Summer 2024 - Vol. 161 | No. 1

Editor-in-Chief editor@theavion.com

Managing Editor managing@theavion.com

News Editor news@theavion.com

Photo Editor photo@theavion.com

Broadcast Manager broadcast@theavion.com

Business Manager business@theavion.com

Clayton Loughary

Camrin Coubertier

Dominic Popolo

Brandon Badraoui

Liam John

Emilee Imler

Tucker Lehtonen (IG: @tucker_takes_photos) Front Cover

David Guerra (IG: @davidguerra_a) Back Cover

Contributors & Page Editors

Brandon Badraoui

Arianne Barlowe

Camrin Coubertier

Andrew Comparetta

Colin Daily

Erin Dillman

Bryce Farnham

David Guerra

Dylan Kowlessar

Tucker Lehtonen

Tallulah León

Clayton Loughary

Dominic Popolo

Sahil Singh

Teshome S. Teshome

Ander Turueno Garcia

Abby Weaver

Andrew Zubyk

Advisors

Kristen Rosati

Director of Student Leadership & Orientation

Dr. Matthew R. Sharp Associate Professor of Communication

SGA Executive Board

President sgapres@erau.edu

Vice President sgavpres@erau.edu

Treasurer sgatres@erau.edu

Chief Justice sgachf@erau.edu

EIC, The Avion editor@theavion.com

Chief, ERT dbert701@erau.edu

GM, WIKD 102.5 general.manager@wikd1025.com

Chairperson, TNG chair@touch-n-go.org

From the Editor-in-Chief

Change. What an interesting word. What an interesting way to start things of. However, we have to change, we have to do something diferent. If we don’t, then there will not be an Avion to come back to. First, I would like to introduce myself, my name is Clayton Loughary, my friends here at Embry-Riddle call me Clay, I am the new Editor-in-Chief of The Avion, and I am a sophomore majoring in Spacefight Operations.

I know, a sophomore as the leader of a major organization here on campus, it’s pretty wild. However, The Avion needs change and I have been told that I am the person to do just that. I am not only excited, but I am also afraid. I don’t really have any ‘shoes’ to step into since I need to lay a new pair down. In order for the change that must be made to occur, we have to want change to happen. This year, I hope to be the face of that change, and to lead The Avion towards a new era of creativity, friendship, and more importantly, relaying the news to our students on-campus.

This year, expect new projects, new initiatives, and more communication from your SGA and from The Avion. We are your news and media division; it is past the time that we start taking that role seriously.

Yours,

Ander Turueno Garcia

Teshome S. Teshome

Bryce Farnham

Arianne Barlowe

Clayton Loughary

Abigail Weaver

Tallulah León

Sahil Singh

Clayton Loughary Editor-in-Chief, The Avion

David Guerra

Andrew Zubyk

In this Issue...

04

SUMMER STAFF PHOTO SPREAD

See what our amazing staf members have been up to this summer, back at home or on their own adventures!

06

SGA UPDATES

Gain an inside look into the Student Government Association and what they have been doing for the student body since the last issue!

10

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: DYLAN KOWLESSAR

International student and former Editor-in-Chief of The Avion, Dylan Kowlessar has given a new meaning to prosperity through adversity.

16

CENTRAL FLORIDA DAYTRIPS

Learn more about things to do in Central Florida and take a day to go explore the amenities that there is to ofer!

Adventure

Who am I but someone who walks in the rain when it pours?

Someone who enjoys to sleep in a shelter made from a canvas cloth.

A view of the mountains is what I live for, it is the reason I venture outside.

I seek the rise and fall of the ocean, the sand beneath my feet.

The way that I yearn to explore. The way that I want to drift of to sleep outside.

The way that I have forgetten the outdoors... it frightens me.

Who am I but someone that yearns for an adventure?

Someone that wants a story to tell my kids someday.

A story of adventure.

Summer Staf Adventures

From The Avion

Tucker Lehtonen

Dominic Popolo

David Guerra

Raymon Xu

Liam John

David Guerra / Clayton Loughary

Brandon Badraoui

Andrew Comparetta

Andrew Comparetta

Rachael Tran

Rachael Tran

Liam John

Houston Thomas

STUDENT GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Student Senate

From the College of Aviation Senators

ROBERT VILLA - As a student senator, I’m always trying to make the student experience better. I get a lot of comments about what I’m doing to improve the Flight Department, and I’m not the person with all the answers. However, I can provide a system where students can give feedback on what we can do better as a department. There are systems already in place where students can provide feedback, but, in my opinion, they aren’t utilized as much as they could be. That is why I plan to explore further methods where students can provide instant feedback on issues in the Flight Department.

From the Student Life Senator

Dallas Balentine, the re-elected Student Life senator, is working on several projects for this upcoming year. His biggest project is WorldFEST, a large-scale festival that invites cultural/DEI RSOs to come display their culture through food, drinks, music, dances, games, and more. He will be partnering with the DEI Coalition and others to plan and execute this event. His other projects include a program that will increase awarenes s for Title IX and Wellness (mental, emotional, physical, spiritual) resources and support, and Drug and Alcohol safety, which he will be partnering with Campus Safety and several other departments for this upcoming project.

Student Court

The Student Court has been processing parking appeals and hearing Student Conduct cases. There were some Associate Justices who joined us at the end of the Spring semester, so we are using this time to train them in their new roles and prepare events for the Fall semester. Please look for any updates on Fall events through our social media accounts!

Student Treasury

New SGA Treasurer Bryce is working on going through payment requests for all RSOs.

RSO presidents: Stay tuned for more information in the coming months and the Fall 2024 term

fce or email

From the SGA President:

Welcome to Embry-Riddle: Embrace the Eagle Spirit This Summer!

Summer at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a unique experience. With fewer people in town, the campus may seem quieter, and the pace might feel diferent compared to the bustling fall and spring semesters. However, this period can also be one of profound personal and academic growth, and the Student Government Association (SGA) is here to support you every step of the way.

Embry-Riddle holds a special place in my heart. I could talk endlessly about how this university has pushed the boundaries of innovation, how our professors are truly remarkable, and how being an Eagle is an experience like no other. But the true essence of why Embry-Riddle means so much to me is because it transformed my life forever.

We all come to Embry-Riddle with dreams of earning our degrees and pursuing our passion for aviation or aerospace. But there’s a word that resonates with me, a word I see daily among classmates and friends— “rush”. I understand the pressure, especially when it comes to balancing college expenses and navigating the challenges that come with the college experience.

But amidst all of this, I want to share a nugget of wisdom from one of my mentors, Mr. Edmund Odartey, Director of Alumni Engagement. He once told me, “Don’t go through college; let college go through you.” And that’s exactly what happened to me. I didn’t end up working with Mr. Odartey because I followed a standard process. I embraced every opportunity that came my way, saying YES to involvement that went beyond mere necessity. For over three years, I seized every chance to grow and learn, and it transformed my life in ways I never thought possible. And in Alumni Engagement, I see countless alumni who came here with one plan and left with a completely diferent path, all because they got involved. The same happened to me—I came with dreams of becoming an airline pilot, and now I’ll be pursuing a Master’s in Business, all thanks to the opportunities I embraced at Embry-Riddle.

Embry-Riddle isn’t just a school for aeronautics; it’s a Gold Premium membership of leaders and innovators. Our alumni list includes top military ofcials, astronauts, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and infuential fgures in politics. Embry-Riddle back in the 1970s was just a few buildings, but already making a world-class name. Even then, people were amazed at our big reputation with so few buildings. Some of our Board of Trustees graduated from here during those times, and look at what they’ve achieved.

But you know what? It didn’t matter then, and it doesn’t matter now. Because what really matters at EmbryRiddle isn’t the size or beauty of our campus—it’s the spirit of excellence and dedication that we bring to this university. That’s the spirit of an Eagle, and it’s now up to you to carry it forward.

So here’s the takeaway: Get involved, connect with others, and embrace the Eagle spirit. Whether it’s joining a club, participating in events, or reaching out for support, SGA is here to ensure you have the best experience possible. Save my email—I’m here to help.

Welcome to ERAU, and Go Eagles!

Respectfully,

Ander Turueno Garcia SGA President

Student Spotlight: Dylan Kowlessar

By: Dominic Popolo ⁄ News Editor Design: Clayton Loughary ⁄ Editor-in-Chief

There are few students who have achieved as much as Dylan Kowlessar has in a semester at Embry-Riddle in their entire college careers. Even if you think you don't know Dylan, you've probably crossed paths with him at least once: as the friendly face behind the RA desk, a student in fight ops, or even at an SGA General Session where he spoke during his tenure as the Editor-in-Chief of The Avion.

Now an amazing copy editor for The Avion, I got the chance to speak with Dylan about his journey to college, where it has taken him, how he plans to soar in the future, and what Embry-Riddle means to him.

An international student from Trinidad and Tobago, Dylan’s college story, like many others around the globe, was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally intended to start in July 2020, he was deferred until January 2021. While frustrating, Dylan took it in stride and became a substitute teacher at his former high school until he was able to start college. Dylan elaborated that teaching “was easily one of the best things I did in my life.” Through this initial setback turned blessing in disguise, Dylan learned his passion for mentoring others. With pandemic restrictions lifted, he was ready to move to Daytona Beach with this newfound passion and prepared to begin fying and making a diference in student’s lives.

Coming to a new country alone is daunting, but Dylan did not let that stop him from getting involved on campus. He quickly became involved in the Caribbean Students Association and The Avion, which helped him build a community away from home and create lasting connections and friendships. Using the experience he gained as a mentor, Dylan began his mission to help improve the atmosphere for students on campus wherever he could.

Colin Daily

As mentioned earlier, Dylan has previously served as both Editor-in-Chief of The Avion and as a Senior RA in New Residence Hall 2. As Editor-in-Chief, Dylan spearheaded the addition of the broadcast program to the division, helping bring The Avion to diferent media formats and earning campus-wide praise and national recognition for the project from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP).

As a senior RA, Dylan led 16 RA's and more than 600 students as they navigated residence life in the dorms. When asked about his proudest achievements in his leadership roles, Dylan mentioned the ability to "[create] somewhere that students felt welcome and as a place that students would leave as better people, with new skills, and memorable experiences."

Dylan is involved in numerous RSOs on campus as a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, the Pickleball Club, the Caribbean Students' Association, and the Airport and Airline Management Club. He has also become involved in the Sodexo Culinary Council, which helps to give dining feedback to Sodexo, and with International Admissions as a student representative on the International Admissions Council. On top of this, he has spent time employed by the Hunt Library, the Honors Program, Student Engagement, and most recently, as one of our two copy editors here at The Avion.

From sports to academics to work, Dylan has undoubtedly made his mark on Embry-Riddle in his short time here. When asked what Embry-Riddle has meant to him for the last three and a half years, Dylan responded: "My time at Embry-Riddle has not been without its trying moments, but l am so grateful for every experience, and every lesson learnt. Embry-Riddle is home."

Currently a senior Aeronautical Science major and set to graduate in December, Dylan is looking ahead to what steps life has in store. After graduation, Dylan hopes to return to Trinidad and Tobago and work in fight operations of their home airline, Caribbean Airlines.

There is so much to take away from the story of Dylan Kowlessar, whether it is the perseverance received after a setback, a goal to make life better for others, a calling to get involved, or the ability to build a community where people will feel welcome. So, the next time you run into Dylan, be sure to say hello to one of the friendliest and most passionate students to have ever walked the halls of Embry-Riddle.

Erin Dillman

Andrew Comparetta TheAvion

Thank You

The Editor-in-Chief of The Avion wishes to extend a note of gratitude towards Kristen Rosati and the entire Student Government Association. We could not have put this monumental Summer Issue out without them.

Aug. 18 Aug. 25 Aug. 26 Sept. 3

Orientation Week Fall 2024 Week of Welcome Fall 2024 Classes Begin The Avion General Meeting SU210 - The Chamber 7:00 PM

Upcoming Events

Andrew Comparetta

STUDENT GOVERNMENT UPDATES

SGA-Wide Updates

The SGA is excited to announce several important updates. The Student Leadership Suite will undergo a furniture update to better meet the diverse needs of students using the space daily. In a signifcant expansion, the SGA Cabinet now includes 16 new positions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of student needs and concerns. The names and positions of these new cabinet members will be announced in the Fall issue. Furthermore, we will be hosting SGA general sessions more frequently during the Fall semester to ensure ongoing student engagement and communication.

Brandon Badraoui

Central Florida Summer Daytrips!

By: Domonic Popolo ⁄ News Editor

Design: David Guerra ⁄ Lead Designer

Whether you’re staying the summer to get ahead in your degree program, fying some extra hours on a Cessna, or spending time with college friends, Central Florida has so much to ofer of campus. With Embry-Riddle being located on the crossroads of Interstates 4 and 95, there is a wide range of destinations within a close driving distance, perfect for any student still on campus this summer interested in taking a day trip!

While not all-encompassing, this list includes a few excellent picks you and your friends can visit throughout the summer. As a perk of being a student at Embry-Riddle, students can get reduced-price tickets for many of the destinations on this list at the ICI Center.

The most magical place on earth is only an hour and ffteen minutes away from campus, and it’s about to get even more magical this summer! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the replacement attraction to Splash Mountain based on the flm The Princess and The Frog, opens June 28 in the Magic Kingdom. And we can’t forget about what all the other theme parks have to ofer: Star Wars in Hollywood Studios, Pandora in Animal Kingdom, and the diverse food and beverage options you can fnd around the diferent countries of the World Showcase in EPCOT. Finally, you can end the day by exploring Disney Springs, which ofers fantastic restaurants and shops.

The best place in Central Florida for thrill seekers is Universal Studios Orlando, which is located only an hour from campus. A new nighttime show and land themed to DreamWorks movies are set to join the already popular Harry Potter, Simpsons, E.T., and Minions attractions in the Universal Studios park. And with one quick train ride through the Wizarding World, you’ll fnd yourself in Islands of Adventure surrounded by even more Harry Potter, Marvel, and Jurassic Park attractions. Universal Orlando will open a third park, Epic Universe, in 2025.

David Guerra

David Guerra

For all the aquatic animal lovers out there, the Florida Aquarium is the perfect destination for you. Located just over two hours southwest of campus in Tampa, the aquarium contains many diferent animal habitats for visitors. Whether you’re journeying to the Wetlands of Florida, the island of Madagascar, a coral reef, or the shoreline, you will witness a wide range of marine life biodiversity from around the world. For those seeking an interactive visit, there are touch tanks and even a penguin encounter that you can enjoy.

If you’re a rocket fan, this is the perfect day trip for you and your friends. Located just over an hour south of campus on the shores of Cape Canaveral, you can visit past relics from the space program, such as the Saturn V Rocket, Space Shuttle Atlantis, and even more in the Rocket Garden. In addition, you can also explore the Journey to Mars exhibit and get a glimpse at the future of space fight and planet exploration. And if you’re lucky, you might also get the perfect view of a rocket launch from the center.

Of course, we cannot forget Central Florida’s beautiful beaches on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Nothing can beat leaving class for the day and heading over to catch the sun and sand on the beach, and “The World’s Most Famous Beach” does not disappoint. Outside of Daytona, Ormond Beach and Ponce Inlet ofer two perfect locations to catch some sun that are only about a half-hour north or south of campus, respectively. Whatever beach you may end up at, nothing beats the beaches of Central Florida.

Aquarium

David Guerra NASA

The Florida Aquarium

Clues DOWN

1. An involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction

2. Philly’s rail service

3. Leaves a place

4. No longer be a part in

5. Guitar players use them

6. Cease to exist

7. General’s assistant (abbr.)

8. Shaking of the earth

9. Strong winds

10. For each one 11. A bog

12. The creation of beautiful or signifcant things

13. Afrmative

19. Pie __ __ mode 21. Nonclerical

24. Inspirational football player Hamlin 25. Learning environment

26. Khoikhoi peoples 27. Bring out or develop

31. Shows up

32. Theatrical device

34. Loads

35. Popular Hollywood alien

36. Distinguishes

40. College dorm worker

41. Secondary or explanatory title

45. Resembling wings

47. One who delivers a speech

48. In the middle

52. Loop with a running knot

53. Airborne (abbr.)

54. Beloveds

56. Ordain

57. Breed of small cattle

59. Very small period of time (abbr.)

60. Revolutions per minute

61. They __

62. Longtime ESPN anchor Bob

63. A place to stay

Clues ACROSS

1. Midway between south and southeast

4. Fathers

9. Wine grape

14. Al Bundy’s wife

15. Organic compound

16. Venezuelan state

17. Interest term

18. Experts

20. Central cores of stems

22. Smooth and glossy

23. One-time S. Korean city

24. One from Damascus

28. Short message at the end of an email

29. It cools your home

30. Oh, God!

31. Intestinal pouches

33. Men

37. Popular English soccer team (abbr.)

38. Former CIA

39. Arrange in steps

41. A baglike structure in a plant or animal

42. The Great Lake State

43. Dog-__: to mark a page

44. Stop moving

46. Ancient Dead Sea region

49. Of I

50. Clerical vestment

51. Songs sung to a lover

55. Charges

58. Popular design program manufacturer

59. Where to park a boat

60. One who values reason

64. Slang for cigarette

65. Sailboats

66. Actress Zellweger

67. Screen material

68. Country music legend Haggard

69. Puts together in time

70. When you hope to arrive