2023 has been a whirlwind in terms of pop culture. From the Josh Hutcherson meme (aka new Rickroll), to Barbenheimer, to Taylor Swift becoming TIME’s person of the year!
However, UCLA has seen its fair share of moments that personally made me do a double take, cry, and jump for joy! Here are 5 moments that wrapped up the crazy year of 2023!
5. Triple J Goes to the NBA
If you were lucky enough to see Triple J play for us at UCLA, you scored! As the 18th overall in the draft, he is now playing for the Miami Heat in the NBA! It’s absolutely amazing to see a fellow former Bruin in the NBA!
4. Andre (temporarily) leaves UCLA
At the start of 2023, we lost our Bossman himself, Mr. Andre. However, he made a quick comeback on January 31st and I made sure to get his Instagram just in case he ever disappeared again. I suppose he needed a winter break too!
3. Gene Block takes his first BeReal
Back in October, while a few students and I participated in the UCLA holiday video, we got to interact with Joe and Josie Bruin! But, more importantly (no offense to Joe and Josie), we got to meet Chancellor Block and his wife Carol! They were incredibly nice and a pleasure to work with.
Admittedly, I was a bit nervous to ask Mr. Block for a BeReal because I did not want to disturb filming, but between takes, I got the courage to ask him. He was a bit confused at first because he had never taken a BeReal before. In the photograph, originally the mascots, the spirit squad, and everyone posed with fours up. Unfortunately and fortunately, the BeReal was taken too early (this just makes it more real though).
He asked me if it came out okay and I excitedly said “Yes!” I wanted to keep the imperfect BeReal, so I could actually “BeReal” (and document Gene Block’s first one)!
2. Chem 14C spring quarter midterm catastrophe
If you were unlucky enough to have to fulfill the requirement of organic chemistry aka Chem 14C, you were in for a treat if you took it spring quarter of this year!
Due to an unfortunate printing error, for the first midterm, only A THIRD of the exams were printed, so people had to sit in groups of three and use one test. For context: students are typically asked to be spaced away by at least one empty spot due to the nature of the test.
For this special exam, one person was able to write on the test and the other two people had to use scratch paper to write down their independent answers (this was not modified as a group exam). On top of this, the TAs arrived late, so we started the exam at a delayed time. This was very nerve-racking especially for a first midterm because every student works at a different pace.
There was such a major uproar that it was featured in UCLA Chick’s Instagram story, so you KNOW it’s serious. Several users responded to the prompt, “Chem 14c babes how are we feeling?” Users responded: “This isn’t funny”, “jankiest test I’ve ever taken”, “had to sit in groups of 3 sharing one test and it had **** we didn’t learn,” and “I feel like this might become a scandal.”
Following mass emails and a heated student confrontation in class, students were given the option to retake the exam the following Monday. This had mixed reactions.
Despite this mishap, the professor was very kind and accommodating throughout this challenging course. Plus, her signature hat and headphones almost made up for the mistake!
1. Powell cat passing
One of the most shocking and heartbreaking pieces of news that struck UCLA in 2023 was the unfortunate passing of Powell Cat. In early March, the sad news was announced that Powell Cat was no longer with us. As a long-standing member of our community since 2015, Powell Cat has touched the lives of many. Powell Cat was even the star of the shirt that won the esteemed UCLA t-shirt design contest for 2022/2023!
Playing a role as an unofficial mascot, Powell Cat comforted us during the distress of many midterm seasons and served as all of our pets away from home.
Powell Cat will never be forgotten and lives forever in our hearts <3
2023 wrapped
That’s it! The 2023 season of UCLA, wrapped.
I hope you’re looking forward to what 2024 has in store for us and I’m excited to share new stories! Until then, get some rest and enjoy winter break. Spend time with those you love and have some fun! :)