Welcome to The Cascade, your source of news, culture, and student life at the University of the Fraser Valley.
I decided recently to be politically engaged. If the world is going to go to shit, I’m going to know why.
Between classes, my work at The Cascade, preparing for graduation, and witnessing the rise of facism, I’ve been feeling a little worse for wear. Which only makes me relish in the small moments; like this past Thursday when I was sitting at an outside table on the Green with a couple of classmates, blocking the sun from my eyes. March, may you bring more goodness.
Some goodness was also found in UFV’s panel for International Women’s Day. Although there was a lot of talk of “strength” and “resilience” — feminist buzzwords that kind of lose their meaning — I couldn’t help but see disparities in the experiences of each of the women. How so much of who and how they came to be, as strong and resilient as they each were, depended not only on their self-belief and agency, but also on where and who they came from. I left that panel thinking more about the power of networks, support, and community … secretly wishing I was a nepo baby.
While the daily news and media cycle rages on, our bi-weekly pages are full of stories that for the most part, will not send you head first into a world ending spiral. If anything, this little campus paper is laced with hope and humanism.
On page 6, find an interview with the Food and Agriculture Innovation Research Chair, Dr. Lenore Newman, who sees UFV’s potential in leading food technology as limitless. In our Opinion section, beginning on page 7, you will find some recommendations for local hikes in the area by resident environmentalist, Fabiola Cruz Alderete.
Our Sports section is bursting with student athlete interviews. We wrap up the men’s and women’s basketball seasons, and on page 14, our favourite Peruvian, Sky S. Terrones, gets up close and personal with men’s basketball guard Ismael Hernandez.
Our featured story for this issue, found on page 11, challenges the stigma around liberal arts degrees — a noble and financially sound education and career path! Our Copy Editor, Cassie Williams, isn’t letting the noise bog down her journey into the world of literary publishing, and you shouldn’t either.
If you need something to look forward to, head over to page 19, where Staff Writer Gauri Sethi outlines some practical tips for travelling as a student. With the end of semester approaching, now could be a good time to book a local, post-exam trip with friends.
For those who’d rather escape in the comfort of their own home, our Arts in Review section offers up some content for your consumption with a Cascade seal of approval. Unless you’re Caitlyn Carr, reviewing the latest Stephen King’s adaption, The Monkey (2025), on page 20.
Thank you for reading and supporting your campus paper! As independent media continues to be bought out by billionaires and eaten up by conglomerates (did you read our feature last issue?) student papers largely remain alternative and independent. So, if you have something to share, we’d like to hear about it.
Kiara Okonkwo is a writer and creative. She received a diploma in Screenwriting from Vancouver Film School and is pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Media and Communication Studies. Kiara values self-expression and authenticity.