Monthly Archives: July 2009
The Power of the Internet
I am someone who has grown up with computers. My first memory of a computer was watching my dad printing documents on his Windows 95 system. The paper was the type that was connected together with perforations on the top and bottom and perforated edges to cut away the printer holes (I have no idea what the printer or paper was called.) Needless to say, that was a different era.
Today, computers no longer move at the speed of snail, pen and paper are becoming obsolete, and the idea of working without a computer seems taboo. Unfortunately, today’s workforce is split between those who grew up with computers and those who still have not come to realize a PC’s inner beauty.
Since most of today’s managers and supervisors lived in the pen and paper era, the transition to digital technology has a major hurdle to overcome. Many of the people who make the technology decisions in their organizations hesitate to tap into new technologies because they find them intimidating, confusing, and unnecessary. How is this mindset overcome? My philosophy is to lead by example. If your company or organization sells merchandise, give them success stories. For example, Dell reported earlier this year that it had made over $3 million in profits from Twitter within a six-month period! If your company sells services, display the thousands of organization that recruit clients through social networking sites (e.g. MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.) and the amount of connections made by organizations without its employees ever leaving the office.
West Virginia Students Against Destructive Decisions (WV SADD) has resolved to take steps toward more technology-friendly communications. Not only does WV SADD have a Web site, but they also have a profile on each of the social networking sites MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. Someone may ask, “Why does an organization need the Web?” The answer is simple. If you are at home, school, or work and you would like to find more information on any given topic, chances are you will go to a search engine site like Google or bing and search for the topic of inquiry. If it happens to be “WV SADD,” then the first link that will appear is the WVSADD Web site. If the site is appealing, you are likely to take an interest in the organization; if it’s confusing, you will probably be turned off to the organization; and if a Web page is nonexistent, you will probably assume that the organization doesn’t exist altogether.
I hope that any technology nay-sayers rethink their positions. Today’s new technology will soon be commonplace. The issue stands whether we would like to let precious weeks, months, and years slip by and not tap into the resources already developed, or take advantage of the exciting new technologies that are available now. Like it or not, tomorrow’s world will be even more concentrated on the Internet than it is today.
The Eagle Has Landed
I just received a call from my aunt that my uncle (Sgt. Mike Pedri) has landed at Yeager Airport and is about to be on his way home. He is currently on a short vacation from his tour in Iraq serving in the United States Army. He has been gone for months and it just feels surreal that he was actually in Iraq. I can’t be more proud of him and I am just thankful to God that he has arrived home safely.
This Sunday, I will be going to his home for a cookout with family and friends. Today is truly a special day. I cannot wait to see him!
Finally, a blog…
For the past few years, my brother has encouraged me to start a blog. For one reason or another, I always said no to the idea. Years after my brother encouraged me to start a blog for the first time, I finally have taken the leap!
Even though I have only created a few posts, I have found a blog to be a great place to write my ideas and happenings and express my what I’m feeling about… well, anything. My wish is that I can give some enjoyment to readers, but more importantly, I want to have fun documenting my life and those who surround it.
As I enter my senior year of high school, I expect my life to move like a roller coaster. Some days will be rough, but most will be filled with learning new things and creating great memories. When I do graduate next year, I hope to look back on my postings and reflect on the journey I’ve taken—classes passed, projects finished, friends made—and come out of the year knowing that I have not only prepared for my future, but that I have also helped in making the future of others brighter.
So, to my brother Albert, thanks.
Please check out his blog at www.abigpond.com and also find it on my Blogroll. I guarantee it will put a smile on your face 
WVSADD Retreat 2009
For the past three days, I have had the honor and privilege to plan the 2009 West Virginia Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) State Conference along side other members of the West Virginia Student Leadership Council (SLC). On November 15, over 200 SADD students from all around West Virginia will make their way to Cedar Lakes in Ripley, WV to embark on a packed three day program to educate teens about the issues affecting their areas and how they can make a difference.
In addition to planning conference, we had some great brainstorming and planning sessions. The SLC is divided into the Field Services and Programming teams. The Field Services team is concentrated on recruiting new SADD students, creating new SADD chapters, and connecting with outside organizations. The Programming team is concentrated on developing new and exciting programs to implement in SADD chapters and programs.
To further the development of West Virginia SADD, the Field Services team has chosen to use the four regions of the West Virginia Prevention Resource Center as their own. The adopted regions will assist West Virginia SADD to network with city and county leaders. This connection will allow individual SADD chapters to not only connect with their communities, but with the other chapters in the state. Other plans made by the Field Services team include having an annual report written by the SLC, an updated database with every school in the state with and without a SADD chapter, and the creation of more SADD chapters in elementary, middle, and high schools.
The Programming team is working on a publication ab0ut the modern activities that any SADD chapter can do. To make the publication more effective, the Programming team is connecting each project to one or more of the six prevention strategies: information dissemination, education, alternatives, problem identification and referral, environment, and community-based process.
Both the Field Services and Programming teams realize that the Internet is the top communication medium for young people. Therefore, a larger investment in the West Virginia SADD Web site, Facebook page, Twitter, and other social network pages is being considered.
All in all, these three days have been great. I’ve gotten to know my fellow SLC member a lot better, learned much about the drug prevention organizatins in West Virginia, and had a great time in the process. Hope to see you at the state conference!
Windows 7: Impressive
I was lucky enough to recently have my laptop screech to a sudden halt. I wanted to try out the new evaluation copy of Windows 7, but the partition I made for it did not digest well with Windows XP. After the new partition was created, my XP boot files were impressively split quite evenly between both partitions. That alone sounds harmless, but some boot files were simply missing.
I figured that I should go ahead and install Windows 7 on the new partition I made. I created an install disk and within an hour, my computer—drivers and all—were installed and ready to use.
Windows 7 still has a Vista aroma, but lacks the confused look. Even though my copy is a release candidate, it is a polished piece of work. The interface reminds me more of a Mac, but still has the best features that Windows users have grown accustomedto. A few of the features include a Windows XP compatibility feature allowing users to run applications designed for XP on the shinier new Windows 7 interface, improved search and security features, and a much-improved file organization system.
Another great attribute of Windows 7 that I can’t go without saying is that I haven’t had a single error. This is definitely a surprise to me. Hardware drivers—a sometimes complex problem causing a plethora of errors in Windows XP—were gathered from the Internet and installed flawlessly. As manufacturers continue to update their drivers, Windows 7 automatically sends notifications via an “Action Center” flag on the toolbar.
I could go on and on about why I love Windows 7, but I just wanted to express my liking for this revamped operating system. Overall, Microsoft hit a home run with Windows 7. Not long ago, Microsoft ran a promotional sale that offered every version of Windows 7 (except Ultimate) at half price. I pre-ordered Windows 7 Professional for less than $100—less than what Windows Vista is selling for today. I can confidently say that XP royally screwing up was the best thing that could have happened to my computer.
SADD National Conference 2009
I had been looking forward to the SADD National Conference all summer. I cannot speak enough about how much I learned from just being in attendance. From the moment I arrived, I could feel the excitement in the air. This year’s theme was “Climbing the Hill.” It had a double meaning. First, since we were in Washington, D.C., it represented climbing Capitol Hill. Second, it represented climbing the hill of positive decision making and striving above destructive decisions. At SADD National Conference, I gained many new friends, learned more about the problems today’s teens face, and learned much about myself.
First and foremost, one of the best parts about attending the national conference was meeting new, interesting people. Everyone there valued and lived by SADD’s principles; because of this simple fact, meeting new friends was a piece of cake. Furthermore, from these new friends I gained many new project ideas and activities that I can use for my own SADD chapter.
Second, the knowledge that I gained from workshops was irreplaceable. Every year at the national conference, many organizations come in and educate SADD students on the issues that teens face. Many times, the workshops I sat in spoke of a topic that I was scarcely familiar with, but nevertheless was one vitally important. This year, I sat in a workshop on inhalant abuse. I knew inhalant abuse was a problem, but was curious to what extent it was. I had no idea that over one quarter of middle school students had abused inhalants. Finding out how large of a problem inhalant abuse is has inspired me to make prevention one of the key parts of my SADD chapter’s projects.
Third, I learned a lot about who I am as a person. Sometimes, trying to be a “SADD” student is very difficult in today’s world. It can be easy to question yourself when everyone and everything around you seems to be the polar opposite of what you stand for and are working toward. Being with other SADD students was great inspiration. I was reminded that I am not alone in the fight to advocate constructive decisions. Moreover, I learned that other people felt the same way. Overall, it is important to stick with being a “SADD” student even when it seem like all is against you. Just remember that what is right isn’t always popular and what is popular isn’t always right. Trust your instincts!
I had an amazing time at SADD National Conference. As a member of the incoming Executive Committee of the Student Leadership Council, I look forward to working with SADD students across the country and carrying out the SADD mission. Conference truly inspired me and I would highly encourage any student to attend!
For more information on SADD and how you can become involved, visit sadd.org.
