Grants Insights

  Well, the time has finally come. Our season is officially over. After many ups and downs throughout the year, the moment I had been dreading has arrived, and I wished it would never come. I've been on many teams and experienced many emotional endings, but none have been harder than this one. We finished the season with an impressive record of 14-4-4, along with our third straight NCAA tournament appearance. Our senior class will be missed greatly, as they have been a huge part of our success in recent years. Although we didn’t achieve our goal of winning a national championship, this season and this group of guys have given me memories that I will cherish forever. Last year, we had no seniors on our team, but this year, we had 15. These players have dedicated so much to our program over the past four years. During their time at ONU, they helped us reach three straight NCAA tournament appearances, win the OAC tournament, and become OAC regular-season champions. The class of 2024 i...

After watching the first half of The Social Dilemma on Netflix during class, I would describe it as eye-opening so far. I never realized how big of a problem Americans have with social media consumption and how it affects our daily lives. The first part of The Social Dilemma talks about the dangers of social media and how it affects people and society. It features interviews with former workers from big tech companies like Facebook, Google, and Twitter. These people explain how social media is designed to keep us hooked by using things like notifications, likes, and personalized content that make us want to keep scrolling. I’ve always known that social media can be addictive, but the way they design these platforms to keep our attention without us even realizing it blew my mind. One thing that really stood out to me in the first half of The Social Dilemma was when they discussed the concept of "persuasive technology" and how it’s used to manipulate our behavior without us ...

TikTok has had a significant impact on both society and my generation. It is, by far, my favorite social media platform, and I use it daily. I consider it my go-to source for news and entertainment. I enjoy scrolling through my "For You" page and interacting with content that interests me. For those who are unfamiliar, TikTok is a video-sharing app where users create and share videos that can last up to 10 minutes. It is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms worldwide and was the most downloaded app from 2019 to 2023. TikTok has evolved from a space for viral dance challenges to a platform that includes a wide range of content, such as political activism and social commentary. It has become more than just a source of entertainment; it has shaped the way we consume media and interact with others. Today, thousands of major brands are using TikTok to expand their businesses and connect with consumers in new and creative ways. TikTok has quickly become a key tool for ...

The time has finally come after a long and battle-tested season—NCAA tournament time! After a rollercoaster season filled with ups and downs, we are confident heading into the playoffs. Although we did not receive an automatic qualifier in the tournament after losing in the OAC semifinals, we knew our season wasn’t over. Throughout the season, we have remained ranked in the NCAA's top 25, which kept our hopes high for earning an at-large bid, despite falling short of our goal to win the OAC. This marks our third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, and we believe this is our year. While we felt confident, our chances of making the tournament were not guaranteed. We found ourselves rooting for teams ranked above us—hoping they would lose in their conference playoffs, which would improve our chances of an at-large bid. For many of our seniors, the loss against Otterbein felt like it could be our last game, as nothing was certain. I made sure to reassure my teammates that we woul...

With over 2.49 billion monthly active users watching over 5 billion videos on the platform every single day, YouTube is the world's most popular online video-sharing site, and the second most visited site in the world, second to Google. There is no wonder why YouTube is such a great platform for businesses, people and, influencers to market themselves. It gives them the chance to reach a huge, worldwide audience and connect with people in new and exciting ways. Whether it's through regular videos, ads or, working with popular creators, YouTube is a powerful tool for growing brands and building stronger customer relationships.  I use YouTube every day, whether I’m lying in bed, eating or, just relaxing. It’s easy to access, and I can find content for any part of my day, making it my go-to place for enjoyment and learning. I’ve also noticed how businesses use YouTube to show me ads for things I’m interested in, like new gadgets, services or, even local restaurants. These ads o...

This past weekend, I had the chance to celebrate my birthday with all my friends and family. It was not just any birthday. It was my 21st, a milestone I had been looking forward to for a long time. I can’t even describe how excited I was for this day to finally arrive. Turning 21 is a big deal because it comes with so many new opportunities and freedoms. At 21, you can legally drink, rent a car, gamble and, even apply for a pilot’s license. It is an age that opens up new doors and marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. I have heard so much about how life changes when you turn 21, and now that I have reached it, I am excited to see what new experiences and adventures lie ahead. In this blog, I will talk about all the great things and memories I endured that made it a night I will never forget with stories that'll last a lifetime. The week leading up to Saturday was filled with excitement, anxiety and, anticipation. Every day, I found another reason to look forward to my 21s...