After Amateur MMA, Jefferies Returns to Cross Country

Published in Webster University's "The Journal"

By Holly Shanks

 

   Inside a combination of Tae Kwon Do, Mixed Martial Arts cage fighting (MMA) and long-distance cross-country, senior philosophy major Ethan Jeffries discovered self-calmness, respect for adults and how to deal with aggressive people.

     Ethan Jeffries transferred to Webster University in 2010 from Illinois Central College and will graduate  with a degree in philosophy and ethics certificate in May 2014.

     At age four, Jeffries’ father, John Jeffries, entered his son into a Tae Kwon Do class- a type of martial arts that combines combat and self-defense techniques.  John Jeffries said he wanted his son to take the classes to teach him restraint and ensure he would always be able to take care of himself. 

     Jeffries said the training he received from Tae Kwon Do  instilled the ability to stay calm and not take anger out on other people, self-discipline and how to be respectful to adults.

     During the latter part of high school Jeffries found the sport of MMA.

     “I needed something more competitive and at that time MMA was still on the rise to the public, so it was just something I was curious about,” Jeffries said. “It seemed very difficult, very challenging, so I thought I would give it a try.”

American Cancer Society Turns 100 as Flo Valley Host First “Relay for Life”

Published in The Forum August 2013 Issue

By Holly Shanks

     It is estimated that 1.6 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed this year, according to The American Cancer Society. Missouri’s part in that analysis is nearly 34,000 family members, loved ones and friends finding out for the first time they have some form of cancer. 

     A cancer diagnosis in 1913 usually meant a person was doomed to an inescapable death sentence. That same year a small group of New York physicians and business leaders decided to start a crusade for the control of cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) was born as a direct result of those early efforts and this year the society celebrates 100 years of hope, research and awareness.

     Throughout the last century, thousands of ACS volunteers have dedicated an incalculable number of hours to change the course of cancer and educate the public about the devastating disease.