The turning of a page.
Posted: December 4, 2012 Filed under: Cedar City, Experiential Education, Student Life, Uncategorized | Tags: admissions, cedar city, college, Homecoming, southern utah university, suu, suu admissions, tbirdnation, UT 5 Comments »It seems unreal that I’ve reached the end of my time at SUU. And how do I sum up years of experiences, memories, and lessons learned in a simple blog post? As I prepared to write this final entry, I tried to find photos from the past 3.5 years that documented the finest moments. Thumbing through nearly 10,000 photos on my laptop, it was impossible to end up with fewer than a hundred.
This post allowed me to reflect on my time spent as a Southern Utah University student. What did I find? Well, I’d like to show you.
…that even as a high school senior, I knew SUU was where I belonged.
…that, because of supportive friends, I participated in SUU Idol, open mic nights, and Miss SUU.
…that it’s fun to take different classes (like radio. and horsemanship. rock climbing. and graphic design).
…that I can do hard things like write, edit, and design for a newspaper (sometimes with the help of a fake mustache or 44 oz. Dr. Pepper), take a challenging class, or get an A in my Comm Theory capstone course.
…that I can be a part of an organization (Presidential Ambassadors) & take silly photos in vacuumed-packed trash bags at summer retreats.
…that I can have views like this …
…and this in my backyard.
…that I can support one of our 140+ clubs and run a 5k, dressed as a zombie.
…that coworkers can also become great friends.
…that I could feel like a princess in the Homecoming Parade.
…that having 53 roommates (I lived in big houses!) throughout the years can be serious fun.
…that I can make best friends who I still talk to weekly, even halfway across the country.
…that campus is beautiful. 
…that there are amazing professors who teach you in the classroom (and in a foreign country).
And overall, I’ve learned that there are people who will be my friends much longer than the years I’ve been here, that the most important lessons learned didn’t result from theories, equations, or keyboard shortcuts … but from challenging times I endured, hard decisions made, unexpected friendships, and spontaneous adventures.
So, my dear SUU, thank you.
Thank you for the friends. The memories. The education. The laughter. The tears. The experiences.
I also posted on my personal blog with more words in place of pictures. You can read it here.
Guest Blogger: Brantz & his adventures
Posted: November 27, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized 1 Comment »Hi, it’s Cheri again. Today we have a special guest blogger, my friend Brantz. Brantz, a sophomore SUU student from Castle Dale, UT, kindly agreed to step in and blog for the tbirdnation today. You might see more guest posts in the future, so check back for more!
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With the end of the Thanksgiving break and returning to school I remembered a couple things:
- I did not get any homework done over the break
- I have about five essays due in the next two weeks
- Finals are fast approaching
- The world is going to end about a week after finals
- And…I’m a superhero
Now I don’t know about you, but I find that this semester (and my life) has held such great adventures. I have done some many great things this semester and I’d just like to look back and reflect while I still can before the stress of finals and the end of the world. So, I’d like to introduce REFLECTIONS OF A SUPERHERO
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| Sometimes I fly with my friends |
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| Sometimes I wear luchador masks…jus’ for fun. |
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| Sometimes a late night fighting crime calls for a burrito run |
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| Sometimes you need to watch soccer |
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| Sometimes you treat yourself to pizza after you nail a job interview |
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| Sometimes you go to football games and have fun! |
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| Sometimes you get 36 bricks of bacon and eat it all before the semester (and the world) ends. |
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| Sometimes you go watch Piano Guys with your family |
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| Sometimes you’re creative on Halloween |
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| Sometimes the people you look up to are shorter than you |
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| Sometimes you can’t really grow a beard so you borrow one at Walmart |
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| Sometimes your friend invites you to dinner and you make a bunch of new friends |
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| Sometimes your little brother is smarter than you and flies airplanes |
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| Sometimes you go on dates with cute girls |
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| Sometimes you play guitar on your backporch |
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| Sometimes you only pay $0.37 for a burrito at Costa Vida |
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| Sometimes the sunsets over Cedar are the best in the world.. I’ll miss them when the world ends. |
Thanks for the guest post, Brantz!
That time I dressed like a bear …
Posted: November 20, 2012 Filed under: Cedar City | Tags: admissions, cedar city, college, festival city, parade, robin hood, southern utah, southern utah university, storybook parade, suu, suu admissions, tbirdnation, UT, utah, utah college Leave a comment »… and walked down Main Street.
Each year, there is a Storybook Children’s Parade in Cedar City. It usually happens in December, but it was moved to an earlier weekend this year. There are Disney characters, princesses, Star Wars characters, Teletubbies, Marvel Comic characters, and animals (just to name a few).
I was a bear. And, as my friends and I soon discovered, everything is funnier when you’re in a big character suit. You can’t see to give high-5s to little children that run up to you … your “head” flops around when you run forward, your zipper might break mid parade (maybe that’s just me), or your costume might have 12″ of padding and result in quite the sweat suit.
Doesn’t it look like fun? We went to the grocery store after the parade because, like I said, everything is hilarious in a costume.
Five friends walking in the parade — Maid Marian, Robin Hood, & his “merry rodents.”
My roommate took this awesome picture of me. I was pretty proud of my jumping skills here.
As it turns out, being in the parade wears you out! Here we are, all tuckered out in the back of the truck on the way home.
Cedar City is known as Festival City, USA, and I’ve been able to participate in many of them while living here. The tight-knit community really comes together, especially for events like these. I am lucky to have such great experiences while attending SUU!
#tbirdnation
Posted: November 13, 2012 Filed under: Cedar City, Student Life | Tags: admissions, cedar city, college, southern utah, southern utah university, suu admissions, tbirdnation, UT Leave a comment »
These are a few photos from Distinguished Scholars Day. I helped with this event as a Presidential Ambassador.
This post isn’t going to be long because there are graphic design projects to be completed, Spanish theater lines to be memorized (seriously), and life plans to figure out.
But, this is my third year being a Presidential Ambassador. I recently completed my sixth Distinguished Scholars Day event (7th if you count the one I attended as a high school senior). I have so much love for this university.
When I give tours, I talk about my experiences in — and outside — the classroom … the teacher who recognized a bad day and left a note on a quiz about my lower-than-anticipated score, the class that met at IHOP for “free pancake day”, the rock climbing + horseback riding adventures, the campus involvement & leadership opportunities, my on-campus job, the 150 clubs to join, the #tbirdnation thread on Twitter & a triple overtime football game recounted on the social media site for those not in attendance, the free activities that students can attend, the teacher who catches up with me on the way to class just to see how I’m doing, & the best friends I’ve made here.
Coming to SUU is definitely in the top 5 best choices I’ve made in my life. I can’t imagine myself anywhere else. If you don’t believe me, I challenge you to see for yourself. But, don’t blame me when you fall in love with the #tbirdnation.
A glimpse into the design world.
Posted: November 6, 2012 Filed under: Experiential Education, Student Life | Tags: admissions, cedar city, college, graphic design, guildenstern, hamlet, letterpress, rosencrantz, southern utah, southern utah university, suu, suu admissions, tbirdnation, typography, UT, utah Leave a comment »
The final posters from our class project.
This summer, I decided I wanted to take a graphic design class. I’m not a graphic design major … or minor. But, I was interested in a class called typography. Not sure what that is? Let me tell you. It’s the “art & type of arranging type in order to make language visible.” As my teacher says, “typography is what language looks like.”
I’ve always been fascinated by banners … menus … store logos … font choices. Sound familiar? Then you ought to take this class. Sound dreadful? You should stick with what you love.
This class has prerequisite courses, but I was able to get the approved signatures in order to take this class this semester. We just finished project two, which has been my favorite.
We had to design a poster using a letterpress (as in, the tool used to print things in the beginning). Quotes were selected from the plays Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. My quote is from Hamlet & says, “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.”
We had to set the type (letter by letter), set spacing, and roll ink over the letters. Then we printed each poster, one by one. Each is a little different. And I love it.
Yesterday we had our class critique & then a few were selected (mine included) for the display case. Here are a few photos:
This is a collage of the first day of printing. I accidentally used a little too much ink .. and ended up with a stained red hand for about a day.
Before we distributed our posters to each class member, we signed them (like a real artist) . Finally, there is a picture of me standing by the display case where my poster will be for a few months.
I am glad that I chose to take this class. It challenges me. It stretches me. But, overall, it helps me see creatively.
Would you like sprinkles with that?
Posted: October 30, 2012 Filed under: Cedar City, Student Life | Tags: admissions, cedar city, college, Halloween, halloween costume, kids carnival, rosie the riveter, southern utah, southern utah university, suu, suu admissions, tbirdnation, UT, utah, utah college 1 Comment »
On Saturday, my friends and I helped at an elementary school carnival. This is the third year I’ve helped at this event. Other years, I’ve been in charge of various “carnival” type games, but this year we were in charge of caramel apples. Believe it or not, this job can become a little hectic when anxious children (and their parents) line up for a freshly dipped caramel apple.
After the apples were rolled in caramel, I had the job of dipping the apples in sprinkles (chocolate or rainbow?). We went through phases of mostly chocolate, then mostly rainbow, and then a spurt of “caramel only” fans. By the way, I was dressed up as “Rosie the Riveter.” Though the kids probably didn’t realize I was in costume, most of the adults caught on to the idea.
We looked down and happened to see this on the table. My friend pointed out its skeletal appearance. Coincidence right before Halloween? Hmm…I don’t know about that! A little spooky, right?
I look forward to the kids’ carnival every year. It’s fun to see the costumes and play games for the elementary kids. This was my last year (since I’m graduating) but at least I was able to go one more time!
And since this week is Halloween, Happy Haunting! What are you dressing up as?
An Idea or Two
Posted: October 16, 2012 Filed under: Cedar City | Tags: admissions, cedar city, college, southern utah, southern utah university, suu, suu admissions, tbirdnation, UT, utah Leave a comment »
Being in Cedar City during the fall is the absolute most beautiful time of year. Yes, there is something magnificent about the first snowfall, and the green grass contrasted against the red rocks during the summer has its own beauty as well. But, when the leaves change colors and the mountains become a painting of red, orange, and yellow, it is something entirely different.
One of my favorite activities during this time of year is driving through Cedar Canyon and enjoying the colors. Now, this can also be a great date idea, in case you are thinking you want to ask someone out — just think, a picnic + a beautiful drive? Who wouldn’t enjoy that? But, if it’s with your roommates, friends, or even alone, take advantage and see the leaves before winter comes!
Climbing to the top.
Posted: October 9, 2012 Filed under: Cedar City, Student Life | Tags: admissions, cedar city, college, electives, rock climbing, southern utah, southern utah university, suu, suu admissions, tbirdnation, UT, utah Leave a comment »This is my fourth year at SUU. It wasn’t until last fall that I realized it’s rather fun to take a class simply for enjoyment. It doesn’t have to be connected to your major, minor, or even related to a hobby. Branching out can prove to bring the best college memories.
So, last fall, I took horsemanship. You can read all about it here.
This fall I decided to take rock climbing. This was going out on a limb. You see, I’ve never been outdoor climbing & have been indoor climbing less than five times. Clearly, I’m not an expert by any means. But this class, while challenging for me, has still been enjoyable. Last week we had our first outdoor climbing experience.
Our class has around 12 people in it, so it’s easy to partner up and take turns climbing. The class even provides you with all the necessities – shoes, rope, climbing gear, and helmet (used in the outdoor climbs).
While Morgan climbed, I belayed. The belayer has to be focused (see, I wasn’t even aware this photo was taken!) and have full attention on the climber.
Then we switched and it was my turn to climb. I found out last week on this maiden outdoor climb that I, Cheri, am afraid of heights. I know if I learn to trust the belayer, I will have more success & be more calm. But, it took both my teacher and belayer’s coaching to help me reach the top. I could make a cheesy life analogy here, but I’ll refrain. Seriously though. What a great, accomplished feeling it was to stand and look down after climbing to the top!
I hope every student can find that sort of enjoyment in college courses. Maybe it will be related to your area of study; maybe not. But I know I haven’t regretted stepping out on a limb for a few electives. Hopefully the unknown won’t intimidate you either.
Crowns & sashes.
Posted: October 2, 2012 Filed under: Student Life | Tags: admissions, cedar city, college, homecoming pageant, miss suu, pageant, southern utah, southern utah university, suu, suu admissions, SUUper hero, tbirdnation, UT, Utah High School Tour Leave a comment » |
| We celebrated the night at Chili’s with delicious oreo molten lava cake. 2010 Queen, me, and 2011 Queen … who all lived in the same house! |
Remember this post? The pageant was a blast, honestly. Whoever thought that a non-pageant girl could have so much fun doing a pageant?
Quite a few people told me after that I was the “funny” contestant, which fits perfectly with my roommate telling me last week that I am that “awkward funny” girl. I’m glad that people appreciated my wit.
I ended up being selected as the first attendant, which means I received an SUU hoodie, homecoming tshirt, roses, and peanut butter M&Ms (only my favorite). I will also be in the homecoming parade with the queen & second attendant, sitting all fancy in a convertible. Can you believe it? And we walk on the field at halftime at Saturday’s game.
I’m glad that I decided to try out, because it’s been such a different & fun experience.
Here are some photos of the night:
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| We were given a bag of items (red fabric, pipe cleaners, tulle, zip ties, and ribbon) and were told to make a “spirit costume.” The theme of homecoming is “SUUper Heroes” so, naturally, we made a SUUper hero costume. Good thing I have creative friends! The best part was walking on to the stage with a black jacket on, stopping center stage, dropping the jacket, and striking the above pose before continuing on to the MC for the question portion. And when he asked how I made the costume, I simply said, “Costume? This is what I wear everyday when I save the world.” |
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| All of the contestants before the show started. This was our outfit for the choreographed dance number. |
Pre-talent portion with roommate (and 2011 Queen) Samae. I played a funny song that I wrote called, “Pedestrian Boy.” The crowd seemed to enjoy it! I wish I had recorded it.
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| I had so many friends to support me after the pageant, including fellow tbirdnation blogger, Eric. |
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| A shot of all the girls + MC Dallin. |
Moral of the story? Take those chances. Even if they seem silly.
If you want to see a video with clips from the pageant, check out this site.
Tonight is the night!
Posted: September 25, 2012 Filed under: Student Life | Tags: admissions, cedar city, college, Homecoming, pageant, southern utah, southern utah university, suu, suu admissions, tbirdnation, UT, utah 2 Comments »I apologize for the delay in posting today. Mostly, yesterday & today have been the busiest days thus far. Why is this? Well, last Monday I decided to audition for the Homecoming Pageant. And, after being selected to compete, had a week of dance practices, costume making, and dress rehearsals. It’s been a hectic week, to say the least. I don’t know how dancers/singers/musical theater folks handle all the rehearsals!
Well, tonight is the night. I’m nervous. Though I’m not your typical “pageant girl,” I’m quite excited to have fun & try something new. That’s what college is all about, and this year, my final year, I’m going to take advantage of these opportunities!
Now, I must go study for my first Spanish test of the semester. Wish me luck! I’ll let you know next week how today goes.
Eric
jillowhitaker
Kirk
Laurel
Jess
Nathan
Thor
Becky
