Fall 25 Issue 1

Vol. 165 | Issue 1 | Fall 2025

Letter from the Editors Dear Eagles, Editor-in-Chief

Emilee Imler

Managing Editor

Dominic Popolo

Business Manager

Kaden McVerry

Design Editor

Grace Hamilton

News Editor

Samantha Garcia

Photo Editor

Brandon Badraoui

avioneditor@erau.edu

avionmanaging@erau.edu

avionbusiness@erau.edu

aviondesign@erau.edu

avionnews@erau.edu

avionphoto@erau.edu

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Front Cover

Back Cover

Brandon Badraoui @brandonbadphoto

Matthew Mazan @matthew_avphoto

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Advisor Indira Diaz Associate Director of Student Government

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SGA Executive Board President

Ander Turueno Garcia

Vice President

Giovanni Zayas

Treasurer

Marcus Lopez

Chief Justice

Ryan Croasdell

EIC, The Avion

Emilee Imler

GM, WIKD 102.5

Nathaniel Wrobel

Chairperson, TNG

Sabrina Osick

sgapres@erau.edu sgavpres@erau.edu sgatres@erau.edu sgachfj@erau.edu avioneditor@erau.edu dbgmwikd@erau.edu dbtngchr@erau.edu

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Welcome to the Fall 2025 Issue 1 of The Avion! This semester marks a milestone both for our publication and for EmbryRiddle as a whole. As the University celebrates its centennial year, The Avion is also beginning a new chapter as a student lifestyle magazine.

For more than 55 years, The Avion has been a trusted, student-run source of campus news. That foundation remains on our website, theavion.com, but this year, we’re expanding the vision of our magazine to better reflect the full scope of the Riddle experience.

From campus culture and student life, to creativity, design, and storytelling, our goal is to create a magazine that feels as vibrant, innovative, and diverse as the student body itself.

As editors, we’ve been lucky enough to see how powerful this organization can be. For us, The Avion has always been more than an office in the SLS. It is a community where students find their voice, discover new talents, and push themselves in ways they never expected. We have spent countless late nights in production, worked side by side at events, and shared in the excitement of watching our peers’ work come to life.

Whether you’ve read The Avion for years or you’re flipping through it for the first time, we hope you’ll find something inside that resonates with your own Riddle story.

Here’s to a year of celebrating 100 years of Embry-Riddle, and to a new era of The Avion.

Sincerely, Emilee Imler Editor-in-Chief, The Avion

2 | LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Dominic Popolo Managing Editor, The Avion

IN THE ISSUE...

CULTURE

LEISURE

4 Pop Culture: What You Missed

9 Dorm Kitchen Recipes

7 Student Spotlight: Dallas Balentine

14 Halloween Hall of Fame

10 Best Cars on Campus

16 Avion Asks

STYLE

VIBES & MORE

8 Professional Wears Do’s and Don’ts

13 WIKD’s Fall Playlist

12 Tattoos 101: Everything You Need to Know Before Getting Inked

20 Heros’ Legacy 5k Ruck

21 The Avion Photo Editor’s Camera Guide

23 Issue Contributors

WELLNESS 18 How to Unplug 19 Navigating Homesickness

The Avion is produced by a volunteer student staff. Student editors make all content, business and editorial decisions. The editorial opinions expressed in The Avion are solely the opinion of the undersigned writer(s), and not those of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the Student Government Association, The Avion, or the student body. Letters appearing in The Avion are those of the writer, identified at the end of the letter. Opinions expressed within are those of the identified writer. Letters may be submitted to The Avion for publication, provided they are not lewd, obscene or libelous. Letter writers must confine themselves to less than 1200 words. Letters may be edited for brevity and formatted to newspaper guidelines. All letters must be signed. Names may be withheld at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. The Avion is an open forum for student expression. The Avion is a division of the Student Government Association. The Avion is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press. The costs of this publication are paid by both the Student Government Association and through advertising fees. The Avion distributes one free copy per person. Additional copies are $0.69. Theft of newspapers is a crime, and is subject to prosecution and Embry-Riddle judicial action. This magazine and its contents are protected by United States copyright law. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in print or electronically, without the expressed written consent of The Avion.

CONTENTS | 3

POP CULTURE

WORDS BY SAMANTHA GARCIA | NEWS EDITOR & DOMINIC POPOLO | MANAGING EDITOR DESIGN BY SAMANTHA GARCIA

ALBUM REVIEWS

PHOTOS BY Mert Alaş and Marcus Piggott

THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL, TAYLOR SWIFT Taylor Swift is back after her record-breaking Eras Tour and the release of “The Tortured Poets Department” with her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl!” This 12-track record is a quick listen that includes a feature with Sabrina Carpenter on the title track, and it does not disappoint. Highlights include “Opalite”, “Honey”, “The Life of a Showgirl” (featuring Carpenter), and the standout lead single “The Fate of Ophelia.” Taylor teamed up with producers Max Martin and Shellback, who previously collaborated with her on some of her biggest hits. This album contains many new Taylor Swift classics, and even featured a theatrical release on its debut weekend. That’s the life of a showgirl there!

AM I THE DRAMA? CARDI B

PHOTOS BY Jora Frantzis

Seven years after her debut, Cardi B returns swinging with “AM I THE DRAMA?” An album equal parts battle cry and confession. The explosive opener “Dead” (featuring Summer Walker) sets the tone, while tracks like “Hello” and “Magnet” deliver pure standard Cardi confidence. She also digs deep, with “Safe” (featuring Kehlani) and “Shower Tears” revealing raw heartbreak and vulnerability. “Bodega Baddie” stands out as a joyful nod to her Dominican roots, while “Pretty & Petty” fires back at rivals with major bite. Not every track hits, but the starstudded features and bold storytelling keep momentum high.

MAN’S BEST FRIEND, SABRINA CARPENTER

PHOTOS BY Bryce Anderson

4 | POP CULTURE

Sabrina Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend” is sharp, funny and endlessly replayable. Blending 1980s pop shimmer, country twang, and biting humor, the album explores messy relationships with wit and heart. Tracks like “Manchild,” “Sugar Talking,” and “Nobody’s Son” shine with playful storytelling, while “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night” and “My Man on Willpower” show off Carpenter’s vocal range and knack for emotional nuance. The standout “When Did You Get So Hot?” is an instant earworm, while closer “Goodbye” lands with cathartic punch. Cohesive but never dull, this no-skip album proves Carpenter is one of pop’s sharpest voices today.

Dancing With the Stars Heats Up with Surprise Exits Now three weeks into Season 34 of “Dancing with the Stars”, the ballroom is buzzing more than ever. “TikTok Night” delivered high scores, plenty of energy and a shocking elimination. The episode opened with a performance by Charli D’Amelio, joined by the troupe dancing to Charli xcx’s “Apple.” Couples tackle TikTok-inspired routines from cha cha, to foxtrot, to jazz and beyond. Throughout the night, scores were high, tears were shed and everyone’s favorite Australian animal conservationist, Robert Irwin, ignited fan reactions and media buzz by ripping off his shirt mid-dance.

When the votes were tallied, Lauren Jauregui and pro dancer Brandon Armstrong were eliminated. The exit stunned fans and fellow competitors, especially since Jauregui had earned praise for stage presence earlier in the competition. Earlier in the season, there was no elimination in Week 1, while Week 2 featured a double elimination. Baron Davis with Britt Stewart and Corey Feldman with Jenna Johnson were sent home, with the judges’ scores from the previous weeks determining who stayed and who left.

PHOTOS BY Disney/Eric McCandless

As the competition narrows, judges and viewers alike are watching closely to see which stars will make it to the finale and who will crumble under pressure. With surprises already

falling this early on, the Mirrorball Trophy race is far from predictable. But as the competition intensifies, fans won’t have to wait too long until the finale to experience the excitement up close. The Dancing with the Stars Live Tour 2026 will make a stop in Daytona Beach, giving Embry-Riddle students and local fans a chance to see professional dancers and celebrity cast members perform live as presales go up.

The Summer I Turned Pretty Recap “The Summer I Turned Pretty” just wrapped up last month, and viewers finally got answer to the biggest looming questions of the series: Did Belly Conklin end up with Conrad or Jeremiah? Will Taylor and Steven get back together or stay broken up? And will Jeremiah ever get his chocolate cake?!? Well, I’m not going to spoil the ending for everyone who hasn’t already watched the series (or managed to avoid them on TikTok). But one thing is for sure: the story in Cousins isn’t over yet.

“The Summer I Turned Pretty” will return PHOTO BY PrimeVideo for a movie in the (hopefully) near future to address the lingering questions viewers were left with. No matter where the main characters end up, whether it’s Paris, New York, or California, they will always have the memories of summer and the beach house in Cousins to return to.

POP CULTURE | 5

6 | PHOTOS

Models: Dallas Balentine & Rachael Tran

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: DALLAS BALENTINE

ollege of Engineering Senator Dallas Balentine has defied the odds since the beginning. With being born deaf and undergoing two surgeries to receive his cochlear implants—medical devices that assist hard of hearing individuals to hear like everyone else—to now being set to graduate next fall as an aerospace engineering major with a focus on rocket propulsion and a minor in space operations

transformed through adversity. “I want my image to capture someone who’s doing the best they can in life by giving it all. Someone passionate about what they pursue.

Someone who’s driven by their spirituality. Someone who has come a long way and is now doing things that people can’t fathom. Someone who wants to inspire others to do the impossible. Someone grateful for the mistakes made to learn from them and be better,” he reflected.

Most children speak their first words ranging from ages 12 to 18 months old, for Balentine, he didn’t speak his first word until he was four years old. “There was a general thought process that deaf/hard-of-hearing children would fall behind hearing children,” said Balentine.

Despite traditional delays, through education from a primary school specifically for hard of hearing children and help from the University of Minnesota, by the time he was in third grade, he was reading at a fifthgrade level. His academic success led him to graduate from a private high school at the top third of his class, to now being an EmbryRiddle student with a private’s license, multiple aeronautical internships including working with Northrop Grumman at Edwards Air Force Base in California, and a primary career goal of being a test engineer specializing in rocket engines.

For what he was ridiculed for was able to shine through a project known as Cultuvue, a nonprofit organization and annual photography exhibition currently being debuted in the Nicole Scott Gallery, located on the second floor of the Student Union which will run until Oct 17. It was intentional for him as well as student Caleb Fakune and alumni Amou Ring to be featured, to reach the youth and inspiring them to fully utilize their capabilities and knowing that no matter how hard things may be, your dedication to succeed will triumph.

Even if he did well academically, he still struggled. Balentine was bullied heavily for his striking appearance through late elementary school to early high school just for being different. Through growth and finding faith, he had WORDS: ROSA RAMIREZ | Senior Reporter

CULTUVUE | 7

Fit for Interviews: Professional Do’s and Don’ts

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n today’s competitive job market, the first impression you make can be just as important as your resume. Whether you are talking to a recruiter at the Career Expo or sitting in front of an interviewer, dressing professionally sends a strong message about your professionalism and confidence in the workplace.

Here are some do’s and don’ts of how to have a successful professional wardrobe: Do’s: • Keep it simple and neat • Accessorize properly - a simple watch and/or necklace is enough • Choose well-fitting clothes • Wear closed-toe shoes • Keep the patterns to a minimum; there is such thing as too much Don’ts: • Dress casually (flip-flops, ripped jeans, graphic tees) • Wear wrinkled or stained clothing • Overdo jewelry • Show up with unkempt hair • Show too much skin - you want to look professional and respectable

Tips for success.....

Your outfit is the first impression that a recruiter or future boss will have - make it count. Choose attire that aligns with industry standards and the environment you will be working in. Reflect your professionalism from the shoes you wear up to the top you choose. Don’t be afraid to throw a pop of color in and just be you!

WORDS & DESIGN : GRACE HAMILTON | Design Editor 8 | PROFESSIONAL WEAR

Dorm Kitchen WORDS: DIYA PATIL

Elevated Instant Noodles

“Even if chocolate is your favorite food, you’ll get tired if it’s the only thing you eat”, my mother, mama Patil, aways says. And she’s right. Oftentimes, college life can make it easy to fall into the same food routine over and over. Don’t fret—we’ve got some simple, customizable recipes to keep things interesting when on campus food or late-night takeout just isn’t cutting it.

Love instant noodles? Here’s how to make them next level.

Grab your favorite instant noodle brand and cook them as usual, then try whisking an egg into leftover broth and microwaving it in a safe bowl for two to three minutes until custardy (a trick from @Bento_Club on YouTube). Other ways to elevate your instant noodles can be to add frozen vegetables, furikake, cheese, and even rice to create something new.

DESIGN: DAPHNE SIERRA AQUININGOC | Lead Designer

The Perfect Oatmeal Oatmeal does not have to be boring. Cook it with water or milk according to the package instructions, then start experimenting. Classic mix-ins include thawed frozen fruits, honey, protein powder, granola, jelly, peanut butter or cream. But don’t stop there, anything you enjoy can go into oatmeal. Pair it with some Greek yogurt, toast or even chia seed pudding for a filling meal.

Allergens: oats, varied ingredients.

Allergens vary.

Quick Quesadillas It doesn’t get simpler, tortilla + cheese + microwave.

Take your tortilla and place it down flat. Add cheese, salt and pepper on one side and fold in half. Microwave until the cheese is melted. For those with stoves, you can add butter or garlic butter for the extra crisp. Additions to this delicacy can be bell peppers, olives, spinach, mushrooms, and other proteins to make it even better. Quesadillas are endlessly versatile, so customize them as you like.

Allergens vary.

Additional Tips These recipes are a starting point, there’s no one way to make a recipe, there’s always little things that make dishes your own. Feel free to experiment with different sauces, spices, proteins and vegetables to make them your own.

Cooking times will vary with appliances. For those that are only using microwaves, make sure to constantly check on whatever may be cooking to prevent burnt food. For those with stoves, never leave it unattended.

We are not dietitians; this is not medical advice. According to the FDA, “2,000 calories a day is used as a general guide for nutrition advice. Your calorie needs may be higher or lower and vary depending on your age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity level.”

So next time your meal routine feels stale, grab what you have on hand and get creative, your dorm utilities might surprise you.

DALJINNYAM SUMIYASUREN

DORM KITCHEN | 9

CARS ON CAMPUS DESIGN/PHOTOS - BRANDON BADRAOUI | Photo Editor

The SCIC VP’s BMW E46 M3 (left), and a BMW G82 M4 Competition (right) in the parking garage. These are just a few of the standout machines tucked away in the garage, among them, a Porsche Cayman and a Ferrari F430 add to the impressive lineup.

10 | Cars

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n a city known as the “Birthplace of Speed,” it’s no surprise that car culture thrives at EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University. Daytona’s automotive roots stretch back to the early Ormond Beach races that inspired generations of engineers and drivers, and that same energy continues to shape campus life today.

Daytona Beach remains the perfect home for automotive enthusiasts, hosting world-famous events like the Daytona 500, Rolex 24 at Daytona, and Bike Week, massive gatherings that draw motorsports fans from around the globe. With both NASCAR and IMSA headquartered nearby, students are surrounded by real-world examples of engineering excellence, racing innovation, and cutting-edge automotive design, fueling inspiration both in and out of the classroom.

At the center of it all is the Sport Compact & Import Car Club (SCIC), one of Embry-Riddle’s most active and hands-on student organizations.

The club brings together students from all majors who share a passion for cars, whether that means tuning an import, restoring a classic, fabricating parts, or bringing full track builds to life. SCIC hosts regular meets, tech days, track events, and cruises across Central Florida, creating a close-knit, collaborative community where students learn from one another and gain practical experience with vehicle performance, customization, and maintenance.

Alongside ERAU Motorsports and the Baja SAE team, SCIC helps keep Daytona’s automotive heritage alive, bridging technical knowledge with genuine enthusiasm for motorsports, innovation, and the engineering behind highperformance vehicles.

My personal 2013 Volkswagen Golf R (left) and a fellow SCIC member’s Audi A7 (right), captured during one of their Photo Meets in the 2025 Fall Semester. The backdrop for this shoot was during golden hour at the Volusia County Courthouse Annex in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Cars | 11

Tattoos 101: Everything

You Need to Know Before Getting Inked TATTOO TIPS

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attoos have been around long before the modern, Instagramworthy fine line work. According to historians, the oldest evidence of tattooing dates back more than 5,000 years to Otzi the Iceman, whose body was found marked with symbols believed to be for therapeutic purposes. Across cultures, tattoos have carried meaning ranging from Polynesian tribal traditions, Indigenous cultures across the Americas, and Japanese irezumi to the sailor tattoos of the 19th and 20th centuries that symbolized travel, luck, or survival. What was once stigmatized in Western culture as rebellious or unprofessional has become a widely accepted form of self-expression.

•

For me, tattoos are both art and autobiography. They’re probably the easily recognizable thing about me if you’ve seen me around!

I currently have four, each one I personally designed with intention (except for one lyric piece) and chosen with care. My first was at 19, inspired by Adventure Time and my favorite character, Marceline.

I’ve always related to her from her struggles with identity to her growth and relationships.

My second tattoo is a spider, mixing personal meaning with my love for SpiderMan, specifically from Spider-Man 2099.

It symbolizes resilience, responsibility, creativity, and interconnectedness. My third, a candelabra draped in webs, represents wisdom, enlightenment, and the pursuit of knowledge, while my fourth is a lyric from Jeff Buckley’s Lover, You Should’ve Come Over, one of my favorite songs ever!

12 | TATTOOS

Budget realistically. Good tattoos are investments. Quality will cost more, but it’s worth it •

Think long-term. Not every tattoo has to carry deep personal meaning, but consider whether the artwork is something you’ll be happy to live with in 10, 20, or 50 years.

•

Take aftercare seriously. How you care for your tattoo after it’s done is just as important as the tattoo itself. Keep it clean, follow your artist’s specific instructions. Proper aftercare helps the tattoo heal correctly and ensures the ink looks vibrant for years to come.

•

Placement matters. If you’re worried about future employment or professionalism, consider locations that can easily be covered by clothing like upper arms, ribs, thighs,or back. Even as tattoos become more accepted, having flexibility gives you peace of mind.

•

Trust your gut. At the end of the day, your tattoo is for you. If something feels off about the design, the shop, or the artist, listen to that instinct. Likewise, if you find a design or idea that excites you and feels right, lean into it.

•

Tattoos are often conversation starters, creative outlets, and for many, a way of selfexpression or story telling.

WORDS AND DESIGN: SAMANTHA GARCIA | News Editor

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AUTUMN PLAYLIST | 13

Halloween Hall of Fame : SPooky Season Begins O

nce a year, Halloween is celebrated with costumes, trick-or-treating, watching horror movies, and hosting parties.

A common theme in both costumes and horror movies is monsters. From classic figures like Frankenstein to modern terrors like Freddy Krueger, Halloween is iconic for its taste in scary creatures. This prompted the question: which one is the most popular? Curiously, The Avion asked Embry-Riddle students, “What is your favorite Halloween monster or spooky character?” A couple standouts received were ghosts, vampires, and the Headless Horseman.

Vampires

GHOSTS

Dating back to the first century A.D., ghosts have had a profound impact on society, culture, and the world as we know it. Ghosts are most notably the idea that once a person passes, their spirit separates from their body, and they continue to exist in the land of the living (1). When ghosts exist amongst the living, they commonly haunt places, or the living. If a ghost were to haunt a living person, or a particular place, it would be because that person or place had a significance in the ghost’s past (1).

Though rare, sometimes ghosts are seen as actual apparitions, along with the traditional strange temperature drops, flashing lights, and weird noises. Some modern adaptations of ghosts can be seen in movies such as, “Poltergeist,” “The Conjuring,” and “Casper.” While ghosts’ existence may be hard to prove, they do make for a great campfire story and costume!

14 |HALLOWEEN SEASON

When most people think of vampires, they likely imagine the cartoonish, commercialized version - a tall, thin man in a long cloak. In reality, the concepts of vampires has existed for nearly all of recorded history, with mentions of a blood-drinking or life-sucking entities appearing in Mesopotamian, Greek, and Roman myths. Today’s image of the vampires largely derived Eastern European folklore from the Middle Ages.

Stories of the dead rising from their graves to bring pestilence to villages were common in Slavic regions such as modern-day Bulgaria, the Balkans (primarily Serbia and Croatia), and Romania. Subsequently, this would lead to rituals to prevent their return. This traditional Eastern European vampire was popularized and transformed in 18th and 19th centuries through Gothic literature, such as Polidori’s “The Vampyre” and Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” Over time, the myth of the Vampire has been transformed from ancient superstition into a modern commercial icon.

Headless Horseman As the largest portion of the “other” grouping, the Headless Horseman captures the interest of many Embry-Riddle students. The original story is often attributed to Washington Irving’s 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

This adaptation follows a man named Ichabod Crane, who lives in Sleepy Hollow, looking for a fabled Headless Horseman (2). The idea of a headless horseman, however, has deeper roots Irish and English folklore, with stories such as Gawain and the Green Knight or the Irish Dullahan being found in medieval folklore (3). However, there is no known evidence that Irving’s story relates to these myths (3), yet it is notable how the continued idea of a Headless Horseman persists across in American, English, and Irish folklore.

Your fellow students have revealed their spooky favorites.. will you dare to share yours?

“The books are peak literature. They have an incredible plot and are written in diary style. A height of its literary time. They feature an amazing gothic setting with many different perspectives.” - Addison Hoffman (Dracula, books in specific) “It’s something I grew up reading and seeing all the time at universal Hollywood. As I loved the house of horrors they used to have (a year round maze).” - Linda DeHaro “My favorite musical is Phantom of the Opera. He is a monster, but you can still see the human side of him and that’s really cool to see.” – Sabrina Santini “Casper the Ghost reminds me of my childhood, and because he’s not really scary!” - Saulè Kondra “They can either be very scary or really cute! They also come in all different shapes and sizes, but it’s easily recognizable as a ghost! I also really like how they float/fly!!” - Rachael Tran “I love the idea of life after death and giving those who have passed the ability to continue to fulfill a purpose or dream and be able to move on without fully losing everything they have ever known.” - Kayla Bowers WORDS: NOELLE COVER | PR Manager, MIRA GIUNTA | Correspondent, THEODORE TICKELL | Staff DESIGN: NOELLE COVER, GRACE HAMILTON | Design Editor

(1) - HISTORY.com (2) - Britannica (3) - IrishMyths.com

HALLOWEEN SEASON | 15

Q

The Avion Asks...

What is something on campus you wish you knew about sooner?

T

he start of a new semester marks the beginning of a new flight plan, whether you’re a freshman just taxiing onto the runway, a senior preparing for takeoff into the real world, or a master’s student navigating a new flight path. As campus life evolves from year to year, so do the little things that help you stay airborne. From quiet study spots to shortcuts between buildings and even which computers actually allow printing, these discoveries often come with experience.

Embry-Riddle offers plenty of resources to help you encounter less turbulence, but the best tips often come from peers, chance discoveries, or a little trial and error. To save you from those “Where has this been all my life?” moments, we asked students to share their favorite campus secrets. Sometimes it’s a hidden balcony or an overlooked resource that changes everything— details no orientation manual could reveal.

As you taxi into the new semester, stay curious. Talk with classmates, explore unfamiliar corners of campus, and keep asking questions. You never know when a small tip could become the lift you need to keep climbing higher. Here’s to a strong takeoff into the Fall semester— and to finding things you didn’t know you needed.

WORDS: ISABELLE HOLCK | PR Specialist , RACHAEL TRAN | Copy Editor PHOTOS: MADELYN MASSUCCI | Correspondent DESIGN: ISABELLE HOLCK , MADELYN MASSUCCI 16 | AVION ASKS

Welcome back, eagles.

Sophia Piro, Senior Astrophysics and Space Physics “My favorite spot is the fifth floor of COAS with the nice view. I also like to hang out outside Doolittle to read in the hammocks, with the cats. My favorite is Carol, the fluffy grey one.”

Luna Cox, Freshman Aeronautics “You can get rides from the golf carts. You can call the number on the back of your student ID and get a ride from them if you need one. ”

Skylar Costello, Sophomore Aerospace Engineering “At Qdoba, you can ask for a nacho bowl with chips on the side, and then you get the chips for free with your order. It was a game changer when I learned that.”

Paul Seals, Masters Student Human Factors

“That there’s a coffee machine in the Student Leadership Suite. I just learned about it.”

Gabriel Leonard, Junior Aeronautical Science “I would say the organizations that you can join.

They help you further progress towards your career.

I’m in Alpha Omicron Alpha, AOA.” AVION ASKS | 17

WORDS: KATHERINE CALING | Correspondent

DESIGN: DAPHNE SIERRA AQUININGOC | Lead Designer

He’s working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Enginnering and his CAT-IA skills are purr-fect.

Touching Grass Over Technology

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or many, the hardest part of cutting down on screen time is simply getting started. Instead of fully cutting down on your screentime you could start small by doing tasks in person rather than on your phone, like creating a physical calendar, writing notes by hand, or even spontaneously showing up to hang out with your friends. Setting app limits for nonessential platforms like social media and streaming platforms, can also help. But at the very least you should try to set a definite no-technologyhour before bed to decompress.

Instead of mindlessly doomscrolling whenever you get a chance or watching a mindless show when you want to reward yourself with a break, perhaps you should find a different, offline activity to partake in. Picking up new or old hobbies is always a great start and giving technology a break would give you more time to do the things you enjoy — yes, this does include catching up on the weeks of sleep you lost and still desperately need. Instead of being reeled in by the allure of your electronics, you could be joining and taking part in clubs or sports, working on new skills, or even just trying to go outside to see others and the world.

Going out to eat, taking a walk on the beach, finally hitting the gym, or taking long drives with friends can all offer more meaningful breaks than hours in front of a glowing screen. So, while it may seem daunting, it could be the catalyst toward enjoying the world beyond your devices.

18 | HOW TO UNPLUG

Fernando This is Boss the Tuxedo Cat. Boss lives near Res Hall 1 with his BFF Fernando.

But even a hardworking cat like Boss, takes the time to touch grass every now and then.

How to Unplug The Technology Takeover

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echnology–derived by the Greek words techne and logos–is defined as the application of scientific knowledge to the practicality of human life. According to Britannica, technology can also be referred to as the manipulation of the environment around us. Today, however, the term is more commonly associated with electronics and digital tools we use daily.

At Embry-Riddle, it is no surprise that technology is deeply rooted within our educational curriculum. Since 1993, online programs have steadily expanded to not only support the flight program but nearly every course within the university.

Technology has given students and faculty alike more access to resources and material more, shaping the way learning happens across campuses.

Despite it advantages, there are clear downsides to over reliance on screens. Not only is spending large amounts of time on our devices shown to correlate with a decline in mental health and social capabilities, but digital overuse can also lead to declines in one’s physical health, including but not limited to, eyestrain, sleep deprivation, and physical pains.

Regardless of the effect technology may have on you, it should be safe to say everyone benefits from stepping away from screens every now and then.

Navigating Homesickness:

Guidance from Your Counselors

WORDS: BRIANNE WEATHERS / Reporter

o matter where you are in your collegiate journey, homesickness can hit you like unexpected turbulence. Navigating college is challenging. New friendships form and evolve, your relationship with your parents starts to transition, and nearly everything about who you are is changing.

There is a delicate balance between missing home and establishing your new life in college, one I’m still mastering even in my third year of college. Boyland suggested, “Stay connected to loved ones but also give yourself grace and permission to build new routines, friendships, and traditions, knowing that with time, campus can become a second home too.”

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Admitting you are feeling homesick in college may seem cliché. But there’s is a reason it’s so widely talked about. It’s a normal and common feeling among most if not all of your peers. The Counseling Center is here to ground you as you work through those feelings.

Counselor, Jennifer Pattison, wants to end the stigma around asking for help. “The most important thing about coping with homesickness as a college student is knowing you are not alone. Every fall, many students report feeling homesick in counseling, but they tell us they are too embarrassed to tell their friends,” she said.

As a student, I can say firsthand just how hard homesickness hits. It helps to identify the complexity of feeling both sad but also grateful to have something to miss. Counselor Kaitlyn Boyland said, “Homesickness is a natural part of adjusting to college life and it is a sign of love and connection.”

DESIGN: GRACE HAMILTON | Lead Designer

Even with crazy parents, I can admit breaks at home are always the best. Leaving home can feel so bittersweet — independence is nice, but you must start navigating the homesickness all over again.

Pattison recommended, “Find ways to bring reminders of home with you. This could be photos, something that smells like home, or a comfort item like a special blanket. Having these reminders in your new space can help it feel more familiar.”

As Embry-Riddle students, we aim high and achieve a lot. Speaking from experience, if bringing a teddy bear sprayed with your mother’s perfume back to campus helps you stay successful, then do it!

Remember Eagles, resources are available to navigate this transitional time in our lives. Pattison said, “There are some students for whom homesickness doesn’t get better with time and/or feels more intense than they can cope with. For these students, counseling can help them build coping skills and explore all possible alternatives.”

Walk in or call the Counseling Center to book an appointment.

Location: Wellness Center Complex, Bldg. 502 Phone: (386)-226-6035 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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20 | VETERANS

The Photo Editor’s Camera Guide Canon EOS R50

Nikon Z9

Price: $ 1000

Price: $ 5000+

Rating: 3/5

Rating: 5/5

Level: Beginner

Level: Prosumer

Lens: Kit Details: Compact, 24 MP APS-C, excellent Dual Pixel autofocus, and solid 4K video.

Perfectfortravel, street, or learning mirrorless.

Trade-offs: no in-body stabilization and lower low-light performance than full frame.

Nikon ZFC

Lens: 24-70 mm f/2.8 Details: A 45.7 MP, 20 fps powerhouse that excels at sports, wildlife, and editorial work.

Its robust build, deep buffer, 8K video, and top-tier autofocus handle anything I throw at it. Using my collection of F-mount lenses with the adapter keeps my long-term investment relevant, though native Z glass is even sharper and lighter.

Price: $ 1000 Rating: 3.6/5 Level: Beginner

Fujifilm X-Pro 2

Lens: Kit Details: Retro dials meet modern tech. Its 20.9 MP APS-C sensor and fast burst shooting make it fun and capable. It shares similar limits: no IBIS and a smaller native DX lens lineup, but it’s stylish and great for portraits, lifestyle, and social content.

Nikon Z6 III

eo

vid r o f t a e r g

Photo Editor’s Pick!

Price: $ 1500+ Rating: 5/5 Level: Intermediate Lens: 23 mm f/2

Level: Prosumer

Details: My go-to for pure shooting enjoyment.

The hybrid viewfinder and distinctive color science make it perfect for street and documentary work. Its compact size and classic controls encourage a slower, more deliberate approach—proof that older gear

Lens: 24-105 mm f/4

can still inspire great images.

Price: $ 2-3000 Rating: 4.2/5

Details: Similarly full-frame with excellent dynamic range, video options, and autofocus. A versatile all-rounder for serious assignments or hybrid photo/video shooters.

BEST OVERALL : Nikon Z9

Words: Brandon Badraoui / Photo Editor Design: Andrew Comparetta / Senior Photographer

CAMERAS | 21

22 | KING SCHOOLS

23 | CONTRIBUTORS