Keeping Cultural Connections - The Signpost 6/14/2022

Tuesday | June 14, 2022 | Volume 95 | Issue 24

NEWS » PAGE 6

SPORTS » PAGE 4

DOWNSIZING OGDEN’S CARBON FOOTPRINT

REMINISCING ON A HISTORIC SEASON KENNEDY ROBINS| The Signpost

ROBERT CASEY| The Signpost

2 | thesignpostwsu.com | June 14, 2022

Reporter

Juneteenth is rapidly approaching, this is Utah’s first year officially celebrating the new holiday. On Thursday, March 21, Gov. Spencer Cox signed into law Juneteenth as an official state holiday.

Rep. Sandra Hollins of Utah’s state legislative branch helped pass this law, although she claims she cannot take all the credit as this idea was proposed to her by Ms. Betty Sawyer.

“A couple of years ago, she came to me and wanted to run a resolution around making Juneteenth a commemorative holiday in the state of Utah,” Hollins said.

Juneteenth honors the freedom of enslaved African Americans. The holiday started in Texas, upon the announcement of the Civil War ending in 1865, when slaves were declared their freedom according to the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday is also observed to celebrate African American culture.

“Storytelling has always been a part of our culture, I want that to continue. I’m hoping

people also in their celebration use this as a time to pass on the oral history about their families and the contributions they have made in this state and in this nation,” Hollins said.

Several states have officially made Juneteenth a celebrated holiday and some honor this day as one of observance. Hollins explains her journey alongside Sawyer to make Utah celebrate Juneteenth as an official holiday.

“A couple of years ago, she came to me and wanted to run a resolution around making Juneteenth a commemorative holiday in the state of Utah. Betty Sawyer had been working on this for years and years and years,” Hollins said. “She and her committee and all the people who surround her have done a lot of the work, a lot of the heavy lifting to make this holiday possible. So when President Biden passed it into federal law, it was an honor to look at Utah and get that law written and pass it as a state holiday.”

Many events will take place all across the state this coming weekend, including around the Ogden community. There will be flag raising ceremonies, street festivals, barber bat-

tles, gospel concerts and so much more.

All who participate and celebrate this holiday have an opportunity to learn and understand the importance of African American history.

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By WINDSOR MOORE

Utah State Rep. Sandra Hollins speaking to the committee in charge of signing documents.

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Section Editor

There has been lots of activism in regards to the Great Salt Lake. Many gathered to hear local writers talk about their written work in regard to this issue. Local poets Joel Long and Nan Seymour read their work in front of an audience on June 7 in an auditorium at the Weber County Library.

The second event of its kind this year, Railtown Readings is an event put on in collaboration with an organization called Weber Book Links and the library itself to support local writers. It helps build up the community that already exists among poets, writers and readers in the Ogden area.

This event was moderated by a Weber State professor, Sunni Wilkinson. Wilkinson is not only an English and writing professor, but also a published and respected poet in her own right. She has published two books under different publishers and also teaches poetry.

Wilkinson introduced the two presenting poets, who write about a certain type of poetry — ecopoetry. Ecopoetry is poetry with a specific type of message — that of an ecological message. She introduced Seymour and Long respectively as being two champions in that brand of poetry.

First, Seymour read from her recently published collection of poetry, “Prayers Not Meant For Heaven.”

“I had to reclaim and redefine what prayer was for me,” Seymour said at the start of her reading. “I decided it was ‘consecrated attention.’ That is why I wrote these poems.”

Although that spiritual attention was given

to her poems, Seymour stayed on message by discussing her ecopoetry. She read poems about topics ranging from the Garden of Eden to leopard slugs mating and what a beautiful aspect of nature it was.

She concluded her poetic reading with a poem about her one-year vigil to the Great Salt Lake. Citing the recent Netflix original film “Don’t Look Up” as inspiration, she spoke about how generations will look back when we had the lake and that we should cherish it.

Next up was Long. Long was a well-traveled writer and had traveled to such places as France and Costa Rica. Long encouraged the audience to never lose emphasis on the beauty found in Utah.

“I have loved visiting places like Costa Rica and other places, but the sublime is here in Utah,” Long said. “There is beauty in our home.”

Long went on to share his poetry of nature from beekeepers of Notre Dame to even an ode to a science teacher entitled “Dissection.”

He even shared a personal essay about The Great Saltair burning in 1970.

At the conclusion of the poetry readings, audience members were invited to share their own work in a special open mic session.

Poems ranged from topics about nature and even the deepest ponderings of the heart.

“We live near holy places,” Wilkinson said at the conclusion of the readings. “Sacredness is in the place that we live.”

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The audience at Weber County Library listening to poets read their own personal poetry.

SUNNI WILKINSON

By TIM COSTELLO

SUNNI WILKINSON

thesignpostwsu.com | June 14, 2022 | 3

Joel Long reads one of his poems out loud to his audience.

Weber State wins 2022 Big Sky Softball Tournament.

By SIMON MORTENSEN

Asst. Section Editor

Weber State University’s softball team dominated the Big Sky Conference this year. After run-ruling every team in their path during the Big Sky tournament and losing only to one in-conference opponent all season, the Wildcats now wait and prepare for next spring.

“Right now, we’re reflecting on the things that we did well and what we want to do over the summer,” Weber State’s head coach Mary Kay Amicone said. “I’m super proud of everything that they’ve been able to accomplish to this point.”

After winning the regular season title and securing home-field advantage for another Big Sky tournament, the Wildcats held every team in the tournament this year scoreless and ended every game in five innings.

“We don’t set goals to shut people out,” Amicone said. “It comes with the process of getting the lead off out, working ahead and doing those little things.”

The process paid off as Weber State not only took home a tenth Big Sky softball championship, but also a third-seed selection in the NCAA Division I softball tournament.

“Honestly, that opportunity is still to me somewhat mind blowing,” Amicone said.

ROBERT CASEY | WSU Athletics

ROBERT CASEY | WSU Athletics

4 | Thesignpostwsu.com | June 14, 2022

Mary Kay Amicone cheering at the Weber State vs Utah on March 27.

“This team deserved that three-seed with their record and their stats and their domination in the tournament.”

With their third-seed selection, Weber State traveled to Seattle, Washington, for an NCAA tournament matchup against a University of Texas team led by standout Janae Jefferson.

Jefferson had three hits and three runs, including a home run, in four at-bats. The Longhorns beat the Wildcats 6–0 and sent them to a double elimination game against Lehigh University.

Weber State led for a majority of their game against the Mountain Hawks, but Lehigh came back in the seventh inning with a

three-run performance for a 5–4 win, eliminating the Wildcats from the tournament and ending their historic run.

“That’s a tough loss. There’s no getting around it,” Amicone said. “We just turn to the fact that they had a spectacular year, and one-inning doesn’t define their year by any means.”

With a historic year behind them, Weber State is preparing for another successful season. However, the Wildcats will say goodbye to teammates like Big Sky Newcomer of the Year Arissa Henderson, two-time All-Conference first team member Chloe Camarero and veteran utility player Brooke Moeai and catch-

Chloe Camarero starting to run after a baseball hit by Sac State.

er Abigail Sagert.

“Arissa has a skillset that is just phenomenal,” Amicone said. “I kind of use the term with our team ‘being a catalyst.’ She was a catalyst for our success.”

As for veterans like Camarero and Moeai, they’ll leave the team with nine combined seasons of play for Weber State.

“Chloe and Brooke are the foundation of what we’ve been able to do in the past five years,” Amicone said. “We took that great group of 2019. They were on that team and they were learning to be leaders and they continued to develop their skill sets.”

One thing that made Weber State hard to

ROBERT CASEY | WSU Athletics

KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost

thesignpostwsu.com| June 14, 2022 | 5

Arissa Henderson batting at the Weber State vs Utah game on March 27.

beat last year was their phenomenal pitching rotation, which featured Henderson, 2021 Big Sky Pitcher of the Year Mariah Ramirez and Amanda Sink.

After battling foot injuries her freshman year, Amicone started putting sophomore pitcher Brooke Hatfield in during critical games, preparing her to be a bigger part of the rotation next spring.

“We’re really fortunate because we have a pitching staff that works hard to improve each other,” Amicone said. “She’s [Hatfield] such a competitor that she was ready to go when that time came.”

The Wildcats will also be adding five new

players to their team from the recruiting class of 2022. Players include pitcher Kaysen Korth, outfielder Victoria Rey, infielder Sarah Ruhl, middle infielder Taegan Smith and outfielder Riley Whalen. Phenomenal recruits, Amicone is looking forward to putting in-state stars Korth and Smith on the field to add to the Wildcats’ “out-of-state” group.

“Those kids coming in are really going to provide us with a lot of depth and some different skill sets that we definitely want,” Amicone said. “We’re just excited for all of it that comes with a little bit of a new story. When you start fresh, you start again in the fall.”

Adding trophies to their case in the Dee

Events Center, Weber State’s softball team closes this season looking forward to success ahead.

“Our goal every day is 1% better and do whatever it is that you need to do with that,” Amicone said. “What’s really fulfilling for me is when I look at our coaching staff and our players, they’re driven with just immense passion to get better.”

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JAMES LARSEN | UTA

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By SKY MUNDELL Reporter

Current map of the BRT Route (James Larsen/UTA)

SKY MUNDELL | The Signpost

Often referred to by its nickname, “Junction City,” Ogden has a long and storied history as one of the American west’s first major passenger railroad junctions. Union Station opened its doors in 1869 to connect two railroad track projects together to form North America’s first transcontinental railroad.

The resulting “Overland route,” as it came to be called, consisted of a total of 1,911 miles of continuous railroad track that spanned from Council Bluffs, Iowa all the way to California’s San Francisco Bay Area, a previously unprecedented feat in the realm of American public transportation.

Today, Ogden continues to honor its role in the history of American public transportation by working to provide its residents with the most convenient and reliable public transit experience possible with the modernized goal of also reducing the city’s carbon foot-

print. Ogden and the Utah Transit Authority’s newest contribution to Ogden’s public transit system, the Ogden Express, is an example of Ogden and UTA’s dedication to providing a public transit system that prioritizes both efficient transportation and the slashing of emissions.

OGX is a Bus Rapid Transit system that will come to utilize 22 BRT stations located throughout Ogden to support a fleet of 11 electric buses after the project’s completion in 2023.

However, Weber State University students won’t need to wait until 2023 to experience the benefits in ease-of-access and environmental sustainability that OGX will have to offer.

UTA spokesman James Larson told the Signpost that OGX is unique in that it is the first public transit system in the nation to run through and directly integrate itself with a university. The Wildcat Shuttle will offer students a quick and dependable mode of trans-

The Dee Event Center canopy.

ANDY NEFF

thesignpostwsu.com | June 14, 2022 | 7

Construction at the Central campus bus stop.

port around the university and out to Ogden as the project nears completion.

Three of the 11 electric buses in the OGX fleet will be dedicated to servicing two on-campus BRT stations and one at the Dee Events Center that will also act as a hub of access to BRT routes that connect to Mckay-Dee Hospital and downtown Ogden. The

on-campus BRT stations will include a station just west of the Browning Center and one on Village Drive.

WSU students can expect to have access to the Wildcat Shuttle route in its full form by Aug. 29. The Wildcat Shuttle will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be able to offer rides to students every eight to ten minutes.

Larson said the collaboration between WSU and UTA is mutually beneficial and a win-win as it will work to address on-campus parking availability as well as Ogden’s carbon footprint by aiming to reduce the total amount of cars on the road. With the completion of the Wildcat Shuttle in the fall, students will be able to utilize the Dee Event Center’s large

parking capacity and use the Wildcat Shuttle to briskly commute down to campus, resulting in a more accessible and less stressful parking experience for students on campus.

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KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost

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KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost

Dancers dance and jump around bottles placed on the stage floor.

Ballet dancers taking a bow while they begin the next part of their dance.

By KENNEDY ROBINS

Section Editor

Sharing their traditions of dancing and music to the public after two years away, México en el Corazón’s Ballet Folklórico Guadalajara and Mariachi Femenil Estrella de Mexico returned to Weber State University on June 8,

2022.

Ballet Folklórico is known to most as a traditional Mexican dance with its own music and traditions that bring many different people of Mexico together.

This year’s performance was not only an assembly of colors, dancing and music but an inspiration for the crowd who watched the show take place before them.

“I danced Ballet Folklórico since I was six years old,” 17-year-old Jennifer Duenaz said.

“After I saw those movements on stage and recognized the songs I have danced to, it motivated me to become better at dancing.”

While Ballet Folklórico may be an inspiration for some, it can also be a way for immigrants to feel closer to the family, friends and homes they left behind to come to the U.S.

Isela Covarrubias is one of the dancers who performed at the event taking place at Weber State. This is her first dance tour in America, according to Covarrubias.

“México en el Corazón provides the opportunity to bring a little piece of Mexico back to the immigrants who are here with us, a lot of the immigrants immigrated from Mexico to the United States,” Covarrubias said. “These

KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost

thesignpostwsu.com | June 14, 2022 | 9

KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost

Ballet Folclorico dancers using pictures of fruits, flowers and pink colors in their performance.

Many patterns and colors are put into the dresses that belong to Ballet Folclorico dancers.

people haven’t been able to go back to their home country for years. That’s why we try to get closer to them. That’s what México en el Corazón provides.”

Jennifer Duenaz’s mother was one of these transplants who felt closer to Mexico through the Ballet Folclórico music, dancing and even a mariachi band that left the stage during the Ballet Folclórico event to play in the audience.

“We always had that tradition of dancing and singing and being able to play any kind of instrument,” Graciela Duenaz said. “For generations, we’ve always had music and the love for it in our blood.”

Being a Ballet Folklórico dancer can be an emotional fulfillment. Audience members can occasionally be sentimental due to the dancing and music because it reminds them

of home.

Sometimes it’s hard to deal with all of the emotions, but it’s all worth it to be able to bring a piece of Mexico to America, according to Covarrubias.

“I’m so very thankful for the opportunity that was given to me to be able to do this,” Covarrubias said. “For the people to see us and then run to us and embrace us, as if they’ve

known us their whole lives is really emotional.

It doesn’t matter where you are from because it’s like we are all family.”

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By KENNEDY ROBINS Section Editor

By MARIANNA LOPEZ-LURITTA Translator

grantes que están aquí con nosotros, muchos de los inmigrantes emigraron de México a los Estados Unidos”, dijo Covarrubias. “Estas personas no han podido volver a su país de origen durante años. Por eso intentamos acercarnos a ellos. Eso es lo que ofrece México en el Corazón”, dijo Covarrubias.

La madre de Jennifer Duenaz fue una de estas personas trasplantadas que se sintió más cerca de México a través de la música del Ballet Folclórico, los bailes e incluso un grupo de mariachis que salió del escenario durante el evento del Ballet Folclórico para tocar entre el público.

“Siempre hemos tenido esa tradición de bailar y cantar y poder tocar cualquier tipo de instrumento”, dijo Graciela Duenaz. “Durante generaciones, siempre hemos llevado la música y el amor por ella en la sangre”.

Ser un bailarín del Ballet Folclórico puede

ser una realización emocional. Los miembros del público pueden ponerse sentimentales de vez en cuando debido a la danza y la música porque les recuerda a su hogar.

A veces es difícil lidiar con todas las emociones, pero todo vale la pena para poder llevar un pedazo de México a Estados Unidos, según Covarrubias.

“Estoy muy agradecida por la oportunidad que se me ha dado de poder hacer esto”, dijo Covarrubias. “Que la gente nos vea y corra hacia nosotros y nos abrace, como si nos conociera de toda la vida, es realmente emotivo.

No importa de dónde seas porque es como si todos fuéramos familia”.

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KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost

Compartiendo sus tradiciones de baile y música al público después de dos años de ausencia, el Ballet Folclórico Guadalajara y el Mariachi Femenil Estrella de México regresaron a la Universidad Estatal de Weber el 8 de junio de 2022.

El Ballet Folclórico es conocido por la mayoría como una danza tradicional mexicana con su propia música y tradiciones que unen a diferentes pueblos de México.

La actuación de este año no sólo fue un

ensamblaje de colores, baile y música, sino una inspiración para la multitud que vio el espectáculo tener lugar ante ellos.

“He bailado Ballet Folclórico desde que tenía seis años”, dijo Jennifer Duenaz, de 17 años. “Después de ver esos movimientos en el escenario y reconocer las canciones que he bailado, me motivó a ser mejor en el baile”.

Aunque el Ballet Folclórico puede ser una inspiración para algunos, también puede ser una forma de que los inmigrantes se sientan más cerca de la familia, los amigos y los hogares que dejaron atrás para venir a Estados Unidos.

Isela Covarrubias es una de las bailarinas que actuó en el evento que tuvo lugar en Weber State. Esta es su primera gira de baile en Estados Unidos, según Covarrubias.

“México en el Corazón ofrece la oportunidad de traer un pedacito de México a los inmi-

Dancers dance and jump around bottles places on the stage floor.

By COBY CRISLER Reporter

With the school season out and summer season well under way, schedules have drastically emptied for students and family, leaving a lot of free time available with no clue how to fill it. The Ogden Nature Center is taking part in the Summer Saturdays program for Weber County recreation, arts, museums and parks, or RAMP. Many organizations and groups like the ONC offer free admission and/or activities nearly every Saturday of the summer.

Founded in 1975, the Ogden Nature Center is a 152-acre nature preserve and aims to provide education of wildlife and nature. An interview with Brandi Bosworth, the public relations coordinator of the ONC, provides further insight to their goal.

“Our mission is to unite people with nature, and I think when you expose people to nature, you foster awareness, and awareness fosters appreciation, and when you appreciate something, you steward it,” Bosworth said.

When asked about the purpose of Summer Saturdays and Weber County RAMP, Bosworth explained how, through offering these free admissions, they make places like the ONC more accessible and bring a closer focus on the outdoors.

Activities and features at the Ogden Nature Center include easy walking trails, tree houses, a natural playscape/playground and multiple ponds. They also host many presentations on their animals, which include snakes, tarantulas, salamanders, fish and birds of prey.

Each bird has been rescued from some form of injury and placed into the ONC’s care. They also offer many events all year long with Earth Day in the spring, summer concerts and Halloween events.

The ONC is also a birding hotspot.

“I think a lot of people come to the Ogden Nature Center just to go birding, which is really fun,” Bosworth said.

Additionally, the ONC offers naturalist programs like presentations on their many animals, crafts, and nature walks. Hannah Robertson, a staff member of two years at the ONC, talks about how working there coincides with her Zoology major at Weber State. Robertson said her personal favorite activity is volunteering to help care for the birds of prey.

Summer Saturdays at the Ogden Nature Center last until Aug. 20. Ways to help the ONC include volunteering and purchasing a member pass.

“It’s just a quiet place for respite and nature exploration.” Bosworth said.

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RAHMAN ALMOHAMMADI | The Signpost

thesignpostwsu.com | June 14, 2022 | 11

The welcoming banner to the Ogden Nature Center.

THE SIGNPOST TEAM Editor-in-Chief Breanna Hart breannahart@mail.weber.edu

Chief Copy Editor Justin Steed justinsteed@mail.weber.edu

Culture Editor Adam Montgomery adammontgomery1@gmail.com

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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.

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