Dennis Effing Busch

I wish I could remember the first time I met Dennis Michael Busch. It had to be early freshman year. He was the hall director of the dorm I lived in. In the last 5 years he has become my rock. He's always been in Cedar; always encouraged me in everything I've done. I jokingly refer to him as my life mentor to many but that's really what he is. He worked for housing and I wanted to work for housing. When I hated the first two communication classes I took (schnifty nifties!) he encouraged me to try other teachers in the department. When he ran for Academic VP I helped him put up signs at 2am using the housing mule, and wore his shirt with pride. When he worked for Alumni Relations, I soon followed. When I decided to run for Activities VP, he was there for me, for every breakdown during the campaign and term, and was more than willing to help at any activity when asked. And as if to not miss a single detail of trying to be like him, I also finished math (fingers crossed) in the summer. I sit here in an empty Alumni House with my eyes a little moist because today is his last day in Cedar. He'll finish up a few items here and pack up his car and drive to Salt Lake tonight for what I'm sure will be an amazing adventure as the new PR and Marketing Director at the Riree-Woodbury Dance Company. I can't imagine a Cedar City with out Dennis Busch. He is truly one of the best men I've ever met.

Virginia Slims

I'm sitting on my bed, my legs and feet are on fire, and I can't even begin to count or organize the emotions in my body right now. Tonight was the opening ceremonies of the 2011 Utah Summer Games. Nothing went as planned, and let's be honest, nothing ever does. To give you an idea, it down poured during pre-show on all our lovely brand new video equipment, the torch didn't have gas, my headsets never worked, and the wind was too high for our sky divers.

And I LOVED every minute of it. I wish I could explain in words the adrenaline it produces. I saw a boy who has spent months on this, stressed to the max, on an injured knee, jamming out like there wasn't a care in the world. He understands the adrenaline.

But as it wound down and the crew started to leave, it hit me. This is most likely the last time I'll work with these people. From the grounds crew, to facilities, the fire marshall, the electrician, Poll Sound, the Advancement and Summer Games staff, and most important, Dennis Effing Busch. The last four years these people have taken care of me, taught me, and become my family. We really do have to most amazing crew.

What am I going to do without them?

Triple Deuce

The 222nd division of the National Guard is based out of none other than Cedar City, UT. When I was a freshman they had just returned from a tour Iraq and that's all I really knew about them. Throughout the last 5 years I have learned more about them, met people who served, and heard stories of their families. Cedar has become my home in those 5 years and even though I don't know most of the men in the 222nd I love them because they are Cedar City. This past year a boy named Sam joined SUUSA and he was also in the 222nd which we found out in December were being deployed again. They leave on Saturday and last night I went to a send off for them in the Centrum. It was pathetic. They hadn't advertised the event at all, it was horribly produced, but worst of all no one was there. It made me think a lot about my profession of choice and how big of a difference a good event can make. I felt bad for those soldiers and their families who were giving so much and had to sit through that pitiful event. Then I started thinking about how much they were really giving up. It's one of the most selfless acts they can do on this earth and I am so grateful for the men and women who serve in the military everyday.

I'm obsessed with this country. Have you ever really thought about how absolutely wonderful it is to wake up in the morning and know you can express yourself however you want without fear of prosecution? As a very opinionated women it's something I can't be thankful enough for. I know this country was founded by divine revelation so that there would be a nation where Christ's true church could be restored and thrive in. I feel so blessed to be a citizen of that nation. So to the men of the Triple Deuce, come home safe. And to everyone else who has served and is currently serving, thank you from the very bottom of my heart.