State Senator Steve Sodders visits Campus

Iowa State Senator Steve Sodders visited Woodward Academy campus today and talked with students about his experiences in the Iowa State Senate. During the two government classes, the Senator discussed a range of topics that included political strategies, fundraising, campaigning, volunteering, and how he got elected. His experience really supplemented what the government classes were talking about in class and he provided some great real world experience insight into state level politics.

One of the coolest things about his visit was that he really came with the intention of interacting with students. During the Q & A section, students suggested bills to the Senator, many of which he identified as having a legitimate chance of being proposed at the state level. Over the next couple months, he will determine which ideas have the best chance of making it on the Senate floor and will follow up with William Terry (Lead Teacher and government instructor who organized the visit) on any updates.

Frank Meeink // Speaker // American History X

Reformed Neo-Nazis and Ex-Skinhead, Frank Meeink, stopped by campus today and talked with students about his life and emphasized the need for reform and tolerance on civil rights issues. It has been long rumored that his story was the basis for the 1998 film American History X, starring Edward Norton. Meeink denies this, but in an interview acknowledges that the movie is "every skinhead's story."

For Meeink, his story began in Philadelphia where he grew up with his mother and abusive step dad. He never had a "home" that helped guide him and eventually was introduced to the Skinheads. Meeink says they treated him like a little brother and cared about him. He quickly adopted their lifestyle and way of thinking, and found that he was addicted to the violence that he was participating in and loved to evoke fear out of people.

Read more after the break.

Trauma Training

On Wednesday, two SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) consultants visited Woodward Academy campus for the day to provide feedback regarding trauma-informed care practices and implementing strength-based services to students. Members from Clarinda Academy and Woodward Community-Based Services also attended the training. For those who scheduled it, little was known of what to expect from the consultants but at the end of the training, every member gained valuable information from this experience. Read more after the jump.

Jeremy Stephens Speaks to Students on Campus

Des Moines native, Jeremy Stephens, spent some time this week talking with some WA students about growing up in Iowa and his current career as a fighter in the UFC. Recently, Stephens beat the 9th ranked fighter in his weight class and is currently ranked in the top 10. He shares an agent with Myles Fury, another UFC fighter who spoke on campus last year.

Stephens has made some mistakes in his past, and would be the first to acknowledge that. One of the worst he told students was that he surrounded himself with people who didn't have his best interest in mind. Once he got in the spotlight as a successful UFC fighter, others around him held onto that for their own interest, which ultimately got him in trouble. When that happened, he said he found it very difficult to approach his family, friends, and even UFC President Dana White, to explain his side of the story. He has vowed to be more diligent about the decisions he makes in the future. During the question/answer session, students were particularly interested in how Stephens got into the UFC. He stressed hard work and being focused as his main reasons. Often times, he prioritizes working out and training over more fun activities. Stephens was a great speaker for the Knights, and afterwards he posed for some pictures with students and took a tour of campus.

ISU Cyclone Melvin Ejim Visits Campus

Iowa State Cyclone basketball player Melvin Ejim stopped by campus on Tuesday to talk with student leaders on campus. Most of the time was spent in a Q & A session where students asked him questions that ranged from his basketball career to future aspirations. Ejim's visit comes at a great time with the fall sports season coming to a conclusion and basketball starting up in a couple weeks.

Ejim is entering his senior season with the Cyclones in Ames and is coming off an impressive year both individually and as a team. He averaged 11.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game last year and led the Big 12 Conference in rebounding. He was also honored with the Big 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year last season. You can check out more about Ejim on his official Cyclone page here. We want to thank Ejim for taking time out of his schedule to come out to WA and talk with our students.

Former Army Ranger Speaks to Students

Former Army Ranger turn public speaker, Gary Horton, spoke to Woodward Academy students on Monday afternoon. Horton travels the nation and speaks to people about America and its future and in the last few years, has conducted over 7,000 school assembly programs in 46 states. He has a particular interest in Woodward Academy's student population and was excited to attend.

After completing college in Florida, Horton spent many years working with troubled youth in the juvenile courts in Miami, FL. He later expanded his work to the Florida state prisons. Mr. Horton served in the U.S. Army Airborne Rangers until 1977 when he completed his military service in the 2nd Ranger Battalion. He then returned civilian life where he renewed his commitment to the youth of America.

Dallas Chief Eagle

Dallas Chief Eagle visited campus today and talked with students about Native American culture. As a member of the Rosebud Lakota nation, Chief Eagle holds a master's degree in guidance counseling and is a recognized master of the Lakota hoop dance. He has been visiting Woodward Academy annually for nearly a decade, and each year teaches students the traditional hoop dance. He speaks throughout the assembly about Native American values and expresses some of his views on what it means to grow from a boy to a man. 

Chief Eagle has been performing the Lakota hoop dance for years and has gained national recognition as a result. In 2007, he was invited by the American Folklife Center to perform at the Library of Congress and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. This year, he brought nearly 40 students onto the gymnasium floor and used more than 200 hoops to perform the dance with Woodward Academy students. It was a great cultural experience for our students and we have always appreciated the Chief taking time out of his schedule to visit Woodward Academy.

Myles "The Fury" Jury Speaks on Campus // Video

In what has become a recent trend, top Knights on campus today had a great opportunity to listen to another top athlete in his profession when Myles "The Fury" Jury came on campus. Jury is currently an ultimate fighter in the UFC and to date has a professional record of 12-0 with his most recent win coming in April of this year. Early in his career he entertained fights in California when was selected to be a part of The Ultimate Fighter television series that eventually launched his career into the UFC.

Jury spoke about how he made choices early in his life to stay focused on his career and not to be distracted by negative things. Considering he is active in a very challenging, and potential dangerous profession, he commented that he needs to continue to be focused on his training and career every day. That focus is a choice, and not something that always comes easy.  After speaking, Jury took some pictures with all the Knights and signed some cards for them to take. Thanks to the Polk County Juvenile Court Services for helping arrange for Jury to speak at WA. After the break, you can see a video of Jury talking with WA student.

Former ISU Cyclone and NFL Star Visits WA Campus

Leonard Johnson stopped by WA on Wednesday to talk to some of the top Knights on campus. Johnson was a former Iowa State Cyclone player and is now entering his second season in the NFL. He signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012 and was considered a top prospect by many NFL teams. In 2012, he started 12 games with the Bucs and recorded 41 tackles playing cornerback. His connection to WA is that he grew up and played college football at ISU with WA staff member, and football coach Jason Harris. After the break, check out the video of him speaking to the Knights.