Volume 72, Issue 29

After months of anticipation, your local Stater Bros. located on the corner of Blaine and Iowa just underwent a brand new refresh! Our team has been working hard to bring you a whole new shopping experience packed with so many fresh options and delightful surprises.

First up on our list of fresh additions is FujiSan. Led by a team of classically trained chefs, FujiSan sushi features 100% sustainable seafood and is free of any artificial flavors. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite from our revamped grab-and-go section or freshly made rolls, we offer a wide variety of rolls to choose from. From our tiger roll, California crunch, and spicy California roll, there’s something to satisfy every sushi craving. Having a party? We have party platters available in different varieties to please every crowd. If sushi isn’t your thing, FujiSan offers a tempting selection of seaweed salads, dumplings, bao, and irresistible boba tea. In collaboration with FujiSan, we’ll be sampling some of our rolls on Wednesday, May 22 at the Nooners event.

Our bakery now includes custom-made cakes, everyday sweet treats, desserts and pan dulce made fresh daily. Be sure to try out our conchas filled with an assortment of fruits, from strawberries and cream to apples. We also have dessert party trays that come in different assortments, containing gourmet cookies, strawberries, mini cinnamon rolls, strudels and much more.

When you step into our new floral section you’re greeted by the scent of fresh-cut flowers, this seasons’ floral inspirations, potted plants, and balloons. You can choose from an array of beautiful orchids and succulents in decorative pots. With graduations just around the corner, now is the perfect time to explore our wide selection of bouquets to brighten your graduate’s special day.

In addition, most of our flowers are sourced locally throughout California to support local flower farms.

If you’re craving something savory, our service deli has plenty of new options available. Such as our Cleo & Leo turkey sliders, roast beef pretzel sliders, and more to give you the choice of convenience on the go. Plus, choose from our selection of sliced-to-order meats and cheeses, like white American cheese and roasted turkey breast, sliced to your liking. These are perfect for those days at home or summer picnics with your friends and family. Our burrito bar is serving up tacos, bowls, salads, and burritos. They can be customized to include your choice of chicken, carnitas, carne asada, or shredded beef with your favorite toppings. If you’re craving fresh salsa with a kick or classic guacamole with your burrito or chips, our new fresh cut station has many options to choose from.

Looking to explore healthier options? Try our new organic fruits and vegetables. Our new fresh cut station has a wide range of prepacked and party sized trays for the convenience of all event planning. Aguas frescas are also available and come in four delicious naturally sweetened flavors like lime chia, Jamaica, horchata, and watermelon, just in time for the summer heat.

At Stater Bros., our commitment extends beyond providing quality products. We’re dedicated to supporting the communities where we live and work. A donation was presented to UCR of $2,500 to support local education. In correspondence, other organizations such as the Riverside Police Department Teen 2 Teen program, RCC Veterans Center, The CARE Project, Inc., and the Riverside Art Museum also received donations.

Come down to your local Stater Bros. today and experience the fresh new look and flavors that await you.

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A night of recognition: News

CELEBRATING THE WORK OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY IN A JOYOUS EVENT.

BRENDA JOVEL AND MATA ELANGOVAN Editor-in-Chief and News Editor

Celebrating the achievements and accolades of various Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) clubs, organizations and faculty, the BCOE End of Year Gala was held underneath the evening sky on May 25, 2024 at Winston Chung Hall. The BCOE community, dressed in semiformal attire, gathered at the second floor patio. The patio itself was set up lavishly and featured long tables draped in elegant tablecloths with an arrangement of lights intertwined in vines. Classical music from the “Bridgerton” soundtrack created a regal ambiance. With this intricate set up, the BCOE Gala returned for its second annual celebration, inviting University of California, Riverside (UCR) faculty, advisors, students and more.

In a conversation prior to the beginning of the event, Monica Saltz, a fourth year chemical engineering student, and one of three executive leads for the BCOE End of Year Planning Committee, shared that they purpose of the gala is to recognize “undergraduate researchers [and] the student organizations that keep our students involved.” By doing so, they are able to also “foster a sense of community” within BCOE.

Fernanda Rojas and Jesus A. Cruz Gomez, holding positions as BCOE professional development coordinator and executive lead for the planning committee respectively also explained that the gala

also serves as an opportunity for students to “show off all of their accomplishments outside of the classroom” as well as “take an opportunity to build those interpersonal skills,” as the gala is a “good opportunity for students to network.”

Students were not the only ones to receive accolades that night. Marisol De Los Santos Lopez, another executive lead for the planning committee, clarified that students were also provided the opportunity to nominate faculty, so that they could recognize professors and faculty members that have created “an amazing environment for students.”

Guadalupe Ruiz, Director of the Transfer Transition Program (TTP) and Harrison Williams, transfer peer mentor and fourthyear computer science major served as hosts for the night.

First to receive an award that evening was Ruiz to commemorate her 10-year journey with TTP. Providing a comment after the event ended, Ruiz explained the mission of TTP, “It’s important to recognize at what point our students come in and provide the appropriate resources, because it’s not a one shoe fits all. All of our students are really unique, so really catering to what they need is most important.”

Returning to their alma mater for the night, two alumni, Yvette Casillas from the class of 2019 and Mahmood Shaheen from the class of 2021, surprised their mentor and

delivered touching statements on how Ruiz had assisted them in their college journey. Casillas had come into UCR as a transfer student, and reminisced how she felt as if her peers were “all 10 steps ahead.” Through Transfer Transition Programs, Casillas felt she was able to find a community which supported her and thanked Ruiz for her “dedication and passion.”

Soon after, student awards were presented to spotlight the achievements of BCOE student organizations, undergraduate research and scholarship recipients. Audience members drum rolled in anticipation for each winner, and as they were announced, the audience celebrated in unison with applause and shouts of praise.

President of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering and fourth-year chemical engineering student, Zachary Ross, felt that the event was “like a business dinner.” He cheerfully continued, “You’re kind of just putting yourself out there with your colleagues in a professional manner, which I think is something we don’t do a lot of as college students.”

Awardee Uma Sinha, president of Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and a fourthyear bioengineering major, commented on her emotions about winning an award that emphasized the growth and impact of SWE. Sinha felt the win to be “unexpected” but added, “we really worked hard this year, so I’m happy we’ve gotten some recognition

BCOE Gala, StudEnt awardS winnErS

The Most Improved Organization Society of Women Engineers at UCR

Outstanding BCOE Community Engagement Biomedical Engineering Society

Outstanding K-12 Outreach Organization Society of Women Engineers at UCR

Outstanding Transfer of the Year

Arial Tolentino

Making a Difference

Julliana Claire Tabuada & Martin Pedro Juarez

Event of the Year

for our hard work.”

Eric Huitt, fourth-year bioengineering student and president of Biomedical Engineering Society (BEMS), also shared a similar sentiment in receiving various accolades for the night. “[It] was a very long year with a lot of hard work, a lot of meetings … as well as collaborations with SWE as well as other organizations … It’s nice to be able to be recognized for all of our hard work and I’m excited for next year.”

Yet, both before and after the ceremony, people took the opportunity to mingle with their peers, with many faculty joining in on conversation with students. The friendly ambiance was filled with students and faculty alike with drinks in hand, faces lit up with smiles, as they discussed relevant topics , ranging from academics, job searches, and general day-to-day happenings.

As the sun began to set for the night, signaling the end of the gala, many students and faculty entered the dance floor. In a jubilant display of dancing to songs such as “Cheap Thrills” and “Happier Than Ever” the crowd came together and let loose. In hopes of what she’d like students to leave with after the Gala, Lopez remarked, “take advantage of the resources you have here; say yes to all the opportunities you have here … taking risk[s] and seeking those opportunities is very rewarding.”

Sprout & About Society of Women Engineers at UCR & Biomedical Engineering Society

Outstanding Project of the Year Solar Boat by Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

Best Engineering Spirit Aldo Rodriguez

Outstanding Leader of the Year Eric Huitt

Outstanding Organization of the Year Highlander Space Program

BCOE End of Year Gala

Biomedical Engineering Society won their first award of the night for “Outstanding BCOE Community Engagement.” This award was presented for the organization which held “multiple collaborative effects with fellow BCOE [organizations] and really expands beyond BCOE.” Eric Huitt, president of the club, took the moment to thank everyone, “thank you so much [to] all the [organizations] we partnered with this year, it’s been so fun.”

Congratulating Highlander Space Program’s growth over the course of the year, BCOE Dean Christopher Lynch presented the final award of the night, “Outstanding Organization of the Year,” and explained that “This award recognizes a student group that has demonstrated exceptional growth, commitment to inclusivity, and substantial contributions to their field and broader community.” Javen Dosanjh, president of Highlander Space Program, and fourth year mechanical engineering major commented after receiving the award, “I'm just so happy and proud of my club, our project and everyone that's been a part of it, from when we started really small to where we are now. I am really excited for what we're gonna do in the future.”

Returning to their alma mater for the night, two alumni, Yvette Casillas from the class of 2019 and Mahmood Shaheen from the class of 2021, surprised their mentor and delivered touching statements on how Ruiz had assisted them in their college journey. Casillas had come into UCR as a transfer student, and reminisced how she felt as if her peers were “all 10 steps ahead.” Through Transfer Transition Programs, Casillas felt she was able to find a community which supported her and thanked Ruiz for her “dedication and passion.”

For the “Making a Difference” award, two students were highlighted for demonstrating “their caring nature, BCOE spirit” and for taking the initiative to “volunteer to support staff and events on their own time”.” Unlike the other awards, the committee chose two recipients because they both showcased these qualities in a unique manner. Julliana Claire Tabuada took the moment to shout out Fernanda Rojas and Guadalupe Ruiz while Martin Pedro Juarez brought the audience to jovial laughter by simply stating, “I just like helping out.”

A recipient of many awards during the gala, the Society of Women Engineers at UCR received an award for “Outstanding K-12 Outreach Organization” and “The Most Improved Organization.” SWE delivered statements while they were up at the podium, thanking the organizers for the awards, and also provided a comment at the end, sharing how they felt, “[it was] unexpected, very nervous, but I think we really worked hard this year. So I’m happy we’ve gotten some recognition for our hard work.”

Receiving an accolade for “Outstanding Project of the Year,” the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers garnered recognition for their project, Solar Boats. The purpose of the award, whose category was added last minute, is to “acknowledge the work that goes into building a project from scratch and competing with other universities.” After receiving the award, Jesus A. Cruz Gomez delivered a statement, “I would like to thank everybody who was involved in the project. I just wanted to say, good job to the team. We did great this year, but we’re doing better next year.”

ASUCR votes on vacant Senate positions

UAW CHARGES UC WITH VARIOUS LABOR VIOLATIONS AND DEMAND RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH.

SANJANA

THATTE Contributing Writer

In the 24th meeting of the year, the Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) passed two Green Campus Action Plan (GCAP) grants to support the local R’Garden and expand upon sustainability measures through Basic Needs. Following this meeting, an emergency meeting was held by the upcoming Senate to hold Special Elections for the positions of Elections Director, President Pro Tempore (PPT), School of Education (SOE) Senator, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) Senator and Elections Director.

When discussing two programs, senators debated sustaining and maintaining a grant to support the R’Garden and plans to further expand upon the sustainability measures through Basic Needs. The R’Garden is a sustainability initiative that was created to promote the growing and consumption of local produce, along with teaching environmental consciousness, they have produced over 3,500 pounds of produce every year for the past three years. The Basic Needs GCAP legislation would consist of taking extra food leftover from the dining halls and redistributing it at the Basic Needs facility, instead of being directly disposed of, passing it out to students who are struggling with food insecurity. This program would apply solely to the dining halls. Both grants were approved in a vote of 11-0-0.

The Senate then reviewed the 2024-2025 budget for the school year, and discussed the allocation of spending within the different lines of the budget. Executive Director Asha Nettles explained that this was because not all vice presidents and their respective committees meet on a weekly basis. With that in mind, the money was reallocated to committees that meet more often. Further concerns were brought up about certain aspects of the budget, particularly in regards to a $3000 increase in retreat expenses; however

as it was added to cover for the addition of seven additional members of the elected body, it was deemed a reasonable expense by the finance committee and the executive vice president. After all concerns were addressed, the motion to close the ASUCR 2024-2025 budget was passed 13-0-0.

After the regular senate meeting adjourned, the emergency meeting of the new Senate launched into their evaluation of candidates for open ASUCR positions: a SOE Senator, a CNAS senator, Elections Director and a PPT.

Adam Ramirez was appointed to the position of SOE Senator, and in his speech promised to use his experience as Fellowship Director at the ASUCR Office of the President as well as his familiarity with ASUCR to better improve upon school finances and its relationship with education as a whole. When asked how he would protect the quality of education at UCR, Ramirez described tackling issues with accessibility in regards to textbooks and the rising cost of living, taking into account decreasing amounts of financial aid along with rising tuition costs. Elaborating further on how he would approach the new budget for the upcoming school year, Rameriez also explained a goal of his would be to allocate resources towards services that seek to lessen the financial burden of students by allocating more resources to programs like Basic Needs and creating more on campus jobs for students to apply for.

Winning the seat for CNAS senator, Leila Haidar made a return to the Senate for her second term. In her speech to the Senate, Haidar emphasized the departments that she worked with in the past year in order to bring about change on campus. Highlighting groups such as UCR Transportation Services, Americans with Disabilities Compliance Office, and residence halls regarding projects such as commuter parking lots, accessibility audits, accessibility features in campus, housing and research expositions. She also

explained how she plans on continuing work on existing projects such as improving communication with CNAS in regards to academic advising. This would involve working to implement a system in which students within CNAS and eventually all colleges of UCR could fill out an IEVAL for their respective advisors to evaluate their performance.

Nominated by Judicial Council, third year public policy major Kevin Arizmendi was approved by the Senate for the position of Elections Director for the 2024-2025 school year. Arizmendi explained that his three main goals for elections in the upcoming school year would be to implement ranked choice voting, have the elections committee active year round and to create more awareness regarding the elections committee and ASUCR in general. Arizmendi explained that being able to only vote for a single candidate for every position limits voters’ options, saying that implementing a ranked choice system allows for a more representative vote, as well as removing the belief that their vote doesn’t matter. Arizmendi also noted a major point of interest to him was to spread awareness and provide information regarding voting for upcoming local elections as well as the 2024 United States Presidential Election.

Determining who would fill the role of PPT was tabled to the following week’s ASUCR meeting, passing 8-2-1.

The regular meeting began at 7:07 p.m., was adjourned at 7:54 p.m. and broke for a recess prior to the emergency meeting. The emergency meeting began at 8:17pm and ended at 11:50 p.m. For ASUCR’s 24th meeting, Senators Ray Khan, Kaden Ho, Roshan Kannan and Crystal Toral were excused and Senators Teesha Sreeram and Rachit Shah joined late. For the emergency meeting CHASS senators Justin Ibay and Karen Vo and CNAS senator Anthony Ching were absent.

MATA ELANGOVAN / THE HIGHLANDER

NEORAH DAVIS / THE HIGHLANDER

OpiniOns THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

California universities are not doing enough to

address student housing insecurity

A new report from the state Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) indicates that California Community College (CCC) students are experiencing higher rates of homelessness compared to University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) students. This has shed light on the limitations of the “rapid rehousing program,” a state initiative launched in 2019 to address the escalating issue of student homelessness. While the program has made strides in reducing the rate of students facing housing insecurity, its impact is not enough.

A NEW REPORT ON THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM SHOWS THE DISORGANIZATION AND LIMITATIONS OF CALIFORNIA’S UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS.

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.

The issue of housing insecurity or homelessness is particularly acute in the state’s CCC system. The report’s data shows that “more than half” of CCC students have faced homelessness in the past year, while 11% of CSU respondents and 8% of UC respondents reported housing insecurity. While the UC has implemented the rapid rehousing program across all 10 campuses, the same cannot be said for the CCC system. Here, the allocation of rapid rehousing funds is ”competitive,” resulting in only a limited number of CCC campuses that can provide housing assistance.

To put this into perspective, only 25 of 115 local CCC campuses, including Riverside Community College (RCC), participate in the program. At the CSUs, only 8 of 23 campuses receive rapid rehousing funds. This unequal distribution of resources at CCC campuses severely hampers access to much-needed support services.

The CCC system also serves highly underrepresented populations: 64% are lowincome, 46% are Latino and 35% are firstgeneration. Approximately 20% receive a Pell Grant, and 45% receive a California College Promise Grant. These students rely significantly on financial aid and basic need services, such as the rapid rehousing program offered on select campuses, and should be prioritized for additional state support.

In addition to providing a snapshot of the growing numbers of unhoused students in the state’s three higher education

systems, the LAO report confirms that housing affordability due to a significant California housing shortage is at the core of the problem.

Even the University of California, Riverside (UCR), traditionally a commuter school, is not immune to this problem as more and more students choose to live on campus. As Bob Brumbaugh, UCR’s former Director of Housing Services, explained in a recent Los Angeles Times interview, the campus’ housing demand is growing because UCR is “attract[ing] students who live far away, reducing commuters.” Furthermore, university housing is seen as “more secure, less expensive and more reasonably operated than offcampus private apartments.” UCR’s shift from a commuter school to one where more students want to live on campus is driving demand for on-campus housing, thus creating longer housing wait lists at a time of increased prices.

“Students cannot be expected to perform well, and universities cannot expect to be seen in a positive light when so many students’ basic needs are compromised.”

The North District Phase 2 project, a collaboration between UCR and RCC, broke ground this year. It will construct new student housing for UCR and RCC students and create a transfer pipeline to the campus. This addition to the campus will generate 1568 beds to help alleviate the problem. However, while building more housing options is commendable, North District is the most expensive campus housing at UCR and is unaffordable to many students.

Out of all the UC campuses, UCR un-

dergraduates receive the most financial aid as “98% receive gift aid” and “77% of those who receive aid have their full fees covered by grants and/or scholarships,” according to the UCR Financial Aid website. When developing housing options, UCR must remember the student population it serves and expand affordable housing options, including Bannockburn and Falkirk, instead of building unaffordable housing for students who cannot afford it.

The Housing Assistance Program at UCR has expanded its services to students in recent years by now developing “housing plans” and assisting in finding shortterm housing rather than just providing emergency housing. The growth of this program is laudable and necessary. However, until the university can produce more affordable on-campus housing options to meet the financial needs of students, these programs are merely band-aids on the reality of housing unaffordability.

The first step towards effectively addressing student homelessness is requiring standardized reports by all three California university systems on the number, demographics and outcomes of the rapid rehousing program. Currently, the CCCs are the only university system that publishes annual reports on basic need service programs. Without standardized information about the types of students utilizing its services and the program’s outcomes, the UC and CSU cannot fully support its student population or analyze the success of the rapid rehousing program.

The cost of college — including tuition, housing, food and transportation — has never been higher. Universities must support their students by expanding basic needs services, including the rapid rehousing program, and prioritizing more affordable housing options. Students cannot be expected to perform well, and universities cannot expect to be seen in a positive light when so many students’ basic needs are compromised.

California labor laws aren’t sufficient to protect workers without a strong enforcement mechanism

EMMANUEL AGUILAR-AMPUDIA Contributing Writer

HigH rates of labor law violations among tHe state’s largest service sector companies signal tHe need to reevaluate tHe effectiveness of state agencies.

California’s labor laws, which rank highly compared to other states when considering policies surrounding wage violations and worker protections, should discourage employers from committing violations. A recent report by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Harvard University earlier this year surveyed 980 California workers at dozens of the state’s largest retail, food and other service sector companies. The figures pointed towards significant underreporting of labor violations that tend to impact vulnerable low-income populations the most, which is counterintuitive and unacceptable.

One key finding revealed that 41% of the workers surveyed had experienced at least one serious violation of federal labor law in the last year, including being required to work off the clock, not being paid overtime or being paid less than minimum wage. The conversation about wage theft, in particular, is worth exploring since various workers filing these claims against their employers often do not get their cases addressed in a timely manner, nor do they receive compensation payments for extended periods of time.

Working-class individuals like Manuel Chavez, who won a wage theft violation against a hotel company for thousands of dollars, still have not been paid. Their experience contributes towards the broader trend where a mere one in seven employers paid their wage theft violations in a fiveyear period. It’s easy to shame employers who put up such a fight in the courts to ensure that workers eventually drop their cases. However, the scrutiny in properly addressing the issue should also be directed towards the California Labor Commissioner’s office, which historically has struggled to

address wage claims in a timely manner.

Filing backlog issues are outrageous when considering that these wage theft claims should be heard in 120 days and decided 15 days after that. Yet the reality is that between 2017 and 2021, the state agency, on average, took around 505 days. These delays are mainly due to understaffing, especially field agents, who are paid below-market salaries. The Labor Commissioner’s office is responsible for representing workers’ interests, and they will not be able to do this when they cannot even pay their own employees well. However, if strict laws are not combined with strict fiscal penalties that hold even small employers accountable, the issue will continue to persist.

The direct impact can be seen in the thousands of workers in the Southern California area in warehouse or restaurant industries, which mainly contain low-income wage workers. Nonprofits like the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center (PEOC) work with day laborers who have several wage violations piled up to create substantial cases against an employer that get directed to the Bureau of Field Enforcement, the enforcement arm of the Labor Commissioner’s office.

Even though California law prohibits employers from discriminating, threatening or retaliating against employees based on immigration status, the reality is that these vulnerable populations substantially face more labor violations because of a lack of awareness about these protections and employers’ discrimination against workers. The critical work that the PEOC does to educate workers about their rights in the workplace and how to navigate potential employer retaliation serves as a model to combat the underreporting

of workplace violations.

Other areas like the District of Columbia (D.C.) which have similar labor laws to California, have successfully sanctioned employers from committing these violations because of their proactive investigations of employers who have likely committed wage theft. For example, special units in D.C. investigate construction sites where workers are mislabeled as independent contractors and, therefore, aren’t eligible for some worker protections under the law, including overtime pay. These government agencies successfully locate red flags among likely perpetrators of labor laws. They gather enough evidence to utilize the D.C. Wage Theft Prevention Amendment Act of 2014, which mandates a 90-day notice requirement, or the employer risks a 500-dollar fine.

It is paramount to think outside the box for solutions to address vulnerable workers, such as assisting the PEOC or creating mutual aid funds for workers in the filing process. One place to begin would be to pressure politicians to increase the budget for the California Labor Commissioner’s office to assist with the backlog. Persistent labor law violations reveal a wrinkle in the failing state government bureaucracy and require steadfast action to protect workers. Implementing successful task force units, as seen in the D.C. government, requires funding for which the state budget should start accounting. Strong labor laws are useful only if they can be properly enforced without the negative impacts coming at the expense of those who need the support the most. ■ H

Life on the Highway: Beep beep, get off the road!

MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

america witHout road rage is like bread witHout butter.

California (CA) Senate Bill 961, titled “Vehicles: safety equipment,” would require new cars sold after 2032 to “beep, beep” at drivers going too fast by implementing a passive “intelligent speed limiter system.” This proposed legislation, which has passed its first vote in the State Senate, restricts the First Amendment right of expression, especially to those who should be able to “beep, beep” only when they please.

Normally, in good ol’ America, it’s the driver honking at other cars for going too fast or, in some cases, too slow. The tables have turned now that there will be an integrated system that will limit how fast the car can go and prevent the driver from “exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 miles per

hour.” Rather than being kept in check by other people on the road, the main limiter is now an artificial piece of machine learning with a “holier than thou” attitude that thinks it knows road safety better than the average person.

Per the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech,” establishing that people can speak, be heard and share opinions without fear of retaliation. One of many ways people can speak and be heard is through their actions on the road. Street racer Miss Tang expresses, “As someone who normally exudes a meek and timid personality out of the streets, the only way for me to truly share my feelings and reveal parts of myself is on the

road. As my motor engines roar and the wind blows my hair behind me, I share with the world who I truly am. This bill only prevents people like me from being their true selves.”

The right to drive fast is a choice that people make. Implementing a system that restricts them from making choices for themselves is unlawful, limiting what actions they can take on the road. It does not even consider that some people have to drive fast in dire situations. In a speech on the floor of the state senate, Senator Ri Skye made a rousing speech, “It is our right as Americans to ignore speed limits! It is our right as Californians to roll through stop signs!”

As per the wording of the legislation, the intelligent speed limiter system is only “capable of being temporarily disabled by the driver of the vehicle.” This is not something people can opt in to, but rather something that lets them temporarily opt out, much like annoying college fees. So when the time comes when people are put in strenuous situations, for example, childbirth or fatal injuries, their movement and safety are restricted by this so-called safety feature.

It’s not like there are special vehicles that are exempt from this legislation. But wait, there is, “the bill would exempt emergency vehicles from this requirement,” meaning that vehicles such as ambulances would be allowed freely to roam the roads at speeds beyond the speed limit. According to the Policy Institute of Drivers against Paramedics, 101% of drivers think that ambulance sirens are very whiny and overdramatic. Knowing

this, it makes no sense that these vehicles are exempt!

Throughout history, time and time again, changes have been made to implement safety features in cars. In the 1950s, cars began to have seat belts installed in them, but the law did not require them to be worn until 1968. Nowadays, some cars feature an incessant beeping to occur if not every passenger in the vehicle wears a seatbelt. While it does not necessarily prevent the driver from driving, it sure is annoying. Humans have been bullied into submission by the legal system too many times; this bill, in particular, restricts them from the opportunity to be wild and free.

Safety is a choice, and if people choose to go beyond the speed limit and risk themselves and others on the road, then they should be allowed to do so. They can reap what they sow, but there is no reason to prevent them from taking action in the first place, especially if it violates their rights. It’s not like unsafe or compromised driving is a problem in the great state of California or even among California politicians.

*This is a satirical piece and is not intended to communicate any true or factual information about the writer’s opinion except through humor and/or exaggeration. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental or is intended purely as satire, parody or spoof of such persons and is not intended to communicate any true or factual information about that person.■ H

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Prop. 28 funding misuse sparks calls for change

California sChool distriCts faCe allegations of misusing ProP. 28 funds, Calling for inCreased transParenCy and oversight.

SPANDANA JANAPATI Staff Writer

Various K-12 school districts throughout California have been accused of misusing government-directed funds meant to expand arts education in public and charter schools. Prop. 28, a ballot initiative approved in 2022, allocates up to 1% of the minimum state funding specifically for arts education. Recently, supporters of the initiative, including labor unions and former Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Austin Beutnar, alleged that several school administrators are backfiling or redirecting the received funding. LAUSD must commit to transparency about spending funds while actively affirming the desire to increase arts education.

While several districts throughout the state are being called out for their misuse of funding, LAUSD is taking the majority of the heat as district staff and teachers speak out about the changes in arts education at their schools. Some unionized teachers claim that arts education at their respective schools faced cuts even in the years immediately after Prop. 28. Others claim that schools are taking advantage of the additional funding and finding ways to work around the law. One of the recognized priorities of Prop. 28 was to use at least 80% of the given funds to hire new arts staff. In a supposed attempt to go around the initiative, LAUSD has been accused of firing existing full-time art teachers and re-hiring them with the newly allocated funds in direct violation of Prop. 28. The severity and quantity of accusations also indicate the need for increased oversight over arts expenditures.

In response to the accusations, LAUSD Deputy Superintendent Pedro Salcido pointed out that the number of full-time arts teachers in the district nearly doubled from 273 to 540 in the last school year. Additionally, Salcido expressed the normalcy of reducing arts programs due to declined enrollment, using per-pupil basis funding as

an explanation. Despite district reassurances, complaints from the proponents of Prop. 28 reached the California Department of Education. Although there was no official report of misused funding or investigation, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond sent a reminder in April to school districts that the additional money from Prop. 28 is meant to supplant arts education, not supplement already existing programs.

While Prop. 28 encourages California school districts to reinvigorate their commitment to bettering performing arts education for children, community accounts of misuse in funding point to the need for increased transparency and oversight of administration expenditures. Having the appropriate oversight committees that can monitor and document the spending and student enrollment in schools throughout LAUSD can not only ensure that funding is not misused but also build community trust in district spending.

The only current offering of transparency by LAUSD

Generation Z works to live

is an official online directory that is accessible to the public and provides information on how funds from Prop. 28 are allocated throughout the district. The existence of this directory does little to reassure the public about the legitimacy of LAUSD’s spending, as the confusing layout and complexity of the data make it difficult to understand anything. The district should take the time to develop easily understandable yet detailed reports that can provide necessary information on spending.

The newness of Prop. 28 and the emerging issues point to the need for subtle reforms and public or administrative oversight of expenditures to help maintain the proposition’s integrity while increasing the existence of youth art programs across the state. Monitoring these funds and easy access to metrics can emphasize transparency in the district and show teachers and students alike that LAUSD is committed to encouraging arts education. Ensuring these funds are used as intended is essential to maintaining public trust and achieving the initiative’s goals. The allegations of misused funds and the resulting confusion have cast a shadow over what should be a celebrated advancement in educational policy.

Despite these challenges, Prop. 28’s value does not diminish. Access to robust arts programs enriches students’ educational experiences by encouraging creative thinking and social-emotional skill development while improving mental health creativity and enhancing psychological well-being. Ensuring that the funding dedicated to these programs is used effectively and transparently is imperative. Doing so fully realizes the transformative potential of arts education, benefiting students across California and setting a standard for educational excellence.■ H

the PoPular adviCe to do what one loves should be taken with a grain of salt.

SONALI WHITTLE Staff Writer

In 2005, Steve Jobs bestowed upon the Stanford Class of 2005 a piece of advice: “Find what you love … And love what you do.” This piece of advice has been widely spread and accepted. However, it remains a bit controversial. Some say it is not great advice for the up-and-coming college-educated workforce as circumstances have changed plenty since 2005, leading current graduates to consider other pathways. Although encouraging graduates to find a career they love is not the worst graduation advice, it should be improved by emphasizing loving life beyond the four walls of the workplace.

In many cases, loving one’s work is a luxury that only a few can afford. Although it is the ideal goal, it is impractical since not all of them offer a livable wage. The economy has expanded, from which corporations have profited. Workers are experiencing a “productivity-pay gap,” a trend that highlights how wages have not increased in proportion to the economy’s expansion. Many white-collar roles are observing a trend of fewer job postings, slower hiring and fear of layoffs.

Loving a job cannot be a singular priority in one’s job search because finding a way to pay for basic needs has to come first. It is an idealistic way of thinking for those who have a plethora of opportunities and doors open to them. The majority of the working class does not have a choice in the kinds of jobs they work, specifically for those who need to financially support their families and their households. It is important for those in the workplace to reevaluate what it is they center in their life. Companies’ goals are to maximize their profits, and their employees are just a means

to an end. Companies only want to garner respect and love to make sure their employees contribute more of their time and hard work to that company. In an opinion piece published by CNN, Carolyn Chen, an associate Ethics professor at the University of California, Berkeley, writes, “No other social institution will work so hard to earn your love as your workplace,” and that’s because it gives them carte blanche to take

advantage of employees. Loving a job might just be what pushes someone to unfairly give more of their time and energy when the company does not value them similarly.

About half of employed Americans derive their sense of identity from their job. The corporations many are forming their identity around do not value them beyond their skill set. Stanford Graduate School of Business professor Jeffery Pfeffer suggests that a future-oriented mindset means people should not expect companies to be firmly bound by moral norms. Loving one’s work creates the impression that work loves or needs them back, creating an unhealthy relationship

between the employer and employee that disadvantages the employee alone.

This perspective shift of decentering one’s career probably stems from the technological boom experienced within the past few decades. Attitudes of younger generations toward the place work takes in a person’s life has led to the creation of a new slogan: “working to live.” Generation Z has been able to share and spread their experiences via social media, resulting in a widely accepted ideology that centering life around work, even if one loves it, is not healthy or beneficial.

Work has become a means to an end for many of the Gen Z workforce. Things like travel, hobbies and other experiences outside of work have become more important than one’s career. A work-life balance and maintaining mental and physical health are important to Gen Z, more so than loving the work they do.

Over the last century, the workplace has experienced profound transformations from the inception of the eight-hour workday, protections from discrimination, workplace safety and job security. These advancements have already created a safer and more stable working environment, with Gen Z creating an even bigger shift. From a work-centered mindset to prioritizing loving life outside of work, their priorities are too different for a speech made in 2005 to comprehend. Doing what one loves is not always practical, but finding a job that can provide stability and help individuals pursue what they love outside of the workplace is.■ H

Thank you to Harrison Butker for

reminding us graduates just how bleak

it can be out there

Shocking abSolutely no one, kanSaS city chiefS kicker harriSon butker giveS a conServative catholic Speech at a conServative catholic univerSity commencement.

YSABEL NAKASONE Opinions Editor

In a speech at Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts college, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made a host of offensive remarks about women, the LGBTQIA+ community, women’s fertility issues and the modernization of the Catholic Church. The speech drew ire online and in the media as the remarks were labeled offensive and outdated. After spending the last four years giving up sleep, time and peace of mind to earn my degrees, this speech was sickening. It truly served as a reminder of what we all have to put up with for the rest of our lives.

Butker specifically takes a shot at abortion, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy early on in his speech. At a time when women’s healthcare has been stunted and access to IVF has been restricted, this was simply cruel. He also scolded priests for becoming too familiar with their congregation, saying, “This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time because, as my teammate’s girlfriend says, familiarity breeds contempt.” It takes a special kind of audacity to poorly interpret a quote by Taylor Swift, unmarried, childless and successful at that, by calling her your “teammate’s girlfriend” and telling women their place is in the home in under a half hour.

The kicker also took a wholly unnecessary and theologically ridiculous shot at the LGBTQIA+ community: “Not the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it, but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the Holy Ghost to glorify him.” I would be far more concerned about the degree of “the deadly sin sort of pride” that it takes to think you have any right to take cheap shots

at a group of people who have been repeatedly marginalized and discriminated against by calling their only recent ability to freely and publicly be themselves while, at the same time, you take advantage of that right. However, I sincerely doubt Butker sees the irony of his unique opportunity to speak his mind while shaming others for living theirs.

The remarks that garnered the most attention were directed towards female commencement class graduates. In saying that his wife’s life “truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and mother,” it was the assumption that her life was not whole or she was not whole before she adopted that identity that drew so much attention. I am a whole person, all on my own, and I don’t need to get married or pregnant to feel whole. Even growing up in the Catholic Church, I was not exposed to this degree of relegation.

As much as I disagree, I’m more confused as to why a celebration of scholastic achievement was when Butker decided to make these statements. To use that opportunity to inform those who have just spent upwards of $35,000 a year to earn a degree that it is pointless and they should essentially give up on any career goals they may have had made so little sense. I’m sure many of them are excited to be a wife or a mother or both, but to think that a commencement ceremony is the time to bypass truly acknowledging the hard work and sacrifices these students made is in such poor taste. Especially when most of them are not going to marry men who make four million dollars a year and will likely need more than one source of income to support the family that you just told them they need in order to truly start living.

Oddly, I have to agree with Butker on one point: “This is an important reminder that being Catholic alone doesn’t cut it.” I certainly hope he realizes that his Catholicism alone is not reason enough to disperse hateful rhetoric. You do not get to call yourself Catholic and use it as a reason to shame other people. You do not get to call yourself Catholic and use it as a justification to relegate women to second-class citizenship. This man decided to use the microphone and platform he had been given to help feed the narrative that the religion of 1.375 billion people stands for narrow-mindedness and shame.

However, at a school like Benedictine, it is entirely expected that he expresses these views to that audience. In fact, it is not even a little bit surprising and frankly, no one should be shocked. It was jarring to hear a speech that was so blatantly controlling, but the applause that his speech was met with highlights that he is not alone in his views.

At the end of the day, this is a weird speech full of backward views that I don’t have to abide by. The real issue is how common this kind of thinking is and how institutional barriers back it up. For those of us who are graduating, we are going to deal with these attitudes in the workplace and in our daily lives. It may even make our success that much more difficult. In a very roundabout way, this speech was a good dose of preparation. Harrison Butker is not the real problem, but let this be a reminder to all college graduates: never stick with your first draft.■ H

Things are coming full circle

Not a week of new beginnings, but of things coming to a close…

Aries, there’s only one way to say this: touch grass. You’ve spent so much time engrossed in your own internal world that you haven’t noticed the opportunities and possibilities blossoming right under your nose. Turn your attention outward, and take notice of the world around you.

CAnCer: Three oF WAnds AnC F nds June 21 - July 22

The Three of Wands is a symbol of clarity and contemplation. You’ve been focused on a specific problem for a while now, and you haven’t been sure how to approach it. Don’t worry — soon, you’ll get the insight you need, whether it comes from within or without.

You’re in the early stages of pursuing a new idea or challenge, and it’s been exciting to explore unknown territory! That said, at some point, you’ll need to identify a true path forward. Let this exploratory phase come to its natural end, and start the real work of planning what comes next.

leo: seven oF sWords eo: o sW July 23 - AugusT 22

Leo, you’ve got an ace up your sleeve! Even if you yourself don’t yet know it, you’ve got some hidden skill or knowledge that is about to come in handy right when you least expect it. Don’t be afraid to approach your problems from unconventional angles, because you never know what will end up working.

Aedan Ferrara, Production Manager

librA: nine oF Cups A: o sepTeMber 23 - oCTober 22 epTeM

It’s smooth sailing from here on out, Libra. The Nine of Cups is a sign of contentment, ease and fulfillment. Even if things haven’t been going your way recently, they’re about to be. Take this time to relax, enjoy and take some of the pressure off. You’ve earned it.

CApriCorn: seven oF WAnds ApriCorn: W deCeMber 22 - JAnuAry 19 eC M A A

Capricorn, let’s say it like it is: you’re on a roll, and nothing can stop the momentum you’ve built up. Nothing, that is, except yourself. Don’t let self-doubt or uncertainty get in the way of the progress you’re making, and certainly don’t let anyone else doubt you, either.

sCorpio: lovers orpio: overs oCTober 23 - noveMber 21 ober noveM

You’ve made a strong connection recently, and it’s only been getting stronger. It doesn’t necessarily have to be romantic in nature; no matter who this person is to you, know that it’s a connection worth keeping.

AquArius: nine oF WAnds A W JAnuAry 19 - FebruAry 18 A A Ary

It’s been a long road, but there’s still a little more to go. You’ve put in so much work and effort, and you’re so close to seeing it come to a close, but you’ll have to be patient for just a little bit longer — so buckle down, get to work, and know that your rewards are just around the corner.

geMini: eighT oF WAnds eigh F nds MAy 21 - June 20 Ay

The Eight of Wands is a sign of rapid change, transformation and upheaval. Forget anything you might have had anticipated this week — instead, brace yourself, because all your plans are about to go out the window. Weather the storm as best you can.

virgo: seven oF Cups irgo: even AugusT 23 - sepTeMber 22 T epT M

Not all is as it seems. Notice the areas of your life where you feel comfortable, and ask yourself whether it’s real, or if it’s just wishful thinking. Don’t be afraid to admit when you’ve been deceiving yourself — only then can you begin to address the real issues.

sAgiTTArius: six oF penTACles gi rius: noveMber 22 - deCeMber 21 ove deC M

The Six of Pentacles is a sign of prosperity and growth. This week, give some extra focus and attention to your financial and material life; with just a little extra nurturing, you’re sure to see the rewards soon enough.

pisCes: pAge oF penTACles is es: ge FebruAry 19 - MArCh 20 Ar

Just as one project comes to a close, you’re already seeing the opportunity for another. You may be bursting with ideas and inspiration, but don’t forget to properly close out your previous projects before starting a new one. If nothing else, it’s a good practice.

Aries: Four oF Cups F MArCh 21 - April 19 ArC

TAurus: KnighT oF WAnds urus T WA April 20 - MAy 20 Ay

A Highlander Goodbye

If my lil’ freshman self looked at my senior self, she would have never thought that she’d be leading her university’s newspaper. I remember being a wee freshman at the beginning of a global pandemic. Being stuck in my room and listening to the slightly tuneful (and slightly annoying) chirps of my birds encapsulated my transition from high school to college.

At the start of my sophomore year, I was given the opportunity to live on-campus and have a “natural” start to college. In getting my first ever job (I was a late bloomer to part-time jobs) at UCR’s Career Center, I realized that I needed to get more involved on campus. One day, as I scrolled on Instagram, I saw that The Highlander was promoting their weekly Writer’s Meeting. I had previously been involved in my high school’s newspaper as a staff writer, although journalism was never my number one option, it was still an option that I wanted to explore further.

By: Brenda Jovel, Editor-in-Chief

Though my social anxiety invaded my body the second I entered The Highlander’s office, little did I know that I would meet the most incredible people during my college career that eventually made that anxiety disappear.

After a week of writing, I was fortunately hired on to be the Assistant Radar Editor. I had the opportunity to meet the creative minds within UCR, peers that I possibly wouldn’t have met without this role that I am grateful for. By my junior year, I led the Radar section alongside my amazing Assistant, Jaelyn Gonzalez. Together we took care of our little Radar baby and made it flourish with art, music and life that made this experience endearing and fulfilling.

Serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Highlander during my senior year will be an experience that I will hold close to my heart. From covering protests to watching the ingenious minds of UCR students coming together as a strong unit, my time as Editor-in-Chief has been invaluable. I have seen my team grow throughout this year and I am very proud and excited to see what you all will do next.

Thank you to The Highlander family for all of the great memories. This family has made my years at UCR indispensable and there are not enough words to thank you all. To my successor Senna Omar, you will be another branch in a tree of legacies of The Highlander’s Editor-in-Chiefs.

A disorienting farewell.

By: Aedan Ferrara, Production Manager

I was a last-minute hire at The Highlander, having been brought during the second week of fall without any of the usual training. It was something of an adjustment period, but the paper needed me, and a year and a half later, I find it is coming to an end just as abruptly as it started.

I’ve been a writer for just about as long as I can say I’ve been anything at all, so I was surprised as anyone that the position I applied for was one related to design and layout. I had the experience, though, and for much of that first fall quarter, I was the only one on the production team, working alone in an empty conference room to turn Word documents and JPEGs into the newspaper you’re reading right now.

Despite that, I have found that some of the closest friendships I have made at UCR have come from The Highlander. Indeed, as a theatre major, almost all of my friendships have been made not through classes or clubs but through working, creating and toiling side by side with another person just as passionate as I am. While the position has its perks — I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed having the office space on a long day — it is not, at the end of the day, the material benefits I will miss, but the people and the experiences.

I am proud of the work I have done here. I might point out in particular such pages as Volume 72, Issue 03’s Vain Fall Runway article — and I might even go so far as to say this experience has inspired me to continue further design or journalistic work. I had my humble beginnings in the far-off year of 2019 as a copy editor for my high school yearbook, and then — in March of 2020, you remember the one — I simply happened to have one of the yearbook club’s laptops, pre-loaded with Adobe Suite, in my possession when we were told that we would not be returning to school. Thus, I was unwittingly and abruptly made into a de facto layout designer and got a crash-course over Zoom by the rest of the team. The next year, I ran for EIC and was unanimously elected — I’d like to think for my having risen to the challenge the prior spring — and continued to hone my skills.

We come full circle now. I was a humble high school writer, suddenly plunged into the world of design and layout when the world was plunged into lockdown. Then I was equally suddenly plunged into designing for The Highlander, and now, having grown more than I’d ever imagined, I am so close to being plunged just as suddenly into the wide, wide world beyond university.

Sumaya Khoury

Sumaya Khoury

‘So Long, London’

Of course, my title is going to be a Taylor Swift song, but that was predictable. It’s been over two years since I started writing for the Highlander. To be frank, I did it on a whim. A lot of the things I’ve become involved in and my career path are made up of things I decided on a whim and then doubled down on because that whim turned out to be right. A lot of my life experience, especially the last four years, felt like it was down to chance.

Now that I’m graduating, it’s bittersweet. I’m more than ready to move on from this chapter. There are also parts of this experience, of my entire undergraduate experience, that I don’t know how to let go of. The last four years have given me so much when it came to learning and growth. It took a lot from me, too. The things it took from me are where I learned the most, though. When I struggled to keep up or had a misstep that took me off the right path, putting it back together again was where I learned the most. The Highlander is a place where I was challenged the most, lost the most and learned the most.

A nerd that followed his dreams

Growing up, I loved the arts and I just never knew it. “Power Rangers,” “Percy Jackson” and “Spirited Away” were beacons of guidance in my life, yet I passed them off as mere fantastical escapes. I was taught the cruel reality that the only way to live out the American dream as a son of my beloved immigrant parents was to focus on only translating my studies into profit. I stepped into this university with the resolve to prepare myself for a respectable career in the sciences, whether it would lead me to medical school, pharmacy or other clinical sciences.

The year of 2020 struck me and the world with a most tragic pandemic. Just like others, I have found myself isolated and without connections, so I had a hard time connecting to other people. And having that late start in my college career, I wasn’t able to find my footing in finding myself.

So, while studying dutifully for my chemistry, biology and physics classes, I sought comfort in movies and comics; graphic novels like “Goodbye Eri” that shook my emotions or “Everything Everywhere All at Once” which raised philosophical questions.

By: Brendan Vo, Radar Editor

By: Ysabel Nakasone, Opinions Editor

I'll be forever grateful for the people I've worked with during my time here, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the lessons they taught me. I’m grateful to those who supported me and respected me. Specifically, I want to thank the previous Opinions Editor, Amaray Alvarez, for never treating me like an assistant and always like a peer.

I don’t think she knows how that meant to me. I want to thank the staff this year for all of their hard work and for being who they are. I’m so proud of each of them for all that they have done here and everything that they are going to do. Lastly, to the best Assistant Opinions Editor I could have asked for, Cecile! I’m so glad I didn’t have to do all of this alone, and I had someone capable and trustworthy to rely on. The Opinion section is in the best hands I could possibly think of.

I am most thankful to my family. My parents are my foundation; without them, I would not be here. Without them, I don’t think I would be anything. To my little sister, who always fights with me and for me. And to my baby brother, who will always be my baby brother.

They propped me up when I failed and when nothing was left of me. They sat with me late at night when I was finishing articles, editing and reading an endless stream of emails. This job has been one of the highlights of my academic career, and that is because of their love and unwavering support.

This is the end of something that defined me and made up who I was. Now it’s time to put the pieces back together and find out who I am. Thank you to The Highlander for being a piece.

A sweet goodbye to The Highlander

It was when I stepped into The Highlander office that my world expanded. I found a place where I could utilize my passion for arts and entertainment to provide critical commentary and use my voice in a powerful way: in the simplest of terms, it was pretty awesome. From being a contributing writer since the 2023 winter quarter, it has been such a blessing to be able to be the Radar Editor of this publication. From trashing on the new Mario movie to covering other media that I felt should be highlighted, The Highlander has given me the voice that I was looking for and a chance to not only find myself covering important issues, but also work with others.

To this day, I never thought I would be able to sit in the pits of concerts, just feet away from famous artists, or interview student DJs.

It was empowering to have an amazing team behind me who share their own passions for their coverage. I am so glad to have met people here that have inspired me and become some of my closest companions.

Throughout my years in college, if there is anything I have learned it is that dreams can come true: you just have to will it. I have always loved the arts and I have always found myself in these deep fantastical worlds — I just never found the opportunity to channel that into something valuable until I became a writer. Thank you for making this possible

When I first started at The Highlander, I was nervous about many things such as the people I would meet, if my writing would be good enough and what exactly I would write about. Eventually, as time went on, I gained my stride and found more confidence in my writing skills. I took up pieces that interested me and got me to venture outside of my comfort zone. Writing for Radar allowed me to delve deeper into the arts and entertainment world in ways that would typically go over my head. I became more open to looking at other points of view and opinions on various pieces.

From being a contributing writer to becoming the Assistant Radar Editor in my fourth year, I was able to take advantage of the many opportunities that the newspaper had to offer. I found passion in writing due to the creative freedom that The Highlander has provided me. Thanks to the newspaper I was able to write pieces that I was genuinely proud of.

From covering ASPB concerts and events to writing think pieces that challenged me in the best way, I came to enjoy the writing process. Additionally, starting the “On the Radar” podcast with Brendan has been one of my biggest highlights at The Highlander.

By: Kimberly Bejec, Assistant Radar Editor

Like any incoming college student, I had no idea what I wanted to do. Due to the pandemic, I was stuck at home in my first year navigating college through Zoom calls and constantly looking at a screen. I felt very disconnected from UCR and the “college experience” that is typically so hyped up. Regardless, while taking my first college English class, I had the opportunity to write a review analysis paper on Ariana Grande’s fifth studio album, “thank u, next.” As a result, I had so much fun looking into the album and decoding the songs and lyrics that I searched for resources that would explore a similar outlet. After discovering The Highlander, I instantly took an interest in writing for the newspaper, particularly for the Radar section.

During these podcasts, Brendan and I discussed many topics related to Radar while also having fun. We started a project together that I can look back on with fond memories.

Besides the growth and opportunities I experienced, I will never forget the people and time I spent with The Highlander. From the first awkward writers meeting I attended to sitting at the big table with other staff members as we laughed at the most random things, I never expected to find myself here. I will miss the gossiping sessions in the Radar office and the hypothetical questions we’d ask each other at the front desk.

As I say goodbye to The Highlander, I am proud to look back at my time and feel accomplished in everything I did. I will greatly miss the friendships and memories I made along the way. I will never forget the joys of completing an article and seeing it published in a physical newspaper. Thank you to The Highlander and its people for helping me get to where I am today and making a big impact on my college memories.

The last dance.

By: Hansel Chu, Sports Editor

People always say that your four years in college go by in the blink of an eye. I always thought that to be cliche but with my college experience coming to a close, that statement could not be any more true. It seemed like yesterday when the world shut down because of COVID-19 and my high school career was suddenly cut short. I was left with many questions about how my college experience would turn out and if I could live out my college life. I was finally able to step foot onto UCR campus during my second year, and just like that, my college experience started.

As fast as it started, it has all ended just as fast. However, I can safely say that I lived my college life with no regrets, and I am extremely grateful for all the people that I have met during my time at UC Riverside and at The Highlander. I’m thankful that The Highlander accepted me to be a part of the team even though I had no prior experience in journalism and just wanted to pursue my passion for sports. I’m grateful to the previous Sports Editor, Kevin Contreras, for allowing me to write for sports, and handing me the reins to become his successor as the next Sports Editor. I’m also extremely grateful for all the previous and current members of The Highlander. Every one of you guys made my experience here at The Highlander an enjoyable and memorable one. Finally, I’m extremely thankful for my Assistant Sports Editor, Kia Nooshi. Without Kia’s support, I would not have been able to run the sports section as efficiently and it would not be where it is today without him.

By: Kianoosh Nooshi, Assistant Sports Editor

I'm mainly writing this as a letter to my past self in case I ever doubt the value of pursuing my passions.

My journey with The Highlander began in my third year. Before that, I can't say I had truly enjoyed my time at UCR. I was caught in a limbo between wanting to follow my dreams and actually taking action. My first two years of college were unremarkable, as I was merely going through the motions to earn my degree. However, in my third year, I decided to make a change and pursue writing and reporting about sports — something I had dreamed of since middle school but never had the courage to try.

In my two years at The Highlander, I have transformed completely from the person I was when I first joined as a contributing writer. At the start of my junior year, I lacked confidence in myself and my writing ability and was struggling personally, professionally and academically. Looking back now, I can confidently say that my time here has given me the courage and excitement to embrace this new chapter of my life as a graduate.

Looking back from when I joined The Highlander to where it is now, I’m so proud of how far The Highlander has come. I could not be happier about the state of the sports section. When I joined, it was just me and Kevin grinding out articles every week, trying to keep the section afloat. Now, we have sports writers every week and the section is slowly starting to grow. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done for the sports section, but I have no doubt that our successors will continue to build on the foundation that me and Kia have built for the section.

Without The Highlander, I would not be where I am today. My passion for sports would not be fostered if it weren’t for The Highlander giving me opportunities to succeed in sports journalism here at UCR. Not only has it given me the opportunity to grow my skills and experience in sports journalism, but it has also allowed me to teach younger students about sports journalism and give advice about the process. I’ll forever be grateful for all the memories I have created with everyone at The Highlander, and I’ll use the skills and experience from The Highlander to make you all proud in the future.

To you, four years later

The best part of my time at The Highlander has undoubtedly been the people I've worked with, who have made my experience so wonderful. I remember my first writer’s meeting, where I saw Ysabel, the current Opinions Editor, whom I knew from high school. She and my lead editor, Hansel, helped me get started with my first article. Shortly after, Maddy, the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) at the time, gave me the opportunity to be the Assistant Sports Editor, a position current EIC Brenda allowed me to continue in. It was intimidating to move from writing to editing so quickly, but the incredible support from all the writers and editors made it possible. It would take too long to thank every single person who has impacted me during my time at The Highlander, and that speaks volumes to how amazing everyone is. I have formed lifelong friendships here, and I am deeply grateful for each one. To my Highlander family, thank you for everything.

I’m also grateful for the opportunities working at The Highlander has afforded me with KUCR and commentating on the basketball games. Following UCR Basketball by itself has been an incredible experience, and I am beyond thankful to athletic director, Wesley Mallette, and everyone at UCR sports for giving sports access to the teams.

I will miss the production days, the dinners and all the meetings we had. My Highlander family was a significant part of my college experience, and I am immensely grateful to have been part of such an amazing team and paper. It will always be a source of immense pride. Most of all, I will cherish the lessons I learned while working at The Highlander as I graduate in a few weeks.

A happy farewell from a happy wallflower

My college journey has been nothing short of an incredible adventure. From navigating the challenges of COVID-19 to diving headfirst into various clubs and even joining a fraternity, I've embraced every opportunity that came my way here at UCR. But amidst all these experiences, joining the newspaper was the last thing I’d thought I’d do. Writing has never been my forte, and keeping up with the latest news was never high on my list of priorities — I was afraid it would keep me up all night.

When the idea of becoming the Marketing Director for The Highlander was first brought up to me by a friend, I was hesitant. What did a business major have to do with journalism? Would I be able to handle the responsibilities the position required? I even avoided the daily news cycle to protect my mental well-being! But despite my doubts and endless worries, I submitted my staff application at 11:55 p.m. on the night it was due.

Opinions and management and AP style, oh my!

By: Evelyn Homan, Copy Editor

S

tarting off an article talking about 2020 is so cliche these days that back when I was Managing Editor we asked writers to stop it completely. I’m here to break that rule two years later, because 2020 is the year that I joined The Highlander. I was between high school graduation and left with some skills that I had picked up on the Great Oak Gazette (if you happen to read this, Mr. Yerkes, thank you for everything!). By sheer chance, The Highlander was hiring an Assistant Opinions Editor, and I managed to secure that role going into my first year of college. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect — the Gazette was not a weekly paper, but a quarterly one — but I knew that I wanted to get involved on campus, even if I couldn’t physically be on it.

That choice to apply for that role launched me into these last four years. I rose from Assistant Opinions Editor to lead Opinions Editor, to Managing Editor and back again to Copy Editor. The journey hasn’t always been easy. To be honest, it’s been ridiculously stressful, to the point where I know that journalism isn’t something that I ever want to pursue as a career. Yet all the rough times also came with the good ones.

By: Kali Truong, Marketing Director

Since joining The Highlander, I've experienced a sense of belonging and acceptance like never before. I've always been somewhat reserved and socially awkward, especially in new environments or around new people. But the warm and welcoming atmosphere at the paper made me feel right at home from the moment I met everyone at my very first editorial meeting. Any worries I had about stepping into the role of Marketing Director quickly dissipated, thanks to the incredible support and kindness of my fellow coworkers. And while I initially saw this opportunity as a chance to bolster my resume, it has become so much more than that.

Becoming the Marketing Director for The Highlander helped me in ways I never expected and in ways that my previous clubs weren’t able to. This experience has provided me with a platform to explore my creative side and contribute to something greater than myself. In the process, I also discovered strengths I never knew I had and overcame learning curves that were easier than I anticipated.

As I look back on my time here, I’m filled with gratitude for the brief experiences shared, the new friendships forged and the invaluable lessons learned. While I may not have made a huge impact on everyone I've met, the community at The Highlander has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on me. As I reflect on my time here, my only regret is not joining sooner. It’s been an honor to be part of such a vibrant and lovely community. Peace out!

By: Tomas Alves, Distribution Manager

My three years at UCR have been the defining years of my life

After three years at UCR, I can confidently say that the best years of my life so far were spent here. Even though high school allowed me to discover my passions for writing and journalism, my time at UCR reaffirmed and redefined what it meant to love writing, researching and informing.

Getting to help on the writing front of the paper was such a pleasure. Working one-on-one with writers brought me so much joy — I especially loved helping them develop ideas for pitches. I loved getting Coffee Bean every Sunday and debating over the most effective formatting of an article. I have this collection of memories that I will always cherish.

The paper helped me craft a new voice outside of the fiction emphasis of my creative writing major. It gave me an outlet for a kind of writing that helped spark a passion for creative nonfiction outside of my studies. Those skills are ones I will carry with me as I move on in my writing journey.

Working in this team environment as well was truly unique, and required a level of trust to ensure that the finished product came out the best it can be.

I’m grateful for the way our ever-changing team worked together, helping me and each other as we worked on this paper. I wouldn’t change a single thing. Actually, maybe I wouldn’t have written my pit bull article.

In the near future, I will be starting my Master of Library and Information Science at San José State University this August with the intent of becoming a public librarian and an advocate for children’s and adult literacy. I am grateful that I will continue to be writing over at the lovely Boshemia Magazine as a columnist and that I’m getting married next year(!). All things considered, it’s going to be a pretty lovely transition out of undergrad. I’m grateful to have grown up these last four years in The Highlander community, and I can’t wait to see what all my lovely coworkers go on to do. To quote the incomparable Douglas Adams — “so long, and thanks for all the fish.”

I came to UCR in September of 2021, still in the thick of COVID-19 precautions that were in effect during my initial move-in day to campus. As someone whose original home was only a short twenty-minute drive away, I always felt that I would not be totally acclimated to campus life. For most of the first quarter at UCR, I did feel a bit lonely and empty. To avoid this empty feeling, with the help of HighlanderLink, I sent an email to a club called Model United Nations at UCR. I did not have any experience and was very afraid of embarrassing myself but, I put myself out there.

A year down the road, with two national conferences in my cap, I became the President of Model United Nations at UCR, a feat I never could have imagined. Although it brought me great happiness to lead an organization of such wonderful people, there was still a small feeling of emptiness in regards to fulfilling my passions.

During my time at UCR, I had always wanted to join the staff at The Highlander and become an editor to gain the full experience of what a journalist could do.

Coincidentally, a month before I was elected President of MUN, a friend named Amaray, who I shared a Political Science class with, invited me to write for the Opinions section for The Highlander at UCR. At the end of that conversation, I realized that I had just made friends with the Opinions Editor of The Highlander Newspaper. I was frankly in shock.

A month later, with some pressure from my friends at MUN, I published my first article, “China’s Role in the Ukraine War,” an Opinions piece. This first piece was not only special because it was my first published piece but that even some of my professors had read it and complimented me on it. It was when I realized that this could be my life.

Twelve articles and a year later of being a part of the most creative, prolific and welcoming staff on campus, I want to say thank you. Thank you to our Editor-in-Chief, Brenda Jovel, for trusting me with becoming your Distribution Manager. Thank you to our Managing Editor, Senna Omar, for picking me to be a part of the Highlander Newsroom, for all the check-ins and laughs. Thank you to our Opinions Editor, Ysabel Nakasone, for dealing with all my tardy article submissions and for making me a better writer. Thank you to the entire staff for all the memories, my next chapter in Washington D.C. will be great because of you guys!

If you are reading this, and are wondering about the possibilities ahead in life, just know that you are worth betting on yourself. Follow your passions, whatever they are, because that is what makes life worth living.

Group projects are the actual worst

Dating advice from The Highlander’s infamously and terminally single Opinions Editor, because coaches don’t play…

YSABEL NAKASONE Opinions Editor

The guy I’ve been seeing is graduating this year. He is 2 years ahead of me & although that may not sound like a big difference, I feel like we are in different worlds. He’s going to start his life soon & I’m only halfway through UCR. I’m worried that I’ll hold him back. What do I do?

Anonymous

It really depends on where this relationship is at. If you’ve discussed staying together, you should stop worrying about

holding him back. As long as you support his goals and aspirations, there’s nothing more you can do. Two years can seem like you’re living really different lives, especially if you’re with someone who is on a different schedule and is marking an important milestone like graduating. With this, it really comes down to whether or not both of you are willing to put in the work of making time and accommodating each other’s lives. It is a joint effort. As annoying as I find group projects, you can’t be the person who puts the whole thing together

while the other person just shows up on presentation day.

If he’s pushing this narrative of being held back, run out of there as fast as your legs will carry you! The idea that putting work into what should be an important relationship in your life holds someone back is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life.

I know this is scary and I don’t know how meaningful this relationship is, but I know it will hold you back if you’re putting work into a relationship where your partner

cannot or will not do the same. Make sure you’re both willing to face the challenges of leading separate lifestyles for a while. If this relationship is strong enough, it can survive two years of college. You might think you can predict everything that could go wrong, but trust me when I say that’s not physically possible, no matter how much of a pessimist you are. I’ve tried — like, really tried. I do know, with absolute certainty, it definitely won’t last if you both aren’t trying.

Kanitha Buntoum

Major: Kinesiology

CSUSB Sh/her

2024 SPRING’S HIGHLANDERCON

Shelby Park

Major Electrical Engineering 1st year @dalkoko she/her

Shelly Park

Major: Computer Science w/ business applications

@exusvn she/her

Martin Efremov

3rd year

Major: Business Admin w/ concentration in management

Minor: TFDP

Angelina Nacion 3rd year

Major: sociology

2024 Spring’s HighlanderCon elegantly weaved smaller community into one of UCR’s largest events

BRENDAN VO Radar Editor

The gaming, anime and art world all merge into Highlander Gaming’s ultimate convention experience.

On May 25, 2024 at noon, the doors of Highlander Union Building (HUB) 302 opened to the biggest gaming convention on the University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) grounds. Hosted by Highlander Gaming (HLG), the 2024 Spring HighlanderCon featured a plethora of events that Riverside residents are not usually privileged to. In its entirety, HLG pulled out all of the stops this year to host one of the most ambitious and well-executed events on campus.

Venue

For the HLG team, set-up began at 8 a.m. Second-year sociology major Erin Hort (she/he) shared her experience as a member for the graphics team setting up for the event, “We had to produce a lot of graphics in a short amount of time just because [of] scheduling and information, but other than that it’s been actually really, really smooth.” For his third time working the event, fourth-year computer science major, Head of eSports, Logan Debetta (he/they) stated that “it’s been tiring moving all those heavy computers … but I think [overall] it’s been going well.” Both Hort and Debetta said they looked forward to seeing the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) tournament, and Debetta especially was excited for the artist gallery.

The entire third floor of the HUB was prepared for the convention’s events with HUB 302 serving as the main event room dedicated to the game tournaments, tabling from sponsors and giveaways.

Close to the entrance, the fighting game tournaments were set up with multiple consoles and monitors arranged along the table used both for active tournament matches and friendly, casual matches. Towards the end of HUB 302, a set of 10 monitors and computers were set up on stage for teamcoordinated games. The Artist Alley was in the hallway and multiple vendors were spread throughout. Along the walls, HLG’s technology team kept close watch over the recording and streaming of the tournaments, ensuring high-quality spectatorship and footage.

Additionally, a Freeplay area equipped with laptops and two other tables filled with coloring books, board games and playing cards were also present in HUB 302.

Sponsors

HighlanderCon had multiple sponsors supporting it, such as Micro-Star Interna-

tional (MSI), Pixio, DeepCool and Generation Gaming (Gen. G.). Pixio and DeepCool had tables manned by representatives that were set up at HUB 302. Pixio also played a part in the giveaways, contributing a PX248 Wave monitor to the gift pools. Korean eSports organization Gen. G has also been a consistent and prominent sponsor for HLG, responsible for providing personal computers (PCs) and monetary support.

The Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) played a part in providing for the event as well. In HLG’s coordination with them, they provided the convention participants with free refreshments and food such as pizza and Insomnia Cookies. In addition to the other foods, two complimentary Red Bull stations were present around the main venue.

Theme

Befitting the spring season, HighlanderCon’s main theme centered around a cherry blossom aesthetic, with strong pink motifs. This especially came through on their Instagram and Twitter posts leading up to the event, generating excitement as their multiple social media outlets counted down the days to the convention. Announcements were also made through their Discord server before and while the event was running.

Side Events

One of the most quintessential aspects of any convention is its choice of side events. HighlanderCon was able to provide entrants with fun, unique and thoughtful experiences through their choice of events. This included a maid cafe experience, a “build-a-PC” panel hosted by MSI, a cosplay contest in collaboration with Greenwood Anime Society and a panel discussion with MSI Student Ambassador and Riot Games referee Ashkon Hojati and DeepCool Junior Marketing Specialist John Ho. Between some of the team based games as well, HUB 302 held a performance from the Taiko club.

The cosplay contest and maid cafe experience were two highlights of the convention as both were exemplary of events that Riverside denizens had access to. Five contestants had the opportunity to showcase their dazzling, elaborate cosplays of well-beloved characters such as Irelia and Ahri from League of Legends as well as fun, comical costumes such as the Domino’s Delivery guy cosplay.

Public Relations staff member and third-

year sociology major Angelina Nacion (she/ they) helped lead and organize the cosplay contest, while also partaking in it with her own spring-inspired Ahri cosplay. When asked what her favorite thing about cosplaying was, they simply said, “I like to play dress up so I just do it, honestly.” When asked about what she enjoys about HighlanderCon, they shared that they liked meeting new friends and having a local gaming convention near Riverside.

The maid cafe experience was indubitably HLG’s most charming event. As entrants who RSVP’d for the event entered the room, maids were ready to offer their guests hospitality with drinks and food. The lightheartedness of this side event not only made for an amicable time but also served as a great point of respite for attendees who were bouncing from event to event all day. HLG’s maid cafe experience was undoubtedly a popular event, too, filling up a full room of more than 30 seats with guests ready to be served.

On the same note, the panel featuring Hojati and Ho gave convention participants a deep dive on breaking into and succeeding in the esports industry. Both were recent graduates and shared the multiple nuances and facets of the experience of working with esports organizations. Ho shared his perspective on working on social media as the former Dignitas social media specialist, social media intern for Evil Geniuses and referee for Riot Games’ League Championship Series. Hojati delved into the culture and job market of the esports industry with his many experiences as a shoutcaster for Riot Games, Gen. G and TSM.

Both emphasized the importance of leveraging college clubs, networking and showing presence for success and provided a critical perspective on the toxic culture and low pay within the esports industry. Not to mention, the hijinks and crazy stories the two had to offer only added to the good vibes of the event.

Artists Gallery and Vendors

While tournaments and side events remain the focus of HighlanderCon, the sheer number of talented artists was a huge part of the convention’s success. With over 30 small shops at the event, attendees were able to purchase artworks from a grand range of interests — whether it be competitive and casual trading cards, fighting game inspired windbreakers from M.Rage or cutely de-

signed soju bottle stickers from Dreamcreamco.

For avaciil (they/them), it was their first time at the convention. When asked about what inspires their artwork, they stated they were happy to spotlight “the video games [they] play, as well as some anime.”

One standout vendor was CVSmashMods. Based in Coachella Valley, the vendor works as a GameCube controller specialist and was thoughtfully placed in HUB 302 next to the fighting game tournament. Best of all, the vendor provided live services and modifications to players there, helping fix many Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players’ controllers and even joining in the bracket themselves. It added to the HighlanderCon experience, that a specialized niche vendor would be able to directly support the competitive esports scene that the convention is promoting.

Tournaments

For this year’s HighlanderCon, the biggest fighting game tournament was that of the singles and doubles format of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate boasting 91 registered players for the singles format, and the smaller double elimination fighting game tournaments for Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Mortal Kombat 1, Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive and Tekken 8 were held concurrently with SSBU.

Across the room, HLG hosted the intercollegiate team-based game tournament finals and it followed as such: UCR HLG faced off against the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in Overwatch 2, casted by Temp and Sporkfull, California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) would then compete against UCSD in League of Legends, casted by Brandon and EthanV123 and CSUF would again face off against UCSD in Valorant, casted by the NerdCorner and Ruffhsu.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Singles SSBU 2B took home the trophy for SSBU singles format, completing an impressive losers bracket run after dropping a close set with FLS Ludo in the Winners QuarterFinal, going on a tear and dropping at most one game in their proceeding sets. Getting impressive wins over SmU5h Kirarash and POW?! Monte, 2B would seal victory in the revenge Grand Finals set against FLS Ludo.

Overwatch 2

In the beginning of the first set, UCSD held control of the point up to 27% until UCR took back control; UCR’s SILVERSURFER knocked UCSD’s players off the map. UCR then had to give away the point against UCSD’s higher advantage in ultimates, but UCR CYBER’s Sojourn and SILVERSURFER’s LLUCIO was able to take it back and hold until victory. The second game of the set was a back and forth between the two schools; the game went into overtime and UCR came out on top. SILVERSURFER was a key component to UCR’s victory in the first game.

For the second set, UCSD’s Ramattra composition assumed victory over the UCR team, dominating space and securing a great payload score. MOUSH’s Ramattra switch at the end proved to stump the UCR team and gave UCSD victory.

In the third set, UCSD’s ZINNIA’s Sojourn hit headshots left and right, creating momentum for UCSD to overpower UCR. ZINNIA again found more kills against UCR, stifling any retaliation, locking down space and showing the power of Sojourn with powerfully precise aim as UCSD took the fourth set for the overall win.

League of Legends

For the League of Legends final, UCSD’s choice of range-based champions in

the bottom lane secured a gold gap that snowballed against and overwhelmed CSUF. UCSD’s bottom lane JhinHeimerdinger combo was a constant thorn for CSUF’s slower scaling Jinx-Bard pair. Slowly but surely, UCSD capitalized on this advantage and dominated the game’s pace and widened the gap with UCSD’s Shezhomasy securing a triple kill by the 10th minute and sealing the game soon after.

Moving forward, CSUF opted for a stronger late-game composition with a Kayle and Cho’Gath-Senna combination against UCSD’s aggressive Darius, Nautilus and Lucian draft. However, this CSUF’s decision proved to be fatal as UCSD secured high-impact kills on the bottom lane after exhausting CSUF’s X6er and EBBman’s flashes by the sixth minute and Giga’s Darius outplaying a tower dive in the seventh minute. A tale as old as time, UCSD again converted their large gold advantage into more kills through tower dives and constant lane priority. The minute 26 Baron fight proved to be a sword in the coffin for CSUF as their challenge against UCSD’s Baron attempt faltered and led to UCSD closing out the match.

CSUF picked Bind for the first map, and both teams opted for a double control-

ler team composition with UCSD having the player, lowkeycow, on Harbor and CSUF’s Wizdran on Viper. CSUF played out their attack rounds methodically, choosing to default Viper’s wall to cut the A site’s vision from certain positions and using map information to carefully choose moments to flood out on site after forcing map rotations from UCSD. By round seven, CSUF secured a large credit lead, winning five rounds over UCSD’s two. However, UCSD came out with a big, thrifty round as they stole the eighth round with Sheriff kills from Himothy Johnson, securing the round for his team and prompting a timeout for CSUF. UCSD’s confidence rose more as they reached the half and initiated an offense of their own. UCSD and CSUF started trading rounds until UCSD broke off with Himothy Johnson securing a clutch victory in a 13-10 victory.

On the second map, Lotus, both teams opted for a Killjoy sentinel and Omen controller, both staple Agent picks for the map. CSUF took on a commanding lead on the attacker’s side with Wizdran’s Viper out-aiming and out-lurking UCSD to an 8-0 lead, then helped CSUF take just one more round to a 9-3 lead. After the half, UCSD’s attack side was more spread out, with UCSD’s Valorant team poking and prodding at each site before committing. In the end, CSUF’s Wizdran and An-

gry sealed out rounds against UCSD and shut down their offense to gain a victory. The final map of the best of three sets came down to Sunset. CSUF opted to run a double duelist team composition with Reyna and UCSD ran a double initiator team composition with Breach and Gekko. Wizdran, again, performed spectacularly, anchoring down the B-site against UCSD’s middle map pushes, securing an early 2-0 lead for CSUF. This played out further as CSUF ended the half with a comfortable 9-3 round lead. CSUF Coop’s Reyna was a large contributor to CSUF closing out the following rounds in the last intense game of the set, with CSUF ending on a 13-5 victory as the collegiate grand champions.

Conclusion

HighlanderCon created a warm and inviting environment in its convention with its collegiate esports endeavors. The supporting pillars of the lighthearted side events, free play area and alluring vendors and artist’s shops held up the focus on esports with an overall energetic, relaxing and thoughtful ambiance. In the Spring 2024 HighlanderCon, attendees found their place in the many communities that HLG carefully tended to, offering everyone who came through the doors of HUB 302, the ultimate gaming convention experience at UCR.■ H

Valorant

‘HIND’S HALL’: the power of music as a form of resistance RadaR

RappeR MackleMoRe Releases a song showing solidaRity with palestinian Resistance.

SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

Rapper Macklemore, known for songs such as “Thrift Shop” and “Good Old Days,” recently released a new song entitled “HIND’S HALL.” Written and produced by Macklemore, the song opened with a beautiful guitar solo from Lebanese singer Fairuz’s “Ana La Habibi.” The title comes from Columbia pro-Palestine protesters who occupied Columbia’s Hamilton Hall and renamed it “Hind’s Hall” to honor Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed in Gaza by the Israeli military on Jan. 29, 2024.

Hind Rajab was fleeing Gaza in a car with her family when they were targeted by Israeli military forces. After her whole family was killed in the car, Rajab made a call to emergency services while trapped in the vehicle surrounded by Israeli military with her killed family. Pleading, her call to emergency services lasted three hours, until her last words, “I am scared, please come.” After her heartbreaking call, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) sent two paramedics to the scene; unfortunately, Israeli forces destroyed the ambulance they were in, killing the paramedics.

Honoring Rajab, as well as the students protesting in solidarity with Palestine, Macklemore’s song features lyrics such as “What you willin’ to risk? What you willin’ to give? / What if you were in Gaza? What if those were your kids? / If the West was pretendin’ that you didn’t exist / You’d want the world to stand up and the students finally did.”

The video accompanying the song

shows demonstrations from across the country in solidarity with Palestine and received over 112 million views within its first week of streaming.

Demonstrating the power of music to incite social change, in a world of silent celebrities Macklemore took a stand with his music. “HIND’S HALL” not only calls attention to the young people across America protesting against Israeli occupation, but it also ensures that Hind Rajab’s name will not be forgotten, instilling her in a long line of Palestinian martyrs who were killed by the occupying powers.

Columbia University students and students across America have been subjected to police violence and expulsion as a result of their pro-Palestine solidarity demonstrations. Students at Columbia who participated in their pro-Palestine encampments and demonstrations are facing expulsion as well as disproportionate amounts of violence from their own university. As a result of her actions against students, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik testified in Washington D.C. in front of the House Committee on Education and Workforce proving her administration’s crackdown on these protests has been unjustified.

“HIND’S HALL” features multiple callouts of those complicit in the violence that has ensued at the hands of Israel in Gaza, including figures such as President Joe Biden. Macklemore raps “The blood is on your hands Biden we can see it all / And f*ck no I’m not voting for you in the fall.”

Since Biden has declared his unwavering support for Israel, his approval rates have drastically dropped, with many, including Macklemore, pledging they will not vote for him come the Nov. 2024 elections.

Making reference to beef between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake, Macklemore also raps, “I want a ceasefire, f*ck a response from Drake,” calling out the music industry as a whole that has largely been silent regarding the genocide happening in Gaza.

Macklemore raps, “What happened to the artist? What do you got to say? / If I was on a label, you could drop me today / And be fine with it cause the heart fed my page,” calling out labels who have threatened and dropped artists for speaking out in support of Palestinians and their resistance to occupation, for example, Palestinian artist Nemah Hasan, who was dropped from her label for her unwavering support of Palestine. With the release of “HIND’S HALL,” this song may serve as a much needed catalyst to inspire other celebrities and artists to show support for Palestine.

Censorship across social media platforms are at an all time high, Macklemore also raps, “You can ban TikTok, take us out the algorithm / But it’s too late / we’ve seen the truth / we bear witness.” Making evident the double standard in American media of who has the right to “right to defend” and “the right to resistance,” he fiercely spits to the beat: “We see the lies.”

With “HIND’S HALL” receiving massive support and praise from fans and mu-

sicians; Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, a band known for their political commentary through music, tweeted out in support of Macklemore’s piece, stating “Honestly @macklemore’s ‘Hind’s Hall’ is the most Rage Against The Machine song since Rage Against The Machine.”

Since its inception, rap music has always been a form of resistance and rebellion against oppressive powers. Macklemore even cites “When I was seven I learned a lesson from Cube and Eazy-E / What was it again? Oh yeah, f*ck the police (woo)”

“Actors in badges protecting property / And a system that was designed by white supremacy (Brrt) / But the people are in the streets / You can pay off Meta, you can’t pay off me.” Referencing the N.W.A song “F*ck Tha Police” which calls out police brutality and violence specifically in regards to the Black community, who, for decades, has fallen victim to police violence and discrimination at the hand of the United States government and police system.

Music is a powerful tool to create meaningful and lasting change and with Macklemore and many Palestinian artists, including rapper Saint Levant spearheading this campaign for change, one can only hope that other artists join in on this campaign for justice in Palestine and calls for a free Palestine.

Anyway … Free Palestine.

Outside the Met Gala, crowds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered just mere blocks away, speaking out on the ongoing genocide in Gaza, while attendees of the Met Gala chose to ignore these protesters and continue on in their frivolous displays of wealth. The contrast between the Met Gala and the theme was apparent to many over social media. In the wake of the extreme violence at the hands of Israel in Gaza, many called the blatant displays of opulence and wealth by many celebrities, specifically regarding the Met Gala, tone-deaf.

This year's Met Gala theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” and “The Garden of Time,” was inspired by J.G. Ballard’s short story. The tale follows a crumbling dynasty as a count and countess are overrun by an angry mob and is essentially a mocking of the wealthy who live in luxury, clueless about the struggles of everyone else in the town surrounding them. In a blatant display of irony, the Met Gala was just that — a bunch of wealthy people parading around in extravagant designs and mingling with billionaires, acting blissfully unaware of the world surrounding them.

Protesters flooded the streets and tore down the barricades surrounding the Gala, which coverage of the event largely ignored. However, many people noticed the dissonance in the coverage and were immediately reminded of the dystopia portrayed in the “Hunger Games.” The juxtaposition between extravagant outfits and images of starving children coming out of Gaza drew many to compare celebrities with citizens of the capitol and Palestinians with members of District 12.

Many over social media are sick of this celebrity culture, resulting in a new online movement calling people to block celebrities who have ignored the genocide taking place in Gaza. The #Blockout2024 movement demonstrates how the masses are sick of seeing this depressing dichotomy between “the privileged few and the persecuted many.”

This blockout movement was incited by an out-oftouch model and influencer, Haley Kalil’s TikTok to the sound “Let them eat cake” outside of the Met Gala. The phrase “let them eat cake” is commonly attributed to Marie Antoinette, who was confronted with starving peasants saying let them eat cake near the start of the French revolution. Despite there being no historical evidence that Antoinette ever said this phrase, anyone with a working brain can see the awful irony of this post. A wealthy celebrity, who has largely ignored issues affecting the general public, pranced around in an expensive outfit at an exclusive event, giving a big fat middle finger to the people who have given her the status she holds in society.

By: Senna Omar, Managing Editor

The Met Gala and other red carpets have led many to call for the blocking of celebrities.

PEOPLE ARE SICK OF CELEBRITY CULTURE

One participant in this celebrity blocking movement stated, “When we hate on them, they make money. When we praise them, they make money. But when we block their social media accounts and completely forget their names, they lose it all.” The blockout forces celebrities into taking a stand on something more important than who designed their gown or be blocked — either call out the horrendous actions of Israel against Palestinians or lose the support of the masses who paid for their penthouse and provided them with their privilege.

Since Oct. 7, over 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza at the hands of the Israeli military. With this in mind, many critics of American celebrity culture have called the elitist displays of opulence in wealth on the Met Gala carpet absolutely absurd.

This blockout seems to be working, with many celebrities at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France silently expressing solidarity with Palestinians through the form of fashion. Palestinian model, Bella Hadid, who has been very vocal about her support for Palestine, drew attention to her people’s struggle in a beautiful red dress designed using keffiyehs.

Australian actor and film producer Cate Blanchett who attended the festival trended over social media because of her dress which made a reference to the Palestinian flag. Many other celebrities were spotted on the carpet wearing watermelon motifs, a symbol for Palestine and other sly references to Palestine.

Despite these few shows of solidarity, many red carpets have been virtually devoid of support for the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Red carpets have historically been a place for celebrities and designers to make statements through fashion. From Alexandra Occasio-Cortez’s controversial “Tax the Rich” dress to Lena Waithe’s black suit with a rainbow cape, displaying solidarity with movements for LGBTQ+ communities, the Met Carpet has often been a place for celebrities to take a stand through art; this has many asking why displays of solidarity with Palestine were lacking on this year’s carpet.

The Met Gala and red carpets alike are tone-deaf displays of wealth and opulence devoid of any real meaning and the people are finally sick of it. Fashion is inherently political, and for celebrities to ignore the power they hold to create meaningful social change is disappointing.

Displays of solidarity with Palestine have been absent from almost every sphere of media, and outside of minimal motifs, many celebrities have largely ignored the violence ensuing in Gaza. Sitting comfortably on their buckets of money and attempting to avoid controversy, many previously outspoken celebrities on political issues across the spectrum have been silent on their pedestal of privilege.

The people have finally had enough of these celebrities and their silence, charging them to the “digital guillotine,” and blocking them from profiting off of their views.

MARVEL'S ‘X-Men '97’: A revolutionary blend of nostalgia and modern storytelling

Marvel Animation Inc.’s newest series demonstrated that animated storytelling is just as compelling as, if not better than, live action. From the brilliant minds of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Marvel presented their first revival show "X-Men ‘97," concluding its season finale which aired on May 15 on Disney+. The show gave a warm welcome to newcomers and longtime fans alike with its blend of nostalgic elements, contemporary storytelling and updated animation. Combined, these create a fresh yet familiar experience for all.

Marvel’s "X-Men ‘97" takes place one year after the events of "X-Men: The Animated Series," featuring returning characters like Wolverine, Jean Grey, Storm and some other notable additions. The story begins with Professor Xavier presumed dead, leaving the X- Men to grapple with this loss and the world's hatred for them, all while under Magneto's reign. Set primarily at the XMansion in West- chester County, New York, the series continued to explore themes of prejudice, acceptance and the quest for peace between mutants and humans. With stellar animation, amazing writing and phenomenal comic book accuracy and inclusion, the show perfectly captured the 90s aesthetic. The action-packed fight scenes and heartfelt storytelling left audiences wanting more.

Diving into one of the most astounding parts of the show, the animation stood out for its vibrant colors, fluid movements and incredible attention to detail, making each scene visually captivating and enhancing the overall storytelling experience. Whether audience members were art aficionados, Marvelites or new to the show, the animation was appreciated. Marvel truly outdid themselves with the classic 90s animation in “XMen '97,” redesigning timeless characters while preserving the classic qualities. Additionally, they changed the character design of female superheroes to ensure they weren’t overly sexualized, representing a much-needed reformation in this modern era. Every episode also showed careful consideration of the color palette, cinematography, execution of in-between frames and a magnificently consistent style.

In one particular scene, we saw Storm summoning a powerful tempest, and the vibrant hues of the storm clouds contrasted beautifully against her white costume, highlighting the meticulous attention to color balance and lighting. The motion of her cape and hair combined with the crisp, dynamic lines of the character art, emphasized the high-quality execution of in-between frames. This scene alone exemplified the series' dedication to maintaining nostalgic animation style while incorporating modern techniques to enhance visual storytelling.

Light spoilers!

The future of revival shows is here with Marvel’s amazing ‘X-Men ‘97’ animation.

VERDICT: “X-Men ‘97” revolutionized what an action animated show could and should be. It is a must see show, leaving the audience longing for more.

By: Lilianna Angel, CW

The fight scenes in “X-Men ‘97” were epic and choreographed amazingly. For instance, in the scene where Wolverine jumped on Gambit, Gambit charged Wolverine’s claws with kinetic energy in order to take down the enemy. This moment showed the abilities of both characters in a visually stunning and adrenaline-pumping sequence. It was so cool and had fans on the edge of their seats, heightening the drama and intensity of the show and making the audience genuinely worry for the characters. Without further spoiling the show, there are so many better fight scenes that are treats for the watchers.

“X-Men '97” really captured the essence of what makes the X-Men franchise so beloved. The sto ryline was innova narrative that built sion and kept audiences engrossed. The show stayed true to its comic in its storyline where the series the two alternate comic possibilities it could have fol lowed. Part excitement lies in embrac ing the unpredictability of the outcome, shocking the most knowledgeable of comic fans.

One of the most exciting aspects was the sheer number of cameos, which added depth to the XMen universe, delighting fans with their unexpected appearances. The writing deserves special mention as it was fantastic throughout. The dialogue between characters felt genuine and stayed true to their personalities, making the emotional moments hit even harder. This emotional depth of the heartfelt conversations created a roller coaster of feelings for viewers. The show displays great writing, drawing in the audience, whether they are rooting for, despising or sympathizing with villains.

Moreover, the themes explored in “X-Men '97” are as relevant today as they were decades ago. Diversity and inclusion were central themes, showing the strength in embracing differences and standing together as a team. The show also delved into prejudice and discrimination, showcasing the struggles faced by mutants and drawing parallels to real-world issues. The theme of family in the show showed the bonds forged between the X-Men as they navigate challenges together.

Overall, “X-Men '97” excelled at animation, fight scenes and storytelling, making it a must-watch for fans old and new. This was one of the greatest shows of animated superheroes, and perhaps the most intriguing aspect was the lingering question of whether Magneto was right. This question, like many others raised by the show, can only be fully understood and explored by watching it, prompting viewers to draw their own conclusions.

Distributed by Disney+

RadaR Replay: Exploring the themes of media and the search for truth in

‘The Truman Show’

Pushing the boundaries on how far media will go for entertainment.

KIMBERLY BEJEC

Assistant Radar Editor

“The Truman Show” is a psychological comedy-drama film released in 1998 that explored many themes that have since blossomed into today’s society. Directed by Peter Weir, the film gained much success on its debut and earned several award nominations. “The Truman Show” has become a classic among fans, creating a legacy that will stand the test of time for its continuous relevancy. Despite its often comedic and tender moments, it digs deeper into the psychological battle of the main character, Truman Burbank.

The film surrounds the life of Truman (Jim Carrey), who is the star of his own reality show that is filmed 24/7 and broadcast worldwide — but he thinks he is leading a normal life. Truman simply lives his genuine life while everyone and everything around him is controlled. His hometown, Seahaven Island, is actually in an enormous dome that serves as an entirely convincing reality TV set, built entirely for him. However, the “reality” that Truman lives in is not real; everything is constructed to make good television and keep viewers entertained. Christof (Ed Harris), the show’s creator and executive producer subjects Truman to live a life purely for others’ amusement.

Audiences in the film enjoy the live display of Truman’s authentic emotions and the relatability of his everyday life. Unconventional to societal expectations, Truman also has an adventurous spirit and wants to

go out to explore the world, but he remains in his hometown, Seahaven Island, due to his fear of the sea. This fear was developed by the show’s creators to prevent Truman from leaving and ruining the allure for viewers of straightforward voyeurism into the life of an unsuspecting man.

“The Truman Show” exceeds expectations in many aspects, proving why the film was so successful in its time and still is today. Through Truman’s mannerisms from start to finish, Carrey truly excels in the main character role as his mannerisms along with his gradual realization that he is living in a simulated reality. Carrey has been known for many great performances, but this is one of his best.

Another one of the film’s highlights is the accuracy and continuity it maintains despite Truman’s curated world slowly falling apart. “The Truman Show” remains accurate to the seemingly perfect utopian set in which it takes place. Even as all the layers of this world get peeled back, the film sticks to story plots that have developed since the beginning such as Truman’s fear of the sea. Despite the well-thoughtout cinematography, the psychological themes are what stand out the most and will carry on with the audience even after they watch the film.

Plenty of media today tends to push the boundaries, with social experiments, stunts and pranks, often bordering on too much. Youtubers like Logan Paul and David

Dobrik tend to go the extra mile to keep their viewers entertained; for a while, that worked. However, in 2018, Paul went on a trip to Japan and recorded a vlog of himself and his friends attempting to camp at Aokigahara, also known as the “suicide forest.” In the video, the group found a corpse and while the group was shocked, they proceeded to make jokes about it. Paul released an apology and the video was later taken down but still gathered millions of views.

David Dobrik, who was known for making videos that involved crazy stunts, got caught in an accident in 2021 that seriously injured a member of his “Vlog Squad,” Jeff Wittek. In a video, Dobrik parked an excavator in a lake with a rope dangling from it and used heavy machinery to swing people around in the air. However, when it came to Wittek’s turn, Dobrik began to swing the equipment at unsafe speeds before slowing it abruptly causing Wittek to slam to the side of the excavator and suffer from a multitude of serious injuries. Since the incident, Witteck has spoken out against Dobrik for his lack of concern following his injuries and even sued him for general negligence and intentional tort.

Though more outwardly outrageous, this form of going too far for entertainment is what “The Truman Show” was trying to warn against. The aim to please the audience and gain more views compels people to disregard morality, such as the movie’s

main antagonist, Christof. He embodies the moral corruption that arises when no limits are given and how far it can go in the entertainment industry. As everything in Truman’s life is manufactured by the show’s producers to entertain the viewers, it reveals a deeper artificial quality of his existence. Throughout the film, Truman becomes reduced to a man that the viewers would find most entertaining, rather than live out his life authentically.

Another theme explored is personal freedom. Despite Truman’s fear of the sea, he longs to explore the world and discover the unknown. As graduation season is upon us, graduates may resonate with the same feeling of venturing off past what is comfortable and known. Going off to seek adventure and taking a step out the door to the real world is scary and uncertain. However, with one step at a time, it is worth moving forward and exploring what life has to offer.

“The Truman Show” stands ahead of its time, being an eerie warning of how far the media can go. Despite its comedic value, it often undermines the seriousness of the film when taken at face value. Looking beyond the layers allows audiences of today to analyze the many themes that the film has to offer. There is an array of video essays being made today that reflect the beautiful complexity of the film ranging from its cinematography to profound messages.

Reminisce about your summer love in ‘Baby Blue Bathing Suit’

stePhen sanchez returns with a different tune that may take some time getting used to.

BRENDA JOVEL Editor-in-Chief

It feels so long ago when the days of “Teen Beach Movie” captured our prepubescent hearts as the characters of Maia Mitchell and Ross Lynch fell into a cheeky love story. If you’re looking to return to those hot summer days with blossoming crushes and sun-tanned memories, Stephen Sanchez, also known as The Troubadour, has released his new single, “Baby Blue Bathing Suit” that feels like a “Teen Beach Movie” for young adults. Though straying away from his notable use of soft rock and blues and feeling slightly like a generic pop song, Sanchez’s soulful voice will convince you that this song is worth the listen on a long summer night — possibly after its fifth repeat.

“Baby Blue Bathing Suit” begins with a bouncy tune as it creates a blissful tone for those warm summer days. Sanchez’s gentle voice is heard in the first few seconds as he recalls memories of his past sweetheart, “It feels like yesterday that we were flyin’ / Can’t go back to her, but I’ll keep tryin’.” Sanchez is deliberate in his lyrics as he has been in previous projects, most notably in his storyline with Evangeline in his Troubadour lore. His songs always praise the girl that has caught his eye, and “Baby

Blue Bathing Suit” is no different. The prechorus compares his sweetheart to heaven:

“‘Cause the older I get, the more that it’s true / That Heaven’s a girl in a baby blue bathing suit.” The pace of the song quickens as he pours his heart out to this girl, focusing on her features such as the color of her eyes, her hair and the sun-tan glow of her skin.

The track’s chorus is filled with instrumentals that make the rhythm exuberant with fun and glee. It’s upbeat and purposeful as it seems that Sanchez wants this single to be the new summer hit of 2024. Similar to other projects like “Grease” and “Teen Beach Movie” where two youngsters find love on hot summer days, Sanchez perfectly captures this typical retro love story in his new track.

The song’s bridge acknowledges how memorable summer loves can be, “Sweet memories / Oh, they’re calling my name / Putting me back to sleep / I wanna dream all day / ‘Cause summer’s the place where I met you / The reason I cannot forget you.”

Sanchez also debuted a music video for the single and it’s what you would imagine for a song that alludes to the beach. Acting as a lifeguard, Sanchez is seen singing his

heart out to a girl in — you guessed it — a baby blue bathing suit. They end up in what seems to be a cringey meet-cute moment as they slowly begin to fall in love. Day then turns into night, and the young couple is seen dancing under the stars in what feels like a retro teen musical where bonfires crackle and first kisses are given. The video perfectly captures the essence of the song and further recognizes Sanchez’s creativity with his use of visuals in tune with his lyrics.

Verdict:

“baby blue bathing suit” aby might grow on listeners eVentually, but it’s Ventually, a joyful song that will bring lush memories of summer romances and kisses on the beach back to life. ■ H

DISTRIBUTED BY STEPHEN SANCHEZ

UCR Athletics year in review SPORTS

UCR should trust in the process as strides are made in back to back years.

With the end of the final quarter of the school year quickly approaching, now is the best time to review how our athletics programs fared this year. While not all teams improved on their records and performances from the previous season, athletics as a whole has been making strides in cementing itself as a growing force on campus.

Since his appointment as the Athletic Director (AD) at the University of California Riverside (UCR), Wesley Mallette has been a driving force behind the culture change in the athletics programs. His vision the past few years has been built on five major goals: “Building a Strong Athletics Culture,” “Delivering a Great Student-Athlete Experience & Creating the Conditions for Student Success,” “Winning, Succeeding and Connecting,” “Creating a Model for Financial & Operational Sustainability and Competitive Excellence” and “Raising The Athletics Profile.”

These building blocks have been the backbone of UCR’s intercollegiate athletics. Since several athletic programs faced elimination due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school has largely succeeded in improving the state of its programs. Men’s basketball this past season, while not as successful as the previous year, displayed great resilience and promise after the departure of arguably four of its best players from the previous season.

By: Kianoosh Nooshi, Assistant Sports Editor

Women’s basketball on the other hand had one of its most tremendous seasons with 18 wins and a trip to the National Invitational Tournament. It will be interesting to see how both basketball teams fare in the upcoming season with their roles reversed as the women’s team will be losing several key players and the men’s team has a chance to build with its young roster.

While basketball is arguably at the forefront of the new and improved athletics department, several other programs have improved since the previous season. Baseball showed improvement while golf maintained their consistent play over the previous season. UCR Track and Field as well as Cross Country were strong performers in the Big West with several Highlanders placing high in tournament competitions and Norm Alvarez, Ashraf Abdelmagid, Raykiyat Olukoju and Kyan Thomas all qualified for NCAA Prelims in Arkansas .

Outside of just performance metrics there have also been strides in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals for our athletes. Improvements in performance over the past couple of years has helped with NIL, and UCR sports slowly playing a part in the Inland Empire will continue to improve such deals, helping make UCR a destination when it comes to recruitment. These markers are already beginning to show themselves particularly in basketball as despite the departure of key players the recruitment has allowed the team from completely capitulating performance wise.

The athletics program has also been marked by its incredible coaches and staff. Several coaches deserve praise, chief among them being Mike Magpayo and Brad Langston, who have turned the basketball program around in the past couple of years. Great leadership has also led to academic success for UCR’s student athletes, which is another pillar of importance under AD Mallete’s vision for the athletics programs. The strides being made show signs of great promise if consistency can be continued which will no doubt lead to an elevation of UCR’s profile in the Inland Empire and California athletics as a whole.

Highlander Photo Team

Legacies are on the line in Saturday’s Champions League Final

Jude Bellingham faces his old teammates in this exciting Champions League Final.

This past week, Atalanta thrashed the formerly “Invincible” Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final. Despite being the clear underdog, Atalanta put Leverkusen on the back foot from kick-off to the final whistle. They pressed aggressively and didn’t give Leverkusen’s playmakers Florian Wirtz and Exequiel Palacios an inch of space. It suffocated their attack as Leverkusen struggled to get their forwards any dangerous scoring chances. A hat-trick from winger Ademola Lookman capped off a brilliant team performance from the Italian side.

After watching Atalanta’s jaw-dropping display, Borussia Dortmund will be inspired to do the same against Real Madrid in the Champions League Final. At Wembley Stadium, the spotlight will be directed at Real Madrid’s star midfielder Jude Bellingham. The England international will face his former club at his nation’s home stadium on Saturday.

In the summer transfer window, Madrid were desperate for a replacement for the departing Karim Benzema. They set their sights on Bellingham and coughed up a whopping €103 million plus add-ons to sign the Englishman from Dortmund. A learning curve was expected for the young superstar, but Bellingham’s confidence, swagger and maturity have made his tran sition seamless.

With Benzema taking his talents to the Saudi Pro League, manager Carlo Ancelotti has used Bellingham in a more advanced role. With Vinícius Júnior and Ro drygo on the wings, Bellingham has thrived in his new position. Los Blancos have reaped the benefits and have knocked out the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich en route to the final.

Despite losing their key cog in the midfield, Dortmund reinvested the money from the Bellingham sale wisely. In the summer, they brought in proven veterans like Marcel Sabitzer and Nicklas Fullkrug to provide sta bility and mentor the wonderkids. Then, Dortmund pounced on the opportunity to sign Jadon Sancho and Ian Maatsen on shrewd loan deals. The plethora of re inforcements has helped lift Dortmund through the competitions “group of death” and powerhouses like Atlético Madrid and PSG.

As the clear underdog, I would expect Dortmund’s manager Edin Terzic to line up very narrow and clog up the midfield. Viní Júnior and Rodrygo will look to exploit the space down the wings, but the Brazilian duo are not the most adept at crossing the ball into the box. Since Dortmund possess tall imposing center-backs Mats Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck and giant goal keeper Gregor Kobel, Terzic will feel secure defending crosses.

By: Isaac Solnick, Staff Writer

With this in mind, it’ll be up to fullbacks Ian Maat- sen and Julian Ryerson to neutralize Madrid’s wingers in one- on-one situations. They defended valiantly against Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé in the semifinal and will need to do more of the same this Saturday. Madrid’s frontline will need to weave through Dortmund’s defense to create scoring chanc- es. They’ll need to rise to the occasion because Dortmund will have plenty of chances of their own.

With pacey and dribbly wingers Karim Adeyemi and Sancho, Dortmund will look to attack the space behind Madrid’s defense. This could prove to be a serious problem for Los Blancos since goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is often too shy to come out of his box. The return of Éder Militão should help, but Dortmund’s forwards are rapid and their counterattack is deadly.

All things considered, I think Madrid will be ready for everything Dortmund try to throw at them. Ancelotti’s boys possess the individual quality and experience to rise to the occasion in the biggest moments. Not to mention, they have options like Luka Modrić, Brahim Díaz and semifinal hero Joselu who can make a huge impact off the bench.

Madrid will control this game from start to finish and win 2-0

LAYNA LAPIKAS