THE PEPPERDINE GRAPHIC VOLUME LI | ISSUE 4 | OCTOBER 1, 2021 | PEPPERDINE-GRAPHIC.COM | FOLLOW US @PEPPGRAPHIC
NEW ZEALAND SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM
Attendants of the New Zealand pilot program pose in various locations across the country in June 2018. IP closed the program after two years.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHANNA STEINMETZ ALI LEVENS | CREATIVE DIRECTOR SAMANTHA TORRE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Pepperdine’s International Programs announced the closure of its New Zealand Program focused on sustainability in the summer of 2019. This
W H AT ’ S AHE A D THE WAVES REPORT
closure forced students and faculty to consider other plans within the Sustainability program. The Sustainability minor program began six years ago, and the contract major has been offered for several years, Chris Doran — founder and
coordinator of the Sustainability minor and Religion professor — said. International Programs staff and Doran work to create a new sustainability-themed international program and find space within old ones for Sustainability classes.
Class of 2020 alumna and sustainability minor Channa Steinmetz, who is a former executive editor of the Graphic, participated in the New Zealand program in the pilot trip in June 2018. “I was realizing how I felt in nature through these hikes
and through meeting people and locals, that is what really brought me closer to what my form of spirituality is,” Steinmetz said. “I can’t say that happened a lot during Pepperdine.”
SEE CANCELED | A3
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PER S PEC TI VE S
LI FE & ART S
SP O RT S
County Medical A3- LA Examiner-Coroner
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Staff Editorial: Support one another as we transition this year.
and Arts Editor Beth B1- Life Gonzales shares her favorite
star and Seaver B5- Volleyball alumna Kim Hill reflects
the new first-year A6- Meet SGA class officers.
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Two Graphic staff members defend Taylor Swift from her haters in a Petty Perspective.
Board hosted its first B3- The CoffeeHouse event for fall
Soccer goes B7- Women’s undefeated in Texas,
identifies victim of fatal PCH accident.
FRI: 1-2 FT
SAT: 1-2 FT
sad songs.
2021.
SUN: 1-2 FT
on the Olympics.
MON: 1-2 FT
moving up national rankings.
TUES: 1-2 FT
ADDISON WHITEN STAFF WRITER Pepperdine is one of the most beautiful college campuses in America, located in gorgeous Malibu, home to some of the best surfing spots in the country. Many students come to Pepperdine to experience living in a small, safe, star-studded community that offers proximity to both stunning beaches and Los Angeles. Living in Malibu has enumerable advantages, but despite popular belief, it’s not perfect. Low walkability, lack of affordable dining options and shopping and the fact that everything here seems to close at 6 p.m., make it a unique college town, to say the least. Parking at Pepperdine has never been fun, but it’s particularly painful this year, as we welcomed our biggest first-year class ever and said goodbye to some parking spots to construction and COVID-19 testing tents. A simple solution to this problem would be to have fewer students with cars; however, in Malibu, this is just not feasible, because the city is not very walkable. Sure, you can get down to PCH from campus pretty easily, but wandering down from campus at all guarantees a steep hike back up. Not to mention the nearest Target would be a seven-hour trip on foot. The distance between us and Target is indicative of another problem, and that is our separation from civilization, or anything that is not either Ralph’s or an insanely expensive boutique. Malibu is a wealthy community (understatement of the century). Unfortunately, we are not local millionaires — we are college students. A majority of the businesses here are financially out of our reach. College students thrive on cheap food, which presents another wrinkle in Malibu living: the lack thereof near campus. Malibu is a quiet beach town, which is nice on days you want to be at a quiet beach, but literally any other time, it’s pretty annoying. There are no businesses geared toward college students, no cool nightlife spots and no Greek row. To do anything fun that does not involve the outdoors or sitting in a dorm room on the weekends, you probably have to go through the canyon or to Los Angeles or Santa Monica. This is a lot for me personally, especially when my friends at other schools can simply walk to fun weekend activities. There are honestly a lot of cons to Malibu living, but the pros do outweigh them. Being this close to the beach is priceless (even though we actually pay a pretty high price), and it feels ungrateful to complain about being here with the views we have on campus. No matter how silly it may feel to gripe about being in Malibu, it’s not a perfect place — but it is really close. ADDISON.WHITEN@PEPPERDINE.EDU
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THE DPS REPORTS
TWEETS AND MEMES OF THE WEEK
CHECK OUT PEPPERDINE.EDU/PUBLICSAFETY FOR THE WEEKLY DPS REPORTS
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9/23/21 2:19 p.m. Crime: Larceny/Theft Theft From Building Location: TAC 9/25/21 11:24 a.m. Crime: Larceny/Theft Grand Theft of Property Location: Facility Services
9/24/21 7:56 a.m. Crime: Hit and Run Non-Injury Incident Location: Rho Parking Lot 9/26/21 3:10 p.m. Crime: Trespassing Location: Alumni Park
THIS WEEK IN SGA On Sept. 29, SGA approved a resolution proposed by Senior Class Senator Jerry Calderon, advocating that the Seaver administration allows ICC clubs and organizations to provide their members with organizational regalia to wear at Seaver College graduation. SGA’s next senate meeting, which is open to the public, is Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 8 a.m., in TAC room 100.
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WHAT: “C areers with Social Impact” Vir tual Industr y Fair WHEN: 1 1 a.m. WHERE: Vir tual HOST: Seaver C areer Center
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COVID-19 numbers and new guidelines
A2 The Fine Print: Malibu is not perfect
WED 6
WHAT: MCAT Strategy Session WHEN: 1 1 a.m. WHERE: Vir tual HOST: Seaver C areer Center
THURS 7
WHAT: An Evening with J.D. Souther WHEN: 8 p.m. WHERE: Smothers Theatre HOST: Center for the Ar ts
FRI 8
WHAT: Waves Weekend Madness Village WHEN: 5:30 p.m. WHERE: Firestone Fieldhouse Parking L ot HOST: The Board
Pepperdine
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United States
cases*
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deaths*
deaths
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85 647 4.4M 43.2M ZERO 10 68K 692K 87% Sept. 24 | Pepperdine validates community vaccination rates across the five schools
students vaccinated
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*Numbers since Aug. 1
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CLOSED: Students reflect on New Zealand FROM A1 IP and Sustainability Program Explore New Opportunities International Programs Dean Beth Laux said, as the New Zealand program expanded, IP ran into problems with its travel partner. “We had a capacity issue,” Laux said. “We had more students who wanted to go than we can actually accommodate, and this was a situation where, with some flexibility, we might have been able to create a program that was adequate to serve more students.” With the Sustainability program gaining popularity on campus, Laux said, IP has been working on establishing a new opportunity for Sustainability classes. “We know there’s a need, we know there’s a lot of interest, and Dr. Doran has been a great partner for us in trying to set goals and find pathways that meet the needs of students, meet the academic needs of the Sustainability program and offer international opportunities,” Laux said. IP also expanded the number of Sustainability courses offered to students in other abroad programs, Laux said, such as “Environmental Literature” and “Introduction to Community Based Research in the Nonprofit Sector,” which will be taught in Buenos Aires. IP is developing courses and will notify students as soon as possible once approved, Laux said. “There are GEs to continue helping students move toward graduation as well,” Laux said. “The advantage to that is that you don’t have to be a Sustainability student to really take those classes and learn more about something
you’re passionate about.” Doran said there is no requirement for Sustainability majors to go abroad. Doran said he is working with IP and his research assistant, sophomore Noelle Alderton, to create a sustainability-focused program in Buenos Aires. “The idea though, with a possible summer program, would be to have a six-or-eight week program that would highlight two to three sustainability classes the way that we would do at another location — but to be more focused on things like sustainability impacts on Argentina, or climate change impacts on Argentina in particular,” Doran said. In New Zealand, students stayed in the town Kaikoura, worked with the locals and lived a vegetarian lifestyle, Doran said. Additionally, students took a class called “Christianity and Sustainability.”
Finley said. “And that would have been a really cool way to get a deeper understanding of the class.” Due to the closure, Finley said she is searching for a new time to take the class, “Christianity and Sustainability.” The Sustainability contract major is still relatively new, so Finley said she is used to adjusting her classes and schedule to account for changes. “There are definitely challenges with that, having to work to be flexible and being OK with not everything being certain is definitely a component,” Finley said. “But also it’s allowed me to have input in what classes go into my major, which has been so cool and helps me to just focus in on what I care about learning, which is what college should be about.”
Student Reacts to New Zealand Program Closure
Steinmetz said for many in her cohort, it was their first trip to New Zealand. Steinmetz said she enjoyed the “down-to-earth” nature of the New Zealand trip, as opposed to other abroad destinations. As part of the trip, students read a book Doran wrote called “Hope In The Age Of Climate Change: Creation Care This Side of The Resurrection.” The group also monitored the amount of trash they produced — composting and recycling many of the things they used — resulting in the students bringing only two trash bags to the dump at the end of the trip. “I really felt like the class never ended because we go on these hikes and talk about the courses and lessons we were learning,” Steinmetz said. “Dr. Doran did a great job of taking it outside of a book and showing us firsthand how that plays into everyday life.”
Mallory Finley, junior Sustainability and Economics major, said she chose her Sustainability contract major because she enjoys looking at world and historic events through a sustainable perspective. “I see sustainability as the practice of looking at ways to care for people and creation as a whole, in a way that fosters community and health and growth,” Finley said. Finley said she planned to go on the New Zealand Sustainability trip, hoping for the opportunity to see New Zealand and bond with other students in her major. She said she would be willing to go on a sustainability-focused abroad program if IP offers one in the future. “It’s just so fun to be with people who are passionate about the same things as you,”
Alumna Reflects on Time in New Zealand
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHANNA STEINMETZ Pepperdine New Zealand program participants pose for a photo during the program’s pilot trip in June 2018. IP has been working on incorporating sustainability into international programs. The trip was a good way for her to get to know the other students within the Sustainability program, Steinmetz said, and bonding with other students over experiences abroad made her more comfortable in her classes at Malibu. Steinmetz said the trip left an impact on her spirituality. When she needs to feel closer to God, she goes into nature. Additionally, Steinmetz said she is more aware of what trash she produces and the effect it has on the environment. While the trip presented challenges — such as students not showering every day — Steinmetz said she would have
recommended the trip to other students looking to go outside their comfort zone and learn about sustainability. “It needs to be more valued at Pepperdine, and I hope they bring it back,” Steinmetz said. “Obviously, we’re in a pandemic, and New Zealand has it together, and they probably won’t even let us in. But post-pandemic, I really hope that Pepperdine does bring it back. It is a life-changing program.”
SAM.TORRE@PEPPERDINE.EDU
GoFundMe started for family of accident victim ASHLEY MOWREADER MANAGING EDITOR The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner identified the victim of the Sept. 17 accident on PCH. Erik Berg, a 39-year-old Thousand Oaks resident, was an employee of Millworks by Design and was working the morning of Sept. 17. While crossing the street, Berg was struck by a motorist and died as a result of his injuries, according to the sheriff’s report. “A beloved family man and steadfast colleague is now gone, long before his time,” wrote Millworks by Design. “This is a loss beyond proportion, and our hearts are grieving.” The accident took place at 6 a.m., on the 22000 block of PCH, according to LA County Sheriff. The motorist has not been identified. TMZ reported Berg had been working on businessman and Nobu owner Larry Ellison’s home, along the multimillion-dollar stretch of “Billionaire’s Beach.”
Millworks by Design started a GoFundMe to support Berg’s wife, Robin, and their two sons. “A master of his craft and true Renaissance man, he stayed humble and never allowed the unrelenting pressure of construction schedules to distract him from caring for his family,” according to the GoFundMe page. As of Sept. 24, the GoFundMe raised over $160,000 for Berg’s family. Carbon Beach residents and billionaires Iris and Michael Smith donated $50,000 to the fund. “Erik, thank you. Nothing is the same now. The world is immeasurably better because you were in it,” wrote Millworks on the GoFundMe. This is the third fatal pedestrian accident in Central Malibu in the month of September, with a pedestrian killed on Cross Creek on Sept. 9, and another on PCH outside of Nobu on Sept. 16.
ASHLEY.MOWREADER@PEPPERDINE.EDU
PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIK BERG’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT Erik Berg poses inside a Malibu home art gallery. Berg was an employee of Millworks by Design, a luxury home construction company, and had been working when he was fatally injured crossing PCH on Sept. 17.
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The Graphic
PEPPERDI NE- G R A P H I C .C O M
PERSPECTIVES
Staff Editorial: Pepperdine, let’s show up for each other
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ith Pepperdine students returning to campus, the Graphic staff encourages the community to acknowledge the unique challenges each class is going through and come together to support each other. Showing up for campus events and activities, including athletic games and performances, can be a big way we can cultivate a community with school spirit. From housing difficulties and struggles with finding a community to adapting to campus life and in-person classes, many students are — to some extent — returning to or entering a different campus. This period of significant transition provides an opportunity for students to build the campus culture they want. Coupled with all the excitement surrounding the return to the Malibu campus, anxiety and confusion accompany the numerous changes each student is experiencing. Some people may be challenged in appreciating and enjoying in-person activities because of how overwhelming the transition has been. Being secluded due to stay-at-home orders for so long can trigger social anxieties and safety concerns when entering back into everyday life. Others might be working through grief and loss while feeling the pressure to snap back to a sense of normalcy. Each class is going through its own trials. First-year students have to experience campus events for the first time at limited capacity with masks, and sophomores completed their first year of college online. Juniors missed their study
abroad experience and returned to campus as upper-level students who were sent home during their first year. Seniors have had to spend a portion of every college year at home, first because of fires and then the pandemic. There is not a single class that has experienced an undisrupted year of their college careers. This year, it is essential students come together to listen to one another’s stories and recognize the losses all of us have gone through. Through being there for one another, we can each foster a greater sense of community and belonging. Pepperdine is in a state of transition, and many are coming into this year trying to learn what being a part of the Pepperdine community means to them. Despite the potentially intimidating elements of change, this period presents an opportunity for students to create new traditions, experiences and memories. While the idea of showing up in person might be daunting after 18 months of interacting virtually, students can rebuild Pepperdine’s community by engaging safely in campus events and activities together. Being back on campus gives students the freedom to unite by rooting for Pepperdine teams at athletics games and support the arts by attending shows. For instance, students can go watch Pepperdine Music and Theatre Departments’ production of Mamma Mia!
from Nov. 12 to Nov. 20. Showing spirit for Pepperdine is a way for students to step into on-campus life and foster a sense of unity that was not as accessible virtually. Another way to strengthen community is to join and consistently support clubs on campus, such as Hawai’i Club, Armenian Student Association and Crossroads. Students can find more information about clubs and events on Peppervine. The different student organizations Pepperdine offers highlight the growing diversity of identities and passions in our student population, which is something to celebrate. The power is ultimately in the students’ hands to decide the kind of Pepperdine they’d like to build together — one tethered to expectations of what normal could look like or one motivated to strengthen community and appreciate the Pepperdine we have not been able to experience in so long.
SAMANTHA MILLER | ART EDITOR Students point and plan to reconstruct the missing pieces in the Pepperdine theme tower. Piece by piece, each student is responsible to create the Pepperdine experience they’d like to build with one another.
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 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.
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Petty Perspectives
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Petty Perspectives is a column highlighting the rants and thoughts everyone thinks but never gets a chance to put into words.
Two Swifties speak out
LIZA ESQUIBIAS NEWS ASSISTANT
SAMANTHA TORRE NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR
W
e take the time to reflect. In our reflection, we are confronted with a problem. A struggle. A conundrum, if you will. A decision that speaks to the very soul of the human experience, chronicled in books and Twitter feuds. When someone asks what artist you listened to last, and the answer is Taylor Swift, what do you do? Anyone who answers honestly — publicly sharing their love for Taylor Swift — possesses confidence we have not yet gained. Good for you. We, however, dread the strange glances, the passive-aggressive giggles, the shouted “WHAT” from
our Life and Arts Editor, Beth Gonzales. And we stay silent. But why should we? Taylor Swift is one of the most successful female artists of the 2000s. With 40 million monthly listeners on Spotify and several of her songs having over 300 million streams, she is among the top-10 Spotify artists, according to News on 6. For context, the population of California is less than 40 million people, and the population of the United States is over 320 million people, according to Google. In a Ranking of the Biggest Pop Stars of 2020, Swift came in at number seven, placing her above — sorry, Beth — Harry Styles. (And while we’re on that topic, anyone who criticizes Taylor Swift’s songs about Harry Styles should keep in mind that he, in fact, wrote songs about her, too. Why isn’t he getting any slack? Find a new comeback, Taylor haters, because your excuses are getting old.) Impressively, Swift’s music transcends genres. Her earlier albums have a distinct Country feel, before she leapt across the aisle to Pop and finally landed in Folk. Many of her songs dominate our “Sad” playlist, but she also makes appearances in our “Romance,” “Sing Along” and “Running Through An Abandoned Museum
SAMANTHA MILLER | ART EDITOR (affectionate)” playlists. Swift’s influence is so powerful, she can get people excited to hear new versions of songs she made 10 years ago and remain current on the music charts! Harry Styles can’t even get the band back together. With all this in mind, why do we feel such panic wash over us at the sight of a Taylor Swift song coming up next on the playlist when our friends are around? Why do we roll up the windows when we scream sing “Enchanted” on the drive home? Why would we rather walk up the CCB stairs at 2 p.m. on a summer day in a ski coat than
profess our love for Taylor Swift? This brings us back to the stares, giggles and comments. This is a call to action for all the “Beths” out there to admit you love her, too. We know you’re counting down the days until the 10-minute version of “All Too Well” comes out — and that’s OK. You don’t have to hide anymore. Taylor haters, we are talking to you. Accepting that you have a problem is the first step. You are safe with us.
LIZA.ESQUIBIAS@PEPPERDINE.EDU SAM.TORRE@PEPPERDINE.EDU
Isolation to inundation: Make transition easier for students
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CHRISTIAN PARHAM STAFF WRITER
asks. Social distancing. Quarantine. Rapid tests. Zoom. For all Pepperdine students, these were the aspects that framed much of the past two years. However, with Pepperdine officially fully reopened, these same students must jump into “normal” life again — with significant social interaction, in-person classes and school gatherings. While all of this is exciting, Pepperdine must help students adjust to this way of life through additional counseling services, the option of mental health days and flexibility from professors. Firstly, Pepperdine should work to increase the availability and scope of the Counseling Center. COVID-19 caused a particularly negative effect on college students’ mental health, according to PLOS Journals. Coming back to campus, it is imperative resources are available to deal with the inevitable fact that mental health struggles will happen — especially in the midst of transitions to the new normal. With the largest first-year class in Pepperdine’s history, the number of counselors must match the larger need from all levels of students. Creating more opportunities for group counseling
services would be a great start, so students can get healthy and necessary social interaction — yet in an environment that doesn’t feel as overwhelming. New, specialized groups could be focused on aiding students in this adjustment, holding spaces for them to acknowledge and process the many different emotions they may be feeling. For example, the Counseling Center offers specialized services for international students making different adjustments to entirely new cultures. This same group format could be used for students who are struggling to adjust to this return to normal life. Second, Pepperdine should also offer students the option of mental health days. When struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues, it can be very difficult to find the motivation to attend classes, work and club meetings. This, combined with the strain of adjusting, should prompt Pepperdine to allow mental health days to be seen as acceptable explanations for missing obligations. These mental health days should then be validated by administration. Of course, it will be necessary to create limits so this system does not get taken advantage of, but it should be seen as a safety net for those who may potentially need it. Ideally, this would give students the space they need to work through their emotions without fear of repercussions or being seen as irresponsible to their obligations. Finally, professors should create increased flexibility in their classes. In addition to transitioning, COVID-19 cases are a very real concern that have forced some to attend classes via Zoom while quarantining. Because of this, grace should be extended to students who struggle to get their assignments in on time, who don’t participate in class as frequently
AUTUMN HARDWICK | STAFF ARTIST or who have to miss class. With assignments, students could receive a few days of extra time to finish them. By extending this grace period, it will permit more focus on learning new material while dealing with whatever complications that may arise due to COVID-19. Professors can temporarily waive attendance and participation to remove additional stress off of students. Because this is not a normal school year, Pepperdine should not treat it as such. By implementing all these suggestions, it will be a clear indication of Pepperdine’s support of their students in the midst of a challenging time.
CHRISTIAN.PARHAM@PEPPERDINE.EDU
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Founder’s Day returns to Pepperdine Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members gathered on Alumni Park on Sept. 22, to celebrate the 84th Founder’s Day. The annual event serves as the official kickoff to the academic year and allows attendees to celebrate and honor the legacy of Pepperdine’s founder, George Pepperdine. “It reinvigorates my spirit to come back and see what they’re doing and how many people have changed this place and really made it something special,” said Mary Ellen Pepperdine Oswald, George Pepperdine’s granddaughter, Seaver (’00) and Graziadio (’01) alumna. Pepperdine began its first academic year Sept. 21, 1937, after George Pepperdine delivered his vision for the school. Founder’s Day is a traditional day of celebration to both honor George Pepperdine’s impact on the University and allow students, alumni, faculty and staff to gather together to learn more about the school’s history.
After a year and a half of online learning, President Jim Gash said he felt this year’s Founder’s Day was particularly significant. “It’s especially a joyous occasion this year, as we welcome back to campus — the return of our students after 18 months away,” Gash said at the ceremony. The hour-long event included performances by Pepperdine’s wind ensemble and women’s chamber choir, a President’s Address and the recognition of the University’s new provost, Jay Brewster. Gash also welcomed Kimberly Hill, Olympic gold medalist in volleyball in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, to the event. Hill graduated from Seaver College in 2012 and is the first female gold medal recipient from Pepperdine. Hill said in the past, she was usually traveling to games or practicing volleyball during the Founder’s Day events at Pepperdine when she attended school, so she said she was honored when Danny DeWalt, vice president and chief of staff, invited her to come back to campus for the occasion.
“To be around and see the wholeness of Pepperdine as a University and to see the talent of students and how much faculty and staff are wrapped up in kind of one day — it just emphasizes how special this university is, and it makes me proud to be a part of it,” Hill said. Hill led the Pledge of Allegiance at the event, and Gash awarded her with a golden volleyball to celebrate her achievements. Dee Anna Smith, member of Seaver alumna (’86) and chair of the Board of Regents, delivered the original dedicatory address from 1937. “I’m endowing this institution to help young men and women to prepare themselves for life of usefulness in this competitive world and help them build a foundation of prosperity, which will survive the storms of life,” Smith read from George Pepperdine’s original address. The University also debuted its new original alma mater, titled, “We Will Climb.” Jimmy Dunne, award-winning songwriter and producer, wrote the song for Pepperdine.
Pepperdine Chamber Choir sang the new alma mater, singing the lyrics, “We will climb, we will dare to dream / The light of the lantern, it will shine through me.” The event included the lighting of the lantern that sits on main campus next to the George Pepperdine statue, representing the start of a new academic year in person. Five representatives — one from each of the five schools on campus — lit the bulb, and Gash said that lighting the lantern will be a new tradition for each Founder’s Day celebration. “The light from that lantern symbolizes many things,” Gash said to the audience. “Knowledge illuminating the world, a sense of direction, a clarity of purpose. It represents Mr. Pepperdine and his abiding faith — a faith that inspired the creation of this University.” Founder’s Day wrapped up with the unveiling of the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship trophy, after the team’s victory in Scottsdale, Ariz., on June 2. All first-year and sophomore students had to attend the event for credit for Seaver
MISSION STATEMENT
GRAPHIC BY ALI LEVENS | CREATIVE DIRECTOR “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.”
200, and the Hub for Spiritual Life was a part of the welcoming committee to the event alongside the Pepperdine Ambassadors Council. Sophomore Naomi Yoder was a part of the team from the Hub and said she hoped to show a warm welcome to all of the attendees at the event, as well as learn more about the history of her University. “I’ve loved my experience so far with the Pepperdine of today,” Yoder said. “But I’m excited to learn more about the Pepperdine of the past.” With Founder’s Day being one of the first large gatherings on campus since the shutdown, neither masks nor social distancing were required. The event was outside, and the majority of attendees were students who are required to get a negative COVID-19 test each week. “Our community is largely vaccinated, so I feel safe and comfortable here,” Tamilore Daniels, Student Government Association senior class senator, said. “I’m excited to see everyone back in person.” ABBY.WILT@PEPPERDINE.EDU
REPORTING BY LIZA ESQUIBIAS | NEWS ASSISTANT Email: peppgraphicmedia@gmail.com
CONTACT US
ABBY WILT PIXEL EDITOR
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The Graphic
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LIFE & ARTS How to be an artbreaker BETH GONZALES LIFE AND ARTS EDITOR Many would say music is meant to be relatable — a language that knows no bounds and encourages one to express their thoughts and feelings that are otherwise difficult to articulate. When the world is in a hurry, music helps slow it down — when life moves too fast and one forgets to take a look behind the “curtain.” When hearing minor chords within songs and albums, listeners feel a bit darker and more melancholic. On the scale, the minor key is opposed to the major key and is perceived within the mind — without awareness — that something is wrong, hence sadness and restlessness, according to Music Practice and Theory. While the minor key is a stylistic choice, sad songs are more than just a performance selection — they’re a crucial part of the human experience. As Pepperdine’s campus reopens to students and they get accustomed to navigating life on their own, these song reviews are a guide that can help through “adulting,” inevitable heartbreaks and all the more to come. As Plato once said, “Music and rhythm find their way into
the secret places of the soul.” A study from Freie Universität Berlin found sad music can make people feel better after a break-up or a time when one is feeling down — the music acts as a cognitive reward for the brain. Some “break-up” songs help people indulge in their negative feelings, positively distract themselves and fill the void in their hearts. One that comes to mind is Dolly Parton’s 1973 “Jolene,” which depicts Parton losing her man because another woman is waiting right around the corner, bringing country twang to what Parton said is a personal experience. The lyrics say, “Your smile is like a breath of spring / Your voice is soft like summer rain / And I cannot compete with you, Jolene.” This song is perfect to indulge in when speculating the heartbreak around the corner, or even when it can’t be seen. Released in 1975 and featured on Rolling Stones #1 Bob Dylan album, “Blood on the Tracks,” the song, “Tangled Up in Blue” tells the story of the rise and fall of a relationship between an unnamed narrator and “she.”
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COURTESY OF FLEETWOODMAC.COM AUTUMN HARDWICK | STAFF ARTIST (Top) The cover of Dolly Parton’s 1974 album, “Jolene,” depicts a young Parton early in her singing and songwriting career. (Bottom) The cover to Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 album titled “Fleetwood Mac” only features drummer Mick Fleetwood and bass guitarist John McVie.
Family, faith and fame underlined in ‘Donda’ ALEC MATULKA SPORTS EDITOR “I miss the old Kanye.” This was a line from (in)famous rapper, singer, songwriter and fashion designer Kanye West’s “The Life of Pablo” record from 2016. Ironically, many long-time fans of the Chicago native uttered the same phrase after the release of his 2019 album, “Jesus is King.” After numerous listening parties, pushed-back release dates and a failed presidential campaign, the world has a new Kanye West project to discuss. West released his 10th studio album, “Donda,” Aug. 29 in collaboration with GOOD Music and Def Jam Records. Thematically, “Donda” resonates similarly to West’s albums “MBDTF” and “The Life of Pablo” because it explores the tripartite relationship between family, faith and fame in his life. The juxtaposition of these principles is what makes West’s music fascinating, and it’s why “Donda” is a refreshing change of pace from the direction West’s career seemed to be
“Memories taking. made in the From the coldest winter start, the / Goodbye, presence of my friend, I family in won’t ever “Donda” love again,” is clear. West croons The album on “Coldis named est Winter,” after West’s exhibiting a mother, sadness that Donda West, seems almost who died impossible to unexpectedovercome. ly in 2007. On “DonIt features da,” West two tituCOURTESY OF GOOD MUSIC includes lar tracks, “Donda several clips Chant” and The alternate album cover for of his mother “Donda,” “Donda,” published by Kanye West reciting pasthat cement sages of poetry, on Twitter, comprises a heavily including at this connecsaturated, abstract display. tion. the start of “Donda” “Praise God.” represents the most extensive and exThe lyrics say, “Speech to the plicit meditation of West’s grief since young: speech to the progress-toward his 2010 album, “808’s and Heart/ Say to them, say to the down-keepbreaks.” Putting the projects side-byers, the sun-slappers / The self-soilside illustrates the growth West has ers, the harmony-hushers / Even undergone in the intervening years. if you are not ready for the day, it
cannot always be night.” West’s acceptance of his mother’s passing is palpable, and the message of progress is showcased in moments like these. Beyond his mother, Kanye grapples with the failings of his marriage with Kim Kardashian. He’s cagey about the subject, rapping conservatively on “Jail,” with lyrics like, “You made a choice that’s yo’ bad, single life ain’t so bad / But we ain’t finna go there.” West opens up slightly as the album progresses, such as on “Hurricane,” where he inquires, “Fiendin for some true love, ask Kim, ‘What do you love?’” Along with his shifting family dynamics, West explores his devotion to the Christian faith. Tracks such as “God Breathed,” “Praise God” and “New Again” stand as testaments to the new spiritual direction of his music. West plots out his life and career on “Praise God,” singing, “I serve, follow Your worth, see with new sight, into the night.”
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AUTUMN HARDWICK | STAFF ARTIST
Best and worst looks at Met Gala 2021 ADDISON WHITEN LIFE & ARTS ASSISTANT For the first time since 2019, the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted the Met Gala in New York City on Sept. 13. This year’s red carpet theme, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” provided ample opportunities to showcase U.S. designers, reference iconic regional styles and pay homage to American icons. However, most attendees seemed to struggle with sticking to the theme. Overall, this year’s red carpet was uneventful, yet some show-stopping looks still took the stage. Best Looks One of the best looks of the night, both in terms of following the theme and being a gorgeous outfit, was Lupita Nyong’o’s Versace gown. While Versace is famously an Italian fashion house, the gown transcends this deviation from theme by its denim fabric, the material behind iconically American blue jeans. The dress has beautiful construction and manages to be both identifiably American and fun to look at, which is maybe the most important marker of a great Met Gala outfit. Another highlight of the evening was Billie Eilish paying homage to Marilyn Monroe in Oscar de la Renta. Her massive blush ballgown is not from an U.S. label, but, much like Nyong’o’s denim gown, its Hollywood inspirations transcend a foreign designer. She paired the gown with Monroe’s classic blonde bombshell hairstyle and Cartier jewelry. Eilish served as a co-chair for this year’s event, and her outfit is proof she deserved the position. Almost every year at the Met Gala, the men’s outfits are nowhere near as interesting or as on theme as the women’s, and this year was no exception. While most men attending the event
seemed to just throw on a basic suit and walk the carpet, Leon Bridges nailed a classic American persona with his Bode-designed look. Bridges’ blue fringed jacket and cream cowboy hat gave the Fort Worth, Texas, native’s look a truly authentic Western feel, opposing looks like Pharrell’s attempt to evoke the same style in an overpoweringly leather Chanel ensemble. Bridges represented a regional American style and used a U.S. designer to do it, making him one of the best-dressed men of the evening. Worst Looks Attending the Met Gala means thousands of people will see your outfit, and some use that as an opportunity to send a political message with their attire, like U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did this year with a gown emblazoned with the words, “Tax the rich.” While the intention behind her dress might have been to spread awareness or create change, the look was tone-deaf and tacky, as she wore the gown while conversing with some of the wealthiest people in the country. One of the Met Gala’s biggest stars every year is Rihanna, who co-chaired the event in 2018. This year, she came to the Gala with her boyfriend, A$AP Rocky, marking their official red carpet debut as a couple. Unfortunately, he added nothing to her look, as he stepped out wrapped in a massive quilt with a basic suit underneath. Coming to the event with one of its most iconic guests and wearing a blanket is not an impressive look. Whoopi Goldberg attended the Met Gala in Valentino, an Italian brand, making her look categorically off-theme. If being off-theme wasn’t enough, the ruffle-tiered, purple gown was shapeless, frumpy and clashed with the mint green gloves Goldberg wore. The Italian ensemble’s fabric-heavy nature swallowed Goldberg up, and its
poor color palette didn’t help either. This was un-American and ugly, making it one of the worst looks of the night.
This year’s red car pet theme, ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,’ provided ample oppor tunities to showcase U.S. designers, reference iconic regional styles and pay homage to American icons. However, most attendees seemed to struggle with sticking to the theme. ADDISON WHITEN, life and arts assistant Honorable Mentions U.S. designer Thom Browne had a great night at the Met, with stars like Pete Davidson, Erykah Badu and Evan Mock wearing his work on the red carpet. The looks were all distinguishably Browne’s and left impressions at the event, particularly Mock’s masked ensemble and Davidson’s mid-length dress. Met Gala co-chair Timothée Chal-
amet wore an understated look that fit the event’s theme in a smart way, as he presented a classic streetwear silhouette using designer clothes by Haider Ackermann and Rick Owens. Chalamet paired his expensive outfit with an icon of Americana: high-top Converse. This look is very classic and references the streetwear style Chalamet often wears when he’s not on set. There’s nothing more American than football, so Ciara coming dressed as her husband, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, is a genius way to be on theme and stylish at the same time. Her Dundas gown resembles a football jersey bearing Wilson’s number, and she carried a small football clutch. Ciara’s outfit managed to follow the theme in an inventive way — a feat not many other guests were able to accomplish. One of the more interesting looks of the night came from Frank Ocean, who wore an otherwise basic Prada outfit paired with a robotic baby doll. Ocean’s hair was dyed bright green, and his baby doll’s skin matched that color, giving the doll an alien appearance. The doll moved around like a real baby in Ocean’s arms, and, while it’s not entirely clear why he chose to carry the doll — or how it fits into this year’s theme — it was definitely a more intriguing look than many that appeared that evening. The next Met Gala will be held May 5, and it will be the second part of this year’s event, creating the first-ever twopart Met Gala. The upcoming gala will extend the 2021 American inspiration, with the theme of “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.” Hopefully, more attendees will adhere to this theme the second time around.
ADDIE.WHITEN@PEPPERDINE.EDU
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Pepperdine’s CoffeeHouse brings back live music STELLA ZHANG STAFF WRITER The Board brought back CoffeeHouse Sept. 10, kickstarting an in-person campus tradition. Due to the campus closure last year, the Board held a few virtual events on Zoom, but this time, students got the chance to relax and watch student artists perform. The Board also gave out free mugs and coffee. Unlike CoffeeHouse events in the past that took place in the Light House — previously known as the Sandbar — the Board hosted the event at the amphitheater so students could move freely and feel comfortable performing and socializing without masks, the Board said. Board member Alexa Borstad said the Board decided to host the event because they wanted to welcome back the various artists at Pepperdine by providing a safe and entertaining environment. “Many people may not remember CoffeeHouses, especially younger classes,” Borstad said. “As the upperclassmen Board team, we wanted to make sure we could reestablish the staple event for future Pepperdine generations despite the unusual circumstances presented with COVID-19.”
Transitioning from an online environment to in-person has been a bit tricky at times because of LA County COVID-19 guidelines, Borstad said. So far, a large number of students have attended the Board’s events this year. As the event started, students sat in the Amphitheater to enjoy performances and coffee. “Showcasing art and talent is an important step in our community’s healing process,” Borstad said. “It feels amazing to be in the presence of live music on campus and so surreal to hear personal songs created by Pepperdine students since the pandemic.” Student performers, ranging from first-years to seniors, included singers, singer-songwriters and instrumentalists, all who expressed their excitement about this opportunity. First-year Ava Campbell, who performed “Storms” by Fleetwood Mac, said it was such an amazing opportunity in such a welcoming environment. “The crowd was so engaged,” Campbell said. “The entire event was phenomenal. I’m grateful to have been a part of it.” In terms of song selection, Campbell said Fleetwood Mac is one of her mom’s favorites,
and one of her friends recommended “Storms” because “it would sound magical.” “I love performing — I love being able to lift people up in that way,” Campbell said. “Through performing, you can connect with people on a deep level and really pour your heart out in a way that you can’t do anywhere else.” First-year Leilani Frailich stunned the crowd by singing “La Vie En Rose,” originally sung by Édith Piaf, and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. “I chose them because they have such soft and light vibes, and I thought it might create a relaxing music environment,” Frailich said. Jackie Ferrari, a sophomore rapper, producer and songwriter, said she knew her original song, “Remember When,” would get the crowd hyped — as she talked about her own experiences. “I hope people can find strength in my music, be inspired by them and ultimately relate to them,” Ferrari said. Students who attended the event said it was totally worth going to. Sophomore Asia Ford said she loved the atmosphere and how immersive it was. “It really felt like a student event and bringing back a circle of fun on Pepperdine’s
STELLA ZHANG | STAFF WRITER Students sit around the Amphitheater and enjoy the performance. The Board hosted the September CoffeeHouse event on campus, Sept. 10. campus,” Ford said. Junior Julianna Wagner agreed the music had a wide range and fit almost everyone’s taste. Wagner said it was fantastic to see all the different students and their talents. “I really enjoyed the sense of community and inspirational space that was created for young musicians and their talents,” Wagner said. “It evokes a certain amount of school pride to see such talented individuals.” With the success of the September CoffeeHouse, both
performers and students said they hope to have more upcoming events. “Hopefully in the future, I can showcase one of my original songs at another CoffeeHouse,” Frailich said. “I was really excited to be able to perform live again and can’t wait for more events.”
STELLA.ZHANG3@PEPPERDINE.EDU
Body and Soul: Admire the heart of Melrose LYDIA DUPERIER STAFF WRITER The clunk of chunky Doc Martens on the sidewalk, smog mixed with a pedestrian’s cologne, the vibrant murals that cover the walls, culture emanating from storefronts — this is Melrose Avenue. Melrose is famously known for being one of the best places to shop in Los Angeles. Located on the outskirts of Hollywood, thousands of tourists visit every year to experience the shopping, dining and entertainment that the street has to offer. Melrose has top-tier restaurants and trendy clothing stores, making it a magnet for celebrities. Every aspect of the street flows together seamlessly. The streets connect to the sidewalks, and the sidewalks lead to each building. From my first step onto the street, only one word comes to my mind: electric. Cars zoom past me in both directions, I hear people’s chatter bouncing from door to door and I look up to see store signs reaching toward the sky. This street is alive. From the graffiti hearts on the sidewalk to the elaborate murals on the walls, creativity is everywhere. The intricate architecture varies from block to block. Trees and flowers act as dividers between the road and sidewalk. Brilliant paintings by local creatives color the sides of buildings. Every corner of the avenue is like a piece of art. No store is alike — there are a variety of restaurants, ice cream shops,
MERCER GREENE | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Stores with brightly colored walls line Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. The bold blue of HAPPY ICE created an inviting scene for shoppers on the iconic street. vintage stores, bakeries, gift shops, boutiques, nail salons and tattoo parlors. This is what makes Melrose so special — no matter your interest, there is bound to be something for you on this avenue. Each person who passes by walks with a purpose, a sense of confidence — it’s contagious. I can feel the energy radiating, and I feel inspired by the culture around me. Each store I enter seems as if it was overflowing with passion. It is evident that the owners and employees share a love and dedication to their work. While the stores share this sense of dedication, they are each wildly unique. As I walk into RCNSTRCT stu-
dio, the employees greet me excitedly and explain to me how the store sells one-of-a-kind reconstructed vintage items. The employees at the next store I go to — Highland Gift Shop — share the same enthusiasm about their store. One employee explains how they sell gifts ranging from candles with celebrity faces to cute, inspirational books. My absolute favorite store is Round Two Vintage. As I walk in, hundreds of vintage T-shirts of all kinds surround me. There are shirts from classic Disney movies, old sports teams, NASCAR, nature, art — basically, anything you can imagine, they have the original shirt for it. I never leave the store without buying a unique vintage T-shirt.
You haven’t truly experienced Melrose without stopping by Milk Bar to get a sweet treat. My personal favorite is the confetti cookie, a vanilla, sprinkle-filled taste of heaven. Melrose is a hotspot for trends. Whether it’s a vintage designer dress from American Rebel or a fresh new pair of sneakers from Cookies and Kicks, Melrose has everything to keep you in style. I never would have guessed that, just an hour away from Malibu, there’s a place as diversified and inspiring as Melrose Avenue, but there is — and it is just waiting for you to explore it. LYDIA.DUPERIER@PEPPERDINE.EDU
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ARTBREAKER: music that breaks hearts FROM B1 The lyrics read, “As I was walking away / I heard her say over my shoulder / ‘We’ll meet again someday on the avenue.’” The brilliance behind this song is how the simple subject of love is anything but conventional. The storyline of familial disapproval, suggesting that the woman is married, followed by the couples’ split, leads them ultimately to the misleading belief they will unknowingly meet again. While tears remain cathartic, growing up may be something hard to face directly. In the same realm of remembering lost loves, a time may come when people listen to a song and feel nostalgic for past experiences, triggering memories or associating emotions with things that never even happened. There must have been something in the air in the 70’s because Fleetwood Mac released, “Landslide,” a vocally raw acoustic-based ballad with lyrics such as, “But time makes you bolder / Even children get older / And I’m getting older too.” This song reminds the listener to take a look at their reflection because it will change over time — a nearly perfect memento of the phases of life. For the younger audience, Lorde provided “Ribs” to romanticize and appreciate childhood before it is gone forever like Stevie Nicks did years before. This is a song from her 2013 debut album, “Pure Heroine,” that she wrote at only 16 years old. The lyrics say, “This dream isn’t feeling sweet, we’re reeling through the midnight streets / And I’ve never felt
more alone, it feels so scary getting old.” The song provides nerve-racking angst, as it starts quiet and builds with the anxiety and exhaustion of her voice trying to keep up with the music — and with her life. Unlike these songs of nostalgia and break-ups, some music is instrumentally sorrowful but with lyrics meant to inspire — sad in a good way. This is something the world needs to be reminded of while emerging from a time of separation due to COVID-19. There could be millions of lists made with songs meant to promise hope for the foreseeable future, but these two share lyricism lasting decades. Arguably one of the most famous within that light and voted Rolling Stones 3rd-Best Song of all time is the 1971 release of “Imagine” by John Lennon. Lennon, like many others in the time of “Love not War,” was longing for a time of peace and tranquility. The lyrics say, “Imagine all the people / Livin’ life in peace / You may say I’m a dreamer / But I’m not the only one.” In a polarized nation, this idyllic song creates a utopian world for the listener — having not felt it for so long, it makes the listener wonder what a time would be like with brotherhood and peace. One of the other most influential artists of all time seemed to agree. “Heroes” by David Bowie debuted in 1977, and it almost seems too long for the heroes who can create the world Lennon had dreamed of. The beauty of this song is Bowie contemplating if he can be the hero himself.
INFOGRAPHIC BY ALI LEVENS The lyrics say, “And the shame, was on the other side / Oh we can beat them, forever and ever / Then we could be Heroes, just for one day.” The purpose of music is to provide healing and happiness, something all Waves can feel as they begin their adult lives. So next time you feel something, pay attention because, chances are, you might hear it again — once upon a song. Reporter Beth Gonzales uses all these songs and more to put together an “Artbreaker” playlist for students to listen to in a time of remedy.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHNLENNON.COM
BETH.GONZALES@PEPPERDINE.EDU
John Lennon said his partner Yoko Ono took his “Imagine” album cover — front and back — as a polaroid, even after many suspected it was by Andy Warhol. Lennon composed the song in one sitting while at a grand piano.
DONDA: West rediscovers new themes FROM B1 West’s recent embrace of his faith, exemplified by the “Jesus is King” project, sometimes appears less genuine. “I talk to God everyday, that’s my bestie,” West preaches on “Off The Grid.” While it’s a cheeky line, it lacks the nuance and intimacy of West’s older works. Compared to the 2004 anthem “Jesus Walks,” where he admits, “I want to talk to God but I’m afraid ‘cause we ain’t spoke in so long,” West’s contemporary proclamations of faith seem less humble and more self-serving. The struggle for West seems to be how to balance family and faith with his status in the limelight. On “Hurricane,” West contemplates the forces at work in his life, “God made it rain, the devil made it hail / Dropped out of school, but I’m that one at Yale / Made the best tracks and still went off the rail.”
West weaves faith into his analysis of the dangers and temptations of superstardom, something he feels has led him astray in the past. “Donda” is the first Kanye album since 2016 stretching beyond the hour mark, as “Ye,” “JiK” and “Kids See Ghosts” — West’s 2018 collaboration with fellow rapper Kid Cudi — all putter around the 30-minute mark. “Donda,” by comparison, is a grandiose 1 hour and 47 minutes, comprising 27 songs. The album’s length is, in truth, overkill. An aimless, two-minute long outro stalks the end of “God Breathed,” and the album features four songs that are like-for-like replicas, except for a different feature. At the same time, there are guest-appearance gems littered throughout the album’s bloated run time. Jay-Z shines with his verse on “Jail,” while Don Toliver and Kid Cudi layer their vocals to ethereal effects on “Moon.” Fivio Foreign is electric on “Off The Grid,” swimming through a thumping
beat with swagger and several cadence changes. Through the trials and tribulations of West’s professional and personal life, it’s clear his industry reputation has lost none of its luster. While many of the features stand out as high-points, others are head-scratching for a variety of reasons. West’s inclusion of DaBaby is dubious, given the Cleveland rapper’s recent homophobic remarks in a festival appearance. Also unsettling is the inclusion of Chris Brown and Marilyn Manson, who have faced numerous allegations of assault and sexual assault, respectively. West’s intentions for including these three artists on the album are unclear, which leads one to believe that it’s another in a long series of purposely inflammatory stunts by West to drum up controversy and, subsequently, publicity. The remarkable thing about West is his evolution and adaptation to the trends in music; to stay relevant in the public consciousness for 20 years is no
small feat. It’s natural, therefore, for someone to “miss the old Kanye,” as any artist with such a storied career will generate comparisons to their past. Fans will never get exactly what they’re looking for from Kanye West. Nevertheless, they can take solace in the fact that, as he charts a new, ever-turbulent path for his career, the thematic backbone of his music has resorted back to the days of old.
ALEC.MATULKA@PEPPERDINE.EDU
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ALI LEVENS | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Going from a Wave to an Olympic gold medalist ABBY WILT PIXEL EDITOR The torch is lit, the crowd is roaring, the U.S. Women’s Volleyball team is ahead and the gold medal is secured. This was the scene for Class of 2012 Pepperdine alumna Kimberly Hill when she won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. Women’s Volleyball team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which took place in the summer of 2021 due to COVID-19. Hill is the first female gold medal recipient from Pepperdine. “The moment we won, we were all looking to each other like ‘Oh my gosh, we actually did it,’” Hill said. “It still feels unreal to be honest.” Hill started playing volleyball when she was 13 years old in Portland, Ore., after she played soccer and basketball before. “One of my older sisters played volleyball, so my parents were very kindly like ‘You should give volleyball a try, you might have the body type for it,’” Hill said. “It’s gone well since.” In 2008, Hill started playing at Pepperdine because she wanted a small Christian school with a Division I volleyball team that could contend nationally. She was also the first and only student-athlete to make the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American first-team roster in both indoor and sand volleyball during the same season. “Pepperdine is kind of a rare thing and so it was the perfect blend for me of both,” Hill said. “It was an easy choice for me.” After Hill graduated, she started playing professionally. She had to play abroad because, at the time, there wasn’t a professional women’s volleyball league in the U.S. “We have to go overseas to play professionally, so I’ve been playing in Poland, Turkey, Italy and other countries with the national team throughout the years,” Hill said. While Hill said she learned and grew a lot from playing abroad, she also said
it didn’t come without challenges, especially being so far away from home. “We’ve had a lot of crazy experiences — like there was a language barrier and I stuck out like a sore thumb,” Hill said. “But I’ve also made some of my closest friends, and really enjoyed seeing different cultures and meeting different kinds of people. It was some of the best times of my life so far.” Playing volleyball abroad also came with representing Pepperdine and her country on the international level, eventually representing them at the Olympic Games. Hill competed in her first Olympics in 2016 when she won bronze with the team, and most recently in the 2020 games when they won gold. Hill said even though she was honored to play in 2016, her teammates and her were striving for gold, so they were disappointed when they came out with the bronze medal. “We had gold on our brain and we fully believed we could,” Hill said. “Losing that semifinal match was devastating, absolutely devastating.” But Hill said the 2020 win made up for the loss, as the U.S. Women’s Volleyball team won against Brazil, after players had an irregular year of training and the Olympic Games were postponed due to COVID-19. “I’ll never forget the national anthem at the Olympics,” Hill said. “We’re singing and I’m tearing up, I turn and all my teammates are tearing up. It was just insanely special.” Hill retired from volleyball following her gold medal win and said she isn’t sure what she is going to do with her time yet, but is going to spend at least a year relaxing and traveling. She said that what she took away from volleyball the most was her relationships, above even the sport itself. “I am not going to miss the volleyball at all, to be honest, but I’m gonna miss my teammates,” Hill said. “I already have FOMO [fear of missing out], they’re like your best friends and it’s something you don’t really get in normal life — that amount of closeness
DENVER PATTERSON | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Pepperdine alumna Kimberly Hill (’12) poses with her 2020 Olympic gold medal and golden volleyball she received at the 2021 Founder’s Day from President Jim Gash. Hill was the first female recipient of an Olympic gold medal who attended Pepperdine. and bonding that you go through with the team.” Hill said she advises any athlete interested in playing a sport professionally to play abroad if possible, and to soak up every minute of their respective sport. “You’ll have the rest of your life to
pursue a career here at home, a more stable career, so take advantage and have fun,” Hill said. “Pursue athletics while you can, no matter how long it lasts.” ABBY.WILT@PEPPERDINE.EDU
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Hot Shots: LeBron James is the NBA GOAT AUSTIN LEDE’ STAFF WRITER Hot Shots is a weekly sports column that will provide our writers’ takes on some of the most fiery conversations in the world of sports. The articles in this column will reflect the opinions of a single writer, who will try their hardest to convince you why they’re right and you’re wrong. Michael Jordan is often viewed as the greatest NBA player to ever live, and a poll commissioned by ESPN found 73% of NBA fans believe Jordan is the superior player overall. But they are wrong; LeBron James is the best player to ever live, and it’s not even close competition. James has better numbers than Jordan, and people don’t realize the amount of help Jordan needed to win. It was only once he was surrounded by elite-level teammates that Jordan started winning. One of the biggest arguments against James is that he needs a super team to win. People say that all Jordan needed was a ball and it did not matter what teammates were around him; he was going to win. When presented with the numbers, the opposite is true. Before Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame teammate Scottie
Pippen joined the Chicago Bulls in 1987, Jordan never got out of the first round of the playoffs and had a 1-9 record in those playoff games. He was also never above .500 in the regular season before Pippen arrived. In James’ first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-2010), he had a grand total of zero Hall of Fame teammates. Only two teammates made an All-Star game appearance but only once for both players. It was clear Cleveland did not know what they were doing, because they could never surround James with any talent and overall were not a well-run team. The Cavs could never get that second star next to James and consistently overpaid for average players. Despite this, in James’ fourth year in the league at only 22 years old, he led the struggling Cavs all the way to the NBA finals, where they ended up losing to the San Antonio Spurs, one of the greatest basketball dynasties in recent memory. Even though James’ team lost, this was still an incredible accomplishment. As a dominant young player that season, he scored 27.3 points per game for the Cavs, leading the team. After James was guard Larry Hughes, who only scored 14.9 points per game. Besides James, this team had no all-stars, no all NBA selections, no
AUTUMN HARDWICK | STAFF ARTIST all-defense selections and no all-rookie selections. The Cavs didn’t look to be finals bound, but James proved he could carry a team on his back and lead them to the promised land, even as a young player. He then led the Cavs to two Eastern Conference Finals with no talent around him. People sometimes argue about looking at the stats or talk about how Jordan is definitely a better scorer. When looking at the stats — according to ESPN — in regular-season totals, James has Jordan beat in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and minutes. Even looking at playoff stats, where it really matters, James has more total points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, minutes and game-winning buzzing beater shots. James has five game-winning walk-
off shots in the playoffs, which is the most in NBA history — Jordan only has three. Despite that fact, many analysts love to say James is not clutch and Jordan was definitely better in crunch time, so let’s look at the numbers. James has 97 career game-tying or go-ahead shots in the final minute of regular-season games, which is second all-time to Kobe Bryant, who had 101, not Jordan. In the playoffs, James is 12-23, 52% on go-ahead/game-tying shots. The public considers Jordan, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving “more clutch” than James, and those four combined are 12-40 on go-ahead/ game-tying shots in the playoffs, which is 22% lower than James. Going off numbers, you can make an argument that James is the most clutch player of all time. By the end of James’ career, he will pass Kareem Abdul Jabbar for the most points of all time. He will accomplish this despite the best thing about his game is passing. Many former and current players say James is the best passer they have ever seen. That is all you need to know.
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Water Polo early season struggles continue JERRY JIANG STAFF WRITER Pepperdine Men’s Water Polo (7-7) dropped back-toback games on Sept. 18 versus Stanford and Princeton. Stanford defeated Pepperdine 11-9, and Princeton prevailed 14-9. Stanford (12-2) has always been a tough opponent for the Waves, as Pepperdine earned its last win in 2002. Historically speaking, Princeton (12-2) is a rare opponent but has gotten off to a strong start to their season. “It’s a tough task,” Head Coach Terry Schroeder said. “We had a very physical and tough game against Stanford, obviously, and the guys were a little emotionally spent and came out a little bit flat.” The matchup against Stanford started strong, with senior attacker Sean Ferrari getting on the board in the 6:22 mark, assisted by senior attacker Balazs Kosa. Stanford quickly responded with a goal that barely contacted the net but counted, nonetheless, along with two other goals, finishing the quarter with a 3-1 lead. In the second quarter, the Waves boosted their offense by scoring two goals. Sophomore attacker Christian Hosea cut through the left side and scored, assisted by junior utility Kaden Kaneko. Kosa closed out the quarter with an important goal, keeping Stanford at bay and ending the first half with a score of 5-3. Nevertheless, Stanford went on a critical 3-0 run in the third quarter, and Pepperdine could not recover from the onslaught.
“We got a little bit lazy on a few passes and turned the ball over two or three times, and against a good team, you just can’t do that,” Schroeder said. “You got the ball, and you can’t give up easy goals like that. That cost us the game.” Two of those goals came in a power play situation, and Stanford took full advantage. During a power play situation, the defensive players are benched from the game for 20 seconds when the player commits a major foul, making it a 6-5 advantage. The Waves were a bit too aggressive on the defensive end, committing a total of 16 fouls by the end of the game. The Waves offense picked up some steam in the fourth quarter, registering a total of five goals. Sophomore attacker Jake Howerton, sophomore center defender Nico Tierney and Kosa all scored within the last five minutes of the game, but it was too little too late. “At the end of the day, our shots weren’t falling,” Ferrari said. “It happens, but I think too many times we got into a rhythm where one person was looking to shoot and then they shot instead of moving the ball around as a team, setting other teammates up.” The Waves had a chance to capitalize on a furious comeback, scoring a total of three goals within the span of four minutes, but Stanford already gained a wide separation and ran out the clock to end the game. “We’re in that game,” Ferrari said. “We just need to control the ball on the perimeter.” Hours later, the Waves were
back at it again, looking for a chance to redeem themselves versus Princeton. Pepperdine came out firing in the first half, netting a total of five goals, with Hosea contributing to two of them. Pepperdine found some success on two power plays in the first quarter. At the 4:20 mark, Kosa squeezed in a goal, assisted by Ferrari. Junior utility Zach Arthur found an opening and scored, assisted by freshman attacker Clay Kaneko. The crucial period of the match proved to be the second quarter, when Princeton turned on the jets and scored seven total goals, effectively ending the half with a score of 10-5. “We’re kind of in a loop right now,” sophomore center Travis Reynolds said. “We’re a lot better team obviously but it sometimes takes a little bit for us to get into the game and usually play down to opponents instead of playing above them.” Pepperdine found themselves in a similar situation to the Stanford game in the second half, and once again, the Waves struggled to gain any offensive consistency and could not dig themselves out of that hole. Freshman attacker Kyle Thomas sparked a quick offensive burst, assisted by Howerton at the 7:00 mark. The third quarter ended with a score of 11-7. The Waves fell short during the fourth quarter and had various transition opportunities but could not exploit their chances. Pepperdine’s offense could not find their rhythm, as they shot for a total of nine out of 31 shots for the game. “We need to come together
RYAN BRINKMAN | PHOTO EDITOR Waves offense struggles to find their rhythm Sept. 18. Stanford continued their hot start to the season. as a team,” said Reynolds. “We have all the things; we just need to act on it.” Despite the losses, Ferrari reached 100 goals, making him the 44th Wave to accomplish such an achievement. “It was all thanks to my teammates and the hard work put into the four years,” Ferrari said. “But 43 other people have done that at Pepperdine so I gotta keep working hard, getting better, at the end of the day I just care about helping my team win.” Additionally, Kosa scored his 200th goal during the game, making him the 12th Pepperdine player to reach this milestone. For the momentous shot, the Waves moved the ball around the perimeter, and Princeton deflected the ball on an attempted steal and ricocheted back to Kosa, who quickly reacted and scored. The Waves had another opportunity the next week during
the MPSF Invitational, where players said they hoped to find their stride for this season. “That was kind of the turning point for our season my sophomore year, when our mindset changed and we really made a strong comeback throughout the rest of the season,” said Ferrari. “I’m looking forward to be able to play some good teams and see again if we can shift our focus and start playing our best water polo.” The Waves ended the MPSF Invitational 2-2. Pepperdine lost Friday, Sept. 24, against Pacific 20-15 and split Saturday — winning the match against Pomona-Pitzer 13-8 and falling to San Jose State 10-9. The team ended on a high, beating UC Irvine 18-10 on Sunday, Sept. 26.
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Women’s Soccer ranked No. 6 in nation KARL WINTER DIGITAL EDITOR Pepperdine Women’s Soccer is reaching territory it hasn’t seen in a decade — or two: Best national ranking (No. 6) since 2012, when the Waves were No. 5 briefly. Best start (9-1-0) since 2005, when the team began the season 9-0-1. Best road record — ever. The Waves have never started a season 7-0 in matches away from home, until now. Something is in the sprinkler water on the new Bermuda grass at Tari Frahm Rokus Field, because a team that went 6-5-1 in the spring 2021 season is now playing like a national championship contender. “That struggle was good for us,” sophomore forward Tori Waldeck said. “Because we now see that we can really show our talent that might have not been shown last year, and just be able to take each team on and show them what we have.” With a nearly-perfect non-conference campaign behind them, the Waves will now turn to their West Coast Conference schedule and attempt to build momentum toward the postseason. “I don’t think the non-conference segment could have gone any better,” Head Coach Tim Ward said. “That one loss was actually a huge gift. It was a blessing in disguise. And it reminded us of the T’s we need to cross and the I’s we need to dot.” Texas-Sized Victories Then-No.9 Pepperdine traveled to Texas for their biggest challenge of the early season Sept. 16 — a showdown with then-No. 5 Texas Christian in Fort Worth. The Waves stunned the Horned Frogs with a barrage of shots and the game’s only goal, a 65th-minute score off the foot of Waldeck. “The ball actually took an unfortunate bounce away from me,” Waldeck said. “But then I was just able to spin around the defender, saw the ball right by my feet and just slotted it in the back of the net on the ground. Part of me blacked out in the moment because I feel like it just happened so quick.” The victory marked Pepperdine’s first road win over a top-five opponent since 2003. Three days later in College Station, the Waves handed Texas A&M its first home loss in 14 games with another 1-0 scoreline. The only goal in that match came in the third minute, courtesy of redshirt senior forward, Joelle Anderson. Waldeck navigated the mid-
dle of the field and delivered a pass to Anderson in on the right flank, and Anderson beat a defender with her right foot before beating the goalkeeper with her left. “[Anderson] did what she does best — she cut the defender and just slotted it in the back of the net,” Waldeck said. “After that we were still putting them under pressure, but I think it’s good for us to have to defend a 1-0 lead, because as the season goes on, games are going to get harder and harder as teams get better and better.”
A lot of what we talked about is getting comfortable being uncomfortable. Being on the road is always hard, especially in Texas when they have a bunch of fans screaming at us the whole time. KELSEY HILL, redshirt senior defender Waldeck earned WCC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in her career for her efforts in Texas. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Zoe Clevely and the Waves’ defense posted their fifth and sixth clean sheets of the season on the road trip, and have only allowed five goals in the team’s 10 matches. Redshirt senior defender Kelsey Hill said winning in difficult environments builds confidence for the Waves entering WCC play. “A lot of what we talked about is getting comfortable being uncomfortable,” Hill said. “Being on the road is always hard, especially in Texas when they have a bunch of fans screaming at us the whole time. They would not stop yelling. They’re yelling at Tim [Ward] and [assistant coach] Max [Rooke], like heckling them — so it was just crazy, a really fun environment to play in.” More Road Challenges Loom in WCC Play Pepperdine begins WCC play Saturday against Portland with a target on their backs — they are ranked higher than each of their conference rivals,
PHOTO COURTESY OF ELLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY Pepperdine sophomore forward Tori Waldeck celebrates her goal against TCU on Sept. 16 in Fort Worth, Texas, as teammates Joelle Anderson (16) and Carlee Giammona (19) run toward her. Waldeck’s goal was the only one of the match, and the Waves knocked off the No. 5-ranked Horned Frogs 1-0. including reigning national champions Santa Clara, who are off to a rough 3-4-2 start. Hill said the Broncos’ national title in the spring lit a fire under the Waves. “We were happy for them — it’s huge for our conference for someone to win the national championship,” Hill said. “But we were kind of mad about it just because we were stride for stride with them. We have [weird] games against them all the time — it’s back and forth, goal here, goal there.” The Waves’ previous two matchups against the Broncos both ended with the unusual score of 4-3 — Santa Clara staged a second-half comeback to overcome a three-goal deficit in 2019, then got the overtime winner in a back and forth match in spring 2021. This season’s edition of Waves versus Broncos will take place in Santa Clara on Oct. 20, but it will not be the only test for Pepperdine in WCC play. Gonzaga will visit Malibu on Oct. 16, and the Bulldogs rank No. 16 in the country this week. BYU, who will be Pepperdine’s final road test before a potential postseason appearance, has received votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll all season. Ward believes the WCC can get four teams to the NCAA Tournament this season. “We try to approach every game with a certain amount of humility, in terms of, ‘Hey, the opposition’s real good, but, so are we,’” Ward said. “It’s that nice balance we’re trying to strike — a nice balance between respect, humility and confidence.” Ward’s team will do that with depth, as 27 players on
the roster have already seen the pitch this season, and putting the team performance over individual honors.
There’s a reason why we have ‘Pepperdine’ on the back of their jerseys and not their last names.
years or seniors in the heart of your defense is that they’ve been through a lot of wars, and they’ve seen almost everything,” Ward said. “I won’t say everything but they’ve seen a lot.” Hill said the team’s strength is not in its individual players, but buying into one collective mission. “We had some unfinished business, especially with last spring,” Hill said. “One of our goals this year is to play more games than any Pepperdine team has.” No Pepperdine Women’s Soccer team has ever made it beyond the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament — they did that in 2002, 2005 and 2014. This year’s Waves are on a mission to surpass that milestone. Catch the Waves on Saturday, Oct. 2, at home at 1 p.m., PDT, as they take on the Portland Pilots.
TIM WARD, head coach “There’s a reason why we have ‘Pepperdine’ on the back of their jerseys and not their last names,” Ward said. The team still has stellar individual players: Waldeck and junior midfielder Carlee Giammona have three goals apiece this season. NWSL draftee Anderson is also on the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list. The defense is anchored by experienced players including Clevely (two-time WCC Defensive Player of the Week) and center defenders Trinity Watson (two-time All-WCC first teamer) and Hill (transfer from Saint Mary’s College). “The benefit of having fifth
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Opinion: PGM picks NFL Week 4 day, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m., PDT)
AUSTIN LEDE’ STAFF WRITER Week 3 of the NFL season had crazy finishes, some surprising upsets and, of course, games that went exactly as one would expect. Ali Levins, Joe Doonan, Alec Matulka, Karl Winter and Austin LeDe’ all picked the Ravens against the Lions and were all holding their breaths as Ravens kicker Justin Tucker set up for the 66-yard game-winning field goal. This was the record for longest field goal in NFL history, and he nailed it, much to delight of the PGM staff. After three weeks Karl has a significant lead over the rest of the crew, as he is 33-15 on the season. Joe is closest to him with a 29-19 record. It is difficult to predict NFL games, as anything can happen on any given Sunday, but after three weeks teams really show who they are. So here is Ali, Joe, Karl, Austin and Alec’s picks for Week 4 of the NFL season! Tennessee Titans (21) at New York Jets (0-3) (Sunday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m., PDT) Titans: Joe, Austin, Alec, Karl, Ali “I’m gonna go with the Titans as well. They’ve looked impressive after that week one loss to the Cardinals, and I watched a little bit of the Jets game, and it’s just ... it’s sad to watch. I feel bad for Jets fans.” — Austin
Lions: Joe, Austin, Ali Bears: Alec, Karl “I’ll go with the Lions. The Bears are so ambiguous to me. I never understand them. I’ll go with the Lions and the Bears will probably score 50 points to three, just my luck.” — Ali Kansas City Chiefs (12) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) (Sunday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m., PDT) Chiefs: Joe, Austin, Alec, Karl, Ali “I will go with the Chiefs as well. I do love overreacting to small amounts of data – that’s really fun – but at the same time, the Chiefs have a strong team.” — Alec Carolina Panthers (3-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1) (Sunday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m., PDT) Cowboys: Joe, Karl Panthers: Austin, Alec “I’ll take the Cowboys. The Panther’s lost two impact players last week: Christian McCaffrey and Jaycee Horn, which makes me give the edge to the Cowboys. I think it will be a close game, though.” — Joe Seattle Seahawks (1-2) at San Francisco 49ers (21) (Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1:05 p.m., PDT) 49ers: Joe Seahawks: Austin, Alec,
Detroit Lions (0-3) at Chicago Bears (1-2) (Sun-
Karl, Ali “Seahawks have been underwhelming to start, and the Niners played well against the Packers; I’ll take the Niners in their first big NFC West showdown of the year.” — Joe Arizona Cardinals (3-0) at Los Angeles Rams (30) (Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1:05 p.m., PDT) Rams: Joe, Austin, Karl, Ali Cardinals: Alec “Kyler Murray is absolutely balling right now. There’s this famous Norwegian soccer player who plays in the German Bundesliga, Erling Haaland. Every time this guy scores, or almost every time, he does this meditation celebration, and this dude scores a lot. Kyler Murray did it after one of his touchdowns in the last game, and Bleacher Report soccer posted about it. So I just feel like the writing is on the wall.” — Alec Baltimore Ravens (21) at Denver Broncos (30) (Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1:25 p.m., PDT) Ravens: Joe, Alec, Karl, Ali Broncos: Austin “I like the Broncos. I love Teddy Bridgewater. I don’t know why I just like certain players so I like Teddy Bridgewater. They are three and zero now, and the Ravens looked a little sus against the Lions. I’m gonna go Broncos because that’s my gut feeling.” — Austin
ALI LEVENS | CREATIVE DIRECTOR Las Vegas Raiders (3-0) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-1) (Monday, Oct. 4 at 5:15 p.m., PDT)
ing a sophomore slump and the league should be terrified. The Raiders will keep it close, but Herbert will be too much.” — Joe
Chargers: Joe, Austin, Ali Raiders: Alec, Karl “Justin Herbert is not hav-
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WHAT: WSWIM VS. SAN DIEGO STATE WHERE: MALIBU, CALIF. WHEN: 9:30 A .M., PDT
WHAT: MWP VS CALIFORNIA WHERE: MALIBU, CALIF. WHEN: 1 P.M., PDT
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WHAT: WSWIM MALIBU INVITATIONAL WHERE: MALIBU, CALIF. WHEN: 10 A .M., PDT WHAT: MBKB & WBKB BLUE & OR ANGE MADNESS WHERE: MALIBU, CALIF. WHEN: 8 P.M., PDT
WHAT: WSWIM MALIBU INVITATIONAL WHERE: MALIBU, CALIF. WHEN: 10 A .M., PDT