It was her turn.

She stepped forward; her crimson polo tucked neatly in her shorts.

With a gloved hand, she lifted the ball, swung and released. Perfect form.

It hit the maple wood floor with a satisfying thud.

The women listened as it crashed into the pins. Not one was left standing. All 10 were down.

She’d hit a strike.

Everyone applauded and cheered.

She would go on to hit five more. And it would pay off.

On Friday, retired transgender advocate Joanne Herman earned a gold medal in the 19th Annual UF Health Senior Games, a multi-sport event featuring adults age 50 and older. She competed in the women’s singles bowling tournament held at Alley Gatorz Bowling Center on Northeast Waldo Road in Gainesville.

“Strikes are fun!” the 65-year-old said. “Because all the pins go down and it makes a big noise.”

The tournament was grouped by men and women as well as age ranges. The ranges represented were 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 80-84. The winners of each men’s and women’s age group were determined by the total score tallied in three games.

The highest possible score in one game of bowling is 300. In three games, Herman’s total score was 593, the highest of all the bowlers in the tournament.

With her win on Friday, she earned a spot in the state bowling tournament, the Florida Senior Games in Sunrise, Florida, in December.

Unlike fellow gold medalist Dennis Stenson, 69, who joined his first bowling league 34 years ago, Herman’s introduction to the oil-slicked lanes came much later in life – at the age of 52. She had just lost her first spouse to cancer and needed to focus on something other than her grief. 

Bowling was it. 

The Dartmouth alum joined a summer league, where she received her first bowling bag, ball and shoes. Later, she became part of a full-season league and won her first women’s tournament in Massachusetts in 2012.

In the beginning, Herman focused solely on the physical aspect of the sport. But she soon realized there was another component, one that was more difficult: overcoming a bad game.

“The mental stuff is really the hardest part,” she said. “You really get down on yourself and say, ‘I just don’t have it. I don’t have what it takes.’ Overcoming that stuff is the hardest part.”

Despite the mental challenges, Herman’s passion for the sport moved her to create BowlingSeriously.com, a website to help those who are interested in competitive bowling. The website answers frequently asked questions and discusses four levels of progression: how to get better, joining a league, participating in a team tournament, competing on one’s own. 

Before her love affair with bowling began, Herman’s life revolved around philanthropy and transgender awareness. The story of her transformation was featured in the Dartmouth College Alumni Magazine in 2007. Two years later, she wrote “Transgender Explained For Those Who Are Not,” a book that provides non-complicated explanations of transgender.

Herman’s retirement left her with free time on her hands. It was the perfect opportunity to get serious about bowling. And she’s glad she did.

“I’ve never done any other sport in my life,” the avid bowler said with youthful enthusiasm. “I really, really enjoy it.”

Silent sufferers.  

They’re the people you don’t know are hurting, the ones who are quietly struggling. They rarely show signs of weakness. They’re the strongest people you know.

Why am I talking about this? Because I consider myself one of them.

One morning in July, as I was getting out of bed, I was hit with a sudden onset of vertigo. The room was violently spinning. I felt drunk.

I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t concentrate. If I had to stand for any reason, I needed to lean on something to keep me steady.

This continued for weeks. 

With the start of fall semester approaching, I finally decided to see a doctor. She tried a few maneuvers and tested my blood but was unsuccessful in finding a solution. I was then referred to a physical therapist who specializes in vertigo.

Before beginning any sessions, I completed a lengthy questionnaire and underwent an evaluation. Based on the results, it was determined that I was suffering from Vestibular Neuritis. The disorder affects the inner ear due to inflammation and damage to the vestibular nerve, which is often the result of a viral infection such as a cold or sinusitis.

That same day, I began Vestibular Rehabilitation Treatment, an exercise-based treatment that involves components of gaze stabilization and balance. At the end of my second session, I was advised to do all required exercises at home each day to correct my balance. It was also advised that I continue my normal activities and stay active. 

I obliged. I worked the Florida Gators home football games as a volunteer for UF’s Athletic Association, I started a new job at my college, and I continued working at a local law firm as well as a weekly shift at ESPN WRUF. I accepted these responsibilities on top of taking four courses. I was active. And it seemed to be working. But not for long.

The vertigo returned with a vengeance after a few months.

It was at that moment I realized this health issue was something I would need to adjust my life around. And I was determined not to let it interfere with my performance at work or school.

I decided I didn’t want my health to be an excuse as to why I couldn’t submit an assignment on time or why I couldn’t get something done at work. That’s not me. That’s never been me. That will never be me.

So, I work extra hard at everything I do, and it’s paid off. I finished the semester with three A’s and one A-, an absolute miracle, and I’m getting better at my job each day.

Before your mind even goes there, no, this isn’t a brag post. Rather, a motivational one. 

Life is going to throw things at you. There will always be something in your way. And when that happens, you have two options: remove it or find a way around it. It’s not easy, by any means. But allowing something to keep you from moving forward should never be an option. 

Never.

After coming off a much-needed bye week, the Atlanta Falcons were sitting at 3-4 and looking to leave FedEx Field at .500 on Sunday. They accomplished that goal.

With dominant performances in all phases of the game, Atlanta made a statement with a 38-14 rout of the NFC East-leading Washington Redskins.

Here’s how they did it:

The Defense Stifled Adrian Peterson

When the 33-year-old running back took a handoff from quarterback Alex Smith, Atlanta’s defense swarmed.

Peterson went from rushing 29 times for 149 yards last week to a mere nine rushes for 17 yards against the Falcons.

In a postgame interview, he gave credit to Atlanta’s defense for their ability to slow down Washington’s run game.

Adrian Peterson – gotta take our hats off to Atlanta. They did a great job today. pic.twitter.com/RbRsZzbzSq

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 4, 2018

More Touchdowns, Less Field Goals

The Falcons have struggled with getting into the end zone on long drives, often settling for three points. That wasn’t the case on Sunday.

Quarterback Matt Ryan used not one, not two, not three but four of his offensive weapons on Atlanta’s five touchdown drives:

• Tevin Coleman, 39-yard touchdown
• Ito Smith, 12-yard touchdown
• Calvin Ridley, 40-yard touchdown
• Tevin Coleman, 10-yard touchdown

Atlanta’s final touchdown of the afternoon was one that fans and fantasy football owners had been waiting for all season. And it did not disappoint.

Atlanta’s Twitter team had a little fun with the fans after receiving countless tweets throughout the season about Julio Jones not having any touchdowns.

Julio Jones fantasy football owners, you may now exit our mentions. pic.twitter.com/tl5evgTsvv

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 4, 2018

Ryan was in MVP Form

He may have thrown an interception early in the game, but it didn’t matter. Ryan looked every bit like an MVP, throwing for 350 yards and four touchdowns.

It was the fifth game this season that he’s thrown for 350 or more yards. He appears to be on par for another banner year.

To put things into perspective on how well Ryan’s played so far:

The Falcons have now played 8 games this season. If Matt Ryan reproduces his stat line from the first half of the season over the second half, he'll finish with these numbers:

426/602, 5,370 yards, 38 TDs, 6 INT, 115.1 passer rating.

He's having another remarkable, MVP season.

— Football Perspective (@fbgchase) November 5, 2018

Head coach Dan Quinn had nothing but positive things to say about his quarterback after the game.

“I think one of the things I really admire about him is consistency. It’s not a sexy word because it’s not earned overnight…He is playing consistently. But even past that, decision making, the accuracy, the toughness he displays makes teammates,” Quinn told the AJC.

“That’s what I think of Matt. All the work that he puts in to make sure that he’s at his best for his team and it shows up every week.”

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off a heartbreaking loss in overtime to division rival the New Orleans Saints last week.

The Falcons’ defense gave up 43 points to the Saints and will now face its next big test in the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals are averaging 29.7 points per game, just a bit more than Atlanta’s 26.7, and are the sixth-scoring offense in the league.

Atlanta will need its defense to contain the Cincinnati’s high-powered offense.

Here’s how they can do it:

Stop Giovani Bernard

The 26-year-old running back started for Cincinnati in place of the injured Joe Mixon in Week 3’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Bernard had 12 carries for 61 yards, an average of 5.1 yards per carry, and one touchdown. He also caught five passes for 25 yards.

By the numbers, Bernard may not seem like much of a threat. But Atlanta has allowed running backs to accumulate 255 yards on 36 receptions so far this season. The Bengals will look to use Bernard to exploit what they believe to be a weak spot in the Falcons defense.

Shut Down Tyler Boyd

When most people think of Cincinnati’s receivers, their minds typically think of one: A.J. Green. However, a younger receiver has started turning heads this season.

Boyd went from six catches for 91 yards in Week 2, to six catches for 132 yards in Week 3. He had a touchdown in both games.

“Boyd has become the second most reliable target on the team after A.J. Green,” said ESPN Cincinnati Bengals reporter Katherine Terrell. “He’s earned the trust of the team after a difficult season last year and is now a key part of the offense.”

Rush the Passer

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn wasn’t happy with his team’s ability to rush the passer in Week 3.

“I think we’re not where we’re going to be in that department yet,” he said “I think when we get Takk back and him and Vic [Beasley] together, I think that’s a good combination that we like. Yesterday, I certainly wasn’t happy with the amount of good rushes we had, not counting screens or that type of deal.”

In spite of throwing four interceptions in last week’s loss at Carolina, Andy Dalton made history. The quarterback threw for 352 yards, making him the franchise’s quarterback with the most games with over 300 yards passing.

The Falcons will need to put pressure on Dalton. The good news is…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoR5U7FhWdj/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1wb1f3jy9v2yj

She worked with multi-platinum artist and songwriter T-Pain.

She appeared on MTV’s “Total Request Live” for the premiere of her first music video.

She was named one of the “Top 5 Young Artists to Watch” by USA Today.

Ten years later, she’s living a normal life as a full-time employee and wife in the Sunshine State.

Asia Kovacs, formerly known by her professional name “Asia Cruise,” was an R&B singer on the rise in 2008. She brought a new look to the music industry and was on the fast track to becoming the next big thing. But she gave it all up before it ever really began.

The Jacksonville native started singing when she was 5 years old. At the age of 10, she attended a youth theater camp. In her first performance at that camp, Kovacs received such a positive reaction from the audience it inspired her to pursue a career in music.

The musical influences of Britney Spears, Aaliyah and Selena also played a part in Kovacs’ quest for stardom. Aaliyah’s “Try Again” was the first song she ever sang on stage.

“My mom made me this hideous sequined outfit, which I thought was so cool at the time,” the 28-year-old said. “Every time I see pictures, I just cringe. I blame my teen idols for my interesting stage costumes.”

Kovacs made her voice known in her home state, performing for the American Cancer Society, the Jacksonville Fair and singing the national anthem for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (known as the Jacksonville Suns at the time).

She eventually took her talents on the road, traveling to different states, singing in different venues. Kovacs said she was home-schooled during high school so that she could keep up with classes and still perform full time.

The aspiring singer’s travels included a special trip to Atlanta. There, she recorded a five-song demo that was sent out to various labels. Jive Records picked it up, making her the label’s first Asian artist.

The 18-year-old released the single, “Selfish,” along with a music video, that same year.

The song came off her forthcoming album “Who Is Asia Cruise?” The album concept was part of a marketing campaign that featured only a silhouette of a girl on the cover to create a buzz about the upcoming artist. It was set to be released the following year.

But it didn’t happen.

The pressures of the music industry had become too much for Kovacs to bear. Label executives constantly critiqued and criticized her looks, especially her ethnicity.

“The things I would hear,” she said. “Always saying I was too fat, needed to be less ethnic. They tried to make me not Asian. Said it didn’t sell well.”

At that point, Kovacs had fallen out of love. She wanted out.

She went back home and back to school.

Kovacs finished high school and attended college at the University of Florida, where she got a degree in English.

She later began working at a law firm in her home city. There, she met her now-husband Chris Kovacs. The couple moved to Alachua County and got married in August 2017.

Kovacs’ husband works in hospital administration, while she currently holds an assistant position at a local law firm.

Her life isn’t as glamorous as the one she left behind, but Kovacs said she is “much happier” now that there’s “less pressure to be somebody else.”

And although her brush with the music industry left a bad taste in her mouth, one thing hasn’t changed.

“I still love to sing!” she said. “But just for fun.”

Update: Asia Kovacs currently resides in Florida with her husband and three children. 

Adults bounced from bookshelf to bookshelf, excitedly stuffing backpacks with supplies for the upcoming school year.

Some had two. Others had three. Another had 10.

The bags weren’t for their own children.

Families gathered Sunday afternoon to purchase and pack backpacks for underprivileged students at A Very Good Deed’s third annual Backpacks 4 Success event.

The community service event was held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the library at Howard Bishop Middle School, located at 1901 NE Ninth St.

“Our students come to us, oftentimes, not prepared, not having the ability to buy the school supplies that they need to be successful in their classes,” said Tarcha Rentz.

Rentz serves as the Community Partnership School director for Howard Bishop through Children’s Home Society of Florida.

A Very Good Deed is a nonprofit organization that was started by Shilpa Patel, Andrea Love and Jennifer Sabile in 2016.

“They felt the need to instill in their kids some way to give back to the community in a different way than just writing a check,” said Lindsey Freeman, the organization’s secretary. “Because, ultimately, what lesson is that teaching?”

Originally, the nonprofit was a monthly box subscription for something in the household that kids could get actively involved with, the 26-year-old continued. But as time went on, it became an event-based organization.

A $25 donation was required for each Trailmaker Equipment backpack on Sunday.
Additionally, family sponsorship opportunities were available on three levels: principal, mascot and coach. The principal level was $300. It included 12 backpacks, two T-shirts and one metal water bottle. The mascot level cost $200 for eight backpacks, two tees and two plastic water bottles. The coach level was $100 for four backpacks, one tee and one plastic water bottle.

Businesses that donated $500 had their logos printed on the back of the shirts.
The build-a-backpack event was to support the middle school by way of the Children’s Home Society.

“We thought it would be special for the families to actually come to a school like Howard Bishop so they can see the fruits of their labor in donations,” Sabile said.

PACE Center for Girls Alachua will also receive a portion of the donations.

“Most of our girls don’t have the extra income to buy the kinds of things that are in this backpack,” said Becker Holland, the center’s development manager.

The school is for girls ages 11 to 18 who’ve fallen at least a year behind and need help getting back on track, she said.

The goal was to pack 160 bags – 100 for Howard Bishop and 60 for PACE.

The families were given a school-specific checklist of supplies.

The girls’ center was contacted to find out what was needed and the list was made accordingly, Sabile said. Howard Bishop’s list was based on what the school and Alachua County wanted.

Supplies included brightly colored four-function calculators, notebooks, pencils, crayons, two-pocket folders, tissue packs and earbuds.

When done building the backpack, families had the opportunity to leave a friendly note inside for its recipient.

The children also had the option to volunteer at the supply stations. Some may not have the means to pay the $25 for a backpack, so they tried to make the event open to everyone, Sabile said.

Among those volunteering were a handful of young pageant girls sporting shiny sashes.

Fifty-year-old Jeryl Brown, whose daughter is a preteen beauty queen, said the title requires a heavy amount of community service. Each queen must show that she is out helping her community.

All volunteers were provided with an official certificate for their time.

Vanessa Davis, mental health counselor at Howard Bishop, told the families that their time and effort have a real effect on those receiving the backpacks.

“Students that are hungry, families that are struggling – they don’t have the supplies that they need,” she said to the crowd. “This really helps my job because I can help provide basic needs so that we can start digging into other things that they’re dealing with.

“What you’re doing is making a big difference.”

On a small mound of warm, cinnamon-sugar-coated fried dough, a scoop of ice cream melted. Thick, gooey chocolate was the next layer of sweetness. Tiny, candied rainbow-colored rods topped the sugary concoction.

The cavity-inducing dessert was a way to raise money.

The UF Sigma Chapter of Pi Delta Psi hosted its yearly Chinese Donuts and Ice Cream Fundraiser Wednesday evening. The event was held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at TeaStori, located in the Equilease South plaza near the corner of Southwest 35th Place and Southwest 34th Street.

“We wanna host a fundraiser where people can enjoy a piece of one of the cultures we have in our fraternity,” said Anthony Nguyen, external vice president and rush chairman.

Pi Delta Psi, an Asian-American cultural fraternity, was founded by 11 men of different nationalities (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino and Vietnamese) in February 1994. It is guided by four principles: academic achievement, righteousness, cultural awareness, and friendship and loyalty.

According to the organization’s website, the brothers believe that through education they can become “more knowledgeable about different Asian cultures” and “overcome obstacles of racism and discrimination.”

The UF chapter of Pi Delta Psi was first started in 2003 by a group of friends who wanted an Asian-American fraternity on campus. They wanted to create a social organization that would also be beneficial for their cultural community.

The organization was officially recognized by UF in 2006. It was the first Asian-American cultural fraternity at the university and in the state of Florida.

“[There’s] endless amounts of culture in our fraternity,” Nguyen said. “Chinese doughnuts is one of the ways we share that to the crowd. And they’re really easy to make.”

Chinese doughnuts are a part of traditional Chinese cuisine. The deep-fried balls of dough, roughly the size of pingpong balls, are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and typically covered in white sugar.

The doughnuts, deep fried and sugared on-site by Fundraising Chairman Ben Castillo, were $3 for two or $4 for four. The vanilla ice cream was $1 per scoop. Sprinkles, condensed milk, chocolate syrup and Oreo cookie pieces were free to add on.

The brothers will use the money raised to host events that inform others about the fraternity as well as spreading cultural awareness. The money will also go toward co-sponsoring events for, and with, other organizations, Nguyen said.

TeaStori made its own contribution to Pi Delta Psi. For every customer who ordered a large drink, $1 was donated to the organization.

The fraternity’s event is not an uncommon one for the tea shop to host. Other UF associations hold fundraisers there on a regular basis.

“There’s so many,” said Lili Tzou, a sophomore at UF. “The Asian orgs always have fundraisers here.”

Her friend Claire Generato nodded in agreement.

“All the other Asian orgs come to support them,” the 20-year-old said.

Tzou, 19, and Generato mentioned that they had just attended a fundraiser at the café the previous evening.

Pi Delta Psi’s Chinese doughnut fundraiser is one of the fraternity’s most popular events.

“It’s really successful,” Nguyen said. “People like it a lot.”

Outside, it was damp, dreary and depressing.

Inside, a welcoming winter wonderland awaited.

Snowflakes sparkled. Icicles shimmered. A snowman smiled.

Around 50 adults and children braved the stormy Florida weather to attend the “Frozen” Tea Party at Haile Village Bistro at 5323 SW 91^st Terrace on Sunday afternoon. The restaurant is located at the Village Center of Haile Plantation. The family-friendly event was held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“Oh, I love Disney,” said Jayne Yazdi, co-owner of the bistro. “I love anything that’s magical, really. And all this is magical. Isn’t it?”

“Frozen” is a Disney movie about two royal sisters, Princess Anna and Queen Elsa, in the kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa can create snow and ice with her hands, a magical power she keeps hidden from her sister. When exposed at a party, fear causes her powers to spiral out of control. Summer quickly becomes winter. Elsa runs away to live on her own. But the two sisters must mend their relationship to free Arendelle from the eternal winter.

The movie grossed nearly $1.3 billion at the box office when released in November 2013.

Haile Village Bistro has been hosting its popular Disney-themed tea party for about three years. The event is held in January and July, on one weekend in each month.

In previous years, the kid-oriented tea parties consisted of two general themes: princesses and pirates. Over time, it just developed into what it is now, Yazdi said.

The event was so well-liked, the restaurant had to stretch it over both weekend days.

“Initially, we only did it one Saturday,” the 58-year-old Disney fan said. “This is the third time we’ve had to do two days. And we were sold out both days.”

The cost to attend the tea party was $11.99 for children under 10 and $26.99 for adults. The price included finger foods, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks. “Elsa’s Cold Front Cocktail,” a drink made of Malibu rum, peppermint Schnapps and white chocolate liqueur, was available to the adults for $5.

Music from the “Frozen” soundtrack set the mood as the families were seated. There, they feasted their eyes on quiche, four kinds of finger sandwiches (egg salad, Nutella, ham, and cucumber and cream cheese), cerulean-colored macaroons, and snowflake-shaped sugar cookies. Lisa Glave, general manager of The Queen’s Arms Pub next door, said all the desserts were made in-house.

Two kettles were also on the table: one with hot tea for the adults and one with lemonade for the kids.

As guests sipped, snacked and socialized, the “Frozen” characters began to make an appearance.

First came Olaf, the lovable, magical snowman who had an unrealistic fascination with summer. Next was Princess Anna followed by her frosty sister, Queen Elsa.

One character, however, was missing: Anna’s adventure companion and eventual love interest, Kristoff.

“We do have the costume, but we couldn’t get anybody to play him,” Glave, 46, said with disappointment.

The snowman, princess and queen made their rounds, greeting the littlest guests with smiles and hugs at each table. Princess Anna handed each child a goodie bag containing marshmallows, pretzel sticks and chocolate pieces, the makings of an edible snowman. Later, each character posed for pictures with the tiny Annas, Elsas and one mini Olaf in front of a twinkling icy-blue backdrop.

All three costume characters were volunteers who received free dinners for their time, Yazdi said.

Although most of the guests came to know and love “Frozen” by simply watching the movie, 3-year-old Lucia Santiago was introduced to it in a different way.

“She didn’t watch TV for two years,” said Shanna Santiago, Lucia’s mother.  “She likes the music. We listen to the soundtrack all the time. We didn’t let her watch TV, but she knew all the songs.”

When Lucia finally saw the movie, she loved it even more, Santiago said.

Young girls weren’t the only “Frozen” fans in attendance Sunday afternoon. Three families brought along their little boys, who appeared to be enjoying the party despite being outnumbered.

Near the afternoon’s end, the small guests were asked to come to the dance floor, a large mat with a picture of Anna, Elsa and Olaf on it. Elsa’s signature song, “Let It Go,” wafted from the speakers as the kids joined hands while they danced and sang along.

“It’s fabulous. And the kids love it,” Yazdi said. “That’s what it’s all about.”