Thursday, January 19, 2023 Vol. 132, No. 17

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN

sculpture creation

NEWS: Plans to phase out mandatory assistant graduate fees now underway PAGE 6

L&C: Best Western University Inn: Now vacant but always a community PAGE 7

CANNABIS: Strain Review: Indulge in a Wyld and tasteful adventure PAGE 9

OPINION: Eckburg: A tuition increase is not the answer, students assemble PAGE 10

SPORTS: Trace Young: Creation, life, basketball (in that order) PAGE 17

A&E: ‘Violent Night’: A gruesome look at family values PAGE 20

PHOTO: The call to action: CSU’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day march PAGES 14 & 15

FOCO EVENTS FOCO EVENTS

Kei Ito: “The beginning, in the land around me” at the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art Jan. 18 to April 2

Women’s basketball against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, at Moby Arena 1 p.m. Jan. 21

Guest Artist Concert: LightBreak Clarinet Duo at the CSU University Center for the Arts 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Braiden

Jan. 18. Their original plan was to make a normal three-tier snowman, but the idea for a Pillsbury Doughboy came up after the bottom half was shaped as legs. “When I was younger, I played with legos all the time; (I) loved not following the instructions the kit gave you and just making whatever. Mechanical engineering is broad enough. If I wanted to work with my hands, it’s a good major to do that,” Graulty said. “Playing around with the snow is kind of like that too.”

This publication is not an official publication of Colorado State University, but is published by an independent corporation using the name ‘The Rocky Mountain Collegian’ pursuant to a license granted by CSU.

Approximately 59% of Rocky Mountain Student Media Corp’s income is provided by the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) for the purpose of fostering student careers post-college and greater campus awareness and engagement. The Rocky Mountain Collegian is a 4,000-circulation student-run newspaper intended as a public forum and is printed on paper made of 30% post-consumer waste. It publishes every Thursday during the regular fall and spring semesters. The Collegian publishes online Monday through Thursday. Corrections may be submitted to the editor in chief and will be printed as necessary on page two. The Collegian is a complimentary publication for the Fort Collins community. The first copy is free. Additional copies are 25 cents each.

CORRECTIONS

Everybody makes mistakes, including us. If you encounter something in the paper you believe to be an error, please contact us at: copy@collegian.com.

Serena Bettis | Editor in Chief editor@collegian.com

Taylor Paumen | Content Managing Editor managingeditor@collegian.com

Falyn Sebastian | Digital & Design Managing Editor managingeditor@collegian.com

Adah McMillan | Copy Chief copy@collegian.com

Chloe Leline | Print Editor design@collegian.com

Letters to the Editor reflect the view of a member of the campus community and are submitted to the publication for approval. Readers may submit letters to letters@collegian.com. Please follow the guidelines listed at collegian.com before submitting.

EDITORIAL STAFF

Trin Bonner | Illustration Editor design@collegian.com

Tri Duong | Photo Director photo@collegian.com

Lucy Morantz | Photo Director photo@collegian.com

Piper Russell | News Director news@collegian.com

Allie Seibel | News Director news@collegian.com

Ivy Secrest | L&C Director life@collegian.com

Bella Eckburg | Opinion Director letters@collegian.com

Karsyn Lane | Sports Director sports@collegian.com

Braidon Nourse | Sports Editor sports@collegian.com

Alex Hasenkamp | A&E Director entertainment@collegian.com

Alex Wilson | Social Media Coordinator

socialmedia@collegian.com

Isabella Romero and Will Graulty, second-year students of physics and mechanical engineering, respectively, welcome the new-semester snow day with a

by

Hall

PHOTO BY TRI DUONG THE COLLEGIAN

Spur campus Hydro building opens to the public EDUCATION EXPANSION

By Barnaby Atwood @barnaby_atwood

Colorado State University Spur’s Hydro building opened its doors to the public Jan. 6, wrapping up the development of the Spur campus.

The CSU Spur campus is a non-degree granting campus that focuses on K-12 educational experiences to get younger people interested in learning and higher education in general.

The campus hosts three buildings — Vida, Terra and Hydro — that each have a respective focus on health, agriculture and water with several exhibits for guests to interact with.

Vida hosts several veterinary services and exhibits live cat and dog surgeries; Terra focuses on agricultural science, culinary arts and food sustainability and Hydro focuses on water management and

hosts Denver Water’s new water quality lab.

“When it comes to water management, it can be a zerosum game,” said Jim Lochhead, CEO of Denver Water, at the Hydro building opening ceremony. “CSU Spur provides the nexus needed for all these interests to come together in developing collaborative solutions to the state and the West’s water challenges. It’s a win for all of us. We’re excited to be part of this partnership.”

The campus was made in collaboration with several organizations, most prominently the National Western Center, which the Spur campus resides in. The National Western Center is an agricultural hub that hosts several events, including the National Western Stock Show.

TONY FRANK CSU SYSTEM CHANCELLOR

When the Western Stock Show Association was in the process of creating the National Western Center, they approached CSU asking if they would like to put up a facility with the center.

Tony Frank, the CSU System chancellor, said CSU was already looking to expand its brand to Denver, and this could be an opportunity to reach K-12 students who may feel they don’t have the resources to go to college.

“(At the time,) we had started to think we’ve got to find some way to get the message into the households where parents haven’t been to college that there’s an affordable pathway to college,” Frank said.

“We wanted (K-12 students) to come in and see these wow-

factor exhibits that were designed by professional K-12 educators that fit with their curriculum and were age appropriate. We wanted them to go home really excited, but we also want them to go home inoculated with the message for their teachers, for their guidance counselors, for their parents, that there is an affordable pathway to college for everybody.”

“Our primary goal is to get kids really excited about careers in these fields and to let them know that there is an affordable way for them to go to college because we need all of that untapped human potential to help solve these great global challenges,” Frank said.

The CSU Spur campus will be open during the National Western Stock Show Jan. 7-22.

Reach Barnaby Atwood at news @collegian.com.

The exterior of the final Colorado State University Spur building, Hydro, which opened this January. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN EISELE

“Our primary goal is to get kids really excited about careers in these fields and to let them know that there is an affordable way for them to go to college because we need all of that untapped human potential to help solve these great global challenges.”

Facts of the past: Celebrating civil rights through MLK Day

By Serena Bettis @serenaroseb

Since 1984, the United States federal government has recognized the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor King’s legacy and leadership of the civil rights movement.

While it may be easy to mark MLK Day as the final day of winter break on paper, its history and significance are multifaceted, offering a chance for service, reflection, learning and celebration.

holiday in King’s name began just four days after his assassination when Michigan U.S. Rep. John Conyers introduced legislation. It took 15 years for the federal bill to pass, and even then, the holiday was not recognized in all 50 states until 2000, according to the NMAAHC.

Colorado has recognized the holiday since April 4, 1984. A Colorado House bill was first introduced by Rep. Wellington Webb in the 1970s, though it failed multiple times. Rep. King Trimble introduced a bill in 1979, and Rep. Wilma Webb introduced a bill proposing the holiday every year starting in 1981 until she found success in 1984.

Martin Luther King Jr.

King received degrees from Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary and Boston University.

Every year, Colorado State University collaborates with the City of Fort Collins and other community groups to host a local celebration of King’s life. Recently, local celebrations have included a march, speeches and spoken-word poetry. To accompany our photo gallery of this year’s events,  The Collegian compiled a brief list of facts surrounding King and his day.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The United States observes MLK Day on the third Monday of January because that Monday consistently falls close to King’s birthday — Jan. 15, 1929. MLK Day will align with his exact birthday next year on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

The federal holiday has existed since Nov. 2, 1983, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and was signed into law by former President Ronald Reagan, albeit begrudgingly. In a press conference on Oct. 19, 1983, Reagan said he would have preferred to celebrate King’s birthday in a way that is “not technically a national holiday,” but “since they seem bent on making it a national holiday, I believe the symbolism of that day is important enough that I’ll sign that legislation when it reaches my desk.”

According to the NMAAHC, the push to declare a national

In 1955 King became the spokesperson for the Montgomery bus boycott in Alabama. According to The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University, King “utilized the leadership abilities he had gained from his religious background and academic training to forge a distinctive protest strategy that involved the mobilization of Black churches and skillful appeals for white support.”

King is most widely known for his “I Have a Dream” speech and his work leading nonviolent protests for civil rights. In President Joe Biden’s 2023 MLK Day proclamation, Biden said, “(King’s) activism and moral authority helped usher in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.”

In the 1960s, the FBI began surveillance on King, with thendirector J. Edgar Hoover aiming to damage King’s reputation, according to Stanford’s King Institute. The 2020 documentary “MLK/FBI” includes information from recently declassified files on this surveillance.

King was only 39 years old at the time of his assassination on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The site now holds the National Civil Rights Museum.

Prior to his assassination, King began work on the Poor People’s Campaign, a multiracial effort for economic justice.

King’s work and impact, along with those of other civil rights leaders, are well-recorded through history museums, institutes and documentaries available online.

Reach Serena Bettis at news @collegian.com.

“King was only 39 years old at the time of his assassination on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The site now holds the National Civil Rights Museum.”

Samantha and Isla carry a sign through the Colorado State University parking lot at the end of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day march

PHOTO BY MILO GLADSTEIN THE COLLEGIAN

TODOS SANTOS CENTER

BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR, MEXICO

mexico mexico mexico

Join a 10-week semester, or 5-week summer, program at the CSU Center in Todos Santos. Located in beautiful Baja California Sur, Mexico, you can walk to the beach and the mountains from CSU’s campus in this welcoming community.

Study abroad and earn CSU credits in a beautiful place where you’ll enjoy personal interactions with community members, outdoor adventures, and coursework that is complemented by out-of-class learning and excursions.

Students reside at the CSU Center, study from outdoor and rooftop classrooms with a view of the ocean, and are supported by on-site Center staff. Internet access, a communal kitchen, and other modern-living facilities assist students in having a well-supported study abroad experience.

All programs feature a variety of classes, taught by CSU professors and visiting faculty, centered around a specific academic theme. Students can also access single class offerings at the CSU Todos Santos Center with a variety of courses available throughout the year.

Todos Santos is located an hour north of Cabo San Lucas!

Plans to phase out mandatory assistant graduate fees now underway

By Barnaby Atwood @barnaby_atwood

With the start of the spring semester, Colorado State University rolled out its plan to phase out mandatory fees for graduate assistants, starting with 50% of fees covered this semester.

The plan is to gradually cover the mandatory fees of graduate teaching assistants, graduate support assistants and graduate research assistants by the 2025-26 academic year.

“There have been conversations on campus for quite some time about the compensation that graduate assistants receive,” said Colleen Webb, associate dean of the Graduate School. “Both in terms of their ability to live on what they receive for compensation, as well as the impacts on CSU in terms of recruiting the very best to our graduate programs to ensure that we’re offering competitive compensation.”

In 2020, the CSU Graduate School released its “Graduate Assistantship Compensation Proposal,” showing CSU has higher graduate fees than

its peer universities, which Webb said fueled more discussions on graduate assistant fees.

“Having those conversations on campus, ... the right people were in the right places at the right time; we had a perfect storm of interest and ability to address the issues, and we were able to come up with this mandatory fee benefit plan for graduate assistance,” Webb said. “This is one of the few efforts that I’ve seen (that) has been so campus-wide with so many different units involved. It’s been the graduate students, the faculty council, the (Office of the Provost), the (Office of the President), the Office of the Vice President for Research ... as well our business offices and IT people who have to implement all of this, and we also had undergrads that were advocating on behalf of graduate students for fees, which I think is wonderful.”

Derek Newberger, the president of the Graduate Student Council, also played a role in helping represent the graduate students. The GSC created a questionnaire at the end of last May

asking graduate students how their grad student experience was.

“During the summer, we group those questionnaires together, and there were three main things that people wanted,” Newberger said.

“The largest one by far was the student fees. Then it was an increase in compensation or stipend, and the last one is a feeling of isolation grad students feel. So this task of having fees be covered as a benefit by the university was our main goal — is the most important valuable task that grad students have asked the grad student council to help them on.”

Janice Nerger is the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs and also helped in getting the plan in motion.

“It’s not straightforward how to do this; we are not eliminating the fees,” Nerger said. “So what instead has happened is the central administration is paying the fees, so the benefits that the graduate students are paying for, they’re still receiving — it’s just somebody else is paying for those benefits. And that turns out to

be a complicated system through the financial system at the university.”

Part of the difficulty came from figuring out how to apply the plan to the different graduate assistants.

“What happened was that we learned that other institutions had found a way for the graduate research assistants to have their fees paid by brands, and we had the understanding that that was impossible,” Nerger said.

“It’s the case that GTAs and GRAs should be treated equally. Well, if the GRAs cannot have their fees paid, that would mean the GTAs cannot have their fees paid. The vice president for research (was) able to find a way that that could occur, and so ... that is what opened the conversation to a solution.”

Reach Barnaby Atwood at news @collegian.com.

Three protesters lead the Labor Rally group as they march toward the Colorado State University Board of Governors meeting at the Lory Student Center May 3, 2022 COLLEGAIN FILE PHOTO

Best Western University Inn: Now vacant but always a community RAM RESIDENCE

By DJ Vicente @deejmako

With the beginning of the spring 2023 semester at Colorado State University, the vacated Best Western University Inn leaves experiences of students now long gone.

“It really was a situation where we all had to grow up pretty fast,” firstyear student Bailey Tracer said.

Tracer recalled her experience throughout the first semester dealing with the unexpected circumstance of living in temporary housing at the hotel.

“My first two weeks were my hardest point,” Tracer said. “I had that realization that I was missing out on a lot of things. I’m missing out on the actual moving process. I just missed out on the college life.”

Struggles like Tracer’s showed the stark difference in the lives of those living in temporary housing and how those new surroundings are able to cultivate unique first impressions in college life.

One of Tracer’s biggest struggles with living at the Best Western was the distance between the hotel and main campus buildings such as dining halls and classrooms.

“I (didn’t) use all my meal swipes, and that’s a common thing that (happened) with a lot of the students at the Best Western,” Tracer said. “It’s (was) really hard to go over there and get them used, so I (felt) like a lot of those are going to waste.”

CSU Housing & Dining Services also took the commute and meal plan issues into account based on feedback received from student residents.

Nick Sweeton, associate executive director for Housing & Dining Services, noted the low usage of student meal plans throughout the first month of the semester and presented solutions in order to address the issue.

“They were using Ram Cash at much greater rates, and so based on that pattern, we offered to the community, ‘If you’d like to convert some of your meal plan over to

Ram Cash, we would, of course, accommodate that,’ … and over half of the community took us up on that offer,” Sweeton said.

Sweeton and the other staff at HDS served as contacts for residents at the Best Western, helping students stay connected to campus despite the distance.

Despite these struggles, HDS and residents at the Best Western were able to find successes, such as the camaraderie among peers in the hotel.

“I feel like the fear of missing out was really scary in the first two weeks, but our community at the Best Western has changed so much, and I think it’s probably one of the best living communities on campus,” Tracer said.

Anecdotes from Tracer’s experience include student-led Spikeball tournaments in the parking lot at midnights, study groups with friends gained at the hotel and the rise of a “culture and familiarity” that has come through these activities.

Housing & Dining Services also brought student-focused programming to the Best Western. Melissa Carlson, coordinator of residential success at Housing & Dining Services, touched on different activities created by staff members, along with CSU Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement.

“We’ve put on a ‘Taco Bell Tuesday Night.’ … We did pumpkin painting. … I have to give a shoutout to Associated Students of Colorado State University — they helped to fund a pizza party and karaoke night,” Carlson said.

“For each of these programs, we’re averaging 30 or more students, which is really excellent.”

One of the biggest successes for Housing & Dining Services was the ability to accommodate living space in the hotel for students for the entire semester. Sweeton mentioned student desire for stability and a solid living plan for the first semester.

“We held a community meeting in late October and asked the

residents who attended, ‘How many of you, if you had the option to stay here the rest of the semester, would choose to?’” Sweeton said. “About three quarters of the people who attended raised their hands.”

The result of this vote aligned with the observations HDS had made earlier on, mentioning a rise of community desire to stay at the hotel. It also allowed the staff to prioritize students who wanted to move out of the hotel.

Carlson and Sweeton mentioned Housing & Dining Services’ desire to give students as much of the same community experience as possible compared to students living on campus.

“We really tried to envelop them in as much of our Ram pride as possible,” Carlson said.

Housing & Dining Services does not foresee utilizing the Best Western to house students in the near future.

Reach DJ Vicente at life @collegian.com.

The former Best Western University Inn sign on South College Avenue Nov. 11, 2022. The building’s resident assistant allowed students to express themselves by painting a custom sign with unique additions to the Colorado State University acronym, including a dolphin, SpongeBob SquarePants and a bumblebee.

PHOTO BY ANDREW TREVINO THE COLLEGIAN

Hitting the pow: A Ram guide to the slopes nearest campus OUTDOORS

By Katherine Borsting @katbor2025

As Colorado State University dives into the spring semester, students all over campus will use their weekends to head up to the mountains and hit the slopes.

Skiing and snowboarding are a culture within Colorado, and CSU students are no exception to the love the state has for winter sports. It can be difficult to navigate the best options related to pricing, passes and mountains located near campus as well as find resources that allow CSU students to pick up the hobby.

Where can students ski or snowboard near CSU?

Some of the most popular places to ski near Fort Collins are Winter Park Resort, Steamboat Ski Resort, Eldora Mountain Resort, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area and Copper Mountain Ski Resort. All these skiing destinations vary

in price depending on the day; however, all are accessible through CSU’s shuttle program, SkiSU.

The SkiSU bus transports people to and from the mountains on weekends and charges $23 for CSU students and $30 for CSU employees.

Sam Eagen, a second-year at CSU, is an avid skier and spends most of his weekends on the slopes when the season is happening.

“My favorite place to ski is Winter Park,” Eagen said. “They have the best terrain, and on the weekends, it’s almost like a party with all the students skiing around up there.”

Winter Park, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin are around a two-hour drive from Fort Collins; however, if students are looking to ski closer, Eldora is only around an hour and a half from CSU.

Steamboat is upward of four hours from campus and is ideal if students are looking to spend a night at the mountain with friends.

How much does it cost to ski or snowboard?

The cost of skiing or snowboarding as a student depends on the destination. A day pass at Winter Park is around $200 depending on the day.

However, skiing at Copper Mountain can be as low as $99 dollars for a lift ticket depending on the day.

Many students invest in an Ikon Pass or Epic Pass, which allows them to go up to the mountains numerous times; however, these tend to be more costly upfront.

An Ikon Base Pass can cost up to around $900. Students at CSU can get a discounted pass through the CSU Snowriders club, which is a social ski and snowboard club on campus for casual mountain trips and related events.

Claire Johnson, a fourthyear, has been a member of the Snowriders club since she first started at CSU.

“I joined Snowriders because I needed to make some friends when I first got here; however, they have saved me a ton of money on skiing when I go,” Johnson said. “With the discount, I got my Ikon Pass for around $400 dollars this year.”

In regards to skiing or snowboarding gear costs, it really depends on whether a student buys or rents. A new pair of skis can be quite expensive, but a day rental for an adult snowboard can be just above $40 at Christy Sports in Fort Collins.

Snow sports are definitely pricier in comparison to other sports. It really depends on the destination, experience and skill level.

How can students get into skiing or snowboarding?

Whether an interested student is a first-time skier/snowboarder or an experienced person on the slopes, the CSU Snowriders club is a great place to get more information on how to get involved in the community at CSU.

They often post on their Instagram about upcoming trips and provide discounts for the popular Ikon Pass at the beginning of the year.

Another way to get into the skiing/snowboarding scene is to go up with friends who may be more experienced. It is also important to be mindful of busy and not-so-busy days on the slopes.

“Weekdays are for sure the best because it is way less impacted, and you’ll get more time on the lifts meaning more runs; however, that may not be possible with many students’ schedules,” Johnson said.

Skiing or snowboarding is a great way to get outside in the winter months, and CSU students take advantage of this. As school starts this spring, many students will head up to the mountains on their days off to enjoy the close resorts and fresh snow.

Reach Katherine Borsting at life @collegian.com.

Skiers and snowboarders ride the Peak 8 SuperConnect lift at Breckenridge Ski Resort Nov. 24, 2022. Climate change has caused avalanches to be more unpredictable as rising temperatures cause snow to melt faster.

PHOTO BY LUCY MORANTZ THE COLLEGIAN

STRAIN REVIEW

Indulge in a Wyld and tasteful adventure

By Taylor Paumen @taytaypau

In the past month, most of us got the chance to take a much-needed break, and whether you spent it with family or alone, it was prime time to indulge in some cannabis.

A friend of mine was newly hired as a budtender at Organic Alternatives and acquired a wide spread of products she was kind enough to share with me. Stoners take care of stoners. I saw she had a few packs of Wyld edibles, and I had to grab some.

Wyld products can be found in almost every dispensary in town and are one of my personal favorite brands for edibles. They have a wide variety of flavors that also mix in different ratios of THC, CBD and cannabinol.

Not only do Wyld and the local dispensaries provide a lot of tasty options, but they’re also reasonably priced. Organic Alternatives sells Wyld packs of 100-milligram edibles for $19-$23, and The Green Solution sells them on sale right now for about $16-$20.

I finally got home with my raspberry sativa edibles and popped 50-milligrams. I hadn’t taken Wyld edibles in a while and often forget about how the effects are very different from smoking flower or wax. Remember, edibles take longer to set in, and when they do, you’ll know.

About an hour after taking the gummies, I started feeling some dryness in my eyes, which is normally when I first start feeling any kind of

high, so I knew the party had started. I’d however recommend starting with one 10-milligram gummy if this is your first time trying Wyld edibles because 50-milligram was much too many for me.

when I needed a nap. Be prepared that this adventure can take a big chunk of your day, so plan to have nothing but fun things to do.

But due to the sweet taste, low price and convenience of this edible, you’re going to have a good high, and as I said before, be aware of what your tolerance to THC is because these

bad boys will come in full force and humble you quickly. Rating 9/10.

Reach Taylor Paumen at cannabis @collegian.com.

I normally go for indica strains but was thankful I had taken sativa, or else I would have just fallen asleep. But instead, my friends got a lovely comedy show on my trip as laughing became my main symptom. I had a lot of silly energy and felt warm inside — much like the feeling of a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows made of caffeine.

I did not want to sit down and watch a movie like most times after taking a few edibles, so we had a pleasant evening of playing card games and hitting pool balls. For a halftime break, we hit the classic Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and I devoured a three-finger combo.

The high started to taper off after about four hours, and that’s

“Be prepared that this adventure can take a big chunk of your day, so plan to have nothing but fun things to do.”

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION

BY CHARLIE COHEN THE COLLEGIAN

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

My summer at CSU Spur, Hydro facility opening

going to be such an engaging and rewarding experience.

CSU Spur is the newest campus within the CSU System and was being developed within the National Western Center in Denver to conduct research and provide learning opportunities to the public. Research is focused on food and agriculture, animal and human health and water sustainability.

camps and specific research programs offered to students, faculty members and the public.

By Guest Author @csucollegian

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board. Letters to the Editor reflect the view of a member of the campus community and are submitted to the publication for approval.

When I was a third-year business major at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, in the spring of 2022, life was moving very fast. I was balancing a heavy class load and working 15-20 hours a week.

The summer months were on the horizon, and I had not yet secured an internship when I came across an open position at CSU Spur. I decided to investigate further, but little did I know at the time that this was

With a sustainable water interdisciplinary minor, I am very passionate about water-related topics and was immediately attracted to this position. After several interviews, I had been accepted for the position, and while my exact responsibilities were not fully defined at the time, I knew that being onsite throughout the week and supporting any aspect of the research and education would be very fulfilling.

A day at CSU Spur has something for all ages. It’s a laboratory, veterinary clinic, art studio, classroom, garden and innovation center all in one, and it’s free to the public.

Learning opportunities are provided in the form of classes,

A tuition increase is not

By Bella Eckburg @yaycolor

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.

Colorado State University’s Board of Governors is planning a tuition increase for the coming year, which will continue to widen the gap between CSU’s costs and the national average for in- and out-ofstate tuition.

This new tuition increase comes amid a lot of turmoil regarding faculty and staff pay on campus, especially with Colorado’s minimum wage reaching $13.65 this year; however, is CSU really able to justify the rise in tuition considering the value of the degree the students leave with?

The Associated Students of CSU Speaker of the Senate Nicholas DeSalvo recently shared a petition on his Instagram story from an effort called “Affordable CSU,” which supports paying faculty more money and treating them better; however, Affordable CSU also questions why this is at the expense of students — who have already experienced a tuition increase and

several student fee increases — instead of the university itself.

“I’m sure the money exists elsewhere,” DeSalvo said. “I’m sure there could be more buying or investment from the state to do it or donors to pay faculty more.”

priority should be to remain accessible to the industrial classes. I’m not too certain a tuition increase would keep that priority.”

Rising tuition means more student debt accumulated, as the cost is not cohesive to most incomes in the country. Even if a student works full time through college, they will likely still leave with debt.

DeSalvo emphasized the growing cost of higher education, citing Education Data Initiative’s statistic that since 1990, students are paying 130% more in tuition and fees, a percentage that will continue to increase.

“We’re seeing it’s harder and harder for students to get degrees after they graduate in the field that they received an education in, and on top of that, they have, a lot of the times, student loans and a lot of other debts that they have to pay,” DeSalvo said. “I really don’t want to add more insult to injury — that’s my headspace going into this effort.”

If you’re just in for a visit, you can enjoy a relaxing day observing art, taking a cooking class, talking to experts about growing your own food, strolling over to The Dumb Friends League Veterinary Clinic to watch a live surgical operation or witnessing horses rehabilitating on an underwater treadmill.

If the outdoors is more your style, walk or bike along the newly restored South Platte River or explore the rooftop greenhouses in the Terra facility.

When I arrived for my first day of work, it became very apparent that this job was going to be anything but routine. I was quickly indoctrinated in all areas of research and learning.

During my tenure, I was given the opportunity to work with amazing teams across CSU departments and industry partnerships.

Communicating and educating multigenerational visitors on these important topics was very pleasing.

Each day, I witnessed the energy as the campus sprang to life with new visitors and new activities.

As much fun as I had during the summer of 2022 at CSU Spur, this is only the beginning. In January, CSU Spur opened its Hydro facility in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show. Hydro is Greek for water and will highlight water-focused exhibits, educational programs, event space, art studios, a farm-to-table café and a stateof-the-art water quality lab in partnership with Denver Water.

With all that CSU Spur has to offer, I highly encourage our community to plan a visit, as you will come away in awe from what you will see and learn. I am now back at school finishing my degree and preparing to graduate.

I have many fond memories of this past summer and know I will return to CSU Spur as a visitor and one day take my family to this Colorado gem with the hope that they will come away with the same feelings I have.

Champ Lindahl, CSU senior

Send letters to letters@collegian.com. When submitting letters, please abide by the guidelines listed at collegian.com.

students assemble

“I personally feel that a tuition increase would severely damage the student body and would have detrimental effects on the university’s ability to appeal to lower-income students,” ASCSU President Rob Long said. “CSU is a land-grant institution, which means that its top

CSU students last saw a tuition increase in the fall of 2021, following the pandemic, and this extended to undergraduate, professional and graduate students. Although it is unclear where all of the funds are going to be allocated, a faculty pay increase would be included.

“The last thing I want this to turn into is pitting students against faculty — especially nontenured faculty — because I 100% believe they need to be treated better by the CSU system, but to do that on the backs of students, … I think it’s wrong,” DeSalvo said. “Faculty, we absolutely support you in your effort for an increase, but I hope faculty also understands the students’ side of things. We’re hurting financially.”

“The CSU Spur Campus (cost) the university system $200 million after they secured it from the state legislature,” Long said. “Increasing

faculty pay is the right answer but not at the expense of the most financially unstable groups within our country — college students.”

If you’re interested in signing the petition, you can do so here or by looking up @AffordableCSU on Instagram. This tuition increase comes at a time when it’s more clear than ever that faculty and staff deserve much better treatment. Coming out of a pandemic and making education more inaccessible do not make CSU feel as welcoming to everyone.

Reach Bella Eckburg at letters@ collegian.com.

the answer,

COLLEGIAN COLUMNISTS

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY CHLOE LELINE THE COLLEGIAN

“Increasing faculty pay is the right answer but not at the expense of the most financially unstable groups within our country — college students.”

ROB LONG ASCSU PRESIDENT

@CSUCollegian Thursday, January 19, 2023 11

Future CSU president announces BigCorp deal, students worry

for more administrative professionals, perhaps university money could be directed toward the provision of service, namely the graduate students and professors who teach students and conduct research.”

Students also raised some concerns about conflicts of interest. Barsons’ second-in-command during her time at BigCorp and likely nominee for the administrative role, John White, is also a board member of Edgucate, a paid discussion board service. The company’s motto reads, “Education starts when lecture ends and discussion begins.”

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY SOPHIA SIROKMAN THE COLLEGIAN

By Paul Brull @csucollegian

Editor’s Note: This is a satire piece from The Collegian’s opinion section. Real names and the events surrounding them may be used in fictitious/semi-fictitious ways. Those who do not read the editor’s notes are subject to being offended.

New Colorado State University president-to-be, Bamy Barsons, announced her plan for an Office of the President administrative partnership with BigCorp last Thursday.

“During my time at BigCorp, I worked with a lot of good people,” Barsons said in her announcement email. “They know how to best maximize profits while delivering top-notch service in flexible roles.”

Barsons’ email outlined her plan to designate these new salaried employees as special contractors working for both organizations.

“The executives at BigCorp are

some of the hardest-working and most benevolent people I know,” Barsons’ email continued. “I have no doubt their service to Colorado State University will not be compromised by their obligations to BigCorp.”

Some students were concerned about the recent announcement and organized a protest against administrative bloat.

“For the past semester, we’ve had an interim president serving multiple roles, and I honestly didn’t know the difference,” biology student Jackie Dodds said. “To be completely honest, I just thought Boyce BoConnell had just forgotten her email password and was too embarrassed to ask CSU’s information technology person for it.”

“I’m just not sure it’s a good use of my tuition and fees,” finance major and crypto investor Chaddington Chadsworth commented. “I understand the desire to run CSU like a business, but I’m not sure this is the best way to do that. Instead of paying

“There are arguably worse conflicts of interest in play here, I’m not going to lie,” philosophy student Edgar Axel said. “Her old chief financial officer is the head of Americans for Private Education. Her ex-chief operating officer is a University of Colorado Boulder alum and football fan. Still, I can’t emphasize how little I want to pay for a discussion board service.”

Responding to student concerns, Barsons clarified her position in an interview with The Collegian

“I understand student concerns,” Barsons said. “Our goal, though, is to increase our profit margin. Students are a captive audience who has no choice but to take out massive loans to pay for a degree with an everdiminishing return value. The Office of the President needs a team of analysts to maximize income from student fees by finding the highest price point students are willing to pay. That’s definitely worth a few million dollars. You weren’t recording that, right?”

The Collegian will continue to report as the story develops.

Reach Paul Brull at letters @collegian.com.

Textbook prices.

No 8 a.m. classes. NOPE

Printed syllabi. Not seeing your family.

Slow walkers.

Cats. Not seeing your family. DOPE

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THE CALL TO ACTION:

9

1. Panama Soweto gives the Martin Luther King Jr. Day march keynote speech in the Lory Student Center Grand Ballroom at Colorado State University Jan. 16. “This holiday is not a celebration; it is a call to action,” Soweto said. PHOTO BY MILO GLADSTEIN THE COLLEGIAN

2. Larry Holgerson marches through Fort Collins in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 16. “I run the spoken word poetry slams, and it’s important every time the community gets an opportunity to state where their hearts and minds and guts are,” Holgerson said. “This is an opportunity for us all to be a tribe and show what we all have in common.”

PHOTO BY MILO GLADSTEIN THE COLLEGIAN

3. An estimated 1,500 people march through Fort Collins in commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 16. PHOTO BY MILO GLADSTEIN THE COLLEGIAN

4. Marchers gather at the Lory Student Center for a celebration at the end of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day march Jan. 16. PHOTO BY SOPHIE STERN THE COLLEGIAN

5. Asma Bushara performs a spoken word poem before the Martin Luther King Jr. Day march at Washington Park in Fort Collins Jan. 16. PHOTO BY MILO GLADSTEIN THE COLLEGIAN

6. Elena Diaz and Alicia Diaz, Martin Luther King Jr. Day march participants, share a joyful moment with one another during Panama Soweto’s speech at the Lory Student Center Jan. 16. PHOTO BY JAIDEN STANFORD THE COLLEGIAN

7. Breonna Abuya performs a spoken word poem during the speaker section of the Fort Collins Martin Luther King Jr. Day march Jan. 16. PHOTO BY MILO GLADSTEIN THE COLLEGIAN

8. Kareem Green marches through Fort Collins during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day march Jan. 16. “I’m here today to march for freedom, peace, unity and love for all,” Green said. “I wish everyone to come together and unite in harmony and love.”

PHOTO BY MILO GLADSTEIN THE COLLEGIAN

9. Colleen Simpson, Aaron Moore and James Mitchell, president of Front Range Community College and two Colorado State University football players, respectively, applaud Jeni Arndt, mayor of Fort Collins. Her speech was given at Washington Park in Fort Collins at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day march Jan. 16.

PHOTO BY JAIDEN STANFORD THE COLLEGIAN

SEASON PREVIEW

TRACK OUTLOOK

The Colorado State track and field 2023 indoor season is underway. CSU has competed in three different events so far this season before going into the heart of competition. Some athletes are looking to start their collegiate careers, and some want to finish them strong.

For many, the new year is a chance for change and improvement. It is no different for the CSU track and field team, as they hope to knock their high goals out of the park.

The expectations remain high for the Rams, as during the 2022 season, the women won the Mountain West Championship for the indoor season while finishing as the runner-up for the outdoor. The men’s team also had similar success, finishing as the runner-up in both seasons. Colorado State will need major contributions from both new and returning athletes on the track and on the field.

By Tyler Azzaro @tylerazzaro

With indoor track events picking up steam, Colorado State is looking forward to seeing positive progress in time by each athlete with outdoor events coming in March.

“The Rams’ next indoor event is Jan. 20-21 at … the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.”

Sprints have had some strong performances at the beginning of the season, earning several podium appearances by both men and women.Rams track will start traveling with the whole team going forward, giving their star athletes plenty of time to

prepare for the long season ahead of them.

Graduate student John Fulton, who competes in hurdles, feels like there is a lot to be excited about this year.

“Overall, the feeling of this team is different,” Fulton said.“I’ve been here for five years.We have a very young team, and I think we are a much more talented team. I’m excited — fresh blood has the culture changing.It’s different but not in a bad way.”

The training looks different every day for Rams track. Mondays, they hit the harder workouts with speed-based training followed by lifts; Tuesdays and Thursdays are recovery days; Wednesdays are top speed days; Fridays are meet prep days and Saturdays are usually race days.

The Rams’ next indoor event is Jan. 20-21 at the Prairie Wolf Invitational and the Mark Colligan Memorial Invitational hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Reach Tyler Azzaro at sports@collegian.com.

By Dylan Heinrich @dylanrheinrich

A new addition to the throwing team is sophomore Klaire Kovatch. Kovatch was a three-time state discus champion in Montana while also earning the title of Gatorade Montana Girls Track & Field Player of the Year during her high school senior season. Kovatch competed in five meets unattached during her redshirt season last year, gaining plenty of valuable and essential knowledge for competing at the collegiate level along the way.

“I learned a lot about the work you have to put in,” Kovatch said. “Mostly I just had to go have fun, improve and work on certain cues.”

But after a whole year of being redshirted, she is ready to go out and start competing.

With young faces joining the squad, graduate student and multi-athlete Lexie Keller looks to lead the way by helping create a bond within the group.

“(The most important part) is creating cohesion between everyone, … especially with such a large team,” Keller said.

Keller sets a good example, as she already holds the Colorado State indoor pentathlon record and earned Mountain West Field Athlete of the Week honors this season after the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Running Co. Pre Holiday Invite.

In her final collegiate season, Keller understands the pressure put on the program and hopes to have another spectacular season both as an individual and as a team.

“We have an expectation for ourselves to win the conference, and that’s the expectation every year,” Keller said. “The way we match up against other schools is going to look a little different, but I still believe we have a really good shot.”

The Colorado State Rams will compete in the Prairie Wolf Invitational and the Mark Colligan Memorial Invitational at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Jan. 20-21.

Reach Dylan Heinrich at sports@collegian.com.

Senior Colorado State University cross country athlete Lauren Offerman poses for a photo near The Oval at CSU Jan. 27, 2021. PHOTO BY LUCY MO

blood has the culture changing’ for Rams track Rams field hopes to exceed high expectations

Trace Young: Creation, life, basketball (in that order) PLAYER PROFILE

By Braidon Nourse @braidonnourse

“Okay, here’s the vision,” said Trace Young, Colorado State University men’s basketball guard, about his newest idea for a short video. “The theme would be like kind of going against the grain, you know what I’m saying? Like living differently than other people.”

As this is the case for Young, he would be the first to tell you: It’s not all about basketball.

Sure, it took years of late nights and sacrifice on the court to get into an NCAA Tournament-qualifying Division I program as a basketball player. But Young puts the “there’s more to life than sports” principle into action.

Young was interested in capturing his life on film from a young age, whether it was recording the video games he played, sports, music or anything else happening in his life. In grade school, he picked up a camera for the first time — that is, if you can call an iPod Touch a camera.

Not long after he started, Young received a perfect Christmas gift for his passion: a GoPro. Later on, he downloaded more advanced editing software in Final Cut Pro.

“I started getting better with editing, color grading and all that stuff,” Young said. “That’s when I really fell in love with not just making videos but understanding how cool it is that I can make something to make other people feel a certain type of way. People can watch what I create and get goosebumps or feel motivated. Whatever the feeling may be, I can affect what people feel, and I just thought that was a cool idea.”

Creating content is a hobby that’s stuck with him to this day. He runs an Instagram account named “tracecreate” with just under 2,000 followers that is dedicated to his creative work, including pieces involving his life outside of being an athlete, from his musical endeavors and cinematography to his relationship with God.

But don’t let that take away from Young’s freakish athletic ability. Though the guard from Austin, Texas, only averages a couple of minutes per game on CSU’s guard-heavy team, just to be on a Division I men’s basketball roster is an accomplishment only an estimated 1% of high school players achieve. Gather up 99 of the best high school hoopers you know, and Young is likely leaps and bounds better than all of them.

Speaking of leaps and bounds, if there’s one athletic accomplishment that can’t be taken from Young, it’s his all-time CSU record for maximum vertical jump. At a nearly inhuman 46 inches, his vertical leap would be the second highest in NBA Combine Draft history, only behind Keon Johnson’s 48-inch jump in 2021.

“Have you ever dunked before? It’s so fun,” Young said. “I remember being in like third grade and just being obsessed with being able to dunk.”

And so the workouts began. Young’s father found out about his wish and didn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand, giving Young exercises to increase his jumping power.

“(My dad) literally just Googled how to jump higher, printed it off and gave it to me,” Young said. “I did it religiously. I remember every time I came home from the bus stop in third grade, I’d drop my backpack right by this tree, and I’d just do like a hundred box jumps on this bench.” Between eighth grade and his freshman year of high school, he finally flushed his first dunk.

Through keys on the piano and strings on the guitar, Young is also able to stay busy through music. Around the same time his jumping infatuation started was when he touched a piano for the first time and started to learn. At the time, though, it wasn’t just about keeping busy.

“I did struggle with some anxiety stuff when I was younger,” Young said. “I didn’t really know why. … Music was just one of the ways, like a natural relaxant. We had this piano, and I would just play all the time. At night, like 1 a.m., if I couldn’t sleep, I’d be playing the piano, and my family didn’t mind.”

After all Young has experienced and accomplished, he’s taken the time to give back and help out in his community. Growing up in southern Texas, he’s no stranger to disasters in his own backyard, like yearly hurricanes that rip through thousands of homes in the region.

Through his church and with his mother, Young got to work — volunteer work that is. Every summer growing up, when Young didn’t have much to do, his mother would get him up and out in the community to help others in need, especially during hurricane season. It’s a part of home he wishes followed him to Fort Collins.

Though Young is majoring in business at Colorado State, he’s still unsure of what he wants to do after graduating. But after some thought into the matter, his answer was simple: “I’d love to travel.” So much so, he nearly chose it over basketball.

“I almost gave basketball up to go do Semester at Sea my freshman year,” Young said. “One of my dreams at the time was to go outside the country, experience different things and capture it all with my ‘tracecreate’ stuff, you know, all while studying.”

“For a lot of my teammates and other players around me, it’s all about improving their game on the court,” Young said. “Obviously, that’s great, and that’s always the goal, but that’s not really it for me. There’s other things for me here.”

Reach Braidon Nourse at sports@ collegian.com.

“People can watch what I create and get goosebumps or feel motivated. Whatever the feeling may be, I can affect what people feel, and I just thought that was a cool idea.”

TRACE YOUNG

CSU MEN’S BASKETBALL GUARD

Guard Trace Young (0) and the Colorado State University men’s basketball team warm up during a practice at Moby Arena Dec. 2, 2022. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW CLUCAS

Dear stars,

Happy New Year! There are several planetary movements to look forward to in 2023. Our luminous sun has been in steady Capricorn since Dec. 21, 2022. This brings a disciplined energy into our lives, and you will notice that you are becoming more structured in your day-to-day life. Venus, the planet of love, will sit in Aquarius until Jan. 26, making us more open-minded in the dating scene. Friends from the past may even want to reconnect with you.

Lastly, the moon will be waning throughout the week, so taking risks is not recommended. Instead, listen to your body, drink water and reflect on your inner thoughts. The New Snow Moon on Jan. 21 will awaken our spirits and bring us out again.

Best wishes, A Sagittarius Moon

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

By Abby Flores

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (01/19/23)

ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

Your natural ability to network and make connections is bringing you blessings this month. People will want to help you in a business endeavor or strategy you have been dreaming about. You are prepared to set aside time to make any changes you need.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

You have fewer things on your to-do list this year (that is your cue for a sigh of relief). You worked hard last year, and the universe is granting you more time at home. You will thrive

when it comes to cooking and making your space more beautiful. Friends will soon visit you and enjoy your company.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)

I have some good news for you, Gemini. Your planet ruler, Mercury, will end its retrograde Jan. 18. Unresolved situations arose, but you managed to let go and find peace within your inner world. You are in a transformation period this month where you will find yourself again and build new friendships.

CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)

After some greatly needed rest, you are fully awake again. Your creative energy is flowing, and you already have a couple projects in the works this year. Pay close attention to your dreams this week because you are the sign most connected to the moon.

LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)

You have been working on your physical health during the last couple weeks, your dedication and self motivation has been extraordinary. You are glowing inside and out, and it is attracting positive energies into your life.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)

A new artistic hobby has come into your life, and you are making consistent progress. You have a knack for being a jack of all trades, and your skills will shine more than ever this year.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)

You love feeling new, and the stars are in your favor if you want to make a small change in your appearance — for instance, changing up your hair or trying a new beauty routine. You are always charming either way.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

Many friends want to catch up with you at this time, and your calendar is going to be full of events to attend this year. You used to feel stuck, but your higher self is calling, and you are finding truth in your purpose.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21) You are the most authentic traveler in astrology, bringing people joy and spiritual wisdom wherever you go. You felt something was missing last year, but things will finally align for you this week. Prepare for good omens and deep connections.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) Happy birthday! You went through a lot last year, but because you gave it your all, the universe wants to reward you with a new beginning.

Career opportunities are on the way for you, along with good energy surrounding your friendships and love life.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18) You let go of people who were draining your energy last year, and you are coming into a stable place where you now understand what you want in relationships. Good karma is on your side.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20) You will enjoy reconnecting with friends who are just as spiritual as you. Your heart was locked up for a while, and you were protective of your energy, but this year, you will find yourself living in the present and enjoying moments with those you truly love. Take time to listen to your inner guide every day because you are known to be the most intuitive sign.

CAMPUS CRITICS

‘Violent Night’: A gruesome look at family values

By Ivy Secrest @ivysecrest

Opening in a bar with a mall Santa and the real Santa Claus speaking through drunken complaints is certainly an innovative way to begin a Christmas movie.

Tommy Wirkola’s “Violent Night” is an action-packed story that details the importance of the Christmas spirit and human connection. While these values may be hard to extract from David Harbour’s initially boozedriven depiction of Santa, they are certainly clear by the end.

he visits until he is caught in the crosshairs of a surprise break-in at the Lightstone family compound.

After narrowly escaping the compound, he is motivated to reenter the home and defend the Lightstone family all because of one Trudy Lightstone (Leah Brady), a child who truly believes in Santa and made him personalized Christmas cookies.

Trudy encourages Santa to give them their lumps of coal and take on the bad guys, who also happen to be on his naughty list. Through a series of ass kickings and some straight-up murders, Santa happily obliges.

The Lightstone family may be dysfunctional and wealthy to the point that it has clearly corrupted their morals, but Trudy’s youthful spirit and belief strike a chord with Santa Claus. She believes in the power of Christmas and the depth of the gifts.

The coordinated theft of the Lighthouse’s money is orchestrated by some truly horrendous people — the type who attempt to murder Trudy and torture people with nutcrackers.

Cynical about Christmas and the general greed of the modern world, Santa Claus drunkenly stumbles through Christmas Eve with little regard for the families

With some homage to John Hughes’ Home Alone, “Violent Night” plays into the naughty and nice aspects of Christmas and what it means to believe.

This connection between a spirited child and a discouraged Santa brings about the unraveling

of the intruders’ plans. Though they begin their hostage-fueled robbery on top and with extensive violence that includes murdering the entirety of the house staff and security, Santas shocking past with combat turns their plans upside down.

This violent salvation of the Lightstones shockingly brings the spirit of connection and Christmas joy closer to their family dynamic. Though not everyone is reconnected with

Christmas in the end, Santa certainly leaves an impact.

It would be easy for a film like this to deteriorate into a cheap comedy or a horrifying thriller to shake the Christmas joy right out of somebody; however, “Violent Night” manages to connect with audiences both through the thrill of action and the emotions that many associate with this holiday.

Even the villains set on robbing the Lightstones are at the very least shocked by Santa’s

knowledge of their childhood wishes before they meet their inevitable demise.

Contrasted by the insanity of one wealthy and crazy family, Santa reestablishes the feeling of Christmas by slitting throats and saving the relationships of a greed-torn family. While it may be an unconventional way to communicate the spirit of Christmas, it certainly hits home.

Reach Ivy Secrest at entertainment @collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY SOPHIA SIROKMAN THE COLLEGIAN

“‘Violent Night’ manages to connect with audiences both through the thrill of action and the emotions that many associate with this holiday.”

The Lincoln Center Nutcracker: A holiday classic

By Alexander Wilson @alexgrey0604

Sugarplum fairies dancing across the stage bring the holiday spirit to many people during the dark and cold winter.

Over winter break, Contemporary Dance Academy performed the timeless ballet “The Nutcracker” at The Lincoln Center.

“This year (2022) was our 11th year of putting on “Clara and the Nutcracker” at The Lincoln Center,” said Brielle Dighero, the executive director and owner of Contemporary Dance Academy.

was first performed in 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia. It gained American popularity more than 60 years later through the New York City Ballet. “The Nutcracker” has now become one of the most frequently performed ballets in all of America.

Many young stars have grown fond of the performance as it holds an ample number of roles that are acceptable for all ages. This allows studios to prepare younger dancers for the professional world.

“My favorite memories come from being able to watch the production from the audience, so rehearsals are a wonderful time to watch from the front and to really see all of our dancers’ hard work pay off,” Dighero said. “There is nothing more rewarding as teachers (than) to see the growth in your students from year to year.”

Jordan McCollum, a dancer at CDA, has been a part of “The Nutcracker” performance for many years and has been a part of the studio since 2010.

“‘(The) Nutcracker’ is important because it gives us students experience and unforgettable memories,” McCollum said. “Being backstage and performing with all the other dancers creates strong friendships and a tightknit family.”

Casting so many children in “The Nutcracker” also helps the sales of the show. Each child tends to bring around four family members, allowing there to be at least around 300 people in the audience. The children also bring a sense of joy that many adults long for, attracting many new faces to the audience each year. Additionally, many ballets are not family appropriate, giving “The Nutcracker” another edge.

The fairytale ballet “The Nutcracker” is the story of a family’s Christmas Eve celebration. As the story follows Clara, the daughter, the audience watches her battle a mouse king and learn about romantic love.

“‘(The) Nutcracker’ has been a holiday classic for almost a century, and with the story being set during a Christmas Eve celebration, these performances are the perfect way to celebrate,” Dighero said.

The ballet originated in Russia as an adaptation of the book “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffmann and

“My favorite memory of ‘(The) Nutcracker’ is when I performed Clara, and at the end of the show, I got to go on stage with my dad, who performed Rat King, and we got to do a father and daughter bow together,” McCollum said.

“The Nutcracker” has continued to be a show for families to come together and experience the holiday spirit firsthand. Even during COVID-19 lockdowns, many studios were still able to bring the magic through virtual performances, proving that “The Nutcracker” will be a timeless show for years to come.

Reach Alexander Wilson at entertainment@collegian.com.

“My favorite memories come from being able to watch the production from the audience, so rehearsals are a wonderful time to watch from the front and to really see all of our dancers’ hard work pay off. There is nothing more rewarding as teachers (than) to see the growth in your students from year to year.”

BRIELLE DIGHERO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OWNER OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE ACADEMY

“I guess my ass is just getting juicier and juicier.”