Mormon Girl with Welsh Ancestry, attending School at Brigham Young University

So, I am taking a Multicultural Education class, and our assignment is to chose 3 artifacts that represent us socially, culturally, and ethnically. We should have them laying around home that represent our background, traditions, and daily activities. While I don't have a lot to identify my culture, I do have a bit.

And, what I have noticed about all three of these artifacts, is that they all are interconnected...one causes the other and is reflective of all.

Mormon

These 3 necklace medallions represent my time as a child/youth in the LDS (Mormon)  church. They are: Gospel in Action award, symbol of the Young Women, and my Personal Progress award.  Other Mormon artifacts include my scriptures, temple recommend, LDS books, etc.

These three medallions are very precious to me--they remind me that I am Mormon, the most important factor in my life. My religion is my life--on both sides of the family, we have been Mormon since the founding of the Church in 1830. Mormonism is more than a Sunday religion, it is a way of life, a sub-culture of its own. Everyday I do Mormon things--say daily prayers, read my scriptures, dress modestly, try to be kind to others. I am proud to be a Mormon. I do my best everyday to try to live as my Savior, Jesus Christ, and my Heavenly Father and Mother would want me to. Because I am Mormon, I decided to go to Brigham Young University. Because of what I believe, I will marry a Mormon and raise my children as Mormons.

BYU Cougar

This is a cute sock-monkey keychain with the Y of Brigham Young University on it. I also have numerous BYU shirts, jackets, and socks.

I am proud to be a cougar and bleed blue!!! Brigham Young University is a private university owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). Ever since I knew BYU existed, I have wanted to come here for school. It was actually the only college I applied to. I didn't go because I was expected to (as some Mormon youth are), but because I wanted to. BYU has wonderful programs and I love being a part of it. I feel that it is even more of my culture because my uncles and cousins went to University of Utah, our rival. Thus, they wear red and support the Utes, and I wear blue and cheer for cougars--I have to stand up for my college and explain why I chose to live in the Mormon bubble. It has shaped my life because of that.

Welsh

This is a map of Wales in the 16th century that I bought in Wales for only 2 pounds! Other Welsh artifacts include a flag, earrings, shirts, Welsh history and language books, Welsh love spoon, Welsh dragon.

I am somewhere between a 1/16th and an 1/8th Welsh. True, I have more Danish in my blood, hence my last name, but I feel closer to my Welsh heritage. Maybe that's because I have always been interested in Celtic culture and medieval history. In 6th grade, we had a heritage project, and someone else was already doing Denmark, so I wasn't allowed to. Mom told me we were Welsh and when I did some research, I fell in love. Here at BYU, I started taking Welsh language course and now, after three years, am pretty proficient. Summer of 2010, I went to Wales on a study abroad and never felt more at home. I am currently the Welsh Club president as well. Wales has invaded my life and I love doing my Welsh family history. I am invested in Welsh politics, especially when it comes to supporting the spread of the language. Because of my passionate interest and investment in Wales, I will always claim my Welsh heritage over my Danish heritage.