Well... here I am. It's my senior year and I am having a blast. My name is Joshua and I am from Joplin, Missouri. I was born and raised in southwestern Missouri and proud of it. Some people say that I come from a large family, but with only eight kids in my family, we're still three short of a soccer team. Soccer for my family is like breathing. Everyone in my family plays the game...without it, we just wouldn't be the same.

Here at Avila, I am the captain of the men's soccer team. Last Wednesday we engaged the boys of St. Mary in battle. Thanks to the valiant efforts of my guys, we beat them 5-1. Chase, a soccer brother of mine since I could walk, blasted two into the back of the net, striking fear into the hearts of the enemy. Needless to say, we were flying high that night.

Most of my days are filled to the point of overflowing. Classes, practice, and group events keep my blood pressure high as I try to juggle all the craziness. One of those groups, Campus Ministry had a whip cream fight on Tuesday. I was the only sane one as I tried to moderate the chaos. Yet even as the moderator, I still managed to become the target of a few select individuals. It might have been because the hose in my hands was spraying everyone, but who knows?

When the air is not popping with excitement, I chill out with my boys, Chase, Turk, and Max. They live in the luxuries of Thompson Hall. Thompson Hall is the brand new res hall Avila just built. Usually we just hang out, pick up the sticks, and set our sights on blowing each other to virtual smithereens. They guys tend to get the better of me, that is...until I start throwing grenades around like crazy. No better why to die than to have a plasma stuck to your face, huh guys?

If I'm not in class, on the soccer field, or hanging out, I'm usually beating some of my other friends (like Bernadette and Rachel) in cards or board games. Winning 319-180 in scrabble is so much fun!!! Of course, my partner Katie helped a little with her eight letter words, but, only just a little.

With games and tests upcoming, I am sure I have plenty to make my head do a 360 ° , so until next time…