Sam Duke's Blog

Yes, I’d like to begin by congratulating all the EOF students who donated and participated in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk last Sunday October 19^th at the Exchange Place. It was time well spent and we raise $693! Special thanks to Ms. Rodriguez who did an excellent job making sure we all handed in our money in time/ raised our money. Here are some pictures from the walk:

Everything will be alright, yeah

The heart is stronger than you think
Like it can go through anything
And even when you think it can’t it finds a way to still push on, though

Sometime you want to run away
Ain’t got the patience for the pain
And if you don’t believe it look into your heart, the beat goes on

I’m telling you
Things get better through whatever
If you fall, dust it off, don’t let up
Don’t you know you can go, be your own miracle, you need to know

If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough
But the heart keeps telling you don’t give up
Who are we to be questioning, wondering what is what, don’t give up
Through it all, just stand up

It’s like we all have better days
Problems getting all up in your face
Just because you go through it
Don’t mean it gotta take control, no (no)

You ain’t gotta find no hiding place
Because the heart can beat the hate
Don’t wanna let your mind keep playing you
And saying you can’t go on

I’m telling you,
Things get better through whatever
If you fall, dust if off, don’t let up
Don’t you know you can go, be your own miracle, you need to know

If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough (ohh)
But the heart keeps telling you don’t give up (don't you give up)
Who are we to be questioning, wondering what is what, don’t give up (don't give up, just stand up)
Through it all, just stand up (just stand up)
Through it all, just stand up

You don’t gotta be a prisoner in your mind
If you fall, dust it off, you can live your life (yeah)
Let your heart be your guide, oh (yeah yeah yeah)
You will know that you’re good if you trust the in good
Everything will be alright, yeah (alright)
Light up the dark, if you follow your heart
And It will get better through whatever

If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough
But the heart keeps telling you don’t give up (don't give up, don't give up, no no no)
Who are we to be questioning, wondering what is what, don’t give up
Through it all, just stand up

If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough
But the heart keeps telling you don’t give up
Who are we to be questioning, wondering what is what, don’t give up (don't give up, don't give up)
Through it all, just stand up

You got it in you, find it within (everything will be alright, yeah)
You got in ya, find it within ya
You got in you, find it within
You got in you, find it within ya
You got in you, find it within (everything will be alright, yeah)
You got in you, find it within ya
Find it within you, find it within
Through it all, just stand up

"Thanksgiving Dinner Drive" As you can, see we all had a wonderful time. If you weren't able to participate in this wonderful oppurtunity, don't worry. We have another oppurtunity to give back to the community. The month of November is a time for us to be especially thankful for our families, food, life, etc. As a way of giving back, Ms. Rodriguez, nsync with the York Street Project, are collaborating this Thanksgiving to create baskets for the families at this shelter. She needs our help to fill baskets with items such as a whole turkey or chicken, cranberry sauce, corn, and other can goods. We suggest you team up with ten or fifteen people to help make an affordable basket. Ms. Rodriguez even volunteers to take a group of us grocery shopping just drop in and set-up date and time. Your donations are greatly appreciated.

* Is it me or did midterms seem to be longer than ever this semester? Ughh. I'm excited they're finally over and I'm very pleased with my midterm grades and I hope this applies to each of you too. If not, you already know I'll be here to help in anyway I can. Email me ASAP at sduke@spc.edu. My office hours at VMC is on Wednesday from 3p.m - 5p.m and on Friday from 5 p.m-6 p.m.

*Congratulations to Joshua James and Jennifer Rios for their new positions of the Student Senate Board. I am very proud of the EOF students for taking advantage of leadership positions as Class Officers.

*Happy Halloween Everyone! (Which reminds me...I defintely need a costume...HELP!)

* After the many failed attempts to take a picture that is suitable for the front cover of the new EOF Brochure, we had these finalist:

So...Yay! I'm super excited because I made Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society!

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on the
greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give
every living person you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, and too
strong for fear, and to happy to permit the
presence of trouble.

Coffee Anyone?

Hi Everyone! I’m Samantha L. Duke A.K.A Sam. I’m 19 years old. I’m currently a sophomore in the wonderful Nursing Program at St. Peter’s. I love St. Peter’s College. SPC allows me to become involved on campus, in the community and worldwide. I am a member of the many excellent clubs and organizations including EOF Program, Nursing Program, Student Senate, Vice President for the Class of 2011, Alliance of EOF Students of New Jersey (A.E.S.N.J), Black Action Committee (BAC), Latin American Service Organization (LASO), Global Outreach 07-08, West Campus Resident Assistant, 08’ Orientation Leader and graduated Emerging Leader. My participation in these clubs has allowed me to experience the great and numerous opportunities St. Peter’s has to offer.

The EOF Program in particular has been what I like to call my backbone. In June 2007, I graduated from Caritas Academy (just four blocks down from SPC) I was excited to come here and eager to start classes and convene with new people. In April 2007, I was accepted into the program. I was a hyper-mess at my interview, but somehow I managed to focus and get all my paperwork and financial work settled. Mrs. Rosario explained to me all the information about the program and what was expected from an EOF Student. I was ready and excited to begin.

Four Months Later…

I always knew I was a great student- but boy o’ boy did Professor Livesay put my brain to work. 12 Cultural ID’s in 1 month?! Bugging. I learned a lot from Professor Livesay. Each morning we went to class, he would give a lecture telling us how lazy people go nowhere in life and encouraging words motivated us to stay focus. I’ll never forget my first day at his class. I, along with Katherine Arcos, Clarence Stewart, Daniela Villacres, Josephine Milfort, Alexis Smith, Aisha Hagans, Christina Cardenas, Julie Ortiz, Darryl Coello, Ashley Saeta, Carl Brown, Kirkland Simon, and Jose Ortiz and a few other EOF students, walked into his classroom eager and ready to start our first class as College Freshman. Secretly, I believed we all were under the impression that the professors would hopefully go easy on us because we were new. HAHA now that I look back on it, I can laugh. One cup of coffee was not enough for English with Livesay first thing in the morning. Professor Livesay sat on his little brown desk, with a big, packed, green book bag, and pulled out a stack of papers-the syllabus for the his class. He handed them to us and I went blank. I didn’t go blank because the 12 page syllabus, or because from back to front the pages were filled with a 0.5 margin width all around. I went blank because I couldn’t see what the words said. The font size was size 10pt! Size 10pt! I never saw such small font. I knew it existed, but I’m still in senior mode from High school-the font there is the one I typed in Microsoft word…Size 12.5. Bugging. Anyways, we read through the syllabus and he told us in details what he expected from us. We wrote daily journals in a notebook- that I still have and look back on for motivation and encouragement- which included entries on our lives. That was an intense first class for us, but we surely woke up to smell the coffee. Before I knew it, the month flew by and we were graduating. We all – well most of us- had our ID’S in, our Journal was ready to go (all 1,500 words), our PowerPoint was saved on blackboard, MLA format became a tattoo on out frontal lobes, and our minds were filled with information about Elephants Like White Hills. Three cups of coffee on a daily basis and 12 ID’s later, we had effectively completed our summer as college freshman. Professor Livesay along with the other EOF teachers- including Dr. Protomastro, Dr. Piccarelli, Prof. Bajor and Prof. Gillen did a swell job prepping us for college-the real world.

My favorite part of Summer EOF was having the opportunity to stay together for Orientation! We were the coolest people since we all already knew each other. We bonded and repped EOF to the fullest. All the other freshmen were surprised at how quick we had bonded as a group. Even now, more than a year later, we still greet each other with hugs and kisses and exchange words of praise and upcoming events. We remain close and open with each other. It was a great experience.

Working for the EOF Office has been my favorite job. Mrs. Rosario with her humor and spontaneous ideals keeps the office laughing all day! Mrs. Rosario has been working for the EOF Office for more than 30 years. She knows the ins and outs of the job. God Bless her- I don’t know how she does it. Mrs. Rodriguez is the best counselor and friend I’ve ever had! She knows the answer for every problem and can fix any mechanical problem with fax machines, computers, copiers and printers! Ms. Rodriguez is my favorite resource person for SPC. She has the patience to work with each student on an individual basis. She truly cares for us and does follow-ups to make sure we’re on the right track. Mr. Coles always makes me laugh because he has that contagious laugh-you just can’t stop. Mrs. Belder is the sweetest. She’s so polite and welcoming. I love seeing her smile every time I open that office door.

Working for the office for the fall and spring semester of 07-08 and O-Team, I was privileged to meet and befriend the EOF Freshman Class. They are a very engaged and motivated group. Their talents shine and they will be prosperous. They have a lot of learning and adjusting still, but they’re managing quite well. I look forward to working with them on E-Boards, community events, service opportunities and retreats. I’m glad to have them on board and I wish them the best of luck. Good Luck Guys!

In EOF, we are more than just friends. We are one big family. We support, guide and look out for each other. On behalf of the EOF family, I am grateful to everyone in the Office-Ms. Rodriguez, Mrs. Rosario, Mr. Coles, Mrs. Belder, Work-Study Nathalia, Courtney and Diana, for their time, advice and help throughout the year. We are thankful for your smiles and friendly words.
I’d like to leave you with a song I like from Destiny’s Child. This song was released in September 2005, is written by David Foster and his daughter, Amy Foster-Gillies. The song has also been touted as the 2005 World Children's Day Anthem. This song means a lot to me; because the message of hope and strength to stand up when everything seems to be falling is the message I try to share with those around me. There comes a point in our lives where we all fall. There’s nothing wrong with falling. Although in my book, it’s unacceptable to fall and never get up. My advice is to get up on your feet and start walking again. I like to look at myself as a phoenix when I’m getting up. The phoenix bird symbolizes immortality, resurrection and life after death. In ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology, the main feature of the phoenix is that it is reborn through fire: when it gets old it will make a nest and set it on fire. The phoenix will be consumed in the flames, but will be reborn out of the ashes. We all jump over hurdles, rocks and sometimes into the fire, but the important thing is that we learn from our mistakes and remember them as an experience- a life lesson. Teach others what we’ve learned for ourselves. Educate our youth and stand up so no one gets left behind. Comments? Questions? Email me at sduke@spc.edu.

Stay Tuned…Next Week on Sam’s Corner…
Sam’s updates on getting the SPC to register to vote for the 08 Election, first Lab Class of the Semester, Pictures from the Photo shoot at the new waterfront, Pictures from the First EOF Class of 2011 & 2012 Meeting, Volunteer Fair, Student Senate Meeting, Michaelmas Convocation, The Official Back to School Party and more.

Samantha L. Duke

Sam Duke's Blog

4:30 A.M sUNDAY oCTOBER 26TH 2008.. (rEPORTING FROM wEST cAMPUS ra office in vmc)

You answer me, although I never ask you questions. What am I?

Promise Yourself
(one the most classic motivational poems)

Coffee Anyone?

Samantha L. Duke

Sam Duke's Blog

4:30 A.M sUNDAY oCTOBER 26TH 2008.. (rEPORTING FROM wEST cAMPUS ra office in vmc)

You answer me, although I never ask you questions. What am I?

Promise Yourself (one the most classic motivational poems)

Coffee Anyone?

Promise Yourself
(one the most classic motivational poems)