Volume 72, Issue 13 by The Highlander- UCR

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, January 23, 2024

VOL. 72, ISSUE 13

NEWS

SENATE FILLS VACANCY IN SPECIAL ELECTION AND APPROVES REVISED ELECTION.

New CHASS Senator elected by Senate

FEATURES

est. 1954

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BREAK HEARTS THIS WINTER SEASON; LOOK NO FURTHER HERE’S HOW TO ENSURE YOU HAVE NO VALENTINE BY THE TIME FEBRUARY ROLLS AROUND.

How to have the worst first date ever STELA NOELLE ABASTA Contributing Writer

EMYR ORTIZ Assistant News Editor

and Senator Peedikayil left at 9:00 p.m. After unanimous approval of meeting minutes and the agenda, Public Forum began with an announcement from VPEA Rentería on Latine Lobby Day, which will occur on Feb. 26. VPEA Rentería then read a resolution on freedom of speech passed during the January UCSA board meeting. The resolution declared UCSA’s commitment to student free speech “without fear of retaliation, intimidation, or worry of jeopardizing [student’s] futures,” and also rejected “the equating of anti zionism to antisemitism.” In support of its resolution, UCSA cited charges against Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters in Florida and at UC Irvine, calls for investigation into pro-Palestinian student groups and other instances of speech related incidents surrounding the war in Gaza. VPEA Rentería stated the full resolution could be found on the UCSA website, but as of Jan. 21, the resolution was not available. VPEA

Go to the movies

If you want to have a horrible first date but don’t even know where to start, suggest going to the movies. Choose any movie you want whether or not your date wants to see it. All that matters is that you want to watch it! A movie date is also perfect if you don’t

want to have to talk to your date. Not talking during a movie is acceptable, because perhaps your date wants to pay attention to the movie and not disturb the other watchers around you. However, I bet you have never heard of this tactic before: don’t talk to them even before the movie starts nor after it ends. Get to the theater, watch it, then leave. You don’t even have to sit next to them if you don’t even want to! ► SEE WORST DATE PAGE 13

► SEE ASUCR PAGE 3

THE DECISION TO ALLOW TRUMP ON PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOTS VIOLATES THE OPINIONS CONSTITUTION. States are well within their rights to ban Trump from running for office altogether ALEX KUPISIEWICZ Contributing Writer

Former President Donald Trump’s bid for reelection may be exciting for some, but the thought sparks dread for many. Elections like the upcoming general election have the possibility to cause significant change in the country we live in. Trump’s eligibility for the primary election in 2024 is a decision that is out of the American people’s hands as it is currently being made by state supreme courts nationwide. It is important for not only the next four years but for the future of our country and democracy as a whole that these decisions are being made responsibly and taking all the facts into account. Currently, only Maine and Colorado have ruled to disqualify Trump from the ballots for the primary election. However, Colorado’s decision is pending an appeal with the Supreme Court, and he is currently expected to appear on the ballot anyway. Disappointingly, California is one of the states so far that has made the decision to allow Trump’s name on the ballot for the primaries.

Colorado Supreme Court’s original ruling disqualified Trump from the ballot under section 3 of the 14th amendment, stating that “no person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office” if they have, after taking an oath to serve the United States in any capacity “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.” The events of Jan. 6 were considered an insurrection by the Senate, which quickly moved for impeachment only a week after the attack on the Capitol occurred. Once this impeachment was successful, it made Trump the third president in U.S. history ever to be impeached and the first ever to be impeached twice. He is also currently facing over 90 criminal charges on a state and federal level, including 40 charges in the classified documents case and 34 charges in a falsified business records case in New York. This alone should be grounds to ban him from

IMAGE COURTESY OF PEXELS

► SEE PRIMARY PAGE 8

@thehighlanderucr @HighlanderUCR UCRHighlander NEWS 3

OPINIONS 6

FEATURES 11

RADAR 14

SPORTS 18

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2 TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

Budget Bites 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. SRC Classroom Kitchen

Trivia Night at The Barn Stable 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Barn Stable

2024 Queer Resource Fair 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rivera Library Arches

Career Center Tabling 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. UCR Bell Tower

Application Workshop Hour 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Virtual Event

Graduate Student Re-Orientation 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. HUB 302

Women’s Basketball vs. UC San Diego 6 p.m. SRC Arena

Winter SOULstice 2024 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. HUB Lawn

Men’s Basketball vs. Long Beach State 5 p.m. SRC Arena

Big Bear Snowboarding Weekend 12 a.m. to 7 p.m. SRC OE Shop

Talk Taxes to Me 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. HUB 379

Tuesday

Wednesday

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Friday

Saturday

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Sunday

HIGHLANDER STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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NEWS

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NEWS

TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2023

New CHASS Senator elected by Senate

SENATE FILLS VACANCY IN SPECIAL ELECTION AND APPROVES REVISED ELECTION TIMELINE. EMYR ORTIZ Assistant News Editor

Roshan Kannan, a fourth-year psychology major, was elected to the Associated Students of University of California Riverside (ASUCR) Senate last Thursday in a special election during the ninth ASUCR Senate meeting of the school year. Kannan’s election ﬁlled a vacant CHASS senator seat, and came after more than an hour of deliberation by the Senate. The Senate meeting also featured updates to the ASUCR Elections Timeline, and an announcement from Vice President of External Affairs (VPEA) Ángel Rentería regarding a University of California Student Association (UCSA) resolution on freedom of speech. The ninth ASUCR Senate meeting of the school year was called to order on Jan. 18 at 7:10 p.m., with President Pro Tempore (PPT) Abby Choy, Senator Alex Lu, Senator Natalie Trutalli and Senator Grace Su being excused. PPT Choy and Senator Su both later joined the meeting at 7:43 p.m. and 8:28 p.m. respectively, and Senator Peedikayil left at 9:00 p.m. After unanimous approval of meeting minutes and the agenda, Public Forum began with an announcement from VPEA Rentería on Latine Lobby Day, which will occur on Feb. 26. VPEA Rentería then read a resolution on freedom of speech passed during the January UCSA board meeting. The resolution declared UCSA’s commitment to student free speech “without fear of retaliation, intimidation, or worry of jeopardizing [student’s] futures,” and also rejected “the equating of anti zionism to antisemitism.” In support of its resolution, UCSA cited charges against Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters in Florida and at UC Irvine, calls for investigation into pro-Palestinian student groups and other instances of speech related incidents surrounding the war in Gaza. VPEA Rentería stated the full resolution could be found on the UCSA website, but as of Jan. 21, the resolution was not available. VPEA Rentería also stated that a copy of the resolution was available to be seen in the ASUCR ofﬁce. After VPEA Rentería, ASUCR President Ankita Ahluwalia announced fall end of quarter reports are now available on the ASUCR President linktree. She said there will be an Executive Cabinet (ECAB) review at the next Senate meeting, and promoted an upcoming alumni roundtable event on the 23rd. Following Public Forum, New Business saw the consideration of Vice President of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (VPDEI) Ahman Greene’s pick for Ethnic and Gender Liaison. After a short speech from Greene asking

the Senate for his candidate’s ratification, the Senate approved unanimously. The Senate then moved to the lengthiest agenda item of the night, CHASS Senator special elections. Vying for a vacant CHASS Senate seat were three candidates: secondyear political science major Neida Zamora, first year prelaw student Anahita Hooshyari and fourth-year psychology major Roshan Kannan. After each candidate presented their case to the Senate and answered Senator questions, they would need to be approved by a two-thirds majority to be elected. After the candidates each gave their speeches to the senate and answered multiple Senator questions, the Senate moved to closed session for deliberation. After more than an hour the Senate announced it had elected Roshan Kannan to fill the CHASS Senate vacancy, after which Kannan took a seat on the Senate. Senator Kannan was advised by Executive Vice President (EVP) Victoria Nguyen to abstain from all votes during the meeting. During his speech, Kannan touted his 2 years of experience working as a staff member in the Judicial branch of ASUCR, and a “passion to serve the student body.” Kannan said as a senator, he would “like to connect more students in CHASS with research opportunities,” citing his own experience in research and advocating that creating “more [research] events for CHASS majors would lead to more students getting involved in research.” Kannan declared the most important aspect of his campaign was his goal to “bridge the gap between our student body and the resources our school has to offer.” In addressing a question from Senator Khan, Kannan said one proposal to bridge this gap was to “do more tabling events, get specific groups of people out there on specific days and publicize that on Instagram.” The Senate then moved to Committee Reports, and approved the Finance Meeting Minutes and Future Pills Exemption without debate. Both items were approved with one abstention. Next came consideration of a revised ASUCR Elections Timeline. Elections Director (ED) Alexandra Arias presented the revisions, stating that the previously planned six weeks of campaigning had been shortened to four weeks. ED Arias said this change was a good “middle ground,” as there had been concerns raised about “voter or campaigning fatigue.” The Senate had no questions on the revisions, and moved to approve the timeline. However, during the vote

PPT Choy raised “if you are registered as a candidate… I believe that it is against the bylaws to make changes to the elections bylaws in general. EVP Nguyen replied that in pre-meeting she encouraged senators who were considering running to abstain in “good faith.” Concerns were raised that if all members considering running abstained, there would not be enough votes to reach a quorum. The Senate attempted to vote on the elections timeline, but did not reach a quorum. The Senate then decided to wait for the counsel of Chief Justice Arnav Kacker, who had left the chamber to eat. President Ahluwalia left to call Chief Justice Kacker to return. The Senate then tabled the Elections Timeline to the end of the meeting. There were no speakers for Public Comment. Next on the agenda were Senator Reports. Senator Khan spoke on his work directing and researching resolutions, among other tasks. PPT Choy gave announcements regarding the Legislative Review Committee (LRC), a research expo that Choy is developing, and a collaborative event on disaster readiness with Highlander EMS and others. PPT Choy is also working on health literacy legislation. Then, during Roundtable and Announcements EVP Nguyen announced CHASS Senator Teesha Sreeram as the December Senator of the month. EVP Nguyen highlighted Senator Sreeram’s work on the ASUCR x School of Business Town Hall, among other accomplishments. PPT Choy then announced that she is looking for help and volunteers for the research event and disaster readiness event. Senator Khan announced new ofﬁce hours and promoted athletic games, and Senator Sreeram announced the Campus Advocacy, Resources & Education ofﬁce is holding various events. EVP Nguyen informed the Senate that Chief Justice Kacker was still on the way back from Lothian, and the Senate then looked at the elections incentive shirts, and President Ahluwalia then gave announcements regarding the Chancellor’s free speech group and IT concerns in order to “kill time,” as stated by EVP Nguyen and Elections Director Arias. Chief Justice Kacker arrived back around 10:00 p.m., to applause from the Senate chamber. After discussing elections bylaws and concerns with Chief Justice Kacker, the Senate moved to closed session at 10:11p.m. When the Senate returned from closed session at 10:28 p.m., EVP Nguyen announced that the Elections H Timeline had passed. The Senate then adjourned. ■

Emyr Ortiz / The Highlander: Fourth-year psychology major Roshan Kannan delivers his campaign speech to the ASUCR Senate. Kannan was then elected to fill a vacant CHASS Senate seat.

4 TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

NEWS

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UCR Black Alumni Chapter Endowed Scholarship finalized

TRIALS, TRIBULATIONS, TRIUMPH: HOW A COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER. MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

In 2023, the University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) Black Alumni Chapter (BAC) met a fundraising goal and established a scholarship fund for current students. In two years, they were able to raise enough money to establish their endowment fund, making over $50,000. In April of 2023, the Black Alumni Chapter Endowed Scholarship was finalized. Keona Henderson, the past Black Alumni Chapter (BAC) president from 2019 to 2023, explains how the creation of the fund was spurred to “... help ease the concern of college affordability for African and AfricanAmerican students at UCR.” When she had first come into the chapter as secretary to the previous president in 2018, there had been “conversations about the issue of [the] lack of funding.” She recalls how “our scholars were always reaching out to us requesting funds for things that they needed, programs, conferences, grad school applications, [and] general relief.” So when former BAC President Henderson started her term, she along with Dr. Jamal Myrick, who was starting his term as Interim Director of African Student Programs (ASP), began to formulate a plan for what they could do to assist their scholars. Former BAC President Henderson affirmed “We said we’re gonna set out to reach this goal, envision what everything could be and reach for the stars. And we were able to achieve it.” There were a handful of hurdles that the BAC had to overcome in order to establish the fund. Current BAC president, Marvel Johnson, recollects how when she had joined the chapter, the BAC were in the midst of planning their first Inaugural Scholarship Gala. They had planned the gala to occur in April of 2020, but were set back due to the emergence of Covid-19 and quarantine. Former BAC President Henderson shares how it felt as if the gala “was ripped from us. There was a global pandemic happening, so there was nothing we could do about it. We cared about the safety of others. And at the same time, it felt like everything we had worked so hard for was gone.” She further explains how the pandemic was an interesting time to pursue fundraising efforts and that “everyone was suffering, and everybody was isolated. The money was low. Mental health was at an all time low. There were restrictions. How are we to ask people to donate money when everybody is dealing with a pandemic?” The first thing that the BAC did amidst the pandemic was to postpone the gala. In the meantime, they held some virtual fundraisers and began to strategize on how to keep their alumni network and scholars engaged. Former BAC President Henderson recalled how during the first 90 minutes of their virtual fundraiser, they had managed to raise $3,900. Current BAC President Johnson

COURTESY OF ROBERT BAILEY

adds on, reminiscing how they also held their “[Black Organization Leaders Development Program], virtual mentorship, so we can meet with scholars one-on-one virtually, or groups online. We didn’t let the pandemic stop us.” Dr. Myrick explains how during this time, “both Black Alumni Chapter [and] African Student Programs never really stopped working. Like Marvel said, there were still programs happening, we were still engaging. I would say that was a testament to what a lot of the Ethnic and Gender centers do.” Despite the uncertainty of day-to-day life in the pandemic, the BAC and ASP held on. Former BAC President Henderson illustrated “Good seeds had been planted, and it was going to snowball in a huge way that was going to change the trajectory of our history, our legacy, the lives of the scholarship recipients in our community … We called in favors from our alumni network, our community, people we went to school with for help mentoring our scholars and providing resources.” One of the values that both the BAC and ASP prioritize is collaboration. Dr. Myrick shares how “we would share our updates and send out our quarterly reports … within the community here in ASP and our black scholars” in order to maintain a connection. He explains how he feels it is “important that all our stakeholders have a stake and are aware of what our scholars are doing” and that they want “folks [to be] aware of what’s happening” and to “get engaged.” Current-BAC President Johnson explains that “our scholars really needed support. Alumni were willing to come together with our scholars to give time and talent … We had alumni who came back to campus when it was safe to do so in person, [and some] were meeting virtually to lead or mentor scholars or connect them to their next professional opportunity, whether it be an internship or an actual job.” With the establishment of the fund, the BAC and ASP have a handful of plans of what they plan on using them for. Dr. Myrick builds off of previous explanations on how they want scholars to have their basic needs met, and that the fund can also be used for “scholarships, grants, if [students] are not able to pay rent.” Other plans for the fund are to use it to generate “some transformative experiences. Whether it’s going to professional conferences … like a leadership development conference or even our Alternative Break experience.” The reason why they do all this, as Current-BAC President Johnson explains, is because “it’s a wonderful [experience] to be able to award our scholars who have served in leadership positions in the black community … We just want to see how people are making an impact

in the community … That’s what we really care about, helping to preserve black brilliance that’s on campus.” The BAC were finally able to host their gala in November of 2022. Former BAC President Johnson reminisces on how “it was unreal. A lot of people didn’t think we could not just successfully raise money, they [also] didn’t think we could have a successful event … We had the entire room full. We had held the gala at the Alumni Visitor Center on campus. The tickets were basically sold out. We had Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Brian Haynes speak, we had three of our brilliant Black Alumni receiving an award for preserving black brilliance. It was a wonderful event, and we did [reach our goal] of $15,000 in sponsorships during the event.” The gala was explained to be more of a three day event. The day prior, alumni and scholars over the age of 21 were able to go to a winery and enjoy themselves. The day of the gala was spent celebrating “preserving black brilliance.” And the day after, a scholar shared a documentary which they had created, now housed in the archives of Rivera’s fourth floor. As of now, current-BAC President Johnson explains that “we’ve given 10 scholarships. Black scholars have been supported via the Summer Bridge experience. We’re expecting to open another Black Alumni Scholarship application cycle.” The contributions made to the fund go to help maintain “unity and community on campus at UCR. Any questions you can email me at ucraaba@ gmail.com.” Dr. Myrick also encourages people who are looking to get involved in the program. If anyone is interested in “support[ing] sponsors, or giv[ing] my scholars internship jobs, or maybe grant money, [or] in getting tap[ped] with African Student Programs … All they need to do is reach out to me by email address at jamal.myrick@ucr.edu. And I’m always open to collaborating as long as it is for the benefit of my scholars.” Former BAC President Henderson ends by stating “I encourage people to give their time, talent, and treasure to our scholars because they really need it. They are deserving of it. And to reach out to Black Alumni Chapter and African Student Programs. We thank you in advance.” The next UCR Black Alumni Chapter Scholarship H Gala is planned for Feb. of 2024. ■

NEWS

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TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2023

Professor Spotlight: A look into the life of Allison Adelle Hedge Coke

PROFESSOR HEDGE COKE REFLECTS ON HER INFLUENCES, MENTORS AND WRITING THROUGHOUT HER CAREER. BRENDA JOVEL Editor-in-Chief

Professor Allison Adelle Hedge Coke has garnered over a dozen of awards on her work, and has enjoyed fellowships and various residencies throughout her career. As a distinguished professor in the creative writing department at the University of California Riverside (UCR), she often teaches courses such as film and writing and sends out weekly emails to creative writing students when writing opportunities become available. In an interview with The Highlander, she reminisced about her journey with writing, “[I] started writing [in] preschool. [My] older sister … remembers this very differently … She remembers me teaching myself to read … I remember her teaching me [the] sounds of letters, and how to use the letters for symbols so that she could write notes to me … But if you ask her, she will tell you I taught myself.” Music and labor were two big influences on Professor Hedge Coke’s childhood. Her father was musically inclined, and it was in part his passions and actions that helped direct Professor Hedge Coke in her life path. Her father wrote plays during his undergraduate studies, though his interest faded when his college professor allegedly stole his work. Afterwards, her father pursued chemistry, Professor Hedge Coke stated, “He became a chemist, but he had grown up working in the fields. He raised us with his background, and so as a kid, I worked in the fields as well … I had a child labor permit by the time I was nearing middle school. From these early experiences, she explains how “labor became a very heavy influence in my work because it [was] the way [that] I perceive[d] the world.” Growing up in a household filled with music, Professor Hedge Coke recalls how her father would write songs, eventually leading her to write one of her own. Her musical endeavors led her to create a garage band with a group of older kids. She revealed how “the creative impulse with writing all started there … That retains a huge influence on me … I’m very driven by sound, by musicality. Normally when I come to a new piece, I’ve been hearing music in my head for a while, and I’ll find the words that engage with it … music is a profound influence.” Taking her childhood with music and labor together, she saw a relationship between the influencing factors in her life. “If you’re doing hard manual labor and you have music in your head, the day passes … It does make the work more enjoyable and [tolerable].”

As she grew older, Professor Hedge Coke took classes at the local university and after her sister informed her about a former field worker retraining program, moved to Santa Paula in Ventura County after. The city of Ventura later hired Professor Hedge Coke at Ortega Adobe and Olivas Adobe, under their collections management team where she learned the history of California that she uses today in her work. Professor Hedge Coke majored in creative writing and sculpture in a two-year program at the Institute of American Indian Arts. There, she met her mentor Arthur C. Sze, a Chinese-American poet. She continued, “He took us [students] under his wing and just allowed us to be who we were. [We] talked through the term that he uses for methodology, the luminous method, which has to do with finding each student’s forte — what makes them illuminate, their strong points, their gifts, their talents and focus on those as a teacher versus the things that they’re [students] having a hard time with.” During the program, Professor Hedge Coke was able to publish her work on-campus. She wrote “The Year of the Rat,” a poem that describes her and her children’s experience with contracting the bubonic plague. Professor Hedge Coke expressed, “I wrote a third person piece about this woman getting bubonic plague with their children, because I didn’t want to say it was me, how embarrassing. I was still young enough to think that things you went through in life were embarrassments … toward the end [of the poem], I learned how to write [in] first person about it.” After two years in the program, she began to think about graduate programs in creative writing and took the Graduate Records Examination (GRE), scoring in the 96th percentile in the country, earning her Master’s in Fine Arts in creative writing at Vermont College. Her journey in grad school led her to meet her thesis advisor and mentor, Juan Felipe Herrera, the first Mexican-American Poet Laureate. Amiri Baraka, an American poet and another of Professor Hedge Coke’s mentors, aided her to create her first collection of poems during graduate school. She continued to publish work across genres, including fiction in Canada, but Professor Hedge Coke found herself leaning more on poetry, stating,“Poetry for me is like breathing.” Her debut collection of poems, “Dog Road Woman,” became a finalist for the Paterson Poetry Prize. Professor Hedge Coke continued to write more poetry

COURTESY OF PROFESSOR HEDGE COKE / POETS PLACE / WRITERS RESIST R’GARDEN

and began her memoir during her work with a residency program known as MacDowell in 1996. She described her experience with the memoir, claiming it “almost killed me in many ways … You can write yourself into PTSD very quickly, which is what I did … At the end of [residency], I was, as my dad said, shell shocked. [He] was the one that convinced me to get counseling.” Offering advice to writers, Professor Hedge Coke said, “I tell people in writing nonfiction … to be very careful. If you find yourself having [sudden] awareness of things you have no memory of before you began to write, proceed with caution. Take care of yourself … Don’t force things if you’re not ready.” Fall 2023 marks Professor Hedge Coke’s return to campus as she has been remote since COVID-19. “[It was] hard for me to be with people in the room and I was so anxious. And I just shared it with them … [Students] were very patient with me, so I thank them for [that].” She explains her gratitude for her students as they have kept her active and in conversation during her time at UCR. She also enjoys taking her undergraduate students to the botanical garden on-campus for writing exercises, inviting them to shows, or doing fieldwork with them. “Your writing happens in the world. I feel that [it] is very important for me to connect with my students on a very human level.” Currently, Hedge Coke is putting together the 47th Annual Writer’s Festival alongside creative writing professor, Tom Lutz. “We’re bringing in about 50 authors for the students. I’m working with a fabulous crew, some [of them being] our graduate students [and] a couple of alumni.” Hedge Coke shared that the weeklong event will bring debut writers and seasoned writers like Quincy Troupe who was awarded the American Book Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2010. “Roberto Gonzalez is [also] another [recipient] of the Lifetime Achievement and the first UCR alum [to receive this award who will also attend].” Hedge Coke will also be working on a commissioned essay on an anthology series that will be about writers with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). She has more poetry books planned, with one of them being a collection of selected works and plans to write her second memoir that H will explore her mother’s later years. ■

Opinions 6 TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

OPINIONS

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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

MediCal expansion moves California closer to an equitable healthcare system

CALIFORNIA’S MEDICAL EXPANSION MARKS HISTORIC PROGRESS, BUT MORE GAPS IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM REMAIN TO BE ADDRESSED. 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.

For the first time in California’s history, undocumented immigrants ages 26 to 40 will qualify for healthcare. Approved by Gov. Newsom, the new plan further expands California’s healthcare system by allowing this group of undocumented immigrants to gain access to MediCal, the state’s medical insurance program for lowincome individuals. The state expanded healthcare to undocumented children in 2015 and later for undocumented adults above age 50 in 2021. Committing approximately $3 billion annually, MediCal is currently the state’s secondlargest expense. Gov. Newsom’s healthcare expansion plan is substantial progress in a historically inequitable healthcare system and will undoubtedly better serve vulnerable communities. However, California must continue bridging gaps to serve this vulnerable population effectively. Residents without legal status experience unique determinants of health compared to other populations. Health studies have found, for example, that they experience “higher rates of chronic conditions,” such as asthma, high blood pressure and heart disease. Undocumented residents are also “more likely to suffer from mental distress” due to employment, living conditions, lack of access to the legal system and traumatic experiences. Thus, undocumented patients are 20% less likely than MediCal patients to receive much-needed preventative health services, such as vaccinations and annual check-ups. With undetected and untreated health conditions, these patients disproportionately rely on emergency MediCal for care and often visit emergency rooms. Not only is urgent care more expensive than primary care, but many undocumented residents also pay out-of-

pocket for their medical bills. Through the MediCal expansion plan, qualifying undocumented adults can receive free or low-cost primary and specialty care. This will significantly reduce high-cost emergency department care and protect undocumented patients’ financial wellbeing. Despite these improvements, residents without legal status still face significant barriers to accessing quality healthcare. These challenges are primarily due to a lack of inclusivity in public health institutions and historically anti-immigrant policies such as the “public charge” rule. A federal law, the “public charge” rule, requires non-citizens to prove they will not be “primarily dependent on the government for support” by either receiving “cash assistance for income maintenance” or “for long-term care at government expense” to be considered for permanent residency or citizenship. Although the law was changed in 2021 when President Biden took office, research suggests the public charge policy had a chilling effect — increasing fears among immigrant families and decreasing participation in social and health services. Fear and confusion about the rule, as well as deep distrust in public institutions, has led to a large cancellation of enrollment of immigrant children and adults from these state programs. Ultimately, public health institutions must build trust with undocumented residents for the MediCal expansion to be effective. One alternative is the expanded use of telehealth as undocumented patients increasingly choose to utilize telehealth, or long-distance clinical health care through technology, over in-person visits. Extending telehealth technology and patient accessibility is a way to make

them feel safer and more comfortable using public programs. Additionally, since California undocumented individuals are 72% more likely to be Latinx than other MediCal members, Spanish is frequently listed as a preferred language. Hiring more bilingual staff will prepare clinics for the expected patient increase and further remove language barriers. These actions are not the only solutions but a starting point for the state to establish a more equitable healthcare system. The 2020 pandemic left California’s healthcare system and the entire nation without enough medical staff to serve a growing number of patients. While undocumented residents deserve and have a right to healthcare, the addition of this new group will further strain the state’s unbalanced healthcare system. Thus, it is imperative the state invest more funding into growing the public health workforce, including medical workers and mental health clinicians, to meet the growing patient demand. As previously reported, California can begin by increasing funding for public nursing programs in the state — as data shows more students are turning to private and out-of-state universities — to be educated and for the future of the profession. However, healthcare coverage for all must become a greater funding priority for these additional healthcare programs to exist. Covering undocumented adults is a significant step in addressing the inequities in the U.S. healthcare system. Still, more can be done to address the ongoing gaps that persist. Regardless of legal status, everyone deserves healthcare without financial worry. Universal healthcare for every Californian should be a priority. The alternative is purely inhumane. ■ H

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

Op-Ed: East African Rhythms Revived: Ugandan Dances Fostered in UC Riverside ANDREW SSEBULIME

CAN UGANDAN FOLK DANCES SURVIVE DISPLACEMENT IN THE DIASPORA? PH.D. STUDENT ANDREW SSEBULIME SUSTAINS COMMUNAL RHYTHMS, GUIDING UC RIVERSIDE STUDENTS INTO THE FUTURE BY HONORING OUR SHARED DANCE HERITAGE. Andrew Ssebulime is a second year Ph.D. student in Critical Dance Studies at the University of California, Riverside, where he works as a teaching assistant in the Dance Department. He specializes in East African dances, including popular Ugandan forms, which he has taught, choreographed and performed extensively for over 10 years across Uganda, China, Norway and beyond. His research interests focus on dance pedagogy, diaspora and nostalgia. He currently teaches courses unpacking two foundational yet threatened Ugandan folk dances — Kizino and Owaro — guiding students to viscerally reconnect with these dances’ essence on Californian soil. By spotlighting such traditions through mindful ethical mediation into new locales, his mission persists in sustaining continuity amidst disruption. Author Contact Information: (951)-538-3385 (day) asseb001@ucr.edu or ssendru@live.com As an international student from Uganda pursuing my Ph.D. in Critical Dance Studies at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), I aim to ensure the continuity of my homeland’s treasured dance traditions in the face

of rapid globalization. I do this by guiding students to embody the cultural knowledge encoded in folk dances like the playful Owaro and lively Kizino. Owaro bonds youths in Ugandan villages through distinctive African aesthetics with curvilinear movements, percussive footwork and call-andresponse patterns. As children mimic and syncopate steps together, Owaro allows their movement intelligence to bloom while strengthening social ties. For the Bakiga people in South Western Uganda, energetic dances like Kizino enable suitors to display vitality in competitive high jumps, integrating vibrant movements with courtship. But can such dances endure if uprooted from their native soil and performance contexts? Will they still hold their values or essence if emplaced in different localities? This concerns me as a Ugandan dance scholar, teacher, performer with deep connections to these and other folk dance traditions. Through teaching and performance, I aim to sustain their essence by helping diverse students in my classes discover meanings beyond the gestures. In my Introduction to Dance course, also known as DNCE 05 at the University of California, Riverside, students explore Owaro and Kizino dances through

literature and in-class demonstrations. At first, they enroll mainly for unit fulfillment, but they become fascinated as they immerse themselves in the historical backgrounds, embedded knowledge and performance techniques of the dances. By embodying the movements, students transform from being passive spectators to active practitioners, gaining a deeper understanding. This immersion allows profound connections with the cultural knowledge encoded in these dances. Moreover, by practicing sequences together, these folk dances come alive in a new context. Students glimpse the power to connect across distances. A Latina student remarked how Owaro’s driving beats evoked her family’s complex migration. Another Asian male student realized that these dances maintained centuries of continuity against disruption woven in each step. Such moments display dance’s diversity as a human art form. Through embodied exploration together, we organically resonate with the vitality channeled through these dances despite our divergent ancestries. Their motions convey shared human experiences, which compels my commitment to preserving folk dance practices, underscoring their embedded wisdom that can nurture us and more generations to come.

Here, I choreograph continuity for folk dances with the hope that our moving or dancing bodies sequence spirit, allowing essence to evolve respectfully towards new purposes. In other words, dance communicates through a range of embodied or disembodied movement vocabularies, which channel knowledge, awareness, and, for some, an awakening of cultural memories. By elevating these overlooked East African folk dance traditions at the University of California, Riverside, their essence shines anew. I hope to write living melodies of cultural diversity into our collective destiny. If we honor the world’s dance languages, our shared humanity dances on. Through my teaching at UCR, I aim to foster the embodiment of such cultural knowledge, reviving dances and rituals in an inspired classroom setting. This reveals how folk practices’ continuity sparks deep human connections across borders when we choreograph understanding through joyful, resonant motions. Op-Eds are not edited by The Highlander, excluding those related to grammatical errors and AP requirements. Op-Eds do not reflect the opinion of the Editorial Board and are not written by Highlander contracted writers.

“Andrew Ssebulime demonstrates djembe drum sounds to an audience in Trondheim, Norway on March 5, 2021. Photo by Joko Sudibyo.”

TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

OPINIONS

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States are well within their rights to ban Trump from running for office altogether ALEX KUPISIEWICZ Contributing Writer

The decision to allow Trump on primary election ballots violates the Constitution. Former President Donald Trump’s bid for reelection may be exciting for some, but the thought sparks dread for many. Elections like the upcoming general election have the possibility to cause significant change in the country we live in. Trump’s eligibility for the primary election in 2024 is a decision that is out of the American people’s hands as it is currently being made by state supreme courts nationwide. It is important for not only the next four years but for the future of our country and democracy as a whole that these decisions are being made responsibly and taking all the facts into account. Currently, only Maine and Colorado have ruled to disqualify Trump from the ballots for the primary election. However, Colorado’s decision is pending an appeal with the Supreme Court, and he is currently expected to appear on the ballot anyway. Disappointingly, California is one of the states so far that has made the decision to allow Trump’s name on the ballot for the primaries. Colorado Supreme Court’s original ruling disqualified Trump from the ballot under section 3 of the 14th amendment, stating that “no person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office” if they have, after taking an oath to serve the United States in any capacity “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”

The events of Jan. 6 were considered an insurrection by the Senate, which quickly moved for impeachment only a week after the attack on the Capitol occurred. Once

York. This alone should be grounds to ban him from the ballot. Still, the formal classification of Jan. 6 as an insurrection means that allowing Trump to run would directly

this impeachment was successful, it made Trump the third president in U.S. history ever to be impeached and the first ever to be impeached twice. He is also currently facing over 90 criminal charges on a state and federal level, including 40 charges in the classified documents case and 34 charges in a falsified business records case in New

violate the 14th Amendment. The ability to disqualify an individual from a ballot may be concerning if the decision was made on a case-by-case basis and could be made without lawful cause. For example, it could easily be used to discriminate against controversial individuals from running fairly for office. However, that is

not the case here. This is not about dislike or preferential treatment of a candidate but a case that presents evidence of wrongdoings that go against the Constitution and were grounds for removal from office mid-term, which is a reasonable argument for banning another running campaign. Trump is also known to make statements that inherently violate the principles of democracy. For example, when the invasion of Ukraine occurred in Feb. 2022, shocking and horrifying most who heard of it, Trump made a public statement of support for Putin’s actions. He referred to the decisions as ‘genius’ and ‘wonderful.’ He has also claimed, on multiple occasions, that he intends to ‘rule as a dictator on day one’ if he should be elected to office once more. These are statements that, in the past, would likely have ruined his chances of running altogether, just based on public opinion, but seem to be all too easily brushed over or completely ignored when it comes to him. It is time for voters and members of state Supreme Courts to start paying closer attention to these claims, and take a closer look at the facts. Arguing for Trump to be allowed to run for office is irresponsible, to put it lightly, and potentially dangerous to the United States, its citizens and its democH racy as a whole. ■

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Stanley promotes overconsumption and consumerism SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

New Stanley marketing strategy drastically increased revenue over the past four years. Stanley is a 110-year-old company that, in the past four years, has increased their revenue 10 times over through a simple switch in marketing. Founded in 1913, Stanley was historically recognized as a practical outdoor brand perfect for camping and hiking. Boasting durability, the Stanley Quencher cups, before almost being discontinued, brought this company back to life, taking the company’s revenue from $70 million to $750 million in just a few short years. The Stanley Quencher, priced anywhere from $40 to $60 retail, sells for upwards of $100 on resale sites. This viral cup sensation was not always flying off shelves. In fact, in 2019, this cup was briefly discontinued due to a lack of consumer interest in the product. It is all thanks to The Buy Guide, a group of three women influencers who advertised these cups on their social media. Stanley, unsure of the marketability of these products, allowed these women to take over sales of the Quencher for a short period of time until, finally, they gave in to their new audience. Unlike leading water bottle brands, Stanley cups’ accessible shape made them palatable to a large range of audiences; they are easy to hold because of the handle, fit in car cup holders and keep liquids cold for hours on end. One user even got into a car

accident, and her Stanley Cup came out unscathed; following her viral video the brand sent her a new Stanley Cup and a new car. Utilizing influencers as a marketing tool to attract more people to the product, Stanley Cups became a sensation, especially amongst their new target demographic — white women. These tumblers, once merely a vessel for transporting beverages, are now seen as a symbol of status and wealth inspiring the masses to collect reusable water bottles like Pokemon cards. Stanley recently released many limited edition color waves for their Quencher cups, and the masses swarmed retailers, creating scenes akin to early 2000s Black Friday sales. The two new Valentine’s day cups with hearts on the label and a Starbucks collaboration Quencher were both Target exclusive drops with limited availability, promoting scarcity amongst these products. These cups quite literally flew off the shelves; some people even waited in line overnight outside of Target in anticipation of the $120 tumbler set. Stanley boasts sustainable practices on their website; they have created a “Built For Life” product “reducing demand for disposable products that end up in waste and water streams.” Yet, Stanley’s influencer marketing campaign has created a culture promoting overconsumption. With their change in

audience came a change in marketing, and these once never replaceable water bottles are now seen as collector items. People are attacking each other in Target to get new limited edition Stanley cups to add to their collection of 400 cups they already have at home. This culture of consumerism is detrimental not only to the average American’s wallet but also to the environment. The entire point of purchasing a Stanley Cup is that you only need one, maybe two, to last your entire life. Stanley cups only represent a bigger

problem inside American culture — obsessing over a water bottle’s color as a status symbol is only one of the many dangers of unhinged consumerism. Rather than offsetting the negative effects of consumerism, Stanley’s marketing has decided to participate in it, creating a culture of scarcity to increase their revenue tenfold. Stanley’s “more sustainable, less disposable life” motto is thrown out the window with this marketing strategy, demonstrating extreme hypocrisy. ■ H

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

A warning to the “Cult of Apple”

Forced reliance on the Apple “ecosystem” is proof of the company’s iron grip on its industry. ANDREW LEE Contributing Writer

Since the 2020 lawsuit between updates in a televised trial known

Apple and Epic Games, there has been a running dispute between app developers and the tech giant. Developers like Epic Games argued that Apple had unjustly implemented an artificial moat by blocking third-party stores in order to commission in-app purchases through only Apple, which flagged antitrust regulations. In retaliation, Apple sued Epic Games for breaching terms and conditions by trying to bypass the commission and creating separate services that are still accessible to Apple users. In 2021, the Northern District Court of California concluded in favor of Apple. However, the report added that Apple had intentionally

as “Batterygate.” After a class-action lawsuit in 2020, Apple agreed to compensate those with older phone models. However, by that time, many iPhone users had already bought newer phones, and yet the company only offered $65 of Apple credit as reimbursement. Almost insultingly, Apple was only forced to pay up to $500 million in damages and in-store credits while also experiencing a revenue increase of over eight billion between 2019 and 2020. Apple was able to profit from this “planned obsolescence.” Furthermore, the firm has been accused of limiting access to replacement parts for third-party repair shops. As a result, many small

social advantage over Androids. These green messages are from the Short Messaging Service (SMS), a largely outdated software that Apple refused to change. The company only recently changed its services to Rich Communication Service (RCS), a cross-plat

gal blockades, like in the Epic v. Apple case, to achieve its iron grip on the tech industry. The monopolistic actions of Apple are great for its stakeholders but horrible in the long term as competitiveness dies and people are left to the whims of the great

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broken policies under the California Unfair Competition Law. Epic Games understandably appealed the court's decision, banking on the admission of Apple’s predatory business policy, while Apple appealed that its terms and conditions were not anti-competitive. On Jan. 16, the Supreme Court rejected both appeals, allowing the lower court’s ruling to stand. In response, Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, left the ominous note that “the court battle to open iOS to competing stores and payments is lost in the United States … a sad outcome for all developers.” These court rulings, nevertheless, are indicative of how untouchable this monopolistic tech company is in the eyes of the courts and consumers, despite how familiar the company is with shady business practices. In 2016, Apple was accused of purposefully throttling the battery life of its iPhones through their iOS

and often cheaper shops are forced to buy generic replacement parts from vendors other than Apple. Despite its lower prices, Apple takes issue with the use of “unofficial” parts that, in reality, are often of equal quality or even made by the original manufacturer as official Apple parts. If a repair was to be made with these parts, Aaron Peranowski, a repair researcher and law professor at the University of Michigan, found that warning messages are used “to scare consumers away from independent repair.” IPhone users are sent messages that their screen or battery is not “genuine,” falsely implying that the repair was somehow faulty. Even with the numerous allegations of shady practices, people still seem to follow “the Cult of Apple.” Millions still flock to grab their latest iPhones despite the many lawsuits and critiques. Google has repeatedly criticized Apple for relying

form compatible messaging service that Android phones have been using for years. In other words, Android users had the short end of the stick that Apple artificially created, and the company only recently decided to change to RCS in 2023. Disregarding the social implications, Apple operates in an artificial ecosystem of Apple, meaning that from the parts to the extensions, everything has to be from “Apple.” The company often relies on technical and ille-

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tech company. These big techs are often regarded as humanity’s future. Still, without government-enforced accountability and the responsibility of consumer choice, they can easily continue their lucrative, unstoppable reign at the expense of the public. ■H

10 TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

OPINIONS

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California’s climate crisis: Governor Newsom’s $2.9 billion budget cut and its undesirable consequences

Gov. Newsom’s decision to cut $2.9 billion from California’s climate programs jeopardizes the state’s leading role in climate action, undermines crucial initiatives and sets a concerning precedent for global environmental sustainability. LILIANNA ANGEL Contributing Writer

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to cut $2.9 billion from California's climate programs and delay an additional $1.9 billion is undeniably disastrous. For a state that has long been a pioneer in climate action, this reduction in funding undermines crucial initiatives aimed at combating climate change. California's status as one of the leading climate-proactive states in the world is at risk, and the consequences extend far beyond its borders. Over the years, the state has taken significant steps to address climate change by investing in renewable energy development, implementing effective emission reduction initiatives and undertaking climate resilience projects. Additionally, California has been a leader in promoting sustainable transportation by encouraging a shift towards cleaner and more environmentally friendly mobility solutions. However, with the recent budget decrease for these programs, their ability to function as effectively as before is compromised. In the grand scheme of things, a reduction of $2.9 billion with a $1.9 billion delay from the previous year's $52.3 billion budget may not seem overwhelmingly significant. However, the reduction wields considerable influence over the effectiveness of climate programs. The allocated funding is intricately divided into subcategories for bureaucracies, contractors and sub-programs addressing various important environmental issues. Each dollar plays a crucial role, whether facilitating bureaucratic processes, engaging contractors, supporting sub-programs or directly ad-

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dressing rising climate change. Seemingly small reductions in such a complex budget structure can have far-reaching consequences, affecting the efficiency and scope of vital initiatives. It risks the state's ability to implement comprehensive strategies and weakens the collaborative efforts across different sectors, impeding progress in the battle against climate change. Reduction in funding for climate programs not only hinders California's progress in mitigating the impacts of climate change but also establishes a concerning precedent for other states and na-

tions seeking to make meaningful contributions to global environmental sustainability. With decreased funding, California’s usual endeavors to address and rectify global issues fall short of the usual impactful measures that it is known for.

global environmental challenges. States may find deficits helpful for boosting economic growth and meeting urgent needs, but state governments should aim for deficit reduction without sacrificing essential programs. There are alternative solu-

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As mentioned, there is concern that Cali- tions Gov. Newsom could have taken rather than fornia's reduction in the climate budget may decreasing funding for world-saving initiatives. prompt other nations or states to follow suit. The Newsom had other options, like using possibility of a negative precedent could dimin- some funds from California’s reserves. Newsom’s reasoning for not touching the rainy day fund is valid because he wants to keep it available for a crisis. However, he could have made a repayment plan for the reserves. Or he could have actively pursued more federal or private grants to supplement the budget. Opting to cut the budget to lower the deficit might not have been the best approach, as it poses the risk of compromising essential programs. The ongoing budget cuts to these programs could seriously impact public health if this trend persists. Without California's initiatives to tackle issues like fossil fuel emissions, the health of future generations may decline. The health implications can encompass a range of diseases, including asthma, Alzheimer's and even premature death. The link between environmental policies and public well-being showcases the need for continued efforts to safeguard both the planet and the health of future generations. Overall, the budget cut poses a severe threat, ish the emphasis on environmental sustainabil- impacting not only health, climate initiaity, posing a risk to global efforts in addressing tives and environmental resilience but also climate change. This trend could weaken col- the political landscape. The negative impacts lective progress, given California's significant of this funding reduction extend across mulinfluence on shaping climate policies globally. tiple dimensions, demonstrating the urgent The decision to cut California's climate pro- need to reevaluate financial decisions to safegram budget was driven by the need to address guard the planet for everyone’s well-being. ■H the state's budget deficit. While addressing the deficit is important, it's also essential to look at the potential long-term consequences of how it is being addressed, especially when it involves compromising crucial initiatives aimed at tackling

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FEATURES

TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

The Future is Arriving with Blinding Clarity This week, everyone has choices to make that may change everything…

ARiES: SEVEN OF CUPS MARCH 21 - APRiL 19 There is someone in your life that you need to give the beneﬁt of the doubt right now. They are facing accusations and rumors, ones that you were shocked to hear about. These falsehoods seem surprising, because they are.

CANCER: EiGHT OF WANDS JUNE 21 - JULY 22 This week is going to move quickly, Cancer. You will feel that everything is passing you by and blurring together. It’s not that things are changing, but things are happening faster than you ever could have imagined. The trick is not catching up or slowing things down, it’s learning to accept that things happen at whatever pace they are meant to.

LiBRA: TWO OF SWORDS SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22 You face a difﬁcult choice, one you are being forced to make without much information. Despite your best efforts, you are going in blind. As frustrating as this may be, you need to stop thinking and make the choice you have known is right for you all along.

CAPRiCORN: FiVE OF CUPS REVERSED DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19 This week will ﬁll you with regrets and weigh heavily on you. You will make a decision that will set you back on an important goal. As discouraging as this may be, it will not mean the end and you will be able to go on, albeit with a deviated pathway.

TAURUS: TWO OF CUPS REVERSED APRiL 20 - MAY 20 You are distrustful of others, Taurus. You are projecting onto others because you do not trust your own judgment. There’s no harm in thinking things through, but make sure to pay attention to when the thinking stops and the delaying begins.

LEO: PAGE OF CUPS JULY 23 - AUGUST 22 You are about to be surprised, Leo. Thankfully, this will be a positive one and will bring about positive changes. Do not spend time waiting for the other shoe to drop or for something unpleasant to pop out from around the corner.

SCORPiO: FOUR OF CUPS REVERSED OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21 You need to withdraw for a time, Scorpio. You feel the people around you are against you right now, and you need to take a step back. You must regroup and consider yourself. Look inward for solutions instead of trying to ﬁgure out what someone else is going to do.

AQUARiUS: KiNG OF CUPS JANUARY 19 - FEBRUARY 18 This week will be a balancing act, Aquarius. You will need to find a way to consider the needs of two people very important to you that directly conflict. There is no need to alienate either person, but it will be difficult to maintain friendship. These relationships will certainly be changed regardless, but how much is up to you.

Ysabel Nakasone, Opinions Editor

GEMiNi: FOUR OF PENTACLES MAY 21 - JUNE 20 You need to act with reservation in all things right now. You must not act rashly or make a huge decision at this moment. The time will come for life-changing decisions, but not this week. Go about your life and let things come together on their own before you make anything of it.

ViRGO: EMPEROR AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22 You need structure right now. Things need to be clear-cut and organized going forward, and it will be up to you to take the initiative to make it so. Try and visualize the future and ﬁgure out how you can best be prepared. You can’t control everything, but should not leave yourself open to complete and utter chaos.

SAGiTTARiUS: ACE OF CUPS NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21 You are entering into a new relationship. You’re going through a sort of honeymoon phase where you still laugh at their bad jokes and pretend you like acid rock. This phase may go on for a while, but you must be aware that this is not a real relationship. This is the version of your relationship that exists when there are no problems or challenges yet. Your relationship can survive this, but only if you’re ready for it.

PiSCES: WORLD REVERSED FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20 You are looking for closure right now. Things in your life have been upended and now you’re trying to ﬁgure out what’s next. Your frustrations will bog you down, but you deserve to discover the truth of what has happened. ■ H

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12 TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

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Club Spotlight: Hooks for Hope: a community that weaves dreams into reality EXPLORING THE INTERSECTION OF CROCHET AND COMPASSION WITH CLUB CO-PRESIDENT, KAYDENCE ZELEDON. MARIBEL GAMEZ REYES Assistant Features Editor

Crafting since the spring of 2021, Hooks for Hope’ has created an invigorating takeoff for itself, led by enthusiasts of crocheting. In undertaking board positions, members like Co-President Kaydence Zeledon ‘25 strive to perpetuate the club’s mission of “making handmade crochet plushies for children in foster care, orphanages and hospitals worldwide.” This commendable intersection of creativity and community care seamlessly blends into the defi ning qualities that Hooks for Hope showcases in stitching joy into the lives of those who can fi nd the greatest comfort from it. Zeledon shares further insight by explaining that the club promotes the health of others regardless of whether you are a crafter or a craftee. Hooks for Hope in Zeledon’s words, “… means creating a space for people to learn, share tips and have fun crocheting, all while utilizing their skills to spread love with their crafts to the community.” Zeledon’s involvement in Hooks for Hope derived from her own journey self teaching herself to crochet via youtube. Crocheting can be an intimidating craft to harness, but her efforts alongside other members create a space where learning can be fun and encouraging. There were a couple of times where Zeledon recalls almost giving up on her newfound craft, but despite hardships, she continued with the motivation to tell others, “It was handmade by me” or “Thank you, I made it.” From bringing her creative visions to life to relishing the thrilling feelings through learning new stitches, Zeledon’s passion has culminated in being able to teach others a craft that holds profound significance to her. By crafting with purpose, one can fi nd camaraderie at workshops and scheduled meetings, ease stress by crocheting after a long day and fi nd motivation by bringing joy to others in a stressful environment, such as hospitals or shelters. In prioritizing the distribution of donated crochet projects such as plushies, scarves and beanies, Hooks for Hope implements its mission with outreach efforts to local shelters and hospitals. They collect donations from members of all skill levels. In actively seeking engagement year-round, the club strives to maximize community care by maintaining an appealing social media presence where they share information on upcoming workshops tailored to anyone interested in participating. Members predominantly communicate via Instagram (@ucrhooksforhope) and through a Discord server, allowing students to socialize with other fellow crocheters, share projects, ask for help if needed, and even leisurely talk to get to know one another. The collective commitment to make newcomers feel welcomed into the club includes hosting Beginner’s Crochet Workshops, where one can learn the basic

fundamental stitches alongside passionate crochet mentors who offer one-on-one instruction. If you’re interested in attending, the next workshop is set to occur on Feb. 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Other events include upcoming donation opportunities that offer community service hours to those who donate. A considerable amount of dedication goes into planning what one will expect as a fi rst-time attendee of a workshop. To make the learning experience soothing and a relatively good introduction to the craft, Hooks for Hope provides those involved with sufficient materials to execute the project at hand, including: hooks, stitch markers, yarn, yarn needles and stuffi ng if needed. Crocheting, like any other hobby, can be expensive to sustain. Zeledon, however, assures that, as most members are inexperienced, board members as well as crochet mentors are present to assist learning before making any unnecessary expenses. Another development that has gained popularity with its members is the crochet mentorship program, offered all year round. The application can be located through the link provided on the club’s Instagram bio, where anyone interested in being a mentor can apply. A mentor’s main priority is to facilitate instruction at workshops; for this reason, you do have to be an experienced crocheter and have enough patience to teach someone who will be getting a fi rst impression of the craft. Aside from these requirements, there is a lot of flexibility for mentors to decide on the extent of their contributions to the teaching process. In a private discord, you’ll know beforehand what dates there will be workshops, from which you can select, and if you are available to attend. Reflecting on how far Hooks for Hope has expanded, Zeledon compellingly vocalizes that for those starting out in learning to crochet, patience and practice are needed to progress with time. Even experienced crocheters can take forever to fi nish projects or to perfect stitches; therefore, trusting the process is a key to one’s success. Zeledon hopes that Hooks for Hope is able to positively impact others lives as crochet has managed to elevate the quality of her life. The process, from start of the project to the fi nished result, is a rewarding experience that this club offers to students on campus. As for Zeledon’s endearing embrace with crochet, she’s come to terms with what the future holds for her. “Crochet is cool, and I can’t wait to be a retired old lady who spends her free time crocheting. It’s a H prophecy I cannot escape.” ■

The aesthetic routine ain’t it

LEARN TO LET GO OF YOUR STAGNANT SCHEDULE THAT KEEPS YOU FROM LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE.

BRENDA JOVEL Editor-in-Chief

Imagine this: 13-year-old you watching YouTube videos about aesthetic vloggers living out their strict 5:00 a.m. morning routines. There was a desire to be like them and eventually become them when you hit the ripe age of 18, but let’s be honest, your alarm sounds at 11:00 a.m. and you press snooze to continue your beauty sleep. Routines can be helpful for school and work, but can also become so repetitive that it feels exhausting to complete one each day. Here’s a simple guide on how to break that grim routine of yours. Go with the flow As cheesy as it sounds, going with the ﬂow has become a bittersweet enemy for me and can become one for you! I despise it when something I’ve planned within my routine doesn’t go the way I imagined, and though it’s annoying, it’s time to let go. Maybe hangout plans were canceled or study time was ruined by a dead laptop. Shrug it off, say “It is what it is” and move on. Not everything has to be set in stone.

“It’s my way or the highway” — simply stop Not everything has to go your way. Maybe you’re an avid planner, but sometimes your friends can bring ideas of their own to the table. Welcome them and don’t take over every little thing that is planned. Creating a schedule with friends can lift some weight off your shoulders, and hey, if you don’t like something they’ve planned, you can always say “I told you so.” Stop trying to be “aesthetic” The 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. routines that vloggers continuously record create unrealistic expectations unless you’re a thriving, ﬁ nancially responsible adult with a neutral-colored kitchen. Their routines are always perfect, and you shouldn’t try to embody what their “ideal” life looks like. You can try to incorporate some of their routine, like stretching in the morning or reading at night, but don’t try to do everything — it’s unrealistic. At the end of the day, you get to build your routine and you shouldn’t feel tied to it. ■ H

Become a couch potato There are days when you will feel lazy, and although you planned on running errands to feel productive, it’s okay to just lay in bed and binge whatever show you’ve become addicted to. At ﬁ rst, you’ll probably feel bad for being “unproductive,” but taking a break occasionally is a good thing. Your to-do list can wait till tomorrow, or better yet, the next day. Spontaneity is key Impulsive thoughts are your besties, most of the time. It’s time to consider them and listen to your impulsive thoughts for once. Imagine sitting at your desk and having to ﬁ nish an assignment, but the little voice on your shoulder is saying that you should drop everything and go to a coffee shop to quench your caffeine cravings. Or maybe you want to go to the theater and eat popcorn and an Icee. Or you want to hang out with a friend for a memorable, hopefully not regrettable, night. Give in to the voice, you’ll thank it later.

IMAGES COURTESY OF FREEPIK

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FEATURES

TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

Riverside Coﬀee Crawl

A GUIDE TO LOCALLY OWNED COFFEE SHOPS AROUND RIVERSIDE. ASHLEY CARRANZA Contributing Writer

If you’ve ever been stuck not knowing where to get a good cup of coffee and study, look no further for your answer. Find out below what coffee shops have the best drinks, atmosphere, parking and more!

Arcade Coffee Roasters

Arcade Coffee Roasters may not look initially appealing due to the difficulty of fi nding parking and the dirt road. But once you walk into the shop, you are greeted with beautiful wood paneling, the welcoming smell of ground coffee and the company’s friendly staff. If you are a true matcha fan, I recommend trying their iced vanilla matcha with oat milk. For my coffee addicts, the hot butterscotch latte with oat milk is my recommendation. Its clean and natural decorations, like the bags of coffee they leave on the floor and the natural-looking wood tables, made the eat-in experience quite enjoyable. The price for a hot butterscotch latte with oat milk was $7.34. If you are looking for a coffee shop close to the university and do not mind the price or the frustration in fi nding parking, Arcade Coffee Roasters is the place for you.

Mundial

The outside patio for this coffee shop welcomes any readers that love their sun and cacti. The shop has their seasonal drinks displayed on a chalkboard next to a Little Free Library. As you walk in, the floor has brown wood flooring and large shelves filled with nursery plants, tea and coffee bags. The ambiance is rich with study vibes and concentrating college students, and the shop is cozily decorated with large shelves filled with nursery plants, tea, coffee bags and overhead twinkly lights. At the bar, there are plenty of juice and snack options ranging from Jarritos to ginger shots. Their digital menu displays a variety of caffeinated drinks, with their most popular drink being the dirty horchata iced (which was also recommended to me by a staff member). The price for a hot caramel latte with oat milk was $7.61. If you are looking for a place filled with plants and some nostalgic Latin American references, stop by Mundial.

Lift Coffee Roasters

This shop is located in a business center and has plenty of parking. On cold windy days, they close their large open door but have a sign out front making it easy to spot. Upon stepping inside, customers are greeted with an open room filled with a long community table and smaller ones farther in the back. The shop’s low light gives it a soft jazz club atmosphere and the music played makes it a fun place to vibe. Their back wall art work and merchandise make it easy to wait for your coffee order as you can get distracted by each nook and cranny the shop has. The customer service is immaculate, so don’t feel shy not knowing what to order! Their baristas are there to help you fi nd the right drink for every taste bud. Their dirty chai with oat milk was $7.35 and was a defi nite order again. Defi nitely stop by and check out the spot if you are looking for a chill ambiance and friendly baristas. Also, their large table has plenty of outlets if you are looking for a longer study session.

Molinos

In the heart of downtown Riverside, you’ll fi nd a beloved shop in front of the Mission Inn Hotel. Molinos is a low-key spot for coffee and parking is free for 30 minutes if you pay for your coffee on the app. The inside of the building has a beautiful chandelier hanging in front of a large glass window that gives you a perfect view of the Mission Inn. The coffee counter is filled with wooden display glasses that hold pastries while the border is decorated with twinkly lights. The customer service at Molinos is top notch and makes it easy to feel comfortable and invited in. You will feel like your fi rst visit was your hundredth by how accommodating and genuine the baristas are at connecting with customers. I recommend asking the barista their favorite drink and taking a chance on what they say. Their hot caramel latte with oat milk was $5.45. In my opinion, this stop is defi nitely worth the price and location.

Rad Coffee

Our next stop keeps us in downtown Riverside and is only ﬁve minutes away from the Mission Inn. The dark ambiance is perfect for metalheads and rock fans. Their wall is ﬁlled with band posters of the Ramones, Black Flag, Bad Religion and many more punk bands. The playlist will have you jamming out and buying a pink $20 dollar beanie just because it’s cute. If you are a fan of Halloween, you will love their stickers and other merch that they carry at the counter. The baristas are amazingly friendly and love to talk about their own love of coffee and music, so stop by if you are in need of immaculate vibes and coffee. The only catch is there are no tables to hang around at. This is only a stop and go coffee shop, but don’t let that prevent you from checking this place out. A hot vanilla latte with oat milk was around $6. Check this place out if you are looking to explore more coffee shops with Hot Topic vibes.

Coffeecito

Coffeecito is a large white house in downtown Riverside that’s been transformed into a small local coffee shop. Its front porch gate and water fountain give it a homey vibe and would make a perfect background for a cute photoshoot date with your friends and family. There are plenty of tables outside with blue umbrellas to shade you from the sun and a small living room with wooden tables inside. The white walls are ﬁlled with Latin American culture references, such as paintings of Cacti, a large tapestry with indigenous art on it and a neon sign reading Coffeecito House in front of it. The pillows on the benches make it easy to pull out a laptop and sit for a few hours to do work or just hang out with friends. A hot caramel latte with oat milk was $6.19. I recommend stopping by if you are looking for a cute coffee shop with an aesthetically pleasing ambiance. ■ H

How to have the worst ﬁrst date ever

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BREAK HEARTS THIS WINTER SEASON; LOOK NO FURTHER HERE’S HOW TO ENSURE YOU HAVE NO VALENTINE BY THE TIME FEBRUARY ROLLS AROUND. STELA NOELLE ABASTA Contributing Writer

This totally doesn’t come from experience, but I’m sure there are many Highlanders out there that are tired of being let down by a bad date. If you want to be the one who lets down your date for a change, you’re in luck! Here is a list of what you should do to achieve your goal of becoming a walking red flag going into every fi rst date. Go to the movies If you want to have a horrible fi rst date but don’t even know where to start, suggest going to the movies. Choose any movie you want whether or not your date wants to see it. All that matters is that you want to watch it! A movie date is also perfect if you don’t want to have to talk to your date. Not talking during a movie is acceptable, because perhaps your date wants to pay attention to the movie and not disturb the other watchers around you. However, I bet you have never heard of this tactic before: don’t talk to them even before the movie starts nor after it ends. Get to the theater, watch it, then leave. You don’t even have to sit next to them if you don’t even want to! Let your date carry the conversation Talk minimally — or better yet, don’t talk at all! Let your date do the talking, and you can do the hearing. Don’t get “hearing” confused with “listening.” You don’t actually want to listen and retain anything your date is saying. It’s not like you’re going on a date to get to know them. If you really have to say something, be dry. One-word answers are a must when it comes to ensuring you make it in your date’s friends’ group chat. However, if one-word answers really don’t suffice, my next suggestion is to only talk about yourself. Don’t direct questions towards your date, because it’s not like you’re actually curious to know about them. Respond to their questions and the stories they might tell with answers all about yourself. Try to make yourself sound as great as possible — even if that means lying about some things.

Be on your phone the entire time There is nothing more interesting on a date than your phone. It’s not like you use it all the time. Text other people, scroll through Instagram, whip out Pokémon Go — there is a plethora of things to do that do not include having to interact with your date. Human connection is unnecessary when you have technology at your ﬁ ngertips. Express no interest It’s not like you agreed to go on this date in the ﬁ rst place. Something that is even better than expressing no interest is actively expressing your disinterest. Be rude to the waiter, belittle your date — do everything possible to make the situation as uncomfortable for your date and everyone around you at all times. My personal favorite is to list everything you don’t like about your date right then and there. If your date does try to continue to pursue you (which, trust me, they will), your relationship should be built on blatant honesty. There is no better way to do that than to tell them every little detail of what they should change about themselves to force them to be perfectly to your liking. After reading this list, please remember if you go on a date, and the person you’re with really does do any of these things, they are likely not interested in you and are not worth your time. I know with the Valentine’s season coming up, you may be vying for the type of romance that musical artist Laufey might describe. However, no potential romantic companion merits taking this kind of treatment. Know your worth. You H deserve much, much more than a bad movie date.■

IMAGES COURTESY OF FREEPIK

Radar 14 TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

RADAR

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VAIN Predicts: Fashion Trends of 2024

With the start of a new year, the fashion industry sees a shift in fashion trends that will set the tone for the rest of the year. ANNALISA KIM Contributing Writer

VAIN is here in collaboration with The Highlander to forecast some of the hottest trends for the 2024 season. Rockstar Made A trend that is gaining momentum is “indie sleaze:” a grimy, grunge aesthetic born from the early 2000s era. One can think of it as an overly exposed film picture in a bathroom, a pile of cigarette butts in a wine glass and a figure donned in just a fur coat, black bra and tights. Fur coats are making their return into the 2024 winter months. Vintage furs from Grandma or faux fur from the local thrift are appearing in the spotlight. Animal print, such as cheetah and leopard print, is also a trend that we are seeing revived this season. Despite the polarizing opinions on this trend, animal print and furs can be quite versatile in styling. Whether you want to channel your inner “Godfather” or become the next Nana Osaki, this trend might be for you. Prep-ster Prep is back for another run, as showcased by Miu Miu and Prada in the most recent runway shows. The preppy style creates a nuanced perspective of the “quiet luxury” trend that became viral through TikTok and other social media platforms. This year, dressing “preppy” is about creating your brand of “prep;” creating your uniform that brings comfort and familiarity. Whether it be crisp polos, pressed slacks, a well-loved blazer or worn-in loafers, prep is what you make of it. Embrace your inner “Gossip Girl” and find inspiration through well-established designers like Ralph Lauren or find complexity in the basics like JW Anderson’s SS24 collection.

many are predicting that the cut of denim will slim down and darker denim will take over, even in the warmer months. Moving away from ultra-baggy jeans, many different cuts are predicted to stake their claim on the fashion sphere this year. Bootcut, cigarette and slim-fit jeans are predicted to be relevant this year and, whatever your preference is for denim, there is a cut for you. Featuring Colors Key colors are coming into play for 2024. For the winter months, cherry red and cobalt blue will have their moment to shine. Cobalt blue was seen on a multitude of runway shows and brands such as Acne Studios, Issey Miyake and Loewe have led the charge in the blue direction. For Lana del Rey fans, the cherry cola shade of red has been seen in collections for Gucci, Valentino and Miu Miu, setting a warm tone for the colder months. For the spring and summer, we are predicting a tonal shift to lighter, softer colors and pastel shades. Peach fuzz — the Pantone color of the year — will have its moment to shine during these months with delicate gauzy fabrics and soft knits. With a focus on bold statement pieces and designs, bright colors and oversized accessories, there’s something for everyone this year. So, whether you’re looking to update your wardrobe or just want to add a few new pieces, be sure to keep these trends in mind. However, a reminder is pertinent to this conversation; trends are temporary, but your style is forever yours. How individuals spin these trends is the ultimate goal of fashion, so find ways to adopt these trends in your own ways. ■ H

Coquette A pinnacle of coquette fashion is bows. Bows, a viral sensation in late 2023, were popularized by two up-and-coming designers: Sandy Liang and Simone Rocha. Bow tears seen on Simone Rocha’s AW23 show and Sandy Liang’s collaboration with Baggu were an instant hit with the masses. Bows were seen on almost everything: shoes, hair, bags, nails and even water bottle handles. With how trendy bows were in 2023, VAIN predicts that they will stick around for the first quarter of 2024. Work Core A huge trend in 2023 was the rise of cargo, and we predict this trend to lead to a rise in workwear in 2024. Workwear jackets, pants and shoes are being brought into streetwear and a revival of utility is set for this year. Brands like Carhartt, Timberland and Dickies are seeing their resurrection with their workwear pieces styled amongst many different styles and fashion subcommunities. Taking another look at workwear, we are seeing an influx of business being integrated into casual wear — a literal integration of the term “workwear.” Incorporating crisp button-downs and ties with grungy jeans or layered skirts has been extremely popular towards the second half of 2023. We predict that this trend will continue through numerous iterations. A nuanced take on “business-core” has been the recently viral “office siren” aesthetic. At first glance, it feels like a cosplay of Brazilian model Giselle Bündchen in “The Devil Wears Prada” with form-fitting pencil skirts and tiny rectangular “Bayonetta”-esque glasses. However, the office siren trend comes from an amalgamation of “business-core,” “indie sleaze” and the “Y2K” revival. Taking almost a satirical spin on the sexualized secretary figure from the 90s, many in the fashion world are creating their take on the office siren,setting the tone for office-wear and streetwear alike. More, More More! Maximalist jewelry might be the hottest trend of the spring/summer season, with big gaudy rings on every finger and a stack of personally curated bracelets. Despite the prevalence of microtrends, we are seeing a rise in personalization within many fashion subcultures, so letting your jewelry express your individuality and personality will be the biggest hit of the year. Another prediction for the jewelry realm of fashion is the rise of watches. The good thing about watches is that they are versatile and timeless pieces. Whether it be streetwear or a more preppy style, even in the maximalist jewelry trend we are forecasting that watches will make a fantastic addition to your closet this year. Consider going to your local thrift store to find one-of-a-kind watches to fit your style. Bigger is (Almost) Always Better 2023 was the year of the micro bag, and leading the charge was Jacquemus with their itty-bitty bags that held one Airpod and some change. In 2024, we are predicting a return to the Big Bag; a bag that can hold everything. The resurgence of the oversized bag can be seen in a multitude of colors and materials: leather, canvas and even puff. Whatever the style, the oversized bag has returned to the fashion world. Many subcultures of fashion embraced baggy jeans as a style staple. However,

IMAGE COURTESY OF PEXELS

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RADAR

TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

Marvel’s ‘Echo’:

A roller coaster of emotions, cultural richness and missed opportunities Embark on Marvel’s latest venture, ‘Echo,’ where sensational performances and captivating fight scenes collide with a disjointed narrative. LILIANNA ANGEL Contributing Writer

Marvel’s Spotlight is a new film title within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), disconnected from the overarching storyline. The first Marvel spotlight “Echo” was released in full on Disney+ on Jan. 9, directed by Sydney Freeland and marking the platform’s first TV-MA show. Marvel’s “Echo” is set after the events in “Hawkeye,” focusing on Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox), a deaf Native American. She grapples with her father’s death and the involvement of Kingpin, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), a father-like figure, in the tragic events. The storyline delves into the consequences of her actions in shooting Kingpin and her transformation of Kingpin’s business into her own. Additionally, it explores the cultural narrative of her dealing with familial past troubles and reconnecting with her roots in her hometown of Tamaha, Oklahoma. The narrative revolves around her journey of grappling with grief, facing consequences, addressing family dynamics and taking control of her own narrative.

Despite some wonkiness with the show, the acting was truly sensational. The entire cast of “Echo” gives an exceptional performance with a full range of emotions. Two actors who stood out the most are Cox and D’Onofrio. Cox brilliantly portrayed Maya with a precedence of unsettling anger that can be felt with just a glance at someone. The emphasis she puts into her lines when she signs truly depicts what a strong female character she is. Additionally, D’Onofrio portrayed Kingpin as great as he did in “Daredevil,” but does so with a new level of ruthlessness in “Echo” and now with a soft spot for Maya. Although the dialogue did feel a bit repetitive at times, the actors managed to infuse their performances with real emotion and vitality. Admittedly, the dialogue could have been better, but when looking at the characters Chula and Biscuits, played by Tantoo Cardinal and Cody Lightning, their charisma overcomes the poor dialogue. While Chula’s feelings towards Maya come off as somewhat repetitive, Cardinal’s performance brings genuine depth and authenticity to the portrayal. On the lighter side, Biscuits injects humor into the series, offering a refreshing touch to the overall narrative. The incredible fight choreography incorporated elements of mixed martial arts that were truly captivating. While many action movies or shows’ fight scenes often lack emotion and feel staged, “Echo’s” fight sequences flow in a powerful way that showcases strength, skill and determination. Audiences are sure to find themselves on the edge of their seats with the heavy punches delivered by Cox’s character, using her anger to drive her. It was also certainly bloodier than typical Marvel films. However, there were very few fight scenes and, in that sense, that was disappointing. Unfortunately, the storyline of “Echo” faced more lows than highs. The epilogue disappointingly resorts to recycling many “Hawkeye” scenes, dragging on for an extended duration. While it begins as a promising tale of Maya making a name for herself and seeking revenge, the narrative unexpectedly veers off into a different route, which leads to rendering an entire episode seemingly pointless. It was excessive with the use of the “And then” storytelling that introduces an idea and then forgets about it the next second, replacing it with another plot; it introduced a sense of disjointedness, leaving audiences grappling with the abrupt shifts in the plot. Unfortunately, the storyline falls short of achieving the desired level of connection, missing opportunities to weave a more cohesive narrative. On a positive note, the introduction to each episode featuring an ancestor of Maya adds a cool and interesting dimension. The cultural aspects of “Echo” add a commendable layer to the MCU. When Maya’s ancestors are first introduced, the audience is treated to a captivating glimpse of a cave adorned with beautifully stunning glowing water and accompanied by the representation of Choctaw people as clay figures — a visually striking portrayal. This kind of cinematography stands out throughout each episode, skillfully showcasing different eras beautifully. Marvel’s dedication to incorporating diverse cultural elements not only enhances the overall aesthetic, but also contributes to a richer and more inclusive storytelling experience. Overall, the show didn’t quite reach its full potential. However, amidst its shortcomings, there are still some fantabulous aspects that make it worthwhile. As the first Marvel Spotlight show, it offers new audiences a chance to enjoy the MCU without needing an in-depth knowledge of its entire history. In addition, “Echo” stands out with its inclusive representation of cultures and disabilities within the MCU, making it a great addition to diversity and representation on screen. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for a special H cameo that adds an extra layer of excitement to the viewing experience! ■

Verdict: Despite “Echo” falling short, the show presents a captivating blend of sensational acting, diverse cultural representation and impressive fight choreography. COURTESY OF MARVEL STUDIOS

COURTESY OF MARVEL STUDIOS

TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

RADAR

‘Lift’ fails to lift audience spirit

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F. Gary Gray’s new movies proves that not all heist movies are meant to be good. SPANDANA JANAPATI Contributing Writer

“Lift,” Netflix’s latest heist action movie, starring Kevin Hart and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, was released on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. F. Gary Gray, well known for directing movies such as “Straight Out of Compton” and 2003’s “Italian Job,” worked alongside comedian-actor Kevin Hart, who also produced this movie. Hart held a more action-oriented role in “Lift” as opposed to his previous comedic roles as seen by audiences in "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," "Night School" and "Central Intelligence. “Lift” featured additional appearances made by Jacob Batalon known from Marvel’s “Spider-Man” film series and Paul Anderson who can be recognized from “Peaky Blinders.” The movie starts with Cyrus (Kevin Hart) and his team of thieves consisting of the master of disguise Denton, pilot Camilla, hacker Mi-Sun, safe-cracking expert Magnus and engineer Luke. The team sets out to steal a $20 million NFT and a Van Gogh painting at an auction in Venice. In the process of their heist, Interpol Agent Abby Gladwell (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) catches Cyrus and his team for the crime, yet fails to press charges. Abby’s commanding officer Huxley proposes a deal to Cyrus and his crew: help Interpol capture and stop billionaire Lars Jorgenson from completing a gold transaction which would ultimately give him power over the stock market through the hacking group Leviathan. If the crew succeeds, their prior criminal records would be wiped clean — an incentive that convinces the team to accept the job. Although Gary Gray and writer Daniel Kunka follow the basic guidelines of a heist movie with the appropriate amount of montage scenes and

climactic last-minute escapes, the weak character development and relationships combined with a convoluted storyline that provides inconclusive information make this film less than enjoyable. The film starts with a pre-established relationship between the crew members which is emphasized through budding conversation and banter. However, the individual characters and their relationships with each other are flat and one-dimensional. The audience is provided no background information on how the crew got together, let alone an understanding of the dynamics within the team which would contribute to their success or ultimate failure within any heist. Not to mention, the role played by Viveik Kalra as Luke the engineer is almost unnecessary. Luke’s already minimal presence in the group completely disappears near the second half of the film as he opts out of the team’s plan of cracking the safe and stealing Jorgenson’s gold on an operating flight. Other members of the team such as Camila and Denton are given minimal dialogue and are superficial characters that operate as tools in Cyrus’ toolkit. The central relationship of “Lift” between Abby and Cyrus feels predictable and repetitive. Their fling of a week (or 5 business days to be more specific) was the only significant exchange between the two, excluding what felt like an out-of-place conversation about Abby’s mother and her history. Limited buildup in their romantic plotline combined with the lack of on-screen chemistry between Hart and Mbatha-Raw made the conversations between them hard to watch. The predictable nature

of Abby and Cyrus’ kiss amid a crisis and their tacky banter felt more cringe-worthy than romantic. “Lift” followed a pretty clear plot line up until the second half of the movie when the team’s initial objective becomes lost amidst various problems. Changes in delivery dates by Leviathan, Jorgenson's supposed mole and the team’s brief 5-minute log capture at the hands of Jorgenson's henchman drags down the robustness of the story. Although Jorgenson was the prescribed villain for this film, by the end, Kunka and Gary Gray were trying to convince the audience that Interpol Supervisor Huxley was much more at fault for calling on airstrikes against Abby and Cyrus’s team while they were on the plane. With the audience already confused by the plot and numerous unfinished side plots, the overuse of technology also greatly reduces the believability and appeal of this movie. The fact that the crew starts by stealing an NFT already feels questionable. On top of that, Mi-Sun seems to have access to extraordinary tech, giving her the ability to remotely control motorboats, hack interpol security, control airplane wifi and even construct bombs. The usage of these tech gadgets failed to achieve the look of a hypertech advanced heist team. Rather, it emphasized the overall unrealism and blandness of the film.

Verdict: “Lift” is ultimately a predictable heist movie that focuses more on cool gadgets and untimely plot twists than developing likable characters. ■H

‘Mean Girls’ 2024 falls flat compared to the Broadway version

Compared to the 2004 original, this new movie is “shiny, fake and hard.” NATALIE DAHL Features Editor

“Mean Girls,” released Jan. 12 in theaters, is a modern-day rewind of the 2004 teen comedy. Featuring Reneé Rapp as Regina George, queen bee of North Ridge High School, and Angourie Rice as Cady Heron, homeschooled fresh meat discovering the ruthlessness of high school through her new superficial friends “the Plastics,” the film takes on the humongous task of remaking a 2000s cult classic. The incorporation of the Broadway songs into the movie was disappointing. Even though the film’s runtime was a cool two hours, far too many songs were cut entirely from its tracklist, including fan favorites “Where Do You Belong” and “Stop.” Songs that were left in were shortened and morphed in unpleasant ways, manifesting the changes through strange rhythms and note-swaps. The most egregious alteration was the swap of “It Roars,” the jungle-esque intro to Cady’s discovery of the animal kingdom that is high school, to the subpar original song “What Ifs.” The best numbers ended up being the ones closest to the Broadway originals, like the hit Halloween pop “Sexy.” Movie musicals have proven to be audience-pleasing and critically successful in the past (i.e. “Hairspray” with a 92% on the Tomatometer and 84% on the audience score and “La La Land” with a respective 81%), so the movie failed on only going halfway on what could’ve been an even fresher and vivacious new twist to the original. The film featured plenty of standout performers (even though they all looked like college students), but unfortunately, the cast’s talent was dragged down by Rice’s lack of vocal power; the contrast between the weight of Cady’s songs in the 2024 movie

and the Broadway musical are stark. In comparison, Rapp carried in the vocal department by showcasing her true musical theater talent. In addition to her voice and impressive belt, Rapp’s Regina will get the most laughs out of anyone in the theater. Other standout performances by “too gay to function” Damien (Jaquel Spivey) and “pyro-lez” Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) in the acting, vocal and humor departments also gained the movie a few more positive points. Other characters such as ditzy sidekick Karen (Avantika Vandanapu), babbling informant Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and firstcrush Aaron (Christopher Briney) helped the movie with their solid depictions of modern teens. The worst offenders of the movie were the exhaustion of modern technology and the horrendous product placements. The decision to use TikToks clips showing the school body’s reactions to the main plot events rather than seeing their unfiltered reactions felt cheap and having the main actors themselves take you through whole songs as if they were recording a TikTok also felt out of place. TikTok cameos from people like Megan Thee Stallion were fun in the moment, but only succeeded as easy grabs of the viewer’s short-term attention, mimicking the feel of a TikTok rather than the satisfaction of a long motion picture experience. Additionally, the abhorrently obvious product placements of brands like Secret Deodorant, Bubly and SeatGeek broke the immersion one desires to experience while watching a film. Product placements in movies aren’t inherently bad, but the film’s choice to shove branding in the audience’s

face with the actual products rather than use more subtle marketing methods like billboards or shops in the background hurts the viewing experience. “Mean Girls” also featured a few too many distorted facial close-ups, manifested in odd 360° camera spins and poorly thought-out montage shots. The film attempted to convey a fresh level of camp that the old version nailed through cinematography choices, but fell short of achieving its goal. Additionally, the new dialogue also tried to lean into the kitschy style, but it lacked the punch the film needed for it to work. Because of the lack of followthrough for iconic scenes popularized by the previous iterations of “Mean Girls” (for example the tossing of the burn book pages in the original vs. the sad drop of the whole book onto the floor in its successor), the script failed to have a solid basis of self-awareness the original film had to build off of. While not an unenjoyable movie, the film lacked the crispness, wit and iconicness of the first movie. It felt like a remake and a subpar Google translation of the original, which a viewer unfortunately needed to watch first to fully understand the plot and references. The movie was slower compared to the fast-paced speed of the Broadway version, but if you have no background knowledge of the musical, you won’t know what you’re missing.

Verdict: The 2024 remake of “Mean Girls”

aimed too hard to be camp and overall fell a little flat. The musical lacked the punch of the original by overusing a TikTok-like digital style, seeping in product placements and not fully committing to the musical aspect. ■H

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RADAR

TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

The best books to keep your warm this winter

As the California cold sets in, these are the books to curl up with. YSABEL NAKASONE Opinions Editor

10. “Season’s Schemings” by Katie Bailey After being dumped on a reality baking show for another woman, Maddie ropes her dirtbag of an ex‘s favorite hockey player into being her fake boyfriend. However, he ends up appearing at her family’s Christmas celebration as her very real husband. “Season’s Schemings” is a closed-door read, but the petty drama keeps the read interesting.

7. “The Mistletoe Pact” by Jo Lovett After an obviously well-thought-out pact between Evie and her best friend’s brother, it’s a countdown to Evie’s 30th birthday. With then and now perspectives, this book follows a decade of build-up and near misses until Evie and Dan ﬁ nd themselves drunkenly married in a Vegas Wedding Chapel. This book is an enjoyable blend of ﬂuff, romance and drama that throws you back and forth in time to keep you hanging on.

4. “Window Shopping” by Tessa Bailey This is a BookTok favorite with the bow-tie-wearing and seemingly vanilla Aiden, who runs a department store. After he hires Stella, who has been unable to ﬁ nd work due to her criminal record, to do window designs, the pair go on to do more than decorate windows together.

9. “Scrooge-ish” by L.B. Dunbar This second-chance romance tale takes readers from the throes of a youthful ﬂ ing to the complications of adult life. This novella follows the Christmas-hating Eva as she tries to rekindle a romance with the one who got away.

6. “Tangled in Tinsel” by Trillina Pucci Poor Samantha is trapped in a cabin with four men: Jace, Reed, Alec and Cole, who deﬁ nitely don’t star in her naughtiest dreams. This novella is short and spicy with not a second to take a breath. “Tangled in Tinsel” is a standalone in the “Holidate” series, so the fun doesn’t end with Samantha’s story.

3. “Tis the Season for Revenge” by Morgan Elizabeth Morgan Elizabeth calls out all the worthless boyfriends with this book after the exuberant and bubbly Abbie gets dumped by the most heinous of men to exist on the way to a Halloween party. After spending years trying to tamp down her personality for this sorry excuse of a man, Abbie decides the best revenge might just be dating the smoking boss her ex hates. The one is for the girls who don’t want to take the high road and believe that the unattainable is attainable.

8. “The Naughty, the Nice, and the Nanny” by Willa Nash and Devney Perry Natalie somehow gets roped into being a nanny for the demon-spawn child of her high school infatuation for a week during Christmas. The tension in this short-read is too much, especially as it throws in a child’s hysterics and an ex-wife’s interference.

5. “Runaway Girl” by Tessa Bailey After helping her cousin’s jilted groom get away from his wedding, Addison Potts takes up a friendship with mayoral candidate Elijah. With Addison rumored to be the product of an affair that destroyed her family’s reputation, this couple has a rough road as gossip rags tear Addison apart. However, this scandal is nowhere close to what they caused after a very public bar kiss and a mattress thrown through a window.

2. “In a Holidaze” by Christina Lauren This “Groundhog Day”-style tale features Mae living through the same day over and over again. As she tries to make sense of what is happening, Mae starts having bigger realizations about the people around her, particularly the two brothers who are messing up her emotions more than the time loop she’s stuck in. This ending isn’t one you can expect or predict — a true feat in the romance genre where happy endings reign.

1. “Three Swedish Mountain Men” by Lily Gold This one is just too iconic, and anyone who hasn’t read a Lily Gold book really ought to be facing criminal charges. After being targeted online by her ex-boyfriend, Daisy runs away to the mountains but ﬁ nds herself trapped alone with three inhumanly gorgeous men as one does. While hiding from a breakup and awful rumors, Daisy might just ﬁ nd a new reality she can live with. Lily Gold absolutely reigns in her many reverse harem novels with stories that get readers so attached and invested while also completely wrecking readers emotionally at the same time. ■ H

IMAGES COURTESY OF FREEPIK

Sports 18 TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

SPORTS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/sports

Jordan Webster inspires UCR comeback in 64-62 win against Cal State Bakersfield ISAAC SOLNICK Staff Writer

Highlanders overcome slow start against the Roadrunners. After starting conference play with three straight losses, the Highlanders have bounced back from their early struggles. Wins against Long Beach State, Cal Poly and reigning champions Hawaii brought the Highlanders back to .500. In those victories, UCR has leaned heavily on the Big West Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, senior guard Jordan Webster. Webster’s leadership and abilities on the court help teammates like talented but less experienced sophomore guards Makayla Jackson and Zoe Tillery settle into their starting roles. Matched up with graduate student guard Jordan Olivares of the Roadrunners, UCR needed Webster to continue her hot streak against Cal State Bakersfield. Early on, UCR’s offense lacked rhythm. The Highlanders looked to use screens and even double screens to find easy looks for their shooters. However, the Roadrunners often looked to switch and trap the ball handler. This baited the Highlanders into cross-court passes that Bakersfield looked to pick off like vultures. Things would go from bad to worse for UCR as redshirt senior forward Matehya Bryant was dealt two early fouls. Reluctant to take off one of his key players, coach Brad Langston couldn’t risk leaving Bryant in the game. In her absence, junior forward Esther Matarranz was relied upon to provide the inside presence for the Highlanders. After a 3-pointer from Bakersfield’s sophomore forward Julia Riley, UCR called an early timeout. Looking for a jolt of energy, the Highlanders brought out the full-court press. Despite a pair of steals from fifth-year guard RyAnne Walters, UCR’s pressure was more or less ineffective. A second airball from Jordan Webster summed up the early struggles for the Highlanders. Meanwhile, Jordan Olivares knocked down a pair of triples to give Bakersfield a 22-11 lead after the first ten minutes. Webster’s shaky start was concerning, but she quickly put those concerns to rest. After intercepting a bad pass, Webster is fouled hard and completes a 3-point play. With Webster’s confidence restored, the Highlanders could finally find their groove. However, the referees were not shy to blow the whistle and it made it hard for either team to gain momentum. After a moving screen call against UCR, Makayla Jackson was visibly upset with the officials. Determined to make up for the call, Jackson stole the ball from sophomore Nseije Ortiz and made the fastbreak layup look easy. Later, Jackson drilled a triple to end the half. Despite Jackson’s best efforts, the Highlanders found themselves down 37-26 at halftime.

At the start of the second half, Jordan Webster and the Highlanders looked like they had a point to prove. It didn’t matter who was defending Webster. With each possession, she relentlessly attacked the basket. She repeatedly scored at will, earned constant trips to the free throw line, and kicked the ball out to open teammates. After Webster assisted Jackson on a corner triple, Bakersfield called a timeout to stop UCR’s 7-0 run. The Roadrunners were held scoreless in the third quarter until a pair of free throws from Olivares put Bakersfield back on the board. The Highlanders would ride this wave of momentum to a seven-point lead, but for a second time, Olivares brought her team back into the game. A 3-pointer from Bakersfield’s star guard cut the UCR lead in half going into the fourth quarter. To start the fourth, RyAnne Walters drained a corner triple for UCR. As it again looked like the Highlanders would run away with it, Olivares answered for a third time. Her fourth 3-pointer of the evening kept the Roadrunners in it going into the TV timeout. Coming out of the break, a bucket from freshman Amourie Porter gave the lead back to the Roadrunners. As the Highlanders were losing their grip on this game, Webster stepped up once again. She drew a foul off a 3-pointer before going 3 for 3 from the line. Then, on her next 3-point attempt, she got the lucky bounce off the rim to put UCR ahead by 3. After Porter earned a trip to the charity stripe, she split the pair. Down by 2 with less than 30 seconds left in the game, the Roadrunners intentionally fouled Zoe Tillery. With the chance to ice the game, Tillery missed both free throws. With the chance to send the game to overtime, the Roadrunners looked to set up Olivares. She was double-teamed and Bakersfield had to settle for a midrange jumper from Porter. Her shot was too strong and it was none other than Jordan Webster who secured the rebound and win for the Highlanders. Webster capped off a vintage performance with 31 points. Not only did she set a new career high, she also surpassed 1000 career points with the Highlanders. Overshadowed by Webster’s career day, Jordan Olivares nevertheless had a great performance of her own with a season-high 23. With the win against Cal State Bakersfield, the Highlanders have now matched their total conference wins from last season. Their next game is against Cal State Northridge on Jan. 20. Another strong performance could see Webster H earn back-to-back Big West Player of the Week awards. ■

UCR scores 17 threes enroute to demolition of CSU Northridge 82-63 KIANOOSH NOOSHI Assistant Sports Editor

Isaiah Moses led all scorers with 30 points in the Highlanders’ big win over CSU Northridge. UC Riverside showcased an impressive performance on the basketball court, dominating their recent matchup with a remarkable display of skill and teamwork. The Highlanders were in top form, setting records and securing a convincing victory that left fans and spectators in awe. Right from the tip-off, UC Riverside demonstrated their prowess, sinking baskets with ease. The team’s early success was evident as they shot an impressive 5 for 6, quickly establishing a 21-16 lead. A pivotal moment in the game came with a sensational 6-0 run, highlighted by three consecutive 3-pointers from Vladimer Salaridze, Isaiah Moses and Nate Pickens. Salaridze emerged as a key player for the Highlanders in the first half, contributing a game-high eight points. The bench played a crucial role, with UC Riverside gaining a significant advantage of 17-9 in bench points at halftime. Moses, despite missing a jumper, showcased resilience as Salaridze grabbed the offensive rebound, setting the stage for Moses’ redemption and a 15-11 lead just before a media break. The momentum carried into the second half, with Moses and Kyle Owens initiating a back-to-back triple assault during a 10-2 run that extended from late in the first half. Moses continued to shine, hitting the 14th three of the night and surpassing 20 points for the fourth time this season. The Highlanders’ shooting prowess was on full display in the second half, with a remarkable 51.6% shooting percentage and 12 successful 3-pointers after halftime. Contributions from the bench were instrumental to UC Riverside’s success, with Salaridze leading the reserves with 11 points. The Highlanders held a commanding 26-11 edge in bench points, showcasing the team’s depth and versatility. Kaleb Smith, earning his second start in three games, made an impact with a steal that paved the way for Moses’ second 3-pointer of the night, extending the lead to 44-30. The game’s statistical highlights painted a picture of UC Riverside’s exceptional performance. The team set a new Big West single-game program record with a seasonhigh 17 3-pointers. Defensively, they held CSUN to a mere 36.7% shooting, marking the lowest for a Highlander opponent in Big West play during the season. UC Riverside’s dominance extended beyond the offensive showcase. The team won the turnover battle for the seventh time in their last 10 games, showcasing their defensive

prowess. Additionally, the Highlanders secured at least 40 rebounds for the seventh time this season, underscoring their control of the boards. The team’s success was further highlighted by an unblemished 8-0 record when leading at the 5:00 mark of the second half. Individually, Isaiah Moses etched his name in the record books with a stellar performance. Setting a new career high, Moses scored 30 points on an efficient 10-of18 shooting. The Alaska native’s seven three-pointers in a single game mirrored a feat achieved by Flynn Cameron last season, further solidifying Moses’ status as a key star for the Highlanders. Looking ahead, UC Riverside’s next challenge awaits on Thursday, Jan. 25, with a 7:00 p.m. tipoff at UC San Diego. The team will aim to carry the momentum from their recent triumph and continue their impressive run, seeking further success in the competitive landscape of college basketball. As fans eagerly anticipate the next matchup, the Highlanders have undoubtedly left an indelible mark with their record-setting performance and cohesive teamwork on the court. ■ H

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/sports

SPORTS

TUESDAY, JAN 23, 2024

Highlander Hot Take: NFL Divisional Round Predictions HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

The 2024 NFL Divisional Round will set forth an entertaining conference championship round. The 2024 NFL Wild Card round provided some unexpected and entertaining games. There were some intriguing and entertaining storylines from Matthew Stafford’s return to Detroit, the Cowboys’ and Eagles’ collapse against the Packers and the Buccaneers, and Tyreek Hill’s return to Arrowhead. With the top seed from each conference back from their bye week, here are the NFL Divisional Round predictions. Texans vs. Ravens The Texans are coming off of a dominant home win against the Cleveland Browns, who had the number one defense in the regular season. The Ravens finished as the first seed in the AFC and received a first round bye last week. In this game, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud will continue his stellar season by throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Baltimore Ravens will continue to show why they were the best team in football this year as the projected MVP, Lamar Jackson, will score three touchdowns and the defense will create a turnover in the ball game. Ravens win 31-17. Packers vs. 49ers The Packers surprised the football world with a dominant, upset win over the Cowboys the week before. Jordan Love continued to impress in his first year as the starting quarterback. The 49ers are coming off the bye week as the first seed of the NFC. In this game, star running back Christian McCaffrey will continue his remarkable season by going for over 110 scrimmage yards and quarterback Brock Purdy will throw for two touchdowns. The 49ers defense will put an end to Love’s season by forcing two takeaways and hold Love to under 250 passing yards. 49ers win 34-21.

Buccaneers vs Lions The Buccaneers are coming off a surprising win against the Eagles as the Baker Mayfield redemption tour continues. The Detroit Lions are coming off of a narrow victory against the Los Angeles Rams as they won their first playoff game in 31 years. In this matchup, both offenses are going to look unstoppable and the defenses are going to find no answers in stopping each other. Baker Mayfield will throw for 275 yards and two touchdowns, and Rachaad White is going to rush for 70 yards and a touchdown. Jared Goff is going to throw for 320 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Amon-Ra St. Brown is going to show why he’s one of the best up-and-coming wide receivers. In this closely-knit battle, the Lions win 28-24. Chiefs vs. Bills The Chiefs welcomed Tyreek Hill back to Arrowhead and had a dominant win against the Dolphins. The Bills cruised to a win against the Steelers in the snow as Josh Allen continues to show why he’s a top three quarterback in the league. In this rivalry matchup, the Chiefs are visiting Buffalo for the first time in the playoffs. Both offenses are going to be stalled as conditions are going to be in the sub-zero temperatures and high wind. It will be a matchup between who has the better run game and who has the better defense. The Bills will have the better offense with Josh Allen going for 200 passing yards, 80 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. Running back James Cook will rush for 80 yards and Gabe Davis will haul in 90 receiving yards. On the other side, Patrick Mahomes will throw for 250 yards and two touchdown passes while Isaiah Pacheo will run for 75 H yards. In the end, the Bills will have the edge and win 21-17. ■

KELLEY MANZO / THE HIGHLANDER

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