A-Day proceeds help 8-year-old girl in need
A-Day is one of the largest traditions at Utah State University, and this year students will participate in fun activities that will raise money for an 8-year-old girl to receive the medical attention she needs said A-Day Vice President Meghan Johnson.
The tradition started in 1910 and USU has held a day that students could do service and give something back to the school or community ever since. Johnson said A-Day began as a day for students to wash windows, help cook meals and do various acts of service that would benefit the school.
This day has evolved over the years to be a whole week when students can help out the community or certain people in the Cache Valley area by raising money through various activities such as benefit concerts and the “Day-on-the-Quad,” Johnson said.
Paola Bardales, 8, has been chosen as the person from the community that the proceeds will go to. She suffers from craniofrontonasal dysplasia and needs the money to help with all the operations she has gone through and the ones that are yet to come.
According to a biography entitled “Paola’s Story,” when Bardale’s mom was pregnant she was thrown down a flight of stairs and was forced to deliver her daughter that same day. Paola Bardales was born with this disorder that makes her brain keep growing, but her scull doesn’t. She has gone through major reconstruction operations on her face and skull. Bardales’ past surgeries have surpassed $1 million and the family is facing another scheduled operation on Nov. 15 to treat her condition.
USU would like this girl to be the one to benefit from the week of service, Johnson said. A-Day provides a good opportunity for students to get involved and make a difference in this girl’s life, she said.
Johnson said the members of the Student Alumni Association looked over many organized charities and found that Bardales needed the most help.
“We feel that this little girl could use the proceeds the most and she would definitely benefit the most from it,” Johnson said.
There are many fun activities and projects planned that students can get involved in. Johnson said students can look forward to good food, comedy acts, music, movies, dances and games. Being part of this week will help USU make a difference in Bardales’ life.
This year, A-Day will take place the week of April 11 and the chosen theme is “Heck Yes, It’s A-Day.”
“We want everyone to get involved and USU looks forward to taking part in this good cause,” Johnson said.
-speery@cc.usu.edu