By Victoria Langdorf
BYU”s Unforum 2002 will dazzle audiences with singing, dancing, and video presentations, as well as pay tribute to outstanding BYU individuals.
The production will include performances by Swing Kids, the Break Dance Club, BYU Cougarettes, Steppers and BYU Women”s Chorus.
President Merrill J. Bateman will briefly address the audience and the Brigham Awards will be presented to members of the BYU community who have performed outstanding service.
“I think students can expect a lot of action and performance,” said Ashley Barker, program director for the Unforum.
“It”ll be really exciting because they (the audience) will get a spiritual aspect throughout the program but on top of that they will be entertained by what”s going on,” Barker said.
Barker, 19, a sophomore from Salt Lake City majoring in international development, volunteered through BYUSA to plan the event and she said it will be worthwhile for students.
“This year”s Unforum is an opportunity to not only celebrate the past year”s events at BYU, but it is also an exploration of our heritage, our futures and our divine potential as children of God,” said Jennifer Ishihara, 21, a senior from Gorham, Maine, majoring in English.
“It”s a chance for students to see the achievements of our student body, athletic programs and other extracurricular activities here at the university,” Ishihara said.
Ishihara is a volunteer for BYUSA and media committee chair for the Unforum.
Barker said the theme for the Unforum, “What the World Needs Now…” was the result of much brainstorming.
The theme was originally inspired by the book “The Greatest Generation,” Barker said.
“The World War II generation did some things that really inspired me and I thought we could parallel some of their events to what has happened to us this past year,” she said.
Barker said the program will uplift and inspire people and help them take pride in their talents.
“Those World War II events, spawned a great generation and these 9-11 events, I think, have spawned another great generation that we can look to as an example,” she said.
Planning the event was no easy task for Barker and the rest of the BYUSA volunteers and staff.
Jared Baker, 22, a senior from Glendale, Calif., majoring in economics, said his experience as the advertising committee chair for the Unforum taught him some things.
“There”s a lot of red tape and trying to satisfy everyone”s demands,” he said. “But it”s made me appreciate all of the behind the scenes work done to make this university run.”
