Banner | Vol. 67 Issue 8

Volume 67 | Issue 8 | February 14, 2020

@cbulancermedia cbubanner.com

Students build houses —

Engineering students help the City of Riverside construct tiny houses for the homeless population.

N e w s , Pg . 2

The Guest Room debuts album —

Local band of high school friends releases their first album Feb. 15.

A & E , Pg. 12

Fans mourn basketball legend

Billie Eilish sets record — The young singer-songwriter becomes first woman to win all “big four” Grammy awards.

A & E , Pg . 1 2

New coronavirus deemed public health emergency deliveries. We have felt very isolated in the last few weeks.”

The United States has disThe World Health Orga- covered 14 coronavirus cases nization (WHO) declared the nationally, prompting officoronavirus outbreak a public cials to declare a public health health emergency of interna- emergency Jan. 31. The U.S. tional concern at its Jan. 30 government evacuated 195 citizens from Wuhan Jan. 29 meeting.

Cases of a new coronavirus and brought them to March began to appear in Wuhan, Air Reserve Base in Riverside.

The government China in Deinstituted a twocember 2019. week federal quarSince then, antine for those China’s Naevacuated, who still tional Health remain at the base.

Commission To limit the has reportspread of the virus, ed nearly the United States 60,000 casPail Losee, China will also begin to es and more resident and relative enforce travel rethan 1,357 deaths relatof a California Baptist strictions. Any foreign nationals who ed to coronaUniversity student visited China withvirus within China and 18 other nations, in 14 days before arriving in the United States will not be including the United States.

“Daily life has changed able to enter the country, and dramatically where we live U.S. citizens returning from now,” said Paul Losee, Chi- Wuhan will be quarantined na resident and relative of a for up to two weeks. U.S. citCalifornia Baptist University izens returning from other student. “We live in Guang- parts of China will particidong Province, China, in the pate in health screenings and town of Dongcheng. Local may be required to undergo a government has mandated self-monitored quarantine.

“At this time, (reports say) that we wear masks whenever we go outside our apartment the coronavirus is not spreadin public areas around other ing in the community in the people. In efforts to slow the United States,” said Bethany virus from spreading, local Carpenter, senior nursing marestaurants and bars cannot jor. “We should, however, be open to serve patrons and can only provide food for limited SEE CORONAVIRUS | PAGE 2

BY EMILY MCGINN ASST. NEWS EDITOR

“

Daily life has changed dramatically where we live now.

Phillip Ndowu | Banner

A group of mourners pay their respects Jan. 26 to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna at L.A. Live outside the Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers.

BY KELLY MCKITTRICK SPORTS EDITOR

Basketball fans around the world and the greater Los Angeles community continue mourn the loss of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others after a helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, Calif., Jan. 26, killing all on board.

His wife Vanessa Bryant recently announced via Insta-

gram that the memorial service will be held Feb. 24 at the Staples Center — the date “2/24” a symbolic nod to the No. 24 Bryant wore during the latter part of his career and the No. 2 their daughter Gianna wore on her youth basketball team.

Bryant was heading toward his Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park with Gianna, two of her teammates and their parents, their pilot and an assistant coach for his daughter’s basketball game. He was

known for traveling by helicopter to avoid L.A. traffic.

Fans devastated by the loss of the NBA icon flocked to Bryant’s famous office, the Staples Center, to pay tribute.

Cole Martins, senior marketing major at California Baptist University, attended the 2020 Grammy Awards at the Staples Center just hours after Bryant’s death. Martins, a lifelong Los Angeles Lakers fan, said the experience of being inside what he referred to as

“Kobe’s favorite place” brought fans peace.

“I got there at 1:15 p.m. The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. and L.A. Live was already flooded with people. People were chanting ‘Kobe’ and people were chanting ‘GiGi’ and it was an overwhelming feeling to see thousands of people crying — who did not even know who he was as a person — and it just showed you how much he

SEE KOBE BRYANT | PAGE 9

Men’s health night tradition returns to Rec Center

BY EMILY MCGINN ASST. NEWS EDITOR

California Baptist University’s Recreation Center hosted this semester’s Men’s Health Event Feb. 11 from 4–6 p.m.

This event provides male students at CBU with the opportunity to learn about different resources on campus related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and to try products and services offered by local businesses. “(We want) to raise awareness about men’s issues,” said Joe Fix, fitness program coordinator. “We offer different venues that are more geared toward guys and the different health issues they should be aware of. The event offers them the freedom to talk to someone privately about any issue they might have.”

During the event, students could participate in activities such as fitness classes and free haircuts. Students could also try products offered by local vendors Cryofix Wellness and Nutrishop. In addition, various CBU programs provided free services and health information to students attending the event.

Representatives from campus resources such as Spiritual Life and the Counseling Center also took part in the event to raise awareness about resourc-

es available to students regarding spiritual and emotional health, while Provider offered free food such as acai bowls to emphasize nutritional health.

“I enjoyed seeing the different colleges come together and to see the different guys who are getting excited about certain areas of the event,” Fix said. “They have gained some new piece of knowledge that will help better their life in the future.”

Throughout the event, nursing students provided blood sugar, blood pressure and pulse rate tests to check the physical health of students and to inform students about how to maintain their overall health.

“Our role is to make sure that vital signs are in healthy ranges,” said Francisco Sanchez, senior nursing major. “It is important for people here to keep up with their health because a lot of people will get caught up in school and their grades and not pay attention to their health like they should.”

Wade Harris, general manager of the Nutrishop store in Riverside, offered free samples of energy drinks containing branched-chain amino acids and informed students about health products and supplements sold at Nutrishop.

In addition, he helped students use a machine that mea-

Kengkue Her | Banner

Troy Pimentel, freshman radiology major, gets his hair done by Kevin Preciado, a student at Eminence Barber Academy, giving free haircuts at Men’s Health Event.

sures body composition so students could better understand their current health and set health goals for the future.

“In college, you are trying to find a balance between work, studies and life,” Harris said.

“We want to make sure you are efficiently working toward your goal and that it is maintainable for your personal body type and for your lifestyle.”

Although the Men’s Health Event occurs each semester,

Fix said that this semester’s event differed from past events because it focused more on educating students about various aspects of overall health rather than emphasizing athletic activities.

“We wanted to be more intentional in guiding it toward the health and wellness of the men on campus,” Fix said. “Instead of just making it a fun night, we made it more specific toward health.”

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February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

Engineering students build 10 tiny homes THE BANNER

staff PRINT

Editor-in-Chief Sienna Darula Managing Editor Abigail Wolf Photo Editor Kelsie Stevens

Asst. Lifestyle Editors Teddy Peña Ashley Moore Sports Editor Kelly McKittrick Asst. Sports Editors Adityastha Wratsangka Jordan Culberson Cullen Holt

Design Editor Sofia Eneqvist

Social Media Director Taylor Finn

News Editor Sofia Eneqvist Asst. News Editors Emily McGinn Kaylee Elrod Evie Seaberg Business & Tech Editor Jasmine Severi

Public Relations Director Austin Romito Distribution Manager Christian Spangler Advertising Manager Austin Romito

ONLINE

Asst. Business & Tech Editors Luc Stringer Nathanael Hovda

Editor-in-Chief Sienna Darula

A&E Editor Jane Robertus

Managing Editor Misty Severi

Asst. A&E Editors Jackson Waldrop Dyana Villa Julius Kwan

Photo and Video Editor Elijah Hickman Online Editor Casey Maldonado

Lifestyle Editor Sophie Gravitt Asst. Director of Student Publications Sonya Singh Adviser and Director of Student Publications Dr. Mary Ann Pearson

We want your help!

Write, take photos or design with us.

Email us at BannerEditor@calbaptist.edu for more information.

About

THE BANNER

The Banner newspaper is an award-winning, bi-weekly campus publication that publishes 12 issues a year at California Baptist University.

The newsroom is located in the James Building in Room 060 and can be reached at 951-343-4787. The Banner, a student-run newspaper, serves the CBU community with accurate, timely and factual reporting on significant aspects of university life, Riverside life and subjects of interest or concern to its readers.

Students, faculty, staff, administrators and others in the university are encouraged to react to published material or to comment on matters of conern. The Banner retains the right to edit your letter upon publication based on grammar and word count. Send letters to Sienna Darula, editor-in-chief of The Banner at BannerEditor@ calbaptist.edu.

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BY KAYLEE ELROD ASST. NEWS EDITOR

California Baptist University students had the opportunity to help build the framework for a project that will help the homeless population in Riverside. The construction took place over three Saturdays: Jan. 18, Jan. 25 and Feb. 1. The city of Riverside partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build 10 cottages for the homeless.

These cottages will be placed in an empty lot near downtown Riverside. Each cottage will be about 425 square feet consisting of one bedroom, one bathroom and a kitchenette. There will be a common area in the center of the site. Each cottage will house one person.

The site is on Mulberry Street, which is in the middle of a neighborhood. Though some have expressed concerns for the safety of those already living in the neighborhood, there will be strict rules in place. If someone breaks the rules, he or she will no longer be allowed to live in the cottages. Along with the rules, there is criteria in place to determine who is eligible to live in the community before they move in.

“Through our outreach team, we engage the homeless and try to get them into a shelter,” said Rusty Bailey, mayor of Riverside. “From that pool, they are going to go through a system and those that are high-performing and high-functioning that can live on their own will be offered a place there.”

The residents will not be able to stay in the cottages indefinitely. The cottages will be a place they can stay while they get a plan of action for getting back on their feet.

Kengkue Her | Banner

(Left to right) Jason Robles, freshman biomedical engineering major, Logan Walker and Eli Braden, freshman mechanical engineering majors, hammer nails into planks to build a foundation for the new homes.

The first step in this project was building the structures and framing the cottages. Students in the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering were allowed to assist in the construction of the framing.

Josiah Norrie, freshman mechanical engineering major, said he enjoyed volunteering.

“I see a lot of value in volunteering. I have done construction for the past three years and I figured I could use some of my skills to help out in this way,” Norrie said.

Habitat for Humanity, the organization with which the city of Riverside partnered to make this project a reality, is an organization that strives to eliminate substandard housing both worldwide and locally.

One of the reasons Michaela Dunn, sophomore industrial and systems engineering major, volunteered

Coronavirus

ratory syndrome, caused by a coronavirus, and 858 related Continued from Page 1 deaths since it was discovered in 2012. Ebola, another illness concerned about the impact the resulting from a coronavicoronavirus is making in China rus, caused an epidemic from and worldwide. The coronavi- 2014-2016 with 28,652 cases rus has become a dire situation and 11,325 deaths.

The WHO is working with in China and has affected many worldwide. I believe we have a China and other countries responsibility to stay informed around the world to limit the and be in prayer for those af- spread of the coronavirus.

However, no vaccine currentfected.”

According to the Center ly exists to combat the new for Disease Control and Pre- coronavirus. Madrid said invention, the new coronavirus dividuals infected with the coronavirus can causes a respitransmit the ratory illness disease even that often causes if they do not fever, coughing show sympand shortness of toms. breath. Although “There is health officials no treatment are still examinat this time being how the virus Amanda Madrid, cause we have originated and spread, the CDC associate professor of to figure out said it most likely nursing what it is,” Madrid said. “That spread from animals to humans, as many of the is exactly the fear of it. We do cases in Wuhan were connected not know everything about it; to a seafood and animal mar- we do not know how fast it is ket. The virus has also spread mutating and we do not know to other people through hu- how people are catching it or how fast they are catching it.” man-to-human contact.

The CDC said the most ef“This virus is what is known as a CoV virus, so it is a virus fective way to avoid becoming that is developed in animals,” infected with the coronavirus said Amanda Madrid, associ- is to wash hands regularly, ate professor of nursing. “The clean surfaces, avoid touchreason that is so critical is that ing the eyes, nose and mouth it has now crossed from ani- without washing hands, and mal-to-animal transmission limit contact with individuals to animal-to-human transmis- displaying signs of sickness. sion. Because of that, it can mu- The CDC also discourages tate faster, it travels faster and it any travel to China during the coronavirus outbreak. Madrid can impact more people.”

This new illness is not the said hospitals are preparing first human disease to originate quarantine areas and medical from a coronavirus transmitted workers are becoming eduby animals. According to the cated about how to manage WHO, severe acute respiratory patients displaying symptoms syndrome (SARS), caused by a of the coronavirus.

“The first step is awarecoronavirus, led to an outbreak that resulted in 8,098 cases and ness,” Madrid said. “(We 774 deaths in 2003. The WHO need to) make sure people are has also reported 2,494 cases aware (of the virus) and know of the Middle East acute respi- how to keep themselves safe.

“

There is no treatment at this time because we have to find out what it is.

was because she said she loves helping the community and she knew this would be a great way to do that.

“The beauty is the partnership because the city can’t solve this problem by itself,” Bailey said. “It is not just a human problem; it is a societal problem. It is awesome to have partners like Habitat and universities like CBU that are offering the volunteers and engaging with community spirit to solve the issues.”

The construction days that CBU students took part in began with a brief introduction by the mayor.

“I enjoyed it when the mayor gave a speech at the beginning of the building day,” Dunn said. “One thing that he said that stuck out was: ‘The homeless are our neighbors without homes so we need to contribute to giving them a foundation.’”

After the introduction, the volunteers were split up into

groups and began working on the framework.

After the frameworks are put together, they will be taken to the site where the cottages will be assembled.

The project does not yet have a projected completion day, but it is expected to progress quickly.

This project is contributing to Riverside’s ongoing work to reduce the number of people without places to live.

Although this project will not solve the homelessness crisis all at once, Bailey said it is one step closer.

“The issue is not just going to go away; it is going to continue to occur,” Bailey said. “Every year for the past couple of years the homeless population has increased and poverty has increased and housing has decreased. This is just one more innovative way the city can address the crisis of our nation, which is housing and homelessness.”

New T-cell therapy research released

BY SOFIA ENEQVIST NEWS EDITOR

New cancer research by Cardiff University in the United Kingdom was released in January showing promising results in T-cell cancer therapy research.

T-cell therapy removes and modifies existing cells, programming them to seek and destroy cancer cells when reintroduced into a patient’s bloodstream. The new process is currently only approved to treat lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Professor Jeri Whitfield, assistant professor of nursing at California Baptist University, has a background in oncology. She said she believes T-cell research in the last few years has revolutionized how clinicians view cancer and help fight cancer.

“The chemotherapy cancer therapy that people received was so harsh and the side effects were so great that people were so sick when they got them,” Whitfield said. “Some of the meds they now give to help with the side effects have helped a lot.”

Whitfield said that T-cell therapy gives patients an opportunity to work and still get therapy. Since T-cell therapy goes hand-in-hand with chemo, it is also a way for patients who already tried chemo or who relapse to receive treatment in another way.

“My understanding is that things are still in the clinical trial stages,” Whitfield said.

“People right now are being treated with these new drugs that the T-cells have been

programmed to target cancer.

While they are perhaps not able to give the stats or data about how much success because it’s too new, I’m hearing stories that people are getting good results from it.”

Researchers are calling T-cell therapy a prospective “one size fits all” cancer treatment. The clinical trials will show how the treatment reacts to other forms of blood cancer.

Vina Ocampo, assistant professor of nursing, said it would be a miracle if studies show the treatment to be beneficial in that way.

“T-cells are fighter cells that help with immunity,” Ocampo said. “When there is an infection those are the cells that help fight off the infection.”

Although Whitfield believes the impact it is having in lymphoma patients is enormous, she is skeptical about the belief that T-cell therapy could be a one-size-fits-all cancer treatment.

“Every cancer cell acts differently; it has a mind of its own,” Whitfield said. “Getting someone’s immune system to target cancer — that’s huge.”

Lily Perez, sophomore pre-nursing student, said she is curious to see how treatments will work after clinical trials.

“It is important to remember that not everyone reacts the same way to treatment,” Perez said.

In treatments for lymphoma alone, T-cell therapy has an 80 percent success rate as of January 2020. Although current therapy research can only be used in a handful of cases, T-cell research is opening doors for new research.

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February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

2020 Census collects data

BY EMILY MCGINN ASST. NEWS EDITOR

The U.S. Census Bureau began the 2020 Census on Jan. 21. Every decade, the bureau counts all people living within the U.S. and its territories, a process required by Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution.

As a result, everyone must participate in the census to comply with the law.

According to the U.S. 2020 Census website, the nation uses the information gathered throughout the census to decide the number of seats that each state will receive in the House of Representatives, to make choices regarding federal funding and to help ensure that people receive necessary products and services.

“The apportionment of the House of Representatives is a vital characteristic of our government that is dependent on the census count,” said Dr. Chase Porter, assistant professor of political science.

“However, a variety of other decisions depend on census data: the distribution of government spending, where developers build and so forth — any decision made in the U.S.

that depends on knowing the population of an area is going to draw on Census Bureau data.”

To conduct the census, the U.S. Census Bureau began counting population in remote Alaska in January. The bureau will then send invitations to each household asking them to participate in the census beginning in March and continuing until April 1.

By April 1, all households will receive the invitation and will then be expected to respond to the census questions by mail, telephone or online.

From May to July, census workers will visit households that did not respond to the invitation in April.

Throughout these months, census workers will also visit people who may not have received invitations or who do not have a permanent residence, including people who live in extremely rural areas, college students and people who are dealing with homelessness.

“The biggest challenge is making sure that everyone gets counted at their usual place of residence,” Porter said. “The Census Bureau has adopted a variety of proce-

dures and rules for different possible places of residence to get as accurate of a count as possible. In one interesting example, Census Bureau workers are already working in Alaska, because there are certain remote areas of Alaska that are only easily reachable when the ground is frozen.”

Since participation in the census is required, college students will have to participate in the census. Although many college students do not live in the same location throughout the year, Porter said these students and other people who live in multiple areas during the year will be counted in the census as a resident of where they live on April 1.

The 2020 Census also offers jobs to thousands of people nationwide. Nick Clift, sophomore behavioral sciences major, is considering applying for a job as a census taker and believes other students could also benefit from applying.

“The census pays well above minimum wage and they are actively seeking to hire college students and young people,” Clift said.

According to the U.S. 2020

Census website, census takers collect census data from households that did not respond to the original census invitation.

“The reason it would be a great job for students is that they will get to know their neighborhood a lot better,” said Dr. Linn Carothers, professor of mathematics. “Riverside is a great area to be a part of. There are a ton of really great people here. It is a great opportunity to get outside your bubble.”

Carothers also encouraged students to work as census takers because it could expose them to the diverse American landscape.

“This is one of those jobs where you are going to be talking to people face-toface, and you are going to be exposed to different cultures and start to (learn about other people),” Carothers said.

To work as a census taker, one must first fill out an online application by visiting recruitment.2020census.gov and participate in the job interview process.

Applicants will then be notified and receive training for their positions during the census process.

Airline policies issue new rule for emotional support animals

BY EVIE SEABERG ASST. NEWS EDITOR

The U.S. Department of Transportation proposed an alteration of policy Jan. 22 that will disqualify emotional support animals from flying with their owners under the same conditions as service animals.

Currently, animals licensed as ESAs can fly in cabins free of charge. If the proposed rule takes effect, only officially trained service animals will be offered this leeway. Many travelers and professionals have opposing views on this potential change of policy.

Thomas Ortiz, senior aviation management major, said he believes the new policy could benefit individuals with disabilities.

“Over the past several years, a large number of people have falsely claimed the need for emotional support animals to avoid pet travel fees,” Ortiz said. “This has led to many instances of misbehaved animals causing problems on-board aircraft or in terminals, damaging the credibility of true service animals and making the process of traveling with a service animal more difficult for disabled individuals.”

Ortiz said the policy will positively affect all travelers because it is cost effective.

“ESAs are a large expense for the industry. This expense is passed onto travelers in lowered amenities on board, tighter cabins and additional fees for checked bags and ticket changes. Controlling

revenue-eroding factors like ESAs can help minimize the increased expense of air travel,” Ortiz said.

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation, also said he believes the change will positively impact passengers and airlines. He discussed likely reactions of ESA owners to the policy change.

“The question remains whether these passengers who rely on emotional support animals will no longer fly. But, I expect this to be an insignificant number of passengers,” Prather said.

While many have high hopes for the new rule, others believe the changes could be damaging to those who have flown with ESAs in the past.

Anna Woodhall, junior photography major, said

ESA’s should be allowed with conditions.

“Emotional support animals should still be permitted on planes, but owners should be required to prove their animal meets behavior standards; maybe pass a more rigorous test and show records of a condition that would require an emotional support animal,” Woodhall said. “If someone does rely on an ESA, it’s unfair to strip away their right to that emotional support.”

In the two months following the proposition, the U.S. Department of Transportation will allow the public to voice their opinions. If the change is enacted, airlines will decide if restricting ESAs is a worthwhile policy change or if policy should be left as is.

NEWS briefs

CHANGES IN VOTING SET-UP Over the last decade, voting in California has changed substantially to make voting easier and more convenient.

Some of the changes include switching from traditionally partisan primaries to the more modern “top two” system.

Lawmakers have also changed how California registers to vote and how it votes in person.

In-person voting is no longer held on voting day but rather weeks before ballots are officially counted. This decision provides citizens with more time to vote by removing the 12-hour time constraint.

ASCBU GREAT DEBATE The Associated Students of California Baptist University held The Great Debate in the Staples Room on Feb. 13.

The debate was an opportunity for students to learn more about the ASCBU executive council candidates, featuring speeches by students running for ASCBU president, vice president, vice president for Finance, vice president for Communications and vice president for Operations.

ONTARIO AIRPORT Ontario International Airport was named America’s fastest-growing airport in 2019, by Global Traveler. In 2019 alone it welcomed 5.5 million travelers, which was the highest level in more than a decade a 9.1 percent increase from 2018. Domestic travel and international passengers increased, as well.

Domestic travel rose 8 percent and the number of international passengers that traveled through Ontario increased by 33.4 percent.

Not only did Ontario International Airport bring in a record number of air travelers but it also increased its cargo activity by 5.1 percent with shipments of commercial freight.

Students celebrate the Year of the Rat

BY EVIE SEABERG ASST. NEWS EDITOR

California Baptist University’s Community Life and International Student Services offices collaborated to usher in the Lunar New Year on Jan. 28 with lion dancing, festive food and impactful performances.

According to the Chinese calendar, this Lunar Year is characterized by their first zodiac sign, the rat. This zodiac sign will begin a new 12year cycle and is said to bring industrialism and wealth.

To commemorate the Year of the Rat, Lancer Plaza was decorated festively with paper lanterns and activity booths. Many students showed up to participate in cultural activities including traditional games, crafts and Chinese calligraphy.

Traditionally, red pockets with “lucky money” are given to children in China in the new year. Instead, CBU had students collect stamps from the various activity stations until they collected enough

stamps for a red envelope, which contained a reward such as a gift card inside. Red envelopes, a Lunar New Year custom that began during the Han Dynasty, offered a fresh twist to the event.

Shellyn Beltran, assistant director of International Student Services, reflected on her office’s goals for an event like Lunar New Year.

“Every year we celebrate the Lunar Festival to highlight East Asian cultures... For our students that are Chinese and Korean, we want to celebrate them and make them feel at home and (show them) we appreciate their culture,” Beltran said. “For some students that have never experienced that before, it’s trying something new—trying a new activity or hearing new kinds of music other than what they’re used to.”

Beltran also explained that the Lunar Festival took place at a new location, the Lancer Plaza and the Community Life Lounge.

“We wanted to have it outside. Last year we were unable

Community Life hosts the 2020 Chinese New Year event with the traditional Lion Dance as entertainment and a cultural experience. to because of the rain. Having it in a new area on campus is fitting for an event like this,” Beltran said.

Sarah Laker, junior nursing major and International Center intern, explained that she was excited for students to experience a holiday that is not tethered to American culture.

“I hope that students gain a little perspective on the culture at CBU but also the culture of Chinese New Year.

They can also play games, listen to some songs and have some great food,” Laker said.

Many students look forward to attending CBU’s Lunar New Year Festival year after year. Sunny Wang, a first-year kinesiology graduate student, said she attended the event for her third time.

“My favorite part of the event is probably the free Boba,” Wang said. “I like how CBU celebrated Chinese New Year. They bring in different

countries’ cultures onto campus. They bring student performances and Chinese crafts and different Chinese food into this event.”

During the festival, participants enjoyed entertainment. Wang said that memorable student performances offered a special highlight during the evening.

“I like how some of the performances are actually by Chinese students,” Wang said.

One violinist who per-

Elijah Hickman | Banner

formed, Celine Ong, freshman instrumental performance major, said she was excited to see some customs of her home brought onto campus.

“It’s great because even though we are not in our home now, we still can feel the Lunar New Year here,” Ong said.

Community Life and International Student Services encouraged students to gather to celebrate Chinese heritage and welcome the Year of the Rat.

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February 14, 2020 ¡ Volume 67 ¡ Issue 8

Fly Me to the

Moon Residence Life Staff

Jacob Shonkwiler, senior public health major

Bruno Leonardo, junior bio-medical science major

The Lovely Eyes dance group

Dakota Whipple, junior Christian behavioral science major

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February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

ical science major, and Amos Chute, junior Christian studies and Christian behavioral science major, hosted the event on stage between performances.

The pre-party started at 5:30 p.m., where students could mingle with their friends and enjoy snacks and beverages before the 7:30 p.m. performance Karen Anderson, junior nutrition major, has attended Woofest for three years, including this year. She said she enjoys seeing the performances, especially the ones that return year after year.

“It’s more fun when you know the people that are actually performing,” Anderson said. “You can cheer them on, and you’re like, ‘I know that kid up there!’”

The men said they have a great time performing on the stage. Bruno Leonardo, junior biomedical sciences major, performed the song “New York, New York” (1977) in the style of Frank Sinatra and received enthusiastic applause from the audience. He said he

WOO

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line gathered outside the Fox Performing Arts Center. Students in suits and dresses talked eagerly with their friends as they waited to be let in to the pre-party for Woofest. Inside, they enjoyed refreshments such as soda, popcorn, fruit and macaroons.

Women were given red carnations as they took their seats in the theater awaiting the performances.

Every February, California Baptist University hosts this event at the Fox Performing Arts Center, popularly known as the Riverside Fox Theater, in downtown Riverside. Woofest is hosted by Residence Life, ASCBU and Community Life, and it gives the men of CBU the opportunity to audition for a chance to perform on stage at the event with the intention of “wooing” the women of CBU. This year, Woofest occurred Feb. 7, and the theme was “Fly Me to the Moon” after the song made famous by Frank Sinatra in 1964.

Mollie Kortsen, junior polit-

Jason Burce, senior music performance major

Written by Jasmine Severi Design by Sofia Eneqvist Photos by Elijah Hickman

Andrew Williams, senior music education major

wanted to honor God with his performance.

“I wanted to put on display the gift that God has given me,” Leonardo said.

This year was Leonardo’s first year performing in Woofest, and he dedicated his performance to his mother, who was there in the audience watching.

Chandler Hancock, senior business major, performed with Lovely Eyes, a dance group who has been performing for nine years with various members. Hancock performed with the group last year, as well.

“Last year we had a lot of dancers, and we had diverse music,” Hancock said. “This year, we tried to do a lot of fun stunts. I think that’s the main difference. We did a lot of crazier things this year compared to last year, but both years were really fun.”

There were many spectacular performances, and the night ended with the men of Residence Life putting on a performance of their own to cap off this year’s event.

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February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

Club fair showcases campus groups

BY SOPHIE GRAVITT LIFESTYLE EDITOR

There is a club for just about everything at California Baptist University, from a Disney Club to a Biology Club, or an Art Therapy Club. Getting involved can enhance a student’s college experience. With more than 75 clubs on campus, students are able to explore all their options during CBU’s Club Fair.

CBU hosted the Spring 2020 Club Fair Jan. 24 in Stamps Courtyard. Joshua Daily, program coordinator for Clubs and Events in community life, said that the Club Fair provides an opportunity for groups to showcase and promote their clubs and to help students get involved.

“My favorite part of the Club Fair is seeing students interact with one another. It’s interesting to see blank sign-up sheets at the beginning and then see two or three full sign-up sheets by the end of the event. I love seeing the large number of people on our campus who want to get involved,” Daily said.

Daily explained there is a special opportunity for commuters at the Club Fair. If commuters contact five clubs at the

event and visit their booths, they receive a free meal at the Alumni Dining Commons.

Commuters who don’t have a meal plan have a chance to not only get involved but to also save money while doing it.

Samantha Antinucci, sophomore liberal studies major, said she has experienced many challenges while trying to get involved at CBU because she is a commuter and is only on campus three days a week.

“The Club Fair was exactly what I needed to get involved on campus. There were organizations that were perfect for me and I didn’t even know they existed. I was able to meet new people with similar interests as me, and all I had to do was show up,” Antinucci said.

It can be difficult for students to step out of their comfort zones and seek out campus organizations that interest them; at the Club Fair, the clubs will come to them.

Deanna Alarcon, senior marketing major, is a member of the executive board for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, also known as SAAC. This club has a maximum of two members from every sports team on

Kelsie Stevens | Banner

Katie Murphy, senior environmental science major and vice president of the Environmental Science Club, and Tara Duncan, sophomore environmental science major, talk about meetings that their club is going to have at the Environmental Science Club booth during the Club Fair event on Jan. 24. campus, and any student-athlete is eligible. Alarcon, who represents the softball team, explained that the Club Fair is the perfect way for SAAC to advertise their club.

“The purpose of this club is to keep student-athletes informed of DI teams in the NCAA. At the Club Fair, students have the opportunity to volunteer and sign up for this

club, and find out more information on sports teams. This is also a perfect way for us to promote sports games on campus,” Alarcon said.

The Club Fair takes place

once at the beginning of every semester in Stamps Courtyard.

It allows students to discover options available to them on campus, and encouraging them to make friends while doing it.

Loneliness largely affects students

BY TEDDY PEÑA

ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR Being alone is a situation that every person has to deal with to some degree. There is a difference, however, between being alone and feeling alone.

Loneliness is an emotion, and since humans are emotional beings, it is normal for students to experience this emotion from time to time.

However, it can be difficult for one to understand what loneliness is and why humans experience such a feeling.

Dr. Virgo Handojo, professor of psychology at California Baptist University, said that there are two types of loneliness: Social and emotional.

“Social loneliness is when

someone does not have a friend,” Handojo said. “But some people can be lonely even in a crowded space, that is more emotional loneliness.”

In the modern age, loneliness is often linked with social media.

“Social media can make loneliness so much worse because it broadcasts everyone hanging out and having a good time,” said Kirsten Sommer, sophomore communications sciences and disorders major.

The current era has been dubbed by many as the “loneliness epidemic” and it has reigned over society as it enters a new era of social understanding. The Health Resources and Services Administration, an

agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, wrote in a January 2019 newsletter from titled, “The ‘Loneliness Epidemic’” that loneliness and social isolation can be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Morgan Bartholomew, sophomore graphic design major, discussed the emotional side of loneliness and what it truly feels like to experience it.

“It’s like a mental battle with your head,” Bartholomew said.

“Because you feel insecure all the time and so even with a group of people around you, you feel as if you don’t belong.”

Along with loneliness comes insecurity. According to a study on loneliness carried out in

2018 by Cigna, a worldwide health insurance organization, Generation Z, those aged 1822 years, is the generation that ranked highest in their loneliness index.

Social media, insecurity, social isolation and much more are the major contributors to loneliness, especially among college students. With important assignments and social pressures, it is important to remember that no one is alone in feeling lonely.

“We are in a society that involves a lot of technology and social media,” Bartholomew said. “A lot of us are always behind a screen so it can make us feel more secure. And with that, we can’t gain many social skills.”

With the new wave of technology, and new social media apps constantly emerging, it can become increasingly difficult to step out of one’s comfort zone and interact with others face-to-face. Social media is a tool for the current age, however, it must be dealt with responsibly.

Sommer said it is crucial to remember that it is normal to experience loneliness, just like any other emotion.

“Once you start to open up and talk to others, like in a class, you start to realize that it isn’t just you,” Sommer said. “You’re not the only one stressing. It is normal and other people go through it.”

Accepting the fact that it is

normal to feel alone, and having a shared experience with others, is what can start to make it feel okay to endure loneliness sometimes.

“We are here to help the student,” Handojo said. “We are created by God as a social being.”

Being part of a campus club, creating a community in the classroom and making use of the Counseling Center on campus are all healthy ways to deal with loneliness.

The CBU Counseling Center offers free online screenings and short-term therapy sessions. The Counseling Center is located on the Health Science Campus and can be contacted at 951-689-1120.

Students try finding time to read during a busy semester

BY ASHLEY MOORE

ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR Reading is a pastime that many students enjoy but cannot always find time to do. The stress of school and busy schedules are often what keeps students at California Baptist University from doing so.

Dr. Berniece Alspach, associate professor of English, gave many tips on how to find time read. This includes turning off phones and the TV, scheduling time to read as one would an important event, going to a library or coffee shop to find a cozy corner, joining a book club or enrolling in reading challenges.

Trying any of these ideas can help one grow as a reader.

For some students, reading can mean more when it is not an assignment they are required to do.

Finding comfort within the surroundings they create can make reading more enjoyable, or even getting together with friends and picking a book shared with a common interest.

Having the phone or the TV on can be a distraction to anyone who needs to focus. Dr. Alspach said to fully turn them off so readers can give their full attention to the task at hand.

“I definitely want students to value reading outside of assignments because part of

growing and developing as a university student is deciding to learn outside the confines of being a student,” Alspach said.

“The classroom is only the beginning of learning. I want students to develop into lifelong learners, but I also want them to play and find joy in what they learn.”

Shekiah Warner, senior intercultural studies major, said she enjoys reading in her spare time, but she finds it hard to do so during the semester because

“

The classroom is only the beginning of learning.

Dr. Berniece Alspach, associate professor of English

of her busy schedule.

Another challenge Warner faces is that because the majority of her homework is reading, she does not always want to read in her spare time.

“Being intentional about removing distractions really helps pave the way to be able to read. Set aside time for something you truly take delight in.

It’s not a chore unless you make it out to be,” Warner said.

Warner said she likes to sit in the corner of her living room

where the light from the window brightens it. She sets aside time in the morning to read with her favorite chai drink and a blanket. Having the time and comfort to read like this is what can make it more enjoyable and less stressful.

Readers have many different ways of focusing. Some concentrate well in active environments, while others may require quiet solitude. Discovering one’s tendencies toward focusing or not focusing can help increase the enjoyability of reading.

Hayley Angle, senior English major, said she finds it hard to read in her spare time during the semester because her major is geared toward reading all the time which diminishes her desire to read in her free time.

Angle did note, however, that reading in a new space can enhance the experience.

“I like going to coffee shops to read. I can concentrate better on reading if I am surrounded by white noise,” Angle said.

While finding time to read during the semester can be hard, it can still be accomplished. Removing distractions ensures full concentration when reading.

Finding a corner or a coffee shop to read in makes it more relaxing and enjoyable and being determined to find the time is what will make it possible.

Photo illustration by Camille Grochowski | Banner

Hope Jayne, freshman photography major, reads ‘Little Women’ (1868) while lying on a bench near the Cottages.

LIFESTYLE

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February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

Students attend LA Clippers game

BY SOPHIE GRAVITT LIFESTYLE EDITOR

At California Baptist University, there are endless opportunities for students to engage in sporting events, which this year included access to tickets to a Los Angeles Clipper’s game through Community Life.

The Los Angeles Clippers went head-to-head with the Sacramento Kings on the basketball court Jan. 30. Community Life gave students the opportunity to witness this game firsthand by offering discount tickets and transportation to the game.

Tickets to these sporting events through CBU are almost always discounted. The tickets to the Clippers game were $25-$45, which helps college students save money and participate in experiences that are may be too expensive.

Jules Meeter, junior psychology major and activities intern for Community Life, attended this basketball game with a few other community life interns. She said going to sport-

ing events is a great way to build relationships with others.

“My favorite part about the game was getting together with other students and bonding over the love of sports. It was a blast,” Meeter said.

During the first part of the game, the Clippers took the lead. However, by the end of the game the Kings claimed the victory with a score of 124-103. At the beginning of the game, there was a memorial video for Kobe Bryant, which was a heartfelt moment for all basketball fans.

Ivana Mazariegos sophomore communication studies major, attended the Clippers game with CBU. She said her favorite part of the game was watching the video dedicated to Kobe, of who she was a huge fan. She said she has always had a passion for basketball and has been a die-hard Lakers fan for as long as she can remember.

“I am constantly watching basketball on TV, so it was different actually being at the game this time. Going to this game with my best friends

Kengkue Her | Banner

Michelle Gust, sophomore mechanical engineering major, Kevin Springer, sophomore chemical engineering major, and Victor Becerra, sophomore electrical and computer engineering major, enjoy the Clippers vs Kings basketball game during the Community Life event. made the experience so much more enjoyable. I am so grateful and blessed to come to a school like CBU where I have amazing opportunities like this,” Mazariegos said.

Joshua Daily, program coor-

dinator for Clubs and Events, in community life organized this event. He said he enjoys seeing students get involved in these events because college is one of the only times in life that students have chances to partici-

pate in events like this.

“By attending this basketball game, students with similar interests were brought together for a cool event with a low price.

We were able to find students who have never connected be-

fore and allow them to build relationships with each other by taking them all out,” Daily said.

CBU has events that relate to almost all interests among students, including tickets to some of their favorite sports teams.

Sofia Eneqvist | Banner

Sofia Eneqvist | Banner

Students contemplate Disneyland passes ASHLEY MOORE

ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR Many students at California Baptist University may ask if it is worth it to purchase a Disneyland annual pass during their college years because of the park’s close proximity to CBU. Even though the park is just a 45-minute drive away in Anaheim, the price of the pass is what seems to keep most students from purchasing one.

Alison Fort, sophomore nursing major, has renewed her Disney Deluxe Passport twice. The deluxe pass includes 10 percent off dining and merchandise and costs nearly $54 a month after an initial payment of $154, or $799 annually. Even with her busy nursing schedule, Fort said she still has time to take a break and enjoy her time at Disneyland. She said Disney offers an efficient way to take a break from the pressures of nursing school.

“It’s like a stress release.

When you’re there, you’re not thinking about assignments or studying or anything,” Fort said.

Other students feel it is not

worth it to have a pass because there is little to do and see in Disneyland. However, there are many other things to do there besides the rides.

Trevor Vals, junior film major, said he has the Disney Signature Passport with MaxPass.

The signature pass includes no blockout days, 15 percent off dining, 20 percent off merchandise and free parking. The cost is $94 a month after an initial payment of $154, or $1,249 annually. Vals said he has gone to Disneyland several times to do his homework in one of the cozy cafes.

“It’s a different atmosphere and it provides an exciting spectacle,” Vals said.

Vals has gone to Disneyland before simply to walk around for a few hours or to watch the various entertainment, such as the parades and firework shows.

Jeffery Barnes, dean of Student Success and professor of humanities, teaches a course at CBU on the history of Disneyland. Barnes said that, to him, this class is so much more than just learning the story of how

Disneyland came to be. Barnes said he believes Disneyland is about the power of ideas and the importance of dreams.

“It’s really about using something that we all love here in Southern California as a vehicle for success, for leadership, for making our own dreams come true,” Barnes said.

Even when opting for the monthly payment option for a Disneyland pass, the price can still be something that makes students feel as though it is not worth the cost. However, Disneyland is a different experience to every person each time “The park’s 30 miles away.

When are you going to ever live closer? When are you ever not going to have to pay for a hotel, or gas or airfare? This is the time,” Barnes said.

Living in Southern California comes with another perk for Disneyland passes. The Disney Southern California select pass can be purchased for $20 per month or $399 annually. While this pass has restrictions such as having to pay for parking each time and many blackout

dates, it is a good cost-efficient option for those looking for an inexpensive annual pass.

For students in Southern California who wish to go to Disneyland without having to buy an annual pass, a three-day pass can be purchased for the discounted price of $199 for a limited time. These special discounted tickets may be purchased through May 18 and are valid until May 21.

The pricing of a Disneyland pass may look as though it is too expensive. But to many people, Disneyland is more than just an amusement park.

For students, especially those who are not from Southern California, now could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy a pass, as living at CBU means living 45 minutes away from a place around which families plan their whole vacation.

However, even without a Disneyland pass, students can stay entertained with other local activities and attractions around Riverside. There are plenty of other ways to relieve stress during the semester.

8

PERSPECTIVES February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

Fans pay respects to basketball player Kobe Bryant at Staples Center

2

1

3

3

4 At the end of January, fans poured into Downtown Los Angeles to remember the life and influence of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. The basketball player was killed in a helicopter crash Jan. 26, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.

1. Matthew of Grand Rapids, Mich., said he came to show his support for Bryant, one of his favorite basketball players of all time.

2. Clemente Reed of Valencia, Calif., shows a crowd newspaper clippings he has collected featuring famous

moments in Bryant’s basketball career.

3. Maria and her son Josue of Los Angeles, show their respect at the vigil outside the Staples Center.

4. Supporters leave memorabilia, flowers, notes and more outside the Staples Center.

Photos by Phillip Ndowu

SPORTS

9

February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

Madeline Wiese makes Lancer athletic history

Kobe Bryant

Continued from Page 1

touched people,” Martins said. “It made everyone kind of feel at peace because you were in his favorite place that he lived his life and played the game that he loved.”

A staple phrase Bryant used to inspire fans was "Mamba Mentality." Martins said he believes this mentality inspires anyone in any field to work hard.

“Dedication and hard work: That is the type of person he was and for him it was specifically basketball, but for anybody else it can be whatever you personally fight for or are trying to do well in. That is what he stood for. He had that determination and mentality of working hard and never giving up,” Martins said.

Bryant's death impacted not just Laker fans, but anyone that loves basketball.

The Los Angeles Clippers paid tribute to Bryant as basketball returned to the Staples Center on Jan. 30. The Clippers acknowledge Bryant’s impact on basketball by taking a moment of silence and holding a small ceremony to honor him in the arena.

Thaddeus Struiksma, junior criminal justice major, attended the Clippers’ tribute to Bryant. The Clippers and Lakers play in the same arena, so the Clippers wanted to respect the mark that Bryant left in the Staple Center.

“My experience at the Staples Center was extremely hard on the heart, but it was also encouraging to see the celebration of Kobe’s life.

It was cool to see so many people be able to come together and go through this process with each other due to their one common interest of basketball,” Struiksma said. “I know I can speak for every real fan of basketball, that if you love the game, then you have to love Kobe, even if he’s beating your favorite team all the time.”

Fans gathered outside of the Staples Center to leave flowers and Bryant paraphernalia and write their favorite Bryant moments on a wall dedicated to honoring Bryant’s legacy and his daughter.

BY ADIT WRATSANGKA ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Phillip Ndowu | Banner

Sandra of Los Angeles solemnly kneels in front of the memorabilia and offerings at the L.A. Live vigil to pay her respects to basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Crowds of fans gathered, sharing stories of how Bryant impacted their lives.

James Chidiac, junior architecture major and longtime Lakers and Bryant fan, said Kobe Bryant’s legacy will live on for many generations to come.

“When they shoot, (people) say

‘Kobe’ or they always say ‘Play like Kobe.’ Other generations are going to learn from him and they are going to learn that the way they play they got from Kobe so it is just going to be passed on and on, and he is just go-

ing to be a legend now,” Chidiac said.

The tragedy of this helicopter crash affected not only the families of those on board the helicopter, but basketball fans throughout the country.

After logging top-three scores in California Baptist University’s program history and being named Western Athletic Conference diver of the week Jan. 14, Madeline Wiese, sophomore marketing major, is switching her focus from swimming to diving and has become a strong new addition to the women’s dive team.

Wiese is one of only three athletes in the swim and dive program history who has competed in both swimming and diving, and she is the first to ever win three events in both sports — 1-meter, 3-meter boards and the 500 freestyle relay — at their dual meet Jan 10. against Claremont Mudd Scripps.

Rick Rowland, head coach of the swim and dive team, said Chrissy Rynvelt and Jenna Fracer were the other two athletes who competed in both swimming and diving.

“Competing in both swimming and diving in DI does not happen anymore,” Rowland said. “For NAIA and DII it is still possible.”

Rowland said the two sports are very different from eachother despite both being aquatics.

“To compete in both swimming and diving requires very high athleticism,” Rowland said.

Competing as a swimmer her freshman year, Wiese said she decided to focus on diving for the rest of this season.

Although they compete as one team, the swimming and diving teams practice separately and have the same practice schedule, so Wiese had to organize her own practice schedules.

“I was only swimming seven hours a week instead of the usual 20 and dove the rest,” Wiese said. “I want to be good at both of them, but I can’t if I were to only practice each of them part-time.”

Alina Jungklaus, junior psychology major and individual medley swimmer, said hours practicing in the swimming pool is important.

“We (swimmers) lose feeling of the water easily, so missing practice sessions very much affects your swimming,” Jungklaus said.

Wiese said she hopes to make the finals in all three diving events. The swim and dive team will finish their season Feb. 26 at the WAC Championships in Houston.

Cullen's Column

BY CULLEN HOLT

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR During my sophomore year, I interviewed California Baptist University’s baseball coach Gary Adcock about what makes Lancer athletics so successful. Adcock gave credit to a “university who gives coaches the resources to develop skills in an environment which is conducive to growth.”

Since then, I have seen how the university — under the direction of Dr. Ronald L. Ellis — blossomed into a formidable force in college athletics. Now, as the university continues to grow rapidly, incoming students get to experience the realization of a vision Ellis had for the university and its athletic department since he became CBU's president in 1994.

Ellis will be inducted into the Riverside Sport Hall of Fame in May as a contributor in the class of 2020. This is a third-party recognition of what Dr. Ellis has done for Riverside sports by developing a winning tradition at CBU. In 2012, Ellis received the Chuck Kane Leadership Award from the Riverside Sport Hall of Fame. According to the organization’s website, the award is given “to those who, through their contributing leadership in the Riverside community, have inspired all of us to athletic achievement.”

Ellis seems to have inspired many at CBU to athletic achievement as the department has brought home numerous conference and national titles in the last 25 years.

Aside from putting together a highly-successful athletic staff under athletic director Dr. Micah Parker, Ellis has shown he is committed to athletic success through the development of new and existing athletic facilities.

In his 2019 “State of the University” address, Ellis said the transition to NCAA DI was “another way CBU continually demonstrates the pursuit of excellence.” He went on to say athletic success was one aspect that helps to “strengthen CBU’s reputation as a premiere comprehensive Christian university.”

At the dedication of the Events Center in 2017, Lancer basketball coach Rick Croy acknowledged the importance of Ellis’s vision in bringing the new building to life.

There are so many different factors that go into the success of a collegiate athletic department. However, when someone wants to know the keys to the Lancers’ success, it would not be wrong to do as the Riverside Sport Hall of Fame is doing and acknowledge that the success may flow down from the top.

Austin Romito | Banner

De'jon Davis, senior visual arts major, blocks his opponent from passing the ball during the second half of the CBU versus GCU basketball game Feb. 8.

Men's basketball team succeeds Lancers beat last season winning record, strive for more

BY JORDAN CULBERSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The California Baptist University’s men’s basketball team is new and improved this 2020 season with a current record of 17-7.

Head coach Rick Croy discussed how ready and focused the team needs to be throughout the mid-season. He said they need to continue to battle and fight to have an edge in its second season in Division I.

“Our team has improved each month, but the most important part of a mile is laps three and four,” Croy said. “We are excited about running the race together.”

Even with things going their way, Croy said he still believes there are many new challenges in their journey.

“The biggest challenge is to see adversity as being a set of challenges, instead of a set of problems. In my heart and mind, I feel that the team is having a great resolve, capability, and desire to hunt and grab excellence,” Croy said.

Omar Lo, senior communication studies major and power forward, clarified the type of advice he has been giving his team, especially the freshmen, on the midseason and through-

out the end of the season.

“The advice I’ve given my teammates is that the season is long and it’s about getting better each day and having a worker’s mindset. As far as the freshmen, they bring a competitive spirit and my advice has been understanding that you’re going to make mistakes early, but it’s all about staying the course,” Lo said.

Ferron Flavors Jr., junior business administration major and shooting guard, said he believes his team has prepared, worked hard and progressed more like a family than just a team.

“As a team, we still have our eyes set on winning the conference, but that’s going to require an intense focus on every game,” Flavors said.

The entire team looks to continue their strong season and to improve their record in match ups such as their final home game on homecoming night against Seattle University and on the road against New Mexico State University.

As for big-time matchups and rivalries, the Lancers won a very close game Feb. 6 against the California State University, Bakersfield, Roadrunners, with a score of 74-69. However, the Lancers came up short Feb.8, with a 93-100 deficit against their main rival, Grand Canyon University.

If the Lancers bounce back and finish the season on a high note, they stand a good chance of winning the Western Athletic Conference championship March 14.

BUSINESS & TECH

10

February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

CBU encourages students in faith and business

BY JASMINE SEVERI

BUSINESS & TECH EDITOR The Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business at California Baptist University regularly hosts an event called Faith and Enterprise.

They hold four each school year and hosted the third event this school year Feb. 4 in the Innovators Auditorium.

This school year’s series is called “The Business of…” and features a different type of business each session. The first one this school year was “The Business of Church,” then came “The Business of Start-Ups,” and most recently was “The Business of Higher Education.”

The higher education speakers at the latest event were Angela Park North, who works in strategic planning at California State University Fullerton; Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith, chief academic officer at California Southern University; and Chris Hofschroer, assistant dean of students at CBU. The event was hosted by Dr. Keanon Alderson, a business professor at CBU. Dawn Carter, client relations and intern specialist at CBU and a producer of Faith and Enterprise, explained why she thought the Faith and Enterprise events were important.

“The purpose of Faith and Enterprise is to provide students with perspectives on jobs they hadn’t thought of,” Carter said.

“

A lot of things that we learn from God can translate well into the business world and actually help us excel.

Caleb Losey, senior business administration major

Carter also said it was important to introduce students to professionals who integrate their faith into their workplace. She stressed the importance of people who work in business and that they can fulfill God’s purpose for them this way. “(We want) to show how you can work out in the work world, and that working in business isn’t ‘worldly’ or bad. God can use us,” Carter said.

Carter said not everyone was made for “helping professions.”

Some people are “gifted with accounting brains,” and that is something of which to be proud.

Students can glean valuable information from the Faith and Enterprise events.

Caleb Losey, senior business administration major, said he has attended all the Faith and Enterprise events so far this school year.

Losey said they covered a wide range of topics and that it has helped him to see how well faith and business can mix.

“A lot of times we think that faith and enterprise, or our Christianity and the business world, are two separate entities,” Losey said. “But what I’ve learned from the last three (Faith and Enterprise events) is that they mesh a lot more than what would be expected. A lot of things that we learn from God can translate well into the business world and can actually help us excel in business.”

Even students who are not business majors can benefit from hearing the experiences of the speakers at these events.

Kimberly Gonzalez, junior political science major, said she learned from this event despite not being a business major, and that other students can benefit from it, too.

“Although my plans aren’t in higher education, I got a lot from everything (the speakers) said,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said she did not attend the other events, but after going to this one and seeing how useful it can be, she would like to go to the next one.

The last Faith and Enterprise event of the 2019-2020 school year, called “The Business of Civil Service,” will be April 9 from 5:307 p.m. in Innovators Auditorium.

In addition to this year’s events, CBU will continue hosting Faith and Enterprise events to help and inspire students to integrate their religion with their careers.

Misty Severi | Banner

Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith, chief academic officer at California Southern University, answered questions from the audience during the Faith and Enterprise event at the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business.

AI to be used to fight against opioid addiction

BY NATHANAEL HOVDA

ASST. BUSINESS AND TECH EDITOR The fight over opioid addiction is unlike any health crisis in recent history. Access to medication designed only for prescription use can sometimes be as easy as clicking a link on an Instagram ad. When doctors overprescribe them, the problem is only made worse.

In 2015, there were on average 91 deaths every day due to opioid overdose according to a White House report. Five years later, that number has grown by over 40 percent despite nationwide efforts to curb the opioid addiction epidemic.

As new techniques and innovations are made in medicine, the potential for drug abuse grows. Opioids such as fentanyl, a painkiller 50 times more potent than heroin, have become highly sought-after for their

strong, immediate effects. A single dose of over 2 milligrams is enough to be lethal.

Jonathan Danfifer, sophomore chemistry major at California Baptist University, said the crisis is concerning.

“When you hear about those kinds of numbers, it makes you wonder how we can actually solve a national problem like this,” Danfifer said.

Even after attempted reforms in the way medications are prescribed to patients and a declaration of a national health emergency to increase funding, optimism among medical experts is scarce.

Due to ease of access, it is more likely for someone to be hooked on opioids than many illegal drugs.

“It’s a big problem,” said Dr. Jenifer Nalbandian, professor of chemistry.

“

When you hear about those numbers, it makes you wonder how we can actually solve a national problem like this.

Jonathan Danfifer, sophomore chemistry major

“Opioids change the chemistry within the brain. They can be dangerously addictive.”

One of Nalbandian’s courses at CBU even discusses the chemistry of opioids. The painkillers most commonly abused are difficult to track, as about two out of five of them come from family members who have leftover medicines from prior prescriptions.

In Riverside County, deaths from opioid overdoses are 10

percent higher than the current national average according to a report by the Riverside University Health System. To fight this, the county was awarded a $7 million grant to combat the crisis locally.

One way officials are looking to do that is through better information services — asking questions such as who is more likely to overdose, where is the problem most concentrated and how long do people stay addicted. That approach is becoming commonplace as the fight against addiction looks for more creative solutions.

Innovations in the field of artificial intelligence have sparked interest in what can be done to fight addiction with computing power. Researchers are taking a multifaceted approach with AI; some are looking at ways to curb the sale of

illegal opioids online, while others are looking to get datasets for prevention and outreach.

A federal Health and Human Services report indicates that a comprehensive structuring of machine learning on social media will help siphon out illegal sales through sites such as Facebook and Instagram, where sellers use clever tactics to get around web restrictions, even using deliberate misspellings or a system of verification links to make their operations difficult to track.

Training algorithms to detect illegal opioid operations would be an evolving task, as researchers adapt to new tactics used to avoid their searches.

Mark Kim, assistant professor of computing, software and data sciences, said algorithms provide a good sweep of the big data seen on social media sites.

“You can’t test against every case,” Kim said. “But the data is increasing, so you have to rely on technology.”

That means sorting through the millions of daily posts on social media sites, with human-trained algorithms intelligently sorting through the data it finds to be potentially malicious. That is where humans, and in this case, law enforcement, come in to make the final call. As the programs sort through more data and gain experience, they become more reliable, but they are never foolproof.

While artificial intelligence admittedly will not solve the epidemic by itself, researchers and public health officials indicate it will represent a big step in the right direction toward helping Americans find independence from opioid addiction.

The IdeaLaunchPad club explores business successes

BY NATHANAEL HOVDA

ASST. BUSINESS & TECH EDITOR For most college students, finding a secure job after graduation is a clear and formulated goal. After all, with stress, debt and deadlines often looming after commencement, a 9-to5 job sounds like a dramatic reduction from the worries of college life.

That is not precisely the vision of Nolan Gouveia. After working in the startup field and creating five businesses of his own, Gouveia, lecturer at California Baptist University and CBU’s faculty adviser for the IdeaLaunchPad club, believes students have the opportunity to work creatively with their own ideas while still supporting themselves.

Gouveia utilizes his experience and connections to cultivate a mindset geared toward innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. After forming the club in 2018, he has worked to use it to attract students to what he calls the “entrepreneurial ecosystem” on campus through brainstorming sessions, guest

speakers and a lecture series on formulating business plans.

While the club is business-minded, new and interested members are always welcome and are not required to be involved in entrepreneurship.

“Some students in the club have an idea for a business and some just want to be involved in a startup and team up with other students who are self-starters and hard workers, and they want to build something bigger than themselves,” Gouveia said.

Gouveia emphasized that the students are the ones learning from each other, not simply from his instruction.

Nicholas Harold, junior accounting major and president of IdeaLaunchPad, said he ended up with his leadership role in the club because of his creative past and his own love for creating new things.

After creating an automotive tool in the garage with his father that is now in car magazines, Harold believes that sharing the way he brought an idea to life can inspire and motivate others to do the same.

“As a kid, I wanted to help

others invent, create and develop ideas because of the amount of joy it brought,” Harold said.

He also said being a part of IdeaLaunchPad is a way to achieve his childhood dream.

Apart from IdeaLaunchPad, new organizations continue to form within CBU to cultivate this same mindset. Luke Bell, sophomore business administration major, recently formed the Business Leadership Society as a way to promote service leadership among business-minded students — an area he says is necessary for cultivating an ethical entrepreneurial mindset.

“I want this club to be a place where people with all business-oriented majors could come and collaborate together to make an impact in the community,” Bell said.

For students on the fence, both Harold and Bell said their clubs serve as a way to bring students together and form a better, more collaborative environment within CBU, and if that means cultivating a successful business idea in the meantime, then all the better.

Photo illustration by Kelsie Stevens | Banner

IdeaLaunchPad club helps students establish good business leadership and relationships through their events.

BUSINESS & TECH

11

February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

Pros and cons to college students buying stock

BY LUC STRINGER

ASST. BUSINESS & TECH EDITOR Most students are wary of risking their money, so investing in stock may seem complicated and intimidating, but buying stock in 2020 could be simpler than many think.

Some college students, including members of the California Baptist University Investment Group, are already investing in the stock market with great success.

The club experiences a 9 percent annual return on investments, which is 2 percent above the national average.

“It doesn’t need to be super complex,” said Jackson Mackliff, junior finance major.

“Just read into the company.

If it’s something you believe in and those couple numbers are there to back it up, I don’t think it should be daunting for everyone.”

For students beginning their investment journey, Dr. Adele Harrison, professor of finance and the investment group’s faculty adviser, likened buying stock to using a savings account.

“It’s like a forced savings,” Harrison said. “It’s just forcing your savings into a riskier investment.”

However, Harrison said students should make sure they have an already sizable savings account before taking the investment leap to guard against unforeseen expenses.

“If you go into that financial market to sell your shares of stock, you won’t know how much it is going to be worth at any given time,” Harrison said.

“

If it’s something you believe in and those couple numbers are there to back it up, I don’t think it should be daunting for everyone.

Jackson Mackliff, junior finance major

Yet for students who are willing to undergo risk, the reward can be great.

While investing in retirement plans like the 401(k) can be expensive and take decades to cultivate, the stock market can be much more profitable.

“If every seven years you’re making an investment (in the stock market), you (cut in half ) your retirement,” said Michael Bailey, senior business administration major. “Starting now, even if it’s (investing) small amounts of money — just going without Starbucks for a couple days — that money turns into a lot more money later in life.”

Students who desire an easier method of testing the market, can use apps such as Robinhood and Acorn.

These apps invest money automatically for the user with services such as an automatic round-up on purchases, immediately investing excess change.

One of the benefits of these apps is the instant diversification of the user’s stock portfolio.

This way, no user is completely reliant on one aspect of the market; money is spread among a broader group of industries,

DuckDuckGo offers search alternative

BY LUC STRINGER

ASST. BUSINESS AND TECH EDITOR

Students regularly post personal information on their social media accounts that organizations collect and sell, but new search engines such as DuckDuckGo, launched in 2008, could protect users from data mining.

Privacy is becoming a hot topic among students as more internet users are being made aware of how data collectors use their information.

The Federal Communications Commission brought privacy to the public stage in 2017 as the government debated Net Neutrality — the idea that all information should be treated equally on the web. Other instances, such as the usage of the data mining organization, Cambridge Analytica, in President Donald J. Trump’s 2016 election, also exposed the prevalence of web tracking.

Peter Thomas, senior finance major, said he believes that internet privacy is an important issue to students.

“Everyone has a right to keep their own data and information private,” Thomas said.

Although internet privacy is becoming a larger conversation, students exist in an internet landscape in which their peers are constantly posting life updates on social media.

Dr. John Butler, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, said the lines between communication and personal privacy are blurring.

“The definition of (privacy) might change per person,” Butler said. “Some people might not care very much about their privacy. They’re willing for anything to be out there.”

Yet tools used to track user data, such as cookies, continue to collect information regardless. Butler said he receives advertisements on his phone originating from real-life conversations.

“

Everyone has the right to keep their own data and information private.

Peter Thomas, senior finance major

Social media powerhouse Instagram is one of many platforms that tracks its users’ interaction with content.

Users may be shocked to find that their age, demographic, preferences, vocation and more are gathered into analytics conglomerations and sold to advertisers targeting specific groups.

Students may find the use of search engine DuckDuckGo helpful in shielding their information and browsing habits. DuckDuckGo’s website claims: “We don’t store your personal information.

Ever.” This engine does not store user history, prevents web tracking and eliminates personalized search results.

While companies such as Google and Yahoo rank their search results based on user preference, two users with opposite habits could search the same term on DuckDuckGo and see the same outcome.

Nicolas Disanto, freshman engineering major, said he still uses Google, but his father made the switch to DuckDuckGo because of its safer structure.

“Part of it is the ubiquity of Google,” Disanto said. “It is just the most simple because it pops up right there.”

Google is by far the largest search engine on the market, but DuckDuckGo could be a useful alternative for students worried about protecting their data. Students can go to duckduckgo.com and have the option to install it to their browser.

Sofia Eneqvist | Banner making it safer.

“I think that (Robinhood) is a great way to gain exposure to the way markets work,” said Kyle Sklepko, senior finance major and president of the CBU Investment Group.

However, Sklepko said there are also more advanced methods of investing that can yield better results. One of these methods is the Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF).

An ETF contains many

stocks or bonds in one package. This diversifies the owner’s holdings similarly to Robinhood. An ETF is bought and sold just like stock, but it is less risky than stock.

Sklepko invites anyone

who is interested in learning more about investing to join the CBU Investment Group at their weekly meetings on campus Wednesdays from 5–6 p.m. in BUS 212 in the Business Building.

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12

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT February 14, 2020 · Volume 67· Issue 8

The Guest Room debuts new album Students form band, write, perform original work as a group

BY JACKSON WALDROP ASST. A&E EDITOR

The Guest Room, four musically creative individuals, bonded over their passion and love for playing and creating music.

They come together to play, create and perform for fun and simply because they love it. On Feb. 15, they are releasing their full debut album.

The band’s guitarist, Trever Plume, and bassist, Ben Galam, have been friends since second grade and played music together as kids. Trevor Manning, keyboardist and junior engineering major at California Baptist University, and Gino Meria, drummer, connected at their high school in Murietta, where they all call home.

The four came together to play and create music, and after they graduated high school they reached out to Alyssa Armendariz, who was looking for a group to join and became their lead singer and lyricist.

“It was this sort of trickling of finding each other and then just came to be, and we didn’t fuss about it. It was nice and cool to see,” Plume said.

However, the members all have different musical back-

grounds what they listen to and enjoy. This creates a diverse creative environment when they make and perform music together.

“It’s amazing because we have different musical backgrounds with what kinds of music we are all into, but those backgrounds really help and being able to be in the studio and put down the tracks was awesome for us,” Galam said.

As a collective, members of the group have taken different responsibilities. While Plume’s main contribution is guitar, he also handles most of the management and books gigs. Manning does graphic design work and the band’s advertisements, while the rest of the members focus more on the writing and songcraft within the band.

The band came together and started playing and creating music together about two years ago with humble beginnings.

They started releasing songs and played at music festivals and house shows.

“We had our first house show about a year ago and there were about 12 people there,” Manning said. “But the size of the crowd didn’t matter to us. We just loved to play and perform ,and even though it was small, it was a really fun show for us.”

Since then, the band has played more house shows locally in Riverside, connecting with Riverside-based production company, Sola Productions, also a product of students at CBU. They have also played at the San Diego Street Fair, a few Battle of the Bands competitions and

The Guest Room performs music from their new album “Wiwaxia” for friends and family Feb. 8 for the first time live. other venues to help fund the production of their music.

“Half the reason we play is to perform because we all love performing,” Manning said. “We enjoy sharing our music and playing for a crowd. Another big reason is we love writing music and being inspired by other artists.”

The band has released four singles and in November released their first music video for

their most popular single, “Try.” The video was filmed and edited

by Jake Driscoll, senior film major. All this led to the release of their debut album, “Wiwaxia.”

The band held an album release party Feb. 8, where they celebrated finishing the album and put on a show for family, friends and those who showed support along their journey.

Members of the Guest Room said they also values reach-

ing out to local artists in their community to work together, collaborate and support one another as artists.

“We try to include all of our friends in the things we do and the people that stick around are people we have known for a while. Our photographer, Jake Driscoll, is a friend of Trevor Manning. Annika Magbanua, who does our album art, I knew from work, so it’s all communi-

Elijah Hickman | Banner ty-based and that’s really important,” Plume said.

The Guest Room’s shared passion for creating and performing their music is evident in their performances.

“Wiwaxia” will be available on all platforms Feb. 15. Follow @theguestroom instagram for updates on more shows and releases. Their next show is Feb. 21 at Somerset Vineyard and Winery from 6—9 p.m.

Billie Eilish makes 2020 Grammy awards history

BY JULIUS KWAN

ASST. A&E EDITOR

Sofia Eneqvist | Banner

Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish became the first woman and second person in history to win all “big four” Grammy Awards in the same year: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.

Known for hits such as “bad guy” (2019) and “everything i wanted” (2019), 18-year-old Eilish is also the youngest person in history to win Album of the Year and Record of the Year.

With her unique sound and powerful writing, Eilish has been incredibly successful and risen to the top of the charts at an impressive rate, especially for someone her age.

Her brother, Finneas, known for his hits “Break My Heart Again” (2018) and “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night” (2019), is also her music producer and at 22-years-old, the youngest person to win Producer of the Year.

Tom Brooks, director of the Commercial Music Program at California Baptist University, said the music industry is changing with Billie Eilish.

“Billie and her brother — also producer and arranger — Finneas are a very interesting topic, with how it points to the future of music production and the mu-

sic industry,” Brooks said.

Brooks said he has discussed Eilish with his students and how she relates to the future of the music industry.

“We’ve discussed this in all my classes and I think our students are interested in this new direction,” Brooks said.

Emmalee Chastain, freshman environmental science major, said she is happy Eilish won four major Grammy awards.

“I see her as a successful singer and I believe she deserved it for how hard she has worked at her age,” Chastain said.

Ray Napoles, freshman architecture major, said Eilish is a good role model for the current generation.

“Billie Eilish is a person who isn’t afraid to be her true self, and I feel that it is a great representation for people in this younger generation,” Napoles said.

Napoles added that Eilish definitely deserved the award for all of her hard work.

“I believe that she truly deserved her Grammy wins as she works hard at her craft and you can hear the passion in her music,” Napoles said.

Eilish has not only made her mark on the music industry but is also set to have a documentary about her life released by Apple in 2020.

Sofia Eneqvist | Banner

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

13

February 14, 2020 · Volume 67· Issue 8

Crime shows see increase on streaming platforms

BY JANE ROBERTUS A&E EDITOR

Netflix released its latest addition to the growing genre of true crime documentaries, which are rising in popularity.

“Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez,” released Jan. 15, takes a look at the infamous case of a football star-turnedconvict, which happened back in 2011.

As soon as this documentary reached users of the streaming service, many flocked to binge-watch the new Netflix mini-series. This is not the first documentary of this genre to be wildly popular with audiences across the world.

It seems that Netflix has struck gold with this genre of crime documentaries and thrillers, which has only recently gained popularity through the ability to binge-watch, which Netflix provides viewer.

Dr. Chase Porter, assistant professor of political science at California Baptist University, said this fascination with stories about crime and murder is one that has always existed within American culture. However, he said that the popularity of streaming services has aided in turning this fascination into a popular genre recently.

“The biggest advantage of streaming services is the on-demand nature of the services.

Viewers can watch on their own schedule and at their own pace,” Porter said. “There is no missing an episode and hoping for a re-run—as long as the documentary remains on the service, viewers can still watch it.”

Porter also explained that there are a variety of reasons that people are so intrigued by stories of crime.

“In some sense, the human psyche is naturally attracted to stories of tragedy, fear and suffering,” Porter said. “In a

positive sense, however, this natural attraction is also fueled by a sense of justice. We watch these documentaries out of hope that we will get to see justice done and things made right.”

Many students enjoy watching these kinds of programs on Netflix and other platforms because of how easy it is to access episode after episode. Miguel Iniesta, senior film production and theology double major, said he watches some of the crime series that are available on Netflix.

“I think it’s intriguing to see the criminal mind and the thought process. We can’t really relate to it, so it’s a mystery and it’s like, ‘why would someone do that?’ There’s something enthralling about that,” Iniesta said.

Gabrielle Flores, junior film production major, said she thinks having these types of series available on streaming services helps with their popularity.

“We don’t have to go through the trouble of recording it or forgetting to record it,” Flores said.

Flores also added that these stories are so fascinating to viewers for a wide variety of reasons.

“I watch them because I think the psychology aspect of it is interesting. I’m fascinated by the way people think and wonder why these people do what they do,” Flores said.

With the many factors that have aided in the recent success of true crime shows such as the Aaron Hernandez documentary, “Making a Murderer” (2015-) and “Evil Genius” (2018), it is apparent that this is a genre that will continue to grow in popularity on Netflix and other streaming platforms in the future.

Luc Stringer | Banner

Nicholas Litwin, junior graphic design major, closely watches his drone as he prepares to take it up into the air.

CBU design student uses drone photography

BY JACKSON WALDROP ASST. A&E EDITOR

Nicholas Litwin, junior graphic design major at California Baptist University, started out with a love for design, filming and photography, and he now has an official drone pilot’s license and is working in social media management and collaborating with companies.

Litwin said he has always taken videos and pictures of his family’s vacations and moments in his life growing up.

After he took his first web design class in high school, he knew he wanted to be involved in photography.

When Litwin was looking into colleges, he was able to connect with and meet Dirk Dallas, assistant professor of graphic design, and discuss CBU’s programs.

“Seeing how the professors were already invested in me before I even was enrolled here was a huge step in why I wanted

to come to CBU,” Litwin said.

Dallas also inspired Litwin to get involved with drone photography.

“Seeing Dirk’s drone work was really amazing to me and intrigued me,” Litwin said.

“Dirk has been the reason I started drone photography and my biggest inspiration.”

When talking about Litwin, Dallas acknowledged his dedication and hard work.

“He strives to be different in some way with his projects and go above and beyond,” Dallas said. “He really takes seriously the opportunity he has to meet with his professors. This shows that he is eager to learn, and constantly wants to grow and develop into being better.”

Litwin came to CBU with a focus on photography, but since has switched his focus to design and doing photography as a hobby, as well as offering drone photography for businesses and organizations.

Litwin earned an official

commercial pilot’s license in May 2019 and is now able to put together drone shoots for real estate companies, architecture firms and properties.

“I’ve realized creating graphic design and creating content for social media is the emphasis I love,” Litwin said.

Litwin is fascinated by new technologies and brands. He attended the Consumer Electronics Show Conference, the biggest technology conference in the world, after he was recommended by a friend to apply. The conference was also an opportunity for Litwin to make connections with brands and network for the future.

“I was able to connect with and meet with some of my favorite brands and people I follow,” Litwin said.

“Any company that involves technology, battery, plug in or electricity was there. It was cool networking and being able to meet people and hopefully start working with them one

day.”

Litwin also noted what a powerful tool social media has been in recent years to further connect people.

“The beauty of social media is the ability to connect with people you may not be able to cross paths with, so I always enjoy connecting and meeting new people and I’m always open to collaborate,” Litwin said.

Lucas Mitose, senior health administration major, is a close friend of Litwin.

“He never boasts in his talent and is always humble with his work,” Mitose said. “Nicholas takes his God-given talents and uses them to glorify him.”

Litwin said he is thankful for CBU as a whole and the College of Architecture Visual Arts Design in particular because of how much they have inspired him and helped him grow in making what he wants to do in his career clear to him.

New play “Babette’s Feast” comes to Wallace Theatre

BY JULIUS KWAN ASST. A&E EDITOR

California Baptist University’s Wallace Theatre is bringing a new play to life.

“Babette’s Feast” (1987), which takes place in 19th century Norway, will be performed on Feb. 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22.

The story revolves around characters Martine and Philippa, two sisters who welcome Babette, a French refugee, into their home in their 19th century Puritan town.

Frank Mihelich, associate professor of theater, is the director of CBU’s production of “Babette’s Feast” and said he also worked on the Broadway

production of “Babette’s Feast.”

“The Broadway production was developed in New York City between 2008 and 2010. I had the great privilege of being part of the leadership team,” Mihelich said.

Rebecca Patty, senior theater and Christian studies double major, plays Martine and said it is her biggest role yet.

“Martine was already very important to me because of what I learned from her from reading and analyzing the play,” Patty said.

Patty said she has developed a special connection with the other actors in the production.

“It’s a really unique collaboration of so many different artists all working toward one vision, which is the telling of this story,” Patty said. “We’re all really passionate about our art, and making art together gives us such a unique relationship with one another — we’ve become like family.”

The students have a rigorous rehearsal schedule and prepare for the play by rehearsing Monday through Friday from 7—11 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

Claire Grady, freshman exercise science major, plays Philippa in the production and said though rehearsals take time, she

Editor’s Review

After the death of acclaimed rapper Mac Miller on Sept. 7, 2018, fans and critics alike assumed that was the end of Miller’s musical library.

In early January, however, Miller’s family posted on his Instagram account announcing that songs Miller had recorded but never released prior to his death would be available to the public Jan. 17 in a project known as “Circles.”

The post explained that “Circles” was meant to be an accompanying album to Miller’s last album “Swimming,” which was released in 2018.

The post also emphasized how this was not an easy decision but the

family ultimately decided that Miller would have wanted these songs to be heard by his fans all around the world.

The album opens with the title song “Circles,” which starts the album on a sad and contemplative note. Other songs such as “Everybody,” “Surf,” and “Once a Day” are reflective and carry similarly heavy tones and lyrics.

However, there are a few songs, such as “Blue World,” “Good News”

enjoys being part of the production.

“It is a lot of work. We have rehearsal every day but it’s a lot of fun. It’s a long process but it’s very rewarding. We see a lot of growth in ourselves and our cast,” Grady said.

Grady also noted that she has become a better performer since rehearsing for “Babette’s Feast.”

“I learned so much on how to work with the cast and how to grow as an actress and as a performer,” Grady said.

Tickets for the upcoming performances can be purchased at Wallace Theatre, online at calbaptist. edu/theatre or by calling 951-343-4319.

Luc Stringer | Banner

Ryan Lee, junior communication studies major, plays piano before practice for Babette’s Feast.

ALBUM: ‘CIRCLES’ ARTIST: MAC MILLER

EDITOR’S RATING:

and “Complicated,” that are more upbeat but still mellow, similar to much of Miller’s previous album, “ S w i m m i n g ,” the companion

to “Circles.”

“Circles” may at first sound familiar to fans of the prior release, “Swimming,” yet there are several elements to the album that help distinguish it clearly from the previous album.

While “Swimming” was an al-

BY JANE ROBERTUS A&E EDITOR

bum that many felt signaled Miller discovering his most authentic expression of his music, “Circles” is the perfect accompaniment to its predecessor.

Although this album is much more melancholy in nature than any previous album in Miller’s collection, this does not detract in any way from the impact of the songs. In fact, it adds even more depth to the connection listeners have with the writing and arrangements.

If there is any weakness or blind spot in “Circles,” it can only be explained as that the album’s release does not feel the same as Miller’s

past albums.

Listening to it, one may feel that something is missing. This can mainly be attributed to the reality that this is the first album release in which Miller was not present.

This fact in itself is not enough to take away from the album though, and while composer Jon Brion took over production, much of the focus remains on Miller’s vocals.

“Circles” is unquestionably a beautiful and heartfelt album, and an incredible tribute to the artist’s legacy that will cause listeners to sincerely reflect on the legacy of Mac Miller.

SPORTS

14

February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

Swim and dive teams find areas to improve heading to championship title Swim and dive team faced close match at last meet

BY ADIT WRATSANGKA ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Reagan Lee | Banner

Sarissa Powell, junior nursing major, and Kiera Roseborough, sophomore business administration major, perform alongside their teammates during a timeout at the California Baptist University vs. Grand Canyon University men’s basketball game.

Dance team strives for national ranking

BY KELLY MCKITTRICK SPORTS EDITOR

California Baptist University’s dance team heads into its 2020 season with new dancers and even more ambition after finishing second in pom and fifth in jazz routines last season.

The dance program is still a fairly new program at CBU, as the 2020 season will be only its second season in existence. The team, lead by head coach Kristy Mapes, added additional women to the roster in hopes of further establishing the program.

The roster now has 31 athletes. However, the team is still figuring out its dynamic with the additional members.

“The team dynamic is slightly different than last season because we are larger and have 10 more women on the team,” said junior liberal studies major Kayla Taylor.

“Since it is only our second season, we are still figuring a lot of things out. We are so close though and consider each other family.”

Although it is still a new program, Mapes said she hopes to be top five in the nation in upcoming competitions. In order to achieve

this goal, the Lancer Dancers need to utilize CBU events to its advantage.

“Performing at games is beneficial because we get to practice dancing in front of a big crowd,” said sophomore medical science major, Alexus Ramos. “This is nice because it prepares us for how competition will be and allows us to perfect our routines before we have to perform in front of judges.”

“

Performing at games is beneficial because we get to practice dancing in front of a big crowd.

Alexus Ramos, sophomore medical science major

Ramos also emphasized the importance of dancing in front of crowds to prepare for competition.

“Dancing in the dance room is completely different than dancing in front of people. When we are in front of big crowds and have a lot of adrenaline, this can cause us to accidentally do something we’ve never

done in practice before. This is why it is important for us to perform our dances at games before competing so that we are able to fix any mishaps that may have happened during our performance.”

Though the dance team aspires to do well in competition, Mapes said she hopes to help the team develop into well-rounded individuals who contribute to a fun environment at CBU events to fuel school spirit.

“I am hoping to continue to bring entertaining dance routines to our basketball games and to promote school spirit.

I am also trying to improve the team as a whole in technique, sharpness, and unity,” Mapes said. “Through our daily journaling, I hope to achieve mentally and spiritually confident athletes.”

The Lancer Dancers will compete next at the USA Collegiate Nationals Feb. 15-16 in Anaheim and the National Dance Alliance Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona, Florida, April 7-11, with hopes of obtaining a top-five ranking in both upcoming events and establishing CBU’s dance team nationally.

California Baptist University’s men and women’s swim and dive teams lost their last dual meet Feb.1 in a nail biter against the University of California, San Diego at the Lancer Aquatics Center.

Both the men’s and women’s teams showed impressive swims, losing by a close margin.

The men lost with a score of 141-154 and the women, 140158.

“We might not have won the meet, but we lost in a very close meet to the No. 1 ranked (women’s) team in the country for DII,” said Rick Rowland, head coach of the swim and dive teams. “Both teams really came to compete that weekend.”

Rowland said the match was so close that if the men had won the first relay event of the meet they could have won the meet.

“We got out-touched (in the finish) by a tenth of a second,” Rowland said.

Both the men and women’s teams have less than two weeks before they compete in their season finale, which is the Western Athletic Conference Championships on Feb. 26.

Rowland said in the little time they have left, the team needs to work on key things such as explosiveness, turns off the wall and speed.

Alina Jungklaus, junior psychology major and individual medley swimmer, said the team

is even more motivated because WAC championships are just around the corner, which means that the team will start tapering. “(In taper period) we get time to recover physically, catch up on sleep, and get more energy (before going to the championships),” Jungklaus said.

Jungklaus said the last meets went well and served as a confidence boost for the team in this last stretch of their season.

“We need to stay in competitive shape and refine the little things,” Rowland said. “These little things make the difference between us touching someone out or getting out-touched.”

Christian Meyer, sophomore psychology major and freestyle swimmer, said the team is in good form after its last dual meet against UC San Diego.

“We only lost by a bit, despite not having our top swimmers, Robby Moseley, sophomore software engineering major, and Joe Molinari, junior psychology major,” Meyer said.

Rowland said this year the team has faced the most injuries and illnesses of the 20 years he has been coaching the team.

Meyer said he believes the University of Wyoming and Grand Canyon University will present the team’s toughest challenges in conference, but if the team continues to work hard they could perform well at the upcoming meets.

“We can score a lot of points from the shorter sprint events,” Meyer said. “Our swimmers in the longer distance events will be able to place high in the rankings, too.”

The Lancers hope to perform better during their final practices to ultimately bring home a title for CBU this season. The men’s and women’s swim and dive teams will be leaving for the WAC Championships in Houston, on Feb. 26.

Men’s water polo faced challenges during fall season

BY JORDAN CULBERSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Zack Lowery, junior kinesiology major, is on the counter attack to try and gain possession of the ball.

Sage Zbinden | Banner

During the fall 2019 season, California Baptist University’s men’s water polo team had an overall record of 17-15 and 4-3 in the Western Athletic Conference in Division I. With just three students who graduated from last year, the majority of the team looks to continue to practice hard in the offseason to prepare for an even more successful season next year.

Head coach Kevin Rosa said he believes the biggest challenges occurred at the beginning of the season, when many of his top players were injured.

“We started off the season 5-11. This is not what we wanted,” Rosa said. “But from there we played our best water polo and finished 12-4 to end up 17-15.”

Rosa’s expectation for this season and the next is based on the team’s mission statement: “Play for each other, embrace the opportunity for success and buy into our brotherhood.”

After Rosa and the team read the book, “The Power of a Positive Team” (2018), they took on a new mentality for their season.

“We wanted to work hard and be successful while enjoying being with the team and building on the relationships that they were going to form throughout the season,” Rosa said.

Zach Lowery, junior business administration major and attacker (ATT), stressed the importance of trust within the sport.

“There were multiple times where I was told that if the underclassmen know that you trust them, then they won’t

feel pressured,” Lowery said. “I feel like this leads to a lot of success because our young players pulled through in some big games this year.”

Lowery said he believes his entire team has bonded more together as a group of brothers than just an ordinary team. He said he feels the bonding creates a chemistry connection in the water, which makes it easier to understand where each of his teammates are both physically and mentally, at all times.

In terms of accomplishments, Lowery said the team is happy with what it has accomplished as a group.

“We finished at the conference the best we ever have before, which was a big accomplishment for us. We had a few big wins throughout our season and a lot of number No. 1 goal games against the top 10 teams,” Lowery said.

Lowery said the team will continue to dream big and work hard to achieve greater accomplishments this next season.

“Our team tends to be as competitive as it gets, so (a few big wins) wasn’t the goal we wanted to achieve. We all wanted to win the Western Water Polo Association Championship, and this is our goal for next year,” Lowery said.

Joseph Galgani, junior business administration major and utility player said the offseason for him and his team will bring motivation for the next season.

“This year, our team had one of the strongest bonds in the three years I have been playing here,” Galgani said.

The team is highly motivated for this upcoming season, and if they continue to work hard during the offseason, the team will have a good start in the 2020 season.

OPINION LANCER ON THE STREET

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February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

Is Valentine’s Day overrated?

Anthony Isaac Senior Global community science major

“I like it if you have a significant other, but it is also a day where you spend a lot of money.”

Raquel Estevez Sophomore Theater major

Justin Lindemer Junior Environmental science major

“I think it’s really fun when “I do think it is overrated partly you look at it as a day of love because I’m not having the greatand not about a relationship.” est experience with it right now.”

Rebecca Harper Senior Psychology major

Christian Spradlin Junior Christian studies major

“It’s important. My parents told “It’s overrated for those in a good me to take time out of busy sched- relationship. You do not need a ules to focus on relationships.” holiday to show you care.”

Friends across political spectrum are necessary

BY TEDDY PEÑA

ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR Every person is entitled to hold his or her own opinions.

With a variety of worldviews represented at California Baptist University alone, it is easy

to meet many individuals who have different political backgrounds. The college experience is what each student makes of it, and surrounding oneself with a diverse mindset can be helpful in the long run.

Gaining a diverse mentality is part of the reason colleges set general education requirements and why it is critical to have an assortment of experiences listed on a resume. For people to evolve in both their mindset and global viewpoint, they must expose themselves to various kinds of thinking.

Audrey Alexander, sophomore illustration major, said she identifies with a political party, but also gathers informa-

tion from different perspectives to see which aligns more with the Bible.

Respect is a key characteristic when it comes to friendships that represent contrasting values and beliefs.

Each student has the ability to respectfully hear what another student values without the intent to change the other’s perspective. Fostering a healthy dynamic begins with the goal of gaining a better understanding of those around them.

“It’s not a necessity for me to have friends that align with me politically, as long as we can have a friendly discussion about our views that is respectful,” Alexander said.

Josh Schwarz, sophomore pre-nursing major, said politics has never gotten between him and a friend.

“It has started a couple of arguments, but it has always been discussed, and then each person goes on to believe what they believe,” Schwarz said.

In addition to practicing respect, another important attribute is to refrain from pushing or forcing a particular agenda onto someone else. Each individual must have two goals: empathy and communication.

Once one gains the ability to empathize with others and to communicate one’s own views in a civil tone, only then can true growth within a friendship

take place.

The ability to nurture healthy boundaries between friends is foundational. Dr. Amy Stumpf, professor of society and religion, explained that politics should not be the cause of an ended friendship.

“Good people can believe differently, but sometimes their belief system is just part of them not being a great person,” Stumpf said.

Dr. Stumpf explained there are individuals that develop their entire personality around their political identity. When this is the case, there is a much higher chance that the person will be less empathetic and understanding because their po-

litical identity is a part of their core character.

Stumpf’s advice for friends who do not see eye-to-eye on various topics is that everyone should apply respect and assume the best about others.

“Friendships never work well if I always assume the worst,” Stumpf said.

Humans love to divide themselves and identify with different labels — it allows them to find community within groups of like-minded individuals.

If there is a desire for a more harmonious environment within humankind, there has to be an inward examination of the heart before there is any external action.

Ask more questions, listen

BY ABIGAIL WOLF MANAGING EDITOR

“Ask more questions, talk about yourself less.”

Famous Pop-rap duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are hardly the first to come up with such a concept, and yet those song lyrics have always stuck with me.

It brings me to an important question: What are you doing today to invest in the lives of

those around you? We love to talk about ourselves and make it all about me. It is the human condition and it has been that way since the beginning of time.

When Marie Antoinette — if she did indeed say it — said the infamous line, “Let them eat cake.” She revealed a complete disregard for the peasants and her poor understanding of the afflictions of the working-class citizens of France. She was too caught up in her own day-today luxury to even lend an ear.

Now, in the 21st century, we have learned the art of multitasking. We do it all, and yet, do we ever really listen?

We must stop this trend of tuning other people out if we want to be better neighbors, students, friends and coworkers, and even better Christians.

One thing that can be done in an effort of self-improvement to-

day is changing the mindset of why we listen. When we do listen, it is often out of an attempt to be polite instead of out of a genuine curiosity to learn what the other has to say. If we listen instead to learn, we may find ourselves investing more into the relationship, and achieving a greater understanding of the other person.

Sometimes becoming a better listener can be as simple as quieting your mind and being all-in in any given moment. If you are thinking about your homework due tomorrow or dinner or a million other things, you will never find yourself truly putting the time and work necessary to make a relationship thrive.

Lastly, ask more questions.

This allows your conversation to be more open, reduces conflict and misunderstanding, and

shows the person with whom you are conversing that you have a genuine desire to understand their words.

Asking better questions also has its benefits in the business world. Two journalists for the Harvard Business Review note: “Questioning is a uniquely powerful tool for unlocking value in organizations: It spurs learning and the exchange of ideas, it fuels innovation and performance improvement, it builds rapport and trust among team members. And it can mitigate business risk by uncovering unforeseen pitfalls and hazards.”

So, when Macklemore asserts that we must ask more questions, and talk less about ourselves, he is really on to something. Those lyrics might just be the key to fixing our broken and breaking relationships and improving communication.

Harry Potter is for Christians, too

BY SOPHIE GRAVITT

LIFESTYLE SECTION EDITOR There is quite a big controversy in the Christian community on whether Christians should be able to read the “Harry Potter” series. Some claim that this story goes against the word of God, therefore Christians should not indulge in it.

Others claim this story is sim-

ply fantasy, and it is not wrong to observe fictional, fantastical stories. Reading “Harry Potter” is in no way wrong, as I believe it is academically and personally beneficial.

Those who believe Christians should not choose to read this series often support their claim with the verse, Deuteronomy 18:10-12, which states that anyone who “practices witchcraft,” or anything similar to this is “an abomination to the Lord.” This is a valid reason to support this claim. However, I interpret this as a command that Christians should not believe in witchcraft or anything similar, and should not practice it because it is not their belief.

“Harry Potter” is fantasy, not fact. Just because I love “Harry Potter” does not mean I believe in witchcraft. In the same way, just because I read “Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien

does not mean that I believe in magical elves or hobbits. Reading is an act of observing, it is not always an act of indulging. I believe that as Christians, reading is an act of observing things from a gospel-centered perspective. Christians live by one book, the Holy Bible, but I do not think that means Christians should not be able to observe fantasy or fiction from a biblical standpoint.

“Harry Potter” was the book series that lead me to fall in love with reading in the first place. It expanded my imagination and opened my eyes to a whole new world of friendship and adventure, which is what it is meant to do. When I first read “Harry Potter,” I was not a Christian.

When I came to know Christ and read this series again, in no way did it hinder my belief in God or my desire to abide by his word. Instead, it encouraged my

belief in Christ and shed light on my perception of the gospel.

There were tons of Biblical allusions that I was able to notice in the narrative of “Harry Potter,” especially the end of the series in the seventh book, “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.” This lead me to research J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for this novel, which I discovered was partially derived from Christianity.

I believe that “Harry Potter” discusses concepts that are necessary to address in our culture, such as the line between good and evil, or what constitutes morality or immorality.

In the story of “Harry Potter,” the right decision is not always clear. Is that not the same as our reality? I believe this not only invites readers to consider the gospel in a new light, but also prepares them for what they will witness in the real world.

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16

February 14, 2020 · Volume 67 · Issue 8

#Lancercam

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Email Kelsie Stevens at KelsieMarie.Stevens@calbaptist.edu to claim your prize.

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Word Search:

Valentine’s Day Will you be my Valentine?

Word Bank 1. BE MINE 2. BOX OF CHOCOLATES 3. BOYFRIEND 4. CRUSH 5. CUPID 6. DARLING 7. DATE 8. DATE ME 9. DREAM TEAM 10. FALL IN LOVE 11. FIANCÉE 12. FLOWER BOUQUET 13. FRIENDSHIP 14. GIRLFRIEND 15. HUGS AND KISSES 16. I ADORE YOU 17. I LOVE YOU 18. I’M YOURS 19. LOVE 20. LOVE BUG 21. ME AND YOU 22. RED ROSE 23. ROMANCE 24. SAINT VALENTINE 25. SECRET ADMIRER 26. SINGLES AWARENESS DAY 27. SOULMATE 28. SWEETHEART 29. SWEET PEA 30. WOO ME