Dancing Through Life

a bit of randomness…

Feature Story Final, Nicholas Hessa

Filed under: Uncategorized — Nancy at 6:08 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Blonde hair, blue eyes, captain of the golf team, living life to the fullest in the best years of his life: the college years. But it wasn’t always this easy for Nick Hessa, senior at Morningside College. Just six years ago, Nick was diagnosed with a rare condition that would change the rest of his life.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: hearing those words was one of the scariest and most confusing sentences Nick had ever heard. His junior year of high school went from being one of the best years of his life: golfing, getting good grades, and all the girls, his life was about to change drastically.

It all started when Nick noticed how tired he was after doing normal day activities. Such activities were just a simple golf meet or a workout in the gym; sometimes even a large set of stairs would do the trick to keep him down for hours after. After a few weeks of not having enough energy for the simple tasks, Nick describes this to have become and annoyance almost and he decided to get it checked out.

“All I wanted to do was sleep all day, and I knew something was wrong. A junior in high school who was healthy and in shape shouldn’t have wanted to sleep as much as I did.”

Then became the long and draining process of figuring out what was wrong. Testing went on for months. Months of blood tests led to terrifying words “Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome.” Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare condition that is characterized by numerous malformations of the venous system involving the skin and visceral organs. These malformations were found within Nick’s small and large intestine, eight of them to be exact. When doctors finally figured out, after hundreds of tests, that it was BRBNS, Nick said he took it in a calm manner.

“I was more relieved than anything when I found out what it was: relieved that we finally knew what was wrong with me, but scared as to what was going to happen. I knew it was a major surgery I was about to undergo.”

The next month and a half was spent in an Iowa City hospital getting blood transfusions and undergoing a serious surgery. Not necessarily the normal life of a high school junior. Nick ended up getting way behind in school being in and out of the hospital for over a month.

“As far as school work went, I had to work my butt of doing as much as I could when ever I could to keep up. As far as my social life, it wasn’t really affected. Getting healthy was what was important at the time and my friends understood that.”

Getting his body back to health was his main concern. He began working out regularly and started being aware of what he ate and put into his body. It was a long process, but a few weeks after surgery he was feeling back to normal. Many things contributed to regaining his health but family is an extremely important support system when dramatic times in health occur, and Nick realized this quickly.

“My parents were really worried at first, especially when they couldn’t figure out what was actually wrong for the longest time. Once doctors figured it out, my family was there for me the whole way. Without their support, I don’t think I would have gotten better as fast as I did. Even today, my family is the biggest reminder that I need to stay healthy.”

Today, Nick is a healthy senior at Morningside College. Looking at him now, confident, muscular, and happy, the only reminisce of the disease is a small scare about three inches long under his belly button. He currently resides as a senior on the Morningside golf team as well. Roommate and fellow teammate Alex O’neill comments on his observations of Nick’s health.

“I hadn’t even known anything happened to him til I saw the scar. He explained what happened, but nothing had given me a clue before that anything had happened to him. He keeps himself pretty healthy so I have no worries about his health in the future.”

BRBNS does have a chance of coming back, so Nick is always aware of his health and energy levels. If he ever gets to tired is a normal day activity, a red flag pops up and he usually gets his blood tested just in case. Nick describes his feelings on the return of BRBNS.

“I’m not really afraid they will come back, but just aware of the possibility and try to stay as in shape and healthy as a can in the mean time.”

Nick is now focused on his future. About to graduate in May with a finance degree, the future has unlimited opportunities for him. Not many people can say they have had a disease that has only 153 known cases in the world, but Nick doesn’t let that hold him back.

“I have a lot of goals and things I want to do in my life, and I know now that I need to stay healthy in order to accomplish these things. Through this whole experience, I learned to live everyday to the fullest. Anything can happen when you least expect it, therefore your health is something that should be taken differently and never ignored.”

 

Nicholas Hessa: Feature Story

Filed under: Uncategorized — Nancy at 12:20 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012

Blonde hair, blue eyes, captain of the golf team, living life to the fullest in the best years of his life: the college years. But it wasn’t always this easy for Nick Hessa, senior at Morningside College. Just six years ago, Nick was diagnosed with a rare condition that would change the rest of his life.

 

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: hearing those words was one of the scariest and most confusing sentences Nick had ever heard. His junior year of high school went from being one of the best years of his life: golfing, getting good grades, and all the girls, his life was about to change drastically.

 

It all started when Nick noticed how tired he was after doing normal day activities. Such activities were just a simple golf meet or a workout in the gym; sometimes even a large set of stairs would do the trick to keep him down for hours after.

 

“All I wanted to do was sleep all day, and I knew something was wrong. A junior in high school who was healthy and in shape shouldn’t have wanted to sleep as much as I did”

 

Then became the long and draining process of figuring out what was wrong. Testing went on for months. Months of blood tests led to terrifying words “Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome.”

 

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare condition that is characterized by numerous malformations of the venous system involving the skin and visceral organs. These malformations were found within Nick’s small and large intestine; eight of them to be exact.

 

“I was more relieved than anything when I found out what it was: relieved that we finally knew what was wrong with me, but scared as to what was going to happen. I knew it was a major surgery I was about to undergo.”

 

The next month and a half was spent in an Iowa City hospital getting blood transfusions and undergoing a serious surgery. Not necessarily the normal life of a high school junior.

 

Nick ended up getting way behind in school being out and in the hospital for over a month.

 

“As far as school work went, I had to work my butt of doing as much as I could when ever I could to keep up. As far as my social life, it wasn’t really affected. Getting healthy was what was important at the time and my friends understood that.”

 

Family is an extremely important support system when dramatic times in health occur, and Nick realized this quickly.

 

“My family was there for me the whole way. Without their support, I don’t think I would have gotten better as fast as I did.”

 

Today, Nick is a healthy senior at Morningside College. Looking at him now, confident, muscular, and happy, the only reminisce of the disease is a small scare about three inches long under his belly button.

 

BRBNS has a chance of coming back, so Nick is always aware of his health and energy levels. If he ever gets to tired in a normal day activity, a red flag pops up and he usually gets his blood tested just in case.

 

“I’m not really afraid they will come back, but just aware of the possibility.”

 

Nick is now focused on his future. About to graduate in May with a finance degree, the future has unlimited opportunities for him. Not many people can say they have had a disease that has only 153 known cases in the world, but Nick doesn’t let that hold him back.

 

“Through this whole experience, I learned to live everyday to the fullest. Anything can happen when you least expect it, therefore your health is something that should be taken differently and never ignored.”

News Comment Extra Credit

Filed under: Uncategorized — Nancy at 7:06 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012

I chose an article from Huffington Post Weird News for this comment because I wanted to try to see how newsworthy it really is.

Kleine-Levin Syndrom, or Sleeping Beauty Syndrome, causes 17 year old from Pennsylvania to sleep 18 to 19 hours a day. Her parents claim that she has slept 34 to 62 days in a row before only to wake up to eat. Even when she is awake she is in a sleepwalking like state.

Now, as far as newsworthiness for this article, I don’t know. Its very rare, only affects 1000 people worldwide, however, in the entertainment category, it is very interesting. Therefore if you look at it from that point of view it is newsworthy. Putting it in the “Weird News” category as well helps.

Click here to read the article!

News Comment #11

Filed under: Uncategorized — Nancy at 6:51 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012

The article I have chosen for this comment is from Omaha.com, however it is about a movie that is being filmed in my hometown. Alexander Payne is filming his black and white film “Nebraska” in northeast Nebraska. The headquarters of the film is in the building next to my old dance studio in Norfolk Nebraska. A cafe in my hometown, Stanton, was used for about three weeks to film scenes for the movie. This article focuses on a day at the filming and however thing works taking place in Plainview Nebraska. It is so interesting to read about this and to see places where I’ve been and have friends who live there be in the movie.

This article is definitely newsworthy. First timeliness because it is happening right now. Proximity also works because so many small towns and places are being used and because this is such a big deal. Probably the biggest thing to ever happen to Northeast Nebraska in my life time thus far.

 

Click here to read about it!

Broadcast Final =]]

Filed under: Uncategorized — Nancy at 2:48 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012

Listen to the Broadcast Here!

Broadcast story 1st Draft

Filed under: Uncategorized — Nancy at 4:21 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012

Morningside students prepare to pack the stands of Allee gym this upcoming basketball season. Themes for games include wearing anything from all black or togas depending on the plans set by Morningside’s student section Alleeholics. One of the founders of Alleeholics, Jeremiah Curry, comments on the upcoming basketball season. T

 

(Curry Quotes)

 

The basketball the season began… Be prepared to witness historic things happening this year for Morningside’s student section.

 

 

Sophomore Brandon Thompson prepares for his second season as a Morningside golfer this spring. This international student has already taken huge strides in the sport, as he was the only Morningsider to attend Nationals in California last spring. Scoring —– as his high in the fall, Thompson prepares to succeed this spring.

 

(Thompson Quotes)

Qualifying for 2013 Nationals begins…..

We expect there to be some great things that come from Thompson this year.

 

 

Morningside’s Dance team prepares for the NAIA state competition at the end of this month. The team has been working hard three days a week since classes started to prepare.

 

(either add about Lindsays’ injury.. or have Lindsay’s comment on the state preparation)

 

The dance team has a lot of work before state, but with the upcoming performances to prepare this opportunity is an exciting one.

Science Broadcast

Filed under: Uncategorized — Nancy at 4:19 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012

Pay attention to your children says Psychology Today. When disaster strikes, children react differently from adults. It is important for parents to notice these reactions.

An article in Psychology today, addresses how parents treat children that have been involved or aware of a disaster. Disasters range from natural disasters to kidnappings, or world disasters. Parents need to be aware of their child’s behavior after a disaster.

Is he or she having trouble sleeping? What about chores and daily activities? When things don’t seem normal with a child, this could be a sign the child needs extra attention and comfort from you.

The communication and comfort from a parent helps a child learn to deal with the effects of a disaster.

Keep this advice in mind daily because the next worldly disaster could be right around the corner.

Science Braodcast

 

 

Shooting

Filed under: Uncategorized — Nancy at 7:35 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The day little girls dream of their whole life, quickly turned into a nightmare for Laurette Brown, 38, when she was shot by her newlywed husband Richard Brunson, 50, shortly after the ceremony.

Richard and Laurette Brunson were married Saturday on the front porch of their home on Jackson St.

Following the ceremony family and friends attended a reception in the Brunson’s house. The shooting occurred at 5 pm

Sgt Mann explains what happened. Sgt. Mann

Neighbor, Michael Martin comments on his relationship with the suspect. Michael Martin

Laurette Brunson is in satisfactory condition at St. Luke’s Hospital after being shot in the abdomen. No comment was given from Mrs. Brunson.

 

 

 

Final Story/Article #2

Filed under: Uncategorized — Nancy at 7:33 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012

Nancy Seeman

Fund. Of Journalism

October 12, 2012

Story/Article #2 Final

 

The Hill

Cheapskates hill is a tradition most enjoys being a part of.  For those whom aren’t familiar of the hill, picture 150 to 300 students on a hill overlooking the stadium cheering on Morningside’s successful football team. However cheering isn’t the only thing that goes on up on the hill.

Use of alcoholic beverages is a common factor as to why students spend their time on the hill as opposed to being in the stands to support our undefeated Mustang football team.

Senior at Morningside College Nick Hessa states, “College is a place for us to have fun for 4 years, and for a lot of students having fun involves alcohol. Let us bring alcohol into the stadium and then we will support from the inside.”

Hessa claims that the fans support just as much on the hill as they would in the stands, its just further away therefore isn’t as noticed.

However, what people have noticed is the attendance on the hill being greater than in the stands.  Morningside faculty of the athletic department, Cheryl Gamble, is trying to do something about this. She has brought together a group to brainstorm ways to get more students to the actual game.

This group discussed many options such as having themed games so students can dress up in costumes, to bringing in a mechanical bull to gain attendance. The themes idea is the one that stuck.

Cheerleader Lexi Busch comments,  “It’s nice to have a big crowd out there for us cheerleaders to feed off of. There’s nothing like the feeling of having a full stands in front of you cheering along.”

This feeling is perhaps why the cheerleaders have been a main force in working on gaining attendance to games.  The played a huge roll in the first western themed game by leading line dances during quarter breaks, and sporting bandanas in their hair.

Rumor has it, the football team is also not supportive of the hill when it comes to our fans. Junior football player Jordan Sitzmann tweeted on September 8th, “Hope we get a good student section inside the stadium tonight and not just on the hill #Need the noise.”

Other similar comments have been rumored to be floating around the football team, as well as the coaching staff.

With the season only midway and homecoming coming up this weekend, there is still a chance for the students of Morningside to fill the student section in the stands. The homecoming game has a theme of Hollywood, which hopefully will attract students to attend the game dressed as their favorite celebrity.

Hessa states again “I can’t say much will change for the football season. Basketball season we will be right their in the stands, but college is college and students are going to do what they want to have fun, and theirs not much people can do about that unfortunately.”

Breaking Amish Breaking Truth?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Nancy at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012

This article is about one of my current favorite TV shows Breaking Amish. This article addresses the concerns that the show is false. The show itself depicts four amish and meninite people going out into New York City to decide if they want to leave the faith or not. Supposedly there are reports that one of the men on the show has already left the faith and that another two that were supposedly strangers are in real life an actually couple. This article I believe to be very newsworthy.

First, this show is one of the most popular shows TLC has ever had. It is also very timely because the show is still airing. There has maybe been a three or four actual episodes so there are still more to come because the season lasts for 10 episodes. It is a very interesting topic at least for me and the people I associate with really like this show and my apartment watches it all the time.

Click here for more information!

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