QUAKER CAMPUS
March 6, 2025
Campus On Alert Amid Immigration Policy Shift
Whittier College hosted several speakers to provide information and resources for undocumented students and their families in response to President Trump’s extensive agenda regarding immigration.
Piper Guinn NEWS EDITOR
Reporting by Chelsea Bartilad Atticus Chaidez
Since taking office, President Donald Trump and his administration continue to push their extensive immigration agenda, defined by executive orders that are restricting citizenship and entry into the U.S. Trump has also motioned for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to “set new enforcement policies to address illegal entry, unlawful presence, and removal of those unlawfully present in the U.S.”
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office, more commonly known as ICE, is the primary investigative agency of the DHS and has a central role in carrying out deportations. Trump’s executive orders expand upon existing immigration law enforcement in the U.S. in a major way, enabling ICE to carry out arrests in places such as schools, churches, hospitals, and courtrooms.
The orders encourage expedited removal of undocumented migrants from the U.S., severely restricting these migrants’ ability to seek legal counsel and right to due
process. Furthermore, the Department of Justice (DoJ) suspended work on programs that provide immigrants “access to basic legal information and representation necessary to navigate complex court processes,” according to Vera.
These programs, such as the Legal Orientation Program, the Immigration Court Helpdesk, the Family Group Legal Orientation Program, and the Counsel for Children Initiative, often represent immigrant families and children who do not have the resources to represent themselves.
Whittier College itself is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and has long expressed its commitment to protecting individuals from diverse backgrounds, which includes undocumented students and faculty. The College adopted the Poet Student Sanctuary Protection Policy back in 2017—during Trump’s first term—in response to immigration policy from that year.
The policy still stands today, and ensures “equal access to the College’s educational resources, including financial aid and study abroad opportunities” for all students, regardless of immigration status.
The protection policy also states that “Whittier College faculty, administrators, and staff, including Campus Safety personnel and the
Registrar, will not knowingly assist Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol authorities in information gathering, deportation, immigration raids or individual targeting or intimidation of Whittier College students or any other members of the Whittier College community.”
In response to Trump’s recent executive orders and the pursuant legal atmosphere, the College hosted numerous events and posted resources around campus to provide information on ICE raids, immigration law, and related topics.
On Feb. 20, the College held an informational meeting at the Cam-
pus Center in Club 88. During the meeting, immigration lawyer Mercedes Castillo spoke to the student body and faculty clarifying their rights in the event they come into contact with an ICE agent. Castillo warned that if anyone student or faculty sees an ICE agent, they should immediately contact Whittier College’s Campus Safety, as ICE has to go through the College’s Campus Security before conducting any of their duties. She clarified that although you can get in trouble for interfering with ICE’s activities, you cannot get in trouble for not helping them.
One of the most important pieces of information shared is that students’ dorms are a somewhat safe space. If ICE attempts to come into a student’s dorm, they are under no obligation to allow access into the building. If ICE claims to have a warrant, it must be signed by a judge not an ICE or CDP (Center for Domestic Preparedness) agent–and even if the warrant is signed by an ICE or CDP agent, it is still unlawful for them to enter a residence hall without permission.
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Drawing Back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Following the issuance of President Trump’s executive orders eliminating DEI programs nationwide, private institutions—such as Whittier College—have been forced to adjust.
Paola Ruiz STAFF WRITER
Programs aimed at promoting diversity and reducing discrimination have existed across corporations and educational institutions in America for decades, particularly since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law in 1964, effectively barring companies from discriminating against their employees based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.
After the resurgence in anti-discriminatory and “Black Lives Matter” protests following the death of George Floyd in 2020, companies became more vocal about their incorporation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. However, opponents of DEI have become more vocal, too. “DEI has become a political lightning rod,” states John Yang of PBS News.
nities for all.” She emphasizes that the College will “continue to evaluate our programs through the lens of our core values, ensuring they align with our mission and withstand legal scrutiny.”
Furthermore, Dillon acknowledged that this process “may involve refining certain activities and adopting language that reflects our foundational beliefs, thereby safeguarding our resources and objectives.” Whittier College, for instance, maintains its Office of Equity and Inclusion, reflecting its historical commitment to diversity rooted in Quaker values.
sociation (BSA), Desi and Middle Eastern Club, and many others.
At the state level, Democratic governors have not hesitated to respond to President Trump’s agenda. California Governor Gavin Newsom has voiced his opposition to certain federal actions, including efforts to restrict DEI programs, limit protections for transgender individuals, and reduce state control over immigration policies.
“What we saw almost immediately,” Yang continues, “you know, after that summer of racial reckoning, if you will, was a bit of an allergic reaction.” Conservative state legislatures nationwide began defunding DEI programs and banning their implementation in schools. As part of his campaign promise last year, Donald Trump and his administration vowed to take down public and private diversity programs. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, Trump “doubled down on this commitment to racial grievance” that existed during his first term but has been taken to a new level in the wake of 2020’s protests.
resources regardless of race, gender, religion, disability, or socioeconomic background. The Trump administration has stated that the DEI program fosters “preferential treatment,” which they claim takes away from merit-based practices.
According to its website, “more than 50 percent of students at Whittier and a quarter of our faculty are people of color,” reflecting the College’s commitment to “creating a campus that reflects the ethnic diversity of our nation.”
Nationwide, several major corporations have adjusted their DEI policies to comply with Trump’s mandates. For example, PepsiCo discontinued their DEI workforce program that helped with their representation goals. Similarly, Citigroup removed its diversity targets aimed at improving representation among women and ethnic minorities.
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump signed three executive orders that undid DEI initiatives within federal agencies and among federal contractors. These orders have ended the DEI offices, positions, and programs that offer equal opportunity for workers, ensuring fair treatment and access to
In response to Trump’s executive orders, Whittier College President Kristine E. Dillon reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to DEI in a campus-wide email, stating, “While external policies may change, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a community that values individual differences and promotes inclusive learning opportu-
The College offers various resources and programs to support underrepresented groups, including the Gender Equity Center and initiatives for Black and LGBTQIA+ students. Whittier College also has a Diversity Council, made up of members from various clubs representing distinct identities throughout the College. This includes the Asian Student Association (ASA), Black Student As-
Despite this, some companies have chosen to maintain their commitment to DEI initiatives. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Costco have publicly defended their DEI efforts, stating that these programs are integral to innovation, better decision-making, and overall business success. These organizations argue that DEI is essential for attracting talent and improving business outcomes.
The voice of WhiTTier college since 1914
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Courtesy Of The OrANge COuNTy regisTer
Trump pushes to eradicate DEI programs.
Migrants respond to Trump’s deportation plan.
Whittier Residents Show Love For Their Trees
Piper Guinn NEWS EDITOR
For over a year, a growing number of Whittier residents have fought to keep the historic ficus trees on the Greenleaf Promenade from being cut down, a move that was approved by the City Council and is estimated to cost $20 million. Despite widespread community disapproval, the Council voted 3-1 to proceed after revisiting the plan and making minor adjustments in June 2024.
Led by Conny McCormack, Whittier’s Save our Trees movement holds frequent community events protesting the City Council’s ongoing effort to remove the trees from Uptown. This resistance, coupled with an ongoing lawsuit, has cultivated a strong anti-removal sentiment among residents. The pro-tree petition linked on the Save Our Trees website currently has over 7,000 signatures.
On Sat. Feb. 15, a group of dedicated citizens gathered for a “We Love our Trees” rally in the clearing across from Mimo’s Cafe on Greenleaf Ave. After an uncharacteristically rainy spell for Southern California, sunshine had just returned to the City of Whittier in time for Valentine’s Day weekend. As a result, Uptown was populated by local residents and families from neighboring communities.
Shaded from the growing heat by the very trees that the Council has voted to chop down, some pedestrians shopped, others stopped for a bite at a mom-and-pop restaurant, and many found their way to the rally.
The rally welcomed those who were already tuned in to the conflict, as well as those who had not heard of the project. Chalk splayed across the sidewalk and bubbles blowing through the air invited children to drag their parents aside, while raffle tickets for the Uptown movie theater and recent Whittier College production of Silent Sky drew in whole families.
Martha Hererra, a resident of Santa Fe Springs, stopped by the rally with her family amid a casual
day in Uptown when she “saw the kids having fun.” While not local to Whittier, Hererra has been coming to the Greenleaf Promenade for decades. “Since I was a little girl, Whittier has always had that small town feeling in a big city. It’s nice to have these gems around LA,” she adds.
Hererra, not previously aware of the situation, was upset by the Council’s vote to remove the trees and eager to sign the petition upon learning more during the rally. “We make the effort to come to these places. If you destroy that small business feel, it’ll become a cookie cutter community,” Hererra says with furrowed brows. “It’d be heartbreaking to cut down the trees.”
In addition to spreading love, the gathering increased support and signatures from people like Hererra was a major goal of the afternoon. “We’re talking to people who still don’t know about it, so there’s definitely a gap in information,” says Noa Larios, a young advocate who joined the cause last summer and whose girlfriend started the growing petition.
Within the first 30 minutes of the rally, the petition gained as many signatures from rally attendees. While these signatures are a useful measurement of the movement’s public support, the resistance has yet to influence the Council’s decision. Regardless, opponents of the plan continue to apply pressure by attending bimonthly council meetings. McCormack feels this is the best thing for a concerned citizen to do to make their voice heard. “We like people to come to the city council and give public comments. [The Council] has to listen when you’re standing right in front of them,” she notes.
The only sitting member who voted to keep the trees is Mary Ann Pacheco, who has only served since April 2024, which also makes her the newest member. According to McCormack and Larios, the councilwoman adopted one of the ficus trees as well, establishing herself as the biggest ally of Save our Trees on the Council.
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Council members who voted to raze the trees argue that their removal will make it easier for shopkeepers to facilitate business and improve walkability in Uptown. However, when the plan was initially presented to business owners, “the trees were never mentioned,” according to McCormack. “Businesses were duped by the council. They just wanted to clean up Uptown,” but did not realize that any cleanup would take the trees out with the trash.
Before voting, the Council revisited three separate plans for Uptown, two of which would not require all 83 ficus trees to be removed. The Council ultimately approved the only plan that would get rid of all the trees. Vicky Santana, a retired member of the Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees, argues that the Council should “go back to the streetscape plan. Some of [the trees] may need to go, but not all of them.”
While no one is able to bid on the space in Uptown yet, “developers are hoarding money and small businesses could be bought out for franchises,” Larios reveals. “Small businesses are scared to talk for fear of retaliation.”
McCormack adds, “A lot of the ma and pas will never survive the two years of construction” necessary to raze the trees and introduce new infrastructure.
The largest obstacle delaying the Greenleaf Promenade plan from moving forward is an environmental lawsuit, brought against the City by the Whittier Conservancy in December 2024. The suit argues that the City failed to conduct the necessary review process for environmental impact mandated by the state of California. This includes assessment of greenhouse gas capture and available shade.
Chopping down all the trees on the Promenade would eliminate a major source of shade in Uptown, making way for asphalt to absorb heat from the sun, warming the streets of Whittier. Because of this, many residents in attendance at the rally were concerned that cutting down the trees would have
devastating consequences for the environment.
“We need to cool down the Earth, not make it hotter,” Santana argues. She also feels the plan “goes against making [Uptown] a walkable community.” The former trustee member has lived in Whittier since 1990, and graduated from Whittier College in 1993. “One of the most beautiful things about the City of Whittier is its trees,” she says.
In addition to the Conservancy’s suit, Mayor Joe Vinatierri is under investigation because he “failed to recuse himself as a business owner” before voting on the plan and has taken “backroom meetings,” Larios describes. According to him and McCormack, Mayor Vinatierri has ownership of a business on the Promenade, creating a personal complication that was kept under wraps.
For now, Vinatierri and the City are “trying to stay out of the spotlight,” Larios states. However, two of Whittier’s City Council members are up for election in 2026: Octavio Cesar Martinez and Fernando Dutra. Some advocates are hopeful that these seats will be filled by pro-tree councilmembers.
“The whole game right now is buying time until the election,” Larios explains. “I think that they’re still gonna go through with [the plan] but are waiting for the right time.” If the “right time” does not arrive before 2026, new council members could flip the vote and keep the trees.
Regardless of the Council’s decision or the result of the lawsuit, Whittier’s ficus trees will not be forgotten–their environmental impact and legacy in the community are rooted too deep. “It could be seen as a luxury to care about these trees when there are so many other problems in the world right now,” Larios recognizes.
However, he and many others believe that the conflict is not just about the trees, but a testament to Whittier’s strength as a community. McCormack notes, “the resistance is growing,” and it is unlikely to yield any time soon.
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Local tree advocates show up to spread the love.
Piper Guinn / QuAker CAmPus
Undocumented Students Faced With Uncertainty
Piper Guinn NEWS EDITOR
Reporting by Chelsea Bartilad Atticus Chaidez
Cont. from pg. 1.
As the current Trump Administration plans to expand the expedited removal of migrants, Whittier students seek ways to help out. During the information session on Feb. 20, M.E.C.h.A. (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) President Emily Perez-Medina asked, “What moves can we make to make sure we show that [we] support our students here?”
Joanna Diaz, another speaker at the event, responded, “You all [students] are the experts here.” When asked later what she meant, Diaz explained that we are all experts in our own situations; we know what we can or need to do.
Castillo warns that if currently in the process of obtaining documentation, carry a copy of all documentation and receipts with you and to have a good relationship with a lawyer as it can keep you safe. She also offers a service at her firm called the Immigration Prepared-
CA Cracks Down On Nutrition
California has recently taken decisive action to combat the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods, an initiative that emphasizes collaboration with industry experts and consumers to foster a healthier future for all Californians. On Jan. 3, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order directing state agencies to recommend measures aimed at limiting the harms of ultra-processed foods and certain food additives.
Governor Newsom reinforced the urgency of these changes, stating, “The food we eat shouldn’t make us sick with disease or lead to lifelong consequences.” He highlighted California’s commitment to health-focused policies, saying, “California has been a leader for years in creating healthy and delicious school meals, and removing harmful ingredients and chemicals from food.”
Newsom declared, “We’re going to work with the industry, consumers, and experts to crack down on ultra-processed foods, and create a healthier future for every Californian.”
One key aspect of California’s initiative is the proposed restriction on specific harmful food additives, such as brominated vegetable oil and red dye No. 3, which have been linked to various health issues, including hyperactivity in children and potential carcinogenic effects.
The state also plans to expand nutritional education in public schools, requiring that K-12 institutions incorporate lessons on the risks of ultra-processed foods and the benefits of a whole-food diet.
Additionally, California is considering legislation that would mandate clearer labeling on processed foods, including warning
labels for high sugar, sodium, and artificial ingredient content. Another significant aspect of the plan is the introduction of state-funded incentives for grocery stores to stock more fresh, organic produce in low-income communities.
In contrast, the national “Make America Healthy Again” movement, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr., has faced backlash for promoting false health information. Kennedy’s history of spreading vaccine misinformation has raised concerns about the movement’s credibility and its potential impact on public health.
Furthermore, RFK Jr. has linked ultra-processed food consumption to a range of chronic diseases without providing clear, scientifically-backed solutions. His movement has also been criticized for creating systemic barriers to healthy eating, such as food insecurity, lack of access to fresh produce, and the role of large food corporations in shaping dietary habits.
At Whittier College, promoting healthy eating habits among students is a priority. The Campus Inn (CI) is committed to provid -
ing nutritious meal options. Efforts include sourcing fresh, local ingredients and offering a variety of hearty dishes to cater to various dietary needs.
Additionally, the Kinesiology and Nutrition Science departments actively engage in educating students about the importance of balanced diets, aiming to equip them with the knowledge to make informed food choices.
In response to growing qualms concerning college students’ dietary habits, Whittier College has also implemented a new wellness initiative, which includes cooking workshops and nutrition counseling services.
The issue of nutrition also intersects with broader discussions on equal opportunity. Many students from low-income backgrounds struggle to afford fresh, healthy meals, often resorting to processed and fast food due to financial constraints. As proper nutrition directly impacts cognitive function, energy levels, and academic success, access to nutritious food will remain part of the conversation surrounding equal opportunity in higher education.
ness Plan. This service helps build your case preceding the event if you are put in front of a judge and face deportation.
On Feb. 21, the College hosted a similar Immigrants Rights Talk with Dr. Carolina Valdiva, an Assistant Professor of Criminology, Law, and Society at the University of California, Irvine. She discussed the consequences of immigration policy and enforcement across the nation and the possible strategies for undocumented families.
“We’re currently living in an era of deportations,” Valdiva stated. Along with the federal expansion of expedited removal, the Trump administration is pushing to expand the 287(g) program. According to the American Immigration Council, this is a component of immigration law that instructs state and local law enforcement officers to collaborate with the federal government and has a history of targeting those with little or no criminal history.
There are an “estimated 13.7 million individuals” who are “members of mixed-status families” in the U.S., meaning at least one family member is undocumented. The growing reach of federal enforcement into “sensitive areas” such
as schools and churches has led to stress and uncertainty among undocumented students, as well as economic hardships and housing instability, according to Dr. Valdivia.
To alleviate stress and spread a better understanding of the situation regarding undocumented college students, Dr. Valdiva is leading the UndocuBasic Needs project. This provides resources for undocumented students, students in mixed-status families, and educators working with students who are undocumented or from mixed-status families.
Resources are currently available for students who are pursuing college, applying to grad school, or seeking legal support, as well as those seeking transportation, food, health services, or advance parole. The UndocuBasic Needs project also publishes research to provide information for and about undocumented college students.
Outside of these resources, Federally Qualified Health Centers or FQHCs also provide health care for little to no cost. To report ICE sightings, the website Juntos Seguros has a community map that allows anyone to submit an account of ICE agents at specific locations.
City of Whittier Expands West
Sign changes mark an official addition to the City of Whittier.
Recently, the City of Whittier has taken action to annex new territory by replacing some of the city’s street signs, signifying the expansion of the city itself.
The street signs, once blue, have now been replaced with kelly green. According to Whittier Daily News, “The expansion was approved by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) late last year, and grants the city greater control and oversight of the corridor.”
The city limits will officially expand to add another 90 acres of previously unincorporated Los Angeles territory. “The last significant expansion of the city was in 1961, when East Whittier was annexed,” says Mayor Joe Vinatieri. “This annexation not only opens the door to greater acces -
sibility and future opportunities, but it represents another step toward our shared goal of making Whittier the best place in Southern California to raise a family.”
Those affected by the annexation will receive letters explaining as much, and “residents in the annexed areas will be eligible to vote in city elections, with potential adjustments to District 1 and 2 boundaries,” according to city officials. According to the City of Whittier’s website, the annexation is part of the city’s efforts “to enhance local oversight and bring uniformity to key services, development, and branding along this vital corridor,” which in turn, will mark Whittier’s efforts in this formal process. Head to the City of Whittier official website for more overview and information on the annexation.
Priscilla Corona STAFF WRITER
Paola Ruiz STAFF WRITER
Building healthy habits can be challenging for college students.
Courtesy Of suPPly six
The UndocuBasic Needs Project shares resources for students.
Courtesy of @myundocumentedlife
Courtesy of whiTTier DAily News
What’s up,
Whittier?
Stay up to date on events! For further info, visit https://whittier.campuslabs.com/Engage/
Chair Massage
• Thursday, March 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Naylor Portico (Deihl Hall Patio)
Greater Whittier LGBTQ+ Center Tabling
• Thursday, March 6 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Outside the Campus Inn
Using AI for Academic Success
• Thursday. March 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.
• LIS in Wardman Library
FCC Karoke Night
• Thursday, March 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Stauffer Lounge
Intramural Sports: Wiffle-Ball 2-Day Torunament
• Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m.
• Graham Athletic Center (Basketball Court)
La La Land Drive In Movie!
• Thursday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m.
• Harris Amphitheater Lot (The Desert)
Latina Leadership Conference 2025
• Friday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Villalobos Hall
Movie Night
• Friday, March 7 at 3 p.m.
• Harris A 2nd Floor
Craft Hour
• Monday, March 10 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Ettinger Lounge (Next to the Spot)
Pet Therapy
• Tuesday, March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Founder's Hill Lawn (in front of Deihl Hall)
Bug Club Meeting!
• Tuesday, March 18 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Campus Courtyard
Graphing Using Excel
• Tuesday, March 18 at 12:30 p.m.
• SLC 204
Sustainability Club Meetings
• Tuesday, March 18 at 12:30 p.m.
• Founder's Hill
Planner Party
• Wednesday, March 19 at 12 p.m.
• Ettinger Lounge
Industry Hiring Summit
• Wednesday, March 19 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Villalobos Hall
Whittier Embraces Latina Leaders
Clover Morales STAFF WRITER
For many Latine students, the journey towards leadership and inclusion in their community is filled with its own unique obstacles like cultural expectations, systemic barriers, and a lack of representation.
Without the proper resources available, many students can feel isolated, insecure about their identities, and unsure of their future. So how can Latine students feel empowered to take charge and make a difference in their communities? Communities like Whittier Colle ge pride themselves for being open, diverse, and inclusive, and the upcoming Latina Leadership conference on March 7 is the perfect opportunity for students of all backgrounds to come together for lunch and an afternoon of empowerment, selfdiscovery, and self-love.
Associate Director of Career Coaching Desiree Rivas, who is also the leader of the committee planning for the debut of this year’s conference. She strives to connect students with alumn i and community leaders to address crucial areas in personal and professional development through various workshops. The Latina Leadership Conference took inspiration from the Latina Connection Conference at Cal State Long Beach, and Rivas hopes to have a similar event for years to come at the College.
The event will be organized into four separate panels throughout the afternoon as follows: Cultivating Self-Love in a Changing World, Unleashing Your Inner Power, Finding Your Circle: Building a Sense of Belonging, and Exploring Your Identity: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Each student can choose up to two panels to attend, each providing vital resources to support Latine students and for allies to support their Latine peers.
A large Latine conference is crucial, as it can provide students on campus with essential support, resources, and opportunities for growth within the community.
According to Rivas, “Despite Latine students comprising about 42 percent of the student body, [they] face unique challenges in navigating higher education
and developing their leadership potential.”
From Rivas’ perspective, representation alone is not enough to ensure equal opportunities, but instead there needs to be dedicated spaces like the Latina Leadership Conference to provide empowerment, mentorship, and community building. She believes that all of them are crucial to allow Latine and other minority groups to take up leadership positions in the world today.
Attendees can expect the oppportunity to broaden their knowledge and enhance their future career prospects throughout the event. The conference seeks to not just celebrate Latine identities, but also to invest in the success of the current student body, as well as the broader community of Los Angeles and beyond. In addition,
it aims to inspire participants to uplift Latine voices and cultivate a community of belonging in an ever-changing world. In doing so, we can include and support our community during these uncertain times.
Rivas hopes to create a transformative experience for both students and participants, by providing them with a safe space to reflect on themselves and grow. She “hopes that participants will emerge with a deeper understanding of themselves, a stronger sense of purpose, and the confidence to embrace their full potential.” The conference is still accepting registrations, so do not miss out on experiencing a transformative experience to build rapport with peers, community leaders, and the community as a whole.
The Art of Acting With Alpha Psi Omega
Priscilla Corona STAFF WRITER
Among all the honor societies within Whittier College, Alpha Psi Omega stands among them as the society for the dramatic arts.
Currently serving as a national honorary society within the U.S., Alpha Psi Omega began around the early 20th century due to the “growing interest in dramatic arts among colleges and universities throughout America,” as stated on the official Theater Honor Society page.
Societies in other universities began to adapt to the recent move of the dramatic arts, and around the 1920’s is when they began to recognize and reward students in said theatrical productions.
Before rebranding as Alpha Psi Omega, the Society was first established as the Masquers. They originally began performing around 1921 for both the students and their community. They would hold what is known as chapters, where they would hold roughly four to five show productions.
They went by the name the Masquers until their national committee members, which consisted of members such as Elinor B. Watson, Robert Sloan, and Paul F. Opp, “drafted the constitution for Alpha Psi Omega,” and changed
their name officially on Aug. 12, 1925. It was also at this moment they decided each chapter would be called a cast. Nearly a decade later, Alpha Psi Omega now stands as “one of the largest national honor [societies] in America.”
In present days and within Whittier College, Alpha Psi Omega still stands tall, with one member claiming, “I love being in Alpha Psi Omega. It's such an honor–and it led me to exclusive scholarship opportunities. When you join [the society] you get this really cool pin, and you also get a
cord when you graduate. It's all so neat.”
As mentioned before, being a part of Alpha Psi Omega opens up opportunities for scholarships “in the amount of $3,000 to be used by the recipient to further her/ his education and/or professional goals in theatre” as stated by the official Alpha Psi Omega website. While each society–including Alpha Psi Omega–has its own set of requirements to be inducted, you don’t have to be a Theater major ro join. As long as you have at least
two years experience in Theater at the college of your choice, you can join. However, each college might have their own requirements so be sure to check in with the instructor advisor if you are interested in joining.
For more information on requirements and induction, reach out to Alpha Psi Omega’s faculty advisor Gil Gonzalez at apo@ poets.whittier.edu, and for more information of the societies origin story check the Whittier College page and the official Alpha Psi Omega page as well.
The society that every theater kid dreams of.
Courtesy of Whittier College
The long-awaited Latina Conference is almost here.
Courtesy of Whittier College
CAMPUS LIFE
March 6, 2025 5
The WLA Is Back and Better Than Before
Anna Gaber EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
While Women’s Leadership Association (WLA) may seem to be one of the newest clubs on campus, but in actuality, the WLA used to be active until 2021 when the pandemic hit.
Fourth-year Psychology majors Ioana Podarita (WLA's President) and Lucy Corcoran (WLA's Vice President) were encouraged to reactivate the club by Political Science Professor Sara Angevine, after having both Podarita and Corcoran in her Women in Leadership course. To commemorate the club’s return, they hosted an event for International Women’s Day, where students learned about the various resources that WLA has to offer.
“Senate has been very generous to us and they have been helping a lot, so basically all of the supplies we’ll be using for our first event was thanks to [them] and their funds." Podarita expresses, "Something that I didn’t know before was how much they can help with, and just letting students know that they are there and they are a resource.”
Corcoran further adds, “As far as meetings [go], because the club is relatively new, and we were given two weeks to get the budget in and three weeks to plan the event, we haven’t really had time to figure out what we’re going to do outside of this event yet. I think it would be good to have meetings where we can just have open discussions about things that are going on right now."
Corcoran continues by men-
tioning a film festival hosted by WLA might be in the works, and how “Most of the meetings we have now are classes, the class time we have in Professor Angevine’s class, and she’s also our club advisor. This association kind of exists as part of the class for now.”
Since both Corcoran and Podarita are set to graduate this Spring, they have taken on the task of “finding a way for it [the association] to survive outside of class.”
Corcoran adds that the two are in the process of scoping out students who could take over her and Podarita’s positions, as well as someone
who could be the new treasurer, a title currently fulfilled by thirdyear Wanda Huang.
Expanding on the dynamic of WLA, Corcoran warmly states that Huang has been “very, very sweet and super easy to work with,” and that the discussions led by Angevine in class help ignite conversation by “bringing up those uncomfortable topics happening right now that nobody wants to talk about […]", but Podarita firmly adds that they do. Pertaining to the event, the posters, activities, and everything else that required planning were all a collective effort from Angevine’s
Women In Leadership class; funding was the only thing that involved entities outside of the club.
In light of today’s political landscape, Corcoran finds that “having the space to talk about [current events]” is very beneficial, and that she found great value in starting off with open discussions in Angevine’s class. “It is a really safe space and we want to continue to have that, and everyone knows where we stand [regarding] the current state of political choices made […] we are doing this event as a response to many calendar apps removing International Women’s Day from their calendars. We
were going to do the event anyway, but this was an extra push of ‘we need to solidify our stance on why we’re doing this,’’’ Podarita explains. Corcoran mentions that a few organizations on campus, like Program Board and Women in STEM, have reached out to do events, as well as a podcast in Wisconsin that expressed interest in having them. Podarita continues, “And Professor Angevine has a ton of ideas for what we could do for the film festival, because when she was in college and part of the Women’s Leadership Club, she has done these events and she knows how we could replicate them here [at Whittier College], so we have some ideas,” she concludes with a smile. “We just want to make sure we put all of our energy into the event. We’ve been focused on this a lot.”
The two club leaders explain that, regarding next year’s E-Board for WLA, students outside of the association are more than welcome to take on these head positions; it is not exclusive to club members, it is open to anyone interested in being a community leader. They continue by adding that they want the event to be as public as possible and that once they do start to have club meetings they will be advertised on Engage and Instagram (@ poets.wla).
While both Podarita and Corcoran are graduating this semester, the emphasis on maintaining safe public forums for discourse, such as the Women’s Leadership Association, remains steadfast due to the uncertainty of today’s political landscape, particularly concerning women’s rights, autonomy, and their role in society.
Courtesy of Women Leadership Association Courtesy
The WLA is here to slay.
Amalia Jiva and Her Journey of Learning
Sara Martínez CO-HEAD COPY EDITOR
As students ascend the stairs of Hoover’s west wing—the stairs closest to Mendenhall—they can hear the sound of the keyboard clicking in the corner of Hoover 201. The typing belongs to the raised laptop of Professor Amalia Jiva, the Director of the College Writing Program, who smiles and adjusts her black framed lenses. Although small, the office is surprisingly spacious since Professor Jiva’s round desk is one of the only pieces of furniture aside from her small red loveseat adorned with two pillows.
On the far right of her office she has a built-in bookshelf that houses some of her favorites, including Professor Douglas Manuel II’s poetry collection Testify. The room’s atmosphere is softened by the warm white light from the two floor lamps, making the room feel cozy and relaxing.
Dressed in black, Jiva sits in an upright, yet relaxed position, bringing out a sense of peace and stillness with her presence. Unsurprisingly, part of her career has been focusing all of her energy and attention to the students she teaches by learning to listen carefully to them in order for her to attune her superb skills to best help them. She then tilts her head as her tone becomes even more sincere, “I learned that in order to best help a student, I must listen and try to understand what it is they are trying to say so I can help them express that idea in their writing, whether it’s a thesis or term paper.”
Born in Romania, Jiva grew up behind the Iron Curtain, when Eastern Europe was under Soviet occupation, making her no stranger to adversity. Her family left Romania when Jiva was around the age of
18 and first arrived in Rome, Italy. “I remember walking in the streets and coming across a street vendor selling all sorts of grapes,” Jiva recalls, hands folded together, her face lost in thought. “It wasn’t the variety of grapes that shocked me, but the prices. Growing up, everything had one set price. Seeing those grapes and the different prices, it’s a memory that stays with me forever.”
Although she has found her passion in supporting students with their writing, the Writing Director’s journey started off in her fondness for linguistics. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in History and Modern Languages from Liberty University, then received her Masters in Applied Linguistics from Boston University. It was during her time at Boston University when a
friend encouraged Jiva to apply for a job at Tufts University as part of the Writing Fellows, a curriculum-embedded student tutoring program. After she was hired, Jiva soon discovered how much she enjoyed advising undergraduate and graduate students on their writing.
Professor Jiva soon left Tufts and began working at the Shanghai Jiao Tong Institute. “My husband , who is also a professor, had gotten a job first, and then that’s when I started looking for employment. I then found the opportunity at the Tong Institute, a branch of the University of Michigan.” There she designed and led academic workshops as the Director of the Writing Center such as a workshop called Responding to Writing. “I loved my time there and unfortunately due to the pandemic
it was cut short and that’s when I came back to the states.” Jiva’s demeanor changes and her tone softens, becoming melancholic, when she reminisces about this part of her career, or more appropriately, this special part of her life.
After having to leave Shanghai Jiao Tong due to the pandemic, Jiva lived with family in Florida for a while before receiving the opportunity to be Director of the Whittier College writing program last Fall.
Now that Jiva has joined the College, her time is dedicated to constructing the same kind of writing support she directed at both Tufts and SJT Institute. Last month, Jiva hosted an event for faculty that focued on encouraging students to read—something she was proud about—as she straightens up and
her eyes become bright, “What I wanted was to create a space for professors to engage with each other and share their insight, which was great because we had faculty from all disciplines present, even someone from athletics.” Additionally, the Writing Director also hopes to further the support for students, especially seniors writing their thesis, by providing them resources and advisors that are integrated with their senior seminar classes.
Here at Whittier Colege, Jiva feels at home in spite of the unexpected turns that life has taken in the past decade. “I look forward to the plans I have and especially working alongside students and helping them develop their ideas,” Jiva says as she gives a generous smile while sipping from her blue coffee mug.
Meet Amalia Jiva, the new Director of the College Writing Program.
Photo Courtesy of Amalia Jiva
Chelsea Bartilad / Quaker Campus
Jacquelyne Estrada’s Joy for Performing Arts
Emma Galvan CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR
The early morning sun rays shine through the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, where there is a specific hallway on the side of the patio, one full of offices and classrooms occupied the professors in the Theater and Film Department. One of these offices belongs to Assistant Professor Jacquelyne Estrada, located at the end of the hallway before you take a turn.
As you approach their office, various posters from past productions are hung up on the opposite wall. The office door opens, revealing Estrada. “I’m so sorry,” she laughs walking to her desk that is full of plastic and Lego plants, “it’s been a chaotic production.” Inside her office is a long white couch designed with pastel flowers, tying well with Estrada’s shirt of similar design alongside a pair of jeans. Now being well-adjusted behind , she begins recalling everything that has happened to get them to where they are today.
Growing up in Ontario, California, Estrada’s love for film and set designs originally stemmed from an appreciation for Disneyland. “I grew up going to Disneyland a lot,” Estrada explains, leaning back into her chair, “I got really inspired to do storytelling through that [...] When I started college, I wanted to do something similar to what Walt Disney Imagineers do and design rides.” That dream also led them to discover her love for theater.
Fiddling with their hands, Estrada recalls, “I was directed towards theater, [and] I told myself ‘that sounds a lot like what theater people do. You should try and get into that.’” Smiling while recalling
the memories, she continues, “So I ended up taking nothing but theater classes for a good two, three years,” laughing briefly she says, “I fell in love with the world of [theater] and decided to stick with it.” She would continue her undergrad and eventual grad studies in Theater and Design to further their experience.
Speaking of college education, Estrada has had a journey of studying at multiple schools with numerous mentors by their side. While attending Chaffey Community College, they met one of their mentors, Professor Bill Mitler. Smiling widely while recalling her memories, Estrada expresses, “He is like an excitable, very chaotic person and encapsulates theater in a great way.” Eventually Estrada transferred to the California State Polytechnic University Pomona for her undergraduate degree in Theater in the Design and Technical Production program. There, she also met her other mentor Professor Kristin Campbell. Adjusting their chair, she explains, “She did scenic design professionally and she taught me a lot of [skills] like how to do the scenic painting stuff.” After completing her undergraduate degree, Estrada found herself on the campus of University of California, Irvine for grad school where she found a community in the Theater Department.
Estrada claims that she has a lot of fond memories but one sticks out, “One of the shows I did was called Sweetheart Deal. It was just that the group of us were all fast friends and we really got involved with it.”
Moving her hand from side to side to emphasize her happiness, Estrada continues, “When we weren’t seriously focused on the show, we were sitting around laughing and joking
and having some fun. It was one of the most exciting and fun experiences I’ve ever had in theater.” With a determined tone, she comments, “It really stuck with me as a way to run that kind of process and I have hopes that I can instill that further.”
In-between the shows that they were a part of, Estrada also started focusing on their love for teaching which carried from their undergrad days. Taking a moment to reflect on how it came to be, she says, “I kind of felt a love for it.” Due to the age difference between her and her classmates, Estrada elaborates that, “I would be seen as kind of like a mentor, because I was an older student, so a lot of people would see me as someone to look up to. They [other students] started asking me a lot of questions and I started oneon-one, helping them, and through that I started to TA [teacher assisting].” According to her, the calming atmosphere and the education aspect pushed them to ask their advisor at UCI to try and get them to teach. “I loved getting to see other people’s perspectives, because the arts are such a human based thing. Seeing how people perceive and understand something, like they’ll read a script and then see something that someone else might not see, or maybe that they have a different interpretation, that was so exciting to me,” Estrada fondly exclaims, eyes full of energy despite the early morning.
During her last year of grad school, Estrada stumbled upon Whittier College while browsing for post-graduation opportunities and took the chance due to its closeness to home. Now as an Assistant Professor, Estrada feels right at home with their students, “I like that the classes are small, so I get to know a lot of them really well. I’ve seen a
lot of people just grow and blossom, just be creative.” Grinning widely while thinking of other experiences, Estrada explains, “I’ve had a lot of students who are like ‘Oh, I’m not an artist, I’m not an artist’ and then they do amazing work!” She asserts, “That’s the thing [...] you don’t think you’re an artist, but you are!”
Despite it being her first year teaching at Whittier, Estrada has helped with the recent theater productions, as she was the set designer for both Priscilla Dreams the Answer and Silent Sky. While reflecting on the process behind the sets, Estrada rises slightly from her chair in excitement to break it down, “So when I was reading the script for Priscilla Dreams the Answer I felt [that the play was] a very abstract world, so what I ended up doing was looking at game show sets be-
cause the main character Priscilla loves game shows.” Their main inspirations were older game shows and the specific elements that were incorporated in their sets.
Ultimately though, Estrada feels at home while working for the College. She explains that she wishes to adjust her classes to ensure that her students grow and get the education they deserve, saying in a passionately supportive tone, “I would love to find the students that are really passionate about certain subjects and see if I can find ways to bring them into the show process that we’ve got here.
I would love to have some students […] get their name into the real world, into the professional world, and give them those opportunities going forward.”
Introducing Ian Patrick: An Artist’s Journey
Jonathan Bermudez MANAGING EDITOR
What used to be the sounds of athletes running back and forth, basketballs hitting the rims and backboards are now the sounds of sculptors and artists, and among these sounds and artists is Professor Ian Patrick.
He sits at the tables that greet you as you walk into the Wardman Gym, each table covered in the art of past students. Wearing glasses, a T-shirt, and a smile, Patrick was ready for the interview. With a calm demeanor, he begins recalling his journey coming to Whittier College.
Patrick, a Massachusetts native, attended the Rhode Island School of Design, before moving to California about 20 years ago to attend the University of California San Diego (UCSD) where he got an MFA in Visual Art. “I had learned great things about the program at UC San Diego, mostly through residency programs that I had attempted after college,” Patrick states.
With a smile, he continues, “I think that I wasn’t always certain if I wanted to stay in Southern California, but I ended up getting married and making a home here.” The loud
sounds of ceramics wheels begin to swirl in the background, but Patrick continues, “It all happened because California continues to be a huge magnet for people from all over the country.” This is his first year as full-time faculty and he is “loving the community.” But before he became an art professor, Patrick’s love for the subject didn’t coalesce until high school when he had a teacher named Orlando Leva. Patrick describes his former teacher as the “coolest art teacher” because Leva was a fan of the rock band the Pixies and would tell his students that he saw them perform, as Patrick shows the width of the room not being very big with his hands, he adds, “In 1993, that was some solid cred.”
But besides having the credibility of being cool, Leva taught Patrick “introductory concepts to life and gave me [Patrick] a taste of this sort of broader world of ideas that I hadn’t been exposed to at the time.”
As someone who never had much exposure in the art world before high school, it was difficult for Patrick to adapt to. “I felt very vulnerable having my ideas scrutinized, but I actually really grew to thrive on it.”
Smiling, Patrick mentions the
first piece he made that motivated him to the continue down the art path. Patrick describes, “It was an almost shrine-like birdhouse sculpture that I had made junk scavenging behind the art building,” he recalls with a large grin as the memory brings him joy. “It was unlike anything I’d made before, but it was very exciting,” he adds. Patrick claims that he was the kid who drew in his notebook and was obsessed with the game Dungeons and Dragons, so it was hard for him to imagine “this other side to art making that I could access if I reached for it.” And although Sculpting was what he studied in art school, he considers “drawing [his] first medium.”
Looking up as if trying to find answers to questions in the air, Patrick laments, “I got to know painters and I got to know animators and I got to know video artists [...]
So I’d say I kind of returned to it in grad school.” He continues to work in oils and other media, but “increasingly, digital has been my domain in the last 10 or 15 years.”
Here at Whittier College, he teaches painting classes and Digital Illustration in the Wardman Gym. Before he became a full time
Professor Patrick is eager to share his love for art on campus.
professor though, he was able to teach small classes through some colleagues among the faculty. “I was very pleased when that went well and I was invited to come back. I enjoy teaching both of those classes and, you know, always looking for ways to make them more exciting
and more relevant for the kids who are interested.” And as the sounds of the machines begin to fade and the hard working art students begin to pack up, Patrick exclaims, “Come on, come on all, and go Poets.”
Photo Courtesy of Ian Patrick
Estrada’s energy adds an extra layer of vibrance to theater!
Photo Courtesy of Jacquelyne Estrada
OPINIONS
The Introduction of AI on Social Media
In today’s world, Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is becoming more relevant, especially on social media platforms that have started incorporating more A.I. features, such as A.I. chatbots and even creating A.I. accounts. For instance, when searching on Google anything these days, the first thing that pops up is often an A.I. overview of whatever topic you searched for. Such notions raise the critical question of how A.I. can impact our lives and the lives of younger generations using social media.
According to an article published by the Center for Humane Technology, “Today’s social media platforms are causing significant harm to children and youth. Social media affects attention spans, self-image, and social skills which is leading to increased cyberbullying and depression.” With so many filters, videos, and photos that make everything appear perfect, it can be hard to tell the difference between reality and A.I. generated content. But A.I. calls for an understanding that is much more extensive than just an awareness of deciphering what is real and fake.
What
In 2023, Snapchat created what is known as My A.I., a chatbot to which people can ask questions, interact, and even converse with. As a platform, Snapchat is designed to allow people to connect more deeply with each other and their interests. However, the newly introduced A.I. chatbot seems ironic. The chatbot is supposed to be safe, but this can be dangerous for younger generations who are not taught about internet safety or the dangers of sharing personal information with anyone they may find online, whether human or A.I.
A child could unintentionally give the chatbot information which it may share or use, leaving harmful personal details to be transferred through the app. Snapchat’s My A.I. feature is also not presumed
to access the user’s location unless specified in the app settings. Still, in a 2023 article by Ellis Stewart titled “Snaptchat’s A.I. Chatbot: Innovative or Cr eepy?” pe ople have nonetheless reported that the chatbot has responded with eerily accurate information, and that the chatbot has responded even after being told that a user is underage with relatively “inappropriate” information.
Snapchat is not the only social media platform that has issues related to A.I.. Some ways that Instagram uses its A.I. feature, Meta A.I., have additionally concerned users. In 2024, Instagram announced that public posts would be used to train Meta, making it extremely difficult for people to opt out of this feature for personal
posts. Many users sought to spread awareness by making videos and posts explaining how users could disable this feature. Nevertheless, Instagram has made it harder and harder to find this setting and, in some cases, did not allow people to withdraw from Meta A.I.—making it so that people have no choice but to let Instagram use their posts to train the A.I. facet.
Nowadays, A.I. is becoming more prevalent, impacting current and younger generations in several complicated ways. Many young Americans do not know enough about internet safety and often share sensitive information with strangers, which could worsen with A.I. growing and interacting with shared information of users from various platforms. Most A.I. found on social media is highly destructive to users, and with younger social media users joining the picture, this idea and understanding of A.I. may become thought of as the new normal. We should teach younger generations how to protect themselves on the internet and from the possible harmful elements of A.I., wherever those may be.
This article has been condensed for print. To read more, visit medium. com/the-quaker-campus
Are The “Dying” Majors Of Today?
Olivia Nuñez SPORTS EDITOR
When I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my no hesitation response was that I wanted to be a teacher. My mom and aunts were teachers, so I naturally wanted to follow in their footsteps. As I got older and entered high school, I learned to appreciate the application of books to real life, and my passion for English steered my focus until I decided that I wanted to be an English teacher. That is, until my mom sat me down and told me to be anything else. In her defense, teaching has never been about making money, which I was well aware of when deciding what I wanted to be.
Eventually, my mom and I talked it out, and when I applied to Whitter, my intended major was English, something I had always been passionate about. I know the difficulties of teaching, but it always felt like important work. It baffled me to learn that this is a dying profession and that education has quickly become one of the majors with the fewest enrollments. This feeling has become increas-
ingly discouraging after Trump’s executive order to abolish the education department and the added restrictions, like book banning, in districts nationwide.
Recent enrollment trends since 2020 have increased in an attempt to restore higher education numbers before the pandemic. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, “Undergraduate enrollment neared 16 million, just one percent below 2019 levels, while graduate enrollment grew to 3.2 million. Undergraduate enrollment increased across sectors with community colleges in particular, seeing a 5.9 percent increase, or 325,000 additional students.” While colleges are experiencing a slightly inclined trend in enrollment numbers, it seems students are steering clear of humanities departments.
Forbes researched the 10 majors that have lost the most enrollment in the last decade, highlighting Education, English Language/Literature, Social Sciences and History, Foreign Languages, and Liberal Arts/Humanities. It also claims that “practical, occupationally oriented majors” have experienced a significant increase, with health profes-
sions, computer/information sc iences, engineering, and business reigning supreme. My seven-member English Senior Seminar class might have paled compared to other capstone courses like the Kinesiology Department’s massive graduating class, which appears to be the case across other colleges.
Professor Sean Morris of the English department, describes the trend on Whittier’s campus, “There has absolutely been a downturn in the number of English majors and humanities students in general. This is nothing new since Covid— though there was definitely a surge in the downward trend with Covid. English and humanities generally have been in decline in terms of numbers of students and majors across the whole country for decades.” Furthermore, during the Spring of 2024, the CTEE Report noted that Computer and Information Sciences saw the most significant gains (9.9 percent), followed by Agriculture (7.6 percent), Engineering (6.1 percent), and Health Professions programs (3.4 percent). This could be due to a growing fascination for all things artificial intelligence, another thorn in higher education’s progress (but that is an entirely different article).
According to College Raptor, a website that tracks graduation rates for universities nationwide, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Business Administration and Management, and Biology are the most popular majors at Whittier College. The Kinesiology and Exercise Science led with 46 degrees, General Business Administration and Management with 43 degrees, and General Biological Sciences with 31 degrees granted during the year of 2022. The College boasts an impressive student-athlete population and re-
Dear Poet,
Should I go on a trip with my friends for Spring break when I know they will be drinking, and I don’t?
-A Sober Poet
Dear Poet,
I understand that it may not seem like a good idea to go out with your friends if they drink and you don’t, but that shouldn’t stop you from having a good time. Spring break is something a lot of us students need. It’s been a tough semester, and honestly, I need a drink, too, but let’s think about why you may be so conflicted.
lies on sports for enrollment. I play sports, and the growing trend among people on my team is that of Kinesiology and Business majors. While that could be a possible reason for its decline, it does not explain this nationwide trend.
I believe we are experiencing a culture shift, one that values money and is afraid of what it might be to have a profession that can’t sustain a person in this economy.
A BBC article titled “How Gen Z became so nihilistic about money” details this generation’s attitude toward the cost of living and what must be done in order to survive. Every other person now wants to be a content creator, a finance bro, invest their Bitcoin, is influenced by the need to fuel an exacerbated consumer culture. This might be what is driving Humanities into the ground.
However, Morris shares an optimistic view on these trends, “Even after Covid, when we definitely lost a lot of numbers—in English and among students generally—we still have a very strong core of active and engaged majors and “heavy users” (non-majors who take our courses).” While people might not be majoring in these subjects specifically, they are essential to a well-rounded liberal arts education. They will never find themselves outside of a college campus.
While this decline might be worrisome, it does maintain that people who choose to major in the humanities are truly doing it out of love for the power of language, a love of reading, or sheer inability to process anything STEM. Perhaps this means the next generation of educators might approach the profession with genuine interest and continue to spark the same in a new generation.
Besides the fact that you do not drink, why would you not go out with your friends for Spring break? For some people, drinking is all that is needed to have a good time. But perhaps your concern surrounds not wanting to go because you don’t like being around your friends when they drink, which is entirely understandable.
It can be very frustrating having to be the designated driver or the friend who has to keep their drunk friends from jumping into a water fountain. Or even worse, keeping their hair up as they throw up. But if you do that, you’re a real one. However, that sounds better than being in a classroom for an hour. Spring break is supposed to be all about relaxing and having fun. Whether that may include drinking or not, don’t deny yourself enjoyment simply because you might not have fun in the same ways your friends do.
If they are indeed your true friends, they won’t make you feel lame or even bad for not drinking. Good friends respect each other’s boundaries; if they don’t, they are not good friends. With that said, if all your friends plan to do is just drink, then maybe you shouldn’t go. You don’t need to wait for spring break to drink; alcoholism is a lifestyle—just kidding, please drink responsibly.
Regardless, the possibilities are endless! If you’re as broke as me however, maybe just going to a park and having a picnic could prove just as exciting. Whatever you do, just have fun with your friends and create great memories. And maybe have a mocktail so you don’t feel too left out.
Sincerely,
A loss of enrollment for specific majors presents issues for the humanitites.
Courtesy of al com
Nadia Miller GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Courtesy of pewresearch
Incorporating A.I. on social media poses dangers to younger online app users.
March 6, 2025
Poet’s Sports Schedule:
Softball vs Susquehanna University @ Whittier, Calif.
• 12 & 2 p.m.
• March 7
Women’s Lacrosse vs Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges @ Whittier, Calif.
• 11 a.m.
• March 8
Softball vs University of Pittsburgh at Bradford @ Whittier, Calif.
• 12 & 2 p.m.
• Mrach 8
Men’s and Women’s Track & Field at Oxy Distance Carnival
@ Los Angeles, Calif.
• 2 p.m.
• March 8
Women’s Water Polo at University of Redlands @ Redlands, Calif.
• 7 p.m.
• March 8
Men’s Tennis vs Pomona-Pitzer @ Whittier, Calif.
• 10 p.m.
• March 8
Baseball vs Dickinson College @ Whittier, Calif.
• 1 p.m.
• March 9
Baseball vs Cornell College @ Whittier, Calif.
• 2 p.m.
• March 10
Women’s Water Polo vs Virginia Military Institute @ Whittier, Calif.
• 5 p.m.
• March 10
Baseball vs Franklin and Marshall College @ Whittier, Calif.
• 2 p.m.
• March 11
Softball vs Manhattanville University @ Whittier, Calif.
• 11 a.m.
• March 12
Softball vs Bethel University
@ Whittier, Calif.
• 4 p.m.
• March 12
Women’s Water Polo vs Occidental College
@ Whittier, Calif.
• 7 p.m.
• March 12
Softball vs Haverford College
@ Whittier, Calif.
• 11 a.m.
• March 13
Softball vs Case Western Reserve University
@ Whittier, Calif.
• 4 p.m.
• March 13
SPORTS
Historic End for Women’s Basketball
Piper Guinn NEWS EDITOR
After a record-breaking season, the Whittier Women’s Basketball team competed in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) tournament this past weekend. The team defeated Pomona-Pitzer in the tournament semifinals, but came up short against California Lutheran University (CLU) in the tournament’s final game. Heading into the weekend, Whittier stood 14-2 in the conference and program best 20-2 overall, having only lost to CLU and University of Redlands.
With support from a packed home court, the Poets faced off against the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens for their spot in the SCIAC final on Thursday, Feb. 27, defeating their opponents 78-29. Whittier led every quarter and finished even stronger than when they began, scoring 47 of their points in the back half. The ladies had an average field goal percentage of .475 and a free throw percentage of .875, which indicates a strong shooting lineup compared with the Sagehens’ .327 field goal percentage and .643 free throw percentage.
The night’s top scorer was SCIAC Offensive Athlete of the Year Rhe Nae Leach, a fourth-year guard
Courtesy of TONY/ACTIONWESTPHOTOGRAPHY
Poets finish the season with their head held high.
from Moreno Valley. Leach scored 31 points, going 11-for-17 overall and 8-for-8 from the free throw line, establishing an impressive point total for the Sagehens to overcome. She also knocked down a three-point shot in the second half and played a hand in rebounds and assists throughout the game. The fourthyear was named SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Year in a previous season–making her the only SCIAC women’s player to ever receive both distinctions–but this year, her offensive strategy shone.
Leach was assisted by a strong Poet lineup, including First Team All-SCIAC players Yaneli Rosales (second-year) and Lorita Salloom (fourth-year), who both demonstrated their strength against the Sagehens. Rosales, a point guard from San Diego, ensured that the offensive line ran smoothly and was Whittier’s second-highest scorer,
with 15 points under their belt from that night. Salloom was not far behind, scoring 13 points throughout the game. A forward from Santa Clarita, Salloom came away with a trio of three-point shots after finding her groove during the game.
Up and down the court, the Purple-and-Gold worked alongside one another to create an unbreakable rhythm, stealing from the Sagehens early and often. The ladies faced their biggest challenge of the season on Saturday, March 1, in the final game against the CLU Regals. Tensions were high, as the Poets and Regals had played each other twice before this season, and each won once. Despite playing well and scoring 24 points in the last quarter, Whittier was defeated 61-73.
After a tough loss in the first quarter, the Poets gained strength on defense in the second, only
letting the Regals score 11 points. However, CLU ran a tight ship in the second half, one that the Purple-and-Gold were unable to sink. Despite the outcome, Whittier was able to make 10 steals throughout the night, and several players held their own. Salloom had 10 rebounds in the first half alone and scored 15 points overall, the second-highest out of any Whittier player. Regarding points scored, Leach came out on top once again for the Poets, solidifying her legacy as an unstoppable athlete with 19 points.
Although their season is over, the Poets can reflect on a powerful season characterized by consistent wins and a cohesive lineup with some of the best players Whittier has seen. Leach and Salloom may be graduating, but rising third-year Rosales and promising newcomer Kennedy Perkins will likely lead the team next season. In the end, the Poets put together the best season in program history.
Head Coach Kristen Dowling is a newcomer herself, having been hired just three weeks before the start of the season but was granted Coaching Staff of the Year accolades in the SCIAC All-Conference awards. Overall, she was able to pull together a formidable team and is likely to put up a strong fight again next year.
One Final Splash for Swim and Dive
Olivia Nuñez SPORTS EDITOR
The Men and Women’s Swim and Dive teams hold the distinction of having one of the longest seasons as they begin their training in the fall while participating in non-conference competitions in October. However, they continue into the winter and spring seasons with conference plays as they look to make the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championships, and eventually the Division III Swimming and Diving Championships. The Poets came up short for most events during the SCIAC championships, but will support second-year Thomas Langlois, if selected, as he travels to Greensboro, North Carolina for the DIII Regional Championships.
From the very beginning, the Men and Women’s Swim and Dive teams relied on both newcomers and experienced members to compete against schools across the country and all divisions. They welcomed Coach Jeff Natalizio to support Head Coach Michael Jafari as they looked to improve the strides made in the previous season.
Langlois quickly stood out with his performance in the 2024 CSCAA Open Water National Championships in December. He participated in the event as a first-year student, but hit his stride this time around as he ultimately finished sixth in the nation. The Open Water National Championships are an event held for swimmers across all divisions, and Langlois finished in the top five percent, proving
himself to be the best DIII open water swimmer in the nation.
Another member, second-year Miriam Brownell, made a name for herself with two SCIAC Diver of the Week accolades due to her record-breaking performances. She shattered the oldest Swim and Dive record to date on the three-meter springboard by 21.5 points and had a total score of 296.20. This was her first qualifying regional score and displayed competitive signs going into the SCIAC Championships.
Pomona-Pitzer Colleges established themselves as the SCIAC powerhouse for the Women’s division and the Poets could not find the podium. Though, the season displayed impressive strides from its newcomers and persevering concluding efforts from its members in their final year.
The first day of the SCIAC championships for the Men’s team resulted in a new school record for the Men’s 800 Freestyle Relay. In an olympic-sized swimming pool, athletes must complete 16 laps for the 800, which means each partici-
pant is tasked with swimming back and forth four times before passing it off to the next member. The Poets entrusted Langlois, thirdyear James Saw, first-year Marton Thuroczy, and fourth-year Garrett Dykier to work together. They broke the previous school record of 7:03.08, established in 2024, by .94 seconds. While their effort will go into the Poets’ history book, they came up short against other SCIAC programs.
In similar fashion, first-year Elias Bizarri narrowly came away with a new school record for the 200 Breastroke event during the prelims on the last day of the SCIAC championship. This record had not been touched in nine years, but Bizarri did not stop there. In his later attempt, the first-year French swimmer broke his own record by a whole second, ending with a time of 2:03.09. His time was just shy of the podium, but his efforts highlight the growth the Men’s team has to look forward to.
The only person who placed during the SCIAC championships
for the Poets was Langlois, who has been lauded in the conference for speed and stamina in longer distance events. He earned a third place spot in the Men’s 500-Yard Freestyle with a time of 4:34.01 and proved that he gets better as the distance increases with a second place win in the Men’s 1650Yard Freestyle with 15:33.32. Langlois’ performances shattered the 1000 and 1650 Freestyle records, cementing his status as one of the Poet greats in only his second year. These efforts have him poised to match up against some of the best DIII distance swimmers in the nation.
The Quaker Campus’ very own News Editor and fourth-year Piper Guinn was the only Poet represented in the Men and Women’s Swim and Dive All-Conference Awards. She received the Character award, which is presented to a graduating athlete who best exemplifies success in the pool, in the classroom, and with involvement in community and school service. The SCIAC website detailed her merits under the honors, “Guinn has served on numerous leadership development projects including Model United Nations of the Far West, Student-Athlete Leadership Assembly, News Editor for the Quaker Campus and Pi Sigma Alpha President. Guinn also is an environmental justice fellow and five-time Dean’s List qualifier.”
The Poets say farewell to fourthyear athletes Anna Dyckerhoff, Nick Coltrin, Piper Guinn, James Saw, and Gessica King but contain all the right elements to make a big splash in the season to come.
An Uncertain Future for Transgender Athletes
Anna Gaber EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
In recent years, the issue of transgender athletes competing in sports, especially within the domain of women’s athletics, has sparked intense debate and created controversy. This ever-evolving discussion has been significantly amplified by President Donald Trump’s administration, who introduced a ban on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports at the K-12 and collegiate levels. Under this proposal, schools and colleges that violate the order face the threat of losing federal funding, which creates a divisive split between inclusivity and sports.
This is the case with University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas who received considerable national attention following her 2022 win in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship. Thomas made history that year as she became the first openly transgender woman to win in the 500-yard freestyle in an NCAA Division I championship. Her victory triggered an uproar of debate, as some argued that Thomas’ physical advantages of being born with the anatomy of a male provided an unfair advantage, despite her having undergone hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for over a year before competing. Her size, muscle
Courtesy of THE ECONOmIST
The discourse surrounding transgender individuals in women’s sports continues to simmer.
mass, and lung capacity-traits that critics of Thomas’ participation claim are results of male pubertygiving her an inherent upper hand against cisgender women. On the other hand, supporters have repeatedly highlighted the need for inclusivity and equal opportunities for transgender athletes. They have emphasized Thomas’ compliance with NCAA’s rules pertaining to hormone regulation, thus inferring that she is competing on an even playing field.
In response to the controversy surrounding the issue of transgender individuals in sports, the Trump administration issued an executive order to K-12 schools and colleges which bans transgender women from competing
in women’s sports. The order also states that any institution that is found to be violating this ban could lose federal funding, an undeniably significant hindrance. Although this order was not passed into legislation, it has had a major impact on federal, state, and local policies. For example, the NCAA had previously issued guidelines for transgender athletes, allowing them to compete in women’s sports but only under certain conditions, which required transgender women to complete at least one whole year of hormone replacement therapy to reduce their testosterone levels, thus ensuring that they were competing on a more even level. These guidelines were designed based on the presumption that re-
ducing testosterone levels would eliminate or significantly reduce any potential advantages from inherent male anatomical factors.
However, under Trump’s executive order, these previously established protocols are no longer sufficient for transgender athletes wishing to compete in women’s sports. The policy would effectively ban any transgender women from competing, regardless of their hormone levels or stage within the transitional period.
The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) has adopted a draft policy that establishes a more inclusive stance pertaining to transgender athletes. According to the draft, SCIAC member schools would
allow transgender individuals to compete in women’s sports, with the expectation that they meet certain criteria, like transgender athletes having to have completed transitioning fully and meet specific hormone level requirements. But since this policy is still a draft, it remains subject to change, especially considering Trump’s executive ban which could create a conflict between institutions that prioritize inclusivity and those that must comply with federal regulations to preserve funding. The NCAA had initiated an individualized approach to the issue surrounding transgender athletes, considering each athlete’s transitional stage and the complexities that come with it. This included factors such as the number of years an athlete had spent undergoing hormone therapy. President Trump’s ban, however, would seem to create a blanket policy that would exclude many athletes from competing in their respective sports.
As the discourse surrounding transgender individuals in sports is in flux, the policies surrounding their participation are likely to remain fluid. Organizations like SCIAC and the NCAA face the challenge of balancing fairness and inclusivity, which intensifies as law and public opinion change. Nonetheless, it is clear that this issue is nowhere near being settled and will most likely shape the foreseeable future of athletics.
Political Tensions Usurp Friendly Hockey Match
Atticus Chaidez STAFF WRITER
Following the poorly received 2024 National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star Game, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that, with the assistance of the National Hockey League Players Association (HLPA), the league would be allowing NHL players back into the Olympics again. In addition, Commissioner Bettman announced that a new international tournament would temporarily replace the AllStar Games and would be dubbed the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The 4 Nations Face-Off would be a mid-season tournament consisting of only NHL players representing the nations of Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the U.S. In a round-robin format, meaning every nation would face each other at least once, the top two teams at the end of the tournament would play in the championship game. As a result of this being the first international best-on-best ice hockey tournament since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the announcement of this tournament instantly made multiple headlines.
Leading up to the commencement of the 4 Nations Face-Off, many fans were not sold on the tournament, citing their concern with the effort players would put in. However, following an electric overtime finish with Canada winning 4-3 over Sweden, any doubt-
ers of the tournament were sold on its legitimacy.
Before the tournament commenced, President Trump made claims saying that Canada should join the U.S. calling them the “51st state.” Along with this, President Trump also disrespected the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, referring to him as “Governor Trudeau.” Following these statements, Trump implemented tariffs on Canada, further straining
the relationship between the U.S. and its competition.
To add fuel to the fire, Canadian fans took it upon themselves to boo the U.S. national anthem whenever a visiting American team played in Canada. This was Canada’s form of protest with the rationale being that they were booing the Trump administration and his decision to implement tariffs on Canada . Despite its appearances, Canadian fans explained that
they were not booing the team, the players, or the country of the USA itself, rather one person.
On Feb. 15., the highly anticipated U.S. vs. Canada game was held in Montreal, Quebec. Normally, this would be an ultimately friendly rivalry game, with the appropriate amount of aggression that characterizes normal hockey matches. However, within the first nine seconds of the game, three consecutive fights broke out,
showing fans this match wasn’t just friendly competition, but a symbol of political unrest. In a game filled with altercations and heated emotion on both sides, the U.S. was ultimately able to beat Canada 3–1 with the game winning goal netted by Dylan Larkin. However, this wouldn’t be the last time these two teams meet.
The U.S. and Canada would face off again in a more important game than before: the championship game. The game took place in Boston, Massachusetts and as Team USA fans piled into the venue, though they would ultimately leave heartbroken. In overtime, Canadian player Connor McDavid scored the heartbreaking game winner. With a final score of 3–2, Canada won the championship.
The importance of these two games between the U.S. and Canada can be compared to the infamous miracle on ice of 1980, where Team USA beat the heavily favored Soviet Union in the Olympics. Although the colors are still red vs. blue, the roles seemed reversed this time around.
Following the ending of the championship game, Prime Minister Trudeau tweeted “You can’t take our country and you can’t take our game,” reaffirming Canadians and telling the U.S. that the nation has no plans of becoming the “51st state.” The match displayed that the sport of ice hockey is still one dominated by the ones who represent the maple leaf.
The QC Staff
Suggests:
Priscila Corona Staff Witer
Want to know what our staff writer recommends this week? Read on!
Games:
If you're someone who likes DC Comics and love playing your Switch then you should play the Batman Arkham games, available now on Nintendo Switch. They range from quiet and easy games to the hardest detective games you can find. A perfect bundle for $50.
Drinks:
If you like to drink energy drinks, try out the Mango Passionfruit Celsius, particulalry the sparkling one. It's a good flavor. Rich, delicicious, and doesn't have a nasty aftertaste.
Shows:
If you are into horror shows that are mysterious and obscure, I recomend that you watch NBC's Hannibal for a sense of romance and mystery. The show is currently out on Prime Video, and if you love Mads Mikelson as much as I do you'll surely enjoy.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Is it Brave For Actors to Act Gay?
Anna Gaber EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LGBTQ+ media has long been a contested space for representation, and yet, an ongoing pattern still exists: straight actors portray queer characters. Although it is often justified under the excuse of talent, this phenomena raises questions about genuine representation, industry biases, and the way these actors’ performances are interpreted compared to those by actual queer actors.
For example, Call Me by Your Name (2017) is a movie in which both Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer—two straight men—play Elio and Oliver, who have a love affair. The film received a lot of praise for its tender depiction of first love, but the film also left many to question why openly queer actors were not considered for these roles. Likewise, Rami Malek’s representation of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) secured him an Oscar win, yet his disconnect from the LGBTQ+ experience led to criticism that his performance, though truly compelling, lacked an inherent sincerity.
The problem is said to lie within Hollywood’s casting bias. Straight actors do not face the same limitations as queer actors do in regard to their roles, as their sexuality is not
a determining factor in being given screen time. This has led to a double standard where queer actors are often passed over for LGBTQ+ roles, whereas straight actors are praised for their “transformation” into such characters.
Additionally, there is the notion of “bravery” that surrounds straight actors who take on queer roles. When someone as well-known within the industry like Jake Gyllenhaal plays a gay man in Brokeback Mountain (2005) or Cate Blanchett, a lesbian in Carol (2015), they are often applauded for “taking a risk.” This suggests that illustrating queerness is a sacrifice, which reinforces the viewpoint that being a member of the LGBTQ+ community is some-
thing extraordinary, instead of simply being another form of human identity and self-expression. At the end of the day, framing the queer experience in this light upholds the marginalization of queer people when this medium could be used to normalize their stories and lived experiences.
However, some straight actors have displayed allyship in queer roles, using their platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. For instance, Andrew Scott, an openly gay actor, has praised Paul Mescal, his straight co-star in All of Us Strangers, for taking on a queer role with sensitivity and consideration.
Nevertheless, solidarity only through performance is not enough,
because genuine support means advocating for queer actors to be given more opportunities in major productions.
In the grand scheme of things, straight actors taking on LGBTQ+ roles is an intricate issue. Indeed, performances can be powerful and impactful regardless of identity, but they are also crafted within a system that continues to limit opportunities for queer actors.
Until Hollywood fully embraces casting LGBTQ+ actors in a broader array of roles—both queer and straight—this debate will persevere. Many are still left questioning whether true progress is being made, or if history is simply repeating itself behind the facade of inclusivity.
Kendrick and Drake Beef Is Overcooked
Elias Loya COPY EDITOR
We’re taught from a very young age that “hate is a strong word,” but that doesn’t necessarily stop us from feeling this emotion. It surely didn’t stop rapper Kendrick Lamar from making it known just how much he hates Drake and everything he stands for. With the Super Bowl LIX Halftime show occurring a few weeks ago, and the slew of diss tracks halting last May, is the Kendrick and Drake beef truly dead, or even worth following?
Before we decide, let’s revisit the beef in question. What’s interesting is that Drake and Kendrick weren’t always at each other’s throats. Alternatively they collaborated on songs such as “Buried Alive Interlude” and “Poetic Justice” and toured with one another in the early 2010s. As the years went by, both rappers threw subtle disses at each other, but none were as big as what was about to happen in 2024.
Drake and J. Cole’s “First Person Shooter” charted No. 1, featuring Cole’s line “Love when they argue the hardest MC/ Is it K. Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me?” This verse established the “big three” of hip hop (at the time, at least). Kendrick did not take this lightly, and went on to respond in Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That” where, among many other notable lines, he retorted “Motherfuck the big three, n***a, it’s just big me.”
From here, the real war within hip hop began to take form. J. Cole released “7 Minute Drill,” arguing that Kendrick’s discography didn’t deserve the hype it received, but he
retracted his diss and issued a public apology a few days later. Drake would fire back with “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle”, taking shots at Kendrick’s height and his record deal with Top Dawg Entertainment, all while attempting to reassert his dominance within the industry. Weeks later, Kendrick would respond with “euphoria”, challenging Drake’s public image as well as attacking the overall integrity of Drake as an artist.
May 3, 2024, is what many consider to be the peak of this feud. Lamar’s “6:16 in LA” suggested that Drake had a mole within his OVO circle, while Drake’s “Family Matters” accused Kendrick of domestic violence and that one of his children was the product of his manager Dave Free. Mere minutes after “Family Matters” dropped, Kendrick released “meet the grahams,” where Lamar alleged that Drake was hiding a daughter and that he was a predator while simultaneously addressing every one of his family members and calling him out for being a deadbeat father and horrible person.
The very next morning, Kendrick released “Not Like Us”, con-
tinuing along with the narrative of Drake being a predator and berating him for being a “colonizer” within the hip hop community. Drake went on to defend himself in “THE HEART PART 6” testifying that he wasn’t a predator and that Kendrick was fed the wrong information, and continuing to stand his ground on the claim of Kendrick being a domestic abuser. Given Drake’s past interactions with young women on and off stage and his past beef with Pusha T (who revealed that Drake was hiding a son), many people were seeing lots of weight to Kendrick’s claims.
Even with “THE HEART PART 6”, the damage was already done, and Kendrick was declared the winner (culturally, charts, etc.) according to Rolling Stone, Business Insider, Pitchfork, and numerous other people all over social media. The final dagger was when Lamar hosted “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends” a show aiming to celebrate Juneteenth, Black Music Month, and promote west coast unity, featuring performances from several west coast artists like Ty Dolla $ign, Steve Lacy, Tyler, The Creator, YG, ScHoolboy Q, and
many others. The night was topped off with Kendrick’s performances of songs like “euphoria”, “Alright”, “m.A.A.d city”, and of course, “Not Like Us” five times in a row.
Flash forward to 2025, and both artists have released new material; Kendrick Lamar’s GNX and Drake’s collaboration with PARTYNEXTDOOR entitled "$ome $exy $ongs 4 U." GNX is a West Coast hip hop album, falling under 45 minutes with 12 tracks and featuring several West Coast artists, while of course infusing G-funk into some of the album’s compositions. Overall, it serves as a love letter to Kendrick’s hometown of Los Angeles. Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s collaboration blends hip hop, R&B, and trap into a 21-track, 73-minute long album, featuring themes of love, sexuality, and jealousy.
In conclusion, the beef, while somewhat ongoing, has a victor and can arguably be labeled as dead. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth following, or rather celebrating; while there were many accusations thrown around and attempts at character assassinations, it doesn’t take away from the fact that we got to see something truly special.
Two of the biggest names within hip hop went head to head, releasing some extremely thought-provoking and entertaining diss tracks.
Something else to keep in mind is that, no matter who you believe won, this beef highlighted the fact that hip hop is a form of artistry, and there is no denying that both of their efforts are the reasons why they are often considered among the greats.
Courtesy of Amazon.com
Courtesy of Rocksteady Studios
Queer is the new movie starring Daniel Craig who is not a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Photo Courtesy of A24
Super Bowl was A minor win for Kenrick.
Photo Courtesy of Getty Images
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Ongoing Win For Indie Films At Oscars
Emma Galvan CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR
Well, it’s that time of year again, when the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and your local film fanatic is anxiously waiting for their favorite movie to win an Oscar. On March 2, the 97th Academy Awards were held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, and hosted by late-night TV host Conan O’Brien, someonemanyawaitedafterthetwo year streak held by Jimmy Kimmel. This was a prime year for independent filmmaking, with films such as Flow(2024) and Anora(2024) being recognized and honored in their respective categories. But, did this years ceremony live up to last years spectacle or did it fall flat like Emilia Perez’s reputation? Let’s find out. Before any awards are handed out, the audience in the theater and at home are typically welcomed by an opening monologue by the host, and they always seem to drag on for far longer than need be. O’Brien was able to quickly win audiences over with remarks towards each of the films and latest media trends, including a comment about nominee Karla Sofía Gascón and her famous tweets, stating “Anora uses the f-word 479 times. That’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist,” and a comment about the months-long feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake by wishing for Lamar to perform mid-way through the ceremony After a brief song about not wasting time, it was time to present the awards that many had been waiting for. Right away, Kieran Culkin secured the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Benji Kaplan in A Real Pain(2024) The shock on everyone’s face is nowhere to be seen as Culkin’s performance dominated the entire awards season, and it only seemed right for the actor to take it all the way. After a mishap of mixing up the order of awards, Best Animation Feature went next and was awarded to independent film Flow, making it the first Oscar win for Latvia and was a film entirely done on Blender, “a free, open-source graphics software tool using computer generated animation.” This also makes it the third year in a row that Disney and Pixar have lost the Best Animated Feature award after previously losing it to Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio(2024) and Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron(2023). After the award for Best Animated Short Film was given to In The Shadow of the Cypress(2024), the Best Costume Design award was approaching and had the five film nominees present one of the actors to speak on their experience with said nominees. The award was given to Paul Tazewell for his impressive work on Wicked(2024), making him the first Black man to win the award.
Screenplays, the one thing a film cannot do without, because,with no script you have no movie. Best Original and Adapted Screenplays were awarded to Anora and Conclave(2024) respectively, giving Anora director Sean Baker his first Oscar of the night and the
only victory for Conclave despite the film’s eight nominations. Best Makeup and Hairstyling went to The Substance(2024), also the film’s only victory despite its five nominations, but the ability to produce makeup for the film’s body horror aspect is nothing to shy away from.
Soon came one of the awards that had the most anticipation as fans of Ariana Grande were holding hope that the actress would finally win for her portrayal of Glinda in Wicked and finally beat Zoe Saldana for her performance in Emilia Perez(2024)
Unfortunately, fans witnessed as Saldana took home the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role despite the huge outcry for Emilia Perez to have its historical 13 nominations removed due to the director Jacques Audiard and Gascón’s comments as well as the film’s poor portrayal of Mexican culture and the transgender community.
The ceremony kept chugging along, awarding Wicked for Best Production Design, “El Mal” from Emilia Perez for Best Original Song–leading to an embarrassing moment of the screenwriters trying to hype the song by singing a song from West Side Story(1961)–and Best Documentary Short Film to The Only Girl in the Orchestra(2024). One of the highlights for many across the world however was the Best Documentary Feature being awarded to No Other Land(2024), a documentary about the genocide occuring in Palestine
and explores the impact the Israeli army had on the Palestinian people and their homes, while also building a friendship between the two filmmakers who were Palestinian and Israeli respectively.
No Other Land was a hopeful victory for the Palestinians and from their many supporters as the U.S. has refused to give the film a proper distribution and ultimately led the filmmakers to distribute the film themselves for people to watch and learn about the conflict properly.
Dune: Part Two(2024) was a film that many assumed would be nominated in numerous categories and take victories left and right after the praises from critics and audiences alike, but sadly the film only received five nominations and secured the victory for Sound and Visual Effects despite the early predictions for a Best Picture victory. It appeared that Dune: Part Two would go three victories in a row, or there will be a highly-anticipated Nosferatu(2024) win after losing the prior categories of Visual Effects and Costume Design, but ultimately The Brutalist(2024) earned its first award of the night for Cinematography. They won later on for Best Original Score, one of the victories that I agree with despite others wishing for a Wild Robot(2024) win–though don’t get me wrong I would have loved for an animated film to win outside of the Best Animated Feature category.
However, the most satisfying victory was I’m Still Here(2024)finally beating Emilia Perez(2024)
for Best International Feature, a well-deserved win for Brazil. After losing the award during other ceremonies to the film of horrible Latin American representation, having the Academy give I’m Still Here the award anyway produced a huge amount of cheers from Brazil and online. Then everything dies down as the easily-predictable Adrien Brody won Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Brutalist, despite the actor using A.I. to advance his Hungarian accent.
Yes, it was done in post-production, but the nomination should not have been given after the news came out, and on top of his record-breaking six-minute speech, the more and more I wished Ralph Fiennes would win. According to various news outlets, Oscar voters admitted to not voting for Fiennes because they assumed he would win for Schindler’s List(1993), when the actor never won an Oscar before and Brody himself won a few years prior. In a perfect world, he would have won for Schindler’s List, but the victory for Conclave would have been perfect.
If the voters had realized their mistake beforehand, we would have seen Fiennes finally deliver his speech, but instead we had Adrien Brody talking for over six minutes and remarking, “I have done this before.” Though a Timothée Chalamet or Sebastian Stan victory has already been pushed on social media, it is universally agreed that either one would suffice.
In terms of Best Director, Sean Baker filled many prediction polls by taking his third Oscar of the night. Although a Brady Corbet, Coralie Fargeat, and especially a Denis Villeneuve win would have been preferred, Baker was able to do a lot of behind-the-scenes work on Anora with screenwriting, directing, and editing the film. And in similar terms with Best Actor, Best Actress in a Leading Role was given to 25-year-old Mikey Madison over 62-year-old Demi Moore, who was the frontrunner this awards season. Although a Moore win was in the stars and could finally give her the justice she deserves, it does not diminish the talent that Madison had in her performance, being able to portray a raw and mature story at the young age of 25, now marking her as one of the youngest actors to earn the award.
It does make The Substance an ironic watch due to the plot of aging and women's beauty standards in the media, and yet Moore lost the award over Madison, the up-and-coming actress. Anora was gaining victory after victory, so winning Best Picture seemed inevitable and a victory for independent filmmaking, even if it was not your choice for the winner or not; a win for a film like Anora spells a good possible future for indie films to dominate the industry. Overall, the ceremony had its all-time highs and lows, but the true victories struck a chord with many and allowed for yet another historical night for filmmakers and moviegoers alike.
Oscars continues to surprise and dissapoint movie fans.
Photo Courtesy of LA Times