Media Convergence Initiative

Top Spring Break 2014 Destinations for College Students

Posted on February 24, 2014 by rhurley

Every year hundreds of thousands of college students make grand plans to spend a week at some exotic location partying and having the time of their lives. Their are certain locations that appeal to the college student more than others. Basically a place needs to be sunny and affordable to catch the eye of a student.

One of the most popular locations is Cancun, Mexico. With many different things to do; such as the beach or site seeing. Students will never find themselves with nothing to do with the Mayan Pyramids and car ride away and the bar a short walk away. Since so many students go to Cancun for spring break, Cancun has meal plans and party packages for the students that make it even more easy and affordable to go to.

Daytona, Florida has for decades been one of the hottest places to go to for spring break. Although the raging daytime party scene and the infamous spring break contests that used to define Daytona Beach Spring Break have moved elsewhere over the past decade, Daytona’s nightlife is still hot. Making Daytona Beach one of the best places for a student to spend their most treasured week of there year.

The British Virgin Islands is for the college student with a little it more money in their pocket and are willing to spend it for a beautiful and exotic get away. In the BVIs people can grab a boat and go island to island for restaurants, bars and excursions unique to every island. People can also snorkel and look at some of the most pristine reefs to be seen.

Although some of these places may be out of your price range, as long as you have some good friends and the sun, you can have a memorable and fun spring break wherever you may be.

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2014 NFL Combine: Reaction to some of the results of top quarterback prospects

Posted on February 24, 2014 by anthony loprinzi

Well the NFL offseason is fully underway and teams are now assessing the talent that is coming out of college and are ready to become professional football players. The best time to evaluate this upcoming talent is through the NFL combine that takes place in Indianapolis, where all the highly rated prospects come for different body measurements and review of their athletic ability through different drills. For the quarterbacks, the most important things NFL scouts look at include their hand size, body height and weight, 40 yard dash time, and of course their throwing ability. For the top 3 quarterback prospects, Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville, Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M, and Blake Bortles of Central Florida, it’s an opportunity to show they should be drafted first.

Starting with the measurements, hand size and body, the things that stood out when looking at those measurements include how Manziel had the biggest hands among the 3 which is important for a quarterback to grip the ball. Bridgewater’s biggest issue with scouts was his small body frame but when his body measurements came back he was much bigger than anticipated and really improved his draft stock. Bortles was the tallest of these 3 and was the biggest one, which are things that teams definitely want in their starting qb.

Going on to the abilities portion of the combine, which includes the 40 yard dash and the throwing abilities, there was a result that was expected and one that caused a lot of conversation. For the 40 yard dash, many expected the faster Manziel to outrun the other 2 quarterbacks and that held true. The thing that drew conversation was the decision to not throw by Manziel and Bridgewater which left Bortles impressing scouts with his passes.

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The Daytona 500 is a Classic for Nascar Fans!

Posted on February 24, 2014 by singhkev

The Daytona 500 is the equilivant to the Superbowl for all Nascar drivers. The 500 mile race is held in Daytona Beach, FL, and is regarded as the most important race of the whole season. Being the first race, drivers have extra pressure to perform well and make sure they stay at the top of the leaderboard. This is race is a fan favorite, and people travel from all around to get a glimpse of their favorite driver and to cheer them on from the stands.

The first Daytona 500 was held on February 22nd, 1959, in front of 41, 921 spectators. Unlike today, there were no caution periods in the race, making it one of the longest races ever. The final laps of the race were intense, with Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp racing side by side on the last lap. Although Beauchamp was declared the unofficial winner, Petty argued he won. It took three days for Nascar founder Bill France Sr. to declare Petty the winner, which helped the race maintain mention on the front page of the newspaper, which helped the race gain an audience and a fanbase unlike any other.

In July of 2013, Daytona International Speedway broke the foundation of what would be known as Daytona Rising. This $400 million dollar project is being called a reimagining of the track, and when finished will become a newer version of the American icon. “Five expanded and redesigned entrances will lead fans to a series of escalators and elevators, transporting them to three different concourse levels for optimum viewing enjoyment.”

“At the conclusion of the redevelopment, Daytona International Speedway will have approximately 101,000 permanent, wider and more comfortable seats, twice as many restrooms and three times as many concession stands. In addition, the Speedway will feature over 60 luxury suites with track side views and a completely revamped hospitality experience for corporate guests.”

Whether you are a rookie or a seasoned veteran, the Daytona 500 is a race that you do not want to miss! Twists and turns on every lap keep fans on the edge of their seats, and the winner goes down in history for winning the most important race of any Nascar driver: The Daytona 500!

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Ohio State Poised for March Madness Run?

Posted on February 24, 2014 by raymond

The NCAA basketball tournament in March is one of the most exciting sporting events of the year. Fans attempt to fill out their brackets of 68 teams with the hopes of landing a perfect bracket. Upsets can occur at any moment which has prevented a perfect bracket from happening up this point. One team that’s made a deep tourney run the past couple years is the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The past two seasons, the Buckeyes have made it to the Elite 8 and the Final Four and many of those same players remain on the team. Guys like Aaron Craft, Lenzelle Smith Jr., and LaQuinton Ross must step up and play well if the Buckeyes want to make a run. Top to bottom, the Big Ten may be the best conference in the nation. Playing a solid team almost every game helps prepare for the tournament in my opinion.

The big question this year for the Buckeyes has been their offense. There really isn’t a go to player that can take over a game offensively. At times, they go through scoring droughts because they are constantly looking for the open man instead of having someone who can create their own shot. However, no one can argue with their outstanding defense. Aaron Craft is the most relentless defender I have ever seen play. Craft has the most steals in Ohio State history with 321 and is always putting pressure on the ball handler. Compliment that with the seven foot center Amir Williams, and you have a recipe for success.

All teams have ups & downs and anything can happen in March. Does defense really win championships? If so, Ohio State has a good chance to make another deep tournament run.

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Harold Ramis Dead at 69 (Goodbye, Egon)

Posted on February 24, 2014 by samantha young

Actor, writer, and director Harold Ramis died today from complications brought on by an autoimmune disease. He was 69. Ramis is most famously known for his writing credits such as “Stripes”, “Ghostbusters,” which he also starred in, and also starred in”Ghostbusters II”. He most recently had a role in Judd Apatow’s “Knocked Up. and “As Good As It Gets”. His directorial stint includes the likes of “National Lampoon’s Animal House”, “Caddyshack”, and “National Lampoon’s Vacation”. Possibly his most famous role to date was Egon Spangler, a quasi nerdy scientist that acted as the voice of reason in the “Ghostbuster” franchise.

Ramis first started his comedic career with the prestigious Second City Theater in Chicago alongside Jim Belushi, who starred in “Animal House.” He was the first head writer of Second City’s television series “Second City Television” and he most recently directed episodes of “The Office” on NBC. Many comics credit Ramis for their success, such as comedic writers Judd Apatow, Adam Sandler, Jake Kasdan, and Jay Roach. Ramis developed health issues in May of 2010 with an infection that led him to physical therapy in order to learn to walk again. Ramis leaves behind a wife, two sons, and one daughter.

Other notable actors and comics that have passed thus far in the year 2014 include Shirley Temple, Sid Ceaser, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, John Henson, son of famed Muppets creator Jim Henson, and James Avery, the beloved Uncle Phil on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Avery died due to complications from open heart surgery News Years Day. He was 65.

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It’s The Final Count Down: How To Get The Body You Want For Spring Break!

Posted on February 24, 2014 by joeyafemia

It’s finally here and students all over the country are ready to put there studying on the back burner and ready to have some fun in the sun. While spring break is all about having fun and spending a week with friends and family, it is also a time for everyone to show off what they have been working for since January. From the 6:00am spinning cardio sessions to kicking it up a notch during there leg and shoulder workouts, a majority of the students here at UCF have been dedicating quite a bit of time at the gym to get ready for spring break. And while many students have been cutting classes to cut some of the fat, there are some late bloomers ready to work it out for the weeklong vaca happening in one week. For all the students a little behind workout schedule don’t throw in the towel yet, because there are a couple of different ways to get ready this week to feel more in shape than you ever thought. So for those ready to gear up for the annual collegiate party fiasco known as spring break, I will give you four ways to prepare yourself to getting ready for spring break!

The first step to getting ready for spring break is to start a simple and easy diet. When it comes to eating healthy, you don’t have to be either “all or nothing” when it comes to eating late night snacks, but it is all about moderation. Because spring break is coming up quicker than we think, it is time to start thinking green! Say goodbye to the butter, chips and sugars, and say hello to the asparagus, spinach, and broccoli. When it comes to getting your body on the right track, it doesn’t take much, so for the next week eat healthy, stay green, and say goodbye to the pasta’s and chocolate.

The second step in getting your body ready for spring break is to exercise! By pushing your muscles to the limit on an everyday basis, you are enabling your body to strengthen and your muscles to grow. Exercising plays a vital role in staying in shape. It’s not just what you eat but it’s also about sweating it out. These two aspects play a huge role and will help you reach that spring break body. Take an hour or so out of your day to spend thirty minutes of cardio and thirty minutes of weight training. Feeling the burn will help shed those couple of pounds you were looking for.

Another key step in staying healthy and losing weight fast to getting ready for spring break is to drink lots of water. And we’re not just talking about one or two cups a day. With the amount of exercise and running around a normal person does within their day to day schedule, they need water to replenish their body of the nutrients and fuel it needs to keep going. By drinking lots of water and staying hydrated, the consumption of water will help the body shed a few extra pounds of unwanted water weight. So keep on chugging for that spring break bod!

The fourth and final step to helping shed off that extra weight fast for spring break is to get the right amount of sleep every night. Studies have shown that the quality of sleep a person gets can play a part within the hormonal activity in a human body, which plays a major part in a person’s appetite. The right balance of sleep means the right balance of eating and exercise, which only means looking and feeling better!

So take these four steps and utilize them to the best of your ability this week, because in less than 7 days spring break will be approaching and the time to party will have arrived!

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Sochi olympics are finished with The United States in an impressive finish

Posted on February 24, 2014 by laurentm

Now that the XXII Olympic Winter Games have finished in Sochi, The United states finished with pretty high rankings. The US won 9 gold medals, 7 silver medals, and 12 bronze medals. Now that may not seem like much but we are placed in fourth place with overall gold medals. Canada was in third place with 10 gold medals, Norway in second place with 12 gold medals, and Russia in first place with 13 gold medals.

Although we are in fourth place with overall gold medals, the US has the most bronze medals with 12 overall. Norway followed in second place with 10 bronze medals. Russia and the Netherlands tied with 9 bronze medals each. Also The US tied in third place with the Netherlands with 7 silver medals each. Canada was in second place with 10 silver medals over all, and Russia placed in first place with 11 silver medals.

Finally in the overall medals category, the United States placed in second place with 28 medals overall. Norway placed in third place with 26 medals over all. And Russia placed in first place with 33 medals overall. Ultimately not a bad year for the US in the winter Olympics. And although some may say it is not as we hoped, but there is always the summer Olympics in which we usually dominate in.

Examples would be the London Olympics where the United States had the most gold and silver medals, as well as the most medals overall. In the Beijing Olympics we finished in second place with overall gold medals, but we were first with the most medals overall as well as most silver and bronze medals. SO you just wait, because in the 2016 Olympics we will have a successful Olympics.

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Doctors Are Worried As New Poliolike Virus Infects Children

Posted on February 24, 2014 by marcelle.turner

Doctors are worried, as a polio-like virus has recently harmed a number of children. The mysterious virus is leaving the victims with paralyzed limbs.

The symptoms of the virus include a loss of limb activity, causing the muscles to shrink due to atrophy. The average age of the victim is around twelve.

Just like the old polio, this new virus has the potential to cause respiratory insufficiency. Children are at danger of losing all four limbs.

The first case appeared in Oakland in 2012 shortly followed by two more in the San Francisco Bay area. In all, the number of victims include roughly twenty-five. Doctors confirm that the victims in California “definitely do not have polio.”

The Polio disease is spread from person-to-person contact or from the ingestion of items contaminated with feces of an infected person. There is no cure for polio but a vaccination was invented in 1954.

Polio was one of the most dreaded diseases before the vaccination during the 20^th century. It mostly affects young children as it invades the nervous system.

Syria suffered a recent outbreak of polio in 2013. Doctors believe the outbreak was due to poor vaccination in the country facing war. More than sixty cases were reported.

So far, the cases of the new virus have been restricted to California. Doctors are concerned that parents will not look for the virus.

“This is really very rare,” Keith Van Haren, a pediatric neurologist at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto said, “But we are asking any families who notice a sudden onset of weakness to see their doctors immediately.”

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Loss of Seashells on Beaches Could Have Drastic Changes on Local Environments.

Posted on February 24, 2014 by jsjones

Researchers out of the University of Florida have recently released findings in the PLOS ONE journal describing the increase in seashell loss in popular beaches and the effects that such actions are having on the local ecosystems.

Main author, Michal Kowalewski, focused his study on the Llarga Beach in Barcelona, Spain as the area experienced a 70 percent decline in mollusk shells during the peak summer season. The seashell removal, which occurs when tourists take them as souvenirs, is not signifying any serious environmental changes as of yet, however scientists are stating that the issue should not be overlooked as a variety of marine wildlife are being displaced by these actions.

Since a variety of marine wildlife rely on shells for protection, birds for nests, and the beach for stabilization, a possible remedy to the unintended consequences removing shells presents is to limit the amount of shells tourists can collect at any given time. With these restrictions in place, such a drastic change to the local ecosystem would not occur and wildlife would not be as affected.

As spring break approaches and many plan their trips to beaches nationwide, the importance of curbing the loss of seashells has become incredibly important. Hopefully, the new findings will lead many tourists to change their traveling habits and choose other souvenirs that will not negatively impact the local areas. This way, not only will the travelers be happy but the environment and its inhabitants as well.

Posted in Environment, General, World News | Comments Off

The Image of Florida is changing (again)–and that’s okay.

Posted on February 24, 2014 by brittney a. mckinney

When you ask people today what comes to mind when they think of Florida, they will probably think of warm weather year round, beautiful tropical beaches, palm trees everywhere, and Disney world, i.e. tourism. However, if you would have asked people 50 years ago or longer then they probably would have said, “Oranges! Lots and lots of oranges!” I can even remember taking pride in my home state as a child (even though oranges weren’t grown in my hometown in North Florida) whenever I watched an orange juice commercial boasting in Florida having the best oranges in America. That wasn’t even that long ago. That was the 1990s!

Florida, like any other community, has evolved in its image to the world over time. For a long time, after Florida was incorporated as a state, the population was concentrated in the northern & panhandle regions. The people who lived there were rich southern farmers with plantations and slave labor. It wasn’t long before wealthy Americans in the Northeast began vacationing down in the uninhabited (and warmer) central & south florida, and eventually settling down there. The political differences between Northerners in south Florida and Southerners in north Florida have created the “swing state” that we know of today when it comes to presidential elections.

In our future, it seems that Florida is changing its image yet again. From a transient community of tourists at beaches, hotels, & theme parks to a large, growing permanent community families & businesses who want to settle down here. People & businesses have been moving down here for a while. The difference is that now so many are accumulating that people are starting to take notice. Pretty soon, the residents will outnumber the tourists.