A few weeks ago we had the folks from MI Blood here at West Senior High. They were conducting a blood drive in coordination with our Student Senate to help fulfill the everlasting need for donors. The drive lasted all day, and had a great turnout fueled by the desire to donate (along with free food and the privilege of missing class). It was held in our new small gym throughout the entire day, and anyone who was 17 or older was able to donate.

A few weeks ago I was able to check out a new tradition in Traverse City, titled the Comedy Arts Festival. This weekend of shows, brought to us by Michael Moore (as well as half of the people in the area who decided to volunteer for it), brought out a huge crowd.

Saturday, February 13, 2010: Traverse City West hosts a powerlifting competition as a qualifier for the State Powerlifting meet. Most of the people at this event scare me. I may be over 200 pounds now, but I'm certainly not a lifter of these people's caliber. At the event, which began bright and early, there were six different areas for six different weight classes, and the competitors would have lifted the roof if they could have gotten a hold of it. TC West's Tim Wooer directed the event, held in the gym at West, and he was impressed with the turnout.

There's nothing quite like the rush that cold weather brings. What could better add to that feeling than the adrenaline-packed game of ice hockey?

When I grow up, I don't want to be enveloped in meeting someone else's standards. I would love to run my own business doing something I enjoy. My career goal is in physical therapy, but I am also considering surgery. I have always enjoyed math and science, and health care is a field that has increased in demand. So, if things work out right, I want to eventually run my own clinic and help people be better.