On Wednesday October 22nd we reviewed the information that we found out about Pop Lloyd in our Life of the Mind class. We learned that he has his own field dedicated to him in Atlantic City which is very close to campus. He was an extremely good baseball player and batted .400 averages multiple times. Pop Lloyd was a highly recognized African American player in the Negro League. On Friday October 24th my Life of the Mind class met at the Performing Arts Center to listen to Roberto Clemente’s son Luis talk about his father. I usually do not like guest speakers because they bore me, but Luis’ story was extremely touching and he reminded us that even though his father was a pro baseball player he was still a person with a heart, emotions, and a family. He was not like the baseball players today that crave fame and money, but he was in the sport for “the love of the game”. He started his own chiropractic practice and he wanted to help people. He taught his sons to do what they loved regardless of how much it did or did not pay. Roberto seems like the kind of athlete that I would love to meet and spend a day with just to get to know him as a person. He was born in Puerto Rico and he made sure that he gave back to Puerto Rico by volunteering and donating baseball equipment to poorer nations in South America. Unfortunately he died in a plane crash on his way to an earthquake relief in Managua. This man ended up sacrificing his life for the charity work that he wanted to do. Luis carries out the same principles in life because he did play baseball at one point but now he goes around from place to place speaking about the difference his father made in the game of baseball and in people’s every day lives.

Alexis Lawless

Salvation Army

October 17, 2012

Circle K

Wednesday, October 17^th, was my first Salvation Army experience. The club I’m in, Circle K, goes every Wednesday. The Salvation Army is located in Atlantic City, NJ. Every Wednesday, a couple club members carpool to A.C. They go to Texas Avenue School, which is one of city’s many elementary schools. The club members help students, ranging from 5 to 12 year olds, with their homework after school from 4:00 PM to around 5:30 PM.

The first thing I noticed when I got out of the car in front of the school was how dangerous and sketchy of an area the school was in. The classroom wasn’t all that different. There were three out-of-date computers in the class I was in. Also, it looked like a class I had when I was in first grade. That right there told me that they haven’t renovated the school at all. There were also very few actual desks and two tables for the rest of the kids to sit at. The kids themselves were out of control because the teachers were not authoritative whatsoever.

After I witnessed this, the teacher had the kids that didn’t have homework play in the gymnasium. It was very old and looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks. The teacher threw the kids a football and let them be. I decided to play with them and I started to get to know these kids on a different level. They were happy and having a good time. They were also extremely happy to see me and the other club members, even though they have never met us before. It honestly made me blush.

Once I had enough of running around, I decided to go next door and help the kids that did have homework. While doing so, I met two hilarious 4^th graders who shocked me with their brilliance. I also talked about sports and music with them, and their knowledge of both made my day.

Before we left, I witnessed two things no child should have to go through or do. The first was seeing a child get yelled at by a teacher for his parent(s) being late to pick him up. The second was as I was walking to the car outside, I saw a group of 4 or 5 students walking home in that same dangerous area I mentioned above. They were alone.

Growing up in a place like Atlantic City as a child cannot be easy. I didn’t realize this until I witnessed it first-hand. I feared for those children’s lives that had to walk home alone at 6:00 PM in the area we were in. I probably wouldn’t have even done that at the age I am now.

After my first Salvation Army experience, I realized how lucky I am to have grown up in the school district that I did, which is Egg Harbor Township. It’s not fair that these young kids have to live and learn in a place that doesn’t even have up-to-date computers or a classroom that is large enough to fit them all. One thing I was very impressed with is how happy-go-lucky all the children were. I know kids that complain about school every day that have some of the most beautiful classrooms and amazing teachers. I know I did, and I am never going to take my education for granted ever again.

I will continue to go to the Salvation Army as many Wednesdays as I can to be with these kids, either it be playing sports with them or helping with homework. While I am teaching them how to solve math equations and fix sentences, they are helping me become a more aware individual and teaching me to be content with all the gifts I do have in my life.

The first event that I attended was Stockton’s Day of Service on September 10^th.  As an honors student, I was expected to show up and put in all my effort, but I wasn’t sure what exactly I was going to be asked to do.

When I showed up at the Campus Center to start the day, I was told I would help out with Books Without Borders. Eventually though, I volunteered to help with building a few nests for wild ospreys, as no one had signed up for that, and they needed volunteers. The overall project was made a little harder by the fact that I had a fractured finger, but I worked through it anyway.

Overall, the project was a lot of fun! The project’s leader divided us into groups to build three separate nests; one nest would be stacked on a tall post , and the other two would be attached to buildings. It was a fun experience to use power tools and measure out exact lengths for the wood. The work was definitely demanding, but we managed to put together three good-looking nests! After we put one of the nests on the post, everyone got to sign it and date it for memory’s sake.

The day as a whole was a lot of fun. It felt really good to know that the project I was working on would help keep an important species alive and thriving, as well as provide more of a chance for the species’ future. As a biology mature, I love helping out with environmental services, so building the nests seemed perfect for me. The Day of Service seemed like a lot of fun no matter what event people participated in, and I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of participating!

On Friday October 14, 2011, the PAC Theater held a symposium in honor of Roberto Clemente. The speaker that came and shared his knowledge and past experiences with Clemente was Luis Mayoral. He spoke of his personal relationship with Clemente, having first seen him tying his spikes at a game. Mayoral still specifically remembers the cologne that Clemente used to wear. Later, Mayoral was privileged to actually meet with Clemente at his home, and have a long conversation with him. As the years went by, the two became close friends, allowing Mayoral to have all the information that he shared at the PAC.
Luis Mayoral spoke of how much of a caring and good person Clemente was. While Clemente had pride for his country, he also instilled a pride for the Puerto Ricans that looked up to him. Along with inspiring his own people, Mayoral told us of how Clemente was greatly respectful towards his fans. He always showed love for the youth, which was one inspiration for his Sports Center. Clemente also always had time for fans during the games, never failing to give them attention.
Besides being an icon, Clemente was also greatly involved with helping those less fortunate, specifically earthquake victims of Nicaragua. Clemente spent a good deal of time raising goods to send over to the distraught nation in hopes of helping them to recover. When he heard that the shipments were being taken by the local military and sold to the victims instead, he decided to accompany the next shipment. During this flight, the plane banked too far left and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean; his body was never found.
While Clemente is remembered for his induction into the Hall of Fame, his tragic death, and the game, this was not what he wanted to be remembered for. Clemente wanted to be remembered as a ball player who gave all that he had to give.

Here at Stockton we had a blood drive on September 21^st and 22^nd.  Sign up tables were set up by the Honors Program in the Campus Center to find anyone willing to donate.  My friends and I were suppose to run one of these sign up tables the day before the blood drive, but the sign up sheets were misplaced and unfortunately we could not run the table. But the minute I saw one of these sign up tables I had to sign up.  I have given blood twice before and I try to give blood whenever the opportunity arises because it is something so easy to give; we constantly are creating more and more blood in our bodies.  Some people do not have this luxury and need more blood.  The blood drive here at Stockton was the best one I have been to so far.  It was fairly quick with not much waiting around in between steps.  The nurses were very nice and took interest in me as a person, which was very comforting because then I didn’t feel like just another pint of blood; I was also a person.  The needle was slightly painful but it was over before I knew it.  They offered pretzels, juice, and water afterwards to the donors to prevent anyone from getting lightheaded.  It overall was a really great experience even with technically losing a part of my body.  I hear there will be another blood drive in the spring and I encourage anyone who can donate to do so.  I know for certain I will be there.

Speed Dating for Majors

In recent months, I have been experiencing conflicting feelings.  When I first enrolled at Stockton, I thought I was sure about my career choice.  I was determined to get a degree in biology and become a physical therapist.  However, after taking a few courses, I realized that I am not cut out for the medical field.  The overwhelming feeling of failure engulfed me as I thought about the disappointment my parents were sure to feel.  If I wasn’t going to be a biology major, what other option did I have? It was then that I heard about the Speed Dating event in the TRLC.  I figured since I had no clue what I was going to do, I might as well give it shot.

As I walked into the TRLC, my attention was immediately grabbed by the amount of tables filling the space in the room.  I was amazed to see the variety of alternatives I could try.  Instantly I was circling the room, reading each sign as I awaited a table that captured my interest.  I found myself wandering closer to the language, literature, and arts tables.  In my youth, I have always had a fascination for languages and art, so I decided to give those tables a try.

The woman directing the table was friendly and informative.  She answered all of my questions with a smile and helped to map out a career plan for me.  She convinced me that there are many different possibilities in the languages department.  I was so absorbed by the conversations we had that I ended up spending the entire time sitting at one table.  I had finally found what I was looking for.  I knew then that obtaining a degree in languages is my destiny.  This event helped me to realize that going to college isn’t about finding the degree with the most money or making parents happy.  It’s about following your own goals, working hard to achieve them, and having fun.  After all, what’s the point of having a career, if you don’t enjoy it?

The Day of Service was an interesting event that I participated in at Stockton. It was a day for Stockton students to have a chance to volunteer for organizations in the area who need the help.  This event took place on September 10^th, 2011 and it started around 8 am.  The even began with a nice breakfast and some moving speeches about September 11^th, 2001 by an EMT from the area and our very own President, Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr.

After the remembrance we continued on to our volunteer projects. My friends and I were originally signed up to take part in Books Without Borders, which is where students go through old books that can’t be resold and send them to Third World countries so underprivileged students can have access to the same information we have.  But then we found out that the project called Osprey Nests we very short staffed so we stepped up to fill the group.

Building osprey nests was a lot of fun. I volunteer at a wildlife center at home so doing something to benefit wildlife was second nature for me.  I was really inexperienced with tools however, but I quickly learned with this project.  I was sawing and drilling in no time (I didn’t hurt myself or anyone else either, which is quite a feat for me).  We built three tops of the structures for the nests and we set one on a pole to be put in the ground.  Hopefully one day we could put one of these osprey nest structures on our campus. That way we can encourage our own mascot to live here.

Even though I am only a freshman, I was involved at Stockton before the official school year even began. I play tennis, and moved into Stockton on August 16, 2012, to participate in the preseason workouts. Since I first picked up a racket, tennis has been a huge part of my life, and I’m so happy that I’m able to bring my game to the collegiate level.

Preseason was such an awesome experience. I expected that it would take at least a little bit of time to adjust to a new coach and new teammates, but it didn’t take any time at all. The coaches and the other girls were all welcoming and eager to help me make the most of my freshman year at Stockton both on and off the tennis courts. Needless to say, being on the tennis team is not just a onetime event, but a series of events that include practices, matches, and team bonding. During preseason our team had two practices a day; one was in the morning and one in the afternoon. Even though it was a bit tiring, practice was always fun. The whole team practiced together, and we all lived in apartments in F Court. It was nice to have the team so close all the time.

 Now that school has started we only practice once a day and we are off on Sundays. I’ve found it to be a tad challenging to balance classes and tennis, especially if I have to miss class for an away match. Playing a sport has definitely kept me focused, and it has taught me good work ethics. My daily routine consists of class, practice, homework, sleep, and repeat, with eating scattered somewhere in between. We work hard at practice so we can perform well during matches. We have had a few matches since the season has started, and so far have only been defeated by TCNJ. Home matches are my favorite, because a small number of people actually come and watch us play. The school’s mascot, The Osprey, even showed up at one of our matches and was walking around spreading school spirit. It felt really good to be representing Stockton in that way. We’re a team of only nine girls, but we’re definitely a part of something bigger. Before a match we play music from the big speakers and it gets me really excited to play tennis and represent my college. Away matches are a bit of a different experience, but they’re fun too. When we go to away matches, we get to stop for dinner and the athletic office gives us $10 each to use on food. The car rides are sometimes pretty long. I don’t mind, because I get to see some really neat places and get to visit other colleges. I’ve been out of the state for matches twice so far, once to Immaculata University and once to Cabrini College. It seems like on the way up, all of us are quiet either listening to our own music and getting ready for our matches, but on the ride home we’re all chatting and giggling, regardless of the outcome of the match.

Being a part of the Stockton College tennis team makes me so happy, and I can’t imagine being in college without playing the sport that I love. The great coaches and friendly teammates are just an added bonus that I am lucky to have. Thus far, I am loving tennis here at Stockton and can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds for myself and my teammates.