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Show -W- EDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 DIXIESUNNEWS.COM - 9 Pagan Ideolo gY Club teaches new views, welcomes BY NAOMI I, VAZQUEZ -- naomivazquez . 1I ; i The majority of St. , 4 George residents identify as members of The Church of 13 of Jesus Christ Saints, so it .... Latter-da- y - doesn't come as a surprise that the Dixie State campus is ,- - i predominantly , , , .." .. I Mormon. With less religious diversity comes feelings .,- i,.,e,'-:;..:.- . . ,,, 7.-- - - -: rejection, especially one's spirituality or religious affiliations have a strong influence r'F!' on morals, perspectives and philosophies. It is z, v,t important to feel connected with a community who shares similar experiences, which is why Pagan Ideology (originally Spiritual Sciences) From left, Zsa'Jade was introduced to DSU in hands to 1 4'.41,,i..,-;.--,:,,- .. ,,,,, ,, 4 ..) -- , , ',,. - ,, . ,... not the only Utah campus with one religiously diverse club in southern Utah as Southern Utah University's only religiously diverse club is the Atheists, AgNon-religio- us Community. To put it in perspective, the University of Utah, one of the top three largest universit- Utah and one of the most diverse in Utah, has Seven clubs. DSU's Pagan Ideology club an di- toward spiritualities. Club Secretary Zsa'Jade Ervin, a senior English major rected non-Christi- an ALUMNI continued from page 8 including Communication Student of the Year, Dixie 11 and Male Student of the Year, which was a first for a Native American student. The Utah Higher Education Staff Association even created a video highlighting Nelson's successes at DSU. A week after gi aduating from DSU, Nelson was hired by the MIC. "Since then, I spent two years out of school gaining more work experience and going from a e employee to a e position here at the MIC," Nelson said. "But I was able to start my master's program in public administration, and I'm currently doing that Online Nelson works to educate Native American students about the resources on campus to Prepare them for success. Because diverse students have low retention rates, Nelson advises students to get involved with a Club that students can awards part-tim- full-tim- ,. SON IA continued from page 8 Much 0, I.... A 7.- ,- 'R,,,,,,k- ,z..x'44V - t f,z..t:,'-..- '',': L"'- -' t.4. xN 7- -1 -,P '' '' il' ,' , ' ;,,, . 4 ,H.t-,,,I- , 1 I ,., Z- ,. ,,17:,,,t .1.7z.,.. ..r ,,,n, , ,.. ,.L. C,,,, -- ',.... '. - ,;,. 1 l''., , ),,,, ) :, ' .T.,;--- , " , i. .: . .1; - .S -- .y,',,,,,ljk.i.',i fr;;'Z; ,!. 4 t,..4.-.:, -- .:,,I. .:' . ,fV1 .1 -, , . .....,"..,....? '''' :',!..,,71, - i .i...' ..':4: ',.,,m le.............. .r. 74.. .......-..- ...... Ervin, a senior English major from Los Angeles and Kamron Larsen, a sophomore music major from Ferran, join a ritual they practice. The Pagan Ideology Club explores a variety of practices to help students explore their demonstrate 2008. DSU is is .4 K;,IN,:t,,N.',-.--- - CD d t A. , cc' religious-base- ,, . i . because ies in :,'",.,..i.'.. V;i4A',A.L--;',7c- of nostics and ''''. ',;:. ::.,''2'.11'.''',,,t-- '..r.'.r'''.i.";::.;t-'- , I ,'"1,.1',', i .,:,.., of "Big Sonia" is devoted to the extraordin- arily moving spectacle of Sofia's public speaking about her experiences She's motivated, as is her spirituality. from Los Angeles, said the club serves as a way to learn about and celebrate diverse spiritualities. "Pagan is an umbrella term, and people seem to forget that a lot," Ervin said. "It really means anything that's not under Christianity." Club Vice President Cheyenne Dutson, a senior art sciences major from Colorado City, Arizona, first joined the club to learn about new spiritualities. She later joined the council to help others who are looking for something similar. Pagan Ideology does identify with, like clubs at the MIC and with their departments of study to increase a sense of belonging on campus. Nelson is not the only diverse former DSU student who's seeing success. Alumna Keshara Bjorkman was highly involved on campus by finding ways to use her creativity and give back to the community, which she continues to do so. During her DSU journey, Bjorkman was highly involved wherever she could be: rugby, the ROTC program, DSUSA and the Dixie Sun News. By the end of her time at DSU, she was an officer in the national guard. She then won Female Student of the Year her senior award-winnin- g, year. Bjorkman attributes much of her success to her drive to being involved. "Go out and be a part of something different and than just Dixie that goes for everybody," Bjorkman said. The year after she graduated, Bjorkman worked at the MIC doing marketrelations ing and public sure all family, to making of us never forget. On the in radio, at schools and her of effect prisons, the enormous is quiet words tears in see many you'll this film, while quite posown. sibly shedding your Meanwhile, a present-da- y drama unfolds in Sonia's lease life: She's losing the a variety of activities as a club to help members explore their own spiritu- alities along with those of others. They hold lessons, teach about how to use different materials such as crystals or runes, and hold trips. "For example, this year we are taking the club to the Chinese New Year celebration in China Town Las Vegas," Dutson said. "We also participate in service projects to help better our community. These events give students the opportunity to learn, meet new people and get involved with the commu nity." Some of the club lessons include learning about tarot cards and how to use them, teaching about how to conduct different types of rituals and what they may be used for, the sig- LGBT Student Association to hold festivities, and with the Dixie Motorcycle Club and St. George Street Bikes for a Christmas charity event. The club collaborates with other clubs at the Multicultural nificance of stones, or simple lessons on the basics of certain religions or spiritualities. Club members always have a say in what the les- Inclusion Center for events like Diversity Week. Club President Kamron Larsen, a sophomore music major from Ferron, Utah, believes the club is important to educate students and bring diverse students together. When he found out DSU had a Pagan Ideology club on campus, he felt like he found a place where he semi-precio- sons will be and what the activities will be as well. Pagan Ideology also works with other clubs on campus and in the community for events. The club has teamed up with the work. She now teaches photo and video classes at Red Rock Canyon School, a residential treatment center, while concentrating on bettering her photo and video skills. Bjorkman has various plans in the future for creative projects and wishes to pursue her passion of creating artistic work and move forward with her creative skills. She recently participated in a diversity dialogue at DSU about LGBTQ students of color and the challenges they may face. Bjorkman is also a small business owner. She owns two companies: Be Vicious, an apparel line, and Skärbräda, a cutting board company. Although diverse students face unique challenges, they are capable of success if they get involved as much as they can and take advantage of the various tools and resources that DSU has to offer. Nettingham, Nelson and Bjorkman all immersed themselves in campus experiences, which they all agreed played a critical role in helping them be where they are today. it actually matters what you believe in." Killinger, a sophomore criminal justice ' aj or from Palmer, Alaska, grew up Lutheran for 10 years before his family became Methodist, then changed to a church not connected to any specific religion. Killinger said it's nice to meet different people from around the world and see how they live life, learn their beliefs and see what culture they're from. Killinger said he believes that any religion can give a sense of faith, comfort and hope. "1 think it's nice to kind of have that different set of beliefs or ideals because it creates diversity," Killinger said. "Variety is the spice of life,' like my father always told me, and I think that's the concept that America has; we are a melting pot." Obideyi, a junior nursing major from Lagos, Nigeria, is the daughter of two Pentecostal ministers on the tailoring shop she's operated for many decades, g Kansas as the which in it's City mall located is now eerily quiet. But Sonia doesn't want to retire; she needs to work, she says, so as not to dwell on her life's "dark spot." Filmed with great respect and palpable love for its subject, "Big Sonia" is one of those documentaries that seems to bring its own just like the womlight an at its center. "Try to put love in your heart. Try to help others," urges Sonia, to those moved by her story. "You will become a different person." (c)2018 Seattle Times. once-bustlin- RELIGION continued from page 7 7 for the Redeemed Christian Church of God. "Our churches are a lot different," Obideyi said. "We have drums, and we have choirs, and singers, and everybody keeps dancing. It's really fun. Sometimes even the youth in our church... go up to the front and start dancing. The pastor also sings and dances." Obideyi said in Lagos you have to dress up each Sunday for church. Women do their make-u- p and wear traditional Nigerian gowns. In St. George, Obideyi attends church at The Salvation Army. She said it doesn't have things like the dancing and drums they have in Lagos, but it's the closest thing to the one at home. "People should not be ashamed to practice the religion that they want," Obideyi said. "Since we all have the same god, it is just your belief. Your religion should be a strong connection and you should feel empowered by it. And you tend to pray more when you feel more, and become devoted; I'm proud Of my religion." Lopez, a freshman gen 'fill ,p would belong and feel accepted. He said the club means a lot to him as he grew up in an LDS family and never felt connected to the religion. "Pagan Ideology has taught me how to see a dif- ferent side of the world," Larsen said. "Seeing things from a different side or viewpoint gives us knowledge and a broad horizon for how we view the world and its people." Larsen said it is common for students on campus to have a negative, idea of the club and sometimes frown upon the club because it doesn't see with the LDS , ed eye-to-e- , ye religion. "A lot of people, they see Pagan Ideology and they're like, 'Oh, they're evil,'" Ervin said. "It hasn't been well received. I've been outcasted..." Nevertheless, Larsen, Dutson and Ervin agree the club serves as an effective support system. "I like it because it's not just a club," Ervin said. "In a sense, it's a group of people who share a collective idea of being differ- ent." - r . t The club is always willing to reach out to any student on campus and e : support their spiritual jour- neys as well, regardless of their belief system. "Everyone is welcome, and everyone deserves a chance to feel accepted," Larsen said. "Come and see that just because we are different and worship different than you doesn't mean we are any less." v eral studies major from La Puente, California, has gone to Intervarsity, a college christian ministry club that gives college students an opportunity to explore the bible and who Jesus is, for the third time this semester. "It's important to me because it's nice to know that there are other believers out there that have faith for Christianity who put their faith in Jesus Christ," Lopez said. "Religion is really close to my heart and my priority in life." Lopez's family is a mix between Hispanic and Central American, and his mother is from Nicaragua. Lopez said his family's culture is predominantly Catholic, but he decided to become a Christian during his sophomore year of high school. Intervarsity meets every Monday at 7 p.m. in the Campus View Suites on the first floor. "I try to read the bible every day because I know what I can be, and what Christ sees in me," Lopez said. "I know if I have faith at the end of the day it's going to be for Christ and not for myself." r, 'BIG SONIA' Warshawsld and Todd Soliday. Leah Directed by Running time: 93 minutes. Not rated; suitable for general audiences. I ' |
