Elizabeth Secor - The Daily Lobo

Culture

UNM witnesses the historic chartering of the National Pan-Hellenic Council

Elizabeth Secor | May 9

On Saturday, May 4, the University of New Mexico Divine Nine Greek Life chapters established the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) in a milestone over a decade in the making. The Divine Nine consists of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities. Kaelyn Moon, president of the NPHC and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., made a speech during the chartering ceremony on the history of the Council at UNM. The effort has been ongoing since 2010 with undergraduate Black Greek life members researching, writing proposals and speaking with UNM leadership and Albuquerque’s Black Greek life alumni community, Moon said in her speech.

Opinion

Opinion: Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ sings to the soul

Elizabeth Secor | April 29

Taylor Swift’s newest album, “The Tortured Poets Department” offers listeners a unique blend of rich storytelling, lyrically reminiscent of her previous works like “Folklore” and “Evermore,” with a touch of synth-pop akin to “Midnights.” I enjoyed the album, though I wish there had been more variety in the music as many of the songs had similar ambience and instrumentals. The lyrics made each song stand out, but they had to be listened to closely to stand out among the 31 songs released.

Sports

The Savannah Bananas peel into Albuquerque

Francesca Cicconetti and Elizabeth Secor | April 26

The social media and baseball stars, the Savannah Bananas and Party Animals, made their Albuquerque debut to a sold-out crowd at Isotopes Stadium, bringing Bananaland to the Land of Enchantment. The teams played on April 20 and 21, selling out the stadium both days. Banana Ball is different from your typical game of baseball. There’s a pitcher and a batter, and the goal is to make it around the bases and back to home plate, but there are many different rules and flares in the game that make it the show it is.

Opinion

5 and Why: 5 ways to destress in college

Elizabeth Secor | April 22

After three years of college, I have discovered ways to destress when life gets overwhelming. I am by no means a professional, but here is what I practice.

Culture

UNM Honors College enters its Swiftie era

Elizabeth Secor | April 15

The University of New Mexico is entering its Taylor Swift era as the Honors College introduces a new class in the fall, “Taylor Swift: Honors Version.” Under the guidance of lecturer Maria Szasz, a self-proclaimed "Swiftie" and seasoned educator, the full semester course will explore various jukebox musicals and Swift songs. It will culminate in the class creation of a jukebox musical featuring Swift's songs. “The goal of the class is to study Taylor Swift's music, lyrics, philanthropy, economic impact and everything she's doing for women and artists,” Szasz said. “And the class will then create their own jukebox musical based on the life, song lyrics (and) eras of Taylor Swift.”

Opinion

Review: Isotopes concessions knock it out of the park

Elizabeth Secor | April 8

The Albuquerque Isotopes unveiled their new concession items right before the current season. The latest food up to bat has me singing, “Take me out to the concession stands.” The ballpark's executive chef, Jim Griego, is the mastermind behind these new dishes. Griego wanted to create food that made coming to the stadium a culinary experience (that requires lots of napkins).

News

LoboEats app targets food insecurity with free event leftovers

Elizabeth Secor | March 4

This past February, the University of New Mexico launched LoboEats, a mobile app created to help connect students and faculty on Main Campus with available, free, leftover food from campus events. The LoboEats app was developed by a team of Honors students led by Sarita Cargas, UNM Honors College Associate Professor to help combat food insecurity at the University. In 2022, the app created by UNM alum Biraj Silwal won the UNM and Central New Mexico Community College Mobile App Contest.

Sports

Splat and splash

Elizabeth Secor | February 5

Last semester, The University of New Mexico Esports Club put together a team of seven players to compete in the Collegiate Cephalopod Association's Division 5 Championship for Splatoon 3. After two months of competing and a record of 7-1, the team won the national championship in December. Fernando Loya Avila – gamer tag “Bean” – started the team. The experience of playing competitively, they said, was different from casual play with friends where there are no prizes and it is just for fun and leveling up.

Culture

Get away with Getaway Adventures

Elizabeth Secor | January 8

Getaway Adventures – a program offered through the University of New Mexico Outdoor Adventure Center – provides students with the opportunity to further their learning through group trips around New Mexico and the country. Charles Gwinn, the OAC Operations Specialist, is in charge of the Getaway Adventures program and said he strives to create a multi-layered experience. “These experiences allow students an affordable path to be active outdoors, learn a new skill, expand cultural knowledge and build community,” Gwinn said.

Opinion

Review: 'The Marvels' was indeed a marvel

Elizabeth Secor | November 20

I will admit I did not originally want to see “The Marvels.” I have been feeling a bit of Marvel Cinematic Universe burnout with the sheer number of productions. However, some free time sent me on my merry way to see the film, and I highly recommend it. “The Marvels” might be one of my favorite releases this year, ranking leagues above “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantamania.” The movie felt like it had the humor and emotion that has been missing from recent films and it carved a path for the young Avengers in the future.