Vol. 71, Issue 10

OPINIONS

ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

After almost six weeks of striking, the University of California graduate students and academic workers have agreed to negotiations with the UC system and have signed a new contract. The strike which disrupted most undergraduate curriculum across the nine UC campuses, and was described as “the biggest work stoppage ever at a U.S. institution of higher education,” has ended, yet not all union members are pleased with the new agreement. During the course of the strike, the UC system lost credibility amongst its students and widespread disapproval of the new contract has only weakened the United Auto Worker union, which represents the graduate students and academic workers, in future negotiations.

At UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara, teaching assistants and academic workers largely rejected the proposal claiming it divides the campuses by providing more compensations to schools who have a more “prestigious” reputation like UC Berkeley and UC Los Angeles. The new agreement will increase the current salary of these students from about $24,000 to $36,000, although initial negotiations had aimed to nearly double the current salary and were asking for it to be increased to $54,000. Other big wins for the union were improved child-care subsidies, paid leaves and protection against discrimination. The rate at Berkeley, San Francisco and UCLA, however, will be increased to $36,500 — substantially more than the $34,000 that other campuses are receiving.

UC Riverside administration has announced that the class of 2023 will hold most of its Commencement Ceremonies inside the air-conditioned Toyota Arena in Ontario. The Arena is less than 20 miles from campus and UCR Vice Chancellor Brian Haynes has expressed that the venue will provide a more well-rounded, enhanced experience for all attendees.

Haynes stated the commencement shift is in response to students’ top two commencement wishes: to continue having their names called individually and to invite more family and friends. “Graduates and their guests will have the luxury of an air-conditioned ceremony with improved seating, sightlines, and security,” the announcement explained.

Ceremonies will still include individual

name reading of each graduating student. Guest tickets will range from 8 to 10 tickets per graduate depending on the college and/or school program, which matches or exceeds guest tickets for the on-campus ceremonies. Free parking will be provided by the university to all graduating students attending the ceremonies, and graduate photos will be available at the arena.

Designed for concerts, sports, and other high-capacity events, the new location will bring a much needed change in atmosphere and will replace the past’s unpredictable and uncontrollable outdoor graduation conditions. Indoor campus options provide limited seating capacity and the ever-increasing number of graduating students made for longer ceremonies leaving attendees in

Negotiations between UAW and the University of California have ended, but many feel that the new contract is not enough

UCR’s Commencement is now Off-Campus

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COURTESY OF PEXELS

UCR’s Commencement is now Off-Campus

ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

UC Riverside administration has announced that the class of 2023 will hold most of its Commencement Ceremonies inside the air-conditioned Toyota Arena in Ontario. The Arena is less than 20 miles from campus and UCR Vice Chancellor Brian Haynes has expressed that the venue will provide a more well-rounded, enhanced experience for all attendees.

Haynes stated the commencement shift is in response to students’ top two commencement wishes: to continue having their names called individually and to invite more family and friends. “Graduates and their guests will have the luxury of an air-conditioned ceremony with improved seating, sightlines, and security,” the announcement explained.

Ceremonies will still include individual name reading of each graduating student. Guest tickets will range from 8 to 10 tickets per graduate depending on the college and/or school program, which matches or exceeds guest tickets for the on-campus ceremonies. Free parking will be provided by the university to all graduating students attending the ceremonies, and graduate photos will be available at the arena.

Designed for concerts, sports, and other high-capacity events, the new location will bring a much needed change in atmosphere and will replace the past’s unpredictable and uncontrollable outdoor graduation conditions. Indoor campus options provide limited seating capacity and the ever-increasing number of graduating students made for longer ceremonies leaving attendees in Riverside’s harsh summer sun.

“This decision, which was discussed prior to the pandemic, is in response to feedback on the commencement experience for graduates, family members, and loved ones,” Haynes explained in a Nov. 3 email to the campus community. “UC Riverside is enhancing the graduation experience.”

Navjot Brar, a third-year Computer Science with Business Applications major, was thrilled with the changes and looks forward to his graduation ceremony, “Not only do we get the stadium experience, but this helps tremendously especially when you consider the difficulties that come with having a large family to bring as guests. My older sister’s graduation ceremony faced a lot of issues with this and the heat.”

The venue will provide cooler temperatures, more seats, better viewpoints, clearer audio, security, and other amenities enjoyed when attending high-profile events. The 225,000-square-foot Toyota Arena can accommodate 11,000 people and has hosted icons including the LA Lakers, LA Kings, Metallica, Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, Elton John, Cher, and many more.

The 2023 Commencement schedule has been posted on commencement.ucr.edu to allow ample time for graduates and their guests to plan their attendance. The School of Medicine Hippocratic Oath Ceremony for M.D. degree recipients and the Graduate Division Hooding Ceremony for Ph.D. and M.F.A. degree candidates are scheduled for Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Student Recreation Center.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES WILL TAKE PLACE IN ONTARIO’S TOYOTA ARENA.

Commencement FAQ and Summary:

- Commencement will take place inside the airconditioned Toyota Arena in Ontario

- Ceremonies will still include the individual name reading of each graduating student.

- Guest tickets will range from 8 to 10 tickets per graduate depending on the college and/or school program, which matches or exceeds guest tickets for the on-campus ceremonies.

- The 2023 Commencement schedule has been posted on commencement.ucr.edu, providing ample time to plan.

- Free parking is provided to all graduating students attending the ceremonies. Guest parking information will be added to the commencement website once it is confirmed.

- Graduate photos will be available at the arena.

- The School of Medicine’s Hippocratic Oath Ceremony, Graduate Division’s Hooding Ceremony, Chicano Student Programs’ Raza Grad, and African Student Programs’ Black Grad will remain at UCR’s Student Recreation Center.

The Highlander Newspaper looks forward to the pleasant experience for our future graduates, and their families and friends at UC Riverside’s future commencement events.

UCR’s potential breakthrough in Diabetes and Cancer treatment

ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

ADVANCEMENTS IN RESEARCH

CAUSE NEEDLES

Researchers at UC Riverside are pioneering breakthrough research that may substantially benefit the way medicine is taken for diabetes and cancer patients. Needles and injections could be old news as patients may find themselves taking pills instead to manage their conditions. The details of this, and demonstrations of its effectiveness, are described in a new Journal of the American Chemical Society paper.

UCR scientists have created a chemical “tag” that can be added to these drugs, allowing them to enter blood circulation via the intestines. This is necessary due to how most drugs for these diseases dissolve in water, so transporting them through the intestines was unfortunately not feasible and these drugs, prior to this research, could not be administered orally.

Min Xue, a UCR chemistry professor, led the research on the tag, which is composed of a small peptide or a short chain of amino acids. Peptides are similar to protein fragments in that a protein is a long chain of amino acids. Xue explained, “Because they are relatively small molecules, you can chemically attach them to drugs, or other molecules of interest, and use them to deliver those drugs orally.”

Xue’s laboratory was conducting unrelated tests and experiments when researchers observed these peptides making their way into cells. “We did not expect to find this peptide making its way into cells. It took us by surprise,” stated Xue in regards to the discovery. “We always wanted to find this kind of chemical tag, and it finally happened serendipitously.”

This observation was unexpected, as previously, the researchers believed that this type of delivery tag needed to carry positive charges to be accepted into the

negatively charged cells. Their work with this neutral peptide tag, called EPP6, shows that belief was not accurate. As such, EPP6 can transport a wide array of smallmolecule cargos, including medicines, into a diverse panel of animal cells.

To test how the peptide moved and performed throughout the body, Xue’s research group teamed up with Kai Chen’s group from the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. They fed the peptide to mice and using a PET scan, a functional imaging technique that provides an image similar to a whole-body X-ray, the team observed the peptide accumulating in the intestines, and documented its transfer into the animals’ organs via the blood.

With the tag having proved successful in entering and navigating the circulatory systems through oral administration, the research team plans on demonstrating and testing their discovery on a selection of drugs. Drugs such as insulin must be injected and can often be costly in today’s pharmaceutical market. The researchers are hopeful their future experiments can bring much needed change to this issue, allowing them to add this tag to a wide variety of drugs and chemicals, changing the way those molecules move through the body. “This discovery could lift a burden on people who are already burdened with illness,” Xue said.

The need to develop molecularly well-defined tags is ever-increasing. It may ultimately enable commonly taken medicine to be administered orally as opposed through intravenous means which involves injections. Xue has expressed her bright vision of the future explaining, “Quite compelling preliminary results make us think we can push this further.” ■ H

MAY

AND INJECTIONS TO BE A THING OF THE PAST.

Negotiations between UAW and the University of California

After almost six weeks of striking, the University of California graduate students and academic workers have agreed to negotiations with the UC system and have signed a new contract. The strike which disrupted most undergraduate curriculum across the nine UC campuses, and was described as “the biggest work stoppage ever at a U.S. institution of higher education,” has ended, yet not all union members are pleased with the new agreement. During the course of the strike, the UC system lost credibility amongst its students and widespread disapproval of the new contract has only weakened the United Auto Worker union, which represents the graduate students and academic workers, in future negotiations.

At UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara, teaching assistants and academic workers largely rejected the proposal claiming it divides the campuses by providing more compensations to schools who have a more “prestigious” reputation like UC Berkeley and UC Los Angeles. The new agreement will increase the current salary of these students from about $24,000 to $36,000, although initial negotiations had aimed to nearly double the current salary and were asking for it to be increased to $54,000. Other big wins for the union were improved child-care subsidies, paid leaves and protection against discrimination. The rate at Berkeley, San Francisco and UCLA, however, will be increased to $36,500 — substantially more than the $34,000 that other campuses are receiving.

This variation in the pay increase is claimed to be caused by higher cost of living in the surrounding areas of these three campuses, but the discrepancy will cause the other campuses, who are often underfunded in comparison, to fall behind in relation to these UCs and will pit them against each other. At UC Santa Cruz, the contract was only approved by about 20% of graduate students. In a statement from the campus’s union, they stated that while some members who voted no may be compelled to revoke the UAW and join other unions, that they should not and that students “must resist this urge, and instead redouble [their] commitment to the organizing that has taken [them] this far.”

The statement from UC Santa Cruz also suggests that by accepting these terms and not holding out the strike longer, the union has lost their power and is left with unfilled potential. Future renegotiations will now be more difficult to complete with the UC system aware of what tactics work and how long the union is truly willing to be on strike. While this strike was monumental and

showed great mobilization, with all nine campuses coordinating together, it is unclear if a strike of this size is possible to occur again or can happen at a larger scale.

The six week strike only proved how valuable the academic workers are with undergraduate instruction unable to be completed in most instances without them. While some professors canceled classes in solidarity, the few that continued struggled to do so without TA’s and graders. With the start of winter instruction, many students still have GD, grade delays, for their fall grades bringing feelings of uncertainty after an already stressful academic session. The extensive headlines that graduate students made through their protests by halting undergraduate instruction, blocking intersections and even getting arrested in some cases appears to have succeeded in garnering a pay increase, but it is one that was not worth the time and effort that these students put into their work and the strike.

The handling of the strike by the UC system has also hurt its credibility and the perception that undergraduate students had of it. Some students already feel more like a customer than a valued student and the mistreatment of the graduate workers has shown the undergrads how little they mean to the UC. While some never trusted the institution, others are now realizing that their campus is run more like a business instead of a place for higher learning. After the strike, undergrad students are reevaluating their decision to pursue graduate school or are looking to alternative campuses outside of the UC. Those who’s classes remained in session had to teach themselves if their TA was on strike and the grade delays have left students that need their grades for study abroad, prerequisites, jobs or applications confused with how to move forward.

While the new contract is a win for the UAW, the mobilization of the nine campuses and recognition they received has proven to be the true win. The strike has hurt the UC’s reputation to its students that were affected most and did not receive the education they should have this past fall. An unfavorable perception of the UC system has been created, beginning a new era for the institution. The momentum of the strike should continue and not die down in coming years, although most fear that the union’s power will only dwindle from here. The graduate students and academic workers have proven what a force they can be and should not give up their fight for better compensation and recognition.

The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander EditorialBoard.Theydonotnecessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.

have ended, but many feel that the new contract is not enough

GRACE SUN / THE HIGHLANDER

The dark secret behind your beauty routine

AMARAY ALVAREZ Opinions Editor

The glitz and the glam of the new year brough sparkly appearances from those looking to impress others and feel their best going into 2023. When getting ready for the last party of the year, most people wearing shimmery glitter looks probably failed to stop and think about how their beauty products were manufactured. The mineral mica is found in most beauty products, like highlighters, eyeshadows, lipsticks, nail polishes, moisturizers, and sunscreens, giving them their sheen. This mineral is found and mined in China and India, with India producing about 60% of the high-quality mica used by cosmetic companies today. Mica mining, however, has led to deforestation and the exploitation of vulnerable communities who depend on the revenue it generates. This glamorous beauty industry has a dark side and must find a way to be more ethical or come to an end all together.

Mining is not usually associated with the beauty and cosmetic industry, but for the children working in these mines, throughout the Indian states of Jharkhand and Bihar, it is their livelihood. Many of these children began working in the mines at the age of five to help financially support their families and choose to work instead of attending school. Children are the ideal mine workers because their small bodies allow them to crawl into the tunnels and their hands are able to shift through dirt to find the mica flakes. On a typical day, these children earn only 20 to 30 rupees for their work. This is about 26 to 39 cents in U.S. dollars. They risk their lives and education for little compensation, and this is one of the very few economic opportunities available to them.

Indian law states that those under the age of 18 cannot work in mines or other hazardous industries, but there are still several mines that operate using child labor. Ingesting the dust and mica particles is one of the many risks the miners face, with the most severe risk being death. The mines are prone to collapsing and the children who become trapped under are often severely hurt or found dead. It is common practice for the companies and Indian law enforcement to cover up these crimes so that large cosmetic companies do not stop buying from them. These illegal companies instead pay the families of the victims so they do not speak out. Vasdev Rai Pratap, a mine worker in Jharkhand, states that he received 100,000 rupee, about $1,500 USD, for his 16 year old son’s death in the mines.

While the mines are dangerous for those who work there, they’re also harmful to the environment. Several of the mines are located in protected forests where deforestation has occurred to clear the land for mining. The creation of these mica mines cause soil erosion along with sinkholes and can potentially pollute waterways and the soil. Residents who live near the mines have noticed a decrease in animal wildlife and believe it is due to deforestation.

Knowing about the exploitation surrounding mica mining, the question arises as to why this is still occurring. Many beauty and cosmetic brands have begun trying to use

CHILDREN, AND INDIA’S ENVIRONMENT, ARE BEING EXPLOITED THROUGH THE MINING OF MICA.

ethically sourced mica powder. A large problem is that when mica is sold, the inspectors are bribed and cross contamination happens. There is no accurate and reliable way to guarantee if the mica one brand uses was or was not sourced through child labor and illegal practices. A 2016 article by Reuters found that an estimated 70% of India’s mica output came from illegal mines.

Some brands like Lush Cosmetics no longer use mica powder and have turned to using a synthetic mica, but ignore the mining that is still occurring. Synthetic mica is made of natural materials and is biodegradable. Unfortunately, if all brands were to start using synthetic mica, then the families who work at the mines would be left without work and fall further into poverty. Instead of completely pulling out of the mica industry, companies should work to only use ethically sourced mica and help end the incorporation of low wages and child labor.

The Responsible Mica Initiative is a Coalition for Action that is working to enable a “responsible and sustainable mica supply chain in India free of child labor.” The RMI was created in 2017 and uses their resources to liberate child laborers working in mica mines by helping them attend school and advocating that adults working in the mines earn more for their labor.

Those curious about the products they currently use and if they are linked to illegal mica can utilize ethicalelephant.com. Supporting groups like the RMI and researching the brands that one consumes can help put an end to the illegal and destructive practices that have become intertwined in the mining of mica. Children in India should not have to put themselves and their land at risk so that others can look their best while unaware of the sacrifices that went into their beauty and cosmetic products. ■ H

COURTESY OF SASHA LEZHNEV VIA FLICKR UNDER CC BY-ND 2.0

This card has come up reversed, indicating a period of low energy and selfdoubt. There’s a lack of balance between harsh reality and positivity in your current mindset. This is a sign to take the first week of the quarter as an opportunity to relax before everything shifts into high gear.

Leo

This week will mean stepping out of your comfort zone as you take on a new role in the lives of others. This week means being a peacemaker and being diplomatic. In order to avoid a rising major conflict, you need to know when to compromise and how to balance the needs of others while putting aside your own. This isn’t the time to fight, it’s the time to fold.

Virgo

There’s a vulnerable side to you coming out this week, Taurus. As new relationships present themselves and new people take up residence in your life, you’re feeling safe and willing to share more of yourself. Allow this instinct to flourish and don’t let the mere possibility of a fallen relationship stop you and leave you with regrets.

This week, your family needs something from you that you’re not completely willing to give. It means adhering to traditions that don’t necessarily apply to you or align with who you are now. Family traditions are important and meaningful, but it’s up to you to decide how it fits in with who you are now as an adult.

Libra

The Ace of Cups reversed tells a twosided story of self-love and isolation. You’re good at being alone with yourself and living an independent life. However, reaching out and sharing real emotions with others is a reach for you and it’s leaving you lonely. Just because people from your past let you down doesn’t mean others will. Reach out. Know when the healing stops and the delaying begins.

The Queen of Cups reversed serves as a warning that you’re allowing emotion to take up too much headspace right now. Right now, allowing emotions to bubble up publicly will only lead to you feeling out of control and overwhelmed. Go to the people you trust or even a trained professional to sort out how you’re feeling privately and without having to endure widespread judgment.

The three blades piercing a heart pictured on this card indicate oncoming feelings of

Scorpio (October 23November 21): THREE OF SWORDS

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): four of swords

The Page of Wands reversed means that you are in a trial and error cycle. This can be frustrating as you keep trying new things to make a goal or relationship work, but it doesn’t seem to work. This is a learning process and even if your current situation doesn’t work out, the next one will have the benefit of the knowledge you gained during this time.

hurt and disappointment, or even grief. This major loss isn’t something to shove aside or downplay, it cuts deep and demands to be acknowledged. Allow yourself to experience that emotional release.

You’re restless, Sagittarius. You’re ready to get back out there with all of your pent up mental energy. Your brain is moving a mile a minute, encouraging you to everything all at once. This isn’t the time for that. Easy back into your busy schedule and make time for relaxing because your body isn’t ready to go full speed yet. You need to sort out your priorities, Capricorn. You’re being pulled in a lot of different directions by your family and friends and yourself. Trying to consider all of these demands as equal is what’s stretching you thin. You need to decide what is the most urgent and the most important because there’s only so much you can do.

Capricorn (December 22January 19): TWO OF PENTACLES

Aquarius (January 20February 18): THE STAR

This week is going to be about establishing hope and possibilities for you, Aquarius. Post-winter break, you’re feeling renewed and prepared which is exactly the right time to make more major decisions. Decisions that you have been putting off. Dig up the feelings and thoughts you’ve put on the back burner and use a clear head to move forward.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): The CHARIOT REVERSED ■

With a reversed chariot, you lack direction, Pisces. The things that motivated you in the past are no longer present in your life and so you’re struggling to practice self-discipline instead. Learning to depend on yourself and not parents or other guiding figures in your life is hard, but this week will present a challenge that forces you to put faith in yourself.

ALEXANDRIA LACHMAN Staff Writer

In the end, there’s so much to do in a year but here are just a few to keep in mind. Hopefully they make your year an adventure.

Campus Cope How to survive the dreadful Winter quarter

Now that it’s the new year, many of us come back to campus expecting new opportunities and adventures. However, if you’re new to college, Winter quarter is known to be a “dead quarter” as not many events happen around campus like Fall and Spring quarter. With the weather constantly being gloomy, events on campus happening once in a blue moon and students constantly getting sick, it’s hard not to develop seasonal depression. Here are a few tips you can use in order to survive this long and dreadful ten-week quarter.

Go on a boba run

Even though there may be more rain and thunderstorms during Winter quarter, try going out a bit with your friends. It can be hard not staying home all day but there are plenty of boba shops around Riverside that students can visit to stay dry from the rain! Some of the closest ones to campus are 7Leaves, Ding Tea, Boba Tea House, Boba Fiend, Ten Ren, Tim Boba and Cha2o. All of these places also close late so don’t be shy, grab a study buddy and go on a boba run with them!

Set weekly goals

With the weather constantly being cloudy, it’s hard not to sleep in. However, don’t let the weather discourage you from owning the day! Take a few minutes of your weekend to create weekly academic or personal goals for yourself. This can help encourage you to take initiative to complete your assignments early or on-time, attend in-person or online classes or take an extra shift or two at work.

Plan study dates

It’s important to keep up with your academics, especially if you know that you don’t do well on exams without studying. Gather some of your classmates or study buddies and schedule a time for you guys to have study dates or to catch up on homework! Some of the popular locations on-campus that students like to study at are Starbucks at Market at Glen Mor, Coffee Bean, the Student Success Center and the on-campus libraries. Some off-campus locations that you can have your study dates are Condron Coffee, Arcade Coffee Roaster, Cha2o and Tim Boba.

Chen Features Editor

Check up on your friends

Seasonal depression is real — especially with the gloomy weather. Try checking up on your friends when you get the chance. Taking 30 seconds of your day to send a “Hey, how are you?” text can make a difference! You may even make someone’s day a lot better than it was.

Utilize the SRC

Take the time to look at the SRC website to view all the different activities the SRC constantly hosts. The SRC isn’t just a place for lifting weights and running the treadmill. There are constant events happening that many students do not know about! The SRC holds different activities, such as yoga, soul cycling, dance, cooking, etc. Take advantage of these activities since every student attending UCR has a free membership! Visit the SRC website for more information at https:// recreation.ucr.edu.

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Ashley

Campus Cope

You have not failed until you stop trying

SENNA OMAR Assistant Features Editor

With the New Year, it is only natural to improve your life. Everyone makes New Year’s resolutions, but the problem with making resolutions is nobody ever keeps them. In January, you’re going strong driven by newfound inspiration, but as the year progresses, the motivation dies down. By December, you find yourself right back where you started writing the same resolutions down for the fifth year in a row. Here are a few tips for maintaining your New Years’ resolutions and implementing them in the long-term:

BFFR

New Year is a day just like any other day, and people believe the moment the clock strikes midnight and the New Year begins, they will instantly become a new person. It is essential to be realistic with your resolutions; without realism, there is no chance for success. When creating resolutions, you need to consider how you currently live. It is simply unrealistic to wake up one morning and become a changed person.

Focus on one resolution at a time

It is so easy to get overwhelmed by a neverending list of lifestyle changes you want to implement, so instead of making New Years Resolutions, try focusing on a singular resolution. Pick one thing you want to change this year, and spend your time and energy devoted to that resolution. At the end of the year, you will find a successfully implemented permanent change in your life.

Set small goals

Resolutions are huge long-term goals making it super easy to feel as if your not making any progress towards bettering yourself. Break up your resolution into smaller, achievable goals. If your goal for this year is to implement a new habit into your daily routine, start with once a week, then three times a week, then every other day until you successfully integrate said habit into your life.

Have empathy for yourself

You are your own harshest critic, and it is important to treat yourself with the same empathy and compassion you offer to others. A slip-up on your resolution is only a failure if you choose to give up on yourself. You have not failed until you stop trying; rather than spending precious time belittling the progress you have made thus far, get back on to the New Years resolution horse and continue your journey to a better tomorrow. ■ H

You can’t say potat-NO to this potato leek soup recipe!

NATALIE DAHL Contributing Writer

As the colder months of the year continue, warm yourself up with this traditional Welsh soup. I recommend eating this soup with toasted french bread, but you can also eat it on its own or with another carb like crackers.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

3 leeks, thinly sliced (Make sure to clean the leeks thoroughly and slice only the white and light green part of the leeks)

1 medium or large onion, chopped

6 to 8 russet potatoes, thinly sliced (You don’t need to peel the potatoes as the peels add to the rustic texture of the soup)

3 ½ cups chicken or vegetable broth (or enough to barely cover potatoes)

1 cup heavy cream

salt

fresh ground black pepper

Put butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When fully melted, stir in onions and leeks. Cook while stirring until onions are light brown and limp.

Add sliced potatoes to butter, onion, and leek mixture. Pour in enough chicken or vegetable broth to just cover the potatoes (If you make the broth hot, it will cut down the cooking time). Cook over medium heat until potatoes feel mashable. Turn down the heat to medium low. Using a potato masher or large fork, mash potatoes to your liking (You can leave chunkier pieces or mash fully into a creamy sauce). As you mash the potatoes, continue stirring to prevent burning on the bottom of the pan.

Add in the heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Cook while stirring for 15 more minutes. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

■ H

Hope this soup brings you some comfort during winter quarter!

KEEPING NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS ARE HARD; HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO HELP MEET YOUR GOALS THIS YEAR.

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Artist spotlight: Redefining artistry with Litzy Cruz

JAELYN GONZALEZ Assistant Radar Editor

In October 2022, student and artist, Litzy Cruz filled the walls of the Phyllis Gill Gallary with expressive multimedia pieces. For 13 days Cruz found a home for her artwork at the UCR Arts building. The exhibition titled “HELLBNDER” gave Cruz a newfound confirmation of her identity — an artist.

Litzy Cruz is a twenty-year-old artist from Hemet, California. Cruz is currently a third-year Art History undergraduate student at UC Riverside. While Cruz does not identify with any particular art style, it is safe to say her work stems from contemporary and grunge graphic design. While her expertise is in graphic art, the artist is currently exploring pastels and 3D modeling.

For Cruz, reaching her identity as an artist was a difficult journey. Defining artistry was clear for Cruz, yet identifying with the term never came to her naturally.

“I guess as of recently, I’ve kind of been defining myself as this artist in a way. Before I refused to use the term artist, just ‘cause I never felt like I fit into the general definition of what an artist is or people’s idea of what an artist is, so I just never used it. But that is kind of what I am proud of and what I would like to be recognized as. I am an artist,” Cruz told the Highlander.

“HELLBNDER” is what Cruz recognizes as her proudest work. Last fall, the exhibition showcased what Cruz had been crafting since she was a child. From illustrations of cartoon characters made at 10 years old to her experimental digital media pieces at 20. The show not only revealed her progression as an artist but

Money means everything in ‘Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street’

MADISON ZEPEDA Contributing Writer

THE ARTIST’S DIGITAL WORLD EXPLORES HER ENVIRONMENT, PROVIDING CREATIVE DIRECTION FOR HER BRILLIANCE AND STYLE.

the embodiment of inspiration for her pieces as well.

To most, identifying Hemet, California on a map is impossible. For Cruz, the city of Hemet is a special place. The artist lived there her entire life and does not find Hemet to be appealing to most, but her connection to the city is what makes it worth the introspection.

Cruz described to the Highlander her home life. “There’s not much to do there (Hemet, CA). It’s not the greatest place ever, but it’s home. My parents are immigrants from Mexico, so that’s definitely had a lot of influence on what I do and how that’s shaped me as an artist. I would say it does hold a lot of influence. And I think as of recently I’ve been trying to incorporate a lot of that stuff into my work. I think moving away from home has let me reflect on my time back at home and just kind of recognize it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was when I lived there.”

Her process also allows her inspiration to flourish in her work as well. When she finds the means to design or illustrate on Procreate, it begins with a Pinterest board. Setting a mood is what pushes Cruz to create. You will also find Cruz creating to the sound of music. It is a ritual to listen to musicians such as Beach House, Deftones, and other musicians during this creative process. Rock, nu-metal and shoegaze are a must-listen when creating.

“Honestly, just listening to this type of music, just brings up all these emotions that I would not necessarily talk about. It lets me acknowledge them, then use it as an outlet,” Cruz articulated.

While charm and style are what make Cruz’s work so mesmerizing, at its core emotion is the glue to each of her pieces.

When asked what message people should receive from her work, she responded, “I think, just kind of being comfortable with yourself as you are. A lot of the things I have been recently tapping into are these personal things. I think just because I’m now getting comfortable with sharing this part of myself that I wouldn’t share 2 or 4 years ago. I think showing people it’s okay to be vulnerable and it’s okay to have these moments where you are at your lowest. But being able to talk about it and share it if you’re willing that can lead to something very beautiful.”

In her recent work, Cruz explores themes of womanhood and her queer identity. Touching on what it means to be a woman is important to her. She makes it clear femininity is not cookie-cutter, which is an idea she used to struggle with. Being comfortable in your skin is a difficult task and is what Cruz hopes to continue to venture into within her personal life and her artwork.

“HELLBNDER,” the exhibition is just the beginning of her journey of showcase art. In the future, she hopes to design a graphic for a musical artist or band. She would also like to see her art in a museum as well.

To view Litzy Cruz’s digital archive, visit @ hellbnder on Instagram.

■ H

Though the financial crimes of Bernie Madoff may feel distant from our current post-Trump era, the four-episode docuseries from Netflix present a strong case for its continued relevance. Featuring Emmy winner Joe Berlinger as director and executive producer, the series sheds light on the perplexing conditions that allowed Madoff to commit unrestrained fraud for years. Through multiple interviews including those most familiar with the man and the crimes, the lifespan of Madoff’s corrupt venture is ultimately revealed in stark detail.

As the title sequence of the series plays out, Madoff’s appearance casts a notably sinister shadow over the aspects of Wall Street presented alongside it. Although this imagery is concentrated on Madoff especially, the series does not abstain from confronting other nefarious roles involved in the matter either. “It’s about this whole ecosystem that completely and utterly failed,” said Andrew Ross Sorkin, a journalist for The New York Times and CNBC, at the beginning of the first episode. In particular, the SEC’s mistake of not catching Madoff sooner is brought into view through the doc’s wide-reaching examination of his fraud over the decades. Nonetheless, while said “ecosystem” gets the dishonorable mention it deserves, “Monster” retains a clear viewpoint throughout by never letting the focus waver away from Madoff or his crimes.

Interwoven with the various interviews are reenactments of Madoff calmly running his office or happily spending time with his family before switching to the secretive interactions of his ‘Ponzi scheme.’ In episode three, the Madoff actor (Joseph Scotto) walks through the office in a shower of money before stepping out of the scene altogether, revealing the camera crew and green screens underneath. While this action is meant to reflect Madoff’s untouchability at a certain point in time, it also taps into a major theme of the series: ‘reality’ vs. ‘illusion.’ This artistic decision essentially goes beyond giving the viewer an elaborate visual aid; it exposes Madoff’s life as make-believe made real only through the use of financial falsities. Though only used twice,

this effect takes a firm hold of the viewer’s attention and adds profound complexity to an otherwise rudimentary aspect of the docuseries.

Aside from recounting the cruel mess that is Madoff’s decades-long ‘Ponzi scheme,’ some of those interviewed for the docuseries act as character witnesses for Madoff and his team of fraudsters. However, there is arguably only one group whose statements stand out amongst the rest: those who Madoff defrauded and subsequently left stranded in debt. In total, listening to the misfortunes and concessions that these individuals have gone through makes the gravity of their troubles all the more important within the docuseries at large. Without these perspectives, the docuseries might have lost itself in the craziness of the fraud or the even more over-the-top display of crookedness on Wall Street overall. Blending their interviews with the others also grants a kind of decency to their experiences that fundamentally characterize the series and what viewers inevitably take away from it.

On the whole, “Monster” never pulls its punches when it comes to blaming Madoff for his unflinching role in robbing people of their money. If anything, the docuseries attempts to solidify this injustice at every moment possible — typically through Madoff’s purposely malevolent portrayal or the despicably careless attitude of his real-life deposition tapes. Yet, as the episodes progress, even the word “monster” does not seem strong enough to represent whatever ran through his mind as he cultivated his scheme over the years. Describing a person who knowingly took millions of dollars from others under false claims must take much more than a singular adjective. Nevertheless, statements from the multitude of interviewers — including those he cheated — dominate the narrative of the series. Therefore, it is fair to say that those defrauded got the last word. All in all, “Monster of Wall Street” delivers by laying out the story of Bernie Madoff in a harsh but incredibly detailed manner.

VERDICT:

“MADOFF: THE MONSTER OF WALL STREET” SHOWCASES IN EXPLICIT DETAIL THE MAN BEHIND THE FRAUD AND THE CRIMES BEHIND THE TABLOIDS. HOWEVER, THE DOCUSERIES DOES A GREAT JOB OF GIVING A VOICE TO THOSE MOST FINANCIALLY IMPACTED, THUS ENNOBLING THEIR DIFFICULT EXPERIENCES INSTEAD OF MERELY HARPING ON THE INFAMOUS SCHEME.

Coming in 2023

KIMBERLY BEJEC Staff Writer

As we settle into the new year, there are many films to look forward to that have been highly anticipated since their announcements or teaser releases. With an array of films coming out, there is a movie for every type of audience to enjoy. From new movies by esteemed directors, star-studded cast lists and a return to fanfavorite franchises, this year has plenty. Here are some of the most anticipated films of 2023.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (May 5)

As part of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) phase five comes the third film in the series following the Guardians of the Galaxy. Directed by James Gunn, the film follows the Guardians of the Galaxy as they go on a mission to protect the galaxy and their team. The film’s long-awaited release has fans eager for its arrival and to continue the Guardians’ journey. The teaser trailer reveals that the film will feature Rocket’s backstory and the return of Gamora. With a starstudded cast featuring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper and more, the film is jam-packed with lots to offer. The future of the team after this film’s release is unknown as the movie seems to be setting up a goodbye to the Guardians and Gunn as director.

“The Little Mermaid” (May 26)

Disney has been releasing plenty of live-action reimaginings of their classic animated films in the past years, and “The Little Mermaid” is next. The film follows the story of a young mermaid, Ariel, as she journeys outside of the sea for the first time as a human. While she experiences the human world for the first time and falls in love, she encounters conflicts

with her father and the evil sea witch, Ursula. Plenty of excitement comes with singer and actress, Halle Bailey being the first person of color to play a live-action Disney princess. Bailey’s soulful and beautiful singing is sure to be one of the major highlights of the film. Other notable cast members include Jonah Haur-King as Prince Eric, Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian and Melissa McCartney as Ursula.

“Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse” (June 2) Sony’s release of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” had a huge success with audiences smashing the box office. Since then fans have been eagerly waiting to see the web-slinger, Miles Morales’ (Shameik Moore) return to the big screen. In the upcoming sequel, audiences will see Miles team up with Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and travel across the Spider-Verse to defeat a threat, while clashing with the other universes’ Spider-People. The sequel seems to explore more of Miles’ friendship and potential romance with Gwen. With the plot, animation and soundtrack being the highlight of the first film, these aspects in the second film seem to be heightened from the trailer alone.

“Oppenheimer” (July 21)

Renowned director Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, “Oppenheimer” captures the Manhattan Project and the man behind the creation of the atomic bomb. The biographical drama follows J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) known as the “father of the atomic bomb” and his ethically questionable contributions to saving the world. Nolan is known for his storytelling and distaste of CGI, instead utilizing realistic shots if possible. This captures the audience’s attention towards

the film and gives cinematically groundbreaking work. The film is set to have an impressive cast with bigname actors such as Robert Downey Jr,. Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh and Rami Malek.

“Barbie” (July 21)

Barbie is an iconic doll that has been around for decades, changing the toy industry. “Barbie,” directed by Greta Gerwig, jumps into Barbie Land and Barbie’s (Margot Robbie) life as she has to venture out into the human world. As pictures from the filming have been leaked, audiences have been excited to see the film. Additionally, the aesthetics of Barbie’s bright colors reached social media and became a trend in the summer of 2022. The film’s absurd fun and outlandish tone are sure to capture the attention of audiences. The film features Ryan Gosling as Ken, and other notable casts such as Will Ferrell, Michael Cera and Simu Liu.

Honorable mentions:

The list of highly-anticipated films in 2023 is plentiful, they cannot all be mentioned. However, one honorable mention is “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (February 17). The film features Ant-Man, the Wasp and his team as they venture into the Quantum Realm and fight off against Kang the Conqueror, a major villain in the MCU. Another honorable mention is “John Wick: Chapter 4” (March 24). The action thriller film features trained assassin John Wick as he continues on his path to defeat the High Table while encountering new and surprising enemies. The year 2023 proves to be promising with its long list of exciting new films to come. ■ H

SEBASTIAN BUSTAMANTE CEJA Contributing Writer

Close to three years ago, Earth shut down and we found ourselves in a virtual world. This would enable the capitalization of streaming services as they rose throughout the pandemic. Since then, the production of quantity over quality, contractual bids for fan favorite and rewatchable content was a major TV fad. As restrictions are lifted, mediocrity is no longer tolerated as subscriptions continue to plummet and it is up to the streaming services to once again produce quality content. Here is a list of anticipated shows from the top streaming services that aim to retain viewership and bring in new subscribers.

“Last of Us” (HBO Max)

Video game adaptations have not been as successful as studios would have liked. Producers relied too heavily on the success of the medium and the nostalgia factor as a selling point. Thankfully all is looking well for “The Last of Us” as a show would be more fitting allowing for the plot to develop adequately without the time parameters films fall under. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal have been perfectly cast as Ellie and Joel with the creative team behind the camera from the HBO Max series, “Chernobyl.” The show premieres on January 15th, streaming on HBO Max.

“Secret Invasion” (Disney+)

Plenty of Marvel content will arrive to Disney+ this year, but perhaps what stands out the most is the show “Secret Invasion.” One of Marvel’s most successful and complex comic storylines

was originally expected to land as a film with talks of even an infamous phase in Kevin Feige’s slate. However, now it will arrive as an espionage show with darker tones than what audiences are accustomed to, closer to Netflix’s Marvel content. Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury will star with an expected Spring release timeframe.

“Gen V” (Prime)

On a different note, “The Boys” spinoff series “Gen V” is to be released “sometime between now and Dec 31!!!” according to the show’s official Twitter account @GenV. The spinoff retains the NSFW themes with a plot that falls somewhere between “Euphoria” and “Hunger Games.” This show could be the answer to the return of YA stories on the big and small screens and has a great floor to stand on after the success “The Boys” has racked up. If you are not familiar with the world of “The Boys,” this is not your average DC/Marvel content. Viewer discretion is advised.

“Ted Lasso” (Apple TV)

Season two left many cliffhangers when it aired close to a year and a half ago with the third season expected to be the last. “Ted Lasso” may be Apple TV’s best content in their streaming service, and has the awards and nominations to back that up. No release date has been announced yet, however, it won’t want to miss award season — a Spring release window is expected. Apple TV gives plenty of opportunities for free trials, so if possible, do yourself a favor

and watch an American midwest football coach with the heart of an ace that can coach a professional real football team in the U.K.

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (Netflix) Yes, I am scared just as much as the next fan of the world of Avatar. It also does not help that the hope fans were given with the original creators being attached to the project left due to “creative differences.” The trauma M. Night Shyamalan left behind has not yet healed and that makes this perhaps the most anticipated show of the year let alone the budget per episode is $15 million. Netflix does not disappoint when handling important projects as such, but that is also the issue here: cancellation after one amazing season. A lot is riding on this show and will be breaking records without a doubt when released this year.■ H

COURTESY OF WARNER BROS

COURTESY OF WARNER BROS PICTURES

The Top 10 narrative feature films of 2022

MAX BRIGGS Contributing Writer

10. “Avatar: The Way Of Water”

James Cameron delivers yet again another action-packed, spectacle-fueled adventure, surpassing the already staggering technical prowess of the first installment. Our focus is placed on the mesmerizing visuals, and while the storytelling is still more than adequate, the engaging world-building heavily propels the film to excellence. The attention to detail and amount of time placed into each frame is evident, from the environmentalist themes to the intricate blend of innovative CGI and already existing practical techniques. Easily among the most immersive theater experiences of all time, it cannot be missed on the big screen.

9. “Vortex”

Argentinian auteur Gaspar Noé’s inspiration for “Vortex” stemmed from coping with his mother’s dementia, as well as his near-death experience from a brain hemorrhage in 2020. Resoundingly personal to the core, fellow successful Dario Argento shines in his first lead acting role at the age of 82, bringing a sense of unparalleled, harrowing realism to his character. Aided by the talented Françoise Lebrun, the duo clearly execute the vision precisely. Noé’s signature use of the split screen and the medium format also make their returns. The director overall portrays death, aging and the passage of time in a format unlike anything else.

8. “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Established actors Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson reunite with Martin McDonagh in his strongest film to date. Diving into the absurdities of friendship, its bleakness set against the fictional island countryside on the decaying end of the Irish Civil War, complements the clashing ideals present within the main characters. The powerful script is elevated by the wondrous performances, which heavily benefited from the supporting efforts of Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan. The brutality of life is often overlooked, and sometimes we can’t attain all the answers. This film tells us that these questions may never disappear.

7. “Triangle of Sadness”

The winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival comes from someone quite familiar with the award, Ruben Östlund. His amalgamation of black comedy, social class satire and vulgarity culminate in a determined effort that rewards your attention with quality. Uniquely structured into various chapters, each one capitalizing on its ambition, increasingly becoming more engaging in the process. The film’s messaging rings true, especially in today’s society, where empathy seems to be cast aside for the sake of materialism.

6. “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On”

Originally conceived by director Dean Fleischer-Camp back in 2010, Marcel’s frenetic and joyous being first took root after a YouTube video was uploaded, eventually evolving into a feature-length mockumentary. The appreciation of life’s simplicity is highlighted by the peaceful, easy feeling one gets by spending time with Marcel. There’s an unquantifiable type of love put into the project. Fleischer-Camp makes it seen clearly in the animation and quirky script. Jenny Slate and Isabella Rossellini fill their voice acting roles wonderfully, contributing to a journey anyone can enjoy.

5. “The Whale”

Adapted from the play of the same name by Samuel D. Hunter, Darren Aronofsky returns to paint a complex portrait of an individual seeking redemption for the first time

since “The Wrestler” in 2008. The character of Charlie is played by Brendan Fraser, in his long-awaited comeback performance. Exploring the difficulties of physical health and the dynamics of family, it’s evident that the film’s impact lies within its character development. This story is told with unbridled compassion, with an emphasis on the universal human experience’s desire for love.

4. “RRR”

Longtime fans of Indian cinema will no doubt have heard S.S. Rajamouli’s name before, but for many in the West, “RRR” became the breakout film of the year. Those who are familiar with his work will see him capitalize on his typical insane action set pieces - incomplete of course without the best musical number of the year, “Naatu Naatu.” Mega Tollywood stars Ram Charan and Jr. N.T.R. bring their usual flare, and the straightforward but charming line between good and evil makes it impossible to not have a smile on our faces by the end of its runtime.

3.

“Tár”

“Tár” may very well feature Cate Blanchett’s greatest on-screen performance of her career so far, which is an occurrence that cannot be understated. Streamlined and precise in every way possible, director Todd Field creates an uneasy and claustrophobic atmosphere that unsettles the audience to the core. The shot composition is impeccable, coinciding directly with the use of diegetic music. Scenes often feature minutes of uninterrupted dialogue, further building the inevitable trance that succumbs all those who cross Lydia Tár’s path — taking viewers on a more than welcome cinematic odyssey.

2. “After Yang”

South Korean-born American director, Kogonada, is no stranger to creating gentle, methodical, and ethereal cinema. Despite having only made two feature-length films, his past as a video essayist granted him the rare ability to learn from the cinematic masters — most notably modernizing aspects of the Japanese great, Yasujirō Ozu. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Colin Farrell, this exploration of Asian identity through the lens of science fiction is masterfully crafted. Hauntingly beautiful cinematography and enchanting glimpses of memory offer a world of comfort where only peace resides.

1. “Aftersun”

A spot among the best directorial debuts in history now belongs to Scottish filmmaker Charlotte Wells, with the exponentially rising Paul Mescal and magnificent first performance from Frankie Corio also breaking new ground. Heart-wrenching to the core, the ambient soundtrack combined with the harnessing of video footage results in a slow, ascending wave of emotion, taking its time to wash over all those invited. The connection between a parent and child can be rather difficult to decipher, but Wells depicts this perfectly. Ending evocatively, there’s no doubt that “Aftersun’s” impact extends far beyond one’s first viewing experience.

Honorable Mentions: “The Fablemans,” “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Nope,” “Broker,” “Pearl.” ■ H

2022 WAS A YEAR FILLED WITH UNBOUNDED CREATIVITY AND EXCELLENCE FOR CINEMA, RANGING FROM HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTERS TO ARTHOUSE FILMS.

State Fullerton

HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

The UC Riverside men’s basketball team suffered their first conference defeat against Cal State Fullerton, 6277, in the SRC Arena Thursday night. The Highlanders came into this game 2-0 in conference play for only the third time in school history as they rode a gamewinning three-pointer from transfer guard Jamal Hartwell II to beat Long Beach State. However, UCR faced the tall task of defeating the defending Big West Champions as they were without their star guard Zyon Pullin.

Both schools traded three-pointers to open up the ball game. A layup from graduate student Kyle Owens and a three-pointer from Hartwell II put UC Riverside up early 8-3. CSUF responded with a couple of buckets of their own from senior guard Jalen Harris and junior guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. before a three-pointer from graduate student Flynn Cameron tied the game up at 11-11. Harris and Wrightsell Jr. started to get into a groove as they hit jump shot after jump shot to give the Tritons an 18-11 lead with 10:46 left in the first half. Minutes later, Cal State Fullerton sunk backto-back three-pointers to give themselves a doubledigit lead, 29-16. The Highlanders tried chipping into the deficit with a couple of layups from redshirt sophomore Jhalyon Martinez. However, it was all Latrell Wrightsell Jr. down the stretch for Cal State Fullerton to end the first half. After a missed layup from Martinez, Wrightsell Jr. went down the court and finished a tough left-handed layup to extend the Triton lead 38-28. Seconds later, Wrightsell Jr. stepped into a three-pointer to push the lead to 13 points. On the next possession, Wrightsell Jr. waved off the head coach

before sinking another three-pointer to give CSUF a 44-28 lead going into halftime. Wrightsell Jr. had 18 of his career-high 29 points in the first half alone.

The Tritons continued their momentum in the second half as they pushed the lead to 20 points, 48-28. UC Riverside responded with a quick 7-0 run to bring the deficit down to 13 points, 50-37. However, Cal State Fullerton answered back with a jump shot from Wrightsell Jr. and a three-pointer from senior guard Grayson Carper to push the lead back up to 18 points. After a steal from Carper, Wrightsell Jr. went down on the other end and sunk a three-pointer to give CSUF their biggest lead of the night 62-39. After a layup from Owens in the next possession, junior guard Max Jones found senior forward Vincent Lee for the emphatic dunk and silenced the Highlander crowd.

With their backs against the wall, UCR seemed to flip a switch with 10:03 left to play in the game. Having already three comeback victories prior to this game, the Highlanders somehow had newfound vigor being down 23 points, and battled back into the match. It started with a three-pointer from Cameron and a jumper from freshman forward Lachlan Olbrich to bring the score to 62-46. Owens then sunk two free throws and a jump shot to cut the deficit to 64-50, and a pull-up jump shot from Hartwell II brought the score to 64-52 with 6:44 left in the game. Cal State Fullerton

answered with a 5-0 run to push the lead back up to 17 points but UC Riverside continued to fight down the stretch. A putback dunk from freshman guard Nate Pickens ignited the energy back into the SRC Arena and back-to-back three-pointers from sophomore forward Luke Turner cut the deficit to single digits, 69-60 with 2:49 left. However, UCR ran out of gas near the end of the game and the Tritons capitalized with a 7-2 run to end the game. After a steal from Lee, Wrightsell Jr. came down the court and scored a layup over Martinez to give him his 29th point of the game and iced the game away as Cal State Fullerton defeated UC Riverside 77-62.

Martinez led the way for the Highlanders with 13 points and seven rebounds. Cameron chipped in with 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists but had six turnovers as well. CSUF could not miss throughout the game as they shot 61.9% from the field and 61.5% from three-point range while holding UCR to 38.3% from the field and 25% from three-point range.

The Highlanders bounced back with a win against Cal State Northridge Saturday night and sit with a record of 10-6 (3-1). They will travel down to San Diego to take on UC San Diego Wednesday night, Jan. 11, at 7:00 P.M.

KIA NOOSHI Assistant Sports Editor

This past month the largest sporting event in the world, the FIFA World Cup, took place in Qatar. 32 of the world’s best soccer countries played in the most illustrious tournament in the calendar, and viewership numbers were projected to have reached around five billion people. Due to the massive attention as well as the fact that the tournament happens only once every four years, it is clear to see why many fans and athletes alike view this event as a crown jewel in sporting achievement.

The tournament was marked by the brilliance of Lionel Messi who represented Argentina, came out as a winner and was named the tournament’s best player. This win effectively ends the Messi-Ronaldo debate on who is the G.O.A.T of soccer, the main difference between them being the World Cup Victory given that both players have won all other possible honors.

Being the greatest player in the worlds’ largest sport places Messi on the Mount Rushmore of athletes with names like Michael Jordan, Usain Bolt, and Michael Phelps, Tom Brady, and Serena Williams being among the other names mentioned in the same breath as Messi. These athletes, while playing different sports share similar qualities which make them among the greatest of any sport. These characteristics include supreme technique and intelligence, killer instinct, and a myriad of honors.

These are characteristics that any

G.O.A.T level athletes must have, and Messi has shown that he possesses these characteristics, time and time again. What sets him apart from the others is that Messi is the consistent success on the biggest stages of the biggest sport in the world. A sport which is known for its consistent evolution throughout the years. Soccer is always susceptible to change and that is clear through watching the game’s tactical evolution. Jordan played under Phil Jackson, and Brady played under Belichick for most of their careers but Messi played under a great number of coaches all with different ideologies and still succeeded carrying his team even when his teammates let him down. Longevity at the highest level is scarce and Messi has been the best player in the world for close to 20 years where many others struggle to stay at the top longer than eight years.

Parity in soccer is also one of the greatest things about the sport. The last time the same nation won the World Cup back to back was in 1962 where Brazil won their second after winning in 1958. This shows how hard it is to replicate success and even attain it one time as only a handful of nations have won the cup. Messi’s Argentina came into the tournament among the favorites, but that was due to having a player like Messi despite having a squad with a mix of aging and inexperienced players. It is also much harder to carry a team in the sport of soccer due to the large number of players (11 on each team) and the continuous uninterrupted play so

consistently carrying his team over the line both in 2014 when Argentina fell in the final but also in 2022. This sets him apart from Bolt or Phelps whose nations dominate their respective sports, Williams whose fate only rests in her own hands being a solo athlete, and Brady and Jordan whose sports (also dominated by one country) have consistent breaks in play and/or don’t have a large number of players at one time. Messi’s greatness by no means diminishes that of any of the other athletes here, however, his qualities set him atop the mountain of athletes that have come before him. ■

UC Riverside men’s basketball team suffers their first conference defeat against Cal

THE HIGHLANDERS STORM BACK AFTER TRAILING BY 23 POINTS BUT COULD NOT COMPLETE THE COMEBACK.

Lionel Messi winning the World Cup seals him as the greatest athlete of all time

MESSI HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONSIDERED AMONG THE GREATEST, BUT THIS PAST MONTH’S TRIUMPH CEMENTS HIS SPOT AT THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN OF AMAZING ATHLETES.