Inspire, Winter 1998-99

Sharing Jesus Through Race Walking I f you are looking for Jill Zenner'97, you should start by finding the nearest race walk. Jill competes in the sport nearly every other weekend. Jill, who is studying for her graduate degree in atmospheric science at Purdue University in Lafayette,Indiana, was first introduced to race walking by Cedarville College track coach Elvin King and fellow track team member Chad Eder'96. When she was a junior, Jill entered her first competition. During her senior year she qualified to compete at the U.S. National Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championship.That qualification convinced her to continue what to that point had been a hobby. Her best time in a 20K race(approximately 12.4 miles) is 1:41:30. This past October,Jill was a member ofthe United States team in the Pan American Cup of Race Walking.The 20K race, held in Miami,Florida,included teams from Canada, Mexico,and Central and South America.The U.S. women's team won the competition,and Jill placed fourth on the team. "I love race walking because it opens the door for sharing Jesus Christ," Jill exclaimed. "The opportunities to witness have been incredible!" "In race walking you really get to know the people you compete with The better my reputation as an athlete among them. the more they respect ril spiritual stand," she explained."This is a gift from God!" Jill hopes to qualify for the U.S.team competing in the 1999 World Cup in France. She also hopes for the opportunity to return to the Pan American games."I'll most likely train for the 2000 Olympics after I finish my master's degree in the spring," she said. On Stage Live! R andy'85 and Meredith Collins Johnson'86 graduated from Cedarville College with nursing degrees.So why can you usually find them involved in drama, music,and the arts at church and in the community?"The arts can be a great evangelistic tool,and I have had many opportunities to share my faith through drama and music," Meredith explained. The Johnsons'love for music and drama was nourished at Cedarville College,and they continued to develop their talents following graduation. Meredith has performed in community theatre and has continued to take voice lessons."Studying in New York City gave me a real boost in pursuing my dreams. The techniques I learned revolutionized my voice and were preparing me for the opera stage," stated Meredith. Meredith just completed eight weeks of professional theatre in Do Black Patent LeatherShoes Really Reflect Up? at the Mark Two Dinner Theatre in Orlando,Florida.She was part of the cast of 12for eight shows a week."It was hard work along with the fun," Meredith stated."Being a part of professional theatre diminished the glamour of actors and actresses for me. 1 would go to work in the morning, perform in the matinee, then try to fit some more of myjob in before the evening curtain call." Meredith works full-time as a coordinator for quality assurance and improvement at Florida Hospital East in Orlando, while Randy works full-time as a pediatric clinical specialist in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Florida Hospital South,also in Orlando. Randy and Meredith have found Willow Creek Presbyterian Church in Winter Springs, Florida as an ideal spot for using their artistic talents for Christ. Randy plays saxophone in the church orchestra and is part ofthe worship team and choir. He also developed and directs a puppet program which performs twice a month for children's church. Meredith developed and directs the church drama team,which gives monthly presentations.The drama team currently consists ofseven teens and 16 adults."The Lord uses arts in the church," said Randy,who also participates in dramas."With drama we can dig through to the core of a person's heart in a brief amount of time. We pose questions with drama and whet a person's appetite for the pastor's message." Meredith worked at a weekend retreat with Mike Law '87, music minister at Viera Beach Baptist in Melbourne,Florida, to kick off the Willow Creek drama ministry. Gary Barker'86, Cedarville College associate professor of communications, collaborated by providing training workshops for the weekend seminar."The outcome for Willow Creek has been great," Meredith noted. • Weekends At The Rodeo G regory "Joe" Cunningham '96 rode uk first rodeo bull in June of 1997. "It was a thrill!" Joe exulted."I won second place on my very first ride." That first ride hooked Joe,and he has been riding bulls at rodeos all over the United States since. Joe credits stories of his dad receiving a scholarship and riding bareback in competition for the Arizona State University riding team with developing his love ofthe Southwest. Joe recently received his professional card for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association(PRCA). He was required to earn $1,000 in prize money to earn his card.The card, much like golf's PGA card which gives golfers the right to compete in PGA events,entitles Joe to compete in rodeos,and gives him advanced standing in those competitions. He has ridden in rodeos every weekend in 1998. Joe explained that a bull ride is measured by a few simple rules. The rider must keep one hand in the rope loop,and his free hand cannot touch the bull or himself. Bulls arejudged by the strength of the buck, number ofspins, and height ofjumps. Riders arejudged by the skill used on the bull and if they stay on the bull or fall off.A successful ride lasts for eight seconds,andjudges award a maximum of 100 points for a ride. Joe's top professional ride was at a ••••••••••••••• rodeo in Paris,Tennessee, where he won the event with a score of79 points. Joe stays in good physical condition to continue this unique hobby.At Cedarville College, he was on the track and field team and took second place at the 1995 NAIA Indoor Nationals in pole vaulting. Joe currently works for his father's contracting company. This affords him the opportunity to travel to competitions. Joe states that the challenge of bull riding coincides with America's heritage and traditions which is why he likes riding and wants to continue."Some day I hope to get to the point of making a living from riding," said Joe. . 11111Wal.r.iI:-,. -.- .VDROIIEN HORN 'a3 VI .0 Pf.—.1 0 PROD ND INC. scr i x•epise limAhr, •e•••••e•••0••••0•e••••••••••• A Remarkable Challenge ngela Cooke Jackson '85 was faced • with a remarkable challenge earlier • this year. Her mother, who had battled diabetes for 25 years, encouraged Angela and her three sisters to take care oftheir health. Knowing that diet, weight,and exercise are key to • preventing diabetes and that diabetes disproportionately affects African-American women, Angela took up her mother's challenge.As her mother's health deteriorated, Angela's activity increased. Angela remarked,"I implemented exercise and • health practices that • embraced Mom and her • battle with diabetes." • Besides eating right and • exercising,Angela also • began a body building and • strength regimen. Already • teaching a warm water • therapy course for people • with muscular pain and • Parkinson's disease,she • began walking and running, • and she participated in many • 5K races.This led to more • serious competitions. • Angela competed in her • first triathlon this past • summer at East Fork State • Park in Ohio.The race • consisted ofa 3.2-mile run,a • 13-mile bike ride, and a half-mile swim.Angela's • greatest reward came when she told her mother, • Fritz, about the competition. Fritz' response was a huge smile and thumbs up from the hospital bed. Angela's ultimate goal is to sponsor a run with the proceeds designated for diabetes research. Angela believes in exercising the brain as well as the body.She is currently working on her doctorate in health and interpersonal communications at the University of Kentucky.She and Margaret Stowell Wheeler'64,Deborah Bush Haffey '68,Heather Norton,and Donna Powloski recently presented undergraduate communication coursework seminars at the National Communication Association Conference in New York City. Angela hopes to publish this work. Angela's full-timejob as assistant dean for the College of Professional Studies at Northern Kentucky University also keeps her busy."Dealing with 12,000 students can be a challenge," stated Angela. Fritz lost her battle to diabetes on September 11, 1998.In honor of her mother,Angela has entered the first Cincinnati marathon, which will be held on Mother's Day,May 9,1999.The 26.2-mile run will wind through Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Angela and her husband, Carltaro,attend Great Commission Bible Church in Cincinnati. They are learning and claiming the challenges found in Ephesians 1:18-19:"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches ofthe glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe."