On The Beach With The Family

Today was a beautiful day on the beach here in my hometown of Syracuse, NY.

My dad works in the country of Mexico and is not home often; so it's a real treat when he comes home to visit the family!

He has been home this entire past week so him, my mom, my brother, my sister, and I have been hanging out as much as we can.

Today we decided to drive out to Sylvan Beach in Verona, NY - it's only about an hour away from home so it was an easy drive out here. It's been gorgeous weather and a great time visiting with the whole family!

If you ever are in the area, you have to be sure to come and visit Sylvan Beach!

American Legion Boys State of New York 2013

This past week I served as a State Counselor to the American Legion's Boys State of New York. It was an incredible experience to go back to a program that helped me grow so much as a person, and now have the chance to go back and serve to help others grow and learn!

Above is a picture of me with Holocaust surviver, Helen Sperling, an amazing women with an incredible story of survival that inspired all at the program.

She spoke a lot about knowing ones self-worth and that no person can make another feel as if they are nothing because we must believe otherwise and be strong. She said that we can no longer be bystanders and that we must fight for the good in this world we live in.

There were aproximately 1033 boys who graduated from the Boys State program this year, and all that I spoke to said that they were inspired - two years ago, I myself was attending the program and heard Mrs. Sperling's story for the first time back in 2011, and was also truly inspired by it.

I was honored enough this year to return to the Boys State program not just as a Counselor but also as a guest speaker for the second year in a row.

I spoke this year to the students about my own personal story of overcoming odds and finding success in my life. I used my own story as a catalyst to inspire the boys to recognize their full potential to truly make a difference in the world and that anything they put their mind to is possible.

This year's Boys State had an amazing group of young men who I'm sure will go forward to make a difference in the world. I am honored to have worked with all of them.

Roll Call!!!

Everyone get ready cause things are about to get busy!

Today was a super busy day for me! Woke up early because I had to be at a meeting at my college early in the morning, but before I went to that I had to call up a sales rep at a venue that STH Squared is trying to secure for an event. After that call and my meeting I spoke with a student who was interested in getting more involved with Stop the Hate, Spread the Hope, Inc. Immediately after that I had to jump on a conference call with the United States Department of Education discussing Anti-bullying efforts that are being made around the country.

After all the running around and rolling calls back to back I had to go to class for the next three hours; and guess what followed right after that three hour class? Yep, you got it! More rolling calls. And after that another three hour class! And to finish off my whole day... Yep, you guessed it again! More rolling calls!

Throughout the day I had called and spoken to sales reps, government officials, assistants, organization founders and presidents, involved youth & motivated students, teachers & professors, alumni directors, executive assistants, publicist, and talent agents!

But no worries, like I always say, it's all in a days work!

Words To Live By