it will continue to get better. Find friends to open up to and allow them to be a part of your struggles and rough patches that will encourage you throughout any season in your life. Even when school gets hard, keep pursuing nursing and do not give up, even when nursing may seem impossible to obtain.

Trust that God has a plan for you and it’s even better than you can even think.

— Nikki Gordon, senior nursing major Pursuit | 37

38 | Pursuit

ARTS

Written by: Korah Robinson Illustrated by: Kate Fuller Photography by: Phillip Ndowu

W

armth pours out of her kitchen and the scent of cinnamon wafts throughout the house. Her burntorange nail polish, a stark contrast to the flour-covered counters, glows under the lights overhead.

Watching her create new bakes and seeing the joy she exudes while doing what she loves would bring anyone tremendous delight.

She smiles, rolling out dough, preparing to create something delicious.

Brooke Fenex, senior history major, owns and operates Four Legs Good Bakery — and is killing the vegan baking game.

Since she was a child, Fenex has been obsessed with baking and all things Food Network. Baking played an important role in her family life and built a connection between her and the women in her family.

“My grandmas were both really big home cooks. They were a part of the more traditional housewife generation and I always loved just sitting in the kitchen and watching my grandma bake.

It was my favorite thing in the world,” Fenex says. “I started not only wanting to watch her; I wanted to participate. I wanted to know what she was making.

Then, I started watching Food Network as a 7-year-old,” Fenex says with a laugh, preheating her oven to the perfect temperature for scrumptious vegan pumpkin

scones with maple glaze. “That’s really all I watched. Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, my man Guy Fieri. All the OG chefs.”

Currently, Four Legs Good is contracting with major coffee shops across the Inland Empire, including a California Baptist University favorite, Arcade Coffee Roasters.

In May, Fenex took a sample box to Arcade Coffee Roasters and the rest, as they say, is history.

“I had the idea in January of this year and then it actually came to fruition about May. Even seeing my progress from then to now is crazy,” Fenex says. “Even my confidence in exploring other things and doing traditional pastries that I never thought I would be able to do has grown insanely.”

Regarding veganism, Fenex says “what matters most is spreading awareness and being cautious and making our best effort (to eat clean) given our circumstances and doing what’s best for our bodies.”

Now, Fenex’s business is booming in its first eight months and she has tapped into a growing market in the Inland Empire — vegan pastries and cakes.

While she contracts with different coffee shops in the area, one of Fenex’s favorite parts of her job is creating custom orders for people in surrounding communities.

Pursuit | 39

experience with it.”

While she has many of her recipes down to a science now, Fenex says there was definitely a learning curve when she first began curating her own recipes.

“A lot of (my learning) was honestly relying on the internet and understanding what these bakes were,” Fenex says.

“For example, I knew from the past and reading recipes that I’m supposed to put baking soda in this,” Fenex says, gesturing at her vegan pumpkin scone dry mix. “But what does it actually do? What purpose does it serve in the bake? Once I understood why these things were added to recipes, I started figuring out how to do it on my own and learned ways that I could make things that originally called for a lot of eggs or milk.”

“I began learning how to curate my own recipes, which was really fun but also really frustrating. I’ve had more than my fair share of spending six hours in the kitchen baking and nothing coming out right and ending up face down on the ground, drowning in my own tears. It definitely has been a process and I definitely think it’s a process I’m still in. I’m still learning how to do things.”

In the future, one of Fenex’s biggest dreams is to win a vegan baking competition on the Food Network.

Top: Brooke Fenex, owner of Four Legs Good Bakery and senior history major, delicately glazes her homemade vegan pumpkin spice cones with a decadent vegan icing.

Bottom: Fenex, owner of Four Legs Good Bakery, takes her vegan pumpkin spice scones out of the oven in preparation for the final stage of icing.

Fenex says her favorite part of producing custom orders and working with different individuals is the ability to collaborate and share something she loves to do and to see people's faces light up with delight when they see and taste her creations.

“Food is love,“ Fenex says. “No one is happier than when you bring them a sweet.

My absolute favorite thing is when I drop off a custom order and I get a text about how good it is or I'm tagged in a photo where people are just loving my creations.

It’s amazing to share what I’m passionate about and see others have such a good

40 | Pursuit

ARTS

“It’s coming, I can feel it in my bones,” Fenex says.

“The first ever Food Network vegan baking show is on it’s way and I am going to win it. That’s the only option, really.”

While this is her biggest goal, Fenex is on her way to expanding her business beyond the walls of her home. In the near future, she will be opening an official bakery in Riverside coffee shop Condron Brothers Coffee.

With regard to recipe-testing, Fenex says she can’t trust her own taste buds as she “just loves sweets.”

“If it has sugar in it,” Fenex says, “I’m going to think it tastes good no matter what. I just can’t taste my own recipes to get a good judgment of the flavor.”

Enter mom Melody, dad Lindy and brothers Daniel and Zachai Fenex. Self-proclaimed “biggest fans” and taste testers for life, the Fenex family has been nothing but supportive of her and the mission of Four Legs Good bakery.

Fenex says family is everything to her and that she is so incredibly grateful to have the people in her life that she has supporting her efforts.

Melody Fenex, mom and taste-tester extraordinare, says Brooke’s affinity for baking has been around for as long as she can remember.

“She has always loved to bake,” Melody Fenex says. “She was the first person to ever tell me about Rachael Ray. I am her biggest fan. (Brooke) is an amazing young woman who has been through so much. You would think that I was put in her life to be her mom and to make her a better person but I truly think she was put in mine for that purpose.”

Fenex says, “I am so lucky to have the support system that I have. Not everybody gets that."

Her family behind her and big plans in the not too distant future, Fenex is making a name for herself in the vegan baking world.

Food is love.

No one is happier than when you bring them a sweet.

Top Left: Fenex lovingly mixes her all-natural ingredients together to create a delicious vegan pumpkin spice scone.

Pursuit | 41

Pursuit's

Literary Feature of the Issue

'Pink Grapefruit'

by Ry Reed Rise to your feet Wipe the tears in your Eyes Undo your black attire Remove the sheer veil off your face Let the sun warm your skin once more It's not time to mourn Survivors shouldn't hideaway In dark rooms Be bold and face the sky It wants to greet your Smile again It wants to see you run Survivor Kelli Ryone Reed is a senior creative writing and journalism & new media double major at California Baptist University. The author of four books including "Pink Grapefruit," a collection of poetry released in 2019, Reed hopes to publish seven books in 2020. Her published works can currently be purchased on Amazon.com in both print and digital forms.

42 | Pursuit

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.

Wa nt p racti cal m e di a e xp e r i e nce ?

write!

shoot!

design!

Email us at: Email uspursuit@calbaptist.edu at: pursuiteditor@calbaptist.edu

Pursuit | 43