USUSTATESMAN.COM
Utah State University, Logan, Utah
Week of November 13, 2023
Page 2 - The Utah Statesman, November 13, 202
A day in the life with Officer Jessica By Caitlin Keith NEWS EDITOR
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s the two tow trucks leave the location of the accident carrying the cars involved, and the debris is cleaned off the road, Officer Low gets out of her car and gathers up the cones she had been using to block the road and prevent cars from interfering with the aftermath of the accident located at 100 W. and Golf Course Road. Jessica Low, or J-Low as her coworkers call her, is a patrol officer for the Logan City Police Department. Low refers to herself as a “legacy hire” because her dad worked for the police department for 20 years. She said her dad, who currently works for dispatch along with her sister, is her biggest role model. She started with Logan Police in 2020 working in parking enforcement and then worked in a secretary position at the front desk of the department. In 2022, the department sponsored Low’s attendance at the Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy in Sandy to become a police officer. She finished the academy in May of that year and began working patrol shifts on her own after training in July. Low originally wanted to go into nursing, but when she realized it wasn’t what she wanted to do anymore, her dad suggested she try working at the police department.
“I dipped my toes in the water, and I was like, ‘I love this,’” Low said. Logan Police Capt. Shand Nazer, who serves as the patrol division commander, said when people think of the police, they likely envision the patrol division. “It’s the uniform and the badge in a marked police car,” Nazer said. “They’re taking calls for service. They’re stopping people, maybe for speeding, investigating traffic accidents — most of that stuff’s patrol. And then they’ll even take the initial report on more major crimes.” Patrol officers have three different shifts: the day shift, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the swing shift, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and the graveyard shift, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The officers rotate through the shifts every two months. Low is currently working on the swing shift. At the beginning of the shift, she meets with the officers working with her, including the supervising officers, to discuss any updates or announcements for the day. She then gets in her car and heads on her way, ready for whatever that day’s shift has in store, which she says is usually “a little bit of everything.” “I love it. Everything’s different. You know, you never know what’s going to happen or where you’re going to go,” Low said. “You have to switch gears so fast — you go from an accident to a burglary to a domestic dispute.”
Officer Low addresses a person she pulled over on Nov. 7.
Officer Jessica Low files a report in her vehicle on Nov. 7.
Both Nazer and Low grew up in Cache Valley and have now found careers here in Logan. Nazer has been with Logan City for 21 years and has worked in law enforcement for 25 years. “It’s a great place to work. It’s fun, there’s highs, there’s lows, get your adrenaline rush for the day, but you know, you also get to be like the community policing stuff, and I get to interact with people,” Low said. “It’s a good mix of both.” Over the span of four hours during her shift on Nov. 7, Low responded to an accident, took a report of a theft at Walmart, took multiple citizen assist calls and pulled over four drivers for expired registration. Low said the accident on Golf Course Road was due to stop signs recently being moved from the north and south entrances of the intersection to the east and west ones. Throughout her shift, Low can do a large portion of her work from her car, thanks to a computer installed in the vehicle that allows her to access the police call system, databases for license plates, warrants and other relevant information. She can also file paperwork for different cases and calls she works on, such as the paperwork for the tow trucks that had to be called in for the damaged cars in the accident. When sitting at stop lights, Low looks up the license PHOTOS BY Caitlin Keith plates of cars around her to see if anything flags in the
and derogatory comments,” Low said. “But all the men in the department are very respectful.” Low’s patrol covers the city of Logan, except for the area covered by Utah State University Police. But though USU has its own police department, the Logan Police still deal with students in a variety of issues, especially with students who live off-campus. Officer Jessica Low with a firefighter on the scene of a car accident on Nov. 7. Nazer said some system about the vehicle or the owner of issues arise because students aren’t familthe vehicle. It was doing this that led to iar with city ordinances. her pulling over four cars with expired “If they’re from elsewhere in Utah, they registrations during the first four hours of might know the state laws,” Nazer said. her shift. “But here in Logan, we’ve got our own city “A lot of people say that police officers ordinances.” have a ticket quota, but that’s illegal,” One issue Nazer said the police commonLow said. “I obviously set specific goals ly face with students is the overnight street for my day where I’m like, ‘I want to parking ordinance in Logan. From Nov. focus on this’ and ‘I want to talk to people 15 to March 15, there is no street parking about this,’ but the whole goal of traffic allowed for any vehicle or trailer from midenforcement is informing people.” night to 6 a.m. Low explained what it is like to be a This ordinance exists so snow plows and female officer in the police department. snow removal crews can remove snow “You deal with a lot of men outside in from the roads throughout the night. public. They’ll make creepy comments
Another ordinance prohibits parking a vehicle on the street for over 21 consecutive hours. Nazer also warned that recently, there have been a large number of vehicle burglaries and theft. He said there have been 53 stolen vehicles and 129 vehicle burglaries in Logan this year. “We encourage people to report it if it does happen, and we’ll investigate it,” Nazer said. “Nobody’s to blame for being burglarized if they leave their vehicle open. But we do recommend that people lock their vehicles, take any valuables out and take the keys out.” Starting on Nov. 14, USU Police will start working with the Cache County dispatch instead of having their own. This is the same dispatch the Logan Police use. To contact the dispatch, call (435) 753-7555.
Caitlin Keith looks really good in an orange sweater, according to the six people who told her so on Thursday. — c.keith@usu.edu
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THE BOARD Leah Call managing editor editor@usustatesman.com 435-797-1742 —————— Caitlin Keith news manager news@usustatesman.com —————— Madison Weber sports manager sports@usustatesman.com —————— Avery Truman lifestyles manager life@usustatesman.com —————— Maren Archibald copy editor copyeditor@usustatesman.com —————— Heidi Bingham multimedia editor photo@usustatesman.com —————— For advertising inquiries studentmedia@usu.edu —————— Student Media Office TSC 118 435.797.1775 Cover art by Phil Weber
Logan Police patrol officers meeting before their shift on Nov. 7.
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Low: a Logan Police legacy
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USU engineering takes flight at The Leonardo According to Justin Anderson, director of marketing and events at The museum, the exhibit will progressively showcase more USU student projects as time goes on he Leonardo, a science and art museum in and hand out swag. downtown Salt Lake City, welcomed all Utah On Saturday, ambassadors for the College of State University alumni, faculty, and students Engineering answered questions visitors had about the for free on Saturday, Nov. 4. program. According to their website, the USU College of “I think it’s so cool that we’re partnered with The Engineering is the new title sponsor and official educaLeonardo,” said Ivy Gowans, one of the ambassadors. tion partner for the museum’s flagship exhibit, FLIGHT: Aries Erickson, another ambassador, said, “This event The Next Leg. is going great. There’s a lot of turnout.” Nov. 4 marked the grand opening for USU’s research According to Erickson and Gowans, there were a lot of projects to be featured in the exhibit. alumni who came to the event with their children. “We’ve had a few high school students come through to get some information on the program and talk to us,” Erickson said. Ashton Gilbert, a student in the College of Engineering, was working at a booth showcasing a simulation he created. The simulation allowed guests to fly an F-16 fighter jet with no vertical tail. The research project is called BIRE, Biologically Inspired Rotating Empennage. “To allow the planes to fly without a vertical tail, we’re rotating the whole back end around so it’ll end up flying like birds,” Gilbert said. The design change increases the stealth of the aircraft. “Without a vertical tail, the plane will not show up as easily on surveillance scans,” said Michael Van Shaar, another engineering student. However, Gilbert is still working PHOTO BY Andie Allen on the control panel for the plane. Ashton Gilbert explains to a guest how to operate the F-16 simulator without a vertical tail on Nov. 4. As of now, the plane launches into By Andie Allen NEWS REPORTER
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TE UTAH STA
POLICE
BLOTTER
10/24/23
10/26/23
- Police and fire deparment responded to a call for medical assistance in the Central Campus area. Responders provided necessary aid and cleared the individual releasing them to a responsible party.
10/30/23
- An officer assisted an individual searching the area of the HPER for their lost ring. They were unable to locate the ring.
- Police responded to a request to provide a police escort. An officer escorted the individual from Maverik Stadium to the location requested during morning hours.
- An officer met with an individual and discussed concerns of stalking. They provided the individual with resources and offered continued support if needed.
- A delayed report was made to police regarding the theft of Halloween decorations from Bullen Hall.
an endless spiral without any way to control its movements. “But that’s what we’re working on,” Gilbert said. “Eventually we’ll convert these models and cut off the tail to fly like that.” Before they practice on real planes, they are able to test everything in the simulator, according to Gilbert. The current schedule accounts for the research project to be completed next summer. Another interactive display was a kiosk displaying “WingCraft: Design Your Flying Marvel!” Gilbert called it a “kid version video game.” The software allowed users to design their own airplane wings, then test if their creation would fly in real-life situations. Also up for display was a large white wing, which was part of a recently finished research project, according to Gilbert. A list of all the exhibits with detailed information can be found on USU’s Aerolab website, along with the WingCraft software. Within The Leonardo’s gift shop, visitors can purchase USU College of Engineering memorabilia, including shirts, blankets, and hats.
Andie Allen has spent the last four years studying English and journalism at USU since she is too short to be a Disney princess. — andie.allen@usu.edu
10/31/23 - Several items were tampered with and destroyed in a public restroom. Police gathered information on possible suspects and worked to resolve the issue. 11/2/23 - A possible theft of USU property was reported at the Life Sciences Building. An officer reviewed security camera footage and determined the item was retrieved and has been returned to its location. 10/7/23 - Officers on patrol came into contact with several individuals in violation of USU’s alcohol policy. espondents were issued
economy,” stressful jobs, family situations and mental health to explain why students may need a break and, as a result, use her service. “We’re becoming a lazy society; we’re just not willing to research. The intent of these companies isn’t nefarious in of themselves in terms of where they began, but they’ve become so,” Peterson said. Hailey Johnson, a junior majoring in psychology who tutors at the USU Writing Center, said many students may lose motivation due to “busywork” assignments in classes they don’t care about. “A lot of people in college are just trying to get the piece of paper and not really the depth of knowledge,” Johnson said. Peterson agreed, saying while those resources could alleviate stress, it was PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY Heidi Bingham also important to consider laziness. “It hurts them; they don’t have those By Kris Carptenter skills that they should be gaining in colNEWS REPORTER lege. They’re losing that,” Peterson said. “The ethical and moral dilemma is, who are we training up to be our hat would the point be to have the students doctors and our lawyers and our builders?” cheat in the first place? Again, to alleviate The Write Choice covers all subjects, Montgomery stress.” That was a statement written by wrote, including Ph.D. and master’s work, although they Tramiah Montgomery, founder of a company called do not offer to take students’ medical or professional The Write Choice, in a chat conversation with The Utah entrance exams. Statesman. Krystin Deschamps, director of Student Conduct and Just earlier this year, The Write Choice had mailed a Community Standards, said the best way students could flyer to Utah State University, advertising in large, white discourage their peers from engaging with the service letters: “We do homework for college students!” was to have them imagine its long-term impact. The company also advertised that they “offer” research “If you leave USU not really knowing how to write a papers, admission and scholarship essays, discussion paper, or how to write a computer code, or how to think boards, projects, tests and quizzes, proctored assigncritically, it will catch up to you when you sit in front ments, entire online courses, resumes, cover letters — of your boss with poor work,” Deschamps wrote in an and more. email to the Statesman. Shari Peterson, the USU Testing Center manager, said According to the company’s website, The Write Choice this isn’t the first company to offer these types of sercharges $20 per page if the assignment is submitted ten vices. days before the deadline. If students ask for a “same day “I think there is a great appeal for information right delivery,” they charge $40 per page. now,” Peterson said. “We have this high expectation, we When the students order their assignment, they must as humans right now, to be able to have a question and also pay a 50% non refundable security deposit, the get answers immediately.” website said. The Write Choice was legally filed in July of 2022 “You’re paying to be here. Why pay somebody to do in the state of Georgia under the name of Tramiah your homework?” Johnson said. Montgomery. Montgomery said over a dozen USU students were To get more information regarding the company, the using her services, and that her Utah customer base had Statesman called Montgomery. After a few minutes, skyrocketed to over 100 students after KSL.com wrote Montgomery said she only did chat interviews and about the company. quickly hung up. The entirety of her statements were She would not name any of the students paying for her made via the company’s online chat service. company’s work, citing her clients’ confidentiality. Montgomery wrote she started the company to “help If they did find out a student was using these sercollege students get a break.” vices, Deschamps encouraged professors to fill out an “College forces students to take classes that are not “Academic Integrity Violation Form,” as plagiarism is relevant to their future field, all for financial gain. We a violation of Student Code Article VI. Ultimately, the help alleviate the unnecessary stress,” Montgomery instructor would have to determine if the Code has been wrote. violated. Montgomery cited circumstances such as a “failing “In all cases of academic misconduct, there is a course
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Nationwide company does homework for students
sanction, determined by the instructor (i.e., a lower grade, a requirement to retake/redo the assignment, etc.), and a University sanction, such as probation, suspension, or expulsion,” Deschamps wrote. To report a student to the Office of Student Conduct if they’re suspected of cheating, Deschamps said the office would need to know the student’s name and class. At the very least, the student would face academic probation and a transcript notation, she added. “If you get caught now, you will have a Conduct record for at least a year,” Deschamps wrote. “It’s just a lot better to try and struggle and learn now, than it is to cheat and have it catch up with you.” Montgomery wrote they haven’t had issues between students and their university policies while the company has operated. “Students know their own school policy. When you get on public transportation, the risk is on you,” Montgomery wrote. “Just like any other business, whatever risk that applies to the student, would be on them.” While students may be risking probation, suspension or expulsion to get work done from The Write Choice, Montgomery noted how she does not worry about her own business. “I don’t have to uphold policies for universities I do not attend,” Montgomery wrote. “What does the student agreeing to policies have to do with me (who is not part of the organization)?” When the Statesman asked Montgomery about the possibility of running into legal trouble with universities or students, she said her company was not breaking the law. “A policy or regulation within a university is not a law, nor does it hold legal weight,” Montgomery wrote. Whether the company gets into legal trouble or not, she said their influence is widespread — with Montgomery adding that her business was “lucrative enough” to send flyers to universities across all fifty states. Neither Montgomery nor the website specified the salaries of the company’s and researchers Peterson said she hoped regardless of how attractive the resource was, students needed to consider the importance behind university learning. “I really hope that the USU students take a step back and ask themselves, ‘Why am I here?’” Peterson said. “To just get that piece of paper that says, ‘You deserve more money’ — or actually educate your mind, and have the work ethic to gain the knowledge for yourself?” Kris Carpenter is a senior studying English and journalism. When they’re not reporting and writing, they’re spending time with their spouse, reading or playing Dungeons and Dragons. — kris.carpenter@usu.edu
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Science Week brings Dogs, Donuts & Don’t Stress all the different clubs — we try to have events that kind of highlight all of those.” The Dogs, Donuts & Don’t Stress event was a chance for all students to relax and recharge with resources provided for students to reach out to if they needed help. Bekah Grant, a member of the College of Science Council, helped to plan the event. “We just catered to helping students find the emotional and other support systems that they need,” Grant said. Therapy dogs were present at the event, along with student resources, included Planned Parenthood, SAAVI, CAPS, Campus Recreation and the Queer Student Alliance. “This event in particular, the Dogs, Donuts & Don’t Stress, is more about general student advocacy,” Winder said. “Some College of Science resources such as our PHOTOS BY Jack Burton tutoring centers. We also have a bunch Students pet a dog in the TSC on Nov. 1. of other resources that are available to students here in Utah State and also in Logan.” By Jacob Casper The council took the time to plan and host the event LIFESTYLES REPORTER for fellow students whose course loads are reaching their his year, the College of Science invited dogs to in- peak, providing a brief break from homework and midteract with students for the Dogs, Donuts & Don’t terms. Stress event. “College is a stressful time,” Grant said. “That’s kind of It was part of Science Week, which ran from Oct. 30 to how we related it to just wanting to do something to give Nov. 3. back to students in our college.” Jaxton Winder, the senator for the College of Science, The therapy dogs were provided by Utah Pet Partners. was the head of planning for the event. “They’re an organization that provides therapy animals “Science Week is a week that is dedicated to the College for different events,” Winder said. “They bring these aniof Science to help bring awareness to our existence, the mals to hospitals, hospice care units, events — they have students that we have as well as the opportunities that a bunch of trained therapy animals that are registered we offer,” Winder said. “All the different departments —
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USU students visit booths in the TSC during the Dogs, Donuts, & Don’t Stress event on Nov. 1.
service animals, and they provide them just as the general public good.” Though Science Week is over, there are still ways to get involved with the College of Science, or any college community on campus. “How people can get involved is if they join the council,” Grant said. “I think that’s given me a lot of purpose in school and finding peers that are like-minded, wanting to help out their fellow students by being on the council and making a little bit more of a direct impact.” Both Winder and Grant said these college communities help students grow individually, make connections in their field and get involved with campus events.
Jacob Casper is majoring in English with an emphasis in creative writing. When he’s not working, he hangs out with his wife. Jacob is an avid hoodie, card and board game collector. - a02357545@usu.edu
By Ella Stott LIFESTYLES REPORTER
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nationwide Thanksgiving tradition, the Turkey Trot has been at Utah State University since 2021. “We were looking for a way to bring people back together while being outside,” said Katie Burns, director of Campus Recreation. “It was a huge hit that first year.” Burns said that the competitive nature of the participants keeps the tradition going. “It is amazing to me how many people run – sometimes a race just forces us to push ourselves a little bit harder,” Burns said. Amanda Bray, associate director of programs and assessment, said there’s a lot of camaraderie amongst the competition. “Everybody really enjoys the atmosphere that they get, just because it’s being out there with friends or family,” Bray said. “Then there are people that are there cheering them on as they’re going through the course.” Bray said there are lots of people who go to win and others who just walk the course for fun. “You could be an athlete or a cross-country runner,” Bray said. “But then we also have a lot of groups that are just friends that are just looking for a fun event to do on campus.” The USU Turkey Trot puts on a food drive for the Family Place, an organization that supports survivors of family violence. “Their mission is to strengthen families and protect children by providing fun and family-focused events in the community,” Bray said. “Some of those offerings include therapy services, education workshops and kids’ places.” According to Burns, the collected food goes to children and families in need. “I believe it is in the spirit of Thanksgiving that we’re acknowledging what we have and sharing out of that,” Burns said. The upcoming Turkey Trot will take place Nov. 17, and volunteers are welcome to join. “Different organizations on campus like our clubs — they’ll come and they’ll be the ones volunteering and working,” Bray said. “They’re also the ones that are there cheering and supporting the students.” For students who have engaged in the Turkey Trot before, Bray said participants won’t have the same experience twice. “We change our course every year to kind of keep it interesting,” Bray said. In addition, participants can be motivated to win the first place prize. “Our top two, the male and female, get a turkey,” Bray said. “That’s kind of like another award and competition that everybody tries to strive for.” Burns said the date being Nov. 17 works well for students who are interested in having an action-packed Friday. “This year, it is right before a women’s basketball
GRAPHIC BY Brenna Hiltbrand
game against Weber State,” Burns said. “Why not come run, hang out with some other cool students at the finish line, then head over to cheer on the Aggies?” All USU students can be registered in the race for $5, and other members of the community can be registered for $10. “Even if you’re not registered, it’d be awesome that people come out and cheer racers on,” Bray said. “Then also help bring food donations for the Family Place.” The event will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday. “We will send you all the specifics once you register, but it starts and ends at the ARC,” Burns said. “Remember that campus is on a hill, so pretty much every course has a little bit of a hill you get to run up.” Bray said it’s important for participants and volunteers to dress warmly in preparation for the race. “We’re trying something different to make it closer to the holiday,” Bray said. “It is going to be chilly.” Participants can visit recportal.usu.edu to register for the race. For more information about The Family Place, visit thefamilyplaceutah.org.
Tanner Collins - hey y’all! T-Time is a variety show, every once in a while I’ll do a theme show but mostly whatever gets suggested to me or I come across. If you have a theme or song suggestions for my show my Instagram is @tanner_ collins10 Down the Line Beach Fossils
Something The Beatles
Everlong Foo Fighters
Save The Baby Enumclaw
Ella Stott is a first year student studying English and journalism because she hates money. When she’s not writing, she’s watching sitcoms. -ella.stott@usu.edu
Paul Revere Noah Kahan
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Turkey Trot 5K celebrates its 3rd year
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A family legacy from Kirkham to I By Madison Weber SPORTS EDITOR
t is sung at every sporting event before the game starts and when the game ends, win or lose. It’s a symbol of school spirit and years of dedication to the Aggie community. Sounds of “The Scotsman” are heard throughout the stadium as athletes, students and fans sing along to the historic melody. Ebenezer John Kirkham wrote The Scotsman as a Utah State University student in 1918 as an anthem for Aggie pride. Over 100 years later, his great-great-grandsons are on the same grounds playing football for USU. Junior defensive end Kaden and freshman defensive lineman Tanner Jolley chose to walk on to the USU football team because of their rich family history here. “It just feels like home. A home away from home,” Tanner said. “I think the Jolley blood is just attracted to Logan, Utah.” Their parents, Tyler and Jeena Jolley, attended USU along with numerous other family members. Their grandfather played USU baseball in the 1960s and coached football at Logan High School. Having a rich family connection at the school has made the experience more meaningful for the brothers and their parents. “I just feel a deep-seated connectedness and a love towards my family and how grateful I am to just have a family,” Tanner said. “It’s certainly something just amazing that you can’t really replicate anywhere else, and I’m just super grateful to have the opportunity to even just
stand on the sidelines.” The two brothers grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado and attended Fruita Monument High School, where they excelled on the field. After high school, Kaden served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Barranquilla, Colombia. Upon his return, he enrolled in USU without having a spot on the football team. Halfway through Kaden’s first year, Tanner was a junior in high school, and the two went through the recruiting process together. “I was never totally sure I wanted to play football in college,” Kaden said. “We were trying to get walk-on spots at Utah State, and we were going back and forth with some of the coaches, and the director of player personnel at the time gave Tanner preferred walk-on. After fall camp, I was able to join the team. but getting there was like shellshock because it’s so different from high school, and it had been like three years since I’d even thought about football.” The adjustment after the time off was a challenge for Kaden and at times, discouraging. “I’m very grateful Heavenly Father gave me the opportunity to even walk on and experience this, even though, some days I’m less than grateful for it,” Kaden said. “I always remind myself that this is what I wanted. I wouldn’t change it for anything.” Tanner also served as a missionary in Salt Lake City after high school. Since his USU commitment happened in high school, he started with the team less than a week
Tanner Jolley, left, and Kaden Jolley, right, stand near a memorial dedicated to thei
Tanner and Kaden Jolley warm up before the game at at Maverik Stadium on Oct. 7.
after returning home. “I only had like five days before football practice started after my mission, and I certainly think the adjustment could have been a lot harder, but I think God was helping me out,” Tanner said. “He blessed me to be able to just have some strength in my body after not really working out super hard for two years and being able to get back into it fairly quickly. It’s certainly a lot more intense than high school football.” He has been home for four months now and believes he’s a better player because of his religious service. He, along with Kaden, credit their collegiate football career to their mom — or “momager.” “She’s always supported me and my brother and everybody, and she always pushes us to just be the best we can be,” Tanner said. “Being here is just like, kind of a little kid’s dream come true, and that’s all due to just my mom helping me out. Without her, I literally wouldn’t have been able to do anything.” Tanner explained the process of getting recruited is PHOTO BY Jack Burton like a “game.” He said even if you’re good, you won’t get recruited without knowing what the coaches want and
ir great-great-grandfather, Ebenezer J. Kirkham on Oct. 27.
musician, went to Lehi to teach music and recognized Kirkham’s musical talents. Kirkham, his father and his brothers formed a pioneer band that traveled all over Utah to sing and play for people. He later attended a year of school at Brigham Young University before going on a mission in Switzerland and Germany where he “sang his way into many homes.” At one point, he was imprisoned for preaching and used his musical talents to befriend the guards. He was released just three days later. Kirkham noted in his journal, “I was the happiest prisoner Chur ever had or ever will have.” After his mission, Kirkham received a degree in agronomy from the Utah State Agricultural College. He participated in the college quartet, glee club, was a song leader and more. Most memorable, he composed the Aggie rally song. “People are so fond of it, not just that he wrote it, but the people like really, really love it. It really makes you feel the Aggie proud,” Kaden said. “It is incredibly special and it does add an extra element. I think football in the Mav would be special regardless, but it just adds a little extra cherry on top that our great-great-grandfather wrote the song that we sing at everything.” Kirkham performed The Scotsman at countless sporting events during his time at USU. After he had graduated, he continued to perform as an alumnus and sang other songs throughout Utah. Tyler grew up hearing stories of Kirkham from his parents and grandparents. “Great-grandpa Kirk, he would like kind of travel around the Wasatch Front singing with his dad and his brothers. He kind of always had music and singing,” Tyler said. Tyler said after Kirkham graduated, he had a 46-year career selling life insurance. He would go door to door as PHOTO BY PHIL WEBER a salesman and found a unique way to secure deals. “When he would get to the door and open the door, he
playing the recruitment game. Once Kaden and Tanner decided to try for a walk-on, their mom was their No. 1 supporter. They said she learned how to play the game. “First off, I want to say I love my mom. She’s like our football manager, but she’s our mom,” Kaden said. “She calls herself the momager because, without her, we would not have been able to get any walk or preferred walk-on. She was the reason why we got here.” Jeena helped organize camps and meetings with coaches, check emails, respond to offers and even help run their Twitter accounts. The two said she helped them because she believed in them and their family legacy. The most notable member in their family tree, greatgreat-grandpa Kirkham, remains in their hearts every time they step on the field. “He loved singing and everything to do with it,” Tanner said. “He would gather groups of people and just start singing. And I guess that’s what kind of inspired him to want to make his own song and to lead people.” Kirkham was born in 1885 in Lehi. His mother died when he was five years, old and he was raised working with his father. Ebenezer Beesley, a famous pioneer
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o the Jolley brothers
SUBMITTED BY FAMILY Ebenezer J. Kirkham’s graduation photo at Utah State University in 1918.
would sing The Scotsman, especially around Cache Valley and the Wasatch Front. People just thought that was so charming, they would buy insurance from him,” Tyler said. That charm took him far, with Kirkham becoming one of New York Life Insurance’s best salesmen. They even rewarded him with a solid gold ring engraved with a crest, all because he entered the hearts and homes of locals who cherished the school song. From Kirkham writing The Scotsman to Kaden and Tanner playing in Maverik Stadium, the Jolley family legacy lives on at USU. “Who would have ever thought that great-grandpa Kirk stood in a similar stadium as us? It’s pretty nuts to see how it’s full circle,” Tyler said. “He was there to get the crowd pumped and he was always at all those games. One hundred years later, here we are going to those games and watching the boys. I’m grateful for the football team and the coaches to just allow them to be on the team right now together.” The Scotsman lives on, as does Kirkham’s spirit. “It’s just amazing,” Tanner said. “As they sing The Scotsman, I listen to it and I can’t help but feel connected to my great-great grandfather that I never really knew.”
Madison Weber is a senior studying journalism and international studies. When she’s not writing or watching sports, she enjoys animals, good food and time with family. — madison.weber@usu.edu
Ebenezer J. Kirkham directs a community singing group.
SUBMITTED BY FAMILY
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USU’s annual drag show gives spotlight to queer community By Sam Goodman LIFESTYLES REPORTER
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he annual USU Drag Show is a spectacle of inclusion that celebrates LGBTQ+ students. Emily Hill and Abby Lamborn are the directors of this year’s show, which will be held on Nov. 15. Hill has been involved in every USU drag show so far. The event, put on by the Inclusion Center, was carried out by the Residence Life directors when Hill and Lamborn were resident assistants. “We advertise for auditions around campus and around
the community,” Hill said. “The very first year, we also reached out to more professional performers based out of Salt Lake. The vast majority of performers, probably 99% throughout the years, have either been current USU students or alumni.” At a university Lamborn felt was “lacking in representation,” one of her friends had the idea for a drag show, thinking it was “something that he could do to bring more awareness to the queer community,” she said. “We did have backlash at the time,” Lamborn said. “But the university decided to support us in going forward in that, so we’re really proud and excited.”
According to Lamborn, many don’t have open spaces. “Utah was not known to be the heaviest inclusion for a lot of queer individuals,” Lamborn said. “And especially at our shows, I believe every single year at least one person who says this is the first open space, the first welcoming space they’ve had to be queer, to celebrate queerness or to even be exposed to any form of queerness. At least to us, it’s a lot of just creating a space where they can be educated about this community and feel safe to be whatever they are.” Ike Thomas was involved in the drag show last year. He is excited to be a part of the show this year, performing as “Gassy Cassy.” “I’ve always been interested in drag, starting in middle and high school experimenting with makeup,” Thomas said. “I love the creativity I can put together. I am always having fun.” According to Thomas, the drag show is important because it has been one of USU’s most attended events in the past few years. Lamborn said the keynote speaker that annually presents at each show is a big part of the performance. “We always have a keynote speaker as a part of the performance,” Lamborn said. “That speaker talks about the importance of drag in the queer community — a lot of rights that we have now as queer people from drag.” The show will take place Nov. 15, as part of Trans Awareness Week, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are free and can be picked up at the TSC card office.
Sam Goodman is a junior studying journalism with an emphasis in print. — a02401436@usu.edu
Emily Hill and Abby Lamb pose outside of Mountain View Tower student housing on Friday, Nov. 3.
PHOTO BY Claire Ott
By Lacey Cintron LIFESTYLES REPORTER
U
tah State University’s Music Therapy Student Association hosted the MUSES: Serenade for the Senses concert on Nov. 4. The annual showcase is a chance for the USU community to get a taste of music therapy. The concert showcases a variety of real-world therapeutic applications utilized every day in music therapy sessions. USUMTSA invited attendees to participate in these same activities during its interactive lobby experience directly before the show. Fourth-year music therapy student and USUMTSA president Ben Kaufman was behind many of the proceedings of this year’s concert. “You’ll hear songs tonight that you might recognize,” Kaufman said. “On the screen will be the clinical application, how we use it and goals for the song that we might use with different populations. This is to try to get an idea of the diverse populations and diverse points of view to help clients with their goals.” Members of USUMTSA are using real-world processes with the techniques showcased to the public in the music therapy program. Kaufman got his start in music therapy in 2021 when he found his passion for giving clients an outlet and a connection through music. “I was originally a performance major — a piano performance major — and I decided that was not the route that I wanted to take, so I auditioned for this program,” Kaufman said. The audition process for the music therapy proPHOTO BY Cameron Carnes gram is extensive, ensuring those who are in the USU student performs “Grow as we go” on the guitar at the MUSES concert. program want to enter music therapy as a career. Students must demonstrate musical proficiency by impacted his career as a music therapist for the better. performing piano, guitar and their primary instrument “I was in a special education room setting with some and singing. second graders during Halloween time,” Kaufman said. Phoebe Bair is a fourth-year student in the music thera- “I wrote this original song intervention as something else py program with a cello emphasis. we do in the program — you write a lot of original songs “There’s also a one-on-one interview. You answer some for clients just to build up those skills.” questions, you do essays and find recommendations,” The ability to write songs and incorporate them into a Bair said. “It’s just making sure that you know what mu- clinical setting is another crucial skill for a music therasic therapy is and can work with people.” pist to have. According to Bair, the process has paid off in the form of “The purpose of this song was to kind of be a social stoa highly successful program. ry about Halloween and trick-or-treating,” Kaufman said. “We’re actually one of the most competitive music ther- “I talk through like, ‘When you get to the door, what do apy programs in the U.S., and we have a 99% pass rate you say?’ And they would yell back, ‘Trick or treat!’ And it for the board certification exam on the first time, which was just really fun to create that song for them and help is very unusual,” Bair said. them work on social skills.” Once students are accepted into the program, they imThe versatility of music therapy allows for therapists to mediately begin work on gaining clinical experience. incorporate a wide range of unique, creative ideas into “We do four semesters of practicum where we are with the sessions as a means of connecting with a client. actual clients, like in assisted living, in special education “I’ve used Squishmallows, and they absolutely loved it,” or one-on-one,” Kaufman said. Kaufman said. “I remember how excited they would get Music therapists form bonds with their clients fostered when I would bring out the Squishmallows. That’s someby a deep mutual passion for playing music. thing really fun about music therapy is that we can use so According to Kaufman, one memorable experience has many different props and mixed modalities.”
Bair has been working at Primary Children’s Hospital this semester. She said she finds beauty in everyday moments as a music therapist. “I had a session last week with a little girl where the nurses were like, ‘She’s in a really bad mood today and is not having a good time,’” Bair said. “We started singing some songs that she liked from ‘Frozen.’ As soon as we started singing with her, she just totally changed. She was singing along to every word. She was just about to go into a procedure and instead of being super stressed and anxious, she was having a great time.” Bair and Kaufman came together at the MUSES concert, donning frog hats to perform “Rainbow Connection” by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher. Attendees sang along, reminiscing the popular tune from the 1979 film “The Muppet Movie.” The performance was aimed towards adolescent populations. According to Kaufman and Bair, the mental health group would then look at copies of the lyrics and underline what personally spoke to them, and afterwards they would discuss. Emotional processing, hope for the future and social connection were the primary goals of the song’s activity. The rest of the concert was full of performances from the USUMTSA members. They each end their sessions with a goodbye song, and the MUSES concert was no different. All the performers of the night reunited on stage to send the audience off with one final song entitled “You Can Do It,” hoping to leave the audience with a final note of confidence and positive energy.
Lacey Cintron is majoring in psychology. She loves learning about the human mind, sharing stories and naps. - a02388032@usu.edu
Page 11 - The Utah Statesman, November 13, 2023
MUSES: Healing through song
Page 12 - The Utah Statesman, November 13, 202
Polar Bear Eats grand opening brings locals back to the past By Madison Weber SPORTS EDITOR
PRESTON, ID — The Polar Bear drive-in has come out of hibernation after 18 years. A local favorite in Preston, Idaho, the family-owned business started out offering hot dogs and drinks when it opened in 1952 but quickly expanded to become a hometown hero. The dining destination committed to the community for 53 years and left a lasting impact. After its closure in 2005, new ownership reimagined the ‘50s themed restaurant and hosted a grand opening on Nov. 3. Polar Bear Eats comes back to life after Preston local Sawyer Hemsley came up with the idea and received support from former owners Steve and Dixie Larsen. Hemsley, CEO of Hemsley Ventures and co-founder of Crumbl Cookies, has said he is committed to revitalizing Preston. Reopening a favorite restaurant is just the first step in doing so. “It was a blast from the past,” said Heidi Chatterton, who attended the grand opening. “I wanted to bring my kids to see the new one.” The event offered live music, face painting, swag giveaways and free fries to those who follow the restaurant’s page on social media. The updated design encourages patrons to reflect on what once was and create new memories with their friends and family. Similar to the original walk-up window diner, the reimagined restaurant will not offer an indoor dining room. Instead, customers can order from the walk-up window, the parking lot, through a drivethrough window or online for delivery. “We would go to the Polar Bear when we were little with the black and white checkered floor and those red heart chairs, and so we were just excited that it was coming back,” Sierra Rasmussen said. “I came to the opening because it just brought back childhood memories.” Ashley Burton, chief of staff for Hemsley Ventures, said they have a small team, but they are excited to see their dream finally come to life. The idea originated as Hemsley reflected with his parents on fond childhood memories at the restaurant. After reaching out to the Larsen family, Hemsley Ventures bought the rights, name and recipes to the business. “We worked alongside them to bring it back, and they
The Polar Bear Eats grand opening in Preston on Nov. 3.
were really excited,” Burton said. “I think what’s really cool about Sawyer is he went about it the right way. He’s bringing back something so nostalgic because it’s not just a cool burger — we are bringing back the original burger.” Many patrons at the grand opening felt the same, reflecting on childhood memories as they ate. “I grew up here and went to the old Polar Bear my entire childhood, and it was so amazing. I just have so many good memories,” Nicole Thomas said. “I have a friend that actually has passed away and that was like our favorite place to go. So we’ve been anticipating it for months.” The restaurant honors old recipes while also bringing new additions to the menu. PHOTOS BY Phil Weber One staple on the menu, then and now, is Preston locals Kanyon and Kolter Thomas chow down on their cub meals at the Polar Bear Eats grand onion fries. According to Burton, the team opening on Nov. 3. was able to source the same sour cream and Other options on the menu include burgers with two onion fries so they will “literally be the exact same.” cheese options, grilled cheese sandwiches, corn dogs, “We’re hoping to bring back even more amazing flachicken tenders and their famous shakes, coming in “just vors. We brought in some of the Preston locals to come about any flavor you can imagine.” try during our taste testing, and Dan Keller, the mayor of For early customers, the breakfast menu will include Preston, took a bite and said, ‘This is better than the orig- burritos, sandwiches, coffee and hot chocolate in the inal.’ That just made us so excited because with a lot of winter months. our flavors, we hoped to match the original or be better,” The first day of the grand opening offered only burgers, Burton said. fries, shakes and drinks. Lines ran long throughout the The cold weather at the opening didn’t stop patrons day, but the memories along the way kept customers from enjoying their food, ice cream included, at the happy. outdoor dining tables. “I think it’s a way to bring the community together, just “It was really good. My son Kanyon said it’s the best sharing memories together. There was a lady that I was burger he’s ever had. We’ll be coming back a lot. I think talking to in line — she hasn’t been around very long, it is just so nostalgic,” Thomas said. “We always said ‘If so I was telling her about the past Polar Bear and how it only Polar Bear could come back,’ so it’s so awesome that brings people together,” Rasmussen said. it’s happening.” The team broke ground in April with hopes of launchThe new eatery has quickly gained a following on social ing in the summer. Burton says a lot went into the cremedia since its first announcement in July 2022. Burton ation, more than they had anticipated. From architectursaid the local response has been more than they hoped al plans to website design, the intricate planning pushed for. their grand opening back to the end of fall. “People are passionate about the brand, which I love “We can blame it on a lot of construction and all this because, to me, that means that they’re going to be like stuff, but the reality is like, the best quality sometimes loyal customers. They remember the brand from when just takes time,” Burton said. “We just want to make sure they were kids. The community is 100% supportive, and when we open that we are 100% ready and excited.” it’s so exciting,” Burton Construction continued during the grand opening, said. including landscaping and a new parking lot across the In addition to the street, but the work surrounding the building didn’t stop classics, the restaurant patrons from participating in the festivities. Customwill also offer a limiters parked in the field next door and along the streets ed-time menu where one nearby. new item is offered each “Honestly, anything Sawyer touches is magic,” said Lakweek — a nod to Hemsen Carson, Hemsley’s sister. “They’ve been working on it ley’s most well-known for about a year now, and somehow, with lots of bumps business venture, Crumbl in the road, it turned out, and it’s been a success. We’re Cookies, which introexcited about it. The town has loved it, and really good duces new cookies each feedback and that’s been probably the most fun so far.” week. The first week will The Polar Bear Eats team is excited to bring back Presshowcase the BLT, and ton’s finest, feeding everyone in the area and beyond. the coming week’s item For more information, visit polarbeareats.co/ will be announced each — madison.weber@usu.edu Sunday.
“It’s a very big pumpkin”
“This is not a pumpkin, it’s an owl”
“It’s pumpkin wheels, it’s a pumpkin vine that looks like a car.”
“That’s the vine and that’s the stem.”
“My pumpkin... I don’t yet. It’s hard. I’ll do some crayon. It’s gonna take spikey. It’s plastic, that’s why it’s not that pokey. Mines a plastic balloon.”
The Adele and Dale Young Child Development Laboratory, part of the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education, works with children ranging in age from birth up to five years old. A group of 4- and 5-year-olds were asked to draw a pumpkin, and here are the results.
“I want it to be whatever I want. I created it. It’s everything I imagined. I connected.” Continued on next page
Page 13 - The Utah Statesman, November 13, 2023
“My pumpkin looks like this. It’s small and my pumpkins not done yet.”
K I D D O S & C R A Y O N S
Page 14 - The Utah Statesman, November 13, 202
“This is a stem, this is a tiny pumpkin with a tiny stem.”
“Here is the stem, and I like it because it’s round and perfect.”
“My pumpkin is a weird shape I made a lot of dots on it and a big stem. It’s a brat pumpkin.”
“It’s gonna have a that and it’s gonna have an orange done. It’s gonna be big.”
“They have mad faces and scary faces.”
“I did three pumpkins at the bottom and I tiny apple.”
“This is a squre race track and aquarium.”
“This is the stem that is green and this is the orange part.”
“This is a green pumpkin and it’s really big. And this is the thing you hold it by.”
the defense holding 19 of the past 22 opponents to one goal or less. Walton earned another clean sheet after playing LARAMIE, Wyoming — Utah State Univerall 90 minutes of the game, a normality sity soccer (14-7-1, 9-2 MW) won the Mounthroughout the season. tain West title for the first time in program Each goalie logged two saves, with 13 history defeating Colorado State 1-0 on Nov. total shots from USU and five from CSU. 4 at the Madrid Sports Complex. USU kept possession 56% of the game “I don’t even know how to describe this and CSU 44%. feeling. Winning this championship with “Our defense has been our cornerstone them my freshman year is something that I ever since I arrived, and they just get dream of. This team is so amazing, the hard better and better. Definitely the best work we’ve put in this entire season, it just that we’ve been. They have given us the feels so deserving being here and winning SUBMITTED PHOTO opportunity to win games because they The Utah State soccer team celebrates its win against Colorado State in the Mountain West Championship on Nov. 4. the championship,” said freshman forward keep us in games until late. I can’t even Kate Christian. Aggies found an opportunity to gain the lead. Sophodescribe it,” Martins said. Both teams stayed scoreless until the 78th minute, more forward Tess Werts placed the ball midfield past Match celebrations included an awards ceremony when Christian ran the ball past CSU’s defenders for the Ram’s defense in a straight shot to Christian. CSU’s where four USU players earned a spot on the Mountain a clear shot in the top left corner of the box. Christian keeper Shayna Ross dove for the ball, but it was just out West All-Tournament team. Graduate goalkeeper Diera was also the only scorer against Boise State in their final of reach. Walton, junior defender Addy Symonds-Weichers and regular-season game. USU’s deep roster has helped them throughout this sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Richins were named, “I saw a test with that ball and I just knew that run was year’s historic campaign and did the same in the chamalong with senior midfielder Whitney Lopez, who was on, and she just played me the most perfect ball, so all I pionship game, with a total of 20 players touching the also named the tournament’s most valuable player for had to do was put it in the corner,” Christian said. field. her game-winning score against Boise State in the semi“This is what Kate does best, this is what our kids do “It’s awesome to have such amazing depth on this finals. best is find a way. We knew this was a really good team. team. It really helps us to feel comfort in the back line. The win solidified a spot for the Aggies in the NCAA We knew this would be difficult. We just needed to be We always have someone coming in with more enertournament, the third-ever time for USU and the first clinical, and that’s exactly what happened and a goal gy, ready to press and ready to score for us, and Kate time since 2012. coming from a game changer,” said head coach Manny brought it today and we’re grateful she put it in the back Martins. of the net,” said senior defender Kelsey Kaufusi. — madison.weber@usu.edu After focusing the majority of the game on defense, the USU went into the tournament as the No. 2, seed with By Madison Weber SPORTS EDITOR
Last week’s solution:
Sudoku puzzles are provided by www.sudokuoftheday.com.
Page 15 - The Utah Statesman, November 13, 2023
Soccer wins Mountain West Championship, makes history
PHOTO BY Heidi Bingham
Page 16 - The Utah Statesman, November 13, 202