World Changers

More than 23,000 students this summer will be fixing up houses all around the United States. I'm impressed. And the organization that puts it on came to Jackson. It was called World Changers, which seemed fitting. Students from age 12 to in their 20s were out and about Jackson for a week fixing 14 houses. They either painted or put on new roofs... for free.

Everyone always complains about all news is bad these days. I feel honored to prove those people wrong. There are people all the time doing great things to help make a difference, but they choose not to be recognized. It's called being humble. That's why as a journalist I get to make the decision for them and show the world that there are good people out there. Participating in mission trips before, I can appreciate what these students did. And they did with a smile and with no complaints. They paid $250 each to go to a different state for a week and fix up a house of someone they have never met. To me, this is what makes a cool story... and most of them had a strong accent so that made it even better.

I also took this opportunity to get a video under my belt. It's with the story on Mlive. Check it out!

World Changers volunteers from across the country fix up houses in Jackson
By Sarah Schuch

Felicity Adkins, 20, was up early Wednesday morning working on the roof of a house whose owner she had never met before this week.

And she did it for free. In fact, she paid money to do it.

"It shows teenagers are willing to spend a portion of their summer to come help other people," said Adkins, an Alabama resident. "Your sleep is a little deprived throughout the week. … It's very worth it."

More than 170 students are in Jackson this week with hammers and paint brushes in hand. They are part of World Changers, a ministry of the North American Mission Board, which sends thousands of students around the United States to work on home projects for a week at a time in different locations.

Check out the rest of the story AND VIDEO on Mlive!

Gentlemen Start Your Engines

NASCAR. Yup. NASCAR



I had the great opportunity to be the NASCAR summer reporter for the Jackson Citizen Patriot. I didn't cover the race itself, but the people and some news angles. I witnessed a lot of different characters during the weekend from the workers, to the president of MIS, to hicks barely wearing any clothes, to sports reporters.



I had the opportunity to sit in the press box during the race and feel like a sports reporter. You know what I learned? They have it easy. Someone teach me about sports so I can get this kind of treatment more : ) But I will say one thing... I have a new respect for NASCAR, although I still didn't really watch the race too much. But I did learn more about the racers and the sport itself.

Oh and did I mention I met Adam Sandler and Kevin James?!



I worked a lot on my stories during the week and Friday and Sunday when I was at Michigan International Speedway. I met a lot of fans and learned their stories. Fans are what makes NASCAR what it is. They all have a story to tell.

Enjoy the stories!

Some fans upset about the new smoking ban at MIS

MIS President expects track to keep two races a year

Some campers at Michigan International Speedway are just there for the party

Grand Rapids couple continues to come to Michigan International Speedway, the site of their first date

Race noise adds to the experience at Michigan International Speedway

So after walking up way too many stairs, being stared at and hit on by creepy drunk men and leaving with ringing ears I am still really excited for Round 2 in August!!

Her wheelchair is like her shoes

It makes me really enjoy being a journalist when I get the opportunity to work on a story that makes readers aware of unfair situations. Shayna is 16 years old. She has Cerebral Palsy and in August went through an eight and half hour surgery to straighten her spine. Soon after, the family started a process to get her a wheelchair through Medicaid that would better support her new back. After nine months the family still had not received the chair.
I had the opportunity to spend some time with the family, and I would have never guessed Shayna was not a normal 16-year-old girl. The family was full of spirit and full of laughs. It was great to see that.
The story made a cool front page package.


Check out the full story here.