Bowie State Student-Athlete Spotlight: Justice Davis
By Bowie State Athletic Media Relations Student Assistant KEVIN PARRISH
Bowie State University
BOWIE, Md. (September 17, 2020)— Every Thursday, Bowie State University Department of Athletics, will spotlight one student athlete in wake of COVID-19 pandemic that forced CIAA to suspend fall competition until the spring of 2021. This week’s limelight will feature redshirt senior Justice Davis—a 6-foot-0 lineman on the football team—from Washington D.C.
Davis loves football and for many reasons: The ability to be extremely physical without receiving any retribution. The aspect of winning. And the fun of proving teams—who tend to underestimate their opponents—wrong. Though Bowie State has enjoyed consecutive winning records since 2015 and has captured the CIAA championship the past two seasons (2018 and 2019), Davis still feels the program does not garner enough respect.
“People use to underestimate Bowie State, and they still don’t believe we’re actually good,” Davis said.”
As a lineman, Davis models himself after Quenton Nelson, a Pro Bowl offensive guard for the Indianapolis Colts. During their games, Davis pays the most attention to Nelson’s footwork and aggressiveness when it comes to protecting the quarterback. Davis says offensive coordinator, Tyrae Reid, highly prioritizes its ability to protect their quarterbacks.
“We definitely try to limit as many sacks as possible. That’s something he’s really affectionate about,” Davis said.
In his downtime away from football, Davis is an active and social being. He likes to do different activities with his friends and hang out with his family. If he’s not sleeping, he’s likely trading in the Forex Exchange Market, cooking, or playing video games. He says his friends and teammates would describe him as a hard worker, a go-getter, and a person who respects everybody.
“My friends would tell you guys that I love everybody’s parents, everybody’s family. Most of the parents love me. You know, everybody knows who I am. I’m just that outgoing, talented, and hardworking guy,” Davis said.
During a phone interview with Bowie State Athletic Department, Davis shed light on his physical activity during the quarantine, how the team is handling the ongoing pandemic, and more.
How is the team preparing for the upcoming season that was delayed until spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
When it all started, we had to do the zoom meetings, and we just started back up on Monday. The coaches have been telling us to keep working—do the same stuff we would normally do in seasons preparing. There’s no room for breaks. There’s no room to be relaxed. Since we are one of the most dominating teams in the CIAA. So we have to act like it.
What have you been doing individually?
Individually when the pandemic first started, we always had at-home workouts. But at that time, I was recovering from an injury. Both of my knees had a slightly torn ligament. Since school started and things reopened, I’ve been working out and working night shifts at UPS.
I work out with my trainer in this athletic training place, with a couple of other Bowie State players. I also talk to high schoolers about not giving up on your dreams.
When did the injury happen?
I would say probably before the season started. It started hurting a little bit more toward the middle of the season. I still played towards the end-of-the-season but not as much. When the season officially ended, I was able to get shots in both my knees. I feel good to go now.
What’s the biggest individual goal for you this season?
To make a mark on this terrain, and continue making history. Instead of having a two-peat, we can three-peat—and hopefully make it four times, five times, or even eight times—continuously. I want to leave my mark here as one of the offensive linemen who helped the program reach that point.
How would you feel if the CIAA decides to eventually cancel all sports this year?
If they canceled sports this year and we ended up playing next year, I feel that would give our football team a great opportunity to improve. I think, as though it’s always a menace. If something negative happens, it’s still going to result in a positive ending. No matter if the pandemic is enough to stop the season now, we can use that time to become better football players in our pursuit of getting a national ring.
What do you plan to do with your Criminal Justice degree, and why did you choose that major?
I want to work in the FBI, CIA, or secret service. Maybe DEA. I chose Criminal Justice because I feel that’s another way to help the community—and then—help people in general after the drama. I’m just a helpful person, and that’s my personality.
Do you have any aspirations of trying to continue your football career?
Yeah, my biggest thing has always been to make the NFL. I know it can happen. I’ve played with plenty of players who are now in the league. And even though they come from different schools, it shows it doesn’t matter what school you come from.
I feel as though you can still get seen—and I’m working as hard as ever—to make sure I can at least get the opportunity to make a team. If I do make it, I’ll make the best out of it. And I’ll never give up because I don’t believe you should give up on your dreams. Plus, I love football so much, and that’s why I want to continue playing.
So football is your plan A and plan B is following the criminal justice path?
Yes
Alright, final question: Based on Bowie’s recent football success, where do you see the program five, ten years from now?
That is a good question. I believe with the current coaching staff under Coach Wilson—someone I don’t see retiring anytime soon—I think 10 to 15 years from now, Bowie State will be one of the top schools in the country. And maybe even have the opportunity to move to Division I.
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Chesapeake Life Center Offers Workshops / Grief Support
By ELYZABETH MARCUSSEN
Hospice of the Chesapeake
Chesapeake Life Center offers online workshops for the fall
PASADENA, Md. (September 15, 2020)— Chesapeake Life Center continues to reach out to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic with online grief and loss programs planned through the fall.
The center also has scheduled some workshops that will be held in-person. Per Center for Disease Control guidelines, the number of people who can participate is limited to allow for physical distancing and masks must be worn at all times. Visit
hospicechesapeake.org/events for a complete listing of in-person and virtual groups and workshops.
One workshop that will meet both in-person and virtually is the quarterly Book Group. People can join in on conversations about where grief meets life in literature and discuss “Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief: A Revolutionary Approach to Understanding and Healing the Impact of Loss,” by Claire Bidwell Smith, a licensed clinical professional counselor. This event will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, online and, for a limited number of participants, in-person on the John & Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, Maryland. It is free, but participants must obtain their own copy of the book.
The schedule of online only workshops are as follows:
• Nurturing the Grieving Heart through Yoga: A Six-Week Virtual Workshop—This series of adult evening yoga classes is facilitated by Cathy Rees, a registered nurse and certified yoga instructor with the Yoga Center of Columbia. This gentle workshop can be done standing or from a chair and is perfect for both grievers and caregivers. The class meets online from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 8 through Nov. 12, and costs $40 for all six sessions.
• Virtual Pet Loss Workshop—This virtual workshop, sponsored by Perfect Pet Resort, includes a time to share individual stories, an introduction to the grief process, an art activity to honor your beloved pet, and suggestions for healthy coping. This free event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5.
• Prince George’s County Family Day—Grieving families can learn how grief may look a little different to each family member as well as to other families and how the holidays impact grief. Participants will first drive by the Chesapeake Life Center’s Prince George’s County office to pick up a Grief and Gratitude box to decorate at home as a family and then join counselors and other participants for a virtual family event to share your box and family experience. The pickup will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the parking lot at 9500 Medical Center Drive in Largo, Maryland. The online participation is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. This is a free event, suitable for grieving families with children ages 6 to 12.
• Living with Loss: Through the Holidays—This virtual workshop will offer grieving adults support while helping them to honor memories and explore coping strategies during the holiday season. It will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3. The cost is $5 to participate.
Registration is required for all events and can be completed by calling 888-501-7077 or emailing griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org. For details on telehealth bereavement services, visit www.hospicechesapeake.org/clc-covid-19.
Chesapeake Life Center announces its virtual grief support schedule
PASADENA, Md. (September 15, 2020)—Chesapeake Life Center will continue many of its grief support programs via a telehealth platform, Zoom for Healthcare, through December. The center has scheduled some of its groups for in-person meetings. Per Center for Disease Control guidelines, these are limited to six people per group to allow for physical distancing and face masks must be worn at all times. Visit hospicechesapeake.org/events for a complete listing of in-person and virtual groups and workshops.
One group that will be meeting both in-person and virtually is the Child Loss Support Group. This group is for parents who have experienced the death of a child of any age or circumstance. The group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, and Dec. 2 online and, for a limited number of participants, in-person on the John & Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, Maryland.
The following groups will only be meeting online:
• Loss of Life Partner/Spouse Monthly Morning Group is for individuals grieving the death of a spouse or life partner. It will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the third Wednesday of the month, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, and Dec. 16.
• Parent/Parental-Figure Loss Monthly Support Group is a monthly drop-in group that is open to adults grieving the death of a parent or parental figure. It will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Oct. 28, Nov. 25, and Dec. 23.
• SoulCollage Grief Support Group has participants create a series of collages to commemorate lost loved ones and to visually journal the grief process. The group will meet from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 5, Nov. 2 and Dec. 7. The cost to participate is $10.
Acknowledging that not everyone has access to this technology or may not be comfortable with it, the center suggests people call or email the office and grief professionals will work with individuals to help them find appropriate resources. Registration is required for all groups and can be completed by calling 888-501-7077 or emailing griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org. For details on telehealth bereavement services, visit www.hospicechesapeake.org/clc-covid-19.
Chesapeake Life Center, a program service of Hospice of the Chesapeake, serves hospice family members and the community with bereavement services and activities aimed at enhancing the quality of life for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Visit www.chesapeakelifecenter.org.
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The Maryland Center for History and Culture Announces Four-Part Core Conversation Series Launching with Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, Ph.D.
By PRESS OFFICER
Maryland Center for History and Culture
Baltimore (September 14, 2020)—Beginning September 24, the Maryland Center for History and Culture will launch a Core Conversation Series to explore the institution’s four newly identified core values—Discovery, Dialogue, Authenticity, and Community. Librarian of Congress and Baltimorean, Carla Hayden, Ph.D., will join Catherine Mayfield, France-Merrick Director of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library in a conversation about “discovery,” exploring how museums and libraries can make their collections useful in today’s world from 12–1:30 p.m. EST.
“Our transformation to the Maryland Center for History and Culture has been years in the making,” said Mark Letzer, president and CEO of the Maryland Center for History and Culture. “Central to this major shift is our commitment to providing space for the community to hold meaningful conversations and explore the enormous impact Marylanders have had on our nation’s history. Since March, we have pivoted and hosted a number of virtual programs, and have had thousands from around Maryland and beyond our state borders, join conversations about our region’s history, and in historic moments relevant to today. We hope this series of conversations will hit a similar chord for the public.”
Subsequent conversations over the next several months will focus on the three additional values, and each will ask a relevant question, prompting dialogue and conversation that illuminate the Maryland Center for History and Culture’s core values, and shed light on its new direction as an institution.
The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC), which reopened to the public on September 12, also revealed its new name and identity at that time—one that reflects the organization’s mission to define itself as a space where the community can come to discover and develop a deeper understanding of our nation’s history and culture through a Maryland prism. The mission and vision statement has also evolved to one that better represents the institution’s role within the community, and reflects its goal to collect, preserve and interpret Maryland history. The four core values will help frame the MCHC’s initiatives, including its education programs, exhibitions, special events, research requests, and visitor interactions.
This virtual program is free and open to all audiences, however, registration is required. Those interested in registering can do so through the link
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5015979551824/WN_xNRMZ7tDRlKQ5WEkTwauiQ
Once registered for the program, attendees will receive an automated confirmation email with connection instructions.
The Maryland Center for History and Culture’s series will continue throughout the fall, with other noted speakers to be announced. Visit www.mdhistory.org/events/ for a full list of fall virtual programming.
The Maryland Center for History and Culture is now open with limited hours and capacity due to COVID-19. As of September 12, museum hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. These hours will also apply to the library when it reopens on October 7 after building upgrades are complete. Entry will be monitored to ensure proper social distancing. Masks will be required.
The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) collects, preserves, and interprets the history, art, and culture of Maryland. Originally founded as the Maryland Historical Society in 1844, the MCHC inspires critical thinking, creativity, and community by exploring multiple perspectives and sharing national stories through the lens of Maryland. Your history lives at www.mdhistory.org/.
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New Live Zoo Webcam
What did the elephant do to unwind after work?
He watched...elevision!
Well, these elephants won’t be watching, because they will be starring in a new Maryland Zoo webcam feature. Starting September 14, the webcam will be streaming from inside the Upper Savanna section of the newly renovated African Journey habitat. The elephants move in and out of this area, and you never know if you will see Tuffy, Anna, Felix or Samson. Tune in daily from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. to see what’s happening on the Elephant Cam!
marylandzoo.org/elephantcam
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