UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | October 03, 2025

Month: September 2024

Blazer Dash races into Homecoming Week with a colorful kickoff

by Alyssa BaylesPosted on

On your marks, get set, go! Chalk was thrown in the air as students rushed through the starting line, indicating Homecoming Week at Utah Tech University had started.

To start the week off, the Utah Tech Student Association hosted the Blazer Dash Sept. 23. This event included the chalk color run, car smash, food vendors and a t-shirt-making stand. Music was played throughout the night inviting students to mingle with each other and participate in the events to feel the school spirit.

Blazer Dash has not been an event during Homecoming Week for the past couple of years. Nick Fajardo, a senior history major from St. George, is the Stampede president and was one of the faces behind the scenes of the event. He said the event was brought back to highlight Homecoming Week and school spirit. Part of creating the school spirit was bringing sports teams, cheer team, Blaze dance team and Brooks the Bison to the event.

“It’s [Blazer Dash] a fun kickoff for Homecoming Week, and to bring that energy while including the whole school,” Fajardo said.

The event started with red and blue chalk being handed out as participants checked into the race so that they could decorate themselves beforehand. Chalk was additionally thrown at the starting line and throughout the course. Once “go” was chanted, students weaved across campus from the Gardner Student Center all the way down to the Greater Zion Stadium. At the finish line, students were welcomed by the Blaze, as well as football and volleyball players to cheer them across the line.

The first 25 students to cross the finish line received a free food voucher from any of the vendors at the event. Francisco Hernandez, a freshman computer science major from Enterprise, was amongst the first 25 students to cross the line. Hernandez said he didn’t expect himself to win one of the food vouchers.

“I think pushing yourself, even if you don’t really gain anything from it, is kind of nice,” Hernandez said.

For students, this was an event to take a break from school and to enjoy the start of Homecoming Week. Abigale Hardy, a sophomore accounting major from La Verkin, was one of the many students who attended the event with her friends. Hardy said chalk runs are an event she always enjoys attending.

“At the elementary school that’s in my town, every year we do a chalk run,” Hardy said.

Paige Harris, a sophomore history major from Orderville, was also one of the competitors for the chalk run. She said she attended the event to hang out with friends and enjoy the food trucks, which is also why she enjoys Homecoming Week.

“I don’t want to just sit at home, so I’m like, ‘let’s go out and do something,'” Harris said.

However, not every student attending the event had to be involved in the chalk run and could still enjoy other aspects. After the race, the car smash occurred where students took turns smashing an old car. Spray-painted on the car was football’s competitor this week: Abilene Christian University. Additionally, the first 100 students at the t-shirt-making booth were able to spray paint t-shirts and make their own designs.

From the red and blue chalk run to smashing a car with the opposing team’s name, Homecoming Week was kicked off with the Blazer Dash. Check out the rest of the week’s schedule to continue to bring the Trailblazer spirit.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Bump, set, spike: A look inside Utah Tech’s Spike Ball Club

by Curtis KeddingtonPosted on

Every Thursday at 6 p.m., the Utah Tech University Spike Ball Club has allowed students to build a greater sense of community while also enjoying the St. George weather. 

As spike ball has grown in popularity, it led to the birth of the Spike Ball Club. Led by club President Roman Mendoza, the club gives students from all different skill levels a chance to enjoy playing the game while also building friendships. 

“I’ve loved coming to the club,” Joe Valentine, a freshman business major from Smartsville, California, said. ”It’s not super competitive, but it’s still plenty of competitiveness for all levels of spike ball players. So if you want an easy game or a hard game, you can get whatever you want.“

The club meets each Thursday at the North Encampment Mall, where students get the chance to meet new people through the games as they switch up team members throughout the night. While students bring their equipment and set it up, they can quench their thirst with Red Bull energy drinks that the club provides. Many of the members learned about the club from friends as it continues to grow by networking and word of mouth.

“I think students connect better when they’re playing games,” Justice France, a sophomore general studies major from Parachute, Colorado, said. “Spike ball is a team sport and it’s easy to jump in a game with new people. The people there didn’t care how good you are.”

As word has continued to spread about the club, more students have been coming to play the game and socialize. The first night for the club this year had 115 people in attendance and the club is looking to continue to grow. 

The growth of the club aligns with the recent surge in popularity; however, the club’s growth comes down to more than that. Students enjoy playing spike ball, but they also enjoy the chance to get to know more of the students on campus while enjoying the sunny weather. 

“The club has been awesome,” Robert Curatolo, a sophomore media studies major from Temecula, California, said. “So, it’s been really fun, really competitive.”

Sports have always been a great way for people from all backgrounds to come together, and the same is true for the students who come to the Spike Ball Club. It gives students a common ground they can use to get to know each other and strengthen the community on campus.

Students across the club recommend everyone come to the club, whether they are familiar with spike ball or have never played before. Students expressed that the only factor that mattered to them was the willingness to get out, meet new people while having fun and getting better at the game.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Mixed emotions: Stampede gets a new home

by Curtis KeddingtonPosted on

This year’s new student section has given students a more unified space to cheer for the football team, but also has sacrificed some of the comforts and advantages that the old student section provided. 

Utah Tech University moved the student section this year separate from the rest of the general seating. This new student section, located behind the south end zone, gives the student section a more unique feel as it is now truly a section designated solely for students. However, the location of the seating on one end of the stadium can lower the energy levels in the stands when the action is on the far end of the field. 

“I feel like we’re too spread out, so it’s sometimes hard to bounce off each other’s energy but besides that it’s been good,” Jared Cowgill, a sophomore business major from Layton, said.

The new section does give fans a much greater opportunity to be closer to the action when play is on the end of the field near the seating. In the past, students were often relatively far from the play on the field, but the new seating removes this problem. When Utah Tech scores on the end of the field, students can feel much more connected with the players in comparison to the previous student section.

“I thought it’s been cooler to the players and the action on the field,” Seth Moore, a freshman biology major from Allegany, New York, said.

While students have enjoyed being closer to the action and being able to cheer on the team, the physical location of the seating is not optimal. The seating puts students in the sun much more than the previous seating, where it had some shade. This can be extremely tough, especially during the early fall games when it is still around 100 degrees in St. George. 

Students have also expressed their frustration with the bleachers that the new student section has, because much of the previous section was fitted with more padded seating. 

“I thought the concrete slabs were uncomfortable, but I’d take those back in a heartbeat,” Josh Phillips, a senior finance major from Pleasant Grove, said. 

While some students have expressed their frustration with the new seating, there’s still a lot of optimism for what it could become in the future. This is the first year for the new seating, and students can only expect it to get better over time. Just as the general seating has gotten better as Utah Tech has continued to grow as a university, the same can be expected for the new student section.

However, the student section will always have some downsides. The new seating lacks shade to stay out of the sun due to the physical location of the section, but it does give students a tradeoff to be closer to the action on the field.

There have been mixed reviews of the new student section on campus, but time will tell whether it is a success.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Angel Wood Know you can’t be friends with your ex

by Angel WoodPosted on

Question: Can you still be friends after a breakup?

Dear readers,

“It’s me. Not you. But let’s still be friends.”

We’ve heard it all before, whether in some rom-com movie or a real-life experience, we were cursed to have to endure.

But can you still be friends after a breakup? We have all tried this, and it’s safe to say for a wide majority of people, the answer is “no.” No matter how hard you try, that friend factor will never happen because it’s nearly impossible. Why, you might ask? Because we are all human. 

During my freshman year of college, I was in a long-distance relationship that resulted in heartache, regret and this lovely story about how long-distance relationships aren’t worth it. Ironically, I have since changed my stance on the topic, given the fact that I am engaged to a different guy I am currently in an LDR with. What I can tell you is I tried the whole “let’s still be friends” thing. Here’s what happened:

Let’s still be friends. 

OK. What could go wrong? 

Meets up in person. 

Forgets we were ever broken up in the first place with a little kiss that fogs the memory. 

Plays “friends” with benefits until our destined destruction arrives. Spoiler alert: it didn’t last long, from breaking up to never speaking again. 

But what did last an incredibly long time was the heartache that followed. Days upon days I had a pit in my stomach and rotted in bed while sobbing non-stop. The new kitten I had gotten with my ex when we were still “friends” didn’t cheer me up either.

Something tells me if we had never stayed “friends” after the breakup, my healing journey would have been faster and less painful. Not to mention, my cat wouldn’t have had to grow up with an absent father.

But enough about my story. Here’s why it is not a good idea to stay friends after a breakup. 

To start with, the most obvious reason is that those intimate feelings and actions that brought you two together never really go away. Or it takes so long to erase those feelings that by then, you’ll have crashed and burned again, like in my case.

My interpersonal communications professor put it best: Once you cross one base with your partner, you can never really go back. For example, after you kiss once, you don’t just stop kissing your partner. You continue to do so because that is what brings you two together.

So, being friends with your ex will only remind you of what you once experienced with them and tempt you to continue being intimate. If there’s one thing to understand, it’s that being intimate with a friend is not normal and will lead to complications and confusion. That’s the last thing you need after a breakup. 

Because of these intimate feelings, you will know that acting on them is just not right. What’s worse than acting on them is seeing your “friend” that you were once intimate with being intimate or interested in someone else. The jealousy will kick in, which will make moving on a lot harder. 

So you and your ex are broken up. There is obviously a reason why you two have broken up, and a majority of the time, it’s because you both know you aren’t right for each other. If this is what you know to be true, why prolong a relationship with them if it’s not going to go in the direction you want it to? Doing this will waste their time and your time. Worse, it’ll prolong your healing and moving on phase. You deserve to move on, be happy and find your person. 

So, what’s holding you back from letting go and moving on? For me, my ex was the only good friend I had at the time. I went to him for a lot as he provided me with comfort, advice and affection. That’s why I was scared to let him go. But here’s what I learned.  

Friends come and go, but your partner should last a lifetime. They are truly all you need. Not some ex that you were too scared to say goodbye to. If it’s the connection, care and listening they gave you that you don’t want to let go of, trust me. Someone better will come along who will offer you all the same things and more.

Here I am about a year and a half later after I thought my life was over because of a breakup. Not only am I happier and healthier than ever before, but I have found my forever person because I was willing to let go of the past and look toward the future. 

The pain and heartache you feel after a breakup is very, very hard. It will be uncomfortable for some time, but that discomfort and pain eventually go away. Remember, the pain of letting go will never be as damaging as holding on to something that no longer serves you.

As you let yourself heal and move on, the right person will come. And when they do, you’ll know. So don’t settle for a friendship that keeps you stuck in the past — cut the cord, walk away and make room for the love you truly deserve.

Sincerely, 

Angel Wood

If you are seeking advice on something, message me on Instagram at @angelwoodknow.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Connection and Belonging Week: Resources, support for students

by Kate PearsonPosted on

Mental health is a real problem in today’s society. One in five adults experience it, and one in 20 experience serious mental illness. Suicide is a leading cause of death.

In response to this, the Booth Wellness Center hosted a Connection and Belonging Week Sept. 16-17. Students were invited to attend events on those two days to foster connections and create a sense of belonging on campus.

“We do surveys every year and we found that a lot of our students are struggling with poor mental health, feelings of anxiety, feelings of depression, lack of connection and loneliness,” Jamy Dahle, director of counseling and health promotion services, said.

The activities provide students with opportunities to meet other students. There was a Question, Persuade, Refer suicide and prevention training, a Pancakes with a Pal event and an “Inside Out” movie night. There were also smaller events during the day such as messages of hope wall, chalk art and handing out semi-colon temporary tattoos.

“I think events like this can be an opportunity to invite people. It’s easier than a serious, talking event,” Shoko Domoto, freshman music major from Osaka, Japan, said.

Many people experience suicidal thoughts, and is oftentimes in conjunction with feeling lonely.

Kiesha Naisbitt, Seasons Health and Rehab employee, said: “I think when you have somebody to rely on then it makes it easier to want to make them proud. You want to be there for them. You want to live for them.”

The Booth Wellness Center has several resources available for students struggling with mental health.

Dahle said: “I want our student population to know that there’s nothing too small or too big to reach out for help. I think sometimes we get in our head saying, ‘It’s not that big of a deal,’ or the opposite where you don’t dare tell anybody because they won’t know what to do. Wherever you are on the spectrum, there is help for you.”

Free counseling is offered through the center. There are scheduled appointments one can make and there is an option for emergency walk-ins. To make an appointment, students can call 435-652-7755. They also can help students connect with institutions off campus through their insurance or reduced cost clinics. Safe UT is also a resource where students can talk to an online professionals or find help for a friend or roommate.

If a student is seriously contemplating suicide, there is a hospital nearby that they can check themselves into for up to 23 hours. They can leave once they feel stabilized and are given a care plan. There is another free option in Hurricane, which offers similar services including overnight stays.

“We want students to know we exist and are here for them,” Dahle said. “We want to talk about it and be open about it so those individuals struggling know there’s help for them and that they can access that help.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and suicidal thoughts, call the mental health crisis line at 988.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

OPINION | College habits that unlock the door to a healthy lifestyle

by Abby AcostaPosted on

College life is hectic, so it’s important to take care of your mental and physical health. Here are three easy habits that I swear by that can help you manage stress, build emotional strength and improve your overall well-being.

Journaling

Journaling offers students a creative outlet that can enhance academic and personal well-being. 

Keeping a journal helps students manage stress by providing a safe space to express their thoughts and emotions. Writing about daily experiences, challenges and achievements allows them to process their feelings and gain perspective, which can reduce anxiety and improve mental clarity.

By regularly recording their thoughts and experiences, students can track their progress, identify patterns in their behavior and set goals. I’ve noticed that in my journals, I can see how much I’ve grown as a person over the years.

I’ve kept a journal since 2022, and it’s one of the best creative and mental outlets I’ve found. I like to have no rules when it comes to journaling, so it has anything from silly little doodles to emotional entries in it. I enjoy having a physical collection of memories, hard times and day-to-day anecdotes to look back on. If you know me, you know my journal keeps me sane.

Staying social

Staying connected with the people who mean the most to you is vital to keeping yourself mentally and emotionally healthy. 

Having a strong support system can help you handle stress better and feel more confident. Friends and family provide emotional support and practical advice, which can be very comforting during tough times.

Being social also helps students feel less isolated and more connected. Regular interactions with loved ones create a sense of belonging and boost their mood. This connection is important for mental health and helps students feel valued.

I know that staying connected with my family and friends at home has helped me out more times than I can count. Whenever I need to vent about a challenging day, my mom is always there to listen and offer advice. Her support provides a comforting sense of stability and reassurance. 

This strong support system not only helps me manage stress but also boosts my overall well-being. Knowing that I have people who genuinely care about me makes it easier to face life’s ups and downs with confidence and resilience. The emotional comfort and practical advice I receive from my support network are invaluable, reinforcing the importance of maintaining these connections.

Walk it out

Going on walks provides significant mental health benefits for students while also supporting physical well-being. Regular walking helps alleviate stress and anxiety, which are common issues for students facing academic pressures. As students walk, their bodies release endorphins, which help counteract stress and mental fatigue. 

Walking offers a crucial mental break from academic demands. Stepping away from screens and textbooks allows students to clear their minds and reduce cognitive overload. This mental pause can lead to improved focus and creativity, making it easier to tackle tasks when they return to their work feeling refreshed.

When I’m cramming for a project or writing a paper and hit a mental block, I know it’s time for a break. I love putting on my headphones and taking a few laps around the block while listening to a podcast or some of my favorite songs. This simple act of stepping outside and letting my brain rejuvenate makes finishing my work much easier.

These are all pretty simple ways to keep a healthy lifestyle while dealing with the whirlwind that is college. Being in my last semester of college and making sure I have time to do these three things has made it all so much easier, and it will for you too.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Game day guide: Trailblazers’ weekly rundown

by Josh WoodPosted on

Utah Tech University athletics struggled offensively, going winless with a record of 0-4-2 in all contests throughout the past week, Sept. 15-21.

Men’s soccer

The Trailblazers opened the week at Greater Zion Stadium playing the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs. Utah Tech worked the game to a 1-1 draw with the Mustangs taking the lead in the fourth minute of the match by Quinn Mahoney. Damian Arguello responded in the 44th minute tying the game and ultimately bringing the match to its eventual final score.

Utah Tech then hit the road for a matchup against the University of California Irvine. UC Irvine hit the pitch ready to play on their home field scoring two goals in the first half, both goals were scored by Agaton Pourshahidi, a junior forward for Irvine.

The second half came with a bundle of goals with both teams hitting the back of the net twice. The Anteaters started the second half by extending their lead to 3-0 before Trailblazer forward Oliver Stone, capitalized on a penalty kick following a UC Irvine yellow card. The Trailblazers followed the penalty up with a header goal by Angel Saldana in the 79th minute to cut the deficit to one before giving up the dagger in the hat-trick goal by Pourshahidi.

The Trailblazers enter a bye week before hosting California Baptist University Oct. 3.

Women’s soccer

Looking to bounce back from a couple of heartbreaks last week, the Trailblazers continued to an Idaho road trip playing the University of Idaho Vandals in a match filled with second-half excitement. The game was a tale of the two goaltenders through the first half, with a scoreless tie on the board at the break.

The second half started and in the 51st minute, the deadlock was broken by Lataya Brost which held as the only goal for the better part of the second half. The floodgates then opened starting in the 80th minute where the Vandals knotted the game at one a-piece with a strike by Kahvayli Miller.

The Trailblazers’ leading scorer, Lacy Fox, then got a chance from the penalty spot, which was capitalized by regaining the lead in the 88th minute. The Vandals were able to answer, tying the game 2-2 18 seconds later, which held up as the clock struck zero, leaving the Trailblazers with their third straight game without a win.

Portland State University then played host to the Trailblazers in the final non-conference match on Utah Tech’s schedule. The match saw Emily Blanchard open the scoring in the 55th minute after yet another scoreless first 45. The Vikings were able to level the game in the 83rd minute with a lofting goal by Ocean Rideout. That score would remain as the Trailblazers finish non-conference play with a record of 3-2-4.

Utah Tech will remain on the road as they travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to face Grand Canyon University.

Women’s volleyball

The Trailblazers’ home series with Northern Arizona University saw Utah Tech lose in a sweeping fashion at Burns Arena before traveling down to NAU, where the Trailblazers were unable to steal a win in the fifth set.

Game one of the home opener ended 3-0 with Utah Tech losing each set 25-19, 25-23 and 27-25 respectively. Kennedi Knudsen’s 15 kills were unable to lift the Trailblazers over the Lumberjacks.

In game two, the Trailblazers showed a little more grit winning both sets two and three but they were ultimately out-battled losing in five sets with the scores 12-25, 25-22, 25-22, 21-25 and 11-15. Statistically, Nana Asiata shined having 18 kills in the match.

The Trailblazers return to Burns Arena Sept. 26 to host Abilene Christian University.

Football

Utah Tech football struggled to keep the ball on offense in their road matchup against the University of California Davis, giving up the ball on the defensive side multiple times.

Freshman quarterback Reggie Graff out of Dixie High School threw for 95 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a game where Graff only completed 33% of his passes. Following a three-and-out on UC Davis’s first drive and two consecutive turnovers on the Utah Tech side of the field led to an early UC Davis lead.

After the first half, UC Davis led 18-0 after a missed pat on the opening score and four field goals. The second half had both teams put in two touchdowns, leading to a final score of 32-14. The Trailblazers were outgunned 223 to 417 yards and had 40 less snaps on offense. Utah Tech also was minus three in turnover margin, losing two fumbles and throwing for two interceptions.

In a post-game press conference, head coach Lance Anderson was asked about the defense and how they fought throughout the game.

“The defense fought hard. They had their backs against the wall on many occasions, but they really came out and competed hard,” Anderson said. “To compete against good teams like [UC Davis,] we can’t have those turnovers.”

This loss leaves the Trailblazers with a 0-4 record going into next week’s homecoming game against Abilene Christian.

To see upcoming schedules or view in-depth stats click here.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Utah Tech students, professors weigh in on possible Sundance Film Festival relocation

by Abby AcostaPosted on

The Sundance Film Festival, long rooted in Park City, has been a significant event for Utah’s filmmaking community. With the possibility of the festival relocating, students and alumni from Utah Tech University’s film program are contemplating the potential impact on their careers.

Robert Redford played a key role in moving the Sundance Film Festival from Salt Lake City to Park City in 1981. After getting involved with the festival, he wanted to create a space where independent filmmakers could thrive away from the influence of Hollywood. By relocating it near his Sundance Mountain Resort, Redford fostered an environment that emphasized creative freedom, helping the festival grow into a premier event for independent cinema worldwide.

For many filmmakers in Utah, Sundance provides visibility and a platform to showcase their work. Local filmmakers, especially those just starting, have relied on the festival’s proximity to network with industry professionals. Some worry that if Sundance moves, this exposure may be lost.

Jeff Jarvis, dean of the College of the Arts, said: “The biggest challenge might be visibility. Sundance is a big player in the industry. Perhaps, if Sundance moves away, film will be less important, which would be challenging for our students.”

Some believe Sundance plays a key role in Utah’s film culture. Filmmakers express concern that if Sundance were to leave Park City, it could reduce opportunities for local talent.

Loren Zoltan, a sophomore digital film major from St. George, said: “Sundance makes Utah film culture feel alive. Besides New York or LA, Utah is slowly becoming another beacon state for the film industry. Submitting and being featured in Sundance is a common dream for filmmakers and inspires many. Sundance in Utah is important to fledgling filmmakers.”

The film program has established strong industry connections outside Sundance, including partnerships with productions like Kevin Costner’s “Horizon” series, which premiered at Cannes and Venice. Utah Tech is expanding its local industry ties with the upcoming film studio, Territory Studios, near the St. George Regional Airport, further reducing its reliance on Sundance. 

For Utah Tech alumni involved with Sundance, the move might pose some logistical challenges, especially if they relied on the festival for networking and showcasing their work.

Zoltan said, “I think Sundance is a more known and professional festival, so I do think the removal of Sundance would take away a lot of opportunities from Utah filmmakers.”

The potential relocation of Sundance may be more symbolic than practical. While it could make it harder for local filmmakers to attend the festival in person, the submission process will remain largely digital.

Karman Wilson, assistant dean of professional arts, said: “Films are made, produced and edited literally everywhere. The Sundance Film Festival, like any other film festival, does most of its business digitally. Filmmakers will still make films and submit them regardless of its location.”

Wilson said the digital age has made filmmaking a global endeavor, reducing the importance of physical location for festivals like Sundance. With most submissions and business done online, filmmakers can still gain recognition regardless of where the festival is held. This shift in accessibility ensures that Utah Tech’s film program can focus on fostering industry connections beyond local events.

Sundance’s potential move raises concerns but may not significantly impact Utah Tech students or alumni. The film program continues to build connections, and Utah’s filmmakers are already part of a global network. As the industry evolves, they are well-positioned to succeed, whether Sundance remains local or moves elsewhere.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Annual commemoration honors 43 students who disappeared 10 years ago

by Kate PearsonPosted on

Tragedy struck in Mexico Sept. 26, 2014, when in Iguala, 43 students from Ayotzinapa Rural Normal School went missing. State and federal police officers along with armed, masked men pulled over five buses from the college. This tragedy sparked a response from Mexicans everywhere as they searched for the missing and protested against the government.

Ayotzinapa Rural Normal School trains future teachers in Mexico. There are several schools like this throughout Mexico known as rural teachers’ schools.

Stephen Lee, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said: “What they aspired to do in their education at these rural teachers’ schools was to find some way to move beyond being peasant farmers or being caught up in a drug cartel. Those were really their two choices. So, to choose to be a teacher was a noble path.”

As part of their curriculum, the schools were known to promote radical ideas and participate in political protests; so they would commandeer buses for either training or attending the protests. On the day of the tragedy, the students seized the five buses to attend a protest in Mexico City. This protest was in commemoration of a time when Mexican soldiers had killed hundreds of students at a student protest. They were on their way there when they were pulled over in Iguala, Guerrero.

Two of the buses were fired at resulting in over 40 students shot and six killed; one bus was pulled over and the occupants set free, while the remaining two held the 43 students. The 43 students were taken and to this day, nobody knows definitively what happened to them. Three bodies were found buried in various locations. The remaining 40 have yet to be discovered.

The College of Humanities and Social Science has held an annual event organized by Lee in remembrance of this tragedy since 2020. The 43 students have been commemorated in various art forms around campus

“It’s a call to see the fate of those students as not disconnected at all from students here. The difference is the fact that they were born on one side of a lick of water,” Lee said.

Lee was born on the Texas-Mexico border. The lesson he learned early in life inspired him to bring the message to other students. He said the missing students are students just like the ones here. They were college students ages 18-33 trying to get an education. The difference is being born into a different area.

“That issue of relative prosperity versus poverty is probably one of the most profound lessons that I learned. I was lucky to live on one side of that lick of water,” Lee said.

There is a silhouette art display in the Holland Centennial Commons created by Lee back in 2016. The art includes 43 figures with a small quote or description representing the people lost. In between the figures, there is information describing the event.

One of the figures is of Israel Jacinto Lugardo. His description reads: “Israel is 19 years old and from Atoyac. Israel’s brother, Ricardo, was on the phone with Israel during the police attack on Sept. 26, 2014. Israel could be heard yelling, ‘Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! We are not armed!’ His last words to his brother were, ‘We’re OK.'”

Evan Fulkerson, a sophomore mathematics major from Saratoga Springs, said, “The silhouettes show it wasn’t just 43 people, it was 43 human beings with their own lives and interests that were working to help better their community.”

There are also portraits of the 43 students on display in the Eccles Fine Arts Center. These portraits were created by Jan Nimmo. There is an individual portrait of each man. Each man is serious, there are no smiling portraits and Nimmo uses a lot of vibrant colors and flowers surrounding the men. The flowers and colors are unique to each one.

A music and dance film was screened at the Eccles called “XLIII: A Contemporary Requiem” Sept. 16. This film was created in 2016 as part of Santa Clara University’s remembrance project of the tragic event. It uses music composed by Andrés Solis and conducted by Scot Hanna-Weir. Sandra Milena Gómez choreographed the dance, and Lee produced the film, which can be found for free online.

The film was deeply symbolic, with one central dancer representing the 43 and three others representing the police, government and military. The music used inspiration from older composers such as Johann Bach and focused on individual notes rather than blending. The organ played different notes from what the singers sang, and each part sang conflicting notes.

Madeline Fennel, a freshman general studies major from Hurricane, said: “Since it’s contemporary, there’s a lot of emotion in the way they dance. It gave me goosebumps because of the music and everything happening at the same time.”

Lee and the rest of the collaborators on the film wanted to communicate the tragedy in a different way than the journalistic and historical perspectives.

“Artistic responses to events like this have a different kind of power. We are often met with an emotional response, some kind of deep-felt feeling that we come away from that performance with,” Hanna-Weir said.

The film required a lot of collaboration between the composer, choreographer, conductor, producer and students. It was completed in a short time frame and had many different people contributing.

“I think everyone who was a part of the collaboration was so committed to the essence of collaboration,” Hanna-Weir said. “We all saw the importance of the work we were doing and the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than ourselves as artists. That really encourages you to check the ego in a huge way.”

The art will be on display until Oct. 4 in the Eccles and the Holland buildings.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Veterans and Military Services supports, guides, provides resources for students

by Alyssa BaylesPosted on

As part of supporting our nation’s heroes, Utah Tech University offers the Veterans and Military Services program to service members, military veterans and their families.

This program creates an inclusive environment through the Veterans Lounge, offers the VITAL program to help students adjust to the academic setting, and provides the Veterans and Patriots Club to foster a sense of community. Due to all the program offers, Utah Tech was recently voted No. 1 in Utah and No. 4 in the West for the “Best for Vets.“

With about 225 veterans and military-connected students, the Veterans and Military Services program offers a variety of resources to help every student find a place. Karl Watters, director of Veterans and Military Services, said the goal is to provide a high level of service as they pursue academic, personal and career goals.

One of the first resources is the Veterans Lounge, which is located in room 116 of the Browning Learning Resource Center. Stepping into the room, veterans and military-connected students are welcomed by couches and a computer lab, along with snacks and food. Watters said this is a safe space for students to decompress, reintegrate and build a social network.

Due to the Veterans Affairs organization being very large and difficult to navigate, the Veterans and Military Services also help the students receive their VA educational benefits.

“We provide two school certifying officials, who are subject matter experts in navigating the VA educational system so that students are able to maximize their financial benefits,” Watters said.

Additionally, peer mentoring is offered through the VITAL program. Watters said it is a way to aid students in adjusting to the academic setting by helping them overcome obstacles and supporting the completion of their educational goals.

Another addition to the Veterans and Military Services program is the Veterans and Patriots Club. Vice president of the club Benton James, a junior digital media major from Tallahassee, Florida, said the goal of the club is to involve students with a support system of each other. James also said that he found friends within his first week of joining the club because he was able to tell stories and jokes that fellow veterans would understand.

“It’s good to affiliate myself with other people who are really hard-working but also know how to have a good time,” James said. “You know, you can’t take life too seriously.”

James said this is a great source of support for anyone who might be struggling with mental health. With veterans being two times more likely to commit suicide, he said showing support and reaching out is always a great way to step in. Additional support can be found through the Veterans Crisis Line.

James said: “It’s those little daily acts of kindness. It’s those opportunities to spend time with each other that really make an impact over the course of time.”

The Veterans and Patriots Club also welcomes anyone wanting to join, not just veterans or military-related students.

Lewis Kunzler, a senior digital film major from Brawley, California, served 10 years in the army until he eventually found his way to Utah Tech in 2020. At the university, he has been able to find his community through the program, along with his passion for digital film. Kunzler said he never thought he would have been able to apply himself to school, but now he has already made a variety of short films and found his voice as an artist.

“Being around those guys made me feel like I was back home all over again,” Kunzler said. “It allowed me to find a community of people who’ve gone through the same experiences I had.”

As a way of honoring and recognizing their sacrifices, the Veterans and Military Services program provides vital resources to help service members, veterans and their families in their journey toward academic and personal success.

“Being able to go to that [Utah Tech] school changed my life,” Kunzler said. “It allows me to be me and figure out who I am post-army, not just the soldier wearing combat boots.”

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY