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Culture

Tonic for the Times raises money for struggling New Mexicans

Sarah Bodkin | February 5

Tonic for the Times, a star-studded documentary and music festival to raise money for New Mexico’s health care workers, streamed virtually on Saturday, Jan. 20. Some of the guest speakers and performers for the event were Steven Michael Quezada, Penn Jillette, Chevel Shepherd, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Sophie B. Hawkins, Prism Bitch and Bob Odenkirk. Cyndi Conn, one of the event’s organizers, said “(health care workers) never actually leave the hospital mentally,” so the inspiration for the event was to show gratitude for their hard work. Performances were recorded from all over the country, including from Meow Wolf, recording studios and performer’s homes.

Culture

Mexican gray wolves released from BioPark into the wild

Shelby Kleinhans | February 3

For one wolf, it meant returning to the country where she was born in captivity; for the whole pack, it meant a chance to start a new life roaming free in the wild. The pack in question? Kawi, Ryder and their seven pups — a Mexican gray wolf pack that formerly called the ABQ BioPark their home. The BioPark recently reported that on Jan. 15, the nine endangered wolves were loaded into crates and started the trek down to their destination, a “wilding school” south of Mexico City. BioPark staff members transported the pack to the U.S./Mexico border, and a final green light from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) meant the pack could continue their journey with a team of conservationists from the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro.

Culture

Black History brunch highlights racial justice efforts

Megan Gleason | February 1

Black Lives Matter (BLM) and racial justice took center stage at the University of New Mexico’s Africana studies Black History Month kickoff brunch with guest speaker Melina Abdullah, a current professor and former chair of Pan-African studies at California State University, Los Angeles. Abdullah was among the original organizers of the BLM movement in 2013 and is a co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter. Abdullah opened her lecture with a brief discussion on Black history, emphasizing the work of Carter G. Woodson. The historian is widely credited for starting “Negro History Week” in 1926, which would eventually lead to the creation of Black History Month in 1976.

Culture

‘Lobo Social Packs’ provide outlet for student socialization

Megan Gleason | January 27

Lobo Social Packs are a new way for students to connect with one another at the University of New Mexico, bringing five students together to attend both in-person and virtual events. The Student Activities Center (SAC) will organize and host these groups, which will include four students and one “involved” student leader. “We’re really looking at trying to find ways to connect students during the pandemic, because things have obviously been really tough with very few in-person classes,” Ryan Lindquist, the director of the SAC, said. The 25 students who have signed up so far met virtually for the first time on Thursday, Jan. 28. Applications will continue to be accepted throughout the semester.

Culture

‘Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ swings the PS5 into new heights

Gino Gutierrez | January 25

This review contains spoilers. A follow-up to the hugely popular “Marvel’s Spider-Man” released on the PS4, “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales” not only keeps the same amazing swinging and combat system from the previous title, but adds new and interesting features that give new life to the old formula. This new addition to the franchise puts players in the role of the eponymous character Morales as he embarks on a journey to discover what kind of hero he truly is. He is not only trying to live up to the reputation of Spider-Man but also separate himself and become his own hero, not just a teenager pretending to be Spider-Man.

Culture

The life of a fully vaccinated UNMH resident

Megan Gleason | January 25

As COVID-19 began to spread around the world just under a year ago, University of New Mexico Hospital employees knew they would be seeing patients flooding the halls of the wards, and quickly. Residents felt a mix of fear and pride as they prepared to face what would likely be the largest and most shocking wave of disease and illness they would see in their careers, creating a daily physical and emotional hurdle for doctors and patients alike. “This is it — this is my cause that I get to fight for,” Dr. Jessica Evans-Wall, a second year resident, said. Still, there were many unknown variables to COVID-19, as there still are, and employees were there to help as best they could.

Culture

SciFi Blast Off virtually draws in new fans, geeks alike at UNM

Megan Gleason | January 24

Science fiction lovers at the University of New Mexico are in for a treat as University Libraries start SciFi Blast Off, a series of virtual science fiction-related events throughout the spring semester. Upcoming events for the series include team trivia on Jan. 26, a movie watch party featuring the film “Prospect” on Feb. 10 and a book discussion on Sarah Pinsker’s “Sooner or Later Everything Falls into the Sea” (specifically on the included short stories “Sooner or Later Everything Falls into the Sea,” “Our Lady of the Open Road” and “And Then There Were (N-One)") on Feb. 26.

Culture

‘Death to 2020:’ Retelling a brutal year with bad comedy

Ana Gutierrez | January 18

“Death to 2020,” a British mockumentary from the creators of “Black Mirror,” revisits every monumental event to have happened over the past year in an attempt to put it at rest as the title suggests. Despite having left much to be desired, the film’s quirky tone and lack of solemnity provides for some casual viewing if that’s what 2020 should amount to in history books in some way. In the 70-minute Netflix original, Samuel Jackson and several other B-list celebrities are casted as an assorted troupe of false leading experts and exaggerated everyday people who recount the trauma-inducing year 2020.

Culture

‘The Office:’ An homage to the ordinary

Liam Debonis | January 15

As heartwarming, relatable sitcoms like “Frasier” and “Friends” began disappearing from the airwaves in 2005, a groundbreaking new show emerged with a focus on the mundane, the boring and the ordinary. “My job is to speak to clients, um, on the phone, about … uh, quantities and, uh, type of … copier paper,” salesman Jim Halpert explains in the pilot episode. “You know, whether we can supply it to them, whether they can, uh … pay for it. And, um … I'm … I'm boring myself just talking about this.”

Culture

‘The Office’ leaves Netflix, encouraging users to make better viewing decisions

Shelby Kleinhans | January 15

With the removal of “The Office” on Jan. 1, 2021, American Netflix audiences can finally move on from their toxic relationship to a sitcom that ended in 2013. At long last, Tinder bios will be written with care instead of littered with a slew of Office quotes. Society as a whole can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Nature is healing. Let me start off by clearing the air. I don’t think that “The Office” is the worst sitcom in existence, nor is it wholly unfunny. However, at its best, “The Office” made me chuckle, and at its rock bottom made me cringe so hard that I vowed never to watch several episodes ever again. Looking at you, “Scott’s Tots.”

Culture

After establishment, Asian Pacific American Culture Center looks to future

Gabriel Biadora | January 7

The Asian Pacific American Culture Center (APACC) is still laying the groundwork for how it plans to serve the Asian community at the University of New Mexico. Formalized last year by the Student Fee Review Board, the APACC was conceived in response to the absence of an on-campus resource center for Asian-American students. Directors Jacob Olaguir and Emma Hotz and the APACC Student Board, which includes the current Asian American Students Association (AASA) president Helen Zhao, are now laying the foundation to “create a home and resource center for students of APIDA (Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Desi Americans) heritage during their studies at the University,” according to the funding application submitted earlier this semester.

Culture

UNM graduate Nevi Zerkle prepares to start music education career

Megan Gleason | December 7

Nevi Zerkle, a musician and conductor, is just over a month away from starting student teaching amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Zerkle graduated with a master’s degree in music education with distinction at the University of New Mexico in the summer of 2020. Zerkle is currently finishing their last batch of music education classes that will allow them to move on to student teaching in January, where they will be educating elementary, middle and high school levels in Iowa.

Culture

‘Mental health workbook’ in the works for UNM community

Sarah Bodkin | December 2

Bruce Smith, associate professor for the University of New Mexico course “Positive Psychology,” is creating a workbook to help UNM staff and students to navigate mental health struggles through positive psychology. “(The workbook) is really about enabling people to become their best,” Smith said. Much of the workbook is based on work that Smith has taught in his positive psychology courses.

Culture

Helen Zhao graduates with long list of accomplishments, fond memories and driving ambitions

Gabriel Biadora | November 30

As part of the 2017 BA/MD cohort, Helen Zhao is graduating this semester with a major in health medicine and human values with a concentration in biomedical science and a double minor in chemistry and psychology. Born and raised in Albuquerque, Zhao spent her adolescence in the halls of La Cueva High School before building her prominent career as an undergraduate at UNM. Through her application for the BA/MD pipeline program UNM offers, Zhao was able to receive a full ride within the School of Medicine. “I’ll see where (med school) takes me because I have no idea what field of medicine I want to go into. I know once I start med school that’s going to be the main thing that takes up my life so I’m just gonna let it,” Zhao said.

Culture

Socializing safely during the age of coronavirus

Hannah John | November 28

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the social lives of college students across the country. College, normally a time when students are finally away from the supervision of parents and claim the ability to explore a newfound freedom, has taken a different form this year. On Nov. 16, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered restrictions requiring New Mexican residents to only be in contact with people they live with and only leave their residence for essential trips. The order was in response to the drastic spike in COVID-19 positive cases in New Mexico. The restrictions on social gatherings have provoked students to find new ways to socialize with their peers.

Culture

Bella Davis graduates after disrupting New Mexico journalism status quo

Shelby Kleinhans | November 23

Through a year of pandemic, protests about racial injustice and divisive politics, Bella Davis made it to graduation, leaving behind a massive legacy of reporting in her wake. With a major in journalism and a minor in international studies, Davis is also ending her time as a senior reporter for the Daily Lobo. Davis pursued writing throughout high school but wasn’t sure which path was best for her when she began studying at the University of New Mexico. By the end of her freshman year, she applied to work for the honors literary magazine Scribendi and was accepted — much to Davis’ surprise. She continued to realize her full potential by becoming the editor in chief for Limina: UNM Nonfiction Review during her junior year.

Culture

UNM graduate Victoria Knight steps into the unknown with an open heart

Megan Gleason | November 23

Balancing three degrees, along with a multitude of extracurricular activities, University of New Mexico fall 2020 graduate Victoria Knight is ready to enter the world with an open heart for new possibilities. Knight is graduating a semester early with a liberal arts major and mathematics and honors minors. Unlike many other graduates, Knight still has her options open for possibilities of the future after school, considering various positions including mechanics. Throughout her time at UNM, Knight said she wanted to settle into the person she was going to be for the rest of her life and really find her own personality, especially after being raised in a military family where they never stayed in one place for too long.

Culture

First-generation college graduate Cyanne Garcia aspires to life of music, learning

Sarah Bodkin | November 23

University of New Mexico senior Cyanne Garcia is graduating in the fall 2020 semester with a degree in music education and will continue to radiate kindness and a love for music for the rest of her lifetime. As a first-generation college student, Garcia is especially proud that she was financially independent in school. “So much has changed from my first year of college until now,” Garcia said. “That’s been a really nice journey; really hard sometimes, but really necessary.”

Culture

UNM’s Hanging of the Greens tradition goes virtual

Megan Gleason | November 23

Every year, the University of New Mexico celebrates the Hanging of the Greens, one of the University’s oldest traditions. This year, instead of carolers strolling throughout campus to see thousands of luminarias, the event was held virtually on Nov. 20 due to the pandemic. The University put together a video highlighting some of the activities that happened this year, including a festive song by Something Major A Capella and a short talk of the history of the event given by President Garnett Stokes. “With the ongoing threat of COVID, however, this year is a very different kind of celebration,” Stokes said in the video.

Culture

Virtual Uni Nights hosts second Among Us game night

Daniel Ward | November 20

After nearly 70 students attended the first virtual Among Us game night hosted by the Student Union Building in October, administrators decided to hold a second virtual event on Friday, Nov. 13. Even though only about 20 people joined the second game night, the event kept the same positive energy from the first one. Among Us is an online multiplayer game set in a spaceship where players complete tasks while one or two secret “imposter(s)” attempt to kill all the other players without getting caught. Players can guess who the imposter is throughout the game and vote out the crewmate they believe is acting the most suspicious until they find the imposter or run out of time.