A Deputy Discovery

In the wake of the shooting of Deputy Joseph Matuskovic, I learned something. I came across this discovery the morning of his funeral.

Charleston County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Matuskovic, was shot and killed Monday Sept 8 by a man who was causing disruption in the Gardens at Ashley River apartment complex.

Patriot Guard Riders lining the road
in honor of Deputy Joe Matuskovic
Courtesy of Twitter

Now on the day of the funeral, I had a revelation. My Twitter feed was covered up with coverage. Everything from road closures to the Patriot Guard Riders who were lining the sidewalks was being talked about--all in light of the funeral.

Among all the posts, it was one tweet that really caught my eye...

Her Campus, "Campus Celebrity"

Image acquired from Google

Recently, I was featured in an article for the online magazine entitled Her Campus. The writers choose a "campus celebrity" to feature each week and this week, it was my time to shine! Learn more about me by checking out the article here!

The Perfect Pier

Take a look at the picture above. This pier, located at Waterfront Park in Charleston, S.C., is the first place that comes to mind when I think about my favorite place in Charleston. Of course its beauty speaks for itself, but this pier means more to me than just a beautiful scene. It is in the heart of the perfect walk along the water for any tourist visiting the city. Just five minutes from the historic City Market, you can't help but walk on down after getting some shopping in!

This pier is personal to me because of running. Specifically, I fell in love with the far left hand corner of this pier. That's a little strange, you might say. But let me tell you why. After being 30 minutes into a run, this is the perfect stopping point to catch your breath. And when you find yourself on the far left side, you are staring at nothing other than the Arthur Ravenel Bridge.

View of the Ravenel from the far left hand side of the pier

"Okay, so another beautiful sight," you might be thinking. "But what is the importance?" I spent my entire freshman year doing what I love: running. But all the while, I was actually training for the Cooper River Bridge Run. This run starts in Mount Pleasant and challenges the runners in a 10k race across the bridge over into Downtown. So when I let myself take a breather, I took in the sight of my goal. I was able to stare at what I was challenging myself to run across and contemplate the importance of achieving it. This fueled my desire to take that next step...of both the run and my goal.

The Ravenel Bridge

Water Taxi dock alongside the pier

The left hand side of the pier is also home to the Charleston Water Taxi. This taxi is a great alternative to downtown traffic and will get you across the water in no time! It is constantly running which is why you don't see it in this picture but the flag indicates that this is where it docks for those who are ready for some water transportation! The taxi will take you over to Patriots Point to see sights such as the USS Yorktown. Take a close look at the picture below and you can see the view of the Yorktown! 

View of the USS Yorktown from the Pier

The pier is home to great views and tons of fun!

Take a look across the way...

...Or swing the day away!

Behind the pier is home to the rest of Waterfront Park. Here you can find the famous Pineapple Fountain (shown below). 

This fountain is important and unique to Charleston because it is a symbol of hospitality. And here in Charleston, we pride ourselves in hospitality!

Kids love cooling off in the fountain!

While we all like to get lost in all the views of the water, another great part about this area isn't water, but grass!

This green area is the perfect escape from the library. Freshman year, my roommate and I found ourselves packing up our backpacks and heading down to Waterfront to get in some studying while also enjoying the fresh air. 

The next time you are in Charleston, or if you need a break from the busy foot traffic of downtown, make sure you take a visit to the Pier at Waterfront Park. It will clear your mind and leave you feeling more at peace. That is why it is the perfect pier.

These two photos were taken while I was on my first run back from a foot injury.
I couldn't help but capture the moment of being reunited with my perfect pier.

Overcrowding Nightmare for Knightsville Elementary

When students picture their first day of school, they may think of the noise of conversation in the hallway, smiling teachers standing outside of their classroom doors, or perhaps opening their lockers for the very first time.

For the students who attend Knightsville Elementary in Summerville, S.C., they do not have that same picture of the first day. Knightsville, which is included in Dorchester District 2, has been battling an overcrowding of students. So what does this mean?

Students making the long walk back to the main building for lunch
(courtesy of The Post and Courier)

With the growing number of students the school is acquiring, the less room the classrooms possess. "The building, constructed in 1938, has room for only 850 students, forcing about 600 others into the 31 mobile units that have been added over the year," wrote reporter Brenda Rindge in her recent article for The Post and Courier. This means tighter quarters and longer walks to the main building for theses young students. Instead of a classroom, the students and teachers reside in a mobile trailer.

This situation makes me sad because I could not imagine spending my first years of school not in a traditional education environment. However, I have to look at the bright side: they are making accommodations rather than turning the students away.

Superintendent Joe Pye
(courtesy of The Post and Courier)

There has already been work in progress for improving this situation. Superintendent Joe Pye of Dorchester District 2 has stayed positive while addressing some concern there has been with the overcrowding affecting the student's performance in the classroom and parents feelings. He stated, "I haven't heard any complaints (about overcrowding). I think they (the parents) all know we passed the referendum and we are anxiously trying to get some new schools together, so they are waiting for that to happen."

I will be interested to see how this situation carries out through the rest of the year and if it has any negative affects on the students. My eye will stay on this situation to evaluate the decision and progress on building more schools.

Take a quick moment to share your thoughts about the situation in the poll on the side of the screen!

The Re-Awakening

It has been some time, but I am back! This blog has been idle for two years now, so there are some things to catch up on. While I have been away, a lot has changed.

This Jersey-girl has become a Southerner! I survived my freshman year of college, down in beautiful South Carolina at the College of Charleston where I am currently a Junior. I am studying Communication with a minor in Hospitality.

Going from being an athlete all throughout high school to living without the sport I had come to know and love, turned out to be taxing on my body & lifestyle. After a single year of being away from Track & Field, I wanted it back. My fire for the sport never went out. So I made a phone call. The coaches were overly enthused and after a summer of hard-core training, I was able to call myself an NCAA D1 athlete. (CofC Track & Field)

To me, calling something "life-changing" can become cliche. However, becoming a student-athlete was truly and remarkably life changing. Freshman year left me a zombie. Being at the library until 4am, taking 5 minute naps just to feel refreshed, and not having the time to take a step back to look at the beauty of Charleston took a huge toll on my body. If you knew me freshman year, you would've thought I was a completely different person just two months into my sophomore year. Being involved with sports again helped me realize that hey, everything gets done and it will be accomplished with a purpose. With that being said, I completed my sophomore year with lower stress levels and a higher GPA.

I was, and am, a new person.

I am very involved on and off campus. I am coming off a summer internship with the Charleston Battery (professional soccer team on Daniel Island). During the internship, I made connections with local news stations that I already have my eye on for next summer. I am continuing my internship with the Athletic Communication Department while also teaching a fitness class for my old employers at Campus Rec Services.

Welcome to the re-awakening of my blog. While the main purpose is for my Communication Multi-Media reporting course, I am glad to be back. I know how important it is to keep a blog and I am glad I will be on top of that now. I hope to bring my viewpoints to current nation-wide situations and topics while incorporating vital reporting skills. I don't think I have ever been so excited for a course here at the College yet!

Stay tuned...

One Month From Yesterday

In one month (from yesterday), I will be graduating.  Graduating High School, the place I've been for the past 4 years.  The place where I have grown into the person I am today--the student I am today.  The place where bonds were made and some where broken.  The place where my future unfolded before my eyes without me even knowing.  It is unbelievable to think the place I have come to call my "second home" is now just going to go back to being the building I can see outside my kitchen window or from standing atop my diving board.  I say its just going to be a building but I know I will never look at it like that.  There were so many memories made inside that building (while some better than others) that I will never forget.  I give a big shout out to all the teachers who have had my back for the past four years.  They have put up with my tears and my high stress levels.  They gave me those words I needed when I was ready to give up.  They have held my hand through these years and it sure will be empty when I have to let go.  But letting go is okay.  It is time.  I was never the biggest fan of high school to begin with.  So it is time to close my locker for a final time and open up the that next chapter in the book of "me."  I am ready.  One month from yesterday, I will be graduating.

Doonesbury

This cartoon plays off of the attitude of teachers who believe in placing their students on high pedestals even when it is not deserved.  The teacher in the cartoon has a realistic mind set and is putting reality into focus for her students.  She is giving it to them cold and true.  The teacher explains that you have to work for success.  Success is not something that is just going to land in your lap if you give something half your effort.  However, there are teachers out there who will continue to praise their students for not doing 100% or just simply “showing up”.  This attitude is shadowed in other activities such as little league sports.  So the team did not place 1^st, does that mean they shouldn’t receive a trophy too?  If children start out thinking they are going to be rewarded even if they didn’t achieve “first place standards”, why would they try?  If something is just going to be handed to them for showing up, why give extra effort?  That is why this cartoon is so crucial.  Teachers need to start understanding their students need to work for their grade.  Teachers need to see firsthand they can’t just give their students false hope that they are doing exactly what they are supposed to.  Teach them right.  Show them the correct way to achieve good grades.  Then the students will understand the reality of life.  You have to work for what you earn.  It is not just “a-given” that greatness can be achieved.