Weds., Nov. 8 - Tues., Feb. 6, 2024 Monthly Print Edition
Vol. 110, Issue 4 www.thedailyaztec.com
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
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The Daily Aztec
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November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITORS: Eugénie Budnik & Hannah Ly • news@thedailyaztec.com
From overcoming hardships to finding an identity and independence, the legacy of The Daily Aztec continues
As an award-winning paper, The Daily Aztec’s journey from 110 years strives to provide an engaged and informed audience. Photo by Daesha Gear
Serving you 110 years of student journalism: The Daily Aztec celebrates its birthday By Daesha Gear EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Daily Aztec turns 110 years old this month on Nov. 26, honoring the legacy of a publication that has continuously served the voice of students, faculty and staff at San Diego State University. What makes The Daily Aztec the publication it is today surrounds the dedication of our fellow alumni. They have championed growth in the paper to provide campus news for those to stay informed. But like the growth of most longstanding organizations, the evolution of The Daily Aztec was met with perseverance. Before becoming The Daily Aztec, the publication was first known as Normal News Weekly after San Diego State Normal School — now recognized as SDSU — voted to publish a campusbased newspaper in the fall of 1913. Following the vote from San Diego Normal School, Normal News Weekly would begin its first edition as a four-page tabloid on Nov. 26, 1913. The four-page tabloid ran weekly, and often on the pages in the early volumes would say “Patronize Our Advertisers.” Back in 1913, the finances of running a newspaper were costly, especially during an unprecedented recession in the United States. Normal News Weekly, which received financial support from advertisers, wanted to acknowledge its patrons for their expenditures in aiding the publication. “… You voted for the establishment and maintenance of a school paper. It is now up to every one of you, individually, to meet this responsibility. You know the paper cannot subsist on San Diego climate and fricasseed air,” read the front page of Normal News Weekly. “Our advertisers pay good, hard coin for the ‘privilege’ of supporting this publication, but they, in turn, must get returns on this expenditure.” Normal News Weekly would then become the Paper Lantern in 1921, just three years after World War I. The Paper
Lantern’s first issue was printed on Oct. 11, 1921. In its first edition, it featured university President Edward L. Hardy [1910-1935] in a story titled “Heads Combined Colleges Afters Spent Here.” Hardy, according to the Paper Lantern’s first editor, J.C. Almy Harding, “gave (The Paper Lantern) the best gifts an editor can ask (for) — a free rein both editorially and financially.” Harding further noted that Hardy could never guarantee the publication subsidy, but he did inform editors that they would be held accountable, should any “journalistic misdeeds” occur. In 1925, the Aztec nickname was decided by students of SDSU. This decision would then reshape the entire brand of the publication, who reluctantly bowed to adopting the name, “The Aztec.” Still maintaining a four-page weekly, The Aztec would exist approximately for 36 years. During this time, the paper produced content during World War II. In volume 21, issue 23, The Aztec delved deeper into the topic of World War II in 1941, with bolded words titled “War Hits State” on the front page. Dorothy Lundy’s story “‘It’s Here;’ Students Become Realistic As War Blow Hits Home,” documented students coming to the harsh realization of World War II due to its impact on campus. Holding onto this global conflict, the publication also published newsletters for individuals in the armed services. After the end of World War II, The Aztec resumed its regular publication until a milestone was reached that proposed for the paper to be published on a daily basis. The idea — coming from the ‘59 Aztec members — was initially disapproved of by members of the Publication Authority Board, who cited there would not be enough campus support, ranging from news, student interest and finances to facilitate a functioning daily paper at San Diego State College. However, after various conversations were held, in 1960, The Aztec would finally become recognized as The Daily Aztec, and there, the paper would print its issues every day up until 1973 when
another shift took place: becoming independent. From 1925 to 1973, The Daily Aztec received financial support from advertisers, Associated Students and the university. A.S. — which seeks to empower students and their organizations — is a student-led corporation that operates independently from the university. The A.S. Council was responsible for approving the budget and any expenditures for The Daily Aztec. Members of the council also appointed the student editor (also known as editorin-chief), but not without the approval of the university president — this procedure does not exist now. For academics under the university, The Daily Aztec had an advisor who was involved in SDSU’s journalism department. The advisor was also a lecturer for an accredited class called “Newspaper Production.” The structure of “Newspaper Production” consisted of Daily Aztec members — those who wanted to receive academic credit — and they would provide their carbon copies to the faculty advisor, who would in return, grade the paper after it was already delivered across campus. The advisor also provided advice to the seniors about running the paper, but it was under the staff’s discretion if they wanted to apply the feedback to their work. Having the “Newspaper Production” course created conflicting relationships surrounding how the paper functioned. Other concerns surrounded accreditation, as accreditors disapproved of the working relations between A.S., the journalism department and The Daily Aztec. These tensions prompted SDSU’s fifth President, Brage Golding [1972-1977], to implement a Blue Ribbon Commission on the publication, which served as a consultant in a study. After evaluation of the publication, the commission determined a “radical departure”
and conflict of interest within The Daily Aztec: being a laboratory class under the university while also still functioning as a student paper that provided impartial campus news and editorial comment. The Blue Ribbon Commission further suggested that the publication should have its autonomy from A.S. and the university administration, but that plan was never reached. Other conversations included plans for the publication to become a smaller paper funded by the journalism department to provide students with newspaper experience, but that idea was also never reached. As a completion of this study, The Daily Aztec discontinued its connection with the journalism department. A year later, the idea of a campus-wide policy board, serving as a publisher for the publication, was implemented. Decades after becoming independent, The Daily Aztec has continued to evolve (even away from print), but one mission continues to persist: “being a readily available resource of and for the SDSU community.” In 2013, the publication — which transitioned to semi-weekly printing — launched Mundo Azteca, serving as the sister paper of The Daily Aztec. Mundo Azteca’s first online story, published on June 24, 2013, was written by Eileen Salmeron, titled “Telemundo transmite desde Tijuana.” When the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in 2020, the campus closure impacted the newspaper. The Daily Aztec temporarily transitioned to an onlinebased publication and broadcasts from “Daily Aztec Live!” were pre-recorded. From 2022 to now, the publication now publishes monthly. The reason behind the decision is to prioritize timeless articles and online content, aligning with the evolving landscape of journalism shifting toward the digital age. The diversity of this publication has also evolved from staff members to the editorial board and its editors-in-chief. Despite all of this — overcoming hardships, finding an identity and gaining independence — The Daily Aztec remains as a beacon of information for every individual in the SDSU community. As an award-winning paper, our journey from 110 years strives to provide an engaged and informed audience. With devoted members, consisting of our alumni, ongoing photographers, writers, designers, advertising team and editorial board, the legacy of The Daily Aztec continues.
Illustration by Emily Augustine
November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITORS: Eugénie Budnik & Hannah Ly • news@thedailyaztec.com
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SDSU library’s quiet study room shifts to esports engagement center results in mixed reactions among students By Hannah ly and Josiah James Gella NEWS EDITOR AND CONTRIBUTOR
The San Diego State University Library Addition, known for its 24/7 accessibility during semesters, is undergoing a significant change as its only designated quiet study room is set to transform into an esports engagement center. While the university is embracing the world of gaming, concerns are being raised regarding the designated quiet study areas in the 24/7 zone, where students are reliant on an undisturbed study atmosphere. Brennan Pearson, a kinesiology graduate student, has been a regular visitor to the university library for the past five years, frequently utilizing the 24/7 quiet room. Upon discovering that the room he had come to rely on had been overtaken by the esports center, he was disappointed. “Most recently, I’ve been studying for the LSAT. I’ve been going there very consistently through summer,” Pearson said. “Because the (main) library would close really early in the summer, I would always walk over there afterwards. So it’s definitely been a staple (and) really useful.” According to Pearson, he used the quiet room not only for its all-day accessibility, but also for the peace and quiet it offered. Unlike most study rooms in the library that require a reservation of two or more people to be in the room, the 24/7 quiet room seated 45 students with no reservation needed. While Jimmy Manikhong, a senior nursing major and avid gamer, enjoys the thrill of games such as “Call of Duty,” he does not plan on making the new center his gaming hangout. “I don’t think it’s necessary. Maybe it’s a morale booster for some people, but not everyone,” Manikhong said. “I mean, they could just play at home or dorms instead of taking over a crucial quiet room in the library.” Overseeing the transition to the new center is Caryl Montero-Adam, assistant dean of Students for Student Life. She shares that there have been ongoing discussions with Randy Timm, dean of Students and associate vice president, and student organizations since last spring. With the intention of accommodating diverse student interests, the university
administration’s vision for the transformed space is to serve not only as an esports hub but also for social interaction and study. “When we were thinking about what our needs are at SDSU, we knew that we wanted an engagement center that would be community-based, that would be holistic (and) involve academics and research,” Montero-Adams said. Engaged in the decision-making process, Associated Students President Tarek Morsy collaborated with MonteroAdams and others to shape the direction of the initiative. Morsy emphasized the need for SDSU to establish its own competitive presence within the e-gaming space in universities. “When this university decides not to compete in burgeoning industries, it makes that decision at the detriment of students,” Morsy said. “The second decisions like these stop being made is the second that the value of the SDSU degree stops appreciating.” Looking into the University of California, Berkeley’s esports, over 120 students are playing on national and international levels of gaming. Their notable achievements include winning the 2019 “StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty” championship and “Overwatch” competitions from 2016 to 2018, which pulled in an estimated $205,000 of scholarship money. Montero-Adams emphasized the importance of establishing an engagement center at San Diego State similar to the esports programs of other universities. “There wasn’t necessarily a central place on campus for esports engagement,” Montero-Adams said. “There might have been a room that could be used temporarily, but it wasn’t something that would foster community or be well rounded, and that was something that we were really hearing that our students were wanting.” Kyle Markel, a senior business marketing major, is the president of SDSU Aztec Gaming — a club that won the 2022 CSU “Rocket League” competition. Markel said that the club looks forward to using the transformed space to “plug in and play.” “Everyone’s very excited to see it,” Markel said. “We’re supposed to — as a club — get more first dibs and have easier options. I like having access to the
room for us as a club to be able to use the computers and other things that are happening in the room.” However, the decision-making process was not without its challenges. Morsy considered the various competing interests between students and the university. “SDSU Gaming (recognized student organizations) have expressed interest in creating this gaming center before I began my presidency. When I was approached to make the executive decision to approve the construction of the esports center, this was the only spot where the university could build it,” Morsy said. “When weighing my decision, there were three competing interests: one, the gaming students; two, the research and innovation department wanted to build a lab in the same area; and three, the users of the quiet study space.” In light of the 24/7 quiet room closure, the library’s administration is in the process of expanding the fifth-floor quiet study area to cater to a larger student population. Patrick McCarthy, associate dean of the library and information services, detailed plans to expand seating capacity,
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projecting room for 200-300 students with new seating and desks. However, because the main library closes at 10 p.m. on most days and as early as 6 p.m. on Fridays and 4 p.m. on Saturdays, the new study area might not fully make up for the loss of the 24/7 quiet study space. According to Morsy, the change in the 24/7 area was a decision involving discussions with campus partners and an evaluation of available alternatives. “Before I made my decision, I spoke to campus partners and did my due diligence,” Morsy said. “I confirmed that there were an adequate amount of quiet spaces around other areas of the library and that the research facility had an alternative location that was viable. Once I knew both of these other student interest groups were satisfied, I made the decision allowing the gaming center’s construction.” According to a statement from SDSU, the upcoming center is still in development with a phased approach to the project, with the completion tentatively set for fall 2024.
Aztec Gaming Club members work together on on of the EEC’s new gaming PCs. Photo by Victor Nyden
San Diego State University’s $10 million initiative brings environmental justice to local, global communities By Noah Lyons OPINION EDITOR
Increased environmental support is coming to communities in and around San Diego County, extending as far as Hawaii and Guam. San Diego State University’s newest sustainability resource, the Center for Community Energy and Environmental Justice (CCEEJ), formally opened on Sept. 5 after being announced in April 2023. According to CCEEJ’s official website, the center “aims to strengthen community organizations’ capacity and effectiveness in applying to, managing and implementing environmental and energy justice grants and programs.” While CCEEJ doesn’t directly provide funding toward these goals, it serves as a resource in securing financial support for marginalized communities. This can be achieved through applying for grants, which staffers from the center can assist with. The initiative was brought to life with the help of the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. SDSU’s main campus doesn’t have a physical center for CCEEJ, but the resources can be accessed online. Eventually, SDSU’s in-development Mission Valley campus will house a physical office for CCEEJ.
The center will have a $10 million budget available over the span of five years. Aaron Tewolde, who is studying environmental engineering at SDSU, serves as a co-chair for the environmental justice committee at Green Love — an oncampus club that advocates for sustainable practices both on and off campus. He said that developing CCEEJ is a necessary step toward resolving longstanding environmental issues. “Before the offices of energy and sustainability and CCEEJ were created, we were always putting a bandaid on the problem,” Tewolde said. “But with them here, they can really properly address the wound that we’ve infected the environment with.” CCEEJ isn’t the only environmental program SDSU is actively engaged in. Since 2013, SDSU has pursued certifications in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). “LEED takes a comprehensive look at a building’s sustainability attributes, including energy and water use, location and site, materials and the impact on the building’s occupants,” according to SDSU’s website. There are four levels of LEED certification, ordered by the commitment to sustainability and environmental quality — certified, silver, gold and platinum.
Aztec Student Union, Mission Bay Aquatic Center and Aztec Recreation Center have all reached the highest level of certification. Twelve other buildings, including the new event venue Snapdragon Stadium, have earned varying levels of certifications. Tyana Ortiz, a fourth-year environmental science major and a cochair member for Green Love’s zero-waste subcommittee, is optimistic about SDSU’s efforts to help students on campus and in local communities. “I think it’s great now that we’re focusing from sustainable aspects of buildings and how we can make the campus itself more sustainable, to focusing on how it’s impacting the student body, and affecting the population in general,” Ortiz said. San Diego County is home to several communities that would benefit from CCEEJ’s resources. Barrio Logan, a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood in San Diego County, has some of the worst contamination rates in the county. Industrialization, waste and pollution caused the region to land in the 97th percentile for air quality — making residents particularly vulnerable to asthma. Much of the contamination comes from shipbuilding and repair sites in the area. This could be addressed by the city’s
Housing Action Package 2.0, which among other things, encourages businesses to separate residential homes and industries to combat environmental concerns. The package was pushed forward, despite the city’s rejection of Senate Bill 10. Neighboring areas like National City also continue to grapple with environmental inequities, as groundwater threats and hazardous waste placing the city in the 99th percentile for such concerns. Of particular concern is the issue of diesel particulate matter, caused by exhaust from motorized transportation. Breathing this unclean air may expose residents to harmful chemicals. Tewolde holds hope for a better and more sustainable future for San Diego, as long as efforts like CCEEJ continue. The path to this reality, he said, relies on increased efforts from younger generations. “I do think the younger generation is more apt and more in-tune with environmental issues because I think they realize that this is their future,” Tewolde said. “Older generations — they’ve kind of had their prime. With younger people, this is the planet they’re gonna be living on. They have to treat it with respect.”
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The Daily Aztec
November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITORS: Eugénie Budnik & Hannah Ly • news@thedailyaztec.com
The SDSU community is feeling the effects of the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza
EDITOR IN CHIEF Daesha Gear MANAGING EDITOR Sumaia Wegner NEWS EDITORS Eugénie Budnik Hannah Ly OPINION EDITOR Noah Lyons
One student is assisted by another student in holding the Palestinian flag higher in front of Hepner Hall as others watch below on Oct. 11. Photo by Daesha Gear
SDSU community weighs in on devastation in Israel-Hamas War
By EugÉnie Budnik NEWS EDITOR
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his country is at war with Hamas, an armed Palestinian group, following a surprise attack by the organization in southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,400 people. Israel responded with a retaliatory offensive that included airstrikes on the densely inhabited Gaza, killing at least 400 people. The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health reports that since then, over 8,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 21,000 have been injured as of Nov. 1. Israel reported that at least 1,400 Israelis have been killed and more than 5,400 have been injured as of Nov. 1. At least 212 Israeli citizens and foreign nationals are being held hostage in Gaza. This rising death toll comes amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by Israel’s decision to cut off the region’s supply of water, power and other resources. The United Nations Reliefs and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported that 63% of Palestinians are dependent on international aid. On Oct. 18, Israel said that it would allow for the delivery of limited humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Reactions from the international community are mixed, with countries, such as the United States pledging support for Israel. “We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack,” said President Joe Biden in a statement on Oct. 10. Thousands of miles away from the conflict, members of San Diego State University from both sides have been affected by current events. Approximately 100 people
showed up to a march around campus on Oct. 9 in support of Israel to pay respect to those killed in the attacks on Oct. 7. Karen Parry, executive director of Hillel San Diego, who operates closely with Hillel SDSU, provided insight into how the events are affecting the Jewish community in San Diego. “For the Jewish community, this is devastating, and it is scary,” Parry said. “We all know somebody or know somebody who knows somebody. My dear friend was murdered defending his family. His family was (also) murdered. We still don’t know where his son is.” Parry explained how the recent events have heightened anxiety within the Jewish community because of the possibility of antisemitic acts happening locally. “Jewish people are not okay. We are in mourning; we are in collective mourning,” Parry said. “We are heartbroken, and we are scared because we know that when things happen in Israel, it elevates antisemitism at home.” The student organization Students for Justice in Palestine
SDSU (SDSU SJP) also organized a march around campus with over 100 people in attendance on Oct. 11. Mohamed Erekat, a secondyear civil engineering student, was an organizer of the march. Erekat explained that SDSU SJP organized the march not only as a way to memorialize the lives of Palestinians who had been killed but to bring attention to the larger, historical conflict between Israel and Palestine. “I think we all had a shared role here, and that was to simply stand up for our rights and to stand up for the people who are currently being killed,” Erekat said. “We are here to highlight that nothing started simply four days ago (on Oct. 7). The Palestinians have been deprived of their rights for 75 years.” Erekat also expressed that the recent events have been affecting the Palestinian community even further. “We are very distressed and heartbroken,” Erekat said. “Some students have family members who are stuck in the Gaza Strip, or they know people who have been killed. Many of
us are distressed at the current events, and we are fed up with the constant oppression and the constant way we are painted in the media.” Police in the U.S. have been on high alert since Oct. 7 for threats against Muslim and Jewish communities. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported a 388% rise in antisemitic acts between Oct. 7 and Oct. 23 compared to the same period last year. In Illinois, a landlord accused of fatally stabbing a 6-yearold Muslim boy and seriously wounding his mother was charged with a hate crime. Police determined that he targeted the mother and her son based on their faith and as a response to the current events. President Adela de la Torre issued a statement on Oct. 9, reminding the community of the resources available for those impacted by the current events. “We are grieving for all those who are suffering in the wake of this outburst of violence. We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, any act of violence, especially those against innocent civilians,” the statement read. SDSU’s Center for Intercultural Relations (CIR), which serves as an intersectional space for historically marginalized students, is offering a variety of resources for any SDSU community member who may be affected by recent events. Jewish and Muslim interfaith coordinators are available to connect with students, staff and faculty during their office hours or by appointment. The CIR also offers 15-20 minute “Talk it Out,” consultations weekly with a counselor from SDSU Counseling and Psychological Services. This story is ongoing.
MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Jennifer Aguilar ARTS & CULTURE EDITORS Natali Gonzalez Sam Hockaday SPORTS EDITORS Roman Aguilar Eric Evelhoch SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS Jazlyn Dieguez Serena Neumeyer PHOTO EDITOR Isabella Biunno MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Rosalie Burich LIVE PRODUCER Madison Cadena GRAPHICS EDITOR Emily Augustine Gabrielle Houser ________________________________ SENIOR STAFF WRITER Daniela Ramirez STAFF WRITERS Abigail Segoviano Dominique Rocha Christopher Ritter Michelle Armas Ornella Rossi Felicity Deuasido PHOTOGRAPHERS Victor Nyden Gabriel Schneider Brittany Cruz-Fejeran Olivia Vargo Petrina Tran CONTRIBUTORS Josiah James Gella Tania Magallon GRAPHICS Daisy Garcia Emily Petsch Bella Hodges Anneke Nijmeijer Lucky Dasari ________________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Sofia Gonzalez ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kendra Landi ________________________________ GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST Quentin Skaggs EDITORIAL editor@thedailyaztec.com ADVERTISING 619.594.7807 advertising@thedailyaztec.com PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 2,000 copies of its monthly print edition Wednesdays throughout the semester WEB Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com QUESTIONS/COMMENTS letters@thedailyaztec.com The views and opinions expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec.
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A group of demonstrators circle in the middle of the Conrad Student Union to stand in solidarity with Israel on Oct. 12. Photo by Gabriel Schneider
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November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITORS: Natali Gonzalez & Sam Hockaday • arts@thedailyaztec.com
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110 Years of Arts and Culture: Then and Now From album reviews to campus club profiles, the legacy of Arts and Culture continues to capture the artistic, entertainment scene at SDSU By Felicity Desuasido STAFF WRITER
Nov. 26 will mark the 110th anniversary of The Daily Aztec. After a vote from San Diego State Normal School to have a campus-based student paper, Normal News Weekly was founded in 1913 — which was the first name for the publication. There, Normal News Weekly would serve as a four-page tabloid up until 1921, when the paper rebranded itself to become The Paper Lantern. Another rebrand for the publication took place in 1925 when the Aztec moniker was adopted by students at San Diego State University, which prompted the publication to follow behind, now becoming “The Aztec.” Then in 1960, the paper became The Daily Aztec after it began publishing on a daily basis.
Like The Daily Aztec, the Arts and Culture section has also gone by many different names throughout history. In the early 2000s, this section was called “Tempo.” In the ‘90s, Arts and Culture went by “Arts and Entertainment” and it functioned as a separate newspaper called “Stanza.” Before an art beat even existed, there was a “social scene” section that highlighted student organization events on campus. Not only has the title of the section evolved throughout time, but the content has changed as society progresses. Local concert reviews have gone from small folk artists to famous international stars like Daniel Caesar, Travis Scott, Tyler the Creator and more. Album reviews have gone from Grover Washington and Led Zeppelin to “Midnights” by Taylor Swift
Lisa Reynolds poses at the Backdoor Studio for an Arts and Culture story in the Oct. 1986 issue of The Daily Aztec. Photo courtesy of Lisa Reynolds
Illustration By Bella Hodges
Alex Bigler, a KCR member, poses for a photo in the Sept. 1986 issue of The Daily Aztec. Photo courtesy of Paul Longworth
and “Endless Summer Vacation” by Miley Cyrus. One article written in 1975 reviewed a Grover Washington concert held at the Backdoor at SDSU — a name still familiar to many SDSU students today, though it holds a different meaning now. Located near the Aztec bowling lanes, this area is now called Backdoor Studios, which is no longer a concert venue but a space for students to produce and record music. Even though the types of artists and genres featured have changed greatly throughout the run of Arts and Culture, album and concert reviews have remained one of the core, unchanging aspects of the section. These reviews inform students about the arts and music scene in their local area and connect SDSU students to the artistic community surrounding them. This form of writing has been a part of issues dating back to the 1920s. Arts and Culture first began as a section that highlighted club events happening on campus, but another aspect that remains unchanged: articles on student organizations. In a February 1960 issue, the Arts and Culture section highlighted three new members joining Skull and Dagger, the oldest student-run theater organization at SDSU. Sixty-three years later, The Daily Aztec covered Skull and Dagger’s Halloween-themed art festival on Oct. 13, further showcasing how long both of these organizations have existed at this university. Many aspects of campus culture and school traditions covered in issues from decades ago are also still relevant at SDSU. A November 1959 issue showcased pictures of the ceremonies at SDSU for homecoming week — a tradition that is still celebrated every fall semester. However, instead of bonfires, homecoming is now celebrated with a football game and the electing of a homecoming court. Greek life is another aspect of SDSU’s community that has remained a prominent part of the school’s culture. Even in issues from over 60 years ago, sorority and fraternity events were covered in the newspaper regularly, just as they are today. The legacy of Arts and Culture is one of capturing the artistic community within and surrounding SDSU with every issue published. Articles from the past give insight into what those times were like and just how much society and the school’s culture have changed since then.
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The Daily Aztec
Arts & Culture
November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITORS: Natali Gonzalez & Sam Hockaday • arts@thedailyaztec.com
Are you ready for it?
‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ hits the box office
In a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Swift brings the Eras Tour experience to theaters across the nation By EugÉnie Budnik NEWS EDITOR
“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” officially premiered last on Oct. 13, beckoning fans to the movie theaters for a cinematic version of Taylor Swift’s globe-spanning tour. Following the chaotic and disastrous sale of tickets in the United States for the first leg of her tour in 2022 (also known among fans as the “Ticketmaster Great War”), the Eras Tour film packages the “Swiftie” experience in a more accessible format. The film — directed by Sam Wrench — was shot over three nights of shows at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, which was the final stop of the first U.S. leg of the Eras Tour. The movie clocks in at just under three hours, which is almost equivalent to the length of the actual live show. The tour took viewers on a journey through Swift’s 17-year-long musical career spanning 11 albums. Each album, or “era,” has its own dedicated set. Many national theater chains, including AMC and Cinemark, had specialty merchandise: Eras Tour cups, popcorn buckets and posters just (to name a few) to celebrate the film’s highly anticipated release. The energy inside the theater was palpable and invigorating as Swifties of all ages gathered in for a full house showing. At the beginning of the film, Swift points to different sections of the crowd at SoFi, commanding applause and commotion after which she torts that the audience was “making her feel very powerful.” Swift’s ability to command an audience extended beyond the screen in the Eras Tour film. Half of the time in the theater, you couldn’t tell which shouts of excitement were blasting out of the speakers and which were coming from the moviegoers watching on the big screen. “We love you, Taylor!” yelled out one exuberant moviegoer. Iconic singles like “You Belong With Me,” “Shake it Off” and “22” enticed moviegoers up out of their seats and into the aisles to dance and sing as if they were at SoFi Stadium. Deeper cuts, such as Swift’s 10-minute version of the song “All Too Well” provided a good balance to the more upbeat, dancey tunes. Certain songs, however, were cut from the show’s setlist to lower the film’s runtime. Among the titles cut were “The Archer” from Lover, “No Body, No Crime” from Evermore and “Wildest Dreams’’ from 1989. “Long Live” was also cut from the set list, but was played during the end credits. Undeniably, the biggest loss was the cutting of “Cardigan” from the Folklore
set. Swift opted to keep the two other songs from Folklore’s teenage love triangle, “Betty” and “August.” Wrench’s camera work and editing give the audience the opportunity to take in the marvel of Swift and her background dancers on the ginormous stage, while also providing up close and personal shots of Swift that allow her personality to shine through. Swift’s showmanship is what blows the film out of the water compared to any other concert film. For starters, Swift’s stamina throughout the almost 3-hour performance is unwavering. At some point, one might think that she would start to falter, but at every point in her performance, Swift looks as though she is having the time of her life. Moreover, Swift ensures that the audience is having the time of their lives, too. When she is on stage, or in this case, on screen, Swift makes every single person in the audience feel as if she is their best friend giving them a personal concert. During the song “22,” Swift gave a signed fedora hat to a specially selected fan at each of the tour’s stops. In the film, the lucky hat receiver was Bianka Bryant, younger daughter of the late basketball player Kobe Bryant. The touching moment between Swift and Bryant moved the audience to tears and applause; a testament to Swift’s thoughtfulness and kind spirit. While a few songs may have been sacrificed for runtime, the energy, emotions and sheer entertainment of the film make up for it. It’s a testament to Swift’s unparalleled superstardom and her enduring bond she shares with her fans. “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” highlights Swift’s ability to succeed
time and time again in various genres. The film also solidifies Swift’s position as quite possibly the most influential pop star of the current generation. “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” is a must-see for Swifities and a great experience for anyone with an appreciation for music and performance. As the credits roll, one thing is clear: Taylor Swift continues to reign supreme as a musical phenomenon and this film is a monument to her enduring reign.
Illustration By Bella Hodges
Image of The Eras Tour movie poster. Photo by Eugénie Budnik
November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITORS: Natali Gonzalez & Sam Hockaday • arts@thedailyaztec.com
Arts & Culture
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Behind the band:
Get to know
Cherry Knot
From energetic, crowd-filled shoes to recording live at Monarch St. Records, the all-female band, Cherry Knot, looks to add variety to rock music. Photo by Petrina Tran
A feature on the all-female band made of former and current San Diego State students
By Dominique Rocha STAFF WRITER
From energetic, crowd-filled shows to recording live at Monarch St. Records, the all-female band Cherry Knot offers a refreshing voice to rock music. Cherry Knot’s sound is an alternative take on the rock genre that leans toward the softer side, in which the group describes it as “surf rock.” “We all have different tastes in music,” said Kinsey Claudino, who is a member of the band. “It is somewhat of a fusion of different kinds of indie rock.” Cherry Knot is composed of former
and current San Diego State students, with Brooke Diebold as the lead vocalist, Abby Donaldson as lead guitarist, Kinsey Claudino on back vocals and bass, Katie Thomas on rhythm guitar and Jade Lewenhaupt as the drummer. Cherry Knot began when three of the members, Donaldson, Claudino and Diebold, started jamming together. After that, the band expanded its group to five members with Lewenhaupt and Thomas added into the mix. The band first started practicing together in the fall of 2022. Each member took on their role headfirst and with only a little familiarity with the instruments. Thomas, Donaldson, Claudino and Lewenhaupt all have a musical background in classical music. “None of us really were playing instruments that were our primary instruments,” Lewenhaupt said. “Everybody was really supportive and (was) excited to get good.”
When writing songs or creating their sound, Cherry Knot draws inspiration from bands such as Peach Pit and The Beths. When writing their own music, each band member has a different process. For Jade, it is playing with music theory and messing around with chord progressions and for Kinsey, it is drawing inspiration from the lyrics of bands that she loves. “A song will stick out to me and I’ll ask myself, ‘What about it makes it great? What can I incorporate into my songwriting skills to have that stand out?’” Thomas said. The band works together to build off each other’s ideas and incorporate each other’s voices into the songs they write. Cherry Knot’s debut show was at the Newman Center back in 2022. Since then, the band has grown together. “I think our banter and interaction as a group has gotten a lot more comfortable,” Diebold said when comparing Cherry
Knot’s latest show to their first. “I’m just really proud of our progress as a group.” Donaldson spoke about performing for the first time with the group, expressing that playing at the show gave her one of the best feelings of her entire life. “It felt like this is what I am meant to do,” Donaldson said. The band unanimously agrees that the release show has been their favorite moment of Cherry Knot’s journey so far. In the future, Cherry Knot hopes to release a few more singles and eventually an EP. Until then, the band will continue to rock out together and put on more shows. To stay updated on Cherry Knot’s upcoming shows and releases, check out their Instagram page.
Illustrations by Anneke Nijmeijer
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Cherry Knot is composed of former and current San Diego State students, with Brooke Diebold (lead vocalist), Abby Donaldson (lead guitarist), Kinsey Claudino (back vocals and bass), Katie Thomas (rhythm guitar) and Jade Lewenhaupt (drummer). Photo by Petrina Tran
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The Daily Aztec
Opinion
November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITOR: Noah Lyons • opinion@thedailyaztec.com
Senior Farewell
Senior Daniela Ramirez poses for a photo. Photo by Brittany Cruz-Fejeran
By Daniela Ramirez SENIOR STAFF WRITER
I am not the same person who walked on campus two and a half years ago. I still remember when I couldn’t find my classes like it was yesterday, probably because it was yesterday. So, some things haven’t changed and that’s okay. College is a ride, not a destination. My ride had pit stops and many breakdowns. I started my higher education journey at Riverside City College. Transitioning from high school to college was not fun; I failed all my classes that first semester and was ready to drop out until my professor threw a newspaper on my desk and encouraged me to join the school paper. I found my passion, and many classes later, I transferred out of junior college to San Diego State University. When I arrived, I knew I wanted to join The Daily Aztec (DA) and I am so grateful I did. I have learned so much about journalism, reconnected with my Latino culture and became a member of the DA family. I cannot write my farewell without speaking about the members of the DA. The most thoughtful, funny and caring people I have ever met hang out in an old newsroom on the basement floor of Lamden Hall. The best part of my day was taking the elevator down to make my rounds, talking to everyone in the office. Even through my season of struggles and loneliness, I truly found happiness with the staff. I want to thank everyone in the DA for supporting me. Thank you to all my editors, fellow reporters and
mentors I have met throughout the years. I want to give a special shout-out to the Sports section — thank you for dealing with all of my jokes during meetings. One of my favorite memories is when Sumaia Wegner, a fellow sports reporter, and I bunked together during the Mountain West Basketball To in Las Vegas. We stayed up until three in the morning talking about our journey through life. Another close memory is the time the entire staff showed up to a birthday dinner at Chili’s near campus for Eric Evelhoch and Brittany Cruz-Fejeran. It was a party of 14 people which took five tables pushed together. We shared a meal and a moment to remember. I am so blessed to have had an amazing support system at SDSU. Thank you to everyone involved in the San Diego chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) for showing me I can own my Latina roots. To all my NAHJ girls, I love you and you’re killing it. Thank you to the JMS department and its members for all their support for the organization. I wouldn’t have been in the position I am today without Professor Lourdes M. Cueva Chacón and Jerry McCormick, for pushing my limits as a journalist. My entire family has been my rock. Dad, I know it wasn’t easy but we did it! To my brothers and sister, you all give me joy no one on earth can give me. My grandparents sacrificed to give us a better
chance at life, and for that, I am forever grateful. No amount of words would be enough to show my gratitude for the people in my life who have lent a helping hand in my journey thus far. No one can do it alone, and I know I sure didn’t. I am also appreciative of the hard times I experienced the last couple of years. From figuring out how to fill out my financial aid to balancing my academic and work life, this was my time to make mistakes and overcome them. Through it all, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, led me through this season. Without him, I would not be writing this to you now. I am truly healed inside and have never been happier because of Him. To everyone who helped me in my journey to find God, I thank you. I wanted to give up many times, but I knew better times were ahead. I no longer wait and hope for the storm to pass. As I prepare to graduate, I see my future clearer than I ever had. At times, I was uncertain to what’s to come, and honestly, I was scared. Now, I am excited to take the next step in my life. Becoming the woman I am now was not easy. I sometimes wonder if I missed out on anything, but looking back, I wouldn’t change my story for anything on this Earth.
Illustrations By Bella Hodges
November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITOR: Noah Lyons • opinion@thedailyaztec.com
Opinion
The Daily Aztec
9
The Humanities do not need AI The latest trend of generative AI poses a great threat to the humanities and liberal arts fields of university By Christopher Ritter STAFF WRITER
If, like me, you gave a cursory glance at your emails in the last month or so, you would have seen a survey from San Diego State University’s Information Technology Division inquiring about “AI in the classroom.” Whether it’s the infamous ChatGPT or a number of other generative AI, you’ve definitely heard about at least one of these programs. In an even greater likelihood, you may know someone personally who has used it. Perhaps even you yourself have done so.
It is perfectly adequate to have AI as a tool in the classroom for computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians, statisticians and all STEM majors alike. The disciplines are there as a way to expand reasoning and grasp what was previously unreal. On the other hand, the goal of the humanities should obviously lie in a creative product — an expression of some parts of the human condition. For this, I find AI’s role enabling laziness rather than achieving creative expression.
Of course, creative processes exist in other fields outside the humanities. However, the humanities are particularly susceptible to the negative aspects of AI. As David Foster Wallace put it in his “This is Water” speech, “(A) liberal arts education is not so much about filling you up with knowledge as it is about ‘teaching you how to think.’” Imagine a Nobel Prize winner for rocket science laying claim to some assistance with AI alongside an author for a prize in literature whose work credits ChatGPT in the liner notes. The author would be decidedly met with more scorn and derision. AI’s most fervent supporters prioritize generative machines over the inefficient lecturer. For example, burgeoning technology displays historical avatars like Plato, presenting their ideas in watered-down, text-to-video formats to appease the younger TikTok-addled generation. Rapidly declining attention spans are seen as marketing opportunities rather than a gross reduction in the cognitive abilities of students. Why support a tutor or engage with your school’s own resources when you can consult an AI online? Why bother engaging with your own comprehension of a particular subject for a paper when
ChatGPT can spit it out hot off the press for submission? Why bother with the intimacy of mentorship with a professor when all the answers clearly lie in the regurgitating gullet of AI? Why do the work when AI can do it “for” you? We are in a bureaucratic hell of educational standards where students are discouraged from doing their own work for the majors they signed up for. I can understand some defiance to the various required GEs that a student may have absolutely zero interest in. But, college is the average person’s first great exposure to all things included in life and the world. If college were to be only the job skills, preparations and qualifications — merely a position to be handed off at the graduation date, and nothing more — would not we retitle this expectation as a failure to know what vocational training is? College is, and has always been, a way for people to become well-rounded and well-adjusted. A way to pursue not just what interests you but what may or “may” interest you. When the climb toward a meaningful education is reduced to the goal of a substantive paycheck, all steps irrespective of capital gains will diminish over time. AI’s ability to ease the mundanity of the process can never account for accurately depicting human expression or character.
Illustration by Emily Augustine
I dropped out of my study abroad program, I don’t regret it I received the most out of French culture through saying ‘yes’ to experience rather than academics. By Michelle Armas STAFF WRITER
My summer in Paris left an impression on my mind that I can still feel, but can’t put my finger on. It was as if I entered one of Monet’s paintings — half dreamlike, half fading away. Most of all, it was an impression I would never have gotten inside the four walls of a classroom. I studied French at a university in Paris for two months over the summer. With one week left of my study abroad program, I dropped out. My time in Paris gleaned of novelty. Sitting in a classroom was something I had known since I was five years old, but the Parisian life was something I couldn’t experience from a textbook. My days felt like a scrapbook collage of moments. Some consisted of sticky summer days in cafes, sipping espresso; others were getting lost in the city, exploring famous museums where Van Goghs and Monets resided. It wasn’t in a classroom where I shoved my way into the sweaty metro during rush hour or where I learned the French colloquialisms. And it wasn’t in a classroom where I applied this new language with unforgiving, angry Parisians. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being a student — it gave me a purpose to go to
France. But it was only one tiny sliver of my silver summer. Another part of the immersive experience I had was due to a friend I met from the South of France. Throughout the program, he introduced me to France from a local lens. The last week of summer he invited me to spend a week with his family in a town called Avignon. It seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — taking the train around the Cote d’Azur and going to a city I would never have gone to if left to my own devices. But this meant I had to miss the final exam. As I sat in my tiny room, looking at the train ticket, uneasy thoughts trickled in. Since kindergarten, I was conditioned to think the only thing that mattered was the grade. “What will everyone think of me? I must be a lousy student. Maybe I am not a hard worker.” The feelings of unworthiness binded my gut like clothespins. However, a part of me knew that these thoughts were a product of our education system. I was a product of an institution that told me grades define learning. Those red marks on my papers haunted me. I had a flashback of lying about my high school SAT and ACT scores so that I didn’t have to admit how horrible I did on them. At this moment, I had a choice. I could
fall victim to the flaws of our education system or take advantage of an opportunity I might never get again. I reminded myself of one of my life mottos: What will I remember in 10 years? And so I did it. I bought the ticket, went to an obscure medieval town, and spent a week with a French family. I tried their favorite southern wines and cheeses and swam in the Mediterranean. I turned bright red when I tried to communicate, but got more comfortable as time went on. Yes, I missed an important exam and didn’t receive credit for a costly class, but I wouldn’t have traded that week for anything. But most of all, I broke a paradigm. I broke my fear of breaking out of the norm. I did the “what-if” that I always wondered about. I chose to follow my intuition, and through that, I realized my identity didn’t lie in being a perfect student, but rather embracing every opportunity.
The Cafe Benjamin sign lit up at night in Paris on July 11, 2023. Photo courtesy of Michelle Armas
People eating dinner during sunset at Cafe Hugo in Paris on June 6, 2023. Photo courtesy of Michelle Armas
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The Daily Aztec
Sports
November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITORS: Roman Aguilar & Eric Evelhoch • sports@thedailyaztec.com
The pillars of Aztec basketball culture A feature on the men’s team assistant coaches, Jaydee Luster, Chris Acker and Dave Velasquez
Assistant coaches Dave Velasquez, Chris Acker, Jaydee Luster and head coach Brian Dutcher at practice with the Aztecs men’s basketball team on Oct. 2, 2023. Photo by Sumaia Wegner
By Sumaia Wegner MANAGING EDITOR
If the heart, mind and soul are key components of what makes a person human, Chris Acker, David Velasquez and JayDee Luster are the foundation of what makes San Diego State men’s basketball a team. The Heart Imagine being a kid playing tag during an Aztec game in a nearly empty Viejas Arena. Then imagine the sound of applause from a sold-out crowd echoing in your ear years later because the Aztecs just clinched the Mountain West Championship. For Luster, this was a reality. “There was nobody in the seats. We would jump from seat to seat while the game was going on, and now every game is sold out,” Luster said. “I have seen the transformation.” Luster graduated from Herbert Hoover High School (just a few miles down the road from SDSU) in 2007. Last October, he was inducted into Hoover High’s Athletic “Legends” Hall of Fame for his astounding prep career titles and records. The San Diego native has a sense of relatability with the guys he coaches both on and off the court. This strengthens the connection between them, which helps Luster serve as a liaison between the coaches and players. “I have been in their shoes,” Luster said. “I think one of the things I have always been good at — or that I’ve been blessed to have by the grace of God — is the ability to communicate and relate to people.” His gift serves a great purpose as it helps him in building interpersonal relationships within recruitment, coaching and skill development. Luster instills these values into his players as he does with his kids.
“I am always a guy that is going to go with my heart, go with my gut, (and) not go with the crowd,” he said. “Be a leader, not a follower. When you believe in something strongly, then stand on it and live with the results.” The Mind Resilience is a game-changer in Aztec basketball. With an educational background in human services management, assistant coach Chris Acker can recognize the Aztecs’ fundamental needs, as well as know that their defensive strengths sprout from the intelligence in their decisionmaking. “The mentality won’t change, no matter what conference we play in,” Acker said in a podcast interview after last year’s NCAA championships. The tremendous work ethic within San Diego State men’s basketball has led them to their recent, historic season. With this tenacity and 25 years’ worth of commitment from previous staff, the success of the program speaks for itself. “I feel honored and blessed to be in the position I am in,” Acker said. The Los Angeles native and former Citrus College head coach can understand what Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher goes through at times. This experience allows him to have balance on the coaching staff by looking at things from a different perspective. “I understand sometimes our opinions as assistants are valid, but also that head coaches have to make decisions based on how they feel,” Acker said. “It gives a nice mixture.” During an Aztecs practice, Dutcher can be seen coaching from the sidelines, overseeing what the rest of his staff does. He steps in when needed. This is how former coach Steve Fisher worked with his staff. “I think that’s what makes you a great head coach is when you allow your staff
to work and focus on their strengths,” Acker said. “We all have a healthy blend and balance here and it makes for an unbelievable culture.” The transition Acker made from player to coach came naturally because of the skills he learned firsthand, including playing professionally in Europe. “I have always had a passion and energy for basketball. I just love the sport,” Acker said. “When I was able to dive into coaching, I was given that opportunity, I dove straight in and here we are today.” The Soul For coaches Fisher and Dutcher, offcourt activities have included hosting Thanksgiving dinners and giving speeches at Dave Velasquez’s wedding. Considering Velasquez has spent 22 years of his life around Aztec basketball, it was bound to be. The Bay Area native was a student assistant and then a walk-on player who earned a scholarship spot on the roster. Velasquez also worked in player development, management and eventually became assistant coach. With all these roles under his belt, the perspective he has greatly influences his interactions with everyone who is part of the program. “You will appreciate it when you are older,” he said. “When you come back to San Diego State, you don’t have to reintroduce yourself. We will be at (the players’) weddings and they are going to be at our children’s birthday parties. Work is something that is part of your life. You become family.” The culture that Fisher and Dutcher created is built on the genuineness they carry themselves with not only as coaches, but who they are as people. Their levelheaded influence has shaped Velasquez into the person he is now. “(Aztec basketball culture) is really good people who work really hard, who love what they do and love the people they do it with,” he said. “And at the end
of the day, if we win that’s even better. We are going to do everything we can, and we are gonna do it the right way. That is what (Fisher and Dutcher) stand for as our leaders.” Velasquez’s multifaceted experiences influence his appreciation for how much the program has grown. “We travel a bit differently; we are sponsored by Jordan. I remember a time having to buy our own Jordans to be able to wear them,” he said. “The main value is the relationships with the fans, community, donors, administration… it’s special to say you have been here more than half your life.” The Aztec players understand that all of the coaching staff is connected. They each have a voice in everything they do on a day-to-day basis. A level of trust and understanding is where the accountability and discipline develops from. It is not one way the program runs — it is about the different leadership skills that have been developed and incorporated to the many years of Aztec basketball. The Scarlet and Black are built differently. They are part of the Mountain West Conference, but they compete like a power-five conference team. The Aztecs have a staff who have put in decades worth of their time because of the resources that they have acquired over the years. This current assistant coaching staff has built a solid foundation because of the responsibilities they have on a collaborative level. Between working with the players through on-court coaching, guiding them academically and socially through offcourt mentorship, and simply knowing what it is like to walk a mile in their college-basketball-sized shoes, Luster, Acker and Velasquez are pillars holding up the culture of the team.
November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITORS: Roman Aguilar & Eric Evelhoch • sports@thedailyaztec.com
Sports
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Infographic by Emily Augustine, Illustrations by Bella Hodges
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Sports
Midfielder Beto Apolinar gets ready to kick the ball in San Diego State’s match against University of San Diego on Oct. 14, 2023 Photo by Olivia Vargo
November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITORS: Roman Aguilar & Eric Evelhoch • sports@thedailyaztec.com
Andrea Gómez Ortizibarra — born and raised in Queretaro, Mexico — plays on SDSU’s women’s golf team. She felt pride in her Hispanic heritage when saw more Latinos like herself in the United States. Photo courtesy of SDSU Athletics
Latino athletes reflect on what being Hispanic means to them at a collegiate level Andrea Gómez Ortizibarra, Beto Apolinar share their insights into taking pride as Mexican athletes at SDSU By Abigail Segoviano STAFF WRITER
San Diego State Athletics has a number of athletes who come from different backgrounds. Of these backgrounds are Hispanic athletes who participate in multiple sports. SDSU is a Hispanic-serving institution, and according to Data USA, students who are either Hispanic or Latino make up 33.2% of the university’s population as of 2021. Student-athletes like Andrea Gómez Ortizibarra and Beto Apolinar, who are Mexican descent, have taken pride in their culture. Gómez Ortizibarra — born and raised in Queretaro, Mexico — plays on SDSU women’s golf team. Gómez Ortizibarra is a senior studying interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in art history, journalism and communications. Gómez Ortizibarra felt pride in her Hispanic heritage once she came to the United States when saw more Latinos like herself. “Now that I’m living here in the U.S., it means that people from all over Latin America, we’re connected by history,” Gómez Ortizibarra said. “It’s just something really special, coming from Mexico. You don’t really feel it’s something you live in every day, but once you’re away from your country, you just feel a sense of pride that there are more people like you in the U.S.” Apolinar, who plays for SDSU men’s soccer team, is a junior studying psychology. He was a red-shirt during
the 2021 season, meaning when he was a freshman, Apolinar had an extra year of eligibility to play. His parents are from Puebla, Mexico, but his hometown is in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County. For some immigrant families, parents struggle to reach their goals; however, they ensure their children are supported enough to achieve their own dreams. For Apolinar, those sentiments hold true to his family. He credits his father for helping him achieve his goal of becoming a Division I athlete. “My dad used to play soccer as well, but he never had that support that he gives me,” Apolinar said. “I play every game for my dad, my mom (and) my whole family.” Gómez Ortizibarra takes pride in playing as a Mexican collegiate athlete, and she expresses the love she has for her country. “It’s something very special, I had the opportunity to play the Latin America World Amateur in 2021,” Gómez Ortizibarra said. “Being able to represent Mexico on a stage that big just gave me pride having my name said after my country, it was very emotional for me.” Both Apolinar and Gómez Ortizibarra talked about why it’s important to celebrate their Hispanic Heritage. “It’s not talked about a lot and for me; I’m a first-generation collegiate athlete, (and) not a lot of people know that,” Apolinar said. “I know that there are a lot of students that come to this school that have a similar background as me, so I just think that it’s important to talk about it.”
Additionally, Gómez Ortizibarra mentioned the battles that Latinos faced throughout history and are still facing now. At the same time, she acknowledges what makes Latinos so distinctive from other cultures. “It tells you more about the person. It shows what we have gone through and still going through on a daily basis, and celebrating what makes us unique and special,” Gómez Ortizibarra said. While Apolinar has not faced challenges as a Hispanic athlete, Gómez Ortizibarra has faced discrimination as the sport she plays doesn’t align with societal norms. “Being looked down on has been a big one that I remember the most,” Gómez Ortizibarra said. “Golf is a big sport in Mexico but people in the U.S. don’t see it as such, so people think, ‘Oh you’re from Mexico you’re not a good golfer.’” What keeps both of them going is their family. Apolinar has also appreciated the coaching staff here at SDSU. “My parents have inspired me a lot. They have supported me ever since I was seven with my dream of playing golf, and now I want to play golf professionally once I graduate school,” Gómez Ortizibarra said. Before Ortizibarra’s grandfather passed away, he gave her a piece of advice: “the most important thing to do is have fun and enjoy the moment I’m out there on the golf course.” “I talk to my mom every day, she’s the main reason she inspires me,” Apolinar said.
“The coaching staff here pretty much give me great advice and they take care of me.” Apolinar and Gómez Ortizibarra are great examples for kids who see them, which makes a difference by providing representation. Both athletes gave advice to Latino kids who are trying to pursue sports. “The pressure your parents put on you doesn’t have to be exactly what they want you to do — it could be anything you want to do and give it your all every day,” Apolinar said. Gómez Ortizibarra, also holding this message, tasks individuals to put themselves out there to ensure their voices are heard. Although Apolinar is a full-time student-athlete, for him, it has been difficult not being near his family because they are an important factor in his life. “(For me and my parents) this situation that we’re in, I don’t really get to see them that often, because they can’t really come up here (SDSU),” Apolinar said. “I guess it just gets hard sometimes. I can always call them, but it’s not the same as in person. Whenever I’m sad, I try to do things that make me happy — which could be anything — like hanging out with friends or going to the beach just to keep me off and not thinking of that.” The impact that Hispanic athletes have on people — whether it be Hispanics or other people of color — is a great foundation that has been set at SDSU.
November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITORS: Roman Aguilar & Eric Evelhoch • sports@thedailyaztec.com
Sports
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Aztec sports throughout the decades
Original caption: “Kevin O’Connell will carry a heavy load in the 2007-08 season. Kevin Craft’s departure leaves SDSU with few backup plans at quarterback, should O’Connell get injured.” Photo courtesy of The Daily Aztec Original caption: “(From left to right) SDSU women’s basketball players Falisha Wright, Jodi Nowlin, Michelle Suman (with trophy), Atiya Williams, Tammy Blackburn, Lakeysha Wright and Christina Murguia helped the Aztecs win the WAC Tournament title in Salt Lake City in ‘94.” Photo courtesy of Arron Mack
Original caption: “Fay Deleon (12) and the SDSU women’s soccer team travel to Portland this weekend to take on the University of Portland in a third-round game of the NCAA women’s soccer tournament.” Photo courtesy of Bill Stewart
Original caption: “Referee C.R. Ignacio (background) signals game winning point as members of the Aztec volleyball team go wild after Mike Cote’s spike fell to the floor, giving SDSU the title. Moments later hundreds of fans poured onto the court to celebrate the championship.” Photo courtesy of Harry Meyer
Original caption: “Marcelo Balboa, a 22-year-old senior from Cerritos, is no newcomer to international soccer competition. He was the captain of the 1987 U.S. Junior World Cup team.” Photo courtesy of Jay Roberts Original caption: “Stephen Strasburg pitched six innings, allowed just one run and struck out 13 Rebels in Thursday night’s win.” Photo courtesy of Glen Connelly
Original caption: “The coach -- Shooting for his first CCAA football championship since 1962 is Aztec head coach Don Coryell, who led Aztecs to 4-1 conference record and a 7-2 overall mark last year. Coryell was named NCAA District 8 Coach of the Year.” Photo courtesy of Dick Chase
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Mundo Azteca
November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITOR: Jennifer Aguilar • mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com
La reunion de RBD fue una noche inalcanzable
RBD trajo nostalgia hacia la “Generación RBD” con su reunion 15 años despues. Foto por Jennifer Aguilar
Por Jennifer Aguilar y Tania Magallon MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Y CONTRIBUYENTE
RBD se fue de gira 15 años despues, con su “Soy Rebelde Tour”, trayendo emocion y nostalgia para la “Generación RBD”. El fenómeno musical que marcó a toda una generación formada por Anahí, Dulce María, Maite Perroni, Christian Chávez y Christopher Von Uckermann,
se presentó en Viejas Arena con el “Soy Rebelde Tour”, viernes 13 y sábado 14 de octubre con localidades completamente agotadas. Este concierto convivió el pasado con el presente. RBD trajo recuerdos al público, la mayoria conectando con ellos desde infancia. Jisel Vázquez, 29 años y seguidora de RBD, ha seguido a Rebelde desde que tenia 10 años. “Desde chiquita yo crecí con “Rebelde”, y ahorita se cumplio unos de
mi sueños,” Vázquez dijo. Los vestuarios de camisas blancas con el traje y corbata rojo — uniforme del Elite Way School en la telenovela “Rebelde”— se veían por todas partes del estadio. Otros tenian atuendos inspirados en personajes como Mia Colucci, actuado por Anahí, y Roberta Pardo, actuado por Dulce Maria. Paulina Rendon, una “super-fan” de Mia Colucci, decidio vestirse como Colucci. Su atuendo fue hecho a mano por uno de sus amigos.
La ‘Generacion RBD’ lleno el estadio ‘Soy Rebelde Tour’ “Me lo hizo en dos semanas”, Rendon dijo. “Personalmente soy super super fan de Anahi desde chiquita, desde que salió en ‘el diario de Daniela’, ‘Clase 406’, y ‘Primer amor, a mil por hora. La amo”. Las pantallas se iluminaron con planeta tierra en el espacio con galaxias narrada por el grupo. Las letras de RBD aparecíeron en la pantalla y el público se volvio loca mientras abrieron el concierto con “Trás de Mí”, en una plataforma en el aire. El estadio se llenó con luces de pulseras inspiradas en las corbatas del uniforme. Los éxitos de RBD como “Enséñame” , “Solo quédate en silencio”, y “Nuestro Amor”, llenaron de nostalgia a los corazones del público, que esperaban con ansias revivir este encuentro por años. El himno “Sálvame”, interpretado por Anahí llenó de luz el arena. Todos gritaban y sus voces hacían eco con la melodía de la música de la emoción con la cuál cantaban. Anahí llevaba puesto un vestuario que decía “Stop the hate”, inspirando a sus seguidores que se traten con amor porque no sabes lo que está pasando la persona de al lado. El traje rojo. Corbata roja. Las piezas iconicas de RBD fueron presentes e incluso poniendose esas piezas. “Y SOY REBELDE…” fue la parte mas emocionante para el publico. El tema de la telenovela “Rebelde”, formo parte de muchos hogares, brindando exito a RBD mundialmente. “Fue mucho mejor que lo esperaba, fue mi primera vez verlos”, Giselle Batista, seguidora de RBD, dijo.
Hablar diferentes idiomas me conecta a mi cultura y raices Ser bilingüe me ha convertido en la mujer que soy hoy Ornella Rossi de dos años caminando con su hermano hacia el supermercado en Buenos Aires, Argentina. Foto cortesia de Ornella Rossi
Por Ornella Rossi CONTRIBUYENTE
¿En qué piensas cuando imaginas tu cultura? ¿Es la comida? ¿Las personas? ¿La lengua? Quizás, muchos de nosotros no nos hacemos estas preguntas, pero para aquellos que se encuentran en medio de dos culturas y hablan más de un idioma, la lengua significa más que un medio de comunicación. Desde que era niña mis padres insistieron en enseñarnos a mi y a mi hermano su lengua materna. Por parte de mi mamá era el español y por parte de mi papá el portugués. Recuerdo cómo cada uno de mis padres tenía idiomas ‘asignados’. Siempre que hablabamos en un idioma distinto, respondian con “no entiendo”, y recuerdo como me sentía, frustrada y enojada de tener que repetir todo lo que habia dicho, ya que me parecia una pérdida de tiempo.
Recuerdo la molestia, cuando nos interrumpían para corregirnos porque decíamos la palabra equivocada o mezclabamos el español con el portugués. Pero a pesar de todo, nos decían que algún día se lo íbamos a agradecer. Hoy en día puedo decir que tenían razón. Ahora entiendo porque mis padres eran estrictos conmigo y mi hermano en hablar diferentes lenguajes — me ayudo en mi creación y mi capacidad de dominar todos los idiomas que hablo hoy en dia. Poder hablar más de un idioma me ha abierto puertas en la vida que no habría tenido la oportunidad caso contrario. Pude mudarme a los Estados Unidos para obtener una educación universitaria prestigiosa y tambien conocer personas de todo el mundo que hablan los mismos idiomas que yo.
Antes de mudarme a un país sin conocer a nadie, nunca había notado como la lengua es una forma de permanecer conectada a mis raíces. Es un recordatorio de donde vine y donde puedo llegar. La lengua me vincula a mi cultura estando lejos de casa. Muchas veces también me encuentro usando el español, el inglés o hasta el portugues para ayudar a personas en mi alrededor que no tuvieron las mismas oportunidades que yo para aprender diferentes idiomas. Desde que era niña los profesores solían decirme que era conveniente conocer diferentes idiomas, pero nunca entendí cómo podría utilizar esta habilidad para mejorar la vida de otros. Es gratificante poder ayudar a alguien y ver cómo un simple acto puede
transformar su día. Mientras me preparo para mi carrera como periodista, no puedo esperar para descubrir las diferentes formas en que puedo aplicar este conocimiento para construir mi futuro, y tambien ayudar aún más a personas que no se sienten representadas atra vez de los medios. Saber que podré cubrir una amplia variedad de historias en distintos idiomas, quiero asegurarme que la comunidad Latina también se siente escuchada y comprendida. Al señalar la belleza de ser bilingüe espero retratar la idea que sirve como una herramienta que construye puentes entre personas y culturas. Quiero resaltar la importancia y acabar con los prejuicios de ser bilingüe.
November 8 - February 6, 2024
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November 8 - February 6, 2024 EDITORS: Emily Augustine & Gabrielle Houser • graphics@thedailyaztec.com
