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WHITEWASH
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Liz Brooks, a freshman physical education major
from Odgen, throws snow at Derek Niggemeier, a freshman
physical education major from Las Vegas. Sunday’s
storm was the first significant precipitation in
the region since December.
KEN HANSEN / UNIVERSITY JOURNAL
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SU reacts to
tragedy of shuttle
By ELIZABETH MILLER
UNIVERSITY JOURNAL
The tragic destruction of Columbia on Saturday morning
hit SUU students in a variety of ways, including flashbacks
to when the Challenger exploded in 1986.
“We were totally shocked when we heard about [the
Columbia] this morning,” said Adam AhQuin, a sophomore
psychology major from Hurricane. AhQuin was in Texas with
the gymnastic team at the time of the explosion.
“It totally reminded all of us of when the Challenger
exploded,” AhQuin said. “It was shocking.
I was in first grade.”
Jason VanOrman, a junior psychology major from Ephraim,
said his thoughts immediately turned to the Challenger
explosion when he heard of the Columbia explosion.
“I remember watching takeoff (of the Challenger)
and at the blow up, I didn’t understand,”
VanOrman said. “My teacher started freaking
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out and explained what happened.”VanOrman said he
was not as shocked with the situation as he would have been
because he had watched the Challenger explosion.
“It brought the same feelings,” he said.
Carolyn Sloat, a junior broadcast major from Jacksonville,
N.C., was watching TV at a friend’s house when she
learned of the explosion.
“I was thinking when the last one was,” Sloat
said. “It’s been such a long time since things
went wrong with NASA.”
Sloat said she watched the tragedy as it was replayed on
the TV.
“It pretty much was in a ball of fire as it came to
the ground,” Sloat said. “I was wondering if
any debris hurt anyone on the ground, but no reports have
been made.”
President Bush’s address brought feelings of comfort
to those in Texas as well as Cedar City.
“When President Bush was addressing the nation, everyone
was stopped and just watching,” AhQuin said. “I
don’t know if it was because Bush is from Texas, but
it was awesome.”
AhQuin said the president quoted a passage from Isaiah that
no soul passes unknown.
“He wished well the souls of seven to be returned
home,” AhQuin said.
Verlene Schafer, a senior education major from Cedar City,
was moved by Bush’s remarks.
“I was really impressed with Bush and how he handled
the situation,” Schafer said. “He allowed his
religion to express his reaction to the situation.”
Schafer said she will mourn and pray with the families of
those affected by this tragedy.
“It’s extremely sad because these are extremely
bright individuals that the country has lost,” Sloat
said. “They are brilliant.”
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Student accused of rape
By ELIZABETH MILLER
UNIVERSITY JOURNAL
Cedar City Police have issued an arrest warrant for an SUU student
who is charged with aggravated sexual assault and aggravated
kidnapping, both first-degree felonies, in connection with an
incident that took place off campus Jan. 25.
Joseph S. Taunton, a freshman sociology major from Cedar City,
is being sought by police, Sgt. Dave Holm said.
As of Sunday night, investigators still had not located the
suspect, a police dispatcher said.
Holm said Taunton was last seen on Thursday, hitchhiking on
Main Street near Hermies.
Bail for Taunton is set at $500,000 cash only, Holm said.
The alleged kidnapping and rape occurred on Jan. 25 on Crosshollow
Road near Wal-Mart.
Holm said Taunton is accused of pulling a knife on the victim
and telling her “to do what he said and she would not
get hurt.”
The assailant then raped the victim, Holm said. The threat of
physical violence prompted the aggravated kidnapping charge,
he said.
Taunton and the victim were acquainted but were not close friends.
The rape was not classified as date rape, Holm said.
Cedar City Police have dealt with Taunton in the past, Holm
said, although he did not elaborate.
Information about Taunton’s whereabouts should be reported
to the police at 586-2956.
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