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Master's Swimming Program at USU

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USU DEX Students win Internationally

ATLANTA – Utah State University Delta Epsilon Chi members bring home 1st and 2nd place from the International Career Development Conference. Julia Roberts, junior in pre-medical biology, took 2nd in marketing management and JP Parrish, junior in public relations, placed 1st in retail management.

This four day international conference took place in Atlanta, Ga. Utah State students took part in leadership development seminars and exercised practical application of their marketing and management skills through role plays and case studies.

Students Competed in events such as Hospitality to Advertising Campaign. There are 18 events in total. The Judge in each of these events takes the  role of a professional while the student presents a solution to a case they have been given or prepared beforehand. Some events are accompanied by 100 question competency tests while others take months of preparation. Entrepreneurship event participants present a business plan to the judge as if they were asking for financial support.

Each event provides students an innovative and unique way to gain real world business experience. The organization offers many real life experiences in competition as well as in leadership. Many businesses recognize this value and make it a point to hire these excellently prepared students.

Delta Epsilon Chi is the college division of DECA Inc. More than 14,000 students from 230 college campuses participate in the organization. The institutions include community colleges, technical colleges, four–year colleges and universities.

 
Delta Epsilon Chi enhances the student's college experience by providing recognition and leadership activities directly related to academic study. Delta Epsilon Chi focuses on developing leaders in marketing, management, and entrepreneurship.

For more information on Utah’s Delta Epsilon Chi, contact the state advisor Curtis Youngman at Curtis.youngman@slcc.edu or JP Parrish, communications VP, at JP-DEX@hotmail.com.

Utah Delta Epsilon Chi Letter Proposal

Part One: Executive Summary

Utah Delta Epsilon Chi provides valuable and practical experience to college and university students across the state of Utah and needs to raise $3,000 for each of our two development conferences in October and February. We are asking companies of interest for financial support for our 2008-2009 school year. We provide an atmosphere of learning through experience. We have an excellent program that has lasted for over 30 years. With financial support, we can provide more students the experience they need for the workplace by stimulating membership with lower fees and registration costs. Additional programs may be implemented. Utah Delta Epsilon Chi has pressed forward for years with financial support from the state marketing association, boards of education, and donors both commercial and private. Our plan includes detailed training materials to be implemented for the 2008-2009 school year. Our news state president was recognized as the Utah Delta Epsilon Chi Leadership award, a prestigious award given only to the best of our students. This award is not given out if the candidates do not measure up. This is the caliber of student we are looking forward to. With a sponsor for this award, we can help you and other companies recognize the prestige. Endorsement from Utah companies can help build clout and meaning to such an award. This is another way to help support us financially.

Part Two: Sponsor Appeal

We have considers Franklin Covey as a potential contributor because of the current business relationship we have forged. You have partnered with us to conduct our annual Chapter Officer Leadership Academy (COLA) at our 2008 Fall Leadership Conference to be held in Ogden, Utah, at the Ogden Marriott. We value the principles that your company runs by. Our organization’s purpose is to train and prepare students for the business world which they are expected to enter. Experience that we can offer gives students a significant step forward in the career field.

Part Three: Problem

The economy has suffered in the past year and the need for the most experienced employees is heightened. Only the best ought to be working in positions in your company. We, as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, have great need of financial support. Membership is down due to high costs. Our conferences cost us between four and five thousand dollars each, making it difficult for students to attend. We require a registration fee to help offset these costs; however, this is not enough.

Part Four: Solution

With financial support from your company and others in the Greater Salt Lake area, we plan to reduce the students’ registration fees to encourage growth in the organization. This allows for more to participate and our organization to continue producing experienced leaders to work in various industries.

Part Five: Capabilities

A real benefit to YOU is that you would get a good first hand look at the competent, capable and confident students participating in Utah Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX). This benefit certainly enhances YOUR recruiting process. You are invited to distribute company brochures and materials with our conference participants.

We hold two conferences during the year: our Fall Leadership Conference (FLC) in October allows students to participate in leadership seminars and workshops and our State Career Development Conference (SCDC) held in February. Students compete at these conferences in marketing/management/entrepreneurship events with other students from around the state. State winners are invited to participate in our International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in April/May.

Part Six: Budget

Donations

Conference Sponsor $3,000.00

Event Sponsor (reception/meal) $1,500.00

Event Sponsor (Training or Competitive Event) $1,050.00

COLA Luncheon (during Fall Leadership Conference) $ 800.00

Leadership Award Sponsor $50 on up

Part Seven: Conclusion

The contributions to our professional organization are a tax-deductible donation for your company. The various pre-conference promotional materials will be distributed to students, faculty and many of the administrators at the nine (9) institutions. This puts your name in front of our DEX students and the support system at our educational institutions. It also presents your name to the various marketing, management and entrepreneurship faculty and college/university administration throughout the state as a strong supporter to our professional student organization.

DEX Student Demographics

Internationally there are 14,000 postsecondary Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX) members with some 240-270 students represented in the State of Utah. The gender distinction varies, but it is close to a 60 female/40 male ratio. Utah currently has nine active chapters:

• Utah State University
• Utah Valley State College
• Weber State University
• Snow College
• University of Utah
• College of Eastern Utah
• Salt Lake Community College
• Southern Utah University
• Dixie State College

Typically, DEX students (varying in age from 19-50 +) are enthusiastic and dedicated students, mainly focusing on their career in business marketing, management, sales and entrepreneurship. These students are not only concerned with learning the skills and concepts in the classroom, but are keenly aware of the valuable experience in applying those skills in a real or simulated experience that offered by DEX. Most of these students receive national “Outstanding Student” recognition throughout the school year. Please contact the State Advisor at Curtis.Youngman@slcc.edu.

Photo student like puppies

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 26, 2008

By JP Parrish
Staff Writer

Danna Lee Ballard

Sophomore

Photography

Utah Statesman: Why did you decide to come to Utah State?
Danna Lee Ballard: My brother goes here and my boyfriend goes here and Noel and Ben, my entourage goes here. I really didn’t look into the school. I just knew really cool people and they said it was fun.

US: Why did you choose your major?
DB: Because math didn’t sound like something I would be into, science didn’t sound so good and photography is fun. I figured I might as well major in something I like.

US: Which of your classes appeals to you most?
DB: Photo classes and all art classes. I took a ceramics class this semester and it just blew me away how much fun it is. It’s probably one of my favorite classes I’ve taken up here.

US: What career do you see yourself working in?
DB: I’d love to do lifestyle commercial photography. I’d love to do documentary photography.

US: If you had a million dollars right now, what would you do with it?
DB: I’d go to Café Rio, and then I would go to DI (Deseret Industries) and buy a bike. I’d pay off utilities, pay off my tuition, and pay of my fees so I could check out books at the library. I’d buy a puppy for sure. I can’t afford one now. Those are small things. A million dollars is a lot more money than a puppy. Let’s just say I would spend it on my friends and make sure we have a good summer.

US: What is your favorite thing to do on campus?
DB: I like to long board on campus and I love the free movies on campus and I like to eat food on campus. I love hanging out with friends.

US: What is the longest distance you have to walk between classes on campus?
DB: Not very far. From the Fine Arts building to the Engineering building. Sometimes when I have an hour before class I like to just walk around campus and walk around the neighborhoods.

US: If you had six hours to do anything you wanted, what would you do?
DB: Go to Café Rio and buy a puppy. Play volleyball because it’s nice weather.

US: If you could have a superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it?
DB: I’d probably just like to fly around or like in the new movie ‘Jumper’ where they can just move around wherever they want. I like to travel. I could go places

US: What is your favorite Disney movie? Why?
DB: The Little Mermaid. I don’t know why. It just connected. I have every song memorized and I’ve seen it more times than any other movie. It’s still on my top five movies ever.

US: Who is the most scary or evil cartoon villain from your childhood?
DB: Ren and Stimpy just freaked me out. I would try and watch that show and it was just so weird and gross. I never got it.

US: What is the most exotic or distant place you’ve been?
DB: Goah, India. It’s on the outskirts of northern India. It’s just total beach town and farm town. It was awesome. Lots of hippies and fresh juice.

US: Do you know who you are going to vote for this election?
DB: Ron Paul. If he stays in the elections, I’m definitely voting for him. I encourage everyone who thinks he can’t win and who’s voting for someone else to vote for him because if we all band together. Revolution.

US: Who is your favorite teacher?
DB: Mark Duncan in the photo department. He is hilarious. He’s the only person I’ve met that can make a history class entertaining. He’s really good.

–j.p@aggiemail.usu.edu

Mormon Acronyms

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 26, 2008; Online at Utah Statesman.

Complied by JP Parrish
Staff Writer

 

FHE - Family Home Evening, an activity that usually takes place Monday nights and is meant to strengthen family and friend relationships.

YW - Young Women's, LDS girls from ages 12-18

YM - Young Men's, LDS boys from ages 12-18

Mission - 19-year-old boys or older spend two years proselyting their religion and pay to do it.

RM - Returned Missionary

BOM - Book of Mormon, a book of LDS scripture

Triple combination - The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price

The Quad - The four standard works of scripture the LDS Church uses: Old Testament, New Testament, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants including the Pearl of Great Price

Stake Center - A meetinghouse larger than average churches that holds offices for the church stake leadership

Preemie - A young man who has not yet served two years as a missionary but intends to

Tute - Short for the LDS Institute of Religion

PPI - Personal Priesthood Interview

EFY - Especially for Youth, a summer week-long program meant to spiritually strengthen church youth 

CTR - Choose the Right

MTC - Missionary Training Center

CES - Church Educational System

"Ensign" - Monthly church publication with prophetic teachings and inspirational stories

RS - Relief Society, a group for LDS women 18 and older

DI - Deseret Industries, which is like Goodwill

The Brethren - Reference to the Quorum of the 12 apostles and the first presidency, members of church leadership

D&C - Doctrine and Covenants

MoTab - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

WoW - Word of Wisdom

P-day - Preparation day for missionaries to do laundry and take a day to relax.

IMA - Institute Men's Association (primarily for student singles between ages 18-30)

IWA - Institute Women's Association (primarily for student singles between ages 18-30)

MSA - Married Student Association (primarily for married students between ages 18-30

VT - Visiting Teaching - Pairs of women visit women in their ward for fellowship and spiritual strength

HT - Home Teaching  - Pairs of men visit families in their ward for fellowship and spiritual strength

8-cow-woman - Reference to "Johnny Lingo," a BYU movie in which a tribal tradition of 'buying' a bride with cows. Two or three is normal, but Johnny Lingo paid eight for a girl who had been ridiculed as plain. Lingo saw inner beauty and offered eight cows. She then was able to become beautiful outwardly with her self-confidence.

Delta Epsilon Chi Proposal Letter Draft

Part One: Summary

Utah Delta Epsilon Chi provides valuable and practical experience to college and university students across the state of Utah and needs to raise $5,000 for each of our two development conferences in October and February. We are asking companies of interest for financial support for our 2008-2009 school year.

Part Two: Sponsor Appeal

We have considers Franklin Covey as a potential contributor because of the current business relationship we have forged. You have partnered with us to conduct our annual Chapter Officer Leadership Academy (COLA) at our 2008 Fall Leadership Conference to be held in Ogden, Utah, at the Ogden Marriott. We value the principles that your company runs by. Our organization’s purpose is to train and prepare students for the business world which they are expected to enter. Experience that we can offer gives students a significant step forward in the career field.

Part Three: Problem

The economy has suffered in the past year and the need for the most experienced employees is heightened. Only the best ought to be working in positions in your company. We, as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, have great need of financial support. Membership is down due to high costs. Our conferences cost us between four and five thousand dollars each, making it difficult for students to attend. We require a registration fee to help offset these costs; however, this is not enough.

Part Four: Solution

With financial support from your company and others in the Greater Salt Lake area, we plan to reduce the students’ registration fees to encourage growth in the organization. This allows for more to participate and our organization to continue producing experienced leaders to work in various industries.

Part Five: Capabilities

A real benefit to YOU is that you would get a good first hand look at the competent, capable and confident students participating in Utah Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX). This benefit certainly enhances YOUR recruiting process. You are invited to distribute company brochures and materials with our conference participants.

We hold two conferences during the year: our Fall Leadership Conference (FLC) in October allows students to participate in leadership seminars and workshops and our State Career Development Conference (SCDC) held in February. Students compete at these conferences in marketing/management/entrepreneurship events with other students from around the state. State winners are invited to participate in our International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in April/May.

Part Six: Budget

Donations

Conference Sponsor $3,000.00

Event Sponsor (reception/meal) $1,500.00

Event Sponsor (Training or Competitive Event) $1,050.00

COLA Luncheon (during Fall Leadership Conference) $ 800.00

Recruitment Campaign Your Choice ($50 min.)

Part Seven: Conclusion

The contributions to our professional organization are a tax-deductible donation for your company. The various pre-conference promotional materials will be distributed to students, faculty and many of the administrators at the nine (9) institutions. This puts your name in front of our DEX students and the support system at our educational institutions. It also presents your name to the various marketing, management and entrepreneurship faculty and college/university administration throughout the state as a strong supporter to our professional student organization.

DEX Student Demographics

Internationally there are 14,000 postsecondary Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX) members with some 240-270 students represented in the State of Utah. The gender distinction varies, but it is close to a 60 female/40 male ratio. Utah currently has nine active chapters:

Utah State University

Utah Valley State College

Weber State University

Snow College

University of Utah

College of Eastern Utah

Salt Lake Community College

Southern Utah University

Dixie State College

Typically, DEX students (varying in age from 19-50 +) are enthusiastic and dedicated students, mainly focusing on their career in business marketing, management, sales and entrepreneurship. These students are not only concerned with learning the skills and concepts in the classroom, but are keenly aware of the valuable experience in applying those skills in a real or simulated experience that offered by DEX. Most of these students receive national “Outstanding Student” recognition throughout the school year. Please contact the State Advisor at Curtis.Youngman@slcc.edu.

PBL

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 26, 2008; Online at Utah Statesman.

By JP Parrish
Staff Writer

 

OGDEN, UT --Business students from across the state of Utah applied their education in role-play situations and competency tests at the Utah Phi Beta Lambda State Conference Thursday, where seven USU students placed in first or second in different events, qualifying them for the National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA.

The state conference, this year held at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center, tests and recognizes members’ skills.

In PBL, students compete in events ranging from accounting principles to Web site development. The PBL national Web site states competitive events fall into three categories: individual, team and chapter. Individual and team events focus on skills useful in leadership and career development, and chapter events recognize overall achievement and performance in chapter management and growth.

“We have a total of 30 members,” said Paige Geslin, USU PBL adviser. “Our chapter won first place in the Largest Increase in Chapter Membership for the 2007-2008 school year.”

David Alder, junior in accounting; Kada Carlisle, junior in speech communication; James Hillstead, senior in finance and economics; Daren Larsen, junior in accounting and economics; Teresa Palacios, senior in business administration and human resources; JP Parrish, junior in public relations; and Tyler Smith, senior in managerial economics, qualified for the national competitions in Atlanta.

“We have an excellent group of students representing Utah State University for the PBL Nationals in Atlanta,” Geslin said. “Last year, the combined chapters from Utah placed more students in the top 10 finishers than any other state.”

According to PBL guidelines, each state may take two members in each event. A student may only compete in two events. Utah will fill all of the events with the highest ranking competitor attending, allowing the most opportunity for career building and valuable experience.

PBL’s mission statement states they strive to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. FBLA-PBL is the largest business career student organization in the world. Future Business Leaders of America is the high school division of PBL. FBLA-PBL’s National Awards Program recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas, the FBLA-PBL Web site states.

To get involved with USU’s PBL chapter, contact Geslin at paige.geslin@usu.edu or 797-2272. 
–j.p@aggiemail.usu.edu

Chinese student likes ‘Gone with the Wind’

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 26, 2008; Online at Utah Statesman.

By JP Parrish
Staff Writer

Yan Guo

doctorate program

Sociology

Utah Statesman: Where are you from?
Yan Guo: China, the southern part.

US: How did you choose Utah State, of all places, to study?
YG: Their research. My research background I had in China matches up real well.

 

US: How, financially, are you able to be here?
YG: They waive tuition basically by working, being an instructor or research assistant.

US: How long have you been here?
YG: This is my fourth year

 

US: What is your favorite kind of food?
YG: I guess Chinese food. You don’t get a lot of authentic food here.

US: What is the most fun you’ve had on a weekend?
YG: I guess you can do a lot of things if you’re an outdoors person. I guess you could have a lot of fun. I like to ski. I don’t go often but I like it a lot. I like hiking, going to the canyons. I enjoy the view. Hiking with friends and doing fun outdoor activities. I love it.

 

US: How did you spend your Spring Break?
YG: Well, actually, working.

US: Who is your personal hero?
YG: Well, I haven’t really thought about that question. The person can change over time. I admire the prime minister of China. He has an open mind. He’s not corrupted. He has taken care of a lot of people during our 10 years cultural revolution. A lot of families suffered during that era, and he was the one to take care of people during that era.

 

US: If you had a super power, what would it be and what would you do with it?
YG: It’s kind of cliché, but I would really want every child to be healthy and have enough to eat. So they can have their basic human rights: to go to school, to be taken care of medically.

US: What is the weather like in China?
YG: It has distinct four seasons. I love it.

 

US: What is one of your favorite movies?
YG: “Gone with the Wind”

US: What is one of your least favorite movies?
YG: I have definitely seen a lot of lousy movies. That would be a long list.

 

US: What is the most interesting thing you’ve ever eaten?
YG: Not my experience, but other people’s experience, grasshopper. Also cocoon. I’ve never eaten that. I never dared. They come on a stick and you buy four or five.

US: What is your favorite sport?
YG: I like swimming a lot. Hiking, skiing.

 

US: What do you plan to do once you finish school?
YG: I want to do international development. I don’t have experience, so I will see if I can work for an international organization for experience. Possibly, ideally, become a developmental consultant.

US: How do you feel about the Olympics being in China?
YG: I don’t know why, but there seems to be more political issues involved with this year. I don’t think they should play that much in the Olympics. I think they are trying to make this as successful as possible. They need to do a lot of things, like environmental issues, which has been a concern for many people.
–j.p@aggiemail.usu.edu

Generation gap causes computer complications

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 26, 2008; Online at Utah Statesman.

By JP Parrish
Staff Writer

 

“Hello, IT Service Desk, how can I help you?” The image on a computer screen had accidentally been digitally rotated 90 degrees. This unsuspecting IT technician faced a naïve woman on the phone, who had physically turned her monitor on its side to fix the problem. There is a gap in computer literacy between our generation and that of our parents and grandparents.

 

Nathan Hills, sophomore in management information systems, and Brittany Furniss, junior in computer science, both work at the IT Service Desk in the Janet Quinney Lawson building, right next to the Veterinary Science building. Hills and Furniss both said working with people is generally a good experience. A few interesting situations arise occasionally, like the woman with the sideways monitor.

 

Furniss said younger students are usually more impatient, and the older age group are more understanding. She also said the older generation seem to expect problems to arise with technology, whether they cause it themselves or simply because of recurring computer errors.

 

“There are some people who come in every day for assistance,” said Steve Funk, speaking about the older generation that didn’t grow up with such advanced technology.

 

Funk is the IT Service Desk manager on campus. When the desk opened in 1995, Funk began with two student employees and himself taking phone calls and walk-ins. Now the program has expanded to meet demand. With 18 full-time employees and 25 student employees, the IT Service Desk offers technical support as well as a top-notch repair center, Funk said. It offers full hardware service and data recovery with technicians certified by Dell, Apple and Sony.

 

With growth in fields of technology, students and even professors may get lost in the torrent of new gadgets and functions.

 

Cathy Ferrand Bullock, assistant professor in the journalism and communication department, said she hasn’t done as much as other professors with technology. Part of it scares her a bit, and she said she is not convinced it always improves instruction in the classroom. 

 

While in graduate school, Bullock worked with key punch cards to compute statistics on early computers. The current technology USU works with is all new to her, she said. Although she calls herself a technology laggard, Bullock has since learned and incorporated e-mail, printouts and PowerPoints into her teaching style.

 

It was back in the day of Windows® 3.1 and MS-DOS® that junior in speech communication, Joe Phippen, first began to use a computer. The Microsoft® Web site states Windows® 3.0 was released in 1990, and for Phippen, it was simple to use.

 

The most challenging computer function that Michael Tatton, senior in history, has faced is changing his USU password, he said. Tatton said any work in the campus labs have been no problem. He still needs to take the required CIL tests and said, “I’m not worried.”

– j.p@aggiemail.usu.edu

Positioning Paper - Final

American’s today are increasingly less concerned with matters of nutritional foods unless it is made easy for them. According to the World Health Organization, about 1.7 billion adults are considered overweight, with at least 312 million being clinically obese. We at Burger Planet care about our customers and desire to offer a wide variety of choices that will please them. We realize that your father created this business wanting to sell burgers and fries. However, in a changing America it is necessary to consider offering a diverse menu including healthy choices.

We are going to expand our current image with nutritional options, not altering the image your father created. We will offer healthy alternatives to our classics. Wheat buns, fruit juices, fruit salads, hamburger wraps, baked potatoes, mixed veggies, and even turkey burgers. We are the Burger Planet. We offer all the best. Other restaurants offer diversity and in order to compete with them, we see it necessary to offer better. You have the choice.

We are not forcing fat foods upon the public. Each individual has the ability to substitute unique combinations to satisfy their hunger and their health. We want to build this company and bring in a wider demographic of customers.

Targeted mediums will convey our new and modernized objectives. With this position, we, Burger Planet, will give you the power to choose.

 

Output

• Gear our advertising campaign towards a wider demographic and emphasize our healthier choices.
• Corny the Clown appearances to target youth
• Jayne Petersen appearances to target middle aged women

Impact

• Sales in our healthy choices will increase and our middle-age women demographic will increase drawing more families.
• Sales of children's meals will increase and parents will bring them to our restaurants
• Healthy Choice menu items will increase in sales particularly by middle-aged women targeted group

 

Talking Points

1. Healthy Classics
• You choose the healthy options
• Same great classics with healthy alternatives
2. Jayne Petersen
• Fitness guru of a multi-million dollar health and fitness company.
• Encourages a healthy lifestyle that lead to a 75 pound weight loss in Opal Whitcomb that has stayed off
3. Corny the Clown
• Children friendly and the face for Burger Planet
• Community conscious and child friendly; appears at children's and community events include service oriented projects

‘Messiah’ being performed in English, Spanish and ASL

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 24, 2008; Online at Utah Statesman.

By JP Parrish
Staff Writer

“Hallelujah; Hallelujah!” Familiar and popular sounds of joy enduring back from the 1742 performance of George Frederic Handel’s “Messiah.”

The 7th annual production of Handel’s “Messiah” will be presented at Logan’s Ellen Eccles Theatre on March 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. A special family matinee will be held at 1 p.m. on March 29.  Tickets are available online and at the Ellen Eccles Theatre box office. The performance is open to all faiths.

Sponsored by Utah State Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education and Cache Community Connections, the performances will be presented in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language.

John E. Ribera, director of audiology, said, “We will have over 100 singers, 50 instrumentalist and 20 theatrical interpreters for the deaf.”

This year is the first year that the family matinee will be added, he said. The matinee is educational and will give insight into Handel’s life, address concert etiquette, deaf culture, Baroque music and more.

He said proceeds from this concert series will go toward the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Department’s annual international humanitarian hearing health care mission. Students and faculty in audiology provide services to underprivileged men, women and children.  Ribera said last year more than 300 patients were seen and 40 hearing aids were fit in Mexico.

Baroque music, according to www.dictionary.com, has, “heavy use of counterpoint and polyphony and conveyed drama and elaborate ornamentation.” Composers from this era include Bach, Handel and Vivaldi. The USU chapter of The National Association of Future Doctors of Audiology (NAFDA) Web site gives a history on the famous composer Handel. Handel was born in Germany and was composing music by age nine. Handel ran into debt and began producing Biblical pieces. The Web site says Handel’s valet often found Handel weeping as he wrote the “Messiah.” The most famous portion of the “Messiah” is the Hallelujah Chorus. The “Messiah” has been played every year somewhere in the world since its debut, ranking it among a small few.

Ribera was inspired by the motion picture, Mr. Holland’s Opus, a story about a music teacher trying to communicate with his deaf son through music. Ribera worked to develop the current three languages production. The production’s information Web site says Utah’s Theatrical Interpreters for the Deaf perform the entire presentation.

“The message, the music, and the man who composed it has always intrigued me,” Ribera said. “Because it was the darkest time in Handel’s life, when everything seemed to be against him, that he came up with a masterpiece now played all over the world. It is very inspiring and I never tire of it.”

–j.p@aggiemail.usu.edu

Utah State Students Earn First at State

For Immediate Release

Mar. 5, 2008

JP Parrish
State President
Utah Delta Epsilon Chi
JP-DEX@hotmail.com

Utah State Students Earn First at State

SALT LAKE CITY – College and university business students from across the state of Utah, apply their education in role play situations at the Utah Delta Epsilon Chi State Career Development Conference (State CDC). Three Utah State University Students placed in 1st in different events. Brennan Lindsay and JP Parrish took 1st in Business Law. Julia Roberts placed first in Restaurant and Food Services. The conference was held Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 21-23, 2008, at Salt Lake Community College Redwood Campus. Each year the State CDC is held at a different college or university campus.

These students have the opportunity to compete in the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. In past years it has been at such venues as Anaheim, Orlando, Dallas, and even in Salt Lake City. This year’s ICDC will be held April 12-15, 2008. Thousands of students from across the country will compete for international recognition.

Students Competed in events such as Hospitality to Advertising Campaign. There are 18 events in total. The Judge in each of these events takes the role of a professional while the student presents a solution to a case they have been given or prepared before hand. Some events are accompanied by 100 question competency tests while others take months of preparation. Entrepreneurship event participants present a business plan to the judge as if they were asking for financial support. Each event provides students an innovative and unique way to gain real world business experience. The organization offers many real life experiences in competition as well as in leadership. Many business recognize this value and make it a point to hire these excellently prepared students.

Delta Epsilon Chi is the college division of DECA Inc. More than 14,000 students from 230 college campuses participate in the organization. The institutions include community colleges, technical colleges, four–year colleges and universities.

Delta Epsilon Chi enhances the student's college experience by providing recognition and leadership activities directly related to academic study. Delta Epsilon Chi focuses on developing leaders in marketing, management, and enterprenurship.

For more information on Utah’s Delta Epsilon Chi, contact the state advisor Curtis Youngman or State President, JP Parrish or visit the Delta Epsilon Chi website.

-END-

Spending spring break in Logan

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 5, 2008; Online at Utah Statesman and Hard News Cafe.

By JP Parrish
Staff Writer

Some students may not be throwing the books in the closet and heading out of town this Friday. Maybe a job or a 12-page paper demands attention. But for those who stay in Logan over Spring Break, know it doesn't have to be a bust.

 

Friday and Saturday -- March 7 and 8

Right after classes end, try the Cache Valley Food Tour. Head over to Aggie Ice Cream and True Blue Cheese for a scoop or two of one of the 30 flavors of ice cream. While there, you can take a tour at 2:30 p.m. If you’d rather save this for another day, tours run at that same time, Monday through Friday. If you are feeling green, check out Caffe Ibis, an organic and nature-friendly coffee house. Tours run at 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Pick up a pamphlet from Cache Valley Visitors Bureau Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Located at 199 N. Main, the brochures include the Cache Valley Food Tour, Hiking Trail Guide, fishing, biking and more. The bureau's Web site lists schedules of cultural events as well. Visit www.tourcachevalley.com and see the many gems Cache Valley has to offer. The gift shop not only has souvenirs, but also comprehensive guides on outdoor recreational activities like hiking and fishing.

 

Sunday and Monday -- March 9 and 10

This is the time to really relax and visit with family and friends.

Holly Swenson, graduate student in management information systems, said she will hang out with friends, catch up on Netflix, and get in touch with her creative side when she’s not working. Consider taking your friends along with you on a scenic drive through Logan Canyon. Head through to Garden City, next to Bear Lake, and stop for a famous raspberry shake.

 

Tuesday and Wednesday -- March 11 and 12

Spend some time on the ice at the George S. Eccles Ice Center. Public skating is offered Mondays through Fridays at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Sundays from 2 till 4 p.m. Price is $4 for adults. Skating lessons are also available. If ice skating isn’t your fancy, then head to the Cache Valley Fun Park in North Logan and try its roller skating rink. The Fun Park offers bowling, laser tag and arcades.

 

If you’re more of an outdoors kind of person, Beaver Mountain Resort is the answer for you. With a full week of no classes, you might try skiing or snowboarding. It may not be as exhilarating as it has been when you skip a class to go, but the slopes are still powder fresh. Beaver Mountain Resort is a close drive from campus and is open throughout Spring Break. Beaver Mountain’s Web site states $50 will get you private ski or snowboarding lessons for the day. It includes rental equipment, a day pass and lessons beginning at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. You must arrive and sign up at least a half hour in advance. For pricing and other information, visit www.skithebeav.com or call 753-0921.

 

Thursday and Friday -- March 13 and 14

Look back on the rich heritage of Cache Valley. Take the 45-minute self-guided walking tour of Logan’s historic Main Street. The tour begins at the Cache County Courthouse, where the Visitor’s Center is located. With help from a pamphlet, follow the trail through a six square-block area, ending up at the beginning. Attractions include the LDS Tabernacle, several historic theaters, Logan’s historic ZCMI and many historic banks. Also consider the heritage driving tour that showcases historic locations across Cache County Valley.

 

Mike Bullock of the Cache Valley Visitor’s Center said Hardware Ranch is a beautiful trip in the winter. The ranch offers sleigh rides that go into the midst of hundreds of elk. Price is $5. Visit its Web site at www.hardwareranch.com.

 

Saturday and Sunday -- March 15 and 16

Consult the Cache Valley Travel Guide, found in the Visitor’s Center, to find restaurants, shopping venues and arts in Logan and surrounding cities. Throughout the duration of Spring Break, many performing arts opportunities will be playing. "Beauty and the Beast" will play at the Old Barn Community Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on March 7-8, 10, 14-15 and more. "The Emperor’s New Clothes" will be performed at the Kent Concert Hall on March 8 at 5 p.m. "Celtic Night" will be performed at the Ellen Eccles Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on March 15.

j.p@aggiemail.usu.edu

Bear Lake is nestled against Laketown, the city known for its raspberry shakes. DEBRA HAWKINS photo

THE GEORGE S. ECCLES ICE CENTER is located in North Logan. The center offers public ice-skating Monday through Friday. CAMERON PETERSON photo

USU affiliated Spring Break Options

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 5, 2008

By JP Parrish
Staff Writer

• Art Guild is heading to San Francisco Mar. 10 at 7 p.m., returning Mar. 14 at 9 p.m.

  • This trip is organized annually by the USU Art Guild to offer any
    student to breathe the art culture in San Francisco, said Alyssa Harper, Art Guild Vice President. The biggest draw to
    students this year has been the price: $252 covers
    transportation to San Francisco, hotel stay, and entrance into five art
    galleries/museums.
    

  • Harper said 57 students are attending

  • Galleries include: DeYoung, Oakland Museum of Art, Berkley, Legion de Honor, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

• March 11-15, 2008 – WAC Tournament in Las Cruces, N.M. Tournament begins Tuesday, March 11, with the First Round. Quarterfinals are held Thursday, March 13, semifinals on Friday, March 14, and championship game on Saturday, March 15.  Come and support the Aggies at the WAC Championship Tournament. Here is ticketing information:

  • Starting Jan. 28, all-session tickets must be purchased from the New Mexico State University ticket office at (575) 646-1420 or toll-free at (866) 672-8524.

  • Available all-session tickets range from $30 to $225.

  • Individual session tickets, if available, will be placed on sale beginning March 10 through the New Mexico State University ticket office at (575) 646-1420 / (866) 672-8524 or at Ticketmaster (575-532-2060).

  • Ticket Office Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. MT (Monday-Friday); 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. MT (Saturday) Info from http://www.wacsports.com

• USU Gymnastics on March 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Spectrum.

• USU Women’s basketball team vs. Idaho on March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Spectrum

• USU Opera and Cache Children's Choir on March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Chase Fine Arts Center, Kent Concert Hall

Compiled by JP Parrish

Positioning Paper - Draft

American’s today are increasingly less concerned with matters of nutritional foods unless it is made easy for them. According to the World Health Organization, about 1.7 billion adults are considered overweight, with at least 312 million being clinically obese. We at Burger Planet care about our customers and desire to offer a wide variety of choices that will please them. We realize that your father created this business wanting to sell burgers and fries. However, in a changing America it is necessary to consider offering a diverse menu including healthy choices.

We are going to expand our current image with nutritional options, not altering the image your father created. We will offer healthy alternatives to our classics. Wheat buns, fruit juices, fruit salads, hamburger wraps, baked potatoes, mixed veggies, and even turkey burgers. We are the Burger Planet. We offer all the best. Other restaurants offer diversity and in order to compete with them, we see it necessary to offer better. You have the choice.

We are not forcing the FAT. You have the ability to substitute unique combinations to satisfy your hunger and your health. We want to build this company and bring in a wider demographic of customers.

Targeted mediums will convey our new and modernized objectives. With this position, we, Burger Planet, will give you the power to choose.

Media Pitch - Final

To: Seth Hawkins, editor, Utah Statesman
BCC: Preston.Parker@usu.edu
Subject: Independence through Financial Education
Date: Feb. 27, 2008

Dear Seth Hawkins:

I would like to say hello and I hope that your day is well Seth. I continue to read your newspaper and enjoy writing for it.

I have recently become involved with an organization that intrigued me. I have been attending the meetings every other Thursday in the Cache County Chamber of Commerce at 7 p.m. I have learned much and anyone can attend free of charge. The Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA) is a new organization founded on ideals of education. CVAIA aims to put tools in the hands of those who strive to be independent.

Being a full-time university student, I don’t exactly have the most secure financial status. It’s doubtful for me to survive longer that a few months without a source of income. I joined CVAIA partly because of the teaching of financial security. Preston Parker is the president and founder. He teaches the ability to gain peace of mind in finances. Some members have made it to millionaires in just five years. Those ideas and teachings are worth looking into!

The primary goal of the organization is to educate its members. To give expertise and knowledge to those who can use it to become financially independent. It may take some time, but I see value in my membership. If you are interested in more information, please reply and I could set up an interview.

If you are interested in joining and receiving information, send an email to CacheVAIA@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

JP Parrish
Public Relations:Corporate Communications
Journalism and Communications
Utah State University
J.P@aggiemail.usu.edu
http://www.jaypeedo.blogspot.com

Media Pitch

To: Seth Hawkins, editor, Utah Statesman
BCC: Preston.Parker@usu.edu
Subject: Independence through Financial Education

Dear Seth Hawkins:

I would like to say hello and I hope that your day is well Seth. I continue to read your newspaper and enjoy writing for it.

I have recently become involved with an organization that intrigued me. I have been attending the meetings every other Thursday and have learned much. The Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA) is a new organization founded on ideals of education. Cache VAIA aims to put tools in the hands of those who strive to be independent.

Being a full-time university student, I don’t exactly have the most secure financial status. It’s doubtful for me to survive longer that a few months without a source of income. I joined CVAIA partly because of the teaching of financial security. Preston Parker is the president and founder. He teaches the ability to gain peace of mind in finances. Some members have made it to millionaires in just five years. Those ideas and teachings are worth looking into!

The primary goal of the organization is to educate its members. To give expertise and knowledge to those who can use it to become financially independent. It may take some time, but I see value in my membership. If you are interested in more information, please reply and I could set up an interview. If you are interested in joining and receiving information, send an email to CacheVAIA@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

JP Parrish
Public Relations:Corporate Communications
Journalism and Communications
Utah State University
J.P@aggiemail.usu.edu
http://www.jaypeedo.blogspot.com

Press Release #4 - Draft

For Immediate Release

Feb. 25, 2008

JP Parrish
State President
Utah Delta Epsilon Chi
JP-DEX@hotmail.com

Utah State Students Earn First at State

SALT LAKE CITY – College and university business students from across the state of Utah, apply their education in role play situations at the Utah Delta Epsilon Chi State Career Development Conference (State CDC). Three Utah State University Students placed in 1st in different events. Brennan Lindsay and JP Parrish took 1st in Business Law. Julia Roberts placed first in Restaurant and Food Services. The conference was held Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 21-23, 2008, at Salt Lake Community College Redwood Campus. Each year the State CDC is held at a different college or university campus.

The International Career Development Conference (ICDC) will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. In past years it has been at such locations as Anaheim, Orlando, Dallas, and even in Salt Lake City. This year’s ICDC will be held April 12-15, 2008. Thousands of students from across the country will compete for international recognition.

Delta Epsilon Chi offers student leadership opportunities. Each chapter at the school level has leadership opportunities.

Students Competed in events such as Hospitality to Advertising Campaign. There are 18 events in total. The Judge in each of these events takes the role of a professional while the student presents a solution to a case they have been given or prepared before hand. Some events are accompanied by 100 question competency tests while others take months of preparation. Entrepreneurship event participants present a business plan to the judge as if they were asking for financial support. Each event provides students an innovative and unique way to gain real world business experience. Many business recognize this value and make it a point to hire these excellently prepared students.

Delta Epsilon Chi is the college division of DECA Inc. More than 14,000 students from 230 college campuses participate in the organization. The institutions include community colleges, technical colleges, four–year colleges and universities.

Delta Epsilon Chi enhances the student's college experience by providing recognition and leadership activities directly related to academic study. Delta Epsilon Chi focuses on developing leaders in marketing, management, and enterprenurship.

For more information on Utah’s Delta Epsilon Chi, contact the state advisor, Curtis Youngman at Curtis.Youngman@slcc.edu or JP Parrish, 2007-2008 state president at JP-DEX@hotmail.com or visit the Delta Epsilon Chi website.

-END-

Common health exams to remember

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Feb. 20, 2008

By JP Parrish
Staff Writer

General

Dentist

    Go to the dentist every year for an exam and cleaning.

 

Eye Exam

    If you have vision problems, have an eye exam every two years.

 

Colonoscopy

    Colonoscopy is a test that allows a doctor to look at the inner lining of a large intestine (rectum and colon). A thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope is used to look at the colon. A colonoscopy helps find ulcers, polyps, tumors and areas of inflammation or bleeding. During a colonoscopy, tissue samples can be collected (biopsy), and abnormal growths can be taken out. Colonoscopy can also be used as a screening test to check for cancer or pre-cancerous growths in the colon or rectum (polyps).

    Dr. Linda J. Roberts, nurse practitioner at the USU Student Health and Wellness Center, said she recommends a colonoscopy first at age 50. An earlier test may be necessary if colon cancer is present in the family, she said.

 

FEMALES

Breast Self-Exam

    This is a simple procedure to help detect breast lumps and is a good way to learn what breasts should normally look and feel like. When a woman knows what is normal for herself, she is better able to notice changes and know when to get help early. A breast self-exam is a tool to use on a regular basis, but it is not a substitute for a mammogram or a clinical breast exam. Roberts said a breast self-exam should be conducted monthly.

Clinical Breast Exam

    During a clinical breast exam, a doctor will carefully feel a woman's breasts and under her arms to check for lumps or other unusual changes. Roberts said she recommends such exams for women beginning around age 26 or 28. These exams should take place every two years.

 

Mammogram

    A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. It can often find tumors too small to be noticed. A doctor may suggest a woman have a screening mammogram, especially if the woman has any risk factors for breast cancer.

     A woman should have a mammogram at age 40 or sooner, Roberts said. If a first-line relative, like a mother or a sister, has a history or breast cancer, Roberts said the mammogram should begin at age 30 or earlier. Begin exams at the same age that the relative began to see symptoms, she said.

 

Gynecological

    A gynecological exam may be done as part of a routine checkup or to determine whether someone has genital warts or other sexually transmitted diseases. Roberts said she recommends a pelvic exam with a pap smear beginning at age 21 to 23 or within the first two years of becoming sexually active. Also, a vaccine to prevent HPV is available as of August 2006. Since 50 percent of sexually active women catch this virus in their lives, Roberts said she recommends women between ages of 11 and 26 to receive the vaccine. Both male and females are at risk.

    The vaccine is designed to prevent the Papillomavirus, which is a primary cause for cervical cancer.

 

MALES

Urological

    Most abnormalities of the testes are found during a self-examination or routine physical exam by a health professional. If testicular cancer is suspected, a health professional may want to perform other tests.

     Roberts said men should begin this at age 21 to 23 and get an exam every two years.

 

Prostate

    If a man has problems urinating, a doctor may use tests to see if he has an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This condition is the most common cause of urination problems.

    Roberts said she recommends beginning routine exams at age 50 and continue getting them every year.

Information compiled from www.WebMD.com