Nathan Robitaille
Journalism
Mr. Tierney
Profile Story
Who really is #8?
A sneak peek into Stonehill College Football’s Zaire Reiph
You may have seen him on the gridiron of W.B. Mason Stadium tearing up the opposing defenses in his beloved purple Skyhawk jersey. You may also catch him in the colonial courts on a Saturday night with his shirt off dancing with the ladies; or even in the library trying better himself in the classroom. Wherever it is you happen to run into this fun loving young man, you’ll always be greeted by his pearly white, wide smile. You definitely can’t miss it.
There are many things that standout when you see Mr. Reiph, such as his many tattoos, which his parents do not approve of; or his ripped abdominal muscles that everyone gets to see when he wants to impress the fairer of the opposite sex. One thing that sticks out the most though is his very uncommon name, Zaire.
When asked about how he obtained the name, he said, “When I was born, my parents had trouble coming up with a name for me. At the time he was being born, his older brother Serge was learning about Africa while he was in school, and “he mentioned the name Zaire to them”. This then sparked a light bulb in his father’s mind to go on”. My father is a big Mohammed Ali fan. He has a bunch of videotapes of all his fights and he has the “Rumble in the Jungle” in his collection. I’ve seen that one a few times”, said Zaire. This boasted two of the best heavyweight boxers in the history of boxing, between Ali and George Foreman. The country the fight was in was the country of Zaire. This is what his parents decided to name him. Although he was born eighteen years after the match, Zaire knows all about “The Rumble in the Jungle”. Now 38 years after Ali beat George Foreman for the heavyweight crown in 1974, Zaire Reiph is doing his own ‘rumbling”, on the football field that is.
Zaire graduated from the St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, Connecticut where for two years he was a two way starter at running back on offense and safety on defense. He attended this private school in eighth and ninth grades, then he transferred in his sophomore year to Brien McMahon; a public school where he was part of their football program as well. He then returned to St. Luke's his junior year where he was welcomed back to the team and named team captain upon his return. The coaches and teammates of Zaire for the Crusaders of St. Luke’s were certainly glad he came back. Zaire rushed for 1,034 yards and scored 13 touchdowns, while recording 68 tackles on defense. Dante Brito a teammate of Zaire now at Stonehill, but an opponent in high school, said,” he is extremely talented, with a lot of speed and from what I’ve seen from our junior years in high school until now, he hasn’t reached his potential”.
After having a stellar junior season, Zaire started to get some recognition for his play on the football field from many schools across the country. In fact, before even suiting up for the first game of his senior year he was named the MVP at Schuman's National Underclassmen Combine, which attracted 250 top players to New Jersey from all over the east coast. After winning the MVP of the combine, that earned him an invite to the Ultimate 100 East Combine in Matawan, New Jersey. This featured the top 100 high school prospects in the Northeast. These accolades made Zaire work even harder in trying to go play football for a division one program at the highest level. However calls stopped coming in and the division one schools lost some interest in him which led Zaire to begin to doubt his skill set. Small injuries started affecting his play and his senior year went from all he ever hoped for to somewhat mediocre. He was still named to the All Connecticut State team and played alongside his current teammate Joe DellaVecchia in multiple all-star games. In which they developed a strong bond together knowing they were going to play at the same school after the all-star festivities subsided. “He’s a hard worker, great teammate, friend and a good football player”, said Della Vecchia.
Even though the division one schools weren’t showing any interest anymore, the next highest level which is division two came into play and Zaire took full advantage of the schools recruiting him. One of them happened to be a prestigious liberal arts institution in Easton, Massachusetts called Stonehill. Zaire was the number one recruit on their radar and he was offered a scholarship which was the main thing he wanted to get. After taking a few visits and coming on a recruiting trip to the school he fell in love. The coaches, the players, the academic prestige and even some recruits he met while visiting, made the choice that much easier for him to decide to sign his letter of intent.
Now a Stonehill Skyhawk, Zaire came in freshman year wide eyed and ready to take on any challenge thrown at him. He started every game his freshman year scoring 2 touchdowns and making big plays when the Skyhawk’s needed them. His roommate Nate Morris said, “Zaire is very talented, always positive, very football orientated. He works hard in all he does”. But while he's proven to be a talent on the gridiron, Zaire is anything but one dimensional.
He also excels in the classroom with a love for math and science and carries a 2.8 grade point average as of right now. Though he does not know what he wants to major in, after interviewing him, he said that he came in as a communications major. Unfortunately he decided he would drop communications and would like to try healthcare courses because of his caring spirit for others. Teammate and good friend Tom Linden said, “After getting to know him this year, we became much closer and he truly does care for all of his friends and loved ones around him”. Some of his buddies tend to joke that he cares a little too much about the girls around him, but they all say that’s his choice. “As long as it doesn’t affect his play for us we don’t care what he does”, Nate Morris said with a chuckle.
So far Zaire has been living the life and loving the choice he made of coming to Stonehill. Everyone here, students, teachers, coaches, lunch ladies, they all love Zaire. His good personality, positive attitude make him so easy to get along with. The friends he’s made, the troubles (with girls mainly) he’s gone through has made him a better person overall. Zaire said, “I’m a firm believer of you have to know where you came from to move further in your life”. He’s learned from his mistakes and plans on taking advantage of his opportunities and living his life to the fullest to make his parents and brothers proud.
Coming off a decent sophomore campaign for this high spirited young man has him hungry for the future in his craft. Football will forever be this student-athlete's calling card and he hopes that his final seasons at Stonehill College are memorable for him and his teammates. “We definitely want to get a winning season for the upcoming year. We haven't had one in a long time," Zaire said. "We have plenty work to do, but we've been working hard in the offseason, putting a lot of effort in so we'll be ready for the next season. I'm going to make sure I do all I can. I can't wait for the season to start and get on the field”.
It sure sounds like #8 Zaire Reiph is ready to rumble.
Zaire Reiph-Profile Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPIkpeh6DGQ&feature=plcp
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The Ascent of Bailey Paradiso, Olivia Schneider
Olivia Schneider
The
Ascent of Bailey Paradiso
She is carefree when it comes to competition,
not to mention new to the collegiate level. Yet, Stonehill freshman Bailey
Paradiso brings to the Women’s Tennis program its first ever singles ranking in
the Northeast-10 Conference and helped the team gain an overall record of 7-0
for the fall.
Paradiso started strong in her collegiate
career with a win against Franklin Pierce University in September and never
looked back, finishing the fall season with a combined singles and doubles
record of 20-7.
Paradiso who plays first singles and
doubles for Stonehill’s team is so carefree about her success in fact, that it often
strikes many people as unusual.
“With most of the team being very competitive
and serious, her laid back funny personality reminds everyone that sometimes
you just need to have fun and enjoy playing,” says team captain Paige Frost.
Frost, a senior and veteran on the team,
teamed with Paradiso this fall in first doubles with an overall record of 12-3
according to the official site of the Skyhawks. Frost says of Paradiso, “She
focuses on playing her best every time she plays, and that seems to be a very
successful focus for her.”
It seems that Paradiso herself agrees.
“When I’m on the court I will snap into a zone where I am so completely
focused, even having my friends watch me, they’re like ‘I have never seen you
like that before.’”
Stonehill College is part of the
Northeast-10 Conference that is constructed from 16 teams in the New England
region. Paradiso was named the NE-10 Player of the Week twice in the fall and
Rookie of the Week honors four times during her brief career at Stonehill by
the Conference.
Even after all these accomplishments,
Paradiso remains humble. I asked the freshman about her feelings on her
Stonehill career so far. She casually responded that she loves the school and
her experience on the team and that it’s been successful. I laugh and remind
her just how successful.
Paradiso, a native of Birmingham, Michigan,
picked up many sports at a young age, but says she was pushed around. Then one
day at her country club she saw a college player one day and instantly knew
that tennis was for her.
The freshman credits Women’s Tennis Head Coach,
Pam Arpe, for her enrollment to Stonehill. Being from Michigan, Paradiso was
not familiar with Stonehill. However, Stonehill offers Healthcare
Administration, Paradiso’s desired major.
From then out it was a done deal,
according to Paradiso. “Tennis was the biggest part because right from high
school I knew I wanted to play tennis in college,” Paradiso said. “Whenever I
play it takes up my life.”
Despite her great success this fall the
eighteen-year old admits that her personality is not intimidating compared to
most college players, but that her style on the court reflects her naiveté off
of it.
“People have definitely taken advantage of
me for being too nice,” she recalls with a laugh. “But I’ve also made life long
friends.”
For being so friendly in a sport that
often attracts many intense and competitive players, Paradiso has climbed to
the top of the Northeast-10 record books quickly. However, she is not new to
success, although she failed to mention it to me.
According to Stonehill’s women’s tennis
page in high school Paradiso won five individual state titles and three singles
and two doubles state championships for Marian High School in Bloomfield,
Michigan.
How does she remain so modest, many must wonder,
just as I did? Women’s Head Tennis Coach Pam Arpe gives credit to Paradiso’s
parents. Arpe addresses Frost, team captain, and sarcastically asks, “Do you
think Bailey is close with her mom?” Frost lightly laughs, as the answer to
that question is a definite “yes.”
Arpe may be onto something. Paradiso proudly says “My mom has always
said ‘Stay true to who you are; don’t be intense. It’s just a game; you’re
having fun.”
Paradiso and the rest of Women’s Tennis
start practicing for their spring season immediately upon their return from
winter break in January. The spring schedule looks to battle more challenging
teams, according to Arpe. No matter, Paradiso will surely be there to aid the
women’s team in every way she can, sporting a humble and fresh attitude on and
off the courts.
Caroline Gorman- Seniors Take Over
Caroline Gorman
December 10, 2012
Professor Tierney
Reporting and News Writing
As Stonehill College’s men’s Basketball set off into their season as the “2011-2012 Northest-10 conference Tournament Champions” they have some worries after losing their strong seniors, Andre Tongo, Sean Lowry and Patrick Lee, the team’s assistant coach. This doesn’t stop the team from being confident in the abilities that these seniors have going into their 2012-2013 season.
Brian Hamor, from Schenectady, N.Y. is a 6 foot 2 inch guard who performs extremely well with teammate 6 foot 1 inch, Sam Markle from Brandoford, Connecticut. These two are known as an unbeatable force when coming down the court.
“He knows exactly where everyone is and no matter the space, he will get the ball right into your hands,” says Hamor about his teammate Sam, Markle, is a strong ball handler and is always unexpected when it comes to his skills and knowledge of the court. “You never expect him to do half the things he does, but when he does them. They always work,” says Hamor. “I wouldn’t make half the points I did if it wasn’t for his capability of getting the ball right to me,” says Hamor. “This season will be a challenge without Andre who was one of our strongest players, but I do not doubt the capabilities that this team has and the success we can do,” says Markle himself. Both Markle and Hamor think highly of each other’s capability of achieving success on the court. “Brian doesn’t give up, regardless of the circumstances,” Markle says confidently. Hamor is known as a strong offensive and defensive player. Hamor enters his senior season 58 points shy of becoming the 36th 1,000 point scorer in program history. He also received Most Outstanding Player- NCAA Division II East Regional. “He has a strong mind set and you can never doubt his commitment to the team,” says teammate Markle.
6 foot 7 inches, the teams strongest forward transferred from Quinnipiac University, Raheem May-Thompson. “There was definitely a transition from Quinnipiac University to Stonehill since QU was division one, but Stonehill fights harder than any team I know and the bond of our team is indescribable,” says Thompson.
Thompson is from London, England so, the team has become his family. Thompson handles the ball well in tough situations and somehow always manages to get it right into the hoop. “He has determination in his eyes and just takes one step right to the hoop,” says junior teammate, Mitch Amelio. Although Thompson has only been on this team for one season teammates say, “he clicks right in, he doesn’t mess up the rhythm,” says Markle and Hamor.
Adam Fazzini is a guard, 6 foot 6 inches, a strong and well balanced leader for the 13 other players on the team. “Adam is a strong player but an even smarter teammate, he knows exactly what to say and knows exactly what should be done,” says teammate Thompson. Although Adam is known to be quiet, on the court he is much different. His years here have really given him a successful career.
“Yes we lost some amazing players who brought us to the success we have today but that does not mean we cannot get there ourselves again. We gained a lot of strong players, such as Jack Cole, Carter Smith and Josh Heyliger, gaining such strong guards and forwards, our team has a high shot of even breaking more records than before,” says Fazzini.
Even though the team lost three valuable seniors, they believe the team is stronger than ever and they believe that they will have success and achieve everything they possibly can. Losing players only gives the team a chance to step and up become the team everyone and themselves views them to be.
Erin Leo Profile Story
Interview Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-917C6Ye9c&feature=youtu.be
Erin Leo
News Writing and Reporting
Professor Tierney
12/11/12
Profile Story
If you were to ask Marianna Consiglio what she wants to be when she grows up, the 16-year-old from New Fairfield, CT would firmly tell you she wants to be a doctor with a concentration in sports medicine.
It was a career path she never would have considered before her injury; an injury that not only changed her desired profession, but has completely altered the way she lives her everyday life.
Nearly four years ago in April of 2009, Consiglio stepped out onto the field to play goalie in a youth lacrosse game. Halfway through the game, after already making half a dozen saves, Consiglio stepped up to block yet another shot from a girl less than five feet away from her.
She blocked the shot, but it came with a price.
The loud crack as the shot rebounded off of Consiglio’s helmet made the whole crowd cringe. The force of the ball caused her head to snap back against her helmet, doubling the impact of the hit. Within seconds she was dizzy and had a throbbing headache, but she continued with the game. Afterwards, however, she knew something was very wrong.
“By the time I had gotten home, I was throwing up and could barely see,” Consiglio said.
Her mother rushed her to the emergency room where she was diagnosed with a concussion, not an uncommon injury in sports.
“At first I didn’t think it was that big a deal—a lot of kids get concussions and recover without significant issues,” said Laura Consiglio, Consiglio’s mother.
However, three months and three different neurologists later, the symptoms from the concussion, specifically the debilitating headaches, had not subsided, and she was referred to Boston Children’s Hospital Sports Injury and Concussion Clinic. An ImPACT test revealed significant cognitive impairment in her visual and verbal memory scores.
“The doctor at Boston told us that the younger the athlete, the longer it generally takes for them to recover from concussions,” recalled Laura Consiglio. “He prepared us that it might take up to 12 weeks for her to fully recover, which I remember thinking no way!”
As it turned out, Consiglio and her mother are now wishing it had really only taken 12 weeks.
For a year, doctors monitored her cognitive function and prescribed several different medications intended to ease the headaches. By March 2010, she had recovered cognitively, but the headaches had yet to go away. Marianna was then diagnosed with Chronic Daily Migraine. Now, in 2012, she has seen seven different neurologists, tried five different naturopathic remedies, and been on countless medications. Still, she experiences near constant headaches and has not gone more than six days without a headache since her initial injury four years ago.
Now, the daily migraines she experiences turn everyday into a battle.
“The hardest part about having the headaches for so long is always missing stuff with my friends and family, and always feeling like I have to explain it to them,” Consiglio said.
As a junior in the middle of her high school experience, not being able to hang out with her friends or attend their birthday parties can be hard. It’s a luxury most other students take for granted.
“She has to cancel a lot of the time because she doesn't feel well,” said Courtney Leo, 16, one of Consiglio’s best friends. “Sometimes she can stay the entire time at a party or sleepover, but other times she won't come or she'll leave early.”
Leo goes on to say that even though they are upset when Consiglio has to cancel on plans, her friends understand and want nothing more than for her to get better.
“A lot of people might think she over-exaggerates her symptoms, but I'm sure she would want nothing more than to hang out with her friends more,” said Leo.
Her condition has impacted her family as well. Having gone through all of the ups and downs with her, they hate seeing her struggle and are frustrated at the lack of a cure.
“It is so frustrating to see her in pain and not be able to do anything to help her,” said Laura Consiglio. “Or more like, everything I do to try and help her is futile.”
Her older brother, Timothy Consiglio, 17, feels the same way.
“Seeing her in pain every day and having trouble helping her get through it is the hardest part,” he said. “You just feel helpless, and that’s the hardest thing to cope with and overcome for all of us.”
However, the biggest obstacle for Consiglio and her family so far is school. Though she has a 504, a medical form that allows her to miss school and assignments without consequences, she struggles daily with make-up work and dealing with teachers who don’t understand her condition. She has not been able to attend a full month of school since her injury.
“I’ve had to come up with totally different school strategies,” Consiglio said. “I used to procrastinate to the last minute to start and finish my assignments, but now I know I have to do them right away when I feel good because I don’t know when the next headache is going to come on and prevent me from doing it.”
She goes to a local tutor regularly and has had to finish classes over the summer to receive credit for them. The school has also rearranged her schedule so that she has a free study the first and last period of the day in case she has to come in late or leave early.
“She gets very stressed out about missing and late assignments,” said Laura Consiglio. “She is determined to do well and wants her grades to reflect her true ability.”
Despite the many challenges, Consiglio has been able to keep up in school and has been able to complete all of her requirements, even if they are just handed in a little later than everyone else.
“She always has a ton of make-up work, even over the holidays and the summer,” said Timothy Consiglio. “But she works so hard and always manages to get it done.”
Even more impressive, is the fact that this year she was inducted into the National Honor Society in her high school. NHS requires all of their inductees to have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and maintain it throughout the rest of their high school career, a feat many normal students cannot achieve, proving just how hard Consiglio has worked to continue doing well in school.
After all, she needs to keep up her grades if she wants to pursue her career path of becoming a doctor, and follow her dream to help others with similar conditions.
“I’ve missed a lot of school, but I also know that many people wouldn’t be able to keep up their grades like I have, so I am even more determined to become a doctor in sports medicine,” she said. “I know how bad athletes want to get back on the field.”
Perhaps most impressive of all, however, is that despite the amount of pain she experiences daily, she doesn’t let it dampen her spirit, and does everything she can not to let it stop her from being a normal kid. She also credits her family, for always being there for her.
“Each one of my family members are my biggest support system,” Consiglio explained. “I love them all and couldn’t do it without them.”
Her family continues to hope for a better future right by her side.
“I am so proud of her determination,” said Laura Consiglio. “But she is sick of being sick, and I keep hoping that tomorrow will be better for her. I promised her we would not stop until we found a doctor to cure these headaches.”
Even with the many set-backs she has encountered, Marianna has always maintained a positive outlook and believes that she would not be the person who she is today had she not been injured so long ago.
“It has certainly taught me some of my most important lessons in life,” Consiglio said. “I’ve missed out on a lot, but I’ve also come to realize who my true friends are and what really matters to me.”
The quote she now sets her life by and draws strength from is the one she thinks best describes her whole situation.
“It’s not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”
News Writing and Reporting
Professor Tierney
12/11/12
Profile Story
If you were to ask Marianna Consiglio what she wants to be when she grows up, the 16-year-old from New Fairfield, CT would firmly tell you she wants to be a doctor with a concentration in sports medicine.
It was a career path she never would have considered before her injury; an injury that not only changed her desired profession, but has completely altered the way she lives her everyday life.
Nearly four years ago in April of 2009, Consiglio stepped out onto the field to play goalie in a youth lacrosse game. Halfway through the game, after already making half a dozen saves, Consiglio stepped up to block yet another shot from a girl less than five feet away from her.
She blocked the shot, but it came with a price.
The loud crack as the shot rebounded off of Consiglio’s helmet made the whole crowd cringe. The force of the ball caused her head to snap back against her helmet, doubling the impact of the hit. Within seconds she was dizzy and had a throbbing headache, but she continued with the game. Afterwards, however, she knew something was very wrong.
“By the time I had gotten home, I was throwing up and could barely see,” Consiglio said.
Her mother rushed her to the emergency room where she was diagnosed with a concussion, not an uncommon injury in sports.
“At first I didn’t think it was that big a deal—a lot of kids get concussions and recover without significant issues,” said Laura Consiglio, Consiglio’s mother.
However, three months and three different neurologists later, the symptoms from the concussion, specifically the debilitating headaches, had not subsided, and she was referred to Boston Children’s Hospital Sports Injury and Concussion Clinic. An ImPACT test revealed significant cognitive impairment in her visual and verbal memory scores.
“The doctor at Boston told us that the younger the athlete, the longer it generally takes for them to recover from concussions,” recalled Laura Consiglio. “He prepared us that it might take up to 12 weeks for her to fully recover, which I remember thinking no way!”
As it turned out, Consiglio and her mother are now wishing it had really only taken 12 weeks.
For a year, doctors monitored her cognitive function and prescribed several different medications intended to ease the headaches. By March 2010, she had recovered cognitively, but the headaches had yet to go away. Marianna was then diagnosed with Chronic Daily Migraine. Now, in 2012, she has seen seven different neurologists, tried five different naturopathic remedies, and been on countless medications. Still, she experiences near constant headaches and has not gone more than six days without a headache since her initial injury four years ago.
Now, the daily migraines she experiences turn everyday into a battle.
“The hardest part about having the headaches for so long is always missing stuff with my friends and family, and always feeling like I have to explain it to them,” Consiglio said.
As a junior in the middle of her high school experience, not being able to hang out with her friends or attend their birthday parties can be hard. It’s a luxury most other students take for granted.
“She has to cancel a lot of the time because she doesn't feel well,” said Courtney Leo, 16, one of Consiglio’s best friends. “Sometimes she can stay the entire time at a party or sleepover, but other times she won't come or she'll leave early.”
Leo goes on to say that even though they are upset when Consiglio has to cancel on plans, her friends understand and want nothing more than for her to get better.
“A lot of people might think she over-exaggerates her symptoms, but I'm sure she would want nothing more than to hang out with her friends more,” said Leo.
Her condition has impacted her family as well. Having gone through all of the ups and downs with her, they hate seeing her struggle and are frustrated at the lack of a cure.
“It is so frustrating to see her in pain and not be able to do anything to help her,” said Laura Consiglio. “Or more like, everything I do to try and help her is futile.”
Her older brother, Timothy Consiglio, 17, feels the same way.
“Seeing her in pain every day and having trouble helping her get through it is the hardest part,” he said. “You just feel helpless, and that’s the hardest thing to cope with and overcome for all of us.”
However, the biggest obstacle for Consiglio and her family so far is school. Though she has a 504, a medical form that allows her to miss school and assignments without consequences, she struggles daily with make-up work and dealing with teachers who don’t understand her condition. She has not been able to attend a full month of school since her injury.
“I’ve had to come up with totally different school strategies,” Consiglio said. “I used to procrastinate to the last minute to start and finish my assignments, but now I know I have to do them right away when I feel good because I don’t know when the next headache is going to come on and prevent me from doing it.”
She goes to a local tutor regularly and has had to finish classes over the summer to receive credit for them. The school has also rearranged her schedule so that she has a free study the first and last period of the day in case she has to come in late or leave early.
“She gets very stressed out about missing and late assignments,” said Laura Consiglio. “She is determined to do well and wants her grades to reflect her true ability.”
Despite the many challenges, Consiglio has been able to keep up in school and has been able to complete all of her requirements, even if they are just handed in a little later than everyone else.
“She always has a ton of make-up work, even over the holidays and the summer,” said Timothy Consiglio. “But she works so hard and always manages to get it done.”
Even more impressive, is the fact that this year she was inducted into the National Honor Society in her high school. NHS requires all of their inductees to have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and maintain it throughout the rest of their high school career, a feat many normal students cannot achieve, proving just how hard Consiglio has worked to continue doing well in school.
After all, she needs to keep up her grades if she wants to pursue her career path of becoming a doctor, and follow her dream to help others with similar conditions.
“I’ve missed a lot of school, but I also know that many people wouldn’t be able to keep up their grades like I have, so I am even more determined to become a doctor in sports medicine,” she said. “I know how bad athletes want to get back on the field.”
Perhaps most impressive of all, however, is that despite the amount of pain she experiences daily, she doesn’t let it dampen her spirit, and does everything she can not to let it stop her from being a normal kid. She also credits her family, for always being there for her.
“Each one of my family members are my biggest support system,” Consiglio explained. “I love them all and couldn’t do it without them.”
Her family continues to hope for a better future right by her side.
“I am so proud of her determination,” said Laura Consiglio. “But she is sick of being sick, and I keep hoping that tomorrow will be better for her. I promised her we would not stop until we found a doctor to cure these headaches.”
Even with the many set-backs she has encountered, Marianna has always maintained a positive outlook and believes that she would not be the person who she is today had she not been injured so long ago.
“It has certainly taught me some of my most important lessons in life,” Consiglio said. “I’ve missed out on a lot, but I’ve also come to realize who my true friends are and what really matters to me.”
The quote she now sets her life by and draws strength from is the one she thinks best describes her whole situation.
“It’s not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”
Kayla O'Brien - Profile Story
Kayla
O’Brien
Professor
Tierney
Journalism
11/16/12
Leslie Buffo: A Modern
Day Saint
When Mother Teresa herself
blessed Leslie Buffo it’s as if the giving spirit of this saint was transferred
right into Buffo because going out of her way to help others is one ambition
that she fulfills daily.
Leslie Buffo made a life-changing decision in
1989 when she was 31-years-old to ship off to Calcutta, India and work with the
living embodiment of goodness and compassion, Mother Teresa. Buffo volunteered
at the Home for the Destitute and Dying. The residents of this home were mostly
elderly persons whose families could no longer care for them because of a lack
of finances. Buffo explained how she felt that the love and care the residents received
lifted their spirits and gave them peace of mind.
When she arrived in Calcutta, Buffo went to the
Missionary of Charity Mother House where Mother Teresa and the other religious
sisters lived. She was assigned to work in a hospice for the sick,
destitute, and dying in Kalighat because of her prior medical experience. Buffo assisted
the physician with several tasks including suturing wounds, draining fluid from
the abdomen of a young girl with liver disease, administering injections, and
evaluating new residents when they arrived.
“The doctor I worked with said that many people
who came to Kalighat were able to heal faster due to the consistent and
compassionate care of the sisters and volunteers,” Buffo said.
Buffo wasn’t just healing others while she
was in India. She was also there to heal herself. She had just ended her
marriage and was suffering from a broken heart and spirit. She had always
admired everything Mother Teresa stood for and knew that working with her would
allow her to work on rebuilding her own spirit.
“I knew that Mother Teresa was doing God's
work here on earth. I knew that she would be a good teacher and that being in
the daily presence of people working with their hands, hearts, and souls to
help others, I would be healed,” Buffo said.
Buffo was born in 1958 and grew up in
Natick, Massachusetts but currently resides in Westborough. She is one of six children of Larry and Emily
O’Brien and is now married with two children. Even growing up, Buffo always
seemed to put others ahead of her and showed a passion for volunteering early
on in her life.
Her sister, Susan Leger, described how
Buffo was always involved in organizing events in high school and had a very
natural way with people which allowed her to make friends easily. Leger shared
a story that perfectly illustrates Buffo’s commitment and dedication to serving
others during this time.
“Leslie was involved in the blood drives,
but had trouble gaining enough weight to be able to participate. She would
gorge on ice cream to try and boost her weight over 110 pounds,” Leger said.
Her other sister, Margie Reed, shared how Buffo
was always there for her growing up.
“She was like a second mother to me - comforted
me when I had nightmares, introduced me to city life in Boston,” Reed said.
Karen O’Brien, Buffo’s sister-in-law,
hasn’t known Buffo for as long as her sisters have but can still attest to the
woman’s ability to put the needs of other ahead of her own.
“One year my husband was not home on New
Year's Eve and I was alone with my kids because they were all very young. Leslie
gave up her New Year's Eve to spend it with me so I wouldn’t be alone. This
shows Leslie's selfless nature and her gift to always put other people's
happiness over her own,” O’Brien said.
It is this part of Buffo’s character that
is admired by all. However, even though Buffo always had a caring nature about
her, it wasn’t until she volunteered with Mother Teresa that she decided to
dedicate her life to helping others.
“Mother Teresa’s understanding of the love
of God and the example of Jesus' life was very simple: to see the person before
us as someone worthy of all our love, to serve simply and with all our hearts.
This is the motto that I currently base my life off of and so this experience
was extremely life-changing for me,” Buffo said.
All Buffo’s friends and family can clearly
see the effect this experience has had on her.
“Mother Teresa was an angel sent by God to
help those in need, and not just in need of medical help, but in need of
spiritual help. While Leslie observed her work, I know she began to believe that
she would follow in her footsteps,” Leger said.
Today, when she is not working as a
physician’s assistant, Buffo volunteers at a hospice with the Notre Dame
Hospice program in Worcester where she visits elderly people who are dying. She
also participates in several activities with her son’s Boy Scout group and with
religious education in the schools. She tries to live her daily life always
with the teachings of Mother Teresa in the back of her mind and everyone that
knows her would agree that she succeeds at this.
“The woman Leslie is today is loving, caring,
helpful, and kind, one who always tries to bring people together, helping to
mend hearts and families,” Leger said.
Leslie Buffo looked up to Mother Teresa,
however, everyone that knows Buffo will tell you that she embodies the same
qualities of kindness and compassion that this saint did and in this way has
become one herself.
Video: Interview With Leslie Buffo
Holly Cardoza's Profile Story
Holly Cardoza
JRN 100
Profile Story- Final
Former CEO of
Taunton Credit Union, Diane Kozak is not your typical businesswoman. On the
verge of being on an episode of “Hoarders”, Kozak’s office is covered with
memorabilia of old forgotten TV shows and cartoon characters that have made
their home aligning the walls on shelves, cabinets and tables.
Shows like “I
Dream of Jeannie”, “I Love Lucy” and cartoons like Popeye, and Tom & Jerry
have found a new home in Kozak’s office. Pictures of family, friends and her two
beagles plaster the bulletin board that hangs behind her desk chair.
But
what is most peculiar about her office is that there’s no trace of anything
related to banking or finance, because she doesn’t need anything like that
anymore. Kozak had the courage to retire from the credit union in 2007 to
pursue her and dream of becoming a writer.
Now five years
later, after about one hundred festivals and book signings, and starting her
own publishing company called Beagle Books Publishing, Kozak is incredibly
happy with her choice. It has proven to be very rewarding and she has made many
people proud. “So it’s not like she’s sitting at home eating bon-bons, she’s
done a lot of good,” said Kozak’s close friend, Lisa Cardoza.
At first, her
ambitions surprised some of the people closest to her, such as her husband, CEO
of Pawtucket Credit Union, Karl Kozak. “At first, all I could think was ‘Wow,’”
said Mr. Kozak.
Others hadn’t even
thought of Kozak becoming a writer. “I knew she was writing a book, but I
didn’t know how important it was to her,” said Cardoza. But despite initial
thoughts and hesitations, it has certainly proven to be extremely important to
her. “She’s really made a second career for herself,” said Cardoza.
The
writing bug caught Kozak at a very young age, in the sleepy old town of
Acushnet, Mass. Not having a TV forced her and her three siblings to read just about anything
they could get their hands on. “We used to read everything,” said Kozak.
Her
first writing success came at the young age of 8, when she won a contest put on
by the Acushnet Historical Society where she wrote a historical piece about her
hometown. “It was my first writing success and I’ve never forgotten that,” she
said.
But
choosing the right time to become a writer was difficult. “It was something
that I always wanted to do, but I knew I wouldn’t make enough money doing it,”
said Kozak, who is the only one out of three siblings to not become an engineer.
She decided to take the practical route of becoming a banker instead and
quickly rose up to become the CEO.
While
profitable, it proved to be quite stressful. “Yes I made a lot of money. Yes I had
a lot of power, but I had a lot of people depending on me for their
livelihood…and that weighs on you,” said Kozak.
“Diane’s
a Type A personality. She’s pours everything into her work,” said Mr. Kozak.
The amount of hours Kozak had to invest in activities not in her job
description, was enough to make anybody want to run and hide. Not only did
Kozak have to manage an entire credit union, but she had to be a member of the
United Way, and the Chamber of Commerce, all for business. “You didn’t have any
freedom,” said Kozak.
The
turning point in her journey came at the height of her banking career but the lowest
in her personal life. After the death of both her parents in the span of a
year, Kozak decided that she wasn’t going to pass her dream by, and decided to become
a writer, a promise she had made to her ailing mother.
“One of the things that she taught me was,
don’t allow yourself to die with wishing you had done something different with
your life,” said Kozak.
With those words in
mind, Kozak dove head first into the writing business. After taking a couple of
online courses on writing, reading a step by step guide to writing and
consulting a writing coach, Kozak was ready to begin her first book, called Full Circle 911, which was published in
2008. “It was scary at first, but I really dove right into the book,” said
Kozak.
The
transition from CEO of a bank to a new, work-at-home author proved to be quite
an interesting one. “It took me about a
year to wind down,” said Kozak. “You’re used to the power, you’re used to the
money…not having to perform every day.”
But
it proved to be the best decision for Kozak, who describes herself as a
workaholic. A typical day for Kozak now, is drastically different than one she
had five years ago.
Five
years ago, she was getting up early in the morning, getting dressed up and
commuting to Taunton from her home in Westport. Now, her day is much more relaxed. “I always
laugh because I say my commute is through my laundry room to my office,” said
Kozak. “My office is a mixture of work and home…but when it’s time to write,
you just turn everything off and write.”
This
routine seemed to work and Kozak is now working on her final installment of a
trilogy that started with Full Circle 911.
The series deals with terrorist attacks, conspiracy theories and climate
change, all surrounding a Muslim family living in a small town in
Massachusetts. One theme that Kozak emphasizes with this trilogy is that “We’re
all from different backgrounds but we stick together no matter what.”
“I
wrote the book to remind people that we’re all Americans and we’re all from
different backgrounds,” said Kozak.
Heroes
are an important topic in Kozak’s life and the idea of what a hero is discussed
in her trilogy. The main characters are young heroes themselves. They are your
average teenagers growing up in a small town in Massachusetts who end up having
a huge impact on thousands of people. “Just normal people, doing the right
thing,” said Kozak.
Any
further ideas for books, Kozak keeps hidden in one of her file cabinets, “I
think fiction writers have more ideas than they have time for.”
And
as she leans back in her chair with a smile on her face and her slipper-covered
feet wriggling, she said, “The best part is the freedom.”
An ACT of Kindness-Amelia Ford
Amelia Ford
Reporting and News Writing
Profile Story
December 11, 2012
An ACT of Kindness
His brow furrowed behind his round framed glasses and his hand swept away his brown curly hair to rub his temples as Jaden Ford opened his paycheck for a mere ten dollars. Part of Braintree High School’s Project Prove program for students with learning disabilities, Ford gets paid one dollar an hour for working at town hall.
Disappointed with his earnings for a full day at work, Ford decided that he wanted to find a new way for not only him, but other students in his class to make more money. “It’s hard to find a real job for any kid, but especially for kids with learning disabilities. Jaden is right to be concerned,” said a friend of the Ford family, Colleen M. Mento, who studied special education at Curry College. So that day, Ford went home and told his mother that he wanted to start a business for him and for his classmates.
Now, three months later, Ford is in the process of developing an entire organization that employs his classmates as well as educates the general public about learning disabilities. It’s called the ACT (Acceptance, Consideration, Tolerance) organization. Ford’s organization hopes to promote a more informed public that will create a kinder environment for people with learning disabilities.
The ACT organization will sell shirts, bracelets, mugs, and other products that communicate their messages of acceptance, consideration, and tolerance. However, what makes the ACT organization different from any other organization is that it will employ people, especially students, with learning disabilities to sell these products.
“I’ve helped him formulate some ideas and will be working on marketing techniques, but this whole thing has been completely Jaden’s idea,” said Ford’s mother Kristen M. Ford-Hernandez. Ford-Hernandez has already met with business associates in hopes of getting the program up and running as soon as possible. “It’s probably going to start off small, maybe with booths outside your local grocery store, but I’m hoping that Jaden will be able to bring his idea to full fruition and create a larger organization that will really make a statement about the acceptance and capability of people with learning disabilities,” said Ford’s aunt, Kerri M. Egan.
Before coming up with the idea of the ACT organization, Ford originally thought of selling a single product. He played with the idea of baked goods, such as creating either a candy bar or cookie that could be sold by his classmates. However, he couldn’t decide on a single product to sell which lead him to the idea of selling several products instead. “People wouldn’t really care about a candy bar. I mean I think people would notice a lot of different things being sold though,” said Ford.
Remember, Ford was inspired by his small pay check. But he also was motivated by his personal experiences as a young adult with a learning disability. “I’ve been made fun of and laughed at. Maybe I can’t make a word right. But I shouldn’t be judged for that. I want people to learn how to accept me for who I am,” said Ford.
Ford described an instance in which he and his friends were being mocked by a group of high school students while walking down the hallway. Ford didn’t take a moment to hesitate. He turned around and told the group of students that it wasn’t nice to make fun. “I’m not surprised Jaden reacted the way he did. He has always been a good-hearted kid. He genuinely cares about the well fare of his friends and classmates,” said a friend of the Ford family, Christopher F. Hogan,
However, Jaden has never let these people bother him. In fact, they motivated him even further to educate the public in accepting and respecting people with learning disabilities.
“It’s a big thing, learning disabilities. For me, I am one of those people that have it. But I don’t feel different from anybody else,” said Ford.However, Jaden has never let these people bother him. In fact, they motivated him even further to educate the public in accepting and respecting people with learning disabilities.
Right now, the ACT organization is still under construction. But with Ford’s determination to inform the public about accepting learning disabilities, it is sure to be a success.
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