My name is Devon Miller. I've gone through some rough events
throughout my 18 years of life, but I've learned that it always gets better and
even though it might not seem like it, there is always something better to look
forward too. I love meeting new people and lending a hand. I dislike seeing
people upset and always try to help make them feel better.
Favorite Quote: “Ah yes, The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can
either run from it, or learn from it.” –Rafiki, The Lion King
* * *
My name
is Michael Morgan. I was born Little Rock, AR and I went to Catholic High
School for Boys for 4 years. I’m now attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University, studying to become a pilot for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). I
love to play basketball and I love life.
Favorite Quote: “Do not
follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a
trail.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
* * *
My name is Bryan Rosenthal. I am originally from Long Island,
New York but, I am currently doing my studies in Central Florida for a degree
in Aeronautical Science. My main interests are in
Planes, Cars, Boats, Girls, and anything that gives me an adrenaline rush. I
believe myself to be a respectful person who could make it in this world. For
so long I had people in my life doing things for me; it has been nice to learn
that I can be self-sufficient.
Favorite Quote: "It's your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it
with you, but no one can walk it for you."
* * *
My name is Davin Fonskea. I'm 21 years old. I was born and
raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka for 19 years. Currently I'm attending University
to Complete my Bachelors in Aviation Maintenance Science at Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. My Favorite sport is Rugby and my
favorite genre of music is rock.
Favorite Quote: “Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” ―
George Bernard Shaw
* * *
My name
is Seungjin Kim. I am from South Korea. I did 2 years of military service in
ROK Marine Corps. I graduated high school in Florida. Now I am attending Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University. My major is Aeronautical Science, a flying major. I
decided my major because of a dream. Three years ago, I came to the states to
pursue my dream. My dream is to become an airline pilot. I really enjoy flying.
Someday, I want to be a Boeing 747 captain.
Favorite Quote: “All Our
dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” —Walt Disney
* * *
My name
is Ana. My parents migrated to the United States to improve my quality of life,
along with my siblings, and better our education in order to strengthen my
motivation to succeed. For my father, ever since I was young, my academics has
been his major priority—before fun always came good grades. And with this, I
was able to obtain a high quality of education, by the amount of hours I have dedicated
to studying. Not only have books and numbers played a big role in my life, but
also working in the fields. From a young age, I have been able to walk in the
steps of my parents. Being assigned important tasks at a young age taught me to
be dependable, which is a skill that serves me well today. Time for me is
endless; everything you want to accomplish can be done. I have been able to
carry out many academic honors, which makes my parents proud. Both of my parents
have big dreams for me, and have instilled in me the drive to become number one
in all of my endeavors.
Favorite Quote: “Time is
not measured by the passing of the years but by what one does, what one feels,
and what one achieves.” —Jawaharlal Nehru
* * *
My name is Levi Morgan. I am 18 years old
and currently enrolled at Daytona State College. My major is undecided;
however, my passion is for music and theatre. Another passion of mine is
spreading love to those around me. As corny as it sounds, nothing makes me feel
better than bringing a smile to another person's face. I aspire to be a folk
artist or James Dean, but I'll take either of those, I'm not picky.
Favorite Quote: "And in the end, the love you take
is equal to the love you make" -The Beatles
* * *
My
name is Jennifer Williams. I was born and raised in Daytona Beach, FL. I have
two beautiful children. I graduated from Seabreeze Sr. High in 1983. In 1984 I
attended Daytona Beach Community College. I enjoy skating and bike riding and
having a nice drink to relax. I also like going to the movies and hanging
out with my friends. My children are my pride and joy; they made me a proud
mom. I like antique cars and going over on the beach in November for the turkey
run to see the old cars. Now at forty-eight years old, I decided to enroll back
in college, hoping to graduate in 2016. iIf everything goes as planned, after
graduation I'm planning on reopening my childcare center again because I love
children and working for myself.
* * *
My
name is Tanya Garnett I am 26 years of age. I am a mother of three wonderful
boys ages 8, 3 and 10 months. I was married by the age of 17 and currently in
the process of divorcing. I am from Cambria Heights, NY. I have been living in
Daytona Beach for just about two years now. I was in a very unhealthy relationship
and December of 2011 I packed a bag and my children and made the big move to
Daytona Beach. It has been a roller coaster since moving, but I believe that
everything is falling into place. I have learned that I cannot control my
future, but I do have control over the moment, so I live everyday as if it were
my last!
Favorite
Quote: “Do
not dwell in the past; do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the
present moment.” —Buddha
* * *
Hello,
my name is Tristan Tyson. I am currently making my way through my undergrad classes
and I will be graduating with a business degree. I love to learn new things in
the science field, especially, if it has anything to do with space travel or
quantum mechanics. I love to read books and aspire to build my own eclectic
personal book collection. I also love to write poetry and sing. One day I hope
that I will be able to say that I went to space.
Favorite
Quote: “Never
forget 3 types of people in your life : 1. who helped you in your difficult
time. 2. who left you in your difficult times. 3. who put you in difficult
times.
* * *
I am very thankful to be here this evening to share a
short biography about a few experiences in my life that have
shaped me to be the man that I am today. When I was 19 years old, I joined the
United States military for no other reason but to see the world, and the world
I saw. My first duty station was in Atsugi, Japan. I was there for four years.
I enjoyed the Japanese culture so much that my friends would tease me and call
me a Japarican. In Japan, I was forward deployed to the USS Kitty Hawk, and the
USS Independence. Both of these ships were aircraft carriers and always on
missions out to sea. During my tour in Japan I made port visits to Hong Kong,
Korea, Guam, Hawaii, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Dubai, Jebel Ali, and Iwo
Jima. After serving sea duty, I was transferred to three years of shore
duty in Key West, FL. I lived like a civilian, but was very much still a part
of the U.S. Navy. I spearfished my dinner nightly, and lived life worry free as
if on a permanent vacation, but all good things must come to an end, and after
3 years, I was transferred to San Diego. I never realized then how much I would
love San Diego, but I did! I became intrigued with the various cultures and
fell in love with the climate. I didn't quite finish my tour in San Diego due
to a serious sickness I endured, but ended up living the next six years in San
Diego. I look back at my decisions that have led me to where I stand now, and I
am thankful for the many experiences that have made me who I am today.
Favorite
Quote: “Holding on to
anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone
else; you are the one who gets burned.” —Buddha
* * *
My
name is Zachary Kausch and I was born in 1994 in Orlando, Florida. I moved a
few times in my first decade, but eventually settled in New Smyrna, Beach,
Florida in 2005. I graduated from NSB High School in 2012 and currently take
classes at Daytona State College. I'm still figuring out the whole future
thing.
Favorite
Quote: "To
err is human; to forgive, divine." —Alexander Pope
* * *
Hey There! My name is Hector Morales-Correa. I am 18 years
old and currently go to college in Florida. I don't really have a hometown
because I was born into a military family. I have lived in 14 different places.
I was born in Texas, but two weeks after we moved to Germany for a couple of
years and so on and so on. I am the middle child of three in a Puerto Rican
family. Both my parents were born and raised there. For fun, I played almost
every sport we could think of that did not include cold weather. I really got
attached to baseball and apparently I got good at it. Right now I play college
baseball so that takes up most of my free time while I'm not in class. Well,
that's about it about me, glad you took the time to read up on me! Have a good
day!
Favorite
Quote: "The
difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination." -Tommy
Lasorda
* * *
My name is
Heavyn. I'm a sophomore in high school and I want to get my Associate of Arts
degree before I graduate, but I procrastinate a lot, so it's increasingly
difficult to maintain good grades with so many classes. If I'm not on the
internet or hanging out with friends then I'm probably sleeping or doing homework.
Usually, I get home from school and sleep for four hours until dinners is
ready, then I eat, do some school stuff, and go right back to bed. On the weekends
I stay up until around 3am on Tumblr or talking to people on
Facebook. Despite my lazy lifestyle, I have never gotten below a 'B' on a
report card and I'm pretty proud of myself for that. I grew up in a difficult
situation, so I am very proud at who I am today. I try to maintain a positive
outlook on everything because I believe that it isn't the things that happen to
you that determine how good or bad your life is, it's how you react to them.
Favorite Quote: "The only way out of the
labyrinth of suffering is to forgive" - John Green, Looking For Alaska
* * *
Hello world, how's your day treating you? Can't complain over
here. I'm a thirty-one year old construction worker who still has a full time
job. Sorry for my sad attempt at humor, but that's how I am. I like to smile,
laugh and enjoy life. I'm an easy going kinda guy who tries not to take
everything that life dishes out too seriously. I guess I look at it like life
is too short not to smile at every situation. I've been through a lot of hard
times in my life, times that made it hard to smile. And it's those times that
encourage me to enjoy every moment that I have because you never know when your
time is up. When I was a kid growing up in the Mid-west, I used to watch the
older men play chess in the park and one day an old man who us kids called Mr.
Bo Jangles said something to the man he was playing chess with. I can't
remember what the topic was but I'll never forget what he said. To this day it
is still my favorite saying; it goes: “As a thug changes, his love changes and
best friends become strangers.” I didn’t know what it meant then, but it just
sounded so deep, now all these years later I understand.
* * *
My names Veronika Manns. I grew up in
Port Orange, FL. Growing up, my parents never told me to go to college or don't
do drugs. And somehow—unlike most of the kids I went to school with—I never
touched a single cigarette or any drug. No one in my family has gone to
college and both my sisters and I decided to go on our own. I never had
horses and now I have had four since February 2013. I believe you
have to work for what you want and you can get anything you want as long as you
try. One day I want to have a farm where kids can volunteer and ride horses.
Right now I work two jobs at Outback and Applebees. I am in college to be
a dental hygienist and can’t wait to get out of working at restaurants. My
favorite quote is from a song. "You don't have to make a million, just
be thankful to be working." —Montgomery Gentry
* * *
Hey everyone! My name is Alex Clark. I'm
a college student from Ormond Beach, Florida. I grew up in the Midwest, but
moved around a lot because of my dad's job. I love being outside, surfing,
swimming, performing my job as a lifeguard, and working on my car. As a college
student, my major is Marine Mammal Behavior, and my ideal position would be to
train animals for performances like the shows that SeaWorld puts on with
dolphins, sea lions, whales, etc. I've also considered joining the military for
a long time, and am working on that goal as we speak. I hope that my letter to
a stranger found someone in need, and brought a smile to their face or a warm
thought to their heart. Everyone could use a little love sometimes. Have a
great day!
* * *
My name is Elishah Moore, I am 21 years
old and was born in Arlington, Virginia. I moved to Ormond-by the sea when I
was 3 years of age. I was home-schooled my entire life and was able to take
many dance classes with middle and high school kids my age, which helped my
social life out a lot. I took dance very seriously up until my freshman year of
college. I was a dance major in Orlando and loved every second of it. Due to
some financial issues, I had no choice but to return to Ormond, which brought
my dancing to a complete stop. I am currently back in school and on my way to
finish my AA degree, teaching pre-ballet to children and working as a waitress
while maintaining a home. After completing my AA, I plan on continuing my
studies and wish to start the dental hygiene program at Daytona State College.
My favorite quote at the moment is, "I believe that everything happens for
a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so
that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually
learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better
things can fall together" —Marilyn Monroe
* * *
My name
is Aubrey Lazarus. I was born in Potsdam, NY and raised in Washington, MI. I
moved to Florida in 2009 after graduating college and have been living here
ever since. I attended Florida Atlantic University for 3 years. I am
an Aquarius, and I rarely read my horoscope. I love listening to
music and spending time with my family. I hope to graduate with a degree in
marine biology and become an activist for marine animals.
Favorite
Quote: "Take
wrong turns. Talk to strangers. Open unmarked doors. And if you see a group of
people in a field, go find out what they are doing. Do things without always
knowing how they'll turn out. You're curious and smart and bored, and all you
see is the choice between working hard and slacking off. There are so many
adventures that you miss because you're waiting to think of a plan. To find
them, look for tiny interesting choices. And remember that you are always making
up the future as you go." —Randall Munroe
* * *
My name is Janette Kearsch. I am over 50
years young and live with 4 little dogs. My dog's are not spoiled, it's just
that I am well trained. lol. My very favorite quote is by Helen Keller,
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even
touched—they must be felt with the heart." I believe that if more people
used their heart over their brain, the world would be more peaceful to live in.
* * *
Hello, my name is Jordan. I am 22 years
old. I was born and raised in Tennessee. When I was 14 my parents decided to
move to Florida, and I have resided here ever since. I am a singer, reader,
lover, fighter, writer, leader, curious for the unknown. I am happy,
melancholic, an introverted extrovert, perfect and flawed. I live a fairy tale
love story. I have lived an exciting life thus far, though parts may have been
dark and cold. Through my short journey, that I hope is far from the end, I
have learned lessons that have shaped my soul and humbled deep to my
bones. I have deep roots, but wings that take me where I choose. Stand up, even
if you stand out.
Favorite Quote: "The two most important days in your
life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why." —Mark Twain
* * *
My name is Allison. I lived half my life
in a little town in Georgia where everyone knew each other and having
neighborhood bonfires was a usual type of thing. The second half of my life (so
far) has been here in Florida. Although many wouldn't think this, but Florida
and the small town in Georgia I grew up in are two totally different worlds.
Personally, I like Georgia better. I have a pretty amazing family, two older
sisters and one little brother. I also have the most supportive, and loving
parents. I don't know how I got so lucky but I'm glad I did. I've also got this
really amazing guy in my life, he's been with me for about three years and even
though some people say it's too young to know what love is, I'm pretty sure I
could prove them wrong. This isn't your average relationship, we've been
through so much, like a year of long distance. No visiting, just thirteen hour
phone calls every night and texting throughout the day. (Sleep isn't really in
the picture.) Why and where was he during this time you might ask? Ohio, and it
was because his dad was suffering cancer. It was awful, and hard, and not one
single person believed in us. Except us. No one thought he would come back, no
one gave us any hope. And if you have ever had to spend a year trying to have
faith and hope in something that everyone around you is saying won't happen,
you'd know it is unbelievably hard. But we did it, we fought through all the
hardships and depressing, lonely nights. Until he finally came back, and let me
tell you, that was hands down the best day of my entire life. I'll never forget
the second he got out of his car, me running to him, that hug, the way he
looked into my eyes, that kiss. It was like everything was finally going to be
okay. The way I truly felt is still so indescribable. I still sit here with a
smile while I think about it. It was just something so special that nothing
could ever take away from us. That experience taught me a lot about life; it
taught me that no matter how hard something is, or how many people tell you
that you can't do something, it all matters on how bad you want it. Because
whatever is it, can be done. You just have to believe in yourself, and never
give up.
Favorite Quote: "It is our darkest moments that we are focused to see the light" —Aristotle Onassis
Favorite Quote: "It is our darkest moments that we are focused to see the light" —Aristotle Onassis
* * *
I’m
Savannah. I’m 18 years old and exploring all of my new opportunities as a new
“legal adult” in society. I play guitar and sing for anyone and anywhere. Music
is a big passion of mine, and has been since before I could talk. I was found
whistling a tune in a department store at nine months old. I have a weird
fascination with mushrooms; I just think they’re groovy and exotic. My laugh is
similar to a hyena’s : roaring, loud and contagious. I only know this because
of The Lion King. I also deeply enjoy the beach and salt water. To me, it’s
therapeutic. In my mind, I was born in the 1960’s, but I guess the 1990’s are
cool too. ☮
Favorite
quote: Life is a journey, not a destination.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
