MAY 2024 Archives - SB Magazine

STUDENT SECTION: Luke Armstrong

SB Magazine — Wed, 29 May 2024 19:10:00 +0000

By Elaine Pool

For an 8th grader, organization is key. Keeping up with all the schoolwork, sports, assigned books, and simply having fun all require a certain amount of organization. SB Magazine’s private Student of the Month has a fickle relationship with organization; while Luke Armstrong knows just how important that skill is, he sometimes tends to go to the extreme. He is a self-described perfectionist; he is very particular, needs a clean room to function, and might lean toward obsessiveness sometimes. Yet he admits that this perfectionism helps him keep his life organized. He says that he couldn’t juggle his academics and playing sports without staying organized and using good time management. Luke loves sports but said that his academic career would be much easier without the time spent on sports activities.

Regarding subjects at Calvary Baptist Academy, Luke said that he loves math; it has always come naturally to him, and he enjoys numbers. His least favorite subject is English; while he likes to read, he has a “love/hate relationship with reading.” He does enjoy writing from time to time but acknowledges that it is a lot of work. His favorite books to read include sports books, the Bible, and the Chronicles of Narnia, but sometimes he has to force himself to read. He has no problem finding things he likes to do, however. He plays baseball, basketball, football, piano, and guitar. He will look up music on YouTube for inspiration or technique assistance.

Travius is a basketball-loving student; he enjoys playing basketball video games, as well as playing live basketball. His position is small forward, which puts him in the company of basketball greats Julius Erving, LeBron James, and Larry Bird. His plan is to continue playing basketball in high school and beyond; his immediate goal is attending Huntington High School and making their team. Travius is looking forward to high school and plans to play basketball for the NBA eventually.

A quiet, shy student, Travius is the older brother of several sisters, 2 of whom live in the home with him, and one brother, who lives with their father. Travius’ favorite food is spaghetti, and he likes to work math problems; he says that Math and Social Studies are his favorite subjects in school. He gave a “shout-out” to his ELA teacher, Ms. Pruitt, and his Math teacher, Ms. Murray. While he is thinking of using his math skills for banking or other financial activities, his one true love remains basketball. Travius comes alive when asked about basketball.

Luke’s music choices are eclectic; he likes to listen to and play worship music, mellow country music, and pop music. His movie and TV choices include Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson, the Marvel Universe, and “Stranger Things.” Luke’s favorite thing about 8th grade is the freedom this grade gets. There is a lot of freedom, such as being able to access the vending machines after lunch for his favorites, Dr. Pepper and Sour Patch candies. Luke loves Subway restaurants, particularly their chocolate chip cookies. He is also a fan of hibachi grilled food. Juggling all his sports and academics is the hardest thing about being in 8th grade.

Luke began his academic career at Fairfield Magnet Elementary and moved to Providence Classical Academy for 6th and 7th grades. This is his first year at Calvary, and he really enjoys it. He says that there are more opportunities, such as sports, and more people at the school.

When asked about his career goals, Luke said his first choice would be to go professional in a sport. If not sports, he plans to become a “doctor of some kind.” He listed his strengths as being smart, athletic, and loving Jesus. He is still undecided about where he will attend high school but is leaning toward Calvary to finish his pre-college education. Luke had some specific advice to give his younger self if he could. “Stay focused on Jesus and the things you can control about yourself.” He quoted a favorite saying of his dad’s as his best advice: “Control the controllable,” which he uses throughout his life, at school, home, and church.

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Manology: 5 Traits of Self-Confident Men

SB Magazine — Wed, 29 May 2024 17:57:49 +0000

Confidence is a funny thing. It can be elusive, hard to define, and even harder to attain. It’s a quality that can be faked, postured, and imitated, but only the truly confident man can claim it as their own. If you want to boost your confidence and become your best version of yourself, read on.

1. You Don’t Scare Easily.

There’s a difference between bluff and true courage; confident men have courage without all the bluster. Being able not to be scared easily is not about being fearless or invincible, but rather having a healthy respect for the things that should inspire fear while also having the confidence to face them head-on.

2. You Can Laugh At Yourself.

Confident men know that laughter is often the best medicine and that by laughing at yourself, you can diffuse tension, build connections, and find joy in life’s ups and downs. Anyone with a complex about being laughed at is likely hiding insecurities of their own.

3. You Are Comfortable In Your Own Skin.

Confident, they know their own worth and believe in their ability to make things happen. You don’t try to be something you are not. Instead, you focus on being the best version of yourself. As a result, confident men exude a quiet strength that is hard to ignore. You are the type of man who is comfortable taking risks and embracing change. And while you may not always achieve your goals, you never give up—your persistence and determination will see you through to success.

4. You Take Risks.

When it comes to success in life, it pays to be a risk-taker. Confident men are not afraid to take chances and seize new opportunities. You understand that failure is a part of life, and you are willing to take risks in order to achieve your goals. Playing life safe isn’t an option. While there is no guarantee of success, confident men know that the rewards are worth the risk.

5. You Know How To Compromise.

It’s easy to get carried away with always getting what you want, but truly confident men know how to compromise, haggle, or just negotiate for a mutually beneficial outcome. A confident man is never greedy because he knows his value—he knows exactly how much value people should give him in return. Compromise is simply a means to an end.

The Bottom Line.

Self-confident men have a lot to offer the world. They are risk-takers who aren’t afraid of failure and pursue their goals with passion. They set high standards for themselves and live lives that inspire others. Their positive attitude and confident body language make them stand out in a crowd. So, if you want to improve your life, try adopting some of the characteristics of a self-confident man. You won’t regret it!

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SB NON PROFIT: DR. BRUNO ALVAREZ

SB Magazine — Mon, 20 May 2024 15:58:06 +0000

Dr. Bruno Alvarez – A True Heart of Service

Dr. Bruno Alvarez is a volunteer physician who exemplifies the core values of MLK Health Center. He consistently takes a true patient-centered approach to healthcare. Each appointment begins with a handshake and warm welcome, and after the first visit or two, that handshake fairly often is replaced with a hug.

Patients leave appointments feeling genuinely heard, having experienced Dr. Alvarez’ empathy and respect for their dignity. For example, it is not uncommon to see him take a knee to be at eye level with a patient who is expressing their struggle with diabetes. He goes above and beyond to educate patients about their chronic diseases, answering every question. And as a result, the trust that he has inspired among his patients, individually and collectively, is exceptional.

More broadly, Dr. Alvarez holds a true heart of service for patients and everyone on the care team. He is intentional about fostering collegiality in every relationship. Those who work beside him know to expect a “hello” to everyone as he enters or “goodbye” as he exits. This may initially seem like a small gesture, but honestly, it is one of many ways in which he conveys the value he places on every relationship at MLK Health Center.

As Sue Walden, a patient advocate at MLK, said recently, “That’s the way medicine is supposed to be.”

What inspires you about MLK Health Center's mission?

MLK Health Center plays a unique role in our community. It provides healthcare for those who are unable to afford it, addressing common chronic problems like hypertension or diabetes. That alone is already remarkable. However, over 30 years, MLK has established itself as a reference point for people who otherwise feel disenfranchised, empowering healing relationships beyond a simple medication regimen to strengthen agency and trust. We could attribute it all to the nutrition classes, physical therapy, grocery tours, or the beautiful (and educational) garden the staff works to maintain. Still, it comes down to the organization and the people working there. They genuinely live their mission, and I cannot help but be inspired by their compassion and work ethic.

In what ways do you personally gain purpose from the work you do for MLK Health?

Acknowledging our larger role in the community always keeps me grounded while driving to the Health Center, even if it’s already been a long day by the time I get there. I am exceptionally energized about taking care of my patient cohort, some of whom I have come to know closely over time and many of whom are Hispanic. The opportunity to have even a limited impact on the Hispanic community through my role at MLK has become part of my identity. Moreover, understanding the value we provide to everyone we serve and how I can contribute is why most of us go into Medical School in the first place.

What shorter- and longer-term goals keep you passionate and motivated to continue working with them?

One of the shorter-term goals that we have started discussing is diabetic foot health. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation in this country, and most of our patients depend on their ability to maintain an income to keep their families afloat. Optimal diabetes control remains the priority, but by developing an education and screening protocol, we can identify those at the highest risk of complications. As patients lose sensation attributable to diabetes nerve damage, one can try to limit the chances that unattended wounds progress to amputations.

Regarding long-term goals, I would like to continue working with MLK leadership to improve community health in our area, particularly Hispanic health. This might include recruiting more providers to our roster or further community outreach efforts. Regardless, I am confident that the leadership and every team member in this organization will continue their efforts to improve Northwest Louisiana’s health. I want to be a part of it.

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