About Dominic

Junior

Communication and Broadcast Meteorology

Hometown: Warren, New Jersey
Campus Involvement: The Avion Newspaper, American Meteorological Society, Weather Lab Tutor
Why I chose Embry-Riddle: I chose Embry-Riddle because of the unique opportunities it offers for STEM majors (including our broadcast studio). The current major and track I am on is unique to Embry-Riddle, and is something that will help me succeed in my future endeavors. The faculty are amazing at what they do here, and being in a smaller major allows me to form deeper connections with them. And who doesn't love the Florida weather and beautiful campus that Riddle also provides!

A Quick Thanksgiving Break

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Dominic

Our semester here in Daytona is racing towards the end, and I have been super busy trying to get all my assignments and final projects completed before finals week. However, the nice thing about fall semester is that we have Thanksgiving break! This gives all of us eagles time to reset, see our families, and catch up on any school work that we might have fallen behind on.

My mom, brother, and cat on Thanksgiving!

Every year for Thanksgiving, I go home to visit my family in New Jersey. To get to the airport, I use the SGA Shuttle to MCO (stay tuned for a blog post soon about my experience riding that). Normally for Thanksgiving, my flights are always delayed, so I was very thankful this year that both my flight leaving Florida and leaving New Jersey were on time despite the weather.

The view of Daytona Beach from the plane. Can you spot ISB and Riddle?

One of the things I love about going home for break is I get to see my friends that I have not seen in months. Over the break, my friends and I tried a new brunch spot in our hometown called Brown Sugar Cafe, where I got these delicious cloud-like pancakes. I also got the chance to see the new Wicked: For Good movie, and I can say as a fan of the broadway musical, that this movie is amazing. Finally, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving break without seeing family. I got to see my entire extended family as we gathered around the dinner table on Thursday and got to catch up, spend time together, and eat some delicious food.

The part of break that I was not ready for was how cold it would be in New Jersey. It was a pretty warm November in Daytona Beach this year, which made the northern cold seem that much colder. It was all worth it for the trip home though, and I left New Jersey feeling refreshed and ready to take on finals week. Stay tuned for my annual end of the semester post, and more highlights from this year!

The Return of Hoco Weekend

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Dominic

Every year in early November, campus comes to life for Homecoming and Family Weekend, and this year’s did not disappoint. Homecoming and Family weekend is a time for students, parents, and alumni to come together to celebrate all Eagles past, present, and future. It’s an action packed weekend that creates lifelong memories every year.

The celebrations began this year with the annual Tri Sigma Farmer’s Market, which gave all attendees a chance to shop and eat from local businesses and restaurants. On Friday night, Brewfest took over the lawn with a beer garden, food trucks, lawn games, music, and more as the sun set on campus. Across the street at the ICI Center, a tailgate and the women’s volleyball game were taking place, culminating in the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen.

On Saturday, attendees were able to view a static display on the flight line accompanied by a pancake breakfast, and attend the “Good Fun Fair”, a place for the people to come together and make an impact in the community. The Avion also hosted a Photo Booth in the Union, where everyone could take a picture to put in their souvenir magnet frame that was given to all guests.

Finally, the weekend culminated in what was the best Homecoming Concert to date, with Flo Rida and the Rare Occasions taking over the Fitness Center Lawn. Thousands of students, parents, and alumni packed the lawn for a night that Flo Rida himself described as a “party”, dancing to classic such as “Low” and “My House”. Flo Rida even brought students on stage to party with him, and threw roses at others in the crow. I had such a fun time at the concert, and enjoyed the fire works show after as well.

Overall, this Homecoming weekend was one to remember. With fun events, lively traditions, and the best concert Touch-n-Go Productions has ever put on, the memories I made during Hoco 2025 will last a lifetime.

Photo Booths for All!

Posted on November 6, 2025 by Dominic

As the semester flies by, I wanted to highlight a special resource that The Avion provides for all clubs and organizations on campus: photo booths. My fellow blogger and Avion exec board member Grace recently wrote about our Photo Booth at the Halloween Spooktacular, and I wanted to talk more about this special service we provide.

For those who don’t know, The Avion is the student lifestyle magazine and news source on campus. As a division of the Student Government Association (SGA), The Avion also provides services for all students. These include camera rentals, and of course photo booths!

The Photo Booth is an automated and user-friendly device that we are able to set up at events for clubs or the university. Users are able to tap the screen, see a countdown to take their picture, and get a QR code for a digital copy and a printed copy for the memories.

We first got this device last March and it made its debut at the Eaglepalooza Music Festival in the Spring. Since then, we’ve taken over 1,000 photos at many events including banquets, galas, and celebrations. We also set it up occasionally for holidays in the Student Union for all students to take pictures. Later this week, the Photo Booth will also be out for all of Homecoming Weekend, giving families, alumni, and students the perfect way to capture the memories of what is sure to be an action packed weekend.

If any organizations want to reserve it on campus, they should reach out to The Avion Editor-in-Chief to learn more information. Have you seen the Photo Booth at any events around campus?

Mediafest ’25 in Washington D.C.

Posted on October 24, 2025 by Dominic

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend Mediafest ’25, the largest annual gathering of college media and journalism students in the nation hosted by the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists. This year, the conference was held in Washington D.C., and The Avion sent a delegation of students including myself, our News Editor Sam, our Business Manager Kaden, and our advisor Indira.

(L-R) Myself, Kaden, Indira, and Sam attending the first day of Mediafest ’25!

At the conference, we were able to receive critiques on our first issue of the semester and on our website, getting great feedback and praise from faculty from other universities on the hard work that our organization is doing. We also entered into some best of show awards, with our Photo Editor Brandon winning Ninth Place in the country for Best of Show Feature/News Photo.

We were able to attend different breakout sessions throughout the conference on many different topics including leadership, social media, copyright, writing techniques, and more. My favorite session that I attended was on strategies for building your own media career and was given by a Multi Media Journalist from Minnesota. Here, I was able to learn different strategies I can use to help build my own career in TV News after graduation.

Finally, I was also invited to a tour of the Gray Media D.C. Bureau, learning a lot by seeing the behind the scenes of an actual news room that is live almost every hour of the day. Throughout this trip, I was able to network and build relationships with other students and media professionals that will help us not only allow The Avion to flourish, but also my future career. This is one of the benefits that the smaller size of Embry-Riddle provides: the opportunity to attend important trips such as this!

Besides the conference, we had such a fun time exploring the city of Washington, D.C. Despite the government shutdown, we were able to see the entire National Mall, ride our scooters around the city, and of course get some tasty food in Chinatown and the Cheesecake Factory. This trip was a whirlwind three days from start to finish, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend this conference.

Class trip to the Airport

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Dominic

One of the benefits about attending Embry-Riddle is its proximity to the airport. This is not only helpful to Aeronautical Science majors, as it provides some benefits to meteorology majors too. A few weeks ago my WX 327 (Operational Analysis and Forecasting) class has the opportunity to take a trip to the airport to visit the Automated Surface Observing System, also known as the ASOS.

The ASOS at Daytona Beach International Airport.

The ASOS is an unmanned weather station located at most airports that provides measurements of temperature, wind speed and direction, precipitation type, and visibility. All of this information is critical for the smooth operations of an airport, ensuring that all pilots and air traffic controllers are aware of current landing conditions to land planes safely.

After meeting at the airport, my class boarded buses where we were driven to the ASOS, which sits at the end of the runway on a patch of grass. This ensures that all the measurements are accurate, and that there are no close buildings or pavement to throw them off.

The fire station at Daytona Beach International Airport.

While we have been learning about this device in the classroom for the entire semester, being able to see it in person was a very valuable experience. I never realized the true scale of this system, as it is very tall and very long. This is one of the great things about Embry-Riddle, getting this real life learning experience on an average Wednesday since we are so fortunate to have the airport in our backyard. It has allowed myself and all the other students interested in meteorology to see an element of this first hand, something you can’t get just by going to a lecture.

Let me know what other trips you have been on for your classes down below!

Tate McRae comes to Orlando

Posted on September 29, 2025 by Dominic

We all need a break from the stresses of school from time to time, and what better way to have fun than by going to a concert! One of my favorite artists, Tate McRae, recently came to Orlando and performed at the Kia Center for two nights this month. I was so excited for this concert, having bought my tickets to it last November. My friend from New Jersey even flew down to Florida to see it with me.

I have never been to the Kia Center in Orlando before, but it was such an easy process to park in the connected garage and get checked in and ready. I would definitely recommend buying a garage pass before an event because they were sold out on the day of the concert. Once we got to the venue, we were able to walk right through security, over a pedestrian bridge and have our tickets scanned.

Our view of the main stage from our seats!

Next, we bought our concert merch and found our seats. We were up in section 208, but we had a perfect view of the stage. We were able to see Tate performing on the main stage and on her acoustic stage, and had great views of it all. She opened the show with her song “Miss Possessive” and continued the show with some of her biggest hits including “greedy”, “Sports Car”, “you broke me first” and “It’s ok I’m ok”. The crowd was ecstatic throughout the night and Tate did not disappoint at all.

Tate McRae performing on the acoustic stage!

Leaving the show was super easy from the parking garage, as it takes you right out on to I-4 and back to Daytona Beach. Overall, this was such a fun experience and a night that I will never forget (especially since I got almost the whole thing on video). I would definitely go to another concert at the Kia Center in the future, and cannot wait until Tate McRae comes back in the future!

Have you ever been to a concert at the Kia Center or somewhere else in Orlando? Let me know in the comments below.

Day in the Life at Riddle

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Dominic

With the semester in full swing, I wanted to take you all along for a day in my life as a student at Embry-Riddle. For those of you who don’t know me, I am a junior Communication major on the Broadcast Meteorology Track with a minor in Emergency Management. Outside of classes, I currently serve as the Managing Editor of the Avion, our school’s magazine and news source, and the Secretary of the American Meteorological Society chapter on campus. I also work in the weather lab and with the Virtual Communication Lab.

Tuesdays are my busy day on campus, where I have 4/5 of my classes this semester, an Avion meeting, and a shift in the weather lab.

8:00 AM – I arrived at campus at this time, parked in my garage spot, and quickly walked to COAS to start my day.

8:15 AM – I have three classes back to back starting at this time: Fundamentals of Emergency Management, Emergency Management Strategy/Policy, and Editing & Multimedia Production. In my first two classes, we discuss the different hazards and risks that disasters and emergencies can bring into our communities. In my third class, we have been discussing the fundamentals of copy editing and practicing these skills every class.

12:30 – For the next hour and a half, I have my lunch break of the day. On this particular day, I got Qdoba through the new GrubHub ordering system on campus. In this break, I also helped break down the table for The Avion at the RSO fair.

2:15 – At this time, I have my fourth and last class of the day: Crisis Communication. In this class, we have been discussing the PR fallout that crises can cause, and how to properly manage it. This class counts for both my major and my minor, and will be the last course I need to finish for my minor.

3:30 – Next up in my day is a quick shift in the weather lab. The weather lab is a tutor lab located in the College of Aviation where we provide assistance to students in the introductory weather classes. Besides being a great place to get weather help, it is also a quiet place to do your homework with great views for cloud watching.

5:00 – Today was the first Student Government Association (SGA) General Session of the semester. General Sessions are monthly meetings where the entire SGA convenes to hear updates from each branch and division, and vote on any bills that may pass. The Avion is a division of the SGA, and this is just one of the many ways that we contribute to the SGA and helping to improve the student experience on campus.

7:00 – My last meeting of the day was our weekly Avion meeting, which takes place in the Student Union Chamber. In our meetings, we provide updates on our operations over the week, provide coverage events for our members to get involved, and hold workshops. On this particular night, we did a photo training workshop, teaching all our members how to use our cameras.

9:00 – Finally, my day came to an end on campus. On this night it was down pouring, so my friends and I ran over to the parking garage with our umbrellas and got in our cars to head home.

While not every day is this busy, I try to make the most of my time on campus. I love being involved in so many activities and getting to learn more in all my classes. I hope this gave you a glimpse into one of the busiest days of the semester I will probably have. I will be sure to write more of these this semester! 🙂

Tips for Parking on Campus

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Dominic

Parking on campus can often times be a difficult thing for both new and current students to navigate. Lot colors and parking regulations are always changing, especially with the impending construction of the new dorm building. With so many different colored lots and rules, it can be confusing to know who gets to park where.

Here is a helpful breakdown of who gets to park in what lots, and some other tips you need to know:

Blue lots are for employees of the university, and can be found throughout campus near all major buildings.

Yellow lots are for commuter students, and can be found near the college of Arts and Sciences, the Tomcat Annex and New Residence Hall 1.

Green lots are for resident students in the New Residence Halls, Apollo, and Doolittle. These lots can be found near the New Residence Halls, and behind the student Village in the paved lot.

Red lots are for all students who live in the Student Village, and can be found behind the green parking lot near the Courtyard Marriott and Corsair Building.

Most of the lots across the street near the athletic fields and near the ICI Center are all colored lots, which means anyone with a parking permit can park there. This is mainly filled with commuter students and some faculty during weekdays.

Additionally, blue lots become available for any permit color after 4 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.

All colored parking permits can be purchased through your parking portal on ERNIE (just type parking in the search bar and it should come up). The passes vary in price depending on which color you are shopping for.

The parking garage has 4 levels. The first level contains pay to park spots, as well as a few pickup spots for mail in the mailroom. The other three levels contain reserved spots for students. To get a parking garage spot, you must email campus safety (Daytona.safety.request@erau.edu) and join the waitlist.

All permit decals must be placed on the bottom drivers side of your rear window. Additionally, all cars must be parked head in on all spots on campus.

If you ever receive a ticket, you can appeal it through the Student Court within 10 days of receiving the citation. According to the court, a preliminary digital verdict will be issued and students have the opportunity to have an appeal hearing with the Student Court to potentially overturn the verdict.

Finally, if you are a student living at Eagle Landing, Onshore, Ten60, or Chanute, be sure to take advantage of the free SGA Shuttle to campus. The shuttles run from 7 AM to 8 PM, and pick up students outside the student union. This is a great way to avoid the headache and congestion that can come with finding a parking spot in the morning.

I hope these tips are helpful for all students, no matter if you are commuting or call campus your home. Let me know in the comments if you have any other parking related questions!

Favorite Beach Spots

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Dominic

If there’s one thing I love about Daytona, it’s being able to head to the beach to go relax whenever I want. There are so many beaches in Volusia and Flagler counties to go to, whether you just want to watch a sunrise or spend a whole day out in the sun. Here are some of my favorite beach spots that I’ve discovered in my two years at Riddle:

Tom Renick Park: This beach in Ormond is located about a half hour away from campus, and is perfect for an afternoon at the beach. This county park has ample parking, as well as a pavilion, showers, and restroom facilities. I first discovered this beach spot during the Orientation Beach Bash my freshmen year, and have been going ever since!

Flager Beach: This quiet coastal town is located right across the Intracoastal Waterway from Palm Coast, and features many local restaurants and ice cream shops within walking distance. There is also tons of street parking on A1A, and a pier close by that has public restrooms. I love going to Flager in the evenings, grabbing a beachside dinner with my friends and then going to the beach to hangout as the sun sets.

Matanzas Inlet: This beach is located about an hour away from campus, and is perfect for anyone who is planning a full day out on the sand. This beach is larger and more secluded than the other two, and also has great locations for fishing off a nearby bridge. Parking is also located nearby. I went to this beach for a day trip on Easter, and it did not disappoint.

The Volusia County website includes a lot of good information about parking, fees, safety and more. I hope this blog let you to discover a brand new spot for a beach day this semester! Let me know your favorite beach spot in the area down in the comments.

The Final Days of Summer

Posted on August 4, 2025 by Dominic

August always brings this nervous feeling as the start of the academic year approaches. The end of one season, and the start of another, August will always be a transition month in the life of a college student. Whether you are prepping for your first-year orientation, moving into your dorm or apartment, or even just packing the car to make the long drive to Daytona, August is always the start of a new chapter for all.

I am currently going into my third year as a student at Embry-Riddle, and every year has been the same for me. While I enjoy my summers, I also spend the months counting down the days until I can see my friends, go back to the clubs and organizations I am a part of, and begin classes again. Living over 1000 miles away from school makes summer and the school year feel like two completely different worlds. Once I am settled into my summer routine, the trip to Daytona suddenly starts to creep up on me with the excitement of a new chapter but the nervousness of what’s to come.

For example, this summer I have been planning the move into my new apartment, and I have been looking forward to all that it brings. I am also excited to move off campus and gain a new aspect of independence. However, I have gotten so used to living on campus that it will be a big change once I move in. I am ready to get out of my comfort zone though and start this new chapter.

If every year was the same, it would be pretty boring. Every year at Embry-Riddle will bring new people, hobbies, clubs, and more into your life that you would never have thought of. My life now is different than it was in the final days of summer August 2024. This summer has allowed me to reflect on the year that just passed and think about the year that is to come. While I still have a nervous feeling as I begin to pack, just as I have the past two years and probably will next August too, I am always grateful for the experiences I have at Embry-Riddle. No matter what is to come after the final days of summer, good or bad, I am ready to see what is in store!

My Life @ Riddle

Daytona Beach Edition

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