2011 Student Leadership Retreat

Over the weekend of October 13th - 16th, Jackson State Community College hosted the annual Student Leadership Retreat at Natchez Trace State Park out towards Lexington, Tn. This was my second year going and for many it was their first time. 

Over the course of time from last years retreat I can totally see how people have changed, including myself. Everyone that attended the retreat contributed something different and what made for an amazing weekend.

I think my overall favorite part of the retreat was getting to make the new friendships and build on the existing ones.  Incase you don't know, I am an extrovert, yup it's true. I am completely a people person, in some situations I shouldn't be bragging about this because having that trait causes me to get side-tracked and procrastinate on my homework because I'm wanting to talk to people! haha. But anyway. The reason I brought that up was because at last years retreat I pretty much was quite the whole time. I mean I said a few things here and there but then, swish, I was back in the shadows (not in a creepy way of course) but I would sit back and watch everyone and take everyones personalities in. I could figure out who were the "leaders" in the group, who were the "loudest", who I wanted to avoid and so forth lol. And even though it came off like I didn't have a good time last year, I really did, because most of those people I became friends with over this past year. 

To be honest, I think this year was even better than the last. Maybe it's because I was more out of my shell, maybe it was because I was in a new leadership role, or maybe it was the people that made it great. I don't know, but I felt really good about that weekend. There were a few hiccups along the way, but lets be real, in what job or profession, what sports game, what anything is not going to have a few hiccups? It's part of life, and the thing I'm most proud about with everyone, is we still had an absolute blast! We let whatever it was bother us for a very short period of time and moved on, and THAT makes me happy. We could have held on to it and let it ruin the weekend, but why? I'm happy I was there with the people at the retreat this year. Y'all are awesome and I love you guys and gals. 

Here are some pictures of the Leadership Retreat: 

I love this picture! This was taken by Kim and then the quote was added by Kim. I think this pic says a lot about everyone, I don't know why, I guess you had to be there. But it makes me smile :o) 

Here is our group pic with a couple of the National Guard guys that were at the retreat for a few hours to help with some team/trust building activities. I laughed a lot on this day. Especially when I beaned McJagger in the face with a plush ball.... (sorry Jags! Love ya!) lol 

This is Lauren (Luscious Lola/Dolly Parton) and Martin (Silver Hawk/Fox). These are a couple of the coolest people I have met. Martin is an introvert and I enjoy messing with Martin, especially because he can take a joke ;o) Love ya buddy! And Lauren, well, I'm not even gonna explain Lauren because she is one of those people you just have to meet and understand why I'm smiling :o) Love you as well Lauren!

This is Alex (McJagger), Me (Grizzly) and Raven (Midnight). These too are also some of the coolest people I have ever met. They have given me so many laughs and smiles since I have met them and I am very grateful for that! It's exactly what I've been needing. I like this picture because we all grew together at this years retreat and something we give to one another are hugs, and even though Alex is not participating in the hug at this moment, we love her anyway ;o) Thank you both, and thank you all for being apart of the retreat this year and hope to see you soon! 

P.S. If I did not mention you in this blog, it's not because I don't love you, it's because I don't have a pic of you and my butt is going numb from sitting here too long so it's time to go for a walk. But I love you all. The end. 

-Mike "The Griz" Moorman 

Theme for English B

We read this in class on Wednesday and I thought this is one of the best we've read so far. Enjoy:


The instructor said,

Go home and write
a page tonight.
And let that page come out of you---
Then, it will be true.

I wonder if it's that simple?
I am twenty-two, colored, born in Winston-Salem.
I went to school there, then Durham, then here
to this college on the hill above Harlem.
I am the only colored student in my class.
The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem
through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas,
Eighth Avenue, Seventh, and I come to the Y,
the Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevator
up to my room, sit down, and write this page:

It's not easy to know what is true for you or me
at twenty-two, my age. But I guess I'm what
I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you:
hear you, hear me---we two---you, me, talk on this page.
(I hear New York too.) Me---who?
Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love.
I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.
I like a pipe for a Christmas present,
or records---Bessie, bop, or Bach.
I guess being colored doesn't make me NOT like
the same things other folks like who are other races.
So will my page be colored that I write?
Being me, it will not be white.
But it will be
a part of you, instructor.
You are white---
yet a part of me, as I am a part of you.
That's American.
Sometimes perhaps you don't want to be a part of me.
Nor do I often want to be a part of you.
But we are, that's true!
As I learn from you,
I guess you learn from me---
although you're older---and white---
and somewhat more free.

This is my page for English B.

By Langston Hughes (1949)

Crazy Love

Or maybe life is tough right now, and everything feels like a struggle. God has allowed hard things in your life so you can show the world that your God is great and that knowing Him brings peace and joy, even when life is hard... It is easy to become disillusioned with the circumstances of our lives compared to others'. But in the presence of God, He gives us a deeper peace and joy that transcends it all. (page 44)
-Francis Chan, Crazy Love

Amen.

P.S. If you have prayer requests, please leave them in the comment box of this page and I will be praying for you this week. Love you all!

MjMoorman