DLM (May 2014)

THE PARTISANopen 7 days a week at noon

YOUR GETTING THIRSTYvery thirsty

17th street public houseCROSSWORD PUZZLE

DOWN1. Dark beer made using roasted malt or roasted barley, hops, water and yeast.

3. German word meaning "yeast"

4. Perfumy Belgian Wheat Beer madewith orange rind and coriander seed.

6. Fermentable material used as a substitute for traditional grains, to make beer lighter-bodied or cheaper.

8. State that Dogfish Head beer is made.

10. Device that connects the gas line and the beer line to the keg

11. 16 ounces of beer.

13. Brewery started in 1987 in Ashland Oregon.

ACROSS2. Taste sensation cause

by acidic flavors.

5. Main ingredient in beer.

7. Home of the world's biggest beer festival.

9. Herb added to boiling wort or fermenting beer to impart a bitter aroma and flavor.

11. House open to the public.

12. Metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases and/or alcohol.

14. Actor who played Norm Peterson on Cheers.

15. Dark blue-coloured wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines.

16. The stopper in the hole in a keg or cask through which the keg or cask is filled and emptied.

The PlayersPUBLISHER: Tom Price [email protected]

CONTENT EDITOR: Ben Davidson [email protected]

WEB GURU: Kenneth Nelson [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & EDITORS: Nathan Quevedo, Theresa Hong, Amber Kirby and Brittany Miller

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Dan Hong, Tina Gutierrez, Matthew MacLeod

COVER: The Graduation Issue

PHOTOGRAPHER: Dan Hong

MODEL: Edirin Egbikuabje

Find UsWEBSITE: www.thedlm.comFACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/thedlmTWITTER: www.twitter.com/downtownlifemagEMAIL: [email protected]: 209-568-6363EDITORIAL: 209-777-6176SNAIL MAIL: PO BOX 1604 Merced CA, 95341

The Cover

AR T MUSIC CULTURE

ContentsMondaysSinger/Songwriter showcase at Partisan gets visit from legend. Page 10

Anthonie TonnonNew Zealand artist to play free concert at Tigers & Daggers. Page 14

Srange VineFresno two-piece returns to Merced on heels of big year. Page 16

The GraduatesLocal high school and college grads share their stories of triumph. Page 18

Snap ShotPhotographic look at the dramatic season finale of Drama Island. Page 33

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Issue 55Volume 4

Issue 55Volume 4

THE CALENDARCwww.thedlm.com/events

May 17KowhoonWhat: Kowhoon performs liveTime: 9 p.m.Location Kewl Kats Info: Facebook

May 23Children’s OperaWhat: The Sky is Falling and I’m not Even Kidding Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Lakireddy Auditorium

Cap & TownWhat: Outdoor festival Downtown Time: 5 to 10 p.m.Location Downtown Merced Info: Facebook

May 16

May 23Strange VineWhat: 21+ Concert with AwahnichiTime: 9 p..m.Location: The PartisanInfo: partisanmerced.com

May 30Born & RaisedWhat: Locally producted one-act playsTime: 7 p.m. Location: Multicultural Arts CenterInfo: Facebook

May 28TonnonWhat: FREE all -ages concert Time: 7:30 p.m.Location: Tigers & DaggersInfo: Facebook

May 19MondaysWhat: David Dondero and Neil JacksonTime: 7:30 p.m.Location The Partisan Info: Facebook

Yolanda delRioWhat: Mother’s Day Concert Time: 7 p.m.Location Merced Theatre Info: mercedtheatre.org

May 18

S SHORTS Cap & TownDon Rickles

The Mondays

Photo by John Tipton

Cap & Town — Downtown Merced’s annual celebration

for graduating students of all ages — will bring an evening of live music and entertainment to Main Street from 5 to 10 p.m. on May 16.

In it’s sixth year, the Cap & Town has become one of Downtown Merced’s signature events, drawing more than 8,000 people to the street to take in three stages of music featuring more than a dozen bands and a host of carnival-like activities.

“Cap & Town is a celebration of the

accomplishments of Merced students of all ages, from preschool to UC Merced,” says Karen Baker, City of Merced development associate. “It offers an opportunity to have the whole Merced community celebrate their success with them in a fun and safe atmosphere.”

The list of performers at this year’s event includes the bands Early Empires, Down Dirty Shake, Feeling Gravity’s Pull, The Banshees, The Danny Garza band and Contagious along with dance groups from Deina’s School of Dance, the South Pacific Dance

Company and Sol De Valle. Frontman for the band

Deriva, Carlos Pena, has performed at Cap & town four times.

“Deriva is honored and flattered to have been included in this event,” he says. “It’s a great event and it is something we can embrace in our hometown.”

Baker says one major addition to this years Cap & Town is the Kiwanis Kiddieland Play area, which will feature games and activities for youth.

Cap & Town will kick off at 5 p.m. on May 16 in Downtown Merced.

CAP & TOWN 2014

Photo by the Shefrin CompanyLegendary funnyman will be performing May 17 at the Turlock Community Theatre.

Don Rickles in TurlockLegendary insult

comic Don Rickles will bring his still

poignant stand-up routine to the Turlock Community Theatre on May 17.

Originally scheduled in January, but postponed because of health issues, Rickles won’t miss this chance to bring his “Mr. Warmth” routine to the Valley.

“I’m in good health. I’m working better than I ever have. The audiences are great. Why should I

retire?” says Rickles in a statement on the Turlcok Community Theatre website. “I’m like a fighter. The bell rings and you come out and fight. My energy comes alive. And, I still enjoy it.”

Rickels, 88, has built a reputation as one of the world’s greatest funnymen with an act that has spanned more than five decades.

He has appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Late Show

with David Letterman, is a favorite in Las Vegas and Atlantic City and in 2012 became the second recipient of the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence at the New York City Comedy Awards.

Doors for the show open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets range from $69 to $129 depending on seat location.

For more information, visit the Turlock Community Theatre website at www.turlocktheatre.org.

10

THEMONDAYS

Final episode of season features two great singer / songwriters

Words by Tom Price [email protected]

THEDLM.COM 11

The Mondays, a twice-monthly singer-songwriter

showcase that is filmed at the Partisan and published on YouTube will conclude its inaugural season with a doozy on May 19. Neil Jackson from retired Oakdale indie-rock band Built Like Alaska and legendary troubadour David Dondero will take to the stage in a memorable show of amazing songwriting.

“It will be a great night. Neil has always been one of my favorite songwriters, beyond that he is an outstanding human being,” says RC Essig, co-owner of the Partisan and a co-producer of the Monday’s. “Dave is the songwriter a lot of

people want to be like, but don’t have the balls to be. He is a modern-day troubadour and continues to write songs that are timeless.”

In 2006, NPR’s All Songs Considered named Dondero one of the “best living songwriters” alongside Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Tom Waits. To his name, Dondero, has produced 12 albums, including his latest — 2013’s “Golden

Hits, vol. 1. The Mondays offers not only an

intimate setting for the musicians to perform, but Essig interviews them for the episodes while drinking a few beers in the back bar. Essig is looking forward to talking to Dondero — even if it is only for a few brief minutes.

“It will be a shame that we will only get to ask him a couple questions,” says Essig. “He is somebody that has played more shows than I have ever been to.”

The show is directed, shot and published by Essig’s, partner on the project — Daniel Hong, co-owner of Youbiquicast.

“As a frustrated musician, I do everything I can to promote the music in our community,” says Hong. “So when RC approached me with the idea of the Mondays, it was a slam dunk for us.”

Both Essig and Hong set out to create an event that was created for the sole purpose of allowing great music to be created and consumed. A difficult task in a bar, but they seem to have struck a chord with local music lovers.

“Personally I prefer to hear a songwriter and see a songwriter play live in a smaller space,” says Essig. “That is the

nice thing about The Mondays, and the crowds that have shown up. The people have been quiet, patient, and respectful. And if they are not, we just tell them that this isn’t the right place for them that night.”

The final taping of the Mondays will be at 7:30 p.m. on May 19 at the Partisan, featuring Dondero and Jackson. The event is free and open to the public.

“Dave is the songwriter a lot of people want to be like, but don’t have the balls to be. He is a modern-day troubadour and continues to write

songs that are timeless.” — RC Essig

12

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THEDLM.COM 13

Illustration by Alana Perlin

Tonnon returns to States, Merced

The first time Merced was introduced to An-thonie Tonnon, was a mellow September night last year on the Partisan stage. The sharp-

dressed New Zealander wowed the crowd of 30-or-so with his shockingly full sound and repertoire of heartfelt and witty songs.

Tonnon is back in the States and will be making his second visit to Merced on May 28 at Tigers & Daggers Records in Downtown Merced. The Auckland-based performer has grown used to life on the road and says being across the globe from his home is a test of his mettle.

“In some ways the US is a nice alternate reality for me because music is the only work I’m allowed to do there,” says Tonnon. “I don’t have the option of working for a wage, so I have to keep playing shows, and that’s how I grow.”

Words by Tom Price [email protected]

14

He says because of the incredibly high expense of a performance visa, which lasts a year, he tries to return to the U.S. every six months. He’s excited for his return to see if many folks who bought his album on the last trip will come out for more. Tonnon says his sound is always evolving and he will definitely have a different show this time around.

“It is more of an evolution in the same direction,” says Tonnon of his musical growth. “Merced last year was the first time I tried using two amps and a lot of the sonic experiments I was trying then have now become polished, focused parts of the set.”

In his previous visit, Tonnon was on tour with accomplished vocalist and piano player Shenandoah Davis. He says spending so much time with a great artist like Davis left a lasting impact.

“I learned so much from Shenandoah, but you almost get too close to someone’s music in that situation, that what you learn seems like osmosis,” he says. “I have a couple of

new songs that people have told me sounds like it’s influenced by Shenandoah, but I haven’t done so consciously.”

His current visit is a one-man tour, which inevitably leads to a lot of unique shows in unique locations. But the unpredictability of a solo tour is exactly what Tonnon is looking for at this point in his career.

He says he is trying to build a show that is portable and sounds bigger than just one person. Tonnon, who fronted the band Tono and the Finance Company, wants to create a powerful musical experience for the listener all by himself.

“Portability is a factor, yes, but it’s more than that. When I finished TATFC and started playing under my own name, I wanted to develop a new kind of act — a solo act that could feel larger than one person,” he says. “I think that touring with full bands, particularly internationally, is becoming increasingly impractical — and for me I wanted a sustainable act. To give a good experience I’ve got to look at other

Photo by Dan HongAnthony Tonnon performing at the DLM’s Sunday Sessions at The Partisan in September of 2013. Tonnon will return to Merced May 28 for a free performance at Tigers & Daggers.

THEDLM.COM 15

The DLM’s Deadline

PlaylistEvery month the DLM staff is publishing a playlist on Spotify of the music they are listening to during the deadline.

May 2014Artist William OnyeabarPassion PitTune-Yardsalt-JPillar PointDark RoomsSoft SwellsSt. VincentDirty ProjectorsFoxygenFrench CassettesBeach HouseThe Helio SequenceDale Earnhardt. Jr. Jr. Plants and Animals

Song Fantastic ManTake a WalkWater FountainBreezeblocksDreamin’ Give up Give inShake it OffRattlesnakeAbout to DieSan FranciscoBoysBreath of Fresh AirhallelujahKnock LouderThe End of That

forms to figure out how it can work and I looked to things like stand-up comedy and theatre.”

Tonnon who holds regular jobs in Aukland as a radio engineer and writer says keeping his dream alive is a struggle. But he views his time in the states as his opportunity to live the musician’s life.

“I’m like anybody in the working class – there’s no trust fund behind me and I’ve got to hustle to survive and pay for the next tour. I’ve done more jobs than I care to mention, and each time I come back from tour I’ve got to look at my finances and figure out what work I need to do to keep going,” says Tonnon. “In the States, I don’t have the option of working for a wage, so I have to keep playing shows, and that’s how I grow.”

Tonnon will be playing a free show with Canadian-based Rhythm of Cruelty at 7:30 p.m. on May 28 at Tigers & Daggers Records (621 W. Main Street, Downtown Merced). For more information, visit www.thedlm.com.

www.thedlm.com

16

Strange VineStrange VineWords by Nathan Quevedo

[email protected]

THEDLM.COM 17

It’s always fun to see a two-piece rock band. There’s a lot

of ground to cover soni-cally with only four arms, four legs and two vocals, especially to successfully round out the sound and entertain the crowd.

Plain and simple, it either works or it doesn’t.

And with Strange Vine, it works.“There’s a large learning curve for

a two-piece band,” says Strange Vine percussionist, keyboardist and vocalist Ian Blesse. “More than anything we’ve figured

out a lot about what we can and can’t do live and it has helped us adapt and grow artistically.”

Often compared to another two-piece rock band, The Black Keys, Fresno-based Strange Vine is a mix of blues, psychedelic and traditional rock ‘n’ roll.

“We get a lot of ‘Why do you live there?’ and ‘What do people even do there?,’ ” Blesse says when the band plays in bigger markets like L.A. and the Bay Area. “I feel like it’s a little tough to be taken seriously because of where we live. That said, it doesn’t bother us at all. If anything, it makes us work a little harder. There’s so much amazing art and music in the Valley and we’re proud to be a part of that.”

Blesse, who plays drums and a Rhodes

piano simultaneously, and Toby Cordova, who plays several different guitars, including one made from a cigar box, were both raised in the Sierra Nevada, and this is apparent in Strange Vine’s soundscape. Both supply vocals toward a plush and surprisingly full sound for being a two-piece.

“I think the main reason people compare us to The Black Keys is because we’re a two-piece rock ‘n’ roll band,” says Blesse. “I feel like the only real thing we have in common is that both bands draw inspiration from some of the same music. North Mississippi hill country music like Fred McDowell, R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough. That, and we both make the same amount of money.”

In the few years since the band formed, Strange Vine has already played with an impressive list of bands, including Cage

The Elephant, The Growlers, Lord Huron, B.B. King, Robin Trower, Kurt Vile, White Denim, Pokey LaFarge, and JEFF The Brotherhood.

And the band is nearly ready to release a full-length album.

“We’ve been working hard on what looks to be our first full-length album and are hoping to release that by the end of summer,” Blesse says. “It’s been a long time coming and we can’t wait to get it out there. There are a few small tours in the near future to lead up to the release. We always seem to stay busy playing shows.”

Strange Vine is set to play with ILYA at The Partisan on May 23. The 21-and-older show is $5 and starts at 9 p.m.

“I feel like its a little tough to be taken seriously because of where we live. That said, it doesn’t bother us at all. If anything, it makes us

work a little harder. There’s so much amazing art and music in the Valley and we’re proud

to be a part of that.” — Iane Blesse

Words by Amber Kirby [email protected]

Danielle DieleMeet the Graduates

Danielle (Dani) Diele wants to save an entire legacy.

That’s asking a lot of anybody, especially a teenager preparing to graduate high school. The Golden Valley High School student is not shy about her ambitions as she speaks sincerely about the value of preserving Merced’s rich agricultural legacy. It’s no wonder she was crowned Miss Merced County.

Diele, 17, will be graduating this June. Diele has played water polo, served as the GVHS Rally Leader, carried a 4.0+ GPA, actively served in student government — her activities record is over three pages.

However, it’s the Future Farmers of America that seems to really hold a special place in her heart. Among other leadership roles, She has been vice president, president and sectional president for the organization. Though Diele didn’t grow up on a farm, her parents, educators Sam and Laura Diele, encouraged her to pursue her

dream. “When I was little, I remember being

at the Merced County Fair and watching the older kids from my 4H barn — I saw this community that was such a family, creating something truly rewarding,” she says.

In the fall she’ll join her brother Scott at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for a degree in Agricultural Business and aspires to practice law.

“The question is food and security, and it’s world wide. Our Valley currently feeds one third of the world. There are 7 billion people on the planet now, by 2050, there will be 9 billion,” says Diele. “The question is how are we going to feed all those people?”

Though she knows it may not be enough, Diele suggests that a possible solution is to get more people educated and interested in agriculture and to encourage the younger generation to stay local and continue the Valley’s farming legacy.

It’s no coincidence that when she ran for Miss Merced Country her platform statement was agriculture awareness, “Merced County is agriculture.”

And this will be her same platform as she runs (as the youngest contestant) for Miss California.

“I’m excited to serve my platform and as a role model for younger girls,” she says.

Diele wants to convey that the FFA isn’t just cows and sows but the biggest youth leadership organization in nation with

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AN ARSENAL OF MEN’S APPAREL

500,000 members. “FFA is imperative in this area because

not only are you learning to be a better citizen but you’re learning about what this Valley has and what a powerful and necessary source agriculture is,” she says.

If her sincere desire to feed the world wasn’t enough to make you swoon, Diele and six of her childhood friends from across the high school district have been actualizing prom dreams. Merced Union High School district is a Title IV district. With 79 percent of the GVHS population alone rated as socioeconomically disadvantaged it’s no wonder that many can’t afford a dress. If you’re not a lady, you may not realize that the cost of a proper dress can exceed hundreds. With generous donations from all across town, Cinderella’s closet was opened Downtown this year by Diele and friends. The group successfully dressed more than 75 teenagers and adorned them with accessories and a few lucky with up-dos and manicures.

Diele and friends will leave the legacy of Cinderella’s Closet to a junior member of the group so that the magic may continue next year.

With her high school legacy in place and her college career approaching, Diele says this won’t be the last the Valley sees of her.

“If you’re going to work in the Ag Industry you have to work here. Right here in our Valley,” she says.

Diele firmly believes in legislative agriculture policy, which comes from ag advocacy. She feels that if more people were aware of the drought three years ago and what the effects were going to be on agriculture, that water storage would have been more prepared.

It’s impossible not to be impressed when speaking with this intelligent young woman and feeling pride of Valley’s ripe potential.

The legacy of Merced’s agriculture isn’t an urban myth of old-time cowboys, cows and sows. It isn’t a dead art. It’s right here in Merced with bright eyes and a sparkling tiara on her head.

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People are often divided into two separate groups: re-

sponsible and irresponsi-ble. The distinction pre-sented is straightforward. A responsible person changes the oil in their car and goes to work on time. An irresponsible

person forgets to do their taxes and spends most of their money on dollar burritos. Most people are forced into one category or the oth-er, and a damaging con-sequence of the divide is the idea that the label is permanent.

Words by Brittany Miller [email protected]

John BeattyMeet the Graduates

Photo by Brittany MillerJohn Beatty, a Mcerced College graduate, poses in front of the Merced College campus sign.

THEDLM.COM 23

At first glance, John Beatty looks like the sort that does his laundry regularly and maybe even has a savings account. This year he is graduating from Merced College with an Associate of Arts degree in General Business. He’s the first to admit that he wasn’t always so dedicated, however, and it was his ability to bounce back from failure that defines his success.

In high school, Beatty was a lazy student. Right after graduating he started attending Merced College without any real goals in mind. It was simply the expectation, and despite a strong first semester, he dropped out during the first year.

“When I started going I realized that I didn’t want to be in Merced,” says Beatty. echoing a sentiment shared by many local students first starting out. “I was really burned out. I was tired of school. I started not going to classes, going to the coffee shop instead to hang out.”

After his unsuccessful first attempt at Merced College, he left for Utah to live with family. He supported himself by working odd jobs, but after a summer working in Texas he felt it was time to return to California and have another go at getting his degree.

“I had a lot of fun in Utah, but it was just fun. It was just me being wild and free and away from home for the first time.”

His initial departure was not without consequence, and it took a year to re-establish California residency and repair the damage that had been done.

“It really wrecked my GPA,” says Beatty of dropping out of school. “When I came back I was on academic probation and had to take a guidance class.”

This time, things were different. No longer suffering from the burn-out of

just finishing high school, he applied himself in his classes. The defining factor in the success that followed, however, he attributes to his involvement in a school organization: CEO club.

“Being in a club is what made me more motivated to do well in classes,” says Beatty. “I was in the club with a lot of people that I had in different classes. We would help each other with homework, studying, working on team projects or the club business. It was really easy to be involved and get all my schoolwork done at the same time.”

At the height of his education, Beatty was working three jobs, attending school full time and serving as the CEO club’s president. His time was not without the occasional hiccup, but where others may have become overwhelmed and consequently discouraged, Beatty instead saw opportunities for growth.

“I learned from the mistakes that I made and started to learn from the mistakes that other people made and became smart in my academic career,” says Beatty.

The skills Beatty gained from his time in school extended beyond the curriculum itself. One example he gives is learning to cope with the awkwardness experienced learning a second language in his Spanish class.

“Taking classes that get you out of your comfort zone are great because they teach you to adapt,” he says. “In the business world you have to be willing to accept change.”

With graduation fast approaching, Beatty already has plans for the future, and although his time at Merced College is complete, his education isn’t over. In Fall of this year he will be attending Columbia Community College. There he

“I learned from the mistakes that I made and started to learn from the mistakes that other people made and became smart in my

academic career.” — John Beatty

24

will study culinary arts with hopes that the knowledge he gains there, combined with his experience from Merced College, will give him the skills he needs to fulfill his dream — starting a gourmet food truck. Though he hasn’t settled on a final location, he is considering coming back to Merced to open his business.

“Merced has began to look more like a place where a gourmet food truck could survive,” he says. Adding that some local business owners have expressed support for

him bringing his skills back home. Looking back, Beatty sees the path he

took as an example of the potential that students have to change and recover after mistakes or setbacks.

“Everybody gets second chances and you just have to make the most of them,” he says. “Going back to school is not an impossible thing. I know that I’m more capable now of doing what I want to do than I was fresh out of high school. But there’s still a lot that I have to learn.”

c r e a t i v e

w w w . t h o m a h a w k c r e a t i v e . c o m

THEDLM.COM 25

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Photo by Matthew MacLeod

Kyoki Prusela PhillipsMeet the Graduates

Where many stu-dents see bound-aries, Kyoki

Prusela Phillips sees op-portunity. A Southern California native, she viewed the UC and the Merced community not as an alternative, but fertile grounds to live and expe-rience a unique college experience.

In four years, she started two clubs, became president of the largest student organization on campus, interned in the community and she found time to take a semester to study abroad. She proved herself over and over again as an innovative leader, creating powerful events that impacted hundreds of current and former students.

“I don’t think I would have been able to accomplish all of this or experience as much at another school,” says Phillips. “It’s a school where our chancellor and vice chancellors will email back to answer questions, professors will invest their time getting to know students so they can have letters of recommendation for grad school and students are genuinely interested in helping one another succeed.”

With the impact Phillips has left by her involvement in groups on and off campus, the list of people lining up to write her letters of recommendations is probably

as long as the line at Sam Café’s mobile food station on campus. In addition to working with The Prodigy, Student Alumni Association and the UC Merced Alumni Association, she ventured off campus as an intern at the DLM and she volunteered at the Merced Theatre and at the Market on Main.

“Off campus is the real world, it’s outside of your comfort zone, it’s where so much untapped opportunities can be found,” says Phillips. “Being involved in the community helps to keep students more balanced so they aren’t trapped in school mode all of the time, doing the same thing every week, only seeing and interacting with the same people.”

Her biggest taste of the real world came when she spent an entire semester off campus … way off campus. She says in her second year she worked hard to raise her GPA so that she could apply to study abroad. She would eventually apply and be accepted to study at Sweden’s Lund University — ranked among the top 100 universities in the world.

“My greatest memory during my career was getting my acceptance letter into the program; Lund was such an amazing experience,” she says. “UC Merced is new and small and Lund was founded in 1666, has beautiful brick architecture and is Sweden’s highest rated international higher education institution.”

Enriched by her experience abroad, Philips returned to her modern campus in Merced, which was growing rapidly. She says the geography on campus was growing so fast it was hard to keep up, but the core values of the student experience at UC Merced remained the same.

Words by Tom Price [email protected]

28

“I feel like in my four years at UC Merced, the campus has doubled in size. I’m grateful to be a part of the first classes to be given in some of these buildings — to be one of the first clubs to host events in theses amazing spaces,” says Phillips. “But even though physically we’ve grown, I still enjoy the small campus and big-community feel. I am able to walk up the hill and recognize the faces of my fellow Bobcats.”

Phillips says her legacy on the campus will be with the Student Alumni Association. She says as an Alumni Relations Intern she helped improve community partnership and helped launch more than 15 events that are held every year by SAA. Her crowing achievement she says was the beginning of Past and Present: Presidents and Pioneers — an event that invited current student leaders to meet with their alumni counterparts. It was an event that created networking opportunities for current students and allowed alumni an avenue to return to campus and see what they helped build.

The truth is, Phillips’ legacy will extend beyond the SAA and even the UC Merced campus. She built a bridge to the community through her work and she opened dialogue with the Merced community. Moving forward, she can proudly call herself a UC Merced alumni and also a true Mercedian.

“During my time, I’ve been able to meet some of the most inspiring members of the community,” says Phillips. “ I am humbled so often by the support the community has shown toward our academic success.”

“Off campus is the real world, it’s outside of your comfort zone,

it’s where so much untapped opportunities

can be found.” — Kyoki Prusela Phillips

THEDLM.COM 29

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Edirin EgbikuabjeMeet the Graduates

Words by Tom Price [email protected]

Edirin Egbikuabje is the poster child for the UC Merced experience. Not

because he spent nearly seven years there finishing his de-gree, but because he milked every bit of college life out of his time on Lake Road. The Nigerian-American 26-year-old radiates confidence and oozes the kind of comfort in his surroundings that can only come when you truly feel at home.

The Modesto native will be graduating May 17 with a B.S. in Engineering, but he says he will be entering the workforce armed with tools than the typical graduate. Since beginning his tenure in 2006, Egbikuabje has worked as a tour guide, an office assistant, recreation attendant and a research assistant. He helped launch the UC Merced men’s club soccer team, DJ’d at parties on campus and he says he eventually became a known face on campus. Egbikuabje is essentially Van Wilder if he went to school in Merced instead of Coolidge (Google it young ones if you’ve never seen the movie).

“I believe that I am the epitome of the experience and what UC Merced students can do at this campus,” says Egbikuabje. “I am not the only one that exemplifies this, there are many other students doing things just like me on campus — making a name for themselves and putting themselves on the map.”

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It didn’t take long for him to make his mark. Egbikuabje chose to attend UC Merced and turned down a partial soccer scholarship at UC Irvine. As a freshman he figured since the school didn’t have a team, he would help establish the UC Merced soccer club team.

Egbikuabje says the team’s first game was the most memorable moment of his time at UC Merced.

“The team’s first soccer game was a home game against University of the Pacific. We drew 2-2, but my brother, who attended the school at that time, was the goalkeeper and I was the forward,” he says. “Just to know in 20 years I can come back and know, that the program evolved and is there because of me, a student, is amazing.”

Egbikuabje learned early on, what many UC Merced students have learned, that their college experience is unlike any other in the UC system. They have the ability to impact student life, the community and the future of the school by their actions more so that any other university in California.

“I am someone. But at larger schools I am just one number among thousands and thousands,” says Egbikuabje. “My legacy will be the fact that I am involved in many aspects of the campus. I am well known from tours to the social scene to the sports. I have made an effort to get involved

and push myself to be a figure in these areas.”

Possibly the one area Egbikuabje has left his mark on the most, is in the classroom. He says he took full advantage of the unique opportunities given to him at UC Merced, where he spent two summers doing research with professors. He parlayed that experience along with all of his other endeavors, into a long-term internship with an engineering firm in the Bay Area. He says taking a couple semesters off for the internship and adding a mathematics minor, contributed to his lengthy stay on campus.

“Through all of these various jobs, I have not only taken the journey from beginning to end as a UC student, but I am a prime example of what students can do,” says Egbikuabje. “I have seen every aspect of a student’s life here at UC Merced.”

Perhaps more than any student who has set foot on campus, Egbikuabje has a unique perspective on how the campus and the community have changed through the years.

“Not only has the layout of the campus changed, but the layout of the student life on campus has changed,” says Egbikuabje. “The community has become more aware and more loving of the campus, they realize the impact the UC can have on the youth of this city and surrounding cities as well.”

“I believe that I am the epitome of the experience and what UC Merced students can do at this campus,” says Egbikuabje. “I am not

the only one that exemplifies this, there are many other students doing things just like me

on campus — making a name for themselves and putting themselves on the map.” — Edirin Egbikuabje

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DRAMA ISLAND

FINALEIN PICTURES

Photos by Tina Gutierrez

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Photos by Tina GutierrezTop: Contestant Dante Johnson (left), host Joe Hypes (center) and contestant Delene Meidlinger play Battle Ball at the season finale of Drama Island.

Bottom-left: Drama Island winner Corey Strauss struggles to come up with the answer during the film-quote trivia game at the Drama Island Finale.

Bottom-right: Dante Johnson (front), Jose Soto (center), Strauss (back) build a 3-D puzzle to determine the final two contestants standing.

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