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P E P P E R DINE GR A P HIC M E DIA | N E W S | J A N U A RY 24 , 20 1 9

Social media causes pressure

katie nance li fe a n d a rt s e d it or Back in the day, Sally didn’t compare her life to others. She got mostly B’s in school, and a couple C’s that her parents still don’t know about. She enjoyed reading historical fiction and joining family on vacations to Montana.

She was introverted, to say the least, but savored her solitude. Overall, Sally was happy with who she was.

She was content.

Then Sally got a smart phone.

She downloaded Instagram, Facebook and Twitter like any teenager would. She posted photo after photo, spending any remaining time browsing her feed instead of the library. She spent hours a day checking up on others’ lives, leaving her own behind. Vacations, promotions, awards and celebrations filled her time. With easy access to view others’ constant successes, Sally soon became discontent.

She felt she needed to do more, to see more, to be more. Sally felt she needed to be better – the best.

She eventually ditched Montana and became accustomed to Hawaii.

She’d never liked the beach, but her Instagram feed loved it. She crammed her schedule with honors courses, internships, extracurriculars and more, attempting to level with her overachieving peers.

However, her pedestal never seemed to stand quite tall enough. Sally changed anything and everything possible to be the best, until she wasn’t quite like Sally at all.

Because of today’s instant society, I oftentimes feel a lot like Sally. Do you?

Remember the importance of slowing down – the importance of taking a minute to sit and think with yourself, about yourself and for yourself. It may seem like everyone’s eyes are constantly on you, but trust me, that’s how they all feel too.

Don’t live like Sally, live like you.

THE DPS REPORTS Check out pepperdine.edu/publicsafety for the DPS Reports every week

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1/16/19 2:37 a.m.

Crimes: Assault/Battery Sex Crimes - Forcible Rape, Including Date Rape // Assault/Battery - Sex Crimes - Sexual Battery Location: Alumni Park

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1/17/19 12:19 p.m.

Crimes: Larceny/Theft Petty Theft - Misc.

Location: Elkins Auditorium

Drescher (North)

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1/17/19 9:05 p.m.

Crimes: Alcohol-Related/ Non-Criminal - Possession of Alcohol on Campus Location: Pauley House

5

1/18/19 12:01 p.m.

Crimes: Traffic-Related Hit and Run, Non-Injury Accident Location: John Tyler Drive 1/21/19 20:35 p.m.

Crimes: Drug-Related Possession of Marijuana Location: Rockwell Towers

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Alumni field (South)

UPCOMING EVENTS THIS SEMESTER What: le c ture : beth caldwe ll, “de po rted amer icans: life a fte r de por tation to me xic o” when: 2/ 7 Wher e: s urfboar d r oom

Wh at: men’s volleyball vs. stanfor d Wh e N: 2/8 Wh e re : Fir estone fieldhouse

What: kenny br ob erg, p i ano Whe N : 2/10 Whe re : r aitt r eci tal hal l

W hat: dat e-onomi c s W he N: 2 / 1 1 W he r e : f i res i de room

W hat: c hri s t op her park eni ng g u i tar s t u dent s i n c onc ert W he N: 2 / 1 2 W he r e : s u rf b oard room

c onvo c re dit and other e ve n ts this we e k FRI.

MON.

25

What: c e le br ation chapel When: 9 a .m. and 10 a.m.

Wher e: a m ph i theater

28

Wh at: spanish chapel Wh e n: 10:10 a.m.

Wh e re : stauffer chapel

What: “W E ll” When: 7:30 p.m.

Wher e: lin dh u r st theatr e

TUES. 29

Wh at: ger man chap el Wh e n: 10 a.m.

Wh e re : stauffer c hap el Wh at: Ar th Lectu re f t. heather gr aham Wh e n: 10 a.m.

Wh e re : weisman m u s eu m Wh at: on br oadway Wh e n: 8 p.m.

Wh e re : smother s T HEAT RE

WEDS. 30

W hat: wednes day c hap el W he n: 1 0 a. m.

W he r e : f i res t one f i el dhou s e W hat: c hi nes e c hap el W he n: 1 1 : 05 a. m.

W he r e : c c b 3 4 0 W hat: men’s vol l ey b al l vs. c s u n W he n: 7 p. m.

W he r e : f i res t one f i el dhou s e

THURS. 31

W hat: fac u lt y b ook l au nc h: “ b oy z n t he hood: s hi f t i ng hol ly wood t errai n” by dr. J oi c arr W he n: 5 p. m.

W he r e : s u rf b oard room W hat: women’s b as k et b al l vs. s an di eg o W he n: 7 p. m.

W he r e : f i res t one f i el dhou s e

KATIE.NANCE@PEPPERDINE.EDU

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peppgraphic TheIN: Graphic peppgraphic The Graphic // The Graphic PLUG

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RAs find silver lining amidst tragedy J A N UA RY 2 4 , 2 0 1 9 | N E W S | P E P P E R DIN E G RA P H I C ME D I A

r o wan t o ke a s s is tant new s editor Immediately after losing freshman Alaina Housley in the Borderline Shooting, the Woolsey Fire neared the Malibu campus. Resident Advisors (RAs) were greatly affected, as they needed to care for themselves and their residents during this overwhelming time.

While November was a trying time for many, the experience was decidedly different for employees of Housing and Resident Life. HRL employees had to tend to the needs of students before considering their own safety. Multiple administrative staff said they chose to stay on campus instead of returning home to their families. The student employees, however, were required to remain on campus during the evacuation as a part of their job. This greatly affected their experiences and perception of HRL. Director of Resident Life Maura Page said she and other employees expected these tragedies to cause the number of applications HRL received to plummet because of all the stress RAs were put under that month.

Page said that was not the case. In fact, it was the exact opposite.

“We have a record number of applications this year,” Page said.

“We’re the highest we’ve ever been, by, I think, 50 [applications].”

A possible explanation for the increase in

applications is a sentiment throughout HRL. Although they acknowledge the heartache felt across campus, they choose to find the silver lining, senior Tanner Bass said.

Bass, the RA for Eaton, said those couple of weeks were the toughest he had ever gone through.

Instead of continuing to constantly feel that pain, however, Bass said he chose to find the good in the situation.

“For the guys that decided to stay around [after the evacuation], I think we definitely got closer,” Bass said.

Even so, Bass acknowledges that the RAs were not prepared for what they experienced, but he does not blame HRL.

“

What they (HRL) do is incredible and often goes unnoticed.

They really are caring for every student. rachel jolly, senior and RA of debell

“There was no way for [HRL] to know that in August, where we had a month of training – indepth training, necessary training – but there was no way for them

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Araceli Cresencio | GNews Producer Smoke Signals | Students near Firestone Fieldhouse watch as smoke rises above Malibu campus during the Woolsey Fire on Nov. 9. Students sheltered-in-place and evacuated in the days following. to know that a fire was coming,” Bass said.

Given the choice, Bass said he would have still been an RA if he had known what was going to happen.

“I would do it again because of the relationships I have built,” Bass said. “The positive experiences that I have gone through as an RA are definitely worth it.”

Senior Rachel Jolly, RA for DeBell, had a much different experience than any other RA. Alaina Housley, the Pepperdine freshman tragically shot in the Thousand Oaks Borderline Shooting, was one of Jolly’s residents.

Jolly said that her experiences with the fires and shootings are different in the long term because unlike other houses, DeBell is still trying to heal from losing one of their residents and

friends.

“We are still trying to help our dorm and unify our house,” Jolly said.

Similar to Bass, Jolly said she was not prepared for what she was about to go through.

“It was traumatic and challenging and really, really hard,” Jolly said. “I have never experienced something like that. It was just terrible.”

Somehow, through everything they experienced, Jolly said she and her residents were able to find a bright side, even though they greatly miss their friend.

“Through all of it, we have come out a closer group,” Jolly said.

Unlike the other houses, Jolly said she and her residents welcomed the fire. After going through the loss of a friend, they needed that time to be away from campus and with their families.

Even though they were not happy about the damage and loss it caused, Jolly said they were thankful for being able to go home. The evacuation gave them a chance to begin recuperating in the comfort and love of their own homes.

Both Jolly and Bass said being an RA during this time immensely changed how they view HRL. “I think that HRL has a really tough job because they are handling such a large volume of students,” Bass said.

Jolly agreed.

“What they do is incredible and often goes unnoticed,” Jolly said.

“They really are responsible for caring for every student.”

Freshman Karese Frizell said she recently applied to be an RA. “Even in the midst of all the events that hap-

pened last semester, that didn’t effect my decision in wanting to be an RA,” Frizell said. “If anything, [those experiences] made me more passionate about it because I saw the demand of leaders at Pepperdine and how they are essential in helping the student body and being examples for the students.”

Page said she was thrilled about the number of applications HRL has received. She believes the quantity of applications is reflective of the feelings of the students.

“To have a high number of applicants is consistent with that experience that they have seen so many incredible examples of care and love and ministry over the last weeks,” Page said.

R OWAN.TOK E@PEPPER DINE.EDU

HRL: Students move on campus FROM A1 cost of housing for the displaced students because the room rates are set by the University in advance, Gore wrote.

“All residential students are expected to pay the full rate for on-campus housing as decided upon for each residence hall room or apart-

ment,” Gore wrote.

Similar to other displaced students, senior Bailee Blechschmidt was offered housing at Drescher after her Malibu home was devastated by the fire.

“While it’s certainly an unexpected change to be back on campus for my last semester, I am so grateful they found a room for me,” Blechschmidt wrote in an email.

“When I first found out about my apartment burning, I really had no idea what I was going to do for housing because I assumed there was no way they’d be able to house all of us displaced students,” Blechschmidt wrote. “I was honestly thinking I would need to drive my grandparents’ travel trailer down and find a place to park it and live in it for my remaining four

months.”

Senior Rachel Packebush was very thankful for the help from HRL after losing her Malibu apartment to the fire.

“I think HRL was very on top of things and did a really good job with people who lost housing,” Packebush said in a phone interview.

Packebush and her three roommates were offered an

apartment in Drescher.

“It was so incredibly kind that they allowed my three roommates and I to stay together,” Packebush said.

“Having people and an organization and a team took off some of the weight of trying to find a new place to live.

I am grateful that they had opening and that we had an organization to turn to.”

POX: Single case strikes Pepp FR OM A 1 quarters it can promote spread of the virus, especially if a large enough percentage of the population is not immune or vaccinated.”

The University Policy Manual does not indicate whether staff and other faculty are required to be immunized.

Student reactions to the possibility of chickenpox on campus have been mild, like a photo posted by a student-run meme account

@bepperdine_safespace.

Freshman Bradford Holladay said he is not worried about the possible chickenpox case, even with the individual’s anonymity adding some mystery to the situation.

“I didn’t really care,” Holladay said. “I think that the Student Health Center knows what they’re doing and I trust them. I think if it became a problem they’d tell us what to do.”

The symptoms of chickenpox are a fever, headache and gener-

al fatigue followed one to two days later by a rash beginning on the face and chest, which can spread to the entire body, according to a health form from the Student Health Center.

“The virus spreads by touching or breathing virus particles from an infected individual with chickenpox or shingles,” according to the form. “Symptoms usually develop 10-21 days after contact with an infected person(s). A person with chickenpox is contagious 1-2 days BEFORE illness and un-

til all sores have scabbed over.”

The disease lasts five to seven days, but the Student Health Center wrote in a health advisory form that all students who develop a rash over the next three weeks should call immediately.

“Those vaccinated can still contract the disease but will usually experience milder symptoms,” according to the Student Health Center form.

Those most at risk for contracting chickenpox are people who are

unvaccinated or have a weak immune system, pregnant mothers or young babies and children, according to PR’s email.

“In order to protect other students, if you believe you may have chickenpox, stay away from public places such as school/classes/campus activities until Student Health Center staff have cleared you to return,” PR wrote.

Students who are worried they may have symptoms of the chickenpox or who wish to be vaccinated can call the

R OWAN.TOK E@PEPPER DINE.EDU

Student Health Center to schedule an appointment, Larson wrote. If it is after hours or the weekend, the Student Health Center recommends Malibu Urgent Care.

“I do feel really bad for anyone who does have chickenpox because I’ve never had it, but that sounds pretty bad,” Holladay said. “But it also has a funny name so …

My best wishes go out to the student [or individual].”

ASHL EY.M OW R EADER @PEPPER DINE.EDU

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P E P P E R DINE GR A P HIC M E DIA | N E W S | J A N U A RY 24 , 20 1 9

WOMEN'S MARCH 2019

Photos by Ashley Mowreader

Pepperdine students march for women Ashley Mowreader New s assista n t

A sea of people dotted with pink hats, painted poster boards and T-shirts bearing quotes on female empowerment surfed the streets of Los Angeles in the 2019 Women’s March. Pepperdine Waves joined the crowd and added their voices to the movement.

“A woman’s success is not just her own ... it’s humanity’s success,” junior Aurora Authement said. “It’s not women versus men, or a single person that is being advanced, but allowing the opportunity for every single person to have the same advantages and chances.”

The first Women’s March took place at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21, 2017 in response to President Donald Trump’s inauguration. That same year, “sister marches” took place around the country, including Los Angeles, where 1.5 million people marched from Pershing Square to City Hall.

This year’s theme, “Truth to Power,” worked to empower women and others to hold elected officials accountable for their impact on the nation.

Pepperdine students, including Authement, said they chose to march for many different reasons.

“For me, this is is an opportunity to raise awareness in a healthy manner about situations that have been a part of our nation and our global society for a long time,” Authement said. “For someone like me, equal pay is important. [My mom] was a part of that huge movement where they were fighting for the huge increase in equal pay. It was half of what a man made, [whereas] now it’s like 80 to 90 percent [of a man’s wages]. That’s really important to me [and] that’s the reason I’m going: to get that gender pay gap closed and to begin to raise awareness.”

Authement, the philanthropy chair for sorority Delta Delta Delta, said she chose to host the event going to the Women’s March because it was a form of community involvement the entire chapter could participate in.

Junior Mackenzie Mazen organized a group under the Pepperdine Volunteer Center. Mazen said she wanted to give students who might not have the opportunity to attend a chance to go.

“It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing,” Mazen said. “I just thought about how freshman year, I wished that I had a group of people to go with. I didn’t have a car at the time. So I was thinking back on how I wish I could have done that. Now we have the resources and now I have the ability to make this happen for people who don’t necessarily have a car or don’t have a group of people to go with.”

Mazen said she marched to show solidarity for other women in America who face mistreatment, especially women of color, and to speak up against sexual assault.

“Recently we’ve discovered how prevalent [sexual assault] is, but I think still people choose to ignore it and don’t realize how big of an issue it is,” Mazen said. “Or people only choose to get involved when it’s someone familiar to them. That shouldn’t be it. It should be because women are people and don’t deserve to be violated, not because ‘Someone I know was violated.’”

Freshman Carson Vandermade said he chose to attend because he believes in equality of the sexes and supports women.

“Women [should] be treated the same way that men are in all aspects of how that can be interpreted,” Vandermade said.

Others, like freshman Spencer Lindquist, went to the march to hear more from the participants. Lindquist co-runs a YouTube channel called The Pendulum in which he interviews participants at various marches, rallies and other events.

“We ask people why they’re at a certain event, even for something like the Women’s March where there’s a central focus,” Lindquist said. “People have different priorities, so we like to see what those priorities are.

We also ask them about their signs and then we just go from there. Each interview is different [which] makes it interesting.”

The Women’s March Los Angeles is an “inclusive, non-partisan march, and everyone who supports women’s rights is welcome. At our core we stand for diversity and inclusion,” according to their website.

Mazen, Authement and Vandermade said they agreed with the march’s statement and did not feel as though it was designed to be “anti-men,” or affiliated with a particular political

J A N UA RY 2 4 , 2 0 1 9 | N E W S | P E P P E R DIN E G RA P H I C ME D I A

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Photos by Ashley Mowreader

Photos by Sherry Yang

party.

“I think a lot of people think of the Women’s March as a protest and I don’t think it’s that,” Mazen said.

“I think it’s a collective group for women to get together and [say], ‘these are our experiences,’ and have that relatable source. I think a lot of people don’t realize that women go through a lot of the same things – we just don’t talk about it.”

Lindquist said, in his experience, having attended the San Jose Women’s March last year and the LA march this year, it is more of a partisan rally.

“The Women’s March is promoted as something that’s pro-women, that it’s a feminist movement, but from my experience, it isn’t about being pro-women or protecting femininity,” Lindquist said. “I think it’s more [of an] anti-Trump march, [and] it’s against the modern American right.

They’re largely unified by what they’re against rather than what they’re for. I don’t think it’s overall beneficial to women in the United States.”

The march started at Pershing Square with a rally where speakers shared their thoughts on why they

march or encouraged participants to use their voices to be heard in other ways. Musicians, like MILCK and Raja Kumari, performed songs about female empowerment as well.

The march ran from the square to City Hall as marchers held signs and chanted slogans like “my body, my choice.”

Freshman Lauren Miles said her favorite sign was a slogan she had never heard before: “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”

“I just like that because I feel like it is easy to say, ‘You’re living a good life here. You live in the right country to be a woman,’ but there’s always something we can do,” Miles said.

“There’s always little things. Everyone’s experience is different and we all need to look out for each other in order for anything to get done.”

Mazen said the best part for her was the environment and the people at the march.

“You could talk to anyone there and they would just strike up conversation and talk to you,” Mazen said. “It was just like, ‘We’re all here together, let’s all talk about what’s

going on, let’s all discuss what we’ve been through, let’s just stand up together.’”

The LA march was Miles’ third Women’s March, having previously attended marches in both New York and Arkansas. Miles said she’s always had a positive experience at the marches she attended.

“I think it’s a fun time to spend time with others who have similar ideas [and] who all want the same thing,” Miles said. “I always think it’s a really fun time to learn about new ideas [and] new issues that people are concerned with that I may not have ever heard of or thought about.”

Each student interviewed said they would encourage their peers to go to the march and check it out for themselves.

“It’s just a fun event,” Miles said.

“You don’t have to think of it as this super dramatic or stressful thing.

You don’t have to be that involved in politics to go. If you’re not that political or if you don’t have that strong of opinions, you can totally just go to just have a good time and learn and experience new things.”

Lindquist said more conservative or centrist leaning students should

research the Women’s March and their leadership, as there may be discrepancies in their motives and the mission statement.

“If there was someone who was on the American political left, I would urge them to bring an original idea or concept, not just some bumper sticker slogan,” Lindquist said. “Have an issue that you think is pressing, that you want to write down, that you want to bring notice to, because having another sign that says ‘the future is female’ isn’t going to accomplish anything. No one really knows what it means.”

Vandermade said his experience was positive regardless of his gender because what was important was that people there were united for a cause.

“Overall, it’s a good time and an experience that’s worth going to, no matter what you think about,” Vandermade said. “You’re experiencing part of a culture and you live near LA – a cultural capital of the world. Go to things.”

S EE b 1 fo r M o r e o n the M ar c h ASHL EY.M OW R EADER @PEPPER DINE.EDU

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pepper di ne-g r aphi c.com

The Graphic

J an u a ry 2 4 , 2 0 19

PERSPECTIVES WHAT

STAFF LIST

PGM

M anag i ng Ed i to r m a ry c ate l o n g So c i al M ed i a M anag er m a d i so n n i ch o l s P i x el Ed i to r ella gonzalez o nl i ne p r o d u c er o m a r m u r ph y G New s p r o d u c er a r ace l i c r e sce n c i o c o py c hi ef rya n h a r d i n g s p ec i al ed i ti o n ed i to r ch a n n a ste i n m e tz as si g nm ent ed i to r about k ayi u w o n g #CaliforniaStrong New s Ed i to r Madeleine Carr Ass i stant New s Ed i to r r o wa n to k e New s As si s tant a sh l e y m o w r e a d e r S p o r ts Ed i to r sa m fi n n e ga n Ass i stant Sp o r ts Ed i to r s quent events, a greater k a r l w i n te r portion of the student K yl e m c ca b e body should have the P er s p ec ti v es Ed i to r ability to input ideas for these events. Town ga r e n ko soya n halls, attended by a vaP er sp ec ti v es ass i stant riety of Malibu citizens a r e e ya ku n awa r a d i sa i including Pepperdine L i fe & Ar ts Ed i to r students, could be held k at n a n ce to discuss the events — venue, activities, as si s tant L i fe & ar ts outcomes — to give all ed i to r voices of the communij u l ia donlon ty a say in the planning l i fe & ar ts seni o r of events meant to bring r ep o r ter together said community. c a r o l i n e e d wa r d s If held on campus, L i fe & Ar ts As si s tant there are many students pi pe r w r i g h t who would be willing to P ho to Ed i to r contribute more to the K a elin mendez event. Spirit squads, like as si s tant p ho to those at sports games, could incite school and ed i to r Malibu spirit among m i l a n l o i ac o n o the attendees. Students Ar t Ed i to r could participate in the c a i tl i n r oa r k activities without feelass i stant ar t ed i to r ing impeded by them.

If done correctly, a l ly a r m str o n g these events could be C o py ed i to r s big, communal and fesga b r i e l l e m ath ys tive like Waves Weekend k i l e y d i ste l r ath but geared, instead, tom akena huey ward the whole Malibu community. adv er ti s i ng d i r ec to r Pepperdine’s and Malb e n h u ya r d ibu’s pains are commuAdv er ti s i ng m anag er nal, so let it not divide ca r oline herron the community but D i r ec to r o f P ep p er d i ne reinforce it. Together, community members G r ap hi c M ed i a can be #PepperdineStroE l i z a b e th Sm i th ng, #MalibuStrong and As si s tant D i r ec to r O f collectively #CaliforniP ep p er d i ne G r ap hi c aStrong.

M ed i a Co u r te n ay Sta l l i n g s

STAFF

⇧ THINKS

Caitlin Roark | Art Editor

STAFF EDITORIAL

IS #CALIFORNIASTRONG PEPPERDINE STRONG?

Following the tragedies that came to define the month of November for Pepperdine and its neighboring communities, those affected are relying on one another for comfort and hope for revival. Charitable events such as #CaliforniaStrong seemed to offer the beginning steps of healing, yet Pepperdine students were left with a sense of isolation from the community they call home and with whom they’ve been grieving.

Big names in Hollywood and professional sports flooded Pepperdine University’s Eddy D. Field Stadium on Jan. 13 for the California Strong Celebrity Softball game, hosted by Christian Yelich, Ryan Braun and Mike Moustakas, alongside the organizations California Strong and the YMCA of Southeast Ventura County.

But while a few faces stood out among the jam-packed event, including Adam Sandler, Jamie Foxx and Baker Mayfield, there was a distinct lack of Pepperdine student representation.

Many students felt excluded from the event that was meant to promote a sense of community for Malibu

in the aftermath of the Woolsey Fire and Pepperdine University after the loss of freshman Alaina Housley in the Borderline shooting. As members of the Malibu community who are equally devastated by these tragedies, more Pepperdine students should have been incorporated in the event.

Neglecting to include students upholds the view that Pepperdine is a separate entity from Malibu at large, when in fact Pepperdine and Malibu are all one united community.

Several aspects of the California Strong event left many students feeling detached from its overall purpose. For instance, the ambiguity regarding the admission fee had students questioning where the proceeds would be going.

There were students who were willing to pay the $25 admission fee, as all proceeds went to those in need. However, students who felt deterred opted to watch from Dorm Road, which overlooks the stadium; hence many students were not immersed in the communal crowd.

Eventgoers were seen using the restrooms of the Debell House — which is where Housley

lived. Many felt that this use of a house that symbolizes the recent wound of the Borderline tragedy was inappropriate and inconsiderate of a community still in the infancy stages of healing.

Much of this confusion stems from Pepperdine’s ineffective communication to the student body and staff.

Though the event was featured on multiple Pepperdine social media accounts and the university website, many students were unaware that the game was occurring until they saw its set-up earlier that day. Briefing students about the details of the event through official communications such as email is a vital step toward including students and limiting frustration.

The blocking-off of parking spots normally designated for students upset students and also prompted feelings of exclusion. Students who live on campus were forced to relocate their cars, and some Pepperdine students were even asked to move their burned cars. These students are members of the Malibu community and some also lost their homes, cars and be-

longings in the Woolsey Fire. Their inclusion in this group connected by tragedy is crucial for productive healing.

Though the baseball team was instrumental in the execution of the event, some other students felt as if they had no say or consideration in the planning of the softball game.

The game was a great opportunity for Pepperdine to extend an olive branch to the Malibu community in an attempt to mend the relationship between the school and its surrounding community.

The events of November 2018 greatly impacted the Malibu community and Pepperdine received backlash for its shelterin-place protocol from the Malibu community.

However, students who make up Pepperdine are part of the Malibu community, and this game was theirs, too.

The feeling of unity the event attempted to project is especially important during this period of recovery for Malibu. Celebrity softball games and similar occasions which promote communal welfare should occur more frequently.

However, for subse-

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CONTACT US

1.

SGA passed a resolution to fund a portion of Late Night Breakfast put on by Student Affairs scheduled for Sunday, April 23 from 9:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Waves Cafe.

2.

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MISSION STATEMENT “Pepperdine Graphic Media (PGM) is an editorially independent student news organization that focuses on Pepperdine University and the surrounding communities. PGM consists of the digital and print Graphic, a variety of special publications, GNews, Currents Magazine, social media platforms and an Advertising Department. These platforms serve the community with news, opinion, contemporary information and a public forum for discussion.

PGM strengthens students for purpose, service and leadership by developing their skills in writing, editing and publication production, by providing a vehicle to integrate and implement their liberal arts education, and by developing students’ critical thinking through independent editorial judgment. PGM participates in Pepperdine’s Christian mission and affirmations, especially the pursuit of truth, excellence and freedom in a context of public service. Although PGM reports about Pepperdine University and coordinates with curricula in journalism and other disciplines, it is a student (not a University) news organization. Views expressed are diverse and, of course, do not correspond to all views of any University board, administration, faculty, staff, student or other constituency.”

JAN UA RY 2 4 , 2 0 1 9 | PE RS PE C TIVE S | P E P P E R D I N E G RA P H I C ME D I A

Value the liberal arts C a r o l i n e A r ch er s ta f f Wri t e r The liberal arts style of education dates back to Ancient Greece and Rome. Socrates initiated the style of learning through dialogue, and since then the liberal arts have weaved their way through the history of higher education.

From the all-male universities of the Middle Ages to today’s Seaver College, the liberal arts have played a fundamental role in shaping students’ minds.

For many students, the term “liberal arts” may seem like a euphemism for being forced to take classes that they have no interest in. What value could such an ancient system have in today’s world?

After all, 21st century Malibu is drastically different from Socrates’ Athens.

While these concerns are valid, people across the world are recognizing an increasing need for the liberal arts. A multidisciplinary education is essen because, “given the rapid pace and complexity of change in today’s global economy, college graduates need to ... develop capacities that will guide them in clarifying and adapting to developments in an ever-changing world,” according to Ronald Crutcher’s article “Fluency Across the Boundaries: A Case for Liberal Education” published by the American Council of Education in the winter of 2011.

The liberal arts equip students with flexibility that they wouldn’t otherwise have.

For instance, in Japan, liberal arts studies have been fundamental to the country’s recent economic success, according to Takamitsu Sawa’s article “Liberal arts studies are key to Japan’s economic revival” published on Oct. 24, 2016 by the Japan Times.

On a practical level, a liberal arts education makes a student more hirable. Many of the jobs of the future do not even exist yet. Therefore, the ability to think and problem solve across disciplines is the foundation to career-readiness, as stated in Christine Henseler’s article “Liberal Arts Is the Foundation for Professional Success in the 21st Century” published by the Huffington Post on Sept. 6, 2017.

Another advantage of the liberal arts is that it prepares students to be citizens, not just employees. Students are challenged to develop broad, ethical worldviews when they are exposed to a variety of subjects, according to Adam Harris’s article “The Liberal Arts May Not Survive the 21st Century” published by the Atlantic on Dec. 13, 2018.

There are social benefits to the liberal arts, too. At Pepperdine, when students take General Education classes, they

c am ry n g o r do n staf f wr it er

“The New Colossus” is permanently placed on The Statue of Liberty reading, “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses,” with the intent to label the United States of America as a welcoming shelter for those in need.

The US government entered its third federal shutdown of Donald Trump’s presidency over an impasse between the president’s demand for $5.7 billion for a wall at the US-Mexico border. The dispute over a barrier as a solution to the country’s immigration problem is a central issue for President Donald Trump since his campaign began in 2015.

President Trump, an avid proponent for the division between America and the rest of the world, has used this government shutdown to campaign for the construction of a physical barrier that seeks to divide humanity based upon fears of difference, thus impacting the rest of America’s vision of what cultivates community.

Now is the time to unify together and remind our leaders what greatness really is.

Support the fight for student rights

G a r e n K o s oya n perspectives Editor

Caitlin Roark | Art Editor meet people outside of their field of study, which provides opportunities for them to broaden not only their minds, but also their community.

Conversations that cross the boundaries of major are sometimes more enlightening than the classroom itself. In these interactions, perspectives mingle in unique and intellectually rewarding ways, according to “Technology and Empowerment: Multidisciplinary Conversations,” published by UNESCO. Pepperdine is unique in that it is a haven for these kinds of conversations. Everywhere from the Caf to the dorms provide a setting for unconventional dialogue. Because of Pepperdine’s commitment to the liberal arts, it is easy to strike up friendships from any major.

Finally, the liberal arts provide valuable opportunities for someone to discover his or her passion. When entering college at 18, not many stu-

dents know exactly what they want to do. At universities in America, an estimated 20-50 percent of new students are undeclared, while nearly 75 percent of students change their major at least once, according to Liz Freedman’s article “The Developmental Disconnect in Choosing a Major” published on June 28, 2013 by Penn State.

For this reason, a liberal arts curriculum can be a saving grace to some students, enabling them to explore many fields of study.

In today’s world, minds that can think achieve more success than hands that can do. Because of this, the liberal arts have remained invaluable throughout history. Pepperdine students have an incredible opportunity to do more than simply learn.

They also get to develop into well-rounded people who will remain competent throughout their entire lives.

C AR OL INE.AR C HER @PEPPER DINE.EDU

Preserve America’s immigrant roots As the government remains shut down, the president’s demand for a $5 billion wall grows greater as he withholds the paychecks of approximately 800,000 government workers.

On the 18th day of the federal shutdown, President Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office about the country’s “humanitarian and security crisis” at the Southern border of the United States. In his first national address since taking office in January 2017, Trump didn’t shy away from his usual rhetoric and misleading statistics in the nine minute and 35 second address, which focused on the criminality of illegal immigrants.

In his short message urging the public to support his border wall, Trump baited illegal immigrants as a threat to American democracy, skewing the crisis that these immigrants are actually facing.

President Trump, promoting an outrageously expensive and terrible idea at the expense of people’s lives, chose this moment to speak on the pain and suffering of thousands of people in need of refuge; renewing himself as a savior to the immigrating populations that he has historically and carelessly turned his back on. President Trump spoke in his address as if

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Ally Armstrong | Assistant Art Editor he had true compassion and concern for the families fleeing poverty and crime — which he doesn’t, as shown through past policies.

Trump, who describes the immigration issue at the Southern border as a humanitarian crisis, is the same person who ended DACA, made it harder for people to apply for asylum and attempted new immigration procedures by separating children from families on arrival at the border; the president is easily the creator of this humanitarian crisis.

A country, once prideful in its immigrant roots, now finds itself at a crossroad where stagnancy dominates.

Having students enrolled from all over the world, Pepperdine University isn’t one to build barriers between the student body due to bias against ethnicity or underlying stigmas. It is here at Pepperdine where many students, from many different countries, find that sense of belonging that the immigrants at the border are in search of. It is here where connections and bonds are formed, uniting cultures.

As students attending Pepperdine, it is important to remember that when our politicians fail to implement policy that reflects the values of democracy or fail to exemplify what true leadership is, it

falls into the hands of others. It falls into the hands of those willing to accept the fight for morality and humanity.

It is time for Pepperdine students to take this failure and use it to express that all are welcome, all are needed. As a community, Pepperdine is trusted by its peers to create an environment where others are included; that is why it is important to take advantage of resources that will change the outcome of this shutdown. Call congressional representatives, sign petitions, speak out on the injustices that are seen. Change the system.

C AM RYN.GOR DON@PEPPER DINE.EDU

Teachers across schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) went on strike in an effort to fight for the rights of their students through a revamping of their educational institutions.

Classrooms all across LAUSD were impacted by this multi-day strike as schools struggled to find replacements for teachers; however, the possible negative effects were clearly outweighed by the positive outcome.

As a university invested in upholding the value of education, Pepperdine should express its support for these teachers’ efforts.

Students and parents displayed their support for the demonstrations.

Advocating in favor of demonstrations, “A strike may be the only way to get the state to invest in our children — all of our children,” mother of two LAUSD students Tracy Bartley writes in an article published by UTLA on Nov. 30. Unified efforts revealed a deep appreciation for education as an investment that must be secured in order to ensure a future with knowledgeable leaders.

Educators leading these protests argued that a vital prerequisite to a student’s success is appropriate classroom sizes. Teachers were demanding classroom size reductions to ensure every student gets the attention he deserves.

Pepperdine upholds the notion that classroom sizes are critical for students.

The university states that its low student-teacher ratio allows for “[its] faculty [to] serve as mentors, research partners, and graduate school and career advisors.”

Ignoring the plight of these teachers and turning a blind eye toward the inaction of LAUSD would be a disservice toward the purpose-driven education Pepperdine is known for.

Our mission as students is embodied in the mission of our university, that is to lead a life of service, purpose and leadership.

LAUSD teachers believed that educational institutions should prepare students for leadership and they represented this belief through a display of determination.

As Pepperdine students, we are obligated to assert our support by contacting local government officials and expressing support via social media. Though the strikes ended recently, we must ensure that proposed solutions are for the longterm.

The learning conditions that have become the norm are unacceptable and it is time for LAUSD to finally embrace the necessary changes.

GAR EN.KOSOYAN@PEPPER DINE.EDU

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The Graphic

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LIFE & ARTS VOIC

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R E T T A M T A H T ES L os Angeles and

Pepperdine students joined together for the third annual Women’s March

Photos by Lawrence Liu Photos by Caroline Edwards Signs for Solidarity | Thousands of people flooded the streets of downtown Los Angeles to participate in the third annual Women’s March. Many people sported pink hats and nearly every participant carried a sign representing their views on women’s rights and gender equality.

Caroline edwards senior reporter Thousands of people flooded the streets of Downtown Los Angeles to participate in the third annual Women’s March.

As Women’s Marches happened nationwide, Los Angeles was no different. Armed with posters of all colors, shapes and sizes, a sea of people of all ages, wearing pink hats, butterfly wings and sassy T-shirts joined together to make a statement on Saturday, Jan. 19. The event began at Pershing Square at 9 a.m., and participants began marching toward City Hall after 10 a.m. People chanted as they marched, and Pepperdine students were among the local protestors.

“It’s super important [for men to be at the march] because it just shows that women’s issues aren’t just women-specific; they’re for everybody,” senior Anthony Nabor said.

“Making women equal to men, both legally, socially and economically is good for everybody. I don’t know why anyone would not be for that.”

Nabor carried a poster that read “know justice, know peace.” Other posters read

“stop the war on women,” “this episode of ‘Black Mirror’ sucks” and “boys should be held accountable for their actions.”

Many signs advocated for equal pay, one of the biggest issues women face, along with sexual harassment and period poverty.

“A lot of people say those numbers are fudged or it’s not a real thing, but I think it’s apparent in the facts that we see with women in positions of power not being paid as much as other people or even in the workplace,” Nabor said. “Women don’t have as much respect as their subordinates and male managers.”

Despite the controversy surrounding the board of the Women’s March regarding anti-Semitism after Women’s March organizer and co-president Tamika Mallory attended a speech by the Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan, thousands continued to gather downtown. Allison Crisitio, 25, marched in 2018 as well and said she was aware of the controversy but didn’t let it stop her from joining.

“There were a lot more people out here [this year] not just for women’s rights but getting

Trump out of office and trying to make that possible for everyone,” Cristio said.

The event kicked off with speeches to pump up the crowd at Pershing Square. Spokespeople included: Nury Martinez, assistant president pro-tem of Los Angeles City Council; Gloria Allred, founding partner of the law firm of Allred, Maroko & Goldberg; and Patti Giggans, executive director of Peace Over Violence, among others.

“For two years we’ve been fighting the administration when they talk about rolling back the rights of women and reproductive rights,” Martinez said. “We stood together to make sure that women showed up to the polls in November and over 170 women won elected office in the United States Congress ... We need to fight on. Let’s march and take our country back.”

The crowd continued to cheer as more speakers gave motivational speeches.

“We are going to continue to speak truth to power; we are the change we wish to see in the world,” Allred said.

As the march ended at City Hall, protestors gathered to hear speeches from celebrities

and politicians, including Laverne Cox, Connie Britton, Laura Dern and Mayor Eric Garcetti.

“We want gender equity now, in Los Angeles and across the country,” Garcetti said. “We are a city that welcomes everybody. No matter where you come from, no matter who you are, no matter who you love, Los Angeles is where you belong.”

Equal rights were important to crowd members alike. Junior Aliya Edwards said this was her first Women’s March, but that she had a good time.

“I feel like it’s our duty to come to these things and to support each other,” Edwards said. “I think it’s a great opportunity that our city provided us, and I’m having a lot of fun.”

Meanwhile, this was Nabor’s third Women’s March, and he was one of thousands of men who came to support and be an ally to women.

“Women are of equal dignity and respect as men, and if men are rewarded that, then women should be as well,” Nabor said.

C AR OL INE.EDWAR DS@PEPPER DINE.EDU

Girl Power | (Left) Pepperdine juniors Aliya Edwards (left), Jesse Park (center) and Alaina Sanchez (right) display the posters they created to empower women. Other participants of the march used the opportunity to express their political preferences.

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ARTISTS CORNER:

SINGER-SONGWRITER

LIZZY LEBLEU

Photos courtesy of Lizzy LeBleu Songs and Stories | Pepperdine musical artist Lizzy LeBleu shares her lifelong journey with music, along with the ups and downs of discovering her unique and personal sound. LeBlue, pictured here with her guitar, shared how she rediscovered her home at Pepperdine.

Channa Steinmetz special editions editor From the traditional melodies of the piano, to the elegant strings of the violin, to the banging of the drums, senior Lizzy LeBleu dabbled in just about everything musical before finding her niche as a singer-songwriter.

Growing up in Nashville, also known as “Music City,” LeBleu said her parents surrounded the house with a variety of music — jazz, reggae, old school rock. They encouraged LeBleu to take piano and violin lessons at a young age, but as a form of retaliation, she never learned sheet music.

“I would cheat; I would memorize it by ear and never learn how to actually read music,” LeBleu said.

“I hated lessons. I hated the structure of it.”

As LeBleu’s middle school days approached her, she took up the drums and joined a kid-band, The National Academy of Rock.

Through performing background harmonies with the band, LeBleu was given her first shot at singing.

The National Academy of Rock gave LeBleu opportunities to grow within the music industry. LeBleu sang background vocals for Nashville’s Moon Taxi, and in high school, she went on to learn guitar through watching YouTube videos as she continued to sing.

“I had a lot of people encouraging me,” LeBleu said. “I tried a lot of things, and I’m very lucky that I have parents who were like, ‘If you enjoy this, we will support you.’”

Starting freshman year at Pepperdine, LeBleu said she was ready to let go of the structure from her

band and do music her own way.

“I finally got to this place where music became my own thing, and people liked it. All of a sudden it was like, ‘Hey Lizzy — be you.’” LeBlue said.

LeBleu utilized the chance to share her music by performing at coffeehouses and get-togethers with friends. She also started putting out the music she had been recording in Nashville and received a positive response from both the Pepperdine community and the online world.

“I had never expected people to respond like that,” LeBleu said. “It was my fun little thing, and then looking at the numbers, I realized people liked what I was doing.”

Leaving Pepperdine was an extremely difficult transition, LeBleu said.

The fall semester of her sophomore year, LeBleu — still enrolled at Pepperdine — decided to step away from the university for a semester and take classes at University of Texas at Austin.

While at Austin, she explained she was able to go back and forth between Austin and Nashville, where she continued to play gigs and record her music.

“I almost stayed. I almost just transferred there and stayed,” LeBleu said.

But feelings of being lost and alone at a school of almost 40,000 people also challenged LeBleu.

“I can’t believe I did that,” LeBleu said. “I really don’t talk about this. But, it was such a growing time, and there was a lot I needed to process in that time.”

The decision to return to Pepperdine in the spring

of 2017 came to LeBleu through mentors and a spiritual push. She explained that her fall semester away from Pepperdine gave her a greater understanding of herself and her purpose.

“Freshman year, I didn’t feel like I had a purpose and a mission,” LeBleu said. “But the discomfort I faced when I left pushed me to understand that there is a role for me here, and it’s integral. I felt really good about coming back.”

Today, LeBleu said her purpose is to help others feel the comfort and stability that she was able to find. In terms of music, she sees her talents as a gift given to her to share with others and to lead worship.

LeBleu’s music is listened to around the world and has been streamed over 850,000 times on Spotify.

She has also opened for hit artists and bands, such as Hunter Hayes, COIN and St. Lucia, at Pepperdine’s Waves Weekend and Pacific Sounds.

She shared that she will be releasing new music soon, and it has a different sound than her previous recordings.

“I think I am transitioning a little bit,” LeBleu said.

“The new stuff is a soulful, folk-pop type music.”

For those who may feel that same uncertainty LeBleu was stuck in her freshman year, she leaves a bit of advice.

“Say yes to everything — not drugs — but if somebody asks you to go to lunch or whatever, say yes,” LeBleu said. “Or invite other people to do something. We’re only here once, and it’s such a short time; so say yes and be fully present in that moment.”

CH A N N A .S T E I N ME T Z @P E P P E RD I N E . E D U

Heart Strings | LeBleu poses with her guitar during a photoshoot in Malibu. She learned to play the instrument by watching YouTube videos and practicing in her spare time.

Me a n in g f u l Mu sic | Le Bl e u r e l e a sed h er latest single, “Digressions,” in 2 01 7 a n d i t ha s r ec ei ved a p p r o x i m a t ely 4 00,000 s t re a m s o n S po t i fy si nce . The l y r i c s c onvey h er asp irations f or th e f u tu re a n d her des i r e t o r em a i n t r u e t o her s elf .

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Photos by Savannah Cummins Photos Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures Welcoming Waves | NSO Leaders channel all of their school spirit to welcome new students to Pepperdine’s campus. Although spring admits can feel overwhelmed or anxious, these leaders worked hard to help them achieve a sense of comfort and belonging.

Spring Admit Survival Guide: Live like a local julia do nlo n ass i s tant edi t or Starting college is a difficult and exciting transition, especially if you’re a spring admit. The flowers are blooming, classes are starting, friend groups have formed and you feel ... well, lost. No need to fear, here are the top five tips on how to survive being a spring admit at Pepperdine University. #1 Get Involved There are so many great ways to get involved on campus and meet others with similar passions. Pepperdine is home to clubs, intramural sports, Greek life and many other ways to get involved. A short list of clubs to join today are as follows: Art Club, Black Student Association, Campus Ministries, Crossroads

(LGBTQ+) and Green Team.

Check out the Inter-Club Council (ICC) website to see the full list and learn more! #2 Check out On-Campus Events Going to on-campus events is the key to meeting new people and forming those lifelong relationships. Pepperdine offers a variety of events including sports games, theater, campus ministry and everything in between. The Board distributes a monthly calendar of events that include on-campus film screenings, student-led improv and much more.

Look out for posters around campus advertising specific events such as ReelStories Film Festival, theatre productions, Greek life philanthropy events and The Well. Check out the Pepperdine student events cal-

endar for upcoming activities. #3 Get to Know the Area Malibu is the perfect location for any college student looking for new places to explore.

Malibu is less than a few miles away from the beach, 14 miles away from Santa Monica and less than 40 miles away from Hollywood. Check out the Santa Monica Pier located south of Pepperdine’s campus along PCH. Or, take a drive into Los Angeles and catch a sports game or concert at the Staples Center. You could even stay local, grab some SunLife and hit the beach. The possibilities are endless for things to do during your study breaks!

Check out Pepperdine’s “What To Do Around Malibu” for more ideas. #4 LTL: Learn the Lingo.

It’s Monday morning, and

you have class in the CCB, but you’re currently in the PLC, which means you need to go past the BPC and the CAC to find your way to the HAWC stairs that will lead you to the CCB. But what do all of these acronyms mean? It’s tricky at first but, with some practice, you’ll get the hang of it!

CCB: The Center for Communication and Business, located on the hill above the Upper Residence Road.

PLC: The Pendleton Learning Center, located below the library.

BPC: The Black Family Plaza Classrooms, located to the right of Elkins Auditorium.

CAC: The Cultural Arts Center, located in between the Weisman Museum and Smothers Theatre.

The HAWC stairs: The stairs that are located to the right of the Howard A. White Center,

the student hangout where you get your midnight snacks. #5 Be Yourself Last but not least, be yourself. College is a great time to figure out what you want to do and what type of person you want to be. Get involved with the things you’re passionate about, find people that make you a better person and make the most of your college career.

College is hard sometimes, but that doesn’t mean the transition has to be. If you find yourself struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out. Pepperdine has plenty of resources for you, including the Counseling Center. It is open all year long and has appointments that will fit with your schedule. Take the time to take care of yourself.

With these tips and tricks, you will be a Pepperdine local in no time.

JULIA.DONLON@PEPPERDINE.EDU

Photos courtesy of Parker and Zimmerer Fabulous Friend| Best Friends Sabrina Parker and Reagan Zimmerer, pictured above, strike a pose to promote the upcoming show: Dance In Flight. Parker and Zimmerer united in their passion for dance, a passion that ignited their special bond.

Friends who dance together stay together kil ey dist el rath s taf f w r i te r

Seniors and best friends Sabrina Parker, Dance in Flight (DIF) choreographer, and Reagan Zimmerer, DIF director, connect through dance.

Their bodies are their instruments, and they move to a beat not everyone understands.

Dance has shaped their relationship by giving them a companion who understands what it really means to be a dancer, Parker said.

“In high school, [dance] was more of my identity, and then coming to Pepperdine you realize that not everyone knows you as ‘the dancer’ here, but we knew each other as how we were envisioned in high school,” Parker said. “We were able to have that identity in each other that no else understood.”

To have a person they

can relate to during their long weekends with DIF has made their dance experience at Pepperdine even more worthwhile, Parker said.

Parker and Zimmerer knew of each other the summer before their freshman year. Both Parker and Zimmerer shared on the “classic” class Facebook page that they were dancers. This one word sparked both their interests in each other, Zimmerer said.

They stalked one another’s Instagram profiles, but it was Zimmerer who broke the silence with an Instagram message of a photo of a table, introducing herself.

From NSO to DIF tryouts to rushing Delta Gamma, their connection was instant, unusual but undeniably special, Zimmerer said.

Zimmerer and Parker said they dance because it is their sport. Through dance, Zimmerer has been able to awaken her creative side and find an outlet

to express emotion, she said.

“I just think that it’s really awesome that by simply moving our body in different directions or shapes, we can convey a feeling, and emotion and portray that on someone and share that with other people,” Zimmerer said.

Parker said she chooses dance because it is her serenity.

“Dance has always been my safe haven or my escape from stress and the real world, and so I think having DIF here and Reagan … [i]t’s given me a sense of home and feeling at peace and comfortable amongst the chaos,” Parker said.

Zimmerer said she believes dance has taught them the meaning of commitment, and Parker said it is a reason for the confidence they carry for themselves. Dance has also taught her and Zimmerer how to be authentic women, not needing to fit the molds set for danc-

ers and women in the LA area.

“I’ve never felt really a lack of confidence, even when I may not always be at my best, but I am confident in who I am, and I think dance has had a huge impact on that,” Parker said. “I feel confident in my relationships or the way I carry myself socially and the standards I’m held up to morally, I think dance has impacted [that].”

Dance has led the friends on different paths — Zimmerer, with her eyes focused on the creative side, said she is pursuing fashion, whereas Parker, with an interest in the wellness aspect, said she is pursuing sports medicine — but they are still “united in dance,” Zimmerer said.

After college, both say neither of them will pursue careers as professional dancers, but they know dance will “never leave [their] lives,” Zimmerer said.

K IL EY.DISTEL R ATH@PEPPER DINE.EDU

Lean on Me | Dancers Parker and Zimmerer support each other in both their dancing and friendship.

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J A N UA RY 2 4 , 2 0 1 9 | S PORTS | P E P P E R DINE G RA P H I C ME D I A

Sicoli brings Olympic background to Women’s Beach Volleyball Karl Winter s p o r t s a s s i s ta n t e d i t o r

The second head coach in Pepperdine beach volleyball history has coached at the highest levels of the sport, including leading arguably the best team ever (Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor) to an Olympic gold medal.

However, Marcio Sicoli knows that filling the shoes of iconic Pepperdine coach Nina Matthies will be no easy task.

“One of the words that comes to my head is, ‘I’m terrified,’” Sicoli said. “Of course, there is the excitement, but I’m terrified because there is a lot of lights and dreams on my hands right now.”

Sicoli was an assistant coach under Matthies for Waves indoor volleyball from 2008 until 2013 and for the beach program for the past seven years, since collegiate beach volleyball was established in 2012. Matthies retired following the 2018 season after 35 years at Pepperdine. “[Matthies] was the master behind the whole plan and she was in charge, but [Sicoli] was the voice in practice,” sophomore Brook Bauer said. “It was a transition, but I think it was pretty smooth, because he already had been that verbal leader for us.”

Sicoli certainly brings a great deal of experience into his first year at the helm of a collegiate program. The son of a Brazilian army general, Sicoli was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, where he says the beach game and indoor game ran parallel.

“Volleyball in general is the second sport in [Brazil] . . . It is summer all year long,” Sicoli said. “I started coaching super early on the sand.”

Sicoli has since coached a Brazilian pair to the silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Athens in 2004, American legends Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor to Olympic gold in London in 2012 and Walsh Jennings and April Ross to bronze in his hometown in 2016. May-Treanor and Walsh

Jennings are the most decorated duo in the brief history of Olympic beach volleyball.

“That is an incredible experience; [I’m] humbled to be part of such an elite group,” Sicoli said. “I was in the right time in the right places with the right mentors that set my path to be out there.”

Sicoli also coached indoor club volleyball teams based in Southern California before Matthies and former assistant Tim Jensen invited him to join the Pepperdine staff. Sicoli continues to be the head coach of a professional beach volleyball team with the goal of qualifying for another Olympic Games in 2020.

“We are trying to qualify for Tokyo with Kerri Walsh Jennings and Brooke Sweat,” Sicoli said. “We are trying to give it a shot for the last Olympic run for Kerri Walsh.”

The 2019 edition of Waves beach volleyball, a program with two national titles under Matthies, also has big dreams.

“The main thing for us is coming together and focusing on resilience and taking all these difficult things and building them towards getting a na-

tional championship,” Bauer said.

Sicoli and senior Skylar Caputo agreed that the team expects to compete for the national title. “[Sicoli is] always continuously raising the standard by never settling for anything,” Caputo said.

Caputo is one of five seniors on the roster and one of seven returning players named to an All-American team by either VolleyMob, VolleyballMag or the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

“We’re an experienced group,” Sicoli said. “I think we definitely have an advantage in that.”

Pepperdine finished fifth in the 2018 NCAA Beach Volleyball National Championships and were runners-up in 2017. The team returns with nearly all of its key players from the 2018 squad. The Waves aim for their first national title since 2014, when beach volleyball was sponsored by the AVCA rather than the NCAA. The Sicoli era will begin with the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic in Manoa, Hawaii, Feb. 23 and 24 before the Waves’ home opening tournament, the Zuma Classic, March 2 and 3.

“Come to the games and see how much the environment for beach volleyball at Zuma Beach is insane during competitions,” Sicoli said.

K AR L .W INTER @PEPPER DINE.EDU

Photo courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics/Ron Hall Photo courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics/Clarkson Creative Eyes to the Sky | Skylar Caputo passes to her teammate in a 2018 match.

Coast to Coast | Sicoli, the man from the Atlantic coast city of Rio de Janeiro, poses in front of the Pacific Ocean.

Photo courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics/Clarkson Creative

Photo courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics/Jeff Golden

Photo courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics/Clarkson Creative

Soaring on the Sand | (Top) Brook Bauer takes a big swing past an attempted USC block at the NCAA Beach Volleyball National Champtionships in Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Bottom left) Skylar Caputo dives for a ball past Coach Sicoli in a home match at Zuma Beach. (Bottom right) Brook Bauer digs the ball to assist her teammate.

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2019 Track season kicks off in New Mexico Judit h- Daly B r ist er - Knabe staf f w r i te r

Pepperdine Track made the trek to the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, this weekend to kick off the season at the Dr. Martin Luther King Invitational. Sophomore Caila Tongco broke her own and Pepperdine’s record in the 60-meter hurdles with 9.21 seconds. The indoor track meet hosted many personal wins, but left room for collective improvement.

“I know for myself and as a team we all have areas where we can improve and we’re really zeroing in on those small tweaks in the coming weeks,” Alexa Ortega, freshman and sprinter, wrote in an email to the Graphic.

Tongco was not the only winner. Sophomore Abbey Meck took fifth at the 3,000 meter race Friday and was the Waves’ top performer at the mile on Saturday, according to PepperdineWaves.com. Senior Catie Barilla secured the best time for the 400 meter run and junior Talya Holenstein, as well as freshman Tiffany Egbo, each won heats in the 200 meter race. All Pepperdine indoor track athletes are female due to Title IX regulations.

The team is young and this meet was the first collegiate-level meet for several of the runners.

Training this season has also been difficult due to many unforeseen complications, freshman Mahala Bayless, sprinter, wrote in an email to the Graphic.

“We have had a tough season so far, training-wise. Between the fires and rainstorms we have lost many days,” Bayless wrote. “With that being said, I was really proud of my team for getting out there and still competing.”

The many ambitions of each player contribute to the team’s overall drive, Head Coach Robert Radnoti, wrote in an email to the

Graphic.

“We want everyone to PR in their events, have an amazing experience in the sport we love, and perhaps a few qualify for NCAA Championships,” Radnoti wrote.

Older runners like seniors Lindsay Sanger and Barilla are optimistic about the freshmen talent on the team. Barilla wrote in an email to the Graphic that one of her primary ambitions for the semester is to support the younger members on their journey.

“We have an amazing little group,” Barilla wrote.

This meet was also successful at breaking some of the pre-season nerves and introducing freshman to college-level meets.

“It was a good experience to get my nerves out of the way so I can better prepare for the next competition in Boise,” Keeley Maloney, freshman and sprinter, wrote in an email to the Graphic.

J U D I T H . B RI S T E R- KN A B E @P E P P E RD I N E . E D U

Photos courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics Staying on Track | (Above) The women’s sprints, hurdles and distance teams are all smiles in Albuquerque. (Below left) Upcoming meets for the track team through February. (Below right) Catie Barilla shows perfect form in lane one.

Women’s Golf adds two international freshmen ky le m c c abe s p o r ts ass i s tant e dit or

Pepperdine’s Women’s Golf team added two international freshmen to the roster this year: Kathrine Chan and Sifan He. The two freshmen join a team of two Americans, an Australian and a New Zealander.

Neither Chan nor He consider themselves to be from their actual birthplaces. Chan was born in Singapore but moved to Canada when she was six months old, and He was born in Japan but spent most of her life in China.

Playing in Canada, Chan’s golf experience is closer to an American’s than He’s. Chan played on her high school team for five years and competed for Team Canada for a year. On the other hand, He never played golf on a team before coming to Pepperdine undeclared.

“It makes me feel like I’ll always have someone supporting me because we count four scores out of five, so even if I have a bad round I won’t affect the whole score,” He said.

Both women started their golf careers early, Chan at 10 and He at 7. Chan started playing in Canada and He started playing in China.

Chan said the highlight of her golf career so far was being selected to play with Team Canada on their National Development Squad.

“That was one of my favorite moments because I really worked hard for that,” Sports Administration major Chan said. “That was when I felt really confident as an individual athlete. When I was on the team, I felt really happy be-

cause you get to have fun with your teammates and compete at high level events.”

He said the highlight of her career came in San Diego at the 2012 Callaway Junior World Golf Championships. She got second in the tournament after losing the playoff.

He moved back to Japan when she was 12 and then to Florida at 17. She played golf at IMG Academy and Saddlebrook Preparatory, but in the American Junior Golf Association instead of Florida’s normal high school system.

“Both high schools, since they were recruiting people, couldn’t participate in the normal high school team tournaments, so I still played as an individual,” He said.

Head Coach Laurie Gibbs is no stranger to good recruiting, domestic or international.

“What I do is recruit players who are going to be a good fit for our program,” Gibbs said. “If they’re from the United States or [if] they’re from another country, are they going to be a good fit for our program? Are they going to be a good fit for the university? Are they going to be excited to come to Pepperdine and work hard?”

As Gibbs enters her 26th year of coaching at Pepperdine, her newest recruits are impressing her with their transition to college golf.

“I believe they’re both going to contribute quite a bit in the spring,” Gibbs said. “As with any freshman, it’s that adjustment period. They have to get acclimated and they’ve done a good job doing that.”

Chan said she wished she played better in the fall, and

He said she did not play with her normal confidence, but both were optimistic about the spring.

“I feel like, with the pace that we’re going, I think that not only as a team that we can do great but individually ... we could do even better,” Chan said.

Chan and He said one of their goals for the season is to make every tournament’s lineup. In qualifying meets in the spring, the Waves can only bring four players, leaving one behind.

Chan experienced being the odd woman out in the fall, but found that the experience was not all bad.

“I spent that time working on my game and seeing what I could do better to improve,” Chan said.

Gibbs believes the freshmen will be instrumental to the team’s success this year.

“The main goal for us is to continue to perform at the level that we’ve been playing at,” Gibbs said. “I believe we will, and the players do too. We want to have top finishes in our regular season. We want to obviously win conference. We want to have a good Regional Championship and play in the National Championship and as always when you get to nationals, you want to get into match play and contend for a National Championship.”

The Waves tee off next at the Bruin Wave Invitational in San Luis Obispo, Feb. 25 and 26. Pepperdine and the University of California, Los Angeles co-host the meet. Gibbs said the team’s familiarity with the course will help them prepare well for the tournament.

KY L E . J. MCCA B E @P E P P E RD I N E . E DU

Photos courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics United under One Team | Kathrine Chan (above) and Sifan He (below) are the newest additions to women’s golf.

//The Graphic

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pep p e rd in e - g ra p h ic.co m

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Photos by Milan Loiacono Waves Up! | (Top left) Freshman forward Kessler Edwards attacks the rim. (Top right) Redshirt junior forward Kameron Edwards puts up a three point shot over a BYU defender. (Bottom) Waves fans at Firestone Fieldhouse “put up the Wave” during a Pepperdine free throw attempt in the second half.

Men’s Basketball falls in tight one to BYU Aust in Hall staf f w r i te r

In a physical, back-and-forth affair, the Pepperdine Waves fell to the BYU Cougars 87-76 on Thursday, Jan. 17. In only the third home loss of the season, they fall to 9-10 on the season and 2-3 in West Coast Conference play. The leading scorers for this season, Colbey Ross and Kameron Edwards exceeded their average point totals and finished with 24 and 22 points, respectively.

Pepperdine started on defense after losing the opening tip. After a nice pass from BYU senior guard McKay Cannon, fellow senior Luke Worthington finished a layup for the first score of the game.

Each team traded baskets for much of the first half. In the first 10 minutes, there were five tied scores and eight lead changes. The Cougars went on a run in the last seven minutes of the game, sparked by junior center Yoeli Childs, the sec-

ond leading scorer in the West Coast Conference, who averages 22 points per game.

Back-to-back jump shots by BYU’s Zac Seljaas followed by Childs extended their lead to 10 points, the biggest in the game up until that point. Edwards responded quickly with a layup off the pass from Ross. Kameron’s younger brother, freshman Kessler Edwards stole the ball from the Cougars, which resulted in Kameron being fouled while driving down the lane.

Kessler made one of two free throws, bringing the lead back down to seven points. A problem for the Waves throughout the game was leaving points at the free throw line. In the first half, they shot 8-14 from the strike. The 57.1 percent was far below their season average of 73.6 percent.

The half ended with sophomore Jadé Smith being fouled and making one of two at the free throw line, bringing the score to 35-44.

The second half started with

a bang for the Waves as Ross finished a layup with the right hand and Kameron hitting a wide-open three on the next position. He scored the next three points as well with a big layup and making the “and one” free throw attempt after BYU’s foul.

The offensive plan for the game was different than usual: Head Coach Lorenzo Romar wanted to get Kameron the ball.

“There were a few more plays added just to get me the ball,” Edwards said. “When I was outside early in the game I wasn’t really touching in, so Coach made that adjustment for me.”

Kameron was sidelined for the first 12 out of the first 13 games of the season with a concussion. Now that he’s back being a full-time starter and playing nearly 28 minutes per game, he feels himself getting back into the swing of things.

“When I first came back from my concussion, I was just

rushing and wasn’t used to be“There are so many teams in ing out there,” Edwards said. the middle,” Kameron said. “A “It’s great to be out there again. lot of them are going to come I’m slowing down, making bet- out pretty even. With so much ter decisions and shots are real- talent in the middle, you just ly starting to fall now.” don’t know how it’s going to of Pepperdine PepperdinePhotos tookCourtesy their play out this year.” Athletics first lead of the game off a A key takeaway from Romar three-pointer from Kessler were the aspects of his team with 16:04 left on the clock. that he feels has improved Three tied scores and five lead most since the beginning of the changes ensued before BYU ju- season. nior TJ Haws hit a mid-range “You may not know from jumper and the Cougars never tonight but I think defensivelooked back. Haws led all scor- ly we’ve gotten better,” Romar ers with 34. said. “Just overall we’re maturDespite the tough defeat, ing as a team and taking much Ross feels how close this group better care of the basketball.” is to taking the next step.

On Saturday, Pepperdine “We’re right there,” Ross traveled to Loyola Marymount said. “Little mistakes here and University to play the Lions for there cost and it’s a scary sight the second time this season. but we’re close. When we get it, Romar expected a terrific outwe’re going to be a really good ing from the Waves and anothteam.” er victory.

The loss puts Pepperdine at “I fully expect us to bounce No. 7 in the WCC, with few dis- back,” Romar said. “We’re going crepancies in record between to be very competitive and can the teams ranked 2-9. Kameron definitely regroup and bounce feels that the conference is still back on the road.”

AUSTIN.HAL L @PEPPER DINE.EDU very much up for grabs.