Midterm Season: Quick Trip Home and Open House

Fall Break Adventure

After a busy semester, there’s nothing quite like a drive home to reset and recharge. This fall break, I packed up my car and hit the road to Pensacola, Florida — my hometown — with one goal in mind: surprise my mom. She had no idea I was coming, and keeping that secret made the hours on the road fly by just a little faster. I may have been tired from being in classes all day but this surprise was going to be worth it.

When I finally pulled into the driveway and called her saying I ordered an amazon package to the house , the look on her face when she realized I was outside was absolutely priceless. There’s something special about being home again — the familiar smells, the cozy atmosphere, and now, a new furry face waiting to greet me. My mom recently adopted a cat named Luna, a playful little ball of fur who instantly decided that my windowsill was her new favorite nap spot.

Of course, no trip home would be complete without a little yarn shopping. We made our way to Dixie Knits, one of my favorite local spots, where I absolutely bought way too much yarn (as usual). Between the endless colors and soft textures, I just couldn’t resist adding a few more skeins to my growing collection.

Spending time with my mom, catching up over coffee, and planning new crochet projects together made this fall break feel extra special. Sometimes, the best getaways aren’t about going somewhere new — they’re about going home.

Spooky Season Fun at Embry-Riddle’s Spooktacular 🎃

This year’s Spooktacular at Embry-Riddle was an unforgettable evening filled with creativity, laughter, and plenty of Halloween spirit! I helped represent The Avion at the event, where we set up a spooky-themed photo booth for students to stop by, strike a pose, and capture their best costumes (some added a variety of fun beach party props). It was so much fun seeing everyone’s Halloween energy come to life — from classic costumes to clever tech-inspired looks.

The Avion Exec that was there made sure to get our group photo. Our costumes included: a witch, Lois Lane, a bat, a frog, and Sam Sparks. Of course the strawberry had to be included.

The event was packed with fall favorites, including candy apples and warm apple cider, which made the night even better. The costume competition was definitely a highlight — the creativity across campus was incredible, and the crowd’s reactions made it even more fun to watch.

Outside in the fitness center lawn, the SCIC Car Club hosted a trunk-or-treat, showcasing some amazing cars decked out for Halloween. Between the spooky decorations, custom paint jobs, and many candy options , it was a total success and added to the festive atmosphere.

Overall, Spooktacular was an amazing experience — a perfect mix of fall fun, community, and Embry-Riddle spirit. Helping out with The Avion and seeing the Student Union atrium come alive for Halloween made it one of my favorite events of the semester.

Welcoming Future Eagles at Embry-Riddle’s Open House

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to help out at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Open House as part of the Women’s Ambassadors program. It was such a rewarding experience to welcome both prospective and accepted students to campus and share what makes ERAU such a special place to study, grow, and connect.

Throughout the day, I spoke with families and students about campus life, academics, and all the amazing opportunities available here — from hands-on labs to leadership programs. Seeing students light up as they imagined themselves at Embry-Riddle reminded me why I’m so proud to be part of this community.

It was inspiring to meet so many future Eagles who are passionate about aviation, engineering, safety, and beyond. Helping them feel at home on campus — and showing that ERAU is a place where everyone can thrive — made the day truly memorable.