UCLA student strives to shatter beauty standards in modeling industry

“Too short,” “too skinny” and “too Latina” were words Viviana Lira heard from photographers that sought the stock characteristics of beautiful women for their shoots. Lira, a second-year art history student, found that few photographers wanted a look that wasn’t mainstream when she began her modeling career in high school. As a woman who had […]

15th Dance Marathon raises nearly $450,000 to fight pediatric AIDS

UCLA community members dressed in costumes, ranging from Harry Potter robes to unicorn onesies, and stayed on their feet in Pauley Pavilion for 26 hours to raise money for pediatric AIDS research. The UCLA Pediatric AIDS Coalition hosted the 15th annual Dance Marathon to fundraise for pediatric AIDS research and support those who are impacted […]

True Bruin Distinguished Senior Award Recipients: Sophie Tanaka

Growing up, Sophie Tanaka remembers seeing her mother break down in tears at a bank, overwhelmed by simple math calculations. A few years ago, her mom found enough confidence to return to community college to take a math class. Tanaka said seeing her mother struggle encouraged her to dispel the stereotype that women do not […]

Phi Kappa Psi reinstated after petition, house construction

The Phi Kappa Psi national organization rechartered its UCLA chapter last Saturday, after the chapter’s alumni and members built a new house and petitioned to be reinstated. Jeremy Tillman, a UCLA and Phi Kappa Psi alumnus, told the Daily Bruin in 2011 the national organization suspended the UCLA chapter in August 2011 for hosting unauthorized […]

Paris attacks provide opportunity to focus on global community

PARIS — Paris is my home. The City of Lights filled with beauty, art, history and outstanding people has kept me in a state of perpetual wonder since I arrived for my study abroad program in August. Since I have grandparents who live in Paris, I have had the privilege of getting to come visit […]

Bruin Plate worker, single mother, strives to be daughters’ role model

When Maria Lopez held her daughter in her arms for the first time seven years ago, she could hardly describe her joy in knowing the little girl was really hers. “(Your children) make you laugh, and just knowing that they’re yours – I can’t explain – they’re your everything,” Lopez said. “Even though they misbehave […]