Vol. 71, Issue 26

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, May 16, 2023

VOL. 71, ISSUE 26

NEWS

est. 1954

ASUCR’S FIFTH MEETING SEES FRUSTRATIONS EXPRESSED BY THE STUDENT BODY.

CNAS classes canceled

ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

The Associated Students of UCR’s fifth meeting of the Spring Quarter was called to order by Executive Vice President Myra Usmani on Wednesday, Apr. 19th, 2023 in the ASUCR Senate Chamber at 7:05 P.M. All senators were present, excluding CNAS senator Kyle Cheng, CHASS senator Andrew Bui, CHASS senator Alex Lu, CHASS senator Jules Yang, and BCOE senator Chloe Au. In addition to the senators, members of the Executive Cabinet were present as well. Motions to approve the agenda were called for and passed 13-0-0.

Public Forum began following this approval and first saw student Marcell Fulop take the stand. Fulop expressed his thoughts on the recent Barnes and Noble proposal and voiced his opposition. He stated that he has never spent more than $300 on textbooks and believes that there are multiple legal ways for students to obtain textbooks, such as library

textbook scans and free e-books from the library. He primarily dislikes the fact that the Barnes and Noble proposal is something that students must manually opt-out of, which could confuse incoming freshmen who may think they need textbooks from day one. Fulop suggests that he would support the proposal if it were an opt-in system and if professors sent the information to students as well. HUB Executive Director Brendan O’Brien is open to students posting their thoughts on ASUCR socials and an opportunity for students to talk with Barnes and Noble if they have questions.

BCOE Senator Alexander Hunt discussed the concerns raised by Fulop with colleagues, weighing the pros and cons of the proposal.

Nayana Chambers followed Fulop and voiced her frustrations regarding numerous problems she has experienced with the CNAS department at their university. Chambers expressed how all her upper-division classes ► SEE ASUCR PAGE 3

RADAR

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THIS YEAR’S SPRING CONCERT HELD LITTLE EXCITEMENT FOR ITS VARIETY OF PERFORMANCES.

Spring Splash 2023: Wallows was the saving grace BRENDA JOVEL Radar Editor

Spring Splash returns on campus with an indie and rap-themed playlist that had many students either excited or disappointed with this year’s line-up.

Doors opened at 3:30 PM, and it came to no surprise that many students lined up early in hopes of getting both ASPB merch and a spot at the barricade. The line increased by the minute as it slowly wrapped around the Humanities building.

Unfortunately, some students’ early-bird stance may have been a waste of time as a horde of people cut right to the front where line monitoring was poorly enforced. ASPB members and a few security guards appeared right after, but students waiting in line expressed their displeasure and confusion.

While waiting in line, flashes of green lights colored the stage as DJ Miss Ninja! started the event off with EDM sounds.

Their electronic beats distracted most from the wait-time in line and excited students as they neared the entrance.

enjoyed the food available, as well as a water station that fortunately didn’t seem to run out of water like last year’s Spring Splash.

Majority of the long lines were seen at the event’s attractions, including the mechanical shark, meltdown and ferris wheel. The venue’s set-up was certainly one of the most organized events ASPB has hosted, and well-decorated with large letters spelling out Spring Splash.

Starting off later in the day, the heat did not get to students as Wooli came onto the stage. His fast-paced set had many dancing on their heels with their arms up in the air.

The large screen behind the DJ flashed ► SEE SPRING SPLASH PAGE 12

SEE OUR SENIOR FAREWELLONPAGE10!

Once inside the venue, students quickly

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OPINIONS 6

FEATURES 9

RADAR 12

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News

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NEWS

TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

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CNAS classes canceled ASUCR’S FIFTH MEETING SEES FRUSTRATIONS EXPRESSED BY THE STUDENT BODY. ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

had been deleted, and they are missing two core classes which they should have taken to graduate this spring. She had no guidance when she transferred, and when she reached out to other CNAS advisors, they were told not to email them again.

Chambers felt she had been ignored by all the resources they had exhausted, and she explained how this has also been happening to other students. She believes that the administration is tampering with students’ degree audits, and the department is not providing alternatives or informing students when a class is unavailable. Despite only needing two classes to graduate, Chambers cannot wait until spring 2024 to graduate.

Furthermore, the professors are not helping Chambers, and they are being punished for providing research as an alternative. Students are signing a petition on Change.org to raise awareness about this issue. CNAS Sen. Shah has experienced similar problems and suggests that Chambers attend the CNAS town hall to voice their concern directly to the Dean. CNAS Sen. Abby Choy and SPP Sen. Sean Nguyen also expressed their empathy and interest in helping, while CNAS Sen. Vivek Patel suggested bringing Chambers to the CNAS executive. Myra adds that the course catalog is despised and that the CNAS department is a mess.

Student Connor has been working on developing an app for ASUCR that aims to help students navigate HighlanderLink and easily find information about various clubs on campus. In the past few weeks, he has been seeking support from the ASUCR Senate and has obtained written approval to test the app. Connor plans to release the app to the public since it is branded with ASUCR, but needs further approval from the Senate. PPT Richardson suggested that a resolution be written to address the issue and create an adhoc committee to flesh out the details of the app’s implementation. The app has already been tested in another college and has been downloaded by 3,000 students. The app is free, and the only cost is the $70 charged by Google to run the app every month, with the possibility of charging $500 per quarter. While some Senators expressed concerns about the app’s marketing and its potential effectiveness compared to HighlanderLink, Connor plans to test both and see which is more useful.

State of the Association then took place and saw members of the Executive and Extended Cabinet delivering reports that detailed their work and progress throughout the year. President Assaf’s report was presented on her behalf by her Chief of Staff Cooper Proulx, where he discussed R’Gear distribution and collaborations with End Overdose, Bank of America, and TAPs for a discounted parking pass during finals week. EVP Usmani leads the weekly senate meetings and is planning a banquet for elected officials.

VP of Finance Martinez gave extra funding for R’Gear and has a contingency of $19. VP CIA Nassar’s report was delivered by EVP Usmani on her behalf. Usmani detailed how Nassar is working on a wellness vending machine, fruit fair, and CalFresh initiatives.

VPEA Hearns attended Black Lobby Day and is working on Anti-Blackness modules with Assaf. Marketing & Promo Director Nguyen discussed successful tabling events and upcoming technical skills workshops. Personnel Director Ahluwalia is addressing

student concerns and working on Campus Safety Escort Services. First Time Student Director Nguyen partnered with Grocery Outlet for discounts and is working on the Point 2 Point Shuttle Program. Elections Director Trinh found someone to fill the CNAS seats and is addressing email issues. International Student Director Nguyen had weekly meetings and a Family Feud event. President Pro Tempore Richardson passed senate bills and resolutions, updated bylaws, and is communicating with PODER and Amy about reserves due to ASUCR going into deficit.

Following these presentations, one piece of legislation from the Legislative Review Committee was first discussed as part of Committee Reports. SR-S23-002 Support UCSA Disability Justice Budget Ask aims to increase funds UC wide to extend support and provide additional staffing for disabled students as elaborated by President Pro Tempore Aalani Richardson. Primary Author and ACQUIRE coordinator Joanna Mendez spoke regarding the resolution and explained how disability resources on campus are underfunded and understaffed. Motions to approve the legislation were called and passed 12-0-1.

Finance Outreach Hearing Minutes #4 were then reviewed as part of Finance with a motion to open them by CNAS Sen. Abby Choy and CHASS Sen. Brandon Huang.

Finance Hearing Minutes #6 were also reviewed. Both hearing minutes were approved by the senate 13-0-0.

No new business was discussed and three senators followed with reports on the progress of their individual projects. Senator Hunt reported that GCAP Green Grants had passed and that they were editing the legislation related to campus safety. They also mentioned issues related to the town hall and discussed managing the ASUCR funds to resolve the deficit. SOE Senator Leyan Elkatat reported that they received two rewards and spoke about a new possible concentration. They also mentioned that they had passed legislation as both the primary and secondary author and were working on launching an SOE Discord. SPP Senator Sean Nguyen discussed their efforts to assist the personnel committee with the anonymous feedback form and attend finance meetings. They also mentioned that they were meeting with Gupta regarding textbook accessibility issues and had several upcoming events related to Cal Fresh and SPP undergraduate town hall.

Roundtable announcements from senators concluded the meeting. Sen. Elkatat mentioned an upcoming SOE town hall on May 15 at the Senate Chambers with an Amazon giveaway. Sen. Nguyen informed everyone that there will be a registration help session for classes at the African Student Programs on Monday from 12-1. CNAS Sen. Camilia Mohammed announced that there will be a CNAS town hall in the coming weeks. PPT Richardson reminded the senators to submit their legislation by Friday at 9 am and offered them the opportunity to sit in on the LRC meetings. The meeting was H adjourned at 8:51 P.M. ■

4 TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

NEWS

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UCR researchers are investigating the link to Fragile X Syndrome, advancing research on autism and ovarian disorders BRENDAN VO Contributing Writer

One step forward has been taken by UCR Research in finding one of the root causes of autism. From the University’s division of Biomedical Sciences and School of Medicine, researchers have published their findings concerning the most common monogenic source: Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). The syndrome is also associated with female reproductive disorders such as premature ovarian failure or primary ovarian insufficiency.

The study focuses solely on the endocrine system, gathering data concerning female reproduction. Ultimately, the research provides significant data that helps guide further research on the syndrome.

The overall goal is to find a way to identify the correlations between reproductive disorders and autism. This study focuses on females affected by the mechanisms of FXS. According to the study, approximately 1% of women are afflicted with reproductive disorders and 10% suffer from early depletion of ovarian follicles. Those that suffer from early menopause also have increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

Unfortunately, these issues are elusive from health screening insofar as there are currently zero strategies to detect those with increased risk of FXS. The study used mice as the test subjects. Since the main cause of FXS is mutations of the Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 gene, or FMR1, the study would focus on the level at which the FMR protein was created by the FMR1.

Researchers stop the gene’s expression permanently in female mice to mimic the reproductive deficits of women afflicted with FXS. These mice that had the gene “knocked out” were addressed as Fmr1 KO females, whereas non-affected and untouched mice were the control mice.

It was found that Fmr1 KO females had larger first three litters than the control mice. As the experiment progressed, however, control mice continued to produce litters for at least 10 litters and Fmr1 KO female’s productions of litters started to dwindle. 5 out of 11 Fmr1 KO females had a fourth litter and none had eighth litter. This was consistent with the previous research of early cessation of reproductions associated with females afflicted with FXS. Further research entailed hypothalamic and ovarian contribution to endocrine changes concerning LH and FSH levels.

It was concluded that increased LH in unmodified animals likely stems from central dysregulation, while increased FSH involves ovaries. Researchers have deduced from these further findings that the hypothalamus, along with the ovary, plays a big role in endocrine disruption leading to premature cessation of reproductive function.

Researchers hope that this data will help further research to better understand H how women are affected by FXS. ■

RESEARCHERS IN UCR FIND SIGNIFICANT DATA ON HORMONE LEVELS AND FIND THAT NEXT STEPS TO FINDING THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE SYNDROME IS IN THE HYPOTHALAMUS.

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TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

NEWS

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UCR’s stem cell research program cashes in ALEXANDRA ARCENAS Contributing Writer

UCR receives a $2.9 Million grant for undergraduate research programs regarding stem cell research.

University of California, Riverside gains $2.9

million dollars from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine for the Research Training and Mentorship Program Inspire Diverse Undergraduates toward Regenerative Medicine Careers, otherwise known as RAMP. The funding will be focused on undergraduate training in regenerative medicine; therefore, the program will combine new technology and treatments with the Inland Empire.

The grant will be used over the next 5 years to help support and attract undergraduate students to regenerative medicine career pathways. By funding this program, the hope is to develop new treatments for tissue and cell damage, including neurons and other brain cells. The research carried out by accepted undergraduates and faculty will include engineering tissue development and uncovering the natural regenerative biological processes.

RAMP applications have closed for the 2023 cycle; however, first and second year students from the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Bourn’s College of Engineering with stem cell related majors are encouraged to apply in the future spring quarters.

Applications are usually due in the beginning of April and the program will be a 3 year commitment. Although the commitment is rather large, the experience and support gained is greatly beneficial.

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Only 18 students will be accepted per cycle and will be divided into 3 groups of 6 students each. These students will receive up to $9,000 dollars per year to pay for their tuition and a $2,000 dollar stipend per quarter to commit to the research project full time, meaning summer training and part time participation during the academic year. The financial support of the program is generous, but in turn the undergraduates will be put through rigorous lab training and be contributing to presentations and papers. It is a great opportunity to gain research experience needed to host labs and work in labs. Undergraduates will also be able to develop their rhetorical skills by attending conferences and traveling for presentations. There are often opportunities for workshops to further enhance personal development, creating a desirable resume or portfolio for students’ future career in regenerative medicine research or related careers.

Like many of the other research programs, such as RISE and RISE Affiliate programs, RAMP seeks to be accessible and inclusive by emphasizing tacit knowledge. Also, like the other programs, RAMP offers an extensive mentorship system by engaging in active guidance to lessen the confusing nature of the training and learning process. RAMP is slightly different from the other research programs because of the 3 year commitment and the school year participation. There is also an option to earn class credit for the program that can count towards a student’s degree. It’s a very beneficial program for those interested in stem cell research and therapies to get exposure to the cutting edge technology in the respective field. ■H

6 TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

Opinions

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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

The inclusion of commemorative flags does not solve systemic issues of injustice In an attempt to be more inclusive and accepting, Riverside City Hall will now allow commemorative flags to be flown outside their building. The 5-2 vote that okayed the decision includes flags such as the Pride flag and those for Holocaust Remembrance Day and Black History Month. Although this decision is accepted by most, concerns have risen from the two council members who voted against it, and other community members, that flying these flags will only divide and alienate people in Riverside. The concerns brought forth, however, are outdated views that uphold colonial mindsets where being different is wrong and that these differences should be shamed instead of celebrated.

Allowing these commemorative flags to be flown is a step in the right direction for more inclusivity, yet it only scrapes the surface. Choosing to prioritize commemorative flags, instead of proposing legislation that would create actual systemic change for these marginalized communities, feels like a band-aid solution to keep people happy and occupied for the moment.

Furthermore, only some flags would be flown as not every heritage or identity month celebrated in the U.S. has a designated flag. The importance of these months and the significance they hold for their communities are more important than a flag.

In America, it feels like people are constantly having to defend their right to be here and exist. Attacks from white Americans have created the need for cultural months and commemorative flags to help protect these marginalized groups. Just because the problems occurring are not being witnessed by someone,

that does not mean that they do not exist. Claims from members of the community that Riverside is inclusive enough or that lynchings are not a problem because they have not occurred here are insensitive to those who face real persecution for being themselves.

The country was founded through colonization and no one group, besides those indigenous to the land, should feel such a strong claim to exclude others. The ways in which these groups are celebrated here are benign and fail to address true issues.

These groups are already being alienated on a daily basis and choosing to fly a flag commemorating them for one month of the year will not fix everything. It is a solution that does no harm yet it also does not create any change other than upsetting those uncomfortable with those they consider “others.”

To reach the root of the problems that are dividing Americans, better institutional changes are needed. Education is a large component in the quality of life people attain and is necessary to understand other groups and cultures so we are a more sensitive country. Not wanting to accept differences and exclude certain groups is why education is being so challenged in states that favor more conservative politics. While Riverside is considered more progressive and diverse, there are still many systemic changes that can occur. The commemorative flags are still celebrated, but should not hold so much importance in relation to the larger issues going on in the city and country. ■ H

RIVERSIDE’S APPROVAL TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS AT CITY HALL IS A BAND-AID ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT BE SO CONTROVERSIAL. The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander Editorial Board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

7

Commonwealth under King Charles III rule may simply be a thing of the past

WITH MANY COUNTRIES WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS CONSIDERING THEIR DEPARTURE FROM THE MUTUAL COMMUNITY OF FORMER BRITISH COLONIES, THE DECLINING POWER OF THE BRITISH CROWN IS INCREASINGLY VISIBLE. TOMAS ALVES Contributing Writer

On May 6, 2023, Charles III succeeded his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as Britain’s new monarch. As the celebrations in the United Kingdom have now concluded, a new era of the British monarchy is officially underway. The festivities in and around London have naturally provoked those living within the bounds of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations to consider the prospects of a new future under the hand of their newly crowned King. After nearly 70 years of rule under Queen Elizabeth II, the Commonwealth of Nations has evolved from a tool for Britain’s postcolonial enforcement of influence over the stretches of their former empire into a way to dress a veil over the atrocities committed by British rule.

The beginning of the modern Commonwealth began in 1949 when the leaders of 8 countries led by the United Kingdom gathered to reassert their commitment to the old association of the Commonwealth but with a new purpose and motivation. Their goal was to establish a freeenterprising association of nations who would be considered “free and equal members… freely cooperating in the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress.” Even as large a country as India, a rising global economy where half of the Commonwealth’s population resides, desired to enter the organization in 1949, just 2 years after gaining its independence in 1947.

Almost the entirety of the modern Commonwealth’s existence has been under the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who was successfully able to assert the UK’s leadership in the organization by making it a

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mechanism for smaller countries with less influence to utilize its soft power in the world to attain a platform for their concerns on the world stage. This soft power, or the power for countries to impart their set of values or goals on another country, was considerably formidable during the 1950s and 1960s when the UK was the third largest power in the world. However, today, the Commonwealth only provides a fraction of its previous influence due to the sheer size of about 2.6 billion people and not because the U.K. is its leader.

Considering today’s multipolar world, where multiple

countries harbor significant pull on the international stage, the Commonwealth’s mutual cooperation and simple association might be the only benefits preventing its dissolution.

As the U.K.’s influence in the world has decreased significantly since the early 20th century, many Commonwealth countries are far more empowered to assert themselves in opposition to the British monarchy’s imperial glory days. This is evident based on the protests of the monarchy at Charles’ coronation and a host of Commonwealth nations already pressing King Charles to immediately hold a “day of reckoning” that was promised but postponed by Queen Elizabeth. Consequently, King Charles’ first challenge as the new British monarch will be tackling the challenges of reaffirming the global goals of the Commonwealth, solidifying the purpose of the monarchy as not just a ceremonial head but a force to effect progress towards global issues like climate change, world hunger and poverty.

Before the monarchy empowers the Commonwealth to tackle these challenges, King Charles must reckon with the United Kingdom’s role in creating the very challenges he seeks to solve. Not only to acknowledge the history and disadvantages the world’s largest empire has been complicit in perpetuating, but in order to heed the basic logic that the former colonies crave: “in order to solve a challenge, one must identify its H cause.” ■

Publicly financed political campaigns could loosen special interests’ grip on the government CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENTS PROPOSED A NEW BILL ALLOWING FOR PUBLIC FINANCING OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS. SENNA OMAR Assistant Features Editor

In today’s American political climate, most people do not trust the government. This is the fault of special interest groups financing political campaigns, causing candidates to be indebted to a group rather than the people they are supposed to represent. A poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California found that 67% of adults believed the government was “run by a few big interests looking out for themselves.” Allowing for public funding of political campaigns would lighten special interest groups’ grip on government and open the floor for more people to run for office who may not have had the means to finance campaigns on their own.

Running for office is expensive, and if the people do not provide funding, interest groups will continue to control the government through political candidates of their choosing. Public financing legislation would allow California governments to enact public funding for election campaigns.

In California, only five cities are allowed to have public funding campaigns. LA and San Francisco have a match system, where the government will match every $1 donated by residents with a $6 donation. Oakland, on the other hand, provides voters with four, worth $25, “democracy dollars” that they can donate to political campaigns.

LA, San Francisco, Oakland, Long Beach and Berkley all possess public financing systems because they are “charter

cities;” many California cities, 357, are not permitted to set up similar systems because of the Political Reform Act. The Reform Act advocated for more transparency in political campaign financing. The bill neglected to mention public financing for fear that the opposition would claim it was a scheme to funnel taxpayer money to politicians’ pockets.

Two bills to allow public finance for political campaigns will appear on California ballots in the 2024 elections. Although passing these bills is not a fix-all solution to political corruption, they are a potential way of lessening corporate influence, moving towards an era of governance by and for the people.

Not only will public financing reduce special interests power, but it will also allow the “little guy” to participate on the American political stage. Financing a political campaign can range anywhere between $2-3 million, the average person does not casually have millions of dollars they can feasibly spend on running for office. People who have real desire and passion for change are unable to even have a chance at governing; because of this financial barrier, the wealthy have an unfair advantage and hold over American politics.

Unfortunately, in politics money is the most powerful tool, providing people with real incentives for change the monetary means to achieve through public financing is the first step to reforming government. ■ H

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FEATURES

TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

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This week means unexpected challenges for everyone Sagittarius

YSABEL NAKASONE Assistant Opinions Editor

(November 22 - December 21): Empress

(March 21 - April 19): Four of Cups

No one is on the same path...

This is a period of reevaluation, Aries.

You’ve just taken up a path that might be worth a second look. Check out any major life decisions you just made because one of them is wrong.

Leo

ARIES

Dreamstime

It’s time to nurture others, Sagittarius. Your friends need your support right now. You might disagree with what they’re doing or feeling, but you must put that aside and let them lean on you.

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(July 23 - August 22): Page of Cups Messages are coming to you in unexpected ways from unexpected people. Talk to some of the most creative people you know. They’re trying to tell you something, even though it will seem unclear for a while.

Taurus

Capricorn

(December 22 - January 19): Ten of Pentacles

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(April 20 - May 20): Death Something has finished. A relationship, a project, a time period. This will be a time of transformation for you, and you must embrace how it will change you. See through the immediate challenges and find what lesson is most important from this shift.

Dreamstime

You should focus on family, Capricorn. Take the time to consider where the people you care about are and how they are doing. Someone in your family is in need of your companionship.

Virgo

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(August 23 - September 22): Judgement This week you must answer your inner call, Virgo.

You are feeling pushed towards a certain goal; now is the time to start making headway. Take small steps and make concrete progress even if it doesn’t seem huge.

Aquarius

(January 20 - February 18): Nine of Pentacles

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20): Five of Wands You are in the midst of a competition, Gemini. This is a battle of wits, and it remains very unclear if you will emerge victorious. Try to remain unaffected and continue on as you normally would. These results should not phase you.

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This week will be about basking in a current period of luxury. Something really enjoyable has taken up residence in your life, and you should enjoy it while you can. Make time for this abundance.

Libra

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(September 23 - October 22): Page of Wands Dreamstime

Libra, allow yourself to act freely and without inhibition. Think in terms of immediate satisfaction and live in the moment. Do not allow long-term goals to drag you down by muting the importance of making memories this week.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Ace of Pentacles

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Cancer

(June 21 - July 22): Strength

Right now, your words have an enormous influence over someone in your life. Lead them with compassion and think in terms of emotional maturity. Encourage them to make the hard choice.

You have successfully manifested a new opportunity, Pisces. Keep your head down and focus on the work without getting distracted by the novelty of it.

Think in terms of what you have to offer and execution. ■ H

Scorpio

(October 23 - November 21): Four of Swords This week is about recuperation. Scorpio, you need to rest and relax. You’ve been working hard and now need to take a breath. This is a sign that you are on the precipice of burn out.

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FEATURES

TUESDAY, MAY 16 2023

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/features

So long and farewell to The Highlander I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH AND REMEMBER MY TIME HERE. AMARAY ALVAREZ Opinions Editor

T

he 2016 presidential election sparked my interest in journalism. Through the news coverage I consumed, I became aware of how important the media was during and after the election. Misinformation and unprofessional political tactics led to that election being skewed unlike any other in our country’s history, bringing with it a wave of distrust for the media. During this time, I also came to understand how certain communities, like mine, were disadvantaged by their lack of media literacy and representation.

While attending College of the Desert in 2020, I took part in an internship at our local newspaper, The Desert Sun. Having to shift to remote work, I was tasked with reporting the daily COVID numbers for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. I was later assigned to work on a survey project with another reporter. We surveyed residents from the Eastern Coachella Valley regarding how they had been affected by the virus.

A

Being able to survey my community opened my eyes to the assistance that marginalized communities need, as well as the lack of diversity in our current media representatives.

Most residents did not trust the information they were consuming surrounding the virus and were unaware of the resources available to them. Learning this motivated me to want to inform my community, and others who are underrepresented, with the hope that more people will consume the news and participate in politics; thus allowing them to be better prepared to overcome systemic and generational barriers.

Upon transferring to UCR, I immediately joined The Highlander Newspaper starting as the Assistant News Editor. I am majoring in political science with a concentration in international affairs and am interested in breaking news and political reporting. Through my coursework, I have strived to take courses that will teach me about other cultures and countries so that I can better understand different groups of people, including their struggles, and accurately represent them in my writing and reporting.

This year I served as the Opinions Editor at the Highlander and oversaw the Opinions Section. My tasks this year included being in charge of our editorial, working with writers and contributing to other sections possible. In this role, I took special consideration to highlight sensitive topics and voices of people whose stories were under reported. I also joined KUCR, UCR’s radio station, to learn more about radio broadcast and podcasting. This quarter I have an hour-long music show that takes place Mondays at noon.

Being an editor at The Highlander has been a great experience and allowed me to grow as a writer and person.

The environment that we have created at the newspaper is welcoming and encourages everyone to be their best selves.

Through working here I have met my closest friends and found a group of like minded people who share my same values. Unlike other campus organizations that are more bureaucratic, I never felt the pressures of competition or that I could not be myself.

I am thankful to the whole Highlander team for being great friends and coworkers and allowing me to feel like I belonged even as a transfer student. As I continue with my career, I will be attending UCB for my Masters in Journalism. The role of reporters, and those in the media, is to be unbiased while informing and telling the stories of their communities. This is what I would like to continue doing.

■H

COURTESY OF THE HIGHLANDER

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/features

FEATURES

TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

11

Student Spotlight: from passion to profit: meet the student entrepreneur who’s crafting a crochet empire

MARIBEL GAMEZ-REYES Contributing Writer

In pursuit of trying new things and hobbies, it can be a struggle to implement them into your life. Haley Barton is no exception, yet she has endured and committed to growing in her craft and embracing all of its potential by merging it with her career interests.

Her interest in crocheting sparked through the turbulence of the pandemic. With unaccustomed free time, she found herself like many of us, searching the web for youtube videos of her topic of interest. In an interview with The Highlander, Barton shared, “I developed my craft within two and a half years, spending an average of two to three hours a day. Crochet bumblebees were in trend at that time, they were too expensive so I decided to learn and make them myself.” Although powered by excitement, she quickly felt the frustration of not having an in-person instructor to ask for guidance. She almost quit three times before experiencing the outcome of her first creation within a week of starting.

This was the origin of a new creative side that she didn’t know was in her reach. When asked what she enjoyed most about this medium of art, Barton replied “It is the most forgiving art medium because if you mess up, you can just pull the string to unravel it just to the point where you messed up and continue from there.”

Now a more adept crocheter and college student, she aims to create what doesn’t exist into the world. Her confidence has developed throughout every consecutive creation, such as stuffed animals, hair accessories, bags, and most importantly custom clothing pieces. Confidence was the key to utilizing her hobby and forming a business.

Passionate with the power to create limitless possibilities, she hopes that leaders of our generation can wear what she has to offer.

If you’re looking for a business that is both stylish and conscious, look no further. Her brand, Fluffy Details’ mission statement is clear: to revolutionize the fashion industry by creating beautiful and eco-friendly clothing that is designed to make every woman feel confident.

To give you an idea of how she endeavors to carry out these values, a particular piece of hers offers a fresh perspective on a well known essential: the “Little Black Dress.” Relying on emotional experiences for inspiration, she reacted with the creation of her statement piece, “Little Black Chain Dress.” This is a benevolent twist on the established basics that at times can become generic and restricting. Not altering and compromising the essence of the design, Barton explained “ I’ve seen other black chained dresses, but while I love the iconic look they’re so uncomfortable because the chains are cold to the touch. I wanted to elevate the design, create a comfortable spin on the dress and add crochet chains.

The entirety of the dress is handmade, presenting an all knitted black dress with crochet chains that are adjustable for a more flattering fit on the person.” While she also lets other creators inspire her work, she makes sure to scarcely take away certain techniques of design but sticks to the originality of her creativity for her brand.

Balancing her passion for crochet with her studies, Haley is a shining example of creativity and determination in the academic world.

IRENE TU / THE HIGHLANDER

Behind the curtains: Production of Pieces

When she isn’t in classes, studying or leisurely hanging out with her friends and boyfriend, Barton dedicates time on expanding her business. The time commitment varies on what she creates, but an approximate estimate for bags can take anywhere from five to eleven hours. For clothing she can spend up to one day or a whole week.

Ultimately, the design elements and vision for her pieces dictate how long the process of creation takes.

In terms of managing expenses, not relying on a source of income Barton first started taking Instagram requests from friends and acquaintances that had seen her artwork. This would entail them purchasing their own yarn for her to use. Once she had created their requests, they would let her keep any leftover yarn. This served her well for practicing but now after starting a business she finds it better to invest and buy her own yarn. For materials to be more accessible, she utilizes coupons and entrusts readers with her go-to place for crafters, JOANN’s.

A well planned formula for determining the price of her pieces include looking at market rates for similar products targeting designated audiences, adding the time of the whole design process, acknowledging the difficulty or ease of creation, adding the level of originality, and finally all the materials and expenses that went into that singular piece. Emphasizing sustainability, her brand evidently stands out from the surplus of fast fashion brands revolving around us. While some pieces can be deemed a little pricey, the quality and uniqueness of pieces don’t go unnoticed. By choosing to invest in high-quality, long-lasting clothing that is eco-friendly you are contributing to a brighter future of the planet and getting your money’s worth. Doing the most to make the brand more accessible, there is an

A love letter to Trader Joe’s NATALIE DAHL Staff Writer

Dear Trader Joe’s, As a college student scraping together my pennies, sometimes your produce can seem a little pricey. But alas, I always come back to your whimsically themed isles to fill my grocery cart for the week. The smell of fresh bouquets curated with more tasteful colors than the ones at Vons are a welcome greeting to the nose and eyes. Your hand-penned signs and hidden stuffed animals make grocery shopping feel less like a chore and more like a reward.

As a long-time lover of your establishment, I have had a few favorites come and go over the years. One of my fondest traditions in middle and high school was when my best friend and I exchanged TJ’s honey butter potato chips on birthdays. We used to joke that one of the worst days of our lives was when we found out the news that they were permanently taken off of the shelves. I remember stuffing my face with chocolate whoopie pies on long car trips, crying over math tests while eating microwave pad thai

option that provides a trade-in policy. If you purchase from the website and further down the line decide you don’t want that singular piece, you are able to turn it in for free and in exchange get a 20% discount towards a new purchase. That item that was returned will then be repurposed and recycled in a proper manner.

As a passionate business owner, Haley Barton evidently has the desire to learn as much as she can and grow. Pursuing a degree in business administration will undoubtedly provide her with the necessary tools and knowledge to take her business to new heights. By focusing on quality and creating a strong brand identity with shared values many can appreciate, Barton hopes to expand her business and create as much demand as possible. Supported by university resources, she plans to reach out to the Crochet Club for a collaboration, and donate professional handcrafted clothes to the R’Closet for more exposure. Recently, she’s even done tabling at the ASPB Thrift Event. Through her involvement on-campus and outreach efforts, Haley Barton is determined to make a name for herself and her business. With her dedication and hard work, the future of “Fluffy Details” is bright and promising!

You can follow Haley’s growing Crotchet Empire through her Instagram @fluffydetail H or her website at www.fluffydetail.com.■

noodles and burning the roof of my mouth biting into aloo chaat kati pouches on the way to school.

But you’ve also added to some wonderful new flavors that I associate with fond memories. Slow mornings with my boyfriend taste like the TJ’s sauce we douse our breakfast tacos with and late nights with my younger sister are filled with snacking on your knock-off Takis and Cheetos. As a kid, I remember pushing around the mini shopping carts you used to provide and picking out one special treat for myself for the week.

And although the foods you shelve won’t be the same forever, the charm and hominess you provide will always be present.

See you again soon (a.k.a. on my Monday evening shopping trip), H Natalie ■ KELLEY MANZO / THE HIGHLANDER

Radar

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/radar

RADAR

TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

12

Spring Splash 2023: Wallows was the saving grace BRENDA JOVEL Radar Editor

THIS YEAR’S SPRING CONCERT HELD LITTLE EXCITEMENT FOR ITS VARIETY OF PERFORMANCES.

VERDICT: ORGANIZED A BIT MORE EFFICIENTLY, SPRING SPLASH 2023 WAS A BIT LACKLUSTER IN ITS PERFORMANCES, YET WAS THANKFULLY SAVED BY THE ENERGETIC AURA FROM WALLOWS.

Spring Splash returns on campus with an indie and rap-themed playlist that had many students either excited or disappointed with this year’s line-up.

Doors opened at 3:30 PM, and it came to no surprise that many students lined up early in hopes of getting both ASPB merch and a spot at the barricade.

The line increased by the minute as it slowly wrapped around the Humanities building. Unfortunately, some students’ early-bird stance may have been a waste of time as a horde of people cut right to the front where line monitoring was poorly enforced. ASPB members and a few security guards appeared right after, but students waiting in line expressed their displeasure and confusion.

While waiting in line, flashes of green lights colored the stage as DJ Miss Ninja! started the event off with EDM sounds. Their electronic beats distracted most from the wait-time in line and excited students as they neared the entrance.

Once inside the venue, students quickly enjoyed the food available, as well as a water station that fortunately didn’t seem to run out of water like last year’s Spring Splash. Majority of the long lines were seen at the event’s attractions, including the mechanical shark, meltdown and ferris wheel.

The venue’s set-up was certainly one of the most organized events ASPB has hosted, and welldecorated with large letters spelling out Spring Splash.

Starting off later in the day, the heat did not get to students as Wooli came onto the stage. His fast-paced set had many dancing on their heels with their arms up in the air. The large screen behind the DJ flashed images of a colorful mammoth, and it felt as though the crowd were witnessing a live lucid dream on stage. It was possibly the most energy the audience had for the entire event. As soon as Wooli ended his set, students quickly left the concert area to refresh themselves from their brief moshing.

ASPB members threw shirts into the crowd as DJ Miss Ninja! played in-between breaks. The crowd dispersed throughout HUB Lawn, either going to the misting stations or restrooms in preparation for the next act.

“Please make some noise for Pi’erre Bourne!” announced DJ Miss Ninja!. Brief cheers welcomed the record producer and rapper, though the mellow energy seemed to rapidly transfer onto the rapper’s performance. Awkward transitions between tracks felt out of place during the performer’s set. Bourne soon performed “Biology 101” as he urged the audience to open up a mosh pit that formed only in the middle of the crowd. Pi’erre’s attempts of getting the audience to dance proved futile as the lackluster energy from crowd members showed their dissatisfaction with his performance. When asked if they enjoyed the rapper’s set, a student commented, “He did his best, but [he] failed to energize the crowd.”

Taking the stage after a short intermission, images of 070 Shake trudging through snow appeared onscreen as heavy beats blared into the evening air. It was an enthusiastic way to open the rapper’s performance, but energy quickly died down when the only sounds coming from the rapper’s voice was

a pitchy, electronic noise. Either singing inaudibly or barely singing at all, 070 Shake did not seem to liven the crowd as much as people would have liked. Though the rapper had some moments where small mosh pits were formed, it was clear that the performance felt slow as audience turnout lessened with many either sitting or laying down on HUB Lawn.

The rapper performed a new song that only seemed to repeat “Na Na Na,” and though she tried to get the audience to sing along, the silence emanating from the crowd was louder than the beat of the track.

Ending with Kanye West’s “Ghost Town,” 070 Shake took a bite from a flower bouquet a member from the audience had given to her before thanking the audience for their time.

A few minor technical difficulties ensued that caused some minutes of silence, but DJ Miss Ninja! reignited the audience and even had a small celebrity sighting of Scotty the Bear. Scotty joined in on the fun and eased the audience into the night’s headliner, Wallows.

Appearing as the event’s saving grace, Wallows kicked off the night with “I Don’t Want to Talk,” an upbeat tune that many recorded on their phones while Dylan Minnette cleverly performed the harmonica.

Group members Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston were the only performers that showed the greatest amount of energy. They showed their spirit through their voices or through their movements on guitar and bass. Yet it seemed that the crowd’s energy was little, leading Minnette to stop in the middle of the group’s song and instructing the audience: “[Let’s] go back to the middle of the song, [and on] the count of four, [go crazy] for the rest of the set.” The second Minnette counted to the final number, the stage and audience exploded into a frenzy of dancing.

Their performance of “Sun Tan” with an excellent trumpet player animated the crowd with joy.

Minnette and Preston soon switched roles to perform “Quarterback.” Preston hugged the mic with both hands and sang their heart and soul into the Riverside crowd.

Introducing “Pictures of Girls,” Lemasters showed off their incredible guitar abilities as they strummed to the song’s fast rhythm, impressing the audience.

Continuously singing “You should be down in Hollywood,” the crowd joined along to the lyrics as Minnette danced across the stage with sweat dripping down his face. His energetic performance throughout the event alongside Lemasters and Preston will remain unmatched.

Their final song, “Are You Bored Yet” was the main song that the crowd seemed to almost know as many brought out their phones to record the band’s final moment onstage. Minnette pointed the mic towards the audience several times throughout their hit track, unfortunately, there was barely any singing coming from the crowd. The band ended the night with their appreciation before throwing their guitar H picks at thrilled fans near the front.■

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/radar

RADAR

TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

13

When writing reaches you: UCR’s Tómas Rivera Conference VALERIA SOSA Contributing Writer

A CONVERSATION OF WRITING THROUGH LATINX VOICES AND STORIES. IRENE TU / THE HIGHLANDER

In its first in-person rendition since the pandemic, and a tattoo. “Poetry is moments of instance,” he the Tómas Rivera Conference returned to UCR’s conveyed to listeners, his navigation of memory campus with an array of authors that Endowed Chair, not only serving to hold a moment in time but in Alex Espinoza, introduced to writers and readers a reader’s mind, enveloping them in the memory alike. In his opening introduction, Espinoza said, itself.

“I reached out to some colleagues and asked them, From writer and deputy public defender, Juanita ‘Who would you like to be in conversation with?”

E. Mantz (JEM) the chapbook, “Portrait of a The selected authors are Latinx,hailing from cities in Deputy Public Defender or how I became a punk the Central Valley to the boroughs of New York City, rock lawyer” and memoir, “Tales of an Inland arriving with award-winning books and heartening Empire Girl,” convey the personal tribulations and words in tow. triumphs of JEM’s life, her punk rock teenage roots The conference began with Texas native and As- and childhood upbringing taking center stage. sociate Professor at the University of Texas, Kimberly JEM explained that her writing came to be after Garza, as she read select chapters from her debut the passing of her father. “I wanted to bring my novel, “The Last Karankawas.” The narrative takes on Dad back to life,” she said, sharing memories of her several perspectives to convey the power of compast between readings, and the love and appreciamunity and place in the face of Hurricane Ike. The tion she held for her childhood was palpable; The Karankawa people, as the protagonist, Carly, learns, stories of resilience became immortalized in the are the ancestral foundation that tethers her family to reader, inspiring each of us to consider how much their island off the Texas coast. Through many voices life can change through JEM’s vulnerability and her across chapters, Garza conveyed that the eye is not kind words. only found in the storm but in the people of Fish VilIn a reading from American novelist Manuel lage as Garza balances them all through her words. Muñoz, the Mexican-American community of Brooklyn screenwriter and author of her debut Fresno, California in the 1980s is explored in his novel, “Olga Dies Dreaming,” Xochitl Gonzalez latest collection of short stories, “The Consequencbegan her panel with her writing journey, having es.” With a soft and composed voice, Muñoz delivrun a wedding planning company for ten years and ers rhythmic and serene scenes through his prose, explaining that protagonist, Olga, picks up her story magnetic and rich in language. from that same profession: a wedding planner for the When The Highlander asked Muñoz about how uber-rich. In her reading, Gonzalez’s delivery of the he manages a balance between repetition and lyriprose built a constant momentum; with each wind- cism, he explained, “I think it comes from reading thought from Olga, Gonzalez matches its breadth ing poetry. [...] Picking up the musicality of what with a breakneck-speed reading. And as the story a poem can do in a really short space helps avoid navigates several complexities in Olga’s life, a conthat problem [of redundancy].” Muñoz goes on to frontation of familial truths and ties offers a careful explain his daily ritual of reading a poem and exexamination of what we call “The American Dream.” amining its lines, the cross-genre practice making From Fresno, California, poet and winner of the for beautiful expressions in his writing, capturing Alta California Chapbook Prize, Gabriel Ibarra, life at its core. joined the conference in a reading from his prizeMelissa Lozada-Oliva, a Guatemalan-Colomwinning collection, “On Display.” In each poem, bian-American writer and poet, shares her novel an “artifact” as Ibarra described it, takes shape in verse, “Dreaming of You” where a young poet through specific objects: an aluminum baseball bat, brings Tejano singer, Selena, back to life.

Lozada-Oliva explained, “The book ends up not being about Selena–it’s more about me. Or about this mythical figure of Latinidad–not that Selena is a mythical figure–but Latinidad as a mythical figure.” Alongside her desire to create her art tastefully, Lozada-Oliva leaves the audience in constant awe through the various forms which her poems take on, allowing for an openness and conversation between the self and its vulnerabilities.

The conference’s finale ended with a conversation between “Love and Rockets” author, Jaime Hernandez, and UCR’s Associate Professor of Creative Writing, Michael Jayme. Hernandez, alongside his brothers Gilbert and Mario, has captured the intricate lives of women in the fictional town of Hoppers, preserving the punk scene of California on its pages in the forty years since the comic’s first issue. With panels from the comics projected on the screen, the black and white print of each story carries a vibrancy in its character expressions, its detailed wardrobes mixing rosaries and homemade tees, and its brevity of storytelling within its page space. And when the audience observes characters Maggie and Hopey giggling past a line of police officers, the joy and mischief of “Love and Rockets” are put on full display.

When The Highlander spoke to Espinoza over Zoom in January, it was to discuss the fears of starting a novel and how it lingers in the minds of writers even when they’re not writing. Espinoza had reassured me, saying, “Thinking about writing still counts as writing,” and after the conference, The Highlander asked him how the Tómas Rivera Conference might relate to that notion.

He told The Highlander, “It offers an opportunity for us to be in conversation with each other [...] a space where we can all come together and share our experiences. [It] makes [the writing experience] feel less isolating.” He adds, “[Conferences] like these had a huge impact on me when I was an undergraduate pursuing my creative writing degree. These are the writers that I wanna be in conversation with. These are the works that I want my novel and my book to speak to.” ■H

14 TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

RADAR

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/radar

Everything you need to know about the Writers Guild of America strike THE FUTURE OF ENTERTAINMENT RELIES ON THE OUTCOME OF THIS PREDICTABLY LONG STRIKE. JAELYN GONZALEZ Assistant Radar Editor

Amid media layoffs and a terrible job market, the entertainment industry is in deep muddy waters for labor exploitation. On Tuesday, May 2nd, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) stepped onto the streets forming picket lines due to unfair labor practices by large entertainment networks. Writers all across the industry, from late-night to animation staff writers, are in their second week of the strike. Yet many viewers are unaware of what will come their way and what the strike means for the rest of entertainment history.

The WGA is a labor union that protects writers in film, television and radio. The WGA has a contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The AMPTP represents major entertainment companies such as Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. and Walt Disney Studios. The WGA’s contract with the AMPTP ended on May 1st, leaving the writers with the opportunity to bargain for a new contract. However, this strike was a long time coming.

With the adoption of streaming services and the boom of a push for online streaming in 2020, writers for these platforms are getting a cut of what they would usually make on air. Writers’ pay per episode, residuals, are only a one-time payment with streaming services, unlike reruns. On television, writers get

residuals every time an episode is aired, leaving writers for Paramount+ and Netflix with less pay than they would on-air.

Writing rooms are also facing fewer writers thanks to company demands, yet are assigned the same amount of work and time to finish episodes as they would with a full set of staff writers. The reduction of this workforce is also feared with the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to fill in the gaps. AI threatens writers with writer’s rooms becoming smaller and job stability.

The WGA is currently in the bargaining stage of a new contract with the AMPTP. The WGA is asking for an increase in compensation with a higher residual base minimum as well as higher initial pay for streaming service writers. For now, the AMPTP is rejecting the offer of weekly pay for writers, as writers’ pay is spread out in various ways for a project.

The proposal also includes a minimum number of writers for episodic television, leading to larger writers’ rooms and taking the pressure off small writers’ rooms. AMPTP also rejected new contract inclusions of pension and health for all team members and the WGA’s asking to ban AI in the writers’ room. More details about base pay, residuals and

other proposed ideas can be found within the WGA’s proposal chart on wgacontract2023.org.

As this strike seems to not be coming anywhere close to a final deal, viewers will find a drastic shift in upcoming television and film. Reality TV will boom.

Since the last WGA strike lasted over three months, it is expected this strike will likely look similar. From the 2007 strike, TV saw shows such as “Wipeout” and “The Celebrity Apprentice” flood the screen at home.

These shows are cheap and easy to make — so writers are practically out of the picture.

Viewers will also see awkward writing or terrible endings to their favorite TV shows. Media companies will turn to AI to complete their unfinished projects and the upcoming season to be aired later this year.

The AMPTP has no reason to wait any longer to give writers what they need. Fair compensation is pure decency. The AMPTP has blamed the economic crisis and no surplus to fund the WGA’s proposals, yet the AMPTP’s protected company executives make significantly higher wages in comparison to the backbone of the industry — its writers.

To learn more about the strike visit the WGA’s H website, wgacontract2023.org. ■

Artist Spotlight: Nolberto Rezola uses art to elevate himself toward a higher purpose

COURTESY OF JOHN EDWARDS VIA FLICKR UNDER CC BY-SA 2.0

REZOLA’S ART HAS A FINGER ON THE PULSE OF HUMAN EXISTENCE. MAXEN OLVERA Contributing Writer

Inland Empire native Nolberto Rezola is an artist capable of creating pieces built on grandiose elements.

Born and raised in San Bernardino, Rezola was always fascinated by the actions of art.

In classes, he would sketch out radical figures in the margins of his notes. Despite his doodle distractions, he was a scholar first. Mathematics intrigued the mind of Rezola as he dreamed of becoming an established math professor. His fascination with numbers and arithmetic began in the 6th grade, and numbers quickly made a connection with Rezola. His valued mathematical skills launched him into the pursuit of knowledge, and after graduating High School in three years he continued his mathematical endeavors, eventually obtaining entrance into the math Master’s degree program at Cal State San Bernardino.

Rezola spent seven years treading through the countless theorems, proofs, and possibilities in mathematics. His crawl through the trenches of math evaporated all of his energy Rezola was burned out on math ideologies. Towards the end of his final quarter in the program, his mind hungered for new pieces of knowledge. Fortunately, Rezola’s mind found a meal within philosophical teachings.

Countless people see philosophy as a guiding tool that could help us piece together the purpose of existence. Rezola was immediately attracted to the exuberant ideas provided by philosophy. His discovery came at a perfect time because he was contemplating his mathematical aspirations. Deep down in his heart Rezola knew a career in math wouldn’t make him happy.

Rezola had existential angst because he believed there was something more to existence. He found solace in the teachings of Jean-Paul Sartre. Theories of existential philosophy argue that the person constructs their purpose with their decisions. These philosophical ideals started a fire in Rezola’s psyche, causing him to question what it means to simply “be.” His quest for

answers led him to a religious institute at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The Chicago-based institute held breathtaking paintings depicting the natural beauty of God. The paintings contained within the Museum led Rezola to experience something akin to a revelation, leading him to discover what he finds

COURTESY OF NOLBERTO REZOLA

as the graciousness of God. Creating something just as powerful became his main priority.

Rezola produces an infinite number of sketches daily. His drawings range from depictions of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to crucial body organs like the heart. These images allow audiences to take a peek into the artistic mind of Rezola. One of his favorite pieces is titled “If U Try 2 Find Meaning U Won’t,” which plays on the search for meaning in artistic creations. The sketch holds what may seem to be a bouquet of decadent roses at the center as a

modified triangle with X’s eyes looming over the arrangement of flowers. Green, red, yellow, brown, and white are scattered throughout the painting, helping it immediately catch the viewer’s look. The piece represents the purity of art. Rezola created the image to create something magnificent on a canvas. His main mantra is “create, be, become.”

Crafting art is a highly personal experience.

Artists cannot help but put a piece of themselves into everything they create. One of Rezola’s favorites is titled “Three White Roses, Rosemary, and a Pomegranate,” which depicts a divine moment in time centered around these three items. The piece is exceptionally personal for Rezola, who made it while living as a vagabond in Los Angeles. His vagabond time lasted over a year, forcing him to rough it out and sleep on bus stop benches. This experience allowed him to find serenity in a turbulent time. Rezola was thrust into challenging situations that left him starving.

Despite hardship, Rezola mustered up the courage to survive his dire situation. Rezola walked from Los Angeles to San Bernardino to seek asylum at his uncle Isidro Dominguez’s house. The walk took seven days, with each day increasing in adversity. The week-long journey tested Rezola’s endurance, granting him more faith in himself and his religious beliefs. Dominguez served as his savior, providing the boost Rezola needed to get back on his feet. Rezola made a name for himself and his art thanks to his uncle’s help.

Today, Rezola is on the hunt for his purpose for his temporary time on Earth. Art answered his existential call for help. Rezola always saw art as a way to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. He constantly strives to create a masterpiece that evokes strong emotions akin to religious artworks. Rezola’s only getting better by the minute, with every single piece holding a large magnitude of purpose.

Email Rezola for commissions at thewetpaper@ H gmail.com. ■

15 TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2023

Sports

SPORTS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/sports

UC Riverside gets blown out by Cal Baptist 2-11 in crosstown showdown Davis 0-12 UC Riverside suffered their third loss on the bounce at home versus Cal Baptist in a crosstown showdown at the Riverside Sports Complex despite great efforts by Jacob Shanks and Alexander Rivas.

KIANOOSH NOOSHI Assistant Sports Editor

UC Riverside came up short in Tuesday’s Crosstown Showdown against California Baptist, dropping the game 11-2 at the Riverside Sports Complex. Despite the loss, there were still some notable performances from the Highlanders.

Jacob Shanks continued his impressive form, extending his hit streak to 12 games after going 2 for 3 on the night with a run scored. He also hit his sixth double of the season into left center on the first pitch of the fifth inning. Meanwhile, Dominic Martinez continued his hot streak, recording a hit in nine of his last 10 games. On the mound, Alexander Rivas delivered another strong midweek performance, striking out seven batters in 5.1 innings of work. The sophomore left-hander has been a key contributor for the Highlanders this season, posting a 3-2 record with a 4.91 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched.

Despite the loss, UC Riverside had several opportunities to score throughout the game. The Highlanders put a runner on third in each of the first four innings, but were unable to capitalize on these scoring chances. Jayden Lopez worked a full count into a leadoff walk, stole second and then attempted to score on a single from Jacob Badawi. Unfortunately, he was out on a play at the plate. Keith Shelton and Troy Anderson both saw action in the eighth inning, with Shelton getting an opportunity to snag his first career RBI. However, he went down swinging, while Anderson struck out in his first at-bat of the season.

UC Riverside will now look to bounce back this weekend when they face off against CSU Bakersfield. The Highlanders will be hoping to build some momentum and put in a strong performance to end their losing streak. Despite the loss to California Baptist, there were still some positives to take from the game. Shanks and Martinez continued to impress with their performances at the plate, while Rivas delivered another solid outing on the mound. However, the Highlanders will need to improve their situational hitting if they are to turn their fortunes around.

The team will also be looking for more contributions from their bench players as the season progresses.

With Shelton and Anderson getting some playing time in the Crosstown Showdown, the Highlanders will be hoping that they can make an impact in the coming weeks.

UC Riverside will need to put this loss behind them and focus on the upcoming series against CSU Bakersfield. With a tough schedule ahead of them, the Highlanders will need to dig deep and find a way to come out on top in their remaining games. There are only nine games left in the Highlanders’ season and there is clear urgency to win games down the stretch to improve in the ■H Big West standing with their conference record standing at just 4-18.

Game one of the series against CSU Bakersfield is set for 6:05 p.m. on Friday, May 12, and will be broadcast live on ESPN+. The Highlanders will be hoping to get off to a strong start and set the tone for the rest of the series.

COURTESY OF UCR SPORTS

16 TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/

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