It’s easy to see why historical perspective is important in the life of this week’s INTRODUCING … featured student-athlete – Hood College senior women’s basketball standout Allyson Lethbridge.  She is a history education major, and she relates those interests to many facets of her life and the world around her.  Lethbridge’s history on the basketball court is also impressive as she enters her fourth season as a starter for the Blazers after averaging just under 10 points and four rebounds per game last year.

What is your background in the sport you play?  My dad was a great basketball player and an avid fan of the sport. In order to be like my dad, I started playing basketball when I was in 1^st grade and never looked back. I played on numerous AAU teams competing all along the east coast, winning the AAU AYBT East Coach National Championship during high school. In addition, the summer between my sophomore and junior year of college, I had the opportunity to travel to Barbados with USAAI Basketball and compete against numerous International teams. This is my fourth and final year at Hood, where I have served as Captain of my team both my junior and senior years.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  My favorite spot on campus would have to be the Whitaker Student Union because you are guaranteed to see one of your friends or someone you know. It is also a great place to watch big sporting events, get homework done, or to grab something to eat.

Other than your team, what organization(s) do you participate in?  I am a member of SPURS at Hood, which is a selected group of upper class athletes that serve as mentors to freshmen athletes. In addition, I am a very active member in my church by being involving in teaching children’s church and singing in the worship bands on Sundays.

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.  My freshmen year (2007-2008), was Hood’s inaugural year into the Capital Athletic Conference. Probably my most memorable moment comes from being a part of the team that gained Hood’s first CAC victory in women’s basketball over Gallaudet University. After being stuck in DC traffic for almost three hours that night due to a Redskins game and the Tree Lighting ceremony, our game started nearly two hours late. Although this was not the most ideal situation to be in, we were able to get our first CAC victory ever and I had one of my best outings of the season.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  The financial and economic situations of our country are most definitely a major issue that current college students must face. Ideally, after graduation students hope to start off with a “clean slate”; however, with the rising costs of tuition, accompanied by an abysmal job market and increasingly problematic economy, young adults now more than ever face very difficult economic times.

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it?  As a history education major, it may sound like a cliché thing to say; however, I wish that our country could go back to a time where hard work and self-motivation were values that were common and expected at every level, rather than rare and difficult to find. Unfortunately, we are continually seeing a decline of morals in the general population. These characteristics begin to develop as young children; so consequently, in order to fix this issue, it needs to start at home. Parental/guardian ideals and involvement must be prevalent in children’s lives in order that they might be successful in the future.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline? I am a history and secondary education major. During this time, I have completed full time student teaching at Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick where I have taught 9^th-12^th grade students in both Government and American History. To me, this has been a huge eye-opener as I have learned that the issues facing today’s students and the younger generations are completely different than my parent’s generation, and even my own generation. To adapt to these changes, teaching styles and approaches must adjust to better reach our students.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?  While going through school, I always had an appreciation for my teachers. However, now after actually becoming an educator myself and seeing all of the work that goes into this profession, it has allowed me to look back and truly appreciate all of the great teachers that I have had. It is very difficult to narrow it down to just one teacher. In high school, Mrs. Frederick and Ms. Blose were phenomenal teachers, who impacted me in so many ways. Throughout college, my education professors have also been exceptional, particularly Professor Kate Powell, who has helped to mentor me through the process of becoming a successful teacher.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  DON’T grow up too fast and ENJOY your time being young! Time is something that you can never get back. Enjoy it while you can J

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  By far it would have to be sports. I come from an extremely sports-oriented and competitive family. It is rare to go to a Lethbridge family event where there is not a flag football, volleyball or whiffle ball game going on. Watching sports is also a big deal for my family. Cheering for the hometown teams (Ravens, Orioles, and Terrapins) is a must and you can expect to be disowned if you cheer for the Steelers, Yankees, or Duke. Sports allow for fun rivalries between my friends and it’s great to be able to have bragging rights.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  I can’t choose just one. I am a diehard Maryland Terps fan and Baltimore Ravens fan. Always have been and always will be J My favorite athlete would have to be Kevin Durant.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?

Tim Tebow- I should meet the guy before I marry him J

John Wooden- Not only was the man a true winner and a basketball genius, he was one of the most genuine people of this generation. He was a devoted husband, father, and teacher and knew what was truly important in life. His character and faith set him apart from almost everyone else in his position.

Ronald Reagan- With all odds against him, Reagan was able to take this country out of one of the toughest political and economic times in our country’s history. At a time when interest rates were sky high and the Cold War was escalating, a man with little political experience guided this country into successful times and played probably the biggest role in ending the Cold War.