My name is Dominique Benito. I am a junior at the University of Central Florida majoring in Computer Engineering. I graduated from Miami Lakes Educational Center. So far my favorite class and professor is Dr. Neils Lobo who teaches Introduction to C Programming. This was my favorite class because it was both interesting and challenging. I also worked with him for the EXCEL URE program, doing face recognition and edge detection research. I decided to get involve in the GEMS program because I wanted to help the new EXCEL females transition into college life. With my free time I either hang out with friends, longboard, watch movies, or play my guitar. Words of advice for the GEMS freshman students: “”Try hard, because whatever happens happens and in the end at least you know you did the best you could do.””