Why I Chose Wright State

During my senior year of high school, I went to many different colleges to see what they were like. I never once even thought of going to Wright State. My dad asked me to apply to a couple of colleges and luckily I got accepted to ones such as, Sinclair, the University of Louisville, the University of Cincinnati, and, obviously Wright State. I wanted to go to the University of Louisville more than anything. I soon realized that was not possible. UofL is very expensive and a very long drive if I ever wanted to come home over the weekend. After talking to my dad, he told me that Wright State is actually a very good school. My older brother, everyone calls him Joe, I call him Joey, had just finished his first year there. He talked to me and told me that Wright State was one of the best things that ever happened to him. Joey is not very social at all, but he is extremely smart, and I knew I could trust him. He told me that he made so many friends over the year and learned so much more. After talking to my dad some more, he told me that Wright state is a good choice and I would benefit greatly from it. My dad also helped me decide whether or not it would be a good idea to live at home for the first year. Although I was skeptical at first, once I was at Wright State for a while, I knew Joey was right. It is a good school and I am glad that I chose Wright State. 

That's How Much I Love You

One song that means a lot to me is, That’s How Much I Love You, by Frank Sinatra. Honestly, I never knew this was a real song until just a few days ago. My grandmother, who I have always called Grammy, used to sing the words, “If I had a nickel, I’d tell you what I’d do, I’d spend it all on candy, and give it all to you,” to my siblings and me when we were younger. My cousins and I added the word “baby” on the end to those lyrics when we were able to talk and understand it. We used to sing this phrase over and over again on long car rides back to her house, always having a good time and laughing uncontrollably at our horrible voices. Until now, I had always thought she just made those words up. Then, realizing it was actually Frank Sinatra, I understood that my Grammy just shortened it for us to learn to sing.

This song was written in 1946, and was on one of Sinatra’s many albums. I believe that Sinatra is targeting someone he loves, but I think his purpose for writing this song is for others to feel the same ways as him. I also think that Sinatra would want the audience to be able to dedicate this song to someone they love. Through researching Sinatra, I have learned that he takes a strong stance on love. Many of his other songs are about love, so it must be very important to him or it is possible that he struggled with it. Either way, this song will always be very special to me.

Lane Frost

If I could have the chance to meet anyone in the world, I would choose bull riding icon, Lane Frost. Frost was born in 1963 and began participating in rodeos at a very young age. He was the National High School Bull Riding Champion in 1981 and he was the Bull Riding Champion of the first Youth National Finals in 1982. Soon after that, in 1984, he married a barrel racer named Kellie Kyle. Right after high school, he joined the PRCA and became the PRCA World Champion Bull Rider only at the age of 24.

Sadly, on July 30, 1989 at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, after riding a bull called “Taking Care of Business” he dismounted, and fell to the mud. The bull then turned around and hit Frost in the side with his horn which broke several of his ribs. He then stood up and tried to run back to the chutes, but fell. The fall caused his broken ribs to puncture his left lung and his heart. Frost was rushed to the hospital, but his heart could not be repaired and he was pronounced dead.

After his death, changes were made to rodeos in his honor. For instance, from now on, all bull riders must wear a protective when on a bull. This vest was invented by Frost’s touring partner and good friend, Cody Lambert. A plethora of songs were written by famous singers, such as George Strait, in Frost’s honor. And in 1994, a movie, 8 seconds, was released.

Even though I have never ridden a bull, I am very close to some people who do and they say Frost is truly an inspiration.  I would love to meet Frost because of the things I have read about him being such a good man. In the movie, 8 seconds, Frost’s character is seen helping a young boy better his riding methods. I have come to find that back then this was never seen, but yet Frost did it. From reading about him and his life, it makes me want to keep striving and never give up.