Working as a college student can be more hurtful than it is helpful

BY MELANIE PEREZ Staff Writer

There are a couple local nurseries taking advantage of the upcoming spring season, despite experiencing a long winter recently.

Cindy Bartle from H&H Nursery in Lakewood, Calif. mentions they have been a family-owned business since 1976. However, they initially opened in Downey. Since moving to Lakewood in 1985, their nursery has been a staple in the community.

Within the last few years, some of the botanicals highest in demand would be anything dealing with families or friends starting an orchard of their own. Bartle also mentions schools are really encouraging this concept because it helps get families excited about growing and picking their own vegetables and fruit.

“Anything bright and colorful as far as flowers go is always popular,” Bartle said. “Drought tolerant and low water items are also important and many people are incorporating a mix of succulents and low water plants to cut back on watering.”

Inevitably, springtime influences the nursery to become more beautiful. However with the ongoing cold nights lately, there’s been a delay in this year’s “spring” plants.

Spring is a busier time for nurseries and garden centers, Bartle said. In order to plant the gardens, their many devoted and longtime clients are patiently waiting for the weather to be cooperative.

Sergio Vargas of Mezcala Nursery in Long Beach relates to something similar in terms of their growth both in business and the plants themselves.

Having started the Mezcala Nursery back in 2008, Vargas already had some insight on running a botanical business from his dad, who had operated a nursery back in the day, as well.

With so much experience, some of Vargas’ favorite succulents to grow are Echeverias and Aeonium, also known as Tree Houseleeks, but ornamental plants are another favorite.

His customers seem to have similar taste as the most popular plants they are selling at the moment are succulents and flowers shrubs for the garden.

Those who visit the Mezcala Nursery aren’t always buying something. However, occasionally, they have flower, shrubs and succulents to give away. Although the staff primarily picks the plants they sell, customers sometimes have their own plants to supply.

An influx of consumers typically come around during the spring season. However, just like H&H Nursery, the recent rainy weather has taken a toll on their business. Regardless, the nursery is determined to bring in more customers and plant lovers this spring and the rest of the year.

“It is really important to gain exposure by springtime because that’s when a lot of people are looking for plants and most of them are flowering,” Vargas said.

At the end of the day, the main goal of these nurseries is to supply young plants, saplings, and flowers to gardens, agriculture, conservation and nearby communities.

It’s important to support these local businesses, especially in spirit of celebrating the spring season.

BY DAILY FORTY-NINER STAFF

would be in a traditional commencement.

This concern doesn’t only apply to first-generation students either. The students who have reached this accomplishment facing economic barriers, students experiencing homelessness and balancing being a student and parent must be recognized for their hard work.

AsIt’s unacceptable that college administration has not provided a clear and logical explanation for this decision. Students and families deserve to know why they are being denied this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

graduation season approaches, many graduating seniors across the country are eagerly anticipating their long-awaited traditional commencement ceremony. The pomp and circumstance, the closeness of loved ones, hearing their names called out and feeling a sense of pride and acknowledgment.

Unfortunately, for the class of 2023, this momentous occasion is being taken away from them by administration, who have decided not to allow them to walk across the stage during the ceremony.

The reasons for this decision are unclear, and the administration has not provided any explanation, leaving seniors and their families feeling disappointed, frustrated and confused.

When the ceremony was moved to Angel Stadium of Anaheim, 25 minutes from Long Beach, it was meant as an alternative due to COVID-19 regulations allowing for more space. But as the campus is now back to normal with in-person classes, games with soldout seating and evidence of extracurricular activities flourishing during club rush week, why is this poor substitute of a commencement ceremony seen as “better.”

Graduating from college is a significant achievement in one’s life that signifies the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. A school with over 30,000 first-generation students needs to realize that the decision to pursue higher education is an extended milestone that involves an entire community hoping to celebrate with their students, which

There are numerous examples of other universities like CSUF, CSUN, CSUDH that successfully returned to traditional graduation ceremonies so the bigger question to answer is if this decision is being made because of money or effort.

This also highlights a broader issue with a lack of communication and transparency between the administration and students. The decision made not to allow graduates to walk across the stage without any explanation demonstrates a disregard for the student body and a failure to prioritize their needs.

Fourth-year student Zeina Elrachid started an online petition on Change.org demanding the class of ’23 walk along with two other students. In just over two weeks, it’s reached over 15,000 signatures from students and parents.

“I think she [Conoley] should have more motivation and understanding,” Elrachid said. “You can’t just cut it down because it’s convenient for you. You can’t cut our experience down.”

The class of ’23 worked hard to reach this momentous occasion and they deserve the opportunity to walk across the stage and celebrate their accomplishments. Administration needs to prioritize the needs and well-being of students, particularly during such a significant moment in their lives.

Denying students, the opportunity to experience a traditional graduation ceremony is not only disappointing but also a disservice to their efforts and sends a clear statement that their hard work and dedication aren’t valued or recognized.

Class of 2024, your time is looming in the distance.