// DAVID THOMPSON STAFF WRITER With eight minutes left to play in the first half, Florida Tech head coach, Steve Englehart, decided to switch out sophomore quarterback, Brandon Ziarno, with fellow sophomore quarterback, Trent Chmelik, after a slow offensive start for the Panthers. Chmelik made an immediate impact, throwing a 59-yard touchdown to wide receiver Romell Guerrier for Florida Tech’s first touchdown of the 2017 season. “It was a pretty euphoric feeling,” Chmelik said. “It was the first college touchdown I had ever had, definitely something for the books.” Chmelik ended the game with 129 passing yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 195.66 after entering the game halfway
through the second quarter. “My mindset was to be as prepared and as focused as I could be, so when they call my number I know everything and just to get out there and execute,” Chmelik said. “I tried to get the guys to follow behind me and tried to show them how to be a leader.” Englehart made the switch after Ziarno was only able put up three points even though he commanded the offense for three possessions. “My plan was to put [Chmelik] in. I just felt like it was time and I wanted to get him in, in the first half just to see,” Englehart said. “[Chemilk] moved us down the field and scored a touchdown and then we just stayed with it. I think he kinda got us kickstarted.” Guerrier was a big part in the Panther’s offensive display, accumulating CONTINUED ON 7
Guerrier (left) and Chmelik (right) cerebrate a TD Photo by www.floridatoday.com
Pilot by Day, Model by Night
Lessard models a two-piece garment in New Mexico // MARY KOZAITIS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Megan Lessard, a junior studying aeronautical science with flight, has experienced landing a plane on the runway after a long day of flying; plus she has walked a different kind of runway, after a long day of modeling. The Melbourne native and her younger sister, Shaina Lessard, started modeling together in a local photo shoot in downtown Melbourne while in junior high school. After realizing an enjoyment and talent for being in front of the camera, Lessard started networking and attending castings.
She had a common slow start, until she was 15 years old when she walked in Park Ave Fashion Week, a fashion show in Winter Park, FL. From that point on, her career skyrocketed. She was contacted by several local agencies and traveled around Florida to model. She was sent to Miami once a weekend, flew to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, New Mexico and eventually Korea, after she signed with her agency, New Version. In her last years of high school, Lessard had to chose between modeling and school, as the work caused her to miss classes at times. The glamorous lifestyle of traveling allowed her to go places she’s never
been, occasionally flying on private jets and temporarily residing in mansions. The work turned into a full-time career, requiring her to take a year off from school between graduating high school and beginning college. Lessard explains it as a surreal experience, often times feeling like Cinderella for a night, when being dressed in famous designer clothing and then having it give it back. She had the opportunity to model an outfit from one of her favorite designers, Roberto Cavalli, many of his pieces including hand-sewn beading and luxury fabrics, totaling over $10,000 for a gown. Although a seemingly
Photograph taken by Josue Casillas.
perfect lifestyle and lifechanging experience, Lessard describes some of the major downsides modeling has. “My least favorite thing about the industry is how cutthroat it is,” Lessard said. “A lot of people go into it looking for fame and fortune, but it’s not about them. You are a mannequin. They are not hiring you for you.” At one point, Lessard was worried she would wake up one morning with her ponytail cut off because some models will do anything they can to beat the competition, she explained. CONTINUED ON 9
The Florida Tech Crimson
PANTHER FOOTBALL SWEEPS OPENING GAME 44-0
Issue 2 September 6 Fall 2017