Music industry enthusiast pursues her dream

By Tessie Navarro, Staff Photographer
Daily Sundial
February 17, 2011

Since the age of 14, Alex Hodges knew the music industry was something she had to be a part of. She tried her hand at writing songs and even singing in a band, but none of it seemed to work out for her, she said.

Hodges loved music, and made up for her lack of musical talent with passion.

She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and music industry studies. She is set to graduate in the spring.

Growing up in Sacramento, Hodges said she remembers having to make long drives to get to the nearest music venues to attend concerts.

Camera up for grabs in table tennis tournament

By Tessie Navarro, Staff Photographer
Daily Sundial
March 2, 2011

Students competed against each other in the 5th tournament of the USU’s Spring 2011 table tennis tournament on Tuesday in the Games Room.

Freshman Kyle Alcazar, 19, business marketing major, came out undefeated with a score of 5-0 against senior Benjamin Alyesh, 23, biology major.

“My whole family plays,” Alcazar said. “It’s a good hobby.”

Other students came out to compete against their friends and have fun.

“Most of my friends play so I like playing,” said freshman Max Chou, 18, business management major.

All participants in the tournament received a raffle ticket to enter for a chance to win a Flip video camera. Students played four rounds to elimination, and the top three winners received additional raffle tickets.

The next tournament will take place Monday, March 7 in the Games Room, with six more tournaments until the final championship game on Tuesday, April 26.

The winner of the raffle will be chosen at the final game.

Abortion act causes protest

By Tessie Navarro, Staff Photographer
Daily Sundial
February 28, 2011

Pro-choice supporters gathered Saturday for the Los Angeles Walk for Choice in downtown LA to advocate for women’s reproductive rights responding to the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 3), as well as recent federal funding cuts to Planned Parenthood.

H.R. 3 was introduced into Congress in January by Representative Christopher Smith. The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion as well as  indirect funds  going towards programs that could possibly make contact with abortion services.
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Greek societies raise funds for California Special Olympics

By Tessie Navarro, Staff Photographer
Daily Sundial
April 26, 2011

Members of CSUN fraternities and sororities held a battle of wits in a Jeopardy-style trivia game on Monday in the Grand Salon.

The event was part of CSUN’s annual greek week, with competitive games dedicated to raising money for a philanthropic cause. This year’s greek week is dedicated to raising funds for the Southern California Special Olympics.

Participating in greek week are 11 national fraternities and six Panhellenic national sororities.

Participants in Monday’s event watched different teams compete in answering questions about CSUN and the different fraternities and sororities. They were also able to donate money towards greek gods and goddesses, active members of the fraternities and sororities selected by each house. Raffle tickets were also being sold.

Interfraternal Council President Jeremy Spurley of Kappa Sigma said the fraternities and sororities united for a great cause.

“(The Special Olympics) does some great work,” he said. “We definitely wanted to go ahead and come together to help donate as much money to a great cause.”

Spurley said they hope to raise over $2,000 and present the L.A. Special Olympics representative with a check within the next two weeks.

Fundraising will continue Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the USU at the Plaza Del Sol with a Jail ‘n Bail in which participants will have the opportunity to “jail” and “bail” the greek gods and godesses.