Tree Lighting Ceremony at Utah Tech
Month: December 2025
This winter, students can make a difference: Volunteer opportunities across St. George
With the holidays coming and the spirit of generosity awakening, students have an opportunity to bring happiness to people who need help, and in turn, help the community.
Here are charity organizations that students can visit and support during the winter holidays.
Switcpoint Community Resource Center
Switchpoint Community Resource Center cares about the homeless and provides them with their basic needs. The organization provides an emergency shelter and access to meals.
The organization also offers case management services, mental health services and employment services to help homeless people find a job and be healthy.
Robin Bailey, a faculty member at Switchpoint from Billings, Montana, shared the long history of the charity.
“[A] lady by the name of Carol started this business for homeless people because she saw a need for people who are less fortunate, and she started it about 10 years ago,” Bailey said. “They [the organization] help homeless people get back on their feet.”
Switchpoint’s main goal is to give people a second chance and provide them with all the necessities.
“Once in a while, we all sometimes fall on hard times, and it just makes it a better place to live in our community when we can all help each other,” Bailey said.
The organization also reuses plastic bags and clothing.
“It helps the environment too by not throwing all this stuff into the landfill,” Bailey said.
Switchpoint Community Resource Center will gratefully accept help from every person who wants to donate money or the necessary resources for people in need.
“There are all kinds of things people could do that would really help,” Bailey said. “You can come in [and] clean, or you could go through our clothes and help tag [it], or if you like decorating, you could come in and decorate.”
Students are also welcome to donate clothing and wrapping paper for the organization to use to rewrap dishes and valuable things.
Anyone who is interested in finding more information about the organization can check the Switchpoint Instagram and Facebook.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah
Another charity organization that helps people is the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Utah organization.
The goal of the organization is to help children in need and support them by providing a mentor.
“Our main goal is to help children here in St. George and all throughout Utah, and we do that by having a mentoring system that gives support to children, whether they are in elementary all the way to high school,” Shay Herring, a donation attendant of the Big Brothers Big Sisters in St. George from Aiea, Hawaii, said.
The organization encourages adults to volunteer who could be a Big Brother or a Big Sister to children.
“We are always looking for more adults, since there are so many children here in St. George on the volunteer aspect,” Herring said.
The organization also has additional possibilities for people to volunteer and help the community.
“We do clothing drives, so we are always looking for the muscle to help us carry all the items as well,” Herring said.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Utah also host holiday events for Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“One thing that was special is just seeing the hard work from everyone [at the event]. Not only our office, but the hard work that the volunteers put into mentoring the little kids,” Herring added.
Students who want to volunteer can find the website and donation bins around St. George.
“We have 17 bins around St. George and also have our advertisement that you can always look us up on,” Herring said.
To learn more about this organization, students can visit the their Instagram profile and website.
Utah Tech teams raise the bar with awards, tournament runs fall semester
This season, Utah Tech’s athletics faced tough opponents, won awards and beat previous years’ records. Teams expressed excitement over their performances this year and hopes for the upcoming seasons.
Men’s soccer
Men’s soccer raised the stakes and their goals per game from 0.94 in 2024 to 1.29 this season. The team won a major upset against the California Baptist University soccer team, earning a place in the WAC Tournament, before being knocked out of the competition by Grand Canyon University.
Seven members of the team earned All-WAC selections, a highlight of their college soccer career, according to defender Anthony Godinez, a senior exercise science major from Hillsboro, Oregon.
“We’re on the rise,” Godinez said. “Keep an eye out for what Utah Tech men’s soccer has coming up in the new year.”
Women’s soccer
Women’s soccer saw an increase in goals per game from 1.35 in 2024 to 1.90 this year, scoring a total of 38 goals this season. After a seven-game losing streak, the team earned a major win against Southern Utah University with 8-1. The soccer team made their fourth appearance in the WAC Tournament, ending in a loss after a penalty shootout.
Despite the season’s challenges, eight players received All-WAC selections, and another was named Freshman of the Year. Kyah Le was awarded the 2025 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division for her outstanding performance on the field.
Volleyball
Volleyball saw major wins, taking down Tarleton State University and earning a Division I postseason victory against Southern Utah University’s Thunderbirds. This was the first time in Utah Tech history that the volleyball team advanced to the finals during a conference tournament. They ultimately fell to the Utah Valley University Wolverines in the WAC Tournament finals.
Four team members earned All-WAC honors for their performances, and coach Camilla Hafoka was named WAC Coach of the Year.
Kills per set went up from 12.8 the previous season to 13.2.
Football
Coach Lance Anderson had this to say about his team’s performance this season: “As a football team, our guys are really competing hard. They really work hard, they put a lot of time into this [football]. It’s something they take a lot of pride in, and they really do care.”
Although points per game went down from 18.25 last year to 16.00, the team earned one more win than the previous year. The team won major games, including against the University of Northern Iowa 20-9 and the University of North Alabama at 34-33.
Several team members, such as Eric Olsen, Ryan Marks and Asa Chatman, earned UAC awards for their outstanding performances on the field and in the classroom.
“They’re [the players] proud to represent the university,” Anderson said. “We know the record’s not where it needs to be, but we are trending in that direction.”
Game day guide: Trailblazers’ weekly rundown
Utah Tech University men’s and women’s basketball teams are back in full swing as both teams had key wins and career-highs in scoring set.
Women’s basketball
Women’s basketball traveled to Tempe, Arizona, Nov. 25 to take on Arizona State University, losing 81-54. Junior Lauren Crocker had a career-best 11 points along with eight rebounds.
Utah Tech shot a season-best 45% from the floor while knocking down nine shots from behind the arc.
UT returned home as they beat Westminster University 81-70. Redshirt senior Kaylee Borden had a career-high 25 points as four Trailblazers finished in double figures.
The Trailblazers then hosted McNeese State University and lost 67-52. It was their first loss at home this season as they were held to a season-low 52 points while shooting 34% from the field. Redshirt senior Brie Crittendon led UT in scoring with 15 points while making four shots behind the arc.
UT then lost a close game at home Dec. 6 to New Mexico State University, 58-55. UT was outscored 19-12 in the fourth quarter as New Mexico State took the lead in the final minute.
Borden led UT in scoring with 22 points, including 10 of the Trailblazers’ 12 fourth quarter points.
As they head into a week off from play, the Trailblazers enter the break with a 4-4 record. They will return to the hardwood Dec. 13 as they take on the University of California, Santa Barbara, at home.
Men’s basketball
Men’s basketball hosted Portland State University Nov. 25 and lost 68-63. The Trailblazers held a 63-58 lead with just over two minutes to go before Portland State scored the last 10 points of the game.
Senior Ethan Potter led UT in scoring with 18 points while going 9-13 from the field.
Utah Tech then beat the University of California, Riverside, at home 77-69. Potter set a career-high with 26 points as three Trailblazers finished in double figures. Sophomore Noah Bolanga also added 12 points along with a season-best eight rebounds.
“Ethan was having a night,” head coach Jon Judkins said. “We’ve got to try to get him the ball.”
UT then traveled to face Santa Clara University and lost 90-80. Two Trailblazers set career-highs in scoring as sophomore Madiba Owona had 25 points while senior Britton Berrett contributed another 17.
Heading into a week off from play, UT has a 5-6 record. They will return Dec. 13 to host Justice University at the Burns Arena.
Click here to find the schedule for Utah Tech athletics.
Thrifting: Inexpensive, ethical spots to find your holiday gifts
Imagine walking down the aisles of a thrift store, and you stumble across a gem that anywhere else would be $50, but here, it is $10. Instead of shopping at big box stores this holiday, you can consider a more ethical solution — thrifting to find little treasures.
Thrift stores are seen as places for lower-income shoppers, but that doesn’t have to be the case. In 2021, Generation Z helped bring back thrifting.
Thrift stores are not only good for people on a tight budget, but many also support local communities or charities. Because thrift stores sell secondhand clothing, they help reduce the amount of clothes that end up in landfills. Not only are you supporting a community rather than big companies, but you’re also helping the environment.
Target, Amazon and Home Depot are facing boycotts this winter season. Target has rolled back its DEI program, taking out its LGBTQ+ products, as well as supporting fewer Black-owned businesses. Amazon is funding the administration to keep its corporate tax cut and contributes to harsh working conditions for their employees.
During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, many people participated in a “Mass Blackout” by not supporting these businesses. The focus of the blackouts is to go into the community and support local businesses.
St. George has many thrift store options, from traditional shops to stores where locals rent booths. There is something for everyone.
Saint George Catholic Church Thrift Store
The Saint George Catholic Church Thrift Store sits next to the church at 157 N. 200 W. The store supports the community by donating to charities and providing vouchers for clothing, shoes and small goods for those in need. You can volunteer by reaching out to store manager Gabrielle Rickman. The shop offers clothes, blankets, dishware, electronics, TVs, furniture and more. New donations and items arrive daily.
“We have a Christmas section that is up year round,” Rickman said. “We get Christmas items in, and we keep them very inexpensive.”
The store’s sales change monthly. This month, items are priced as low as 50 cents.
Store hours:
Tuesday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Sunday and Monday: Closed
Switchpoint Thrift Store
Switchpoint Thrift Store, located at 935 N. 1300 W. #7, works directly with the local homeless shelter.
“It’s a nonprofit organization. We have a homeless shelter here across the street, and all the money we make goes to the shelter,” said Switchpoint employee Eli Greenway, a sophomore criminal justice major from Kaysville.
Switchpoint also has a food pantry, and does work within the community, Greenway said.
The nonprofit sells items from clothing to kid toys. They sell mostly clothes, which is where students can get the most out of their money.
Store hours:
Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Indy Clover
Indy Clover, located at 250 Red Cliffs Drive, Suite 28, is a thrift-style store where anyone can rent a booth to sell their items.
“A booth rental is $30 and they can decide their own prices for their items. Items can range from clothes to home decor,” said worker Lacey Swaney. “No open products, food or electronics are allowed.”
Every Thursday and Friday, the store offers discount days when sellers mark items down 25% to 75%. Many items still have tags.
“I think it’s good to remind people that just because it’s secondhand doesn’t mean it’s not good quality,” Swaney said.
Saturday is new booth day, when new items typically arrive. It is one of the store’s busiest days.
Store hours:
Monday through Thursday, and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Runway Fashion Exchange
Runway Fashion Exchange, located at 250 Red Cliffs Drive #0A, is where people can sell clothes for cash or buy secondhand items. The store focuses primarily on clothing, with denim being its most popular item.
“The best thing about us is that you can get quick cash or store credit here if you bring stuff in,” said worker Kenadee Mullins, a senior media studies major from Riverton. “We offer a 10% off discount for college students.”
The store sells quality items from name-brand retailers. Workers sort through items and select those in the best condition. Many pieces come from larger stores such as Kohl’s or Zara. New inventory is added daily.
Runway also stocks trendier items and even organizes brand sections, including areas dedicated to Zara and Free People.
This is a thrifting tip Mullins shared: “Check everywhere. Look at everything. You never know what you’ll find, and check every size because people can hide items.”
Store Hours:
Monday through Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cheap, easy, fun winter break activities
During every break, there are students who stay in St. George, either to spend time with their families that live in the area or for other reasons. This gives students time to recharge and disconnect from school for the spring semester, but what can they do during that time?
Here are a few recommendations for places around town.
Classic Skating
Location: 181 West Canyon View Drive
Price: $9 (+$4 skate rental)
Classic Skating is a roller skating rink that also offers karaoke, mini golf and air hockey. They have a weekly Friday Night Roll and Saturday Glow Skate as themed events, and they offer individual and group skating sessions for beginners. There is also line dancing on the Classic Skating rink once a month, with dates yet to be posted on their website.
Cole Finlinson, a sophomore digital media major from St. George, recommends visiting during the winter.
“I don’t have much chance to go out during this time of year, but this roller skating place is a lot of fun to go to, especially with friends,” Finlinson said. “The amount of activities also make you want to go more often.”
St. George lights
The decorative lights in this town have become a special attraction for its visitors and residents. There are a few places that have gained popularity, including Christmas on Harmony, where you can walk through the lights and interact with a robot Grinch that talks with you; Red Hills Desert Garden, which combines Utah’s red rocks with lighting; and Thunder Junction, which has an entire park full of lights and even sells tickets for a Polar Express train ride.
The Book Bungalow
Location: 94 West Tabernacle Street
The Book Bungalow is an independent bookstore that sells new books and offers a full slate of author events, book clubs, poetry nights, writing groups and workshops. This is a place dedicated to both readers and authors that also supports this town’s community.
The bookstore will be holding various activities during the winter break, such as an Open Mic Night, International Literature book club meeting and Elf story readings. These are open to the public and have more details on their website.
Beckham Sudweeks, a freshman general studies major from Provo, has frequently visited the establishment.
“I like going there [in] December. The vibe and the books that they have make it special,” Sudweeks said. “Even if you are not that much into reading, I would check it out, because it has a lot of cool stuff going on over there.”
Hiking and nature
St. George is surrounded by landscapes that are both unique and easy to access, so going on a hike is one of the activities that should be on your list. The nearest place to campus is the Pioneer Park, which has a small garden, rock climbing spots and a high view of the town without an entrance fee.
Snow Canyon is also a place for sightseeing and hiking since it has many trails, such as the petrified dunes and the tortoise walk. However, Snow Canyon is a 20-minute drive from campus and has a $15 entrance fee.
Christopher Uyleman, a sophomore general studies major from Orem, gave his recommendations on where to go for hikers and adventurers who don’t mind making a small drive out of St. George.
“I would suggest visiting Zion because the weather around this time of year makes it very beautiful and it’s a must to visit,” Uyleman said. “Also, taking a short trip up to Brian Head is recommended if you have the means for it; it is a great experience that everyone that likes winter sports should do.”
From game plans to good sleep: How students can conquer finals week
If a college semester is compared to a movie, finals week is the climax; everything has led to this moment. The hard work, hours of studying and preparation is about to pay off — only if you follow these tips.
Create a game plan
The Princeton Review offers a guide on how to study for finals, and their first tip is to create a game plan for finals. This means creating a thoughtful, effortful plan for how and when you are going to study for your exams. They say it’s important to schedule specific times to study and set reminders to hold yourself accountable.
Creating a plan can extend to other areas, too. Setting times to take breaks, sleep, eat or anything self-care related is equally as important as consuming the information. A car can’t travel without gas, and you can’t study effectively unless you take care of yourself.
Tie up loose ends
This tip means submitting all assignments so you can solely focus on studying for finals. Since finals is arguably the most important time of the semester, it’s important that your brain isn’t split between tasks. This can help minimize stress, as well.
Tying up loose ends also has another meaning, including getting clarification or other study tips from your teachers.
“I think I find a lot of usefulness in going and asking the professor what they recommend [for help],” said chemistry tutor Aiden McCormick, a junior biology major from Grass Valley, California. “I think getting an idea of what’s [going to] be on your finals is really important.”
This is just as important as studying itself, as your professor is your No. 1 source of information about the class and its content.
Sleep
A critical aspect of self-care is ensuring you are getting enough sleep. Sleep deserves its own category because of how important it is.
Sleep deprivation can lead to a decrease in immune system function, memory and an increase in stress, none of which are ideal for a busy finals week lineup.
Adults need seven hours of sleep, but college students typically get less than that during finals, which averages out at 6.36 hours per night. To combat this decrease in sleep time, this same article recommends avoiding caffeine and alcohol and following a regular sleep schedule, which can be done by setting specific times for you to go to sleep and wake up. This can easily be incorporated into the aforementioned game plan.
Study tips
Robin Lawless, a senior psychology major from Grass Valley who works at the Writing Center on campus, spoke on using active recall as an effective study tool.
“I quiz myself,” Lawless said. “I make up questions, [and] you can even have ChatGPT make questions for you. That way, you’re just actively learning.”
McCormick said another good way to use active recall is by teaching the information to someone else, and this forces you to explain the content in a simple manner that’s easy to understand, and if you can explain it, you can understand it.
Another helpful tip is to annotate your notes, according to Kevin Sanchez-Colocho, an academic adviser for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He says listening to music or chewing gum can also help get you in the mood to study.
Stay positive
Despite the stress, focusing on the long winter break and the upcoming Christmas season can help motivate you to push through finals. Knowing that this is the final step before you can pursue new classes and ideas the following semester can help you press on to the end.
Sanchez-Colocho also spoke about keeping a positive attitude about the exams themselves, which is a final piece of advice before tackling finals week head-on.
“I like to just go in there, and if I know I prepared as best as I could, I’m OK with the result,” he said. “It’s up to you what you want to put out.”
OPINION | Eight practical items for every college student’s Christmas list
When you’re a kid, your Christmas list is all about the fun stuff. Somewhere between dorm life and doing your own laundry, “fun stuff” turns into “Things I don’t want to spend my own money on.” If you’re on that boat, this list is for you.
Air fryer
An air fryer is essential for college students, especially those without access to a full kitchen in their apartments, like in the dorms. There are plenty of simple and easy air-fryer recipes. I use mine to make quesadillas, chicken nuggets, fries and more. They are fast and convenient, great for everyday use or to make a quick meal in a hurry.
iPad
Depending on your major and how you prefer to take notes, an iPad can be a practical tool. It’s great for handwriting notes, drawing diagrams and completing homework assignments. You can also use it for entertainment, making it a two-in-one option.
If you want something smaller or more affordable, an iPad is a solid choice for school. A similar option at a cheaper cost is the Lenovo Tab Tablet. This tablet functions the same as an iPad, as you can use a pencil or keyboard with it.
Laptop
If an iPad isn’t for you, a computer is another useful option. Whether your current device is old or can’t support the required software, upgrading can make schoolwork easier. Electronics are expensive, so you can have someone else buy them for you to save money.
Reusable water bottle
A reusable water bottle is essential in college. It’s convenient to bring to class, and you won’t have to buy packs of water. There are filtered water stations all over campus, making it easy to fill up your bottle at any time. Owala, Hydro Flask and Stanley bottles are popular choices. You can customize them with colors or stickers, making them both practical and personal.
Throw blanket
A good blanket is both functional and cozy. It elevates your space and keeps you warm. Brands like Minky Couture offer blankets great for napping, lounging with roommates or adding extra comfort at night. A high-quality blanket can last for years.
Another good option is a T.J. Maxx blanket. I love all of my T.J. Maxx blankets, and they are soft and priced reasonably. Be wary of the size you get. The ideal size is a twin or queen size, perfect for cuddling up.
Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones are helpful for blocking out loud roommates or listening to music on the way to class. Options range from AirPods to Beats, in either earbuds or over-ear styles — choose whatever fits your preference. I have both AirPods and Beats, and I prefer the Beats Studio Pros. They are $350, more on the expensive side. Skullcandy is another good brand that I have used before, and their headphones are $110.
Humidifier
Living in St. George means dry winter air, and a humidifier can help with dryness and sinus congestion. You can also use it during spring when seasonal sickness hits. I like to use mine during the winter, around the time the annual cold starts to spread. It helps with my congestion and keeps my dorm less dry. I am prone to nosebleeds, so this is a lifesaver for me.
Mini fridge
If you live in a dorm or small apartment, a mini fridge is a necessity. It helps with food storage, especially if you don’t have access to a shared kitchen — or if roommates tend to steal your food.
Hygiene supplies
As a girl, I love trying the new trending products. I am currently asking for Kérastase and Amika products for Christmas to try. I am currently obsessed with Sol De Janeiro. Christmas is the best time to ask for the items, so I don’t have to pay for them myself. You can even ask for bathroom decoration items to make your space feel more like home.
Cleaning supplies
No one wants to spend their money on cleaning supplies. You can be specific and ask for items like a mop or vacuum. But even just any cleaning supplies in general are good to have. I prefer a traditional mop, the O-Cedar mop specifically, over a Swiffer. I specifically like the scrubber head for the shower and bathroom floors. If you want to go for the expensive side, ask for a Dyson vacuum or a steam mop to become a Clean-Tok professional.
First aid kit
No one thinks about buying a first aid kit before moving in. You will only realize you’re missing one when you really need it. First aid kits are always good to have on hand for any emergency. You can keep them in your car, room or have a mini one in your backpack.
First aid kits have the essential Band-Aids, Neosporin, ibuprofen and alcohol wipes. I love keeping a small kit in my backpack for the back of my heels for uncomfortable shoes or even incase I cut myself.
While you build your Christmas list this year, consider adding the practical items that you don’t want to spend money on. Save your money for the fun items.
OPINION | Top 2026 predictions in movies, sports, politics
Next year promises big blockbusters, advances in artificial intelligence, repeating champions in sports and a huge social and political scandal.
Although 2025 isn’t over yet, we are nearing the end of the year, and now is a good time to make predictions on what will happen next year. Here are my four biggest predictions related to movies, technology, sports and politics.
Movies: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” will be the biggest blockbuster of the year.
Nolan is one of the most successful auteur directors of this generation, with his last movie, “Oppenheimer” raising more than $975 million worldwide. His upcoming movie has created many expectations with the legendary story that has been around since Ancient Greece, and the cast is filled with stars like Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.
This movie will gross even more than his previous one because of the popularity of the cast and the action that will be on screen. Also, this movie has a more recognizable and appealing story than “Oppenheimer,” which makes it a bigger attraction than it already is because of Nolan’s status in the film industry.
This could also inspire a trend on social media related to Ancient Greece, which can lead to some movie studios releasing more content on this time period.
Technology: Artificial intelligence will consistently produce high-quality short videos.
We have all seen AI-generated videos on social media. Most of the time, we can tell that they are not real, but they will get harder to notice in the near future.
Tech companies are making a push toward a more advanced video generator that will be more consistent and higher-quality than ever before. We won’t be seeing any movie-length generated videos by AI, but 60 to 90-second content will improve much more than what we are used to seeing.
This is beneficial for brands that want to make ads with a smaller budget, but we will also see online AI videos that make wrong and/or offensive use of this technology. This issue will lead to a bigger discussion on its regulations and limitations for the public.
Since this has not happened yet, it’s complicated to predict what the final outcome of this will be, but I would put a restriction on the prompts given to AI so it doesn’t make anything discriminatory or out of line.
Sports: The Oklahoma City Thunder will win the NBA finals again.
I have been a fan of this team since 2016; I was there for the rise, fall, rebuild and rise again of this team. I always loved that they are a very competitive team that keeps trying to improve each season no matter their situation, which is what has led them to this current success. As of now, they are reigning NBA champions, and they have only lost a single game during this season, making them a top contender to win another ring.
So far, the predictions put the Thunder on the “most likely” to be the champions again, much higher than the second candidate, the Denver Nuggets.
Defensively, the team is the leader of the league in points (102.8) and is improving the small weaknesses it had last year. If injuries don’t strike the team and the players stay consistent, we could see OKC sweeping teams in the first two playoff rounds and face either the Nuggets or the Houston Rockets in the conference finals. The Western Conference Finals will probably be harder for OKC to beat than the team that makes the NBA Finals.
Politics: The release of the Epstein files will lead to a big fallout, but with some caveats.
Announced Nov. 18, the files regarding the prosecution against the late Jeffrey Epstein will be released to the public by the Department of Justice by, at the latest, Dec. 19, 2025. This came after Congress passed a bipartisan bill where the Justice Department was called to publish all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials in the DOJ’s possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Epstein.
However, we shouldn’t expect a big list of names of people that were involved with him and his sex trafficking, as it has been clarified that there will be withholding of certain information, although it’s possible we could see some celebrities, and especially, politicians being mentioned. This is made with the intention to protect victims’ privacy, identities or anything that could compromise ongoing investigations or national security interests.
Still, the release of these files can cause changes and repercussions in laws and politics. We could see better protections for victims, revisions to how abuse cases are prosecuted and transparency laws. Also, if public officials or high-profile individuals are named in documents, they could face intense scrutiny, resignations, congressional hearings or reputational damage.
All accused individuals who are mentioned in the files should be prosecuted under the law because of the horrible acts this case is tied to. Therefore, the release of the documents will hopefully be a step forward to help finish this case once and for all.
Christmas break at Utah Tech
