The Student News Site of College of the Desert

The Chaparral
The Student News Site of College of the Desert

The Chaparral
The Student News Site of College of the Desert

The Chaparral
Layla Freiberg

Layla Freiberg, Editor-in-Chief

Layla Freiberg is a journalism major finishing up her final semesters at College of the Desert. She combines her passions for writing, fashion, and music with a strong ambition to become a reporter and tell her community’s stories. 

All content by Layla Freiberg
Photo courtesy of The Chapparal/Layla Freiberg. Performers at the open mic night gather at the end of the event for a group photo.

Props2Poetry gives the community a chance to be heard at open mic night

Layla Freiberg, Editor-in-Chief
February 26, 2025
Photo courtesy of the Chapparal/Layla Freiberg. Anastasia reciting her sister Abby's poem at the open mic night.

Photo courtesy of The Chapparal/Layla Freiberg. Giovanni Host freestyling at the open mic night.

Photo courtesy of The Chapparal/Layla Freiberg. Erika Castellanos of Props2Poetry reciting her poem at the open mic night.

Photo courtesy of The Chapparal/Layla Freiberg. Manuel Rocha Jr. reciting one of his flower poems at the open mic night.

Photo courtesy of The Chapparal/Layla Freiberg. Arturo Castellanos of Props2Poetry reciting his poem at the open mic night.

Photo courtesy of The Chapparal/Layla Freiberg. Mario Francisco Regalado-Sanchez reciting his poem at the open mic night.

Photo courtesy of The Chapparal/Layla Freiberg. Performers at the open mic night gather at the end of the event for a group photo.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. "Great Job" by Amy Lyu.

Moon & Stars in the Desert showcases an exhibit celebrating AAPI Heritage

Layla Freiberg, Editor-in-Chief
February 14, 2025
Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Sung-Hee Son does a curator walkthrough of the "Moon & Stars" exhibit.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Gigi John poses in front of his booth at the art market.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. "Whispering Hills" by Sijia Chen.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. From left to bottom, "Innovative Energy," "More is More Energy," "Teamwork Energy" and "Bursting Spring Energy" by Shizuko Greenblatt.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Background information for the "Moon & Stars" exhibition.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. "Grandma Nightclub" (left) and "KOKO’s Love: Episode 1" (right) by Yoshie Sakai.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. "Shejiu" by Lauren YS.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. "The Student" by Lauren YS.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. "Representation Social" by Mary Lai.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. "Lady of Scarlett Poem" by Lili Miura.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. "Tactical Mama-san (Taking Care of Business)" by Amy Inouye.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. A protestor in Cathedral City holds a sign that reads "No Person is Illegal on Stolen Land."

Community members take to the streets to protest Trump’s immigration policies

Layla Freiberg, Editor-in-Chief
February 13, 2025
Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Protestors dancing to "Payaso de Rodeo" by Caballo Dorado in front of the Cathedral City Civic Center.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Victoria Randon Santiago holds up her sign that reads "Immigrants make America great," a play on Donald Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again."

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Young protestors in Cathedral City hold up their signs.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Brooklyn Ruth and her friend pose with their signs at the Cathedral City protest.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Protestors in Cathedral City march across from the Mary Pickford Theater.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. A protestor in Cathedral City holds a sign that reads "Families belong together."

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. A protestor in Cathedral City holds a sign that reads "El pueblo unido jamás será vencido."

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. A protestor in Cathedral City holds a sign that reads "I am the voice of my family."

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. A protestor in Cathedral City waves a Mexican flag.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Palm Springs Cultural Center theater post-screening of "Invisible Valley."

‘Invisible Valley’ inspires profound respect for farm workers

Layla Freiberg, Copy Editor
December 11, 2024
Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/layla Freiberg. Fountain of Knowledge outside of the College of the Desert library.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. McCarthy Family Development & Training Center.

[Photo] Rodent infestation discovered McCarthy Family Child Development Center

November 26, 2024
Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. McCarthy Family Development & Training Center.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. College of the Desert sign outside of the Palm Desert campus.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Scholarship Administrative Specialist for the College of the Desert Foundation, Juli Maxwell, handing out stickers of fruits grown/picked in the valley after the showing.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Shayra Hernandez presenting an award to Director Aaron Maurer and Executive Producer Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad after the screening.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Shayra Hernandez presenting an award to Director Aaron Maurer and Executive Producer Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad after the screening.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Former Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon interviewing Director Aaron Maurer and Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Former Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon interviewing Director Aaron Maurer and Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Former Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon interviewing Director Aaron Maurer and Executive Producer Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Former Palm Springs Mayor, Robert Moon, speaking to the audience at the screening of "Invisible Valley."

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Set up for the interview before the "Invisible Valley" screening.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Outside of the Child Development Center on the Indio Campus.

Photo courtesy of the Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Photo of a sign outside of the College of the Desert Campus.

Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. McCarthy Family Development & Training Center.

Rodent infestation discovered McCarthy Family Child Development Center

Layla Freiberg, Copy Editor
November 26, 2024
Photo courtesy of AP Images/FIle. In this combination image, Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks during a debate, Oct. 7, 2020, in Salt Lake City, left, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks during a debate, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta.

What the 2024 election and voting means to students

Layla Freiberg, Copy Editor
November 9, 2024
Photo courtesy of The Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. "Ríete Mientras Puedas," 2024. 3B Collective, Votan, and Iván Lopez and Taller Nodo.

Artists’ reception highlights Hispanic heritage

Layla Freiberg, Copy Editor
October 30, 2024
Photo courtesy of the Chaparral/Layla Freiberg. Students gather around booths for internship opportunities at the Career and Internship Fair.

College hosts career fair to connect students with top employers

Layla Freiberg, Copy Editor
October 16, 2024
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