Zoomer, a black English Labrador Retriever, is USU’s tactical K-9 and specializes in explosives detection.
Newly engaged Preston Howe and Jade Hatch profess their love at Maverik Stadium before
Officer Zoomer: The nose behind campus safety
By Aubrey Holdaway STATESMAN REPORER
When Sgt. Scott Murray heads to work at the USU Police Department, he’s never alone — his partner Zoomer is always by his side.
Zoomer, a six-year-old black English Labrador Retriever, is USU’s tactical K-9. He specializes in explosives detection, and together he and Murray ensure the safety of campus and community events.
The department currently has two K-9 units: Zoomer and Sage, the critical incident and crisis response K-9. “Zoomer is an awesome dog, and it’s been fun working with his handler because we get to bounce ideas off of each other,” said Officer Shane Nebeker, Sage’s handler.
This focused role allows him to excel at his job, which
an opportunity to do other things off the campus as well,” Nebeker said.
Training a dog like Zoomer was no small feat. He was selected in 2020 for his high energy and drive, a trait crucial for explosives detection work.
“You’ve got to have a dog with the hunt drive,” Murray said. Labs, particularly English Labradors, are a popular choice for this reason.
Zoomer’s training began with a process called imprinting.
“We introduce various explosive odors and play games to associate the odors with a reward, like his favorite tennis ball,” Murray said.
Although Zoomer has been on the force for four years, his training is still ongoing. Zoomer and Murray are required to pass Utah Peace Officer Standards and Trainings for training explosive detection dogs annually, so they have weekly sessions to keep Zoomer sharp.
“We certify as a team,” Murray said. “He needs consistent practice to ensure he’s ready for real-life situations.”
When Zoomer is on duty, he’s unmistakable. He wears a special gray collar that signals it’s time to work.
“It’s all about rituals and routines — as soon as I put it on, he knows it’s time to get serious,” Murray said Zoomer’s workday starts early, especially on busy days like Saturday football games. At 5 a.m., he conducts a pre-sweep of the stadium, checking for anything suspicious.
Later, he inspects the visiting team’s luggage at their hotel and sweeps buses before they arrive at the stadium.
“This ensures we create a safe place for fans to enjoy the game,” Murray said.
During events, Zoomer’s job isn’t over. Murray and Zoomer patrol the stadium perimeter, keeping an eye out for anything unusual, like an abandoned backpack.
If something appears suspicious, Zoomer quickly assesses the situation. His ability to sniff out potential threats in seconds is critical for public safety.
The bond between Murray and Zoomer is undeniable. After working together for over four years, the two have developed a deep connection.
“He spends more time with me than my family,” Murray said.
This close relationship is essential, as Murray needs to read Zoomer’s behavior to know when he’s found something or tired. Murray carefully monitors Zoomer’s energy levels during long shifts, ensuring he gets breaks when needed.
“When his tongue starts hanging out and he loses some drive, I know it’s time to let him rest,” Murray said.
materials used in training can be harmful if inhaled. Murray is always cautious in ensuring Zoomer’s safety.
“The biggest thing I worry about is exposure to something he shouldn’t get to,” Murray said.
While Zoomer has never found a live explosive in a real-life scenario, his training ensures he’s prepared.
“The day he finds something in real life will make the hair on the back of my neck stand up,” Murray said. “A good career for him means never finding anything real.”
At six years old, Zoomer is approaching the typical retirement age for working dogs, though Murray believes he could work another two or three years.
“It all depends on joint problems or other issues that might pop up as he gets older,” Murray said.
When the time comes for Zoomer to hang up his work collar, his legacy will be one of dedication, vigilance and the unbreakable bond between a handler and his dog.
For now, Zoomer remains a vital member of USU’s police team, ensuring a safe environment for students, staff and visitors.
“He’s a working dog, but he’s also my partner,” Murray said. “I couldn’t ask for a better one.”
includes searching Maverik Stadium and the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum for explosives before games.
“He has to sit or give a final indication and must stare at that general direction of the odor,” Murray said. In addition to working on campus, Zoomer assists in the community.
“He’s the only bomb dog in northern Utah, so he gets
Despite his intense work ethic, Zoomer knows how to unwind. Off duty, he’s just like any other dog. He enjoys playing with tennis balls or his King Kong toy in Murray’s backyard.
“He knows the difference between work and play,” Murray explains. “When we get home, I take his work collar off and he relaxes.”
Zoomer’s work is not without risks. Some explosive
Aubrey Holdaway is a senior studying print journalism. She has two cats but does not mind dogs, especially Zoomer and Sage.
— a.holdaway@usu.eduu
PHOTOS BY Aubrey Holdaway Officer Zoomer and Sgt. Scott Murray outside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Nov. 19.
Officer Zoomer before doing his usual sweep of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum prior to the men’s basketball game on Nov.19.
SNAC packs the pantry
By Claire Ott STATESMAN REPORTER
The Student Nutrition Access Center at USU is hosting its first “Pack the Pantry,” a food drive competition that organizers hope becomes an annual event. The 14 participating colleges and organizations are taking donations from Nov. 20 to Dec. 20.
In the 2023 fall semester, SNAC conducted a study in conjunction with the Transforming Communities Institute in the department of social work which looked at general attitudes about SNAC as well as food security at the USU Logan campus. Results of this study indicate that more than 60% of students surveyed experience low or very low food security.
The United States Department of Agriculture describes low food security as “reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet” but “little or no indication of reduced food intake.” It describes very low food security as “multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.”
The report was published on Oct. 18. Jonathon Walters, SNAC program coordinator, said about a week later, Kerri Davidson, vice president of institutional affairs, reached out and wanted to see what the school could do about it.
Walters said food donations have declined recently.
“Most of our food comes from Cache Food Pantry and Utah Food Bank. If they’re getting less food, then we’re getting less food
SUBMITTED BY SNAC
The proof for the Pack the Pantry championship belt located in the center is based on the SNAC belt used for marketing and tabling events.
here as well,” Walters said.
From the uptick in need for food and the decline in local donations, the need for quick donations was immediate. The Pack the Pantry food drive competition was born.
Janna Cook, SNAC student director, was involved in the coordination of the competition’s locations.
“I worked on assigning all the locations and putting together the map of … 29 different locations across USU’s different buildings across campus,” Cook said.
The map with drop box locations along with other information about the competition can be found on the SNAC website.
SNAC saw around 4,000 visits in September — the most SNAC has ever seen according to Walters.
Located on the third floor of the TSC and open to anyone with an A-Number, SNAC serves thousands, but Cook said many still aren’t aware of the resource.
“Hopefully Pack the Pantry will just spread a little bit of awareness of SNAC and garnish some continued support among especially faculty and staff,” Cook said.
The prize for donating the most food is the Pack the Pantry championship belt. Cook said the design resembles the SNAC belt they designed last year.
“We’ll have people take pictures with it, and it’s something people have really loved and enjoyed and always gets people engaged whenever we have it at tabling events,” Cook said.
Walters said if the competition continues, the belt will pass from champion to champion each year.
As of the week of Thanksgiving, Walters
said the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business had already donated 1,000 pounds of food. He also mentioned the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is doing a department versus department competition to boost engagement.
“A lot of people are competitive, which brings out a competitive spirit,” Walters said. “The only benefit to the competitiveness is students are going to have a better selection here at the food pantry.”
With two weeks down and two to go, there’s still plenty of time to help SNAC reach their 5,000 pound goal. Cook encouraged those who haven’t gotten involved yet to do so.
“Seeing the USU community come together to support SNAC and support the 60% of students that experience food insecurity here on campus has just been really encouraging,” Cook said. “Other people care about this too, and the USU community together and the president’s office especially is committed to decreasing food insecurity.”
Claire is a senior and loves anything that has to do with the outdoors, bikes, cameras, music and matcha. — a02339922@usu.edu
PHOTO BY Leah Call
A SNAC drop-box is placed in the USU Natural Resources Building, as seen on Nov. 26.
Safety ignites with fire suppression equipment
By Bailey Daniels STATESMAN REPORTER
Utah State University’s Fire Marshal office has obtained new state-of-the-art training equipment to elevate fire safety and equip the campus community with essential knowledge on fire suppression.
The Fire Marshal’s Office is a branch of the Department of USU public safety. While they donot fight fires, they help prevent fires on campus by eliminating their causes. According to the university’s website, some of the key responsibilities of this office include providing fire prevention and fire extinguishing training, testing
fire detection systems and alarms monthly and conducting annual fire safety inspections for all buildings.
USU’s deputy fire marshal Lauren Schreck discussed the frequency of camus fires.
“I wouldn’t say we have a definitive number or frequency. The times that we see a true fire with flame or spark are pretty minimal. We see a lot in housing, where we’re getting a lot of fire alarms, especially towards the beginning of semesters — a lot of kids, maybe burning food. Haven’t really cooked on their own yet, they’re learning, and so we see a lot more instances of smoke than we do actual flame,” Schreck said.
Assistant fire marshal Brandon Stirland told The Utah Statesman that student housing residents have been removing smoke detectors in their rooms, which can be dangerous for themselves and others.
“We do see it at times, I wouldn’t say all the time, but there are times where students will remove smoke detectors, especially from inside their rooms, whether they be vaping or doing something they shouldn’t be doing. We know about those because that sends an alarm anytime a smoke detector is removed from the ceiling,” Stirland said.
The alarm doesn’t alert the whole building, but it sends a notice to the public safety office so they instantly know when it’s been done.
“We come check the fire alarm panel, and it tells us the room, the device address of where that specific smoke detector is located, and then we know,” Stirland said.
There are about 4,500 fire extinguishers across campus. However, this large number is rendered useless if students and staff don’t know how to use them. To keep people informed, the Fire Marshal office offers free training on how to use extinguishers.
“It gives people a better understanding of how to use it so that they’re not scared when they have to use it,” Stirland said. “When you see fire, what do you do? Automatically, your brain goes numb, for me anyway. So this really helps getting people familiar with how to use one.”
Bailey Daniels is a junior studying technology systems. She loves Lana Del Rey, sweet treats and all things whimsical.
— bailey.daniels@usu.edu
Nov. 13
- A bag containing money was turned in during the USU men’s basketball game. Officers were able to locate the owner. - Officer Zoomer performed a sweep of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum prior to the game.
Nov. 15
- USU Police responded to an odor of burning plastic smell at the Merrill-Cazier Library. The source of the odor was determined to be plastic that had been used as a protective layer during construction. No fire was detected.
Nov. 18
- K-9 Officer Sage (pictured left) particiapted in a classroom excericise in Huntsman Hall.
PHOTO BY Malory Rau
Lauren Schreck dispaying fire equipment outisde of the Aggie Recreation Center on Nov. 18.
Between Phases of the Physics Demo
By Justin Brewster STATESMAN REPORTER
On Friday, Nov. 22, the Utah State University Physics Department held its annual Physics November Demo Show to an amazed audience. It was held in the Emert Auditorium in the Eccles Science Learning Center.
The show was hosted by James Coburn, the education program coordinator for the department.
The shows are demonstrations of physics concepts for the general public and free for all who wish to attend. 450 people attended to watch the show.
The shows are patterned off the UK’s Christmas lectures done by The Royal Institution of Great Britain, where a topic is chosen, and a demonstration show is done on that topic.
“I wanted to do something similar to that,” Coburn said. “By Christmas, there are no students around, so I moved it up to the week before Thanksgiving.”
The goal for the show is to both teach the general public as well as entertain people at the same time, according to Coburn. In addition, many schools have requested Coburn to do these demonstrations, but time constraints prevent Coburn from making the trips.
“So I decided I would do a big one,” Coburn said. “And that big show would be open to anybody in the public.”
This year, the theme was “The Physics of Phase Transitions.” This focused on phase changes and the processes by which matter changes its state. This
includes topics such as freezing, boiling and melting, as well as how these can occur in rather bizarre scenarios.
“There was a neat demo where he got a flask and he had some liquid water in the top and some vapor in the flask, and then he put one end of the flask in liquid nitrogen,” said Joshua Knobloch, assistant professor of the department and attendee of the show.
Although the flask had water far outside of the reach of the liquid nitrogen, the water at the top began to stir before freezing instantly. This occurred due to the transfer of energy done by the vapors within the flask, which cannot be seen by the naked eye.
“I mean, it’s science,” Knobloch said. “But maybe from an outside perspective, it almost looked like magic, as if the water instantly froze.”
Liquid nitrogen and dry ice were recurring features but were not the only demonstrations within the show, with more mundane examples that can be done at home being shown.
“I put an ice cube in salt water and in regular water and then watch how long it takes to melt,” Coburn said. “I put an ice cube in two different types of oil, and the ice cube sat in the middle, and then water dripped and fell down,”
The reason for the ice cube to drip downwards is because water is denser than oil, so the oil will float to the top, and the water will move downwards.
Other experiments were not recommended to try at home.
One that wasn’t allowed within the show was the crushing of a 55-gallon drum. In the experiment, warm water is placed into a drum and then sealed shut. It then is placed in ice water, with ice cubes on top. It will finally be sprayed with water, creating atmospheric pressure changes, resulting in the drum being crushed. Concerns were raised by both the fire marshal and other staff about the experiment, so the demo was not done. However, footage of the experiment was shown instead.
“2020 and pandemic, we couldn’t have a show, so I got a high-speed camera, and I filmed physics in slow motion, and that’s still on YouTube,” Coburn said. “I took the video clips from that.”
While the gallon-drum experiment couldn’t be done in person, Coburn was glad a video clip could be shown, as it included thermals, data for the experiment and a high-speed camera.
In addition, smaller-scale versions of the drum experiment were done with soda cans, and a petrol can instead of a drum was used instead.
As each experiment and demonstration was done, Coburn would explain some of the science behind the demonstration in a way someone at any level of scientific understanding could understand.
“I think James did a great job of catering to the multiple levels that were in the audience,” Knobloch said.
As for next year, plans and a topic have already been chosen.
“It’s going to be based around angular momentum, spinning physics, rotating physics so that everything will have a spin to it,” Coburn said when asked about next year’s show.
Justin Brewster is a sophomore studying international studies with a minor in political science. Whenever he acquires free time, he enjoys it with video games, writing or studying social sciences.
— justin.g.brewster@usu.edu
PHOTOS BY Jack Burton
USU physics professor James Coburn demonstrates ice melting inside different liquids at the USU Physics November Demo Show in the Eccles Science Learning Center on Nov. 22.
Attendees gather in the Eccles Science Learning Center on Nov. 22 for the USU Physics November Demo Show.
Logan community fights to save 100-yearold trees threatened by pipeline project
about everything from cost to alternate solutions.
Brandon Elwood speaks for the trees with other residents living near Logan’s historic Canyon Road in a fight against a project that would remove century-old ash trees from the island neighborhood.
When informed of the project, locals united against the cause, tying green ribbons around their tree trunks and spreading the word with signs at popular locations throughout Logan. The Canyon Road Coalition was born through a shared hope that the trees could be saved.
Spearheading the effort is Elwood, a resident of the affected area who hopes the effort will change the minds of the Logan City Council.
As of Thursday, Dec. 5, the petition to oppose the Canyon Road waterline project has over 3,800 signatures, which Elwood said is more votes than most members of the Logan City Council received for their positions.
“We love Logan and live here because of the character of the city,” Elwood said. “The trees, rivers, natural landscapes — we want to see that Logan for future generations.”
The proposed project comes as a result of a state requirement to store additional water along with the growing population in Logan. The city is working with J-U-B Engineers to work on the plans.
In response to public outcry, a public meeting was held at the Logan City Hall on Dec. 5 to discuss the pipeline plans and address resident concerns.
Around 130 Logan residents, including Utah State University students, attended the public meeting. As people filed into the meeting, “save the canyon trees” buttons and flyers were passed out by the Canyon Road Coalition. A few people held signs as they sat in attendance.
The meeting began with project contributors presenting a breakdown of the proposal, then city officials and J-U-B representatives took questions from those in attendance
One attendee asked if the city has considered leaving out the proposed sidewalk to leave room for the tree roots.
“That’s definitely an option,” said Zan Murray, a J-U-B engineer working on the project. “It could, but it doesn’t help to accomplish the other master plans that have been developed for the city.”
The atmosphere became tense when questions were raised about whether the Canyon Road route for the pipeline has been selected.
“We have selected our preferred route, and the money has been approved,” said Paul Lindhardt, Logan City’s public works director.
Despite the efforts to quell concerns, many of the attendees expressed dissatisfaction and frustration.
“Our ask of city officials is to pause the project, reevaluate, to come together as a community to provide input and come together on a solution,” Elwood said.
Elwood, who doesn’t normally get involved with civic engagement, said the proposed project woke him up to many large-scale plans that will change the character of the city.
The community has questions about the waterline project, which is set to start in the spring, asking if the fast development of Logan is outpacing what can be done sustainably.
USU students have taken action by passing out flyers and wearing buttons in support of the effort. Elwood said students who live in the island area or visit to connect with nature through recreation will be negatively affected by the loss of the ash trees. Concerned locals have been spreading the word on USU campus to make students aware and encourage them to sign the petition.
As reported by The Salt Lake Tribune, the Logan City Council said the project would help keep children safe by installing sidewalks and mitigating trip hazards while installing the waterline, but residents have voiced apprehension.
“The city decided they know better than the people that live here,” said Alex Gerber, a resident of the affected area. “The city is trying to put in a water pipeline to get water to the west side of the city, but this route they chose just happens to be the shortest and least expensive option.”
According to Gerber, the 17 trees that would need to be removed add charm to the Logan Historic District, and harming them would be disastrous. Gerber said she is concerned about the city’s lack of communication with the locals.
“[The trees] provide shelter to the homes along Canyon Road and to the animals that live there — the squirrels and birds and wildlife,” Gerber said.
Elwood and Gerber encouraged USU students to attend the public meeting on Dec. 5 to show support.
“This seems to be something that impacts everyone,” Elwood said.
When Aubrey Holdaway isn’t writing her litttle heart out, you can find her pestering the folks at Aggie Radio.
Avery Truman enjoys writing for NASA and reading science fiction.
— a.holdaway@usu.edu
— avery.j.truman@usu.edu
By Aubrey Holdaway and Avery Truman STATESMAN REPORTERS
PHOTOS BY Aubrey Holdaway
An attendee of the town hall on Dec. 5 holds a sign reading, “I speak for the trees.”
100-year-old ash trees on Canyon Road are shown with green ribbons tied around their trunks, as seen on Dec. 4.
Hannah Hart’s journey of resilience, community, independence at USU
By Samantha Isaacson STATESMAN REPORTER
Hannah Hart tells a story of resilience and strength through her life journey. She is a sophomore at Utah State University studying special education.
Hart said she chose to study special education in order to give back to her community.
“Growing up in the disability community my whole life, I’ve had people who have impacted my life in various ways,” Hart said. “This has made me want to give back to my community.”
Mary Abbott, Hart’s grandmother, said Hart was diagnosed with autism as a child.
“She was diagnosed with those when she was very young, but she’s never let them stop her,” Abbott said. “She is always working and is always meeting new friends. She is not afraid to do anything. She just finds these experiences to do all on her own. She’s very independent and is a self-starter and has really defied the odds with all the challenges she has faced.”
Anastasia Wein, Hart’s close friend, is a sophomore studying equine sciences at USU. They met through Aggies Elevated, a program for students with disabilities who want to attend college.
“I know that it was pretty hard for her to leave home, but she is always very happy,” Wein said. Wein said Hart is always there for her and is very kind.
“If I’m having a hard day or something, she always likes to celebrate my achievements,” Wein said. “I think she’s the sweetest person. Her last name is ‘Hart’ for a reason.”
Hart is a DJ for Aggie Radio where she shares music with her listeners through her show, “The Greatest Show.”
“I have my radio show every Thursday night at seven, and I do different themes every week, whether it’s Broadway theme, Christmas or just regular random songs,” Hart said.
Hart said she wanted to become more involved at college, and her radio show allowed her to do just that.
“I was trying to figure out opportunities for me to get involved more,” Hart said. “I used to be in the institute choir and that didn’t end up working out, so I decided to try something new.”
Hart was recently accepted into the Disney College Program.
“I got accepted into the Disney College Program, which means I’ll be living in Orlando, Florida working at Disney World as a cast member full-time,” Hart said.
“I’ll start there on Jan. 13.”
Hart said she will be taking some credits while she is in the program and will be back at USU in the fall. Hart said she became interested in the Disney College Program after learning about it as a teenager.
“I found out about it on social media, and I thought it was the coolest thing and have been wanting to get involved ever since,” Hart said. “I’m thrilled that I can be part of it this year.”
Wien said Hart is an inspiration to her.
“It is hard having a disability because sometimes I do feel like an outsider,” Wein said. “I always remember just thinking of Hannah as a role model and saying, ‘Hey, Hannah and I are in college, and she didn’t let her disability stop her.’ She gets out and she has so many friends. She inspires me to make more friends and not let my disability stop me.”
Samantha Isaacson is a junior majoring in journalism with a double minor in art and psychology. She loves to read and spend time outdoors.
Chase Eckman hosts “The Bank,” a variety show with a new theme each week. He has plans to explore concerts he’s attended, music from movies and video games and more. Listeners can expect a wide range of niche and eclectic music every Friday at 10 a.m. on Aggie Radio 92.3 KBLU-LP Logan!
Aurora Foo Fighters
Time
Hootie & The Blowfish
Blood Upon the Snow Hozier, Bear McCreary
Pneuma TOOL
Baby Driver Simon & The Blowfish
PHOTOS BY Alyssa Wangsgard Hannah Hart hosts her show “The Greatest Show” on Nov. 20.
Hannah Hart in the new Aggie Radio studio on Nov. 20.
Aggies share their favorite
Bradin Rode, is a senior at Utah State University and is studying mechanical engineering and is from Lehi, Utah. “During Christmas, my brother and I will find a new pokemon game and then complete the living decks right before the new pokemon game comes out.”
Madelyn Little, a freshman biotechnology major from Brigham city, shares her favorite holiday tradition. “Every year we do Pie Day Friday where we have an entire meal of pies right after Thanksgiving, and the main course is chicken pot pie and then we just have dessert. Theres like 20 pies on the table its great.”
to “play a lot of games and make a
When asked about their favorite holiday traditions, Krysten Yoho, left, a senior studying special education “My grandparents take all the grandkids on the Polar Express every year, so we all get matching jammies. North Pole, you know, get cookies and hot chocolate on the train. Get a bell from Santa. It’s pretty awesome.”
Avery Taylor, right, a junior in education from Logan, Utah, said, “Every year on Halloween, I go see the Rocky my sister. But she’s sick this year, so she didn’t go because she’s pregnant.” Photographed on Nov. 19, 2024.
Amon Cothrn, a first year student studying nursing, sits alone in the lounge of the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Building. Cothrn, born and raised in Logan, says that his favorite holiday tradition is “spending time with family.”
Carter White, a junior studying kinesiology and business, said his favorite tradition is going to see Christmas lights.
PHOTO BY Ellie Lundquist
PHOTO BY Julie Ann Carlton
PHOTO BY Kayla Brown
PHOTO BY Naomi Cragun
Brooke Bailey is freshman from Arizona studying marketing. She says her favorite holiday tradition is how her and her family always get together
lot of food on Christmas Eve.
PHOTO
PHOTO BY Kamree Stewart
favorite holiday traditions
Lundquist Sorenson holiday
PHOTO BY Kyler Cardis
Dallin Condie a sophmore here at USU was raised in Logan Utah, and is majoring in psychology and family science. His favorite holiday tradition is: “Every year for Christmas my little little we get her a barbie doll no matter how old she gets, but we replace the body with some kind of food item.”
PHOTO BY Rose Ivins
Alexis Bennett graduated two years ago from USU’s Master of Dietetics Administration program. Orignally from Wyoming, she now works as a preceptor within the Dietetics program. “I’m mostly a fan of Christmas, I would say, and I’m also a chef,” Bennett shared. “I would say my favorite holiday traditions involve food, always. For example, we always have seafood, or fondue, or Christmas cookies.”
BY Henry Omar Lopez - Ortiz from Bountiful, Utah, said, I go see Santa Claus in the awesome.”
Rocky Horror Picture Show with 2024.
PHOTO BY Addy Merkley Selin Istanbulluoglu, a sophomore studying psychology, said her favorite holiday tradition is Thanksgiving because it’s a chance to go home to Washington and see my family.
PHOTO BY Erica Mejia
Hannah Castro, a senior from Rexburg studying public relations, said her favorite tradition is “The Macy’s parade we always watch it as a family while making pie.”
PHOTO BY Kenadie Jackson
Huntsman Students, Natalia Torres Bartolic and Noelia Garcia Weilding agreed their favorite holiday tradition is going ice skating and then bundaling up with some hot chocolate and a good Christmas movie.
PHOTO BY Addison Smith
Lindsey Warburton, a Junior majoring in elementary education, describes her favorite holiday tradition outside the Technology Building at Utah State University on Thursday, Nov. 21, saying “we do like a talent show on Christmas Eve, so like Christmas Eve day, we come up with what our talent is for the talent show that night.”
Shifting systems: USU removes College Scheduler registration tool
By Brook Wood STATESMAN REPORTER
This year’s spring registration was the first registration session not to utilize College Scheduler since Utah State University adopted the tool a few years ago.
The USU Registrar’s Office website described College Scheduler as being “the most efficient way for you to optimize your semester’s schedule and maximize credit hours. College Scheduler generates a variety of daily schedules to fit your needs based on the criteria you input, such as campus location, desired courses, and work breaks.”
USU now uses one tool for registration: Ellucian Banner. The website describes Banner as the “traditional registration option… You can still add, drop, and find different classes in Banner, but you will miss out on the added features like being able to add in when you need breaks to auto generate schedules that work for you.”
According to the official Ellucian website, Banner is used by over 1,400 institutions. At USU, Banner is used to submit registration requests, while College Scheduler is used for various student services, including generating schedule options based on applied filters.
Daylin Myers, associate registrar for the Registrar’s Office, was part of the decision process of whether to discontinue College Scheduler.
Myers said Banner has been the registration tool at USU since 2005 and the office went to great lengths to make an informed decision to eliminate College Scheduler.
“When we heard that people were thinking about not renewing the contract with Civitas [Learning] — who owns College Scheduler — we started asking questions,” Myers said. “We pulled students in, we talked to advisers and we talked to peer advisers to try to get a feel for, you know, how often do students use Banner versus College
Scheduler, and what do they like about it? What don’t they like about it?”
Myers said the decision to rid of College Scheduler was because it was doing similar functions that Banner already has, making it a superfluous tool. While it was questioned if it was a monetary issue within the university, it is because Scheduler was no longer needed according to Myers and the Registrar’s Office.
Civitas Learning is a student success software and owner of College Scheduler.
“We had a contract with them, and there were a whole bunch of aspects to that contract,” Myers said. “It’s kind of like your Progressive ‘bundle your car insurance with your home insurance’ and all that sort of stuff. We had bundled a whole bunch of stuff with them, and all that stuff had gone away — except for College Scheduler.”
While Myers admitted he was not an attendee of the money discussions, he said College Scheduler was being removed to tie up what looked like loose ends.
“We asked all those students and the advisers and the peer advisers and talked to folks,” Myers said. “Students are happy either way. They use both. They use College Scheduler for some things. They use Banner for other things. ‘It’s easier on Banner for this.’ So we gave that back to the decision makers.”
Myers spoke on the important role that student and faculty feedback had on the decision-making process. Focus groups helped the office create instructional videos on how to navigate Banner.
The office sent out more emails than usual about registration and the recent changes, and had people answering the phones from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. On the days of registration, the registrar’s office responded to emails and questions around the clock.
Brook Wood is working towards receiving a bachelor’s degree in literature. When they aren’t writing or reading, they enjoy playing the violin in the USU Symphony Orchestra and the occasional sweet treat.
b.wood@usu.edu
Q&A by Esther Owens
Q: What is your role within Residence Life?
A: I work as a Resident Assistant for Canyon Crest Suites. This is my third year as an RA and my first in Canyon Crest. Before, I was in the Student Living Center. I also help out on the hiring committee and the social media committee.
Q: Which ATCA principles align with the work you do?
A: I think social responsibility is huge. We put a lot of focus on building a community with an emphasis on education. We want the students to learn how to take care of themselves, others and the greater community.
Q: How do you think your work impacts the Aggie Community?
A: Residence Life is an integral part of the Aggie community and the college experience. We create a foundation for student success and well-being by providing residents with support and resources. Working to build that strong community contributes to an overall positive campus culture where everyone feels welcomed.
Q: Can you provide a specific example when you or someone on your team demonstrated ATCA principles?
A: My supervisor January Webb is an amazing example of all three principals. She approaches conduct situations with students from a perspective of empathy, understanding and education. I look up to her as a great mentor and am always impressed by her ability to make us all feel seen and heard.
Community through conversation
By Landri LaJeunesse STATESMAN REPORTER
Typically suited for quiet activities, the Logan Library has an upbeat air to it as children flock to the second floor a few times each month to join in on some fun. What are they doing? Well, they’re supposed to be doing homework.
With help from student volunteers, these kids work on homework and assignments in a tutoring program through Athletics United, a non-profit organization focused on bringing the community together. For them, that means creating a safe and fun environment during their meetings, even if the kids don’t get all their homework done on tutoring nights.
“Our priorities are not checking off assignments,” said Athletics United student lead Mayu Mecham. “Our main goal is to have a safe space for them.”
Mecham explained the program’s welcoming environment is important to maintain because many of its participants are adjusting to change. Those who show up mostly come from refugee and immigrant backgrounds.
“Everyone is welcome, but that’s the population we are mostly targeting,” Mecham said.
Along with the children, adult community members also get involved, receiving help with their English skills, obtaining a library card or anything else they might need. Mecham said many of them have a difficult time moving to a new place, which is why they focus on creating a sense of community.
“They just come whenever they want. It’s not like they sign up — it’s not mandatory,” Mecham said. “This is a community place.”
However, it isn’t library cards and tutoring that got this program up and running.
Mike Spence, founder and executive director of Athletics United, used to be the cross country associate head coach at Utah State University. After he stopped coaching in 2016, he missed the running community so much he got involved again — this time in a different direction.
“I became aware that we had a vibrant refugee community here in Logan that I didn’t even know about,” Spence said. “That was how we started — just as a running club.”
While he was at USU, Spence was able to focus on community and inclusion through coaching. Once he was no longer a part of that scene, he missed the involvement USU provided, which is why he was inspired to start a running club.
“The idea of running is that running is an easy thing to participate in — no barriers to entry,” Spence said. “Shoes, no shoes, doesn’t matter.”
For Spence, what really mattered was getting out of the “bubble.” This meant inviting the neighborhood to meet in a grass field to do 50-meter sprints as their first official club meeting.
“We didn’t know what we were going to do at first,” Spence said. “We just met at a local elementary school.”
After pacing off 50 meters, Spence had the kids run. Despite many initial complaints, he said they were hooked by the second, make-shift practice.
“At the next practice, we ran for 10 minutes in a circle,
and I would jot down how many laps everyone did,” Spence said. “Everyone kept going.”
Yanet Standi, one of the original members of the club, recalled what it was like during those first few meet-ups.
“I remember doing extra laps,” Standi said. “I’ve never seen that many kids as well, even though I lived there.”
After weeks of successful turnout and many 50-meter sprints, they decided to take their club one step further.
“We kept showing up week after week, and kids kept showing up week after week, so we entered a local 5K,” Spence said.
Spence said. “We decided to read some books, and pretty soon, that turned into a tutoring night and a reading night.”
Now, Athletics United has been doing tutoring for six years, all because the community felt comfortable enough to ask for help on the way home.
“I think the thing that I loved about it was the nonjudgment zone,” Standi said. “It created trust.”
For Standi, a large part of that trust came from the original student volunteers who helped her with her homework and assignments. She said they made her feel comfortable.
“They were just kids,” Standi said. “They weren’t somebody who was teaching.”
Participants Haben Okubeadrias and Rahel Abdela, amid banter, explained what the program means to them.
“The program is very kind,” Okubeadrias said. “It’s very helpful for you to learn new things. It also teaches you new languages.”
For Okubeadrias, this program is not only a way for her to work on her English without judgement but a way for her and Abdela to have a bit of fun, including playing Giant UNO.
Spence said this is exactly the kind of outcome the program is looking for.
“Everyone has an individual opportunity to make a difference in their community and to create those safe spaces that we all rely on to be ourselves,” Spence said. “I think we all have more individual power than we realize to make a difference. It takes effort and it takes getting outside your comfort zone, but at the same time, it’s not complicated, and it’s fun.”
Standi believes the answer is simple.
“Just don’t be afraid,” Standi said. “You’re just in your bubble — but step out.”
Whether it’s running, getting a library card, tutoring children with their homework or just having fun, Standi urges students and community members alike to “get comfortable being uncomfortable.”
For her, it’s made all the difference.
By that point, Standi and her fellow club members were already talking about what else they could accomplish.
The group was originally going to take a break over the winter months, but after receiving family and community support during their 5K and a turnout of 30 people running for Athletics United, the kids were adamant about keeping the club going in the cold.
“We found a place at the rec center, and we started running inside,” Spence said. “That was it. We just ran all year.”
From there, Spence said, the rest came down to conversation.
“That’s the thing about running — it gives you an excuse to be in the same place, and you can talk as much or as little as you want or need that day,” Spence said.
Because the club carpooled during the winter months, they also had extra time for talking.
“One of those conversations that came up was about this library and how families wanted to get library cards but didn’t know how to do that,” Spence said.
After their carpool conversation, Spence and the club set up a library night to help families and kids get library cards.
“Then just like running, nobody wanted to go home,”
To volunteer with Athletics United, sign up on GivePulse under Utah State University at usu.givepulse.com/ group/9931-Utah-State-University.
Landri LaJeunesse is a junior studying journalism and communications with a minor in yoga studies. Catch her radio show “RADIO ESPRESSO” Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
- landri.lajeunesse@usu.edu
PHOTO BY Landri LaJeunesse
Student volunteers helping Athletics United participants at the Logan Library on Nov. 21.
Fiances on the field
By Ashley Dorius STATESMAN REPORTER
While people are starting to cozy up in flannel pajamas and watch Hallmark holiday romantic comedies, one Aggie couple got their rom-com come to life. On Nov. 23, Preston Howe proposed to Jade Hatch on the football field at Maverik Stadium right before the last USU football home game.
According to the couple, the proposal on the field was a complete surprise to Hatch and was sponsored by S.E. Needham Jewelers.
Howe shared that he and Hatch were scrolling on Instagram when they ran into an ad showcasing a sponsorship from S.E. Needham for an engagement ring. Unbeknownst to the other, they both filled it out.
“One of the questions was, ‘Would you be willing to propose on the field?,’” Howe said. “I was like, ‘Sure, what the heck, yeah. We’re not going to win it. We’ll click ‘Yes’ on that one.’”
S.E. Needham called him about a month later and alerted him that he won. Howe then had two weeks to get everything sorted out for the proposal.
“I was going to go with her to Virginia for Christmas — getting the blessing there from her dad,” Howe said. “But then we got the message from S.E. Needham and Utah State that we’d won the ring engagement thing.”
Howe shared even though this somewhat threw a wrench in his plan, he figured out a way to make everything work.
“I was like, ‘I’m already so in love with this girl. Why would I wait two months to get engaged?,’” Howe said. “It just so happened that both of [Hatch’s parents] happened to be in town that weekend, so I drove out to Vernal to go talk to them and got the blessing.”
“I was surprisingly calm until, I think, we walked onto the field and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s make or break time, I guess,’” Howe said. “It’s kind of a haze for me, but I took the knee, and I couldn’t hear anything, like it was just her. I don’t think I can describe how it felt, in a way. I never felt that before, but it felt just amazing.”
The crowd was cheering as Hatch said, “Yes.” She shared her thoughts as the proposal happened.
“I had no idea,” Hatch said. “I thought we were playing a game like they told me.”
Hatch and Howe unwrapped several empty boxes as part of the game, which made Hatch increasingly confused.
“I was like, ‘Why are these empty, there’s just, like, paper,’” Hatch said. “And he pulled out a box. And I immediately look at him, and I’m like, ‘What is going on?’”
Hatch accepted the proposal and shared that Howe ensured both of their families were there on the side of the field to watch.
Howe is a student at USU studying mechanical engineering, and Hatch recently transferred to Weber State from USU to become a dental hygienist. The lovebirds met at USU in a tennis class but started dating at the end of that semester.
“I had a crush on her the whole tennis class,” Howe said. “I think we decided at the end of the class to go get lunch or breakfast together as a tennis group because it was so fun.”
Howe shared she then asked to sit by him and flirted, which he didn’t recognize right away.
According to Hatch, the crush was mutual.
“I told my friend on the way there — I was like, ‘This boy is cute,’ so she made me sit next to him,” she said.
the time. He just wants everyone to be happy and takes care of everyone and is so sweet and wants to make everyone laugh and just brings a light to everything. Everyone’s just so excited to have him there.”
Howe added what he loves about Hatch.
“Doesn’t matter if you’re the President of the United States or you’re some random guy on the street, Jade’ll make anybody feel like they’re the most important person in the world,” Howe said. “I get to be around her all the time, so you can imagine how good I feel. But she’s a lifter. I’ve never seen her tear down or take apart.”
The proposal itself was staged as part of a fake game on the field. Howe and Hatch were tasked with unwrapping empty boxes under the guise they contained merch, and a decoy couple also participated. Hatch shared the fake couple had never actually met before, and she and Howe joked that them participating in the engagement would possibly jumpstart a new relationship. According to Howe, he felt excited and a bit nervous proposing on the field.
According to the couple, they talked a lot that day. Hatch said she was disappointed he didn’t make a move, but she texted him after the meal, and they quickly set up a date. Howe’s proposal came 10 months later after a bit of long distance from Utah to Virginia and a slightly shorter long distance from Ogden to Logan.
Hatch shared they fell in love throughout their relationship, and she fell more and more each day, even through the difficult times.
“Our first date was so, so good, and he just kept up the effort the whole time,” Hatch said. “I was like, ‘Wow, this kid is literally so cool and so awesome — so handsome.’ I don’t know, I think it just slowly grew the whole time.”
Howe shared that one moment that cemented Hatch as the girl he would marry was when he invited her over in the wintertime to build an igloo. He said he had done a bit of research but hadn’t realized the amount of work it would take to build the snow structure. However, they had an amazing time, even with close to twelve hours of work.
“We just started dating maybe a month or two before, and it was so fun,” Howe said. “I think that was kind of the moment for me. That’s kind of what I want in a partner. Somebody who not only works really hard, but it’s so enjoyable to be with them and working. Someone who makes hard things fun but also makes everything just better and more beautiful.”
The couple also shared attributes they love about each other.
“He’s a hard worker,” Hatch said. “He’s very smart. He lives with his family, and so I get to see him around his family all
Even though the couple is newly engaged, they shared what they are looking forward to with wedding planning.
“I think the whole thing’s going to be fun,” Hatch said. “I’m excited for everything except for invites. Everything else I think will be very fun, all the decorations, what we’re doing and everything. And he has opinions and actually will help me plan the whole thing for something that we both love.”
Howe added that he hopes everyone who comes has fun.
“I think I just want it to be our day, obviously, but I want it to be fun for everybody,” Howe said. “We’re going to have tons of fun. Like, we’ll make it worth people’s time.”
When asked how he feels knowing that he’s happily engaged, Howe said, “I can finally breathe. I’m so happy.”
Ashley Dorius is a sophomore studying journalism. She would study wedding planning, but bridezillas.
— ashley.dorius@usu.edu
PHOTOS BY Dane Johnson
Preston Howe (right) kneels as he proposes to his girlfriend Jade Hatch (left) on-field during a commercial break during the Utah State vs San Diego State football game at Maverik Stadium on Nov. 23.
Newly engaged couple Preston Howe (left) and Jade Hatch (right) pose for a photo at Maverik Stadium on Nov. 23.
By Mark Greenwood STATESMAN REPORTER
Wicked” has long been a personal and family favorite for me and my family. We have always enjoyed theatrical productions, especially musicals, including our favorites: “Les Misérables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “The Music Man” and, of course, “Wicked.” All those previously listed have already had a movie adaptation I thoroughly enjoyed, with “Les Misérables” being the most recent in 2012. “Wicked” took the world by storm after its launch in 2003, winning several Tony Awards with a cast headlined by now-icons Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Galinda.
I distinctly recall driving around with my mom in my younger years with the “Wicked” Original Broadway Cast Recording CD playing. I also saw the stage production of “Wicked” when I accompanied my oldest sister to thirdand fourth-wheel with another older sister and her nowhusband. When the movie adaptation was announced, we were all collectively excited — and nervous. We’d seen enough lousy movie adaptations to know this could go a long way in ruining what is an incredible production. After seeing it twice on the big screen, I’m happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the film tremendously.
Part of what I enjoy about “Wicked” is the plot and the idea that it introduces. Almost all are familiar with the iconic story of the “The Wizard of Oz” movie. We know its characters, the simplistic story of the good and bad witch and the classic ending good triumphing over evil. “Wicked” takes us back to before the arrival of Dorthy and Toto, giving us perspective as to how the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch came to be. According to “Wicked” it’s not quite the cut-and-dry good-versus-evil story we have become accustomed to. “Wicked” gives us a backstory that makes us think harder about who is truly good and evil. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, is much more complicated than initially thought. And Glinda the Good maybe isn’t as righteous as she appears. Both become victims of circumstance and are subject to the narratives, whether true or false, that are created by the one in power: The Wizard of Oz. This is not meant to be a thorough review or explanation of the plot of “Wicked”, but it does deserve to be mentioned. Additional research and reading are recommended if you are unfamiliar with the production. One of my most considerable reservations coming into the movie was the casting. Menzel and Chenoweth have become synonymous with “Wicked” for their portrayals of Elphaba and Galinda, and an on-par performance is clearly a tall order. The casting of Ariana Grande as Galinda did little to calm my fears that the movie would stray too much from the stage production and become too pop-heavy. I was also not very familiar with Cynthia Erivo, having never seen any of her films and her predominantly Broadway resume. I was, however,
aware of her skillset and had few reservations about the decision to cast her as Elphaba. That being said, both actresses were incredible in their roles, nailing both the vocals and acting aspects. Grande showcased her impressive vocal range, and Erivo cemented herself as one of the premier vocal actresses of the present time. Hearing more of these two come awards season would be no surprise.
“Wicked” is not as inherently star-studded as it could have been. Sure, it has well-known names such as Grande, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh. However, many of the actors are early in their careers and have only one or two widely recognized films or, in the case of Grande, haven’t been on the big screen much since her Nickelodeon days. Prior musical-to-movie adaptations have been loaded with stars. “Les Misérables,” for example, is headlined by big names such as Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway, among others. While doing less of this, “Wicked” was incredibly well done by all casting members and is one of the better-acted movie adaptations I’ve seen. Of course, a timely cameo from Menzel and Chenoweth just prior to the climax didn’t hurt either.
One of the biggest concerns for any adaptation is the variability it may have from the original production. Some directors attempt to recreate the original production and score exactly, while others, in an attempt to make it unique, vary too far and somewhat butcher it. “Wicked” strikes a nice balance between the original score and making the movie distinguishable. The soundtrack is well
adapted to each actor’s vocal capacities and strengths without making it too “dumbed down” or simple. Perhaps what I appreciated the most was how the songs were arranged for Grande and Erivo. There was no attempt to turn Erivo into Menzel, nor did Grande exactly imitate Chenoweth. Each song was uniquely adapted to fit the needs and strengths — or weaknesses — of the two while staying true to the foundation of the pieces.
In addition to the soundtrack’s vocal aspect, the orchestration was very well done. Frequently, in onstage productions, live pit orchestras can be limited by budget or space constraints. With few constraints, “Wicked” implemented sounds and combinations that, while not present in the original Broadway soundtrack, better fit the situation and feel of certain scenes or songs. The score certainly benefited from a wider variety of instruments used as well. Even with the increased orchestral capabilities, the songs were mixed in such a way as to allow the singers to be the prevalent sound in nearly all cases. This allows movie-goers to enjoy the lyrics and feel of the songs without feeling overwhelmed by exterior sounds or straining to understand the message. Overall, the soundtrack was very well done, paying homage to the original while adapting it to an onscreen environment with different capabilities.
Overall, I was very pleased with the movie “Wicked.” The essential elements they needed to do well, they did. The music was great, the visuals were eye-popping and the story and subplot were poignant. Sure, there are parts they could improve on. The cast overall may not have quite the vocal depth one would expect with a Broadwaylevel production. It’s a bit long, with Part One running just four minutes less than the entire stage production at 2 hours and 40 minutes, and I could do without so much dialogue breaking up the songs. Despite these minor complaints, “Wicked” far exceeded my expectations. Even if you are not typically a musical enthusiast, “Wicked” is a fun family film that I think all will enjoy, and it truly annoyed me that I must wait another year for Part Two.
Mark is a sophomore at USU studying economics and finance. He is an avid Los Angeles Dodgers fan and loves playing tennis and skiing.
PHOTO BY Aubrey Holdaway