PTK promoting ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’
Mu Rho, Daytona State College’s Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, is embarking on a quest to benefit the minds and bodies of the students and staff at their school by engaging in weekly yoga sessions, led by student officer Casey Ward.
The impetus behind the yoga sessions stemmed from Mu Rho’s student President Ashley Rogers, who had the idea to have each of the chapter’s officers create an ongoing event that was closely associated with either their intended major or favorite extracurricular activity. Creating the yoga sessions was a no-brainer for Ward, who was excited at the opportunity to implement a part of her daily routine into the lives of the students around her.
“Providing yoga instruction to the students at DSC is beneficial in a number of ways,” Ward says. “Regular exercise helps students increase their energy, while improving their brain function and making it easier for them to be present and still during class. The meditation that yoga utilizes helps students to reiterate and clarify their academic and life goals while working to overcome anxiety. Creating a yoga space at the College helps students to make healthy and positive associations to their academic experience.”
Currently, the PTK officers host a weekly yoga session, with the intention to increase the amount of regular sessions when the Fall semester gets under way. Chapter Adviser Steve Pruitt, upon first hearing of the idea, ordered a plethora of yoga mats for the member.
“I’m encouraged by the ever-increasing turnout of students at our sessions,” Rogers said. “As a chapter very much interested in being of benefit to those outside out PTK umbrella as we are those within in it, all who are curious to experience the positive effects of Casey’s yoga instruction are more than welcome to grab a mat for an hour that I’ve found can provide a much-needed escape from the stress that our school days can bring. My hope is that we reach a broad array of students and staff over the course of this coming year and we intend to incorporate a kid’s yoga class for students with families.”
DSC’s PTK yoga sessions are held every Monday at 1 p.m.in Building 130, room 154. Call student activities at 506-3131 for more information.
‘Off’ year prompts TurboVote drive
Daytona State College is joining a statewide initiative to boost student voter turnout at local, state and national elections. Partnering with a non-profit, non-partisan organization called TurboVote, the college is promoting an online weblink that gives students free access to a variety of election-related services.
Students can register to vote, update their voter registration information, get absentee ballots and receive reminders of approaching elections by joining daytonastate.turbovote.org
The Florida College System Civic Literacy Initiative launched the statewide program in an effort to increase civic engagement among 18-24 year old college students – a demographic that has not been well represented at the polls, especially in “off” election years. This year’s race for Florida’s governor, for example, is considered an “off” year election because there are few other national, state or local and elections drawing attention to the polls.
The statewide effort builds upon several successful projects in Florida and across the nation. Since 2012, more than 11,000 Florida students have used TurboVote to get engaged in elections through partnerships at 11 institutions, including Miami Dade College and Tallahassee Community College. Since launching its college partnerships program at Harvard University and Miami Dade College in January 2012, TurboVote’s partnerships program has grown to include over 125 institutions nationwide and 35 participating institutions in Florida. To access the DSC website for TurboVote, go to: http://daytonastate.turbovote.org
Welcome backs to greet students
Daytona State College’s six campuses will welcome students back with a series of events featuring campus and course program information, give-aways from local vendors, Student Activities and DSC clubs booths, free food and entertainment.
All events are free. For more information, call Student Activities at 506-3131.
The following dates are scheduled:
ATC Campus, Monday, Aug. 25, 2:30-4:30 p.m.1770 Technology Blvd. Daytona Beach;
Daytona Campus- Wednesday, Aug. 27, 11-1 p.m., 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach;
Deltona Campus- Thursday, Aug. 28, 10-noon, 2351 Providence Blvd. Deltona; Flager/Palm Coast Campus- Tuesday, Sept. 2, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 3000 Palm Coast Parkway Southeast Palm Coast;
Deland Campus- Wednesday, Sept. 3, 11-1 p.m., 1155 County Road 4139 DeLand; New Smyrna Beach Campus- Thursday, Sept. 4, 11-1 p.m., 940 10th St. New Smyrna Beach.