December's Alumni Shout Out!

Our Alumni Shout-Out for this month is Barry Bonzack. Barry graduated in 2009, and he majored in Finance and also received a Certificate of Investments. He graduated from the Burnett Honors College with a 4.0 GPA. Barry was a member of 4EK, Delta Epsilon Iota, and the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space at UCF. Barry works for Lockheed Martin Global Training and Logistics as a Financial Analyst, and has volunteered over 500 hours with the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition in 2010. Barry is a huge UCF fan and is often found at the football and basketball games wearing a black and gold wig.  His brother and he enjoy traveling to at least one away game a year, and this year the cameras zoomed in on them at the Kansas State game.  When he graduated from Harmony high school in 2005 he received the 2 Plus 2 Scholarship from the Valencia and UCF alumni associations. When asked what he would say to students, Barry said, “I have always loved the Orlando area and believe that I can accomplish my life goals right here in Central Florida. The alumni associations supported me, and I am thrilled to continue to live and work in the area while contributing to my community.”

Barry has volunteered at FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition events since 2004, and proudly mentors a local team called Exploding Bacon which is made of 10 schools over 3 counties in Central Florida. FIRST's goal is to inspire high school students about the exciting world of Science and Engineering by having them work with professionals to design, build, wire, and program a robot within six weeks. Students on Exploding Bacon also learn many non-engineering skills such as public speaking, marketing, essay writing, website development, and 3D animation. After the exhausting build season is over, the robot is sent to competition, the first being the Florida Regional held in the UCF Arena. The Florida Regional is a large event with over 50 teams competing, and the game that is played changes every year so the experience is different every time. During this event Barry volunteers as the Game Announcer, giving the play by play for the 3 vs 3 robotic game.  Barry says,  "I consider it my job to make sure the competition is lively and fun, and this is shown by the students in the stands cheering as hard as one would expect at any sporting event. I invite anyone to learn more about FIRST at www.usfirst.org, and Exploding Bacon at www.ExplodingBacon.com. And of course come to the FREE robotics competition March 11th and 12th 2011, say "hi" to me, I'll be in the UCF Hawaiian shirt and umbrella hat."  

We are so thankful to have Barry as our featured alumnus this month!  He has done many great things during his career and will go on to do many more!

December's 4EK Superstar!

Our 4EK Superstar for this month is Michelle Messina.  Michelle is currently a senior and is working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, as well as a minor in Leadership Studies and English: Writing.  Michelle has a very colorful resume, including being a part of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-law Fraternity and President’s Leadership Council, as well as being Miss UCF Homecoming Queen Spring 2010.  When asked about her experience at UCF, Michelle said, “I love UCF because of opportunity it provides. The staff and faculty of UCF truly care about you and want you to succeed. They are extremely willing to help and set you up to be the best you can be. I have had every opportunity to do everything that I have wanted to do. I would not change my college experience for anything.”  

Some honors which Michelle have achieved include the Order of Omega Honor Society and the Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society.  Michelle is a a student in the Burnett Honors College and was also in the Inspire Women's Leadership Program, as well as the LEAD Scholars Program.  Michelle has received many awards during her time at UCF, including the Student Government Board of Trustees Scholarship and the Student Government Campus Involvement Scholarship.  A few of the places where Michelle has gained invaluable work experience are UCF's Board of Trustees where she worked as a Student Assistant; Edge Public Affairs, LLC./Tico Perez Solutions, LLC, where she worked as an intern for Tico Perez Solutions, LLC; and MyRegion within the Central Florida Partnership, where she worked as an intern for MyRegion.org.

Besides being on President's Leadership Council and in the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, Michelle is involved in a lot of activities, such as being a Student Government Association Justice, being on the Student Conduct Review Board Undergraduate Studies Advisory Board, and being in the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.  

We are so honored to have Michelle as our 4EK Superstar, she is such a wonderful member of the UCF community!