The Return of Iron Knights!

Founders' Day 2011 brought a lot of fun and games, but I was the most excited for one event in particular: Iron Knights!

As I've mentioned before, I'm part of the Hotel-Restaurant-Resort Management group. Professor Lansing likes for us to organize (or at least participate in) different HRRM events throughout the year.

This year, his sophomore and junior classes were together in the fall. That is when we began planning Iron Knights! I'd never realized how fun yet difficult it is to plan events! We literally started from scratch because Iron Knights had not been done in three-four years. We had different ideas for the event, including the following:

• Having it off-campus, in Cedar Hill

• Fundraiser, which would include selling the dinner tickets

• Including the provost and local mayors in the competition

 

But as most of you know, things don't always go as planned!

When we came back to school from Winter break, we continued to plan. Unfortunately, the sophomore and junior classes were split up for our spring HRRM classes. A few weeks into the semester, Professor Lansing told us that Iron Knights would actually going to be a part of Founders' Day.

Quickly, we had to change plans. Our venue had changed, as well as our target audience/market. The sophomore class was now in charge of the competition-side of Iron Knights, while my class (the juniors) would become in charge of the food-aspect.

After much talk and different arguments, we settled on the menu:

• Caesar salad

• Potato soup in bread boules

• Ice cream

And the sophomore class was finally able to announce the competitors and MCs:

• White Knights: Professors Tiffany Owensby and Martha Heimberg

• Black Knights: Professors Adam Guerrero and Chris Giles

• MCs: Professors Tidwell and D'Alessandro (our Iron Knights champs from previous years)

Both classes had put so much effort into getting everything ready both before and on that day. We were worked hard to make sure the competition was set up for our Knights teams, made salads and drinks, and set-up the line to serve. We did it all, including clean-up!

There was so much going on! We were actually a few minutes late to serve. Most of the junior class had been prepping the food, so we had no idea that the event was actually packed! Janice, Carlos, and I ended up staying at the serving line nearly the entire night because we had students and faculty coming for food the entire time! I've heard we actually served roughly 150 plates, which is a fantastic number!

Although I didn't get to see the competition, I could hear the laughter coming from the event. There was a rap by the White Knights: Professors Owensby and Heimberg. And is it true that Professor Guerrero showed off his new baby for votes?! Oh, and let's not forget that there was almost a food fight!

In the end, I can honestly say that organizing, prepping, participating in, and cleaning up this event was stressful, yet so exciting! Like I said already, we put a lot of work in it; but it was all worth it. We've heard great things about our event, and we hope to make it even better for next year!

I didn't want to bombard you guys with pictures, so I'll just add a few at the end of this blog. But if you'd like, check out the NU Texas' Founders' Day photo album on facebook for more pictures!

I can't wait to see what next year's Iron Knights has in store for us... especially since I've heard a rumor that the senior class will be taking over this event in terms of organizing it all! :)

-Erica

Some of our guys prepping the bread boules earlier that day.

The White Knights were working hard!

Janice and I behind the line!

You thought I was kidding about the rap, weren't you?

An HRRM student collecting votes!

Our HRRM students, competitors, MCs, and professor, all at the end of the event!

Crown Me!

This past Wednesday was Zeta Phi's (the sorority here at Northwood) annual Mr. University. Mr. University is a male beauty pageant where the males of Northwood compete for the title of Mr.U. This
year 's theme was "Superhero Saves the Knight." This year I had the pleasure of planning and emceeing  this event. It was a lot of fun and we had a really great turn out.

The guys competed in 3 categories, Casual wear, talent and formal wear with a question and answer session. We gave the guys a talent of lip syncing to songs like "Big Butts" and "Barbie Girl." I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised that the boys got really into the competition.

All the contestants and some of the Zeta sisters

Mr.University 2011, Wally Trejo

I love doing this event each year! The guys get really into it and everyone has fun! This year was definitely a success!

Boys and Baseballs!!

Congratulations to Knights Baseball, who have been ranked number 10 in the Top 25!!!  

Many other exciting things are surrounding the team, as well. Allow me to start from the beginning…

During a baseball game on May 9^th, 2009, Benjamin Landrey hit the ball and stumbled while running to second base. Just to be safe, his parents decided to take him to the doctor the following Monday. His doctor, Dr. Dalila Riojas, saw the way he was walking and told Kelley (his mom) that she really needed to take him to get an MRI, just to rule anything out. They got a phone call in the middle of the procedure because there was a growth found on Benjamin’s brain; he was promptly admitted to the hospital. Next came the longest day of Kelley and Mark Landry’s life, as Benjamin underwent surgery from 8:50am to 5:30pm...he came out of surgery and was talking within 30 minutes. The struggles continued as he continued to undergo treatment by way of surgeries, radiation, and chemo, which eventually took his eyesight and hearing.

But, through incredible support from their surrounding community, including the Northwood Knights, Benjamin is on the road to recovery. He recently had an MRI that showed no sign of a tumor. Currently, he is cancer free and has been in remission for one year!! He has such an amazing spirit and loudly cheers on the team as they play. 

For the readers that are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area who are interested in helping Benjamin and his cause, dine at El Chico in Desoto on Saturday, April 16^th from 11am until closing time. Twenty percent of the day’s profits will be donated to help pay for the medical expenses!

El Chico in Desoto

1111 N. Interstate Highway 35 E

DeSoto, TX

~Melissa

Three squirrels?

It was a B-E-A-U-tiful weekend here in Cedar Hill! Many students supported the Knights at one of their three baseball games this weekend. Others took the opportunity to participate in the Photography Scavenger Hunt, hosted by Residence Life.

Some of the items included taking a picture of someone demonstrating Northwood spirit…

Spelling out a word using people…

Hugging a tree... 

Or making a human pyramid.

Students were given a list of 29 items or situations to take pictures of and one hour to complete the scavenger hunt. Extra points were awarded for creativity and even for creating a presentation of the photos.

And let me tell you, as a judge, I had quite a few laugh-out-loud moments…some of the pictures were incredibly creative and hilarious. For example, the campus is always in an abundance of busy little squirrels. So, one of the items on the list was to take a picture of three squirrels in one frame. Here’s what two of the groups came up with…

Overall, fun was had by all involved. It was a great opportunity for participants to enjoy the lovely weather; have some fun, friendly competition with their friends; and get silly and creative with pictures!

~Melissa

What are you Afraid of?

Some do not like bugs, snakes, heights, and even (tight spaces). 

Did you know that the number one fear is public speaking?! 

Closely followed with the fear of death. 

How bizarre that we are more afraid to talk in front of friends 

or even strangers than we are about falling into the "afterlife", the great unknown. 

I decided to ask around my Texas campus and find what put people on edge, and the following clips are what I found out:

“The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.” - Sven Goran Erikkson

~Peace and Love~

Shawna Grace

'Together on Three'

As I've mentioned that Northwood Softball has been heating up, the Student Government Association decided to give back to the fans of the Knights! For the home games against rivaled Texas Wesleyan University, SGA awarded an entry to the fans cheering the loudest. At the end of the games Shanna Grant, Northwood SGA Promotions Chair, drew an entry out of the hat to determine the winner. Wednesday's winner was Dewitt Knight, while Thursday's winner was Francisco Chairez. (Congrats!)

The Knights during Game 1 Wednesday

Some of the Knights' faithful waiting to cheer on their team

As the Knights head to Tyler this weekend to take on Texas College, we hope that you mark on your calendars next weekend's games against Langston at Knights Field. Friday the 8th, game time is 4:00 PM. Saturday's games will be at Noon and 2:00 PM. Come out and cheer on your Knights as they wrap up their regular season conference schedule!

~Shankle

Where in the world is...

I know many of you were wondering where 'that guy' went. Well, to answer your edge-of-your-seat questions, I've been traveling all over. Between Collegiate DECA and Northwood Softball I've in and out of town the last 2 months.

I had the pleasure of being a part of the Texas Collegiate DECA State Conference held in Dallas. At State, I was able to host a leadership workshop with fellow national officer, Cullen Madden, on the parts of a team. Northwood took 20 students to the event, and of course, all 20 members placed in the Top 3 of their category! (Way to go Northwood Collegiate DECA!)

The next weekend I was invited to speak about Collegiate DECA at the high school Texas DECA Conference in Fort Worth. Here I had the opportunity to not only speak about the organization and its opportunities, but to interact with many Business Club Scholarship winners, potential state officers, and members of my alma mater, Haltom High.



Photo courtesy of Ben Barber CTA DECA

After those two conferences I had things switch up a little bit, as I was invited to the Wisconsin Collegiate DECA State Conference. When I say things switch up I'll add that it was 80 degrees when I left, and 17 degrees when I landed. (I am not a cold weather fan!) This was an unbelievable conference and one where I am so thankful to have been at. I met some amazing people, made great contacts, and was able to soak in some of their enthusiasm about the organization!

From then on my weekends have been about one thing: Northwood Softball!

I might have one of the best jobs ever, getting to do stats and announce for NU Softball. This month, the Knights have played 22 games, keeping me (and them) unbelievably busy. The Knights next home stand will be April 8-9 against Langston University. You'll have to come check it out!

Though my schedule has seemed to slow down, the next few weeks are hectic as well! I leave next Sunday for Orlando to host the 50th International Career Development Conference for Collegiate DECA. After working that conference I am home for a week, then leave to Orlando once more for the high school ICDC. I'll keep in touch, so stay tuned!

~Shankle