Miss Derry Fundraiser at Sharky's Go Play!!

I stopped by Sharky's and Dover Bowl today to support the fundraiser for the Miss Derry Scholarship Program. I will be competing for Miss Derry on June 26th and I wanted to thank the employees of Sharky's for supporting such a wonderful program that has really changed my life.

I encourage everyone to stop by and play a game or two to support the Miss Derry Scholarship Program!

Rock Star

I graduate in a few days and can't wait. A lot of my friends are sad but I have had a great four years at college and will carry all of my experiences for the rest of my life. I'm excited for whatever comes next in life. I am looking for a part time job for the summer so if anyone has any ideas contact me! My main focus is to volunteer every chance I get and to fish with my dad this summer.

Triathlon

My sister Jess was in a triathlon last weekend. I had a lot of fun watching her compete and was really excited she came in 4th place for her division! Congratulations Jess! It looked like she had a lot of fun. She bought a really nice bike for graduation and she said it improved her time. I plan on doing at least one this summer...it really was an inspiration. I was a runner in high school and loved track. My sister is a great swimmer, I didn't get that gene but I'm not bad! I love to bike so we will see.

All of the triathaloners had numbers all over their bodies....ages went on the calf. I saw people who were over 60 doing the triathalon and having so much fun! If they can do it so can I!

My Professor Dr. Joanne Burke

http://unh.edu/news/campusjournal/2009/May/13burke.cfm

Profile in Sustainability: Joanne Burke

May 13, 2009

Joanne Burke, clinical assistant professor, department of molecular, cellular and biomedical sciences

Why is nutrition an important part of sustainability?

Nutrition and sustainability are inextricably linked. Healthy soils and waterways and environmentally respectful food production give rise to wholesome foods, supporting our health and nutritional well-being. Social, economic, cultural and political factors impact food production, access, and health outcomes. As a profession, nutritionists are trained to view the health role that nutrients in food play in health promotion but have not historically considered the food system used to produce these foods. As we become more aware of how food production and dietary practices impact our environment, it becomes apparent that sustainability must be integrated into nutrition practices.

What role can all of us play in addressing the issue of food security?

There are a variety of interconnected ways to take action. Becoming involved in food and agriculture policy decisions has far reaching impacts. Joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program supports local farmers, builds capacity, and provides you with healthy foods. State, regional, and national policies and practices also are needed. Most of the US Farm Bill supports large agribusiness with few resources for small and mid-size producers. One out of eight Americans do not have access to healthy diets. Food banks provide short term food access, but were never intended to be a long term solution to failed economic and social policy. Long term system-wide strategies that promote healthy, accessible food systems and livable wages are needed.

What motivates you personally to be involved in sustainability?

I find it unacceptable that we live in a country that advertises itself as the world’s breadbasket yet far too many of our citizens go hungry. Growing up, I watched as my parents tried to make a difference. My dad worked on civil rights issues while my mom assisted Cuban refugees in our North Miami parish. Armed with the belief that individuals can and should make a difference, I find it ethically rewarding to be playing a role in advancing food security and sustainability. My husband and I hope our children, grandchildren and future generations benefit from the sustainability work we are collectively engaged in.

Miss NH 2009

I had so much fun this year with all of the contestants. Everyone was nice and we all had a great time together. I am graduating from college and I'm still not sure what my plans are but I know Miss New Hampshire is in the plan. I am competing for Miss Derry this year. It is one of the first local competitions. I missed it last year because I studied abroad in Italy but this year I would love to be a part of it. Danielle always puts on a fun show and works really hard to rally up the biggest local scholarship program in New Hampshire. I can't wait to see all of the girls again at Miss Derry.
~Alicia

Looking for....

Looking for a friend to get a motor cycle license with me!!! Any takers?

My agenda for next week

Monday- hand in my last college paper ever
Tuesday- fly fishing club meeting with my dad
Wednesday- breakfast with Abby and BBQ with Italy Abroad friends
Thursday- Lunch with my study buddies and Third Eye Blind concert at Hampton Beach Casino
Friday- mayyyybe surfing

My best friend Thais and I want to go fishing, hiking, surfing, and lay out on the beach during our last two weeks of school...I can't wait for the fun out doorsy things we are planning on doing.

What's Next?

I'll start to look for jobs next Tuesday. Does anyone know of any openings? I'm looking for Pharmaceutical Sales or a job at a hospital.

Sisters Celebrating Success in Las Vegas!

My sister and I are treating ourselves to a vacation in Las Vegas right after graduation. She graduated last weekend during Miss NH weekend and I have a few more weeks but right after I am done we head out on a plane to Vegas! I can't wait to have a fun vacation with my sister. My best friend Justina from high school is coming too. We are going to have a blast.

I'm done with college on MONDAY!

Monday is the big day! My final paper is due on on Monday and I will be done with college! I graduate with honors on the 22nd and my real graduation is the 23rd. I cannot wait for graduation. I am so excited that I made it through college!!

Everything happens for a reason :) Put out that fire!

I was third runner up at Miss New Hampshire and am proud of myself for making the top 5. Thank you to everyone who helped make the show happen. It was one of the best weeks of my life. I had so much fun this year at the hotel, at the rehearsals, and back stage with the other contestants. The judges had a rough job picking the next Miss New Hampshire. All 26 contestants were talented, beautiful, smart, and poised.

So...everything happens for a reason I always tell myself. We came home from the after party fairly early. If I had won Miss New Hampshire we wouldn't have been home in time for a very scary event that happened around mid-night.

My neighbors have been building a farmers porch on the front of their house for about a week now and they have a big dumpster in their drive way right next to ours. With all of the construction going on and rags laying outside a brush fire started about 5 minutes after we got home.

We were all very tired and forgot to close the garage door, my dad about 5 minutes after being home went down stairs to close the garage door and came storming upstairs saying "THERE'S A FIRE NEXT DOOR!" My Dad in a scuffle opened the fridge hoping to find the fire extinguisher thinking it was the closet. I could see the fire from the first floor of our house and immediately called 911 while my sister called the neighbors to wake them up to tell them there was a fire in between our houses. My dad ran over with the extinguisher and put the fire out. Next thing I know the volunteer fire department comes over to make sure everything was ok.

So after all the craziness I said thank god I didn't win (that was really hard for me to say but it was true) because we would have lost our entire house and so would the neighbors. The dumpster in between our houses was full of wood and we also live in the middle of the woods. I am of course sad I was not crowned Miss New Hampshire, but I have realized everything happens for a reason and I always have next year.

Thank you to the Brentwood Fire Department and to my dad who went down stairs to close the garage to find the fire.

Over and out,
Alicia Rossman

Congratulations Lindsey Graham- Miss NH 2009

Lindsey,
Congratulations and good luck with your year of service. I wish you the best of luck at Miss America and am so happy for you. You will represent the state of New Hampshire with class and will fill the Miss America stage with your elegance in Las Vegas. I can't wait to watch the reality show! I wish you the best of luck in doing everything you possibly can to promote the Miss NH program and to get our name out there!
~Alicia Rossman