Volume 23-Issue 6 | Nov. 7

QUAKER CAMPUS

What Trump 2.0 Has in Store

He campaigned on immigration and inflation. Here is what that means for the economy.

Piper Guinn NEWS EDITOR

After a tumultuous presidential election cycle defined by a last-minute switch at the top of the Democratic ticket, podcast appearances, attempted assassinations, and dance parties in town halls, Republican nominee Donald Trump defeated Democratic nominee and current Vice President Kamala Harris, who conceded midday on Wednesday.

Trump is also projected to win the popular vote, which would make him the first Republican to do so since George W. Bush in 2004. The former President’s victory, coupled with a Republican majority in the Senate, is indicative of the right-wing tilt occurring across the country and globally.

Trump’s path to victory was characterized by attacks on President Joe Biden’s alleged failure to deliver on immigration and inflation.

The former President chastised Biden and Harris for the increased number of illegal border crossings witnessed at the beginning of their administration. During fiscal year 2023, however, Biden

deported a higher number of migrants than any year under Trump and border crossings have slowed significantly, according to Reuters.

Inflation also rose at the beginning of President Biden’s term, largely due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—which drove up global food and energy costs—global supply-chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased consumer demand in a post-COVID economic revival.

Inflation rates peaked at 9.1 percent in June 2022, but have since leveled off and steadied at 2.4 percent, close to what they were before the pandemic and among the lowest in recent history.

When Trump returns to the White House in January, executive action is likely to mirror his first term, addressing immigration and the economy. During his campaign, Trump extensively promised to impose mass deportations and restore “Remain in Mexico”—an immigration policy that required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were processed. He claims he will target 15 to 20 million migrants

and bring in the National Guard.

Bryson and Pugliese of Wells Fargo maintain that while “there may be valid reasons” to adopt such policies, this could have unintended side effects for the economy. Immigration reform has the potential to apply “upward pressures on labor costs” and affect “the nation’s potential economic growth rate” in a detrimental way.

A new Trump term also poses potential for tax cuts, expanding upon the 2017 cuts that are set to expire after this year. However, Trump has additionally proposed 10 to 20 percent tariffs on all imported goods— singling out China in his plans—as a method to promote U.S. industries.

If imposed, Pantheon Macroeconomics forecasted that a 10 percent tariff would increase inflation by 0.8 percent and trickle down to increase costs for consumers.

Trump has further vowed to “exact revenge” against his political adversaries, referring to them recently as “the enemy within.” According to NPR, he issued over 100 threats to opponents such as Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff, asserting that they should be put in jail.”

GOP Wins Senate; House Undecided

Of the 34 Senate seats up for grabs this election, Republicans flipped three to obtain a majority of 52 seats so far. Democrats previously held the majority after taking control in 2020 and maintaining it in 2022.

Since current Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell plans to step down from Senate leadership, the Majority Leader position is up for grabs. Front-runners for this coveted position include John Thune (R-South Dakota) and John Cornyn (R-Florida).

In the House of Representatives, both parties have picked up seats, but neither has obtained the

218 necessary to secure control. Currently, Republicans are leading over Democrats, but a number of critical races have not yet been called. The Republicans, led by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, have held the majority in the House since 2022.

Across chambers and states, numerous Congressional victories marked the first of their kind. Although Kamala Harris did not succeed in becoming the first woman of African-American descent to win the presidency, two Black women prevailed in their Senate races.

Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, both Democrats, defeated their opponents in close races. Their simultaneous victory

has doubled the number of Black women ever elected to the Senate.

In Delaware, Democrat Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender woman elected to the House at a time when anti-trans legislation has been pushed nationwide. Via Reuters, she addressed young trans Americans: “Anyone who worries that the heart of this country is not big enough to love them should know that they belong. Our democracy is big enough for all of us.”

While the state of legislation under Trump’s second term remains uncertain, diversity in Congress is on the rise, and both Democrats and Republicans will to push to bridge the partisan divide to pass bills they believe in.

Swing States Swoon Under Red Wave

Both candidates campaigned heavily in seven battleground states— Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada—giving these voters extra attention at the end of the race. Delays, lawsuits, and turnout from critical demographics kept the news flowing from polling stations across these states on Tuesday.

North Carolina was the first swing state to determine its results, reflecting a victory for Trump. Its comparatively early report came as a shock to some, since an emergency meeting was called earlier that day for the state election board to extend polling hours for two separate precincts–one in Burke County and another in Wilson County.

According to spokesperson Patrick Gannon, “printer issues” at a polling place in Wilson County “led to voters not being able to vote for an hour or so,” which contributed to the decision to extend operations for an extra half-hour.

In 2020, Georgia’s certification of election results was the determining factor that led to a victory for President Joe Biden. This year, five polling stations across Fulton County extended voting hours due to non-credible bomb threats, which the FBI later attributed to Russia email domains.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said that the threats briefly disrupted voting,

but were not serious and “kind of tapered off.” Late on Tuesday night, Georgia revealed a win for Trump, flipping from the 2020 outcome. Perhaps the most closely watched state this Tuesday was Pennsylvania, as advance polls showed the closest race between Harris and Trump. According to Newsweek, polls were “equally divided” over the winner, with well-established data aggregator FiveThirtyEight reporting just 0.2 percentage points in favor of Harris. As the polls opened on Tuesday, hordes of voters rushed in line to cast their ballot. CBS News reported that, by midday, turnout among Puerto Rican citizens had already reached near-2020 levels across the state.

During a speech made at Trump’s rally in Madison Square Garden last week, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe compared the island of Puerto Rico to “a floating island of garbage.” The Harris campaign asserted that this remark would motivate the nearly 500,000 Puerto Ricans living in Pennsylvania to show up and vote for Trump’s opponent. However, Trump cinched another victory, flipping Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes, which Biden took in 2020. Early on Wednesday, Wisconsin certified results in favor of Trump, pushing him over the 270 electoral votes necessary to take the cake. Later that day, Trump was certified as the winner in Michigan. Including all states with confirmed outcomes, Trump has a total of 295. Arizona and Nevada have yet to certify, but the outcome is set.

The voice of WhiTTier college since 1914

Piper Guinn NEWS EDITOR

Piper Guinn NEWS EDITOR

President-elect Trump addresses the nation.

Courtesy of The ConversaTion Citizens in Georgia advocate for democracy.

Courtesy of reuTers

President Kristine Dillon: A New Hope

Emma Galvan CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR

The official installation of President Kristine Dillon took place on Friday, Oct. 25 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts as part of Homecoming 2024. Initially serving as Interim President, Dillon was officially appointed

Back Men’s Lacrosse to Whittier,” and “Whittier Unveils New Civics Scholars Program” on our Medium page if you would like to read more about Dillon’s involvement on campus.

The installation ceremony began with a welcome from former Board of Trustees member and alumni from ‘68, Richard Gilchrist. According to Gilchrist, “While these events are accompanied by inaugural

as Whittier College’s 16th President this past May, in a decision made effective immediately with support from the Board of Trustees, namely Head Chair Ron Gastelum.

In her first year as Interim President alone, Dillon has made significant strides, including the first tuition increase in four years, the return of Men’s Lacrosse, and collaboration with local high schools to ensure enrollment. See “Whittier College Announces First Tuition Increase in Four Years,” “Bringing

pomp and circumstance, Dr. Dillon preferred that we recognize this occasion by celebrating Whittier College itself and learn from our Quaker heritage, and so we will.”

The ceremony featured multiple testaments to Dillon’s character from the Whittier College community, including faculty, staff, and students. Each speaker signified the unique impact Dillon had on their own anecdotes about the President.

Among the first to speak was Mayor Vinatieri, who noted, “The

relationship between the City and the College” as “founded in deep Quaker roots.” He thanked President Dillon for her “proactive approach thus far […] which has led to main discussions about how we can best address the challenges and opportunities of our future together,” acknowledging the collaboration and civic engagement brought about by the Whittier Civics Scholars program.

Soon after, Head Chair of the Board of Trustees Ron Gastelum explained the importance of the Board for the College, as they help make decisions for the campus and collaborate with the President for the College’s future. He also praised the president’s leadership and accomplishments, saying, “In Dr. Dillon, we see not just a capable leader, but someone who embodies the essence of what it means to be a Poet.”

Gastelum then called Dillon up to the stand to receive the Chain of Office which contains all the names of the prior presidents of the College and represents the memories that have been shared throughout the centuries. Once the chain was placed on Dillon’s shoulders, she was officially inaugurated as the 16th President of Whittier College.

President Dillon then came to the podium, first thanking the audience for being there for the institution, for her, and for the student body. Recalling the evening’s theme of “Ignite, connect, and renew,” the President stated, “The light in every one of us is our shared bond to Quaker values, on which our college was founded.”

Further acknowledging the importance of renewing a bond with the community to ensure student education, Dillon noted, “I believe renewal comes from the strengths of Whittier’s historical times to this community of which we share a name, as well as on Whittier College’s deep commitment to service.”

Dillon then introduced the new initiative “Whittier Works,” which is intended to help students pre- and post-graduation build and develop their career paths. She wanted to create the initiative to deafen the talk about liberal arts education not being relevant today, concluding, “Whit-

THE QUAKER CAMPUS STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

AnnA GAber

InTerIM

eDTOr-In-CHIeF

CHelseA bArTIlAD

DePUTY eDITOr

CHelseA bArTIlAD

MAnAGInG eDITOr

JOnATHAn berMUDez

neWs eDITOr

PIPer GUInn

OPInIOns eDITOr

lUCY CAMPbell

sPOrTs eDITOr

OlIvIA nUñez

CAMPUs lIFe eDITOr

eMMA GAlvAn

FEATURES EDITOR

JOnATHAn berMUDez

A&e eDITOr sArA MArTínez

HeAD COPY

eDITOrs

eMMA GAlvAn

sArA MArTínez

sOCIAl MeDIA

CHelseA bArTIlAD

AssT. sOCIAl MeDIA

lexIs brATTAIn

MICHelle COrTez

sTAFF WrITers

AllArA bAker

PrIsCIllA COrOnA

PAOlA rUIz

PAIGe MeYer-DrAFFen

DArreIOnnA rOCHe

sIMOn sAnTAnA

COPY eDITOr

elIAs lOYA

GrAPHIC DesIGners

ArYsse GrInDUlO nADIA MIller

CArTOOnIsT neMI

AsTrOlOGIsT

vIA

FACUlTY ADvIsOr

JOsePH DOnnellY

tier works, and we will prove it.”

The ceremony closed with a simulation of the Light of Learning ceremony—which takes place during new student orientation—led by ASWC President Duncan Smith, followed by the College choir’s performance of Friends Forever by Margaretha Lohmann, Whittier’s school song.

The tone and speeches throughout the evening highlighted the theme of renewal President Dillon has ushered in and the impact she has made by her numerous actions towards improving the College. Students, faculty, and alumni can look forward to further initiatives from the new administration.

LA Clears the Air

Sara Martínez A&E EDITOR

As the fourth largest economy in the world, California’s success has been at the expense of clean air, particularly surrounding big port cities. In an effort to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the state implemented the California Global Warming Solutions Act in 2006, which mapped out a multiyear program to reduce emissions and required the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to release a Scoping Plan every five years.

The plan was updated under current Governor Gavin Newsom in an effort to speed up the state’s climate initiative, and set a goal to reach zero emissions by 2045.

In order to achieve this locally, Los Angeles County tackled its largest fixed source of air pollution: The Port of Los Angeles (LA).

The Port of LA is a fundamental contributor to the California economy and one of the busiest in the nation. However, the Port adds to LA’s notoriously bad air quality, which received a failing grade from the American Lung Association.

In an effort to stay on track for zero emissions by 2045 and foster practices that are environmentally sustainable, the Port of LA applied for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program and received a $412 million grant. The Port of LA matched the sum of the award thanks to funding from private partners, bringing the total investment to an astonishing $644 million.

These funds are aimed at developing an electric infrastructure, which includes electrifying opera-

tions at the maritime cargo terminals and implementing zero-emissions freight transportation. The award is part of the Port’s new climate-friendly attitude, and came nearly two weeks after Port stakeholders signed a declaration in Hamburg, Germany on the decarbonization of global shipping.

According to Offshore Energy, a leading maritime and offshore energy industries news group, “signatories recognize the urgent need to reduce GHG emissions and the environmental impact of the global shipping industry.”

Much of the equipment used to operate the Port, such as cranes, ships, and cargo trucks relies on diesel fuel. Due to the nonstop nature of cargo and ships coming into the Port, diesel death zones are created that mostly affect the neighboring cities of San Pedro, Wilmington, West Long Beach, Harbor City, and Lomita. Although the City of LA has a historic record of combating the city’s air quality, U.S. News reported that the region’s air quality remains the one of the worst in the country.

These historic initiatives from the Port of Los Angeles were consciously in sync with California’s current race to combat climate change, reduce GHG emissions, and improve the health of Southern California residents. Governor Newsom elucidated the intersectionality of health and climate change in his state climate plan by declaring to save Californians $200 billion in health costs due to pollution. With this in mind, it is evident that California provides a strong example for the world to follow in its fierce fight against climate change.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Submissions may be emailed to qc@poets.whitttier.edu in .doc or .docx format. Submissions must include the author’s name and year of graduation or position at the college in the signature. Letters are due by Monday at 5 p.m. to make it into that week’s issue. Submissions should be no more than 500 words. Submissions will undergo the same editing process from our production pipeline if selected. All stories must follow the same journalistic standards.

Due to the high cost of publication, members of the Whittier College community are permitted three copies per issue. Additional copies may be purchased with prior apporval for 50 cents each by contacting the Quaker Campus. Newspaper theft is a crime, and those who violate the three copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution.

The Quaker Campus does not change material posted on online articles once they have been published in the paper — with the exception of an error being found. Only then will a correction be made to the online version. The Quaker Campus is a publication of Whittier College. Columns and Signed editorials do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Whittier College or its affiliates.

Courtesy of Whittier College Dillon expresses hope for the future of Whittier.

Executive Board Brings Back Men’s Football

Priscilla Corona STAFF WRITER

Football games are a notorious part of the college experience that has been absent at Whittier College since its team was abruptly cut two years ago. As part of President Dillon’s plan to revive Whittier’s campus life, she proudly announced via email on Oct. 25 that Men’s Football will be returning to the College for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The return is thanks to “alumni engagement and grassroots fundraising resulting in over $814,000 earned thus far,” according to Chairman of the Whittier College Board of Trustees Ron Gastelum. These funds will go towards hiring a new coach, assistant coaches, and recruitments.

The football team was cut in the 2022 academic year, alongside the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Men’s Lacrosse and Men’s and Women’s Golf programs in a series of efforts by the previous administration to save money and protect the athletes from possible injury, which sparked out-

rage and indignation from students.

In a statement to CBS News, fourth-year Jackie Torres claimed, “I’ve been playing for 10-plus years, and this wasn’t a decision made lightly to go to Whittier. It’s a feeling of betrayal. It’s a hurtful feeling.”

Alumni were similarly upset by this decision, particularly those who were part of Poet football. For Stan Sanders—class of ‘63—and many others, “football at Whittier was more than a sport; it was a foundation for lifelong friendships, personal growth, and unforgettable memories.”

As Whittier’s first Rhodes scholar and All-American football player, Sanders finds it “incredibly meaningful to be part of bringing football back to Whittier College.”

According to a press release posted to their website, the College is committed to a “Bring Back Better” approach to help strengthen the new team and its athletes. Rather than rushing to put together a team, the approach includes an 18-month rebuilding period. Gastrum believes this will “bring a new level of integrity and support to the program.”

President Dillon adds, “The

timeline allows us to prepare thoughtfully, bringing on coaches and resources designed to guide student-athletes to excel not only on the field but in all aspects of college life.

“With the support of our alumni and a clear commitment to the ‘Bring Back Better’ philosophy, Whittier’s football program will be a model of integrity, teamwork, and academic excellence that contributes significantly to our campus community.”

Shortly after President Dillon’s email, the College posted on Instagram about football’s return, with alumni in the comments ecstatic at their decision. One of the comments read, “As an alumni, I couldn’t be happier to see this decision made. When done right, it enhances the experience and brings in more students to a smaller school.”

The recent decisions to bring back Men’s Football and Men’s La-

crosse–reinstated this school year–beg the question of whether or not the College will be bringing back Men and Women’s Golf as well. While no further information has been provided, financial support for athletics at Whittier is ongoing. If you are interested in making a donation, consider visiting the https://www.whittier.edu/giving/ football page for funding, support, and more information on the topic.

Skate Your Dreams Away at the New Skateland

The Whittier community bid farewell to beloved roller rink Skateland in 2006 after 51 years of operation. Skateland was a popular hangout spot in the ‘80s and ‘90s and wellknown by the people of Whittier, according to an anonymous community member. Nearly 20 years later, Whittier’s City Manager Brian Saeki announced that he has been in talks with the developer of the Whittier Packing House to “bring back roller skating to Whittier.”

Skateland was shut down when owner Joe Franco sold the property for an undisclosed amount of money. According to Franco, the decision to sell occurred while Skateland was temporarily closed due to air pollution seeping into the building from the former Omega Chemical Corporation.

“It was going to be a continuing problem of me having to deal

with the situation,” he disclosed on Whittier Daily News. The Omega Chemical Site Potentially Responsible Parties Organized Group— consisting of over 200 companies—initially had a one million dollar plan to fix the problem by installing a new ventilation system.

Franco decided instead to sell the property to the responsible parties instead of hassling over the issue, despite the fond memories he associated with the rink. He acknowledged in the same interview, “This is where I grew up. This was my original skating rink. I feel for the kids and the community. This little thing has some history behind it.”

Even though the original property was sold, there was potential for the return of Skateland, as Franco searched for anyone who was willing to help. “I’m looking at either an existing rink or a building that would suit my needs and is a reasonable price,” Franco confirmed to Whittier Daily News. Sev-

en years later, his wish was granted.

The new skating rink will open at the Whittier Packing House on Whittier Boulevard, which is between Pennsylvania and Wardman Street. According to the announcement on Facebook, the rink will have over 44,000 square feet of space, allowing for a possible food court and a connection to the Greenway Trail by building a community park and bike shop.

While the initial announcement teased that the building will be renamed to Skateland, no details in the written announcement specified whether the name will be changed.

When the Whittier Informed Instagram page shared the news, the comments were flooded with questions and excitement for the new skating rink. The primary reason for the excitement comes from nostalgia, as one commenter wrote, “I have fond memories of hanging out at Skateland with my friends. We would eat nachos and drink slush puppies.” In terms of the new additions, the food court and Greenway Trail connection were seen as a positive from locals who felt they were fit for the newer generation.

Students at Whittier College feel a similar way, with some locals who

grew up in the community remembering the original rink. According to an anonymous student, “Though I don’t really care for skating rinks, my parents grew up with the original Skateland. So, it will be fun to go and experience it like they did.” Progress is underway on the new rink, and there have been few details given out to the public by either party, namely on a possible launch date of the new rink. It is currently unknown if Franco himself is tied to the rebuilding in any form, having yet to comment on any platforms. Regardless, roller skating is ready to make a comeback in Whittier.

Is Whittier Ready to Go Electric?

Sara Martínez A&E EDITOR

It has been two years since the California Air Resources Board voted in favor of the Advanced Clean Car II regulation, which mandates a strict, fast-paced agenda for the state to phase out the sale of gasoline powered vehicles by 2035. According to the Board, transportation is the largest source of global warming emissions in California. With hopes of reducing smogcaused pollution by 25 percent before 2037, the plan set up tough targets for automakers to meet. Based on the timeline, auto manufacturers must “deliver an increasing number of zero-emission, light-duty vehicles each year.”

The first deadline set for automakers is 2026; by then, sales of new ZEVs (zero-emission vehicles) and PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) should be 35 percent of total vehicle sales.

The rise of electric vehicle (EV) sales in California demands a rise in public EV charging stations. Cities across Southern California, including Whittier, are adapting to these demands to varying degrees of success.

So far, residents of Whittier have seven different locations throughout the city where EV charging is available: Amazon Fresh and Sketchers (both located in the Friendly Hills Marketplace), the Uptown Whittier parking lot, the Whittwood Town Center, Kaiser of Whittier, Ocean Honda of Whittier, and the Science and Learning Center (SLC) parking lot at Whittier College.

Only two of these locations provide charging for free and most sites have a maximum of two charging stations (such as the station on campus). The Whittwood Town Center boasts 12 individual stations, more than any other location in the city.

Despite the public having access to these sites, complaints have risen about the ports being out of service and long wait times due to an increasing number of residents buying electric.

This year alone, EV sales reached 25.7 percent in California. With this in mind, Whittier residents are hoping the city constructs charging stations with double the capacity that Whittwood center has.

Recently, in the city of Santa Ana, the EV charging developer Rove built a 40-stall charging

hub, modeling the EV infrastructure development Whittier residents hope for. The site features not only charging stations but a small Gelson’s convenience store, a car wash, and a lounge that Rove customers can access through the company’s app. Retail space is also available, with potential to attract businesses who can cater to the public as they wait for their vehicles to charge. Rove plans to open similar EV charging ports in the cities of Long Beach, Corona, and Torrance which are projected to operate by the end of 2025. Although the City of Whittier has only publicly made plans to fund additional EV charging ports in Parnell Park, Los Angeles County recently announced the Zero-Emission Vehicle Master Plan in late August to further develop LA county’s charging infrastructure. The plan “support[s] the workforce needed to service zero-emission vehicles and chargers” in an effort to establish 60,000 chargers by 2025. EV legislation such as the master plan could fill in the gaps that cities like Whittier face in the race to adapt to electric transportation, but there is still work to be done.

Emma Galvan CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR

Skateland opened its doors in 1955.

Courtesy of Forgotten Roller Rinks Of The Past

Due to a tightening budget, Whittier College cut football in 2022.

Courtesy of Whittier College Sports Network

What’s up,

Whittier?

Stay up to date on events! For further info, visit https://whittier.campuslabs.com/Engage/

Third Space Thursday: Origami

• Thursday Nov. 7 at 11 a.m.

• Campus Center Courtyard

CAAS Workshop: Beat Burnout

• Thursday Nov. 7 from 12:30 p.m to 1:20 p.m.

• SLC 204

Chiropractic Services

• Thursday Nov. 7 at 11:30 a.m.

• Graham Athletic Center (GAC)

Where Olive Trees Weep Film Screening

• Thursday Nov. 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Campus Inn Courtyard

Cafe Con Profe

• Thursday Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.

• Dezember House

Let's Talk: Virtual & In-Person Mental Health Walk-in Consultations

• Friday Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.

• Turner Hall 2nd Floor Lobby, Room 247

Let's Go Hiking!

• Friday Nov. 8 at 3 p.m.

• Turnbull Canyon, but meet at the GAC Game Night

• Friday Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

• Ball Hall LLC

VRC Vet Week Celebration: Flag Raising Ceremony

• Monday Nov. 11 at 8:30 a.m.

• North Lawn Planner Party

• Monday Nov. 11 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Ettinger Lounge

Slime, Stress Balls, and Smell Jars: Sensorty Craft Night!

• Tuesday Nov. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Ettinger Lounge

Financial Literacy and Post Grad Seminar

• Tuesday Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m.

• Villalobos Hall

Fall 2024 Book Sale

• Tuesday Nov. 12 at 8 a.m.

• Wardman Library

Latine Women's Wellness Event

• Wednesday Nov. 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Villalobos Hall

VRC Vet Week: Staff vs Student Kickball Game

• Wednesday Nov. 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Graham Athletics Center (Memorial Football Stadium)

CAMPUS LIFE

Horchata, Calaveras And Whittier Poets

Priscilla Corona STAFF WRITER

For years, the famous tradition of Dia De Los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, has been a staple in the Hispanic and Latinx community. It has since dispersed within other communities in the past few years. The holiday originated in Mexico during Aztectan times however it started growing in popularity in the United States during the Chicano Movement in an attempt to separate Dia De Los Muertos from Halloween, which at the time was seen as a celebration of witchcraft.

After mixing with Catholicism, Dia De Los Muertos came to be associated with the three-day celebration consisting of All Saints Eve on Oct. 31, All Saints Day on Nov. 1, and All Souls Day on Nov. 2. While these practices may be celebrated differently, they essentially share the same goal: to honor the souls of the deceased and keep their memories alive.

Famous practices for the holiday that are used today include building ofrendas, or altars, to share photos of those who have passed and include items that they enjoyed while alive. These things can include candy, drinks, food such as mole or tamales, and pan dulce (sweet bread) and it is assumed that the deceased will bring the items back to them from the afterlife.

To share these memories and historical moments, Whittier

College is dedicated to making all students feel welcome and included. Thanks to the efforts of MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán), The Associated Students of Whittier College (ASWC), the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI), and many others, the College was able to host the yearly Dia De Los Muertos: Cena y Celebracion on Oct. 30. All were welcome to enjoy traditional Hispanic music, traditional food, and partake in the activities of the holiday.

All around the lit-up venue, multiple clubs and organizations around campus such as the Asian Student Association (ASA), the Poet Warriors, the Career Center, the Palestine in Context class, the Psychology Department, the Counseling Center, the office of Alumni, ASWC, First Generation and Allies Club, Global Poets, The Quaker Campus, and many others were given their own Altar to build and decorate with the family of their respective club members to celebrate in remembrance of.

As the night progressed, students were allowed to check in and either used a meal plan swipe or a meal voucher to get the food that the Campus Inn (CI) workers served. This included pan dulce, a pozole bar, tacos de asada and al pastor, arroz con leche (a rice pudding), Spanish rice, beans, and complimentary drinks such as horchata agua de mango, and jamaica

Other activities people en -

joyed at the event include a photo booth, which quickly grew popularity with friend groups, face painting, and a section for attendees to sit and paint skulls in vibrant colors, which is a tradition known as calaveras; though the typically used sugar skulls were not painted. As students sat with friends or waiting patiently in the food line, they were able to witness a collaborative and traditional Aztec dance from the Danzas Sochi Pilli, who were noticed by the organizers during the Dia De Los Muertos event in Uptown Whittier. The dancers wore traditional Aztec clothing as they danced and played instruments around the venue for all to enjoy.

Afterwards, the Whittier College Dance team went up and performed a choreographed piece in collaboration with MEChA. Though once spectacular performances ended, the band Tamboraza Flor de Dalia went up and played several songs for students, faculty, and families to dance along to throughout the night.

The event was a clear success and appreciated by the many attendees as students were able to pay respects to their dearly departed. As MEChA starts looking for new Executive Board members once current chair Galilea Landa-Posas steps down after graduation, they thank everyone for a wonderful night of fun.

Just Keep Calm and Palmer On

Darreionna Roche STAFF WRITER

The Palmer Society was the first female society founded at Whittier College in 1921, establishing themselves as a community built off of sisterhood, friendship, and scholarship encouraging academic excellence. “We are a group of women who get together to plan events, and hangout, and [in] doing so, we create this beautiful sisterhood with memories to last a lifetime,” President Jazzy Diaz explained while at the Palmer Tuesday luncheon.

According to Vice President Riley White, "To be a Palmer is a lifelong learning process, it's about being open to new ideas and wanting to learn about them. And committing to the service of any action that serves anyone but ourselves. We just want to have fun, and be good stewards of our community.”

The Palmers fulfill this mission by aiming to work well with each other, practicing good communication skills in and outside their work, but especially focus on hanging out and finding those connections that make sisterhood and leadership. They also aim to make a comfortable environment for all members to lean on each other in times of sorrow, celebration, joy and laughter—the Palmers rejoice in their ability to spread their love across the community of Whittier.

Current members are excited to see the Palmers develop and the progress of more members in the Society. “It’s beautiful to see everyone working together,” both Diaz and White remark. The Vice President expresses their love of the Palmers, from the supportive energy, to the self awareness the Society takes to take a step back and think from others perspectives and experiences of those we encounter.

Diaz then went on to say how much alumni have been impacted by Palmers, giving as much back to the society as possible. The Palmers even have an alumni panel where, “They are able to work in groups, they have learned to have better skills of communication and leadership, and these skills have integrated into their careers,”confirms Diaz.

Palmers have alumni and current members in different fields and interests and they all gain knowledge that help them in their area of study, but also learn from each other’s expertise and interest. From alumni like Andrea Barber (who played the character Kimmy Gibbler on the Full House series) coming back during Homecoming season, and other fellow alumni flying in from Hawaii for the Palmer reunion.

When reflecting on the specific influence the Palmers give, the Presidents explained that they try to influence their members to

help around and go beyond the campus to show appreciation for the community, “We have volunteered as current members job at a school and volunteered for Christmas parties, interacted with the kids and gave service in other ways than giving money but helping a community build community, we have done that through BBQ’s, we pride ourselves in writing letters to the elderly, participated in Walk for Life in the fight against cancer, St. Jude walk, beach clean up, etc.”

The Palmer's faculty advisor Mike McBride, better known by the Palmers as “Doc,” has been with the Palmers, as well as the Lancer Society, for generations and has given them the same love and support. They are so appreciative to have him with all his success in life. “He has grandfather energy,” laughs one member, “he gives us a home in Palmers. We all look up to his accomplishments, and all the

impact. We are all appreciative of him.”

The Palmers are a “catch all” society according to Diaz. She and White go on to explain “We love different, different individuals, style, interest, and you will see that diversity is visible, we are not one of the same and we don’t strive to be, but nurture and love what makes us all unique." They express that there are no certain traits or distinctions for a Palmer, that everyone is welcome. The only thing they ask of everyone is to have the willingness to participate in the community. Both Diaz, White, and their fellow Palmers concluded their luncheon, but not without giving a signature loving Palmer hug, a hug everyone should experience once in their life.

This article has been condensed for print. To read more, visit medium. com/the-quaker-campus.

Poets dance with the dead.

Photo Courtesy of Whittier College

Palmers help the community.

Photo Courtesy of the Palmer Society

CAMPUS LIFE

Resources for Whittier's International Students

Darreionna Roche STAFF WRITER

Being an international student means encountering more challenges compared to domestic students. Specifically, they worry about what is provided when they arrive on campus. Although resources are provided for international students during Orientation, some feel it is not enough. According to first year and Vice President of Global Poets Malika Tadesse, “Being a peer health student helped me more to know the resources available to me as an international student. You have to want to know the information and take it and use it to your advantage.”

International students are informed on resources like the Whittier College Affirmation, Resilience, Empowerment program (CARE), Title IX, counseling centers available in dorm halls, along with a separate advisor that helps with VISA issues. Third-year and Global Poets President Salaar Anasari speaks on how he feels that the help is there, but it can feel overwhelming or hard to recall for him and other students. "It can be daunting, the resources are accessible, you just have to know it’s out there and find out where.”

Currently, the resources most equipped to assist international students are the Health Center and Career Center. According to Tadesse, the Career Center has adapted to assist the growing international student population. As students who attend school that

is far from their home country, many can not get a job in the U.S. The Center acknowledged this dilemma and integrated a website similar to Handshake called Interstride.

As the international student enrollment increased, so did the need for resources. This includes a faculty member being appointed to international students as a mentor, though according to Tadesse and Ansari, the students preferred to appoint a friend for advice, someone they can relate to. “It is a new environment, new language, new everything!" Tadesse exclaims.

"There are four international Peer Health Educators and other internationals who see me as a resource and come to me for advice, just like I wish I did when I was in their position when I first came here. I get to be that change!”

Being an international student, especially those who are lowincome, experience the high cost of living in another country. Their financial aid does not cover a lot. To be international, you have less opportunities: “A lot of people who came here knew they couldn’t afford it, but came for the education and freedom to study,” Tadesse confides. Possible grants and terms are explained to them at Orientation, but it is up to international students to find the resources; they have to ask for websites and wait for the next step to be provided. Life for international students is tough; not only is more financial aid needed but they feel that domestic students should know about the hardships of international students

to bridge the communities together. But Ansari is excited to introduce a possible solution to the problem to help international students when they first arrive at Whittier College, “I wish an international student like me was of a resource to me.”

As a result, Ansari is making it possible to administer international upperclassmen and provide future aid to incoming international students. He wishes to provide a place to ask questions, and stop international students from having to go through the stressful emotions by themselves.

According to both Tadeese and Ansari, Whittier College has done a good job touching upon international concepts such as VISAs, passports, immigration status, and rules and regulations of international students living in the states. Ansari has found

the biggest way of adjustment as an international student is you have to accept the many helping hands that the College offers. “The resources are there, there is only so much resources that can be given, it is about how you go about and approach it.” For him, it's all about putting themselves out there, saying “hi” to everyone with a friendly smile, getting close not just to the professor, but also staff in the CI (Campus Inn) and The Spot, and joining as many clubs as possible, which Ansari finds it to be fun and helped adjust them to the busy schedules of college.

Tadesse goes on to explain how one of the greatest things about Whittier College being a small school is getting to know how nice and helpful professors are with questions regarding the international student experience.

Tadeese gives flowers to Professor Irfana Hahmi from the Department of Religious Studies, and her advising professor, Robert Mendez, who supplies her with referrals to all the resources available on campus. Tadesse refers to him as a life saver and has been an influence on Tadesse’s outlook in life, like that of a parental figure, marking that every professor has been helpful to her.

Similarly, Ansari gives his gratitude to professors Patti McCarthy, Jennifer Holmes, Katie Liddicoat, and his international advisor that he can always count on. He also shouts out Hector and Daisy at the CI, claiming how there's so many different lives that he got to know, “Everyone is nice no matter if they're international or not, anyone at Whittier College can affect your life with their kindness.”

Ally Yourself With The First-Gen Student Club

Emma Galvan CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR

Simon

Santana STAFF WRITER

When a high school senior gets accepted into the college of their dreams, they are bombarded with advice from family on their personal experiences from college. But what happens if one’s parents never went to college? That person is labeled as "first-generation," the first in their family to ever attend higher education. They could be scared, nervous, and wondering what to do, but there is one club on campus that can help fix those problems, the First Generation and Allies Club.

The First Generation and Allies Club focuses on helping first generation students figure out their college and career path, and is currently run by second-year Skye Mendoza and third-year Jasmine Rodriguez. According to Mendoza, the club’s mission is to “foster, network, support, and [provide] mentorship with all first-generation college students.” Additionally, they help create and promote resources for current members to “easily navigate their college experience,” while providing a space for firstgeneration students where they can be seen and heard.

When Mendoza heard the

mission statement, it hit close to home, she explains, “I think for me it really spoke because everyone else was like, ‘Oh I know exactly what I’m gonna do’ and I was really jealous because I don’t know anything about what I’m doing right now.” As she notes, the First Generation and Allies Club gave her that push, gave her a start to her social media career, and felt like the homecoming that she and fellow first-generation students believe that they never got from the College. “They give that confidence of ‘Maybe I can do this college thing,” Mendoza confirms. Although she knew very little about the club, Mendoza felt the need to help bring it back into the spotlight and help her fellow first generation students, eventually raising her up

to power as co-President.

Although the club is prominent on campus, there was a severe lack of members after the COVID19 pandemic. “It kind of died out because people didn’t know it existed,” Mendoza explains, “I know a lot of clubs got hit after COVID, but because we were initially so small, we were allowed to find community with each other.” The club has reached an alltime peak this academic year, with a record of over 50 people that signed on during the Fall Activities Fair, and the numbers will continue to rise due to the rather easy ability to join. According to Mendoza, anyone who either emails the club, messages her, or emails the other Executive Board members in

showing any form of interest will be added to their mailing list and asked on what resources they will possibly need. Some of the resources include guidance from upperclassmen, help from the Center for Academic and Advising Success (CAAS), and provide the proper connections one member may need to help in their college career.

Despite the fact that they are still finalizing the details of their biweekly meetings, it does not stop the club from throwing fun events. Skye excitedly claims that “We do mini events to show what we have. We did the Scream movie event and I believe we did a haunted house event with Program Board last year as well.” These small events help support the club and bring some fun into student’s lives rather than trying to rope attendees into joining the club, “We’re not going ‘You have to join the club, you’re forced’, no no!” Mendoza jokes, “It's a base, it's to show how you can do so much with your life and this is where it starts.” The club’s biggest event is their annual Cafe Con Profe, which will be happening on Nov. 7 at Dezember Alumni House. The event is intended for faculty who were also firstgeneration college students to come and provide advice and experiences to reassure the current students who might be struggling. “I remembered

that I cried last year,” Mendoza claims, “even if you are not at home, you have a community here, a home here now in college.”

Recently, the First Generation and Allies Club have decided on when they will begin their meetings. Mendoza explains that the Executive Board has been very busy with classes and being part of the many societies, but they have decided to hold bi-weekly meetings starting on Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.

The First Generation and Allies Club is the home away from home that many may need. With their resources and advice, it allows for students to set an example and be there for those around them. “It’s hard to ask for help, but [the club] is a place where you don’t have know everything. Everyone is confused. For me, I feel that I can ask questions and feel in charge of my entire life,” Mendoza assures. The club is planning for more movie nights, preparing to promote the first-generation cords for fourthyear students, and hoping to create a study event where everyone can come and do homework together. To find out more about the First Generation and Allies Club, you can check out their Instagram page and keep an eye out for more events on Engage, and be on the lookout for more news about the bi-weekly meetings and their location.

International students go through troubles while at college.

Photo Courtesy of Princeton University

First Gen and Allies' biggest event is Cafe con Profe.

Photo Courtesy of Skye Mendoza

CAMPUS LIFE

So Long, It's Not Goodbye, Mike McBride

Emma Galvan CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR

Professors are an integral part of one’s education. Aside from teaching, they are the guides that help students navigate the world of college life. During one's years of education, some professors come and go, while others stay for decades before retiring… and then we have Professor Mike McBride.

McBride, lovingly referred to as “Doc” by many students, is a well-known professor in the Political Science Department and has been at Whittier College for 56 years, the longest tenure amongst the faculty.

Along with teaching a full course load, McBride has served as Director of the Study Abroad program, advisor for the Lancer and Palmer Societies, Assistant Softball Coach, Assistant Director of the Baseball Institution, Chair of Faculty, and Advisor for the Model of United Nations Club (Model UN).Outside of Whittier, he is a volunteer consultant for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

McBride has inspired many of his students during his time at Whittier, which is why so many students, faculty, and alumni flooded the Ruth B. Shannon Center to hear his “Last Lecture,” which took place as part of Homecoming weekend on Oct. 25. As the seats filled, all were waiting anxiously to hear what the beloved professor had to say.

As chatter slowly died down, Director of Alumni Relations Ana Gutierrez welcomed everyone with words about McBride and his dedication to the College. After Gutierrez's introduction, McBride was welcomed on stage with an immense applause from the audience as he prepared his papers.

The professor begins with a joke about the “Last Lecture,” comparing it to a funeral. McBride then follows up by making it clear that he is far from fully retiring and will continue to teach, along with working as the advisor for Model UN.

The lecture itself is a memoir of McBride’s life, how his journey led him to Whittier, and his hopes for the future all while using the teachings of Russian dissident Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, United Nations officials, and John Greenleaf Whittier.

According to McBride, the initial idea for the last lecture came to him from a Computer Science professor who had done the same at a different university, “If you don’t like it, you can blame him,” he teases.

After a few other jokes, McBride jumps into the presentation and started going over his childhood memories and how one boy born in 1945 soon became the professor the College knows and loves today.

McBride was born on Nov. 2, 1945 as an only child in New Jersey but grew up in Indiana, though he mentions that he had the opportunity to spend time in southern

Michigan during the springtime.

“The weekends at the cottages were full of swimming, fishing, playing cards with the neighbors, and my left-handed father pitching to me in a field,” McBride recalls, explaining how he eventually grew a love for Notre Dame football during those days and jokingly presented the school song to establish his remaining love for the school.

the Soviet Union (CPSU) for the American Political Science Association.

After graduating, McBride found himself interviewing at Whittier College to teach political science methodology and theory. Despite his mentor's warning to not take the job right away, McBride was hired immediately after seeing the “warm, welcoming, and

McBride explained the importance of the Model UN and highlighted specific students that significantly helped the program, such as Erin Clancy, who was Secretary-General for MUNFW in 2006 and Piper Lowinger, who was announced to be serving as the Secretary-General for MUNFW in 2026.

In addition to advising for Model UN, McBride has connec-

As McBride grew up, his list of heroes grew from Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne and baseball players Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle to Abraham Lincoln and Alexandr Solzhenitsyn as he became fascinated by history and politics.

These interests influenced his education path, as he “made the big switch to [study] International Relations, Political Science, and History” halfway through his undergraduate career.

This switch allowed McBride to meet his mentor, Professor Michael Gehlen, and the pair bonded over the Soviet Union and Russian studies. Together they published an article on the Communist Party of

open-minded[ness]” the faculty and students had. Students quickly fell in love with McBride’s teachings in his first year. McBride went on to recount his first few years at Whittier and how he made close friends with Fred Bergerson and John Neu, who were also professors in the Political Science Department.

Although teaching is his primary responsibility, McBride has also become increasingly invested in the United Nations and Model UN over the last three decades. Whittier’s Model UN program participates in the Model UN of the Far West conference, the longest standing MUN in the U.S.

tions with UNHCR and helped connect multiple students to the program through internships. These students and McBride have brought what they learned back to Whittier. For McBride, this has allowed him to develop his teaching skills in his classes and with Model UN.

Although he has learned a lot from the UN, McBride establishes that he is aware of the imperfections of the program and has yet to live up to the inscription carved across the UN building: “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore.”

As a result of the various faults, accomplishments, and the in-betweens of the UN, McBride often allows his students to give the UN a letter grade. “It is seldom anything better than a B-,” McBride jokes.

After touching on the good and the bad of the UN, McBride emphasizes that without being aware of its flaws, students are being prepared to address the issues of the UN: “This effort is true for all faculty at Whittier and the liberal education we offer, where we focus on improving your critical thinking, your communication skills, and your ability to analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and advocate.” These are skills he strives to apply in each of his classes, such as International Relations.

Being one of his most wellknown classes, International Relations covers theories of international politics and the history of foreign affairs. Normative Political Theory gets into philosophical debate on questions such as “Who should rule?” and “Why obey?” International Organization bridges together the ideas of international relations, normative theory, and human rights.

“Am I asking too much of you when I call upon your generations to solve some of the major problems we face?” McBride asks the audience, “[...] You might not be in a position to do that, at least not now. But who knows? You can make a start.” By setting up the current problems society faces, McBride brought in the words of Alexandr Solzhentsyn.

According to him, Solzhenitsyn was arrested for making a criticism about Stalin during World War II and tried to publish works depicting the harshness of life in Russia in the 1950s but was never rewarded for his work. McBride ties this to how students and alumni should keep the Quaker heritage alive.

At the end of his speech, McBride begs for the answer to a few big questions: Why has he always stayed in Whittier? Why does he keep teaching about Russia? Why does he keep writing recommendation letters? “And,” he jokes, “Why do I repeatedly break my promises to never, ever, ever host a Model UN conference again?”

To him the answer is simple, it is the students, alumni, and how he takes pride in the success of all students, declaring, “You make what we do as faculty worthwhile.”

After the ceremony finished, flyers began passing around to announce the Mike McBride scholarship, a $75,000 grant to help students that want to study and analyze the topic of international relations, just like the professor himself. The scholarship is intended to be active starting in the 2025 academic year, though no fundraising link has been provided on the College’s website yet.

Despite his “Last Lecture,” Mike McBride is far from leaving. His impact can be felt among alumni, current students, and faculty as he prepares for the end of the Fall semester and begins his last semester as a full-time professor.

McBride's influence has impacted all of his students.

Photo Courtesy of Michelle Cervantes

McBride will continue be teaching at Whittier.

Photo Courtesy of Whittier College

Sean “Is a Hotdog a Sandwich?” Morris

Chelsea Bartilad INTERIM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Sunlight pours through the windows on the second floor of Hoover Hall. Across from the windows is a waiting area enclosed by several offices. Among those offices is Hoover 206— where the current Department Chair of the English Language and Literature Department Sean Morris resides. Surrounded by piles of books littering the entire space, Morris leans back on his swivel chair with his legs crossed, sporting a black blazer on top a mint green shirt.

In the beginning, Morris did not expect to be a professor. “Both of my parents were teachers,” he explains with a chuckle, “So, of course I grew up expecting I don’t ever want to do that.” Little did young Morris know, he would eventually feel at home in academia. From a young age, Morris had a variety of interests, taking inspiration from those around him.

“There have been very, very few things in my life that you could study that I’ve not been interested in,” he says amusedly. This carried on when he was a student at Vassar College, where the scholar continuously added to the “list” of potential fields he wanted to pursue, ranging from Mathematics to Foreign Languages. Morris describes his innate curiosity as a “quantum fuzz”, comparing his ever-growing interests to electrons constantly in motion. “I knew I wanted Theoretical Physics—I was excited about that,” he enthusiastically states, “[And] I knew

I wanted English—both Literature and Creative Writing—and I knew I was very interested in Philosophy.”

After taking classes in various disciplines, eventually leading up to his third year, Morris found himself at a crossroads with Astrophysics and English after facing a common dilemma among college students: figuring out which class to take for the next semester. “That was the choice: ‘two roads diverged in a

pursuing his other interests as well, concluding that he can “do a little bit of everything else,” thus “dabbling” in classes in various subjects while engaging with students that studied his areas of interest.

By the end of his senior year, Morris graduated with a degree in English on top of the knowledge he gained from his other classes. “Since then, I’m just constantly doing things like watching or listening

Robert

in amusement, “I could take the Astrophysics class, or I could take the Creative Writing class.”

Knowing that he would not be able to double-major in both, Morris decided to go down the English route. “I was always on trajectory to be an English major from the first semester,” he concludes thoughtfully. That being said, officially declaring his major did not stop Morris from

to [...] lectures recorded by other professors all around the country,” Morris states with a mischievous tone adding, “I’m just constantly learning about things.”

But even before completing his undergraduate degree, Morris knew he would soon be on the path to grad school. “I think I always knew I was going to grad school,” he states, looking up in thought. However, given the amount of classes he took,

Morris figured he needed a gap year after graduating before continuing his education at grad school.

“The trick is that the time I actually needed off was the summer,” he states humorously. Nevertheless, Morris spent his time off from school as an associate editor at General Code Publishers. “It was a good position,” Morris says, “I learned a lot about all kinds of things I never thought to learn about.” Mischief creeps into his voice as he continues, “If you want to know what all of those different symbols on recycling packages add up to, I can tell you.”

After a two-year gap, Morris got into the Master’s program at the University of Michigan, where he got his Master of Arts in English Literature.

“That’s where I realized, ‘I’m not actually gonna do Modernism, I’m actually gonna do medieval stuff!’” he recalls with enthusiasm. While applying to doctoral programs, Morris returned to the publishing company he previously worked at, this time as an editor. Bringing up his well-known “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” analogy, Morris brightly describes his experience as an editor as a “Wonderful, educational, fantastic great period of my [his] life,” while at the same time, similarly comparing the job to “doing time” in prison.

While Morris was spending time at the desk, his desire to learn never faltered, and eventually began to take night classes. “After my first six months there [at the company], I

[was] going out of my mind,” Morris says jokingly.

After four years of working and prepping for grad school, Morris made his way to Stony Brook University’s doctoral program, where he found himself facing a familiar dilemma. A dilemma he faced all those years ago in undergrad—when he was deciding which discipline to pursue.

While Morris knew he would study Medieval Literature, he did not want to commit to one area, holding it off for a while. Eventually, he found himself looking at both Old English and Middle English. “Usually people specialize in one or the other,” Morris gives a smile after a brief pause, “[But] it’s me we’re talking about; there’s no way I was going to do that.”

Having a long career as an educator, Morris expresses one of his favorite things about teaching: knowing that his students get to learn learn something new. “I used to get frustrated in classes when [...] so many people don’t seem to get it,“ Morris reveals.

He continues, explaining his moment of realization when he was reminded of a concept from a course he had taught 30 years prior. Bashfully Morris admits, “I need to not be expecting people to get things like that because I don’t get things like that.” Passion shines through his eyes, stating on a final note that, “I plant the seeds, and when you see those seeds come to fruition, it’s just the greatest thing in the world.”

It’s All About That With Whittier Nat

Emma Galvan CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR

Whittier College is a school full of new opportunities for incoming students to enjoy, but there are too many, and it is easy to miss what the school truly has to offer. That is where one of Whittier’s new Social Media Ambassadors, Natalia Apacible steps in.

The Campus Courtyard is crowded with students coming in and out of numerous rooms and buildings, such as the Campus Inn and the Spot. Apacible sits on one of the few tables spread across the second floor of the courtyard, looking over the numerous groups of students walking past. She leans back into a black chair while wearing a long-sleeved camo shirt with a golden chain across her neck, her dark hair is in a slick bun, and is dawning on a pair of black glasses. As she settles into the sunny weather, she explains how Whittier has impacted her life in her first year alone.

Graduating from Lakewood High School, Apacible is a firstyear Business Administration major with an emphasis in Marketing. She found her footing at Whittier due to her basketball career. “Originally, I wasn’t looking for a smaller school, I was looking for a bigger campus,” she starts while crossing her arms, “However a coach reached out to me and she gave me a tour of the school. I was like ‘Oh, I like how it’s kind of

intimate and small.’” Apacible was taken to some classes during that day to witness the smaller class sizes and as a result, she felt that close connection between a professor and a student. Looking to the side, she recalls, “I knew Whittier College existed, but I was never really invested as much until that coach opened my perspective on smaller liberal arts schools.”

One Common App and acceptance later, Apacible soon started walking the streets of Whittier and immediately was launched into social media: “After high school, I was really interested in working with social media in general, it’s something I want to pursue in my future.” With determination in her eyes, she continues, “So, I used Handshake after Orientation to try and get as much involved as I can as a first-year [student] so I saw the [social media ambassador] job application open and applied.” While exploring the

details of the job, Apacible felt an instant connection to her goals, “It matched my interests: being able to share my experience and be a tiny content creator for the school. I like sharing my perspective on things and my interests overall.”

Turns out the ambassador job was the calling Apacible wanted, “Let’s be honest, high school doesn’t prepare you for that ‘college experience’ at all. I wanted to help students, incoming first-years to be exact, and show them what it’s truly like.

I’m learning with them, I understand that it’s going to be hard as a first year. I want people to know that you’re not alone in this, especially for student-athletes.”

In her opinion, student-athletes are undermined and that makes her take pride in what she does, expressing the balance between social, academic, and sports life.

The first year of college is always challenging, namely the

fact that students have to balance between their activities, classes, and their newfound independence. This also applies to Apacible as well, especially with the responsibility of her social media presence and athletic career while also adjusting to Whittier, “It’s a big adjustment having been babied my whole high school life. I mean, once you enter college, everyone expects you to be an adult right? Nothing truly prepares you for that, but I’ve been trying to do what I do best.

Before continuing, she rises from her laid-back position and becomes more compose, “I’ve been using apps on my phone like the Notes app, the Calendar, and [the] Reminders app; but I also try to reach out to more people for help because I know there’s other people going through the same thing. If not, worse.” Although it is a lot on her plate, the balancing has been very helpful according to Apacible, though she assures that eventually she finds her proper rhythm.

Though it is not just WhittierwithNat, there is also WhittierwithJohnna(Johnna Gaines). Working together, Gaines and Apacible have grown close to one another and developed a close friendship. Finding her coworker very bubbly, Apacible smiles while saying, “She’s really involved and I think she gives a great perspective on what it’s like being a nonathlete student.” Outside of Gaines, Apacible has made numerous friends with the student-athletes, namely

her Women’s Basketball teammates, who have made her first-year fun. Though she also notes that they help distract her from the frequent duties and deadlines she stresses over.

The story is just beginning for her though, and it will only continue to grow. “As of right now, I’m looking for an internship with the half-time LA Sparks Coordinator right now. Otherwise, I’m trying to get as much involved as possible, but my main goal is finishing my credits by the end of the year. I’m focusing on the now, the future holds whatever it does for me.” Though she quickly notes that she wants to finish the basketball season with a rise in her statistics, with not much else to say outside of a shout-out and laugh to, “Please come to our games, it’s very much appreciated.” Apacible wants to spread the message to her peers that there will always be someone by their side, no matter what. In a soft tone of reassurance, she encourages anyone willing to reach out to direct message her account @whittierwithnat on Instagram, “I’m always willing to talk to people about their experiences with college, especially as a studentathlete.

Not a lot of people talk about that experience of isolation, but again, you’re never alone.” With a soft smile and determined look, Apacible is more than ready to continue her journey of spreading awareness and support to the students of Whittier College.

Sean Morris is the head of the English Department.

Courtesy of Sean Morris

Nat is one of the new faces of Whittier College.

Courtesy of Natalia Apacible

yellow wood,” he quotes poet

Frost

Born To Be A Liar; And I’m Glad

I am an independent, self-assured, compassionate young woman, and I am not afraid. I am a good listener who can elegantly accept compliments with grace and dignity, admit when I am wrong, and I am not afraid. I have one glass of wine a week and one cup of coffee a day, and I would not dare get within arm’s reach of anything that contains tobacco. I am well-mannered, I never curse, I exercise regularly to maintain my healthy, attractive figure, and I am simply not afraid. But, you see, I am none of these things. I am not honest, nor am I forgiving; I am not patient, nor am I kind. I wasn’t born to be smart like a mathematician or respected like a lawyer. I don’t have what it takes to bestow the confidence of a judge, an engineer, or a firefighter, and I wasn’t born brave like a politician. I was born to be a liar.

Yes, a liar. I lie every day, all the time, about everything and to everyone. I lie to myself, the ones I love, and the ones I don’t. Call me a deceiver, a fabricator, or whatever it is you want to call me, but all I know is that I lie. And I do it well. I won’t be ready in five minutes. I will break my promise. I don’t really have a boyfriend, that is a fake phone number. I have not come to terms with my failures. You were not the best I’ve ever had, and no, I do not love you back. No, it’s not fine. I do care. And I am completely and utterly afraid.

The country I once felt happy and proud to call home has become one I no longer recognize. One that has deliberately and acceptingly chosen to remain complacent in the face of injustice and oppression. By voting in favor of a man who outwardly displays everything wrong and immoral with the world, this nation has proven to me that I no longer matter.

I, along with many other women alike, have been failed by this 2024 election in as many ways as possible, as the United States refuses to help protect and defend the rights and safety of those who need it most by voting for freedom, liberation, and Kamala.

My body and I are regarded as limited and contingent on meaningless, very rare, and very few “special” cases. I fear the world, the people in it, and my past and future, near and far. To exist now has, unfortunately, left me with little room for optimism. If I have no ownership of my body, it’s uncertain to what degree my other “rights” are worth anything in exercise or practice. To say that I am angry and afraid is an understatement. I no longer have confidence, let alone faith, in the people who are assumed to protect me.

I am enraged to have to console my little sister and attempt to come up with reasons I can give her as to why being a girl isn’t a bad thing, only to look into her terrified eyes and draw a blank, realizing that I genuinely can’t think of one. I am

infuriated that I have to live and forever accept the idea that this very well may have been the last opportunity my grandmother had to witness a momentous, historic moment for our country that could have been the election of the United States’ first-ever woman of color as President.

I hate that I could do whatever I want with a gun. And that the same is not true for my uterus. Today, it is assumably easier for my unwanted fetus to purchase a firearm than for me to receive an abortion. The 2024 re-election of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States has shown me that people choose hate far more than they choose to love. If there is one thing that my experience and 23 years on this planet have taught me, it’s that the world makes no exception for people like me—those so scared of life that they would rather adhere to a strict regimen of everyday fibs and find solace and ease in untruthful narratives and deceitful realities instead of genuine and untainted human existence. It does not matter if you are scared. And I am not the only person living

today who considers themself born to be a liar, nor the only person naturally gifted with the inherent duty and undeniable talent and skill essential to be one. The moment that one obliviously checks that itty bitty little formidable box with a simple “XX,” and who fails to notice the predetermined “fine print” outlining the consequences of doing so thus forfeits and signs away the fundamental rights of those deemed “female” at birth, through a contract that surrenders truth and favors lies.

You see, we, women of various backgrounds and identities, harbor the right and responsibility to lie. Lying, however, does not make us weak, nor does it make us less worthy. It is a testament to independence and the right to navigate the world on our own terms. And there is absolutely nothing anyone or anything can do about it. Unlike everything this election may easily rip away from me, no law, no authority, no regulation, and no separation can ever diminish or rid me of my lying ways, and I am relieved. We must lie when the truth is too excruciating to endure and when honesty is not a luxury we are able to afford. We must lie not out of spite or bitterness but of the essential need to survive. They say that we should be timid, submissive, honest, and interwoven into the tangled threads of society. That we should be one small conforming part to a larger, ever-expanding whole that exists only to keep us in check. But we must refuse to be forced through such a narrow, concatenated system that will eventually leave us broken. We must make no apologies for how we protect ourselves, our survival, and our very existence from the things that attempt to shatter and silence us.

And I, for one, like being a liar far more than being broken.

Dear Poets,

When we started this advice column, we wanted to create a lighthearted opinionated section for you to read in the paper. Though we tackled some serious questions about relationships, and figuring out what to do after graduation, we always had your best interests in our hearts. As the writer for this column, I always strive to give you the best advice and add some comedic charm, to create a friendly relationship.

However, with the recent events of our election, it’s hard to give any advice that can seem positive. You as the reader deserve the best, and with how daunting the future currently looks for our nation, for people of color, for people of the LGBTQ+ community, and for women, it’s hard to give it to you.

The only advice I can give right now is to stay strong. What makes the oppressor stronger is fear. Fear is what they want to provoke, and we can not let them. We can be stronger than them, and we can be better than them. We must be there for each other and spread love, not the hate you see on social media or television. The Whittier College community is strong and I know we can get through this together.

Sincerely, A

Poet

The Complexity & Consequences of Idolization

Allara Baker STAFF WRITER

With the recent election cycle, the sea of celebrity endorsement campaigns is no new frontier. But the extra attention paid to who is directly associating with or endorsing what has generated a question that has been on my mind for a while: Although it’s nice to know that you share the same opinions as someone you look up to, why do so many use celebrities opinions as a guideline for all of their decision making?

I’ve seen this regarding the elections, stances on the countries going through crises and genocide, and even the most simple opinions on

what kind of things these celebrities like to do or what they feel the world should be like. All of these are opinions that others around you may hold. It’s only because celebrities have more power and attract a larger audience that people view their specific stances as “holier than thou.”

Interestingly, this usually leads us to the path where we view celebrities as less of human beings, but more so as moral standings for ourselves to look good on. Through this, we forget that these celebrities have their own lives and families, and while impacted by the rush of paparazzi and a busy schedule, they don’t prevent them from thinking about the thoughts we think about

every day. And whenever an idol or a celebrity opens up about their interests, opinions, or what they enjoy, it’s not just “Oh, I like that too!” Your initial reaction might be, “Wow, they’re just like me!” But you don’t have the relatability you would have with a friend because you don’t know them.

It’s surprising because, in your eyes, the fact that they like something you like is validating to you and your own interests; it’s something that makes you feel good about yourself, something you can brag about to others. But it’s odd how it changes how others see it. Now that’s considered a “specific celebrity” thing and not something

you also like. There’s the idea that people seem to have both consciously and unconsciously. The idea is that if you’re a famous person, particularly someone who has a level of control over their audience, or is good at what they do, they must be able to handle it all the time.

This scary rhetoric goes around: if you love this person or look up to them a lot, they have to be on your side all the time, no matter what. That if your views and mindset don’t align with them, then you either have to adjust yourself so it does or turn on them completely. There are times when this is a good thing. Holding celebrities accountable for doing something harmful or deciding to no longer associate your fan status with them is valid when it’s over something serious like allegations or harmful and bigoted beliefs.

When those who value the parasocial relationship they share with a celebrity suddenly see them in a different light, they are reminded that they are someone they still will never know entirely. Trying to mold them into a perfect image from afar only prevents one

from seeing them as a human who still needs their privacy or needs to be held accountable for their actions like any other person. The other is someone using their constant molding to suggest that the celebrity is running away from the image curated for them, that they should be punished for acting out of character or against the fan’s parasocial wishes. Unfortunately, this mentality is utilized in the K-Pop industry as companies will consider the opinions of entitled fans to discipline or punish their idols for things that they feel are “against the image they created.” This mindset only hurts the celebrities themselves. It’s not to say you should never expect them to be bad people or view them as villains right from the get go. You can be disappointed, you can disagree, and you can choose not to like them, but to treat them like their own opinions, interests, and perspectives aren’t still that of others around you is only going to make it easier for them to be dehumanized and treated like the objects for your entertainment that others, unfortunately, will always see them as.

The true costs of celebrity idolization may be more complex than we think. Courtesy of fchornetmedia com

Lucy Campbell OPINIONS EDITOR

Courtesy of Peter fisher / Vogue

Onlooking Kamala fans awaiting election results at Howard University.

Nov. 7, 2024

Poet’s Sports Schedule:

Women’s Basketball at UC Riverside

@ Riverside, Calif.

• 6 p.m.

• November 8

Women’s Vollyball vs California Lutheran University

@ Whittier, Calif.

• 7 p.m.

• November 8

Men & Women’s Swim and Dive at California Lutheran Unversity

@ Thousand Oaks, Calif.

• 10 a.m.

• November 8

Men’s Water Polo at Occidental College

@ Los Angeles, Calif.

• 11 a.m.

• November 9

Men’s Water Polo at UC Irvine

@ Irvine, Calif.

• 5 p.m.

• November 9

Men’s Basketball vs Linfield University

@ Whittier, Calif.

• 5 p.m.

• November 9

Women’s Volleyball at University of La Verne

@ La Verne, Calif.

• 6 p.m.

• November 9

Women’s Basketball vs Westcliff University

@ Whittier, Calif.

• 7 p.m.

• November 9

Women’s Basketball vs Bushnell University

@ Eugene, Oreg.

• TBA

• November 11

Men’s Water Polo vs Pomon-Pitzer

@ Whittier, Calif.

• 7 p.m.

• November 13

Women’s Volleyball vs SCIAC Postseason Tournament

@ TBA

• TBA

• November 14

Women’s Basketball vs UC Santa Cruz

@ Whittier, Calif.

• 7 p.m.

• November 15

Men’s & Women’s Cross Country at NCAA Division III West Regional Championships Milo McIver State Park

@ Clakamus, Ore.

• 9 a.m.

• November 16

Men’s Water Polo vs Chapman University

@ Whittier, Calif.

• 11 a.m.

• November 16

SPORTS

McBride: Latest Hall of Fame Legend

Paola Ruiz STAFF WRITER

On Thursday, Oct. 24, Whittier College Athletics announced the Purple & Gold Hall of Fame Class of 2024 to celebrate the achievements of seven individuals who played an influential role in sports. The seven individuals are Mary Pacheco (Walthers) ‘10, Ron Klepfer ‘59, Tony Fimbres ‘93, David Herzberger, Sharon Herzberger, Professor Mike McBride, and Michele Callaway-Hernandez ‘12.

Among those individuals, Professor Mike McBride, an enigmatic figure on campus, was recognized for playing an influential role in the softball program. In 1979, he worked alongside Bob Giomi and Warren Hanson to start the current softball program. McBride formed the softball program to help women play sports in college, although he has been retired as of the 20232024 season. He adds that Hanson and Giomi played a crucial role in sustaining the softball program running, as Giomi was considered the “backbone” of the softball program and did much of the recruiting. He would also work on the schedule, budget, head coach, conferences, and games. Wanson was in charge of being the intermediary between the players and Giomi.

McBride credited his late father for instilling his love for sports in him. His father played baseball and football and also coached Little League sports. McBride’s daughters were also athletes themselves, though they have switched career paths to become veterinarians.

Before coming to Whittier College, McBride was active in various

youth baseball leagues. He played and captained his high school’s baseball team, Calumet Warriors. After he received his BA, MA, and PhD from Purdue University, he began to work at Whittier in the spring of 1969. Since then, he has been a part of the Political Science Department, has worked as Director of Study Abroad for 25 years, Assistant Dean of Advisement for 5 years, and eventually became chair of the Poli-Sci Department for at least 20 years. He served as a coach and team historian for over 40 years. He also served as an assistant coach for the 1987 softball team, who were inducted into the Whittier College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018. In one of his final statements of the night, he says, “Whatever I’ve tried to contribute and have been able to, they are pushing that on. So, I want to thank all of them for doing that. They also have great careers beyond coaching in many cases, but it’s the coaching that I’m proudest of that they go on to do.”

During Mary Pacheco’s (Walthers)

speech, she expressed her gratitude towards McBride, “I’m deeply grateful for the invaluable experiences, the personal growth I achieved as a player, and the constant encouragement they provided every step of the way. Thank you for shaping not just the athlete but the person I am today. Coach Mike, your dedication to the game and to us as players is unmatched.”

She goes on to detail the role he played on the field as he would hit ground balls, throw pitches, give pep talks and share some important statistics. Pacheco concluded with praise, “You truly are an amazing man, professor, and coach, and I’m so grateful for everything you’ve borne into me.”

Tony Fimbres, another inductee spoke kindly about McBride’s impact on him, “[...] people like Mike are part of the reason why this place [Whittier College] is great […] as a parent who’s looking for a wonderful educational experience, you look for things. And as a student here, people like him as to why you want kids to go to schools like this, they make themselves available.”

In his words, he spoke about McBride’s ability to challenge his students, something that was greatly applicable to Fimbres. He recalled the aspects of McBride’s tutelage he continued to employ even after graduation, “He taught me how to write and how to take criticism. This is a skill that I have to use every day in my job. And so that’s the foundation that I came to look for when I came to this school, and I found it. And it just launched me.”

McBride’s speech opener, Patty (Juarez) Hill ‘98, shared that McBride was also the faculty sponsor for the Women and Men’s Lacrosse programs. He expressed, “[He] was a wonderful asset and supporter of all sports on campus. So many times, while keeping stats for basketball, I saw him sitting up on top and cheering on all of the basketball teams. He’s taught his players and students the importance of teamwork and dedication. And while he may have a reputation for politics and Model UN, we all know that beneath that statistical mind lies a heart of gold that loves this institution.” McBride opened his speech by expressing his gratitude toward the people in the crowd. He praised student-athletes as reason why teaching at Whittier for so long was worthwhile for faculty like him. He credited the dedicated students as motivation for teaching all those years. He continued, “I just want to thank all those coaches for letting me participate and stay involved with the softball program. I’m also very proud of what our players and teams have accomplished. [...] We’ve had winning programs. That’s great. But we’ve had wonderful people who go on and, in a sense, play it forward.”

Panthers Are No Match for the Poets

Olivia Nuñez SPORTS EDITOR

Women’s Soccer has recently made the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Tournament for the first time since 2017, marking it as one of the most successful seasons in recent history. The Poets faced off against the Chapman University Panthers in a first-round match played at Memorial Stadium in Whittier on Nov. 5, sending them to the semifinal in a tight 2-1 win.

The Poets placed fourth in the Conference this season with a 6-5-1 (wins-losses-draws) SCIAC record, and 9-5-2 overall, whereas last year they placed sixth. They fell short of the tournament as they had done the previous six seasons before, but seemed to find new life this year with women from every year playing an integral role in each victory.

Though the Poets fell short against the Cal Lutheran Lancers on Oct. 27, they clinched their first postseason appearance under Coach Derek Hank’s leadership. In the final match of the regular season, the women faced the very same Chapman Panthers in a match that decided who would

host the first round of the postseason. With goals scored by thirdyear Alanis Cervantes, fourth-year Juliana Hodgson, and first-year Jessica Jensen the Poets were able to host the first match at home.

Despite the weather dropping drastically, fans were eagerly bundled up in large sweaters and blankets to cheer on the Poets. The front of the stands were decorated in draping fringe curtains and

signs to show support and almost every team on campus showed up along with the team’s family and friends. The middle of the stadium was packed in and the crowd was very vocal about their dissatisfaction with the night’s officials.

In a very physical match, several of the Panthers players laid their hands on members of the Women’s Soccer team, causing several cries in protest from the home crowd.

The Poets were sent flying with late slides and thrown elbows, but didn’t get very many calls their way. In a few shots on goal, the officials ruled the Poets offside, but they managed to score early.

Rookie Jessica Jensen was the first to strike in a 25-yard shot, assisted by second-year Madeline Traylor, which came at the 20:44 mark. Just seven minutes later, fellow first-year Chloe Crecelius found the ball bouncing off of her foot past the goalkeeper in a free kick assisted by Cervantes at the 27:56 mark. The goal marked the first of the season for Crecelius, showing that the Poets will be in good hands for years to come.

Third-year goalkeeper Mya Rodriguez made a notable effort in the match with five saves against the aggressive Panthers. She recently tallied her second SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Week, a feat no other Whittier athlete can boast for the 2024-25 season. Rodriguez’s performance against the Panthers was cause for acclaim and helped her team advance to the semifinal round of the tournament.

The Poets will face the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens on Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. where they look to advance to the final and continue their fairytale season.

Courtesy of Paola Ruiz/Quaker Campus

Beloved Professor McBride was inaugurated to the Hall of Fame.

Women’s Soccer celebrates their first postseason win in six years.

Olivia Nuñez SPORTS EDITOR

Where were you when Freddie Freeman made history with the first walk-off grand slam at 8:37 p.m. on a cool Friday night? Where were you the night Walker Buehler struck Alex Verdugo out with a knuckle curve to complete the largest comeback in World Series (WS) history on Wednesday, Oct. 30? These postseason moments will forever be cemented in the fabric of the city and will be remembered for generations as the team that restored the city’s hope in an October where the Dodgers could be the last team standing.

Every team that wins the WS claims it was a season like no other, and in a way, they all are but, the 2024 Los Angeles (LA) Dodgers set themselves apart this postseason.

The team began October with the National League Division Series (NLDS) and went up against the San Diego Padres. When the team quickly fell behind 2-1 and faced a swift elimination, many thought the Dodgers would succumb to the same embarrassingly prompt end to the season as the three years before. But then, the offense exploded in Game Four, backed by the pitching staff who hurled 24 scoreless innings that shut the door on their division rivals.

The newly dubbed “Dawgs of the Bullpen” were vital to the NLDS success as the Dodgers had suffered from a shortage of starting pitchers. Closers like Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, and Michael Kopech were only called on to pitch three outs every other night during the regular season, but they had their work cut out for them as they often pitched two innings every day with no rest. It

was a grind, though none of them seemed to mind and relished the opportunity to get the big out.

Shortly after, the Dodgers faced the NY Mets for the National League Championship Series (NLCS), a team with their own fairytale season in 2024. The Mets were quickly written off halfway through the year, but turned something on after the All-Star Break and seemed to always come up with a win at the last moment. That is something Dodgers fans kept in mind when the Boys in Blue went up 3-1 in the series. After losing the final game in NY and returning to LA, the team closed the door with a 10-5 win to send them to the WS.

The NY Yankees tallied off the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Guardians to make it to their first WS since 2009. It was sensationalized in the media as a historic matchup between West Coast and East Coast. The series had the promise of an all-out battle between powerhouses, but quickly became a blowout that no one could have foreseen.

Game One was one of the most memorable postseason games ever played, a back-and-forth battle be-

tween club aces Gerrit Cole and Jack Flaherty. The game was tied 2-2 into the ninth, forcing the game into extra innings. The Yankees took the lead at the top of the tenth and took the momentum into the bottom of the inning, where three outs remained. Winning Game One was paramount for the Dodgers. Freeman hobbled up to the plate, and fans were eager to see the parallels between him and Dodgers legend Kirk Gibson. In a similar fashion, Gibson got called up to pinch-hit in Game One of the 1988 WS despite being injured and battled until he sent a ball flying into the right field pavilion to walk the game off.

Freeman came into the World Series with a rolled ankle, broken rib cartilage, and fractured finger; injuries trainers had to work on for four hours prior to each of his games. Despite this, the first baseman chose to keep playing, putting him at the plate that Friday night.

On the first pitch of the atbat, Freeman absolutely clobbered a pitch on the inside half of the plate, cutting through crisp night air straight into the right field pa-

vilion. His walk-off grand slam is the only one in the history of the game, a feat he accomplished at the same exact time as Gibson’s historic homer.

The next two games were dominated by the Dodgers, and the Yankees faced a clean sweep in the fourth game. NY seemed to unload the tank and find their footing in Game Four, which resulted in a large margin, and it seemed like maybe there was some fight left in the Bronx.

In Game Five, home runs by Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm, and Giancarlo Stanton put the Yankees up 5-0 immediately. The series seemed to be heading back to LA. That is, until the fifth inning.

In an unfortunate showing, the Yankees defense committed three crucial errors which contributed to five unearned runs. NY would go on to score one more, but the Dodgers responded with two in the eighth to give them the lead.

When Walker Buehler made the postseason roster, many Dodger fans were skeptical about his ability to contain potent lineups that characterized the October teams. In Game 3 of the WS, he saved the best for last and threw five scoreless innings. In true Bulldog fashion, Buehler ran into the bullpen and Roberts put his trust in Buehler to get the final three outs.

Anthony Volpe grounded out to third baseman Max Muncy for the first out, and Austin Wells struck out on a 77 mph knuckle curve after a good battle for the second out. Yankees fans held their breath as Alex Verdugo stepped up to the plate. Buehler kept him buckled early, switching up speeds with fastballs and curves, until he got him swinging for the final out of the season, clinching the Dodgers’ eighth WS win.

The Dodgers won the Fall Clas-

sic in 2020, though it’s often tarnished by the asterisk of the shortened pandemic season. This was a point of conversation for many of the Dodgers who were part of that championship series, such as Buehler, the man who closed the 2024 season out. “It’s everything, man. Since I’ve been here, we’ve played a lot of really good baseball and haven’t gotten it done. 2020, everybody talked s---. Can’t really say much about it now,” he stated in a postgame interview.

After their hard-earned victory, Freeman was aptly named the WS MVP, and Roberts ecstatically exclaimed, “Who wants a parade?” The men celebrated with champagne in the locker room and traveled back to LA for the highly anticipated reception awaiting.

On Friday, Nov. 1, the city of LA finally got its parade, a long-awaited observance of the their love for the Boys in Blue. The ceremony fell on Fernando Valenzuela’s birthday, a Mexican pitcher who won a WS with the Dodgers and was a hero to many Hispanic fans. He passed away on Oct. 22, just three days before Game 1, and was honored before the game and the parade. Many like to believe that his influence was a great reason why the Dodgers were able to succeed.

The ‘24 Dodgers were counted out, pegged as a team that chokes in the postseason, which this particular group took personally. They will forever be remembered for their great leadership, chemistry, and formidable attitude. Until next season’s opening ceremony, the Dodgers will remain WS Champions, with the future season looking even more promising.

This article has been condensed for print. To read more, visit medium.com/the-quaker-campus

‘24 Dodgers Give Los Angeles Their Parade Women Find Empowerment in Flag Football

Lucy Campbell OPINIONS EDITOR

The low and mighty sound of helmets colliding together all at once, alongside the faint thumping of cleats striking solid ground, has become a national anthem on its own. What has traditionally been considered good old-fashioned American football, a sport vibrating with a cadence that almost seems to echo the heavy heartbeat of the American dream, has transformed and extended its confines to embrace incongruity.

With Women’s Flag Football on the rise, it is apparent that the National Football League (NFL) has been making significant strides towards inclusivity, increasing funding for female and co-ed leagues within the sphere and providing a pathway for female athletes to venture into unknown territory that was once reserved for that of their male counterparts. In 2023, the NFL published an official update as to the current status of the sport as well as an exciting announcement of the recently offered Women’s Flag Football scholarship program that had begun just this year. “In sup-

port of this effort, the NFL proudly endorses the RCX Sports Foundation in presenting the International Women’s Flag Football Scholarship Program, which—beginning in 2024—aims to empower women globally by offering four scholarships for international flag football players to attend a U.S. based college or university that offers women’s flag football as a varsity sport.”

You may ask yourself, how widespread is flag football amongst girls and women in the U.S. today?

Well, rather remarkable and impressive statistics have shown that the number of female participants involved with flag football has more than doubled between the

years of 2022 and 2024, demonstrating a 105% total increase and an overall approximate 42,955 girls becoming involved in the sport in 2023-2024 as compared to 20,875 the previous year. Additional findings have similarly highlighted that, “Last year alone, nearly half a million girls between the ages of six and 17 played flag football, a 63% increase since 2019.” The wins for Women’s Flag Football that have ultimately awarded such massive surges in recognition and attention for female athletes and women’s sports have only just begun. It is ow progressing globally with over 20 million players, men and women alike, becoming involved with

the sport across 100 countries.

But why has this expansion of women’s and girls’ participation in flag football occurred within our more recent time, and what could it mean for the future of American traditional football in terms of inclusivity and diversification? During a CBS News interview, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “Women’s participation in flag football is not just about playing the game; it’s about recognition and advancement in sports.” Due to the quick and immense attraction and continuing rise in popularity within states all over the U.S., flag football has encouraged many to push for more legitimacy and reputable status for the sport. As flag football is currently played under several rules codes, requests from the member associations of the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) have begun to strongly urge the organization to consider publishing national playing rules, ultimately allowing the sport to find revolutionary recognition as potentially becoming the 18th sport for which the NFHS writes national playing rules for.

Recently, women gained the ability to compete at the collegiate level for the sport, commanding such notoriety that both Men’s and Women’s Flag Football have now become incorporated among the various sports listed within the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games program set to take place here in Los Angeles. In a 2024 article by Maggie Hendricks the official Olympic Games website confirmed that, “In both Men’s and Women’s Flag Football, the United States is the top-ranked team, and have won the last world championships in their sport. Considering that top tackle American football players like Patrick Mahomes have talked about wanting to play flag football, the U.S. will likely only continue to improve during the run-up to LA28.” With all the statistics and evidence, it appears that the future is female. The influence and traction of women’s and girl’s flag football will only continue to grow in prominence, lighting the way for a modern age of female empowerment that leaves many in anticipation of what the future has in store for the sport and its promise of unprecedented athletic achievement and triumph.

The Dodgers celebrated their eighth World Series in LA fashion.

Courtesy of spOrTs BusINess JOurNal Flag Football is on the rise for young girls to pursue.

Courtesy of Yahoo Sports

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The QC Staff

Suggests:

Elias Loya COPY EDITOR

Want to know what our Copy Editor recommends this week? Read on!

Music:

I’ve been a huge Tyler, the Creator fan for years, so when Chromakopia dropped Oct. 28 (at 3 AM!) I was hyped. Everything about this album, from chord progressions, soulful bridges, raw, heartfelt lyrics, create this flawed but beautiful depiction of growing through the complexities of adulthood.

Restuarant:

When I first started attending Whittier, one of the first places I went to was Mr. Sandwich

My go-to order is “The Sonny,” where a grilled chicken breast is paired with melted provolone, bacon, red onions, and fresh cucumbers, all of which are lathered in some creamy Caesar dressing between toasted sourdough.

Snack:

I'm going to be simple yet honest. I love to snack on bananas and Nutella! Sometimes I’ll put it on toast, or eat them together in a sandwich.

Comic:

Over these past few months, I’ve been reading and collecting various manga series, including One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Vagabond One Piece is my favorite, it’s been one of the most emotionally rewarding and lore-heavy readings I’ve ever experienced. Even though I’ve caught up on the anime, the manga continues to amaze me.

Elias Loya COPY EDITOR

Just like the seasons, popular culture has a tendency to be cyclical, whether it be fashion trends or the latest health foods. Music can also fall into this notion of the “changing same,” with critics claiming the end of certain styles. Punk is one of those genres that have notoriously been proclaimed “dead” in recent years. However, with artists like The Linda Lindas, punk is actually gaining attention as it evolves into its next phase. From heavily distorted tracks, to the introduction of synthesizers, the current punk scene has developed a new and unique sound that gives its current era a distinct tang that is far from being “dead."

Punk began in the mid ‘70s as a means of rebelling against the heavy commercialization of rock. Its sound often featured stripped-down instrumentals, fast tempos, and aggressive vocals that convey an aura of rebelliousness and confrontation in each song.

Prominent acts from punk's early era include The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, and Black Flag. As the movement gained traction it became further characterized by fashion and political activism. In terms of its political presence, the punk movement provided a platform for marginalized voices, often highlighting topics like racism, sexism, classism, and anti-war.

In the early 2000’s, groups like Green Day and Blink-182 popularized a new wave of sound: pop punk. This new sound utilized catchy hooks and themes of personal unrest, while still maintaining the aggressive and fast-paced nature of the original genre. Jump to the present day, and fans can be delighted to hear that several bands, new and old, have been paving the way for punk's new era of sound.

Let's start off with The Linda Lindas with No Obligation and Amyl and the Sniffers with Cartoon Darkness. These bands' signature lyrics lead with the attack on the balance of femininity and masculinity as the source of their punk re-

bellion. While also paying homage to the classic punk struggle against societal expectations, each band provides the listener with a sense of empowerment.

Next, we have The Garden’s latest EP Six Desperate Ballads, which delves into chaos, indulgence, and regret, while adding an air of whimsicality. The Offspring also released a new album, SUPERCHARGED Making use of their iconic, catchy, aggressive choruses, The Offspring polished their classic sound for newer generations of punk enthusiasts.

Then, we have renowned groups such as MC5, who were one of the pioneers of the "anti-establishment" punk sound. Their new

release Heavy Lifting brings back their heavily distorted guitar riffs.

Notable new releases include c*mgirl8’s the 8th c*mming, which showcases quick tempos, swelling synth productions and dream-like vocals that discuss new views on topics of sexuality and sexual health care. While these new punk releases may be divided by the presence (or lack of), political/societal messages, and "classic" punk aesthetic, they are all united under elements of rebellion and staying true to themselves. The capability to characterize their own punk sound is arguably the best aspect of this new and unique punk sound.

New Punk Rises Above The Old Portal to the Third Dimension

Sara Martínez A&E EDITOR

Recently, the Whittier Art Association and Gallery presented a unique art exhibit titled “Inspirations from the Third Dimension” that debuted from Oct. 9 to Nov. 2. The exhibit featured works from members of the 3-Dimensional Artists Group who work in partnership with the Whittier Art Gallery. This exhibit was their 15th showing at the Gallery and was held to honor their 19 year long history.

The Gallery can be rented to hold art collections by various artists, which are open to the public. Some submissions require 15 dollars to have their work put on display if they follow the exhibit's theme. For instance, in the beginning of September, the Gallery had a cat-themed exhibit where the collections depicted cats.

19 different artists presented their work at the exhibit. Pieces ranged from 3-D printing, assembláge, ceramics, fiber and fabrics, gourd work, jewelry, mosaic, and sculpture. Walking into the small gallery–just a 10 minute walk from campus–viewers are immediately emerged into a vivid world full of beautiful pieces.

One of the pieces that stood out to me was a set of rustic wind chimes displayed in the gallery's front window. Both of the chimes featured asymmetrical, irregular objects made both of wood and metal that gave a whimsical feeling and reminded me of the chimes in the

to

Next to that piece was a glazed ceramic light that had the hand sketched image of a flying bird. The glaze on the work generated a warmth that contrasted well with the rustic wind chimes.

Some interesting pieces set in the middle of the room included a trio of wood sculptures. Of these, the one that caught my eye consisted of random materials, including scrabble letters, a wooden stamp, a wooden spatula, an old school mouse trap, and what appeared to be pieces of driftwood.

The assemblage gave a feeling of unique belonging, as one would never imagine those pieces coexisting in a small space yet they went together as if they were formed at the same time during the Big Bang.

On display next to it was another assemblage piece that featured brass, aluminum, and metal fixtures. Although the objects were not identifiable items, the artist manipulated them to appear as if they were everyday household items. Both artworks were alluring and stunning, given that they were made of ordinary materials.

Towards the end of the room against the wall was a 3-D printed sculpture that had been catching my gaze since the beginning of my excursions. It was the bust of a woman who had lustrous coiled black hair and a beautiful monarch butterfly settled perfectly on the tip of her nose.

The fixation of her eyes, focused on the butterfly, made the sculpture feel vibrant and alive since most

bust sculptures are either looking at you or at some other point in space. On the other side of the wall was an exquisite glass art portrait of a cat nestled behind what appeared to be a log.

Overall, the exhibit was a magnificent masterpiece that presented a variety of well formed and curated pieces that demonstrated elegance and creativity. Viewers, including myself, will forever remember the collection of captivating works.

The Gallery hosts many exhibits throughout the year, most free of charge, that celebrate different themes and ideas. Members can sell their artwork at a price of their choice. For more information about the art presented and future exhibits you can visit the galleries website at whittierartgallery.org.

Courtesy of Mr. Sandwich

Courtesy of Florencia Tagliavini

Courtesy of Tyler, the Creater

Courtesy of Kinokuniya Books

movie Bridge

Terabithia (2007).

Punk is not dead as it is said to be.

Photo Courtesy of Steve Oi

The Whittier Gallery premiers its newest exhibit.

Jonathan Burmudez/Quaker Campus

Quaker Campus Quote Of

The Day

"Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world "

-Nelson Mandela

Courtesy of Nemi

Chelsea Bartilad/Quaker Campus