This school year has been a roller coaster — full of highs, lows and unexpected turns. A year of lasting impacts and memories to last a lifetime.
I think of the school year like the movie “Inside Out,” where each good event is in a yellow bubble. My yellow bubble events make me giddy; they’re the events I reminisce about the second the night is over. The events that make you romanticize life.
Live and Local – spring semester
Live and Local is one of my favorite Wednesday events, bringing together local bands and students to enjoy live music and food. The spring version is always better than the fall. The weather is just warm enough for short sleeves, but not so hot that it becomes unbearable.
This year, I filmed a video about Live and Local for Sun News, which gave me a greater appreciation for the event. Capturing students enjoying the moment added a sense of sentimentality. It reminded me that people are here to have a good time.
The lineup this semester was strong. It featured returning band The Last Wild Buffalo and Battle of the Bands winner Black Cat Parade, along with new artist Miles Jeppson, a student at the university. Having a student perform made the event feel more personal and relatable.
Mr. Trailblazer
This event brings high energy throughout the night. Trailblazer Queen is fun but more serious, while Mr. Trailblazer leans into humor and creativity. Even though it is not interactive, it remains entertaining to watch. The unpredictability is part of its appeal — each year offers something different.
My favorite section of the night is the talent portion. Every talent is different. Yes, you get a few of the same talents, but the majority of them are vastly different.
This year, my top three were the water aerobatic dancing, making balloon animals blindfolded and singing Elvis songs while making a sandwich.
The talents were fun, and they kept us on our toes. Rather than seeing the same talents repeatedly, everyone was different. It is where their personalities shined the most.
Going back to the “Inside Out” reference, bad memories are in a blue color. The memories aren’t sad, but something could be changed to be better. They are those “Oh, that’s it?” moments.
Block Party
The Block Party was the last event of the semester. There was a fry bar, free keychains, snow cones and a chalkboard for students to write their favorite events.
I am not saying it was horrible, but I was let down. I’m not sure what I fully expected, but when I heard block party, it wasn’t what was at the event.
The fries were soggy, and besides the chalkboard, there wasn’t much to do there. It was one of those events you check out, then immediately leave.
I stayed for 15 minutes before I got bored and immediately left. I expected it to be like the Lantern Festival and have a photo booth and other activities.
For it being the last event of the semester, it felt rushed, and like there was no effort put into it. Considering it is a newer event as well, it did not leave a good first impression.
Dixie gear
The return of Dixie gear is questionable. For a university that has undergone multiple name changes, returning to a name widely viewed as offensive raises concerns. The name change happened for a reason, and bringing back Dixie branding contradicts that effort.
The university may be trying to sell remaining inventory, but the past should remain in the past. Utah Tech University should focus on building its current identity and brand. While Dixie did create a legacy that still exists, creating new traditions can help strengthen the recognition of Utah Tech.
