Jerry Hoffman

Winter has beset the land, and the frigidness of Jack Frost is in the air. With the windchill and the snow being the way that they are, it would seem unlikely that anyone would want to stop and talk for more than a few minutes in this weather.
However, Marcy Abner, Brighton senior and soccer player, is one brave soul who is willing to face the inclement weather for the sake of letting us get to know her a little better.
Abner came to Central to study a major in dietetics with a minor in excercise science. She started her interest in this area at the Univeristy of Southern Alabama.
“I was pursuing a physician’s assisstant degree at the University of Southern Alabama, and I took a nutrition class there, and found it interesting.”
However, her involvement in the women’s varsity soccer team and her major in dietetics are not the only things that she enjoys about CMU.
“I like it here [at Central],” said Abner. “I think the education here is very structured to teach us to use what we have learned on the job in real life. Also, the size is good, because you can interact with your professors, and you can walk around campus and see people that you know.”
Abner also enjoyed her sports nutrition class the most out of all those that will make up her eventual college transcript.
“It’s interesting to learn more about how deficiencies of nutrients can affect your performance,” Abner said.
However, Central is not all fun and games for Abner, as she disliked her English 201 class.
“I’m more of a science person, and writing papers is not exactly the joy of my life,” Abner said.
Another part of her life that is not exactly a joy is Preacher Rick, who lovingly screams his message to high heaven and anyone who will listen.
“I think that his intentions are good,” said Abner. “But, I think that a lot of people are turned off by his in-the-face approach.”
When she is not on campus trying to keep warm in sub-zero wind chills or thinking about where the path of good intentions usually leads, she might be found at her Lexington Ridge apartment, watching college football, her favorite television sport.
“It’s quiet most of the time,” Abner said. “I share my apartment with one other person, and it’s nice to have my own privacy and space.”
When she’s not watching football, she might be caught watching Jag, another of her favorite television programs.
“My roommate got me hooked on it,” said Abner. “The military is interesting, and I find it to be entertaining.”
However, if she were to appear on television, it might be as one of her favorite cartoon characters, the Care Bears.
“They want the best for people; they really seem to enjoy life, and I really enjoy life,” said Abner.
When Abner is not at her apartment cheering on MSU, her favorite college team, or thinking about how to solve world hunger, one might find her with her friends.
“We might go out to dinner, rent some movies, and play some board games,” said Abner.
But, the plot thickens when one million tax-free dollars are thrown into the mix.
“I would travel to Europe,” said Abner. “I’ve never been there, and I know nothing about it except for what I’ve learned from history classes. I might go to visit Germany because most of my family is German, or to Israel because of my faith.”
While she pores over travel brochures waiting to hit the lottery, Abner might be listening to what she describes as the kind of music that you can listen to and understand the words, like soft rock or classic rock. Among her favorites in today’s music are bands like Vertical Horizon and Creed.
Abner feels that she has enjoyed her four years as a college student, rating it as a pleasurable experience.
“The first couple of years were a great opportunity for me to grow as an individual,” said Abner. “It’s been an incredible experience for me as an athlete as well, to travel across the country for free just to play sports.”
With the wind blowing and the snow falling, the brave and chilled Marcy Abner falls back into the droves of CMU students trying to stay warm when there is none to be had.
Perhaps, there is a warmth after all that lurks in every one of us, even on the coldest winter day.

E-mail the author: David Palmer LIFE Et cetera Writer