Hello! My name is Abby Easterday and I am a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I graduated from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, Florida in 2013. My favorite class at UCF so far has been Calculus II with Mrs. Lori Pyle. It was a very challenging class that took a lot of time and effort, but Mrs. Pyle explained everything really well and my TA Jeff Sharpe kept the class interesting. My favorite professor at UCF so far was my Calculus I professor Dr. Brian Moore. He was a great professor, but most of all he told amazing stories. From bear maze to rockets at NASA, I learned a lot that somehow always related back to Calculus. I love the GEMS program because it has given me the opportunity to learn a lot about my major and other STEM majors. It has also given me the opportunity to meet some amazing people such as friends, peer mentors, and professionals in industry. In my free time I like to play guitar, kayak, go to the beach, watch movies, or just hang out with friends. My words of wisdom for incoming students is to work hard, go to class, don't be afraid to go to office hours, and to take advantage of every opportunity you have. Words of advice for the GEMS freshman students: work hard, go to class, don't be afraid to go to office hours, and to take advantage of every opportunity you have.