4th of July
SAYING GOODBYE TO CULTURAL CENTERS
By COOPER HATSIS Asst. Editor
On June 27-28, Weber State University’s cultural centers held their closing receptions from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The many centers on campus will close their doors on July 1 due to House Bill 261.
The closing receptions held by the different centers invited students, friends and members together to celebrate its accomplishments and time at Weber State. One important aspect of the receptions was the documentation of the cultural centers’ histories. Weber State’s Special Collections and University Archives attended the closing reception to gather historical documents and items brought to the event.
places they can go to feel supported.
The Women’s and LGBTQ+ Centers continued their reception by looking through scrapbooks of the centers’ past, tracing back to the 1980s and a slideshow that showed some of the events the cen- ters
“Yes, our titles can change ... How our staff continue to nurture, provide support and guidance going forward won’t.”
Lorrie Rands, SCUA manuscript processor, was one of the attendees of this recent reception. Rands is looking to conduct oral histories and find first-person accounts of experiences with the cultural centers on campus.
“The centers have made me realize how important they are to make people feel included, having a space to go … and I think we all need to feel that,” Rands said.
Anyone interested in sharing their story and experiences with the cultural centers at Weber State can sign up and arrange a time and place to share their story or donate documents or items to the Stewart Library’s archives. Rands said it is important for students to know that there are still
With the changes made by the recent house bill, the Women’s Center is rebranding to just being Safe@Weber. The Safe@ Weber program has always been a part of the Women’s Center, but will now be the center’s identity going forward. Safe@ Weber encapsulates Weber’s advocacy program and violence prevention programs. While many of the community events held by the Women’s Center might not be on the table anymore, events such as “Take Back the Night” will still happen through Safe@Weber.
“It is disheartening that women’s narratives are not being highlighted in the way that they have historically,” Pleyel said. “Everyone’s stories are important, but we need to have room for women, people of color and queer individuals.”
-Brandon Flores
have host- ed in the past few years. The event brought community members, students and previous staff of the Women’s Center to celebrate their accomplishments.
Jessica Pleyel, the Safe@Weber advocate, stated that despite some of the changes being made to the campus, staff members will still be there to support the students of Weber State.
While the closing receptions for the various cultural centers were a heavy moment for staff and students, Brandon Flores, the executive director of the Student Success Center, wants the campus and community to stay hopeful.
“Yes, our titles can change, the direction of some of our programming, the naming of our centers can change, but what will not change is how our staff show up for students,” Flores said. “How our staff continue to nurture, provide support and guidance going forward won’t change.”
Pride flags at LGBT center.
DESPIDIÉNDOSE DE LOS CENTROS CULTURALES
POR NELLY HERNANDEZ TEJADA Traductor
Editor Asistente
El 27-28 de junio, los centros culturales en la universidad de Weber State tuvieron su recepción de clausura desde las 10 de la mañana hasta las 2 de la tarde. Los centros en campus cerrarán sus puertas el primero de julio debido a la propuesta de Ley 261 (House Bill 261).
Las recepciones de clausura celebradas por los centros invitaron a los estudiantes, amigos y miembros a celebrar juntos sus éxitos y el tiempo que habían pasado en Weber State. Un aspecto importante de las recepciones era la documentación de las historias de los centros culturales. Las Colecciones Especiales y los Archivos de la Universidad
(Special Collections and University Archives, SCUA) asistieron a las recepciones de clausura para reunir los documentos históricos y las cosas que se presentaron en el evento.
Lorrie Rands, procesadora de los archivos de SCUA, asistió a la recepción. Rands busca historias orales y testimonios de primera mano sobre sus experiencias con los centros culturales en campus.
“Los centros me han hecho dar cuenta de la importancia que tienen para que las personas se puedan sentir incluidos, tener un lugar de pertenencia... y creo que todos necesitamos sentirse así”, dijo Rands.
Cualquier persona interesada en compartir su historia y sus experiencias con los centros culturales de Weber State pueden registrarse y reservar un tiempo y un lugar para compartir su historia o donar documentos u objetos a los archivos en Stewart Library. Rands expresó que es importante que los estudiantes sepan
que todavía hay lugares adonde puedan ir para sentirse apoyados.
Los Centros de Mujeres y LGBTQ continuaron su recepción revisando libros de recuerdos del pasado de los centros, desde los años 1980, y una presentación que mostraba algunos de los eventos que los centros han organizado en los últimos años. El evento reunió a los miembros de la comunidad, estudiantes y empleados anteriores del Centro de Mujeres para celebrar sus éxitos.
Jessica Pleyel, defensor de Safe@Weber, dijo que aunque hay cambios en campus, los miembros de servicio todavía van a estar allí para apoyar a los estudiantes de Weber State.
Con cambios hechos con la reciente propuesta de ley, el Centro de Mujeres ha cambiado de nombre y ahora será Safe@Weber. El programa Safe@Weber siempre ha sido parte del Centro de Mujeres, pero ahora será la identidad del centro en el futuro. Safe@
Weber condensa el programa de defensa en Weber y los programas de prevención de violencia. Aunque muchos de los eventos comunitarios organizados por el Centro de Mujeres ya no estarán presentes, actos como “Take Back the Night” seguirán organizándose bajo Safe@Weber.
“Es decepcionante que los narrativos de las mujeres no sean valorados como se ha hecho históricamente. Todas las historias son importantes, pero tenemos que tener un espacio para las mujeres, las personas de color y las personas queer”, dijo Pleyel.
Mientras las recepciones de clausura de los varios centros culturales han causado un gran efecto en los empleados y los estudiantes, Brandon Flores, director ejecutivo del Centro de Éxito de los Estudiantes, quiere que la comunidad y el campus no pierdan la esperanza.
POR COOPER HATSIS
Awards won by Weber State’s Women’s Center.
SUNDANCE INSTITUTE BRINGS FREE SUMMER SCREENINGS TO UTAH
By MEGAN SWANN Editor
A new free film screening series from Sundance Institute will give Utahns a second chance to see some of the films featured in the 2024 Sundance Festival.
The series, Local Lens, will showcase 10 films in various Park City and Salt Lake City locations between July 17-21.
“For us, it is an opportunity to give back to the local audience and to connect with the community through our love of independent film,” Basil Tsiokos, senior programmer for Sundance, said.
Tsiokos said this festival is an opportunity for local film lovers to come see some of the films they might’ve missed in the festival back in January or to see a film they really loved again before it hits movie theaters or streaming services.
Tsiokos said another goal of Local Lens is to show the community that Sundance Institute is a year-round organization, rather than just the festival.
The series will offer both indoor and outdoor screenings. In Park City, the Ray Theater and City Park will host these screenings. The Salt Lake City screenings are being shown at Red Butte Garden, Broadway Centre Cinemas and the Gallivan Center. There will also be screenings at the Megaplex at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City.
Nine of the films to be shown were pulled from the 2024 Sundance Festival, and the final screening will be the Acad-
emy Award-winning 2013 documentary “20 Feet from Stardom,” which follows the lives of several backup singers.
This is in celebration of the 40th year of the festival. Tsiokos said they polled audience members and asked them to choose one film from each decade of the festival they could vote on. “20 Feet from Stardom” won that vote and will be shown at the Gallivan Center to wrap up the series.
In addition to the screenings, at least four of the films will have a representative present for a Q&A. Tsiokos said these representatives have not been announced yet, but could be filmmakers, producers or actors involved in the creation of the film.
A filmmaking workshop dedicated to honing project pitches will be included in the series, taking place on July 20 at the Megaplex at Valley Fair.
Tsiokos described this event as having three parts. First, filmmakers will be able to pitch a project idea to a panel of experts. If they are selected, they will be given three minutes to talk about their idea and get advice from those experts on not only the idea, but also the pitch itself. There will also be an “Ask Me Anything” portion with Tsiokos and Eugene Hernandez, the festival director, during which the filmmakers can ask questions surrounding the festival’s submission process, programming and more.
“So if there are filmmakers that are at Weber, then it’s a perfect opportunity to
come to that event and meet other filmmakers as well, which is also really important,” Tsiokos said.
The film lineup, as well as the reservations for free tickets can be found on their website. While it’s fairly easy to show up and have a spot, Tsiokos recommends reserving the tickets in advance.
“We really encourage folks to come out and we really love to have students out to screenings as well, just because we love to build the next generation of film lovers to go to Sundance as well,” Tsiokos said.
STUDY LOUNGE
A crowd gathers to watch a previous outdoor Local Lens screening in Park City
Sundance Institute
CELEBRATING THE FOURTH WITH A BANG
As the Fourth of July approaches and the excitement builds, many wonder what are the best places to experience the holiday to its fullest. Whether you prefer small gatherings or big, jubilant events, there’s something for everyone. Here is an overview of the most significant celebrations taking place locally.
By WIKTORIA KOLODZIEJCZYK Reporter
The annual Cherry Days offers a versatile range of activities and smaller, family-oriented events that cater to all ages. Highlights include pickleball tournaments, a family luau, a carnival, a ping pong drop ball game and even a movie in the park.
On July 4, the celebration will begin with
a 5K run in the morning from 7-10 a.m. The main attraction, the parade on Washington Boulevard, will kick off its route at 2600 N.
The kids’ parade starts at 9:30 a.m. and is followed by the main parade at 10 a.m. Registration is required for participation.
Huntsville City has also prepared a busy agenda of celebrations. Their events include a breakfast in the park, a 5K and 1 mile run, a morning car show, a free flag-raising ceremony, games, live music, food vendors in the park, evening dancing and a fireworks show. The parade will start at 10 a.m. at 200 S. and will honor the heroes of 1776 as it moves through the streets of Huntsville.
There are many activities to choose from during the week of July 4, including a movie in the park and swim night. Many of these events are free. On July 4, the celebration will kick off with a cannon blast at 6 a.m.,
followed by the Stars and Stripes 5K race and a festive parade at 9:30 a.m. The day will be filled with street entertainment, booths, free inflatables and a car show and will culminate in a fireworks show at 10 p.m.
Multiple colorful fireworks exploding in the air.
ENJOYING THE UTAH ARTS FESTIVAL
The Utah Arts Festival took over Liberty Square Park in Salt Lake City for its 48th annual threeday event on June 28-30.
The festival provided a weekend full of various Utah artists, vendors, art performances and community engagement opportunities for visitors to explore their own personal artistic potential.
With rows of vendors set up in the park, stilt-walkers roaming about, music filling the festival venue and colorful pieces of art scattered throughout, there was plenty for any Utah art lover to enjoy.
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If you missed out on the festivities of this year’s Utah Art Festival, July 5 will be Ogden’s own monthly Art Stroll and will feature many Ogden local artists for you to enjoy.
So worry not as there is no shortage of artwork to enjoy whether you wish to take a weekend trip to Salt Lake City for the Utah Arts Festival or stay local for our own little piece of the art community here in Ogden.
Top left: Clay vases and bowls line a table at an artist’s booth.
left: Stacks of art prints for guests to view and purchase at an artist’s booth.
left: Woven patterned blankets hang up on racks at a booth at the Utah Arts Festival.
right: Sculpted faces created by Studio Bridges sit on display inside of their artist booth.
right: Colorfully painted portraits hang up on display at an artist booth.
right: People look browse through the various necklaces on display from an artist.
Photos and story by ANNA KUGLAR Editor
Top right: People browse the various artist booths and speak with the artists behind them.
Top left: Metal sculptures lining the sidewalks inside of the Utah Arts Festival.
Bottom left: Crystal and beaded necklaces and earrings on display for people to view and purchase at an artist’s booth.
Bottom right: People posing to get caricature portraits done from artists at a booth.
STANLEY CUP FINAL: FLORIDA PANTHERS VS. EDMONTON OILERS
By BRAYSON BROWN Reporter
The Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in seven games to be crowned Stanley Cup champions for the first time in franchise history.
The Panthers arrived at the finals ready to play, winning their first two games of the series by an average of three goals. Game 3 was a different story with both teams in a shootout, but Florida ended up pulling out a 4–3 victory.
The Oilers had dug themselves a grave that not many have risen from. In Stanley Cup Playoffs history, there have been 211 teams that have faced a 3–0 deficit; only four of those teams have come back to win the series. That is a whopping 2%, so for Edmonton to survive this disappointment of a season, they would have to kick it into a different gear.
The Oilers came out Game 4 and refused to get swept in the finals. Edmonton came
out with some firepower and demolished the Panthers 8–1. Oilers star Connor McDavid scored one goal and added three assists for the game.
Staying on the same path from Game 4, the Oilers struck first and built on their advantage by obtaining a 3–0 lead during the second period. The Panthers finally decided to join the scoring table and put in two goals before the second period could end and then pulled another one back, making the score 4–3 in the third period. But McDavid was certain to not let his team crumble and scored the game sealing goal with just 19 seconds left in the game.
Game 6 was a different story with the Oilers putting their foot down and winning 5–1 to tie the series up at 3–3.
Now the pressure was all on the Panthers. Even after their 3–0 lead, their coasting may have cost them the series. Momentum was now on Edmonton’s side going into Game 7;
Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) reacts while lifting the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24 in Sunrise, Florida.
Florida would have to dig deep and find that passion they had during the first three games. Game 7 — the game to define the winner of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. Taking place in Florida, the Panthers used that home cooking to their advantage and took a 1–0 lead. Edmonton then answered back with a goal just two minutes later. Both teams displayed immense effort, but Florida wanted it more. Sam Reinhart scored the final’s winning goal in the second period and then showed impressive defense the rest of the game.
Although Edmonton couldn’t finish the job, the Oilers star player Connor McDavid won the Conn Smythe award, which is awarded to the most valuable player in the playoffs. The award has only been given to a losing team just six times in the history of the sport.
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Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov lifts the Stanley Cup alongside teammates as fans cheers during the Florida Panthers victory parade before the Stanley Cup victory parade at Fort Lauderdale Beach on June 30.
