My experience at Palmer Trinity was incredible. I transferred to PT as a Sophomore from Minnesota and found a welcoming community. My first experience was three-a-day football camp where I made some great friends and was mentored by excellent coaches. I was Class President both my Junior and Senior year. From there I met such teachers like Ms. DV who taught me more than just Math. Overall, PT helped prepare me for college and life afterwards.

After graduating, I attended Hobart & William Smith College in Geneva, NY where I majored in Political Science. While I was there, I was active with community service, which to me means any type of commitment or engagement that enriches a community and its members. As a Junior, I helped start a chapter

of Big Brothers Big Sisters and I was Student Body President my Senior year. I was also a founding member of a two-year Genocide symposium series, which brought topical debate/awareness/information and survivor testimonials to campus.

After graduating from college, I joined the Peace Corps/Romania where I had the privilege to work two years with HIV+ orphan youth in a little town in South Eastern Romania called Slobozia. After the Peace Corps I stayed in Romania for another three years to work for an NGO called Population Services International (PSI) which is the world’s largest non-profit social marketing organization. As the Youth Program Manager, I helped to design and implement behavior change models and programs to prevent HIV.

I got involved with Project Concern International after a former colleague of mine recruited me to join the team. I moved to Cape Town in November 2008 and I became the Communications Manager for the organization. It is my role to develop, produce, and launch mass media communications that amplify messaging and activities generated from grass roots. For example, we distribute brochures which provide a comprehensive snapshot of Project Concern International in South Africa, the partners, and our collective mission which is to reduce the transmission of HIV by changing social norms that drive violence against women.

Working for Project Concern International has changed me in the sense that as a man working among networks of hundreds of women’s organizations, their movement, and their struggle, I realized I have an important role to play. That is to challenge and change attitudes, myself included. Service means different things to different people, but to me the more you enrich the lives of others, the more you enrich yourself.

The best advice I can give students today is to study/learn what you are passionate about. It’s all relevant in the ‘real’ world. My goals for this coming year are to contribute toward a reduction of violence against women in South Africa and surf at least two times per week. In the future, I see myself living in another country that’s outside the U.S. & South Africa, perhaps Asia or maybe a return to Eastern Europe.

Ciara Michel '03 officially signed a contract to play professional volleyball taking her talents to Alemannia Aachen, a member of Germany's 14-team national first league, Bundesliga.

Michel, a four-year standout for the University of Miami at the middle blocker position from 2004-07, established herself as the sixth all-time in kills (962), seventh in total attempts (1,993) and 10th in kills per set (2.24). In 2007, she was selected to the Preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference Team while also serving as a team captain for the Hurricanes.

Upon graduation from UM, Michel ventured to Australia, spending two-and-a-half years there while also spending a semester studying abroad at Monash University in Clayton, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne. Most recently, she was working on a Master's Degree from the University of Melbourne. She also worked at a not-for-profit organization, Foundation for Young Australians, which provides scholarships and education opportunities to underprivileged youth. In the meantime, she found time to play professionally for the Melbourne University Team.

Michel was noticed while playing for the University of Melbourne. In order for Michel to prepare for the Olympic Games, she decided to now make the move to Europe and the country of Germany with the "Ladies in Black."

What was your educational/social experience like at Palmer Trinity?
I had an incredible and well-rounded experience at Palmer Trinity. The teachers were wonderful and the courses were challenging without being overwhelming. Homework was always manageable, even when I was running cross country or singing in a musical. Aside from academics, I had a wonderful group of friends with whom I am still very close. I also developed great relationships with other students, not only from my grade but both older and younger, and with the faculty. I feel that Palmer Trinity was the perfect balance of rigorous academics without the cut-throat atmosphere that sometimes accompanies comparable competitive schools.

What opportunities have you had your freshman year at school regarding academics, community service, job opportunities, and travel?
Columbia offers countless opportunities. In my freshman year I took advantage both in academics and in extra-curricular activities. The majority of my classes were fulfilling requirements for the Core Curriculum, but in my second semester I signed up for Ancient Law. I was the only freshman in a class full of juniors and seniors. At first I was extremely intimidated, but then it ended up being my favorite class. The professor not only knew the material, but he actually knew Ancient Greek and Latin and gave us his own translations and interpretations. Also, I enjoyed being with upperclassmen and I benefited from their contributions during class. Ancient Law was just one example of the great classes I took this year. Outside of the classroom, I was on the Campus Life Committee and I helped plan Homecoming, College Days, and many events of all sizes throughout the year. CLC gave me a unique opportunity to meet upperclassmen and Columbia’s administration.

Did PTS prepare you for college?
I definitely feel that PTS prepared me for college. Before I started at Columbia I was so nervous that the classes were going to be impossible. But then I read my book list for Literature Humanities and realized that I had already read more than half of the books in 9th grade! It was a relief to know that I was already familiar with most of the material we were going to cover. Of course, our class went much deeper into the text then we had in high school, but reading these texts for the second time gave me the confidence that allowed me to succeed. Literature Humanities was not the only class in which I felt confident. Even in Ancient Law, which was almost all new information for me, I knew about the Greek and Roman gods and I had heard about Plato and Socrates. I did well in all of my classes and made the Dean’s List for both semesters.

What opportunities have you had your freshman year at school regarding academics, community service, job opportunities, and travel?
As cliché as it sounds, the opportunities living in New York and attending NYU really seem endless. It was a little overwhelming at first, but then exciting. Regarding academics, NYU offers a great program called Speaking Freely. The program provides free language classes at convenient times without the pressure of credits or GPA. Regarding community service, I spent time visiting with an elderly woman through a program called The Caring Community. We mostly went to museums and plays and it was a fun way to explore the city. Regarding job 

opportunities, NYU has a great online database to find work. I interned with a local real estate agent. It was a lot of work, and a strange time to be learning about the real estate market but it was an amazing experience. Regarding travel, NYU has a great study abroad program and I will be spending my fall semester in Florence, Italy.

Do you have any advice for current PTS seniors?
I would advise current PTS seniors to be honest with themselves. I owe a lot to luck and chance that I ended up at a great school for me. Schools usually know the types of students who will do well in their environment. As much as they want to accept everyone, they can’t and their choices aren’t personal. Being honest with them and yourself is the easiest way to avoid disappointment. I didn’t get into my “first choice” but today I couldn’t be happier.

How did PTS prepare you for a career in journalism?
Ironically, one of the reasons I got into journalism was because I regretted not writing for The Falconer while at PTS. I felt holding office in student government precluded me from joining the paper, so when I got to Dartmouth, I avoided campus politics and joined the ranks of America's oldest college newspaper. I spent two years reporting before I was tapped Publisher. As graduation neared, I couldn't fathom leaving the business - so I chased for a job at NBC. The network hired me in large part for my writing ability - a skill I developed in nearly every class at PTS. Writing is a fundamental part of the prep curriculum at PTS, and it's opened many, many doors for me. PTS also empowers its students, encouraging them to find solutions and champion causes. The encouragement and resourcefulness that defines PTS has paid endless dividends.

Do you have any suggestions for students as to how they can prepare themselves for a career in journalism?
Journalism was always a tough business, and today it's tougher than ever as we contemplate how the internet - and blogging, and Facebook, and Twitter - can serve as partners and not competitors. That said, journalism isn't going away, it's just evolving, and it's essential we feed talent into the pool. Never stop writing and never stop asking questions. Join The Falconer and pick a beat. Be informed: Read a newspaper, watch a newscast, surf a reputable website. Discover what topics you have a passion for, and then let your creativity lead you to exploration. Take notes along the way. That's what I do every day - and now they're paying me for it!

What pieces have you worked on since you have been with NBC?
Soon after I walked through the doors at NBC headquarters, I was thrust into one of the biggest stories of a lifetime - the 2008 election. It's been pretty non-stop since then. In no particular order: We broadcast the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. We've covered disasters: hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods. There have been scandals: Eliot Spitzer, John Edwards, and of course Bernard Madoff. Politics have dominated the news: The inauguration of Barack Obama, the Sotomayor nomination, the death of Ted Kennedy. And who could forget Michael Jackson, the financial crisis, and the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In each case I was either breaking the news, telling a small part of the story in a 2-3 minute package, or working on the logistics, planning, and execution that bring live television to life. As for the future: stay tuned.

What have been the most interesting stories you have worked on thus far?
The financial crisis has fascinated me. It's a story that has impacted every single viewer, and it has produced some of the most dramatic headlines my generation has known. Last September it seemed as if we reported on the collapse of financial giants daily (in some cases this was literally true). Fear swept the nation, the political agenda was rewritten, and Americans suddenly became educated about topics and concepts they never thought relevant. TV played a big role in telling this story, and in educating the public - as we ourselves worked feverishly to understand the news developing around us. The work continues to this day.

Another story that captured me was Barack Obama's inauguration. Across the news division, my colleagues and I worked to report on the nation's response to a moment of extraordinary historic value - from the tiny towns to the city centers. It was the party of a lifetime - in DC of course, but also across America and indeed the world. Our job was to be there, to convey the feeling, lend context, and put on a show. What a rush! I don't know if I'll get the chance to cover another inauguration quite like that one.

What was it like reporting on Senator Ted Kennedy's death?
I was in the newsroom when word came that Sennator Kennedy had died. We knew the Senator was in extremely poor health, so we had a plan in place. But you can never be sure of the details or the timing. When we confirmed Kennedy's passing, it was just past 1:00 am, and my job was to coordinate efforts to break into the network and report the story. I had never been under such acute pressure in my career. TV is competitive, and timing is everything. When you've got the story your natural instinct is to report it, but doing so when you're not already on the air is a complicated task. The next few days consisted of very little sleep, lots of quick thinking, and a countdown to the main event, the Senator's funeral. In the end the ceremony amounted to what is expected at a presidential funeral, and by day's end, exhausted, I reflected on how much I had learned - and how much I've gleaned from just a few years working in this business. I've always said the day I stop learning I'd resign. Thankfully, I've yet to have a reason to act on that decision.

How has working for NBC challenged you?
TV is fast - audiences have short attention spans and the competition is always itching to jump ahead of you. And at NBC, we're not just creating content for NBC, but for our sister networks: MSNBC, CNBC, The Weather Channel, and msnbc.com. My job is to have quick instinct, agility, insight, and common sense. There's a lot going on in the world and we've got to figure out how our resources are best positioned. And we have to figure out how to make more of what we've got. NBC has made me think about the world outside of the bubbles I've been accustomed to - like PTS, or Dartmouth. It's required me to neutralize my opinions and political partisanship. And it's forced me to keep up with extremely talented story-tellers. I think I get a little smarter every time I walk out the door.

What are your goals for yourself this coming year?
Every week I look back and think about what I would have done differently - and then I resolve myself to improve when the opportunity next arises. I hope to uncover some stories that aren't in the "mainstream" but important nevertheless. I'd like to find some stories off the beaten path so I can spend some time on the road. I want to do some more writing for the internet. And of course, I want to beat the competition by being first and being right - that goal never subsides.

Where do you see yourself 10 years down the road?
It may not be in TV. I'd like to get another degree soon - likely a law degree. Going back to school probably means a pause from work - and that means that new opportunities will arise that I must pay attention to. But inevitably it'll have a media angle and it will be as part of an organization with the resources to have far reach. And come to think of it, wherever I am, I'll likely be coming home to a wife and - this is scary - kids! How did that happen? PTS seems like yesterday.

Kyle Rutter was recently selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft! During his PTS career, Rutter was an All Miami Dade selection who helped the Falcons win a District Baseball Championship. Kyle also just wrapped up his senior season at North Carolina State, where he has been an outstanding pitcher for the Wolfpack baseball program. Congratulations to Kyle Rutter - and best of luck with the Red Sox organization!

While at Palmer Trinity, I was very involved with the Impact trip to Nicaragua. I went on this trip during my last three years at Palmer Trinity. It was a beautiful experience. To be able to go to a foreign country with the purpose of helping those in need and actually see yourself and the "impact" you have on those you have helped is such a blessing. Now, I feel so incredibly lucky to have had such good experiences because I realize that not everyone does these things. However, now this awareness has grown and I look back and think "yes, this is absolutely something I need to be doing for the rest of my life. I need to help people." I guess you could say I found "my calling" very early on and didn't even realize it.

Currently, I am a Junior at FIU and I became involved with the YES!+ Program through The Art of Living Youth. YES!+ is an innovative and dynamic educational and life skills program for

young students and professionals. YES!+ empowers young people with tools to eliminate stress, rid the system of negative emotions, develop strong social and leadership skills, heighten awareness and increase mental focus. This intense program also includes practical sessions on entrepreneurial skills, maximizing individual potential and physical, mental and emotional health. It also challenges young people to reach their highest potential and has made a difference to thousands across the world.

Currently, I am committed to the Haiti Relief project. My other YES!+ teacher, Uma, has been working very closely with the Haitian community here in Miami and in Haiti. After the hurricanes devastated Haiti this past year, Uma and Amanda organized over 40 public schools to collect and donate canned food and goods to be shipped to Haiti. With the help of volunteers, all of the supplies were picked up in one day. It took a day and a half to re-pack everything, transfer over to the port and put it on the ships. Even though this project only took a full week, it taught me that you can do absolutely anything you want to if you put your mind to it. Young people truly can make a difference in the world, and we're doing it right now. It's becoming a revolution.

Over the Winter Break I head to India to begin the YES!++ course which concentrates in silent meditation. We will go into silence for a period of days. It's designed to enhance self-discovery and recharge the mind and body. Then, we will be taking the Sahadj Samadhi Meditation course. This course teaches you a simple and practical way to practice meditation every day. It allows you to focus and remain in the present moment, which is extremely important. The third course is called DSN. It translates into "Creating a Divine Society - Do Something Now". This course teaches you how to break through personal inhibitions and barriers. It empowers you and allows you to have such a solid core that no outside event can shake you. After the coursework, we participate in a service project and then visit rural schools and temples, while participating in sustainable development projects. I am 20 years old and I already have a life dream being fulfilled. I feel so lucky.

There are so many problems in society that it doesn't make sense to focus your attention on something unproductive; it's a waste of energy to do so. Now that I have become so involved with the Art of Living Foundation and YES!+, I don't see myself doing anything else other than continuing to work with the foundation and aiding those in need.

The message I would like to send to others is that you are the only person in control of your destiny. You can do anything you set your mind to. If you go into a situation thinking "this will never happen, it's impossible for this to work" then it won’t. But if you have a positive attitude and you are convinced that you can do this, you will. Things are not as complicated as they seem…we make them that way.

After graduation, I would like to become a YES!+ teacher. I want to be able to work with children who have been mistreated and abused and help them find a way to express and release their traumas in a positive and healthy way. I don't know how long after graduation this will take, but I have a feeling that I won’t have to wait for too long.

Reconciling Cape Town's Paradoxes, One Hopeful Entrepreneur at a Time

Cape Town is a city of beguiling mountains, stunning beaches, world class museums, unique festivals, open air theater, and diverse night life. But for all its natural beauty and cosmopolitan flair, Cape Town is still plagued by an ugly racial legacy. Inequality and segregation, the vestiges of Apartheid, are still apparent everywhere.

The students of the University of Cape Town (UCT) are not oblivious to this disparity and are committed to reversing it. As a "semester abroad" student, I have quickly understood the desire to promote empowerment and equality in this stratified society. I have joined a student-run community service program which teaches

Captain Michael H. Davis graduated from PTS in 1997 and from The Citadel in 2001. He is a Captain in the US Army and is currently deployed to Iraq. He is assigned to a Border Transition Team located on the Iranian border. Part of his responsibility is to work with the Iraqis to help them become self sufficient so that they will not need US assistance any longer. Captain Davis states, “This is my second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (though this is my first tour in Iraq.) Currently I am assigned to a Port of Entry Transition Team (POETT). We are located on the Iran - Iraq border, and see many tourists who pass through on the way to the Iraqi holy cities of Karbala and Najaf. Our job is to coach, teach, and mentor the Iraqis who work at the Port of Entry on Customs and Border Enforcement techniques. As a result our daily duties put us in close contact with numerous

Iraqis and Iranians. The conditions at the POE are very rough, and involve long periods of waiting in extreme heat (115 - 120 degrees for August) for the travelers. Something we have taken to doing is passing out toys to the children who pass through. So far the toys have come exclusively from our family and friends who have been generous enough to support our efforts out of their own pockets. That said, the toys we receive usually do not last longer than a couple of hours. What I had been hoping for PTS to do was to send a shipment of small, inexpensive toys that we would be able to pass out to the children at the border crossing. In doing so it would enable the soldiers assigned here to create some goodwill between the United States and the Iraqi and Iranian travelers.” On a personal level, he and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed their second daughter, Claire Mackenna, into the world on December 7th, 2008. Her older sister, Maegan, is very thrilled about being a big sister and is actually quite protective of her. They call Atlanta, GA, their home and love it there.

Dear Friends,
 
Two years ago, a tragic boating accident claimed the life of Daniel Eric Pemsler, my friend and fellow Outward Bound alumnus. For those that knew Daniel, hardly a day goes by in which we do remember him.

In our freshman year of high school, Daniel and I participated in a week-long Outward Bound expedition in the Florida Everglades. Daniel went on to do a second course backpacking in the Rockies, and I participated in a course in the Lower Exuma Islands of the Bahamas. Years after our shared and individual experiences, we frequently discussed the positive influence Outward Bound had on our lives.

Following his death, Daniel's parents, Barry and Pamela Pemsler, set up an Outward Bound memorial scholarship fund in his name to benefit Florida youth. Since 1975, Outward Bound programs for struggling teens have provided an alternative for at-risk and committed delinquent youths in Florida. The program has expanded to serve kids in South Carolina and Alabama and is a nationally-recognized program that reinforces character development, leadership, environmental awareness, academic achievement and social responsibility.

On October 25, 2008 I will be participating in the Great Floridian Triathlon in Clermont, Florida. This will be my first Ironman-Distance triathlon, which incorporates a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and a 26.2-mile run all in a single event. It is my goal to not only complete this race, but also to use my first Ironman experience to send at least one student on an expedition through Daniel Pemsler's Memorial Scholarship Fund. In my days of training that lead up to the big day, I am collecting donations for the fund and respectfully request your support. With your generosity, we can use this event to reach my fundraising goal of $2,500 which will send at least one troubled youth on an Outward Bound expedition.

Click here to read my training blog, check on my fundraising progress and find out how you can help me achieve my goal.

Thank you for your time and support. With your help, Dan's spirit will live on and continue to have a positive impact on our communities and our world.
 
Sincerely,
 
Tony Blazejack