Website...here we go.

So, the last time I created a website was for my fourth grade Science Fair. 

It was about the Solar System. Pretty awesome, right?? And btw, I use the word 'created' loosely...it was more like, 'watched-my-friends-mom-do-it-while-my-friend-and-I-played-nintindo' type of thing.

butttttttt I'm on a computer all the time, so making a website can't be THAT difficult...right?? :)

I'm actually kind of nervous. Me and technology don't get along all that well. But there's always a first time for everything, and I had better go ahead and learn. Better late than never, right??

I'm gonna rock this project! Hopefully. But I've already got a great idea about the layout, and considering the website is going to be a portfolio about me helps. I mean, everyone likes to brag on themselves! 

I definitely have my work cut out for me in this class, though. With the website, group project, and Facebook and Twitter hate group comparison? eeeep! 

(btw, when i typed facebook lower case, there's a red squiggly line, but when you capitalize it, there isn't...just saying! hello new mediaaaaaaaa!)

3,2,1 FALL BREAK!

I'm so excited to be going home this weekend for fall break. I'll begin my journey to my good 'ol hometown Lufkin, Texas where I plan on spending lots of needed family time. Also, I will be getting a hair cut :) you know how us girls are, we always gotta go to the same person we've been going to for years...I just don't trust anybody else with my hair.
On Saturday afternoon, you can find me in the city of Nacogdoches, Texas; where I will be observing a Stephen F. Austin State University Football game and cheering on my best friends while they twirl with the SFA Band during half time. (That's right, even when Baylor doesn't have a game I can't get away from football)
Which reminds me...THE TEXAS RANGERS FINALLY BEAT TAMPA BAY! Don't know how I jumped from football to Baseball Finals...but nevertheless...about time my boys stepped it up.
However, as marvelous as this weekend will be, I am mostly anticipating Sunday. My best friend and I will being driving up to Austin, Texas to audition for Disney Princess Look-Alikes for Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. We are so excited, and are planning on working for Walt Disney over the summer and will continue to try out for the coveted spots until we get the job. :D motivation rocks.

Steppin' Up and Steppin' Out!

Baylor University’s biannual service event, Steppin’ Out, is an all day event that will occur October 30 and consist of Baylor students and Alumni interacting and helping out the Waco community.  The event is completely free; volunteers are there to offer their hands and hard work in return for communal interaction.

Many projects involve painting
houses and walls

Steppin’ Out gives students the opportunity to literally “step out” and help their community in a variety of ways. From building wheelchair ramps, to painting homes, to picking up trash, and even giving a hand at animal shelters, Baylor students raise community awareness and interaction. Baylor Alumni also contribute to the cause, and participate in the event alongside the students. Other volunteers also partake in Steppin’ Out, all of which freely donate their time and energy to collaborate among their fellow Waco community.

Baylor sophomore Sterling Moore stated, "Steppin' Out is an awesome program. It provides an opportunity for people to help and have fun."

Because of Steppin’ Out’s commitment to service, the event has not only been nationally recognized, but also considered one of the largest community service projects on American college campuses. In past years, between 2,500 and 3,200 Baylor students and Alumni have sacrificed their time and volunteered at over 175 worksites around the town of Waco, Texas.

“I am a freshman here at Baylor Univeristy, and have heard all about this event. At first I wasn’t really sure what it was all about, but after talking to some of my older friends, I have never been so pumped up! I have already registered my team and am really excited to see what kind of project we will be assigned.” comments Taylor Bradford, 18.

Students cleaning up a local
resident's backyard

Steppin’ Out partners up with organizations like Keep Waco Beautiful, the City of Waco, and more than 140 local service agencies to work together and identify the needs of the community and people around Waco.

Steppin’ Out turned compassion into action in the spring of 1985 and had originated with a full week of events on the Baylor campus that built up to the day of community service around Waco. It progressed and eventually became a one-day event in 1989, occurring in both the fall and spring semesters.

By the year 1993, the project became officially known as an independent organization under the Department of Student Activities at Baylor University.

The event enables students to learn leadership and social responsibility while reaching out and interacting with local Wacoans. After the full day of service and hard work, a Block Party is thrown for the students and community members to celebrate the achievements of the day.

South Russell CL, Julie Phan, has contributed and been a part of Steppin'  Out for the past two years, and has enjoyed every minute of it. 

"I just loved it. To know that all of us here [at Baylor] are coming together as a community and in exchange helping our local community is rewarding in itself."

If you would like more information about Steppin’ Out, please feel free to call 254.710.3199 or contact Sonja P. Davidson (Co-Director) at Sonja_Davidson@baylor.edu.

If you are interested in registering and being part of this event, or if you are in need/know of a service project please email Steppin_Out@baylor.edu

*NOTE: deadline to register is Wednesday.

If you are interested in volunteering for the spring semester, the set date for Steppin' Out is April 19.

Casey Oates: Dance Like Nobody's Watching!

Oates outside enjoying
the sunlight

Everyone has a passion, and Casey C. Oates has a burning love for the art of dance. Oates was born and raised in Lufkin, Texas and has been dancing since the age of 3. A hobby that began inside the walls of tiny dance studios flourished into a passionate adoration for the classic art.

Oates in her
Rangerette
Uniform

Having grown up emerged in dance, it came to no surprise when Oates was awarded the title of Captain for her high school drill team and was adorned with the envious golden hat. After high school, she attended Kilgore Junior College where she auditioned and became one of the world renowned “Kilgore Rangerettes”. Oates completed her two years at Kilgore and transferred to Baylor University in Waco, TX were she is currently both an Officer and President of Baylor Dance Company. She is also teaching at Joy’s School of Dance.

As President of BU Dance Co. Oates collaborates with her fellow officers where they make important decisions involving upcoming events.

“We are getting ready for the Homecoming Parade and we also have a big show in the spring that we have to get choreographers for…we are mainly there as a delegating body to make sure the dance company is running smoothly.”

Oates also comments that the Baylor Dance Co. Officers performed at Baylor University’s After Dark this year.

“It was a totally awesome experience…we’ve never done that before.” she said, reliving the moment with a wide smile.

Oates also commented that they are hoping to perform for their fellow Baylor students at Chapel in the spring semester.

Oates performing on stage

When asked what her favorite dance style is, Oates grins and replies with

“That’s a hard one.”

After a slight pause, she goes on to say she prefers contemporary modern dance.

“It is much more in a 21^st century style…and is about natural movement…it is much more about the meaning behind the pieces that you are performing rather than just the way the movement looks and whether or not it looks pretty…there’s usually a story behind the dancing.”

After our interview I was lucky enough to follow Oates to one of her many dance practices, where I talked to Baylor sophomore Megan McGraw about Oates’ dance abilities.

“She is so trained! She’s taken dance for a while, and is very flexible. She puts power into her moves and is a very strong dancer.”

With her vast amount of dance experience, Oates has choreographed a momentous amount of dance numbers, but one in particular holds more significance to her.

Oates' tribute dance in her
mother's honor

“My mom was diagnosed with [Breast] Cancer last November…and I spent a lot of this past summer driving her back and forth from Houston to get chemotherapy.”

In her mother’s honor, Oates choreographed a symbolic dance where red handkerchiefs were used metaphorically as her mother’s illness. In the end, the handkerchiefs fell to the ground representing the triumph over cancer.

“[My mom] is finished with chemo, and she is cancer free right now…it has been hard, but it is definitely not something that I can’t handle. And it’s not something that our family can’t handle. ” Oates says with a smile.

Oates is a fifth year senior here at Baylor University and is majoring in Elementary Education. She has taken basic education courses that have built on her leadership skills and is currently doing a yearlong internship at Bell’s Hill Elementary School at a kindergarten classroom four days a week from 7:45am to 3:45pm.

Oates Student Teaching
in action

When asked if she wanted to pursue teaching kindergarten, Oates replied:

“Maybe for part of my life, but that is not the only goal I have. But it is definitely one of them.”

Casey Oates' miniature Dotson,
"Brooks"

One of Oates’ fellow officers, Lauren Page, a senior at Baylor, commented:

“Casey has amazing leadership skills. Since she is training to be a teacher, it makes her the perfect leader, because she can keep control of everyone. She is always really organized and a good leader because she has taken the classes for it.”

Aside from Oates’ busy schedule of student teaching, and dancing one to three hours every day, she still finds time for her beloved dog, Brooks. During my interview with her, the adorable miniature Dotson scuttled around our feet begging for her attention.

“He’s my baby.” she said as she touched her heart and grinned.

*If you would like to learn more about Baylor Dance Company, or see how to join you can click here for more information:

 http://www.baylor.edu/studentorgs/index.php?id=48049&orgCode=BDA

*To see the full interview with Casey Oates, you can click here: