Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving! There is so much to be thankful for in 2012 and much to look forward to in 2013. Much has been learned and experienced and I would be remiss if I didn't take time to acknowledge these things on such a day.

First, my experiences at Six Flags Great America with Katy Enrique, Lisa Scheuring and the gang were absolutely spectacular and were made a reality by Cassie and Brent Bertke who taught me so

much generosity and opened their home to me in ways I could have never imagined.

I have had the pleasure to foster friendships that will never be forgotten and while there are many people to name, my heart falls towards the unwavering support of Andrew Felice, Alexandra Kleckner and Katie Jeffries.

I am so grateful for the decision to go to Mercyhurst and even watch it transform into a university. There are many school people who have helped me along the way, but none more so than my Mercyhurst Professor Meghan Corbin. Thank you for continuing to push me and make me a better student and person.

I have had the opportunity of witnessing the addition of three new cousins to the fold, Lauren Winarski, Danielle Sculley and Robyn Drake Reynolds, and there is no greater family to join, though I may be biased.

I am also so very grateful for my IAAPA family. While this may be one of the newest experiences in my arsenal, IAAPA and the Show Ambassadors mean so much to me and my future. To Linda Gerson, Sarai Henning, Matt Heller, Shaun McKeogh and my fellow ambassadors, thank you. It has been a pleasure meeting and re-meeting you all, particularly the relationships of Sam Dawson, Laura Shackleton and Jordan Barner.

To my immediate family: Dad, Mom, Julie, Dan and BreAnne... thank you for another spectacular year.

And last but not least, Alaina, I feel like "Ain't no mountain wide enough" doesn't even begin to explain our perseverance, but I know we are doing what is right and that June will be here sooner than we can imagine. Thank you for your faith in me and in us.

I hope you all have a splendid Thanksgiving. 

Thanks for reading, 

Joe

The End is Here

Hello everyone,

Happy November! You probably don't find November to be as welcoming as I, but chin up, there is lots of turkey in your future. As for me, I am four days away from finishing fall classes (for the last time ever), going to IAAPA and leaving my long time job at the Barber Center. Geesh, hold on. I'm getting to details. :-)

Fall Classes

Four days right? Yep! I have been working hard all term to be ready to finish my classes early. Due to my exciting trip to IAAPA and the awesome learning experiences it affords, my professors have been working with me to schedule all of my assignments early. By Friday I will have turned in three papers and completed two exams. I love my classes, but all good things must come to an end. There is no journey without the footprints in the ground behind you.

IAAPA

So, you must be board of IAAPA by now, but I'm sorry I wouldn't be me if I didn't remind you, again, that I will be in Orlando in FOUR days! Ahhhhh, so excited. Rides, games, food, friends, networking, guest service, social media and much much more! This is why I'm a communication major. They give you the tools and you can take a passion, say amusement parks, run with it and be successful. The only thing that stands between you and your dreams is you.

Barber Center

As my bio says, I have been working for Barber Center throughout my college career, but this week that all comes to an end. I am sad to leave such an organization, however it is time to move on. I have done many great things and met many great people, and now I'm off to start all over again. My exciting news is that I was hired as an intern at the Erie County Convention Center Authority.  The authority runs the arena (Erie Insurance Group Arena), ball park (Jerry Uht Park), historic theater (Warner Theater) and convention center (Erie Country Convention Center), including their more than 800 events a year. These are the four largest venues in Erie and I will have the opportunity to work, learn and contribute to all of them. I begin work here after Thanksgiving. 

Overall, life is amazing and I don't know where time goes, but I don't regret a second of my time here. This will be my last post of the term and I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving. Relax and enjoy your family. Don't dwell on the negatives, rather fill yourself with turkey and appreciate everything there is to enjoy about life. We all too often get consumed in the negative. Until then, anticipate a large update from IAAPA.

Thanks for reading,
Joe