By Addison Jones Photo courtesy of Campus Life College Campuses make memories you’ll remember. Simpson University loves to create memories—showcasing them to every platform available. Now, you can have all your college year memories in your hands. Campus Life is proud to work on a book containing all this school year’s memorable moments. Whether from Sweet 16 events, sports games, chapel, or life in general, this photobook will feature it. It’s a book that won’t just collect dust on the shelf—it’s a piece of memorabilia that will last forever. Kia Flack, the creative projects coordinator and mastermind of the Campus Collective has had this book in mind for some time. “There’s been traditions being built, and we’ve been taking photos of it, so we’re like, what if we did like a collection not just pictures from the event,” Flack said. Flack envisions the book to find a place on your coffee table, a piece that completes your home or dorm room. The process of the book is constantly in the works, with events coming left and right on campus. With so much happening in a year, putting focus on a couple is a challenge. “We want to highlight things like welcome weekends, homecoming, the sweet-sixteen events, chapel, mission trip stories from last year, sports highlights, and special events,” Flack said. A school year's worth of photos is hard to compress to 70 pages—but Campus Life knows how to sort through it to get to the highlights. Hannah Hartsburg, one of the Media Assistants for Campus Life has enjoyed working on the book. “It’s honestly been fun because it’s been a different perspective looking at past events, and we get to reflect on it,” Hartsburg said. The collective is being worked on constantly, with a new event each week to capture and paste into the book. “It’s been fun to work on it every week and just kind of have a little time dedicated just to this,” Hartsburg said. Ruby Churchill, one of the Media Assistants for Campus Life loves getting to format and show a creative side to the book. “I love the creativity and organizing everything. We need to be sure everything fits and making sure it all looks good,” Churchill said. Churchill does voice the struggle behind having so many memories and little space to work with in the collective. “We also have so many pictures we wanna show when we only have 70 pages,” Churchill said. Flack’s vision for the book is to have a flow—the style is put into thought, with photos being chosen carefully. “We don’t wanna put too many photos on one page where it looks cluttered. You want it to still look stylish and almost like calming as you look through it, so we have to choose our photos wisely,” Flack said. The Campus Collective is set to be a new tradition at Simpson, for students will have this book as a memorable piece even after college. The book is set to be released during Spring Fest, the last sweet sixteen events, so be on the lookout and get it before it’s gone.

By Ruby Churchill Photo by Bobby Rutledge Simpson is not your traditional university—but there are traditions on campus. Quirky customs sprinkle a touch of intrigue into the lives of students. Simpson may seem like it is all business, sports, and academics, but it has its traditions.  If you have ever wandered near the welcome center in Owens, you have likely spotted A. B. Simpson’s statue—with his shining dome. An age-old practice among students involves giving that glorious scalp a good rub. Rumor has it that after, you’ll be showered with good luck. Near the pond you might find the campus’s beloved red and white duck. Jacob Greene discovered that he is a Muscovy duck. “I was curious about the chicken-duck hybrid waterfowl. So when I was out fishing the pond one day, I Googled Conrad’s species. Turns out he is a Muscovy duck,” Greene said. This special duck has many names, from Marshawn to Conrad to Chicken-Duck, according to Campus Visit and Event Coordinator Noah Bryerton. “He is named Marshawn as an ode to Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks’ great running back, whose nickname was Beast Mode,” Bryerton said. Marshawn waddles around the pond like he owns the place. Frankly, most would say that he does. If you ever need a reminder that life is sometimes best spent swimming lazily in a pond, just look at Marshawn living his best duck life. Then there’s the mythical one-legged goose. You might be skeptical, but legend has it that this noble creature roams the campus with a sense of purpose. He has been oft pointed out by tour guides to wide-eyed prospective students. If you’re fortunate, you might just catch a glimpse of this majestic beast. Just don’t ask him about his missing leg—some things are best left unspoken. Now, let’s address the globe in front of Owen’s Center, which once spun with the grace of a ballerina. Unfortunately, it’s been more still than a library on exam week. Until someone finds a rich alum with a passion for spinning globes, we’ll have to settle for the static representation of the world—like a traveler who forgot to pack their sense of adventure. The campus also has a bridge across the small pond that promises a glimpse of romance. It is said that if you walk across while locking eyes with someone, you will fall in love with them. It’s a risky endeavor. One moment you’re simply enjoying the scenic views, and the next, you’re tangled in a whirlwind romance. In addition to these there are several other customs that distinguish Simpson. Between Sweet 16 Events and special dorm activities, there is always something to do. “I love when staff and residents open up their houses and their own space for students to come in and hang out,” Bryerton said, referencing dorm-specific events. Iconic campus-sponsored events include everything from racing couches down the boulevard at the Davenport Derby to stretching your mind at Trivia Night. There is also the Block Party, Spring Fest, Night Life, the Boat Regatta, and much more. “They create a culture of belonging. If you know that something is happening and you come up and enjoy it, then you have something to look forward to next year” Bryerton said. Sarah Jobson is the Dean of Students. She is the mastermind behind Sweet 16 Events. She noted that there have always been traditions on campus that set it apart. For example, during Jobson’s time students thought of a way to highlight the ducks and geese at the pond for visitors. “We used to paint duck prints on the actual road,” Jobson said. Jobson elaborated why traditions are important. “I think making memories is important. I would ask a friend group ‘Well why do you guys go and do things’ and it’s the same reason, like building connections, making memories,” Jobson said. “When you have these old traditions, you talk about them for forever.” If you have ideas of traditions on campus or at sporting events, Noah Bryerton wants to hear from you. You can contact him via email at nbryerton@simpsonu.edu or visit him in the Student Development Office. An eclectic mix of traditions defines Simpson University. Remember to rub A.B. Simpson’s head before a test. Be sure to take extra precautions when crossing the bridge, or else you may risk your heart. Participate in Sweet 16 Events when you are able. We can always find a sense of community in the delightful absurdities of campus life.

By Ruby Churchill As a college student in California, it is important to know the steps for casting your vote. Here is a detailed guide to help you navigate the voting process in the Golden State (without getting too political). You are eligible to vote if you are over 18, a U.S. citizen, and a California resident. Welcome to the world of democracy—it is time to flex those newly-acquired civic muscles. To register, you can go online through the California Secretary of State’s website. You will need a California driver’s license or state ID. You also need the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. You can further register in person or by mail. You must register 15 days before Election Day. This means that for the upcoming general election, the deadline is Oct. 21, 2024. If you are a procrastination pro, California lets you do same-day registration. California is the land of convenience—every voter is automatically shipped a mail-in ballot. You can use your home address and have your parents ship your ballot to you. If you want to vote in more local elections, you can update your address. Once you are officially registered, it is time to play detective. Research the candidates using sites like Ballotpedia or the California Secretary of State’s website. On Election Day, you can head to your assigned polling place or your county elections office with your completed ballot. If you prefer to stay snuggled in bed, you can mail it. You are probably wondering why all of this is important. Dr. Dan Sloan explained that voting is a crucial process for students to participate in. “It’s important because we live in a republic…it is the fabric of our nation, the fabric of our democratic values is to go out and vote,” Sloan said. Voting allows people to influence decisions that directly affect their future. By participating in elections, students can advocate for issues that matter to them. They can help shape a society that reflects their values and needs. Additionally, engaging in the democratic process fosters a sense of civic duty. Elizabeth Aleo is a political science major as well as a communication major. She stated that voting allows people to have a say in elections. “It will get their input, and basically get their voices heard,” Aleo said. By voting, college students ensure a future that aligns with their values. Now go vote like the responsible adult you are.

By Ruby Churchill AI could be a tool of innovation or a distraction. AI is a branch of computer science in which machines are designed to think like humans, as stated by Wix Encyclopedia. It helps computers achieve goals on their own, enabling tasks to be automated. As AI steadily reshapes industries worldwide, the classroom finds itself in the spotlight. Increasingly sophisticated AI tools are entering the fray. Educators and students are left pondering—should we roll out the red carpet for AI, or should we be clutching our pearls in horror? While some believe AI can enhance learning experiences, others worry it might overshadow the all-important human touch.   The potential of AI to revolutionize education is immense. It can tackle tedious tasks, as well as personalized learning, automated grading, and administrative duties. As Old Testament professor Dr. Thomas Middlebrook puts it, “AI is the internet all grown up. And now it can talk to you.” Some schools are already integrating AI into their classrooms. Georgia State and UC Berkeley utilize virtual assistants, according to the website Global Admissions. Such chatbots can help with admissions, financial aid, and general college questions. AI is further being used for research and campus security. Could Simpson be next?   Professor Rosealine Lemette of the Digital Media Department has been investigating how Simpson could utilize AI. “The AI that I’ve actually been looking at for classroom use is an AI chatbot that gets integrated into Canvas. These chatbots…you can train them on your subject matter so that they won’t give out answers and they know how to coach the students,” Lemette said. In the scheme of educational innovation, using AI in the classroom could be the next step for Simpson University. Professors and students alike are entering a brave new world. “I know our provost is leaning that way, it’s just really getting a lot of people on board. So, he encouraged us to go to a seminar where we watched other schools that were using these trainable chatbots in classrooms…” Lemette said. With the abilities of AI ever widening, the possibilities are endless. This means an educational transformation could be on the rise. “Of course it’s going to change education. It’s going to change the type of student that we get, and the type of products that those students are going to go on to develop,” Middlebrook said, “...maybe the biggest boon to education will come with a world-class tutor for every grade level, for people who don’t even have basic education access.”   However, there are concerns about AI. Not everyone is ready to hand over the reins of teaching to our silicon friends. It is important to determine the best way to utilize it. “The question is, like any tool, what is the best use of it? We can use books as stepstools, but they’re meant to be read. We can use AI to write our 5-page essay for us, but it’s meant to develop your mind and thinking,” Middlebrook said. Dr. Timothy Orr, Associate Professor of History, also had some thoughts. He highlighted further worries related to education and learning. “Multiple generations are cutting the corners thinking that we care about the end result when, as professors, in actuality we really care about the process,” Orr said. “Students tend to think that AI is somehow separate from plagiarism, it’s not, you're just plagiarizing a computer,” Orr added. How colleges should navigate this AI-infused landscape is a question on everyone’s minds. The key may be striking a balance—leveraging AI’s strengths without letting it pull focus from good old-fashioned human interaction. “On a more practical level, recognizing that students are going to use it anyway, I think it needs to be standardized much like work citations are standardized,” Orr said.   As AI evolves, its role in education is bound to grow, offering students a treasure trove of resources. However, it is important to approach this shiny new tech with a critical eye. AI should be the cherry on top, not the entire sundae.

By Makoa Royat A simple day in the life of a Simpson University nursing major. It is either a 45-minute drive or a 10-minute drive to the hospital. One thing is for certain—it will dark when you get there and dark when you leave. While most people leave their house with their phone, wallet, and keys, nurses have some extra sundries to pack: scissors, penlight, red book, stethoscope, polishable shoes, name badge, and clipboard. Additionally, a sunny disposition may not be required but it is vital for nurses. By the way, you can be dismissed from clinicals if you forget one of the above resources—sans the sunny disposition. Once you go through that mental checklist in your head, you also need to remember to bring water, food, and caffeine for the next 12 hours—extra caffeine if you are on night shift. For the most part, clinical is from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. When you get to the hospital, you meet up with your clinical instructor. They will pair you up with a nurse (babysitter). You follow them around like a potty-trained puppy. From then on, you are off to the races. It is the healthcare lottery whether you get Nurse Ratchet or Nurse Sunshine. However, 90% of the time you are with a nurse that is helpful, explains what they are doing, and tells you tricks of the trade. They were in your shoes not so long ago. One of the great things about clinicals is the fact that students get pulled to see procedures. I have had wonderful viewing opportunities—leg amputations, a cesarean section, hip replacement, intubation, and bedside pancreatitis. I did chest compressions on a patient. I scared some poor little boy because the surgical robes made me look like an alien. Those experiences are scarce so take them if you get the chance. You get an hour lunch with the rest of the students. Meanwhile, the clinical instructor talks about the day and expectations for homework. Throughout the day you are taking care of 3 to 5 patients. Each one has their own story on how they got there. For almost every patient you are administering medications, in addition to doing physical assessments. A physical assessment is similar to when you get a physical at a doctor’s office, but it is not as intense. We do that for all patients. On the surface this does not seem very chaotic, but it can be. Many patients cannot walk—you need to help them to the bathroom. Some have enough meds to sedate a small horse, while others have the memory of a goldfish. For the latter, you have to tell them to stay in bed unless there is a nurse present. If you ever have the chance to share a meal with the black-cladded health care scholars, they will ruin whatever you have on your plate, while they have no problem eating pea soup. One of the busier majors on campus is nursing. Students like to complain to anyone that will listen, but inside they love what they do.

By Jacob Greene College. Four years—if you are lucky—that form you. They can be transformative—if you allow. A built-in community that helped create moments you will look back on with the utmost nostalgia. Transition, memories, conversations, growth, community, firsts, lasts—all of these components make up the shared college experience. With all those positives you cannot forget the negatives, late-night cramming, clogged toilets, roommate drama, homesickness, bad games or competitions, and of course the heartbreak—whether it be from sports or not. This year is a year of truly basking in the last moments of college. It is an “Alright, let’s do this one last time” moment. I have been blessed to be integrated into a community of wonderful people. But it did not start out that way. Freshman year—within my first 6 weeks—I wanted to go back home. College was not what I expected. Now, looking back—it is better than I could have ever imagined. Through various series of events, I ended up in Thompson 209. That began the creation of a tight bond between all of “The Boys”—or so we were referred to as. That group makes up only some of my best friends that I have made here at Simpson. Since freshman year I have made a wide variety of friends all in different pockets of campus. It came with time—not to mention some awkward interactions at first. Lots of game nights, caf table chats, and late-night conversations—we are all tight. Do spontaneous things—especially with your roommates. We went to Denny’s at 2 A.M. one time—now we go as a yearly tradition—Taco Bell is more of a weekly tradition. I was once told that college is only 4 years of my life—after those years are over, I will not be friends with them. That is not true at all. This past summer I was in the wedding of one of my closest freshman roommates–along with some of the other Boys with whom I became friends during my freshman year. Create or find a community—they have the potential to become your lifelong friends. It seems like only a year ago I was a wide-eyed freshman unsure of things–of the next 4 years–or heck, of the next 4 hours. I felt as though I was lacking in so many departments. But I kept saying yes. Opportunity knocked—I answered. The transitions came—I had people to help. Community popped up—I chased after it. Curveballs came at me—I tried to lean out of the way, got knocked down—but, I had people to help pick me back up. All sorts of conversations, moments, failures—they all led to growth. This is a place that can shape you in a positive way. If you allow it–if you keep saying yes to things–if you seek opportunities–it can give you an avenue to fulfill your dreams. As I look back at my 3 years (and counting) I think back to all the different moments I have experienced. From the first time that all The Boys hung out, to the first time playing bass in chapel, or that first time I felt like a journalist with the Slate—then, of course, those times with friends where it felt like time was going by too fast to truly appreciate the fun time we were having. There are so many fleeting moments I wish I could go back to—to relive–to truly appreciate.

By Addison Jones    Simpson University has been patiently waiting for its new and returning students to fly back in.     New Students were greeted with a jam-packed weekend full of fun. The campus was buzzing with each new event. From the electric football scrimmage of the team to the scenic float down the Sacramento River--while not forgetting Midnight Madness at the local Oasis Fun Center. Transfers and First Time Freshmen forged an amazing experience with valuable connections.     Transfer and Commuter Student Carly Lucero speaks on her experience with the events.    “I live 30 minutes away from campus, which can be a challenge for attending the events. I still find I have a great group of friends to go to all the events and make great memories,” Lucero said.     Students were also given a glimpse into the core values and faith of Simpson University. The incorporation of God’s will and faith brought many emotions to students. Whether it was serving in the gateway groups, attending church at Pathway, or attending Arise with the worship team—God's  presence was with us.     New freshman Evie Anderson speaks personally on how it has been with her faith here.     “It’s been inspiring to see the faith element being incorporated into these events. It confirmed that I made the right choice to attend Simpson University,” Anderson said.     The fun never stopped—important and information-filled meetings were held for the freshmen, as well as transfers. Information was given on Simpson academics itself including the specific majors. There was a big welcome meeting held on Friday. The Residence Hall meetings were held on Sunday Night.    “Definitely got a good overview of my major and its expectations. The meetings were very informative with great speakers,” freshman Bella Oliver said.     This is just the beginning of the plethora of events hosted by the students and the university.  Be sure to check out the Campus Life Instagram – @campuslife_su  – for information on the next six weeks full of events!

By Jacob Greene This year, there was tremendous amounts of growth for the Slate. As the editor, I cannot help but brag on behalf of my staff. We all put in a lot of work. Our online articles have had more average reads than in previous years. A feature article written by yours truly was read over 600 times. The previous record was 150 reads. Additionally, we had growth in social media following, as well. Three years ago The Slate’s Instagram had less than 50 followers—now it has over 550 followers. We had a reel reach over 3,000 views. Two others have over 2,000 and 1,000 views. The team–as a whole–has worked to grow our media presence. This included working with the Digital Media team—a team some of the staff is a part of—to photograph as many events as possible. Our staff is made up of both student-athletes, as well as spectacular academics. The balance of school, sports, and extracurricular activities is done well by our staff. Many of us are involved in different things on campus, everything from the worship team to clubs, to student leadership, to tutoring. The whole staff works exceptionally hard to bring our viewers the best content possible. If you are interested in joining the Slate—feel free to reach out. We recruit anyone—no matter the level of experience—whether it be a lot or none. Next year we look to grow our following even more while reporting, fair, honest, and unbiased news.

By Jacob Greene Sport or not—bass fishing is tough. Pre-fish We – myself and my boater partner, Brayden Bishop – left at 4 a.m. to make the 3-hour drive to Lakeport, CA. That day we fished all around Clear Lake from 7:30 to about 5. In the cloudy, cold, and periodical rain—we had no bites at the end of the day. Pre-fish is the time spent before a tournament to find where the schools of bass are. Then you throw different styles of lures. You change the color, the presentation (retrieval rate), or the technique. You use trial and error to find a behavior pattern the bass are in. That is also conditional on what season it is. On LiveScope we did not even see any schools of bass. We knew going into this tournament that it would be tough. We also knew the weather pattern was going to improve as it got closer to tournament day. The MLF Toyota Series had started their pre-fish 2 days prior—in 29 degrees with snowfall. Day 2 of pre-fish–which was Day 2 of the 3-day tournament for the Toyota Series–we went out early. After Day 1 we had only eliminated water. There was no pattern we had found. We could not figure out the bite—which we knew was due to the pressure on the lake in the last couple of weeks. We had a couple of places to try, one we wanted to go to—first thing. Our goal was to get to the spot across the lake before the pros blasted off at 7 am. Our lines were wet by 6:45 am. On Brayden’s 3rd cast of the morning, he set the hook on a 7-pounder. Our plan–now that we had found fish–was to sit there all day to make sure no one took our spot. At about 7:10 a boat rolled up—asking us to move. He was leading after Day 1 in the Toyota series. We moved. From there–in our state of hopelessness–we ran north and south searching for something that replicated that spot. We found nothing. Both of us kept in contact with our teammates to see how they were doing. Everyone had 1 or 2 bites. By the time we got back to the hotel, we had nothing to go off. We had covered a lot of water—attempting to [still] replicate what we found earlier. We were looking for down willows, warm water flowing in through a creek channel, and some sort of flat or ditch where the bass would be schooled. Some places had downed willows, but no bites. After talking to a couple of other teammates we found out they were biting down south–if you could find them–if you fished a drop shot. I had been fishing a drop shot along with everything else in my tackle for the past 2 days—coming up empty. With pre-fish over –20 hours of fishing done–with only 1 bite, the hopelessness ahead of tournament day only grew. All we knew was fish slow. We needed to not throw any fast-moving baits. Tournament Day I woke up at 5 am. We had to pack before heading to the boat. From there we got all our gear ready, checked in, then launched. Neither of us knew where to start—what water to cover. As we idled out before blast-off we decided to see if there was a pro in our one spot where we had a bite. He was so we went north—then south to find a fish. 3 hours later we had nothing to show but an empty live well. Brayden made the call to go to a spot where we had seen fish on day 1. As we rolled into the area a boat 100 yards away from us caught a bass. They graciously offered to let us roll past them–to where we were trying to go–since we were in a tournament. About 10 casts in Brayden cast his swimbait (the only bait anyone could get bit on). He got bit but missed the fish. I gave him my drop shot rod. He casts into the same spot, gets bit, sets the hook, and the line snaps. As that happens, I flip my Senko (a slow-moving finesse bait) into the same spot—then I got bit, missed the hook set, and reeled in with no lure on the end. I put another Senko on—cast again, then set the hook as I got bit. Once we got that first fish in the boat, we stuck with what we were doing—after about 24 hours of fishing in 3 days, we had figured out what pattern to run. I kept flipping a Senko into the tules. Brayden fished a drop shot. Our 3rd fish was the biggest, but our 4th made all the difference. Without the 4th fish–caught about 2 minutes before we left to make it back by 2 pm–we would have got 6th place. We got 3rd, one spot away from qualifying for Nationals. RESULTS 1st Joey Gentle / Justin Gentle UCLA 16 - 13 (5) 2nd Kent Moua / Seth Moua FRESNO STATE 14 - 09 (4) 3rd Brayden Bishop / Jacob Greene SIMPSON UNIVERSITY 13 - 13 (4) 4th Landon Ford / James Hawkinson SIMPSON UNIVERSITY 13 - 09 (4) 5th Austin Brown / Brandon Huse CHICO STATE 12 - 13 (4) 6th Justin Keegan / Cody Wyatt SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY 9 - 07 (3) 7th David Berry / Aiden Grad SIMPSON UNIVERSITY 6 - 10 (2) 8th Jordan Harris / Fisher Perkins CHICO STATE 6 - 06 (2) 9th Michael Bray / Brennan Osborn SIMPSON UNIVERSITY 5 - 14 (2) 10th Miles Bootay / Jim Emory SACRAMENTO STATE 3 - 06 (1) 11th Dylan Grad / Taj White SIMPSON UNIVERSITY 2 - 01 (1) 12th Koobheem Her / Austin Soucy CHICO STATE 0 - 00 (0) 13th Peter Khoury / Steven Verschoor CHICO STATE 0 - 00 (0) 14th Nolan Bartlett / Bradley Tiller OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY 0 - 00 (0)

By Ruby Churchill Another Fireside Chat of the semester is upon us, with an interesting twist. Image by Jacob Greene Hold onto your textbooks! A riveting Fireside Chat rolled into town on February 27, 2024. The Student Union transformed into a cozy haven. Students flocked in for a night of airing grievances and indulging in the legendary cookies of Alison Hall. The scene was set with an oblong circle of seats occupied by none other than President Norman Hall, Student President Brandon Hall, Sarah Jobson, and other staff. Natalie Goens set the tone with a prayer—then Dr. Hall took the stage. He spoke about an aviation major, a master's nursing program, and fundraising for a fancy new business and engineering building. “Here’s a couple of updates. The STEM building, we finally raised 7.2 million dollars...the last three years we fundraised about thirty million dollars. Students at Simpson, about 99% get aid, on average 52% get tuition scholarships. That’s a big thing,” Hall said. Athletics and other future activities like beach volleyball are underway as well. “With athletics, we’re about two clicks below the national average on scholarships for athletics, that’s also something I’m really pleased with,” Hall said. Dr. Hall then transitioned to a commentary on the history of college founder A. B. Simpson, as well as his own personal journey. “When I came here, I felt a calling from God, to serve at Simpson University and to move it to a place of this unyielding, unapologetic faith in Jesus,” Hall said Now, here’s the twist: Last Fireside Chat, students were summoned to take part in the Student Satisfaction Survey. 14,000 nationally participated, including 137 of our very own Red Hawks. Armed with the results, Sarah Jobson took the lead to reveal what students really think about campus life. The strengths of Simpson University include campus life, safety, tutoring, athletic programs, and weekend activities. “These are the things friends, that students say are important to me and I’m satisfied in them…with academics, your advisor’s approachable. That’s good, that’s a strength. What else? Tutoring services are readily available, that’s great. Faculty are available during office hours, I keep hearing that,” Jobson said. Jobson then transitioned into some of the university’s weaknesses. “Admissions staff are knowledgeable, and admissions accurately portrays the campus in their recruiting practices…there are our challenges.” Jobson then asked what the experiences of students were, and a few gave their responses. One student spoke up and explained that perhaps athletes are not getting adequate tours of campus if they tour with a coach rather than admissions personnel. “If people don’t know who the admissions counselors are...not all sports require their tour to be with an admissions counselor,” they said. Another challenge was the lack of timely feedback provided by professors. Students complained about email abysses where assignments went to hibernate until midterms. It was suggested that professors should provide comments at least weekly on assignments. “I think for me, emails are great, but I don’t even get my assignments graded until like midterms or end of the semester. And you turn in like 3 or 4 assignments a week and you’re doing things wrong, you don’t know that they wanted it different,” a student said. Also mentioned was the lack of communication between the departments of Student Accounts and Financial Aid, leading to issues with charges. One student explained that they had problems with being charged too much on their account. “I had to keep going to each one separately, they could have solved that by communicating to each other. That’s where the big issue lies, there’s lackluster communication between those two…” they said. Other topics unfolded—maintenance requests, dorm room mysteries, cafeteria food adventures, and more. In the end, another Fireside Chat wrapped up, leaving the community closer than ever.

By Kassandra Soria As the 2024 year starts, the Red Hawks continue competing with winter sports in the crazy Redding weather. The real issue, how are these teams competing in weather hazards and why. Unfortunately, some sports teams are struggling with practicing and playing their scheduled games which has been causing some issues for these athletes because of the weather. Not only does this take away reps. But, all these athletes want to do is play the sport they love. I was able to talk to some student athletes, to see how they react to these conditions. Track and Field/Cross Country answered some questions having to do with their sport and if there are any challenges, this is what they said. “I like running early in the mornings so I have the rest of the day free for school and work. It only really sucks when we run in the pouring rain,” Jewels Zaragoza said, “But there really isn’t a place for us to run inside when it is raining....it’s usually on a treadmill and I get worse shin splints, so it makes no sense for me to run on a treadmill. The only thing that sucks is when it rains and we run 5 miles in it”. “I wish we had our own track so that we didn’t have to worry about driving to places to run,” Abigal Kang said. After hearing both responses it is clear all sport teams are determined to compete. Athletes of both winter and spring sports share this challenge. Another example of getting work done is both basketball teams staying over their winter breaks and only going home for a couple of days. Both Baseball and Softball have started to practice and play with weather hazards. This has made it difficult as well but, both teams both find ways to get work done this upcoming season.

By Ruby Churchill Image courtesy of USA Today In the vast, poetic universe, one name shines brighter than a supernova—Brandon Leake. Leake has a charming stage presence and a knack for weaving words into magical tapestries. He has been capturing audiences worldwide with his poetry, even gracing the stage of America’s Got Talent. On March 4, 2024, he visited Simpson University—treating everyone to a short film. Leake's journey started in Stockton, California. Born on May 24, 1992, Leake fell head over heels for the spoken word while attending college. Poetry became his trusty steed for navigating the roller coaster of life. His childhood trials and tribulations were like fertilizer for his poetic garden. “When I seriously started taking poetry for myself was freshman year. My best friend drowned in a levee running away from a rival gang while I was here…and I said, what better way can I honor my friend than by writing about him. So I wrote a poem, and I came up and shared it. And that was the first inkling I had to dive back into writing,” Leake said. Leake crashed into the limelight like a poetic wrecking ball when he made history as the first spoken word artist on America's Got Talent in 2020. His audition piece was more than just a poem—it was an incredible moment addressing the social issues gripping the United States. Leake’s authenticity set him apart from the beginning. Howie Mandel couldn't resist hitting the Golden Buzzer. After winning America’s Got Talent, Leake continued his creative career. He has used his platform to fight for social justice and mental health awareness. Leake is not just a poet; he's a force of nature wrapped in human form. From his humble beginnings to the America's Got Talent stage, he has proven that words are not just ink on paper—they are dynamite sticks waiting to explode minds. Leake answered questions in the Student Union before introducing his short film to Simpson University students. One student asked about the transition from playing basketball to doing poetry. “It was super difficult...what you will find is that any athlete—especially the higher you go, the more difficult the fall after it’s done. When you see professional athletes who are drugged out, who are struggling trying to figure out life after sports when they’re retired at 33, and they still have the rest of their lives ahead of them, it's because they never established any identity outside of what they did on that field. And that was me…” Leake said Leake also empasized the importance of faith in his journey. He explained that he tried out for America’s Got Talent in 2017 but was turned down, only for God to lead him back to the stage in 2019. “How did my faith play a role in my success? It’s solely responsible for it…Before I was on America’s Got Talent, I did 4 hours a day of rehearsal. From 9 pm to 1 in the morning, just running poems…But I did that before I committed to Jesus like for real, and didn’t get the same results. And it was my faith that met me, because I was doing poetry in 2017 when I tried out for America’s Got Talent the first time, and got told no…The distinct difference isn’t just my work ethic. The distinct difference is that God is here with me because you can show up to the right destination at the wrong time, which was me in 2017,” Leake said. His short film Complexity detailed the relationship between a young teenager and the police officer who killed his father. It showed themes of faith, forgiveness, and struggle. Many students expressed the emotions it made them feel—sadness, loss, hope. As he continues to paint his masterpiece on the canvas of life, Brandon Leake reminds us of the magic that happens when art and storytelling collide. Visit Leake’s website for information about his upcoming projects.