Not so mean after all, the Grinch visits Southern Utah schools, hands out special gifts

ST. GEORGE — A green visitor straight out of Whoville visited Utah Tech University and students from local schools last Thursday, bestowing gifts to teachers, staff and students.

The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who visited local elementary schools and Utah Tech on Thursday, St. George, Utah, Dec. 1, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who, main characters from the Dr. Seuss classic children’s book and video “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” made their way around town during an event organized by Balance of Nature, a national company that provides vitamin, nutrition and health products.

The Grinch’s makeup was prepared by professional experts and played by one of the company’s executives. The company, however, did not release the name of the executive.

But Jason Clement, a Balance of Nature representative, did tell St. George News this event was all about spreading a bit of holiday cheer.

“A few minutes just to walk through campuses and cause a little Christmas cheer is what it is all about,” Clement said.

The visitations at select elementary schools and the university began at 7:30 a.m. and went until almost 9 p.m. Youth attended assemblies and had a chance to see the Grinch and Cindy Lou, while Utah Tech saw “the mean one” running around campus.

The Grinch stopped by Utah Tech at about 4 p.m. and was seen distributing papers to Trailblazer Athletics personnel and coaches, gifts of jury duty summons and eviction notices, as well as munching on onions.

His trek around campus started at the Burns Center, where he visited the athletics offices and headed down to the Greater Zion Stadium to spend time with the Trailblazer baseball team, stopping to pose for a photo.

He talked to coaches and pleaded for a football scholarship to play on the line. He and Cindy Lou were even given a tour by Ken Beazer, executive director of intercollegiate athletics.

“This is just a lot of fun, and the students and student-athletes love it,” Beazer said.

The Grinch then visited the academic counseling offices, presenting gifts to students and taking selfies. Malena Noriega, a freshman communications major, and Kaylee Vaughan, a freshman psychology major, were working the front desk and were taken by surprise but loved their gifts. Both students are from Ogden.

“I got an eviction notice, and I love it,” Noriega said.

Her work partner showed off the gift she had received.

“I got jury duty, and hopefully, I get out of it,” Vaughan said.

The holiday visitors went throughout the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons and Library and along Trailblazer Boulevard.

Then after running around campus, leaving his green mark, the Grinch left at approximately 5 p.m. with a small message for all to hear: “Christmas is not about presents. It’s not about me. It’s not about gifts, expensive or free. It’s not about what’s in your cart but helping others and the size of your heart.”

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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