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LETTER FROM AN EDITOR
Olá, everyone!
I wanted to start this letter with a word that feels like home to me, a simple greeting that carries warmth, connection, and a sense of belonging. That’s what this issue is all about: Community.
In these pages, you will find stories about giving back, navigating anxiety, and expressing identity through love, music, and culture. From reflections on Latinx and Chicano heritage to personal moments of growth and gratitude, every piece captures what it means to come together and care for one another.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we loved putting it together. And if you would like to keep creating and connecting, join us on Discord, we would love to have you with us for future issues.
Até a próxima (until next time),
YASMIN SOUZA MANAGING EDITOR
Seasonal
GENEROSITY
THE NEED TO GIVE BACK DOESN’T END AFTER THE HOLIDAYS
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
YASMIN SOUZA
ILLUSTRATION BY MADI LAPID
The holiday season has a way of bringing people together. Donation boxes start to fill up at local stores, neighbors organize food drives, and social media is filled with story posts and reminders to give back. But once the decorations come down and life returns to your day to day, that energy tends to fade. People get busy, attention shifts, and the spirit that defines the holidays gets lost when you return to your daily routine.
At the Volunteer Center in Long Beach, the mission is to make sure it doesn’t.
For more than 60 years, the Volunteer Center has connected people who want to help with those who need support. Inside the pantry, volunteers work side by side, packing boxes of cereal, stacking canned vegetables, and talking as they fill bags for Food for Kids, one of many programs they run to support local families. It’s not about being seen, it’s about helping where it counts.
“The mission and heart of the Volunteer Center
revolves around Empathy in Action,” said Pam Rima, the center’s Program Director. “Volunteering is a way to build connections. It’s caring in motion.”
But the organization’s work goes beyond food. Programs such as Youth & Teens and Operation Teddy Bear create opportunities for young people to learn leadership and kindness, while Empa -
“Generosity shouldn’t end when the decorations come down.”
thy in Action events bring schools, businesses, and volunteers together to better understand community needs.
“Giving back means looking inward to see what you can share,” said Rima. “Everyone has something different to offer.”
For Danielle Potter, the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, the challenge isn’t getting people to volunteer, it’s helping them keep doing it once the holidays pass.“Volunteering is about relationships and connection,” said Potter. “It’s important to keep individuals engaged and involved with consistent communication and appreciation. Follow-up is key.”
That’s when the Center depends on people like Tia Watts. A Long Beach resident and mother, Watts first turned to the Center when she needed help herself.
“I started volunteering because I finally had the time,” said Watts. “It makes me excited to do something for the community. When I needed help, there were places that supported me, so now it feels good to give back.”
She’s seen how much it changes after the holidays. “During the holidays, things get really busy,” said Watts. “But when it’s quieter, people still need help. Sometimes they just need someone
to talk to.”
The volunteer’s favorite part of volunteering isn’t the work itself, but the people she meets along the way. She finds joy in listening to others and hearing their stories, in those moments that remind her why she gives her time. Whenever possible, she brings her young son to volunteer with her, showing him that kindness means action, not just words.
One organization that stood out to her was the Project XLB, where they provided free laundry days and mental health resources. “They’re amazing,” said Watts. “They help families breathe, relax, and feel seen.”
For Potter, it is the small moments that show the biggest impact. “Watching our volunteers greet recipients at our Community Food Pantry every week reminds me why we do this,” said Potter. “One of our regulars recently lost his wife to cancer, and seeing volunteers check in on him and offer support shows how even small acts like a smile or a bag of food can get someone through the week.”
From local events to online stories, the organization continues to find how digital spaces can keep empathy moving through the community.
“People connect to stories,” said Rima.“By telling the stories of our programs and the people
they have, we remind volunteers that what they’re doing matters.Social media has changed everything, it lets us reach people instantly and mobilize help when it’s needed most.”
Watts agrees. “I find most events through Instagram or digital flyers,”said Watts. “Word of mouth is great, but social media spreads it fast and reminds people that they can get involved right now.”
In every post, newsletter, and community spotlight, the Volunteer Center shows that generosity doesn’t have an expiration date.
“Hearing from families who receive food through our Food for Kids program always stays with me,” said Rima. “Parents tell us that those bags help them keep their kids in school and ease their worries. Every single bag matters.”
The organization’s message is simple: generosity shouldn’t end when the decorations come down. A social post might inspire a volunteer, or a simple conversation might change someone’s day. Small acts like these can connect an entire community.
“Helping others doesn’t have to be tied to a season,” said Watts. It’s something we can all do, all the time.
“She finds joy in listening to others and hearing their stories, in those moments that remind her why she gives her time.”
FROM BOOK CLUB TO MOVEMENT
CHICAS Y CAFECITO BUILDS LATINA COMMUNITY IN O.C. AND BEYOND
HARO
“When she remembered the little accomplishments and the reasons why she was doing it, it was all worth it. WRITTEN BY EMELY DE
▲ STEPHANIE LEZAMA, FOUNDER OF CHICAS Y CAFECITO, GIVING A SPEECH AT THE EVENT, SAZÓN Y SOL, TO HER FELLOW CHICAS.
PHOTO BY AL__ON.FILM
When Stephanie Lezama started a small book club in 2023, she never imagined it would grow into a 600-member community for Latinas across Orange County.
Born and raised in Orange County, Lezama is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Her mother is from Mexico City, and her father is from Jalisco. The couple left behind their restaurant in Mexico in search of safety and opportunity in the United States.
She graduated from California State University, Fullerton and got her master’s at California State University, Long Beach in Social Work. She recently moved to Riverside, working as a therapist and is the Program Director for a non-profit.
Stephanie Lezama is the founder of Chicas y Cafecito. In this club, Latinas in the Orange County and Riverside areas can come together to find connection within their community and be heard as Latinas.
“Celebrating Latinas means just being seen,” Lezama said. “I feel like it’s as simple as that. We’re very intentional about celebrating who you are and how you come.”
She felt out of place as a Latina during her college years. That’s when she thought about Chicas y Cafecito. In 2023, it began as a small book club with 10 to 15 people, but now it has turned into a big community event for Latinas.
“I always thought it was going to be 5 to 10 girls but then we had 30 people come, and then we’d have 60 more on the waitlist, that’s when I knew people really needed the space. They wanted to feel part of a community,” said Lezama.
For the Chicas, books have a narrative and bring talking points for their meetings, focusing on the different communities and cultural backgrounds that they explore when selecting a book.
The current book the Chicas are reading is “Witches” by Brenda Lozano, a story of Indigenous healing and a strong feminist lead.
Leslie Galvan, who lives in Orange County, is a longtime member of Chicas y Cafecito, having joined the group since its inception in 2023. With the group, she has learned a lot about herself and gives props to Chicas y Cafecito for being the woman she is today.
“I’ve been a member since the club started, and being in the club has taught me a lot about myself,
but I just love that it welcomed Latinas of all ages to bond and make strong connections and friendships,” Galvan said.
Leslie states that she values the message of Chicas y Cafecito and describes the club as authentic, creative, and welcoming. She also shares one of her favorite memories of one of the first events she attended as a member.
“The first event I went to was lotería night, and I was so nervous, but in the end it was a lot of fun and I got to meet some of my long-time friends and will cherish those memories forever,” said Galvan.
The mission for Chicas y Cafecito has expanded to help immigrant families with immigration resources amid the mass deportations carried out by President Donald Trump and his administration.
Lezama, with the help of members of Chicas y Cafecito, has provided community resources ranging from cities like Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange County. The resources help the Latino community with mental health, know your rights, immigration legal resources, and many more.
“We donate to OC rapid response, we donate to CHIRLA, we donate whatever we can because we don’t really make a profit, all of our events, if we have extra funds or if it’s a fundraiser, we donate,” Lezama said.
The initiative has grown tremendously since the start. In the two years since their inception, Chicas y Cafecito has accomplished a great deal within their community. Reflecting on the times when she was a team of one, she felt like burning out and wanting to give up. However, when she remembered the little accomplishments and the reasons why she was doing it, it was all worth it.
The work hasn’t always been easy. Lezama admits there were moments when burnout pushed her to consider stepping back. But milestones— like raising $1,000 for community support — reminded her why she started.
“I’m proud of who we are,” she said. “It feels really good to know we’ve been able to do this for our community. Every book club, every moment of seeing women come together to talk—it’s beautiful.”
“We’re very intentional about celebrating who you are and how you come.”
SISTERHOOD INSIDE LAMBDA THETA ALPHA LATIN SORORITY INC.
WRITTEN BY VIOLETA ZARATE
On the campus of California State University, Long Beach, the women of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. gather in maroon and grey letters with clipboards in hand. They have a lively booth set up for the bi-yearly Week of Welcome. For these women, sisterhood is not just a bond, it’s a movement rooted in cultural pride, academic excellence, and commitment to empowering the next generation of women.
Founded in 1975 at Kean University in New Jersey, Lambda Theta Alpha (LTA) made history as the first Latina sorority in the United States. In 1997, the CSULB chapter was established.
“We were destined to be the first chapter in the West, we started the chapter on the west expansion.” said Juliette Medina, the chapter’s recruitment advisor.
When Medina first crossed last semester, she
“We saw how big this is. We’re working for something much bigger than just our chapter.”
didn’t expect to find a home in Greek life. As a commuter student, she was determined to get more out of her college experience than just showing up to class and heading home.
“I wanted to be a part of something bigger and that’s when my friend recommended I go to an informational meeting,” she said.
Community outreach is one of the chapter’s
core pillars. From participating in local immigrant rights protests to organizing drives and donations, service is critical. One sister, Litizi Plata, started a nonprofit organization for families affected by ICE, an example of how LTA’s sisterhood extends far beyond campus.
Their more recent event was a blanket donation drive, hosted in collaboration with partnering fraternity Lambda Theta Alpha Latin. All proceeds went to a local homeless shelter, “We’re planning more community services projects,” Medina shared. “I want to go into community outreach professionally, and this opened the door for me to see what that really looks like.”
They also partner with St. Jude to raise money throughout the year, it is a national initiative that connects us to chapters across the country. What started as curiosity turned into comfort, and a guiding force in her academic and personal life.
Similarly, sister and treasurer Wendy Muñoz said she was not actively searching for a sorority to join. “It just kind of happened. I wanted to get the full college experience.” Muñoz said.
Unlike traditional Panhellenic sororities, LTA doesn’t participate in the standard rush process. Instead the organization is built around mutual selection. Prospective members are chosen by active members, and the process is rooted in meaningful conversations.
“We say Latin by tradition, not by definition,” Medina explained. “We represent over 100 cultures and our doors are open to everyone. If you’re not Latina, that doesn’t mean you can’t join.”
As a multicultural sorority, inclusion is not just a buzzword. According to Anika Gupta, roughly 85% to 90% of the members are first generation college students, and that static drives much of their purpose: creating a space for those who often don’t see themselves represented in traditional Greek life.
“I was scared to join Greek life.” Medina said. “I had an idea of what it was like, and it didn’t feel like me. But this was different. It resonated with me.”
As chapter president, Anika Gupta has made it her mission to prioritize communication and collaboration.
“My role is about bringing people together,” she said. “Rather than coming to a member’s rescue, I
believe in offering support and reassurance. Everyone’s experience matters.”
A self-proclaimed “Type A”, Gupta leans into her strength in delegation and positive communication to lead the chapter. Her goals for the year include increasing recruitment, hosting more bonding events, and ensuring academic excellence remains a top priority.
“The biggest thing is academics,” she emphasized. “We want to highlight minorities who are achieving more. Breaking barriers in higher education.”
Earlier this year, several of the chapter’s members attended the 50th anniversary national convention in Puerto Rico. “There, we saw how big this is,” Gupta said. “We’re working for something much bigger than just our chapter.”
Gupta said one of the most surprising parts of joining has been how easy it is to connect with sisters from other chapters. Whether it’s checking in on mental health, sharing internships tips, or offering support, the national network is a text away.
“I can shoot a message to a sister in another chapter, and I know they’ll be there for me,” said Gupta.
Medina offered simple advice for anyone considering Greek life but feeling unsure: explore your options.
“There are so many organizations out there. There’s going to be one for you,” she said.
“I was scared to join Greek life. But this was different. It resonated with me.”
WRITTEN BY AUGUST BERRIOS
ILLUSTRATION BY ANONYMOUS
Within the United States, California has always contained some of the most vast and diverse latine communities within its borders. Previously being a Mexican province before its annexation as the USA’s 31st state, the state also acts as one of the main geographical connections between the USA and Latin America. This means that the roots of California are not just embedded with Mexican identity and culture, but the diversity and beauty of Central and South American communities. Moreover most people of a variety of different backgrounds and upbringings have come to embrace this idea, yet the American government has historically neglected these communities and throughout time have harmed and restricted the rights of these people.
In America’s current political environment, latine communities have had to band together more than ever to protect their civil rights and to ensure that the U.S. government fails at once again, at trying to erase the communities that have built California from the ground up.
The ICE Effect
The most glaring and poignant injustice currently going on throughout the United States, are the ICE raids that have plagued these communities throughout the USA. The hike in ICE enforcement is some of the highest ever seen since its creation in 2003. This unprecedented utilization of the agency is often noted as targeting the, “worst of the worst,” as noted by Associated Press writer, Melissa Goldin, in her article Trump says he wants to deport ‘the worst of the worst.’ Government data tells another story. Although the proclaimed aim of the ICE raids are to arrest undocumented immigrants who are committing crimes, it has had a profound effect on the entire latine community, documented or not.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, transcribed in their article, US citizens jailed in LA Ice raids speak out: ‘They came ready to attack.’ Andrea Velez and Adrian Martinez, both docu-
mented U.S. citizens, opened up about their experiences being falsely detained by ICE agents in L.A. Velez said, “I thought they were kidnapping me,” noting the violent approach that many of these ICE agents are using to take people into their custody. Martinez said, “They were not believing me when I said I was a US citizen,” on top of that Martinez was never able to prove his identification to the ICE agents before a physical altercation occurred. An altercation that was spread all over the internet which disturbingly shows ICE agents ganging up on Martinez who is trying to defend himself from being falsely detained. Incidents like these which are becoming more prevalent within California and the USA, highlights another big factor about why these different communities need to stand and protect one another. This factor being that no matter how the government articulates its new policies, their effects are indiscriminate and continuously profile Latine individuals
Executive Orders
Alongside the violent tirade ICE has been committing in many areas of the U.S. President Trump has signed many executive orders that threaten the livelihoods of Latine communities. Executive Order (EO) EO 14160 titled, Protecting The Meaning And Value of American Citizenship, is one of the most disastrous orders signed into office. This EO according to the White House website, makes it so that children born within U.S. borders can not be recognized as citizens if, both of their parents are undocumented, the mother is “unlawfully present” or if the mother has temporary legal status and the father is not a permanent resident at the time of child birth.
This EO has disastrous implications on Latine youth and their families, according to the Hispanic Research Center, as of 2020, 93% of Latine children are born within the borders of the U.S. but 53% of those children were born with a foreign parent and a further estimate of one quarter of these children had at least one parent who was undocumented. Although one quarter may not seem like a lot, this implies that thousands of Latine children are here “illegally” and by the current standards of the U.S. government can be deported and separated from their families. These disgusting connotations, that have already become a real-
ity for many Latine families, have further social consequences that could destabilize Latine families throughout the U.S. The UCLA Latino research program found that 24% of adults aged 18 to 64 avoided public programs due to their families mixed citizenship status. This means higher medical costs and restrictions of government programs like Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security leading these Latine communities to contribute more to the system than they receive.
Strength in Numbers
With all of these injustices going on, people throughout the nation have come together to protect their communities and their human rights. This has been executed through a series of different protests organized to voice the distress and anger many have for the Trump administration and its actions.
One of the most widespread and reported protests took place throughout Los Angeles in June, the protest was sparked by ICE raids targeting a Home Depot in the area. These arrests which were unlawful and cruel led to crowds of people gathering in resistance to the presence of ICE agents and their actions. The protest would last from June 6 to June 10, the movement started off peacefully with large crowds of people only seeking to have their voices heard. However the police would escalate the situation when they turned to violence to try and disrupt the crowd of people. Refusing to have their first amendment rights infringed upon the protests would become even larger and lead to clashes between protesters and police, which resulted in the National Guard being deployed in the area.
Other protests have also had a profound effect on the L.A. area as well. In August, Latine workers organized protests in an act of fierce resistance to the anti-immigrant agenda instilled by the Trump administration. Another impactful protest that has been organized throughout the U.S. is the No-Kings protest. The No-Kings protest which has had multiple highly organized demonstrations during the last couple of months had their most recent No-Kings day last week. These organized events pool millions of participants, with the previous event in June having a turnout of 5 million as reported by NPR.
These protests that have been widespread throughout California and the U.S. are vital in showing the struggle that the Latine community is currently facing, and the fact that these demonstrations are trying to be silenced by our federal government further highlights the disregard for the civil rights of the communities that have made California what it is today.
Resources & Organizations
There are a cascade of different resources for Latine individuals who find themselves, loved ones, or communities affected by the current event going on in the U.S. If you are a CSULB student, the school offers an amazing resource center, the Latine Resource Center Nuestro Centro, which aims to unite all Latine people on campus. The center also holds events and supports programs that focus on educating people of any background on Latine culture and diversity. Other organizations include the Hispanic Federation, which is a nonprofit organization which hopes to empower Latine communities with a focus on, “education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and environmental justice.” The Latino Coalition For a Healthy California (LCHC) is an organization that aims to advance the health standards for the Latine communities in California, through systemic change.
There are many other organizations that provide resources that can help Latine through this turbulent time, and their utilization only provides more power to the movement against the policies that are trying to dismantle Latine families throughout the U.S.A.
Conclusion
As of now it does not seem like the Trump administration will pull any of its punches on the policies affecting these communities, but no one should assume that they will be. Everyone must continue the fight against the injustices of the Latine community throughout the U.S. and ensure that the civil rights infringements on display today are destroyed and not repeated. The power is in the people, and this power will allow us to protect our communities, our neighbors, and our human rights.
The Latine Community and the Resistance Towards Injustice
ISABELLA LOVESTORY:
AUTHENTICITY, COMMUNITY, EMPOWERMENT
WRITTEN BY LYNETTE ALVARADO
“
Mirror Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”
Within the realms of passion, pride, and fantasy, that would be Isabella Lovestory. Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Isabella Lovestory is an artist based in Montreal, Canada that has been making waves in the pop and reggaeton scene—her music often described as perreo-pop. Her first fulllength album Amor Hardcore — featuring songs like “Exibisionista” and “Fashion Freak”—released in 2022 and ranked 21st in the “50 Best Spanish-Language Albums of 2022” by Rolling Stone. In addition to having notable writing credits on the reggaeton-inspired K-pop hit “Antifragile” (2022) by Le Sserafim, she was featured on Shygirl’s “True Religion” (2025) with Pinkpantheress.
I first found out about Lovestory roughly five years ago when clips of her music video for her single “Mariposa” (2020) surfaced on my Twitter timeline. I was even more excited to find that she was Honduran, like myself. Honduras is a country in Central America with rich culture and music so it is a special feeling seeing someone represent a country that is often overlooked. Identifying with her artistry and message, I have kept up with her journey since, including her most recent release, Vanity Her sophomore album Vanity is even more experimental than her last. It is an enchanting 13-track album with dark wave, old-school reggaeton, neo-perreo, gothic and synth-pop elements—
all of which shine throughout. She keeps listeners on their toes, bouncing between English, Spanish, and even French. For this project, she worked with producers Chicken and Kamixlo and co-wrote alongside Burke Battelle and Camilo Padilla. The album kicks off with “Vanity Intro”, a short mystical introduction that is essentially a love letter to herself, setting the tone for a body of work that deals with themes of self-reflection and identity. The album then eases into “Fresa Metal”,
“ Lovestory is, without a doubt, a breath of fresh air when it comes to bringing life to her lyricism and building her own multilayered universe.”
an upbeat gothic influenced electronic anthem and “Telenovela”, a playful song about drama and confidence. “Eurotrash” makes commentary on materialism and the complexity that is glamour. She sings about her “fake Louis bag” and travelling first class. “Puchica” and “VIP” are fan favorites. Lovestory incorporates satire and witty wordplay, as she is known to do. Púchica is a word commonly used by Hondurans to convey a feeling of surprise or annoyance, and Lovestory makes it her own on this album, associating the word with the thrill
of winning the lottery. “VIP” is an equally energetic crunk-inspired track about having that “je ne sais quoi”, being unapologetic in going after what you want. On “Putita Boutique”, she joins forces with Argentinian singer-rapper TAICHU for a fun song about fashion makeovers and being chic. The tracks “Tu Te Vas” and “Pill” showcase the singer’s softer vocals. Lovestory sings about love, creating a dreamy, spellbinding experience that reminds me of delightful melodies from the album Dulce Beat by Mexican pop band Belanova. “Gorgeous” and “Bling” are tracks that are reminiscent of old-school reggaeton. Lovestory has noted reggaeton acts like Plan B as inspirations behind her music, and these tracks perfectly fuse her own style and flow with heavy deconstructed drum beats. The standout single, however, is “Vanity”, a dark wave-inspired, emotional song that draws light to the singer’s vulnerability. She sings “¿Por qué será? / ¿Por qué será? / La vanidad es crueldad…” sharing with listeners the loneliness she feels when she finds herself alone in a hotel room questioning reality and having to look within herself. “Perfecta” finishes off the album with flashy drum patterns and a catchy hook about perfection and shining like a star.
The album is accompanied by seven music videos, and Lovestory is, without a doubt, a breath of fresh air when it comes to bringing life to her lyricism and building her own multi-layered universe. She does not sacrifice her creative direction, and it is rewarding to witness. In the music video for “Telenovela,” she makes references to iconic Latin American drama series like La Rosa de Guadalupe,
completely leaning into the spectacle that are the plotlines. For “Vanity,” she experiments with darker visuals. She frantically runs down dark, empty hallways in high heels and finds herself trapped in a small room–all while small bugs roam the screen throughout the video. What makes Vanity so mesmerizing is the underlying eerie atmosphere that reminds me of vampires, cathedrals, and the unexplainable. In a Latine household, it is very common to grow up learning about all sorts of paranormal phenomena and hearing haunted stories from relatives. I can sense that Lovestory drew from these experiences. While it is inherently an album to dance to freely, there is so much more underneath the surface and so much more if you read between the lines.
Her Vanity World Tour with supporting acts, Cece Natalie and Ali RQ, started this Fall, making notable stops at the Echoplex in Los Angeles and The Observatory in Orange County in October. Choosing to invite Cece Natalie and Ali RQ was truly a match made in heaven. The Vanity tour is women-led and it’s clear that it was Lovestory’s intention and vision for the tour. The moment I saw the tour announcement, I just knew I had to be there. This trailblazing set of young women are making a name for themselves in the electronic scene, marvelously complimenting Lovestory’s discography. Together, the tour presents a sonically enriching lineup.
In attending the eighth tour stop in Santa Ana, it became even more evident to me just how much Vanity connected with her audience. It is an album that translates seamlessly into a powerful performance. The stage was set up with an inflatable transparent pink couch, lip-shaped balloons, baby alien toys, lollipops, and lipstick props. Lovestory sported a new look— as she does for every tour stop, often wearing custom looks from small independent designers—maintaining that element of surprise that makes her persona so amusing. The crowd was boisterous and made sure Lovestory heard them. She later invites lucky fans onstage to dance with her and grants them her personalized, spider-adorned, bedazzled microphone to introduce themselves to the crowd. While the singer joked around with the crowd between songs on the setlist, she took a moment to thank the audience, display love for her home country Hondu-
ras and denounce ICE, drawing attention to how the agency negatively impacts and targets the Latine community.
A few days later, even after performing a sold out show at the Echoplex in Los Angeles, Lovestory still managed to deliver a fun, engaging performance at an official afterparty at Club Bahia in Echo Park. The singer was joined once more by a community of friends and fans, all of who danced the night away to old and new songs alike. The next day she headed off to San Francisco to finish the last North American show before kicking off the European leg of the tour.
Just like her name implies, Lovestory delivers
unique storytelling and visuals, much of which is DIY. The singer succeeds in exploring different aspects of her persona, making it clear she is not afraid to embrace her sexuality as she pleases. Her authenticity, empowering stage presence, and eccentric sense of fashion have made her an undeniable force that has drawn the attention of fans from all over the world. Much like a chameleon, she is able to experiment, draw from her heritage and embody many artistic avenues to relay her message—all while staying true to her own colors. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next chapter in her story. Knowing Lovestory, it will be adventurous as always.
▲ PHOTO BY IZZY ANGELES
BIDDING FAREWELL WITH A CELEBRATION OF
As the fall semester ends, the graduating Illustration BFA class at California State University, Long Beach prepares to unveil our senior exhibition, “Memento”—a culmination of years of creativity, collaboration, and discovery—as well as long hours, sleepless nights, and many tears. This show is the final showcase of our undergraduate journey and a heartfelt send-off into the professional art world. For us emerging illustrators, Memento is more than just a title—it reflects everything we’ve built and become together. The word, meaning “an object kept as a reminder of a person or event,” captures the bittersweet nature of this moment. Each piece in the exhibition acts as a visual keepsake, preserving the lessons and shared experiences that have shaped our time in the program. As our time in school comes to an end, and we transition to the workforce, we look back upon our time in the program, both the grueling and the sweet—anything from the three day all-nighters, to the joy of finally beating art block—with fondness and bitterness, carrying forward our experiences as unique mementos in our hearts.
ILLUSTRATION
BY ALEX ACEVEDO AND DANICA MENDIOLA WRITTEN BY SERAFINA BENJAMIN AND JO LIN
Q: What does Memento mean to you?
A: “Mementos are memories, so the show being named Memento is a reflection of the time we’ve spent here at Long Beach. The skills we developed, the friends we’ve made, and the memories we share.” –Jess Tolbert, gallery & event committee
The CSULB Illustration BFA program is known for cultivating artists who balance strong technical skill with conceptual depth. Over the past four years, we have honed our craft across disciplines, from digital to traditional media, to magazine editorials, character design, comics, mixed media, and more! Through critiques, collaborations, and hours in the studio, we’ve each found our own visual language while learning to thrive in a community that values experimentation and growth.
Despite our uniqueness as individual artists, Memento unites our collective energies into one cohesive exhibition. Each artist contributes to a piece of our story, forming a collection of keepsakes that range from personal emotional narratives, to imaginative explorations, to analyses of culture and identity! Together, our works showcase the versatility and vision that define our graduating class and indicate the creative impact we will have beyond university.
Q: Describe challenges that you overcame with each other.
A: “I felt like we worked really well with each other this semester. The biggest struggles that we had were just consolidating so many big ideas into one central theme. We’re all artists with our own unique visions and tastes so it can definitely be hard to get people on the same page but I think that’s the beauty of our theme of ‘Memento’. It means something different to each of us but there’s that single thread that ties us all together.” – Luis Ruvalcaba, gallery & clean-up committee
As you move through the exhibition, you’ll encounter a dynamic range of visual voices. Some pieces are intimate and introspective while others reflect on our grander culture and identity. Others are bold and imaginative, pushing the boundaries of narrative illustration through stylization, humor, or fantasy. Amid this diversity, there’s a shared thread of sincerity—each work a “memento” of where the artist has been and a glimpse of where they’re headed next. The show also represents a pivotal moment for the students as they prepare to transition from academia to the possibilities of the art world. For many, it’s our first opportunity to participate and curate our own work in the professional setting of a gallery.
Q: Describe the excitement or nerves surrounding entering the professional art world.
A: “I’m excited for what happens next. I’m excited to eventually go to grad school and follow in the footsteps of the professors who have been so instrumental in shaping me into the illustrator I am today, and I can’t wait to share even a fraction of the knowledge and enthusiasm they shared with me with the next generation of illustrators. Naturally, I’m nervous about taking the plunge into professional illustration, but I know that I will make it work somehow.” –Jess Tolbert, gallery & event committee
Although Memento is a physical and metaphorical showcase of our keepsakes, it’s also a celebration of us marking the end of one chapter and beginning our next. There’s a fleeting moment that we are capturing, where the accumulation of our experiences and struggles come together one final time. We are graduating from school, yes, but it’s bittersweet. We’re leaving each other, not for forever, but for a moment so that we may become even better artists than we were when we first were accepted into the BFA illustration program. We invite our campus community, our families and friends, and all art lovers, to come experience what has been years in the making. It’s a beautiful culmination of hours upon hours of mentorship and dedication. This is the Illustration BFA senior
“Each piece in the exhibition acts as a visual keepsake, preserving the lessons and shared experiences that have shaped our time in the program.”
showcase, Memento, opening Sunday, November 16th.
As the CSULB Illustration BFA Class of Fall 2025 steps forward, Memento stands as both a reflection and a promise. Every color and brush stroke tells a story of growth and creative persistence in an ever chaotic and uncertain world. A reminder of the power that art has to transform and foster lives. In creating our visual “mementos,” we carry on all the memories, and friendships within our portfolios that will shape the rest of our artistic journeys.
Q: Reflect on what the show represents as a farewell or new beginning.
A: “At its core, memento is a keepsake. Every artwork I’ve made at Long Beach is a memento, a small keepsake that holds all of the processes, hardships, and constraints I’ve endured. The postcard and designs we’ve created is something that already holds so many memories. Memento is a culmination of all of the hardworking artists in the
by Nicole Ramirez at 22 West TV. By riffing off one another, the writers of Sketch 22 create hilarious short films. Our latest short, American Book Smut, follows a book club where everyone is trying to outdo each other with their spicy book selections. Patrick is determined to win at any cost. Scan the QR code to check it out!
COMIC BY EREZ ASKEN
THOUGH MY MIND STILL LINGERED ON HANK, I KNEW I HAD TO TRY AND MOVE FORWARD DESPITE MY TERRIBLE HEARTACHE.
I WAS ALL SET TO JOIN MY BOYFRIEND, HANK, AND HIS FAMILY FOR THANKSGIVING OUT IN THE COUNTRY
you’re SAYING YOU DON’T WANT ME?
YOUR MOTHER DOESN’T THINK I’M GOOD ENOUGH? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?
I cried for days after that. i don’t think i’ll ever know a man WHO could break my heart that way.
LOOK SEYMOUR, YOU’RE A REALLY SWEET FELLA, BUT I DON’T THINK WE’RE GOING ANYWHERE. GOOD NIGHT.
YOU GET HOME SAFE, HANDSOME!
THE MEN WERE SWEET AND POLITE... EVERYTHING MY HANK WASN’T. STILL, DESPITE ALL, I COULDN’T MOVE ON FROM HIM... I COULDN’T ESCAPE HIM.
EVERY TIME THANKSGIVING CREPT UP AGAIN, I LEFT THEM JUST AS HANK HAD LEFT ME. IT WAS AN AWFUL, TERRIBLE THING TO BREAK ANOTHER’S HEART THE SAME WAY MINE HAD BEEN.
but then came dustin, who WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE REST. HE’S THE ONLY MAN WHO’S EVER MADE ME FEEL COMFORTABLE. I EVEN TOLD HIM ABOUT MY HEARTBREAK WITH HANK AND HE WAS MORE UNDERSTANDING THAN I DESERVED.
HOWARD, IT IS AN UNIQUE PRIVILEDGE TO HAVE YOU FOR DINNER. I HOPE I CAN CURE YOU OF YOUR HEARTACHE.
but then he asked me to come to thanksgiving and meet his family.
i was so weak.
I’M SO SORRY, DUSTIN, BUT I’M FEELING A BIT... ILL AND I UH...
I’LL CALL YOU LATER OKAY? I’VE GOTTA GO RIGHT NOW.
LOOK, DUSTIN, I WAS JUST ABOUT TO CALL YOU. I’M REALLY FEELING-
ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! I’LL COME OVER. IS IT REALLY AN EMERGENCY?
GOSH, DUSTIN, YOU ARE DREAMY. IF ANYONE COULD, IT WOULD BE YOU.
i had devasted him. what a cruel and terrible thing i had become. what an awful thing to do to a good man. leaving that way is one of my biggest regrets.
NOVEMBER WAS ARRIVING, AND I WAS PREPARING TO DO TO DUSTIN THE SAME THING THAT I HAD DONE TO ALL THE REST UNTIL...
RING! RING!
despite all my foolishness, i had just happened to be the luckiest man in the world!
there he is! mother, father...
i’d like to introduce you to my boyfriend, howard.
WHAT A LOVELY YOUNG MAN!
a sign is a symbol
POEM BY JOSEPH LEE
ILLUSTRATION BY PAYTON SMITH
Do Not Enter.
Push Button for Walk Signal. Watch Your Step.
Smile, You’re on Camera. No Smoking. Out of Order. Dead End.
I want a camera that will smile when I push its button, A picture of (e)motion when the world goes sudden, Better than that of a cold, dejected lens that’ll drive me back to the pen.
I want a watch that’ll smoke when I signal my end, A fog that curls around me – my final, old friend, Wafting into breaths as strangers start to talk.
I want a button that’ll watch my step when I push it to walk, That’ll say prayers like a prophet and tell truths like a clock. Signing soothes from somewhere beyond the corporeal border.
I want a plume of smoke that’ll emit from my smile when I’m out of order, A fleeting ghost that lingers like a silent mentor.
I want a dead end that’ll signal “Do not enter,” But opens anyway and leads me back to my center.
Do Not Enter.
Push Button for Walk Signal. Watch Your Step.
Smile, You’re on Camera. No Smoking. Out of Order. Dead End.
rest and
breathe
WRITTEN BY DULCE GALVEZ
ILLUSTRATION BY SERENA
LOGAN
I awake in excitement to open one curtain again.
Thunderous roars flicker where the anxiety lights come up and down;
Its creation to rest the prey of morning breaks the glass.
Depression lifts upon the sky to alleviate my worries.
I chase peace in the stillness of each gentle exhale.
Calling my mom in the sky to feel safe Monsters creep in as my anxiety feeds on hugs.
Chaos ignites a vigorous bloom of emotion to silence the noise.
Staring into the eyes of shadows,
Anxiety fears my breath
She is one of them.
The notorious anxiety monster soothes.
Breathe the monster to calm the chaos.
Its powerful kind embrace She wrestles with emotions
The anxiety monster diminishes my creativity.
Poor inner child, why pick me?
To feel held with welcoming friends.
The hush of breath, poor inner child.
The predators laugh at her from afar; dreams vanquish the silent anxiety monster.
I tame anxious monstrosity with compassion.
Standing in the rain,
Glimpse of joyous river, trickling with peace
Feel safe at heart with a heartwarming community.
How beautiful is a place with a spectrum of love?
My kind heart renewed with rest, How fair to love my community daily?
Learn to exhale
Inhale a glimpse of strength with a kind heart.
I tame the hush of panic; not alone.
Silencing the storm once and for all.
Letting anxiety disappear in morning light.
The silence is gone; nurture the storm.
A paradox of peace with soul-wrenching sunflower dreams.
How brave, treasure bloom with compassion in her tough times.
The panic that once screamed, I feel calm with kind heart
I am feel; held from tough times
Treasure the air; burying damage of panic
With the grace and beauty of butterflies, recognizing a time to treasure.
Tired, but not alone without an eclipsing doubt drawn in the sky
The world outside softens the storm providing nourishment.
A rest is not defeat but a quiet, kind retreat to soothe anxiety.
The mountain will still be there, but not isolated
Push down the shoulders, release the tension in the inner child.
A storm in the head that drowns out the light to each community.
A story my body tells, but a fear to overcome with a silent hug to warm.
Send your roots deep back into the rich darkness, where light dismembers.
I am stronger than my anxiety.
What to understand the clarity beneath shaking,
The sight of a garden fulfills my inner peace,
Reminding me that I am stronger to breathe through present moments.
With each transformation, safety to find serenity in calm daylight.
The fears leave, once the cherry blossoms rise in slow motion
