OC TO B E R 2 017
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Baylee Terrones talks about her experience as Miss SUU page 18:
Homecoming: a look back at the university’s history page 24:
Outdoorsy students share their adventures
it was too dark
in the closet
page 14:
LGBTQ students celebrate coming out
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l i a r T ” C “ e h t e k i H OCTOBER 2017
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by Billy Clouse Last year, communication major Baylee Terrones was crowned as Miss SUU. The Cedar City native sat down with Thunderground to talk about her experience as Miss SUU as well as her career goals.
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Why do you smile so much?
What does Miss SUU do?
“It’s Miss SUU’s job to always encourage students to go out to all the activities or even go study. It’s her job to keep them involved and always make them feel special — at least that’s what it means to me — and to make them feel like part of the community and part of T-Bird Nation.”
How do you do this?
“I love people, and I’m a hugger. I wear my crown every Friday and that gets people to look at you, and you can go grab them and say ‘you should come to this.’ It’s really easy for me to be outgoing, so everytime I see someone, I say ‘(the event is) going to be so much fun.’ If you’re excited about something, others will be excited about it. I’m usually pretty hyper, so it works out well for me.”
What are your career goals?
“My main goal is to have my own photography business. I want to be able to live off that and do weddings, engagements, portraits, babies, families — I just love people. I currently have a marketing job here on campus, so I get to do my communication marketing with photography, and I think that would actually be really cool. I don’t know, I’m kind of changing my mind a little bit, but I definitely want to do something with photos.”
“I can 110% say it’s because of the students and faculty here. Everyone is so ridiculously nice; I cried one time because people are so nice. That to me makes our school so dang special. People are so sweet and supportive, even people who don’t know me. If they see me actually not smiling, or having a bad day, they won’t even ask questions, they’ll just give me a hug. I have a great personal family and they told me that even if things don’t go your way, it’s just not in your plan and something better’s going to come, and I grew up with that outlook on life.”
Are there things in your life that make it hard to smile?
“I had something personal going on for me that I don’t love to talk about, but to say the least, it made it hard for me to walk around campus. It wasn’t until I asked for help that I felt safe. Everyone here is so loving — faculty and staff have taken care of me, and now I’m fine. I have stuff in my life that does make it hard for me to smile sometimes. Some days, I just don’t want to go to school because it is really hard, but I think it’s important for people to know they’re not alone. My advice for people is to tell someone. We have great resources here, especially CAPS, they’re always there to help and they’re free for students. Everyone has something, even me, so just know it’s going to be okay.”
How does it feel to no longer be Miss SUU?
“I’m not going to lie, I’m going to be sad for awhile because it’s been such a great thing. I honestly feel like I’m going to be fine because I know I did my time and it was what it was. Now it’s my time to do something else, so I’m excited to see what that next thing is. I’m still going to be me and I’m still going to be ridiculous and loud, so nothing’s really going to change, I just won’t wear my crown anymore.”
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MINORITY
IN UTAH
by Billy Clouse
COLIN ROSANDER 6 | OCTOBER 2017
Almost 175 years ago, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints settled the Beehive State. Today, they remain the religious majority. Although most people in the state are LDS, there is a large number that are not. One of those people is Colin Rosander, a sophomore biology major from Phoenix. As a child, Rosander was baptised Catholic, and his family went to a Lutheran church because it was the closest to their house. He didn’t actively choose to go. “From a 6- or 7-year-old standpoint, you did it because your parents went,” he said. “All I knew is that it was Sunday morning and I didn’t want to get up. It was just the classic circumstance.” Rosander said he believes one of the reasons his parents are religious is because it is a way they cope with the death of his twin sister. She was born with anencephaly, which the CDC defines as “a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull.” She only lived a few hours before she passed. Religion was never something Rosander thought much about until his junior year of high school. After investigating the issue, he began to identify as an agnostic atheist. Agnostics neither believe or disbelieve in the existence of a god. Rosander said that position is more of a catch-all, and he leans more towards the atheist belief. “I think when you’re young, there’s a lot of things
JOSEPH KELLER
you don’t really think about,” he said. “As you get older, you start to question it and you look at the world and you get skeptical. I never really had one moment where I decided I don’t believe in God. It was a natural progression.” Unlike Rosander, Joseph Keller, a sophomore mathematics major from Price, didn’t go to church as a child. Although both of his parents were religious, his father didn’t want to force the children to attend. He was still exposed to religion, however. “It’s very hard to live (in Utah) and not have had someone try to convert you or have someone drag you to church,” Keller said. “That forces you to think more about religion and actively decide, ‘hey, I don’t believe this, I don’t think this is real.’” Keller said that religion is different in Utah than his birthplace of California. “Utah is one of the only places where a conversation-starter is ‘what ward are you in?’” he said. “Growing up in California, people didn’t really care about what your religion was or even what sect of Christianity you were.” According to Rosander, negative stereotypes surround atheists, the main one being poor morality. “It’s just like any stereotype — you have this picture in your head and then when you meet someone who’s atheist, it changes,” he said. “They’re not bad people, they just have differing viewpoints.” Rosander said theists and atheists need to have conversations about their beliefs in order to shrink the rift between the two sides, but this is difficult because few people are willing to actually listen to what the other person has to say. “No matter which side you’re on, you feel like you’re above them in some way, shape or form,” Rosander said. “If you’re religious and you look at someone who isn’t, you’re like ‘you’re missing the point, I’m trying to help you.’ To us, it’s like ‘you’re delusional.’” He said that Pastafarianism, a religious parody with the Flying Spaghetti Monster in the role of God, is an example of how satire can inhibit dialogue. “Atheists intentionally get under the skin of religious people, and it’s doing exactly what we don’t want,” Rosander said. “We want to be able to sit down and have a conversation. To throw that in there, it causes problems.”
Since he moved to Cedar City, Rosander has been given the Book of Mormon to read, which he said was vastly different than his experience in Arizona. “Religious people weren’t as open or proud about it,” he said. “They weren’t actively trying to get me to do something, whereas the LDS religion is getting itself out there.” Rosander said that as a rule, he doesn’t talk about his religious beliefs unless he’s asked about them. “(Utahns) are really nice, but it is different when they find out you’re not LDS,” he said. “The conversation changes a little bit.” One of the questions Rosander gets asked frequently is where his morality comes from. Although he doesn’t know, he was raised to know right from wrong, and because his parents were religious, there’s a chance that it has some weak biblical roots. “I don’t pretend to know everything,” he said. “I’m not going to waste my time trying to find out (if there is a god). I’m just going to be a good person and try to do the things you need to do to be a good person. I’ll die and we’ll figure it out then.” Although his disbelief in religion never changes, Rosander said his opinion of the construct does; sometimes he sees it as a negative force and sometimes he sees it as a positive one. “(Religion) can be incredibly divisive,” he said. “If you look at the United States, there’s a stereotype if you’re Islamic. I’m not even religious and there’s a stereotype that goes through my head. I don’t know why that is, but it’s there. However, religion can bring people together. You can see it in this community — it’s amazing. I’ve really been impressed with just how committed people are.” Keller said that his beliefs have stayed mostly the same despite the religious environment. “It comes up more often in conversation because of how important religion is to people in Utah,” he said, “but it doesn’t change my beliefs and I don’t feel like it changes too much about how people view me as a person.” Rosander said he has enjoyed the experience of being an atheist in Utah. “For the most part, people listen on both sides and we ask good questions and have relatively good answers for everything,” he said. “People are really nice, and it’s been really fun.”
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SUU College of Performing & Visual Arts
Kristen Coleman Tempera Batik (left) and embroidery (right)
The first piece is a tempera batik I made my senior year of high school in an art history class. This is one of the coolest mediums I’ve ever worked with, and involves covering a painting done in tempera paint with ink and then washing it off with water, leaving only the spots that didn’t have paint black. It’s also interesting looking back on this piece because the class I made it for is one of the things that influenced me to major in art history in college. The second piece are two pins that I embroidered and sewed by hand. I was thinking about making more in different colors and trying to sell some, so if anyone is interested in one, you can message me on Instagram @kristencoleman_.
do you Want to see
Your art here? Send an email to editor.thunderground @gmail.com with your .jpeg, .png or .pdf files. Please include the correct spelling of your name as well as a brief artist statement describing the pieces. 8 | OCTOBER 2017
Anthony di donato “Fuck Stay True”
Stay True is a female “graffiti artist” who was being referred to as being a ‘girl Banksy’ etc. First of all, there is already a Banksy, secondly Stay True acquired a buzz because she made pornography, she didn’t become known for a her sub-par “art.” After seeing a couple articles about her, I became frustrated and decided to search for female muralists who are talented and committed to their art. I have found quite a few who inspire me, and so far have recognized five with my own images. There is a great female presence in all art, and I implore you to discover it!
Joshua Dimond “Five” (left) and “Adam Angler” (below)
This artwork is the beginning of a series of stories I am creating called “MoreThan5 Stories,” which is an idea I’ve had for a long time, but only recently started moving toward making it a reality. They will be a combination of my writing, artwork and storytelling videos. This first artwork is a story about a flamingo who is tasked with stopping the villain, an anglerfish, searching for a magical microwave that creates a clone of whatever is placed in it. Because this project is in the early stages of creation, it may take awhile before these stories become available online; however, I have high hopes and am excited to see what I can make. I believe that these random yet entertaining stories will catch on.
EmmaLee Coleman “The Painted Girl”
The inspiration for this photoshoot was boredom. I had nothing to do on a warm Sunday, so I asked Mykel Marie Hall if she wanted to try something new. There were no expectations for the work. The misty water frames the body, forcing significance onto what is visible, and simplifies her into two working forces: head and hands. There is an opposition in them. The head works to stay above water, and the hands try to discover the paint, the hair and the face. All in all, the photographs are a work of discovery. From start to finish, I discover the girl in the water, and the girl in the water discovers the balance of breathing and exploring what is around her.
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Meet Trevor by Billy Clouse
Two guys with the same name may not seem like anything special, but Trevor Casperson, left, and Trevor Miles, right, have more in common than just their names. Both Trevors are artists; Casperson, a sophomore vocal performance and theater arts double major from Safford, Arizona, is a singer, and Miles, a sophomore graphic design major from Riverton, is a painter. The pair also started their arts at the same time — junior year of high school. “I kind of grew up as the kid I tend to despise now,” Casperson said. “I thought singing was for pansies, and I thought, music, who wants to do that? I wanted to be in sports. Junior year came around, and I had an extra elective and I decided ‘Why not?’ and I sold my soul immediately.” Expressive release drew Casperson to singing, and it has made him want to continue. “I think a lot of people, and myself as well, have a lot of pent-up negative energy, self-doubt, anxiety and/or depression,” he said. “Singing has been my way to unlock that little door that I subconsciously put there and allows me to feel happy.” Theater has interested Casperson
for similar reasons, and it has allowed him to see different perspectives. “Without theater, I think I’d be a lot more of a bigoted, closed-off person,” he said. “It’s allowed me to accept people for who they really are because I’m able to put myself in the shoes of an entirely different person. I love being able to relate to people — albeit it’s kind of distorted because it’s me acting it and not actually being it, but it allows me to understand people a little more. I can listen more purely and really help people that way.” Miles, on the other hand, said he enjoys making paintings because the craft is fun, but he also enjoys the reactions. “I would always do a painting for a person that I cared about,” he said. “Then seeing their reaction when I gave it to them and knowing they would hold onto it forever made it special for me.” Both artists have been developing their crafts and working on large projects. On September 16, Casperson announced the start of his singing career — a studio album that will be released sometime between the end of March and beginning of April. “I’ve always wanted to write (an album), but I’ve always had that selfdoubt because performing arts are risky,” he said. “I want to be able to support myself and, in the future, a family, but at the same time I want to do something I love, which is this. There’s always been that self-doubt, and that’s why I never announced it publicly before.” This album, which has been in the works for six months, is serving as Casperson’s EDGE Project. After Left. In the top left corner of the photo, Trevor Casperson performs in “7 Brides for 7 Brothers. PHOTO COURTESY TREVOR CASPERSON Right. Trevor Miles with Brady Parks, the lead singer of “The National Parks,” and his wife with a painting of the Provo City Temple. Far right. A painting of the Salt Lake City Temple. PHOTOS COURTESY TREVOR MILES
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and Trevor finishing the songwriting process, he will begin to record in November.. “It’s my first time doing this and it’s been a pretty long process,” Casperson said. “It’s been a lot of fun with the process of discovering who I am as a musician, how I write music, how I relate to my music and where I get my inspiration for my music.” Miles, on the other hand, has had time to work on his process for commissioned pieces. When working on temple paintings, he goes to the location and takes pictures. After showing a few options to the client, he begins working. “I’ll start painting it with base colors for the sky, the temple and the foreground,” he said. “Then I’ll start adding in the details — the clouds, the lines, the architecture, and then after that, it’s just the really fine details.” Although he didn’t start with LDS temples — his first commission was of a man’s girlfriend, followed by a portrait of his three children — Miles has become known for painting them. Of all his paintings, he said the Provo City Center Temple, a gift for Brady Parks, the lead singer of “The National Parks,” is his favorite. “It was really big, and since it was for someone that I really wanted to impress, I spent a ton of time on it,” Miles said. “I really got all the details, and it ended up being my favorite.” To complete a painting, Miles takes between three and four weeks. While working on his other projects, he has started working on the cover of the November issue of Revolt, which comes out November 3.
Although he doesn’t know exactly what he wants to do after he graduates, Miles would like to continue doing oil paintings on the side of a graphic design job. Casperson, however, knows exactly what he wants to do. “My ultimate goal in life is to combine singing and theater in the sense that I want to be able to write, record and perform my own metal operas,” he said. “I’m a metalhead, I love heavier stuff.” Casperson measures the success of his art based on the reaction from those who listen. “I consider success when someone tells me ‘that really helped me,’” he said. “I love helping people, and I feel that for me, success will come when I can do that in my art. Whether I hear about that or not doesn’t matter.” Miles has a similar outlook, especially because most of his current pieces are commissioned. “The goal in a temple painting is simply for them to be beautiful and aweinspiring,” he said. “I try to achieve this by focussing on all the small details and trying to make it look as realistic as possible, as well as adding in sunsets or sunrises to make the lighting better if my reference picture doesn’t have one. Basically, I just want people to look at the painting and enjoy looking at something beautiful and be inspired.”
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MultimediA All things digital and interactive
Recipe of the month This ramen recipe is a classy adaptation of a stereotypical college meal. Directions can be found at thethunderground.net/campus-life/recipe-beef-ramen
Performing arts Jordan Nielsen performs in “Mixed Courses,� a percussion recital he organized. Go to http://bit.ly/2xbECfW to listen to the songs.
social media /thethundrground
@thethundrground
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Check out our sUU social media directory thethunderground.net/ social-media
Check out our website thethunderground.net
OCTOBER T H U N D E RG RO U N D ’S T OP 10 OF T H E SE A S ON
Go to thethunderground.net/campus-life/october-crafts to see our do-it-yourself Halloween decorations! They include Halloween monster rocks, party jar cups and a candy corn flower pot.
“Change” Taylor Swift
Sure, this song came out in 2008, but it’s the rock anthem of Thunderground!
“Week Without You” Miley Cyrus
A relaxing sound combined with a powerful message make this new song by Miley a hit.
“This is Halloween” Marilyn Manson
We had to include at least one classic Halloween song, but we chose an alternative version.
“Poor Unfortunate Souls / I Put a Spell on You” – Voctave This vocal group known for acapella takes two Disney classics to the next level!
“Autumn Leaves” Emmy Rossum
The combination of piano and strings give this beautiful English and French song a somber feel.
“Little Ghost” The White Stripes
This Halloween-ish song sounds like something you would hear live at a harvest festival.
“Hamilton - An Acapella Medley” Peter Hollens & Co. This up-and-coming artist took a hit soundtrack and made it a choral masterpiece.
“E.T.” Katy Perry
If you want a party anthem with intriguing syncopation, this is the song for you!
“End of the World” Matt Alber
This sentimental love song provides a change of pace from upbeat and pulse-intensive tunes.
“Danse Macabre” Camille Saint-Saëns
Closing out our playlist is a classic instrumental song that is often played around Halloween.
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Celebrating
COMING OUT DAY LGBTQ students share their coming out stories by Billy Clouse Walking across campus, he has no doubt about who he is. He is a theater and dance student. He is a brother of Sigma Chi. He is the Vice President of Academics. And he is unapologetically gay. Parker Hess, a senior from Rocky Mountain, Missouri, took awhile to understand his sexuality, but he is now out and proud. Upon arriving at SUU, Hess knew he was gay, but he kept it to himself. After talking with two of his friends, he decided not to hide it. “I spent the rest of that semester just having fun and doing my thing and being me,” he said. “I just lived not feeling like I had something I wasn’t sharing with people.” During the break between fall and spring semesters, Hess decided to come out to his family. His sister and her fiance took him to Jack in the Box, and around 10:30 p.m., he told them. Hess then went to the bathroom, and when he turned, his sister was crying. The exchange that followed went something like this: Hess: “Are you mad?” Sister: “Well, I’m pissed because you told a whole state before you told me.” After this, he proceeded to tell the rest of his family. He told his younger sister when he took her to dinner following a performance. She said, “That’s fine, I’m sure I’ll meet plenty of you guys in college when I get there.” Later, he told his older brother. The conversation following the announcement went something like this:
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Brother: “That’s cool. Is your favorite color still purple?” Hess: “Yes.” Brother: “Great, nothing’s changed.” According to Hess, his brother was in a fraternity as well, so the concept of gay people wasn’t new to him. Hess waited until before a haircut to tell his mother, who was cleaning at the time. The entire conversation went something like this: Hess: “I have something to tell you.” Mother: “What? I’m really busy. The house needs to get cleaned.” Hess: “I’m gay, I like men.” Mother: “That’s great! I love you, but the house isn’t going to clean itself.” Hess didn’t tell his father until he visited him four months later. Ever since he came out, Hess said he hasn’t been treated differently. “I feel the same as I was before,” he said. “People always ask what is it like being gay,. It feels normal — breathing and blinking all the time. It’s the exact same way. I don’t do it more colorful than you do. The best part of being gay is just the best part of being a human being: behaving the way you want to behave and acting on things you want to act on regardless.” It was during high school when Hess started to realize he was gay. “I always felt like something was a little off about me,” he said. “I felt uncomfortable around the other guys, especially when we would change in locker rooms. I couldn’t stare because people would think I was gay, but I realized in the process that I wanted to (look).” Internally, he struggled with these feelings for awhile.
“I had a couple of gay experiences that probably weren’t the most positive things in the world, but they had taken place,” he said. “Physically, I acted on it, but mentally, I hadn’t accepted it.” On March 18, 2013, Hess admitted to himself that he was, in fact, gay. “I had a ‘come to Jesus’ moment with me and my mirror, and it was a really great time,” he said. “It was really awkward, but that’s where I think I developed my sense of awkwardness.” The conversation with himself went something like this: Hess: “You’re gay.” Hess to Hess: “No, I’m not.” Hess: “Well, you are.” For the next few days, he felt weird before he acknowledged it. “It was another thing to accept, like how I’m a redhead and that I’m going to burn and never tan,” Hess said. “I had to have that conversation too.” Hess said that when members of the LGBTQ community are coming to terms with their sexuality or planning to come out, they should talk with others. “You’ve got to find your close friends and discuss it with them,” he said. “If they’re close friends, they’re not going to leave you regardless of who you are. They shouldn’t give a rat’s ass, but if they do, they’re in (the friendship) for some other reason, and they’re a poison to you.” Although his coming out experience was positive, Hess said he can’t give general advice about how to come out. “It’s hard because every human has a different paradigm,” he said. “I can’t always see through their lens. Coming out can be hard for some people, but it was easy for me.”
PHOTO BY BILLY CLOUSE
PARKER HESS OCTOBER 2017
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A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER GROW CLOSER TOGETHER Surrounded by goats and ducks, a mother and daughter worked on their farm. It had been a long day, and after a series of events occurred, the daughter informed her mother that she was dating another woman. Kira Knapp, a junior Hotel, Resort and Hospitality Management major from Cottonwood, Arizona, didn’t plan on the livestock becoming part of her story. Before coming out, Knapp started prepping her mother for the news. “I just kept ‘remembering’ funny stories and things (my girlfriend) had done and shared them with my mom when a related topic came up,” she said. “I just used every opportunity to bring her up to highlight how kind and funny she was so that my mom would feel like she wasn’t some distant, unknown figure.” The day she came out, Knapp told her mother that she wanted to catch up when they were done working. The plan was set until her mother started to not feel well. “As we were feeding the goats, my mom told me she was just going to go to bed once we got inside,” Knapp said. “I panicked because I wanted and needed to have this conversation with her, so
KIRA KNAPP 16 | OCTOBER 2017
in the middle of a field of goats, I said, ‘Mom, I’m seeing someone.’ She turned around and asked, “It’s her, isn’t it?” Although she is still figuring out her sexual and gender identities, Knapp identifies as a biromantic asexual. “I had only dated boys up until last fall, but I had had some confusing crushes on girls in high school,” Knapp said. “I basically ignored those because I didn’t know what they were, and I never really considered that I might be romantically interested in girls.” Knapp said she was surprised when a friend of hers started flirting with her because the conversation felt natural. “Once I realized that (she could be a significant other), I had no conflicting worries about whether or not liking someone of my same gender romantically was a moral issue, though I had certainly been raised to think so,” she said. “Instead, I was excited for the opportunity to have a really healthy, honest and loving relationship with someone I truly adored and connected with.” Based on her experience, Knapp feels that there shouldn’t be shame in having feelings that aren’t heterosexual.
COURTESY PHOTO
“No matter the labels, you don’t pass up the chance to be a part of a relationship (with someone you love),” she said. “I accepted that this was a part of me that I hadn’t ever had a reason to explore until the right person came along, and she gently and kindly helped me through that journey to understand myself better.” When she decided to come out to the rest of her friends and family, Knapp said she felt excited. Her girlfriend didn’t pressure her to come out before she was ready. She started by telling friends, and at the end of the semester, she posted about it on Facebook for everyone else. Overall, the response was positive. “Coming out has been a really cool experience for me and my mom,” Knapp said. “She didn’t know how to react at first, understandably, but soon she started finding ways to make herself the ally I never dreamed she could be. She wrote a paper about LGBTQ+ youth for one of her classes as an opportunity to research the community I now was part of.” Knapp’s mother also used characters from “Grey’s Anatomy” to help her understand her daughter’s feelings. This specifically included the characters Callie and Arizona, how are bisexual and lesbian respectively. “She continues to defend me to family members who hold onto the beliefs that I used to have towards those in same-sex relationships,” Knapp said. “She’s been the best throughout what I’m sure was a confusing and hard time, concluding that her love for me was reason enough to support me.” There were bumps along the road to coming out, but despite it all, Knapp has never been happier. “I haven’t changed who I am or what I believe, but I have become a more free and open person,” she said. “I’ve become a healthier person, and the knowledge that I have support from so many people allows me to continue growing into the best version of myself I can. I’m blessed to be able to say that things definitely have only gotten better, and I believe they will continue to do so.”
A letter from Honors Director Jayci Bash In a world full of chaos, violence, division and anger, one is often hard-pressed to find anything good to celebrate. Even the smallest of victories are extinguished quicker than they can ignite any spark of joy. No one is immune to the seemingly endless supply of negativity. And, at the same time, this world is a complex, amazing place full of beautiful, resilient and enduring people — people who wake up every morning and decide over and over again to keep going, to keep fighting, to keep celebrating and to keep loving. You are one of these people and it is my pleasure to tell you why I believe National Coming Out Day, October 11, is so powerful, especially in the context of 2017. National Coming Out Day began in 1988 as a way to celebrate members of the LGBTQ — Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer — community. According to the Human Rights Campaign, “National Coming Out Day continues to promote a safe world for LGBTQ individuals to live truthfully and openly.”
The term “coming out” refers to a member of the LGBTQ community disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity to the people in their life. This can often be a significant source of anxiety and fear, and like most complex moments in life, it can also be an incredibly empowering and positive experience. As an ally to the LGBTQ community, I have stood alongside many individuals as they worked through the process of coming out to their loved ones. The responses by friends and family are incredibly diverse. Some folks are completely rejected while others are received with love and acceptance. The difference between these two responses can mean all the difference in the world. Coming out is a lifelong process. Every new relationship, regardless of it being a friend, colleague, neighbor or teacher, requires consideration of whether or not it is safe to disclose one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Having the ability to live an authentic life, a life that is in harmony with your
truth, is paramount to living a happy and fulfilled life. Being accepted for who you are, exactly as you are, is one of the most empowering experiences you can have. When we, as a community, create safe and welcoming spaces for those who are different than us, we make a clear statement to the world that kindness, inclusion and respect are valued above all things. National Coming Out Day is for everyone. On this day, we proclaim our ability to celebrate not only our beautiful diversity, but also our ability to look beyond differences and see the inherent good that each human on this planet has. Every single one of us has a purpose and a place in this world. When we witness members of the LGBTQ community asserting their right to an honest and open life, we move one step closer to creating a world with less chaos, less violence, less division and less anger. We have the power to create a world that is worth leaving to our grandchildren — a compassionate world full of inclusion and diversity. Please join us during National Coming Out Day in celebrating our LGBTQ community.
A PATH TO SELF-DISCOVERY A few years ago, she was uncomfortable with her sexuality, but now, Spencer Smith, a junior criminal justice from Las Vegas, is happy with who she is. In high school, Smith started dating a girl, and they would have sleepovers. When the girl’s dad found out, he told Smith that she couldn’t see his daughter unless she came out to her parents. The next morning, Smith left a note for her mom on the table. “We talked about it when I got home and she kept telling me I was just going through a phase,” Smith said. “It took me a while to become comfortable with my sexuality because my parents made it so awkward. I feel so comfortable in my skin now and my parents are very accepting.” Smith said her siblings knew she was lesbian before she came out, and coming out to her father was a positive experience. “I told my dad and he said, ‘whatever makes you happy makes me happy, I love you,’” Smith said. “He was very accepting.” Many members of Smith’s family belong to the LGBTQ community. Her mother recently came out as pansexual and is now married to a woman. Her
older brother is gay, and her younger brother is transgender. Before coming to SUU, Smith decided not to come out to her classmates at home. “I just kind of left it to college so I’d come out here with new people who don’t know I’m coming out for the first time,” she said. “They would just think I’m gay and have been gay.” For Smith, being out has been a mix of positive and negative experiences. “People don’t like gay people,” she said. “When I would go to Las Vegas and walk downtown holding hands with a girl, guys would ask if we wanted a threesome or they would just follow us for awhile. I get stared at all the time.” Smith said that when she’s with friends, they notice people staring as well. To make her laugh, they say things such as, “Oh my gosh, people seriously can’t get enough of you!” Smith said she feels supported by friends. “When I’m alone and just walking around trying to get things done, I feel vulnerable and like someone’s always watching me,” she said, “but when I’m with my friends, I feel normal.”
BACKGROUND BY PETER HERSHEY, UNSPLASH
COURTESY PHOTO
SPENCER SMITH OCTOBER 2017
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A look at SUU’s History by Billy Clouse
When the Branch Normal School opened in Cedar City, classes were held in a downtown building, but two months into the school year, the Utah Attorney General concluded that the institution needed its own building per state law. The school had until the following September to comply or it would be shut down.
Old Main was dedicated on October 28, 1898. HISTORICAL FILE PHOTO
While serving as President of the Branch Normal School, Nathan T. Porter had the Science Building constructed. The structure, now
Over 15 years after establishing the institution, the Branch Normal School was renamed to the Branch Agricultural College.
The school was once again renamed in 1953, becoming the College of Southern Utah, under the direction of president Daryl Chase. Along with the name change came a change in the mascot; instead of the broncos, the mascot became the Thunderbirds.
Royden Braithwaite, who became president in 1955, was responsible for almost doubling the size of the campus and renovating or building almost every structure. In his first year, he supervised the building of the Library, which is the present-day Auditorium.
1897 1901 1913 1953 1955 Cedar City had around 1,500 residents at the time, and the building cost about the entire year’s business volume. In January of 1898, men went up to present-day Brian Head to begin gathering wood. At times, they were out in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. A Sorrel horse pushed through the snow, allowing the men to return with the lumber to complete the building now known as Old Main. Almost 120 years later, the original exterior of the building remains.
known as the Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, contained classrooms and labs. President Porter also developed the arts on campus, and he created the ballroom dance program. The Braithwaite Building eventually started hosting the university’s fine arts gallery, which has been taken over by SUMA in 2016 as part of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts.
New president Roy F. Homer worked to change the name in 1913, making the school part of the Utah Agricultural College, which is now known as Utah State University. The Women’s Gymnasium, now known as the R. Haze Hunter Conference Center, was built in 1927. Twenty years later, President H. Wayne Driggs had the football stadium built. He also supervised the rebuilding of Old Main’s interior after it caught fire.
Although this wasn’t the last name change for the school, the mascot has stayed the same ever since, with the exception of a 2010 April Fools’ joke in which the university claimed to be switching the mascot to the Fighting Prairie Dogs.
In following years, he had a hand in building the Science Center, which later became the General Classroom Building; the Music Center; and a second Library, which later became the Electronic Learning Center.
Performers at the Greenshow, part of USF. PHOTO BY BILLY CLOUSE
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The Library was named after president Sherratt, who helped SUU gain university status. PHOTO BY BILLY CLOUSE
In 1961, Fred C. Adams created the Utah Shakespeare Festival, which took place on the campus of the College of Southern Utah. The budget of the first season was less than $1,000, but today, it’s more than $7 million. Attendance has also
Yet another name change took place in 1969 when the College of Southern Utah became the Southern Utah State College. Braithwaite oversaw this change, and he created the motto “Learning Lives Forever.”
Gerald R. Sherratt, the namesake of the Library, served as president for 15 years. After starting in 1982, he approved construction of the Business Building and the Centrum Arena, which was recently renamed to the America First Credit Union Events Center. Sherratt was the first alumnus to become the president, and in 1991, he helped the school receive university status.
When the school received university status in 1991, it was renamed to Southern Utah University. Additional funding allowed Sherratt to build 16 more buildings while president. Following Sherratt’s tenure, Steven D. Bennion took over the position from 19972006. His grandfather, Milton Bennion, was the first president of the school, and Steven began his leadership 100 years after his grandfather started. Bennion focused on teacher education, and during his time, he
In the past few years, SUU has seen a number of changes, from the construction of an arts complex to the groundbreaking of a new business building, residence hall and sports performance center. But the change will continue for years. SUU alumni have the ability to change the world. Each and every one of us needs to make the most
1961 1969 1982 1991 2017 increased by more than 35 times, growing from 3,276 to almost 120,000. The Festival now takes place at the newlyconstructed Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, and this season, USF performed the world premiere of “The Tavern.” In addition to bringing theatrical arts to campus, the Festival boosts the economy of Cedar City. A 2012 study estimated that it brings more than $35 million to the city every year.
While he was president, enrollment grew by more than five times what it was when he started. In 1978, Orville D. Carnahan took over the presidency, and while serving for three years, he helped to expand the school’s academic offerings. Of the former university names, Southern Utah State College lasted the second longest at 21 years. Branch Normal School and College of Southern Utah both lasted for 16 years, and Branch Agricultural College lasted for 40 years.
He also had a hand in starting the Utah Summer Games, as well as helping SUU receiving NCAA Division I Status. Today, you can find a bust of Sherratt in the Library. Rubbing the statue’s head before a test is rumored to be good luck, but the theory has still yet to be scientifically tested (a potential EDGE Project idea?).
had Old Main redone and had the Emma Eccles Jones Education Building built. He also created new academic programs, including the formation of two colleges and new undergraduate and graduate programs.
of our educations, because although you can technically put a price on an SUU education (just add your tuition and fees together), the experiences and skills you can develop here are priceless.
Freshmen beginning their educations at SUU. PHOTO BY BILLY CLOUSE
OCTOBER 2017
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autumn How to look awesome in
by Kimberly Hodson
Well T-Birds, fall has arrived, and with the cooler temperatures comes new fashion trends. This month, Revolt went around campus and found students to star in our fashion section. This fall, we found that denim accessories are in full force; from denim shirts to denim jackets. Some colors that are making an appearance this season in student outfits on campus were forest or olive green, burgundy, navy, cream and black. There were so many cool and on-trend outfits this month, but here are just a few of them.
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MAKEUP: FALL LOOKS
“Pretty in plaid”
One of my favorite ways to accessorize during the fall is knee-high socks. They are a staple wardrobe piece and go with almost anything. This particular outfit was thrifted and I’m in love. Plaid is huge this fall. along with gingham, and having that pop of pattern in a skirt is an awesome way to add variety to your outfits. The top for this outfit has long sleeves and is cropped, and it has a criss-crossed tie cut out on the neckline. Long-sleeve tops that are still lightweight are a great way to transition from warmer to cooler weather, and the criss-crossed ties are really on-trend for tops and dresses this season.
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TRENDY T-BIRDS
TEXTURE BY SAMUEL ZELLER, UNSPLASH
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“Denim upgrade”
One awesome way to incorporate denim into your looks this fall, and to save money, is to pair it with your summer clothing. In these pictures, Kristen is modeling how you can take a slip dress from summer to fall, just by adding a denim jacket with some trendy pins on the pocket.
“Transitioning seasons”
One way to convert your summer wardrobe to fall is by pairing your shorts with sweaters. The temps still get relatively warm, so shorts are wearable. Pair those shorts with a cute sweater and you’re good to go!
LOOKIN’ SPIFFY
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Send us an image of your favorite look! Pictures should be sent to editor.thunderground@gmail.com.
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T-Bird adventures
outdoors in the
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1. John Hildebrand, left, and his friends Lucy Silverman and Robert Greenwell, hiked the Grand Canyon last Saturday. Hildebrand, describing the 24-mile trail, said, “It was pretty brutal, especially because I was sick when I did it, but well worth the pain.” PHOTO COURTESY JOHN HILDEBRAND 2. Katie Smith and her mother went to Saint George last Saturday to shop, hike and eat. The pair went on a few hikes in Snow Canyon State Park. PHOTO COURTESY KATIE SMITH 3. Hunter Hagen, left, and Kimberly Felion, right, float in the water at Sand Hollow State Park. Felion described the spontaneous trip, saying, “We wanted to get crepes at the crepery and realized it was pretty hot in Saint George, so we ran to Walmart and bought a $4 swim suit and drove to Sand Hollow.” PHOTO COURTESY KIMBERLY FELION 4. Over Labor Day weekend, Logan Platt and Madeline Skousen visited Pine Valley. The couple went four-wheeling until they came to a trail, which they hiked to the river. PHOTO COURTESY LOGAN PLATT 5. From left to right: Angie Hanks, McKenna Dalton, Robyn Dixon and Kyrsten Harper on a hike last Sunday. PHOTO COURTESY ANGIE HANKS 6. Christine St. Clair and her friends Cambry and Trapper Anderson took a trip to Lake Powell at the beginning of September. This was St. Clair’s first time to the lake, and this photo, which was taken on the last day of the trip, shows the Anderson siblings. PHOTO COURTESY CHRISTINE ST. CLAIR 7. A landscape from Hildebrand’s trip. “This was beyond difficult, but incredibly rewarding,” he said. “It also affords a pretty unique view of the park that most visitors never get to see.” PHOTO COURTESY JOHN HILDEBRAND 8. Lucy Silverman crossed a bridge over the Colorado River during her Grand Canyon hike. “Twenty-six miles in one day sounded like a fun challenge,” she said, “and I wasn’t sure when I would be presented with the opportunity again.” PHOTO COURTESY ROBERT P. GREENWELL 9. Hanks and her group stopped for a hike on the way to Newcastle. Harper had a dance class at the location last semester, and she brought her friends to it. PHOTO COURTESY ANGIE HANKS
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A view of Cedar City from the trail. PHOTO BY BILLY CLOUSE
SUU is the University of the Parks for many reasons, one of which is the school’s location. Surrounded by national parks, and immediately next to a mountain range, the city has some great views of nature. Overlooking the city is a giant “C” high up on a mountain. A trail runs from that letter to the base of the mountain. This hike provides not only an escape from the demands of college, but it also offers a view of the town. In recent months, I’ve hiked the trail twice. My roommate and I started at the top, and after going halfway down, we went back to the top. While the trail isn’t that strenuous — and this is coming from someone who doesn’t hike — it is important to prepare.
The first time I went on the hike, my roommate and I were just planning to see the view of Cedar City and then drive back down the mountain. Instead, we got carried away, and before we knew it, we were halfway down the mountain. This wouldn’t have been so bad, except for the fact that we were wearing flip flops and had no water. This hike was during the summer, and although it wasn’t scorching, it was hot enough to make the climb up miserable. I also was dumb enough not to hydrate myself before driving up, so when we headed back, I started to feel sick pretty fast. The two of us had to stop frequently, and there were multiple times where I almost passed out.
Fortunately, we had water in the car. My advice for this hike, as well as any outdoor activity, is to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before you start. Always drink water before, during and after the excursion. The second time I went on this hike was enjoyable because I did these things. It helped that the fall weather was starting to set in, but the biggest factor was having water and proper footwear. Overall, the hike is gorgeous! Sections of it are forested and others are exposed, and both are beautiful. But nothing is as spectacular as seeing the city from a near-aerial perspective. This hike is easy, and I would suggest it to anyone who wants to get more outdoorsy.
by Billy Clouse
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#THUNDERGROUND1000
GIVEAWAY The First Amendment is under attack in the U.S. At Thunderground, we are fighting back by ensuring a free press on campus. Part of this involves growing our following so we can reach more students. Our goal is to have 1,000 followers on Instagram by 2018. We will give out prizes at every 100 follower milestone, and we will have grand prizes when we hit our goal. Thunderground will give away hundreds of dollars with of prizes, including Pampered Chef bundles, gift cards and original pieces of artwork. Check our Instagram account over the weekend for more details on how to enter! Photography donated by ADAM BLACK, @adamblackphoto Pampered Chef bundles donated by DEBBIE CLOUSE, independent consultant