Banner | Vol. 70 Issue 9

CBU Opera performs ‘Roméo et Juliette’

BY GABI RIGGIN ASST. A&E EDITOR

The Opera Theater at California Baptist University presented the love story of Charles Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” on Feb. 24 and Feb. 26 at the Lewis Family Playhouse in Ran-

Wrestling team grapples through Big 12 conference

BY MICHAEL MARKS SPORTS EDITOR

The CBU men’s wrestling team is heading to the Big 12 conference tournament for the first time in history in Tulsa, Okla. from March 4-5, where Lancer wrestlers faced o against the top 33 wrestlers in the nation. Being a part of this conference is an accomplishment, as it is the second toughest conference in the nation, based on the number of qualifiers. Athletes who managed to secure a spot at the conference will compete at the NCAA Championships, which will be in Tulsa from March 16-18.

“For us to be accepted into the Big 12 conference is incredibly exciting for California and for CBU because we’re the only Big 12 wrestling program on the West Coast,” said Derek Moore, head coach of the wrestling team. “This conference spans from California to West Virginia and there are 13 teams in total. Geographically, I believe it is the largest conference. It allows us to attract those other

Big 12 opponents that they have to come out to compete against us. It develops wrestling here on the West Coast and in Southern California and it also allows us to communicate with recruits, parents and families on a basis that they understand.”

The Big 12 is part of the larger Power Five conference. Many schools within this conference are much larger, both budget and facility wise. However, that does not phase Moore, who understands that being a great wrestler is about more than just a ording the best gear — it is about the mentality and grit that comes from within an athlete.

“We’re looking to continue to expand our sta , looking to continue to give our guys some of those resources, upgrading our wrestling room, some things that are within the wrestling room,” Moore said. “Ultimately we’re never going to have a Power Five budget, and that’s understood, but it’s also in the sport of wrestling not as big (of a deal) as it might be in some other sports. With the

CHINESE SPY BALLOON

China and the U.S. face rising tensions amid the spy balloon debacle, COVID-19 and Taiwan.

right attitude — the right work ethic — a wrestler can go a long way in this sport. It’s not about the facilities. It’s not about the gear — that’s not going to make you a better wrestler. Helping these guys embrace that underdog role and enjoy being a part

of building something special.”

Frank Almaguer, junior communications major and wrestler, clarified how di cult it is to get to this point in the season.

Faith & Lifestyle, pg. 7

cho Cucamonga. The opera was sung completely in French, a language known famously for the emotion and strategic accent that flows throughout the language. The conductor, Dr. Gene Moon, associate professor of music and director of orchestral stud-

BY ALEXZA BAHNMILLER MANAGING EDITOR

History was made at California Baptist University on Feb.

27 when real estate developer Dale E. Fowler and his wife, Sarah Ann, donated $28.5 million to the school, marking the largest gift in the university’s 73-year history. Supportive of Christian higher education, the Fowlers have been actively involved with the community for years.

“The Fowlers have a couple grandchildren who graduated from CBU,” said Dr. Ronald L.

ies, noted that singing the opera in its original language is important.

“The trumpet plays the same notes, whether it’s in French or Italian, but to a certain degree,” Moon said. “When it’s sung in

Ellis, president of CBU. “They were also very close friends for a long time with Gene and Billie Yeager, who the Yeager Center is named after. They’ve also come to Grandparents Day. They’ve given generously during the pandemic to the Endurance Fund, [and] also to endowed scholarships for students as well as general scholarships.”

As a way of honoring the Fowlers for their contribution, the Events Center has been renamed the Dale. E and Sarah Ann Events Center. Paul J. Eldridge, vice president for university advancement, recounted the decision to rename CBU’s largest building.

“When you have a gift of this significance, we want to make sure we recognize and honor them in a way that is consistent with the size of their gift,” Eldridge said. “So really because of the magnitude of the gift, the Event Center is the largest building on campus so we thought that would be an appropriate way to honor them.

And it’s a conversation with the donors, if they would be comfortable with that, if that would be something they would

EARTHQUAKE PREP B&T, pg. 11

After the major quake in Turkey and Syria, Californians analyze if the state is prepared for a large earthquake.

Charissa Graves | Banner Friar Laurence, played by Will Silva, officiates the marriage of Roméo, played by Dominic Salvati, senior vocal performance major, and Juliette, played by Talar Arslanian.

Elijah Hickman | CBU Athletics Frank Almaguer, sophomore communication studies major, celebrates his win against the Air Force Academy on Jan. 21.

Charissa Graves | Banner Juliette, played by Talar Arslanian, drinks a potion given to her by Friar Laurence to make herself appear dead.

“We are just so grateful to the Fowlers for their tremendous generosity, for their support of Christian higher education, specifically for their support of the California Baptist mission.

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, President of CBU

CBU receives historic gift of $28.5 million

Historic Gift

Continued from Page 1

appreciate. And they thought it was great. They were happy for us to do that.”

A process is ongoing to ensure the best usage of the donation funds. This process is required because the donation is an undesignated estate gift, meaning the university will receive it once the estate is administered. The money is yet to be allocated.

“While we know that it will have a remarkable impact on the school, we don’t know specifically what the impact will be,” Eldridge said. “When a gift is undesignated, basically the donor is saying, ‘I’m going to leave it to the university to decide the best way to use this money that I’m giving.’”

Scooter thefts hit CBU campus

BY CONNOR RYAN NEWS EDITOR

Over the past few weeks, a string of scooter thefts have occurred at California Baptist University, the most recent being the theft of two scooters on Feb. 15 by the same individual.

This is not a new problem, as John Freese, the director of Safety Services, said he receives one to three reports of scooter thefts weekly.

Alexa Lupian, freshman child development psychology major, is one of the victims of the scooter thefts. Lupian said she locked her scooter outside the Alumni Dining Commons (ADC) for 40 minutes, and when she returned, it was gone.

She said she felt that the scooter was likely stolen by another student who wanted an

expensive electric scooter.

Freese pointed out that electric scooters are often targeted because of their high monetary value.

“Some of the electric scooters are $500 to $1000,” Freese said. “If they get those, they can resell them easily. It’s a quick, easy buck for them.”

Additionally, Freese said that people outside the campus exploit the idealistic mindsets of students.

“I recognized when I got here that there is a disturbing culture on campus of leaving everything unlocked everywhere I go,” Freese said.

“[In] coming from a University of California campus where students had a good culture of locking down their bikes and scooters,” Freese continued, “I was shocked to see how much students trust

leaving their things when they go in the Rec Center or ADC.”

He explained that outsiders blend in with other students by riding scooters, wearing backpacks and even purchasing CBU sweatshirts. Though these thieves can be di cult to spot, Freese shared some early indicators that someone could be suspicious.

“If you see someone who is not necessarily college age, that alone is not a reason to call us,” Freese said. “But if you see them doing something suspicious like riding on a scooter in between areas and not going to a destination or parking a scooter, and then you see them on another scooter, those are red flags.”

Another way students can identify potential suspects is by their behavior. Micah Rich, sophomore studio

production major, recalled an encounter with a individual who approached him and his girlfriend as they sat in his vehicle outside Lancer Arms.

After they sent him away, Rich said he noticed the man’s abnormal movements and kept an eye out.

Once he saw the man approach another female student, his girlfriend called Safety Services and the suspect was promptly escorted o campus.

Freese encouraged students to report any suspicious behavior before a theft occurs.

“I want to develop a culture on this campus where all our students are partners with us in keeping it safe,” Freese said.

A Safety Services email alert encouraged scooter and skateboard riders to be sure they use locks at all times.

Get ready for a new IRS refund

BY MEGAN MADRIGAL ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Following the rise in inflation in 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a tax rebate. The checks range from $200800, depending on overall household income.

Most checks were distributed in January and February. However, some people are still waiting to receive them.

“As of Feb. 22, about 7.2 million direct deposits and 9.6 million debit cards have been issued worth more than $9.2 billion,” according to the Franchise Tax Board.

These numbers reflect how growing inflation has increased the median cost of living.

Though the checks help families and individuals, inflation is still a major challenge in today’s society, especially in California.

“One of the reasons that we are experiencing the level of

inflation that we are is actually due to stimulus checks (going back to the federal program),” said Dr. Chase Porter, assistant professor of political science.

“Inflation occurs when there is an increase in the amount of money consumers have to spend but not an increase in the amount of products available to spend it on.”

Porter said that creating money for consumers’ pockets can generate more problems than it solves.

“More demand plus stable or decreased supply equals higher prices,” Porter said.

“So, paradoxically, by infusing stimulus into the system in the form of rebates to consumers, you are actually creating economic conditions that can make inflation worse. Again, it’s a short-term stopgap measure --albeit helpful to consumer pockets-- that has a somewhat paradoxical negative e ect in the long-term.”

Although the federal government is not responsible

for handing out these refunds because they are not directly in charge of delivering checks in each state, they play a central part in each state’s economic prosperity because ultimately they are in charge of the overall national budget. However, only a few states will be eligible for the checks this time.

Only residents who paid taxes in California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and South Carolina are eligible for some sort of rebate, according to the Tax Foundation.

Dr. Chris McHorney, professor of political science, said each individual state is responsible for taking charge of its citizens.

“The federal government was responsible for distributing the previous stimulus payments,” McHorney said. “The state government is responsible for the recent one-time payments (Middle Class Tax Refund) to eligible Californians.”

Since the global pandemic in 2020, there has been a larger emphasis placed on government-issued checks to aid the public with their economic endeavors.

“The pandemic didn’t make checks more common,” said Elaine Ahumada, professor of political science. “Rather, the pandemic changed the landscape of the economy.”

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically a ected global business. Hence, stimulus checks were the fiscal policy alternative to address the economic woes. COVID-19 has influenced some positive outcomes, such as remote work and online education, which some enjoy more than the in-person alternatives. Many people who lost jobs during COVID have re-evaluated their life trajectories because of the pandemic.

“This was a result of the pandemic, and this had overarching e ects on the economy,” Ahumada said.

CBU, I do think it creates a sense of excitement and a sense of buzz with others that are giving to the university. [There is] not only a sense of gratitude to the Fowlers, but I think a sense of encouragement to say, ‘Wow, there are others in our donor pool who probably have the capacity to give a gift like that.’ And it might encourage them to give more than they might have otherwise considered to give because they see something of this size.”

Both Eldridge and Ellis expressed gratitude for the gift and are excited to see how it impacts the students.

“We are just so grateful to the Fowlers for their tremendous generosity, for their support of Christian higher education, specifically for their support of the California Baptist mission,” Ellis said.

Ellis noted that despite the lack of specifications, the gift will certainly highlight CBU’s mission, which includes the Core 4. The Core 4 is integral to the “Live your purpose” university motto, and includes being academically prepared, biblically rooted, globally minded and equipped to serve.

“It’ll be used for the students specifically to enrich their experience at CBU,” Ellis said. “But from a bigger standpoint, it’ll really position the university and the city of Riverside — because of the magnitude of the gift — in a really positive manner.”

Eldridge hopes that the donation will inspire others to invest in CBU’s mission.

“Regarding philanthropy in general, when CBU receives a gift of this size, then I think it says many things,” Eldridge said. “It says CBU is worthy of a gift of this magnitude.

“In a case like this, when a donor, like the Fowlers, gives a really significant gift like this to

“You think about the legacy that is established by naming this Event Center after them — all of the people who will come through here and the generations to come for Chapels, basketball games, Christmas celebrations and on and on you go. So, quite a legacy and thank you very much to the Fowlers.”

Ultimately, Eldridge credited this blessing for the university to God and looks forward to the future.

“[I have] just a great sense of gratitude,” Eldridge said. “And honestly, [I have] a great sense of gratitude to the Lord. We pray together as an advancement team every Monday morning in our sta meetings and we ask God to give CBU favor, and then he does. He does something like this.

“There’s this great sense of gratitude to the Lord for giving us favor with the Fowlers, and then there’s this great sense of gratitude to the Fowlers who were willing to do this.”

WRITTEN BY IGNACIO DOMINGUEZ

AMERICANS KILLED IN MEXICO

Four Americans were kidnapped and two were killed in Matamoros, Mexico, on March 3 after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border from Brownsville, Texas, according to the FBI. Multiple gunmen performed the attack. U.S. investigators told CNN that a Mexican drug cartel mistook them for drug smugglers. Later that week, five men from The Gulf Cartel Scorpion Group were turned in, according to a letter obtained by Associated Press. The two survivors are recovering in a U.S. hospital.

U.S. DRONE DOWNED IN UKRAINE

A Russian fighter jet struck the propellers of an American surveillance drone on March 14, according to the Pentagon. Following the encounter with the Russian fighter jets, the Pentagon stated the drone crashed into the water near Snake Island, an island off the coast of Ukraine. Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder stated they had no choice but to crash it in the water because of the damage. The location of the Russian jet is unknown. The Russian government insisted the fighter jet did not take the drone down.

MASSIVE BANK FAILURES

The largest U.S. bank failure since 2008 occurred when Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank collapsed just two days apart on March 10 and 12, respectively. The Biden administration said the “banking system is safe” as many across the country race to pull their funds from similar banks. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is required to compensate each account owner for a maximum of $250,000, which will be reimbursed to state workers the following Monday. Silicon Valley Bank announced plans to reopen the same day.

Vanessa Roache | Banner

Photo Illustration by Charissa Graves | Banner

Safety Services director John Freese urges students to take extra precautionary measures in order to prevent property theft, particularly in regard to placing locks on their electric scooters, even if their stop is brief.

Women’s History Month

Austen was an the most popular ture, according primarily known including “Sense and Prejudice,”

“Northanger Abbey” Austen’s novels strides as they new educational

Nightingale was a woman known for many things, including social reform, being a statistician and most importantly — being the founder of modern nursing. She wrote over 150 books, pamphlets and reports regarding health issues. Her most famous accom plishment would be making hos pitals a safer place, according womenshistory.org.

Women’s History Month was assigned to March in 1987 after women belonging to the National Women’s Project petitioned for it and succeeded after being passed by Congress, according to womenshistorymonth.gov. During this month, we celebrate, recognize, support and remember women worldwide. Women who have and use their voices and those who cannot. Women who stand up for themselves and others inspire future generations to strive for more, no matter the consequence. History continues to show us the possibilities of change and reminds us that women constantly make history every day.

Mlala a Y o u sa fzai

Co-Nobel ical her continues for the through United

Design and text by Zerenity Lopez

English novelist and one of popular figures in English literato news.stanford.edu. She is known for her six major novels, “Sense and Sensibility,” “Pride Prejudice,” Mansfield Park,” “Emma,” Abbey” and “Persuasion.” novels made groundbreaking challenged society to find a educational perspective.

JaneAusten Rosa Parks

Given the title “The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” Parks revolutionized the U.S. when she refused to give up her bus seat. Her rebellion empowered the fight against racial inequality and sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, according to the National Park Service website.

Greta Gerwig has made her name in Hollywood by creating effortlessly beautiful films. She always makes it a point to ensure comfort among her cast and crew, emphasizing women’s safety, according to thecrimson.com. Gerwig tells women’s stories on screen and has paved the way by inspiring young female filmmakers worldwide.

known social and — She pamphlets accomhosto

Roosevelt used her political role as First Lady to fight for what she believed in, even after her husband’s death. She advocated for equality and human rights for women in the workplace, the African-American community and refugees of war during WWII, according to history.com.

Angelou was a civil rights activist, writer, poet, playwright, editor, singer, actress, director and much more. Angelou accomplished this while fighting for the Black community and women's equal rights. She worked alongside Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, according to respectability.org. She wrote about racial and gender inequality with a passion that could not be ignored.

Co-Nobel Peace prize winner Yousafzai is a politactivist that has stood up for young girls in country and the Middle East. She has and continues to advocate for her country and fights the right of all children to be educated through the Malala Foundation, according to the United Nations website.

As a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Ginsburg fought through the adversity of gender discrimination within her position. She fought for women’s rights and was dedicated to women throughout her career. As founder of the American Civil Liberties Union Women’s Rights Project, founded in 1972, she worked to end gender discrimination in U.S. law, according to umass.edu.

IQ tests yield mixed reactions from Lancers

BY VALERIE LA PONZA ASST. FAITH & LIFESTYLE EDITOR

IQ tests have long been known as a symbol and measure of intelligence. However, with new research and thoughts about the real meaning of intelligence, IQ scores still are not as relevant as in the past. Could there be a better way to determine intelligence?

The modern IQ test was created in 1904 through the combined e orts of Alfred Binet and William Stern, who developed the first test resembling a modern intelligence test and introduced the idea of intelligence quotient or IQ, according to an article written by Con Stough, a professor from the Swinburne

University of Technology for the World Economic Forum.

Stough said that the formula for IQ is drawn from an assessment, such as Binet’s test, which was then divided by chronological age and multiplied by 100.

Virgo Handojo, professor of psychology, gave a little background on the history of IQ tests, highlighting a long and controversial history.

Handojo said that IQ tests were historically used in heinous ways, such as for the purpose of eugenics — to see who was allowed to have a child — as well as in immigration zones to see who would be allowed to enter the U.S. and who would be turned away.

“There are many di erent definitions of IQ but specifically, IQ is basically the power of the mind, or using reasoning to gain knowledge and also to process knowledge," Handojo said. “Using reason, intellectual reasoning is IQ.”

Dr.

BY EMILY MCGINN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The idea that we use only 10% of our brains has become a commonly heard “fun fact,” even becoming engrained in pop culture such as through the 2014 film “Lucy” that explored what could happen if humans could tap into the rest of their brainpower.

This would be an interesting movie concept — that is, if we did not already use more than 10% of our brains. Dr. Stephen Runyan, associate professor of biology, said that brain activity measured through modern brain scans displays that the 10% idea is not the case.

One measurement technique, the PET scan, uses radioactive glucose to illustrate blood flow in the brain. Runyan said that if a patient looked at a picture on the wall, for example, the scan would display brain activity in the visual cortex of the brain.

“The more active regions attract more of this radioactive glucose,” Runyan said. “So you watch the back part of the brain get all lit up — you have probably seen those pictures of the rainbow-colored brain. So that region of the brain becomes more active for vision.”

Runyan said that during certain activities, scans can indicate which areas of the

varied problems. “Both traditional intelligence tests and contemporary ideas about multiple intelligences are useful when used properly," said Laura Freeman, professor of psychology.

“Traditional intelligence tests can be a helpful tool for identifying strengths and growth areas for people, which can assist in diagnostic ideas and obtaining helpful resources. Theories of multiple intelligence can be helpful in identifying strengths that are not typically associated with academics.”

"Ka a on the Shore" is a novel by the renowned Japanese author Haruki Murakami. It is a mesmerizing work of ction that explores the depths of human consciousness, the power of memory and the nature of reality. e novel departs from Murakami's colorful bibliography that boasts "Norwegian Wood" and "Hear the Wind Sing." Busting through the seams with themes and literary devices, "Ka a on the Shore" takes you on a ride until the last page.

e story follows Ka a Tamura, a 15-year-old boy

Handojo also likened IQ to the idea of RAM in a computer, explaining how the higher a person’s IQ is, the better their processing skills and the greater their ability to solve

Freeman also said there are some disadvantages to both the traditional model of IQ testing and the alternative and contemporary approach to multiple types of intelligence. She said a potential disadvantage is that “it can leave some people feeling labeled or ‘put in a box.’” Freeman advised that anyone curious about their IQ should reach out to a “trustworthy, licensed clinician, who can help interpret the results in helpful and meaningful ways,

customized to each person.”

Tyanna Schneider, sophomore psychology major, shared that she does not believe IQ tests are the best way to measure and record intelligence.

“It is mostly just how well of a test taker someone is,” Schneider said. "It has a few

factors that can be beneficial for a few things, but confidence and nerves can a ect a person's test-taking abilities and overall not provide the best understanding of one's potential and what they're capable of.”

Kasinda Thompson, junior psychology major, explained

that the human approach dampens the functions and full potential of these intelligence tests.

“IQ tests only measure how well they take the test and can easily have flawed results," Thompson said. “It can tell a short story of intelligence but not the full picture.”

Do we only use 10% of our brains?

brain become more or less active. However, even areas of the brain that are less necessary for an activity are not simply unused as the 10% theory suggests. Take the same example of the patient looking at a picture. When the patient is no longer looking at the picture, activity slows in the visual areas of the brain, but that does not mean they are not active at all.

“There are ideas that you are only using a certain amount of your brain because if your eyes are closed, you’re not using your visual cortex nearly as much as if your eyes are open,” Runyan said. “But if you just think about baseline — you are sitting there and doing nothing — your brain is still super active because there is a lot going on that we are never consciously aware of.”

In fact, portions of the brain such as the brain stem are constantly active, which regulates involuntary activities such as breathing, hormones and body temperature.

The brain is a complex organ, and the 10% theory simplifies brain usage beyond a point that is possible, Runyan said.

“As we’re thinking about stu or working on problems or reading, or experiencing emotional experiences, all sorts of di erent parts of our brain are involved in those experiences,” Runyan said. “So to say at any given time that you are using 85% of your brain or 25% of your brain, I would have no easy way of measuring that or putting a number

who runs away from his home to escape his father. He later nds a strange library where he befriends the witty library assistant, Oshima, and Miss Saeki, the head librarian. At the same time, an old man named Nakata, who has the ability to speak to cats, is hired to nd a lost cat. As the story chugs along, it blends supernatural occurrences and philosophical musings. Murakami's unique writing style rises to the surface as he explores the real and the surreal. e reader becomes entangled in a dreamlike atmosphere where the author's

on it. But certainly [in] di erent regions of the brain, the activity fluctuates depending on the specific activity we are doing.”

Even when we sleep, brain activity does not slow as much as is perhaps expected. During the deep sleep phase of sleep, electrical activity in the brain does slow significantly so that the brain can recover. However, during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, for example, the brain is extremely active

“[During] those periods of sleep, some regions of your brain are more active than when

you are alert and awake, just depending on what you are doing,” Runyan said. “A lot of the emotional parts of the brain become very active during REM sleep.”

Despite evidence in modern neuroscience indicating that brain scans do not support the 10% theory, the theory continues to persist and has done so for decades.

“This myth arose as early as 1907, propagated by multiple sources advocating the power of self-improvement and tapping into each person’s unreal-

BOOK REVIEW:

“KAFKA ON THE SHORE”

by Jameson Showers I Faith & Lifestyle Editor

poetic prowess shines through this mystical journey. is style is most e ective in the sections narrated by Nakata, whose simplistic yet powerful journey is constantly interrupted by unexpected occurrences.

e power of memory and how it fuels our ambitions is a prominent theme in the novel. Ka a, for example, is haunted by memories of his mother and his estranged sister, whom he believes to be living a parallel life to his own.

As the novel progresses, these memories become increasingly intertwined with those of other characters, blurring the boundaries between past and present, reality and imagination.

Time and time again, the reader is forced to tackle the thought-provoking philosophy that Murakami o ers here. e idea of fate and free will is introduced through Ka a's father, who lays a curse upon the protagonist that frequently prompts Ka a

ized latent abilities,” according to an article in the National Library of Medicine.

Jade Adams, senior biomedical science major, credits the endurance of this myth to our desire to explain the complexity of the brain.

“I think there are myths about how we only use a small portion of our brain because there are so many di erent components to the anatomy of the brain to the point where it seems humanly impossible to be able to use every distinct portion of our brains,” Adams said.

to question his fate. On the other hand, Nakata grapples with his existence thus far and his purpose. He is o en struck by the beauty of the world around him, yet he also has a deep understanding of its impermanence.

Despite how busy the novel gets, it still supports rich, multidimensional characters. Ka a, in particular, is a sympathetic protagonist, struggling to nd his place in the world and make sense of his past. Nakata and Miss Saeki ll in the other side of the spectrum as they are desperate to nd more purpose

Runyan said that he thinks that the idea continues because it popularizes the idea that we have not reached our full potential and that we could do more with our brain capacity.

“Otherwise, if we’re only able to use 10% of our brain, then what’s the point in saying that?” Runyan said. “It would just be like a fact. But if it’s to encourage you like, ‘Hey, there’s more here you could be using,’ then I could see how that phrase could gain traction.”

in and come to terms with their experiences.

"Ka a on the Shore" is a masterful work of ction that explores complex philosophical themes while sticking to its relatable and emotional characters. e author's writing style is evocative and creates a dream for the reader to explore. e novel's deep dive into memory, fate and the meaning of life leaves a avorful taste for everyone to pick up and enjoy. If you haven't read "Ka a on the Shore," make sure to put it on your list.

Photo Illustration by Charissa Graves | Banner

Despite the common misconception that humans only us 10% of their brains, studies have proven that different portions are simply active at different times and in varying amounts. There is no quantifiable way to definitively track when every component is active.

Photo Illustration by Josselyn Guillen | Banner Savannah Torre, senior public relations major, takes an intelligence test.

“ Traditional intelligence tests can be a helpful tool for identifying strengths and growth areas for people

Laura Freeman, Professor of pyschology

From bean to brew: A dive into co ee making

BY OLIVIA LENNING ASST. FAITH & LIFESTYLE EDITOR

From the enthusiast to the occasional co ee drinker, we all know that no two co ees are the same. The familiar experience of grabbing a cup of burnt, watered down or just downright awful co ee from that random complimentary dispenser is disappointing. Despite living in such a ca eine-driven culture, good co ee is often hard to come by.

Julia Harston, co ee enthusiast, shared her favorite quality co ee shops in Southern California are Arcade Co ee Roasters, Work in Progress and Ca e Luxxe.

Harston said that each shop has its own unique set of pros and cons, but she said Arcade Co ee ultimately has the best co ee and atmosphere. The shop's co ee does not have an overly sweet or bitter taste and hosts a variety of syrup flavors.

Harston appreciates not only the quality of co ee, but also the atmosphere and customer service that the shop prioritizes.

Focusing on these small details creates loyal customers.

“The baristas are another wonderful thing about (Arcade),” Harston said. “They are always so kind and if you go enough, they’ll have your order memorized.”

Jayda Luce, barista and popup co ee cart business owner, gave some insight into the factors that play a part in the quality of co ee taste.

“If your espresso is too bitter, it will overpower your co ee and the tasting notes it has to o er," Luce said. “If it's too acidic, it will taste sour with your co ee.”

Luce shared that many co ee brands list their tasting notes on the bag in an attempt to give customers an expectation of what is to come.

“The tasting notes are there to give you an idea of what the co ee has a likeness to,” Luce said. “It's a very di cult thing to process especially when tasting and if you don't have a great sense of taste. The level of acidity or bitterness is what it's comparing it to.”

T

STEP 1

Luce explained that notes such as pineapple, muscovado, sugar and lime will have a very acidic taste. Hibiscus notes have a floral, light and very subtle taste. Darker co ee has notes such as dark chocolate and nutmeg.

“Consistency makes quality espresso and holds the right pressure and temperature,” Luce said. “It should have a decent turnaround time between pulling, discarding and reloading an espresso puck.”

Beans also play a big part in the flavor and quality of each drink. Luce shared that she gets her beans from Succulent Co ee Roasters. She explained that the taste of co ee is largely dependent on the roast of the beans.

“Darker roasts have just been run through the roaster longer," Luce said. “They're going to taste very bitter and salty, whereas if you find the sweet spot it will complement your drink well and bring out the best in your espresso.”

Paying careful attention

to where the beans are sourced helps to make a solid cup of joe. In addition to this, Luce relies on her vast barista experience and inquisitive nature to constantly improve her drinks. She routinely visits other co ee shops to expand her knowledge, perfect her craft and note if other unique blends are gaining traction.

Isaiah Gaucin, barista at Canabru Co ee, shared his expansive knowledge on the topic of co ee taste and quality. He currently works at Canabru Coffee in Chino, Calif., a company that sources beans from 11th Hour Co ee Roasters located in Santa Cruz, Calif.

Gaucin explained that each co ee enthusiast has their own preference, but it is universally agreed that burnt beans create a bitter taste while a lighter roast maintains a natural taste.

“The lighter the roast, the more ca eine it holds," Gaucin said. "In contrast, the darker the roast, the less ca eine it will hold. As you apply heat to a bean, you will either cook it only

enough that the flavor notes are very evident — light roast — or you will cook it longer to get a smokier flavor — dark roast.”

Factors such as weather, elevation and the cleaning methods can a ect the bean flavor. Understanding this, Gaucin prefers a medium roast due to its versatility in brewing methods.

“(The) brewing process really comes down to a few key factors: a good roast, accurate grinder, hot water and a consistent filtering method,” Gaucin said.

Gaucin’s personal journey with co ee has led him to have a love for the craft and he constantly seeks to serve his customers with quality drinks.

“I came from a place of hat-

ing co ee and was taught by my former employer, a master barista, how to not just drink co ee, but how to truly appreciate co ee and its versatility," Gaucin said. “He taught me how to di erentiate between good and bad roasts, traditional co ee methods and most importantly, that my work is not done as unto my employer or even my customer base, but as unto the Lord."

Gaucin cites Colossians 3:23 as being a verse that is inspirational as he pursues providing his customers with the best possible co ee experience.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” Colossians 3:23 (ESV) reads.

“I came from a place of hating coffee and was taught by my former employer, a master barista, how to not just drink coffee, but how to truly appreciate coffee and its versatility.

Isaiah Gaucin, Barista at Canabru Coffee

MAKING A POP-UP CARD

written by Hannah Noel

STEP 3

MATERIALS

Scissors

Paper

Glue stick/tape

Color pencil/markers

by Jameson Showers

Fold two pieces of paper in half, hamburger style. Make sure the pages align. These papers will become the inside and outside of ther card.

Push the cuts outward, so they fold in the opposite direction of the page’s crease. Glue or tape the inside page to the outside. Decorate the card however you desire.

STEP 2

Cut two parallel slits of equal length along the crease of one folded page. Cut two lines for every image that will pop out. The longer the cut, the more pronounced the pop-up element will be.

STEP 4

Design, color, and cut out your pop-up elements. Glue or tape them to the outward-folding pieces.

Public speaking blazes path toward employment

BY JAMESON SHOWERS FAITH & LIFESTYLE EDITOR

We all fear them — the group projects where students have to give a presentation to the rest of the class. The minute the professor highlights this section on the syllabus, heart rates increase and anxiety begins to spread across the body. Students collectively groan and circle the intimidating date on their calendars, counting the days until they present.

Public speaking can be intimidating, but it can also be a huge asset. Although students may have the pre-conceived notion that college is the end of the road for speaking in front of others, it is not. Once they graduate and enter the workforce, they still have to use their public speaking abilities. About 70% of Americans who give presentations agree that presentation skills are critical to their job, ac-

cording to a Presi survey.

There are many benefits to being able to communicate effectively in front of a crowd.

Communicating helps develop critical thinking, leadership qualities and persuasion ability, according to Indeed.com. These skills can significantly help those trying to find a job or be promoted in their career field.

Lisa Singer, director of California Baptist University's Career Center, advocates for students to prioritize public speaking as employers constantly ask them to demonstrate their abilities in interviews, presentations or teams. Singer also said that many students have the potential to excel in their desired job, but employers are still asking one thing: How well can they communicate?

“What employers need more than ever right now is someone who can take information and be able to articulate it, whether

it's to a supervisor or to a customer,” Singer said.

Each year, the Career Center collects data from employers and asks what they would like to see in their candidates moving forward. While some skills and industries shift every few years, the demand for those who can communicate e ectively is consistent.

“Strong communication skills is always one of the top two or three," Singer said. "It never changes and it's only increasing. And that's even within some of those fields where you think really, communication in certain areas, isn't that important.”

Michael Marse, associate professor of communication studies, explained how human resources managers understand the many abilities of college graduates, but they need to catch up in highly sought after areas.

“It's not the technical stu

(that college students are lacking)," Marse said. "Everybody who graduates here can write an email essay, and select stu and underline it in Microsoft Word, no big deal. But they can't work in a group, and they can't lead presentations because they're definitely afraid of it.”

Marse cited the fear of speaking in front of others as the leading issue behind the disconnect in the workforce. He recalled how each year he assigns his students a two- to three-minute presentation, and every time, students ask him if they can submit an essay instead.

To achieve public speaking success, students must first hurdle their fears. About 75% of Americans have a fear of public speaking, according to an article by Cross River Therapy.

Elizabeth Rhodes, sophomore creative writing major, said that most are petrified when they take the stage.

“Students are scared of public speaking because they aren’t used to it and assume they will mess up,” Rhodes said. “If they do mess up, then they’re going to remember that bad experience, which is worse than messing up at that moment.”

Even though the fear is still there, Rhodes said her college experience had improved her speaking ability. Being thrust in front of the class for projects and presentations has helped her come out of her shell. Knowing she will have to use her communication skills in her future career, she relies on self-motivation to improve.

To embrace the demands of the work industry, Singer and the Career Center o er mock interviews to help students.

About 1,400 students a year utilize this opportunity that garners a 100% success rate due to their STAR method of interviewing. Singer encour-

ages students to use this free service as one usually has to pay elsewhere.

Public speaking will be around as companies prioritize employee engagement and connection. To improve, Singer recommended that students jump out of their comfort zone and attend the job fairs CBU features on campus. Even if the companies there are not in your desired career field, students will still have the opportunity to network and speak in front employers. To mitigate anxiety, the Career Center director suggests students expand their idea of public speaking.

"It's more than just how we sound," Singer said. "It's how you project. It's our story and our message that’s under the umbrella of integrity and the umbrella of character.”

Design

different factors, such as source location, roasting level and cleaning methods, can all affect the taste of a cup of coffee. Because of this, the same order from your favorite coffee shop is likely

CBU basketball teams go to WAC

1. Chloe Webb, senior communication studies major, secures a save against Stephen F. Austin on March 10, pushing the team into the tournament finals.

2. Malik Wade, sophomore communication studies major, helps advance the men’s team into the semifinals, where they faced Sam Houston

State University.

3. The cheer team supports CBU’s basketball teams from the sidelines throughout the tournament.

4. Trinity San Antonio, sophomore

communication studies major, goes to score against Southern Utah during the tournament final on March 11.

5. Taran Armstrong, sophomore communication studies major, shows o his skills against Abilene Christian University on March 7.

Photos by Elijah Hickman

Continued from Page 1

“Everyone in the country is dealing with pitfalls,” Almaguer said. “No one is 100% going into this tournament. It’s all about being mentally strong and being able to go through the obstacles that are put in front of us and being able to still compete at that top level.”

It is a simple yet powerful attitude that demonstrates just how badly these athletes want to prove themselves on the mat. Almaguer underscored the underdog mentality the team has embraced as they go against the top schools in the nation to prove why they deserve a seat at the Big 12 conference.

“Just being able to execute my best talents out there (is what I’m hoping to accomplish),” Almaguer said. “I am probably in one of the toughest weight classes in the country. I’m the

underdog. They don’t expect much from me. I have three national champs, multiple AllAmericans, 10 ranked guys in my weight (class), and I was ranked in the top 30. Being able to take part in that — it’s going to be crazy. No one’s expecting much from me. I’ve been hurt almost every single year.”

Hunter Leake, sophomore kinesiology major and wrestler, shared his experiences this season and the ups and downs he has faced. Despite being injured, he is still fighting for the chance to compete at this tournament, helping inspire his teammates as they prepare to make a historic run for the wrestling program and CBU.

are beating nationally-ranked guys, we got multiple guys who are just having pretty good seasons and I’m trying to be one of the guys that can look back and say, ‘That guy created this D-I program.’”

Leake also opened up about how he is dealing with his injury, showing in the process why wrestlers are some of the strongest athletes, mentally and physically.

“I wanted to be more positive instead of just kind of going out there and then walking o ,” Leake said. “I want to build my team up with me. I want to be a leader for the team but I also want to help the team get the recognition it deserves because we have guys like Frankie

[Almaguer]

who

“I feel like I’m showing guys that bad things can happen, because I’ve seen not just guys here, but throughout my whole career — they’ll go through something and they kind of blame everyone and they just kind of give up,” Leake said. “I’m just trying to show guys we’re in the toughest sport in the world. Let’s act like it. I don’t know if I’m going to wrestle, but I’m acting like I am going to wrestle. I’m working like I’m going to wrestle. I’m trying to maintain my weight like I’m going to wrestle. I’m not feeling sorry for myself. I’m

Women’s basketball re ects on the season’s highs and lows

BY HANNAH GORDON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The women’s basketball team was in nonstop action this season. Jarrod Olson, head coach for the women’s basketball team, described this season as a “rollercoaster.” It has had many ups and downs, but around every sharp turn, the Lancers learned big lessons and improved.

“We are finally getting the groove and understanding our roles on the team,” said Nae Nae Calhoun, junior early childhood studies major and point guard for the team.

The women’s basketball team was in the top five WAC tournament standings and ended the season at No. 3 overall with a record of 19-13.

As the Lancers approached the WAC tournament, each game was critical. The main goal was to take home as many wins as possible.

“At this point of the season, [the games] are all big, but the WAC tournament is the biggest event of our season,” Olson said. “If we win this year, we will advance to the NCAA tournament. That would be a huge accomplishment.“

Olson also described the team’s characteristics that would benefit them during the WAC tournament.

“Toughness and competitiveness [will help us],” Olson said. “We have played a lot of close games this season, and I think that will help us in the tournament.”

This season was full of growth for the Lancers, both as a team and as individuals. These elements coupled together have led the team to succeed.

Olson also discussed Grace Schmidt’s impressive work and one of the team’s best wins.

“Grace Schmidt has had one of the best freshman seasons in school history,” Olson said. “As a team, we had a great win at Stephen F. Austin. SFA is one of the toughest places in the country to play, and that is one of the best wins in school history.”

Olson said that the team has also improved in defense and three-point shooting throughout the season.

“It has been great to see the team’s hard work pay o in those areas,“ Olson said. These great payo s are a direct result of team members pursuing personal goals for the overall benefit of the team.

“This season, my personal goal was for us as a team to just unite as one and play the best basketball we could,” Calhoun said. “On top of that, I wanted

to be the best teammate I could be on and o the court and just have fun, as well as be the best defender I could be to better the team dynamic on defense.”

Overlap can be seen among personal goals, like being the best they can for the team. The Lancers show a heart of service toward each other through these goals.

“A personal goal for this season is to build on what I can o er to the team and to keep improving as an allround player,” said Chloe Webb, senior early childhood development major and guard for the women’s basketball team.

Webb and Calhoun faced unique challenges this season. Since they are both new to the team, they struggled to adjust at first.

“One thing for me was just buying into the system with me being new to the program,” Calhoun said. “As soon as I bought in, I was able to find the transition easier and started to love the game again.”

It is di cult to adjust to any new program. You must find your place, know who you are and know what you can o er.

“This season for me has been a bit of a rollercoaster with its highs and lows,” Webb said. “It was di cult for me to figure out my place on the team and to adjust to a new system, being a transfer this year, so I think finding myself and what I can provide for the team was one of the challenges.”

This season may have posed some di culties, but Webb and Calhoun said there were also incredible moments along the way.

“One of my favorite memories so far this season was when we hosted New Mexico State and there were 4,000 children from surrounding schools who came to watch us play,” Webb said. “It was an amazing atmosphere to experience, with thousands of kids rooting for us, but they may have also been excited just to be out of school.”

Some of these moments would include team bonding experiences and monumental wins.

“[One of my favorite moments from this season] would be going to Italy with the team and getting to know my teammates, and then when we beat GCU at home,” Calhoun said.

Everything the Lancers have been working towards came to a head at the WAC Tournament in Las Vegas from March 6-11.

shooting shone through during this game. Tiena Niele and Sila Finau scored some crucial threes during this game that would seal the victory for the Lancers and take them to the semi-finals.

The next opponent was the No. 1 seeded Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks. This was not the Lancers’ first rodeo with the Ladyjacks, as they took the Ladyjacks down on Jan. 28 at Sawmill in Nacogdoches. At the WAC tournament, the Lancers took them down again 69-64. Both the starting line-up and the bench were essential in scoring for both games.

Barros and Webb scored major points in the semifinal game and paved the way to the championship.

The team came face to face with No. 2 seeded regularseason champions Southern Utah University in the WAC tournament championship. This would prove to be the toughest opponent yet, and would lend the victory to Southern Utah 82-73. The Thunderbirds started the first half aggressively and defended the lead all the way to the end. The Lancers also struggled with fouls with a total of 31 fouls overall.

This season has given the Lancers the opportunity to gain more understanding, improve overall and become better as individuals. Not only did the Lancers succeed in basketball but they also succeeded as individuals.

“I have learned so much this season: Just to be myself and [that] there are things that are bigger than basketball,” Calhoun said. “I have had life lessons being taught on a dayto-day basis and just realizing basketball creates lifelong friends.”

An important attitude that aided in personal growth and overall success was compounding on small victories everyday.

“It is important to develop the mindset of trying to work at getting 1% better each day,” Webb said. “Although you might not see results and successes immediately, it’s important to stay ready and keep growing so when your time comes. [Then], you can contribute to the team’s success.”

It has certainly been a memorable season for the women’s basketball and for many of the players on the team as well. Despite losing the opportunity to move on to the NCAA tournament, the Lancers will continue their season at the Women’s Basketball Invitational on March 17-19 in Lexington, Ky.

Elijah Hickman | CBU Athletics

Frank Almaguer, sophomore communication studies major, pins his opponent from the Air Force Academy at the wrestling match on Jan. 21.

just trying to do what I can to prepare myself.”

Leake

earn the program’s only win at the Big

Championship tournament this

LANCER OF THE ISSUE

KARINGTON SEBASTIAN, MEMBER OF THE STUNT TEAM AND JUNIOR PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR

Q: HOW DID YOU GET INTO STUNT?

“I knew I wanted to cheer in college. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that the dance coach said we are introducing this thing called stunt. No one has ever heard of it before. We wanted to be considered a sport, we wanted to be athletes, we wanted to be CIF and from there, I fell in love with the sport in high school.”

Q: WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE CBU?

“Brandon was one of the first coaches I met with. I was looking at other schools. He said, ‘OK, give me a call when you’re ready.’ I went and met with the other coaches and realized none of them were as passionate about this sport as I was and I wasn’t about to be more passionate than my coach about a sport that they coach. I realized that Brandon was — if not more — passionate about this sport than I was, and that’s really what drew me to want to be here.”

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC BEFORE A GAME?

“My coach, before every single practice, before every single game, he makes us yell that we are ‘CHAMPIONS!’ We do it in front of the entire crowd. We’ll do it before games. We do it in the privacy of our practice rooms. We’ll do it in front of our competitors.”

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD BEFORE A COMPETITION?

“I would probably have to say an iced tea from Starbucks and a bacon egg gouda sandwich. Get some protein, some carbs and caffeine.”

Q: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE YOU HAVE OVERCOME IN YOUR ATHLETIC CAREER?

“When I was in high school, I would have considered myself a big fish in a little pond. Coming here, I then turned into a small fish in a big pond and learned to adapt. That has been probably one of the most challenging things, only because sometimes it’s hard being on a team that’s so talented. Sometimes you also have to remember yourself that you are talented and that you are there for the same reasons that they are.”

would go on to

12

year winning

by decision over Kobe Nelms from Utah Valley in the Round of 16 for the 133-pound weight class. He was the sole CBU wrestler to compete in the quarter-finals where his run

ended in a loss to

BUSINESS & TECH

Engineering club designs electric car

BY EMILY MCGINN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Society of Automotive Engineers’ electric vehicle (EV) team unveiled its racecar, Charger 2, for this year at a ceremony on March 2.

During the ceremony, team members showcased their work — the culmination of many late nights and long months of design and manufacturing — to sponsors, family members and other students.

“The unveiling event for the SAE cars is to show where the cars are at in their current state — kind of complete, put together,” said Charles Everhart, senior electrical and computer engineering major and president of the club and team. “They have never really been about being ready to drive, but to show what we’ve designed and where we are in manufacturing to sponsors, family and friends so they have something tangible to see. We can talk about it all we want, but to be able to physically show something is a huge step in the manufacturing process of getting a car to run on track day.”

The SAE EV team represents a relatively new portion of the SAE club, beginning only two years ago. The SAE team overall produces two cars: the conventional internal combustion car and an electric car that runs on donated Tesla battery cells. The EV team must focus much more on electronic integration than the internal combustion team.

The EV team competed last June for the first time. However, it received 37th out of 52 teams at the competition because the car did not pass all the inspections and did not make it to the dynamic events in which the car actually races against others.

Only a week after the team wrapped up last year’s competition, the students launched the design phase for this car. This phase, which continued until November, involved research, building prototypes and testing.

“It’s a lot of looking at other teams’ designs and going, ‘OK,

I like this idea, but I don’t like this. How do I mesh what I’m thinking to what I see here?’” said Samuel Albanese, senior mechanical engineering major, who is the lead for driver controls and ergonomics on the team.

The team started the manufacturing phase in November, during which the team members assemble the automobile parts into the racecar design.

Building an electric racecar in a year has led to many obstacles for the team. Everhart said it has been challenging to organize and coordinate a team of 20-25 students to produce a car. The crunched timeline has also served as a barrier for the team.

“Designing and building a racecar in the matter of a year is pretty insane,” Everhart said.

“It takes full-blown companies years to get a car on the road and we have to do it in a year. The timeline is definitely a big [challenge], but it pushes us. We are able to learn a lot.”

While the timeline is rigorous, the team members enjoy working with each other and bonding by overcoming obstacles.

“It’s been fun,” said Trevor Van Law, senior mechanical engineering major and lead for the composite subsystem. “It’s been a lot more fun this year than last year. Last year we just didn’t have as many members, so it was a lot of overwork and some burnout. This year, we have a lot of great members on the team — some really smart people, really capable people. So it’s been fun to work alongside them and learn together as we build this car. It’s a great opportunity to build a community around engineering and better ourselves as students and people.”

Now that the unveiling is over, the team is prepping for competition and is back on a fast-paced timeline. The team is aiming to ensure the car can run on its own power by midMarch. The next three months before competition will focus on running tests, collecting data and finetuning the racecar.

The competition in June will

entail both static events, which involve technical inspections such as safety checks, design reports and cost reports. If the car passes all the inspections, the racecar will advance to dynamic events in which the team can drive the car around the track and race against competitors.

The team’s ultimate goal this

Family Business Center inspires and supports family businesses

BY JASMINE SEVERI B&T EDITOR

The Robert K. Jabs School of Business at California Baptist University launched the Family Business Center on Dec. 1, 2022. The Center provides seminars focused on issues directly relevant to multigenerational, family-owned businesses. It also provides networking opportunities for students and professionals.

For the opening of CBU’s Family Business Center, the Moss Bros. automotive dealership was given a centennial award for the business’s 100th anniversary. Four generations of the Moss family have worked in the business and all four generations were present for the event.

Dr. Keanon Alderson, professor of business and director of the Family Business Center, said that only 4% of family-owned businesses manage to run the business and keep it in the family for as long as four generations. Since the opening, another seminar was held on Jan. 12 and the latest on March 16, where the seminar’s topic was Intergenerational Family Business Decision-making.

Hilda Kennedy of AmPac Business Capital interviewed the Gunewardena family of Mil-Spec Magnetics, Inc., a

third-generation, minority-owned family business. Alderson himself spent 17 years as the second generation in his own family business and he wants to provide resources to family businesses to help them thrive in ways his own family company did not get.

“I wish I knew then what I know now because possibly we’d still be in business together,” Alderson said. “The Family Business Center is going to offer to the massive quantity of family-owned businesses out there in the local area a helpful and knowledgeable resource. We’ll give them workshops, educational events, programs, seminars. There will eventually be peer groups, where CEOs could be in one peer group, and the next generation will be in another, possibly women in another one.”

One way Alderson suggests mitigating issues family businesses face is to have a family constitution.

“A family constitution is one of my favorite things to do,” Alderson said. “It’s a written document where the family works through all the sticky wickets on there, like what’s their policy on how much they get paid, what does it take to enter, what does it take to get fired, what does it take to sell — it’s super helpful for eliminating conflict

and helping improve decision making.”

Michelangelo Torchia, junior political science and philosophy double major and the second generation in his family’s jewelry business Geneva Jewelry, said that the community the Family Business Center provides is an important resource.

“If we all connect with each other, with the products and essential things we all need and can use each other for, I think it’s a really good resource,” Torchia said.

Mary Lyn Baker, president of DH Casters, a third-generation family business she bought from her ex-husband, has attended all the center’s seminars so far and praises what Alderson is doing.

“I just think what Keanon is doing is a really wonderful thing of opening our eyes and surrounding us with people of like-minds and like-businesses to allow our companies to grow,” Baker said.

Students who currently do or plan to work in their family’s own family-owned business can contact Alderson at kalderson@calbaptist.edu and attend the Family Business Center’s next event on May 11 for Mother’s Day, where the focus of the event will be women in family businesses.

year: To place in the top three at the competition in June.

“As we move forward, obviously [our goal is] getting a running car because last year’s unfortunately never ran,” Everhart said. “I heartily believe in the entire team to get that completed and at competition. We’ll get lots of test data o this vehi-

cle and we are already finding things we can better design on next year’s car, so just continuing to push forward, innovate [and] improve on designs and manufacturing processes.”

For Everhart, Albanese and Van Law, the most rewarding part of the process is growing closer to each other and seeing

their hard work pay o in the process.

“This is an amazing opportunity,” Albanese said. “A lot of tears, a lot of time, a lot of sleepless nights, but it’s so incredibly worth it. Seeing something go from a computer screen to something you can hold in your hand is a rewarding feeling.”

Tesla unveils new Cybertruck prototype to usher in EV trucks

BY KRISTIE WISEMAN ASST. B&T EDITOR

Tesla’s long-awaited Cybertruck is set for production by the end of 2023. After being delayed on multiple occasions, investors were finally able to see the production-ready prototype of the Cybertruck. The design stayed true to the original concept and left investors and onlookers excited.

“We finally have a finished product that has enough power to tow and keep up the range for the car,” said Jason Shum, senior aviation major and Tesla owner. Tesla’s Cybertruck boasts a payload capacity of 3,500 pounds and a towing capability of 14,000 pounds, making it the most powerful vehicle Tesla has built, according to Tesla’s website. There will be three di erent models based on the number of motors.

The single-motor truck will

only have rear-wheel drive capability. However, both models will have all-wheel drive. Perhaps the most distinguishing factor is the driving range. The single-motor Cybertruck will have a range of up to 250 miles, the dual-motor will provide up to 300 miles and the tri-motor will have a range of up to 500 miles on a single charge.

When looking at the Cybertruck, one will notice it is unlike any other truck in design.

“Other trucks look like copies of the same thing, but Cybertruck looks like it was made by aliens from the future,” said Elon Musk in a tweet.

While the design of the Cybertruck is unorthodox, there may be a method to Musk’s madness. Unlike the Cybertruck, most trucks are designed in such a way that limits the driver’s view of pedestrians. They are also elevated, which means in the event of a collision, they are impacting the pedestrian’s body instead of their legs. Studies have shown that these design characteristics have contributed to the recent surge of pedestrian fatalities, according to ScienceDirect.

The design of Tesla’s Cybertruck provides an angled hood that allows for optimal vision. Additionally, in the case of

a collision, the car would strike the pedestrian’s legs, which could lessen the number of pedestrian fatalities.

This is especially important as the Cybertruck will weigh 5,000-6,000 pounds and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. This speed has some theorizing about Tesla’s future.

“I expect Tesla will go into racing,” Shum said. “The car already has a good speed on the line. It would be interesting to see how they tune that beyond their top speed.”

The design of the Cybertruck also enables it to complete tasks that most trucks cannot.

“Cybertruck will be waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat, so it can cross rivers, lakes and even seas that aren’t too choppy,” said Musk in another tweet.

It is clear that Tesla is trying to remain relevant in the ever-growing electric vehicle (EV) market. The release of the Cybertruck should prove to do just that.

“I think the new truck will make it very competitive for other legacy car companies,” Shum said. “While everyone is transitioning to EV, only Tesla has the infrastructure to manufacture everything from zero to hero.”

Photos by Charissa Graves | Banner

On March 2, the electric vehicle team of the Society of Automotive Engineers revealed Charger 2, this year’s racecar at an event introduced by Charles Everhart, senior electrical and computer engineering major and president of the club and team.

“

Only Tesla has the infrastructure to manufacture everything from zero to hero.

Jason Shum, Senior aviation major and Tesla owner

BUSINESS & TECH

Costco proposes housing plan with new store in Los Angeles

BY MIKEALA ALDREDGE ASST. B&T EDITOR

Earlier this year, Costco announced its plans to build a store with housing units in Baldwin Village in South Los Angeles.

There will be 800 apartment units added to the store and about 400 jobs will be available at Costco for the residents. Costco will designate 184 units for low-income tenants. The site will have a “state-of-the-art store, featuring fresh produce [and] healthy food options for residents,” according to the developer. The store will also have a pharmacy, an optical service counter and a delivery service. This will be the first Costco in South LA.

The store and housing unit will sit on a five-acre lot that was originally View Park Community Hospital. The mixeduse project will be 25% retail and 75% housing. The project was created to support families, seniors and other residents in the community.

Thrive Living, a company owned by a real estate firm called Magnum Real Estate Group in New York, will partner with Costco to create about 400 jobs for the apartments’ residents. Jordan Bill, a representative of Thrive Living, said in a written statement that the company is focused on providing a ordable housing for the employees.

“Our company is focused on addressing the severe hous-

ing a ordability crisis in Los Angeles, while also attracting retailers willing to make longterm commitments and deliver community-serving products and services that enrich the living experience for our residents and neighbors,” Bill said. Elaine Ahumada, professor of political science, explained how the government could provide similar incentives for businesses to help their employees with a ordable housing.

“Companies that invest in mixed-use development projects are positively addressing some of the challenges that exist for creating sustainable multigenerational communities that provide for social mobility and opportunity for economic well-being,” Ahumada said.

“From a policy perspective, there need to be incentives for businesses to invest in such projects.

“Government’s encouragement and instruments of policy that create opportunities for businesses to receive tax benefits and di erent types of financing can aid in course correcting many of the problems surrounding housing and employment.”

Costco’s introduction of a housing unit in South LA has the potential to reshape the community.

“If executed well, it can serve as a great model for other cities to follow,” Ahumada said. “Of course, many factors must be taken into consideration when thinking about mixed-use devel-

opment. In this particular example, while housing may be addressed as well as potential employment, one cannot be certain that the existence of a Costco can fulfill the needs of those who already struggle to pay for basic needs.”

Despite housing e orts made by former Mayor Eric Garcetti and current Mayor Karen Bass, there is still a housing crisis. With many low-income families in the community, mixed use housing applications will be extremely competitive.

“Since this development project is going to have ‘apartments marketed for a ordable housing for seniors and low-income households,’ there will definitely be more applicants than who can be accommodated,” Ahumada said. “Nonetheless, the focus on a ordable housing is much needed and every bit helps to alleviate the economic disparities that exist in communities.”

Briana Willis, freshman communications major, shared what she thinks about the Costco project and the housing crisis in South LA.

““I believe this will be a good thing that o ers an opportunity to people in need.”

If the project is successful, it could change the future of LA. and assist those a ected by the housing crisis.

If it goes well, other companies may follow suit with Costco’s a ordable housing and job opportunities to usher in a new era of housing.

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BY KRISTIE WISEMAN ASST. B&T EDITOR

Last month, Turkey and Syria su ered a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that had a devastating impact, leaving at least 53,000 people dead according to reliefweb.int. Similar to Turkey, California resides along an active fault line.

On Dec. 20, California experienced a 6.4-magnitude earthquake. Smaller than Turkey’s earthquake, there were only 2 fatalities. On July 5, 2019, California experienced a 7.1 magnitude earthquake with zero fatalities, according to the California Department of Conservation. So what is it that protects California? The answer comes down to infrastructure.

Joshua Zahnd, senior civil engineering major, explained what distinguishes infrastructure across borders.

“The two biggest obstacles I have seen that prevent Turkey and other countries from having better infrastructure are a lack of resources and a lack of a strong check-and-balance system that ensures design standards are met,” Zahnd said.

Prior to the recent earthquake in Turkey, the country did have seismic design codes that aligned with global standards. The devastation was a result of poor implementation of those codes.

“The problem [in Turkey] is their bad practice and corruption in the government and industry site,” said Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, professor of civil engineering. “They did not implement those seismic provisions into the construction phase and even the maintenance process.”

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Engineers had warned the Turkish government of the hazardous building conditions. After being informed of the need for infrastructure improvements, no changes were made. Still more engineers advised construction bans along fault

lines. However, their concerns were once again ignored.

“If [Turkey] followed design specifications and the design code in their construction, their damage and consequences might be way less than right now,” Bai said.

This is the di erence between infrastructure practices in Turkey compared to the U.S. The civil engineering industry in the U.S. is designed to prevent bad practices.

“It’s not just the design code, but also we have to maintain the quality of practice in the construction industry,” Bai said.

This philosophy has allowed the U.S. to achieve the highest level of building safety in the world. These priorities are also seen in California, no stranger to major earthquakes.

“California follows a strict seismic design code intended to protect life safety and prevent the collapse of a structure,” Zahnd said. “At the very minimum, the building code allows for little damage to the structure in the case of a large earthquake, but no buildings that comply with the code should collapse.”

These standards were not developed overnight. It was a process of learning from the damage of earthquakes such as the 6.6-magnitude 1971 San Fernando earthquake or the 6.7-magnitude 1994 Northridge earthquake. These earthquakes have provided crucial information for current seismic building codes.

A committee made up of engineers, scientists, government sector employees and insurance companies gather after major earthquakes to discuss the factors at play.

“We ask what was wrong and what we can do to improve the performance of those buildings and infrastructure for future earthquakes,” Bai said. “We investigate not only the technical and structural point of view, but

also if there is anything happening in the practice side or any sort of government issue.”

These committee meetings have led to significant changes in seismic building codes over the years and changes will likely continue to be made in the future. Apart from simply observing the damage of past earthquakes, these changes can also be made from experimental testing. The civil engineering program at CBU is designed to do just that.

A shake table was installed last summer to give students hands-on experience working with seismic infrastructure techniques. This table is able to “shake” to simulate an earthquake and determine whether the model structure is adequately stable. The shake table is also used for research purposes as well as for K-12 students outside CBU. The end goal is to inspire others to pursue engineering careers and increase knowledge of infrastructure design codes.

Civil engineering, while largely unacknowledged, plays a significant role in our society.

“Infrastructure is very important for every community,” Bai said. “It provides essential day-to-day life activities for every person living in that community. It’s directly impacting the economy and people’s life quality.”

This idea of civil engineering having a direct impact on society was echoed by Zahnd.

“People need to feel safe in the buildings they enter and should always be protected by the building in the case of emergency,” Zahnd said. “Perhaps the greatest responsibility of engineers and contractors is to use their skills and knowledge to provide safe structures that allow people to flourish.”

Communities on active fault lines should look to California for how to implement building safety.

Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria show the importance of building infrastructure

Emily McGinn | Banner

Continued from Page 1

French, it creates a di erent atmosphere. So I really appreciated being able to conduct in French, which is a strange thing for a conductor to say because you would think that the music is the same with a stick in this pattern that I conduct.”

The cast took several months learning the pronunciation and accent for their roles.

“For my role of Roméo, I had about 75 full pages of French music to have memorized for the show date,” said Dominic Salvati, the actor for the leading role and senior vocal performance major. “But I am grateful to have developed a system to help speed up the process.”

Salvati said that learning the language for this production was discouraging since it was his least familiar language despite the few songs he had done before in French.

“I started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel about a week before the show when I finally grasped the music,” Salvati said.

The show, while produced by CBU, was open to anyone for auditions. However, the majority of the cast was from CBU. The cast began preparing for the production in August, during which time the members focused on hearing the music to learn the themes and general storyline. They then transitioned into the spring semester’s rehearsal. During “tech week,” the week before the show, each cast member traveled to the theater to rehearse for about six hours each day to prepare for the show.

“This, in particular, is the hardest to balance as the physical toll of singing for hours can lead to exhaustion,” Salvati said.

When combined with the orchestra, this entire production took many long hours to prepare.

“The orchestra has had their music for just about a month and a half,” said Gabby Vivona, sophomore instrumental performance major and principal clarinet player for the orchestra in this production.

“We’ve only rehearsed about once or twice a week for the past six weeks, and then during the week preceding the show nights, we rehearsed with the cast for a total of 20 hours in four days.

“The cast has rehearsed since early last semester because they have to memorize all their lines in French, too. They also practice singing their arias before they can even learn the staging and acting during the show.”

All this hard work from the cast, orchestra and faculty exemplified the dedication it took to get to the point of performing. The show’s vibrant colors and costumes played into the setup of each act. For example, the colors of Roméo and Juliette are blue for the Montagues and red for the Capulets, respectively, and the characters represented those colors throughout the entire production until they decide to get married.

“From the viewers’ seat, they [saw] a stage with many memorable scenes, [heard] the orchestra down in the pit bringing the music to life and [heard] amazing vocalists sing their hearts out,” Vivona said.

“It should be a very awe-in-

The cast of “Roméo et Juliette” performs the opera’s introductory song, setting

spiring experience, especially for those who have never been before.”

The Lewis Family Playhouse used an actual balcony for the iconic Roméo and Juliette scene, giving the show a sense of authenticity. The orchestra’s music synced seamlessly with the actors and their mannerisms, including the fight scene between Tybalt, Mercutio and Roméo.

“I think I may agree with the audience when I say the sword fighting scene is quite fun, lots of high notes and fast movements, with real fencing swords, I might add,” Salvati

said. “A couple of times during rehearsals, I even saw sparks fly o the swords.”

The attention to detail that was put into the production was cohesive throughout its entirety, from the symbolic colors, the music setting the tone and the actor’s notes pushing the storyline even further.

“The music for this opera is so important to the show,” Vivona said. “The sounds you hear from the pit invoke the emotions and actions coming from the stage. In a way, we bring it to life.”

The scene where the two characters are in a room af-

scene

ter Roméo has been exiled is a climactic scene in the opera. The music, lighting and singing made it an emotional scene to watch.

“Musically speaking, I thoroughly enjoyed the scene called ‘the bedroom scene,’” Salvati said. “The music and overall set design for the scene was lush and beautiful, iconic to those who were a part of it.”

The authentic feeling that the audience receives can also be noted by the performers themselves.

“I would have to say performing is music and art in its rawest form,” Salvati said. “For

a good one, the performer really has to let out the most authentic and powerful emotion they possess. There is something so special about live music that touches hearts, your own and theirs.”

Ultimately, the performance represented a way to keep the art of opera alive at CBU.

“I want to keep that art form important,” Moon said. “Trust me — it’s easy for us to go to a lot of places that don’t have opera. I want people to come to CBU knowing, ‘Hey, we have opera here.’ That’s something to hang our hat on.”

Fight scenes pose unrealistic yet thrilling action portrayals

BY SARAH MURPHY ASST. A&E EDITOR

When it comes to action movies, the possibilities are endless. Superheroes jump o buildings, sword fights can seem to last forever and a spy can take down six guys at once. However, are fight scenes in movies accurate compared to what they would look like in real life, or are they exaggerated and unrealistic?

Zachary Bortot, associate professor of theatre, appreciates combat scenes in movies, especially since they are often based on real-world fighting styles.

“The short answer is, no matter what, it is going to be heightened and stylized, so it is not always reflective of real life,” Bortot said. “But I would say many fight directors draw

from real-life martial arts and other combatant skills.”

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to ensure that a fight looks real. Because a scene with physical violence requires hiring a fight director and additional training for the actors, the dispute must be absolutely essential to the storyline.

Avery Warren, freshman English and film double major, is amazed at how much time and e ort goes into a fight scene — particularly because they take up such a small portion of a two-hour movie.

“These actors train with fight choreographers, where instead of learning a dance, it is basically learning di erent techniques,” Warren said. “But because they are acting, they use this extra animation to their movements that make it come across as unrealistic.

They know what is planned.”

Even something as simple as a fistfight can be unrealistic compared to real life. It is not the individual moves and technique that strain belief, but rather the time the fight lasts.

“If someone gets hit in the face two or three times, they are down for the count,” Bortot said.

“But in a fight scene with supposedly normal human beings, they just keep getting punched time and time again within the span of a two-minute fight. It strains credibility.”

However, it is not always the actor that is preparing for the fight scene. Many have professional stunt doubles — with the exception of Tom Cruise, of course.

“They will have a stunt double for the most dangerous elements, and then they will

do the close-up of the actor,” Bortot said. “They teach the actor enough so that they can get that close-up shot and then intercut it with those of the stunt double, often using digital effects to make them look more like the actor.”

There is always competition for actors’ time, especially in Hollywood. Stunt doubles solve this problem. Because they are professionally trained, they can ensure that a fight scene looks realistic by taking risks that the actor cannot take.

Many film critics praise the combat scenes in “The Dark Knight” trilogy. An intensive amount of research was done on di erent fighting styles for Batman, so the scenes are directly based on real-world fighting.

“There is this one scene in particular where Batman is in

the nightclub and they have the strobing lights, so it makes it hard to visually see the fight,” Warren said. “But you can see the punches getting thrown and the people’s reaction to it, which is so smart.”

Patrick Surovec, freshman film major, loves watching action movies, especially for the impressive stunts.

“‘The Fast and Furious’ franchise has the craziest and most exaggerated fight scenes that have ever been seen,” Surovec said. “You have people fighting on cars while going at high speeds and somehow not having a scratch on them, while at the same time, they are being shot from a helicopter and do not get shot once.”

A lot of movies exaggerate these scenes to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The “Fast and Furious” film se-

ries has strayed far from what is considered realistic, but the movies remain extremely popular.

“If you’re looking for something realistic with two average people who are not skilled fighters, ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’ has some good examples,” Bortot said. “They are comedic in nature, but part of what makes them funny is that they reflect how two average people would probably fight in real life — which is not well.”

Creating a fight scene takes an extensive amount of time and energy. It requires a large team of experts dedicated to ensuring the scene is choreographed well.

Although fight scenes may not always be realistic, the added drama and exaggeration can be exactly what makes movies so captivating.

TikTok advances sped-up song craze

BY CONNOR RYAN NEWS EDITOR

Over the past couple of years, users and advertisers alike have flocked to TikTok to produce various forms of content. The platform has reshaped the music industry. Over the past few months, there has been a rapidly growing trend in which influencers on TikTok create sped-up versions of songs to dance to, lipsync or have as a background in their videos.

Though the only change these users make is the speed and sometimes the pitch of the vocals, several of these “audios” have gone viral.

One example is R&B artist SZA’s song “Kill Bill,” whose popularity skyrocketed after TikTok users began using spedup versions of her song in their videos. Realizing the potential

to capitalize on the trend, SZA created a sped-up version of the song, which she released on streaming platforms three days after the album containing “Kill Bill” dropped. “It’s just smart marketing,” said Dawn Carter, the industry liaison for CBU’s School of Business. “If you’re trying to go after that audience and you see that your audience likes this thing, why would you not make content relevant to that audience?”

The sped-up song trend has also breathed new life into older songs. For example, “Sure Thing” by Miguel, released on Nov. 26, 2010, was sped up and became a popular trend on TikTok in January. Like SZA, Miguel released a sped-up version while funding an ad campaign on TikTok, which featured him playing a stripped version of the song. The advertisement it-

self is barely 10 seconds, which speaks to the massive change in advertising that has come into play.

TikTok’s design for short videos makes users addicted to short-form content. Carter noted how TikTok has drastically lowered people’s attention spans, requiring advertising to be drastically compact to retain viewers.

“If you can’t grab people’s attention within the first three to five seconds, they’ll swipe past you,” Carter said.

Sped-up songs have become so popular on TikTok in part because they cater to these short attention spans. Kade Spann, junior construction management major and member of the band “Unknown Faces,” said that most TikTok users are not willing to wait more than 30 seconds to get to the chorus of a song, making a

sped-up song much more enticing.

“People aren’t going to want to watch a post that has a full two-minute song,” Spann said. “When the song is sped up, it allows them to hear and sing along to a full chorus or verse rather than just a portion of the song in a short amount of time. Slow songs have no place in TikTok videos or social media because they take so long to get to the chorus or the song’s main point. Social media is fast-paced, which makes sense why people like songs sped up.”

Olivia Hagen, sophomore film major and reporter for CBU TV, attributes the virality of sped-up songs to the rapid nature of TikTok content.

“When it comes to TikTok, it’s not a slow-paced platform,” Hagen said. “It’s 60 seconds or less. If you are adding something with transitions, a slow

song doesn’t match. It keeps the audience’s attention to whatever the TikTok is about.”

Many trends born from these sped-up songs are interesting to users because creators can make short, engaging content rich with transitions and smooth dance moves. The song “Sure Thing” gained renewed interest because of a trend where users imitated the words of the song using hand movements. More and more users used the audio, putting their own spin on the dance moves and catapulting the song into relevancy more than a decade after its original release.

Due to the free publicity created by these trends, Hagen, a musician herself, argued that this is a positive development in the music industry, referencing a smaller artist named Kinneret. She argued that Kinneret’s song “No Wind Resis-

tance” increased in popularity in its sped-up version, causing her to gain massive exposure.

“Kinneret used her Instagram reel platform to get her song put under her account so she can get credits,” Hagen said. “It didn’t take her long to go viral and for people to find her and all of her music. I think this benefits more than harms the music industry, mostly for newer artists.”

Whether artists like this development or not, the best way to survive the sped-up song trend is to embrace it, whether they post about the viral trend or license their own version. Regardless, Hagen points out that it is likely a temporary fad.

“People still appreciate the normal form music comes in,” Hagen said. “I don’t think that will ever be in doubt. But I think this sped-up phase is a passing trend.”

Charissa Graves | Banner

the

of the Capulet’s masquerade.

‘Ant-Man’ movie excels in humor, fails in originality

MARC AGBAYANI ASST. A&E EDITOR

Marvel’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantamania” commences the fifth phase of their superhero universe. Here, we revisit Scott Lang (Ant-Man), played by Paul Rudd; Hope (The Wasp), played by Evangeline Lilly; and her parents, Janet and Hank Pym played by Michelle Pfei er and Michael Douglas. Also joining the giddy crew is Scott and Hope’s daughter, Cassie, played by Kathryn Newton.

The third of its series, this film meshes together the violent action-packed sequences and the cartoonish mayhem derived from Ant-Man’s earlier adventures.

After the chaos from “Avenger’s Endgame,” Scott and his family are finally settling into a comfortable life after the blip. His daughter, Cassie, has been secretly working with Hank to develop new ant technology to study the quantum realm. When Scott and the others realize this, they are all pulled into the microscopic universe.

Here they encounter all sorts of misfits, from laser-shooting robots to Janet’s former comrades and the big bad Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors.

If you were expecting to walk into the theater to see a Marvel film with shocking new

twists and mind-blowing reveals, you are sorely mistaken. The world-building in this universe is, quite frankly, bittersweet. Unlike the previous film, “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” viewers see the quantum realm take on a new flavor — namely, advanced civilizations, a large variety of alien races who speak odd languages, goopy foods and turmoil set between the inhabitants and Kang. It’s a diverse cast and world in its own right, but it is not enough to fully immerse the audience or bring anything fresh.

This film follows the typical formula viewers might expect to see from Marvel’s most recent installments: Flashy new suits, world-breaking technology, intense fight sequences, character-based gags that are scattered heavily throughout the story, a near-unbeatable foe and a final battle as the ultimate climax.

The new supporting characters that the film introduces share a common enemy with Ant-Man and his allies. However, they ultimately fade into the background as they are overshadowed by the focus on Scott and Cassie’s relationship. Previous characters’ story arches were not developed any further. Some of them functioned as comic relief, while others acted as mere plot devices to assist in battles, leaving the stakes incredibly low.

"It depends on my mood, but I listen to mostly dark trap or pop. It puts me in my own little world and just removes everyone else. It makes me more focused and can skyrocket my mood."

Where the film lacked in world-building and character progression, it excelled in comedy. Viewers can expect to find many instances of unexpected comical chaos that will often leave them tearing up. And, as always, it is a delight to see Rudd banter with each of the cast members, including Lang’s character, Cassie. His performance as a caring father and perky superhero pair well with Lang’s witty humor. The camaraderie they share allows their jokes to flow naturally and not rub o as cheesy one-liners.

Perhaps the biggest selling point of this movie is the action sequences. From ground-shaking fights against strange gelatinous creatures to several fast-paced shots with lasers, giant ants and reality-bending e ects, there is never a moment without a tense grip on the viewer’s eye. The final battle against Kang is also rather threatening and works as an excellent opportunity to elicit more of Scott’s serious side. These are the scenes where creativity shines the most, leaving the audience wanting more.

“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantamania” is virtually a mixed bag. If you are looking for a film that restores the haphazard content of Marvel’s phase four, you may need to wait a little longer. 4 out of 5 stars.

PUFFER JACKETS

Netflix original “Outer Banks” (OBX) has provided viewers with a sweet summer feeling since April 2020. Endless treasure hunts, budding romance and sticky situations have brought us to season three of “OBX,” released on Feb. 23.

The third season starts right where the show left o . The pogues seem to be making do with their makeshift home on a deserted island. However, Poguelandia is shortlived as viewers are rapidly launched into the next adventure.

The newest installment of “OBX” has action-packed and shocking scenes. Each character seemed to have at least one moment where they were involved in a fight scene or some type of gunfire.

These stressful situations were bonding agents for all characters as they navigated their way out of trouble. Characters that seemed to be on more of the back burner were launched to the forefront this season as they relied on each other for survival.

As Southern California continues to experience the winter chill, the look keeping people warm on campus is pu ers. Pu er jackets and vests are being worn by Lancers everywhere. Some like it cropped, while others like experimenting and stray away from the typical pu er material. Keep an eye out for pu ers on campus until that spring sun decides to say “Hello!”

Jams for the Gym

"I enjoy listening to music—especially Christian music—while I workout because it motivates me, makes the time more enjoyable, and inserts positive messages into my day."

“I listen to rock and pop music. My go-to gym song is ‘Watch Your Mouth’ by the Backseat Lovers because it helps to give me energy and motivation.”

"I listen to inspirational orchestra such as Beethovens Symphony No.9 in E minor. It helps me get lost in my thoughts, so I am not focusing on what set I am on or how many miles I am about to run."

"For cardio or HIT training, I prefer music with fast, rhythmic music. Similar to electronic dance music. Sometimes Latin. But for yoga or stretching, I prefer meditation music or relaxing soothing sounds."

EDITOR’S REVIEW

BY ZERENITY LOPEZ I A&E EDITOR

Action scenes definitely took a step up from previous seasons. The new antagonist, Carlos Singh (Andy McQueen), brought a much more serious energy to the series. His threats were almost always carried out and not to be taken lightly. Singh’s ominous presence set the tone for how the infamous gang of pogues followed through on their plans.

The return of John B’s father, Big John Rutledge, played by Charles Halford, led to a new breed of problems. His incessant need to find the treasure puts unnecessary tension between the main characters. The uncomfortable John B. is torn between his father and his friends on multiple occasions. Without Netflix introducing this dynamic, the show would have ventured into the kitschy Disney Channel realm. I am glad they created tension and misunderstanding because it is something you would expect after a teenager is away from their father for so long.

Of course, the typical feud between

“Outer Banks Season 3”

kooks and pogues is expected, but the monotonous rebuttal of “You’re just a kook!” has gotten old. As romantic controversy arose throughout the season, the instant response to trouble in paradise was the social standings of the other being either a pogue or a kook. With such a dragged-out response, I easily became annoyed with the characters’ romantic lives to the point where I was begging for them to kiss and makeup, all for the sake of not hearing the pathetic classist argument another time.

Other than the dramatic teen romance motifs, this season opened up the world of adventure as the gang and their enemies searched for the secret city of El Dorado. After wins, losses and an emotional rollercoaster, OBX was set up for their next adventure by the end of the final episode. Since the series has been renewed for a fourth season, there is no knowing what to expect from John B., played by Chase Stokes, and his band of misfits. 4 out of 5 stars.

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Photo courtesy of Netflix

Logan Hauser Sophomore

Ash Leatherwood Sophomore Lauren Stevens Freshman

Taira Hall Sophomore

Dr. Jennifer Cruz Director of Keyboard Studies

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CBU stunt team continues to make historic leaps

BY MICHAEL MARKS SPORTS EDITOR

It is rare in sports to be able to witness the rise of greatness. It is rarer to be able to recognize a piece of sports history in the making that will lay the foundation for many decades to come. The California Baptist University stunt team fits this category, not only because stunt as a sport is beginning to gain traction in America, but also because of how well the team has developed itself into becoming the national standard for stunt at the collegiate level. The program is one of only three Division-I stunt programs in the nation and has won the national championships two years in a row, coinciding with how many years the program has existed. The stunt team has been its own separate team from cheer since the start of the 2020-2021 season.

Brandon Seagondollar, stunt coach, has helped build the CBU team as one of the first o cial NCAA stunt teams and one of the best stunt teams in the nation.

“It’s all about adaptability and being willing to change,” Seagondollar said. “I always want to try to revamp it. I want to try to make it better. How can we add on to it? How can we layer it? Keep recalibrating and keep reforming and reshaping who we are instead of just trying to stay the same. We need to add on to it each year and get better because [the] more talent that walks through the door means more opportunities to get better.”

Since the sport is relatively new, even top schools in the nation, such as UCLA or Harvard, do not have their own o cial stunt programs. However, this also poses a

challenge for Seagondollar. As the sport continues to grow, competition and recruitment will only continue to become tougher.

“CBU is the trailblazer of Division I with stunt,” Seagondollar said. “We were the first-ever varsity Division-I stunt program. We are creating the legacy now and we just keep building on that. It’ll be a while before any of those schools can catch up because of the legacy that was created from the first trailblazing moment from the first team, [versus] team seven [or] eight down the road. We’ve already stacked on top of it and created this legacy that we’ll keep getting the athletes in to make it better and better. There may be years that we stumble, but as long as we fall forward, we’ll keep that momentum. We’ll keep pushing forward.”

Jordan Bruce, junior psychology major, shared some of what she believes has contributed to the team’s success.

“The athletes (in) this program are not only handselected, but incredibly gifted,” Bruce said. “We’ve also overcome a lot of hard days to get where we are. That ability to not just survive our most challenging days, but to also walk away stronger is something I believe this team excels at. As for weaknesses, sometimes it’s hard to believe in ourselves and recognize our own hard work, but already this team has been working on that belief that God has us all here for a reason.”

The team is still early in its season and has many competitions ahead of them. So far they are undefeated this season, having won both the Arizona State Tournament and Dallas Baptist University Tournament. However, this

BASEBALL KICKS OFF SEASON AT OPENER

California Baptist University baseball played its first Western Athletic Conference series of the year against UT Rio Grande Valley on March 10-12. It was a three-game series, with the first game on March 10 ending in a win for the Lancers. The second game of the series on March 11 would see the Lancers lose 0-7, with UT Rio Grande getting five of its seven points in the first inning. The last game of the series on March 12 would see the Lancers avenge their previous loss from the night before with an 8-3 win.

season has some critical di erences compared to last year, especially with divisions. One major change is that each level of the NCAA divisions will have its own championship tournament for the three di erent NCAA divisions this year.

“I’m feeling great about this season,” Bruce said. “The routines are harder than last

year, so we’ve really had to come together and work hard to execute the more di cult skills. I think we’ll do very well this year. This team has a lot of talent and dedication to the sport. With D-I and D-II no longer playing against each other at championships, we will be going to championships against the UK’s stunt team in April.”

WOMEN’S WATER POLO FACES PACIFIC TIGERS

CBU women's water polo hosted Pacific Tigers on March 10 in the Lancer Aquatic Center. The Lancers fell in a 14-11 loss. The Tigers proved to be no easy opponent, as the Tigers came into this game on a 10-0 winning streak. The Lancers traded points with the Tigers during the majority of the game. The fourth quarter started with the score at 11-10 in favor of the Tigers. The Tigers outscored the Lancers 3-1 in the fourth quarter, securing the win.

This success is only possible due to the work the athletes put into the program. Karington Sebastian, junior psychology major and member of the stunt team, said her coaches push her and her teammates to be the best they can become.

“We train hard and we train a lot,” Sebastian said. “Our coach tries to put us under high-pressure situations at

practice, where practices can sometimes be more pressure than games. That puts pressure on us, so when we go to games, all we need to do is genuinely focus on having fun. Games tend to be more low stress than practices sometimes.”

The Stunt National Championship will take place on April 15 in the Van Dyne Gym at CBU.

SWIM AND DIVE TEAMS COMPETE AT NIC

The CBU men's and women's swim and dive teams participated in the 2023 National Invitational Championships (NIC) from March 9-11. There were more than 900 athletes at this tournament. The men's swim team placed 17th out of 41 teams with 213 points, and the women's team earned 38 points, finishing 40th out of 57 teams. The dive team did exceptionally well, with the four athletes chosen to compete all placing in the top 15 spots for their events.

Athletes discuss the limits of media and sponsorship deals

BY FLORIAN LE PALLEC ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Have you ever wondered to what extent student-athletes use their own image for advertising? Doing so involves many media rules implemented not only by the school, but also by the NCAA.

As many athletes are interviewed, quoted and used in advertisements for the school, Michael Scarano, associate director of athletics and director of compliance, emphasized the importance for athletes to follow media policies.

“Specific media rules for athletes are not necessarily NCAA rules,” Scarano said. “However, it is not uncommon that most athletic departments have policies and (or) guidelines that address student-athlete media relations

and social media. For example, CBU Athletics has guidelines in the student-athlete handbook relative to media relations and social media/website policy.”

Erin Gallagher, master’s of business administration student and player for the women’s soccer team, knows the basic rules of media and advertising but would check the handbook before signing any sponsorship contract.

“I am aware of the rules for student-athletes, but only to an extent,” Gallagher said. “I understand the most basic ones, but I have found that it is hard to understand what is allowed and what is not when it comes to specific terms. However, I know that one of my limitations is that I would have to refrain from working with some companies because they would not correlate with the values of our school.”

Gallagher said she appreciates that NCAA finally approved athletes to be compensated for their name, image and likeness (NIL) activities. With this new NCAA NIL policy, she is now able to be sponsored by the company Liquid IV. This policy allows athletes to get their name and image out to the public and sponsors.

“My partnership with Liquid IV is essential to me, especially when preparing for soccer games,” Gallagher said. “Athletes must stay hydrated, so I am grateful for my NIL allowing me to receive these hydration assistant packs. I receive them once a month and I get new flavors each time. Before I got this deal, I had to pay about $12 for each package, so saving this money helps me fund other important activities.”

Silvia De La Peña, master’s of business administration student and member of the women’s cross country and track team, feels informed of media rules in general since she gets a plethora of informational emails about the rules of NIL. As a student-athlete, she also needs to attend compliance meetings every semester.

“I believe, as athletes, we must be very careful when separating our sponsors from the school we represent,” De La Peña said. “I personally do not have sponsors, but the athletes that are sponsored are not allowed to post their sponsorship-related content wearing their university gear since college teams and sponsors are two separate entities. The NCAA is very clear with those rules as they do not want athletes to involve their respective universities with

outside deals.”

“Even though our coaches and CBU compliance sta do a great job at keeping us informed and aware of the NCAA rules, it can sometimes be di cult to remember all these regulations since there are very detailed. On top of that, NCAA rules are constantly changing, so something that was allowed two years ago might no be longer allowed or vice versa. Because of that, our leaders must stay on track with any change implemented by the NCAA.”

While athletes being used for advertising outside of the school is allowed, they must meet certain conditions to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Scarano mentioned that some of these conditions are that the athlete must be involved in advertising for reasons independent of athletic

ability, no reference must be made in these activities to the athlete’s name or involvement in intercollegiate athletics and the individual must not endorse the commercial product.

“Even if student-athletes meet the above guidelines, there could also be institutional policies that could impact their advertising limits,” Scarano said. “For example, if there is an institutional policy regarding the promotion of a banned substance, this institutional policy might preclude that student-athlete from being in an advertisement about the banned substance. Of course, legalities could ensue.”

Media and sponsorship is an increasingly important part of college sports for many athletes here at CBU. Being aware of the rules and the consequences that could follow is important for every athlete to know.

Elijah Hickman | CBU Athletics

The stunt team competes against Concordia on Feb. 23, 2022. With several competitions still left in the season, the stunt team has already matched their number of wins from last year, currently standing at 13-0.

LANCER ON THE STREET Do you support the electric vehicle movement? Why or why not?

Anthony Osorio Pruthvi Parekh Andy Moran Hayden Sheets Ashley Morgan Junior Graduate student Chemical engineering major Pre-nursing student Marketing major Kinesiology Philosophy and business administration double major

“It’s good that we can reduce pollution, but more electricity will be used.”

Senior Sophomore Junior

“I think it is ne, but I hear both sides, where creating electric cars creates more pollution.”

“I think if California is willing to give incentives in order to switch to electric, I don’t see why not.”

“If we can make electric vehicles accessible to di erent economic backgrounds, it would be really cool.”

California needs to strengthen its electricity grid

considering a ban on gas stoves in January fueled the flames, and in the same month, Los Angeles became the largest city in California to ban natural gas appliances in new buildings.

had a gas stove, according to Statista. However, California had a higher percentage of gas stoves than much of the rest of the U.S., with 70% of households having gas stoves.

BY EMILY MCGINN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

In recent months, politics has tossed gas-powered appliances into the center of heated debates, with one side of the debate heated by natural gas and the other by electric. News that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was

The CSPC clarified that it is not planning on banning gas stoves, but it cited health hazards due to indoor air pollutants as concerns related to gas stoves. While natural gas appliances do pose both health and environmental concerns, extreme regulations and bans on gas appliances places too much reliance on electric appliances and will presumably lead to energy challenges.

Over the years, stoves and other household appliances have become caught up in the electric wave sweeping through the U.S. in response to climate change concerns. In fact, by 2020, only 38% of households

I grew up in Los Angeles County with a gas stove, and the surge toward phasing out natural gas in the state concerns me in light of my own experiences with the state’s energy grid. I have grown accustomed to power outages, and rolling blackouts have become unsurprising. For example, in 2020, many Californians experienced rolling blackouts during a heat wave due to heightened energy use and inadequate energy supplies in the state.

In fact, just this week, my family lost their power for nearly 24 consecutive hours. During those power outages, our gas-powered stove becomes

more essential than ever. It becomes our only way to cook and heat water.

Now, as California careens toward an all-electric future with ambitious plans to phase out the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035 and to implement an entirely carbon-free electricity grid by 2045, I am becoming increasingly alarmed that the state’s electricity blips will only worsen. How can we reasonably trust a grid that has already begun to fail?

The concerns regarding natural gas have merit. Natural gas can negatively impact air and water quality. For example, leakage during fracking — the extraction process for natural gas — can pollute the air. Without proper ventilation, indoor air pollutants associated with gas appliances have also been linked to respiratory diseas-

es, according to a 2022 study in Environmental Science and Technology. However, natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel and, when fracking and ventilation practices are properly employed, it does not need to pose a health threat.

Eliminating natural gas from the energy grid places a significant reliance on renewable energy resources and fails to acknowledge a new host of environmental concerns associated with rapidly transitioning to a carbon-free society. Currently, renewable energy sources lack e ciency and consistency, and other concerns such as downthe-chain fossil fuel emissions threaten to revoke their “clean energy” label.

Transitioning to fully electric appliances in households place all our eggs in one basket, so to speak — we will be relying

on only one primary energy source. Without assurance of the consistency of renewable energies and a constantly increasing strain on the energy grid, I expect that the electricity grid will inevitably fail more often.

As a Californian who has experienced too many power failures already, I am not willing to take a chance on going all electric in my home. While we should be aware of potential health hazards and find ways to safely work with gas appliances to minimize risks, we are not ready for a widespread restriction on appliances powered by natural gas.

When the state shows me that it can handle a full-scale transition to electricity without overshooting the boundaries of its energy grid, perhaps I will consider it.

Female filmmakers need more recognition in the industry

In her TEDxBend talk, film critic Alicia Malone discussed the reasoning behind the lack of knowledge of female filmmakers in our culture: Female directors simply do not fit the stereotype of a director. A director is supposed to be loud, brash and in charge — traits that society corresponds with being a man. Who could imagine a crew of people listening to a soft-spoken lady in a dress tell them what to do?

industry, especially since women helped pioneer the film industry. Alice Guy Blaché, the first female director, introduced what we know today as a closeup shot. More importantly, she made the first film that told a story that was not just a documentation of real life, titled “La Fée aux Choux” (1896), or “The Cabbage Fairy.”

Despite her great contributions, Blaché did not receive recognition during her lifetime.

indicate, the film industry has overlooked women’s contributions since the beginning.

BY ALEXZA BAHNMILLER MANAGING EDITOR

Time for a quiz. First, think of your favorite movie. Can you name who directed it? Can you name five more directors?

Now, time for the bonus question: Are any of those directors that you named female?

(Dorothy Arzner, the first female director in Hollywood, 1926). Or, even crazier, who could imagine a woman who embraced traditionally masculine traits and didn’t mind being bossy or getting a little dirty? These are real but sad assumptions that people, from viewers to studio heads, draw regarding directors in the film

In “The First One Hundred Noted Men and Women of the Screen,” published in 1920 by Carolyn Lowrey, Lowrey falsely attributed Blaché’s films to her husband. Additionally, many of the films that Blaché was correctly credited for were lost or destroyed (movies were only distributed on film at that point). As Blaché’s experiences

Today, this trend continues as pop culture consistently — unfortunately — proves it. Only 24% of directors of the top-grossing films of 2023 were women, resulting in only a 7% increase over the past 25 years, according to a report produced annually by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University. In the 94-year history of the Oscars, only seven female directors have been nominated, and only three have won.

Female directors in the professional world are still getting the lower hand. The latest SAG Awards premiered on Feb. 26 and the Golden Globes took place on Feb. 10. Big surprise: No female directors were nom-

inated for either, despite cries that directors such as Sarah Polley and Gina Prince-Bythewood, both of whom released box-o ce successes (“The Woman King” and “Women Talking”), were being snubbed.

It is not due to the fact that women do not want to direct. The ratio of film school graduates men to women is 50/50, according to an MTV article by Susan Sandler, a faculty adviser at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. However, only 18% of professional directors are women, according to the Research Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film.

This means this discrepancy between the number of women filmmaking in school and the number of women filmmaking in the professional world is

due to the lack of opportunities o ered to women in the industry (unless, of course, 32% of females are unanimously deciding to quit directing after school).

The film industry — one of the most prominent industries of today — depends upon audiences to maintain its influence. Although many of the industry’s practices and stereotypes are outdated, audiences do have the power to create change that we have already begun to see in some aspects. If audiences actively choose to support female filmmakers by watching their films, studios will take notice. The more audiences go out of their way to show support for women in film, the sooner female filmmakers will be o ered more equal opportunities to showcase their talents.

Electric vehicles will not solve our climate crisis — at least not now

a vehicle is the right to destroy the city.” This statement still rings true today, not just with how we have allowed cars to dominate so many spaces of our lives but with the added layers of environmental challenges our generation faces with an increasingly connected world that is looking for a new way to power this ever-growing interconnectedness.

fundamental flaws in American thinking that prevent taking next steps towards combating the climate crisis compared to their counterparts in places such as Europe or Asia.

BY MICHAEL MARKS SPORTS EDITOR

Famous historian Lewis Mumford had this to say about our car-centric culture after WWII: “The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such

Electric vehicles are often discussed as the solution to the world’s climate crisis. While investing in alternative means of transportation and energy is crucial, many climate activists overlook the critical details of implementing these new technologies. There are many pressing challenges to ensuring our methods of transportation are cleaner and more e cient. The electric car also demonstrates

These next steps include trying to change our relationship with transportation and the way we think about it. The car is so closely linked to America’s culture of individualism that it can be harder to get everyone on the same page to support public projects that benefit everyone and reduce emissions while also inevitably sacrificing some of this individuality that comes with public modes of transportation as opposed to private.

Earth is finite. The electric car promises to one day eliminate the need for gasoline-fueled vehicles, from your minia-

ture smart car to the semitruck. However, the materials required for the battery, the heavy metals, the mining involved, the transportation of such materials and significant costs in upkeep once the vehicle is built o set the climate footprint it was meant to erase.

Many forget the enormous carbon footprint our infrastructure for such vehicles (such as asphalt and concrete roads) produces. In fact, America has nearly 4 million miles of road, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

“U.S. roads combined could circle the Earth at the equator 160 times; the interstate highways, almost two times,” per the USGS findings.

This does not even account for the sheer amount of parking required for the 290 million ve-

hicles in America that require parking spots when not in use.

Eran Ben-Joseph, professor of urban planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, talked about the enormous impact of parking lots alone in a New York Times article, saying there are “500 million parking spaces in the country, occupying some 3,590 square miles, or an area larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined. If the correct number is 2 billion, we’re talking about four times that: Connecticut and Vermont.”

Many activists tend to pigeonhole their view of the carbon footprint and climate change issue, ignoring how intricately connected the issue is to other areas of the climate issue. The solution is to be practical and to try to engage

the community in taking an active role in reducing the carbon footprint. One example is public transportation, particularly buses for short distances and trains for longer distances. Trains would significantly reduce the cost of maintaining such a vast, resource-intensive and expensive road network. Buses would reduce the number of vehicles on the road, with many already running on clean hydrocarbon energy rather than crude oils. It is a matter of e ciency.

Rather than leaping to a new idea with its own environmental concerns, we need to be e cient with the materials we have, e cient with how we power our methods of transportation and e cient with how we spend our money to help us move toward a greener Earth.

“It should decrease pollution, but everyone would have to convert.”

Find the following words in the puzzle. Words are hidden and

Cartoons by Carly Brunner and Santos Garcia