An education in Africa

While some of her peers at Hofstra University took advantage of schoolsponsored trips to European destinations like Greece, Bristol’s Leah Carriere took a different path during her winter break.

Leah, along with six other students and two professors from Hofstra, spent Jan. 3 to 18 taking a whirlwind educational tour of the west African nation of Ghana.

Interviewed at Starbucks on Farmington Avenue, Leah said, “I wanted to go to Africa… It’s really interesting.” Prior to going to Ghana, Leah said she did not know much about that particular country. But Leah, a cultural anthropology major, wanted to go Africa in general because so much of its original culture remains untouched.

“They’ve been living the same way for 1000s of years.” America, in comparison, is a melting pot of many different cultures that have evolved into something else, she said. Additionally, Leah said she knew that if she did not go to Ghana with the university, she probably wouldn’t go by herself in the future. “You can’t really do Africa without experienced guides.”

Leah said her trip to west Africa included stops in Ghana’s capital, as well trips to the nation’s conservation areas, game reserves, and natural reserve sanctuaries. The trip also afforded numerous opportunities to interact with the indigenous people of Ghana.

Leah, a sophomore at Hofstra, said, “This trip was right up my alley.” She said she found it beneficial in providing her an opportunity to learn about a different culture, which is exactly what her major is

See GHANA, page 8

When it comes to dealing with concussions and student athletes, Bristol is ahead of the curve. State Senators Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Thomas Gaffey (D-Meriden) have proposed new legislation aimed at regulating how schools handle concussions suffered by athletes.

“As parents, doctors, and educators learn more about the dangers of concussions, there is increasing momentum to take action,” said Looney in a prepared statement. “Last year, two states passed legislation that will help protect student athletes and create a standard of safety for all coaches and players. It is my hope Connecticut will soon follow suit.”

According to information released by the senators, concussions were the second most common injury student athletes suffered last school year behind ankle sprains, and 40.5 percent of high school athletes return to play before it is safe after suffering a concussion. Returning too soon to action after suffering a concussion can potentially damage the developing brain of student athletes and lead to long-term health problems.

The legislation proposed by the senators includes requirements that any student athlete who has been diagnosed with or is showing signs of a concussion can’t return to a game or practice the same day; any student athlete who suffered a concussion can’t return to play until they are cleared by a doctor; and all coaches will be trained in how to recognize a concussion and how to treat one.

“Student athletes must be given every opportunity to step back and completely heal from all serious injuries before they resume playing and public policy should reflect these priorities,” said Gaffey in a prepared statement.

The proposed legislation has gained the support of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, which oversees student athletics in the