UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | October 05, 2025

Month: December 2022

Friends, family, community gather together to honor memory of Peyton Hall

by Angel WoodPosted on

Friends, family and the Utah Tech University community came together Tuesday night to honor and remember Peyton Hall at a candlelight vigil. 

After his passing Sunday morning, hundreds of people who were impacted by his death joined together to find peace, comfort and encouragement through these trying times. 

With speakers including Del Beatty, vice president of student affairs; Ali Threet, assistant vice president and dean of students; Aaron Cass, a junior biology major from St. George; and father of Peyton Hall, Bryan Hall, memories of Peyton Hall were shared, words of encouragement were given, and comfort was created through the gathering of many. 

Cass, the emcee of the vigil and the mental health advocate for Utah Tech Student Association, said, “I feel that as soul crushing and tragic as this is, after talking with the parents and other people, he would want to be remembered for his life, not for his death.”

With this thought in mind, people celebrated Peyton Hall’s life by sharing memories of him and impressions he had on others.  

Bryan Hall said anyone who knew Peyton Hall had a “Peyton story” to share, and the night was filled with many of them. 

Memories about parties people attended with Peyton Hall, intramural games people played with him, and hangouts people experienced with him filled the air.

Taitum Chidester, a freshman nursing major from Herriman, said: “Peyton was always doing something fun, and he lived up every moment of his life. He lived a good life and left a good impression on so many people.” 

With the memories people made with him, Beatty said: “So the challenge is going to be what are you going to do? What are you going to do with those memories? What are you going to do with those experiences? How are you going to make yourself better to honor Peyton for the life that he lived?” 

Through trying times, Threet said people will either drift apart from each other or grow closer through kindness and unity. With these relationships, help with hard times can be found. 

“As we honor Peyton in his memory, it’s apparent that in this group we come together, so I would advise you guys to lean on each other,” Threet said. “Lean on each other for support and strength and kindness. Remember the good times with Peyton and remember the good times with each other, because as Trailblazers, we’re a family and we come together…” 

By coming together, those that did not know Peyton Hall very well left the vigil with a clearer understanding of who he was and what he represented. 

“Peyton just loved life,” Bryan Hall said. “He really did. He was a friend to everyone and was just a joy to be around.”

Others said he was inclusive and never wanted anyone to feel left out. They said he was funny, caring, and above all, he was always the life of the party. 

The “life of the party” energy Peyton Hall carried with him showed during the vigil when a song he sent his brother days before quietly echoed throughout the courtyard. “Feel This Moment” by Pitbull played through the speakers with lyrics that said, “One day while my light is glowin’, I’ll be in my castle golden, but until the gates are open, I just wanna feel this moment.”

By always feeling the moment himself, Peyton Hall encouraged others to do the same. Whether feeling the moment comes with pain, anger and despair, or love, remembrance and gratitude, resources are available for those in need. 

“Some of you are going to struggle more than others because of the impact that Peyton’s passing has had on you, but we’re here for you,” Beatty said. “We have the resources for you when you want those things.”

For those looking for these resources, an appointment with a mental health professional can be set up at the Booth Wellness Center, or for immediate mental health support, you can dial 988 at any time. You can also reach out to Threet at ali.threet@utahtech.edu for help and guidance. 

In his final words of comfort, Beatty shared a quote from Irving Berlin that said, “Although the song has ended, the melody lingers on.”

Directly relating it to the passing of Peyton Hall, Beatty said although Peyton Hall is not with us anymore, his memory will linger within all of us forever. 

As the year comes to a close, Peyton Hall will not be left in the past, but rather, he will always be carried with us in the present as we continue to honor him, remember him and share the light he shared with all of us during his time on this earth.

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OPINION | Watch out e-books, paper books are here to stay

by Bailey ChismPosted on

As an avid reader since the time I could put words together, I’ve been a part of the paper book versus e-book debate for ages.

While e-books are more convenient, paper books will always have my heart. Nothing beats the feeling of flipping through the pages of a hard copy of my favorite book.

Yes, I’ll admit that e-books are rising in popularity because of the easy features. You can pull a book up on your phone when you’ve got the time and read away. Features like Kindle Unlimited make it easy to have all the books you can imagine at the tips of your fingers. While that would work in a pinch, you can’t deny the nostalgic feeling of a paper book.

I won’t lie, I have a Kindle and use it frequently, but when I have the chance, I’d pick my paper books any day. Picking up a new book, smelling the freshly printed pages, and feeling the story at your fingertips is priceless. E-readers don’t get to experience books like us hard copy lovers do.

As of 2021, only 9% of Americans only read e-books while 32% only read print copies. There are those that will read a book in any format, like myself, and don’t bother tuning into the age-old debate. While I prefer to flip through the pages of an actual book, I won’t complain when I have to turn to my e-books. 75% of U.S. adults will read a book in any format in 2021.

When you’re browsing through your local bookstore, you’ll have to make a decision; go the old-fashioned way with a printed book or go for an e-reader.

Printed Books

Reading printed books will help with memory retention and focus. When you put your phone down and pick up a book, you’re forced to put away distractions and focus on the story in front of you. You’re more likely to remember the plot of a book easier if you’re reading it off a page instead of a screen.

It also helps with sleep and eye strain. We’ve all heard the tips telling us to put our phones away an hour before bed to fall asleep easier. Nothing beats falling asleep to the whispers of pages sliding across each other as you navigate through a story.

I’ve had glasses since I was in the fourth grade and my parents would often scold me for squinting at my phone to read versus picking up a book. My eyesight continued to get worse and we came to find out that reading on my phone was a big part of that problem. Looking at tiny words on a tiny screen can cause headaches and bad eyesight, I’m a victim of both.

Nostalgia is one of the best things about printed books. Sitting down and flipping open your favorite book with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate is a very relaxing act and can help you wind down after a long day.

E-Books

When browsing through a bookstore, something that might catch your eye is the cost difference between printed books and e-readers. While printed books can go for anywhere between $9 and $20, an e-reader can range from $50 to $130.

Now, the thing to think about; a bigger one-time cost can be more effective than buying $15 books every time you need a new one. E-readers, however, don’t guarantee that each book you want to download will be free. Some books may cost just as much as the printed version.

E-readers also give you the chance to bring your books with you wherever you may be; it’s easier to carry around, but also requires charge and Wi-Fi. You’ll still need to jump through some hoops in order to read when you’re away from home.

The debate is never-ending, but I know my answer. Printed books will always be better than their electronic counterpart. E-readers may be getting popular, but they’ll never reach the level that printed books are on.

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‘She is one of the best players in the country’: Breaunna Gillen exemplifies leadership on and off the court

by Sophie SparksPosted on

The Utah Tech University women’s basketball team is off to a 5-2 start and is being led by its senior point guard.

Breaunna Gillen, a senior exercise science major from West Jordan, has excelled during the 2022-2023 season thus far.

Recently, Gillen received back-to-back Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week mentions. In addition to the WAC award, Gillen was named athlete of the month.

In response to her thoughts on receiving the awards, Gillen said: “I think they show the work that we all put in and what we’ve been working for… It’s been four years, and it’s a great accomplishment to see the work that I’ve put in and the girls have put in. It’s all coming to show.”

During the game against Utah State University on Nov. 15, Gillen posted her career high of 26 points. She also broke Utah Tech’s women’s basketball assist record during the game against the University of La Verne on Nov. 26 with 13 assists. 

Gillen is currently averaging 20.7 points per game and is leading the team with a total of 54 assists. 

“She can score at the rim, she can shoot, she can guard, she is a complete basketball player and is effective in all aspects,” Head coach JD Gustin said. “She is one of the best players in the country.”

Gillen said she is grateful for her teammates and how they contribute to her success from pushing her in practice to their support.

“I couldn’t have gotten the assist record without them making their shots,” Gillen said. “They are always so supportive.”

Emily Isaacson, a senior recreation and sports management major from Perry, complimented Gillen’s leadership qualities on and off the court. Gustin also said she serves her teammates and then herself.

“She is an incredible athlete, but also off the court she is an incredible person which I think really makes for better on the court,” Isaacson said.

Isaacson and Gillen work alongside each other and are Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representatives for the women’s basketball team. Gillen is also the WAC SAAC representative for the university.

“Off the court, she is leading us in community service and is the one telling us where we need to be and what we need to do,” Isaacson said.

Gillen is also a leader as the senior point guard on the team. Isaacson said the upcoming freshman and sophomores can learn from Gillen’s playing style. 

When asked about someone that contributed to her success, Gillen said: “I had a coach that coached me my whole life, his name is Coach Z [T.L. Zunguze], and he actually passed away this summer. I think that’s been a huge thing for me; I just want to make him proud. He’s helped me get here and get me all the skills I have.”

Gillen is looking forward to the remainder of the season, specifically WAC play. 

“I want to win, especially this year having the chance to play in conference,” Gillen said. “It’s just so exciting for that opportunity because we’ve never had that chance, and I think this year is the year.”

The Utah Tech women’s basketball team will travel to Colorado to play US Air Force Academy Dec. 10.

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Utah Tech student dies after falling off Campus View Suites II balcony

by Sydney JohnsonPosted on

A Utah Tech University student died early Sunday morning after falling from a balcony on a campus housing complex.

Utah Tech freshman Peyton Hall was pronounced dead at the scene Dec. 4 after he fell from a fifth-floor balcony of Campus View Suites II. Hall’s roommates witnessed the fall and called 911.

A candlelight vigil in honor of Hall will be held Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the North Encampment Mall hosted by the Trailblazer Activities Team.

According to Jordon Sharp, vice president of marketing and communications, the Utah Tech Police Department arrived at the scene around 2:30 a.m. and began lifesaving efforts until paramedics arrived.

In a statement, Sharp said Hall’s death appeared to be accidental; however, the exact cause of death is still being determined. Officials completed a toxicology report on the scene, and the case is currently being reviewed by the Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Kelsa Lundstedt | Sun News Daily

“The family was contacted, and Utah Tech officials worked with the Southwest Behavioral Health Center mobile crisis team who arrived on the scene in the early morning to provide mental health support to students and others involved,” Sharp said in the statement.

Students and community members seeking mental health support can go to the front desk of CVS II to set up a time to meet with a mental health professional. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is also available 24/7 by dialing 988.

“Peyton was an involved and loved student in good academic standing at Utah Tech University, and our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones during this tragic time,” Sharp said in the statement.

This is a developing story. Sun News Daily will update this article with more information as it becomes available.

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Former Dixie State athlete advances to the next step in his baseball career

by Zoe HansenPosted on

After playing three consecutive seasons for the Dixie State University baseball team, this unique left-handed catcher took his next step into professional baseball.

After completing the third season, former catcher Kaden Hollow was named “Second Team All-WAC Catcher,” as well as nominated to the “2022 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year” watch list.

Hollow spent his time at DSU proving his skill, which was recognized by not only his team and coaches but also Major League Baseball scouts.

Chris Pfatenhauer, Utah Tech University baseball head coach, said getting to go through the process of getting Hollow into playing professionally is definitely rewarding to see as a coach.

“Getting to go through that process with him of scouts being around, communicating with him, and us speaking weekly leading up to the draft was a really cool experience for both of us,” Pfatenhauer said.

Pfatenhauer said there were many different factors he saw in Hollow when he recruited him, as he is a well-rounded athlete that is skilled in every position he was placed in.

“He is a skilled defender, plenty of arm strength, sat behind the plate really well, we liked him defensively, which for that position is one of the most important things you have to look for,” Pfatenhauer said.

When recruiting Hollow, Pfatenhauer noticed the skills he had all around as well as his unique baseball traits.

Pfatenhauer said, “a long-standing joke about the fast way to the big leagues is being a left-hand hitting catcher, and certainly there is a little bit of truth to that.”

Hollow took his skills and practiced day after day when his college season ended to prepare for the MLB draft. Although Hollow did not get drafted, he signed two days prior to the draft to the San Diego Padres.

“When you’re getting ready for the draft or trying to sign as a free agent, you are working and showing yourself off as opposed to more of the team chemistry and wanting to win,” Hollow said.

In an earlier Sun News Daily article, Hollow said, “I still have a lot to prove,” and he is certainly on his way to it. Hollow always had the dream of playing professional baseball since he truly understood what baseball was.

After starting out in T-ball as soon as he could walk, he found his passion and love for the sport and jumped right into baseball and has played since.

“I always had the dream ever since I knew what baseball was when I was really little,” Hollow said. “Every paper I ever wrote that asked what you want to be when you grow up, I had always said MLB.”

Hollow is excited to get into the next step in his career without any other worries. Hollow is finishing up his recreation and sports management major currently at Utah Tech taking online and in-person classes but looks forward to being able to play a full MLB season.

“I’m excited for my season because I get to play a full season and it’s like normal,” Hollow said. “I don’t have to come in really late because of the draft I’ll get the full experience of the season.”

Hollow will finish up his education at Utah Tech and move ahead to what awaits him in his future baseball career for the Padres.

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Here’s how you can stay safe in student housing

by Bailey ChismPosted on

Despite being in the top three safest universities in the country, safety is still a concern around the Utah Tech University campus.

University police patrol the university and surrounding student housing apartments regularly to ensure safety throughout the day and night. They provide their services 24/7, and student housing is a high priority. 

Students have three methods to call the police if they require help:

  1. They can dial 911 and speak to the dispatch center for officers to be sent to the location. These calls are top priority for police and are handled immediately.
  2. They also offer a non-emergency line at 435-627-4300 for situations such as lock-outs, non-injury traffic accidents, police escorts, lost property, etc.
  3. The last option for students is a second non-emergency number, 435-652-7515, which is used for fingerprint services, notary services, police records and more. 

On-campus student housing apartments offer multiple services to students to ensure their safety. Residential managers and resident assistants patrol the building and report any suspicious activity to the police. They also ensure students a secure environment with doors that are locked on schedule and require a specific key to enter the building and fire suppression systems. 

“The Resident Life staff and University Police work closely to continually improve safety processes in all on-campus student housing,” said Ron Bridge, interim chief of police and director of public safety. 

For students living off-campus, there are still procedures in place to ensure a safe environment. Vintage at Tabernacle student housing has been commended multiple times by the St. George Police Department for keeping the building safe and quiet. 

“We take the safety of our residents very seriously, as most of our tenants have recently left home for the first time and that can be overwhelming for some,” said Carter Evans, general manager of Vintage at Tabernacle. “While it is impossible to guarantee any complex will be 100% safe all of the time, I am extremely confident a safer property cannot be found in St. George.”

Vintage at Tabernacle offers students safety from the time they enter the premises, and the journey to their apartment. With a two-story parking garage, students are able to have brightly lit and camera-monitored parking spot as they enter the building. Cameras are stationed at every entrance that are recording 24/7, and all doors require a key fob to enter outside of office hours. 

“We were the first off-campus housing in St. George to hire a private security team that patrols nightly 365 days a year,” Evans said.

To ensure safety within the apartments, all doors are individually keyed and replaced if the key had not been returned by a previous tenant. Each key is also uniquely coded, so if it is lost, no one will know which apartment or bedroom it goes to. 

Vintage at Tabernacle installed a state-of-the-art fire alarm system that will go off if smoke is detected in any of the hallways or common areas around the building. It is also a member of the St. George Crime Free Housing program, which gives police officers the right to commonly patrol the property and update management on any activity on the premises. 

While crime is impossible to completely get rid of, both on-campus and off-campus housing ensure students’ safety in and out of the apartments. 

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A holiday treat is just the thing you need to get in the festive mood

by Leslie SmartPosted on

With the Thanksgiving turkey eaten, it is time to get out the ornaments, tinsel and a baking spoon to kick off celebrating the holidays.

Even though it may be hard for college students to be away from their families for a short time at the start of the holiday season, there are ways the holiday spirit can be brought to a college dorm.

Baking holiday treats is a great way to keep up old traditions or start new ones. There are plenty of recipes that are perfect to make without the need of fancy kitchen appliances that most college students don’t own.

Golden Grahams s’mores

One quick and easy recipe students can make is Golden Grahams s’mores. This treat is a great way to bring the holiday spirit in less than 15 minutes.

Lindsey Fry, a junior dental hygiene major from Morgan, loves to make this treat during the holidays.

“It’s been a treat that my family has made for a while,” Fry said. “We take it to family parties because it is super easy to make and share.”

The only ingredients needed for this recipe are butter, mini marshmallows, Golden Grahams cereal and chocolate chips. This recipe works well for budget-conscious college students, as the total of the ingredients only comes to about $13.

It only takes five quick steps before being able to dig into this treat:

  1. Melt a stick of butter over low heat.
  2. Add 16 ounces of mini marshmallows and stir until melted.
  3. Remove the pot from heat and add eight cups of the cereal. Stir until the cereal is coated with the marshmallows.
  4. Mix in the remaining marshmallows and half a cup of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  5. Pour the mixture into a baking pan. Add remaining cereal and chocolate chips on top. Cut once cool.

If you are looking for a way to easily get into the kitchen to bring the holiday spirit, this would be a great recipe to start with.

Giant chocolate chip cookies

Bringing a classic dessert into a party or just sharing with your roommates is a great way to get the nostalgia feel for the holidays.

Karly Nordal, a sophomore criminal justice major from Hemet, California, has created her own tradition of making chocolate chip cookies around the holidays and calling them “Santa scones.”

This recipe uses 11 ingredients and 11 steps to create giant cookies everyone can enjoy. In order to make these specific cookies, you’ll need: baking powder, baking soda, salt, cornstarch, sugar, light brown sugar, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, cake flour, eggs and chocolate chips.

The steps to making this recipe are:

  1. Preheat the oven.
  2. Mix together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
  3. Put the cold, cubed butter in a mixer.
  4. Add the sugars and mix together.
  5. Then add in an egg and egg yolk to butter and sugar mixture.
  6. Gradually add flour into the mixer.
  7. Add in the chocolate chips and mix just until incorporated.
  8. Measure out the cookies and place onto a baking sheet.
  9. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes.
  10. Let cookies rest and cool on the cookie sheet.
  11. Then move cookies onto a cooling rack.

This recipe might take a little longer to make, but the results are worth following the process.

“It is always fun making this recipe with my roommates because we always tend to create a mess, and the flour usually ends up in everyone’s hair and clothes,” Nordal said.

Even if college students are away from home and can’t participate in family traditions, they can create traditions of their own, like making “Santa scones” with their roommates.

Peppermint ice cream pie

Switch from making pumpkin pies to making a peppermint ice cream pie to please roommates, a party or just yourself this holiday season. This dessert is festive, but budget-friendly for college students to make, as it costs about $14 to make. It also is dorm kitchen-friendly since no actual baking is required.

Cidnee Shaw, a sophomore general studies major from Pleasant View, makes this dessert every year.

“I like making this dessert, so I have a little holiday pick me up at the end of the semester,” Shaw said.

To make this pie, all you need is peppermint ice cream, pre-made Oreo pie crust, chocolate fudge topping and whipped cream. You can even add crushed peppermints on top for extra festiveness.

It takes just four simple steps to be able to eat something that encourages the holiday spirit:

  1. Stir the ice cream in a bowl until softened.
  2. Spoon the ice cream into the pie crust and spread evenly.
  3. Freeze for three to four hours.
  4. Serve topped with hot fudge, whipped cream and crushed peppermint.

It doesn’t have to take great culinary skills or a big budget to make treats to get you in the holiday mood. Simple desserts work well for creating new traditions while being away at college. Next time you are at the store, pick up some ingredients to bring the holiday cheer to you and your roommates.

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So, what’s an internship?

by Sydney JohnsonPosted on

Your internship experience doesn’t need to be like Rory Gilmore’s from “Gilmore Girls.”

Think of an internship as a way for you to gain real-world work experience, network and dip your feet into the water of a job you could have after graduation. More times than not, a student will choose to intern somewhere that is in the industry of their chosen major. For example, if you are an accounting major, you may choose to intern somewhere like American Express, Chase Bank or even a local, small business.

Here’s everything you need to know about being and becoming an intern.

How to find the perfect internship for you

Sites like Handshake, LinkedIn and Internships.com are places to find internships by typing in keywords that relate to your major or prospective industry. You can even specify your search by choosing the city you would like to work in and search through remote, hybrid or in-person positions. When searching for an intern, it is also valuable to talk to your adviser, professors and peers, as they may have connections that will be beneficial to you.

Jake Harber, a sophomore communication studies major from Pinedale, Wyoming, said: “I found my internship with UMAC [University Marketing and Communications] through Handshake. I was taking a public relations class and found it super interesting, so I thought I’d try and find an internship to see how I liked it.”

Make it well-known you are looking for an intern, and the perfect internship may fall in your lap.

Don’t be scared of the term: “unpaid intern”

Did you know 60.8% of internships in the United States are paid positions? Those are pretty good odds. Obviously most would prefer a paid internship, but there are still positive aspects of having an unpaid position.

Career Coach Asha Stapley said: “A lot of the employers nowadays will try to get you to be paid. If there is a job you really want to get and it is unpaid, I would still probably take it just because you’re going to get a lot more out of your internship than just money.”

Each internship’s hourly wage varies, but the average for an intern in the U.S. is $15.86.

Harber said: “I love interning at UMAC, and the fact that it’s a paid internship has helped me lots. I think it’s great that our school puts so much focus into hands-on learning and gives us the resources to be paid for it.”

Stapley recommends not letting unpaid vs. paid be a a factor of selecting a potential internship position.

You can get college credit

At Utah Tech, you can get up to three credits for doing an internship while still a student, and the course is repeatable. Each department has a different set of requirements to get the credit for doing the internship.

Stapley said: “Once they find an internship, I would try, if you can, getting credit for it. Meet with an academic adviser just to make sure you can enroll in an internship class.”

You will be responsible for ensuring your internship matches up with the learning objectives of the internship course that goes along with it. This may include meeting with your instructor, coming up with objectives, meeting with your supervisor, or writing up a paper at the end of the internship.

What’s the point of interning?

“I believe internships can help you because it’s gaining first-hand experience in the real world, usually in a career that you’re looking into, that will only help you progress and gain experience for when you’re ready to take the leap.” said Andi Munford, a senior management major from Mesquite, Nevada.

It’s all about career prep and readiness. As an intern you get to experience working with professionals in the field you want to go into, and if it isn’t what you want to go into, that’s OK too. Any work experience is valuable on a resume.

“I’ve learned so much and have made so many valuable connections that the prospect of going into the work field after college is not nearly as daunting as before,” Harber said.

70% of interns end up working at the same company they interned for, which shows the importance of being a good intern who cares about the work. Stapley was able to find her current, full-time position at Utah Tech from being an intern at the university’s career center.

Be brave and show a company what you bring to the table. If you are scared to intern because of lack of experience or you are unsure about what you want to do for a living, it is better to shoot your shot than not at all.

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OPINION | Despite conspiracy theories, the Moon landing was real

by Joe BoylePosted on

While I wholeheartedly believe in our ability in space travel today, there is solid evidence and strong factors that make the first moon landing a little fishy. 

My main cause for speculation is the time period it happened. 

Red Scare

The first man-made spacecraft to reach the moon was made by the Soviets in 1959. Fearing the enemy having more claim in an untapped market like space, President John F. Kennedy committed the United States to do all it could to get ahead in 1961 with the development of the Apollo program. 

Despite their best efforts, the U.S. just couldn’t seem to catch up as the Soviets were able to perform a soft moon landing in 1966. This was the same year the U.S. was able to get a spacecraft on the moon which the Soviets were able to accomplish seven years before. 

The good ol’ red, white and blue were far behind in the race to the moon until… they suddenly weren’t. Somehow the US was able to seemingly kick things into hyperdrive and get men on the moon three years later. 

Everything happened so fast and seemed to come together so quickly for the patriots. A manned spacecraft orbited the moon in 1968. They then reached the moon in 1969, and in July of that same year landed and had men walk on the moon. 

To be able to somehow figure out one of the most complex and greatest technological achievements in the history of mankind that quickly is frankly unbelievable. 

The Soviets, who always seemed to be three steps ahead, never even got a man on the moon.

There was obvious motivation to fake this landing too. 

The moon landing was the culmination of the great “Space Race” between the Soviets and the U.S. Coming off the back of the cold war, the Cuban missile crisis happened just seven years earlier. Both nations would take any opportunity to one-up the other. 

It was a never-ending flexing of muscles as both parties tried to gain an upper hand in some way. The U.S. couldn’t afford to give the Soviets a win like this. 

Times were tense and a victory such as this would do wonders in promoting patriotism and a worldwide sweep of pro-American fever. 

Proof

There are a few pieces of evidence conspiracy theorists point to as proof of the mission being a hoax. The most famous being the waving flag.

Space exists in a vacuum, so the famous image of Buzz Aldrin planting the flag in the soil of the moon as it picturesquely waves is technically impossible in the Moon’s climate. There was no wind, so why was the flag waving? 

Another one people often bring up is the fact that we haven’t returned since 1972. If we ever really got there, why not go back? 

Conclusion 

As much as I wish I could say I was bold and stupid enough to wholeheartedly believe in this theory, I sadly can’t. I choose to believe in the landing because it is an incredible achievement and frankly, who even cares if it wasn’t real? Doesn’t affect my life in the slightest. 

However, there are interesting surrounding factors that give this theory a much stronger case than most. 

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