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Show PERSONALITY 12 Culture shock: adjusting to life ALEX FARRELL STAFF REPORTER Zerrion Paytons story is dominated by a theme: shifting and adjusting. Payton moved from Oakland, California to Salt Lake City, Utah just two years ago. It was so weird," Payton said. I had never seen snow before. The mountains and everything was completely different." Payton, junior communication major, came to Utah to play basketball at crazy going on, Payton said. You have your gangs and violence and its all around you. You definitely hear about it. At school, you have your fights and hear about shootings in the community. Lake Community College (SLCC) with his cousin. At SLCC Payton met head basketball coach at the time Norm Parrish. Parrish coached at Salt Lake Community College for 20 years before becoming Westminsters head coach in gfa ble by focusing on sports and spending the majority of his time in the gym. One of the more difficult transitions for Payton besides overall culture shock though was adjusting to WAS WEIRD. he was able to stay out of trou- Payton said Salt IT in SLC I the rigorous school so work. The shifting to a different type and style of classes than he was used to was a challenge in its own. HAD NEVER SEEN SNOW BEFORE. THE MOUNTAINS AND EVERYTHING WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. pp When Payton first came to Westminster, he said he was surprised by challenging some of his teachers were and the work they expected him how PAYTON ZERRION JUNIOR summer 2015. Parrish asked Pay-to- n if he would consider transferring to Westto produce. Westminster is much more hands on, minster. Thus Payton, found himself down the road at the small campus of brick buildPayton said. The teachers are much more involved. ings and calling the Behnken Field House his Christian Anderson, junior communicahome court for the time being. tion major, is a classmate of Paytons and said Payton said he was attracted to Westminster because of the small class sizes, and he saw hes seen him change since he first came to Westminster. it as a place where he could be successful. He seems much more comfortable in Flash back two years ago and reflect class, Anderson said. Hes speaking up more though, Payton said it was surprising how difand getting a feel for Westminster. ferent the people were here from the people This year, Payton and the Westminster in Oakland. I had no idea what a Mormon was or mens basketball team compete in their first anything about the Church of Jesus Christ of season in Division 2. Latter-da- y Saints, Payton said. They have won their first four games this Oaklands African American population is season, and the teams goal is to finish first in 29 percent compared to 1.3 percent in Utah, according to the United States Census Bureau. Payton said the people in Salt Lake City are more friendly and outgoing. In Oakland, there is always something the conference, since they arent able to play in the postseason. Paytons journey is has many of its own trial, however, each day he is feeling more comfortable in his new environment. Zerrion Payton, junior communication major and member of the basketball team, came to Utah two years ago to play basketball at Salt Lake Community College with his cousin. |