QUAKER CAMPUS November 30, 2023
The voice of Whittier College since 1914
Volume 22— Issue 7
Whittier Launches Whittier Now! Nune Papikyan Photographer
A discussion led by multiple faculty members ocurred on Nov. 15.
joseph jimenez / the daily bruin
Where Are the Israel-Palestine Protests? Anna Gaber HEAD COPY EDITOR
As the Israel-Palestine war has now extended past the one month marker, the College administration has not publicly addressed the conflict since Oct. 10. On that day, Interim President Kristine Dillon sent out an email to the student body concerning Hamas’ attack on Israel, urging those affected to reach out for resources, such as the Counseling Center, but, in regards to the bombing in Gaza, there has been no formal stance nor follow-up on behalf of the College since. Whittier is small and quiet in all
senses, which can be discouraging protests. However, on Nov. 15, a for activism and publicly voicing faculty-led “campus conversation” opinions, with factors like anti-sem- took place in the SLC room 205 itism and Islamophobia that cannot with high attendance and participabe ignored as well. tion in discussion from the student College students from colleges body. like Cal Poly and UCLA have been Professors Ifrana Hashmi, Serkan conducting walkouts and protests Zorba, Ann Kakaliouras, Jason on their campuses, and utilizing Carbine, and Becky Overmysocial media as a platform to voice er-Velásquez were the curators of their opinions and raise awareness. the event. As the professors stated In addition to Cal Poly and at the very beginning, the event was UCLA, students from Chapman intended to provide a “safe space” University, which is similar to for the Whittier community to Whittier in size, also participated in engage in respectful discourse and a protest of the war. Besides a vigil learn about the war. for Israeli victims hosted on Nov. 7 The main takeaway of the event by SAMI, a Jewish club on campus, Whittier has not engaged in any See Israel-Palestine on page 2.
Newsom’s Grant Program: Indigenous Reparations the California Truth and Healing Council, Executive Order N-1519, and N-82-20, all of which are coming to fruition by offering California tribes $100 million in part to buy back their land. In 2022, Newsom announced the $100 million budget proposal to the California Truth and Healing Council for a “tribal nature-based solutions program," this funding to establish the program was ultimately approved in the states 2022-23’ and 2023-24 budget. This grant will help tribes “reacquire those lands to ensure that tribes are back in the stewardship role," as stated by Geneva Thompson, Deputy Secretary of Tribal Affairs for the agency. This demonstrates the Newsom administration’s plans to address climate change through “nature-based” solutions as Thomson states, “we know that the lands benefit and are healthier by being stewarded by tribes and by being lived with in relation to tribal traditional ecological knowledge [and] cultural practices.” This would look like utilizing program funds for forestry management and restoration through cultural burning alongside the returning of ancestral land, as he was expressed as a top priority by tribes present in the discussion regarding the program.
courtesy of grist Grants towards tribes will be distributed in 2024. climate initiatives. One ever-presEstasia McGlothlin STAFF WRITER ent threat to California’s marine environment is offshore oil-drilling, As the California coast struggles which the Chumash people have with extreme levels of pollution and been addressing through a proposed associated rising sea levels, citizens co-managed and federally protected are in search of and advocating for sanctuary between the Chumash, viable solutions. These solutions are other local tribes, and the National in hope to decelerate the anticipat- Oceanic and Atmospheric Admined damage in years to come. It is istration (NOAA). expected that “with limited human The sanctuary would protect intervention, 24 to 75 percent of land that is valuable to California’s Southern California beaches could coastal tribes, such as the Chumash completely erode back to coastal in- People, and would prevent oceanic frastructure or sea cliffs by the year industrial development such as oil 2100.” drilling in an area that spans 156 The course of this projected en- miles of coastline and 7,670 square vironmental damage could be re- miles of ocean. duced by recent efforts such as the Governor Newsom has had a Energy Innovation and Carbon similar approach to the climate criDivided Act and Indigenous-led sis as seen in his establishment of See Reparations on page 3. Life: Indigenous History Month: Is Whittier Doing Enough? Articles: Campus A & E: Strike Over! SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP Reach Agreement
On Nov. 16, a week before Thanksgiving break, Whittier College announced on their website a new means of finding funding for the College. Whittier Now! is an ongoing fundraiser initiative that will be open until Dec. 31 of this year. The Fundraiser asks the Poet community to come together and donate, hoping to reach a goal of $1 million by 2024, which will lead into a five-year plan of achieving $12.5 million in fundraising money. The goal is to increase the alumni inclusion in the fundraising process, something that is led by Whittier College’s Board of Trustees. Several alumni and Board of Trustees have donated towards this plan. The College states that this investment will promote personalized education, social mobility, leadership, and Poet Pride, urging alumni who “love the school” to help current students reach their dreams just as they did before. The College states, “Whittier College graduates change the world. With your support, Whittier will continue to make a difference in the lives of students, families, communities — and the world.” The initiative is part of Interim President Kristine Dillon’s proposed short range strategic plan. The plan pushes to focus on two specific areas to help boost certain aspects of the College’s goal: student enrollment and college fundraising. The organization will focus on creating deeper relationships with high schools and community colleges, strengthening certain aspects of marketing and rely on alumni
and faculty for support. Regarding the fundraising, the article states that it is, “ensur[ing] long-term financial security and sustainability." Why would Whittier College need a fundraiser? Last November, the school issued an email regarding the recent elimination of certain sports programs, including Whittier College’s Football team. At the time, they stated that the $400 million debt was paid down to $42 million. Although the amount is smaller, it is still not enough for the College to be considered in the clear. Does the low enrollment affect the College’s financial status? The simple answer is yes, as stated in an article by CNBC, when a college or university experiences low enrollment there is a more likely chance for the school have financial struggles. “Smaller, less selective schools — and those serving low- and middle-income students — have been the hardest hit,” states the article. As for the fundraising initiative, the College advertises it, urging potential donors to, “Join and broaden our supportive community that preserves and protects what we’ve built. Sustain the highly personalized residential liberal arts experience that has transformed so many lives over generations. Your support will allow us to uphold Whittier’s commitment to student scholarships, faculty excellence, athletics, and challenging, interactive courses.” For now, students will wait until the end of the year to see what this fundraiser has to offer and if it will begin a steady stream of donations that will help the college reach a level of financial stability.
courtesy of whittier college The fundraiser aims to earn $1 million by 2024.
Index:
News — 1, 2, 3 | Sports — 4,5 | Campus Life — 6, 7 | Opinions — 8 | Features —9 | A & E — 10, 11, 12
NEWS
2
Nov. 30, 2023
Students Prompt Discussions About War
bronte wittpen / the chronicle
The College delivered a statement on the Oct. 7 massacre. Israel-Palestine continued from pg. 1 was to discuss how the students who attended felt surrounding the war, with the consensus being that they are frustrated and troubled. There is a shared feeling of not being heard and that the war is not being talked about enough on campus. Along with that, members who participated agreed that no matter what side of the conflict one chooses to support, the loss of innocent human lives is never right nor something to take lightly. As Professor Zorba mentioned, staying silent and “sweeping [the issue] under the rug is [unproductive].” Some students addressed the College’s overall lack of acknowledgement of the issue, a few students expressing their hopes for a discussion of the same manner to take place again, as it was eventually mentioned that the meeting took place during a time when some students were in class. On Nov. 16, the Whittier Student-Worker Alliance held what was essentially a part two to the previous discussion, except it was student-led. Attendance by the student
body was smaller, but the attendees were no less engaged in conversation. Similar sentiments were shared in this discussion as during the faculty-led one, with some additional viewpoints presented by students. To open up the conversation, several students stated that none of their professors had talked about the war in their classes, few had mentioned it, and that only a couple had opened up a discussion about it. It was clear that everyone who participated was either informed enough to confidently engage in discussion–or even take over the conversation–or was open and willing to learn. Some recurring points that participants brought up were the mere atrocities that Gaza and its civilians have seen, not just in reference to Oct. 7 but including several de-
cades prior. Another talking point were the war actics that both Hamas and Israel utilize, including legal loopholes. As the discussion went on in the Quaker-style method of discourse with several topics being covered, some attendees expressed their feelings of helplessness in terms of making an impact, and others stated that they simply wish to learn about the war as they feel media that does cover it is very polarizing, seeing as many informational sources tend to publicize one side of the war more than the other. As stated in both campus meetings, students and faculty present both agreed that talking about the issue is ultimately the most effective and important way of getting involved, staying informed, and making an impact. Further resources that students
-Professor Serkan Zorba
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily henderson
FEATURES EDITOR Emily henderson
DEPUTY EDITOR Alissa portillo
ASST. FEATURES EDITOR Chelsea Bartilad
NEWS EDITOR Sarah Licon ASST. NEWS EDITOR jonathan bermudez
OPINIONS EDITOR Alissa Portillo SPORTS EDITOR Lucy Campbell CAMPUS LIFE Meylina Tran
organization that“seek to empower, unify, and support student organizers as they push forward demands for Palestinian liberation and self-determination on their campuses.” And finally, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) works towards a “just, peaceful, and sustainable world free of violence, inequality, and oppression.” They “join with people and partners worldwide to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.”
“Sweeping [the issue] under the rug is [unproductive.]”
A&E EDITOR Shelby Silva
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR STAFF WRITERS Estasia McGlothlin Piper Guinn alejandra ortega allara baker deanna outten
COPY EDITORS chelsea bartilad paige meyer-draffen
HEAD COPY EDITOR Anna gaber
nune papikyan
FACULTY ADVISOR Joe Donnelly
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 Tuesday at 5 p.m. to make it into that week’s issue. Submissions should be no more than 500 words. Letters should be well-proofread, as they will not be edited. Letters that fall outside of these guidelines will be returned to the author with a request for revision.
emma galvan
PHOTOS EDITOR Julia Centeno
SOCIAL MEDIA Alissa Portillo
Courtesy of Euractv The student body shared opinions about the war.
QUAKER CAMPUS STAFF
MANAGING EDITOR Sage Amdahl
can use to get involved. The professors who organized the discussion made handouts of learning resources for those interested in understanding the war, as well as a list of ways to take action. One way is by directly calling the offices of one’s federal government representative. Another way to get involved is through activist groups like Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), which “fights for the liberation of all people.” Additionally, National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) is an
PHOTOGRAPHERS jacob perez
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.
NEWS
Nov. 30, 2023
3
Land Grants Distributed by Truth and Healing Council
Newsom established the Truth and Healing Council. Reparations continued from page 1.
The Truth and Healing Council is part of an executive order that was issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on June 18, 2019, in which he “apologizes on behalf of the State for the historical ‘violence, exploitation, dispossession and the attempted destruction of communities’ which dislocated the California Native Americans from their ancestral land and sacred practices.” Coinciding with the order’s intention of supporting “tribal self-determination and self-government,” the California Truth and Healing Council was established in order to observe and alter the historical relationship between the State of California and Indigenous peoples
of California. The council’s leadership is headed by Governor Newsom’s Tribal Advisor and is governed by a Governing Council of California indigenous leaders. Upon its creation, Frankie Myers, a member of the Yurok Tribe and Governing Council as the Vice President Chairman of the Northern Region, shared the following sentiments, “this council’s findings must find their way into museums, schoolbooks, legislative hearings and dinner table conservations. Californians should know whose stolen land they live on; wonder whose stolen water they are drinking and appreciate the rich cultures which could never be fully stolen from us." While housing for tribal members
Courtesy of Ca.gov. was an additional concern brought forth by the 45 tribes who were consulted regarding the grant, lands purchased through the program would not be able to be lived on. This alludes to criticisms and concerns that have been brought forward as stated by Muwekma Ohlone Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh, whose tribe was not included in the related Truth and Healing Council Initiative, states “too much focus is on plants and animals and
not the Native people. It’s a perpetuation of colonialism and performative allyship.” The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe is not federally recognized following their loss of that status in 1927 when the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) determined that they were not in need of land. A federally acknowledged tribe is one that “is recognized as having a government-to-government relationship with the United States, with the responsibilities, powers, limitations, and obligations attached to that designation, and is eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs." Being federally recognized “means that the US government accepts the limited independence and sovereignty of a tribe and deals and interacts with it on a government-to-government basis and allows for tribes to access federal funds and grants." Today, there are over 400 Native American tribes that are not federally recognized as obtaining federal acknowledgement, which is a lengthy, and often expensive, pro-
“The reacquisition of ancestral lands is essential to our ability to maintain our cultural practices and pass them on to future generations.” -Chairman Brian Wallace
cess that requires “a nation’s history which has shown continuous existence, political authority, and community since contact.” Despite the countless barriers to receiving federal recognition, the Muwekma Tribe is looking forward to receiving federal recognition following their original submission in 1995 and a lawsuit against the BIA for an unlawfully lengthy reaffirmation process. While federal status may prevent tribes from accessing certain federal funds and programs, California tribes are eligible to apply for Newsom’s grant, regardless of federal recognition status. This applies to the current 110 federally recognized tribes and 81 tribes seeking recognition in California for whom applications for the program were due on Sept. 29, 2023, if they chose to apply. Chairman Brian Wallace of the Round Valley Tribes states, “The reacquisition of ancestral lands is essential to our ability to maintain our cultural practices and pass them on to future generations." He also states that, “this program will help us to reclaim our heritage and build a brighter future for our people.” California tribes who have applied to access grant funds for potential projects and land purchases through the standard grant process can look forward to the award posting date in early to mid-May 2024.
Courtesy of Quaker Campus
4
SPORTS
Nov. 30, 2023
Hoops are High for the Men’s Poet Basketball Team Luca Mancasola
for reliable scorers. Thompson also had high praise for all of his teammates, highlighting Last year, the Whittier Men’s their strengths by revealing, Basketball team posted a (4“Some of our key players are 12) conference record and a Nick and Aamari for their Men’s Basketball at (7-18) overall record. After athleticism. They’re exciting Occidental Collosing five seniors, the team to watch, fast, and they’ll get lege Dec. 2 – 2 PM looks to bounce back this our energy going. Kunal is @ Los Angeles, CA year with a new identity. Inone of our main leaders, and cluding transfers Jake Estep, so is Kevin. Kunal will keep Tyler Watters, Morgan Cox, our heads straight during Ignacio Bettinelli, Roy Kalu, the game. But you’ll want Track and Field vs Aamari Smith, and lone freshto watch Jake and his shoot- Whittier Al-Comers Meet man Sean Cervantes. Returner ing ability. Roy has amazing Courtesy of @ wcpoets. Dec. 2 – TBD The 2023-24 Men’s team only has 12 players rather than their usual 15 Nick Manor-Hall, along with moves. Morgan and Ignacio @ Whittier, CA recently named Captains Tan- on the defensive end, finishing Captain Tanner Thompson Despite the opening loss are going to bring the energy, ner Thompson (Third-year), with three steals and one block. has high hopes and expecta- to UC Santa Cruz, Thomp- and they’re going to do what Kevin Dobson (Fourth-year), This set the tone for the game, tions for the upcoming sea- son isn’t worried. They’re in they can to win. And Tylers is and Kunal Bagga (Fourth- and his teammates followed. son. Describing a sense of op- the process of becoming fully a 6’ 9“ player who will dunk year), bring leadership from They’d race back to defend and timism felt in the locker room, accustomed and comfortable everything, so he’s exciting Women’s Baskettheir experience playing in the get into position after every he states that the team “got a with playing together. “We’re to watch.” The team is just ball at Occidental SCIAC conference in past sea- possession, putting the team’s brand new team full of new a brand new team. These are getting started and has a ton College sons. focus and unity on display for faces, which is actually quite the first games we’ve ever of potential as they work on Dec. 2 – 4 PM The Poets kicked off their everyone in the gym to see. The nice. Everyone’s got a clean played with each other. So combining these unique skill @ Los Angeles, CA season with a home open- game went back and forth, with slate, everyone’s ready to go. I’m not surprised it’s going sets to close out games. er against UC Santa Cruz. the Banana Slugs resisting to They’re in a new place, a new the way it is. we’re not losing Tanner Thompson has They met last season and were give up their 10-point lead. area; there’s a little bit of ex- by much. We’re right there.” grown over the years, changhoping to rewrite the story The Poets continued to put citement to that.” Establishing a connection ing how he approaches life this time around. The game up a fight, with others stepSpeaking from experience, takes time, but the team is and the game of basketball. Men’s Basketball at started at 7 p.m. on Friday, ping up to contribute. Kevin Thompson entered Whittier certainly up for the challenge. He’s done this with the help CSU Bakersfield Nov. 10. Students, faculty, Do b s o n h a d a n i m p r e s - as a First-year and is current- He also mentioned they could of Coach Mark Jensen, who Dec. 5 – 7 PM and members of the commu- sive 13-point, 6 assists night. ly playing as a Third-year. He improve upon staying calm, has given him valuable advice @ Bakersfield, CA nity filled the Graham Ath- Jake Estep showed off his was enthusiastic about the cool, and collected towards and life lessons. letic Center with anticipation range, landing four of eight team’s future, giving insight the end of games. Going on C o n v e y i n g w h a t h e’s right before tip-off. The first three-pointers attempted, and into what they can expect this to express the importance of learned so far, Jenson states, game was underway as Aamari Nick Manor-Hall caught fire season. “We’ll be very fun to this: “It’s in those high ener- “What he’s taught me is basSmith flashed his skills early, with 16 points. watch. We like to press teams, gy, big moments that we need ketball isn’t life. It’s a teacher Women’s Basgliding down the court. He Even though the Poets even- get up on them, use our length to capitalize.” for life… Always making sure showed a determination to tually lost by 11, it felt like they and our size. We try to push Thompson believes every to remind you to keep push- ketball at Clarescore, putting up 22 points by were in it the entire time. Their the pace, meaning more shots player should get a chance ing forward and never live in mont-Mudd-Scripps creating space for jump shots hustle and grit ensured the during a game, which will to shine, especially with the those negative thoughts. If Colleges and attacking the rim when game was at least competitive mean numerous positions, team’s roster down to 12 play- you have a positive mentality, Dec. 6 – 7 PM necessary. This had the crowd and close as the team’s chemis- more threes, more fast breaks; ers from their usual 15. Play- your outlook on life will be @ Claremont, CA invested, and the gym got try continued to develop, and , similar to an NBA style,” ing time for all team members exactly what it needs to be,” louder with each ‘swish’. His their playing styles grew more stated Thompson confidently would allow every player to states Thompson, showing competitive spirit also showed congruently in the meantime. and with strong conviction. earn a role as the team looks great respect for his coach. STAFF WRITER
Men’s Basketball vs Park University Gilbert (Az.) separate you? Are you deOlivia Nunez Dec. 14 – 7 PM STAFF WRITER “You learn from failure. You’re gonna go 0-for-25, 0-for-30. fined by 0-for-25?” Scioscia @ Graham Athletic ended his kind sentiments What’s gonna separate you? Are you defined by 0-for-25?” to the Poet’s concluding Center Whittier, CA Villalobos Hall was painted with Dodger blue for “Allthat, “You’re going to stumStar Evening at the Institute ble. It’s how you contribute. of Baseball Studies” on Nov. You’re there for the team.” 14. The Institute for Baseball players Mike Scioscia and and when that seemed unlike- pride, watched with great adThe panel members ex- Men’s Basketball vs Studies put on the event and Mickey Hatcher. Kee was the ly, his focus became baseball. miration, awe, and laughter pressed their opinions of La Sierra was well-received by baseball Dodgers’ team photographer Scioscia was a first-round pick with each reminiscent story modern baseball rules, shadUniversity lovers. at the height of his career, for the Dodgers, winning two shared. As Fred Claire puts it, owed by their fidelity to the Dec. 18 – 1 PM Fred Claire, the former and Mike Scioscia and Mick- World Series titles, manag- the team simply had “the right “old ways.” Claire shared his @ Graham Athletic Dodgers General Manag- ey Hatcher were integral ing the Angels (including the ingredients,” he stated when reverence for the Dodgers Center Whittier, CA er from 1987 to 1998 also members of the beloved 1988 2001 season when they won reflecting on his assemblage of organization and what it made an appearance, sharing Dodger team who had won the World Series), and contin- the team, especially after sign- stood for back when he was his deeply rooted connection the World Series under the ues to be a legendary presence ing Kirk Gibson, the group’s general manager, exclaimto Whittier and how it pro- guidance of former Dodgers in the Dodger organization. ing, “When you put on that backbone. pelled his career in baseball. manager Tommy Lasorda. Mickey Hatcher, on the Scioscia’s attention, after Dodger uniform, you have Women’s BasketClaire discussed his beginDirector Joe Price start- other hand, recalled sleeping noticing our very own Whit- an obligation. You treasure ball vs Benedictine nings at the Whittier Daily ed off the night in full swing, in his little league uniform tier Poet baseball team’s the Dodger uniform.” AlUniversity News as a sports journalist posing the very first insight- the day before his first game, players sitting in the back, though time cut the converDec. 20 – 1 PM and the privilege he had of ful question to the esteemed which began a lifelong love for quickly was directed towards sation short, the audience @ Whittier, CA covering the Dodgers’ estab- panel members, asking, baseball. Hatcher did not play them and a discussion about seemed to have been able to lishment in Los Angeles in “When did you all first fall in many games in the ’88 season, failure sparking a turn in the stay for hours more of the 1958. Fred Claire has been an love with baseball?” It was a but brought a positive mentali- conversation. With regard to panel’s witty stories. Nostalessential partner of the Insti- question that was at first re- ty to the team as a “Stuntmen,” the adversity often faced by gia kept the crowd attentive, tute for Baseball Studies with ceived with quiet contempla- as they called themselves, who baseball players, Scioscia of- regardless of the various ages Women’s Baskethis contributions of primary tion by the Dodgers legends were the utility players used as fered inspiring advice to the and backgrounds present in ball at CSU Bakersdocuments and other arti- with Mike Scioscia finally ad- relief for the starters. Poet players about how to that room on that night. field facts donated for students. mitting that football was his The players, playfully tak- push past harsh boundaries in This article has been conThree more members of first love and that baseball did ing turns poking fun at each a game that is 70 percent fail- densded for print. If you Dec. 21 -- 1 PM the all-star panel were intro- not become his sport until other, were eager to sing each ure, stating,“You learn from would like to read the full @ Bakersfield, CA duced including photogra- 1975. Scioscia’s dream was to other’s praise, as the audnece, failure. You’re gonna go 0-for- article, visit medium.com/ pher Richard Kee and former play football for Penn State, donning Dodger apparel with 25, 0-for-30. What’s gonna the-quaker-campus.
Decked Out in Blue: Dodger Stars Come To Whittier -Dodger Alum Mike Sciosca
Nov. 30, 2023
SPORTS
5
Good Things Come in Twos: The Traylor Soccer Sisters Olivia Nunez
Maddy’s impressive performance against the University of Redlands, where she scored The Traylor sisters are half of her season’s goals, a the breath of fresh air the SCIAC-best four in one game, women’s soccer team needand her ability to assist in other ed to push them further goals led to her recognition as up the SCIAC standings Newcomer of the Year. Scorthis season. Layla Traylor ing three game-winning goals, (third-year) and Madeline Maddy shows her impressive Traylor (first-year) have led ability to perform under presthe team in goals scored, sure and her potential to be the points made by an athlete, Poets’ playmaker for years to shots taken, and shots on come. She attributes her accligoal - statistics crucial for mation to the extensive team winning soccer games. They bonding during the off-season Tony Leon / Tony@Actionwestphotography.com and having her sister, Layla, made aggressive strides in Maddy Traylor was gifted the 2023-24 Newcomer of the Year Award. 15 games played, efforts be seen as a telepathic con- Layla Traylor is in her third SCIAC standings, which how this season’s experience as a support system. “Whittier recognized by other coach- nection that allows them to season as a Poet, exuding the the Traylor sisters believe was notably more promis- has welcomed her with open es in the conference, which artfully attack any opposing kind of self-assurance that does not reflect the team’s ing. “Definitely Maddy arms, and I’m just glad it’s done resulted in Layla earning defense, the two often suc- comes from playing her sport potential. Layla dwelled on coming in,” gushed the old- the same for me,” Maddy exSecond Team All-SCIAC ceed in the daunting task of for so long and doing it well. the season, “We had a great er sister, Layla. pressed, affirming how playing For some first-years, ad- in a nurturing environment has and Maddy racking First getting past the goalkeeper. In the previous season, she team, and we could have Both sisters looked at led the team in goals scored gotten where we wanted to, justing to the pressure of be- fostered greatness. Team All-SCIAC and SCIAC Newcomer of the Year. each other with a knowing and has continued her level like make it to the end, but ing a student-athlete takes Layla cemented her sister’s Alanis Cervantes earned the smile when asked if playing of play into this 2023 sea- it was just the couple games a while. Their first year is notions about the many beneSecond Team All-SCIAC together allowed them to son. As a third-year, Layla where we wanted it to go often about them gaining fits of playing with a close comaward in her second year as perform at such a high level. imparts her experiences and our way, and it didn’t.” The their footing on the team panion such as a sister figure by “We’ve always played with knowledge of the game to the team employed a “get the and establishing the all-en- remarking, “Me and Maddy, a Poet. The offensive athletic each other ever since we newcomers, creating a sense next one” mentality that got compassing aspect of col- we always just work for each weapons that are the Traylor were young. [We] just al- of team camaraderie that will them through those chal- lege life. This was not true other. If I see her playing 110 sisters scored a combined ways know where we are on undoubtedly impact years of lenging games. “[Our team] for this year’s Newcomer of [percent], I’m going to play 13 goals, almost half of the the field, like, we have good players to come. Her exem- has this thing called ‘Dory the Year. Maddy burst onto 120.” The Traylor sisters are dyamount scored in the sea- chemistry.” Layla, the more plary work ethic is displayed memory,’ and it’s just like, the field as if she had been namic athletes who cemented son for the Poets. Maddy experienced of the duo, in the speed she never loses just forget about it…shake it playing there for years. As a themselves as stars in their first led the team (and SCIAC dotes on her young sister, and her perpetually positive off and keep going.” This is young player, she compet- year together. Their recent recsimply one of the ways Lay- ed with girls who were two ognition is well-deserved and conference) with eight goals saying, “She’s like one of the mindset in any situation. few people that can keep up la’s experience has been an years older, which allowed shows only a glimpse of their The women’s soccer team and two assists, while Laywith me; she has the same integral part of the season. her to assert herself as the future contributions. It will be had a 5-7-3 overall record la was not far behind with speed as me, the same work Both sisters seemed eager most powerful offensive exciting to see what they do with a .433 win percentfive goals and four assists. As age. They finished sixth in for the future when asked member of the team. the sisters share what could ethic.” next season! STAFF WRITER
The Multi-Faceted Role of the Director of Poet Athletics
Shelby Silva
tertainment for students and ulty, support staff, and new Our coaches needed to have high rate because the staff raising efforts. Overall, the the greater community. He administrators appreciate confidence that our stu- is working tirelessly to de- areas of concern are being perceives our student-ath- the multi-dimensional value dents would have a place to liver on those expectations. addressed, and now it is Whittier College alumnus letes as exceptional leaders, athletics brings to our com- play and an opportunity to When addressing concerns about execution.” Regarding the future of Rock Carter, class of ‘89, with dedicated coaches and munity in many areas, like be successful. We have to about the future of sports has dedicated himself to the staff serving as their men- enrollment, culture, lead- get their trust back, and I programs and any potential the athletics program, Carbetterment of the institution tors. Carter emphasizes ership, and social life, and believe our coaches are be- discontinuations, Carter ter reveals, “We will conthrough unwavering com- that they aim to integrate have worked together and lieving, and our students reassures, “There has been tinue to recruit, coach, and mitment and a multi-faceted these programs seamlessly are eager to support our stu- are feeling heard again. Our no talk of discontinuing guide our athletes to be role in the athletics depart- into the wider college com- dent-athletes. Departments coaches once again believe any other programs, and I involved and give them the ment as a student-athlete, munity. He also mentions have worked together with in the product which they have the utmost confidence best game day experience we coach, and administrator. that administrators have the athletics department are offering. Our coaches that the remaining sports can afford. We have added His journey at Whittier as clarified that athletics is in- in their return to campus have emphasized not only will continue, we will work two new positions to our an undergraduate student tegral to the Whittier expe- events, as well as traditional re c r u i t i n g q u a l i t y a t h - hard as a staff to make them department that help with events like Homecoming, the letes but quality individuals thrive.” the wellness and health of included two seasons on the rience. While Carter acknowl- “Dig Pink” event, and Mid- that will impact the insti- Carter shares insights the general population, as basketball team, culminattution as a whole.” Carter from a recent Board of well as our student-athletes’ ing in the attainment of his edges the challenges posed night Madness. Carter emphasizes the believes that student-ath- Trustees meeting, where success and personal develBachelor of Arts in physical by the discontinuation of education. Following this, sports programs, he also importance of regaining stu- letes chose Whittier Col- there was a deliberate focus opment. We are excited that he pursued a Master of Arts sees how this adversity has dents’ trust and explains, lege because they wanted on enhancing the athletic we are in the position to be in education administration. brought different facets of “The resilience our stu- all of the experiences they offerings and utilizing staff, able to reach out to so many Carter’s affiliation with the institution closer to- dent-athletes and our staff were promised during en- faculty, and alums more ef- areas of our students’ lives.” Moving forward, Carthe College dates back to gether. He notes that fac- have shown is inspiring. rollment and retained at a fectively while seeking new resources to promote and ter hopes that the admin1990, and in 2018, he market athletics and stu- istration continues to see took on the role of Interim dent-athletes, given their the athletics department’s Director of Athletics after achievements on and off the positive impact on the colbeing officially endorsed by field. Carter adds, “We are lege and its students. He President Emeritus Linda bridging our relationship declares, “We want to be a Oubré. with enrollment to help strong program built on the Currently, he serves as the identify and strategize ways Division III principles of deDirector of Athletics, with to support each other. Our veloping student-athlete poa primary objective of foscoaches are being invited to tential through a holistic tering stronger trust and enrollment events, and en- educational approach that collaboration between sturollment will always be wel- includes strong academdent-athletes, coaches, and comed at athletic recruiting ics, competitive athletics, the institution as a whole, events to lend their exper- and opportunities to purespecially following the tise. Our Development Of- sue other interests and pasdiscontinuation of certain fice is working closely with sions. We are committed sports programs last year. us in helping to promote to an all-inclusive environCarter remains resolute in our internal fundrais- ment and encourage our his belief that athletic proers as well as looking for athletes to integrate into grams at Whittier College Courtesy of Whittier College ways to expand our fund- Whittier College.” provide more than just en- Carter has worked at Whittier College since 1990. A&E EDITOR
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CAMPUS LIFE
Nov. 30, 2023
Native American Heritage Month: Is Whittier Doing Enough? Calendar is subject to change. To learn more, visit whittier.campuslabs.com/engage. “All in the Timing” • Thursday & Friday, Nov. 30 & Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. / Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 2 & 3 at 2 p.m. • Shannon Center Whittier Scholars Program Fall 2023 Senior Symposium • Thursday, Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m. • Diehl 118 ASWC Senate Advocacy & Student Feedback Committee Meeting • Friday, Dec. 1 at noon. • ASWC Senate Office (Campus Center 126) Ti Leaf Lei Making • Friday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. • Campus Courtyard
Emma Galvan COPY EDITOR
Na t i v e A m e r i c a n H e r i t a g e Month—also referred to as Indigenous Heritage Month—takes place in November. It celebrates the culture, achievements, contributions, and history of Indigenous peoples that have been uncovered throughout history. The celebration of this month began in 1990 when President George H.W. Bush signed it into law, now being celebrated every November since then. Whittier College itself has its own history of celebrating Indigenous people. According to the Office of Equity and Inclusion’s Director Francisco Gomez, the College had an active Native American student group, “Which we hope to be able to come back and provide the support for Indigenous identified students on our campus.” The club itself, the United Indigenous Peoples and Nations
Club, was started in 2019 by alum Esai Cervantes ‘20. As advertised on the Whittier College website, Cervantes formed the club because he wanted to provide “some visibility of who we are.” One of the College’s notable alumni, former President Richard Nixon, signed over 50 measures to support Native American communities across the country. He also returned some of their sacred land because he was inspired by his college football mentor, Wallace Newman, who was of Luiseño/ Payómkawichum descent. But what is the College currently doing for this year’s celebrations? One of the few events during the month was on Nov. 15, in front of the SLC, a tabling event that discussed the contributions people of Native American descent have made and how they impact today’s society. Similarly, according to Gomez, OEI sent an email out to the community “acknowledging this
Sky Zone Glow Night Excursion • Friday, Dec. 1 7 p.m. • OSE & Sky Zone Cerritos Holiday Dinner 2023: A Celebration of Love • Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. • Memorial Chapel Virtual Care Group Tabling • Monday, Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. • CI Promotional Table Lei Making for Ball Residents • Monday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. • Ball Main Lounge Jumpstart Your Journal • Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. • PHE Office CAAS Hour @ VRC • Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 12:30 p.m. • Veteran Resource Center Karaoke Night Social • Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. • Club 88 Athenian Society Recruitment Events • Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. • SLC 507 Math 80 Final Exam Review Session • Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m. • SLC 309 It’s a Vibe, Sis • Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 4:30 p.m. • SLC 510 Winter Wonderland De-Stress Day • Thursday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. • North Lawn Pre-Finals Study Party! with Sigma Tau Delta • Thursday, Dec. 7 at noon • Hoover 108
Courtesy of iStock Native American Heritage Month almost went unnoticed on campus.
important month,” and “resources that folks can engage with to learn more about the month and how they can support Native American communities.” The OEI also co-hosted the “Makahiki—Hawaiian Olympic Games” event with Housing and Residential Life and the Office of Student Engagement on Nov. 15. The event intended to honor and celebrate Hawaiian Indigenous culture. Comparing the past to the present, the College has been adding more events, acknowledging the importance of Native American communities so that others can learn about them. This has been a vast improvement from previous years. More students are given opportunities to learn about Native American culture and history, especially so close to Thanksgiving, which is often seen as a glorification of colonization. However, the College could always do more. The United Indigenous Peoples and Nations Club could return, and like Gomez stated, more events could be made to encourage more awareness of Native American culture and sense of identity. The events hosted by the College were discreet with very little prior advertisement on social media. A “Thriving Authentically: Indigenous and Native Community, Career, and Culture” event was scheduled to be held in the Dezember House on Nov. 14 (however, the event was postponed). Similarly, the tabling had no photos taken nor posts made of it, despite it be-
ing something of importance, and while it was raining that day, it should still be recognized. Why is Native American Heritage Month important? According to Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Henry Gee, “the acknowledgement and inclusion of people and persons that have been marginalized, ignored, neglected, or, sadly, forgotten, must be remembered, shown acknowledgement, and feel seen and heard.” Gee added, “You have heard that representation matters, and thus [so] does acknowledgement. Much like we have land acknowledgements to recognize that we are all settlers on this land, we should acknowledge the people whose land we have settled on.” The month is dedicated to rewriting any glorification of what has happened in the country’s past—how the Native Americans were horribly treated again and again, even today as tribes are still fighting to reclaim land from certain areas. As Gomez states, “This month allows us to reflect on ways that we can support Indigenous communities both locally and nationally.” Native American Heritage Month should never go unnoticed; it is a crucial time where we can see the wrong in what has been done historically. Although the College hosted events this month that were mature ways of teaching and acknowledging history, the question remains: what will they do next November?
Students Seek Sustainable Practices Alissa Portillo DEPUTY EDITOR
It is no surprise that the fight for more sustainably lead choices still remains enacted today. We see it in modern media where activists urge our political leaders to implement stronger restrictions to keep Earth and our environment a safer space from harmful chemicals and waste. Everything from factory machinery to keeping our oceans clean, and boycotting against fast fashion companies like Fashion Nova, H&M, and more; activists who value sustainability in our world continue to advocate and educate
the public about sustainability and the harmful effects of non-sustainable choices on our environment and ourselves. It is not yet another surprise that some of our fellow Whittier College students are partaking in advocacy and sustainability education with their own projects this semester. Let me introduce these groups of students and the projects that they will be presenting on campus to promote better choices to influence sustainability!
a member of the group voiced, “We think it’s important to call for action, and spread awareness about this issue because the fashion industry is one of the largest polluters, and leads to a lot of exploitation of workers.” With this said, the group also has an Instagram account that promotes future events and helpful tips, and spreads awareness of the harmful effects of fast fashion and the influence of textile industries. You can follow their Instagram page @threadcycle.wc. The group is Group 1: Threadcycle currently planning a clothing swap The project is aimed at promot- event when students return back on ing sustainable fashion choices and campus from Thanksgiving break. reducing textile waste. Kyra Johns, The date or time is yet unknown. However, they will be updating their Instagram with the information when it is finalized!
Group 2: Lights Off @ Whittier Collge The purpose of Lights Off @ Whittier College is to encourage students, with a strong emphasis on residential students, to reinforce the importance of turning off lights when they are not in use and use natural light whenever possible instead. Duncan Smith shared the group’s research regarding this issue: “Research has shown that a plurality Courtesy of Lights Off @ Whittier College (31 percent) of all electricity used at college buildings nationwide comes Students take sustainability into their own hands.
from lightbulb usage and that a majority (about 60 percent) of the nation’s electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels.” Smith continued to express that students can engage in their campaign by following their Instagram (@lightsoff.wc) and taking a pledge in their advocacy by submitting your #lightsoffpledge, which is a form that you will have access to via their Linktree located on their Instagram bio! Smith leaves a lasting impact, stating, “We will all, over time, need to fundamentally change our lifestyles to combat climate change, but that isn’t something that can or will happen overnight, unfortunately. With Lights Off @ Whittier College, we are trying to show people that something as small as switching off a light switch can actually have a very profound and positive effect on the environment.” Students at Whittier continue to do great things for not just campus life, but for the world! We hope that students will engage in these activities and participate in these advocacy remedies for sustainability issues that are prevalent in the modern day. Don’t forget to follow all accounts, keep up with future events hosted by these groups, and fight for better change!
CAMPUS LIFE Are Poets Ready For Post-Grad?
Nov. 30, 2023
Chelsea Bartilad ASST. FEATURES EDITOR
A common expectation that many people have is that college is the end-all, be-all of life. Study hard, do good in your classes, and get accepted into a good university. This was the expectation that was ingrained into us growing up. But what happens after college? What comes next? Earlier this year, the mental health nonprofit Mary Christie Institute surveyed 1,005 college graduates ages 22-28 to gain a better understanding of their early professional careers. According to the survey, 39 percent of individuals felt unprepared for the mental and emotional transition to the workplace, along with more than half (53 percent) of respondents experiencing feelings of burnout. In another survey conducted by Cengage, an education technology company, 40 percent of their respondents stated they occasionally or rarely use the skills they developed in college. The CEO of Cengage, Micheal Hansen, addresses this in an article from University Business: “As more students question the value of a degree; colleges, universities, and the partners that support these institutions need to invest as much [into] job-ready skills—such as effective communication and people management— as they do traditional academics. There is an opportunity to evolve the current systems of higher edu-
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cation and integrate career preparation, certification(s), and internships into course curricula.” How does this apply to Whittier students? In a recent poll conducted by the Quaker Campus on Instagram, 36 percent of graduating seniors feel “slightly prepared” for life after college while 64 percent responded with “unprepared”. Among those who feel unprepared, 62 percent answered that finding employment in their chosen field after graduation is a major concern for them. For those who do feel prepared for after graduation, 43 percent stated they feel prepared for Courtesy of University of Canterbury post-graduation life because they Students feel insecure about post-graduate life. received help from their families College hasn’t really done anything “the idea of getting it right.” Arana It’s a conversation that not just our and loved ones. Another 43 percent for me as a whole, as much as the says, “There’s a lot of conversation department has had, but multiple reported it was because they learned Theater Department has.” that happens around that to make departments and schools, to identifrom their own research, and 14 Located on the upper campus sure that you each understand that fy what is the perfect formula and percent disclosed that it was be- inside College Hall, the Center for everyone’s situation, everyone’s get students engaged and attend cause they received guidance from Career and Professional Develop- journey is different.” She adds, events.” the centers and faculty on campus. ment serves as the main resource “We see a lot of those [concerns], While there are resources proWhile the survey does not represent for students to prepare them for the and that allows for us to focus spe- vided to students, this brings the the entirety of the graduating class, professional field after graduation. cifically on the student and their question of whether they are aware it reflects some of their thoughts Along with personal career coach- concerns, and help them build an of what’s available for them.Thirdand concerns regarding life after ing, the Career Center hosts panels, action plan around their specific year Kat Shum states that there graduation. workshops, training, career fairs, needs.” Something she has noticed needs to be more outreach and covAccording to fourth-year Joel and summits, in addition to career recently is the drop of student en- erage for students. “I think one of Adell, a Theater major who has at- curriculum and assessment. While gagement in their events. “We do as the major problems is trying to talk tended Whittier all four years, it’s these events and services are geared much as we can to get the word out to students and get them the inforWhittier’s academic departments towards current students, the Ca- in different ways, but I don’t think mation they need,” she says. “Ultiand their professors that bring sup- reer Center provides the same we get a lot of student engagement,” mately, I think Whittier does try to port to their students. “A lot of pro- support for alumni as well. These Arana notes, “If we see 10, 15 stu- steer you in the right direction, but fessors in the [Theater] Department events and services can be accessed dents at different events, it’s good. they give you a basic outline of what have helped me so far for post-grad through Handshake. [But] we would love to see 30-40 you should want and the rest is left options. I think each department Sandra Arana, the Director of the plus students, especially when we for the student to figure out. Which prepares their students for their Career Center, notes that a com- have employers coming to campus isn’t exactly helpful for those who careers,” he says. Adell adds, “The mon concern amongst students is and want to hire our students [...] don’t fully know what they want.”
Courtesy of Global Poets
OPINIONS
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Nov. 30, 2023
The Big F Word: Trump The Fascist Jonathan Bermudez ASST. NEWS EDITOR
On Nov. 11, former President Donald Trump held a rally in Claremont, VA. This rally is infamous, as are most Trump rallies, but for a different reason than calling out the Democrat party and saying the 2020 election was rigged. It is being called out for Trump using fascist rhetoric to push his campaign for 2024. This rhetoric was pointed out by John Cassidy of The New Yorker. He says that Trump uses the word “vermin” in a similar way that known fascists, like Adolf Hitler, have used to describe their opposition. “In honor of our great veterans on Veterans Day, we pledge to you that we will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists, and the radical-left thugs
that live like vermin in the confines of our country,” Trump said at his rally. Cassidy pointed out that Hitler made a similar remark about “vermin” back in 1934: “If I can send the flower of the German nation into the hell of war without the smallest pity, then surely I have the right to remove millions of an inferior race that breeds like vermin!” It’s no doubt that his supporters think the way he does. To them, Trump is God and king, but this raises the concerning question: are we becoming a fascist country? The answer, unfortunately, is starting to look like a yes. It’s evident in the media that this is true. One way in which fascists try to establish their agenda is by pushing the same idea that Trump has always pushed about “fake
America’s Trumpism is declaring fascism.
news”. They discredit journalists and news outlets so that information can be monetized and censored, and it has worked on his supporters. There are countless interviews where Trump supporters denounce Fox News, CNN, or any news media sources because Trump said they are “not credible,” or that they put out “fake news.” Though some of the news outlets truly aren’t credible, it still affects journalists who actually want to tell the truth and spread awareness. Another example of the country becoming fascist is the turnover of Roe v. Wade. Women were literally stripped of their right to bodily autonomy. The Supreme Court wanted to hide the real reason behind the confines of religion, but there is no way to not look at this without thinking of fascism.
Courtesy of Shay Horse / Getty Images
In most recent times, there is talk from Republican candidates about abolishing the Department of Education. They argue that schools are teaching kids about sex and homosexuality and that it is pedophilic. These claims have been debunked and proven false but since Trump supporters think that news is fake, you can’t really prove them wrong because they are notorious for being so set in their opinions and beliefs. So, what can you do? How do we fight fascism in this country? For starters, we need to think critically. A common belief among Trump supporters is that everything that Trump says is true. They don’t see what is really happening, they don’t see that Trump does not care about them. A prime example is the attack on the Capitol building on Jan. 6. He provoked his followers to attack, yet he never showed up. He hardly even tried to de-escalate the situation, which led to one death and countless arrests as well as significant destruction to government property. With all this said, there is no way of knowing how the nation is going to turn out in the future since this occurred and what may be held in the future. All we can do is think critically and support each other in the fight against oppression.
Final Exams: A Big Win Or Fail For Students? Nune Papikyan PHOTOGRAPHER
Every year, around this time, college students are the most stressed they have ever been. Finals week is a highly unanticipated week of pure mental torture, in which college students are either preparing for or are taking their final exams. Not all finals are exams though. Sometimes a course ends with a final project or paper, making it slightly less stressful as it isn’t something a student will have to cram for. As someone who hasn’t taken a final exam in quite some time due to the manner of the courses I take, I still understand the stress and the heavy weight it puts on students. But students all have the same question; why do we have finals in the first place? According to Harvard, final exams are “capstone assignments” to “set at the end of courses in order to give students (and instructors) the opportunity to synthesize and reflect on the full arc of the semester.” In other words, it’s a way for professors to determine what students have learned by the end of the course. But why must a student cram course information to the point of exhaustion and fatigue to be able to prove that they have been able to keep up with the work thus far?
If a final exam is meant to show a professor what the student has been able to retain from their class, why would they have to study for it? It wouldn’t prove the point of anything, only that the student is able to study and fill their brains up with information a week, a few days, or even a day in advance. Building up study techniques is of course important if someone is preparing to enter higher education, and is required to take exams such as the LSAT or MCAT. But from personal experience, cramming is only a means of temporarily memorizing a piece of information. It will not help you in the long run if you are trying to pursue a higher education. Study techniques are important not just for helping a student study for a test, but also retain that knowledge without fear of it leaving their brain, leaving a lasting impact of memory recall. So, if final exams are essentially not useful or impactful, what are some alternatives that would be better than a final exam? Some courses that I have taken have had useful forms of putting learned skills to the test. Even though they can be stressful, which is bound to be true with any form of final, research papers are a way to demonstrate to your professor what skills you have learned from the class, and possibly learn some-
Dear Poet, What do I do with a narcissistic mother-in-law? Sincerely, A Frustrated Poet Dear Poet, For as long as the concept of love has existed, there have always been terrible mother-in-laws. I don’t think there’s any way where you can solely “fix” your mother-in-law or make her a better person. That’s something she’s gotta work on by herself. But for the sake of your partnership and mental health let’s talk about some strategies you can use to tolerate your mother-in-law. Your partner is going to be key in dealing with your mother-in-law. They are going to be one of your biggest support systems and can even help you enforce boundaries with her. Make sure that you both continue to strengthen your communication skills. Guard your emotions from her and try not to give her anything that she can feed off of. At the end of the day, remember that she’s the problem. Don’t waste your time feeling bad for her, because that’s probably what she wants in the first place. If I was to be even more petty, I’d tell you to use gentle parenting techniques with her. Because nothing makes me more upset than when a whole, full-grown adult doesn’t know how to communicate their needs. So if needed, put everything in simple terms so that she can understand. Here are some phrases for you to practice and what to use them for: “No friend! We all have to mind our own bodies! Got it, got it?” Use this when she decides it’s okay to make comments on other people’s bodies. “I need watching eyes and listening ears” is very helpful when you need her to listen to you. Make sure you point to your eyes and your ears when you say this.
Julia Centeno / Quaker Campus Are final exams accuately representing students knowledge?
thing new as well. A research paper allows a student to take advantage of free resources, such as the Whittier College Library website, to find articles that will aid them in defending the argument for their paper. Another alternative to final exams can be a final project, it can be something creative that presents the professor with the new skills you’ve learned, because projects can sometimes be fun, especially when you are given creative freedom to do anything you like. Sadly, for now students will continue to stay stressed for a short-term memory recall, and
find themselves drowning in an endless loop of studying and taking exams until the semester has finished. What would it be like if we were to have alternatives to these finals? Students could be less stressed, and be able to work in a space they are comfortable in rather than in a classroom where they are timed. Of course, they would have a due date, but that is more manageable than a few hours of sitting in the same place and spewing knowledge onto a paper. For now, we can only dream of these alternative forms of finals, unless you are in a course that already has this form of final.
And finally, if she’s talking over you, you can use my favorite phrase ever, “Catch a bubble!” At the very least, it’ll catch her off guard and she’ll have to stop to think about what you just said. I hope this was helpful. If it makes you feel any better, I think you’re a really good person and partner for choosing to work around your mother-in-law instead of running the other way. You’re a real one! Good Luck, A Poet P.S. remember that at the end of the day, you are in a relationship with your partner, not their family. We can hope for amazing relationships with our in-laws, but that does not always happen. Stand firm in your boundaries and choose peace!
Nov. 30, 2023
FEATURES
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Henry Andersen: Certified “Professional Generalist” Chelsea Bartilad
ASST. FEATURES EDITOR
On a sunny afternoon in Hoover Hall, chatter fills the classrooms as students sit down for their end of the day classes. Across from one of those classrooms is an open door to Hoover 111 - the office of Professor Henry Andersen, the newest lecturer in the Department of Business Administration. Born with a bi-cultural background, Professor Henry Andersen grew up in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts before moving to Tokyo, Japan, where he spent his elementary years before moving back to the States after three years. Growing up half-Japanese on the East Coast, Andersen mentions how his time abroad influenced him as an individual. “I always felt different,” he says thoughtfully, “I guess living abroad made me aware that I was different, and made me realize that different people have different backgrounds and qualities.” After graduating high school, Andersen attended undergrad at Harvard University. “I originally wanted to be a Philosophy major,” he says humorously. According to Andersen, students could not graduate Magna Cum Laude unless they received a B or above in their majors. “So every time I got a C, I’d switch majors,” he says with an amused smile. Like many college students unsure of what to do, he was beginning to panic. “I was already a junior at that time,” he recalls, “The only thing I could do at that point was Japanese.” After officially declaring a major in Jap-
anese, Andersen spent a summer in Japan researching for his senior thesis project. During his time back in Japan, Andersen enjoyed living in his childhood country, prompting him to stay longer. While working as a newscaster, Andersen decided to pursue a masters in Journalism at Columbia University. “Ironically, I decided that I didn’t want to be a journalist,” he notes. Eager to be out and about in the world, Andersen was not interested in slowly working his way up in a major newspaper. “I want to go abroad now,’’’ he had thought to himself. After graduating, Andersen coincidentally learned about INSEAD’s
ing time with people and getting to know more about them. “I like people, [and] studying about people,” he says with a smile, “And marketing is about understanding the consumer. Of all the business fields, marketing is the one I found the most interesting.” Andersen was sent to work as the Assistant to the President in Rio de Janeiro under Columbia Pictures. The ladder seemed out of the blue for Andersen. “‘Why Rio?’” he had asked, confused about the sudden change. At the time, Andersen had no interest in going to Brazil. Despite this, he packed his bags. Although he was no stranger to new places, Brazil was a major change,
ter consumer production, where he worked as the Strategic Planning Manager at Kimberly-Clark at their Brazilian subsidiary. After five years of living in Brazil, Andersen and his family moved to the States, and later to London, where he worked at Mitsubishi. During his time there, Andersen had meetings with the different European subsidiaries and distributors, discussing how they can innovate themselves as a company. “It might have been one of the most exciting, at least inside companies,” he recalls thoughtfully. When he received an offer to teach in Japan, he jumped at the opportunity, teaching Management
“I always want to learn something new.” -Henry Andersen
international MBA program in France. Determined for an international education, he applied to the business school and got accepted, leaving with an MBA in International Marketing. “That was a tough program for me because I didn’t have a lot of experience in business,” he admits. “But I think in the end, it did help launch my international career.” Past his quiet demeanor, Andersen finds enjoyment in spend-
in more ways than one. “It was very different [...] going to a developing country,” he says. “But at the same time,” he continues, with a fond expression on his face, “Even with all the social problems and inequality there, I found that people learned how to be happy.” In addition to working in Brazil, Andersen got married and started a family there. After working for Columbia Pictures, Andersen decided to leave the film industry and en-
and Marketing at Nihon University for six years. Afterwards, Andersen transferred to Meiji University, teaching there for nine years. “It was a good experience, but it’s a big university,” he says, “And I never really got to talk to anyone outside of Business Administration.” In 2019, Andersen moved back to the States and began teaching online corporate training in Japan. Later on, he began looking at schools to teach in the US, where
A 21st century pioneer, Contreras has made his way all over North America, before settling on the West Coast. Growing up in Guanajuato, Mexico, Contreras made his way to the East Coast where he taught at various universities, including the University of Maryland and Middlebury College. Contreras satirically refers to the University of Maryland as a “city,” an aspect about the college he was not exceptionally fond of. “[At Whittier], you have small classes and you get to know other professors,” he explains. “So for example,” he animates with his hands, “At the University of Maryland, I knew people in my department and maybe other departments in the same building. Contribution [only] happens within the department because they’re huge schools.” Contreras has a habit of crossing his legs, and when he talks to you, he gives you his full attention. On his decision to move to California from Pennsylvania, Contreras sips his coffee,“It was our plan since a few years ago…I was away for 12 years. After the pandemic, my wife and I decided it would be best to come back. We have a son and we also wanted him to grow up around family.” Newly appointed Professor of Latinx and Chicano studies, Contreras teaches Spanish for both beginners and fluent speakers. “Lis-
tening to the students, seeing how they perceive the world,” marvels Contreras, “[is my favorite thing about teaching].” He emphasizes progress as a reward for his teaching, particularly, students in his beginner and intermediate Spanish courses. “I like seeing how they progress... there’s a big difference if you consider what [students] can do,” Contreras explains with his whole body. “The skills that they have at the beginning of the semester and the end, you can clearly see... the progress that they make.” Spanish is Contreras’ first language. His passion for teaching was ignited as a teenager after he moved to the United States. “Obviously, I felt very comfortable in [Spanish] classes and I decided that would be a really good
career for me,” Contreras takes another sip of his coffee. Contreras is a man of niche interests. ,When he is not lecturing or grading assignments, he is always searching for new senderos, or hiking trails, for his family to explore. He laughs about his passion for reading, which sparked when he was at Cal State Fullerton, “[Once] I began reading [assigned books], I became obsessed. I could not stop.” Contreras tilts his head, thinking about the several roadblocks that have kept him from reading as much as he would like. But surprisingly, this pastime was recently introduced by his three year-old son. “He likes to read too, even now that he’s three, he likes to look at books, so I’m trying to find more time to read,” Contreras talks fond-
he was drawn to Whittier College, enjoying the close-knit atmosphere. “That’s part of the reason why I was happy to be able to come back to liberal arts, where you can actually talk to someone who’s not [just] in the Business Administration,” he says. Looking back at his career journey so far, Andersen considers himself a “professional generalist,” wanting to do many different things. He reflects that throughout his unconventional career journey, he was able to develop himself in ways that may have been difficult if he stayed in one country. In addition to his career journey, Andersen enjoys exploring new ideas and concepts while working in different fields. “I always want to learn something new,” he chuckles. Currently teaching International Business and Sustainable Development, Andersen shares his admiration for his students. “It’s my first time teaching in a US college,” he says bashfully. According to Andersen, graduate school isn’t encouraged in Japan. Therefore, those in MBA programs are intentional about their education and willingness to learn, something Andersen sees in Whittier students. “I’m very positively surprised by the level of thinking of students here.” Leaning forward as if about to reveal a secret, he whispers with a smile, “To be honest, they know more than I do. So I have a lot to learn from them.” This article has been condensed for print. If you would like to read the full article, visit medium.com/ the-quaker-campus.
Jose Contreras: 21st Century Pioneer Sarah Licon NEWS EDITOR
Inside Diehl Hall, the hallway is conventionally stuffy, the warm October air stagnant inside. Despite the buzz of the air conditioner, the hallway still feels hot. Turning the corner, to the right, if you walk quite aways, you can find room 108. What was once an empty office is now occupied by Professor José Alfredo Contreras. But when Contreras is not there, the office is still empty. An office chair sits propped against the wall, instead of a couch. Professor Jose Contreras sits at his desk with a lone laptop. He laughs about purchasing a new computer because his last one was broken. Dressed smartly in a button up and slacks, Contreras looks the part of a lecturer. And with the space to account for it. His office, while bare, sports a bookshelf, perhaps soon to be lined with books. The walls are reminiscent of an Ikea display. No posters or signs cover the walls, and when Contreras speaks, there is a slight echo. The lack of decor suggests he has not settled in yet. Going on his second month at the College, Contreras has a single laptop and mug of coffee on his desk. Contreras is a “globe-trotting lecturer,” according to Whittier College.
ly of his son. Juan Pablo Villalobos is his favorite author at the moment, a fiction author revered for his satirical commentary on racism and colonialism. This combination, explains Contreras eloquently, is his favorite. After a few months at Whittier, Contreras struggles to give students advice in finding their career path, but affirms students should “talk to their advisors.” In the summer, Contreras looks forward to writing literature reviews about his favorite books, particularly about how they handle humor. But during the semester, Contreras is placing his attention on lecturing here at Whittier. After moving around for so long, maybe, just maybe Contreras has finally found his home.
Courtesy of Whittier college Jose Contreras the “globe-trotting lecturer” makes his way to Whittier College!
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Nov. 30, 2023
Humanizing Indigenous People in Film Meylina Tran
CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR
Meylina Tran CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR Want to know what our Campus Life Editor is recommending this week? Read on!
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Music: It’s seasonal depression time so I’ve been trying to listen to music that’ll bring up my mood. I’ve been rotating between Chappell Roan’s “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” and Troye Sivan’s “Something To Give Each Other,” because, as Troye Sivan said in The Idol, they are the “nasty, nasty, bad pop girls.”
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Series: I just finished binge watching Boy Meets World. Did I mainly watch it because I think that Rider Strong (who plays Shawn Hunter) was one of the most attractive 90s teen idol? Yeah, obviously.
It is an understatement to say that the United States has a troubled relationship with Native Americans. The mass perception of Indigenous people has been severely damaged not only by Eurocentric and Americentric history, but by mass media as well. When Westerns were all the rage, the depiction of Native Americans ranged from sympathetic to downright malicious, but always stereotypical. The rise of Wild West vaudeville shows, as well as the COURTESY OF SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE popularization of the conflict beHarmful stereotypes of Indigenous groups in film need to go! tween cowboys and “Indians”, was the beginning of the mass misrepre- Native Americans are depicted as of the six films with Indigenous the victims and white people as characters released in the 20th sentation of Native Americans. The “bloodthirsty savage” and the aggressive intruder. These films century, portraying them through “noble Indian” dichotomy was still tend to center around white either racist caricatures—Pinocchio born here and only cemented its protagonists, shoving Indigenous (1940) and Peter Pan (1953)—or by heavily romanticizing and sexuplace in the developing Hollywood characters off to the sidelines. The late 20th century saw the alizing the kidnapping of Matoaka machine with the release of D.W. Griffith’s The Red Man and the simultaneous emergence of in- in Pocahontas (1995). These porChild (1908). Despite featuring a dependent films that centered trayals not only contributed to the seemingly sympathetic portrayal contemporary Native American misrepresentation of Indigenous of the Native American character, content—most notably Powwow people, but have also indoctrinatcritics have argued that the film Highway (1989)—and the white ed children into these systems of depicts a model of the “helpless In- savior narrative. 1990’s Dances belief. The misrepresentation of Indian” forced to recede and submit With Wolves, for example, is cited as heralding the return of the digenous people prevails even in against the advancing white race. This trend continued until the “white savior narrative,” despite the modern day. Nowadays, the rise of Revisionist Western films paradoxically also being hailed for presence of Native Americans in in the 1960s. These films—such as providing jobs for many Lakota ac- major studio releases is a slippery slope. The slope, however, Little Big Man (1970) and Soldier tors. Animation, likewise, is a key is marginally leveling out. A reBlue (1970)—are characterized by an increasingly darker and more player in the gross misrepresenta- cent example of this is the Marcynical tone that was not present tion of Indigenous people. Walt tin Scorcese directed Killers of the in earlier Western films, in which Disney is responsible for three Flower Moon, which—despite the
This article has been condensed for print. If you would like to read the full article, visit medium.com/ the-quaker-campus.
Support Museum Workers! Nune Papikyan
COURTESY OF RAPTIS RARE BOOKS
sensitive subject matter of Native American exploitation and genocide—stars Native American actress Lily Gladstone. The film also boasts an expansive ensemble cast of Indigenous actors. The success of Killers of the Flower Moon, however, does not reverse the severe damage that over a century of racist stereotypes and caricatures spread en masse via film and television has inflicted upon Native American communities. According to the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative—which publishes a yearly study examining inequality in 1,600 most popular films in the 15 year time span—less than 0.25 percent of all speaking roles went to Native American characters. Additionally, less than one percent of all characters across 1,600 films were Native American, and it was more likely that those characters were male rather than female. Clearly, Hollywood still has trouble portraying Native Americans without the crutch of stereotypes, caricatures, and romantic revisionism. If the success and critical acclaim of Killers of the Flower Moon is anything to go by, then the presence and persistence of honest and authentic Native American representation may soon not be quite an anomaly.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Book: I read J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye because I’m trying to figure out why the John Lennon killer killed John Lennon. It’s a really fucked up book, but I totally get it because my internal monologue was exactly like Holden Caulfield’s when I was sixteen.
Growing up, my parents would always take me to museums here in Southern California. Every time I’d walk through the clean and chilly halls of the exhibits, I’d be enthralled by the beautiful works of art and displays of animal remains. I never really asked for any help because I was one to absorb what the exhibit was trying to embody, rather than read the descriptions. COURTESY OF TV INSIDER What I never realized was that Movie: Sabrina (1995). Honestly, behind that tidy museum persothe acting or story isn’t the greatest, na were terrible working conbut the styling and production de- ditions and low wages for the sign is incredible. Also, Harrison workers who assist in making a Ford is the main love interest, so visit to the museum an enjoywhat’s better than that? able, comfortable experience. Many museum workers across the country have been unionizing and striking against private institutions. The Workplace Equity and Organizational Culture COURTESY OF FACEBOOK in US Art Museums recently Food: The shrimp tacos from Mr. released an article highlighting Giant are the best shrimp tacos the number of museum workthat I’ve eaten. I have searched high and low for better shrimp tacos, ers who are considering leaving and I’ve never found them. They’re their jobs, 68 percent, and those who are not being paid enough so good, and they’re so cheap. to pay basic living expenses, 74 Check out all the recommendations! percent. These are concerning numbers considering how many
COURTESY OF The New York Times
Musuem workers need higher wages to make a living.
people rely on museums as a means of experiencing diverse art and culture. “Simply put, it is not enough to diversify the artists we are collecting or exhibiting; we must take better care of our people too,” stated Museums Moving Forward in the article mentioned above. What does this mean for museums? In simple terms, the workers are not meeting their needs with the pay they are receiving, they are unable to make a liv-
ing wage and provide for themselves. Carolina Miranda says in the LA Times, “Museums are largely funded by private philanthropists who are happy to put their names and hundreds of millions of dollars into fancy building projects but become scarce when it’s time to pay the workers.” They prefer to spend money on pretty exhibits and marble stands for the historical items they purchase to put on display. The department of
sociology at the University of Amsterdam stated, “According to these critics, private museums reflect the taste and interests of the super-rich instead of those of the public.” Many museums with this issue are those that are privately owned. Most are funded by private collectors or philanthropists who have their own private collections. They place those collections on display in the form of a museum and spend lots of money trying to make the building look good. On the other hand, there are also public museums that are likely owned by the government or another public institution. An example of one is the California African American Museum, where the workers are given pension and state benefits. What can we do to help these workers? There isn’t much we can do on a personal level as individuals, other than support the workers’ cause. There are merely suggestions, such as adding a tax to the resale value of the collections, stating that the money would go to the museum so the workers can be paid what they initially deserve for the work that they do.
Nov. 30, 2023
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Strike Over!: SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP Reach Agreement Emily Henderson EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Put down your picket signs and pick up your scripts because the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) reached a tentative agreement on Nov. 8! The strike concluded at 12:01 a.m. PT on Nov. 9, lasting 118 days. SAG-AFTRA states that the deal is worth over “one billion dollars,” that includes “minimum compensation increases, unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI, and for the first time, establishes a streaming participation bonus.” SAG-AFTRA Chief Negotiator and National Executive Director, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland states, “Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe my appreciation of the TV/ Theatrical Negotiating Committee for their incredible efforts in reaching this tentative agreement. I also want to applaud and thank President Drescher for her visionary and courageous leadership, which was the heart and soul of this effort, and drove tremendous unity among our members and the Negotiating Committee.” Both Crabtree-Ireland and President of SAG-AFTRA Fran Drescher state that they are “grateful to our union siblings who stood by our side – literally and figura-
After 118 days, the actors’ strike is officially over!
tively – from the very beginning. We truly could not have succeeded without your unwavering support.” One of the hottest topics of the strike have been AI restrictions. SAG-AFTRA laid out the guidelines, stating that, (for employment-based digital replicas) there must be consent from “performers for creating and using their digital replicas,” and that “consent not obtained before death must be obtained from an authorized representative of the Union.” All productions must give consent before allowing their likeliness to be made using AI. Actors will be compensated for their likeness being used with AI, with “independently created digital replicas,” compensation will
be “freely bargained.” One notable aspect is that production companies can still create AI models of background actors. Many studios have already made “body scans” of actors previously, which left many actors worried for their future. Now, production companies will have to start compensating background actors for a full-day’s work if they use their likeness for their project, as well as telling them what project they are using it for. The full deal lays out the idea of a “streaming bonus,” which would allow a “success payment [to] be due if the viewing time in the first 90 days of each exhibition year is equivalent to the production being watched by 20 [percent] or more
Courtesy of Bleeding Cool News
of the domestic subscribers to the [streaming] service.” There are increases in wages, and that “most minimums [will] increase by seven percent,” which SAG-AFTRA states breaks the “so-called ‘industry-pattern.’” Background actors’ wages will “increase by 11 percent.” There are also new residuals and pensions created for stunt coordinators, singers, and dancers. Along with paying actors, new self-tape/virtual-audition/general casting rules have been created, including deadline times for scripts, restrictions for producers, and disability accommodations. Guidelines for equity and inclusion, and sexual harassment have been updated.
However, the AI regulations given have left many actors in the union upset. Voice actor Damien Haas went to X (formerly Twitter) to state that the “AI ‘protection’ [SAG-AFTRA] got is a joke,” and that it “isn’t what [they] fought for.” Union and non-union actors alike have gone to social media to voice their outrage over the AI protections, urging others to “Vote No!” SAG-AFTRA LA Local Board Member Christian Telesmar went to Instagram to post that he is voting “No” on the deal. Telesmar states that with the “historic gains” of the deal, there are “historic losses.” Specifically for AI, he states that, “There are no protections in the contract that prevent the [Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers] from using our image and likeness to continue productions and create promotional material during a strike. This means [that] our union loses all leverage in future negotiations.” Telesmar goes on to state other reasons for his vote are that “self tapes are no longer considered as auditions,” and that the national board only read a summary of the contract. Members of the union will be able to vote for or against the ratification of the new deal starting Nov. 14, and ending Dec. 5. If voted yes, the deal will go into effect until June 30, 2026. If you have any questions about the deal, you can visit sagaftra.org for more information.
The Future of the Beloved Bandcamp Platform Shelby Silva A&E EDITOR
CEO and co-founder of Bandcamp, Ethan Diamond, envisioned a thriving community where artists and fans interact with each other, inspired by MySpace. Since its launch in 2007, Bandcamp has been successful in attracting over five million independent artists and record labels, as well as fans who want to support them directly. However, since 2022, Bandcamp has had three ownership changes and both artists and fans are uncertain about its future. In 2022, the founders sold off Bandcamp to Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, and just recently to Songtradr, a music company focused on licensing. Bandcamp is a beloved platform that provides artists and labels with a large sum of their sales, enriches the consumer with niche musical knowledge, and cultivates an engaging community of music creators and enthusiasts. With that in mind, this community reflects on what is at stake and the many resources this well-loved platform offers. Bandcamp is a unique alternative to other streaming platforms that revolve around popular artists. While artists receive $0.003$0.005 per stream on average on
Bandcamp has had three changes in ownership since 2022.
Spotify, artists receive 80-85 percent of their sales from fans buying merch, vinyl, and digital goods. Artists get paid via PayPal and Bandcamp receives 10-15 percent of the sale. According to Bandcamp’s website, “In the past year alone, they’ve spent $193 million on 14.2 million digital albums, 9.95 million tracks, 1.75 million vinyl records, 800,000 CDs, 350,000 cassettes, and 50,000 t-shirts.” When the pandemic started, Bandcamp wanted to support artists more than ever since tours were canceled and many were nervous
Courtesy of Bandcamp
about how they could still earn musicians, and presents rich demoney. As a result, they started scriptions for artists, songs, and Bandcamp Fridays, which are days albums. With specific filters, niche where it waives its revenue share to genres, and countless tags, Bandfully support the artists. During camp is the perfect tool for music Bandcamp Fridays, an average of discovery. It is a breath of fresh air 93 percent reach artists compared that sets itself apart from music to the average of 82 percent that streaming giants that focus more reach artists on any other day. The on promoting music and artists nine Bandcamp Fridays in 2020 that are played every 10 minutes generated $40 million for artists on the radio. On Bandcamp, you and since then, over a million fans can discover music for every mood have brought in over $100 million. and vibe, even making it possiApart from the generous finan- ble to expose people to unknown cial support, Bandcamp also spot- sounds that are practically unheard lights rising artists, provides spaces of such as dungeon synth, acid for international and underground techno, and powerviolence.
Shortly after the music licensing platform Songtradr purchased Bandcamp, half of the staff that made up Bandcamp were laid off. Songtradr explains, “Over the past few years the operating costs of Bandcamp have significantly increased … After a comprehensive evaluation, including the importance of roles for smooth business operations and pre-existing functions at Songtradr, 50 percent of Bandcamp employees have accepted offers to join Songtradr.” While Bandcamp’s worker union tried getting signatures for a petition in hopes of negotiating with Songtradr to offer jobs to all employees, Songtradr stated that they would not be offering all of them jobs. The employees work to improve and preserve the Bandcamp community by illuminating rising artists on Bandcamp Daily, promoting music discovery and bridging the gap between artists and fans. Bandcamp is like the cool middle child that is often overlooked by others when it is actually a treasure. It is precisely its communal landscape that makes artists and fans devoted to protecting it and maintaining its essence for the future. For now, we can only wait for what its new owner, Songtradr, has in store for Bandcamp and whether they are driven by profit or Bandcamp’s values.
POET’S PLAYHOUSE
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COURTESY OF CRAYOLA
NOV. 30, 2023
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Tic Tac Toe
Down
ANSWERS:
4.What students can 1.Warmth in the home do during the winter resonates from here 2.SoCal’s version of snow break during winter 5.What everyone wants to do after finals 3.Typing out a multitude of these during the end season 6.Weather particles in of the semester which each is unique 7.The name of a lovable 9.The dreaded time of snowman year for many college 8.You put these on to go on some ice students 10.What college students must do in order to pass
1. fireplace 2. rain 3. essays 4. relax 5. sleep 6. snowflakes 7. frosty 8. skates 9. finals 10. study
Across