Lindsay June crowned as Miss American Indian USU

The Native American Student Council held its 5th Annual Miss American Indian Pageant on Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Taggart Student Center as part of its “Native Week” celebrations.

Two hours later, Lindsay June was crowned as Miss American Indian USU.

June was one of the three Navajo contestants who competed for the title. According to the university’s website, the title of Miss American Indian USU “is foremost a service position, serving as a good-will ambassador, representing self, family, tribe, USU Access & Diversity Center, Utah State University and the Native American community.”

All three women participated in a variety of activities demonstrating their knowledge and pride of their tribal heritage. Each contestant performed contemporary talents, traditional talents and answered questions from the judges concerning their tribes.

Contestant Starr Fowler showed the audience the proper way to grind corn and explained the significance of it to her tribe.

“There are two different colors of corn, yellow and white to represent male and female,” Fowler said. “Each must be present in the home. It represents balance and harmony in the family.”

June explained the significance of the Navajo wedding basket. Contestant Jeorcinda Slick demonstrated how to create the traditional Navajo hair bun.

Other groups on campus were involved with the event. Latino Student Union member Christina Medrano performed an Aztec dance. The Polynesian Student Union also performed. Danielle Shirley, Miss University of Utah American Indian Woman Scholar, was also present.

“They need to remember to stay who they are and stay within their culture,” Shirley said. “Don’t be afraid, don’t be shy, just be who you are. Always represent your school well.”

The final event of the evening brought all three women onto the stage for questioning. June was asked how she thinks an enhanced level of integrity can be achieved in her tribe.

“It is important that young Native Americans have role models in their lives. It is important to encourage those who are struggling and may not have a good role model,” June said.

Cassie Largo, former Miss American Indian USU, was at the pageant to pass along her crown. While the judges determined who would be crowned for the 2012-13 year, Largo gave a presentation on her experience.

According to Largo, having this title will help teach leadership skills, enhance communication and improve cultural perspective. Based off of all the things she has been taught this past year, Largo said she plans to compete for Miss Indian World. She said she is excited for June’s upcoming experiences.

“I can’t tell you how much Aggie pride I had and how honored I was to represent USU,” Largo said. “This has been an exciting year for me, representing college, ourselves and our family.”

Anderson Seed and Garden will get historic facelift

Change is underway at Anderson Seed and Garden. Established in 1942 by the Anderson family, the business is a historical landmark in the heart of Logan City.

Now, the front of the family-owned store on Center Street is going back to its roots with a historical renovation.

“Even though the store is going back to a more retro and historical look, the renovation will still update the overall look of the store and give us a nice face-lift,” said Mark Anderson, the store’s owner.

According to Anderson, in the early 1970s the family put up a large metal sign covering the majority of the storefront.

The storefront renovation by the Anderson family in the 1970s was an effort to look more modern. But the store owners now want to make the store look the way it did when his grandmother started the business in 1942.

“It’s also the 70th anniversary of our store this year, so we will be holding an anniversary and grand re-opening event this spring once the renovation is finished,” Anderson said.

Scheduled to be finished before the end of March, the historical renovation is being jointly funded by the city, state and the business.

“I was approached a few years ago about doing a historical renovation by the Historical District in Logan. But at the time we couldn’t afford to do it on our own,” Anderson said.

In 2011 Anderson was approached by the Logan Downtown Alliance about getting funding from the city and state for a historical renovation.

The alliance is a community-based organization dedicated to preserving Logan’s downtown entrepreneurial businesses.

“The Logan Downtown Alliance is actively engaged in promoting economic activity, vitality and renovating commercial properties in the cultural heart of Logan,” said alliance manager Gary Saxton. “The Alliance supports establishments who preserve Logan's history while creating and maintaining downtown Logan as a vibrant and successful commercial district.”

The alliance helped Anderson Seed and Garden get money from the state and city to fund this project.

“It worked out so that we got eight grand from the city, eight from the state and we paid the rest,” Anderson said. “It ended up being $25,000 total.”

The city’s money came, in part, through the Community Development Block Grant program, a federal grant issued to municipalities to improve communities, said Richard Anderson, the finance director for Logan.

“Mark's building is a contributing historic building in the Historic District of Logan, this is what qualified his building for a historic renovation,” Saxton said. “He also had interest in renovation and was in position to do something prior to the deadline of the grant program in August, 2012.”

“I think our downtown is very vibrant and very active,” Anderson said. “The Alliance is working to make sure that downtown Logan stays alive. I think they are doing a good job to improve the look of downtown Main Street in Logan.”

Historical accuracy is not the only thing that the Anderson family and employees at Anderson Seed and Garden are looking forward to. The renovation will also help the outside of the store to look more uniform.

“It has always looked like we’ve had two storefronts because we bought another building next door,” Anderson said. “When we get it all done, it will look like one building rather than two different stores. I think customers will think this is great when they see the finished product.”

Lauren Handy, Cambria VandeMerwe, Paige Sjoblom, Kyndall Peterson, Aaron Griffiths, Heather Foster, Jill Dean

Blackburn, Thrapp to compete for presidency; Wilkinson disqualified after missing deadline

Christian Thrapp is just happy to be a finalist.

ASUSU primary election results were announced Tuesday afternoon, making it clearer to students at USU who their future student leaders will be. Despite amity between candidates overall, the elections have not been without surprises.

In the presidential race between four candidates, the second of the two finalists was decided by the narrowest or margins. Thrapp moved on with 643 votes, besting Smitty Hartley by one vote.

“Turns out every vote does count,” Thrapp said. “My campaign committee worked very hard and I’m just glad to be moving on.”

Hannah Blackburn, who received the most votes of any candidate in the presidential contest, will also be moving on to the final election. Blackburn said she was surprised at the final results.

“I’m honestly surprised by how close it is,” Blackburn said. “I thought going through my whole campaign that Adam Vail was my biggest competitor.”

Elections were not the only cause for candidate elimination this year. Several candidates have dropped out and one was disqualified.

Rhett Wilkinson, former candidate for CHASS senator, was disqualified for failing to meet the audit deadline.

“I didn’t even realize that we had two audits,” Wilkinson said. “I missed the deadline by about an hour. I’m disappointed because my team and I worked so hard on the campaign, only to be disqualified for something so simple.”

Kirsten Frank, current ASUSU executive vice president said though they were sorry to disqualify Wilkinson, the candidates were informed beforehand about correct election procedures.

“There were multiple emails sent out clearly defining the rules and deadlines,” Kirsten Frank said.

The primary election winners were:

Executive Council President: Hannah Blackburn and Christian Thrapp

Executive Vice President: Abigail Kingsford and Ben Wilson

Academic Senate Vice President: Jordan Hunt

Athletics Vice President: Karson Kalian

Diversity and Organizations Vice President: Mariana Ochoa and Tasi Taylor

Programming Vice President: Kellen Hansen and Chaise Warr

Student Advocate: Christian Orr and Anthony T.J. Pratt

Service Vice President: Jeremy Nef and Kyle Niedrich

“I think all the candidates that are going up to the final election are very good, very qualified candidates. The closeness of the presidential race was shocking and it was down to the last seconds. That was crazy,” said Erik Mikkelsen, current ASUSU president. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the candidates come out with tomorrow because they are going to be coming strong.”

Parker Jeppesen, Katie Carter, Victoria Hepworth, Joe Bagnes, Jessica Jolley, Adison Pace, Julia Stock and Matt Skabelund contributed to this report.

Students band together to support Indian school children

Since Feb. 13, students from the Utah State University Huntsman Scholar Program have been selling silicone bracelets known as Reminderbands on campus. The proceeds of the bands will help fund education for underprivileged children in India.

The phrase “I believe” — part of a chant made possible by USU’s student section, the HURD, during sporting events — is printed on the bands.

“We talked to HURD members and crazy fans to help spread the word,” said Jim Allred, a member of the Huntsman Scholar Program.

Allred said the program team is working with an organization called Effect International, which was founded in 2009 by USU students Casey Allred and Bushra Zaman to support the village of Sasaram in the state of Bihar. The organization has pledged to give 100 percent of public donations to fund its projects, including the sponsorship of a 115-student school.

“We are very lucky to be in a situation where we can obtain such an amazing education,” said Ace Beorchia, a Huntsman Scholar and Effect International volunteer. “Unfortunately, not everyone has the same opportunity.”

About a quarter of India’s adult population — some 300 million people, or about the population of the entire United States — don’t know how to read or write, according to the United Nations.

“The teachers are not well educated in government schools,” said Rajee Juturi, a USU graduate student from India. “The government doesn’t put forth enough money toward the public school systems.”

Juturi and Samruddh Dhope, another India native who is working on his graduate degree at USU, both received their educations through private schooling.

“You can find quality education in India,” Dhope said. “You just have to have the finances for it.”

"Private schools are not affordable for everyone," Juturi said.

According to a 2006 World Bank estimate, 42 percent of India’s total population lives below the global poverty line of $1.25 a day.

Effect International’s programs can send a child to school for an entire year for $25.

Allred said as of Tuesday, the team has sold 550 Reminderbands. At $2 each, that total could cover annual tuition for 44 students.

“Back in India, they really value education,” Dhope said. “This is a really good initiative.”

Students who would like to contribute can purchase the Reminderbands at the USU Card Office or donate directly to Effect International at http://effectinternational.org/donate.

Little debate in the debates: Candidates want fee oversight, improved student involvement

There was no mud-slinging, no arguing or any apparent bitter feelings expressed between those behind the microphone. Candidates in Monday and Tuesday’s student government debates instead focused on positive ways to improve Utah State University.

The presidential primary debate was held Monday in the Hub and a Statesman-sponsored debate including the rest of the Executive Council candidates was held Tuesday.

Candidates first presented their platforms. Presidential candidates Hannah Blackburn and Christian Thrapp both discussed giving students the opportunity to be heard.

“I got involved with the different things on campus. I got involved with my professors and my classes and I realized how great Utah State is,” Thrapp said. “It was because of this love I have for the university, why I want to be ASUSU president, so I can give back and do the best possible thing and develop even greater ideas and develop greater traditions here at Utah State. My platform is, I will stand for the student voice.”

“I want students to be heard,” Blackburn said. “My campaign is simple. There are four pillars: open communication, transparency, fiscal responsibility and student involvement.”

The candidates also focused on student fees and increasing student involvement.

“We need to be responsible with those fees,” said Adam Vail, former executive president candidate and the father of five children. “Tuition is going to go up. That’s just how it is.”

“I want the students to know where every dime of their student fees are going, that way we can cut back costs and let people know and educate the students on their tuition,” said presidential candidate Smitty Hartly.

Candidates said they want to be informed by students.

“One thing that as you can see all the candidates are talking about is ‘one voice.’ We’re trying to make sure that the student voice is being represented by ASUSU,” Hartly said. “That’s the main goal. As a president, we’re here to represent you.”

“We need to not just listen,” said Vail, “but to act.”

Joe Bagnes, Katie Carter, Victoria Hepworth, Jessica Jolley, Parker Jeppesen, Adison Pace, Matt Skabelund and Julia Stock contributed to this report.

USU hockey: Dominant Aggies may face only victor for national title

With the 2012 American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II Nationals less than a month away, Utah State University’s hockey team is ranked second — trailing only Arizona State University, which beat the Aggies in a December match in the Grand Canyon State.

“We are very excited,” said head coach John Eccles. “It's a good feeling because it will be a new experience for almost everybody on the team.”

The USU team reached the national tournament last year for the first time in six seasons. Although the Aggies did not do as well as they had hoped, Eccles said they feel better prepared this year.

“Right now we are staying motivated and focused,” Eccles said. “Everyone is pushing each other to be better.”

The Arizona game was the only loss in 30 matches played through Feb. 17 this season. Utah State has outscored its opponents 276 to 79, including a 20-0 drubbing of instate rival Brigham Young University.

But Eccles thinks his team can be even better. In preparation for nationals, he said, his players are focusing on conditioning and fine-tuning their game.

“We are doing many different things right now to help them stay focused and excited,” Eccles said. “The team leaders are setting the bar for the rest to follow so it has been a great couple of weeks of hard practices.”

“There is more focus for sure at practice,” said Alys Staten, the team's athletic trainer. “The boys have a goal to play five games in a row at nationals. That places us in the championship game. In order for them to accomplish this goal they must be able to keep the energy level up and get their cardio in top shape.”

But between now and then, the team’s members have no game scheduled, so during practice they’re playing inter-squad games.

“We divide the boys up in teams of three and they play each other which keeps them in shape and alert,” Eccles said.

"This time around we have taken a different approach to training,” said defenseman Tyler Johns. “We are fairly comfortable with executing our game plan so we are trying to create an atmosphere of competition at our practices. I think it will really help us when we get there."

USU will be put into Pool B for the tournament, which includes William Patterson University, Virginia Tech and Lindenwood University. The Aggies beat the latter team in a 3-2 match on Oct. 7 in Belleville, Ill.

USU will need to beat these teams in order to move into the semi-finals. With another win in that game the team they could be stick-to-stick, once again, with ASU.

"With the way we are coming together,” Johns said, “we have a very good shot at bringing home a national title.”

Abbie Lewis, Adam Barkley, Amanda Morgan, Amy Nelson, Danielle Hayes and Katelyn Swain contributed to this report.