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Erika Oceguera

I’m a writer and photographer from Southern California with a degree in Communications from the University of La Verne. I’ve covered everything from campus life to community stories as Editor-in-Chief of La Verne Magazine and a staff writer for Campus Times. Thanks for checking out my work!

La Verne Magazine •

A Mother’s Love Turns Into a Legacy – La Verne Magazine

by Erika Oceguera
photography by Thatiana Gibbs
The moment you step into Unearth Malee, a wave of earthy, citrusy warmth envelops you—hints of lemongrass, turmeric and kaffir lime linger in the air like a whispered invitation to experience something deeper than just soap. Sunlight filters through the small Claremont storefront, casting soft shadows over wooden racks lined with handcrafted bars, each an artisanal blend of tradition, sustainability and love.
In the back, Marie Peckham, the creato...
Campus Times •

Students and faculty present end-of-year research  - Campus Times

Erika Oceguera
Staff Writer 
The University of La Verne hosted its second annual Celebration of Scholarship on May 9, bringing together students, faculty and staff to share research and creative projects developed over the academic year.
Held from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., the day-long event featured presentations, poster sessions and interactive demonstrations, showcasing work from a variety of disciplines. Open to the entire campus community, the conference highlighted collaborations between studen...
La Verne Magazine •

Dalton Hotshots: A Legacy Forged in Fire – La Verne Magazine

by Erika Oceguera
photography by Christen Ziska
The sun hung low, an orange blur behind a curtain of smoke, casting an eerie glow over the mountainside as the Dalton Hotshots marched toward the flames. The pavement beneath their boots simmered with heat, warping the air like a mirage. It was hot enough to burn through soles, hot enough to taste in every breath. With each step up the steep, dry slope, the temperature climbed—blistering, breath-stealing. You could feel the fire before you saw it....
Campus Times •

'Animal Crossing' walks students towards academic success - Campus Times

Erika Oceguera
Staff Writer
The Academic Success Center at the University of La Verne transformed Wilson Library into a cozy, creative space Thursday night for Charms Crossing, an “Animal Crossing”-themed bracelet and necklace-making event designed to help students unwind during finals week.
The event took place May 15 in room 160 of the Wilson Library. About 10 students stopped by throughout the evening to craft personalized jewelry, snack on popcorn and chips, and enjoy a movie playing softly...
Campus Times •

Orchestra brings Claremont Colleges together - Campus Times

Erika Oceguera
Staff Writer 
The Claremont Concert Orchestra performed classical works by Giuseppe Verdi, Pietro Mascagni, Giacomo Puccini and Georges Bizet at Sunday, at Garrison Theater in the Scripps College Performing Arts Center in Claremont.
The orchestra is made up of 75 student musicians from Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer and Scripps colleges. It is part of the five colleges’ joint Music Program and was directed by David Cubek. 
More than 200 community members attended t...
Campus Times •

Speech team shares achievements and prose - Campus Times

Erika Oceguera
Staff Writer
The University of La Verne’s Lordsburg Speech and Debate Team hosted a Spring 2025 Speech Showcase on April 24, offering an engaging evening of student-led presentations that blended humor, research and emotional storytelling. 
The event took place in the Campus Center’s Conference Room before an audience of about 30 La Verne community members.
Led by Mikayla Holzinger, director of forensics and instructor in the rhetoric and communication studies department, the even...
Campus Times •

Heavy themes portrayed through writing - Campus Times

Erika Oceguera
Staff Writer
Three senior creative writing majors at the University of La Verne shared the culmination of their literary journeys during their senior project presentations Wednesday in Hoover Building, Room 128.
With an intimate audience of 11 people, the students presented excerpts from their original work and reflected on their creative processes, writing philosophies and growth.
The event featured seniors Sterling Bratton, Joseph Reyes and Kamila De La Fuente, who each had app...
Campus Times •

Event shares benefits of some arts and humanities majors - Campus Times

Erika Oceguera
Staff Writer
Students gathered in front of Miller Hall on Wednesday for an open house event featuring many of the arts and humanities programs within the College of Arts and Sciences.
The event featured about 10 booths representing majors and departments including English, modern languages, photography, legal studies, philosophy and religious studies, and more. 
About 30 faculty and students from the programs staffed the booths, answered questions and encouraged students to explor...
Campus Times •

Majority of students prefer Beverage House over Circle K - Campus Times

Erika Oceguera
Staff Writer
In a recent informal survey, nine out of 20 University of La Verne students and alumni said they preferred Circle K over Beverage House, which took over the convenience store on D street right beside campus April 28, 2024. 
Seven of those surveyed chose Beverage House, and four reported having no preference.
Nearly all respondents – 19 of 20 – were familiar with Circle K before it closed and reopened as Beverage House.
The change to the store on D and Second streets w...
Campus Times •

CAB event offers school spirit - Campus Times

More than 100 students gathered March 14 in the Campus Center for the Grand Slam Classic, an event hosted by the Campus Activities Board to build excitement for the Leopards’ baseball game later that afternoon. 
Attendees received free jerseys, enjoyed Costco pizza, played lawn games and created custom signs to cheer on the team. The event was designed to promote school spirit ahead of the game. Students were encouraged to wear their jerseys and bring the signs they made to the game.
The limited...

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