She fulfilled that promise four years later with the trek of a lifetime to climb the world 麻豆精品 S檚 tallest mountain in October 2023. A true test of her limits, posing some challenges and new experiences along the way, her journey serves as a powerful reminder to appreciate the beauty and wonder of life.

Prepared for Anything

Preparedness was key for Harby, who trained at the gym using the StairMaster with a weighted backpack to simulate the trek 麻豆精品 S檚 demands. She also utilized altitude training masks to simulate varying altitudes. Despite physical preparation, the mental challenge loomed large, particularly the prospect of flying from Tenzing-Hillary Airport to reach the trek’s starting point. Known as one of the world 麻豆精品 S檚 most dangerous airports, it 麻豆精品 S檚 carved into the Himalayan mountains and has a single, short runway that can only accommodate small aircraft.

Trekking to the Top

While initially intending to trek solo, Harby found camaraderie with a colleague and fellow adventurer who shared her same dream of climbing Everest.

麻豆精品 S淚 had never met another female solo traveler who wanted to do the same thing, 麻豆精品 S� Harby says. 麻豆精品 S淪o we met up and we said, 麻豆精品 S楲et 麻豆精品 S檚 do this together. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�

Their 12-day journey stretched to 17 due to weather delays in Kathmandu, Nepal, but they faced this setback with determination. Accompanied by a porter, who carried their larger bags, and a knowledgeable sherpa guide, Harby’s daily routine started at 6 a.m., involving six to seven hours of hiking and periodic stops at eateries and rest areas.

The first few stops in lower altitude 麻豆精品 S� Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche 麻豆精品 S� offered plenty of homey comforts. They found Irish bars, bakeries, plenty of souvenirs and gear shopping and religious sites such as the聽Tengboche Monastery. Ascending from lower altitudes to over 13,000 feet, the trek grew increasingly difficult, with altitude sickness posing a significant challenge. Harby mitigated symptoms like headache and dry cough with acetazolamide tablets.

As the environment changed at each stop, familiar faces provided a sense of community.

麻豆精品 S淪ince most guided treks follow the same schedule, you see the same people almost every day, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淢eeting up for evening tea and to just decompress from the day was a highlight as we journeyed onward. We even started a WhatsApp group to keep in touch. 麻豆精品 S�

By 4 p.m., the group would reach their next town and check-in to a lodging place, called a tea house, for the night. These tea houses are designed to meet trekkers 麻豆精品 S� basic needs 麻豆精品 S� food and a place to sleep. Extras like a hot shower, Wi-Fi, toilet paper and charging stations are available for an additional cost.

麻豆精品 S淢ost evenings we 麻豆精品 S檇 end up in the common area [of the tea house] where fellow travelers would wind down from a long day of trekking, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檇 just tune out the world for a couple of hours and watch some shows that I downloaded on my iPad just to have some sense of normalcy. 麻豆精品 S�

Their arrival at base camp was unmistakable, marked by a massive rock bearing the words “Everest Base Camp” in red paint.

麻豆精品 S淚 didn 麻豆精品 S檛 think I would cry once I saw base camp for the first time. Once my hand touched the rock, that 麻豆精品 S檚 when it really felt exhilarating, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚t just felt overwhelming 麻豆精品 S� to be there in person. 麻豆精品 S�

Forever Changed

Trekking to Everest base camp in Nepal was a unique experience for Harby, distinct from her past adventures in paragliding, skydiving and climbing fourteeners in Colorado. She marks the journey as one of her biggest accomplishments in life so far.

麻豆精品 S淭his journey has proven to me that I can do anything, and whatever challenges I face along the way, I’ll find a way to overcome them. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淚 learned that I am capable of so much more than I really think that I am, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淭his journey has proven to me that I can do anything, and whatever challenges I face along the way, I’ll find a way to overcome them. 麻豆精品 S�

It 麻豆精品 S檚 onward and upward for Harby from this point forward. With her newfound courage to dream bigger, she plans to return to Nepal and take on the Annapurna base camp as well as Mount Kilimanjaro in the future.

麻豆精品 S淚f you have a goal, believe in your goal and your soul is going to get you there, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淵our spirit is so much stronger than you think it is, and I fully believe that we’re all capable. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淣ot in my wildest dreams did I imagine someone like me being called 麻豆精品 S榓 stroke survivor. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�
麻豆精品 S� Former UCF offensive lineman Ray Forsythe

Two months earlier, the former UCF offensive lineman, who played for the Knights from 1993-94, had suffered a major stroke at the age of 41 despite being, as he says, 麻豆精品 S渋n the best shape of my life. 麻豆精品 S� A lengthy stay in rehab had finally allowed him to return home a day before Easter, and he was eager to get on with his daily life 麻豆精品 S� which meant on Sunday he 麻豆精品 S檇 prepare dinner.

That 麻豆精品 S檚 when the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Forsythe, whose hands once manhandled massive defenders, realized he could no longer handle a knife. Every time he attempted to carve the turkey, the knife fell to the floor.

Forsythe, who majored in what is now called interdisciplinary studies at UCF, walked out of the kitchen, away from his wife and six children. He sat in the bedroom wondering what more he 麻豆精品 S檇 have to do to be an active dad, a breadwinning husband, to simply be himself again.

麻豆精品 S淣ot in my wildest dreams did I imagine someone like me being called 麻豆精品 S榓 stroke survivor, 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Forsythe says.

Thousands of people who have yet to hit midlife are wrestling with those same thoughts. While the vast majority of strokes in the United States occur in people age 65 and older, according to a study in JAMA Neurology, from 2003 to 2012, there was an increase of more than 30,000 patients hospitalized for strokes in people younger than 65 麻豆精品 S� accounting for an increase of roughly 30 percent. A number of factors can explain a portion of the increase, including population growth and changes to how diagnoses are classified, but the fact remains that people are having 麻豆精品 S� and surviving 麻豆精品 S� strokes younger than ever before.

And while certain factors can come into play, such as lifestyle, pollution, genetics and better diagnoses, there is no real profile of a stroke victim. It happens to toddlers and teenagers. To athletes and artists. It can happen to anyone, anywhere. For Forsythe, it happened at the mall with his family.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檇 been cautious about the foods I ate, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚 was going to the gym every day, spending time on the treadmill. As big as I am, my body fat was only 10 percent. The idea that I 麻豆精品 S檇 have a stroke 麻豆精品 S� it 麻豆精品 S檚 almost five years later and it still doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 sound right. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淚 refuse to be stagnant, even with the lack of resources available for young stroke survivors, 麻豆精品 S� Forsythe says.

Forsythe admits he 麻豆精品 S檚 blessed just to wake up each day and say: 麻豆精品 S淕ood morning. 麻豆精品 S� His wife, Doreen, is a nurse and made sure he received immediate care following the stroke, including the two months at Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville. But then he lost his job. The family had to sell their cars and downsize their home. His wife had to figure out how to get Forsythe to therapy, the kids to their activities, and herself to work.

All the things you never think about because it can 麻豆精品 S檛 happen to someone like me.

麻豆精品 S淚 have one speed now 麻豆精品 S� slow, 麻豆精品 S� Forsythe says, referring to his speech as well as to the legs that once ran the 40-yard-dash in 4.7 seconds. 麻豆精品 S淏ut I refuse to be stagnant, even with the lack of resources available for young stroke survivors. 麻豆精品 S�

And so he has become an expert, not so much on why he had a stroke when he did, but on recovery. He started a support group. He attends seminars. He listens to stories from young stroke survivors trying to raise families and hold jobs, such as fellow Knight Rachel Groves 麻豆精品 S�05 麻豆精品 S�10MS.

麻豆精品 S淪omeone Like Me 麻豆精品 S�

Groves, who earned a bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 and master 麻豆精品 S檚 in nursing from UCF, remembers everything about June 3, 2016. First, the tingly fingers. Then the pop in her ear, followed by ringing. When she started losing her vision, her 4-year-old son called 911 for help. He would later say, 麻豆精品 S淢ommy looked like a fish flopping out of water. 麻豆精品 S�

According to study in Neurology, young stroke survivors face physical, emotional and financial challenges uncommon to stroke survivors who are past retirement age.

A nurse herself, Groves knew she was having a stroke. But at the age of 32? With two young children?

麻豆精品 S淚 thought, 麻豆精品 S楾his cannot be happening to someone like me. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�

When paramedics arrived, Groves tried telling them exactly what was going on, but her speech had become so slurred they were convinced she 麻豆精品 S檇 been drinking. It would be the first of many frustrations. 麻豆精品 S淵ou want so badly to get on with life, pursue your goals, and be productive for the people around you. But … 麻豆精品 S�

You start to speak, but stop because the words are trapped between the brain and the mouth. You want to move from here to there, but it takes three times longer than it should. You 麻豆精品 S檙e willing to do whatever it takes to recover, but find nothing but brick walls and maybe a wheelchair.

According to study in Neurology, young stroke survivors face physical, emotional and financial challenges uncommon to stroke survivors who are past retirement age. Not only is diagnosis often more challenging, but once patients receive an accurate diagnosis, survivors and their families often face significant financial difficulties due to extended leaves from work or the inability to return to the work force at all during what should be their most productive years. That speaks nothing to the cost of paying for medical bills, fighting for continued rehabilitation services, or finding and paying for childcare.

麻豆精品 S淭here shouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 be so many obstacles for someone who simply wants to be productive, 麻豆精品 S� says Groves. 麻豆精品 S淪itting in a chair all day is not the answer. 麻豆精品 S�

Just as daunting as the physical limitations is a system based on old assumptions rather than realities. In short, it 麻豆精品 S檚 set up for older stroke survivors, not young ones.

Forsythe and Groves connected after hearing each other 麻豆精品 S檚 stories at a stroke awareness event in 2018.

麻豆精品 S淭he first few weeks after a stroke are crucial to restoring basic functions, but insurance companies heavily regulate therapy. Fortunately, my husband and I fought hard enough to get what I needed. But what about stroke survivors who don 麻豆精品 S檛? What do their lives become? 麻豆精品 S�
麻豆精品 S� Rachel Groves 麻豆精品 S�05 麻豆精品 S�10MS

麻豆精品 S淪trokes create a chemical imbalance and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, 麻豆精品 S� says Forsythe. 麻豆精品 S淏ut neurological care isn 麻豆精品 S檛 typically allowed as part of recovery. And what about disability forms? They 麻豆精品 S檙e difficult to fill out, especially for someone recovering from brain trauma. Then there 麻豆精品 S檚 the challenge of transportation because your spouse needs to work.

麻豆精品 S淢y battles on the football field are not even close to what I 麻豆精品 S檝e been through as a stroke survivor. I don 麻豆精品 S檛 want to sit at home and simply say I survived a stroke. That doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 do anyone any good. 麻豆精品 S�

Groves similarly didn 麻豆精品 S檛 want to feel sidelined.

麻豆精品 S淲hen I left the hospital, they were going to send me home with a walker, and left me to figure out my own logistics for rehab, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淎t the time, I had the functional abilities of a toddler. I said, 麻豆精品 S楴o. I need to perform my daily activities and be a mom. Then I need to return to work if we 麻豆精品 S檙e going to pay the bills. 麻豆精品 S� I needed intense rehab, but we continually ran into resistance.

麻豆精品 S淭he first few weeks after a stroke are crucial to restoring basic functions, but insurance companies heavily regulate therapy. Fortunately, my husband and I fought hard enough to get what I needed. But what about stroke survivors who don 麻豆精品 S檛? What do their lives become? 麻豆精品 S�

A shared frustration 麻豆精品 S� and determination 麻豆精品 S� is exactly why Forsythe and Groves decided to take their own initiative and launch Young Empowered Stroke Survivors (YESS) Foundation. They 麻豆精品 S檙e forming support groups, recruiting volunteers and raising funds.

In the meantime, Forsythe and Groves continue their own recoveries.

Groves can now kick a soccer ball around the backyard with her kids. But she also has a constant headache and occasional bouts with vertigo. Like Forsythe, her mental fatigue can be so severe it actually hurts.

Forsythe can now hold a knife well enough to cut vegetables, though maybe not a turkey. He walks without assistance 麻豆精品 S� unless he 麻豆精品 S檚 at his son Stone 麻豆精品 S檚 football games at the University of Florida where he needs someone to push him in a wheelchair.

If you couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 tell already, Groves and Forsythe are driven. It 麻豆精品 S檚 why they 麻豆精品 S檝e been able to relearn motor skills and speech. But both say they 麻豆精品 S檇 never be where they are today if they hadn 麻豆精品 S檛 learned to do something entirely new to them: Ask for help.

Through YESS, it 麻豆精品 S檚 a lesson that could benefit thousands of young stroke survivors just like them.

The easy-to-use hardware and software uses electrical impulses from the user 麻豆精品 S檚 muscles to play the game.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e going to be busy, 麻豆精品 S� says Matt Dombrowski, assistant professor of digital media. 麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e so excited. The potential to help children is just amazing. 麻豆精品 S�

Dombrowski is part of a team that developed a series of nine games for Limbitless Solutions a year ago. The UCF-based nonprofit approached Dombrowski in hopes of recruiting student volunteers to sculpt and paint the 3-D printed arms the group creates and gives to children at no cost.

The Origin of a Partnership

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 funny to remember how it all started, 麻豆精品 S� Dombrowski says. 麻豆精品 S淚t was just a conversation and I said, 麻豆精品 S楽ure we can help with painting, but what would be really cool is to create really good video games the kids can play. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�

Designed by UCF students, Smash Bro encourages users to stomp, smash, and destroy as much as possible in a city within a time limit.

Two years later, Dombrowski and a group of collaborators unveiled nine different games in their alpha stage. Assistant Professors Peter Smith and Ryan Buyssens worked with him to create easy-to-use hardware and software that uses electrical impulses from the user 麻豆精品 S檚 muscles to play the game. They worked with Limbitless Solution 麻豆精品 S檚 electromyography bio-sensing system to make the interface a reality. Students in video-design classes worked on game designs, and four children who received arms through Limbitless tried the games on campus in October.

麻豆精品 S淭hey really got into the games and were really good about providing specific feedback, 麻豆精品 S� Smith says. 麻豆精品 S淲e took notes, made adjustments and then got a grant from the College of Arts & Humanities. That really helped us refine the games. 麻豆精品 S�

Smash Bro Goes to D.C.

The professors chose one of the most popular games among the bionic kids, Smash Bro to submit to the Smithsonian. It was designed by students Zack Henderson, Melissa Scharf and Amanda Simmons, who have since graduated. Scharf and Simmons have jobs in game design and Henderson will start graduate studies this fall at UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy in downtown Orlando.

The Smithsonian was one of the first museums in the nation to acquire video games as part of its permanent collection. Video games offer a compelling performance space, activated by artists and players alike, whose interaction creates an artistic experience.

Smash Bro, in which the gamer 麻豆精品 S檚 objective is to stomp, smash, and destroy as much as possible in a city within the time limit, had stiff competition. More than 180 independent designers submitted their games to be part of the Smithsonian 麻豆精品 S檚 SAAM Arcade event. A panel of independent game makers and industry veterans selected 40 participants.

The one-day event drew 11,000 people last year. It was so popular that this year the museum expanded to two days beginning Aug. 4. It includes a collection of vintage games such as Donkey Kong and Pac Man, current games and the 40 selected independent games.

麻豆精品 S淰ideo games are a part of our visual culture and worthy of display as well as study at SAAM, 麻豆精品 S� says Stephanie Stebich, director of the museum. 麻豆精品 S淲e are pleased to provide 麻豆精品 S楽AAM Arcade 麻豆精品 S� as an innovative forum for video-game developers and fans as the field continues to test the boundaries between art, science and technology. 麻豆精品 S�

The Smithsonian was one of the first museums in the nation to acquire video games as part of its permanent collection. Video games offer a compelling performance space, activated by artists and players alike, whose interaction creates an artistic experience. The event is supported by several industry leaders and the Entertainment Software Association Foundation.

The UCF group also will meet with the Smithsonian secretary to discuss the impact of fusing artistic design with engineering. A current National Academy of Science study, under the direction of the secretary, David J. Skorton, is focused on integrating higher education in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering and medicine.

White House staff from the President 麻豆精品 S檚 Committee on the Arts and the Humanities is also scheduled to meet with the group and try out the video games.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e really excited, 麻豆精品 S� Dombrowski says. 麻豆精品 S淲e love Limbitless 麻豆精品 S� mission, so it was natural for us to partner with them. We want to be able to take this tech to all children who can 麻豆精品 S檛 play games now, to make games accessible. It really is all about the children. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淭his is only the beginning. 麻豆精品 S�

Limbitless Solutions founder, Albert Manero, said he is grateful for the support and enthusiasm SVAD has offered his team.

麻豆精品 S淲e want to be able to take this tech to all children who can 麻豆精品 S檛 play games now, to make games accessible. It really is all about the children, 麻豆精品 S� Dombrowski says.

麻豆精品 S淲e are thrilled to be working with SVAD, 麻豆精品 S� says Manero, who will travel to Washington for the meetings with government officials. 麻豆精品 S淭hey [SVAD] have been incredible partners and are helping to make both the experience and training for the bionic kids innovative, exciting and fun. We have the same passion to help children, and the games are really fun. Some of our bionic kids who got a sneak peek at some of the games keep asking when they 麻豆精品 S檒l be ready to play them with their friends. 麻豆精品 S�

The goal of the partnership is twofold. Limbitless hopes to use the games to help children who are selected to receive bionic arms, train and learn how to use the system before they get their arms. The SVAD team hopes to make 2.0 versions of the games that would be available for any child to play with some very simple attachments that make the experience as exciting and as easy as traditional game consoles, maybe even better.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檝e got a few other things in the works in this area, 麻豆精品 S� Dombrowski says. 麻豆精品 S淭his is only the beginning. 麻豆精品 S�

Hannah Hollinger is one of the few who does. A senior studying environmental studies, Hollinger became aware of UCF Facilities and Safety by being involved in Energy Knights, a student club that focuses on spreading knowledge of how to be more environmentally friendly. The Energy Knights 麻豆精品 S� president at the time told Hollinger that Facilities and Safety was looking for an intern.

麻豆精品 S淚 went to see what it was about, and I was beside myself, 麻豆精品 S� Hollinger said. 麻豆精品 S淚 thought 麻豆精品 S楾his is what I want to get into. 麻豆精品 S� I didn 麻豆精品 S檛 even realize it existed. 麻豆精品 S�

In July 2015 Hollinger became Facilities and Safety 麻豆精品 S檚 Sustainability Initiatives 麻豆精品 S� social outreach intern, in charge of marketing campaigns that can educate the UCF community on sustainability efforts. After a year of seeing firsthand how Facilities and Safety works to make UCF a more sustainable campus, she realized something was missing: student input.

麻豆精品 S淚 realized how, as a student, we don 麻豆精品 S檛 have access to understand what happens behind closed doors when it comes to sustainability, operations and facilities at UCF, 麻豆精品 S� she said. 麻豆精品 S淲e needed a connecting piece between students and operations. 麻豆精品 S�

That 麻豆精品 S檚 what inspired her to create the Student Sustainability Advisory Committee, a 13-person committee that began last August. It gives students access to UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 faculty and staff Sustainability Advisory Committee meetings, and the opportunity to help improve UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 sustainability in return for internship credit. Students commit for one academic year to create proposals on how they think UCF can improve its sustainability and present them to SAC members who can help make them a reality. The first proposals are expected to be presented this month.

Although there 麻豆精品 S檚 no guarantee the student ideas will be implemented, Hollinger is confident most are at least feasible. One proposal is a composting pilot program in The Burnett Honors College. Another idea is to take a plain exterior wall on campus and make it a green wall with plants hanging from top to bottom, which can improve air quality and overall quality of life. 麻豆精品 S淲e can utilize what used to be just concrete or drywall and make it into a living organism and a place you desire to be, 麻豆精品 S� said Hollinger, who also is the Student Government Association 麻豆精品 S檚 health and sustainability coordinator.

A third proposal is to create a community garden at Lake Claire where students can manage their own plot and grow their own fruits and vegetables.

Targets of each proposal range from improving campus buildings, land, energy usage, food, transportation, waste and water.

The creation of the student committee has been mutually beneficial for students and staff. Students get hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom, and in turn, Facilities and Safety has a stream of fresh, innovative ideas, said Yarazeth Watson Colon, coordinator of UCF Sustainability Initiatives. Even though Hollinger will graduate in May, the student committee will live on.

麻豆精品 S淲e want to continue having students come out of the classroom and into the field to help prepare them for the workforce that 麻豆精品 S檚 growing and changing, 麻豆精品 S� Colon said.

Hollinger first became passionate about environmental issues in her AP Environmental Studies class in high school where she learned the importance of the field and that its job demand was growing. With a Pegasus Scholarship in hand and a growing passion due to the 麻豆精品 S渃limate-change uproar 麻豆精品 S� at the time, as she calls it, Hollinger came to UCF in 2013 to pursue an environmental studies degree and a career in urban planning or public administration.

麻豆精品 S淚 found other people that care 麻豆精品 S� sometimes I feel like even more than I do 麻豆精品 S� and that 麻豆精品 S檚 been really encouraging to me, 麻豆精品 S� she said. 麻豆精品 S淧lus, there are so many clubs on campus with an environmental aspect. I don 麻豆精品 S檛 think I would 麻豆精品 S檝e gotten that level of exposure had I not come to UCF. 麻豆精品 S�

As Hollinger 麻豆精品 S檚 time at UCF winds down, she can rest easy knowing her original mission of social outreach for sustainability initiatives at UCF has been successful.

麻豆精品 S淧eople have emailed me often asking about the opportunity with the SSAC, 麻豆精品 S� she said. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 now something other people want to be part of. 麻豆精品 S�

Rawlins is stopping by UCF on March 30, to share how his determination, passion and leadership has made almost everyone in the city of Orlando excited about soccer. Rawlins is responsible for all aspects of the Club’s operation, performance and service. Rawlins who comes from the high tech industry, has also fifteen years in sports management as a previous owner and director of his hometown English Premier League team, Stoke City FC.

Rawlins was voted Orlando 麻豆精品 S檚 Downtowner of the Year in 2013 for his work in helping develop downtown and he was honored by MBA Orlando as Community Champion. In 2014 he was also voted CEO of the Year by Orlando Business Journal and Entrepreneur of the Year by I-4 Business magazine. Rawlins was recently inducted into the United Soccer League’s Hall of Fame.

Rawlins is the closing presenter for the College of Graduate Studies Interdisciplinary Studies Speaker Series 15-year anniversary of graduate interdisciplinary programs at UCF. Rawlins represents the Globalization and International Relations concentration in the and will be speaking to the UCF Community on March 31, 2016, from 3:30pm 麻豆精品 S� 4:30pm in Morgridge International Reading Center. The Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. For more information visit the Speaker Series聽聽or engage with other attendees on social media through the聽.

As the newspaper 麻豆精品 S檚 first fitness and water reporter, Mulak-Cheatham is a trailblazer, figuring out things as she goes.

麻豆精品 S淓very day is a new adventure, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 all over the place 麻豆精品 S� surfing one day, mountain biking the next, and then learning how to ballroom dance on the next day. There 麻豆精品 S檚 a lot of variety in my day-to-day life, and it rocks! 麻豆精品 S�

Before landing her dream position with the Space Coast 麻豆精品 S檚 daily news source, Mulak-Cheatham kept busy 麻豆精品 S� first, as a gymnastics teacher, then as head of the kids 麻豆精品 S� fitness program for Health First, then as an adaptive and mainstream physical education and reading enrichment teacher at an elementary school, and, most recently, as the owner and CEO of Ohana, her own surfing, art and leadership program for kids.

麻豆精品 S淐ome to think of it, this is the first time that I 麻豆精品 S檝e worked with grown-ups in about a dozen years! 麻豆精品 S� she says.

And, her newest job is the perfect fit for her active lifestyle. In fact, it was her love of surfing that drew her to Brevard County, where she now lives and regularly hangs 10 with her two sons, ages 13 and 9, and the love of her life, Steve. It was a move she made the day after she graduated from Boone High School in Orlando.

麻豆精品 S淔rom a young age, I have loved to move and challenge myself, 麻豆精品 S� she explains. 麻豆精品 S淚 never, ever, ever stayed still … Being an athlete has always been a no-brainer. It makes me feel strong and powerful and capable. 麻豆精品 S�

SURFIN’ Q&A

Q. Most memorable experience on the job?

A. The first time my picture was on the front page of the Sunday paper and someone recognized me. They told me that they loved my writing and couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 wait to read more of it. That was like high-fiving the whole universe.

Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A. A teacher and a writer and a gymnast and an artist and mom and a mermaid

Q. How has your UCF degree helped you in your career?

A. Endlessly. The whole experience of interdisciplinary education is very real-world. It gave me a fair amount of knowledge in several areas, which helps you to feel confident in a variety of situations. The career prep was top-notch. Throughout my time at UCF, I really began to master the art of concise and charismatic communication. That 麻豆精品 S檚 a skill set that transcends any career path. It gave me a mega advantage. Taking classes in person is so important. It teaches you how to socialize as an adult with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations. It also gives you a reason to practice speaking up and presenting publicly.

Q. What has been your favorite surfing spot so far?

A. Southern Nicaragua is pretty fantastic. Costa Rica is so beautiful 麻豆精品 S� it will take your breath away. Then again, I love the waves in front of my house. Wherever there are fun waves, that 麻豆精品 S檚 my favorite place at that moment.

Q. How do you channel your artistic inclination?

A. Paint. Draw. Doodle. Write. Dance. Sing. Make jewelry.

Q. Why are you such a music lover?

A. It speaks to me. It wakes me up and quiets me down. It connects me to the moment.

Q. Favorite band/artist?

A. There are too many. Right now, I 麻豆精品 S檓 loving Lake Street Dive, the Foo Fighters, anything with a fun ska sound. The answer to that really depends on my mood.

Q. First concert you ever attended?

A. The Gin Blossoms at Albright College in Pennsylvania. I was maybe 11 or 12.

Q. Do you play an instrument?

A. Piano

Q. Besides surfing/working out, what 麻豆精品 S檚 your favorite thing to do while you travel?

A. Walk around and explore. Hike. Find a beautiful place to lie down and read, or just absorb the new space. Find the best place for a craft beer and a local meal.

Q. What 麻豆精品 S檚 the hardest thing you 麻豆精品 S檝e ever done?

A. Deciding to take a step back from Ohana and move in a new direction

Q. What advice would you give to those who hate exercise but want to get fit?

A. Try new things. You will find something eventually that doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 feel like exercise. For me, that thing is dancing or surfing. Once you find the thing you enjoy, do it as often as you can. If you really hate exercise and won 麻豆精品 S檛 commit to doing it, you will never be fit. End of story. You can diet your way to thin, but you can 麻豆精品 S檛 diet your way to strong.

Q. Any other fitness/health advice you can share?

A. Don 麻豆精品 S檛 take your ability to move for granted. You never know when that ability might be taken away from you.

To read more stories about alumni, visit ucfalumnitoday.com.听

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See a聽聽of Michelle in action at FLORIDATODAY.com.

麻豆精品 S淭hose impromptu games became late-night traditions throughout the remainder of our college years, and afterward, 麻豆精品 S� says Boyd, who earned his bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in engineering technology.

The guys would eventually become the best of friends, even as their careers later took them more than half a country apart.

Based in Newton, Mass., Boyd serves as the senior sales manager for Desalitech, a $20-million organization that manufactures high-efficiency water treatment and wastewater reuse products.

About six years ago, the company started in Israel, a country built on the outskirts of a desert, with limited access to available water resources, which is why it has become one of the leading water treatment hubs on the planet.

麻豆精品 S淏etween 1930 and 2000, the world population tripled from 2聽billion to 6聽billion, and by 2050, it will reach 9聽billion, 麻豆精品 S� Boyd explains. 麻豆精品 S淚ncreased production of food and energy, along with rising economies and industrialization, are all increasing the demand for water. Yet, water resources are overwhelmed, and many are already depleted from over utilization, which leaves desalination and water reuse as the only available new sources of water. 麻豆精品 S�

He says industry is responsible for nearly 60 percent of fresh water withdrawals in the U.S. and in other developed countries, with agriculture accounting for an additional 30 percent. He adds that while reverse osmosis is widely applied for water purification, traditional RO systems can create excess brine waste, do not use water supplies efficiently and consume too much energy.

In contrast, Desalitech 麻豆精品 S檚 ReFlex RO systems, featuring Closed Circuit Desalination technology, reduce brine waste by up to 75 percent and energy consumption by up to 35 percent, compared to traditional RO designs. (SEE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION.)

Based in Denver, Co., Williamson is the plant manager for Kind Love, a medical marijuana dispensary, which also includes an 80,000-square-foot hydroponic cultivation center.

Williamson, who graduated with a bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in interdisciplinary studies, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis his freshman year of college.

麻豆精品 S淸The MS] caused me to be temporarily paralyzed from the waist down, 麻豆精品 S� Williamson explains. 麻豆精品 S淲ith the uncertainty of my future personal health, I changed my major to interdisciplinary studies with a focus on digital media. My thought process at the time was, if I was going to be in a wheelchair from time to time, or permanently, I wanted to make sure I could work, earn, create and contribute to an organization. Digital media gave me the ability to be able to work on a computer from anywhere. 麻豆精品 S�

After many lackluster visits to medical dispensaries as a patient, he and his partners were inspired to create Kind Love in 2009. He says they saw much room for improvement and recognized an opportunity to help the underserved market of women and seniors.

麻豆精品 S淭he cannabis plant is made up of chemical compounds called cannabinoids, 麻豆精品 S� he explains. 麻豆精品 S淭hough scientists aren 麻豆精品 S檛 exactly sure, it 麻豆精品 S檚 estimated that there are at least 85 cannabinoids that make up the cannabis plant. The most well-known and popular cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Though THC has medicinal benefits, particularly with gastrointestinal issues and inflammation, it 麻豆精品 S檚 most commonly characterized by a psychoactive effect, which is described as a relaxing and cerebral high.

麻豆精品 S淐urrently, most Colorado analytical labs have standards and are testing for four to 12 of the 85 cannabinoids. Thanks to legal access to these analytical labs, the medical community started to notice rare strains of cannabis that were extremely low in THC and elevated in cannabidiol, or CBD. Through selective breeding techniques, cannabis breeders have managed to create new varieties with high levels of CBD and little to no THC.

麻豆精品 S淎fter my first high-CBD discovery at our research and development cultivation facility, we started hunting for more high-CBD genetics through breeding and acquisitions with other medicinal breeders. Unlike THC, CBD has no high or mind-altering effects. It 麻豆精品 S檚 a non-psychoactive and has a huge range of medicinal benefits and properties, such as antiemetic, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-cancer and antidepressant. 麻豆精品 S�

In fact, Kind Love holds the record for the highest CBD ever recorded, and is helping to treat patients with cancer and MS, as well as children with seizures, and many more. Williamson is working with CNN 麻豆精品 S檚 Dr. Sanjay Gupta on many of these high-CBD projects, which should produce results later this year.

While he respects soil growing, Williamson says Kind Love grows its plants hydroponically because it offers more environmental control and sterilization for large-scale cannabis agriculture.

麻豆精品 S淧eople forget that organic soil is organic 麻豆精品 S� meaning it 麻豆精品 S檚 full of beneficial and non-beneficial bacterias, molds, fungi, and various insects, which can cause serious damage to cannabis crops if not controlled appropriately, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

When the company was in the process of building its new cultivation facility last year, Williamson researched reverse osmosis machines. The best one he could find on the market was recovering 75 percent good water, with 25 percent going to waste. His previous cultivation facilities were operating at 33 percent good water, with 67 percent waste.

Realizing he was looking at the wrong technology, he looked at Desalitech 麻豆精品 S檚 ReFlex reverse osmosis system with CCD technology, which would give him 93 percent good water recovery, with only 7 percent wastewater.

Williamson says his friend was originally doing him a favor, since Boyd thought Kind Love 麻豆精品 S檚 operation was probably too small to utilize his company 麻豆精品 S檚 system, but he flew to Denver anyway to calculate the numbers. To their delight, Kind Love 麻豆精品 S檚 new cultivation facility qualified for Desalitech 麻豆精品 S檚 smallest full-scale system, which is commonly used as a pilot for large power plants.

麻豆精品 S淢ichael [Boyd] and I both demand the absolute best of the best when it comes to our projects, and where and with whom we invest our time and money, 麻豆精品 S� Williamson says. 麻豆精品 S淥f course, it was very cool to do business with a dear friend and colleague, but, more importantly, I knew that I had one of the best systems that money could buy, because I knew he wouldn 麻豆精品 S檛 associate with or be a part of anything less. I am very grateful for his friendship, his strong communication skills and ability to execute. His general demeanor and hard work ethic continue to inspire me every day to work harder, smarter and faster. 麻豆精品 S�

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Meet Kind Love medical marijuana dispensary 麻豆精品 S檚 plant manager, Michael Williamson, as he explains his decision to partner with best friend Michael Boyd 麻豆精品 S檚 water treatment company, Desalitech:聽

Two peer-reviewed articles about students 麻豆精品 S� research needs written by UCF students were published in the journal, which targets faculty and administrators interested in undergraduate research. The quarterly 麻豆精品 S檚 editor said the articles were selected for publication because of their interdisciplinary nature.

麻豆精品 S淔ive Effective Strategies for Mentoring Undergraduates: Students 麻豆精品 S� Perspectives 麻豆精品 S� by biomedical sciences major Mario Pita; chemistry major Christopher Ramirez; biology major Nathanaelle Joacin; psychology major Sarah Prentice; and early childhood development major Christy Clarke provides the students 麻豆精品 S� insights on how faculty mentors can engage undergraduate researchers and help them to generate their best work.

麻豆精品 S淔ive Essential Skills for Every Undergraduate Researcher 麻豆精品 S� by biomedical sciences major Adrienne Showman; interdisciplinary studies major Linh Anh Cat; psychology major Jacquelyn Cook; art history and anthropology double-major Natalie Holloway; and biology major Tyler Wittman focuses on the qualities necessary for successful undergraduate researchers.

To read the publication, visit http://www.cur.org/publications/curquarterly/.

Edorsson, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies, a degree she will use to start a real estate business in Miami or Fort Lauderdale. For now, she works as a timeshare sales representative and has her sights set on more reality television.

麻豆精品 S淚 was fine before Survivor, I didn 麻豆精品 S檛 plan to try out for reality TV but I was looking for something new. 麻豆精品 S� This [Survivor] was the best thing I could do to change my life around, 麻豆精品 S� Edorsson said. 麻豆精品 S淚 love sports and fitness and love to be around people. Survivor is the biggest challenge you could manage, so I did it. 麻豆精品 S�

In its 24th season, Survivor had contestants competing in Upolu, Samoa, for a chance to win $1 million. Survivor, a game known for being brutal to its contestants and entertaining to its audience, gave Edorsson an opportunity to prove her abilities and discover her comedic side.

麻豆精品 S淎pparently, people think I 麻豆精品 S檓 funny. I became known as 麻豆精品 S榯he clown, 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Edorsson said. 麻豆精品 S淩e-watching myself on TV, I was even laughing. 麻豆精品 S�

Being voted off was no laughing matter. The tribal council kept her on after a close call in the second show, but Edorsson 麻豆精品 S檚 game came to an end after she was blindsided in the 12th episode. She was originally planning to blindside tribemate Sabrina Thompson and was surprised to see the tribe turn against her instead.

麻豆精品 S淚 definitely think I played a great game, but the choices I made weren 麻豆精品 S檛 as great,” Edorsson said. “Not entertaining Troy 麻豆精品 S檚 idea when I should have wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 a good thing, and not talking to Sabrina didn 麻豆精品 S檛 help. 麻豆精品 S�

Although she was voted off, she still says she feels like a winner.

麻豆精品 S淚 went out as a threat, not a weak player,” she said. “I feel like I had a great attitude. I wish I could do better, but I feel like I did good.

麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� I went out there hoping I 麻豆精品 S檇 change the person I am, and [in] every episode, you see me change. The last thing you saw in tribal council is you saw how much I learned and changed. I matured a lot and am very thankful. 麻豆精品 S�

Life on campus hasn 麻豆精品 S檛 changed much for Edorsson, although she says many students stare at her wondering if she 麻豆精品 S檚 “that girl from Survivor. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淵es, it 麻豆精品 S檚 me, and I want people to come talk and tell me how they feel [about the show], 麻豆精品 S� Edorsson said. 麻豆精品 S淚 really hope Orlando is proud of how I played the game and that I represented UCF well. 麻豆精品 S�

After her experience on the show, Edorsson says she would love to play Survivor again.

麻豆精品 S淚 might have plans to audition for other things, 麻豆精品 S� Edorsson said. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檇 love to do Dancing with the Stars, mind you you 麻豆精品 S檇 have to actually be a star and I 麻豆精品 S檓 not really a star, but still. 麻豆精品 S�

With no set plans but high hopes of being part of shows like Big Brother or Amazing Race, Edorsson says we should be on the lookout for her again.

麻豆精品 S淭his is definitely not the last time you 麻豆精品 S檒l see me on national TV, 麻豆精品 S� Edorsson said. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 there for the challenge and for the game, and apparently people think I 麻豆精品 S檓 funny, so why not. 麻豆精品 S�

Students in 麻豆精品 S淕aming Literacy and Culture 麻豆精品 S� are asked to think critically about something they might not ordinarily think twice about. It 麻豆精品 S檚 an approach common throughout UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Burnett Honors College, which teaches students to think about traditional subjects creatively as a way to help solve new challenges they may face in the 21st Century.

麻豆精品 S淭his semester, we’re spending time looking at games as texts to be critiqued, 麻豆精品 S� said Assistant Professor Rudy McDaniel. 麻豆精品 S淭his means identifying the various cultural and literary themes found in games and studying how players interact with games as 麻豆精品 S榬eaders. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�

The gaming class is just one option. Topics vary from fairy tales and baseball to medicine and music. They look for each theme 麻豆精品 S檚 impact on culture and social norms.

The goal of these unique academic offerings is to get students to embrace other points of view, a skill that will benefit them when faced with future challenges both inside and outside of the workplace. To achieve that, seminars are often taught by two faculty members from different disciplines so that students can experience a different type of learning.

麻豆精品 S淏y offering interdisciplinary seminars we expose our students to innovative, cutting-edge ideas and challenge them to think about their own discipline from the perspective of others, 麻豆精品 S� said Alvin Wang, the dean of the Burnett Honors College.

That 麻豆精品 S檚 why each semester, students can choose from nearly 20 different honors seminars, such as 麻豆精品 S淩eligion and Medicine 麻豆精品 S� and 麻豆精品 S淗ow Music Affects the Brain. 麻豆精品 S� Honors students are required to take at least one interdisciplinary seminar to graduate.

Since seminars are limited to about 20 seats per class, they give students from a variety of majors the opportunity to interact with and learn from one another.

麻豆精品 S淎 lot of these students might have never spoken to each other if it wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 for this class, 麻豆精品 S� said Lecturer Sybil St. Claire, who teaches 麻豆精品 S淭heatre for Social Change, 麻豆精品 S� a course that challenges students to explore social themes and use them to generate thought-provoking stories.

麻豆精品 S淎merican Indian Literature and Culture in Florida 麻豆精品 S� explores the history of Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 natives through archival research, film and guest presentations. Earlier this semester, students in the course took a field trip to Wekiva Springs to learn about the land and traditions of the Timucua Indians.

Other classes are meant to expose students to history, politics and foreign cultures as good background for their own analysis of today 麻豆精品 S檚 challenges.

麻豆精品 S淚t takes a multi-faceted approach combined with interdisciplinary thinking to come up with answers to the complex issues that confront our society, 麻豆精品 S� Wang said.

To learn more about the Burnett Honors College, go to .