A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf
A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf
A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf
Lucas Cadigan-Carranza

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor-In-Chief

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza is starting his third year at The Oak Leaf. He has been at SRJC for much longer, having already earned his degrees in English, game programming and humanities. Despite this, he has settled on finishing the journalism degree before transferring next Fall. He loves talking about video games but has enjoyed his time as The Oak Leaf’s Theatre Arts reporter and is excited to be Co-Editor-in-Chief this semester.

All content by Lucas Cadigan-Carranza

By the Fireside Episode 2: Themes and Motifs

Kevin Terlizzi-Bowes, Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, and Mark Fernquest
December 14, 2024
SRJC's dance program includes a dance company performance course in the Fall semester and a collaborative dance performance course with the Theatre department in the spring

Finding Their Stride: The history and people of SRJC’s dance program

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor-in-Chief
December 14, 2024
“The Rocky Horror Show'' will run from Oct. 31 to Nov. 17, with a 2 p.m. matinee showing on Sunday, Nov. 17 and a first-ever midnight show on Friday, Nov. 8.

“Stay for the Night” at SRJC Theatre Arts’s production of “The Rocky Horror Show”

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza and Marty Lees
October 28, 2024

By the Fireside Episode 1: How to Begin a Story

Kevin Terlizzi-Bowes and Lucas Cadigan-Carranza
October 19, 2024

Oak Leaf Gaming Podcast Episode 11: Spoiler Alert

Jesus Lopez Cruz, Kevin Terlizzi-Bowes, Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, and Natalie Emanuele
October 17, 2024
Maya Tuchband as Betty (right), and AJ Correia as Bill (left) in "Sure Thing"

SRJC’s “All in the Timing”: A hilarious bout of existentialism

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor-in-Chief
October 7, 2024
In "The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom," encounter a colorful cast of characters while playing as the titular Princess Zelda for the very first time.

“The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom”: A perfect marriage between the series’ past and present

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor-in-Chief
October 3, 2024
Director Leslie McCauley hopes audiences who come to see "All in the Timing" take away a renewed fascination of language and words.

SRJC Theatre Arts opens its Fall 2024 season with “All in the Timing”

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza and Ash Gatmaitan
September 27, 2024
The 2024-2025 Santa Rosa Junior College Theatre Arts season begins with "All in the Timing," a set of one-act comedies written by David Ives and directed by Leslie McCauley

SRJC Theatre Arts brings a collection of comedies to the stage for its 2024-2025 season

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor-in-Chief
September 24, 2024

Oak Leaf Gaming Podcast Episode 10: Summer Gaming Reflections

Jesus Lopez Cruz, Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, and Kevin Terlizzi-Bowes
September 16, 2024

Oak Leaf Gaming Podcast Episode 9: Pokémon Pt. 2

Jesus Lopez Cruz, Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Sam Guzman, and Natalie Emanuele
May 8, 2024

Oak Leaf Gaming Podcast Episode 8: Pokémon Pt. 1

Jesus Lopez Cruz, Sam Guzman, Natalie Emanuele, and Lucas Cadigan-Carranza
April 29, 2024

Oak Leaf Gaming Podcast Episode 7: When the Devs Speak

Jesus Lopez Cruz, Sam Guzman, Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, and Natalie Emanuele
April 15, 2024

Oak Leaf Gaming Podcast Episode 6: Nostalgic Games

Jesus Lopez Cruz, Sam Guzman, Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, and Natalie Emanuele
March 23, 2024

Oak Leaf Gaming Podcast Episode 5: Multiplayer Mishaps

Jesus Lopez Cruz, Sam Guzman, Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, and Natalie Emanuele
March 5, 2024
Everything, even the simple and static set of "Orlando" goes through some kind of transformation thanks to the lighting, props and the coordination of the actors.

SRJC’s “Orlando”: An impressive and entertaining journey of transformation

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
March 4, 2024
"Persona 3 Reload" faithfully recreates the 2006 classic and brings it up to the series' current standards, offering a visual overhaul alongside numerous quality of life changes.

“Persona 3 Reload”: The “Persona” series at its absolute best

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
March 4, 2024
Daylight hours in "Persona 3 Reload" are spent prepping for the Dark Hour and building your bonds with others while watching their individual stories unfold.

In "Persona 3 Reload," players spend the night exploring Tatsumi Port Island or braving the Dark Hour and scaling Tartarus, a 264-floor tower containing monsters and treasure.

With one show cancelled, the Student Production Club is holding its own production to give another opportunity to students who aren't part of the production of "Orlando."

Students take initiative upon cancellation of SRJC Theatre Arts show

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
February 27, 2024
In celebration of Women’s History Month, SRJC’s Theatre Arts Department is holding a production of “Orlando,” a play that explores what it means to be a woman in society as well as love, regardless of gender.

SRJC Theatre Arts celebrates Women’s History Month with “Orlando”

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
February 21, 2024

Oak Leaf Gaming Podcast Episode 4: Games, Genres and More Games

Jesus Lopez Cruz, Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Sam Guzman, and Natalie Emanuele
February 20, 2024
"Xenoblade Chronicles 2" has four difficulty modes, one of which allows for players to customize what makes the game easier or harder.

Opinion: More video games should allow players to customize the difficulty level

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
December 7, 2023

Oak Leaf Gaming Podcast Episode 3: Game of the Year Predictions

Jonathan Cangson, Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Jesus Lopez Cruz, and Javi Rosas
December 7, 2023
Five SRJC students tell the Oak Leaf how they selected their majors and what they hope to accomplish in their careers. Clockwise from top left: Sarah Barnett, nursing; Gabriela Andrade, psychology; Meghan O'Leary, nursing; Langley Durham, mechanical engineering; Mandy Miller, filmmaking.

Major decisions

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
November 28, 2023
“Kirby and the Forgotten Land" is one of the many great games you can find on console sales for the 2023 Thanksgiving week specials.

6 great digital game deals this Thanksgiving weekend

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza and Sam Guzman
November 23, 2023
In SRJC Theatre Arts musical spin on “A Christmas Carol,” Alanna Weatherby, who plays the Ghost of Christmas Past, sings with a phenomenal voice and carries an impeccable British accent throughout the play.

SRJC’s “A Christmas Carol”: Fantastic, with a few hiccups

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
November 21, 2023
SRJC Theatre Arts Department Chair James Newman has always wanted to produce "A Christmas Carol," and is excited to present this classic story in musical form.

SRJC Theatre Arts brings classic tale, “A Christmas Carol,” to its main stage

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
November 9, 2023
Mary Kennedy, the skills lab coordinator for SRJC's health sciences department will retire after almost 12 years at the college.

Beloved SRJC health sciences employee to retire

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza and Samantha Carter
October 12, 2023
Santa Rosa Junior College Theatre Art's latest production, "Clue," is a hilarious comedic murder mystery that serves as a fantastic opening for its 2023-2024 season.

“Clue”: A delightful experience with a touch of murder

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
October 3, 2023
SRJC Theatre Arts's Fall season opens with a comedic murder mystery based on a classic board game.

SRJC Theatre Arts brings a beloved board game to life at Burbank Auditorium

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
September 21, 2023
“Coming off the last five years with everything as chaotic as they were, I think we wanted to tell stories that really highlighted not only fun, but also positivity in the world, and I think you really see that in these shows,” said SRJC Theatre Arts Department Chair James Newman about the 2023-2024 season.

SRJC Theatre Arts promotes fun and positivity for its 2023-2024 season

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
August 24, 2023
Jay Luis (left) competes in the 100m race after returning from a long time off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students struggle with mental health issues resulting from isolation during the pandemic.

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza and Trevor Lee
May 31, 2023
A pair of raccoons get caught red-pawed as they break into a closed bank in Redwood, California.

Raccoons and Chopsticks: Six Ways To Ensure Your News is Legit

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza and Peter Morales
May 16, 2023
The Addams Family's signature dark humor is put on full display as Morticia Addams, played by Gwenevieve Nelson, gleefully sings a lighthearted song about death being "Just Around the Corner."

“The Addams Family, A New Musical Comedy”: A delightfully dark and hilarious time

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
May 5, 2023

SRJC Student Health Services Manager tells his perspective

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
May 1, 2023
Luis braces for impact as he lands during his Long Jump event.

The future for Luis and SRJC’s Student Health Services

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza and Trevor Lee
May 1, 2023
"The Super Mario Bros. Movie" from Nintendo and Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures is an excellent film for fans of the video games, families and moviegoers who want to just sit back and have fun.

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie”: A serviceable kids film but a superstar adaptation

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
April 11, 2023
SRJC Theatre Arts presents "The Addams Family" a musical based on the characters created by Charles Addams, opening April 21.

SRJC Theatre Arts welcomes the Addams Family to its main stage

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
April 11, 2023
"Octopath Traveler II" features eight protagonists who all go on their own individual journeys which can be completed in any order.

“Octopath Traveler II”: Familiar, yet bigger and better than before

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
March 18, 2023
Through clear body language, Dean (Trevor Braskamp), Ani (Lizzy Bies) and Kendra (Nina Nguyen) express annoyance resulting from how their ambitions in a stressful work environment have affected them.

“Gloria” review: A fantastic opening for SRJC Theatre Arts’ spring season

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
March 7, 2023
"Gloria" is a funny yet dramatic play about ambition and how it causes people to behave.

SRJC Theatre Arts’s spring season opens with “Gloria”

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
February 20, 2023
After 51 years, the Summer Repertory Theatre Festival will be canceled with no plans to start again.

Summer Repertory Theatre supporters dominate the public comments at February’s Board of Trustees meeting

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Editor
February 17, 2023
Flipping the script: Creative instructors found new ways to educate during the pandemic and are implementing them permanently

Flipping the script: Creative instructors found new ways to educate during the pandemic and are implementing them permanently

Peter Morales and Lucas Cadigan-Carranza
December 17, 2022
In "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet," players will choose either (left to right) Sprigatito, Fuecoco or Quaxly to be the first partner to accompany them on their journey.

“Pokémon Scarlet and Violet” review: Stumbling past the finish line

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Reporter
December 8, 2022
SRJC ethnic studies instructor Lori Laiwa Thomas will teach attendees the traditional and modern methods of harvesting and preparing acorns.

SRJC ethnic studies instructor to demonstrate traditional Pomo food

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Reporter
November 12, 2022
Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach are joined by allies old and new as well as an old adversary on an interplanetary adventure. All nine heroes play completely differently, allowing for each character to bring their own unique strengths to battles.

“Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope”: Lightning sparks twice for Mario and the Rabbids

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Reporter
November 2, 2022
There are many video games perfect for Halloween that range from mature horror to family-friendly action/adventure games. "Luigi's Mansion 3" falls into the latter with its lighthearted content coupled with a spooky setting.

10 Video Games to Play for Halloween

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza and Javi Rosas
October 26, 2022
Should Proposition 28 pass, it would guarantee K-12 public schools a minimum amount of annual funding toward arts and music education.

California Proposition 28

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Reporter
October 24, 2022
SRJC Theatre Arts presents “Stand and Deliver,” based on the true story of an East LA high school teacher who inspires his drop-out prone students with unconventional teaching methods, premiering Sept. 30 at Luther Burbank Auditorium.

Theatre Arts premiers “Stand and Deliver,” dedicated to local math teacher

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza and Peter Morales Garcia
September 30, 2022
There are many ways to spice up the next playthrough of a Pokémon game, such as only using the Pokémon available before the first gym in "Pokémon Black Version."

8 different ways to play a Pokémon game

Lucas Cadigan-Carranza, Reporter
September 18, 2022
Only half of the team is ready to fight the Elite Four and Champion using only dual types whose types cannot overlap in "Pokémon Black Version 2."

The current team after catching a Salandit on Akala Island while only being able to catch a single Pokémon on each island in "Pokémon Sun."

Entering the Sinnoh Hall of Fame with only flying types in "Pokémon Brilliant Diamond."