Ball raises $1,000 for a scholarship honoring deceased Utah State student
The College of Natural Resources held its 64th annual Loggers’ Ball on Thursday night at Hamilton’s restaurant. The Ball was used to help raise funds for the new Jessica Clark Tayon scholarship.
The event raised more than $1000 for the scholarship. People were encouraged to donate during the days leading up to the Ball and during the event itself. Donors were entered into a drawing to win various prizes.
The drawing was held midway through the night. Among the prizes were two Beaver Mountain ski passes, a nature photo tour, an elk hunt, an antelope hunt, and a chainsaw. Daniel Reynolds was the winner of the chainsaw. When his name was announced, he jumped up smiling, pulled his wife Crystal to her feet, and kissed her in front of the whole crowd.
Dr. Fee Busby, the winner of the antelope hunt, had a different response to winning his prize. He told James Stuart, the CNR senator who was officiating at the drawing, to either sell it to someone else at the Ball or on eBay to raise more money for the scholarship.
The scholarship is in honor of Jessica Clark Tayon, a student in the College of Natural Resources who passed away on Jan. 15. Alan Clark, Jessica’s father, said that creating the scholarship was an opportunity to help someone achieve what Jessica wasn’t able to reach. “If she’s not here to do it herself, she’s contributing to make it happen,” he said.
Alan Clark is a wildlife biologist, and the assistant director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. He said that Jessica had long wanted to be wildlife biologist as well. From an early age she went with him to do various jobs, including placing radio collars on hibernating bears.
He said that Jessica wanted to work for the state as a wildlife biologist and the scholarship may go to students with similar goals. Since there are already a number of scholarships for upperclassmen, this scholarship will most likely go to newer students, he said.
The Loggers’ Ball was not just a scholarship fundraiser, however. “The purpose is to get students and faculty to interact, number one, to know the professors outside of the classroom,” Stuart said. It was a very social event, and included a live bluegrass band.
The Loggers’ Ball is an old tradition that dates back to the days when the college was known as the College of Forestry. It has become less and less emphasized over recent years. The CNR Student Council is trying to rejuvenate the ball, and a make it a high-quality event that people can be proud of, said Adam Brewster, CNR Student Council President.
Before the prize drawing, Brewster and Stuart gave a scrapbook of thoughts about Jessica and a framed photograph of her on a summer internship to Jessica’s husband, Scott Tayon, and her parents, Alan and Linda Clark.
They also recognized two professors in the College of Natural Resources, Dr. Cliff Craig and Dr. John Malechek, for their diligent work. Stuart also announced to the audience that Katie Santini would be the new CNR senator.
-dpedwards@cc.usu.edu