The Dixie Sun

Issue date: 11/16/09 Section: Lifestyles

Media Credit: Adam Metcalf From bottom, freshman Alex Longmire, a business major from London, England, and sophomore Katie Bock, a marketing major from Grand Junction, Colo., show off their latest status symbols commonly seen in St. George. Some people say although status symbols, such as designer jeans and wedding rings, are common, they are not the only factor involved in making new friends.

Students use status symbols as a way to fit in with peers and project their individualism.

Lindsey Christensen, a senior communication major from Huntsville, said people pursue status symbols to conform to a particular group or for personal validation.

Christensen said she has seen more exclusivity with cliques this year than her previous years at Dixie State College. The effect of this separation because of status has a negative impact on the communal spirit of Dixie State College, Christensen said.

"Students that don't belong to certain groups, they don't feel welcome to come," Christensen said.

The commute that some students make also impacts how they participate with others on campus.

Taylor Reardon, a senior integrated studies major from Las Vegas, does not think all trends on campus can be good. Reardon cited how a friend's ostentatious choice of True Religion jeans is reminiscent of a fiesta gone awry.

"They are pretty terrible actually," Reardon said.

However, people buy them because it's a way to stand out or promote an image. Reardon admitted he bought his purple shoes for the same reason.

He said: "Some girls drive the Mazda3. It's a personality thing and image reflects a personality."

Ashley Lafeen, a junior communication major from Murray, said a status symbol, like a nice car, does make a difference when choosing someone to date.

"Definitely you look at that when you go to date [someone]," Lafeen said.

Such symbols make it easy to assume he or she has a good job which affects your opinion when taking a social interest in a fellow student, Lafeen said.

Continued...

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