• On Sept. 2, Chinese President Xi and Russian President Putin gathered to meet and dicuss sthe similar challenges from the U.S. According to AP News, this has strengthened the relationships between both countries.
• According to The Guardian , Russian President Putin would let Ukraine join the European Union (EU), rather let Ukraine join NATO. He is willing to work on a security guantantee.
• On Sept. 2, the U.S. Navy struck a vessel in the Southern Carribean that carried "Venezuelan drug shipment." According to NPR, Trump and Rubio agree that this boat carried "terrorists" and they helped prevent an attack.
• According to AP News, the Taliban is looking to recieve aid after an earthquake of 6.0 magnitude has injured 3,000 people and killed over 1,400. However, there is a shortage in aid due to reduced budgets.
A Dynamic QC: A Letter from the Editors
Paige Meyer-Draffen EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Emma
Galvan DEPUTY EDITOR
Penelope
Turgen MANAGING EDITOR
As we are adjusting to the first few weeks of the new school year, the Quaker Campus welcomes students to Whittier! Here at the Quaker Campus (QC) we report on the news issues, culture, and events relevant to our community, as we have been doing for the past 111 years.
This year, we are facing a change in the curriculum which emphasizes professional development and transferable skills. Higher education institutions across the nation are faced with the current administration’s broad crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion across all departments and campus activities. Whittier College is no exception. Nonetheless, Whittier College has accepted 374 new students onto our campus this year, a significant jump from recent admissions numbers, as Whittier College undergoes an aggressive overhaul of its branding.
Alongside the College, the Quaker Campus has been evolving as well. Last year, we introduced World Recap to the News Section
so we could provide a timely recap of relevant events right up until it’s time to go to press. We also recently updated Ask A Poet, an anonymous advice column in which our panel of semi-experts answers your questions.
Of course, there are new faces, new talent and new energy invigorating the Quaker Campus at all levels, from staff writers to top editors. The Quaker Campus is a student paper which maintains independence from those we cover, makes truth its
first obligation, and makes loyalty to our fellow students our first priority, and a discipline of verification our calling card. We intend to cover the issues that matter to Whittier College students, whether they are Sports, Arts and Entertainment or urgent policy issues without fear or favor.
Meeting this challenge is Editor in Chief, fourth-year Paige MeyerDraffen (otherwise known as PMD). Meyer-Draffen is a Broadcasting & Public Information major through
the Whittier Scholars Program with a minor focus in Studio Art. PMD brings three years experience leading and reimagining KPOET, The Greenleaf Review, and Media Council. PMD hopes to honor the QC’s proud history by leading with values rooted in connection, dynamism & productivity.
Third-year English major Emma Galvan continues her service to the QC assuming the role of Deputy Editor. While minoring in both Film and Digital Art & Design, Galvan is the sole returning section head from last year’s team. She is looking forward to guiding this new team by using her experience as the former Campus Life and Head Copy Editor at the QC, and Head Copy Editor of The Greenleaf Review. Galvan hopes to keep the momentum up from the previous year and lean into positive news while also providing truthful journalism during this current political period.
Penelope "Penny" Turgen takes on the demanding role of Managing Editor. Turgen is a transfer student and a third-year English Literature major. She previously collaborated with Meyer-Draffen on the 2025 issue of The Greenleaf Review as its Managing Editor and wants to continue on an editorial path.
Turgen is excited to work with the QC’s dedicated writers, artists, and editors.
Independent student journalism is a rare and precious thing. We couldn't do this without our dedicated team. From section heads, to the copy editors who polish our copy to professional standards, to our writers who bring these stories to fruition, and our photographers who bring them to life, everyone at the Quaker Campus believes in the essential tasks and responsibilities of journalism to our community and to our democracy.
Finally, a huge thank you to our readers, your support and input is what keeps the QC alive and thriving.
Your voice matters.
Thank you, The 2025-2026 QC Editorial Board
If you are interested in the QC, we are hiring for all positions and also accept volunteer work. Anyone is welcome to join, regardless of experience level. Likewise, if you notice errors in our reporting or have any questions or story tips you want to share, please email us at qc@poets.whittier.edu.
Whittier Unveils Career-Ready Curriculum
Paola Ruiz NEWS EDITOR
At the start of theπ new academic year, Whittier College introduced a new Liberal education curriculum which aims to make students more competitive in the workforce. The change has sparked conversations across campus as new students begin under the revised requirements, while continuing students remain under the old DegreeWorks system.
Chuck Hill, professor of psychology and chair of the Committee on the Future of the Liberal Arts (CFLA), explains that the new curriculum was the result of years of review and reflection by faculty. “The faculty periodically
faculty. “The faculty periodically review the Liberal Arts curriculum to keep it up to date to meet the needs of students,” Hill states. “A major reason for the revision was that the old curriculum was seen as a series of checkboxes without a clear sense of how it connected to students’ lives and careers. The idea of the new curriculum was to make it more intentional, to show how education is relevant for their future.”
According to the new catalog, students will now complete requirements in written communication, quantitative reasoning, breadth courses, and a three-part Life Lab sequence. The writing requirement begins with a First-Year Writing and
Project-Based Learning Seminar, where students will start with a Writing Intensive course and conclude with Senior Seminar. Quantitative reasoning can be satisfied through courses across disciplines, integrating mathematics and statistics into the curriculum. Students are also required to take courses in natural science inquiry, creative expression, culture and language, historical inquiry, and engaging diversity. Finally, the Life Labs guide students through Whittier-specific experiences, career exploration, and preparation for graduate school or careers.
President Kristine Dillon emphasizes that the new curriculum was designed to ensure that students leave Whittier with both academic and real-world experience.
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“We want students to be ready for the next step, whether that is graduate school or entering the workforce,” Dillon says. “This curriculum enhances opportunities during their undergraduate years so they are not just prepared academically, but also through practical experiences that make them competitive.”
Dillon explains that the curriculum was shaped by a larger vision of accessibility. “Especially now with everything going on, and with opportunities being taken away from students, we want to prepare them for that pipeline: graduate school or directly into their careers,” she says. She adds that Whittier’s curriculum needed to adapt to
make students more resilient in an uncertain future. “College has been the primary way students move up in social class,” Dillon states. “Whittier is nationally recognized for giving opportunities to students who may not otherwise have access, and this curriculum ensures they graduate not just with knowledge, but with experiences employers and graduate schools value.” According to the U.S. News & World Report , “Whittier College is ranked 16 in Top Performers of Social Mobility. portions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants.”
This article continues on pg. 3.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Submissions may be emailed to qc@poets.whitttier.edu in .doc or .docx format. Submissions must include the author’s name and year of graduation or position at the college in the signature. Letters are due by Monday at 5 p.m. to make it into that week’s issue. Submissions should be no more than 500 words. Submissions will undergo the same editing process from our production pipeline if selected. All stories must follow the same journalistic standards.
Due to the high cost of publication, members of the Whittier College community are permitted three copies per issue. Additional copies may be purchased with prior apporval for 50 cents each by contacting the Quaker Campus. Newspaper theft is a crime, and those who violate the three copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution.
The Quaker Campus does not change material posted on online articles once they have been published in the paper — with the exception of an error being found. Only then will a correction be made to the online version. The Quaker Campus is a publication of Whittier College. Columns and Signed editorials do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Whittier College or its affiliates.
New QC staff.
Monze Meraz-lerma/Quaker Campus
Whittier Unveils Career-Ready Curriculum
Paola Ruiz NEWS EDITOR
Cont. from pg. 2.
Hill admits that the process was not easy. At first, some faculty members were worried about how feasible the changes would be, especially if Life Labs were onecredit courses. “But we realized in terms of the logistics of offering the courses, having to provide so many of these and figuring out who was going to teach them, it just was not practical," Hill sighs. "By building Life Lab 2 into a major course and Life Lab 3 into the senior seminar, rather than being separate classes, it made the system feasible.”
Eventually, more faculty began to see the value of the revisions. “I think some of the discussions evolved over time,” Hill comments.
“People realized that making education more relevant, more experiential, and more connected to careers was a good thing, and faculty came around to it.”
Hill describes the Life Labs as one of the biggest innovations.
“Life Lab 1 is about building community and introducing students to resources at Whittier. Life Lab 2 is built into courses in the major, which are often research methods or disciplinespecific classes, where students begin career preparation. Life Lab 3, in the senior seminar, helps students develop resumes, portfolios, and skills for the next step,” he explains.
He also explains why the internships are central to the new approach. “Besides taking classes, you need to develop a resume, you need to develop networking skills, you need to learn how to do job interviews,” Hill continues. “Or more importantly, when you apply for a job and they are comparing you with somebody else, and you
have had this internship, you are ready to enter that job.”
Dillon agrees, affirming that Whittier Works, an initiative connected to the new curriculum, will make internships and other opportunities more accessible. “We have always had internships, but we want to make them easier to find and more available to more students,” she acknowledges. “It is not just about checking off a class, it is about giving students the tools they need to succeed after they graduate.”
Both Dillon and Hill emphasized that the new curriculum is designed to meet today’s challenges while preserving the heart of Whittier’s liberal arts tradition. “The written requirements and quantitative reasoning requirements provide basic professional skills important in any career,” Hill explained. “The experiential learning components provide application skills, and the breadth requirements provide multiple disciplinary perspectives which enhance problem-solving
skills. Life Labs explicitly develops career planning.”
Hill also pointed to Whittier’s unique advantage as a small college. “Students [that are] going to a large university, they read textbooks and hear lectures. They typically would not know the professor, whereas here they will know the professors. They are getting advice from professors who can give them tips on their career in collaboration with people in the career office. Then when it comes to applying for jobs or graduate school, the professor knows you,” he said.
He also noted that students at Whittier often get opportunities usually reserved for graduate students. “In psychology, we work with undergrads who give presentations at regional psychology meetings, like Western Psychological Association, alongside graduate students and professors from big universities,” Hill explained.
“When you are applying to graduate school and you tell them, ‘I presented this at a conference,’
you are already doing graduatelevel work as an undergrad. That gives you a huge advantage.”
The transition has not been without its challenges. Hill acknowledges concerns about whether enough courses could be offered to meet the requirements as well as how easily students and advisors could understand the new system. Transfer students were also a big concern for Hill.
“If you come in having completed two years at a community college, then you are exempt from the LibEd requirement,” he explains. “But you still have to meet requirements in your major. That is why our Life Lab 2 and Life Lab 3, which we consider important, are built into the major, so everyone benefits.”
He adds that continuing students on the old curriculum will also see changes, since faculty are integrating more experiential learning and career preparation into their courses.
“All the students will benefit from the changes, whether they’re under the old curriculum or the
new curriculum,” Hill says. “It is just not being counted the same way on DegreeWorks.”
Students also have the option to choose to fulfill the requirements of the year they entered Whittier or switch to the new curriculum if they feel it better suits their academic goals. President Dillon explains that the decision rests with the student in a consultation with their advisor. “Students always have the right to stay with the catalog from the year they entered, but they may also opt into the new requirements if they see advantages,” Dillon replies. She adds that faculty advisors are available to guide students through the process to make sure any switch supports their path to graduation.
Hill describes the new curriculum will be continually assessed and improved. “We are trying these things, we are going to assess them, and then we may need to make some changes, either in the requirements or how we meet the requirements,” he clarifies. He explains that the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Whittier’s accrediting body, emphasizes their ongoing assessment. “That is what my committee is going to be working on this year, planning how all of these things can be assessed so that we know how effective they are and whether changes do need to be made.”
Despite the challenges, Hill says the faculty are committed. “I want to ensure that students are successful, in college and in later life,” he expresses. “The emphasis of this new curriculum on experiential learning and on career preparation should help students be successful, and to realize how beneficial a Whittier College education can be.” The new curriculum sets up Poets to succeed and prosper.
Chuck Hill holds the future of students in his hands.
Courtesy of Whittier College
Students' Future in Jeopardy Under New Law
On July 4, President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law. This act affects education from kindergarten all the way up to the doctorate level, medical school, and law degrees. Most importantly, the legislation will target student loans, specifically Pell Grants, Work-Study, K-12 vouchers, and research funding. The effects of the act are projected to affect the 2026 - 2027 academic year and beyond.
At Whittier College, President Kristine Dillon spoke with The Quaker Campus about what the new legislation means for students, the college’s finances, and the future of higher education. Her answers reveal both immediate concerns as well as long-term strategies for resilience.
“The biggest concern I have is the financial aid impacts," says President Dillon. "There is a planned reduction in the Pell Grant of about $1,700 a person. The maximum Pell Award is currently $7,395, and the proposed would be $5,710.”
According to Politico , “The changes, according to the Congressional Budget Office, could kick nearly 10 percent of Pell recipients off the award and shrink the amount of money most participants receive.” Dillon also adds, “[with] nearly half of Whittier students who received Pell Grants last year, this rollback would profoundly jeopardize their chances of finishing school.”
This legislation also makes drastic changes on how much money students or parents can loan from the government to pay for school.
Dillon also noted new loan limits: “Parents PLUS borrowers […] and that is about 60 percent of our parents borrowers […] are going to face new caps. And the Grad PLUS loan? It is gone.” Loyola Marymount University explains, “Parent PLUS Loan borrowers will be subject to new borrowing limits. All parents of undergraduate students combined will be eligible to apply for up to $20,000 per academic year per student, with a lifetime maximum of $65,000 per
student […] Graduate student loan borrowers will also see significant changes. One of the most notable adjustments is the discontinuation of the Graduate Student PLUS Loan Program, which will no longer be available as a borrowing option.”
“These are sudden negative impacts on the horizon for people who are considering college or already in college,” Dillon replied.
When asked on how the legislation will affect the college's financial policies, Dillon assured that, “I will be working with the donor community to do the best I can to offset the losses that we are forecasting from the federal government. We are small enough that I am not asking for support for 10,000 students […] By next year, we might be 900 students. Not all of them will need the offset, but for those who do, every dollar matters.”
Her fundraising strategy includes Whittier Works, which combines paid internships with professional preparation. “Our alums are excited about that program because they realize this is something that means students not only have professionally earned money in their pockets, they have resume builders.”
“The good news about being in this state [California] is the Cal Grant program, [it] is holding pretty firm,” Dillon clarified. “But they can not be expected to fill up the $1,700 a person lost from Pell. And what about our out-of-state students? Their Pell goes down, and they do not get a Cal Grant at all.”
She also noted the bill’s impact on the College’s research grants.
“We have had NASA grants that provided student opportunities. One has already been paused. Getting to work on a research grant while you are in undergrad is a great opportunity […] That is going to be hard on our students whose opportunities are narrowed down.”
Nationally, research universities like MIT are getting their research grants taken away. Agencies like NASA and National Institute of Health (NIH) are still awaiting review in grants to continue their research. Chalkbeat Colorado explains, “[...] the 2026 Trump administration budget cuts could halt that research, result in job losses, and hurt the economy in
every U.S. congressional district.” In addition, estimates from the Science and Community Impacts Mapping Project say “slashing National Institutes of Health grants, which are just 1 percent of the federal budget, by $18 million within Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ would result in $46 million in lost economic revenue and over 200,000 jobs lost nationwide.”
President Dillon also noted the next step to prepare Whittier is not just fundraising, “but also acting with other colleges and universities to do the best we can to explain the implications […] There is a group of all the private colleges and universities in California that belong to the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AICCU). It does have political analysts and people who go to Washington, D.C. And then there are national groups as well. All of them feel very motivated right now.”
She explained that business must also play a role with fundraising, “Hospitals, tech companies, employers; they need to say ‘we need these educated students to keep our industries running’. If we do not invest in human capital now, the pipeline dries up.”
This legislative affects everyone college and nation wide. Dillon says on those who would be affected by stating, “All the above, first generation, low income, undocumented, international students; they will all be affected. But honestly, the whole community feels it.”
“In California, 24 percent of community college students, 35 percent of University of California undergraduates and about 42 percent of California State University students receive a Pell Grant, which is available to low-income students.” states EdSource. President Dillon adds, “Such a large reduction in the maximum grant would be ‘troubling’...would mostly impact low-income students and shut off more of them to financial aid to attend college.”
She noted heightened fear among undocumented students: “Their funding eligibility is more limited anyway…and with this administration’s attitudes people are afraid to even go for funds they are eligible for.”
International students are also struggling. “Visa processing was halted for six weeks this summer. Those students may be able to come in spring, but they feel like the United States does not want them.”
Dillon thinks students should understand some key points about the legislation: “I think in some ways, I looked at this and thought: that is too radical a change. It will not happen that fast. But I think we have to take seriously the way this administration is tackling issues where they have decided higher education is part of the problem rather than the solution.”
The College is currently trying to create an effective plan to combat the bill. “I personally believe that what is more effective is to get out of our immediate group and partner with employers. Otherwise we sound self-serving. Businesses need to make the case that without educated graduates, their industries
can not lead globally.” Dillon wants to let students know: “ [...] we are not asleep at the switch here […] Students should at least not stay up at night and worry that I am not worried. We are very aware that we want our students to be able to complete their degrees. So I am doing everything I can to find alternatives.”
In her Hechinger Report op-ed, she added: “The preservation and strengthening of Pell, Work-Study, SEOG and federal loan payments is not a partisan issue. It is a moral and economic imperative for a nation that has long been proud to be a land of opportunity.”
For Dillon, the urgency is personal, “My entire career has been built on the belief that higher education opens so many doors, and I just see doors and windows being either slammed or squeezed quietly closed. And we need to reopen them.”
President Donald Trump signed the Big Beautiful Bill that will affect future students.
Courtesy of CBS News
Paola Ruiz NEWS EDITOR
Courtesy of Whittier College
President Dillon is working with businesses and universities to help protect the future of students.
Izzy Brookshire Steps into ASWC Presidency
Emma Cianciola FEATURES EDITOR
When Isabelle Brookshire first arrived on the Whittier College campus, she never expected to enter her senior year leading the Associated Students of Whittier College (ASWC) as their President. Brookshire, also known as Izzy, started at the College as a quiet and isolated student. The unsure introvert would later be double majoring in Business Administration and Transmedia Storytelling, a major of her own creation through the Whittier Scholars Program (WSP). Now as Senate President, she is using her voice to advocate for students on campus.
“I used to be this crazy introvert in freshman year,” Brookshire reminisced with a laugh. “I was like, 'Please, don’t talk to me, I’m really scared.' But I’ve grown so much as a person because of the involvements I’ve been in.”
Her newfound extroversion didn’t happen overnight. In her second year, she became a Resident Advisor, which had a big role in easing her into campus life after having been a commuter the year prior. Not too long afterward, she began joining organizations across Whittier College such as the Asian Student Association (ASA), KPOET, Program Board, and the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI), among many others. One role after another, Brookshire came to the conclusion that not
only does she love to be an active member in her community, but that she now has the confidence to do so.
According to Brookshire, her role as President requires her to overview and represent the ASWC Senate in general meetings, committee meetings, and when meeting with administration.
Brookshire elaborates, “I help facilitate what the rest of the Senate does for the people, to councils, and to all those really wonderful committees that we work with.”
“I think the most rewarding part of this job is serving the students,” she smiles. “The fact that I’m able to represent all of us is really fulfilling, especially because there are so many different people on campus with different needs and wants. I get to advocate for them and hopefully make their time here better.” These experiences have been perfectly prepping Brookshire for her future aspirations and accomplishments.
Brookshire’s compassion for her community makes her the perfect representation for Whittier students. “We act as a voice for the students, we facilitate communication with organizations and administration. If students don’t feel comfortable going straight to the president or faculty, we can be that connection.” As she ponders on her past involvement at Whittier College, they consider their current position as President of ASWC a perfect middle ground to display her leadership skills while still connecting to their peers
and past organizations.
Though it’s very clear how commendable Brookshire’s work is, she acknowledges, like any other position, it comes with its hardships. “The hardest thing so far is making sure we reach every single student, club and organization. Not everyone wants to be involved, but even for them, they’re still here for a reason. They still have goals and experiences that matter. How do we reach those voices we haven’t reached before?”
Her advice to students considering getting involved in campus leadership is simple: Go
for it! “Even if you’re just slightly curious, participate. Go to events, try new things,” she says. “It really will change your life. And it’s not just about building your resume, it builds your character.”
When looking at the future of ASWC and their plans for Whittier College, Brookshire hopes to not only strengthen the Senate’s presence but also revive Whittier’s yearbook, blending her creative passions with her leadership. “I never planned on being in Senate when I first got here,” Brookshire reflects. “but over time, it became a natural draw. "Now, I get to
bring people together, and that’s what I love most.” For her, the Senate is the perfect foundation to connect all aspects of campus life. If you’re ever in need of some support or maybe in need of a familiar smile on campus, look no further than President Izzy Brookshire. You can contact ASWC at aswc@poets. whittier.edu , or Izzy personally: ibrooksh@poets.whittier. edu Senate meetings are at 7 p.m. every Monday in Villalobos Hall, and Izzy's office hours in the Senate office are from 12 p.m. to 5p.m. on Wednesdays.
"Who's Been Emailing Me ?" The New Face of OSE
Emma Cianciola
FEATURE EDITOR
Candice Uy is one of the many unique stories we have here at Whittier College. Some may recognize her from orientation, others from events with the Office of Student Engagement (OSE). Though she has only been at Whittier College since July, Uy has already become a familiar name to many and an established presence for students navigating the ups and downs of their college experience.
“I’m very passionate about student success and retention because I am the product of student success and retention initiatives,” Uy explains. With prior academic history at the University of Southern California, (USC), Uy explains the differences in her experience going from a very large school to a much quieter community. “While I was at USC, I felt so out of place. I literally felt like I was drowning academically and socially. There were several times I considered transferring or dropping out.” she humbly admits.
“Now, being in this position, I’m able to meet students where they’re at and see a reflection of myself in them. Having that hindsight and being able to support them is really fulfilling. In a way, it’s healing for me too.”
Uy was born and raised in
Norwalk, and she always knew of Whittier College through friends who attended previously and had heard positive experiences from them. After earning her chemistry degree at USC in 2023, and along with minors in Business Entrepreneurship and Gender and Social Justice, she spent two years at UCLA as an Assistant Resident Director. The role gave her both leadership experience and a front row seat to the impact a position in student affairs can have for any college community. “I worked at UCLA for two years and I was like, ‘wow, I really love working with students. I really love this work. I want to do this full time,’” she gushes.
When her contract with UCLA ended, Uy began looking for work opportunities which were closer to home. That’s when Whittier College called out to her, not just because of its closeness to home, but because it resembled the type of community she wanted to be involved with. “It seemed like this school really develops well rounded, holistic individuals,” she reflects. “I was very excited when this job opened up. It was very up my alley.”
As OSE Coordinator, Uy now oversees some of Whittier’s biggest campus traditions and initiatives such as orientation, Student
Leader Training, the Activities Fair, and the annual Student Life Awards. Even though Uy is still learning the unique culture and rhythms of Whittier after having just recently joined, she has already started shaping her very own approach to this new leadership role. “When I think of OSE, I think of supporting students to develop holistically,” she affirms. “For me personally, I like to encourage my students to practice authenticity to show up for themselves as themselves. It helps them advocate for themselves and build meaningful relationships. That’s what I try to contribute, modeling authenticity.” Which everyone can all use a bit of, here at Whittier, and beyond.
When asked about the most rewarding part of her job, Uy shares that it is the tight knit personal connections she’s already been able to make and will continue to build. “Student affairs can have very heavy moments both emotionally and physically, and with the current political climate, there’s a big question mark over the profession,” Uy acknowledges. “But the thing that keeps me moving forward is the students. Even though I’ve only been here for two months, they’ve been so welcoming. Some even come up to me like, ‘Oh my God, I talked
to you two times at orientation and you remember me?’ It’s little moments like that.” According to her, it’s the little moments, the small acts of gratitude and appreciation students show to one another which, to her, are just another contributing factor of the wonderful community fostered at Whittier.
Uy, who looks to continue a master’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Student Development in Higher Education at Cal State Long Beach, hopes her work at the college will allow her to continue to sharpen her skills in student accomplishments. She recognizes that growth is not only possible for others, but was also exhibited within herself. She believes leadership is not confined to titles, large roles,
or paychecks, but with positive intention and progress forward. “Everyone is capable of being a leader. It manifests in various ways, sometimes big and grand, sometimes in small microskills. Leadership doesn’t only look like one way everyone can contribute as a leader in their own way.” We can all learn from Uy and her inspiring passion to help better the communities around her. OSE member Candice Uy is a perfect example of how far determination and will power can get you when pursuing your goals.
To contact Uy, you can email her at cuy@whittier.edu or by finding her at the Office of Student Engagement located on the first floor of the Campus Center, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Brookshire hopes to strengthen the Senate's presence.
Courtesy of Isabelle Brookshire
Uy is eager to meet more friendly faces on campus
Courtesy of Candice Uy
Settling Into the Residential Halls
Paige Meyer-Draffen EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
At some point this year, you will realize that you (and perhaps one other student) are living in a 10 x 10 room, depending on which building you live in. Do not panic. Even if you do end up being truly unhappy with your living arrangements, there is a way out through the room change form available in the third week of each semester. And that is only the start, here are some more settling in tips from your local Residential Advisor.
Maybe you have found yourself picking up furniture off of the side of the road, purchasing posters from Five Below or your bed is suddenly overwhelmed with pillows and throws that end up on the floor by morning. If you live in a room with little storage space, such as Harris Hall, these things begin to pile up and make the room smaller. The best option is to find storage that stacks, swivels or hangs. Vertical and modular storage options like rolling towers, back-of-door hooks and shoe racks are the most ergonomic in small living spaces.
Once students are settled into their rooms, they may realize something is wrong. It can be a variety of things, such as no dish soap, a dip in mental health, a broken down vehicle, or you might just simply not be doing too well overall. Luckily Whittier offers resources such as the Poet Pantry,
CARE Emergency Funds, and writing tutors all aimed at helping struggling students. Your RA can connect you to any and all of these resources!
Use your Residential Advisor as a resource, they were overtrained to respond to any situation possible. There’s a good chance they know how to get you help for most any problem. It may seem strange to approach them, but every RA on campus has a point of contact for you to reach out to. Some prefer a message in a floor group chat or a knock on the door, and there will always be someone in the common area of your building (only in Harris C first floor) every night from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Communal spaces are a hallmark of dorm lifestyles, which means shared bathrooms and kitchens. Treat these as your own and cook as you please, but never leave remnants of pasta sauce or instant noodles in the one kitchen sink that 200 other people use.
Be sure to ventilate when anything starts burning. A fire alarm being set off by burning quesadillas can call for a full building evacuation. Same with Harris A&B and C&D. Both pairs are connected to each other, so three other floors with separate, non-immolated kitchens will be evacuated.
Themed housing offered by the department of Residential Life has historically been a popular
housing option at Whittier College. Themed housing opportunities include Gender Inclusive Housing, Sankofa Collective, E-Sports and they now offer a floor for residents that identify as Latinx to apply to. Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH) is the most popular themed housing program, with around 40 residents in Harris A residing there.
Sankofa housing, which is a space for Black and African American students to immerse themselves in a culturally cohesive college residential experience, is located in Harris B first floor. The word Sankofa is an Ankan term that means “to go back and recognize,” a term used by ResLife to further pursue their mission to recognize cultural backgrounds and use that knowledge to move forward into the future.
E-Sports housing in Ball
second and third floors has been revitalized to offer a life skills emphasis for residents in which programming will focus on developmental tools and resources for students in this community.
This year, Residential Life rolled out the first trial of the Latinx Community housing in Harris C 1st floor. Similar to the Sankofa Collective, this floor is themed to provide a culturally cohesive experience for Latinx-identifying students and sports a Bad Bunny door decor theme this year.
Students who live in traditional, non-themed housing are encouraged to reach out to the RAs on themed floors to explore the nuances of these spaces and ally themselves with the residents there. Your dorm experience will depend on how you respect the spaces you’re in. For both your own and your peers’ benefit, reside with care.
Best Places to Study on Campus
Paola Ruiz NEWS EDITOR
As a second-year commuter with a double major, I know firsthand how hard it is to retain information. Some classes rely heavily on memorization in order to pass your midterms and finals, which can feel overwhelming without the right approach. In high school, I experimented with different study methods until I figured out which one worked best for me. Everyone studies differently. For example, some students can study with background noise, while others need silence. Some swear by reading the textbook once they grasp the information, but some spend hours reviewing lecture notes and the textbook. Some thrive when studying late at night, while others work best in the morning.
The good news is that Whittier College offers plenty of study spots and resources that support every study and learning style. From the Science Learning Center (SLC) to the Wardman Library to the Late Night Study Area and Ettinger Student Lounge, students have access to a wide variety of spaces to match their needs. Remember that professors are always willing to provide extra help, if you ask of course!
My preferred study method is active recall. This is where I test myself on what I already know by writing all the information I know on a whiteboard. Then, I overlook what I have written and spot what is
missing and fill those gaps in. I keep repeating this process until I have fully memorized all the material.
On campus, the best place for active recall is the SLC because most of the walls are glass and can be written on with dry erase markers.
The SLC is very spacious and has meeting rooms where students can hold meetings or study in their time blocks. The bonus to the SLC is that it has a vending machine and the air conditioning is cold and refreshing.
Another great place to study on campus is Wardman Library.
Though hours may vary, it is open until 9 p.m. most nights. The library provides various resources and help such as access to printers, scanners, desktops, books, and tutoring sessions. The library also has various outlets for your devices and study rooms on the second floor. These rooms can be used for study groups, group projects, or even a quiet room for yourself. Students can reserve these rooms on the Whittier College website on the Spaces at Wardman Library tab.
The reservation can be made three days in advance and can be booked for a total of four hours. Make sure to reserve these rooms before use so that they will be readily available to you and other students. Whittier College also has a late night study area below the library where there is access to vending machines and comfortable seating. Students are able to access this area under the library with their student IDs. It is accessible 24 hours a day and has
access to desktops and printing. For people with the munchies, the best spot is Ettinger Lounge which is located next to The Spot. The Spot has some great food and is located across from the Campus Inn (CI). Ettinger Lounge has access to televisions and microwaves to heat meals. This is a commuter student’s favorite spot on campus, for sure! You are able to move around and get
access to power outlets, while also indulging in some delicious food. Some students nap here, maybe you will too.
My study tips may not work for you, but that is okay. Find your own and stick with it. Just remember to take care of yourself because burnout will sneak up on you and make studying even harder. Good luck with this academic year, Poets!
Dear Poets, I have been given work study, but I’m not sure what job I should get here on campus. What are the best ones here?
- An Unemployed Poet
Dear Poet,
Jane: A little birdie told me that the Quaker Campus is pretty neat. The AC is always on, there’s always snacks in the office, the comfiest couch ever, and the writing part is pretty nice as well. It’s always chill and relaxed at the QC !
Jo: Honestly, one of the best places to work is the Wardman Library, and the work isn’t all that strenuous either. You will be asked to do things like shelving books, finding books to ship off to other libraries, book processing… lots of bookrelated activities. I dunno, I just work there. But, hey that isn’t bad! After all, it is the library. The AC is on… sometimes. Besides the work, the staff are among the nicest people you’ll meet on campus!
Johnny: There are numerous opportunities on our campus that can appeal to certain strengths and abilities. If your skillset leans towards socializing then maybe Student Ambassador in Admissions is right up your alley. Or, if you just want to help a classmate and not have to worry about changing your schedule, you can become a Note Taker. Just look around and see what seems to catch your eye! And even if you don’t have work study, certain jobs can provide department funding to help your finances. Just ask any supervisors or check Handshake to verify, but if not at least you’ll get volunteer work. That definitely helps your resumé, it’s almost as good as being able to afford groceries!
Sincerely,
The Poets
Courtesy of Whittier College
Courtesy of Slader BuilderS
Wardman Library is one of the best places to study on campus!
The inns and outs of doorming at Whittier.
CAMPUS LIFE
What's Up With the Affinity Gathering?
Nadia Miller CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR
Many of the returning students may remember the Community Welcome Dinners from previous years. During the first few weeks at school, these dinners would occur to welcome the various communities found on campus. This year, the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI), Diversity Council, and the Office of Student Engagement (OSE) brought all of the affinity groups on campus together at the Affinity Welcome Gathering. This event took place on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 5 p.m. in Villalobos Hall. The gathering provided snacks such as esquites, mango, strawberries, and more as well as offering a mocktail bar, which has become a staple in recent campus events.
Upon entering Villalobos, the atmosphere was welcoming to students. Six tables were set up for the six affinity based organizations. Asian Student Association (ASA), Transgender, Other-identified, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Allies for Diversity (TOBGLAD), Cru at Whittier College, Black Student Association (BSA), Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanz de Aztlan (MEChA), and Poet Warriors Club, although they were not able to make it to the evening's festivities. Each organization had a table where they could introduce themselves to attendees.
About an hour into the event, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Coordinator Ashley Duenas Ocampo thanked everyone for
coming to the event and introduced current Diversity Council President and fourth-year Sophia Evrard.
Evrard proceeded to mention an opening for the postion of Diversity Council Internal Chair, which entails running Diversity Council meetings and connecting students to affinity groups.
When asked later she stated,
“Our mission is to provide support through leadership development, diversity training, collaboration, and accessible resources to sustain multicultural and interfaith groups that promote social justice, acceptance, and respect for diverse identities.”
Then Ocampo reiterated her
thanks towards all the students who showed up, no matter how long they attended, and reminded everyone that the mocktail bar would be closing in an hour.
With the understanding of the event in mind, here are each of the affinity based organizations the Whittier College campus has to offer:
The ASA is a club that uplifts and have the voices of Asian and Pacific Islanders students be heard. The club is a safe space for all students regardless of their own background to join and learn about the club’s culture. The club has also done many collaborations with other organizations and clubs
Welcome to the Activities Fair
Emma Cianciola FEATURES EDITOR
On Wednesday Aug. 27, Whittier College put on the first of many upper quad festivities: the bi-annual Activities Fair. The Upper Quad was a lively celebration of welcoming back campus spirit. Even whitle enduring the ninety-degree Southern California weather, students filled the space, and went table to table interacting with what the groups and organizations have to offer. Whether you were taking a look at the societies or maybe engaging with our very own Quaker Campus table, the future opportunities exhibited that day were endless.
The Activities Fair vibrated with high spirited energy, thanks in part to KPOET, whose booth kept the courtyard upbeat with melodies that helped set the mood for the afternoon. Music filled the air as students migrated from table to table, chatted with organizations, laughed with friends, and took in the variety of student involvment.
The Athenian Society’s booth quickly captured the attention of many, handing out free doughnuts decorated with their signature green Athenian logo, while The Quaker Campus table drew in visitors with plenty of snacks and goodies for those curious about our student run
newspaper.
Every corner of the quad offered something new for students to explore, from affinity groups such as the Asian Student Association (ASA) to creative clubs like the Fiber Arts Club, and more. This year’s fair was unique, considering it also marked the revival of societies that had been absent in recent years like the Ionians, perfectly exposing the College's loyalty towards traditions and its ever-evolving bonuses to campus life.
With the added incentive of
free boba for those who visited enough organizations, students excitedly made their way across the quad, cooling off with their boba as the heat carried on throughout the day.
With the combination of good music, sweet treats, and the large turnout of organizations, Whittier College concluded another successful Activities Fair. The Fair serves as an opportunity to sign up for clubs, and as a reminder of what a great community we've all built here at Whittier College.
on campus, namely The Desi & Middle Eastern Club and Global Poets. ASA also helps to organize the Lunar New Year celebration that happens every spring. ASA was represented by Co-Presidents, fourth-year, Chelsea Bartilad, and third-year Laurens Chao.
TOBGLAD is a club on campus geared towards the Lavender Community and allies. President of TOBGLAD, secondyear Tyler Johnson is hoping to put on many events this year, including a community day where the campus and the College community can stop by with clothes they don’t want and take clothes they do want. Johnson stated that he had so much fun the previous year with this event and also noted the way that the College community came together has sparked his desire to do it again. Although the club is currently seeking members, Johnson has big plans such as trying to bring drag queens back to the college as well as hopefully organizing a poetry night. At the gathering, TOBGLAD brought supplies to make paper butterflies to engage with students.
Cru at Whittier College holds various different events such as bible study and retreat mission trips. Alumni Victoria Gonzalez represented Cru at the Affinity Gathering.
The BSA creates a space that celebrates black culture and brings good energy that excites change.
President Leah Triana, a fourthyear, spoke excitedly about BSA’s Welcome Black Week set for the week of Sept. 7 to 11. There will
be a different event each day such as a cookout, traditional waistbead making, music night, and bringing back Black Poetry Night. Triana was joined by first-year Event Manager Nevaeha Williams and Social Media Manager Jayden Garrett, a secondyear, to represent BSA at the affinity gathering
MEChA is “one, big community hub” as fourth-year President Emily Perez-Medina puts it. MEChA is a space where students can talk about culture and bring the community together. They have put on events such as big cookouts to remind the members of their home and cultures. MEChA has given informational talks about immigrant rights and helped organize a celebration for Día de los Muertos. Last year, they brought an immigration attorney to campus amidst the unease of the ICE raids and for the coming year they plan on doing many more collaborations. Perez-Medina also wants to expand out of Chicanx culture and cater to the whole Latinx community.
While the Poet Warriors Club was unable to attend the welcome gathering, they are still a vital organization on this campus. They “are here to support and uplift[…] veteran students and other military associated students,” according to their page on Engage
All in all, the Affinity Welcome Gathering was full of merriment and student engagement. Even without the usual welcome dinners, the community came together to make this welcome gathering a success, mocktails and all.
Meeting all the affinity groups at Whittier College.
Courtesy of EngagE
What’s up,
Whittier?
Stay up to date on events! For further info, visit https://whittier. campuslabs.com/Engage/
On-Campus Hiring Fair
• Thursday, Sept 4 at 11:00 a.m.
• Villalobos Hall
Poet Pantry
• Thursday, Sept. 4 at 12:30 p.m.
• Campus Center Room 141
Purry Furry Thursdays
• Thursday, Sept. 4 at 3:00 p.m.
• Dezember House
TOBGLAD First Meeting
• Thursday, Setp. 4 at 5:00 p.m.
• Platner 203
Dance Team Tryouts
• Thursday, Sept. 4 at 5:00 p.m.
• Ball Hall Dance Room
Moonlight Picnic
• Thursday, Sept. 4 at 8:00 p.m.
• Upper Quad
Wii Sports Tournament
• Friday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m.
• Dezember House
AOKP Game Night
• Friday, Sept. 5 at 8:00 p.m.
• Hoover 104
Poet Paddle Kayaking Adventure
• Saturday, Sept. 6 at 10:00 a.m.
• Alamitos Bay
Fantasy Ball Theme Party
• Saturnday, Sept. 6 at 7:45 p.m.
• Hoover Patio (Meet in Front of SLC)
Soulful Sunday
• Sunday, Sept. 7 at 4:00 p.m.
• Penn Park
Mic Check Monday: Karoke
• Monday, Sept. 8 at 6:00 p.m.
• Club 88 Threaded Traditions: Waistbeads & Braclet Making
• Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 6:00 p.m.
• Harris B1
WHITTIER SCHOLARS PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE
• Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 3:00 p.m.
• Wardman Hall
Rhythm & Roots: MUSIC night
• Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 6:00 p.m.
• Campus Center Courtyard
Outdor Pickleball Tournament
• Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 7:00 p.m.
• Graham Athetic Center (Tennis Courts
Voices Unveiled: Black Poetry Night
• Thursday, Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m.
• Club 88
National Voter Registration Day
• Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 11:00 a.m.
• Campus Center Courtyard
CAMPUS LIFE
Don't Fear, the PHEs are Here!!
Elias Loya A&E EDITOR
Welcome back to campus! As many of our readers know, being a college student is difficult, and there can be so many things to feel worried about. Feeling lost on campus? Unsure of how to better manage your personal wellness as a college student? Looking for an effective peer-to-peer support system? Look no further, the newest cohort of PHEs are here to help!
The Peer Health Educator (PHE) program has been around since 2022 and is led by Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness, Dr. Eberle-Romberger. One of the main goals of the PHEs is to bridge the gap between students and the health and wellness resources on campus, and they do this through a variety of different services. For instance, they offer peer-to-peer
counseling. There, you can seek advice on what resources to look for. They can refer you to the resources you need and provide a safe place to discuss what you’re feeling.
The PHEs are trained in active listening, Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) –the latter two are used to aid those in times of a mental health crisis. Thier Community Health Worker training is used to help foster better understanding of community engagement and health support systems. The PHE office, located on the ground floor of Johnson Hall, also serves as a calm and quiet study/social environment, with air conditioning and snacks available.
The PHEs also have a hand in maintaining and bettering the wellness of the college campus. You will often see them hosting weekly information tables in
front of the Science and Learning Center, where you can grab a snack and learn more about any of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. For reference, each of the eight PHEs is assigned one area of wellness, which are emotional, physical, social, spiritual, intellectual, financial, environmental, and occupational wellness. Each event they plan seeks to provide insight and guidance to the betterment of that wellness area for students.
The PHEs also host fun activities around campus, where you can participate in crafts, games, win prizes and other goodies, and socialize with the other students in attendance.
Their work does not stop at the areas of wellness, though. One of their biggest strengths comes in the form of their wide range of skills and far-reaching presence on campus. You can find the PHEs
tabling at massage therapy, pet therapy, De-stress Day, the Dean of Students’ office, manning the Poet Pantry, and collaborating with several other organizations and offices across campus. For example, last year, they collaborated with the Career Center, Sigma Tau Delta, Student Accessibility Services, and many more.
As your peers, the PHEs really care about you. If there’s anyone who comes close to understanding what it means to be a college student in this day and age, it’s them. Feel free to visit them during their office hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or stop by one of their several tables and programs throughout the semester. For more information on their future events and activities, check out Engage, which can be found on the College website and MyWhittier!
Resources for Marginalized Communities
Angelica Hennessy OPINIONS EDITOR
Whittier College is home to an incredibly diverse student body and the many student-led organizations offered on campus reflects the goal of diversity. The key to a positive college experience is often finding a community to be a part of, somewhere you can make friends and be your most authentic self. This campus strives to be a place where every student can find their community and receive the support they deserve, and being able to find a community to belong to is important for every student. But in our current political climate, it is especially important for students from marginalized backgrounds–such as students of color or LGBTQIA+ students– to know where they can meet with those who truly understand their struggles and find community among one another.
Whittier College has a variety of organizations aimed towards bringing students together in this way. These organizations include but are not limited to: The Black Student Association (BSA), The Asian Student Association (ASA), The Desi & Middle Eastern Club, Movimiento Estudiantil
Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA), and Transgender, Other-Identified, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Allies for Diversity (TOBGLAD). All of these organizations host social events, cultural celebrations, educational workshops, and more all dedicated to uplifting students and bringing political awareness to their community’s history and experiences. Joining one of these groups is an excellent way to get more involved on campus.
Less than a ten minute walk away on Painter Ave, another excellent way for LGBTQ+ students to find community has recently opened up. The Whittier LGBTQ+ Center provides a large variety of resources and community building events for LGBTQ+ folks in the area, many of their events specifically targeted towards queer young adults. The services offered at the center include support groups, therapy, clothing drives, HIV testing, educational workshops, open mic events, book clubs, and far more. While, of course, primarily dedicated to addressing the issues of LGBTQ+ folks, the workshops offered by the center cover a vast array of topics. For example, in the month of July they hold and
teach lessons on sustainable urban gardening, basic car operations, and self defense. They also hold many creative workshops on poetry, journaling, art and other related mediums. The Whittier LGBTQ+ Center is dedicated to serving the Whittier Community, and creating a truly diverse and inclusive space where LGBTQ+ folks can safely come together, meet like-minded people, and receive assistance if they need it. Overall, the Whittier LGBTQ+ Center is an incredible resource that Whittier College students should be aware of so they don’t miss out on the opportunity to attend the center’s events, get more involved with the community, use their resources, or volunteer.
Whittier College and our surrounding area is full of ways to meet new people and way to get more involved in your community. Students should be aware of the variety of organizations available to them, not only to get more engaged with what is happening on campus and in the area, but also so they can gain a larger support system in what to many students may be a new and unfamiliar place compared to back home. Human connection is vital to maintaining a positive outlook during your college years, and knowing you are not alone in your experiences and that you have a group of people to rely on– can make all the difference between a good college experience and a bad one.
Courtesy of Wellness Center
Look in Johnsan Hall to find the PHEs.
Courtesy of DLR GRoup
The new LGBTQ+ Center on Painter Ave.
Get to know the PHEs during thier office hours.
Courtesy of Wellness Center
Whittier College’s Fall Sports New Crew
As the school year starts, Whittier College’s fall sports teams have been training for the start of their seasons. With so many new students on campus, there are already a handful of standout athletes. Here’s a look at newcomers from our seven fall teams, a mix of firstyear and transfer students, whom the coaches say best represent Whittier’s athletic program.
The men’s soccer team has had a busy first two weeks of school, packed with multiple games. Connor Gilmore, a third-year junior college transfer, speaks on his experience with the team so far. The defender, often playing center back and left back, says his motivation to join Whittier College was from his coaches’ encouragement.
“The coaches treated me well as a person, not just a player,” Gilmore says. “I took that personally [because] most coaches don’t recruit that way.”
Gilmore has proven to be a strong player thus far. In the Poets’ season-opening 6-0 victory over Nobel University on Aug. 29, Gilmore played 69 out of the 90 minutes, proving himself to be an essential asset to the team. He looks forward to a successful season.
“I want our team to be undefeated,” Gilmore says. “I know that’s really difficult, but we all believe in ourselves.”
Gilmore and the rest of the soccer team have a long season ahead of them. With new players like Gilmore’s, there is hope for more wins to come.
Women’s Soccer has also had a very busy schedule with several games this past week and a half. Adina Johnson, a second-year transfer who primarily plays as a forward, has had an exhilarating start to her Whittier career. She scored the first goal of the season, a rocket from the 30-yard line against Santa Monica College on Aug. 21. Johnson gushes about
how exciting this moment was for her and the team.
faces heartwarming,”
“We’re all celebrating it, not just me.”
As Johnson is an out-of-state transfer, her teammates have been extremely important to her transfer experience.
“Everyone is much more open, welcoming,” Johnson says.
“It’s like a home away from home, and to me, that means more than anything.”
As the Poets begin to meet tougher challenges, Johnson is ready to meet the challenge alongside her new teammates.
The women’s volleyball team dominated their first showcase on Aug. 29, where they secured wins against two tough teams, the first being No. 25 Case Western Reserve University. First-year Allie Scribner began playing volleyball at the age of nine, where she grew to dream about one day playing NCAA volleyball.
“I remember walking in and being like, ‘No way, my dream is coming true. It’s finally being fulfilled.’” Scribner recounts about her first gameday experience. The first-year is adjusting to her new position of playing as a libero
current teammates left a strong impression on her, remarking how seen she felt by her teammates. As the season is just beginning, Scribner and her teammates have plenty more games to continue this volleyball dream, including their Whittier Invitational on Sept. 6 and 7.
The first cross country meet of 2025 took place on Aug. 30. Both teams enjoyed an amazing team bonding experience in Big Bear the weekend before starting school. First-years Samantha Avila and Chris Gonzalez thoroughly enjoyed the experience of getting to know their teammates on a personal level.
“We did two workouts every day, we would all cook together, we would all eat together, we had deep talks,” Avila says.
She says that this trip helped her not feel alone during her first days of college. Gonzalez also finds that this trip greatly benefitted the team experience.
“I feel like I found a crowd I could finally blend in with,” he says. “They’re really nice, very extroverted, and outgoing.”
to Whittier for the cross country experience, was also drawn to the College for the 3-2 engineering program. As Gonzalez describes it, he will compete for three years with the Poets while studying Computer Science before transferring to USC and enrolling in the Civil Engineering program. With new runners like Avila and Gonazalez, the collective team is focusing on their personal improvement as they prepare for their upcoming invitational in Oxnard on Sept. 6.
The men’s water polo team is set to begin their games on Sept. 6, leaving them with just a few more crucial practices to strengthen their team. First-year goalie Tomas Franco plans on working hard to make an impact during his first year.
“I really wanna show that all of this hard work really paid off and possibly be a starter instead of a second string or a third string,” Franco says.
The first-year comes from La Serna, where he was a part of a competitive Division I team. Now on the opposite side of town, he has met an incredibly diverse team with half of the water polo players being made up of international students. The first-year goalie has even had the chance to learn some
new things from them.
“Since I’ve been on the team for [a] while, they’ve been teaching me some of their language, which is pretty cool,” Franco says.
This diverse team is sure to face challenging games this season, but Franco is ready to make a name for himself and the College’s water polo team.
Whittier College’s longawaited return of football is finally in the works with the new team already on campus training towards a return to play in Fall 2026. Jayden McKey is a thirdyear transfer who was a starting quarterback at the University of Redlands. Football has presented a unique situation as this year’s recruits now have the opportunity to train as a team without losing a year of eligibility. In fact, McKey claims that this was a big drawing factor to choose Whittier over the chance to continue playing as a starter at Redlands.
“I wanted to have that year to train my body, get my physical as best as I possibly could […] and build that relationship off the field with my teammates,” McKey says. “Everything will just be great chemistry.”
McKey knows he and the team have something special to bring to Whittier. Anticipation for football’s return to Whittier has been brewing since 2022, the last year Purple and Gold colored the football field.
“It’s getting me excited that we have a lot of support in the community,” McKey says. “I’m really excited to just go and play for a lot of people.”
While the team continues to strengthen themselves for their upcoming season, one could only imagine how those Friday night football games will finally feel like after so long.
Gilmore, Johnson, Avila, Gonzalez, Scribner, Franco, and McKey are only some of our top players part of our new crew of athletics. As they continue to develop, the College hopes to see these Poets thrive.
Monze Meraz-Lerma SPORTS EDITOR
A. Scribner C. Gilmore T. Franco C. Gonzalez J. McKey
A. Johnson
S. Avila
Courtesy of Tony Leon/actioN West PhotograPhy Whittier College welcomes new athletes.
Poet’s Sports Schedule:
Men’s Soccer @ Lewis & Clark College
Location: Portland, OR
• 7 p.m.
• September 4
Women’s Soccer vs. Stanton University
Location: Whittier, CA
• 7 p.m.
• September 4
Women’s Volleyball vs. Whitman University
Location: Whittier, CA
• 1 p.m.
• September 5
Women’s Volleyball vs. UC Santa Cruz
Location: Whittier, CA
• 7 p.m.
• September 5
Men’s Soccer @ George Fox University
Location: Newburg, OR
• 7 p.m.
• September 5
Men’s Water Polo vs. U.C. Merced
Location: USAF Academy, CO
• 9 a.m.
• September 6
Men’s Water Polo vs. McKendree University
Location: USAF Academy, CO
• 9:50 a.m.
• September 7
Women’s Soccer vs. La Sierra University
Location: Whittier. CA
• 10 a.m.
• September 7
Men’s Soccer @ Willamette University
Location: Salem, OR
• 11 a.m.
• September 7
Men’s Water Polo @ Air Force
Location: USAF Academy, CO
• 1 p.m.
• September 7
Men’s Water Polo vs. U.C. Santa Barbara
Location: Malibu, CA
• 12 p.m.
• September 11
Men’s Water Polo @ Pepperdine University
Location: Malibu, CA
• 2:30 p.m.
• September 11
Men’s Soccer vs Westcliff University
Location: Whittier, CA
• 7 p.m.
• September 11
Poet’s Football Program Built Back Better
Atticus Chaidez SPORTS EDITOR
Whittier College has had a mixed history with football. Before the College decided to cancel the Poets’ previous football program, the team did not have a winning season since 2006 where they went 6-3. However, the legacy of Poets football is not one to scoff at. Ever since the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) was formed in 1915, the Poets had won 26 football titles. In their most dominant run from 1957 to 1964, the Poets were not a team to be messed with as they took eight consecutive SCIAC football titles in a row. Throughout those championships, they were coached by George Allen and Don Coryell—both of whom were later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and 2023, respectively. Then there was John Godfrey, who inherited the team after serving as Coryell’s assistant coach from 1957 to 1959. From 1960 to 1972, Godfrey would go on to lead the Poets to win nine more SCIAC football titles. More recently, Poets’ football team won back-to-back SCIAC football titles in the years of 1997 and 1998 under head coach Hugh Mendez.
As the success of Whittier’s football program began to slow down and decline, the college slowly shift its focus away from the team. In addition, a study by Aspen Institute and the National Federation of State High School Associations showed that football
was on a decline across a national scale. With this information, alongside other concerns over chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease that progessively damages the brain over time that is thought to be caused by repeated head injuries, the College’s Board of Trustees decided it would be in their best interest to end the college’s football program.
With the College’s recent commitment to “build back better,” they have done just that with the return of their historical football program. This was, in large part, due to Whittier College alumni banding together and raising $814,000 towards restarting the college’s football program.
“It’s a great day to be a Poet,” exclaims Cory White—the new head coach of the Poets football team. Coach White comes with
experience coaching in NCAA Division I, II, and III programs. White is also a Poet–being a part of the coaching staff ran by then head coach Greg Carlson from 2004 to 2006. In addition, he has also completed his master’s degree while serving as the assistant coach throughout 2007 at Whittier College.
Eager to make a great first impression on campus and the Whittier College community as a whole, White had his players help carry in student’s heaviest belongings while they were moving into their dorms. “We are being very intentional on how we are trying to have football be perceived back in the Whittier community,” says White. He goes on to explain, “Unfortunately, there are too many negative stereotypes about football athletes and we are doing our best to contradict all of those opinions.” One of these
negative stereotypes is that football players consider themselves “elite” compared to their fellow students. The decision to have the football program be more in touch with the community shows how the team prioritizes said community–and it does wonders to contradict those stereotypes.
Teams and programs take a significant amount of time to build. “Our expectation is to get our program back in regular competition for the conference championship. A return to competitiveness in the SCIAC and in the NCAA DIII national level,” says White.
Though it may be a while until the Poets have control of the SCIAC again, the team’s goal is to once again dominate the SCIAC once more, and they will be working on just that until we do. “Expectations are to spend every day from now till the ‘26 season working to get our team ready to compete,” White explains, “The current team is focused and realistic about the work that lies ahead of them this year.”
It’s not every day a football program gets the opportunity for a second chance. “We are very fortunate to have our football program back” says White. “Our ability to affect the campus culture and reconnect the alumni to the college is very exciting for the current direction of Whittier as an institution in the four-year residential campus landscape.” The college’s football program is being built back better than ever.
Courtesy of Adam Pinard/Whittier Daily NeWs Whittier College’s then-freshman quarterback Adam Pinard.
The QC Staff
Suggests:
Paige Meyer-Draffen EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Want to know what our new Editor-in-Chief recommends this week? Read on!
Restaurant:
I just had the pleasure of sharing the juicy pork dumplings with my best friend at Major Dumplings in Diamond Bar.
It’s a little hole in the wall in a shopping center. I had these dumplings while driving down the 60 freeway, which had me swerving in and out of the carpool lane, but wanting another kept me and my passenger alive.
Art:
People are usually passive about mail because it’s usually the college asking us to opt out of our health plan, but it can be so much more. Snail mail & pen pals have made the trip to the mailbox much more exciting, and decorating my letters before sending them off to friends is a great way to spend an afternoon. Drop a letter in Box 7325 if you’d like one in return!
Music:
I’ve been a longtime fan of Clutch, perhaps even a lifetime fan. Right now, they’re on a tour playing their self-titled album, also known as the Space album. My childhood favorites are “Big News I & II”, and lately “Animal Farm” has been in my heavy rotation.
Movie:
This summer I got to revisit my favorite Jim Carrey movie Once Bitten (1985) with some friends. It follows Mark and an enchanting vampire who has her sights set on his virginity. It's of its time, so let this be a warning for a few outdated & derogatory terms. This is Carrey’s first major lead role in his long, wonderful acting career and he knocks it out of the park.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Orange You Glad for New Music?
Elias Loya A&E EDITOR
Unless you’ve been living under a lemon tree, you certainly must’ve heard of the English alternative indie artist known as Blood Orange. It’s been seven years since the release of his critically acclaimed album, Negro Swan, and fans have been eagerly awaiting new material (not counting the mixtape and EP he dropped since 2018). Blood Orange finally released Essex Honey on Aug. 29, and it’s arguably his most vulnerable and grief-filled work yet.
Devonte Hynes (AKA Blood Orange) has been active within the world of music since the early 2000s. He started in the band Test Icicles, which released one album in 2005. He then went on to release two albums in 2008 and 2010 under the name of Lightspeed Champion. Lightspeed Champion went on hiatus in 2011 as Hynes decided to devote more energy to his other project, Blood Orange. Here, he released five albums, one mixtape, and one EP, with Essex Honey serving as his fifth album.
Now, let’s talk about the production of Essex Honey. This album contains a very grandiose, airy, and beautifully melancholic
sound, somewhat distinct from his prior works. On top of that lies the atmosphere of the album; it’s warm, nostalgic, and peaceful. As you listen you’ll find it quite easy to imagine yourself sitting in a room with Hynes, his orchestra, and other instrumentalists behind him.
The desolate and echoey sound of the saxophone and horn section in the bridge of “Somewhere in Between,” and the ethereal combination of angelic vocals, keyboards, and a bubbly guitar riff in the second verse of “I Can Go,” contribute to the album's seemingly mournful nature.
Much of the album relies on the swelling instrumentation, layered vocal harmonies (featuring vocals from the likes of Daniel Caesar, Lorde, Tariq Al-Sabir, Brendan Yates of Turnstile, and many more), and other vocal effects. These work to produce a wall of sound that envelops you like the feeling of a warm embrace in a time of need.
The lyrical and thematic cotent is heavily influenced by the death of Hynes’ mother, who sadly passed away in 2023. The album is constantly exploring themes of depression, denial, disorientation, and an overall sense of wistfulness. Another significant theme is the concept of time.
To Hynes, time represents an opportunity to reminisce on the experiences of his childhood, but it also serves as a reminder of the inevitable; its appearance marks a sign of irreversible change to his loved ones and his sense of personal growth, especially following the passing of his mother. In “The Last of England” he sings , “Time has made it seem that we can talk/But then they took you away.” In a similar fashion, “Countryside” goes, “Another morning here without you/Thinking where did our time go?” Related lyrics are in “Look At You” with “In your grace I looked for some meaning/But I found none, and I still search
for a truth.” These are some of the biggest examples of that sense of loss and unease Hynes is dealing with. Through a blend of atmospheric production and heavy-hitting content, Blood Orange’s Essex Honey serves as a bittersweet ode to those grieving the loss of a pillar in their life. It exposes us to the rawness of death and maturation, while it teaches us of the inevitability of loss and change. The album holds our hand until the very end when we are able to accept life as it is.
Overall, Essex Honey teaches us the importance of allowing yourself to feel what you feel, and still finding the beauty within life after everything you’ve been through.
Please, Do Not Kill
These Vibes
Artists rise to fame either due to sheer creative capacity that appeals to their target demographic, or through presentation. There are examples of each, but the most popular artists tend to get to the top by putting their own souls into their work, and giving everything to the art.
One such example is Kendrick Lamar. He’s popular for all of said reasons, especially when it comes to putting his soul into his music. This is most prevalent in Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, his second most recent album.
This album is essentially Lamar’s therapy album. He sings about many personal and social issues, including his relationship with his parents, his upbringing, previous rappers who got famous like he did, grief, rape, and much, much more.
This is an album he took time to create through the organization of each facet of every song to create something he, and by extension his entire audience, can resonate with and be satisfied by all to provide a sense of relief. All of these issues are presented in a song of their own, all culminating in the final two songs "Mirror" and "The Heart Part 5."
He provides a retrospective of how it feels to have become so successful after facing so many challenges.
It’s a wonderful album, one that allows for listeners to empathize with Lamar, especially since so many events and issues he sings about in this album are so widespread. It’s a study in catharsis
and triumph at the end of a long, difficult tunnel.
Take this album as opposed to an album Lamar made last year, GNX, an album following his Super Bowl performance and following his fight with another musical artist, Drake. This album is considered more “fun” or less serious than the last album (as this album immediately followed Mr. Morale).
Lamar sings about how he not only deserves his success, but he also disses anyone who criticizes him. This album even was the birth of a meme, in which Lamar yells “Mustard” at the top of his lungs.
It’s clear that Lamar had fun making this album, but there is much more to it than dissing dissenters.
Who’s to say Lamar is not aware of what position he’s in, and did not write this album in response to the events since he released Mr. Morale? The album is fun, yes, but he also released it to take care of business, so to speak.
The intro, “wacced out murals,” immediately addresses critics of his performance at the Super Bowl—even the announcement ruffled feathers. In response to the criticism, Lamar sings indignantly about his own prestige and how he deserves it. The entire album only solidifies this sentiment, its success only being proof of that.
The other artist who fits this bill and did something similar to Kendrick Lamar is Tyler, The Creator. Not only did they both do “serious” and “fun” albums, they both released them one after the other. For Tyler, The Creator, it was Chromakopia followed by
Don’t Tap the Glass. Chromakopia , released in October of last year, is also reflective and introspective for Tyler, The Creator. He says the album was a compilation of everything his mother ever told him as a kid ( Rolling Stone ), as well as all of his experiences as a creator in the music world.
Some of the themes include the sudden news of a lover being diagnosed with a terminal illness in "Judge Judy," and his experiences as a performer and icon in the song "Rah Tah Tah." As someone who has portrayed many alter egos in previous albums (Flower Boy and IGOR), this album also seeks to combine previous albums into a culmination of what he has learned since the release of his first album.
Don’t Tap the Glass, released just this past summer followed Chromakopia so closely that Don’t Tap the Glass was recorded during its tour. Tyler knew that the tonal shift between his last album to this would be jarring.
He explains his choice in an interview with Zane Lowe that he “...just wanted to be silly again,” and it makes sense. Not every song or album has to be treated in its production like a masterpiece, nor does it mean that the quality of the music itself drops because the artist isn’t trying to make the greatest music of all time.
This article has been condesned for print. To read more, visit medium.com/the-quaker-campus.
Courtesy of Rookie Magazine
Courtesy of Major Dumpling
Courtesy of Clutch
Courtesy of IMDB
Ethan Airada COPY EDITOR
Tyler and Kendrick are at the top of their game right now.
