Pepperdine Graphic 10-22-2021

THE PEPPERDINE GRAPHIC VOLUME LI | ISSUE 7 | OCTOBER 22, 2021 | PEPPERDINE-GRAPHIC.COM | FOLLOW US @PEPPGRAPHIC ble to win each week.

Emrich said rolling applications remain open on the Handshake website, and training will take place following an interview. The position pays $18 an hour and is compatible with Pepperdine Work Program as well as Federal Work Study.

“I’m looking for folks who are friendly and reliable,” Emrich said. “This is work that you need to be doing with little supervision, [and PHAs] will go out in pairs, but they’re not going to be followed by a supervisor, and so I really need people who have a natural, inherent work ethic to do what they’ve been asked to do and what they’ve agreed to do.”

SIERRA MOSES STAFF WRITER As Pepperdine staff and students settle into life on campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Pepperdine works to enforce LA County health protocols.

On Sept. 27, Director of Public Safety Dawn Emrich, with the help of Provost Jay Brewster, announced the new position to aid in the enforcement of these regulations.

“We want to make sure that we’re promoting awareness, taking a very educational and informative approach to make sure that our community is in compliance with the policies,” Emrich said. “Basically, we’re enforcing and educating the community on the policies we’re required to adhere to, from the LA County Department of Public Health.”

In addition to weekly COVID testing and vaccine policies, Pepperdine requires face coverings within indoor public spaces if one is not actively eating or drinking. LA County guidelines for institutions of higher education also suggests contact tracing and quarantine plans to supplement the face masks and other COVID requirements.

Emrich and Brewster said growing concern regarding proper mask use prompted stronger rule enforcement.

Pepperdine Health Ambassadors work to provide for a healthy environment on campus by monitoring frequently visited, indoor spaces, Emrich said.

Student Thoughts on the PHA Position

PHA Duties and Rolling Applications Emrich and Brewster said all PHAs will be students, and they will approach anyone indoors not wearing a mask.

“So, first and foremost, their role is to be a friendly educator, and they are wearing a uniform, so you’ll see them wearing a light blue T-shirt or [a] similar branded lanyard, and they are going to be circulating throughout common areas,” Emrich said.

The PHAs will monitor most indoor spaces: Payson Library, the HAWC, the Caf, the shuttles and many other

W H AT ’ S AHE A D THE WAVES REPORT

ILLUSTRATION BY ALI LEVENS | CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PHOTO BY RYAN BRINKMAN | PHOTO EDITOR Pepperdine Health Ambassadors and sophomores Asia Ford (left) and Rachel Jiang (right) pose in front of Payson Library before starting their shift Oct. 20. Ford said she hopes to make an impact through her new position by reducing COVID-19 cases.

public spaces on campus, Emrich said.

If an ambassador notices someone is not properly wearing a mask, one or two warnings may be given. Should a person remain noncompliant after these preliminary warnings, the PHA will engage in

a conversation regarding the alternative option to work outside. In the event that conflict arises, the PHA has the ability to utilize the person’s ID card information for further conversation in a formal setting, at a later time. If needed, Public Safety stands ready to

step in, Emrich said.

PHAs also reward and recognize proper mask wearing, Emrich said. If a PHA notices this, they may give out a raffle ticket. The DPS website reveals raffle winners each Tuesday. Until a ticket number is called, the ticket remains eligi-

Sophomore Asia Ford is a new Pepperdine Health Ambassador. Upon seeing the position advertised on Handshake, Ford said she felt inspired to apply because of her desire to keep the Pepperdine community healthy.

Ford hopes the light blue T-shirts worn by the PHAs will serve as a gentle reminder that face coverings are not only important but required by the University. She wants to make an impact through reducing COVID cases, she said.

“I’m from New York, and being isolated with COVID was not fun, and doing school online was not fun, so for us to stay here on campus and attend classes in person, we need to be safe in terms of wearing the mask properly,” Ford said.

Sophomore Tony Lin said he has immunocompromised loved ones as well as family members who work in the medical field. Seeing how the pandemic has affected their lives has caused him to become a devoted mask-wearer, Lin said.

Lin said he hopes the presence of the PHAs will cause more students to comply with the face-covering requirements because he knows these precautions are in place for the safety of everyone.

SEE MASKS | A4

NE WS

PER S PEC TI VE S

D E ATH & A RT S

SP O RT S

writer William Bacon A2- Staff encourages seniors to

A5-

Staff Editorial: Pepperdine needs to honor Indigenous people and their land.

Life & Arts takes on B1- Boo! a spooky twist; discover

and Dive compete B4- Swim in their first meet of the

fellows develop A3- Senior proposals for diversity and

A6-

Perspectives editor AJ Muonagolu argues heterosexuality should not be the norm.

community B3- Pepperdine members share their favorite

Soccer wins B6- Women’s against Gonzaga, see the

find excitement in the unknown.

inclusion.

FRI: 1-2 FT

SAT: 1-2 FT

Death & Arts content for Halloween.

SUN: 1-2 FT

Halloween snacks.

MON: 1-2 FT

2021 season.

story in pictures.

TUES: 1-2 FT

(DEEPSWELL.COM)

A2

OC TOB E R 2 2 , 2 0 2 1 | N E W S | PE PPE RDIN E G R A PH I C M E D I A

THE DPS REPORTS

Good News: Appreciate uncertainty

1

2

10/13/21 2:50 p.m.

Crime: Larceny/Theft Petty Theft Location: Dorm Phi-Alpha [Krown Phi Alpha]

TWEETS AND MEMES OF THE WEEK

10/15/21 5:14 a.m.

Crime: Larceny/Theft Petty Theft Location: Richard Rockwell Towers

WILLIAM BACON STAFF WRITER

WILLIAM.BACON@PEPPERDINE.EDU

UPCOMING SGA

1

2

SGA launched its first digital comment box called "Anonymous Feedback Form" Oct. 13 on its Instagram bio, where students can express concerns and ideas to SGA.

The Accessibility Committee discusses a possible idea for student tour guides or golf cart drivers to help people traverse around campus.

3

U PC OMING E VE N TS MON

TUES

WED

WHAT: Ar t L ecture ft.

Neah Choksi WHERE: Weisman and CAC Sculpture Garden WHEN: 5 p.m.

HOST: Fine Ar ts Division

WHAT: Book Talk with Ron Highfield WHERE: Sur fboard Room WHEN: 4 p.m.

HOST: Pepperdine Libraries

WHAT: Cirque Mechanics: Birdhouse Factor y WHERE: Smothers Theatre WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

HOST: Center for the Ar ts

26

25

THURS

27

28

WHAT: Come as You Ar t Halloween Par ty WHERE: Weisman Museum WHEN: 6 p.m.

HOST: Fine Ar ts Division

WHAT: Movie Night: “Coco” WHERE: Sur fboard Room WHEN: 8 p.m.

HOST: Pepperdine Libraries

COVID-19 numbers and new guidelines

In a little over six months, which at this rate will feel like in a week’s time, I will earn a degree in Political Science from Pepperdine. I will receive this certificate at the grand old age of 20.

I do not have a job secured, I haven’t thought about applying to graduate school and I have no idea what I want to do. This leaves me ecstatic.

To clarify, graduating early is not a novelty — many of my peers are graduating early, some with two degrees.

(I’m looking at second-year Fransheska Campanioni-Daroch).

As an “honorary senior,” in the words of senior Elle Taylor, I have the opportunity to meet people with both secured career prospects and general ideas. This common discrepancy in the graduating class — set plans versus no plans — mounts as the pressure to move on creeps onto seniors.

Something I have noticed, however, is the negative stress associated with such an uncertain future.

I have encountered these thoughts in knowing my time at Pepperdine would be short. I have learned to deal with such thoughts, and rather than interpreting them as negative, I label them as a multitude of open doors.

I think it is safe to assume uncertainty is viewed negatively in this society, not only among those who are uncertain but those who speculate its effects on people’s character. No one is going to invest in a company carrying a lot of risk, and this philosophy dictates the paths of young adults.

That leads to the question: “How do you interpret uncertainty into a positive, beneficial feeling?”

First off, it is important to state that your path is unique to you, and your background and experience culminate in your understanding of what you should do with your life. Therefore, interpreting the unknown as positive starts with dissociating yourself from examples of seemingly perfect outcomes that are not feasible for you.

In addition, it is important to note there are more options post-graduation than meet the eye. Whether it be traveling, looking for a job or planning my next round of schooling — all of those prospects, are in my control.

The events that happen in your life, however uncertain or miscalculated, happen for a reason, and that is best embraced rather than rejected.

Let’s face it: Stressing over missed prospects is a waste of energy and not productive when trying to understand everyone moves at a different pace.

Evidently, this doesn’t mean to just sit back and watch time fly, but rather fill time with things that work for you, enrich your life and help you better understand who you want to be.

FRI 29

WHAT: Spooky Vir tual Reality WHERE: The G enesis L ab WHEN: Noon HOST: The G enesis L ab WHAT: Chamber Choir Per formance WHERE: Chapel, Ampitheatre, Weisman Museum WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

HOST: Pepperdine Music

Pepperdine

Malibu

California

United States

cases*

cases

cases

cases

deaths*

deaths

deaths

deaths

117 671 4.6M 45M 0 11 71K 728K 86%

students vaccinated

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

Oct. 20 | The FDA approves booster shots for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. *Numbers since Aug. 1

Subscribe to the Pixel Newsletter ( S c a n a n d s c ro l l to th e b o tto m o f th e p a ge)

FOLLOW @PEPPNEWSWAVES

OC TOBE R 2 2 , 2 0 2 1 | N E W S | PE PPE RDIN E G R A PH I C M E D I A

A3

Senior fellows pursue diversity at Pepp LIZA ESQUIBIAS NEWS ASSISTANT On April 30, Pepperdine awarded two students with the Fellowship for Equity and Social Justice for the 2021-22 academic year.

Fellowship recipients Katelin Goño and Jerry Calderon — both in their senior year — oversee projects that strengthen inclusion and belonging on campus. Goño will hold focus groups where identity-based student organizations will share their experiences with one another and administration, and Calderon campaigns to expand Native recognition on campus.

After months of writing proposals with their faculty mentors, Goño and Calderon said they are ready to make foundational and enduring changes within the Pepperdine community.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion has always meant feeling safe to bring your whole self to that space,” Goño said.

“Whether that’s race, religion, sexual orientation or gender, it’s choosing empathy and compassion to allowing others to not have to hide those parts.”

Katelin Goño Unpacks Meanings of Diversity Goño is an International Studies major with a double minor in Nonprofit Management and English. Because she will graduate this year, Goño wants to take advantage of the time she has left at Pepperdine through the fellowship program, she said.

“I left as a freshman, and then I came back as a senior,” Goño said. “So I felt I barely had any time on campus, and I was really looking for any way to get involved that would have a lasting impact.”

For her project, Goño said she will create focus groups for students to share their perspectives on diversity and how their identities can be better recognized at Pepperdine.

“The goal is to compare what administration thinks diversity is versus what the actual student experience is,” Goño said.

With this information, Goño said she will organize discussions during the second semester with students who have differing views to try to help them find a deeper understanding of one another — especially coming out of isolation.

“Pepperdine is not the same school that we left it as,” Goño said. “I didn’t want to return to school pretending like nothing happened. I wanted to engage in some sort of initiative that was actively working toward changing the culture and providing students with more inclusive spaces.”

Goño said after social justice

movements became more visible in 2020, she became more passionate about the importance of diversity and equity in her own life as well as within the Pepperdine community.

“I learned I personally have so much I need to learn when it comes to unpacking my own unconscious or subconscious biases and understanding the privilege I’ve had growing up,” Goño said. “It can be very intimidating going into that topic.”

Goño is a second-generation American — her father was born in the Philippines, and her mother was born in Korea.

As she has become older, Goño said she has come to realize no two people — even with similar backgrounds — have the same stories, and her project ties into spreading awareness of that idea.

“Their [her parents’] identities as immigrants definitely shaped my perception and understanding of what it means to be an American,” Goño said.

“It wasn’t until more recently I realized that understanding is different from a lot of other peoples’ and that everyone has their own background that shapes that identity.”

After seeing division among student groups and administrators, Goño said she hopes everyone can better listen to one another to learn how they can foster a more inclusive community. For instance, the University can take steps to welcome those who identify as LGBTQ+ in addition to initiating more concrete action-based stances on social justice issues and in response to on-campus controversies.

Goño said her five years of volunteer work at Hope Worldwide served as a window into the lives of those less fortunate, whose minority status silences their voice in society.

“Something that sparked me to understand social justice and equity more is my involvement with nonprofit organizations,” Goño said. “We should be utilizing the resources and privilege that we have here at Pepperdine for the benefit of other people who are disenfranchised by these broken systems.”

Jerry Calderon Advocates for His Indigenous Community Calderon is a Psychology and Political Science double major with a minor in English, and he said he has been involved in advocating for the Native American community on campus, especially through his position as senior class senator in SGA. Growing up in an Indigenous and Latinx home, Calderon said his passion for drawing attention to Indigenous voices always existed

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JERRY CALDERON AND KATELIN GOÑO Jerry Calderon (left) and Katelin Goño (right) prepare to carry out projects that promote diversity on campus. Pepperdine awarded the seniors the Fellowship for Equity and Social Justice in April 2021, and they work with faculty mentors to cultivate a deeper sense of belonging at Pepperdine. but intensified as a first-year student when he learned the University occupies Chumash — his ancestors’ — land.

Calderon said his family taught him about his ancestors, and this made him want to take on a leadership role in Indigenous change-making.

“I’ve immersed myself in doing a lot of Indigenous activism by learning about great great uncles who had positions on tribal councils,” Calderon said. “They were fighting for things like the water to be on a reservation, and hearing that now — it’s inspired me to bring that here. Obviously we’re not fighting for water, but we’re fighting for their perspective to be understood and recognized.”

The title of Calderon’s project is “Tisik,” which is a Chumash term meaning “to recognize.”

“I am using that term strategically because I want not only students to recognize the land we are occupying but the administration to recognize it in everything that we do,” Calderon said.

The mission of the project, Calderon said, is split into three parts. He wants to set up a bookshelf of Native literature in Payson Library with Indigenous stories that can be implemented into courses. Calderon also hopes to promote conversations between the University and various tribal leaders about diversifying the Native community on campus in an honorable way.

Calderon said he also wants to see an increase in admission of Indigenous students from Southern California to Pepperdine.

“It’s one thing to make sure that we’re bringing in Native students, but it’s another to respect their perspective and respect that history and that

culture,” Calderon said.

Calderon’s SGA position provided him with his first opportunity to take action within Pepperdine to recognize Indigenous people, he said. SGA passed two of his resolutions, Calderon said — one asking the University to release an official land acknowledgment and the other commissioning a Chumash artist to paint a mural.

“It’s so important that Chumash people tell Chumash stories and bring that recognition onto campus,” Calderon said.

When he learned about the new Fellowship for Equity and Social Justice, Calderon said he saw it as a chance to continue his activism through a larger platform at Pepperdine. He said he is grateful Seaver created the fellowship because it allows him to work closely with the dean’s office to gauge how they can implement his ideas.

Faculty Mentors Speak on Students’ Determination Biology Professor Donna Nofziger is Goño’s faculty mentor and has been part of the fellowship process since they began drafting the proposal in spring 2021. Goño said she chose Nofziger as her mentor after researching Nofziger’s involvement in the SEED program.

“She’s such an advocate for minority groups and wants to educate herself,” Goño said.

“Even when I can get caught up in all the technical aspects of doing this project — like getting past administration and working on all of the different aspects of the research — her zeal and her heart for it always motivate me.”

Nofziger said Goño’s ambition and drive is inspiring. With a student-professor partnership, Nofziger said, the project

is able to reach not only students but also the administration in a way that has not been seen before.

“Katelin has worked very hard,” Nofziger said. “She’s leading from her heart and her head, and she’s done everything we would want a Pepperdine student to do — which is to find something you’re passionate about and figure out ways to do it.”

Calderon said his faculty mentor, Psychology Professor Tomas Martinez, has been his role model and support system since Calderon was a first-year.

Martinez has taught at Pepperdine for 43 years and said he has advocated for more diversity and inclusion of minority groups through his work to help high-risk youth, change the GE curriculum at Pepperdine and bring awareness to cross-cultural mental health challenges.

The University has a lot to improve upon administratively, Martinez said, and he hopes Calderon’s project will have an effect on both the students and faculty permanently.

“The impact [of Calderon’s project] will be hopefully long lasting at Pepperdine rather than simply an event that occurs,” Martinez said. “That’s part of what I would call dealing with the concept of historical, generational prejudice and racism that unintentionally or unconsciously may be represented in this history at Pepperdine.”

Ultimately, Calderon and Martinez said the fellowship has opened doors and gives them hope for the future of Pepperdine — all people have to do, they said, is listen.

LIZA.ESQUIBIAS@PEPPERDINE.EDU

A4

OC TOBER 2 2, 2021

The Graphic

PEPPERDI NE- G R A P H I C .C O M

PERSPECTIVES Staff Editorial: This land is not our land

Correction: The article’s art was replaced to correct a misuse of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ official logo. epperdine is built on the land of a people who have been here for over 4,000 years, and it’s time we start recognizing them more.

On Oct. 9, President Biden officially proclaimed Oct. 11, 2021 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but he also formally recognized it as Columbus Day, too — both holidays that Pepperdine has rocky histories with.

Thus far, Pepperdine named a small roundabout in honor of the Chumash tribe.

After outcry from students, they also removed a statue of Christopher Columbus from the Malibu campus, according to a 2017 article from the Graphic.

So, it seems like Pepperdine is trying to recognize the concerns of students and Indigenous peoples.

At the same time, the statue was not fully removed but merely gifted to neighboring Thomas Aquinas College, according to a 2018 press release from the college. In cases like these, Pepperdine sends conflicting messages about who it should honor for the land it uses.

With the addition of the Office for Community Belonging and an ever-growing awareness of the importance of Indigenous peoples to this country, Pepperdine must do more to recognize Indigenous history and contributions.

The Statue and the Circle On Pepperdine’s campus, the issue of the Columbus statue came to a head with the removal of the statue in 2017.

In 2015, students protested the statue, arguing it violated the University’s mission, according to the same article from the Graphic. Students said they felt the statue was a symbol of murder, genocide and and that it praised Columbus for essentially stealing land from Native Americans. To this day, a plaque remains in the same spot, denoting, “The Columbus Section

P

Seating.”

In an effort to recognize Malibu’s local Indigenous people — the Chumash — Pepperdine named Chumash Circle in their honor. The circle is located near the Drescher apartments, a small roundabout most Pepperdine students are unaware of.

“Honestly, whenever I drive past that street, it actually makes me very angry,” said junior Samantha Wuensche, president of Pepperdine’s Indigenous People’s Club. “Every time I see it, I cringe; it’s such

A small roundabout tucked in a rarely visited spot on campus is insufficient for the recognition the Chumash deserve. If Pepperdine wishes to honor the Chumash by renaming a part of its campus after them, it should be a central place constantly used by students, like Alumni Park.

The Chumash people also have a national flag that could easily be flown alongside the American, California state and Pepperdine flags commonly seen on campus. In addition, a mural or painting from the Chumash people should be displayed in Payson Library or somewhere frequently visited by students to serve as a constant visual symbol of the Chumash people and the contributions they have and continue to make.

Student Involvement Since 2019, there’s an Indigenous People’s Club here at Pepperdine with a goal to “come together and immerse themselves within the Indigenous community. By providing enriching events and activities, the club hopes that students will grow in advocacy, inclusion, socialization, and leadership,” according to their statement on The Peppervine.

“I think if they really want to do something meaningful and not just performative, connecting with the Chumash tribal council,” Wuensche said.

SAMANTHA MILLER | ART EDITOR “Just having guest speakers or literally anything to edperformative activism, it’s disgusting.” ucate the people on this campus and recognize that At their greatest population, the Chumash peoPepperdine this is not their land, I mean this entire ple numbered over 20,000. Today, there are roughly country isn’t their land, but Pepperdine specifically is 4,000 people of Chumash descent, according to the on Chumash territory.”

LA Times. They inhabited the coast of California, The Office for Community Belonging should from modern day Malibu to Paso Robles — about make a public effort alongside the Indigenous 7,000 square miles. Now, most live in Ventura and People’s Club to engage with students and organize Santa Barbara counties. events that bring an Indigenous presence on campus.

Chumash culture largely centered around the In addition, for over 20 years, the city of Malibu ocean, including fishing and boat making, but they holds an annual Chumash Day Powwow at Malibu also used caves throughout the coastal mountains Bluffs Park, typically in April. This event is a free, to create colorful charcoal paintings. Even the name two-day gathering that showcases elements of Chu“Malibu” is derived from the Chumash word “Hum- mash art and culture. Pepperdine should encourage aliwo,” which translates, “The surf sounds loudly.” students to participate as well as volunteer when Most Pepperdine students, and even Malibu respossible. idents, are unfamiliar with the impact the Chumash Ultimately, Pepperdine should make a greater efpeople have had on the Malibu area — this needs to fort to recognize and celebrate the people whose land change. we use and meet on daily.

AN INSIDE LOOK Managing Editor Ashley Mowreader Special Edition Editor Rowan Toke Digital Editor Karl Winter Copy Chief Bryant Loney GNews Producer Christina Buravtsova Creative Director Ali Levens Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editors Anitiz Muonagolu Emily Shaw Business Director Inez Kim Advertising Director Sahej Bhasin Head Podcast Producer Kyle McCabe Pixel Editor Abby Wilt Photo Editor Ryan Brinkman Art Editor Samantha Miller News Editor

Emily Shaw Perspectives Editor Anitiz Muonagolu Life & Arts Editor Beth Gonzales Sports Editor Alec Matulka News Assistant Editor Sam Torre News Assistant Liza Esquibias News Staff Writers William Bacon Graeson Claunch Sierra Moses News Design Assistant Lillian Fong Abroad Correspondent Reagan Phillips Perspectives Assistant Editors Sarah Best Emily Chase Perspectives Assistant Sawa Yamakawa Perspectives Staff Writer Christian Parham Perspectives Copy Editor Ryan Bresingham Perspectives Design Assistant

Rachel Marek Life & Arts Assistant Addison Whiten Life & Arts Staff Writers Lydia duPerier Holly Fouche Tim Gay Yamillah Hurtado Stella Zhang Life & Arts Copy Editor Yamillah Hurtado Life & Arts Design Assistant Emilia Lekhter Sports Staff Writers Malia Bambrick Joe Doonan Jerry Jiang Austin LeDe’ Sports Copy Editor Whitney Bussell Sports Design Assistant Kaitlyn Davis Assistant Photo Editor Dane Bruhahn Mercer Greene Staff Photographers Ashton Bell Ella Coates Chloe Chan

Caroline Conder Denver Patterson Brandon Rubsamen Art Assistant Editor Leah Bae Staff Artists Autumn Hardwick Brian Zhou Design Assistants Mariah Hernandez Zoe Macarewa Ivan Manriquez Podcast Producers Joe Allgood Celine Foreman Anitiz Muonagolu Karl Winter Digital Assistant Editor Ryan Bough Social Team Sofia Longo Abby Wilt GNews Crew Joe Allgood Hunter Dunn Alex Payne Sofia Reyes Gabrielle Salgado Maria Tsvetkova

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor must bear the writer’s name, signature, class standing, major, address and phone number (except in some circumstances determined appropriate by the Graphic). Letters must be fewer than 300 words and will be edited for syntax, grammar and brevity. Letters can be mailed to student publications or emailed to peppgraphicmedia@ gmail.com.

A5

OC TOBE R 2 2 , 2 0 2 1 | PER S PEC TI VE S | PE PPE RDIN E G R A P H I C M E D I A

Remove heteronormativity from the default

ANITIZ MUONAGOLU PERSPECTIVES EDITOR Typically, people think of relationships as monogamous and between a man and a woman. But for those who are LGBTQ+ and with same-sex attraction, this isn’t always the case.

Heteronormativity should not be the standard for relationships. People should learn to accept the various ways people form relationships — especially in regard to the LGBTQ+ community.

Heteronormativitiy refers to views and actions that promote heterosexuality, or being straight, as the normal, default way of expressing sexual and romantic relationships.

More specifically, this can look like a monogamous relationship between a man and a woman implied as the default of what a healthy and wholesome relationship is.

For the queer community, these views aren’t something they can always fit into and can even be damaging for those who don’t align with them. However, some members of the queer community do try to fit into this unfair narrative of what a relationship should be.

“You want the house with the picket fence, you want the husband or the wife, you want the two-anda-half kids and a dog and you want the 9-to-5, and it’s very like a compartmentalized nuclear family,” said Hope Lockwood, junior president of Crossroads Gender and Sexuality Alliance. “It just happens to have two people of the same sex.”

This stereotypical way of life is what some LGBTQ+ individuals strive for — and they still receive scrutiny. Yet, those who are straight

can stray away from this norm and still be considered valid and sexually expressive.

“Straight people get to do whatever the hell they want; straight people get to go out and have multiple partners, they get to go out and go drink and party and have sex with whoever they want, and they’re allowed to do it because they’re straight,” Lockwood said. “So, why aren’t we allowed to do that; why is it that it’s suddenly so appalling for a gay person to want to do that?”

Christianity — and other religions, of course — place a huge emphasis on purity and chaste relationships. In religion, sex is always scrutinized — straight or otherwise — but when LGBTQ+ relationships are thought of as purely sexual, it causes a lot of misconceptions.

For some, when they hear the word “sexuality,” they focus so much on the aspect of sex that they forget the romantic aspect of sexual orientation. This is mainly seen in religion — one of the biggest contributors to creating this societal norm.

“Christian people will tie it [sexuality] to sin more than as if it kind of relates to romance,” said Abraham Kahkish, senior vice president of Crossroads GSA. People can clearly see the religious influence on sexuality, from political legislature to even Pepperdine’s own Sexual Relationship clause in the Student Code of Conduct.

The portrayal of queer characters in the entertainment media also paints LGBTQ+ relationships in unrealistic extremes.

“In TV, there is that hypersexualization, but then there are the gay characters who never get a relationship. They never are seen in any sexual matter, they aren’t seen kissing anyone. They just say, ‘Oh yeah, they’re gay,’ just to throw in there, but it’s always zero or 100,” said Danica Christy, junior and event chair of Crossroads GSA. “They never get a normal relationship, or in the same way, they’ll have either a perfect relationship or constant drama. They never get that middle ground that

BRIAN ZHOU | STAFF ARTIST

Two individuals go toward an entrance but stop, knowing they will never fit. LGBTQ+ individuals aren’t meant to fit in the heteronorm, and it’s time for mindsets to shift. straight couples do in TV.” Living this way of life causes people in the LGBTQ+ community to feel as if their identities need to be spectacles and can’t just be for themselves.

Luckily, there are ways to move away from this mindset.

“Public figures, as well as social media, are where we can drive out the heteronormativity,” Kakish said.

Seeing more people — celebrities or otherwise — become comfortable and accustomed to the different ways people express themselves openly and personally is a great start to changing this mindset. Stars like Joshua Basset and JoJo Siwa coming out are prime examples, especially among youth.

Then, culture naturally changes to where no one has to fit into this mold of heterosexuality as the default.

It’s also key to remember the LGBTQ+ community isn’t responsible for how homophobes and the current status quo want to define

them. They fit outside the norms and binaries the world tries to place them into.

Get over it. People are going to live how they want to live — it’s not the LGBTQ+ community’s job to make being queer better for others.

“We have tried completely separating our sexuality, and being so controlled and digestible, and they still didn’t like us then, and now we’re rebelling they obviously do not like that,” Christy said. “I really don’t know if there’s anything that we as a community can do, nor do I think that it’s our responsibility to make ourselves digestible and comfortable for any homophobic people.”

AJ.MUONAGOLU@PEPPERDINE.EDU

Why Year 2 Welcome wasn’t wor th it

SARAH BEST ASSISTANT PERSPECTIVES EDITOR The Pepperdine Year 2 Welcome was meant to be a fun social experience for both sophomores and transfer students, but the University overcharging for a New Student Orientation experience wasn’t worth it.

With a price tag of $1,500, participants attending this six-day program beginning Aug. 20, experienced opportunities to develop friendships and become familiar with available resources on campus. Parents and family members who wanted to attend were charged an additional $75 per person. This is the first time first-year students were charged for a New Student Orientation event.

The program took place partly on-campus and the latter portion at Forest Home, a summer camp in Forest Falls, Calif.

Though it was optional for students to attend — according to a Student Activities email from President Jim

Gash — they were given the chance to fill out the Financial Support Application if program costs posed an obstacle to their attendance. Yet, for many students, their $1,500 investment resulted in no available WiFi, nearly inedible food options and rat infestations.

Established in 1938, Forest Home offers exhilarating amenities, like a 30-foot giant swing, 100-foot waterslides and zip lines.

It promises an “unforgettable camp retreat experience,” according to Forest Home’s Yelp. With raving reviews on the retreat center’s Facebook page, one can only wonder how such a seemingly exciting place could give students such bad experiences overall.

With few options for those with dietary restrictions, the food options, in general, were nearly inedible, leading some students to resort to consuming limited options. Reports from students confirmed this.

“I ended up just eating salads the whole time. Just salads and fruit,” sophomore Sabrina Musharbash said.

Moreover, the University encouraged investments into the Year 2 experience, specifically for students who couldn’t afford to attend the Year 2 Welcome. The campaign goal was ambitiously set for $60,000, but with 27 donors, the University only managed to raise $5,660 — an amount to

BRIAN ZHOU | STAFF ARTIST

Rats scuttle across a floor of money with a “Welcome to Year 2” sign among the clutter. With such a high price tag, there is no reason why the Year 2 Welcome should have had so many issues. cover full attendance for a mere four students.

Similarly to Forest Home, the University promised a “joyous, fulfilling, and utterly unforgettable Pepperdine welcome” to those attending the Year 2 Welcome. Considering some students had to share a room with rats, it’s easy to imagine how “unforgettable” of an ordeal it was.

“I walked into our cabin, and there was a dead rat on the floor,” Musharbash said. “I know my friend, her and her dormmates, they had a rat walk over this girl’s foot.”

Other students who attended the trip also reported issues of rats and cockroaches in their cabins.

The University did not respond for comment about these concerns.

The Year 2 Welcome for the sophomore class could have been more thought out and significantly cheaper.

It should not have cost over $1,000 — or any amount, for that matter — to provide students with community-building experiences in preparation for the school year.

Though these poor experiences are not indicative of every student’s time on the Year 2 retreat, the University should not only issue an apology for the distress some students underwent but additionally offer a full refund to those whose experiences were tarnished.

SARAH.BEST@PEPPERDINE.EDU

A6

OC TOB E R 2 2 , 2 0 2 1 | N E W S | PE PPE RDINE G R A PH I C M E D I A

MASK: Students monitor mask-wearing FROM A1 Lin comes from a Chinese cultural background in which mask wearing is far more common than it is in the United States, so he has always been comfortable wearing a face covering to prevent the spread of disease, he said.

“If [mask wearing] means things can return to normal, then so be it,” Lin said.

Lin finds working as a PHA to be a meaningful position, and he wants to remind everyone that complying with the rules can prevent so many lives from being lost — it is about protecting others as well as yourself, Lin said.

Similar Efforts of Colleges and Universities Around the Country

Many other colleges and universities around the country, including the University of Rochester and the University of North Carolina at Asheville, implemented programs similar to the Pepperdine Health Ambassadors.

The PHA initiative is fairly new because Pepperdine did not hold in-person classes during the 2020-21 school year, so the efforts of other institutions whose classes were in person can serve as a model to Pepperdine.

The University of North Carolina at Asheville has a website dedicated to COVID facts and information. The page also includes links to videos featuring some of UNC Asheville’s Student Health Ambassadors, who cover topics on how to stay safe — as well as

expectations to follow COVID guidelines — for those who are on campus.

Zoe Black, University of Rochester’s program coordinator in the Health Promotion Office, said she started UR’s Public Health Ambassador program in Oct. 2020.

“Messaging coming from peers is a lot more impactful than messaging coming from employees and staff,” Black said.

During the 2020-21 school year, UR held some in-person classes while others remained online. Black said Public Health Ambassadors were student volunteers who promoted mask wearing via social media and other outlets rather than physically monitoring public spaces on campus.

This academic year, UR requires students to wear

masks and get the COVID vaccine, and UR has seen its COVID cases drop since last year, Black said.

Thus, Black said UR retired its Public Health Ambassadors program after the spring semester of 2021, and the Student Health Advisory Committee now focuses on ensuring the community remains vigilant and safe through educational efforts.

This semester, the Public Health Ambassador initiative merged with UR’s Student Health Advisory Committee, which serves to promote wellness through education and hosting educational events, Black said.

trains more Health Ambassadors, the community can expect to see more light blue T-shirts serving as a reminder to properly wear masks, Emrich said. Although this initiative is new, it is already in full force.

“At this point in the semester, we know it’s no fun to wear a mask all day long, or for an hour in a class,” Brewster said.

“But those are the LA County guidelines that are protecting us, and we’re doing well thus far, so there are a lot of reasons to celebrate campus behavior, and we’re working to improve it even more.”

What to Expect Moving Forward As Pepperdine hires and

SIERRA.MOSES@PEPPERDINE.EDU

Surf Convo worship resumes at Zuma The Pacific Ocean provides more than just a view for Pepperdine students. Surf Convo offers a community for those who want to grow their faith with one another while taking on the waves.

Every Wednesday at 7 a.m., Business Administration Professor Robert Shearer and Pepperdine students meet at Zuma Beach by Tower 13 for Surf Convo. Although the gathering retained its original name, Surf Convo is not related to the new Seaver 200 program — which replaced the convocation series — but remains as a space for fellowship.

“It hurt when we went from being a large ministry at Pepperdine, then after COVID, to almost nothing,” Shearer said. “It still hurts because I liked getting to know a large number of students on campus — but there’s goodness when you’re big, there’s goodness when you’re small.”

Surf Convo began in 2010, Shearer said, but the gathering came to a halt due to the pandemic. Now that the academic year has resumed in person, so has Surf Convo. The group meets for an hour of worship and spiritual conversation, followed by time to surf for those who choose to get into the water.

Surf Convo Structure

MISSION STATEMENT

Shearer said he joined Surf Convo in 2012 as a co-leader. Students often chose to attend the Wednesday gather-

ings for convocation credit, but this specific incentive is no longer offered.

At its peak, Surf Convo reached 300 students in attendance, Shearer said.

Since the resumption of Surf Convo, the number of students in attendance started off small with about three or four students and recently grew to 21, Shearer said.

Surf Convo begins with worship through song. Following this, Shearer gives a short message for the students to contemplate. Everyone then breaks off into small groups led by student leaders, which take place for 45 minutes to an hour. In groups, students discuss the message and make prayer requests.

Those who want to surf are able to do so afterward.

Not all in attendance choose to surf, and no one is required to know how to surf, Shearer said. Campus Recreation donated about 10 wetsuits and six surfboards to Surf Convo for those interested in surfing but do not have the equipment, he said.

“So when we say we go surfing, what that really means is a lot of us are teaching people how to surf,” Shearer said.

“You get more joy from getting somebody up on their first wave than you do getting your 582nd wave.”

Students Involved in Surf Convo Senior Kody Fields has attended Surf Convo since his first year at Pepperdine. Fields said he feels refreshed after starting his day so early — he utilizes this energy by working on home-

EMILY SHAW | NEWS EDITOR Pepperdine students meet by Tower 13 at Zuma Beach on Wednesday, Oct. 20, for Surf Convo. Now that the gatherings have resumed, all interested students are welcome to attend. work after.

Junior Myles Dennis has also attended Surf Convo since his first year.

Dennis’ favorite part of the Wednesday gatherings is the early morning start, he said.

“Don’t let the time be an excuse,” Dennis said. “If you’re really looking to be with people that also want to build community, then you should come.”

Students interested in participating in Surf Convo can attend at their leisure and Shearer suggests emailing him if an

“Pepperdine Graphic Media (PGM) is an editorially independent student news organization that focuses on Pepperdine University and the surrounding communities. PGM consists of the digital and print Graphic, a variety of special publications, GNews, Currents Magazine, social media platforms and an Advertising Department. These platforms serve the community with news, opinion, contemporary information and a public forum for discussion. PGM strengthens students for purpose, service and leadership by developing their skills in writing, editing and publication production, by providing a vehicle to integrate and implement their liberal arts education, and by developing students’ critical thinking through independent editorial judgment. PGM participates in Pepperdine’s Christian mission and affirmations, especially the pursuit of truth, excellence and freedom in a context of public service. Although PGM reports about Pepperdine University and coordinates with curricula in journalism and other disciplines, it is a student (not a University) news organization. Views expressed are diverse and, of course, do not correspond to all views of any University board, administration, faculty, staff, student or other constituency.”

individual has any questions or transportation needs, he said.

“We’re still here, we haven’t gone anywhere,” Shearer said. “For students looking for an outdoor community where they can learn to surf, teach others to surf, get better at surfing or grow their faith, we’re a good option.”

SIERRA.MOSES@PEPPERDINE.EDU

Email: peppgraphicmedia@gmail.com

CONTACT US

SIERRA MOSES STAFF WRITER

peppgraphicadvertising@gmail.com Phone: (310) 506-4311 Address: Graphic Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, CA 90263

OC TO BER 2 2, 2021

The Ghoulish

PEPPERDI NE- G R A P H I C .C O M

DEATH & ARTS

B1

Happy Haunting Halloween and urban legends continue to frighten ALI LEVENS | SPOOKY DIRECTOR YAMILLAH HURTADO DEATH AND ARTS COPY EDITOR Carved jack-o’-lanterns sit outside dorm rooms, spider webs and ghosts loom over the HAWC and students become frantic as they try to figure out what to dress up as. Alas, Halloween is here.

As we inch closer to the spooky day, the Pepperdine community embraces the holiday spirit. But, how did this day come to be?

The holiday started as an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain — a fire festival to celebrate the end of summer and welcome the fall harvest.

In ancient Europe, the Celts believed the barrier between the human world and underworld could collapse during the holiday — allowing spirits the opportunity to roam around earth.

Therefore, on this day, people believed if they lit bonfires and dressed in animal and monster costumes, they’d be able to ward off spirits. People would also fill bowls with food and place them outside their homes to ensure

ghosts wouldn’t enter.

During the Middle Ages, the traditions of Samhain changed — this is where jack-o’-lanterns come into the picture. Families attached carved turnips to sticks by string and embedded them with coal to protect themselves from spirits. Eventually, the Irish switched out these carved turnips to pumpkins, according to history.com.

In the ninth century, the traditions of Samhain were then adapted to the celebration of All Saints’ Day — a holiday on Nov. 1, that Pope Gregory III designated to honor all saints.

All Hallows’ Eve referred to the day before, Oct. 31, now commonly known as Halloween.

Halloween celebrations started in the Americas as Europeans migrated to New England and brought their beliefs and customs revolving around the holiday. Settler communities celebrated the harvest through sharing stories of the dead, dancing and singing. People adopted the tradition of dressing up in costumes and walking around neighborhoods asking

for food or money — this became known as trick-or-treating.

As Protestant beliefs spread throughout the United States, community leaders strove to make the holiday less frightening for children, thus it lost its roots in superstition and witchcraft by the 20th century.

Today, Halloween is a beloved holiday and is celebrated nationwide through house parties, costume contests, trick-ortreating and carving pumpkins.

On Halloween, being scared becomes exciting. People love being frightened and indulge in fear by walking through haunted houses and mazes, watching horror films and telling scary stories. In fact, haunted houses generate approximately $500 million in ticket sales a year, according to americanhaunts. com.

Halloween stories consist of spotting witches in the woods, werewolves underneath the full moon and zombies creeping out of graves — let’s take a look at some more urban legends.

One of the most famous ur-

ban legends is Slender Man. Slender Man is a haunting, faceless tall figure that lurks in black-and-white photos. It is said this creepy creature lures and abducts people in isolated places, and his victims are never to be seen again.

The myth emerged as a Creepypasta meme in 2009, when there was an online competition to photoshop pictures to create a supernatural story, and one user created the viral creature known as Slender Man. Another popular urban legend is the childhood tale of Bloody Mary. Rumor has it, if someone looks into a mirror and repeats “Blood Mary” three times, a bloody woman appears — sometimes holding a dead baby.

Some historians suspect this woman is Queen Mary I of England, who was known as “Bloody Mary” because she accused 280 Protestants of heresy and ordered them to burn at the stake, according to smithsonianmag.com. Mary also had a history of irregular menstrual cycles and miscarriages, which

also adds meaning to her nickname.

Aside from retelling frightening urban legends, students have opportunities to participate in Halloween festivities on campus.

One example is an on-campus Board event coming up is the Fall Farmer’s Market Festival on Oct. 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the Light House Patio.

“We will have booths featuring fall flower bouquets, pumpkin Sprinkle’s cupcakes and squash produce bags,” according to the Board’s October newsletter.

Students will also be able to pick up apple cider to complete the fall vibe.

As Halloween approaches and students stay out late participating in festive activities, make sure to be on the lookout for any creepy figures hiding in the distance, spirits looming around dorm rooms and scary spiders crawling around.

Happy Halloween!

YAMILLAH.HURTADO@PEPPERDINE.EDU

Body and Soul: Dreams and screams at Universal BETH GONZALES DEATH AND ARTS EDITOR Attending Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights has been a tradition of mine for a few years — the thrill of running and screaming while my favorite movie monsters scare me has always been enamoring for some reason. I was especially drawn in when they had a “Stranger Things” maze in 2018, and I convinced all my friends to go because it is my favorite show.

Horror Nights has been around since the late ’90s and runs for the month of October, with Halloween night being the hardest ticket to reserve. Universal decided to go all out this year after canceling Horror Nights 2020, and I couldn’t be happier I made it for the comeback.

This year’s mazes included “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” Netflix’s “The Haunting of Hill House,” a Universal original titled “The Curse of Pandora’s Box,” “The Exorcist” and more.

They also have shows such as Jabbawockeez dance group — which I enjoyed due to Michael Jackson’s “Pretty Young Thing” being on the setlist.

Universal also had Scream Queens — featuring classic female monsters such as the Bride of Frankenstein — and more.

As I walked in the park entrance through the Halloween fog, I could already see the actors coming toward me,

one with a blue mask that leered over me for almost two minutes before my cousin decided to tell me — I guess she wanted to hear the scream, and I can’t blame her.

I weaved my way through the crowd, navigated by glow-in-the-dark wristbands moving about, almost as if they were floating.

As I walked through Springfield while sneaking a few bites of my spider web chocolate cupcake, I heard the music playing specific to the “The Simpsons” Halloween episodes, the details continuing to amaze me. Oh, and of course, my own screams ringing through every maze — let’s be honest, they were the loudest of them all.

As I made my way through the “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” maze, I clutched my cousin’s arm so tight she laughed. I also held onto my half-drunk Coca-Cola — I purchased this not because I was thirsty, but because I wanted a safety net to hold onto during the duration of each maze.

As we made our way down the famous Universal escalators, we hopped on the Terror Tram — “The Forever Purge” is this year’s theme. The tram takes visitors along for a short, peaceful ride and then drops everyone off in front of the famous filming location for Hitchcock’s “Psycho.” The park’s monsters waited to scare us as we walked throughout the hotel, particularly ones with faux chainsaws — it was easy to

BETH GONZALES | DEATH AND ARTS EDITOR The official poster for Horror Nights 2021 sits tall as a photo opportunity before guests enter Universal Studios Hollywood. sense them coming as I inhaled the smoke.

“The Haunting of Hill House” maze is my favorite. As a fan of the show, I couldn’t believe I actually found myself standing in the “red room,” known for where Olivia Crane attempted to poison her kids.

The reflective light behind the windows showed ghosts behind the walls instead of reaching toward us. I was caught off guard when I had to catch the boy in front of me after he fell back-

ward due to a horrifying jump scare — we followed up after, shared a laugh and became friends.

After the night came to a close and we shopped for merchandise — a stuffed animal for myself as per usual — I was thinking about my night.

I noticed that, according to my sixth sense, it’s safe to say I did see dead people.

Happy Halloween from Life & Arts!

BETH.GONZALES@PEPPERDINE.EDU

B2

OC TOBE R 2 2, 2 0 2 1 | D E ATH AN D ARTS | PE PPE RDIN E G R A P H I C M E D I A

Students share cheap, trendy Halloween costume ideas LYDIA DUPERIER STAFF WRITER Harry Styles, “Squid Game” and M&M’s — the trendy Halloween costume ideas that are making their way in 2021. With the holiday coming up, some students already have a costume, while others are frantically looking before Oct. 31.

Dressing in costumes is a classic Halloween tradition — this idea started with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, where people would disguise themselves in costumes to ward off ghosts. Now, people use Halloween as an opportunity to dress up in creative ways for a chance to be someone they’re not. From easy group costumes, such as “Scooby-Doo,” to costumes based on hit TV shows, students share their previous costumes and ideas for the future.

“After college, there aren’t a whole lot of opportunities to wear a Halloween costume,” junior Abby Morrow said. “So I say go all out.”

First-year Katie Cannon said she has always felt connected to Halloween — the scary movies, haunted houses and free candy are all traditions she loves to celebrate. Cannon’s favorite part about Halloween is getting to dress up as whatever she wants.

“Being an October baby, I feel like I’ve always just been a Halloween baby and loved all things Halloween,” Cannon said.

Cannon’s favorite costumes are her previous group costumes with friends — one of which was an M&M’s-themed costume.

She and her friends wore colored shirts — either red, orange, yellow, brown, green or blue. Then, Cannon made matching colored tutus by tying tule around an elastic band to wear over leggings. To add detail, she used transfer paper to add a big “M” to each T-shirt.

Cannon said

the members of Scooby-Doo, she said. They bought sweaters from a resale store that matched the characters’ outfits and then used items they already had, like scarves and glasses, to add the final touches t o

article, some popular costume ideas are Olivia Rodrigo from the “good 4 u” music video, a “Squid Game” contestant and Harry Styles.

In the music video “good 4 u,” pop star Olivia Rodrigo wears a blue-andwhite cheerleader uniform with

LEAH BAE | ASSISTANT AR T Popular costume ideas for this season include Harry Styles, Olivia Rodrigo, a “Squid Game” contestant and more. Students said they have enjoyed dressing up with friends as Scooby-Doo and M&M’s. the costumes were simple and affordable to make.

Another great way to make a trendy costume on a budget is to find items at resale shops, students said. First-year Isabella Aydin said using items she bought at thrift stores helps her save money and ensure her outfit is sustainable.

One of Aydin’s favorite Halloween memories was when she and her family dressed up as

the costumes. Aydin said group costumes were an exciting way to celebrate Halloween.

“I love the photos and the jokes we make and all the memories it brings, because we tend to pick costumes that have sentimental value to us, so it makes it so fun,” Aydin said.

Every year, students tend to choose costumes that are relevant to pop culture. This year, according to a Cosmopolitan

black elbow-length gloves. To recreate this look, students can either thrift a cheer-uniform — Iguana Vintage on Hollywood Blvd., is known to have several — or wear a white or blue tank top with a tennis skirt. Students can find black gloves on Amazon.

Another idea stems from the new Netflix show “Squid Game.” The contestants in the show wear green tracksuits with

numbers on them. Students can easily imitate this by wearing a green top with matching bottoms and gluing on white numbers.

Another distinct costume idea from the show is the guards who enforce the rules of the game. Students can dress in all red and wear either a black ski mask or beanie. To get the full effect, students can cut out and glue a triangle, square or circle to their headpiece.

Harry Styles has worn multiple outfits that are easy to emulate. For example, in his 2021 Grammy Awards look, Styles sported a black leather jacket with matching pants and a green feather boa. Students can imitate this by wearing all black and a green boa that can be found on Amazon.

Another easy outfit to turn into a costume is Style’s cover outfit from the album “Fine Line.” Students can recreate this look by wearing baggy white pants and a hot-pink top.

Using Harry Style’s outfits to inspire Halloween costumes is an affordable way to tie relevant pop culture into the holiday.

Whether trick-or-treating in Malibu or heading to a pumpkin patch through the canyon, Pepperdine students say wearing Halloween costumes makes the holiday feel real.

“I love the fall spirit and I feel like it never really feels like fall in Malibu,” Morrow said. “So I like seeing Halloween decorations and everyone dress up; it just reminds me of that season.”

LYDIA.DUPERIER@PEPPERDINE.EDU

Pepp community shares favorite spooky snacks TIMOTHY GAY STAFF WRITER Halloween is just around the corner, which means spooky snacks for the season are coming back.

Halloween is a time to show off scary decorations as well as fun costumes, but it is also a time in which many can enjoy delicious themed snacks. Pepperdine students and faculty shared their favorite treats to try during the holiday.

One student makes homemade orange cookies that would bring all the ghouls and ghosts lining up to get a taste.

First-year David Harutunyan first learned how to bake these cookies from his grandmother when he was a little kid. Baking the cookies with his family made the whole process more special for him, he said.

“These orange cookies make for the perfect Halloween treat,” Harutunyan said. “The soft and flaky texture is combined with the rich, aromatic scent and taste of an orange.”

Orange is a classic Halloween color and also the prominent flavor in Harutunyan’s

cookies. He bakes each cookie with orange juice and then decorates them with grated orange peels.

Faculty also shared input on scary treats to make for Halloween. Theatre Professor Robin Larsen said her family makes candy sushi.

“We make Rice Krispies Treats and roll them with candy inside,” Larsen said.

Larsen said she got the recipe from the kids’ magazine Highlights for Children. There are also recipes on websites like Kraft Foods, The Spruce Eats and The Black Peppercorn that show variations of candy sushi.

Other than homemade snacks, first-year students Hunter Sarmiento and Ellie Blascziek both said their favorite treats to eat on Halloween are Pillsbury sugar cookies.

“I enjoy that they have fun designs like pumpkins and ghosts,” Sarmiento said. “It makes me feel in the fall spirit, and they taste yummy.”

Pillsbury sells various types of sugar cookies for different holidays — for Halloween, there are pumpkin and ghost designs on its cookies. Cookie

dough is also available for people to bake from scratch.

Different Pillsbury Halloween recipes can be found on its website to try — such as recipes for Wacky Monster cookies, Witch Hat cookies, Pumpkin Ice Cream cookies and more.

First-year student Anika Seneviratne said she enjoys frosted Halloween cookies.

“The frosted cookies that I have had tasted really good,” Seneviratne said.

Frosted Halloween sugar cookie recipes are available for students to attempt on Food Network. The site features different Halloween designs such as black cats, orange pumpkins, candy corn and white ghosts.

Other websites, such as Joy of Baking and Veronika’s Kitchen, also list their ingredients on how to make their versions of Halloween sugar cookies.

Sophomore Jacqueline Ferrari said snacking on candy corn brings back memories.

“It reminds me of being a kid again,” Ferrari said. “There’s nothing like going trick-ortreating and eating more candy than you usually do in a day.”

Candy corn can also cre-

ate different spooky desserts.

BRIT+CO lists 16 examples of Halloween desserts that can be made with the candy. Ideas include Candy Corn Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, Candy Corn Milkshake, Candy Corn Donuts and Candy Corn Sugar Cookies.

The BakerMama also presents a spooky snack board with many ideas for students to consider this upcoming holiday.

It features snacks such as spider cookies with pretzel legs, ghost bananas and tangerine pumpkins with celery sticks as a stem.

First-year student Ava Campbell said her favorite Halloween dessert is pumpkin bread.

“I love pumpkin bread because it reminds me of home, and it reminds me of being with my family,” Campbell said. “It has this warm cozy feel to it.”

The ingredients for Harutunyan’s orange cookie recipe call for two eggs, ¾ cups of sugar, ½ cup of plain yogurt, ½ cup of vegetable oil, one orange — juice and grated peel — sixto-seven cups of flour and 10 grams of baking powder. For

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBIN LARSEN Professor Robin Larsen’s daughter makes candy sushi on their crafting table. The Larsens use a kitchen roller to roll the Rice Krispies Treat with the gummies and Skittles inside. toppings, one heaping spoon of butter and three tablespoons of sugar can be used.

TIMOTHY.GAY@PEPPERDINE.EDU

OC TOBE R 2 2, 2 0 2 1 | D E ATH AN D ARTS | PE PPE RDINE G R A P H I C M E D I A

b3

Spooky movies bring out the Halloween spirit ADDISON WHITEN DEATH AND ARTS ASSISTANT Going on a hayride, carving pumpkins and walking through haunted houses are all common fall festivities, but a popular way to prepare for Halloween is watching Halloween movies.

While there are certain hallmarks of the season, like “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Hocus Pocus,” there are also movies less commonly associated with the holiday but are essential to watch in October.

Though they may not explicitly be Halloween movies, these films are still a perfect way to get into the spooky spirit.

Tim Burton is often associated with Halloween cinema as the creator of the story and characters in the iconic “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” but his 1988 film “Beetlejuice” should be just as essential in any fan’s annual watchlist.

“Beetlejuice”centers around a family who moves into a new home, unaware that the previous inhabitants, a young couple, still haunt the property after their untimely deaths.

The ghosts of the young couple, played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, befriend the family’s daughter, played by Winona Ryder, and enlist her in their plan to get their house back from her family. Along the

way, they ask the outlandish demon Beetlejuice, played by Michael Keaton, for his help, unknowingly creating a host of hilarious problems for themselves and the family living in their house.

This film gives a whimsical look at the afterlife, creating a hilarious story out of otherwise very dark topics like death and demonic forces. Some of the characters in this film inspire costumes each year, particularly Beetlejuice and Lydia.

Its mix of quirky and creative characters with its slightly scary quality make “Beetlejuice” a unique Halloween watch.

While “Beetlejuice” is a critically acclaimed, widely beloved film, “ParaNorman” is a criminally underrated Halloween movie.

“ParaNorman” is the story of Norman, a boy who can speak to ghosts and is alienated by his peers and family for his perceived strangeness. He lives in a small town in Massachusetts, where puritan zombies and the spirit of a young girl they killed for witchcraft rise from the dead, and Norman has to use his abilities to save the town.

“ParaNorman” is executed in beautiful claymation style and is visually stunning. It also boasts a lovable cast of characters and includes voice performances by actors like Anna Kendrick, Christopher MintzPlasse and John Goodman.

ADDISON WHITEN | DEATH AND ARTS ASSISTANT Characters from “ParaNorman,” “Beetlejuice” and “Scream” are distinct and showcase the style of the movie they represent. All three movies are spooky in their own way, and this variation of style emphasizes that.

Its best quality, however, is its heartwarming story and messages about being different and self-acceptance. This film manages a rare feat of being genuinely spooky while also having an uplifting story and characters worth rooting for.

Wes Craven’s “Scream” is a classic slasher film that is itself about the nature of horror movies. Unlike “Paranorman,” this film is well-known, but it is not explicitly a Halloween movie. Despite its lack of association directly with the holiday, it would be hard to imagine leaving this off a Halloween watchlist.

In “Scream,” high school student Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell, grieves the brutal murder of her mother while a masked se-

rial killer begins hunting down her classmates. Prescott and her friends try to figure out who the killer is as people continue disappearing, and just when the movie appears to be approaching its big reveal, a final plot twist turns everything upside down.

Renowned horror director Craven, also known for “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “The Hills Have Eyes,” uses “Scream” as a vehicle to talk about horror movies and discuss how many of them are similar due to the genre’s formulaic nature. There are multiple scenes in the film where characters discuss “rules” of horror films, and the film itself intentionally breaks many of these rules, creating unease for viewers when those conven-

tions are out the window.

Halloween is almost inseparable from the horror genre, so a fun teen slasher that is also all about the idea of horror cinema is an ideal way to get in the spirit of the season.

The upcoming January 2022 reboot of the franchise also makes “Scream” a relevant film to watch this year.

Although many people’s favorite films to watch as Oct. 31 approaches center around the holiday itself, there are many movies people miss out on if they stick only to supposedly Halloween movies.

Really, any film that gets people excited for the fall holiday, whatever that may look like, is a Halloween movie.

ADDIE.WHITEN@PEPPERDINE.EDU

ALI LEVENS | SPOOKY DIRECTOR

B4

OC TOBER 2 2, 2021

The Graphic

PEPPERDI NE- G R A P H I C .C O M

SPORTS Swim & Dive seek elusive conference ’ship JOE DOONAN STAFF WRITER It’s been a shorter offseason than usual for the Pepperdine Women’s Swim and Dive team, who concluded their 2020-21 season in April and began the 2021-22 season on Thursday, Oct. 7, against San Diego State.

Coming off a year where the program found success in many ways, finishing second at the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference Championships with five individual champions and four first-place relays, the team looks to take the next step.

“The team’s primary motivation this season is to win the PCSC Conference Championships in February,” senior Lindsey Marian said. “We have finished second for the last three years, and we truly believe this is our time to shine.”

The Waves dropped the opening meet to San Diego State 81-65 but came back with a strong performance over the weekend, placing first at the two-day Rodionoff Invitational on Oct. 8-9.

The Waves welcome back an athletically and academically decorated senior class, who have nearly done it all.

School records, individual championships, all-conference selections — the list goes on. The last challenge for this group is capturing the PCSC Conference Championship, which eluded them by a mere four points last season.

Seniors face the call to be top performers, as well as leaders, particularly for the less experienced athletes, and if any group can provide those elements for their team, it’s this one.

Second-year Head Coach Ellie Monobe, who was named Swim Coach of the Meet at the PCSC Championships last season, said she has high hopes and expectations for the senior class.

“I’m very excited that this is the group of seniors this year,” Monobe said. “They understood coming in that we have a large group of freshmen and underclassmen, and they are ready for the challenge. We’re defi-

nitely looking forward to them taking charge in the pool, but outside of the pool, they’ve very much been setting the tone in character and representing our team values well.”

The seniors put on strong performances to start the year. Paulina Holmberg led the Waves divers, finishing third overall at the Rodionoff Invitational with a final score of 248.45.

E m i l y Morton finished second in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:37.18 and third in the 100-yard backstroke finishing at 59.50.

These opening meets were the new recruiting class’ first appearance as Waves. This class is Monobe’s first group of recruits since coaching at Pepperdine.

LANDRY HENDRICK | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Lexie Martin (left) competes in the 3-meter dive and Martin finished fourth overall with a total score of 241.40, and Haley Bergthold (right) competes in Wo m e n ’s 2 0 0 - Ya r d IM at the Rodionoff Invitational on Oct. 9.

SEE SWIM | B5

Men’s Water Polo beats Irvine after stressful 4th period SAMANTHA TORRE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR No. 9 Pepperdine Men’s Water Polo beat No. 14 UC Irvine in their Golden Coast Conference opener in Malibu on Oct. 16. The game ended with a 9-6 win for the Waves.

The Waves started out strong, scoring seven of their nine goals in the first half, but stagnated in the third quarter and gave up three goals in the second half. The team struggled to make goals within the thirty second time period, often having to switch to defense before they could make a decisive play.

Pepperdine came back in the fourth quarter, solidifying their lead and ending the game with two more goals.

“I think the team was feeling pretty good about themselves,” Head Coach Terry Schroeder said. “We’re coming together and obviously we started the game how you want to start a game, on the scoreboard.”

Waves Start off Strong The Waves scored quickly, with senior center Nicholas Fichman nailing a goal in the first 20 seconds. Fichman’s shot, assisted by senior attacker Balazs

Kosa, pushed through UC Irvine goalkeeper Harrison Lands’ hands from the left side, and started the Waves’ momentum for the first quarter.

At the 6:06 mark, sophomore attacker Jake Howerton made the second goal into the net’s wide-open right side for the Waves. At the 5:23 mark, Irvine countered with their first goal of the game. Fichman came back to widen the gap, bringing the score to 3-1.

Sophomore center Travis Reynolds and sophomore center defender Nico Tierney both scored, giving the Waves a 5-1 lead. Tierney threw his shot close to the net, in a high, tight arc over the Irvine goalie. Irvine managed to score with 53 seconds left on the clock, bringing the final score of the first period to 5-2 Waves.

“Our centers are starting to do well,” Schroeder said. “Fichman and Travis Reynolds and Austin Smith, and everybody demanding respect in the center, so that’s opening up the outside jobs, so there’s a lot of things working.”

In the second quarter, the Waves and Anteaters battled to block each other’s goals at the net, before Kosa slammed the ball down into the net on a penal-

ty shot, bringing the game to 6-2 at the 2:30 mark. Both teams attempted goals until, at the 5:30 mark, senior attacker Sean Ferrari scored with an assist from Kosa.

Neither team was able to score for the remainder of the period, ending the first half with the Waves up 7-2.

“We got a lot of guys who scored balls,” Schroeder said. “Kosa is our leading scorer, he’s number 12, our senior, and he’s been doing a great j o b at practice. He’s able to score because he gets his hands on the ball, so on a counter attack many times he’s leading the counter and that’s what’s huge.

Waves Come Back in the Second Half Ferrari and Kosa started the second half with an attempt toward the goal, which Irvine’s goalie blocked at the net.

Irvine managed a goal early into the third period, bringing the score to 7-3 with 6:04 left on the clock.

Pepperdine and Irvine continued to make moves toward the goal only for each time to be intercepted or blocked at the net. Tierney stole the ball with less than 10 seconds left in the third period, but was unable to score in time,

leaving the Waves with a four point lead of 7-3.

During the fourth period, Irvine came back with a vengeance, scoring in less than a minute and bringing the score to 7-4. Ferrari made several attempts toward the goal only to be blocked despite passes from Tierney.

With six minutes left in the game, Irvine scored again. A precarious two points stood between a win and a tie, as the numbers 7-5 displayed on the scoreboard.

“Every game we want to come here and do our best,” Kosa said. “The end of the season’s coming up so there is no time for being lazy or taking a break.

You have to focus in every game as hard as possible.”

The Waves blocked two more attempts from Anteaters to tighten the game, with less than three minutes left on the clock. Both teams flung themselves into blocks and made aggressive shots at the net.

Neither team could find their passing rhythm until Kosa scored with 2:40 left on the clock, with a throw that bounced off the goalies’ left shoulder, widening the gap for the Waves and bringing the score to 8-5.

SEE POLO | B5

OC TOB E R 2 2 , 2 0 2 1 | S PO RTS | PE PPE RDIN E G R A P H I C M E D I A

B5

SWIM: Squad ready for big season FROM B4 It consists of nine swimmers and one diver, nine of whom are freshman with the other a graduate transfer.

Among this class are several sprinters, as well as utility swimmers, who can participate in several events, giving the team flexibility.

“It’s really hard when you don’t get official visits and have never really been on campus until you’re here when

school starts, but they’ve really jumped in with both feet,” Monobe said. “It feels like they’ve been here for a season when it’s only been a month.”

The freshman Waves started the season strong. Lexi Martin finished fourth overall among the divers in the meet against San Diego State, as well as at the Rodionoff Invitational.

Additionally, at the Rodionoff Invitational, Lexie Deitemeyer took second in the 100-yard butterfly, finishing at 59.03, and Lindsay Hemming

came in fourth in the 500yard freestyle with a time of 5:18.14.

In addition to the freshmen, who have to find their footing at Pepperdine, there’s been an adjustment period for the returning members leading up to the start of the season.

With policies in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, the lead-up to the season was a different experience than others before when it comes to balancing athletics and academics.

“It is definitely an adjustment, but one I am happy to make,” senior Sophia Anderson said. “We are very busy all the time, and not being able to eat in the classroom has definitely been challenging.”

Despite the circumstances, Anderson said, when it comes to training, the team has prepared similarly to other seasons and is starting to ramp up the intensity as they enter weeks five and six.

“The team is super excited about starting the season,”

LANDRY HENDRICK | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER (Top) Emily Morton begins a stroke in the Women’s 400-yard IM at the Rodionoff Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 9. Morton finished second with a time of 4:37.18. (Right) Paulina Holmberg competes in the 3-meter dive at the Rodionoff Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 9. Holmberg was the top diver for the Waves, taking third place.

POLO: Looks to future FROM B4 With 11 seconds left on the clock, Irvine once again managed to slip past the Waves defense, but it was too late to make up the four point lead, and the game ended 9-6 Waves.

I know they played better in the last quarter, we got lucky a couple times before, and I guess when we needed it most, and that’s what’s important.

BALAZS KOSA, senior attacker “Honestly, it’s just in this game sometimes they score, sometimes we score,” Kosa said. “I know they played better in

the last quarter, we got lucky a couple of times before, and I guess when we needed it the most, and that’s what’s important.”

Waves Continue in GCC Saturday’s game marked the secondto-last home game for the Waves, who will compete against University of the Pacific on Saturday, Oct. 23.

“I’m excited to be at our last home game, senior day as well,” Kosa said.

“Hopefully a bunch of people will come, it’s gonna be super exciting. We haven’t been in a long time so it should be fun.”

The GCC comes down to a tournament Nov. 21.

The team is hoping to get a top seed, Schroeder said, allowing them to skip the first day and play only a two-game tournament.

“We’ve won the tournament being the fifth seed, and we could come in any other way so continuing to grow as a team and continuing to learn what we can do,” Schroeder said. “You’ll see next weekend is a real tough one.”

JERRYCJIANG1919@GMAIL.COM

Marian said. “We have been putting in a bunch of work in the pool and in the weight room, and we are excited to get out and race.”

For their upcoming meets, the Waves will travel to Northern California for an all-important matchup with conference rival Cal State East Bay on Friday, Oct. 15, as well as UC Davis the following day.

JOE.DOONAN@PEPPERDINE.EDU

B6

OC TOB E R 2 2 , 2 0 2 1 | S PO RTS | PE PPE RDIN E G R A P H I C M E D I A

Sophomore forward Tori Waldeck (middle) puts her arms out in celebration of freshman midfielder Tabitha LaParl’s (left) goal in the 13th minute. LaParl now has two goals for the season.

The Waves clap for the home fans at Tari Frahm Rokus Field as they celebrate their 13th win of the season. The Waves’ next two games are on the road against Santa Clara on Wednesday, Oct. 20, and at home against Saint Mary’s on Saturday, Oct. 23.

PHOTOS BY RYAN BRINKMAN | PHOTO EDITOR AND BRANDON RUBSAMEN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

No. 3 Women’s Soccer bests Gonzaga (Below) Redshirt senior goalkeeper Zoe Clevely winds up for a goalkick near the end of the first half. Clevely leads the WCC in a number of stats this season, including save percentage and goals-against average.

ALEC MATULKA SPORTS EDITOR No. 3 Pepperdine Women’s Soccer maintained its perfect record in West Coast Conference play with a comprehensive 3-0 home victory over Gonzaga on Saturday, Oct. 16.

The Waves benefited from two quick-fire goals by freshman midfielder Tabitha Laparl and redshirt senior defender Kelsey Hill, fewer than two minutes apart midway through the first half. Sophomore forward Tori Waldeck added a goal midway through the second half to

seal the victory.

The Waves defense posted its 10th shutout of the season, and has not conceded a goal in the past 694 minutes of play.

Redshirt senior goalkeeper Zoe Clevely was spotless once again, and led the WCC in save percentage (.881) and goals-against average (0.36) after the match.

Now 9-1 on the road and 13-2 in the season, following a 4-0 away loss to Santa Clara on Wednesday, Oct. 20, Pepperdine sits at third in the WCC. ALEC.MATULKA@PEPPERDINE.EDU

(Top) Redshirt freshman defender Kam Pickett (No. 30) wrestles with a Gonzaga player for control of the ball in the midfield.

Pickett has been a consistent feature in the backline throughout the season.

(Bottom) The Pepperdine scoreboard incorrectly reads “98-0” in the 13th minute, after the first of the Waves’ goals. Although the Waves have put up an impressive 35 goals on the season, they have yet to score 98 in a single game.

B7

OC TOB E R 2 2 , 2 0 2 1 | S PO RTS | PE PPE RDIN E G R A P H I C M E D I A

Hot Shots: Football — I’ll pass AJ MUONAGOLU PERSPECTIVES EDITOR So what’s the big deal with American football? Like, what is everyone cheering for?

While you may be able to see the quarterback throw a 40-yard pass to the wide receiver for a touchdown, there is simply too much to focus on when it comes to football. It’s time for people to get over the hype, and realize football is the most unsatisfying sport to watch because it leaves many of its players out of the limelight.

Football has a lot of moving parts, and as someone watching the game, the only people one usually looks at are the quarterback and the receivers.

With 11 people on each team, there is no way you can focus on all aspects of what’s going on — especially if you are in a packed stadium.

Football is unsatisfying to watch due to its cluttered nature and its neglect of parts of the team — like defense, special teams and kickers, whom are oftentimes overlooked despite their contributions being able to make or break a game.

Now, compare this to basketball. Five people from each team are on the court, and you can see how each person participates. From pass-

es and dribbles to offensive screens, basketball is satisfying to watch because you can see each player closely and can directly see all of the action.

For a slightly larger comparison, we can look at baseball, which has nine players on the field.

In this case, while there are more players who are widely scattered on the field, a person only needs to follow where the baseball is going.

In football, even when someone is on the offensive, there are still defensive elements that the viewer is missing, such as the blockers.

Baseball is straightforward in its placements, which allows the audience to witness the action clearly.

If the baseball lands in the outfield, you focus on the outfielder and how each baseman contributes to getting the batter out.

Even though someone may not be focused on all the action like basketball, each person still has equal potential to shine both offensively, as the batter, and defensively, depending on where the ball is hit.

Yet, some may say, “Well, golf isn’t that interesting! How could that be better to watch than football?”

In golf, a person can watch

SAMANTHA MILLER | ART EDITOR A cartoon football player throws a pass to a disgruntled colleague off frame.

For Perspectives Editor AJ Muonagolu, football is not a sport worth watching. how the golfer putts and drives the ball toward the hole. No one is left out because golf in and of itself is meant to be more reflective and personal compared to football, which leaves many of its players out in the cold.

Keep choosing your fantasy football leagues and arguing about who is the best team, but when it comes to watching it, just change the channel and

don’t bother wasting money. Football tickets cost on average the most of any professional athletic event, from $167 to $926, compared to an NBA game that can range from $71 to $176. This is a huge waste of money, considering how little you can focus on as a viewer.

I’m not an American football hater, but let’s just face the facts: No one can pay at-

tention to everything happening in a football game; there’s just too much going on.

Look up the scores the next day and watch a sport that can really get your blood pumping — like basketball season and the rush of March Madness.

AJ.MUONAGOLU@PEPPERDINE.EDU

Opinion: PGM picks NFL Week 7 ALEC MATULKA SPORTS EDITOR It’s Week 7 of the 2021-22 NFL season, and the race for divisional pole position is heating up.

The Jaguars won their first game of the season in Week 6, although they had to go to London to do so. The Rams, Packers and Cardinals all rode to dominant wins, and the Raiders began the post-Gruden era with a win in Denver. Tennessee came out with a statement win against Buffalo on Monday Night Football, out-scoring a strong Bills offense 34-31.

An AFC-North clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens and a rematch of the 2019 AFC Championship game between the Chiefs and the Titans headline Week 7. The Broncos travel to Cleveland for Thursday Night Football, the Colts take on the 49ers on Sunday night and the Saints go to Seattle on Monday, Oct. 25.

Regarding the 2020-21 NFL Picks leaderboard, the margin for error narrowed considerably. Digital Editor Karl Winter holds on to the number one spot after going 8-6 in Week 6, but staff writer Joe Doonan closed the gap to just three games with an impressive 10-4 Week 6 showing. Meanwhile, at the other end, Sports Editor Alec Matulka, Creative Director Ali Levens and staff writer Austin LeDe’ are all within two games of each other.

Denver Broncos (3-3) at Cleveland Browns (3-3) (Thursday, Oct. 21 at 5:20 p.m., PDT)

Broncos: Joe Browns: Karl, Alec, Austin, Ali “With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt both out, the Browns can’t follow a typical game plan. Baker Mayfield will have to be great, and I don’t think he is. Broncos, barely.” — Joe Washington Football Team (2-4) at Green Bay Packers (5-1) (Sunday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m., PDT) Packers: Joe, Karl, Alec, Austin, Ali “Cheese.” — Ali Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) at Baltimore Ravens (5-1) (Sunday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m., PDT)

ALI LEVENS | CREATIVE DIRECTOR Digital Editor Karl Winter holds his place as No. 1 in the Graphic staff’s NFL Picks table. The rest of the pack look to catch up to Karl in the remaining weeks of the season.

Ravens: Joe, Karl, Alec, Austin, Ali “I think it will be a close game, as the Bengals have been a nice surprise team all year, but Lamar [Jackson] will be too much for them because he is balling right now.” — Austin Chicago Bears (3-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) (Sunday, Oct. 24 at 1:25 p.m., PDT) Bucs: Joe, Karl, Alec, Austin, Ali “Though the Bears won this matchup in 2020, the Bucs were far from the juggernaut they are now. Justin Fields continues to develop well, but there are some growing pains. I will note that the line is Bucs -12.5 as I write

this — I would pick the Bears if we were picking against the spread.” — Karl

25 at 5:15 p.m., PDT)

Indianapolis Colts (2-4) at San Francisco 49ers (2-3) (Sunday, Oct. 24 at 5:20 p.m., PDT)

“The Colts looked strong last week.

I haven’t seen much from the 49ers, and frankly, I really could care less about them.” — Ali

“I want to give the Seahawks a lot of credit for how they played on Sunday, but, at the same time, I think you really saw the limits of Geno Smith’s play, especially in overtime. Some good news for Seahawks fans is that I saw Russell Wilson in a Subway commercial that aired during Sunday’s game, and he’s looking happy and healthy. Clearly, he’s been eating fresh. So maybe he’ll be back sooner than expected, who knows.” — Alec

New Orleans Saints (3-2) at Seattle Seahawks (2-4) (Monday, Oct.

ALEC.MATULKA@PEPPERDINE.EDU

49ers: Joe, Karl, Alec, Austin Colts: Ali

Saints: Joe, Karl, Alec, Austin, Ali

B8

OC TOB E R 2 2 , 2 0 2 1 | S PO RTS | PE PPE RDIN E G R A P H I C M E D I A

Women’s Indoor Volleyball falls to BYU JERRY JIANG STAFF WRITER No. 25 Pepperdine Women’s Indoor Volleyball (13-4) lost to No. 8 Brigham Young University (18-1) in four sets 25-21, 19-25, 10-25, 16-25 on Saturday, Oct. 16.

Since their five-set thriller win over Loyola Marymount, the Waves had a difficult week — losing to Pacific and University of San Diego, but edging out a sweep over Saint Mary’s College. The Waves struggled against BYU in the past, with BYU having a 2910 record and winning the last matchup this past February.

“We know the things we need to get better individually on and as a team, and there’s no other way to do it,” Head Coach Scott Wong said.

“There’s no other way, we just gotta change.”

The Waves won the first set, which was no small feat, given the fact BYU swept nine of their last 11 opponents in straight sets.

With the Waves down 6-3, freshman outside hitter Grace Chillingworth charged up the offense by scoring on a kill, assisted by junior setter Isabel Zelaya.

The Waves quickly went on a 5-0 scoring run, getting help from two Cougar errors increasing the lead to 8-6 and forcing BYU to call a timeout.

Both teams responded by trading points. Sophomore outside hitter Emma Ammerman started a quick offensive burst by converting on a kill.

Senior middle blocker Rosie Ballo added to the run by scoring a kill, and senior outside hitter Rachel Ahrens contributed with a service ace, increasing the lead to 23-17.

“I think the biggest thing is to stay involved and kind of

reading the play early so we know what’s coming,” Zelaya said. “I think we did a good job of changing that at the end there.”

This mini run proved to be the edge the Waves needed because they claimed the first set.

But the Waves had to work for their points, and that proved to be the theme of the game. The Cougars set the tone early, getting defensive stops and forcing the Waves into long rallies to score their points.

“BYU dug some balls and I thought they were pretty good with some defensive moves,” Wong said. “But whenever there’s a long rally, our goal is to always win those — we want to win the long rallies.”

The second set was a bit of the same, but had the opposite result.

Those long rallies came into play during the second set. In the middle of one long rally, the Cougars thought they had scored and stopped playing, but the Waves didn’t overreact, and Ballo scored on a block with BYU leading 10-9.

The Waves put on a 4-1 scoring run, which started on an Ammerman kill. BYU responded with a kill from junior middle blocker Heather Gneiting, but sophomore middle blocker Meg Brown and Ammerman teamed up on a block, tying the score at 13 and prompting another BYU timeout.

Fifth-year opposite hitter Kenzie Koerber racked up a kill, which sparked a quick 4-1 run from BYU to increase their lead to 23-18. This proved too much for the Waves, and the Cougars won the set.

“I think we get too relaxed and we’re not on top of things anymore,” Ahrens said. “I

think just being mentally engaged and just knowing what our roles are on the court will help out a ton and that lack of mental awareness there.”

While the first two sets were full of action, BYU showed why they are one of the toughest teams in the West Coast Conference and only allowed 10 points in the third set.

Early on in the third set, Ammerman scored on a kill, and Ahrens converted on a service ace, tying the game at two apiece. After that, the Waves quickly lost control of the set.

The Cougars scored nine straight points and had an impressive hitting percentage of .407 in the third set. The Waves could not recover from that bombardment, and the score quickly ballooned to 112.

“They started serving a lot better during the third set, and we weren’t serving as tough,” Wong said. “Offensively, it’s hard to stop a team with that many weapons. I thought for set one and set two we served them tough, and that’s what we needed to keep on doing.”

Despite the two Waves timeouts called during the stretch, the Cougars did not slow down and went on another 5-0 scoring run, increasing their lead to 20-6 and defeating any hopes of a comeback.

The Cougars won the set convincingly with a final score of 25-10.

“I think the mental adjustment that we needed to make was just playing together,” Zelaya said. “We started to spread out, but at the end we started to pick it up that last set.”

After a lackadaisical effort in the third set, the Waves responded in the fourth set with more energy. Early points

MERCER GREENE | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Senior libero Madison Shields (pink) goes for a dig in the Waves’ loss to BYU on Saturday, Oct. 16.

Shields led the team with 18 digs for the night. came from an Ahrens kill and a service error from the Cougars.

But the Waves found themselves stuck in their earlier situation, as the Cougars offense was firing on all cylinders by that point in the match. The Cougars went on a 6-1 scoring run, with the Waves catching a break on a service error committed by sophomore libero Madi Allen.

Wong called a timeout when the score was 9-4, hoping to interrupt the Cougar’s offensive rhythm, but to no avail.

The Waves could not string together consistent stops and could not find enough juice on the offensive end.

To conclude the fourth, BYU went on a 4-1 run and gained enough separation with the score at 20-11.

Eventually, an attack error from Ahrens and a kill by BYU junior setter Whitney Bower ended the set at 25-16.

“We’re definitely not our best,” Wong said. “Our team has been at a steady wave of energy and even [at] set one I thought we were really steady,

and we just played a little better.”

The Waves look for redemption during their upcoming three-game road trip against Gonzaga on Oct. 21, Portland on Oct. 23 and LMU on Oct. 29.

For the Waves, these games are more than just a few regular season matches. Zelaya said the Waves are looking to bounce back by working harder during practice.

“The biggest thing for us is that we know it’s early in the season,” Zelaya said. “We’re going to get in the gym Monday and be ready to work on those changes to keep winning out the rest of the season.”

JERRYCJIANG1919@GMAIL.COM

UP C OMING ATHL ETIC E VE N TS SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

WHAT: MTEN ITA SOUTHWEST REGIONALS WHERE: MALIBU, CALIF. WHEN: ALL DAY

WHAT: MTEN ITA SOUTHWEST REGIONALS WHERE: MALIBU, CALIF. WHEN: ALL DAY

WHAT: MTEN ITA SOUTHWEST REGIONALS WHERE: MALIBU, CALIF. WHEN: ALL DAY

WHAT: MGOLF @ E AST L AKE CUP WHERE: ATL ANTA , GA .

WHEN: ALL DAY

NO GAMES :(

WHAT: W TEN ITA SOUTHWEST REGIONALS WHERE: SAN DIEGO, CALIF. WHEN: ALL DAY

WHAT: W TEN ITA SOUTHWEST REGIONALS WHERE: SAN DIEGO, CALIF. WHEN: ALL DAY

WHAT: MGOLF @ E AST L AKE CUP WHERE: ATL ANTA , GA .

WHEN: ALL DAY

WHAT: MWP @ UCL A WHERE: LOS ANGELES, CALIF. WHEN: NOON, PDT

WHAT: MGOLF @ E AST L AKE CUP WHERE: ATL ANTA , GA .

WHEN: ALL DAY

WHAT: XC @ WCC WHERE: CONCORD, CALIF. WHEN: 10 A .M., PDT WHAT: MWP @ UC DAVIS WHERE: DAVIS, CALIF. WHEN: 2 P.M., PDT WHAT: W VB @ LOYOL A MARYMOUNT WHERE: LOS ANGELES, CALIF. WHEN: 7 P.M., PDT

WHAT: MWP @ SAN JOSE STATE WHERE: SAN JOSE , CALIF. WHEN: 1 P.M., PDT WHAT: MBKB @ POINT LOMA NA ZARENE (E XHIBITION) WHERE: SAN DIEGO, CALIF. WHEN: 7 P.M., PDT WHAT: WSOC @ SAN FR ANCISCO WHERE: SAN FR ANCISCO, CALIF. WHEN: 7 P.M., PDT