The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

Kat Parra

Kat Parra, Assistant A&E Editor

Kat Parra is in her senior year here at CSUSM and majoring in art and technology. Since last semester, she has been assisting The Cougar Chronicle as a photographer and staff writer and she is currently serving as the Assistant A&E Editor. She enjoys sculpting, art, video design and spending time with family. She will be the first in her family to graduate from a four-year university.  Her inspiration is and always will be her mom.
All content by Kat Parra
CSUSM students, faculty and staff return to campus after spending more than a year of online learning.

[Photo] CSUSM campus open to students, faculty and staff for fall semester

September 1, 2021

CSUSM students, faculty and staff return to campus after spending more than a year of online learning.

Congratulations graduates for crossing the finish line and getting a degree despite a pandemic.

COLUMN: Here’s to four years at CSUSM

Kat Parra, Assistant A&E Editor May 18, 2021

Dear Graduates, While I don’t know your name, degree or experience, I know for a fact that what you are feeling today is an overwhelming sensation. After all these months, we swapped our pajama pants...

Netflix’s new horror film Things Heard and Seen is now available to stream on Netflix.

Netflix horror film Things Heard & Seen gives a new definition to the husband-wife relationship

Kat Parra, Assistant A&E Editor May 10, 2021

This review may contain spoilers.  Netflix's new film Things Heard and Seen features Catherine Claire, played by Amanda Seyfried, as an artist stuck in a marriage with George Claire, played by James...

Photo by Kat Parra, graphic by Carolyn Cheng

[Photo] Campus Notes (4/28/21)

April 28, 2021

Photo by Kat Parra, graphic by Carolyn Cheng

[Video] VIDEO: Cougar Showcase Ep. 5: John McAndrew

April 27, 2021

CSUSM student John McAndrew talks about his passion for collecting records (he currently has over 1,200). Brian Gallegos is a photography/graphic design intern for The Cougar Chronicle. He is currently...

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Jaelyn Decena, Kat Parra, and Magali Castillo April 26, 2021

Book: Ripples by Wai Wai Pang Ripples by Wai Wai Pang is a unique mystery graphic novel. As Pang’s debut novel, Pang redefines the boundaries of graphic novels. The story follows two detectives...

The Academic Senate endorsed renaming Craven Hall due to the legislator’s controversial remarks toward the Hispanic community.

[Photo] CSUSM faculty senate is correct: William Craven should not be honored at CSUSM

April 26, 2021

The Academic Senate endorsed renaming Craven Hall due to the legislator’s controversial remarks toward the Hispanic community.

Enjoy a plate of authentic Mexican calabacitas con elote, a dish that is sure to delight your taste buds.

Enjoy a plate of calabacitas con elote, a Mexican vegetarian dish

Kat Parra, Assistant A&E Editor April 18, 2021

With graduation coming soon, all our emotions are heightened with desires and ambitions. It’s time to try new things and unleash the new you! Soon the world will be our oyster; until then, let’s add...

Zack Snyder releases his take on the film Justice League, now available on HBO Max.

REVIEW: Snyder Cut leaves fans in awe after a second take at the Justice League film

Kat Parra, Assistant A&E Editor April 14, 2021

This review may contain spoilers. To those that left 2017 behind, here are a few refreshers with the Justice League film. The squad officially all came back together to defeat the common enemy, Villain...

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Magali Castillo, Kat Parra, and Jaelyn Decena April 14, 2021

EP: Freedom. by Justin Bieber On Easter, Justin Bieber dropped an EP titled Freedom., just over two weeks after the release of his album Justice. The album stirred some controversy for its tracks...

Photo by Kat Parra, graphic by Carolyn Cheng

[Photo] Campus Notes (4/10/21)

April 10, 2021

Photo by Kat Parra, graphic by Carolyn Cheng

Moxie is now available to stream on Netflix.

REVIEW: Feel the fury as Moxie breaks through male restraints on female success

Kat Parra, Assistant A&E Editor March 21, 2021

This review may contain mild spoilers. Earlier this March, Netflix released Moxie, an Amy Poehler production, that sparks the awakening of feminism after a young woman named Vivian (Hadley Robinson)...

Photo by Kat Parra, graphic by Carolyn Cheng

[Photo] Campus Notes (3/20/21)

March 20, 2021

Photo by Kat Parra, graphic by Carolyn Cheng

Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke star as Tully and Kate in Netflix’s drama TV show Firefly Lane.

Firefly Lane reveals the friendship of two polar opposites throughout the decades

Kat Parra, Assistant A&E Editor February 27, 2021

This review may contain mild spoilers. Netflix’s recently-released drama TV show Firefly Lane springs on the unique friendship of two girls that are each desperate for a friend.  The show is an...

[Video] VIDEO: Cougars on the Run: Opinions on the Virtual Spring Semester

February 22, 2021

CSUSM students share their outlook on the spring semester.

Photo by Kat Parra, graphic by Carolyn Cheng

[Photo] Campus Notes (2/21/21)

February 21, 2021

Photo by Kat Parra, graphic by Carolyn Cheng

The answer is still very unclear whether CSUSM students should return to campus next fall.

[Photo] Return to campus remains uncertain

February 21, 2021

The answer is still very unclear whether CSUSM students should return to campus next fall.

For this recipe, you will need chiles, cheese, eggs, flour (or bread crumbs) and garlic salt.

[Photo] Try your hand at making authentic chile relleno

February 21, 2021

For this recipe, you will need chiles, cheese, eggs, flour (or bread crumbs) and garlic salt.

[Video] VIDEO: Cougar Pantry closes until mid February

February 10, 2021

Citing the high number of COVID-19 cases in the county, the ASI Cougar Pantry will not resume food distributions until Feb. 17. Read the written version of the story here.

Episodes of Marvel’s WandaVision are released every Friday to stream on Disney+.

WandaVision provides confusing yet irresistible entertainment

Kat Parra, Assistant A&E Editor February 7, 2021

This review may contain some spoilers. Airing every Friday, Disney+ welcomes their newest superhero TV miniseries WandaVision, starring Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda) and Paul Bettany (Vision). Each of the...

CSUSM’s annual security report showed that there was a net increase in reported crimes and violations of state and local drug, liquor and weapons laws in 2019 compared to the previous year.

[Photo] Annual security report shows increase in reported crime

February 5, 2021

CSUSM’s annual security report showed that there was a net increase in reported crimes and violations of state and local drug, liquor and weapons laws in 2019 compared to the previous year.

2020 has been a difficult year for many amid the pandemic and quarantine.

Dear 2021, I’d like to say a few words…

Kat Parra, Staff Writer December 13, 2020

Dear 2021 I may not know what you’ll look like or what your sense of fashion will be, but let me tell you what I have endured this year. So far, I have been isolated, alone and afraid. 2020 was not...

Students are allowed to stay in dorms over winter break, but must continue to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols.

[Photo] Campus Notes (11/25/20)

November 25, 2020

Students are allowed to stay in dorms over winter break, but must continue to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols.

Over the Moon is available to stream on Netflix.

Over the Moon represents Chinese culture and realistically depicts childhood loss

Kat Parra, Staff Writer November 21, 2020

Netflix recently released Over the Moon, an animated film beautifully portraying Chinese culture as Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) goes on a lunar adventure to find the Goddess of the Moon, Chang’e (Phillipa Soo).  Many...

The Boys is now available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Twisted, bloody and thrilling, The Boys brings us to the edge of our seats

Kat Parra, Staff Writer November 21, 2020

Inspired by the comic book series of the same name, The Boys brings into reality a society where superheroes live among us like celebrities.  Protecting the city of New York is the Seven, a league...

Double standards continue to exist in 2020

Kat Parra, Staff Writer November 8, 2020

It seems that every year things tend to change, yet one thing remains consistent: double standards.  This continuous concept has been infested into our society since the dawn of time. Some of us are...

It is very important to stay safe this spooky season, while still having fun. Here are a few tips to have a fun, festive holiday.

Get ready for the spookiest, safest Halloween with these tips

Kat Parra, Staff Writer October 24, 2020

With Halloween around the corner, your instinct may be to pull out the witch hat and dancing shoes. Yet, with the pandemic, partying is not the smartest move right now.  It isn't just about protecting...

The Babysitter: Killer Queen is now available to stream on Netflix.

The Babysitter: Killer Queen brings nonsensical humor and blood

Kat Parra, Staff Writer October 24, 2020

With the pandemic still going, streaming services have become the safest and most reliable method of watching a new movie. Now that Halloween is just around the corner, Netflix is releasing films that...

A Cougar Pantry staff member assembles a bag of groceries. The Cougar Pantry will reopen on Feb. 17.

[Photo] ASI Cougar Pantry continues distribution amid pandemic

October 21, 2020

A Cougar Pantry staff member assembles a bag of groceries. The Cougar Pantry will reopen on Feb. 17.

[Video] VIDEO: The Cougar Pantry Is Here to Help Students

October 16, 2020

CSUSM offers resources like Cougar Pantry and Fresh Market Mondays to help students that need food. For the written story on the Cougar Pantry, see csusmchronicle.com/20555/news/cougar-pantry-continues-distribution-amid-pandemic/. For...

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Kat Parra, David Faketty, and Esabel Sadek October 10, 2020

TV Show: Away Netflix released a new show that dives into the lives of an international crew from all around the world with one mission: to land on Mars. The show revolves around Emma Green (Hilary...

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Kat Parra, Jaelyn Decena, and Maria Jungers September 29, 2020

Movie - The Frozen Ground Director Scott Walker delivers a suspense-drenched film that manifests fear and urgency as an escapee becomes a breakthrough in a detective’s cold case. Jack Halcombe...

Students and professors must make changes to their normal routine as they adapt to virtual classes.

[Photo] Students and professors adjust to online learning

September 16, 2020

Students and professors must make changes to their normal routine as they adapt to virtual classes.

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Christopher King, Tania Ortiz, David Faketty, and Kat Parra September 15, 2020

Podcast: “Dissect” Named best podcast of 2018 by the New York Times, “Dissect” is a serialized look into the hidden stories behind today’s most popular albums. Each season covers an album...

[Video] CSUSM library offers virtual services for fall 2020

September 15, 2020

Check out the services that Kellogg Library is offering during the mainly virtual fall 2020 semester. Read the written version of this story here.

Campus walkways were mostly deserted on Sept. 2, 2020.

[Photo] CSUSM gears up for mainly virtual semester

September 3, 2020

Campus walkways were mostly deserted on Sept. 2, 2020.

Since masks are mandatory when going in public now, making these can help keep others safe while also giving you something to do in quarantine.

Stay safe from COVID-19 with these masks

Kat Parra, Photographer, Staff Writer May 2, 2020

Unfortunately, as much as many of us desperately try to stay indoors, there are days in which we have to go outside to restock. To minimize the spread of the virus and prevent our health from being jeopardized,...

Netflix’s Love Wedding Repeat is an enjoyable rom-com about taking a chance.

Love Wedding Repeat teaches us to take a chance when it comes to love

Kat Parra, Photographer, Staff Writer May 1, 2020

While there are countless movies and TV shows to watch, sometimes a little romantic comedy is just what we need. Netflix recently released a new film titled Love Wedding Repeat, with a wide cast from...

AMD 308 class refl ecting on the changes to the normal classroom setting with professor Luke Bisagna.

COVID-19 has shifted the worlds of student and staff members

Kat Parra, Photographer, Staff Writer April 17, 2020

A year with great promise and goals has taken a drastic turn of events ever since the COVID-19 virus forced the world to step out of their normal routines and undergo quarantine. All around, the virus...

Sunrise in Heaven depicts the romance between Jan (Caylee Cowan) and Steve (Travis Burns).

Sunrise in Heaven reveals faith in the face of death

Kat Parra, Photographer, Staff Writer April 17, 2020

With the world still in quarantine, binge-watching films is a highly beloved method to pass time. With everything on the news, perhaps a few tears wouldn’t hurt. This month, Netfl ix released a film...

THE CHRONICLE ENTERTAINMENT RUNDOWN

Anneliese Esparza and Kat Parra April 5, 2020

Single: “Didn’t I” OneRepublic released their new single “Didn’t I” on Mar. 13. The song is from the band’s upcoming album Humans and is about love lost. The lyrics reminisce about...

Graduate student peer interns and a nursing student were amongst others that ran the Eating Disorder Screenings.

[Photo] Eating Disorder Screening Day offers resources to students

March 8, 2020

Graduate student peer interns and a nursing student were amongst others that ran the Eating Disorder Screenings.

Students go head to head in a game of foosball.

[Photo] Students celebrate the new semester with Tukwut Nights

February 6, 2020

Students go head to head in a game of foosball.

Load More Stories

Comments (0)

All Sort: Newest