Off To College - New Opportunities And New Challenges

by Stephanie Healion

September signifies the end of summer, the start of a new school year and the inevitable approach of the cold weather.  For new college freshman, September means beginning a brand new stage of their lives.

The teenagers who opt to leave home and go away to college are ultimately choosing an unfamiliar environment with its own community to get involved in.  With this comes a full host of challenges to be taken on, such as meeting new friends, discovering interests, and adjusting to a new routine that blends school and sociality.

Jenna, who attended Gettysburg College as a freshman in 2007, says that one of the hardest parts about living at school was sharing a space with people.  “It was hard trying to get sleep living on a floor of partiers,” Jenna said.  “But after a while, I learned to ignore what was happening outside my bedroom door at night.”  When asked whether or not staying home and commuting to school would have been easier, Jenna answered that each choice has its own challenges.  “If I stayed home and commuted, I would have slept and ate better…but I would have struggled making friends and staying connected on campus,” Jenna said.

Despite taking the initiative to choose a school far from home, it can be difficult for incoming freshman to remain open-minded in a new environment.  It takes time to adjust to the changes that dorm life has to offer, and remaining open-minded during this can lead to meeting new people and getting further involved in campus activities.

Tim, an Oneonta freshman in 2006, clearly remembers how he dealt with being away at school.  “I loved being on my own, but it was the hardest part and the best part.  I got so caught up in making my own life that I didn’t balance things.  I partied a lot instead of going to class.  It didn’t work out well.”  Tim says he did learn from this though.  “I learned how to be independent and how to take care of myself,” he said.  “I dealt with consequences for my mistakes, but they made me who I am now.  I don’t regret anything.”

Dr. William Gustafson, the Associate Provost for Student Success at C.W. Post, Long Island University, has one big piece of advice for the new freshman of 2011.  “Stay connected.  The primary issue for freshman is figuring out what it means to now be in college.  No two students are the same.  It’s important for them to have someone to talk to about being successful throughout college, for someone to ask them how it’s going and how they can help you.  Talking to counselors helps with that stress within the transition from high school to college by having a plan created for them that helps balance everything out.”

Being on one’s own for the first time can be daunting, especially when faced with new responsibilities such as going to class, homework, and other activities that require commitment.  Balance is an important factor when handling an entirely new schedule.  It is important to set aside enough time for the necessary things, such as schoolwork and studying, while also having ample down time to not get stressed and overwhelmed.  Each college has counselors that are meant to help with this, and talking to them is a great way to learn how to hone and perfect this balancing act.  It may be tricky at first, but accomplishing this balance will lead to a more stress-free environment and help freshman embrace college life.

Going away to college is an exciting time for any teenager.  Challenges await, but so do amazing opportunities and interesting people.  Staying open-minded and learning to balance a new routine will be helpful in making college into a home away from home.

Vote "Yes" On Smithtown's School District's Transportation Proposition

Vote “Yes” In Smithtown School District’s Transportation Referendum

Smithtown Matters supports a “yes” vote in today’s transportation referendum.  The 2011 -2012-school year is the first year that I do not have a child enrolled in a k-12 program. I do not have a grand child enrolled, and most of my friend’s children do not have transportation issues.  And yet, I will be voting a resounding “yes” in today’s school district’s referendum.

Why?  I, like many others in the district, share a concern that elections are the glue that holds our democracy together. I also believe that overturning unpopular results sets a bad precedent.  I am appalled at the number of people who stated they didn’t understand the proposition and unintentionally voted the opposite of what their interests were.  And, I too am horrified by spiraling cost, taxes and unemployment ravaging the lives of many residents.

So why vote “Yes”?

The new transportation proposal does nothing to increase costs this school year, it does, however, provide for safe transportation for our district’s students.  A “yes” vote will allow parents peace of mind knowing that their child is not fighting the traffic and crossing North Country Road (or other dangerous roads) carrying a back pack and musical instrument.  A “yes” vote will reduce traffic at and around schools by eliminating the need for parents to chauffeur their children to school.

At a Board of Education meeting, earlier in the year, I sat near a woman who told me how the new policy would impact her life. She had recently learned that her child would not be provided district bussing and would now be crossing a highly trafficked street to and from school.  The mother was frightened. The child’s father leaves for work very early in the morning.  If the district policy remained in effect she would drive her child to school (increasing traffic at the school) but to do so she would have to wake and bring along her severely handicapped child. There was no one who could stay with him and she could not afford to hire someone. She would have to repeat the procedure in the afternoon when school ended each and every school day. This is just one family’s story.

Yes, Smithtown’s Board of Education needs to do a better job of informing voters about referendums but voters need to do be more responsible in there actions.  It is the voter’s responsibility to ask questions before elections, keep informed, and vote. 

In a democracy the ability to vote is power.  But, it is the people who arm themselves with information and facts that truly hold the power because they can make a difference. Be powerful, educate yourself on the issues and vote.

I’m voting “yes” and urging you to do so because it makes sense.

Pat

ASK ROSIE

Smithtown Matters is pleased to include a new column “ASK ROSIE”.  Rose, will be doing a weekly column addressing and infoming Smithtown on ways to make the most out of their hair care budget.  

ASK ROSIE…

Has summer taken its toll on your hair? Try some simple tips that will make your hair look and feel healthier during the seasonal change.

When you shampoo use tepid water.  Cooler water retains moisture in the hair and also adds extra shine.  Hot water will make treated hair dry, brittle and prone to breakage.

Need a quick color fix but don’t want to break the bank.  Ask your stylist for a color glaze which will restore color and shine while blending in gray or washed out hair.

Condition every time you shampoo!  Make sure your cleansing regimen includes products for color treated hair.  Products not specific to color treated hair may be high in alkalinity and strip your hair of nutrients and color. (Try Redkens’ color extend line.)

Use leave in spray conditioners.  These conditions protect your color from harmful sun and impurities in the environment.

Have questions? Send them to Ask Rosie at News@SmithtownMatters.com

Rosie is a professional Stylist/Colorist at Celestial Hair Gallery in Smithtown.  She has worked in the Smithtown area for over 20 years.  

Thomas M. Butler - 9 -11 Memorial Photos

Kings Park Bluff was the scene of a 9/11 ceremony Sunday afternoon.  Click here to view photos of the Thomas M. Butler 9/11 Memorial Ceremony.  

To view photos you may also go to the Photo Gallery.

Department of Defense - September - Loss Of American Lives

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

     Spc. Christopher J. Scott, 21, of Tyrone, N.Y., died Sept. 3 at Kandahar province, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.    

Pfc. Christophe J. Marquis, 40, of Tampa, Fla., died Sept. 4 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany,of injuries sustained Aug. 27 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Department of the Navy civilian who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

James W. Coker, 59, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., was pronounced dead Sept. 5 in Kabul, Afghanistan, while on temporary assignment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Coker worked for Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Va.

The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation New Dawn.

Cmdr. James K. Crawford, 50, of East Concord, N.Y., died Sept. 7, as a result of a non-combat related incident in Manama, Bahrain.  Crawford was assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, supporting operations at the Combined Maritime Forces Coalition Coordination Center at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain.

An investigation is in progress.

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device Sept. 8 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Killed were:

Spc. Koran P. Contreras, 21, of Lawndale, Calif.

Pfc. Douglas J. Jeffries Jr., 20, of Springville, Calif.

 The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

     Petty Officer Brian K. Lundy, 25, of Austin, Texas, died while conducting a dismounted patrol in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Sept. 9. Lundy was assigned as a hospital corpsman to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

 The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

     They died Sept. 9 in Paktia, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with small arms fire. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 279 Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, Tulsa, Okla.

     Killed were:

     Sgt. Bret D. Isenhower, 26, of Lamar, Okla.,

     Spc. Christopher D. Horton, 26, of Collinsville, Okla., and

     Pfc. Tony J. Potter Jr., 20, of Okmulgee, Okla.

     .

Update on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 5:05AM by .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

 Pfc. Brett E. Wood, 19, of Spencer, Ind., died Sept. 9 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

  Sgt. 1st Class Danial R. Adams, 35, of Portland, Ore., died Sept. 13 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fires.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Stuttgart, Germany.

Update on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 8:56PM by .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

     Cpl. Michael J. Dutcher, 22, of Asheville, N.C., died Sept. 15 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

    The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

      Sgt. Chester G. Stoda, 32, of Black River Falls, Wis., died Sep. 2, from a non-combat related incident.  He was assigned to the 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.ï

      Staff Sgt. Michael W. Hosey, 27, of Birmingham, Ala., died Sept. 17 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.   He was assigned to the 3^rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

     Sgt. Garrick L. Eppinger Jr., 25, of Appleton, Wis., died Sept. 17 in Parwan province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 395th Ordnance Company, 687th Combat Sustainment Support Brigade, 646th Regional Support Group, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Wausau, Wis.

      Spc. Ryan J. Cook, 29, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Sept. 18 in Takhar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Update on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 10:16AM by .

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.             They died Sep. 21, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with small arms fire.  They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.             Killed were:             Spc. Jakob J. Roelli, 24, of Darlington, Wis.; and             Spc. Robert E. Dyas, 21, of Nampa, Idaho

Update on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 6:51PM by .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Sgt. Tyler N. Holtz, 22, of Dana Point, Calif., died Sept. 24 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

           .The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

     They died Sept. 23 in Wardak, province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La.

     Killed were:

     Sgt. Rafael E. Bigai Baez, 28, of San Juan, Puerto Rico and

     Pfc. Carlos A. Aparicio, 19, of San Bernadino, Calif.

     The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation New Dawn.

     Sgt. Andy C. Morales, 32, of Longwood, Fla., died Sept. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Orlando, Fla.

     The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died Sep. 21, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with small arms fire.  They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

            Killed were:

            Spc. Jakob J. Roelli, 24, of Darlington, Wis.; and

            Spc. Robert E. Dyas, 21, of Nampa, Idaho

           The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Sgt. Timothy D. Sayne, 31, of Reno, Nev., died Sept. 18 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Update on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 1:33PM by .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.      Lance Cpl. Franklin N. Watson, 21, of Vonore, Tenn., died Sept. 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Company D, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Knoxville, Tenn.

Update on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 3:36PM by .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Tyler N. Holtz, 22, of Dana Point, Calif., died Sept. 24 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Update on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 7:07PM by .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.       Spc. Garrett A. Fant, 21, of American Canyon, Calif., died Sept. 26 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Update on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 7:50AM by .

DoD Identifies Army Casualty The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. James A. Butz, 21, of Porter, Ind., died Sept. 28 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Update on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 9:53PM by .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

    First Sgt. Billy J. Siercks, 32, of Velda Village, Mo., died Sept. 28 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered Sept. 27 in Logar, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

   The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

    Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Caleb A. Nelson, 26, of Omaha, Neb.,died after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while conducting a combat patrol in Zabul province, Afghanistan on Oct.1.  Nelson was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit, Norfolk, Va.

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

    Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Sprovtsoff, 28, of Davison, Mich., and Sgt. Christopher Diaz, 27, of Albuquerque, N.M., died Sept. 28 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

    Sprovtsoff was assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, Calif. 

    Diaz was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.  .

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died Sep 28, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

            Killed were:

            1st Lt. Ivan D. Lechowich, 27, of Valrico, Fla.,

            Spc. Steven E. Gutowski, 24, of Plymouth, Mass., and

            Pfc. David A. Drake, 21, of Lumberton, Texas

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            1st. Lt. Andres Zermeno, 26, of San Antonio, Texas, died Sep. 25 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket propelled grenade.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort. Polk, La.

           The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

     Lance Cpl. John R. Wimpey Cagle, 19, of Tucker, Ga., died Sept. 28 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

     This incident is under investigation.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Sgt. Tyler N. Holtz, 22, of Dana Point, Calif., died Sept. 24 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

      Spc. Garrett A. Fant, 21, of American Canyon, Calif., died Sept. 26 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.