"The Ghost and Molly McGuire" is a captivating tale that explores the paranormal encounters of a young girl named Molly. The story revolves around Molly's connection with a ghost, known as the Curs, which haunts her family's house. Molly is an ordinary twelve-year-old girl who lives in a small town. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she starts experiencing strange occurrences in her house. Shadows move, objects levitate, and eerie noises fill the air. Molly is initially frightened by these events, but her curiosity compels her to investigate further.

SDSU Aztec mascot to become ‘Spirit Leader’

In a lengthy statement published last week, SDSU President Sally Roush announced that the SDSU Aztec will remain the school’s official nickname, but noted that “there will be immediate and visible changes in demeanor” in order to make the Aztec portrayal less offensive.

“The use of the Aztec moniker will continue,” the statement reads. “It is a source of pride for the collective majority of those who responded to the surveys or volunteered their views.”

Roush explained that the university will reclassify its mascot, the Aztec Warrior, as a “Spirit Leader,” but will not change its current name.

“The Aztec Warrior, similarly a source of pride for the collective majority, will be retained, but as Spirit Leader, not mascot,” she stated. “There will be immediate and visible changes in demeanor to achieve a respectful portrayal of a powerful figure from Aztec culture.”

“We will undertake an effort to assess whether to add other meaningful symbols, marks, or representations, including historically accurate animal symbols that capture the intellectual sophistication, power, and bravery of the Aztec civilization,” Roush added.

The decision was made in the wake of an April 30 report issued by the 2018 Aztec Identity Task Force, which Roush established following an SDSU University Senate resolution to remove the Aztec moniker and mascot, which passed with a vote of 52-15.

The task force based its recommendations partially on surveys of people of interest, such as alumni, students, faculty and staff, and members of the community. According to the report, approximately 88 percent of respondents supported the continued use of the Aztec moniker, and about 78 percent supported the continued use of the Aztec mascot.

Notably, the survey also found that faculty/staff members were least supportive of both propositions when compared to alumni, students, and community members.

The SDSU College Republicans have remained critical of the university’s decision, however, declaring that the move is “a step toward the end goal of removing the Aztec, our Aztec warrior, [and] a beloved part of SDSU tradition.”

“While the human mascot will be retained, a task force will be assessing whether or not to remove other well-known symbols such as the spear logo, the shield, and other warrior symbols,” the College Republicans wrote.

Additionally, CR Chairman Madison Marks-Noble claimed in an interview with Campus Reform that Roush’s decision was made in order to satisfy “people like the members of the Native American Alliance and Professor Monge” without having to be saddled with “the legacy of removing the mascot.”

Both the SDSU Native American Student Alliance (SDSU NASA) and SDSU Professor Oscar Monge have been very active in pushing for the retirement of the Aztec mascot.

In November 2017, for instance, SDSU NASA organized a demonstration outside the University Senate Chambers, which was debating the fate of the Aztec mascot. Demonstrators were instructed to cover their mouths with tape that read #NotYourMascotSDSU in an effort to show that the university was silencing Native American voices.

Monge has been one of the leading voices in the fight to remove the Aztec mascot, and was recently found by the California Department of Justice to have engaged in “discrimination based on race, racial harassment, and retaliation” against a white female student, as Campus Reform reported in January.

According to The Daily Aztec, the student withdrew from Monge’s class after the lecturer threatened her grade following her critique of his position on the Aztec mascot.

Campus Reform reached out to SDSU NASA and Professor Oscar Monge, but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @SkylerShibuya

Aztec Warrior Is New San Diego State Mascot

With a landslide that would be the envy of any politician, Aztec Warrior has been endorsed by students and alumni as the official mascot of San Diego State, officials announced Thursday.

President Stephen L. Weber, who had promised to abide by the vote, said Aztec Warrior will make his debut this spring, ending two mascot-less years for the university since the banishment of Monty Montezuma. “There’s a clear sense among students and alumni that we like and are proud of our affiliation with the Aztecs,” Weber said.

He had called for the vote in hopes of bringing closure to the divisive issue. Although popular with students and alumni, Aztec Warrior was scorned by some Latino and Native American groups as racist.

“I guess it’s official now: People of color are considered as subhuman mascots,” said former San Diego State student Gloria Gonzalez.

Students endorsed Aztec Warrior by 78% to 22% in two days of voting last week. Nearly 30% of the university’s 33,676 students voted, the highest turnout for a student election in campus history. Members of the Alumni Assn. and Aztec Athletic Foundation backed Aztec Warrior by 88% to 12%. Of 12,537 alums eligible to vote, 38% cast ballots.

After Weber removed the longtime mascot, Monty Montezuma, as culturally offensive and historically incorrect, the Aztec Warrior costume was designed by a group of alumni.

Played by Carlos Gutierrez, a former San Diego State student, Aztec Warrior roamed the stands at Qualcomm Stadium for two seasons encouraging fans to root for the university’s football team, the Aztecs. Since he was not an official mascot, he was not allowed on the field. With the vote and Weber’s decision, that ban is now lifted.

Before calling for the vote, Weber had the costume redesigned by a scholar on Aztec culture. Unlike Monty Montezuma, who represented an Aztec emperor, the new mascot is meant to represent a rank-and-file warrior.

Although the two costumes are similar, Monty had a larger headdress and preferred a loincloth, whereas Aztec Warrior is more modest in his attire.

Backers of the new figure were exultant over the vote.

“It’s been embarrassing to be the only Division 1 team without a mascot,” said Bruce Johnson, president of the Aztec Warrior Foundation. “Not anymore: Aztec Warrior is back. It’s cool.”

Douglas Oden, president of the San Diego chapter of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the results. His group had opposed using Aztec Warrior as a mascot. “I think people who do not have a history of discrimination find it difficult to understand how other people can be sensitive about the inappropriate use of a figure from their culture,” he said. “Just because the majority rules, that doesn’t make it right.”

Gutierrez, who was Monty Montezuma from 1990 to 1998, has signed with the university to continue portraying Aztec Warrior. As Monty, he was known for running on the field with a flaming spear. Aztec Warrior will also carry a spear.

“This vote tells me we were right the whole time,” he said. “We’ve proved the fighting spirit of the San Diego Aztecs, and we prevailed.”

Tony Perry is the former San Diego bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times.

SDSU Will Keep Aztec Nickname, Modify Mascot

San Diego State mascot the Aztec Warrior comes onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Boise State Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.

Outgoing San Diego State University President Sally Roush announced Thursday that the university will retain the Aztec moniker and create a more culturally sensitive version of its Aztec Warrior mascot.

The decision comes after years of debate over the university's depiction of indigenous peoples, and increased national scrutiny of sports teams and school depictions of cultural groups.

"The use of the Aztec moniker will continue. It is a source of pride for the collective majority of those who responded to the surveys or volunteered their views," Roush wrote in an open letter.

SDSU sent more than 200,000 survey forms to alumni, faculty and staff, students and the community to gather opinion on the Aztec nickname and mascot. Nearly 13,000 people replied, according to the university.

In her letter, Roush said the Aztec Warrior will be retained as a "spirit leader," but not a mascot, and there will be "immediate and visible changes in demeanor to achieve a respectful portrayal" of the figure.

"We will undertake an effort to assess whether to add other meaningful symbols, marks or representations, including historically accurate animal symbols that capture the intellectual sophistication, power and bravery of the Aztec civilization," Roush wrote.

Additionally, Roush called for the creation of a governing body chaired by the university president to address issues related to SDSU's Aztec "identity."

The Aztec Culture Education Committee, formed during the 2016-17 school year, will also reconvene and be formally institutionalized with the addition of Native American representatives. The group is responsible for recommending additional cultural and co-curricular programming related to Aztec history and culture.

Members will also recommend the meaningful inclusion of local Native American tribes in SDSU functions.

The nicknames "Monty" and "Zuma," which reference the word Montezuma, will be dropped immediately.

Roush's decisions were informed by the work of a 17-member task force of students, faculty, staff, alumni and other members. The task force was convened in February after SDSU's Senate overwhelmingly voted to issue a nonbinding resolution recommending the university retire the Aztec Warrior and create a task force to evaluate the university's Aztec nickname.

Adela de la Torre, a social justice expert who will become SDSU's permanent president in late June, supports Roush's decision.

"I thank President Roush, the University Senate and the task force for their leadership and for their respectful and widely consultative approach to this issue, and recognize the cultural sensitivity surrounding SDSU's historical and continued use of the Aztec moniker," de la Torre said.

SDSU Passes Resolution to Retire Aztec Warrior Mascot

The San Diego State University (SDSU) Senate passed a resolution to end the use of the Aztec Warrior mascot on Tuesday evening.

The two-part resolution was passed 52-15, with two abstentions, to retire all human representations of the school's current mascot and to establish a task force to explore issues relating to the Aztec moniker, SDSU said in a statement.

All symbols of the Aztec warrior would also be retired.

On Thursday, students and staff expressed mixed opinions about the possibility of a new mascot.

"I can see why Native Americans would be offended," said student Vicky Lau. "It's just appropriating their culture."

Robert Hernandez said he is a Native American and veteran of the Vietnam War.

"When I got back from Vietnam, I got tattoos representing San Diego State and the fact I'm Native American," said Hernandez. On one arm he has the spear of the Aztecs that is commonly shown in the SDSU logo. On the other arm is a shield.

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"As a Native American, I don't think it is offensive, not one bit," said Hernandez. "I consider myself a warrior. And our athletes are warriors too."

According to the Daily Aztec, a number of protesters from the Native American Student Alliance were outside of the meeting before it started.

"There can be no question that all viewpoints regarding SDSU’s Aztec identity have a right to be respectfully heard and carefully considered," the university's statement read. "This resolution provides an opportunity for dialogue to continue among all stakeholders in the SDSU community - including faculty, students, staff, and alumni."

The resolution will next go to SDSU President Sally Roush's desk for consideration. Roush can approve or reject it in its entirety or just certain parts.

Molly is initially frightened by these events, but her curiosity compels her to investigate further. She discovers that her house has a dark history and that the ghost haunting her is a result of a tragedy that occurred decades ago. The Curs is a restless spirit, seeking redemption and closure.

Molly becomes determined to help the ghost find peace, leading her on a thrilling and dangerous journey. As she delves deeper into the ghost's past, Molly uncovers secrets, betrayals, and a long-lost love story. Along the way, she encounters both friendly and malevolent spirits, testing her bravery and resolve. The spirit world becomes intertwined with Molly's reality, blurring the line between the living and the dead. "The Ghost and Molly McGuire" is not just a ghost story; it is a tale of self-discovery and courage. Molly's determination to help the Curs forces her to face her own fears and insecurities. Through her interactions with the ghost, Molly learns valuable lessons about forgiveness, empathy, and the importance of letting go of the past. The author skillfully builds suspense, using vivid descriptions and atmospheric imagery to transport readers into Molly's world. The pacing keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning page after page to uncover the ghost's secrets. In conclusion, "The Ghost and Molly McGuire" is a captivating and haunting tale that seamlessly weaves together elements of the supernatural and coming-of-age genres. It is a journey of self-discovery, filled with suspense, mystery, and compassion. Readers of all ages will be enthralled by Molly's encounters with the ghostly Curs, as they navigate through a world where the living and the dead coexist..

Reviews for "The Fateful Encounter: Molly McGee and the Mysterious Cursed Ghost"

1. John - 1 star

I found "The Ghost and Molly NcGee: The Curse" to be extremely disappointing. The plot was poorly developed, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. Overall, I felt like the book lacked depth and failed to deliver a satisfying reading experience.

2. Sarah - 2 stars

"The Ghost and Molly NcGee: The Curse" left much to be desired. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the book. Additionally, the main characters were poorly developed, and their motivations felt unclear. The supernatural elements of the story were also poorly executed, leading to a lack of suspense or excitement. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping paranormal read.

3. Mark - 2 stars

I had high expectations for "The Ghost and Molly NcGee: The Curse," but unfortunately, it fell short. The writing style was bland and lacked any sense of excitement. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises. Overall, I found the entire reading experience to be quite dull and unremarkable. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling ghost story.

4. Emily - 3 stars

While "The Ghost and Molly NcGee: The Curse" had an intriguing premise, it failed to live up to its potential. The characterization felt shallow, and I struggled to connect with or care about the main characters. The pacing also felt off, with moments of slow development and sudden rushed action. Although the supernatural elements were interesting, they were not explored in depth, leaving me unsatisfied. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book, and it didn't quite deliver.

Secrets of the Supernatural: Unraveling the Curse of Molly McGee's Ghost