1. What is something unique about your hometown/favorite thing to do there?
Colleen Forrest: Some things unique about my hometown (Deerfield, IL) are that the village hall and town square are named after my grandfather. My favorite thing to do in my hometown is to go to the beach with my friends.
Kim Coleman: I am from Chicago; the best city ever, what makes Chicago unique is the people, the educational and job opportunities it has to offer and the neat tourist spots such as Navy Pier, Millennium Park, or events like the taste of Chicago. My favorite thing to do is eat, followed by a nice North Avenue Beach run.
2. Who got you into playing basketball?
Colleen: I think it was a combination of watching the Chicago Bulls and my grandfather. My parents have been Bulls fans from as long as I can remember. I used to sit in front of the TV, cheering for “Blue Jay” because I could not say B.J. (as in B.J. Armstrong). Growing up watching the Championship Bulls definitely inspired me to play. Also, around the same time, my grandfather got me my first playskool basketball and hoop, which I used to play with all the time.
Chelsea Gross: my dad
Kim: Basketball has been in my blood, both of my parents played basketball, my mother played on the collegiate level. Both of them encourage me to play at a young age and I began to fall in love with it from there.
3. What on the court activities (basketball drills, strength and conditioning, etc.) make us successful?
Chelsea; Our shooting drills that require us to work as a team or in groups. Drills that demonstrate what we will be experiencing in games. Long and hard repetitions that help us prepare for our “40 minutes of hell.”
Colleen: As much as I don’t enjoy it, I would have to say that our strength and conditioning make us most successful, especially since we are rarely the tallest team on the court. We are able to combat the lack of height with our athleticism, speed, and endurance.
4. What are some of your favorite off the court activities you hope we continue in the future?
Chelsea: Team golf outing, gingerbread house building, team dinners at coach’s house, team Christmas bonding.
Colleen: Some of my favorite activities off the court would have to be the team golf outing, the high ropes coarse, and team movies.
5. What motto do you try to live by?
Colleen: “Pray not for lighter burdens, but for stronger backs.” –Theodore Roosevelt
Chelsea: “What doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger”
6. Who is/was your most influential teacher or professor? Why?
Chelsea: Bob Foster. He is an upbeat inspirational person who I look to for advice and guidance in my academics and in the training room.
Colleen: I would have to say my 7th grade social studies professor, Mrs. Meyers. Not only did she teach me how to be a better student, but she taught me to be proud of what I know. It was her love and passion for history and knowledge that influenced me to pursue history as my major.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Integrated Studies
At Monmouth College we have course series called Integrated Studies. Students will take a course each school year:
Freshmen Introduction to Liberal Arts
Sophomore Global Perspective
Junior Reflections
Senior Citizenship
I wanted to mirror this thought in a series of MCWB blog articles. Each class would reflect on questions that pertain to their level of Integrated Studies learning.
Freshmen Introduction to college life @ MC
Sophomore Looking at others
Junior Reflect on your journey
Senior The Future
One of the first things asked of the ladies is something a member of the team has done for someone else. Marla Willard (Pittsfield HS) indicates “something that I truly respect that someone on our team has done for someone else is when Coach Vac, now Coach Flatt, collected our old shoes for a fundraiser. This simple act of bringing in shoes was something that truly affected many people’s lives and her allowing us to be involved with that made me grateful of people like Coach Flatt”. Taylor Rubarts (Paxon-Buckley-Loda HS) continues with “one thing our whole team did that I found respectable was sending flowers to Kierstyn when her father passed away. This shows how close our team is and how much we care about each other. Our team is a family and when one person is down we are always there to pick each other up, no matter what”. Jasmine Johnson (West Aurora HS) agrees, saying “the one thing that I respect about all of my teammates for is that I know without a doubt in my mind that I can call any of them at any time of the day for anything at all and they will never let me down”.
Setting goals are an important part of team sports. We can achieve a lot when everyone is on the same page and knows what we have in mind to accomplish. Marla feels our goals this season are “to win conference and also bring home the conference tournament trophy! We were so close last year and we believe this year it is our turn. We tied the record last year for most wins in a season and it would be a great feeling to break our own record”. Taylor continues “this year we want to win the conference tournament and make it to the NCAA tournament. Aside from basketball goals, we want to make our team a family. When our team is a family, there is already chemistry between all of us that we don’t have to create on the court”. Kaley Corban (Prairie Central HS) indicated the “final goal that applies to the college as a whole is to keep the All-Sports trophy in our possession”.
A sense of family is something we strive to feel within our basketball team. Every family has a jokester…who is ours? The ladies debate! Jasmine & Monet Mailey (Eisenhower HS) think it is “Chelsea Gross hands down. She is hilarious at all times possible. There are so many stories I can’t just choose one. I will definitely say that whenever you're in a horrible mood she is the first one to crack a joke or talk in an extremely horrible accent to turn your entire day around”. Monet continues “I remember last year I tried to teach her how to jerk and all of her dance moves are the funniest/corniest dances ever”. Taylor, Kaley & Marla feel Jasmine Johnson is the player that “is constantly making everyone on the team laugh. She is that person when you are down you go talk to her and she always has something funny to say to lighten your mood” Kaley states, “during our pre-game scrimmages, she is always motivating the post players to work harder by saying ‘yeahhhh’, ‘comeeee on’, ‘shoooooot that’, ‘give me what you got’ every time the opposing post has the ball”. Marla would know first-hand about Jasmine since they are roommates. She tells a funny story about “after we were told before we traveled that the trip was a business trip, Jasmine comes decked out and carrying two bags like briefcases, a serious look on her face. When coach asked her why the sudden change, she simply answered, ‘Coach, this is a business trip.’ She’s always one to crack a joke at someone else or her own expense”.
Something that many of the ladies do agree on is their favorite location on campus. Taylor shares, “my favorite place on campus is Huff Athletic Center. Anytime I am stressed about school or anything else in my life going to Huff gets rid of all the stress and gives me a break”. Marla agrees stating, “there is no place I’d rather be on this campus”. Good thing since you guys spends so much time here!!
The ladies were also asked about pre-game rituals. Some were serious like Kaley admiring Colleen Forrest’s ritual of “shooting probably twenty-five minutes prior to the time we are supposed to be dressed and ready for warm-up before games. The fact that she comes in early reflects how she does in the game. It is a great pre-game ritual to have”! Other rituals were a little more superstition based like Monet “wearing the same socks for every game and also I have to kiss my basketball chain before I take it off”.
Finally, the sophomores were asked who their role models were. WARNING: this section can be a tear jerker. It’s great to see the ladies have such positive influences in their lives!!
Marla: My role model is my Grandma Greta. She was the strongest, most selfless person that I have ever known. When something needed done, no matter what it was, she did it without one single word of complaint. She was giving and kind, yet tough and expected the most out of everyone at all times. She was forgiving and honest. She was the hardest work I’ve ever known and I strive to be at least a little like her every single day.
Taylor: My parents are my role-models. They are the reason I have had success in my life. I respect the way the raised my brothers and I and wouldn’t change it for the world. They have done so much to send me so I could go to college and play basketball.
Monet: My role model is my mom and my favorite NBA player Dwyane Wade. I admire them both because they are hard workers and had to work for everything they have. Also Dwyane Wade is from a town really close to mine. I admire him even more for giving back to the community and not forgetting where he came from. Plus I was given the opportunity to attend his camp for free.
Kaley: One of my role models from a basketball perspective would have to be Haley Jones. She has high expectations for our team this year and is constantly motivating the team in pre-season scrimmages. Haley is also never afraid to think out loud. She is considered our team captain for the year, but is always counting on team input before making decisions. Haley is the definition of a leader. She is a hard-worker, keeps her word, and never gives up. These are characteristics that can not only relate to basketball, but to life as well.
- From a life perspective, both of my parents are my role models. They are my support system. They are there to motivate me and encourage me to make smart choices. I can always look to them for guidance and they count of me to follow through with any hardship that may come my way.
Jasmine: My role model is without a doubt my grandmother. Through all the trials and tribulations she has always stayed strong and never let anyone see her sweat. She has never let me down and I can only pray that I become half the woman she is someday.
Freshmen Introduction to Liberal Arts
Sophomore Global Perspective
Junior Reflections
Senior Citizenship
I wanted to mirror this thought in a series of MCWB blog articles. Each class would reflect on questions that pertain to their level of Integrated Studies learning.
Freshmen Introduction to college life @ MC
Sophomore Looking at others
Junior Reflect on your journey
Senior The Future
One of the first things asked of the ladies is something a member of the team has done for someone else. Marla Willard (Pittsfield HS) indicates “something that I truly respect that someone on our team has done for someone else is when Coach Vac, now Coach Flatt, collected our old shoes for a fundraiser. This simple act of bringing in shoes was something that truly affected many people’s lives and her allowing us to be involved with that made me grateful of people like Coach Flatt”. Taylor Rubarts (Paxon-Buckley-Loda HS) continues with “one thing our whole team did that I found respectable was sending flowers to Kierstyn when her father passed away. This shows how close our team is and how much we care about each other. Our team is a family and when one person is down we are always there to pick each other up, no matter what”. Jasmine Johnson (West Aurora HS) agrees, saying “the one thing that I respect about all of my teammates for is that I know without a doubt in my mind that I can call any of them at any time of the day for anything at all and they will never let me down”.
Setting goals are an important part of team sports. We can achieve a lot when everyone is on the same page and knows what we have in mind to accomplish. Marla feels our goals this season are “to win conference and also bring home the conference tournament trophy! We were so close last year and we believe this year it is our turn. We tied the record last year for most wins in a season and it would be a great feeling to break our own record”. Taylor continues “this year we want to win the conference tournament and make it to the NCAA tournament. Aside from basketball goals, we want to make our team a family. When our team is a family, there is already chemistry between all of us that we don’t have to create on the court”. Kaley Corban (Prairie Central HS) indicated the “final goal that applies to the college as a whole is to keep the All-Sports trophy in our possession”.
A sense of family is something we strive to feel within our basketball team. Every family has a jokester…who is ours? The ladies debate! Jasmine & Monet Mailey (Eisenhower HS) think it is “Chelsea Gross hands down. She is hilarious at all times possible. There are so many stories I can’t just choose one. I will definitely say that whenever you're in a horrible mood she is the first one to crack a joke or talk in an extremely horrible accent to turn your entire day around”. Monet continues “I remember last year I tried to teach her how to jerk and all of her dance moves are the funniest/corniest dances ever”. Taylor, Kaley & Marla feel Jasmine Johnson is the player that “is constantly making everyone on the team laugh. She is that person when you are down you go talk to her and she always has something funny to say to lighten your mood” Kaley states, “during our pre-game scrimmages, she is always motivating the post players to work harder by saying ‘yeahhhh’, ‘comeeee on’, ‘shoooooot that’, ‘give me what you got’ every time the opposing post has the ball”. Marla would know first-hand about Jasmine since they are roommates. She tells a funny story about “after we were told before we traveled that the trip was a business trip, Jasmine comes decked out and carrying two bags like briefcases, a serious look on her face. When coach asked her why the sudden change, she simply answered, ‘Coach, this is a business trip.’ She’s always one to crack a joke at someone else or her own expense”.
Something that many of the ladies do agree on is their favorite location on campus. Taylor shares, “my favorite place on campus is Huff Athletic Center. Anytime I am stressed about school or anything else in my life going to Huff gets rid of all the stress and gives me a break”. Marla agrees stating, “there is no place I’d rather be on this campus”. Good thing since you guys spends so much time here!!
The ladies were also asked about pre-game rituals. Some were serious like Kaley admiring Colleen Forrest’s ritual of “shooting probably twenty-five minutes prior to the time we are supposed to be dressed and ready for warm-up before games. The fact that she comes in early reflects how she does in the game. It is a great pre-game ritual to have”! Other rituals were a little more superstition based like Monet “wearing the same socks for every game and also I have to kiss my basketball chain before I take it off”.
Finally, the sophomores were asked who their role models were. WARNING: this section can be a tear jerker. It’s great to see the ladies have such positive influences in their lives!!
Marla: My role model is my Grandma Greta. She was the strongest, most selfless person that I have ever known. When something needed done, no matter what it was, she did it without one single word of complaint. She was giving and kind, yet tough and expected the most out of everyone at all times. She was forgiving and honest. She was the hardest work I’ve ever known and I strive to be at least a little like her every single day.
Taylor: My parents are my role-models. They are the reason I have had success in my life. I respect the way the raised my brothers and I and wouldn’t change it for the world. They have done so much to send me so I could go to college and play basketball.
Monet: My role model is my mom and my favorite NBA player Dwyane Wade. I admire them both because they are hard workers and had to work for everything they have. Also Dwyane Wade is from a town really close to mine. I admire him even more for giving back to the community and not forgetting where he came from. Plus I was given the opportunity to attend his camp for free.
Kaley: One of my role models from a basketball perspective would have to be Haley Jones. She has high expectations for our team this year and is constantly motivating the team in pre-season scrimmages. Haley is also never afraid to think out loud. She is considered our team captain for the year, but is always counting on team input before making decisions. Haley is the definition of a leader. She is a hard-worker, keeps her word, and never gives up. These are characteristics that can not only relate to basketball, but to life as well.
- From a life perspective, both of my parents are my role models. They are my support system. They are there to motivate me and encourage me to make smart choices. I can always look to them for guidance and they count of me to follow through with any hardship that may come my way.
Jasmine: My role model is without a doubt my grandmother. Through all the trials and tribulations she has always stayed strong and never let anyone see her sweat. She has never let me down and I can only pray that I become half the woman she is someday.
MCWB newcomers answer what it is like to be a freshman at Monmouth College in the fall of 2011!
MCWB newcomers answer what it is like to be a freshman at Monmouth College in the fall of 2011! Going away to college can be nerve wracking, intimidating, but it can also be a TON of fun! MCWB freshmen tell of their transition to college life.
Kathleen Forrest (Deerfield HS) says her favorite class would have to be her Introduction to Liberal Arts (ILA) because “our class is a very close-knit group. It is like spending an hour with friends discussing philosophical topics that relate to our lives”. Jessica Howard (Galesburg HS) also enjoys her ILA class because “everyone participates and we all get along. Also my professor is cool”. College courses can also be inspiring. Tiffany Churchill (South Fulton HS) says her favorite course this semester “would have to by my 8:00am Spanish101 class. My professor Barbaro-Mandrano really makes the class enjoyable for her students. She is full of animation and never loses my attention even if it is early in the morning”.
We have very lofty goals this basketball season. Our incoming players quickly realize what a commitment it is get ourselves ready to compete at our highest level. Basketball season officially begins October 15th. Tiffany Churchill (South Fulton HS) knows she is getting in really good shape by weight lifting and conditioning with our strength & conditioning coach. The ladies meet with Coach Woodard five days a week (3 lifting, 2 fitness). Coach Woodard is in the weight room multiple hours a day and the ladies workout with him during open times in their academic schedule.
Moving into dormitory life with new people could be a challenge….however, most incoming freshmen find they had nothing to worry about and living in a dorm can be amazing! Paige Nord (Ridgeview HS) says “it is a very friendly atmosphere”. She tells the story of her roommate “waking up in the middle of the night sleep talking. She was yelling at me ‘where’s the fan?! (we don’t have a fan)”. Alyssa Riley (Warrensburg HS) agrees saying that dorm life can be a lot of fun. “I get along well with my roommate, and our floor has had a game night in order for us to meet people. One fun story would have to be when our room fan almost fell out of the window! It is now successfully duck taped to the window”.
As always, a big question remains…what’s the food like? Tiffany comments that the food here at Monmouth College is good. She says “they have a large variety of just about anything. My favorite so far is the pasta. They cook it right in front of me and I personally get to choose the ingredients they put in it”. Paige expands “it is nice to have choices outside the regular cafeteria”. Her favorite is the blueberry muffins from Einstein’s Bagels. Jessica thinks the best food on campus is Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream…hard to disagree with that! Yum!
Finally, the ladies weigh in on why they chose Monmouth College.
Tiffany: I chose Monmouth College because it truly was the only place I could see myself calling home for the next four years of my life.
Kathleen: I chose Monmouth after visiting my sister who goes here several times, it just felt like home. I also like the concentrated campus, the furthest walk is like 7 minutes. I like the small class sizes and the friendliness of the people here.
Paige: It is a small campus with good academics.
Jessica: I chose Monmouth because I wanted to receive a good education and also play basketball. Also, the campus is beautiful.
Alyssa: I chose Monmouth College because it is a smaller school. I wanted to be a name to my professors rather than a number. I also thought the campus was really pretty and had a very “homie” feeling to it. All of the people on campus were extremely friendly each time I came to visit. I also chose this college because I really like the basketball coach and my future teammates.
Kathleen Forrest (Deerfield HS) says her favorite class would have to be her Introduction to Liberal Arts (ILA) because “our class is a very close-knit group. It is like spending an hour with friends discussing philosophical topics that relate to our lives”. Jessica Howard (Galesburg HS) also enjoys her ILA class because “everyone participates and we all get along. Also my professor is cool”. College courses can also be inspiring. Tiffany Churchill (South Fulton HS) says her favorite course this semester “would have to by my 8:00am Spanish101 class. My professor Barbaro-Mandrano really makes the class enjoyable for her students. She is full of animation and never loses my attention even if it is early in the morning”.
We have very lofty goals this basketball season. Our incoming players quickly realize what a commitment it is get ourselves ready to compete at our highest level. Basketball season officially begins October 15th. Tiffany Churchill (South Fulton HS) knows she is getting in really good shape by weight lifting and conditioning with our strength & conditioning coach. The ladies meet with Coach Woodard five days a week (3 lifting, 2 fitness). Coach Woodard is in the weight room multiple hours a day and the ladies workout with him during open times in their academic schedule.
Moving into dormitory life with new people could be a challenge….however, most incoming freshmen find they had nothing to worry about and living in a dorm can be amazing! Paige Nord (Ridgeview HS) says “it is a very friendly atmosphere”. She tells the story of her roommate “waking up in the middle of the night sleep talking. She was yelling at me ‘where’s the fan?! (we don’t have a fan)”. Alyssa Riley (Warrensburg HS) agrees saying that dorm life can be a lot of fun. “I get along well with my roommate, and our floor has had a game night in order for us to meet people. One fun story would have to be when our room fan almost fell out of the window! It is now successfully duck taped to the window”.
As always, a big question remains…what’s the food like? Tiffany comments that the food here at Monmouth College is good. She says “they have a large variety of just about anything. My favorite so far is the pasta. They cook it right in front of me and I personally get to choose the ingredients they put in it”. Paige expands “it is nice to have choices outside the regular cafeteria”. Her favorite is the blueberry muffins from Einstein’s Bagels. Jessica thinks the best food on campus is Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream…hard to disagree with that! Yum!
Finally, the ladies weigh in on why they chose Monmouth College.
Tiffany: I chose Monmouth College because it truly was the only place I could see myself calling home for the next four years of my life.
Kathleen: I chose Monmouth after visiting my sister who goes here several times, it just felt like home. I also like the concentrated campus, the furthest walk is like 7 minutes. I like the small class sizes and the friendliness of the people here.
Paige: It is a small campus with good academics.
Jessica: I chose Monmouth because I wanted to receive a good education and also play basketball. Also, the campus is beautiful.
Alyssa: I chose Monmouth College because it is a smaller school. I wanted to be a name to my professors rather than a number. I also thought the campus was really pretty and had a very “homie” feeling to it. All of the people on campus were extremely friendly each time I came to visit. I also chose this college because I really like the basketball coach and my future teammates.
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