4766 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 328-0044
TempleHill.org
  • BOOK A TOUR
  • Menu Canvas
    • Home
    • Things To Do
      • Visitors’ Center
      • Events
      • Sunday Services
      • Family History
    • About the Temple
      • History
      • Announcements
      • Contact Us
    • Inspiration & News
    • Member Resources
      • Distribution Center
      • Temple Session Schedule & Info
    • Book a Tour
4766 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 328-0044
TempleHill.org
  • Things To Do
    • Visitors’ Center
    • Events
    • Family History
    • Sunday Service
  • About the Temple
    • History
    • Announcements
    • Contact Us
  • Inspiration & News
  • Member Resources
    • Distribution Services
    • Temple Session Schedule & Info
    • Write Articles for TempleHill.org
    • Become Our Photographer
  • Book a Tour

Utah Jazz scholarship paying dividends for freshman Ben Lopez (BYU Living Legends team member)

Homepage Education Utah Jazz scholarship paying dividends for freshman Ben Lopez (BYU Living Legends team member)

Utah Jazz scholarship paying dividends for freshman Ben Lopez (BYU Living Legends team member)

Temple Hill
February 3, 2022
Education, Events

This article was contributed by a local member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed may not represent the views and positions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For the Church's official site, visit churchofjesuschrist.org.

Author: Trevor Jones.

Last spring, high school student Ben Lopez got a call from an unknown number.

The voice on the other end of the line belonged to Thurl Bailey, beloved former Utah Jazz player and current broadcast analyst for the team. He congratulated Lopez for being selected by the professional basketball team as a recipient of the Utah Jazz scholarship program, a new initiative that awards full-ride scholarships for incoming college students of underrepresented groups.

“He had a really deep voice,” Lopez said. “I knew the call could come that day and I was kind of nervous. After he told me the scholarship was mine and we got off the phone, I went to my mom to tell her. She was even more excited than I was.”

It was extra special to share that moment with his mom.

“My mom is one of my best friends,” he said. “We’re pretty close, and her encouragement helps a lot.”

Having lived most of his life in Provo, Lopez says he often envisioned studying at BYU and being part of the campus community. After finding a passion for dance at age 13, one of his dreams included joining BYU’s Living Legends, an award-winning song and dance group that celebrates the native cultural heritage of North and South America and the South Pacific through music, costume, and dance.

It’s a dream that Lopez now gets to live daily. As one of the newest members of Living Legends, he’s now devoting up to 10 hours a week preparing for regular performances.

“Being a part of the Living Legends group has been my dream for several years,” Lopez explained. “It’s a pretty cool chance to show people what I like to do while opening people’s eyes to the different cultures around the world.”

Lopez will be the first college graduate in the United States among his immediate family. He credits his parents who have instilled in him the desire to work hard. They immigrated to the United States not long before Lopez was born, looking for more opportunities.

This year, Lopez says he’s enjoying the BYU experience and dutifully completing general education classes. While he isn’t sure what he’ll major in, he’s currently exploring the idea of studying archeology; stemming from an interest he’s had in paleontology since childhood. Going back as far as he can remember, he has taken a big interest in dinosaurs.

“I was really into Indiana Jones and wanted to know every random dinosaur name,” he said. “I think that lifelong curiosity has led me to look into archeology today.”

Lopez says he’s grateful for the opportunity to focus on his studies at BYU.

“Moving forward, I’m most appreciative of being able to stay focused. Having the scholarship will help me focus more on school than anything else.”

Editor’s note:

BYU Living Legends will be performing in the Oakland Temple Hill Auditorium on Friday, February 18, 2022

Tickets are available now!

https://templehill.org/event/byu-living-legends/
Ben Lopez will be the first college graduate in the United States among his immediate family. He credits his parents who have instilled in him the desire to work hard.
Photo by Ellie Alder/BYU Photo
As a member of the BYU Living Legends, Lopez is living out a lifelong dream celebrating cultural heritage through music and dance. 
Photo by Ellie Alder/BYU Photo
Previous Story
Black Pioneers and Our Shared Heritage
Next Story
Conducting The Egmont Overture

Related Articles

‘Encanto’ actress on her faith-filled choice to record Christian music

By Emily Linder  ***Don’t miss Adassa performing LIVE at Oakland Temple...

An ‘Encanto’ miracle: The faithful sacrifices that brought Adassa her dream

By Emily Linder ***Don’t miss Adassa performing LIVE at Oakland Temple...

Subscribe to our newsletter

This is required.

Upcoming Events

22Dec
  • 07:00 pm
  • By Marisa Montierth

“Joy to the World!” A Sacred Celebration with Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four

4780 Lincoln Ave
Oakland, CA 94602 United States

Recent Posts

  • ‘Encanto’ actress on her faith-filled choice to record Christian music
  • An ‘Encanto’ miracle: The faithful sacrifices that brought Adassa her dream
  • The Music Man at Temple Hill
  • Helping the homeless navigate to new opportunities in San Francisco area
  • Learn about the new California Oakland/San Francisco Mission leaders
Subscribe to our newsletter
Feel Welcome. Feel the Spirit. Feel Inspired.
This is required.

English Classes

ISC Request

Contact Details

Contact Us

[email protected]

Phone

Call or Text: (510) 328-0044

Visitors' Center Hours
Mon-Sun: 9am - 9pm

News

  • ‘Encanto’ actress on her faith-filled choice to record Christian music Tuesday, 12, Sep
  • An ‘Encanto’ miracle: The faithful sacrifices that brought Adassa her dream Monday, 14, Aug
Copyright ©2023 TempleHill.org All Rights Reserved
en_USEnglish
es_MXEspañol de México kmភាសាខ្មែរ zh_CN简体中文 zh_TW繁體中文 ja日本語 ko_KR한국어 tlTagalog en_USEnglish
EN
EN
ES
KM
ZH
ZH_TW
JA
KO
TL
SearchPostsLogin
Tuesday, 12, Sep
‘Encanto’ actress on her faith-filled choice to record Christian music
Monday, 14, Aug
An ‘Encanto’ miracle: The faithful sacrifices that brought Adassa her dream
Thursday, 13, Jul
The Music Man at Temple Hill
Friday, 21, Apr
Helping the homeless navigate to new opportunities in San Francisco area
Thursday, 20, Apr
Learn about the new California Oakland/San Francisco Mission leaders
Wednesday, 22, Mar
President Russell M. Nelson will receive Gandhi-King-Mandela Peace Prize

Welcome back,