PLHS athletic stars sign letters of intent BY SCOTT HOPKINS Four Point Loma High School (PLHS) student-athletes realized their dreams last week when they signed athletic scholarship offers from Division I universities. The quartet, including a women’s soccer star and three football standouts, attended an early-morning formal signing ceremony held at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park before PLHS classes began Feb. 3. The event was part of National Letter of Intent Day, the first day that prospective college recruits can formally announce their choice of schools. Later, during a school ceremony in the PLHS gym, emcee and head football coach Mike Hastings praised the academic and athletic efforts of the scholarship recipients. He introduced each to a cheering crowd that included parents, family members and student-athletes. Shelby Murphy, a feisty attacking midfielder on the Pointers’ defending CIF championship soccer team, will be attending the University of Michigan. The diminutive goal scorer, who carries an all-academic team 3.4 grade-point average, appeared stunned by the reception she received during her visit to the Wolverine campus in Ann Arbor. “They take their athletics very seriously,” said Murphy of her Big 10 school choice. “I was recognized and asked for autographs both on and off campus. I’m really excited and I believe Michigan will open a lot of doors for me.” Murphy’s father, John, is the athletic director and women’s soccer coach at PLHS. Jordan Sparkman will be playing tight end for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels. Standing 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 230 pounds, the affable receiver found the Paradise, Nevada campus to his liking. Sparkman told the crowd he struggled with his studies since his freshman year and credited his teachers and classmates for helping him succeed. In explaining his choice, Sparkman quipped, “I’ve been a rebel all my life.” Since the Rebels are members of the Mountain West Conference, Sparkman will likely return in his scarlet and gray uniform to battle San Diego State’s Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium during his collegiate career. Running back Leslie Rogers will don the cardinal red and blue uniform of the Fresno State Bulldogs, who signed several other area players. Rogers, who blossomed when given the opportunity to carry the football as a sophomore, is a 6-foot-2-inch, 185-pounder. He endured a serious leg injury as a junior and missed part of the recently completed season with a blood clot in his leg, but assured the crowd, “I am 100 percent now.” “I met the coaches when I was a sophomore,” Rogers said. “They have always been really interested in me.” Rogers credited his “second mom” (PLHS head counselor Laurie Hurl) with helping him make a plan, resulting in “my dream coming true.” The Bulldogs play in the Western Athletic Conference. For linebacker Anthony Joyner, the honors continue to accumulate. He was recently named to the Cal-Hi Sports all-state first team for medium enrollment schools and second team for all state schools. “It’s been a long time since we had someone receive all-state honors,” Hastings told the crowd. Joyner is headed for Las Cruces, New Mexico to play for the New Mexico State Aggies. Standing 6-foot-2-inches and weighing 220 pounds, local prep opponents grew to fear Joyner, who led the Pointers to a CIF Division III runner-up finish at Qualcomm Stadium. He also was recognized as an all-academic team member with a 3.28 grade-point average. “I talked to a bunch of colleges,” Joyner recalled, “but New Mexico State by far showed the most interest. Their top linebackers graduated, so I’ll have a great opportunity. When I visited, I loved the players, coaches and school.” Because New Mexico State also plays in the Western Athletic Conference, Joyner may well find himself tackling Rogers in the future. In any event, all four will be tackling challenges of their own. Looking for love? Seminar, expo to show singles how to mingle By ANTHONY GENTILE As Valentine’s Day nears, those tired of looking for love in all the wrong places may be in luck. The Dating Café’s first annual Attract Love and Prosperity Expo and Seminar will be held at Liberty Station on Saturday, Feb. 20. “This is an opportunity for singles who are tired of kissing frogs, dating duds and endless go-nowhere Internet dates to learn some immediate strategies and tools that they can use to start attracting the right person in their lives,” said Mary Berney, owner of the Dating Café and relationship coach. The event is both a business expo and a dating seminar, giving attendees a chance to learn about new products and learn new strategies for meeting that special someone. Berney stressed that this is not a speed-dating type event. “This isn’t a dating event,” Berney said. “It is a social mixer and an opportunity for singles who want to leave their old dating habits and patterns behind and learn new strategies for dating so that they can actually meet the person that’s right for them.” After registration at 8:30 a.m., a handful of vendors will be available, ranging from baked goods to landscaping to emotional health. From 9:30 to 11 a.m., Berney will share five strategies and tools singles can use to meet new people from her upcoming book, “How to Attract the Right Person into Your Life, the Real Truth.” “I want singles to take a new path, to motivate themselves and to change their destiny,” Berney said. “It’s all within their control and it’s all possible.” As far as general advice for those having trouble meeting new people, Berney urges them to dress for success. She said looking nice can often be overlooked in the laid back atmosphere of southern California. “Always leave the house with the expectation that you are going to meet the love of your life and you want to make the best first impression ever,” Berney said. “There’s always time to put on your blue jeans and wear your old craggy T-shirt.” And for those singles that haven’t found a valentine, Berney said staying on the couch is not the answer. She said being out offers a better chance to kill any ill will towards the heart-happy holiday. “I recommend that singles treat themselves to something really luscious and gorgeous and wonderful,” Berney said. “Part of being attractive is lavishing yourself and treating yourself like you’re the most wonderful thing on the face of the Earth.” Berney’s enterprise, The Dating Café, is a monthly seminar throughout San Diego geared towards the 40s-and-older singles crowd. Berney said the program is designed for those who have trouble initiating contact on their own. “I create a very unique event for these singles with dating and relationship icebreakers,” Berney said, “so that when you’re there, you can start easy and fun conversations with people you don’t know.” The singles expo and seminar will be held in meeting rooms 3 and 4 of the NTC Command Center at Liberty Station. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door for $25. For more information or tickets, visit www.maryberney.com.