Latest news with #HonorRoll
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jalen Williams on NBA Finals trip: 'It feels very surreal'
Jalen Williams on NBA Finals trip: 'It feels very surreal' Sitting down with warm lights shining underneath him and virtually sitting in front of millions, Jalen Williams still couldn't process the last hour. The 24-year-old has answered any doubts about his validity to be the second-best player on a title contender with straight A-pluses and a spot in the Honor Roll. He'll likely need a few days to understand that fully. Williams finished with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting, eight rebounds and five assists. He shot 1-of-4 from 3 and went 4-of-5 on free throws. He also had a steal and a block. The Thunder capped off a five-game Western Conference Finals with a 124-94 Game 5 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. They punched their ticket to the 2025 NBA Finals. Playing a similar style to his teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams sliced through Minnesota's defense. He bulldozed his way to the rim for drives despite several defenders in his way. In transition, he was a beast that headlined a one-man show. It felt like every steal-to-score sequence featured the ball being in his hands at least once. Williams has been superb throughout the entire playoffs, minus a few hiccups. The rhythm scorer has gotten in a groove early with his jumper and has utilized his thick frame to bully his way through defenses for easy looks at the basket or go to the free-throw line. "It feels very surreal. I know that's a pretty typical word that people say but this is what I'm feeling. I haven't been able to wrap my head around it," Williams said on making the NBA Finals. "I think this being my third year, it kinda happened pretty fast. So I'm trying to put everything in perspective. My brother got in the NBA this year and his first year is already done. There's a lot of other things that go on that make me think how fast and blessed I am that get me to the point I'm at now." Despite being a regular-season machine, the Thunder had their doubters. They shut them up real quick as they cruised through the Western Conference. Breaking an NBA record every other game, Williams said he didn't truly believe how dominating they were until they started doing the same in the playoffs. "Honestly, the playoffs are a good challenge. Especially like the first round because the regular season doesn't even matter. That was our test. Last series with Denver, same kinda thing. When we were put up against adversity that we don't really have during the regular season and it's do-or-die moments. I think that's where we kinda grew up as a team," Williams said. "That last series was big for us. A lot of us, that was our first Game 7. Getting over the hump of the second round. I think that was big for us."
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
North Broward Prep's Alexa Schwartz is the Broward Girls' Scholar-Athlete of the Year
As senior Alexa Schwartz wraps up her high school career at North Broward Prep, she leaves as a record-setter, a leader and one of the school's all-time greats in two sports. Schwartz set a state meet record in track and field and became a state champion. She also helped resurrect a girls' basketball program, making them a playoff regular again while securing a place at the top of the school record book in multiple categories. Schwartz did all of this while excelling as a student as well, earning herself a scholarship to attend Florida State University. For her long list of accomplishments, Schwartz is the Miami Herald's Girls' Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Broward County. Schwartz is heading to FSU after graduating with a 4.7 GPA and scoring a 30 on her ACT. On the basketball court, Schwartz heads to the college level as North Broward Prep's all-time leading scorer with over 1,000 points and single season assists leader. Schwartz, who recorded the school's first triple-double in a game, was a Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State selection and led the Eagles to the regional finals in 2023. That appearance broke a 12-year drought of not advancing to the regional playoffs. North Broward Prep made it back to regionals again this season, losing in the quarterfinals. Schwartz also excelled as the state's best javelin thrower. In an event, which was added as a regular event in state competition in recent years, Schwartz set a new state meet record earlier this month when she won the Class 2A state title with a throw of 47.04 meters. Schwartz was a two-time state champion and three-time district champion in the event. Schwartz was a Miami Herald Silver Knight nominee, was part of the school's Honor Roll every semester, and is a member of seven different National Honor Societies. Schwartz also became a leader at her school and in the community, volunteering over 700 hours as she was involved in several Jewish youth organizations as a teacher and mentor.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
United Hospital Center honored for commitment to health care sustainability
BRIDGEPORT — A North Central West Virginia hospital has been recognized for its process of cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing its reusable medical devices. Stryker's Sustainability Solutions presented WVU Medicine United Hospital Center with its Environmental Excellence Award for demonstrating leadership in health care "sustainability and overall hospital quality through single-use device reprocessing," according to a hospital press release. Single-use processing involves cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing devices that are intended for single use after they have been used on a patient and then reusing them. In 2024, the UHC reprocessing program successfully diverted 1,184 pounds of medical waste from landfills due to its reprocessing program that is supported by Stryker. In health care, reprocessing refers to the process of cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing reusable medical devices to ensure they are safe for reuse on other patients. This practice is essential to minimize the risk of healthcare-associated infections and other adverse health outcomes. Reprocessing involves a series of steps, including initial decontamination, thorough cleaning, and either disinfection or sterilization, depending on the device's intended use and the materials from which it's made. 'Stryker is pleased to honor UHC's continued dedication to achieving both environmental and financial sustainability,' Natalie Ward, vice president and general manager of Stryker's Sustainability Solutions, said. 'With a heightened focus on improving value in today's healthcare environment, UHC leads by example with their commitment to sustainability initiatives that reduce costs and optimize resources in order to support quality care.' Leading hospitals across the nation are continuing to pursue initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of health care delivery. Among these initiatives, single-use device reprocessing stands out as an environmental practice that not only dramatically reduces the amount of medical waste, but, at the same time, it frees significant resources for the hospital — all without capital investment. 'In today's health care environment, there is a heightened focus to minimize the environmental footprint,' Liberty Kincaid, manager of supply chain utilization at UHC, said. 'At UHC, we are committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship, all while continuing to provide excellent care to our patients.' UHC is in the distinguished company of other leading hospitals that are implementing reprocessing programs, which are currently employed by nearly all the U.S. News & World Report 'Honor Roll' hospitals.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Poll: Who should be The Oklahoman's Student of the Week for April 28 - May 1?
The Oklahoman's Student of the Week poll for the week of April 28 is now live. The nominations for The Oklahoman's Student of the Week contest are in and polls are open to vote for the best of the best starting now. The Oklahoman asked superintendents, principals, teachers, and guidance counselors from across the Oklahoma City area to participate in the Student of the Week program by sending nominations for their student. Readers will now pick the best of the best in our poll. This week's poll has three candidates. The Oklahoman's Student of the Week poll is at the bottom of the list of nominees. You can vote once per hour until it closes. Last week's winner: Katelyn Lewis is The Oklahoman's Student of the Week. Voting is open through noon, Thursday, May 1. Nominations for next week's poll are also being accepted through 5 p.m. Thursday. To nominate a student, school faculty can email StudentOfTheWeek@ Here are the nominees for this week's poll: Ian Wu, Classen SAS High School: Wu is an exceptional student who not only challenges himself with difficult coursework, but has used that same dedication and leadership qualities to advance in athletics as well. He is a junior International Baccalaureate major and is the number one tennis player in their program. He is a mentor to younger player on our team as well as younger children that he works out with at First Serve, an outreach program for youths in tennis. He has won both tournaments we have entered this season, and even travels out of state for Junior USTA events, and keeps his studies up by working on his homework in between matches, which is a trait that is not inherent in most teenagers. Jared Wickham, Newcastle High School: Wickham, a senior, excels academically as Valedictorian, a member of the Superintendent Advisory Committee, the Student Guidance Coalition, and a student representative on the district's strategic planning committee. His academic excellence is reflected in Certificates of Excellence in Chemistry (99%) and Robotics & Engineering (98%), as well as being named to the OCCC President's Honor Roll with a 4.0 GPA. He has also interned at PEC and completed 40 hours in the Air Launched Cruise Missile Summer Training Program within the Missile Sustainment Division. A member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Beyond academics, he is a dedicated trombonist in the marching and concert bands, serving as 1st chair his junior and senior years and earning honors such as 'Marcher of the Year' and 'Outstanding Junior.' His musical excellence is further demonstrated by his Superior rating (score of 1) as a trombone soloist and his participation in a brass quartet at the Oklahoma State, Solo and Ensemble. "It has been a true privilege to witness the remarkable growth and accomplishments of this outstanding young man over the past four years," said band director Ryan Siebert. Sofia Gutierrez, John Marshall Enterprise High School: Gutierrez is a standout junior that demonstrates dedication both in and out of the classroom. She not only excels academically as part of the National Honor Society, she is also an integral part of the the varsity cheer team. She balances her busy schedule with grace and determination. In addition to her academic and extracurricular commitments, she is also a Metro Tech nursing student, preparing for a future in pediatric care. "With her drive, compassion, and positive outlook, Sofia is an inspiring example of what it means to be a John Marshall Bear," said security specialist, Kambre Major. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Poll: Here are the nominations for The Oklahoman's Student of the Week
Miami Herald
18-04-2025
- Miami Herald
FSU shooting suspect was at center of years-long custody battle, documents show
In 2020, Christian Gunnar Eriksen went before a judge in his Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps uniform, and testified that he wanted his name legally changed to Phoenix Ikner. The 10th-grade Honor Roll student at Lincoln High School cited a 'tragic event' in 2015 — when arrest records show his mother, Anne-Mari Eriksen, was arrested at Fort Lauderdale airport and accused of kidnapping him and taking him to Norway. 'He chose the name Phoenix,' a Leon County court document states, 'because of its representation of rising from the ashes anew.' On Thursday, police say Ikner walked onto Florida State University's campus with a handgun and opened fire just before noon — wounding at least six people, and killing two. His motivation remains unknown. Documents obtained by the Miami Herald shed light on the life of the mass-shooting suspect — who was at the center of a years-long custody battle between his parents dating back to 2007. Documents filed in Leon County Circuit Court by Ikner and his father allege he was physically abused by his mother in 2015, and show that Florida's Department of Family and Child Services had an ongoing investigation. Ikner grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and after 2015, lived primarily with his father, Christopher Ikner and step-mother Jessica Ikner, a Leon County sheriff's deputy whose gun police say Phoenix Ikner used in the attack. His father wed Jessica Ikner in 2010. Court records show years of back-and-forth correspondence between his parents, and ongoing medical appointments. A probable cause affidavit in April 2015, a month after his mother brought him to Norway, stated that Ikner was on medication for 'several health and mental issues,' including a growth hormone disorder and ADHD. A petition for injunction signed in 2015 by Ikner and his father describes Eriksen scratching Ikner on the knee, and notes that his paternal grandmother took photos. It also describes a March 13, 2015, incident in which Ikner confided in a friend, his father, and his step mother that Eriksen punched him in the chest and back, but the father found 'no marks visible.' 'Christian called us on the cell phone and told us he was being abused,' reads the testimony. Eriksen couldn't be immediately reached for comment. In a civil lawsuit alleging slander and libel, she said Christopher and Jessica Ikner were making false allegations against her and harassing her. The lawsuit was dismissed. On a Facebook account that appears to belong to Eriksen, she wrote 'Love being my son Christian Gunnar (Phoenix) mother,' on May 14, 2023. According to court documents, Phoenix Ikner decided in 2017 that he 'wanted a fresh start on his life,' and to change his name. During the hearing, 'the court found him to be a mentally, emotionally, and physically mature young adult,' a report states. At some point, he got involved in the Leon County Sheriff's office: attending the office's trainings and joining the Youth Advisory Council. Leon County Sheriff Walter A. McNeil said at a press conference on FSU's campus following the shooting that it was 'tragic in more ways than you people in the audience could ever [fathom.]' 'He has been steeped in the Leon County Sheriff's Office family, engaged in a number of training programs that we have,' McNeil said. One of his elementary school teachers, who remembers him from 2015 as Christian Eriksen, said that he was 'quiet and polite.' She said she was 'shocked' to learn about the shooting. 'Christian was super sweet, quiet,' said the teacher, who asked not to be identified by name. 'It's really sad that children's life experiences and access to guns can lead to tragedies like this.' This is a breaking news story and will be updated. This story was produced with financial support from the Esserman Family Foundation in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
