Ashley Lambert

Hometown: Cape Coral, FL
Hobbies/Interests: Lacrosse, Cheerleading, Reading, Travelling, Painting, Research
Favorite Movie: John Q
Favorite Musical Artist: Either Avenged Sevenfold, Three Days Grace, or Josh Turner
Favorite Book: So many to choose from... probably the original Dragonlance series
Favorite Honors event: Orientation
Favorite Quote: "I think therefore I am" -Rene Descartes
What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: Probably Great books because I love Classical Greek literature

Caroline Rohe

Hometown: Orlando, Fl
Hobbies/Interests: Music(The Kills, Interpol), vinyl records, History, Old films, 1960s TV shows, making stencils for spray-paint, building models, volunteering at museums
Favorite Movie: Casablanca, North By Northwest, Lawrence of Arabia, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Man Between, Inglorious Basterds, anything Film Noir.
Favorite Musical Artist: The Kills, Interpol, The Horrors, Arctic Monkeys, Grizzly Bear, Jack White(The Dead Weather, The White Stripes)
Favorite Book: In Harms Way
Favorite Honors event: All of them (Manna Food Bank/Make a difference day)
Favorite Quote: "Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country." -Marquis de Lafayette
"The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind." - Humphrey Bogart

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: Great Books, it’s the only one I have taken so far, besides volunteering in the archives for honors service credit. Great Books, because the lectures were insightful.

Catherine Trotman

Hometown: DeFuniak Springs, Fl
Hobbies/Interests: College Football, Playing Basketball, Greek Life, Photography, Service, SGA
Favorite Movie: The Pursuit of Happyness
Favorite Musical Artist: Kenny Chesney
Favorite Book: The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Favorite Honors Event: All of the community service opportunities!
Favorite Quote: "If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything." - Unknown

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: Basic Communication (Speech) It really helped me get over the horrible feeling of speaking in public and gave me skills I will use for my career and the real world!
Anything else: I'm really excited and grateful for the opportunity to impact the incoming freshmen and transfer honors students. You will get so much out of the program if you stay involved!

Christian Pacheco

Hometown: Gulf Breeze, FL
Hobbies/Interests: Martial arts, Reading, Adventuring outdoors, Writing, Video Games
Favorite Movie: Tie: Star Wars/ The Shawshank Redemption
Favorite Musical Artist: too many to count
Favorite Book: Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory
Favorite Honors event: Make a Difference Day
Favorite Quote: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" - Proverbs

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: People and Cultures of the World Seminar with Dr. Robert Philen- This was by far the most interactive honors program I’ve been in. Dr. Philen always engaged his students in thoughtful and detailed conversations about challenging readings. I also had the chance to conduct an independent research project from start to finish.

Craig Lockhart

Hometown: Dominica, W.I. / Hollywood, FL
Hobbies/Interests: Music, movies, gym and sports
Favorite Movie: Tears of the Sun
Favorite Musical Artist: Jah Cure and Lucky Dube
Favorite Book: None....No time for leisure reading
Favorite Honors event: Anything relating to Service Events
Favorite Quote: "Born to Believe, Built to Achieve" (Craig J. Lockhart)

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: I would say my Holocaust seminar because our final exam was a suitcase. If you had to go somewhere and was never allowed to return, what would you pack? Put your life in perspective and make you realize what is important in life.
Anything else you’d like to share: I love volunteering and my favorite service events are Habitat for Humanity.

Danielle Turek

Hometown: Alabaster, AL
Hobbies/Interests: volleyball, basketball, Habitat for Humanity, going to concerts
Favorite Movie: Pride and Prejudice
Favorite Musical Artist: It is almost impossible to choose, but right now Chris Young or All Time Low
Favorite Book: Cradle to Cradle
Favorite Honors event: Habitat for Humanity builds
Favorite Quote: "Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections."

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: Women in Science because it gave me an idea of the reality that exists for women in the workplace. We got to see many women in many fields and they all offered a unique perspective on what being a woman in their field meant. Another fantastic aspect was getting to learn about amazing women that helped us get to present day scientific knowledge that may not be usually acknowledged for their contributions.
Anything else you’d like to share: Getting involved in things on campus especially if you aren't from the area is extremely important in making you feel like this is home, because that is what it becomes for four years. Also, make sure to enjoy going to the beach to study because that is one of the best perks in living 30 minutes from Pensacola Beach.

Haley Chouinard

Hometown: Destin, FL
Hobbies/Interests: Blogging, Reading, Watching Movies
Favorite Movie: Almost Famous
Favorite Musical Artist: Mumford & Sons
Favorite Book: Slaughterhouse Five
Favorite Honors event: Halloween Party
Favorite Quote: "The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: Honors Physical Geography with Dr. Liebens because there were only six of us in the class so, it was such a unique learning experience. I got such personal attention and was able to develop a closer relationship with my professor.

Heather Mutchie

Hometown: Palatka, FL / St. Augustine, FL
Hobbies/Interests: Books, Theatre, Rugby, Organizations
Favorite Movie: 27 Dresses
Favorite Musical Artist: Ingrid Michelson
Favorite Book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Favorite Honors event: Welcome Week (while living in Pace Hall)
Favorite Quote: "The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves--say rather, loved in spite of ourselves" Les Miserables

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: Great Books, fascinating subject, a lot of new knowledge acquired and had all of my fellow new honors students
Anything else you’d like to share: PACE IS THE PLACE! I do not often have favorites of anything, because everything can be magnificent in its own right- while it may pale in comparison to the accomplishments of its fellow in any other category. Therefore, I have not favorites, but vast appreciations for many things.

Jasmine Jordan

Hometown: Navarre, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: Painting, Drawing, Soccer, Frisbee, Reading, Movies, Plays, Spending time with friends and family, FISH <3 (or anything aquatic), Beach days
Favorite Movie: Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas ( I can watch it any time of the year, over and over again, even in the middle of July)
Favorite Musical Artist: It is a tie between the Shins, Ingrid Michelson, and Apple Horse. I enjoy any Indie Rock in general.
Favorite Book: The Hunger Games Series
Favorite Honors Event: Honors Formal
Favorite Quote(s): "I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities." - Dr. Seuss
"We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."- Dr. Seuss

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: The Honors Course that had the most impact on me was Honors Religion with Professor June Watkins. Dr. Watkins showed me what it meant to truly have a passion for a subject and to inspire that same passion in others.  She also was one of the most approachable teachers I have had and I was able to gain more confidence to talk to other professors. The class provided an opportunity for open discussion on controversial subjects without the pressure of being judged for my beliefs. I was able to gain general knowledge about the major world religions, a knowledge that I have been able to use in other college courses as well as everyday life. I was also able to build and strengthen relationships, including ones with two of my current roommates.
Anything else you would like to share: I am looking forward to this upcoming school year, as it promises to bring new experiences, people and memories with each day. I cannot wait to help new students get the most that they can out of their experience in the Honors program!

Jini Curry

Hometown: Lakeland, FL
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy fishing, hunting, beach, honors junk, and school.
Favorite Movie: Cars 2
Favorite Musical Artist: Blake Shelton
Favorite Book: Tim Tebow: Through my Eyes
Favorite Honors Event: Habitat for Humanity
Favorite Quote: "The smile on my face doesn't mean my life is perfect, it just means I appreciate what God has blessed me with."

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: Zoology Lab, this course really showed me what college was about. In high school I breezed through and thought I would do the same in college but taking this class first semester was definitely a wakeup call and showed me how study habits and staying on top of school is crucial. I do not recommend you take this class as a freshman because it is difficult to adjust those study habits so rapidly, although taking it fall semester of your sophomore year could be very beneficial to reinforcing the habits you learned as a freshman.
Anything else you’d like to share: I am very excited and eager to be a mentor. I also serve on the Executive Board of the Honors Program as the Vice President. I look forward to working with all students in the program and increasing our involvement rates. I am very outgoing and personable and willing to help in any way I can, never be afraid to come talk to me!

Karen Irizarry

Hometown: Ft. Pierce, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: baking, running, lacrosse, reading, getting into a PhD/MD program, and being an active member in my sorority
Favorite Movie: Pride and Prejudice
Favorite Book: The Catcher in the Rye, Persuasion by Jane Austen, any book written by Dan Brown, The Little Prince, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Pride and Prejudice (I cannot choose just one...)
Favorite Musical Artist: Dave Matthews Band, Anberlin, and 30 Seconds to Mars
Favorite Honors Event: a Habitat for Humanity build
Favorite Quote: "Today you are you! This is truer than true! There is no one alive who is youer than you!" - Dr. Seuss

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why:  Honors Zoology had the most impact on me so far because we had to write two ten page research papers. These papers helped me to figure out how to write a research paper for college and how to use proper sources. When you come to college you think you know how to write a research paper, but what you know is how to write a paper for high school not one for college.
Anything else you’d like to share: Honors is great! If you manage your time wisely you will have time to hang out with your friends and still succeed in your classes.

Elizabeth "Libby" Lirette

Hometown: Pace, FL
Hobbies/Interests: Jesus, Dancing, Beach, Community Service, Canoeing on this awesome campus, Group Fitness! Whoop whoop!, School (because I'm a nerd)
Favorite Movie: A Walk to Remember, I Robot
Favorite Book: The Giver
Favorite Honors event: Honors Conferences, both NCHC and SRHC
Favorite Quote: I couldn't choose which one.
"Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still." -Chinese Proverb
"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." -Bill Cosby
"Be the change you want to see in the world." -Gandhi

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: Honors Zoology: This class taught me that college is sometimes terrible and hard, and there may even be times when you think you are going to fail...but you CAN and WILL make it through and even if you don't do as well as you want to or as you did in high school, everything will be okay. The most important thing is to really soak in and learn everything you can in college, especially your first year, so that you can succeed by growing and preparing for all the challenges you will face later.
Anything else you’d like to share: UWF Honors helped to make my first year at college an amazing one. I really encourage all the incoming Honors students to get involved in Honors activities as much as possible because it will enhance your experience at this school more than you can imagine. There are so many different opportunities for every person such as classes, conferences, community service, social events, and more. For those of you from the area, especially commuters, don't underestimate UWF or the Honors Program here. I am from a local high school and commuted this year. My involvement through Honors helped me to see that UWF has a lot to offer and there is nowhere else I'd rather be! :-)

Ruth Ashley

Hometown: Altamonte Springs, FL
Hobbies/Interests: Biking, running, Sudoku, logic puzzles
Favorite Movies: The Blindside, Forrest Gump, Good Will Hunting
Favorite Book: The BFG, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Harry Potter series
Favorite Honors Event: To date, NCHC 2011 in Phoenix, AZ. Presented research, networked with Honors students across the country, attended plenaries and workshops - worth every minute!
Favorite Quote: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right!"

Most impacting Honors seminar: Politics of Food with Dr. Tomso. Dr Tomso always does his homework, so this class was both intellectually intriguing and challenging. We read and discussed articles regarding everything from fast food chain politics to teaching food health in public/private schools to buying organic and/or locally. I gained a different perspective about the food I put into my body, and about the importance of following the political movement for food in our country. Through this Honors seminar, I presented research on "The Prevalence of Corn in Today's Economy" at the National Collegiate Honors Conference in Phoenix last spring. Highly recommend this seminar!

Sabrina Trice

Hometown: Cantonment, FL
Hobbies/Interests: Swimming, Movies, Sci-Fi
Favorite Movie: Saw
Favorite Musical Artist: Papa Roach
Favorite Honors event: Halloween Party
Favorite Quote: "Be as strong as the world requires you to be and as soft as the world allows you to be."

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: Philosophy of Sci-Fi was a fun class, and it made a topic (philosophy) I'd never otherwise be interested in fascinating.

Sashel Marquis-Wedderburn

Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Bicycling, swimming, giving speeches, watching movies.
Favorite Movie: Sound of Music
Favorite Musical Artist: I don't have one I like most every genre of music except for rap.
Favorite Book: I have too many but if I had to choose the book that impact my life the most Mariam Song by Mark and Mariam Mathabane
Favorite Honors event: Pizza with a Professor
Favorite Quote: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.-Nelson Mandela

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: Women in Science is the best honors seminar. It taught me that there is still inequality in the workforce (gender stratification) and more and more women are discouraged to further the education in STEM after undergraduate years.
Anything else you’d like to share: I am member of the UWF Speech and Debate Team, Pi Sigma Alpha, Rho Pi Chapter and President of UWF World Affairs Organization

Zachary Farrington

Hometown: Milton, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: Football, Baseball, Ultimate Frisbee, Rock Climbing, Reading, Spending time with family, Cracking jokes (don't want things getting too serious), etc.
Favorite Movie: Godfather Part I and II, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Dumb and Dumber, The Count of Monte Cristo, Scarface, etc.
Favorite Musical Artist: Anything really, except most Country lol. Hall and Oates ;)
Favorite Book: The Bible, Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, The Complete Annotated Sherlock Holmes, and of course comics to mix in with serious reading. Spice it up.
Favorite Honors event: Halloween Party, NCHC, Honors Orientation
Favorite Quote: 98% of us will die at some point in our lives-Ricky Bobby

What honors course or seminar had the most impact on you so far and why: Great Books: It showed me I could make it in Honors and prepared me for my future classes.
Anything else you’d like to share: The Honors Staff member formerly known as Jennifer Phillips is an awesome person!