The Daily Aztec 5/1/2024

Photo by Michael Hayes

Photo by Mariadelcarmen

GrAphic By BellA hodGes

SDSU students share mixed feelings about proposed TikTok ban

The U.S. Congress aims to ban the popular social media platform unless it’s acquired by an American-approved company

By Michelle ArMAs SENIOR STAFF WRITER

On March 13, the U.S. Congress voted to ban TikTok if its China-based company, ByteDance, doesn’t sell the app to an owner who satisfies the U.S. government.

During a live hearing, U.S. officials agreed that TikTok poses a national security risk. Two-thirds of the legislation was in favor of the bill being passed.

A few days prior, President Joe Biden expressed his plan to endorse the legislation. When reporters questioned him about the bill, Biden said “If they pass it, I’ll sign it.”

On April 23, the U.S. Senate passed the bill, giving TikTok nine months to sell to an approved U.S. owner, with a threemonth extension in the case of a pending sale.

If ByteDance does not sell the app within this period, then U.S. app stores and internet service providers will no longer be allowed to offer the app for download or updates.

The bill now goes to President Joe Biden for signing.

However, it is likely that ByteDance will challenge the legality of the bill, delaying the ban even further.

San Diego State University students shared their thoughts on one of Generation Z’s most commonly used apps.

Diego Delgadillo, a fourth-year journalism student, has his own comedy podcast and frequently shares content on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. He shared that artists on social media are due for a new medium.

“The real creatives and the people who are pushing to make art are going to do it no matter where the outlet is,” Delgadillo said. “So if TikTok is gone, there will be something else that is going to replace it.”

Delgadillo also mentioned that some people have just “skated by” because of the format and algorithm, so he thinks it’s good to “weed” out those who aren’t genuinely creative.

“I hate the way TikTok has fried our brains to have to rely on art to be served a certain way,” he said.

However, other students mentioned that they think the ban is a way for the U.S. to control the young generation and keep foreign powers at bay.

“It’s a very large thing to unpack,” said Sonor Liotta, a first-year marketing student. “At the base level, it’s xenophobia because America has never had good relations with China and also the American people always have propaganda against China.”

Liotta also said that on a deeper level, it’s a “power structure issue” because he thinks that a foreign power has the ability to get young people “riled up.”

During congressional hearings in March 2023, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, testified to the House Energy and Commerce Committee that the Chinese government does not have a direct relation with TikTok.

“We do not promote or remove content at the request of the Chinese government,” Chew said. “We do not collect body, face or voice data to identify our users.”

However, after Chew’s statement, Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and the committee questioned the truth of his statements.

Rodgers pointed out that Chew had direct contact with affiliates of the Chinese Communist Party, which he confirmed to be true.

Some students, like Greta Houge, a first-year engineering student, believe that it would be more beneficial for the U.S. government to focus on other national issues.

“I think it’s kind of stupid. TikTok is for entertainment, and it’s not the most important issue for them to be worrying about,” Houge said.

Some users even protested outside the White House, urging the government not to go through with the bill.

Despite the voices of everyday users and influencers who benefit from the app, the stance of the U.S. government remains firm.

SDSU composting initiatives aim to reduce the impact of campus waste Compost interns lead the

way

for

student

involvement and enthusiasm around composting

By LuLana Harrison

As greenhouse gas emissions rise and the negative impacts of global warming become increasingly evident, as stated by the United Nations, universities are implementing courses of action to reduce their carbon footprint.

Aspiring to strengthen climate change mitigation and food waste reduction plans, San Diego State University is expanding composting programs on campus.

Meredith Serrano, a third-year sustainability student, highlighted the significance of composting.

“Composting is so important because it is a big contributor to waste reduction,” Serrano said. “It helps us give food waste a new life instead of sending it to the landfill.”

Composting is a controlled process in which organic waste, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, is transformed into nutrient-dense soil amendment.

According to the U.S. Composting Council, there are many positive implications of composting in addition to the reduction of food waste. Improvements in soil health, carbon sequestration and water conservation are all direct outcomes of composting.

There are different scales of composting that incorporate varying methods of breaking down waste. While people may

picture composting as using worms to break down food scraps in a backyard, large-scale composting is growing quickly as an accessible and efficient procedure to mitigate climate change and reduce food waste.

SDSU students Annika Laughlin and Emily Herriott work for the Office of Energy and Sustainability, advancing composting systems across campus as interns. Daily, Laughlin and Herriott educate faculty and staff around campus about composting.

According to Herriott, laws such as SB 1383 — which requires the reduction of organic waste going to landfills — are becoming more enforced in San Diego.

“SDSU is technically out of compliance with SB 1383, and they’re not enforcing it right now, but eventually, they will be,” Herriott said. “It will be required by law that all of this organic waste is being collected and diverted from the landfills.”

Herriott and Laughlin are researching how recycling plans were introduced on campus in order to help them make the composting system campus-wide as well. This initiative will be overseen by the facilities department.

In addition to collecting compost and crafting plans to strengthen their program, Laughlin and Herriott work with an outreach intern to educate students and expand involvement in the community.

Through social media outreach and collaborations with other SDSU

organizations, such as Green Love and Save Soil, interest in soil health and composting is spreading across campus.

“We have some fun with it. We work with our outreach intern a lot to make fun videos and reels. We’ve made a couple of Instagram graphics and resources,” Herriott said.

Evidence of excitement toward composting is becoming apparent across campus and has reached Kamille Kada, a second-year psychology student.

Kada began thinking about composting when she noticed that her hometown, Ventura, California, had begun picking up compost from homes. Kada’s environmental science class further gave her the motivation to take action to reduce her carbon footprint.

After learning about how easy and effective composting is in class, she wondered why students aren’t embracing it more.

“‘Why aren’t more people composting? Why am I not composting?’” Kada asked herself.

According to Kada, her inspiration led her to pitch the idea of starting a composting system at M@College Apartments, a building affiliated with SDSU. The apartments supported her request and new composting bins in the common area now allow for her and other residents of the apartment to reduce their own waste output.

With further planning of a campus-

wide composting program from the interns and enthusiasm from the student community, SDSU students have shown dedication to this cause.

Between the two compost interns, there is a lot of work to do to make this composting system effective and campuswide.

Savannah Schuermann, an anthropology lecturer who teaches a course in sustainability, is unsure about the integrity and effectiveness of campus composting. She has some critiques of the administration’s level of support.

According to Schuermann, since SDSU is not in compliance with SB 1383, it is hard to know whether food scraps are actually being sent to compost facilities or landfills.

Schuermann said that the university needs to fully support composting efforts by providing funding and resources to facilitate its expansion and success.

“The school should raise funding and resources,” Schuermann said. “Give them funding to implement and staff people and bodies on the ground and pay them more fairly.”

For students interested in getting involved with composting at SDSU, the Office of Energy and Sustainability provides information on composting and a compost program sign-up link on their website.

Office of Energy & Sustainability employees Anikka Laughlin and Emily Herriott pose in their workplace on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Photo by Isabella Biunno

Taking Initiative: SDSU’s Mustard Seed Project takes charge in homelessness advocacy

Students partner with local organizations to address the needs of the homeless in their community with donations ranging from hygienic products to food and clothing.

By HannaH RamiRez STAFF WRITER

With the rise of homelessness in the San Diego area, it has become a complex matter in the community, especially when it comes to finding a solution for unhoused individuals.

Last year alone, San Diego reached a record high of 10,264 individuals experiencing homelessness. This was a 22% increase from the previous year tracked in a census by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness.

With recent floods displacing San Diegans in January and drop-offs by U.S. Customs and Border Protection leaving migrants stranded, local governments and nonprofits have faced limitations on providing aid to communities in need.

However, a group of San Diego State University students have taken it upon themselves to help out in the community as part of an organization known as the Mustard Seed Project.

Founded in 2017 at the University of California, Riverside, the Mustard Seed Project (MSP) is a grassroots nonprofit run by student volunteers who aim to support homeless individuals in their community. Outside of UC Riverside and SDSU, there

are currently four other MSP chapters at UC San Diego, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara and the University of Oregon.

At SDSU, the organization has been active since 2019 with around 45 members for the spring 2024 semester. The club works with other local nonprofits to distribute donations to unhoused communities three times a week.

On Fridays, the organization delivers clothes from Sharia’s Closet, and, on Saturdays, members work alongside the Blue Wagon Ministry to hand out hygiene supplies and other resources.

According to the club’s current president, Maeve Howlett, Sundays are her favorite outreach day as SDSU MSP is student-led. Members of the club distribute 60-80 bags of food supplied by the Lucky Duck Foundation.

“Sundays go by really fast just because the need is so high. We’ve had outreaches that take like 20-30 minutes and then we’re out of supplies,” Howlett said. SDSU MSP’s initiatives extend beyond short-term help, however.

Members who have been involved for over a semester can become “volunteer

service navigators.” In this role, individuals become trained in case management and can take on up to three clients at a time, whom they check in on periodically and connect to services.

Additionally, volunteer service navigators can disperse money from the club’s community fund to help meet clients’ needs when available. The community fund is made possible through fundraising, donations and member dues.

One time, when using their community fund, SDSU MSP helped a client buy gas to drive up to Los Angeles to pay off pending parking tickets accrued while sleeping in their car.

“If they weren’t able to do so, that would have been another thing on their record, which would have made another barrier to them getting out of that situation,” Howlett said.

Aside from helping those experiencing homelessness, the club has empowered its members. Logan Goverman, the former president of the SDSU chapter, is just one example.

Goverman said that he is eternally grateful for how the club has changed his

perspective on life.

“I get to interview the people that we serve and find out about the things that inspire them, the things that give them hope,” Goverman said in his current role creating content as a marketing and advocacy strategist with Interfaith Community Services. “I get to just be one piece of, you know, telling their story and hopefully bettering our system.”

Originally, he wanted to become a filmmaker but decided to join the club after wanting to find a way to give back to others after the COVID-19 pandemic. After graduation, the organization paved the path for his job at Interfaith Community Services.

Howlett was initially unsure at the start of college about what she wanted her career path to look like. But after falling in love with the work she is able to do with SDSU MSP, she hopes to follow a similar path.

Vice president of MSP club, Alex Klein, pulls a cart filled with food donations and extra clothes up the street as club members start approaching unhoused residents. March 24, 2024 near Downtown San Diego. Photo by Hannah Ramirez

California students embrace sports betting despite legal boundaries

As March Madness kicked off nationwide with legalized betting opportunities, SDSU students discover legal avenues to engage in the tournament

As the excitement of March Madness swept the nation, so did the surge in online sports betting.

An estimated $3 billion was bet on the 2024 NCAA March Madness tournament.

This year marked the sixth consecutive year of expansion in the number of states permitting legal sports gambling since the previous March Madness tournament, with a total of 38 states and Washington, D.C. offering a range of legalized betting options.

However, California’s absence from this list is conspicuous as betting on sports remains prohibited in the state.

Despite efforts by some state legislators to push forward new legislation on the November 2022 ballot, propositions aiming to legalize sports betting both in-person at tribal casinos and online were decisively rejected by Californians. The opposition from local tribes and advocacy groups has proven to be a significant barrier to the path toward legalization.

Many college students in California, including some at San Diego State University, engage in sports betting throughout the year and continued doing so throughout this year’s March Madness, despite its illegal status.

Maxwell Orkin, a fourth-year sociology major, acknowledged the illegality of sports gambling in the state but highlights that there are some apps, such as Underdog Fantasy, that provide him and his peers with legal avenues for betting on both collegiate and professional sports.

Echoing this stance, Patrick Turner, a fourth-year Management Information Systems major, underscores the appeal of potential profits and the heightened excitement that sports betting adds to watching games

“Games that would typically not interest me before now become much more interesting because of the betting aspect,” Turner said.

Fortunately, for students like Orkin and Turner, Underdog Fantasy and other daily fantasy sports (DFS) platforms operate legally in California due to the absence of direct laws categorizing DFS as gambling.

DFS, unlike traditional fantasy sports leagues, involves drafting virtual teams of real athletes and competing based on their actual game performances — typically lasting just a day or week. These contests offer more frequent drafting and betting opportunities and differ from traditional leagues in roster management, waivers, payouts and scoring criteria.

According to Orkin, he has made a profit of roughly $300 through DFS platforms this semester and is looking

By Alysse DoDge STAFF WRITER grAphic By emily Augustine

forward to betting throughout March Madness.

The NCAA’s restrictions on sports betting are straightforward, yet despite this clarity, some student-athletes still choose to take the risk and engage in illegal sports betting.

Recent cases involving gambling at Iowa and Iowa State illustrate this trend. Both universities have publicly

step to protect the integrity of collegiate sports by partnering with the U.S. Integrity (USI), becoming one of the first organizations to utilize USI’s ProhiBet platform.

USI’s ProhiBet platform serves as a compliance solution tailored for operators to help identify and flag individuals who are prohibited from betting.

Some sports betting companies

Mindway AI, a widely praised software for promoting safer gambling, combines neuroscience, AI and expert evaluations to address and prevent gambling-related harms. Collaborating with operators and industry leaders, the software aims to enhance player protection in the gambling industry.

Last year, the revenue from legalized sports betting exceeded $10 billion, underscoring the significant expansion of this industry. While many view gambling as a source of entertainment, for some, it may escalate into addictive habits with physical and psychological harm.

For more information and resources on addictive behaviors, including gambling addictions, individuals can visit SDSU’s Collegiate Recovery Program, which provides assistance to students.

Must-try restaurants for SDSU students

Milo’s Pizza, La Moon Thai Eatery, Underbelly Ramen and Cafe Madeline offer diverse cuisine at affordable prices

By ViVian Cody, Maya Martinez, doMinique roCha and eMMa Kepfer STAFF WRITERS

Underbelly Ramen

UnderBelly Ramen brings a refreshing and hip take to traditional Japanese ramen. Located in North Park, the restaurant offers a menu of exotic dishes and open-air seating.

UnderBelly features ramen choices that are sure to please all palate. They offer vegetarian and vegan options like their “Farmers Market” ramen and some craftier takes to the dish, such as the “Thai Curry” or “Chicken Confit” ramen.

If those aren’t your style, the ramen house also has plenty of mouthwatering appetizers and sides. One of their most popular non-noodle dishes are their Baos, which are taco-shaped buns filled with different ingredients.

The ambiance and vibe that the restaurant creates is a feat in itself. With communal outdoor seating, coupled with unique decor and a great playlist, the atmosphere of the restaurant gives off an exciting yet laid-back feel.

The combination of delicious food options and an impressive seating area makes for an elevated dining experience. The restaurant is a must-try. Come for the ramen, stay for the vibes.

Milo’s Pizza

Hidden in a strip mall between a nail salon and a cellphone repair shop is an authentic New York-style pizza parlor where the food is good and the company is friendly. Milo’s Pizza is located on the corner of El Cajon and Montezuma Road, a four-minute drive from San Diego State University. The pizza parlor is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the week. Their current deal is two slices and a drink for only $6, making it affordable for college students. Milo’s was founded in 1996 and hasn’t moved an inch since then. Their large slices and thin crust echo their New York authenticity, though, you can ask for a thicker crust for no extra charge. They pride themselves on their use of fresh ingredients. Customers can order anything — from plain cheese or pesto chicken pizza — to subs and calzones.

The only thing they don’t have are dessert options, but the pizza is so filling that dessert might not even be necessary. This cross-country deliciousness can be delivered, picked up or eaten in-house at the homey restaurant.

The ambiance is one of my favorite parts of the restaurant. The last time I was there, “Confidence” by Ocean Alley played over the speakers as workers baked pizzas in the brick oven while eclectic art and decorations seemingly found at antique shops riddled the walls. People sat, sipping their sodas and eagerly awaiting their slice, pie or other menu item. A blue surfboard mounted toward the ceiling looms above a trophy that actually has nothing to do with pizza, but rather, a soccer award from after a worker’s team lost. The employees are laid back but work hard to get you your food in a timely manner. Check it out if you want pizza by the slice or a whole pie to share with friends or family.

La Moon Thai Eatery

If you are looking for authentic Thai food on your next night out, consider stopping by La Moon Thai Eatery on El Cajon Boulevard, which is right across the street from Thrive apartments. La Moon Thai Eatery offers a variety of authentic Thai dishes from the wonton soup appetizer to the traditional Pad Thai with shrimp.

With a spice scale ranging from 1-10, those wanting more adventure in their flavor can take their chances going as high as they dare to venture. Those who want

to play it more on the safe side can order no spice and still experience all the flavors of the dishes regardless. One go-to order that never disappoints is the Thai Fried Rice with chicken and an order of cheesy wontons.

They offer traditional Thai Tom Yum soup, showcasing the unique taste of lemongrass seasoning, a blend of citrus and ginger flavors mixing to create a unique taste. They also offer a variety of curries, whether you are craving yellow, red or green. A meal is not complete without a glass of Thai tea to go along with it. They accept orders over the phone, on their website and through food delivery apps such as DoorDash and Uber. There is a dine-in option, but seating is limited, so be sure to get there early.

Cafe Madeline

This quaint little spot offers the taste of French bites that transports you to the small-town cafes that one would hope to stumble upon while strolling through the south of France. Bright red shutters cover the exterior of the restaurant, making it hard to miss.

Cafe Madeline has a range of food options inspired by French cuisine at college-friendly prices. The menu ranges from sweet eats like crepes to savory brunch options like paninis, quiches and much more. If a full meal isn’t what you are feeling, there is a pastry case filled with on-the-go baked goods.

The food is good on its own, but to have the full cafe experience, they have a

long list of drink options to complement. For an energy kick, there are many options for espresso and coffee drinks, but if you are feeling like taking in the full brunch vibes, they also serve some alcoholic beverages.

Athough the interior is pretty compact, the ambiance is distinctly European. French posters and paintings line the walls, while the booths sit against large windows that fill the place with natural light. Most of the seating is outside, where one can enjoy the San Diego breeze and smell the fresh flowers on each table.

This is a perfect little bistro that can fit the bill for many college students. With meals staying below $20 and the restaurant being a quiet place to focus on work with a 15-minute drive from campus, Cafe Madeline checks many boxes for what students are often looking for. The next time you want to check out a new cafe, put Cafe Madeleine on your radar.

illustrations By daisy GarCia

Arts & Culture

By Dominique Rocha STAFF WRITER

TapTap Trivia is a new app that allows college students to compete against each other for money. Additionally, the app’s main focus is to create a space that gives players a chance to connect in the present moment, aiming to bring back a sense of community that has been lost on other social media apps.

Gordon Sun, the founder and CEO, created the app as a way to strengthen bonds among friends.

Sun was inspired by apps like HQ Trivia Crack and Snapchat. He particularly liked Snapchat’s lack of feed and messaging format. Sun wanted to create an app that forms communities and brings people together for a moment each day.

“I realized that social media had become full of strangers and celebrities,” Sun said. “I thought to myself, why is social media not about your friends anymore?”

The app launched in September 2023 and started exclusively for University of Southern California students. In October, the app moved to the University of California, Los Angeles with a schoolversus-school competition between the two schools. Afterward, it became

Tap into TapTap Trivia:

The new social trivia app for college students

In its developmental stage, this platform allows students to connect with their community and earn rewards

accessible to all United States colleges and universities.

The company chose to gear the game toward college students for the sense of community that college life brings.

“There is something special about having thousands of your peers in a dense environment,” Sun said.

The app builds that feeling with daily trivia broadcasts. The game goes live every day at 5 p.m. when users get a notification on their phones, signaling that it is time to play.

Upon clicking the notification or opening up the app, they are directed to a live broadcast counting down the seconds to the launch of the live game for the day.

When the game begins, a video introduction plays outlining what is going on for the app that week. And then it begins. Players answer a series of 12 trivia questions on a range of themed topics such as sports, general, famous icons and more.

Another way the app aims to create a community is with its many Instagram accounts. Each school has its own page where students from the school are featured as the “Player of The Week.”

“My favorite part of the game is how interactive it is,” said Danielle Salling, a San Diego State University junior who has been featured on the Instagram page.

The questions are created by James Oldenburg, who serves as the Head of Operations and Growth for TapTap Live. Oldenburg writes the game every day with the help of ChatGPT. The artificial intelligence software builds the foundation of the questions, and Oldenburg edits them while also including his own custom questions.

For each game, there is a “bounty” or a prize for answering all the questions correctly. The bounty for the games is around $200. The money is split evenly between how many winners there are.

Upon winning the game, winners immediately get a text with a link that redirects them to a page on how to redeem the money. The game offers multiple ways to claim the prize, such as on Venmo, PayPal or even the option to donate the money to charity.

“Our goal is to give back to our users. The money can help students who may not be particularly affluent yet,” Sun said.

One of the greater mysteries about the app is where the money comes from. The company gets the prize money from venture capitalists and angel investors from companies like Discord, Uber and Feastibles.

“I have won a total of six games,” Salling said. “My biggest prize was about $6.”

The trivia app is still in its early stages of development, and the company will be adding to it. To start, they hope to open up the app to alumni with the intent of still keeping the game exclusive to present and former college students.

There are a few features on the app that have yet to be developed, such as the “Challenge Me” button that will eventually allow players to challenge each other oneon-one.

In the months to come, the company will continue to improve the app and its user experience.

“This is just step one for us,” Sun said.

Photo courtesy of TapTap Live

SDSU Love Library presents new ‘Rising Up: Social Protest in Comics’ exhibit

The library’s new exhibit features invite audiences to look at compelling examples of comics used to initiate change and social justice

By Naiima Paul SENIOR STAFF WRITER

An exhibit highlighting different protests for social justice in comics and graphic novels will be on display at the San Diego State University Special Collections & University Archives Gallery from March until December on the first floor of the Love Library.

The Center for Comic Studies and SDSU Library collaborated to create a first-of-its-kind exhibit that’s available to be viewed by any library goers, creating an accessible collection of comic art related to social change.

The beautifully curated exhibit asks the audience to consider the different approaches to combating social issues of the past and present.

There are seven cases, each based on a different theme highlighting protest on different social issues, represented by a miniature protest sign. From racial injustice to climate change, the cases offer a mini-history of how comics have documented different protest groups “rising up” to demand change.

The themes span a wide range of topics related to social justice, showing the full spectrum of the way comics have been used to document, inspire and commentate on social protests. Each case contains different spreads from comic books with commentary on how they relate to the theme of the case, inviting visitors to engage with the greater messages of comics as an art form.

The wallpaper that backdrops this exhibit is its own piece of art, with three murals created by library graphic designer Dania Mukahhal. The wallpaper pieces beautifully combine collages of comics with stylized depictions of quotes that support the right to protest and advocate for individuals’ role in making greater change.

On March 12, at the grand opening of the exhibit, all of the people who made the installation possible, including SDSU faculty, university library researchers and donors were honored. The exhibit represented a culmination of the hard work of the Center for Comic Studies, a recent addition to the College of Arts and Letters, that provides a space for comics research.

Visitors were given the chance to examine cases, admire the wallpaper and make their own mini protest signs to remain on display on the Comics Corner bookshelves.

Guests with an interest in comics were happy to have a forum to discuss the role of comics in education on a grander scale.

“I think that it’s great for people to recognize that comic books aren’t just for kids,” said Lawanda Richardson, an SDSU alum and the founder of the Black Comics Festival AfroCon. “I love the way it’s designed and the way it showcases its work. The wallpaper is amazing.”

Elizabeth Pollard, professor and founding co-director of the Center for Comic Studies, discussed her joy of being able to celebrate the opening of the “provocative” exhibit.

“The study of comics can bring transformational experiences that advocate for social justice, that imagine audacious solutions to seemingly intractable problems and that promote the idea that individuals can make a difference,” Pollard said.

The exhibit was curated by Pamela Jackson, a pop culture librarian and codirector of the Center for Comic Studies. She was excited to discuss her inspiration and process in creating the exhibit that’s been over a year in the making.

“Comics have a long history of depicting current events and challenging readers to engage with social issues,” Jackson said. “Some do so in real time, integrating contemporary struggles into the fictional universes that they create, (and) to help readers grapple with the importance of social change. Others reflect back historically on actual events that took place in our society, reminding us about past struggles for social progress.”

Some eye-catching themes for these cases include “Power to the People,” which focuses on combatting government policies. Another theme for the cases was “Hungry? Eat the Rich,” which emphasizes the fight against wealth inequality. Overall, these cases reflect many different types of social change. There are familiar faces like Superman, who can be seen protesting against climate change in “Case 7: Keep the Earth Clean. It’s Not Uranus.”

“The focus here is on social progress for human rights, dignity, equality and inclusion,” Jackson said. “My hope is that visitors will learn more about the long history of meaningful protests as a powerful way to lobby for social change and that they are also drawn to participate in broader civic action to make social change truly possible.”

Jackson’s work with Pollard as the founding member of the Center for Comics Studies has allowed her to showcase the versatility and importance of the graphic medium. One of her main goals has been to push for more comics research in higher education.

“People tend to think that comics are easy reading but they’re not if you do them properly,” Jackson said. “Because the art is complex and you can read the pictures, the shading, the colors, there’s so much reading and critical thought that

goes on in it. I think higher education has been acknowledging that more as a valid line of inquiry.”

After 19 years of working with the university library, the exhibit represents a culmination of the space for comics appreciation that Jackson helped carve out at SDSU. In terms of her desired reactions to the exhibit, Jackson wants people to leave feeling inspired, knowing that social justice is possible.

“There’s always been a struggle and a fight for human rights and equality,” Jackson said. “And that a lot of those struggles and a lot of those protests have worked.”

The exhibit took her roughly eight months to curate with the idea developing more than a year ago.

Jackson faced challenges during her research as she found the spirit of social protest could not fit in all seven cases. There was so much content that Jackson created a bibliography, which included over 90 digital examples of protests in comics that can be found in a QR code on the wallpaper at the exhibit.

“It’s not always easy but a couple (of) hours here (and) a couple hours there,” Jackson said. “It works out in the end.”

While the curation of so many different comics could be daunting, Jackson was motivated by her true passion for social change in the comics medium.

“I care about social justice,” Jackson said. “It’s just something that I’ve always tried to do with my work.”

Visit the exhibit on the first floor of the Love Library in the Special Collections area by the comics corner.

Exhibit curator Pamela Jackson in front of Protest in Comics wallpaper mural. Photo by Naiima Paul

The day of my delivery, Dan was the driver, and he made the in-person experience wonderful! He called ahead of time to let me know he was on his way, and upon arrival, even checked my covered carport to make sure there was enough room to safely drop off/pickup the unit.

– Marielle H. | San Diego LOVED My Experience

Spikeball, the growth of a sport

Spikeball progresses from a simple backyard pursuit to a global sport, staging its own world championships, won by an SDSU alumnus

By Ethan ClaridgE STAFF WRITER

Thwack! College campuses, beaches and parks across the United States reverberate with the sound of a trampoline being struck. Bodies dive in a whirl of hands and elbows, throwing caution to the wind in a wild race to compete.

Over the last 10 years, roundnet, more commonly known by the brand name Spikeball, has taken the college world by storm.

“It looks like a game of volleyball but instead of hitting it over a net you bounce it off one,” said Liam Shand, an exchange student at San Diego State University.

Shand had never seen the game before he came to the U.S. from the United Kingdom.

“It looks really fun though,” Shand said. “I want to give it a try and see if I’m any good because it does seem pretty hard.”

Roundnet is a simple game invented by Jeff Knurek in 1989. Teams of two or three players face each other around an ankle-height trampoline.

One team will start with a ball — which they serve to the opposition team — by tossing it up into the air and then hitting it with an open hand onto the trampoline. The ball bounces up and the other team attempts to return it before it touches the ground.

Players try to force the opposition team into failing to return the ball to the trampoline within three touches. Teammates must alternate who touches the ball, the same player touching it twice would result in a point for the other team. When a ball hits the ground or the rim of the trampoline, a point is awarded to the opposition team.

Games of roundnet are usually played to a score of 11, 15 or 21. The winning team must also hold a two-point advantage to leave victorious, similar to tennis.

The game is fast-paced as players serve and are almost immediately on the move, dropping back to try and return the opposition’s shot. Cat-like reflexes and lightning-fast movements are key to winning in a game that prioritizes teamwork and speed above all else.

“We organize competitions between my friendship group in the summer,” said Aiden Breen, a first-year student from San Diego Mesa College. “We get around four or five teams down and then try and organize a bracket. It’s a lot of fun, and we always try to get out on the beach because it’s a lot more fun on the sand.”

Former SDSU student, Buddy Hammon, started playing roundnet in 2012 after seeing an advert for it online. He is now the 2023 World Champion and is seen as the best player in the sport by many.

“I was initially attracted to roundnet as it looked like a great backyard game that I could play with my friends and something I might be good at with my beach volleyball background,” Hammon said.

Once Hammon started playing, he found his niche and quickly rose through the ranks as one of the sport’s best players. Paired with his teammate Clark Marshall, the duo became unstoppable, winning the 2022 national championship and the 2023 world championship together.

“I think roundet has the possibility

to become an incredibly popular sport worldwide,” Hammon said. “Just look at the growth since 2015, we just had the world championships with over 30 countries represented.”

The sport of roundnet rose in popularity after Chris Rueder took his company, Spikeball, onto Shark Tank in 2015.

Rueder failed to secure investment but the publicity that the show brought to the product boosted sales and the game spread to college campuses across the country. Now, there are over five million players and Spikeball is worth over $45 million.

Hammon is fresh off a world tour that took him from Asia to Europe and South America, where he coached other players and organized tournaments.

“The community is just so good,” Hammon said. “I can see the game developing into something truly global if we can get more people into it at a young age as it’s such an inclusive sport. You can really go as hard or as easy as you want.”

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Sit down with an athlete: Ellie Chen

With a new

team and position, Chen looks forward to her basketball journey on the Mesa

By Christie yeung STAFF WRITER

At four years old, Ellie Chen knew she did not want to be a pianist. She recalled her grandmother going to her house every Sunday to give her piano lessons.

“Sometimes I would have my piano sheets, and I would throw them behind my piano,” said Chen, who is now 19 years old. “So my grandma couldn’t find the notes, (then) I couldn’t play the song and I wouldn’t have to play as long.”

All she wanted to do was be at the basketball clinic, to learn the fundamentals of dribbling, jump stop and pivot.

“I remember only wanting to play basketball,” Chen said.

However, being good at basketball was not enough, especially growing up in an Asian household. Education was as important and was weighed heavily.

“A lot of the time, my parents … I would say they are strict. They wouldn’t let me go out as much as my friends,” Chen said. “They were pretty hard on me getting good grades and just doing well in school.”

Throughout high school, Chen made the All-California Interscholastic Federation selection four times: twice for the first team and twice for the second team. She was included in the All-Area

team and All-League teams four times.

She also helped La Salle High School reach the 3AA CIF Southern Section Championship and the 2AA CIF Championship. Academically, she earned the President’s Honor and Gold honors and was in the Math and Science Honor Society.

At the time, her goal was to play at the collegiate level.

Yet, two setbacks happened. She tore her ACL in her left leg as a sophomore and then tore her right ACL in her junior year.

“It was pretty hard for me to get offers or even looks just because I couldn’t play as much as the other girls could have,” Chen said.

Despite having a reputable record in high school, her injuries hindered her the opportunity to get recruited. However, Chen persevered and knew her chance would come.

“I reached out to the coaches and asked them about possibly walking on or being a manager,” she said. “And it just so happened that a few months into school they were holding tryouts. I basically just went to the tryouts and they liked the way I played and gave me a spot on the team.”

Making the team was only the beginning of a new adventure. There were still a lot of changes she needed to adapt to. Particularly with the basketball knowledge

and physicality of the players.

“I’m playing with 24-year-olds, 20-year-olds, it’s a big jump from playing high school where you were with like freshmen — some kids that don’t even know how to play,” Chen said. “Speedwise, agility-wise, the girls are much faster and have a higher IQ.”

“Everyone knows how to play. Everyone’s good at what they do. I’m still adjusting to it, but the speed aspect and being able to play defense and getting your shot off quick enough is definitely something that I had to get better at,” she said.

Her role on the team also changed.

“At high school, I did play a lot, and I also was a shooting guard, so it was very different because right now I’m a point guard at SDSU,” she said. “It was a big change in the leadership role aspect.”

Furthermore, there was the transition from starter to bench player.

“It’s new watching from the sideline and getting a game here and there but I learned a lot from the side and also just from practice too,” she said. “We’re always learning. Always learning how to get better. It’s a new environment and it’s really cool to be able to be a part of all of this.”

She called studying and playing basketball at San Diego State University “a perfect route.”

“I liked the campus a lot, so that’s one of the main reasons I chose it,” she said. “And they also have a specific kinesiology pre-(physical therapy) program, which is very important to me because I want to become a DPT (doctor of physical therapy).”

Her ACL injuries led her to pick kinesiology with an emphasis on prephysical therapy as her major.

“Since I was constantly at physical therapy and working out to strengthen my knee, I developed a passion to learn about the human body,” she said. “And I want to help heal other athletes and other people with injuries.”

She already had a plan in mind for her future.

“After college, I feel like I might move on, going to grad school and focusing on my career, which would be to become a DPT,” she said. “The only other way I would be playing is overseas or at the WNBA, but those never really had been my goals in life. I kind of just like playing basketball for fun.”

Her goal for now would be to concentrate on her education and basketball.

“I only have three years left. I hope to still be playing basketball at SDSU,” Chen said.

San Diego State University women’s basketball lost to Cal Baptist at Viejas Arena on November 10, 2023. Photo Courtesy of Derrick Tuskan/San Diego State

By Ethan ClaridgE STAFF WRITER

Standing on a kitchen table, holding a massive speaker above his head, Ayomide Adelusola is instantly recognizable.

In the midst of a Super Bowl party, the speaker blares Taylor Swift’s seminal hit “Love Story,” and he sings along with it, belting the words out with conviction and a surprising amount of tunefulness. But his accent is not American, it’s English.

Adelusola — or “Ammo” as he likes to be called — is blasting Taylor Swift in the most American of situations, the center point of his own Super Bowl party. It’s the result of a decision he made when he felt he had no reason to stay in England, he needed to find something new.

The 23-year-old junior found something new in the suburbs of San Diego, an 11-hour flight away from his birthplace of London and the county he calls home in Kent. Ammo needed a pathway out and a quintessentially British sport gave him the route to California: rugby.

Ammo is a big guy, perfectly built for rugby. He stands at just under six feet with a broad chest and wide shoulders on top of thick legs that seem purposely designed for running through tackles and bringing down potential try scorers.

“At school, I was always one of the bigger guys,” Ammo said. “Even though I loved football, they immediately put me on the rugby pitch and I was a natural. I’ve just played constantly from then to now.”

Ammo is the current president of the San Diego State University Rugby team, a role he took on in his second year in the U.S. and has made into his own.

Within that role, he is responsible for organizing the team’s travel plans, hotels, tournaments, kits and “a whole lot of paperwork.” Ammo has risen to the challenge and the club has gone from strength to strength, with an active membership of 60 players and three coaches, making SDSU rugby one of the biggest club teams on campus.

In 2023, Ammo was chosen to be a part of the California Grizzlies that went to Chile on tour last year. The Grizzlies were composed of the best 30 players from around California and Ammo was the only selection from SDSU.

“Ammo is just such an open and friendly guy. It’s no wonder he’s succeeded as rugby president,” said Jack Lewis, an exchange student at SDSU from the U.K. who met Ammo at a birthday party. “He was just so welcoming and easy. He really helped me settle in here.”

For Ammo, rugby has not always been so much of a “Love Story” as it may look from the outside. The player who represented his home county of Kent at the age of 15 and led one of the most successful club rugby teams in the country found himself slipping away from the sport in his teenage years.

Ammo played for Saracens Academy in London when he was 16, a chance to be developed by one of the better teams in the country. He was cut when he was 18 and joined the Leicester Tigers academy shortly afterward. He was cut from Leicester as well at the age of 19.

“The final round of cuts, I got dropped,” Ammo said. “Those were the people who were going to be potentially making money and I just wasn’t big enough, wasn’t good enough.”

Rugby academies in the U.K. are hotbeds for talent development and intensely competitive places, where players are pitted against one another to succeed. They also have a reputation for having toxic environments where players who are cut feel lost and lack a purpose without rugby. There is only a 0.036% chance of becoming a professional rugby player in the U.K., leaving a vast pool of players with unfulfilled dreams.

“Oh, it’s tough, man. It’s very much a clique. Like, who do you know? Who knows whose dad? And stuff like that,” Ammo said. “Being cut, it was definitely hard because I was really brought in, trying to do something with rugby. Initially, it’s tough, I went back to the partying side of university a little bit more after.”

Rugby pulled Ammo back into the fold and onto the pitch. He was cut from Leicester while attending the University of Lincoln, but he quickly joined the on-

One man’s Rugby journey from Kent to California

Ayomide Adelusola moved to San Diego State from the United Kingdom in 2021 and found his home as the university’s rugby president

campus rugby club. This allowed him to find his love for the sport and focus as an athlete again.

So why is Ammo in San Diego and not Lincoln? He could have been the rugby president at Lincoln, led his own soccer parties and sung along to Adele if he wanted, but he isn’t doing that.

“There was just something about England at the time,” Ammo said. “I was done. I was done with Lincoln. I did not like it. The rugby in the area was good, and it was an easy commute to Leicester. But I was just not enjoying it.”

America offered a new challenge, something different and exciting. Away from the rolling green fields of Kent, the small city charm of Lincoln, lay California, San Diego, and the adventure ahead.

“The appeal of America, you know. It’s busy, it’s sunny and there’s a lot more to do compared to the countryside back home. I needed to get out,” he said.

So, Ammo studied and passed his ACT, learning subjects that were never covered in his U.K. curriculum. After looking at several schools in the states, he decided on SDSU. The combination of quality of life, sand, sea and the weather drew him to SDSU. He hasn’t looked back since.

Ammo gained an academic scholarship to SDSU off the back of his performance on the ACT and secured preferred entry due to his rugby skills and experience.

Scholarships aren’t available for rugby at SDSU yet, but this is something

that Ammo predicts will happen in the next five to 10 years, opening the door for many more athletes to make the jump across the pond.

Ammo has coached his teammates on the field and led them in chorus off it, the life of the party and the driver behind the growth of rugby at SDSU. A force to be reckoned with, he is on track to graduate in history, economics and international security and conflict resolution.

The boy from Kent, chewed up and spat out by an academy system, found a home in San Diego. On a table, blasting Taylor Swift, he found his love of rugby again, balancing the social side of university with the athletic prowess that brought him to SDSU and the U.S.

Photo courtesy of Cedrick Ndondo-Lay

Memorias de Ají de Gallina

Por Katerina Portela

ESCRITORA

De pequeña, muchas de mis memorias felices con mi mamá eran en la cocina, aprendiendo de ella. Pienso que la idea del “amor entra por la cocina”, es de verdad, porque allí en la cocina me sentí conectada con ella, y con su mamá, y con la mamá de su mamá. Me recuerdo la cuchara de madera que usabamos para probar la comida, la arrocera siempre prendida, y claro que si, el ají amarillo. Mi mamá se mudo a los Estados Unidos de Perú cuando ella tenía 23 años. Me crié en Hawaii, donde no hay una comunidad de Peruanos, o muchos Latinos en general. Ella me decía que, “siempre extrañaba la comida de Perú.” El punto es, que de seguro se sentía sola, viviendo en una isla donde no existia la representación de su cultura.

Pero en nuestra cocina, construimos nuestra propia representación.

Unos de los platos que siempre cocinábamos se llama “Ají de Gallina”, un plato Peruano de pollo en una crema de ají. Para mí, este plato tiene un sabor nostálgico.

Esta es la receta letra por letra en las palabras de mi mamá Rosa:

Necesitas hervir el pollo y deshilachar (Yo siempre estaba sentada en la mesa, desechando el pollo con un tenedor). También tienes que remojar pan blanco (sin la cresta) en una taza de leche.

Lo remojas por 10 minutos y a la misma vez, haces una sopa de pollo, con cebolla, zanahoria, apio, un cubito de pollo, y sal.

Luego, vas a cortar cebolla y ajo para freír con sal y pimienta. Tienes que echar un montón de crema de ají amarillo (mi

Las Gorditas que Crearon mi Infancia

Por abigail Segoviano

ESCRITORA

Desde que era chiquita mi comida favorita ha sido las gorditas de mi abuelita. Cuando mis abuelitos vienen a visitar mi familia desde México, mi abuelita siempre hace sus famosas gorditas en la casa de algunos de mis tíos o incluso en la mía.

Mis abuelitos tienen seis hijos y cuando era chiquita toda la familia siempre se juntaba para comer — como una grande fiesta. Ya que todos los nietos crecieron casi no nos juntamos mucho, pero cada quien tiene nuestra abuelita por un dia para que coman sus gorditas.

Cuando era niña siempre me gustaban las gorditas de frijoles con queso pero cuando empece a crecer, me empezaron a gustar las de chicharron.

Sin embargo, mi abuelita tambien hace gorditas de carne molida y frijoles con queso. Tambien existen gorditas de harina y maíz. A mi siempre me encanta las de harina.

Nunca le he preguntado a mi abuelita como empezo hacer las gorditas o la historia sobre las gorditas. Cuando era chiquita, siempre pensaba que las gorditas eran un invento de mi abuelita porque nunca habia visto a nadie mas hacer

mama dice que con tres cucharadas esta perfecto).

Después de freírlo, mezclas la sopa de pollo y el pan con leche. Y vas poniendo el pollo.

Luego, cuando tienes todo mezclado,

gorditas, especialmente en un restaurante Mexicano en los Estados Unidos.

Pero hasta que un día cuando fuí de vacaciones con mi papá a Durango, México mi abuelito y yo ibamos caminando a unas cuadras lejos de la casa, y comimos gorditas que no eran de mi abuelita. En ese momento me dí cuenta que las gorditas no eran un invento de mi abuelita. No se sabe la persona que invento las gorditas pero son basadas en México prehispanico. La gordita es basada como una tortilla de maiz mas gordo de lo normal. Las gorditas ahora se pueden hacer como la gente le guste, como gorditas de maiz o de harina.

La gente tambien puede escojer el tipo de relleno en su gordita porque todos tienen diferentes gustos. Los rellenos pueden ser de chicharon verde o rojo, picadillo, carne molida o de queso con frijoles. Tambien existen gorditas que se pueden comer como un postre, con un relleno de dulce.

Cuando era niña le ayudaba a mi abuelita hacer las gorditas.

Ahora que tengo 19 años, mi familia siempre me empieza a decir que aprende la receta de las gorditas de mi abuelita para que yo siga la receta cuando mi abuela ya no esté.

le sigues poniendo sal, a mi me gusta ponerle “lemon pepper”. Si está muy caliente, puedes poner más leche. Y finalmente, le pones parmesano. Sirve con arroz y disfruta!

Fresas con Crema para su Niña

Por HannaH ramirez

ESCRITORA

Mi mamá siempre ha sido una gran creyente en las obras como manera de enseñar amor, más que palabras. Y la manera principal que me demostraba esto fue con consentirme con mis favoritas comidas. Las fresas con crema eran el postre más especial que me hacía, un postre que me llenaba con dulzura y consuelo cada vez. Es un postre Mexicano tradicional que es simple de hacer. Lleva fresas machacadas, leche condensada y crema agria. Aunque es fácil de hacer y encontrar en cualquier mercado mexicano, siempre juro que el que hace mi mamá es especial.

Deseo que podría recordarme de la primera vez que realizo que las fresas eran mi nueva fruta favorita y me hizo este postre. Por esta razón me sirven de un recordatorio del amor y atención que me da mi mamá. Para ella, también traen memorias especiales de su Abuelita Dora que le enseñó la receta y se los hacía para

consentirla. Aunque nunca conocí a mi bisabuela, con este postre me ha dado un cariño profundo para ella. Esto es más que un postre para mí, pero un símbolo personal de un amor que se ha pasado por generaciones. Y un día se los haré para mis hijos.

Por mientras es un postre que me da mucho orgullo de presentar a las personas mas especiales en mi vida. Aunque es una experiencia universal de muchos hijos de inmigrantes de tener miedo de comer sus comidas culturales en escuelas blancas, este postre me vencía el miedo. De vez en cuando, me encontraba convenciendo a la gente que tenían que tratar fresas con crema. En mis ojos, no sabían un postre más perfecto, algo les faltaba en su vida. Mamá, si estás leyendo este artículo espero que sepas que mi cocina en mi apartamento sigue siendo mi espacio seguro por lo que me has enseñado. Cada mañana como exactamente cuatro fresas de hábito, ala mejor un hábito para sentirme más cercana a ti. Y lo único que compite con el poder de las fresas con crema para traer una sonrisa, son tus abrazos.

Foto cortesía de Hannah Ramirez

Los Frijoles que Nunca Faltaron en mi Hogar

Por Jennifer AguilAr

Creciendo en un hogar Mexicano como una primera generación y hija de inmigrantes, crecí rodeada por comida Mexicana y comida auténtica, pero nada

se compara a los frijoles de mi mamá.

Los frijoles siempre existian en mi hogar, y nunca faltan hoy en día.

Los frijoles de mi mamá son especiales. Desde cuando los lava y los hecha en la olla hasta cuando le hecha sal y se hierven hasta que esten listos. Creo

Despedida de Cuarto Año: Jennifer Aguilar

Por Jennifer AguilAr EDITORA DE MUNDO AZTECA

La verdad no puedo creer que mi graduacion ya esta aqui, menos de un mes. He deseado este momento desde que recien sali de “high school”, y entre a San Diego Mesa College. Asistir a una universidad de cuatro años se sentia lejos. Me recuerdo que cada vez que manejaba por la Universidad Estatal de San Diego, le decia a mis padres… “Un día, me voy a graduar de alli”, sin saber que queria estudiar, nada mas sabia que deseaba ir a esta escuela. Y siempre me decian… “Primeramente Dios”.

Gracias a Dios, me dio la oportunidad de tener una educación y me dio la oportunidad de conocer a las personas mas influyentes en mi carrera de periodismo los proximos dos años, detras de las puertas de un sotano en Lamden Hall—el Daily Aztec.

El Daily Aztec me encontro en el momento perfecto y cuando lo ocupaba mas como estudiante transferida de “community college”.

Fue en la clase de JMS 310W cuando cambie de profesor al ultimo momento que cambio el resto de mi carera en SDSU. Mi vida seria diferente si no hubiera hecho ese cambio. Alli conoci a Daesha Gear, la editora en jefe del Daily Aztec del año escolar 2023-2024 y a Amy Nguyen, unas de mis primeras amigas en SDSU. El Profesor David Coddon nos hizo ir afuera y buscar noticias en el campus. Y fue alli que me acerquer a ellas y le pregunte a Daesha, como unir el Daily Aztec.

La próxima semana me preguntó si queria ir a las oficinas, y obviamente le dije que si.

El resto es historia.

En serio no hay palabras para describir los ultimos dos años estudiando periodismo en SDSU a lado de las personas con quien sufrí tratando de acabar la tarea en el ultimo momento o con las personas con quien no mirabamos la raya final.

Voy a extrañar ver las mismas caras en clases, organizaciones, el Daily Aztec, y conferencias. Al saber que no vamos estar

todos juntos nunca mas, es triste. Pero estoy emocionada de ver que hacemos en el mundo de periodismo.

Hay ciertas personas que merecen un agradecimiento especial como a mi mamá. Mamá gracias por siempre esperarme en la noche cuando llegaba de la escuela tarde y por su apoyo constante cuando quería darme por vencida. Gracias a su ánimo constante, sigo adelante. Gracias por su apoyo emocional y recordarme de la meta.

Gracias por siempre estar al pendiente de mi.

Gracias papá por enseñarme como es esforzarse y seguir adelante. Y por su trabajo duro que sustento a mis hermanos, y a mi para tener un techo. Su esfuerzo me inspira a seguir adelante y no rendirme.

Gracias a mis padres por hacer ese sacrificio de venir a los Estados Unidos, dejando sus familares y padres a un país sin saber nada y nadie para una vida mejor. Miro sus sacrificios y su amor en todo lo que hacen.

Esto es para ustedes.

Gracias a Dios por proveer financialmente en una manera que no pense era posible. Gracias por la fortaleza cuando me queria dar por vencida, siempre me decias…No te rindas…sigue adelante.

No hubiera estado aqui si no fuera por ti. Tambien le quiero dar gracias a mis amigos del Daily Aztec con quien hice memorias inolvidables estos ultimos dos años. Gracias a Daesha Gear, Jazlyn Dieguez, Petrina Tran, Abigail Segoviano, Sumaia Wegner, Daniela Ramirez, Michelle Armas, Roman Aguilar, Noah Lyons, Gabriel Schneider, Huy Huyhn, Eugenie Budnik, Hannah Ly, Madison Mcgill, Tío Eric Evelhoch, y Christie Yeung.

El Daily Aztec no nada mas es un lugar en el sotano de Lamden Hall, pero un grupo de estudiantes que se convirtieron en una familia. Una familia que me vio

que ya le encontre el ingrediente secreto, el amor de mamá.

Esos frijoles, especificamente frijoles pintos crearon mi infancia, porque cuando no habia mas que comer, los frijoles siempre me llenaban de alegria. Eran todo lo que necesitaba.

Siempre despues de la escuela, reconocia el olor al entrar mi casa. Me recuerdo escuchar el sonido cuando hervian y cada vez que entraba a la cocina alli estaban en la estufa.

La mejor parte de los frijoles es que se pueden acompañar con carne, pollo, arroz, queso fresco, salsa, aguacate, etc. Y son nutritivos.

No nada mas hay un tipo de frijol. Existen diferentes tipos como, frijoles pintos, frijoles negros, frijoles judios, frijoles peruanos y mas. Tambien hay diferentes formas de frijoles como frijoles refritos, frijoles charros, frijoles puercos y frijoles de la olla.

La verdad no me acuerdo que edad tenia cuando mi mama empezo hacer frijoles. Siempre he conocido de ellos desde que tengo memoria. Cuando estaba en la primaria, los frijoles eran tan normal en mi hogar que se me hacia raro que mis compañeros no sabian que eran o no lo

comian frecuentemente como yo. Me toca a mi continuar la tradicion de los frijoles que les heredaron mis abuelitos hacia mi mamá y papá. Los frijoles que no faltaron en el hogar de mis padres cuando eran chiquitos, no faltaron en mi hogar y no van a faltar en mi futuro hogar, cuando el tiempo llegue. Les enseñare a mis futuros hijos apreciar esos frijoles que se convirtieron en parte de mi infancia y de mi vida.

Gracias mamá por siempre hacer rendir la comida cuando casi no teniamos y gracias por cocinar todos los dias. Usted me enseño el amor atra vez de la comida Mexicana y me ayudo apreciar la cultura Mexicana en otra manera.

Hay diferentes versiones y maneras de cocinar frijoles, pero así hace mi mamá los frijoles:

Primero lava la cantidad de frijoles que quieres, mientras hierves agua en una olla(la temperatura esta a todo dar).

Cuando esta hirviendo el agua le pones los frijoles en la olla y esperas que hierva un poquito el agua con los frijoles y luego le bajas la temperatura de la lumbre y le tapas la olla.

Espera como una hora y le pones media cucharada si tienes poquitos frijoles, si tienes dos libras de frijoles les pones una cucharada (esto es lo mas exacto que pude agarrar de mi mama porque me dijo “le tienes que calcular”).

Los frijoles tienden a estar listos como en una o dos horas, esten al pendiente. Tienen que estar suavecitos y se tienen que ponerse aplastar facilmente.

Felicidades hiciste frijoles wooo!!

llorar, reir y me dieron su apoyo total. Gracias Daily Aztec por ser mi segundo hogar porque la verdad estaba allí mas que mi propio hogar.

A todos los que se graduan conmigo, la Clase de 2024….LO HICIMOS!

A todos los que nos graduamos en el 2020… POR FIN TENEMOS UNA GRADUACIÓN!

A mis ancestros, abuelitos y todos los que no me pudieron verme en esta etapa de mi vida, LO HICIMOS Y SI SE PUDO!

Alguien en el linaje Aguilar se va graduar en una universidad de cuatro años en los Estados Unidos!

Hay un nuevo cambio en nuestro lineaje!

Fue un placer servirles como su editora de Mundo Azteca del año escolar 2023-2024.

Creo que estoy lista para mi proxima aventura…esten al pendiente ;) Con Amor, Jennifer Aguilar

Foto cortesía de Jennifer Aguilar

EDITORA DE MUNDO AZTECA

Jennifer Aguilar, orgullosa con la bandera de México en Balboa Park. Foto por Petrina Tran

Connecting the dots of life as an aspiring Vietnamese American sports journalist

Staying close to the game I love helped me realize representation is the bigger picture

By Mac PhaM STAFF WRITER

In high school, I never thought about pursuing journalism. But I always wanted to be involved in sports in any way — even if it meant sitting on the sidelines.

Initially, I helped out with my high school’s varsity football team. I had a great experience recording the plays, being the water boy and attending leadership meetings.

As I progressed toward the end of high school, I wanted to find a way to remain close to the game that I love.

Then, as I started college, journalism kept the door open for me to remain connected with sports.

My eventual professor, Jim Trotter, reinforced the idea of sports journalism in an interview on YouTube and it struck me.

“And so, as a teenager, I asked myself, ‘What’s a way that I can stay close to the game that I love without actually playing it?’ And one of the ways was writing about it,” he said.

Simply put, I resonated with this quote. I wanted to stay close to sports by writing and analyzing the game.

My mission found a new perspective.

Halfway through college one day, a flip of a switch happened.

In fall 2023, I took my first journalism class at San Diego State University named “Intersectional Representation in the Media.”

I never thought about navigating the sports journalism world as a Vietnamese American until I took this class.

When I was in the class, I nhật ra (realized) the significance of media representation. I rarely saw any Vietnamese American professional athletes and professional sports journalists.

A typical childhood for a firstgeneration Vietnamese kid looked like this: Watching “Paris by Night” with the family on weekends, eating Pho at least once a week and being confused about the Vietnamese honorifics system (Is it chú, cô or bác? Who knows!).

Beyond all these things, I love basketball. I’ve watched the NBA my whole life.

It wasn’t until 2022 that the first two players of Vietnamese descent, Jaylin Williams and Johnny Juzang, entered the NBA. It was surreal to see someone that looked like me, earn their way into professional basketball.

I would excitedly tell my dad, “He’s Vietnamese!” as Williams or Juzang checked into the game.

I became a fan of Ted Nguyễn, a Vietnamese staff writer for The Athletic. He does an incredible breakdown of the “X’s and O’s” of football on X.

I follow him because we come from the same background and culture, but beyond that, he’s just darn good at his craft.

I also found someone on Instagram by the name of Tommy Trần, a Vietnamese CBS sports reporter.

He had a small following, so I sent him a direct message, telling him that I see someone who looks like me succeeding in an industry that I want to be in one day.

A few days later he got back to me.

Trần texted me, “Keep up the good work. It’s not going to be easy, but I promise it will be worth it.”

I look at the sports world and the sports journalism world, and I acknowledge the explicit bias that I have. People who look like me, I consciously ủng hộ (support) because I can relate to the viewpoints that they express.

My personal mission was staying close to the game I love — now it became about seeking representation.

According to a study by the Asian American Journalists Association, over 70% of local television stations did not have on-air staff that was proportionally representative of the Asian American Pacific Islander population among the top 20 designated market areas.

When there is a diverse newsroom of journalists, the audience has the opportunity to consume news from

diverse perspectives.

It’s like a traditional basketball point guard. The job of a point guard is to get everyone involved. When everyone is involved, you have a well-oiled machine that can score in many different ways.

Whether it be a mismatch for your isolation scorer, hitting the open shooter or finding cutters, you have a diverse game plan that has to account cho mọi người (for everyone).

On the first day I transferred to SDSU, I tweeted a quote from CJ McCollum, an NBA player and journalism major out of Lehigh University. It was something that helped me change my mindset.

“When I leave, it’ll be different,” McCollum said. “When my time is up and I walk away, people will view this place differently and they’ll view me differently,”

I don’t know if I have made a difference yet, but I hy vọng (hope) people view me as a representation of the Vietnamese American community and Asian American sports journalists.

I’m going to continue to put my head down and attack the rim.

Basketball is my hạnh phúc (happiness).

I’m doing this for the love of the game. I’m doing this because I want to represent the Vietnamese American community.

Mac Pham runs point guard during a San Diego State Aztecs pickup basketball game. Photo by Carson Cook

Senior Farewell: Sumaia Wegner

By Sumaia Wegner MANAGING EDITOR

college, how was I going to get into a university?

Apparently, all I had to do was believe in myself, like she did.

Once I stepped foot onto Campanile Walkway, my dreams were placed back in front of me.

Between getting a photo with Johnson and seeing the ball go in the net, it was at that moment I realized I was given a sign to keep my motivation going.

I would not be at San Diego State if it wasn’t for Mary Eden, a counselor at Mesa College (at the time).

If it wasn’t for her encouraging me to apply to SDSU during my last semester at Mesa, I would not be here, months away from a long, overdue graduation.

As I have gotten older, I have learned that everyone has a different timeline. Up until I transferred to SDSU, I had forgotten a part of myself. Life happens, and sometimes, your dreams get put to the side.

Three years ago when Mary asked me if I considered applying to SDSU, I instantly answered “no.” After the challenging years I had, barely getting through community

Because we have a word count for print stories at The Daily Aztec, there isn’t enough space to list all the accomplishments I have had as an aspiring journalist, so I’ll mention those who have been a part of my amazing journey.

To Mary, of course.

To Dr. Temple Northup for providing the space to make me a great storyteller, whether it be in San Diego or Thailand.

To Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan for her fierce guidance.

To all my JMS and communication professors for continuing to harvest my knowledge.

To Christina Lombardo for showing me how to make my first video package.

To Jayne Yutig and Mackenzie Stafford for making me feel confident in front of the camera.

To Catlan Nguyen, Trinity Bland and Ryan Hardison for their encouragement.

To Gabriel Schneider and Xiomara

Villarreal-Gerardo for believing in my leadership.

To Justin Cox for scheduling my first media day with the men’s basketball team, and to Morgan Prickett for calling me during spring break, telling me to hop on a plane to go with them to cover the NCAA Championships.

To Brittany Cruz-Fejeran. From having me take over the role as the Asian American Journalists Association, SDSU chapter president, to launching S.T.A.R.T.E.R.S and the Lahaina project (shoutout to Hannah Ly and Petrina Tran), to showing me her compassion.

To Tran and Jennifer Aguilar for their smiles and hugs during my busiest days.

To Huynh, Daniela Ramirez, Eric Evelhoch, Noah Lyons and the rest of the DA crew for making the office feel like a home away from home.

To all my communications friends, for keeping a spot open for me during lunch, starting with Isabella Jereza, the first friend I made at SDSU, and Qi Guo, who introduced me to The Daily Aztec.

To Kelly Cutler and Ryan Kehl for their kindness.

To Daesha Gear, for choosing me as her managing editor.

To Kurt Kroeber for always being there, with his office door open, from when I first started as a staff writer.

To the PSFA College Council for having me join their executive board as the vice president of culture and diversity and to the MESA Foundation for their appreciation of my work.

To the men’s basketball program, for giving me the space to grow as a sports reporter.

To every single person I have interviewed for their time.

My sincerest gratitude goes to San Diego State University, the journalism department and The Daily Aztec. I don’t think I have ever been more supported in pursuing my goals than from the paths that have been paved for me from being here.

To my family and friends off-campus, for knowing the depths I have gone through, loving me and rooting for me every step of the way.

And to God, for giving me that sign.

Thank you.

My best is yet to come.

Mamba Mentality (mantra): “A constant quest to be the best version of yourself.”

Mere seconds before Lamont Butler made the buzzer-beater shot at last year’s Final Four, Huy Huynh and I met Magic Johnson while covering the team for The Daily Aztec.

Sumaia Wegner poses for a photo at Viejas Arena after covering a game for the men’s basketball team. Photo courtesy of Sumaia Wegner

My parents — after urging me to follow the conventional Asian path as a doctor or lawyer — nervously accepted my decision to enter the competitive field of journalism.

“I don’t care what you do, except that it is two things,” my father said. “One: it makes you happy. Two: you do everything it takes to be the best at what you do.”

Like many other students, I came

to San Diego State University with some moving boxes and suitcases but no direction. All I knew was that I had an affinity for writing. The first two years were, what I call, “figuring it out.” I switched across various majors from English to political science, and ultimately landed on journalism during my sophomore year.

It wasn’t until a year later that I found the courage to get involved on campus. I wished I could have done so sooner, but following my parents’ advice, I decided

Senior Farewell: Eugénie Budnik

By EugéniE Budnik NEWS EDITOR

If I could sit down with 18-year-old Eugénie Budnik, she would be utterly perplexed by the twists and turns of her undergraduate journey.

I arrived at San Diego State with dreams of becoming an elementary education teacher, eager to shape young minds and nurture the next generation of learners.

Despite my major, I felt pulled toward the campus newspaper, The Daily Aztec. My high school days of dabbling in a newspaper — where I was often the sole female voice — instilled in me a desire to continue pursuing journalism, even when COVID-19 abruptly halted my junior year.

As I grappled with feelings of uncertainty and a sense of being out of place among my peers in elementary education, The Daily Aztec grounded me in a sense of belonging.

I’ll never forget a conversation I had over lunch one day in the newsroom, where my former Editor-in-Chief, Catlan Nguyen, encouraged me to explore the world of journalism. While I was afraid of making changes to what I had drafted up as my “five-year plan,” Catlan encouraged me to pursue what inspired me the most.

I turned in the “major change request” form the next day.

With support from mentors like my former news editor, Katelynn Robinson, and fellow writer-turned-editor Christian Houser, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and professional growth. Together, we navigated the challenges of sustaining the news section. We took risks that 18-year-old me could never have imagined.

One such risk was baring my soul to the world through journalism, under the guidance of my former opinion editor, Katy Stegall. In this piece, I shared

Senior Farewell: Hannah Ly

to fully immerse myself in the world of journalism with the limited time I had left.

With blind confidence, I submitted stories to The Daily Aztec, shadowed the news editor at the time, Christian Houser, and eventually took over the reins from him.

Little did I know that stepping out of my comfort zone and reaching out to a few strangers would change the trajectory of my final year of college. Now, I’m managing a team of writers alongside my fantastic co-editor, Eugénie Budnik. This year, we’ve juggled up to a dozen stories at a time and were nationally recognized for one of my articles.

That blind confidence also landed me the role of vice president of the Asian American Journalists Association at SDSU.

What did I know about leading an organization? Little to nothing, to be frank.

However, I witnessed the convergence of talent, grit and passion in our small but mighty chapter.

Three months into my position, my officers and I executed a bold idea to travel to Lahaina, Hawaii and report on their culture and the aftermath of the Maui wildfires — the first group at San Diego State to undertake such a venture.

Through our dedication and gumption, we’ve not only expanded our two-yearold organization but paved the way for future student journalists to explore opportunities beyond California’s borders.

Looking back on these experiences, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunities I seized, the lessons I learned and the camaraderie my peers and I shared.

To my fellow staffers at The Daily Aztec and AAJA members, you have been my source of inspiration and my pillars of strength. Thank you for believing in me, challenging me and standing by my side through every byline and deadline.

As I say goodbye to my friends and our cramped offices, I only wish I had walked into the Lamden Hall basement sooner.

But as one door closes, another opens with promise and excitement: I’m proud to share that I will be a Dow Jones News Fund multiplatform editing intern at the Los Angeles Times this summer. And as I move forward with my career, my parents’ wisdom remains my guiding light, reminding me to pursue happiness and excellence in all that I do.

my struggles with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and disordered eating, laying bare my vulnerabilities in the hope of sparking connection and understanding. The overwhelming response from readers, who reached out to share their own stories, reaffirmed the power of storytelling to foster empathy and solidarity.

But my proudest moment was assuming the role of news editor alongside my talented co-editor, Hannah Ly. It was a milestone that would have brought tears of joy to freshman-year me — a testament to how far I’ve come since those initial days of uncertainty.

Throughout my three-year-long undergraduate journey, I’ve been privileged to have a wide support network that has weathered every storm with me. To my parents Nicole and Eugene, siblings Liam and Liz and my fiancé, Luke, whose unwavering belief in me has been a constant source of strength, I owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude.

To my grandfather, Rudy Oriol, I am thankful for the SDSU sweatshirt he brought to me as a tiny baby living all the way in Japan. It’s this purchase that I believe was the catalyst for my journey at SDSU… even if I didn’t know it yet.

The Daily Aztec was more than just a campus extracurricular or a job — it was a space where I felt accepted and valued for who I am.

As I bid farewell to my undergraduate years, I do so with a sense of excitement for the future. While this may mark the end of one chapter, it also signals the beginning of a new journey as I prepare to return to SDSU in the fall for the master’s program in communication and mass media with JMS.

So, this is not a goodbye to The Daily Aztec; it’s a promise to continue writing my story, one byline at a time.

By HannaH Ly

Hannah Ly moderates for the 2024 Associated Students presidential election debates on March 21, 2024. Photo by Christie Yeung

Eugénie Budnik

holds a copy of The Daily Aztec outside of the Conrad Prebys Union on March 27, 2024. Photo by Isabella Biunno

By noah lyons OPINION EDITOR

Sometimes fate starts with a Krispy Kreme doughnut. Or at least it did for me.

When I transferred to San Diego State University, my life felt like a blank piece of

paper. Or a Google Doc, I guess. I was born and raised in Irvine, where I had a solid routine and a dependable community. I was happy, but I felt stagnant. In a new city and surrounded by strangers, I felt compelled to carve out my own niche.

One of the first people I talked to at

Senior Farewell: Jazlyn Dieguez

By Jazlyn Dieguez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

I was reluctant to join The Daily Aztec. Initially, I frowned on the idea of contributing to a school newspaper because, in my mind, newspapers felt corporate, outdated and boring. But deep down inside, I doubted my ability to contribute to the paper and ultimately convinced myself that it wasn’t the right path for me.

I quickly realized I was wrong. Joining the DA has been one of the best decisions I could have made and it truly changed my life.

When I first joined the DA, I wasn’t fully committed. During that same semester, I joined The Look Magazine and dedicated my time to covering fashion, arts and culture around San Diego State. While I was able to secure bylines and an editorial position, I still felt unfulfilled. I was missing a sense of belonging, which ultimately made me redirect my attention to the DA.

In the newsroom, I discovered my professional purpose. As I covered events in San Diego, ranging from small student businesses to reviewing a Daniel Caesar concert, I found myself exhilarated by the passion radiating from individuals around me.

Through photography, I developed a deeper appreciation of diverse cultures, capturing moments like the 51st annual Powwow or the rockstar performance of Jaden Hossler. These experiences have encouraged me to explore unfamiliar areas, such as multimedia, where I learned to create packages, social media content and anchor for the first time –– a pursuit I’d never considered attempting.

Through the DA, I also had the privilege of becoming a member of the SDSU Chapter of the Society of

Senior Farewell: Noah Lyons

SDSU was Gabriel Schneider, The Daily Aztec’s editor-in-chief for the 2022-2023 academic year. It wasn’t because I was interested in The Daily Aztec, though. I just saw a flier that said “free Krispy Kreme doughnuts,” and I showed up.

As we talked, I learned that I could go to concerts and write about them for the school publication… for free. In addition, I could sit in a press box for a basketball game, wear a cool lanyard or even attend a screening of a movie that hasn’t been released yet. I asked where I could sign my name up.

I’m glad I pursued that doughnut. If I didn’t, my college experience would have been vastly different.

Throughout my tenure at SDSU, I fully embraced The Daily Aztec. I ventured into events and subjects I never thought I would cover, learned more about myself and met some incredible people along the way. I also got to pursue stories I never thought I’d be able to cover.

In middle school, I wrote album reviews on a personal blog. For The Daily Aztec, I got to report from inside a mosh pit (with pen and paper in hand) at Don Toliver’s Rolling Loud set — not once, but twice. Growing up, I would always hear Echosmith’s song “Cool Kids’’ on the radio. In my first year at SDSU, I got to interview their bassist, Noah Sierota, at the Wonderfront Music Festival.

Throughout my time at SDSU, I made it a goal to say “yes” to as many things as I could. This led me to the aforementioned music festivals but also pushed me into opinion writing and editing.

I never would have embraced opinion as much as I did without Katy Stegall, who told me I should write my debut article on M&M’s and the fragmented media landscape we live in. Sure, why not?

Her encouragement led me to apply for an editor position in my senior year, but most of all she pushed me to find my voice as a writer.

If I were to thank every person who impacted me during my time at SDSU, I would far exceed the word count I’ve been allotted. But I’d like to give a few quick shoutouts.

I greatly appreciate the professional journalists who met with me for coffee, the professors who invested time in me and the friends I made along the way. To Huy Huynh and Owen Pratt, thank you for making me feel welcome in San Diego and spending way too much time in the newsroom with me.

None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for my wonderful parents, whose support of my education journey allowed me to write this very article and pursue my goals.

As I take off the training wheels of college living and navigate the terrors of being a mature adult, I’m glad that I fully embraced the college experience — even with all of its panic-inducing deadlines and late-night study sessions.

I encourage everyone to find their doughnut. Whether that’s a random flier you pick up for a club you’ve never heard of or a transfer event where you can meet people, it’s worth your time. And it may just transform your college experience.

Professional Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. These two organizations helped expand my professional network and equipped me with the skills needed to enter the journalism industry. I am particularly thankful to NAHJ for helping me reconnect with my culture and providing a deeper understanding of its significance in my life.

The DA has empowered me to value my potential by taking on challenges without hesitation. Without a doubt, it has transformed me into the person I am today by teaching me to step out of my comfort zone and pursue opportunities with confidence. This publication has instilled in me a sense of resilience and determination to achieve my dreams. However, none of my successes can be acknowledged without the help of my closest friends. I’ve had the pleasure of forming friendships with so many incredible people who are the heart and soul of the newsroom. I’ll forever cherish the latenight newsroom chats where we talked about our aspirations and the countless lunches we ordered as an excuse to spend more time together. I am honored to have shared a chapter of my life with every person I’ve had the privilege of meeting, some of whom have become my friends for life.

Another achievement close to my heart is the creation of AMOR Magazine, a class assignment that flourished into a small publication. I’m deeply grateful to have led a team of talented writers who appreciate the beauty of art and understand what it means to be an artist. Thank you for trusting my vision and for your contributions that made AMOR special.

As for the next chapter of my life, I’m excited to share that I have been selected to join the 2024 NAHJ Student Project team in Hollywood for the NAHJ International Training Convention & Expo. In the student project, I will have the opportunity to cover events in Hollywood under the guidance of professional mentors across the U.S.

From being timid of my abilities to now being named the most outstanding

graduate for journalism within the School of Journalism and Media Studies, words can not describe the amount of joy I’ve experienced from evolving as an individual. This is all thanks to the unwavering support of my friends and family who believe in me.

I love you all, and to the Daily Aztec, thank you for giving me the courage to be proud of who I am.

Noah Lyons types out pre-show notes at Wonderfront Music Festival in San Diego on Nov. 20, 2023. Photo by Perri Sage

Jazlyn Dieguez prepares for

A Final Letter from the Editor

By Daesha Gear EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Words cannot express the emotions

I am overwhelmed with as I write my senior farewell, aka the series finale of a Daily Aztec member’s undergraduate journey at San Diego State University.

Well, it’s finally my finale now.

I have finally done it after three years, from Riverside City College (RCC) to Moreno Valley College, Palomar and finally, SDSU for one thing that mattered to me the most: receiving an education at a four-year institution.

Flashback to 2020 — a year that was met with challenges for many — 17-yearold Daesha, who was graduating high school virtually, was unsure of what to do with her life. I was conflicted with many questions.

Should I go to college? What even interests me? How can I be successful?

I knew I had to find a plan for my future.

I experimented with majors such as sociology, psychology and computer science.

After discontinuing and swapping my major for the third time after computer science, I became discouraged from pursuing college any further. Especially when it came to finding a new normalcy with the COVID-19 lockdowns, I became stagnant with my life while also facing health complications with my body.

To recover, I took a break from school, and my family cared for me with emotional and physical support.

Reflecting on my collegiate journey, I am glad that I took a break from starting school. It helped me discover journalism, especially in a time like 2020 where pressing topics like COVID-19, the presidential election and the death of George Floyd were covered constantly.

Being exposed to journalists on TV and their persistence to cover such stories — using their unbiased reporting to discover the truth — sparked a fire within me. I wanted to be that person.

I remember running to my mother, with my PICC line in my left arm, telling her about starting my first winter course at RCC in 2021 for my new field of study

Daesha Gear Senior Farewell:

(and for real this time): journalism. There, my career in journalism began, and I got to experience countless positions at different publications, such as being a reporter, anchor, assistant editor, intern and editor-in-chief.

Through these different roles, I was met with challenges when it came to navigating journalism itself — a fastpaced environment that sometimes felt unforgiving as a student with numerous obligations. Some of these responsibilities included commuting from a long distance to SDSU as a full-time student, managing my academics and being a leader for others. However, I knew SDSU was where I wanted to be.

There were days that I would sleep in my office at 5 a.m. before class or a meeting to regain energy because I was sleep-deprived. However, what supplied me with the motivation to get through the day were my family, staff members and editors at The Daily Aztec.

Working with the publication for two years, I have met incredible individuals who have pushed me to achieve greatness and help others with editorial knowledge, although I am still learning.

I have gained a community at The Daily Aztec, and I am forever grateful that

I have joined the publication and taken it to higher levels with my editorial team.

It is also humbling to reflect on the history I made during my tenure as the first-ever Black woman to become editorin-chief, and inspire other fellow JMS students.

In my final statement as EIC, all I have to say is this for students looking to

advance their careers in journalism: break that ice and get involved at your school. Whether it is a newspaper or a club — it is worth it. Education is powerful and I will never take it for granted.

Your success is possible, and it starts by creating that “yes” and believing in it as it will take you far.

Now, in my cap to gown, signing off.