QUAKER CAMPUS
Gaza in Limbo Amid Ceasefire
Anna Gaber EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Following a grueling 15 months of combat, a six-week ceasefire agreement was reached between Hamas and Israeli forces on Jan. 15, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. Although this is a pivotal first step towards peace in the Gaza strip, there are certain factors that reveal the fragility of the truce.
Back in May 2024, the first ceasefire proposal in six months was set forth. The UN Security Council-endorsed proposal remained a framework rather than a commitment to Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza or a definite end to the war—Israel took issue with the terms of the framework despite
urges from former U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration to sign.
Current President Donald Trump’s administration has been applying more pressure on Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to reach a deal with Hamas, which has led to the emergence of the current six-week ceasefire. Trump previously proposed that many displaced Palestinians be relocated to Egypt and Jordan, with both countries rejecting the suggestion.
On Jan. 19, the first four female members of the Israeli observers Unit of the Field Intelligence Battalion were released by Hamas to the Red Cross, who were then driven across the border from Gaza City into Israel.
Israeli forces have released 200 Palestinian hostages out of the 1,900
total that are set to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire based on the stipulations of the agreement. 120 of those released so far were serving life sentences. Some were released in the West Bank, others in the Keren Shalom crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and a few were transferred to Israel.
According to one of the specifications of the truce, those sentenced for murder and other major offenses must be sent abroad. Hamas is due to release 26 more Israeli hostages over the coming weeks, each in exchange for more than 30 Palestinian detainees. Israel has confirmed Hamas’ claim that eight of the hostages it was set to release are dead.
This article continues on page 3.
Trump’s Unfolding Immigration Agenda
Lucy Campbell OPINIONS EDITOR
Since Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20, the promise of the most massive deportation in our country’s history looms over the heads of undocumented immigrants nationwide, including many California families. President Trump has already issued several executive orders and begun the process of changing national immigration laws and policies.
According to President Trump in his official inaugural address, “All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.”
On Jan. 22, President Trump signed an executive order that declared and invoked the National Emergencies Act regarding the southern border of the United States as one of his first presidential acts. The order directs the Secretary of Defense to deploy personnel such as members of the Armed Forces and the National Guard to the border.
Further, such executive orders have instructed the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to finish building the wall along the southern border in hopes of taking back control from what Trump referred to as the “catastrophic immigration crisis” in America that has transpired within the last four years.
In addition, plans to reinstate the 2019 “Remain in Mexico” policy from President Trump’s first term have been revived. This policy was a primary focus for the Senate Homeland Security Committee during their first hearing of 2025 in Washington before the second inauguration of Trump.
First introduced and implemented during the first Trump administration as the “Migrant Protection Protocol,” the Remain in Mexico policy had been initially
criticized for “pushing migrants into squalid camps and leaving them vulnerable to pressure from drug cartels in the border region,” according to National Public Radio.
This resulted in countless migrants having to remain in Mexico for extensive periods. The current plans to reinstate the policy would similarly require some asylum seekers to wait for their hearings in U.S. immigration court before being allowed entry into the United States.
On Jan. 20, President Trump signed another executive order titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” which poses complex challenges to acquiring and maintaining citizenship within the United States. By limiting birthright citizenship, the order states that children born on or after Feb. 19, 2025 must have at least one parent who is a Legal Permanent Resident, U.S. citizen, or Green Card holder in order to obtain citizenship automatically.
President Trump’s extensive strategy and radical immigration agenda have already encountered major legal and logistical obstacles. Yesterday, a judge presiding over a U.S. Court for Maryland blocked Trump’s birthright citizenship order indefinitely. The judge, Deborah Boardman, ruled that the order, “runs counter to our nation’s 250year history of citizenship by birth” according to the New York Times.
Many similar attempts have been made to challenge this order across the nation, with lawsuits filed by 24 U.S. states, two U.S. cities, and civil rights organizations demanding that it be permanently circumvented. As one of the U.S. states that has filed lawsuits against President Trump’s executive order, California has united with 17 other states to fight against eradicating birthright citizenship.
Overall, California’s lawsuit argues that the order is unconstitutional, as it violates both Section 1401 of the Im-
migration and Nationality Act and the 14th Amendment of the United States.
In a statement regarding the announcement of the state’s involvement in the lawsuit against the termination of birthright citizenship, California Attorney General Rob Bonta asserted, “The President’s executive order attempting to rescind birthright citizenship is blatantly unconstitutional and quite frankly, un-American.”
This week, thousands of residents have flooded the streets of downtown Los Angeles protesting ICE raids, deportations, and Trump’s larger immigration agenda, blocking off parts of the 101 freeway. This is part of a nationwide movement that culminated on Monday in a “Day Without Immigrants,” during which American immigrants and supporters boycot-
ted work and school to illustrate their influence in the public sphere.
A member of the immigrant community in Orange County commented to ABC7’s Eyewitness News, “We’re here to fight, and show that we can do so much more than just what they call us to do.”
Locally, the Whittier community has extended their support to its migrant community. On their official website, the Whittier Union High School District states that they are “committed to the success of all students and believes that every school site should be a safe and welcoming place for all students and their families, irrespective of their citizenship or immigration status.”
Moreover, on Jan. 22, Whittier Union posted on Facebook, “As a District committed to fostering a
safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment, we want to reaffirm our unwavering dedication to supporting every member of our community during these challenging times.”
The post also provided a link to an official message and letter from Whittier Union titled “A Message from Whittier Union Regarding Student Safety and Well-Being in Times of Uncertainty.”
Offering immigration and legal resources for families and educators in partnership with the Los Angeles County Office of Education and California Department of Education, Whittier’s Union High School District demonstrates a powerful initiative dedicated to preserving and defending its community and all students who are in danger of being impacted by President Trump’s immigration issues and executive orders, which are currently taking effect.
Fires Contained in SoCal
Martínez CO-HEAD COPY EDITOR
Last week, Cal Fire announced the 100 percent containment of both the Eaton and Palisades fires, which began on Jan. 7 and together destroyed over 16,000 residential and commercial structures and claimed 29 confirmed lives. In the aftermath of these fires, city officials, scientists, financial analysts, and Angelinos are grappling with the effects of these catastrophic events. Two issues that have been at the forefront are what effects the fires will have on California’s already fragile insurance market and how the urgent push to rebuild will affect environmental initiatives. California’s insurance crisis began as far back as 2019, when 230,000 homeowner policies were not renewed, according to the independent insurance broker platform Policygenius. This was due to the increasing number of deadly wildfires in the Golden State.
In fact, according to Cal Fire, a vast majority of California’s deadliest wildfires have occurred within the past decade, with the Eaton and Palisades fires recently being added to that list.
As a result, insurance companies increased the number of nonrenewals, with State Farm General announcing it would not renew 72,000 home insurance policies in March 2023. The influx of non-renewals and scarcity of
available home insurance options led California homeowners to seek insurance from the state-issued FAIR plan. Because of this, the plan saw an increase of 35 percent in policies within a 12-month period. According to Insurance Journal, the crisis is clear: will the FAIR plan have enough funds to cover its share of the wildfire claims?
This article continues on page 3.
Sara
Immigration orders spark protests nationwide. Courtesy of NBC
L.A. firefighters spent weeks putting out flames. Courtesy of Time
Fletcher Jones Grants a Gift to Whittier A Ravishing New Reservoir
Piper Guinn NEWS EDITOR
After two years of construction, the City of Whittier celebrated the completion of its Murphy Reservoir Replacement Project this past Saturday. The event was open to the public and consisted of a ribbon cutting ceremony and facility tour.
new fence to the outside of the reservoir and installed a retaining wall.
Whittier College announced last month that the school was awarded a $700,000 grant from the Fletcher Jones Foundation, a long-time supporter of higher education in California. This grant was promoted by a $200,000 pledge from the City of Whittier and will support new initiatives such as the Civic Scholars Program.
Established at the end of 2024 by Whittier College and the City of Whittier, the Whittier Civic Scholars Program is designed to ensure that the next generation’s leaders are well rounded with civic, community, and business skills.
According to Whittier College President Kristine Dillon, the Fletcher Jones grant will “support both the four-year scholarships and the paid internships to be offered to admitted Civic Scholars.” Some money will also go toward “programmatic support of Whittier Works initiatives such as internship development and Civic Scholar student programming.”
Initiatives under the Whittier Works umbrella include the Civic Scholars Program and other internships that “offer valuable job experience and mentorship, increasing fellowship opportunities, strengthening partnerships with communi-
ty and corporate organizations, and enhancing career-related, on-campus employment options for students,” Dillon states.
“Whittier Works aims to highlight the value of a liberal arts education,” Dillon adds. “By combining students’ lived experiences with personalized faculty and staff mentorship, the initiative will ensure our graduates understand their communities’ needs and are equipped with the skills to address them.”
This recent donation to Whittier College is one of many from the Fletcher Jones Foundation. In the past, the foundation has provided funding for the Qualitative Success Center, several STEM scholarships, fellowships in science and health, and an endowed faculty chair in molecular biology.
The Fletcher Jones Foundation is based in Pasadena and dedicates itself to helping make advances in private higher education in California. The foundation was established in 1969 through the estate of Fletcher Jones, co-founder of Computer Sciences Corporation.
This latest $700,000 grant reaffirms the foundation’s commitment to enhancing student success through experiential learning, ensuring that Whittier College students graduate with the academic foundation and the practical skills needed to thrive in their careers.
The new 2.31-million-gallon water reservoir will replace the previous East and West Murphy Reservoirs, which had a capacity of 500,000-gallons of water each. By more than doubling its storage abilities, the Murphy Reservoir is able to meet the City’s operational, fire, and emergency needs, issues whose importance have been made evident in the wake of the disastrous Palisades and Eaton fires.
The new Murphy Reservoir will provide water for residents from La Habra Heights to East Whittier at a cost of $6.5 million. The replace-
According to the California Environmental Quality Association (CEQA), the Murphy Reservoir Replacement Project was determined to have no significant environmental impact, positive or negative. Regardless, an Environmental Impact Report was not conducted for the project, nor was a mitigation report or monitoring plan.
There was, however, a Mitigated or Negative Declaration prepared under provision by the CEQA. This means that the project initially had potential to cause significant environmental impact but was revised to eliminate or substantially reduce the potential for harm.
The ribbon cutting ceremony began at 2:30 p.m. and attracted residents, construction workers, and elected officials from Whittier and the surrounding areas. Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatierri welcomed
ment project was managed and instructed by the Butier Engineering Company and contracted by Gateway Pacific, Inc. Valued at nearly $6.5 million, the new structure is situated partially below-ground and composed of pre-stressed concrete. Additionally, the project included a
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everyone to the event and expressed his gratitude to the community and those who contributed to the building of Murphy Reservoir. Vinatierri highlighted the local Habitat Authority, commissioners from the City of Whittier, team from Cannon Design, construction
inspectors from Butier, Gateway Pacific Contractors, and DN Tanks as critical actors in the construction of the Murphy Reservoir.
During the ceremony, State Senator Bob Archuleta presented the City Council with a certificate “commend[ing] the City [Council] of Whittier for its dedication to this project, which is a testament to its commitment to public service and public safety,” on behalf of the 30th Senate District of California. He handed the certificate to Mayor Vinatierri, adding, “so goes Whittier, so should go the nation.”
Similarly, Ivan Sulic came forward with a proclamation for the City from the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We need to make sure that we protect our community,” Sulic emphasized.
After these certificates were presented, all three City Council members—Fernando Dutra, Octavio Martinez, and Mary Ann Pacheco— spoke and reiterated the importance of the Murphy Reservoir and the effort taken to construct it, as did Mayor Pro Tem Cathy Warner.
During her speech, Warner identified the inspiration for the name behind the reservoir. A man named Simon Murphy “built wooden plumes and brought the water to Whittier,” during the City’s founding, and he is still celebrated for his contributions today.
Once these speeches concluded, the crowd made its way to the front of the Reservoir, where Vinatierri and the City Council huddled around Senator Archuleta as he cut the ceremonial ribbon, marking the official completion of the Murphy Reservoir Replacement Project.
After the ceremony, the Senator shared, “We all know what has happened in Southern California with the fires and so on. [This reservoir] is a project that should have been everywhere, but this is a big project for Whittier and I’m so happy to be here.”
The Murphy Reservoir Replacement Project has improved safety conditions for Whittier. If the Puente Hills catches fire or an emergency occurs, the reservoir will be able to supply water to the City, just as Simon Murphy did so many years ago.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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Paola Ruiz STAFF WRITER
Piper Guinn / Quaker Campus
State Senator Archuleta cut the ribbon at Murphy Reservoir.
Courtesy of Whittier College
The Fletcher Jones Foundation contributes to student success.
Israel and Palestine Negotiate Hostage Release
Anna Gaber EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Cont. from page 1.
Israel recently accused Hamas of still holding Arbel Yehud, a 29-year-old hostage who was supposed to be among the four female hostages already released. This prevented the displaced Palestinians from proceeding to move north into Gaza—of which, according to the UN, there were 200,000— through the Netzarim Corridor.
Israeli forces then went on to fire “warning shots” in order to prevent anyone from crossing.
Although several were killed, Israel claims they are unaware of any casualties. Thanks to a verification process based in Cairo, which consists of Israeli and Hamas representatives along with mediators, this disruption was mitigated.
Israel’s military has also faced backlash from Israeli citizens regarding its failure to prevent Hamas’ attack in Southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. This can be attributed to the fact that the four hos-
tages Hamas released in the first stage of the ceasefire warned Israeli forces on multiple occasions of alarming Hamas activity indicative of an imminent assault, but none of which were addressed or acted on.
There are currently three stages to the agreement, each lasting 42 days. The first stage of the ceasefire is underway at the current moment, in which 33 Israeli hostages are due to be released in return for 26 Palestinian detainees, but stages two and three are merely frameworks. The
current stage also consists of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza’s cities, aiding in the flow of humanitarian aid.
During the second stage, additional Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for more male Israeli hostages, which is when Netanyahu will commit to ending the war. In the third stage, Israel is to completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip and any remaining detainees will be released.
The heft of the war in Gaza is still felt on college campuses across
the U.S. On Jan. 30, the Whittier College Departments of Sociology, Anthropology, and Religious Studies, as well as the Hartley House, sponsored an on-campus event at Villalobos Hall, titled “The Moral Bankruptcy of the West: Genocide in Gaza.”
The event was a screening of Al Jazeera’s documentary, Investigating War Crimes in Gaza. The film consisted of international law experts analyzing online posts from Israeli soldiers displaying on-ground evi-
dence of the violence in Gaza, along with first-hand accounts by Palestinians on their experiences with Israeli forces during the war and assessments of the Israeli military’s use of AI in targeting its victims and other offenses that violate international warfare regulations.
Both Israel and Hamas continue to shift blame for the prolonged 15-month wait for a feasible ceasefire, demonstrating the brittleness of the agreement.
On the national front, the U.S.’s role in negotiations is up in the air. This week, Prime Minister Netanyauhu visited the White House to meet with President Trump. During this visit, Trump proposed the redevelopment of Gaza as a U.S. territory, according to the New York Times. This idea was “unequivocally reject[ed]” by other actors in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has since remarked, “The President has not committed to putting boots on the ground in Gaza.” Regardless, the President’s comments add to international uncertainty in this turbulent time.
Whittier College Releases Annual Budget Report
Whittier College recently released its audited budget comparing the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years. The report revealed shifts in tuition revenue, financial aid, and institutional assets.
One of the biggest changes in the budget was the difference in net tuition and fees. In 2024, the College recorded $17.73 million in tuition revenue, whereas in 2023 there was $24 million in tuition revenue. This is a 26.1 percent decrease between 2023 and 2024, which suggests a decline in enrollment at Whittier College.
The next big change is the 29.9 percent drop in financial aid from 2023 to 2024. In 2024, the College gave out $21.19 million of financial aid, while in 2023 there was $30.22 million given. This decline represents a reduction in student aid. However, Whittier College claims that they remain committed to providing support to students through scholarships and grants.
Whittier College offers merit-based and need-based support for students, such as the John Greenleaf Whittier Scholarship and the Whittier College Grant. The John Greenleaf Whittier Scholarship provides students with financial assistance based on their academic standing. Similarly, the Whittier College Grant helps students that are pursuing higher education by providing them with financial support.
Whittier College has also shown a reduction in liabilities. There was a 23.6 percent decrease in loans and notes payable from 2023 to 2024. The total amount of money owed decreased from $41.38 million in 2023 to $31.61 million in 2024. Whittier College also took off the interest rate swap liability, which put them $10.13 million behind in 2023.
In terms of student loans, the College’s receivable balance decreased from $2.56 million to $1.79 million, indicating an improvement in repayment rates. However, loans of five
years or more have increased from $1.70 million in 2023 compared to the $1.73 million in 2024.
There was a slight decline in private pledges from $3.21 million in 2023 to $2.87 million in 2024. In addition, government grants dropped from $0.56 million to $0.31 million, a reduction of 44 percent. This indicates that external funding support from outside sources has gone down.
The College’s total assets shifted
from $272.56 million in 2023 to $251.51 million in 2024, reflecting lower liquidity and investment values. Similarly, total net assets fell from $220.68 million to $209.47 million, signaling financial pressures and budget constraints.
Whittier College faced an increased deficit; the institution reported an operating loss of $22.1 million in 2024, compared to $14.8 million in 2023. This wid -
ening gap may stem from reduced tuition revenue, increased expenses, and external funding shortfalls.
Whittier College’s audit budget statements underscore the institution’s ongoing fiscal challenges, including declining tuition revenue, reduced financial aid, and growing budget deficits. However, the College has made improvements in reducing debt obligations and managing endowment funds efficiently.
The Aftermath of L.A.’s Fires
Sara Martínez A&E EDITOR
Cont. from page 1
In a recent L.A. Times article titled “Wildfire victims file more than 4,400 claims with California’s FAIR Plan, home insurer of last resort,” staff writer Russ Mitchell layed out the consequences if FAIR is unable to cover the claims: “If reinsurance proves insufficient to cover FAIR’s liabilities, state regulations require insurance companies to make up the difference. Those companies are allowed under the same regulations to raise rates on homeowners throughout the state to provide that money.” Homeowners throughout the state would see an increase in premium costs, whether or not they live in a fire risk zone.
The second consequence looming in the aftermath of the fires is how the push to rebuild the devastated communities will slow down California’s transition to clean energy in order to mitigate climate change. Recently, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom have both declared executive orders that push for rapid rebuilding of homes. Bass’ order specifically suspended the need for new homes to have all electric infrastructure.
The decision has caused a stir among pro-climate change activ-
Insurance coverage uncertain for L.A. homeowners. ists such as Sammy Roth, climate columnist for the L.A. Times. According to Roth, “The more fossil fuels people burn, the more likely it is that L.A. will keep suffering catastrophic fires.” Roth’s statement echoes recent research conducted by UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Department of Geography and Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, declaring “climate change a factor in L.A.’s fires.”
Although Cal Fire has not determined the direct cause of both the Palisades and Eaton Fire, scientists and environmentalists agree that climate change is the leading factor behind such deadly disasters. Governor Gavin Newsom, a known climate change advocate, has not made a comment in response to Mayor Bass’s executive order, nor has he commented on the California FAIR plan dilemma. In the meantime, the EPA has begun the cleanup of hazardous material in both Altadena and Pacific Palisades, as the first step towards rebuilding each community.
Paola Ruiz STAFF WRITER
Whittier College saw an increase in fees and aid in 2024. Paola Ruiz / Quaker Campus
Palistinians in the Gaza strip rejoice following news of ceasefire.
Courtesy of middle easT eye
Courtesy of Wall sTreeT Journal
What’s up,
Whittier?
Stay up to date on events! For further info, visit https://whittier.campuslabs.com/Engage/
New Year, New Me: Goal Setting Workshop
• Thursday Feb. 6 at 12:30 p.m.
• SLC 204
Black History Month Luncheon
• Thursday Feb. 6 from 11 a.m to 2 p.m.
• Upper Quad
Customize Your Kicks
• Thursday Feb. 6 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Harris A Second Floor
Let's Talk: Virtual & In-Person Mental Health Walk-in Consultations
• Friday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m.
• Turner Hall 2nd Floor Lobby, Room 247
Dress to Impress Game Night
• Friday Feb. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Ball Hall LLC
TACO Tabling
• Tuesday Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Outside the SLC 2nd Floor
Valentine's Crafts
• Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.
• Harris A First Floor Living Space
Wednesday Wellness Tabling: Better Safe Than Sorry
• Wednesday Feb. 12 at 9 a.m.
• In front of the SLC
Dietitian Services
• Wednesday Feb. 12 from 9 a.m..
• Student Health and Wellness Center
Planner Party
• Wednesday Feb. 12 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• Ettinger Lounge
Thriving Authentically Luncheon
• Wednesday Feb. 12 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Campus Center 230
Thriving Authentically SANKOFA
• Wednesday Feb. 12 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Harris B First Floor
Thriving Authentically: Black Community, Careers, and Culture
• Wednesday Feb. 12 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• SANKOFA Floor Harris B1
• Immigrant Rights Talk with Dr. Carolina
Valdivia
• Friday, Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Hoover 100
Whittier College's Winter Retreat
Jonathan Bermudez MANAGING EDITOR
During winter break, most students returned home to celebrate the holidays with their families. Some might see this as a vacation from school, while others might miss the freedoms they have here on campus. Whether you went home for the holidays or worked the whole break like I did, the snow trip hosted by the Whittier College Program Board on Feb. 1 and 2 was a great way to fill that muchneeded vacation time.
With limited spots and all expenses paid, it was a great time to just relax and enjoy nature with your friends, or by yourself. The UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge was where we stayed for the twoday trip, and it was the classiest place I have ever had the chance to visit. Located on Lake Arrowhead, the lodge was very peaceful and secluded, with many activities to do such as hiking, outdoor sports, swimming, and movie nights.
Students were allowed to bunk with any of their friends in the numerous of the cozy two-story cabins that were provided for the trip. Each cabin came with two beds, and a nice living room area. Specifically, in the cabin I stayed in, the couch in the living room turned into a bed. However, it was very uncomfortable. The lodge is quite old and as a result, the cabins have a very classic vibe to them. But since they’re so old, many of the cabins don’t come with TVs or strong WiFi connection, so you’re forced to take in nature and stay away from time-consuming and numbing technology.
Not only were we given a cabin free of charge, but we also had most of our meals covered for the trip. We ate at a restaurant attached to the lodge that served three-course meals. The meals were pretty decent
with soup, salad, main entree, and dessert. One of the highlights on the menu were the potatoes that came with a brisket, they were out of this world in my opinion.
But the lodge wasn’t the only place we visited while on the trip; we were given a chance to explore Lake Arrowhead Village before we settled down in the cabins at the lodge.
At the village, there were a lot of local community stores with handmade jewelry and trinkets. Amongst the local businesses, there are also popular brands such as Coach, Penndelton, and even Claire’s. The village was pretty busy with tourists, but not too crowded. It was fun to explore and see what cool things I could buy.
On the last day of the trip, we were given breakfast at the lodge. The breakfast was a buffet of sorts, even if it was nothing too crazy, it was still pleasant and most importantly, free. Once we finished breakfast and checked out, we made our way to Sky Park as our last activity of the trip.
The tickets to the park were also covered by the Program Board, so we didn’t have to worry about the $90 ticket prices. The Park itself was fun with many activities to do, including ice skating, ziplining, axe throwing, bike trails, and archery. It was a very outdoor eccentric park. Part of the park was also known to be themed as a Santa’s Village but since we went in the beginning of January and into Feburary, we missed out on the festive activities.
Overall, the trip was very nice and relaxing, with numerous students earning relaxation before the stress of the coming semester. I hope Program Board can do something like this again.
The winter get-away of a lifetime.
Students enjoyed the great outdoors.
SkyPark
Courtesy of Program Board
Jonathan Bermudez/Quaker Campus
Jonathan Bermudez/Quaker Campus
CAMPUS LIFE
Feb. 6, 2024 5
Lunar New Year Event Slithers Into 2025
Nadia Miler GRAPHIC DESIGNER
As the sun set on Jan. 29, 2025, Whittier College began its Lunar New Year celebration in the Upper Quad. Starting at 5 p.m. and going until 8 p.m., the celebration was full of fun and tradition, and incorporated a lion dance later in the evening. With the Lunar New Year celebration being a dinner event, traditional food was served such as teriyaki chicken, vegetable egg rolls, chicken potstickers, fried rice, a chicken pho noodle bar, and various desserts and beverages.
As the Whittier Community gathered and enjoyed each other's company, fourth-year Anh Tran, the current president of the Asian Student Association, welcomed everyone to the celebration. She went on to explain that the Lunar New Year (sometimes referred to as the Spring Festival) is a time of renewal and reflection, with this particular Lunar New Year being the year of the Snake, which is one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Tran also wanted everyone there to feel like they belonged and to celebrate together, explaining some of the activities that had been set up, such as lantern painting, a photo booth, and a place to receive your fortune for the coming new year.
By the time Tran was finished speaking, the sun had fully set with warm lights illuminating the Upper Quad for the rest of the evening. Looking around the community, many people were seen wearing the color red. Within the tradition, the color red is seen as a symbol of good luck, which is also why red envelopes are often gifted.
Throughout the evening, the community was welcomed to take part in any of the activities. Namely, the ever popular photo booth, with an extremely long line. However, it was worth it for the many different props like various funny hats, glass-
es, and boas that made the pictures more fun and entertaining. Next to the photo booth was a table for lantern painting. A variety of colors and stencils were offered so that the community could make their own lantern as unique as they would like. On the opposite side of the food, there was a table with fortune telling. Anyone was allowed to participate, all they needed to do was reach into a box, and without looking, pick up a popsicle stick. Each stick had a unique color pertaining to the fortune that could be received. Anyone who picked out a gold
popsicle stick also received a special prize, were themed around the year of the Snake including a small snake plushie.
Around the middle of the evening, Tran addressed the community again, thanking the Asian Student Association, Office of Equity and Inclusion, ASWC Senate, KPOET, Facilities, Bon Appetit, and any volunteers involved. She also thanked everyone that went to the event for joing and being a part of the community. Tran also reaffirmed that the Lion Dance would be happening later in the evening.
When the performers for the
Lion Dance arrived, Tran introduced them and explained the tradition of the dance, and that it is performed to welcome prosperity and to chase bad luck away. This specific performance is a blend of cultures and is a spectacle.
The Dance started with an instrumental performance, and soon after, the costumed performers came out. Throughout the performance the performers would go into the gathering crowd and tables and begin interacting with the community. At one point, the dragons would eat oranges and then go into the audience and spit them back out at people. This is commonly done to symbolize health for those who receive one. Near the end of the performance the dragons ate and then spat out lettuce at the audience to symbolize wealth.
With the end of the performance, a rain of confetti showered the grass and concrete in the Upper Quad. Guests were also allowed to take pictures with the performers in a mini photo-op.
This year's Lunar New Year celebration brought by the Asian Student Association, Office of Equity and Inclusion, and ASWC Senate was truly an experience. Between the popular return of the Photo Booth, the amazing performance of the Lion Dance, and the traditional food, this Lunar New Year celebration truly was amazing.
The year of the Snake luminates at Lunar New Year event.
Courtesy of kallie kaaihue-paopao
Mastering Mathematics with Robben Teufel
Lucy Campbell OPINIONS EDITOR
Out of the Science and Learning Center’s (SLC) many offices and classrooms, everyone wants to hang out in room 224. Sitting cozily tucked away in the back, left-hand corner of the second floor is Professor Robben Teufel’s office, and it is magnetic. The space holds no more than a single desk and two chairs, decorated with the constant happy hum of impromptu office hour conversations and casual after-class chats that last far longer than initially intended. Holding a conversation with Teufel without a few minor interruptions from passing faculty members or students with a “super quick” question about last night’s homework is nearly impossible, as his easy-going nature can’t help but attract such friendly interactions.
Sitting perched behind his desk, sporting a stylish flat-brim black cap and vintage utility jacket, Teufel cheerfully smiles as he ponders where to begin in the story of his unique educational journey. Currently at the halfway mark of his first year at Whittier, Teufel is a professor that specializes in Mathematics and Computer Science, teaching classes such as Precalculus Mathematics, Calculus and Analytical Geometry, Complex Variables, Introduction to Computer Systems, and Modern Algebra. “Overall, I think college is a super transformative experience, and I wanted to be able to provide that for other people. Especially [to] firstgeneration students, because I was firstgeneration,” Teufel states, maintaining the same grin from before.
In his earlier years, Teufel received
his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from California State University Channel Islands in 2018. Almost immediately after, Teufel began a PhD program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he earned his Master’s. Regaining his usual animated smile, Teufel recalls the mentorship he had during his undergrad years, which had first sparked his inextinguishable passion and love for math. “I was pretty directionless when I was an undergrad. I kind of just went to college because all of my other friends did,” adding suddenly, “And thank god I did, because the professors that I met there were so instrumental in shaping my interest in math. The phrase they always used to use was ‘pay it forward,’ and every time, I thank them profusely for helping me with applications for internships. That really stuck with me.”
That following summer, Teufel worked at the local community college in Troy, NY, where he remained for the next three years before eventually moving to Southern California this past June. “I miss parts of New York. I think Southern California is probably the best place to live, but the lack of people in Upstate New York is nice,” Teufel giggles, pausing briefly with a slight shyness before glancing up at the ceiling, most likely receiving some form of a distant flashback or a fond memory of his time before Whittier.
While reflecting on the achievements and influences that inspired his desire and passion for teaching and aided him in getting to where he is today, Teufel coolly reveals, “I think one of the more transformative powers of college is that even students who don’t feel academic in high school, when they
are in a space where everyone is eager to learn, like college, they can transform into somebody who is also very eager to learn.”
Through the eyes of Teufel, it is not simply based on the individual, but rather the people who help by lending their hand to demonstrate what it truly means to believe in the ability of others to succeed. Teufel blames the intense draw he feels towards math and most of his dedication to the subject on key figures he had known throughout his life. One pivotal instructor, in particular, had made a lasting impression on him and his perspective of the subject overall–his professor from his Calculus II class.
Like Teufel, she was also a young professor who had recently finished her PhD at USC and wasted no time moving straight to the classroom to share her knowledge and interest in math with her students. With a deep gratitude that quickly transforms into an almost child-like, giddy chuckle, Teufel exclaims, “It was professors like that, I believe, who changed the trajectory of my life.”
With the support of his college professor, Teufel was then able to receive help applying for research programs such as PUMP, a program aimed at Preparing Undergraduates through Mentoring toward PhDs.
Teufel chuckles with a soft gaze that quickly transformed into a warm smile, eventually lighting back up once resuming his sentiments, stating, “I think one of our jobs as instructors is to instill in students a growth mindset so they can learn how to fail while it’s not going to impact their life. Failing a class or exam is, I think, an important learning experience for a student […] I certainly know this.”
After failing his preliminary exam the first time, Teufel extends his gratitude and appreciation to the mentors who taught him how to escape the fixed mindset that often causes people to succumb to negative perceptions and ideas about themselves, noting, “Thanks to my mentors teaching me how to fail, I was able to pass it the next time and continue on with the program.”
This same attempt at instilling a growth mindset is apparent within Teufel’s own approaches to teaching, as his methods and strategies within the classroom aim to prepare students for failure while strengthening problem-solving abilities, especially regarding homework and the actual technique of mathematical practices.
“I believe that if a student is struggling in a math class, they are doing the right thing and that
they are making progress in the correct way,” Teufel says, with his smile expanding slightly, “There’s something very humbling about sitting in front of a piece of paper and struggling for 30 minutes and getting through it, and encouraging students to do that or doing their homework without reading solutions as much as possible.” What truly stands out about Teufel as a professor is his kindness. Teufel is genuinely invested in and devoted to his student’s growth and potential, demonstrating a rare tenacious passion for learning. Helping others feel challenged and supported simultaneously requires a tremendous amount of talent, skill, and bravery, and these are just a few of the things that come naturally to the brilliant Professor Teufel.
Whittier welcomes Robben Teufel!
Courtesy of Whittier College
OPINIONS
Popular Trends and Fads Forecast for 2025
of weeks have sparked proliferations of backlash and opposition.
As every new year rolls around, different trends and fads quickly form, becoming popular one day, and out of fashion another. Additionally, these widespread trends even include past fashion within our modern time, with various movie genres, and popular social media sites commonly becoming the latest viral topic of everyday conversation. Now, 2024 is over, marking the beginning of 2025. So, what does the trend forecast predict for this coming year based on what we have seen in just the past few weeks?
The first hot topic currently being publicly discussed surrounds celebrities, and how we either tend to love them or hate them. However, as of January 2025, the concept of idolizing a celebrity has been on the verge of mockery. By the end of 2023 and throughout 2024, the height of obsessing over what celebrities are doing, who they are with, and what they think of our current world problems had come to its peak. Within 2025, we have not seen this same level of intensity and monitoring when it comes to the lives of Hollywood stars.
However, in 2025, one of the only instances of public fascination seems to surround Selena Gomez and her character in the film Emilia Peréz, with fans on social media defending the actress for her unfortunate performance. As negative reactions to the film have shown to be prevailing, it has still managed to gain a total of 13 Oscar nominations, regardless of public responses regarding the film’s content and the troubling nature of the cast and crew. Because the Oscars are set to take place in March, nominations announced within the last couple
Further, this start to the new year has shown to be one of the most confrontational compared to the past, particularly with calling out the Hollywood film industry throughout the current awards season. None of the Best Actors and Actress nominees have been safe from people discovering their past actions and calling for them to acknowledge and apologize for their mistakes. With the Oscars right around the corner, this newfound cancel culture has led to a lot of confusion about the Academy as moviegoers slowly start losing respect after two years of praise from the previous ceremonies.
But it’s not all bad for entertainment; in fact, 2025 seems to predict a great year for indie animation. The previous year saw the popularization of known series such as The Amazing Digital Circus, Lackadaisy, and Helluva Boss, all of which have grown a significant fanbase as clips and fanart are quickly becoming more recognized. As it has been unveiled, known animation corporations have reportedly screwed over their showrunners and their shows over the last few years. This has led many to turn to indie animation to express the sto-
ries that they want to tell without any form of corporate meddling. The current state of animation is in jeopardy as well, with the animation guild nearing a possible strike, it appears that independent studios and works will be on the rise in the coming months; this includes the upcoming show Knights of Guinevere, created and produced by former Disney TV showrunner Dana Terrace and distributed by Glitch Productions later this year.
Another trend seen taking off in 2025 within the entertainment realm of our current culture surrounds the director, and now CoCEO of DC Studios, James Gunn. The film and television company, DC Studios, is responsible for distributing entertainment related to the DC Comics and its characters. However, it has in the past been criticized for lacking in character adaptation and overall writing in the film industry, especially compared to ever-popular Marvel Studios. But, 2025 has shown to be a promising year for the company with the announcement of Gunn’s new found position, and it seems the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) will be defying the odds. The upcoming Superman movie has further sparked much conversation throughout January, especially as
This past January has given us a peak
we now see clips and trailers popping up on social media and movie theaters.
Differently, in the online digital world, the social media app, TikTok, after getting banned in the U.S. for 14 hours, returned along with a new trend of humorous, non harmful venting. Recently, people have been saying that their sense of humor comes from a tragic event that has occurred within their lives.
The TikTok trend typically begins with the phrase “you’re so funny” before the user then details their personal trauma. Occasionally, people who have experienced a similar traumatic experience have been able to bond with one another online, making the trend that more appealing to participate.
Outside of social media and entertainment, fashion trends are also finding popularity as winter and cold weather clothing are slowly being stored away for the bright, colorful outfits of tomorrow. According to a Heuritech prediction forecast on upcoming 2025 fashion trends, the color yellow is destined to be the color of the spring season! Additionally, Vanilla yellow is “projected to rise by 11 percent, while saffron yellow will see a 6 increase.”
On the other hand, we should also be looking out for any aquatic details in the newest lines of clothes, with the color turquoise being predicted to “increase by 8 percent compared to the previous summer,” and mermaid-inspired elements, namely sequins, being expected to “grow by 20 percent and 17 percent respectively.”
2024 is a thing of the past, and many await in anticipation of what this new 2025 year holds for forthcoming trends that defy the odds, inspire growth, and share new ideas and perspectives about the world around us.
Mama, I’m In Love With a Trump Supporter
Jonathan Bermudez MANAGING EDITOR
Ah, when I was in high school, attraction came from looks and physical appearance. It didn’t matter what my crush believed in, or what their personal views about the world around them were because most of us did not have those kinds of deep conversations at that age. Everything was much simpler back then, but now it’s hard to imagine ever having that simplicity and absent-mindedness, especially when it comes to dating and finding a partner.
As I got older, I realized that some people can be made up of the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen while still carrying the ugliest, most terrible morals. Nothing has better supported and helped to demonstrate this assertion than the recent 2024 presidential election and the second inauguration of Donald Trump. I think the political climate we are currently in has created a significant divide within relationships.
When you have popular farright influencers like Nick Fuentes being heard stating things such as, “Your body, my choice,” regarding
women’s rights in America, how does one stay with a partner who condones such behavior by providing their support with a like or following on social media? Or what
sis, it’s hard to recover. So, where is the empathy when someone votes for a person who has the potential to take away your partner’s rights and freedoms? It’s difficult to imag-
happens when attempts are made by those on the far-right that aim to get rid of LGBTQ+ rights and equality; how do people from the LGBTQ+ community stay together with someone who consider themselves right-leaning? In my opinion, it’s not possible. With the way the world is now, it’s impossible to date someone who has a different political perspective and stance than you. Empathy is the foundation for a healthy relationship. If your relationship lacks this empathetic ba-
ine a time when two people could have a healthy relationship and still harbor diverse and contradicting political views. Most likely, it was presumably a period in which candidates cared about the people and citizens of this country along with their rights. Still, politics now has become so grotesque and farfetched that no civil relationship with a partner who believes in different policies and viewpoints than you is even conceivable.
According to Michaela Bramwell in a 2024 Article on Buzz
Dear Poet,
How do I deal with not liking one person in my class?
- A Frustrated Poet
Dear Poet,
It’s hard to enjoy class when one person ruins it. I know, trust me; I’ve been there many times. But sometimes, you just have to try your best to ignore your dislike and attempt to enjoy the class regardless of how frustrating this person makes you feel. One method that has worked in the past is to drown out all the sounds around you for a moment.
Sometimes, when you’re in class and the person you don’t like starts talking, it’s easier to focus on a specific part of the wall and think about a happier place, like Disneyland! Or a different person who makes you really happy. For example, I personally like to think about Snoopy.
Another helpful strategy for taking a class with someone you dislike is to try to befriend them. If you are having trouble finding others who share your distaste for the person and cannot vent to others about how this person makes you feel, you may need to reevaluate the actual reason why you dislike them. It may be you, not them!
Feed titled, “People Who Vote Differently Than Their Partners Are Revealing How It’s Affected Their Relationship, And Wow, It’s Brutal,” she uses anonymous accounts of how recent politics have affected relationships today.
One anonymous individual commented, “My partner leans right, and I lean left (though neither of us is extreme). I’m not going to lie; it’s been rough at times. He’ll say something that is either a conspiracy, makes no sense, or has nothing to do with any real issues, and it breaks my heart that the person I love most in the world believes these things.”
Where do we draw the line? Do we forgive and allow our partners to behave in certain ways even when we disagree with it just because we have a relationship with history? When it comes down to it, people are allowed to date whoever they want. But with how the world is right now, you can’t set aside your differences and ignore who your partner is becoming or what your partner values, all for the sake of love. You can’t preach that you believe and desire equal rights when your partner feels that Donald Trump is better suited as President of the United States.
The last approach is extreme, but another way to deal with someone you don’t like being in a class with is to drop the class. You might think that’s a bit dramatic, but some people have made me consider dropping a class. Most of my classes are required, so I can’t drop them. If you are in the same boat, I am sorry, but this may not be your smartest option.
Ultimately, you just have to remember that this is only one person in a classroom full of many. Don’t let one person ruin your experience. You should enjoy college and your life. In other cases, you’ll probably encounter more people who will frustrate or annoy you, but that’s life. Only you can decide how you want to live.
So, do you really want to approach life bothered and upset by one little person or try to let things, events, and, yes, people peacefully roll off your back, unaffected by things you can’t control?
Sincerely,
A Poet
Politics recently has made it harder to date someone with differing views. Courtesy of today com
Emma Galvan CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR
Courtesy of rockmediaonline com
inside the 2025 trends to come.
Poet’s Sports Schedule:
Baseball vs University of Redlands @ Whittier, Calif.
• 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
• February 7
Baseball at University of Redlands @ Redlands, Calif.
• 2:30 p.m.
• February 7
Men’s Tennis vs Jessup University (Calif.) @ Whittier, Calif.
• 3 p.m.
• February 7
Women’s Basketball vs Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges @ Whittier, Calif.
• 2 p.m.
• February 8
Men’s Basketball vs Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges @ Whittier, Calif.
• 4 p.m.
• Februar y 8
Baseball at Hope International University (Calif.) @ Fullerton, Calif.
• 6 p.m.
• February 11
Men’s Basketball at Chapman University @ Orange, Calif.
• 7 p.m.
• February 12
Women’s Basketball vs Chapman University @ Whittier, Calif.
• 7 p.m.
• February 12
Baseball vs Pacific Lutheran University @ Whittier, Calif.
• 2 p.m.
• February 13 Softball at Chapman University @ Orange, Calif.
• 2 p.m.
• February 14
Women’s Track & Field at Pomona-Pitzer Collegiate All-Comers @ Claremont, Calif.
• All Day
• February 14
Men’s Track & Field at Pomona-Pitzer Collegiate All-Comers
@ Claremont, Calif.
• All Day
• February 14
Baseball vs Lewis & Clark College
@ Whittier, Calif.
• 10:30 a.m. & 2 p.m.
• February 15
Women’s Water Polo vs Austin College @ Whittier, Calif.
• 4 p.m.
• February 15
The Best is Yet to Come for the Poets
Olivia Nuñez SPORTS EDITOR
If you step into the Graham Athletic Center while Women’s Basketball is on the court, you will most likely see a woman in white with possession and the roar of Whittier’s student section as she sinks a three-point shot. This newfound success has characterized this 2425 season and provides proof that a quick turnaround is possible if the team has a resolve and camaraderie like these women have displayed.
The women rightly earned their place at the top of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) with their tenth consecutive win and an astonishing 10-0 start in conference play. This is undeniably the program’s best start in history, with their most recent win coming against the University of La Verne on Feb. 1. Their only two losses on the season being the result of tough matches in the preseason schedule placing them at 16-2 on the season.
Head Coach Kristen Dowling inherited the 14-10 Poets who had achieved a stagnant 8-8 season under Roy Dow. Perhaps it was her immediate aggression and determination to turn the program around and her experience in the conference that has led to this drastic change. Whittier College’s Athletic website titles her biography prior to her new head coach position, “From her playing days at the University of Redlands, to her seven-year coaching
stint at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps’ Colleges, Kristen Dowling is no stranger to the SCIAC. She is also no stranger to success as the owner of six SCIAC regular season championships with the Athenas, as well as four NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.” She enters her 18th year of coaching collegiate basketball with this in mind: “I fully believe that in building a great culture, results will come.”
Dowling became the Head Coach of the Whittier College Women’s Basketball team on Oct. 21, 2024 just as the season was about to begin, leaving her very little time to make an impact on the team and curate that culture she believes is so important. However, the women quickly bought into her business-minded attitude to each match. In this pragmatic approach, each member of the team is important and each of these Poets have contributed in their own way.
While the Poets have always relied heavily on offense since fourthyear Rhe Nae Leach’s reign, the defense has become nightmarish to the rest of the conference’s offensive strategies. The defense sits at the top
of SCIAC standings in points, with dual-threat and fourth-year Lorita “Lulu” Salloom at the forefront. She has seen the most time on the court with 622 minutes because of her effectiveness on both sides of the ball. She has boasted the “Athlete of the Week” accolade three separate times in the 24-25 season, two from a defensive position and one as the offensive athlete of the week. She is second in SCIAC in free throw percentage with .903, third in rebounds points with 222, and fifth in total points with 278.
Program poster child Leach has stayed consistent in her leadership position and remains an offensive weapon no matter who the opponent is. She has tallied four more athlete of the week accomplishments in addition to her many others from past seasons. Leach is at the top of the SCIAC statistic standings for points with 376 as she soars past the 1,000 point mark that is a career achievement in itself. Together with Salloom, they sit at the top of the team’s statistics in practically every category, but they aren’t the only two on the court.
Coach Dowling is quick to
praise Leach and Salloom but highlights every person that fulfills the roster. As she says, “We don’t just have one or two great players, we have a lot of great players and that makes the difference.” She lists specific moments like when fourthyear Kristen Lopez came off of the bench and rounded the day off with 17 points against La Verne and Jay, who came up huge with 13 points and the final six in the game against Occidental, who is ranked second in conference.
She also noted fourth-year Cameron Beaver who just joined the basketball team in her final year and Nelly Rosales who “averages about 30 or more minutes per game and has a positive assist to turnover rate crucial for setting other women up for a shot.” From experienced athletes to first-years like Kennedy Perkins, who scored three 3-point shots against La Verne, the Poets know their role and put that together for the win.
The Women’s Basketball team exudes energy on the court and shows no signs of hitting the breaks. Their newfound culture has eliminated the outside noise and ensures that each member of the team has each other’s back. With this attitude, Coach Dowling says, “I still don’t think we’ve reached our potential; I think we will continue to get better.”
Stay tuned as the team continues conference play and as Coach Dowling promises, “The best is yet to come.”
Historic Football Program Returns
Luke Estrada FOR THE QC
The end seemingly came out of nowhere when Whittier College announced it was suspending its Football program, Men’s Lacrosse, and Golf in Nov. 2022. However, the story of Whittier College’s Football team is not just about touchdowns, tackles, and championships. It is a longer story of passion, perseverance, and the deep connection between a community and its beloved sport.
From its inception in 1906, the Poets’ Football program has experienced its share of highs and lows. Between 2018 and 2022 (the 2020 season was suspended due to COVID-19), the team won just four games. But until its shocking suspension following the winless 2022 season, football had been a significant part of the school’s identity and history.
Its most famous alumnus, President Richard Nixon, was a notoriously tenacious if undersized and overmatched, third-string offensive guard while attending Whittier College in the early 1930s. NFL Hall of Fame coach George Allen coached football from 1951–1956, amassing a 32–22–5 record. Under his successor, future San Diego Chargers’ coach Don Coryell, Whittier College began a string of eight consecutive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championships.
The dozens of students gathered
outside of Mendenhall in 2022 likely didn’t know those details. Holding signs and raucously voicing their discontent at then-president Linda Oubrés seemingly abrupt decision to discontinue the sports, they wanted to have a voice. They did, and their voices seem to have carried.
After several years in the wilderness, Whittier College football is set to return in the 2026–2027 academic year, thanks to alumni who raised more than $800,000 for the program and the relentless spirit of a community determined to revive a cherished tradition.
“This isn’t just about bringing back football; it’s about doing it right,” said Ron Gastelum, Chair of the Whittier Board of Trustees and donor in the College’s official announcement. “We’re committed to building a robust program that focuses on the holistic development of our student-athletes.”
The football program produced several memorable seasons, with standout players and coaches who left lasting impressions on the school. Aside from the famous coaching lineage, Whittier College football alum Anthony Young (‘84)
made it to the pros as a running back for the Houston Oilers. For a small liberal arts college, Whittier’s football team was always more than just a team; it was part of the school’s identity.
As with other smaller programs and colleges, Poet football faced its share of struggles. Financial pressures, changing NCAA regulations, and the increasing commercialization of college sports at bigger programs made it difficult for schools such as Whittier to keep up with schools that had higher enrollments and more resources. Whittier College’s official announcement about the decision to cut Football, Lacrosse, and the Women’s Golf program cited declining interest in football nationally, concerns over well-documented brain damage issues correlated with football, prioritizing resources and nodding to other SCIAC schools such as Occidental and CalTech, which had cut their programs. However, student-athletes affected by the cuts felt like the rug had been pulled out from under them.
Though the administration said the decision came after a threeyear review process, it seemed to
catch many off guard, including key alumni, donors, and students. Some players complained that they were not given fair warning and were left with few options to continue playing. Some were able to transfer to other schools to keep playing, while others saw their football dreams come to an end.
The Whittier College community immediately responded. Online petitions circulated with disapproval, alumni voices expressed their frustration with the decision, and there was the rally, one of the student body’s more spirited displays in recent memory.
For recent graduate and football player, Dylan Sanchez, the decision to curtail the program after nearly 120 years of history still leaves a bad taste in his mouth. “When you’re in a football team with a 70man roster, breaking all the brothers up, it’s more than just the wins and losses.”
That seems to be true for the College as well. Though the decision was financially motivated, the school has significantly reduced enrollment since suspending football and other programs, down from nearly 1200 in 2022 to under 900 in 2023. As painful as the closure was, it did not mark the end of Whittier College football. Through alumni donations, crowdfunding campaigns, and corporate sponsorships, the Poets’ football program has been able to secure the financial backing required to rebuild from the ground up.
Courtesy of TONY/ACTIONWESTPHOTOGRAPHY
Women’s Basketball’s blistering start places them on top of the SCIAC.
Courtesy of TONY/ACTIONWESTPHOTOGRAPHY Whittier College announces football’s return for the 25-26 season.
Softball Team Navigates New Waters Together
Emma Galvan CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR
In a similar manner to other programs on campus, the Whittier College Softball team underwent a huge change in their group dynamic, a new Head Coach and six transfers looking to complete their fourth year. Last semester brought the departure of former Head Coach Trisha Senyo and Assistant-turned-Interim Head Coach Megan Heal led the team until the College was able to find a replacement. In December, it was announced that softball veteran Coach Terry Schweikert would be stepping up to the plate.
Coach Schweikert has been in the softball league for 40 years, beginning as the NCAA Head Coach at the University of Missouri where she played for four years and graduated. Similarly, Coach Schweikert has been credited with coaching at the University of Nebraska, CalTech, California State University Fullerton, California State University Northridge and University of California Riverside. She discovered the College through the renowned Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC), “I’ve followed it for years, and it was something I was always very interested in,” she explains. “I had a connection with Coach Senyo since she was a player, so knowing her for all those years and the job became open, I used that connection with her.”
Interim Head Coach Megan Heal is also returning for the coming season, but will return to her
position as an Assistant Coach under Coach Schweikert. “She’s a selfless and servant leader,” Schweikert praises, “she not only contributes to Softball and to our success as a softball family, but she wears many hats for the Athletic Department.”
Besides the addition of Coach Schweikert, the Softball team also welcomed various transfer players from St. Katherine’s College. Unfortunately, the school and subsequently, the softball program was dismantled prior to many of the player’s last year of playing. This led to the Whittier opening
up and allowing their players to come and be part of the team.
According to fourth-year Sydnee Verlin, “No athlete imagines themselves being a transfer their senior year; it’s definitely been hard but I am so grateful to Whittier for being so welcoming and supportive in that transition.” She goes on to say, “I was one of six seniors who transferred to the team this year and we are all so lucky to not only finish our education at Whittier, but [to] be a part of such an amazing group of women.” While these women have had to deal with an exten -
sive amount of change, the entire team has rallied around their shared experience in navigating this new season.
Coach Schweikert’s tried and true coaching philosophy puts the women at the forefront and promotes a team mentality, ensuring that everyone is equally important to the success of the season, “I don’t look at anything except that we’re a team. It doesn’t matter where you come from […] it’s about blending together and becoming a team.” It is this mindset that sets the foundation for rewriting the culture.
Not only have the transfers been a new addition, but the usual batch of first-year student-athletes also characterize this group. With all this in mind, the Poets are shaping up to be an interesting ride with two worlds colliding. However, Verlin is hopeful, “I see this team doing amazing things this season. The uncertainty we faced this winter, and Coach Schweikert coming in, has only brought us closer together. Everyday we are learning and putting in the work and we are already seeing our success on the field.” The team mentality dictates the attitude Verlin describes.
And it appears that Verlin was correct, as the first game of the season occurred on Feb. 2 with a tremendous victory for the Poets, who went against La Sierra University Golden Eagles and clutched a run-rule victory of 10-2. “[The team] are amazing human beings, they are working hard on- and off the field,” Coach Schweikert explains. “To see their hard work and the foundation we are trying to create, to see that come out in a victory, that was huge.”
With the season kicking off with a good start, Coach Schweikert intends to take the team and play “one pitch at a game,” as she describes it. “I’m excited to be here, I’m excited to grow this program, and I feel really blessed.” The softball team is slated to play against Chapman University on Friday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m., so bring a loved one and watch Coach Schweikert, Coach Heal, and the team play ball.
Poets Display a Sense of Community With CalTech
Sara Martínez CO-HEAD COPY EDITOR
As the Eaton fire wreaked havoc on the cities of Altadena and Pasadena, students of California Institute of Technology (CalTech) were just settling back to begin the Spring 2025 semester. The first day of Instruction was Monday, Jan. 6, and many felt the pressure of the fires surrounding as they navigated a new semester. After seeing the Palisades fire upend others’ lives, students and faculty received an emergency notification from the institute at 7 p.m., just one day later.
The message was a warning for all residents to stay inside due to flying ash and strong winds. CalTech, only four miles from Altadena, eventually closed campus on Wednesday, Jan. 8, including all sports facilities. While sports seemed to be the last thing on anyone’s mind, for those athletes who were in the middle or just beginning their seasons, it felt like all aspects of their lives had been put on halt.
Whittier College Head Swim Coach Michael Jafari was already tracking the Eaton fire when he heard from CalTech’s Head Swim
Coach Andrew Brabson that their scheduled meet with the Poets on Jan. 11 would be cancelled as
a result of the devastation. It was unclear how long it would take for the Beavers to return to normalcy, something Coach Brabson had to nagivate.
In the spirit of camaraderie, Coach Jafari called Coach Brabson back and invited him and the CalTech Swim team to train at the Graham Athletic Center. “The Head Coach lives nearby and had to evacuate; eventually the entire
CalTech campus had to evacuate. So I said, ‘Come train with us.’” CalTech trained alongside the Whittier Poets Swim Team for two weeks, which according to Coach Jafari worked perfectly since the teams matched up really well. Rivalry was forgotten in this fraught time and the two teams were able to coexist as a result of unfortunate circumstances.
CalTech Swim trained with the
Poets until they received the okay to return to campus on Monday, Jan. 27. Both teams acknowledged that they benefited from the experience and decided to plan a similar training experience. “We would definitely do this again. Moving forward, we were thinking we could go out to them and have them come back and train with us,” Coach Jafari commented.
After hearing that CalTech
Swim was practicing at the Lillian Slade Aquatics Center to continue their practices, CalTech’s Head Baseball Coach Kevin Whitehead reached out to Whittier’s Head Baseball Coach Mike Rizzo and asked if their baseball team could also utilize the baseball field.
According to Coach Rizzo, “They came out on Saturdays and practiced after our guys. Coach Kevin was trying to see if they could practice inside their own gym but CalTech closed off all campus buildings including their gym. They couldn’t practice outside due to the poor air quality and Pasadena city ordinances.”Although the Poets Baseball Team did not practice alongside CalTech’s team, they adjusted their Saturday practices to accommodate the CalTech Beavers.
While the news has focused on the loss of homes and destruction of communities, they have neglected the impact of sports as an outlet for these unforeseen changes to the season. For the Swim and Baseball teams of CalTech, being able to continue their sport provided them with a sense of normalcy. Coach Jafari and Coach Rizzo’s display of solidarity displays that sport can create a sense of community transcending even the most fraught times.
An unforeseen season brings the team closer together.
Courtesy of Olivia Nunez/QuAkER CAmPuS
The Poets and Beavers endure the fires’ destruction together.
Courtesy of Getty Images
Dodgers Paint More Inclusive Picture for Angelinos
Olivia Nuñez SPORTS EDITOR
Dodger Stadium often shook whenever “El Toro” took the mound, an echo of representation for the brown-skinned people who resided just down the hill. The national frenzy was christened “Fernandomania,” and the phenomenon turned former Dodgers’ pitcher Fernando Valenzuela into another face around a dinner table in Boyle Heights, another player in a pick-up game in Inglewood, and a chubby Mexican child’s dream.
The city reveled in Valenzuela’s tenacity and commanding presence in a space that was not always so welcoming to Latino players. Fernandomania peaked in 1981, his breakout season when the Dodgers won the World Series.
Perhaps his greatest legacy, though, is how, in the early 1980s, he transformed Dodger Stadium into a place of joy and celebration for a Mexican-American community whose wounds were still fresh from being disposed of their homes in Chavez Ravine to pave the way for Dodgers Stadium. In reclaiming the space from which generations of Mexican-American families had been displaced, Valenzuela became a symbol of the rising cultural and political power of Latinos in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers retired Valenzuela’s number during the 2024 season, adding to his legacy. The icon’s death occurring just days before the Dodgers went to the World Series cemented his legend. Their gritty play in the series reflected Valenzuela’s character; fittingly, the championship parade took place on his birthday.
Valenzuela was also recently immortalized in shades of cobalt and lemon bleeding down a cracking concrete wall, his six-story mural
painted on the side of an apartment building on First Street facing the Hollywood Freeway, upon which he looks down like a guardian angel. The Valenzuela mural, by artist Robert Vargas, adds to the city’s grassroots Dodger folklore.
Valenzuela joins Jackie Robinson, Joe Kelly, Cody Bellinger, Shohei Ohtani, and other Dodger heroes captured in iconic moments on concrete walls around the city.
Before Dodger Stadium became “Blue Heaven on Earth,” it was, paradoxically, the city’s extension of Hell. Situated in the recesses of Los Angeles’ otherwise bright lights, it was home to blue-collar immigrants like Julian Chavez, from which the name “Chavez Ravine” is derived. He arrived in Los Angeles from New Mexico in the early 1830s when the newly independent Mexico ruled that area. Most of the residents of Chavez Ravine were blue-collar immigrants who had limited choices about where to live due to housing discrimination.
The like-minded community nestled on that hill provided an opportunity for immigrants. Residents set down roots, raised families, hung laundry on clothespins, and made a life for the next generation that could settle in the ravine. This was until 1957 when Brooklyn
Dodgers owner, Walter O’Malley announced that the team would move to Los Angeles.
The team found a temporary home in the Los Angeles Coliseum, but the club owners searched for the corner of heaven where the “Boys in Blue” could reside. The deal that led to the team’s transfer was drafted on the condition that “the Dodgers would set aside 40 Chavez Ravine acres for 20 years as a city-administered recreation site and spend $500,000 to build and $60,000 annually to maintain facilities there.” So, the city began forcing residents like Julian Chavez out of their homes, and those who refused to leave had their residences subsequently bulldozed.
Los Angeles officials denied petitions to convert Chavez Ravine into a haven of affordable housing for immigrants and conflicts around the Dodgers’ history in LA simmered. For some, the events of 1958 are a deep scar in the city’s fabric and continue to be unforgivable. For many others, that dark chapter of history is growing fainter as generations of Hispanic fans claim the Dodgers as their own. In no small part thanks to the legacy of Fernandomania.
Hispanic culture in Los Angeles is synonymous with low-riders drawing attention down Sunset Boulevard, taco trucks popping up on inconspic-
uous club corners, and sprawling murals highlighting an artistically rich environment. Murals are not unique to the back of South LA barber shops but have a history far richer than any team in the majors could ever boast.
Mural paintings can be traced back to the Paleolithic period and could be up to 12,000 years old. However, their purpose shifted to the hands of Hispanic artists. Mexican muralists started using muralism to convey social and political messages and rally communities around movements. Artists like Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros wielded their brushes to motivate others. Their impact shaped how street art is translated into Latin American communities and the perception of accessibility in art.
Now, in the graffiti-littered streets, artists such as Jose Vargas, Jonas Never, and Gustavo Zermeño Jr. do their part in repairing Hispanic culture’s perception of the Dodgers, one brushstroke at a time.
During the summer of 1980, a chubby Mexican made his way out to the mound, roaring fans holding their breath as he pointed his eyes to the sky in prayer before delivering a mind-bending breaking ball. His arrival took the predominantly white sport of baseball by storm. It provided a cultural connection to a city that recalled the LA Dodgers’ less-than-warm welcome.
Through the voice of Dodgers’ Latin broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, adjacent to the legendary announcer Vin Scully, Angelinos visualized an image of their fathers, uncles, and brothers on the Dodgers’ roster every time Valenzuela started a game.
Right-handed kids would situate themselves in the opposite direction, with 34 emblazoned on their backs to mimic the southpaw.
Few players have created thesame frenzy Fernando Valenzuela did during his time in LA, which is why his death was such a massive loss for Hispanic fans.
His impact was worthy of a three-paneled, six-story mural on the side of a Boyle Heights apartment complex, which Vargas completed using free-hand technique. He would work from sunrise to sunset, often skipping meals to complete the mural in a timely manner. The work was finally unveiled on Nov. 3, two days after the City Council approved a resolution marking Nov. 1 as “Fernando Valenzuela Day” in honor of his birthday.
Vargas had finished a 150-foottall portrait of Ohtani in Little Tokyo on the side of the Miyako Hotel earlier in the year. This mural offers a glimpse into the environment Angelinos, and Dodgers fans curate. During the conversation with the LAist, Vargas offered his motivation to illustrate these particular Dodgers, “These are two immigrants, you know, who are doing amazing things with their lives, inspiring people who look like them, under the umbrella of the Dodgers, unites everybody. So it’s all about everyone having a seat at the table.”
With his toothy smile and steely nerve, Fernando Valenzuela brought Dodgers baseball back into the fabric of the larger community and a bigger story. Baseball will continue to have its place in the barrios, and art will continue to mark the city’s culture, promoting a vision of unity for future generations. As the Dodgers report to Camelback Ranch to begin the new season, the past grounds them in that red clay while searching for another championship to offer Los Angeles.
Robert Vargas’s mural looks out over the 101 Freeway.
Courtesy of Robert Vargas
Chelsea Bartilad/Quaker Campus
The QC Staff
Suggests:
Anna Gaber Editor-in-Chief
Want to know what our Editor-in-Chief recommends this week? Read on!
Movie:
I recently watched Nosferatu (2024) in theaters. The use of real candle light in several of its scenes made the movie visually stunning and unforgettable, and the blurred line created by the story-building between reality, dreams, and delirium set the whole tone of the movie. However, there were some plot holes I came across, which might be due to the fact that I haven’t seen previous Dracula films, except for the very first one from 1922. Nosferatu fits in the horror genre, but, in my opinion, nothing beats the very first Nosferatu: Synmphy of Horror movie with its 1920s’ black and white haunting eeriness.
Courtesy Of Focus Features
Food:
A dish that I cannot stop thinking about is Paella. I had authentic Spanish Paella when I went to Barcelona this past fall and for New Years, and it was life changing to say the least. I had already had it on occasion when my dad and I would make it as I was growing up, but trying the real thing set a new standard for what I make at home. Paella is a seafood or other meat dish, with vegetables, rice, and even saffron. These ingredients aren’t something you can easily obtain or cook up on a daily basis, so this meal being an occasional one makes it even more special to me.
Courtesy of Riegal palate.com
Music:
Ever since I discovered him some years ago, I have had a love for the music of Mark Van Hoen, also known by his stage name Locust. Specifically, his album Morning Light (1997) and songs on it like “No-One in the World”, “Just Like You” and “The Daydream Girl from Sealand”. Van Hoen mixes jazz and ambient, with added elements of experimental techno, and has referred to John Coltrane and Kraftwerk as a couple of his influences. Sarah Peacock and Wendy Roberts’ mesmerizing vocals on that album in particular are pure auditory magic.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Time To Switch To the Switch 2
Elias Loya COPY EDITOR
If something worked once, why not try it again? After all, some of the most successful franchises to ever exist have had sequels and reiterations, like Star Wars, Sonic the Hedgehog, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Legend of Zelda, and so on. Naturally, this rule also applies to technology, with various re-releases of cars and devices headed our way each year. Recently, Nintendo teased the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, which serves as a long-awaited update to the original Switch, thst debuted back in March 2017. What makes this new console so special, and how are fans reacting to this announcement?
Images of the Switch 2 were leaked online for months before Nintendo even acknowledged that this console exists. Much of what we know about this release is actually still under wraps, and all we have is a short trailer that Nintendo published, for which none of the specifications about the device were explicitly stated.
Based on the video alone though, we were able to see a couple of new features, like possibly a pair of magnetic snap-on Joycons with raised bumpers, a wider stand, backwards compatibility with original Switch games, and overall larger dimensions.
Various gaming magazines and
online blogs have speculated about potential features like OLED displays, a custom NVIDIA chip, Deep Learning Super Sampling (NVIDIA’s rendering technology that boosts frame rates and enhances image quality) support, and improved battery life. Nintendo will share more information via their Nintendo Direct event in April 2025.
With all of this information— or lack thereof—in mind, how are the people reacting to it? For the most part, the reactions are pretty optimistic, with many social
media comments exclaiming that they’re looking forward to the new technological upgrades as well as new installments to Mario Kart, Tomodachi Life, and hope for the remastering of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
There is, of course, some skepticism in regards to the performance, as many expressed their concerns with the previous model’s Joycon drifts and the processing power for third-party publishers.
Dan Lipscombe of Gaming Bible brings up another important is-
sue, stating that the reveal “doesn’t give [us] a sense of how much of an upgrade the visuals and frame rates will get.” Nintendo will also be facing competition from the Steam Deck and the PlayStation Portal. Even with so much more information yet to be revealed, the Switch 2 is undoubtedly an exciting release. So, will this next generation of the Nintendo Switch be a true upgrade to its predecessor, or will it be a ‘flopped’ sequel like Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo? We can’t sayjust yet, but all there’s really left to do now is wait.
Toxic Relationship in Compan ion
Ernesto Hernandez STAFF WRITER
Companion is the first horror-comedy film to be released in 2025, creating a overwhelming feeling since the myth says that “any films released in January tend to be bad”. I want you to take that idea and throw it outside the window because this film—to my surprise— lived up to the mysteriously good intentions that it had.
Director Drew Hancock was able to take the typical concept of “Honeymoon Gone Wrong” and transform it into this idea involving the usage of modern technology, which I believe will be an uprising genre within the film community.
Without giving anything away, think of a modernized version of The Terminator (1984) and combined with M3GAN (2023). For all the Yellowjackets fans reading this, Sophie Thatcher did an astounding job with her role as Iris in this film. It seems like she was able to greatly portray the emotions of a truly iconic final girl from start to finish.
Likewise, Jack Quaid, who is known for his role as Hughie in The Boys and in the 2022 Scream reboot/sequel, also plays Josh the boyfriend, almost like he was made to play the evil boyfriend.
I would say that he once again was that character made for those comedic moments in between something happening, which I was not upset at. It gave the film more character if you asked me. Those who have seen the Scream remake
would most definitely recognize the reference made toward the end of the film (if you know, you know). The idea of this film having such a small cast creates a more intimate setting among characters.
I feel like you can connect with or relate with them more compared to having a vast number of people whose job is to just be a supporting
character.
Regarding the cinematography, I adored the idea that they were able to capture the film’s tone as seen through the various outfits between Iris and Josh which represent the idea of modern love and old love.
Iris is dressed in a more '50s/'60s casual manner while Josh is the typical flannel-over-shirt type of guy.
As for the title cards, the way they were able to combine both a soft pastel color with the bright red droplets of blood added to the aesthetic of the film as well. Overall, I would say that I recommend watching this film in theaters for a good mixture of laughter as well as sci-fi horror.
Courtesy of Robert Grierson
Will the Switch 2 be better than it's predecessor?
Photo Courtesy of Nintendo
Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher have a deadly companionship in new Horror movie.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Indie Movie Success For Oscars Nominations
Ernesto Hernandez STAFF WRITER
Every year, various forms of film media get nominated to become a part of the annual Oscars. From drinking chemical substances, to running in the sands of Arrakis, to taking a trip to Munchkin land to meet Glinda and Elphaba, this marks one of the best years of Oscar nominations.
Starting off, what I want to say first is that I am most proud of Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley for getting recognized for their roles as Sue and Elizabeth in The Substance (2024). It surprises me that Demi Moore has been in the film community for years, and she is now getting the recognition that she deserves.
For this film to have been an indie film and to be nominated truly warms my heart. We need more indie directors to be recognized for all their hard work put onto the paper that then gets put onto the screen.
Likewise, I would also say that with the topic of individuals getting recognized, Mikey Madison’s role in Anora (2024) also got nominated for Best Picture. If you haven’t seen this film, I would most truly recommend doing so, as director Sean Baker manages to capture the raw emotions of the characters
within the films. In terms of Best Production Design, the famously known director Robert Eggers takes the lead for his new film, Nosferatu (2024). This film, if you were to ask me, should have been on the list for Best Picture.
The reason behind this is the fact that he manages to pour all of his heart towards ensuring that the films truly represent the period that he is going for, which in this case
was the 1800s. Though not many individuals talk about animation, it seems that Inside Out 2 (2024) seems take in the lead for Best Animated Feature.
It makes me feel nostalgic that there are still people who like animated films in this generation, so seeing that this film got nominated is very exciting. Now with every highlight in this event, there are the also the lowlights, which in this
case is the controversy of Karla Sofia Gasćon. After her nomination for Best Actress in a Leading role as the first ever trans woman, there have been tweets that have been surfacing the internet of her past tweets on X where she seems to be making remarks against Muslim culture as well as criticism among certain socially impactful events that have occurred within the past years.
Though she is highly aware of
these tweets resurfacing, she refuses to withdraw her nomination leading to a high number of individuals being divided on behalf of her action.
As we approach the Oscars, more and more scandals surrounding Gasćon have been revealed. Will Gasćon be able to disregard these tweets if she wins? I guess we'll find out soon enough in march.
TikTok Was Gone But Not For That Long
Lexi Brattain ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA
One of the most anticipated days for the Gen-Z population has finally come—and it is also humorously gone. On Jan. 19 we all got to experience a nationwide blackout of the most popular app to our generation thus far, TikTok, only for it to reappear less than 12 hours later.
When we woke up on Jan. 20 to the app being open for access again, there was a thank you note to newly elected President Trump. Ironic the one who originally wanted the app banned, now being made out to be the savior.
According to a New York Magazine article, Trump has continued to make claims such as, “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, because I won youth by 34 points.”
Although, the backstory is him deeming this originally as a threat for the United States. In 2020, U.S. officials along with President Trump, began to emerge the idea that the app that is owned by Chinese investors, posed a “potential national security threat.”
Fast forward, Jan. 19 Trump vowed to delay the ban, using this potential ban now as a tool for power and heroism. According to Associated Press News, this deal was going to end up one of two ways, either blaming former President Joe Biden for it not being accomplished
under his watch or Presidentelect Trump being the conqueror while “making sure content on the platform is favorable to him.”
So should we be thanking the President for protecting us from the alleged threat of stolen data, or should we worry because now he has full control over the app that gives us so much? Short answer- no, we should not be thanking him.
As a TikTok user, the app has
given me so much insight into global events, in the U.S., and for the smallest amount of patience I have for our government, it also has given me insight there too.
While I do believe that there are some things that go on in the world we do not need to be seeing every day, what makes the government think they have the right to decide that for us?
There is a freedom that comes
with TikTok and that's exactly what I believe makes it so attractive to users. We are able to express ourselves freely, speak whatever we choose, share stories, help others, learn and teach.
So why would the government want us to lose that? In my opinion, the only logical conclusion to this question is that Donald Trump has zero control over what goes on in the app, and more importantly,
he has no control over us. That is precisely why the control has now shifted his way, and will continue to go his way. While the app may have come back to us peacefully, it would be suggested for us to stay aware and vigilant about what this really means.
If President Trump has taught us anything, it is that when the control is in his hands, the people of our country no longer have power.
Photo Courtesy of REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Oscars look promising for those who enjoy the indie films of 2024.
Tiktok was ban for 14-16 hours before it came back online for Americans.
Photo Courtesy of Getty Images