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Year in Review
[ “Year in Review” is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student. You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]
G.O.A.L.S.
[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.
Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]
Artifacts
Consequences of Sports Related Concussions: Protecting NFL Players from Repeated Traumatic Brain Injuries and Resulting Neurological Diseases
Caitlin McConaghy
Olentangy Liberty High School
Abstract
Sports related concussions have gained heightened public attention in recent years. Studies on neurodegenerative diseases such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, second impact syndrome, and post concussion syndrome have prompted the National Football League to make changes to their concussion protocol in order to better protect players’ safety. The question of whether or not there should be a limit on the number of concussions a player can sustain before being forced to permanently end their career is raised. Based on a number of studies, it is concluded that three should be the limit because that is the number of concussions at which cognitive impairment is greatly increased.
Keywords: traumatic brain injury, concussion, CTE
This paper is important to me because it was the first major research project that I have done. I invested a lot of time in this paper to make sure that I covered all aspects of my thesis. I am very passionate about the topic of sports related concussions and hope to continue research on the implications of this topic on the future of contact sports.
About Me
My name is Caitlin McConaghy and I am a first year at The Ohio State University. Ever since I was little, I’ve always been interested in medicine and in becoming a doctor like my dad. I am scientifically-minded, and enjoy taking science classes, as I find them interesting. I chose to be a Health Science major because it will allow me to explore the various aspects of health care, as well as take classes that interest me. I am very much an independent learner, preferring to work through problems myself the first time I see them. However, if I don’t understand something, discussing it with other students is the best way for me to work through the problem. Similarly, the best way I study for tests is in a group, where I can reinforce the concepts I know, and learn the concepts I am unsure of by talking through them.
I have been involved in sports all my life- from dance, to soccer, to swimming, to running, I was always super active. Being an athlete myself has been a big factor in my interest in sports medicine. I always knew I wanted to work with athletes because I would be invested in their health and success. Furthermore, the anatomy of the human body fascinates me, and the work of a doctor is generally fast paced, challenging, and never dull. This is why I want to become a sports medicine physician. Being a sports medicine physician would incorporate the things that I love- sports, working with athletes, and the human body- into a job that I would never get tired of doing day after day. I would also be able to help others, something that has always been very important to me.
I believe that helping others is an essential component to leading a meaningful life. I’ve learned the importance of being grateful for all of things my family has, and to appreciate the opportunities I’ve been given. This has helped form my perspective that giving back to my community and serving the less fortunate is so much more important than material things. One of the most profound high school experiences that I had was the Habitat for Humanity spring break trip that I went on with some fellow students. We spent a week in Florida, helping to paint houses and work in the local Habitat resale store. Probably the most amazing thing about this trip was getting to work with the homeowners and see the gratitude in their eyes. Knowing that your work matters, that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life is the best feeling. Not only did I get to help others, I formed lasting friendships while doing it, and I’ve continued to volunteer at my local Habitat site since that trip.