Associated Students Staff Newsletter

Pride Month is a joyful time filled with festivals, parades and community celebrations honoring the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. While many cities and organizations acknowledge Pride month in June, San Diego’s celebrations extend to July. At SDSU, Pride is proudly celebrated in June and July as an opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and recommit to creating more equitable spaces for all. 

In celebration of Pride, A.S. staff are encouraged to participate in the following activities and events: 

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July 7 is Tell the Truth Day — a lighthearted reminder to celebrate honesty and telling the truth. To mark the occasion with a twist, some of our A.S. staff shared three statements about themselves — two are true, and one is not. Can you tell which is which?

Cole Davis

Fitness & Wellness Coordinator

1. I have night snorkeled with giant manta rays off the Kona coast of Hawaii! I was lucky enough to share this experience with my wife on our honeymoon.
2. In the last year, I ran two full marathons: Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach & Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego.
3. I have visited over 25 National Parks, most of which were in the U.S. along with a few others in Africa and Central America. Picking a favorite is hard but if I had to, I'd choose Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Sean Stouffer

Aztec Student Union Operations Supervisor

1. I almost fell down a mine shaft when I was a kid, but at the last moment I was grabbed by my grandmother.
2. I played baseball in college here at SDSU, specifically as an outfielder.
3. I have appeared on the news/on TV 6-12 times in my life, mainly only local news.

Eric Moreno

Web Designer

1. I'm mixed-handed.
2. I have a twin.
3. My family used to own horses.

Ai Kuwayama

Fitness & Wellness Supervisor

1. I used to translate Japanese manga (comic) books to English professionally!
2. I love anime and have watched over 1,000 episodes of One Piece! It's been a long journey with Luffy and the crew.
3. I go to Comic-Con every year.

Mohammad Hamed Rasooli

Accounts Receivable Specialist

1. When I was 19, I dropped 58 lbs just to run faster in soccer — it was a huge challenge, but I was determined to improve my game.
2. I can play both the guitar and the piano — I’m not a pro or anything, but I’ve spent a good amount of time learning both.
3. I earned a red belt in taekwondo a long time ago — I was super close to a black belt, but life took me in a different direction before I could finish that journey.

Adrian Sanchez

Competitive Sports Supervisor

1. In my extended family, I have a total of seven aunts and seven uncles with over 50 first cousins!
2. During my undergrad at SDSU, I won a national championship playing on the Club Baseball Team and was a starting pitcher.
3. I enjoy cooking and have won two cooking competitions in my lifetime.

June Barreras

Viejas Arena Ticket Office Manager

1. The year it was released, I watched “Lord of the Rings:The Two Towers” 17 times in theaters.
2. I once shared an elevator with Keanu Reeves and totally froze when he said "good morning."
3. I dined, free of charge, at The French Laundry.

Karla Gonzalez

Aztec Student Union Assistant Director of Event Operations

1. I love vintage and thrift shopping.
2. My favorite event is Comic Con!
3. I own 20 pairs of sunglasses.

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Answers

Cole Davis:

I have never run a full marathon. I did run the half marathon for both those races and I think 13 miles at once was enough for me!

Sean Stouffer:

I did not play baseball in college, didn't even make it past tryouts in high school. However, I love watching it, and my previous job was with the Padres.

Eric Moreno:

My family has never owned horses. We used to live on a ranch that had horses though and had fun interacting with them frequently, as their pasture was right outside of our front yard.

Ai Kuwayama:

I’ve actually never been to Comic Con. Tickets are tough to get — still hoping to make it one day!

Mohammad Hamed Rasooli:

I can't play any instruments at all. 

Adrian Sanchez:

Although I did play on the SDSU Club Baseball Team for four years as a starting pitcher, I did not win a national championship; the team won it a year before I joined.

June Barreras:

Although I did see Keanu Reeves walk into an elevator, I never shared that elevator ride with him. I would have DEFINITELY froze if he spoke to me.

Karla Gonzalez:

Comic Con is not my favorite event. When I worked on Comic Con operations, it was a massive undertaking by everyone involved. We were proud of our work but celebrated the move out with applause and relief.

1. What is your name and how old are you?

   • Alex
   • Ariana, I am 5.
   • Asher, I’m 4.
   • Azira
   • Camila, I’m 5.
   • Claire
   • Dan, 5-1/2 and I’m Electricity Batman
   • Dylan, 5
   • Esohe-Amina
   • Faith
   • Harper, I’m 4-1/2.
   • Jordan, I am 4-1/2.
   • Josie
   • Juliet, I am 4-1/2.
   • Marlowe, 4
   • Mateo
   • Maya
   • Mia, I’m 5.
   • Mila  -  5
   • Siena, 4-1/2
   • Valentina, I’m 4.
   • Vanessa, I am 5.
   • Vincent, I’m tall.
   • Vivian, 5
   • Vivienne, I’m 4 year old.

2. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?

   • Alex – apple, pizza
   • Ariana – mac ‘n cheese, meatballs
   • Asher – mac ‘n cheese and Cheez-Its
   • Azira - tacos, crackers, Cheez-Its
   • Camila – vegetables, rice, peas, mac ‘n cheese
   • Claire - mac ‘n cheese, orange juice
   • Dan – mac ‘n cheese, peas
   • Dylan – lemonade, apples, Skittles, apple juice, chicken, popsicles, rice, lollipops
   • Harper – mac ‘n cheese, apple juice, a cheese stick, fruit
   • Jordan – mac ‘n cheese, peas, chicken
   • Josie – pizza, grape juice
   • Juliet – pasta, mac ‘n cheese, peas
   • Marlowe - mac ‘n cheese, salad
   • Maya – pizza, carrots
   • Mia – pizza, carrots
   • Mila – mac ‘n cheese
   • Siena – pizza, pasta, water, milk
   • Valentina – mac ‘n cheese, broccoli
   • Vanessa – mac ‘n cheese, sandwiches
   • Vivian – chocolate, apples, candy, ice cream
   • Vivienne – the garlic bread, mac ‘n cheese

3. What is an important thing you have learned at school?

   • Alex – Drawing.
   • Ariana – Drawing and I like drawing a lot. I draw beautiful things for my mom.
   • Asher – A kindergarten.
   • Azira - Drawing.
   • Claire – Play nicely with my friends.
   • Dan – No fighting.
   • Dylan – Never saying bad words. How to be a superhero. No breaking toys. If someone is hurting someone else, tell them to stop.
   • Harper – Playing with my friends.
   • Jordan – No name calling because it makes people feel sad.
   • Josie – Be nice to your friends.
   • Juliet – I learned about how to do perler beads^*. Because before I was scared to do it.
   • Marlowe – Sharing kindness.
   • Maya – I learned how to hold my pencil like an alligator.
   • Mia – Helping others.
   • Siena – Drawing.
   • Valentina – Claire told me how to make airplanes.
   • Vanessa – To draw.
   • Vincent – To play.
   • Vivian – Paper drawing.
   • Vivienne – Share stuff and be nice to people. If people are talking nice to you, answer them.

   ^*Perler beads are small, plastic beads that are fused together with heat to create designs.

4. How do you make a taco?

   • Alex – Cheese.
   • Ariana – First we grab a taco from the store and cook. Then we get the things: meat, salad, cheese and more salad and frijoles.
   • Asher – With meat and cheese.
   • Azira – Get a taco shell and then some beef, tomatoes. Then cheese. That’s how you make a taco.
   • Camila - You start with chips, salad, cheese and tomatoes.
   • Claire – Cheese and a little bit of fruit and sprinkles.
   • Dylan – You put a taco and then you put sauce, tomatoes, peppers, tomatoes.
   • Harper – Tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, meat, green beans, hot sauce. I don’t really like hot sauce in my taco.
   • Jordan – You open it up and then you put your toppings in. That’s how it works.
   • Josie – Cheese, a little bit of fruit and a little bit of blueberries. And then a special ingredient (sprinkles).
   • Juliet – I help my daddy make one since I don’t know how to make one.
   • Marlowe – I put black olives, tomatoes and lettuce.
   • Mateo – Turkey, cilantro, sugar.
   • Maya – Tomatoes and I have cheese and meat. I like putting green beans in it.
   • Mila – Put it in our taco. Just cheese.
   • Siena – Cheese, meat, that’s all I want.
   • Valentina – With cheese. I only beans and cheese. I only like tacos breaked apart. I like toppings on it.
   • Vanessa – I use beans first, then cheese and then meat.
   • Vincent – Cheese. I not put anything more.
   • Vivienne – I get a taco out of my fridge. Then I start cooking it a little. Then I get some cheese and chicken and the avocado.

5. How do you show someone that you are their friend?

   • Ariana – I ask them, then I show them. Her name is Grace.
   • Azira – Asking them could I play with you.
   • Claire – We share something with friends.
   • Dylan – By doing nice things.
   • Harper – You have to be nice to your friends. Sharing with your friends.
   • Jordan – By…this is a hard one. By playing with them.
   • Josie – Sharing with your friends.
   • Juliet – By telling them that they are really special.
   • Marlowe – Saying kind words.
   • Maya – Azira, cause she knows my other friends like Vivian, Vivienne, Siena and Dan.
   • Mila – By giving them a hug.
   • Vanessa – I tell them.
   • Vincent – Dan because he is my best friend.
   • Vivienne – By listen to them and treating them nice. Showing them how to learn.

6. How many people live in San Diego?

   • Alex - 10
   • Ariana – 5
   • Asher – Maybe 4 or 5
   • Azira – A million
   • Camila - 5
   • Claire – 20, like all of them
   • Dan – 60,000
   • Dylan – 10 million
   • Harper – Infinity
   • Jordan – Infinity!
   • Josie – 20
   • Juliet – a lot, 10
   • Marlowe – 5
   • Maya – 100 million
   • Mia – 1005928 (one hundred, fifty nine, twenty eight)
   • Mila – 101
   • Siena - 100
   • Valentina - 5
   • Vanessa – 3
   • Vincent – A lot, 3
   • Vivian - 4
   • Vivienne – 5, actually 6

7. What do you want to be when you grow up?

   • Ariana – I want to be like my mom, a police.
   • Asher – An astronaut.
   • Azira – I want to be an astronaut.
   • Camila – Working in the office.
   • Claire – An artist.
   • Dan – I want to be a drummer. Because I love the sound of drums.
   • Dylan – A superhero.
   • Esohe-Amina – I want to be a princess.
   • Faith – A mom.
   • Harper – A doctor.
   • Jordan – A dirt bike rider, so I can go super fast.
   • Josie – A nurse.
   • Juliet – A drummer.
   • Marlowe – A dentist.
   • Maya – A veterinarian and an artist. Because you can be more than one thing.
   • Mia – I want to be an artist.
   • Mila – A cheerleader.
   • Siena – A mom.
   • Valentina – A mail person because I love mail persons. They bring mail.
   • Vanessa – A princess.
   • Vivian – Wear a Hello Kitty shirt.
   • Vivienne – A drummer.