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From go-karting to being in LB Grand Prix: Only female in Stadium Super Trucks series shares her journey

Liam Hollon
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From go-karting to being in LB Grand Prix: Only female in Stadium Super Trucks series shares her journey

What started as a mere hobby in go karting transformed into a motorsports career for Stadium Super Truck driver Zoey Edenholm, the only female currently racing in the series. 

Edenholm, who grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, has been riding quads and dirtbikes since the age of 2 and always had a love for motorsports. 

Stadium Super Truck racer Zoey Edenholm races around turn 10 at the Long Beach Grand Prix during Saturday’s race. During the race, trucks jumped off ramps throughout the circuit, and Edenholm placed 7th. There will be another Stadium Super Trucks race on Sunday from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. (Bella Schultz)

What turned motorsports from just a hobby and into a passion for her was karting as a kid with her two best friends. 

“I had my family friends that were in karting and I was like huh, I wanna do what they’re doing, so we all did it together,” Edenholm said. “We would all travel and skip school to go and that was when I found a real passion for it.”

Karting is a common starting point for many racers, as it is accessible at an early age and provides a foundation for motorsports racing. 

“Some of the people that I used to race go-karts against, they’re also in different paddocks here at Long Beach,” Edenholm said. “Karting is where everyone starts and then everybody disperses into different types of racing.” 

Edenholm would continue racing, eventually karting professionally from 2011 to 2017, followed by a switch to Formula 4 during 2019, and she transitioned to Stadium Super Trucks in 2020 and remains there. 

Zoey Edenholm races through the streets of Long Beach near The Pike during the first race of the 2026 season for the Stadium Super Trucks on Saturday during The Grand Prix. Spectators watched as the trucks flew through the air and battled for position. (Bella Schultz)

“Stadium Super Trucks was something I came across and just thought wow, that looks really fun and there is no other motorsport like it,” Edenholm said. 

Along her journey, one of the major hurdles she has had to overcome has been self marketing and acquiring sponsorships. 

“I thought, oh, racing’s fun and games and the bills are paid, and then once you get higher and higher up it’s like oh my god, this is a big investment,” Edenholm said. “I learned that social media is so important to build yourself up and to build a profile.” 

Her social media presence has landed her multiple sponsors over the years, with her current sponsor at the Long Beach Grand Prix being Lucy, a nicotine company. 

With being the only female racer in the Stadium Super Trucks series, Edenholm noted how she can be a role model to young racing fans, especially girls who want to get into motorsports. 

“My whole goal is kind of showing on social media that you can follow your dreams. It’s just so cool to be that person that can show support and be kind,” Edenholm said. 

She has never been alone on her journey, as she credits her family and friends for being a main reason racing has panned out the way it has. 

“I would say that my family and I have gotten so close because of racing. I’m so grateful to have these people surrounding me that make it all possible,” Edenholm said. 

Being in the Stadium Super Trucks series has been a dream come true for Edenholm, but she still has her sights set on even bigger racing leagues, including IMSA. 

Zoey Edenholm gets ready to practice after putting on her full gear and getting inside her truck at the Long Beach Grand Prix on Friday. (Liam Hollon)

“My dream would be to race in the 24 hours of Daytona, I just love sports cars so much,” Edenholm said. 

The Stadium Super Trucks kicked off their 2026 season on Saturday at the Long Beach Grand Prix, where Edenholm placed 7th. 

Flying motorcycles, burning rubber and drunk dancing at Thunder Thursday

Paloma Maciel
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Flying motorcycles, burning rubber and drunk dancing at Thunder Thursday

As members of the pit crew were on the Grand Prix track, preparing for the pit competition to start on Thunder Thursday, a fan in the crowd shouted a member’s name and followed with “I love you. You’re my hero.”

The acknowledgement managed to be heard clearly over the trembling, loud cars and was declared in front of hundreds of people. 

The message made the pit member blush, and as he tried to get back to business, a proud smile kept making its way back to his face. 

A pit member smiles after being acknowledged by a fan as their “hero.” (Paloma Maciel)

During the competition, two teams at a time were tasked with performing a pit stop, where pit crew members would replace tires and refuel the car. After they completed the stop, the car zoomed forward and whoever made it to the end first, won their round. 

The IndyCars of Marcus Ericsson, left, and Rinus VeeKay, right, race during the pit stop competition at Thunder Thursday at The Pike on Thursday. (Paloma Maciel)

IndyCar driver Christian Rasmussen and his pit crew won the competition, and went home with a $10,000 check. 

The pit stop competition was just one of the attractions of Thunder Thursday, which is a free event that got the community pumped before the races began on Friday.

The event also had a motorcycle contest that featured motorcycles flying through the sky, parked racing cars for people to enjoy, and even the chance to hold a snake and take pictures with.

After the pit stop competition, the crowd enjoyed the motorcycle contest, which featured four bikers doing flips and tricks, by driving off a large ramp. Not one of them fell out of their tricks during the whole event, and they landed perfectly. 

Dereck Beckering jumps through the air during Thunder Thursday on Thursday at The Pike. (Bella Schultz)

Levi Renz attempts a full flip on his motorcycle during Thunder Thursday, an event before the Long Beach Grand Prix, on Thursday. (Bella Schultz)

One audience member was grateful for the experience of being able to watch the motorcycles from such a close distance. Her heart was racing, though, as she was worried for the riders’ safety. 

“It was amazing, the tricks and stuff they did was kind of crazy. I was like ‘oh my God’, if those were one of my kids, oh no, I couldn’t take it,” Courtney Luhrs said. 

After the motorcycle show was over, people rushed to see the cars that were on display on Bay Street alongside stores like GAP and the Levi’s Outlet. 

After the cars that were on display were driven out of the event, people turned to the live music that had been playing behind them. 

Conor Ashe from the band The Ashe Brothers performs at Thunder Thursday on Thursday at The Pike. (Liam Hollon)

Really, those drunk from the beer garden had been grooving all along. As the “Teach Me How to Dougie” song played and “Juju on that Beat”, one participant emoted the dances fully, and spontaneously dropped to the floor in one moment, while being right back up in another.

Another guest felt every song deep, in his soul, and swayed slowly back and forth and back and forth. 

This man who was clearly having another experience and perhaps was in some sort of peaceful dimension, planted himself right in front of the live band. 

Everything that happened at Thunder Thursday is just a taste of what was to come at the Grand Prix this weekend. 

“It was a badass experience, I just wish it was more of like an active show, kind of like cars driving…They did at the end but I mean it was still pretty nice. I enjoyed it overall, 10 out of 10. I’m going to come to the Grand Prix on Sunday, it’s going to be my first time. I know I’ll love it,” said Hector Franco, a car lover at Thunder Thursday. 

Javier Villegas, left, and Dereck Beckering, right, sit on top of the landing block at the end of Thunder Thursday to say goodbye to the crowd before going off to sign autographs. Villegas and Beckering were two of four riders who competed at the competition on Thursday at The Pike. (Bella Schultz)

A couple hundred of people gather at The Pike for the free event Thunder Thursday, which takes place a day before the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach starts. Rinus VeeKay’s IndyCar #76 was shown, among others, and the event had a pit stop competition and a motorcycle competition. (Paloma Maciel)

Alexandra Zavala, a teenager who attended Thunder Thursday at The Pike, holds an Albino Burmese python, which she paid $20 to experience. It was her first time holding a snake and she described the experience as being worth it. (Paloma Maciel)

Javier Villegas flies through the air during Thunder Thursday on Thursday at The Pike. (Liam Hollon)

Racing star Alexander Rossi and a former LB mayor earn spots at the Motorsports Walk of Fame

Leen Fragoso
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Racing star Alexander Rossi and a former LB mayor earn spots at the Motorsports Walk of Fame

Thursday was a memorable day for two time winner of The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Alexander Rossi, as his induction into the Motorsports Walk of Fame solidified him as a motorsports legend. 

Cheers and congratulations could be heard during the unveiling of Alexander’s bronze plaque that was placed with others who also contributed to the history of racing.

The bronze plaque marked Alexander’s induction and the late Long Beach mayor Bob Foster, also got inducted and got his own plaque for his contributions to the city’s racing heritage during his time as mayor in 2006 through 2014.  

Alexander Rossi’s achievements reach farther than the shores of Long Beach, having won 8 IndyCar Series races, most notably the 2016 Indianapolis 500 as a rookie. 

Pieter Rossi, Alexander’s father, recognized his son’s achievements that contributed to him being awarded his bronze plaque at the Walk located in front of the Long Beach convention center.

“By the time he was 13 he had won multiple national titles and he went on to race cars at 14, he was a former BMW world champion at 17, got his Formula 1 license then moved to Europe, and pursued his F1 dream,” Pieter said. 

Pieter noted that even though Alexander’s goals were to begin with Formula 1, which Alexander later did reach, Rossi’s IndyCar journey worked out in the end. 

“I knew he was very talented probably four years into go karting because of what he accomplished at a young age, it was pretty spectacular. But you never know where it’s going to take you, his goal wasn’t with IndyCar it was with Formula 1, which he reached it but he reached it at the wrong time,” Pieter said.

“Everything’s got timing in sport and in life,” Pieter added.

Many of Alexander’s supporters came out for the ceremony and noted how deserving he was of his accomplishment. Among them was a close friend of the Rossi family, Joseph Zammuto.

IndyCar racer Alexander Rossi delivers a speech during the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame Ceremony on Thursday at the Pike, where he was recognized and inducted. (Jayleen Vasquez)

“He was always focused and always driven, he made a lot of sacrifices. You can’t get there without sacrifices,” Zammuto said.

Another supporter in attendance came from Santa Ana, and has been a motorsports fan since childhood. 

He agreed that Alexander was worthy of his spot in the Walk of Fame and highlighted his wins in the Long Beach Grand Prix, and overall. 

“Well first of all, he won this race twice in a row. His accomplishments from the get go when he came into Indycar, he’s just been a stand out,” The fan Scott Richards said.

Bob Foster’s son, Kenneth Foster, accepted his father’s award and delivered a speech on his behalf. 

During the ceremony, Alexander recognized former president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach Jim Michaelian during his speech.  

“He was such an amazing supporter of every one of us as drivers for this event, it meant so much to him and the success that it is now wouldn’t exist without him,” Alexander said.

The unveiling ceremony for Alexander Rossi and late mayor Bob Foster’s bronze plaque served as recognition and remembrance for their contributions and accomplishments to the world of motorsport racing.

The event brought together community and loved ones to honor the lasting impact both have made to the city and the sport. 

‘Our Dear Dead Drug Lord’ wins over audience with emotionally dynamic performance

Kiona Jones
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‘Our Dear Dead Drug Lord’ wins over audience with emotionally dynamic performance

The air crackled with the energy of a lively crowd and an enthusiastic cast as The Garage Theatre in Long Beach put on the play “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord” on March 21. 

Directed by Skylar Alexis, the play follows four teenage girls, Pipe, Squeeze, Zoom and Kit, as they attempt to summon the ghost of the infamous drug lord, Pablo Escobar.

Alexis later talked about the importance of the play’s diverse cast of Latinx, Black and Jewish actors. 

“I do think that it was beautiful because the playwright (Alexis Scheer) made it specific in the play that you cannot put the show on unless you get these specific ethnicities and these specific characters with these races,” Alexis said.

This intentionality was a key component in a story that pulled no punches when it came to tackling sensitive subjects like grief and racism, a fact elevated by its 2008 setting.

“I love this show so much because I am, like, a Hispanic teenage girl, and I think there aren’t a lot of shows, obviously, that connect to that. It’s important for us as theater makers to uplift that,” said Annaliese Nendel-Flores, the actress playing Pipe’s little sister.

But it’s not all heavy topics! The dialogue and the performances that sell it give the audience plenty to laugh at, making the serious moments land even harder.

Alexis expressed her goal with her directorial debut, “I would say one of my biggest goals with this is that I just want people to have fun,” Alexis said. 

As “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord” came to a tumultuous end, the teenage girls chanted, “I will not be good. I will be loud, loud, loud! Have things and not be had. Make the world in my image and that’s what’s mine!”

The audience took to their feet in thunderous appreciation as the 2005 indie hit “I’ll Believe in Anything” by Wolf Parade closed out the show.

An audience member and LBCC student shared her opinion of the show. 

“This was incredible, I didn’t know what to expect. But I like how the play talked about so much, like, important stuff while still having funny moments. I’m glad I came to see it,” said Yesenia Gomez.

‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ at Art Theatre of Long Beach attracts a diverse crowd

Keith Lewis
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‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ at Art Theatre of Long Beach attracts a diverse crowd

A shadow cast troupe from the company ​​Bit of Mustard performed “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach on Saturday, March 28, drawing a crowd that ranged from longtime fans to community-labelled “virgins” experiencing the cult classic for the first time.

The movie “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has a long history in the queer community as well as with shadow casting, where actors perform the scenes from a movie that is projected behind them, with the first shadow cast performance of the show staged in LA in 1977.

A performer named Doll, who plays Frank-N-Furter, stands in front of their film counterpart during the shadow cast play of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach on Saturday, March 28. (Juan Rosales)

The performance at the Art Theatre of Long Beach carried on this tradition of providing an accepting space for queer people as well as the larger Long Beach community.

“It’s definitely mostly for the queer community, we have people who aren’t queer come and they love the show too,” said Doll, a stage name used by the performer of Frank-N-Furter.

The show had people in attendance who came specifically for the show and others who walked by and just found something interesting was happening.

The varied crowd was made up of people from all walks of life and ages, from college students to seniors with some wearing costumes, such as they dressed up like the characters from the show or even one audience member was in a full clown outfit.

Such a diverse crowd expands the reach of what Rocky Horror shows set out to be: a safe space for anyone in need.

Additionally, the theater and performances like this one allow for a third space for queer people that isn’t centered around drinking, as a performer in the production brought to attention.

A performer named Random, who plays Rocky, stands in front of their film counterpart during the shadow cast play of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach on Saturday, March 28. (Juan Rosales)

“There’s been sort of a longing for a gay third space that doesn’t involve drinking… I think this is really nice that people can come here completely sober and enjoy,” said Xio Lace, the narrator and an LBCC student.

Removing barriers for participation, like the absence of alcohol, allowed for a silly and fun atmosphere that didn’t get rambunctious or out of control.

Beyond the performance itself, the event offered a chance for strangers to bond over shouting callbacks, using props and shared laughter.

“I think all of Long Beach is in love with us, or maybe not in love with us but in love with the concept of going out and making a fool of yourself on a Saturday night,” said Dom Maddan, the performer of Eddie and an LBCC student.

For Bit of Mustard and the local community at the theater, the goal seems to be not just putting on a good show but also giving people a reason to show up.

Dom Maddan, who plays Eddie, dances with Dara, who plays Columbia, during the song “Hot Patootie, Bless My Soul,” in the shadow cast play of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach on Saturday, March 28. (Juan Rosales)

The next shadow cast show of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Art Theatre of Long Beach is on April 18 at 11:45 p.m. The show is rated 18+, meaning that people are subject to having their ID checked and minors need to be accompanied by an adult. 

Tickets and their prices are available at this link. 

The show is performed year-round, and usually is on every last Saturday of each month at the same 11:45 p.m. time. Further dates are to be announced. 

Balancing 21 Units of Classes and a Full-Time Job With LBCC’s Resources

Alejandro Diaz Lopez
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CORRECTION: An earlier graphic did not meet our publication standards

On average, college students enroll in 12 units, as that’s the bare minimum to be classified as a full-time student. This way, they have enough time to study and work a full/part-time job.

However, there are still some students who tend to challenge themselves by aiming for higher achievements, and try to take 21 units, the max number, and work a full-time job at the same time.

Any full-time student who is interested in taking a 21-unit semester can submit an overload petition on their LBCC Viking Portal in the Student Homepage, and click on the Forms tab, or they could try contacting the Counseling Department.

In order for the student to take 21 units for the Fall or Spring semester, the overload petition should be filed at least two weeks prior to open registration.

According to the Lumina Foundation, 40% of full-time students tend to work less, but any full-time working student who attempts to take 21 units would have to deal with about 40 hours a week, on top of studying 63 hours in total for the week. 

The Lumina Foundation also said, “Working more than 20 hours per week negatively affects academic performance. According to research from the National Center on Education Statistics (NCES), students who worked 25 or more hours per week were less likely than those who did not work at all or only worked part-time (less than 20 hours per week) to complete their bachelor’s degrees within six years of starting college.”

Any student who’s working full-time and a full 21 units should take full advantage of LBCC’s resources.

LBCC offers flexible 8-week courses for students who want a faster pace course where they have to submit and work on a lot of assignments in a shorter time frame.

Additionally, LBCC also offers a program by the name of CalWORKS for working students who rely on public assistance. CalWORKS gives a variety of services, including priority registration, school supplies, and child care.

There is another helpful service called Cooperative Education (Work Experience), in which students can earn college credit for their employment, directly assisting in accumulating units while working.

It is incredibly easy for a student juggling a packed semester and a job at the same time to burn out, so it’s important to take full advantage of the available resources at LBCC.

To have more insight, ask a counselor or consult with a professor, as managing a 21-unit semester and a full-time job at the same time is incredibly difficult.

Paws, prayers and plenty of blessings at Olvera Street Blessing of the Animals

Alyssa Redrup
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Paws, prayers and plenty of blessings at Olvera Street Blessing of the Animals

Dogs, cats, birds, turtles and even lizards drew a crowd at the annual Olvera Street Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, April 4, where catholic archbishop Jose H. Gomez blessed pets while others enjoyed cultural festivities and food.

The event took place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with all kinds of entertainment such as Aztec cultural dancers beginning at 12 p.m. and the official line for animal blessings commencing from 2 p.m. to  4 p.m.

The Blessing of the Animals takes place on the Saturday before Easter, and has been a tradition since 1930. The event was founded in the Los Angeles area, where the priest of La Placita church would “bless the livestock of the farmers to keep them healthy and productive, benefitting the entire community,” according to the official Olvera Street event website.

A small dog with heart glasses in a convertible and a parrot were two of many pets who were waiting to get their blessing at the Olvera Street Blessings of the Animals on Saturday, April 4. (Diosa Hippolyta)

When Olvera Street officially opened in 1930, the event shifted from livestock to more specifically pets, as the blessings were open to all. 

The official Olvera events website states that “While the blessing is rooted in Catholic tradition, you do not have to be Catholic to participate. ALL PETS AND HUMANS ARE WELCOME!”

Although there are inherent Catholic ties to the Blessing of the Animals event, with an archbishop doing the blessings, many event attendees do not necessarily identify themselves as Catholic. 

“Yeah, I was raised Catholic, but don’t identify with it now. I come every year and it is more about getting to connect with the community over good vibes and the shared love of our animals over anything else,” attendee Alex Webber said. 

Webber had his black cat, Ocean, perched on his shoulder with a gold leash and matching bow, while they waited in line to receive their blessing. 

Paolo Manuel, another attendee of the event, felt the same way as most people celebrating the day.

A boa constrictor and a bearded dragon meet as they are waiting along with hundreds of humans and their animals in line to receive the holy water shower at the 2026 Blessing of the Animals held in LA Plaza Saturday, April 4, in downtown Los Angeles. Olvera Street hosted the annual event, bringing many from across the state to have both living and non-living animals alive in their hearts. (Diosa Hippolyta)

“The blessing for us is more about wishing good health and a long life for our pet, more than it is about having religious ties,” said Manuel.

For others, the event can be considered to be culturally significant with the overall Mexican history of Olvera Street and the Blessing of the Animals tradition itself. 

A variety of cultural dances were performed on stage at Placita Olvera, one of them being Aztec danza. 

Alina Recinos, a performer for Aztec danza, provided her insight into the Mexican culture and community with Olvera Street and the Blessings of the Animals tradition.

“This is part of our culture, we come, we bring energy, and we say a little prayer, this is the heart of LA, it’s therapy healing,” said Recinos. 

Folklorico dancer performs at the Olvera Street Blessing of the Animals event held on April 4. The event gives pet owners and enthusiasts the opportunity to blessing their pet by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez. (Diosa Hippolyta)

Recinos also said that they dance and perform at the Blessing of the Animals every year, as well as at several other cultural events around Los Angeles. 

For members of the Los Angeles community, this event is so much more than just a religious ceremony; it is a way to bond with their community over a love of pets and celebrate the culture of Olvera Street.

Viking volunteer hosts beach cleanup at Rosie’s Dog Beach

Juan Rosales
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Viking volunteer hosts beach cleanup at Rosie’s Dog Beach

A beach cleanup hosted by the Viking Volunteer Program was attended by many LBCC students and clubs at Rosie’s Dog Beach on Saturday, March 21. 

Volunteers picked up trash from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., collecting enough trash to fill up three large trash bins. 

During the cleanup, volunteers noted the community-building aspect that makes the event so enjoyable year after year.

“It’s good for getting to know one another, more bonding and also helping the beach and the environment, you can’t really go wrong with that,” LBCC International Student Club member Sean Louie said. 

Some of the volunteers who have lived outside of the United States noted the stark contrast between the beaches in their home country and the ones in California.  

“In my country (Ecuador) things are so different. In California, I believe that a lot of things are not clean enough and for someone who likes the beach, it’s really important,” LBCC student Nayeli Molina said.

Attendees who frequent the beach commented on the importance of keeping the beaches clean and safe for everyone.

“Most of us live in Long Beach. We come to these beaches. We want to make sure they’re clean and we’re able to… go in the water, go in the sand and not… get a cigarette butt or a cup,” Stephanie Nosuna, a member of the American Criminal Justice Association, said. 

Sydney Haas, an environmental science major at LBCC, noted the growing need for these cleanups as waste continues to collect on our beaches. 

“Environmental cleanups are really important because we’re generating more waste than ever nowadays,” said Haas said. 

Viking Volunteer Program member Sergio Grimald explained how events like these instill the importance of volunteering in students. 

“Our goal is always to try to give back, but also give students the opportunity to volunteer on campus, but also off campus,” Grimald said. “I guess our goal is for students, once they transfer or graduate, that they still want to give back to their communities.” 

Easter egg hunt brings smiles, laughs and baskets of candy to community

David Sandoval
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Easter egg hunt brings smiles, laughs and baskets of candy to community

Springtime fun exploded at Long Beach City College’s annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the ESL club at the Trades Technology and Community Learning campus on Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., where those in attendance had fun laughing and hunting eggs.

At the LBCC Spring Easter Egg Hunt held at the Trades Technology and Community Learning campus, attendees Jaynisha Tipton, right, and her daughter, front right, are collecting their special egg prize on Friday, April 3. Candy and small toys were some of the items inside her Easter basket. (Juan Rosales)

The egg hunt began at 5:15 p.m. and involved special eggs that held red or orange tickets and rewarded children participating with a large basket full of different candies and toys.

LBCC student Jaynisha Tipton, who has been attending the egg hunt for the last four years, had positive opinions when asked about the atmosphere of this year’s egg hunt.

“I love it. The kids have fun, as you can see. A lot of candy. They had little games and stuff, so they had fun,” Tipton said.

Aside from the main egg hunt, there were other activities for the parents and children.

Refreshments like lemonade and hot dogs from a hot dog stand were available to keep visitors hydrated and fed in the spring heat.

Ole the Viking, greets children and guests during the LBCC Spring Easter Egg Hunt held at the Trades Technology and Community Learning campus on Friday, April 3. (Juan Rosales)

Coloring stations, football goal games and the Viking mascot to keep children entertained.

Along with games and the egg hunt itself, there were a variety of stands to promote programs offered at LBCC.

Brigid Humphreys, bioengineering student and Society of Women Engineers president, was in attendance and hosting her own booth.

“Well, I hope women and young girls read that sign that says Society of Women Engineers on the front and just think like there’s a presence for this major and for this path in life,” Humphreys said.

Nate Nguyen, a volunteer at one of the candy booths, is very emotionally attached to the LBCC campus and its community.

“I want them to reflect and see how much effort and how much love there is in this community and that people are not against each other here but are here to support one another,” said Nguyen.

Overall, it was a joyous scene filled with music, laughter, and family fun.

To anyone considering joining in on next year’s egg hunt, Tipton had a very simple answer when asked about a recommendation.

“Yes, absolutely,” Tipton said.

Attendees check in at a booth and sign in to participate in the big egg hunt on Friday, April 3 at the LBCC Spring Easter Egg Event held at the Trades Technology and Community Learning campus. (Juan Rosales)

Anthropology club explores ancient craft of flintknapping

Adam Reed
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Anthropology club explores ancient craft of flintknapping

LBCC’s Anthropology club had a meeting where students had the opportunity to do flintknapping lessons and eat pumpkin bread at the Liberal Arts campus on Thursday, March 19. 

Flintknapping is the act of taking hard rocks, usually obsidian, and hitting them against a stone or horn to shape the material to make tools. 

John Reidy, (left), working on breaking down a stone while anthropology professor Carmen Diaz, (right) observes during Flintknapping with the Anthropology Club held on Thursday, March 19 in the B-building at Long Beach City College’s Liberal Arts campus. (Alex Pina)

While the event had a handful of students in attendance, everyone participated in the activity of flintknapping.

The Anthropology club president, Libby Loveridge, who was involved with the event and participated as well, spoke about how events similar to this are to people’s benefit.

“I think stuff like this is great, everyone likes to hit rocks, it’s fun. It helps get other people involved with anthropology and archaeology,” Loveridge said.

The event was taught by Anthropology professors Carmen Laguer Diaz and Michael Robertson.

Robertson talked about his introduction to Anthropology. 

“When I was a freshman in college, I took Introduction to Cultural Anthropology at Cal State Long Beach. I fell in love with the content, it was something I always wanted to do, but I didn’t know Anthropology existed,” said Roberston.

As flintknapping was used to make spearheads and other hunting tools, participants attempted to recreate them.

During the Flintknapping exercise provided by the Anthropology Club, a sample display of stones in different shapes and sizes was shown on Thursday, March 19. The workshop was offered in room B-211 at Long Beach City College LAC Campus. (Alex Pina)

Many participants found it challenging, yet rewarding enough to continue to shape their rock of choice.

Anthropology club treasurer Aminah Rashid commented on the club’s overall struggles.

“As of right now, (it’s) trying to get more people in. It’s hard, with it being in the middle of the day and people having classes,” Rashid said.

Even with the setbacks they’ve faced, the flintknapping workshop shows that the club can still draw interest and be fun at the same time.

Students carving and shaping stones during Flintknapping with the Anthropology club. The workshop was held in the B-building at Long Beach City College’s Liberal Arts campus on Thursday, March 19. (Alex Pina)

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