Nicole Livas

My alma mater, Kempsville High School, invited me back to speak to the AVID class on Friday, February 20. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.  AVID is a college prep program that targets students in the “academic middle”.   Students have various lessons that encourage and support them so they can be successful in their pursuit of attending a 4 year college.  Most of the students have parents who didn’t go to college or come from socioeconomic groups.

Mrs. Glaser asked me to come share my story about what motivated me to go from Kempsville High School on to George Mason University and to my career in television.  I told the students it wasn’t easy path and shared some of my struggles along the way.  I showed them some of my work, but mostly had a wonderful conversation with them.  I told them they should never stop learning and always be prepared for change.  The biggest example I could give them is how the television news industry is evolving into a multimedia platform and how I’m learning to do more online journalism.

Judging by the questions they asked and the respect they showed for me, this is a group of young people who will go far in life.

Thanks Kempsville AVID kids- and Go Chiefs!!

http://www.kempsvillehs.vbschools.com/

http://www.avidonline.org/

Blog from Jenn Rojsuontikul and Amanda D’Attilio:

At about 3:15 a.m. our alarm went off and we got up to prepare for our train ride into D.C. from Manassass, Virginia. The Virginia Railway Express sold special tickets for today’s Inauguration, so we were guaranteed a seat. Still, we wanted to be sure. So we arrived at about 4:45 a.m. at the train station. Just after 5 a.m. the train pulled up and we got on.

We were told not to bring a lot with us for the sake of security. So we just packed some snacks and a blanket to sit on while on the Mall. Once we arrived we saw the mass of people moving toward the capitol. There were vendors selling all things Obama, hoping to profit a little from this historic event. We were really surprised there were no security checkpoints for those of us watching from the National Mall. But we hear random searches could be in place.

Huge TVs are set up for all of us to watch! We’ve tried to send some pictures but it seems that cell service is either weak or jammed. So we’ll send those pictures along after the event.

Aside from the crowds we’re also dealing with the cold. We both have dressed in warm layers: 2 pairs of Under Armor pants, a pair of jeans, two Under Armor shirts, a Northface, and a jacket! So we’re keeping nice and toasty.

As soon as things start going we’ll send along more updates!

- Jenn Rojsuontikul and Amanda D’Attilio
William & Mary and George Mason students

Gotta admit.  Hampton University basketball surprised me a bit on Thursday.  The Pirates hosted and beat George Mason.  Now, the Patriots have lost a few people from last year’s team that won the CAA title.  But, still.  HU was a disappointment last year.  They were expected to be world-beaters, and then didn’t even win the MEAC.  So, this year, I didn’t know what to expect.  And, really, we still don’t know what to expect, but this was a good step for them.

Hampton controlled the whole game.  Just like the time last year when they beat VCU, the Pirates almost never trailed.  If they played Mason 10 times, I think Hampton would win 7.  They just looked like the better team.  Great game for HU.

But, here’s the rub.  Can they keep it going?  I like coach Kevin Nickelberry.  He’s a motivator and a great speaker.  But, last year, his team did not respond as the season went on.  For them to do well down the stretch, he’s going to need to push the right buttons this year.

Good start, though.