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Transcript of OWL Magazine Spring 2014
Elevator to the Stars p.6
A Trailblazer’s Paradise p.14
An Olympian’s Second Act p.10
KimmieMeissner
SPRING 2014
In Her Own WordsBel Air’s Kimmie Meissner looks back on her life after the 2006 Olympics.
ART DIRECTORLaurise McMillian
CHIEF OF PRODUCTION Stephanie Perkins
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORJoshua Eller
EDITORIAL STAFFGeorgina CammayoNadia Kaczkowski
William MartinJohn Parks
WRITING STAFF Luis Figueroa Ashton Horne
Andrew HuenkeBecca McLhinney
Emily Padgett
SPECIAL TO OWL MAGAZINEKimmie Meissner
PHOTOGRAPHY STAFFJennifer Lewis
John Morin
DESIGN STAFFGrayson Karr
Gabriel KostadinovaManuel Reyes
DESIGN SPECIALISTBrianna Breece
CHIEF ADVISERClaudia Brown
TECHNICAL ADVISERPhilip Roszak
BUSINESS MANAGERRachel Mitchell
PRINT PUBLISHERStockson Printing Company
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOGRAPHYRick BabyakAbby Bruns
Deborah Feingold Linda Gettier
Dennis GloriosoBarry Huneke
Ed Slusher
Do you really know the people around you? What if your co-worker is royalty in a town half a world away? That guy in your math class? Maybe he’s a Slove-nian rapper.
In this issue, we celebrate the journeys of people such as Goran
Radulovich, an international student at HCC, American secre-tary turned African king Peggie-lene Bartels, previously home-schooled student Emily Padgett, and Olympian Kimmie Meissner.
In spite of going through vari-ous phases of uncertainty, each of them eventually learned to embrace their individual trials and develop a positive attitude towards change.
Read on to learn more about their journeys, as well as those of others who are featured in this magazine. Perhaps you may find that though every path is differ-ent, each one is a life-changing adventure on its own. As distinct as they are from one another, one
thing is for certain: no journey begins without the initial step.
The beauty of a journey, ir-respective of the goal or lack thereof, is that it leads to self-discovery. Facing difficult situa-tions, undertaking a new task, or confronting the unexpected all give us the opportunity to grow.
So go ahead, we encourage you to take yours today and make every succeeding step count!
CONTACT US:[email protected]
6
10
JOIN THE STAFF
Spring 2014
“Though every path is different, each one is a life-changing adventure on its own.”
The Journey is the Reward
Owl Magazine | TABLE OF CONTENTS
14 A Trailblazer’s ParadiseLearn about the unique challenges that the mountains of New Mexico present for outdoor enthusiasts.
King Peggy Shares Her StoryLearn how one woman’s sudden turn from American secretary to African king caused change and inspiration to a town.
8 A Campus UnitedMeet several students who represent the flags flying in the Quad.
Owl Magazine | TABLE OF CONTENTS
6 12
7 From Home Schooling to Harford
Share a student’s first experience in a public school.
104
The Secret World of Adult SkatingNo matter what age or skill level, ice skating offers something for everyone.
5
Elevator to the StarsCan’t climb the Stairway to Heaven? Just wait for the space elevator.
4Take Me out to Ball Park RestaurantThis local eatery’s menu and atmosphere are an out of the park home run.
19 Live at HCCEnjoy comedy and fantastic displays of musical talent this semester.
4
reSTaUranT reView | Spring 2014
I spent many of my summers at the Ball
Park. Camden Yards is probably the first
place that comes to mind, but I mean
the Ball Park Restaurant. This cozy
restaurant decked out in Orioles memo-
rabilia is located in Street, Maryland on
Conowingo Road. If you’re looking for
a comfortable, “everybody knows your
name” type of atmosphere, then this place
is perfect for you.
There’s a wide variety of diner fare you
can choose from, such as hot sandwiches,
meatloaf, burgers, and subs. They also
serve crab cakes, steaks, and even a
simple hotdog. The prices of most of their
entrees range from $5.75 to $15.75, with
the most expensive item being their steak.
I had the privilege to indulge in their
house specialty, which was cream of crab
soup, and a hot meatloaf sandwich with
mashed potatoes. The cream of crab soup
was creamy without overdoing it, with
large lumps of crab meat throughout,
topped off with spicy Old Bay.
As the waitress brought out the hot
meatloaf sandwich smothered in gravy, I
could see the steam rising from the plate.
Each bite was savory and filled with fla-
vor; the mashed potatoes were whipped
to perfection. The entire thing was a melt-
in-my-mouth favorite.
Although more than satisfied with the
generous portions of my entrée, I was
determined to investigate the dessert
menu. When asked about what desserts
they had, the waitress named nine differ-
ent treats: apple pie, pumpkin pie, cherry
pie, pecan pie, apple turnover, cheesecake,
bread pudding, and ice cream, all ranging
from $4.00 to $8.00.
I decided to sample the classic apple pie.
The outside was a flaky, homemade crust,
just like the kind your grandmother would
make. The inside was moist and filled with
fresh, juicy apple slices, with a pinch of
cinnamon giving it that distinct flavor.
As for the history of Ball Park,
the restaurant got its name from the
property on which it was built. From
1920 to 1946, it was once a baseball
field used by the Susquehanna Semi-
Professional Baseball League.
The current owner, Joy Frederick,
purchased Ball Park Restaurant on July
29, 1989. She decided to “keep the spirit
of baseball alive within the restaurant
by lining the walls with bits and pieces
of baseball memorabilia.”
While I was dining here, I couldn’t
help but notice the restaurant was
filled with locals. The waitresses knew
everyone by name and ordered them
their “usual.”
If you’re looking for a quality, home-
cooked meal with great service and
friendly faces, make sure to stop by Ball
Park Restaurant because it surely is a
catch.
Take Me out to Ball Park Restaurant
By Becca McLhinney | Photography by Grayson Karr | Owl Staff
“This cozy restaurant decked out in Orioles memorabilia is located in Street, Maryland...”
At $4.50 per cup, Ball Park’s cream of crab soup is a grand slam.
5
Owl Magazine | BOOK NOOK
Ball Park RestaurantIt was about four in the morning in Silver
Spring, Maryland, when Peggielene
Bartels was awakened by an overseas call
from Ghana. “Congratulations!” cried the
voice, “You are the new king of Otuam!”
Assuming it was a prank, she almost hung
up on the call that would change her life
forever.
Bartels soon learned that upon her late
uncle’s death, she was chosen to take over
as king to her ancestral town in Africa.
Days later, she accepted the role while
continuing her work as a secretary in the
Ghanaian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
In seeking to improve the lives of 7,000
people, her two worlds – as an American
secretary and an African king – merged
into one.
Never in the history of Otuam had there
been a woman in charge. Bartels took on
the title of king instead of queen to be
taken seriously by a traditional group of
elders in a male-dominated town.
In a recent visit to HCC, Bartels shared
her incredible journey in the book, King
Peggy, which details her struggles and
triumphs as king of Otuam.
Upon agreeing to take over the royal
seat in the small fishing village, King
Peggy inherited the town’s problems with
running water, healthcare, education,
abuse of women, a run down royal palace,
and a council ridden with several corrupt
elders.
Determined to succeed, King Peggy
strived to become an effective leader
by finding a balance between modern
politics and ancient traditions. She
used her secretarial skills and strong
personality to overturn negative notions
of her rule, which eventually led to
her becoming the source of hope in the
impoverished town.
She kept her unwavering faith amidst
the difficulties and found renewed hope
with the help of generous donors who
aided the town in moving forward.
Under her leadership, a bank was
established in the village, corruption
declined, women were empowered,
boreholes were built, the royal palace
was restored, healthcare and education
are making progress, and other
improvements are in the works.
By accepting the role of king to a
poor fishing village, Bartels witnessed
the transformation of a town and of
herself. By restoring hope in her people,
she too, found new meaning to her life.
Substantiated by her personal testimony,
King Peggy demonstrates the importance
of fulfilling your roles in society and
doing your part for the greater good.
In a brief but powerful statement, she
imparted a striking message to her HCC
audience: “In this world, we all have a
calling. You may get yours earlier, you
may get yours late. When it comes…
receive it because we’re all on this earth
for a reason.”
“I had such an admiration for [King] Peggy that she was willing to take this enormous
job…it was stranger than fiction…but it was true.”
-Olivia Bach
“I learned that there are people in the world that
have nothing and appreciate getting anything at all – we, as Americans, have so much
more opportunities.”
-Libby Copes
By Georgina Cammayo | Owl Staff
Beyond the BookKing Peggy Shares Her Story
“Her two worlds — as an American secretary and an African king — merged into one.” Readers React
to King Peggy
6
As you stand on an elevator after putting
your luggage on the floor, you hear the
bell ding and the elevator begins to move.
This elevator, however, does not go to
a town or a city. It doesn’t go anywhere
on land, but up into the vastness of
space. This sounds like something from
science fiction, but could very well be a
possibility with the creation of a space
elevator.
According to David Smitherman of
NASA’s Advanced Projects Office, the
idea originates from Fountains of Paradise,
a 1978 science fiction novel by Arthur
C. Clarke, who wrote the famous 2001:
A Space Odyssey. When could the space
elevator become a reality? “Probably
about fifty years after everybody quits
laughing,” says Clark.
The space elevator would be connected
to a space station that sits at geostationary
orbit, essentially so high that it would
circle the Earth. The base tower would
stand around fifty kilometers tall; it
would be tethered to Earth and four to
six tracks would run up to the station.
The shuttles would run on
electromagnetic currents, which would
allow them to reach thousands of
kilometers-per-hour in a few seconds.
The tower would be made of carbon
nanotubes (CNTs). This is a new form of
carbon that is lightweight, one hundred
times stronger than steel, and holds
the tensile strength and hardness of a
diamond but will not become brittle and
crack like diamonds sometimes can.
Because the CNT is currently being
researched, the tower is not feasible
today. Smitherman states it may not
happen until towards the end of the 21st
century.
We are currently pushing the limits of
our resources, but we could use this space
elevator as a jumping point to venture
further beyond the stars. We could use
the station as a launch bay to send out
further shuttles to collect asteroids and
space debris for raw materials.
It could also be used for space tourism
so people can see the galaxy with their
own eyes, or to even live in space one
day. According to Smitherman, the cost
of a ticket to space, taking into account
current energy prices, could be around
$222 including baggage of 150 kg
(around 330 lbs.).
The biggest issue, however, is that this
can only be possible if we garner a high
enough percentage of people using the
elevator. It is therefore imperative that, as
we research into CNT or magnetic trains,
that we actually have civilians who are
willing to go into space, not just as a job
but as a place to live.
By Luis Figueroa | Digital Art by Joshua Eller | Owl Staff
Science Fiction to RealitySpace Elevator to the Stars
“We could use the station as a launch bay to send out further shuttles to collect asteroids and space debris for raw materials.”
SCIENCE |Spring 2014
The space elevator would allow vehicles to explore space without burning a large amount of their fuel to escape Earth’s atmosphere.
7
Owl Magazine | VOICES
Do you remember your first day at
HCC? Were you excited to start college?
Scared? Now imagine being a home-
schooler in the same situation. Imagine
yourself not having any public or private
school background and suddenly finding
yourself thrown into a crowded class-
room full of strangers and professors who
don’t know you or your learning style.
When I walked through the doors on
my first day at HCC, I had no idea what
to expect. Being home-schooled my
whole life, the only classroom settings I
experienced had been with other home-
schoolers.
I was anxious for the semester ahead.
Would I understand homework assign-
ments and teaching methods? Would
I be able to break the “antisocial home
schooler” stereotype and make friends?
Upon initially attending college, most
home-schoolers that I have known are
entering into their first classroom experi-
ence. They often have the same fears and
apprehensions that I had. Despite the
skepticism that home-schoolers are often
met with, those whom I have spoken to
tend to thrive in a college setting in ways
that public or private schooled students
do not always achieve.
According to a few of the many home
schoolers who attend HCC, their college
experience has been mostly positive.
“I was really nervous and scared. I
was worried about not being able to find
the classrooms, and I was worried about
making friends,” says Tiffanie Ware, a
Psychology major. “It was a lot easier
than I thought. Once I started going to
my classes I realized that I had worried
over absolutely nothing.”
General Studies major Garrett Vesly
adds, “My personal experience going
from a home-school setting to a public
school setting was not very difficult
at all… I was just a little nervous,
not because of going to a classroom
but more the fact that I was starting
college.”
Although these home-school students
adapted easily to the new environment
and structure, there are often fears and
apprehensions upon starting college. Fear
of the unknown can have a crippling
effect and home school students need
to know how to overcome that anxiety.
Upon enrolling at HCC, I recommend that
home schooled students meet with either
Jim Quigg or Bill Elliot at Academic
Advising. They are the two advisors who
primarily assist such students.
“Just be yourself,” Tiffanie suggests
to new students. “Having been home-
schooled isn’t a bad thing, so don’t listen
to other people if they say something
negative to you about it.”
It has now been more than two years
since I started at HCC and I realize that
most of my initial fears were unfounded.
I miss being home-schooled but I am
incredibly grateful for the opportunity
that I have to get out of my comfort
zone.
By Emily Padgett | Photography by John Morin | Owl Staff
From Home Schooling to Harford Community
“[Home-schoolers] tend to thrive in a college setting in ways that public or private schooled students do not ...”
HCC alum Imani Lewis was home-schooled for the majority of her life and is now excelling at the University of Maryland as a Communication major.
President for Campus Operations, says that
since there are more students represented
than the flagpoles, he makes “decisions of
what flags to put up based on the country’s
population.”
For international students, the flags
also represent a connection to their home.
“Every time I see the German flag, it
reminds me of one of the best experiences
of my life,” says Yasmeen Ali, a Software
Engineering major.
Yasmeen lived in Germany for three
years when she was 12. At 16, she
came to Maryland because her dad
was in the military. In Germany,
“everyone was friendly, and the
place I lived was very clean. Food
was always made fresh and there
was barely any processed food.
This county was not as diverse as
where I lived in Germany, but I still
8
COMMUNITY | Spring 2014
HCC’s World Flags AreMore Than Decorations
A Campus United
By Ashton Horne | Photography by Jennifer Lewis | Owl Staff
Goran Radulovich was a former rapper in
Slovenia who found success with his single
“Stara Ulica” and earned his Associate’s
Degree in Audio Engineering and Massage
Therapy back home. You might wonder how
he ended up at Harford – his sister lives in
Bel Air, which led Goran to start school here
about a year ago.
Ben Rushby, a General Studies major,
came from Derby in Central England on a
scholarship to play for the Fighting Owls
soccer team. Head coach Jason Muffoletto
contacted College Prospects of America,
a sports marketing service for high
school athletes entering college, and
found his profile.
Goran and Ben are just two of many
international students who are living the
American dream right here at HCC. In
celebration of the diversity these students
bring to HCC, international flags were added
to the campus in 2001, the brainchild of Dr.
Claudia Chiesi, a former HCC president.
The flags change each year to reflect the
growth of our diverse campus community.
Currently, 48 banners align from the main
entrance of the library all the way to the
front doors of the Student Center and along
the academic halls by the quad.
Cameroon, Iran, Belgium, Romania,
Netherlands, Nepal, and Russia are just a
handful of the nations international students
represent. Gregory Deals, the Associate Vice
think it’s diverse.”
Arren Gapasin moved to the States in
2006 from the Philippines. She says, “At
first it was a culture shock; the weather
was much colder than in the Philippines.
I wasn’t used to the diversity either. Since
then, I have adjusted, but I really miss
my family, friends, and the food.”
“My experience has been good; I
have had a lot of help [at HCC],” says
Ben Rushby. The biggest difference
between the U.S and U.K he has seen
is the playing style for soccer and the
restaurants. “The style of play in the U.K
is a lot more physical. Here the officiating
is strict and you can’t get away with
as much.”
Ben continues, “As far as restaurants
go, I noticed here there are a lot more
fast food places you can choose from and
go to. Back at home while we still have
fast places such as McDonalds, it’s not
nearly as much; it’s more of the classier
[dine-in] restaurants to pick.”
Goran Radulovich cites educational
differences between the U.S. and his
home country. “In Slovenia, school was
much harder; you had less help from
teachers because most of them had
multiple subjects to teach. Learning
here is much easier. You have more
assistance.”
Adds Goran, “I like the flags on campus
and what they represent.”
Admission specialist Jenny Lares works
in the school’s international program.
Her job is to review foreign students
and coordinate campus visits. Gazing at
her world map, she says, “Diversity is
something we shouldn’t celebrate once a
week. We should celebrate it every day
and include it in every issue or have it be
a part of the development of each issue.”
There may be 48 flags on campus to
represent international students, but each
flag holds a unique and special story that
goes far beyond HCC and truly makes
this a campus united.
Owl Magazine | COMMUNITY
9
A Campus United“There may be 48 flags on campus to represent international students, but each flag holds a different story that goes far beyond HCC.”
The international flags flying in front of the Student Center were added to Harford’s campus in 2001.
What is post-Olympic life like? Well, it involves
professional skating shows, coaching and
school…lots of school. It hasn’t always been
this way. I had a challenging transition between
top of the world and now, but I’ve found my
way. Now a few years down the road, I can
look back with the wisdom only time and per-
spective can bring and for that, I am grateful.
Moving back home from Florida after
training and living there for two years was bit-
tersweet. I was ecstatic to be coming home and
to reunite with family, friends and community.
But my homecoming also meant a change of
course as far as my skating was concerned.
An injury to my knee cut my competition
life short and upon my arrival, I lost my aunt
to cancer. A few months later we lost a little
girl from Cool Kids, my charity, to cancer as
well. Suddenly the calm, stable life I had grown
used to was completely turned upside down. I
lost my outlet of understanding life and work-
ing through my stress, throwing me into dark
waters that I had never experienced before.
As far as skating was concerned, my passion
and love for the sport completely vanished
before my eyes. I didn’t want to watch it on
television, I didn’t want to talk about it and
most troubling of all, I didn’t want to lace my
skates up and take to the ice. This self-inflicted
exile from the sport that had captured my
imagination all those years ago, lasted for about
two years.
Then one day I was asked to skate in my
friend’s charity show out in California. He
knew that I wasn’t skating anymore, but
thought maybe, just maybe, I’d consider it. I
An Olympian’s Second ActBel Air native Kimmie Meissner competed in the 2006
Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Meissner wrote about her
Olympic experience for The Harford Owl in 2010. This article
focuses on her life after the Olympic Games.
By Kimmie Meissner | Special to Owl Magazine | Photography by John Morin | Owl Staff
don’t know why, but I said yes right on
the spot. Three years from that first show
and I am skating again every day. It took a
shocking amount of hard work to get back
to the level I am at now, having to relearn
all of my triple jumps and fully develop
my personal style on the ice.
When I skate now I have a new appre-
ciation for this sport and my ability to be
out there in center ice. It seems insane
to me that there was a time I denied any
connection to figure skating. In 2012, I
competed in a professional competition in
Japan and performed in multiple shows
and tours. In 2013, I once again skated in
my friend’s show in California and had a
tour in Brazil and Canada, as well as the
Disson skating shows that are televised on
NBC.
It’s a refreshing feeling to look at my
schedule and see it filled once again with
adventures in the realm of figure skat-
ing. Now a different avenue on the show
docket, but one that is full of fun, friends
and most importantly, the ice.
I decided to begin coaching about two
years ago. This has been quite the experi-
ence since I am now on the opposite side
of the boards, supporting younger skaters
and helping them to fulfill their dreams. I
coach a multitude of students ranging in
ages from 8-17, beginners and senior level
competitors.
It’s such a gratifying experience to
watch as they discover their potential.
The joy that comes with landing a new
jump or simply skating faster grants them
a healthy dose of confidence they can
carry with them into other aspects of their
life. I enjoy facilitating their learning and
watching the wonder and exuberance
burst around them, reminding me of my
early days on the ice.
Between coaching and performing,
I also center most of my time around
school. When I had first begun my col-
lege journey, I attended the University of
Delaware with the intention of majoring
in exercise science. Training at the on-
campus rink made an easy addition of
school with my skating. Unfortunately,
my first semester was also when a coach-
ing change was made and I had to move
to Florida, forsaking my studies. Upon
my return home, I found myself trying to
adjust back to student life.
I needed a new start, a new beginning.
So, after gaining control of my spinning
life, I transferred to Towson University,
changing majors to English with a focus
on writing. That change has been one of
the best decisions I’ve ever made. I love
to read, but I absolutely adore writing.
This intimate form of expression acts as
my way to interpret the world I live in,
alongside the physical act of skating that
allows me to move through the emotions.
Both are art forms that have captured my
heart and soul.
When I am not performing, coaching,
training or attending classes, I am most
likely to be found spending time with
those close to me. My charity, Cool Kids
Campaign, is expanding and I am also
involved with a few others in the com-
munity. I am surrounded by a wonderful
group of friends, but this was also a chal-
lenge during my return from Florida. I
needed to reconnect with everyone I cared
about.
While most of my close friends were
around me during my competitive days,
we experienced completely different teen-
age years. When all of us get together, the
conversation normally centers around
different high school experiences, college
parties or nights out. I can relate to them
with our nights out, but both experiences
revolving around school are much differ-
ent. My friends and I work around that
barrier as much as we can, but it always
stands just out of sight.
As you can see, post-Olympic life is
really quite normal. A few times a month
I get to put on my persona and perform
for thousands before returning back to
classes, my students, and my family and
friends. It is really the ideal life for this
24-year-old.
“My passion and love for the sportcompletely vanished before my eyes.”
An Olympian’s Second Act
12
A breakup. That is what ultimately led
me to sign up for figure skating lessons
again at 26.
In my quest to find a positive out-
let to keep myself busy and not overly
emotional, I rediscovered a hobby I had
forgotten over the years. Captivated by
the sport once more, I began skating fre-
quently and discovered I was not alone.
Other adults on the ice inspired me, as
they all have stories to tell.
Stephen Kavanaugh, 41, is often
seen doing laps in his military uniform
during public sessions in Ice World,
Abingdon. He has been skating for over
twenty years and has taken adult hockey
instructional lessons in several duty sta-
tions throughout his career. “I love the
sport,” he says. “I love just skating out
on the ice. It’s something to teach my
kids and it’s just overall fun.”
Another Ice World regular, Alicia
Orlando, is a tennis instructor who
playfully refuses to give away her age
other than being over 60. She circles
the rink week after week, taking small
strokes at a time. She remebers skating
on cleared frozen ponds while music
played in the background. “We never
had rinks when we were growing
up,” she shares. “That’s how I met my
husband. We were teenagers on a
frozen pond.”
In addition to recreational skating, the
sport also offers opportunities to per-
form. Fine Wine is an adult performance
troupe composed of about 15 adults
mostly in their 30’s-60’s at Mt. Pleasant
Ice Arena in Baltimore. Artistic Director
Jeffrey Nolt creates original pieces twice
a year for shows at Mt. Pleasant.
“A lot of adults never want to join
because they’re scared of skating in front
of people,” he says. However, members
learn to face their fears and insecurities
regardless of skill level.
Heather Piepenburg, Figure Skating
Director of Ice World, has been skating
since she was seven years old. “I really
enjoy it because you feel free,” she says.
“You can just take your mind off every-
thing else…and really enjoy the jumps
and the spins and feeling like you’re a
kid again.”
She encourages adult participation
because “it’s a great way to meet other
people. It’s also a great way to motivate
yourself because there’s always a goal.
You’re always working towards getting
to a higher level and learning
new skills.”
Like Heather, Dennis Glorioso’s
involvement traces back to childhood.
The 57-year-old was pulled in to the
sport early on but was forced to with-
draw after suffering hearing loss in his
By Georgina Cammayo | Owl Staff
“The minute my blades touched the ice that first time as an adult, I felt an instant connection that has never weakened,” says Lesley Finn (above), adjunct faculty at
Towson University and mother of two.
The Secret World of Adult Skating
late teens. It wasn’t until 13 years ago,
when he got his cochlear implant that
he started skating consistently again and
began training for adult competitions.
“Skating with a hearing problem some-
times is a challenge” he says. “But I keep
working at it because I love it. I like to
keep challenging myself to do better and
be stronger.”
For Barclay Gibbs, 32, skating was a
childhood dream that she put on hold
until later. “I loved watching skating on
TV when I was little,” she says. “But I
was really focused on pursuing ballet as
a profession. I was dancing every day, so
I didn’t have time to take skating lessons
too.” Now as Artistic Director of Dance
Conservatory of Maryland, she finds
figure skating offers an exercise that is
“way more fun than going to the gym
and running in place for an hour.”
Suzanne Himmerich, also 32, is a
medical sales representative who began
taking lessons at 17. She was 27 years
old when she competed – and won gold
– in her first Adult Nationals, a competi-
tion for skaters 21 and
over at a variety of levels.
“I think skating is fun,”
Suzanne says. “It’s a stress reliever. It al-
ways seems that you come here and you
skate and you just forget about anything
going on in your life. You walk out of
here kind of renewed and you feel fresh
and happy.”
Apart from figure skating, hockey is
another popular ice skating sport for
adults. According to Ed Slusher, Ice
World’s Hockey Director, adult hockey
participants include those who engage
in competitive sports, those who play
recreationally, and those who are still
getting to know the sport through the
adult instructional program.
“I offer most adults the advice of just
coming out to try skating before get-
ting started with hockey,” Ed says. “For
adults that are able to skate already, I
offer them an adult instructional option
or a power skating class to brush up on
their skating before we involve pucks.”
Various adults come together in the
rink for a multitude of reasons
because ice skating goes
beyond the technical
aspects of the
sport. The
skating
motto “Fall, get up. Fall, get up” teaches
that a hobby is more than a pastime. It
also helps form character and instill a life
lesson applicable to a person of any age,
and one that I was lucky to come by at a
time when I needed it.
13
Getting Started on the Ice
The Secret World of Adult Skating
Mt. Pleasant Ice Arena6101 Hillen RdBaltimore, MD 21239(443) 984-4075www.mtpleasanticearena.com
Ice WorldPublic Sessions: $7.50-$8.50; $3 skate rental Group Lessons: 6-10 sessions for $105-$120
Ice World1300 Governor Ct.Abingdon, MD 21009(410) 612-1000www.iceworld.com
Local Rinks CostMt. Pleasant Ice ArenaPublic Sessions: $4; $2 skate rentalGroup Lessons: 7 sessions for $98
“I play for the exercise, friendships and fun,“
says Nick Taylor (above) a salesman and hockey coach.
BEYOND CAMPUS | Spring 2014
14
Bouldering over a cliff at 10,000 feet can be one of the best, but mostchallenging moments of the trek.
15
Owl Magazine | BEYOND CAMPUS
Imagine you’re hiking up a vertical slope
so steep that you look up and can’t see
more than twenty feet ahead of you. You
finally make it up to the top of this slope
and are left standing 12,441 feet above
the ground. You can spin around and
gaze at the vast amount of nothingness
and space in all directions. There’s even
a thunderstorm brewing below you, but
you’re so high up that you’re above it!
Philmont Scout Ranch is a challenge
unlike any other – adventurers back-
packing through the mountains of New
Mexico while choosing a variety of pro-
grams to do along the way, ranging from
black powder rifle shooting to horseback
riding. It is an adventure of a lifetime,
especially for those who have never been
out west. One of the best parts about
Philmont is choosing whatever programs
you want to do, whatever journey you
want to take.
The main attraction in the North is
Mount Baldy; standing 12,441 feet, Baldy
is the tallest mountain on the Ranch.
Climbing Baldy was the most challenging
part of Philmont because a crew needs to
learn how to work as a team while you
are carrying up to 60 pounds up 3,000
feet in a span of four miles.
One of the highlights of the North
Country is a camp called Pueblano. Their
feature attractions are spar pole climbing
(scaling a tree with spiked boots) and log-
gerball, which is an old-fashioned baseball
game where players run the bases back-
wards and throw only underhanded.
One of my friends, Phil Outten, liked
Pueblano the best. He says, “Pueblano
was my favorite because of the spar pole
climbing. I also enjoyed the campfire that
they put together.”
The most interesting camp in the mid-
dle country is called Cimarroncito, which
is a rock climbing camp. You go and boul-
der in the morning and can then return
to camp and show off what you learned
in the rock climbing gym. Nothing quite
like the experience of a rock climbing
gym in the middle of backcountry!
Another infamous attraction is the
Tooth of Time. It’s a giant rock shaped like
a tooth right in the middle of the Ranch.
It provides one of the best views in camp,
with a 360-degree panoramic shot.
The main attraction in the South
Country is Mount Phillips. Phillips is the
second highest mountain on the Ranch,
standing an estimated 11,700 feet. The
trip up isn’t as strenuous but it’s still a
challenge with a 50-60 pound pack on
your back.
The second time my fellow scouts and
I went out, we wanted to do more so we
decided to hike an average of ten or more
miles a day, with our trek equaling almost
105 miles at a time. We went to Pueblano,
up Mount Baldy, Cimmaroncito, and over
the Tooth of Time. My favorite memory
was getting to the top of Mount Baldy
with my father, uncle, and cousin. My fa-
ther and uncle hadn’t been up together in
over 20 years, and seeing the joy they had
on their faces with us was priceless and a
memory I’ll never forget.
Phil enjoyed the view from Tooth of
Time the final day. “I enjoyed watching
the sunrise from the Tooth of Time. Hav-
ing a 360-degree view and seeing the sun
rise was simply amazing,” he says.
If you want to go to Philmont, you will
need to either be a Boy Scout or be in a
venturing crew. It’s much easier to go to
Philmont as a venturing crew. Venturing
crews are not associated with Boy Scout
troops, but they are associated with the
Boy Scouts of America.
You can either join an existing crew in
the area or create a new venturing crew
as long as that new crew registers with
the Boy Scouts of America. Creating one
isn’t difficult. Just find friends that would
be interested and register with the Boy
Scouts of America. More detail on how
to do this can be found online at www.
scouting.org.
Philmont is everything an outdoor type
would love. There are beautiful views,
plenty of activities for a crew to do, and
the potential to grow closer together as
friends while backpacking in the marvel-
ous backcountry of New Mexico. I would
encourage everyone to go out there;
it’s a rare experience worth considering
instead of just going to the beach again
this summer.
By Andrew Huneke | Owl Staff
Philmont:
“Having a 360-degree view and seeing the sun rise was simply amazing.”
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Commemorating the Sesquicentennial of Maryland Emancipation
FEBRUARY - MAY 2014
THE UPPER CHESAPEAKE, MARYLAND, AND BEYONDFa ces o f Fr eedom :
Exhibition | Theatre | Film | Literature | Discussion SERIES
JOIN US!
www.harford.edu/community/hays-heighe-house
This project was made possible by a grant
from the Maryland Humanities Council,
through support from the National
Endowment for the Humanities
1201 Technology Drive, Aberdeen, Maryland 21001 • Tel: 443.360.9200 • www.ucmaryland.com
University Center(formally known as HECC & HEAT CENTER)
The epicenter of education, training and technology along the I-95 corridor in northeast-
ern Maryland, University Center provides a welcoming, growth-centered atmosphere,
where students can choose from a community of leading universities to advance their
education and professionals can access first-class training and meeting resources.
Why wait? Step into your future today.
ucmaryland.com
Your Future. Our Mission.
19
Owl Magazine | SPORTS
WOMEN of IRELANDMarch 9 @ 3PM
Amoss CenterAssigned Seating, $15-$30
Dinosaur Train: Live!February 1 @ 1PM and 4PMAmoss Center
The Monster Who Ate My PeasFebruary 7 @ 7PMAmoss Center
The Winter DoldrumsFebruary 9 @ 3PMChesapeake Theater and Student Center
Sunday Afternoon Concert SeriesFebruary 16 @ 3PMJoppa Hall, Recital Hall #1
An Afternoon in ParisFebruary 16 @ 3PMJoppa Hall, Recital Hall #1
The Healing Journey of a Daughter of Slavery and a Son of the Slave TradeFebruary 19 @ 11:30AMStudent Center, 243
Comedy Night with Adam Hunter and Shang ForbesFebruary 20 @ 7PM Chesapeake Theater
The Princess Bride, LiveFebruary 21, 22, 28, and March 1 @ 8PMFebruary 23 and March 2 @ 3PMChesapeake Theater
Dog Sees GodFebruary 21, 22, 28, March 1st @ 8PMBlack Box Theater, Joppa Hall Room 032
Broadway’s Next Hit Musical February 21 @ 7:30PMAmoss Center
Five Little MonkeysMarch 21 @ 7PMAmoss Center
The Role of the Susquehanna River in the Underground RailroadApril 4 @ 1PM and 7PMChesapeake Theater
Duo VelocipedeApril 6 @ 3PMJoppa Hall, Recital Hall #1
SeussicalApril 11 @ 7PMAmoss Center
Vist tickets.harford.edu for more information.