Volume 73, Issue 06 by The Highlander- UCR

The Highlander

FEATURES

MATA ELANGOVAN Managing Editor

In the darkness, they gather outside the Student Recreation Center (SRC). At only 6 a.m., the University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) Running Club comes together for the 47th Annual Mission Inn Run. Everyone has a different reason for running in this signature Riverside event; some have hopes and dreams of a record run and others go for the enjoyment of running with their friends, but most look to challenge themselves.

During the week, the Running Club at UCR meets everyday, Monday through Friday,

Run Forrest, run!

A

GLIMPSE INTO RUNNING CLUB AT UCR.

at 5 p.m. Open to all, it’s a no commitment club. Their goal is to simply make running easy, accessible and less intimidating. With different levels of running, there are officers with each group, ensuring that no matter how fast someone runs; there will always be someone running with them, drastically decreasing the chance of running alone or getting lost. Emmanuel Green, the president of the club, shares that “running club is just a great way to run safely, meet a community and make friends.”

There is more to Running

Club than just running. They do various events throughout the year, like hiking to the C and socials. This year, they will be meeting up with the Cal Poly Pomona and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) running clubs to meet other runners in SoCal and make friends.

Green joined the Running Club in his first year. His reason for running was because he used to run in high school and wanted to continue running in college.

MATA ELANGOVAN Managing Editor

Prior to 1954, there were efforts led by a Cahuilla tribe member, Rupert Costo, his wife, Jeanette Costo, and Judge John Gabbert to establish a university in Riverside. They all attended Riverside City College (RCC), known at the time as Riverside Community College. The three started garnering support from the local community, to make this a reality.

According to Joshua Gonzales, Director of UCR’s Native American Student Programs (NASP), Costo’s vision was “having the youth go onto higher education. He was a very big advocate on education, he did a lot of advocating on behalf of the Native community.”

The NASP website describes how the center was established around 1980 and is “the first University of California campus to open an office focused on serving American Indian students,’ and remains as one of the few in the system. Gonzales shares that the center was born out of students’ desires for more support services, “Our foundation is supporting the students that are here at UCR and helping them navigate being here at a four-year institution, but also providing guidance to prospective students. If you want to come here, this is a place for you to be: a home away from home.”

When it comes to outreach and maintaining relationships with community partners, NASP takes initiative. Networking and connections are a large part of the university experience. Gonzales explains they are “always trying to connect students that are here with the local tribes or local community … It’s another place for students from different native backgrounds to be able to get to meet other folks.”

Highlanders rout Gauchos 2-0 on Senior Night

Following a crushing 4-1 defeat to California State University, Bakersfield, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) had their backs against the wall. With just one game left, the Highlanders needed to beat the then league-leading University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) for a chance to sneak into the Big West Playoffs.

With a playoff berth secured, the Gauchos came out of the gates with confidence. Playing on the front foot, UCSB

pressed the UCR center backs with their strikers, junior Nicolas Willumsen and freshman Zac Siebenlist. Meanwhile, their fullbacks, senior Caden Vom Steeg and freshman Peleg Brown, put pressure on the UCR wingbacks. This forced the Highlanders to play the ball through the middle as the Gauchos pounced on the receiving midfielder.

ISAAC SOLNICK Sports Editor

HIGHLANDER STAFF

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Isabell Gracia dgrac009@ucr.edu

An overview of the Native American Student Program at UCR

A PEEK AT HISTORY, EVENTS AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT.

the local tribes or local community … It’s another place for students from different native backgrounds to be able to get to meet other folks.”

In 1986, the Costo’s established the first endowed chair in American Indian Affairs in the nation. They donated over 4 million dollars to create the position, as well as over 8000 texts to the special collections in Tomás Rivera Library, creating a designated section within the library known as the Rupert Costo Library of the American Indian.

Adding on to the history of the Native community at UCR is Marigold Linton, one of the first Californian Indians to graduate from a four-year university. Linton played a part in founding the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Natives Americans in Science (SACNAS) and established a scholarship for those involved with the sciences at UCR.

Various active student organizations have collaborated with NASP to put on events that aim to empower students on campus as well as local community members. Gonzales explains, “Our purpose here is to try to have support and resources, but also build that network for students, so that way, when they graduate, they can go on, either go to grad school or go into the workforce, but they have connections.”

With partnerships both on and off campus, NASP aims to support students through various means. Currently, they work closely with faculty on campus, and also provide assistance through scholarships and internships offered by their offices. Off-campus partners often bring in their students to visit on-cam-

pus because, according to Gonzales, “they want to do tours. They want to meet other Native students. So it’s an opportunity [for outreach].”

Established in 2005, NASP also hosts the annual Gathering of the Tribes Summer Residential Program. Serving as a direct outreach program, this gathering hosts 30 to 40 Indigenous middle school and high school students at UCR. Students from across the nation apply to attend this program and their costs for the week-long stay are completely covered. During this time they attend various workshops, attend classes, are offered the opportunity to get comfortable with life on-campus, and get guidance from current students and staff and take part in various cultural activities.

When reminiscing on students who had attended the program in the past, Gonzales shares, “I’ve been here for so long that I have several students that have gone through the summer program, have gone to UCR, gone on to college and now I see them out in the community. They’re doing some of the work, whether it’s helping out other youth, or it’s being a professor, all kinds of different things.”

Jordyn Ramirez, third-year biochemistry major, has been involved with NASP since her second year. She attended Sherman Indian High School, one of the last Native American boarding schools in the United States, in order to learn more about her culture.

She shares, “Sherman hosted a whole bunch of different Native students from different areas, so from different rises, different tribes, different cultures and

traditions. So I was hoping to sort of meet someone from the same tribe.” When she came out to UCR, she got to meet other people from the same tribe, and she mentions, “It was nice to talk to them and get to see different types of cultures.”

One of Ramirez’s fondest memories of being involved with NASP is the Annual UCR Pow Wow which is hosted in Spring quarter. She recalls how at the end of the event everyone is tired and drained because of the non-stop work that comes from hosting for three days, but that “the fun part is just doing everything, seeing how everything worked, and seeing all of us goof around, trying to boost each other up to keep going.”

Nowadays, Ramirez gives back to her old community by volunteering as an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) tutor. She explains, “Now, I’m plugging UCR. Some of our students here volunteer out there. Like, I could stay after school to come to that stuff and just like getting involved. Like the clinics, the clinics have some sort of events going on for the Native community. So I go to the seminar clinics.”

For those in the community, Ramirez encourages students to “come by. You don’t have to be Native to come by here. Come eat some free food or some drinks. Just come by to all of our events. You don’t have to be Native for Pow Wow or the Medicine Ways Conference or even Jam Night. Just come out, meet Native professors, see if you want to take their class or not. We’re just super chill.”

■ H

MATA ELANGOVAN Managing Editor

MATA ELANGOVAN / THE HIGHLANDER

Carbon capture and increasing plant resilience

DR. PAUL LARSEN’S RESEARCH

FOCUSES ON ENHANCING PLANT’S ABILITY TO CAPTURE CARBON

DIOXIDE

FROM THE ATMOSPHERE AND INCREASING THEIR RESILIENCE TO TOXIC SOILS.

Dr. Paul Larsen, a professor of biochemistry at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), has focused his research on using genetic modification to enhance carbon capture in plants. Beginning his work on this project as a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University in 1994, Dr. Larsen is continuing his research at UCR. His laboratory aims to reengineer crops to store carbon more efficiently while also increasing crop resilience to toxic environments.

His research is centered on the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase, which plays a crucial role in photosynthesis by capturing carbon dioxide and converting it into organic material for crop metabolism. This enzyme is essential for carbon fixation in plants and can be modified in order to enhance carbon capture.

Larsen’s team has developed a technology which utilizes gene editing to develop mutant plants with enhanced PEP carboxylase activity, ultimately increasing carbon dioxide absorption, while producing a beneficial compound called malate, which will “bind to the aluminum” in the soil preventing it from entering the plant. By analyzing the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of Arabidopsis, the model plant for this research, Dr. Larsen and his team discovered specific amino acid changes in the PEP carboxylase enzyme that continuously activate the enzyme, rather than allowing it to switch between the active and inactive states. PEP carboxylase works

as a sponge inside the plants, soaking up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These mutations would make this PEP carboxylase “sponge” work more effectively at capturing carbon from the air, and will allow Arabidopsis to do better than the standard variant.

Additionally, this modification increases malate production, which promotes aluminum resistance. Larsen described malate as an enzyme that “detoxifies aluminum” from the soil, allowing plants to grow and thrive in these aluminum-toxic soils, which are commonly found in regions such as South America, Southeast Asia and Africa.

The next phase of Dr. Larsen’s research focuses on expanding this technology to widely grown commercial crops, such as corn and soybeans. This phase of research aims to evaluate the real world benefits of this technology. If successful, this approach could help address food insecurity in developing countries by supporting crop growth on arable land.

Dr. Larsen’s progress has come with many challenges, including dismissal from the scientific community: “I submitted a grant, and the reviews came back, and they were personal attacks. One of the reviewers called me a ‘liar.’ Said that there was ‘no way that this was possible.’ Another reviewer said, well, ‘why didn’t nature select for these changes if they’re that important? Why are these only changes that are things that were constructed or generated in the

laboratory?’”

Larsen attributes this criticism to the distinctiveness of his technique of genetic modification to improve carbon capture and plant resilience. He believes that the limited funding and consideration his lab has received is largely due to the fact that his discovery does not involve an “inducible phenotype,” or a characteristic that could be activated.

Dr. Larsen’s research on genetically modifying plants to increase carbon capture poses both benefits and the emergence of potential risks. Tools such as CRISPR, a genome-editing technology, allow for precise gene editing to become a reality without introducing foreign DNA into the plants. However, this approach does pose environmental risks such as unintended mutations in the organisms that could potentially disrupt the ecosystem by introducing diseases.

When asked about future implications of his research, Larsen explained that the lab’s vision extends beyond traditional crops, and could be used to modify turf grass to grow slower, reducing the need for lawn maintenance while increasing carbon capture.

Furthermore, these genetic modifications have the potential of capturing 10 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. Dr. Larsen’s research opens up a potential path towards agricultural solutions that aim to address carbon emissions, and increase food security.

SARAH TABEL Contributing Writer COURTESY

City of Riverside and the California Green Business Network

A PARTNERSHIP FOR INCREASED CLIMATE CHANGE EFFORTS IN RIVERSIDE.

NYLA CHOUDRY Contributing Writer

The City of Riverside has partnered with the California Green Business Network. Working with small businesses across counties and cities in California, the Green Business Network seeks to help businesses work towards a more climate friendly environment. By providing individualized attention to small businesses to help them conserve energy and water at no personal cost, they help communities conserve energy and water.

With 54.5% of Riverside County impacted by drought, the Riverside Public Utilities department found that “saving water and using water wisely [is] extremely important.”

The Green Business network has saved over 742 million gallons of water across 4,000+ businesses that have partnered with the network. The organization seeks to help small businesses conserve resources and money in a way that is beneficial to both the businesses and their surrounding community. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, eliminating waste, saving water and reducing energy usage.

As a result of the city of Riverside’s partnership with the Green Business Network, businesses can become recognized as a green busi-

ness if they sign up for the Business Assistance Program. Such businesses have the opportunity to learn how they might operate in more environmentally conscious ways while also cutting costs. After going through the certification process, green businesses can receive public recognition for their efforts as they will receive a certificate and other promotional materials.

This partnership is in line with Riverside’s recent efforts and successes with climate change ini-

tiatives. As a result of successful initiatives in 2001 that reduced energy usage for traffic lights, utilized more solar panels and gave away trees, the city began the Clean and Green Task Force and later the Green Accountability Performance (GAP) Committee.

The Clean and Green Task Force created the Sustainability Policy Statement (SPS), a document that focused on eight general areas of interest: “Save Water, Keep it Clean, Make it Solar, Make it Shady, Clean

the Air, Save Fuel, Make it Smart and Build Green.”

After being adopted by Riverside’s city council, the SPS allowed the task force to create the Green Action Plan. This plan sought to give recommendations on improving outcomes in “energy, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, urban design, urban nature, transportation and water.” This caused the creation of the GAP Committee to ensure the Green Action Plan was being followed.

ASUCR budget adjustments

On Oct. 30, the Associated Students of University of California Riverside (ASUCR) held their fifth Senate meeting. This meeting discussed the budget adjustments that had been approved, which overall increased the ASUCR budget to $124,179, an approximately $27,891 increase.

Executive Director Asha Nettle explained that they “budgeted conservatively,” so they were able to establish this increase. UCR received more enrollments than they had originally expected, so that funding from tuition increased the ASUCR reserve budget. Originally the projected enrollment was 21,671 students, however it turned out to be 22,400.

Executive Director Nettle also cov-

ered updates on budget in the context of operations. Some of the funding has been allocated to providing student staff with gavels and name plates, and also provide polos to unpaid positions. For clubs that are utilizing direct deposit through ASUCR, they will no longer be charged a direct deposit fee, which was previously $1. The new budget is now able to cover the cost of depositing on behalf of these organizations.

After Vice President of Finance (VPF) Cooper Kumar continued the Finance Committee Meeting reports by explaining that there was interest in making the External Executive Assistant a paid position. Previously the position was held for nine months and

was not paid, however, after receiving a 12-0-0 vote, the positions will now be paid $990 over the course of their nine month term.

During Legislative Review Committee reports, CHASS Senator Hooshyari Far presented a resolution calling for awareness regarding the Armenian Genocide. She alleged that the “UN is hypocritical” for providing support for other countries that have experienced genocide, but not to the Armenian Genocide.

The resolution, “Statement on COP29 - UN Conference 2024,” called for all UCR attendees of the COP29 United Nations (UN) conference, to “please raise the issue of Azerbaijan’s human rights violations in discussions

with other attendees” and asked for “UCR faculty and administrators to show their support for Armenian students by highlighting the wrongdoings of Azerbaijan and Turkey and to stay true to their statements of divestment and support for all students.” A motion was passed 12-0-0 to approve this resolution.

CHASS Senator Ryan Jun-Min Choi was absent and CHASS Senator Carter Anderson, CHASS Senator Nathan Baw, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Senator Anthony Ching, Bourns College of Engineering Senator Uma Akundi, School of Business Senator Dhruv Patel and School of Public Policy Senator Sofia Jimenez were excused from the meeting.

DINARA GODAGE Assistant News Editor

Opinions

Naps are the best

MATA ELANGOVAN Managing Editor

Naps are a game changer during midterm week. There is no better way to get through those long sleepless nights than by taking quick rests throughout the day. According to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the optimal length of time for a nap is between 15 to 30 minutes for a short one and around 90 minutes for a longer one. So let it be known, no one should be napping for a few hours during midterms week. At that point, it’s just falling asleep.

There is no better feeling than the wave of energy that comes from a proper nap. The reduced fatigue, improved mood and overall relaxed feeling are essential to be able to troop through the day. It is much like being a child again. A general feeling of crankiness and discomfort brews after a sleepless night, but a brief moment of shut-eye provides some much needed respite

from the grind.

One of the best parts of a properly timed nap is that it does not contribute to grogginess or ruin chances of sleeping again at night. The goal is to not replace the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep process at night, but rather to dust off some fatigue during the day so that productivity can be attained.

In today’s society, productivity is valued above all else. People often forgo sleep to achieve better results, under the impression that doing the work now is more important than going about it with a fresh mind. Even now, napping is frowned upon, with friends, family and colleagues looking with disdain at the thought of a few moments of shuteye. But naps do not deserve the negative stigma that they receive.

For students, there is the constant pressure to always be wired. Drastic measures are taken in order to achieve this throughout the day, most often or

DON’T DRINK COFFEE, GET SOME SHUT-EYE.

not by consuming diabolical amounts of coffee in order to stay awake. The odd few will take a break rather than take a nap, but there are some memory benefits that arise with a proper nap.

In an article published in a sleep journal, scientists conducted a study in which they compared the long-term memory benefits of those who take short naps and those who take short breaks. Their results found that “when tested 30 min after learning, cramming and napping led to significantly better memory than taking a break. After a week, napping maintained this significant advantage, but cramming did not.” This shows in part some of the advantages that can come from taking a nap.

Taking naps can change the way students approach learning in a university environment. There are already sleep

Naps ruin your day

SLEEP

Ditching all of life’s problems in exchange for a couple of hours of rest is always nice, but a nap has never done anyone any good. Picture this:

it’s 6 p.m. on a Thursday night, you are exhausted but have so much work to do, so you decide 30 minutes of rest won’t hurt anyone. Making sure not to get too comfortable so you do not accidentally sleep for the rest of the day, you close your eyes and drift into dreamland … waking up in a panic, you frantically check the time and see that it is 2 a.m.

Eight hours of sleep later, you are dazed and confused. After the hour it takes to recover from the trauma of waking up from the “nap,” it’s time to do the mountain of work you were supposed to do before drifting into slumber … or just go back to sleep. See, that “nap” really screwed up your evening.

Now this is not some made up sequence of events, I literally did this last week, and am still currently recovering from the ramifications of this well needed slumber. This midterm season, ditch the naps! Drink some coffee and power through the day, that nap is not worth it.

Studies show that if your daytime nap is less than 30 minutes, you could feel more well rested and your health could be improved. Let’s be real for a second, when was the last time anyone

pods at the Student Recreation Center (SRC); students might as well make good use of them. Avoiding burnout is a tough task during midterms, and naps are certainly one way to combat it. In this fast-paced world that prioritizes the material cost of time and productivity, it is time to rethink what exactly that means. Napping is a simple tool to boost both mental and physical health. Fall into the caverns of sleep, just make sure to set an alarm before doing

ever took a nap for less than half an hour? Never, except for Mata Elangovan apparently.

Napping frequently for more than 30 minutes has been linked to an increased risk of depression, cardio-vascular disease, type 2 diabetes and strokes. The Mayo Clinic found that napping can also cause nighttime sleep problems and sleep inertia, defined as grogginess and distortion after waking up from a nap. This same study also found that an increased need for naps could be an indication of underlying health issues that are disrupting nighttime rest.

Most doctors recommend that if you do take a nap, nap before 3 p.m. and keep it between 10 to 20 minutes because the longer the nap, the more likely you are to feel groggy afterward. However, with all this in mind, it’s probably better not to nap at all. Sleeping for 20 minutes is never satisfying. Once you close your eyes and feel the wonderful wings of rest sending you off to sleep, you won’t want to wake up.

A study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that one in three adults do not get enough sleep, so it makes sense that this same population supplements nightly rest with daytime naps. Re-

gardless of the lack of benefits from these long naps, they are the body’s attempt at making up for its exhaustion so you can continue performing basic human functions.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults aged 18-60 years should sleep at least seven hours each night to “promote optimal health and well-being.” Neomi Shah, the associate division chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine explained, “Sleep is extremely important to our overall well-being, and therefore loss of sleep or poor quality of sleep can significantly impair one’s ability to function.”

Getting these seven hours of rest every night circumvents the need for daytime napping, so this midterm season, stay away from the nap and try your best to get seven hours of rest. It is much better to power through the day than to waste the whole afternoon sleeping. To avoid that post-nap shell shock, drink some caffeine and buck up. I promise your life will be better if you just wait it out until the evening. If you are resting the proper amount of time every night, that late afternoon coma will not be necessary to sustain your function anymore!

SENNA OMAR Editor-in-Chief

STUDENT OPINION POLL

Should students have more than one midterm in each class?

Compiled by Cecile Diroll, Opinions Editor, & Spandana Janapati, Asst. Opinions Editor

“If it’s more of a breadth course, they should really focus on one midterm or one essay, depending on the class. But if it’s a harder class related to your major, I think there should be two midterms just so you can stay on track and keep up to date on what’s going on in the class.”

It’s

“I think that classes should have more than one midterm. Personally, I really like when classes have three midterms because I am able to split up the work, depending on how hard the class is, and it keeps me up to date to learn what I have to know.”

“I think each class should have only one midterm per quarter and a final at the end.”

“Two midterms is fine, but I know people who have classes that have midterms every week or … every two weeks and that’s not a midterm, that’s just a test every week.”

time to teach California’s true history in classrooms

CALIFORNIA’S NEW LAW TEACHING THE VIOLENCE OF NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY IN SCHOOLS EMPHASIZES THE NEED FOR ETHNIC STUDIES IN EDUCATION.

SPANDANA JANAPATI Assistant Opinions Editor

In late September, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1821, amending California’s K-12 curriculum to include “the treatment and perspectives of Native Americans during the Spanish colonization and Gold Rush Era.” The bill primarily impacts fourth grade students, who traditionally study California’s history.

Assemblymember James Ramos, the bill’s author wanted to ensure students understand the “horror and genocide” Native Californians endured and their critical role in shaping the state. Currently, California’s curriculum only recommends that schools cover Native Californians’ struggles. This leaves lesson decisions up to individual schools, causing inconsistencies in learning across the state.

AB 1821 mandates that all students learn about the genocide embedded in Native American history, filling a much needed educational gap. Understanding the colonization and violence experienced by Native Americans highlights the ways in which California can un-

knowingly support existing inequities within the state’s social and economic framework.

California’s educational curriculum needs to expand its focus on cultural studies to better reflect the state’s diverse histories. Ethnic studies have proven especially impactful for historically marginalized groups, including Latino, Black and Native American students, by improving engagement, academic outcomes and graduation rates.

Indigenous students in particular fall behind state averages in these areas, and learning about their own histories and cultural identities can foster a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment. Incorporating these perspectives is key to creating a curriculum that acknowledges California’s past while empowering all students.

California has already made significant strides in ethnic studies programs with policies including AB 101, which makes ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement starting with the class of 2030, and AB 1460, which mandates that all

California State University (CSU) students complete an ethnic studies course on Native American, African American, Asian American or Latinx histories. Learning about these diverse histories not only provides representation but also helps students recognize and challenge historical biases, especially when learning about injustices.

With the shift in curriculum encouraged by AB 1821, future policies like AB 101 look towards K-12 teachers to address the historic inequalities of Native Californian populations as well as other discriminated groups. More focus needs to be placed on how teachers will be appropriately trained to handle the information students need to engage with.

Without such training, the effectiveness of bills promoting ethnic and cultural studies could be diminished. Moreover, including faculty members of color and ethnic studies experts in curriculum development would help shape a program that is both educational and culturally sensitive.

This would also ensure that teachers can handle challenging discussions about history and create an environment where all students feel seen and represented. For example, the University of California, Berkeley has already taken steps to help promote cultural understanding for future ethnic studies courses by teaching current education graduate students the best ways to incorporate ethnic studies into their curriculums.

AB 1821 is a step toward a more inclusive and accurate account of California’s history which recognizes the historic erasure of Native people. Acknowledging Indigenous history is crucial for Native students and all California students to understand the roots of the society they live in. Oppressed groups should not have to fight to have their histories recognized. Including this content in public education honors Indigenous communities whose struggles are too often overlooked.

Olivia Nam Business IS, Third year (she/her)

Roz Dastmalchi Business IS, Third year (she/her)

Jamie Lee Biology, Third year (she/her)

Emily Huynh Biology, Second year (she/her)

CECILE DIROLL / THE HIGHLANDER

The 2024 presidential election rollercoaster is mercifully coming to an end

The 2024 presidenTial wild ride ThaT lefT voTers exhausTed is finally over.

CECILE DIROLL Opinions Editor

Today marks the end of the 2024 general election season. Perhaps the winner of the presidential election will be known later today or in the days to come. However, one thing is sure: It is a relief to see this chaotic year of political campaigns end. From President Joe Biden dropping out of the race in July to the multiple assassination attempts against Former President Donald Trump, the 2024 general election has been unlike any other.

Historically, election season has been a time for civic debate about policies, ushering in new leaders and bringing a sense of hope to voters. At the same time, it is also true that running for office is intense and not for the faint of heart, with candidates engaging in hostile campaigning to achieve their goals and push their agendas. However, at the close of this election, it appears that running for the country’s highest office has become a blood sport.

The most recent example was Former President Trump’s Oct. 27, 2024 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Intended as a closing event to share his message for a final time before voters go to the polls, the rally devolved into a display of vulgarity, misogyny and racism.

Former President Trump’s drumbeat o f offensive remarks about his political rival Vice President Kamala Harris was quickly overshadowed by the line-up of speakers who made crude remarks about Harris, calling her a “prostitute” and “the Antichrist.” The speakers also made racist comments about Latinos, Palestinians, Jews and Black people. Most notably, comedian podcaster Tony Hinchcliffe insultingly joked about Latino “sexual

practices” and called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.”

Mr. Hinchcliffe later attempted to defend his comments with a post on X by saying, “I love Puerto Rico and vacation there. I made fun of everyone … watch the whole set,” and Mr. Trump tried to distance himself from the comedian by claiming not to know him. The comments serve to underscore the ugly and dehumanizing tone of the recent campaign.

Crude language and racist rhetoric are not a new phenomenon for the Trump campaign. In 2015, Mr. Trump kicked off his first presidential bid by calling Mexican immigrants “criminals” and “rapists.”

In addition, Mr. Trump has been recorded using curse words more than 1,787 times in 2024 — 69 percent more than he did when he ran for president in 2016. And while cursing isn’t disqualifying, presidents shouldn’t be crude. Having a president curse in meetings or public rallies isn’t professional and shows a lack of respect for the office.

The chaos in this election cycle isn’t confined to the Republicans as President Biden, the Democratic incumbent, dropped out mid-way through the race after a disastrous performance in the first presidential debate with Trump. The debate was essentially two older men lobbing insults at each other.

It was brutal to watch and confirms that President Biden’s mental acuity is declining. The display prompted high-profile Democrats, including actor George Clooney and allegedly, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, to publicly and privately call for

him to stand down — an unprecedented action in the nation’s political history.

President Biden should never have run for a second term, as he had promised to serve as a “transitional” leader. As a result, Democrats missed the opportunity to select from a slate of candidates earlier in the primaries. Then there is the Democratic Party’s apocalyptic messaging about Trump’s threat to the nation’s democracy when they should’ve been campaigning more on issues of higher importance to average Americans, like the economy and inflation.

The continuing and monotonous decline of political decorum, dominated by old men, is unfair to Generation Z (Gen Z), who have grown up in a political age in an era characterized by an angry, confrontational and bullying style of politicking. Trump’s form of politics is all Gen Z has ever known, as he has been running for president since many members of Gen Z were in elementary school. With young people needing to carry the burden of climate change, gun violence, unaffordable housing and reproductive rights, it’s exhausting to add uncivil political discourse to this list.

Still, Trump’s nasty, anger-filled campaign style is likely here to stay. Hopefully, young people will experience a future presidential campaign focused on pressing issues they care about and led by a new generation of leaders.

COURTESY OF GAGE SKIDMORE ■ H

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Scotty-Scopes:

It’s cuffing season.

Oct.

You’re now realizing what a wild idea your past relationship or crush was. Keep this new mental clarity with you going forward.

Jan.

I know you’re anxious about the longterm. Either outwardly or subconsciously, you are holding onto fear that you need to let go and let the chips fall where they may.

April

Focus on loving yourself this fall. You’re feeling emotionally stable in your relationships, and if you aren’t, you should stop worrying about them; turn your attention to spending time with yourself.

July

Nov.

SEE IF YOU’LL LOCK SOMEONE DOWN THIS FALL, OR IF YOU WILL SPEND THE WINTER COLD.

Dec.

Be brave, Scorpio; you have to be persistent about going after what you want, or else you’ll get overwhelmed and defensive.

Feb.

Ooooh — it’s not looking good for you, Aquarius. There’s a painful ending on your horizon and it’s going to leave a deep cut.

May

Heartbreak is on the horizon for you. The Three of Swords predicts that you will be going through emotional pain and hurt, so be prepared now.

Aug.

Leo, you need to focus on releasing your worries and anxiety surrounding your

Trust that everything will work out for your love life. Don’t stress yourself out by pushing too hard.

You are so in touch with your emotions and that helps you in your relationships tremendously. Let your compassion lead you!

It’s the season of passion for you, Gemini. You’ll go on to have adventures that will live in your memories forever, even if the people in your stories don’t stay for the long haul.

Your inner critic is holding you back from claiming the love that you deserve. So free yourself, and let it all in!

relationships. Those deep-seated fears won’t go away unless you confront them.

Don’t go for the person who’s bad for you right now, Virgo; focus on the one who will make you happy in the long-term.

Libra (Sept. 23 –

22): Ace of Swords

Scorpio (Oct. 23 –

21): Nine of Wands

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 –

21): The Star

Capricorn (Dec. 22 –

19): The Moon

Aquarius (Jan. 20 –

18): Ten of Swords

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20): Strength

Aries (March 21 –

19): Queen of Cups

Taurus (April 20 –

20): Three of Swords

Gemini (May 21 – June 20): Knight of Wands

Cancer (June 21 –

22): Judgement

Leo (July 23 –

22): Nine of Swords

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22): Seven of Pentacles

LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

NATALIE DAHL Features Editor

NORM’S NOOK

SPOTLIGHT

Native American Garden

The University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) Native American Garden provides a space that honors both the Indigenous history and community of the Inland Empire. Locat ed between the Highlander Union Building (HUB) and Pierce Hall, the Native American Garden is occupied by 20,000 square feet of beautiful greenery, including plants and trees native to the area and relevant to the Tongva, Serrano, Cahuilla and Luiseño tribes. While providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy the green scenery, the garden’s dirt trails and benches supply a space for teaching, learning and special performances backed by the garden’s light and sound system. Offering its beauty and opportunities for recognizing past and current Native history, the Native American Garden could not have been delivered without the collaborative efforts of Indigenous community members, students, staff, faculty and architects.

STUDENT POLL

GABRIELA GALVAN Assistant Features Editor

Alonzo M.

Momo G.

Joanna S.

Jack D.

Arvin S.

GRAPHICS BY LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

ARONNE CHAN / THE HIGHLANDER

OLYMPIC HOST CITIES

19. Host city of the most recent Olympics

21. Popular 60s boot style

23. Partner of the radius in the forearm

24. Pack animal that you see lots of at UCR

25. Hammer’s rounded end

27. Order between “ready” and “fire”

29. Provide money for

30. Another way to say “frequently” that’s often used in poetry

31. Pronoun usually used to describe cars, ships and planes

34. Host city of the first Olympics

37. Type of guitar that plays notes an octave lower than a regular guitar

38. Popular drink; or, term for gossip

39. Word used in French restaurant names meaning “at the home of”

40. Upside down cave creature

41. “Yours, mine and ____”

42. ___ and cheese sandwich

43. Counterpart of neuter

45. Host city of the 2000 Olympics; and, capital of the country where the 2032 Summer Olympics will be held

47. Repeat this to Appa twice and he’ll fly

48. “___ la la!”

49. Tater

50. Acronym for International Labour Organization

51. Something you can shift between in a bike or car; Singular

52. Like a wallflower

55. American singer-song

By Natalie dahl Features editor

writer Chappell ____

ANSWERS (DON’T PEEK!)

58. Prefix paired with “-graph” or “-legal”

60. Host city of the only Olympics that has ever been postponed

62. Radiate or give off

64. Wisecrack

66. Bucks and does

67. “Do you understand? Do you ______?” (2 wds.)

68. Past tense ending of “esc-____” and “landsc-____”

69. Pink farm animal noise

70. Actor ____ Centineo from “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before”

71. Start over

72. Single-stranded genetic messenger

Down 1. Small Spanish savory dishes

Customers, to a software engineer

Yellow subway alternative

Acronym for General Services

5. (Of cloth or clothes) Old and torn

6. Hunter (with a giant belt) immortalized by stars in the night sky

7. Playing card that’s equivalent to thirteen

8. Some argue it came before the chicken

9. Truth _____

10. Part of a banana you might slip on 11. Chinese equivalent of an American dollar or a British pound

12. California wine valley

15. Bake sale or school dance organizing group

20. How Rumpelstiltskin turned straw into gold on a spindle

22. Bozos or clods

26. “Star Trek” or Coast Guard rank: Abbr.

28. The “I” of T.G.I.F.

29. Tasseled cap that the Eleventh Doctor and Grunkle Stan both wear

30. Popular alternative milks: almond, ___, soy

31. Phaser setting that only temporarily disables its victim

32. Roll call response

33. “____-peasy”

34. Stiff and sore

35. Pad ____ (noodle dish)

36. Plant whose flowers produce less than 0.3% THC

37. San Francisco/Oakland separator 40. “___, humbug!”

41. Not even

43. Skin and hair care brand ___ de Janeiro; or the Latin word for “sun”

44. Number 2

45. Location of massages and mud baths

46. Camping structure whose level of roughing it is in-between a tent and a cabin

49. Davy Jones’s locker; or, the ocean floor

50. Kolkata’s country

51. Bone to pick

52. Cylinder of yarn

53. Species of the villainous comedic relief in “The Lion King”

54. Middle of N.Y.C.?

55. Limits on environmental pollution and food and drug safety rules are both examples of a what; Abbr.

56. “Olly olly ____ free”

57. You might bring your car to this kind of shop

59. Gelatin substitute made of seaweed

61. Carbon monoxide lacks it

63. Twenti-___ Century Fox

65. Shogun’s capital; or, an old name for Tokyo ■ H

Run Forrest, run!

MATA ELANGIVAN Managing Editor

A GLIMPSE INTO RUNNING CLUB AT UCR.

During the week, the Running Club at UCR meets everyday, Monday through Friday, at 5 p.m. Open to all, it’s a no commitment club. Their goal is to simply make running easy, accessible and less intimidating. With different levels of running, there are officers with each group, ensuring that no matter how fast someone runs; there will always be someone running with them, drastically decreasing the chance of running alone or getting lost. Emmanuel Green, the president of the club, shares that “running club is just a great way to run safely, meet a community and make friends.”

There is more to Running Club than just running. They do various events throughout the year, like hiking to the C and socials. This year, they will be meeting up with the Cal Poly Pomona and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) running clubs to meet other runners in SoCal and make friends.

Green joined the Running Club in his first year. His reason for running was because he used to run in

high school and wanted to continue running in college. Green shared, “It’s a healthy habit and a part of my personality that I didn’t want to get rid of.”

Many of the club members have been preparing for the Mission Inn Run since the summer. For a handful of them, it’ll be the last time they’ll take part in this run as UCR students. Chock full of memories and opportunity, many set goals for the events they were going to run.

An alumni of UCR, Miguel Leon Fernandez, still comes back to run with the club occasionally. Sharing why, he states, “Being able to run with them is super cool, especially since a lot of them are very young in their first and second years just being able to watch them go not just like, in terms of running, but also in their career stuff.”

Last year, Fernandez won the 5k at the Mission Inn Run, and he recalls, “We were told the race was starting at nine, and it started a couple minutes before. Point is everybody got a 42 second head start on me. Winning the race was out the window. But apparently the bib has a chip on it, and it doesn’t start your time until you cross the start line. So I won it because I ran the fastest time of the course, which I never thought would ever happen, but here we are. It was very fun, and the people were very supportive. So that’s what made it super cool.”

For Navya Batra, a fourth-year computer science major, it was her first time running with the club ever, and she had prepared to run the 10k. She

shares, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to actually run a 10k. I’ve never done it before, so this will be exciting, but I’m also kind of nervous.”

One part of making runs like the Mission Inn Run more accessible is by applying for funding from the school. Running Club has a dedicated board who puts in the effort to make these runs affordable for those who take part. Green shares, “We apply for a grant from the school. We always try to get race discounts. There’s great hope that [the race] will be discounted and people can actually afford a race and not have to think about working [to afford it].”

One of the things that Green hopes to achieve is “making a welcoming community where people want to come back. They don’t have bad memories. They make friends, they have fun and they tell others. It comes with growth, because there’s a greatness to it that isn’t measurable, but it just makes sense.”

To those who are looking into running, join the Running Club at UCR. As Green shared, you really never know what it’s like until you try it. See if you like it, if you love it, then just keep coming. It’s free. I mean, you can’t get freer than free. We’re trying to give you guys everything we can, and so we’re always open to feedback, always open to improvement. We just want to give students the best experience possible.”

I D T E R M S

NCOMING

HOW TO SURVIVE ONGOING MIDTERMS WEEKS.

As midterms continue on, stress levels rise and studying becomes imperative. It can become overwhelming, so here are a few tips to get through it alive.

The first thing to remember is that even though studying for midterms can take up a lot of time, it is important that you keep stress-free time for yourself. In your studying schedule, make sure you have regular breaks to relax. Doing this is just as important as studying for midterms.

During your breaks, do something that brings you pleasure. Pick up your favorite book, binge-watch your favorite show, etc … By doing this, your mind will detach from the repetitiveness of your revisions and you will be able to have a fresh start when you begin studying again. You might actually find that you remember your lessons better after your break. As you think of something else and take your attention away from homework, you are giving your brain a break which will help it recharge before your next study session.

Many studies show that sleeping helps with studying and memorizing. An article from the Harvard Health Blog, “Sleep helps learning, memory,” by Harvey B. Simon states

that sleep helps the brain “make connections” and “solve problems.” By taking naps during the day or in between study sessions, and by having a healthy sleep pattern, you can greatly improve your memory and study habits. Going to bed earlier during the days leading up to exams can help you better prepare for midterms and studying for tests.

Sometimes, it is difficult to calm down your thoughts which can lead to sleepless nights. The best way to achieve restful sleep is to modify your sleep routine. Instead of scrolling on Instagram before going to bed, read a book, write in a journal or draw. This will detach you from social media and calm you down before bed. If you feel like you are tired throughout the day, do not hesitate to take a nap. Short power naps are actually very useful and can help you feel better and rejuvenated for the rest of the day.

Motivation can be one of the most difficult parts of preparing for midterms. Procrastination usually takes over and when it is time to study we often feel discouraged. One very helpful tool to resolve this problem is a reward system. By giving yourself something to look forward to, it will drive your motivation to learn.

These rewards can be snacks, drinks or even video games and television (TV) shows.

For example, try telling yourself that every time you finish three paragraphs of an essay, you get a 20-minute break to eat your favorite snack. You can also try giving yourself two hours of studying for one hour where you can watch TV or play video games. Usually, doing this will make you finish your work faster but be careful to still put in the maximum amount of effort without rushing your studying.

A key element to successful study habits is creating a schedule. Give yourself clear objectives. Your time is in your control so use it well. If you decide that you will study for your biology midterm Monday morning, give yourself strict times to stick to such as 9 a.m to 11 a.m.

Hopefully, you are ensuring that you will not go over a certain amount of hours and this will allow you to have breaks during your day. You will also have a clear idea of what you need to study and when. By doing this, you might feel less overwhelmed and stressed which will make all of your studying more effective.

NOLA PERIFEL Staff Writer

COURTESY OF FREEPIK

RadaR

‘Smile 2’: When a sequel is better than the original

In the age of infinite remakes and sequels, each one more lifeless than the rest, ‘Smile 2’ is a sip of fresh water.

AAKIF IQBAL

Contributing Writer

Parker Finn’s 2022 smash hit, “Smile,” achieved massive financial success grossing over 200 million dollars worldwide. Advertisements of the film portrayed it like it would be the most horrifying film ever made. Although having some really fun moments and great jump scares, the film struggled to rise from a generic horror film to being something notable. That being said, “Smile 2” is different.

The 2024 follow-up to “Smile” is led this time by Naomi Scott, most known for her role as Jasmine in the live-action “Aladdin” film. Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), the main character, is a pop star. She is introduced to the screen after recovering from a violent car accident which killed her partner. Revealing early on in the film that she is recovering from addiction, Skye Riley’s time in limelight is akin to that of The 1975’s Matt Healy, who also struggled with substance abuse.

The violence and horror that permeates “Smile 2” is different from the first film because it pulls from the natural fears that a celebrity would have: no privacy, creepy fans and stalkers. Some of the most haunting scenes in the film have nothing to do with the possessions that were displayed in “Smile” but instead have to do with her doing meet and greets and facing pressure from her mother.

Many may compare “Smile 2” to another 2024 film involving a pop-star directed by a horror filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, “Trap.” However, “Smile 2” is more comparable to HBO’s “The Idol.” The trauma, pressure, anxiety and ambition that comes with being a pop star is reflected in both projects. What succeeds in “Smile 2” and separates it from the HBO property though is its use of the horror genre to elicit Riley’s fears in more abstract ways, rather than relying on performance to convey its ideas.

This may sound like “Smile 2” is an uncomfortable watch, but this could not be further from the truth — it’s a hoot. There are jokes from the front to

back. Dylan Gelula plays Skye Riley’s best friend in the film, Gemma, and she is the perfect comedic relief character. With her millennial phrases, disgust of Staten Island and love for making matcha, there’s never a dull moment when she’s on screen.

The entire supporting cast of the film is great. Rosemarie Dewitt plays Riley’s mother and works excellently as the classic guilt-trippy mother that finds its way in so many horror films (“The Birds,” “Hereditary,” etc.). Miles Guiterrez-Riley plays De-

witt’s assistant Joshua and his facial reactions play perfectly as the punchline to so many jokes.

The real star of the show is Scott who brings home an incredible performance. So many scenes play solely off of her reaction to what she’s seeing and she does a great job, giving the performance her all but never overdoing it.

The short haircut she has in the film, coupled with the ‘80s era t-shirts she wears help in harkening the movie back to films from the era, and the same can be seen in the filmmaking. Finn’s direction and use of extremely wide-angles invoke the feelings of the cult-classic ‘80s Polish film “Possession,” which Finn, alongside Robert Pattinson, is currently in the process of remaking.

The film is claustrophobic, hilarious, terrifying and exhilarating in all the ways a viewer expects a horror film to be. Its overall story may not immediately make it unique or an instant classic, but “Smile 2” is among the best of movies playing in theaters right now.

Radar Rankings: Five country songs to mend or worsen your heartache

There’s no better music genre for heartache than country.

Pick your poison — or perhaps your medicine — when it comes to dealing with heartache. Country music offers a range of songs for every stage of heartache. From sad to vengeful, or even a pickme-up song to get you back on your boots, here are a few songs to comfort you through it all:

“Written in the Sand” by Old Dominion

Grieving potential or imagined relationships is equally important as mourning real ones. This track is a catharsis of all these harbored feelings directed at that one special person, beautifully vocalizing them in repetitive what-if questions and metaphors that poetically evoke the uncertainty of where this relationship is headed. This song can also resonate with individuals that feel unsettled in their relationship, pondering with questions like, “Are we lastcall kissing or will we be reminiscing / with each other for the next forty years? / Are we written in the stars, baby, or are we written in the sand?”

“Wasted On You” by Morgan Wallen

With lingering heartbreak and the frustrations that come with getting over someone, this track

comes from a place of anger. The track’s name reinforces what some might feel after reflecting on past relationships, especially if there’s regret for investing too much of oneself. This feeling is captured by the lyrics, “All of this time and all of this money / All of these sorrys I don’t owe you, honey.” This track isn’t meant to antagonize you for wasting time with this person, through fueling your anger it’s meant to recognize your worth, therefore cutting off the problem and not your losses.

“Trouble with a Heartbreak” by Jason Aldean Easing listeners in with “Don’t let anybody tell you it’s going to be easy,” Jason Aldean narrates what to expect in the aftermath of a breakup with this powerful ballad. Navigating the troubles of a heartache can feel lonely at times, and if being surrounded by friends and family isn’t comforting, then singing along with this track might help start the process of accepting the journey ahead.

“Ocean” by Lady A

Wearing their heart on a sleeve throughout “Ocean,” Lady A offers a beautiful piano ballad for those who feel that their relationship parallels

the complexity and depth of the ocean. A relationship needs two people to sustain it, and with the lyrics, “Like a lighthouse, I’ve been shining’ bright / Through the dark for the both of us,” yearning and heartache can stem from the one-sided dynamic of the current relationship.

“Die From A Broken Heart” by Maddie & Tae Sometimes heartbreak doesn’t have to be lonely, because while many can relate to the lyrics “I wanna kick myself for falling so hard,” this track narrates the female protagonist dealing with heartbreak through a phone call to her mother. There are many ways to receive and interpret the lyrics of this track. It might only remind you that sometimes your mother’s wisdom on love is valid, or evoke a time in which a phone call home could fix everything. In whichever way experienced, this track is timeless in its poignant appeal.

There’s no better pairing for heartache than country. With this in mind, go on and indulge in the millions of country songs out there to linger in your feelings after a breakup, and eventually reclaim yourself to move on.

PHOTOS DISTRIBUTED BY PARAMOUNT PICTURES

MARIBEL GAMEZ-REYES

Radar Editor

“Your Monster” is a fairytale with a modern twist

Melissa Barrera shines as an struggling actress who meets and falls in love with the monster hiding in her closet.

SPOILER ALERT

“Beauty and the Beast” is a story about not judging others by their looks. It’s a story of love persevering in the face of impossible odds. But one theme — one that probably went over your head as a child — is that “Beauty and the Beast” is a story about the curse of loneliness. The prince may have been cursed into a hideous beast by the witch, but the real punishment is his isolation from all other human beings. He stays away, unable to form meaningful connections with others in this monstrous form until a kindly Belle comes along and gives him the intimacy missing from his life. In a modern world where loneliness is an epidemic, “Beauty and the Beast” feels like a story that would work very well in a modern setting; “Your Monster” is that story.

Loneliness begins to define Laura’s (Melissa Barrera) life when she is admitted to the hospital for surgery following a cancer diagnosis. Her long-term boyfriend Jacob (Edmund Donovan) breaks up with her while she’s still recovering, send-

ing her into a spiral. Her best friend drifts apart as she undergoes treatment largely by herself. Her mother, traveling abroad, only sends an occasional pie as she lives alone in the house she grew up in. Laura drifts along in her life, in pain, unable to let go of the toxic relation-

ships draining her. At the worst time of her life, a hideous beast known only as “Monster” (Tommy Dewey) emerges from her closet.

“Your Monster” creates a fully realized aesthetic with warm, lush colors and gorgeous cinematography. The audience is transported into the cozy home that Laura and Monster find themselves unexpectedly sharing, adjusting to their odd roommate situation. Tiny details such as Laura’s sharp blue-tinged eye makeup as she dresses up for Halloween contribute to the visual feast of this movie.

Laura and Monster’s interactions are the best part of the film, filled with a delightfully odd humor. One of the best visual set-ups in the film is Laura lying on her bed, lamenting about an audition gone wrong. Peeking slightly out from underneath her bed, Monster sympathizes with her. It is a perfect encapsulation of the film’s odd humor set against the mundanity of everyday life.

The film follows the archetype of a fairytale a little too closely in the first two acts of the film. Laura’s in-

teractions with her boyfriend feel slightly one-dimensional — the pretentious director and his actress muse is a dynamic that has played out in many different stories — director and writer Caroline Lindy doesn’t cover new ground in that aspect.

Similarly, the prettier and more confident star of Jacob’s play (Meghann Fahy) who exists solely to be a reminder to Laura of everything she isn’t as an actress and a woman feels like another cliché. But Monster throws a wrench in this simple tale of heartbreak. In “Beauty and the Beast”, it is Belle who teaches the Beast about life and living again. But “Your Monster” inverts this trope, and it is the beast who is the source of wisdom here.

But a shocking third act forces you to completely re-assess the rest of the movie. The clichés of the story are not a bug, but a feature. They are a universal backdrop that is accessible to the viewer as Lindy drops them into a strange fantastical nightmare complete with a finishing musical number. The real monsters come from the most familiar places.

A lushly dark horror-comedy take on a modern-day fairytale is not at all what you expect, and is well worth a watch.

RAMITA SETTY Staff Writer

PHOTOS DISTRIBUTED BY VERTICAL

‘Agatha All Along’: A wickedly fun and spooky Marvel

adventure

Marvel’s new show is the ultimate Halloween treat, with spooky visuals, sharp writing and a darkly magical journey that adds new depth to Agatha Harkness.

LILIANNA ANGEL Contributing Writer

Marvel’s “Agatha All Along,” streaming on Disney+, dives into the enigmatic past of Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) after the events of “WandaVision.” Marvel’s “Agatha All Along” aired its double-episode season finale on Oct. 30, with Jac Schaeffer as showrunner and lead director.

This new series, perfectly timed for Halloween, combines spooky aesthetics with spellbinding storytelling; it is a must-watch for both Marvel fans and those exploring the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for the first time. By blending a hint of nostalgia from “WandaVision” with new mystical elements, “Agatha All Along” adds depth to Agatha’s story, revealing her motivations and expanding her world. The show brings a fantastic mix of dark twists, magical elements and emotional moments. Though the overarching theme may feel a bit unclear, it is still a compelling addition that promises to keep viewers enchanted through the season.

The story starts off with Agatha returning to her roots. As Wanda’s spell wears off her, she journeys “down the witches’ road” with a coven of witches. Each witch brings their own unique quirks and abilities as they face the trials of the witches’ road together. The audience sees flashbacks of her past, including some dark figures who left their mark on her. It’s a story filled with mystery, twists and surprisingly heartfelt moments that might even bring a tear to audiences’ eyes.

The show has a really great soundtrack; every episode ended with spooky music like “Season of the Witch” by Donovan. The soundtrack includes music of their own, such as their song, “The Ballad of the Witches’ Road” which truly makes the show stand out and it plays a pivotal part of the story.

The cinematography in “Agatha All Along” is simply stunning. Each episode’s aesthetic is perfectly tuned for Halloween. Filled with moody lighting, lush fall colors and eerie shadows, Marvel has gone all-out in creating an otherworldly environment that feels as cinematic as any feature film.

Anytime the characters are on the witches’ road, the glow of the moon, the shadows among the trees and the rich, earthy color palette make it a visual treat. Every set is packed with little easter eggs that Marvel fans will appreciate as the story unfolds. Just like how Marvel’s “WandaVision” had a beautiful decade of sets based off of classic American sitcoms, “Agatha All

Along” has some cool witch aesthetics that make it truly outstanding.

The computer-generated imagery (CGI), is used sparingly but is spot-on, blending seamlessly into the story’s dark, mystical vibe. From spell effects to the subtle atmospheric elements, the CGI feels like a return to Marvel’s high standard that fans have missed. It’s clear, crisp, and immersive, enhancing the magic without over-

shadowing the story or performances. This quality of visual effects, along with the film-level cinematography, makes “Agatha All Along” feel polished and true to the MCU’s classic use of CGI that has been missing for a while.

Marvel takes its time with this story, and it works. The writing keeps viewers on their toes with a plot that unfolds little by little, pulling you into Agatha’s past and her motivations. Every episode has details that come together in satisfying ways later on, making each twist feel rewarding rather than forced. Patti LuPone is a standout as Lilia Calderu, bringing depth and intrigue to the show. Her character adds a whole new dimension to Agatha’s journey and makes her scenes some of the most memorable.

However, the most brilliant performance belongs to Kathryn Hahn. She brings everything to “Agatha All Along,” infusing her character with the perfect mix of charisma, darkness and vulnerability. Hahn makes Agatha endlessly intriguing, turning a villain into someone you can’t help but root for — if only just a little.

Her expressions, timing and wit breathe life into every scene, capturing Agatha’s complex motives with depth and charm that keeps audiences hooked. If audience members have had the pleasure of watching her at San Diego Comic Con online or in person this past summer, they will see how outstanding and immersed she really is; it is truly amazing and frightening.

Interestingly, “Agatha All Along” doesn’t follow a typical episode structure. Instead, it feels like one long, mysterious movie. The pacing is great, with lots of cliffhangers, and the story flows in a way that feels new for Marvel. The show does a really great job of getting audiences excited for some big reveals

The writing is on point, with a mix of sharp wit, spooky vibes and classic Agatha sass. The dialogue really captures Agatha’s dark humor and charm, staying true to her character from “WandaVision.” Exploring themes like grief, legacy and power in a way that feels natural and grounded, the show allows Agatha to remain morally complex. However, it must be made clear that her story is not one of redemption, it is a villain’s story that allows the audience to understand her.

The series also pushes the boundaries of what you’d expect from a Disney+ show, delivering some chilling, horror-inspired moments that amp up the suspense. The show features LGBTQ+ main characters, whose stories are seamlessly integrated into the world rather than token moments of representation. Integrating some longawaited comic characters into the show, this was a refreshing step toward inclusivity.

Interestingly, “Agatha All Along” does not have the typical end-credit scenes that fans expect from the MCU. However, the final moments in each episode provide enough suspense and intrigue to keep viewers excited without the need for additional scenes. The storyline itself does a remarkable job of building anticipation, making each episode’s conclusion feel impactful on its own.

VERDICT:

“Agatha All Along,” full of magic, mystery and complex characters, starts a fresh, spooky chapter in the Marvel Universe.

PHOTOS DISTRIBUTED BY DISNEY+

aespa’s album, ‘Whiplash,’ highlights their musical strengths and futuristic concept

‘Whiplash’ references iconic musical trends and aesthetics from this year with the group’s unique touch.

JOANNA SIMON Contributing Writer

K-pop girl group aespa released their fifth mini album “Whiplash” on Oct. 21, along with their title track’s music video. The album was announced on social media platforms such as Instagram, with teasers that sparked a lot of interest.

The teasers of aespa’s “avatars,” or digital personas, caught attention for their redesign. Aespa’s previous digital avatar personas received criticism for looking unpolished and not resembling the members, but the latest versions have stunning metallic outfits and resemble the group. With this teaser, fans were excited to see what concept the album would have in store, and most were not disappointed.

Aespa, like other groups under SM Entertainment, are known for having iconic musical production, with maximalist beats, vocal harmonies and bold vocals. “Whiplash,” the album’s title track, doesn’t stray from this theme, as it has a consistent tech-house beat that resembles trends this year in popular Western music. If a listener enjoyed Charli XCX’s “BRAT” album, they would appreciate this song for the instrumental quality, genre and tempo. The lyrics capture aespa’s bold stage presence and confidence, with lines such as “I’m the highlight, shine the red light, yeah, tonight it’s all about me.”

The music video has many still shots and unique camerawork that’s reminiscent of recent clean-cut editing trends on social media, along

with many references to technology, like cars and cameras. The choreography consists of voguing and popping moves, along with references to walking a runway, which are quite fitting for the song’s pace and cool vibes. Overall, this is an excellent song for the club, runway, voguing or walking to class.

For fans of more mellow songs, “Flowers” is a beautiful song with an R&B influence and delicately layered vocals. The guitar in the instrumental and dreamy vocals from the members make this song a truly heavenly experience, with aespa continuing to deliver on slower tracks that don’t feel boring or out of place on their albums.

With a hip hop and hyperpop influences, “Kill It” is another iconic track that is more upbeat and experimental. Though there are many other subgenres of eclectic dance music (EDM) that are incorporated into this song, a common theme in aespa’s discography, this song quickly became a fan favorite.

Though the album has garnered praise for the overall quality of its six tracks, some miss the more maximalist sounds of aespa’s previous titles. Some fans find “Whiplash” to be slightly underwhelming and too similar to other voguestyle tracks released by other K-pop girl groups this year. Still, “Whiplash” has a unique charm to it that only aespa could deliver; with their crisp, confident line delivery and vocal power, the members pull off the stage presence required

for this song. Despite some aspects of the choreography only focusing on one member at a time making it feel a bit choppy and less cohesive than their previous dances, this video is still worth the watch.

More than the songs alone, the music video for “Whiplash” and the overall aesthetics of this comeback have caught many K-pop fans’ attention. Some fans even remark on the drastic improvement to aespa’s concept execution since their debut. The album feels futuristic, but cohesive, linked by whirring synths, danceable melodies, and aespa’s assertive powerhouse vocals.

Though they push their cool alter-ego concept in their songs, there is a touch of vulnerability with the lyrics of their tracks, such as “Flights not feelings” and “I unfold a map without a path, and simply let my heart flow to wherever it goes.” However, others who enjoy aespa’s music often remark that they’re happy that the group is doing something different in K-pop compared to others — and this comeback is no exception.

VERDICT:

The album has a solid EDM-influence, that’s balanced out with slower tracks and beautiful vocals. “Whiplash” is lacking a particularly grand sound compared to some previous album’s title tracks, but it’s a good piece in their discography.

SportS

Max Verstappen driVes a Masterclass in Brazil

VERSTAPPEN’S VICTORY IS A BACKBREAKING DAGGER TO LANDO NORRIS’ HOPES AT A DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP AS HIS LEAD BALLOONS TO 62 POINTS.

The São Paulo weather on grand prix Sunday was filled with rain and slick track conditions, but Max Verstappen braved the elements and drove one of the best races of the season. Starting from 17th on the grid, he managed to overtake seven cars on the opening lap and continued to gain places on his first set of intermediate (wet) tires. A wild sequence of events saw multiple cars, including Lando Norris, pit on lap 28 out of 69

during a virtual safety car, but Verstappen opted to stay on the track. On lap 32, Franco Colapinto put his Williams car into the barriers and caused a red flag, essentially giving Verstappen a free tire change. This lucky break changed the course of the grand prix, and Verstappen passed Esteban Ocon for the race lead shortly after. He never looked back, as he went on to extend his gap to over 19 seconds from second place, and extended his drivers’ championship lead to 62 points over Lando Norris.

Verstappen’s dominance in Brazil illustrates why he is the best driver on the grid. In wet conditions, Formula 1 (F1) cars perform closer to each other, meaning that driver skills are more apparent. Verstappen’s ability to find grip in wet conditions and overtake cars on a regular basis are a testament to his natural talent and feel for his car.

In his post-race interview, Verstappen shared, “My emotions were [like] a rollercoaster, with qualifying being really unlikely with that red flag, starting P17 I knew it was going to be a very tough race … we stayed out of trouble, we made the right calls, we stayed calm, and we were flying. So all of these things together make that result possible but I think it’s unbelievable to win here from so far back on the grid.”

Lando Norris, who started the race on pole, will be disappointed with his performance since he crossed the finish line in sixth, netting only eight points in the race. Entering the grand prix, Norris was coming off a sprint race victory on

Saturday, which gave him a wave of momentum heading into the grand prix on Sunday. Norris experienced both bad luck and poor execution during the grand prix, saying he was “just unlucky, [it’s] unfortunate sometimes it just [doesn’t go] your way … nothing we did wrong … that’s just life sometimes, [others] took a gamble and it paid off for them.”

Norris did admit he made a few mistakes after the restart: “I still made a couple of mistakes in the end, I locked the rears, I went off [and] I lost two positions… not a perfect race for me.”

Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly took second and third place for Alpine, which was the shocking headline following the race. Alpine moved from ninth to sixth in the constructors’ championship, and were seen celebrating in the pit lane following the great team results.

The next race will be held the week before Thanksgiving in Las Vegas, and Verstappen will have a chance to close the deal and secure his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship. It’ll be the second grand prix being held on the famous Vegas strip, and Verstappen will return as the defending champion. If Verstappen wins a fourth drivers’ championship, he will join Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel in a three-way tie for fourth place in most drivers’ championships in F1 history. Lewis Hamilton is the only active driver with more drivers’ championships, winning seven.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

TERRY NGUYEN Assistant Sports Editor

Highlanders rout Gauchos 2-0 on Senior Night

UCR WINS BIG, BUT DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE BIG WEST PLAYOFFS.

own net.

With a playoff berth secured, the Gauchos came out of the gates with confidence. Playing on the front foot, UCSB pressed the UCR center backs with their strikers, junior Nicolas Willumsen and freshman Zac Siebenlist. Meanwhile, their fullbacks, senior Caden Vom Steeg and freshman Peleg Brown, put pressure on the UCR wingbacks. This forced the Highlanders to play the ball through the middle as the Gauchos pounced on the receiving midfielder.

The Gauchos were able to turn giveaways into scoring chances, but they left themselves exposed in the back. When UCR was able to retain possession, they could exploit the space left behind by Vom Steeg and Brown. UCSB played an offside trap to neutralize the threat of the long ball.

They were able to draw senior forward Luka Lukic offside early. However, just a couple minutes later, sophomore defender Jackson D’Alessandro timed his run perfectly. He got in behind Brown and redshirt sophomore Jona Martinez played him in with a long through pass. With no other resort, Brown dragged down D’Alessandro just outside the box. He was initially given a yellow card. But after a few minutes of deliberation, the yellow card was repealed and Brown was handed a straight red card. By the three-minute mark, the Gauchos were already down to 10 men. UCSB dealt with the ensuing free kick, but the Highlanders needed to strike while the iron was hot. With the numbers disadvantage, the Gauchos played more passively than they had at the start. The onus was on the Highlanders to break down the UCSB defense.

After Oscar Emilio Trujillo Lizàragga picked up a yellow card, UCR head coach Tim Cupello replaced the freshman defender with senior forward Noah Lopez. By bringing on Lopez, Cupello added an extra physical presence to complement senior forward Luka Lukic. UCR lost defensive stability by taking off Trujillo Lizàragga. But with a pair of big and heavy forwards, the Highlanders were suddenly a huge threat aerially.

This change paid off almost instantly. Just several minutes after the change, senior midfielder Lukas Juodkunaitis whipped in a cross into a crowded sixyard box. A dangerous ball considering Lopez, Lukic and senior forward Edward Castro had all made a run towards the UCSB net. Neither of UCR’s trio of forwards were able to connect with Juodkunaitis’s cross, but the commotion caused Vom Steeg to redirect the ball into his

The Highlanders took the lead with a man advantage, but it would take a lot more to put away UCSB. In the last meeting between these teams from the 2023 Big West playoffs, the Gauchos showed they never give up. In that game, the Gauchos flipped UCR’s 2-0 second-half lead into a 3-2 win.

A second first-half goal would crush UCSB’s morale. The Highlanders kept piling on the pressure, but the Gauchos wouldn’t break. UCSB kept their focus and kept the game within reach going into halftime. However, the Highlanders caught them napping coming out of the break.

Senior defender AJ Meade-Tatum dribbled through midfield and chipped the ball over the UCSB defense for Lukic. The senior forward’s first touch puts him a step ahead of redshirt freshman defender Calle Mollerberg. With composure, Lukic calmly places his shot past senior goalkeeper David Mitzner and into the net. Mere moments after the second-half kickoff, Lukic’s goal put the Highlanders up 2-0.

Now with an insurance goal, UCR looked to secure the victory with sturdy defense. Despite starting center backs Mika Sebastian Kosch and Brady Elliott, the freshman

duo were poised in such a high pressure game. Kosch and Eliott were both key in shutting down the UCSB offense. With only 10 men for most of the match, the Gauchos failed to register a shot on target the entire game.

Senior goalkeeper Carlos Gonzalez added another clean sheet to his impressive career tally as the Highlanders downed the Gauchos 2-0. Meanwhile in Fullerton, the California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) and the California State University, Northridge drew 1-1. The result meant UCR and CSUF were level on points and tied for the sixth and final spot in the Big West playoffs. Despite having 13 points each, the Titans finished the regular season with a better goal differential. Ultimately earning CSUF the last playoff berth and marking the end of the season for the Highlanders. For the third straight season, UCR closed out their season against the Gauchos. It’s heartbreaking news for the Highlanders who finished with a strong 3-2-4 record in Big West competition this season.

With many key players departing this season, Cupello and his squad have a lot of work to do to reverse their fortunes in 2025. ■ H

riverside Recaps

ISAAC SOLNICK Sports Editor

The Highlander Newspaper is a great way to keep up with current events and news around campus. If you are interested in the newspaper’s articles or pictures, we offer opportunities in writing, photography and design. Join us every Monday at 5:15 p.m. in HUB 101 to learn more.

Volume 73, Issue 06

The Highlander

FEATURES

Run Forrest, run!

GLIMPSE INTO RUNNING CLUB AT UCR.

Highlanders rout Gauchos 2-0 on Senior Night

HIGHLANDER STAFF

LEGAL

An overview of the Native American Student Program at UCR

A PEEK AT HISTORY, EVENTS AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT.

Carbon capture and increasing plant resilience

DIOXIDE

City of Riverside and the California Green Business Network

A PARTNERSHIP FOR INCREASED CLIMATE CHANGE EFFORTS IN RIVERSIDE.

ASUCR budget adjustments

Opinions

Naps are the best

Naps ruin your day

STUDENT OPINION POLL

Should students have more than one midterm in each class?

time to teach California’s true history in classrooms

The 2024 presidential election rollercoaster is mercifully coming to an end

Scotty-Scopes:

It’s cuffing season.

NORM’S NOOK

SPOTLIGHT

Native American Garden

STUDENT POLL

OLYMPIC HOST CITIES

ANSWERS (DON’T PEEK!)

Run Forrest, run!

A GLIMPSE INTO RUNNING CLUB AT UCR.

NCOMING

HOW TO SURVIVE ONGOING MIDTERMS WEEKS.

RadaR

‘Smile 2’: When a sequel is better than the original

Radar Rankings: Five country songs to mend or worsen your heartache

“Your Monster” is a fairytale with a modern twist

*SPOILER ALERT*

adventure

VERDICT:

aespa’s album, ‘Whiplash,’ highlights their musical strengths and futuristic concept

VERDICT:

SportS

Max Verstappen driVes a Masterclass in Brazil

Highlanders rout Gauchos 2-0 on Senior Night

UCR WINS BIG, BUT DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE BIG WEST PLAYOFFS.

riverside Recaps

Be legendary.

The Highlander

SPOILER ALERT