QUAKER CAMPUS Sept. 3, 2026
Index:
The voice of Whittier College since 1914
Volume 25 — Issue 1
News — 2, 3 | Campus Life — 4, 5 | Opinions — 6 | Features — 7 | Sports — 8, 9 | Arts & Entertainment — 10, 11, 12
NEWS
2
Sept. 3, 2026
Back For More: Letter from the Editors Emma Galvan EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Penny Turgen MANAGING/DEPUTY EDITOR Welcome everyone to the 20262027 academic school year! In the midst of our current heatwave and as everyone adjusts to the first few weeks of school, the Quaker Campus (QC) welcomes students old and new to Whittier College! For the uninitiated, the QC is the student-led newspaper where we go out and report on the current events pertaining to our community such as news issues, events, sports coverage, and what is going on in the entertainment world as we have been doing for the past 112 years. Between the summer and into our first few days, the world has changed as higher education institutions like the College are faced with the current administration’s attempts to cut down on funding and federal aid for students to have the education they need. But despite these attempts, the College stands strong and has grown even stronger than before. After the new career based curriculum was introduced last year, dedicated to teaching students developmental skills, the College has hit a new high in enrollment. According to President Dillon, the College has accepted over 400 new students for the current academic year, including 319 first-year and 94 transfer students. This year’s incoming class is the College’s highest number of students since the 20192020 year and have been in part due to Dillon’s policies of rebranding the school and putting the College back in the spotlight. Especially with the return of football after its unexpected cancellation in 2022, coming
back with more than $22.5 million invested in the College, this year is focused on growing the community even more. As the College changes, so too does the QC. Last year’s team sought to bring QC back in the eyes of students, and hoped to bring the student body’s vision into focus. This brought more of a social media presence, introducing weekly recap posts with the newest issue and showing the "What’s Up Whittier" and Sports schedule that are contained within the issue. Last year also introduced the comic artist role, expanding for people to bring their creative ideas to the floor. Even though the known two comic artists have graduated, the QC is always welcome for anyone to submit their comics whether they are serious or silly, big or small, and even digital or the classic hand drawn artstyle. Finally, the QC collaborated with a number of organizations for events, particularly the ICE out of Whittier protest alongside KPOET, BSA, and ASA, giving students a space to fight against the current injustice in the world. And even though the year just started, the QC continues to evolve with new faces, new talent, and the resurgence of certain positions such as copy editors and photographers to help enhance the hard work of our writers. We will also have digital articles on our newly instated website, allowing it to reach more readers in a medium more suitable for our generation. In a time of fake news and reliance on quick social media posts about what is going on in the world, the QC will always be an independent studentrun newspaper that remains and always will be loyal to our fellow students. We will continue to maintain independence from those we cover, including the College
itself, and make the truth our first priority by verifying everything that we report on. We intend to cover issues that pertain to the College’s student body from all of our sections: Campus Life, Sports, Opinions, Features, News, and Arts & Entertainment, all without fear or favor. We want to ensure that everyone is given the opportunity to learn how things will impact them as the current administration cracks down on more and more departments, but also the opportunity to critique and compromise on our content. Ensuring that the College community is kept aware of the actual truth rather than letting everyone slip into fear and uncertainty will always be our first priority. Running the show this year is fourth-year Emma Galvan as our Editor-in-Chief. Galvan is an English major with an emphasis in Creative Writing, with a minor in Film studies. She brings four years of experience at the QC, first serving as a Copy Editor before becoming Heads of Campus Life and Copy Editors to last year’s position as Deputy Editor. Alongside this role, Galvan is the new President of Media
THE QUAKER CAMPUS STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emma Galvan
FEATURES EDITOR Xochitl Hood
DEPUTY EDITOR Penelope Turgen
A&E EDITOR Emma Cianciola
MANAGING EDITOR Penelope Turgen
HEAD COPY EDITOR Yen Tran
NEWS EDITOR Paola Ruiz
SOCIAL MEDIA Penelope Turgen
OPINIONS EDITOR Tralee Jacobs
STAFF WRITERS Jayden Garret Steven Lopez Jay Fuentes Rhodree Gonzalez Karen Martinez Aguilar Ernesto Hernandez Sam Cuellar Maryam Zorba
SPORTS EDITORS Maia Chaidez Jayden Borgna CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR Jamie Calderon
Courtesy of the Quaker Campus
Introducing the 2026 QC E-board.
COPY EDITORS Kaj Behr Daniel Gomez Bissama Melone GRAPHIC DESIGNER Abbie Almanza CARTOONISTS Tallahassee Quontology PHOTOGRAPHERS Maryam Zorba Bhoomi Kapadia WEB DESIGNER Malena FACULTY ADVISOR Joseph Donnelly
Council, a council consisting of all the various media organizations on campus such as VPS, KPOET, Acropolis, and soon, The Greenleaf Review. Galvan hopes to continue the legacy of past editors by keeping the QC’s impact on the College community strong, and leading her team with integrity. And serving as the other half of this dynamic duo, Penelope "Penny" Turgen continues to tackle the tough task of Managing/Deputy Editor. She is a fourth-year English Literature major balancing school work in her final semester, her role in the QC, and diving for the College’s Swim and Dive team. Turgen is thrilled to continue to work alongside and nurture skilled artists, writers, editors, journalists, and photographers. Independent journalism is a slowly dying art, but one that is so precious. However, there is no QC without our wonderful team, old and new, the ones who put their heart and soul into helping us. From our section heads, to the copy editors who polish and ensure our pieces are to professional standards, to our writers who take these stories and bring them to life in their
own special way, our comic artists that bring the bit of joy and happiness that we need, and our photographers who bring out the best of these stories with just a singular image. Everyone at the QC who believes in the essential and daunting tasks of journalism to our community is important to us, you allow the QC to still be alive and well. And of course, the best for last. A sincere and heartfelt thank you to our readers! You are the life and heart of the College, without which, our reporting would not be possible. Thank you, The 2026-2027 QC Editorial Board If you are interested in joining the QC team, we have openingsfor all positions such as writing, copy editing, photography, and comic artist. Any and all help are welcome. The QC is dedicated to providing the truth and verifying everything that we report, however if there are any errors in our reporting , questions and story tips to share, please contact us at qc@poets. whittier.edu or visit our website at www.quakercampu.com The Whittier College community is important to us, your voice and input matters.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Submissions may be emailed to qc@poets.whitttier.edu in .doc or .docx format. Submissions must include the author’s name and year of graduation or position at the college in the signature. Letters are due by Monday at 5 p.m. to make it into that week’s issue. Submissions should be no more than 500 words. Submissions will undergo the same editing process from our production pipeline if selected. All stories must follow the same journalistic standards. Due to the high cost of publication, members of the Whittier College community are permitted three copies per issue. Additional copies may be purchased with prior apporval for 50 cents each by contacting the Quaker Campus. Newspaper theft is a crime, and those who violate the three copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution. The Quaker Campus does not change material posted on online articles once they have been published in the paper — with the exception of an error being found. Only then will a correction be made to the online version. The Quaker Campus is a publication of Whittier College. Columns and Signed editorials do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Whittier College or its affiliates.
Sept. 3, 2026
NEWS
3
CI Workers Strike for Contract Negotiation Jamie Calderon CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR As temperature on campus soared to the high 90s, things were heating up outside the Campus Inn (CI) as Bon Appetit staff, custodians, and union leaders from Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Local 11 led a protest on Aug. 26. They marched outside for an hour alongside professors and students to raise awareness of the stalled negotiations between the unions and the third-party companies Whittier College uses to employ our cooks and custodians. The biggest concern for the staff is the rising cost of living, our Bon Appetit workers say their wages have not kept pace with the economy. “Nowadays the price of everything is increasing so we just try to get them to match our wage to the economy,” states Hugo Talavera, a chef who, like all CI staff, works for Bon Appetit. "Sometimes the company does not see all the hard work we do. They say [that] they appreciate it but everything is going up, now gas is almost at six dollars a gallon, like before it was at THREE dollars and 25 cents.” Along with cost of living, many CI staff raised concerns about the hazardous conditions in the workplace. As the heat rises in the city of Whittier, the air conditioning in both the CI and The Spot have been unreliable. “It [the air conditioning] is still broken right now. I am still sweating. It works for a while and then it turns off and they keep putting work orders, and they keep coming and fixing it and saying it is fixed but…,” says Talavera. “I have to go out of my way to put ice to make sure the food is at the right temperature to be able to give it to the students and customers as well because sometimes adults from the community and the faculty come in here as well.” According to Negotiation Chair and CI stalwart, Daisy Machado, Bon Appetit staff have been left with no response on if their demands will be met or if their contracts will be signed. They have not heard from their management company since April. “We have been sitting around, waiting for answers about the proposal and nobody say nothing. We feel like they [their management company] are playing with us. Like they do not care.” The contract for the Bon Appetit staff expired in Oct. 2025, and with negotiations stalled since April of this year, many of the staff are left feeling uneasy about their future here and what is to come next. “I do not think anyone wants it to come to that [a strike], but we have done it before and we will do it again,” Machado shares.
CI and The Spot workers unite together to strike on Aug. 26. In 2023, the Bon Appetit staff went on strike for 28 days, the longest in the Local 11 union history. Fighting for much of the same issues, higher wages, better contracts, and better working conditions. After the long days on the picket line, in April of that year, the Bon Appetit management company and staff reached an agreement, raising their pay by six dollars. And the strike in 2023 was not the first of its kind for the Bon Appetit staff. In 2020, the staff went on strike to increase pay to meet the California
College. The poster includes emails and phone numbers specifically, Jose Figueroa at (650) 464-9464 or jfigueroa@ flagshipinc.com. Figueroa is in charge of SVP of Operations at Flagship. Students can also contact the College's administration: President Dillon at (562) 9074904 or president@whittier.edu and also Vice President, Chief Administrative Office, Cynthia Joseph at (562) 907-4830 or cjoseph@whittier.edu. Attempts to reach custodial staff for comment were
Jaime Calderon / Quaker Campus by just one person.” The letter also addressed concerns about pay, “It was not until after the state had raised the minimum wage to $16 that the company gave us their final offer. After five long years without receiving any salary increases from the company, they only offered to give us one dollar, placing us at $17.” After the protest on Aug. 26, President Dillon said in an interview with the QC, “This is not unique to us, but they are not our employees. They are employed by organizations we
“We have been sitting around, waiting for answers about the proposal and nobody says nothing. We feel like they [their management company] are playing with us. Like they do not care.” - Negotiation Chair Daisy Machado minimum wage at the time, 12 dollars. As tensions rise, staff and union leaders look down the horizon at another possible strike. And as that becomes more and more of a possibility, the Bon Appetit staff and union are looking to the student body for support. “Boycott! Definitely Boycott [...] That is probably a big ask that we would be asking folks to do, but if the management of the CI are not respecting the negotiation then don’t bring your money there and spread awareness of what’s going on,” commented a CI cook who wishes to stay anonymous. The Bon Appetit staff are not alone in their call for better working conditions. This week, the SEIU, one of the biggest unions in the country, distributed a poster asking for students and faculty to support the campus custodian staff in their request for wage increases to keep up with the cost of living. The poster urges students and faculty to email leadership at Flagship, the company the College contracts with for custodial services, as well as leadership here at Whittier
unsuccessful. This is not the first time SEIU has released a letter to address the poor working conditions and pay of the College custodians. In 2024, the Quaker Campus (QC) obtained a letter from the SEIU, “In 2016, the College made a decision to let go of a quarter of the cleaning staff, and what ended up happening because of this, was that tasks that were once done by three people (such as cleaning a dorm floor) are now expected to be completed
have a contract with." Dillon adds, "Does it hurt our sense of community to have people unhappy with their employment? Yes, because they are here on our campus, these are people we care about. Are they using the visibility of being on our campus for the purposes of their union success? I think we have to admit that's true.” During the Aug. 26 demonstration, the President's office released a statement to all
students via email stating, “We recognize and respect the right of members of our community to express their views and engage in lawful labor activity. We also understand that members of our campus community may have questions about how the planned walkout could affect dining services and other campus operations. Dining Services is open and students, faculty and staff are welcome to enter.” A recent survey conducted by the QC received 21 responses, it was used to collect student input on the Aug. 26 CI strike. The survey showed that 61.9 percent of respondents identify female, with 9.5 percent being non-binary and 28.6 being male. In regards to race and ethnicity, 66.7 percent of respondents identify as Hispanic and/or Latino, 9.5 percent as Black and/ or African-American, 19 percent as Asian and/or Pacific Islander, 4.8 percent as Native American, and 38.1 percent as White. The survey was sent out the day of the protest and asked students their knowledge of past strikes as well as if they use the CI or The Spot. In addition, 90.5 percent of respondents were first-year students with only one second-year responder and one fourth-year responder. In the survey, 90.5 percent of respondents said they use the dining services at the CI and only 47.6 percent of respondents said they use the dining services at The Spot. And only 85.7 percent of the respondents were aware of the protest on Aug. 26. A first-year student who identifies as a Hispanic female comments, “They do the jobs others will not so they should be paid as such.” A fourth-year who identifies as an Indigenous female adds, “They are the backbone of Whittier College and deserve our ally-ship and solidarity.” As of now, the Bon Appetit staff, the custodians, and their unions are still awaiting for a response from their respective management companies to see if their contracts will be renewed and if they will include their requests for a raise in pay, better pensions, healthcare, and better working conditions.
Courtesy of Whittier College
Sept. 3, 2026
What’s up, Whittier?
Stay up to date on events! For further info, visit https://whittier. campuslabs.com/Engage/ On-Campus Hiring Fair • Thursday, Sept. 3 at 11:00 a.m. • Villalobos Hall Poet Pantry • Thursday, Sept. 3 at 12:30 p.m. • Campus Center - Room 141 Pet Therapy • Thursday, Sept. 3 at 3:30 p.m. • Dezember House Patio Outdoor Pickleball Tournament • Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7:00 p.m. • Graham Athletic Center Cookout & Culture • Sunday, Sept. 6 at 4:00 p.m. • Penn Park Welcome Black Week • Sunday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. • Villalobos Hall beads & bonds • Monday, Sept. 7 at 6:00 p.m. • Harris B1 Basics of Excel • Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 12:30 p.m. • LIS in Wardman Library Pet Therapy • Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 1:00 p.m. • Founder's Hill Lawn Affinity Welcome Gathering • Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 5:00 p.m. OIE/Ortiz Lounge Blackout Karaoke • Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6:00 p.m. • Club 88 About SLEEP DEALER By Alex Rivera • Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. • Ruth B Shannon Center for the Performing Arts Poet Pantry • Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 12:30 p.m. • Campus Center - Room 141 Societies Fair • Thursday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. • Upper Quad Poet Pantry • Thursday, Sept. 10 at 12:30 p.m. • Campus Center - Room 141 Pet Therapy • Thursday, Sept. 10 at 3:30 p.m. • Dezember House Patio Know Your Resources! • Thursday, Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m. • Ruth B. Shannon Center Moonlight Picnic • Thursday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. • Upper Quad Homework Hangout • Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. • SLC 228 AOKP Game Night • Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. • Hoover 104
CAMPUS LIFE
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Pour Me Up a Cup of Whittier! Kaj Behr COPY EDITOR Bhoomi Kapadia PHOTOGRAPHER Ayla Magat STAFF WRITER Bissama Melone COPY EDITOR Most students need a nice cup of coffee to get through the day. But with so many shops around Whittier College, choosing where to get a cup of joe can be difficult. So, we decided to go out and try some on your behalf. They are all within walking distance of campus, and we judged them based on affordability, taste, and atmosphere. Some of these are definitely worth a visit while others are not. KapiK1coffee: Cold Brew with Oat Milk | $6 | 16oz: Although this place was originally founded in Quebec, Canada, KapiK1coffee can be found at Whittier’s weekly farmers market every Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The barista recommended two of their coffees, which are the Arctic Winter roast and Sahara Sunrise roast. He ended up pouring us the Arctic Winter dark roast cold brew while having an engaging conversation about his experience as a Whittier College alumnus. The coffee itself was strong, but after adding a pack of sugar, it tasted exquisite and rich. If you drink coffee because you enjoy the flavor of the coffee itself, this place is for you. They have many roasts to offer and even sell the beans so you can make your own cup at home. Although KapiK1Coffee's booth at the farmer's market isn't a studydestination, we would recommend you come try this place out as they are on a mission to sell coffee from all over the world. Starbucks: Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso | $6.45 | 16oz: Being the US’ largest coffee company our expectations for Starbucks were quite high, but we were severely underwhelmed by our experience. The location itself was quite cozy and the staff was more than friendly. We wouldn’t necessarily say this is the best place to study because of how much is going on in the background but you could study there if needed. The seats are nestled close together and fill quickly when packed but the environment is kept orderly enough you could study. The barista recommended the Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso, saying it was the most popular drink at their location. When we received the drink we were excited to try it as it was pleasing to the eyes. After the first sip however, we looked at each other in disappointment. The drink was sweet, but had a weird after taste that turned us off. While Starbucks has many items on its menu, we don’t recommend this one. Bark Coffee: Cookie Butter Cream Latte with Oat Milk | $7.15 | 16oz: After walking around for a bit, we noticed that Bark was the closest cafe to the College. Being highly recommended by upperclassmen, we had high
KapiK1coffee stand at Uptown Whittier Farmer's Market.
Bhoomi Kapadia / Quaker Campus
expectations walking in. The workers were friendly but weren’t really talkative; however they did recommend we try their Cookie Butter Iced Latte. The drink was delicious–tasting similar to a Biscoff cookie. It had the perfect amount of sweetness and displayed the cookie flavour perfectly while still giving the coffee itself a chance to shine. While Bark had a nice atmosphere overall and would be a great spot to hang out with friends, if you want a comfortable place to get your work done this location wouldn’t be number one on our list. While Bark was one of the more expensive places we tried, the drink and the atmosphere justified it and we will definitely be going back. Providence Bake House: Cafe De Olla | $6.46 | 16oz: Nixon Plaza is a hidden gem, while it isn't the best place to get work done, it sure is the best place to get coffee. Providence Bake House was definitely our favorite place we visited. The staff was friendly and talkative, and clearly explained the menu to us and recommended their most famous drink, the Cafe de Olla. When we got our drinks and tasted it, we were surprised by smooth cinnamon flavor embedded in the drink. By the end of our tasting we could see why this particular drink comes highly recommended. Not one of us had any critiques, and you will for sure catch us there again. Chillin': Sea Salt Caramel Ice Coffee | $6.35 | 24oz: The most popular spot that every Whittier student recommends to incoming freshman is Chillin', and we understood the hype the moment we entered. The atmosphere was perfect; there were many claw machines with different toys; and they had a bigger serving size than the other places we went to. While the atmosphere is welcoming and exciting, we wouldn’t recommend you study here because it would be so easy to be distracted by how much is going on. The coffee the barista said we should get ended up being the Sea Salt Caramel latte. When we first tried it, we were so excited because it was highly ordered; however, it was not what we expected. The coffee tasted like salted water and even after mixing in the cold foam the coffee was separating itself. It was not appetizing at all and definitely not worth the price we paid for it. All in all, we would go again but
dark aura that some people said made them feel uncomfortable. This place was the most expensive place we tried. We ended up trying the Honey Piloncillo Shaken Latte. The coffee was about an average cup of coffee only with a hint of honey. However, they did give us 2 free drinks because they messed up the order before ours. Overall, we don't see ourselves going back as the coffee was not worth the money we paid for it. The Spot: Iced Vanilla Late | $5.95 | 16oz: The Spot has a lack of specialty drinks, but if you are looking for a grab and go type of coffee we would recommend you try it out. The environment of the place was quite calm and relaxing and we could definitely see people studying here. Campus Inn: Drip Coffee | Free | 12oz: For the price of a meal plan, the coffee at the Campus Inn is very disappointing. The coffee is provided by Starbucks, but there is an obvious lack of roast options or flavored syrups. The coffee tastes burnt and lacks any real flavor or aromas. Our Campus Inn is not the place to study since there is so much noise and people talking in the background. If you don’t want to pay for coffee and just want a boost of energy then get the coffee from here if you have the meal plan. If you don't mind spending the extra dollars however, definitely visit any of the other places we reviewed. Our Final Rankings: Kaj Behr 1. Providence Bake House 2. Tranquilo 3. KapiK1coffee Bhoomi Kapadia 1. Providence Bake House 2. Bark Coffee 3. Tranquilo Ayla Magat 1. Providence Bake House 2. KapiK1coffee 3. Tranquilo Bissama Melone 1. Providence Bake House 2. Bark Coffee 3. KapiK1coffee Our rankings are only our own opinions, we encourage you to take it with a grain of salt. After all you know what's best for you, decide for yourself. And honestly? We're just looking out for your wallet. Whittier is full of coffee shops, waiting to recharge you for your next late night study session, midterm crunch, or to provide you a quick sweet treat.
maybe to hang out and try their non-coffee drinks more than to buy coffee. Tranquilo: ZUZU Cloud Top | $7.75 | 16oz: Tranquilo had many specialty coffees to offer; however, the barista recommended us the ZUZU Cloud Top. Although the price is a bit above average it is definitely worth buying. When we got the drink the overall flavor of the coffee was rich but had a hint of sweetness, which is good if you like coffee more on the richer side but still want it a bit candied. We would have to say that the atmosphere of the place was on the quieter side, but we would not recommend studying there if you plan on a long study session. The seats were a bit uncomfortable, hard to sit on, and the tables were left dirty. Besides the cleanliness of the place, we do suggest you go try it out because it is living up to its hype. La Monarca: Horchata De Olla | $5.25 | 12oz: La Monarca is a well known bakery with 12 locations all across California, and not counting their packaged goods sold in stores nationwide. On our way to Interlude we came across La Monarca and thought we would give it a shot. The overall atmosphere of the place was quite chaotic and sort of dirty. La Monarca is not a place for a student to get their work done as there is music blasting and many people speaking loudly. However, the employees were a bit distant and seemed very unenthusiastic. They ended up recommending their Horchata De Olla. At first we thought it was going to be as good as the Cafe de Olla we tried earlier, but we seemed to have been wrong. The coffee was watery and lacked coffee or horchata flavor as the cinnamon was overpowering. Next time, we will try their pastries as they are known for that more than their coffee. Interlude: Honey Piloncillo Shaken Latte | $8.25 | 16oz: Interlude was also one of the coffee shops that was highly recommended by the upperclassmen. Since it had been so hyped we had some sort of expectation going into this shop. The atmosphere of Interlude was warm, welcoming, and it had a cool mural on the wall. The manager even told us some other places we should try after. Despite being recommended, it is not a very good study spot because it’s quite humid inside and it has a
5
CAMPUS LIFE
Sept. 3, 2026
Come Take a Trip Down Resource Lane Sam Cuellar STAFF WRITER Rhodree Gonzalez STAFF WRITER
As the academic year rolls around once again and students roll by with it, thousands of questions come to mind as they try to navigate the resources here at Whittier College. How does one get help with their financial aid troubles? How does one get help on that one paper you have pushed off to the last minute? Is there any way I can figure out how to waive my health insurance or am I going to just get hit with the biggest bill ever? Well, fear not, for the Quaker Campus has an alphabetical guide on the resources you have access to during your time here! This campus has a tight-knit web of support resources that look out for its students here, and look forward to helping you thrive here. Admissions Location: Weingart Hall; located at 6937 Painter Ave Hours: Weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are able to answer any questions about enrolling at the College, including application questions, whether you're a firstyear, transfer, or international student. They can also refer applicants to other on-campus resources that can answer their specific questions. When applying, every applicant is assigned an a d m i s s i o n s c o u n s e l o r. E a c h counselor is different depending on the applicant's school and the applicant's program that they're interested in. Business Office Location: Mendenhall; located at 13406 E. Philadelphia St. Hours: Weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you travel up Philadelphia, from Admissions, you’ll hit Mendenhall, which hosts the Business Office. This office lets students and parents know when they need to make certain payments to the College and how much they need to pay. This office can also assist students and parents with Poet Proxy accounts. Poet Proxy grants students the ability to give their parents, or anyone else who may be responsible for them, access to their MyWhittier account where the responsible guardian can see the student’s schedule, balance, and transcripts depending on how much access the student grants them. C.A.A.S. Location Underneath the Wardman Library Hours: Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. C.A.A.S. stands for Center for Advising and Academic Success, they help students add and drop classes, as well as answer students’ questions about their schedule. They offer resources such as academic coaching, academic guidance, the academic success program, the student-athlete mentor program, tutoring, and workshops. If a student believes that they need improvement in their academic
skills, C.A.A.S. will pair them with a peer academic coach who will help them and give guidance. Occurring every semester, C.A.A.S. releases different kinds of workshops for figuring out schedules alongside advisors that host one-on-one meetings, so utilize them before registration for classes rolls by. Center for Career and Professional Development Location: Campus Center, 230 (Second floor) Hours: Weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The career center helps students work on finding a career by exploring the student’s qualities, skills, and involvement on campus. Students will be able to find a job that's right for them or other postcollege opportunities, whether it's an internship or graduate school. Counseling Center Location: Haverhill A; 13406 Philadelphia Street. Hours: Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed for lunch 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Students who need help with their mental health journey, are welcome to reach out to or visit the counseling center for guidance or to ask questions regarding mental health. They offer things such as assessment, couples therapy, individual therapy, referrals, grief counseling, education outreach events, and other services on campus. This office is meant to be a safe and accepting environment where students can open up and be vulnerable, knowing that what is shared is confidential. Services are free of charge to all enrolled undergraduate students. Dean of Students Location: First floor of the Campus Center-Office 142; 13406 Hours: Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Dean of Students’ main goal is to assist students with their academics and sustain the positive and inclusive environment of the campus. If students are interested in meeting with someone from the Dean of Students, they can drop by during office hours or make an appointment by calling or sending an email. Inside of the Dean of Students office is also the Title IX Coordinator’s Office, which specializes in supporting students who face sexual discrimination, and is stated to be a private source for those in need. Financial Aid Location: 6937 Painter Ave. Hours: Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office of financial aid is aimed to help students and their families navigate through financial aid and scholarships so that they will be able to pay their tuition despite current circumstances and events. Resources offered by this office include work and loan programs, college grants, federal grants, financial aid packages, and academic scholarships. Depending on the applicant’s special interests, talents, or academic abilities, they are given the opportunity to apply for a scholarship based on what they're interested in, whether performing arts, writing, or sports.
Health Center Location: Hamilton House; 13612 E. Philadelphia St. Hours: Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. closed 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch Besides in person appointments, the Health Center also supplies virtual appointments called the Virtual Care Group. Students are able to create an account for free, and it’s available day and night, every day of the year, summer vacation hours vary. It is staffed by front office staff, full time nursing staff, and nurse practitioners. Many illnesses can be tested, diagnosed, prevented, and treated via lab testing, in house labs, prescription medications, vaccines, procedures, and other exams. the college partners with Volta Health to keep track of students' health insurance, requirements, and eligibility. Students have the ability to optout of the health plan if they already have insurance, however international students cannot. Human Resources Location: Science and Learning Center (SLC), Room 117 Hours: Weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Human Resources at the College assists potential and current employees with employment requirements. Their ser vices include recruitment and hiring, student employment, employee relations, development of employee policies and procedures, benefit administration, training, and development. Mail and Print Center Location: Building A, first floor; 7214 Painter Ave. Hours: Weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students who live on campus can give and receive mail and packages from family and friends via the Mail and Print Center. Students can set up their P.O. box by going to the Mail and Print Center and showing their student ID. Once a student's mail is ready for pick up, the student will be notified. If a student is sending mail, they must address it as: First Name, Last Name - Box Number Whittier College 7214 Painter Ave. Whittier, CA 90602 O.I.E. Location: Campus Center 163; 13406 E. Philadelphia St. H o u r s : We e k d a y s , f r o m 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
As a school that was formerly associated with the Quakers, the College continues to uphold the value of inclusivity with the O.I.E which stands for the Office of Inclusive Excellence. The student body and employees come from all parts of the world, hold many different beliefs, systems and denominations. O.S.E. Location: Campus Courtyard Hours: Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Office of Student Engagement assists students in exploring their interests. With leadership opportunities, clubs, and programs, students can gain and or boost their experience in their newly discovered field of interest. Q.S.C. Location: First floor of the Wardman Library Hours: Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Q.S.C. which stands for Quantitative Success Center, is a place that offers resources for students. Such as tutoring, workshops, and College Readiness - Math. Every semester, the Q.S.C. provides workshops to improve math skills. Registrar Location: First floornof Mendenhall Building; 13406 E. Philadelphia St. H o u r s : We e k d a y s , f r o m 8 a.m. to 5p.m. The Registrar office is meant to support members with their process of being a college student, alumni, faculty and staff. Their responsibilities are: managing student academic records, registering and scheduling classes, verifying transcripts, degrees, and enrollment, articulating transfer courses, handling veteran’s services, instructional space scheduling, talking students through academic concerns, and protecting student privacy. Wardman Library Location: 7031 Founders Hill Rd. Ho u r s : Mo n d a y t h r o u g h Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Just like every library, students can check out books, journals, and DVDs that they can use for class. Students can quietly study and read, they can print, and borrow laptops. There are eight different sections of the Wardman Library
The Mendenhall building from Philadelphia St.
provided for staff and students such as, the quiet floor, study rooms, the Late Night Study Area, library workspaces, the sound room, the poets corner, and the Nixon room. On the quiet floor, located on the second floor, people are requested to work silently. There's plenty of available seats and work tables. On the mezzanine and second floor of the library, the study rooms provide a space for brainstorming, discussing ideas, and working with classmates. Each study room is equipped with whiteboards, and some study rooms have HD displays. The mezzanine also hosts the Sound Room, a sound proof room, supplied with video and audio equipment made for interviews, digital stories, podcasts, lectures, and multimedia presentations. Students also have access to the Late Night Study Area after the library closes. It’s located on the ground floor and is open 24 hours a day. Located on the first floor on the opposite side of the building from the circulation desk, the Poets Corner has a seventy-inch, mediaready HD monitor, and seating. It's typically used for visiting lecturers, and broadcasting news. The Nixon Room is an exhibit that holds gifts brought to famous alumni and former Richard Nixon and his wife Patricia Nixon during Nixon’s term as Vice President of the United States. It also serves as meeting room for specific staff, faculty members, administrators, trustees, and friends of the College. Writing Center Location: First floor of the Wardman Library Ho u r s : Mo n d a y t h r o u g h Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This office supports the growth of writers and their expertise. It is an accepting and judgement free zone where students can brainstorm ideas for writing and have their piece of work peer reviewed and improved. It is open to all students regardless of major or writing level. Students look into how writing is integrated with their area of expertise. Every office offers something different, but one thing is certain. There will always be resources available to students, and the Quaker Campus encourages you to utilize them! So come into any office when you need help to succeed on campus!
Jamie Calderon / Quaker Cmpus
6
OPINIONS
SEPT. 3, 2026
Small College, Big Opportunities Ernesto Hernandez STAFF WRITER
It can be difficult to choose a college with absolute certainty when it comes down to final commitment. Compared to traditional universities, attending Whittier College with a small student body may seem intimidating. It can be difficult feeling exposed in a small classroom with fewer students. Though it can make you feel vulnerable, this intimate setting can provide many benefits and represents what the College is all about. Three years ago, I could never believe the amount of progress that I would make thanks to the professors and resources that this school offers for students. The summer before my freshman year, I felt so overwhelmed dealing with scholarship money and having to set up payment plans for my tuition. Luckily, the Office of Financial Aid (right across the street from California Grill off Philadelphia) was there to guide me. Their friendly staff walked me through the new Commerce Cashnet system and explained the different awards available to students during their time here at the College. If you ask me, what really helps
make the college journey less daunt- support academics, one being Stu- with my classes and gave me that ing is how small and intimate the dent Accessibility Services or SAS (lo- extra support that helped me finclasses are here. It gives students cated next to The Center for Advising ish the semester strong. Life hapthe opportunity to get one-on-one and Academic Success on the ground pens, balancing school and work help as well as create bonds between floor underneath the library). This is is difficult to do, but with the help where students can go to request ac- of the Counseling Center (located classmates. I took a statistics course my commodations, which can help with next to Campus Safety), receiving freshman year and was frightened receiving extra time on exams as well any form of mental health services helps with taking care of oneself upon entering the class everyday. as assignments. I will forever be grateful for takboth mentally as well as physicalHowever, by utilizing the office ing advantage of this opportunity ly. hours my professor offered, I manlast semester when going through an The fall semester is just getaged to pass the class and felt exunfortunate situation at home. I was ting started, so don't be afraid to tremely comfortable going to my able to request temporary accommoexplore campus and put yourself professor. dations that helped me stay on track out there! Fast forward to present: I am now a TA for Statistics and have created a strong bond with my professor, who I not only view on a professional level, but as a best friend. Regarding the significance of being at a small school, I was able to secure an internship my sophomore year here at the College with the help of the Career Center. The Career Center is where students can go to find on campus jobs, internships and start building their resume early onto their years here at the College. I was informed that, as a Psychology major, I could take a course that would allow me to start getting hands-on experience working at an elementary school. Our campus Courtesy of Whittier College offers such valuable resources that Hang out with your friends on campus.
Solitude or Sunlight? Your Choice Yen Tran HEAD COPY EDITOR
of the belief that attributing any definition unto the word “creativity,” which implies a free expression of the person, does the opposite, and rather hinders our creativity, and 3) I may just be too lazy, and would rather give the burden to the reader to find a meaning for themselves. That is up for you to decide, or you can be creative and conjure up another fourth, more sinister reason as to my withholding information. Now, what in Johnny Poet’s name is my point? It may be that all the great, nuanced ideas have already been copy-righted and published, but that does not mean we have the luxury to sit inside the safety of our four walls and wither
away. Rather, we must continue to create, we must continue to think for ourselves, and at a small liberal arts college, that involves not letting our ideas fall stagnant. These four years we spend on campus take place during some of the most formative years of our lives. Many of our brains are still developing during this stage. Malleable as they are, would it not be cruel for us to let them take the shape of a 228 square foot dorm room? We must accept the feeling of being uncomfortable. For many students, at some point in their college careers, they find little to no motivation to leave their dorm. It is more difficult than ever to
Everyone alive has a different way of pondering their lives. Some of us have our greatest epiphanies in the shower; some of us receive them in our dreams; others do their best thinking on their feet, outside. Creation is always happening from moment to moment, day to day, year to year. We may never be able to pinpoint exactly when our creations, thoughts, ideas, will come into fruition, but we can get a general sense of how to encourage these musings. There are no new ideas waiting in the sky for us to pick, only old and forgotten ones, that we must ourselves reconfigure. Those are the loose words of Audre Lorde from “Poetry Is Not a Luxury.” There is no salvation waiting for us today. We must create it ourselves. A savior exists only in fantasy, and our minds. To live our lives to the fullest, we must use our mind instead of waiting for someone else to tell us how to use it. I ask you: do you think creativity happens within the four walls of your room, or outside of it? You might say I should define what I mean by creativity. By “creativity,” do I mean being creative in the arts? Or do I mean being creative in business endeavors? Is it the same to be creative in painting and creative in physics? I will use my freedom as a writer to forgo providing a clear and finite definition of what I mean by “creativity.” My reasons are: 1) I find the act of imposing hard and fast labels on “things” to be actively Courtesy of Magnific detrimental to the soul, 2) I am The world is waiting for you outside your dorm.
form genuine connections and friendships. That is the hard reality many young people face. Picking up our phones is easier than picking up conversation with a stranger, sometimes. I too have felt that my private and social life consisted of a series of traps. It was pure temptation that had me, at times, finding solace in my dorm room alone. The responsibilities that came alongside my courses, organizations, clubs, jobs, friends, and family bore down on me like the sun during a never-ending heat wave. Like the humid atmosphere sticks the clothes to my skin, my mind was bogged down by obsessive and depressive thoughts. And where else do you hide from the sun but indoors? But as dolphins and whales must come up for air before they return to the depths, we too, must get adequate sun. Rather than telling you, dear reader, to touch grass, I will say that you must for the sake of humanity, for the sake of your mental growth, for the sake of your roommate: you must leave your dorm room more. Push your limits. Learn what kinds of clouds float over the Upper Quad. Find the best spots for a picnic in the local parks. Search for the best matcha in Uptown (and let me know). Your mind is one of the few things in the 21st century that is yours alone. Nurture it by letting yourself experience the joys of life. Don’t let yourself atrophy at 18, 19, 20, 21, and onwards. Look for the secret to the universe in a floating leaf by Founder’s Hill.
the
s
Dear Poets, I’m struggling balancing my academic life with my social life. I have a lot of classes, homework, and I find it hard to find time for myself. Any tips on managing time better so I can enjoy my Whittier years before I Whit-ther away? - A struggling Poet Unfortunately, Jo has graduated and abandoned the team for a solo career. But do not fear: Jerry is here! Jerry will join Jane and Johnny on Ask the Poets from here on out. Jane: Star ting a ne w chapter— actually—starting a new life as you go to begin your college journey can be super over whelming. You could possibly be in a whole new city, with tons of new people and activities to interact with, it can be super overwhelming and scary. And if you’re dorming at your college, this is practically your new home for the next four or so years. You just need to take a deep breath, and slowly take it all in. Then, once you’ve gotten comfy, it’s time to party!!! Throw a floor party, be loud, do something stupid-but-not-toostupid-that-it’s-considered-acrime, the RAs can’t contain all of you! Jerry: Create a fake "you" who takes over your body and does the work for you. They are free labor and you will not tire. Do not fret over this new consciousness, it is not yours to worry for. Johnny: Remember that life can be beautiful, man! We can get so invested in work that we lose part of ourselves. One of my best tips is to just organize how much you realistically have to do. It can feel daunting to do it all in one go, so it’s best to schedule breaks in between your work and take that time to relax and do something you love. Similarly, dedicate a day on the weekend to just you, chat with friends, sleep in, and just enjoy the peace and quiet that you have. We only have one life and we just spend the entire time working and working. We will miss the good memories we could have made. So yeah, schedule your work, do one assignment for like 10 minutes then do a 10 minute break, it’s baby steps but allow yourself time to breathe! - The Poets
Sept. 3, 2026
FEATURES
7
Refresh Your Self Reliance, Reimagine Barriers Xochitl Hood FEATURES EDITOR Over the summer, familiar faces Brittney Plascencia and Candice Uy filled a professional staff opening on their team at the Office of Student Engagement (OSE). Open to what her passion for serving students will ask of her, one visit to Yvette Aguilar's lovingly decorated office brings a treasure trove of ways to get back to trusting one’s sense of direction. It’s hard to imagine that many six year olds think years ahead, wielding a green crayon with an express purpose to write “Program Coordinator” next to the words “Dream Job” on their Student of the Month posters. Aguilar’s path to dreaming this dream might not be what is thought of as typical, but it is real and lived. As a first-generation student amassing an impressive Bachelors in Liberal Arts and Masters in Applied Psychology to her name in just five and a half years after graduating high school, Aguilar discusses her changing understanding of barriers to her success in higher education. “It was the fact that I was firstgen playing into [...] I just didn’t feel like I was as smart,” Aguilar recalls. Aguilar is upfront about her multitudes. Before graduating high school, school had yet to really
Courtesy of Yvette Aguilar Yvette Aguilar and her son, Zero, celebrating her Masters Degree. speak to her and yet, at home, her parents supportively expected results. Going to college was no question; Aguilar was destined to unpause her mother’s dream of experiencing higher education. At the University of La Verne, she made her way. Her job with work study at the Financial Aid office opened her eyes to a career of serving students in higher education. With no hesitation, she got in touch with folks at an appropriate Masters program at University of Southern California (USC) and the rest was history.
Until the record scratch came down quick and swift on this fairytale moment. Aguilar awoke from her calm assuredness, to the reality of walking around higher education within a firstgeneration’s perspective. She saw only limitations and setbacks where mentors were about to suggest looking closer and thinking again. Aguilar remembers turning to another first-gen woman of color who beat the odds. She was her mentor and acting Dean of Students at Harvey Mudd. “I’m young, I'm a woman
and I'm first-gen–I don't know everything, it makes me feel insecure. There's a hidden curriculum that I don't know yet, I need help!” Aguilar recounts. Her mentor came back with the unexpected, inviting her to spend more time with the source of her self-doubt until it became her “secret sauce.” Amidst debates about whether Whittier College’s training should be liberal arts or professionalization oriented, stands the truth of students’ sustaining themselves in college until they are onto the
real world. Uncertainty around the “right” move is natural but it sounds different coming from a student than an administrator. We can thank this uncertainty for creating variety in students’ navigating their education while forging an underlying idea of what matters most to them. First-generation students like Aguilar through self-reliantly developing a trusted sense for what is realistic, taste their "secret sauce" and expose the debate’s terms for assuming a “onesize-fits-all” approach to student success in higher education. What it means to be “realistic” is subject to extensive risk in our changing world where trusted information goes bad quickly. Resources at the OSE are dynamic in their approach to sharpening a young person’s sense for what is possible for them. Their team facilitates the operations of clubs, new and existing. On the operations side, they educate and empower students to access valuable infrastructure on campus and elsewhere for events. Aguilar has high hopes for how her time at the College will look. Fresh off of orientation, she took in the nervous faces and saw reflected in them, her younger self alongside their own budding confidence. Be sure to stop by and introduce yourself to Aguilar and the rest of the OSE (underneath the Spot) if one has not already.
ASWC President Tovar Calls On All Caring Poets Xochitl Hood FEATURES EDITOR
Last year, students at Whittier College watched as the courtyard transformed from its ordinary state into Penntronic, cloaked by a stage with DJ sets and thumping feet, backdrops and laser lights. The campus was alight with talk of what to wear, how it will go, and what security would look like. Bathed in morning sunlight, the Penn Society upperclassmen zigzagging like blurs of black, red and yellow against the concrete. Among those directing the flow of equipment and contractors, our President elect of Associated Students of Whittier College (ASWC): Devin Tovar. Penntronic came to life thanks to cooperation between Tovar’s society, the Penns, and the ASWC. Believe it or not, this is only a small snapshot of the opportunities found underneath the Campus Inn (CI) and across the hall from the Dean of Students office. The ASWC is responsible for giving away funds for student interests collected from every single Poet’s tuition, specifically the $370 student-body fee. The body is also there for students to turn to when their grievances grow too heavy to handle alone. Tovar fell under its spell just three years ago. He recounts his star-crossed entanglement with the
Senate body like it was yesterday. Freshly on campus, Tovar found himself quickly under the wing of a seasoned campus veteran during a brotherhood mentorship program, who made the idea of Senate membership desirable for him. With his encouragement, Tovar was elected President of the Freshman Class Council. At his post, he prioritized advocating for
his class and hosting fun events like campfire s’mores and karaoke. His successor, Annabelle Henkins, had a more strategic aim of bringing folks out of their comfort zone to make unexpected connections. She made the role her own through adversity while engagement with Senate has diminished. Both members, Tovar and
The sitting President of ASWC, Devin Tovar.
Henkins, discuss difficulty in finding commitment from students on campus. Henkins celebrates the success of her events but recalls how empty her meetings had been. Similarly, Tovar comments with particular care on his time as the chair of Elections committee last year, when multiple students ran for their positions unopposed. “I knew this was always a
Courtesy of Devin Tovar
concern when it comes to elections, how they get small […] It can be hard to find the people who care,” Tovar says. In search of drumming up engagement, he promoted and put on an ice-cream election day. Beyond votes however, his main goal was for students at large to have an understanding of the election process. “I’ve noticed that a lot of people view the whole Senate work as just a lot of paperwork but not the physical presence of it,” Tovar adds. Henkins, now Vice President, and Tovar take pride in their impact made possible through collaboration with the studentbody. They know that Senate is only as good as what is asked of them. As investors in our own experience, Poets can initiate a significant effort of curating a good time by connecting with Senate resources. Me e t i n g s t a k e p l a c e o n Mondays at 7 p.m. in Villalobos Hall. There are openings for positions of all standings at the College so be on the look out for during the month of September. Beyond this, the body perpetually accepts budget requests for clubs or student organizations. For guidance through the process, one can visit the Office of Student Engagement (OSE) for resources as well as the ASWC website for their constitution. You can visit them at https://www.whittier.edu/ose/aswc
8
SPORTS
Sept. 3, 2026
9
SPORTS
Sept. 3, 2026
Return of The Poets’ Legacy, On & Off the Field Jayden Borgna SPORTS EDITOR
The 2026-2027 school year marks the return of the Whittier College football team, with Sept. 5 marking their first game in four years. Last season was a rebuilding year for the team, dedicated entirely to training with no games taking place. In the fall of 2025, they started with only 35 players and doubled by the spring. Now, this upcoming season they are at a 100 player roster. Second-year corner player, AJ Hudson states,“The different personalities that come with this many people is probably my favorite part of the team and culture this year.” Going from such a close-knit community to a much larger and diverse environment Courtesy of Olivia Guerra / Instagram: livflicz is crucial for the entire program’s The Poets taking on their pre season practices in the summer heat. experience. Hudson attended the College being less intense, to every space everybody is all inclusive and in Delta College transfer and last year during the rebuilding and every practice being energetic it.” Irving also noted how not third-year quarterback, Nigellus process and emphasized how big and uplifting for the team. only the players are inclusive, the Irving on the other hand comes coaches are engaged as well. Irving adds onto Hudson’s claim, of a difference it is to have so “The team aspect is incredible, it many people this upcoming season from a program that was already Irving came to the College is a great group of guys and there rather than the small number that built. However, he highlights how because it reminded him of the College as a whole has lived home, from the campus to his are a lot of different backgrounds the football team had last year. and cultures which is super cool to Things went from the locker up to his expectations immensely, teammates and coaches, and even see.” room being quiet and weights “This is truly a team environment, to the people surrounding him.
It is undeniable that Irving feels supported and thriving in the new environment. About one in every 10 students here, are in fact, football players. Bringing back football to the College has been very impactful for the school environment overall. The energy of the football team coming back has not only been exciting for the students and staff, but also the players themselves. From morning weights at 8 a.m. to meetings at 5 p.m. then practicing until 9 p.m., these athletes are with each other almost the entire day. This not only brings the team closer together, but it allows them to get to know each other on a deeper level. Not only is it these two players who are excited, but the entire team is ecstatic about the season beginning. Hudson states, “We had a counter in our locker room last year that started at 370 days, and now it says 12 days.” For the players that were here last year, it marks almost two seasons of not playing in an actual football game. The excitement is noticeable throughout campus, before we know it, it will soon be Sept. 5 and the counter will finally hit zero.
Poets Volleyball: Setting the Tone in a Ruthless Sport Maia Chaidez SPORTS EDITOR
Volleyball is one of the more ruthless sports. Not necessarily due to its physicality, but rather due to how high those stakes get as soon as that ball is served. It is a sport where team chemistry is more important than how hard you can spike the ball. A sport where games constantly come down to the wire. Where team play is encouraged to the absolute max and selfish plays are heavily punished. A sport where just one tiny simple mistake could cost your team the game. Just last year, the Poets’ Volleyball team ended their season with a conference record of 11-5, finished third in the standings, and made it to the semifinals of the 2025 SCIAC Volleyball Tournament before falling 3-0 to the would-be SCIAC champions, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. However, that was last year, and this year Whittier College’s volleyball team is gearing up for another successful season of patented Poets volleyball. Fourth year Malena The, one of the College’s veteran volleyball players says, “Our goal is always winning [the] SCIAC and going to the postseason tournament [...] We have a lot of girls on our team this year but that also means a lot of talent!” The was one of four Poets named 2025 Academic All-District for women’s volleyball by the College Sports Communicators.
Courtesy of Poets Volleyball / Instagram: @poets_volleyball Whittier’s veteran volleyball players ready to fight to take home a SCIAC championship This accolade is only given to players that excel in the classroom hailing a GPA of 3.50 and above, as well as excelling in their respective sports. Current players, fourth year Mia D’Amato and third year Alyssa Gonzalez, were also named alongside former Poet Jessica Ferreira. The shares some insight on the journey to receiving that honor. “I really enjoy all of my classes. They are challenging, stimulating, and, since we have smaller class sizes, I really feel pushed by my
peers, professors, and mentors to try my hardest,” The says. “During a time in our young careers when it’s so easy to get distracted or to take the easy way out, I find it even more motivating to see people learning the right way,” The says, putting the student in studentathlete. The transferred from Santiago Canyon College to Whittier College for the Sociology program as well as knowing what makes a successful volleyball program from her two older sisters who have also played at other SCIAC colleges.
“After meeting a few times with my current coach (Chris Du a r t e - Mc De r m o t t ) , I w a s feeling very confident in his vision and passion for the success and well-being of the team.” The then goes on to say, “After meeting the girls, I was completely in awe of the amazing and successful women our coach had recruited!” But what makes a good volleyball program, you ask? The has the answer. “We are always encouraging discipline and ‘going for it.’” She also shares that the
team has also recently coined the term, “‘No fluff,’ as a reminder that giving all of your effort into an action opens up many opportunities to succeed. And that chance to miss that opportunity is much greater than the potential ‘failure.’” Whittier College Volleyball returns to play on Sept. 4 at the Pacific Coast Classic against Westminster College and Gordon College in Claremont and La Verne, California, respectively. Could this be the year Poets volleyball goes all the way?
10
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The QC Staff
Show Me How You Do That Trick
Suggests: Yen Tran
Emma Cianciola A&E EDITOR
HEAD COPY EDITOR
Want to know what our Head Copy Editor recommends this week? Read on! Musics Lately, I have not been able to get enough of the Cocteau Twins! My favorite song at the moment has to be “Rilkean Heart” by them. It is a heartwrenching song once you can understand the lyrics.
Courtesy of Spotify
Movie My favorite movies are definitely Notting Hill and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. I am not ashamed to admit I have cried to Notting Hill, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days just constantly induced belly-laughing in me as much as it brought forth longing
Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes
Food Something I can never get sick of is poké; and the places I frequent are The Poké Co. & Wings in Norwalk and Poké Parlor in La Habra. Even though summer has technically ended, I am still going to the beach, and my favorite beach is Crescent Bay Beach in Laguna Beach.
Courtesy of ilovepoke.it
Literature As a Philosophy and English double major, I have to talk about what I am reading! I read multiple books at once, and currently, I am reading My Brilliant Friend by Elena Fe r r a n t e , Mo b y - D i c k b y Herman Melville, and Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov—the last for my English senior seminar project.
Courtesy of Good Reads
On the humid dust filled afternoon of Aug. 22, the seven year old festival Just Like Heaven came to life at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Indie and alternative music lovers alike could indulge in artists ranging from iconic bands like The Strokes, LCD SoundSystem, and TV Girl, to smaller acts that take up just as much space such as the audacious George Clanton and the dreamy bubble gum pop provided by Coco & Clair Clair. The festival was brought to us by Goldenvoice, the same big time music event production company behind Coachella and Stagecoach. Just Like Heaven was created as a one-day nostalgia fix for those itching to hear hits from the '2000s and 2010s. The atmosphere and lineup is typically curated towards millennials who yearn for the revival of the indie sleaze scene. This year's Just Like Heaven festival took place in near 100 degree heat, functioning in a spiral of nonstop dust between and during each set. Creating the initial vibe of the festival was Coco & Clair Clair who took a hold of the event at Stardust Stage. The Atlanta based duo bounced and twirled around stage singing their starry eyed tunes. Singing hits like “Crushcrushcrush,” “Kate Spade,” “My Girl,” and the classic fan favorite “Pretty.” Fans huddled around simultaneously bobbing their heads and hips while fanning themselves with the free festival fans complimentary to try to beat the heat. Festival goers wore skirts of all lengths, funky hats, boots ranging from platform to stiletto, and an ever so needed collection of diverse sunglasses. Almost immediately after Coco
& Clair Clair, George Clanton began his set. Clanton sang favorites such as “Livin’ Loose,” “I Been Young,” and “Warmpop.” The singer's performance was half music half comedy show, harmlessly mocking the crowd exclaiming, “Hey, this one's from TikTok!” poking fun at his own song trends. Clanton threw dozens of water balloons out into the crowd in the middle of songs. The young artist kept the energy at an all time high, while providing brief seconds of cooldown thanks to the exploding water balloons and water guns backstage members were given. Heading towards Orion Stage, bands like Dayglow, TV Girl, and The Strokes were preparing to inhabit. Dayglow delivered a nostalgic bedroom-pop-packed set. Fans populated the grass in front of the Orion Stage setting up a rainbow of picnic blankets buzzing along to the soft beats, truly enjoying their time at the festival. Most, if not all, music lovers are surrounded by partners or groups of friends, even some families with young ones nodding along on top of parents shoulders. TV Girl takes the stage following Dayglow. TV Girl granted its crowd another memorable performance claiming themselves as a newly self-titled “Legacy act.” Fans swayed and sang along in awe appreciating the cozy atmosphere the band had provided for their listeners. TV Girl played their greatest hits such as “The Blonde,” “Not Allowed,” and the iconic “Lovers Rock.” George Clanton had joined the band on stage singing their featured song “2000s Summer Baby.” Later the artist Jordana, who occasionally plays bass or electric guitar with the band, took center stage singing her solo trance-like tunes. LCD SoundSystem contributed
to the vibrant atmosphere of the night, playing favorite after favorite. “Dance Yrself Clean” had the swaying sardine-tin packed crowd dancing as much as they could being shoulder to shoulder. Towards this point of the night, festival attendees were dropping like flies, whether from the scorching heat of the sun mixed with sweaty dancing bodies, the dust that had colored your snot dark, or the drinks that were terribly overpriced but necessary in bulk. LCD SoundSystem then carried on with their dance punk/synth rock set, lights flashing left, right, back and forth, each musician putting their all into their instrument to the point where the crowd members could physically feel the bass rattling in their chest. Song by song, each bounced and canned party animal being escorted out, the festival prepares for the main headliners, The Strokes, to take stage. Finally, at 9:40 P.M., The Strokes took hold of Orion stage in a timely matter, collecting the largest crowd of the whole night. Fans spread out
Sept. 3, 2026
far and wide to hear the vocals of lead singer Julian Casablancas. At this point, festival goers were fairly tired out by the looks of each dust scattered face. More picnic blankets were set towards the further ends of the stage where fans who prioritized hearing rather than seeing populated. The Strokes sang fan favorites like the classic “Take It or Leave It” and “Someday”. The band had even prolonged their set to sing the ever so crowd pleasing “The Adults Are Talking” which got a rise out of all fans previously seated. The Strokes were the perfect concluding act to end the night, just as the festival coordinators had coordinated, leaving fans satisfied yet hungry for more if given the chance. Crowds scattered every which way fleeing the Rose Bowl grounds to begin their trek home and hopefully lead to a dirt exterminating shower. The very last attraction for the night seemed to be the hot dog vendors who spawned in every corner of the parking lot exits, to assure the perfect ending of a goodnight, and indeed a goodnight it was.
Courtesy of Frank101.com The Strokes perform for the bggest crowd of the night.
Fans Onto The Next Obsession Karen Martinez Aguilar PHOTOGRAPHER When Marvel fans think of the perfect casting, they immediately have in mind the actor they think is perfect for their favorite characters, and casting directors tend to make such great choices that the fans adore it and can't envision anyone else for the role. Other times, however, fans see the casting and think, "Who approved this?" Up-and-coming horror actor Inde Navarrete starred in Curry Barker's box office, low-budget indie film, Obsession and has now been announced as the new Rogue in the coming X-Men film. One would think fans would be happy to see such a talented young actor as herself in such a big role to be a great opportunity, but instead fans are sharing their surprise, disapproval, and criticism of Navarrete for the role of Rogue. Many Marvel fans are confused or upset with the director's choice in casting Navarrete as Rogue because her physical appearance is nowhere near that of the Marvel character. With her being a shorter, skinnier, nonmuscular woman, the opposite of the character, Rogue fans don’t see
her as the ideal cast for the character. On top of that, there are genuine concerns about the original voice actors' heavy accent that was used in the original X-Men that raise the question of whether Navarrete can truly pull off the role of Rogue. This, however, isn’t reason enough to completely toss her aside and recast the actor. People have to be openminded and willing to give the new actress a shot at proving herself as the Rogue. True to the fans' opinions, Navarrete isn’t an exact match to Rogue, but no one can say she isn’t a talented actress. Naverrete showed her skills in the amazing way she played Nikki and had so many people creeped out trying to mimic her disturbing and unique facial expressions. Yes, it’s true her career skyrocketed with the success of the film, but it is also thanks to her putting a spotlight on the film that made this low-budget film a huge success. Her work on the film with her character showed not only her dedication in her roles but also, that she has what it takes to be cast in a Marvel project such as X-Men. There has been speculation that the director made a choice based on her popularity and sudden rise of
fame. This has caused concern as the fans want someone who embodies the character of Rogue, someone who wasn’t simply handed the role in order to get a big cashout and sell out at the box office. However, Navarrete has proven with her skills and abilities that she can take anything anyone throws at her. Only having shot Obsession in 20 days, Navarrete had displayed her ability and talent in having what it takes to bring the character of Rogue to life. It is also true that long-standing Marvel fans won’t ever truly be at ease or happy about all Marvel castings of their favorite characters. Navarrete isn’t the first to receive criticism and
disapproval, and she certainly won’t be the last. Other Marvel actors such as Hugh Jackman or Robert Downey Jr. weren’t exactly as the character was imagined originally either, but they became beloved Marvel fan favorites. People should not discredit the effort and talent the upcoming Naverrete, simply because she doesn’t precisely meet fans expectations or specific ideals, and they should instead wait and see how she plays the role and judge her based on that. At the end of the day, we know Inde Navarrete will put her all and work hard to bring the character of Rogue justice and truly embody the Marvel Cinematic universe.
Courtesy of Cosmic Book News Inde Naverrete's overnight fame isnt comng to an end anytime soon!
Sept. 3, 2026
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Skinny Is Calling, Are You Picking Up? Ernesto Hernandez STAFF WRITER “Nothing tastes good as skinny feels”, the infamous quote coined by fashion model, Kate Moss in 2009, still serves as a motto for indivuduals aspiring to reach harmful levels of thinness for vanity reasons. Since then, there's been an uproar in public figures that keep the of normalization of unhealthy d i s o rd e re d e a t i n g a l i ve a n d "well". With the recent indie sleaze revival, platforms such as Tumblr and TikTok have begun resurfacing aesthetically packaged posts where eating disorders are being glamorized. The unhealthy habits often correlate with a "lavish" or "expensive" lifestyle that many of the general public aspire to reach. Gen Z is attempting to yet again to associate the look
of unhealthy thinness to a “chic” lifestyle. This often looks like users posting videos of what they eat in a day, where the portions are small and the calories are hardly existent. Other times, "thinspo" inspiration is represented with outfits revealing as much bone as possible. It's extremely disturbing witnessing the influx of content surfacing in all corners of the internet containing eating disorder victims visibly "showing off" their signs of starvation. Eating Disorders are seen as an incredibly competitive psychological disorder, thus when members of the harmful community come across someone else as thinner, their weight often decreases further in order to achieve their new goal due to this new inspiration. The correlation between social media and eating disorders is entirely significant in this day
and age. We have iconic American singer-actress Ariana Grande, displaying visible signs of severe weight loss during the production of the film “Wicked” continuing into her new album “Petal” release era. As someone who is idolized by many adolescents, purposefully or unpurposefuly publicly showing off her protruding collar bones or spine is sending a message to her fans that skinny is desirable and "in". Actress Jenna Or tega, has also sadly begun to display unhealthy body physiques towards the press where in a recent interview she stated, “I could go all day without eating, drinking, whatever, because I wanted so badly to not be in the way of anybody.” What we are currently experiencing is the continuous pattern of Hollywood's strive for skinny
perfection, something that was very heavily widespread in the early 2000s. Due to a high amount of persuasion and consumerism displayed through the media, major companies see this trend and are profiting off low effort weight loss products. Ozempic, GLP1 and Peptides, are just some of the major substances being advertised as easy ways of achieving the skinny physique without having to go through the hard work of losing wieght healthily and naturally. According to GoodRx, individuals who use the GLP1 injections will most likely, “[…] Courtesy of Star Magazine Show bone loss over time, in joints that bear weight such as Are bodies to be a topic of trend? legs and hips.” Demonstrating unrealistic body standards are how those who choose the easier not even in attempt to be subtle route, have higher chances of anymore. Weight loss products, their choice backfiring. diet pills, the need to incorporate Hollywood continues to starvation, what else will arise recycle trends, however, the during this scary time?
A Good Ole Literary Hootenanny At Joe's Place Jamie Calderon CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR Tralee Jacobs OPINIONS EDITOR Picture this: It’s Saturday night in Old Town Tustin. The air already feels alive, as folks chatter past The Swinging Door Saloon on Main Street. Across the street it's after closing at Arvita Book Co. but its use is not done yet, because tonight, it’s the beating heart of the town. Whittier College’s own Joe Donnelly hosted a “literar y h o o t e n a n n y” w i t h c o l l e a g u e Samantha Dunn. The event featured readings from some of LAs well established literary voices, including Jeff Pearlman, Jack Grisham, Jim Ruland, Barabra Demarco-Barrett, among others. The night was warm, but the hospitality was warmer, as music filled the air, refreshments were quickly offered, and no shortage of conversation. Live music was provided by the musical talents of Kim Le & Friends, along with an impromptu performance by Whittier's r e p r e s e n t i n g p r o f e s s o r s Jo e
Courtesy of Joe Donnelly Joe Donnelly and Douglas Manuel II jam out in appreciation for the functions turnout. Donnelly and Douglas Manuel II. The duo sang “Rockin' in the Free World” by Crazy Horse and Neil Young. Loud were the voices of the audience who were invited to sing the chorus. Louder were the students of Manuel II, who were urged to sing at the top of their lungs. Not only did Manuel II sing, but he also was featured among the night’s readers. He read from his poetry books "Testify" and "Trouble Funk" and even an unreleased piece from his anticipated book "Dandelion."
His works and performances were thoughtful and moving. His commentary in between was delightful and provoking. There is no doubt that a microphone belongs in his hand. Fellow author Jim Ruland gave us a sneak peek on his new novel, releasing Oct. 27, Mightier Than The Sword. He entranced us with the story of four college professors plotting a crime spree in Northern Arizona. Dylan Landis pulled the crowd in with a reading from her novel, "List of All Possible Desires,"
the sensual story followed main character, Rainey Royal in her attempt to earn the attention of a married man in a quiet museum. Singer and author, Jack Grisham got deep and dark with his excerpts from his novels, "Transmission" and "True Stories: A Loose Collection of Flash Fiction." Manuel II was not the only Whittier representative in the program. Whittier alumni Paige Meyer-Draffen "PMD" was also featured. She read an environmental journalism piece written during
her time at Whittier titled, "The Color Grey Has a Place in Nature." Her voice and her work inspiration to the current students scattered throughout the audience, After the readings, we took time to explore the cozy aisles of Arvida Book Co. Where we were lucky enough to snag some copies of the pieces read that night, and get some signed. The authors present were humble to say the least, eating cookies and pepperoni with beer (all provided by Donnelly). But more than that, they took the time to talk to us and tell us about their upcoming works and encouraged us to get involved in the scene. "That’s all to say," co-host Samantha Dunn assured us this would not be the last time her and Joe would host an event like this. So to echo her message; we encourage you to follow Arvida Book Co. (@arvidabookco) on Instagram and look out for the next event. We encourage you to show up and represent Whittier College and take a step into the literary world, meet some authors, hear some great stories.
The Quaker Campus Give You Food For Thought Paola Ruiz NEWS EDITOR When you are in a time crunch between classes or study sessions and need a quick bite to eat, look no further. Student life is already tough–that is why the "Quaker Campus" has shared some of their most affordable places to eat around campus. Emma Galvan (Editor-InChief ) “One of my favorite affordable food spots is Kalaveras in Uptown
[Whittier], they do $8 appetizers throughout the week and the amount of food they give for that makes it pretty worth it. Nothing hits more than going with friends for a collection of shareable appetizers after class on a random Wednesday afternoon. Likewise they do 99 cent tacos on Tuesday, it is a good deal to have that I utilize a lot when I can.” Penny Turgen (Deputy & Managing Editor) “I really love Uptown Provisions but it is not cheap.
They have a killer vegan BLT.” Jamie Caldero (Campus Life Editor) “Mimo’s is so hot, their sandwiches are like 10 bucks and I always have leftovers. I love their coffee, it's so yummy!” Maia Chaidez (Sports Editor) “The Chicken Koop has always been one of my go-tos. From their chicken, to their fries, to even their sauces (try the Chipotle!), they make nothing but the best food. Heavily underrated
spot when talking about food spots in Whittier.” Yen Tran (Head Copy Editor) “The Greenleaf Cafe was good for a chill weekend lunch! But I second Uptown Provisions, it is worth it every now and then and is less than $20 for a sandwich, but not super cheap.” Daniel Gomez (Copy Editor) “It has been a little bit but Teriyaki Bistro on the corner of Greenleaf and Wardman has had some nice sized portions for decent prices.”
Sam Guerra (Cartoonist) “Personally I like Bark Coffee from down in Philadelphia, they have croissants and muffins and coffee and they are like 10 minutes from the school so it is not hard to get there either for breakfast and they have wifi.” The never-ending list including cheap coffee fixes to hearty, budget-friendly meals for any time and occasion, these local spots prove that you do not have to break the bank to eat well.
Sept.3, 2026
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Poet Playhouse 1
• Across
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1 Who you might call if you get locked out of your dorm 6 The College or a British restroom, abbr. 8 Minstrels or lyricists; Dickinson and Plath 12 A bread 13 Via or through 14 A state of peace or meditation 15 A beamer? 16 To be or not to be, you… 17 A Greek Society famously revitalized by Sully and Mike, abbr. 18 Behind home base, abbr. 19 Things and stuff Down 21 Word before time and call 2 On display with vinyls inside 22 I own or possess 23 The Shakespeare character or Kat 3 (plural) Homesick text message? of 10 Things I Hate About You?
4 Midwest soda, sounds like? 5 … Mice and Men by Steinbeck 6 Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the… 7 Crunchy custard 9 O3 in our upper atmosphere 10 “Yikes!” 11 This evening, abbr. 13 Trail or trajectory 19 Followed by view in Spanish, on the Santa Barbara coast 20 Couldn’t be cuter 21 Humanoid monsters, uruk to Tolkein 26 1993 ABC sitcom 29 Avenue intersects Beverly Blvd, near Turnbull Canyon 31 Anderson known for Fantastic Mr. Fox and Grand Budapest Hotel
Courtesy of quontology
For crossword answer key, email The QC qc@poes.whittier.edu Courtesy of Tallahssee