Merry Christmas 2010!

Hello friends and fellow students,

We just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. We hope you are enjoying a safe and happy break from school, and are able to spend some time with those you love. Here's a particularly powerful quote from President Monson, given at the recent First Presidency Christmas Devotional:

"There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ... Let it be a time of prayers for peace, for the preservation of free principles, and for the protection of those who are far from us. Let it be a time of forgetting self and finding time for others. Let it be a time for discarding the meaningless and for stressing the true values. Let it be a time of peace because we have found peace in His teachings. Most of all, let it be a time to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the Wise Men. My brothers and sisters, may the spirit of love which comes at Christmastime fill our homes and our lives and linger there long after the tree is down and the lights are put away for another year."

As Tiny Tim would say—God bless us, every one! :)

2010 MPAA Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

With good food, seasonal songs, and outrageous outfits, this year's Ugly Sweater Christmas Party was a smashing success. Everyone had the chance to relax and chow down on sandwiches and cookies while listening to some Christmas classics. We even had live entertainment by Justin Bieber... or Eric Nay. :)



Then came time to show off the sweaters! We had seven wonderful contestants: Shawn Metcalf, Karleen Watson, Matthew Harvey, Garrett DaBell, Morgan Shaw, Rachel Finley, and Richard Rowley. After a round of cheering to determine the finalists, Shawn, Matthew, and Richard were selected for the ultimate competition: an ugly sweater WALK-OFF!!!



To the tune of "Santa Baby," each had the chance to strut their stuff in front of the audience. All three made quite an impression—Richard pulled out some disco-era moves, Matthew had a GQ-like expression to complement the giant cat face on his chest, and Shawn shimmied his way across the floor.




In the end, Richard received the ugly sweater cookie grand prize. Congratulations, Richard! (Did you really borrow that sweater from your mom? LOL) A big thanks to all who came to join in on the fun, and GOOD LUCK during finals. Remember, Christmas—and a two-week break—are just around the corner! As Richard said in his acceptance speech: "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night."






P.S. Ikani announced an MPAA t-shirt design competition at the party. Check here later for a posting of the guidelines.