Humans of Pepperdine .. Ooreoluwa Okediji

Ooreoluwa Okediji’s Passion for Social Justice and Fashion

by Yamillah Hurtado Senior Ooreoluwa Okediji and in her ability to express herself her family moved to the United through the clothes she wears and States from Nigeria when she was experimenting with different styles. just 15 years old, and her love for her Okediji said she dreams of home country remains at the core creating a fashion brand one day of her passions. that will focus on Nigerian culture, As a political science major, specifically the styles of her tribe, Okediji said she wishes to one day Yoruba. bring political reformation and so- “It’s the most beautiful thing cial justice to Nigeria after building with the vibrant colors, the pata political platform for herself. She terns, the headwraps and jewelry,” hopes that by the time she occu- Okediji said. pies a position in politics there will She said she hopes to push Nialready be progressive politicians gerian models and designers to the in office she can work with to move forefront of the fashion industry. Nigeria forward. Okediji said she believes in her “It’s extremely saddening to country and its potential to be a study all of the negative effects progressive and innovative nation. imperialism has had in my home,” She said she looks forward to helpOkediji said. “We have all these ing bring her home into the global intelligent Nigerians that are going spotlight through political reformaPhoto courtesy of Ooreoluwa Okediji abroad and we are not reaping the benefits [of their labor] because the tion and her passion for fashion. “I’m proud of my heritage,” system is just so broken.” Okediji said. “I’m proud of where From politics to prints and I’m from. I want my home to do patterns, Okediji said she also has a well, you know, I want it to excel.” Lexi Scanlon Goes Sustainable by Lydia duPerier

Senior Lexi Scanlon is passionate about the way humans connect with the environment.

Scanlon, a double major in political science and sociology with a minor in sustainability, grew up in Bakersfield, California. Scanlon said she was not always fond of her town’s agricultural focus but grew to love it.

In summer 2020, Scanlon worked on a small sustainable farm in her hometown, where she saw how agriculture could be more environmentally friendly. The model of the farm is an edible schoolyard. She spent most of the time planting and harvesting seasonal crops, using sustainable methods.

“It was a really great way to actually learn some of the science behind farming and to understand the deep love for fashion. She delights hard work that goes behind farming sustainably,” Scanlon said.

Scanlon is a member of the Young Evangelicals For Climate Action. The organization requires her to work on a project she can implement in the future. She wants to create a mini magazine for Pepperdine students that would inform students about where Pepperdine is environmentally and include topics relating to students’ interests, like surf patterns.

“I would really like to give back to where I have gotten my education,” Scanlon said.

Down the road, Scanlon said she hopes to implement mandatory climate change and environmental courses on college campuses — perhaps her own — to further educate the future leaders of America.

Diego Perez Lets the Music Speak

by Yamillah Hurtado

Photo courtesy of Diego Perez

Taylor Begert, worship director of The Well, originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue singing and songwriting. Over time, he said his faith began to compliment his love for music.

“I love the Lord and I love music, and getting to participate in the interaction of that in a communal space is just — it’s just insane,” Begert said.

Begert said the biggest sign of his connection with God happened when he was performing a cover of the Coldplay song “Yellow.” Begert said he remembers staring out into the crowd and realizing that he was worshipping as he sang.

“If I can worship [through] playing, then I’m really doing this,” Begert said. “I’m really doing something cool.”

Now, combining music and worship has become both his occupation and vocation.

“I sat down one night, and I said, ‘God, I know that you told me to do music with my life,’” Begert

They say let the music speak. Music allows sophomore Diego Perez to express his emotions and surrender them to God.

For the past two years, Perez has grown as a musician, learned about music production and developed his skills as a singer, guitarist, pianist and drummer.

“Writing my own music has helped me strengthen my relationship with God because it’s my voice, my story,” Perez said.

Perez said he doesn’t want to be tied down to a specific genre of music. He said he would much rather create his own sound and keep experimenting with different musical techniques. Although creating music can be challenging, he loves the freedom it brings.

“Writing lyrics is definitely the hardest thing,” Perez said. “It’s hard being vulnerable, but if you have something you really want to say, you can just say it [in song].”

Along with music, Perez – a religion major – has a love for said. “’But I think I’m doing it the wrong way because there’s no really viable path to success right now.”

After a lot of prayer and deliberation, Begert stopped performing covers and began to pursue worship full-time.

“I ended up at Pepperdine because I had a part-time worship job and I was looking to fill the rest of my time with more worship ministry,” Begert said. “I got brought in to lead what was formerly a student-led worship night.”

Over time, the organization grew into Pepperdine’s “The Well,” a popular and highly attended weekly worship session.

“Music is kind of an infinite pursuit; there’s no such thing as arriving in music, and I believe God to be infinite,” Begert said. “I believe that you can never know everything there is to know about God, there’s never a relationship with God that is fully developed and has nowhere to go.” God that runs deep. Perez grew up knowing and believing in God, but there was a time where he had walked away from his non-denominational church. It wasn’t until the death of his father, Perez said, that he decided to take his walk with God more seriously.

“Maybe a couple of months after I fell away from my faith, my dad got cancer and passed away three months later,” Perez said. “Something about that made me believe in God again.”

Through this life-changing experience, Perez said God revealed Himself. One thing that lifted Perez out of this hardship is the story of Jesus being tempted to sin for 40 days.

“We’re going to go through hard times, but you need to experience hell in order to help others experience heaven,” Perez said.

For Perez, music has been a vessel to showcase vulnerability and

Taylor Begert

worship God.

Connects his Love of God with Music

by Samantha torre