UPR is scheduled to play a series of productions or episodes every Friday during the month of April at 8:30 p.m. called “Playing Shortly.” This series was performed by Utah State University’s Fusion Theater Project in front of a live audience.
“Fusion is a company made up of students, professionals and faculty. We develop new work, such as plays, and produce it,” said Shawn Fisher, founder of the Fusion Theater Project.
One year ago, Fusion received a grant from the OC Tanner Foundation. The requirements for this grant included a combination of the arts with technology in some form.
“So our thought was to use the technology of radio, recording, sound editing and all that stuff. Let’s use that to help support live theater,” Fisher said.
“Playing Shortly” is made up of eight plays performed (or read) in front of a live audience and recorded for radio purposes. Each episode consists of two 10-minute plays that supply the main portion of a 30-minute episode. Four episodes will be played this month.
“We started off with almost 500 scripts, solicited from all over the country, and narrowed it down to the eight we currently have,” said Richie Call, collaborator for “Playing Shortly.”
Two of the eight plays in “Playing Shortly” were written by USU students of the Caine College of the Arts.
“I wrote a play called ‘A Thoroughfare for Freedom Beat,’ and it’s going to be featured on Utah Public Radio. I’ve never been so honored,” said Scotty Zaborski, a USU student. “It just shows that I am multi-faceted. That I am not just a 2D type of person. That I can do more than just act. That I can research and that I can publicize. I can write and be published. Fusion helped me understand all of those things.”
For now, the show will be performed regionally for UPR, meaning it will reach Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Idaho. However, according to Fisher, the show could potentially be performed on National Public Radio.
“I never thought that I would get to have an experience like that,” Zaborski said. “Fusion did things for me that I never expected. Fusion made me become a better person and with some sort of art that’s what you’re hoping for, to grow in the process.”
Friday, April 3, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
USU Dining Services hosts Luau
Utah State University Dining Services is hosting a luau for students on April 15 in the Taggart Student Center. Starting April 1, tickets are free upon request at any retail dining location on campus, such as Luke’s Cafe on the Quad, The Artist’s Block Cafe and Bakery, The Quadside Cafe, The Hub and The Quickstop.
“This event will help students realize how awesome Dining Services is because we give away free stuff all the time,” said Kimberly Stephens, retail marketing graphic designer. “It will bring awareness to the Dining Services operations and night life to the TSC.”
According to Jaime Bradford, assistant director for retail operations, free food will be given away at this event, including a pig roasted over a spit. There will also be a limbo contest and hula hooping contest where winners will receive prizes.
“I am so excited to get my hula on,” said Karli Salisbury, manager of Luke’s Cafe on the Quad. “I think that this is a great way for retail dining to end an incredible school year and start off the summer with a bang.”
Aggie Radio will be set up in the Hub to provide music and entertainment.
“Dining Services has been great to us this year and we are really excited to be working with them on this luau,” said Cody Scott, Aggie Radio station manager. “During the event, we will be talking to people about our switch to FM radio, announcing winners to different contest and, hopefully, provide the students with an entertaining night.”
Dining Services is only handing out 350 tickets to students. Students must have tickets upon arrival or admission will not be permitted.
“Our mission statement is to create an excellent college experience,” Bradford said. “We want to give students something to remember, hopefully something they will look back on and think, ‘That was really fun.’”
“This event will help students realize how awesome Dining Services is because we give away free stuff all the time,” said Kimberly Stephens, retail marketing graphic designer. “It will bring awareness to the Dining Services operations and night life to the TSC.”
According to Jaime Bradford, assistant director for retail operations, free food will be given away at this event, including a pig roasted over a spit. There will also be a limbo contest and hula hooping contest where winners will receive prizes.
“I am so excited to get my hula on,” said Karli Salisbury, manager of Luke’s Cafe on the Quad. “I think that this is a great way for retail dining to end an incredible school year and start off the summer with a bang.”
Aggie Radio will be set up in the Hub to provide music and entertainment.
“Dining Services has been great to us this year and we are really excited to be working with them on this luau,” said Cody Scott, Aggie Radio station manager. “During the event, we will be talking to people about our switch to FM radio, announcing winners to different contest and, hopefully, provide the students with an entertaining night.”
Dining Services is only handing out 350 tickets to students. Students must have tickets upon arrival or admission will not be permitted.
“Our mission statement is to create an excellent college experience,” Bradford said. “We want to give students something to remember, hopefully something they will look back on and think, ‘That was really fun.’”
Friday, March 20, 2015
I Am That Girl is hosting the Mental Health Is No Joke campaign
I Am That Girl is a new club to Utah Stat University that started fall semester 2014. Sheree Haggan, the Multicultural Program Coordinator in the Access and Diversity Center, brought this organization’s new chapter to USU. Haggan and her committee for mental health awareness are hosting a new event on March 31 through April 1, called Mental Health Is No Joke. According to Haggan the committee hopes host this event annually.
“What we do, in I Am That Girl, is we bring girls together, we unify them, we strengthen them and then we set them up for success,” Haggan said. “Our mission statement is that we are a community, a support system, a movement inspiring girls to be loved and express who they are.”
Alexis Jones is a co-founder of the I Am That Girl organization and will be at Utah State University on March 31. She will be attending the “Mental Health is No Joke” campaign and will be the keynote speaker.
“What does it mean to be that girl? It means to be the best version of yourself,” Jones said.
According to Haggan, the organization is fundraising to create two $500 scholarships to give out each semester to students who proactively host an event to raise mental health awareness.
“We are almost done fundraising,” Haggan said. “Last I checked we were really close to our goal of $1,500. Our goal is to start an endowment to have money saved up for future I Am That Girl mental health scholarships. We will be announcing and dedicating the scholarships the night that Alexis Jones speaks.”
Once students are awarded the scholarships they will sit on the planning committee for the annual Mental Health Is No Joke event series.
“I think what they are doing is great,” said McKenna Phipps, who helped spread the word of the fundraiser. “I know some may see it as just another scholarship, but I do believe that creating awareness of mental health is an important thing. The best part of it is the students awarded the scholarships will be on a committee for the series. I like this because they, in a way, pay the scholarship back.”
I Am That Girl does other events, such as self defense classes, open mic night fundraisers at Pizza Pie Cafe and make blankets for partnering organizations like CAPSA, or Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse.
“I encourage people to come,” Haggan said. “Everybody has some influence on how a girl is treated. Come out, show support and be a part of change on campus.”
“What we do, in I Am That Girl, is we bring girls together, we unify them, we strengthen them and then we set them up for success,” Haggan said. “Our mission statement is that we are a community, a support system, a movement inspiring girls to be loved and express who they are.”
Alexis Jones is a co-founder of the I Am That Girl organization and will be at Utah State University on March 31. She will be attending the “Mental Health is No Joke” campaign and will be the keynote speaker.
“What does it mean to be that girl? It means to be the best version of yourself,” Jones said.
According to Haggan, the organization is fundraising to create two $500 scholarships to give out each semester to students who proactively host an event to raise mental health awareness.
“We are almost done fundraising,” Haggan said. “Last I checked we were really close to our goal of $1,500. Our goal is to start an endowment to have money saved up for future I Am That Girl mental health scholarships. We will be announcing and dedicating the scholarships the night that Alexis Jones speaks.”
Once students are awarded the scholarships they will sit on the planning committee for the annual Mental Health Is No Joke event series.
“I think what they are doing is great,” said McKenna Phipps, who helped spread the word of the fundraiser. “I know some may see it as just another scholarship, but I do believe that creating awareness of mental health is an important thing. The best part of it is the students awarded the scholarships will be on a committee for the series. I like this because they, in a way, pay the scholarship back.”
I Am That Girl does other events, such as self defense classes, open mic night fundraisers at Pizza Pie Cafe and make blankets for partnering organizations like CAPSA, or Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse.
“I encourage people to come,” Haggan said. “Everybody has some influence on how a girl is treated. Come out, show support and be a part of change on campus.”
Friday, March 6, 2015
Bubble Soccer comes to Utah State University
This March the Utah State University Latino Student Union will host a Bubble Soccer tournament. Bubble Soccer is a new version of soccer. Players stand inside clear, plastic, inflatable orbs that are four to six feet in diameter. The players must use their own soccer techniques to get the ball into the net before they are bounced out of the way by the competitors with their bubbles. The tournament will take place March 27-28 on the USU Quad and Legacy Field.
“Soccer, food and dancing are our most popular events,” said Grecia Jimenez, LSU Vice President. “These events are made possible with the money the club raises during the fundraiser.”
Each team is required to pay a fee of $50. This event will help provide LSU with funds for future events.
“The money collected goes to the club fund, which is used for scholarships, club activities and more Bubble Soccer,” Jimenez said. “LSU has to do a fundraiser each year to be able to do fun activities for the club members and campus students. Without fundraising, the club has almost no resources.”
According to Eddie Campos, LSU President, each year the LSU hosts a soccer tournament to raise money for the club. This year will be the first year the organization has attempted a Bubble soccer tournament.
“Bubble soccer is a fun event that we are all looking forward to,” said Sarah Ramos, the Activities Coordinator.
According to Jimenez, each team is guaranteed to play at least three games. The LSU is limiting the number of teams to sign up at 24 due to a limited number of bubbles.
“Hopefully in the process of this tournament we will be able to meet new friends, welcome new members and have a good time with fellow Aggies,” Campos said. “I am just counting down the days to be able to get into one of the bubble balls for the tournament.
“Soccer, food and dancing are our most popular events,” said Grecia Jimenez, LSU Vice President. “These events are made possible with the money the club raises during the fundraiser.”
Each team is required to pay a fee of $50. This event will help provide LSU with funds for future events.
“The money collected goes to the club fund, which is used for scholarships, club activities and more Bubble Soccer,” Jimenez said. “LSU has to do a fundraiser each year to be able to do fun activities for the club members and campus students. Without fundraising, the club has almost no resources.”
According to Eddie Campos, LSU President, each year the LSU hosts a soccer tournament to raise money for the club. This year will be the first year the organization has attempted a Bubble soccer tournament.
“Bubble soccer is a fun event that we are all looking forward to,” said Sarah Ramos, the Activities Coordinator.
According to Jimenez, each team is guaranteed to play at least three games. The LSU is limiting the number of teams to sign up at 24 due to a limited number of bubbles.
“Hopefully in the process of this tournament we will be able to meet new friends, welcome new members and have a good time with fellow Aggies,” Campos said. “I am just counting down the days to be able to get into one of the bubble balls for the tournament.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Taco sale bursts into flames
A fire was started on Feb.18, during a taco sale by the Utah State University Latino Student Union.
The LSU sold tacos outside of the Taggart Student Center to promote Latino culture and awareness on campus. During the taco sale, the LSU President Eddie Campos used a butane burner to cook the tacos when it suddenly caught fire.
“In the moment you kind of just freeze and don’t know what to do, but after a split second you react,” Campos said. “It was a little scary, but most of all I was just worried about the safety of other people and making sure nothing around caught on fire.”
One of the butane burners was not connected properly and leaked gas. This was the cause of the fire.
“Thankfully it didn’t go back to the butane burner and explode,” Campos said.
Inside the TSC, Braden Probst, a USU Dining Services employee, noticed the fire and ran for a fire extinguisher.
“The students were not properly trained on the operation of the gas burner,” Probst said. “It was this lack of training that actually caused the fire.”
Other employees working in the Hub, a retail dining operation inside of the TSC, began to notice the fire as the flames grew.
“It could have been much worse than it was,” said Kimberly Stephens, a USU Dining Services employee. “I was appalled at how I saw one of them trying to put out the fire by waving a piece of cardboard at it which only fanned it to life.”
Probst returned to the scene with his employer Jaime Bradford, the assistant director for retail operations. Bradford used an extinguisher and put out the fire.
“We are glad that Jaime was there,” Campos said. “She helped us out a bunch and got it all figured out. We are glad we had someone that knows how to use a fire extinguisher because there have been other fires that she has dealt with this school year.”
The LSU utilizes their taco sales each year to raise money toward scholarships for hispanic/latino high school seniors. So far, six taco sales have taken place this school year and the club hopes for two more sales at the end of March. According to Campos the money raised at these fundraisers goes toward two scholarships for high school seniors and often one more for a Utah State University student. Each scholarship covers about a years worth of books.
The LSU sold tacos outside of the Taggart Student Center to promote Latino culture and awareness on campus. During the taco sale, the LSU President Eddie Campos used a butane burner to cook the tacos when it suddenly caught fire.
“In the moment you kind of just freeze and don’t know what to do, but after a split second you react,” Campos said. “It was a little scary, but most of all I was just worried about the safety of other people and making sure nothing around caught on fire.”
One of the butane burners was not connected properly and leaked gas. This was the cause of the fire.
“Thankfully it didn’t go back to the butane burner and explode,” Campos said.
Inside the TSC, Braden Probst, a USU Dining Services employee, noticed the fire and ran for a fire extinguisher.
“The students were not properly trained on the operation of the gas burner,” Probst said. “It was this lack of training that actually caused the fire.”
Other employees working in the Hub, a retail dining operation inside of the TSC, began to notice the fire as the flames grew.
“It could have been much worse than it was,” said Kimberly Stephens, a USU Dining Services employee. “I was appalled at how I saw one of them trying to put out the fire by waving a piece of cardboard at it which only fanned it to life.”
Probst returned to the scene with his employer Jaime Bradford, the assistant director for retail operations. Bradford used an extinguisher and put out the fire.
“We are glad that Jaime was there,” Campos said. “She helped us out a bunch and got it all figured out. We are glad we had someone that knows how to use a fire extinguisher because there have been other fires that she has dealt with this school year.”
The LSU utilizes their taco sales each year to raise money toward scholarships for hispanic/latino high school seniors. So far, six taco sales have taken place this school year and the club hopes for two more sales at the end of March. According to Campos the money raised at these fundraisers goes toward two scholarships for high school seniors and often one more for a Utah State University student. Each scholarship covers about a years worth of books.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Commemoration Ceremony for Utah State University Student
A commemoration ceremony will be held Saturday in the Ellen Eccles Conference Center at 2:30 p.m. in honor of Natalie Linetska, a victim of suicide.
“She was loved by everyone who met her and was a very good and supportive friend,” said Arshak Papazyan, a friend of Linetska.
Linetska, originally from Odessa, Ukraine, was a student at Utah State University. She was studying business administration and was in the interview process for the Huntsman Scholar Program.
“She was a very studious and hardworking student,” said Renee Escobar, a friend of Linetska. “After she finished her undergraduate studies, she wanted to move to Los Angeles to pursue her career in business and make a new and happy life for herself.”
The Division of Student Services and the staff of Counseling and Psychological Services has since reached out to the Utah State student body to help during this time of mourning. A conference was held in the Taggart Student Center Auditorium at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday to discuss the needs of the students during challenging times and inform them of available resources on campus.
“We wanted to focus on creating hope,” said Dr. Justin Barker, the assessment coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services. “College students are more at risk to suicide. It is the second largest cause of death among college students.”
This semester, there have been four students who have attempted suicide. One out of those four actually went through with it.
“A lot of things we’ve seen recently have been directly related to alcohol,” Barker said.
During the conference, Mark Nafziger, clinical coordinator for CAPS, spoke on the different ways people grieve and how to help others through this time.
“Realizing that everyone grieves differently is a big deal,” Nafziger said. “It’s often times very helpful to focus on helping others during this difficult time. Over time you can grow from your grief.”
“She was loved by everyone who met her and was a very good and supportive friend,” said Arshak Papazyan, a friend of Linetska.
Linetska, originally from Odessa, Ukraine, was a student at Utah State University. She was studying business administration and was in the interview process for the Huntsman Scholar Program.
“She was a very studious and hardworking student,” said Renee Escobar, a friend of Linetska. “After she finished her undergraduate studies, she wanted to move to Los Angeles to pursue her career in business and make a new and happy life for herself.”
The Division of Student Services and the staff of Counseling and Psychological Services has since reached out to the Utah State student body to help during this time of mourning. A conference was held in the Taggart Student Center Auditorium at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday to discuss the needs of the students during challenging times and inform them of available resources on campus.
“We wanted to focus on creating hope,” said Dr. Justin Barker, the assessment coordinator for Counseling and Psychological Services. “College students are more at risk to suicide. It is the second largest cause of death among college students.”
This semester, there have been four students who have attempted suicide. One out of those four actually went through with it.
“A lot of things we’ve seen recently have been directly related to alcohol,” Barker said.
During the conference, Mark Nafziger, clinical coordinator for CAPS, spoke on the different ways people grieve and how to help others through this time.
“Realizing that everyone grieves differently is a big deal,” Nafziger said. “It’s often times very helpful to focus on helping others during this difficult time. Over time you can grow from your grief.”
Friday, February 13, 2015
USU Bookstore holds Wild About You competition
This year, the Utah State University Bookstore’s annual Valentines Day competition was slightly altered from tradition. Each year, the bookstore employees host a competition called The Kiss Off, where couples would place a block of wood between their lips and the couple who held the block in place the longest won a prize.
“People would cry because you go crazy standing for so long like that,” said Carrisa Dominy, Utah State Bookstore’s marketing manager. “We decided that we wanted to keep the Kiss Off tradition but also mix it up. Make it a little more enjoyable and quicker so that it didn’t last all day long.”
Instead of only doing the Kiss Off, the bookstore marketing team decided to create a new, animal themed event called The Wild About You Competition that took place Wednesday, Feb. 11. This contest included an altered version of the Kiss Off and a series of challenges with objects commonly found around the house, otherwise known as “Minute to Win it” games.
“We thought it’d be fun because we know that people sometimes don’t like us due to text books, buy backs and different things like that,” Dominy said. “We don’t like that image. A lot of people don’t realize that the bookstore doesn’t run for profit. All of the money that we make goes back to the students through scholarships and different things.”
The competition began with the Kiss Off and 24 couples competing. Instead of standing with the block between the contestant’s lips, the couples were asked to do different animal movements such as: flamingo, gorilla, beached whale, kangaroo and more. The last 12 couples standing moved on to the next task.
“We were really planned out, but at the beginning, with our animal kiss off, we only had a couple of ideas for them to do,” said Ryan Erwin, announcer for the event. “We went through them really quick and all couples were still in, so we had to start making some up.”
The next event was the Chocolate Unicorn. Couples stacked Ding Dongs, chocolate round cakes, on their foreheads. The first six couples to complete the task continued in the competition with Pink Elephant. Headbands with a slinky connected were placed individually on each of the couples foreheads. The couples worked together to get each slinky to stand in the upright position. The first three couples that accomplished this task proceeded to Mad Dog. Boxes of Tic Tacs were glued on to each end of a ruler. The couples had to place the ruler in their mouth and shake their head until each box was empty. The first two couples to succeed went on to the final round, How’s It Hanging. A banana was tied to a string and strung around the waist of each contestant. The couples, in turn, had to swing the banana between their legs and hit an orange down an isle into a hula hoop. The first couple to finish and win the competition was Hannah Anderson and Sam Anderson.
“The banana game was difficult,” Sam said. “Hannah accidentally hit her orange backwards and that set us back. I was worried there, but for the most part we did pretty good.”
Hannah and Sam each won $100 gift cards to the USU Bookstore.
“It was really fun to take a break from all the stress and be crazy and fun,” Hannah said. “It was just fun to cheer each other on and support each other.”
“I think the Amazing Race will be next for us,” Sam said. “They should do this every year. It was awesome.”
“People would cry because you go crazy standing for so long like that,” said Carrisa Dominy, Utah State Bookstore’s marketing manager. “We decided that we wanted to keep the Kiss Off tradition but also mix it up. Make it a little more enjoyable and quicker so that it didn’t last all day long.”
Instead of only doing the Kiss Off, the bookstore marketing team decided to create a new, animal themed event called The Wild About You Competition that took place Wednesday, Feb. 11. This contest included an altered version of the Kiss Off and a series of challenges with objects commonly found around the house, otherwise known as “Minute to Win it” games.
“We thought it’d be fun because we know that people sometimes don’t like us due to text books, buy backs and different things like that,” Dominy said. “We don’t like that image. A lot of people don’t realize that the bookstore doesn’t run for profit. All of the money that we make goes back to the students through scholarships and different things.”
The competition began with the Kiss Off and 24 couples competing. Instead of standing with the block between the contestant’s lips, the couples were asked to do different animal movements such as: flamingo, gorilla, beached whale, kangaroo and more. The last 12 couples standing moved on to the next task.
“We were really planned out, but at the beginning, with our animal kiss off, we only had a couple of ideas for them to do,” said Ryan Erwin, announcer for the event. “We went through them really quick and all couples were still in, so we had to start making some up.”
The next event was the Chocolate Unicorn. Couples stacked Ding Dongs, chocolate round cakes, on their foreheads. The first six couples to complete the task continued in the competition with Pink Elephant. Headbands with a slinky connected were placed individually on each of the couples foreheads. The couples worked together to get each slinky to stand in the upright position. The first three couples that accomplished this task proceeded to Mad Dog. Boxes of Tic Tacs were glued on to each end of a ruler. The couples had to place the ruler in their mouth and shake their head until each box was empty. The first two couples to succeed went on to the final round, How’s It Hanging. A banana was tied to a string and strung around the waist of each contestant. The couples, in turn, had to swing the banana between their legs and hit an orange down an isle into a hula hoop. The first couple to finish and win the competition was Hannah Anderson and Sam Anderson.
“The banana game was difficult,” Sam said. “Hannah accidentally hit her orange backwards and that set us back. I was worried there, but for the most part we did pretty good.”
Hannah and Sam each won $100 gift cards to the USU Bookstore.
“It was really fun to take a break from all the stress and be crazy and fun,” Hannah said. “It was just fun to cheer each other on and support each other.”
“I think the Amazing Race will be next for us,” Sam said. “They should do this every year. It was awesome.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)