CAITLYN NICHOLS | The Signpost
Friday | December 3, 2021 | Volume 94 | Issue 85
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DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS?
By JOSHUA KAMP Section Editor
1. The World Health Organization warned on Nov. 29 that global risks of a newly discovered coronavirus variant were very high, following several countries including Japan and Israel banning foreign visitors. What is the name of the new variant? a. Epsilon b. Omicron c. Omega d. Optimus 2. What former British colony cut ties with Queen Elizabeth II and officially became a republic on Nov. 30?
a. Bermuda
b. GRAMPA
b. Falkland Islands
c. UNCLE
c. Cayman Islands
d. AUNTIE
d. Barbados 3. Former Weber County commissioner Kerry Gibson lost a court battle to block the release of information related to past investigations into whether he misused government resources for his own benefit, which did not result in him being charged with a crime. What is the legislation that was used to obtain those records, which allows any citizens to request information about Utah government records? a. GRAMA
4. Iran and several world powers resumed talks in Vienna on Nov. 29 to restore a nuclear deal first discussed in 2015. What major world power is not directly involved? a. The U.K.
5. Heavy snowfall in northern England left 50 people stranded for three nights, sleeping on makeshift beds, couches and the floor in what building? a. A grocery store b. A movie theater c. A pub d. A church
b. Germany c. Russia d. The U.S. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
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By JOSHUA KAMP Section Editor
Suspicious strangers WSUPD received a report of a suspicious person on Nov. 30 around 8:45 p.m. Over the phone, a complainant explained that she left Lindquist Hall around 8 p.m. that night when she was approached by a large man with facial hair, wearing an orange jacket, green safety vest and a gray beanie. The man asked if she knew when the next bus was coming and then asked where she was from. She said the man made her uncomfortable, and she did not respond. She left the area and then saw a female classmate was talking to the man at the bus stop on EdPhoto by Matt Popovich on Unsplash
valson Street. The complainant was concerned and wanted to report the man as displaying odd behavior. An officer searched the area and did not find a man matching that description. The officer spoke with a UTA bus driver for route 455, who said that they did pick up a man matching the description who got off the bus with a second man but did not have a female with him. No further action was taken. Perilous parking An accident occurred on Nov. 29 in the Dee Events Center parking lot. A parked vehicle was struck on the rear driver side as another vehicle attempted to park. A third-party witness notified the owner of the damaged vehicle. The driver who hit
the parked car later returned to the scene and both drivers were able to exchange insurance information. A midnight movie A patrolling officer observed a suspicious vehicle parked on the east side of the W4 lot on Nov. 23 around 12:15 a.m. The officer approached and found two individuals inside. The officer asked the driver why they were in a dark car in the parking lot. The driver stated that the two of them were watching a movie on a smartphone. The officer checked the driver’s license and it came back valid. The two individuals denied alcohol or drug use when asked by the officer. The officer took no further action.
Late night fight club Various people were told there was a fight occurring outside of the Browning Center on Nov. 20 around 11 a.m. Four boys were playing a “punching game” in which the participants stand in a circle and take turns punching each other to try to force the other players to step out of the circle. An officer spoke to the group about the risks of this behavior on campus. The group was released after a records check of each person was completed.
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The Weber State University volleyball team watches as the ball is in the air, scoring another point for their team.
By EMILY MILLER
Section Editor
The National Invitational Volleyball Championship’s bracket was released on Nov. 28, and it means volleyball is coming back to the Swenson Gym. The NIVC includes a 32-team lineup and is in its fourth year. The ‘Cats previously fell to Tulsa in 2019 during the quarterfinals. The Wildcats were selected as an automatic qualifier for the 2021 tournament. In their last match, the ‘Cats fell in a fiveset thriller to Big Sky rival, the University of Northern Colorado, on Nov. 20 in the Big Sky Championship match. The Bears crushed the Wildcats’ 27-home-match winning streak, and
it looked to be the end of the season. The ‘Cats finished their season 20–9 overall and 13–3 in conference. Weber State recently fell to Portland State, Sacramento State and Northern Colorado. Portland State is the only other Big Sky school participating in the NIVC tournament. Weber State was selected to host the first and second rounds of the tournament, and this will be the first time in program history for the Wildcats to host a postseason tournament outside of their conference. Swenson gym will host its first NIVC match of the day when the University of the Pacific and Portland State go head-to-head at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3.
Later that night, the ‘Cats will take on the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners at 7 p.m. CSUB belongs to the Big West Conference and finished their season 18–10 overall and 11–19 in conference. The two programs have only met once before when the Roadrunners traveled to Ogden and fell to the ‘Cats in a four-set match on Oct. 2, 2008. The winning squad from each match will play against one another on Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. and the third-round matches will be held Dec. 6-8. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
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A wild stallion splashes in the water as he bathes alone in the watering hole.
Wild horses run together in the Utah desert.
By NIKKI DORBER Photographer
The Onaqui herd, located in Utah, is the nation’s most observed herd of horses, and there is a heated controversy surrounding the removal of wild horses and burros from
lands managed by Bureau of Land Management. The removal is conducted using helicopters and fear. The horses are contained in one area, herded into a line and usually sent at full speed to a holding area waiting for transport. They are then taken to holding pins.
Many times, the roundups result in injuries or death of one or more of the horses. Finally, once placed in the holding pins, they are examined by a BLM veterinarian. In a huge win for horse advocates, this years’ round-up included PZP, an anti-fertility medication, which has been introduced
by American Wild Horse Campaign’s executive director, Suzanne Roy. This prevents the mares from getting pregnant for one full year. They then rotate the mares the next year. This controls the size of the herd, cutting births down by half. This year, almost 200 horses were removed from the herd. I have
A mother and a her new foal share a drink at the watering hole in Utah’s desert area.
come to realize that I am no longer a spectator or a simple fan of the wild horse, but an advocate, a believer in the changes needed. I am now acting as a protector of their lives, freedom, wild spirit and place in history as an icon of our culture. Many lone horses stood in meadows. I
A wild mare eats grass on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
wondered if they were victims of the roundup and the torment of a helicopter. Familiar with the horses, I noticed mares who no longer had their foals. Horses are family oriented, and to remove their foals and families must be a terrible stress. It makes me want to advocate for them even more.
NIKKI DORBER | The Signpost
NIKKI DORBER | The Signpost
NIKKI DORBER | The Signpost
NIKKI DORBER | The Signpost
6 | MyWeberMedia.com| December 03, 2021
A wild mare eats grass on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
A large number of livestock could be observed on the same land that the horses were removed from. This is the true issue, it is the controversy, ranchers and wild horse advocates cannot agree on the number of one herd versus the other. How many horses are too many? How many heads of cattle are
too many? I am hopeful that this issue will be dealt with fairly and appropriately. Time will tell. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
CAITLYN NICHOLS | The Signpost
8 | MyWeberMedia.com| December 03, 2021
There were 69 trees and almost 10 wreaths donated to the Christmas Tree Jubilee. By CAITLYN NICHOLS Section Editor
During the week of Thanksgiving, the Ogden Eccles Conference Center is filled with Christmas trees and festive decorations for the Weber School Foundation’s annual Christmas Tree Jubilee. The Weber School Foundation is an independent, educational non-profit that holds a few events throughout the year to fundraise for special education opportunities and needs in the district, the biggest of which being the Christmas Tree Jubilee. “We serve 33,000 students in Weber School District, and our mission is to raise and provide funds to add enhanced educational opportunities to their school experience,” Emily Oyler, executive director of the Weber School Foundation, said. The week-long Christmas tree extravaganza starts on Monday with volunteers setting up and decorating the donated trees and other items. On Tuesday, the organization holds a gala where their invited donors can come and purchase the donated trees and wreaths. On Wednesday and Friday, skipping Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday, the trees are open on display for the public.
During those public days, any unsold trees can be bought by members of the public. The Weber School Foundation also had raffle tickets available for purchase for visitors to put towards gift baskets and other designated items. Michelle Darrington, communications and development director for the Weber School Foundation, said the funds from the trees and wreaths that are sold go towards purchasing adaptive equipment like wheelchairs and iPads for students with special needs. Other funds and auction sales from the Christmas Tree Jubilee go towards the Weber School Foundation programs as a whole, providing school grants and funding things like Hope Squads and field trips. “The impact is significant — we’re able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in this one week to support students in Weber School District, and the funds go to things that are not normally provided through district funding but are necessary just the same, so we’re able to help fill in that gap,” Oyler said. Oyler also said that, this year, the organization has a focus on funding wellness spaces in each school, providing a place for kids to decompress and get into a better head-space on a rough day. “The more that we can support our young
people and the efforts that the teachers are making to help them to be successful, the better it is long term for our community,” Jenna Andrascik, volunteer and Weber School Foundation board member, said. “Those are the future of our community, and we need to do everything we can to support the teachers that are helping them and the kids and their motivations and their successes.” Oyler said there were 69 trees and almost 10 wreaths in total this year. Each tree and wreath sported a different theme, ranging from religious, to country Christmas, to Disney. Some were dedicated to special needs kids or those who have passed on. After viewing trees, visitors could head through the adjoined hallway to enjoy some free, festive performances in Peery’s Egyptian Theater. Oyler and Darrington said the event wouldn’t be possible without the “labor of love” provided by the many volunteers and community members who donate time and money to the cause. Andrascik said the holiday kick-off event has always been a great place for everyone to come together and share their talents in a spirit of giving. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
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MyWeberMedia.com| December 03, 2021 | 9
The Weber School Foundation earns money to provide school grants and fund things like Hope Squads and field trips. By ANDRES RODRIGUEZ Translator
By CAITLYN NICHOLS Section Editor
Durante la semana de Acción de Gracias, el Ogden Eccles Conference Center se llena de árboles de Navidad y decoraciones festivas para el evento anual de Weber School Foundation titulado como el Christmas Tree Jubilee. La Weber School Foundation o Fundación de la Escuela Weber es una organización educativa sin fines de lucro independiente que realiza algunos eventos durante el año para recaudar fondos para oportunidades y necesidades de educación especial en el distrito, el más grande de los cuales es el Christmas Tree Jubilee. “Servimos a 33,000 estudiantes en el Weber School District y nuestra misión es recaudar y proporcionar fondos para agregar oportunidades educativas mejoradas a su experiencia escolar”, dijo Emily Oyler, directora ejecutiva de Weber School Foundtion. La extravagancia de árboles de Navidad de una semana comienza el lunes con los voluntarios preparando y decorando los árboles donados y otros artículos. El martes la organización lleva a cabo una gala donde sus donantes invitados pueden venir y comprar los árboles y coronas donados. Los miércoles y viernes, omitiendo el jueves por el feriado de
Acción de Gracias, los árboles están abiertos para el público. Durante esos días públicos, los miembros del público pueden comprar los árboles que no se hayan vendido. La Weber School Foundation también tenía boletos de rifa disponibles para que los visitantes los pusieran en canastas de regalo y otros artículos designados. Michelle Darrington, directora de comunicaciones y desarrollo de Weber School Foundation, dijo que los fondos de los árboles y las coronas que se venden se destinan a la compra de equipos de adaptación como sillas de ruedas y iPads para estudiantes con necesidades especiales. Otros fondos y ventas de subastas del Christmas Tree Jubilee se destinan a los programas de Weber School Foundation en su conjunto, proporcionando becas escolares y financiando programas como Hope Squads y excursiones. “El impacto es significativo: podemos recaudar cientos de miles de dólares en esta semana para apoyar a los estudiantes en el Weber School District y los fondos se destinan a cosas que normalmente no se proporcionan a través de los fondos del distrito, pero que son necesarias de todos modos, así que podemos ayudar a llenar ese vacío”, dijo Oyler. Oyler también dijo que este año la organización se enfoca en financiar espacios de bienestar en cada escuela, proporcionando un lugar para que los niños se relajen y entren en un mejor espacio mental en un día difícil.
“Cuanto más podamos apoyar a nuestros jóvenes y los esfuerzos que los maestros están haciendo para ayudarlos a tener éxito, mejor será a largo plazo para nuestra comunidad”, dijo Jenna Andrascik, voluntaria y miembro de la junta de Weber School Foundation. “Esos son el futuro de nuestra comunidad y debemos hacer todo lo posible para apoyar a los maestros que los están ayudando a ellos y a los niños, sus motivaciones y sus éxitos”. Oyler dijo que había 69 árboles y casi 10 coronas en total este año. Cada árbol y corona lucía un tema diferente, que iba desde lo religioso hasta la Navidad campestre, y Disney. Algunos estaban dedicados a niños con
necesidades especiales o aquellos que han fallecido. Después de ver los árboles, los visitantes podían dirigirse por el pasillo contiguo para disfrutar de algunas actuaciones festivas gratuitas en el Teatro Peery’s Egyptian. Oyler y Darrington dijeron que el evento no sería posible sin el “trabajo de amor” proporcionado por los muchos voluntarios y miembros de la comunidad que donan tiempo y dinero a la causa. Andrascik dijo que el evento de inauguración navideña siempre ha sido un gran lugar para que todos se reúnan y compartan sus talentos con un espíritu de generosidad Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
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Testing center located in the Student Services Building at Weber State University’s main campus. By MARISA NELSON
Managing Editor
College finals bring late nights, study sessions, stress and so much more for students pushing to the end of the semester. With a long fall semester coming to an end, there are ways that students have found to help calm their nerves and advice from experienced professors that can help each student succeed. Students who are wanting to take advantage of campus services like the library and testing centers should be aware that during finals week, Dec. 13 through the 16, the Stewart Library will be open from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. The library will then be closing early on Dec. 17 for graduation and will be open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All testing centers will be observing regular hours. Student Services and Morgan will be open until Saturday Dec. 18, Davis testing center will be open until Monday Dec. 20, the Library and Lindquist Hall will be open until Thursday Dec. 18 and the West testing center will be open until Thursday Dec. 19. Assistant Professor of Health Sciences Justin Burr said the added the stress of the pandemic could affect finals. “For many, the daily news and tasks regarding the virus occupy some needed brain space and energy,” Burr said. For students who get easily overwhelmed, Burr said that making a game plan of how you want to study and how to approach each exam can limit some anxiety as well as get-
ting adequate sleep. Tamara Robinette, outreach coordinator for the Counseling and Psychological Services Center said even amongst the studying, it is important to take a break. “When you are exhausted, what you are studying probably won’t stay in your memory like you are hoping it will. If you can take a break and give your brain a rest, even for just 20 minutes, you will be better able to read, learn and retain,” Robinette said. Robinette also said that on the CPSC website has mental health modules for students to use as well as 27 options for meditation that can be used at the end of a stressful day. WSU student Paul Wright is a Dance Performance major and said that getting an early start on final projects is a good place to start. “I typically like to bust them out one at a time starting with the one due the soonest,” he said. Some students took to the WSU campus page on Facebook to share ways that they prep for finals. Options such as marking tough spots in notes throughout the semester, watching explanation videos on YouTube and using Quizlet to help study were all mentioned. Wright added that some classes he feels could do without a cumulative final because it does not truly show the students’ knowledge on that subject. Wright said review days during class for final exams can be a great time to ask questions and prep for what could be on the test. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
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QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 2
neged on the accord in 2018. Iran has said that the United States must accept responsibility for the Trump administration’s breaking of the accord, lift all sanctions that were imposed since 2018 immediately and guarantee that it will not go back on its commitments again.
2. The correct answer is D, Barbados. According to NBC News, Barbados gained independence 55 years ago, but kept the British monarch in a ceremonial role. Sandra Mason, a Barbadian who has served as the island’s governor general, or queen’s representative, will be sworn in as the country’s first president and first true Barbadian head of state.
5. The correct answer is C, A pub. According to NBC News, the guests were stranded at The Tan Hill Inn, a 17th-century pub in Yorkshire, England, with an Oasis tribute band called Noasis for three days. The snowstorm also left tens of thousands of homes without electricity and killed at least two people.
3. The correct answer is A, GRAMA. The acronym stands for Government Records Access and Management Act. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Gibson, fearing that he and his family would be embarrassed by the investigation, waged a battle to keep its contents secret until a unanimous Utah Supreme Court Ruling in August determined that Gibson lacked standing under GRAMA to block the records based on a personal right to privacy. 4. The correct answer is D, The U.S. According to Aljazeera, messages were relayed to U.S. representatives as Iran has refused to hold direct talks since the U.S. re-
A new coronavirus variant was identified this week. pixabay.com
1. The correct answer is B, Omicron. According to the New York Times, President Joe Biden calls Omicron a “cause for concern, not a cause for panic,” and that his administration was working with vaccine manufacturers to modify vaccines or booster shots should that prove necessary.
Sandra Mason will be sworn in as Barbados’ first president and first true Barbadian head of state.
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