Welcome to The People Issue! I am always looking for different ways of presenting more content to the readers of The Midtown Press. I felt that one of the best ways of doing so is by introducing new and different perspectives. I believe everyone has a story to tell which is a focus of the paper. To "dip my toes in the water," I decided to work on a feature called the People of Pine Hills. I have much bigger plans for this section but I felt necessary just to start and see where I ended up. I "threw a net" to see who might be interested and ended up with six outstanding individuals representing a wide cross section of people who live or work in the Pine Hills community. By no means do these individuals hold more weight or have more influence than anyone else. In fact it could have been any individual who has a connection to the community. That is what I love most about the potential for this section. You will learn more about projects or initiatives they are working in the community and their thoughts about where we are now and where we are headed. A very special thank you to Kelly Astro, Roselyn Clouden, Willie Hamer, Alphonse Lindor, Latrina M. Peters-Gipson, Julien Serrano-O'Neil, and Lorna Wilmoth for their time and input in helping launch what I hope is an annual feature.
With this being The People Issue, I wanted to include more, well, people. So I felt this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce readers to a couple of my friends who will serve as guest contributors to the paper. The first is Barbara Chandler. Barbara's love of the Arts and artists is infectious and evident in the work she does. In fact, that is how Barbara and I connect best and I was thankful when she was open and willing to serve as the Community &
Arts Contributor. Barbara kicks things off with a feature called Southern Roots presenting artist Najee Dorsey and his upcoming exhibit at the Museum of Art - Deland. Readers can look forward to more about unsung artists and the local arts scene in central Florida who often don't get the spotlight or notoriety they deserve.
Next on the list is Thomas Coston, Jr. I've known Thomas for about five years, and I don't know too many people who are as passionate about Sports and Entertainment as he is. In fact, when my son Christian was going through the college football recruiting process, I turned to Thomas to answer some of the questions I had. I found the process to be scattered and confusing so I asked Thomas if he would be open to providing content regarding sports, including recruitment, training, and the benefits and pitfalls of youth sports. His first submission is something that I just went through, recruiting at the college level.
Last is a piece on child development by Marie Gabrielle Joseph. Marie has expansive experience as child educator and writes about attachment in younger children. You can find her article on page 26
So there you have it. An issue for the people, by the people - The People Issue! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together. I always look forward to receiving feedback, both positive and negative, about the content featured in the paper so I await your responses to this issue.
flour,
baking soda
kosher salt
ground cinnamon
ground nutmeg
cups packed light brown
potato
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and generously spray a 10-cup Bundt pan with baking spray or grease with butter and then set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together. Whisk the dry ingredients super well to combine and then set the bowl aside.
3. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add in the sweet potato puree and continue beating to fully combine. Add in the eggs, one by one, beating until just combined after each addition. Then add in the vanilla and almond extract.
4. Next, add in the flour mixture a little at a time in stages alternating with the buttermilk (ex: a little flour mixture, then a little buttermilk). Begin and end with the flour until all the flour/ buttermilk is combined within the cake batter until just combined- careful not to over mix
5. Empty the cake batter into the prepared Bundt pan and use a spoon to evenly smooth the top of the cake batter nicely. Garnish the cake with chopped pecans, if desired.
6. Bake the cake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then carefully invert the cake onto a wire rack to continue cooling. While the cake cools, prepare the glaze.
Storing: Keep cake leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, serve at room temperature.
Welcome to the inaugural feature called the People of Pine Hills. I hope to make this an annual feature and make it even bigger and better next year. From the beginning of my involvement with The Midtown Press, I felt it was essential to tell about the people and the many good things happening in the community.
It is an honor to work with a community of people from all different backgrounds who work diligently everyday to help make our community a better place. No matter your role, I believe everyone has a story to tell and has their own thoughts and ideas about our community. There are so many people that I could have included. The words of the individuals featured in this section are not more or less important than anyone else. Instead, I was more focused on representing a cross-section of people from all walks of life. The six individuals featured include educators, business owners, and leaders in the community. I want to thank each one of them for graciously agreeing to participate of the feature.
How long have you lived or worked in the Pine Hills community?
I have worked in Pine Hills just over a year now.
How would you describe the Pine Hills community?
Pine Hills has such a strong history! A community that comes together, a community that believes in the education of young people and a community that believes in service to other.
There is a lot of good happening in Pine Hills. What are some of the things you are working on or a part of that you think people should know about?
It is an honor to be able to be a part of the Pine Hills Community and to see all of the good work that is going on. Through my role as the Director of the Community Partnership School at Evans High School, I get to work closely with leaders in Pine Hills. The Pine Hills Community Council and the Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement Board are two prime examples of the excellent work that is going on!
What are your thoughts on where we are as community today and where we are headed in the future?
The future is bright! Working with our young people and our future leaders makes me so excited to see the amazing things that they will do to impact our greater Pine Hills community!
Pine Hills Safe Neighborhood Partnership
How long have you lived or worked in the Pine Hills community?
I have lived in the Pine Hills Community for 32 years.
How would you describe the Pine Hills community?
Pine Hills is a very ethnically diverse community with people of different nationalities and is a great place to raise a family.
There is a lot of good happening in Pine Hills. What are some of the things you are working on or a part of that you think people should know about?
In 2021 I planned the first Pine Hills Parade which was a success and are currently planning the second annual Pine Hills Parade. I am also working with Orange County Government staff and the Mayor's office to find ways to revitalize the Pine Hills Community.
What are your thoughts on where we are as community today and where we are headed in the future?
At this time, I believe the community is stagnant because we are not realizing nor acting on the potential that Pine Hills has. I believe Pine Hills will return to prosperity in the next few years. We have a Lynx substation in the works, the Pine Hills trail, a Cultural Center under construction, two new senior communities, and "A"-rated schools that show that Pine Hills is a community on the rise. We have many new businesses coming into Pine Hills that will allow for employment opportunities for our residents. I foresee Pine Hills returning to a robust and prosperous community in the coming years.
I was born in Mississippi but was raised in Gary Indiana. I have lived in the area since 1999.
I believe the Pine Hills is a community on the upswing. Every community has its problems. Some neighborhoods get recognized more than others. Pine Hills has been labeled as "bad." Once you get that label, it is hard to remove. But I don't believe that there are bad neighborhoods. You might have some bad people, but not the whole neighborhood.
There is a lot of good happening in Pine Hills. What are some of the things you are working on or a part of that you think people should know about?
I think that Pine Hills is a great location for people looking to start a business. There are plenty of opportunities for the right kind of business. I believe that if you have something to offer to the people, you should look at starting a business just as long as people realize that it will take time for their business to grow.
What are your thoughts on where we are as community today and where we are headed in the future?
I think we need to focus on some of the basics like cleaning up the community and improving the roads for the residents. One of the things I would like to see is the lowering of the speed limits on some of the major roads in the community like Silver Star and Clarcona-Ocoee Road. Some people drive too fast on these streets and cause unnecessary accidents that lead to deaths.
How long have you lived or worked in the Pine Hills community?
I have been working in the community for the past 2 years.
How would you describe the Pine Hills community?
I would describe Pine Hills as a community that needs growth. Whether it is newly arriving families from overseas or the many restaurants that bring delight to every taste bud, which makes our community great. It's that divergence of culture that also creates an underbelly of job creation that many communities yearn for.
There is a lot of good happening in Pine Hills. What are some of the things you are working on or a part of that you think people should know about?
Many of the new residents in Pine Hills are recent transplants to the community, and as such, the Pine Hills Neighborhood Center for Families has been hosting monthly “Let’s Talk Immigration” sessions for new residents to be informed about their status and how to navigate the myriad of paths within their unique immigration journey.
Haitian Outreach Coordinator
Pine Hills Neighborhood Center for Families
What are your thoughts on where we are as community today and where we are headed in the future?
The community is flourishing. We are making strides in upcoming projects which will be impactful in the near future and enable us to attain our full potential. Our neighborhood parks could use a facelift, if not a complete renovation, to match that of many communities nearby. Additionally, our community needs better access to mental health, rehabilitation centers, and shelters for those in need of temporary housing. For a large segment of our population, quality child care is outreach, especially for those who are in the process of seeking employment. Affordable child care could unlock their ability to land a job.
Principal
How long have you lived or worked in the Pine Hills community?
I have worked in the Pine Hills Community at St. Andrew Catholic School for seven years.
How would you describe the Pine Hills community?
I would describe the St. Andrew Catholic Community of Pine Hills as a close knit community where families try and help one another for the benefit of their children. The families at St. Andrew Catholic Community of Pine Hills also are hard working families to be able to provide for their children. They also value education and will assist our St. Andrew Catholic Community of Pine Hills to do whatever they can do for success for all.
There is a lot of good happening in Pine Hills. What are some of the things you are working on or a part of that you think people should know about?
St. Andrew Catholic School in Pine Hills is working on becoming partners with different entities within the community to ensure all children in Pine Hills are receiving a quality education.
What are your thoughts on where we are as community today and where we are headed in the future?
I see the St. Andrew Catholic Community today and where we are headed in the future. I see us growing in numbers by word of mouth.
How long have you lived or worked in the Pine Hills community?
I have been a part of the Pine Hills community for 13 years.
How would you describe the Pine Hills community?
Pine Hills has been a place of love and development. As I grew up here, it played a huge role in who I am today. This community is diverse, transformative, and most importantly a center of Black development.
There is a lot of good happening in Pine Hills. What are some of the things you are working on or a part of that you think people should know about?
Julien Serrano-O'NeilSecond Vice President
United Foundation of Central Florida, Inc.
Currently, I'm working with the United Foundation of Central Florida, Inc. and it's Future Leaders United After-School Enrichment and Mentoring Program. In this capacity, I will be aiding in the facilitation of its after school curriculum, which is centered around seven pillars: Leadership Development, Financial Literacy, Health and Wellness, College Preparedness, Career Readiness/Exploration, S.T.E.A.M. Education, and Life After High School. With the Delta Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., I'm serving as the Chair of the Advocacy In Action Committee. In this capacity, I'm working to identify important local, state, or national issues, educates and fosters our community with a special focus in social justice. The primary goal that I must accomplish in this space is to organize community programs or forums that addresses political, educational, and social issues affecting the community.
What are your thoughts on where we are as community today and where we are headed in the future?
Right now in Pine Hills we are at such pivotal point in our history, a time in which we are at a crossroads; a crossroads of transformational development and expansion of education and other resources vital to the successful development of families. I say this because now more than ever we've seen a vested interest in residents from different parts of Pine Hills coming together for change like never before; we are bravely going where we've never gone. In the future we will have a brighter future for Pine Hills and our neighbors, we will continue to see rising graduation rates, safer streets, wrap-around services, and improvements to our transportation services and infrastructure. The tomorrow for Pine Hills is bright and vibrant.
People of Pine Hills
How long have you lived or worked in the Pine Hills community?
I have lived in the Pine Hills Community for over 30 years.
How would you describe the Pine Hills community?
Pine Hills is a very diverse community base on its ethnicity. Our community is rich with Caribbean and Latin flavors. With over 28,000 households and a population of about 90,000, we are very strong in spiritual and family values which stem from the diverse cultural backgrounds which strengthen us socially. The fusion of all the different languages and cultures seems always to come together beautifully to celebrate each other.
There is a lot of good happening in Pine Hills. What are some of the things you are working on or a part of that you think people should know about?
I am very involved with the Pine Hills Seniors group. We empower each other to live an active life and stay independent and involved. We are not a group you will find sitting in front of TV. We surf the web, volunteer in local classrooms, and encourage others to be more aware of our health. The Pine Hills community established a parade last year, and I am proud to be part of the planning committee. It was a huge success last year, and I promise it will be this year. I encourage everyone to come to support us on December 10, 2022, starting at 2 p.m. at Barnett Park.
What are your thoughts on where we are as community today and where we are headed in the future?
We are not nearly where we should be in our community. I personally think we should focus on several things including incorporating Pine Hills, upgrade and renovate older buildings, improve community outreach programs, increase mentoring programs to youth and work to erase the stigma of crime in our community so can look forward to a brighter future.
A
fter a long hot, hazy summer, Pine Hills Seniors welcomed fall! It is truly in the air, and so we celebrate all that comes along with it. Our Seniors are still on the GO being involved, independent, and active. Following the lifting of the COVID-19 precautions, we are open at full capacity. We are still taking the necessary precautions however masking is not mandatory. We will have a full schedule for the fall.
On September 8th Dr. Marie-Jose Francois, President/CEO at the Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention, Inc. presented on cholesterol, diabetes, and nutrition. On September 22nd and 29th we had UCF Nursing Students training on health vitals.
• October 6th, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our group will tour the Orlando Health Imaging Center.
• November 10th - Veterans Day Celebration
• November 17th - Pre-Thanksgiving Luncheon (see flyer below)
Najee Dorsey is an artist, entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of the print and online publication Black Art in America (BAIA). BAIA provides a platform for Black artists, collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals. In addition, Dorsey and his wife recently opened a Gallery and Sculpture garden in East Point, Georgia. Both are repositories for local Black arts and culture in the East Point, Georgia area.
Dorsey’s work is inventive. He uses old and new photographs, text, paper and found objects to express the collective Black experience in his work. Dorsey may be considered a storyteller – whereby his art gives voice and representation to a people that historically have been "unseen:. He believes it is up to each of us to keep our histories and "her"- stories alive.
A man out of the South, Dorsey, was raised by his parents in rural Arkansas, and the South remains his home. Whether drinking from a jelly jar or a champagne flute, Najee is comfortable being him no matter where he is in the world.
Southern Crossroads will be on exhibition at the Museum of Art Deland, from October 7 - December 23 2022.
Location: 600 N. Woodland Blvd., Deland, Florida 32720
Opening Reception: Friday October 7, 2022, at 5:00 pm. Gallery Tour & Talk: Friday October 7, 2022, from 6:00-7:00 pm. Cost: $10.00
Born in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, Barbara Chandler is a long-time Central Florida resident. She has worked for 10 years as the manager and cultural arts educator at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center, in Winter Park, Florida where she educates visitors on African Americans' contributions (past and present) throughout Central Florida. Barbara has the passion for creating dynamic cultural exchanges, organizing educational events and curating art exhibitions.
February 2022 was high moment in Chandler’s career where she had two exhibitions opening, recognizing Black History Month “Community Collage: Artists from the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Folk & Urban Art Festival” which she Co–Curated with Patrick Noze, Orlando based, Haitian Artist; a few days later the opening of: “Quilts, Photographs, & Folk Art: Intergenerational Stories” in partnership with The City Orlando & City Arts Gallery-Downtown Arts District
Barbara is a mother of three sons, and has four grandchildren; she is an activist for social and restorative justice; she is workplace certified in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and the co-founder of the Coalition For Access & Representation - CFAR
“I’m excited to join The Midtown Press as your Community Arts Connector. This section will feature performing and visual artists, grassroots programs, cultural arts festivals, museums, galleries and more. “I want to create a space which is authentic, with visible representation from within the local arts community. I look forward to contributing to the The Midtown Press and serving the community, through relatable stories of perseverance from local artists.”
-Barbara Chandler
Habitat for Humanity collected home maintenance and improvement tips from supporters across the country. We wanted to share a few of our favorites:
“Budget money every month for home improvement projects. For each person and home this will be different, but if you can budget and do home improvement projects on a regular basis then you can maintain a nice home.”
“Share tools and lawn equipment with neighbors. Wheelbarrows, ladders and tillers are tools that aren’t needed on a daily or even weekly basis. Sharing will give you more space and cost less than purchasing all the tools yourself.”
“Take close-up photos of household items that need periodic replacement along with their SKU numbers— a/c filter dimensions, odd-shaped bulbs—for handy access. Pictures also help store other important appliance information.”
“YouTube videos can help you almost fix almost everything! From a washing machine to a car repair, you can save a lot of money by buying parts and watching videos to guide you how to fix.”
“Clean the coils under your refrigerator with a long brush—a vacuum cleaner is helpful—at least once a year (more if you have pets or a dusty/dirty household). If you don’t, the refrigerator will struggle to cool and vital parts will wear out sooner.”
“Every spring we suggest homeowners check the hoses on their washing machine to make sure they are still tight. Washing machines tend to shake and loosen up hose connections. It’s also a good time to clean behind there and find that one missing sock.”
“Make an ‘electric map’ of your home so you will know which circuit breaker is connected to each electrical outlet or light or appliance in your home. This will help you when you are troubleshooting an electrical problem.”
“Dust the blades of a ceiling fan with an old pillowcase. Open the case; slip it over a blade. Close the pillowcase, and slide it off the blade, dusting it as you go. Dust bunnies will stay inside the pillowcase! Then launder the pillowcase.”
“With so many things to look after, set reminders to do all those things that need to be done every month, season, etc. Spread these tasks out so they’re not overwhelming and they all get done.”
“Plant native perennial flowers to reduce water consumption and avoid chemicals on lawns, reduce mowing, etc. Planting shrubs, bushes and trees helps save on utility bills and attracts wildlife in the form of birds, butterflies and beneficial insects.”
“Use overhead room fans, which circulate air so that heat and cooling moves around evenly. They also make room air seem fresher. Heat/cooling units can run less with room fans on. Adjust fans to blow air down in summer and up in winter.”
Formoretipsonhowyoucancareforyourhomeinsideandout—andonabudget,visitHabitatOrlandoOsceola.org
Whilethereyoucanlearnaboutourprogramsandhowyoucangetinvolvedasasupporter,volunteeroradvocate.
This exhibition commemorates the late British photographer Roger Kallins (1938-2013), highlighting some of his best jazz images taken over a period of 50 years.
The 45 images on display are originals, scanned from 35mm black-and-white negatives and printed on archival watercolor paper by Kallins himself. They are generously on loan by Anthony Ehrlich for this two-venue exhibition. This will be the first showing of Kallins’ work to the Orlando public. Co-curated by Juliana Romnes, Anthony Ehrlich and Peter Schreyer. crealde.org
This program is funded in part by a grant from Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program.
We are busy planning our 2nd Annual Pine Hills Parade. This year the parade is being jointly organized by Pine Hills Safe Neighborhood Partnership, Pine Hills Community Council, and Pine Hills Seniors.
aim to make this year’s event even more significant and ask for the community’s involvement. The parade
at 2 PM. Please come out and celebrate Pine Hills with us. Our community leaders
be held on December
working
contact
make
event
success.
you would like to participate and/or sponsor,
Thanks to a grant from the Florida Beverage Association and the American Beverage Association , this year, students, families, and staff will be able to participate in the Healthy Trojans Program. The Healthy Trojans program will promote health, wellness, and fitness through an initiative to educate and engage the students, families, and staff at Evans High School. This program will combine the excellent work at the on-campus health clinic with an interactive wellness program focusing on preventative healthcare. Through a three-tiered approach and partnering with community organizations like Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Orlando Health , and Warrior One Yoga, students and family members will be able to learn and put into practice strategies for healthy living as well as ways to better address current health concerns and the prevention of future health issues.
Acrucial aspect of child development is their ability to form a “secure” attachment to their parents or at least to one primary caregiver. Human babies are naturally predisposed to form a secure attachment. As soon as a child is born, he/she is ready to develop his/her first relationship. This readiness is showing in the neonate interaction with the mother or the caregiver. Like adults, children too experience “passionate love.” Robert Crooks, author of Our Sexuality defined “passionate love as “a state of extreme absorption in another person”; and it is “characterized by intense feelings of tenderness, elation, anxiety, and ecstasy Crooks, (2001, 7th ed). Those feelings that Crooks mentioned are obvious in children’s interactions with their mother or caregiver.
Usually, most children are passionate about their mom. Their passion resembles a romantic love that adults feel toward their sex partner; and “the senses and sexual arousal that are touch, smell, taste vision and hearing” are evident in the child-mother relationship. The Sternberg’s triangular theory of love,” which is passion, intimacy, and commitment is also apparent during childhood. (Crooks, 2001, p. 183). The child longs for passion, intimacy, and commitment. The child is looking for physical attention and likes to be held close. Infant-mother physical interaction during breastfeeding is very arousing and enjoyable because it involves kissing, hugging, gazing, fondling, and vocalizing. When the mom or the caregiver touches the child, he is happy and feels some intimacy and bondage with the mother. A hug, a tender kiss, an affectionate look, a warm smile, and a kind word from a mother or caregiver make the child feels loved and wanted. Those pleasant feelings urge the child to maintain a durable relationship with the mom or caregiver. All children, regardless of their background, socioeconomic and cultural status, geographic position, race, or gender, need to experience unconditional love to be securely attached to their caregiver. Children need positive attention to develop cognitively, socially, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Children need positive attention to develop cognitively, socially, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. When children spend quality time with mom, dad, or caregivers they feel that somebody cares about their emotional needs. Face-toface interaction, positive physical contact such as gentle touch, a pat make babies feel good about themselves. Dr. Bruce D. Perry stated the most important factor in creating attachment is positive physical contact (e.g., hugging, holding, and rocking). It should be no surprise to know that holding, gazing, smiling, kissing, singing, and laughing all cause specific neurochemical
activities in the brain. These neurochemical activities lead to the normal organization of brain systems that are responsible for attachment. A baby’s cry or fuss has many different meanings. A baby might be wet, hungry, cold, hot, and sick or just want attention. It is the parent's responsibility to find out what is wrong with the baby. When parents or caregivers take care of the babies' needs immediately in a loving manner, babies will learn to trust the parents or the caregivers and the environment. The babies will feel that the world is a nice place and will develop a healthy attachment. Eric Erickson declares, “the mother’s general sensitivity to the child’s needs, not the needs for food, fosters the development of trust and attachment.” Rathus, Spencer A. (2011, 4th ed). Early bonding and healthy attachment help children become caring adults who will be successful in their relationship with others.
When a baby cries, and the caregiver does not respond immediately and positively to their needs, they will feel neglected, abandoned, and unworthy. The baby will feel that the world is hostile and uncaring. The baby will learn not to trust his caregiver. This negative feeling will lead to attachment disorder and feeling of mistrust. The impact can be devastating and irreversible. Children who do not get attention and love will be very resentful and sad. They will feel unwanted, abandoned, insecure, hopeless, inadequate, unappreciated, disfavored, and vulnerable. Those children may have difficulty bonding with siblings or other people and will not have a secure attachment with caregivers. Those children will perceive their environment as unfair, unsafe, unpleasant, uncaring, and unstable.
Of course, developing a secure or an insecure attachment is not the child's choice. Mom, dad, caregivers, and teachers are responsible for nurturing and developing a solid and secure attachment with each child. They are responsible to help children feel safe by reading their cues, offering physical and emotional comfort when needed, and meeting the child's basic needs in an affectionate and nurturing manner. . The path to trust and secure emotional attachment is challenging but not impossible. Parents, caregivers, and teachers are also responsible to provide to each child with a well-balanced and nurtured childhood that will help lead to a bright and successful adulthood.
Marie Gabrielle Joseph was born, raised and educated in Haiti. She earned a Bachelor Degree in Psychology/Minor Special Education and an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development from Northern Virginia Community College. Additionally she holds a Director Credential and a Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) from Florida Board of Education. She previously taught Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) at Orange County Government Head Start,worked as a Provider Services Specialist at the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County and a former Exceptional Education pre-kindergarten teacher at Orange County Public Schools.
Ifyou are a student-athlete who plays in youth or high school sports, you probably have dreamed about playing college sports. There are different levels of college athletics. The most popular are Division 1 (D1) colleges, defined as major universities and institutions with large budgets to support athletic programs. D1 athletic teams are tough to earn a roster spot. Talent alone will not get you there! It doesn’t matter how fast you can pitch a fastball, how fast you can run the 40-yd dash, or if you think you are the next Michael Jordan! Data from the NCAA states that in 2020, only 7.3% of varsity high school football players went on to play in college. 2.9% of those players went on as D1 players. Even less than football, only 2.2% of players that play D1 baseball. Because of this, students and parents should also be knowledgable of NCAA Division 2, Division 3 and NAIA schools. While these schools might not have the notoriety and budgets of larger D1 schools, they still offer competitive programs and opportunities for students to continue their involvement in sports.
On top of being a top level athlete hungry for success, the NCAA states that students enrolling at a to play sports on the college level should meet the following requirements to practice, compete and receive an athletic scholarship in their first year of full-time enrollment. (Note: D3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships.) In your high school years you must:
1. Complete a total of 16 core courses in appropriate areas. 10 of your core courses must be completed before the start of your seventh semester (Senior Year).
2. Seven of your 10 core courses must be in English, Math or Natural/Physical Science.
3. Earn a corresponding ACT or SAT test score that matches your core course GPA (min 2.3) on the sliding scale.
4. Submit proof of graduation.
Parents play a significant role in preparing for the journey. From ensuring that your student-athlete is properly educated in the classroom to supporting a strenuous training regimen, making it to the top of anything is never easy. Meeting educational requirements takes extra work. Tutoring or taking extra core classes may be necessary to keep athletes ahead of the game. Supporting and seeking opportunities for your athlete to participate in camps and clinics to sharpen skills is vital to success.
Qualifying to be a college athlete and playing in front of thousands of crazed fans will fill its place when the time comes. Don’t place undue pressure on yourself, do what is required in the classroom and let your skills take over for your given sport. Once a habit is created, it becomes easy. In the blink of an eye it is over. Your childhood only lasts once so be sure to enjoy it! Still want to be a college athlete? Where the chances are slim but the opportunity is great. There is a process on the path to success in all you do on a daily basis. Remember, the best players don't make it on talent alone! To find more details on qualifying for a NCAA scholarships visit to NCAA.org/sports.
Thomas Coston, Jr. is an avid Sports Enthusiast, he has a love and passion for many sports. He believes the love that we have of sports connects us as one and brings us together. Thomas himself played football and basketball at Columbia High School. (Fl) He graduated and lettered 4 years. Thomas signed a scholarship to play basketball the Junior College level. He played two years in his hometown at Lake City Community College (Currently Florida Gateway Community College). Thomas’ resume includes him managing a team of personnel that engage in motorcycle motorsports. Thomas has also managed mixed martial arts at the pro level. Additionally, he has volunteered as a coach in youth sports for Pop Warner football as well as AAU basketball. Thomas has also reffereed basketball for the Central Florida Officials Association and other organizations. Thomas loves sharing his knowledge of sports with everyone. More importantly, sharing others knowledge, passion and love for sports is something he truly enjoys.
Bynow, you have probably read that as I am arranging the paper, the Editor's Chair and Postscript are two of the last sections that get written. That practice didn't happen on purpose. In fact, it started because I was so focused on all the other elements that go into publishing an issue. From gaining approvals, scheduling interviews, and scheduling pictures, the sections of the paper took a backseat to everything else. I’ll never forget my first time putting the paper together, and just as I thought I was done, I was going through the draft of the paper, feeling good and then getting to that page and saying, “Oh no!” (I did use some more colorful language.) I stared at the computer screen with a blank stare in disbelief. As I sat at the computer looking at the cursor blinking on a blank screen, I thought to myself, I have nothing. It was almost midnight, and I was so tired and didn’t feel the least bit creative. Without thinking, I just started typing how I felt at that time. With all the emotions of that moment, words and thoughts started flowing effortlessly, and in about 15 minutes, I was done writing. In fact, I had written so much I had to pare it down. Fast forward to this issue and as I write this, we are in the middle of Hurricane Ian. It is about 2 AM, and the wind is howling (I am praying that we don’t lose power). While it is a bit nerve-wracking, between listening to the thud of branches hitting the roof, the beating rain against the windows, and the surges of power, it is strangely peaceful.
I would only sleep for a couple of hours that night. As morning drew close and I could see the first light of day, I thought to myself, we made it through! We are blessed! The house was intact; except for the outside cleanup, we escaped pretty much unscathed. I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. The feeling stems primarily from me knowing how much different the outcome could be. Many people may not know that I survived Hurricane Hugo on September 18th-19th, 1989. The Category 5 storm made a direct hit on my homeland of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - an event that would directly change the trajectory of my life. I would leave the island and my parents a few weeks later and move to St. Paul, Minnesota to live with my older sister Susan (who was already living there) to finish out my sophomore year of high school. I would never return home to St. Croix to live and end up finishing high school and college in Minnesota. Hurricane Hugo decimated my tiny island home, blasting us with relentless winds of up to 165 MPH for hours on end. That night on St. Croix was much different than Hurricane Ian. I can remember my father, directing my mother, myself and my younger siblings through different rooms in our house as portions of our roof began to blow away. We would end up riding out the storm in our family car. That night seemed like it would never end. With every surge of wind, the car would rock, and with each crash of debris against the windshield, we could only hope and pray that the windshield didn’t shatter. Much like Ian, we were eagerly looking forward to morning. What we would see once the sun rose was nothing short of devastation. Our entire roof was gone! The contents of our house was destroyed and as we slowly surveyed the neighborhood we found chairs and appliances in our neighbor's yards. Despite the devastation, we were blessed! We were alive. Everything could be replaced.
I can’t help but think of the residents of Ft. Myers and neighboring communities. The pictures and video are unbelievable. It will take years to rebuild. Soon resources will begin pouring into those hard-hit communities, and the residents will face the daunting task of rebuilding. I hope and pray that for those most affected that at some point they can reflect and feel that despite the circumstances, they too are blessed. As we go through life and all the challenges we face, be sure to take the time to pause, reflect and be thankful for our blessings, both big and small.
Scammers are always switching up their techniques to trick consumers into revealing personal information or downloading malware on their devices. This leaves them vulnerable to identity theft.
In a phishing scam, you receive an email that looks like it’s from a legitimate business. It has a similar logo or other identifying marks. The email asks you to update or verify your account information by clicking a link. When you click that link, you’re directed to a spoofed website that looks identical to the real thing. If you log in to your account on the spoofed website, you have unintentionally provided your information to a scammer.
The same thing can happen via text message. In that case, it’s called smishing
It’s full of typos. Communications with misspellings and grammar mistakes are the first clue that you’ve been contacted by a scammer. Legitimate companies proofread communications carefully through multiple people to avoid these types of errors.
The web address is off. Before clicking any links, take a close look at the website provided. Most scammers will make simple swaps to trick the eye into thinking they’ve shared the company’s actual website. You may think you’re going to a legitimate website when, in fact, you’re being led to a spoofed website. Scammers can steal any information you provide there. Common techniques include replacing a lowercase "L" with the number one or an uppercase "O" with the number zero. You will know you’re on a company’s secure website if you see a lock icon to the left of the URL and an “https” at the start.
An unprofessional email address is used. Always check the sender’s email address when contacted via email. A representative from a legitimate company will never contact you from a generic email address like Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo.
Never click anything in an unsolicited email or text message. If a company reaches out with claims of an account issue, the first instinct is to click the link. Instead, visit the company’s website directly from your browser then log in and look for any notifications in your account. Never click on attachments or download anything from an unsolicited email, either.
Never send sensitive information through email or text message. This includes your Social Security number, usernames and passwords, account numbers, and PIN numbers, just to name a few. Legitimate companies will never ask you to do this.
When in doubt, call. Are you unsure if you’ve been contacted by a scammer? Your best bet is to reach out to the company directly to inquire. Always use the phone number listed on the company website, NOT the one in the email or text in question.
Practicing online safety is more important than ever for your personal and financial formation. It’s easy to do with these tips.
