Football 101: Your Key to Understanding the Basics and Super Bowl LVI

By Alaina Valdespino, Staff Writer and Photographer

Each year, millions of Americans gather around the television to watch the Super Bowl. So, whether you're the host of the party, or the person in the room that doesn’t have a clue what’s going on, odds are you’re either going to watch the game or never hear the end of it because you didn’t. Nevertheless, if you’re like the millions of Americans who only watch one football game a year, I’ve got you covered. I’ve gathered some of the most basic facts about this coming Super Bowl and about football in general, so you can not only join in the conversations around you, but so you can also enjoy watching the game.

Super Bowl LVI is the 56th NFL championship game to be played and will be hosted in Los Angeles at the football arena, SoFi Stadium. An interesting fact to note about this Super Bowl is that this is the second year in a row where a team is going to have the home advantage, so if you want to impress anyone with a super bowl fact, that’s a good conversation starter.

As for the teams, we have the home team, the Los Angeles Rams, vs. the underdogs of the evening the Cincinnati Bengals. In picking a side to root for, 9 times out of 10 your hometown team isn’t going to be in the mix. Honestly with this year's lineup, the odds are about 50/ 50 when it comes to who's going to take home the title. The Rams have a solid record and have the advantage of playing at home, and as for the Bengals, they have never won a Super Bowl, so they are ready to make this their first. So, either team you choose has its advantages.

In understanding the basics of the game, itself, here are some key pointers that will get you through the Super Bowl and any other game you choose to watch in the future. In the NFL, games are divided into four 15-minute quarters, with commercial breaks throughout each. When it comes to scoring, the key thing to note is that any score difference of 7 points or less means it's a close game. So, if you see your team is down by 6 points with only 5 minutes left in the game, know that means there’s a real chance that the game could go your way.

The biggest things to note when watching football would be to understand these three things: Touchdowns, First Downs, and flags. A touchdown is the most common way for a team score. If your team scores a touchdown, then that means a player from that team made it all the way to the opposing team's endzone holding the ball. That sounds easy enough to understand, but when there are guys tackling each other and referees running around, it can seem chaotic for someone that may not be as into football as others. If the team scores a touchdown, they get a chance at a field goal in which their kicker will take the field and go for an additional point. Other ways a football team can score are by field goals which are just plays designed to help a team score if a touchdown isn’t likely, and safeties which are the least common way a team can score.

First downs are a little harder for people to understand at first, but it's simple. In football, each team gets 4 attempts to move farther down the field and towards the end zone to score. A first down means that the players were able to get the ball far enough down the field so that their 4 chances get restored and they have a new set of chances to potentially score. To put it simply, a first down means there’s more potential to score which in football is a big deal.

The last major thing to understanding a game of football will be flags. If you’re watching a game long enough, you’ll get to a point where you see a referee throwing a flag onto the field. While there are dozens of fine detail rules in football, the essence of it all is to understand that a flag is never good if it's against you. If it's against the other team however, that’s the time to get rowdy.

While there is clearly a lot to be learned about football, and about the Super Bowl in general, if you stick to these facts and topics, you’ll definitely give off the impression that you know what’s going on.

When is the most wonderful time of the year?

By: Alaina Valdespino, Staff Writer/Photographer

With the leaves crunching on the ground and the first snow upon us, one can’t help but to feel the changing of the seasons. The crisp in the air, the frost on the grass; it's that time of the year. And now that the first of November has come and gone, the yearly Christmas debate is among us. 

Considering I saw my first Christmas commercial before Halloween, it is clear that some individuals aren’t exactly easing into the holiday. For some, the tree is up, and Michael Bublé’s “It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas” is in the queue. While I may not agree with beginning the festivities this soon, I do however find it fascinating to see how people's emotions are really driven by this debate, and in learning about people’s opinions, I’ve formed one of my own.

As Regis announces its date for the annual Christmas tree lighting and the festivities to accompany it, students are conflicted. Is November 15th too soon to be celebrating Christmas? 

Well, considering the disaster that was last year and the fact that we didn’t even have a Christmas tree lighting, the opinions are mixed to say the least. One sophomore (who wished to stay anonymous) stated that she was, “thrilled to finally have the chance to experience the feelings of Christmas on a college campus.” She continued to say, “With the anxieties of finals approaching; it will be refreshing to take a few steps back, listen to some fun Christmas music, and to experience the holiday season with friends.” 

On the contrary, junior Sammy Vrkljan stated, “I don’t like it because it’s pre-Thanksgiving, but it is pretty to see.” These conflicting opinions display how this debate gives rise to some serious emotion here on the Regis campus, so I took this topic to social media and the results were astonishing. 

For reasons unknown, this conflict of celebration, the to-or-not-to dive into Christmas before Thanksgiving, has many individuals frustrated. In fact, this debate made it into the walls of my own, undecorated apartment and my roommate, Sammy Vrkljan, put it simply: “It’s not time yet, what about Thanksgiving?” 

While I can agree that Thanksgiving deserves more recognition than it gets, I can’t help but wonder what the real issue is here. Apparently that opinion alone puts me in the minority of what most Regis students believe.

I’d like to say that my more opposite and more lenient opinion is in the majority, but it most definitely is not. My support of people’s pre-Thanksgiving Christmas enthusiasm is in the extreme minority, as I came to find out in my quest for answers. I took this debate to my Instagram story, to get a sense of what the people around me (besides my roommates) were thinking, the results were surprising to say the least. 

While some people simply voted in favor or not of Christmas festivities pre-Thanksgiving; I had a lot of people DM me with an intensity that surprised me very much. One Regis student put it like this, “celebrating Christmas pre-Thanksgiving should be a crime, it’s insensitive.” 

All in all, I’ve come to find out that I have a more liberal opinion on the subject and that this opinion is in the minority of how Regis students feel about Christmas before Thanksgiving. Maybe it's because my views stem from my thinking that Thanksgiving dinner can be well accompanied with Christmas music, or because I gravitate to the feelings of family and friendship that Christmas evokes, and I listen to the music to remind me of how close that experience is. Either way, I don’t see the harm in people getting overly enthusiastic and bumping up the season a few weeks. So, if you want to rock a cozy Christmas sweater or jam out to a Christmas bop at the next open mic night, know that I’m no Grinch and I’m in full support of it.

Finding Leaves and Fall-y Things

By: Alaina Valdespino, Staff Writer and Photographer and Morgan Jacobus, Editor in Chief

There are so many great fall activities to partake in, especially in Colorado where leaf peeping and pumpkin patches are essential. Here are some of our favorite places to go in celebration of the great fall season.

Alaina’s Recommendation: If you're looking for a chance to see the leaves change in Colorado, then I have a place for you! I took a drive out to Golden, CO with some friends, and the views were breathtaking. The town itself its an adorable little mountain town full of thrift shops, brunch places, and is an awesome place to spend an afternoon. Golden Gate Canyon State Park has stunning views of the Aspens and the fall colors are to die for! I’d recommend hiking because the views are even more beautiful close up, although you do need to purchase a pass to park your car within the park limits. That said, the drive to Golden is just long enough to get a good fall playlist going, and there’s a Starbucks about 2/3rds of the way there so it's a perfect opportunity to grab that pumpkin spice or pumpkin chai latte and soak in all the fall vibes. (Above photos by Alaina Valdespino)

Morgan’s Recommendation: I love corn mazes, and one I particularly recommend is at Anderson Farms. It is a drive, about 40 minutes, but I highly recommend it. My roommate and I went last year and had a great time. Their corn maze is Colorado’s longest-running corn maze, and it is 25 acres with over 8 miles of trails. Not only that, but each year the maze is a fun design rather than just random twists and turns. Last year’s theme was Bee Kind, which featured a bee and beehive design, while this year’s theme celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Terror in the Corn. But the corn maze is just one of their attractions, so there is even more to do including a pumpkin patch (a classic fall activity) and horror-related activities like Zombie Paintball and Terror in the Corn (a haunted corn maze). 

The Highlander’s Favorite Halloween/ Spooky Season Movies

It is spooky season, y’all! Here are the Highlander’s staff picks for what Halloween movies you ought to watch to celebrate.

Alaina Valdespino, Staff Writer/ Photographer:

As an avid horror movie lover, it would be a crime for me to not recommend the classics. So, if you're looking for a good scare, then Halloween (1978 film), The Shining (1980), and It (the original 1990 film) would be my three absolute go to horror movies for the spooky season. That said, if horror isn’t your thing, I’d definitely make it a point to watch Disney’s Hocus Pocus. This film is my family's go to Halloween film because it’s perfect for getting you into the Halloween spirit. 

Madelynn Loring, Staff Writer:

Personally, I tend to be more of a drink-a-pumpkin-spice-latte-and jump-in-leaves type of fall person, so I’m not the one to go to for horror. However, the one Halloween movie I cannot praise enough is The Nightmare Before Christmas. It is classic, visually and aesthetically pleasing, and overall a delightful watch. Also, it qualifies as both a Halloween and Christmas movie, so it is seasonally appropriate to watch it twice a year!

Sandra Vo, Staff Writer:

With full honesty, I admit that I am a complete scaredy-cat and that I hate any and all horror movies. As a result, my recommendations come from the much more family-friendly end, and a few of my favorite classics It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and Spooky Buddies. Both of these movies are wonderful if you’re looking to sleep the following night!

Morgan Jacobus, Editor in Chief:

As a nostalgic child at heart, I have a special place in my heart for Disney Halloween movies. For instance, I recommend the Halloweentown movies (there are four in total). My roommate and I watched them last year on Halloween during the day (since our plans weren’t until night). I mean, it has Halloween right in the name so you can’t go wrong with those movies this spooky season. I also enjoy The Haunted Mansion with Eddie Murphy, and I have fond memories of watching that on Disney Channel back in the day. If you have Disney+, you can stream childhood favorites like the ones I mentioned, as well as both Twitches movies, Hocus Pocus, and the Nightmare Before Christmas. A non-Disney childhood throwback for me is Monster House, which you can stream on Netflix. 

Vivian Pham, Staff Writer

I personally felt like not everybody enjoys scary movies, especially when it’s Halloween season and all the Anabelle and The Conjuring trailers start to show up if you don’t pay for that pricey YouTube Premium. So, I’d highly recommend one of my all-time favorite Tim Burton’s classic Halloween movies, Corpse Bride - an animated dark romance genre for those who are looking for a heart-broken movie night but still fit in with the vibe of the Halloween season. Be prepared not for a blanket to cover over your head and contain your scream, but a box of tissues to soak up those tears when Victor, the main character, is torn apart to make the right decisions.

Flying to See Harry Styles

By Alaina Valdespino, Staff Writer and Photographer

“After everything we as individuals... and as a collective have experienced this past year and a half, the least we can do is Treat People with Kindness.” -Harry Styles Love on Tour SA 2021

Harry Styles took the stage at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX on the eve of September 9, 2021, marking his third performance on his highly anticipated Love on Tour. For a vast majority of concert goers, me included, this tour was the first live and in-person musical experience in nearly 2 years, making it a highly anticipated event and performance. The eagerness to see an in-person concert added to the existing hype surrounding Harry Styles’ tour contributed to make this performance a night to remember. 

After nearly 2 years of patience and anticipation for the Love on Tour, Harry Styles was given the chance to perform for an audience full of people, again me included, some of whom had purchased tickets as far back as 2019. And with that, this COVID-era performance was exactly the kind of energy that people need as we dive back into a world where live music is making a comeback.

I had the privilege of going to Harry’s San Antonio performance at the AT&T Center, and I can wholeheartedly say it was an experience of a lifetime. Not only was it surreal to be flying to Texas for the sole reason of seeing this concert (after more than 2 years of anticipation), but the energy that radiated through the stadium before, during, and after the concert was completely unmatched. Never in my life have I been a part of such a collective sense of positivity. 

Harry Styles completely sold out the 20,000 seats and despite the fear of COVID in the air with the rise in Delta cases, Harry made sure to remind audience members to Treat People With Kindness and to wear their masks. In saying, “You can tell more about a person with their eyes, anyway,” Harry received a standing ovation from his masked audience, which remained for the duration of the performance. 

Diving into the concert itself, as a music minor, I feel as though I know slightly more than the average soul about things such as stage presence, performance, and overall talent; and let me just say that Harry Styles did not disappoint in any of these sectors. In fact, not only was he incredible, falsetto and all, but the talent that surrounded him on the stage matched his energy and his musical talent. Every instrumentalist and vocalist looked as though they were having the time of their life, and their positivity radiated throughout the entirety of the AT&T Center. 

Alternating between singing, guitar playing, and the occasional conversations with the audience; Harry Styles gave the audience more than just another concert, but an escape from the crazy world we live in and a glance at what life could be like if we were “to just be who we want to be and accept everyone for who they are as individuals.”

Harry Styles’ set list included a variety of songs from both his newer album “Fine Line” and his debut self-titled album “Harry Styles.” Songs such as Golden, Sign of the Times, and Grammy Award winning Watermelon Sugar were performed and accompanied by a variety of lighting and stage effects that really helped to bring the energy of each of these songs to life. Harry even included a One Direction throwback that I’m sure every Directioner in the audience was overjoyed to hear. 

Later into the concert, Harry got deep with his audience when talking about the past year and his inspiration for his tour, and went on to inspire the audience and move many to tears. Spreading the messages of love and acceptance is something that Harry Styles has been able to do in his music and his performances for years, but these messages hit close to home with this San Antonio audience. All in all, Harry performed as anyone would expect him to; full of energy, positivity, and radiating inclusivity and kindness and his audience was not only receptive of his energy, but reflected it back to him. 

Personally, I was overjoyed to have finally gotten to see Harry Styles live in concert, and the entire experience surrounding it will be something I carry with me for a long time to come. In a matter of 52 hours; I was in class in Loyola Hall, on an airplane flying to Texas, in the AT&T Center, seeing Harry Styles live, on another airplane, and finally back to my apartment feeling in complete shock and awe. So, to say that I am still on a Watermelon Sugar high is a severe understatement, and I can assure you the feelings about the experience I had won’t be Falling anytime soon. 

Spring Burnout: the lack of spring break and motivation at Regis

By: Alaina Valdespino, Staff Writer

Spring break, much like any other holiday, serves different people in different ways. While many choose to use spring break as a time to travel, go to the beach, and party; others use it to relax and forget about the stresses of college classes and their course loads. This class-free time is a god send to students who are tired and losing motivation because it gives them time to recharge in order to power through the semester with strong grades and a good mentality. In general, spring break serves as a strong benefit to the mental health of students nationwide. 

Having said that, from an administrative standpoint, canceling spring break was one of the single and most effective ways of regulating travel and mitigating the spread of COVID on campus. But, in doing so, many students were left without a break from classes, without an extra week to relax and unwind, and without that extra time to get caught up on class work, which for many students, is vital in maintaining a strong GPA. Between navigating online classes and the uncertainty of what lies ahead, students are already faced with more pressure than ever before and in turn, are highly deserving of a break.

Due to the concerns surrounding COVID and the overall pandemic, students have been missing out on social experiences that are supposed to make up some of the best memories of their lives. Students have been left to learn online, isolated from their social lives until it is safe to resume them. And sure, that’s what's best for their health physically. Avoiding COVID so not as to get COVID, but when it comes to mental health, this isolation can be crippling. These feelings are even more prominent now that Regis students have powered through nearly three fourths of their semester without the luxury of spring break.

Because of this, an overall lack of motivation has been plaguing students of all years on college campuses nationwide due to the longevity of this pandemic and the lack of breaks students are faced with because of it. And while canceling spring break may have been beneficial in preventing COVID spread here on Regis’ campus, it had another lasting impact that is affecting students mentally, that being burn out and zoom fatigue.

When asked to comment about this semester and about how not having spring break has impacted their studies and overall motivation levels, Regis students had a lot to say. One 3rd year Regis student stated, “I know I’m beyond burnt out. I was burnt out last fall so I’m trudging through this one. Everyday feels the same.”

Another Regis student, a second year who studies neuroscience, said that the lack of spring break “is seriously contributing to burn out and lack of motivation.”

Overall, the consensus came to be that students feel exhausted. Zoom fatigue is alive and well, and many students mentioned that the quick transition from midterms to new content without a week-long spring break is in part, contributing to the some worst burn out symptoms of their lives. And while COVID may not be a raging issue on campus, thanks to the many guidelines enforced by Regis’ administration, the mental health impacts that the lack of spring break and the overall pandemic have caused are prominent; and most students will admit that this entire situation isn’t ideal. However, as Regis students we strive to look for the good in every situation. With the semester near a close, and an end in sight to this pandemic, students have a long and well-deserved summer break to look forward to.