Let the Countdown Begin
In four days, I will be a graduate of Saint Leo!! The two years I have spent at the university have been terrific for me. I have been able to meet great people, experience phenomenal opportunities, and I have grown along the way, as well. As you may remember, I transferred to Saint Leo after receiving my associate’s degree from a junior college in Illinois. Looking back on my decision, I have absolutely no regrets about transferring to Saint Leo and only needing to fulfill two years of requirements. I realize I saved a great deal of money by going the route I did. I can also tell you that I was not prepared to leave home at 18. However, once I began the process of transferring, I knew I was ready.
I am proud to say that I was awarded the Sport Business Co-Outstanding Student of the Year by the Sport Business faculty. I received the award on Academic Excellence Day. My dad flew down from Chicago for the day to be at the ceremony with me and with my girlfriend. I feel very fortunate to have received such a prestigious award.
My Dad and I at Academic Excellence Day
My senior paper was due a little over two weeks ago. The criteria for the paper did not contain a length requirement, but I was expected to answer a number of questions about my internship experience, how Saint Leo benefited me in my internship, and how the education I received at Saint Leo has benefited me to enter the “real world.” Along with the paper, I submitted a binder that contained evaluation forms about the internship and the education I received in my sport classes. I also included work samples, including press releases, articles from our website, an overview of our new website, and much more.
Tomorrow, I will give my final presentation on my internship experience. We are expected to cover several of the topics we wrote about in our paper in a Power Point. The presentation should be between 20-25 minutes long. I have completed my presentation, and I have a total of 27 slides. Needless to say, I do not think I will have a problem in occupying the entire time. The only thing I need to do now before tomorrow is practice!
We just completed a six game home stand with a record of 3-3. Last Thursday, we held our second and final “Education Day.” Prior to both of our Education Days, the community relations intern sent out a curriculum to each third grade teacher in Polk County. Over 37 schools participated. The children learned about the sport of baseball in relation to history, English, math, and science. To reward the children for their achievement, we invited each third grader from the participating schools to attend one of our Education Days. At the two games, the ticket office intern, who controls the music, played Hannah Montana, the Jonas Brothers, Pink, and more. Each school also had the chance to participate in our on field promotions. I assisted the children who were guest public address announcers each half inning. Let me tell you, the kids loved saying the player’s names over the speakers and then looking down at their classmates! Most of them were nervous in the beginning, but they became accustomed to speaking through a microphone very quickly. Both of the days were very enjoyable, to say the least.
Well, I should begin practicing for my final presentation! To think, four more days…
