These next few weeks are going to be a true test for me. I have several final projects and tests to prepare myself for and also several important events to attend on campus before the semester comes to an end. One project that I am looking forward to is a Scene Pitch for my Literature Into Film class with Prof. Steinbeiser. The objective of the project is to create a scene for a movie, that is based on a novel, and pitch it to our classmates as if they were real Hollywood producers. I think it will be very exciting and it gives me a chance to spread my "creative wings" as an English minor. My movie is based on Mount Aloysius College, so it will interesting to see where I go with my ideas.

As far as big events go, I was recently invited to attend a Board of Trustees meeting this Friday, along with eleven other student athletes, to discuss our College experience and the delicate balance of college and athletics. I am honored to have the opportunity to discuss my opinions and ideas on behalf of the student athletes.

This weekend I will be going to Hershey, PA for a Relay for Life Summit with John, Justin and Jenna (sometimes I feel like an outsider in the group because they all have names that begin with J and I don't...haha :o). We will have the opportunity to meet with other college students from the state and discuss productive strategies used by other colleges and we will also be learning about how to make our personal Relay for Life more beneficial to the college and community. I think it will be a very informative and exciting weekend!

Well, I'm going to get ready for the basketball game...Absolute Attitude will be performing at halftime so if you're in the area, stop by! The women play at 5, the men play at 7 and they will both be taking on Lancaster Bible College.

-Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just got back from a nice little break at home to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. Although the break was very busy with preparations, Black Friday shopping and decorating for Christmas, I had so much fun spending time with my Mom, Dad and younger sister. It was also really nice having a room all to myself...I love being in my room at home because it's covered in my artwork, pictures, trophies and random other things. It's my escape from reality. :o) I know we all need that sometimes!

I did miss my friends from MAC and tried to keep up with some of them over the break. I didn't know what to do with myself this past weekend because it felt like I should be spending time in the Admissions Office or studying in the library...but I didn't have to! I'm glad to be back though because finals are 2 weeks away, some even closer, and the end of the semester is rapidly approaching. I can't believe that I almost have three semesters at Mount Aloysius College under my belt. It still feels like it all just started yesterday!!

Well, I'm heading down to the Admissions Office to give a tour of the campus...hope to see you visiting campus soon!

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday was our November Mercy Presidential Social, and it was also our question and answer session with Sister Mary Ann Dillon, President of Mount Aloysius College. We enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner and had a chance to catch up with several of our fellow Mercy Leaders. When Sister President arrived, we began with introductions, mainly for the new freshmen, and some light conversation about how we are enjoying the campus so far. Then it was time to "get down to business, " so to speak.

The purpose of this social is for the students to ask questions about the College, plans for the future, and to offer suggestions on how to improve the campus. There was a lot of new insight into the future of the College, including the possibility of adding a new residence hall by renovating one of the existing bulidings on campus. We also discussed the new Health and Physical Fitness Center that is in the works for the College as well.

It was a very informative meeting, and I think that some of the new ideas, with the right planning, will be put into effect. I enjoyed being able to sit down and discuss the future of MAC with the President because I have so many ideas for the College...and hopefully after some more education, I can reach my goal and serve as President of Mount Aloysius! :o)

That's why we call them goals, right?

Laura
AKA-The girl who lives and breathes Mount Aloysius College...haha

Posted by Laura Deely at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last night was the official kick off for basketball season at Mount Aloysius. The College put together an evening of basketball showcases, food, prizes, and student-athlete appreciation. We also had the official opening of the Mountie Manic cheering section. This will be a designated section of the bleechers for the students who are the loudest and proudest Mount Aloysius fans. The Athletic Department is running a fundraiser by selling official Mountie Maniac t-shirts with all of the procedes benefiting Relay for Life.

There was an excellent showing of students, both residential and commuter, for the event and everyone was over-flowing with team spirit. Last night also showcased our half-time entertainment for the season: the Absolute Attitude STEP team, the Mount Aloysius College Cheerleading squad, and the MAC Dance team. It was amazing to finally see all of our hard work for STEP team pay off! :o) My adrenaline was pumping so fast after our performance and the student body loved it.

The basketball teams gave us a preview of the upcoming season through a couple of scrimmages, the Slam-Dunk contest, and the 3-point shootout. Let's just say that it was an amazing show and an awesome night spent with my best friends. I just can't wait for this weekend's Coaches vs. Cancer Basketball Tournament. All of these procedes will also be going to Relay for Life and it will showcase the first official home game for the Men's Basketball Team.

Well, I think I should get some reading finished...Finals seem to be creeping up on me, and before I know it, the semester is going to be over. :o(

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last night was the first annual Mount Aloysius College Turkey Bowl. For weeks, I had anxiously awaited this moment. The powderpuff football program is officially underway, and we are looking to make the Turkey Bowl an annual event for the College. Several girls are also looking into competing against other colleges as well. Last night, however, was absolutely amazing and made me wish we could have played more than one game.

The upperclassmen and the underclassmen went head to head in a very competitive flag-football game and the upperclassmen, my team, prevailed after all of their hard work and training! :o) The weather couldn't have been more perfect for a night of football. The game started off with a bang as I scored the first touchdown. The underclassmen retaliated with a long drive down the field and finished with a comeback touchdown. However, it wouldn't be enough because senior Katy Hyland scored a touchdown for the upperclassmen and I secured our score by getting the extra point.

Both teams did an amazing job as did the coaches who took time out of their busy schedule. Maybe we can schedule a Rabbit Bowl for Easter or something because one game just isn't going to cut it. :o) I've never had so much fun playing flag-football as I did with my friends this year at MAC.

I'm looking forward to meeting the students at Open House today!!

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today made me realize how quickly this year is passing. I can't believe it's already November and Thanksgiving break is rapidly approaching. Today I met with my advisor, Dr. Brad Hastings, to go over my schedule for the spring semester and discuss my options. This is my first time scheduling classes as a Psychology major so I was kind of excited that this transition is continuing to go smoothly. It looks like I will be taking 15 credits next semester and taking my final course for my English minor.

We also had our final Powderpuff Football practice today. Our game is on Thursday, November 9th against the underclassmen. I'm am so excited to play!! :o) It was a bit sad though to think that it will all be over after the game. I think our team is going to do really well.

Well I need to keep this short tonight because I'm going to Altoona to watch my little sister and her cheerleading squad perform in a competition...

All the best! Hope to see you on campus soon!

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 5:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Can you think of a better way to end the soccer season than with your fellow teammates, other fall athletes, faculty and staff involved with the Student Athletic Advisory Board? I certainly can't. :o) On Thursday, Mount Aloysius College honored its fall athletes with a beautiful banquet and awards ceremony. It was difficult to recognize several of my teammates because I'm used to seeing them in their soccer uniform, which is usually covered in mud. Everybody looked beautiful, and the guys looked very handsome in their dress shirts and ties. It was a nice and quiet evening spent with the students I love most.

Dr. Jane Grasadonia opened the evening with her thoughts on the Athletic program and how proud she is that the College is being represented so positively by the student-athletes. She is excited that the program is growing and generating a lot of interest ouside of our local area. Mount Aloysius is making a very strong name for itself and Dr. Grasadonia stated that she is honored to be a part of its atmosphere.

Sister Mary Ann Dillion, President of Mount Aloyius College, also gave an inspirational speech at the banquet. She discussed the important balance of the term "student-athlete" and the importance in maintaining that balance. She said that we, as students, are representing the College remarkably well and how proud she was that we are also making strong impacts in the classroom as well as in athletics.

After her closing remarks, the soccer team presented Coach Kelly with a picture I had taken of him and the three seniors, Jess Parzanese, Katy Hyland, and Ann Hospelhorn, at our last game of the season. We also gave him a card signed by the enitre team with a gift card to his favorite restaurant. We then presented the seniors with individual scrapbooks that several of us had created. They were small gestures of our appreciation for the leadership they possessed on and off the soccer field as well as little momentos of their last year with MAC. It was a memorable evening and we enjoyed a great night together as a team.

Well, I'm off to lunch with some of my friends...

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 4:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This past Tuesday we celebrated Halloween MAC style. After a long day of classes and Powderpuff practice, it was time to put on my crazy makeup, dress up and party with my friends. Jess, JP, Jonathan and I worked with Sue Brugh and Kevin Kime to decorate Cosgrave Center for the Halloween Dance that was being held on campus. The walls were decorated from top to bottom and numerous couldrons, filled with candy, served as the centerpieces for the tables.

After we finished decorating, we ventured into the cafeteria where a concert was being held for the students and neighbors of Mount Aloysius College. Bob Shepherd and Linda Greene-Shepherd, along with their talented daughter Dominique, put together an amazing show complete with blues, gospel, pop-rock, hip-hop, and soulful numbers. Linda is an alumna of MAC and was thrilled to be back in the campus atmosphere. There was an amazing turnout! My favorite part of the performance was the final number because the audience got up from their chairs and the cafeteria turned into an uproar of dancing and singing. I had fun dancing with my buddy Rory too! :o)

After the concert, the dance was underway with numerous costumes being displayed and a great turnout from the student body. The students had a great time spending time with their friends and dancing the night away. I also enjoyed the costume contest because I was one of the judges along with JP, Jess, Jonathan, Ann Volk, and Sue and Larry Brugh. My favorite was the Hulk; Josh had used green food dye to color his skin...let's just say he had a fun time trying to get that off!! :o) Overall, I had a blast spending the night with my friends and it was a perfect way to celebrate Halloween!

Well, I have to get to work....

Laura

Posted by Laura Deely at 4:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)