We are finally back at West Chester after a long and hopefully somewhat relaxing break.
Some of us took this past month and a half to take a class, travel, work, spend time with family or relax… to think break is already over is mind blowing.
It went so fast, and so much has gone on since we packed up and left the campus. Sports, entertainment, our country and the world all had important events occur in the few weeks we were away from school.
On Dec. 21, NYPD Detective Joseph Lemm was one of six Americans killed by a suicide bombing in Afghanistan. This was his third deployment serving in the Air National Guard. Lemm was a father of two. He is survived by Ryan, his four-year-old son, and Brook, his 17-year-old daughter.
His fellow NYPD officers called Lemm “Superman” not only for his Clark Kent similarities, but also for his strength, bravery, courage and selflessness. Thousands of uniformed police and US military personnel packed the streets outside of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City to honor this incredible man thanking him for all he has done to protect Americans.
Tom Coughlin coached his last game as the New York Giants head coach against the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 3, and a day later, he resigned from his coaching position.
With 12 seasons and two Superbowl victories, he found it time to leave his position.
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly was fired days before the game against the New York Giants and since Coughlin’s resignation; there was talk of the Eagles hiring Tom for this up coming season but Coughlin declined the offer.
Doug Pederson will now coach the Eagles. As for the New York Giants, Ben McAdoo (their offensive coordinator) has been promoted to head coach. When preseason comes upon us we’ll begin predictions about how successful these two teams might be.
On Dec. 20, Steve Harvey hosted the Miss Universe Pageant. But the night did not end after the crown was placed on Miss Columbia’s head because she was not the winner.
The actual winner was Miss Philippines. Harvey apologized repeatedly for his mistake. Videos went viral on the Internet joking about the mistake.
Award season officially began on Jan. 10, kicking off with the Golden Globes. The night was full of glitz, glam, humor, red carpet interviews, paparazzi moments, and awards.
The Golden Globe is an award given by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association given for magnificent achievements in television and film.
This year, Ricky Gervais hosted the award show, causing some controversy with his humor and jokes.
In the entertainment world, it was not just fun award shows. Sadly, two talented entertainers passed on. David Bowie, a skillful musician, and Alan Rickman, known for his incredible role in the “Harry Potter” movies, passed away on Jan. 10 and 14, respectively, from cancer at the ages of 69.
Rickman and Bowie will forever be remembered for all their hard work and the joy that they brought to their fans.
President Barack Obama had his last State of the Union Address on Jan. 12.
During the address, President Obama moved the audience in attendance and those watching at home by remembering victims of gun violence.
To honor the victims, there was an empty seat next to Michelle Obama that evening.
Dec. 14 marked the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut. Mark Barden, whose seven-year-old son Daniel was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, knows what it’s like to have a child missing.
“It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking gesture by the Obama administration to do this,” he told ThinkProgress.
“Unfortunately, my family knows all about the empty seat at the table.”
To honor the children and faculty lost on that horrid day, American flags were set at half-mast, prayer services were held and lives were remembered. The day was full of people honoring the innocent children and their selfless faculty members.
So much has gone on since winter break began, and staying aware of all that goes on in the world and around you makes you more educated. As this spring semester begins take time to watch the news, read the newspaper, download the CNN app on your phone so you can be aware of crucial current events.
Aileen Assumma is a second-year student majoring in English literature. She can be reached at AA823823@wcupa.edu.