Alumni Spotlight: Grace Novacek

Name: Grace Novacek            

High School:  Hopewell High School (Aliquippa,PA)

Years played/attended LHU:  2009-2013                                Positions played:  MB1   

Degree/Major:  Sport Administration

Current Job:  Head women's volleyball coach at Bay Path University

Current Hometown:  Springfield, MA                      

Family: Jim & Julie; 3 sisters: Joyce, Becky, & Janice

1.        Share with us a few of your fondest memories at Lock Haven.

Most of my good memories at LHU involve the fall, because that's when it's the prettiest on campus and that's when I got to play volleyball. 

Once before a spring tournament my sophomore year, I set my alarm for 6 PM instead of 6 AM and would've missed the whole tournament, but my setter Alexa threw rocks at my window and pounded on my apartment door, waking me up and successfully saving my life.  I also have fond memories of being a tutor, studying in the library with teammates, and running on the levee by the Susquehanna river. 

2.       What were your greatest accomplishments on and off the court at LHU?

Improving every year was my greatest accomplishment on the court.  Also, I liked when I was ranked 7th in all-time blocks for LHU.  It's cool to be on that list of so many phenomenal people.   

Off the court, my favorite accomplishment was when I received the Honors Senior Student of the Year award.

3.       What did playing volleyball at Lock Haven enable you to accomplish?

Playing volleyball helped me learn some good life skills and make healthy choices.  It also helped improve my  time management skills, resulting in higher grades.  Also, playing volleyball enabled me to travel to really great places, like Colorado and Florida, and make a lot more friends.

4.       What does being a part of the Lock Haven Volleyball family mean to you?

It means always having a support system on-campus and now for the rest of my life.  Again, I have made many life-long friends that I would have never met without volleyball connecting us.

5.       Who are some of the people at LHU that you are most thankful for?

I am very thankful to all of my volleyball coaches at Lock Haven who taught me how to be a better player and are now helping shape my own coaching career through good example.  All LHU coaches, and my academic advisor, Dr. Patricia Lally, have had the most significant impact on helping me to set and achieve a wide variety of goals. 

I am also thankful for all of my teammates who have helped me become a better athlete and a better role model.  I am thankful for my closest friends at Lock Haven:  Kelsey Prommel, Jeff Lesko,  Alexa Garrity, Bailey Farthing, and Caroline Acosta. 

Tyler Kanelos also deserves his own line of thanks because, during my senior year at Lock Haven, he gave me the best thing to be thankful for by introducing me to the love of my life.  Thanks Tyler; you're the best!

6.       What is the greatest lesson you learned being an athlete at Lock Haven?

Trying to be perfect on the court will only leave you disappointed, but taking risks in practice and during games will help you have more fun and become more confident.  This can lead to better post-season play, or help you succeed when your team needs you in tough situations.  That was a pretty good lesson I learned and it really helped me to enjoy playing so much more!  

Also, just because you are working out a ton in season doesn't mean you can eat a lot of dessert.

7.       What advice would you give to a senior student-athlete leaving LHU for the real world.

Don't lessen things you have accomplished during your time at Lock Haven.  Being a student-athlete at Lock Haven is a big deal.  Be proud of yourself and know that you are competent and capable of achieving any goal you set. 

8.        What advice would you give to a freshman coming in to Lock Haven?

Join as many clubs/student groups as you can.  My particular favorite (outside of playing a sport) was LHU's Global Honors Program.  You'll have the opportunity to meet more quality people and make more friends if you put yourself out there!  Also, I liked studying abroad over the summer in London/Paris.  Look around for those opportunities.

In addition to that small piece of advice, my motto throughout my time at Lock Haven was "Thursday is not the weekend."  I think that speaks for itself and is particularly important.  

Meet Freshman Rebekah Rupinski

Meet freshman Rebekah Rupinski from Lemoyne, PA. 

Why did you come to Lock Haven University?

I decided on Lock Haven because I knew I wanted to go farther from home. However I wanted to know I could be in driving distance if I ever needed to run home for something. Distance was not the only factor, I knew I wanted to play collegiate volleyball and I loved the coaching staff and the environment of The Haven on and off the court from my first visit.

What celebrity would you like to hang out with or a day? Why?

I would want to hang out with Beyonce, and then maybe some of her flawlessness would rub off on me.

What is your least favorite food?

Raw sushi, I have attempted to eat it because you “can’t knock it till you try it” but I know that will definitely never be a thing for me.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Why?

If I got to pick up and move anywhere I’d want to be by one of Australia’s beaches, who wouldn't love a beach with water that’s actually blue?

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Embarrassing moments come on a daily basis to me, so I’m not sure what the worst is but the most common would have to be when I’m at work, as a waitress, and say stupid things to my customers from being in a hurry. It’s always so awkward having to go back to those tables then.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest peeve has to be when girls act dumber as a way to get attention from a guy, I just don’t get why someone wouldn't want to be seen as smart.

Who is your role model?

My Nana would have to be my biggest role model. Knowing all the hoops she had to jump through throughout her life, she still raised four successful girls, was married fifty-two years, and always there when you need anything. She’s someone I’d aspire to be, someone that’s happy.

What is your favorite pro sports team?

Definitely more of a hockey fan when it comes to pro teams so I’m going to have to say the Philadelphia Flyers.

What do you like most about game day?

The part about game day I actually look forward to is game day jitters; you’re just so amped up, kind of nervous, want the win, and are ready to kill it with your team.

What are your pregame rituals?

Commonly I’ll be listening to music before it, and on the day I make sure enough water is in my system and eat healthy and light.

How do you want people at LHU to remember you?

I hope people remember me as someone in a positive light, someone that was there for help or to call up and do fun things with.

What is one thing people do not know about you?

Something most do not know is I love the beach so much that my bedroom is decorated and painted to look like one, so I’m always on vacation.

What is your least favorite conditioning drill, weight room exercise, or volleyball drill?

Sprints are my nightmare, something I have yet to enjoy.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food would easily be the ribs my dad makes in his special way, a meal I always look forward too.

Who can you do a good impression of?

I can do a good impression of my parents; I mean I've had eighteen years to learn their tendencies and sayings.

What is one thing you want to happen before you leave LHU?

I want to have a feeling of confidence that whatever I decide to do for the rest of my life is really what I should be doing, no doubts.

What is your dream job?

I would love to work in Disney world, as maybe a vet or engineer; you’d always be a kid even when you grow up!

My friends would describe me as…

They would describe me as funny and outgoing, I love meeting new people and I’m someone who likes to make you laugh.

I cannot live without…

I cannot live without a fan; I have to sleep with my fan on every night!

 On road trips I always bring…

Things I always seem to grab for a road trip are a bottle of water, a snack, my phone, headphones, and a pillow.

Meet Freshman Holly Shoemaker

Holly Shoemaker is a freshman from Mount Wolf, PA. 

Why did you come to Lock Haven University?

I came to Lock Haven University because of the location and because of the Athletic Training program offered here.

What celebrity would you like to hang out with or a day? Why?

I would like to hang out with Desean Jackson because he is a successful professional athlete.

What is your least favorite food?

Asparagus is my least favorite food.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Why?

I would live Sao Paulo, Brazil so I could live with my best friend who was a foreign exchange student when I was a junior in high school at my school.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

When I was in 8^th grade (middle school), it was the biggest volleyball game of our season and it was home, and my shoe came off in the middle of the play, I was humiliated...we lost the point because of it. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is laziness, and uncleanliness.

Who is your role model?

My brothers are my role models, I look up to them for everything.

 What is your favorite pro sports team?

My favorite pro sports football team is the Philadelphia Eagles

What do you like most about game day?

The fact that we finally get to play other competition on game day.

What are your pregame rituals?

I always eat a banana before every game, and I have since 10^th grade.

How do you want people at LHU to remember you?

I want to be remembered as a hard working student athlete who has become successful.

What is one thing people do not know about you?

People do not know that I don’t have any sisters, but I have 4 brothers.

What is your least favorite conditioning drill, weight room exercise, or volleyball drill?

Grave diggers are my least favorite weight room exercise.

What is your favorite food?

Watermelon is my favorite food.

Who can you do a good impression of?

I can do a good impression of some famous people from Vine.

What is one thing you want to happen before you leave LHU?

I want to win a PSAC championship.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to become an athletic trainer in a clinical setting.

My friends would describe me as…

Friendly, funny, and outgoing.

I cannot live without…

Food, music, my phone, volleyball, my family.

On road trips I always bring…

Pillow pet, headphones, and food. 

Meet Freshman Gabby Stala

Gabby is a freshman from Aliquippa, PA.  

Why did you come to Lock Haven University?

I really love the location of lock haven, the mountains and river are beautiful, along with the small town, it reminds me of home.

What celebrity would you like to hang out with or a day? Why?

Paula Deen because I could learn a lot from here in the kitchen.

What is your least favorite food?

My least favorite food is fish.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Why?

California because I love the weather.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Too many to choose from…

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When people shake their head or roll their eyes at me.

Who is your role model?

My dad.

What is your favorite pro sports team?

Steelers.

What do you like most about game day?

When I see everyone shinning bright in their game day shirts.

What are your pregame rituals?

Drink my energy drink, take Advil, and stretch using a band.

How do you want people at LHU to remember you?

For being a great athlete, someone that gave off good vibes, and a hard worker.

What is one thing people do not know about you?

I quit swimming for volleyball.

What is your least favorite conditioning drill, weight room exercise, or volleyball drill?

Grave diggers.

What is your favorite food?

Chicken salads.

Who can you do a good impression of?

Any of my close friends.

What is one thing you want to happen before you leave LHU?

Make good relationships with my professors, so they can help me be successful in my future if I ever need reference.

What is your dream job?

Manage a professional sports team.

My friends would describe me as…

Outgoing.

 I cannot live without…

I cannot live without my sister and brother.

On road trips I always bring…

I always bring headphones. 

Catching Up With Fran Durso

Name while at LHU (if different)*:	Fran Durso
High School*:	Susquehanna
Years played/attended LHU*:	1992-93 player, 94-96 student assistant
Degree/Major*:	HPE
Current Job*:	Therapeutic Staff Support
Current Hometown*:	Great Bend Pa
Family:	Husband and 6 year old Olivia
Share with us a few of your fondest memories at Lock Haven.:	My freshman year was Coach Justice ' s first year as well. We both grew a lot that year! The uniforms were long sleeves and long shorts. The following year were bloomers (not so comfy), and then the next year was spandex (thank you very much) and tshirts. Volleyball went through a lot of changes the first few years? But each of those years got better and better, and harder and harder because Coach wanted us to win. We made some tight bonds that hold true today in those years and we all still connect with each other, which is a great blessing! My senior year was heartbreaking because we were so very close to winning it all. But it was all the more sweeter when the players and coaches brought home the very first PSAC trophy for LHU in 1996! I still have the picture and the memories of that moment we won! Jumping up and down like a bunch of school girls! I was so excited to be part of volleyball and am thankful to this day that I was. It's strange now in my 40's to not think of volleyball memories when I think of college - it's what I remember most, and to share it with the cool people, and to be the start of something great. ..it's very sweet and I am honored to have been through it.
What were your greatest accomplishments on and off the court at LHU?:	I got most improved my freshman year - I came from a small town with no scholarship and Coach Justice was tough but kind. I never before lifted weights in my life and loved it because it was something I excelled at far more than on the court. I remember the wins and the losses, but all of the dinners and hotel rooms and laughter. Our senior banquet was very special and full of tears.
What did playing volleyball at Lock Haven enable you to accomplish?:	Learning to not play like a girl, but a volleyball player. To suck it up because my weak mind would affect others and make them run if I whined or gave up. To love my teammates and share in the joy and pain. To treat others with respect and recognize when I was being a jerk. To never ever ever give up.
What does being a part of the Lock Haven Volleyball family mean to you?:	Family. Respect. Being able to return and still feel the energy.
Who are some of the people at LHU that you are most thankful for?:	Coach Justice. ANGIE SHUE ERDLEY. All my teammates! All of them!
What is the greatest lesson you learned being an athlete at Lock Haven?:	Never ever ever give up. And water is for wimps. And tape is for wimps. And 8-6-4 - 2's is a great way to torture athletes.
What advice would you give to a senior student-athlete leaving LHU for the real world.:	Keep in touch. 20 years later you have a bond that no one else will understand.
What advice would you give to a freshman coming in to Lock Haven?:	Suck it up, it's not like high school and they are gonna work you until you want to give up. But don't you dare - it's totally worth it in the end!

Meet Freshman Annie Dombrowski

Annie Dombrowski is a freshman from Altoona, PA. 

Why did you come to Lock Haven University?

It was the perfect distance for me and it made me feel like I was at home.

What celebrity would you like to hang out with or a day? Why?

Channing Tatum because he is hilarious and super cute.

What is your least favorite food?

Pork

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Why?

Disney because it is so magical

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Falling on my face in front of all my class at the mall in the parking lot

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who chew obnoxiously

Who is your role model?

My mother

What is your favorite pro sports team?

Pirates

What do you like most about game day?

The pregame warm up

What are your pregame rituals?

Listen to music and say a quick prayer

How do you want people at LHU to remember you?

I want to be remembered for my determination and motivation

What is one thing people do not know about you?

I love to play basketball and swim.

What is your least favorite conditioning drill, weight room exercise, or volleyball drill?

Burpies

What is your favorite food?

Chicken Alfredo

Who can you do a good impression of? 

 Britney Spears

What is one thing you want to happen before you leave LHU? 

Win a championship

What is your dream job? 

An athletic trainer for a pro sports team

My friends would describe me as… 

spunky

I cannot live without… 

phone

On road trips I always bring…
my blankie

Meet Freshman Elizabeth Yacobucci

Elizabeth Yacobucci is a freshman from Hollidaysburg, PA. 

Why did you come to Lock Haven University?

I decided to come to Lock Haven University for a lot of reasons.  I am undecided on my major, but LHU has some majors I’m interested in. I also fell in love with the campus and the volleyball program at Lock Haven.

What celebrity would you like to hang out with or a day? Why?

I would like to hang out with Morgan Freeman because he is one of my favorite actors. He seems like a nice person and someone that would be interesting to hang out with.

What is your least favorite food?

I’m not a picky eater and I will try a lot of things.  I do, however, I refuse to eat any kind of seafood.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Why?

If I could live anywhere in the world I would want to live in Italy. I chose to live in Italy because my great grandparents came from Italy in early 1900s and my father is full blooded Italian.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

My most embarrassing moment was when I was in elementary school and I had just gotten off the bus with my sister. My sister was behind me talking to me so I turned my head to look at her, not looking where I was going  and  when I turned back around I walked right into the stop sign.  The next day the whole bus was laughing at me.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

I have a lot of pet peeves. If I had to choose one, it’s when people who tell me how to do something when I already know how to do especially when they are new at it or don’t know what they’re talking about.

Who is your role model?

My role model is my father; he works hard to get what he wants and is a good person. He knows what he wants and does it. He doesn't do it half way or cheat his way through it. He figures out the best way, does his research and completes it to the best of his ability.

What is your favorite pro sports team?

My favorite sports team is the Pittsburgh Penguins, I love watching hockey.

What do you like most about game day?

The thing I like most about game day is the nervousness and the excitement of the game to come.  I always get butterflies in my stomach before a game and I get really excited to play.

What are your pregame rituals?

Before games I just like listening to music and getting ready for the game by putting my jersey on. It just gets me excited to play and focused.

How do you want people at LHU to remember you?

I would like to be remembered as a great volleyball player, a good teammate, hardworking, and having good sportsmanship.

What is one thing people do not know about you?

A lot of people don’t know that I have a scuba license and that when we go to vacation my family and I scuba dive together.

What is your least favorite conditioning drill, weight room exercise, or volleyball drill?

In high school we had an exercise/drill that we had to run around the gym with a medicine ball above our heads and jump over cones. We had to this for a certain amount of time.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is Stromboli and my Mom’s homemade pizza.

Who can you do a good impression of?

I’ve never really tried to do an impression of anyone.

What is one thing you want to happen before you leave LHU?

In volleyball, I want the LHU team to win the PSAC championships and continue playing in the NCAA tournament. I also would love to break records and just become a great, consistent player. In school, I want to have a good education and have a job lined up for me before I leave LHU.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is working at the Altoona Curve as a manager, so I can stay in my home town with a good job. I would love to stay in the Altoona area and be home in the evenings.

My friends would describe me as…

A friend would describe me trustworthy, athletic, friendly, funny and sarcastic.

I cannot live without…

I couldn't live without my family and friends.

On road trips I always bring…

On a road trip I always bring a pillow, cell phone, cell phone charger, and a blanket.

Meet Freshman Olivia Sass

Olivia Sass is a freshman from Ronoake, VA. 

Why did you come to Lock Haven University?

I met Dan at the Tri-State camp and really enjoyed working with him. After the camp, he talked to me about possibly coming to Lock Haven. After talking to him some more, we scheduled an official visit and I absolutely loved it.

What celebrity would you like to hang out with for a day? Why?

Kristen Wiig, because I think she is so funny!

What is your least favorite food?

I hate peanut sauce on Thai food.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Why?

            I would live by a lake, because I grew up spending weekends on one. They are beautiful                 and relaxing, but can also be a lot of fun.

      What is your most embarrassing moment?

It is when I laughed so hard at the UNC setter camp that I peed in my pants.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

It’s when people use “your” instead of “you’re” and other common grammatical errors.

Who is your role model?

My friend, Elena West, is my role model.

What is your favorite pro sports team?

The Atlanta Braves are my favorite pro sports team.

What do you like most about game day?

Winning is my favorite part of game day!

What are your pregame rituals?

I always listen to music and have “focus time.” My dad also texts me with a picture of my cat and some words of wisdom.

      How do you want people at LHU to remember you?

Smart and hardworking is how I would like to be remembered.

What is one thing people do not know about you?

I love to sing when I’m in the car.

      What is your least favorite conditioning drill, weight room exercise, or volleyball drill?

I hate weight balls, because my freshman year one got dropped on my face and busted my lip.

What is your favorite food?

Ice cream (Half Baked) is my favorite food.

Who can you do a good impression of?

I can do my best friend’s thinking face.

What is one thing you want to happen before you leave LHU?

I want to graduate and win the NCAA regional!

What is your dream job?

I want to work internationally in under developed countries helping improved their environmental systems.

My friends would describe me as…

Silly AND serious

I cannot live without…

Coffee

On road trips I always bring…

Food, a pillow, headphones and my iPhone 

Meet Freshman Sarah Gomish

Sarah is a freshman from Ebensburg, PA. 

Why did you come to Lock Haven University?

I loved the whole atmosphere of the campus and volleyball program. I really think LHU has a lot to offer.

What celebrity would you like to hang out with for a day? Why?

Betty White, because she’s hilarious.

What is your least favorite food?

Celery

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Why?

Spain. The culture is so interesting, and the food would be amazing.

What is your most embarrassing moment? 

I embarrass myself on the daily, so there’s a new one every 15 minutes…

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When people are disrespectful and rude for no reason.

Who is your role model?

My aunt, Mary Smith.

What is your favorite pro sports team?

Pittsburgh Pirates

What do you like most about game day?

The excitement and anticipation of getting to play.

What are your pregame rituals?

I am very superstitious. I listen to the same songs, have someone braid my hair, and do the same warm up. 

How do you want people at LHU to remember you?

As someone who was willing to help others, and as a good volleyball player.

What is one thing people do not know about you?

I used to be a hardcore basketball player. All I wanted to do when I was younger was play college basketball for a big school.

What is your least favorite conditioning drill, weight room exercise, or volleyball drill?

I’d probably have to say burpies. They’re rough.

What is your favorite food?

Chicken and seafood!

Who can you do a good impression of?

Nobody, I’m awful with impressions.

What is one thing you want to happen before you leave LHU?

I would like to see our team win the PSAC and an NCAA title.

What is your dream job?

Pediatrician

Sarah's Summer

My summer mostly consisted of working and working out. I have also helped with coaching girls volleyball practices at my old high school. I like to spend time with my family and friends as much as possible during my free time. I went to three concerts, Froggy Fest, Warped Tour, and Wiz Khalifa. I also took a  road trip to Atlantic City to go to the beach with one of my best friends. 

-Sarah

Megan Spends the Summer Working

Training started out as a big hit and I was succeeding and reaching all my goals until  I got sick. It is what I’m hoping to be a minor setback in my progress here at LHU. I worked a lot over the summer. I worked three jobs; Food service employee, outside farm labor hand, and volleyball coach. It may seem a lot to the average person but I enjoy staying busy and bonding with my little sister on the volleyball court during this short time at home. I moved into my house August 1^St and am really excited about it for this year. I am looking forward to a great season and can’t wait to get in the gym with some new faces. I foresee that this year we will be better than last because of the great amount of athletic talent and inner team competition. As far as exciting trips I don’t really have anything to tell because I don’t really travel much. All I know is when we return to Thomas Field House this August, the PSAC better be ready for LHU.

-Megan

Sydney's Summer

I haven't been up to much this summer. My family and I went on a cruise in the beginning of June. After that I was taking the time to look for a summer job. I ended up finding one at the movie theater close to home. When I'm not working, I am just relaxing by the pool, going to see free movies with the perk of working there, or hanging out with my family. It's been a nice summer, but I'm ready to go back to LHU!

-Sydney

Another Summer Spent in Lock Haven

This summer I lived in Lock Haven with Stephanie and a couple of other athletes. We would go floating down the river with floats connected together. I also had the opportunity to visit a bunch of my high school friends. I also spent my 4th of July weekend with some of my teammates and celebrating Kaleigh's 21st birthday. I spent the end of my summer going to New Hampshire with my family.

-Lauren

Kaleigh's Summer

This summer I worked at a restaurant named Franks as a waitress. Then in July I went to Philly with a few teammates and my best friend from home to see Beyoncé and Jay-z’s on the run tour and to celebrate my 21^st birthday! Then every summer my family goes down to Bethany beach for a week and it’s normally very relaxing. That’s pretty much all I did this summer besides summer workouts and getting ready for the season.

-Kaleigh

A Summer Spent in Lock Haven

This summer I don't have much planned. I am living in lock haven and I work for 3 families watching their kids. I love it it's fun, sometimes it's a little much and it becomes stressful but I enjoy it a lot. Other than that I don't have much planned for the summer, I work out with one of my incoming freshman teammates Moriah and it's enjoyable, well as fun as lifting can be I would say! :) It's not the most exciting summer but it's fun and I'll enjoy every moment of it! 

-Toryn

Laura Spends Her Summer on the Beach

My summer has been busy with work, but my job is the best job ever! Being out on the beach every day and getting to play volleyball all the time is perfect. We are starting a high school clinic at our courts, teaching and doing drills then having the kids play. My friend Brittney Smith and I are running the clinic, where we will do drills and teach skills of the beach game of volleyball for an hour, then they can show off their skills the next hour as we have them all play each other in games. 

My days off I just relax and or make the best of doing summer activities. Haven't done much this summer yet, but living on the shore there is always something to do. I do have things planned to do such as, go to six flags Great Adventure, Blake Shelton free concert on the beach, family camping trip, beach volleyball tournaments, ect. 

Also workouts are going great between getting to the gym everyday and doing workouts on the beach, I'm excited for season to start! 

Laura Harris

#4

Stephanie Spends Her Summer in The Haven

This summer I decided to live in Lock Haven due to the job that I have at the Student Rec Center.  I have been working 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, and unfortunately that's really all my day consists of.  On the weekends I will get together with my friends who are also living up here and we usually try to go floating down the Susquehanna River (but that's just about as exciting as it gets).  I went to Wildwood NJ for a weekend with Lauren, and on the fourth of July I will be getting together with some more teammates and making a trip to Philadelphia for a few days.  Other than that I do not have anything else planned, but occasionally I will visit my friends in their hometowns or go home so I can see my family.  Lets hope everyone else is having a more exciting summer than I am!


-Steph

Summer Internship in Boston

Anyone can tell from my ghostly pale skin that I have been having an atypical summer. Instead of being home, enjoying the warm, sunny days at Lake Erie, I have been in Boston for an internship. No amount of sun could make me regret my choice to take on this experience working in the Harvard Hospital system. I shadow several doctors throughout the week during their clinical rotations, and on their off days, I help with their research. I am grateful for their time, patience and belief in my abilities. They push my boundaries and allow me to succeed. The highlight of my summer thus far was successfully diagnosing my first patient in the ER (with the supervision of one of the doctors of course) and contributing to a study with the potential of being published in several reputable journals.

I look forward to getting back onto the court this coming fall, and having afternoon/night practices. Since my commute is about an hour to an hour and a half via train every day, I have been waking up at 5 am to get to the gym. Let’s just say I am relieved to have coaches who do not like to have morning practices! 

-Beth

Cody Returns from Sailing on U.S. Brig Niagara

Hi Everyone! So I just got back from what was probably one of the coolest trips I’ve ever been on. I spent over 3 weeks as a sailor/scientist on the U.S. Brig Niagara I sailed out of the Niagara’s homeport of Erie on June 17^th after a week of training, and finally returned July 3^rd after weeks of “science” as the crew called it. This ship was a replica of the ship used in the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813. So, it looked and functioned just like it did 200 years ago. They had to add “heads (aka bathrooms, but with no flush toilets), a diesel motor, and all your standard navigation/radar equipment. We slept in hammocks on the berth deck, and went days and days without showers.  We lived with and were part of the ship’s crew. It was a lot to learn and get used to!

On our voyage, the goal was to conduct water and sediment sampling and assess the water quality in each location. I’ll save all the nerdy details, but in short we collected water samples, used probes to get data from the water column to put on graphs, scooped some mud off the bottom to see what’s down there, and grew microbes from each water sample check certain bacteria levels.  We also used side-scan sonar and an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) to look at shipwrecks underwater. We were also supposed to snorkel a wreck while at the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary in Alpena, MI but couldn’t because of a thunderstorm.

               

When we left Erie, we sailed east to the Eastern Basin of Lake Erie. Here, we took our samples and got our data, then spent the rest of the time dodging thunderstorms. Then we turned around and headed west, stopping in the Central Basin to sample along the way, and finally ended up in the Western Basin  and docked at Put In Bay, OH.  Here, we got to have a little bit of fun in the port, but spent almost all of our time at Ohio State University’s Stone Lab. We were able to use their facilities and equipment to gather information about the bay and the lake itself. Put In Bay is also very important to the Niagara’s history because the Battle of Lake Erie occurred about 12 miles off the coast of this port. You could see right out onto the battle site from the top of Perry’s Monument on the shore.

             

After about 4 days at Put In Bay, we left and sailed up the Detroit River, through Lake St. Claire, up the St. Claire River, and across Lake Huron to Georgian Bay. We spent an entire day surrounded by fog. This area still had ice on it a few weeks before we arrived. Georgian Bay is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. We stopped at Club Island, which is actually uninhabited, and explored a shipwreck. It took an hour and a half to row to the wreck site, but it was well worth it. We didn’t need any fancy equipment to see the remnants; the water was so clear you could see 50 feet below you.

            

Our last scheduled stop was Alpena, Michigan. The waters in this area are part of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and are home to a multitude of shipwrecks. The cold water temperature has enabled the wrecks to be very well preserved. Our professor had us build an ROV from a kit and explore the underwater portion of the ship as a fun way to model exploring a shipwreck with a real ROV. We also got to go to the Thunder Bay Museum and had a guided tour from the museum’s marine archaeologist to really get a feel for the area’s rich shipping history. For our last “science” activity, we were supposed to snorkel a wreck in shallow water just off the coast, but got rained out by a thunderstorm. Then, more thunderstorms caused the ship to leave early.

                

On our way home we stopped in Port Huron to stay out of more thunderstorms, then headed straight for Erie. We made one pit stop to drop off two of the faculty scientists and their fancy equipment at Stone Lab, then set sail again. This was only the third time we had to set sail or take in sail at night, and it was scary but also an adrenaline rush to be a hundred feet up in the rigging loosing out the sails in the dark. The next day, the winds slowed down so we got to “Hove to” (stop) and captain made a swim call. It was so much fun to go swimming off the ship. You don’t realize how big the Niagara actually is until you’re bobbing in the water next to her. Everyone laughed at me for bringing a floatie and we all had a blast.

                

When we finally got back to Erie, we had all kinds of crew work to do and science things to finish up. It was a really strange feeling when it was time to leave because we’d just spent basically all day every day for the last month with the same people. It was strange to leave. I made so many new friends and got to experience so many new things. I also learned a lot to put towards my degree.

               

Now that I’m back home, things are pretty much the same as before I left. All of the returners on the team know how much I love being home and how I talk about everyone/everything like you all know these people/places too. I’ve been hanging out with my Gramy a lot and working like crazy at the restaurant. It’s almost time to make hay on the farm too, one of my favorite times of year. Hopefully I can get my dad to let me drive the tractor. Hope everyone is having a great summer!

-Cody

Jessica's Summer Plans

So far this summer I have been enjoying the sun and relaxing, with the exception of going to the gym and working out. I am going to Florida for vacation mid July, and coaching volleyball camps through GMS. It is my first year officially coaching and I am very excited and kind of nervous. For camps I will be traveling as far as New Hampshire and West Virginia, and I have some here in PA. Other than that I plan on relaxing and enjoying my time off, while focusing on the upcoming volleyball season, bettering my game, and possibly getting into a couple of grass or sand outdoor tournaments.

-Jess