In this issue:
Student Life: Laverne Cox visits The Green Music Center Pg. 8
Opinion: Starbucks’ red cups distract from real issues. Pg. 3 A&E: ‘Star Wars’ fans have nothing to worry about. Pg. 6 Sports: Women’s soccer season ends abruptly. Pg. 11 SINCE 1979
VOLUME 75 // ISSUE 12
NOVEMBER 17 - NOVEMBER 23, 2015
THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER
Bike theft suspect arrested Brandon Stachnik Editor-in-Chief
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STAR // Connor Gibson Sonoma State University’s volleyball team won its 19th consecutive game on Saturday against California State University, Chico. The team remains undefeated at home this season and is CCAA champions.
Volleyball team sweeps Chico, remains undefeated at home See the full story on Pg. 10
bike theft suspect was arrested on Nov. 8 after fleeing from Sonoma State University police officers at 3 a.m., according to campus police. The suspect, 47-yearold Shane Dion Kee, was commanded to stop by Sonoma State Police Corporal Neal Mackenzie after committing a vehicle code violation while riding a bike on Redwood Circle near the Green Music Center. Kee reportedly fled to the Brookfield Homes construction area on Rohnert Park Expressway across from the university and abandoned the stolen bike. Police say the suspect hid among the tall grass of the construction area before being located and apprehended by Mackenzie with the help of Sonoma State Police Officer Don Hinton. Kee is now in the custody of the Sonoma County jail with numerous criminal charges. According to the police there has been no sighting of Sean Kelly, another bike thief suspect whose warrant for his ar-
rest was sent out over a month ago. “The warrant is still valid, but he has been avoiding/evading us,” said Nathan Johnson, chief of police at Sonoma State in an email statement. In the 2014/2015 academic year alone there were 77 bike thefts reported to campus police services, compared to 37 reported the year prior. According to Associated Students, the thefts occur predominantly in residential communities. As a result of the increase in thefts, the Senate discussed a resolution last Friday to implement more secure bike racks near student housing on campus. The implementation of these bike racks will be voted on at this Friday’s senate meeting. Other college campuses, such as UC Davis, CSU Chico and UC Santa Barbara have installed bike racks that allow users to lock both the bicycle frame and front tire onto the rack. Police Services encourages students to use their bike registration program in order to better find a missing bike in the event of a theft.
Alpha Gamma Delta looking to include non-Greeks in Lip Jam lpha Gamma Delta is looking to cast two non-Greek organizations to its “Lights, Camera, Action” annual Lip Jam event this year for the first time. The sorority’s annual lip-syncing and dancing competition raises funds for diabetes education and awareness. Last year alone, the competition raised $40,720 for the cause, making Sonoma State’s Alpha Gamma Delta chapter the largest contributor among chapters. This year, Lip Jam coordinators are making an effort to bring non-Greek organizations to the competition. Erica Pecho, a senior and coordinator of Lip Jam explained the sorority’s reasoning to include other campus organizations in the event. “We chose to add two new organizations because we have always said it was open to all groups on campus but really only offered to the Greeks,” said Pecho. “So this year we thought it would be a great way to incorporate more campus groups and get more people involved in our philanthropic cause.” Organizations were able to submit applications up until last Friday. Invita-
tions were sent by the university to clubs and all club sports groups on campus. Organizations were asked to send their interest, the number of participants and why their club would make a great addition to the dance and lip syncing event. Their applications would later be reviewed by the sorority and Lip Jam coordinators. The two selected organizations will be announced later this week. When asked if this is a trend the sorority will continue each year considering that new fraternities are set to come next semester to campus, Pecho believes so. “I think that in the future we will try to do this every year to make it not just a ‘Greek event’ but a school wide event,” said Pecho. “Due to the length of the show, who knows how we handle it next year with the new fraternities. It is a work in progress but at the same time, I think that we will try and do this for future years.” “I think it’s awesome that we are bringing new fresh blood to our Lip Jam event,” said Katelyn Reimer, a senior and member of Alpha Gamma Delta. “Sometimes the Greek community gets a bad reputation that it doesn’t really involve the whole Sonoma [State] community
to their events and I am glad [we’re] bringing one of the best events we have to the whole campus. Plus it’s all for a really great cause.” Albert Tigranyan, a junior and member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, also agrees with the sorority’s decision to include non-Greek organization in Lip Jam “It’s cool that nonGreeks can now participate in Lip Jam,” said Tigranyan. “There’s always people that want to join and are discouraged when they find out you have to be affiliated.” When the two nonGreek organizations are chosen they will pick from a pool of classic and award-winning movies such as “Casablanca”, “Indiana Jones”, “Star Wars”, “Pirates of the Caribbean”, and “Avatar” to base their lip syncing and dance routines. “If somehow my club gets chosen I’ll be excited because deep down I’ve always wanted to do something like this,” said Peter Lee, a junior nursing student. Lip Jam will be coming to Weill Hall for the second year in a row on March 4 at 7 p.m. For more information, students are encouraged to contact members of Alpha Gamma Delta or visit their Facebook page.
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Francisco Carbajal Staff Writer
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Courtesy // Johnny Romero, CSU Long Beach Daily 49er More than 2,000 students and community members gathered in the Student Union at California State University, Long Beach to honor the life of student Nohemi Gonzalez, who died in Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris.
California student among those killed in Paris attacks
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Kayla E. Galloway News Editor
tudents gathered in solidarity on Sunday at California State University, Long Beach to honor the life of senior design major Nohemi Gonzalez who was killed in the deadly Paris terrorist attacks on Friday. Gonzalez was one of at least 129 people killed in the attacks and the Long Beach community united together in a candlelight vigil to celebrate her life and time at the university. Gonzalez, 23, was studying design at CSU Long Beach and was spending a semester abroad in Paris at the Strate University of Design in Sévres, France. She was fatally shot by terrorists while dining inside of a restaurant in Paris with friends. Sunday’s candlelight vigil at CSU Long Beach drew more than 2,000
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of Gonzalez’ friends and family and members of the community to mourn the loss of her life. The vigil was held in the university’s Student Union, where administrators, family and friends spoke behind a podium with the flags of France, California and the U.S. in the background. Tim Mraz, boyfriend of Gonzalez of almost four years, spoke emotionally at the vigil, saying Gonzalez was a “firecracker” and will always be in his heart. In a statement, CSU Long Beach Student Body President Jose Salazar, Vice President Miriam Hernandez and Treasurer Wendy Lewis said, “Though we did not know Nohemi personally, we know the spirit of CSULB students and we know it is a resilient one. The students at Cal See PARIS on Pg. 4
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Editorial
Nov. 17 - Nov. 23, 2015 sonomastatestar.com
THE STAR Editorial Board Brandon Stachnik, Editor-in-Chief Kayla E. Galloway, News Editor Jenna Fischer, Opinion Editor Ashley Mar tin, Ar ts & Enter tainment Editor Shannon Brown, Student Life Editor Kory Arnold, Spor ts Editor Thomas Call, Asst. Spor ts Editor Brennan Chin, Photo Editor Edward Goquingco, Copy Editor Kyler Khan, Copy Editor & Marketing Director Cassandra Owens, Adver tising Director Connor Gibson, Distribution Director Paul Gullixson, Faculty Adviser Staff Writers Aubrey Anzelmo, Natalie Aro Justin Barrientos, Nikki Bridges Francisco Carbajal, Jerri Cohen Megan Corcoran, Sean Curzon Samuel Davis, Christine Edwards Joseph Encinas, Noe Felix Justin Freeman, Ryan Green Florencia Hasson, Olivia Hunt Anna Kehrlein, Olivia Lucchese Rachael Newman, Lawrence Ricardo Kaila Sanders, Aubrie Tolliver Photographers Nicole Detmers Sarah Fishback, Thomas Lynch
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:
“Professor awarded for childhood development” Professor Kistina de Korsak has been awarded by the Simms/Mann institute for her work in education and community development. Staff Writer Anna Kehrlein spoke with de Korsak about the fellowship program and why it’s so crucial to education.
Read the story on page 5 Corrections/Clarifications The STAR values accuracy and works diligently to check facts before publication. However, if inaccuracies occur, we want to know. Please report errors to the editor at star@sonoma.edu.
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 to any letter and to edit for length. Letters must sign all contributions and the editor must verify the signer and the writer are one in the same through personal conference. To send a letter to the editor, email star@sonoma.edu.
COURTESY // Gustavo Vasquez
Homeless for the holidays
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hat encompasses the holiday spirit? Many college students may claim it’s when their professors don’t give them homework over Thanksgiving break. Perhaps it’s mom’s mashed potatoes or grandpa’s homemade eggnog that wouldn’t pass an FDA test. Maybe it’s just the atmosphere in one’s childhood home during the holidays, enhanced by the glow of a tree or the smell of snickerdoodle cookies in the oven. No matter the example, each has one place in common; home. It’s the place most of us draw closer to as the year ends, a place of familiarity and family. In the midst of all of these festivities, many may take the benefit of having a home for granted, as many don’t have this place in their lives even during the holiday season. According to Sonoma County homeless advocates, 3,295 people are homeless in Sonoma County on any given night. This is the size of more than one-third of the students on the Sonoma State University campus. What’s more, college-age individuals are a large chunk of this homeless population. According to The Press Democrat, a 2009 survey found that Sonoma County was home to 268 young homeless adults. By 2013, the number of homeless young adults in Sonoma County had skyrocketed to 1,128. What many don’t realize is that, without a home, certain amenities that we might take for granted everyday aren’t available. Clean water for drinking and laundry is hard to come by. Protection from harsh winter
weather cannot be found in tents and certainly not on the street. Many of us are familiar these days with sprinting to our vehicles and blasting the heater as soon as we get in them in order to deter the sting of low winter temperatures. Most of these homeless youth who resort to living in their cars don’t have that privilege. Those who live on the streets are even more sensitive to the impact of rain, which California is expected to see a lot more of in the next couple of months. The majority of college students at Sonoma State University have the privilege of having a home. Whether the rent is paid by parents, financial aid (not all students have these resources) or by themselves, having a place to rest at the end of the day is a crucial part of living a stable life, especially in college. No student who has the ambition to further educate themselves should have to worry about having a place to sleep. What leads to this epidemic of homelessness, especially in the younger generation? It’s not laziness. It’s the lack of affordable housing in Sonoma County. On rent.com, seven Rohnert Park apartment complexes were listed. After taking the lowest advertised monthly price of each one bedroom apartment at these complexes, the STAR discovered that the average monthly rent in the area was about $1,468. If a full-time student were to work 20 hours per week earning minimum wage, they would earn roughly $720 a month. This excludes the deduction of income tax. This income is obviously not even close to enough to cover rent. Toss in a monthly food bill, utili-
ties, tuition and school supplies, this average hypothetical student would drown in expenses and not be able to afford rent in this area. This student wouldn’t even be able to afford the monthly rent of a double room in Sauvignon on campus, which is roughly $1,100 per month and is closed during certain parts of the holiday season. It’s no wonder why youth homelessness is so common in Sonoma County when affordable housing is extremely hard to come by. There are some programs in the area, such as VOICES in Santa Rosa that aims to help homeless youth, particularly those who come out of foster care and may not have family financial support. VOICES provides information on where to find a place to sleep for the night, among other services. Young adults between the ages 18 and 24 are in a transitional part of life, where they must set up a stable future for themselves through education and work. Sonoma State helps in this process; so why must we make it so hard for these people to live here? Last week, the Committee on the Shelterless in Petaluma made a public appeal for 450 turkeys to feed the homeless this Thanksgiving. They are asking people to buy a frozen turkey, 20 pounds or less, and bring it to the Mary Isaak Center at 900 Hopper St. between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. by this Friday. This holiday, lend a hand to help the homeless. Many programs throughout the county are looking for volunteers and donations. Other homeless programs are seeking similar help. Find a way to contribute this holiday. You may be helping someone who hopes to be a student like yourself.
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.
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Opinion
Enough about the cup
Olivia Hunt Staff Writer
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nowflakes, Santa Claus, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: that’s what the holiday season is all about, right? At least, this is the truth for a group of extremist Christians that are referring to Starbucks’ new holiday cup as perpetuating the so-called “War on Christmas.” The recently trending hashtag #MerryChristmasStarbucks is bringing an exaggerated amount of attention to the already viral Starbucks holiday cup controversy. When the cups were released in late October, they created a stir with those who feel the cup is disrespecting the Christmas season. The company responded to criticisms by saying, “The cup is meant to be a blank canvas that encourages customers to tell their Christmas stories in their own way.” The red cup has been making waves on the internet after a viral video surfaced depicting a—to say the least—disappointed Starbucks customer accusing the brand of stripping away the true meaning of Christmas. Josua Feuerstein, a former pastor and evangelist, posted a video to Facebook on Nov. 5 saying that the coffee giant removing the usual Christmas pattern is a response to them “hating Jesus.” The video has now been viewed
more than 15 million times. soon-to-be Starbucks employee wrote The controversy extended beyond in a blog post that’s gone viral in the the internet and into the realm of poli- wake of the red cup chaos. tics when Republican presidential canThere are other counter hashtags didate Donald Trump suggested a boy- emerging such as #ItsJustACup in an cott against the company. effort to derail these extreme allega“If I become president, we’re all tions. going to be saying Merry Christmas “Creating a culture of belonging, again, that I can tell you,” Trump said inclusion and diversity is one of the during a campaign rally. core values of Starbucks, and each year The fact that Americans are fight- during the holidays the company aims ing over what is printed on a coffee cup to bring customers an experience that designed by a billion-dollar company inspires the spirit of the season,” said to promote conformity is despicable. Starbucks vice president of design and While the world rages on about content, Jeffrey Fields in a statement socioeconomic issues like starvation, on Starbucks’ website. “Starbucks will homelessness and racial inequality, continue to embrace and welcome cuspeople in America are arguing over a tomers from all backgrounds and relired beverage container. Having such gions in our stores around the world.” a trivial topic become so vastly talked Regardless of whether one’s reliabout is a prime example of American gion is Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, internet culture and the ignorance that Jewish or agnostic, this time of year is fuels it. sentimental for everyone. The idea that a single YouTube Keeping an open mind and acvideo made by an amateur vlogger can cepting each other regardless of race or amass so much hysteria proves that religion is a problem Americans conpeople will hop on any bandwagon tinue to struggle with. that is popular at the time, regardless of The holiday season is a time for their personal views. people to spend with their loved ones The design of Starbucks red cups and appreciate the important things wouldn’t be as big of a news story if the in life, and the design of a paper cup internet wasn’t so predisposed to out- should not be the priority. rage. The supposed “War on ChristIf everyone directed their energy mas” has turned into a social experi- towards better outlets, there would be ment on how a business can get into potential to make a big difference. consumers’ subconscious. It’s outright embarrassing that there are currently 9.2 million news stories on this controversy according to CNBC. Despite the generous following Feuerstein gained to back his opinions, there are many Christians coming forward to debunk his argument. “I do have issues with #MerryChristmasStarbucks, though. Most of American Christianity’s blatant problems are exposed in this one excruciatingly real social campaign,” Nate Lake, a Christian college student and Courtesy // Tiffany McGaughey
The gentrification of San Francisco
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Florencia Hasson Staff Writer
an Francisco has historically been the mecca for cultural and racial diversity, as seen in its variety of distinct neighborhoods. It has been a city which has always welcomed the different, and encouraged people to think outside the box. Being eccentric or believing in something that was contrary to popular belief has always been the trend. From the upswing of gay acceptance beginning in the 50’s with the Beat Generation, followed by the birth of the hippie movement in the 60’s, and it’s constant consciousness to fight for the environment; San Francisco has historically been a city that has fought for love, acceptance and the advancement of society. By opening its golden gate to new ideas and interesting people, it has grown to be the beautiful and unique city it is today, but for how much longer? As a senior at Sonoma State University who’s lived in the city my entire life until moving up to Rohnert Park in 2012, the changes I’ve noticed going back home in the past four years have been heart-breaking and drastic. The progressive expulsion of the heart and soul of our beloved city can be summed up into one word; gentrification. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, gentrification is “the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents.” The gentrification of San Francisco can be entirely attributed to the tech boom and the heavy influx of young and eager people it has brought in from around the world. This huge
migration of techies has caused San Francisco to surpass New York as what is now the most expensive city in the U.S. According to dailymail.com, “The average cost for a one-bedroom apartment reached a record $3,530 in the city in August, compared with $3,160 in New York, $2,270 in Boston and $2,110 in Washington DC.” The city’s tech boom, or perhaps as seen by others as a “crisis”, has created a rippling effect to the housing market which can be traced up as far as Rohnert Park, and even further. To share a room in Rohnert Park I am paying $425 a month, and that’s not including utilities. You can compare that to paying $850 a month for an entire townhouse in New Orleans, as found on Zillow.com. That’s also taking into consideration that New Orleans would be considered a much more attractive and desirable place to live, rather than tiny, old Rohnert Park. Cities in Northern California that are just a little further from San Francisco than Rohnert Park is are listed on Zillow.com between $850 - $1,400 a month for an apartment or house in Davis, Stockton and Sacramento. Unfortunately, even the North Bay, an hour away from the city still receives the same expensive prices for housing but administers a much lower minimum wage. This problem hits close to home since a lot of Sonoma State students are from the city, and many had plans or dreams of moving back home after graduating, which has now been made unrealistic, unless they want to move back in with their parents. Senior Karina Berry had hopes of moving back home to San Francisco after graduating this Spring, but since her mother decided to move back to Denmark indefinitely, she currently has no idea what her future beyond graduation has in store, especially since her family no longer has roots in the city. “As much as I love San Francisco, I have to come to terms with the fact that it isn’t realistic for me to hope to move back home after graduating. You can’t even live there making minimum wage,” said Berry. Berry is right when she says it’s overzealous to hope to live in the countries most expensive city on minimum wage, and what does this say about the
future of San Francisco? It is imperative to have a working class that can survive off of minimum wage and right now the city is struggling to find a balance to help the working class stay with affordable housing, as well as expand as the world’s leading tech mecca. The fact of the matter is that San Francisco’s seven-by-seven miles were never meant to house the amount of people that are trying to live there now, causing it to be so desirable and expensive. This, in turn, is banishing the culture and diversity that the city’s minorities brought in, and driving out the heart and soul of what made the city once so unique and special. The city now is crawling with young, pretentious, ignorant, rich and predominantly white techies, from all over and nothing is really being done to try and prevent the seizure of our city. The recent city elections show that there is no real desire in preserving San Francisco and the exploitation of its culturally diverse neighborhoods and people. VanishingSF, a popular Facebook page dedicated to informing its followers about the constant saddening changes taking over the city said it perfectly; “we are deeply concerned about the future of our city. The San Francisco we love, the city and community we helped build over many decades, is being destroyed. The creative and diverse people who have made this one of the world’s great cities are being driven out by a housing crisis created by the worst city planning decisions we have ever seen.” City Hall is increasingly dominated by a small number of very rich people who seem to have no connection to the heart of the city. The city has been handed over to forces of uncontrolled greed and expansion that have little or no concern for the city’s demographic mix or its world-renowned aesthetic beauty and cultural heritage.” There is a certain hostility in the air now when walking in highly impacted neighborhoods such as the Mission. Only time will tell what the future of the city will look like. Will it begin to resemble an episode of Futurama, or realize it must preserve its beautiful, crazy, wild, spirit and people before it’s too late?
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Corruption hidden by ‘partnership’
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Ryan Green Staff Writer
wouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), because the countries involved have been confidentially negotiating the terms of the treaty for nearly the past eight years. The partnership is an agreement aimed at bringing on economic growth, which sounds fantastic, and extremely necessary. But it gets a bit more complicated than that. The TPP is a deal between twelve Pacific Rim countries: The U.S., Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Chile and Peru. The BBC said that “the pact is aimed at deepening economic ties between these nations, slashing tariffs and fostering trade to boost growth.” Slashing tariffs? For context, tariffs are taxes that are implemented on the imports and exports of a country. The goal is to open trade routes between these countries, making routes of ‘seamless trade’. But the TPP covers more than just imports and exports. According to the Washington Post, the twenty-nine chapters cover “everything from financial services to telecommunications to sanitary standards of food.” So here’s why it should be stopped. The Trans Pacific Partnership was designed by some of the largest multi-national corporations, mostly big media and pharmaceutical companies wanting to ‘protect their profitable interests’. Protecting profitable interests, in this case, means making said interests more profitable at the American people’s expense. For instance, the Economic Policy Institute estimated that 130,000 service sector jobs would be outsourced to Japan and Vietnam alone, jobs that could be employing American workers and feeding our economy.
This would leave the country vulnerable to economic instability, or even failure. The pharmaceutical companies involved are working to ensure that the TPP passes, because the treaty also covers data protection for biological drugs, or biologics, which are very expensive and difficult to manufacture. In the U.S., there are laws set down by the FDA that state that “any maker of a biologic gets twelve years of exclusivity” until the patent is approved, Vox reported. The TPP would extend drug data protection, allowing companies to extend their patents, and therefore extending their pharmaceutical monopolies. Not only that, the agreement will grant more political power to corporations, allowing them to challenge domestic laws that would impede their expected profits, just like every similar deal since NAFTA. This allows corporations to “bypass a country’s courts and directly sue national governments in international UN or World Bank tribunals,” said the Communications Workers of America Union. The White House is in support of the TPP, stating that the “trade policy is the best tool we have to ensure that our workers, our businesses, and our values are shaping globalization and the 21st century economy.” In June, President Obama approved a bill that granted him a ‘fast track’ negotiation authority. The President can’t ‘fast track’ trade agreements through Congress, where the agreement can be approved or disapproved, but not amended or filibustered. Obama’s intent with the ‘fast track’ legislation is to ratify the policy as soon as possible, in order to conclude negotiations. Huffington Post aptly writes that the “fast track legislation will pave the way for the disastrous TransPacific Partnership”, and I could not agree more. By outsourcing so many jobs, the US will have a lot less working Americans, therefore less money circulating through the economy. The political power that the TPP gives corporations will undermine the government. Corporations would be able to challenge domestic laws, which would increase their profits from outsourcing and monopolizing, and make the middle and lower classes poorer and the upper class much, much richer. The amount of outsourcing would transfer much of our economy overseas, leaving the U.S. in the hands of the countries and corporations involved with the agreement. This would leave the country vulnerable to economic instability, or even failure. The Trans Pacific Partnership’s potential to sabotage America and its democratic system is too great to risk. It follows failed agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA, and others, and is similarly doomed to fail. To sign the petition, visit sanders.senate.gov/stop-thetpp.
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News
Nov. 17 - Nov. 23, 2015 sonomastatestar.com
Student organization looks to create entrepreneurial success
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Joseph Encinas Staff Wrter
he student-run organization known as Entreprenoma is preparing to host its first annual Sonoma State University Entrepreneurship Conference. This series of talks will be hosted on Friday at the Student Center Ballroom D and the theme is B.Y.O.B. – Be Your Own Boss. Not every person has the chance to be their own boss and sometimes one misses on the opportunity to be in control of their job, so Entreprenoma is inviting a few people who are well-respected in their field to speak and shed light on how each individual can pave their own path to success. The line-up of speakers includes Morty Wiggins, president of Second Octave Talent, Sonoma State Alum and current CEO of Blacklist Watches Justin Eterovich, Tommy Dunehew Jr., vice president of business development at Boeing and James Eisenberg, a business start-up mogul. Every university strives to create the next generation of innovators and thinkers, and according to those involved in Entreprenoma, the goal of this conference is to support and empower students by creating an entrepreneurial atmosphere on the campus. “The purpose of the entrepreneurship conference is to provide an event where students can be inspired to start their own business, now or in the future,” said Darren Fong, Student Lead for Entreprenoma. All of the speakers have blazed their own path in their respective fields, so the members of the organization say they hope that presenting a variety of successful businessmen from different business backgrounds will create a spectrum of experience from which anyone can benefit from. Perhaps the most notable name out of those coming to speak to spectators is Eterovich, a graduate of Sonoma State. Eterovich is CEO of Blacklist Watches and he got his start by using Kickstarter, the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects, to create his company while maintaining his responsibilities as a student. The event allows for a glimpse at the plethora of avenues that pro-
fessionals can take. “There is a common misconception that to be an entrepreneur, you must be pursuing a business degree, but entrepreneurship stems from all majors,” said Fong. With the growing rate of technology, it will take some special minds to identify and seize any opportunity to create, and of course profit from their idea, so another goal of Entreprenoma and B.Y.O.B. is to unite the future innovators and out-of-the-box thinkers in the area and grow the community of successful entrepreneurs from Sonoma State. “Entreprenoma has afforded me some opportunities that I honestly never saw on my horizons,” said freshman business major Ian FitzGerald. “I get to be a part of events that allow me the chance to network myself as I work towards a degree.” This event is just the beginning of the vision that Entreprenoma has for the entrepreneurial Seawolves looking to gain some advice and experience from like-minded individuals. Recently, the Sonoma State Entreprenoma team volunteered at a TED Talk in Sonoma County, where members were granted access behind-the-scenes to learn and observe how a large-scale conference unfolds. “We would really like to host a TEDx event at Sonoma State University in the future,” said Fong. “And if the conference has a good turnout, we definitely hope to build off what we’ve learned to host bigger conferences.” The goal is simple: teach people how to be in control of their own well-being. However, this end goal often proves difficult to attain, so student-run Entreprenoma is bringing knowledge to the front doors of Sonoma State entrepreneurs. With a crew of four successful businessmen ranging from different professional backgrounds, the organization is looking to bring anyone interested in being their own boss to the first annual Sonoma State University Entrepreneurship Conference. For more information on the event or Entreprenoma, visit their Facebook page or go to entreprenoma.com.
Courtesy // Joseph Phillipson, CSU Long Beach Students have created memorials across the California State University, Long Beach campus (top) to honor student Nohemi Gonzalez. CSU Chancellor Timothy White (bottom) spoke at Sunday’s vigil for Gonzalez who died in the Paris terrorist attacks on Friday.
LONG BEACH: A university in sorrow Continued from Pg. 1
State Long Beach stand with all of our students studying abroad trying to mourn this terrible tragedy.” Gonzalez, originally from El Monte, Calif., is also being honored today in a vigil at Whittier High School, where she graduated from in 2010. Universities across the California State University have shown support for the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks by f lying f lags at half-staff to honor victims. CSU Chancellor Timothy White
recognized the tragedy in Paris and Gonzalez’ death in a statement following the attacks. “I express outrage and share in the anguish of the rest of the civilized world regarding the horrific events that occurred Friday in Paris,” said White. “My deepest personal condolences go out to the family and friends of our Long Beach State student Nohemi Gonzalez, who was killed in the attacks, and to all those whose lives have been impacted by these senseless acts of violence.” Sonoma State University President Ruben
Armiñana also acknowledged the tragedy in Paris in an email sent out to the campus community on Saturday. He confirmed in the email that all Sonoma State students studying abroad are “safe and unharmed”. “ Such unimaginable
tragedy is hard to comArmiñana prehend,” wrote. “I offer my heartfelt sympathies to Ms. Gonzalez’ family and friends as well as those of the many other victims and am so very thankful our own students abroad are accounted for and safe.”
HOW WERE YOU IMPACTED BY THE ATTACKS ON PARIS? Do you know of someone who was there at the time? Do you have friends or relatives there?
SEND YOUR STORIES TO STAR@SONOMA.EDU
News
Nov. 17 - Nov. 23, 2015 sonomastatestar.com
Students targeted in job scam sonoma.edu Sonoma State University Professor Kristina de Korsak has been awarded a year-long fellowship with the Simms Mann Institute for her contributions to education and community development.
Professor awarded for childhood development
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Anna Kehrlein Staff Writer
tudents who plan on taking classes in early childhood development next year might benefit from newly updated courses when Assistant Professor Kristina de Korsak finishes her yearlong research with the Simms/Mann Institute for Education and Community Development’s fellowship program. De Korsak was chosen, along with eight other professors in the California State University system, for the fellowship because of her work and research on the early development of children. According to its website, the Simms/Mann Institute was founded in 2011 to provide research and resources to families and childcare workers raising children of the 21st century. The institute aims to update the way schools educate and take care of children for the modern times through programs such as the Simms/Mann Institute Faculty Fellowship. This year, the fellowship will study early childhood brain architecture, from birth to age three. “The goal [of the institute] is to bring cutting edge neuropsychology into the hands of childcare workers and developers,” said de Korsak. “We are the ones that train the future, and we’re in a great position to bring that research to the people who use the work.” The faculty fellowship was formed in 2013 to train early childhood development and nursing students by teaming up California State University faculty and California Community College faculty with cutting edge researchers in an attempt to bridge the gap between research and practice. “The institute tries to look at the whole child, instead of only one aspect of it, trying to build a more complete picture,” de Korsak said. “So instead of just looking at the neuropsychological aspect or the physical aspect, we try to look at all of the aspects together, so it’s great to have a community of people.” In order to be accepted into the fellowship, candidates must go through an application process and attend a conference to meet the institute’s researchers in person. Once accepted, fellowship members must attend the institute’s annual Think Tank where researchers talk about their cutting edge discoveries and collaborate with the fellowship’s new members. At this year’s Think Tank, 13 individuals were publicly awarded acceptance into the fellowship, including de Korsak. The 13 fellows include faculty from San Diego State, CSU Stanislaus, CSU San Bernardino, CSU Long Beach, CSU Channel Islands, CSU San Marcos, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and five different community colleges from the Mojave Desert to Modesto. This is the first year the institute has elected faculty from CSUs. At the end of her project, de Korsak and the other fellows will present their findings at next year’s Think Tank, where new members will be elected and the cycle shall continue. “I think this is an opportunity for all the players in the field of early childhood to come together,” said de Korsak. “It’s an opportunity for people to learn more about this research and an opportunity for our campus to be able to bring this into our classes and courses at Sonoma State.”
Rachael N ewman Staff Writer
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cams may be nothing new forSonoma State University students and there was yet another one with students as the target. A few students received emails for job opportunities this month that turned out to be scams, according to the University. Only a few students reported receiving the suspect email, so many more may have received the email as well. According to Sonoma State Police Officer Eric Wilde, scammers can hunt down contact information of individuals in numerous ways. “Anything from being on a non-secured Internet connection, to going on non-secure web pages or opening emails from people you do not know,” said Wilde. “Be cautious with your wifi use in areas such as airports, coffee shops or an unlocked wireless connection from a potential neighbor.” “These types of scams come in waves as fads change among criminals,” said Information Security Officer Andru Luvisi from the Police and Safety Services Department. Commonly the scammer lures the victim in with an offer of something the victim desires, and then uses their interest to get the victim to do something risky, which then puts the victim in a vulnerable position to the criminal, said Luvisi. “The criminal then takes advantage of the victim,” he said. Wilde advises students to be aware of the scams that are out there and to carefully read all of the information sent over email. Wilde said don’t give away your account information or any money. Many scams often ask for money and they will reimburse you with a check that bounces,
and you lose out on the money. “Phishing emails are sent to students all the time,” said Career Adviser Ann Mansfield. “Campuses all over the country are dealing with this issue.” Mansfield sent an email out to alert staff and students about this employment scam and if one feels they have been targeted, they are encouraged to forward the email to campus police and career services. The bulletin said phishing emails are emails that appear to be valid and they attempt to acquire sensitive information, such as passwords, card numbers, usernames and more. The most recent job scam appeared to be sent from Sonoma State and sought out personal information. If one sends their information, the scammers immediately dig into one’s bank account, and when noticed, it’s usually too late. Some general tips that Luvisi shared to spot job scams are to: Be wary of any employer who contacts you out of nowhere, of any employer who asks you for money as part of the hiring process, of any job that involves exchanging money through your personal account, or of any employer who wants your private information before you’ve fully verified the identity of the employer. Be especially wary of anyone or any employer who offers you something for nothing. Sonoma State has some tips on avoiding fraud, including being aware of all emails and telephone calls. Don’t open emails from an unknown sender or any attachments and place your number on a ‘do not call list’. For more information regarding the scam alert sent out to the campus community last week, students are encouraged to contact Police Services.
CAMPUS CRIME
CAMPUS CRIME Nov. 1-7 Nov. 1-7
Nov. 6-13 Crime
Date
Status
Location
Counterfeiting
11/06/2015
Open
Student Center, W&B
Obstruct public officer Violation of Probation Receive Known Stolen Property
11/08/2015
Arrest: Shane D. Kee
North Parking Lots
Fight in a public place
11/08/2015
Suspended
Claret Residence Hall
Courtesy: Sonoma State University Police Services
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NEWS
IN BRIEF
San Francisco Former San Francisco Giants player, hall of famer and arguably one of the best players in Major League Baseball history, Willie Mays, has been named a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Mays is the 11th baseball player to be awarded the medal, which is considered the highest honor a U.S. citizen can receive. Mays and the other 16 recipients will be awarded in a ceremony on Nov. 24.
Sacramento Gov. Jerry Brown intends to work closely with President Barack Obama to make sure that any Syrian refugees who come to California are “fully vetted in a sophisticated and utterly reliable way.” According to the Associated Press, the state of California intends to uphold the U.S. role of giving asylum while also protecting Californians. According to the Refugee Process Center, 218 Syrian refugees have arrived in California this year.
Anaheim Disneyland began unveiling Star Wars-related attractions on Monday and will continue to do so in the weeks leading up to the latest Star Wars movie release. The presence of Star Wars at Disneyland is expected to increase over time with the eventual opening of a Star Wars-themed land in the future. Some of the Star Wars related attractions opening between now and mid-December include Star Wars Launch Bay, Star Wars-themed Star Tours and Hyperspace Mountain. The Film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens in theaters across the nation on Dec. 18.
Beirut, Lebanon Two suicide bombers killed 43 people in a bombing attack in Beirut, Lebanon on Thursday and citizens are now mourning the victims. Two hundred and thirty nine people were wounded in the attack in Lebanon’s capital city and the attack has been credited to ISIS. CNN also reported how many people are outraged at the global sympathy Paris received following the attack in their city, yet the people of Lebanon were not afforded the same.
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Arts
Chill out, ‘Star Wars’ fans
Sean Curzon Staff Writer
Commentary
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few decades ago, in a theater far far away, “Star Wars” premiered. The film went on to define modern popular culture like nothing before or since. The adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa and Darth Vader have inspired a fandom with a fervor seen in few other franchises. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will premiere on Dec 18. Fans are nervous as a new “Star Wars” trilogy is released out into the world; but maybe they shouldn’t be. The mind set one goes into a movie with is important. If one goes in with too much hype, the movie fails to live up to it. Go in with a bad attitude, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It takes the right level of caution and optimism. This attitude can be difficult to have in this age of every movie being either, “the greatest thing ever” or “this just ruined my childhood.” Nothing can be okay anymore, or even great with some flaws; we live in a world of absolutes. This mind set is toxic, and needs to be stamped out. This being said, I’m airing on the side of optimism. “But we’ve been in this situation before- What about “Nu Trek”? What about the prequels?” Hold on imaginary person I made up to set up this argument, let’s get some background information out first. While George Lucas was kicking around an idea of making another “Star Wars” film, unaware of this, Disney made a multi-billion offer to buy his studio, Lucasfilm with the rights to all of its properties, including “Star Wars.” Lucas accepted on the grounds they make episode seven without his involvement because he wanted to experience “Star Wars” from a fan perspective. Disney was all too happy to comply. Let’s address the Computer Generated Image (CGI) elephant in the room, the prequels. 16 years after “Return of the Jedi,” Lucas decided to write and direct a new trilogy set before “A New Hope.” The hype was set and- the films were terrible. There have been discussions about why these films were bad, with theories ranging to use of CGI over practical effects, to the story of the fall of the Jedi at the hands of empire. Anakin Skywalker’s descent into the dark side was criticized for not being consistent with the good vs evil world of “Star Wars.” The truth is much simpler: they’re just poorly made. The acting is bad, the writing is bad and it’s poorly shot. Not to say there’s not a few good moments throughout the films, but that’s what they are, moments. The CGI, the dark story could have been fine if handled by someone who was more competent. I think that the reason for Lucas’ drop in directing ability is that he hadn’t directed a movie since the first “Star Wars” back in 1977 and hadn’t written anything since “Return of the Jedi” in 1983. Directing is a skill that you need to practice to keep. This can be seen as the prequels got progressively less awful as they went on. They never got good, but there was growth. Lucasfilm hired J.J. Abrams to direct episode seven. Abrams started off producing television shows, including “Alias” and “Lost” before moving on to directing films such as the new “Star Trek” films and “Super 8.” Now some Trek fans didn’t like Abram’s “NuTrek” due to its focus on action as opposed to exploring like in the show, but at least the action was well shot. While not perfect, again it’s okay for movies to have flaws and still be good, the films are fun with strong characters. Abrams was a casual fan that brought a fresh eye to the Star Trek universe, but he seems to be bringing something else to “Star Wars.” “The Force Awakens” is a sequel, taking place 30 years after the events of “Return of the Jedi.” From what little plot we can get from the trailers, the events from the first trilogy seem to be shrouded in legend. “It’s true. All of it,” growls on old Han Solo, as newcomers Finn and Rey look on in awe. A dangerous cult seems to follow in the footsteps of Darth Vader swearing to finish what he started. This is a cool mirror to how fans treat the series. The movie looks beautiful, with sweeping shots of battle ruins, spaceship chases and far off planets. The movie is set to use practical effects mixed in with new CGI and it looks great. Lucasfilm is bringing a variety of actors including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford to return from the original trilogy; newcomers John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver to play the new heroes and villains; topped off with popular character actors such as Andy Serkis, Gwendoline Christie and Max von Sydow to play more important roles. This is some impressive talent. Will “The Force Awakens” live up to the hype? Nothing ever does, but that still doesn’t mean it can’t be good or even great.
Nov. 17 - Nov. 23, 2015 sonomastatestar.com
A musician for all music-lovers Matisyahu performs at the Green Music Center Justin Freeman Staff Writer
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n Nov. 11, people of all ages and demographics flocked to Sonoma State’s Weill Hall for one reason: Matisyahu. For those who don’t know, Matisyahu is the performing name of Matthew Paul Miller, who blends multiple styles of music together to create a distinct, unique sound. Having risen to international fame in the past decade, Matisyahu’s music doesn’t fit into one genre, but if someone had to put a label on it, then psychedelic Rasta jazz rap might be the best description. This blurring of cultural lines reflects itself in Matisyahu’s fan base, which, judging by the crowd at Weill Hall last Wednesday, is just as diverse as the man’s musical influences. At the onset of the show, Matisyahu and his band mates wasted no time getting straight to the music. Completely skipping any type of introduction or how-do-youdo, the group simply made their way onto the stage, settled in their positions, and started playing. Perhaps the most adorable moments of the show were during the beginning, when Matisyahu’s young son was hanging out on stage doing exactly what one might expect a kid to do: Explore the stage, squirm in his chair, and make faces. The loving connection between father and son could be seen through their interactions, which happened as Matisyahu masterfully sang and parented simultaneously. On one particular instance, his son wanted to sit on top of a high wooden stool, which Matisyahu stabilized with his free hand while his other one gripped the microphone he was rapping into. His son struggled to clamber up at first, but with his dad’s help, the little guy overcame the challenge and reached the top, bringing aww’s and applause out of the adoring crowd. The kid even beatboxed into microphone for half a second, but half a second was all he needed to further win the crowd over. The music itself was comprised of Matisyahu’s rapping, beatboxing, and vocals alongside a grand piano, contemporary keyboard, electric guitar, bass and drum set. The band grooved together very well and gracefully brought their songs in and out of several climaxes, the effect of which was enhanced by the interplay of the stage lights and smoke. At these zeniths of musical fusion, the group seemed to be in some kind of soulful trance, as if they were playing as one interconnected force that was one with the music it was creating. These moments brought much fervor out of the audience. Gradually, the event was transformed from one of etiquette and proper seating to one of dancing
and general rocking out. It started when one older gentleman became the only standing person in the crowd, waving his arms about in a hypnotic fashion and seemingly reliving his possible past at Woodstock. By the end of the performance, de facto dance floors had begun to form in the aisles between seating sections, full of people who proceeded to cry for an encore once the group left the stage. The band heard the message loud and clear and came back on to play one of Matisyahu’s biggest hits, “One Day,” as well as a cover of Bob Marley’s song “No Woman No Cry.” When asked what she liked about the show, Sonoma State sophomore Natalie Mandeville simply stated “It was incredible,” and that Matisyahu is an “intelligent, insightful, and very respectable man.” While there were a lot of fans of the music in the crowd, many attendees expressed a fascination with Matisyahu himself. “He’s honest to who he is, a true artist,” said audience member Joy Zanders. “He is one with the music. He is the music.” Aaron Gordon, a Sonoma State senior, agreed with Zander. “He’s mainstream,” said Gordon, “But he’s pretty genuine and sticks to his values. Doesn’t stray.” Matisyahu is known to infuse his work with his Jewish faith, which can be seen through such lyrics as “Give glory to the kingdom of creation,” or interestingly enough, “I’m not religious, I just let go of my doubt.” But one doesn’t need to consider themselves spiritual or religious to be entertained by Matisyahu. He has a way of bringing different ingredients together to create his music, which can appeal to many different backgrounds of people. Anybody who likes reggae, rap, jazz, or even classic rock may want to give him a listen if they haven’t before.
Courtesy // Matisyahu Matisyahu stopped by Sonoma State on Nov. 11 to demonstrate his diverse musical abilities.
From candidates to comedians Kaila Sanders Staff Writer
Commentary
W
hen American late-night television fans hear the famous words, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night,” there is only one thing they can be sure of— it’s time for “Saturday Night Live.” The popular late-night comedy show that’s been around since 1975, and is known for their celebrity guest hosts and comedy sketches that parody contemporary pop-culture and politics. Just 40 years ago, Gerald Ford became the first sitting president to ever grace “SNL,” merely contributing a few pre-taped lines— one of which being the signature opening phrase. However, the beginning of political figures on latenight television dates back even further to the 1960 Presidential election. John F. Kennedy appeared on Jack Paar’s “Tonight Show” as the first major political candidate to go on a late-night show. Many other presidential candidates have since followed in Kennedy’s footsteps, appearing on a number of various late night programs. Along with Kennedy, candidates Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have all paved the way for people in power to appear on late-night television. But why exactly do political figures feel the need to go on these types of programs and risk public ridicule? Over the years, the content of late night programming has progressively become politically dominated. Due to our current media-obsessed environment, political strategy has drastically changed since the time that late night comedy appearances debuted. Talk show programs have become increasingly influential over political culture and the perceptions of the public. Appearing on these types of programs is no longer just a suggestion, it’s an essential part of campaign strategy. Bush’s presidency in particular drastically changed the politics of late night comedy. His eight years in of-
fice provided the material that comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert needed during their climb to fame. The Republican-dominated federal government provided a cast of characters that were exactly the kind of subject matter the liberal comedians needed to rise to national stardom. By 2008, when Barack Obama was seeking presidency, Stewart and Colbert had become the necessary stops for any candidate. The comedians have been recognized as essential sources for young voters to get their news. President Obama fully grasped this notion, which allowed him to reach young voters by targeting them through social media and regular appearances on late night programs like, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” He has additionally made multiple appearances on, “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” (as well as others). Yet the question remains—Is this new genre of political entertainment a vital resource for political knowledge or is it nothing more than a distraction from the actual issues at hand? Politicians appearing on comedy programming is politically essential. Having so many media outlets to choose from, it’s become easy for people to tune out political news. The reality is, the majority of people prefer entertainment programming over any other. Through appearances on comedy programs, politicians are able to access audiences that they might not otherwise be able to reach. Not only does it allow them to appear more human and relatable to the average citizen, it also demonstrates that they have a sense of humor. The current 2016 presidential candidates are no different from their predecessors as they carry on the late night comedy tradition. Hillary Clinton recently had a brief appearance on an “SNL” sketch where she played “Val the Bartender.” The sketch lightheartedly pokes fun at Clinton’s postponed support of gay marriage, allowing viewers to feel that even Clinton herself is baffled by her former opposing viewpoint. As if he doesn’t have enough pub-
facebook.com Donald Trump made an appearance on “SNL” on Nov. 7. licity already, candidate Donald Trump also recently took on the “SNL” stage to prove that he could “take a joke.” Though, unlike his opponent who only played in one sketch, Trump performed as the show’s host— a time-consuming position political candidates very rarely assume. With a candidate who is already so controversial and accustomed to the spotlight, the episode was guaranteed to bring in ratings. Although Trump accomplished in that aspect, the episode itself fell short of expectations, as Trump took a rather backseat role for much of the show. The episode turned out to be somewhat forgettable as jokes fell flat and Trump played it safe, avoiding any controversial acts. Whether their appearance falls flat or they comes out superior, it’s better to have at least participated in late night comedy than not at all. At the end of the day, no matter what the outcome of the program is, the fact is that talk shows provide publicity. As they say “the only bad publicity is no publicity”— look at Donald Trump. From “SNL” to “The Tonight Show” to the “Late Show,” it seems the only decision politicians are forced to make is not whether or not they will appear on a late night comedy program, but simply which one it will be. Despite controversial opinions on the subject, appearing on these types of programs have become political campaign necessities. Politicians are then left with just two options— either they jump on this new phenomena bandwagon or they get lost in the dust as their opponents steal the spotlight.
Entertainment
Nov. 17 - Nov. 23, 2015 sonomastatestar.com
R&Bieber Noe Felix Staff Writer
Review facebook.com “The 33” earned a disappointing $5.8 million this weekend.
Docudrama drops the ball Christine Edwards Staff Writer
Review
“T
he 33” is a film stripped from the harrowing true story of the 33 Chilean miners that were trapped underground for 69 days as the entire world watched from television and social media. These men were gold and copper miners that worked over 2,000 feet underground in 90 degree temperatures in the Copiapo mine, found deep inside the Atacama Desert in Chile. The mine suffered a major collapse on Aug. 5, 2010, trapping 33 miners. Miraculously, they all survived the collapse and made it to a safety refuge, which was sparsely stocked with enough food to last them for three days. This film takes the audience on a journey that shows the true test of the human spirit and the will to survive. While Mexican film director Patricia Riggen began her career writing documentaries, the screenplay for “The 33” certainly has been beefed up with unnecessary drama that does nothing for character development in the plot. It’s tough to create a really captivating disaster-style movie when the audience already knows how it’ll end going into it, but they definitely try to keep the audience’s interest by inserting a little family drama at “Camp Hope,” the makeshift village that was set up for the families of these 33 men. Despite the mind-blowing events portrayed, the film is surprisingly very accurate. Many of the actors are not well known, but Antonio Banderas, the protagonist, offers a stellar performance and is the shining light of this film. Lou Diamond Phillips plays another coal miner, and he was the other big-name actor which made this film more interesting to watch. The fact that these men all made it out unharmed is nothing short of a miracle, and this
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film does a good job of keeping the audience’s attention to the end. The concept that stuck the most was the idea that miracles can happen if people come together to fight for their loved ones and not accept no for an answer. The odds of saving these men were so minimal, the man in charge of the mine staff was planning on letting the men rot down there, but due to the perseverance of the family members demanding action, the Chilean government became involved and a global rescue effort ensued. There were certainly some lulls, as this movie was over two hours long and seemed to drag on. The fact that the audience knows that these men are going to get out safely can interfere with the viewer’s ability to get too worried about any one of the character’s fate. Overall, it’s worth seeing; “The 33” is a solid, interesting docudrama style film with a couple of well known, talented actors. It had all of the ingredients for a great film, but something went a little awry with the execution. It could have been improved with deeper character development, however the Chilean mine disaster is a historic event worth knowing about, so if you don’t know the details of the accident at the Copiapo mine, then the film is worth watching simply to learn more about this event. Aside from Banderas, if the characters were a bit more likeable, the film would have drawn the audience in a little more. The family members of the miners were constantly bickering and complaining and the miners were fighting throughout the movie. At the end of the movie before the credits came, the 33 men were introduced and the viewer could see the true faces of the miners that survived such grim circumstances. The global effort that it took to save these men is truly inspiring, and this film will take you on an emotional journey, leaving you with a feel-good vibe.
I
t’s been a rough few years for the Biebs. Whether it’s been his trouble with the law or being caught at Brazilian brothels, Justin Bieber has been the center of celebrity media for quite some time. On top of that, he hasn’t put out a full album since his 2012 release of “Believe.” In 2013, Bieber ventured into the world of R&B, which showcased that his voice is better suited for soulful blues over bubblegum pop. His project “Journals” was met with mixed feelings that left critics and fans wondering what direction the star would go in. After two years, the question remains; Can Bieber, at the age of 21, make a comeback into the world of either pop or R&B? The short answer is absolutely. The album is a mix between EDM/R&B that works well for Bieber’s vocal range. Some dance tracks on this album are irresistible. “What Do You Mean?” mixes in tropical house music, ticking clock percussions and piano keys that deliver a unique sound. Synths and low bass hits are ever present in this search for answers. Likewise, “Sorry,” is an upbeat ode to a certain ex lover with an infectious hook. Bieber sings, “Is it too late to say sorry?/ Cause I’m missing more than just your body/ Is it too late now to say sorry/ Yeah I know that I let you down.” Stating that this is about more than just the physical aspect of a relationship, as drums and sonic sounds fill the background on this reggae-influenced track.
“The Feeling” is the best dance track by far, as it combines R&B and EDM into one unique duet with Halsey that is truly unforgettable. Bieber’s voice still dominates the R&B tracks. Album highlight, “No Pressure” combines 90’s R&B with the sensibilities of modern day R&B to make one hell of a track. As a low guitar plays in the back, shakers and low synths are scattered throughout. Big Sean stops by to leave a memorable verse with references from Yoko Ono to Street Fighter. Bieber’s voice surprises, as he hits falsettos in unexpected ways. “Company” and “We Are” are great tracks that take advantage of his talent for rhythm and blues, with “We Are” standing out the most thanks to a great guest verse by Nas. While there are fun tracks scattered throughout, it’s Bieber’s intimate moments that leave their mark. The vulnerability he showcases is what listeners will connect with. On one standout track “Love Yourself,” Bieber disses an ex lover. Written by Ed Sheeran, the track strips everything away and leaves Bieber with a simple guitar rift and slaps. His voice is soft, yet carries weight and he flows through the track with grace. It’s chorus is infectious, as Sheeran assists with his soulful falsetto, “My mama don’t like you and she likes everyone/ and I never like to admit I was wrong/ And I’ve been so caught up on my job I didn’t see what’s going on.” Bieber is opening up to the listener, letting them know that he was blinded by his career, only to later realize that she was a bad fit for him. “I’ll Show You” is a dark atmospheric track with whaling production by Skrillex.
The bass, the chimes and the snares come together to make a memorable ballad about vulnerability. “Where Are U Now” is perhaps one of the best tracks on the album. Much like “Love Yourself,” “Where Are U Now” finds Bieber opening up in unexpected ways. With warm piano keys playing through the verses, he croons “Where are you now that I need ya/ Couldn’t find you anywhere/ When you broke down I didn’t leave ya/ I was by your side/ So where are you know that I need ya?” It shows him at his lowest, asking for companion ship and for love, like he showed her. The song kicks into high gear when the bass drops during the chorus. Many textures inhabit the song that makes it the most unique track. Snares, ticks, percussions, and what sounds like whales making love kick in. It has a tribal African dance feel, that makes the drama much more impactful. The album has its flaws, however. Tracks like “Life Is Worth Living” and “Purpose” break the pace of the album, and often feel as if the album could have been better without them. “No Sense” is a Trap n’ B song that is held back from greatness thanks to Travis Scott’s unnecessary verse. While a good track, the flow gets broken up thanks to Scott. The rest of the tracks suffer from being generic and don’t offer anything truly unique. The album also suffers by trying to please everyone at once. At times, it sounds like it lacks focus. This is a great start for Bieber, as it seems that he’s finally getting into a groove that we haven’t seen from him in quite some time. With winter just beginning, it seems that everyone will be catching Bieber fever.
facebook.com Pop sensation Justin Bieber has returned after two years with his new album, “Purpose.”
MOVIES RELEASING THIS WEEK 23
17
ALBUMS RELEASING THIS WEEK
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2” - starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Julianne Moore
Adele - “25” (Pop)
“Secret in Their Eyes” - starring: Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kelly
Enya - “Dark Sky Island” (CelticPop)
“Legend” - starring: Tom Hardy, David Thewlis, Tara Fitzgerald “Carol” - starring: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Kyle Chandler
Arca - “Mutant” (Electronic)
Freddie Gibbs - “Shadow Of A Doubt” (Rap) Pye Corner Audio - “Prowler” (Electronic)
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Student Life
Nov. 17 - Nov. 23, 2015 sonomastatestar.com
Laverne Cox comes to Sonoma State, talks gender identity and beauty in diversity Jenna Fisher Opinion Editor
A
COURTESY // Joesph Grey Laverne Cox, known for her role in the popular Netflix series “Orange is the New Black,” came to Sonoma State University last Thursday to discuss being transgender. While including her own personal struggles with being transgender, she spoke out about compassion and inclusion within the entire LGBTQ community.
s she walked on to the stage, the audience burst into echoing, unanimous cheers. There were a sea of students fitted into Weill Hall. One would be hard pressed to find an empty seat in the soldout show. Students jumped out of their seats to applaud the woman they had been counting down the seconds to see. Laverne Cox spoke at the Green Music Center last Thursday. She spoke as a part of the Women in Leadership lecture series. During the lecture, Laverne shared her life story as a transgender woman as well as information about her struggles in the LGBT community. The story Cox shared was one of continuous heartbreak and struggles during her childhood but also of love, acceptance and strength through her transition into becoming a woman. Cox shared how at an early age she knew she was meant to be a girl. She acted feminine in elementary school and kids were extremely hostile to her because of it. “It was really scary being chased home by four, five or sometimes six kids,” said Cox. “I had to immediately start taking off running or I might’ve gotten beaten up that day. It was terrifying.” She reminded the audience
that her experience is not unique; many kids who identify in the LGBT community are bullied heavily she said. Cox spoke of everything from the confusion she felt as a small child to the freedom she felt when she found a community in New York City that felt like home.
“It took me many years to internalize that if someone looked at me and could tell that I’m transgender, that’s not only just okay, but it’s beautiful.” During her portion about New York City, she spoke of an act of violence committed against her. In 2008, a group of young men were catcalling her when one noticed she was transgender. Once he did, he kicked her on the street and she had to take shelter in a near-by store while she called the police. Cox spoke out about how hard it is in the community to be accepted as transgender. Often people would call out slurs to Cox while walking down the street. “It took me many years to internalize that if someone looked at me and could tell that I’m transgender, that’s not only
just okay, but it’s beautiful.” Cox said. “Trans is beautiful.” Students at the performance were inspired by Laverne Cox’s story. “I felt really empowered about what Laverne had to say,” said Sonoma State freshman Miki Martinez. “She is very inspiring.” This was the first show in Green Music Center history that was sold out to a majority of students. Looking out at the crowd, one could see students of all ages, genders, ethnicities and identities being brought together by the strong words of Laverne Cox. “I was deeply moved by her talk,” said sophomore Meagan Ryall. “Laverne Cox was just amazing, expressive and so inspiring.” Within the Sonoma State community, there are students of all kinds. Cox’s lecture helps to bring awareness to the beauty in diversity. “It was really important and an honor to have Laverne Cox at Sonoma State,” said Mark Fabionar, director of the HUB. “She’s an inspiration for students whose gender identities and expressions aren’t necessarily the norm of society. And she’s an inspiration to those who support a more inclusive and compassionate society.” To learn more about Laverne Cox’s life story and her fight for trans rights, see her website at www.lavernecox.com.
Hunger and homelessness week allows for donations Lawrence Ricardo Staff Writer
T
he Food and Agricultural Organization defines chronic hunger as undernourishment caused by not ingesting enough energy to a lead a normal, active life. In Sonoma County, 70,000 people are hungry every month with 11,300 of them being children. In addition, 3,295 people currently experience homelessness in Sonoma County according to Sonoma County Homelessness Advocates. These jarring facts are the reason that JUMP is providing Sonoma State with the educational opportunity this week from Nov. 16 through Nov. 19 to help students learn, serve and spread awareness of hunger and homelessness. Fifth year student Summer Yeramian, the director of human services with JUMP, along with the help of four coordinators, have worked together to provide an engaging and eventful week to give students the opportunity to learn about the effects of hunger and homelessness on a national, global and local scale. “There will be something happening everyday throughout the week including hands-on service projects, speakers, a hunger banquet and a concert in the ballroom Thursday night where students can enjoy the musical stylings of an up and coming band, Fever Charm,” said Yeramian. In efforts of providing a more interactive experience than prior years, JUMP has reached out to the community through numerous classrooms, clubs and other organizations to help spread the word. “JUMP has partnered with ASP for the concert portion of the week in an effort to highlight the socially informative and prevalent issues of hunger and homelessness, while also connecting students through music,” said Yeramian. Part of the program offers days of service on either Wednesday or Friday as an opportunity to provide assistance to the partnering organizations in the prevalent area. This marks the first year that
JUMP will partner with Noah’s Ark food pantry in which students will have the chance to connect with the local community on issues of hunger. “I am excited to see Sonoma State put on programs such as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week that allows us to be educated on these issues and how we can get involved to help those in need,” said junior Ashleen Rai. On Tuesday, there will be a speaker titled “In Someone Else’s Shoes,” at 7 p.m. in the Erin Risher Room of the Student Center in which students will have the opportunity to listen to stories from speakers working at local nonprofit organizations, Catholic Charities and Committee of the Shelterless. They will discuss personal experiences with homelessness as well as preventative actions and community resources. “JUMP is constantly working to bring awareness to this campus regarding pertinent social justice issues. It is a community full of students who truly care about the condition of Sonoma County and are working diligently to improve the state of life for the people who inhabit it and the environment we all surround ourselves with,” said Yeramian. “There is nothing more inspiring to me than collaborating with the incredible team of people in the JUMP office.” JUMP will be collecting donations on the first floor of the Student Center all week. The donations can include anything from canned food to bathroom essentials to new socks and underwear. The proceeds are then returned to the four programs under the Human Services coalition: The Living Room, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Vintage Brush Creek and The Family Support Center. For all information regarding to the events of JUMP’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, JUMP can be found on Facebook and Instagram at Join Us Making Progress and SSUJUMP. Students interested in the service opportunities on Wednesday and Friday are encouraged to e-mail ssu.human1@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
Tuesday,
Spoke featuring Terisa
Nov. 16
Siagatonu
The Future of the Legal
6:30 p.m.
Profession
The HUB
12 p.m. Stevenson 1002
German Film featuring “The Bridge”
ASP: We Speak
7 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Stevenson 1028
Student Center Ballroom
Thursday, Nov. 18
Wednesday,
Feminist Lecture Series:
Nov. 17
Feminism, Activism, and
Wikipedia Edit-a-thon
Social Justice
12 p.m.
12 p.m.
Schulz Library Quiet
Stevenson 1002
Study Room The Imaginists Service Opportunities at
7:30 p.m.
Noah’s Food Pantry and
Weill Hall
Sam Jones Shelter 4 p.m.
Play Away with Hunger 5 p.m. Sauvignon Green
Student Life
Nov. 17 - Nov. 23, 2015 sonomastatestar.com
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Superburger is back and better than ever Megan Corcoran Staff Writer
Review
I
t’s hit and miss when finding a to-die-for burger joint in a small town. Well Rohnert Park just got one of those places after the infamous Superburger closed in Penngrove and relocated. Now nestled among the other small shops and restaurants at the Grapevine Plaza on Old Redwood Hwy in Cotati, I had the chance to go to Superburger for the first time and review the well-known restaurant. Walking in the door the guest is immediately hit with the delicious aromas of grilled burgers and fries, as well as a long line of people waiting to be seated. Granted, it was a Saturday evening so the crowd might be thinner on a weeknight. Greeted by a smiling hostess, my group was promised a 25-minute wait, which turned into 35 minutes, which then turned into a full hour-long wait just to be seated. There was limited seating so all of the waiting guests had the chance to stand and admire the neat pieces of art covering the walls. The most remarkable of those pieces included a giant bison’s head and two maps of the US and the world that read, “How far did you come for a burger?” There was a small container with pins in it for people to mark on the maps where they had traveled from. Seating is offered both inside and outside of the building, with heaters and decorative strings of lights outside and warm lighting and decorative art inside. Fair warning for any tall people, the lights hanging above the inside tables are very low and I observed three separate occasions of someone getting smacked by one when they stood up. When we were finally seated it felt very cramped and it was a challenge to get back up again and maneuver through the maze of tables. The wait for the food was about 20 minutes but let me say, it was worth it. The Mushroom and Swiss Burger with added guacamole was perfect. The cheese was melting off the sides and they didn’t skimp on the mushrooms or guacamole either. There is a topping bar near the entryway that has all different kinds of peppers, pickles, relishes, lettuce, tomatoes and other tantalizing toppings. The toppings were all surprisingly fresh and crisp. If one orders a side of fries, be prepared to receive a mountain of crispy, golden goodness because they don’t hold back on portion sizes. The menu features simple old-fashioned burgers that can be “king-sized” upon request, as well as lamb burgers and chili burgers. The Superburgers are all giant creations of mouth-watering epic-ness with popular ones being the Montecito Avenue Burger and the St. Helena Avenue Burger. The Montecito comes with hardwood smoked bacon, jack cheese, mild guacamole and BBQ sauce. The St. Helena is a BBQ burger topped with onion rings, hard-
STAR // Megan Corcoran Previously located in Penngrove, Superburger has come to Cotati on Old Redwoof Hwy. With an endless menu of burgers to choose from and frosty rootbeer floots, this is the perfect destination to satisfy a hamburger craving. wood smoked bacon, melted cheddar cheese and the original Super Burger BBQ sauce. If one is not in the mood for a burger, there is a variety of hot dogs and chicken sandwiches to choose from. Sides range from regular fries, garlic fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings and even crispy tater tots. There is the usual kid menu with simpler items on it as well as a dessert menu featuring homemade pie, 24-oz to die for milkshakes and root beer floats. There are a wide variety of drinks including endless refills of fountain sodas, Arnold Palmers, and a plethora of craft beer. Superburger has a cozy feel to it, and doesn’t disappoint when it comes to their food or prices. The service can use a little polishing, as well as figuring out their seating situation. Overall the environment is warm and inviting and the food will knock one’s socks off.
Balloons released in support of mental health Sammuel Davis Staff Writer
M
illions of people are affected by mental health disorders every year. 1,100-college students take their own life from mental health disorders every year. The Sonoma State student body comes together as one in support of mental health awareness week. The University class 238 held a mental health awareness walk on Nov. 12 that started at the Sauvignon green and ending at Cabernet vineyard. “The walk was a bonding experience for us. We walked together to promote mental health is a issue for everyone,” said freshman Devon Galbraith. At the end of the walk there was a open mic for all the students that wanted to share their experiences with a supportive group of people. “People suffering from mental health issues are not alone. There is a huge community of support. All you have to do is ask,” said freshman Kendra Clark. “Bringing awareness to mental health issues are a serious thing, to not feel you are not an outsider because you have mental health illness and to be able to talk about it openly and be able to get the help you need,” said Clark when asked what the goal of the group was. All students gathered together in one big tight knit circle in Cabernet vineyard. Sharing experiences from their own lives.
“At first I didn’t think I was going to share my story, but I did. Every time I share my story it lifts a weight off my shoulders. It makes my heart feel better every single time, and it makes you feel better sharing with people that care about you,” said Galbraith. After every person shared, the whole group would react by snapping as if a person just told a poem about their life. At the end of the open mic there were balloons connected to all the chairs. Each one had a mental health disorder written on them. Each one of the students took a balloon and released it into the sky as a group. “Through support and having people around letting them know you’re going through something. That is how you can move past something dramatic. By doing this all together we can let go to terrible things in our life and evolve into a good quality of life,” said Galbraith when asked what the balloons meant to him. Sonoma State comes together to stand as a group of connected individuals as they walk for mental health awareness. “It brings together a larger community of people to be able to focus on shared experiences,” said Alvin Nguyen, a professor at Sonoma State. The biggest part is to ask help if you experiencing mental health issues. If you are looking for help there is a hotline you can contact The Helpline can also be accessed by texting TalkWithUs to 66746, or you can visit disasterdistress.samhsa.gov.
STAR // Nicole Detmers Sonoma State University students walked through campus last Thursday to raise awareness for mental illness. After the walk, ballrooms with types of mental disorders written on them were released outside. Students also shared their own personal struggles with the group.
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Sports Twice as nice
Nov. 17 - Nov. 23, 2015 sonomastatestar.com
Women’s volleyball team repeats as CCAA champs Aubrie Tolliver Staff Writer an you say repeat? After 28 games, 11 sweeps, a 19-game win streak, 17 conference wins and one conference loss, the Sonoma State University women’s volleyball team is the back-to-back California Collegiate Athletic Association champions. The Seawolves clinched their second-straight CCAA title on Friday night with a sweep of Cal State Stanislaus (25-16, 25-20, 25-11) in the Wolves Den. The team then closed out their regular season on Saturday with a yet another sweep against rival Chico State (25-14, 25-16, 2515)—their eighth-straight sweep since Oct. 24. Although Sonoma State held the first place spot in the standings for most of the season, Cal State San Bernardino trailed closely behind them, putting together an impressive season of their own with a 17-3 conference record and a season-high 11-game winning streak.
However, they suffered some key losses to CCAA opponents, including one to the Seawolves on Oct. 2, which sealed their fate as the runner-ups. The Seawolves took to the court Friday against the Warriors who were looking to pick up their first win against Sonoma State since 2007. During that span, the two teams have played 16 matches against each other and 14 of them ended in a Seawolf sweep. Last weekend was no different. Sonoma State dominated all three sets of the match. The only time the Seawolves trailed in points was during the second set, when the Warriors took an early lead. The Seawolves still, however, won the set with a five-point margin. Leading the crusade against the Warriors was senior Madelyn Densberger, who led both teams in kills and digs with 13 and 10, respectively. Fellow senior Caylie Seitz had 12 kills of her own, which extended her lead of all-time kills record with 1,619. Junior Rachel Andrews found her way into the re-
cord books, as well. The previous record for blocks in a three-set match was eight, but she had nine in her team’s two previous sweeps, now making her the record-holder. Combined as a team, the Seawolves had a .295 hitting percentage and thanks to the teams’ 45 digs and 11 blocks, the Warriors could only rack up a 0.050 percentage. Nonetheless, on the very next night, the Seawolf defense held Chico State to a 0.028 percentage, their lowest of their entire season. It was senior night in the Wolves’ Den and it was the seniors who came up big during their three sets against the Wildcats. Caylie Seitz racked up a leading 12 kills. Densberger also contributed 10 kills, while Kaitlyn Connolly had 13 digs and four aces, which was a career high for her. The fight against Chico, however, isn’t over. Post-season play is scheduled to begin on Thursday, Nov. 19 for the Seawolves as they will once again face the Wildcats in the first round of the CCAA Championship Tournament at the Rimac Arena in La Jolla. The match will begin at 2:30 p.m.
STAR // Connor Gibson
STAR // Connor Gibson
STAR // Connor Gibson
C
Junior Rachel Andrews looks to deliver the kill against Stanislaus State on Friday night.
The women’s volleyball team captured the CCAA crown for the second year in a row.
Men’s basketball team splits over weekend Justin Barrientos Staff Writer
T
he Sonoma State University men’s basketball team split their first two games of the season this weekend in San Rafael, putting away Dominican University 6863, while losing a heartbreaker the next night (57-55) to Academy of Art University. In a weekend road trip just down Highway 101, the Seawolves traveled to to play Dominican University on Friday evening. The inaugural game of the season was part of the CPAA/PacWest Challenge tournament. While the game was relatively close in score throughout, the Seawolves controlled the game, leading for 30 of the game’s 40 minutes played. The Seawolves jumped to a double-digit lead of 11 with just 15 minutes to play in the second half. However, Dominican would not go down without a fight. The Penguins surged back to within four points, the latest being with only 33 ticks left on the game clock. This was as close as the comeback would get though, as both teams struggled to shoot the ball well in crunch time, highlighted by three missed free throws by Sonoma State, and two missed three-point opportunities for Dominican. An impressive performance from James Davis played a large role in the Seawolves victory, as Davis shot 62 percent from the field; including five three’s for a total of 23 points to lead all scorers. Saturday night’s game was just as intriguing, as the Seawolves fought hard, but ultimately came up short in the waning seconds of the game in a shocker to the Academy of Art Urban Knights. The Seawolves held the lead for the majority of the game, leading by as much as nine, but with just over eight minutes left to play, the Urban Knights fought their way back to tie it up. From that point forward, the teams traded buckets down the stretch. With the game knotted up at 55 and only six seconds left on the clock, the audience looked on as Herman Pratt drained a jumper to put the Urban Knights ahead by two. After the Seawolves subsequent time out
call, James Davis put up the potentially game winning three, but the shot was off the mark as time expired and the Seawolves were defeated. Davis again led the team in scoring with 14 points. As a team however, turnovers played a huge part in the loss, as the Seawolves had a sloppy 13 compared to only 3 by AAU. Junior center/forward Nathan MolonyBenjamin weighed in on the teams’ weekend efforts, saying, “We fought hard; a couple more shots go in our favor and we win both games,” said Molony-Benjamin. “We have a good group of guys and the season looks promising, we just have to keep working.” Look for the Seawolves to bounce back and stay above .500 as they compete against the Holy Names Hawks in Oakland on Tuesday night. They will then return to the Wolves’ Den for their first two home games of the season this weekend, facing off against Dixie State on Friday and the Academy of Art once again on Saturday.
Senior Caylie Seitz successfully defends the net with pass from teammate Kaitlyn Connolly, #11.
SEAWOLVES SPORTS Tuesday, Nov. 17 Women’s basketball vs William Jessup 7:00 p.m. Men’s basketball at Holy Names 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 Women’s voleyball vs Chico State in La Jolla, CA 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 Women’s volleyball at CCAA Championships 5:00 p.m. Men’s basketball vs Dixie State 7:30 p.m . Saturday, Nov. 21 Women’s basketball vs Menlo 3:00 p.m. Women’s volleyball at CCAA Championships 7:00 p.m. Men’s basketball vs Academy of Art 7:30 p.m.
COURTESY// sonomaseawolves.com Senior Luke Cochran scored 10 points and recorded six rebounds against the Academy of Art on Saturday night.
Courtesy of sonomaseawolves.com
Sports Women’s soccer season comes to a bitter end
Nov. 17 - Nov. 23, 2015 sonomastatestar.com
Tommy Call Staff Writer
T
he Sonoma State University women’s soccer season is officially over; A sentence that many from Noma Nation was not prepared for this early, as the Seawolves’ quest for redemption in the NCAA championship tournament was stopped short in a disappointing loss to Azusa Pacific last week. The No. 17 ranked Seawolves were stunned just over a week ago in the CCAA championship tournament with a loss in the semifinals to UC San Diego after going unbeaten in their previous 15 games. They were still, however, were able to get an at large bid as No. 3 seed in the NCAA championship finals. The Seawolves were able to win their first round of the tournament against Point Loma, but during the match they suffered a loss they could not make up for. CCAA defensive player of the year Carolyn Greco was taken down on a vicious foul by a Point Loma defender, suffering a concussion and was not able to suit up for the match against the No. 2 seed Azusa Pacific. Coach Emiria Salzmann-Dunn said that replacing Greco was nearly impossible as “her leadership goes farther than her play on the field.” “It was a massive loss. She’s the best defender I have ever seen in all my years around the game of soccer,” said Salzmann-Dunn. After beating Point Loma 2-0, the Sea-
wolves advanced to the second round to face the No. 2 seed and host Azusa Pacific Cougars in Azusa. The Seawolves fell behind early when the Cougars sent in a goal past senior goalkeeper Ashley Luis in minute eight. The Seawolves’ defense was under fire for the rest of the first half, having to defend an array of shots sent their way by the Cougars high-powered offense. Sonoma State’s defense held tight for the last 45 minutes, stopping all 14 shots sent their way. However, the offense was never able to settle in and get the chance to score the equalizing goal while only sending five shots at the Azusa Pacific goal. The game ended with a score of 1-0 in favor of the Cougars, abruptly ending the Seawolves’ magical season at (14-3-3). Starting the game slow was a major factor in the Seawolves’ loss to the Cougars. “Coming out tentative and falling behind in the first eight minutes was really difficult to come back from,” said Salzmann-Dunn. Even though the Seawolves’ historic season came to a bitter close, the season was highlighted by many accolades that will go down in the Sonoma State record books. The 2015 team outscored opponents 30-9 over their season and pitched 14 shutouts, including nine in a row. The accomplishments both being program records. “There is just so much to say about this team,” said Salzmann-Dunn. “This was a hallmark team of dedication that showed
remarkable resilience and toughness.” Coach Salzmann-Dunn said competition was a major fuel for their successful season because the constant pressure kept them on their toes. “For 32 players so committed to competition, nothing could bring them down which was very rare for a team that was so competitive,” said Salzmann-Dunn. “They were always ready to bounce back and get to work.” The Seawolves had nine players earn all CCAA honors, including coach Salzmann- Dunn, who was named Coach of the Year in her fifth season with Sonoma State. The nine all-conference athletes in-
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cluded four seniors who led the way for the Seawolves. Coach Salzmann-Dunn said she was spoiled by this senior class and barely had to coach because of their deep connection and commitment to the game. “They were magnanimous, larger than life. There is no doubt they will leave an impact on this program for years to come,” said Salzmann-Dunn. “I will truly miss them.” The Seawolves will say goodbye to six seniors that had a memorable four-year run, going 57-16-9 while representing Sonoma State in three NCAA Championship tournaments.
COURTESY// sonomaseawolves.com The Seawolves were defeated by Azusa Pacific in the second round of the NCAA championship tournament to bring their season to an end.
Women’s basketball team finishes even in tournament Olivia Lucchese Staff Writer
A
fter a slow start, the Sonoma State University women’s basketball team had a close weekend overall and are now ready for season. The senior captains are determined to have a good season this year and have been working hard throughout the fall to better themselves as a team. With a very close score on Friday’s game, Sonoma State lost to Holy Names 52-50. With a two-point lead and less than 10 seconds to go, the Seawolves saw the Hawks make a layup followed by a free throw with two seconds left in the game, in hopes to take the win. The game was tied several times in the first half of the game but Sonoma State built a six-point lead going into the half. The Seawolves led by as many as nine in the first half and eight in the second. With nine seconds left in the second half, Garysha Youngblood of Holy Names was fouled while banking in a layup, tying the game. She missed the free throw; the rebound was then gathered by the Hawks, who put back the missed shot with two seconds left, to give Holy Names their first lead of the game. Sonoma State had one last opportunity to win a desperate three-point shot that was attempted and unsuccessful. Although on Friday they walked away with a loss, a group of Sonoma State players came out strong for the Seawolves. Junior Jerrica Crosby had 14 points and seven rebounds. Freshmen Kayla Coloyan and Serena Santos also contributed to the effort, with Coloyan recording eight points and Santos finishing with five points. Senior Taylor Acosta went for nine points and a pair of steals before fouling out of the
game in the second half. “After Friday night’s loss, we knew we had to bounce back quickly, come out stronger, and more prepared,” said senior Tanner Adams. In Saturday’s rebound game against Notre Dame De Namur, Sonoma State took home the win with a score of 65-53 at the Coslet Classic in Chico. “We brought more energy and intensity going into the second game,” said Adams. “We knew that if we wanted to have a season better than last year, it had to start now.” Senior captain Adams was named to the Coslet Classic AllTournament Team, scoring 16 points (6-13), 12 of which were from 3-point range. She also had four assists and two steals in the win. Sophomores Madison Burroughs and Carly Gill had 12 points each, while freshman Kim Savio added 11 points. “For the weekend, we started out a little shaky but we ended strong, which shows the resilience this group has,” said Adams. “I’m impressed with this team and its’ ability to move on and learn so quickly, especially for such a young group.” With hard work being put in during the off-season, the women’s basketball team is excited and ready to have a successful year. “I know how much potential this team has and I’m really excited to see what we do,” said Adams. “I hope that this season is different in terms of our record of course, but also a change in direction of our attitudes and mindset going into every game.” Adams, along with a few others have taken on large leadership roles this year and are hoping that good things will come this season. The Seawolves will return to the Wolves’ Den for Tuesday’s home opener against William Jessup at 7 p.m.
COURTESY// sonomaseawolves.com Senior Tanner Adams was named to the Coslet Classic All-Tournament Team over the weekend. Adams had 16 points in the Seawolves’ win against Notre Dame De Namur on Saturday night.
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Photo
NovN.ov 17 . 3- -NN ov ov . 23, . 9, 2015 sonomastatestar.com
Women’s volleyball wins their 18th straight game against Stanislaus State in the Wolves’ Den
STAR // Connor Gibson Lexi Reddick, #24, Rachel Andrews, #18 and Caylie Seitz, #5 went up for a block against Lindsay Skadeland, #5 of Stanislaus State.
STAR // Connor Gibson Courtney Seda, #6 set the ball for Caylie Seitz, #5.
STAR // Connor Gibson Lexi Reddick, #24 served the ball to Stanislaus State.
STAR // Nicole Detmers Preceding the Mental Health Awareness Walk, Sonoma State students wrote names of disorders on balloons.
STAR // Nicole Detmers Sonoma State students attended an open mic to support mental health awareness.
STAR // Connor Gibson Women’s volleyball celebrated their 18 straight win. th