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Show THE SIGNPOST s TUESDAY, JULY 5,2011 Relay brings hope Stormin' Mormons Nation gets a taste of LDS culture ried a few months ago, after dating for eight years. "They probably will not be able to celebrate their one-year marriage anniversary," said Stoor during the opening ceremony. Stoor and Blechert are not the only members of the American Cancer Society to be struck by cancer. Jamie Riccobono, community relationship manager, said that she started volunteering because her aunt and her grandmother both had cancer. Her grandmother died in 2007 after a 13-year battle with cancer. "I don't believe she lost her battle, because I continue to fight it for her," Riccobono said. One of the largest and most symbolic traditions of the Relay for life is the survivor walk. More than 200 cancer survivors came together in downtown Ogden, each with a matching purple shirt and purple balloon and their own battle story to tell. After making a wish and symbolically setting their balloons free into the sky, the survivors walked a victorious circuit around the amphitheater. One of the survivors, MaryAnne Yates, spoke of her struggle with breast cancer. She had ignored the lump for a long time, and by the time it was stinging and burning enough for her to go to the doctor, it was the size of a small tennis ball. She The world of the arts, sports and politics have been hit with a culture we Utahns are all too familiar with. It's a strange thing to say, but it seems that the Mormon culture is the latest thing sweeping the nation. For a culture that is such a large part of Utah, it is just one small subculture of the nation. Suddenly there are two Mormons bidding to be presidential candidates, Jimmer being drafted into the NBA, and the Tony Award-winning musical based on the Book of Mormon. This has been a drastic change from the recent national attention toward the LDS church and its stance on same-sex marriage and the controversies surrounding the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a Utah native and nonmember of the LDS church, I find this recent pique of interest in the LDS church fascinating. Hopefully in the long run, this could maybe eliminate a few of those extrastrange rumors and stereotypes attached to the word "Mormon" (like that they all have horns and eight wives). Two Republican presidential nominees familiar to Utah, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman Jr., both have Mormon roots. Huntsman and Romney will face a similar struggle of overcoming their religion's stereotypes and misconceptions and focusing on their political platforms. In a poll conducted in early June, a significant amount of voters showed that they oppose having a Mormon candidate. Around 18 percent of Republicans and 27 percent of Democrats who participated in the poll declared they would not vote for a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. James Taft Fredette, better known as "Jimmer," received attention not only because he was the NCAA's leading scorer of 2011 and earned all major National Player of the Year honors, but because he played for Brigham Young University. He became a member of the LDS church when he was 18. Jimmer was drafted 10th into the NBA by the Milwaukee Bucks, and afterward traded to the Sacramento Kings. See Relay page 8 See Mormon page 8 PHOTO BY BRYAN BUTTERFIEID | THE SIGNPOST On June 24, WSU sorority Delta Chi Omega and the American Cancer Society teamed up to raise money for cancer awareness. Weber State University sorority and Relay for Life come together to raise awareness of cancer By Paisley Woodruff features reporter I Jhe Signpost On the evening of June 24, the streets of downtown Ogden served as a memorial to loved ones who have passed away. White paper bags decorated with names and prayers for recently or long-departed souls were lit up on the sidewalks as a reminder of cancer, the illness that has stricken so many families. These bags, bearing words such as "rest in peace, April, we miss you," were part of a luminary ceremony during Relay for Life, held to raise money for cancer research and cancer awareness. • Weber State University sorority Delta Chi Omega helped to plan this event as part of their community service. Largely due to their input, this was one of the biggest years for Ogden's Relay for Life. There were dozens of booths with people raising money to fight cancer. One of these booths was run by the Daily family, who called themselves "Team Daily." Jennifer Christensen, leader of Team Daily, had a personal reason for participating in the event. Her brother, who had previously been in the military, was diagnosed with cancer a year and a half after returning home. Cancer took his life, as well as the life of Christensen's uncle. Christensen said that she decided to participate in Relay for Life to make people aware that cancer is so prevalent and that people need to raise money to support the cause. "It's been bittersweet," Christensen said. "It's brought back painful memories, but has brought others joy and hope." Melinda Stoor is the volunteer co-chair for the American Cancer Society, the organization responsible for Relay for Life. This was Stoor's 10th year being involved with Relay for Life, as well as almost her 10th year since she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. She volunteered for the American Cancer Society just after finishing her chemotherapy. Stoor said that Ogden's Relay for Life was helpful for her and other cancer survivors in finding support from one another. "No matter how bad you had it, you can look to your right or left and see someone who had it worse," Stoor said. Relay for Life is partly a celebration of the lives of the survivors and a memorial of those who have passed away from cancer. According to Stoor, the lumiriaria ceremony is the only time the volunteers are allowed to cry. Second volunteer co-chair JoLyn Blechert had no ties to cancer before joining the cause. Three months after volunteering, Blechert's husband was diagnosed with cancer. They were mar- Workshops at West Weber State West Center reaches out to students By Jerrica Archibald features editor I The Signpost The Weber State University West Center is hidden in Roy between a restaurant called Naturally Chinese and a Domino's Pizza. Many students don't know that it's even there, let alone all of the services it offers. "The bad part about our location is we're in a strip mall and people don't always know we're here," said Galynn Mook, WSU off-campus coordinator. "We're just trying to get it out. The workshops are a big part of that, and that's why I invite the community Our mission is to be an educational resource for the community." Throughout the school year, the West Center will be offering free "life and Learning Workshops" to WSU students, faculty and even community members who would like to join in. The workshops range from financial advice to date nights to how to improve memorization skills. "I've been to quite a few workshops," said WSU chemistry major Justin Nybo. "They had a love-language workshop in February, and they had a games date one that I attended. They're really fun. They've definitely benefited me in my life because they helped with relationships." On June 23, the center hosted a workshop called "How to TXirn Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones," taught by Justin Blackburn, a former WSU student with a degree in psychology. This workshop focused on helping people change what is holding them back in their lives. "We all have stumbling blocks; we all have things that get in our way," Blackburn said. "Part of the reason you come to college is that things are in your way and you want to go somewhere." Even WSU students who aren't enrolled in classes at the West Center are still welcome to use the services they offer. Students in the Roy area can save themselves a trip up to Ogden by using the testing center or computer lab located at the West Center. The West Center mainly offers general education courses, but is on its way to expanding to upper division. This fall, the campus will offer 22 classes, Monday through Saturday The center has collaborated with other off-campus sites in Morgan and Kaysville to bring students Interactive Video Conferencing. This technology can bring several classrooms together using a video system. This way, professors can reach several different locations at once, and classes with small enrollment don't have to be canceled. There are plans to incorporate back-to-school orientation and the workshops with other campuses using IVC. * Some other benefits offered to students include a study area, free math tutoring, academic advising, enrollment services, back-to-school orientation and free parking. Along with that, the campus offers Express 'n' Order textbook pickup and is within walking distance from a bus stop for those students using public transportation. PHOTO BY AIMEE SMITH | THE SIGNPOST Justin Blackburn teaches "How to Turn Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones" at the West Center. "Everybody here is just out to help the student," Mook said. "We want to see them succeed. That's the goal. Hopefully it's a nice, quiet, educational area where students can come to work and learn more and have a little fun." For more information on the West Center and the workshops, students can stop by the campus at 5627 S. 3500 W. in Roy, or check outWeber.edu/workshopsatComment on this story at wsusignpostcom. |
