Varsity Track and Field Rookie of the Year

Vyha Nguyen won Rookie of the Year for Varsity Track and Field, representing Hendrick Hudson High School. Nguyen, 15, was born and raised in Peekskill, NY where she currently resides. I had the opportunity to do a one-on-one interview with her.

Me: Hey, thanks for taking time out of your schedule for this interview. You won Rookie of the Year as a scholar athlete for Hendrick Hudson. That's incredible. Congratulations! 

Vy-Ha: Thank you so much!

Me: You're welcome. This is such a huge accomplishment. How long have you been running track?

Vy-Ha: I started running modified track in eighth grade. Now that I'm in high school, I've been running for the varsity track and field team.

Me: And you're a freshmen this year, right?

Vy-Ha: Yes

Me: Do you feel a lot of pressure being so young on the varsity team?

Vy-Ha: Yes and no. Yes, because it becomes very intense and competitive during the track meets but no, due to the fact that running is a love of mine.

Me: I see what you mean. When you're passionate about something it becomes like second nature to you, right?

Vy-Ha: Definitely.

Me: So how does your coach help you train for meets?

Vy-Ha: I have three: Coach Bails, Coach Riley, and Coach Yee. All three of them help me train for the meets by working on my stamina, my forms, and my speed. I would usually do many sprinter drills and practice the events I will be doing throughout the season.

Me: Do you ever get nervous?

Vy-Ha: I'm always nervous before I run in a race.

Me: Really? What helps you to do so well despite your nerves?

Vy-Ha: I would just run. Once I'm running, my nervousness is out of my system.

Me: I used to run track when I was in high school and I was the same way. What motivated you to start running?

Vy-Ha: I was always interested in running but was never serious about it until a friend of mine told me to try modified track. When I ran my first race, I was so nervous that I actually fell. After that, I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't do so and I wanted to improve my speed.

Me: It's a good thing your friend mentioned it to you and it's admirable that you didn't allow that one fall to stop you from running.

Vy-Ha: Thank you. I always laugh at it whenever I look back at that moment.

Me: Yeah, it's good that you can laugh about it now. Do you plan on going pro after high school?

Vy-Ha: When you say "going pro after high school" do you mean running in college?

Me: Yes. Scouts are always watching.

Vy-Ha: Then, yes. I would hate to stop running.

Me: Which event do you run? The 100-meter? The 200-meter?

Vy-Ha: In the winter, I would run the 55 meter dash, 55 meter hurdles, 200 meter, and sometimes a 4x200 relay. In the spring, I'll be running the 100 meter, 200 meter, and a 4x200 relay but I've been told to work on my 400 meter for the upcoming event, Penn Relays.

Me: Wow, so you do a lot! What date is set for Penn Relays?

Vy-Ha: We're not sure of what day we will be going but it's April 23-25.

Me: Oh okay. Well that's coming up soon. Do you play any other sports off season?

Vy-Ha: No. Track seems to be the only sport that I enjoy doing and that I’m good at.

Me: There's nothing wrong with that. You found what you're great at. What do you like to do in your spare time when you aren't running?

Vy-Ha: I like to draw, play my guitar and sing or write in my spare time. I also enjoy photography.

Me: Nice! You seem very well rounded. Who do you look up to the most?

Vy-Ha: Lauren Mandelkow. She is a sophomore who is doing track as well. She's my inspiration. From the moment I saw her run, I wanted to run as fast as her. I dream to be successful as she is in track.

Me: She's on your team?

Vy-Ha: Yes.

Me: Oh, that's cool. Are you two close?

Vy-Ha: I guess you can say we are in some ways. Whenever I need help, she'll be there and vice versa.

Me: That's great. Is your family supportive of you running track? They must be proud.

Vy-Ha: They are always encouraging me and are very supportive.

Me: That's excellent.

Vy-Ha: Haha, I agree.

  

Me: Do you have a favorite quote or saying that inspires you?

Vy-Ha: In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." - Fred Lebow

Me: That's a good quote! Thanks so much for the interview. It sounds like you have a bright future ahead of you. I wish you the best at Penn Relays! 

  

Vy-Ha: Thank you so much!

Me: Thank you. 

Delta Sigma Theta Presents: My Cry in the Dark

Last week, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. hosted an event at the Pace University Westchester campus called "My Cry in the Dark." This event within this organization is a campaign designed around educating youth and families about racial and ethnic disparities, and domestic violence involved with seeking mental health care and services. The president of the organization, Angela Pierre, said that the goal of this program is for students to learn about domestic abuse and how it affects their self-esteem, families, friends, and the community.

“I have close family and friends who have experienced several types of abuse,” Pierre said. “I do not stand by domestic violence. I may not personally understand it, but I want to help anyone in need.” 

This event also informed students of how to recognize the signs of domestic abuse as well as how to prevent it. 

"We need to encourage a support system and reaffirm that having a voice will not hurt," Pierre said. 

Ivonne Scaglione was a guest speaker from Hope's Door, which is an organization with a mission to offer intervention and prevention services to individuals and families that have been affected by domestic violence. They also provide education programs that encourage community involvement.

Scaglione shared a danger assessment, which had a series of questions that students could use as a guideline when dating. Some of these questions included: does he own a gun? Is he unemployed? Does he follow or spy on you? She also showed students how they could take action, by explaining what an order of protection was and how it is used. 

"Hope's Door seeks to end domestic violence and to empower victms to achieve safety, independence, and healing from the trauma of abuse," Scaglione said.

Afterward, she spoke about the following services at Hope's Door: emergency shelter, counseling and support groups, safety planning, a children's program, multicultural programs, the Love Shouldn't Hurt Teen Dating Abusive Prevention Program, the STAR Peer Leadership Program, and Community Education and Outreach.  

She concluded her presentation by talking to students about how they could make a difference right on campus by organizing a coordination committee or how they could help Hope's Door through fundraising and donations. Students also have an opportunity to volunteer or intern.

The final speaker, Cierra Townes, who is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, shared her personal experience for the first time. Townes opened up with the audience, describing what it was like growing up in a home where domestic violence was considered normal. She also talked about how it affected her view on relationships as she got older.

The room was decorated in purple to support the organization, National Domestic Violence Awareness. At the end of the event, there was a white paper roll on the wall marked "Stop Domestic Violence. It Hurts More Than One person," along with paint for everyone who attended the event to dip their hands in and place on the paper. This was a pledge as Pierre stated, "To always reach out for help and to always have a voice." 

"I think this was a good event because people have a lot of questions when it comes to domestic violence," Leah Stewart, junior and communications major said. "You never know what someone has been through and you never know when you might need to help a friend out."

Hope's Door's Contact Information & Locations: 

Administrative Office: 914.747.0828

24-Hour Hotline: 888.438.8700

39 Washington Avenue, Pleasantville, NY 10570. 914.747.0828 9 AM to 5 PM or by appointment. 

100 S. Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562. 914.747.0828 By appointment.

Family Justice Center, County Courthouse, 111 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601. 914.995.3100 9 AM to 5 PM.

Gas Leak at Pace University: Pleasantville Students Forced to Evacuate

Pace University students on the Pleasantville campus had to leave their rooms by 10 p.m. on Wednesday due to a gas leak. The buildings that had to be evacuated included the Townhouses, Martin Hall, and North Hall. Cots were set up in the Willcox Gym but less than 15 students spent the night. The students on the cots complained that it was uncomfortable and how much they couldn't wait to get back to their rooms.

Many students either chose to go home, or to spend the night with other students they knew from the Briarcliff campus, which is about five miles away. Pleasantville residents had access to their rooms one final time yesterday from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. to collect any belongings they weren’t able to take with them two nights ago. During that time, Tiffany Bermudez, Residence Director for Martin Hall, said that the heat would be restored so that students could return by Monday, but students should be back in their rooms sooner than scheduled.

Work is being done by two contractors hired by Pace to lay the new gas pipe. The boilers that were shipped in from Virginia yesterday morning are being installed to the residence halls. Crews have been working through the night to restore heat to the residence halls. The Townhouses will be fully heated and open for residential students to begin to return today at 4:30 p.m. and there will be an update on Martin and North halls later today. If all goes as expected, students may return to Martin and North halls tonight. Over the past couple of days, many students who had to evacuate their buildings, didn’t have an easy transition.

“It was a little chaotic because they had everyone move so quickly,” said Jonathan Vargas, junior and psychology major at Pace. “They made some accommodations but they left the students to fend for themselves. They did the bare minimum but they didn’t try to get hotels.”

Vargas is a Martin Hall resident who ended up spending the night with some friends from the Briarcliff campus.

“They weren’t specific enough in their emails,” said Vargas. “Students didn’t even know if Kessel was open today.”

Vargas was not the only one who expressed disappointment in the way the situation was handled. Joseph Vacco, who also lives in Martin Hall, felt as though Pace could have notified students much earlier.

“It was frustrating because I was in class when notified," Vacco said. "Our whole class was ruined and my teacher was pretty angry. The email wasn’t sent until 7 p.m. to get out and pack. They rushed us to get out, which I thought was ridiculous. I got lucky because I live one hour away but what about the people who live farther?” 

Classes were not canceled yesterday, but many students expressed gratitude that their professors allowed them to leave class early so that they could pack for the final time yesterday. Updated emergency information has been emailed to students by the Director of Residential Life, Alerie Tirsch. Residential Life worked toward making sure that every student who had to leave the Pleasantville campus had proper housing. However, there were some students who just didn’t receive her emails.

“There was a girl in my class who didn’t even know she could get the last of her stuff from her room,” said Mayra Pesantez, senior and accounting major. “She checked her emails but she didn’t get anything. It’s a good thing our professor let us out early, or else she wouldn't have been able to get her things.”

Heat was restored two nights ago to the Kessel Student Center and the Goldstein Health and Fitness Center. Goldstein Food service is fully operational in all locations. Free coffee and hot chocolate is available to students on all campus food service locations and there was free pizza provided to students on the Briarcliff café last night at 9 p.m.

Students are being asked to continue to check their emails for further updates since the other buildings are expected to open this evening. All events that were planned for this weekend are running as scheduled, which means that things are almost back to normal. 

Long Term Valentine

Today there will be roses, chocolates, pink and red themed decorations, and statuses that say Happy Valentine's Day! For some, however, it may be an unhappy Valentine's Day. LB News Today wants to acknowledge single people who aren't just looking for dinner and a movie, but a long term valentine. For those already in a relationship, there's useful information for you too.

"Heart Locked Down" Artist: India Burgess

Most people want to have a significant other who finds them equally significant, but jumping into a relationship isn't the answer. Despite the popular thought that having a happily ever after can come instantly, relationship coaches, therapists, and psychologists beg to differ. Even couples who have been dating for years can testify to being fooled by the glamor because behind the scenes, relationships take a lot of work.

I interviewed a few specialists in the Westchester, NY area to understand common reasons for why so many relationships tend to fail, along with their best advice for singles and couples who want something that lasts. Dr. Paul Greene, for instance, is a Psychologist and PhD who specializes in relationship issues and says there are a number of reasons for why relationships fail. Dr. Greene said that one reason is bad timing.

"Sometimes one person is ready, willing, and able, and the other isn’t," Greene said. "Good fortune is another reason. Some people should be avoided. Not everyone makes a good partner; some people just aren’t nice. Getting away from them is a blessing."

Dr. Greene also explains how expectations play a huge role in failed relationships.

"Another reason for failed relationships is false expectations for what they think they deserve for what they give. Unreasonable expectations lead to hurt, anger, and unhappy complications. Unfortunately, that can end otherwise good relationships. Some people just aren’t well suited for each other."

Dr. Greene also shares some advice about using prior relationships as guidelines to creating healthy relationships for the future. Instead of looking at exes as mistakes, people can use these experiences to make progress.

"The best question isn’t why relationships fail," Dr. Greene said. "The more helpful question is why don't new and better relationships follow?  My advice: learn from your past relationships, understand more about yourself and what is possible in the real world of relationships and try again."

He's not the only with advice about past relationships. Dr. Bob Sindoni has been in practice as a therapist for more than 20 years and specializes in anxiety, relationship issues, and sex therapy. One common issue that he addresses about young people is their lack of maturity.

"They think it’s all about sex and hooking up," Dr. Sindoni said. "It’s really age dependent. The younger they are the more it’s about fun and games, but younger people are bombarded with media and have too many choices. They date until something better comes along; they take it for granted and have no plans to make their current relationship a permanent one."

Many people who are already in a relationship find it challenging to approach their partner without creating a heated argument, but the approach is going to cause a domino effect, which can end well or on a sour note.

You don’t want your spouse on the defense end," Dr. Sindoni said. “Practice using I statements instead of you statements."

One example he gave is the difference between saying "You made me angry when you said blank" versus "I felt hurt when you said blank."

By using yourself, you are explaining the emotion you felt. Some couples really struggle with communication, which is why Dr. Sindoni recommends premarital counseling so that couples can come in and try to clarify their goals. He brings up two questions that should be in the back of your mind: What do we expect out of this? Are we on the same page together?

Ashley Fellows, clinical social worker and therapist, also discussed both parties being on the same page before getting into a relationship.  Intentions, if not established, can become problematic. She explained that trying to change someone isn't a good idea. She also explains how confidence and independence are important characteristics to have prior to the start of a relationship.

"I would advise you to first make sure you feel good about yourself and feel you have much to offer," Fellows said. "Your potential mate will love you more when you love yourself. Go out, have a good time or stay in and treat yourself to a movie marathon with your single friends. Surrounding yourself with other singles will lessen the blow. Who knows? Maybe you'll have a blast if you allow yourself to."

When asked about what advice she would give to couples to keep their relationship strong she said,"It's essential for healthy relationships to have effective communication. You want to be able to tell your partner why he or she is bothering you, without being passive aggressive or screaming about something small later. Also, appreciate one another. Your partner is likely your biggest fan. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of this."

Are you still hesitant about counseling? What are the benefits?

"I totally understand why it can be intimidating finding and going to see a therapist," Fellows said. "You don't know what to expect, or you are not accustomed to sharing your personal feelings. I find once people sit down and begin, these worries subside. A therapist can offer insights and be an objective listener. Everyone should try it once!"

If you want to get in touch with any of the counselors, here's how to reach them:

Dr. Paul Greene
68 Lambert Lane
New Rochelle, New York 10804
(914) 819-5520

Dr. Bob Sindoni
55 South Broadway
Third Floor
Tarrytown, New York 10591
(914) 631-7690

Ashley Fellows
1 Bridge St
Suite 24
Irvington, New York 10533
(646) 791-3875

Happy Valentine's Day!

~ Lindsay

How to Get Away with Murder

This image is from inquistitr.com

Thursday nights are exciting again for ABC junkies who are raving about the show "How to Get Away with Murder." The star of the show is Viola Davis, who plays the role of Annalise Keating, a defense attorney for criminals. She's also a professor who teaches Criminal Justice 101, or as she refers to it in the very first episode, "How to Get Away with Murder."

Professor Keating selects five students to shadow her and help her with cases, sort of like an internship but without the title. These five students go where she goes, assisting her as if they're already working for her firm, but they quickly end up entangled in things they never imagined they'd become involved with. Keating is a woman to be taken seriously, as Viola Davis has a strong female lead, which she mentions is uncommon for darker skinned females within her age bracket.

"I don’t see anyone on TV like me in a role like this," Davis told New York Times Magazine.

Other African American females with leading roles usually tend to have a lighter skin complexion, which is why Davis said that celebrities like Kerry Washington and Halle Berry wouldn’t count. Many fans of the show are excited to see someone like Davis break away from the racial barriers of the television industry, like Kissimmee, FL resident, Taylor Harris.

“I love the fact that a woman of color is playing the lead,” Harris said. “Aside from that, it's not your typical black woman role, meaning that she's not playing the assistant or the maid. Viola Davis is pure genius in the role of Annalise Keating, a ruthless high powered attorney and law professor. She shows how beautifully flawed women in high powered positions really are.”

Harris applauded Shonda Rhimes, the How to Get Away with Murder writers, and ABC. “They are allowing my generation to partake in the beauty of this show," Harris said. "It was desperately needed.”

She’s not only a fan of the show because of Viola Davis; it’s the overall concept that has her on the edge of her seat for the entire hour every week.

“It's the perfect mixture of suspense, comedy, and drama,” Harris said. “The writers of the show make sure not to make the characters one dimensional, so we never know what's going to happen next. There are no good characters or bad characters. Everyone has their dark side and that time where you just love them.”

Yonkers, New York resident, Raven Rafiq, is also a fan of murder mysteries that keep her engaged, but she noticed that this show stood apart.

“Most crime shows are about justice, but watching the characters on this show will make you see the criminal’s point of view,” Rafiq said. “There are no random extras thrown into the mix. Each character has a purpose and some will go to extreme measures just to work at Annalise Keating’s firm.”

Although Rafiq is Guyanese, she also tips her hat to Davis for bringing her character to life. “Being a woman of color, she [Davis] knows that it’s hard work and determination to get where she is today,” Rafiq said. “Her taking on the leading role is one of the reasons I’ve become fascinated by the show. From what I’ve learned in the past, women of color have always been given small roles to play on screen. Sometimes it was good and other times it was unpleasant. Women of color are continuing to break barriers, not only on the screen but in the real world.”

Ashley Jones, Mount Vernon resident, enjoys the show because of its edgy, racy appeal. She also acknowledged the actors getting into character.

“Each actor plays their character extremely well, which adds to the believability of the story,” Jones said. “Overall, I’m a big murder mystery fan so the show is right up my alley. I love Viola Davis in her role. It’s great to see her as a strong independent black woman that was in an interracial relationship, dominating in a predominantly white field. It’s really nice to see someone in her position on TV breaking the Black person stereotype.”

Alisha Hayes, an African American student who graduated last year, was a criminal justice major. She can relate to the characters because of the similar field of study.

"I love the show because I will be a law student next year, and I was a criminal justice major in college so that's the reason it sparked my interest,” Hayes said. “It's also very thrilling, and keeps my attention.”

Hayes is a Poughkeepsie, NY resident but is currently living on campus at the Pace Law School in White Plains, NY. Like Jones, she also discussed how this leading role allowed Davis to avoid falling into the stereotypes that are typically portrayed in the Black community.

"She is playing a woman who is educated and powerful," Hayes said. "Even though she can be a little scandalous, she still holds a lot of power in the role she plays, and that's why I admire her so much."

Want to get in on the action? Tune into ABC tomorrow at 10 pm. New episodes of "How to Get Away with Murder" premiere every Thursday night.
 

Most Memorable 2015 Super Bowl Ads

This image was taken from dreamstime.com

 The Super Bowl is a widely watched televised football game, even for those who have no interest in football whatsoever. Some people enjoy celebrating with food and festivities or even looking out for the halftime show. After the game, conversations often exchanged are about the best and worst commercials that companies pay unbelievable amounts of money to have aired for only a brief period of time. This year, there was a wide range of ads, appealing to several different audiences, which really got people talking. Which ones were the most memorable? Were they a hit or a miss? LB News Today sought out random people with strong opinions who were tuned into the Super Bowl last night.

"Unfortunately, I'd have to say that the Nationwide ad was the most memorable," Brittany Crooks, a Peekskill, NY resident said. "I thought it was really morbid and depressing. I would even go as far as to say it was inappropriate as a Super Bowl commercial. While everyone's all excited to see their teams play, you see this commercial about preventing childhood deaths where this little boy's talking about never having the chance to grow up." 

Crooks, 24, isn't the only one with a negative comment about the Super Bowl ads.T-Mobile also received some criticism from Mount Kisco, NY resident, Kimberly Molina.

"The most negative ad this year in my opinion was Kim Kardashian's T-mobile ad because it had nothing to do with the company," Molina said. "It was more of an ad promoting herself than it was promoting the actual company. I thought it was absolutely shameful, and it wasn't even funny!"

Mike Barbato, Brooklyn resident, couldn't choose just one commercial that stood out to him.

"There was one commercial where some guy was making noise sitting by a bed. He was using an instrument or something, Barbato said. "I think he had a beard. I don't remember the company, but that commercial was awful. The noise was very annoying." 

He was referring to the commercial advertising dreamingwithjeff.com, which promotes an album to help people sleep better. On the contrary, there were moments that made Barbato smile, as he spoke favorably about the Budweiser and Doritos commercials.

 "I liked the Budweiser commercial with the puppy. I thought it was very classic and professional," Barbato said. "I also thought the Doritos commercial with the flying pig was pretty funny. It definitely stood out."

Commercials that make a long-lasting impression are usually the ones deemed most successful. Other people also had positive feedback about successful ads that they enjoyed watching, like Staten Island resident, Richard Arkoi.
  
"My most memorable ad of this year's Super Bowl was the Skittles commercial where everyone had one muscular arm," Arkoi said. "In my opinion, that ad accomplished the ultimate goal of catching the eyes of the viewers."

Reginald Anyichie, resident of Pleasantville, NY acknowledged the Mercedes Benz commercial with the tortoise vs the hare as one of his personal favorites.

"I thought that commercial was a very clever way to promote the new Mercedes," Anyichie said. "For me, it brought back childhood memories of elementary school and the 3D animation was on point. There was no way you could ignore that commercial, even if you were very busy."

Theresa Ubriaco, a professor at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY mentioned the domestic violence PSA by www.nomore.org that left many silent and in deep thought. Although it was only 30 seconds in length, it evoked emotions, causing CNN news anchor, Carol Costello, to cry on live television.

"The timing of the commercial was strategically thought out perfectly," Ubriaco said."The beginning of half time was the prime opportunity to run it. By then, anyone who was planning to tune into the game had already done so. The word is out and it was put out for all to see on national TV, perhaps with the largest number of viewers watching at one time. Like all important issues, raising awareness is key."

Which ad stood out to you? Leave a comment below.