Upper Room Christian School Graduate Invents Super Sponge to Absorb Oil Disaster

Upper Room Christian School Graduate, Daniel Hashim, is being heralded for creating what looks to be the best material available to clean up oil spills! Using Nano Technology Daniel has created a material that attracts oil, repels water, is magnetically influenced and is completely reusable!

Daniel graduated Upper Room Christian School in 2004. He attended RPI on a full academic scholarship as Upper Room is a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal School and Daniel was the Valedictorian of his class majoring in Nano Technology.

From RPI he went on to Rice University for his Master's Degree and to further his research with Nano Tubes. Two years ago he received a federal grant to continue his research and this material was the result. Daniel is still at Rice working on his Doctorate and finding ways to bring this new patent pending material to market.

Congratulations Daniel!!! Your hard work and perseverance is paying off for us all as your science will impact all of our lives.

You can see the orginal video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OCKyMn-2edo

Or check out the Fox News Report at http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpps/news/nanosponges-soak-up-oil-hate-water-dpgoha-20120418-fc_19237267

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Nyack Announces Jason Crafton as Head Men's Basketball Coach

April 4, 2012 -

Nyack College Athletics Director Keith Davie is proud to announce the hiring of 2003 Nyack College graduate Jason Crafton as the head men’s basketball coach. Crafton previously served as an assistant coach for seven years at the United States Naval Academy. He was elevated to the role of associate head coach two seasons ago and has played a vital role in the program's success. During his tenure he assisted in all phases of the program along with serving as the head coach of the Junior Varsity team for seven seasons.

Davie states, “We are excited to have Jason bring his passion for excellence, discipline and the overall development of young men to our program. His skills and knowledge of the game perfectly fit our goal of building a winning program and we are excited to have him with us.”

In April 2011, Crafton was named by Basketball Times/Hoop Scoop as one of the top 50 mid-major assistant coaches.

“It’s a true honor to be back on the hillside to lead my alma mater. I’d like to thank Keith Davie along with the search committee for this great opportunity. I humbly accept this position with great pride in the institution and what it stands for. I look forward to getting started and igniting a new era of excitement in Nyack College basketball.”

Before his tenure at Navy, Crafton had previously served for two years as an administrative assistant with the Villanova men's basketball program that reached the NIT Quarterfinals in 2004 and the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 2005. Crafton served in many roles while with the Wildcats, including video coordinator and the Villanova Basketball Camp coordinator.

While at Villanova, Crafton worked with 1985 NCAA champion and current Chicago Bulls Assistant Ed Pinckney who states, “Jason is a tremendous leader, motivator, communicator and recruiter. I’ve had the chance to be around many great coaches during my career as a player and coach in both college and in the NBA and, in my opinion, Jason is well on his way to becoming one of the premier coaches in America. There are not many who will outwork Jason.”

In the summer of 2004, Crafton was a member of the support staff for the Under-20 National Team Training Camp that took place at the New Jersey Nets practice facility. He served as the video coordinator, assisting the coaching staff with their preparation for the Olympic Games. That team went on to win the gold medal.

As a player at Nyack, Crafton was a three-year starter at point guard and two-year captain for the then Purple Pride. He was a member of Nyack's first-ever conference championship team in 2000 that advanced to the national tournament. Crafton graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications.

Jason attended Nyack College on scholarship from Upper Room Christian School. He will also be the keynote speaker for our annual Sports Banquet. Congratulations Coach!!!

Grace and Peace,

Ed

2012 Fed Ex Cup comes to Long Island!

Upper Room Christian School will be selling tickets for the PGA 2012 Fed Ex Cup to be held at the Bethpage Park Black course. Barclays bank and the PGA have joined together to make this great event a charitable event as well! 100% of all ticket proceeds will go to various charities throughout the area.

Tickets are only $150 for a 6 day pass. Children under 18 go free with a paid adult and tickets are 100% transferable! This is a great deal and 100% of the ticket price goes to charity!

Tickets can be purchased for $150 through the school by calling 631-242-5359 ext.203 or by going online to www.buytfc.com and putting in the code "PUTTER". Online tickets sell for $165 due to tax and a service fee. Either way you'll be in for 6 great days of watching 125 of the world's best golfers compete for the prestigious Fed Ex Cup! Oh, and because the pass' are 100% transferable and come as 6 individual passes you can go to whichever days you like and give the others as gifts or the can be resold for $25 a day.

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Call this one the ‘Challenge of the Champs’

Here is an excerpt from the Roanoke-Chowan News Herald:

For the second straight Friday, Lawrence Academy played a baseball double-header featuring one visitor from north of the Mason-Dixon line. This week it was Upper Room Christian School of Dix Hills, New York, two-time defending National Christian School Athletic Association champion facing a Warrior nine that had won four straight North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association titles.

In a game shortened because of darkness on an unlit field, Lawrence’s comeback fell short and the Royals prevailed, 12-6. “We played a really good team and we showed a lot of character,” said Lawrence coach Robert Kravitz.

Upper Room right-hander, Ramon Aureano, picked up the win with a seven-hit, 12-strikeout performance. He also surrendered six walks. “We got our hands full, but it’s good to be brought back down to earth and play real baseball, so it’s fun,” Kravitz said.

In the top of the sixth inning Upper Room sent 14 men to the plate and smoked Lawrence for 10 runs. Part of that onslaught included three homeruns. Despite Kravitz making a pitching change the Royals continued to score.

“I never think it’s over,” said Upper Room coach Tony Pasalacqua. “Baseball’s such a funny game and give them credit, they never gave up and that says a lot about their coaches and their character,” he added motioning toward the Lawrence dugout.

GO ROYALS!!
Ed