12-04-2019

Wednesday, Dec. 4 - Tuesday, Dec 10, 2019 Weekly Print Edition

Vol. 106, Issue 17 www.thedailyaztec.com

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

VEGAS CHAMPS

SEE FULL STORY PAGE 8

AZTECS DEFEAT HAWKEYES, TAKE INVITATIONAL Photo courtesy Rich Schmitt/San Diego State Athletics

Sophomore forward Joel Mensah lifts up the first-place trophy after an 83–73 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Las Vegas Invitational at Orleans Arena.

Backup quarterback, defense lead Aztecs to victory over rival BYU

by Aaron Tolentino SPORTS EDITOR

San Diego State football senior quarterback Ryan Agnew was supposed to start on Senior Night as an ideal send off for his final home game as an Aztec.

However, a calf injury following the loss at Hawaii last Saturday prevented that from happening.

Instead, much talk became about redshirt freshman Carson Baker, who was announced the starter Thursday as first reported by the Union-Tribune.

Baker acquitted himself – considering it was his first career collegiate snaps – well with 172 passing yards and one touchdown on 19-of-24 attempts during SDSU’s 13-3 victory over BYU on Nov. 30 at SDCCU Stadium.

“I thought it was ok. I didn’t know what to expect,” Aztecs

head coach Rocky Long said.

“For the first time out and never playing in a college football game, he probably played really, really well. Hopefully, that’s a sign that he’s going to be a really good quarterback.”

However, it might be that the bigger story was on the other side of the ball.

That’s because SDSU’s defense once again showed it has been the strength of this team all year.

Junior safety Tariq Thompson made three key plays to secure three extra possessions for the Aztecs (9-3, 5-3 Mountain West Conference).

With just over two minutes left in the third period, Thompson single-handedly stripped (literally) BYU (7-5) of its ninth possession of the game.

Thompson sacked BYU sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson for a 10-yard loss and stripped the ball to force a fumble and recover the ball for

SDSU – consider that a trifecta in completing the takeaway.

Earlier, the local product out of Saint Augustine High School also added a drive-ending tackle on BYU senior wide receiver Aleva Hifo, who was two yards short of the first down to give SDSU possession from its own 40 with over 10 minutes left in the second quarter.

Wait, there’s more.

Thompson appeared to record the game-sealing interception with under five minutes left to play and a 13-3 lead. On fourth-and-10, Wilson had his pass picked off, and Thompson secured possession for SDSU from its own 30.

“It feels great, but there’s 11 men on the field,” Thompson said. I’m just one person doing my job. The other 10 players did SEE FOOTBALL, PAGE 8

University announces task force members to investigate student safety Campus administrators, alumni and student leaders largely make up the two task forces.

by Michael Cline and Bella Ross

San Diego State has announced the members of two presidential task forces to study alcohol and substance abuse, as well as student safety generally, after the death of freshman Dylan Hernandez earlier this month.

The members largely consist of SDSU administrators, but also features alumni representatives, student leaders and administrators from other schools, according to a list posted on campus President Adela de la Torre’s webpage.

Two current SDSU studentmembers have direct ties to the Interfraternity Council — 14 campus fraternities currently

suspended and unrecognized by the university. Ten IFC chapters were already on interim suspension or under investigation before Hernandez’s death.

The task forces were announced by de la Torre in a Nov. 12 campus-wide email as a way to inform the administration on what steps to take following the student’s death, which occurred after he left a fraternity party on Nov. 6.

The Presidential Task Force on Student Activities and Safety will review Greek life, student organizations and Associated Students, while the Presidential Task Force on Alcohol and SEE TASK FORCES PAGE 3

2

The Daily Aztec

News

Dec. 4 - 10, 2019 EDITOR: Kaitlyn Little • news@thedailyaztec.com

PB’s Backyard accused of violence, racial bias Alumni Natalie Lara and Andrew Schuur have accused secuirty guards at Backyard Kitchen and Tap of violence

by Katelynn STAFF WRITER

Robinson

SDSU alumna Natalie Lara is taking legal action against Backyard Kitchen and Tap, alleging she was brutally thrown against a wall and pinned to the floor by three male security guards before being thrown out of the establishment.

The incident occurred after Lara attempted to break up an altercation between another patron and her friend on Nov. 24.

She said she was on the dance floor when her friend was pushed by another woman.

Lara then told the women, “there’s no need to push.”

Lara said things escalated quickly after that point. She said a woman she spoke to, an employee at Backyard Kitchen and Tap, turned and started waving her finger at her before three male security guards approached her.

The first security guard told her that they he needed to speak with her some place else, Lara said. When she didn’t move to leave, the second security guard screamed at her to leave.

It was then that one of the guards grabbed both her hands. She told them not to touch her, then the third guard standing behind her allegedly slammed her against a wall.

“At this point I feared for my life and did not expect what happened next,”

Photo courtesy of Natalie Lara

SDSU alum Natalie Lara sustained injuries to her elbow after an altercation at a pub in Pacific Beach.

Lara said in her statement. “I was then slammed into another wall to then have him throw me several feet onto the concrete floor. While still on the floor, I had a fourth security guard running towards me and push me back down on the floor.”

Several other employees rushed to help pin her to the floor, Lara said.

Lara was diagnosed with a concussion and an injured elbow that required stitches.

Lara’s lawyer, Evan Walker, said the incident involving Lara was one of many

Bi-national conference discusses water resources

by Charlie Vargas STAFF WRITER

San Diego State hosted the first day of the bi-national Reborder conference entitled “The Water We Share” and “El Agua Que Compartimos” on Nov. 25 in Montezuma Hall. The event invited academic experts, practitioners, students, public policy experts and community stakeholders from San Diego and Baja California to discuss the use of water resources affecting the transborder region.

Dr. Cristina Alfaro, interim associate vice president for Global Affairs at SDSU, began the conference by speaking in Spanish, then in English, emphasizing the need for collaboration between the two regions.

“We have the opportunity to have a critical dialogue where we’re going to be able to innovate and to create a border region where we can all be proud of and model for the rest of the world,” Alfaro said.

Members from the two regions held discussions on how their partnership could help combat issues such as reusing water, sanitation of water and water management across the border.

E. Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the California State Water Resources Board, was the keynote speaker who discussed some of the strategies needed to ensure both regions can attain their goals of water efficiency.

“We need to bring to bear the technical, scientific and political will to image the communities as they are,” Ezquival said, “which is a single transboundary community that to be successful will have to envision itself that way.”

One of the most pressing issues

discussed was how to reuse water effectively. David Gibson, executive officer of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, began the first panel by telling some of the history of recycled water and its impact in California.

In the 1970s, the city of San Diego was part of a project called the Total Resource Discovery Project as an energy-efficient way to produce recycled water for things like energy generation, Gibson said.

These events are what led the way for research on the benefits of potable water reuse. Potable water reuse is the process of using treated wastewater for drinking.

Gibson said, in the past, potable water reuse was used in irrigation systems of landscapes but is now seen as the most viable way to increase water resources.

He said the city of San Diego is approaching the first phase of the Pure Water project. The first phase is estimated to produce 30 million gallons of clean water from water sewage found in the Miramar Reservoir, which will be treated at the Miramar Filtration plant. The initiative is meant to utilize the storage of water for emergencies and to reduce the dependency on water from the Colorado River.

He also said San Diego could use the South Bay Water Reclamation Plant to purify water diverting from the Tijuana River and store it on the reservoirs of both sides of the border.

“There is a real opportunity in dealing with ways that are causing significant impacts to human and environmental health and to turn that into a resource for present and future generations,” Gibson said.

The next binational conference is slated for 2020.

in the establishment’s history.

“Backyard PB has a sordid history in regard to security and is dogged by allegations of racist and improper behavior toward patrons,” Walker said in a statement. “Unfortunately, here is yet another example. Backyard PB and its staff should know better by now.”

This is not the first instance security guards from Backyard Kitchen and Tap have been accused of assault and battery.

Former SDSU football player Andrew Schuur is pressing charges after he was allegedly brutally thrown to the concrete

floor after being escorted out of the bar.

Schuur had mild brain damage and post-traumatic stress after the incident.

He has filed a civil suit against the bar for negligence in hiring, supervision and training of the security guards, as well as assault and battery, according to NBC 7.

In response to the allegations, a protest took place outside of Backyard Kitchen and Tap on Nov. 29.

Lara said the protest helped spread awareness about the issues with the establishment.

Bakcyard released a public statement in response to the allegations through an Instagram story on Nov. 27.

“Backyard Kitchen and Tap takes great pride in being part of the local community and a leader in the local hospitality industry,” the statement said.

“We take any and all allegations of this nature very seriously. We have conducted investigations on the St. Patrick’s Day matter as well as the recent incident over this past weekend.”

The statement also defended Backyard Kitchen and Tap against the allegations from both cases.

“The parties making these allegations threatened that safe environment. Any injuries that may have occurred in these incidents were sustained while protecting our customers and staff. We contacted the San Diego Police Department on both incidents with no finding of any wrongdoing by any member of the Backyard staff.”

University strategic goals highlight diversity, inclusion, sustainability

by Ashley Na STAFF WRITER

San Diego State proposed five priorities that will shape the university’s future through strategic goals in an email sent to students Nov. 22.

The Strategic Planning Committee consists of administrators, faculty and student representatives.

The group deliberated about the future for SDSU over the next half decade, the strategic goal for the campus and the future of SDSU. They started discussions last spring semester.

Two of the university’s five strategic plans focus on campus expansion and education, with the goal of providing access to success through transformational experiences inside and outside the classroom for undergraduate, graduate and adult learners.

Two other goals focus on diversity and inclusion. The university intends to forge its own distinct identity as a premier Hispanic-serving, Research I university and advance diversity, equity and inclusion in research and teaching.

The university’s fifth goal focuses on environmentalism, developing innovative and sustainable practices that meet the university’s scholarly, teaching, community and athletic aspirations.

Chief Diversity Officer Luke Wood said the committee has been working to bring the community together.

They held kick-off events in September that resulted in nearly 4,000 students, faculty, staff and alumni participating in either in-person, roundtable sessions or online feedback to provide their insights regarding the university’s strategic direction.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Salvador Hector Ochoa

said each committee member was asked to review data and provide interpretations to focus the group’s efforts.

“Everybody’s interpretations were aggregated together and the consulting firm provided us direction of (what), based upon all the input, the five strategic parties would be,” Ochoa said. “It was a very good discussion. I think we captured what we believe (were) the five priorities.”

Wood said the committee wanted to be responsive to the university resolution that asked them to have a diversity plan.

He also said it was an organic process that required the committee to go out, listen to the community and identify the priorities as a team.

“What we’ve done so far is we created proposed strategic priorities and descriptions that go along with each of those priorities,” Wood said. “We have now sent out the email to campus asking for feedback and we are receiving feedback already. We will then review this feedback at a forthcoming meeting, to see if there are any modifications to the descriptions and priorities.”

Ochoa said the process of reviewing feedback, to be finished during the upcoming spring semester, is important to see if modifications or changes to any priorities are needed.

Additionally, Ochoa said once priorities are finalized, the committee will invite other people from the academic community to participate to develop activities and goals.

“I’m genuinely excited,” he said. “In this process, I have learned a lot, and I think this is an incredible opportunity. We want to develop a strategic plan that is unique to SDSU. Not one that you can find that could be anywhere (else).”

Assistant News Editor Michael Cline contributed to this story.

News

Dec. 4 - 10, 2019 EDITOR: Kaitlyn Little • news@thedailyaztec.com

The Daily Aztec

3

San Diego journalist, SDSU alum Bradley J. Fikes dies at 61

by Jadyn Brandt STAFF WRITER

San Diego Union-Tribune biotech writer and The Daily Aztec alumnus Bradley J. Fikes passed away on Nov. 20.

He passed away due to natural causes while at his home in Grantville, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the newspaper where Fikes worked for over two decades.

He was 61 years old.

Fikes’ love for journalism first took shape when he joined The Daily Aztec while a student at San Diego State. UnionTribune feature writer Pam Kragen knew Fikes since his days as a news and editorial writer for The Daily Aztec.

“The Daily Aztec made Brad Fikes,” Kragen said. “He was kind of shy guy when I first met him, back in the early ‘80s. I think he was still trying to figure out his place in the world, and I just watched him grow at The Daily Aztec.”

After graduating from SDSU in 1984, Fikes wrote for various San Diego news outlets including the San Diego Business Journal and the San Diego Daily Transcript. In 1997, Fikes found his way into corporate communications.

Bur after leaving the world of journalism, Fikes couldn’t stay away from his true passion for reporting for long. He reconnected with journalism less than a

Task Forces:

continued from page 1 Substance Misuse will “examine behaviors, trends, policies, prevention and response to the use of alcohol and drugs at SDSU,” according to the email.

Both task forces are set to deliver findings and recommendations next summer.

“This is part of a larger issue facing college and university campuses nationwide and we want to ensure SDSU is leading the conversation regarding student safety and well-being,” de la Torre said in the Nov. 12 statement. “To do that, we are launching this process to identify and adopt best practices for the benefit of all of us.”

The 19-year-old died of blunt force injuries to the head after a fall from a bunk bed in his dorm room. He had attended a fraternity event the night of Nov. 6 as a pledge of Phi Gamma Delta, or FIJI. Hernandez was discovered “foaming at the mouth,” unconscious and apneic in his bed shortly before 9 a.m. on Nov. 7, according to the 911 call released by SDSU Police yesterday.

Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune

The last known photograph taken of Fikes.

year later.

That same year, Fikes was hired at the North County Times — which has been absorbed by the Union-Tribune — to cover news in biotech companies.

“He just did (corporate communications) for a few months, and he was miserable because he missed the daily grind and discovery of journalism,” Kragen said.

“He called me up, and I was able to hire him back into journalism, and we’ve been working together ever since.”

Kragen said Fikes’ lasting love for journalism was apparent in his tireless dedication to his work and unwillingness to take a day off. Fikes saw his work as a necessity in telling the stories that the public needed to hear.

CPR was performed by officers and paramedics, and a defibrillator was used before Hernandez was transferred to Alvarado Hospital.

He was pronounced dead the evening of Nov. 8, according to the county medical examiner. There has still been no confirmation of whether alcohol was involved in the death.

PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND SAFETY MEMBERS Randy Timm, SDSU Assistant Vice President for Campus Life & Dean of Students Caitlin Roberts, University of Oregon Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Antionette Marbray, SDSU Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Jessica Rentto, SDSU AVP for Administration, Risk Management Christy Samarkos, SDSU Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Lee Abed, SDSU Interfraternity Council, Vice President for Judicial Affairs Rana Sampson, Former Law Enforcement Consultant; Director, Community Relations Ambassador, Southern California and San Diego Divisions, Union Bank

“I think the first thing people would say about him is his tireless pursuit of the story,” Kragen said. “He was in the office seven days a week, he just loved what he did. Brad never lost his fire. From the day I met him until the day he died, he was so enthusiastic about reporting on stories. I think he felt like he was delivering a public service, that he was helping educate the public.”

Kragen said Fikes will be best remembered for his kind personality and eccentric way of dressing. He was a favorite in the newsroom, both well loved and well respected by those who knew him.

“He was just a very happy, sweet, outgoing guy,” Kragen said. “I’d say he was the most popular reporter at the paper, everyone knew him and everyone loved him. I would say (he will be remembered for) his personality and his colorful way of dressing.”

Union-Tribune science and technology writer Gary Robbins remembers Fikes as an intelligent journalist who took it upon himself to fully understand the depth of the stories he was covering.

“He was one of the smartest science writers I had met in 40 years of reporting,” Robbins said. “Scientists enjoyed talking to him because they didn’t need to explain things to him. He already understood things like stem cells and chimeras. His depth of knowledge was extraordinary.”

Fikes was incredibly well respected in the science community among journalists and scientists alike. Robbins recalled a specific memory where he became aware of just how admired Fikes was. During a private science meeting, Fikes captured the attention of some of the leading scientists involved in the Human Genome Project.

“Bradley was in a very deep, animated conversation with James Watson and Hamilton Smith and Craig Venter,” Robbins said. “And here’s Bradley, just a science writer for a newspaper, and these three superstars of science were listening to him, they were hanging on his words.

In that moment you got a sense for, not only how much scientists loved him, but how much great scientists loved him.”

“Sweetness” was the lesson Robbins felt he learned from Fikes.

His even temper and poise were things that stood out to Robbins, at times in contrast to himself.

“When people were mean to him and whatnot he was very even-tempered and I’m not so much like that,” Robbins said.

“As I watched the way he treated people if it was a difficult situation and people weren’t being as nice as they should’ve been he would still keep that stiff upper lip, he would smile, he wouldn’t lose his temper.

He had poise, he had professionalism, he was a gentleman.”

Bobby Smitheran, Senior Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Academic Support Services Erik Johannesen, Alumnus Advisor, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Karly Nolan, College Panhellenic Association, Former Vice President of Membership Ben Clay, SDSU Alumnus, Sigma Chi Alumnus Mike Pack, The Campanile Foundation Board Member, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Alumnus Rachel Gregg, SDSU Director of Government and Community Relations Christian Holt, Student-at-Large, Associated Students Christian Onwuka, Associated Students President Josh Mays, SDSU Chief of Police Frank Churchill, Aztec Parent Advisory Board, Cal Fire Fighter Los Angeles County Fire Department

Richard Moyer, SDSU Research Foundation Network Analyst María Luisa Zúñiga, SDSU Associate Professor, School of Social Work Mark Reed, SDSU Associate Dean for Research, College of Health and Human Services Ron Smith, Alumnus Advisor, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Jim Lange, SDSU Coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Initiatives; Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology and School of Social Work; Doctoral Faculty in the School of Public Health; Research Fellow in the Center for AOD Studies and Services Andrea Dooley, SDSU Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Jen Rikard, SDSU, Counseling and Psychological Services Director Christina Checel, Deputy City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles; SDSU Aztec Parent Advisory Board Member Jeremy Garcia, Counseling & Psychological Services Peer Mentor; Wellness Chair, Phi Delta Theta Liana Marin, Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, Past President; Commuter Center Mentor

PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE MEMBERS John Clapp, University of Southern California Professor of Social Work

CAMPUS FEE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CFAC)

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY - FALL 2019 ALTERNATIVE CONSULTATION PROCESS During the Fall 2019 Alternative Consultation Process, 1,158 students attended or viewed open forums on proposals to increase the Student Health and Wellness Fee and the Instructionally Related Activities Fee, and 1,008 of those students completed feedback forms. At its meeting of Nov. 22, 2019, the Campus Fee Advisory Committee voted to approve a recommendation to President de la Torre to approve both the Student Health and Wellness Fee and Instructionally Related Activities Fee proposals. For more information about the process, please visit sdsu.edu/alternativeconsult.

sdsu.edu/alternativeconsult

H&W FEEDBACK SUMMARY

IRA FEEDBACK SUMMARY

YES OR NO

H&W TOTALS

PCT

YES OR NO

IRA TOTALS

PCT

Yes

575

57.0%

Yes

510

50.6%

No

427

42.4%

No

497

49.3%

Abstention

6

0.6%

Abstention

1

0.1%

Grand Total

1,008

100.00%

Grand Total

1,008

100.00%

OPTION

H&W TOTALS

PCT

1 $73/sem

190

33.04%

2 $61/sem

177

30.78%

3 $55/sem

208

36.17%

Grand Total

575

100.00%

H&W OPTION SUMMARY

sdsu.edu/alternativeconsult

4

Opinion

The Daily Aztec

Dec. 4 - 10, 2019 EDITOR: Catherine Van Weele • opinion@thedailyaztec.com

Campus advertising program does not adequetly prepare students for workforce, needs to change

by Anna Fiorino STAFF WRITER

San Diego State’s School of Journalism and Media Studies is home to four nationally accredited programs, one of which is advertising. National accreditation aside, many students have expressed dissatisfaction with the current curriculum.

I am one of them.

Courses with practical applications are not taken until senior year.

The electives within the major are limited and not particularly augmenting.

There are rigid prerequisites in place that oftentimes prevent students from taking on unpaid internships.

An advertiser’s job is to create promotional communication.

Generating research-based messaging, writing effective copy and using design skills to communicate or execute creative ideas are integral components of this process.

“Creative Advertising” (JMS 562), the course advertising majors take fall semester of their senior year, features a steep learning curve. Students jump from memorizing the definitions

of terms like “key performance indicator” to creating headlines, taglines, body copy and visuals in cohesive ad campaigns.

A few classmates of mine have echoed this sentiment. Senior Javier Salcedo hopes to be an art director at an advertising agency.

He was surprised to learn he wouldn’t be taking any applied advertising classes until his senior year.

“That basis (design skills) should already be covered by your senior year,” Salcedo said.

After graduation, he sees himself taking supplementary design courses or a portfolio class. Without them, he fears he won’t be a competitive enough applicant for even entry-level positions.

Jeannie Fratoni, an advertising professor at SDSU and freelance creative director, agrees that the curriculum could benefit from additional creative units.

“I think there should be more creative classes earlier on versus one class when you’re a senior,” Fratoni said.

Graphic design courses that incorporate Adobe programs, like Photoshop or Illustrator, are sought-after electives for students looking to go the art route. Bbut oftentimes they aren’t available, or enrollment is limited to certain

majors. Fratoni says introducing new JMS electives could be an opportunity to enhance the advertising program.

The current curriculum is certainly writing heavy. One of the most dreaded, foundational courses of the department is “Media Writing and Reporting” (JMS 310W). Students must pass the course with at least a C to proceed in their respective major, whether it be journalism, public relations or advertising. While a solid writing foundation is useful for any career, there is a critical distinction between journalistic reporting and ad copywriting.

And being good at one doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be good at the other.

The prerequisites for the JMS internship course are another hurdle for students looking to acquire the skills and experience their academic courses don’t provide. In order to receive academic credit for an unpaid internship, students in the JMS program at SDSU must be enrolled in the internship course. In order to enroll, they must meet certain prerequisites, which are determined by the faculty to ensure students have the appropriate academic preparation to succeed.

Even if an advertising student

secures an unpaid internship that is not entirely advertisingfocused – for example, a marketing, editorial or social media internship – they must meet the “Creative Advertising” (JMS 562) prerequisite to receive credit for it. Most students take this class fall semester of their senior year.

As a result, students often enroll in internship courses at community colleges where there are no prerequisites. Even then, the credits don’t transfer.

Essentially, students pay tuition for an unpaid internship to get academic credit that will not go toward the degree from the university they are graduating from. For some students, this isn’t a financially viable option.

In introducing a copywriting course and more creative electives, advertising students can hone their writing and design skills and become more competitive job applicants.

And in adopting a more flexible internship policy, SDSU can better support students in establishing professional contacts and gaining real-world work experience.

Anna Fiorino is a senior studying journalism. Follow her on Twitter @annafi0.

Having a healthy relationship with food is essential

by Catherine OPINION EDITOR

Van Weele

To eat is such a simple life pleasure, and yet many people struggle with their relationship with food.

We are presented with an image of what is considered the ideal body. Usually, slim and lean for women, and muscular and athletic for men. We are led on to believe that food is the means by which we can achieve this certain look.

We are conditioned to villainize food. We have a distorted perception of what it means to eat healthy.

Too often we focus on the foods that are “bad” for us and foods we should not be eating.

We think carbs will lead to excess fat. We feel a need to

avoid sugars at all costs. We fail to distinguish between saturated and unsaturated fats. These notions are ill-advised.

Nutrition is not something we are well versed in. But by taking the liberty to educate ourselves on food, we can free ourselves from the media’s misguided nutritional advice we so often find ourselves falling for.

Dieting can certainly lead to short-term changes, but it is not

concern.

We should instead shift our focus towards the food we can and want to eat. Let’s allow ourselves to enjoy our meals — calorie counting should not even be an afterthought.

And the truth is calories are not as significant as the media tells us they are. If someone is trying to change their body, whether it be losing weight or gaining muscle, the real emphasis should be on

MANAGING EDITOR Dana Tsuri-Etzioni NEWS EDITOR Kaitlyn Little ASST. NEWS EDITOR Michael Cline OPINION EDITOR Catherine Van Weele MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Alejandra Luna ASST. MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Diane Lopez ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Ceighlee Fennel SPORTS EDITOR Aaron Tolentino ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Kyle Betz ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Brenden Tuccinardi PHOTO EDITOR Alexa Oslowski MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Amal Younis ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Jack Molmud GRAPHIC DESIGNER Emily Burgess VOLUNTEER COPYEDITOR Noah Goldbloom

STAFF WRITERS Cristian Alvarez Roxana Becerril Trinity Bland Jadyn Brandt Patrick Doyle Anna Fiorino Breven Honda Sofia Longo Lucelis Martinez Ashley Na Catlan Nguyen Katelynn Robinson Charlie Vargas Devin Whatley SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Sydney Faulkner Johann Derek Oribello

something that is sustainable.

When we do decide to have a cheat meal or cheat day, we feel unnecessarily guilty over it. We tend to repent by undereating the next day. Or, sometimes, we give into our cravings and binge eat to excess.

In reality, eating a sugary treats or junk food every once in a while is not something to agonize over. It should feel satisfying and rewarding to eat something delicious that we don’t regularly have.

Always counting calories with scrutiny can lead to unhealthy obsessions with what we allow ourselves to consume.

These unhealthy coping mechanisms are due to the mindset we have towards food.

Good eating is a lifestyle, not a diet. Food should be something that is cherished, not a point of

“We should allow oursleves to indulge in all the wonderful flavors food has to offer.”

EDITOR IN CHIEF Bella Ross

________________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Bryan Diamond ________________________________ GENERAL MANAGER/ADVISER Jay Harn GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST Luis Valenzuela ________________________________ EDITORIAL 619.594.4190 editor@thedailyaztec.com ADVERTISING 619.594.6977 advertising@thedailyaztec.com PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition every Wednesday throughout the semester WEB Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com Graphic by Emily Burgess

micronutrients. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet aids with weight loss, while proteins work to build muscles.

It is still possible to have a healthy relationship with food and your body, while still attempting to change the way you look. We just have to be mindful about the relationship we have with food.

Eating a treat once in a while is not the end-all, be-all the media makes it out to be. We should happily allow ourselves to indulge in all the wonderful flavors food has to offer.

Everything can be eaten as

long as it is in moderation.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables and cooking our own meals rather than microwaving pre-made processed food is more influential than anything else. This crafts a healthy relationship between our bodies and our food. Healthy eating is wholesome eating.

By regularly eating whole foods, we maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Let’s eat — not diet.

Catherine Van Weele is a sophomore studying political science. Follow her on Twitter @catievanweele.

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS letters@thedailyaztec.com The views and opinions expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec.

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Dec. 4 - 10, 2019 EDITOR: Catherine Van Weele • opinion@thedailyaztec.com

Opinion

The Daily Aztec

5

It’s never too late to pick up a new hobby

by Patrick Doyle STAFF WRITER

At the beginning of 2019, I felt I had no serious ambitions, or any skill that I was particularly good at. I knew what I liked, but felt confined to the familiar. This made me feel uneasy.

The field of journalism, which I had applied to San Diego State to explore, felt out of reach. I may have enjoyed writing, but I didn’t feel I had the ability to be successful with it as a career.

In other words, I felt stuck.

I felt like I had improved all I could in every aspect other than my main focus in college.

If I was going to learn anything, I thought, it would have to be related to journalism. There aren’t any other skills I could possibly learn, especially if they aren’t relevant to my studies.

I see this mindset around my peers far too often. Many people go through years of college to find themselves coasting through their required classes with no life experience outside of their major. No time is set aside to play a sport, learn an instrument or to find a hobby that improves their value as a human, not as a student.

It is incredibly important for students to diversify themselves and find a new activity in life that is exhilarating in an unfamiliar way. Maybe you explore the world of art and music, and start sketching or playing an instrument. Or maybe you finally try to learn skateboarding, like it appears everyone on campus somehow already knows how to do. Whatever you find, it does not have to be familiar to you in any way. Starting a hobby from scratch can be frightening, but

Graphic by Emily Burgess

can yield incredibly rewarding results.

Towards the end of last year when I was still a high school senior, I started learning the guitar for absolutely no reason. I didn’t think I would be any good at it. I didn’t see myself playing it for people in the future. There was seemingly no reason to pursue the guitar as a hobby. But I was bored, so I searched for

information about it online and borrowed my parents’ guitar for a little bit.

Learning the instrument was a bit discouraging at first, but I began to get used to it. My fingers would hurt after extended play sessions, and I didn’t think my fingers could reach some of the more complicated chords.

But I stuck with it.

I played through the pain, and

eventually, I became adequate with the guitar. That adequacy turned into proficiency. And that proficiency turned into excellence.

The thrill of this particular hobby comes from the fact that I can still improve, so I enjoy playing every day, as I feel I am working towards complete mastery. The fact that I’ve learned an instrument that

at the beginning of the year I knew almost nothing about is a testament to the very real possibility of an expansion of horizons where there appears to only be walls.

If you feel you have peaked as a person, you are wrong. You can and should try something completely new and seemingly unlike you, if for nothing else to at least prove to yourself that you are more than just a student. Any walls you perceive are artificial — no one is stopping you from finally trying that activity you’ve been wanting to try, but just seems out of reach.

A diversification of abilities helps you feel more wellrounded and capable, and the confidence you will develop as you learn a variety of new skills, becoming familiar with different hobbies will radiate around you and motivate your peers.

It’s never too late to pick up a new hobby. Don’t let the fact that you “wasted” time when you were younger not improving in areas outside of your career prevent you from diversifying your skills now. To some, it is even more impressive when you learn a plethora of new skills as a college student, as you are expanding your value as a person while simultaneously tackling the daily grind of higher education.

I encourage you today to write down a list of ways you can start picking up a hobby you’ve always been interested in. Follow that list and start diversifying your life — it will be more than worth it.

Patrick Doyle is a freshman studying journalism and political science. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickDoyle100.

Let’s support black-owned businesses this holiday season

by Trinity Bland STAFF WRITER

As we approach the peak of the holiday season and people begin buying gifts for loved ones, I find it necessary to address how important it is to support blackowned businesses.

Hailing from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, I always supported blackowned businesses without even thinking about it. In a city like D.C., which was commonly referred to as “Chocolate City” due to its large black population.

There are black-owned medical practices, boutiques, bakeries, delis and churches sprinkled in every which way.

After moving to California, I became socially aware of my surroundings and immediately developed a deep appreciation for black-owned businesses as they are more rare in San Diego.

When I do find one, I experience a burst of excitement. I know there’s absolutely no other choice but to support and promote these businesses whenever I can.

At San Diego State, the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center and

Zahn Innovation Platform Launchpad are available resources for students looking to start their own businesses.

I know several students who are black entrepreneurs — offering time, resources and services to others. They understand the position of excellence they hold as student entrepreneurs of color and how important it is to give back through their expertise, excellent customer service and a desire to serve SDSU. I am proud to call many of them friends or acquaintances, and I am even more proud to support their businesses.

It has been statistically proven that black people spend more money annually than any other race by spending large amounts on things like electronics, shoes, clothing and other novelties.

We should be consciously reallocating that spending into our own community by supporting businesses owned by our brothers and sisters.

This alone would generate more wealth in our community and the mindset to build each other up instead of tearing each

other down, ultimately creating a stronger community.

Business owners are more likely to recruit their own people to join their staff, so if we value and support black-owned businesses, the unemployment

not the case for the vast majority of individuals in the black community.

Many of us tend to compete with one another rather than show love and support. I believe once our thinking changes and

“Businesses have flourished and become wealthy in other cultures because they have the support of those within their community.” rate for African-Americans could potentially see a decrease.

After all, the unfortunate reality is that there are instances where black people are not employed by certain businesses merely because of their skin color or when their name on a resume provides the slightest indication that they might be as AfricanAmerican.

Businesses have flourished and become wealthy in other cultures because they have the support of those within their communities. However, this is

we realize that supporting each other empowers us all, our community will be stronger than ever.

It has been said that the most successful industries for AfricanAmericans tend to be sports and the arts, but I know we have the competence to be successful in other fields such as engineering, medicine and technology. We are changing the world quickly, but I believe we can change the world in a stronger and in an even more effective way if we support each other.

I would like to make it clear that I am not belittling other cultures and businesses within their communities in expressing this opinion. I write this in an attempt to better my own community, given black people exist in a system that seeks to push us down.

I am proud of the people who come from my community. I celebrate their ideas, talents, creativity and diversity. This does not mean I choose adamantly not to invest in businesses run by people who do not look like me.

My black pride is meant to empower, uplift and contribute to creating spaces for my fellow brothers and sisters to celebrate and embrace their craft in a country that has historically not valued us, our lives or our ideas.

Black-owned businesses matter. This holiday season, I encourage you to use your power and money to invest in them, which will positively impact the community forever.

Trinity Bland is a sophomore studying journalism. Follow her on Twitter @trinityaliciaa.

6

Mundo Azteca

The Daily Aztec

Dec. 4 - 10, 2019 EDITOR: Alejandra Luna • mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com

‘Chicana Stardust’ rompe estereotipos por Roxana Becerril y Diane López

La comunidad de San Diego asistió al estreno de ‘Chicana Stardust’, cortometraje independiente, dirigido y escrito por los cineastas Benjamin Huerta e Itamar Lilienthal. La presentación de la cinta se llevó a cabo el 30 de noviembre en Digital Gym Cinema.

Cortesía de Chicana Stardust

Uno de los folletos de la película

A través de su cortometraje de ciencia ficción, los directores le dan un significado literal al término negativo usado para referirse a inmigrantes indocumentados: “Mexican aliens”, que se traduce como “extranjeros mexicanos”.

Así mismo, los cineastas no sólo compartieron un proyecto creativo con

la comunidad, sino también dieron una crítica sobre los problemas de inmigración.

“Chicana Stardust” cuenta la historia de Akyra y sus guerreras del planeta Jaba, quienes recorren Tijuana y San Diego en búsqueda de un artefacto que fue robado por Fela, alias chicana stardust.

Es evidente que la cultura de los cineastas mexicanos fue una gran fuente de inspiración para este proyecto. Su orgullo de ser mexicanos se refleja en las escenas que fueron filmadas en los mercados artesanales de Tijuana, la Avenida Revolución y otras zonas culturales de México.

“La historia de cada quien es muy bella y única”, dijo Lilienthal. “Todos deberían de sentirse orgullosos de donde vienen”.

Lilienthal señaló que su cortometraje fue inspirado por el movimiento social de las chicanas y su deseo de crear una historia sobre la comunidad latina que cuestiona el origen de su raza étnica.

La falta de representación de la gente mexicana e indígena en películas del género de ciencia ficción también los motivó a dirigir este tipo de cortometraje.

“Las películas como Star Wars que no incluyen a gente mexicana, indígena o mesoamericana, se pierden de esta cultura tan increíble y de todo lo que tiene que ofrecer”, mencionó Lilienthal. “No solo se trata de empoderar a esta cultura. Esto es algo muy padre”.

Por esta razón Lilienthal y Huerta decidieron contratar actrices latinas como Victoria Martínez, estudiante de inglés en

Victoria Martínez y Lidia Marín en una escena del cortometraje.

la Universidad Estatal de San Diego.

Martínez, quien creció en Tijuana, expresó que hay una falta de representación de minorías en el cine. Añadió que este filme fue una gran experiencia para ella debido a que la mayoría de los que tomaron parte en el proyecto son mexicanos.

La joven actriz se sintió orgullosa de poder haber desempeñado el papel de la guerrera Jupira que se centra en el origen latino igual al de ella.

“Hay una falta de mujeres latinas en el cine”, señaló Martínez. “Solo una mujer ha ganado un premio de la academia y es blanca. Una mujer morena nunca ha ganado un premio por ser la mejor

Cortesía de Chicana Stardust

directora”.

Rita Sánchez, profesora jubilada de estudios chicanos en SDSU, demostró su entusiasmo sobre la incorporación de actrices latinas y del tema de mujeres chicanas.

“Chicana Stardust me pareció muy innovadora e importante porque pone a la mujer en el centro de la batalla para proteger la cultura de la gente, que es algo por lo que hemos luchado toda la vida”, comentó Sánchez.

El día del estreno se agotaron todas la entradas, y es por eso que los directores están trabajando para tener más presentaciones en Los Ángeles y Tijuana.

Opinión: Bolivia en el ojo del huracán democrático por Charlie ESCRITOR

Vargas

La destitución del expresidente de Bolivia, Evo Morales, fue un golpe de estado. No importa si ves a Morales como un héroe o no, esto debería preocupar a todos los que creen en el proceso democrático.

Morales fue el primer presidente indígena en ser elegido en Bolivia. Estuvo en el cargo desde el 2006 hasta el 2019 y durante su tiempo en el cargo, sacó a las comunidades indígenas de la pobreza.

A su vez, Morales también prometió redistribuir la tierra, lo que era una amenaza para los propietarios de tierras.

Con estas políticas, Morales pudo mantener un crecimiento económico

constante y sacar a la gente de la pobreza al invertir en vivienda, agua potable y nuevas carreteras.

Sus políticas le han ganado seguidores, pero también lo han convertido en un enemigo.

Fue presidente por tres períodos e intentó aprobar un referéndum para poner fin a los límites del presidente, pero cuando fracasó, la corte suprema aprobó en lado de Morales.

Hay un voto preliminar conocido como cuento rápido,(TREP), y un cuento oficial.

El cuento de TREP permite que los medios informen los resultados para darle confianza a los votantes.

Cada candidato tiene que ganar al menos un 40% y un 10% sobre el otro candidato de la votación para pasar a la

segunda ronda de votaciones.

La Organización de Estados Americanos, (OEA), emitió una declaración que decía que Morales no podía obtener un liderazgo tan alto.

Lo que se ignoró fue que la mayoría del apoyo provenía de las zonas rurales, por lo que sus recuentos de votos se publicaron más tarde.

Cuando se dio a conocer el recuento oficial, ya había manifestantes de la oposición que aterrorizaron a los partidarios de Morales.

Es por eso que militares obligaron a Morales a huir de Bolivia y buscar asilo.

México fue el único país que lo ayudó y le brindó asilo político.

Los partidarios de la oposición allanaron la casa de Morales.

La alcaldesa de La Paz se vio obligada a

renunciar por los manifestantes después de que le cortaron el cabello y le echaron pintura roja.

Lo que está sucediendo en Bolivia no es normal y no es un camino para la democracia.

Esta es una captura de la democracia y de aquellos que buscan aprovecharse de quitarles los recursos otorgados a la población indígena.

Debería de haber otra elección y, con suerte, dentro de las elecciones los pueblos indígenas tengan un candidato que los represente.

Sin embargo, después de las elecciones, Bolivia tendrá que sanarse después de la violencia cometida por la oposición.

Sin duda Bolivia tardará muchos años para sanar y recuperar la confianza en los políticos.

Dec. 4 - 10 2019 EDITOR: Alejandra Luna • mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com

Mundo Azteca

The Daily Aztec

7

Estudiantes de SDSU participaron en protesta a favor de DACA por Lucelis ESCRITORA

Martínez

La Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia, DACA, es un término que se repite diariamente en el vocabulario estadounidense.

En la actualidad, este tema afecta a muchas personas en EEUU y a estudiantes de la Universidad Estatal de San Diego.

Benjamín González O’Brien, profesor de ciencias políticas en SDSU y autor de dos libros sobre temas de inmigración, explicó cómo algunas universidades y estados han desafiado las ideas de Trump sobre la cancelación de DACA. “Unos cuantos estados, universidades y recipientes de DACA han desafiado la terminación del programa creado por Trump, discutiendo que la motivación para descontinuar ha sido producto de políticas y no se adhiere a la Ley de Procedimientos Administrativo”, dijo González O’Brien.

Añadió que la administración de Trump no dio razones para la cancelación de DACA. González O’Brien resaltó que la realidad sobre las decisiones debatidas en la corte afectan

están buscando una vida en general”.

Luego de asistir a la protesta el 12 de noviembre, Yuriko recuperó la esperanza que DACA siga apoyándolos ya que fueron muchos los manifestantes peleando por la misma causa.

Yuriko ha escuchado tantos consejos que ahora es ella quien

los brinda.

Además, hay una página web donde asesoran a las personas que buscan servicios legales para no sufrir algún fraude al momento de buscar ayuda legal.

“Los recipientes de DACA necesitan y se merecen una solución permanente”, dijo González O’Brien.

Cortesía de Sandra Yuriko

Manifestantes contra la terminación de DACA.

las vidas de los estudiantes y asustan a cualquier persona.

La división entre los demócratas y los republicanos ha creado muchas leyes y reglamentos que obstruyen el

de Educación Sin Frontera, (Education Without Borders), fue una de las protestantes el 12 de noviembre, mientras la corte suprema empezaba a decidir sobre el futuro de DACA.

“Mi mayor enfoque es enseñarle a las personas que la inmigración es natural”.

– Sandra Yuriko, vicepresidenta de Educación Sin Fronteras. camino de DACA. Sandra estudiante quien es

los recipientes de Yuriko es una de cuarto año, la vicepresidenta

“Mi mayor enfoque es enseñarle a las personas que la inmigración es natural”, señaló Yuriko. “La mayoría de la gente está buscando una vida mejor,

Cortesía de Sandra Yuriko

Estudiantes de SDSU formaron parte de la protesta el 12 de noviembre.

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8

Sports

The Daily Aztec

Aztecs beat Creighton, Iowa to win invitational

by Kyle Betz ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

San Diego State men’s basketball hoisted its first trophy of the season with wins over Creighton and Iowa in the Las Vegas Invitational.

The four-game tournament consisted of those three schools and then-No. 12 Texas Tech.

Junior forward Matt Mitchell

said the tournament win gives the Aztecs high morale moving forward.

“It’s just a reassurance of how good we think we are,” Mitchell said. “We’re not done yet. We still have a lot more to prove and a lot more progress to make, but it’s definitely a big confidence booster.”

SDSU opened the competition by brushing aside Creighton in a convincing 83-52 win on Nov.

Courtesy of Rich Schmitt/SDSU Athletics

Junior guard Malachi Flynn was named the Las Vegas Invitational tournament MVP.

Football:

continued from page 1 a great job every play. We held the team to three points. That’s a great defensive effort. I’m nothing without my teammates.”

Thompson, who finished with a team-high nine tackles, and the entire Aztec defense made key stops to keep the Cougars’ offense quiet throughout.

BYU came into Saturday averaging 42.7 points per game in its last four and 30.3 on the season.

The Aztecs gave them three, which brought their season average to allowing 12.8 points per game.

Head coach Rocky Long said this has been his best defense since being on the Mesa 10 years ago.

“Well now that the regular season is over, I think our defense played as well as any defense I’ve ever been around,” Long said. “In the 10 years I’ve been here, that’s by far the best defensive performance when you count from the first game to the last game.”

In the first half, the Aztec defense made multiple key stops – holding BYU to only three points. Aside from a field goal, the defense closed the door on numerous opportunities for the Cougars to score.

BYU’s ensuing drive, after its made field goal, ended in an interception by junior safety Dwayne Johnson Jr. The Cougars’ next drive ended on a turnover on downs when Thompson took down BYU senior wide receiver Aleva Hifo two yards short of the first down. SDSU took over from its own 40 with over 10 minutes

left in the half.

BYU’s next drive went as deep into SDSU’s 25-yard line, but the offense was stopped once again though some were self-inflicted.

The Cougars committed a holding penalty and a delay of game infraction to push them back to SDSU’s 40-yard line – forcing a punt to the Aztecs.

Those were three key stops for the Aztecs’ defense.

The offense?

Well, SDSU’s offense pretty much matched BYU’s in the first half.

SDSU had its first six drives

Dec. 4 - 10, 2019 EDITOR: Aaron Tolentino • sports@thedailyaztec.com

28.

The Bluejays (5-2) entered the game tallying 78.8 points per game, but the Aztecs (8-0) were able to impose their defensive will from the start.

Creighton leading scorers – sophomore guards Marcus Zegarowski and junior Ty-Shon Alexander – were held to a combined 15 points, and the team was also limited to 4-for-23 shooting from the 3-point line (17.4%).

Offensively, the Aztecs were as – if not, more – efficient.

The Scarlet and Black shot 55.8% from the field, including 61.1% (11-for-18) from beyond the arc.

Junior guards Malachi Flynn and Jordan Schakel, as well as Mitchell, contributed to that statistic with three 3-pointers each.

Flynn led all scorers with 21 points, adding three assists and two rebounds.

His momentum continued into the second game of the tournament when the Aztecs faced Iowa.

Well, at least in the second half.

The Washington State transfer went 0-for-3 from the field in the first half with zero points, and the Aztecs were down by as much as 16 points in the first half.

But Flynn turned it on in the second period, scoring 28 points and rallying SDSU to an 83-73 comeback win against a team who beat then-No. 12 Texas Tech by 11 points a day earlier.

“It was fun,” Flynn said of the win over the Hawkeyes (5-2).

“My teammates were encouraging me the whole time and we ended up getting a win. I think that was the best part about it.”

Head coach Brian Dutcher said the Aztecs showed they can find a way to win even after falling behind.

“We seem to have a level of mental toughness where we can withstand a team’s pretty good punch and hang with the game plan, keep defending, and find our way to the victory,” Dutcher said. “This team has shown it can do that, which is a good sign for this year.”

Flynn was named tournament MVP after averaging 24.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and assists and 2.5 rebounds per competition.

Mitchell said Flynn showed off his starpower in the second half against Iowa.

“He has the ability to take over the game at any moment, and he did so,” Mitchell said. “When one guy gets hot on our team, you just keep feeding him the ball until he’s not hot anymore. He got hot the rest of the game, so

kudos to Mal.” Flynn also scored a team-high 11 points in SDSU’s 62-49 win over Tennessee State on Nov. 25.

As a result of his efforts, he was named Mountain West Player of the Week on Dec. 2.

Flynn didn’t seem too excited about the award, though.

“It’s cool to get,” Flynn said.

“It’s nothing that I’m just going to be super happy about. We’ve got a lot more work to do. It’s only December, so we’re just going to continue to put our heads down and continue to work.”

Other Aztecs who showed out in the tournament were Schakel, who notched 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Grad transfer forward Yanni Wetzell averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.

Both were named to the AllTournament Team.

SDSU received 89 votes in this week’s AP Top 25 poll but is still unranked after winning eight straight games.

Flynn, however, said rankings are insignificant this early on in the season.

“A ranking isn’t going to do you anything at this point,” Flynn said. “I think if we continue to win, then we’ll be ranked at some point, so for me, it’s not a big deal.”

The Aztecs open up conference play in their next game against Colorado State on Dec. 4.

end in five punts and a turnover on downs. Down three early in the second quarter, the Aztecs passed up a field goal attempt and went for it on fourth-and-1 from BYU’s 10-yard line – no gain by junior running back Chase Jasmin.

The Aztecs were approaching a scoreless half of offense… surprised?

Wait, not so fast.

With 2:23 left in the half, Baker showed signs of poise by leading the Aztecs to a touchdown drive to give them a 7-3 lead heading into the locker room. He led

the offense from its own 39 and capped it off with a 25-yard touchdown strike to sophomore tight end Daniel Bellinger.

Aztecs 7, BYU 3 at the half.

Maybe nerves played a role for the Helix High School graduate early on, but Baker said the coaching staff helped him stay calm.

“I think the coaches did a really good job of keeping my nerves down, keeping me in the game and focused,” Baker said of his first career start. “It felt good to play football again, so it was really fun.”

While the Aztecs won’t be participating in the conference championship next weekend, they will await their bowl assignment next Sunday on Dec. 8.

SDSU now has a chance to notch a 10-win season, which would be its fourth 10-win season in five years.

“Yeah, it’s another win,” Long said of another potential 10-win season.

Kyle Betz is a junior studying journalism. Follow him on Twitter @KyleBBetz.

Aaron Tolentino is a senior studying journalism. Follow him on Twitter @atolent2.

Photo by Kareem Jones

BYU came into the game averaging 42.7 points in its last four games. San Diego State’s defense held the Cougars to three points during the Aztecs’ 13-3 victory on Nov. 30 at SDCCU Stadium.

Sports 9 Season recap: Volleyball finishes with 15-14 mark

Dec. 4 - 10, 2019 EDITOR: Aaron Tolentino • sports@thedailyaztec.com

by Breven Honda STAFF WRITER

San Diego State volleyball finished 15-14 and in fifth place of the Mountain West Conference.

Head coach Deitre CollinsParker said this season was positive considering the team’s youth.

“Overall, it’s a success,” CollinsParker said. “With the talent we lost last year, we definitely walk away from this season knowing that we exceeded expectations.”

Here are three takeaways from the Aztecs’ 2019 season.

SDSU FINISHES SEASON ON A HIGH NOTE After starting 2-7 in MWC play, the Aztecs finished the season winning six of its last nine matches.

During the nine-match span where they played 32 sets, they only lost three sets by more than six points.

Collins-Parker said going 6-3 to end the year was the right way to finish.

“The record says six of nine, but nine of nine we played really hard,” Collins-Parker said. “We walked into those matches playing some of the best volleyball we played.

Down the stretch, they came into practice and got to reap the rewards of what that feels like.”

The Daily Aztec

SDSU was able to finish strong because of its back-row defense.

With defensive specialist trio Loren Teter, Lauren Lee and Sam McGrath alongside sophomore outside hitter Maddie Lenn and senior outside hitter Hannah Turnlund, the Aztecs became a force in the back row.

“We felt like passing and defense was holding us back in the middle of the season,” Collins-Parker said. “That crew decided to be better and that’s what turned our season around. We stayed in games because we dug balls.”

Teter led the team with 3.6 digs per set and ranked seventh in the MWC. “It was good to see her numbers go up and it added to the confidence someone believes in,” Collins-Parker said.

Turnlund had a 2.08 digs per set clip as she was able to perform both defensively and offensively.

Offensively, Turnlund reached a milestone with her 1,000th kill and finished with 1,123 career kills.

Collins-Parker said Turnlund’s work ethic came with poise and focus.

“She is a workhorse for the team,” Collins-Parker said. “Her leadership has always been by how hard she works. Seeing her deal with adversity with her knee

Photo by Sam Mayo

Tamia Reeves tallied the highest hitting percentage on the Mesa in nearly 25 years.

hurting so bad, she set a great example to maximize her abilities.”

REEVES POSTS HIGHEST PERCENTAGE SINCE 1995 Senior middle blocker Tamia Reeves had a season to remember.

In SDSU’s final match against Boise State on Nov. 23, Reeves recorded a season-high .727 hitting percentage and improved her season percentage to .404.

The 6-foot-1 middle blocker finished second in the conference and was one of 16 players in the country to record at least a .400 hitting percentage in the category.

Collins-Parker said Reeves’ hitting percentage represents her consistency and fight she had to do something only one other person has done in program history (Jennifer Harrison at .412 back in 1995).

“To be able to hit .400 in any conference is a really hard feat,” Collins-Parker said. “What is most suppressive about that number is that you don’t make errors. She was always the underdog physically and found a way.”

Reeves was one of three Aztecs be named to the all-MWC team.

The other two were Turnlund and sophomore setter Camryn Machado.

MACHADO, SOPHOMORES PRODUCE POSITIVE SEASONS Machado recorded 13 doubledoubles despite not playing in 2018 due to injury.

Collins-Parker said Machado’s energy throughout the season was crucial for her to have a starting role.

“She knew this year, she wanted to be that person,” Collins-Parker said. “She walked in the gym with confidence. She did all things necessary to earn that and we were all surprised.”

Two other sophomores had seasons to remember: outside hitter Victoria O’Sullivan and middle blocker Andrea Walker.

Collins-Parker said Walker has learned a lot as she developed into a starter for the next couple of years.

“She is a student of the game,”

Photo by Sam Mayo

Junior outside hitter Erin Gillcrist gets the ball over the net in the Aztecs’ 3-1 win over Air Force on Nov. 14 at Peterson Gym.

Collins-Parker said. “She wants to get it right. It’s exciting to see how fast she is. Nobody was as fast as she was.”

O’Sullivan finished sixth in the MWC with 3.20 kills per set and Collins-Parker said O’Sullivan will work on expanding her game in the spring.

“Athletically, (O’Sullivan) is at the top of the conference,” CollinsParker said. “She hit at a high percentage for an outside hitter.

She’ll continue to improve her allaround game. It’s one of her goals to stay on the court and play in the back row.”

With the core group of O’Sullivan, Walker, Machado and junior outside hitter Erin Gillcrist returning next season, CollinsParker will try to rebuild a winning environment.

“One of the hardest things

to build in athletics is culture,” Collins-Parker said. “This group is ready to really leave something better behind. We’re changing the culture of the program, getting back to where it was and having all the good matches that we had against good teams.”

After a five-match increase this year, Collins-Parker said the message going into the offseason is to learn from this season while trying to heighten the outlook of the program.

“We got a good group that wants it,” Collins-Parker said. “The task to improve our ball control, minimize our errors and raise the level of this team’s expectations. We have to be competing at the top.”

Breven Honda is a junior studying journalism. Follow him on Twitter @ BrevenHonda.

Aztecs drop post-Thanksgiving game to Arkansas State

by Cristian STAFF WRITER

Alvarez

San Diego State women’s basketball fell 71-62 to Arkansas State on Nov. 30 at Viejas Arena.

Junior guard Tea Adams dropped a team-high 16 points for the Aztecs.

She nailed three out of her seven 3-point attempts, dished out eight assists and pocketed four steals.

All of which are new career highs for Adams.

Despite her performance, the Aztecs (3-5) were troubled by the zone defense from the Bulldogs (2-5) that led to 14 turnovers. Arkansas State scored 23 points off those mistakes.

Senior guard Taylor Kalmer said the team’s offense had a tough time against the zone.

“We got to get better at playing against (the zone) and learn how to pick it apart,” Kalmer said.

“Once we get that going we’ll be good.”

The zone paid off for the Bulldogs from the opening tip.

By the end of the first quarter, 16 of Arkansas State’s 17 points came off Aztec mistakes.

Eight of the 14 turnovers came in the opening period alone. The Bulldogs were able to disrupt the Aztecs offense.

Arkansas State showed they could shoot behind the arc, too.

The Bulldogs hit five shots from downtown in two quarters and eight of 16 for the game.

Down 34-26 at halftime, the Aztecs tried to turn things around in the final two quarters but fell short.

Adams sparked life for the Aztecs near the end of the third

quarter that made things close.

It all started when she sunk a 3-pointer with four and a half minutes left in the period.

On the next play, following her own miss, Adams showed some hustle and stole the ball from two Bulldog players to run down the court for an easy layup.

The lead was down to five.

After a few score exchanges, Kalmer and freshman guard Isabela Hernandez hit separate threes to bring the Aztecs within one possession.

Just when it appeared like the momentum was favoring the home team, Bulldogs junior guard Jireh Washington drilled another 3-pointer in the final seconds to put Arkansas State up 51-45.

That momentum carried into the fourth quarter when the

Bulldogs led by as many as 13 and eventually pulled away.

Looking ahead, the Aztecs have two games within the next week – but there’s an added twist – they’re both Mountain West Conference games.

The first one is against Colorado State at home on Dec. 4 and the second is at San José State on Dec. 7.

Adams said the Aztecs have to clean up their mistakes in order to have a chance against both opponents.

“We’re going to have to focus on turning things around,” Adams said. “(Conference play) is a big thing for us. We know everyone’s tendencies from over the years but they know ours too.”

This is the first time where two conference games are moved up during the season. Normally,

they aren’t played until closer to the end of the year.

Kalmer said she’s optimistic about the team’s approach.

“Conference is where it all counts,” Kalmer said.

“Obviously every game counts as well but once (conference) games start our record is 0-0 and that matters. It’ll be good for us to get a taste of the conference (early) this year.”

The Aztecs will have to adjust to stand toe-to-toe with the Rams – another team that plays zone defense. “(Colorado State) is notorious for zoning,” Adams said. “If we can learn to be better in that scheme, finding places where we can be successful.”

Cristian Alvarez is a senior studying journalism. Follow him on Twitter @AlvarezTheViper.

10

The Daily Aztec

Arts & Culture

Dec. 4 - 10, 2019 EDITOR: Ceighlee Fennel • arts@thedailyaztec.com

Student group explores jewelry, metalsmithing

by Devin Whatley STAFF WRITER

Students at San Diego State’s Jewelry Student Co-Op spend their free time doing what they love most: creating jewelry and other metal arts. The club is led by a group of graduate students in the Jewelry and Metalsmithing program.

Club president and jewelry graduate student Rachel Ness said the organization is all about expressing the member’s artistic potential and the pride they take in making jewelry and other metal works.

“It’s about communicating this potential for our field,” Ness said. “One of the ways we do that is by bringing in professional artists and showing different ways of how they are expressing this medium and communicating it to the people.”

The organization sells student art in public raffles and sales on campus.

The money raised is then used to get international artists in the jewelry making, metalworks and sculpture industries to speak to the organization and provide guest lectures during their visit to the university.

The club had its most recent sale on Nov. 25 and 26 in the Art North building. Art pieces from undergraduate and graduate students were up for sale for members of the public. The club also hosted a raffle where people were able to select student-made art by donating $5 for one art piece and $20 for five art pieces.

“It was a great opportunity for people,” Ness said. “You were able get the chance

Photo courtesy of Jewelry Student Co-Op

San Diego State’s Jewelry Student Co-Op poses visited the world renowned Galerie Marzee in the Netherlands where students’ art was put on display.

to win a fun piece.”

Club Treasurer and fine arts graduate student Jennifer Hansen was pleased with the results despite the sale occurring later than in previous years.

“We had the sale a little later this year than in the past and I’m not sure it had as much publicity as it could have, but it’s always fun,” Hansen said. “There was a good turn out; we’ve yet to tally up the sales but it felt busy.”

In terms of how the art was made, students used a variety of materials to create a different kinds of wearable art such as earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets.

Ness said students in the organization

Tory Lanez throws it back with his latest, ‘Chixtape 5’

by Johann Derek Oribello SENIOR STAFF WRITER

On Nov. 15, rapper and singer Tory Lanez released “Chixtape 5,” an album that flips popular favorites from the past decade into a new sound for the new generation.

A love letter to the early 2000s R&B sound, Tory Lanez provides a solid fifth chapter to his acclaimed “Chixtape” mixtape series that is filled with remixes of nostalgic R&B hits from the past.

Instead of his usual approach of simply remixing popular songs, Lanez switched it up and had the original performers appear on these songs with new verses to accompany his reworks for a more modern appeal.

The decision proved to be successful as he was able to provide reimagined versions of iconic hits with a stacked feature lineup that includes artists such as Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, Ashanti and Trey Songz. Lanez reminds listeners how iconic the early 2000s were for R&B with 18 songs that run for a little over an hour.

One highlight of the album is the lead single, “Jerry Sprunger,” featuring T-Pain. A remix of the legendary R&B singer’s nostalgic banger, “I’m Sprung,” Lanez was able to recapture the catchy and melodic sound. Not only was Lanez able make to remake T-Pain’s signature autotune croon, but the new verse from the original artist provided a refreshing take on the classic song.

Tory Lanez admitted this song was the spark that inspired the rest of the project

in Apple Music’s editors’ notes for his album.

“This was the first record that was made for ‘Chixtape 5,’ so it was the one that inspired the rest of them,” Lanez said. “It was also the record that helped me get all the rest of the features. I would go to people and tell them, ‘You know, T-Pain did ‘Jerry Sprunger,’ you have to hop on this album.’”

Another standout track is the song, “Beauty In The Benz,” featuring Snoop Dogg which is constructed around Snoop’s original track with Pharrell, “Beautiful.” The song centers around Lanez singing to an imaginary girlfriend referenced throughout the entire project, Leah. The additional verse from Snoop featured his signature flow, and it nicely complimented Lanez’s vocals on the verse and hook.

Throughout the album, Lanez flexes his abilities to create infectious melodies and catchy hooks. He shows his versatility as an artist by also showing off his lyrical pen with stellar rap verses to go with his sultry, auto-tuned vocals.

The samples interpolated in each record are the icing on the cake as he shares his stories of love and heartbreak.

The result is a solid collection of refreshing R&B love songs that oozes throwback vibes. Overall, “Chixtape 5” was an enjoyable music journey that felt like a blast to the past.

For fans of the early 2000s R&B aesthetic who are seeking new songs to serenade your lover to or just to jam with, “Chixtape 5” is Tory Lanez’s answer to that. With the holidays quickly coming up and cuffing season approaching, it’s only right to have this album on play.

are versatile in what they create, but during meetings they come together to talk about the work they have done.

“It’s more like we’re self-driven,” Ness said. “We do come together and have conversations about the work. It’s more based on the choices we make depending on the conversation we are having and we critique on that.”

Being apart of the organization has provided many great moments for students on campus.

One moment Ness recalls is being invited to do an exhibition last spring at Galerie Marzee in the Netherlands, which she said is the largest jewelry gallery in the world.

“It was an incredible feeling,” Ness said. “It’s the largest jewelry gallery in the world. The student work that goes in there is postgrad, and it’s selective.

It means something when Marie-José (van den Hout), the owner of Galerie Marzee, selects your organization to be on display. It means she believes it. She trusts the work that is coming out of here based on the circumstances.”

The organization hopes to get more students involved, especially those from the School of Art and Design.

Hanse described the organization’s message in one sentence: “Craft continues to be relevant and important.”

Cyber Monday deals may not be completely over for must-get gifts

by Catlan Nguyen STAFF WRITER

Risking your life for a good deal on a new flatscreen T.V. is so last season.

Cyber Monday lets people shop from the comfort of their own home, but it flies by.

If people miss this cyber holiday, don’t worry because the deals filter throughout the week with must-get items.

The ShopAztecs Online Bookstore offered 30% off of all Aztec gear starting, but this is one sale that didn’t make it past Cyber Monday.

Senior Lead at the campus bookstore Monica Pitez said the sale was online only.

However, the bookstore does collect on their exclusive online sale.

“We absolutely expect an increase in online orders,” an online customer sales representative said before the sale. “Cyber Monday deals in itself double sales and is very lucrative.”

Cyber Monday efforts for the online bookstore included reaching out to alumni about the sales and pushing their holiday campaign, A Gift for Every Aztec.

The campaign does continue through the holiday season. During the holiday season in November and December, it’s all hands on deck and the team usually finishes processing their online orders around 7 to 8 p.m, the online customer sales representative said.

People from other departments, such as the clothing department, receiving department and web processing department, also pitch in during this time of year. Happening at the same time and continuing past Cyber Monday is the bookstore’s Tax-Free Sale on technology either online or in store. The sale allows

buyers to dodge sales taxes, allowing people to save around a couple hundred dollars.

This sale is offered to people who are associated with San Diego State and have an active Red I.D., the online customer service representative said. All Apple products are eligible for the sale, even discounted models, previous models and Beats products.

The Tax-Free Sale’s preorders began in November and will run until Dec. 5 at 11:59 p.m.

Other deals to look for online for the holiday season include those on the Hydroflask, Best Buy, and Lululemon websites.

Hydroflasks are a stereotypical staple for SDSU students, but they aren’t the cheapest products in the campus bookstore. Hydroflask is offering 25% off their entire website until Dec. 8.

These staples comes in multiple sizes and shapes, but there are lots of products to choose from with an entire website sale.

For all your technology desires, Best Buy also offers student deals year round.

Best Buy has gifts for everyone, every year.

Headphones for the siblings, or a new surround sound system for your parents, there are tons of options to choose from.

Lululemon offered 30 to 40% off certain items for Cyber Monday. Looking around on campus, Lululemon is everywhere.

Keep an eye out for more holiday deals because these are must-get gifts.

There are also the classic big name retailers such as Walmart and Amazon.

They are both offering hundreds of deals on gifts for your loved ones.

Arts and Culture Editor Ceighlee Fennel contributed to this story.

Dec. 4 - 10, 2019 EDITOR: Ceighlee Fennel • arts@thedailyaztec.com

Arts & Culture

The Daily Aztec

11

‘She Loves Me’ draws audience into secretive love story

by Sydney Faulkner SENIOR STAFF WRITER

San Diego State students open the classic musical comedy “She Loves Me” this week.

“She Loves Me” features music by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick from the classic Broadway musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” The original version of the musical was nominated for five Tony Awards in 1964 after its opening on Broadway the year prior.

The play is set in the 1930s with European scenery. There are two shop clerks, Amalia and Georg, who struggle to agree and get along day to day.

However, this all changes when they both, independently, respond to a “lonely hearts advertisement” in the newspaper.

Even though their identities are kept secret, they start to live for the love letters they exchange.

“Join Amalia and Georg to discover the identity of their true loves ... and of all the twists and turns along the way,” Musical Theatre International, a New York based musical licensing agency said.

“She Loves Me” is written by Joe Masteroff and SDSU’s production will be directed by Stephen Brotebeck.

“Even though it is set in a time period earlier than our own, the theme of finding someone you love still resonates today,” Director Stephen Brotebeck said to Arts Alive. “The two lovers in this work communicate through letters; not entirely

honestly, and this theme has even more relevance in today’s social media age.”

Brotebeck said presenting a Golden Age musical at SDSU is important not only for the educational goals of the Master of Fine Arts Musical Theatre program, but also for students of all disciplines to gain exposure to this popular art form.

“She Loves Me” is the perfect production to be closing out the semester, especially with the holidays looming. “‘She Loves Me’ is a light-hearted, romantic comedy with a touch of the

holidays,” theatre performance senior Emmy Farese said. “It’s festive, and this musical will absolutely make you laugh.”

Theatre performance freshman Mary Rose Vadeboncoeur agrees the musical has the balance of light comedy and heartfelt drama.

“You will be belly laughing throughout, but also be thoroughly invested in the sweet story,” Vadeboncoeur said. “Plus it takes place around the holidays, so it is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.”

Photo Courtesy of Ken Jacques

The two main characters exchange multiple letters during the play without discovering each others’ true identities.

Theatre arts junior Gabe Igtanloc said “She Loves Me” features articulate details and in-depth choreography.

“Being able to work with Lauren Hautghton on the choreography behind the scenes, and the cast for the dance numbers in rehearsal was such a great learning experience for me,” Igtanloc said. “This type of work might turn into something I want to pursue more in the future.”

“She Loves Me” is known to be a musical that provides the audience a sense of real immersion into the story.

“I hope the audience experiences a moment of escape, filled with joy and love,” Igtanloc said. “This show is well written, with great music and a dynamic story. This show will be a moment to just enjoy and breathe.”

Students form multiple programs, grades and studies all pitch in to create SDSU’s production of the musical.

Vadeboncoeur said the most exciting part of working on the show has been getting to work with professionals both on the cast and creative team.

“A few of the people on this show have Broadway experience, which has been both intimidating and exciting,” Vadeboncoeur said. “I appreciate how working with such amazing people pushes me to be better.”

“She Loves Me” will run from Dec. 4 through 8. Wednesday through Saturday shows will be at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday show will be at 2 p.m.

SDSU Thanksgiving dinner brings family holiday to campus

by Sofia Longo STAFF WRITER

The smell of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy filled the air in Montezuma Hall on Nov. 21 when the Aztec Union Student Board held its annual Giving Thanks Dinner. With large tables filled with Thanksgiving staples, students spent the night eating, socializing with friends and grabbing seconds from the buffet.

The event had a great turnout as every table was full, prompting staff to expand the seating after the first 20 minutes.

While students ate their Thanksgiving dinner, performers took to the stage for an open mic night. The bands – rap groups, guitarists and soloists – who performed added to the overall uplifting atmosphere.

A rap group called “The Fam” was the first to perform. Beginning their performance with a freestyle rap to G-Eazy’s “West Coast,” the group danced down the aisles to energize the room and get their audience hyped up. The Fam entertained students and energized the room because students were clapping and moving their heads to the beat.

San Diego State graduate Goz Odeluga and fifth-year computer science major Haki Daniels are members of the rap group. Both Odeluga and Daniels are conscious of the vibe they wish to bring.

“It’s about creating the energy,” Odeluga said. “We’re giving energy out and we want energy back ... it’s like a handshake.”

“Each performance is its own personal story,” Daniels said. “Seeing ... everybody’s eyes when they look at you, their eyes

light up when they hear what you say and then smile, that’s dope.”

Odeluga said this year he is thankful for the opportunities that are ahead, but he is also thankful for the hate that pushes him. Daniels agreed one needs resistance in order to grow, or else one wouldn’t become stronger.

“I’m thankful for my mom. She is my rock solid in every aspect of my life,” Daniels said. “I’m thankful that this school let us perform and put this on.”

Other students appreciated the holiday event as well.

“I think it promotes camaraderie and unity from the student body,” criminal justice freshman Ezra Eclarin said. “It is an American holiday, so it’s good to see that we are celebrating it.”

Eclarin came with his two friends and

were some of the many students who went back for seconds, appreciating the free meal that was provided to them while visibly enjoying the entertainment.

Mechanical engineering freshman Andre Abaya said the dinner helped to show the community how lucky they are to be here, as not everyone gets a chance to experience college life.

“I think it’s important to be aware of the opportunities that we have,” Abaya said.

“We have to make sure that we appreciate them (because) not everyone’s going to have the same ones.”

Food and music brought the SDSU community together in a real Thanksgiving fashion as students were not only thankful of the meal they were eating, but the opportunities in their lives.

12

The Daily Aztec

The Back Page

Dec. 4 -10, 2019 Editor: Ceighlee Fennel • arts@thedailyaztec.com

Photo by Roxana Becerril

San Diego’s first Wonderfront festival: Where land and sea met art and music for a fantastical getaway

by Roxana Becerril STAFF WRITER

It was a three-day wave of art and music at the first-ever Wonderfront Music and

Arts Festival.

Using the area where the San Diego Bay meets the city as a massive venue, the festival gave its attendees the chance to appreciate the two geographic

locations while listening to live music during the Nov. 22 to 24 weekend. Each day brought a variety of performances, vendors, food and art to the seaside celebration, making every personal

DAY 1: FIRST IMPRESSIONS To start their weekend, a few Wonderfronters headed to the Craft Beer Garden to sip on one of the thirty flavors of beer and play games under the sun. As guests gradually started pouring in, the white tents that were lined up alongside the bay began to fill up with people eager to check out the band merch on sale.

Meanwhile, in a bohemian, campsiteinspired lounge, Abby Girodano and Jose Rodriguez waited for the reggae band Pepper. They were “pre-gaming” inside an aluminum trailer when they said the festival had a calming environment.

“It’s been more chill,” Giordano said.

“I’ve been to other festivals like Coachella where it’s more crowded. Here it is more relaxed. I feel like it’s more low-key.”

Rodriguez’s impression of the festival paralleled the one of Giordano. He said the quieter crowds at Wonderfront made his first time at a music festival more enjoyable.

“It’s the first (Wonderfront) ever so it makes sense that a lot of people don’t know about it, but that’s good in a way,” Rodriguez said. “We get more of it to ourselves.”

The chill, laid-back ambiance of the festival began to pick up as the night went on. By the time the sun went down, bands were greeted by larger crowds with double the energy.

SDSU alumna Akira Finn stood out from the crowd with her unicorn headband and glitter-covered cheeks. Finn said her attire was intended to start a conversation with other attendees and bring a smile to their faces.

“I just like to dress up,” Finn said. “You get to express yourself through music and art so I think of myself as almost like a piece of art walking around.”

At the end of the night, the sound of guests singing echoed throughout the site.

This music contrasted seamlessly with the glistening marina and the lit-up buildings of downtown.

DAY 2: ALL THINGS ART As the temperatures increased on the second day, the foot traffic did too — a possible response to the diverse lineup of the day, including Nicky Jam, MGMT, Migos, Flatbush Zombies and more.

In terms of art, a series of installations were scattered across the different venues.

Paintings taller than people, fabrics with printed designs and local art vendors all contributed to the variety of crafts.

Local artist Emily Hess brought her namesake online shop “Emily Hess Art,” to life by selling her rainbow-colored resin jewelry and prints. Some of her handmade accessories took the shape of tie-dye flowers.

“A lot of people don’t necessarily have the money or the space to buy a large painting,” Hess said. “But you can wear art and still show that you like art with things that are handmade.”

A few moments later, the American music duo Phantogram hit the stage, giving their large crowds the opportunity to enjoy their live renditions of “Fall in Love” and “Mouthful of Diamonds.”

Wonder-fronter Priscilla Kostal was especially enthused to see her favorite band perform given it was the main attraction that drove her to the festival.

“I’ve been listening to them since 2010 and every album moves me,” Kostal said.

“Every time I see them live, I fall in love again.”

A small number of people enjoyed Phantogram’s performance from the neon-colored couches that formed part of a nearby art installation and chill area designed by community artist Rob Tobin.

The lounge was a team effort between Tobin and the members of A Reason To Survive (ARTS), an organization focused on igniting the power of creativity in youth.

“I turned (wheel protectors) into these spin art, psychedelic, black light disks and flowers,” Tobin said. “We try to make (art installations) bright and fun for people.”

DAY 3: SEA ACTIVITIES AND FAREWELLS As the weekend compilation of art and music came to an end, I decided to embark on a few coastal activities to get the full Wonderfront experience.

Water taxi rides were complementary to those who attended the festival, making it easier for attendees to go from one end of the venue to the other without having to break a sweat to make it to a performance.

The cruise ride in the bay took us alongside the stages where Grace Vanderwaal performed and into a dock that was home to more food stands, a stage and a silent disco.

Wonderfront guests were also invited into a three-tiered boat that provided a place for comedians like Simon Gibson to joke about youth and their dependency on social media platforms.

Wonder-fronter Audrey Azzeh said she

AZTEC RECREATION Associated Students / SDSU

experience a memorable one. Below you’ll find snippets of the three days to give you a glimpse of all the wonders the festival brought to both land and sea.

Photo by Roxana Becerril

loved her overall experience at the festival.

“I think the location’s amazing, I don’t think you could pick a better spot in San Diego to do this,” Azzeh said. “I liked the classy environment, I love where it is and the artists. For a first-year festival, I think it was really amazing and well-planned.”

The Wonderfront arts and music event is set to return in 2020, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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