Fall Nights In Cache Valley

Every fall season in the city of Logan is different. Sometimes before residents know it, snow will blaze through the entire city right when the fall season starts. Other times the weather can remain nice and warm right up until winter. One thing that's for certain is that no matter what the weather may be, a resident of Logan City can expect to see beautiful fall nights. I currently live in Logan city, and I find myself staring out into the fall nights and seeing beautiful sights. Not only is the nature more captivating and mysterious at night, but you have holidays like Halloween that only add to some of the fun sites to see. Here are a couple of photos I have taken of Logan Fall nights.

This photo captures the spirit of Halloween that residents of Logan get into every fall season. It is a fun thing to see all the creative pumpkins lit up every October night!

Another common thing to see during fall nights are college students getting the last bit of fun in before the snow falls. This will always include at least one or two groups of students becoming "Ultimate Aggies" by riding the famous Bull. Not only riding it, but riding it while being nude!

Once the freezing cold nights of Logan set in, the traffic dies down, and a student can often walk along an empty street without the worry of being hit by an oncoming car. These empty streets can often lead to fun and adventurous nights for students.

I thought I would just add in a close up picture of the pumpkin my roomate carved. I just thought it was a really fun picture to share with everyone. It might even creep a few people out!

Last, but most definitely not least, it is amazing that the beautiful colored trees of the fall are still easily seen in the dead of night. These are trees right outside my apartment building.

Published Article: Taking A Kiss Back

Many students wish the process of becoming a True Aggie here at USU could have a few changes.  Students expressed their feelings about having a True Aggie kiss revoked, or even getting their personal slate of kisses on top of the famous “A” wiped clean.

            Shane Mickelsen, junior in vocal performance, said his first True Aggie kiss was an experience he would like to forever erase from his memory.  He described it as terrible, pressured, and even outright disgusting.  After living with the memory of this night for almost a year, Mickelsen came up with an idea to have the kiss “revoked.”  He said if this could happen he would gain his “True Aggie Virginity” back, and he might get a second shot of having that first kiss on the “A” be the magical one he always pictured.

            “I won’t lie, the night all of this happened, I just wanted some action,” Mickelsen said, “but I was too scared to find action, so action found me.  It wasn’t the type action I was looking for, because it was sick!  I mean I practically got my lips chewed off my face.”

            Mickelsen said he finds comfort in the idea of getting his kiss revoked.  Doing so would make it possible for him to redeem himself at a future True Aggie night.  If he did redeem himself, he would want that to count as the kiss that officially made him a True Aggie.

            Alyson Shepherd, Student Alumni Association president said she finds the idea of having a True Aggie kiss revoked funny.  She said although it would be funny, it is not a bad idea either.  Shepherd also referred to her own personal experiences with True Aggie Kisses.

            “I am a third time True Aggie, but if I could, I would take away the first two kisses,” Shepherd said.  “I think people need to realize they have to choose carefully, but if they made a mistake, they should be able to get a second chance.”

            Shepherd finished by saying whether students have a bad experience with their first True Aggie kiss or not, they still need to take part in the tradition and keep it going forever.

            Student Alumni Association member and Traditions Vice President, Megan Darrington, said the process of revoking a kiss is not necessary. 

            “Students can become a True Aggie anytime.” Darrington said, “They shouldn’t focus on only the first kiss they got.  They should find someone else to make a great True Aggie moment with and focus on that.”

            Megan Hanselman, junior in public relations, said she thinks the process of revoking kisses is a good idea.  She said she herself wishes some of her True Aggie kisses could be taken away.

            “I think the idea of giving yourself somewhat of a clean slate is awesome, especially if you want to do it in order to make a better memory of your official True Aggie kiss,” Hanselman said.  “Being a True Aggie is one of the only things besides your degree that you can take away from Utah State, and if you have a bad memory to look back on, you should be able to replace it with a better one.”

            Aubree Muhlestein, junior in speech pathology, agreed with Hanselman.  “A lot of people get pressured into it when they’re not ready,” Muhlestein said.  “Others have found someone special in their life they wish was their True Aggie, and some just get stuck with someone who’s a terrible kisser, and that’s not fair to them.”

            Some students have a different view on the whole debate.  Stephanie Bruner, senior in elementary education said the whole idea is ridiculous. 

            “No, people shouldn’t be able to revoke a True Aggie kiss because it is a long standing tradition,” Bruner said, “and why should we be able to change it all of the sudden when that hasn’t been the case for all other past True Aggies?”

            Bruner also went on to discuss the indirect effects of having a kiss revoked.  She said if someone did go through this and have their kiss taken away, it would affect everyone else they ever kissed or made a True Aggie.  Bruner said it would be a long confusing line of people revoking their kisses and taking away the kisses they gave to everyone who wasn’t a True Aggie.

            “The whole system would be to confusing, and in the end it just wouldn’t work out,” Bruner said.  “Students need to learn they have to put a lot of thought and maybe even effort into that big moment on top of the “A,” and if they create a bad memory, deal with it!”

            Students interested in becoming a True Aggie, or even creating another True Aggie memory can meet at the “A” itself at midnight on Friday.  The alumni association is trying to encourage all students to come to this special homecoming True Aggie night in order to break the current record.  The record currently sits at around 2,000 kisses, and they would like to get more than that Friday night.  This True Aggie night will be held “the old-fashioned way” by having all students linked arm to arm with each other and having everyone kiss the person next to them at midnight.  The alumni association encourages everyone to get there early in order to make the countdown to midnight.

Published Article

Students who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at USU may find it more difficult to date. Non-LDS students say they feel there is judgment made about them by the majority of students on campus who are LDS. Although some of these students respect the values and beliefs of fellow LDS students, it creates a problem when looking for a serious relationship.

Kalie Vickers, sophomore majoring in physical education, is a member of the LDS church. She said it is difficult to cultivate a relationship because of the unique view LDS members have about marriage.

“I would go on a first date and also become friends with someone who is not Mormon, but the ultimate goal between an LDS couple cannot be achieved if one person is not LDS,” Vickers said. “If a couple like this started to become serious, it only makes it harder for the couple when they realize it can’t work between them.”

Vickers said she had previously started a relationship with someone who didn’t share her LDS faith. After three or four dates, she said she had to end it. Although there were many factors that played into ending the relationship, it was the fact he was not LDS that eventually led to the breakup, she said.

Ashley Halverson, sophomore majoring in sociology, said she thinks it is difficult to find a serious relationship at USU because she is not LDS herself. She was baptized as a Lutheran, but said she was still raised mostly by LDS standards. Halverson said even though she wasn’t baptized into the LDS church, it has still played a major role in her life.Halverson said she has seen relationships where it didn’t work out because of different religious beliefs. She said she feels couples can still be together and have a relationship that works even if they are affiliated with different religions.

“People have to be on the same religious level, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the same religion,” Halverson said.

Jeff Wilkinson, sophomore majoring in graphic design, is not LDS and also feels the dating pool is very limited at USU because of religion. Wilkinson said he was in a previous relationship with a girl who was Mormon. The relationship became serious, but eventually ended because of religious differences.

Wilkinson said he respects girls that only want to date guys who are LDS. However, he said he’s still open to dating Mormon girls, as long as they are OK with the difference in their religions before a relationship starts.

“I realize here in Utah I am a religious minority, and I’m OK with that,” Wilkinson said.

Andrea Riley, sophomore majoring in education, feels differently about the dating situation at USU. She is a member of the LDS church, and said she feels dating wouldn’t be more difficult for non-LDS students on campus. She said students who aren’t LDS could easily date other students who are also not Mormon.

When asked about the stereotype that LDS girls are only willing to date returned missionaries in order to find their “eternal partner,” Riley said she felt a lot of it was true.

“For sure. I mean let’s be honest,” Riley said, “so many girls at USU are only willing, or looking, to date returned missionaries.”

Riley said just because someone has been on a mission doesn’t automatically mean they are a good person. She said there are many guys who are great people and never went on a mission and she has also seen many instances when return missionaries aren’t living by the standards of the LDS church, yet girls look past that just because they served an LDS mission.

Shane Jonson, junior majoring in elementary education, has served an LDS mission and also attended Brigham Young University. When asked about the stereotype, he said it was true in some cases, although it depends on the girl and also the circumstances. Jonson said when he attended BYU for a year, he saw a lot more girls who fit that stereotype.

“At BYU you get the feeling that if you ask a girl on a simple date you were sizing her up for a wedding ring,” Jonson said, “and at USU there is a much more easygoing and casual feeling when it comes to dating. Girls at USU are more likely to go on a date just for a good time and to get to know a guy better.”
–nicholas.peterson@aggiemail.usu.edu

Published Article

New York Times reporter Matt Wald spoke to USU students Tuesday morning about his experience in journalism and environmental energy, which is his area of expertise. Wald spoke in Old Main to a classroom filled with sociology and public relations students. He encouraged all students to read The New York Times and promote the usage of newspapers.

Wald’s presentation was set up in a question and answer format with students. With the freedom to ask anything they wanted, students touched on important topics such as the upcoming presidential election, renewable energies and Wald’s personal experiences with the journalism industry.

Wald spoke to students about the way news is evolving and becoming more of an instant source of what’s happening in the world.

“The definition of news is changing, especially if you’re applying toxic ink to dead trees when everybody else is on the Web,” Wald said. “We, of course, are on the Web as well, but if you pick up a front page story of a newspaper in today’s world you already know a chunk of what’s in that story.”

Wald said The New York Times tries to focus more on things that weren’t shown on television the night before, but that are still relevant to the public. As a journalist writing about environmental energy, Wald said he finds himself writing stories about broader topics versus specific current events. He said he goes deeper into environmental issues where he can find more sources, information and background about what is really happening. Wald said he only writes about events when they happen. Otherwise, he said, most of his stories involve a perspective on an issue.

One student asked Wald how he felt about presidential nominee Barack Obama’s stance on investing more renewable energy and other clean fuels. He said he thought Obama was sincere about these things and really does want them, but maybe doesn’t fully understand them. Wald said most reusable energy techniques in America don’t lack money and funding, but they lack the work and market acceptability they require.

"It is not possible for the United States to be energy self sufficient on oil. We can never produce as much as we consume,” he said.

Wald also spoke about both presidential candidates and how their energy strategies would play out in America if either was elected. He said the plans they have for reducing energy usage and emissions are unreachable with the time frame they have set up.

“You don’t wave a magic wand and cut our energy emissions by 60 or 80 percent within the mid-century like McCain and Obama want to do,” Wald said. “Even President Bush recently said we could cut emissions down by 50 percent, and that is not obtainable within that amount of time.”

Public relations students also asked Wald about his relationship with members of PR and the media. He said with all the information that is out there, so much of it has to be refined and filtered. Wald said most PR people he deals with are just trying to get their boss or CEO’s name in the paper, and he has to find a way to tell them to go away. Wald said turning PR and media information into actual news is like “turning noise into music.”
–nicholas.peterson@aggiemail.usu.edu

Published Article

The Utah State Legislature has funded the construction of numerous agricultural learning centers for USU students located in Wellsville. The centers are mostly for animal studies such as breeding, medicine and genetic research.

Noelle Cockett, dean of the College of Agriculture said, “I think the reason the legislature provided the funding for most of this is because they wanted to continue our legacy and agriculture here at Utah State University.”

The most recently constructed building is the Matthew Hillyard Animal, Teaching and Research Center. The building was built completely for the purpose of animal studies. The center is split up into different sections, each having their own purpose. There are areas for animal living, classrooms and state of the art research labs.

Cockett said she is very excited about the future this center holds. She feels it will help greatly with the agricultural department and their research. Cockett said some students will be studying under the instruction and research of Ken White, who helped to create the first cloned mule.

“It’s very very high tech,” Cockett said. “It’s a research and teaching facility focused on animal reproduction, genetics and health, so it has to be.”

Every classroom is set up in a great way for students, Cockett said. There are individual microscopes and many other researching tools for each student to use. She said tools like these could be used to help student’s research and maybe even help cure animal diseases, deformities and other health issues.

Cockett said this building was not the end in this expansion of agricultural learning centers. She said the department is currently working on the construction of another new building right next to the research facility. This building will be used for more animal storage and student classrooms, in order to do more research and studying.

Cockett said the College of Agriculture has done numerous fundraising and raised almost a million dollars for this new building. When asked about why the location of Wellsville was chosen, Cockett said it is a slow process of what they would like to see in the future. Cockett said that process is trying to transfer all animal related facilities in the area to where the new building is located, and keeping all strictly research related buildings on the north side of Cache County. She said there are already animal facilities on the north side of Logan, but right now they are slowly trying to move everything over to the new area.

Cockett also said she is encouraging all students to get involved with agricultural science and even to go look at the new facility. She said this facility is for students, and she wants them to feel comfortable with it and get excited about it.

“I want students to see how beautiful the facility is,” Cockett said, “ and it’s surrounded by beautiful views of the area. My favorite view is when you’re coming from Wellsville into Logan. You can see the front of the facility right from the road and capture how beautiful it is.”

Sam Urie, junior in agricultural education, said he is very excited about the new research facility. He thinks it is important for everyone to realize how crucial agriculture research is.

“I think it’s sweet that they’re finally investing money in what’s most important in our civilization, which is agriculture,” Urie said.

Cockett said classes for students in the facility will start in spring semester. She said she knows students are excited, and she only hopes to see more growth in the amazing agricultural learning that takes place at USU.
–nicholas.peterson@aggiemail.usu.edu

Published Article

Throughout the years, individuals have been taught that media gives a negative view of what the typical body should look like. But to every negative, there must be a positive.

USU Student Advisor, Megen Ralphs said there is not a lot of positive body image portrayed in the media. She said most body images are portrayed in a very negative way, but there are companies trying to break the stereotype that thin is best.

“I feel the media is slowly taking a role, like the rest of the nation, in fighting childhood obesity," Ralphs said. "They are helping to challenge kids to get up off the couch and get involved with healthy activities. I just don’t feel the positives come close to outweighing the negative effects in the end though.”

Ralphs said one of the positive things seen from the media are shows like "The Biggest Loser" on NBC. She said reality shows similar to the weight loss television program are positive and uplifting for people to watch.

“It’s exciting to watch these people transform not to thin and skinny, but to healthy and happy individuals," Ralphs said.

One company making a difference to stop negative media stereotypes is Dove. Dove has set up the Campaign for Real Beauty. This campaign involves helping women with their self-esteem and attempts to reach women worldwide in an effort to communicate positively with them. In order to do this, Dove features ads on television promoting plus-size models as real women. Students can go to Dove’s Web site for real beauty at www.campaignforrealbeauty.com to get tips on boosting self-esteem, and finding ways to help their cause.

USU student Michelle Clark, a sophomore majoring in International Studies, said she feels Dove is on the right track to portraying positive body image.

“I think the Dove campaign is a really good idea," she said. "Dove is finally realizing that woman do not have to have the perfect model figure in order to be beautiful. They are helping other women to see that.”

Clark also said that magazines help people with their own body image by offering simple fashion tips. She said a lot of women’s magazines help girls with tips on how to dress for their body type and hide what women feel are their flaws. She said they also help in giving women advice to accentuate the good parts of their body.
-nicholas.peterson@aggiemail.usu.edu

Media Pitch 1

Subject: Do What You Love, No Matter the Paycheck…

Dear Courtnie,

Just wanted to let you know that USU professor Preston Parker has set up his own association for everyone and anyone to get involved with. The Cache Valley Area Investors Association was created by Parker to let people know they can choose to work at a job they love, even if it isn’t the highest paying.

Meetings for CVAIA are held every other Thursday at the Cache County Chamber of Commerce on 160 N. Main St. Parker said he encourages anyone interested in the association to come by. He referred to the meetings as a “non-threatening environment.” People can come and ask any questions they have about careers and finances.

I have a ton of more useful and valuable information about this association and Parker’s intentions with it. I am free this Friday between the hours of 12p.m. and 3p.m. We could get together and discuss how it affects students at USU.

Thanks,
Nick Peterson
801-803-9687