BYU-Hawaii Student Activities, in collaboration with University Communications, celebrated the 60-year anniversary of David O. McKay’s historic campus groundbreaking with a Spirit Week focused on the future and potential of all students.“Spirit Week was something like our homecoming week. It celebrated the 60-year anniversary of the school’s opening,” said Robert Justin Evans, the BYUHSA Student Executive Secretary and senior from Arizona studying accounting.Spirit Week began on Jan. 31 at the Seasider basketball game against California Baptist University where students were given free black T-shirts. As the week progressed, events like the annual flag raising and the Skate Escape dance took place.“I felt proud and homesick while raising the flag,” said Le Sirena Rudolph, a senior from Guam studying psychology. “I hope to do my home and family proud while I am here attending school.” The flag raising ceremony is an annual ceremony, according to BYUHSA, to bring together the more than 70 countries represented here on campus.In addition to the flag raising, students were able to participate in the Skate Escape dance on Feb. 6. The Little Circle was transformed into a roller rink allowing students on boards, skates and blades to show off their talent and socialize. The idea was for students to come together and do something fun and easy at the center of the school’s campus, according to Evans. Finally, as the weekend made way for weekdays, Spirit Week resumed with students in specific types of attire like gold shirts and professional suits. The Spirit Week activities “Genuine Gold Day” and “Dress Red Day” were opportunities for students to express their school spirit. Students received candy and free food if they wore red or gold. “I was able to participate by wearing the appropriate color or outfit,” said Jeffery Whiting, a sophomore from Arizona studying exercise and sport science. “It was nice to actually get involved in school activities. It brings everyone together.”Closing out Spirit Week was the annual David O. McKay Lecture given by Dr. Roger Goodwill entitled “Just One.” The annual lecture, established in 1962, is part of an annual series designed to expand academic insight and teach moral values, according to the BYUH website.Uploaded Feb. 19, 2015.
Writer: Jared Roberts
