CONGRESSMEN VISIT TO DISCUSS DACA
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Monday, Jan. 29, 2018
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ANA ALCANTAR
She was her best friend After losing her, she wants to speak up for others
Alejandro Soto • The Collegian
Students gather at Fresno State’s Free Speech Area for the candlelight vigil of student Ana Alcantar on Jan. 25, 2018
WATCH:
By William Ramirez @willoveslakers2
I
t’s a difficult task for Anyssa Molina to understand why her best friend did what she did. Fresno State student Ana Alcantar, 21, died on Jan. 17. A spokesman from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said her death was by suicide. “We don’t really think about that topic until it happens next door,” Molina said. Alcantar’s brother told her friends during a vigil held last week in the Free Speech Area to cherish their loved ones. Life is “too short, too precious, too delicate,” he said. “One day we’re fine and the next we might not even be here,” Rodrigo Alcantar said. “Let’s just take our time and talk to our parents, talk to our family, our friends, and never hold any grudges.” In their most recent data, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists suicide as the No. 2-leading cause of death among those between the ages of 10 and 24. It’s a topic now firmly estab-
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What I want to do now for myself, is now learn what can I say and what can I do for the next person that comes to me with the same struggle —Anyssa Molina, Friend of Ana Alcantar lished in Molina’s mind, she said. And she said that even those who did not know Alcantar, or who have never met someone dealing with suicidal behavior, needs to become more aware of the dangers of mental illness. “I want to spread awareness that mental illness can happen to anyone, even the happiest person,” Molina said. Alcantar’s struggles during her life are just as important as Alcantar’s joy, Molina said. During the vigil, Molina shed tears for Alcantar. She considered her a sister more than a
Anyssa Molina (left) Ana Alcantar (right)
friend, she said. They had been middle and high school friends and became roommates when they transferred to Fresno State in 2014. “At this point, there is a hole in my heart where she laid, and all I can do now is fill that hole with memories that she had,” Molina said during the vigil. Tears streamed down her cheeks. At times, the two ate ice cream together to cope with “boy problems” and other times they
Courtesy of Anyssa Molina
drank orange juice out of wine glasses to feel “fancy,” Molina recounted. Those memories pierced through the sadness of the vigil and brought brief moments of laughter from those who gathered to honor Alcantar. “I think it’s most difficult for me because I was there at the low points before everything happened. I was there every single day with her, in the same room with her,” Molina said. “It’s hard
for me to not look back at all the conversations that we had leading up to this point.” Molina said she has already learned so much through her grieving process. Some of that learning includes coming to terms with knowing that she could have done more for Alcantar. “You need to have friends in both areas. You need to have friends on both sides of the spectrum,” Molina said. “I just want to say, like, it’s important to not be afraid to share your struggles.” Alcantar was a selfless person, according to those who knew her closely. She was so giving that she often forgot to ask for help with her own problems, her friend said. Alcantar’s colleagues at the university say her work and infectious personality were commendable. Her work ethic was strong during her time with the Educational Opportunity Pro-
See ANA ALCANTAR, Page 6
OPINION
GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them. COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018
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EDITORIAL
We can turn tragedy into strength By The Collegian Editorial Board @TheCollegian
In a matter of three weeks, Fresno State lost two students who were dearly loved by their campus peers. On Jan. 3, we learned of the death of Omar Nemeth. He was 19. His cause of death: an accidental drug overdose. On Jan. 17, we learned of the death of Ana Alcantar. She was 21. Her cause of death: suicide. Fresno State is a campus currently reeling from tragic loss. From accounts given to our reporters, Nemeth and Alcantar were two very well-known students and had bright futures ahead of them. Last week during a vigil held for Alcantar, Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro said it best. “We must take this energy from tonight and learning about all the things that Ana did here on our campus, and use that energy in the coming days, and weeks, and months, and years,” Castro told a crowd of students in mourning. It is true. We must use the energy exhibited by Alcantar and Nemeth and use it to move forward. And we must use that energy to not only help us recover from the pain of losing someone, but to prevent the loss of another friend and classmate. Nemeth was studying biochemistry.
Casey Supple
He wanted to cure drug addiction. Alcantar was studying business administration and communications. Her involvement in countless activities and clubs showed us all she was a true campus leader. In reporting this tragic news to the campus, Collegian reporters learned that there is regret and a feeling of having been able to do more to prevent the deaths. Nemeth’s friends believe they should have stepped in when they had a chance to steer him in a direction that could have prevented his early death. Alcantar’s
friends hoped they would have reached out sooner before they lost her. But it’s not too late. There is still more we can do as we stay behind and tackle the issues in society that contribute to death among the younger populations. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists suicide as the No. 2 leading cause of death among those between the ages of 10 and 24. The center recommends us to know the signs of despair and help our friends when they may need it most. It’s not an easy question to ask someone. But we must know whether they are
intending to harm themselves. We must listen carefully. We must connect them with resources and mental health experts trained to treat behavior that may lead to suicide. The CDC also suggests says we stay connected with our loved ones after they have been treated for mental health. We must be honest with ourselves after a tragedy and seek help for ourselves and for our friends. Drug abuse is no different. Nemeth’s friend, who spoke to The Collegian, aims to honor his life and paint the sophomore as more than someone who abused drugs. Regardless, we must discuss drug abuse. Fresno police said in a news conference that Nemeth’s death was caused by an accidental overdose on Xanax pills, an anti-anxiety medication. The CDC warns that using these drugs without a prescription can turn into abuse. We must be willing to step in and offer help and resources to our struggling peers. This university has experienced loss many times before. This won’t be the last time either. The recent deaths were different in nature. They touched two very different bodies of students on campus. But the loss involved students nonetheless. We must come together to see a way forward that includes averting further tragedy. Editorials represent the majority opinion of Collegian editors.
BLOG
Leave the women of Star Wars alone By William Ramirez | @willoveslakers2
The Star Wars franchise and the word “divisive” have grown more fond of each other since Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012. Disney has placed ethnic and gender diversity at the forefront of each new release. In “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, the first of the new trilogy, we were introduced to Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron, the trilogy’s leads. Rey was played by Daisy Ridley, a British woman; Finn was played by John Boyega, a Briton of Nigerian descent; and Poe Dameron was played by Oscar Isaac, a Gua-
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temalan-American. In “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” we were introduced to Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor and Chirrut Îmwe, to name a few. Erso was played by Felicity Jones, another British woman. Andor was played by Diego Luna, a Mexican. And Chirrut Îmwe was played by Donnie Yen, who hails from China. Erso led the Rebel spies and made the attack on the Death Star in “A New Hope” possible. Rey is a leading protagonist and a very powerful jedi. Even the former Princess Leia Organa is now the general of The Resistance’s army, or what’s left of it. Starting to see a trend? It’s awesome right? We now have strong characters in the Star Wars universe that a number of disenfranchised groups can identify with. It’s a call for celebration! But in reality, it isn’t. Not for an alarmingly large number of the fanbase at least, specifically regarding the women in the new films. The word “feminist agenda” has circulated Star Wars’ social media pages like
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wildfire, and the most recent release , “The Last Jedi,” only doused some more lighter fluid on the situation. Rose Tico, played by Kelly Marie Tran; and Vice Admiral Holdo, played Laura Dern are the newest actresses to cause a stir in the Star Wars fanbase. And while Holdo has her defenders, with me being one of the more fervent ones, Tico has not been so lucky. Just one look at any tweet that mentions Tico on the Star Wars Twitter and you’ll find replies like these. It’s not fair. Not that all criticisms are unwarranted, some of them are. But worse than Jar-Jar Binks, seriously? Yes her arc with Finn on that gambling planet stretched a little too long, yes their romance felt forced and yes her “That’s how we’re going to win. Not fighting what we hate. Saving what we love” line made me want to cry for all the wrong reasons, but she was serviceable character and Tran gave a worthy and compelling performance. Jar-Jar Binks was not serviceable, was borderline racially insensitive and his only
Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado Staff Reporter Chueyee Yang Staff Reporter Razmik Cañas Staff Reporter Selina Falcon Staff Reporter Vanessa Romo Multimedia Reporter Hayley Salazar Multimedia Reporter Alejandro Soto Multimedia Reporter Benjamin Cruz General Sales Manager Alyssa Honore National Sales Manager Juan Alvarez Special Projects Manager William Ramirez Agency Sales Manager Michael Ford Art Director Nugesse Ghebrendrias Assistant Art Director
Angelica Hernandez Bineet Kaur Chrissy Mattos Jorge Rodriguez Crea Jackson Ramuel Reyes Eric Zamora Bailey Margosian Omar Lopez Jr Danielle Schneider Jacqueline Solorio-Ayala Casey Supple Kong Thao
major contributions to the storyline of the prequel trilogy were helping in the Gungan war and--here’s the fun one--giving Palpatine the “emergency powers” that led to his eventual reign as emperor. Jar-Jar is directly responsible for the deaths of millions, including those cute little younglings Anakin kills in “Revenge of the Sith”. The point here is, leave these women alone. If you don’t like their characters, fine, but don’t go saying their just as detrimental to the franchise as Jar-Jar Binks. Don’t mask your “anti-feminism” sentiments in some nonsensical bashing of a film and franchise that, in my opinion, has treated Star Wars very well and has made some excellent additions to a universe already filled with so many memorable characters. Disney doesn’t have feminist agenda, having women in powerful roles does not immediately correlate to that. Or did George Lucas have a “meninist agenda” when casting the original and prequel trilogies.
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The Collegian carries four different ethnic supplements inserted several times throughout each semester into its print publication. Each supplement is produced by its own staff and advisers and is separate from The Collegian. The news stories or opinions in the supplements do not reflect those of The Collegian.
Each member of the campus community is permitted one copy of The Collegian. Subscriptions are available for $25, on a semester basis. Staff positions at The Collegian are open to students of all majors. All content Copyright © 2018 The Collegian. Letters to the Editor (collegian@csufresno.edu): All letters submitted to The Collegian should be between 250-500 words in length, must be type-written, and must be accompanied by a full name and phone number to verify content. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all material for length, content, spelling and grammar, as well as the right to refuse publication of any material submitted. All material submitted to The Collegian becomes property of The Collegian.
THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018
PAGE 3
IMMIGRATION
Congressmen speak with DACA students By Razmik Cañas @Raz_Canas
With many still questioning the future of immigration reform, two congressmen came to Fresno State last week to speak face-to-face with undocumented students at the center of a debate that seeks to provide some relief for young immigrants. Rep. David Valadao and Rep. Jim Costa, a Fresno State alumnus, met with students and Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro last week in separate meetings. They spoke with students who have gotten temporary relief from deportation through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The outcome of that program is being debated by Congress after President Donald Trump ordered it to be rescinded last fall. Dream Success Center coordinator Gaby Encinas and Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dr. Frank Lamas also met with the representatives. “The congressmen wanted to hear from Fresno State’s students,” Encinas said. “To learn about their stories and [life] experiences, and most importantly how their lives have been affected by DACA and the impact of not having a legislative solution to DACA.” Trump is proposing a pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, while demanding that Democrats support $25 billion for border security, including his proposed border wall, and strict new limits on legal
Courtesy of Larry Salinas
immigration. The 1.8-million figure would go well beyond the nearly 700,000 immigrants currently covered by the Obama administration’s DACA program, expanding the protections primarily to cover people who were eligible for DACA but did not apply. The White House designed that element of the plan in hopes that it would provide a strong enticement for Democrats. But it quickly generated opposition from some Republican conservatives. The president staged an impromptu 15-minute news conference last week at which he said he had just written “something out” that included a path to citizenship for Dreamers that would take 10 to 12 years. A total 10 students were present at the Fresno State meetings hosted by the U.S. representatives last week, representing the roughly 1,000 DACA students enrolled at Fresno State. Encinas said that although there are ongoing discussions on a solution for DACA, the congress-
men’s primary goal was to listen to what the students had to say. “These meetings were important because it is our responsibility to amplify the voices of our DACA students when many of them feel fearful to come forward,” Encinas said. Valadao, who has more than 7,000 DACA recipients in his district, discussed the vital role they play as active workers and students to society. He added that DACA recipients “give far more than they take.” “With the deadline approaching, it is more important than ever that Congress comes together to codify the DACA program and allow these young people to continue to live in the United States -- the only home they know,” Valadao stated in a news release after the meeting. Costa, whose meeting preceded Valadao’s, also heard the stories of the undocumented students as they shared their experience of coming to the U.S. and growing up in the country. “Living with this uncertainty --
it’s not right, it’s unfair, and it’s outrageous,” Costa told the students. “My grandparents immigrated to this country and faced many of the same challenges you do. My story, your story, the American story is the story of immigrants.” Genoveva Vivar, a senior double-majoring in accounting and Spanish, shared her story with Costa. She said she usually does not share her story as a DACA student, but did so after realizing the impact it could make for others. “Knowing that if by me sharing my story and my experiences I can make a difference, then I will do so,” Vivar said. “I shouldn’t fear sharing my story because I am not a criminal so I should rather empower my experiences and struggles.” In a statement to The Collegian, Castro stressed the important role DACA students play as leaders when they graduate from Fresno State. “It’s important that our elected officials understand the contributions of our Dreamers, the import-
ant role they play in our communities and the uncertainty they and their families face on a daily basis,” Castro said. Encinas, who works hands-on with DACA students at Fresno State, said continuing discussions over immigration with students as well as lawmakers is important for finding a solution. “We work closely with our campus community, and we always try to advocate on their behalf and refer them to on-and-off campus resources,” Encinas said. “The message is always reach out, never feel like you are alone.” She also stated that students who are in this situation should focus on advancing in their education with the support of those around them. “Most importantly we want them to rely on their support system, remain hopeful and graduate from Fresno State,” Encinas said. “We continue to [speak] with our legislative leaders.” Brian Bennet and Lisa Mascaro from Tribune Washington Bureau contributed to this story.
MEETING
Book club seeks to bring awareness to water issues By Bineet Kaur @hellobineet
A Fresno State group is hoping to make a difference throughout the Fresno State campus with the help of a single book. The Fresno State Water Cohort started reading the book “Water 4.0: The Past, Present and Future of the World’s Most Vital Resource” by David L. Sedlack during a “Reading About Water” book club meeting on Jan. 17. Fred Nelson, a member of the water cohort and chair of the department of liberal studies, said that through the book club, the water cohort hopes to reach faculty from different departments and encourage them to incorporate water issues into their courses. The book examines issues related to water consumption and advocates for reconstructing current water systems. Sedlack will visit Fresno State on April 12 to give a lecture. “We really think that every student on campus should have some kind of a learning experience about
Benjamin Cruz • The Collegian
Water 4.0 by David Sedlak is the book of focus for the Water Book Club, Jan. 17, 2018. The Club met in the Henry Madden Library in to discus of the first two chapters of the book.
water,” Nelson said. “That’s one of the things we’re trying to do by reaching out to different faculty.” Andrew Jones, a professor in the department of sociology, said water issues are crucial to the Central Valley in particular. “We use a lot of water compared to other arid cities within the Southwest,” Jones said. “If you look
at us compared to places like Albuquerque, Las Vegas – we use about 40 percent more water than those cities do.” Courtney Meinhold, who works for the California Water Institute and is a member of the “water cohort, said water issues hold a special importance for the Central Valley.
“It’s really important for this community to have this engagement and involvement, especially because we feed most of the world,” Meinhold said. Jones also said that residents of the Central Valley should consider changing their water usage habits. “We’re living in an area that gets 11 inches of precipitation an-
nually – and that’s going to change as climate change becomes more pronounced,” Jones said. “We really need to be rethinking our water consumption.” He said people might not consider water issues in depth if they don’t face obstacles obtaining clean water. “It comes out of the tap. People don’t think about the source of that water,” Jones said. “They don’t think about the flow of it as they’re letting it run while they’re, say, brushing their teeth.” Nelson said he hopes for people to gain a deeper understanding of water issues through the book club. “We want them to have an awareness of the complexity of water,” Nelson said. “You can’t reduce the solutions to problems about water to bumper stickers or to billboards. It really does take a lot of understanding of multiple perspectives.” The book club meeting will be held every other Wednesday at the Henry Madden Library Room 2108.
A&E
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MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018
SCREENING
CineCulture spring lineup commences with Puerto Rican film By Bineet Kaur @hellobineet
Fresno State’s CineCulture club kicked off its first film screening of the semester with the movie “Extra-Terrestrials” (“Extra Terrestrias”) on Friday. The Spanish film, which had English subtitles, was directed by Carla Cavina and is about a Puerto Rican family whose eldest daughter, Teresa, visits after being
away for seven years. She comes home to a family at odds. Alex Sherriffs, who also saw the film, said he values getting to see a film made in another country. “It’s wonderful to see cinema from other countries and realize how rich filmmaking is throughout the world,” Sherriffs said. The daughter in the film is hesitant about telling her family that she is engaged to a woman. And her father, Arcadio, man-
ages a poultry farm, which she finds unethical. “I thought the story was very touching,” said Lesa Schwartz, who saw the film. “I loved the interaction of the family. The family loved each other a lot, but they struggled.” After the film, Cavina, who is from Puerto Rico, answered audience questions about directing the film. Last year’s hurricane that hit Puerto Rico was also discussed.
Fresno State graduate Jesse Martindale said he attended because he was enrolled in the CineCulture class when he attended Fresno State. “The message – how I interpreted it – was that everyone is their unique self and we’re trying to find who that is,” Martindale said. The next CineCulture screening will be “Columbus” on Friday. Producer Andrew Miano is the discussant.
REVIEW
Brad Paisley performs hit after hit at the Save Mart Center
Country music singer-songwriter Brad Paisley performs at the Save Mart Center on Jan. 26, 2018.
By Selina Falcon @SelinaFalcon
EXCELLENT
Country music star Brad Paisley captivated the Save Mart Center Friday night on the second stop of his 2018 “Weekend Warrior” world tour. The night began at 7 p.m. sharp with opener Lindsay Ell, who was a nice addition to a completely male lineup. Paisley brought her back later in the night to perform his song “Whiskey Lullaby,” originally a duet with Alison Krauss. As Ell left the stage, Paisley called her the future of country music. Ell’s set of about 15 minutes was quickly followed by Chase Bryant, who performed a 25-minute set. He was brought back during Paisley’s set as well to perform Paisley’s song “American Saturday
Night.” The third opener, and by far the best, was Dustin Lynch. He went on at 8:10 p.m. and immediately brought the crowd to its feet for an entire 45 minutes, performing some of his hits like “Mind Reader,” “That’s Where It’s At” and “Small Town Boy.” And then, at 9:15 p.m., the house lights went dark and the stage lit up with red lights as the theme song to the Netflix series “Stranger Things” began playing. Paisley appeared onstage just as the title of his opening song “Last Time for Everything” appeared on the jumbo screen behind him. It was written in the recognizable “Stranger Things” font. Just before his second song, Paisley cut his hand and gestured for help before immediately jumping into the second song, “Online.” Toward the end of the song, a crew member came out with disinfectant and poured it onto Paisley’s hand while he sang. Once the song ended, Paisley said he needed a moment to patch up his hand
and did so right there on stage. He was back to playing his guitar in less than a minute. He handled it like the veteran country musician he is. From there on, things went smoothly, and Paisley gave a few memorable moments to his fans: A fan pulled up a picture of Peyton Manning on a phone, and Paisley took it and showed it to the audience, proceeding to reference his brand deal alongside Manning with Nationwide Insurance by singing the Nationwide jingle. Paisley gifted a brand new guitar, signed by him, to a young boy in the crowd. A woman held a handmade poster that said, “Can I check you for ticks?” – a reference to Paisley’s song “Ticks.” As he performed the song, he took her poster, wrote “NO” on it as he sang and showed the crowd. He then signed the poster and gave it back to her. Paisley brought Lynch back and as they performed Paisley’s “I’m Still a Guy,” Paisley took an audience member’s
Alejandro Soto • The Collegian
phone, asked if he could look through her Instagram and then took video of him and Lynch singing for her Instagram. Paisley made sure the audience felt involved (he was constantly moving from one end of the stage to the other), happy (he has an enjoyable sense of humor and got many laughs from his jokes) and entertained (he performed a wide variety of his hits, including “Then,” “Waiting on a Woman” and “Mud On The Tires”). He even commented on California country music listeners multiple times: “You guys are California country fans. There’s nothing cooler.” The night ended with Paisley bringing out Ell, Lynch (donning a Fresno State football helmet) and Bryant once more to perform his song “Alcohol.” Paisley has remained relevant in country music for almost two decades, and after seeing him live, it’s clear why. He’s energetic, funny, caring and most of all, incredibly talented.
THE COLLEGIAN • A&E
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018
PAGE 5
CAMPUS POINTE
Students treated to winter fun to kick off new semester
Not everyone had a pleasing experience By Angelica Hernandez @avh1992
“A Winter’s Night at Campus Pointe” drew crowds of students last week with Fresno State ID cards in hand who were eager to take advantage of the numerous free activities being offered. It was a welcome-back gift from University Student Union Productions. The winter-themed event had advertised free roller skating, virtual reality (VR) games, horsedrawn carriage rides, music and food specials. The vacant space between Collect Coffee Bar and TOFAS Mediterranean Grill was transformed into a roller-skating rink, with music from DJ Kay Rich and DJ Jeuce Box. In addition to providing upbeat roller-skating jams, the two DJs added to the fun with roller-skating games like Red Light, Green Light and Four Corners. A large walk-in trailer stationed across the street drew long lines for VR games. Students rotated in and out playing Wii games like “Super Smash Brothers” while they waited for a chance to experience a VR deepsea dive. The simulated dive, which began with bright, colorful fish and beautiful underwater scenes, ended with an exciting and terrifying “shark attack.” It left students like Megan Amon, a third-semester nursing student, wanting more. “If I got to stay longer, it would have been really cool to have the shark come out and attack,” Amon, a regular at USU Productions events said. Recreation administration senior Wendy Xiong enjoyed the horse-drawn carriage ride, which included blankets to keep warm as the horses trotted along a short route through Campus Pointe. “The horse ride was too short. But it was good,” Xiong said. But she is grateful for the USU Productions’ mission to provide fun events for students throughout the year. “It’s nice to have events like this once in a while,” Xiong said. “Especially because it’s at the be-
Fresno State students roller skating during “A Winter’s Night” at Campus Pointe on Jan. 25, 2018.
Ramuel Reyes • The Collegian
Sophomore Nodine Her explores a virtual deep ocean with a virtual reality headset during ‘A Winter’s Night’ at Campus Pointe on Jan. 25, 2018.
ginning of the school year. It’s a nice welcome back.” Lizet Garcia added that these events are a great way to let loose and have fun. “I think it’s a good way to destress from the beginning of the school semester,” said Garcia, a liberal studies junior. She had been anxious to roller skate. Student event-coordinator Anyssa Garza said that in addition to giving students a way to destress, the event was also planned as a way to showcase the features of the Campus Pointe area just outside the Fresno State campus.
“It’s a place where they can go when they have downtime. This is a place where you can spend time with friends and family,” Garza said. A craft table set up near the roller-skating rink offered winter-themed crafts for all ages, including an activity for students to create their very own stress ball in the shape of a snowman, popsicle stick snowflakes and coloring pages with winter scenes. While the activities of the night seemed to prove fun for nearly everyone, not all students were satisfied with the planning.
Free pizza had been on the mind of a few students. But they soon found that Pieology was offering a free cheesy bread instead, and only after downloading its app. Most students settled for the $6.99 discounted meal deal Pieology offered by presenting a Fresno State student ID. Elizabeth Whitney, a recreation administration major studying special event planning, offered her opinion on how the event may have been organized better. “It was a little bit underwhelming for me,” Whitney said. “I was told in an email that there would
Ramuel Reyes • The Collegian
be free pizza. There wasn’t free pizza.” Que Pasa Mexican Food handed out free horchata and chips and salsa around in front of the restaurant, a welcome addition to the sparse food offerings. Whitney said the required apps for the free items were an unnecessary inconvenience. “When you are planning an event, you should make it as convenient as possible,” she said. There were other technical inconveniences that Whitney wished weren’t so. After taking pictures in the photo booth with various props, including a giant unicorn head and snowflakes, Whitney said she shared the photo to Facebook with the hashtag listed on a sign posted nearby. She requested a print out of the photo but event staff asked her to share on Instagram instead. The sign was updated with more clear instructions after numerous people expressed confusion. Then there were other complaints. “There was a snow machine that was completely broken,” Whitney added, “They advertised it to be something, but it was just kind of underwhelming. It focused too much on giving marketing for USU Productions and not enough on the experience of the people there.” Despite the hiccups identified by Whitney, USU Productions mostly succeeded in its goal to attract students to the off-campus dining plaza. USU Productions’ next event is a free karaoke night at The Bucket on Feb. 1, from 8 to 11 p.m.
NEWS
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MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018
POETRY
Among 867 manuscripts, hers stood out By Hayley Salazar @Hayley_Salazarr
“Known by Salt,” a poetry submission by author Tina Mozelle Braziel, got much praise from the 2017 Philip Levine Prize for Poetry book contest reviewers. Last December, Braziel was named the 2018 contest winner, receiving a $2,000 prize and publication of her debut book. The book began to take shape when Braziel and her husband, novelist James Braziel, began building their home, said the Alabama-based author. Braziel drew from the experience. It reminded her of the family’s history in construction – moments that were key in writing the pieces. Braziel was with her husband in Hot Springs National Park when she received the news. They serve as artists in residence there. “It was very exciting because I thought I was going to receive some good news. I thought maybe I was a finalist,” Braziel said. She was a semifinalist in the 2016 Prize for Poetry contest. “But when I talked to [Dr. Corrine Clegg] Hales, she immediately told me I won,” she said. “It, of course, was very exciting.”
ANA ALCANTAR from Page 1
gram (EOP), the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and the Hispanic Business Student Association (HBSA), where Alcantar had been vice president last fall. “[Alcantar] had a strong passion for serving students. She had a strong passion for helping her fellow EOPs. She was a true EOP student leader,” said John Lor, assistant director of the EOP program. “She had inspired many to become EOP peer mentors, to become leaders like herself.” Alcantar had been the “backbone” of the HBSA board, according to its president, Diana Trujillo. “She was a hard worker, always thinking of ideas and turning those ideas into realities,” Trujillo said. “She gave everything 100 percent effort and always came back for more because she cared that much for our members and organization.” But Alcantar’s ability to hide her pains only grew with time, Molina said. Just two weeks before the fall semester came to a close, Alcantar had already begun to close down her own communication with her friends, Molina added. “No matter how many times I texted her and how many friends had called her and messaged her – I think she just wanted to be with family,” Molina said. Molina said Alcantar would often lock herself in her room. In the final days Molina spoke with Alcantar, she described Alcantar as “broken.” She said Alcantar had not been the same person she had always known. Molina added that she cannot help but think of how the outcome could have been different had she just been there more for Alcantar. Molina said she gave Alcantar “her best,” but now she believes that “her best” needed to be more.
The announcement was followed by an outpouring of support from friends on Facebook, contest coordinators and judges such as C.G. Hanzlicek, professor emeritus of Fresno State and the final judge for the contest. Braziel said her first experience with poetry was in the seventh grade when the small Christian school she attended put together an anthology of student writing. “I wrote something [and] turned it in,” she said. “The teacher that was organizing it pulled me aside and said she wanted me to write my own poem. And I thought, ‘Oh she thinks that I plagiarized.’ That’s when I thought this is something I could do.” She went on to receive her master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Oregon. Braziel’s poems focus on creating a vivid image of “things,” teasing the sensory part of the human experience with her words. “To me, [poetry] is about trying to understand, but not completely explain, what experience and life is about,” Braziel said. “It’s like a way of deepening the mystery we all experience.” Hales, professor of English and creative writing in the department of English, said she loved the clarity, lyrical intensity and the
Courtesy of Tina Mozelle Braziel
engaging voice in Braziel’s book. “This is not one of those poetry books that readers will find baffling or intimidating,” Hales said. “These poems are conversational.” Hales said that the poems articulated the complicated truths and questions about the notion of house and home, human relationships with the natural world, social class,
love and family. The evaluation process took hard work, and often the choice between candidates was difficult, Hales said. Seeing entries from across the country stack up was exciting and left her feeling inspired and encouraged, Hales said. “As someone who loves, writes and teaches poetry, I find it very hopeful that so much excellent work is being done by poets all across the country – especially in a time when it’s so urgently needed,” she said. Graduate students from the Masters of Fine Arts program joined Hales in the search for this year’s prize recipient. Danielle Potter, who just entered her fourth semester with the program, served as a student assistant and editor for the contest. “[Braziel’s] voicing of the small, intricate details in her personal world as well as that of the larger world around her is a demonstration of all the care she poured into ‘Known by Salt’; it’s a sensation the reader can easily appreciate and become enthralled in,” Potter said. Potter said platforms such as social media have desensitized the power of the written word. She encourages more of her peers to read more poetry.
RESOURCES • •
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255). Fresno State Student Health and Counseling Center: 559-278-2734 from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
“What I want to do now for myself, is now learn what can I say and what can I do for the next person that comes to me with the same struggle,” Molina said. In a statement to The Collegian, the Student Health and Counseling Center said it encourages students to maintain healthy mental health through their psychological care. Their Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) program gives students a safe place to share any thoughts and frustrations they may have. “We have dedicated staff that provide individual and group counseling for students, as well as suicide prevention training where one can learn to recognize and respond to the warning signs of suicide and help someone in need,” counseling center personnel said. Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro shared his support to students grieving Alcantar’s loss. During the campus vigil, Castro said Alcantar’s legacy should be carried on by those who knew her. “Each and every one of you are precious to us,” Castro said. “We must take this energy from tonight and learning about all the things that Ana did here on our campus, and use that energy in the coming days and weeks and months and years.”
“I chose to attend SJCL because I saw how successful the attorneys were coming out of the school. I realized I could have a successful career with an education that was affordable.” Amanda Busick Fresno State BA, Sociology
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THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018
PAGE 7
PROFILE
Size is nothing to this basketball player By William Ramirez @willoveslakers2
Freshman Aly Gamez laughs at the mention of her height. Fresno State’s 5-foot-6 point guard is aware of how much basketball values size. But she is also aware of how much success she has been able to have in spite of her frame. A three-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American nominee coming out of high school, Gamez has always figured out a way to persevere. “It’s a little bit of a challenge, I guess, because I’m always guarding taller people – whether that be [5-foot-8 or 5-foot-9],” Gamez said. “But knowing [scouting reports], I’ve realized, is very important.” Knowing players’ tendencies has helped her make up for the height disadvantage. Gamez’s rebounding is a testament to how little she allows her height to affect her. She averages 4.1 rebounds a game, good for third on the team. Her 12 rebounds against Colorado State are the most any Bulldog has had all season. “We work on it every day for a good amount of time, [we work on] just having that urgency to block out, look for the ball and go grab it,” Gamez said. Her hard work and dedication have paid off in an ever-increasing role on the team. She starts and averages 26.4 minutes a game. That spot and those minutes were both earned in highly competitive practices. “You have to earn your spot every single practice and every single day,” she said. “That was really important for me – to know that when you go into practice every single day and compete, you have a chance.” Gamez began the season as a reserve but slid into a starting spot for the team’s Nov. 30 game
Freshman Aly Gamez attempts a shot against Eastern Washington guard Lea Wolff on Nov. 12, 2017 at the Save Mart Center.
against UC Santa Barbara. Gamez has started every game since. “It’s been tough at times, but just staying ready and building my confidence has helped a lot,” Gamez said. Her newfound confidence is a result of a supportive team and coaching staff, she said. She specifically cited fellow guard Candice White as one of the most helpful presences on the team. “Every day during practice she’s very competitive – pushing, not only me, but the whole team to get better,” Gamez said. And she has gotten better, averaging 9.1 points per game in conference play – second most on the team. She scored a total of nine points in her first three games.
But Gamez knows she’s far from the player she wants to be. Her offensive efficiency is definitely a problem, she said. She’s had a number of double-digit scoring outings, but she is shooting 43.5 percent from three and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line on the season. Neither of those averages is satisfactory, especially her free-throw average. “It’s, like, mental, so I just need to focus when I get up to the line and don’t worry about anything else,” she said of her struggles. Gamez also feels like she’s coughing up the ball far too much as the team’s primary ball handler. It’s something she’s struggled with since the preseason.
She attributed her turnover struggles to “sloppy” passing. “Sometimes I see something. It’s there one second, and the next second it might not be there,” Gamez said. Those wayward passes result in about two turnovers per game. Gamez is excited to keep working on her game, and she’s excited to keep doing it in Fresno. “It’s been a great experience, so far. I didn’t expect it to be like this,” she said. “We have great coaches. I have great teammates; professors. They’ve been really great.” The Irving, Texas native has found a home at Fresno State and is excited to continue building a rapport with a team that has no seniors, meaning that – barring
Collegian File Photo
transfer – they will all play another season together. This season, Gamez said the team has had the Mountain West Conference championship in its sights.. She said she thinks the Bulldogs are prepared to do everything it takes to get there. On Jan. 24, Gamez’s 3-pointer at the buzzer to defeat UNLV checked in at No. 9 on Sports Center’s Top 10. In that game, Gamez recorded a season-high 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 6-of-6 from beyond the arc. The six made 3’s was the most by a ‘Dog this season. Gamez and the ‘Dogs will be back in action at 7 p.m. Monday against Air Force at the Save Mart Center.
WRESTLING
Fresno State notched first Big-12 win By Vanessa Romo @VanessaRomo_
Bulldog wrestling split its road trip against Northern Colorado and No. 10 Wyoming this
First come first served! $200 Deposit
weekend. The Dogs’ picked up their first Big-12 win against Northern Colorado Friday at the Bank of Colorado Arena. Freshman AJ Nevills, redshirt senior Sean Williams, redshirt
Florence, Italy Spring 2018/Summer 3-Week Study Abroad Session May 20 - June 10, 2018
For more information contact Gail Freeman, College of Arts and Humanities, Stop by Music 186, call (559) 278-4103 or email gailf@csufresno.edu
sophomore Khristian Olivas, Dominic Kincaid and redshirt sophomore Richie Brandt each secured wins for the ‘Dogs. The evening came down to the last match with Brandt and redshirt senior Tanner Davis at
197 pounds. Brandt competed at 197 pounds to fill in for injured teammate Josh Hokit. He competed at 184 pounds on Jan. 19 against Utah Valley. His takedown over Davis gave
the ‘Dogs a 4-3 win to tie the evening at 19-19. Fresno State won based on total team points, which was 60-57. The final score was 20-19. This Saturday, Fresno State lost to No. 10 Wyoming, 40-6 at the Arena-Auditorium. Nevills and Olivas were the only ‘Dogs to win a match. Nevills remains perfect with a 16-0 season while Olivas notched his 23rd win of the season. He is now 15-1. The ‘Dogs will be back at the Save Mart Center against No. 25 Stanford this coming Saturday.
SPORTS
8
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018
FOOTBALL
Carr leads AFC to comeback victory By Nugesse Ghebrendrias @nugebear13
C
arr leads AFC to comeback victory. Former Fresno state quarterback Derek Carr led the 2018 AFC Pro Bowl team to a come-frombehind victory against the NFC team 24-23 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Sunday. Down 23-17, and with less than two minutes remaining in the game, Carr took the snap from the NFC 18-yard-line. That’s where he found Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker cutting into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Carr held his own in the pocket before firing a dart past Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Kwon Alexander and underneath Atlanta Falcons safety Deion Jones. The NFC squad had built a 20-3 lead heading into halftime behind a touchdown pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and a 79-yard interception return for a score by the Minnesota Vikings Harrison Smith. The AFC offense began to find its rhythm in the third quarter. Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy cut the deficit to three points, setting the stage for Carr’s third-consecutive appearance. With bragging rights and a $60,000 paycheck awaiting the winner, Carr converted a key fourth and 7 before finding Walker open in the end zone for the win. It’s safe to say Carr had an exciting week-
USA TODAY Sports
Former Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Titans’ tight end Delanie Walker to notch AFC win at the Pro Bowl on Jan, 28, 2018 in Orlando. The final score was 24-23.
end. Before leading his all-pro teammates to a comeback victory, he won the Pro Bowl Precision Passing Challenge. Carr was pitted against Seattle’s Russell Wilson and the Los Angeles Rams’ Jared Goff. He edged out Goff
by a single point, setting a new record in the event with 21 points. That wasn’t all. Aside from participating in football activities, Carr set a Guinness World Record. He is now the titleholder for
the fastest time to break open five piñatas. He was spun around in a circle before hacking away at the piñatas hanging from the goal post. His form and technique were a contributing factor in his record achievement.
BASKETBALL
‘Dogs fall to Utah State’s last-second shot By Michael Ford @MFordCollegian
The Fresno State men’s basketball team had its three-game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Utah State Aggies on Saturday 65-62 at the Save Mart Center. Fresno State’s play in the first half cost the ‘Dogs on the scoreboard. Through the first 20 minutes of action, the team turned the ball over nine times which translated into nine points for the Aggies. Some of those points came from a source that has been an Achilles heel for Fresno State. The ‘Dogs have had trouble defending against the 3-point shot for most of the season, allowing opponents to shoot 37 percent from beyond the arc. The Aggies capitalized on that trend in the first half, shooting 9-of-13 – a 69 percent clip. Bulldogs’ head coach Rodney Terry said that his coaching staff made some adjustments to their defense at halftime to defend the three, and it showed in the second half. The Aggies sank only 28 percent of their 3-point shots in the second half, drastically reducing their percentage for the game. “Obviously, we needed to play with more urgency with guys getting open looks, not give them comfortable shots,” Terry said. “We did a much better job contesting shots and just being in the right position defensively, I thought, in the second half.” The Bulldogs struggled mightily in the first half with their bench play. A reserve squad
Alyssa Honroe • The Collegian
Sophomore Bryson Williams attempts a dunk on Utah Aggies’ guard Koby McEwen and forward Dwayne Brown Jr. on Jan. 27, 2018 at the Save Mart Center. The ‘Dogs lost 65-62.
that had normally been a great strength for the team was outscored in the first half, 17-3. All told, the ‘Dogs weren’t out of the game despite their poor play as they trailed just 3931 at the half. The Bulldogs began the second half with a strong rebound and a flurry of points, culminating in a 12-4 run to tie the game at 43 with 13 minutes left. The Bulldogs still trailed late into the second half. Down three with under a minute left, senior guard Ray Bowles Jr. nailed a high-pressure jumper from long range to tie the game at 62. With 14 seconds left and the game tied, the ‘Dogs needed to get a defensive stop to give them a chance to win on the other end. Aggies forward Daron Henson broke Bulldogs fans’ hearts by nailing a long 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left to seal the victory for Utah State. In the end, Fresno State will likely look back on this game and be disappointed with the way it shot free throws as it left too many points on the floor, Terry said. “We left some on the table in our freethrow shooting,” Terry said. “We know we are going to be in possession games. Eleven for 19 – we know we have to shoot it better from the line.” The loss drops the ‘Dogs’ record to 15-7 overall and 5-4 in the Mountain West Conference. Fresno State will take its show to Reno on Wednesday. Nevada is No. 1 in the Conference.