Freshman to complete newswriting course

By Sawyer Hemsley

JCOM 1130/Section 2

Hannah Rose, a Utah State University freshman, is determined to finish and pass one of the rumored "hardest classes" at Utah State University: Beginning Newswriting for the Mass Media.

“It is not common to see a freshman enrolled in the beginning newswriting class,” said Sarah Keyes, a USU sophomore. “I think it is a lot of work to take on your freshman year, but you will gain a large amount of knowledge and have a really good learning experience.”

Rose is pursuing a degree in Public Relations and understands that newswriting is a required course that will help her advance within the major.

Professor LaPlante is known to intimidate students from the first day of class and rumors are common throughout campus in relation to his teaching antics and foul language.

“I was told he would make me cry, rip me apart and make me feel worthless,” Rose said. “Don’t worry, he definitely did."

Rose believes LaPlante’s scare tactics are out of love and he wants to see his students succeed.  

“I like how the class is focused on the principle of tough love,” Rose said. “It is hard, it is really hard. I have learned the value of becoming a better writer is well worth every tear shed over Matthew LaPlante and his grading scale.”

The course focuses on the techniques of writing news for various media and gives students the knowledge of elementary news gathering and interviewing skills.

“I see newswriting as a form of art," Rose said. “It has components I was unaware of before taking this course. I can identify leads, styles and importance factors as I read the newspaper.”

Rose encourages incoming freshmen to take the course early on, as she did. She is confident a student with a good worth ethic and willingness to learn course material will finish the class with a higher knowledge and appreciation for newswriting.

"Your life may be hell for a semester, but unlike other classes, you're actually getting the education you paid for,” Keyes said.

Facilitators to be chosen for Aggie Blue Leadership Conference

By Sawyer Hemsley

JCOM 1130/ Section 2

University officials are looking to choose facilitators within the coming week for the Aggie B.L.U.E Leadership Conference that will be held this fall.

“Aggie B.L.U.E has many purposes. First and foremost it is an opportunity to train future leaders,” said Utah State University student body president Trevor Olsen.

The event is completely organized and run by student leaders who have the desire to help create a fun and inviting atmosphere for newly admitted freshmen into the university.

Many times clubs and organizations are looking to recruit strong leaders and often times they turn to the chosen facilitators of the conferences “to recruit from among the best,” Olsen said.

Facilitators come from a wide variety of majors, organizations, ages, and backgrounds. Olsen encourages all interested in the facilitator position to apply.

“Participation will jump-start a future student leaders involvement and networking experience at Utah State,” Olsen said.

In order to apply for the position, students must have a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA and be able to attend all mandatory meetings.

“Participating as a facilitator this past fall was such a rewarding experience,” said Rachael Fresh, a USU sophomore and Aggie B.L.U.E facilitator. “I have developed deep relationships with the freshmen I helped and I have received the opportunity to see them conquer so many wonderful things at Utah State."

Applications can be found in room 326 of the Taggart Student Center and are due tomorrow. For more information on the application process, contact Trevor Olsen at t.sean.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu.

Aggie Bull Run draws freshman crowd

By Sawyer Hemsley

JCOM 1130/Section 2

Freshman students flocked to the Taggart Student Center roundabout to participate in and watch the Aggie Bull Run chariot races Wednesday. The university’s presidential cabinet hosted the race.

The Aggie Bull Run was a traditional event in the past. It was restored this year to the Utah State University campus and has been incorporated as part of A-week, during which university students come together each year to give seven days of service and celebration.

“A large amount of freshmen watched rather than actively participated in the event,” said Justina Larie, USU freshman and member of the USU presidential cabinet. “We as a cabinet were just happy to have them there cheering on their fellow classmates.”

Freshmen along with upperclassmen lined the haystacks that had been hauled into the roundabout to act as barriers, making up the chariot course.

Students participating in the races were allowed to make their own chariots out of any type of material they desired.

Each team was timed as they sprinted through the course. There were a variety of teams that either pulled or pushed their chariots.

“All of the teams were very creative with their chariot designs,” said Lizie Allen, a USU sophomore. “It was easy to tell that many of them had spent a lot of time preparing for the race in hopes to win. It even gave me the desire to prepare a team possibly to participate next year.”

Doug Fiefia, student body president, made the decision with his presidential cabinet early Wednesday afternoon to carry out the event amid cold temperatures and snowy weather conditions.

“Even thought it was cold, I was happy I was able to witness the Aggie Bull Run,” Larie said. “I had never heard of something like this before and it was fun to plan and execute this event.”

Larie has hopes the event will continue to grow next year and increase interest among not only freshmen, but upperclassmen as well.

“I have never seen such a big group of freshmen at an A-week event,” Allen said. “It was especially odd to see people participating because of the cold weather.”

To find out more about the Aggie Bull Run and A-week events, please visit www.usu.edu/aweek.

Freshmen talent shines at Luau

By Sawyer Hemsley

JCOM 1130/Section 2

Utah State University’s Polynesian Student Union, in collaboration with the Student Alumni Association, sponsored a luau that was held in the Taggart Student Center Tuesday evening. The event had more than 120 people in attendance.

Karen Caballero, a freshman spotlight at the event, displayed her cultural talents as she performed at the school-wide luau in hopes to stimulate more interested freshmen to join the PSU.

In past years, freshman performers have dwindled due to lack of interest, which Caballero hopes to change. She believes that through her example and willingness to perform she helped demonstrate the cultural opportunities the club has to offer.

“I would like to share my love for my culture with everyone at Utah State University,” Caballero said. "I want to help others gain the same respect I do for something that I hold so close to my heart.”

Although the luau was a lot more work then Caballero initially expected, participation in the event gave her the opportunity to gain leadership skills and build new friendships. She has hopes that student involvement will increase next year due to her efforts.

“I practiced multiple times a week with group members to be able to be well prepared," Caballero said. "I was not only in charge of learning several dances, but I offered my time to help decorate and set up for the event also.”

Caballero encourages anyone interested in participating in the club to visit the PSU office located on the third floor of the TSC to learn more information.

“Her bubbly personality and contagious laugh just makes my day,” said Julia Fie’eiki, a PSU club member. “She has done a lot for the club, and to see her have the desire to help the club involve more freshmen in the coming year is incredible.”

Fie’eiki described Caballero as determined and hardworking and is confident she will one day be a leader within the organization.

“She is an example to many,” Fie’eiki said. “I have no doubt that because of her performance and shining example she will be the reason the club will see more freshman recruits.”