The Red Devils left-back has enjoyed a welcome return to form this season, with his persistence and patience being rewarded at Old Trafford

Luke Shaw claims to have never given any thought to leaving Manchester United, even when he was coming in for public criticism from former Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho.

The 25-year-old endured a testing time to his start at Old Trafford, with a serious broken leg followed by struggles for form under a demanding Portuguese coach.

He could have been forgiven for walking away at that stage and starting afresh elsewhere, but a left-back who has rediscovered a spark this season says that was never an option he considered.

It was a very hard time a couple of years back when I wasnt playing, when I wasnt even involved, Shaw told BBC Sport heading into an FA Cup fifth-round clash with West Ham on Tuesday.

I always believed in myself. There were times where maybe people were thinking maybe he could leave, but I always believed that one day I would be able to fight my way back into the team and show people what my qualities are.

I feel like I am starting to do that now but there is still more to come. Im still quite young and have time to improve.

He added on being singled out by Mourinho: It was difficult because I wasnt able to get my word across.

A lot of people were behind me here, so I knew I had that backing, but I just needed to keep my head down and keep quiet.

People were saying negative things about me but I just look back at it as a learning curve and something that has improved me as a person off the pitch, not just on it.

You always have some doubts. I have been very unfortunate to pick up the injuries I have had but Ive always believed I can be an important player here.

You want to be here and showing people what you can do. Hopefully I can keep doing that and proving people wrong.

Back in September 2016, Mourinho said after a shock 3-1 defeat to Watford, which came on the back of a derby reversal against Manchester City: "[Aleksandar] Kolarov has the ball in a difficult situation in the corner and my player instead of going up and pressing decides to give him space.

Today for the second goal, [Nordin]Amrabat on the right side, our left-back is 25 metres distance from him, instead of five metres. But even at 25 metres, then you have to jump and go press. But no, we wait.

This is a tactical but also a mental attitude. In a couple of weeks, everything like this becomes perfect. That's my job.

In April 2017, Mourinho claimed to have had to talk Shaw through an outing against Everton, saying: "He had a good performance, but it was his body with my brain.

"He was in front of me and I was making every decision for him.

"The communication was possible because we were very close. I was thinking for him, when to close inside, when to open, when to press the opponent, I was making every decision for him."

Shaw has shrugged off the issues of his recent past to become a key man for United in the present.

He has credited the arrival of Alex Telles in the summer of 2020 with bringing even more out of him, with added competition for places forcing him to raise his game.

An England recall ahead of the European Championships is now being mooted, with the last of eight caps for the Three Lions having been collected by the former Southampton defender in 2018.

Originally posted here:
Shaw never considered Man Utd exit after being publicly criticised by Mourinho - Goal.com

Where do you live? In the Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York City with my incredible wife Courtland.

What did you have for breakfast? A warm cup of cafe con leche (Almond milk + Instant Coffee) and avocado toast!

Describe your perfect day Wake up with the sun on my face, read in bed, meditate, have breakfast with my wife, practice guitar, go for a run, bike along a new pathway and so much more!

Best book ever read? The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It taught me so many things including, Your thoughts become things!

Best childhood memory? My parents getting me my first (many since then) electric guitar from Evangelismos Music Stores!

What is always in your fridge? Almond milk!

What music are you listening to in the car at the moment? I have lived in NYC for over seven years so I havent owned a car since then!

Whats your spirit animal? Tiger. Known for its fiery passion, daring, and fearlessness, the tiger is universally respected and revered for its courage.

What are you most proud of? Not giving up on my dream of making it in the USA despite everything around me (at a certain part of my life) telling me I should stop dreaming and just settle for whats within my reach.

What movie scene has really stayed with you? The scene where The Mask (Jim Carrey) starts dancing and singing with the whole crowd of cops that are there to arrest him. As the Mask, he was able to take ANY situation, and make it work out for him!

If you could pick anyone at all (alive or dead) to go out for the evening with, who would it be? The greatest artist, singer, musician, dancer and philanthropist of them all Michael Jackson! (Didnt have to think twice about it)

If you could time travel when/where would you go? 80s baby!!

What is your greatest fear? Knowing that I could have done something but didnt!

What would you say to your 18-year-old self? You can be, do and have anything you want in this life. You just need patience, persistence and perseverance!

Name the one thing that would stop you dating someone A deep negative mental attitude. What you focus on grows.

If the world is ending in 24 hours what would you do? Call everyone that has had a positive impact on my life and tell them thank you and I love you. THEN have a crazy good party with all the close people in my life!

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A minute with Mike Papapavlou Guitar World Magazine's Guitar Teacher of The Year - Cyprus Mail

Because of the past months of social distancing, many of us are feeling stressed, isolated and tired. Three practices and habits that can help us navigate stressful and uncertain times are mindful meditation, equanimity and physical exercise.

Human beings are creatures of habit and as most animals, we like routines and predictability. In order to learn, we have to repeat skills over and over. I have heard that it takes repetitions of around 20 times before something becomes a habit. If this is true, incorporating physical and mental self-care into our lives starts right now, where we are.

There is no better time than now to nurture well-being habits.

Mindful meditation is a practice of being aware of the present moment by focusing on an anchor such as the breath, body sensation or a mantra. The practices that have contributed to an improved mental attitude and positive daily path for me are Metta (loving kindness) and Karuna (compassion). These are two of the Brahma Viharas that especially benefit us during times of stress. Oftentimes we combine these together by using four mantras or phrases, whose sentiments are shared with others, all beings and ourselves. The phrases are: "May (I) you be happy; May (I) you be well, healthy, strong; May (I) you be safe, protected and free from harm; and May (I) you be free from suffering."

Learning equanimity is a bit more challenging and as such is the most useful of habits to practice and learn. Equanimity can be nurtured through the practice of mindful meditation. After developing basic concentration skills using meditation and letting go of our thoughts, a person gradually is able to stay present in the moment and not overreact to daily stimuli. Surely, it takes practice and patience to be equanimous and it is a trait that can be nurtured at any age.

Daily physical activity is helpful for overall well-being and emotional health. We live in a special geographic area where there is plenty of space in which to engage in physical exercise, whether it be hiking, walking, jogging, biking, climbing and swimming. From a personal perspective, during these months of pandemic isolation, exercise has been my sanity break. Other than getting in really good physical shape, these sanity breaks provide important times of self-reflection and I simply feel better after exercising outdoors.

The personal benefits of physical and mental practices are numerous.

Mindful meditation, physical exercise and equanimity are well-rounded practices that can alter the course of a person's life towards a more balanced existence, both mentally and physically. Whether one practices these for three months or three years, the benefits are long lasting.

Mental and emotional well-being: Mindful meditation is a daily discipline that brings emotional balance to my life. With over 20 years of meditation experience, the practice really took hold in 2016 when the school from which I recently retired experienced three student suicides in the span of about a year; two were just before the start of school. Meditation came back to mind as a way to deal with grief and it seemed my students might need this calming practice as well. For a number of years after this experience, mindful meditation became a cornerstone of my teaching practice. Students of many ages and backgrounds have shared mindful meditation together and have expressed the benefits they felt from a moment of calm body and peaceful mind.

The benefits of mindful meditation extend past an individual moment of relaxation.

Once a person starts meditating, they generally realize the benefits extend far beyond a relaxing activity. It becomes a state of being and a lifestyle choice. Whether it is to get through a difficult illness, grieving the loss of a loved one or simply to carve out a daily moment of non-doing, everyone can benefit from meditation. The benefits are plentiful and scientifically proven. A few of these include the ability to stay calm during emotional experiences, to be less reactive to behaviors, to listen more carefully to conversations and to have compassion and empathy for self and others.

Mindful meditation for youth is something I believe would have a positive impact on our world. By teaching families with young children the benefits of meditation and present moment awareness I believe the tools/skills learned and incorporated into their daily life would have a long-lasting impact.

The reasons I teach young people and their families meditation are:

To teach students about present-moment mindfulness-awareness;

to teach them that they aren't judged by their thoughts, sensations, and feelings;

to show by example that mindfulness is a way to feel good about yourself, just as we are;

to model being happy, grateful, loved, and peaceful;

to explain what it feels like to be confident yet relaxed.

The Dalai Lama once said, "If every 8-year-old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation." This quote reminded me that teaching mindful meditation and compassionate awareness to youth are ways to encourage a kinder future.

How old is "old enough" to teach children mindfulness, meditation, contemplation of self in the moment? Surely, the very young can sit and color a mandala, walk a labyrinth and and do "finger breathing." Eventually, each child could learn to focus on breath, bodily sensations, internal feelings and as a result, benefit from a practice that would last a lifetime.

Creative director and teacher, Anne-Marie Emanuelli grew up in Taos and brings over two decades of meditation experience to welcome a mindful future. Mindful Frontiers is her educational center in Taos, offering mindful meditation guidance and instruction to families with children; also parents, adults and educators seeking self-care options during pandemic restrictions and new-world paradigm. Emanuelli's mindfulness credentials include Mindful Schools certificates and a 200-hour meditation leadership program at Sage Institute for Creativity and Consciousness. For more, visit mindfulfrontiers.net, email mindfulfrontiers@gmail.com or follow @mindfulfrontiers.

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Feeling stressed? | Health-and-fitness | taosnews.com - taosnews

A weak immune system not only leaves us vulnerable to disease, but undermines the bodys ability to prevent or fight disease. In these trying times of the coronavirus pandemic, experts have said, Even if a person tests positive for the virus, progression of the disease is determined by his/her natural immunological status. So, building up immunity is the way to fight such diseases.

Natures gifts

Nature actually provides us the means to build up immunity and maintain good health. She gives us seasonal fruits and vegetables that are beneficial for the body, especially in terms of strengthening the immune system. Among these are citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, yellow vegetables and so on, rich in Vitamins that help to build up the immunity, especially against colds, coughs and respiratory ailments. Have natural foods. Cooking, processing and refining destroy more than half the necessary nutrients and remove fibre, which is so necessary for the proper elimination of wastes.

Ayurvedic boosters

In Ayurveda, ginger is known as the universal remedy, because it has so many benefits. Similarly combinations of ingredients like Chyawanprash and Trifala are said to strengthen our immune system. Ginger tea can be taken for good digestion and to heal cough and cold. Amla is the best source of Vitamin C and is not destroyed by heat. Add the juice of one amla to a glass of warm water and have it first thing in the morning. Nuts and dry fruits also strengthen immunity. So do peas. They provide the proteins, vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids to maintain strength. Ayurveda also aims at total well-being that lasts a lifetime and ensures a good quality of life.

Personal hygiene

Pay attention to cleansing and daily hygiene. Improper daily hygiene can undermine the health in a number of ways. The skin is influenced by many external factors, like dirt, chemical pollutants, bacteria and virus. By daily washing, bathing and cleaning, we can remove impurities and keep ourselves free from infections. A daily bath, or shower, is a must, especially on returning home. All parts of the body should be washed well, specially the hands and feet. Apart from soap, you would need a clean rough-textured washcloth or loofah, a long-handled brush for the back, a pumice stone, a nail brush. During the ancient times, infusions were used to wash the body. These can be made by soaking neem leaves in hot water and letting it stand overnight. Use the water to bathe the next morning. It prevents infections and soothes rashy conditions.

Here's how you can build up immunity and stay healthy

Calm the mind and reduce stress

Aromatherapy is very useful in calming the mind and reducing stress. The aromas, or fragrances, of different flowers are said to influence the nervous system and induce calm and relaxation. You can diffuse aromas in the house with scented candles. Lavender is said to induce relaxation, while jasmine heightens the senses and elevates the mood. Rose calms and refreshes the mind, while Cinnamon is said to relieve fatigue.

Daily exercise

Some form of daily exercise is also necessary for good health of body and mind. Exercise, together with a balanced diet, can work wonders. Not only does it build up stamina and strength, but improves blood circulation to the skin and scalp. Every tissue of the body needs oxygen, so begin your exercises by doing deep breathing in front of an open window. Yogic asanas are very helpful. Or you can do stationary jogging. But, check with your doctor first.

Be positive

A positive mental attitude is also important, because mind and body are closely related. These days of covid-19, we are all experiencing fear and anxiety. We have to train our minds towards positive thinking. A holistic way of life and attention to these common factors can help to revitalize the body, relax the mind and recharge the soul. It provides another lease of vitality to meet new challenges.

Read more| Aadhaar authentication mandatory for driving license: How to link driving license with Aadhaar card

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Here's how you can build up immunity and stay healthy - India Today

Derek Lowe's commentary on drug discovery and the pharma industry. An editorially independent blog from the publishers of Science Translational Medicine. All content is Dereks own, and he does not in any way speak for his employer.

Theres a new paper out that clears up some of our thinking about the current pandemic and what protection people might have had before the latest coronavirus showed up. As so many people know by now, there are a lot of coronaviruses running around out there, and they are responsible for a small-but-real fraction of common cold type illnesses every year. Heres the CDC page on that topic, and here (from Wikipedia) is the phylogenetic tree of coronaviruses in general.

A lot of people have had one or more of the coronaviruses that are listed on the CDC page (229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1). But none of these are in the exact same family as the current beast the first two are alpha-coronaviruses and are fairly closely related to each other. The second two are in another genus, beta-coronaviruses, and are also pretty closely related to each other, but theyre off in a different lineage inside the beta-coronaviridae compared to the SARS-type coronaviruses like the current one. All of these things have spike proteins decorating them, but the spikes themselves vary in sequence, enough so that some of them have found completely different surface proteins to use for viral entry, as opposed to the SARS ones going for the ACE2 protein.

Still, immunology being what it is, the question has been open whether the B-cell and T-cell memory of past infections with these other coronviruses might give a person some protection against the current one. Ive wondered about that here on the blog myself. Its not at all a crazy idea, because what we have seen is that there are people out there who with cross-reactive antibodies that can bind to the pandemic coronavirus, some of these in blood samples from well before the current one started going through the human population. but (until now) weve lacked enough hard data to say.

Heres the MedrXiv version of the paper under discussion, and heres the version coming out now in Cell. The authors looked at 431 pre-pandemic blood samples, and compared them to 251 samples from people who have been infected in the current outbreak and recovered, as well as analyzing antibody profiles in people who are currently hospitalized. What theyve found is first, that most people have indeed been infected with one or more of the garden-variety coronaviruses. The pre-pandemic samples show plenty of antibody responses to these. Second, about 20% of these patients raised antibodies that do cross-reaction with the Spike or nucleocapsid proteins of the current pandemic coronavirus. And whats more, levels of such antibodies are elevated when a person in this group gets infected with SARS-Cov2: the immune system memory (as present in these patients B cells) responds by increasing production of the antibodies to the previous coronaviruses.

But heres the key part: cross-react does not mean neutralize and it does not mean provide protection from. These antibodies may or may not have been neutralizing against the other coronaviruses, but they dont seem to have any such effect on the current one. And in keeping with that, having such cross-reactive antibodies seems to provide no protection against catching SARS-Cov2 or against being hospitalized with it if you do. Theres no difference in the infection/hospitalization rates of the people who had cross-reactive coronavirus serum antibodies ready to go versus those who didnt. Theyre basically useless.

Now, you can still make an argument that the T cell component of immunity might provide some protection after a previous coronavirus infection. The current study didnt address this directly, but after these results, its at least less likely that thats happening. The authors make a note of this, and also note that pre-existing mucosal antibodies might exert a protective effect (which this study didnt examine, either). But prior circulating human coronavirus antibodies, even ones that can bind to the current one those it looks like we can rule out. Which is too bad.

Originally posted here:
Does Prior Exposure to Coronaviruses Protect You? | In the Pipeline - Science Magazine

Students said spending time in wide-open spaces outside has helped alleviate some of the mental stress that comes with being cooped up inside all day.

After his favorite Karaoke bar, Big Mikes, closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael Fantuazzo brought his musical hobby to Gelman Library.

Fantuazzo, a third-year law student who lives off campus with his dog, Fry, said without in-person social events to attend, he used Facebook Live to stream his Karaoke performances to fight feelings of isolation. He said he held a Facebook Live charity karaoke event outside of Gelman for his birthday in December, which raised money for Doctors Without Borders, and held another performance the day before the inauguration.

In this time, you have got to celebrate the moments, Fantuazzo said. If 2020 was about We have to shut everything down, I think 2021 has got to be about We have to let the show go on, with protocols of course.

Students said theyve felt heightened levels of stress and anxiety dealing with online class and staying inside more than usual. Blaire is one of seven students who said in interviews that theyve leaned on hobbies like chess and yoga to keep their spirits up as the pandemic rages on.

Fantuazzo said he set up a karaoke livestream in Gelman the day before President Joe Bidens inauguration to cope with the anxiety and fear he felt about the potential for violence that day. He added that he frequents Black Lives Matter Plaza with his dog to alleviate his sense of loneliness.

We have all of this open outdoor space, and we should be doing more events, like outdoor singing, he said. Thats something you can really space out but people can enjoy. People can bring a chair to the lawn. I would really love it if people tried to commit to more of that.

Nyle Hutchinson, a sophomore majoring in psychology, said hes been playing chess and meditating to cope with the stress he feels without friends nearby for emotional support. He said he lived at home in New York for the fall semester and is now living in on-campus housing.

When you do positive things and have a positive attitude, it makes you want the best for yourself, so you work harder, and when you work harder, you feel better so it creates the potential for a very great cycle, Hutchinson said.

He said when he was at home in the New York City area, he took hikes with his friends in Central Park, where he worked as a surveyor. He said students who are currently struggling with mental health should take the pandemic one day at a time and reach out to trusted friends or a counselor for help.

Students can call Counseling and Psychological Services every day between noon and 4 p.m. if they need to meet with a therapist and can call at any time outside of business hours for urgent needs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 75 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 have experienced poor mental health tied to the pandemic.

Really all you can do is today, so make the most of today so that your tomorrow will be just a little bit better, and sooner or later you will be ready for the future you were so worried about, he said.

April Mihalovich, a senior majoring in criminal justice, said shes taking classes at her home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Mihalovich said the virtual class setting this year has given her the opportunity to have a more flexible schedule, but shes had trouble adding structure to her day.

Its definitely difficult not being able to perform the acts of getting up, getting ready, making my own meals, walking to class and things like that because having that routine and freedom to come and go from my dorm or wherever Im living is definitely something that helped me take some space for myself, she said.

Victoria Akinwande, a freshman majoring in political science and economics, said attending virtual classes and completing assignments entirely online from her home in Indianapolis has made her feel fatigued.

Zoom has become this world where you cant put down the controller because its a live game and you cant pause it, she said. And you have these assignments due that are virtual that need to be completed, and you have all of these responsibilities in the real world too.

Akinwande said making time to break away from computer work, take mental check-ins and talk to her mom and grandmother has helped her maintain her mental health.

I say OK, Im stopping. This is my stopping point right now. Im going to watch Netflix, eat some food, drink some water, do whatever I need to do to get back to my base point and then I can start doing work again, she said.

JJ Yu, an undecided freshman who is currently completing virtual classes from Korea, said she is 14 hours ahead of her professors teaching in D.C., and the time difference prevents her from attending classes synchronously.

She said watching class recordings instead of attending sessions live has made it difficult for her to meet her classmates, but she uses her classes GroupMe chats to connect with peers and coordinate study sessions that can work with her schedule.

Because my classes are recordings, I dont see my classmates faces, she said. I dont study with them. Im just alone. Its my own thing. But if I make the study session and go, we talk to each other, we see each other, so its better.

Lia DeGroot contributed reporting.

Stay up to date on GW, D.C. news related to the virus. READ MORE

This article appeared in the February 8, 2021 issue of the Hatchet.

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Students rely on hobbies to maintain mental health during pandemic - GW Hatchet

It may be a little unconventional, but Switzerland County High School will hold its Winter Homecoming tomorrow (Friday) night. The festivities will be included in the boys junior varsity and varsity home basketball games with Shawe Memorial.

Traditionally one the biggest crowds of the year, this years Homecoming will be held in compliance with guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Switzerland County High School Principal David Todd said that each player, cheerleader, and Homecoming candidate will be allowed to bring four family members to Homecoming. Those family members will be required to sign in at the desk in the lobby of the high school. No other fans will be allowed into the gym.

The same restrictions will also apply to the boys game against Henryville being held on Saturday.

The crowning of the Homecoming Queen and King will take place between the jayvee and varsity games. There is no Homecoming dance for students this year.

Five senior girls and five senior boys were selected as Homecoming candidates. Heres a look at this years Hopefuls:

HOMECOMING QUEEN

ANNABELLE BEAR is the daughter of T.R. and Lindy Bear of Vevay. During high school, she has been a member of the cheerleading, track, and golf teams. Annabelle was a state finalist for the senior individual cheer routine and a member of the All-Star Cheerleading Team. She also helped her cheer team advance to the state competition.

Annabelle has held positions as the Secretary and Vice President of FFA and has also participated in Pep Club and Business Professionals of America. She placed first-runner-up in the Teen Edelweiss Princess Pageant, earned SLC in BPA for the past three years, and won numerous awards in FFA. Annabelle has also been a gymnast for nine years and an All-Star cheerleader at River Power Athletics where she serves as a competitive gymnastics coach. She has volunteered her time at the canned food drive, the Lions Club booth at the Swiss Wine Festival, and the Lions Club Golf Scramble.

After graduation, Annabelle plans to pursue a career in elementary special education while continuing to cheer.

BROOKE JOHNSON is the daughter of Kendra and Bobby Johnson of Bennington. During high school, she has been a member of the volleyball and swim teams. Brooke is also a member of Business Professionals of America and the National Honor Society. She is currently the treasurer of her senior class.

Brooke has volunteered her time working with the Income Tax Program and raising money for the Keeping Pace Cancer Fund. In BPA, she was a regional winner in advanced spreadsheets and received third and fourth place honors in fundamental accounting and payroll accounting. She also won Miss Congeniality at the Queen of Hearts Pageant.

After graduation, Brooke plans to attend Xavier University to pursue a career in accounting and computer information.

JORDAN SCOTT is the daughter of Jason and Kristal Scott of Vevay. During high school, she has been a member of the soccer and track teams.

Jordan is also on the leadership committee in the Student Council, the Vice President of Business Professionals of America, the Secretary of the Spanish Club, and a member of S.A.D.D. Jordan was named All-Conference her sophomore season and All-Sectional her senior season as the goalie for the soccer team. In BPA, she went to state her sophomore and senior years.

After graduation, Jordan plans to enter the Army National Guard and pursue a degree in chemistry.

JAYDEN THOMAS is the daughter of Nikki Thomas and Rob Bledsoe of Vevay, and Jason Thomas of Rising Sun. During high school, she has been a member of the basketball, soccer, track, and softball teams.

Jayden is the Secretary of her senior class and a member of National Honor Society and Pep Club. She has volunteered her time at the Swiss Wine Festival.

She was also part of the ORVC track championship team and a member of the four by one relay championship team.

After graduation, Jayden plans to attend Indiana State University.

ALIYA YOUNG is the daughter of Brad and Tiffany Young of Vevay. During high school, she has been a member of cheer, RPA All-Star Cheer, and track and field teams.

Aliya is also the Treasurer of the National Honor Society, the Secretary and Treasurer of Spanish Club, and the Vice President of S.A.D.D. She is also a member of Pep Club, Outdoors Club, Key Club, Student Council, and FCA. Aliya has volunteered her time at the Whitewater Christian Service Camp, the Switzerland County Animal Shelter, the Thiebaud Farmstead, and the Mini Cheer Camp.

She has been a varsity cheer captain for three years and is on the A-B honor roll.

After graduation, Aliya plans to pursue a career in elementary education while continuing to cheer.

HOMECOMING KING

MASON COVINGTON is the son of Joe Covington of Vevay and the late Barbara Covington. During high school, he has been a member of the basketball team, Pep Club, and the National Honor Society.

He also participated in the FFA basketball tournament.

After graduation, Mason plans to begin a career at Nucor Steel or NAS.

MYLES COVINGTON is the son of Joe Covington of Vevay and the late Barbara Covington. During high school, he has been a member of the track and field and cross country teams. Myles was also a participant in the FFA basketball tournament. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Pep Club, and FFA. He has volunteered his time working at the Switzerland County Tourism Office and fundraising for his class.

Myles won the Newcomer of the Year Award for track and field. He won the ORVC Cross Country Mental Attitude Award and Pacer Award for Cross Country. He is the current Vice President of his senior class.

After graduation, Myles plans to enter the United States Navy to pursue a career as a Navy Seal.

MICHAEL STANTON is the son of Michael Stanton of Versailles, and Angela Eicher of Bennington. During high school, he has been a member of the soccer and swim teams. Michael is also a Sentinel and the Treasurer of FFA. Michael has volunteered his time with the Angel Tree Community Fundraiser, the Mothers Day Project, the Lions Club Golf Scramble, the Lions Club Booth, and the Keeping Pace Cancer Fund.

He also worked with the Vevay Tourism Office to decorate the courthouse and participate in the Plant Growing Project. Michael is the proud recipient of a State FFA degree. He also broke the school record and won conference in swim for the 400 meter freestyle relay.

After graduation, Michael plans to enter the Coast Guard and pursue a degree in business.

AUSTIN WOLF is the son of David and Sarah Wolf of Vevay. During high school, he has been a member of the soccer, golf, and wrestling teams. Austin has also been a member of Pep Club. He has volunteered his time at the Rise Elite Youth Wrestling Program and the Papaz Pumpkin Patch.

Austin won the Most Improved Golfer Award his freshman year and the Soccer Leadership Award his senior year. In wrestling, he won the Most Valuable Freshman Award and the Leadership for Wrestling Award. Austin was also a regional qualifier twice, the 113 pound third place conference finisher his freshman year, and the 126 pound wrestling conference champ his junior year. His junior year, he also became the first 126 pound wrestling semi-state qualifier in school history.

Austin is also a SAY soccer referee, an employee of the Vineyard Golf Course, and a seasonal employee of Simply Beds.

After graduation, Austin plans to pursue a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics while continuing his pursuits in golf or wrestling.

JACOB WOLF is the son of Sarah and David Wolf of Vevay. During high school, he has been a member of the soccer, wrestling, track, and golf teams. Jacob has also been a member of Pep Club and Business Professionals of America.

He has volunteered his time at the Rise Elite Youth Wrestling Program, the Papaz Pumpkin Patch, and the SAY Soccer Organization. Jacob won the Golf Participation Award his sophomore year and the Most Valuable Defensive Player Award his senior year.

In wrestling, Jacob is a three year varsity captain. He was the first freshman wrestler to win conference and earned the award for Most Valuable Freshman. Jacob was also the first 132 pound semi-state qualifier in school history, and is the current all-time wrestling wins leader. He is also an employee of the Vevay Shell gas station.

After graduation, Jacob plans to enter the Air Force.

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Switzerland County to crown this years Winter Homecoming royalty - Vevay Newspapers

This Valentines Day, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain actress Shubhangi Atre goes down the memory lane and reveals some lovely time spent with her husband of 17 years, Peeyush. The actress, in an exclusive conversation with ETimes TV, shares her Valentines day memories, a love note received from her husband and also what Angoori bhabis (her reel character) V-Day date would look like. Read ahead for some love-filled and cherished memories. What are your Valentines Day plans? Peeyush, Ashi (her daughter) and I will be going to our farmhouse. We love to spend our time together there. I also want Ashi to understand and feel nature, learn more about agriculture and farming. When you are closer to nature you learn a lot about life as well, you understand hard work. I always feel it is very important to be attached to our roots. In our farmhouse, we do bird-spotting. For the three of us, it is the best Valentines Day plan. Shubhangis special surprise for hubby

I am planning something special and spicy. I cant reveal much details as the surprise will be spoiled. But yes, I am definitely planning something.

Do you remember the first time you celebrated Valentines Day and when was it?

It was with Peeyush, obviously. Its been 19 years with him and 17 years of being married to him. We were dating for two years. (Laughs) Peeyush has always surprised me and made me happy. Just on chocolate day, he gifted me dark chocolates because I love them. I remember those days, I would love makeup stuff. Peeyush had gifted me my favourite lip colour shade and also gave me lots of flowers. Those days it was big of a celebration but Peeyush did make me feel special.

School memories of V-Daydid you ever get caught or scolded by parents?

Not really, we would have to come home early soon as school got over. 7pm would be my deadline if I stepped out. In college, we celebrated it in the morning. Parents obviously never liked this Valentines Day culture and I never got caught. But my friends did and they got schooled too. Her favourite Valentines Day gift

My favourite Valentines day gift would have to be this year. My husband wrote me a love note. Feelings are more precious than any materialistic gifts. This has to be my most favourite Valentines Day gift so far. This has made me very emotional and happy too. The note read: That was the pleasure moment with your thoughts to become something... see the courage in your eyes... see the magic your eyes holding to capture the future.. And you got what you wanted "A Future". Like success, failure is many things to many people. With positive mental attitude, failure is a learning experience, a rung on the ladder, and a plateau at which to get your thoughts in order to prepare to try again and you won the battle of your mind which was into your head since we married Now you have, a successful story to say... That YES I got whatever the dreams whispered in my Ears. A thought from my side to a beautiful girl who becomes a Mother for Me. And gave me another YOU. I love u

Your dream V-day date would be

When we all are together with Peeyush, Ashi and our parents. For me, Valentines Day is just not about two lovers but it is about celebrating with those who have made your entire life lovable, caring and beautiful. Valentines day is for everyone you love. When everyone is around and I feel so happy, content and good.

Read more:
Exclusive: Bhabiji's Shubhangi Atre gets a love note from husband for Valentines day; also reveals how ' - Times of India

Homophobia, or heterosexism, refers to the assumption that everyone should be, or is, heterosexual.

This can result in serious forms of prejudice against those who experience same-sex attraction.

In this article, we will be replacing the term homophobia with heterosexism. This is because homophobia places an emphasis on the irrational fears of an individual as opposed to the systems in place that affect a persons health.

Heterosexism does not refer to the prejudice and discrimination related to a persons gender identity, or cissexism.

Learn more about cissexism here.

Understanding what heterosexism is can help people identify it and oppose it when they see it, if it is safe to do so.

In this article, we explore what heterosexism is, what internalized heterosexism means, and how to be an ally. We also look at the definition of outing and how heterosexism can affect a persons health.

Homophobia, or heterosexism, is the assumption that people should be, or are, heterosexual.

Planned Parenthood note that it is the fear, mistrust, hatred, or discomfort toward those who experience same-sex attraction.

It can also take many different forms, ranging from the use of negative and offensive language, to more extreme forms, including bullying, abuse, and physical violence.

Additionally, homophobia can present in the form of systematic oppression. A person can experience discrimination from the government, religious institutions, and other businesses. Examples include:

A person may exhibit homophobic tendencies or thoughts due to their upbringing or conservative religious beliefs.

Internalized heterosexism is a term that refers to those who experience same-sex attraction, yet harbor negative feelings and views about their sexuality.

They can turn their negative feelings in on themselves and struggle to come to terms with their sexual orientation.

They may express this conflict in the following ways:

Outing is the practice of making a public statement about a persons sexuality or gender status without their permission.

This can negatively affect peoples lives and result in them being the subject of abuse, discrimination, and in some cases, physical violence.

Heterosexism can affect peoples mental and physical health in many ways.

Systematic heterosexism can also limit a persons access to high-quality healthcare and make it difficult to get health insurance.

LGBTQIA+ individuals may also find it difficult to tell their clinicians about their sexual identity.

A study found that 68% of LGBTQIA+ youth stated that they did not report their sexual orientation to their clinicians, while 90% reported having reservations about doing so. This means that people may not be receiving culturally competent healthcare.

The research notes this lack of communication can result in:

Heterosexism can also occur at home and in schools.

The Youth Risk and Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a cross-sectional, school-based survey that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conduct every 2 years.

The 2019 YRBS found that of the lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth surveyed:

In addition, those who experience same-sex attraction are likely to experience rejection by their families.

The CDC note that those who experience familial rejection were more likely to:

Experiencing discrimination in any setting can have a huge impact on a persons health.

The CDC note that experiencing discrimination can lead to:

Mental Health America report that LGBTQIA+ people use mental health services at 2.5 times the rate of the general population.

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours per day at 800-273-8255. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can call 800-799-4889.

Click here for more links and local resources.

Help is available for people who are experiencing heterosexism.

There are Gay/Straight Alliances, or GSA clubs, in middle and high schools and affiliated with college campuses. These organizations give LGBTQIA+ young people the chance to get support, build community, and take action on issues that matter to them.

Many communities have LGBTQIA+ community centers striving to meet the wide-ranging needs of their people. According to CenterLink, a service organization for LGBTQIA+ community centers, there are more than 250 such centers across the United States, serving 2 million people.

People who cannot access a community center or GSA club can still find a wide range of support online, such as:

Learn more about the mental health resources available here.

Being an ally means being a vocal supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community, and this support relates to a persons actions as well as their words.

Individuals interested in making an organizational commitment to fighting homophobia can explore the options available with LGBTQIA+ support organizations.

Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG, have more than 400 chapters and 200,000 members across the country.

PFLAG programs include online learning, advocacy, publications, and media training to promote pride and inclusion.

People can also:

People can also speak out when they witness heterosexism, for example, when a person makes an offensive joke or bullies others.

If an individual decides to address heterosexism, they should ensure that it is safe to do so.

Some factors to consider might include:

Heterosexism is a form of prejudice against those who experience same-sex attraction.

It can make it difficult for those who experience same-sex attraction to get healthcare or jobs. It can also have negative effects on a persons mental and physical health. However, there are many different support services available.

Straight people can be allies and take a stand against heterosexism.

Go here to see the original:
Homophobia: Definition, effects on health, seeking help, and more - Medical News Today

Indra Bir Singh. Photo courtesy D.M. Banerjee.

Professor Indra Bir Singh, fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, a globally acclaimed Earth scientist and a product of the geology department of Lucknow University passed away in the early hours of February 11, 2021. With his death, the world has lost an international minded geologist of remarkable broad interest.

He is survived by his independent-minded wife and two sons.

Prof Singh was born in Lucknow in 1943 in the prosperous west Uttar Pradesh family of Chaudhri Atar Singh and Ram Kumari. He went to the local Mansa Din Shukla Inter College, moved to Jubilee College subsequently and joined the Lucknow Christian College in 1956, along with some other accomplished Indian geoscientists like Sayyad Abbas Jafar, Satya Prakash Rastogi and Avinas Chandra. It was here that my personal association with Prof Singh began.

He studied geology in the Lucknow University and obtained an MSc in 1962. The same year, he joined the ONGC Headquarters in Dehradun as a senior technical assistant (STA). In those years, the employment situation for geologists was depressing, so getting an offer to join on an STA was considered to be a great achievement.

However, Prof Singh was unhappy with the amount of work assigned to him there ONGC, so in mid-1963, he moved to Stuttgart in West Germany, where his elder brother Udaibir Singh worked as an engineer. He joined the Technical University of Stuttgart and worked towards a doctoral thesis on the Harz mountains, under the guidance of H. Aldinger. This work earned him a doctoral degree in 1966.

Subsequently, he joined the celebrated mineralogist and petrologist Thomas Barth at the University of Oslo as a postdoctoral fellow. In this lab, he became close to another bright and punctilious Indian scientist, C.D.P. Singh, who upon his return to India did some commendable geochemical work in Patna University and in the Khetri copper mines. This association helped Prof Singh acquire and nurture his later days iconoclastic image.

While familiarising himself with hard-rock geochemistry and petrology in the research group of Barth, he studied rocks of the Telemark region of Norway and published remarkable papers on the sedimentary history of that region. In early 1969, he joined the research group of H.E. Reineck as Mitarbieter, or coworker, in the Seckenberg oceanographic institute at Wilhelmshaven, on Germanys North Sea coast. Here, he worked extensively on the modern tidal flats of the North Sea, observed different sand grains rolling on wet tidal flat surfaces and studied their behaviour in changing hydrological and micro-morpho-tectonic domains.

This experience on the coast armed him with expert knowledge that helped him carry out precise geological interpretations of the geological events in ancient rock records. He became an expert at precisely defining the marine shallow facies that led him to join Reineck in writing a book, Depositional Sedimentary Environment. Published by Springer Verlag in 1973, the book became a runaway success in the community of sedimentologists and stormed the contemporary global market.

After Prof Singh returned to India, he joined Lucknow University in 1972, at the invitation of R.C. Mishra, the benevolent head of the department at the time. In 1984, he was promoted as reader and in 1986 became professor. Between 1995 and 2003, he served as the head of the department and dean of the science faculty. He also taught at the Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge (1984-1986) as a visiting professor and at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (1998-1999) as the Alexander von Humboldt Professor.

He received prestigious awards like the L. Rama Rao Birth Centenary Award by the Geological Society of India in 1996, the Life Time Achievement Geoscience Award in 2014 from the Ministry of Mines and a Special Honour at the Centenary Function of Lucknow University in 2020. He also served as a senior scientist and honorary scientist at the Indian National Science Academy.

Administratively, he retired in 2006, but Prof Singh displayed no signs of mental retirement. He maintained his iconoclastic image and openly decried the stuff-shirt attitude of many of his colleagues and contemporaries. All through his academic career, he remained a rugged individualist and behaved like a terribly bold thinker.

His intuitive mind showed him the way to discover loopholes in numerous geological interpretations that the Indian geological community over decades had considered sacrosanct. The entire history of the evolution of the Lesser Himalaya had to be rewritten after he proved that a major part of the rocks in this region are Precambrian in age.

His scientific contributions touched the entire spectrum of Indian stratigraphy. His other monumental work includes depositional modelling and interpretation of the landform development in the Ganga Plains, geo-archeological finds in the Ganga basin and providing the evidence of domestication of rice from 6,500 BC.

He also interpreted the Karewa sedimentary succession in the Kashmir valley, suggested a new depositional model for the Bhuj formation in Kutch, and performed facies modelling of the Vindhyan basin sedimentary succession and Lameta rocks in central India.

He wrote another significant book, entitled Indian Deltas: East Coast of India, with A.S. Rama Swamy of Andhra University in 2006. It served as an important reference book for oil exploration companies.

Also read: The Story of How Mud Changed Earth

Prof Singh was also engaged in activities of the UN International Geoscience Programme and served on the advisory board of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, the Indian regulatory agency.

In his day to day attitude, Prof Singh was casual, always comfortable in his shredded blue denims and a pair of Hawaii slippers, and refused to drive anything other than his Nano car. He loved eating spicy foods, and listened to, appreciated and critiqued good classical music without being able to sing. He had a pleasant demeanour, and a sharp mind full of novel ideas.

He was also an excellent teacher and touched the lives of each of his students in a special way. All his students carry a part of his personality as well as carry on his legacy. Above all he was a great humanitarian and an excellent friend.

D.M.Banerjee, FNA, is a former professor of geology at the University of Delhi.

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Remembering Indra Bir Singh, a Consummate Geologist and Bold Thinker - The Wire Science