Space age lawn care

The travel season is coming to a close. After this final week in St. Louis, there will be minimal fairs and high school visits until the spring. That means that I will hopefully be seeing you on campus!

For those of you I saw at the NACAC fair at SLU, it was great talking to you! I really appreciated the readiness you all came with and how you had specific questions ready to ask. For those of you just starting to hit the college fair circuit, it really helps (both you and me!) to have a few focused questions ready, whether they are about the schools programs, location, size, graduation rates or whatever else you would like to know. It not only helps you get the right information, but allows you to think about what's important to you in your college selection. Also, I am able to direct more appropriate information your way! I really enjoyed the help that Tony ('92) gave from the alumni perspective. As part of my job, I get so caught up on the details, facts and figures, but he emphasized an important part of the college search to many of the students and their families -- in similar words, Tony described that you are going to receive a piece of paper from any school signifying completion of your studies. What's important is how you were able to grow as an individual during those years earning the degree. I agree with his thought that if you have not changed from year 1 to graduation, the school has not done their job. I saw tremendous growth in myself in my four years at Valpo, and that is why I gladly do what I do today. OK, I will now step down from the soapbox and move on...


Today was a great day. My first high school I visited today was Lutheran South, the best high school in St. Louis. Maybe I am a little biased because I went there, but that new football field does look awesome! It is great to see that there are still some great students there as well as some of my favorite teachers! I had another great visit today at Webster Groves, too!

Tonight I will be at Meramec CC for the fair held by some of the great schools down south. Has anyone ever noticed how Meramec is not quite said like it is spelled? I love the english language. What is your favorite word that does not sound at all like it is spelled? I am a fan of math, so the word eight works for me. Isn't english the only language that there are spelling bees? If you know of any other languages with which spelling bees are held, let me know because I would really like to know.

Tomorrow, I will be visiting Westminster, Chaminade, and Marquette as well as the SIU-E college fair. Then Wednesday I am in Belleville for Belleville East, West, and Althof. I will conclude the day with Metro East and then the Granite City college fair. Thursday, Champaign here I come. The high schools will be Centennial, Central, University Lab, and Urbana HS. Woohoo!

Make sure those applications are getting in by November 1st, and something to think about...

If they grow a lawn on the moon, would they be growing grass or astroturf?

Until then,

Ryan