2nd extra credit article- Writing For the Media

Utah Valley University Ballroom Dance Tryouts

Many potential ballroom dancers anticipate Utah Valley University’s auditions for the Ballroom Dance Bronze, Silver, Gold and Tour Teams Saturday, Aug. 28, at 8 a.m. in the Grande Ballroom.

The dancers will be required to perform the waltz and cha cha for the judges but are free to choose to demonstrate them in the International or American style of dance.

Although the dancers are able to choose which style they will perform, some experienced dancers such as Johnny Ahn think it is better to dance the routines in the International style.

“I think the scoring goes higher to those doing International routine's as opposed to American routines, which is unfortunate for those who don't know other dances and have to sort of wing it on the spot. But conversely, if girls meet up with a good dancer and practice some International routine's beforehand, then they stand a better chance of scoring higher,” he said.

Ahn went on to say that although ultimately he believes the judging is fair, the director of the company has the final say on who makes his team.

He also stated, “Ultimately all the better dancers are better because they have taken a lot of private lessons and have worked on their technique.”

Although nerves run high, there are many dancers who are very excited about the upcoming tryouts.

“It makes me nervous because I want to do my best,” says Jessica Carlson, a hopeful returning ballroom dancer at UVU. “But I love to dance and perform so I am really excited.”

All dancers must tryout whether or not they have previously been on the team in the past.

A potential returning ballroom member,18-year-old Makayla Hopkins expressed her excitement about the tryouts, “I am trying out because I love to dance.”

For more information about the upcoming auditions contact Scott Asbell at 801-863-8754 or Chris Witt 801-863-6757. There is also more information at http://www.uvu.edu/dance/scholarships/auditions.html.

Extra Credit: What Utah Valley University Students can do to help the devastation in Georgia

Over one month after several EF-4 and EF-5 twisters nearly destroyed the Southern states, the rebuilding of towns is still underway. In desperate need of donations and clean up crews, the people of the small Georgian towns are hopeful that someone will hear their cries for help.

Originally from Riggold, Georgia, Twenty-two-year-old Christopher Owens, attends college here in Utah. He traveled back home for the summer to see a completely different surrounding area than he had known before the tornados.

“Seeing my hometown like this really tears me up inside and each time I see it I don’t believe it. It just makes you appreciate what you got and I am thankful that we were not hit because the damage is just 3 miles away,” he said.

Many Utah Valley University students want to help those suffering from the devastation of these natural disasters, but don’t know how they can contribute because they live so far away.

“I feel bad for the people in the south, I actually have a friend that lives over there and his hometown was destroyed. I just don’t know how to help him,” said Brittany Peay, a sophomore at UVU.

Owens, however, knows just how students and people from other states can help. He said, “I think the biggest way for people of Utah and others can help, is to send whatever extra things they have and to send care packages. We still need food, water, hygiene supplies, clothes, shoes, etc.”

Another Utah college student, Kelcie Ogden, is facing the same reality as Owens. Her home is also in the South and agrees that while there isn’t much that people in other states can do from afar, there is plenty they can do from their own homes.

“People in Utah can offer prayers for those in need and can offer thanks for their blessings. They can also give donations to organizations such as the red cross,” she said.

While many outside of the affected areas believe that the government will step in and take control of the clean up efforts, Owens admits that he hasn’t seen the assistance that most would expect.

“I know the government will play a big role in helping out the tornado victims and to rebuild businesses, but the only people I’ve seen on site so far is regular people just wanting to help in what ever way they can,” he said.

For more information on how to volunteer, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.uvu.edu/volunteer" www.uvu.edu/volunteer or HYPERLINK "http://www.atlandaredcross.org"

St. GEEEEZY

181st General Conference Gems

Absolutely LOVED General conference! I was able to take notes on the Saturday morning session and the Sunday morning session. I listened to the afternoon sessions on the radio while I was basking in the sun in Grandma Crandall's pool in St. George and driving home during the Sunday session. WOW! I enjoyed every second listening to the leaders of the church. I am so lucky to be apart of this amazing gospel. What a miracle it is. These are what I like to call "General Conference Gem's" that I picked out during the morning sessions.

General Conference Gems :)

• President Monson: Colorado, Idaho, Canada- new temples! yay :)
• L. Tom Perry: Keep ourselves unspotted from the world and rest from our labors. Keep His sabbath day holy. Come to the sacrament table to self-inspect. My cup runneth over.
• Jean A Stevens 1st counselor Primary Presidency: Children are usually the first to love and the first to forgive. Those who are the greatest in the kingdom are the ones who look for ways to serve. Meet adversity with hope. Behold them(children): embrace them with our eyes and our hearts.
• Walter F. Gonzalez: What is the extent to being a believer? 1. They are a loving people 2. They make and keep covenants. Attend the temple often= avoid divorce. Exercise faith, repent and keep your covenants.
• Kent Richardson:The savior is not a silent observer.
• Quentin L. Cook: Women are incredible. (read talk)
• Henry B. Eyring: Message: Celebrate what the Lord is doing to help those in need. Renew and strengthen your commitment to ACT. We feel sympathy for those we don’t even know. Include your children in service and giving (like Heavenly Father does). “Pull weeds at your Fathers invitation.” 76th anniversary of the welfare program. It really is better to give than to receive. He is so generous to me. I love his work, and it IS work :) You can know as I know.
• Sunday Morning

• President Uchdorf: Preach the gospel constantly and when necessary, use words. Move forward with faith, hope and charity. eived
• Paul V. Johnson: One reason of hardships is because it’s a trial of our faith. No trial that we experience is not worth the experience. The furnace of affliction purifies us all. It burns away imperfections. Sometimes the most difficult times come right before something magnificent. (a mission?) Sometimes we want growth without challenges. Not gonna happen. Just like an athlete. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Guardian angels will attend us. We want the Lord to say “well done thy good and faithful servant.
• David Burton: This gospel has a special emphasis on personal and self-reliance. Avoid debt. Distinguish between needs and wants. Retain a remission of OUR sins. Relief Society- fly to the relief of people. “Be kind to the poor” Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, take care of the sick. “Go and do though likewise”
• Silvia H. Allred: Care for those in need. Apparently we need to hear this. Hooray for visiting and home teachers!
• David A. Bednar: The spirit of revelation is available to every person who is baptized and is worthy of it ask with a pure heart BELIEVING that you will receive. 2 types of revelation: 1. a light turned on in a dark room (more rare) 2. gradual light like the sun. (more common)- line upon line precept upon precept. like Nephi going to get the plates from Laban. People question the power of their testimony because we don’t have striking answers and revelations. You are quite normal. Be steadfast and you can’t go amiss. we receive revelation sometimes without knowing how or when we received it. Act and don’t be acted upon and trust Him that He will guide our steps and utterances.
• President Thomas S. Monson: Make the temple receptacle and memorable. 22 temples are under construction right now. Temples are built and sealed with faith and sacrifice. We will know as we go to the temple that we have done the work for those beyond the vail that they could not do for themselves. Have a picture of the temple in every room in your house.