Good Morning Bridge Peers,

My name is Latoya Sweatt but you can just address me as Toya. To tell a little about my self, I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I plan on majoring in psychology and criminology. Then further on to Law school. I have seven sisters an no brothers. I have two nephews that I love very much and a niece on the way in October. I went to a school in Cincinnati called Withrow University and ranked number one out of a hundred and sixty students. Most of my friends went to the dirty south for school and I really miss doing my favorite things with them. My favorite things to do are to take my nephews to the park, go to the clubs and parties or to just to chill with my friends. The rest of my info is personal and if you would like to know more about me jsut ask.

All about Lexy!

HI MR. BOB!!!! My name is Alexis Pounds and I am from Shaker Heights. It is a suburb of Cleveland. While I was in high school I was president of modern dance club, captain of raiderettes (field dancers for halftime football games), soprano leader of the school choir and a leader of a black history month production. As you can see, I am in love with the arts. I am a laid back person. There's not much to me.... My favorite singer is Beyonce. LOVE HER!! She's my idol.

Omar's Intro

Dear Uncle Bob,

I was born Omar Philip Turay in Chicago. I have two sisters and three brothers. My oldest brother and sister both are alumni from the University of Illinois. I grew up in a neighborhood on Chicago's north side called, uptown. During my high school career i moved to the south side where i attended Kenwood. I am interested in every single sport activity there is out there. I enjoy going out to parties where i can dance and mingle with beautiful women. I love to play video games and i enjoy acting crazy and wild, but in a good way. I will be double majoring in business administration and sports and leisure studies. aside from sports and school i play the tenor saxophone and i love THE WIRE and NIKE.

Hello everyone! I am Brandon Smith, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. I graduated last year from Southwest Dekalb High School in Decatur. Musis is one of my biggest hobbies. I love all types of music ranging from hip-hop and R&B to rock and alternative. In a sense I don't label music genres. I also write music in my spare time. I'll find a song off the radio and transpose it to sheet music. That's pretty fun. I might be playing in the athletic band sometime during my college career. Besides music, I enjoy playing tennis and basketball.

Personality wise, I'm pretty laid-back. Many would describe me as somewhat of an "old-spirit" because of some of the things that I believe in. My morals are pretty good and I'm very friendly. My plans for college are to be very sociable with the people at Ohio State, along with attaining a master's degree in some form of business (right now, it's marketing).

All about me

Hello, my name is Jennifer Williams. I am from Columbus, Ohio and I went to Marion-Franklin High School. I am interested in shopping and spending time with my friends and family. I am also a very spontanious person so I am interested in almost everything. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother, I am the youngest in my family and I have a fiance that I have been with for almost two years. I have no pets or anything because they all scare me.

Greetings

Heller (that means hello if you've ever seen any of Tyler Perry's plays). My name is Jenean Latrice Stokes and I am from Canton, Ohio. I graduated from Canton McKinley High School located exactly next to The Pro Football Hall of Fame where I ranked 12th out of 411 students. I was born in Corporos Cove, Texas on December 21, 1988 making me over 18 and a half now. I played volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, track, and clarinet in the bulldog marching band for my school. I actually was fortunate enough to go to states in the 4x200m relay in 2005 and run on the Jesse Owens Stadium track. I love sports, listening to music, R&B and rap in particular, and spending time with my Pooky back home(that's what I call him). I have a 23 year old sister and a 17 year old brother and I raised by my grandmother. I look forward to what you, Uncle Bob, have in store for us in this program. Toodles!!

All About Courtney Ross

Hello to all! My name is Courtney Ross. I am from Dayton, OH. I am a virgo. My 18th birday is on August 29, 2007. I am a true daddy's girl at heart but my mother and I have an amazing relationship. I have a little brother who has been my joy for the last ten yars. I love to spend time with my family and my friends, tak on the phone, shop (for shoes specifically), and listen to people. For middle and high school, I went to Stivers School for the Arts and studied theatre and creative writing. So I can be very full of life and...very dramatic at times. :) I also took dance for thirteen years, so I enjoy doing that also. I am very involved at my church and school, so I guess it's safe to say that I like to be committed and dedicated to whatever activity I am in. My major is biology and I plan on going to medical shchool to become a pediatrician!

Lauren Williamson

Hey everybody! My name is Lauren Williamson I am 18 years old and from Cleveland, Ohio. My favorite movie is Love and Basketball and my favorite singer is Chris Brown. Over the summer I was an intern at the local hip hop radio station and got to meet a lot of celebrities and go to different concerts. My major is Middle Childhood Education with a focus in m,ath.

shanae

My name is Shanae and I am currently a student at [The] Ohio State University GO BUCKEYES!!!!!! I'm from Akron, Ohio and at my high school (buchtel high school GO GRIFFINS!)I was known as "the girl who was in everything"....you should see my vita. I am a only child so the whole sharing a bath and bedroom is going to be a big learning experience I plan to major in Biology but i'm looking into chemisry because i'm surprisingly good at it.I lo-ve music... my favorite genres are emo and indie hip hop..... I lo-ve fall out boy, my chemical romance, gym class heroes, and jurassic 5...there's a lot more but I refuse to sit here all day typing them...lol...I’m a silly person and I hate boundaries. I need my freedom to do whatever I want. My individuality means everything to me. It’s what makes me [me].... I hate when I see a group of friends and they're all alike...I need diversity in my life.......so basically I am a only child, good at science and lo-ve music and other than that i'm pretty normal. =^P

hi everyone

hi uncle Bob! hi everyone! i am really excited to be here and also to be a part of this class. i think this class is really going to be fun and i'm looking forward to being here everyday. my name is patience and yes i go by patience. and yes i have a lot of patience too. usually, i am outgoing i guess depending on the kind of people i find myself with. i love movies, music, and tennis, which is my favorite sport. i don't have a pet but if i did, i would most definitely have a cat. i like having fun but i'm probably not your typical party person. i am usually quiet but i am not shy. i read, but just like a lot of other students, i only have enough time to read for school.

About Me

My name is Brandon Christopher-Kaleem Carter Thompson, coming out of the Hall of Fame city Canton, OH. I graduated from Timken Senior High School. My major is in architecture, which drawing is what I love to do. Drawing is one of my biggest hobbies if 'm not hanging out with friends you can probably find me sitting around drawing whatever. I'm also here for track and maybe basketball I haven't decided. A little about myself I have a twin brother also named Branden just spelled a little different, and attends DePaul University in Chicago. I also have an older brother and sister. I own two dogs. I like going out, hanging with friends just doin whatever to keep me occupied. I'm a laid back dude but a person not afraid to get it crack-a-lackin.

OH-IO GO BUCKS!!!!

jose

My name is Jose, I am from Mexico City. I move to the United States in 2004. I am 19 years old, I attended Groveport Madison High School. I love to play soccer and bowling. My favorite movie is sixth sense. I am I single child, I use to have a dog and her name was daisy. In my free time I like to eat, go bowling and play soccer. When I was 13 years old I liked to play the guitar, I have not play it since then.

My favorite song is Hotel California (Eagles). My favorite group is called Mana(spanish singer). My favoritequote is "Where ther's a will there's a way". I am in exploration program, but right now my probable major will be Business.

Kenyatta

My name is Kenyatta White and I am from Columbus, OH. I went to Fort Hayes High School and my hobbies and interests include listening to music, watching Degrassi: The Next Generation (my favorite show), and being with my boyfriend..I work at Grange Insurance downtown . I have an older brother, he's at OSU too and a younger sister and brother (12 and 5). My major is Biology/Pre-Med..I want to be an OB/GYN. My favorite colors are pink and blue and that's about all for me.

LIVE LOVE LAUGH

Hi Uncle Bob!!

MY 18th BIRTHDAY IS IN 15 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!

My name is Aushayu Spann but no one can ever pronounce my name so I will help you out... Ah-Shay-A! I was bron and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I graduated from Columbus Africentric Early College and I went to Franklin Alternative Middle School. I have a very close family that is very proud of me and I will be the first in my nuclear attend a university. My favorite color is orange because its so bright, fun, and thats usally no one else favorite color. I love to be different from everyone else. I am very excited about becoming a buckeye. My major is Textiles and Clothing because FASHION is all that I know!! My little sister is my best friend because we have so much in common. We both have a great sense of humor and can make the whole entire worl laugh or smile. I love to shop, eat, workout, party, and have fun with my friends. I was voted prettiest girl, most popular, and biggest flirt in high school. I was also called a social butterfly because I was nice and talked to everyone and I was also Homecoming Queen and would have won PROM queen but I could not win both according to the principal...can we say HATER!!!...lol!! The most beautiful place I have ever been in my life was Nassua, Bahamas. I went there on my senior trip in March and April of 2007. There I got my frist tattoo without my mom's permission but she wasn't mad when I got home... she said it looked really pretty. I have 2 other tattoos besides the one I get in the bahamas. My favortie numbers are 7 and 11 which just so happens to be the years that I graduate. I love laughing and I love my Life and would trade it for the world. My favortie phrase is "Live love laugh"... because I feel life is to short to do anything else.

My favorite singer is Beyonce because she is really pretty and I feel that she is a real women because she is so independent and she doesnt need Jay because she has her own money!! I think Trey Songz is one of the sexiest men alive beside Chris Brown, Brad Pitt and Johny Deep. My biggest fear is becoming a statistic and my biggest dream is becoming the world NEXT TOP MODEL.

Discovering Tynetta

My name is Tynetta Amber Smith. I am a very scorpio and I am the oldest of two children. I have a little sister that I adore very much, she is what keeps me motivated. Although I am the oldest of two girls, I am the one that gets my way from daddy-- Daddy's Little Girl.I am from Baltimore, Maryland where I attended The New Paul Lurence Dunbar Senior High School for Health Professions. At Dunbar High School I was the manager for my varsity football team who won the state championship this year. My hobbies include meeting new, fun, interesting people, eating, shopping, hanging out and basically just having fun. I decided to come to the Ohio State University to get my Bachelor's Degree in Business and Exercise Science and then to obtain my Master's in Law to begin my career as a Sports Agent. One interesting fact that I would like everyone to know about me is I am a football fanatic--I LOVE FOOTBALL!!! I am a very nice and gentle person, so don't be afraid to walk up to me and start talking.

Oh yeah....OH-IO GO BUCKS!!!

Buckeye Introduction

Good morning:
My name is Ie'lana Qualls. I am from right here in Columbus, OH-IO ( Buckeye favorite chant!!) I am the youngest of five girls and I come from a very family oriented background. My best friend's name is Jared and we have a very special relationship. My favorite season is autumn which is coincidentally the season that I happened to be born in. I love sports and I am an athlete myself mainly involved in : basketball, running and tennis. I am pursuing a career to become a pharmacist and my academics remain the top priority in my life!

iPay2

My name is Michael Paitoo. I usually go by Pay2 because its very unique. I love Soccer and anything that has to do with it. I prefer the European Leagues over the MLS for many various reasons, such as the players, teams and popularity. I am a first generation college student and want to make my parents proud of their oldest and only son. I have a younger sister who is eleven years old and goes by the name Kimberly. Sports are a major part of my life and they provide motivation for my ability to excel in academics. Predominantly because they keep me focused and help me concentrate on my school work. Soccer has allowed me to exercise my team working techniques and develop strong composure. It has also put me in the Columbus Dispatch twice.
I enjoy reading various pieces of literature and some books that I have come to admire are The Autobiography of Malcolm X, The Great Gatsby, and Jane Eyre. I am outgoing and play video games from time to time such as FIFA 07, Halo, Guitar Hero, and Gears of War. I love to stay in shape and to eat healthy. One interesting fact about myself is that I was born in Italy and speak fluent Italian. I go on vacation every other summer to visit friends and just relax. Music plays a strong part of my life because it helps me focus on whatever i need to at the moment.Attending The Ohio State University is already becoming a great experience. I plan to major in Pharmacy, although until then I am still trying to explore other medical fields. Graduating from this institution will be a great achievement which I wish to accomplish.
GO BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!!!
O-H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My name is DeVon Russell. I was born in Watertown, NY. Right after I was born I left for Cleveland, OH. I spent my younger years there with my mom's side of my family while my father was stationed in Hawii. After a while my mom left for personal reasons, but i came back up to visit every now and then. Because of my dad being in the military I ended up moving to Hinesville, GA, which is 30 minutes from Savannah.

I enjoy anything any young, black man would do. i like to play sports, mainly football. I played runnerback, linebacker, and cornerback in highschool. I also run track, but I basically did that to stay in shape during the offseason. I also participated in a weight lifting competition where I got 2nd in regions, but got killed at state, but I wasn't in last place though.

I'm pretty straight to chill with. I mostly laid back, but I'll wild out in a minute. Well that's all ya'll need to know for now.

your first post to the blog...

I would like each of you to introduce yourselves--name, hometown, high school, hobbies/interests--and include a photo as well. This will help us get to know each other.

course syllabus

OMA Bridge Class

Autumn 2007

Instructor: Bob Eckhart

eckhart.5@osu.edu

Course Description: There will be three writing assignments: First-day Writing, Defining Moment Essay, and Research Paper. You will give a short powerpoint presentation about your research paper, and we will also discuss parts of Warriors Don't Cry.

Objectives: The objectives are very simple:to teach you the writing process and acquaint you with academic writing. Also, I hope this course can help you down the path to discover your voice as a writer.

Course blog: http://bridgeclass2007.blogspot.com/ This will be the main resource site for our class...you should refer to it for information about assignments.

Writing assignments:

1. First-day essay. This is a 50-minute timed writing assignment on a topic which is given to you. At the end of class, please print two copies...one for me and one for you. For homework, please read and revise your effort. At the beginning of class Tuesday, I will give you time to improve your original effort and turn in another version of it. This essay will be 1-2 pages long.

2. Defining moment essay. We will start this assignment on Wednesday of Week 1 and spend the rest of the week on it. Each of us has many identities—for example, i am a son, brother, uncle...a cross-country biker, a shortstop, a piano player, etc—so pick one facet of your identity and write about the moment that defined this identity. This essay will be 2-3 pages long.

3. Research paper. Either based on your reading of Warriors Don't Cry, or your defining moment essay, you will generate a research question to try and answer in the last two weeks of the class. This will be an MLA-style paper, written using three sources, and in-text citations. I will show you how to do all of this in class and the research paper is merely an opportunity to experiment with these new skills. This paper will be 5-7 pages long.

Powerpoint presentation:

1. It is important that you become comfortable presenting information to your classmates. So, I will help familiarize yourself with this important program and compile your research findings into an interactive and engaging 5-minute presentation, which you will deliver to your classmates on the last day (or two) of class.