Arizona’s state Supreme Court upheld the state’s decision to repeal an abortion bill from which year?
A. 1796
B. 1864
C. 2003
D. 1964
Dance Moms star, JoJo Siwa, released the lead single for her new era which was titled what?
A. “Bad Girl”
B. “Boomerang”
C. “Wrecking Ball”
D. “Karma”
A historic churchhouse was torn down in which Utah city?
A. Salt Lake City
B. Logan
C. Ogden
D. St. George
Consumer reports are asking the USDA to remove what from school lunches?
A. Lunchables
B. Uncrustables
C. Gogo Squeezes
D. Munchers
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Valentina Rodriguez es un estudiante del programa de inmersión de idioma dual (DLI) de la escuela secundaria Layton que estudia el poder de “romper las murallas y edificar identidades”. El programa de este año se enfocó en la importancia del activismo, cambios sociales y la construcción de identidades con una conciencia social. Como una mujer en el comercio y STEM, Valentina aprovechó la oportunidad de hacer un llamamiento a la acción con respecto a la falta de representación femenina en las posiciones ejecutivas de los negocios y al empoderamiento político en Utah.
El trabajar junto a Escamilla empoderó a Valentina a tener ambiciones grandes sin pedir perdón y navegar a las experiencias de la vida con un actitud persistente y una personalidad segura. Valentina también aprendió que no debe dudar de su habilidad de influir a la comunidad a la nivel más alto, “porque eso es el llamamiento de un líder”.
POR VALENTINA RODRIGUEZ
Reportero
POR TANNER SCOTT
Reportero
El trabajar junto a Escamilla empoderó a Valentina a tener ambiciones grandes sin pedir perdón y navegar a las experiencias de la vida con un actitud persistente y una personalidad segura. Valentina también aprendió que no debe dudar de su habilidad de influir a la comunidad a la nivel más alto, “porque eso es el llamamiento de un líder”.
Este artículo, originalmente escrito en diciembre de 2023, se ha editado por longitud.
Luz Escamilla transmite una perspectiva profunda sobre la igualdad de derechos como la líder minoritaria más joven del senado. Ella subraya de manera sofisticada la principal barrera que impide a las mujeres la oportunidad de ascender en la fuerza laboral de liderazgo en el estado de Utah.
Ella obtuvo su licenciatura en marketing empresarial, y una maestría en ciencias políticas en la universidad de Utah. Ha dedicado su tiempo a desafiar las barreras que faltan para defender el apoyo a las minorías, las mujeres y la educación.
Escamilla, destaca sus incansables intentos de mejorar la igualdad de género y el empoderamiento de las mujeres. Ella tiene la esperanza de elevar a las mujeres en su trayectoria profesional técnica y revertir el puesto alarmante que fue otorgado a este estado.
P: ¿Nos gustaría saber un poco sobre su identidad cultural?
R: Mi diversidad cultural tiene que ver de dónde soy, y un poco de mi familia. Soy lati-
na, y mexicana de nacimiento. Nací y crecí en México la mayor parte de mi niñez. Soy una inmigrante que vino a seguir su sueño americano, como miles de personas en este país. Soy mujer, soy madre, hermana, hija, y mujer de color. Poder apoyar a las mujeres es una de las prioridades más importantes de mi política pública social.
P: ¿Por qué se involucró en la política? ¿O, en otras palabras, dónde procede su vocación política?
R: Bueno, yo pienso que el trabajo en la política para mí ha sido más bien un trabajo para encontrar justicia y equidad para las personas. El llegar a un país como adulto, ya tenía 18 años, y darse cuenta de que en el país del sueño americano había una disparidad tan grande en cuanto a acceso a salud, educación — y que el código postal donde naciste, donde vives, determina básicamente los resultados que vas a tener en tu vida — fue algo que para mí tomó tiempo poder entender y poder aceptarlo. Entonces, en vez de quejarme, decidí hacer algo al respecto. En realidad, la vocación para mí empezó en México. Crecí con mi abuela materna, y durante su tiempo, fue una heroína de romper barreras como una mujer electa. Viendo como ella se dedicaba a hacer cambio en su comunidad me inspiró. … Mi corazón está en el public policy. Mi vocación ya era parte de mi genética, y es un honor y bendición poder servir desde esta posición.
P: ¿Un estudio de WalletHub ubica a Utah en el último lugar a nivel nacional en cuanto a empoderamiento político de las mujeres y presencia en puestos ejecutivos de empresas; en última in-
stancia, encontraron que las mujeres son el género “desfavorecido”. ¿Por qué cree que las mujeres en Utah no ocupan puestos de liderazgo?
R: Después de tener 15 años en el senado, la primera latina electa, la más joven electa, y la primera inmigrante en la legislatura, uno se da cuenta del universo en el que estamos envueltos. Reconozco que nos falta hacer un montón para cerrar ese hueco, pero hay que empezar con un punto importante: ¿cuáles son las limitaciones para que una mujer se integre en todo lo que puede hacer? Si estamos graduando mujeres en altos grados
académicos, ¿por qué no se involucran en el workforce? …
Childcare es un problema grave en el estado de Utah. Horrible. Si tú no tienes acceso a una guardería, y eres madre, esto es un problema. Si tú me preguntas a mí, esta es la primera razón de por qué las mujeres no han podido penetrar al nivel de alto rango ejecutivo, tanto en el mundo de los negocios, como en la política. … Alguien se tiene que asegurar que los niños estén bien durante el día, y puestos ejecutivos no hay turnos de noche. Estas decisiones, en promedio, las mujeres son las que se ponen abajo quedán-
Historia continuada en la página 6
Valentina Rodriguez is a DLI Spanish Bridge student from Layton High School who is studying the power of “Breaking down walls and Building Identities.”
This year’s bridge program focuses on the importance of activism, social change and building identities with social conscience. As a woman in business and STEM, Valentina took this opportunity to spark a call-to-action regarding the lack of female representation in business executive positions and/or political empowerment in Utah.
Working alongside Escamilla empowered Valentina to set ambitions “unapologetically” high and to navigate life experiences with a persistent attitude and secure personality. Valentina also learned to not question her ability to impact a community to the highest level, “because that is the calling of a leader.”
By NATHANAEL STOUT Translator By VALENTINA RODRIGUEZ Reporter By TANNER SCOTT ReporterThis article, originally written in December 2023, has been edited for length.
Luz Escamilla carries a profound perspective about the equality of rights as the youngest minority leader in the senate. She underlines, in a sophisticated manner, the principal barrier that impedes women from the opportunity to ascend in the leadership labor force in the state of Utah.
She obtained her bachelor’s degree in business marketing and a master’s in political science from the University of Utah. She has dedicated her time to defy the barriers that remain in order to defend the aid of minorities, women and education.
Escamilla highlights her untiring efforts to improve gender equality and the empowerment of women. She has the hope of elevating women in their professional trajectory and changing the alarming position that this state is in.
Q: Can we hear a bit about your cultural identity?
A: My cultural diversity has to do with where I’m from, and a bit to do with my family. I’m Latina and Mexican by birth. I was born and raised in Mexico for the majority of my childhood. I’m an immigrant that came to pursue the American Dream, just like thousands of others in this country. I’m a woman, a mother, a sister, a daughter and a woman of color. To be able to help women is one of the most important priorities of my public policy.
Q: Why did you get into politics, or in other words, where did your political calling come from?
A: Well, I think that working in politics for me has been mostly working to find justice and equality for people. Arriving in a country as an adult and finding out that in the country of the American Dream there was such a large disparity with regards to health and education — and the postal code where you were born and where you live determines basically the results you will have in your life — was something that took a while for me to understand and accept. So, instead of complaining, I decided to do something about it. In reality, for me the calling began in Mexico. I grew up with my maternal grandmother, and during her time she was a heroine who broke barriers as an elected woman. I could see how she dedicated herself to bringing change to her community. She inspired me. … My heart is in public policy. My calling was already a part of my genetics, and it’s an honor and a blessing to serve in this position.
Q: A study from WalletHub rated Utah in last place in the nation when it comes to women’s political empowerment and presence in executive positions in businesses. They found that women are the “disadvantaged” gender. Why do you think that women in Utah don’t have leadership positions?
A: After 15 years in the senate, being the first latina elected, the youngest elected and the first immigrant in the legislature, you realize the kind of universe we are wrapped up in. I recognize that there is a mountain of work left to fill that hole, but you have to begin with an important point: what are the
Continue the story on page 6
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dose atrás. Es difícil que una mujer pueda usar todo lo que tiene, todo lo que estudia, para poder salir adelante, esto es terrible pero una realidad fatal entre una familia. Hay que romper las barreras culturales.
Los estudios que hemos hecho significan que la mujer sí quiere trabajar, desea salir adelante, y de hecho a veces se gradúan con más altos rangos académicos que los hombres.
[WalletHub recientemente publicó otro estudio similar con calificación mejor para Utah]
P: Al nivel político, queremos saber qué medidas ha promovido o puesto en práctica defendiendo cuestiones de igualdad de género (como la eliminación
de la violencia de género, la licencia parental y el cuidado de los hijos, las pensiones, las leyes de igualdad de género y la reforma electoral).
R: Por varios años estuve tratando de hacer un estudio comprensivo en el área de género en cuánto a sueldos y salarios a nivel del gobierno, y fui rechazada 100%. Pero sigo haciendo propuestas en esa área; hemos realizado muchos estudios sobre tratamientos para la infidelidad, problemas de salud reproductiva, y acceso a medicamentos para mujeres encarceladas. … Estos son problemas relacionados al género, pero en realidad, ¿Todo se centra en quién está sentado en la mesa? … Por ejemplo, las propuestas de poder amamantar a tus hijos. Tener 14 hombres
tomando estas decisiones, es estúpido e irrespetuoso. … Quién está tomando las decisiones para la representación del género, la representación cultural de inclusividad, y económico? Si vienes con Zero entendimiento de esto, no hay representación. Lo bueno, es que generaciones como la de ustedes, nos van a abrir nuevas oportunidades. Esto me da esperanza.
P: ¿Qué mensaje le daría a la nueva generación de mujeres que se preparan para ser las futuras líderes de Estados Unidos, con respecto a su papel para acabar con las barreras de la igualdad de género?
R: El mensaje es muy claro. Sobre todo, para las mujeres de color y a las latinas, no pidan permiso para nada, sigan para delante. Hazlo unapologetically, sin pedir disculpas o permiso. … A veces somos nuestras peores enemigas. Todas estamos preparadas, cada experiencia es tuya. Nadie te lo regala, nadie te lo puede quitar porque tú te lo ganaste. No pidas perdón ni te disculpas porque si tú lo sientes en tu corazón, que este es tu llamado, hazlo. No te voy a garantizar que es fácil, no lo será. Tienes que trabajar el doble duro. Entre más abramos puertas para otras personas, más podremos llegar a un equilibrio.
limitations that a woman faces getting involved in everything she can? If women are graduating with academic honors, why aren’t they involved in the workforce?
Childcare is a grave problem in the state of Utah. It’s horrible. If you don’t have access to daycare and you are a mother, that is a problem. If you ask me, this is the main reason that women haven’t been able to penetrate very far at the executive level, in both business and politics. … Someone has to make sure that the kids are alright during the day, and you can’t work an executive position at night. With these decisions, statistically speaking, the women are the ones that end up staying at home. It’s difficult for a woman to be able to use all that she’s learned and studied to get ahead, which is terrible but an inevitable reality for a family. You have to break the cultural barriers.
We have done studies, however, that show
that women do want to work and get ahead in life, and in fact sometimes they graduate with higher academic status than the men. [WalletHub published a new yet similar study with more positive ratings for Utah.]
Q: At the political level, we want to know what measures have been taken to defend matters of gender equality, such as the elimination of violence between genders, parental leave and childcare, pensions, laws on gender equality and electoral reform?
A: We have carried out many studies about addressing infidelity, reproductive health issues and access to medicine for imprisoned women. … These are problems related to gender, but in reality, is it all centered on who is sitting at the table? ... For example, the proposals about being able to breastfeed you
kids. To have 14 men making that decision is stupid and disrespectful. … Who is making the decisions about gender representation, the cultural representation with regards to inclusivity, and economics? If you don’t know that, then there isn’t any representation. The good thing is that in generations like yours we are going to have new opportunities. That gives me hope.
Q: What message would you give to the new generation of women that are preparing to be the future leaders of the United States, with respect to their role in ending barriers of gender equality?
A: The message is very clear. Overall, for women of color and latinas, don’t ask for permission for anything, just keep moving forward. Do it unapologetically, without ask-
ing for forgiveness or permission. … Sometimes we are our worst enemies. We are all prepared, and every experience is your own. Nobody gave it to you, and nobody can take it away because you got it yourself. Don’t ask for forgiveness or permission because if you feel that in your heart, you are called, do it. I’m not going to guarantee that it’s easy, because it won’t be. You have to work twice as hard. The more we open the door for each other, the closer we will get to a balance.
By LEXIE ANDREW Section Editor
Weber State University’s cheer and dance teams are ready to take the floor at the National Cheer Association/National Dance Association Collegiate Nationals in Daytona, Florida. The teams held their Nationals Sendoff on April 6 at the Dee Event Center for one last performance on their home turf before they hit the road.
The dance team started the night with an emotional, sharp jazz piece where audience members could feel the emotion of the team.
The cheer team came out showcasing both teams, their Small Coed and Large Coed. Both teams hit a zero deduction routine.
Both teams had sharp technique and difficulty. The stunts were solid and not shaky with the flyers looking confident in the air. The tumbling passes were on time with tight
technique.
The dance team came back out for an energetic hip hop routine. The audience could tell the dancers were having fun and were playing with the crowd.
Cheer ended the night with their group stunts and partner stunts they’re competing at NCA. The only stunts that didn’t hit were the group stunt and the one partner stunt, but the rest were strong.
Weber State cheer is competing in two divisions, Advanced Small Coed Division I and Advanced Large Coed Division IA.
Weber State dance is competing in Hip Hop Division I and Jazz Division I. Their hip hop routine is also representing Team USA at the International Cheer Union Worlds at the end of April.
The Wildcats are coming off a huge win last year. Cheer’s Large Coed scored a 98.08
winning their division, grand champs and the highest score of the entire competition. It was their first time competing in the IA division, the country’s highest division. Small Coed came in second with a 95.7.
Weber State’s Dance came in third with both routines scoring a 95.1 in hip hop and a 93.65 in jazz.
Both teams hope to leave their best routines on the floor in Daytona.
“For Daytona we just need to go and hit
our routine all two days and go out there and win as a family,” Caylee Odle, WSU cheerleader said.
The sendoff concluded with the Alumni of both the dance and cheer teams coming down to the floor. With the current and past athletes, they chanted “I believe that we will win.” The sendoff is the only time either team will say this chant.
NCA and NDA is on April 11-13. Wildcat fans can watch performances on Varsity TV.
April 6.
Make the most of your potential with training, tools, and mentorship. Develop your skill set while pushing your abilities to the next level.
For more info about Weber State Army ROTC, contact Clyde Ratliff at (801) 626-8609, or email clyderatliff1@weber.edu.
Visit us at weber.edu/rotc.
By JACOBA JONES Asst. Section Editor
This season, on April 5 and 6, the Wildcats went 2–1 in a three-game series against Portland State University. Weber State University softball currently has a 17–17 overall record and holds first place in the Big Sky Conference with a record of 5–1.
Game 1:
Weber’s lead started early with them scoring in the bottom of the first. In the second inning the Vikings had two runs from two walks with bases loaded. The Wildcats were able to tie the game when the Vikings had a wild pitch and Makayla Donahoo made it home. The next two innings the score did not change, but inning five Taegan Smith found home plate from a single hit from Gianna Memoli, making the score 3–2. The Vikings were unable to get another point on the board the remainder of the game, and the Wildcats defeated the Vikings 4–2.
Game 2:
In the first inning Mia Rushton came up to bat and hit a home run which put Weber in the lead with a strong start. No points were put on the scoreboard in the next three innings. In inning five the Vikings came back with a double that brought two Run Batted In which gave them a 2–1 lead. The Wildcats were able to fight back in inning seven, where a single was hit, allowing Sienna Soilis to bring in one run. With two outs Rushton singled to bring home Victoria Rey and Taegan Smith. Shortly after, Kiara Smith hit a home run and brought Rushton home as well. The score was 6–2. Abby Grundy came up to bat and hit a double sending Eva Richardson home. The Wildcats were able to hold on to it from there, defeating the Vikings 7–2.
Game 3:
Weber scored two runs in the first two innings. Grundy singled to bring home Kiaria Smith. No one scored in the third inning, but the fourth was in favor of the Vikings. The Vikings had four runs, leaving the Wildcats behind.
There was no scoring again in the fifth, but the sixth followed with Grundy making it home from a ground out to third base. The Vikings followed with four more runs, making the score 8–3. The Wildcats were not able to make a comeback in the seventh, leaving the score in the Vikings’ favor.
The following week, Brooke Hatfield, a senior and infielder/pitcher, earned Big Sky Pitcher of the Week honors. She had an Earned Run Average of 0.00 through seven innings. Hatfield recorded one strikeout and held the Vikings to a .258 batting average. Hatfield’s first season playing as a Wildcat was in 2021. She played in 23 games and made nine starts, hitting .139 in 36 at bats. The season opener against Grand Canyon University in 2021, Hatfield made an appearance as pitcher, tossing 1.2 innings. She was a part of the Big Sky Conference Regular Season Championship team in 2021.
In 2022, she pitched in eight games for a total of 8.2 innings, and played in 13 games. Hatfield was a part of the Big Sky Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championship team in 2022. For the 2023 season she
pitched in 19 games for a total of 41.2 innings.
“The highlight of playing with Weber is just getting to experience such an amazing culture and meeting so many good friends, teammates and players along the way,” Mia Rushton, an outfielder, said. “I feel like the relationships have made it a really awesome experience.”
Rushton is a senior player, and her first season at Weber was in 2021. She played and started in all 44 games as center field that season. Rushton led the team and was fourth in the Big Sky Conference with a .388 batting average, had 19 multi-hit games and set a school record with a 24-game hitting streak from Feb. 26 to April 30, where she went 41–90 for a .456 batting average.
“It was just such an honor getting the achievements I did my freshman year, ” Rushton said. “I got here and just started working and my hard work paid off, I think. I was able to learn so much from my coaches and my teammates.”
Rushton led the Wildcats and was fourth
in the Big Sky Conference in runs with 39, and was second in the conference in triples with five, behind teammate Chloe Camarero. Rushton was also a part of the 2021 and 2022 Big Sky Conference Regular Season Championship team, and Big Sky Conference Tournament Championship team.
“We learned some important things this weekend,” Mary Amicone, head softball coach, said to Weber State Athletics. “It’s a challenge to win a conference series, but we did just that. When we play Wildcat softball we are always in the fight.”
Amicone, a former Weber softball player, announced her retirement following the 2024 season. This is her 11th season as head coach, and she led the Wildcats to six Big Sky regular season titles and four Big Sky Tournament championships. She has won nearly 800 games coaching at Weber State, Salt Lake Community College and Brigham Young University. The Wildcats have advanced to the NCAA Championships four times, and in 2019 Weber became the first school in the Big Sky to win a softball
game at the NCAA Regionals.
For the remainder of this season, the Wildcats have 12 games left before the Big Sky Tournament that will take place May 8-11 in Pocatello, Idaho.
This week, April 10 Weber State faced the University of Utah at home. This was the 23rd all-time meeting between the Wildcats and the Utes. Before this game, Utah sat 21–17, 4–11 on the season. The last game these two teams faced each other, Utah won 10–4. The Utes have a 8–2 series lead in Ogden above Weber State.
The Wildcats will head over to Greeley, Colorado, for a three-game series against the University of Northern Colorado on April 12 at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and April 13 at noon. This will be the 44th all-time meeting between the two teams. Northern Colorado is 19–19, and 4–2 on the season. The last time Weber and Northern Colorado came against each other Northern Colorado won 10–6.
The answer is B, 1864. According to AP News, Arizona state’s Supreme Court upheld a decision to repeal an 1864 law that would put a ban on all abortions, other than those which would save the mother’s life.
The answer is D, Karma. According to Genius, the dancer and former child reality star released the first song as part of her new, darker era, Karma.
The answer is A, Salt Lake City. According to Fox13, the entire front portion of the historic 5th Ward Meetinghouse in Salt Lake City was torn down on Easter Sunday by the owner, before proper permits were given.
The answer is A, Lunchables. According to NPR, Consumer Reports are urging the USDA to remove Lunchables from school lunches due to high levels of sodium and harmful chemicals.
