A NIGHT AT THE MIDWAY ICE CASTLES
Cover Photo By: Anna Kuglar | The Signpost
FROZEN FUN AT MIDWAY’S ICE CASTLES
Photos and story
By Anna Kuglar Editor
Every winter, over the course of two months, a large team of ice artists come together to sculpt large, man-made ice castles to decorate Midway, Utah.
The intricate ice castles allow visitors to wander through a unique and immersive landscape as they explore the carved-out tunnels, archways, sculptures, fountains and slides laid out throughout the ice castle.
As it gets darker, the ice castles are also cast in various colorful lights that continue to highlight the beauty of the ice castles with a breathtaking display, allowing for a stunning sight regardless of when you go.
Although it can be quite chilly strolling through the ice structures and the winter weather, it is certainly worth bundling up to explore this one-of-a-kind experience while it still stands before the 2025 season comes to an end in February.
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TOP RIGHT: Large icicle structures laid out in the middle of the Ice Castles. MIDDLE
RIGHT: Multiple icicles lit up on the walls of the Ice Castle. BOTTON RIGHT: Manmade icicles hang along the walls of the inside of the Ice Castles. BOTTON LEFT: A
detailed ice carving symbolizing the Capricorn zodiac sign located in the Ice Castles.
TOP LEFT: One of the entrances into a carved out tunnel system in the Ice Castles.
Packed
ice walls inside of one of the many tunnels of the Ice Castles.
DIVERSIÓN CONGELADA EN LOS CASTILLOS
CONGELADOS DE MIDWAY
Traducido por
VICTORIA HERNANDEZ Traductor
Fotos e historia por ANNA
KUGLAR
Reportero
Todos los inviernos, durante dos meses, un amplio equipo de artistas de hielo se reúnen para esculpir los grandes castillos de hielo artificiales que decoran Midway, Utah.
Los complejos castillos de hielo le dan a los visitantes la oportunidad de pasear por un paisaje único y cautivador mientras exploran los túneles excavados, los arcos, las esculturas, las fuentes y los toboganes distribuidos por todo el castillo de hielo.
A medida que oscurece, los castillos de hielo también están iluminados con luces de colores que resaltan la belleza de los castillos con un espectáculo impresionante, lo que permite disfrutar de una asombrosa vista independientemente de cuando se vaya.
Aunque puede hacer bastante frío mientras paseas entre las estructuras de hielo y el clima invernal, vale la pena abrigarse bien para explorar esta experiencia única en su estilo mientras aún esté de pie, antes de que la temporada del 2025 llegue a su fin en febrero.
(TOPE IZQUIERDO) Un camino entre paredes de hielo en los castillos. (TOPE DERECHO) The inside entrance into one of the igloos at the Ice Castle. (MEDIO IZQUIERDO) Formas de hielo en la cima de las paredes de los castillos. (MEDIO DERECHO) Complicadas paredes de hielo son iluminadas por luces coloridas en los castillos de hielo. (IZQUIERDA BAJA) Large icicles dangle overhead one of the entrances into the Ice Castles. (DERECHA BAJA) Igloos son hechos para que los niños puedan entrar y divertirse en los castillos.
FAFSA ONLINE APPLICATION: studentaid.gov
If you plan on going to school anytime in fall 2025 through summer 2026, complete FAFSA to get money for school including LOANS, PELL GRANTS, WORK-STUDY AND NEEDS-BASED INFO for Scholarship Universe.
NEED HELP COMPLETING FAFSA? weber.edu/fafsahelp
will be holding open presentations Jan. 17 and 24 Noon - 4 p.m. in the Shepherd Union, Room 404AB, to decide where your student fees will go beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
weber.edu/student-access-success/student-fees.html
WHAT SPRING BRINGS FOR INTRAMURAL SPORTS
By ALFONSO RUBIO Asst. Editor
From Dodgeball to Mario Kart, there are many intramural sports to try. There are opportunities for students and community members of all physical and mental abilities, as the intramural sports program aims to maintain an adaptive and inclusive identity.
6v6 Dodgeball
Registration for the 6v6 dodgeball tournament begins Feb. 22 and lasts until March 5. The season will run from March 10 through April 11. The games will be held in the Wildcat Arena on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6-10 p.m., though the days and times are subject to change based on availability among participants. Students’ buy-in price is $15, while community members may participate for $35 per person.
Mario Kart Tournament
The intramural sports program will hold a Mario Kart tournament on Feb. 1 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Outdoor Adventure & Welcome Center. The event is free and participants register on arrival.
Doubles Pickleball
On March 22, from noon to 4 p.m., students can participate in a doubles pickleball event. This event is located at the Wildcat Arena Pickleball Courts, and registration is free for all Weber State University students.
Spikeball Tournament
Students can participate in a spikeball tournament on April 5 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Wildcat Arena. WSU students can register for free at this event.
Disc Golf Scramble
On April 29 from noon to 2 p.m., WSU students can participate in a disc golf scramble at the WSU Disc Golf Course. Registration is free for WSU students.
NCAA March Madness: Men’s/ Women’s Bracket
From March 18 to April 8, students can participate in the annual March Madness men’s and women’s brackets. All brackets are completely free online.
Unified Basketball
The Intramural Sports program at Weber State University is holding unified basketball events this semester. Students and community members can come together and get involved with Special Olympics, playing basketball with athletes
with intellectual disabilities within the community. These events will be held every Thursday at 6 p.m. No membership fee is required.
“This semester, we’re running basketball and holding a game for Special Olympics athletes to join us for a Unified game,” Lexi Morrissey, WSU’s competitive sports coordinator, said. “I participated in Unified when I was in school and found it was the most fun I had throughout my entire college experience.”
Events like the Unified basketball game are not only great opportunities for students to get involved with their peers but also to do so in an inclusive environment.
“We’re always looking for ways to make our intramural program better,” Morrissey said. “We’re hoping that everyone on campus can find something they like or want to try in our programs.”
The pickleball court outside of the Stromberg/Swenson building where Doubles Pickleball is played. Students can participate in a doubles pickleball event on March 22.
NEW YEAR, BETTER ME: WEBER STUDENTS AND THEIR RESOLUTIONS
By JARED MITCHELL Reporter
With the start of a new year comes new goals and New Year’s resolutions for many people, and students at Weber State University are no different. These goals can take many different shapes, but they all typically are oriented toward helping one reach their overall life goals. While the average American gives up on their resolutions by the end of January, these students stand firm in their goals.
Joshua Ijaika, a communications major with an emphasis in digital media, shared some of his goals for the spring semester.
“My goal is to keep really high grades because my grades are not great overall. But right now, my institutional GPA is, like, 3.94, and I want to keep getting good grades,” Ijaika said.
Ijaika also shared his New Year’s resolutions, including losing weight, making money and gaining experience in his field of study.
“I really like creating things, and so I wanna push myself as much as possible to just
create things and do what I love,” Ijaika said. “That’s my resolution.”
Megan Schultz, a theater arts major, spoke on her desire to enjoy the semester.
“Last semester I was very stressed; I was focused on just trying to get grades up so I didn’t really have a lot of fun. This semester I want to have more fun and still pass classes,” Schultz said.
Schultz shared that when she gets stuck focusing on classes and grades, her mental health suffers. This semester, she wants to learn how to do things for herself while maintaining a clean academic record.
“I want to walk at least 15 minutes a day, I want to read five books by June 1st, I want to go on a date, and I also want to get $5,000 in my savings account by September,” Schultz said.
Students all across campus share many of the same goals between fitness development, financial success and academic achievement. Weber State University offers many resources to students that can help them achieve these goals.
The Wildcat Center on the Ogden campus is one facility that can help students achieve
their fitness goals. The Wildcat Center contains weights, treadmills and many other pieces of exercise equipment that students can take advantage of for free.
Weber State University also offers services that can help students with their financial and academic goals. Services like the Financial Aid and Scholarship office located in the Student Services Center and the Scholarship Universe tab within the eWeber portal can help students find scholarships that can help them pay for their education.
Furthermore, students at Weber State have access to academic advisors. The academic advisors can help students make a plan for their education and provide additional resources that can help them complete their degree.
A new semester can be challenging for students in many different ways, and Weber State hopes to help students overcome any obstacle in their way. Students who are struggling during the semester can reach out to the Counseling and Psychological Services Center located in the Student Services Center on the Ogden campus.
AÑO NUEVO, UN MEJOR YO: ESTUDIANTES DE WEBER STATES Y SUS RESOLUCIONES DE AÑO NUEVO
POR NATHANAEL STOUT
Traductor
POR JARED MITCHELL
Reportero
Con el comienzo de un nuevo año vienen nuevas metas y resoluciones para muchas personas, y los estudiantes en la universidad de Weber State no son diferentes. Estas metas pueden verse de diferentes formas, pero típicamente todas están enfocadas en ayudar a lograr las metas de la vida en general. Mientras que el americano promedio se rinde de sus resoluciones al acabar enero, estos estudiantes se mantienen firmes en sus metas.
Ijaika también compartió sus resoluciones del nuevo año, incluyendo bajar de peso, ganar dinero y ganar experiencia en su campo de estudio.
“Realmente me gusta crear las cosas, y entonces quiero esforzarme lo más posible para simplemente crear cosas y hacer lo que me encanta”, dijo Ijaika. “Esa es mi resolución”.
Megan Schultz, estudiante de artes dramáticas, habló sobre su deseo de disfrutar el semestre.
“El semestre pasado estuve muy estresada. Estaba enfocada solamente en intentar mejorar las notas así que no fue muy divertido. Este semestre quiero tener más diversión y todavía aprobar las clases”, dijo Schultz.
Joshua Ijaika, un estudiante de la carrera de comunicación con énfasis en los medios digitales compartió algunas de sus metas para el semestre de primavera. “Mi meta es mantener calificaciones muy altas porque mis calificaciones no son buenas en general. Pero ahora mismo, mi promedio institucional es como de 3,94, y quiero seguir recibiendo notas buenas”, dijo Ijaika.
Schultz compartió que cuando solo se fija en las clases y notas, su salud mental sufre.
Este semestre, quiere aprender cómo hacer las cosas para sí misma mientras mantiene una historia académica limpia.
“Quiero caminar durante quince minutos cada día, quiero leer cinco libros para el primer día de junio, quiero tener una cita, y también quiero tener $5.000 en mi cuenta de ahorros para septiembre”, dijo Schultz.
Los estudiantes alrededor del campus comparten muchas de las mismas metas, incluyendo el desarrollo de aptitud física, éxito financiero y logros académicos. La Universidad de Weber State ofrece varios recursos a los estudiantes para que puedan ayudar a lograr estas metas.
El Centro de Wildcat (Wildcat Center) en el campus de Ogden es una instalación que puede ayudar a los estudiantes a lograr sus metas de aptitud física. El centro contiene pesos, caminadoras y muchas otras piezas de equipo de las que los estudiantes pueden aprovechar gratis.
La universidad de Weber State también ofrece servicios que pueden ayudar a los
estudiantes con sus metas financieras y académicas. Servicios como el oficio de socorro financiero y becas ubicado en el centro de servicios para estudiantes y la pestaña del universo de becas en el portal de eWeber pueden ayudar a los estudiantes a encontrar becas que pueden ayudarlos a pagar por la educación.
Además, los estudiantes en Weber State tienen acceso a consejeros académicos. Los consejeros Académicos pueden ayudar a los estudiantes a hacer un plan para su educación y proveer recursos adicionales que puedan ayudarlos a completar su carrera. Un nuevo semestre puede ser difícil para los estudiantes en muchas maneras distintas, y Weber State quiere ayudar a los estudiantes a superar cualquier obstáculo en el camino. Los estudiantes que tienen dificultades durante el semestre pueden contactar el centro de terapia y servicios psicológicos ubicado en el centro de servicios estudiantiles en el campus de Ogden.
WEBER STATE FALLS TO MONTANA IN BIG SKY MATCHUP
By COLLYN COWLES Editor
Weber State University’s men’s basketball team lost its Big Sky Conference home opener 63–59 to the University of Montana on Jan. 16 at the Dee Events Center. The Wildcats played without senior Blaise Threatt, who was unavailable due to illness.
The game included 13 lead changes and six ties. The Wildcats ended the first half on a 10–0 run, taking a 32–29 lead at halftime. Senior guard Miguel Tomley made a 3-pointer during the run, and
junior forward Nigel Burris contributed with a block that led to points for the Wildcats.
Weber State shot 43% from the field, including 39% from 3-point range. Montana shot 40% overall and gained an advantage on the offensive glass, securing 11 offensive rebounds and converting them into 10 second-chance points. Weber committed 11 turnovers in the game.
Miguel Tomley led Weber State with 16 points and six rebounds, shooting 7 of 17 from the field. Senior center Vasilije Vucinic added 13 points and nine rebounds, making seven of eight free
throws. Dyson Koehler played 39 minutes, contributing 10 points and two rebounds. Saadiq Moore, who started in place of Threatt, recorded four assists and three steals.
“We have to put this game behind us and then do the little things and actually get the dub,” Koehler said.
Weber State held a 55–50 lead in the second half with 4 minutes remaining. Montana responded with a 6–0 run to take the lead at 58–57. Tomley made a floater with 43 seconds left to regain the lead for Weber State, but Montana’s Malik Moore followed with a 3-pointer, putting the
Grizzlies up 61–59. A turnover on Weber State’s final possession secured the win for Montana.
Malik Moore finished with a gamehigh 18 points for Montana, while Te’Jon Sawyer added 17 points and seven rebounds for the Grizzlies.
The Wildcats will hit the road for a game against Portland State University on Jan. 23 and California State University, Sacramento, on Jan. 25. The ‘Cats will return to the Dee on Jan. 30 to face the University of Idaho.
Vasilije Vucinic (13) drives to the basket, fighting through the Montana’s defense.
Vasilije Vucinic (13) powers through the Montana’s defense for a commanding shot.
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
2-4:30 p.m. • Selma Movie Screening
Celebration of Life day
THE SIGNPOST TEAM
Editor-in-Chief Brisa Odenthal brisaodenthal@mail.weber.edu
Managing Editor Emilie Hart emiliehart@mail.weber.edu
Design & Graphics Editor
Star Neil starneil@mail.weber.edu
Asst. Design & Graphics Editor Matthew Holland matthewholland@mail.weber.edu
Photo Editor Anna Kuglar briannakuglar@mail.weber.edu
Chief Copy Editor Justin Steed justinsteed@mail.weber.edu
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. MLK
Speech Competition and Open Mic
8 p.m. • Men’s Basketball at Portland State
6 p.m. • WSU Women’s Basketball vs. Portland State
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
• Utah’s Changing Climate: effects on people and the outdoor activities
4:30 - 6 p.m. • Thrive 2025: Health and Wellness Expo
6 - 9 p.m. • Shaw GalleryPermanence of Earth: Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture
7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Backcountry Touring (Intro)
2 p.m. • WSU Women’s Basketball vs. Sacramento State
Asst. Copy Chief Mindy Brown mindybrown1@mail.weber.edu
News Editor Gracie Stephenson graciestephenson@mail.weber.edu
Asst. News Editor Alfonso Rubio alfonsorubio@mail.weber.edu
Sports Editor Collyn Cowles collyncowles@mail.weber.edu
Asst. Sports Editor Brayson Brown braysonbrown@mail.weber.edu
Culture Editor Megan Swann meganswann@mail.weber.edu
Culture Editor Cooper Hatsis cooperhatsis@mail.weber.edu
Translation Editor
Nelly Hernandez Tejada nhernandeztejada@mail.weber.edu
Asst. Translation Editor Nathanael Stout nathanaelstout@mail.weber.edu
Collaboration Editor Marianna Lopez Luritta mlopezluritta@mail.weber.edu
Adviser
Jean Norman jeannorman@weber.edu
Business Manager Rob Steedley robertsteedley@weber.edu
The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Student fees fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and to refuse to print any letters. Letters should be submitted online to thesignpost@weber. edu and read letter to the Editor in the subject box. Letters should not exceed 350 words.
