Student’s book opens children’s eyes to differences
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 10
Self-esteem can be fragile in any child. For a child who is ‘different’ from other children, even well-meaning or careless remarks can hurt, never mind the taunts, stares or not-so-subtle whispers. ‘I remember a fifth grade experience. I was walking out of my ballet class, and a woman took me by the arm and said, ‘Oh my goodness, did you get hit in the face?’ ‘ said University of Alabama sophomore Abigail Hardin. . . . Hardin, who grew up with a port-wine birthmark on her face, recalls asking herself if that was how everyone looked at her. As far back as she can remember, Hardin said, she endured bullying, teasing and comments from classmates that took a toll on her self-esteem. Her response? In 2006, after undergoing eight laser surgeries that made the birthmark less noticeable, the Clinton, Miss., native wrote a children’s book. The book, “look at me; i am just like you,” tells the story of ‘Lucie, the hippopotamus,’ and her very noticeable difference that brings her ‘unwanted’ attention from people in her school.
VFW partners with student association to find new members
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 10
As the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6022 prepares to celebrate Veterans Day, they are seeking new ways to grow their organization. As members grow older and become less active, post commander Walter Turner is looking for younger veterans to fill that void. “We need some new blood, new ideas,” Turner said. “Some of the older guys just can’t do things the way they used to so we need some help … We have veterans from World War II, the Korean War, a lot from Vietnam, some from Desert Storm, and we’re just now picking up some Iraqi veterans.” One of the ways that Turner has begun looking for younger members is by partnering with the University of Alabama’s Student Veterans Association.
Ida In T-Town
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 9
The LSU Tigers may have just pulled out of Tuscaloosa, but tropical storm Ida is ready to roll into the city. . . . As for why the late-blooming tropical storm has lost so much of its original “thunder”, Dr. David Brommer, an associate professor of geology with the University of Alabama says: “It’s hard for hurricanes and tropical storms to maintain themselves this time of year because of the increase of cold fronts and weather systems that come through. The water in the gulf has also cooled. These storms have to be travelling very fast in order to keep their shape and form.”
Miss Corolla Crowned at UA
WBRC (Birmingham) – Nov. 9
The Miss Corolla Pageant was at the University of Alabama over the weekend. The 74th annual Miss Corolla winner is Elizabeth Nix. One of her proud supporters is her sister, Fox6 news reporter Ashley Nix.