Dreaming of the NBA: Korawn Harris

By: Claire Cahillane

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ENGL 336.003


Korawn Harris' dream of playing for the NBA is no more as he recovers from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) for the second time. The 21 year old Liberal Studies major from South Baltimore, Maryland plays basketball for Frostburg State University but is out for the rest of the season and probably from basketball "for good" after incurring his injury again. His decision to attend Frostburg State University was "a last minute decision," he says, as he hadn't planned on going to college. However, Korawn later realised he didn't want to do manual labour as he had been working since the age of 16; so after graduating from Edmondson Westside Senior High he applied to a number of colleges but only applied to Frostburg in August, and began his studies that Fall.

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Korawn grew up with his mother, father and older brother Keith Jr., in Baltimore, and is the doting uncle of 3 year old Kennedi. He speaks warmly about his family, "they've always been very supportive of me," he states, and he often goes out fishing with his father at home for Bass, Trout, Catfish and other species of fish. As a young boy Korawn was interested in wrestling, "especially watching on TV," and, of course, basketball. His favourite television programme is 'SportsCenter' and he enjoys watching movies such as 'Bad Boys' and 'Life'. His family cat is called Diamond, however Korawn says he is not an animal lover as he is scared of most animals and doesn't like big dogs.

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Korawn plans to pursue a career with his minor in mathematics, hoping to attend Graduate School in Morgan State because "it's closer to home." He hopes to go on to become a math teacher in a Middle or High School and to continue his passion for basketball as a coach. He would like to travel to Europe in the future, and eventually to settle down back in the United States and have "2 or 3 kids, preferably boys;" but for now Korawn is enjoying his time at Frostburg State University playing cards, shooting pool and having a good time.

Adopted and raised by wolves...

By: Katie McAuliffe

ENGL 336.003

As if growing up as a middle child isn't hard enough, Tajah Gloster's siblings led her to believe that she was in fact "raised by wolves" as a young child.

Born in Laurel Maryland, Tajah Gloster lived the first ten years of her life in Clinton Maryland where she began her elementary education. At the age of ten herself and her family made the short move to nearby town 'Clinton', she there completed elementary school. Tajah attended Bowie High School, a private Christian school near her home., where much to her dismay she was required to wear a uniform . A lover of English, Tajah studied the subject at High school, "I used to love my English class but I hated history, it's so boring".

Tajah is currently a softmore student at Frostburg State University where she is majoring in 'Elementary education' with the hope of one day fulfilling her dream of working with children. Once she has completed her four years at FSU she hopes to undertake a masters degree in administration, which would enable her to become a principal. Tajah's love for children was very evident when she spoke of her experiences volunteering many Friday's and Saturday's with 'Frostburg Student Education Association'. Here she got first-hand experience helping to teach children and she said "it felt good to help out".

It's never easy to be the middle child in any family, but not only is Tajah the middle child she's also the shortest of the family and the only member to be left-handed. When asked about her relationship with her siblings, Tajah giggled and claimed, " They called me adopted because they're bigger than me", "They used to tease me and tell me I was raised by wolves." Family is however, clearly very important to Tajah and she spoke very proudly when explaining that she has "a very good relationship with them".

Along with other Holidays Tajah celebrates, Valentine's day is a big occasion for Tajah, not only is it a day for her to enjoy with her boyfriend William, who she has been dating since starting at FSU in 2009, Valentine's day this year also marks Tajah's twentieth birthday.

Seeing the world is of great interest to Tajah, "I'd love to study abroad somewhere like London". She's always wanted to visit Europe and hopes that one day maybe she'll get the opportunity. Her family's time share at 'The Hilton Resort' Florida means Tajah often gets the chance to holiday there. "It is so hot there, my nose always gets sun-burn" was how Tajah explained the weather there. Her and her family have also visited Mexico, Jamaica, California and Las Vegas, but a dream of hers has always been to visit New York.

Tajah's fun-loving personality shone through as she spoke of her love for singer/song-writer 'Taylor Swift'. "Once, when I was working at Chick-fill-A I heard a group of kids talking about going to a Taylor Swift concert and I was so jealous". Not only is Tajah a music lover, she also enjoys shopping, going to the movies and occasionally playing Softball.

Tajah loves living on campus at FSU, but hopes next year to either relocate from 'Westminster Hall' to 'Cambridge Hall', or experience living off-campus for a semester. Tajah seems eager and excited about her future here at FSU and looks forward to her remaining years at the university.

Wait, you live in Paris?

By Madison Martin, ENGL 336.002

After speaking with Rebekah Murphy you would never image that she and her family live outside of the United States. Rebekah was born on September 18, 1990, and is originally from Pasadena, Maryland. She is roughly 5ft 4, thin, and has long strawberry blond hair. Three years ago, before Rebekah entered her junior year of high school, her family packed their bags and moved to Paris, France. Rebekah’s father was relocated to Paris for his current job with FedEx. Her father oversees FedEx in Europe, parts of the Middle East, and China. Rebekah confessed, “… I miss home a lot, but every summer I get to go home.”


Rebekah’s home is approximately 15 minutes from the Eiffel tower. She claimed that the best thing about living in Paris is how easy Paris is to navigate and find fun things to do, “You can just jump on the metro and go anywhere you want.” According to Rebekah, it doesn’t snow nearly as much in Paris as it does in Maryland. When traveling home her average flight from Paris to Maryland is seven and a half hours. Air fare can become rather expensive, but Rebekah’s father’s company pays for most of her travel expenses.

               
Rebekah attended her last two years of high school in Paris at a private school. There were only 90 people in Rebekah’s graduating class.  She claimed that school in Paris is very different from school in America, “They let you go outside to eat, and you aren’t restricted.”

               

Could you ever imagine, instead of driving through at McDonald's, walking through McDonald's? Well according to Rebekah, in Paris that is how their McDonald's are. Instead of driving through a McDonald's, you walk through McDonald's. Rebekah believes that people in Paris are a lot healthier then people in the United States. In Paris people walk everywhere. Rebekah also stated that the food is different and healthier. For example, when you order a burger you receive a patty of meat with an egg on top instead of a patty of meat sandwiched between two slices of bread.
               

Aside from living in Paris, Rebekah is an undecided sophomore at Frostburg State University. She hopes to graduate and obtain a career in fashion design. “I like designing clothes and graphics,” stated Rebekah. She hopes to eventually live in New York, New York. Apart from fashion, Rebekah enjoys looking at fashion magazines, traveling, horseback riding, and dancing. 

Looking towards the future with Ashley Burdin

By: Melanie Cassel ENGL 336.002

At the young age of 20, Ashley Burdin has already overcome a major obstacle that has affected three generations of women in her family, including herself. Cervical cancer is that obstacle Ashley's grandmother, mother, aunt, sister and herself have all had to fight. With the family history of cervical cancer it only makes sense she would get checked out regularly at the doctor's for signs of the cancer. However, there was another thing that made Ashley get checked out...her gut. "I had a gut feeling it was [cervical cancer], and my gut ended up being right", Ashley explains. Thankfully, Ashley's cancer was caught in the very early stages of cervical cancer. One year ago, Ashley underwent surgery to remove the abnormal cells before they became cancerous. When asked how she felt the moment she found out about the cancer all she could say was, "it was shocking." The disease made her change some of her habits and realize what's important in life; like Ashley says, "it really changes who you are." With the cancer overcome, she now looking towards the future.

As a junior attending Frostburg State University, Ashley is like any normal college student. She studies, has a job, and loves drinking coffee. Ashley is working towards her degree in English with a concentration in professional writing. However, don't expect to be reading anything she writes anytime soon. "If it's written, it's not going to be seen", Ashley explains about her own writing. Her interest is more in editing other people's works. Once she graduates she hopes to get a job at a publishing company, her dream job being a position with Random House Publishing Group.

After college, Ashley wouldn't mind moving back home and saving up money before moving to her ideal city. Growing up, Ashley always saw herself living in a city, working in a tall building. Though she has never been to the city of Boston, Ashley expressed how she would just "love, love, love" to live there. Washington D.C would also be a city she would love to work in.

With her future bright, Ashley is looking forward to what life has in store for her. To support other women like Ashley and her family battling cervical cancer, you can make a donation to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition.

Who is Samantha Wagner?

By: Raven Robinson ENGL 336.003

On the day of her interview, Samantha Wagner was wearing an ordinary pink t-shirt, blue jeans and gray UGG boots, appearing to be like any other Frostburg State University student. After speaking with her, however, it is obvious that there is a lot more to her then meets the eye.

She is a junior majoring in English with a concentration in literature and a minor in Sociology. She choose her major because she took AP literature at her high school and liked it and decided that it would be interesting to pursue. Samantha Wagner is a commuter student, she was born and raised in Cumberland, MD and can be seen driving her silver Suburo Legacy to and from school. Wagner attended Fort Hill High School but her boyfriend attended the rival school Allegany High School. When asked if that was a problem for her, she shrugs and responds, “not for me, I don't care it's the older generations that won't let the rivalry go.”

She may have lived in Cumberland her whole life but she hates the cold like most Frostburg students. She still spends most of her time in Cumberland where all of her friends and boyfriend live. Although she has attended Frostburg State the past three years she says, “it's hard for commuter students to make friends on campus because I don't stay on campus.” She continues saying, “I could just stay on campus more but after classes, I'm ready to go home.” That doesn't keep her from having fun, in her spare time she likes to play pool. She laughs while describing her skills as “terrible, I just like to play, you know?” Wagner also enjoys to travel, her favorite place to go is Disney World, she has been about 16 times. Wagner's favorite type of music is indie, rock, and alternative. Her favorite band is Death Cab for Cutie, an indie rock band. She also enjoys to read, her favorite novels being Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. She also likes to spend time on the computer but sorry MAC, Wagner is a PC. Wagner laughs and adds “I am scared of MAC, I guess it's cause I don't have one.” She continues saying, “I have used an iPad and iPhone and they're not scary but I don't know, I guess [Macs] just really intimidating.”

Wagner enjoys Literature and English but she plans to go to Law School after graduation. She is looking to go to University of Maryland: College Park, West Virginia University, or North Carolina. Wagner works at the board of education in Allegany doing secretarial work but after graduating Law School she would like to work at The Justice Project. The Justice Project is an organization that helps to free innocent people from jail as well as help underprivileged people afford good lawyers. The Justice Project is Wagner's dream job, a place where she can help people and she is well on her way to reaching her dreams.

Hectic Schedules and Freezing Weather... No Problem!

By: Josh Albowicz Engl 336

Peter Jordan Baxter (likes to be called Jordan), is a 19 year-old sophomore who hails from Mt Airy, Maryland. He went to South Carrol High School, but spent one year in Minnesota attending Lakeville South High School. Reason for being in Minnesota because his dad took a vice president poisition at a company and Jordan hopped along. But, things didn't work out and Jordan finished school at South Carrol High School playing football and baseball while he worked at Illiano's J&P Resteraunt.

Eventhough Frostburg was the only school he got accepted into, he made the most it by joining Alpha Theta Chi the first semester of his college career. They are a local and off-campus fraternity and enjoys being part of that brotherhood a lot. But he does say this about the brotherhood, "If I ever plan on leaving this frat, they would make me turn in my letters" he says, "but I can still associate and hangout with them whenever I want." Having a hectic business and administration doesn't faze him from having a good workout or going out with his friends. Even the weather doesn't faze Jordan from looking on the bright side of things. Last year was the first time he experienced a Frostburg blizzard and being snowed in his dorm at Gray Hall wasn't bad according to him. "I don't mind it snowing at all because we get off of school and thats fine by me" Jordan states. This year he is living with his AOX bothers in a house on Center Street and enjoys it a lot. Although he eats nothing but Ramen Noodles at home, he has a lovely meal plan to satisfy his hunger and thirst. His favorite place to eat on campus in Sub-Zero also called by Jordan and his friends, "Grub-Zero". He also likes going to the new Lane Center but says this, "I am dissappointed with the new renovations and nothing has changed besides the little room int he corner of Lane."

Jordan did share his opinion on the atmospere of the town of Frostburg though, He said, "I think it's funny because there are a mix of drunk college kids and the locals who live in Frostburg. To be honest I think they hate us [the locals]". When you get a chance, go to Urban Dictionary and look at the definition of Frostburg. It's hilarious," as he laughs though the comment.

Claire Cahillane: The Ireland Native

Claire is on the left

by: Korawn Harris

Engl 336.003



Claire Cahillane was born on October 12, 1989 in Limerick, Ireland and that is where she normally resides. Claire is one of eleven students studying abroad at Frostburg State University, but usually attends Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland. This is her third year in college and she majors in English and Mass Communication. She plans to find a career working with magazines productions. If that doesn't work out she would consider teaching, in which she considers Mary Immaculate College perfect in helping to pursue that career. Mary Immaculate College is very good institute for future educators. Claire says that if she becomes a teacher that she would like to teach in foreign countries so she can travel. She really loves Europe so she mentioned some southern European countries.

Claire grew up living with her mother, who works with the international students at Mary Immaculate College and her brother that's three years older than her. The main attraction as far as sports in her country is Rugby, but as a child she left that sport for the boys. She sometimes played Gaelic football or hurling with friends. Her passion or main hobby as a young one was dancing. She really enjoyed ballet and that lasted about 12 years. After ballet, she enjoyed hip hop dancing, belly dancing and even salsa dancing. These days she only dances at parties and that is probably her favorite thing to do at the age of 21. "It's different partying over here because we can drink at 18 in country." She explained that because some of her friends who came to America with her aren't 21 yet.

Claire is currently enjoying America and Frostburg State University, but she is trying to get use to this severe weather that we're having. "Ireland doesn't really ever have extreme weather conditions", are her words exactly and she explained how they receive lots of rainfall. She has a very strong Irish accent, which is very expectable considering she been there all her life. She doesn't really miss all the rain, but she definitely misses the food. "I find the food kind of hard to manage." Claire then laughs and says, "The chocolate here isn't real besides the Twix." Outside of the food and her family, she really misses her two best friends of fifteen years, Paula and Grace. She also misses her three cats: Rita, Frankie and Dora but most of all her boyfriend. He a part of the British Army and lives in England. The two of them have been together since high school and have been through a lot. She even missed her prom, "Debs" being the Irish term for it, to be with him in France. He will be moving to Germany soon and that is some place that Claire would like to visit him.