March 31, 2008 Two more competitions down

On top of working full-time for Fisher Scientific, and taking classes at Slippery Rock (with an hour commute each way) I have been coaching cheerleading. This season, which started last April, is beginning to come to a close. I decided to make the season a little bit longer this year with creating another competition squad other than the varsity one that went to nationals in fla a couple weeks ago. This squad was comprised of 24 girls in 8th, 9th, and 10th grades. Before this weekend, none of them have ever stepped on a competition mat. Well, they won their division on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, they also won Grand Champions as the varsity did at nationals by scoring higher than any other program at the competition yesterday! I am so proud of them. Now we only have one more to go at the Petersen Event Center on April 12th. Update to follow.

March 25, 2008 College Drop Outs

There was an article on MSNBC about students who entered a four-year college in 1997, stating that only 54% have a degree at the end of 6 years. WELL.... I have a good idea why. I am running into the same issue with college, and my third degree. It seems every post-secondary degree I have recieved, it is getting more difficult to finish in a timely manner. With professors choosing to teach only one-two sessions of a class per semester, and a lot overlapping, it is very difficult to get the required amount of credits in a short amount of time. For example, classes here in Slippery Rock for PE majors are only offered between 8am and 3:15pm, mostly. If you have a job, it is impossible to finish this degree without quitting work, due to some classes only being offered between 1 and 3pm every semester. There are currently at least four classes being wait-listed for this fall. Very frustrating for me and a lot of other individuals.

March 24, 2008 One more month

So, there is basically only one more month of classes. In the next month, I still have to complete my podcast, Litservs, Digital Video, Excel, and Powerpoint, all while blogging and keeping up with the other classes. I am also still in season, and have many practices and three competitions yet to attend with the younger team. AGH!!!! Just have to forge through one more month....

March 19, 2008 Nutrition for Kids that won't eat meat

During the time I was getting my Master's in Ex Phys, I was assigned to teach nutrition and fitness classes to a group of unwed teenage mothers in Pittsburgh. I haven't thought about the experience until my sister-in-law called my mother for advice this weekend. My nephew is a very finicky eater, and would not eat any meats or other proteins. I remembered back to when I taught the class, and was able to give her advice. By adding pasteurized egg whites (available at any grocery store) you are adding a ton of protein in a tasteless, odorless manner so the kids will not notice and get their protein. Good tip

March 19, 2008 Cheerleading Nationals

This weekend I was in Florida with the Varsity cheer and dance teams from Montour High School. After many months of preparation, the girls competed in the International Competition. After a rough first day, the girls were 7th in the standings. Fortunately, the company takes a best score of two performances to determine the winner. The second day ended up being much better making the first day a wash. The girls battled back from 7th to win their division the next day. They also won "high point champion" meaning the had the highest score out of the varsity mount traditional teams; and also the "grand champions" which meant they scored the highest of every single school team there. It was a great trip!

March 4, 2008 A push for AED's in every school in America

After the death of their teen sons, a group of parents have joined together to make sure that there will be Automated external defibrillators (AED) in every school in America. Both of the boys that suffered cardiac arrest that lead to their death could have been avoided had an AED been available. Studies show that one of the biggest fears with using AED's is that injury will come to the administrator of the machine. On the contrary, Cardiac Science has created a line of AED's that are easy to use by not only professionals, but also every day citizens. The audio and visual prompts walk the life-saver through the process. When you buy the defibrillator from Cardiac Science, they also offer comprehensive training to use them. These devices also come with training videos and manuals.

March 4, 2008 Update on the Walk for a Cure

I have been campaigning for the MS walk for the past month, and the generosity of people amazes me sometimes. Over that course of time I have received over $100 to donate to finding a cure for this disease. Recently I received a donation from a class mate. Jen donated because her grandfather also has MS. A former carpenter and very active man, he is now bed-ridden and near death. The incurable disease does not kill you, but will degenerate your nervous system to make it difficult to live. I received another donation from her mother today in honor of the 70th birthday of her grandfather George Sweeny. Mr. Sweeny is another reason why I am walking for a cure.