Reflection

Hi All,

As I sit in my dorm room and type on my computer for the final time this semester, I would like to take a few moments to reflect on the past academic year. I just completed my freshman year of college, two semesters that seemed to fly by, and experienced a great deal of new and exciting things.

I learned a lot, made a lot of new friends, went to a great deal of Penn State football games (including when I flew out to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl), saw the Penn State Men’s Basketball team win on numerous come from behind occasions and buzzer beaters, went to Madison Square Garden (twice) to see Penn State be crowned champions of the National Invitational Tournament, participated in the largest student run philanthropic effort in the world (THON – a 46 hour straight no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon which raised $7.49 million for pediatric cancer research), saw Sarah Palin speak, shook Bill Clinton’s hand, listened to Madeline Albright, started throwing in field events, competed in field events in Myrtle Beach (and will compete in Oklahoma in June in field events and handcycling), played Wheelchair Basketball on a team for the first time, and improved my skiing greatly.
That is a great way to live life – take the lemons that life gives you and make some delicious lemonade. I would have never done a quarter of the aforementioned things had I not followed the above philosophy.

I think I took advantage of almost everything college could throw my way. I hope that I have half of the great opportunities again when I return to Happy Valley in the fall.

College is truly a great thing – not just for the academics, but for all the opportunities and challenges it presents you with. It prepares you for the game of life.

I challenge all of you to take advantage of the opportunities that life throws your way and see how far you can go.

- Tracker
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“Many of life’s failures are people who had not realized how close they were to success when they gave up.” - Thomas A Edison

Quick Update

Hi All,

It has been steamy out here in Happy Valley over the past few days! I am very happy that my dorm is one of the few that has air conditioning!

This weekend, we had our annual Blue & White Weekend where the athletic department hosted a carnival, football scrimmage, and other events. It was a great weekend and very nice to walk into Beaver Stadium for the first time this semester.

I found out that I got 1st Place in the discus and javelin and 2nd Place in the shot put down at Myrtle Beach. I am very satisfied with that as I was not expecting to place at all!

I also found out that I am going to the Endeavor Games in Oklahoma in June for field events as well as a handcycling race! I am looking forward to that!

Finals week is next week here at Penn State, so we are all starting to buckle down and start studying for our many exams! I have two final exams in class on Thursday and Friday, one exam on Monday, and an exam on Tuesday. I hope I do well!

I also have a home field meet on Tuesday after my exam, so after that meet I will officially be a sophomore! It is hard to believe that a quarter of my college career is over. It seems like just yesterday that I decided I was attending Penn State! It is amazing how fast time flies when you are having fun!

I will update you after finals week!

- Tracker
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" You must motivate yourself EVERYDAY!" - Matthew Stasior