Spring 2022 - Issue 5

IN THIS ISSUE

Love is Blind

Women’s History Month

Contestant on Netflix’s reality show stirs up controversy.

PAGE 3.

10 women artists showcase their work at the University Art Gallery in the library.

PAGE 5.

Women’s Golf Women’s golf team makes a record breaking comeback after rocky start.

PAGE 10.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 86 // ISSUE 5 MARCH 8, 2022 - MARCH 14, 2022

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

Failure to update change of address could result in a hefty fine for students

ANA FINGERSON STAFF WRITER

oncerns revolving around the rights of drivers who are university C students in Sonoma County are rising. Students and residents have been reporting getting pulled over by California Highway Patrol and

getting fix-it tickets for not having their addresses updated.

These drivers were pulled over for other traffic violations but the address issues were noticed during the traffic stop. Fortunately for these people they were let off with a warning for the initial violation but did face consequences for not having updated information.

Those given a ticket were shocked because they had not known how much of a priority it was to do the address change once moved from their parents’ home. California drivers do not seem to be educated enough on this issue, as it’s proving to be persistent within college students.

Every year, college students ages 17 and up are moving away from STAR //Noah Clarke somewhere they have always known as home and creating a new life for The Fillipino American Association proudly representing themselves in themselves in an unfamiliar place. Most students are still receiving mail at the Seawolf plaza. their parents/guardian’s or wherever they resided before moving to school.

Younger students and new residents are navigating their new lives and aren’t familiar with how soon the law says they must update their address.

California Highway Patrol suggested going onto the Department of Motor Vehicles’ website and reading up on how to change your address or even going into the DMV and getting it done there.

“If your mail is being sent somewhere else, wouldn’t you like to know ADDISON SMITH about it?” said an officer in response to being asked whether a university STAFF WRITER student legally needs to update their address or not.

The same officer also advised if a student were to be pulled over withere at Sonoma State University, there are plenty of opportunities for see STUDENTS PULLED OVER on pg. 4 new students to get involved and help strengthen the bond of the community as a whole.

With events such as the Careerfest, hosted March 7 - 16 in the Seawolf Plaza, there is no shortage of events that offer students, faculty, staff, and alumni a chance to enjoy the beautiful campus and connect with other students along with the community.

One of the biggest events on campus right now is the annual Careerfest which, according to their website, is an event that, “includes two weeks of events designed to help Seawolves get career-ready and find jobs, internship opportunities, and volunteer opportunities.”

The Careerfest is the best way for Sonoma State students to get real feedback on resumes, interview practice and practicing an “elevator pitch” for potential employers.

Each week brings new and exciting opportunities such as a “Tabling and Drop-in Resume Reviews with Employers with Community Action Partnership Sonoma” event on March 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Seawolf Plaza.

This event is available for current SSU and Alumni students who want to gain a professional opinion on their resumes.

After the first week activities are over with, the second week

Careerfest and other events help students get involved

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see CAREERFEST on pg. 4

COURTESY // nhlawoffice.com A police officer speaking to a driver after getting pulled over to the side of the road.

Feeling poisoned by nature? You’re not alone

WILLOW ORNELLAS STAFF WRITER

not COVID, it’s just allergies,” can be heard all over Sonoma County It’sasEvery many people feel their allergies are worsening. year, people catch themselves complaining that the current al-

STAR // Montana Lahey Working together in Darwin, these students are diligently wearing their masks while inside.

Mask mandate lifted for K-12 schools OLIVIA DOANE

STAFF WRITER

U

nvaccinated citizens are no longer required to wear masks in public settings as of March 1, according to updated health guidelines stated by California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom.

Newsom announced in the beginning of February that California’s case rate has decreased by 65% since the Omicron peak and hospitalizations have stabilized across the state. However, vaccinated individuals weren’t able to go mask-less for another few weeks, beginning February 15th.

Dr. Julie Anselmo, a pediatric doctor working for Central Coast Pediatrics, has seen firsthand how school aged children react to the virus, “We need to consider that younger children are unable to be see K-12 MASK MANDATE on pg. 4

lergy season is progressively worse than the previous year’s.

Emma Molloy, a 24-year-old Communications and Media Studies major said about this year’s allergy season, “This winter they started earlier.

I’ve also been having weird nose, ear and throat stuff for months but the doctor says everything looks normal so I think it’s just allergies.”

The Bay Area is notorious for having high rates of allergy sufferers and Sonoma county, specifically, is covered in many native plant species that produce high levels of pollen so it’s no surprise people are suffering from sneezing and watery eyes as Spring begins.

Stanford University School of Medicine conducted an 18-year study that discovered climate change has lengthened the allergy season by about eight to nine weeks. This isn’t because there’s more pollen in the air but rather increased temperatures from climate change are leading to plants and mold having an extended growing season which results in pollen and mold spores being airborne for longer. Longer exposure to pollen and mold spores leave people suffering from their seasonal allergies for longer, making them appear ‘worse’.

SSU immunology professor, Dr. Joseph Lin provided some insight into why people may be perceiving their allergies as worse.

“Climate change is one of the hypothesis people have been focusing on because it’s been making our allergy season start earlier because trees are coming into bloom earlier and making more pollen earlier. The biological behaviours of pollen producing plants has been changing and that would be one of the explanations why people are suffering from allergies at an earlier point,” Lin said.

Lin went on to explain that something being ‘worse’ is all about perception. It’s easy to perceive an allergy season as worse without taking into consideration the other factors that could be contributing to a person suffering from their seasonal allergies more than they would consider normal.

For example, someone who never had allergies when they were younger but have been experiencing hay fever in recent years might assume the allergy season alone is ‘worse’, when in reality, that individual is leading a different lifestyle. For instance, they may be doing more gardening, walking, or hiking than they did during previous allergy seasons which would see ALLERGIES on pg. 4

2 Editorial THE STAR Editorial Board Myles Grabau, Editor-in-Chief Maych Rowell, News Editor Emily Cripe, Opinion Editor Cléa Upcher, Arts & Entertainment Editor Isabel Epstein, Student Life Editor Nicholas Roth, Sports & Health Editor Dana Scacco, Photo Editor Corinne Asturias, Faculty Adviser

MARCH 8 - MARCH 14, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

Students working on campus struggle financially with monthly paychecks

Staff Writers Willow Ornellas, Addison Smith, Ana Fingerson, Khanh Dao, Payton Mullaney, Rosalee Padilla, Holly Durfee, Jacqueline Garcia, Javier Hernandez, Rachel Yetso, Jake Morrissey, Tanner Ivey, Olivia Doane, Danny Serrano

Photographers Montana Lahey, Mikayla Fritzemeier, Noah Clarke

Nichols Hall 323, 1801 East Cotati Ave Rohnert Park, CA 94928 Telephone: 707-664-2776 Business & General Inquiries: sonomastatestar@gmail.com Corrections and News Tips: star@sonoma.edu

Editor’s Pick This week’s can’t miss article:

“Seawolves shine at Open Mic Night” Read the article on page 6.

Have an opinion?

We’d like to hear from you!

The STAR welcomes letter to the editor

Publication The STAR is published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters. Printing is done by Sonoma Media Group. The weekly publication of the STAR is made possible by Instructionally Related Activities Funding.

Opinions

Opinions expressed in the STAR are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the STAR or SSU. The editorial reflects the views of the STAR Editorial Board on issues it considers to be of particular relevance to the campus community.

Letters to the Editor

Letter writers may expect prompt publication in the newspaper’s op-ed section, as space is available. Letters of up to 400 words will be allowed and must be submitted no later than the Friday before the publication date. Published letters must be free of libel, since the publication is held legally accountable for all content. Although personal controversy will be tolerated, it is the responsibility of the editor to check statements purporting the facts.

The STAR reserves the right to refuse publication.

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earning to budget and juggle financial responsibilities is no easy feat, especially for young adult college students being faced with the harsh reality of the expensive world we live in. Working on-campus is a great opportunity for students, complete with easy access as they are often able to walk from their dorm or directly from class to start their shift. However, students quickly learn that they are faced with financial difficulties when they don’t receive bi-weekly paychecks like many other nearby workplaces.

While many students have been working since the start of the semester in mid-January, students on a monthly pay schedule are only seeing their first paycheck sometime in March. That is a long time to go without income, especially when you have been working the entire time.

Sonoma State University, along with all other California State Universities, pay many of their student employees once monthly, and for many, this is not frequent enough. According to the Labor Commissioner’s Office, part of California’s Department of Industrial Relations, this once-a-month payment system is not uncommon for state employees.

As stated on the California State University Student Employment page, “CSU policy permits students covered under the FIC exemption to work in a part-time capacity, up to, but normally not in excess of 20 hours per week during periods when classes are in session and 40 hours per week during recess periods.”

At Sonoma State University, hourly, intermittent, and student employees can expect to be paid once a month on the 15th. For many SSU students who find themselves taking jobs on-campus, this once-a-month paycheck is viewed as quite a frustrating obstacle.

Alma Gonzalez, a third-year Art Studio major, is currently working on campus as a Learning Community Mentor for the SSU’s Learning and Academic Resource Center. Gonzalez expressed that getting paid only once a month can be quite stressful when it comes to trying to keep up with bills and budgeting.

“I am not a fan of getting paid once a month.

Given that I am a full-time student and work parttime, getting paid once a month is pretty impractical. There are several payments I have to make every month so getting paid twice a month would help a lot, especially considering I get paid on the 15th of every month so not even at the beginning,” said Gonzalez, “Although my paychecks would be smaller if I got paid every two weeks, it would help pace myself when I have to spend money.”

Many SSU students seem to share this sentiment that they would rather receive two smaller paychecks in a month than just a single paycheck at the end of the month. Ryan Harris, a 20-yearold Sociology major, used to work on campus at the Recreation Center. Harris explained that part of the reasoning behind his decision to stop working on campus and look for employment elsewhere was

COURTESY // admissions.sonoma.edu

because of the once per month payments.

“I got a decent amount of hours so that wasn’t so much of an issue - but when we add utilities, car insurance, food and groceries, and a little money for hanging out with friends, being paid once a month made it harder to ration and budget. When I get paid every other week, at least I have a little bit more consistency,” said Harris.

With the campus still not fully operational, there are fewer job opportunities available on campus for students. Despite the large gaps between paychecks, on-campus positions are often the only jobs that accommodate students’ class schedules.

Other students who work on campus also find themselves having to pick up second jobs in order to make ends meet.

Sean Kenneally, a fourth-year double majoring in Communications and Media Studies and Geography, Environment, and Planning (GEP), has been working on campus at SSU’s Welcome Center since his freshman year. Kenneally specifically spoke on the underlying issues of working on campus, citing that it has a lot to do with where everyone’s financial situation originates. “For some, [getting paid] once a month can’t pay bills or buy groceries. They can’t get an on-campus job because it won’t cut it, yet it is the only option. For others, like me, your part-time job is your part-time job: beer money and utilities. Each summer up here I’ve worked other jobs to front-load me for rent and help my folks out,” Kenneally explained.

Kenneally also went on to express that he thinks there are two larger issues to be looked at.

The first is the overall lack of hours that students, who are already being paid minimum wage, are allowed to work in a week, and the second is a lack of resources for students to become more educated on budgeting and overall financial literacy.

Drew Davis, a fourth-year Psychology major, works on campus for SSU’s Associated Students, one of the only on-campus organizations that pays their student employees twice a month.

“I can’t imagine being paid only once a month.

I already struggle sometimes with getting paid twice a month. Even with living on campus, finances always come up, whether that be groceries, gas, or medical expenses, it’s reassuring to know I have a consistent paycheck every two weeks,” said Davis.

Following high school graduation, students are excited for the transition to college life as the first step of individual responsibility. However, when students are faced with these once-monthly paychecks, financial difficulties start to fall in the balance of this already stressful transition to adulthood. While the college experience is stressful in itself, it becomes abundantly clear that many students working for SSU would much rather find their paychecks being direct-deposited into their accounts on a bi-weekly basis as opposed to monthly.

Editorial Policy: The commentary expressed in the unsigned editorial represents a majority opinion of the STAR Editorial Board on a topic facing the campus community in keeping with journalistic precedents of other major newspapers, and may not be shared by all staff writers. The board encourages readers to write letters to the editor about all topics, including the editorial.

Opinion 3

MARCH 8 - MARCH 14, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill causes uproar

tivities. Rather than encouraging inclusivity in education, this bill perpetuates misinformation and stereotyping among parents, teachers, and students alike. The LGBTQ+ community should be taught both inside and outside of the classroom.

Educating individuals allows them to understand the emotions, thoughts, and feelings they may be experiencing. By opening their eyes, they may be able to be more inclusive of the experiences and challenges that all people may encounter.

Ashley Rydell, who uses she/they pronouns, is a HUB intern at Sonoma State. She said, “I am hopeful that the bill will cause an uproar and encourage the community to become involved.” Rydell continues, “In fact, I think it’s great when kids know it’s okay to be themselves.”

KHANH DAO

STAFF WRITER

O

n Feb. 25, the Florida state senate voted in favor of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which prohibits “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity” in all Florida primary schools. This bill has caused an uproar among America’s LGBTQ+ youth and allies alike, as it prevents students from openly expressing their identities and has turned a once safe environment into a battleground.

The bill states that no “inappropriate” conversation can occur at school, and this vague language has led school staff to avoid the topic of gender identity and sexuality all together.

The conservative committee said, “This bill will set possible boundaries, and it is fair for our teachers and school districts to know what to expect and what is appropriate at school.”

This bill represents an alarming step backward in progress for the LBGT+ community. Unfortunately, our society is still willing to silence individuals who don’t conform to traditional standards in terms of acting, looking, or participating in ac-

“Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature and Governor Desantis are cynically pushing this law under the guise of ‘parental rights’.”

Irrespective of whether someone is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, they should understand the history and influence of their communities on their lives and education.

Professor Don Romesburg, the advisor of Sonoma State University’s Queer Studies Minor, said, “Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature and Governor Desantis are cynically pushing this law under the guise of ‘parental rights.’” Romesburg continues, “They have no regard for the many LGBTQ+ young people who will be harmed by this law and little concern for the overall quality of K-12 education. LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum can be taught at all grade levels in developmentally appropriate ways.”

Florida students have responded viscerally to the new bill, and they have not been quiet about their concerns. NBC News reports that Jack Petocz, a Florida high school student, organized a statewide protest, encouraging his classmates to speak up. Students waved rainbow flags in Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and other major cities throughout the state as they shouted: “WE SAY GAY!” Jack Petcoz was promptly suspended by his high school for this activity.

The educational system needs to reflect each individual’s respect and value in our society, and a limited education limits the communities ability to learn, grow and thrive.

Many young queer students and individuals already have a tough time finding an identity they fit into, and with this new law encouraging misinformation, times will continue to get tougher. With this being said, creating an environment where students are encouraged and feel safe and respected to be open and express themselves goes a long way. School is supposed to be a safe space for children to find their passions and discover things about themselves, and this bill is morphing that safe space into something sinister.

Online dating culture takes a dangerous turn

ROSALEE PADILLA

T

STAFF WRITER

he idea that you can meet your soulmate with just the swipe of your finger makes dating apps very alluring. However, there are always risks when it comes to making online connections.

With the mass popularity of the Netflix documentary “The Tinder Swindler”, there have been a lot of questions regarding the safety of applications like Tinder.

According to the University of South Carolina, an estimated 60% of college students are using dating apps.

The pandemic has made it extremely difficult to make connections in person, so many people have turned to dating apps to connect with people. With the popularity of hookup culture on college campuses, many students are only looking for superficial relationships on these applications, thus leading to the creation of dating app culture.

There are many things to be wary of when joining any dating app. First and foremost, private information is frequently stolen in exchanges through dating apps.

In Sept. of 2019, Match.com was under major scrutiny when a lawsuit was filed claiming that they were promoting fake profiles to bring in more subscribers. It is very important to be aware of scammers and “The Tinder Swindler” discusses just how convincing these con artists can be.

The documentary follows the newly-famous Tinder con man, known as Simon Leviev, and details how he managed to con numerous women out of an estimated $10 million. He created fake aliases on the well-known dating application, Tinder, to find his victims. Leviev ended up only serving five months in prison, instead of his original 15 month sentencing.

Essentially, “The Tinder Swindler” opened up conversations about the dark side of dating apps. Users took to social media, sharing tips and tricks on staying safe, vigilant, and aware of the ever-evolving risks.

It is scary to think that some of the online dating profiles users interact with on a daily basis could be fake. In light of this, it is important to share your location with friends and family in case of emergencies.

Another way to protect yourself from catfishing is by researching your date. Social media is super

popular in this day and age so there are many ways to do some digging. It’s very easy to search someone’s name on instagram and twitter, this can prove if a profile is real or not. Many of these swindlers will use fake stock images and names in order to find their next victims.

Something to consider when signing up for online dating is that virtually none of these applications require background checks. So anyone with a criminal record can sign up unbeknownst to the rest of the individuals also on these applications.

Tinder has attempted to make its application more user friendly by creating a two step verification process. You simply upload a selfie for approval, matching poses with the examples given, and then the “facial recognition technology” decides if you get verified. Once the process is completed, a blue check mark appears on the profile.

This seems like a step in the right direction but why is this verification process still optional? It seems that Tinder isn’t truly trying to ensure the safety of their users. They are really only protecting themselves by covering their bases.

There are many pros and cons to online dating, and there will always be risks in meeting up with someone you met online. The recent uptick in dating app scandals in the media serve as a reminder to never let your guard down.

in love with a person he had never seen. However as time went on outside of the pods, he couldn’t get over the fact that he was not overly attracted to her.

This show has gained a great deal of popularity since the first season, and students definitely have an opinion on Shake and how he portrayed himself throughout the most recent season.

First year student Vivian Hughston said, “Shake completely missed the point of this series and I wish he felt more secure in himself because he projected his own insecurities about physical appearance on Deepti. That would have been the case with anyone he proposed to. His initial meeting with her gave me hope for the relationship, but he was not emotionally mature enough for a relationship that didn’t rely heavily on looks.”

Shake’s lack of emotional maturity is a main factor as to why his relationship with Deepti failed the experiment. It was evident throughout the show that the couples who fully submitted to the experiment came out with strong relationships in a short amount of time. The physical attraction was naturally there because they grew emotionally with their partners, which is where Shake went wrong.

An anonymous SSU student said, “I have struggled with body image my whole life and that is exactly why I love this show. Many of the men and women on this show have dealt with similar obstacles, so that’s why when I heard Shake say things about his fianceé behind her back, my heart broke. The attrac-

tion comes when you love the person for who they are, and he did not fully love her. I wish he could have embraced Deepti for all that she is, because she is beautiful inside and out. I want someone that loves all of me and embraces the things I am insecure about, like my body.”

Connections are extremely superficial today, and it is hard to get to know someone inside first when dating apps are so prevalent and rely solely on looks.

Creating a strong foundation is what makes for a solid partnership that can withstand all the trials and tribulations life throws their way. Shake completely missed the ball on this experiment and in return he left without a wife. He needs to take what he learned throughout this process to actually form a meaningful relationship.

Caitlin Faith, another freshman at SSU, stated that “I love this show and what it stands for. I think our generation is blinded by appearance and are too distracted to truly get deep with a partner and form a genuine relationship. I think Shake had good intentions and wanted to grow, however he became lost in what the world says your partner should be. The connection he formed couldn’t withstand normal life.”

Shake was the perfect example of how superficial people can be when dating in normal circumstances.

In the end, the worldly pressure got to him and his insecurities ruined his relationship. This experiment can work, so long as the participants have the right mindset going in and coming out.

‘Love is Blind’ contestant stirs up trouble

PAYTON MULLANEY

O

STAFF WRITER

ne of Netflix’s newesr reality dating shows, “Love is Blind” runs on the idea that love is not solely based on looks. The show is run like a psychological experiment, and the goal is to have each contestant find love without knowing what their partner looks like until they propose. In the show’s newly released second season, one contestant, Abhishek “Shake” Chatterjee, entered the experiment knowing all he cared about was looks, causing quite the controversy.

When Shake initially entered the pods, rooms with a wall down the middle meant for blind conversations between contestants, he asked every woman he encountered questions about their weight and activity level. How they answered would determine if he proceeded on with them. After a while he met a woman, Deepti Vempati, and embraced the process of falling

4 News

MARCH 7 - MARCH 14, 2022 sonomastatestar.com

Mask mandadtes are being lifted across the state; is SSU next? continued from pg. 1

vaccinated, and those with serious immune problems may be ineligible for the vaccine. We need to look at the community transmission SSU Careerfest will be taking place March 7 through March 16. level as a whole, and not just a universal lift of mask mandates.”

Now, California no longer requires schools to enforce wearing masks indoors, beginning March 12. According to the SF Chronicle, “health officials from Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano and Sonoma Counties said in a joint statement that they will align with the state next week and will not keep in place local mask mandates.”

Overall, state officials are beginning to relax mask policies altogether. Recently, CA Parent Power has come forward to help other continued from pg. 1 parents’ voices be heard amongst others.

Founded by Megan Bacigalupi, CA Parent Power consists of a welcomes the addition of the Career Fair. The Career Fair is held in group of parents across California who have come together and dediperson March 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Ballroom A located cated their time, resources, and professional skills to help center the on the third floor of the student center.

On March 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the career fair will be voices of parents and families in CA public education. As their misgoing virtual on Handshake which can be found in the student portal sion is centered on taking steps towards returning to some sense of normalcy in schools, Bacigalupi says “the number one way we think of every Sonoma State student.

On top of these organizations there are a million more ways stu- that can be achieved is to allow for masks to be optional in schools.” dents can get involved with the many facets that make SSU great.

However, there are differing views on if the mask mandate should One of the ways students can get involved or learn more about on- be lifted. campus opportunities is through Sonoma State’s Associated Students, Second year student Sirelle Page says “I personally wouldn’t like which is host to a variety of different departments such as, Associ- masks to be lifted in schools because we’ll just get another wave of ated Students Productions (ASP), Join Us Making Progress(JUMP), the pandemic.” and Student Involvement (SI).

The hope is that masks no longer become a requirement, but a Each division brings something unique to the table and are ex- recommendation. Amid the controversy, elementary schools and cellent resources for any student to turn to when they want to get schools with younger children have lifted the requirement of masks involved on campus.

According to Associated Students, their mission is to create an worn at school as well.

CDC epidemiologist, Greta Massetti says “Because children are environment where they will “enrich the lives of students and build relatively at lower risk for severe illness, schools can be a safe place a sense of community as well as building a vibrant community of for children, so for that reason we’re recommending that schools use students as well as support and empower individuals by providing the same guidance that we are recommending in general community resources, leadership opportunities, social connection, and commusettings.”

Meaning schools will no longer require the use of a mask, nity service.”

These student-run organizations work hard to put on these events unless chosen to.

Although children are at less risk for severe illness, we still need for the community and offer faculty and students the chance to come together. to see students succeed in coming together as a community. to think about the community as a whole. Many children with seriFrom one side of school to the other, students will always find ous immune problems, or children with special health care needs are something to look forward to whether that be a concert at the Green now more at risk if universal masking goes away.

Music Center, a club sport game played on one of the fields off of the Sonoma State came out with a statement on February 16, regardBeaujolais dorm buildings, or finding an event at the HUB Cultural ing the mask mandate. President Judy Sakaki acknowledged the liftCenter. ed mask mandate, however, stated “SSU will continue to require that The HUB Cultural Center (which stands for, Honoring the Past, face masks be worn inside all campus buildings.”

Uniting the present, and Building the future, is a safe place on camSophomore May Haynes said “I think we are at a point where pus that focuses on fostering connections.. Part of the HUB’s mission masks aren’t required anywhere else, so I think it’d be appropriate is to “cultivate meaningful conversation and build community within to lift the mask mandate, however, I think unvaccinated students and between diverse cultures.”Our programs and events focus on in- should still have to wear them since they can spread COVID a lot clusivity, equity, and community-building.”

These events at the HUB, along with concerts, Greek Organiza- easier than vaccinated students. It’s more of an incentive to get vactions, and Student Involvement organizations can all be looked into cinated too.”

While these new suggested guidelines have been announced, the further by browsing apps like Engage, an app located in the student CDC still recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical portal, or Handshake, another app located on the student portal for distance between students within a classroom setting, to reduce the job and internship opportunities. transmission risk. And in instances where this is not possible, it is important to layer multiple prevention strategies, such as screenings and testings.

People and children with more severe health risks are relying on masks to keep them safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics President Moira Szilagyi suggests everyone keep in mind, “the toll continued from pg. 1 that the pandemic has taken has not been felt equally across racial or out an updated address that they can be “courteous and respectful” to the economic lines, and we must acknowledge these inequities,” as we continue to keep moving forward and navigate the right choices to officer and hope they understand the circumstance.

In the California driver handbook on the DMV website, it reads, “If you keep families, and children of our community safe and healthy. move, you must notify DMV of your new address within 10 days. Submit a change of address online at dmv.ca.gov, by mail, or at a DMV office. It is your responsibility to ensure DMV has your correct mailing address on record.”

Every source of information regarding a students’ obligation to update their addresses explained it is not required to physically change it on the license but to make sure to have it changed online through the DMV. Mason Ybarra, 21-year-old Cotati resident, got pulled over two weeks continued from pg. 1 after moving to Sonoma County with his fiance for school at SSU. The officer originally pulled him over in regards to speeding but saw he guarantee more severe allergies or the experiencing of seasonal allergies hadn’t updated his address. The officer let him off on the speeding violation for the first time. but instead gave him a fix it ticket for the address change. Ybarra updated Lin explained that one of the biggest contributors to suddenly worsenit but still had to pay a $250 dollar fine for not sending proof to the court. ing allergies is relocation. It’s easy to forget that moving exposes you to Highway Patrol made it clear that they are allowed to ticket a driver as many varieties of new local flora that your immune system isn’t familiar many times as they feel are needed until the violation is fixed. They also with. This will guarantee a spike in seasonal allergies for at least a few seawanted to remind drivers that they need to pay attention to the date on the sons until your immune system becomes better acquainted with the new ticket in which they need to update the court by. Failure to do so can be a region’s pollen and mold spores. bigger fine than the ticket itself. A citation for a fix it ticket is $25 dollars It also takes time for our bodies to develop a response to sensitivities each time but will go up from there. which is why it can take time for people’s allergies to get worse after movGrace Swanton, a third year anthropology major at SSU stated she felt ing to a new area. it was “discriminatory for a cop to expect somone to know and change their Lin also explained there have been multiple studies that show that chiladdress right after moving. Especially if they are a student or a part of a dren who grow up surrounded by pets have decreased chances of coming family that moves a lot. Giving someone a ticket or citation for not changing down with allergies later in life. “Early exposure can shape your later detheir address is unfair and discriminates against people who might not live velopment of allergies,” Lin said. in the same place for a long time.” Swanton moved to Rohnert Park to attend Lin then brought up the hygiene hypothesis, which suggests that indiSSU and now feels concerned this wasn’t talked about more. viduals who grow up in too clean of an environment aren’t training their According to the California Courts website on correctable violations immune system so it starts over reacting to things that would otherwise be such as “fix-it” tickets, “When you fix the problem, get an authorized person benign. to sign the “Certificate of Correction” part of your ticket. Take the proof of “If you start looking at lesser developed countries where sanitation and correction to the court and pay the dismissal fee before the deadline. You hygiene standards are very different than those of developed countries, can check your ticket or contact the court to see if the court accepts proof of these countries have very few issues with allergies.That lends evidence to correction by mail. The court will then dismiss your case and it will not go the idea that by living in too clean of an environment, we’re then doing a on your record. You must take or mail the signed ticket with proof of correc- disservice. Our immune system doesn’t get challenged appropriately,” Lin tion to the court along with your dismissal fee. Do this before the deadline said. on your ticket. The court will then dismiss your case.”

For people who are sufferers of seasonal allergies, Lin suggested they Sonoma State University campus police responded to students being should limit their exposure to decrease the allergen load. Wearing a mask told to update their addresses by giving important information and sugges- outdoors and keeping your windows closed helps. tions. They acknowledged the “gray area” of current addresses for students Heidi Herrmann is an SSU agricultural instructor and in charge of the being temporary. native plant garden on campus. She too, carries a tissue in her pocket at this An SSU officer stated that they understand and won’t always give a time of the year. Being a sufferer of seasonal allergies herself, Herrmann citation but by law “Whenever any person after applying for or receiving had some insight for anyone else sniffling this Spring. a driver’s license moves to a new residence, or acquires a new mailing ad“Taxed and maxed-out immune systems provide a small buffer to tolerdress different from the address shown in the application or in the license ate allergens in our environment. Keeping a body at a high response level as issued, he or she shall within 10 days thereafter notify the department is exhausting - be mindful of your sleep, stress levels, drinking enough of both the old and new address. The department may issue a document to water, breathing deep breaths, healthy communication, exercising, etc,” accompany the driver’s license reflecting the new address of the holder of Herrmann said. “The quality of food you are ingesting also plays a big the license.” role in your immune response- processed foods take work to digest, reduce For more information regarding driving rights, violations, change of ad- your white flour/pasta intake, reduce your acid food intake (sugar and alcodress and much more visit the DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. hol), and selecting organically grown ingredients all help.”

COURTESY//career.sonoma.edu

SSU offers many ways for students to get involved with campus life

Have you changed your address?

‘It’s not COVID-19; it’s just allergies’

MARCH 8 - MARCH 14, 2022 sonomastatestar.com

Arts & Entertainment 5

Women artists showcase their work at ‘A Beautiful Mess’

JACQUELINE GARCIA

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STAFF WRITER

he University Art Gallery welcomes its first show of the semester, A Beautiful Mess: Weavers & Knotters of the Vanguard, from Feb. 24 through April 10. Organized by the Bedford Gallery, the exhibit includes 17 works by ten women artists stretching the boundaries of woven art. “Bringing this exhibition to our gallery is both exciting and enlightening. When the campus closed, the gallery was frustrated in its mission of offering its resources both to students and the larger community. It struggled on, as many arts venues did. We had exhibitions online, but I think any art lover will tell you it’s not the same. The fiber arts have interested me for a long time, so I am excited to bring our visitors this show,” said Jennifer Bethke, Interim Gallery Director.

All of the featured artists use weaving or knotting as their primary artistic style. The featured artists of this exhibition are Windy Chien, Kirsten Hassenfeld, Dana Hemenway, Kira Dominguez Hultgren, dani lopez, Hannah Perrine Mode, Liz Robb, Meghan Shimek, Katrina Sánchez Standfield, and Jacqueline Surdell. These artists certainly were not limited to traditional fabric; implementing the use of wire, clay, yarn, and rope; knotting and twisting their medium to create various sculptures that range from minimalist to outlandish — and transcending traditional perceptions about the art of knotting, macremé, and weaving with traditional materials.

The exhibition features a 10-foot-tall wall hanging an untitled piece by Hemenway woven from 42 extension cords and augmented with wood and fluorescent light fixtures. Windy Chien depicts computer imagery in her 2021 piece titled “ Circuit Board”, created from rope, synthetic Chainette yarn, and vintage 24-karat gold Japanese thread.

“I’ve gone to the exhibition around three times already. Dana Hemenway, who is San Francisco based, was my main interest in

coming to the exhibition, but after taking a glimpse of the rest of the artists’ work, it’s hard not to come back to enjoy the rest of the artwork,” said Luis Marcos, a third-year art history major.

In Chicago artist Jacqueline Surdell’s 2018 piece titled “Orange 2”, she uses braided cotton cord and a steel curl bar, all anchored by a 15-pound weight, to create a unique wall hanging. The entire piece weighs 96 pounds and stands nearly 8 feet high. “What’s interesting to me in this exhibition is not only the different medium the artists are utilizing but the way they are doing it. I would’ve never thought about nylon rope and zip ties as an artist’s medium of choice. Kira Dominguez’s ‘Across_1’ piece is a full handspun piece that blew my mind,” continued Marcos.

Oakland artist dani lopez, who prefers her name and titles all in lowercase letters, created a bright multicolor art pierced tilted “tell me that love isn’t true”, 2019, from handwoven cotton and handcut novelty fabric. The piece from her 2019 handwoven art series exploring queer desire, femininity, and femme identity has become a favorite by many who visit the University’s Art Gallery. “I’ve always admired dani lopez’s work, and the passion and work ethic she carries is amazing. I’ve been a fan of dani since her first art series back in 2018; getting the opportunity to see her work is a great treat.

I’m glad this exhibition will be around for a bit longer,” said Shannon Davis, a third-year women and gender studies major.

“The work speaks for itself. It’s colorful, fun, and playful. It’s an essential opportunity for art enthusiasts and anyone interested in exploring different aspects of weaving to make time and check out the exhibition,” added Bethke.

The campus gallery is open Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and weekends, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is free to students and the public.

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier ‘tell me that love isn’t true’ (2019), a handwoven piece by Oakland artist Dani Lopez.

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier Waiting for Tomorrow (2021) and Repairing (2020), by Katrina Sanchez Standfield, at the University Art Gallery.

Concert Jazz and Latin Jazz Ensembles perform a five-piece set at Schroeder Hall

COURTESY// music.sonoma.edu Directed by Ian Carey, Jazz Combo performs in Schroeder Hall at SSU. Jazz Combos are “themed” small groups of 3-10 students and some of the themes have included “Blue Note Ensemble;” “Funk/Fusion Ensemble;” “Hard Bop Ensemble,” “Student Jazz Composers Ensemble,” and more.

HOLLY DURFEE STAFF WRITER

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SU’s Concert Jazz and Latin Jazz Ensembles took the stage of Schroeder Recital Hall on March 3 from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The Concert Jazz Ensemble kicked off the show with a five-piece set which consisted of songs by famous musicians such as Duke Ellington and Hank Mobley. After a brief intermission, the Latin Jazz group performed six pieces starting with a song called Amazonia by Ana Caram.

Sierra Smith, a third-year Music Education major and flutist for the jazz ensemble, explained the methodology behind the performances, “It’s a lot of guesswork. A lot of it is just playing off of each other and making sure that you are listening to everyone in the ensemble. Otherwise, if you are not listening, it can get very disjunct.” Smith went on to say, “Collectively, we’ve each had only five rehearsals, so it was a really big deal for us to play tonight because we didn’t have much preparation, but I think it went really well.”

Ian Carey, the Concert Jazz Ensemble Director, also commented on the candid nature of jazz: “We meet once a week, and it’s a mixture of playing through the charts. I coach them on that, give them some feedback, and try to get them to think about what they are doing and be proactive. We listen to some examples and some recordings to get ideas of how to work with things. Overall, they spend a lot of time on their own working things out, working on how to improvise.”

The Jazz Ensemble consisted of nine musicians, featuring the guitar, drums, tenor saxophone, trombone, bass, alto saxophone, flute, french

horn, and a vocalist. The Latin Jazz group consisted of five musicians utilizing the tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, bass, piano, vibraphone and drums. Each instrumentalist took turns performing solo. Notably, the Latin Jazz group illuminated the stage with creative lighting effects..

Throughout the event, musicians could be seen glancing at one another periodically. Jomei Greer, a second-year jazz studies major as well as the pianist/percussionist for the Latin Jazz group, explained the phenomenon, “That to me symbolizes good musicianship. Jazz is an interpersonal genre. I think to be stuck in your own instrument takes away from a bigger motive of jazz which is the community that it creates. So, by being on a stage with these other amazing musicians, I want to take in as much as they can give me. I’m always looking for them, and if they need a little lick or something, I can play it back.”

Greer described how the Latin Jazz group prepared for the concert, “We get the music, and we sit down with it. All of us now can look at it and play through it and fix any small errors. For a harder song, we will break it down slowly, but most of the time, it’s pretty straightforward.”

Overall, the show brought in a small yet enthusiastic crowd. The event was free to Sonoma State students and faculty. Tickets were sold to community members for $12 at the Green Music Center. Prior to entry masks and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test were required. To learn more about future events, visit the Music department’s page on the SSU website.

Student Life Seawolves shine at Open Mic Night

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MARCH 8 - MARCH 14, 2022 sonomastatestar.com

RACHEL YETSO

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STAFF WRITER

ast Friday, March 4, a collection of talented Sonoma State students all gathered center stage of Ballroom A in the Student Center from 8-10 p.m. for Open Mic Night.

As an event designed to give recognition to creative and talented Seawolves, the show attracted lots of support and interest from the surrounding Sonoma State community. The event was open to the public and was also available to stream live via Zoom.

The MC’s of Open Mic Night, Phi Tran and Tyson Miller, did an amazing job facilitating the event while also keeping the crowd engaged and entertained. The show consisted of several comedy acts, musical talents and poets.

Hollis LeGate opened the show, showcasing herself as a vocalist. Isabelle Barkey was second on the stage, performing and reading original poetry. Saffron Walter, followed by Maya Pratt-Bauman, both had stand up comedy acts to let loose and get the crowd laughing, featuring bits about their family upbringing, dating life, and more. Deija Temple performed a couple songs, such as a cover of Paramore’s, “Ain’t it Fun.” Bucky Brynjegard-Bialik was next, featuring their own poetry and comedic monologue, encouraging students to have fun in life while they still can. “We’re all going to die eventually so I like to encourage people to have fun,” said BrynjegardBialik.

Last to perform at Open Mic Night was Ismael Armando Ramos. Ramos was the student coordinator of the event and showcased his new album, “Hazel St.” which is available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify. He captivated the audience with confident stage presence, creative lyrics, and impressive musicality.

Ramos got his passion for composing and singing in a traditional Mexican household from his Grandpa, who introduced him to playing the guitar. The album name comes from a street in Ramos’s hometown, where he would skateboard frequently “I was always told to listen to music to clear my head, but I felt that I couldn’t find songs that expressed how I felt. So I decided to write my own…The hope is that others can meta-

COURTESY // Rachel Yetso Ismael Armando Ramos not only performed original songs, but helped plan Open Mic Night. phorically skate down the album to clear their minds like I did.”

When asked about his inspiration behind putting together the event, Ramos said, “I was looking for a place to perform and get my name out there… I have had the privilege to have class with and work with some amazing performers, so I thought why not create an event where talented individuals can have an opportunity to perform something they always wanted to perform in a safe and supportive space.”

Director of Student Involvement, Mo Phillips, commended Ramos for taking charge of the event. “Most of the time events on campus are hosted by an office, department, or program, but Armando just came up with the idea, we chatted, and it happened,” said Phillips.

Phillips encourages students that are interested in starting their own events to reach out. “If you are a student and have an idea for an event or club, or have not quite found your niche yet, set up a time to meet with me and let’s chat about it. We’ll connect you with the folks who can walk you through the process,” said Phillips. To contact Mo Phillips, reach out at mo.phillips@sonoma.edu or by phone at (707) 664-2804.

Artists and creative minds of all kinds are welcome to join future Open Mic Nights, the next one being hosted by ASP on Wednesday March 9 at 7 p.m.

Students who are interested in participating in upcoming Open Mic Nights can reach out to the Student Involvement Center at studentinvolvement@sonoma.edu.

WiCS club aims to empower interested students

DANIEL SERRANO

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STAFF WRITER

he Women in Computer Science club (WiCS) is one of the most diverse clubs we have on campus. The WiCS club promotes the participation of Sonoma State students to pursue interests in computer science.

Although their name may suggest otherwise, this club is open to all genders. WiCS prides themselves in their diversity and their embracing of all cultures and backgrounds. This club gives members the opportunity to make connections outside of their ordinary classrooms. The club also allows guest speakers, who are often alumni from Sonoma State, to give insight on their jobs they have been offered due to serving time in the club or having a degree in computer science.

They additionally have other guest speakers come in to talk about upcoming internships and other opportunities for their companies. Big technology companies like Intel, and Google are offering internships for computer science concentrated students. This gives inspiration to the undergraduates in the club to keep striving to graduate and to pursue any career they would like after graduation.

The president of WiCS, fifth year Katie Pell, who is double majoring in computer science and applied math said her favorite part in being a part of the club is, “Being able to connect with so many people that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to meet and spend time with.”

Many students in the club share similar experiences and have created a strong bond among fellow club members. Vice President Haley Jogger, a second year who is majoring in computer science, had this to say about the club, “my favorite part of WiCS club so far has been getting involved and meeting new people.

Also, I like getting to see a lot of different people’s

COURTESY // Facebook WiCS creates opportunites for studens to explore opportunites in computer scicene. perspectives when we begin coding.”

Not only does WiCS create opportunities for connections within the club, it also permits members to participate in competitions and meet members from other schools.

Kate Trombetta, a fourth year computer science major said, “my most memorable experience being a part of the WiCS club so far was definitely last semester when we took part in the hack-a-thon. We took third place and won a cash prize which went straight to the funding of our club. This was the first time I had ever done a hack-a-thon and it was fun to work as a team to try and build the skills necessary to decipher the codes given to us.”

The money they received is going to help them host events through this semester and hopefully draw the attention of more students. In two weeks WiCS will be hosting a create your own portfolio with the GetHub hosting website. Dr. Sheldman, from NASA, will be coming in and teaching club members how to make their own portfolio websites. Dr. Sheldman will also be critiquing students’ existing resumes and showing how to make them more appealing for future employers. Some other upcoming events that WiCS will be hosting throughout the rest of the semester include, a pizza party and a hack-a-thon later in April, as well as a capture the f lag event in May. Through business connections, internship opportunities, lifetime friendships, and fun events to attend, WiCS is a great opportunity to be immersed into the Seawolf community. The club meets bi-weekly on Fri. from 1-2 p.m. on Zoom. Head to https://engage.sonoma.edu/organization/women-in-computer-science-club for more information on WiCS.

Getaway trips available for SSU students JAVIER HERNANDEZ

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STAFF WRITER

ooking for fun activities to do outside of campus? Sonoma State is here to help with a plethora of off-campus activities through their getaway trip program.

Sonoma State is offering its students these trips at very low rates, some even being free.

Sonoma State’s campus is in a prime location as it is within one to three hours of many exciting cities and attractions. An hour south of Sonoma, you will find the Bay Area with all of its fun activities. A two to three-hour drive north and the famous giant redwoods of Mendocino county are there ready to be explored. An hour drive towards the East and the coast is there along with its beautiful beaches ready for students to relax. Sonoma State is in a very central location and it is quite easy to find things for those looking for fun.

“I have done these kinds of trips at my last three universities and students have loved them,” said Mo Phillips, director of student involvement. “[Students] get off campus, meet people who might have similar interests and they get to see the sites locally and across the Bay Area. We pay for the gas, tolls and parking and the students pay for a reduced-price ticket.”

An upcoming getaway trip Sonoma State is offering, is a trip to Pier 39 in San Francisco. The trip will be this Saturday and is free for students. Pier 39 is one of the most famous areas in all of the Bay area. The pier is known for its cool shops and restaurants including the famous Bubba Gump restaurant where people can go enjoy some of the best seafood around. Any students that are interested in going will need to meet in front of Police Services on Saturday at 10 a.m. with snacks and water for the trip.

The second getaway trip Sonoma State is offering is to watch Steph Curry and the

Golden State Warriors take on the Washington Wizards at the Chase Center. The game is on March 14 and prices for tickets range from $32.50 to $65. This is a great opportunity for students to not only cheer on a local Bay Area team but also visit a state-of-the-art arena. Students that are interested should make sure to purchase tickets online.

“I feel like this gateway trip to see the warriors is a really cool idea. I’ve never been to a Warriors game so I think it’s a really good opportunity through SSU,” said Naomi Islas, a fourth-year student at Sonoma State University. “Since I don’t have a car on campus, it’ll be something nice to go to without having to worry about how to get there and back.”

A third getaway trip that will be available in March is Movie Matinee at Reading Cinemas Rohnert Park on March 19. Students will have the opportunity to go watch a movie and enjoy some snacks. The students who attend will help decide what movie is chosen to watch. Tickets are $5 and sign-ups are available online.

The fourth and final getaway trip available this month is a trip to We Create Pottery and Glass Fusion studio on March 31. On this trip, students will be able to create their own pottery. This will be a great opportunity for students to let their creative side out and express themselves. Prices for this activity will vary.

“I have always wanted to create pottery but I don’t want to take a class to be able to make something. This getaway is the perfect solution to get out there and create without worrying about getting a final grade on it,” said Denise Bevis, a second-year student at Sonoma State University.

To find out more information about the getaway trips, meeting times and pricing make sure to head over to http://www.seawolfliving.com/featured?category=Getaway%20Trips.

MAR. 8 - MAR. 14, 2022

sonomastatestar.com

COURTESY // Justin Ferarri Senior Aaryn Pickett nails a three-pointer earlier this season. Pickett had a team high 15 points against CSULA.

Sports

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COURTESY // Justin Ferarri Senior Zane Sheckherd, who had 10 points, brings the ball up the floor against a tough defense.

SSU falls at CCAA tournament JAKE MORRISSEY STAFF WRITER

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his past

Thursday, Sonoma State’s Women’s Basketball team traveled to Cal State Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., to compete in this year’s CCAA Championship Tournament. The sixth seed Seawolves drew a first-round matchup against third seed Cal State Los Angeles. This was the third time these two teams had faced one another, with the Seawolves taking the first two. In a wire-to-wire game, the Seawolves fell in the third game, 57-52, ending their season and postseason push.

The game was a nail-biter, as both teams traded baskets the whole way through. The Seawolves took a one-point lead at the end of the third quarter with a late three-pointer from senior guard Aaryn Pickett. The Golden Eagle offense was too much to handle for the Seawolves, though they were outscored 20-14 in the fourth quarter.

“The game just came down to the last buckets that L.A. was able to score late in the game,” said junior guard Taylor Johnson. “We played defense to the best of our abilities, but their last shots were enough to secure the win.”

The Seawolves were led in scoring by Pickett, who had 15 points while going 5-15 from the field. Also, for the Seawolves, freshman forward Allison McDonald had 14 points, and senior forward Zane Sheckherd added 10 points and seven rebounds.

“Personally, scoring within the offense was working for me,” said McDonald. “We also moved the ball really well and found the open man.”

Leading CSULA in scoring was freshmen guard Lily Buggs, who

had 16 points going 6-12 shooting. However, it was their team’s defense that propelled L.A. to victory. CSULA kept constant pressure on the ball by keeping a full-court press on the entire game. This defensive effort led to 10 steals and four blocks.

“We have prepared all year against defensive pressure. It is something that has plagued us all season,” said Head Coach Richard Shayewitz.

“Over the course of the season, we improved a ton, but L.A.’s pressure was different than the prior two games.”

After beating Sonoma State, CSULA played against CSU East Bay for the CCAA semi-finals. The score was 74-63 in favor of CSU East Bay. East Bay then went on to win the CCAA championship game against San Marcos, with a final score of 80-66.

After a long, hard-fought season, the SSU Women’s Basketball team will head into the offseason. The Seawolves faced plenty of challenges this past season and spent much of the season without a fully healthy team. This is an excellent base to build from for future seasons.

“I am truly proud of this team this year. We battled through many types of adversity and were able to persevere and earn a spot in the CCAA Championships,” said Shayewitz. “This is a gritty bunch that was able to adapt and overcome.”

After playing much of the season without a full roster, earning a spot in the CCAA Championship Tournament was no small feat for SSU. Without a doubt, the team showed that they belonged there as well. This offseason, the team will build on their positives and come back with a vengeance next year.

Nielsen’s record-breaking performance leads SSU to victory TANNER IVEY

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STAFF WRITER

onoma State Women’s Golf team traveled to Alameda, Calif., to compete on Feb. 27- Mar. 1 in the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout hosted by Cal State East Bay. The Seawolves began the first day with a combined 15-over-par 303 to tie for 5th position.

It was a less than ideal start for the Seawolves, but they quickly rallied back. Leading the charge was senior Lexi Nielsen, one of the best golfers in the CCAA and two-time CCAA player of the week.

“I had two polar opposite days,” said Nielsen, “The first day was mediocre, but the second day was special. Everything felt right; I birdied my second hole and was happy to see a putt roll in early. On the fourth hole, I made an eagle and holed out from 120 yards. We were able to build on this momentum and rode it to the end of the tournament.”

Nielsen set a fast pace after playing her opening 12 holes four under with just one bogey, three birdies, and an eagle on the par-4 10th, following an uncharacteristic five-over-par-77 performance in her first round that included three birdies but eight bogeys. She would compose herself and focus on birdieing her final three holes of the round after making her only two bogeys on the day on 12 and 14. Her six birdies and an eagle would allow her to finish with a tournamentlow six-under-par 66, not only propelling herself into the top three of the tournament individually, but also allowing her to break her school record for a low individual round of five-under-par 67, which she had last spring in the teams very own SSU Invitational.

Senior Samantha Cabunag also helped keep SSU in the hunt with an even-par first round along with Nielsen. Cabunag had a team-high five birdies in her opening round but could not keep an under-par round as she also had five bogeys. Cabunag birdied 12, 17, and 18 in her second round to finish under-par on the back nine and one-overpar for the day.

On the last day, the Seawolves’ youthful potential shined through as freshman Lauren Garcia, and sophomore Brenna Ozel teamed to shoot three-over-par 75 and help SSU record a team score of two-under-par 286 for the tournament. Garcia and Ozel would make multiple birdies on the back nine, finishing even par. Four of the team’s five players shot four-under on the back nine, as the Seawolves capitalized on their momentum and favorable conditions.

“It was a team effort,” said Nielsen. “I’m proud of each and every member of this team, especially when the spotlight was on them. It felt good to see the girls walking out on the last day with smiles on

their faces ready to do the best we can do regardless of the outcome. It was a super fun experience to have, and I feel blessed to share it with such a solid group of girls.”

Head Coach Val Verhunce felt the same way. According to the SSU Women Golf recap, Coach Verhunce said, “It was a great day for us. The weirdest part is that I was not even aware of how quickly we were climbing the leaderboard. I saw some of our girls miss some short putts early in the round, and I did not think we were off to a great start. I was made aware of the eagle from Lexi but I do not like to pay attention to the leaderboard during a round. I just like to read our players’ body language and assist them whenever I can. It was a great team performance and climbing five spots really shows the depth of our team” The Sonoma State Women’s Golf team hopes to keep this momentum going into Cal State San Marcos Fujikura Invitational on Mar. 6-8 at Shadowridge Golf Club in Vista, California.

COURTESY // sonomaseawolves.com The SSU Women’s golf team poses for a photo with their trophies after winning the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout.

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MARCH 8 - MARCH 14, 2022

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Seawolves promote campus involvement

STAR // Noah Clarke The Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity (NAK) tables for recruitment at Seawolf Plaza.

STAR // Noah Clarke In Seawolf Plaza, SSU’s Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority promotes their annual philanthropy event, ‘Lip Jam’.

Le Concert des Nations orchestra performs at GMC

COURTESY // Ben Richard Jordi Savall & Le Concert des Nations receive a standing ovation after finishing their concert performance.

COURTESY // Christine Jossey Jordi Savall & Le Concert des Nations warm up before their orchestra performance begins.

The SSU Art Gallery honors work by 10 women artists

A close up of the handwoven cotton yarn and hand-cut novelty fabrics used to create “tell me that love isn’t true,” (2019) by Dani Lopez.

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier “Flower for an Hour “ (2021) by Kirsten Hassenfeld is made of salvaged textiles with mixed media. Hassenfeld upcycled many fabrics from thrift stores and forgotten storage spaces to create these intricate designs.

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier

STAR // Mikayla Fritzemeier Millefleur (2019) by Kirsten Hassenfeld was another handwoven textile piece featured at the gallery.