Inside: University Senate Resolution will create new SDSU mascot Wednesday, May 5 - Tuesday, May 11 Weekly Digital Edition
Vol. 107, Issue 25 www.thedailyaztec.com
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Graphics by Emily Burgess, photos by Brenden Tuccinardi
In Honor of the 2020 and 2021 SDSU Graduates by
Adela de la Torre
SDSU PRESIDENT
To our SDSU graduates, When we honor you later this month, know that you are making history. As much as this last year will be remembered for its many challenges, the classes of 2020 and 2021 will be remembered for their incredible resilience, tenacity, inherent curiosity, compassion and, most of all, courage. You achieved success during one of the most challenging periods in a generation. This year, even virtually, hundreds of SDSU students danced during the nationally recognized Dance Marathon at
SDSU, raising more than $372,000 for patients and families at Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego – refusing to give up this important effort even during a pandemic. Our men’s basketball team followed a record-breaking season of 26 back-to-back wins by hanging two new banners in Viejas Arena this year: one as Mountain West Conference champions, the other as Mountain West Tournament winners. And Klara Thormalm of the SDSU swimming and diving team received Mountain West Swimmer of the Year, an incredible two years in a row. At the same time, more than 300 SDSU nursing
students were trained to administer COVID-19 vaccines all across San Diego, and they are actively contributing to statewide reopening plans. That includes our commencement ceremony. Each of these examples make us proud as fellow Aztecs. When I reflect on everything you experienced over the past year, I am also impressed with how you made your voices heard on vital issues of equity, justice and basic human rights – not just for some but for everyone. That speaks to your character. You are stronger and better prepared for whatever life brings because of what you accomplished, and when. If
anyone wants to know what it takes to maintain focus and commitment in chaos and uncertainty, they can look to our 2020 and 2021 graduating classes. You have not only shown you have what it takes to earn your degrees, you have shown you have the resilience and spirit to conquer whatever lies ahead. You will be stronger in the job market and in your future because of it. After so much disruption since the first confirmed COVID-19 cases, our celebrations this month signal a renewal. We look to a hopeful future, backed by strong scientific indicators. People are getting vaccinated by the millions. More
jobs are returning to normal and new jobs are being created every day. I have no doubt that as you take your place in the larger world outside this university, you will continue to use all you have learned and experienced to stand up for others, to be good stewards of the planet and to be advocates for the kinds of change and reform our nation and world need. We consider you a permanent part of the SDSU family, no matter where your dreams and careers may take you. You all have the power to make a difference. You have the power to help change the world. You already are.
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News
The Daily Aztec
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Editor: Jadyn Brandt
University Senate resolution will create new SDSU mascot by
Brenden Tuccinardi
EDITOR IN CHIEF
On Tuesday, May 4, the San Diego State University Senate passed a resolution urging SDSU President Adela de la Torre and the administration to begin the process of changing the university’s mascot. The resolution passed 59-9 with 10 abstentions. It calls for the creation of a commission, chaired by the university Tribal Liaison Dr. Jacob Alvarado Waipuk, who is a member of the San Pasqual Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. The commission will work with other Kumey-
aay tribal leaders in San Diego and Baja California to propose at least two Kumeyaay-named animals to be the new official mascot of SDSU, according to the language of the resolution. A complete copy of the resolution can be read here) According to the meeting’s agenda, one alternative mascot name the commission discussed includes “using a Kumeyaay word for a local animal (such as Amu the bighorn sheep)” which would pay greater respect to the Kumeyaay’s culture versus the human representation of the warrior.
EDITOR IN CHIEF Brenden Tuccinardi NEWS EDITOR Jadyn Brandt ASST. NEWS EDITOR Katelynn Robinson OPINION EDITOR Trinity Bland MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Noé Sandoval ASST. MUNDO AZTECA Karina Bazarte ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Devin Whatley SPORTS EDITOR Kyle Betz File Photo
In a statement, the university clarified that the resolution will not “replace the Aztec moniker” or name, but rather the Aztec Warrior imagery as-
sociated with the school in the past. Currently, the university has no official mascot, and the “Aztec” see
MASCOT page 19
Biden officially recognizes Armenian Genocide by
Brandon Balayan
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Catlan Nguyen PHOTO EDITOR Alexa Oslowski ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Amanda Orozco VIDEO EDITOR Angela Kurysh ASST. VIDEO EDITOR Mackenzie Stafford GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR Emily Burgess
SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Patrick Doyle Ryan Hardison Breven Honda
STAFF WRITER
l On April 24, President Joe Biden released a statement that officially recognizes the deportations, death marches and massacres of about 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as a genocide. “Each year on this day, we remember the lives of all those who died in the Ottoman-era Armenian genocide and recommit ourselves to preventing such an atrocity from ever again occurring,” the statement said. Biden is the first president to do so since 1981 when Ronald Reagan used the word “genocide” to describe the killings in a speech that commemorated the Holocaust. Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded with a press release objecting to Biden’s declaration of the 1915 events as genocide. “We reject and denounce in the strongest terms the statement of the President of the U.S. regarding the events of 1915 made under the
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Luis Lopez
STAFF WRITERS Aaliyah Alexander Brandon Balayan Andrew Finley Bradley Gonzales Jermelle Macleod Jenna Meyer SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Adela de la Torre ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Bryan Diamond EDITORIAL editor@thedailyaztec.com ADVERTISING advertising@thedailyaztec.com
Photo by Brandon Balayan
pressure of radical Armenian circles and anti-Turkey groups on April 24,” the press release said. “It is clear that the said statement does not have a scholarly and legal basis, nor is it supported by any evidence.” In Turkey, Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey for the People’s Democratic Party, proposed a law on April 25 that would officially recognize the Armenian Genocide in Turkey, according to a report by
Ahval. Paylan was met with criticism and even threats. Umit Ozdag, a deputy of Istanbul and former deputy of the Nationalist Movement Party, a far-right political party, threatened Paylan in a tweet following the proposal of the law. “Talat Pasha did not drive [out] the patriotic Armenians, but those who shot them from behind like you,” Ozdag said. “When the time comes, you will have a Talat Pasha experience and you must live it.”
Talat Pasha was the leader of the Ottoman Empire who was eventually assassinated in Berlin by Soghomon Tehlirian, who had family members killed during the genocide. Biden ended his statement by addressing what he hopes for in the future. “Let us renew our shared resolve to prevent future atrocities from occurring anywhere in the world,” Biden said. “And let us pursue healing and reconciliation for all the people of the world.”
PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition every Wednesday thoughout the semester when we are not in a global pandemic. WEB Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com SOCIAL MEDIA @thedailyaztec
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News Students weigh in about what they will miss about virtual learning May 5 - May 11, 2021 Editor: Jadyn Brandt
by
The Daily Aztec
Patrick Doyle
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Following the announcement that San Diego State would be primarily in-person for the Fall 2021 semester, SDSU students felt a mix of emotions after over a year of almost completely virtual instruction. While many students are excited at the prospect of moving back near campus and living the authentic college experience once more or for the first time, some will miss aspects of virtual learning that grew to be more convenient in an increasingly digital world. “Being a commuter, virtual learning cut down on a lot of time I spend commuting,” said computer science junior Morgan Stidum. Not having to worry about physically getting to classes was one aspect of virtual learning some students were thankful for. Especially for commuters, the daily routine of getting up early to travel and spending all day on cam-
Graphic by Emily Burgess
pus was often exhausting, so when classes moved to Zoom, they were able to breathe a momentary sigh of relief. Sociology sophomore Shawn Khalifa felt a similar way about the timing of classes. “Not worrying about getting to class on time,” Khalifa said on the one upside he found in the past year.
On the other hand, Stidum came to realize after months of online schooling that the commute to classes could sometimes be worth it. “Studying at home is hard with all the distractions a hand’s reach away,” Stidum said. “Can’t wait to get back to the library to study!” Another point of con-
tention when it comes to the Fall 2021 semester is the recent announcement that the California State University and University of California systems will both require all students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated before returning to campus later this year, pending approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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While some students approve of these safety measures, others disagree with the requirement. Political science junior María wishes there were alternatives in the fall for individuals uncomfortable being vaccinated. “I hope virtual learning will be an option,” María said. “I don’t want to get the vaccine.” Ultimately, the one aspect of virtual learning that a lot of students will miss is the convenience of doing work at their own pace at home. Political science freshman Alondra Orozco said she would miss “being able to do school/classes from the comfort of my own bed.” Journalism sophomore Lucelis Martíz echoed this point, as she said she will miss “doing things in my own time.” For the latest information on the Fall 2021 semester, stay tuned to The Daily Aztec, soon to be back in print in the fall.
SDSU dining will be fully operational for the 2021-22 academic year, original meal plans reinstated by
Katelynn Robinson
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Dining options on campus over the past year have been limited due to the circumstance brought on by COVID-19. San Diego State plans to reopen nearly all the campus’s original dining locations for the next academic year. Director of SDSU Dining Paul Melchior said there will be 46 locations that will be accepting meal plans on SDSU’s campus next year. These include but are not limited to the BcB Coffee carts, the Garden, UTK, Plant Power and all Starbucks locations. Meal plans will also be
reverting back to their original structure. The options for freshmen include Flex 5, Flex 7, and Meals Plus. For sophomores, they may choose from any of the freshman options or the 2nd Year Plan. “Our meal plans were custom designed for the 20-21 academic year due to reduced available dining locations on campus due to reduced campus population,” Melchior said. “Our commuter meal plan is the same as the Upper Division plan this year except commuters will pay for the entire semester up front as with previous years for commuter students. Resident plans pay eight equal in-
stallments over the academic year.” Melchior said among some of the changes to the dining locations include Juice It Up and the Aztec Market in West Common will permanently close.
Juice It Up had been on a downward trend since Everbowl opened, according to Melchior. The university plans to use the West Commons space but has not officially announced what will take its place.
Additionally, the Garden will not be returning to “all you care to eat” buffet-style dining. “We hired a master’s class to do an analysis see
DINING page 19
Photo by Katelynn Robinson
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Opinion
The Daily Aztec
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Editor: Trinity Bland
Discovering your purpose shouldn’t be easy by
Aaliyah Alexander
STAFF WRITER
People always say that good and worthwhile things take time. Personal experience has taught me that the things that require patience and time feel more rewarding than receiving whatever I want instantly. It’s something that happens in “the waiting” worth noting – it builds character if you let it and, ultimately, a piece of your life’s story. I view every experience we have as a piece of a puzzle we create throughout our time here on earth and the end goal is, of course, finishing the puzzle. However, what many people forget is that the process of putting together the pieces is meant to be enjoyed and savored. Individual purposes, which can be loosely de-
fined as the gifts given to us to serve humanity, are the most important thing I believe people want to know right away. Purposes are a strange thing. Some discover it at early stages in life, some find it later on. Somewhere in recent years, the process of growing into your purpose has become a race – why? I don’t think purposes were created to be easily obtained, rather, they are designed to stay hidden within you and over time reveal themselves piece by piece at the right moments. That uncertainty and mystery are what make living exciting. Unfortunately, society has built a culture around expecting individuals to just know what they were put on this earth to do. Similar to creating beau-
Photo by Aaliyah Alexander
tiful works like the Taj Mahal or Michaelangelo’s painting in Sistine Chapel, you cannot expect something as beautiful as a life’s purpose to be cultivated with a snap of a finger. In order for our life’s calling to reveal itself fully, we have to first become the person capable of using such knowledge for the greater good. We become that person through
the people, experiences and lessons we are destined to pick up along our journey. With that, even if we were able to unlock our purpose at our convenience, we would be doing ourselves a disservice because when something is opened prematurely, it doesn’t operate at its fullest capacity. In “Letters to a Young Poet”, Rainer Maria Ril-
ke encourages us to have trust in the mystery of life and remain open to what may reveal itself over time: “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue.” All good things in life take time and your purpose is worth the wait.
the abuse if they want to get paid. This isn’t an unfounded claim but a rather common phenomenon, numerous former adult actresses have spoken of their abuses in the porn industry. Taken directly from an article that recounts the horror stories ten pornstars went through when recording their most popular scenes... “I got the **** kicked out of me… most of the girls start crying because they’re hurting so bad… I couldn’t breathe. I was being hit and choked. I was really upset and they didn’t stop. They kept filming. [I asked them to turn the camera off] and they kept going.” If the rampant abuse on camera isn’t enough to convince you that pornography is harmful to women, think about this: if people who consume porn assume that the women enjoy the pain and indignity they go through and begin
to associate it with pleasure, doesn’t it follow that the person who wishes to please woman will assume being more aggressive is the way to do so? This is exactly the case. In 2019, a survey was conducted which show that a third of British women under the age of 40 have been subjected to unwanted choking, slapping, spitting or gagging during consensual sex. Moreover, when you take into account the unfortunate fact that 6/10 women will be exposed to pornography before they’re 18 and the fact that the average age of pornography exposure is 11 it is with a somber heart that I conclude a majority of young girls will grow up thinking that abuse is a form of love and will possibly be subject to unwanted rough sex. These girls are our future mothers.
Stop watching pornography by Jermelle
STAFF WRITER
Macleod
If you’re consuming pornography: Stop. You are contributing to one of the most harmful industries in the world. Pornography is growing rapidly as an industry and people of all ages are consuming and accepting it with little regard for the harm it causes to themselves, society and their future. If you’re unconvinced about the prominence of pornography, consider the
following statistics. In the modern era, approximately 40 million American people regularly visit porn sites and 35% of all internet downloads are related to pornography. Ninety percent of teenagers admit to have seen pornography and 10% of them admitting to daily use. In 2018, PornHub had over 33.5 billion site visits and that number climbed to 42 billion site visits in 2019. Although this statistic is slightly outdated, the trend is obvious: pornog-
Graphic by Emily Burgess
raphy is an extraordinarily popular industry that will continue to grow. Ninety percent of teens and 96% of young adults are either neutral, encouraging, or accepting when talking about pornography amongst their friends (although behind closed doors, 43% of those teens believe pornography is wrong) it’s obvious that pornography is socially accepted and speaking against it — regardless of its evils — is socially taboo. The harmful effects of pornography are practically endless, however, I will focus on five I find particularly relevant and impactful. Pornography is harmful to women. Eighty-eight percent of the most popular pornography videos on the internet contained violence against women. If that statistic isn’t convincing by itself, consider this; the women in the videos have to act as if they like
see
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Opinion Here's why you should care about sampling in music
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Editor: Trinity Bland
by
The Daily Aztec
Ryan Hardison
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Without knowing it, millions of listeners have been exposed time and time again to the ear-catching strings of “Tere Mere Beech Mein,” a Hindi love song from the smash 1981 Bollywood musical “Ek Duuje Ke Liye.” Swedish production duo Bloodshy & Avant found inspiration for their song’s daring feel throughout multiple refrains of the romantic Indian ballad, ultimately mix- "Amen, Brother." ing and interchanging the As the art form protune to craft an unmistak- gressed, the items proable hook and giving Brit- duced became even more ney Spears an emphatic, complex. Producers eastern-infused comeback transitioned from taking single. large chunks of a track to The firecracker known re-working various parts as “Toxic” peaked at Num- and in some cases, even ber 9 on the “Billboard” multiple samples to create Hot 100 Chart in 2004, something completely unearning Spears another recognizable. This sample career-defining track and breakdown of Daft Punk’s “Ed Duuje Ke Liye” a ran- “One More Time” is one dom but well-deserved of my personal favorites tribute. when it comes to grasping “Toxic” is a distinctive- the absurdity of these crely savory hit and just one ations. example of a producer’s The art of sampling ability to capture a feeling, serves as the foundabottle it up and produce it tion of numerous genres. in a new composition, oth- Sampling is responsible erwise known as sampling. for many of the synthetic Officially, sampling is achievements of modern defined as reusing a por- pop, house, and rave mution of a specific record- sic. EDM producers, in ing within or as the basis particular, use a lot of reof another recording. It mixes, which translates to can mean slowing down, a lot of sampling, and R&B speeding up, looping the producers sample as well. foundation of a beat, or But at its core, sampling is simply repackaging a sin- best regarded as hip-hop’s gle moment from a song, greatest tool. The “drum film or speech. Anything break” foundation of oldfrom a subtle guitar lick to school hip-hop tracks proa clip from “Blades of Glo- vided by innovative prory” is fair game. ducers like DJ Kool Herc To understand the true and Grandmaster Flash value of sampling and why came from using multiple it’s so underappreciated, a records at once, giving brief history lesson is nec- emcees a space to begin essary. rhyming. The original purpose Nonetheless, the once of sampling was to pro- impenetrable world of vide a rhythm, which is sampling that allowed why the most sampled anyone to use an unlimittracks ever (with thou- ed cache of homages in a sands of adaptations) are single recording was made rich, drum-centric songs much more complex by like James Brown's "Funky two landmark copyright Drummer," The Honey disputes: The Turtles’ legal Drippers' "Impeach the battle with De La Soul and President," and, most the case Grand Upright prolifically, The Winstons' Music, Ltd. v. Warner Bros.
Graphic by Shalika Oza
Records Inc. De La Soul ended up having to pay just under $2 million for using an unlicensed 12-second portion of ‘60s rock band The Turtles’ song “You Showed Me,” a song they didn’t even write. This lawsuit outlined the previously unknown financial risk of sampling without approval and unfortunately for De La Soul, they were the first to be held liable. As for the Warner Bros. case, it set a much more dangerous precedent. The result of Warner Bros. client Biz Markie’ “Alone Again” sampling a segment of Gilbert O’ Sullivan’s “Alone Again (Naturally)” would undoubtedly change hip-hop forever. Judge Kevin Thomas Duffy ruled in favor of the plaintiff as the legitimate copyright holder, ruling that sampling without proper attribution is equivalent to copyright infringement, implying that any uncleared samples could result in substantial financial backlash. With this swift move, clearing samples, especially some of the more extravagant or obscure ones, turned into a difficult and expensive process that involved tracking down all the copyright owners. These owners were granted the freedom to request the entire amount of royalties on a song, making it practically impossible for producers like the Bomb Squad, known for their excessive and explosively sample-heavy production, to keep their same prac-
tice afloat. Albums from this era like the Beastie Boys’ “Paul’s Boutique,” Public Enemy’s “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” and Ice Cube’s “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted” excellent examples of what can be accomplished with unrestricted sampling freedom. Instead of equipping a flurry of costly samples, producers opted to scale it down to a single sample as the basis for a beat and surrounded this with additional instrumentation. This has led many producers to interpolate or fully recreate a song’s melody, but without copying and pasting the original elements. Interpolating helps get around the high prices or skeptical musicians who refuse to allow any new interpretations of their work. Now that you’re caught up on the vital history, I would just like to mention that these restrictions didn’t stop any producer with a heartbeat from getting less creative, and if anything, it only fueled their passion more. The best of the best at sampling let their rare finds and batshit ideas bleed into their artistry, making new innovations that are still mesmerizing to this day. Tying in with the members’ mantra as master swordsmen perfecting the Shaolin style, the Wu-Tang Clan’s all-star beatmaker RZA laid down tracks for the group’s debut with dialogue taken from Hong Kong kung-fu classic “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin.” Combined with an arsenal of soul tracks, the WuTang Clan canvassed the ‘90s with their gritty, martial arts sound. Sampling soon became such a popular habit that it spurned into multiple genres: plunderphonics and instrumental hip-hop. DJ Shadow’s 1996 album “Endtroducing…..” was the first of its kind to be entirely composed of samples. Four years later, a crew of young Australian
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DJs turned hours spent rummaging through $1 vinyl racks and family record collections into “Since I Left You.” It is one of the most unique albums ever, telling a luscious, vibrant story with over 3,000 expertly blended samples. If it wasn’t clear already, the best samplers overwhelmingly come from hip-hop and when the 2000s arrived, hip-hop began to rule all. Timbaland became the go-to producer for pop’s biggest hitmakers, the Neptunes ruled the radio airwaves with their funky, bass-heavy tunes and every artist Dr. Dre. mentored turned to platinum and gold. During this time, Just Blaze and pre-“College Dropout” Kanye West mastered the soulful beat, a talent only matched by 9th Wonder, the cornerstone of the blue-collar rap trio Little Brother. Outside of the big-name guys getting the platinum plaques and Grammy awards, a number of producers have been making consistent gems for decades. There’s no discussion about sampling without The Alchemist, who began his career as one-half of a rap duo with “Hawaii Five-O”’s Scott Caan, and has spent three decades cooking up enough amazing beats to fill up a phonebook. He’s had a career second-coming through collaborations with introspective rappers like Boldy James, Earl Sweatshirt and Billy Woods. If you want to see what’s been up to in 2021, listen to the powerfully transcendent “Nobles” featuring Navy Blue and Earl Sweatshirt from his new EP “This Thing of Ours,” you won’t regret it. The list of influential hip-hop samplers goes on for days. There are the architects of the New York sound DJ Premier and Pete Rock, Japanese hiphop legend Nujabes, and J Dilla, a man who made see
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The Daily Aztec
Mundo Azteca
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Editor: Noé Sandoval
Los Brown Berets de Aztlán tienen planeado marchas para poner el alto a la violencia por
Karina Bazarte
EDITORA ASST. DE MUNDO
El 24 de abril, en las calles se podían escuchar los gritos de la comunidad, “ ¡Chicano power! ¡QUE VIVA LA RAZA! Y ¡END BARRIO WARFARE! Los Brown Berets de Aztlán organizaron una marcha llamada “End Barrio Warfare” para llamar un cambio revolucionario change y poner un alto a la violencia y la exportación. La marcha representa la historia de la cultura chicana/chicano/mexicano. Más de 80 personas como familias, niños/niñas, y partidarios de la comunidad asistieron la marcha. Las organizaciones que también marcharon junta la comunidad y Los Brown Berets eran San Diego Black Panther Party, People Over Profits, Unión Del Barrio, and Brown Berets de Houston, Texas. La Marcha fue el mismo fin de semana que se cel-
ebra 51 años de Chicano Park Day. El movimiento Chicano empezó a finales de los años 60 y nació Los Brown Berets de Aztlán, en el año 1967. La organización de Los Brown Berets San Diego se han dedicado a ayudar, alzar, y sobre todo proteger a la comunidad Chicana. Para los Brown Berets La Raza tiene que estar siempre unida. La programación de la marcha se llevó a cabo a las 11:00 am, para luego comenzar la marcha a las 12:40 y concluyó a las 4 de la tarde. La comunidad empezó a marchar en el parque llamado “La Raza Park mejor conocido como “Golden Hill Park hasta Chicano Park. Muchos activistas hablaron sobre la violencia de los policías, la descriminasion, encarcelamiento masivo, violencia horizontal, violencia entre gangas, y otros problemas en la Comunidad Chicana.
Foto por Joe Orellana En la marcha "End Barrio Warefare"
“Ese día era para promover el mensaje de unidad a la comunidad’’, dijo Eddie Alvarez, el comandante de San Diego Nacional Brown Berets de Aztlán. Alvarez comentó que el año pasado hasta este mes hay mucha tensión de violencia en las comunidades y muchos jóvenes que han perdido la vida. “Hay familias que están afectadas por la violencia en las calles y como una organización sentimos que es importante recordarles
que no están solos’’, dijo Alvarez. Situaciones como la de Brian que tenía tan solo 15-años de edad cuando fue disparado en Chicano Park, el Octubre del año pasado. Mucha gente dijo que la policía de San Diego dejó al niño desangrado y no lo llevaron al hospital. “Muchas vidas perdidas, muchas vidas olvidadas, muchas historias no contadas, dolor que no ha sido compartido,” dijo Alvarez . Álvarez también co-
mentó que los problemas de la Comunidad Chicana son vistos como violencia de gangas cuando no es así. “Si nadie va hacer nada nosotros tenemos que hacerlo!” dijo Alvarez. Los últimos sábados de los meses de Mayo, Junio, y Julio Los Brown Berets de San Diego, tienen planeado marchas en diferentes comunidades. Para más información, sigan las redes sociales de Los Brown Berets de Aztlán.
Naufrago de lancha transbordando inmigrantes indocumentados en Point Loma causa muerte de al menos tres personas by
Noé Sandoval
EDITOR DE MUNDO AZTECA
El 2 de mayo alrededor de las 10:30 am se halló una lancha acercándose a la costa del sur de California, en Point Loma, San Diego. Al menos tres personas han fallecido por causa del accidente, y 25 personas fueron rescatadas y hospitalizadas. Las autoridades sospechan fue un incidente de contrabando de inmigrantes indocumentados desde México. Según un reportaje, los oficiales de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de Estados Unidos, CBP por sus siglas en ingles. . Dijeron que el barco estaba “severamente abarrotado” y que estaba siendo utilizado como un barco para traficar inmigrantes indoc-
Foto cortesia de San Diego Union Tribune
umentados a los Estados Unidos. La CBP dijo que los controles preliminares de los agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos. Confirmaron que todas las personas en el barco, excepto dos, eran “ciudadanos mexicanos sin estatus legal para ingresar
a los Estados Unidos.” Uno de los dos ciudadanos no mexicanos era de Guatemala, sin estatus legal para ingresar a los Estados Unidos. La última persona fue el capitán del barco, un ciudadano estadounidense, que fue entregado al Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Estados
Unidos., Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional, el Confirmado CBP. Uno de los sobrevivientes era un niño de 15 años no acompañado, dijo la CBP. Los otros 28 pasajeros eran 21 hombres y seis mujeres, todos entre las edades de 18 y 39, según la CBP.
El barco no se parecía a un panga típico utilizado para este tipo de operaciones y probablemente se mezcló con otros barcos comerciales mientras avanzaba a lo largo de la costa de San Diego el domingo por la mañana, dijo Jeff Stephenson, un agente supervisor de la Patrulla Fronteriza de Estados Unidos. El teniente de salvavidas de SDFD Rick Romero fue el primero en responder y envió un bote de rescate. Romero pronto se dio cuenta de que el bote volcado se había roto contra las rocas dentro de la línea de surf y había docenas de pasajeros a bordo. Romero dijo que las olas eran fuertes y de 5 a 6 pies de altura. see
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Sports Writer’s Roundtable: Memories on the Mesa (Part 1) May 5 - May 11, 2021 Editor: Kyle Betz
The Daily Aztec
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BY Breven Honda SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Over the last four years, so many memories have come from players having lights-out games to power outages to coaches earning milestone wins. Our sportswriters at The Daily Aztec have seen or covered conference championships, blowout games and record-breaking moments. We asked our writers to look back and reminisce from the last four years in the Scarlet and Black in this latest edition of Writer’s Roundtable. In part one of this twopart special, I talked to Photo Editor Alexa Oslowski, Sports Editor Kyle Betz, Arts & Culture Editor Devin Whatley and Senior Staff Writer Reese Savoie about some of their memories in this edition of Writer’s Roundtable: Memories on the Mesa. I also provide input to these questions. Breven Honda: What is a favorite or memorable game/ moment you have seen or covered? Devin Whatley: “For me, I would say the favorite moment that I’ve gotten to see was the Mountain West tournament final back in 2020 between San Diego State and Utah State. Obviously, a loss is not what you want to say is your favorite moment if you’re an Aztec fan, but for me, I just remember that moment because it was like the last game before COVID hit and sort of put a pause on sports. It was just such a good game, too. I mean, you had Malachi Flynn, Sam Merrill, (Neemias) Queta, all these big names, stars matching up against each other. I think it was a phenomenal game. Outside of the loss (for SDSU), it was just a very, very high-quality college basketball game.” Alexa Oslowski: I’m going to say mine is the same season, so the 2020
Photo by Alexa Oslowski All five seniors featured in this edition of Writer’s Roundtable are pictured. Part 2 of Memories on the Mesa will be released online next week.
season just before Devin’s game when they clinched the (regular season) conference championship at Viejas (Arena). I was on the floor covering that with a senior last year, (staff writer/photographer Kareem Jones), who graduated (in 2020). That was just a crazy experience when (the Aztecs) knew they had the game, which then meant they knew they had the conference title. I can’t even explain it and then everyone storming the court, hundreds of people on that basketball court, everyone going up on the ladder and cutting down the net and finally (men’s basketball head coach Brian Dutcher) holding it up to the whole audience. I took it for granted then, but looking back on it, it’s got to be one of my favorite games I’ve ever been at.” Reese Savoie: “My favorite game to cover it was actually pretty recently. It was SDSU baseball against New Mexico. It was their doubleheader and they had two walk off wins in a row, absolutely insane. That was so much fun to be there. We actually got it on camera, both
of the walk-offs, which was crazy. That was completely accidental, so we were like, ‘Let’s just get some b-roll today.’ It just so happened that we got both the walk-offs, so that was wild. It was cool that the team stormed the field. It was also the first series where fans — I mean, you could call them fans — but it was the parents and friends and family of the players. People were there, it was awesome. It was so exciting, the energy at Tony Gwynn (Stadium) was unmatched and I just felt really lucky to be able to be there in those moments. So that was awesome.” Kyle Betz: “I’m gonna piggyback off Alexa. That’s single-handedly my favorite game that I think I’ve ever covered. I mean, it was an incredible experience being there, the energy in the arena was unmatched, especially considering it was right before the pandemic hit. So it was one of the last moments where we were in Viejas to be able to experience a moment like that and the court storming and the cutting down of the nets. But, the game itself, I mean,
the Aztecs really had a great team that year. It was an honor and a privilege being able to cover it and watch it on a daily basis. That team made waves and it’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to see how they did going into the NCAA Tournament, but at least we have that moment. That’s something I’m gonna cherish.” Breven Honda: “For me, I’m going to have to go with women’s basketball on this one. It was a game last year in January against New Mexico. That was an 11 a.m. game because it was field trip day, so they had all the kids come in and there was something about that game, playing New Mexico — a team that (SDSU) women’s basketball defeated in the previous conference tournament in 2019. You see that Aztec team with Sophia Ramos and to put up 32 points, and to hit 16 of 16 at the free throw line, it’s something that you’re never going to see, you’re really hardly ever going to see. For them to win that game 75-74 and for Sophia to hit her final two free throws to be the difference in the ballgame is
something that stands out as a favorite moment.” BH: What is the craziest memory you have? RS: “I’m going to go with the Kawhi jersey retirement night. That was absolutely insane. Nothing like crazy, crazy happened that night, but just all of the emotions that went into it. It was incredible being there, it was so overwhelming. I remember looking around at that fully-packed arena and thinking about how I knew in that moment that I was going to remember that forever. I knew it was just so special and so memorable. It was a white out, there were so many people there. The Clippers were there, Kawhi was there, it was insane. Then, the process of getting tickets. I remember my friends and I skipping class, and being out in the (Conrad Prebys Aztec Student) Union desperately trying to log on to the portal to get tickets. It was insane. We had to get tickets for my friend who was in her lab, too. So not only were we trying to get see
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8
Sports
The Daily Aztec
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Editor: Kyle Betz
Atlanta Falcons take cornerback Darren Hall with 108th pick in 2021 NFL Draft BY Kyle Betz SPORTS EDITOR
After 134 career tackles, six interceptions and three forced fumbles in four years with San Diego State football, junior Darren Hall is NFL bound. The 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the third overall pick in Round 4 of the 2021 NFL Draft (108th overall). Originally a safety, Hall converted to cornerback after redshirting but is versatile enough to play either spot. Hall adds to a growing list of Aztec defensive backs who have been drafted the past decade. Notables include cornerback Leon McFadden (Round 3 to the Cleveland Browns in 2013), safety Nat Berhe (Round 5 to
the New York Giants in 2014), safety Eric Pinkins (Round 6 to the Seattle Seahawks in 2014) and safety Damontae Kazee, who played for the Falcons for four years prior to signing with the Dallas Cowboys in free agency this offseason. Hall has a couple similarities to Kazee: ballhawk traits and the same number at SDSU (23). In an interview with The Daily Aztec in 2018, Hall said he was trying to beat Kazee’s school interception tally (17). “I’m trying to catch (Kazee) for his record,” Hall said. The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. native didn’t quite get there, but his measurables, Pro Day performance and 4.41 40-yard dash speed (according to Hall) made him stand out as a top de-
File photo San Diego State football then-sophomore cornerback Darren Hall returns a fumble for a touchdown during the Aztecs’ 48-11 victory over Central Michigan on Dec. 21, 2019 at Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
fensive back prospect. His play spoke for itself, too. Out of 44 targets, 57% resulted in completions against Hall in 2020. Hall also broke up four passes while adding 37 tackles (two for a loss). Hall joins a young Atlan-
ta Falcons secondary led by corner A.J. Terrell, who was the Falcons’ 2020 first-round selection from Clemson. The Falcons had significant interest in Hall during the pre-draft process, meeting with him twice.
Family ties could be another factor in Hall’s new home. Jon Hoke, the older brother of SDSU head coach Brady Hoke, coaches defensive backs for the Falcons. Jon Hoke’s son, JUMP see ONLINE
Five Aztecs sign to NFL teams as undrafted free agents BY Kyle Betz SPORTS EDITOR
Following the conclusion of the 2021 NFL Draft on May 1, five former San Diego State football players signed with NFL teams.
Safeties Tariq Thompson, Dwayne Johnson Jr., offensive tackle Kyle Spalding, offensive guard Jacob Capra and long snapper Turner Bernard (Minnesota Vikings) are officially on NFL rosters, signing as free
agents. The five players join former Aztec cornerback Darren Hall in signing with a professional team. Hall was selected by the Atlanta Falcons on the third day of the draft in Round 4.
File photo San Diego State football-junior safety Dwayne Johnson Jr. (#36) helps lay a hit on a Brigham Young receiver during the Aztecs’ 13-3 victory on Nov. 30, 2019 at SDCCU Stadium.
It was also announced that all six student-athletes will be graduating from SDSU with their Bachelor’s degrees. Some members of the 2019 New Mexico Bowl champion team participated in SDSU’s Pro Day in March after COVID-19 stripped them of their chances to compete in a university-led Pro Day. Those participants included linebacker Kyahva Tezino, tight end Parker Houston, offensive lineman Daishawn Dixon, defensive back Kyree Woods and punter Brandon Heicklen. Houston, Tezino and Dixon signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents last offseason but did not make 53-man rosters. The only potential prospect from the 2020 Aztecs team to not receive a phone call was punter Tanner Kuljian. Tariq Thompson (Buffalo Bills) Thompson is headed to Buffalo, New York after
signing as an undrafted free agent with the Bills. The San Diego native had 11 interceptions during his SDSU career. Thompson only grabbed one pick during the shortened 2020 season, but still showed off his coverage skills with three passes defensed. He also had 41 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2020. In his college career, Thompson nabbed 210 tackles, 23 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. The four-year starter’s ball instincts show glimpses of current Bills free safety Micah Hyde, who has over 500 tackles and 17 interceptions in his career. Dwayne Johnson Jr. (Atlanta Falcons) Johnson Jr. is keeping the San Diego State ties alive in Atlanta, joining Hall to become the second Aztec on the Falcons’ roster. see
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Sports
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Editor: Kyle Betz
The Daily Aztec
9
Defense dominates in football’s annual spring BY Andrew Finley SENIOR STAFF WRITER
The competitive spirit was in the air at San Diego State on April 30, as SDSU football put on a show for friends and family at the team’s annual intrasquad spring game. The close contest resulted in a victory for Team Aztec, as it took down
Team Warrior 10-3. The winning team received a steak dinner for its efforts, while the losing team got hot dogs on paper plates with plastic utensils. This game was about much more than steaks and hot dogs, however, as it marked the end of the team’s spring practices, as well as it being the first time Aztec football has
Photo by Kyle Betz San Diego State football redshirt freshman running back Jaylon Armstead attempts to shed tacklers during the Aztecs’ annual spring game on April 30, 2021 at the SDSU football practice field next to the Sports Deck.
Photo by Kyle Betz San Diego State football senior quarterback Lucas Johnson throws a pass during the Aztecs’ annual spring game on April 30, 2021 at the SDSU football practice field next to the Sports Deck.
played in front of any sort of home crowd since December 21, 2019, at the New Mexico bowl. Head coach Brady Hoke said it was nice to play in front of fans again. “A lot of the parents came down,” Hoke said. “Really great to see them.
Can’t wait til the fall when we’ll be able to have fans and everything else.” The crowd watched a battle on the hot Friday afternoon featuring a dominant performance from the defense, but not from one particular position group or specific player in
this game. For Team Aztec, sophomore defensive lineman Dylan Taylor (six tackles, two sacks), sophomore linebacker Garret Fountain (eight tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass see
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Anupansuebsai wins individual title, Aztecs place third at MW Championships by
Breven Honda
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
San Diego State men’s golf placed third in the Mountain West Conference Championships with a three-round score of -14 at the Omni Tucson National Golf Course in Tucson, Ariz. on May 1. After the first day of competition on April 30, SDSU was in second place at -5 in team play. Individually, senior Steve Sugimoto led the Aztecs after 36 holes at three strokes under par followed by junior Youssef Guezzale at -2. Guezzale led the field with an opening-round score of 68 but faltered with a two-over 74 in the following 18 holes. Despite being one stroke back of Boise State for the lead entering play on Saturday, the Scarlet and Black could not hold their stand-
Courtesy of Derrick Tuskan, SDSU Athletics San Diego State men’s golf senior Puwit Anupansuebsai swings his driver during the Lamkin Invitational on March 10, 2021 at The San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista, Calif.
ing as New Mexico and Nevada gained stride. The Lobos and Wolf Pack each posted -19 in regulation, forcing a playoff. New Mexico won on the first playoff hole. The Lobos, who won
their MWC-record eighth conference championship, had a third-round score of 269, which is a new single-round MWC Championship record. The old mark was 271 by UNLV in 2009 & 2010 and their
playoff-hole opponent this past weekend, Nevada. However, individual play was a different story. After posting a one-under 143 through the first two rounds, Aztec senior Puwit Anupansuebsai
caught fire on Saturday, posting seven birdies and a bogey en route to a six-under 66 in round three. Anupansuebsai would find himself among three other golfers tied at -7 for the individual championship. It was the first time in MWC history a four-player sudden-death playoff would decide the individual champion. In the playoff, Anupansuebsai faced Boise State sophomore Hugo Townsend, UNLV senior Jack Trent and high school teammate Sam Choi, a sophomore from New Mexico. The 5-foot-3 SDSU senior said he enjoyed the competition playing against Choi, who both were high school teammates in 2017 at the Anaheim Discovery Christian School in Anasee
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Arts & Culture Review: J Balvin’s ‘The Boy from Medellin” doc explores his rise to music prominence 10 T
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May 5 - May 11, 2021 Editor: Devin Whatley
Daily Aztec
Ryan Hardison
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
There are more than a handful of monotonous music documentaries. “The Boy From Medellín” is not one of them. With a protagonist that has doubts and dreams worth exploring, “The Boy From Medellín” is one of the few docs pinpointing a single moment in a musician’s life that was worth making into a movie. I’m not speaking of films that recount tragic musical events (“Gimme Shelter”), cinematic chronicles of an eventful life (“Amy,” “Everybody’s Everything”) or even lavish home-concert transplants (“Homecoming,” “Amazing Grace”). I’m referencing the documentaries that place you into an artist’s daily routine as they’re about to embark
on a big tour, concert or new creative venture. These films often have celebrity cameos, massive fan service, and provide brief glimpses of backstage life and tidbits about an artist’s habits and mindset, without offering anything worth the price of admission or a Netflix subscription. Backstage access is cool, so are concert closeups and tagging along with artists on their errands, though it gets stale after seeing them for the 50th time. One of the more recent entries of this sub-genre is “Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You.” I admire the personality, artistry and strength of Grande, but her doc didn’t really offer anything unique. There was a lot of behind-thescenes footage, similar to
what she already uploads on YouTube, and much of the doc spends time alternating between going back and forth between a traditional concert film and a celebrity vlog. Oftentimes the subjects in these “concert docs” either aren’t interesting enough to document or whatever their doing isn’t out of the ordinary. In Grande’s case, the filmmakers failed to capitalize on limitless story potential, and this film variant only thrives when deviating from the script. Reggaeton, a melodic sing-rap combination primarily performed in Spanish with influence spanning from Caribbean dancehall to hip-hop is one of the world’s most popular musical forms and has found a lasting audience among
Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios
English-speaking listeners. Let me quickly remind you of the exorbitant prices some concertgoers have been paying for tickets to
see Bad Bunny perform in San Diego because if that’s not enduring popularity, see
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For some students, COVID-19 brought home a return to old pastimes by
Bradley Gonzales
STAFF WRITER
Since its opening in 2014, the Pride Center at San Diego State University has provided a safe space for students of all sexual and gender identities to grow and learn. The Pride Center is SDSU’s LGBTQ+ resource center providing support to students in their process of sexual and gender self-identity development as well as helping those who are struggling with discrimination, alienation, or harassment as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Through campus events, support groups, and more the Pride Center helps to facilitate campus-wide education, awareness, and dialogue on issues related to sexuality and gender. Chrystian Smith, a fourth-year political science and history major,
Graphic by Emily Burgess
works as a Peer Educator at the Pride Center helping to host and plan different events meant to empower and educate fellow students. Smith said that the Pride Center has provided a home away from home for many students during their college careers. “The Pride Center is the backbone of the SDSU LGBTQ community. The center allows us to have a
space to be unconstrained by societal norms and standards,” Chrystian Smith said. “It serves as a second home away from home for many of our students who need a loving community while on campus.” This year, the COVID-19 pandemic affected communities around the world including the LGBTQ community. Here at SDSU, campus acess was restrict-
ed and students were forced to transition to online learning. Despite this, the Pride Center continued to provide support and resources to students virtually. Diego Smith, a fourthyear sociology major, serves as the center’s office and media lead. Diego Smith says despite the challenges of transitioning online, the Pride Center
has continued its success with the queer community at SDSU. “We’ve been able to adapt most of our events to online formats, mostly Zoom, but also Instagram lives and reels,” Diego Smith said. We’re just as busy as we were in person and still welcoming students to our events and support groups!” Along with Zoom and social media events, the Pride Center also hosts a virtual front desk Monday through Wednesday and Friday. Students are encouraged to visit the virtual front desk to chat with Pride Center employees, ask questions, or just chat. Working with the SDSU Pride Center, Pride House is a peer mentorship program designed to help LGBTQ+ students become successful and ensee
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11 Arts & Culture Review: Demi Lovato explores tragedy and resilience in new documentary and album May 5 - May 11, 2021 Editor: Devin Whatley
by
Aaliyah Alexander
STAFF WRITER
San Diego-based sustainable fashion and lifestyle advocate, Jazmine Rogers (@thatcurlytop), discussed the interconnectedness of fashion and sustainability and how to take part in the slow fashion movement in GreenFest SDSU’s “Next in Sustainable Fashion” virtual event on April 23. Simran Jain, second year and commissioner of Greenlove, San Diego State’s main sustainability organization, wanted to host an event contributing to sustainability and educate people on these two topics. “Sustainability and fashion are important topics because sustainability affects our most vulnerable communities, and fashion is something that, whether or not you can admit
The Daily Aztec
it, everyone participates in,” Jain said. “Everyone has to wear clothes, and so we might as well be educated on the ethics and the best way to make those decisions.” Rogers’ slow fashion journey began in college as she majored in fashion merchandising and learned
the harmful truths of the fashion industry, such as labor trafficking. This and other harsh truths ultimately changed Rogers’ mindset as she set out to live more sustainably. “I can’t move forward wanting to be a part of the fashion industry if I’m not a part of the change,” Rog-
ers said.“What I love to do is present to people what I wish I first heard about [the slow fashion lifestyle] because there are a lot of angles and it’s overwhelming.” In her presentation, Rogers provided five tips to quit fast fashion and partake in slow fashion, the
Graphic by Emily Burgess
approach to fashion that considers the processes and resources required to make clothing, as opposed to fast fashion which involves purchasing inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers. The five tips include: doing your research, unfollowing fast fashion influencers, finding a community and following slow fashion influencers, using the “buyerarchy of needs” and giving yourself and others grace. Rogers utilizes the “buyerarchy of needs,” inspired by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs when looking for new clothing pieces to add to her wardrobe. Rewearing what you have, repairing, upcycling and borrowing clothes are at the bottom of the tier, while see
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Chef Bobby Flay is “always hungry” in brand new podcast by
Trinity Bland
OPINION EDITOR
If you are an eater – avid or not – does Bobby Flay even need an introduction? Grillmaster, burger connoisseur and co-star of a new Discovery+ travelogue series “Bobby and Giada in Italy,” as well the human mind behind the cat food line recently launched by his beloved cat, Nacho, Made By Nacho, Flay’s job titles run a marathon. Father is one, and he performs quite exceptionally in yet another fresh venture in food: a podcast with his daughter, Sophie, who is a community journalist for ABC7 in Los Angeles, up-to-date current trends in food, fashion, lifestyle and culture. Executive produced by Christopher Hassiotis and launched by iHeartRadio, “Always Hungry” debuted on April 27 and the fa-
Graphic by Shalika Oza
ther-daughter duo provide listeners with more than just ways on how to spruce up their cooking. Bobby has been a staple of The Food Network for over 25 years, continuously hosting iconic television programs like “Boy Meets Grill,” “Brunch at Bobby’s,” and “Throwdown! with Bobby Flay” and as of lately, “Beat Bobby Flay” that
bring some of the best cooking ideas to America. His numerous cookbooks ranging in cuisines and restaurants, including Bar Americain, Mesa Grill and Bobby’s Burger Palace, bring his unique culinary skills to the taste buds of countless food lovers worldwide. The chef is continuing to blend food and pop-
ular American culture with “Always Hungry,” but this time with his daughter, who brings her own style to the show, raising its “cool-factor” to new heights. Released weekly, each episode is themed around specific foods like burgers or tacos, or concepts like what to wear when going out to dinner or the elements that make a good restaurant – which truly allows space for the two to share their authentic perspectives. “We’re definitely going to be talking about burgers,” The Food Network star said in the intro episode of “Always Hungry,” in regards to what listeners can expect from the podcast, only moments before loud sizzles from a burger cooking on a stovetop emerged. “This isn’t fake podcasts sounds, this is real burger sounds,” he added, emphasizing how listeners will be able to access the rawness
directly from their home kitchen. This isn’t the first time fans have seen the father-daughter duo together exploring food and culture. The two co-starred in “The Flay List,” a Food Network series where they explored each other’s favorite places to eat classic dishes. in which they explored each other's favorite places to eat classic dishes. Bobby takes Sophie to his favorite Bobby Flay-approved spots he has accumulated over the years while Sophie introduces her father to her own discoveries. In the same episode, it starts off with Sophie introducing herself and her father as Bobby Flay because that is what and who listeners know, but she knows him as her “Dad.” The chef then introduces himself as “Sophie’s dad, see
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Senior Farewells
Daily Aztec
Brenden Tuccinardi EDITOR IN CHIEF
I don’t know how to feel writing this. Nostalgic, sad, relieved, overjoyed? Honestly, it’s all of the above and then some. This year – and this job – has been one of the hardest of my life so far. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade my experience at The Daily Aztec for anything in the world, but I want to make sure people understand it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Being a student journalist is hard work, let alone simultaneously doing it while living and working through a pandemic. The number of sleepless nights I spent editing is probably in the high 30s and the countless hours spent thinking about how I was going to ensure the success and survival of a 107-year-old institution all blend together now. However, at the end of the day,
it’s rewarding work and I have nothing but pride for the legacy I’m leaving and love for everyone that I’ve worked alongside with. There are a lot of people I have to thank for getting me here. David Santillan, thanks for welcoming me into The Daily Aztec my freshman year, and to my cousin Kaitlyn thanks for introducing me to him and pushing me to join. Cami Buckman, thanks for being the best first editor I could have asked for and teaching me what it means to write well. Andrew Dyer, Will Fritz and Bella Ross, thanks for passing down much-needed EIC wisdom and providing amazing examples of what leaders look like. Patty and Carlos, thanks for your patience and understanding as I learned the ropes and made those inevitable mistakes. Gary Robbins, thank you for your guidance and men-
Luis Lopez ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
When I first arrived at San Diego State, I was scared out of my mind. After high school, I went the community college route (shoutout to Diablo Valley College) and spent three more years living at home. Then, after a good friend of mine started going to SDSU and sold me on it, I decided to leave my beloved hometown in the Bay Area and head south for two years of undergrad. However, I had never lived on my own before, so doing it eight hours away from home made the transition seem so drastic. Naturally, the doubts began to set in. “Oh God, should I really have done this?” “How soon can I visit home?” “What if I don’t make any friends?” As it turns out, I didn’t make any friends here. Instead, I got family.
Here at the DA, I’ve been able to improve so much as a journalist. Prior to coming here, I had never really done much on camera work before. Fast forward to today and I feel more comfortable in front of a camera than ever before. The DA has allowed me to get to places I never could have dreamed of going before. A nationally televised bowl game in Albuquerque? Check. Las Vegas not once, but twice for conference championships? I got to do that. However, none of that happens without the help of people here at the DA. This place is like the 2018 Warriors, absolutely loaded with talent. Because I was surrounded by that talent everyday, it pushed me to be better, motivated me to challenge myself. Those challenges only increased because of the pandemic, but like
torship. To my family – mom, dad and Jessica – thanks for being there for me during those tough moments and seeing the worth and power of my work, even when I was struggling to do so myself. Kaitlyn Little and Em Burgess, thanks for being amazing friends and motivators. Those nights in the newsroom making TikToks and 1 a.m. Taco Bell runs will forever be some of the best times of my life. To this year’s staff, but especially the editorial board, thank you for trusting me and suffering through my awkward Zoom meetings. However, most of all I am so grateful for your dedication as The Daily Aztec charted new terrain. This year was nothing like we envisioned. We didn’t have the opportunity to share inside jokes in the newsroom or laugh through the pain of Production Nights. Some of you I’ve only ever met through Zoom. However,
I told the sports section back in August of last year, there was honestly no one else I’d rather cover sports with in a pandemic than them. The sports section put out crazy good content, even when every sport here was cancelled. Amazing multimedia pieces, great articles, and every single one of them were heat. A lot of journalists are great individually, but I can honestly say that as a team, what they were able to do over this past year with everything being virtual, there’s just not many groups that can do what they did. I know that every single person in the sports section is going on to much bigger things, I’d bet the bank on that if I could. These people had my back like no else could, and for that, I can’t even begin to thank them enough. Leaving this place is going to be tough. The fact that after July I won’t know the next time I can get Trujillo’s is downright terrifying.
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Congrats, Graduates!
through your hard work, The Daily Aztec thrived in spite of the challenges set before us. The fact of the matter is, despite being entirely online, The Daily Aztec had its best year yet and it’s in no small part thanks to you all. To every single Daily Aztec alumnus, thanks for carrying on the legacy of those before you. The Daily Aztec is a family. I’m not the first person to say this and I have no doubt in my mind that I’ll be the last. We’re bound together by an immense love for what we do, but also the community we serve. I know
I’ll always have a home at The DA and if I have one piece of advice for those coming back next year or looking to join, cherish this chosen family. I’m relieved to be closing out one of the most challenging experiences of my life. Actually, I’m overjoyed. I am also sad and nostalgic. The Daily Aztec has given me the fortune to meet some of my closest friends. It helped me fall in love with storytelling and discover new passions. Even in the dark times I never stopped loving The DA. I don’t think I ever will.
However, what makes this goodbye especially hard is just because of how fast things went. People say that four years goes by fast. For me, I only had two, and one of those years was done staring at my computer for who knows how many hours a day. Yet, even with online classes and meetings, I still got to go to games and actually cover things in person. Covering these events means so much more when there’s actually people who look at the cover-
age. So for every person that retweeted, liked, or even just took a look at one of my pieces, thank you. Covering sports has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember and thanks to the Daily Aztec, I’ve been able to do that. This definitely won’t be my last step in my sports journalism career, but I’m beyond happy it was one of the first. So thanks for everything Daily Aztec, the past two years are something I will never forget.
Senior Farewells
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Congrats, Graduates!
Devin Whatley I’ll miss most from my time with The Daily Aztec When I entered my first is having the opportunity journalism course at San to connect with my fellow Diego State three years ago, writers. The amount of I remember feeling a sense friendships and professionof loneliness while I sat in a al relationships I’ve forged huge lecture hall. I doubted from spending time here whether this would even is something I’ll treasure be a career worth pursuing. forever. I’ll also miss the On that day, I remember memories we made in the hearing two people from newsroom – so many that The Daily Aztec speak I don’t have enough fingers in front of my class. It into count them all. trigued me to the point People inside the newswhere I sent an email to room like to call me the Bella Ross asking if I could “Renaissance Man” – a join. nickname I took on beLooking back, if I didn’t cause there was one point make that step, I don’t where I contributed to alknow where I would be in most every section of the my college career. newspaper. It honestly still Three years later, I’m feels like a blur to me, and capping off my senior year I could remember those after working on endless late nights working on stostories and content for ries and editing content. almost every section in What a time! the newspaper. The Daily I sometimes say that Aztec has allowed me to SDSU has been a full-cirgrow in ways that I could cle journey for my family. I never imagine, and for that mean that both figurativeI’m grateful. ly and literally. My parents There’s a common sayand aunts went here and ing that it’s hard to leave a attended classes. Now, I’m place you love. One thing completing another part ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Alexa Oslowski PHOTO EDITOR
When I first transferred to SDSU, I had no idea what to expect. I had already spent two years at a UC, I moved across the state from my family and friends, and I was living in my sorority house where I didn’t know a single person. I spent many nights questioning if I made the right decision, or if I was doomed to a disappointing college career no matter where I attended. I am so happy to have been proven wrong. I became a journalist because I want to tell stories that matter, both visually and verbally. The people I have interviewed and the pieces I have published mean everything to me. The stories I have published about the LGBTQ+ community make me so proud, and every day I am
amazed by the people in my community and their resilience. The closeted 18-year-old in me is so proud of the outspoken, bisexual woman I am now. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. I can’t believe I am at the end of my college career at SDSU, and I am closing such a major chapter in my life. Now I know what every single graduating senior before me meant when they said time moved too fast and how surreal it felt to be writing their senior farewell because that’s exactly how I feel right now. This past year has been nothing like anyone could have planned, and it’s been a constant struggle of balance, survival, and frustration over the life I was missing to stay safe. The feeling I’ll have when I graduate in Petco Park will be indescribable.
of that circle by graduating this May. It’s truly hard to grasp. However, I am thankful and blessed to be finished with my undergrad. If I could share any advice from my time in college, I’d say the most important point is to take advantage of opportunities when you see them. I stumbled upon The Daily Aztec just based on my own interest, and it provided me with valuable connections, networking opportunities and time to work and grow my journalistic skills. Now, I feel like I’m at a place where whatever the professional world throws at me, I’ll be ready for it. I also would like to say that The Daily Aztec is what you make of it. Join the staff and take advantage of your opportunities to write stories and create content. You never know what doors it can open for you in the future. I would not be where I am today without The Daily Aztec. It has become a part of who I am as a writer and journalist. I want to thank all of the people I’ve interviewed for allowing
There are so many people to thank, but I want to start with Amal, who recruited me to The Daily Aztec and set me on the path that shaped my college career. There’s Angela, my first friend at SDSU and The Daily Aztec and one of my truest friends. There’s Jack, Luis, Kyle, Reese and Amber, with who I spent so many hours and so many late nights grinding out work over Starbucks and tacos. There’s Trinity and Catlan, who I’ve grown so close to despite the thousands of miles (literally) between us.There’s my family, my boyfriend and my friends, who supported me and loved me unconditionally as I went through this journey. No matter what my postgrad future holds for me, I will always treasure the hours I spent in the newsroom, at Qualcomm and at Viejas and at Trujillos making countless memories. Being a journal-
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me to help tell great stories. I also want to thank everyone in the sports section over the past two years – writing recaps, columns and making videos with each of you has been a blast. I also cannot forget every single one of my writers in the Arts & Culture section. Seeing you all grow and evolve in your writing and storytelling makes me proud to be your editor. Without you, we would not have had so many phenomenal stories made throughout this year. Lastly, I wanted to say a
special thank you to my family. They have been by my side since the beginning, and amid all of the times spent working on stories, editing pages and creating content, I have always had constant support. I do not know what lies ahead for me, but what I do know is that when I look back at my time in The Daily Aztec, I’ll wear it with pride. I’m proud to be an Aztec, a journalist and a part of the most rag-tag bunch of writers out there. I can’t wait to see what the world has in store for our futures.
ist is about advocacy and holding those in power responsible, and I’m grateful that while at SDSU, I got to do both. I took it for granted then, and I have learned to never do that again because we didn’t know it was the last time until it was too late. Most importantly, I want to thank my past self. Nineteen-year-old me made the crazy hard decision to transfer from
one four-year university to another with no idea if I was making the right call. Three years later, I can say she definitely did. The Daily Aztec and the people who have become family, and I wouldn’t be the journalist or the person, I am without them. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you to the organization that gave me everything I didn’t know I needed.
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Senior Farewells
Daily Aztec
Angela Kurysh MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
I can’t believe this is it. I’m graduating. My time at San Diego State has come to an end and to say I’ve had the best time of my life would be an understatement. I can’t even begin to express how grateful and lucky I am for having the opportunity to attend SDSU and more importantly, work for an organization that literally taught me everything I know. These past four years have been a roller coaster full of ups and downs, but I wouldn’t change a thing… well, maybe one thing. I’m sure a lot of us wish we made better decisions when it comes to certain things, but IF I could go back in time to change just one thing... I would’ve joined The Daily Aztec WAY sooner. After almost changing my major, a long-time friend
Kyle Betz SPORTS EDITOR
I’ve held off on writing this for a while now. I’ve thought about what I want to write and how I’m going to say it, but I’ve avoided it as if that’ll change anything. I’m graduating. About 10 years ago, my dad (an SDSU alum) and his best friend from college took me to an Aztec football game. Then, I started driving down from Orange County every year to go to men’s basketball games with them at Viejas Arena. I saw The Show. I saw Kawhi Leonard, Ronnie Hillman and I always spotted a winning number on the Aztecs’ side of the scoreboard. I liked it. After four years on the Mesa, I guess I could say I enjoyed my time as an Aztec, too. From covering games delayed by lightning to several court stormings, it’s been an unbelievable
and classmate from high school that also attended SDSU, reached out to invite me to his section meeting at The DA, so the biggest shoutout goes to Jack Molmud. Jack, thank you for messaging me on Twitter to come to your meeting and teaching me everything I needed to know about producing video content and script-writing. Looking back in 2019, I would’ve never thought I would be where I am now, but you helped me confirm that being a multimedia journalist is the role I was meant for. Thank you Amal Younis for teaching me how to produce a news package step by step, showing me how to be more efficient at editing and helping me with my camera presence.You’re way more than just an inspiration to me and I’m truly honored to have been able to take over your role as multimedia editor, which
junior year-me would’ve NEVER thought would be possible. I am forever grateful for everything you and Jack taught me and I hope I left the same impact on my section this year. It wasn’t the easiest transition, but I managed to run an entire video section virtually thanks to the kind and reassuring words from former EIC, Bella Ross and most importantly our current EIC, Brenden Tuccinardi. Brenden, I can’t thank you enough for being an amazing leader throughout this entire year. Your leadership and drive has not only inspired me, but so many others. I’m truly blessed to have been a part of your editorial board. Mackenzie Stafford, my partner in crime! Thank you for working alongside me – it has been one of my favorite parts of being multimedia editor and I can’t wait to see you thrive these next two years! To Kyle Betz, thank you
ride I will never forget. THANK YOU. First, I’d like to thank God because none of this would have been possible without Him. Secondly, my parents for their support in every way possible. Words can’t describe how much their support has changed my life for the better, and I hope I made them proud. I’d also like to give a shoutout to my grandma, who always supports my work and has become one of the biggest SDSU fans I know. It’s never easy joining a new campus organization as a lowly freshman. There are nerves, second-thoughts and emotions of every kind, but The Daily Aztec didn’t make anything seem intimidating. The editors-in-chief who have shown me the ranks the past four years have been some of the most helpful, motivated people I’ve met. Thank you to Andrew Dyer, Will Fritz, Bella Ross and Brenden Tuccinardi for believing in me
and helping me grow as a person and journalist. Fortunately, I also had numerous video editors through the years who helped me learn beyond what’s presented in courses at SDSU. Thanks to Mary York, Mirella Lopez, Amal Younis, Jack Molmud, Mackenzie Stafford and Angela Kurysh for their guidance and leadership over the years. Now, on to the threetime Best Section Award-winner of The DA: sports. These former editors taught me everything I know. Thank you Zach Engberg, Abraham Jewett, Aaron Tolentino and Luis Lopez for everything you’ve helped me with along the way. There are always more people to thank, so if you were a part of my experience in any way, THANK YOU! To the sports section: It was a hard year, but we adapted and overcame. Our work proved that nothing or nobody can
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Congrats, Graduates!
for being my go to guy for anything and teaching me everything I know about golf. ASU isn’t ready for you! Thank you Jayne, Luis, Amber and Catlan for being big contributors to the video section this year – I was lucky to have you. As for the rest of the section, I couldn’t be more proud of you all for the work you’ve done and for stepping out of your comfort zones for the live shows. I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors and I will always be here for you all, so reach out to me whenever!
This year wasn’t anything we expected or ever imagined, but we thrived regardless of the circumstances. I want to thank everyone at The Daily Aztec for giving me nothing but an unforgettable experience and memories that I will cherish forever. It has been a privilege to serve as this year’s Multimedia Editor and I am excited to see what’s next for the future of my Daily Aztec family. This is the last time I can say this, so I’m officially signing out! “…and for The Daily Aztec… I’m Angela Kurysh.”
stop us and our goals. I’m proud of you and can’t wait to see what’s next! To those returning next year: I’m pretty jealous of you all, honestly. Jokes aside, you’re going to do amazing things in 2021-22. If you can adjust during a pandemic to produce work without being on campus for more than a year, you can do anything. Of course, I’m always here for you as a resource — never hesitate to reach out. While I am disappointed we weren’t able to gather
in the newsroom for one last production night, I’m fortunate for the little things: Zoom meetings, publishing stories online, covering the Mountain West tournament in Vegas and all the moments I’ve shared with editors/ writers through the years. After becoming an editor, one of my long-term goals was to make the sports section better than it was when I found it. I gave it my all, so I hope I was able to accomplish that. #AztecForLife
Senior Farewells
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Congrats, Graduates!
Breven Honda SENIOR STAFF WRITER
When I look back at the last four years being a student at San Diego State and the last three as a writer for The Daily Aztec, I think how much I have been able to weather the storm. Whether it was covering a long doubleheader, two teams in one day or a conference championship – on top of having a full load of classes – it was meaningful to know that the sun was eventually going to come out. That’s pretty ironic coming from a local kid that grew up in San Diego and hardly sees raindrops 20 times a year. To grow up in San Diego, go to a local college and eventually graduate, it hits differently than another student who did not come from America’s Finest City. I can not tell how valuable my time was at The Daily Aztec. Thank you
to the three sports editors for guiding me on how to write a recap and explaining the difference between a column versus a profile. To all of the The Daily Aztec staff I have met over the last three years, thank you. It has meant so much interacting with you, both in the newsroom or on zoom. One thing about The Daily Aztec writers is that we come from different backgrounds, but we all have the same mentality to put out the best content and the best newspaper that we possibly can, no matter what section it comes from. As a writer, I have had the opportunity to see games and matches that I will never forget. Thank you to all the players, coaches and sports information directors for giving me the opportunity to talk with you. As a journalist, it
Amber Salas SENIOR STAFF WRITER
I can vividly remember my first day walking into the newsroom like it was just yesterday. It was the first week of my junior year when an editor directly messaged me on Twitter wondering if I’d be interested in joining the sports section. I remember walking in being so excited, full of so many ideas for coverage I wanted to do on SDSU sports teams. I had big dreams of becoming a sideline reporter one day (and still do), and walked into the newsroom dreaming about standing on the sidelines of SDSU to tell the stories of our student athletes. Aside from all of the excitement, I was so incredibly scared of if I would even be good enough. Flash forward to now, I walk away having wrote 42 stories, created several sports video packages,
learned how to host the live broadcast, covered a variety of teams from men’s and women’s soccer, softball, hockey, football and basketball, covered two Mountain West Conference basketball tournaments and finished with a trip to Indianapolis to cover the 2021 NCAA Tournament. I could go on forever about the amazing experiences The Daily Aztec has provided me, and the incredible opportunities it has brought my way, but that surprisingly isn’t the most important part. The most special part of The Daily Aztec is the indescribable family and lifelong friends it has provided me. I was lucky enough to be a part of several organizations throughout my college experience that are all very special to me, including Kappa Delta Sorority and the SDSU Cheer team. Through all the amazing
has meant more to share your story than to have a byline. It never felt like I had to do an interview. It felt more like I got the chance to interview players and coaches about their sport. Whether it was volleyball, women’s basketball, water polo or any other sport, that time I had to talk with them, it was like having a conversation wanting to know more about a game, a player, their team or their teammates. Ultimately, I would not be where I am today without my family. Thank you mom and dad for all of your support. Your encouragement has given me the strength to press on, persevere and never give up. For my final message, I want to say to enjoy the journey that you are on in college. Being part of The Daily Aztec has given me the opportunity and privilege to write a story the way I want it. I went to Las Vegas a
friends I’ve made along the way, nothing feels more like home to me than the newsroom. As student journalists, we understand each other like no other. We practically see each other every day whether it’s our JMS classes or meetings in the newsroom, we understand the pressure of meeting a deadline, we’re always dropping story ideas and bouncing ideas off of each other. Best of all, in the sports section we’re constantly arguing about who’s favorite sports teams are better! And don’t even get me started on the competitiveness of our Fantasy Football league. I wish my time here at The Daily Aztec with these amazing people could last forever, but like they say, all good things must come to an end. It’s not an end to this group, but rather just the beginning as so many of us get ready to take the next steps in life. I have no doubts that each person in this graduating group
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couple months ago to cover the Mountain West Conference tournament for the entire week. On my way there, I told myself, ‘Enjoy this week. You might not get another week like it.’ Never would I have thought since last June
that I would more than double the number of stories I have written compared to my first two years. That shows you the will and desire I have had since then. If you can put your mind to any goal, you can accomplish anything.
will go on to do incredible things. I’ve never been more inspired by a group of people. This group of seniors dealt with an unusual virtual online year due to the pandemic, but still came out and produced incredible content every single week. As I walk away from the Mesa, I leave with such a full heart from being able to tell the stories that mattered the most. I’ll never forget the freezing cold nights on the SDSU Sports Deck cover-
ing soccer games, sitting in Viejas Arena to cover basketball games with 12,000 fans screaming “I Believe,” or sitting on media row at the NCAA Tournament looking down at a fancy credential with my name on it. These memories will forever be some of the greatest of my life. I can’t wait to forever support the student newspaper that made me into the journalist I am today. I’m a better person because of knowing you all, and I am forever grateful.
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Senior Farewells
Daily Aztec
Aleah Jarin SENIOR STAFF WRITER
If you told me a year ago, when I was contemplating joining The Daily Aztec, that I would get to write stories covering topics I love, have multiple front page stories and appear on the cover of the Black History Month issue — I wouldn’t believe it for a second. Fast forward to a year and three months later, I’m so happy and proud to say all of those things and more happened. When I transferred to San Diego State in fall 2019, I knew I had to get involved somehow and find my community. I felt like I had to make up for lost time since I knew I’d only have two years at SDSU instead of the “traditional” four years. At the start of the spring 2020 semester, I finally decided to take the leap and get involved
with The DA. At the time, this decision was daunting to me as I was still trying to adjust to university life, but as I now reflect, this decision changed my life in all the best ways. Writing for this paper gave me the community I was longing for, introduced me to so many talented and passionate individuals and provided me with a tremendous amount of self-growth. I learned how to craft my interviewing and writing skills and find my voice. On a personal level, I gained a new sense of confidence, started to believe in myself and see my potential. Being featured on the front page of The DA’s Black History Month issue for establishing SDSU’s National Association of Black Journalists chapter was such an hon-
David Ahumada STAFF WRITER
It’s surreal to think that I’m in my room writing my farewell to campus already. Although the Coronavirus pandemic ended in-person instruction on a random day in March of last year, I’ve never felt closer to campus than ever before. I can’t believe we, the graduating seniors, are already here. Before the pandemic, I was a scared new person to campus. I was one of the many fighting for parking in P12, leaving immediately after my classes because I had to go work and I was only on campus when I needed to be because adjusting to campus life after transferring was extremely difficult for me. I never got the opportunity to figure out my own consistent parking spot on campus, I never learned which buildings my classes would take place in and I never even
got to go to the campus Wings-N-Things. However, the pandemic gave me the opportunity to join organizations, meet so many people on campus, and allowed me to join as many things as I could without actually having to worry about externalities that come from in-person learning. Don’t get me wrong, I would’ve loved to be stuck in traffic on College Avenue right as my 8 a.m. classes were starting, and I miss walking in the 100 degree weather up the stairs from P15 during the start of the fall semester. I’m just joking, it wasn’t all bad in-person, I miss going to the library during finals week, leaving classes late to hear concerts going on in the amphitheatre on campus and walking to the campus Everbowl in between classes. I loved watching and tailgating games at “San Diego Stadium,” see-
or and a moment I will never forget. Seeing myself and other phenomenal Black women on this cover being recognized for our accomplishments was so surreal and fulfilling. Seeing my opinion piece “You can’t dim my #BlackGirlMagic” grace the front page of this issue as well, right below the cover’s graphic image, was truly the cherry on top. I’m so grateful and will forever be honored that The DA recognized all my efforts and chose to highlight me. Although the pandemic caused us to transition online and conduct meetings virtually, it’s been such a pleasure getting to write for this stellar college newspaper and getting to know the fantastic staff who make up The DA. I’m so proud of every story I’ve written and thankful for all the knowledge I gained along the way.
ing the start of baseball season and reading the fresh Koala as it came off the printing press. I would’ve loved to meet everyone I interacted with during my time here, and I would’ve loved to enjoy my final few weeks on this campus to cherish my entire college experience. I’m glad I, at least, got to publish my name in The Daily Aztec a handful of times and to meet all people who make this publication as amazing as it is. I’m glad I made new family members from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists chapter here at State. And I’m glad I got to attend classes with everyone in the JMS program, y’all are doing some amazing work and big things. My time at San Diego State was too short, but I’m glad I got to observe a few semesters in-person here before we went virtual. As a San Diego native, I’m proud to say that I got to be an Aztec, even if it was for a brief
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Congrats, Graduates!
Even though I only got to be on campus for a semester and a half, The DA helped me feel like I was still there on campus connecting with people and creating memories. I will always remember and cherish my time as a senior staff writer for
The Daily Aztec. Thank you, The Daily Aztec, for all the memories. Thank you for reminding me why journalism matters and for reminding me why I chose this career in the first place. Thank you for giving me a “home.”
period. As I exit into the real world, I’m shaped by the experiences I’ve had at San Diego City College and SDSU. I’m grateful for the educators that these two institutions have provided, and I’m glad some have even made their way over to SDSU. I can’t thank everyone in the JMS program enough for the education that y’all have given me. It’s been one hell of an experience, so thank you, SDSU!
As for my future, I don’t know what’s in store, but I do know that I’m prepared for whatever these industry professionals throw at me. Who knows, you might see my name in the Motortrend masthead one of these days because I won’t stop pestering them until I get a job. To my fellow graduates, I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors.
Senior Farewells
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Congrats, Graduates!
Catherine Van Weele SENIOR STAFF WRITER
It feels surreal that my time at San Diego State and as a writer for The Daily Aztec is coming to an end. It seems like it was just yesterday that I walked up to The Daily Aztec tent and signed up as an opinion writer without really knowing what would be entailed for me. It is unfortunate that my last year of college had to be completely virtual. I am sad to have missed out on the chance to make some final college memories, but I still look back fondly at the memories I have made like production nights in the office and late-night runs to Trujillo’s. This year of virtual schooling and a slower-paced lifestyle has given me time to reflect and realize how blessed I am to be
where I am today. I am so thankful for everything The Daily Aztec has offered me. I have met many wonderful people and gained an assortment of valuable skills. I am proud of all the editors and writers at The Daily Aztec. Everyone puts their full effort into their stories and contributes towards making The Daily Aztec the amazing paper that it is. I’m always blown away by all the incredible work my fellow Aztecs produce. I can’t imagine what my college experience would have been like without having been a part of The Daily Aztec. I joined the paper during my freshman year and it was a really wonderful way to get more involved in my new school. The opinion editor at the time, Kemi, encouraged me to apply for
Reese Savoie SENIOR STAFF WRITER
When I first joined the Daily Aztec, I had no idea the impact that it would have not only upon my college career, but on my life as a whole. Pursuing a career in sports journalism was something that I’d always been interested in. I knew without a doubt that I wanted to spend the rest of my life on the sideline of a Major League Baseball stadium, covering athletes and sharing their stories during some of the most impactful moments of their lives. The Daily Aztec provided me with this opportunity. It gave me the chance to hone in on the skills I’d learned about in the classroom, and put them to use in a real-life situation. It gave me the chance to connect with both the
student athletes and our campus in unique, meaningful ways. It gave me the chance to travel across not only San Diego, but across the country for conferences and tournaments with a group of people who’ve become some of my best friends over the last two years. It gave me the chance to create a platform where I can put out content that I am incredibly passionate about, and share it with a community who is equally as passionate. It gave me the chance to do what I love every single day, and for that I am forever grateful. I entered the DA terrified. I was intimidated by the thought of working for a publication with people who were so experienced and talented, people who knew what they were doing when I felt so strongly that I did
the opinion editor position for the next year. I am glad that she pushed me to do so because I would not have applied otherwise. I served as the opinion editor during my second year and found it to be a very rewarding experience. I enjoyed getting to know my writers and loved all the creative ideas and stories they came up with. If I could give any piece of advice from my time in college, it is to take on as many opportunities as you can. Your college years should be a time to explore your interests and your passions. Even if there is something that interests you but does not relate back to your current career goals, I would encourage you to pursue it. You never know where it may lead you. I would also like to express my appreciation to my family for supporting me in all my endeavors. Thank you, Mom and
not. I remember the first meeting so vividly. I sat at the big round table in the conference room and thought about all of the reasons why I didn’t belong there. I was underqualified, I’d never written for a newspaper before, I was embarrassed because even though it was my career aspiration, I didn’t know the first thing about covering sports. I went home after that first meeting and wasn’t sure if I’d go to another. Spoiler alert: I did. Best decision of my life. Cheers to you, Daily Aztec. Cheers to the memories. Cheers to some of the best people and friends that I’ve been so lucky to have met. Cheers to the late nights cranking out recaps and packages. Cheers to the pre-interview jitters and the post-game pressers. Cheers to Aztecs Got Game, Dunkin’ Donuts, the tripod and the Fres-
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Dad! Stepping into the real world is nerve-wracking but thrilling. I’m excited to see where life takes
me next. I am grateful to have The Daily Aztec as a stepping stone as I move on to the next phase in my life.
no State bus drivers (@ Jenna). Cheers to the laughs and cheers to the tears. Thank you for every-
thing, Daily Aztec. I’ll never forget you.
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Senior Farewells
Daily Aztec
Jacob Sullivan STAFF WRITER
About a month into this semester, my final semester at SDSU, I joined the Daily Aztec. The timing is questionable, no doubt. As a journalism major, I should have joined on my first arrival to the campus. But, it did not play out that way, because of a variety of factors including the pandemic of course. Despite this, in the relatively short time I have spent at the Daily Aztec I have had an amazing time. For the first time ever, I had a platform. Instead of reading about how others felt about a certain album or movie, it was time to speak for myself. With the few short months at the Daily Aztec, I was able to contribute in a number of ways. I had the pleasure of reviewing multiple albums featuring some of the biggest artists, the privilege of speaking with some local artists about a proj-
ect of theirs, and the joy of collaborating with my peers for articles and the Daily Aztec broadcast. I have gained some incredible experience since my first article in mid-February. While every moment may not have been easy or simple, it was all more than worth it. College has felt like a blur. Since my first semester at community college in Fall of 2017, time has only seemed to speed up. Knocking out sixty credits at Grossmont taking summer and intersession classes, arriving at SDSU, nothing could slow down time. After only one full semester on the campus of SDSU, the pandemic forced a transition to online learning. This, of course, did nothing to slow down the breakneck pace time has existed in for the past four years. It only sped it up in all honesty. As I write this farewell, I find it important to thank those who have
Nathan Navida STAFF WRITER
Even though my time at San Diego State was very brief, so much has happened over these last two years that has changed my life. It sounds cliché but it's amazing to look back at who I was and see how much I’ve grown over that time period. I’ve had to adapt as a transfer student from Palomar Community College, learn how to become an effective journalist in the middle of a pandemic, and finish my final semester of college following the sudden death of my 53-year-old father over winter break. When I first arrived at San Diego State I was overwhelmed being in a totally new environment, trying to find my group of friends and the workload. It forced me to open up as a person and break
boundaries towards becoming the person I want to be. The only regret I have is not joining the Daily Aztec earlier. I just decided to join this past January and I’ve been able to expand my writing skills to another level. It’s also been a great opportunity for me to translate my writing skills towards videos and pictures. I thought I was going to be able to get enough experience by just doing the work in my classes. But as I saw more people that I knew join the Daily Aztec, I knew that my classwork wouldn’t be enough. This semester has been such a rollercoaster for me and I’m grateful that everyone that I’ve met at the Daily Aztec has been so welcoming and helpful. Since being in a pan-
helped me get to this point. Thank you to my family for their total support of me. Thank you to my girlfriend for being there every step of the way. Thank you to my professors for helping me discover and expand my intellectual abilities. Thank you to Angela for getting me started at the Daily Aztec. Thank you to Devin for being a great editor. Thank you to the Daily Aztec for welcoming me, giving me a voice and thank you to the Daily Aztec workers I had the privilege of working with. Finally, to anybody who read my work, I sincerely thank you. While I watch the days till graduation slowly decrease, I wonder to myself if there I have any regrets. I have one, not joining the Daily Aztec sooner. Besides that, I feel like everything played out the way it had to. I mean, I would’ve preferred to have those two and a half semesters which were spent online, in person, but I’m not angry with what reality offered.
demic for about a year, I would’ve never thought of being able to help cover the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament. It was an amazing experience to be a part of that helped me see more of how a multimedia journalist is supposed to go about business and what the sports journalism industry is like. I also enjoyed talking to head coach, Kylee White, and women’s lacrosse this semester. It was cool to see their growth especially during the pandemic. The connections I’ve made this final semester have been beyond valuable. I have immense respect for everyone that’s helped me get through the hardest college semester I’ve had. I can’t thank everyone enough that has been a part of my growth as a friend, brother, son, and journalist during my time here. I’m hoping to con-
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Congrats, Graduates!
I walk away from San Diego State University as a proud Aztec, writer
and member of a generation which has an unfathomable amount to offer.
tinue to grow on top of my skills that I’ve built at SDSU into the professional world. To my mom, my dad, my two younger brothers, and the rest of my family and friends, I love you all
more than my words can express. I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am today without all of you and I’m so proud that you guys will continue to be a part of my journey going forward!
Senior Farewells
May 5 - May 11, 2021 Congrats, Graduates!
Brandon Freed STAFF WRITER
My name is Brandon Freed. I first joined The Daily Aztec my junior year and I have to say it has been one of the best times of my life. I have made many memories being a part of the DA crew. I have made some amazing friends along the way. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to surround myself within my final two years of college. I honestly wish I knew about The Daily Aztec sooner and joined my freshman year. My favorite memory being a part of the DA has to be in Vegas cov-
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name is not a mascot, the university said. The resolution is the latest of many attempts by Indigenous students, faculty and alumni to have their voices heard on the matter of SDSU’s controversial mascot. “It’s okay to have uncomfortable conversations. To speak the truth and listen to Indigenous voices,” Waipuk said at Tuesday’s University Senate meeting. “Listen to us, that’s all we’re asking.” The resolution as passed lays out a timeline for the university to make this change. By Dec. 7, 2021, the commission impaneled by the resolution will deliver its recommendations to the university president, University Senate and Associated Students. A final decision by the president and administration, in consultation with the Senate and A.S., will be made no later than April 5, 2022. Skylar Beasly a thirdyear student and member of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation read the resolution at the Senate meeting. “This is a really big moment for Kumeyaay students now and in the
ering the Mountain West Conference Basketball Championship during the 2019-2020 season. During that tournament, we as a crew spent all our time together. We went to the games together, had food together and hung around the hotel together. We shared many laughs during the trip. The game I got the privilege to cover during that tournament was the semifinal matchup between the Aztecs and Boise State Broncos. The Aztecs won in a thrilling game and I loved being able to deliver a pregame and halftime stand-up. I would have to say my
future,” Beasly told The Daily Aztec. “There’s nothing that can encourage Kumeyaay students to come to SDSU more than honoring the community in this way.” The fight to change SDSU’s mascot spans many decades. Most recently in 2017, the University Senate passed a resolution calling on then-President Sally Roush to create a task force to identify ways in which the university could better honor the Native American heritage of the university and the Kumeyaay land on which it stands. The resolution was met with controversy and pushback from current students and alumni, similar to the current response. The resolution passed on Tuesday uses much of the same language from the 2017 resolution and argues that the administration failed to follow through with many of the promises it made upon the 2018 release of the Aztec Identity Taskforce’s findings. The 2017 resolution called for the retirement of the human representation of the Aztec Warrior, though the resolution passed today claims “the University has not followed through with this
favorite story that I wrote as part of the DA has to be a story I wrote last year when I gave an opinion piece on what I felt were the top five greatest moments for the Aztecs men’s basketball team during their great run following the 2019-2020 season. Kawhi Leonard had the chance to retire his jersey in front of the home crowd that year. The Aztecs were able to accomplish a historical 26 game winning streak and climb to the ranking of number four in the nation. It will definitely be a story I will never forget. I would have to say, if you want to experience writing stories and creating packages, I’d highly recommend joining the DA.
resolution given that a student dressed as an “Aztec” warrior led cheers at the SDSU football and basketball games as recently as the 2019-2020 season.” However, the university has followed through on creating more educational opportunities for community members to learn about Kumeyaay and indigenous heritage. They’ve also created spaces for Indigenous voices on campus by hiring a Tribal Liaison and the creation of the Native Resource Center for indigenous students. Indigenous students, faculty and alumni praised the resolution as a step in the right direction to begin to confront centuries of mistreatment of indigenous populations. “The resolution proposes a mascot that is based on the choice of the Kumeyaay Elders and community and what we would want it to be in order to make amends for the harm to the indigenous community based on the Aztec mascot, slash moniker,” Beasly said. “I think that (the resolution) unites the community in choosing and also in inspiring students to come (to SDSU) and be involved.”
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Try to write and cover as much content as you can and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. The DA is filled with energetic and exciting people that want to help you get better at covering stories and creating content.
They definitely helped me become a better writer and overall better person along the way. You’ll make lasting memories with everyone involved in the club and have an experience you will never forget! I know I won’t!
DINING;
prefer what we have currently, the week by week declining,” Baker said. “Because I know for a fact that I wouldn’t spend however many dollars per day. And I would end up having to go through my swipes pretty fast.” So far, Baker said he has had a positive experience dining on campus and using his meal plan. “I had University Towers Kitchen probably about once a day and I loved it there, it’s amazing,” Baker said. “I think all the locations that are open to meal plans...are good and accessible. All the places that do have meal plans are easy to use and are very user-friendly. I just wish that there were a little bit more locations that had the meal plan but I understand why there weren’t.” While no new locations will be opening next year, Melchior said the new aspects of dining will simply be getting back to normal. “We didn’t really put a lot of effort into ‘new.’ We’ve pretty much been in survival mode for the past year and so what’s new is going to be everything open again. Which I think everyone will be excited about.”
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for us as a capstone project,” Melchior said. “And they worked on it for five weeks and basically their analysis was students don’t want ‘all you care to eat,’ that we would be better served if we turned it into an à la carte restaurant.” Melchior also said the university will be returning to the Campus-Grown program. “We took a pause for a year in our Campus-Grown program, where we are actually growing our produce in our aeroponic towers,” Melchior said. “We’ve got them all cleaned and ready to go, they are ready to plant. We are going to be doing our Campus Grown full on next year as well.” Political Science first year, Chris Baker said he used the $125 per week meal plan this year. Next year Baker plans to continue living on campus and using a meal plan again. He plans to work as an RA and will use whichever meal plan is assigned to him. “I’ve heard a lot about the other structure, like the declining balance per day and from what I know about it I definitely would