Life Lessons with Sam

Older brothers are useful for much more than intimidating boyfriends and making protein shakes. Both of my older brothers (Sam and Will) have given me many "life lessons" that I am very thankful for and,surly, will be useful sooner than later. 

I have learned some valuable lessons just by listening to my brother and his friends who play college baseball. Apparently a pretty clear analogy can be made between baseball and dating. Baseball players talk in a type of code that only a true insider can understand- the pitching rotation for the team is essentially translated into the dating rotation! So ladies, listen closely the next time you happen to be hanging out with a group of baseball players... the conversation may in fact not be about  the past week's game...

Main lesson learned here- Never date a baseball player. 


- The Friday night starter: This is the girl you want to be. If the Friday night starter is not the official girlfriend yet, she is destined to be. The Friday night starter is a strong pick in the personality AND attractiveness categories. Just like a coach usually plays his best pitcher in the first game of a big weekend series, the best girl is chosen to fill that important Friday night spot.

- The Saturday starter: A close second behind the Friday night starter, but something essential is missing. She might be weak in one area, but a strong 10 in another.  Her potential is very high, but consistency is not quite that of the Friday night starter. It wouldn't be the end of the world if the Saturday starter had to go in for the Friday night starter, but it's definitely not the Coach's (or guys) primary choice. 

- The Sunday starter: A wild one. Either you are going to get 7 really good inning... or you are going to give up 8 runs in the first inning. You either get a lot of good or a lot of bad. You never quite know what you are going to get with this one. This person has a lot of upside, but they are not consistent enough to be your Friday or Saturday. I mean, it's the last game of the series at this point so you kind of just have to take a risk. 

- The Mid-week: Like a coach can depend on the mid-week pitcher to throw strikes, this girl is always dependable for a "good time." The mid-week pitcher is pretty dependable to throw strikes no matter the circumstance, but nothing too fancy. The growth potential just isn't there. From what I have picked up on, this is not where you should aspire to fall in the pitching rotation. 

Romas 9:17

"I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Romans 9:17 

Graduation. A time of saying goodbye to what has been the norm for the past few years. A time of transition from dependence to independence. A time to look forward to the opportunities you will encounter in the next few years. 

A time of reflection over what legacy you have left.

It is hard to believe that I am already a High School graduate and will be starting a new chapter of my life this August. This time may seem sad because I will no longer be surrounded by the immediate support of my family and friends, but it is exciting because of what lies ahead for me and the rest of the Class of 2016. While college is definitely something to be excited about and look forward to, Bishop Hartmeyer's homily during our graduation mass reminded me to not get carried away with looking forward and, as a result, forget to look back over the past several years. 

One of my favorite bible verses is Romans 9:17. This verse always serves as a reminder to me to not forget that I have been placed on this earth for a greater purpose. A purpose larger than myself and I am given God's word as a guide for action. Since I am Christ's representative on earth, I must behave as Jesus would appreciate and approve. (Kind of like the WWJD philosophy many of us learned in Sunday School!) As Christians, it makes sense for each of us to hope to leave a Christ-like legacy. After reflecting on my years of High School, my hope is not to be remembered necessarily as the Student Council President or Homecoming Queen, or even as Salutatorian... but rather as the Christian leader who served as a projection of God's light. 

What legacy do you hope to leave?

"Rock the Runway" for the Red Cross, well... ROCKED

 This year the Youth Board raised $45, 076... IN THREE WEEKS. Now as Co-President of this amazing group of High School volunteers, you could imagine the excitement!! The annual Red Cross Heroes campaign that raises money for our local Red Cross chapter has officially come to a close with some pretty impressive numbers. I am especially proud of the Red Cross Youth Board this year for stepping beyond their comfort zones of just asking family and friends for donations- but in addition to this- organizing fundraising events that put their passions into action. 

As a 5'11' girl who has traveled across the country modeling for major fashion designers, you could imagine how excited I was to be able to bring a taste of my experiences back to my hometown and allow my friends to experience a little bit of the thrill of walking in a fashion show. I was excited about this opportunity to allow these high school girls a chance to have their moment to shine on the runway, even if it was on a small scale. Plus the audience was able to see some trendy and adorable clothes, jewelry, and shoes from one of my personal favorite boutiques, Vignettes! I can't thank my community, Vignettes Boutique, and Aquinas High School enough for the massive amount of support. Without them and the FABULOUS models... $1,700 in one night would have been impossible. 

Other Youth Board members put THEIR passions into action in an effort to exceed our goal of $40,000 in three weeks. Chefs at Augusta prep showed their skills in the kitchen by baking treats to sell during break at Augusta Prep, other youth board members used their public speaking skills to present about the Red Cross at corporate board meetings, members with an artistic hand face-painted at the Green jackets baseball games, and the incredibly talented students at Davidson Fine Arts magnet School organized and performed in a "Rock for Relief" Talent show.