My Written Work...So Far

Self-Deport or Stand Firm: The Heartbreak of L.A.’s Undocumented Street Vendors ~ L.A. TACO

When Patricia Lopez and Antonio Camacho (their names have been changed for their privacy) left Veracruz for the United States twenty years ago, they hoped to find a better life for their children.In Mexico, Lopez was a secretary and Camacho was a veterinarian. Now, they run a successful street vending business in Los Angeles where they’ve catered for various groups for two decades, including the local police department. For 20 years, it has been not only their full-time job, but their passion pr...

MataFurs debuts as CSUN’s first Furry Club

When Cinema & Television Arts major Jae Hoon Hwang transferred to CSUN from the Bay Area, he set out to do something that hadn’t been done before: co-founding the first furry club on campus.
Now serving as President of the MataFurs, Hwang and his officers want the student body to know that everyone is welcome.
“Based on our initial search, there were many people ready to join a furry club,” said Cyan, the alumni advisor of MataFurs.
Interest continued to grow as more students heard about the clu...

Record number attend ‘Fighting Oligarchy Tour’ in Downtown Los Angeles

Tens of thousands of attendees flooded Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday for the “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here with Bernie Sanders in Los Angeles” rally.
Speakers and performers included Sanders, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, local and state politicians, musicians Neil Young and Joan Baez, labor and union leaders, activists and others.
This was the sixth stop on Sanders’ “Fighting Oligarchy Tour,” which had previously held events in Nevada, Arizona a...

“Watt” a show! Fourth annual Electric Vehicle Car Show comes to town

Rows of brand new Porsche electric vehicles and reliable Rivians lined up near the University Student Union (USU) for the fourth annual EV Car Show on Wednesday, April 9 in efforts to share the importance of sustainable transportation.
Hosted by the Institute for Sustainability and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the event allowed students to explore inside some of the auto industry’s most reliable electric vehicle car makers including Tesla, Polestar and Lucid Motors.
“Our plan i...

Students seek PAWS-itivity during midterms

The Blues Project Resource Fair offered more than just information; therapy dogs were there to greet students and ease their anxiety, embodying the event’s focus on mental health.
The event, which took place on Tuesday, March 25, aimed to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Attendees could see resources accessible to students at the showcase, like aromatherapy at the Klotz Center and individual counseling services.
Students were given a stamp card and were encouraged to visit...

Hundreds gather and march to remember the legacy of Cesar Chavez

Hundreds of Angelenos participated in the 32nd annual Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice in Pacoima on Sunday, March 30, 2025. The Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative Committee of the San Fernando Valley organized the event.
A lineup of community organizers, union leaders and local politicians spoke at Pacoima Charter Elementary to kick off the day’s activities, including members of the Los Angeles City Council, the California State Assembly, and the U.S. House of Representatives. Those who spoke at th...

TPUSA event brings cheers and jeers

Conservative media influencer Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA and one of America’s most influential political personalities, visited CSUN’s campus on Thursday as part of his “The American Comeback Tour” at Matador Square. Hundreds attended the packed event in Matador Square, including CSUN students, staff and outside attendees.
Members of the CSUN community and outside groups promoted and protested the event. TPUSA’s CSUN chapter advertised it as one of roughly two dozen campus tou...

Life, Liberty and Fashion: CTVA Student Bella Blake Shares What Fashion Take

Fashion styles can determine certain aspects of one’s identity. A clean, posh style is viewed as sophisticated and softer. At the same time, bohemian and edgy fashion choices show a free-spirited lifestyle filled with carefree decisions and a rebellious spirit.
Cinema & Television Arts (CTVA) Screenwriting major, Bella Blake, uses fashion to boost her own confidence. Blake explained that it meshes well when asked about how screenwriting influences her style choices.
“Honestly, I think fashion an...

Los Angeles County battles fires and tragedy

Ultimately, the Los Angeles wildfires have been a stark reminder that climate change is rapidly growing. Winters have been warmer year after year and Southern California, after experiencing historic wet conditions two years ago, is going through abnormally warm temperatures and super dry conditions.
Despite the destruction, the wildfires have proved Los Angeles’ resilience, showcasing the kindness of neighbors opening their homes to the displaced, the distribution of aid and the rapid response o...

From crisis to stability: Basic Needs Office offers housing resources

According to the Center for the Transformation of Schools at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), one in 10 CSU students experience homelessness.
Students with housing insecurities often come from financially disadvantaged homes and cannot afford rent near their campus. Luckily, CSUN students don’t need to look further for resources, as the Basic Needs Office supports them.
“It’s the opportunity to serve a student [and] meet a need that they might not otherwise be able to meet,” Bas...

CSUN Women’s Tennis Looking Ahead Towards Big West Play

The CSUN Women’s tennis season is underway as they look to avenge an early exit from last year’s quarter-final exit in the competitive Big West Conference tournament.
Team captains Yuliia Zhytelna and Angela Ho dominated in their 6-1 doubles match against Warriors’ players Johanna Winkler and Liska Knight, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Singles play went smoothly for the Matadors as Ho swept her opponent, Lauren Gee, in two sets.
However, Zhytelna struggled early in her first set ag...

Opinion: New Year’s resolutions are an excuse to not change

Four thousand years ago, around the time the Hammurabi Code was written, ancient Babylonians celebrated the start of the new year when the crops were planted. During the 12-day celebration, the citizens of Babylon reaffirmed their loyalty to their king. They promised the gods they would repay their debts and return borrowed items to their respective owners.
To ensure their promises to the gods, Babylonians were told that they would remain in god’s favor and would receive wealth in the coming yea...

This Musician Only Needs Five Extra Minutes to Start Her Day.

On a nightstand next to 19-year-old Simone Carroll’s bed, you can see an alarm clock that is timed five minutes ahead of the actual time. “I’ve had this clock since I was very young,” said Carroll. The reason behind her setting the time five minutes ahead comes from her tenacious drive to start her day with an early bang. Carroll wants to make sure she has the time to get herself in order. Simone Carroll is what you called an ambitious person; she’s not afraid to challenge herself to try somethi...

The Benefits & Drawbacks of Social Media Reporting, with David Wagner

It’s no surprise that social media has shifted the way people receive their news. It’s even challenged journalist across the globe to reach new audiences through various tactics that make their reporting unique.I spoke with LAist housing reporter and UC Berkeley alumni David Wagner on his relationship with social media and shares his pros and cons on social media reporting. The conversation has been edited for clarity.Q: Before we dive into the conversation on social media, could you tell me a l...

UNDER A SECOND TRUMP PRESIDENCY LIES A FEARFUL FUTURE FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITY.

29-year-old Sergio Torres-Maciel was born and raised in the bustling Mexican town of Torreón, Coahuila. Torres-Maciel spent eight years in his hometown before crossing over to the United States in 2003, a move that would alter his life for the better.Torres-Maciel earned his high school diploma in 2013, received his undergraduate degree from California State University, Fullerton in 2022, and is currently working towards a master’s in education at the prestigious Stanford University. It hasn’t b...

Matadors snap five-game losing streak with win against UC Riverside

On the verge of extending their losing streak to six games, the CSUN Matadors (14-9, 5-6 Big West) came back to beat UC Riverside (8-15, 3-8 Big West) 76-70, at the Premier America Credit Union Arena on Saturday night.

Down by as many as 12 in the first half against the Highlanders, things could’ve gotten ugly quickly in the second half. Instead, the Matadors buckled down and went on a stellar second half comeback propelled by Gianni Hunt and De’Sean Allen-Eikens.

CSUN head coach Andy Newman e

Brief: Automotive class paves way for students

The founder of Toyota, Sakichi Toyoda, said, “Before you say you can’t do something, try it.”

The Pierce College Automotive Center, which sits atop the campus near the Equestrian Center, provides students who are eager to enter the automotive industry with a chance to get hands-on experience with cars.

Gustavo Hernandez said professor of Automotive Service Technology Alex Villata uses his passion to teach students how to work with cars.

“I really love working on cars,” Hernandez said. “He act

Active shooter exercise on campus

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s County Department (LASD) hosted an active shooter training at Pierce College early Thursday morning, after a two-year hiatus.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions that followed prevented the Sheriff’s department from hosting such exercises.

The event consisted of electronic simulations, in which the participants were placed into a real-life scenario of hostile situations and an enactment of an active shooter, where deputies and the Special Weapons And Tactics (S

His last touchdown

A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life was held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Northridge late Tuesday morning for former Pierce College football coach and two-time hall of famer Jim Fenwick.

Fenwick had battled leukemia after beating it 18 years ago, only for it to come back years later.

Friends, family, former colleagues from California State University, Northridge and Pierce College.

Former players from Los Angeles Valley College, Brent Nordack and Hector Franco, his sister, Cindy Co

CSUN hosts Ukraine vigil

A vigil dedicated to Ukraine was held outside of the California State University Northridge University Library on Wednesday afternoon, after Russia declared war on Ukraine almost two weeks ago.

On Feb. 21, two separatist states in the Donbas region of Ukraine were recognized by the Russian government, and—just a few days later—a full-scale invasion was launched on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Students heard perspectives from the faculty and students on the Russian invasion a