The Highlander
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
For the week of Tuesday, April 12, 2022
VOL. 70, ISSUE 22
NEWS
A LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT CANDIDATES AND HOW THE VOTING PROCESS WORKS.
est. 1954
ASUCR 2022 Elections Guide: Candidates and Voting Process Candidates for Executive President of UCR:
ABHIJIT REGE News Editor
The Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside serve to represent the students and address their needs and concerns. This year’s elections will see the student body electing a new set of students to hold office and the voting period will occur from Apr. 18 to Apr. 22. The goal of this particular guide is to give students an opportunity to learn more about who is running for office in order to make an informed decision when voting. We at the Highlander wish each and every candidate the best of luck with this year’s election and urge students to vote in order to get their voice heard.
Executive Cabinet: In ASUCR, the Executive Branch is also known as the ‘Executive Cabinet’ or ‘ECAB’ for short.. The Executive Cabinet is a representative body composed of five Executive Officers and six non-voting Directors, who are elected by the student body At-Large. ► SEE ELECTIONS GUIDE PAGE 4
OPINIONS
JOSHUA WANG / THE HIGHLANDER
Low-income students in California have been left with mountains of institutional debts during the pandemic
CALIFORNIA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HAVE FAILED TO STEP UP AND REPAY FEDERAL GRANTS, LEAVING STUDENTS TO FOOT THE BILL. DAVID MORENO Assistant Opinions Editor
Mufida Assaf
COURTESY OF ASUCR
1. Catalyst 2. For 3. Change “Hello, Highlanders! My name is Mufida Assaf, and I am running to be your next President. As we continue to overcome COVID, it has never been more vital to ensure that student voices are represented at the decision-making table. As a former CHASS Senator and your current Executive Vice President, I successfully secured racial equity training for UCR stakeholders, COVID-safe access to classes for all students, and more funding for student organizations. As President, I will ensure that our voices are heard by persistently communicating with administration and guaranteeing responses that will adhere to our needs as students. With your support, I will expand access to critical mental health and food resources, fight for more affordable parking options for our student commuters, and continue advocating for our marginalized students. I vow to put student interests first and empower all Highlanders!”
Rachel Paredes
COURTESY OF ASUCR
1.We 2. Are 3. UCR!
COURTESY OF PIXABAY
1. Integrity 2. Representation 3. Equity
“Hello Highlanders! My name is Sean Nguyen and I am running to be your next ASUCR President. As a former Executive Fellow, Personnel Director, and now Executive Secretary to ASUCR President William Wang, I have consistently been involved in student advocacy, programming, and initiatives. In this year alone, I have chaired ASUCR’s response to COVID-19. I have secured over $15,000 dollars dedicated to providing direct PPE to students, including the disbursement of over 5000 masks and hand sanitizers. My main goal as our next President is to ensure that all students’ voices are listened to and heard. I am confident in my ability to ensure that ASUCR becomes the organization it was meant to be. R’ community has shown me that being a student is not a universal term; recognizing our differences is our greatest strength. It would be an honor to have your vote. We are UCR!”
NEWS
“Born in Downey, California to two hispanic immigrants, I was named Rachel Juliana Paredes. Growing up, my parents provided me with a beautiful culture and showed me that having a spirit of perseverance and a value of resilience is necessary for the achievement of personal goals. The appreciation I have for the opportunities UCR has given me has motivated me to give back to the Highlander community in the form of advocacy and representation within ASUCR as one of your CNAS Senators. During my term, I’ve held a food drive with the R’Pantry to help address basic needs issues, written legislation urging the improvement of sexual assault resources on campus, and co-authored the petition advocating for remote learning options. If elected President, I aim to hold UCR administration officials accountable and push for the interests of students by listening to your voices through the legislative branch. Highlanders, we got this!”
ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND FIVE GREEN GRANTS WERE APPROVED DURING THE MEETING.
ASUCR’s 20th meeting saw the election of a new firsttime college student director AMARAY ALVAREZ Assistant News Editor
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, college students have found themselves on the short end of the stick, from not being eligible to receive stimulus checks at the start of the pandemic to having to endure learning over Zoom. Any college student will tell you that the past two years have been a chaotic mess. These issues don’t even start to graze the numerous other personal issues that
Sean Rogan Nguyen
The Associated Students of UCR’s 20th meeting took place Wednesday, April 6, both in person and through Zoom at the ASUCR Senate Chambers. All members of the senate were present, excluding CHASS senator Blanca Alba and SPP senator Joshua P. Deese, who were absent. Motions to approve the current meeting’s agenda were called for by
Executive Vice President Mufida Assaf with a motion to add senator reports and five green grants. The previous meeting’s minutes were then opened and approved. Both passed with a vote count of 15-0-0. During the public forum, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Wesley Mallette spoke, giving an update on the athletics referendum and their partnership with the R’Garden. Mallette relayed that he met with Dr. Peggy Mauk and that they identified ways that the athletic
department can collaborate with the R’Garden. This will include athletics sponsoring one R’Garden event a year, providing volunteers, promoting them on their social media platforms and attending a leadership conference together. UCR class of 2020 alum, Bharat Rai, spoke next and advertised his app Pick Up N’ Park. The app will help combat challenges students have when parking on campus. According to Rai, “Pick Up N’ Park is a mobile rideshare application ► SEE ASUCR PAGE 5
► SEE STUDENT DEBT PAGE 7
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NEWS
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
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An unprecedented spring break power outage at Pentland Hills and Glen Mor upsets residents STUDENTS WERE LEFT WITHOUT POWER FOR MORE THAN 30 HOURS.
HARU CHANG Staff Writer
In the early hours of Monday, March 21, Pentland Hills Residence Hall and Glen Mor Apartments were affected by a power outage. The cause of the outage was never specified to residents, and those who contacted Riverside County were told the outage was not caused on their end. The power outage impacted the broilers to Glen Mor Residential buildings, causing hot water to be unavailable. Elevators were also inaccessible, causing issues of accessibility for students who have disabilities or challenges with mobility. Additionally, the R’card scanners that give access to the buildings were down, and residents were advised to visit the Glen Mor Residential Services Office for any lock out assistance or call the RA on duty for buildings A, B, D, E, G and I. According to UCR Housing Services, Glen Mor buildings F, G, H, I, L and M were without power for a maximum of 17 hours. Glen Mor buildings A, B, D and E, as well as all of Pentland Hills, were without power for approximately 30 hours. Housing initially advised students that if they limited opening their refrigerators, their food may still be in good condition. After the power was restored, Housing Services suggested that enough time had passed for frozen food to thaw and perishable refrigerated food to be
compromised. While most students were away during the break, some like Remington Tulka, a third-year theater, film and digital production major, were on campus during the event. “I had just bought a bunch of food because it was spring break and Glasgow was closed, and it all went bad. I had to leave my building and walk to the main part of campus to charge my phone until they opened the conference rooms to us 17 hours later. We weren’t able to leave the building for the first 12 hours because the scanners didn’t work, and our keys didn’t open the door so they had to change the locks. It was incredibly frustrating because I live in north Glen Mor, and they got south Glen Mor up and running after about 12 hours … I got the email exactly at 5 p.m. that our power was going to be off all night. They left us hanging in an emergency,” Tulka explained. Students were advised to promptly make a list of all the items that were spoiled, photograph them and were recommended to contact the Basic Needs/Food Pantry office for immediate assistance. Alternatively, students were advised to submit a claim to their renter’s insurance provider, their family’s homeowners insurance provider or the UCR Global Online Incident Report. These options were utilized by some students, but only a handful received
compensation. “I know people whose medicine went bad because they didn’t have access to keep it cold. My food went bad, and I couldn’t leave. The entire situation caused me so much anxiety. I was sickened by the way housing and maintenance handled this incident,” states Tulka. Students were troubled by UCR Housing Services, and the issues that made it difficult for them to manage and maintain the residential buildings Students like Elias Almarez-Herrera, a third-year sociology, media and culture studies double major, felt that residential staff were ill-equipped to effectively address and resolve the power outage within an adequate time frame. “The staff did what they could, especially when their resources were limited. Fortunately, Discord kept the residential community connected, and we were able to rely on each other for support during the power outage. This power outage is one instance of a larger issue that reflects that UCR cannot handle the large number of students they attempt to house. UCR is responsible for making it possible to access quality living space: this includes access to emergency resources and support,” he explained. Upon returning from spring break, students who were not on campus during the outage were told to throw away all food
that had perished. This caused foul odors to linger in some apartments. Few residents received compensation for the incident, leaving many frustrated especially with housing contract renewals coming out just H a few weeks later. ■
JOSHUA WANG / THE HIGHLANDER
4 TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
NEWS
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ASUCR 2022 Elections Guide: Candidates and Voting Process Candidates for Executive Vice President:
► FROM ELECTION GUIDE
Wallace Fang
COURTESY OF ASUCR
1. Highlanders 2. As 3. One
“Hello Highlanders! My name is Victoria Nguyen and I am running to be your Executive Vice President. This past year, it has been a true honor to serve as a CHASS Senator. In this role, I have been able to “bridge the gap” between students and many different aspects of our school such as resources, administrators, and most importantly, other students. However, bridging the gap is not enough. Instead, I would like to ask you for your support in helping me close the gap. I will strive to close the gaps that are present within our campus by ensuring that student voices are heard loudly and clearly, and that all elected student officials will remain accountable and transparent. It is time for students to be supported and heard! A vote for me is a vote for unity.”
“Hello Highlanders! My name is Wallace Fang and I am running to be your next Executive Vice President! As a former Senate Intern and the Marketing and Promotions Director this past year, I have been able to talk to students one on one and gather valuable insight on the problems that students have faced in the midst of the pandemic. If elected, I will ensure that student needs will be heard and met by the administration of UCR. However, I can’t do that without your help. At the end of the day, student needs can only be met if they know that ASUCR is a resource for students to use. This can only be done by creating an environment where all students are aware of what ASUCR does and what we can do for everyone. As the EVP, I will ensure that it happens. Highlanders As One.”
Victoria Nguyen
1. Close 2. The 3. Gap
COURTESY OF ASUCR
Candidates for Vice President of Internal Affairs: “Hello! My name is David Kiroloss and I am a Bioengineering and Psychology double major. I serve as one of the current BCOE Senators in ASUCR, Internal Community Service Vice President for Alpha Phi Omega, 1. Together and a Class Leader for ROTC. Throughout my term as BCOE Senator, one of 2. Highlanders my primary goals was to assist in providing a smooth transition from online 3. Lead to in-person for students. I believe that I accomplished this mission and I found a passion for campus advocacy and cultivating change on an internal level. I’ve extensively focused within the field of campus internal affairs by developing a resource handbook and promoting/advocating for mental health, COVID-19 resources, academic accommodations, and basic needs. I want to continue my work and passion of improving our highlander community by becoming your Vice President of Campus Internal Affairs! I appreciate your time in reading my biography! Together, we Highlanders Lead!”
David E.G. Kiroloss
Catelin La
COURTESY OF ASUCR
1. Unity 2. Commitment 3. Resilience
“Hello Highlanders! My name is Myra Usmani and I am running to be your next Executive Vice President. As a previous Senate Intern and current ASUCR CNAS Senator, I have advocated and supported the needs of students by leading initiatives that cater to the diverse communities of UCR. By immersing myself in Ethnic and Gender Programs, prioritizing students’ wellbeing through SHS and CAPS health/accessibility measures, and pushing for more student representation within ASUCR committees, I have been able to passionately pave the way for increased inclusivity and unity at UCR. As EVP, I will dedicate myself to developing these efforts as well as ensuring ASUCR officials are accessible to students, expanding the Senate Internship program to help students grow their professional and leadership skills, and validating students’ experiences by maintaining an ongoing feedback/concern form. I hope to bring our Highlander community the tangible action and results they deserve.”
Hoang Vu 1. Integrity 2. Efficiency 3. Diversity
Myra Usmani
1. Push 2. For 3. Progress
COURTESY OF ASUCR
Candidates for Vice President of External Affairs: David An 1. Students 2. Deserve 3. More
Jeanine Nassar
“Hi Highlanders! My name is Jeanine Nassar, and I am running to be your next Vice President of Internal Affairs. I have been actively working on transparency within ASUCR, pushing for better representation of the Ethnic 1. Advocacy and Gender Programs on campus. Serving as the Ethnic and Gender Liaison, 2. Unity 3. Reformation working diligently with the office of the Executive Vice President, I value diversity, advocacy, and change, which is why I utilize my position to foster an environment that will successfully address all student needs. As Vice President of Internal Affairs, I will work to ensure that no student experience is overlooked by promoting inclusivity and continuing to amplify student voices. I’m continuously advocating for increased attention on student resources and further representing communities on an administrative level. I am confident in my ability to advocate for an adaptable, supportive university, through a representative and transparent student government.”
“Hey, Highlanders! My name is Catelin La and I am running to be your next ASUCR Executive Vice President. In my last two years on campus, I have served as an Executive Assistant to the EVP, a Senate Secretary, and a CNAS Senator. Through these roles, I have developed an intricate understanding of the happenings in ASUCR and aim to provide thorough representation to all groups on campus. In order to address this, I prioritize and work closely with the Ethnic and Gender Programs on campus to ensure that students are equipped with the resources necessary to feel supported and included. In addition, I promoted mental health awareness/resources, added safety measures throughout campus, and implemented various programs to further aid CNAS students in their endeavors. As EVP, I will not only continue advocating for stronger community relations, but I will use my prior knowledge to encourage and inspire people within and outside of ASUCR.”
Amina Hearns 1. Compassionate 2. Representative 3. Transformative
“My name is Hoang Vu. I am a first generation student from Viet Nam. I moved to California when I was 6 and grew accustomed to the culture over the years. Being an immigrant and a first generation student, I made education my priority because of the opportunities and prosperity it can bring. Education teaches you to be disciplined and it allows you to grow as an individual to achieve your fullest potential. I want to help students at UCR to utilize all the resources that campus has to offer. Students who are at a disadvantage or behind should get the support they need. Students with financial needs shouldn’t feel like college is a burden or a big hole in their wallets. I believe that UCR is an environment where scholars can aim for the moon. I declare my candidacy for Internal Affairs because I want to make a change.”
“My name is David and I am running to be your Vice President of External Affairs because I believe we deserve more. My experience in ASUCR started freshman year when I served under the Labor Commision where I helped advocate and secure better wages/healthcare benefits for our UC workers. As a sophomore, I served as a CHASS senator co-authoring legislation that created new positions under the Vice President of Finance. This year, I am currently serving as the Chief of Staff under the Office of the President. With the help of many campus leaders, our office has successfully created the athletics engagement committee as well as the alumni relations committee to boost campus engagement and professional connections. I wish to represent UCR from the interest of the students and secure better education, financial support, campus resources and professional opportunities.” “Students, like myself, have felt abandoned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by our own administration. As a former Executive Assistant, current Communications Director & Organizing Director of External Affairs, and student, I have witnessed and experienced blatant discrimination and corruption by the people we pay to be resourceful guides for our success — when in reality they are the main reason behind our concerns, stress, disfranchisement. Through my work, I have provided hygiene kits to students, striked with lecturers and TAs to achieve fairer contracts, lobbied with state representatives to double the pell grant, met with UCOP representatives to create Anti-racism modules, yet — my work is still unfinished. As your next Vice President of External Affairs, I will organize more initiatives for our student body’s health, safety, and success as individuals and academic scholars. My name is Amina Hearns and I H will fight for and uplift the voices of every UCR student.”■
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NEWS
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
The Riverside Free Clinic held its Second Annual Drive helping over 300 families in need THE EVENT WAS RUN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, OVERFLOW FARMS, SAHABA INITIATIVE AND ISLAMIC RELIEF USA. ABHIJIT REGE News Editor
On Apr. 2, 2022, the Riverside Free Clinic held its second annual Food Drive, where boxes of food and supplies were dealt, helping over 300 families in need of relief. The drive itself was held in a “drive-thru” format, in which those interested in obtaining the care packages provided can simply drive through and collect their needed supplies with very little hassle. Volunteers and partners of the event provided a variety of insight on their experiences and reasoning for participating in the food drive and their desire to help the community of the Inland Empire. ”All it takes is a good idea to get something started and to help,” explained Jose Garcia, Clinic Monitor and a 4th year Bioengineering major. Fred Stover is one of the founders of the non-profit, OverFlow Farms, and currently serves as the President. Stover explained how he donated a variety of vegetables from his farm and non-profit, OverFlow Farms. This included over 800 cabbage, celery, lettuce and leeks that were grown and harvested on his farm, located on the grounds of the Riverside Community Church. He ultimately expressed how he found the experience to be rewarding in helping those who may not have access to these resources. Muhammad Afridi of the Sahaba Initiative explained how the event had been run well and explained that over 300 boxes of food and non-presishable items were prepared. Both Afridi and Stover hoped that the food drive would spread more
awareness for their philanthropic mission. Islamic Relief USA also served as a partner for the event and are currently engaging in many activities related to Ramadan, including fasting, prayer, reflection and community service. As such, it was paramount that the RFC reached out to the organization and they were able to garner support in providing food boxes for the event. Melika Rezanejad, of the Social Services Committee at the RFC, expressed how she was grateful for the partnerships and found it rewarding to see families attend and get the help they need. Fourth-year psychology major, Anna Tran, expressed that while it may be a sacrifice to take time off of her and others’ day, she finds the notion of helping the underprivileged to be ultimately rewarding. She explained the RFC worked with their partners to package the boxes and provided hygiene items as well. Tran aspires to be a hospital social worker and with her upcoming graduation, she expressed her gratitude for the clinic and their mission, as well as their partners, and hoped to say farewell to the RFC with the drive. She ultimately hopes that the food drive will impact the community through bringing more unity and awareness. “It’s super exciting to have diverse options of produce and progress is made with something as simple as putting food on the dinner table.” Zeyna Madanat and Sunny Virk, fourth year biology majors, furthered this notion, explaining that the food drive provided a feeling of hope and security for the underprivileged. “It makes them feel at peace not worrying about their next meal.” Richard M. Wing, a retired Professor of Chemistry at UCR, and his wife Donna Wing served as the original advisors and supported the initial establishment of the Riverside Free Clinic. Currently serving as the Clinic Coordinators, they explained that
the clinic’s purpose is to provide students an opportunity to use their skills and experiences to help others in the community and to provide a variety of valuable resources, from pharmaceutical to dental services. Donna Wing voiced her approval and appreciation for the food drive and was impressed by the organization of the event. David Lui, another professor, also attended the event in hopes of attaining food and supplies for his elderly neighbors who are unable to come out themselves. Lui’s situation exemplifies how there is no age limit for insecurity, affecting both the young and old in our community. Joowan Son, a 3rd year neuroscience major, described his experience at this 2nd annual drive and explained his desire to help the underserved. Son noted that, “food security and stability are often aspects that get overlooked by the community at large”. An unfortunate reality is that despite the Clinic’s efforts and support, oftentimes it can be limiting to connect with individuals in need. Fourth year Biology majors, Corey Paget, Shivam Patel and Valine Bebawy also related to this issue of connectivity and voiced their satisfaction with the turnout of the event. Despite an
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ABHIJIT REGE / THE HIGHLANDER
early morning setup and the potential to be overwhelmed, they found the volunteering experience to be inspiring due to the impact they had on their clinic and community. Personnel Manager and UCR Alum, Janette Chammas was excited to help with the event simply because she was, “happy to see a smile on the faces of those in need being helped,” and found the volunteering experience to be ultimately humbling for her. Fourth year Biology major, Ami Toor, noted that COVID-19 had a major impact on exacerbating many social issues occuring in the Inland and hoped to use this food drive to empower communities who must deal with this social inequity. When asked about his reasoning for volunteering, third year, biology major Anthony Nguyen commented that, “The more I give, the more thankful I am for helping,” encapsulating the mindset held my the volunteers and partners of this philanthropic experience. If you would like to learn more about the clinic or would like to volunteer, visit their website at: http:// H w w w. r i v e r s i d e f r e e c l i n i c . c o m / e n / .■
ASUCR ► FROM ASUCR
for UCR students to help find parking and carpooling on campus.” President Will Wang spoke in favor of the app and stated that as the campus has started reimplementing in-person classes, finding parking on campus has become difficult. Senate Chief Justice Mohammad Almouzzan spoke afterwards, announcing that the judicial branch launched an internship program. Twenty-seven applicants applied, and six were chosen. Almouzzan then discussed the Middle Eastern Student Association and how they are working to pass a resolution that would provide students with more accommodations during Ramadan fasting and other religious holidays. New Business then followed with a special election for the position of first-time college student director. The election was led by Elections Director Trisha Sarmiento who introduced the two candidates: Delane Ly and Kezia Skariah. Both candidates were then given three minutes to introduce themselves and five minutes to be questioned by the senate. Ly spoke first and stated that she is currently an outreach coordinator on the First-time Student Committee. If chosen for the role, Ly would work to provide more programs and events on campus as opposed to the lack of extracurricular activities she experienced during her first year, where classes were mainly online. She wants freshmen to feel welcomed and have a voice. Senator Christopher Kent asked Ly to elaborate on her past leadership experience. Ly stated that she is a student assistant at the
career center, was the editor in chief of her highschool yearbook, was her high school’s class president and the debate captain. Senator Dorothy Dornilla then asked how Ly will reach out to first-years and bridge the gap between freshmen coming from an online environment. Ly responded that she plans to table and host events so people can get to know each other in person. Senator Rachel Paredes asked what Ly would do with the year almost being over. Ly responded that she is already on the committee and that they plan to have a movie night in April and possibly a mixer. Ly then stepped out so the second candidate, Kezia Skariah, could speak on behalf of herself. Skariah stated that she is currently an associate at the HUB and SSC decks. Through these roles, she is able to retain familiarity with what concerns students and the campus community have. Skariah wants to use her platform to advertise these resources to students so that they are more in touch with the campus. Senator Dornilla asked Skariah for an example of a common problem on campus. Skariah responded that many students ask for blue books during hours where they are not permitted to be given out. Providing a place where students can get these books during late hours would help. Senator Amy Do next asked how Skariah would include students on campus. Skariah responded that they would hold socials where students could interact with each other. Senator Christian Torres asked why it
is important to provide students access to these resources. Skariah responded that it is good for students to stay informed as college is very different from high school. Senator Myra Usmani then asked how Skariah would promote ASUCR to first time students. Skariah responded that she would work with ASUCR senators and the executive board so that they connect with first-time students. The two candidates were then sent outside so the senate could deliberate. They were let back in a few minutes later, and it was announced that Delane Ly would become the new First-time College Student Director. Committee Reports followed with one piece of legislation up for review. SR-S22001 Resolution to Endorse the California Plastic Waste Reduction Regulations I was then presented with the assistance of CALPIRG inter Lance Esquillio. The resolution will help reduce single use plastic manufacturing and plastic waste. The legislation passed with a vote count 15-0-0. Five green grants were then presented to the senate. Green Grant Application 44 was presented first. This application was submitted by the UCR R’Garden so they could create a compost bin. The group asked for $4,000 in funds which was approved. Green Grant Application 45 was read next and was submitted by the R’Cycle Club. R’Cycle asked for $4,000 to hold a biking event that will promote alternative transportation, which was approved. Green Grant Application 46 was submitted
by the R’Garden for a certified farmers market in Lot 30. They were granted $300. Green Grant Application 47 was submitted by Highlander Racing for an event to create and discuss clean air vehicles. They were granted $4,000. Green Grant Application 48 was submitted by Residential Life who requested $2706 for a vegan food festival to promote veganism. All five green grant applications were approved by the senate. No one spoke during public comment and senator reports followed. Senator Do reported that she met with her interns to discuss their projects. Senator David Kiroloss then reported that he attended the First-time Student Committee meeting. They are planning to table and hold a movie night. There will also be another lunch bag distribution through ASUCR. He is also working with the Middle Eastern Student Association on their resolution. Senator Paredes reported that she created meeting times with interns and plans to meet with the R’Pantry. Roundtable and Announcements followed and President Pro Tempore Orlando Cabalo spoke about the pay issues being faced by the UCR Botanical Garden workers. The workers are trying to get a livable minimum wage and have been ignored by management. Senator Victoria Nguyen then announced that April 6 is International Asexuality Day. H The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.■
6 TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
Opinions
OPINIONS
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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL
COURTESY OF PEXELS
California’s mental health bill for youth is too little, too late THE STATE NEEDS TO BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN ASSISTING ITS POPULATION RATHER THAN THROWING MORE MONEY AT AN ISSUE THAT WON’T GO AWAY.
M
ost experts agree that the mental health crisis among the U.S.’s children predates the pandemic. The increased use of social media, greater awareness of climate change as well as the general stress that comes with growing up all were affecting children already. The pandemic was essentially the straw that broke the camel’s already broken back. Now more than ever, we’re seeing that our institutions are failing our children in one of the most fundamental ways — they are devaluing the struggles of the youth. Combined with the unpredictability of the last two years, lockdowns and “normal life” being turned upside down, the recipe for disaster has presented itself. Gov. Gavin Newsom has drafted a bill promising $4.4 billion to support youth’s mental health, but given the history of past bills that promised the same thing, its outlook is not going to be good. The unfortunate
truth is that just throwing money at this issue won’t make it disappear. To really make a fundamental change to assist children’s mental health, the state must become actively engaged in solving the societal issues that lead to poor mental health in the first place. Young people, like everyone else, need shelter, food, water and support in the form of family and friends in order to survive and thrive. Stability of all of these resources is the most important element. However, every year, California finds itself with an increasing population that is homeless — in fact, over half a million children alone are homeless in this state alone. The increased food insecurity created by homelessness, poverty or simply unstable wages due to the pandemic has also added to this issue. Being shut at home without being able to interact with anyone but family also led to issues, especially as domestic abuse rates skyrocketed. Combined with
the steadily increasing mental health crisis that children were facing before COVID, it’s clear that these structures all crumbled all the more, leaving already struggling children more stranded than ever. Although the money is an incredible testament to the issue at hand, most mental health bills have not seemed to go anywhere even if they pass. The funding should be going towards getting professional psychologists in schools, workshops for families to navigate mental health struggles together or even creating safe houses for children in distress. Yet the money essentially sits there unused. What needs to happen is that the government needs to take time to get off their bureaucratic high horses and get people out into the community who will work to craft solutions to these problems rather than trying to put a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. This money has been passed, or is soon to be passed, and it needs to be put to
good use. Whether that’s in the form of a genuinely structured plan that will help California children have the resources to cope, or if it’s in the form of a task committee of volunteers or paid workers who set up spaces in schools and other spaces children frequent. This issue of children’s mental health is not one that can be brushed under the rug any longer. Children’s struggles, no matter how big and how small, should be recognized and validated. In our relatively postCOVID world, California needs to literally put its money where its mouth is, or risk a generation of traumatized children going H forward into uncertain futures. ■
The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander Editorial Board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.
HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions
OPINIONS
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
7
Even as the Catholic Church invites more women into leadership, it won’t increase religiosity YSABEL NAKASONE Staff Writer
In mid-March, a new Vatican constitution was published that will allow women to head some Vatican offices. This was an unexpected move, not only because of the consistently conservative stances on political issues Catholicism is known for, but also because the Pope had opposed this specific action as recently as 2015. It may not come as a surprise to those who have seen research indicating that a majority of American Catholics claim that their opinions on issues such as contraception and homosexuality which directly oppose the church doctrine. While this is progress, it’s only a drop in the water as Pope Francis remains against and unwilling to take action on the ordination of women. He is, sadly and expectedly, behind the curve. Unintentionally, the Pope and other Catholic leadership, whether official or a part of prominent Catholic organizations, are contributing to the decreasing importance of religion in present society and for younger generations who find that diversity among the Church important. Pope Francis is, if compared with previous Church leadership and Church positions, fairly progressive and has received a lot of credit for those choices by more progressive Catholics despite his continued hard line stance on the ordination of women and opposition to gay marriage. Pope Francis has given positions within Vatican leadership to several women, in a stark deviation from those who held the positions previously.
What is so disappointing about the Church’s opposition to the ordination of women is the mental leaps and assumptions Catholics are asked to make in order to uphold these limits. It is the logical fallacy that the apostles were exclusively male that provides supposedly undeniable proof that Jesus believed only men could and should be ordained. Other reasoning suggests that a woman cannot be ordained because women can’t be representative of Christ since Jesus himself was a man. This deeply offending argument is debunked by the world renowned Catholic theologian Phyllis Zagano in her book “Women: Icons of Christ” as she claims this reasoning only reinforces the ugly conclusion that women are unclean and is rooted in anti-female viewpoints. There is a danger that, in the future, women won’t want to dedicate themselves to a religion that won’t allow them to fully dedicate themselves to it at all. This all leads to a critical point, which is that the Church’s failure to create a religion that centers around welcoming all people with an equal degree of fervor will cripple it. Younger generations, while they still often inherit religious beliefs from their parents, are far more open to concepts like plurality and acceptance of differing beliefs. According to a report by PEW research, 45% of teens agree that many religions may be true. Additionally, 61% agree that it is not mandatory to believe in God to be considered moral. Younger generations, even when religious, are not willing to accept the narrow minded
boundaries prescribed by their religious leadership. Going even further, overall, U.S. Catholics don’t agree with the level of political involvement Catholic churches and organizations are engaging in. 62% of Catholics agree that U.S. churches should not involve themselves in politics. They see the Catholic church as a force of good when it does not involve itself in enforcing stances on the private lives of others. This is not to say that there aren’t benefits to religion that, especially in such complicated times, can’t help people. Religion can bring people peace, be the support people need and can bring comfort. It is because of these benefits
that the Catholic Church, its followers and other plainly exclusionary religions must consider the evolution of their beliefs. Without this evolution, without greater acceptance, without current and younger generations, the Catholic church will lose H its vitality and importance. ■
COURTESY OF PEXELS
► FROM STUDENT DEBT
RYAN POON / THE HIGHLANDER
THE OPENING UP OF CERTAIN VATICAN POSITIONS TO WOMEN IS BOTH A STEP TO BE CELEBRATED AND A REMINDER OF THE REASON REFORM IS NEEDED TO BEGIN WITH.
students have had to deal with, from mental health to food insecurity to family safety. Regardless of the issue, for many students the most practical answer was to take a break from education altogether. Now, the very same students find themselves stuck with surprising debt to their community colleges & public universities. Lowincome students who had no other option than to take a break from higher education now find themselves outcast from the system all together. These students deserve a second chance at receiving a higher education and to have their voices heard. When students had no other option than to drop out in the middle of the school year at the start of the pandemic, their financial aid awards became institutional debts. Some California community colleges and California State Universities wisely decided to cancel these debts. But most, including the University of California, publicly announced that students would be banned from re-enrolling until the debts had been paid off. Some universities even sent debt collectors after these students. Most, if not all, low-income students in California receive some form of grant money when they enroll into a community
college or public university. These grants are distributed to universities and are commonly used to pay for a student’s tuition or room and board fees. If a student withdraws from the university after a month of classes, the university is expected to pay the remaining grant amount back to the government. During the pandemic, it was reported that these reversed financial aid awards were the biggest source of institutional debt. It is estimated that 750,000 students in community colleges, CSUs and UCs will have incurred institutional student debts worth about $390 million from July 2020 through June 2022. Furthermore, because debts are owed to the schools, they often don’t come with flexible repayment plans. These students have been tossed aside by the same institutions they entrusted would provide them with a higher education. The worst part is that many people don’t know this type of debt even exists. Spreading awareness about this situation benefits everyone involved and ensures low-income students won’t fall for the same traps in the future. California lawmakers need to advocate for these students across the state. Large educational institutions should not be allowed to suffocate these H students. ■
8 TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
Features CAMPUS COPE:
IMPROVING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WITH THE RETURN TO CAMPUS COMES THE NEED FOR STUDENTS TO MAXIMIZE THEIR TIME AND ENERGY, BUT THAT ALSO MEANS STUDENTS NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR MENTAL BALANCE.
BY: YSABEL NAKASONE, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Spring Break is over and it’s time to jump right back into the unending mechanism of academia. After a week of rest and recovery, the start of the spring quarter was like a splash of cold water right over the head: overwhelming. It’s time to start thinking about ways to ease the stress the return to campus can bring.
FEATURES
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BLOCK OUT YOUR TIME
ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
It’s hard to find time in one’s day to relax or give your brain a break. Use a planner online or on paper to plan your study time or work hours and small breaks throughout your day. Block out time to read a book or to take a walk around campus. Don’t feel guilty for taking time for yourself. It’s what you need to be able to maximize your potential.
This doesn’t mean you need to become a fitness nut and be at the gym every day. Perhaps, for you, this means suggesting a hike with your friends or following a short workout video in your room. Taking just a little time out of your day to exercise can reduce stress and depression.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH
LEARN ABOUT RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
Try to eat regular and nutritious meals. Remember to drink an adequate amount of water. This means about 15.5 cups a day for men and 11.5 cups of fluids a day for women.
REACH OUT TO YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM AND BUILD ON IT Spending time with your friends and family can be a positive experience. Make a call to chat with your parents or siblings. Ask your friends if they want to meet up to study. Work to make new connections as well by joining clubs and organizations that align with your interests.
Relaxation techniques are used to help your body produce a natural relaxation response. Some methods like guided imagery are widely used in order to focus on calming images in your head. You can find many of these pre-recorded scripts online. Another technique is deep breathing exercises, of which there are a multitude of types to choose from. Meditation is also a popular H method of relaxation. ■
REACH OUT FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP If you’re feeling like your mental health is declining, it’s never a bad idea to seek professional help. UCR offers help for those who are struggling though Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS. You can make an appointment or speak to an on-call 24/7 therapist if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. You can also reach out to your own therapist.It’s all about working on what makes you comfortable in order to improve your mental health.
ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF @PCH.VECTOR VIA FREEPIKS
WATERMELON SLUSH, ALEXANDRIA LACHMAN, THAT WAS EASY! BY: CONTRIBUTING WRITER A QUICK AND DELICIOUS DRINK THAT WILL COOL YOU DOWN THIS SPRING!
With the cool winter weather starting to disappear and the hot sun rays starting to become a more frequent visitor, there is nothing like a nice,refreshing drink to help cool you down. The quickest way to stay cool is to have something that’s easy to make. Personally, anything with watermelon is the way to go! It just does the trick in no time. This recipe only needs 3 ingredients and a blender! For those who like a little tang, add some lime juice. Now for those 21+, you could always add a little vodka and make it a cocktail slush. With this quick and easy alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage, it will take you less time to prepare and more time to cool off with some of your friends while lounging by the pool!
SERVINGS: 4 INGREDIENTS: 5 cups diced seedless watermelon 2 tablespoon sugar 1 cup of ice Juice of 1 lime (optional)
DIRECTIONS: Combine watermelon, sugar, ice and lime juice in a blender until smooth.Serve immediately enjoy! ■H
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TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
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The Highlander Be Inspiring.
Do you have an interest in writing, photography, design or marketing? The Highlaner can help you polish your skills. Reach out to a staff member via email to learn more.
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10
Radar TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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COURTESY OF HULU
The chilling true crime case of Conrad Roy is brought to light in ‘The Girl from Plainville’ HULU’S LATEST DRAMA SERIES EXPLORES THE REAL-LIFE ASSISTED SUICIDE OF CONRAD ROY AND FOLLOWS MICHELLE CARTER’S GUILTY ROLE IN HIS DEATH. BRENDA JOVEL Assistant Radar Editor
Michelle Carter was 17 years old when she convinced her boyfriend, Conrad Henry Roy III, to commit suicide in 2014. The case made headlines everywhere as soon it was discovered that Carter had been texting Roy the night of his death. These troubling text messages revealed how Carter encouraged and pressed Roy to take his own life. After eight years of Carter’s sentencing for involuntary manslaughter, Hulu has recently come out with “The Girl from Plainville,” an eight-episode series that explores the relationship between Carter and Roy up to the night where the anguish began. Elle Fanning, who portrays Carter, depicts Carter as an egotistical and self-centered teenager who tries to make Roy’s death center around her. One scene that highlights this is in episode one where Carter mimics and practices a mournful speech from Lea Michele’s “Glee” character as she pays homage to her deceased co-star, Cory Monteith. It is a creepy scene as you watch her attempt to perfect her imitation of the monologue to practice her mourning for Conrad. From singing the song to faking the tears sliding down her cheeks, Fanning highlights the complexity of Carter’s mind in this eerie scene. The show does a good job of focusing on every character as they struggle with their emotional trauma. Colton Ryan, who portrays Conrad, depicts the mental health struggles the young teenager was battling before meeting Carter in Florida during a family vacation. To prepare for the role, Ryan
stated how he explored several images of Roy, including a high school graduation photo where Roy is seen standing happily beside his two sisters. The photos revealed a part of Roy for Ryan, and he felt an instant connection to the late teenager that he is able to show through his portrayal of Roy’s constant fight against the world. Chloë Sevigny who portrays Conrad’s mother, Lynn Roy, recently said that the show contained a lot of “tough material” due to its sensitive topic of suicide. Her main goal was to represent the case in a sensitive manner that would be respectful towards the Roy family, and she accomplishes this through her heartfelt acting. She embodies the grief that Lynn Roy must have felt as she was forced to endure the reality of a parent’s worst nightmare. It was also heartbreaking to see the fights between Lynn and her ex-husband, Conrad H. Roy, Jr. (Norbert Leo Burtz) after their son’s death. The show depicts their strained relationship in the first few episodes as they both suffer from the same pain. A notable aspect of “The Girl from Plainville” is the fact that the show does stick to many of the case’s true facts despite it being labeled as a drama series. There are certain scenes that are dramatized, such as Carter imagining a conversation between her and Roy in the middle of the night, or when Carter is seen screaming in her room after her electronic belongings are confiscated by the police. Though we may never know how Carter reacted to that particular event, this depiction of it reminds viewers that every guilty person will get caught in
their own lies. “The Girl from Plainville” revolves around mental health. This theme is a heavy subject that many viewers can relate to or feel uncomfortable with. One of the messages that this show has been able to communicate is that mental health should always be an important subject for young teenagers. Roy was, unfortunately, suffering from mental health conditions, and the show visibly portrays it to raise more awareness. This show is about Conrad Roy. It is in no way defending Carter’s actions. It is made known in the show that Carter did suffer from mental health conditions like Roy, but the show does not use this to excuse her behavior. It depicts how both teenagers were suffering and how they bonded over their struggles, but Carter made the wrong choice when convincing Roy to take his life. It’s an emotional show that dives into the personal lives of everyday people whose world was turned upside down because of one teenager. True crime fanatics who have heard of the case should feel contempt at how several facts remained in the drama series, as well as the respectful depiction of Conrad Roy and his family. Although she hasn’t seen the show herself, the real Lynn Roy hopes that it doesn’t focus more on Carter over her son. She goes on to say how she wants the show to promote her efforts in trying to convince Massachusetts lawmakers in passing a bill that would criminalize suicide coercion.
Verdict:
“The Girl from Plainville” does a great job at depicting Conrad’s life up until his final moments. It is a chilling and sentimental show that is perfect for true crime fans and one that you will need a tissue box sitting beside you.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
11
THE INSTANT-CLASSIC SITCOM RETURNS FROM SPRING BREAK TO ROUND OUT ITS FRESHMAN SEASON.
COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY DISTRIBUTION
Class is back in session at ‘Abbott Elementary’ ELIAS ALMAREZ-HERRERA Staff Writer
A 5-foot tall Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) stands in the door frame of the “Abbott Elementary” music teacher’s classroom. She moves with a clumsy stride, having been scolded by Ms. Davis to place her chewing gum into “Wanda the Waste Basket.” Her second grade students continue to play a recorder rendition of “Amazing Grace” over her pleas. As they stop, janitor Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis) carries the tune earnestly. Charm radiates off of “Ava vs Superintendent,” episode 12 of the 30-minute mockumentary sitcom “Abbott Elementary” (2021). Comedy writer Quinta Brunson created the show, which debuted on Tuesdays in the 9 p.m. timeslot on ABC in the tail end of last year. It follows a Philadelphia-based elementary school, showcasing the systemwide failures which place public schools at risk for underserving their children. Its name is a nod to Brunson’s sixth grade teacher, Ms. Joyce Abbott. An airtight script calls for the ensemble cast of talented performers to serve as the dedicated teachers whose every move is made in the best interest of their class of young, Black scholars. It quickly accumulated a following of viewers invested in the efforts of Janine Teagues and her coworkers’ “near-constant hijinks.” From rallying for school supply funds to creating a vegetable garden for healthy food alternatives during lunch, “Abbott Elementary” delivers as many lessons as it does laughs. With what began as a mission to bring oldschool and new-school teachers together as a
united front, each episode has taken audiences into the intimate workings of each character. In episode 12, Barbara Howard (Sharyl LeeRalph) learns to embrace stepping out of her comfort zone. Her faith is in question as she decides whether to approach and “extort” a church-going board member who will partially determine if their school will receive a substantial discretionary grant. Since its highly-anticipated return from a three-week midseason hiatus, there have been clear strategies to formulate expansions to each character’s roles along the show’s plot. Ava Coleman — played by breakout comedian Janelle James — was introduced as the clever principal full of quick-witted one-liners, often unhelpful to the oblivious. By this episode, a personal vendetta she has with superintendent Denzel Collins puts her position as principal at risk. She expresses vulnerability as she accepts that her charisma alone will not be enough to get approval for the advancement grant from the school board. Reliable optimist Janine Teagues and Abbott Elementary substitute teacher Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams) step up to assist their team member in need. Having reached the penultimate episode of “Abbott Elementary’s” first season, there are a few plot points in need of resolution. After 12 episodes of developing rapport — with instantaneous, awkward chemistry between Ms. Teagues and Mr. Eddie —this love triangle could be the basis of a memorable cliffhanging season finale. “Ava vs Superintendent” was directed by
decorated visual artist Matthew A. Cherry, whose talents have extended to the critically acclaimed films “BlacKkKlansmen” (2018) and “Hair Love” (2019). He captures the heart of “Abbott Elementary,” paying careful attention to include children’s artwork adorning the classroom walls. His execution embeds the audience into each scene as the actors present intimate communicators of desperation, indignance, affection and tolerance. ■H
VERDICT: Abbott Elementary has captured the interest of millions of viewers with humor in simplicity and emphasis on character development. While it is jarring that the sitcom will be off-air so soon after its return, the cast of writers and producers have laid a strong foundation to build their next season.
COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY DISTRIBUTION
12
Sports TUESDAY, ARPIL 12, 2022
SPORTS
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UC Riverside softball team victorious in the extra-inning against UC Davis WALK-OFF DOUBLE FROM MARISSA BURK GIVES THE HIGHLANDERS THE OPENING WIN IN THE SERIES. HANSEL CHU Assistant Sports Editor
The UC Riverside softball team defeated UC Davis 2-1 in a thrilling extra-inning finish. This game marked the third-straight game that the Highlanders had to go into extra innings. Unlike the previous two games where UCR lost in the eighth inning, they were able to come out victorious thanks to a walk-off double from junior shortstop Marissa Burk. The first inning started off fairly quickly for both teams as both pitchers were able to pitch three consecutive outs for their teams. In the top of the second inning, left fielder Reese Mattley was the first to reach the base as a walk from senior pitcher Chrys Hildebrand sent her to first base. However, Hildebrand made quick due of the Aggies and continued to not allow a single hit in the first two innings. In the bottom of the second inning, the Highlanders were able to strike the first hit of the game thanks to a single down centerfield from sophomore catcher Gigi Araki. However, great pitching from UC Davis stifled the UC Riverside batting offense and after two innings, the score still remained 0-0. Things started to heat up in the third inning as the Aggies were able to strike first onto the scoreboard. Right fielder Alyssa Ito got the first hit of the game for UC Davis as she hit a single down the left side. Moments later, a double from
catcher Anna Dethlefson sent Ito racing home to put the first score of the game for UC Davis. In the bottom of the third inning, the Highlanders responded with a run of their own. A single from freshman infielder Taylor Burdette got the inning started for UCR. After a wild pitch, Burdette sprinted to steal third base. After a flyout from junior infielder Lauryn Garewal, Burdette took her chances and raced toward the home plate and gave the Highlanders their first run of the game, and tied the game at 1-1. Hildebrand continued to pitch a stellar game as she allowed no hits in the fourth and fifth inning. UC Riverside had their chance to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth as senior outfielder Naya Witt was on the third base looking to reach home. However, a flyout from senior outfielder Haylee Kela ended the inning and the score remained tied 1-1 going into the sixth inning. UC Davis was knocking at the doorstep in the top of the sixth as they had base runners at second and third base. However, two consecutive popouts ruined the Aggie’s opportunity to score. Both teams struggled to hit in the final inning as no hits were allowed by either team. With the score tied 1-1 after a strikeout from Kela, the game went on into the extra innings. Redshirt senior pitcher Katie Barbarick made easy work of UC Davis in the eighth as allowed no hits to all five batters for the Aggies. In the bottom of the eighth, a double down
COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS
left field from redshirt junior infielder Max Ortega had the Highlanders in a great position to score. Soon right after, a double down the left-center from Burk sent Ortega racing towards the home base for the walk-off run and gave UC Riverside the win 2-1. Hildebrand in 6.0 innings pitched allowed only four hits and had nine strikeouts in the game. Burk led the way for the Highlanders as she had an RBI single along with two hits while Burdette had two hits along with a run. The Highlanders improved their record to 15-19 (6-6) after their series against UC Davis and will play the University of H Hawaii at home on April 15-16. ■
Highlander baseball fall just short in the final innings against the University of Hawaii
DIFFICULTY AT BAT LED TO SHORTCOMINGS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF THE MATCHUP.
COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS
KEVIN CONTRERAS Sports Editor
Baseball season continues for UCR as the Highlanders decide to visit the Rainbow Warriors all the way to the islands of Hawaii. Both teams began a three game series on Friday night. The dawn of the event was a brief interaction between both teams, setting up the baseball-filled weekend that was to
come over the next few days. As the visiting team, UCR was up to bat first. In the first two innings, the Highlanders were up to a rocky start as it was three batters up, three batters down, none of the players able to reach first base. The Rainbow Wahine were the first to reach home plate, with their first point coming in the bottom of the third inning. Up to bat first was redshirt junior outfielder, Matt Wong. Wong tee’d up to bat and batted an impressive home run towards right field. Later in the inning, UCR faced a triple run scare, as Hawaii found themselves with the bases loaded. The righty senior pitcher Jeremiah Priddy managed to keep his cool and struck out graduate student outfielder Cole Cabera which ended the inning. After four dry innings, UCR managed to hit their stride in the fifth inning. Redshirt freshman infielder Sean Mcleod was up to bat and walked to first. Sophomore catcher Mason Grace was up next, hitting a grounder towards third, allowing Mcleod to reach second. Sophomore infielder Anthony Mcfarland singled towards third base, allowing him to reach first. The point came shortly after as freshman Andrew Rivas was hit by the pitch, allowing him to walk. A kerfuffle on the diamond allowed for Mcleod to reach home and score
an unearned run. Soon after, deja vu struck the players as Mcfarland reached home to score another unearned run for the Highlanders, leaving the score 2-1. The lead did not last long for UCR as in the sixth inning, the University of Hawaii was quick to come home again, in yet another repeat of history. Sophomore infielder Stone Miyao managed to reach base on error, and soon after scored an unearned run for the wahine, tying the game at two. Later in the seventh inning, Cabrera redeemed himself from the events in the third inning, hitting an impressive home run towards left field. In the eight inning, University of Hawaii managed to cement their victory, with two back to back runs. Freshman infielder Jordan Donahue singled to first base, reaching third quickly after and going on to score. He was quickly followed by sophomore outfielder Naighel Ali’i Calderon hitting a single and reaching second on error, scoring an unearned run shortly after. This left the score 5-2, essentially ending the game as the Highlanders were unable to create an opportunity in the 9th inning. The Highlanders return to the diamond in the Riverside Sports Complex on Thursday Apr. 14 against the Matadors H from Cal State Northridge for another three game series. ■
UCR men’s tennis logs a win against San Diego Christian College HIGHLANDER VICTORY DEMONSTRATES RISING POTENTIAL FOR MENS TENNIS IN THIS NEW SEASON. PATREACE ESPIRITU Contributing Writer
The Highlanders welcomed the Moe Hawks at the SRC tennis courts last Wednesday, April 6, 2022. They emerged victorious as they logged a 4-2 win against the visiting team after a collection of tremendous matches for the men’s tennis team. The gentle breeze during the game definitely made it easier to bear with the scorching heat of the morning. Despite the weather conditions, however, the UC Riverside men’s tennis team did not waver in their performance against San Diego Christian. Singles and doubles were played simultaneously, but the players were relentless in their pursuit of the win. Although they only won one game in the doubles match ups, they performed really well in their solo games which led to their eventual victory for the day. Freshman Daniel Velek extends his on-going win streak for the season as he wins his set against San Diego Christian. He is currently holding an impressive tally with 9 out of his last 13 match-ups won single-handedly. Despite it being their
first year competing for the UC Riverside’s tennis team, Velek and fellow freshman Justin Lamy were unyielding on the courts as they took control early on. Lamy’s explosive serves and returns proved to be challenging for his opponent as they rallied back and forth with intensity. Lamy’s win tied the game midway and kept up with UC Riverside’s momentum as they continued on with their individual matches. Fellow sophomores Antreas Djakouris and Joshua Roth were quite a duo on the court during their doubles match up against the Moe Hawks. The two were both hungry for the win with their imposing returns. The two players’ chemistry and teamwork on the court was prominent as they rallied back and forth with intense concentration, never giving the opponents a break with their powerful serves. Their doubles win secured a point for the Highlanders in the overall score board for the day. Among six of the singles games, UC Riverside won five of them overall. Senior Nolan McCaig won with 6-4, 3-6, and 5-2 under his name; Velek won with an impressive 6-1 and 6-4 under his; Roth logged 6-3, 4-6, and 6-0; junior Andreas Whelan-Merediz with 6-4 and 6-0; and Lamy with 6-1 on both of his rounds against the Moe Hawks. Djakouris and Roth teamed up to defeat the visiting team, scoring the only doubles win for UC Riverside for the day with 6-1 under their
COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS
score card. The Highlanders went on to UC Irvine for a chance to improve on their conference score, but fell short against the Anteaters on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Recovering from the 0-4 loss, they did not let it get to them as they went on to defeat Claremont-Muddscripps on Saturday, April 9, 2022 with a 6-1 win to end their week. They will have another shot at improving their record on the Big West conference on April 11, 2022 as they host the University of Hawaii Rainbow H Warriors at the SRC Tennis Courts ■