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Show WSU Baseball opens conference play on the road BUSlMESSASCIQICt SEQKB- QASSIHEDS see page 6 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24,2010 WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY VOL 80 ISSUE 74 WWW.WSUSIGNP0ST.COM Students fileforaid Signpost won 14 awards including General Excellence at UPA Some avoid filing because of the process By Camille Safsten correspondent I The Signpost Weber State University offers financial aid in many ways to students; however, they all are based around a form called Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). As the economy has struggled, more students have leaned on the financial aid process and filed FAFSA forms. Sam Harris, a WSU sophomore majoring in political science, is one of those students. "I never thought that I would have to rely on financial aid, because I really wanted to work hard and pay for school on my own," Harris said. "After I was laid off from my job at a plant working the line, I decided to fill one out and am waiting to hear back to see what will happen or what I will get." According to the WSU financial aid Web site, WSU gives more than $50 million in funds for scholarships and financial aid each year. There are many options that fit into many students' lives and provide them with opportunities for 4 _fr a PHOTO BY BRYAN BUTTERFIELD I UU StCNI'OS! Horizon Elementary students practice for their singing presentation "Rock 'n' Roll is Here to Stay." Children participating range in age from pre-school to 12 years old. The girls in bikini-style shirts are singing "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini." For more photos see page 10. The Weber State University newspaper, Tlie Signpost, recently took top honors in the annual Better Newspaper Contest, hosted by the Utah Press Association at an an-, nual conference held in St. George, Utah, over the weekend of March 20,2010. The Signpost is one of 10 community newspapers across the state competing in the Group n category. The staff of Tiie Signpost received a total of 14 awards;five third place awards,* four second place, four first place and the award of General Excellence, which is given in recognition of the newspaper that wins the most individual awards. UPAAwards grants, scholarships or student loans. Jan Klars, a WSU junior majoring in technical sales, was able to use the financial aid program. "I knew from the minute I came to Weber that I could get financial help, so I applied and got some money," Klars said. "Even though it wasn't a lot, it is really nice to have some help, even a little bit at this time, and I'm really glad I took advantage of the money because I didn't have to stress about money as much and could concentrate on school." The WSU financial aid Web site lists options, instructions and frequently asked questions to help students with the process. Jaime Terrace, a WSU freshman majoring in business administration, said she had a hard time filling out the financial aid form even after looking on the Web site, however. "Money was out there for students and I bet I could qualify, but it was such a long process and so confusing that I just gave up, because I would rather work a job and pay myself than work so hard for a scholarship that really only gives me $5 an hour over the entire semester," Terrace said. "It's awesome that students can get help, but it is so impossible to get done." Among other requirements, the amount of financial aid depends on a student's credit hours, income, academic progress and the correct completion of all required forms and information. "It took me almost two months to get everything processed," Klars said. "I had to have all of my tax information and my parents' too, plus sign papers electronically, which is a joke. I guess if they See Aid page 5 U ^ General ExcellenceThe Signpoststaff . First Place Awards: Special SectionThe Signpost staff Sports Photograph Nathan Caulford SportsPage"'""- '.":•'--' The Signpost staff ] f/^. News or Features SeriesCimaron Neugebauer Second Place Awards: Photo Page- " : : ^ j ^ * $ T\%e Signpost staff ^ ; I ^; $30,000 in USTAR grants cometoWSU for research Senators fill vacant positions with candidates years, but because there I'm happy for those who have been people from have gotten it and excited Josh Meservey chosen as new Weber before me doing it, to see if more will get it Supreme Court Associate Justice Six Weber State I plan on asking them for again." help on how to write the Other schools received University student and Francis was the first of the By Thomas Alberts faculty groups have re- grants in order to get the the grants as well, such as money." Utah Valley University for candidates to present herceived $139,600 in grant news reporter I The Signpost Hypersphere Graphics. The grants go to many self to the senators. money to fund research However, WSU received different fields of study "I know some of you are projects in hope of creatThe Weber State the majority of the grant ing higher-paying jobs for and vary in topics; howevUniversity Student Senate hesitant to vote for fne bemoney for various projects. er, they all go to students the state of Utah. focused on bringing in the cause of my lack of experiworking with local indusence," she said. "But from Jason Shelton, a sophoThe Technology tries. The next TCG dead- more with an undecided new senate for next year what I understand, student Commercialization Grants line is March 31. on Monday, March 22. government is a way to major, said he is unsure (TCG) program is fundAs the meeting started, gain experience and make whether the money will Kelsey Einburough, a ed by the Utah Science Legislative Vice President what we do known around Technology and Research junior majoring in English, help or not. Elene Kvernadze took the "Yeah, it's nice to get 30 opportunity to praise the campus. I believe that 1 Group (USTAR). The av- said she is looking forward erage award size for TCG to seeing more WSU proj- grand for a school project, student senators for their would do a really good job and I'm a fast learner. So I grants is $30,000, which ects in the running for the but who all gets to have work over the past year. believe I would be a good that kind of money?" helps schools to test, com- grant money. "We're kind of getting a Supreme Court Justice." "While I don't think I Shelton said. "Not every- hang of what works best mercialize and prototype Senate Parliamentarian new products and services will ever use the money one can just get the money for the senate and how Josh Meservey was the myself, it is good to see to work on fun projects we go about finding isin markets. other candidate considand then get good grades One of the grant award- tons of Weber people get- because of the money they sues and how we go about ered for the job, and laid ees from WSU is Kolbe ting it," Einburough said. put in. I would rather see solving issues," Kvernadze out the reasons he felt he Corporation, a graphical "We don't get a lot of mon- all that money going back said. was most qualified. Aware that the 2010 legpresentation of HT optimi- ey from the state through to where we were cut this "I feel I'm well prepared zation data. This product other things, so it is nice last year from the overall islative session is now over, for this," Meservey said. the senate met Monday would be used to math- that these smaller and Weber budget." larger projects are getting and swore in the last va- "My major is political sciematically match employcant senatorial and judi- ence. I've taken numerees to jobs or forecast how the attention they deserve. See Grants page 5 cial positions that need to ous constitutional classes a business will perform. be filled. After the meeting about how rights are deChris Parsons, a WSU began, Senate President cided upon, and how we freshman majoring in Tyler Lathem started off go about making decichemistry, first heard the process and gave the sions on those rights and about the grants this year oath of office to and swore keeping our Constitution and said he plans to parin the new Supreme Court correct so that it's not inticipate in future events. Chief Justice Alexandra fringed upon. This is just "I am glad that somesomething that I am really Allen. one out there is going to excited about, because, Afterward, the senators like I said, my future aspigive people from Weber called up the candidates rations are to be a lawyer money to work on projects for the WSU Supreme and go to law school in the and really understands Court Associate Justice po- not-too-distant future. To that we have ideas that sition and asked them to pursue a law career and to can help the community," make one last statement as be a judge is my ultimate Parsons said. "I won't use to why they felt they were the grants for a few more Turning innovation into qualified for the role. Lisa See Senators page 5 SOURCE: UTAHPULSE.COM By Camille Safsten correspondent I The Signpost Feature Photograph Nathan Caulford -.''• '-' \ L'-* Useof Ad Color- ";.,:.v Hunter Saiz ; In-House Promotion Hunter Saiz Third Place Award: FrontPage- •~i:>fy£v*i-•; The Signpost staff , Feature Story%0;^ ErikOlsen -^.v^-^ Editorial- : " ^x^i Tlie Signpost staff '4 • Editor's Column- • - " • " Gina Barker In-House Produced Ad Hunter Saiz Newspapers in Group n Millard CountyChronicle Progress Box Elder News Journal TheWasatchWave Tlie Times-Independent Vernal Express Uintah Basin Standard The Leader %[&• Sun Advocate Springville Herald Tlie Signpost SPJ Mark of Excellence finalists:' ••••*! Sports reportingMattGerrish & Editorial writingThe Signpost staff • • |