Let us Finish the Race

Dear Andrews-Sims Volunteers,

The race has begun and we have done a good job so far. However, our work is not yet complete.

We have done a good job in spreading Chad's and David's message to the IU Kokomo student body.

We have also done a good job in encouraging our classmates to participate in our student government.

But, let us not forget that we still have more work to do.

Let us not forget that there are many more who still need to hear our candidates' message.

And let us not forget that we have one more day of campaigning to go.

We have done a good job so far but the true test of this campaign will not be our position in the middle of the race but rather our position when the race ends.

Let us finish as we have started - on the forefront of a new era in our student government. It is our time! Let's finish the race.

What Year Were You Born Under?

You Were Born Under:

You are quick witted, charming, and bring luck to all who know you. A bit greedy, you tend to go after what you want - with success. Clever, you seek out knowledge... and eventually use what you know to your advantage. You are very loyal, and you treat your real friends like they are family. You are most compatible with a Dragon or Monkey.

What Year Were You Born Under?

"Senator, You're No Jack Kennedy."

This is arguably my most favorite moment in politics.

High School Drama is Good

This has got to be the longest rain storm of the year. It has been raining all day at a very constant pace today. I really do not think it will stop anytime soon either.

Other than wet weather, my day was very inspirational. After turning in a big assignment in my education class, I went to the special convocation that was taking place in one of the university auditoriums. I was most interested in this convocation because the speaker was former Indiana University basketball player Landon Turner.

I think the most important thing he said this evening was that every second of life should be cherished and exciting. Pretty good point right there I thought.

I think sometimes we all get so wrapped up into what we are doing that we tend to turn into raving lunatics by taking ourselves and our lives so seriously.

There is a time and a place to be serious but ultimately life should be enjoyed. What also amazes me is how we get so thrown off by "drama."

We drive ourselves crazy when we are confronted with this "drama" that we then characterize it as "high school drama" because we are convinced that it is not supposed to exist outside of high school.

Personally, I think it is the "drama" in life that makes it worth getting out of bed every morning. If everything worked out the exact way that we planned it then how boring would life be then? What would be the point of living?

The drama and the bumps in the road are the best part of life as they make the good things in life and our accomplishments so much more special.

Eron Ferrell: Compassion and Vision for SAB

Along with the offices of Student Body President and Vice President, there is another important position within the IU Kokomo Executive Branch that is up for election.

This position is the Director of the Indiana University Kokomo Student Athletic Board. It is an important position within the IU Kokomo Student Government because SAB is a group that works to promote recreational and intramural athletic events for students along with promoting overall physical well-being among the student body.

When you vote on March 28th and 29th, I ask you to cast your vote for Eron Ferrell, a visionary leader and trusted friend to students.

Through my work with Eron in the IU Kokomo Student Senate, I have seen Eron grow as a person to become one of our finest student leaders. I also believe that he is the best man for the job because he is a man who will put the Student back in the Athletic Board with his energy and compassion towards others.

His energy will be a welcomed breath of fresh air to the IU Kokomo Executive Branch. In everything that he has ever done whether it be his schoolwork, his friends, or with children, Eron has made it a point to always give his best effort and as our SAB Director it will be no different.

In addition, his compassion towards others will be an asset for the entire university because he will extend not a fist but a hand to students. Whenever I have ever needed help for anything, Eron Ferrell has always been there for me and he will always be there to help the IU Kokomo student body.

On election day, let us all cast our vote for a visionary man and a compassionate human being. Be sure to vote for Eron Ferrell so that we can put the Student back into the Student Athletic Board.

Andrews-Sims: Proven Leadership for Students

It is that time again, it is election time at Indiana University Kokomo. Once again, students at my university must chose who will lead them in the pursuit of a better university for the next school year.

As a former Student Body President and Executive Branch member, I know that the jobs of both the President and the Vice President are demanding but rewarding positions.

They require more time, energy, and effort than any other student position at the university. It truly indeed takes a special person to fill either one of these offices.

For me, I believe that Chad Andrews and David Sims are special people who will fulfill these roles as President and Vice President. Because of my work with them inside the student government, I believe in their leadership. From what they have been able to accomplish in the classroom, I believe that they are capable of great things. But most of all, I believe in them because of the qualities that they possess as student leaders and people.

As student leaders, Chad and David are an inspiration to any student who believes that they can make a difference in their world. The Andrews-Sims ticket has big plans and big ideas that will benefit students for years to come including their strong support for a Student Athletic Facility and a Campus Meal Plan. I have no doubt that with their leadership, they will be strong voices for these two very important student issues.

But as good as they are as student leaders, they are even better people as they possess the qualities that we would hope for in anyone: compassion, honesty, and a faith in the future.

Whenever I have needed help or advice, I always knew that I could turn to Chad and David in my time of need.

Whenever I had a difficult decision to make, I always knew that Chad and David would give me the honest truth when many are inclined to not give the full truth.

Most importantly, they have instilled in me a faith in the future and the promise of a better tomorrow even when times might be at their darkest.

As student leaders and as people, Chad Andrews and David Sims are the best people for the job of Student Body President and Vice President. They are leaders who will give a voice to the students of the university. They are leaders who are interested in the well-being of all students. Lastly, they are leaders who will bring people together. It is because of these reasons that I would like to ask you for your vote.

On March 28th and 29th, let's elect two leaders who I have had the pleasure to call my colleagues and friends - Chad Andrews and David Sims.

"It is so choice."

The first day of school after Spring Break has come and gone. Even though I miss not wearing my pajamas all day like I did for most of last week, it felt really good to get up early and get back to work.

I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with my schooling. The semester is about complete and all I have left are a couple of education courses over the next few months.

I actually finished my Government Packet for my group project. It looks pretty good. Not bad for my first set of worksheets.

It was also glad to see all of my friends at school again. I have been kind of neglecting them with my outside of school jobs so I am really looking forward to hanging out with them more. Even though most of them are wanting to graduate, I am kinda glad that they will be sticking around next year.

Unlike others in my past, they have been there for me which has helped me through some difficult times.

The other night was especially true when I needed some advice from an outside and neutral source. Of course hearing the truth is never easy but what kind of friend sugar coats what you really need to hear?

The advice put things into perspective and gave me a very good outlook on things. It definitely helped and I hope that things will continue to be that way. Especially if my friends giving me advice involves an iced tea from McAlister's.

Simply put, the tea is amazing. "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

Good Feeling

Not even a week has gone by since basketball season officially ended and already I am starting to miss it. As it has turned out, the return back to the real world has not been what I thought it could have been.

The benefits of the basketball season greatly outweigh just about everything that the real world has to offer. These past few days, I begun missing the little things that made the season as special as it was.

As crazy as it sounds, I miss waking up early on Friday for morning practice. No more shooting around in the gym by myself for twenty minutes until the first players begin to show up.

No more of my players challenging me to an impromptu game of HORSE and no more of us laughing at each other when either one of us airballs a reverse layup. But, the practices are not the only thing that I miss

I miss the good feelings that I got when I would wake up on a day when we had practice or a game. Waking up on a day when you have a game or practice always made my real world stuff tolerable because I had something to look forward to.

The good thing is that I can escape to this basketball world every now and then by watching the highlight video. That is one thing that I am most proud of simply because as a kid I always wanted one.

When I was younger, I would constantly watch NBA Highlight Videos of Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Dominique Wilkins just to name a few. Afterward, sometimes my brother and I would go shoot hoops while listening to the very same music that we had heard in the videos of our favorite ball players.

Personally, I had always wanted a little highlight video for myself. For whatever reason, either the technology was not available or it had not even been thought of, it never happened. I think that gives me the best feeling of all that the team now has something that I, as a kid, would have never thought possible.

Maybe that's why it gives me such a good feeling because I was able to give them something that I never had. I can't quite figure out why exactly but I do know that I miss that little escape. Even though as I get older I should never wish any part of my life away, I would be lying in saying that I can wait until next season.

Are you a smart American?

You Are a Smart American

You know a lot about US history, and you're opinions are probably well informed. Congratulations on bucking stereotypes.Now go show some foreigners how smart Americans can be.

Are You a Dumb American?

I am a Blue Devil

It is safe to say that I have been neglecting my blogging duties after taking a week off along with receiving a few complaints from loyal readers. The past few days have been very fun for me so I will do my best to update you on what has been happening.

Last Friday, I got the opportunity to play in the student/faculty basketball game at the Tipton Middle School pep session. Going into it, I was quite nervous especially when I air balled my first jumper in warm ups. Plus, when the entire school (not to mention your entire basketball team) is watching you, the pressure goes up just a little bit more.

The exciting thing about it was that I played very well. I scored six points, garnered two rebounds, and dished out an assist in just six minutes of work even though I was dead tired by the end of the game. I think I did pretty well for being as nervous as I was.

Along with the same lines, our team had our awards program last evening. All I can say is that it was an honor to be there to celebrate how well the girls did this year. They most certainly deserve the best and I think everyone involved did a very good job of giving them just that.

The most surprising thing about the evening was a speech given by one of the parents at the start of the program. Simply put, it blew my dad and I away. His kind words really set the tone for a fantastic evening and made it very tough for either one of us to follow him. It was wonderful!

After the speech, we all crowded around the big screen to watch the highlight video that apparently has gotten a lot of people talking because of how much they enjoy it. For me, I think I have watched it over a hundred times but it never gets old. I am very glad that I made it even though it took a lot of time and patience to get it just right. But as good as people say the video is, it in no way can truly express how much fun this season was.

After the video was completed, Dad and I gave our review of each of our seasons. We were so appreciative just of the effort that our players gave this year that the wins did not seem to matter in the grand scheme of things. To be completely honest, we never really put too much focus into winning. We were much more concerned with how well we played the game and having fun as I think it should be for all sports.

It was pretty emotional for dad I am sure especially for him to remember that the girls asked him to be their coach this season along with finding out that it had been a lifelong dream of mine to coach with him one day.

We then gave out the awards with each girl receiving a "goodie" bag complete with the highlight video and other things that we had gotten them. After that, we concluded by thanking all of the parents for their support this season as they made it an absolute joy for us. It was indeed an honor to coach their daughters this season especially with them behind us.

With that, the awards program had concluded but this did not mean that people were ready to leave just yet. This had to be my favorite part of the evening as each one of the girls gave my dad and I hugs at the end along with requesting to take pictures. Words cannot even describe how great that felt.

This experience has indeed lifted me to a better place and these girls have made me a better person for which I am truly thankful. In retrospect, coaching these girls with my dad this season is the best thing that I have ever been apart of or ever done. I think their best quality is that as good as they are as basketball players; they are even better people which make them a fun group to be around. I am proud to have been their coach and cannot wait to coach them again next year.

Pride is a funny thing, in a way, for I am not a graduate of the school in which I coach. It is true that before this experience my colors were Red, White, and Black as I was a Western Panther.

Despite these facts, I know our team will rest assured when I say that I have always felt much more comfortable wearing the Blue and White of Tipton. Even though I am a Western graduate, I very much prefer and am proud to be known as a Blue Devil.

How Liberal or Conservative Are You?

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Social Issues: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Ethics: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

Goodnight discusses Economic Development Plan

Greg Goodnight is wanting to improve the City of Kokomo by investing in people through economic development.

Today, he released part of his long term plan to work for a better future in the City of Kokomo.

For more information on Greg's plan to invest in the citizens of Kokomo, check out Greg Goodnight.com.

Responsibile Decisions and Basketball

In life, we don't always get to do everything that we want to do. Tonight was especially difficult for me as I missed seeing my basketball team win their sixteenth game of the year to complete an undefeated season.

Instead, I chose to go to my Indiana History class this evening. Not only would I have missed the first days information, as it is an accelerated course, but my absence would have caused me to lose 7% of my final grade because of the class attendance policy.

I really did not think that it would bother me as much as it did but that all changed when I was asked to put away my laptop.

As many professors are starting to do these days, my professor did not allow me to use my laptop to take notes. While I was unplugging my power cord and putting my laptop back in my bag, my mood began to change as I have always felt more confident in my typing abilities than my writing abilities.

I then began searching my bag for something to write on for I had no paper and did not expect to write my notes. The only kind of papers I could find was the packet that I should have been using this evening. The packet of papers that I had found was my basketball plays.

It was the first set of plays I had drawn up for my "B" team at the start of the season. In the margins were dozens of notes that I had scribbled down throughout the year in hopes of improving my players and myself as a coach. Notes that would soon be replaced with new notes about the state of Indiana.

So as I proceeded to fill my paper with notes on the Forts, Fur Traders, and the French, I received a text from dad confirming that the perfect season did in fact occur and it filled my stomach with a sick feeling.

I greatly fear that I will come to regret this decision even though many will say that it was the responsible decision. But, even though it may have been the responsible decision, I am still lost in thought on whether or not it was the right decision.

I am sure it was but at this juncture I still feel as if I missed out on something great because of my "responsible" decision.

Dream World

It is another lazy Sunday here in Kokomo, Indiana. Not too much going on with not too much on television except for the baseball classic Field of Dreams.

After watching the movie, I have now chosen to watch the Yankees play the Phillies in an early Spring Training contest.

There is something about watching baseball that relaxes me. It allows me just to sit back, put my thoughts aside, and escape from the realities of the world for just a few hours.

The only problem with doing this is a certain side effect that I am sure has hit others from time to time. Watching baseball, although it is a wonder for me, causes me to want to eat a bag of peanuts and a bratwurst hot dog.

Unfortunately, there are no peanuts or hot dogs to be found in the house so I guess I will just have to "hold the mustard" for the time being.

Of course, I could get up, go to the store, and purchase these things but who can really get up from the couch when the baseball game is on? Moreover, who really wants to go back to the real world when you can just sit in this dream world for a few hours?

A Tale of Two Games

It's a very blustery day on this Friday afternoon. I have never seen it this windy without snow.

Last night and this morning were both bittersweet. Within the past 24 hours relatively, I went to my last basketball game and practice of the season. Unfortunately, I will not be able to go to our final game on Monday because it is imperative that I go to my excellerated class that starts on the same night.

From my perspective, I thought it was probably one of the most physical games that I have seen us play in this season. It was possibly second only to the Frankfort game when we had a couple of really bad injuries.

If our game was a chapter in a book then I think it's title could have been "A Tale of Two Games." The first half was about as tight as one could imagine. Looking back, I think there were over twenty fouls called total in the first half which led to some of our players getting into foul trouble.

It was the first time this year that we were faced with this problem so I could not be too upset but it was a little troublesome coming out of the locker room. Many of our starters already had their second and third fouls.

Of course, I was momentarily put at ease after I noticed I had a cheering section last night. A few of my friends decided to take in our game that evening along with preparing a sign that said, "We love our Coaches!" It meant a lot to see them there especially since one of them is an alumnus of a rival school.

But, as I said before, this was only momentary because this was when the second tale of the game began. This was because very few fouls were called during the second half of our game last night. If we couple that with an already physical and intense game this leads to potential problems and possible injuries.

In fact, it got so bad at one point that one of our players got scratched up pretty bad on her shoulder. Imagine our shock when she was called for the foul on the play. I am still trying to figure that one out.

She walked to the bench holding her shoulder but I still could not figure out to what extend the cut was. After she sat down, I noticed that it looked pretty bad. Not as bad as seeing one of my teammates dislocate a finger in one of my own seventh-grade AAU games (which is an entirely different book) but it definitely looked painful.

As the final buzzer sounded, I have never been more relieved. I wanted to see a quick end to this game because I was afraid that more people would get hurt. Right now, we are still undefeated with one game left to play in the book that is our season.

Hopefully, the final chapter of the season will end as the previous fifteen. Either way, if the book on this season is ever written, I know for sure that I will be the first one to buy it.