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The Cougar Chronicle

  • Classes begin on Monday, August 25.
The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

Arts

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Cover Art

The Last Chance: The Summer I Turned Pretty

Natalia Ortiz and Ruby Pulido-Perez October 1, 2025

One of the most talked-about TV shows this summer was the final season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty”. The Amazon Prime series, based on a trilogy of books by Jenny Han, became a hit streaming show from summer 2022 to this summer 2025. Here's a recap leading up to the finale.   Warning: Spoilers...

"Love Island USA" Season 7 cast
Courtesy of Peacock

Love, Loss, and Loyalty: How Season 7 Played Out in Fiji

Amara Abaquin-Brown and Casey Budlong September 18, 2025

After a captivating 2024 season of "Love Island” that produced some of the most memorable reality TV personalities, it is no doubt that fans were eager for a juicy, steamy follow up season.   “Love Island” proved to be one of the most entertaining dating shows of the past decade, gaining a...

Watermelon Pictures

Review: “The Encampments”

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor May 5, 2025

In “The Encampments”, directors Kei Pritsker and Michael T. Workman assembled a clear portrait of a student movement that was both criticized and misunderstood. Chronicling the 2024 Gaza Solidarity Encampments at Columbia University and its effects across campuses worldwide, the documentary gives...

REVIEW: CSUSM’s Bluelight Theatre Company masters ‘the bit’

REVIEW: CSUSM’s Bluelight Theatre Company masters ‘the bit’

Saturn Salama, News Editor April 9, 2025

30 plays in 60 minutes. Or maybe 90 (there was some supernatural manipulation of time). Only the Bluelight Theatre Company could take on a feat like this and excel to such magnificent heights. Bluelight is CSUSM’s theatre club and they recently performed Greg Allen’s play “Too Much Light Makes...

Arts and Lecture: The Veterans History Project

Arts and Lecture: The Veterans History Project

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts and Entertainment Editor April 9, 2025

On Wednesday, March 19, the Veterans History Project: An Unveiling of the Journey brought together students, veterans, and community members for an evening of remembrance, connection, and storytelling. The event, held in the USU Ballroom, served as a powerful tribute to the men and women who have served...

Context Events: Meeting Isidro Pérez García

Context Events: Meeting Isidro Pérez García

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts and Entertainment Editor April 9, 2025

On Tuesday, March 18, students, faculty, and community members gathered at the University Library’s Fifth Floor Reading Room for a compelling lecture by artist Isidro Pérez García.  He began the lecture by sharing his personal experiences, detailing his journey as a formerly undocumented migrant...

Album Review: "I Said I Love You First"

Album Review: “I Said I Love You First”

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts & Entertainment Editor March 30, 2025

Selena Gomez has always had a knack for reinvention and in this new musical era, she has refined her sound. “I Said I Love You First,” her latest project with producer and now fiancé Benny Blanco, is not just an album but it’s a journal of love, self-reflection and artistic evolution. This is...

Student Opener Competition Builds Excitement Leading Up to Festival 78

Student Opener Competition Builds Excitement Leading Up to Festival 78

Hannah Crawford, Features Editor March 27, 2025

On March 13, ASI held their annual Student Opener Competition, an event dedicated to student musicians competing for a chance to become the opener at Festival 78. From pianists, violinists, bands, and solo artists, the event brought a diverse range of musicians who gave it their all.  A total of...

Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) Album Cover Art

Album Review: Role Model’s “Kansas Anymore: The Longest Goodbye” perfects the ultimate breakup album

Danya Rodriguez, Editor in Chief March 24, 2025

On February 14, Role Model released the deluxe version of his sophomore album, “Kansas Anymore.” The deluxe version features four new songs: “Old Recliners,” “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out,” “Some Protector,” and “The Longest Goodbye.”   At its core, “Kansas Anymore” is an...

Veterans History Project: An Unveiling of the Journey

Veterans History Project: An Unveiling of the Journey

Nahomi Garcia Alarcon, Arts and Entertainment Editor March 14, 2025

On Wednesday, March 19, the Veterans History Project: An Unveiling of the Journey will bring together students, veterans, and community members to celebrate the stories of U.S. veterans. This unique event is an opportunity to engage with the personal stories of veterans, reflect on their sacrifices,...

“Captain America: Brave New World” Review: Tiresome Old Formula

“Captain America: Brave New World” Review: Tiresome Old Formula

Emilio Serrano, Staff Writer March 10, 2025

Marvel’s latest film is the fourth installment of the Captain America franchise following the passing of the mantle from Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). Coming off the backbone from the Disney+ series “Falcon and Winter Soldier,” this film delivers more Captain America...

The All-Out Turfing Event is a hit!

Johnny5 and SpecialFX Bring Turfing to CSUSM

Saturn Salama, News Editor March 3, 2025

On February 5, notable hip hop artists Johnny 5 (Johnny Lopez) and SpecialFX (Quentin Robinson) presented a cypher featuring hip hop dancers, performances, competitions, and classes. The event was made possible with the help of numerous dancers, community members, multiple CSUSM organizations and CSUSM...

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