‘Summerfest’ celebrates community art
By Bailey Daniels STATESMAN REPORTER
Logan’s annual Summerfest Arts Faire is held Father’s Day Weekend each June. This year was no different, with the event being held from June 12–14 at the Cache County Fairgrounds. The event ran until 10 p.m. each night, allowing attendees to stay late and enjoy musical performances.
Admission to the event is always free, offering guests an opportunity to experience many art forms such as photography, painting and dancing. There were multiple food vendors present, such as Caffe Ibis and Kettle Korn of Cache Valley.
According to logansummerfest.org, over 160 artists and small businesses attend each yea r to present and sell their fine art and unique gifts. “Creation Stations” were featured at the event as well, containing supplies so families could try their hand at different projects. Many of the vendors were from Logan, but some traveled from different counties and states to participate.
On the second day of the event, local Logan musician Craig Mecham performed for the sixth year in a row, this tiwme featuring music from his newest album “It’s Not Too Late.”
“Summerfest crowds are interesting,” Mecham said. “You get people that are just walking by, and they stop and listen for a few minutes, and then you get other people that come specifically to see you.”
Despite living in Logan, Mecham has performed in many different states such as Pennsylvania, Oregon and Ohio. He has been making music since he was 14 and also owns a marketing and consulting business.
“We keep pretty busy,” Mecham said. Summerfest isn’t only convenient and close by for him, but it also allows him to participate in the local community more broadly.
“It is a really, really fun event,” Mecham said. “I am thrilled to participate. It’s well organized, and it’s a highlight of the summer here in Cache Valley.”
Jeffrey Favero is a fine art photographer who had a booth at this year’s festival selling prints of his photos. Favero bought his first camera in 1975, and although he got a degree in accounting from Utah State University and worked as a dentist for 27 years, he now works as a full time photographer.
“This year was especially rewarding, beyond the sales we made,” Favero wrote in an email to The Utah Statesman. “I had the opportunity to judge the Plein Air Art entries, and especially appreciated the ‘Rising Star’ youth category.”
The Plein Air Contest is another event held at Summerfest each year, allowing participants to enter paintings and photographs. There is an amateur and
professional division, and the “Rising Star” category is reserved for artists who are 16 and younger. Winners receive a cash prize, and everyone has the opportunity to sell their art at a silent auction, which is held every day of the event.
Favero first had a booth at Summerfest in 2012 and opted to return each year his schedule permitted.
“As a USU graduate, part of my heart stayed in Cache Valley — especially since my wife and I were newlyweds in Logan as I completed my degree,” Favero wrote. “I appreciated that Summerfest only allows artists who actually craft what they sell.”
Not only are artists able to connect with the general public, but they also have the opportunity to meet and connect with other artists.
“Sometimes I’ll go see other musicians perform that I know or that I want to hear, so it’s a great place to hear lots of great music and see some really great art and very talented artists,” Mecham said.
Applications to have a booth at the event open in December the prior year. There are also opportunities for volunteer work, with applications closing two days before the festival.
Bailey Daniels is a junior studying technology systems. She loves Lana Del Rey, sweet treats and all things whimsical.
— bailey.daniels@usu.eduu
PHOTO FROM Logandowntown.org
Aggies give advice on studying abroad
By Layla Alnadar STATESMAN REPORTER
Students looking for a unique and immersive learning experience can consider over 80 locations across Utah State University’s study abroad programs. The structure and curriculum of each program varies, but each one is meant to provide meaningful academic, professional and cultural connections.
Utah State students can apply to three different types of programs through the Office of Global Engagement. College-specific programs provide global learning experiences through their college, such as study abroad through the John M. Huntsman School of Business.
Kaitlyn Fish, a senior studying equine science and management, studied abroad through two faculty-led trips to countries across Europe. There, the students attended classes throughout the week, followed by excursions to historical sites and cultural hubs.
“I have been inspired to volunteer globally thanks to my study abroad experiences,” Fish said. “I plan to take a few gap years to learn about agriculture outside of the United States.”
While she was on the Crete island to learn more about the Mediterranean diet, Fish said she and 18 students visited lo-
cal farms, watched cooking demonstrations and were able to explore the land by hiking.
Study abroad experiences can often be paired with a major, minor, concentration or program. They can be an addition or supplement to learning in the classroom while exposing students to vital aspects of global operations, history, culture and language.
“I was incredibly fortunate to have study abroad experiences outside of my major,” Fish said. “Studying abroad gave me the opportunity to learn and feel from the people that make these topics so special to me.”
Seeing and interacting with the source material for classes can make for a much more impactful learning experience, according to Fish.
“I love experiential learning because it’s easier to enjoy content that might usually be boring,” Fish said. “In my first program, one of the classes was learning about interior architecture. Topics like crown molding, chair construction and bedroom layouts were the things that had historical explanations that we got to see firsthand.”
Emma Adams, a pre-dental sophomore dual majoring in Spanish traveled to Logrono, Spain. The program lasted one month, and students applied to host families around the country to stay with while
they studied and explored the region.
“This experience advanced my Spanish speaking and comprehension, as well as my knowledge in Spanish culture,” Adams said. “I became more motivated to work harder to eventually be able to volunteer in Spanish speaking countries in the medical field.”
The students said after integrating into a new country, the experiences and insights gained were worth the adjustment.
“It was a lot to adjust to, but I was so overwhelmed with curiosity and excitement that it made it easy to love it rather than fear it,” Adams said.
For Fish, experiences abroad opened her eyes to the differences and similarities in contrast to her hometown.
“It was interesting to observe and adapt to the style of socialization in each of the countries I visited,” Fish said. “In Utah particularly, people tend to be outwardly friendly and talkative. In my European experience, some countries are far more reserved.”
At a pivotal time for many students railing towards their goals, a study abroad experience can catapult someone into growth and expansion.
“On these study abroad excursions, the faculty from the university offer such a vibrant perspective enriched by their global experiences,” Fish said. “Their passion is contagious, and I always return home with a new sense of pride in my education.”
Layla Alnadar is a junior studying technology systems with minors in data analytics and entrepreneurship. She loves writing and being outside in the sun.
— a02414012@usu.edu
PHOTO COURTESY OF Emma Adams
Emma Adams and her group hold a USU flag on a study abroad visit to Logrono, Spain.
Inside Utah State’s plans for Chuck & Gloria Bell Field
By Carson Frost STATESMAN REPORTER
Utah State University is setting the stage for the future of women’s soccer and athletics in Logan.
With a transformative, three-phase renovation plan for the Chuck & Gloria Bell Soccer Field, USU is cementing its place as a rising power in collegiate athletics while doubling down on its commitment to excellence in women’s sports.
The multi-million-dollar overhaul, set to unfold over the next three years, aligns with the Aggies’ soaring trajectory as a nationally recognized athletic powerhouse. Here are the three phases of the project:
Phase I: Laying the Foundation for Performance
The first step in Utah State’s ambitious plan is all about building a dependable and elite-quality playing surface for its women’s soccer program. Scheduled for completion by the start of the fall season, Phase I includes the installation of:
New Stadium Lighting: Evening matches will now become a regular feature at the field, allowing for greater fan accessibility and the possibility of hosting NCAA and conference tournament games. These lights also open the door to hosting high-profile regional and state-level high school and club competitions.
Advanced Drainage System: Soccer is played in all conditions, and this system ensures rain won’t disrupt training or games, keeping the pitch pristine throughout the season.
Professional-Grade Playing Surface: Designed for peak performance and durability, the new field will protect players and elevate the overall quality of play.
These improvements ensure the Aggies are not just prepared for their upcoming challenging season but that they’re also operating at a standard seen in the sport’s top programs.
Head coach Manny Martins has advocated for the Phase I upgrades since his arrival at Utah State.
“These [changes] were at the top of the list since I arrived four years ago,” Martins said. “It’s incredible to think that we’ve had as much support and as many people come to our games while playing at 3 or 4 in the afternoon. I think we’ll see a very elevated experience for our fans and for our student-athletes.”
Forward Tess Werts, entering her senior season, emphasized the health advantages of moving to night games.
“Especially in the beginning of our season, it’s so hot,” Werts said. “We have usually had games at 1 p.m. or 4 p.m., and it takes a toll on you. Everyone likes playing in the cooler weather rather than hot weather, so I feel like having that option there is going to be huge.”
Phase II: Transforming the Stadium Experience
By the time USU makes its long-anticipated move to the PAC-12 in 2026, the field will look and feel like a top-tier college soccer venue. Phase II focuses on enhancing both the athlete and fan experience:
Clubhouse with On-Field Locker Rooms: For the first time ever, Utah State soccer players will have a dedicated facility that includes on-field locker rooms, a film room, medical and recovery spaces and a team lounge, giving them the resources and aesthetic of a championship-caliber program.
North-End Video Board: A modern video board will allow for
live replays and interactive fan engagement, allowing for more crowd participation.
New Grandstands: With improved comfort and sightlines, the upgraded seating will energize what is already an increasingly passionate fanbase.
Media and Press Infrastructure: A new press box and elevated camera decks will boost USU’s broadcasting capabilities, aiding the team’s growing national profile.
VIP Balcony Area: Designed to host donors, alumni and special guests, this new addition will be a premium space that reflects the program’s elevated status.
These upgrades will provide an infrastructure that matches the team’s on-field ambitions and demonstrates USU’s serious commitment to growing women’s soccer.
“As you get into a level of competition where you’re trying to be a program that is consistently competing for an Elite 8, or maybe a college cup and a national championship, you need the resources to help sustain that,” Martins said. “So even things that feel pretty benign at the surface level — those are the little details that will help us sustain what we’ve done here in the last couple of years.”
Phase III: Building a Gateway for Aggie Soccer
The final piece of the puzzle is turning the field into a true soccer destination. Phase III is all about hospitality, branding and creating a memorable experience from the moment fans arrive. This phase is expected to be complete by the fall of 2027.
Grand Entrance and Ticketing Booths: A redesigned entrance will streamline access and offer an immediate wow-factor as fans enter the venue.
Concessions and Merchandise Areas: With new food, drink and gear areas, fans will enjoy a complete game-day experience and have every reason to wear Aggie blue with pride.
Carson Frost is a transfer student from Denver studying journalism. His family originally hails from Los Angeles, and he is a passionate fan of the Lakers, Dodgers and Philadelphia Eagles. He loves writing, making music, hitting the gym and taking road trips.
Review: A new wave of rom-coms starts with ‘Bottoms’
By Malory Rau STATESMAN REPORTER
The first rule of “Fight Club” may be almost as well known and followed as that of the Golden Rule, the Ten Commandments and so on, but it appears that when “Fight Club” is brought to the satirical world of queer teenage girls, all rules go out with window. This is “Bottoms.”
Directed by Emma Seligman, the movie follows the story of the self-proclaimed gay and untalented lesbian losers of Rockbridge Falls High PJ and Josie, played by the contrastingly talented Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri.
Down on their luck when it comes to love, the two girls find themselves starting an all-girl self-defense club with the secret goal of losing their virginity to two cheerleaders. As time goes on, they find themselves wrapped up in a web of lies as they navigate love, all while an impending life-or-death football game remains on the horizon. “Bottoms” takes everything viewers loved about the early 2000s rom-coms and detonates it with even more flair and jaw-dropping humor.
A standout of the film is no two characters are alike. The individuality of each character and the over-saturation of all personalities is what makes each scene so engrossing.
“Bottoms,” despite being a queer satirical comedy, also has its take on the concept of masculinity. The character Jeff, played by Nicholas Galitzine, is the high school quarterback and tends to steal the spotlight when he is on screen. The take on the modern high school football player this film has, despite being hilarious to the point of tears, holds a lot of weight in its discussion of modern masculinity. It calls into question and educates on topics such as male relationships with pornography as well as heterosexual male friendships.
The mise-en-scene of “Bottoms” is ultimately what transports viewers back into the early 2000s. The film colors are like those of a Skittles packet. The extremely bright and saturated tone found in the settings, costuming and even the football field only adds to the chaos and dopamine rush of the movie’s world.
Via editing, the use of the cliche rom-com montage has made its comeback in the 2020s thanks to Seligman. Another notable return is the credits blooper reel,
which reveals much of the movie was improved or ad-libbed by the actors, especially Galitzine’s lines.
The soundtrack of “Bottoms” is another element that gets the blood pumping while watching, with songs ranging from throwback 2000s hits like Avril Lavigne to current major popstar Charli XCX, who co-composed the soundtrack. Viewers can note the current trending song “party 4 u” is actually heard at the end of this film.
Speaking of the end of this film, without giving too much away, there is a fight scene that holds its own when compared to all modern superhero movies. If one finds themself halfway through this film and not having it, just wait for the last 20 minutes.
“Bottoms” has elevated the standard for the modern-day high school romcom by delving into topics like queer teenage love, self-identity and masculinity. While audiences might end up bursting out laughing, they may also learn something new about themselves, the queer community or teenagers in general.
This summer, Malory has found herself enjoying her first Logan summer. When not working at her summer job or tanning, she can be found counting down the days untill she’s back in the newsroom
— m.rau@rau.edu
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Photo
Jack Burton