Skip to Main Content
Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Man in gray with green background

Mawil Soluna, Multimedia Editor

Mawil migrated from Guatemala and spent most of his high school years in LA. After graduating high school, he moved to Chico looking to immerse himself in a different culture. He’s a double major in journalism and theatre. His pastimes align well with his goal to work in broadcasting. He shoots vlogs and edits videos. He likes to stay active, enjoy nature and be on camera. His plan is to be involved in the broadcasting side of things. He wants to tell the stories of the people who are often overlooked and give them a platform to share their perspectives. Through his work, he hopes to make a difference in his community and hopes that his work leaves a positive impact on people.

All content by Mawil Soluna

Meet our Alumni: Melody Gutierrez

Mawil Soluna, Reporter
November 28, 2023

Melody Gutierrez is a Chico State alumna who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She’s now an investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times, before working there she covered other...

Con Café: Jerry

Mawil Soluna, Reporter
November 26, 2023

En este episodio nos sumergimos en la vida de Gerardo “Jerry” Langarica. Un estudiante del programa de maestría de la Universidad Estatal de California Chico. Se graduó el semestre pasado recibiendo...

Con Café: El Profe

Mawil Soluna, Reporter
October 10, 2023

En este episodio nos sumergimos en la vida de Gerardo Mireles “El Profe.” Nombre que le pusieron en Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlan programa estudiantil al cual asesora. Él ha sido profesor...

Campus parking then vs. now

Mawil Soluna, Reporter
October 9, 2023

Now a Chico State alumni, Kelly O’Connor published a video story on Sept. 10, 2008. The video shows how Kristin Siders drives through parking structures near campus but fails to find parking. With...

Chico State se ilumina con las Celebraciones del Día de la Independencia de América Latina

Mawil Mateo, Multimedia Editor
September 16, 2023

La universidad se ilumina de colores, sabores y sonidos para celebrar el día de la independencia de los países centroamericanos. El día 15 de septiembre de 1821, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador,...

Shae Pastrana yelling to family before she walks the graduation stage. Melvin Bui right. Photo taken May 18 by Molly Myers.

CME commencement: Technical difficulties, empty liquor bottles, and smiles 

Mawil Mateo and Molly Myers
May 21, 2023

As Pomp and Circumstance began playing, students stomped through the grass to University Stadium, leaving behind a trail of small single-shot liquor bottles. Most of them were Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey.  In...

Photo courtesy of Michael Tran

Students and alum caught with Sinclair dinosaur

Mawil Mateo, Reporter
April 23, 2023

A group of Chico State students and one alum were caught with the Sinclair gas station dinosaur statue early Sunday morning by Chico Police. DINO, the name Sinclair Oil Corporation gives their mascot...

People posing with a 2023 sign to take a picture.

Seniors start thinking about their tomorrow

Mawil Mateo, Reporter
April 22, 2023

A warm, sunny day with live music, free food, games, prizes — and burying student’s items which will be underground for 50 years — was all part of the Senior Send Off, an event that’s hosted by...

Combat Robotics at Chico State brings a medal home

Mawil Mateo, Reporter
April 19, 2023

American Institute of Mechatronic Engineers competed at Robogames, a yearly event hosted in Pleasanton California. “King crab” is the red robot AIME used at the competition to take out a couple of...

Tablets for $11 with free internet access for those who qualify

Mawil Mateo, Reporter
April 12, 2023

The center for Technology Equity And Inclusion partnered with Excess Telecom to give out tablets for $11.00 to anyone who’s part of a government program like CalFresh, Medi-Cal or is a Pell Grant recipient.  The...

The Orion Podcast: Chavez, BORGS and vulvas

The Orion Podcast: Chavez, BORGS and vulvas

Hosts Mawil Mateo, Molly Myers and Gabriela Rudolph were joined with Opinion Editor Hunter Casperson to talk about Cesar Chavez weekend, the meaning of BORGs, the difference between vulvas and vaginas...

Massive bee swarm on campus

Mawil Mateo
April 10, 2023

A large bee swarm descended on campus in front of the Student Services Center on April 10. The area was taped off with caution tape and students were advised to stay clear of the area for the time being.  Update:...

Students outraged at proposed Adventure Outings budget annihilation

Adventure Outings, an Associated Students-run program at Chico State, is facing a budget cut to zero dollars, putting its future in jeopardy. The Associated Students Facilities Committee held a meeting...

The Orion Podcast: Whitney Hall closing, the Paranormal Circus and the Black Wal Street Cafe

The Orion Podcast: Whitney Hall closing, the Paranormal Circus and the Black Wal Street Cafe

In this weekly podcast, hosts Molly Myers, Mawil Mateo and Gabriela Rudolph discuss recent headlines from the Whitney Hall closure to the delicious food from Black Wal Street Cafe. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5k7XLjeWwCpGyfNthAfkSg?si=Ca4GWhSrTWKfQYsKQK-4hA Tune...

Sophia Hoffman singing wearing a pink top and denim jeans.

Chico State freshman on The Voice

Mawil Mateo, Reporter
April 2, 2023

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5S7b0Rf9aM7ILrk71sxmKg?si=EP1gVr3ISjO28ym2QFBe4g Hoffman has been singing since the age of four. Her mother Hilda Hoffman said, “Sophia has always been a performer....

Zion Fozo wearing a red shirt with a gray background.

AS Elections: Zion Fozo runs for College of Behavioral and Social Sciences senator

Mawil Mateo, Reporter
March 29, 2023

Zion Fozo, a first year political science major, is running for College of Behavioral and Social Sciences senator in the upcoming Associated Students general election. Fozo, who uses the pronoun they,...

Chris Navarrete wearing a pink shirt with blue strips with a gray background.

AS Elections: Chris Navarrete runs for commissioner of student engagement and advocacy

Mawil Mateo, Reporter
March 27, 2023

Chris Navarrete, a third-year animal science pre-vet major, is running for commissioner of student engagement and advocacy in the 2023 Associated Student general election. Navarrete, who uses the pronoun...

Glance at alternative homeless camp on Eaton and Cohasset Road 

Mawil Mateo, Reporter
March 23, 2023

Glance at alternative homeless camp on Eaton and Cohasset Road  The City of Chico and Chico Police Department began removing unauthorized vehicles and people from the alternative homeless camp...

Outside tent of the circus. Photo courtesy of Paranormal Cirque

Get wicked at Paranormal Cirque II

Mawil Mateo, Reporter
March 21, 2023

A circus full of paranormal themes and unusual performances comes to Chico for the first time.  A unique mix of entertainment with scary and comedic moments is coming into town this week. If you’re...

bear jumping into an ambulance

Orion critic high on ‘Cocaine Bear’

Mawil Mateo, Reporter
March 4, 2023

With less than a week since its release date on Feb. 28 and $32.5 million at the box office, “Cocaine Bear” is a must-see movie for those looking for a fun time. Directed by Elizabeth Banks and inspired...