What are some of your biggest motivators during trials and tribulations? For Lane, the motivation came from the will to excel as a mother, but also for herself. Lane accomplished both motherhood and college. After her children moved out and went on to the next phase of their lives, Lane decided to not give up one of her own dreams that she held not so long before her children were born. When asked why she enrolled in college in her forties, she said, “Just being the best and fulfilling some dreams that kind of got put to the side a little bit, always wanted to do my best, always wanted to excel, but maybe got onto a little bit different path. So being able to do those things that I had really wanted to do was motivation to do it and to do it as quickly as I could.” Continue reading Fulfilling Dreams →

I arrive at the cafeteria, somewhat rumpled, 10 minutes before it closes. My roommate, who is waiting for me at a table against the wall, informs me that my over-sized white dress shirt and jeans make me look like a founding father. I guess wearing my hair in a bun didn’t really help that effect, but I don’t mind. Continue reading Red High-Tops →

In January of 2019, a record-breaking winter storm tore through the Midwest inflicting major damages and taking twenty-one lives. The U.S. Postal Service suspended service in parts of several states. Wind chill temperatures were as cold as minus 66 degrees in Minnesota.  In Chicago 1,000 flights arriving and departing were canceled.  Moreover, the freezing temperatures barely allow someone to step outside for 5 minutes without risk of health issues or accidents.

By: Brian Kersey

 The winter storm accumulated due to a fracture in the polar vortex. The polar vortex is described by climatologists as a dome of cold air that sits on the polar part of our planet. At the edge of the dome is the polar front that rotates from west to east. For reasons unknown, it started to tilt and rotate north and south. Depending on which way it’s tilted changes where the cold air is going to go. Discussing the measures taken during and after the winter storm to prepare and assist the community in insuring the safest outcome, Paul Gross, meteorologist at WDIV in Detroit, Michigan, states, “I always give the public very specific communication regarding timing and impacts of the approaching weather… during the storm, I step up my social media reporting, frequently tweeting radar images, temperatures, etc.  After a winter storm, I communicate ‘what to do’ information, such as if somebody sees a downed power line, if their gutters are overflowing with ice and icicles, etc.” Scientist are not sure why the vortex is moving south toward the U.S. however, they have discovered that it is going to become common.   Continue reading Midwest Buried Under Blanket of Snow →