The Latin Flare on CSU's Oval

By: Sam Hernandez

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State University observed National Hispanic Heritage Month by kicking it off with music from the contemporary salsa band, Fleur de Cana at the famous CSU Oval. Professional salsa dancers accompanied the fiery group mid-day Wednesday September 15th.

National Hispanic Heritage week started in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson. It was later turned into a 30-day observation by President Ronald Reagan, which starts September 15th and ends October 15th. Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, and Chile to name a few, celebrate their independence during these two months.

With Fleur de Cana’s trumpets blaring, the crowd couldn’t resist sitting any longer and many students, alumni, and others joined in on salsa dancing. The spirit of Hispanic culture was blending into CSU’s campus and that is just what the coordinators of the kickoff event had hoped for.

“Getting the word out” is what’s most important to Amanda Montoya, CSU’s President of the Multicultural Greek Council.

Montoya as well as many others are of mixed cultures and it is her main goal for people to know the importance of keeping culture alive and to get a since of empowerment out of your heritage. Montoya continued to explain that her family was a big influence on her growing up.

As I spoke with Rich Salas, associate director of Greek Life and event coordinator about National Heritage Hispanic Month he explained that, “it is part of American culture.” Salas proudly explained that Hispanic Heritage Month was more organized this year than previous years.

Salsa dancing has been a part of Latin countries for many years. The dance has evolved from something similar to a mambo to eventually a side to side dance with an emphasis on the hips. It is a combination of many different cultures into one dance. CSU’s campus reflected the dance in the mixture of cultures on the Oval. Salsa dancing invokes a sensual aesthetic which woke up CSU students that were enjoying lunch.

“The dance is a beautiful representation of our culture,” stated Angelica Stoll a professional salsa dancer, with a huge smile. Stoll had been professionally salsa dancing for five years before returning back to her “day job.”

Most of the students that did not have the courage to test out the dance were still tapping their feet or swaying to the sultry salsa music. CSU’s entire oval had been emerged in Latin culture and the crowd could not have proved it more. The crowd was blown away by the spicy music and dancing. As fall was beginning to blow through CSU, the heat from Fleur de Cana lit up students and sparked a flame in minds about what diversity meant.

It was important to all the coordinators that the students recognize the importance of diversity and the importance of uniting cultures. Many more events will be held in the following weeks for National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Behind the Scenes: The President's Fall Address

By C. May

FORT COLLINS, Colo.— The President’s Fall Address was set to start at 11:15a.m. The band was there by 10. When they arrived, there had already been people working at the Oval for several hours. Chairs, tents, and ropes were set up; flowers were artfully arranged around the podium; and speakers and microphones were wired up.

Staff at the Oval did sound checks to make sure that the audience could hear what was going on. Tables and chairs were rearranged so guests didn’t have to sit in the full sun.

The band unloaded their instruments, put away the cases, and waited. They lined up in concert arcs in several different locations to figure out where they would best be seen and heard. They played their warm-ups and did sound checks. After warming up sufficiently, they played through some of the pieces they were going to perform, practiced playing the national anthem and the Alma Mater with the singer, and waited for the event to begin.

The band played some pep tunes to start off the event. The director glanced at the stage from time to time to see if the speakers and honored guests were there.

As is often the case, the speakers were late and the band has to play some extra songs to keep the audience entertained. They played several pieces they hadn’t practiced for the event, but nobody in the audience seemed to notice.

Finally all the guests were there and the speakers were seated on the stage. The band’s introduction finished with CSU’s Alma Mater and the national anthem. Then they stood and waited patiently while the audience’s attention shifted to President Tony Frank and the other speakers.

When Frank was introduced, the band waved their white hats in the air and cheered loudly. “We love you, Tony!” someone shouted.

The band has a special relationship with the president. He often says that he admires them and jokes with them during events. He always stops by to say hi to the group and tell them what a good job they’re doing. In return, band members cheer loudly for him and affectionately call him “The Beard.”

The audience didn’t notice, but the band members were fidgety and restless as the speeches grew longer. “My shoulders are killing me,” band member Chris Herron whispered. “This is taking forever!”

The band had been working on the program pieces for several weeks. At least four hours of practice had gone into the Fall Address specifically. Only a few hours after their performance at the Oval was over, the band would be back together for one of their weekly rehearsals. On the practice field behind the music building that evening, they rehearsed for two more hours.

Long rehearsals and sore shoulders never seem to be a problem for the band. They love what they do and always have fun at performances. The audiences at events are the best reward. Band member Kim Erickson sums it up nicely: “I don’t think the band could survive if CSU didn’t love us so much.”

A Cultural Mosaic

By Chris O'Toole

FORT COLLINS, Co-- Quran burners, you have found your counterpoints.

In the week following the anniversary of the September 11th tragedy, a group of students gathered not to condemn, but to learn about and celebrate Islamic culture.

The Islamic cultural event was lead by Dr. Alison Shah, a historian of modern South Asia, who gave a lecture on art in the Islamic world. Shah explored the influence of Middle Eastern art, both religious and non-religious, within a global context. The art served as an example of exchange and trade even amid severe religious differences.

“There was an eventual overlap between religious and non-religious art,” explained Shah.

Originally, a specific style of art existed for religious art exclusively, mostly including blues and whites that were important to the Islamic culture. The paintings were so radiant, however, that non-religious groups clamored for the artistic style in their works of art.

Shah also discussed issues in the Islamic faith that are especially pertinent today. Art served as a medium for expression and helped to give individuality to the Islamic faith.

“Tribal values and Muslim values differ,” said Shah, referring to the differing laws between the region and the religion. This too would shine through in the art as instructional Christian parables were painted without limitation, but painting the face of the Muslim prophet Mohammad was strictly forbidden.

She then noted that the distinct separation between the values of the region and the values of the Islamic faith could be seen within certain artworks.

Her lecture also touched on other pertinent subjects of today, such as community and the exchange of ideas. At times throughout history, Islamic rulers would superimpose their own cultures upon the lands they dominated. But often, rulers would take local artists and bring them back to the homeland to make the art of the conquered region.

“Blending went both ways,” said Shah. “Timor Lane raided India in the 14th century and brought artisans to Uzbekistan.”

Shah’s lecture concluded to a rousing applause and many questions from students intrigued by the history Islamic art.

One student from the back of the room asked about the preservation of art given the destructive history of Europe and the Middle East.

Remarkably, the carnage seen at Carthage and Alexandria was not replicated, said Shah. Rather the regional arts, such as India’s exquisite brassware, were stolen or sold at bazaars due to their craftsmanship and value. Still crime, but at least the objects weren’t lost to the sands of time.

The most radical exchange within Islamic art, however, is the one that exists today. The ancient smash-and-grab jobs have become civilized auctions and sales to collectors who can’t get enough of the history. In fact, the most prominent collection of Middle Eastern ceramics and pottery resides within the house of a Hawaiian citizen, who has opened her house to the public as a museum.

The whirlwind visual tour ended there and lasted only an hour and a half. But in that brief moment, students gained centuries of appreciation for the stigmatized Islamic culture.

Hawaiian Ho`olaule`Transplanted in Boulder

By: Janelle Kienast

Fort Collins, Colo-- Ho`olaule`a, means celebration in Hawaii and that’s exactly what the Colorado Aloha Fest was in Boulder. A complete cultural experience for the masses and an experience like no other. While lost in the smells of traditional Hawaiian cuisine, and entranced by the bright and beautiful colored leis, one cannot help but smile while dancing around the 29th Street Mall, just a short distance from the CU Boulder campus.

On Friday September 17, 2010 this event kick started a celebration like no other with a much talked about Hula Concert including Hula Master F. Hewett and famed Grammy Award winner Daniel Ho. This cultural celebration also included art shows, hula dance performances, concerts, and the promising nail bitter football game between the CU Buffs and the UH Warriors at Folsom Field .

While thousands of people attended this festival, many do not know the history nor the recognition this event gets from the state of Hawaii. While interviewing Tammie Wa'awina Chaumillon, Event director and founder of this cultural celebration, I found that her pure love for her culture and the drive to share that same love with her hula students was the force behind the Colorado Aloha Fest. In 2006, Tammie held a small event for her students to perform and show case their talents to the community of Northglenn, much to everyone’s surprise this event sold out, as well as similar events to follow organized by Tammie. With the success of these Hawaiian cultural events, came the growth and popularity of these Hawaiian Festivals. When asked what draws people to this event Tammie proclaims “Authenticity!” And this is not an overstatement by any means considering this is the only Hawaiian festival on the mainland that is backed by many Hawaiian Organizations, as well as the Governor of Hawaii; THAT’S BIG!

This festival took 2 years of preparation and every aspect of this event is pieced together through volunteer work. Because this was a non-profit event, it was completely free to the public, and all ages were welcome. With over 70 vendors and events planned for this festival there was truly something for everyone, including aloha workshops, hula lessons and even lei making lessons.

Another powerful contributor to this festival was Richard McEntee, Colorado & Hawaii Public Relations Liaison and self made developer who founded Black Diamond Park. When McEntee was presented with information involving the Colorado Aloha Fest, he immediately wanted to jump on board and help in any way possible. Through his commitment to spread the "Spirit of Aloha" Richard became a sponsor and teamed up with Tammie to make the 2010 Colorado Aloha Fest the biggest and best it could possibly be.

Tammie Wa'awina and Richard McEntee, and their hopes to pass on the Hawaiian culture, are an inspiration to all. Their hopes of spreading a culture that is truly unique and often inexperienced in Colorado can only bring a smile to the people that are privileged enough to attend this festival. We can only hope that the Colorado Aloha Fest continues to preserve Hawaiian culture through Colorado and serve as not only a source of entertainment, but also allows each and every one of us to appreciate the brotherly bonds that can be attributed to this cultural festival.

The Engines of a Time Machine

By Tasia DeMuth

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Amongst hundreds of old vintage cars sat an elderly couple smiling about the array of antique vehicles. The woman wore a glittering red hat, covered in sequins and kindly rolled her eyes as her husband discussed his collection of cars.

James and Marilyn Fargo are two of many car enthusiasts who came to share their vintage vehicles with the public on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Nelsen’s Old Town Car Show. The event, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., was free for the community to come and experience antique cars for themselves. Hundreds of hot rods and classic cars, dating back to the early thirties, lined Walnut Street and Mountain Avenue.

The cars were the stars of the show and spectators were free to touch and look at each vehicle. On the sidewalk, behind their cars, sat owners eagerly waiting to answer questions and to talk about the cars they’ve spent so much time and money on.

The Fargo’s were quick to explain that collecting vintage cars is an expensive hobby. However, they feel the money is well spent when owners as well as the public get to enjoy a piece of American history, at events such as Nelsen’s Old Town Car Show. For this year’s show Fargo showed his 1933 cream-colored Ford Sedan.

“It’s (’33 Ford) a thing of beauty, and the rest of them are too,” Fargo said. “And when you’re car crazy, it’s great to be able to see the different cars and the creativity.”

Further down the street sat Dave Livinghouse, a veteran to the car show. He has participated in the event for seven years and he keeps coming back because he thinks his collection of Model T’s and Model A’s deserve to be shown.

“It’s something that this generation haven’t seen,” Livinghouse said. “They’ve never been able to touch one, see one, ride in one, or even drive one.”

Though all of his cars have interesting stories, one stands out to Livinghouse as especially unique. The car he used in his wedding was later bought to be driven by Bruce Willis in the movie “The Last Man Standing.” During filming the car got shot up.

Peggy Lyle of the Fort Collins Business Association not only appreciates the history of each car, but also appreciates what the event does for Fort Collins.

The show gives “lots of great exposure for Downtown Fort Collins, a chance to celebrate classic and custom cars/trucks as well as a great free event for the community,” Lyle said.

These are some of many reasons that the show continues. Each year, more and more cars from the Front Range area come to be a part of the event. These cars for one brief Saturday revert Fort Collins’ streets back several decades to an era that most only know about from their history textbooks.

As the car show began to wrap up, Marilyn Fargo’s red sequin hat could be seen bobbing through the crowd. Close behind James Fargo followed his “sweetheart” around for one last look at the cars that soon would be back in their barns and trailers, invisible to the public.

Nothing Sour About This Kraut

By Tara DeMuth

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Across a large crowd in downtown Fort Collins, a woman wears bright traditional German garb while she claps to authentic Bavarian music. Her husband, nearby, sips his beer as the smiling couple celebrates their German heritage at the Oktoberfest.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, students, families and seniors came to the heart of Old Town to participate in the festivities of the Oktoberfest. Throughout the day, patrons celebrated the German culture with brats, beer, music and traditional Bavarian dance.

An event established over two decades ago, the Fort Collins Oktoberfest was founded by the Eye-Opening Kiwanis Club and was later taken over by the Fort Collins Downtown Business Association in 2007. This year, in order to keep the Oktoberfest and the first home CSU football game separate, the Oktoberfest was held a few weeks early. Yet, the turnout was not affected, as locals and others traveled to attend the Oktoberfest.

Dan and Vicky Ferber, a couple who traveled from Rapid City, South Dakota, to celebrate their German heritage, were just two of the patrons that came to the streets of Fort Collins. Though the pair have frequented the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, four times, they still felt the Fort Collins’ festival offered something special.

“It’s festive and fun and the weather is absolutely gorgeous,” said Vicky Ferber. “It’s a nice crowd.”

A local man, Charles Propp, felt similarly of his experience at the Oktoberfest, referring to the atmosphere as “congenial and pleasant.”

Propp, an elderly man who attended the celebration with his wife, is a first generation American after his parents emigrated from Russia to work with sugar beets. After moving from Windsor to work at the Budweiser plant, in 1941, Propp attended the event every year possible. Along with Propp, the local Oktoberfest is an important event for many in the Fort Collins area.

“This is a great cultural event that resonates with our community,” said Peggy Lyle, the event director for the Fort Collins Business Association. “There are a lot of citizens of Bavarian heritage in Northern Colorado and of course Fort Collins loves festivals and great brews.”

Propp’s story of coming to Colorado, after his German parents immigrated, is a similar story for many in the crowd and on the stage. The Denver Kickers Sport Club, located in Golden, was formed after Heidi Urie’s father came to America and sought to preserve German heritage through Bavarian dance.

Urie, the current owner of the Denver Kickers, learned to dance from her father at age 3 and took over the club after her father retired some 15 years ago. Today, the dance group remains family based, as 99 percent are related.

“Cousins, spouses, sons and daughters participate,” said Urie. “It’s a fun great time and we get to do it as a family.”

As established by her father, Urie strives to continue to preserve her and other’s German heritage.

Traditional Bavarian dance is a “part of my heritage and that’s a part of me that I want to pass down,” said Urie.

Now their fifth year performing at the Fort Collins Oktoberfest, the dance group is a popular attraction for the event. The dance, “Schuhplatter,” which literally means shoe-slapping, draws crowds as the performers hit their shoes and create a beat that is echoed throughout the clapping audience.

“They are highly professional, entertaining, authentic, and just simply the nicest group of people to work with,” said Lyle.

At the end of the day, smiling spectators and Vicky Ferber, who continued to tap her feet to the music, had the opportunity to dance with the Denver Kickers. With the dancing, traditional food and festive crowd, patrons in Old Town, experienced, first hand, the cultural and celebratory atmosphere of a traditional Oktoberfest.

Commemorating Sep. 11 Nine Years Later

By Demi Sullivan

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — On the 9-year anniversary of Sep. 11, 2001 many soldiers passed by the memorial at Fort Carson with a salute and a short prayer for their fallen comrades. Sep. 11, 2001 is a date that will never be forgotten in American history as a day of terror and tragedy.

“It was a solemn day of remembrance for the victims of the terrorist attack,” shared a soldier, who prefers to remain off the record for security purposes.

On the 9-year anniversary of this catastrophic day, many of the Fort Carson soldiers stopped and took a second to remember. Near the main gate of the base, there is a 17-foot-long steel I-beam that was once part of the towers. In front of the beam is a plaque commemorating the people who passed in this tragic event. The memorial honors nearly 3,000 Americans who died during the attack. Capt. Patrick Dowdell’s father was a fire fighter in New York City at the time the towers fell.

"I feel very proud. He supported me being in the military, and he loved his job in the fire department, I know he'd be real proud that we did this. The dedication isn't just to memorialize the killed on 9/11, it's about everybody who sacrificed so much since," Dowdell said.

Capt. Dowdell was one of the four men who got to unveil the memorial when it first opened in June 2010.

“It was by far my greatest accomplishment from my time in the Army,” Capt. Dowdell said.

He explains that it wasn’t the memorial that was so great, it was the 200 Americans that came to the base for the unveiling.

“To see that people support what you do, even 9 years later is rewarding” Dowdell said.

Other soldiers had the same outlook on support, one whom wishes to remain unnamed said,

“That support, while not found everywhere, is always found in the right moments, in the most unexpected fashion. I’ve seen single people park their cars outside the gate to Fort Carson, and spend hours holding a sign that simply says ‘Thank you’ to all those that leave out to pretend to have a civilian life,” the soldier said.
Many soldiers stopped by the memorial that day. One who just got back from Afghanistan this past May, Daniel Crookston, serves as Infantry in 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, under 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

“I joined the army to fulfill my sense of civic duty and serve a tour in combat. The decision was solidified at the loss of my older brother in Iraq,” said Crookston.

For this soldier the terrorist attack on Sept.11 hits close to home. Losing a brother may ward off some soldiers but it only brought this one closer to the army. Crookston felt the army was his chance to show his brother respect and say good-bye. His brother was deployed in one of the first division’s to Iraq.

Crookston said he knew exactly what he was getting himself into joining post Sep. 11. He clarified with or with out a war he felt like he owed it to America.

“The post 9/11 Army is very different from the pre 9/11 Army. Discipline and dedication are paramount to our cause; no soldier that joined after 9/11 expected an easy ride. We all joined knowing that we were going to war, and that our efforts were going to keep Americans safe for years to come. It is a hard thing to commit to, and a hard life to lead. But freedom is never free, and some pay more than others,” said Crookston.

The soldiers never forget what they stand for or why they are fighting, but they do what they need to in order to keep America safe. One of the soldiers shared that it seems that Americans have forgotten about Sep. 11. However, Crookston quickly elaborated by saying,

“I don’t believe that anyone has forgotten, but like any loss, the pain fades with time, and people must go on with their lives. Time stops for no man.”

Crookston lived in solace while in Iraq when referring to a quote by Thomas Paine.
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”

He said the quote reminds him why he fights, and gives him hope that one day when he is an old man someone will fight for his freedom.

Optimistic Gaze Into an Uncertain Future

By Chadwick Bowman

FORT COLLINS, Co — In the time between his inauguration as CSU’s president this last September and the Fall Address this September, Tony Frank has spent much of his time on a statewide tour canvassing more than 45 communities.

The motivation of the trip was to promote the positive story CSU has to tell as well as its prosperity and its ambitions.

Wednesday he was back home, on the Oval, conveying to the campus community the current state of the university, the outlook for the academic year as well as the tribulations that lie ahead.

“Mostly what I learned over these trips,” Frank said, “is how positively Colorado State University is viewed around our state.”

While the president touted CSU’s achievements over the past year, many in the audience were weary of the hovering dark cloud that is the struggling economy. With new pending legislation that is potentially detrimental to higher education, an absence of increases in faculty salaries and continuous tuition increases.

But even amid the uncertainty, Provost and Executive Vice President Rick Miranda assured the community that under Frank’s leadership and direction, his staff is “poised to guide CSU into an era of excellence.”

The administration has reason to be optimistic because this year’s freshman class is largest in school history. But what is less known, is that this year’s class is also the most diverse as well as the most academically-qualified class in history.

This years Institutional Profile shows incoming freshman, have an average GPA of 3.6, an ACT of 24.6 and an SAT of 1,131.

Those numbers excel beyond the last three years when the freshmen average was a 3.5 GPA, ACT of 24 and an SAT of 1,120.

Dilan Sutliff, an undeclared sophomore, said her concern lies with how tuition increases will hurt students in the long run.

“It’s more stressful because in order to pay off loans for tuition, you need to find a job, which many graduates are having trouble with in the first place due to the economy,” Sutliff said.

“I’m excited because we exist simply to support our students and faculty,” Frank told the Collegian after his address. “The expanding of CSU can be accredited not only to the excellence of the administration and faculty, but also to the students.”

“Our campus has never looked better,” Frank said. “In no small part, because of the contributions of the students.”

Last year, the Student Fee Review Board and the Associated Students of CSU voted on a $5-per-credit-hour fee increase to the already $10-per-credit-hour facility fee, which Frank said is symbolic of the pride students have for their university. “Our students tax themselves so that those who will follow them will have a better academic experience,” he said.

Frank, too, lauded university faculty for exceeding $300 million in research awards and expenditures for the third consecutive year.

Also how the Campaign for Colorado State has passed the 70 percent mark on its way to reach the $500 million goal.

The campaign, which was revealed last August, aims to increase scholarship funding, provide funding for the improvement of campus faculties and allow the university to create endowment funds.

Barring all optimism, Frank discussed the arduous road ahead: a road that he said “begins and ends with funding.”

In November, Coloradans will vote on Amendments 60, 61 and Proposition 101, ballot initiatives that Frank said can change the course of his presidential agenda and the course of CSU.

Frank says the way the state votes, could have a $3.7 billion impact, leaving only 1 percent of the budget to spend on transportation, prisons and higher education.
If voters choose to support the initiatives in November, 99 percent of the state’s funds would go to K-12 education. The CSU System Board of Governors and ASCSU have both taken a stance against Amendments 60, 61 and Proposition 101.

“I can tell you, as a factual statement,” Frank said, “If these measures pass, CSU will be a much different, much smaller university, and not for the better.”

Frank urged attendees to pay attention to the bills in order to weigh the
implications for both CSU and the state of Colorado.

Frank also touched on CSU’s Commitment to Colorado, an initiative that aims to help the students who come from low and middle-income families receive an education. Beginning in the fall 2011, families who make an income of $57,000 –– the median family income in Colorado –– or less per year will pay half-price tuition.

The majority of the funding for the program is coming from a reallocation of financial resources over the past several years.

Looking forward, Frank is focused on the character of CSU and the fundamentals that define it: a commitment to academic excellence and providing a world-class education as well as the dedication of the faculty to share their intellectual capabilities.

“No matter what the future holds,” Frank said, “these are the fundamentals that will keep Colorado State University strong long after we have stopped walking these lawns and hallways.”

Grappling with Grapes - GUIDE sponsors grape stomping event to entertain and keep students away from alcohol, drugs.

By Kristen Scheirman

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The plaza outside the Academic Village is deserted, save for a few students sitting at tables under crinkly red metal umbrellas, chatting, slurping down cool drinks, and staring curiously at the giant pile of juicy purple grapes stacked high on one of the tables.

The sun is just barely peeking out from behind a stretch of massive gray clouds in the indigo sky, yet beads of sweat are dripping down everyone’s faces.

It’s hot. Excruciatingly hot.

The perfect day for a grape stomping contest, which works out for the GUIDE members who planned this Sept. 8 event so students living in the residence halls could learn about grapes and wine making.

“I spent seven to ten hours planning this event,” said GUIDE education paraprofessional, Brittany Torres.
“[The GUIDE staff] all comes together and starts brainstorming different ideas… You have to put in the order for things and gather information.”

GUIDE is an organization associated with the CSU Housing and Dining services. There are three different teams within GUIDE; education, involvement, and diversity. Each group plans different free activities for students living in the residence halls to get students to become more involved on campus, learn more, and understand how diverse the world is.

“We want to give students an outside opportunity besides normal drinking, drugs, etc.,” Torres said. “I hope these programs work but it’s hard to say. Some programs don’t have a good turnout but some do. There is also an educational aspect. These events aren’t just to keep kids from drinking and doing drugs.”

Torres and two other GUIDE team members, seniors Danny Webb and Lauren Reese, finish setting up and then wait for interested students.

Five minutes pass. Ten minutes pass. Fifteen minutes pass. Nothing.

“Maybe we should start stomping some grapes to draw in a crowd,” Torres suggests and heads over to one of three small green tupperwares on the pavement, carrying a package of grapes.

Just then a group of about 20 freshman boys cluster around the table, ready to compete.

All food at GUIDE events has to be educationally based so before the boys can compete they have to study a slip of paper with grape and wine facts on it and answer a question correctly. The winner of the grape stomping contest will receive a ten dollar gift card to Mama Roni’s.

“You might want to peel the stems off first or it will hurt,” Reese warns the boys when they are ready to go.
 She and Torres tried this out yesterday. They know from experience.

The three competitors hitch up their pants, peel off their socks and throw off their tennis shoes.

“Damn! I shouldn’t have worn socks,” Will Maher says, struggling to remove his.
And with that, the boys place their grapes in their tubs and hop in, stomping in a frenzy to get enough juice to fill up the cups they were each given.

Grape juice flies up in the air as the boys run in place, slipping around in their tubs.

“Stomp those grapes, stomp them,” the crowd yells watching closely with grins on their faces. “Don’t die
Conor! Don’t die please. How does that feel?”

“It feels great,” Conor Guidarelli responds, hopping out of his tub and pouring greenish-purplish grape juice in his glass.

He’s almost there. He gets back in the tub and keeps stomping.

“Am I there? Am I there?” he yells, pouring more juice. “Bam, Bam. That’s full up.”

He is the winner. The other two boys don’t look very disappointed they lost. Just sticky.

“I’ve got grape in the eye!” Guidarelli yells, running around in exaggerated motions.

Their feet are covered with juice and grape peels. The concrete is spattered with grape guts, ooey goeey, running down the pavement.

“You know what? I actually felt the spirit of competition,” Guidarelli says. “…I came to win. I came to win.”

“It was cold,” Ryan Henderson said. “And difficult.”

They head over to the small fountain in the plaza and step in, splashing cold water on their juicy feet to clean them off.

The sky now looks menacing. There is no trace of sun left and rain drops are starting to drip onto the pavement.

In the second round, freshman Aaron Coughlin comes close to winning but right as he is about to fill his cup with more juice, he spills it, causing a surge of uproarious sounds from the crowd. Freshman Justin Savoy ends up winning.

“The loser has to taste the juice!” the crowd yells. “You know you want to. Just taste it, it’s your own feet. Down it.”

Savoy looks down at his glass of juice. It looks like swamp water but he stills looks tempted. He hesitates for a moment. He didn’t even lose the competition.

“Yeah, there’s dirt and crap in there,” he says. “I don’t think I’m going to do that.”

“I had it on lock. I had it on lock,” Coughlin says in mock dismay. “I can’t believe I spilled my cup…I’m going to steal that gift card from you.”

This event went from being dead to being crazy popular. People are waiting their turn to stomp grapes but there are only enough left for one more round of competitors.

The wind is blowing so hard the grape facts swirl up into the air, the water in the fountain ripples, and it starts raining in earnest.

That doesn’t dissuade the last group of girls who decide to form teams to compete. Two teams of two and one team of one.

“This is my favorite part,” Webb says, pointing at the five girls who are now squishing their grapes around, giggling excitedly. “When people actually enjoy it.”

A group of two ends up winning and they run up to fetch their gift card. The wind is tangling their hair up and they are being pelted by cold large drops of rain but they don’t seem to care.

They just had fun doing an educational activity. For free.

Milkshakes for a Higher Power

By Spenser Hanson

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Church groups on Colorado State University’s campus have always found clever ways to entice students into chatting with them. It should come as no surprise that one of the groups found a tasty way to get people together: milkshakes.

Milkshake Monday’s was created by seven girls that attend a Thursday night church group on campus called Cru. Cru is shortened for Campus Crusaders for Christ. Each of the girls is a part of the leadership team for the group.

Their purpose is very clear; give students a colloquial setting where they can learn about how to get involved with their student organization.

“We figured that people who love God and love milkshakes would love to hang out with others who love the same things!” said JoBeth Pilate, the head planner of Milkshake Monday’s.

The girls purchased all of the supplies for the frothy desserts, but did take donations towards funding for Cru. Whether or not they are raising a significant amount of money for their group, they are more concerned with spreading the word of God.

“Many people hear that a church group is putting on an event, and think it’s just a ploy to get people to commit,” Heather Peterson, roommate of Pilate, said as she described their goal of the event, “but we just wanted to give kids a setting where they can feel comfortable.”

“And a place that they can ask the tough questions that they never would get to ask in church” chimed in Pilate. “We just want everyone to feel accepted too.”

Their goals were definitely met. The house, located off of Prospect and Constitution, was wide open and expecting guests. Each girl gave a warm welcome to each student as they showed up, and went immediately to work on each person’s perfect milkshake.

The next goal was to give a place that every student was going to feel comfortable and able to ask any question they so desired. There weren’t many tough questions like Pilate suggested, but that didn’t stop the conversation.

To most people who aren’t involved in a group like this, the assumption is that the girls are probably preaching about joining their organization.

They would be wrong.

The talk circled from classes and which majors are the best, to the school’s struggling football team and how fun intramurals are going to be. For the most part it was typical student conversation.

The only evangelizing that was done by any of the girls in the house was to give information about their student group. The girls only wanted to give an idea of what Thursday nights are like at Cru.

Cru meets every Thursday night at 8 p.m. in the lecture hall of the plant science building, classroom C101. The primary goal of Cru is to give Christian students a place to get together in a large group, and tackle issues that college students face.

As for Pilate and Peterson, they could not wait to see everyone who attended their creamy event on Thursday night.

It was definitely a sweet way to bring people together, for God.

Mountain Town Celebrates Irish and Scottish Heritages

By: Chelsea Metheny

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Scottish and Celtic heritages united once again on Sept. 9 through 12, at the 34th annual Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park. Thousands celebrated with plenty of food, music, competitions, shopping and dancing.

The festival was founded by James A. Durward in 1976, 100 years after Durward’s grandfather moved to Colorado from Scotland. The festival originally began as a picnic with three families who shared a passion for Scottish and Irish heritages. The gathering attracted a small crowd, along with some pipers and dancers. 34 years later, the festival has attracted tens of thousands of people from around the world.

“The town of Estes Park is honored to host the Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highland Festival as it celebrates a remarkable tradition of 34 consecutive years in Estes Park.” said William Pinkham, mayor of Estes Park.

“I’ve been coming to the Scottish Irish Festival since I was a little kid,” said Jessica Downey, 20, a native Coloradoan. “The festival has allowed me to get in touch with my Irish heritage.”

Irish and Highland dancing competitions, pipe bands, athletes, dog competitions and the annual parade were among other events at the festival. The Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival parade is the largest Celtic parade in North America, holding Estes Park as the Celtic capital of the U.S.

Origins of the Scottish athletics show the strength of the Highland occupants that came up with them. Hammer throws, putting the stone, and caber throwing contests were all represented as strong man competitions. Putting the stone is just like shot put, except a large stone is used, weighing about 17 pounds.

A large crowd gathered for the caber toss event, where competitors must toss a telephone pole end over end. The caber averages about 19 feet long, and weighs 167 pounds. The competitors had to lift the pole up, and balance it vertically into the air with their hands underneath. Struggling to keep it balanced, the competitors must run to gain momentum in order to complete the toss.

Many of these games are acknowledged as Olympic events. The world record holders from the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Scotland competed in this year’s competition.

The Dogs of the British Isles are yet another spectacle of the celebrations. According to the AKC, 150 breeds are recognized, and 60 of those are native to the British Isles. These dog competitions give spectators the opportunity to learn about the various breeds that display their unique features and amazing abilities.

Terrier races, herding demonstrations, high flying performance disc dogs, and various dog agility races are some of the events offered. These dogs are an important part of the celebration, as many of these breeds were once known to protect the farm or castle and the herds of livestock, helped flush game on hunts and were faithful companions to their masters.

The three-day jousting event has been a crowd favorite every year. The sound of clanging metal and horse hoofs pounding against the dirt bring the spectators back to the time of the knights.

A joust is a form of combat between two knights on horseback. Each competitor is armed with a 13 foot lance. Galloping the horses toward each other, the purpose is to unseat the opponent from the saddle with the lance, or striking a shield which the competitors must carry.

The jousting is divided between light armor and heavy armor. Heavy armor jousting is the largest event, as jousters aim to knock the enemy off of his or her horse. An additional jousting event is called Skill at Arms, where jousters are timed as they take their turns at spearing hay bales, rings, and spear throwing at certain targets.

Riders traveled from Canada, Europe, and across the U.S. to joust in Estes Park, which is considered the most prestigious true jousting competition in the world.

“It was the coolest thing I had ever seen,” said CSU equine event management student Kelsey Brazik. As part of the horse event management class, the students had to work the jousting arena. “All of the competitors were in full chain-mail suits and wore iron masks. It made me feel like I was in the medieval times.”

Salsa: A Taste of Hispanic Heritage

By J. Tavarez


FORT COLLINS, Colo.— Greeted by the savory Caribbean beats of Salsa band “Fleur de Cana,” students and faculty gathered at the Oval last Wednesday afternoon in celebration to a tasty kick-off for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Since the beats of time, music has been a cannon in the social upheavals in Portugal, Spain and Latin America in the 1970s and 1980s. It has remained an identifying role in Hispanic culture; most relevant in today’s festivities through, Salsa!

With microphone in hand, lead singer Maria Diedrichs sat and waited, patiently listening to the presidential address going on across her way. She was ready to share the simple steps needed for a great Salsa, dance that is, as I took the time to ask her the cultural importance of music.

“Music is a big part of culture, its so rich and its very important for people to see that... It’s an art”

Nodding alone side was guitarist, Eduardo Barbosa, who had a few things of his own to say about what he wants people to get out of his music.

“Generally I just hope to have the opportunity to expose all people to different types of music and art. As a community we have a lot of people doing beautiful things”.

With the salsa-making contest in mind I asked, whats the secret ingredient for making your salsa?

“Pepper.. lots of it!,” said Diedrichs. “It gives it the perfect kick!”
“Dill seeds!,” said Barbosa.

While Fleur de Cana spiced up the stage on one side of the Oval, music-therapy student Peggy Zhang sees more than a dancing motivation for Salsa music..

“Music can heal you,” she said. She wants to be able to use music to cure people and believes that it is a strong ingredient needed to live healthy. “Music has been shown to affect portions of the brain, part of which affect emotions and social interactions.”

Witnessing the diversity in people dancing, all to the same song, you could easily see this philosophy at work.

Music is a prime ingredient to the flavor of a culture. We can all relate to the significance it has had during our time, whether it be remembering your grandparents favorite salsa song or your doctors recommendation for the cure.

Music is significant to all shades and colors.

The “melting pot” as we know was slowly turning into a fusion of music and culture; contributing their own flavor to the perfect salsa that is CSU.

Where the Fans Belong

By K.M. Spence

FORT COLLINS, Colo.- Students and alumni gathered on Fri, Sep. 10 for an eventful Colorado State University volleyball game. The volleyball team was going up against Texas Tech’s Red Raiders from the Big 12 Conference. While CSU dominated the Raiders, much of the crowd was not that involved in the game. Looking back a week before this game, when CU and CSU football played, The Rocky Mountain Showdown, most, if not all the student section was filled. At the volleyball game, the majority of the student section was empty.

When examining the differences in crowd involvement at both volleyball and football games, there was a huge difference. As of right now, volleyball is ranked 15th in the nation, football, not so much.

According to Senior Colin Hornback, “The atmosphere is good at volleyball games, but not as enthusiastic. Our volleyball team might be good, but volleyball is not as well known as football.”

Looking around at the stands, the majority of the crowd consisted of both alumni and older adults. There were two designated student sections, but only half of both sections were filled. Every time one game would finish or would be on a time-out, the cheerleaders would attempt for crowd involvement, but would get nothing in return from students.

One event staff member that works at every home game for both volleyball and football, Mary Pluit said, “Football has more of a crowd because the majority of the student body that show up are drunk. At volleyball games, the common student turn out are freshmen and aren’t really here for drinking, they just want to show support.”

Each time a cheer would start the alumni and older adult sections would go along. They would yell and cheer and while the students would cheer when the volleyball team scored that was all that came out of those sections.

“I enjoy working at volleyball games more,” said Pluit, “the atmosphere is nicer, and I barely ever have to worry about getting security.”

The adults that did show up to the game seemed generally happy to be there. One spectator, Allison Humphry said, “I come to almost if not all the home games. I love coming to these events. Everyone is just so nice and you get the right amount of student support without getting too rowdy.”

Towards the end of the game, many of the students were getting up and leaving when the game started to get to a tight race for the winning of the third game. All the adults stayed and kept cheering the team on.

A few weeks ago, when the football game was drawing near the finish, students were getting up and leaving. This was due to a complete upset when the football team lost, 24-3.

“I just wanted to leave after the third quarter, but I forced myself to stay just because it’s football and maybe there was a slim chance we could’ve come back,” said Hornback. “I also wanted to stay because I just love the atmosphere when it comes to football. There were so many people there from both teams, it just felt like I should stay.”

The CSU volleyball team is doing much better than the football team is right now. As of right now, the football team is 0-3 and last year their overall record was 3-9. More people though continually go to football verses volleyball games. This has been a consistent trend and for right now has not changed.

“I hope one day more people would actually show up to the volleyball games,” said Pluit, “the atmosphere is calmer, but it still provides a lot of entertainment for students.”

It's all Greek to Us

By Lauren Heil

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – It is late afternoon on Wednesday as hundreds of girls gather in the plaza outside the Lory Student Center chattering and pacing. It is bid day at Colorado State University; nerves are through the roof and emotions run high as a long week of interviewing, touring, and constant smiling finally (and hopefully) pay off.

Every sorority on campus is lined up around the plaza like football players waiting on the sidelines. They chant and shout as the tension builds in anticipation of their new members. The moment has arrived when a bid card is placed in the hands of each girl and an eruption of cheers and screams fills the plaza as a stampede of women breaks out, running to join their houses. More screaming follows warm embraces, chanting and a massive celebration, as everyones family grows a little more. The new members are escorted back to their sorority houses where a party and photographer await them. It is certainly the beginning of a new chapter.

Beginning on Saturday, Sept. 11 and ending on Wednesday, Sept. 15, over 500 women will have gone through fall recruitment. Rush week starts on Saturday when the girls are divided up into eight groups and are able to go around to all seven chapters. At the end of the day, the women rank each house from the house they liked the most to the house they liked the least. Each house then goes through a similar process in ranking individual girls to decide whom they want to invite back. Sunday the women will visit their top six houses, provided they are invited, then Monday the rounds narrow to the top four. Tuesday night is preference night, at which houses make their final decisions on women they want to give bids and the women will visit their top two ranked houses. Bid Day wraps up the entire process on Wednesday with a final decision and distribution of bid cards.

“To me, sisterhood means never having to be alone. Everyday I feel like I’m being a part of something bigger than myself, and I really couldn’t imagine my life without [my chapter],” says Mallory Beckman, a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority as she waits with her chapter for the arrival of their new members.

According to the CSU Greek Life website, recruitment is a chance to “meet a lot of new people, make new friends, and get a head start on becoming acquainted with Colorado State,” and 2010 has been one of the largest turnouts that Greek life has ever seen. When asked the question, ‘What made you want to go through rush?’ the answers were as varied and different as each chapter on campus.

“I am an only child,” said Alexandria Ash, a freshman going through recruitment at CSU. “I never had any brothers or sisters, and I felt like Greek life would be the place to gain that sense of family.”

Lauren Gonzales, a sophomore, says, “I’m a transfer student, and not knowing anyone in an unfamiliar place can be hard. I thought that joining a chapter on campus would help me make new friends, and become more involved in the school.”

“I didn’t want to go through recruitment at all actually,” says Elizabeth Donely. “My roommate wanted me to do it with her, and I didn’t really have anything else going on this weekend.” When asked why she didn’t think Greek life was a good match for her Elizabeth replied, “There would be way too much drama living in a house with fifty girls, and I don’t want all the negative stereotypes that go along with sororities.”

“It was the philanthropy of my chapter that did it for me,” says Charissa Hoffer, member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. “I felt a strong connection to the Camp Fire USA charity that we contribute to since I went to camp every summer as a kid.”

Speaking with already initiated members of chapters on campus, allows for a better sense of the various ways Greek life had impacted their lives.

“It’s basically like having a fifty-person support system around you 24-7,” says Kathryn Arrington, member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, “I never feel alone or left out because I always have someone around to listen to my problems or just hang out and have fun with.”

According to Chelsea Shaffer, an initiated Chi Omega, “It’s an absolute blast! I can’t imagine not living in the house because there’s always something going on and you’re never ever bored.”

Many elements go into the decision process of choosing a house as it pertains to each individual woman.

“I just want to find a house that I can truly connect with,” says Marianna Mathews, a freshman at CSU. “I want to find lifelong friends, not just while I’m at school, but forever. I want these girls to be in my wedding.”

However, the process of recruitment has to be a mutual desire of both the house and the new member to become a part of the chapter.

“We look for girls who come through the house with an open mind, a good attitude and an honest desire to become a part of our family,” Katrina Redding, president of Gamma Phi Beta says. When asked about the recruitment process she replied, “We have to be sure to get a good read on every girl who we invite back, that’s why the recruitment process is five days long so that by the end of the week we’re able to really get to know every girl for who they are and decide if their values match those of the house.”

After a long week of recruitment practice which includes singing, dancing, chanting and lots of smiling, the houses are ready to bring back their new members. Welcome home, ladies!

Here Is My Title in Title Case

By R.B. Moreno

Here is where my text would start.

Memory Walk: A Community Fight Against Alzheimer’s

By T.M. Luker

FORT COLLINS, Colo- There was beautiful sunshine and joyful laughter in the air. Music filled any kind of silence, and people of all ages stood in one large group to welcome outsiders. A big purple sign read Registration for Memory Walk, and yet it seemed that everyone already knew each others names. Finding a cure and raising awareness of the facts about Alzheimer's was the purpose of the gathering, and there was no hiding the feeling of a connection between total strangers.

When searching for more information on the symptoms and other medical information about Alzheimer's disease, a site described as a doctors blog, WebMd, stated that the symptoms of forgetfulness and impaired judgment creates difficulty to remain employed, “and live a day to day life.” These two symptom examples are more than just to forget to lock the door; they are issues that majorly affect your life, like forgetting the existence of a family member.

Alzheimer's is an illness that replaces the ‘senile’ or ‘old age’ explanations used previously.

According the Associations website, this disease is affecting five million people and increasing, making it harder and harder to put at the bottom of the priority list.

The Alzheimer's Memory Walk is a three mile walk. It is also a nation wide fundraiser to find the cure for Alzheimer's although the money raised is used to help the local support groups. It is sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association, and even contributed to by companies like Starbucks. The previous year received $70,000 for local Alzheimer's research, support groups, and even scholarships. The volunteers this year were certain that they would beat that number this time.
There are many methods to prevent Alzheimer's, such as cross word puzzles and a healthy diet. Even Whitney agreed that “You can start taking care of your brains now.” But the main issue with Alzheimer's is it’s hereditary.

Over 850 people attended the event, and even the coordinators had a personal attachment to Alzheimer’s disease.


“It affects the whole family.” says Emmylie Connor, the Regional Director and head councilor at the Alzheimer's Association in Fort Collins for the past eight years.

She also discussed how losing her Aunt to the illness was her inspiration to use her masters in speech mythology to help aid other families in this crisis.

Another volunteer Interviewed at the fundraiser was Beth Whitney, who has worked at the walk for two years now. Her reason for her dedication to the Memory Walk, she informed me, was her many patients at the nursing home who show the symptoms of Alzheimer's, and also the overall atmosphere of the event.
“The people that you meet, you all get very close.”

There is not a cure for Alzheimer's at the moment, but Whitney had her own opinion that showed her optimism.
“I’m convinced that there will be a cure in 10 years.”

Although there are many drug treatments offered to patients, therapy is still the most common way to treat a case of Alzheimer's, yet more breakthroughs in medical research are occurring annually.

“A person with Alzheimer's can live a longer and healthier life if they can stay social and do activities,” says Emmylie Connor. The walk in that case was a brilliant idea, since there was no lack of either of these attributes.

Another interviewee was Pete Ramirez, a band member in the Radio Dogs who were performing at the event for the first time. His own personal experience with Alzheimer's was heart breaking.
“My mom lived over a thousand miles away and I was her only care giver, the Association helped me for about five years.” He said.
“I can’t say enough good things about the Association.”

Although the atmosphere couldn’t have been more light and enjoyable, the essence of suffering was still in the air. Connor also stated that, “It does get very emotional; you’ll see people crying during the walk.”

The Alzheimer's Association in Fort Collins provides support groups for all ages, and even medical advice to help the families better understand the issues of Alzheimer's victims. More information about Alzheimer's can be found on the Associations website; www.alz.org.

“We hope that when families come and see us, they look beyond biological and take us in as well,” says Connor.

Time to Say Good Bye to Summer

By: Erin Eastburn

FORT COLLINS, Colo – As the sun begins to set and the dimmed stage lights become bursts of bright colors at Lovelands Thunder Mountain Amphitheater, Travie McCoy the headlining artist steps on the stage for the annual “Say Good Bye to Summer Bash”; sponsored by Clear Channel Communications of Northern Colorado.

“’Say Good Bye to Summer Bash’ and all the concerts at Thunder Mountain Amphitheater are great and affordable shows,” Molly Alderton of Loveland said. “My family loves coming here.”

With affordable concerts and family friendly atmosphere, the Thunder Mountain Amphitheater provides a comfortable and friendly environment for all ages.

“It’s outdoors and conveniently located,” Kiss FM Program Director Chris Kelly said. “It’s big enough to have really big shows, but small enough that there is not a bad seat.”

As McCoy continues to pump up the crowed with hit after hit, the crowd is split into two. One group, dancing towards the stage reaching towards McCoy in hopes to get his attention. The other, appears relaxed and sitting listening to music while also talking with friends on the slanted hill overlooking the stage.

One onlooker, Cameron Deer, sits on the grass with fellow friends enjoying the show.

“Shows here are always my favorite. It’s just low-key but fun,” Deer said.

According to Clear Channel Communications website, in Colorado, they have over 22 radio stations including 97.3FM KBCO, 96.1FM KISSFM and 107.9FM The Bear. By sponsoring events like ‘Say Good Bye to Summer Bash,’ Clear Channel of Northern Colorado hopes to give back to their listeners.

“[Concerts] are good promotional arms for the radios stations, with ticket giveaways and meet and greets,” stated Kelly.

Kelly, during the concert stated that having events like “Say Good Bye to Summer Bash” is extremely important to radios success in the future.

“I feel like people still want to be entertained and will pay for it as long as they get their money’s worth. Too often you find wildly expensive tickets... What we’ve done with the station shows at Thunder Mountain Amphitheater, it is the way it needs to be done,” continued Kelly.

McCoy starts to sing his hit “Need You”. As the audience begins to sing a-long knowing every other word, it’s interesting to think where these music lovers first heard this song.

Radio stations have the credibility of introducing new music to listeners. Though competitors including Pandora and satellite radio have created a new set of struggles for the radio industry.

Though, according to Kelly, iPods have no direct connection to hurting radios ratings.

“People talk about iPods and other digital players, but if the iPod was going to kill radio, CD’s, cassettes and 8-tracks would have already done it,” Kelly stated.

Clear Channel plans to counter-act these web sites through new applications such as ‘iHeartRadio’, which connects listeners to radio stations around the world.

“People talk about the Internet being a competitor, but I think it’s an asset. I think the more radio does to involve the Internet properly, the better. Someday, before my career is over, radio station transmitters will be turned off and everyone’s radio will be nothing but an Internet stream, like iHeartRadio,” Kelly continued.

Though the future is unsure, McCoy concludes the concert with his hit “Billionaire”. As the song ends the crowds of teen, college students, families, and couples shuffle through the gates leaving Thunder Mountain Amphitheater, discussing the highlights of the show.

A Progressive Journey with National Hispanic Heritage Month

By J. A. Dandridge

Fort Collins Colo. — Do “Guactoberfest”, Day of the Dead or Arizona’s SB1070 resonate with you? Well if so, you had your chance to kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month on Colorado State University’s oval this past Wednesday, September 15th. Free events like the above will be taking place now though November 2nd, so you still have a chance to celebrate with other people who are just as excited!

“All of the events are aimed to raise awareness about Latino issues that impact all people,” says CSU’s Greek Life coordinator, Richard Salas.

As I took a stroll through the Oval there were reflections that meshed the past with the present. Reverberations of music, leaving traces of orange, and yellow in the mind’s eye; that wasn’t even from the salsa making promised to students later on that day in El Centro offices! It was the musical flow of salsa band, Fleur De Cana and dance lessons going on. It was also something deeper, hidden beneath the skirts of celebration; it was the struggle it took to get to where we are today as a country, as a campus. It has only been since 1968 when President Lyndon Johnson, purposed National Hispanic Heritage week. NHH week has now evolved into a month long tribute of Latino achievement and education!

The university collaborated with countless groups to put this month’s festivities together, showing the great effort it takes for all CSU students to be a community, despite our differences. Groups like one of CSU’s diversity offices specifically catering to the Hispanic need, El Centro, National Multicultural Greek Organizations, and Association for Student Activity Programming were three main participants in putting the kick off together.

As CSU celebrates in unison with other countries like, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, we must take a moment to go back in CSU’s history.

There is always room to keep growing and this year’s celebration was certainly different than last year’s NHHM Kick off. Brianna Baker, an ASAP student volunteer, told about the contrast from even last year to this year’s participation. More students showed up this time, and CSU was also able to bring in a surrounding community to hopefully educate them on the importance of the Latin community too. The marketing has even improved as time progresses on. CSU is learning and cultivating new ways for catering to its diverse student body.

Richard Salas said “El Centro has spearheaded NHHM celebration for about 14 years now. This event has grown in importance for many social, political and historical reasons.”

Amanda Montoya, NMGO’s student representative, also tells about how long CSU has been a home to its first Multicultural Greek organizations, Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc., since September 9, 1990, now celebrating its twentieth year along with Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc established at CSU October 27,1990.

CSU has facilitated events and nurtured groups like this for two decades, and “The relationship between multicultural Greeks and Colorado State University is in a positive progression,” Montoya says.

As we search topics that affect all people today, we must still keep in mind that we are growing as a campus and country. Some of the most difficult events that students will be able to talk about may be,

“Perhaps ‘SB1070’ and presentations around immigration ‘Secure Communities or Not,’ ” said Salas.

He also says they, “may at first appear to be difficult for students to have meaningful conversations about, but the programs in place, are aimed to challenge perspectives/ideas so we can have a positive learning experience and expand how we critically think about social issues”.

As CSU matures in it's multicultural relationships with the student population, we as individuals, must continue to educate ourselves and acknowledge our ability to learn even through salsa lessons!

Here's a Post to Test Images on Swen

By R.B. Moreno

Here's a piece of text to test alignment on Swen.

Rockin’ Rockies Keep Surging for Rocktober

By Nick Hensley

Fort Collins, Colo —As the weather shifts to fall, there are several things you can always count on during this time. Backyard barbecue’s, football, leaves showing hints of color, and the Colorado Rockies beginning to play great baseball.

On Wednesday the Rockies faced off against the San Diego Padres in a crucial divisional battle. The Rockies faced San Diego after losing two consecutive games to them earlier in the week. However, the Rockies boded well Wednesday afternoon romping the divisional rivals 9-6 in an afternoon slugfest. Jorge De La Rosa took the mound for the Rockies Monday and won his 8th start of the season. De La Rosa moved to 8-4 with the win on Monday, only giving up 6 hits and 1 walk. The win avoided a sweep by San Diego in their three game series.

The Rockies have won 11 of their last 13 games, 8 of which have come at home. The Rockies have been playing phenomenal baseball in the month of September going 11-4 this month. The Rockies are now only 2.5 games behind the lead in the National League west, only trailing the NL west leading Padres and the .5 game back Giants. The September surge has the Rockies still in contention to make playoffs.

The red-hot Rockies have been fueled by shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Tulowitzki went 3-5 today with two home runs, which bumped his home runs to 23 on the year while boasting a .325 batting average. Tulowitzki is on an absolute tear this September. According to ESPN.com, Troy Tulowitzki is the “2nd player in MLB history with more than 10 HR and more than 25 RBI in any 14 games of September/October. He's currently at 11 HR, 27 RBI.”

Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is also having an incredible year as well. Gonzalez finished Monday 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs propelling his NL leads in RBIs (106) and batting average (.341). Wednesday’s performance helped Gonzalez’s push for the Triple Crown this year. Both Tulowitzki and Gonzalez have put together a strong resume for National League MVP. Tulowitzki missed 33 games this season due to injury. Gonzalez has a very strong case for MVP this season being in the top 5 in batting average, home runs, and RBIs.

What seems like a surprising end of the year for the Rockies is nothing new for fans. “I’m pretty sure everyone here expected the Rockies to do this again this year,” says Grant Dorris a die-hard fan. Dorris also expressed, “This is nothing new for anyone that follows them. They play average during the middle of the season then all of a sudden decide that they’re going to make a run for the playoffs.”

Even though the Rockies are playing extremely well right now they still sit 2.5 games back with 16 games to play. It is projected for the Rockies to make the playoffs they have to win at least 10 of their last 16 matchups. This seems like a difficult task, but everyone refers to the magical 2007 season when the Rockies won their last 22 games to win the division and ultimately found themselves in the World Series.

“We just want another Rocktober. If we can make it to Rocktober I know we’ll have an awesome playoff run,” stated Dean Thurston a regular at the Rockies games. For those who don’t know, Rocktober is referred to as the playoffs for the Rockies because the games are played during October.

With the Rockies causing such excitement during this time of year, all spotlights in Colorado seem be pointed at the Rockies.

“With the Nuggets slowly falling apart, the Broncos tossing every star player out of town, and with college sports virtually absent in the state of Colorado, the Rockies give me something to get excited about,” exclaims Beau Coit whom is a student at Colorado State University, and attended Wednesday’s game . Coit also remarked, “It’s sad at the same time because I love all of the Colorado teams, but I saw in ESPN that the Colorado State football team was ranked in the bottom ten teams in the nation.”

The Rockies are going to need all the fan support they can get the next few weeks as they try to continue their winning ways on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rockies boast one of the leagues worst records when playing on the road. But thankfully for Rockies fans, Jimenez and Kuroda are scheduled to take the mound on Friday. Jimenez has a record of 18-6 and is in the running for the Cy Young Award. Jimenez statistically gives the Rockies the best chance to win on Friday and continue their push for Rocktober.

Bridgette Coats whom just recently became a Rockies fan in 2007 says, “Let’s hope they keep doing what they’re doing. I know all of Colorado wants them to keep it up.”

Catherine May: A Westward Girl.

By: Lauren Heil 

FORT COLLINS, CO—Dead Horse Point state park in Utah to some may not seem like the most romantic place in the world, but for Catherine May, a junior at CSU, it is not only a gorgeous place to visit, but the place she got engaged. “I love to travel,” she says, “I travel a lot since I couldn’t when I was young.”

“I grew up in a cow town,” says May jokingly as she describes her home in Pennsylvania. She began college at the Colorado School of Mines and soon transferred to CSU to pursue a degree in Technical Journalism. “Most of my family lives in a very small area around New York City and nobody traveled much so I decided to go west for college.”

It’s a rare circumstance when one’s talents and career opportunities intermingle, but for May, designing, assembling and selling her own jewelry has been a part of her life since middle school. Now that she’s on her own, Catherine has managed to attain a business license and start her own online business. “It’s one of my greatest accomplishments,” she says.

An average day for Catherine is much like the average college student. She is not much of a morning person, “I don’t wake up well, but I never forget to eat breakfast.” She then goes to class, does her homework and spends her evenings at marching band practice, or hanging out with her roommate.

When asked ‘what lies ahead for you?’ May replied “I really want to write for an engineering company; I like to write more technical stuff.” She said she plans on getting married after she graduates, sometime in 2012. “My fiancé wants to move to France, but I don’t know about that!”

"Hella" Crazy about Horses

By Samantha Hernandez

FORT COLLINS, Colo. --
Sitting cross-legged on the floor of our Corbett dorm room with CSI Miami in the background, Amanda Dingley giggles as I conduct our “professional” interview.

Dingley was born in Phoenix where she lived for four years before she moved to San Jose, California. Being a northern “Cali” girl at heart, “hella”, a slang word meaning really or very, is embedded in her vocabulary.

She discovered her love for horses at the young age of two. Years later Dingley took the long drive out to Fort Collins, Colorado with her “cartoon-faced” horse Remi for CSU’s Equine Science Program. Dingley aspires to become an equine vet, specializing in nutrition which shows through the clubs she has joined early in her freshman year here at Colorado State University. She plans on being very active in the Pre-Vet Club, Rodeo Club, and the English Riding Club. When I asked Dingley about Remi, her Belgian Warmblood, she responded with a big smile, “I seriously have the best horse in the whole world.” She went on to tell me about his demeanor and his unique facial expressions.

Dingley’s fun cowgirl personality shined when I decided to end the interview with her excitedly saying, “I found a place to go mechanical bull riding!”

Success Tips from Tara

By T.M. Luker

"FORT COLLINS, Colo- With a timid demeanor and soft tone of voice, a first glance profile of Tara Demuth would be one of a person who is lost in her journey toward the future. This, I came to learn is just a cover to the true person that lies beneath a pleasant smile.

Her approach to life with a ‘jump in head first’ attitude is made even more evident through her success in swimming and relay running.

When asked about her opinions of the importance of healthy competition in children’s lives, Demuth replied; “Any sport teaches you how to overcome failure.”

Since she has continued her athleticism into her college years as a swimmer for the CSU traveling team, failure has yet to become an option for the All-American dreamer.

A father who is a lawyer, and a loving mother who choose to devote her time vigorously to Tara and her twin sister, Tasia, would for most, leave a trail of pressure. Because of this, Demuth’s first instinct was to become a doctor. After taking extensive math and sciences class which she loved, however, her sinister vision of needles set that dream aside.

As of late, Demuth is still experimenting with the path she needs to achieve this aspiration, but her dream job would be to work in a fashion magazine in New York (as inspired by the movie ‘The Devil Wears Prada’). She also wants to travel, and experience multiple fashion cultures to introduce to the U.S.

Her constant positivity and ability to remain collected is inspiring to those growing negative and even worrisome about their own uncertainties, and that rare quality makes Tara Demuth a character worth knowing.
Reply Forward"

Nick Hensley: “This is like Speed-Dating!”

By Janelle Kienast

Fort Collins, Colo—If floating down the Colorado River with an
inflatable mattress sounds like fun, then Nick Hensley is your go
to guy.

I met Nick on August 19th and this is when we were given the
assignment to interview each other and write a profile on their life.
Heavy tasks for someone you have just met, but I guess this is the way
journalism works.

While rambling off many pointless questions, Nick jokingly says “This
assignment is like speed-dating.” That statement not only made our
professor start laughing, but also gave the class a taste of Nick’s
sense of humor. We bonded over our obsession to ESPN and sports, and
through this discussion I discovered he was a golfer. He may be a
sports fanatic like me, however; snowboarder no longer falls under his
category of favorites. Through our interview he pointed out a scar on
his left knee, and went into a deep explanation of how he tore his ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus in a snowboarding accident.

Newly turned 21 year old Nick Hensley pointed out that he could see
himself in the journalism world as a sports columnist. He is
currently majoring in public relations and is a junior at Colorado
State University. However, his roots and upbringing stem from Grand
Junction, Colorado.

I asked him if growing up in a smaller community had any influence on
where he would want to live in the future and he said “I could never
see myself living in a big city like New York.” Meaning he most
definitely is not a Yankees fan!

The Dive

By Erin Eastburn

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Tasia Demuth, a sophomore at Colorado State University, stands on the swimming block, thinking of the race before her. As a member of the Colorado State University swimming team, she thinks of her personal goals while she gets into her starting position. As she stares at her reflection in the water, her life seems to split before her; what she knows contrasted by the life she pictures for herself at the end of the race.

As she dives off the swimming block into the semi-cold water, the other half of her brain is tugging her focus away from her coming in first. “I started swimming when I was nine, and have been competitively swimming since I was eleven,” Demuth said. “It’s part of me, but I don’t want it to be the only thing people associate with me.”

Swimming has become a daily routine that has granted Demuth numerous accomplishments. These swimming accomplishments include going to sectionals but also gaining life-long friendships.

As she swims the final stretch, Demuth is focused in her swimming career but is also finding new dreams and aspirations in the public relations industry. “I would love to work big events,” Demuth says with a smile.

These interest in the public relations and fashion industries seem to be Demuth's new drive and passion. With the stretch of her hand, Demuth makes the final push to continue to grow as a swimmer and future fashion and public relations professional.

Closer to dreams, A far ways from home

by J.A. Dandridge

FORT COLLINS Colo. — As I enter the newly refurbished statistics classroom in the all too predictable Clark A 101, Jaime Tavarez excitedly greets a familiar face. He welcomes me into his space after knowing me for just a few days; that’s the kind of person he is, warm and hospitable.

Tavarez says he “woke up to the plain view of small Texas town called, Plainveiw.” He took off to a new majestic life surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Tavarez, a twenty year old student is taking his dreams to a higher elevation as he attends Colorado State University for his third year. His interests lie in becoming involved with public relations, or the communications field. There is no doubt this triple threat will be successful in his endeavors. Tavarez currently majors in business marketing, and journalism; he hopes to soon minor in graphic design. With those three areas of study in hand, it is not difficult to see this young man extending his talents to the journalism field as a major media influence. Tavarez certainly has options once he finishes his degree programs.

Although he is far from home, Tavarez still holds close to his deep foundation. While in school he participates in a small fraternity, a bond that reflects the nearness of his home town. Sigma Nu is a close nit brotherhood that creates an atmosphere for leadership in a needy community. Tavarez has always been the younger of two older brothers as well. Now, even as he is far from her, he is leaving behind an example for his younger sister Jocelyn, who he is seven years apart from him.

As Tavarez moves closer to his dreams, the light ahead of him will always coincide with the light from his home and past.