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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

Magali Castillo

Magali Castillo, Features Editor

Magali Castillo is a fourth year majoring in Literature & Writing Studies with a minor in Global Studies. She was born and raised in Los Angeles. This is her second year as a staff writer and first year as the Features Editor for The Cougar Chronicle. She has plans to attend graduate school after graduation. During her spare time, Magali enjoys spending time with family and friends.

All content by Magali Castillo
Campus recreation provides wellness for students

Campus recreation provides wellness for students

Magali Castillo, Features Editor April 20, 2022

Campus Recreation has a variety of ways of helping students get involved in regards to their wellness and student development. Outdoor Adventures has been providing opportunities for CSUSM students to...

Thai Thai San Marcos serves a mean pad thai

[Photo] Thai Thai is a must visit for foodies

Magali Castillo, Features Editor March 15, 2022

Thai Thai San Marcos serves a mean pad thai

Learn about Graduate School through TRIO McNair Scholars Info Sessions

Learn about Graduate School through TRIO McNair Scholars Info Sessions

Magali Castillo, Features Editor February 22, 2022

The transition after graduating college is an open road that may lead to many avenues one of being  graduate school. The TRIO McNair Scholars is hosting information sessions through zoom on Wednesdays...

Homemade gifts are perfect to give loved ones.

DIY: Seed-starter holiday greeting card

Magali Castillo, Features Editor December 8, 2021

In the spirit of the holiday season, sending holiday greeting cards is a great way to send to family or friends. There’s nothing more special when you make something from scratch for someone that you...

Shahamiri reflects on 30 years of working at CSUSM.

CSUSM faculty member reflects on her time at the university

Magali Castillo, Features Editor December 7, 2021

Lourdes Shahamiri is the Catalog and Curriculum Coordinator in the Academic Affairs/Academic Programs Department. Shahamiri has held this role since 1991, publishing all CSUSM catalogs.  In addition,...

The perfect smoothie recipe that is both delicious and nutritious.

A simple and healthy smoothie

Magali Castillo, Features Editor November 10, 2021

Smoothies are the perfect way to start the beginning of your day or the end of your day! They are a great pick me up. There are a variety of ways in which you can make a smoothie, however an easy smoothie...

Dr. Juan Alvarez creates a welcoming environment for students during Mindfulness Mondays.

Practice self care through mediation sessions

Magali Castillo, Features Editor November 2, 2021

Open to the entire CSUSM Campus community on Mondays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Dr. Juan Alvarez hosts a meditation session for students to focus on being in the present. Dr. Alvarez shares different practices...

The San Marcos Farmers Market brings the community together on Tuesdays.

San Marcos Farmers Market brings the community together

Magali Castillo, Features Editor October 26, 2021

Every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. the San Marcos Farmers Market is held where many students, professional staff and locals get together to try new foods or buy homegoods from local sellers. It is located...

RECIPE: Breakfast Burrito Wrap

Magali Castillo, Staff Writer September 15, 2021

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” a common phrase that many people can agree on. Skipping breakfast is not an ideal thing to do, especially if there is a long day ahead. There are...

CSUSM’s Office of Global Education hosted an International Student Showcase to highlight creative international students’ work.

International students get the spotlight at a multi-campus showcase event

Magali Castillo, Staff Writer April 26, 2021

CSUSM’S Office of Global Education hosted their first multi-campus international student virtual showcase event in conjunction with San Diego State University (SDSU), UC San Diego (UCSD) and the University...

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 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...

REVIEW: Indian dancers showcase talent at virtual event

Magali Castillo, Staff Writer April 14, 2021

CSUSM’s Arts & Lectures series hosted “Ta La: The Exploration of Male and Female Energies Through Indian Dance” starring Anusree Bonnerjee and Nilesh Singha, lead dancers of Drutam Dance Ideas...

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Documentary: Audrey Behind closed doors, despite the fame, Audrey Hepburn’s desire to be loved is something we learn in the new Netflix documentary Audrey. There has been no other like Audrey...

UCLA professor Safiya Noble explained how search algorithms can be biased to privilege whiteness.

Guest lecture sheds light on bias in search algorithms

Magali Castillo, Staff Writer March 15, 2021

Is our search engine a reflection of society? CSUSM’s latest Arts & Lectures guest Safiya U. Noble, an associate professor at UCLA, asked this question during her presentation titled Algorithms of...

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Jaelyn Decena, Natalie Navarro, and Magali Castillo March 15, 2021

TV Show: Ginny and Georgia Netflix released the first season of its newest comedy-drama Ginny and Georgia on Feb. 24. The show follows the story of a young mom, Georgia, and her two kids, Ginny...

Global Connections president Jordan Silva’s winning photo was taken in his home country of Mozambique.

Student spotlight: International student wins photo contest

Magali Castillo, Staff Writer March 13, 2021

The Office of Global Education has been hosting virtual events to keep their international students engaged despite the campus shutdown.  During their International Education Week, the Office of Global...

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Magali Castillo and Jaelyn Decena March 6, 2021

Documentary: Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell Since a video is worth a thousand words, this rare archival footage featuring rapper Christopher Wallace, known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie, tells...

The Chronicle Entertainment Rundown

Song: “Gasoline” by HAIM (feat. Taylor Swift) Alternative rock band HAIM teamed up with Taylor Swift to release a remix of their song “Gasoline” from their album Women in Music Pt. III....

Professor Heidi Breuer was one of the literature and writing studies faculty members who participated in the literature reading on Feb. 11.

Faculty share creative writing with campus community

Magali Castillo and Angelica Cervantes February 21, 2021

Five literature & writing (LTWR) faculty members read from their past or current literary projects on Feb. 11 in a Zoom event hosted by the LTWR department. There were about 127 attendees, including...

Ariana Grande released her sixth album Positions on Oct. 30.

Ariana Grande’s album Positions gives a chill listening experience

Magali Castillo, Staff Writer November 7, 2020

With the release of her sixth studio album Positions, Ariana Grande is not taking a break, choosing to give her fans new music even during quarantine. Positions has very chill tracks that can be listened...

To increase diversity in the media, studios are hiring writers from diverse backgrounds.

Diverse representation in the media inspires minority communities

Magali Castillo, Staff Writer October 26, 2020

Mass communication is a form of media that is happening everywhere. It ranges from watching the news, listening to the radio or reading information from the internet.  Cultural theorist Stuart Hall...

International students have had to adjust to challenges such as changing federal guidelines for international students, time zone differences and being unable to receive books mailed from online retailers.

International students encounter new experience of studying abroad

Magali Castillo, Staff Writer October 22, 2020

In the midst of COVID-19, many international students have lost the experience of studying in the United States with in-person instruction. Currently, there are about 300 international students at CSUSM.  Natalie...

The Cougar Corner

Magali Castillo, Staff Writer September 26, 2020

Drown By Magali Castillo   All we know is yesterday, today and tomorrow. All we do is sleep, eat and repeat. All we do is stay in a web of technology.   What does love even...

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