The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Day: March 6, 2024

  • Humboldt student hit by car makes recovery, moves back

    Humboldt student hit by car makes recovery, moves back

    By Jasmin Shirazian

    On a drizzly, cold Humboldt day, Madelyn Vink was getting ready for a first date. With her hair in two braids, she picked some jasmine flowers and placed them in the pleats. She remembers looking down and seeing them still in place when she woke up in the hospital hours later, with blood soaking the flowers.

    On Sept. 1, 2023, Vink, a religious studies major with an art history minor, was in the crosswalk at the intersection of Harpst and Rossow St. when she and her date were struck by a vehicle. 

    “I had a crush on this guy, so we decided to meet up on campus as the seemingly safe place to go on a date,” Vink said. “We were just planning to go on a walk, because I thought that would be better than unsafe sex. Turns out that was wrong.”

    They met outside of College Creek Marketplace, where Vink parked her bike. From there, they began their date. The first part went well, with them taking a stroll in the community forest. Later, Vink decided she was ready to go home, and together they planned to walk back to her bike. When they crossed the street, Vink and her companion were both hit by an oncoming car. 

    “The date was very fun at first,” Vink said. “Then, when I was going to get my bike, in the crosswalk in front of [the] Marketplace, we were both hit. I took most of the damage, having flown 22 feet. I suffered what is known as a traumatic brain injury.”

    After being transported from three different medical centers, Vink ended up at UCSF where she received life saving treatment. For several months, Vink was in intensive care fighting for her life. However, she fought through and is now back in school. Some of her family has since moved up from their home in Turlock to Humboldt county to support her in her recovery.

    Vink, who chose her major to make sense of the world both spiritually and practically, is considering enrolling at Cal Poly Humboldt. She is taking the summer to decide if she wants to continue her education here. 

    “I would’ve graduated this summer,” Vink said. “Given my injuries, it’s going to take another year at least.”

    Despite the traumatic event, Vink is still as hopeful as ever. While the accident may have taken time out of her life, she refuses to allow it to take anymore. 

    “I’m going ok, everyday is a struggle, but I am so happy to be alive,” Vink said. “Most people that suffer my kinds of injuries don’t make it, or they are in a wheelchair the rest of their lives. I got lucky somehow.”

    The lesson Vink wants people to take away from this horrific accident is to be more careful when behind the wheel. 

    “I’d like to encourage people to take more caution when driving, especially on campus,” Vink said. “All could’ve been prevented if care was taken while driving. Instead I got five of the hardest months of my life. So, please be careful.”

    Besides that, Vink wants to remind people to live authentically. This experience has taught her to appreciate those around you and the life you live.

    “Live the life you want to!” Vink said. “Life really is special, and equally fragile. There’s no time to waste. I want people to be happy. Life is a gift. Keep fighting in school and dancing in life. Love is everywhere, even in your darkest moments.” 

  • What is Measure A and why does it matter?

    By Alexandra Berrocal

    If you vote yes on Measure A, you support changing local regulations for cannabis cultivation. The proposed measure limits the number, type, and acreage of permits available for cultivation of marijuana on a commercial basis. Measure A will also introduce many new rules and regulations, such as those surrounding water storage and generators. Opponents fear that these new rules will hamstring local growers. A no vote would oppose changing local regulations for growing marijuana.

    Proponents say that the goals of the measure are to prevent large-scale grows that harm the environment, ensure greater participation and official accountability in decision-making, and make sure that existing farms are regularly inspected and compliance-verified. Along with these new standards, they are encouraging small, high-quality cannabis cultivation, water storage, and solar arrays, while limiting the use of generators. Proponents seem to focus a lot on goals, but not how to reach them.

    Opponents of the measure claim that it evades public process. Due to stipulations incorporated into the measure, it would make it hard to amend if codified into law. Opponents also claim that it benefits large corporate growers at the expense of small-scale farmers. They say most of the provisions in the measure would hamstring small growers and wouldn’t support or incentivize small-scale marijuana growth, and would simply add more restrictions and red tape for new or already established growers. Opponents say that the legal cannabis industry is already well-regulated. 

  • Jacks end their season in a Blackout

    Jacks end their season in a Blackout

    By Noah Pond and Gabriel Zucker

    Women’s basketball 

    The Lumberjack Arena was electric on Thursday night as the lady Lumberjacks charged into battle against their rivals from Chico State. Junior guard, Emilia Long, dribbled through the Wildcats’ defense executing a perfect spin move before elegantly laying the ball in the basket for two points. 

    Long dropped 22 points, with 8 rebounds and 3 assists. She was a force to be reckoned with, taking over 10 heavily contested shots in the paint and finding almost all of them falling in. Senior guard Sara Ahmadpour was honored before the game for senior night. She had 10 points and 4 assists. Madison Rubino had 8 points with 2 blocks.

    They had 38 points at the half, but down the stretch in the third quarter, Emilia Long seemed to be exhausted and wasn’t finding luck around the rim. It seemed as though when Long faltered, the rest of the team did as well. They let Chico get away with a 8-0 run going into the fourth quarter. 

    The fourth quarter was all Chico. They limited the Jacks to just 12 points in the final quarter of play.

    Final Score: Chico 77, Humboldt 59. 

    Men’s Basketball

    In spite the men’s 6-21 losing season, the night was one of celebration, community and culture. The theme for the game was Blackout Night, celebrating graduating seniors and honoring the end of black history month. The Umoja Center for Pan African Student Excellence hosted a dinner during halftime, celebrating the black staff and students of Cal Poly Humboldt.

    After a rough first half, the fans in the Lumberjack Arena finally had a reason to celebrate. With just under ten minutes left in the game, Sage Wayans, forward for the Cal Poly Humboldt men’s basketball team, scored a layup, taking the lead against rival Chico State, putting the score at 60-59. The crowd roared to life, shaking the stands in excitement.

    Sadly, the joy turned to sadness when Chico State immediately answered back with a steal and transition 3-pointer. This sparked a 7-0 Chico run, ending any hope of a Humboldt comeback. 

    Despite a valiant effort from Ramona Adedigba, who ended the game with 25 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Chico State held on to win 84-77. 

    For his final game as a member of the Lumberjacks, Kareem Clark put on a show. Clark scored 20 points, grabbing 8 rebounds and dishing 3 assists. He received a standing ovation from the fans and his teammates when he was subbed out for the last time.