GEMS-2023

Hello! My name is Paola Munkel, I am a second-year Biomedical Sciences major minoring in Medical Sociology. In 2022, I graduated from Jose Marti Mast 6-12 Academy in Hialeah, Florida. One of my favorite classes at UCF is Biology with Professor Thomas. She is a truly knowledgeable professor and gave me a solid foundation for…

My name is Avalon McNay and I am a second-year biology and mechanical engineering major. In 2022, I graduated from Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Florida. One of my favorite classes is Biology II because my favorite teacher, Mrs. Yeargain, teaches this class. She teaches with many real-world examples so I can tell…

My name is Jayna Brunner, and I am a Biology major on the pre-Veterinary track. This will be my second year here at UCF. I graduated from Pembroke Pines Charter High School in sunny South Florida. One of my favorite classes at UCF so far is Biology 1. As a Biology major, it’s something you…

My name is Vanessa Melendez, and I am a Mechanical Engineering major. I will enter my third year at UCF when you read this! I am from South Florida and graduated from South Broward High in 2021. I am stuck deciding on my favorite class: Concepts in Computer Science (COP2500C) or Engineering Analysis: Statics (EGN3310).…

My name is Sarah Rendell and I am a Junior studying Civil Engineering. I grew up in Vero Beach Fl and attended Vero Beach High School before coming to Orlando. My favorite class at UCF so far has been statics because it was my first class that applied the concepts I was learning in physics…

My name is Paige Fintel and I am an Aerospace Engineer in my third year here at UCF. I originally come from Springfield, Missouri where I graduated Kickapoo High School. In my freshmen year, I took an Intro to Philosophy class as part of the GED curriculum, which is one of my favorite classes I’ve…

Hey! My name is Nidhi Patel and I am a current junior at UCF studying Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Health Sciences. I graduated from West Port High school in Ocala. My favorite class at UCF so far would have to be physiology since it really gave an insight into the upper classes within…

My name is Natasha Odom and I am a Forensic Science major on the chemistry track. This will be my third year at UCF. In 2021, I graduated from Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando, Florida. My favorite class so far at UCF is Introduction to Forensic Science. Each week a guest lecturer speaks…

My name is Keziah Olajide, I’m a junior at UCF and my major is molecular and cellular biology with a minor in medical sociology. I graduated from Wiregrass Ranch high school, Florida but I’m originally from the United Kingdom. My favorite class at UCF has been genetics. I loved working in the fly lab and…

Hi!!! My name is Kaila Peeples, and I am a Photonics and optics engineering major. This will be my third year at UCF. In 2021, I graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts which is in Jacksonville, Florida. My favorite class thus far has been my Foundations of Photonics Lab. It has been fun…

My name is Juliette Pimbert, and I am a sophomore at the University of Central Florida, studying Aerospace Engineering. I graduated from Doral Academy Charter Highschool and have been passionate about space exploration since I was young. I really enjoy taking physics classes because I love solving problems and doing the interesting labs that they…

My name is Juliana Baez and I am a second year Forensic Science major at UCF. I graduated from Palmetto Ridge High School in Naples, Florida in 2022. My favorite class at UCF now is Fundamentals of Chemistry I. I’ve loved chemistry since my sophomore year of high school and that hasn’t changed now in…

My name is Jenna Hodgson, and I am a biology major on the pre-vet track. I am a freshman in college and this is my second semester here at the University of Central Florida. I am originally from West Milford, New Jersey and graduated from West Milford High School in 2022. Though I haven’t been…

My name is Jasmine Moy and I am a Information Technology major and a Secure Computing and Networks minor.  This is my fourth year at UCF.  I graduated from Viera High School which is in Melbourne, Florida in 2020.  One of my favorite classes is Network Security and Privacy because I learned a lot more…

Hello! My name is Isabelle Abaray and I am a Junior Biology Major on the Pre-veterinary/Zoology Track. In 2021, I graduated from William R. Boone High School in Orlando, Florida. One of my favorite classes so far has been the Biology 2 Lab because I am able to be hands-on and see topics that I…

My name is Gabrielle Valladares and I’m a Civil Engineer Major. I am currently a second-year student. Fall 2023 will mark my third year here at UCF. In 2021, I graduated from Apopka High School which is located in Apopka, Florida. Surprisingly, one of my favorite classes that I’ve taken so far is Statics with…

Hello! My name is Emma Robertson and I am a second-year forensic science major! I did Florida Virtual School for my last three years of high school and graduated from there as well. My favorite class at UCF would have to be the Intro to Forensic Science class held by Dr. Bridge, who works in…

My name is Delta Zable and I am a second year Mechanical Engineering major. In 2022, I graduated from Harmony High School in Harmony, Florida. One of my favorite classes at UCF was History of Motion Pictures. As a general education class, it was a nice break from my STEM courses. We had to watch…

Hi everyone! I’m Cora Patterson, and I’m a sophomore Computer Science major. I graduated from high school in Montana. My favorite classes at UCF are my programming classes. I love coming up with solutions to unique and challenging problems using code! My favorite professor is Dr. Szumlanski, who has taught my Honors Introduction to Programming…

My name is Cameron Hojecki, and I am a Biomedical Sciences major with a Medical Sociology minor. This will be my third year at UCF. I graduated from Montville Township High School in Montville, New Jersey in 2021. My favorite class at UCF that I’ve taken is Medical Sociology. I think the material is fascinating…