#SocialStudies V 2.1

September 13, 2012

By Andi Osters
Second Half social media guru

Welcome back, video mongers! A new school year has begun, and with it #SocialStudies 2.0.

Ready for your weekly dose of clips to peep? I hope so. 

A quick refresher on #SocialStudies – I give you a selection of video clips I spotted in my never-ending quest to find the end of the Internet (which I’m convinced involves a cat video of some sort). These videos will typically highlight the amazing, dazzling, funny or weird side of sports – some high school, some college, some pro… and some which defy categorization.

And sometimes, we’ll simply show you a clip that is interesting and/or unique enough to be worth sharing.

We welcome your submissions and ideas for this weekly feature, so feel free to email us a link or raw footage. Seriously: we love videos. That said, let’s get to the meat & potatoes.

1. Give him a hand (he needs only one)

Here’s a high school football player from South Carolina who apparently was born with mattress springs attached to his legs instead of feet.  The slo-mo replay of this interception (courtesy of PlayOn! Sports) is simply jaw-dropping.


2. Oh, Buddy ...

If Blake Griffin was at a gymnasium and I also happened to be in that very same gymnasium, I would absolutely tell my dignity to have a seat and allow that monster NBA dunk-master slam one over my head.  I’d probably react to the experience just like this guy did, too.


3. Swing, swing a song

And now, for something completely un-sporty. Well, almost. There’s definitely activity happening in this brief short about an art installation in Montreal. I’m always fascinated by the intersection of musical creation and physical motion. Enjoy this giant human-powered instrument.


4. Summer School

And file this last one under In-Case-You-Missed-It-Over-The-Summer – here’s a recap of our Student Advisory Council’s 2nd Annual camp retreat to Mystic Lake in June.  The 16-member council enjoyed time on the high ropes course, team building activities, bonfires and strategizing an action plan for the 2012-13 school year. 


That's enough for this school year's first lesson. See something over the weekend that caught your eye? Snag something at a pep assembly that we should see? Upload it to YouTube and send it on over.

You might just see it on Second Half’s #SocialStudies.

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#SocialStudies v. 2.2

October 25, 2012

By Andi Osters
Second Half social media guru

Welcome back to #SocialStudies! As we head into the start of our most popular tournament this weekend – we bring you another collection of the amazing, spectacular and just plain odd. 

Warning: there is a panda in one of the videos below.  I promise it’s not a San Francisco Giant.

1. 'Best kicker in the world' ... ???

If you missed it last week: Here’s a high school place-kicker from Washington booting a 67-yard field goal.  Yes, 67 yards.  No mention of a tailwind.


2. Lord of the Dance

This next video combines two of my favorite things: bad dancing and a teacher doing something totally unexpected. (Be careful of your speaker volume: this one has some loud moments.) 


3. All hail the king

Hate him or love him: LeBron James does some things with a basketball that just … astound. Here’s a move to work on in your driveways, kids. 


 4. Watch this one twice

Speaking of sweet moves; here’s a guy you’ve never heard of doing something on a tennis court that you’ve probably never seen. 


5. Give that guy a championship

NBC25 out of Flint supplies us with this Top Play selection from Week 9 … Damon Thomas of Fenton goes up to grab a TD pass and manages to hold on in a game that clinched a share of the Flint Metro League title for his team. Fenton (8-1) welcomes Farmington Hills Harrison (6-3) on Friday night to start their playoff bid.


6. Dude. Perfect. Borderline unbelievable.

And to close, a new trick shot video from the guys at Dude Perfect. Take six minutes and enjoy.


We know you’re all on YouTube daily ... so send us your favorite vids!

We'll watch those and see you again next time for more catching up on your #SocialStudies.

 Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @MHSAA.