Weds., Nov. 17 - Tues., Nov. 30, 2021 Weekly Print Edition
Vol. 108, Issue 14 www.thedailyaztec.com
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Graphic by Kennedy Humphrey
Ho Ho Horoscopes: gift ideas NEWS Noteable NBA player launches nonprofit Change & Impact. PAGE 4
MUNDO Columna: Experencia de estudiante sobre el sindrome de impostor. PAGE 8
OPINION Romantic comedies are getting stale. PAGE 10
SPORTS Men’s basketball falls to rival BYU 66-60. PAGE 11
By Kennedy Humphrey STAFF WRITER
With the holidays approaching soon, it’s important to start thinking about the perfect gifts for your friends and loved ones. Luckily, the tool of astrology is a great indicator to point you in the right direction. If you’re wondering what to give this season, sit back, relax and let the stars guide you toward becoming the person who’s invited to every secret santa. Aries Aries have a reputation of being fiery and impulsive. Although this can be true in times (especially after one too many spiked eggnogs), they also have an appreciation for the simple things in life. The perfect gift for the Aries in your life would be something that grounds them and keeps them balanced in 2022. Consider an oil diffuser with an assortment of essential oils or incense with a sleek holder. Taurus Taureans are the epitome of self indulgence. No matter what conflict presents itself in their lives, they always have time to treat themselves. A Taurus will love you forever if you give them the tools they need to indulge. This makes a care package the perfect gift. Pack it with candles, their favorite scent of bodycare and of course, some sweets. Gemini Geminis are known for their
duality, so if you really want to impress them, get them something complex. Their childlike but inquisitive nature makes them take a liking to things like puzzles and games. On the other hand, their more lavish side will appreciate a unique cologne or perfume. Cancer Cancers are very in tune with their emotions and the emotions of those around them. In this way, it’s very important for them to be able to unwind with something they feel connected to. For the Cancer in your life, any form of music makes an amazing gift. Get them a CD, Vinyl or make them a playlist! Leo Not gonna lie, Leos can be kind of picky. With that being said, it’s best to let Leos pick their own gifts. If you know enough about them, get them a gift card to one of their favorite places so they can pick out what they want for themselves. But remember, presentation is everything for a Leo, so wrap it up nicely! Virgo As the perfectionists of the zodiac, Virgos may be intimidating to buy gifts for. An important tip is most Virgos are happy when their home environment is up to par. For a Virgo, buy them something that matches their home aesthetic. Plants, throw blankets or posters are all something a Virgo would love.
Libra Libras are very easy going. This sign loves to empower others so anything you get, they’re sure to appreciate, which makes them the best sign to experiment with. Get a Libra, a new shirt, dress, pair of pants — anything that they can wear to show off what they were gifted. Best part of buying them gifts; if they don’t like it you’ll never know. Scorpio One of the most sentimental signs in astrology are Scorpios. Known for being deeply mysterious and intense, the reality is Scorpios just want to know what their friends and family are thinking of them. Get a Scorpio something very personal; whether it has to do with an inside joke between the two of you, or something you know they’ve been eyeing. Your Scorpio will especially appreciate anything handmade. Sagittarius Sagittarius’ aren’t necessarily materialistic, but they do appreciate the finer and shinier things in life. When looking for a gift for a Sagittarius, make sure to keep it simple and to the point — just like them. They’ll appreciate a quality ring, necklace or pair of earrings. Capricorn Capricorns are known to be workaholics, and they can get easily overwhelmed. When it comes to gifting them, get something that will help them
stay organized in the new year. A Capricorn could benefit from a calendar, a planner and supplies to keep them motivated like a new coffee tumbler. Aquarius There’s no knowing exactly what an Aquarius will be like due to their ever changing nature. Even though they might all be different, there is one common factor: they are always on the go. Get an Aquarius something they can always use while out and about. A new purse, backpack or tote would be suitable for carrying all their excess items. Pisces It’s often said that Pisces’ inherited the emotions of the 12 zodiac signs because they are the last one. This makes them naturally spiritual people. For a pisces, an assortment of crystals would make an excellent gift. And if your Pisces isn’t into that, try a poetry book, loose leaf tea or art supplies.
2
The Daily Aztec
News
Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Katelynn Robinson • news@thedailyaztec.com
Veterans Day ceremony honors former Aztecs who have served by Eugènie Budnik STAFF WRITER
San Diego State’s 88th annual homecoming coincided with the observance of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, giving special recognition to the 25th homecoming War Memorial wreath laying ceremony. The ceremony, organized by the SDSU Alumni Association and the SDSU War Memorial Committee, was held in front of the university’s War Memorial located just west of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. The memorial is a giant monolith reminiscent of the Washington Memorial in Washington D.C. which was designed by former SDSU art professor Juan Dominguez in 1996. Its height of 25 feet stands solemnly adjacent to the Student Union and the Cal Coast Open Air Theatre. Etched upon each side of the memorial are the names of the 239 SDSU students lost in military conflicts such as World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. “It is always important to recognize those who have served our country and paid the ultimate price of sacrifice,” SDSU alumni relations specialist Jen Renallo said. “It is important to note that while this ceremony is taking place the day after Veterans Day, we do it every year at homecoming to remember our former Aztecs who have served and did not make it home.” Members of the SDSU ROTC Honor Guard presented the colors, while the Marine Band San Diego played the National Anthem as a solemn opening to the ceremony. The wreath laying ceremony attracted SDSU students, faculty, alumni, as well as both active duty service members and veterans. The county of San Diego holds the nation’s largest concentration of military personnel and over 200,000 veterans reside in the city of San Diego alone, making ceremonies such as the homecoming ceremony a community affair. SDSU President Adela de la Torre spoke of the university’s unique connection and contribution to the local military community. “We have a unique experience here at San Diego State. At most campuses, whether public or private, you won’t find an annual wreath laying ceremony,” de la Torre said. “You also won’t find this kind of free standing monument like this one, honoring former students who perished in service to our country.” De la Torre also mentioned the university’s past and present actions towards easing the transition of veterans into civilian life.
The wreaths were placed at monolith outside the Student Union, which has the names of 239 SDSU students who were lost to military conflicts.
Guest speakers including former Aztec Jack R. McGroy and President Adela de la Torre, spoke about the 4,700 military connected students at SDSU.
“At SDSU, there are more than 4,700 military connected students, including veterans. We are proud to have them as important members of our diverse community. Our military-veteran programs are consistently ranked in the top, in the best of the nation,” de la Torre said. Three student-written essays and poems from the SDSU Alumni Association war memorial writing contest followed de la Torre’s remarks. The winners of this year’s contest were Elizabeth Carlson, John Pugh, and Sydney Harold. Their prose shared their experiences with the military
community. Jack R. McGroy, a former Aztec, as well as a former Marine Corps Lieutenant and current California State University Board of Trustees member was given the honor of keynote speaker for the ceremony. McGroy reflected on his time in the military, and how it guided him towards a career of public service as City Manager for the city of San Diego from 1991 to 1997. “All of my family members served in World War II, and I would always listen to their stories. The day after I graduated college, a draft notice showed up [for the Vietnam War] and I suddenly had
Photos by Eugenie Budnik
Photos by Eugenie Budnik
to pick a branch of the military to serve in,” McGroy said. Members of the SDSU Student Veteran Organization read the names of the 239 SDSU students lost in military conflict while selected veterans and members of SDSU ROTC Honor Guard carried wreaths and flowers to the base of the memorial. A moment of silence, as well as the playing of taps by the Marine Band San Diego followed the reading of the names. A reception was held directly after the ceremony in the student union for attendees and organizers of the ceremony.
Aztec Stadium partners with Sycuan Casino Resort by Katelynn NEWS EDITOR
Robinson
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and Sycuan Casino Resort has been named San Diego State’s Aztec Stadium’s first founding partner. The announcement was made at the stadium construction site on Nov. 16, according to a university press release. The Sycuan Piers will the latest
addition to the Aztec Stadium. The three piers will include three bars, a concession stand, space for 500 individuals and more. “This is an extraordinary investment on behalf of the Sycuan Band in our university and in San Diego, especially SEE AZTEC STADIUM PARTNERSHIP, PAGE 4
Photo courtesy of FreePik
Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Katelynn Robinson . news@thedailyaztec.com
News
The Daily Aztec
3
Baseball adds 10-year-old to roster By Jenna Meyer SENIOR STAFF WRITER
On Friday, Nov. 12, SDSU baseball signed their newest recruit, 10-year-old Nathaniel Wolpoff from Team IMPACT, to the Mesa for the next two years. His official National Letter of Intent signing was held at Tony Gwynn Stadium with his family, grandparents, new teammates and members of SDSU Cheer in attendance to witness the ceremonious moment in Nathaniel’s life. Team IMPACT supports children who are fighting serious and chronic illnesses by forming lifelong bonds through the partnership of a college athletic team. They are working to tackle the emotional trauma and social isolation many children facing these illnesses experience. Nathaniel suffers from Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the digestive tract lining. Through the two-year program, he will have the opportunity to develop relationships with the team and build skills that will help him heal. While Nathaniel will be learning and taking on new skills from some of the players, he already has quite a bit of knowledge about SDSU baseball and in particular, legendary Aztec Tony Gwynn. During his signing, head coach Mark Martinez quizzed him by asking Gwynn’s batting average, which Nathaniel was quick to answer with correct response. Martinez cited that some of his own players might
Photo by Jenna Meyer
Ten-year-old Nathaniel Wolpoff had his signing day at Tony Gwynn Stadium with his parents, coach Mark Martinez, fellow SDSU baseball players, and SDSU cheer in attendence.
not know that. As a new signee and member of the team, Nathaniel will attend practices and team events, as well as serve as the batboy for all Aztec Baseball home games. For the upcoming seasons of Nathaniel’s career as an Aztec, it will be something bigger than the game of baseball. There will be an aspect of mentorship from the coaches and players, but also a mentorship role for Nathaniel to provide to the team and coaching staff. Nathaniel will be able to teach the players and coaches about the joy of baseball, and the joy of life. “The other part we have learned from him is the pure joy of baseball. He brings that, you see it all the time. He doesn’t worry about anything.” Martinez shared. “In fact, when he’s waiting while they (the players) are stretching, he can’t sit still. He’s doing phantom swings, he’s getting ground balls.” In the short time that Nathaniel has been a part of the program — just around a month — he has shown positivity in his role as batboy against UCSD in the recent fall game. “I think for us it is that he’s going to teach us the joy of life,” Martinez said. “He’s been a really pleasant person to have around our program.” The Aztecs will have their home opener with the Tony Gwynn Legacy tournament Feb. 25 to Feb. 27 with opponents to be announced. When attending an upcoming SDSU baseball game, make sure to look out for Nathaniel and say hello.
4
News
The Daily Aztec
Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Katelynn Robinson • news@thedailyaztec.com
NBA athlete's backstory gives
rise to speech therapy nonprofit
EDITOR IN CHIEF Catlan Nguyen MANAGING EDITOR Trinity Bland NEWS EDITOR Katelynn Robinson OPINION EDITOR Aaliyah Alexander MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Noé Sandoval ASST. MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Karina Bazarte ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Ryan Hardison ASST. ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Cristina Lombardo SPORTS EDITOR Jason Freund ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Finley SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Amanda Orozco PHOTO EDITOR Noelani Sapla MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Mackenzie Stafford ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Jayne Yutig GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hemen Mesfin
Courtesy of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist shared his personal experiences with speech therapy and emphasized the importance of patiences being treated as people, rather than assignments.
by Katelynn NEWS EDITOR
Robinson
NBA athlete Michael KiddGilchrist visited San Diego State to spread awareness about his non-profit Change & Impact Inc. and spoke with the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association last month in October. Kidd-Gilchrist has played for the Charlotte Bobcats/ Hornets, Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks. However, he said he has placed his basketball career on hold to focus on his nonprofit. “Change & Impact (Inc.) started not even a year ago,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “From now, it has probably been six months, if that. I am a person who stutters, obviously. I am very aware of my voice now. I always wanted to serve people and others. It just so happened that I was gifted in other places as well. So, I just want to help kids and adults who stutter. And also realize that they are no different from anybody else.” The nonprofit is “a stuttering initiative with a mission to improve access to healthcare and expand services and
resources for those who stutter,” according to a press release from Change & Impact Inc. The Change & Impact official website will be live in approximately two weeks. “Change & Impact” is working for the passing of a healthcare bill that would assist people with communication disorders by receiving more insurance coverage. “I am taking leave from ball to focus on this bill and to focus on service and to help people, to help myself, to help SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), and help the one percent of the population,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. Educating insurance providers on the efficiency of stuttering therapy and speech therapy coverage is also a major goal of the foundation. “My nonprofit is not the average nonprofit you see every day, as far as having a whole bunch of camps and things like that,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “And I am not opposed to the idea but it is kind of time for all the SOPs and individuals who stutter to have help and also get help. So, I am just bridging the gap.” According to the Change & Impact press release, some of
the barriers to speech therapy for stuttering include the lack of a standardized definition of stuttering. This leads to inconsistencies with addressing the medical need for speech therapy and by extension, access to speech therapy. “My nonprofit, I believe, opens up access to others to feel free and to feel that we all are equal,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “It doesn’t matter if you are tall, it doesn’t matter if you have autism, it doesn’t matter if you stutter, it doesn’t matter if you have this, it doesn’t matter if you have that. So, my nonprofit is just highlighting our imperfections.” National Student Speech Language Hearing Association is a major-related club at SDSU which emphasizes students’ career paths which are aimed at speech-pathology and audiology. “It was awesome,” President of NSSLHA, Makenna Sine said. “It was definitely a different event than what we usually have. It was really awesome to hear from someone who has actually gone through speech therapy and has come out on the other end. And he is actually in school right now to become
a speech therapist so that was something that everyone was really inspired by.” Sine said Kidd-Gilchrist emphasized the importance of treating patients as people, rather than assignments. He spoke from his firsthand experience with speech therapy. “One of the biggest reasons I would say is just representation,” Sine said. “To see actual clients and people who have gone through this experience, and hearing firsthand accounts of how his therapy was, how he grew up, and the things that he would like to see done better. Just kind of seeing the importance of seeing your patients as a person and not just a one-hour therapy session.” Kidd-Gilchrist said he wants people to see he is the same as the other 70 million people worldwide who stutter. “I am no different from the next person who has a stutter or has any disorder,” KiddGilchrist said. “I have to pick myself up. I am just here to be one of the others. As hard as that might be to think I want to be but you know I am just here to help.”
STAFF WRITERS Eugénie Budnik Nick Coppo Marian Cuevas Adam Correa Kennedy Humphrey Morgan Prickett Davis Ramage Morgan Ray Sumaia Wegner SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Lucelis Martinez Jenna Meyer Sara Rott Flower Smith CONTRIBUTORS Lindsey Anderson Meghan Ellis Hailey Risch Hailey Doolittle ________________________________
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Brian Arnold ________________________________
GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST Luis Valenzuela EDITORIAL 619.594.4190 editor@thedailyaztec.com ADVERTISING 619.594.7807 advertising@thedailyaztec.com PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition every Wednesday throughout the semester WEB Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com QUESTIONS/COMMENTS letters@thedailyaztec.com The views and opinions expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec.
FOLLOW US
Aztec Stadium Partnership: continued from page 2 given the importance this site has for our entire region,” SDSU President Adela de la Torre said
at the announcement event. The Sycuan Founders Club is set to be one of the most reputable hospitality areas in Southern California. This includes year-round access to all Aztec Stadium events in addition to a premium menu and bar. “It excites me that
our inaugural founding partnership is with the great community and university partners in the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation,” San Diego State Director of Athletics John David Wicker said at the announcement event. “SDSU and Sycuan have been partners on campus and
the community through various educational opportunities and now we can add the stadium partnership to this expanding relationship.” Additionally, a tribute to the Kumeyaay Nation is to be displayed in the stadium, as part of the partnership, according to the press release.
/dailyaztec @TheDailyAztec @thedailyaztec /DailyAztecVideo
5 Opinion Dear romantic comedies: this doesn’t really happen
Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Aaliyah Alexander • opinion@thedailyaztec.com
The Daily Aztec
Paulo Coelho’s books are gold
Photo by Aaliyah Alexander
Paulo Coelho’s books range in topics such as spirituality, finding one’s self and much more.
by lindsey anderson CONTRIBUTOR
Along the course of our literary journeys, many of us have come across “The Alchemist” more than a handful of times. Written by Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho, “The Alchemist” serves as a fictional guide through the world of spirituality and follows the heart’s path to its treasure. Since its publishing in 1988, “The Alchemist” has been translated into 80 languages — making it the most translated book in the world; second only to the Bible. “The Alchemist” has also sold more than 150 million copies worldwide and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for seven straight years. It has since become the all-time bestselling book by a Brazilian writer. The best part? “The Alchemist” was written in just two weeks. With spirituality, raw talent and “The Alchemist” as his guide, Paulo Coelho has undoubtedly become the most influential author of our time. A spiritual master and a disciple of magic, Paulo Coelho has rewritten what it means to be a writer. His novels serve as a foundation of inspiration for individuals embarking on their path to self-discovery. His words are rich with deep meaning, allowing the imagination to prosper, while his messages remain profound — creating space in the mind for magic to take place. And that’s exactly what happens. Upon reading Coelho’s novels, the reader becomes entranced in a literary masterpiece that engulfs the mind with its power. Suddenly, the reader becomes the shepherd boy, the archer or the young hippie on the bus to Nepal — defying time and space and repositioning the reader as the subject of the story. In doing so, the novel now becomes a journey of the self. Paulo Coelho’s novels serve not as a simple read but as a spiritual guide that opens our eyes and our minds to possibilities that lay beyond what we can see. Very few authors are able to achieve such a feat.
Regardless of his raw writing talent that seems to translate from his soul, Paulo Coelho writes on subjects that are discussed by very few. The spiritual journey and the human relationship to magic are subjects that often go unprioritized. In a society that prioritizes the mind and the material, little is discussed in terms of the heart and its relationships to selfdiscovery and spiritual awakening. Thus, those who find themselves lost amongst the influence of societal expectations can come to find solace in Coelho’s words. Words of such nature have been derived from two of Coelho’s novels and lie below: 1) “Why do we have to listen to our hearts?” the boy asked. “Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure,” an excerpt from “The Alchemist” said. 2) “Don’t fear the light within. May it ignite the Sacred Flame in your soul,” from “The Valkyries,” another book from Paulo Coelho. Inspiring and motivating to say the least, Coelho’s words serve as a reminder to his readers that we must never stop exploring the inner-being that lies within all of us. Speaking from my own experience, this exploration is nothing short of challenging and vulnerable. Looking so deeply within ourselves is far from easy to do, but as young people aging into a material world, deep self-discovery has become an act of vitality. Through spiritual practices, personal stories and soulful quotations, Paulo Coelho writes to accompany us along this journey and rests quietly as a guiding light through which we can begin to grow comfortable with the meeting of our soul. As one who has accepted the challenge of this journey, I can confidently say no other words but Paulo Coelho’s will ever be allowed to guide my way. His messages have been a source of profound direction not only for myself, but for mothers, fathers, spiritual seekers, students, artists; and anyone under the sun. Lindsey Anderson is a senior studying rhetoric and writing.
by meghan ellis CONTRIBUTOR
I think it’s undeniable that everyone loves a good romantic comedy. Some of us may not admit it, but we do. However, when watching these movies, some people get the idea that these scenarios can actually happen, meaning you can be leaving for New York and Matthew McConaughey would really chase you through the airport just to confess his love for you and live happily ever after. Bull crap! I’m sorry, but everybody needs to understand these things don’t actually happen. It would be nice if they did, but they don’t. Rom-coms create this illusion of what it’s like being in a relationship, and these illusions cause people to have high, and sometimes unrealistic, expectations. Elements of rom-coms are based on the idea of a “perfect relationship,” a fantasy, meaning no matter the situation, you will always find love. Some of these elements include an unnecessarily handsome man running through airports, and someone getting sick and/or in a car accident. Now, I think it is safe to say you cannot do a rom-com without a good-looking leading man. You know, the guy who has the body of Chris Hemsworth and the sense of humor of Ryan Renolds, who later shows he can be sensitive and vulnerable. Do you know how hard it is to find a guy with these qualities in the real world? It’s like trying to find the gold at the end of the rainbow; it’s ridiculous. I mean, no offense, guys; I’m sure you’re great, but let’s be real. This idea of the perfect man allowed people to develop the assumption that this is what men are supposed to be — nothing less than perfect. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but nobody is perfect (except Hemsworth, but that’s a different conversation). Instead of finding “perfect” partners, people should find happiness that makes it perfect. I know this is a big part of rom-coms, especially in the 1990s, but I have to be the one to say it: There is no need to chase someone through an airport! It is unnecessary and basically an opportunity for you to say you exercised. Also, did it ever occur to anyone to call her/him before doing that? They could’ve saved a lot of time by just calling their house or cell phone — and I know cell phones were already invented, so there is no excuse. Now, I get that running through airports was actually doable prior to the 2000s and 9/11, but if you try to do that today, you will get tackled by airport security. It is also
Photo by Aaliyah Alexander
Rom-coms all have the same plot and it’s getting old.
unrealistic to believe you will be able to get through every single line and get to him/ her before the plane takes off. People barely make it to their own flights because of the lines, let alone trying to catch someone before he/she gets on their flight. At this point, I probably have ruined rom-coms for everyone and should stop while I’m ahead, but I’m not going to, so I just want to ask this: Why does someone always die and/or almost die in rom-coms? This obsession with people getting sick or getting into car accidents is honestly a bit morbid because these fictional people are suffering for our entertainment. Yes, you do see two people trying and fighting to stay together, even in the worst moments of their lives. “Love conquers all,” but if you think that this would happen with a person you have known for a couple of weeks, well… good luck with that. I’m not saying rom coms are bad.They’re actually very entertaining and are satisfying for when you need a good cry. You just have to find the balance between fantasy and reality because rom-coms are not reality. Once you find that balance, romcoms can go back to being fun rather than expectations for your love life. So, with that being said, grab some food and your comfy pants and let’s watch McConaughey run through an airport and live happily ever after. Meghan Ellis is a senior studying rhetoric, writing and Spanish.
$3 OFF REGULAR HAIRCUT OR $10 OFF ANY HAIR COLOR SERVICE
FOR MENTIONING THE AD IN THE DAILY AZTEC.
CALL FOR APPOINTMENTS.
EXTRA CHARGE FOR LONG AND THICK HAIR.
HOURS: MONDAY-SATURDAY 9:00 AM 5:00 PM CLOSED SUNDAYS
FANTASTIC SAM'S LEMON GROVE 7038 BROADWAY, LEMON GROVE, CA 91945 LESS THAN 3 MILES FROM CAMPUS
6
The Daily Aztec
Arts & Culture
Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Ryan Hardison • arts@thedailyaztec.com
‘Tis the season to make gifts
Level up your gift giving!!!!
By Sumaia Wegner
By Eugénie Budnik
STAFF WRITER
Seasons greetings, friends! What better time to start thinking about holiday gifts than now? As a hard working student, your time is as valuable as the cash in your pocket. So worry not, because here are four inexpensive homemade holiday gifts to give friends and family. Painted Photo Frame Everyone cherishes a favorite memory, so what better way to preserve a happy moment in time than a hand-painted photo frame. You can purchase a plastic or wooden photo frame from Dollar Tree as well as some paint. Once you have your materials, go ahead and let out your inner Van Gogh. As the paint dries, you can print an individual picture at Walmart for less than 20 cents. If you want a bigger size or a glossier touch, it’ll be a few dollars more. With a beautifully customized photo frame, your loved one will feel special when they receive this gift — so much so it will make you want another painted frame to capture their joyful reaction. Jar of Hugs and Kisses When you cannot be there to show your love language of physical touch, a bite of chocolate is a great consolation for when a loved one is missing you. This is why this next gift idea is one of my personal favorites. You will need two glasses/vases (available at Dollar Tree), a marker, a piece of paper, and some tape or glue. You will also need to get a bag of Hershey’s kisses and hugs. Hershey’s kisses are available year-round, but hugs are seasonal. “Hugs” are white chocolate with milk chocolate stripes. Label one of the glasses with “(insert your name)’s kisses” and the other with “(insert your name)’s kisses.” Fill up
Graphic by Shalika Oza Some of the most thoughtful gifts for family and friends can be homemade - with love instead of money
your glass with the chocolates, and tadah — you have a jar of your “hugs and kisses.” You can paint the glass/vase with paint or tie some ribbons on them if you want a more decorative touch. These love jars are a sweet expression to your loved one that they can always have a piece of your love, when they are missing you. (Keep this one in the books for Valentine’s Day)! Customized Coupon Book We can get so caught up and busy with our days (especially with finals approaching) that we don’t make enough time to spend with family and friends. A homemade coupon book is a great way to show your loved ones that you care and are there for them when they need you. First, cut a piece of white printer paper into fourths. Depending on how many “coupons” you want to include, you can use as many pieces of paper as your caring heart desires. On each piece of paper, write a chore or activity you know you can do when the time arrives. For example, if you are giving this book to your parents, some things you can include are: “babysit sibling(s) for you to go on date night,”
“wash your car,” or “family activity of your choice.” For friends, some acts of service you may include are: “go see a movie,” “help study with a test,” or “lunch is on me.” Staple the coupons together and Van Gogh, again! This gift is thoughtful and customizable to the person you are making it for. They will surely appreciate it. Feelings Box Sometimes, we can use a little bit of cheering up on the days that are long and tough. With this gift idea, your loved one will surely be reminded that things will be okay. You can tailor this gift to your liking depending on how grand you want to make it. Get four or five bags (they can be as small as zip lock bags or as big as big gift bags). Label each bag with a “negative” feeling, such as stressed, sad, anxious, mad or annoyed. Then, fill each bag with items to make the bad feeling go away. For example for the stressed feeling, you can include candles, a bath bomb and a face mask to remind your loved one to relax. For the sad feeling, you can include handwritten jokes, colorful stickers and personal pictures to put a smile on their face.You can get creative with this idea and go as big as you want. Then, once all the bags are filled with things of your choosing, tell your loved one that they can only open the bag of their feelings when they are feeling it. This gift is four or five little gifts in one your loved one can look forward to opening with time. It is a gift that will show them that you will not let them stay upset over anything, that you can pick them up as soon as they are feeling down. The holidays are a time where our love and kindness is extra warm and these gift ideas will ensure your friends and family feel cherished, as they should.
‘We whisk you’ a sweet holiday season By Cristina Lombardo ASST. ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
The holidays are a time for giving, obviously, but as broke college students, the budget we have to spend is low unfortunately. Luckily for you, there are a few things that aren’t ridiculously expensive to give your loved ones this holiday season. Baking treats! Yes, you do have to buy the ingredients, but everyone (or mostly everyone) loves sweets! So, you can’t go wrong. The satisfaction of giving someone treats as a gift beats a $500 PS5 right? Anyway, here are some recipes to try and to give to your favorite people. The first recipe is a yellow cake batter Christmas cookie recipe from thedairyofarealhousewife.com. Of course you’ll need some yellow cake batter mix, which you can get at the dollar store. You may already have eggs, oil and sugar in your kitchen. Luckily, the recipe isn’t picky, so any type of oil works. Lastly, one would need vanilla extract, but as someone who bakes a lot, imitation vanilla will do just the trick — and it’s a lot cheaper! To top it all off, make sure to add some green and red sprinkles. For some variety, instead of cookies, you may consider making some peanut butter ‘snowballs.’ This recipe from emilyenchanted.com is a bit more complicated but can be totally worth it. With only four steps to follow, what could go wrong? Peanut butter is a must and the recipe specifically calls for crunchy. Powdered sugar to give it that snowball feel, and honey just to give it a sweeter kick.
Photo by Cristina Lombardo
Try to get in the Christmas spirit by making a variety of different treats, like vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting.
Vanilla extract is definitely a must for this recipe but again, vanilla imitation will do the trick! Lemon juice, salt and white chocolate melts is really all you need for this recipe. It’s a lot of steps and ingredients, but having something that you don’t have to bake is a win. Let’s mix it up a bit, everybody loves cookies but what about rum balls? They sound a bit odd, right? Assuming you’ll give it to someone of legal age, I’m sure they would love this interesting yet satisfying treat. The full recipe can be found at smalltownwoman.com. You’ll need corn syrup, vanilla wafers, almonds, powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa and the main star, rum. Mix them all together and you get
delicious little delights that everyone over the age of 21 would definitely like to try! The last recipe is something already made for you. A container of Oreos? That already sounds pretty good. But let’s make it look like Christmas. Transform an ordinary Oreo to ‘Christmas tree Oreos.’ These of course require Oreos. The recipe also calls for white and green chocolate candy melts and sprinkles. They require star sprinkles and brown sprinkles but there’s no reason one can’t get creative with it. With a prep time of 10 minutes, it definitely is something one can do if struggling with a gift idea. These recipes will most definitely leave people wanting more. Who wouldn’t want something sweet for the holidays?
STAFF WRITER
Gear up gamers, the 2021 holiday season is fast approaching, and with it comes a slew of new video games being released just in time for gift giving! From first person shooter games, to puzzle games, and racing games, there is truly something out there for everyone. If you are a video game novice, this video game gift guide is just the tool you need to make every gamer on your gift list happy. “Halo Infinite” comes out on Dec. 8, just a few weeks before Christmas. “Halo Infinite” is the sixth installment in the “Halo” series, and continues the story of Master Chief. The game was initially set to be released in Nov. 2020, but due to complications during development, it was pushed to Dec. 2021. Any fan of first-person shooter games will be happy to find Master Chief’s green amour under their tree this holiday season. Another video game avid first-person shooter players can add to their wishlist is “Battlefield 2042.” This game releases on Nov. 19, and will be the twelfth installment of the “Battlefield” series. “Battlefield 2042” places players in a futuristic war over global resources through all out war modes on several different maps. The game also supports cross-platform support on PC, Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X, as well as Playstation 5. For those whose niche is cozy games such as “Animal Crossing” or “Stardew Valley,” then “Bear and Breakfast” is right up your alley. In this management based game, players get to design and run their own bed-and-breakfast located in a forest. The best part? The character that players play as is a loveable bear named Hank. As you manage your bed-and-breakfast, you also get to uncover character backstories and complete side quests. “Open Roads” is a mystery-thriller game that allows players to get immersed in the storyline as they play as motherdaughter duo, Tess and Opal. The game follows Tess and Opal as they complete a cross-country roadtrip after discovering a bundle of ominous letters and notes in their attic. As players trek across the country, they unearth a mystery which is larger than life, while also analyzing the complex relationship between a mother and her daughter. Fans of narrative-driven games like “When the Past was Around” and “What Remains of Edith Finch” will find “Open Roads” hard to put down. Finally, although all three games included in “Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition” are not new games, they are highly anticipated in the gaming world. This compilation includes remastered editions of three different games from the “Grand Theft Auto” series: “Grand Theft Auto III,” “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City,” and “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.” The remastering process allows for enhanced game visuals, as well as gameplay upgrades. Longtime fans of the game series can look forward to the rerelease of these three games, while newer fans can enjoy these games for the first time in higher definitions. If nothing else, this compilation will keep “Grand Theft Auto” fanatics occupied while they await the long winded release of “Grand Theft Auto VI”. These five highly anticipated video games are sure to satisfy the wishlists of any gamer you might know this holiday season. Of course, do not forget to consider other gifts such as an Xbox Elite Controller, Playstation DualShock Controller or a Nintendo Switch OLED model to match the games you purchase for the gamer in your life! Graphic by Cristina Lombardo
Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Ryan Hardison • arts@thedailyaztec.com
Arts & Culture
The Daily Aztec
7
Column: Another remake? Witness the death of originality in Hollywood By Hailey Doolittle CONTRIBUTOR
Everyone is familiar with the feeling you get when the screen fades to black and your favorite movie ends. When a story really pulls you in, walking out of the theater feels like waking up from a dream. There’s a feeling of emptiness and solace knowing no matter how great the experience was, you can never relive it again. It’s bittersweet. However, what if I told you every time you rewatch that movie, you could maintain the same initial experience. You become reconnected to the characters, abiding their journey once again with curiosity of how it all ends. Every plot twist or jump scare feels brand new, almost as if you have traveled back in time. Doesn’t seem possible does it? Well, that’s because it’s not. But for some reason Hollywood hasn’t figured that out yet. For the past two decades, Hollywood has been reusing the same material over and over again in hopes of reigniting cinema classics, and thus we have forcefully entered a repetitive age of remakes. Very seldom do we see audiences advocating for remakes of their favorite films, in fact it’s usually the exact opposite. According to an analysis conducted by the website Casumo in 2019, “audiences rate 91% of originals more highly than the remake.” Critics shared a similar opposition to remakes as “87% of original movies are preferred by critics to their remakes,” according to the study. So why does Hollywood keep insisting on producing remakes? While there may not be a definitive answer, several key factors contribute, the most important being profit. When a story has already established itself, there is likely to be a core following who will see the remake
solely because they are familiar with the original. When a production company makes a film, it is looking for a return on its investment. Since remakes appeal to a broader demographic and are typically more profitable, studios ride off the coattails of Hollywood classics for a quick cash grab. Remakes are also much easier to market as they already have an established brand. Fans can instantly recognize the Batman logo or the “Star Wars” theme song, therefore this notion of nostalgia is often stressed in their marketing strategy. Although most viewers agree the original was better, this innate sense of nostalgia consistently attracts the masses. With shows like “Stranger Things,” “Friends,” and “The Office” frequently topping the charts on streaming services, nostalgia has been proven to be a formula for success. Studios find investing into a brand-heavy film a much safer choice for revenue, whether it’s executed well or not. Original ideas are pitched everyday but studios reject them for this reason. This recipe is yet to fail so both networks and audiences oblige. When discussing the appeal for remakes one must acknowledge that networks hold huge amounts of intellectual property (IP) which includes any character, franchise or script owned by a studio or production company. These IPs make it very easy for studios to fund remakes, and since Hollywood is scared to take risks, they follow the safe choice. The rights to IPs don’t last forever though, so studios will try to capitalize on that property for as long as possible, resulting in a repetitive loop. An article on Docs Drive-In Theatre writes “In a last-ditch effort to make money on an intellectual property license, studios sometimes pour limited resources into direct-to-video sequels and reboots.” While it does seem most remakes
Graphic by Cristina Lombardo
There are lots of great ideas in Hollywood, but it seems like there’s only room for remakes.
fail to deliver, there are times when the formula for a remake is something to be celebrated. Some fans just can’t get enough of their favorite films and characters so when certain classics grow outdated, a revitalization with higher production quality is called for. A great example of this was in 2018 when Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga starred in the classic “A Star is Born.” Although this was the film’s fourth remake, the movie was an immense success amongst fans and critics earning eight Academy Award nominations and a win for Best Original Song. Fans were excited to see the newest adaptation with new music, new actors and a modern flare proving that sometimes it’s necessary to bring back old stories with new tricks. Some remakes even beat their original successors and lose the cursed title of remake amongst the general public. Some notable mentions include 1998’s “The Parent Trap” with Lindsay Lohan or the
star studded rendition of “Oceans Eleven” in 2001. While the topic of remakes in Hollywood can be quite stressful, it is undoubtedly one of the most successful cheat codes the industry has ever developed. Whether you love the idea of Timothee Chalamet in “Little Women” or dread the thought of Addison Rae in “He’s All That,” it is undeniable that remakes garner widespread recognition. According to the website IMDB there are going to be 125 movie remakes released between the years 2018 and 2022, showing this trend is not stopping. Originality is not completely dead in Hollywood but it is certainly being overshadowed. As long as these movies are still profitable Hollywood will continue to follow the money, and eventually the idea of originality will become a great mantra few believe in.
Yard Show carries on tradition, culture with style By Flower Smith
never forget it,” Watkins said. Traditions of all kinds represent uniqueness and demonstrate the value they hold. The Yard Show will continue being part of SDSU’s cultural awareness and influence. “We’ve had this Yard Show for many years and it’s gonna be many years to come that we’re going to keep having it,” Wills said.
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
San Diego State’s annual National PanHellenic Council Yard Show took place at the Aztec Student Union North Grand Entry Steps on Nov. 12. In this extravagant tradition, fraternities such as Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated and sororities such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated showcased their chapters’ histories through steps, strolls, chants and dancing to commemorate the history of stepping in the Greek community. The night was filled with emotion, hype and excitement from the performers and everyone who came out to support the event. Sociology junior Cierra Watkins is the first vice president of the Nu Upsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For Watkins, performing at the Yard Show was a moment to never forget. “Carrying on this show is a part of the tradition here, especially in the Black community,” she said. “This is such a big piece of our life and this sisterhood is something that means so much to me and I just love keeping the tradition of doing this yard show.” The Yard Show highlights and appreciates multicultural traditions and encourages groups of people to create and
Photo by Cheryl Akpenyi Yard Show had great choreographed performances from the National Pan-Hellenic Council to celebrate Homecoming.
share a collective identity, which in turn serves to shape individual identities. Fourth year psychology major and vice president of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Jalen Wills shared about his emotional connection to this event and being part of the fraternity altogether. “I’m a legacy so my dad was out here too and getting to share this experience with him was crazy emotional and crazy for me,” Wills said. Honoring and keeping the Yard Show tradition alive is important to students among the Greek community because campus traditions are an essential aspect of the student environment. “Attending the Yard Show is really important because it is like one of the few chances you get to see everyone at this school show out,” Wills said. “Everyone
gets to do their thing and put a show on for all of our community and all of SDSU that decides to come out.” Kailah Guidry, a sociology junior, says it’s important for all students to come out and attend events like the Yard Show because it can cultivate an environment for multiculturalism to be embraced. “It doesn’t matter what race you are. You just come out and see the different organizations,” Guidry said. After the last performance, the event ended with the sororities and fraternities stepping and strolling together as the rhythmic R&B played throughout the Student Union. “Just being able to perform with all of my sorority sisters and have all of our chapter members supporting us. It was just a wonderful experience and I will
9
8
The Daily Aztec
Mundo Azteca
Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Noé Sandoval • mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com
Columna: El síndrome de impostor se presenta en mi vida siendo latina por Lucelis Martinez ESCRITORA PRINCIPAL
El centro de recursos latinx (LRC, por sus siglas en inglés) tuvo un evento titulado, “Latinidad y el Síndrome del Impostor” en el 10 de Noviembre, en el Centro de Orgullo (Pride Center). Yo atendí al evento para informarle a otros estudiantes acerca de lo que se trataba, pero terminé sintiéndome conectada a lo que estaba pasando. Daisy Gomez-Fuentes y Lesley Aguirre coordinaron el evento y crearon un ambiente calmante. Primero, Fuentes y Aguirre explicaron lo que significa tener síndrome de impostor. De acuerdo con lo que dijeron, este síndrome se presenta mucho en personas latinas quienes cuestionan sus habilidades y se sienten como fraudes. Fuentes y Aguirre proveyeron ejemplos de cómo este síndrome se ha presentado en sus vidas. Hay personas quienes procrastinan porque creen que si tratan, fallaran. Hay personas quienes hacen demasiado y se agotan tratando de probar que son capaces aunque sean inmigrantes, latinos, etc. Yo no sé si mis deseos de sobresalir tienen que ver con mi estatus como mujer latina. El periodismo, por ejemplo, me emociona por muchas razones. Quisiera darle voz a tantas personas que han sido calladas en contra de su voluntad. Sin embargo, al tratar de dar mi parte en esa misión, me canso. Se que en el futuro, me cansaré más. Siento que tengo que hacer más de lo que debería porque es mi deber. Siento que le debo el 100% de mis esfuerzos a esas personas quienes han sido calladas. En ese proceso, me enfrento a muchos retos. Es difícil hacer que la gente entienda que no soy solamente una periodista o que solo tengo el propósito de exponerlos y hacerles daño por razones lucrativas. Las mismas personas que quiero representar ignoran mi trabajo, se olvidan de mi nombre a propósito y me asignan el rol de enemiga. A veces me siento como impostora
Foto por Lucelis Matinez En la activadad, participantes tuvieron el chance de hacer un diario donde pueden reflejar de sí mismos.
porque hay personas quienes me han hecho sentir como que no puedo ser latina orgullosa y periodista al mismo tiempo. Aunque es precisamente por el cruce de esas identidades que quiero ser lo que soy. Con este tema del síndrome de impostor, puedo decir que muchas veces yo me convenzo que voy a fallar antes de tratar algo porque pienso que fallare al fin. Cuando hago algo merecedor de atención, a veces me da vergüenza tomar el premio entre mano porque siento que no me lo merezco. En la primaria y secundaria, sentía que tenía que probar
mi importancia. Creo que hay poder en decirle a alguien que me juzgue por lo que hago y no porque mi primer lenguaje fue el español, o porque mi piel es morena o porque emigré de la República Dominicana. Cada vez que me montaba en una tarima en esos años tempranos, para presentar algún discurso en dos lenguajes, sentía que estaba demostrando que si yo podía. Fuentes y Aguirre nos motivaron a anotar reflexivamente en un cuaderno. Proveyeron muchos cuadernos de diferentes colores y pusieron la canción
“Una Carta a Mi Ser Mas Joven” por Ambar Lucid. La melodía suave tocaba mientras yo decidía dibujar en mi cuaderno. No tuve que participar en el evento pero me sentí conmovida al tratar. Yo dibuje una foto de un libro pequeño y una frase que dice “Tu te puedes transformar en quien sea que ames”. Escogí dibujar un libro porque al reflexionar, me di cuenta de que mucha de mi identidad ha venido de libros que he leído/leo. Ciertos personajes e historias han creado mundos en mi mente y han sido sitio de mucha inspiración para mi. Uno de los pensamientos que me brinda más fuerza, es el pensar que puedo ser quien sea que quiero. El escoger ser una persona a quien respeto y amo, me ha dado mucho respaldo en la vida. Fuentes nos recordó que el síndrome del impostor cycla constantemente. Las conversaciones que florecieron durante el evento me impresionaron, porque pocas veces he estado en un ambiente tan aceptante. Esta sesión me hizo ver cuánto poder hay en la emoción y que yo puedo generar fuerzas por la pasión que tengo por las cosas que me importan. Fuentes y Aguirre nos guiaron a participar en otro ejercicio de reflexión, al pedir que escribiéramos una carta a nuestros seres más jóvenes. Mi carta comenzó con las palabras, “Querida Pequeña Lucelis: No necesitas saber. No siempre tendrá sentido”. Interesantemente, aunque escribí la carta en inglés, puse dos puntos al final de mi saludo como se hace en el español/ castellano en vez de comillas como se tendría que hacer en inglés. Esto fue accidental pero es un ejemplo de algo que me pasa mucho. Al navegar dos idiomas, a veces se siente como que navegó dos mundos distintos y aunque a veces me siento como que tener dos personalidades para sobrevivir en cada mundo respectivo, la realidad es que puedo ser cuantas cosas yo quiera ser.
Columna: Las tradiciones de las fiestas navideñas son muy diversas en la comunidad latinx y hispanx por Noé Sandoval EDITOR DE MUNDO AZTECA
Ya que estamos llegando a la temporada de las festividades navideñas, todos tenemos nuestras tradiciones con la familia y nuestros seres queridos. Con mi familia salvadoreña, siempre ha sido una mezcla de tradicion estadounidense y salvadoreña. En El Salvador y en Latinoamérica, no se celebra el Thanksgiving o Acción de Gracias. No es considerado como feriado o festividad. Sin embargo, muchas personas que inmigran para Los Estados Unidos adaptan algunos costumbres y tradiciones del país, y Acción de Gracias es uno. Lo que he visto es que aunque adoptamos esta costumbre todavía damos nuestra propia toque con nuestra cultura. Por ejemplo, hacemos comida nuestra que hemos traído de nuestro país. La tradición estadounidense es celebrar el dia con pavo relleno, puré de papas, y muchos ortos platos acompañantes. Los postres también son varias tartas de diferentes sabores. En la comida salvadoreña, nosotros hacemos un platillo típico de “Panes con pollo” o “Panes con pavo”. Un pavo o
pollo es horneado con una salsa y hacemos sándwiches con pan francés lleno del pollo y verdura. En vez de comer el pavo como lo comen aqui, nos gusta tomarlo y poner nuestro toque. Este platillo se come seguido en el país, pero no es considerado como un plato para las fiestas navideñas específicamente. De hecho, este plato se come en festividades en todo el año, como fiestas de cumpleaños o para reuniones. Otros platos salvadoreños son tamales y empanadas. Los tamales son hechos con masa de maíz condimentada con achiote, una semilla no sólo conocido por su sabor pero también por su color, un rojo vibrante. Las empanadas salvadoreñas diferencian con las empanadas de otros países latinoamericanos. Ellas son dulces y consideradas postres. Las empanadas son hechas con plátano y manjar blanco, leche cocida con azúcar y espesado con harina de arroz. Estas comidas representan quien soy yo y como yo creci. Aunque toda mi infancia fue in Los Angeles, la cultura salvadoreña siempre fue partido mi identidad. Cuando se trata de la navidad, mi familia siempre tuvo la tradición de la posada. La posada viene de la costumbre católica y cristiana que cuenta la historia bíblica de José y María pidiendo posada para que pueda nacer el niño Jesus.
La posada es una tradicion mexicana y latinoamericana que une a la comunidad.
En la tradición, la comunidad se junta para andar por el vecindario cantando y rezando en la noche hasta llegar en una casa donde habrá comida y regalos para niños. Yo me recuerdo estando con la comunidad de la iglesia participando en las posadas. Esta tradicion viene mas de la cultura mexicana pero fue parte de
Foto por Adobe Stock: “La Posada” por cherokeerose
mi infancia ya que también me crié en la iglesia católica. Las fiestas navideñas son un tiempo de reflexión y alegria donde podemos compartir con los que amamos y forman parte de nuestras vidas. Entre la cultura latinx o hispana, hay una variedad de formas para celebrar y todas son aceptadas y adecuadas.
Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Noé Sandoval • mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com
Mundo Azteca
The Daily Aztec
9
Ceremonia de veteranos, con coronas por Eugenie ESCRITORA
Budnik
Esta historia fue traducida por Noé Sandoval, editor de Mundo Azteca. La Universidad Estatal de San Diego tuvo el 88º regreso anual a casa coincidió con la observancia del dia de los veteranos el 11 de noviembre, dando un reconocimiento especial a la 25º ceremonia de colocación de la corona conmemorativa de guerra del regreso a casa. La ceremonia, organizada por la Asociación de Antiguos Alumnos de SDSU y el Comité de Memorial de Guerra de SDSU, se llevó a cabo frente al de la universidad, Monumento de Guerra Ubicado al oeste de la Unión de Estudiantes Aztecas de Conrad Prebys. El monumento es un monolito gigante que recuerda al Washington Memorial en Washington DC que fue diseñado por el ex profesor de arte de SDSU Juan Domínguez en 1996. Su altura de 25 pies se encuentra solemnemente adyacente a la Unión de Estudiantes y el Teatro al Aire Libre de Cal Coast. Grabados a cada lado del monumento están los nombres de los 239 estudiantes de SDSU perdidos en conflictos militares como la Segunda Guerra Mundial, Corea, Vietnam, Afganistán e Irak. “Siempre es importante reconocer a aquellos que han servido a nuestro país y han pagado el precio máximo de sacrificio”, dijo Jen Renallo, especialista en relaciones con ex alumnos de SDSU. “Es importante señalar que si bien esta ceremonia se lleva a cabo el día después del Día de los Veteranos, lo hacemos todos los años en el regreso a casa para recordar a nuestros ex aztecas que han servido y no regresaron a casa”. Los miembros de la Guardia de Honor de SDSU ROTC presentaron los colores, mientras que la Marine Band San Diego tocó el Himno Nacional como una solemne apertura a la ceremonia. La ceremonia de colocación de la corona atrajo a estudiantes, profesores y ex alumnos de SDSU, así como a miembros del servicio activo y veteranos. El condado de San Diego tiene la concentración de personal militar más grande del país y más de 200,000 veteranos residen solo en la ciudad de San Diego, lo que hace que ceremonias como la ceremonia de bienvenida sean un asunto de la comunidad. Adela de la Torre, presidenta de SDSU, habló sobre la conexión y contribución únicas de la universidad a la comunidad militar local. “Tenemos una experiencia única aquí en San Diego State. En la mayoría de los
Foto por Eugenie Budnik SDSU tuvo una ceremonia para conmemorar el dia de los veterano el 11 de noviembre para honrar aquellos que han servido el país en el ejercito o fuerzas armadas.
campus, ya sean públicos o privados, no encontrarás una ceremonia anual de colocación de ofrendas ”, dijo de la Torre. “Tampoco encontrará este tipo de monumento independiente como este, en honor a los exalumnos que perecieron al servicio de nuestro país”. De la Torre también mencionó las acciones pasadas y presentes de universidad para facilitar la transición de los veteranos a la vida civil. “En SDSU, hay más de 4,700 estudiantes relacionados con el ejército, incluidos los veteranos. Estamos orgullosos de tenerlos como miembros importantes de nuestra diversa comunidad. Nuestros programas para veteranos militares se clasifican constantemente entre los mejores, en lo mejor de la nación ”, dijo de la Torre. Tres escritos por estudiantes ensayos y poemas del concurso de escritura en memoria de la guerra de la Asociación de Antiguos Alumnos de SDSU siguieron las declaraciones de De la Torre. Los ganadores del concurso de este año fueron Elizabeth Carlson, John Pugh, y Sydney Harold. Su prosa compartió sus experiencias con la comunidad militar. Jack R. McGroy, un ex alumna, así como ex Teniente del Cuerpo de Marines
y miembro actual de la Junta de Síndicos de la Universidad Estatal de California, recibió el honor de orador principal de la ceremonia. McGroy reflexionó sobre su tiempo en el ejército y cómo lo guió hacia una carrera de servicio público como administrador municipal de la ciudad de San Diego de 1991 a 1997. “Todos los miembros de mi familia sirvieron en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, y yo siempre escuche sus historias. El día después de graduarme de la universidad, apareció un aviso preliminar [para la Guerra de Vietnam] y de repente tuve que elegir una rama del ejército para servir ”, dijo McGroy. Los miembros de la Organización de Estudiantes Veteranos de SDSU leyeron los nombres de los 239 estudiantes de SDSU perdidos en un conflicto militar mientras veteranos seleccionados y miembros de la Guardia de Honor de SDSU ROTC llevaban coronas y flores a la base del monumento. Un momento de silencio, así como el toque de los grifos de la Marine Band San Diego siguió a la lectura de los nombres. Inmediatamente después de la ceremonia se llevó a cabo una recepción en el sindicato de estudiantes para los asistentes y los organizadores de la ceremonia.
7
Familias de la comunidad de San Diego honraron a sus seres queridos que han servido el país en el ejercito.
Foto por Eugenie Budnik
10
The Daily Aztec
Sports
Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Jason Freund • sports@thedailyaztec.com
Football stalls high-octane Nevada
offense, now atop Mountain West By Adam Correa STAFF WRITER
The San Diego State Aztecs (9-1-0, 5-10 Mountain West Conference) overcame adversity, coming back to defeat the Nevada Wolf Pack (7-3-0, 4-2-0 MWC) 23-21 Saturday night. The game started with an SDSU threeand-out. The Wolf Pack went nine plays for 34 yards but were kept out of the end zone on the ensuing drive. SDSU’s second possession started on their one yard line. The Aztecs were in the midst of an 11-play drive, which included a 50-yard run from senior running back Greg Bell, and found themselves in a 3rd andgoal situation. Senior quarterback Lucas Johnson’s pass to senior wide receiver Elijah Kothe was just out of reach and the team settled for a field goal attempt. As the field goal unit set up and snapped the ball, the kick was blocked by Nevada. However, a holding call on the Wolf Pack gave the ball back to SDSU. The following play, Johnson threw a two-yard pass to a wide open senior tight end Daniel Bellinger for a touchdown. Junior kicker/punter Matt Araiza kicked the extra point to make it 7-0. The Wolf Pack looked to answer back. Nevada junior quarterback Carson Strong completed five passes to put the ball on the SDSU 37-yard line. Strong threw a 28-yard touchdown pass on the following play to sophomore wide receiver Tory Horton which tied the score at 7-7 after the extra point. The Aztecs then started on their own 34-yard line and got up the field with a combination of Johnson’s passes and Greg Bell’s rushes. On third-andone, Greg Bell couldn’t get the first down. The Aztecs called on Araiza, and he delivered. The 48-yard field goal gave the Aztecs a 10-7 lead. SDSU kicked off to Nevada, and forced them to punt in the ensuing drive. The Aztecs went on to drive all the way to Nevada’s five-yard line. Senior running back Chance Bell took his fourth rush of the drive into the endzone for a touchdown, putting SDSU up 17-7. Two Nevada drives later, the Wolf Pack
Photo by Andrew Finley
SDSU’s defense had a lot to celebrate after keeping NFL prospect Carson Strong and the highest scoring team in the Mounatin West Conference to just 21 points in a pivital game in Carson.
started on their own 20-yard line and played hurry up football down the field. Strong completed seven passes en route to SDSU’s five-yard line. His eighth pass of the drive went to senior wide receiver Romeo Doubs for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 17-14. The Aztecs were looking to take a bigger lead two drives later when they started on the Nevada 37-yard line. Senior running back Kaegun Williams carried the ball four times for 14 yards to set Araiza’s 39-yard field goal, giving the Aztecs a 20-14 lead. On the ensuing drive for Nevada, Strong completed a 54-yard play action touchdown pass to Doubs which gave the Wolf Pack their first lead of the game making it 21-20 with 9:57 left in the fourth quarter. Head coach Brady Hoke said the team has learned from experience with close games and was not going to let up. “I really do think the Utah game and the San Jose game, those games where we’ve been through some overtimes and
had to be resilient and had to count on each other, we’ve learned from that,” Hoke said. After five minutes were chewed off the clock, Johnson completed two long passes to Kothe and junior wide receiver TJ Sullivan to get SDSU in Nevada territory. Hoke said Johnson looked comfortable in the pocket and it was his best performance of the season. “It looked like he (Johnson) didn’t struggle with anything within the offense,” Hoke said. “When he had to do another read he did a really nice job there. I think overall, he was pretty decisive more so than he had been.” On a third down play from the Nevada 17-yard line, Johnson passed to junior wide receiver Tyrell Shavers but the Wolf Pack defense broke it up, forcing a fourth down. Johnson said on the last drive they had to stay collected as a group and have a winning drive mindset. “We just knew that we had to get the ball into field goal range for Matt (Araiza).
He’s a huge weapon for our team,” Johnson said. “We knew we just had to get it almost probably to the 40 and it would be good.” Araiza came out for a 35-yard field goal try and — despite the loud Nevada fans that came out to the stadium — put it right through the posts to give SDSU a 23-21 lead with 1:21 left. Nevada had their last chance of the game on their own 25 yard line. Even with Strong getting his team to midfield, the Aztec defense pressured and denied Strong to force three incompletions which put down the Wolf Pack. Junior defensive end Cameron Thomas was impressed with how the defense held Nevada to only 21 points. “We knew we had to fight the quarterback and I think the defense that I saw coming together didn’t back down,” Thomas said. SDSU moves up to first place in the west conference and will be playing at UNLV (2-8-0, 2-4-0 MWC) on Friday, Nov. 19.
Bruins show no remorse to Aztecs on senior night
By Davis Ramage STAFF WRITER
San Diego State men’s soccer had their senior night spoiled by the No. 22 UCLA Bruins (10-6-1, 5-4-1 Pac-12) as the Aztecs (8-7-2, 2-7-0 Pac-12 Conference) made crucial mistakes that led to their eventual demise. UCLA was the aggressor early on as it took only 30 seconds for the Bruins to capture the lead. Sophomore defender Tommy Silva niftily finished the cross from redshirt freshman forward Jose Contell, shocking the Aztecs fans and giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead. The Aztecs earned their first corner of the night in the ninth minute, but it ended up hurting them as the ball found its way to senior midfielder Arturo Chavez, who was alone near the halfway line. UCLA redshirt freshman midfielder Tucker Lepley applied the defensive pressure on Chavez and took the ball right from his feet. Lepley ended up finding Silva for his second goal of the day on the fastbreak opportunity created by the mental mistake from Chavez. SDSU head coach Ryan Hopkins said these mental mistakes are “the sign of a
Photo by Tania Gallardo Avalos
San Diego State’s mens soccer team ended their season on a sour note after falling to conference opponent UCLA on the SDSU Sports Deck.
young team and those are things that we can certainly train better.” The first promising opportunity for the Aztecs came from junior midfielder Blake Bowen who created space and curled a shot towards the bottom right corner, but Bruins freshman goalkeeper Nate Crockford made a fantastic diving save. The shot from Bowen led to a corner for the Aztecs, but it would not be converted. The Aztecs had an astonishing 15
corners on the night — 12 in the first half — and outshot the Bruins 13-8. “I was really happy with the chance creation,” Hopkins said, on generating opportunities. He also gave credit to the Bruins keeper. “I think the goalkeeper played really, really well.” The onslaught of corner kicks finally paid off for the Aztecs in the 44th minute when freshman forward Alex Hjaelmof
whipped a beautiful ball into the box that found the head of junior forward Austin Wehner. This goal was a huge momentum shift for the Aztecs going into halftime. “I thought we were going to go on and win the game,” Hopkins said when commenting on how important this goal was for the team. After an eventful first half, UCLA would eliminate any hopes the Aztecs had during the second half. The Aztecs once again felt the pressure of the Bruin defense in the 51st minute when Aztec sophomore goalkeeper Jacob Castro held the ball a little too long in his own box and was dispossessed by Silva. Silva brilliantly distributed the ball to Contell who barely got the ball over the goal line as freshman defender Tadfej Pirtovsek tried to clear the ball off the line, but was unsuccessful. Lepley put the dagger in the Aztecs in the 72nd minute with a spectacular left-footed shot curling away from the outstretched Castro diving to his right and into the back of the net. Though they fought hard to get the dub, SDSU ultimately fell short and ended what was once an extremely hopeful season on a sour note.
Sports
Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Jason Freund • sports@thedailyaztec.com
The Daily Aztec /
11
Basketball takes first loss of the
season in Provo against rivals BYU By Morgan Prickett STAFF WRITER
There isn’t much that hasn’t been said about the rivalry between San Diego State and Bringham Young University. Both teams have discontinued their football matchups with one another until at least 2034, partly due to the fact that BYU will join the Big-12 in 2023. So, the universities’ basketball teams will hope to keep the rivalry alive. Friday’s narrow 66-60 defeat to the Cougars marked the fourth straight year the two schools have competed with the plan to continue in the next two years. The last three matchups between the schools have resulted in two wins for the Aztecs, winning in 2018 (in San Diego 9081) and 2019 (in Provo 76-71), while the Cougars won last season’s matchup 62-72 in an empty Viejas Arena. Despite recent success, the Aztecs still trail BYU 25-50 in the all-time series record. When playing in Provo, the Aztecs have had even less success with a 4-30 record. Throughout the entire first half of Friday’s game, the Aztecs were abysmal from deep. In the season opener versus UC Riverside, the Aztecs shot 2-of-11 from three. Somehow they managed to replicate that shooting as the Aztecs again went 2-of-11 in only the first half. The Aztecs also dropped points at the free-throw line, shooting 42.9 percent from the strike. “We have to shoot the ball better, we all know that,” Aztecs head coach Brian
Dutcher said to the media after the game. Even with the off shooting, the Aztecs kept the entire first half close with their defense and rebounding. The Aztecs led the Cougars in rebounds 20-18 and also managed to grab three more offensive boards. The Aztecs also led the Cougars in steals with three as opposed to BYU’s one. SDSU had the chance to take a 28-26 lead into the half but senior guards Alex Barcello and Te’jon Lucas hit back-to-back threes to put the Cougars up 28-32. Aztec senior guard Trey Pulliam was able to half the deficit with a two-pointer before the break to a 30-32 lead for the Cougars. The second half saw little change for the Aztecs as they continued to shoot poorly from three, shooting 1-11 in the second half from the line. But yet again their defense kept them in it with three steals to the Cougars zero. “I thought we competed hard enough to keep ourselves in the game and give ourselves a chance to win,” Dutcher said. “We have to execute better at times but I liked our grit. I liked our fight. I liked the way we got on the ball after loose balls.” For most of the second half, it was hard to determine the winner as both teams went back and forth taking the lead. It wasn’t until 40 seconds left on the clock, when Barcello dribbled into a jumper on the left elbow, that the game truly looked out of reach. Barcello’s jumper gave the Cougars a 61-56 lead which would ultimately put the Aztecs to bed. “The keys of the game were trying to contain Barcello, he made the big basket at the end, and to keep Loehner off the
WE ARE BACK! The nation's top transfer school to SDSU REGISTER FOR SPRING AT GROSSMONT.EDU Photo by Noelani Sapla
Senior guard Trey Pullium pulls up to take a shot from the three-point line agaisnt UC Riverside.
glass, and he got the big tip-in at the end,” Dutcher said. “We worked hard all game to prevent those things but in the end, those are the two players that made the plays that kind of sealed the victory for them. The Aztecs tried to claw back before the final buzzer but it wasn’t enough as they fell to the Cougars 66-60. The shooting woes of the Aztecs proved to be their fatal flaw. Dutcher emphasized the impact of Barcello’s shot-making on the result of the game but still has faith that his
team can find a way out of their shooting slump sometime soon. “Obviously Barcelo made three of the four threes they had, he’s an elite player. It would’ve been nice to see one of those go in for us when we needed it but our kids work hard and I think that is something that will improve as the year goes on,” Dutcher said. The Aztecs are back in action at the Viejas Arena on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. to take on Arizona State.
12
The Daily Aztec
The Back Page
Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 Editor: Ryan Hardison • arts@thedailyaztec.com
Review: ‘An Evening With Silk Sonic’ bridges the old school and new school By Ryan Hardison ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Nearly nine months after releasing their show-stopping debut single “Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic, a kinetic duo consisting of R&B superstars Anderson Paak. and Bruno Mars, released their debut album “An Evening With Silk Sonic” on Friday, Nov. 12. With sky high expectations for a project (especially a debut) it’s nearly impossible to impress everyone, even more so when the bar has already been set so high with their previous solo albums. Additionally, high-profile collaborations don’t always have the best track record, and this superstar formula often produces more duds than thuds. But in many ways, Silk Sonic delivered the “intergalactic funk” they promised. Considering Paak. and Mars’ careers are adorned with old-school homage, it’s not surprising their debut leaned so heavily on nostalgia. The album has only nine tracks, but is prime for many replays. Not unlike their solo projects, Paak and Mars perform much of the album on their own. P-Funk legend Bootsy Collins, an architect of Parliament-Funkadelic’s trademark sound as a songwriter and bass player for the group, hosts the album and gives an authentic sense of ‘70s appreciation. The features were minimal with only Collins randomly scattering adlibs and internal monologues like a better-placed (and actually talented) DJ Khaled on various tracks and jazz fusion god Thundercat, who appears on “After Last Night.” Starting off strong as ever, “Leave The Door Open” is excellent, and an especially wise choice for a first single to lift this already-famous duo to an unimaginable stratosphere. With sex appeal, chart appeal and lasting relevance, it set a high standard for the project due to its high placement in the album and their rollout. However, it set expectations the rest of the project struggled to match up to at times. Many of their songs set ablaze but not with the same fire and passion as the bonfire of “Leave The Door Open.”
Graphic by Em Burgess
Silk Sonic are a soul revival duo who bring back the silk, swagger and singing of the greatest acts from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Capitalizing off the initial high, the middle section of the album from “Fly As Me” to “Put On A Smile” keeps things groovy. “Fly as Me” is light-hearted and the exact area where Paak. shines — right between the intersection of cocky rap and smooth-talking R&B. “After Last Night” follows a pair of players getting thrown off their axis by a romantic night. Trying to replicate this lustful feeling, they’re in a hazy, desperate mood. Thundercat’s bass-playing and Collins’ creates an intoxicating environment perfect for endless harmonies and loving appeals. Then there’s “Smokin Out The Window,’’ a tune where the duo are finishing each other’s thoughts and are arguably at their most comfortable with chemistry bouncing off the walls. It would be amazing to see it performed in concert, especially if Paak keeps selling the feeling of the line “not to be dramatic but I wanna die.” Mars shines on “Put On A Smile,” a
track right in his emotional pleading wheelhouse. When Mars sings his last “I’m dyiiiiiiiiiiiing,” there’s lots of pain left on the table, providing an emotional core for an album mostly centered on smiling adventures. When Mars is crooning for a second chance and playing the fool, every heartbreak feels like catching a grenade. The album began to teeter as “777” emerged as a shaky part of the album’s winding down. Like the chaotic night out in Las Vegas it portrays, the duo rolls the dice on this track, but instead of coming up big, they throw off the rhythm built up by previous songs. “Skate” strolls in with nostalgia and is too refined to capitalize on its sweet messaging, with a feeling like it was made in a generic hit factory. It’s a bit too resemblant of a tune you’d hear perusing the aisles of JC Penney, but still sounds alright nonetheless. There’s no doubt this will get significant air time in any existing roller rink in the nation. Finishing strong and flying high, “Blast
Off” is both satisfying and gets the oldschool feeling back. It’s a proper outro for an album which treats its audience with care. Despite the big reaction it received, what was supposed to be the release of the year got a bit overshadowed by the release of “Red (Taylor’s Version)” — and both albums will almost certainly get overtaken by Adele’s “30” album releasing Nov. 19. Because of this, “An Evening With Silk Sonic” almost failed to fully capitalize on the hype. For an album this fun, a summer release would have been the most ideal landing spot. There may have been too much reliance on nostalgia, and not enough of their own artistic expression on some of the songs, resulting in an end product that’s a little too tame. The biggest difference between listening to this and a ‘70s funk album is noticing the room for improvisation that’s substituted for a straight edge radio play sound. But even with these flaws, their talent still shines through enough.
Review: Starbucks’ new drink with a ‘latte’ problems By Aaliyah Alexander OPINION EDITOR
Us vegans are used to being the odd one out at parties, events and restaurants. So, we’ve perfected the art of bringing our own dishes to gatherings where being vegan is still unorthodox and we’ve mastered the skill of altering menu items to make them vegan-friendly. As a frequent Starbucks customer, it’s great to see new items such as the “Pink Drink” or Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso be vegan as is. This means not having to ask the barista to replace the milk with a non-dairy alternative or omit the whipped cream. (Not to mention being charged extra for these alternatives.) However, being a coffee lover during the holiday season hasn’t been the best experience due to the limited selection of festive drinks at Starbucks. Luckily, this holiday season is going to be a bit different because the popular coffee chain recently released their new vegan-friendly drink: Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte. According the VegNews, this new holiday drink is inspired by “spritzen”
Courtesy of Starbucks
Screenshot from Starbucks’ Instagram displaying their new sugar-filled vegan-friendly drink
cookies which are German holiday sugar cookies. The latte contains sugar cookieflavored syrup combined with blonde espresso and almond milk, of course. Without any knowledge of the previous information, I went to my local Starbucks and ordered this much anticipated latte.
I was initially disappointed because the flavor didn’t remind me of traditional sugar cookies that are popular in the U.S. However, that didn’t mean it didn’t taste good. The drink reminded me of praline flavored treats instead of regular sugar
cookies, but after reading the inspiration behind the drink, I thought maybe “spritzen” cookies have pralines in them? That thought was dismissed after I found out “spritzen” cookies are basically just flour, eggs, butter and sugar. The Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte can be ordered hot or iced and apparently comes with red and green sprinkles (which I didn’t get on mine for some reason) which is a nice touch for a holiday drink. The most important question that remains: does the new vegan-friendly latte get one into the holiday spirit? No. I wanted so badly to taste this new latte and feel the urge to play my Christmas music while wearing a big, comfy sweater as I watched a crappy Hallmark movie, but the feeling never came. If Starbucks finally had their non-dairy whipped cream in all locations and added to the latte while going to town with their red and green sprinkles on the Iced Sugar Cookie Latte, then maybe my holiday spirit would have a different experience. Until then, I will stick with my yearround order of a caramel iced latte with almond milk.
