About Jeffery

Senior

Aeronautical Science

**Major:** Aeronautical Science, fixed-wing
**Hometown:** Destrehan, LA (New Orleans)
**Competitions/Awards:** Golden Eagles scholarship and Walmart scholarship
**Activities:** Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, member of NGPA, Women in Aviation, President of the Blind Ambition Group
**Favorite Class:** Microeconomics
**Favorite thing to do in Prescott:** Being from New Orleans I am a huge fan of food and Prescott has some really great and diverse options. I love trying different places around town with my friends .
**In my free time I…** love traveling to different places around the state of Arizona, making memories and hanging out with my friends, and being spontaneous.

The End to an Incredible Chapter

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Jeffery

4 and a half years ago I took my first steps onto the campus of Embry-Riddle as a confused, excited, optimistic, and scared freshman. How would I fit in here? How am I going to survive without my parents? What would I do during my free time? What would I do without my high school friends? There were so many thoughts racing through my head that day. This was a huge first step for me. I left New Orleans, LA to follow my dreams of becoming an airline pilot one day. Fast forward to today (December 19, 2016) and boy have things changed since that exciting first day on August 20, 2012. I am now at the very end of my journey here. Another chapter in the story has been completed. Looking at myself in the mirror now I can’t even see that 18-year old freshman anymore. I was just a kid when I started here. I am now at the very early stages of my adulthood and I see things completely different at this stage of my life compared to then. It’s crazy to see just how much I’ve grown in the last 4 and a half years.

People always tell you that college is going to be one of the best times of your life. I didn’t quite believe that statement. Why you ask? Well to me I couldn’t imagine how all-nighters, stress-infused days worrying about grades, assignments, work, and bills would be one of the best times of my life. However, now as I look back at the journey that I have had at Riddle I can definitely say without a doubt that my time here has been not “one of” but “the” best time of my life. Prescott, Arizona has truly become my home and the friends that I have met here are no longer just friends; they are truly my family. Riddle has a great way of molding you into the person you were destined to become through the many challenges the curriculum places on you while you try to navigate through adulthood. If I had a dollar for every time I said I was ready to quit I would be on Forbes top billionaires list. As I begin walking back down memory lane, images of a solo flight direct from KPRC (Prescott) to Kingman and Lake Havasu and back to Prescott, experiencing the state of Arizona from a vantage point of about 10,000’ or more; taking in breath taking views of the red rocks of Sedona, the majestic snow covered San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff, the city lights of Phoenix as they open up in the distance as we go from Arizona’s high country to the valley, traveling to 7 different beautiful life changing countries through study abroad programs, working in Embry-Riddles admissions department, administering tours as a campus ambassador to prospective students and their families just to name a few. With every great memory comes amazing people to share them with. My time here at riddle has also provided me with the great pleasure of meeting my “squad!” The most memorable experience that I’ve had here is having the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing people known to mankind. Ok, that may be a bit dramatic but honestly this experience wouldn’t be nothing without the people that have been by my side from the very beginning. They have been the ones to take me to the ER at crazy hours of the night when I got sick. They are the ones that stayed up with me for hours helping me with an assignment that I chose to procrastinate on and waited the night before to finish. These are the people who put up with my craziness when even I lost patience with myself. They are the ones I’ve spent every long, drawn out, hot, and boring Prescott summers with and made it some of my most memorable summer breaks. They are the ones who invited me to their homes all across the United States for holiday breaks when it was too expensive for me to travel back home. They are the ones who most importantly have been there to hold me during some of life’s most challenging moments. They are the ones who have been their to wipe away my tears and help me back to my feet through some very challenging breakups. Embry-Riddle for me has been so much more than an Aeronautical University that has served as a pillar for my academic and professional success but it has become the foundation to my adulthood that has provided me a journey that I will forever remember.

As I begin flight planning for the next chapter in my life, I look back at ERAU in the rearview of my car. As I drive to Phoenix Sky Harbor to board a flight to Berlin, Germany I see all the memories flash through my head. It is a bittersweet feeling leaving behind the place that helped raise me into the person that looks back at me when I look in the mirror. Prescott, Arizona will always hold a special place in my heart because it has shown me the time of my life. Tears fill my eyes as riddle fades further and further into the distance, and I see the impeccably beautiful Arizona sunset fall beneath Granite Mountain as the city of Prescott begins to slowly quiet down reminding me exactly how and why

4 and a half years ago I walked onto the campus of Embry-Riddle a confused, excited, optimistic, and scared freshman. How would I fit in here? How am I going to survive without my parents? What would I do during my free time? What would I do without my high school friends? There were so many thoughts racing through my head that day. This was a huge first step for me. I left New Orleans, LA to follow my dreams of becoming an airline pilot one day. Fast forward to today (December 19, 2016) and boy have things changed since that exciting first day on August 20, 2012. I am now at the very end of my journey here. Another chapter in the story has been completed. Looking at myself in the mirror now I can’t even see that 18-year old freshman. I was just a kid when I started here. I am now at the very early stages of my adulthood now and I see things completely different now. It’s crazy to see just how much I’ve grown in the last 4 and a half years.

People always tell you that college is one of the best times of your life. I didn’t quite believe that statement. Why you ask? Well to me I couldn’t imagine how all-nighters, stress-infused days worrying about grades, assignments, work, and bills would be one of the best times of my life. However, now as I look back at the journey that I have had at Riddle I can definitely say without a doubt that my time here has been not “one of” but “the” best time of my life. Prescott, Arizona has truly become my home and the friends that I have met here are no longer just friends; they are truly my family. Riddle has a great way of molding you into the person you were destined to become through the many challenges the curriculum places on you while you try to navigate through adulthood. If I had a dollar for every time I said I was ready to quit I would be on Forbes top billionaires list. As I begin walking back down memory lane, images of a solo flight direct from KPRC (Prescott) to Kingman and Lake Havasu and back to Prescott, experiencing the state of Arizona from a vantage point of about 10,000’ or more; taking in breath taking views of the red rocks of Sedona, the majestic snow covered San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff, the city lights of Phoenix as they open up in the distance as we go from Arizona’s high country to the valley, traveling to 7 different beautiful life changing countries through study abroad programs, working in Embry-Riddles admissions department, administering tours as a campus ambassador to prospective students and their families just to name a few. With every great memory comes amazing people to share them with. My time here at riddle has also provided me with the great pleasure of meeting my “squad!” The most memorable experience that I’ve had here is having the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing people known to mankind. Ok, that may be a bit dramatic but honestly this experience wouldn’t be nothing without the people that have been by my side from the very beginning. They have been the ones to take me to the ER at crazy hours of the night when I got sick. They are the ones that stayed up with me for hours helping me with an assignment that I chose to procrastinate on and waited the night before to finish. These are the people who put up with my craziness when even I lost patience with myself. They are the ones I’ve spent every long, drawn out, hot, and boring Prescott summers with and made it some of my most memorable summer breaks. They are the ones who invited me to their homes all across the United States for holiday breaks when it was too expensive for me to travel back home. They are the ones who most importantly have been there to hold me during some of life’s most challenging moments. They are the ones who have been their wipe away my tears and help me back to my feet for very challenging breakups. Embry-Riddle for me has been so much more than an Aeronautical University that has served as a pillar for my academic and professional success but it has become the foundation to my adulthood that has provided me a journey that I will forever remember.

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that an airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” -Henry Ford

I’m in Ireland Right Now on Study Abroad!

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Jeffery

I love this University, the people in it, and the things I get to do which right now includes the travel portion of my semester-long Ireland course through the College of Security and Intelligence. Follow my Facebook posts below to see what we’ve been doing…and just remember, as a student at ERAU you can do this too!

Last Fraternity Formal in Las Vegas, NV

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Jeffery

When I first arrived to college I never expected to add more members to my family. Growing up I only had to look out for my younger brother who is 4 years younger than me. As I grew older I realized one was all I could probably handle and became very thankful my mom stopped trying for the daughter she always wanted.

When I moved over a thousand miles away from my brother and the comfort, security, and love of my family, I actively sought out a family unit I could truly connect with here at Riddle. Through what I believe was fate, I discovered the greatest family a guy could ever ask for in the men I call brothers of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Looking out the window of my car glancing over at the sign that reads, “Welcome to the state of Nevada” these very same thoughts made its way back to the forefront of my mind. This was it, my very last fraternity formal as an Embry-Riddle student.

Our group! Austin, Nikki, Dani, Kristen, and Brennan

Oh my how far we’ve all come as a fraternity. Having over 40 men in my life that I can honestly call my brothers is something I never expected at Embry-Riddle. Being a part of a fraternity has been one of the most challenging, stressful, exciting, and rewarding activities I’ve been able to experience during my time here. This year our fraternity believed it was incredibly important to go big or go home so we planned an extravagant formal in Las Vegas, NV to get everyone out of our normal day to day environment so we could enjoy each other’s company as a brotherhood accompanied by our dates in a city that has been made famous for just having a good time; Laissez les bons temps rouler! As we say in the city of New Orleans, meaning let the good times roll!

Sitting at the dinner table with the men and women that I started my journey here at Embry-Riddle with, that have deservedly become my brothers and sisters, made me realize that I have so much to be thankful for in my life. Here I am 21 years old surrounded by an immense amount of love that has helped get me through my best and my worst days without ever asking for anything in return. I don’t know if this journey would’ve been remotely possible without the great men of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the woman of Alpha Xi Delta and Alpha Sigma Tau sororities. Even though I didn’t win an award for my last formal (still a little salty about that lol) it was such a rewarding feeling being able to look over at my brothers as a senior knowing that I’ll be leaving this fraternity behind in good hands. It really is true, “Brotherhood is the very price and condition of man’s survival,” Carlos P Romulo.

After this weekend it became evident to me that it wasn’t the city that graciously hosted our formal this year that elevated it to one for the books for our fraternity but that ultimately it was the relationships we have all developed over the years being together along with our impeccable growth as a family that made this year’s Pi Kappa Phi formal one that I will always remember as I get ready to take the next step towards accomplishing the goals I have set for myself in my aviation career. I love my brothers of Pi Kappa Phi Iota Eta chapter and I will forever hold you guys near and dear to my heart for the rest of my life. Thank you for such an unforgettable weekend!

Enjoying our time at formal!

Me and the beautiful Sophia! Sister of Alpha Xi Delta

Me and my bestfriend, President of Alpha Xi Delta : Kristen at formal (Mac photo bombing)

Study Abroad in Europe Changed My Life

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Jeffery

“When I met you in the summer!” This very phrase sums up summer 2014 perfectly for me. The amount of people I’ve been blessed to meet along with the different countries I was able to explore made that summer the journey of a lifetime.

Summer ’14 felt as though I was in my own version of the music video for the song “Summer” by Calvin Harris. This simple phrase carries with it an enormous amount of weight that has left behind a great deal of memories imprinted in my mind and in my heart that will follow me for the rest of my life.

I was looking out the large windows of Chicago O’ Hare International airport at the skyline of the city of Chicago when I noticed the impeccably beautiful Boeing 747 and it finally hit me. This was it, this was the moment I had been waiting for all semester; I was getting ready to depart the United States with my sights set on Europe for an entire month. The class I was attending on this study abroad was Aviation Appreciation, administered by the Daytona Beach campus and serves the sole purpose of educating the student on what and how aviation got started here in the United States as well as overseas through two world wars.

The one thing everyone talks about when they describe their experiences studying abroad is personal growth and embarking on the most fulfilling journey of their lives. I get the chills every time I think back to how much Europe changed me as a person. Being 20 years old at the time, getting an opportunity to live in a foreign country for a month, having to rethink everything I thought I knew about life and navigate around a place I had only seen in movies was the scariest and most rewarding experience of my life.

When I returned to the United States and looked at myself in the mirror for the first time so much had changed. The way I saw the world and what I wanted my future to entail was completely different than what it was when I first began my journey at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2 years prior to this trip. Being a guy from New Orleans, LA this type of thing isn’t something anyone expects would ever be possible for him or her. It really was honestly one of the most surreal moments of my life. My eyes were opened wider than they had ever had been. I was now aware and cognizant of different ways of life, culture and people and I couldn’t even begin to imagine how I was going to be able to return to my routine. I had grown so much spiritually and emotionally; I had fallen deeply in love with Europe.

There’s still not a single day that goes by that I don’t think about the times I spent abroad…watching the changing of guards at Buckingham Palace, catching the tube to visit new friends (whom I still talk to two years later), soaking in all of the beauty that Parliament and the London Eye reveal under the dark skies of London, riding up to the top of the Eiffel Tower to check out life altering views of downtown Paris, lying in the grass at midnight to watch the light show dancing up and down the Eiffel Tower flaunting all of its pure iconic beauty, visiting the incredibly heavy and emotional grounds of the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany where you could just feel the empty cold empty dark souls that roamed the grounds of the camp during World War II, getting a chance to ditch an engine and glide over the countryside of Germany with the German Alps at the forefront of my view…

That trip taught me so much about a subject that I’ve been passionate about ever since I could talk and say the word, “airplane”. I learned about the people that live on that side of the world and how they truly perceive the world and how they feel life should be lived. It has helped me become a more well rounded and accepting individual to every different culture and background that I now encounter in my life.

I believe the most valuable benefit of my experience studying abroad was the person I became as a result of being overseas and having to rethink how to navigate through life through everyday activities and responsibilities. I found myself scared yet excited, shocked but intrigued leaving me with a greater since of appreciation for other cultures and their lifestyles. I could not understand that by staying here in my own country studying a particular subject.

This world is so large and truly magnificent and I believe every singe human being owes it to themselves to get out there explore, enjoy, learn, and just take in all that has been given to us to experience. Studying Abroad is truly a life altering experience that is priceless beyond words and should be taken full advantage of. I enjoyed my study abroad experience so much that I am currently in the process of preparing for my second study abroad this summer the Troubles in Ireland class being administered by Professor Austin. My advice to you is to get out there and take advantage of this beautiful planet we all call home. There’s a whole world out there just waiting for you to discover. You owe it to yourself to discover the mysteries of this life that will help mold and define you as who you were always destined to be in this world.

“Traveling. It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

Three-Day Weekend Trip to San Diego!

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Jeffery

As a college student the one thing that everyone anxiously awaits yet doesn’t come around very often is the famous three-day weekend.

Three-Day weekends are a great way for all of us at Riddle to stop and take a deep breath just before things get hectic — the lead up to Midterms. It’s a chance for us to get out and explore and check out more of what the West Coast has to offer. Now for those like me who grew up in a whole other region of the United States (the South in my case) everything on the West Coast fascinates me even after 3 years of living here. It’s absolutely gorgeous and very diverse.

San Diego, CA

My friend and I decided to hop in my car and drive about 6 hours West to the beautiful city of San Diego to soak up some much needed sun and escape the winter temperatures in Prescott in exchange for 80-degree heat. Maybe it’s the winter blues but I had been craving the sight of the beach for months and could no longer resist the urge to jump into some nice cool ocean water under some very warm and inviting sun rays. This weekend was perfect for that!

One of the main reasons why I chose to attend the Embry-Riddle Prescott campus over the Daytona Beach campus was because of the campus’ prime location. There are so many incredible opportunities to visit some impeccable places that are perfect when you just need a break from reality.

I was able to fulfill some of my childhood desires on this three-day weekend trip like swimming in the Pacific Ocean for the first time in my life and snorkeling in Mission Bay, well attempted snorkeling until my fear of being in cloudy water started to kick in. I also found a new hobby — paddle boarding!

Before I headed off to college I would’ve never expected that I would experience so many amazing things in my life and accomplish so much at such a young age. This weekend’s trip made it evident to me that I have so many things to be so grateful for and I don’t believe any of this would have been possible if it weren’t for me choosing to study at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and meeting some of the most incredible people I’m so thankful to call my family.

Snow Day Feb. 01 2016!

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Jeffery

The Terraces Apartments in Prescott Valley, AZ

My balcony covered in snow!

My shoes covered in snow!

I have been living here in Prescott, AZ now for a little over 3 years. I’ve experienced three Northern Arizona winters and I can say without any hesitation that this year’s winter season has been the most active winter in the regards to snow fall and consistently cold temperatures in all the three years I have been living here. Some may say it’s too cold or it’s been too wet but no one can complain when you have 3 back to back two hour delay starts to the morning or what we had this Monday which was our very first snow day of the semester! It’s is also my very first snow day at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and I am a senior this year!

After last year’s very disappointing winter this one has definitely made up for it. This recent snowstorm was more unique than the others we had roll through the area earlier this winter season. This storm brought with it blizzard like conditions with winds gusting at about 40 mph and heavy sleet turning into consistent snow fall dropping about 4-6 inches on the town of Prescott and Prescott Valley resulting in a Snow Day for everyone in the Quad City area.

Being from New Orleans, LA this is something I thought I would only get to experience vicariously through actors in movies. Now I know what you’re thinking… the only reason I love snow days so much is because of the fact that all classes are cancelled for the day but I enjoy it so much because most people that attend this campus are from places in the United States that don’t experience even a single inch of snow fall or a real winter so being able to see everyone’s inner kid come out to run around campus throwing snow balls at each other, or trying to build the most unique snow man, or sledding down the lower soccer fields, to even having my friends come over to my apartment for some English Tea, a nice bowl of Taco Soup next to my fireplace and just relaxing and enjoying each other’s company is what makes a Snow Day a true Snow Day.

Snow just has a way of making everyone so happy in this town (mainly because it melts really quickly so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of it for too long) and it’s just a great feeling to share that joy with all of the people that help you get through those long hard days when you just want to curl up in your bed and hide out until the semester is over. This snow day I had the time of my life and I am very optimistic and incredibly excited to see what Mother Nature has in store for us the remainder of this winter season.

Here are more photos from students around campus who went out in the snow!

Snow prepared!

Pedro and friends’ Giant Snowman

A snow break.

Snow in the pines

Even the fur beasts got in on the fun!

The Rare Phenomenon known as Thunder Snow

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Jeffery

I was visiting a friend in Flagstaff, AZ this weekend at NAU (Northern Arizona University) (Flagstaff is an hour and a half north of Prescott) and we were working on homework Sunday night when all of a sudden we heard a loud BOOM! For a second we were both incredibly confused seeing that there wasn’t any chance of a Thunderstorm in the forecast for Northern Arizona and it wasn’t even raining outside in fact it was snowing! Image result for NAU snow

We ran to the door of the apartment to peak outside to see other NAU students anxiously looking out into the dark cold cloudy skies of Northern Arizona wondering if we weren’t all losing our minds. A few seconds later that’s when I realized what was actually taking place. I noticed off in the distance a series of lightning strikes flashing around the San Francisco Peaks followed by a mild rumble of steady thunder filling the silence of a quiet cold windy Sunday night — Thunder Snow!.

I have a passion for weather. Being a pilot, it’s something I’ve learned to check periodically throughout my day so being able to witness the very rare phenomenon known as Thunder Snow had to probably be one of the most rewarding experience I have been able to witness while living here in Northern Arizona! 635898787435863929-lightning-strike2-ThinkstockPhotos-469850273

The definition of Thunder Snow is an unusual kind of thunderstorm with snow falling as the primary precipitation instead of rain and occurs in regions where a strong upward motion is present within the cold sector of an extratropical cyclone (Wikipedia). This is one of the many reasons I adore the state of Arizona because you have a front row seat to some of the most amazing and most unique weather events that you may not have the luxury of experiencing in any other states in the United States. All you have to do is step outside and look up!

A Life-Changing Weekend at NGPA Conference

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Jeffery

To say this weekend in Palm Springs, California at the National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) Conference was incredible would be an understatement. I can’t quite explain just how valuable it was to take a minute away from the study world to partake in an unforgettable weekend with my Riddle family.

I am so passionate about the industry I am apart of and I love the people I have surrounded myself with over these last few years here at Embry-Riddle. I’m so grateful for the growth I’ve made since last year’s NGPA conference.

This year’s conference brought along new experiences, new opportunities, new friendships, new sets of goals, and a completely different outlook on where I want my career to go in the future. I was able to solidify an internship opportunity with United Airlines and a possible job opportunity with PSA Airlines once I receive all of the required flight certifications. Yes, it’s that powerful!

We even met and talked with Caitlyn Jenner who was at the conference and is a pilot herself.

I believe the NGPA conference is an incredibly valuable conference for any aspiring pilot to attend because of all of the networking opportunities that are available with people from all parts of the industry. I’ve never been so happy just being me and I wouldn’t be where I’m at if it weren’t for what NGAP stands for and the community they have developed over the years as a safe zone for pilots all over the country. It is such an exciting and liberating feeling anticipating where my career will take me next. This is only the beginning the rest is still unwritten.

Two months in — It’s OK to be slightly homesick

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Jeffery

You’ve been here now for about 2 months; I know it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, time flies here, no pun intended. You’re slowly beginning to get into the swing of things. See it wasn’t so hard. Midterms are finally over. This is also a time where you are left with a little bit more free time than before and your mind has time to wonder and think of home.

You start to realize that those phone calls and Face time sessions are no longer enough. This is when that thing, that one thing no student wants to admit they have caught, homesickness, shows up. As a freshman it’s hard to admit. No one wants to admit that they are missing home, especially to their parents because you know there just going to tell you “I told you so.”

As a freshman it’s normal for you to begin to miss home around this time in the semester. Looking back now at my freshman year I remember this moment very vividly. It was hard. Being from New Orleans, LA there are a great deal of things we do that are a part of our unique culture that many other places don’t do and even think we’re crazy for doing. Small things like getting excited for Christmas in the Oaks in City Park, trying to get your last fix of snowballs before it starts getting too cold to want to eat one, attending the Saints games now that football season is beginning to get a little bit more interesting, trying to get that last batch of crawfish from the Seafood Pot before the season officially ends and just hanging with my family and friends when I need someone who understands all of my weirdness.

Making snow angels in downtown Prescott.

Crawfish, Corn, and Cajun Potatoes!

It’s hard because you just arrived here a few months ago and Arizona isn’t quite home yet. I know, you can’t even imagine calling Arizona home, but trust me you will. It happens to all of us after Christmas break when we realize just how amazing this state is along with not knowing how we were ever able to live life without the friends we’ve met here at Riddle this semester. Just hang on, don’t let the stress of being homesick take over your mind by swallowing your thoughts and making it difficult to stay focused. Continue to stay busy. Hang out with your “crew” continuing to create incredible memories. Oh and if midterms got the best of you don’t let it discourage you. This is your first introduction to the format of college exams. Take it as a learning experience and build from it. We all do bad on at least one exam, it happens. Keep pushing through, the semester will be wrapping up in a blink of an eye and before you know it you’ll be back home with your family and friends enjoying all that the holidays have to offer and before you have the chance to notice, you’ll be wishing you were back at Riddle with the second family you’ve had the opportunity to build so far. This is just the beginning of your journey the rest is still unwritten.

Pi Kappa Phi and Alpha Xi Delta Formal.

My Top 3 Fall Activities at ERAU

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Jeffery

My favorite semester is fall, not just because I’m coming back to school and my friends but because there’s some great adventures I’ve made into a yearly tradition. and I want to tell you about them. I hope you try these out when you get here!

Snowbowl Ski Lift, Flagstaff, AZ. One of my favorite off campus events I enjoy doing in the Fall is driving an hour and a half north to the city of Flagstaff driving around downtown and towards the San Francisco Peaks. Here in Prescott we get a fair share of fall foliage around town and even more closely here on campus. However, one of the best places to view fall foliage is in the city of Flagstaff. As a guy that was born and raised in New Orleans there is no such thing as fall foliage. The seasons down south are a lot less defined as it is in most states around the country. I still to this day get very excited when the Fall season starts because of the impeccable beauty it shares throughout Northern Arizona. I try to make time to take a trip up to Snowbowl every year in late September. At Snowbowl you can ride the lifts up to the very top peak of Mount Humphries and get a chance to look out and see miles and miles of crisp beautiful yellow, red, and orange leaves surrounding the San Francisco Peaks and throughout the town of Flagstaff, smelling the fresh aspen trees as you ride the lift up to 11,500 ft. the highest mountain peak in the state of Arizona. It is honestly one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had while living here in Northern Arizona. It is one of the most relaxing and de-stressing day events that really help keep you leveled when the fall semester workload is beginning to pick up. Another really cool thing that you get a chance to take advantage is that they have amazing sales at the ski shop located at the bottom of the lift. You can take advantage of the exceptional deals and pick up some great snow and ski gear to impress skiiers and snowboarders once the winter season gets into full swing.

Off Campus: Go Kart Racing, Scottsdale, AZ Whenever I have the need for speed I love to drive down an hour and a half south and visit Octane Raceway and go Go Kart Racing with my friends and fraternity brothers to take a break from studying. Octane is located in Scottsdale, AZ which is a city located to the east of Phoenix. Scottsdale has great shopping and some amazing restaurants so there’s a lot to check out while you’re down there. Octane Raceway has a very challenging course that takes you from the inside of the facility to an outdoors patio lounge area where you get a chance to feel the very dry hot air from the Phoenix dessert. The Karts go up to 45 miles per hour so there’s a lot of power for you to get your urge for speeding and racing out of your system. Its so much fun taking a break and coming down to race with my friends because it gives us a chance to hang out get a little competitive and just have an incredible time with each other.

On Campus: Halloween Haunted House sponsored by the Safety Center If you are like me and enjoy your occasional scream here and there around the Halloween season you don’t have to look too far. Our Robertson Safety Center puts on a zombie-themed haunted house that utilizes their crash site as the backdrop. There’s nothing more exciting than the eerie feeling of wrecked planes surrounding you while zombies pop out at every corner crouching over bent propellers and behind crushed fuselages. It was so much fun being able to have a moment where my friends and I could laugh at each others facial expressions as the suspense of not knowing what was behind each corner or even next to our feet etched the most amusing look of fear on our faces. I honestly hadn’t laughed so hard in so long. It helped make that Halloween season one I will forever remember here at Embry Riddle with some of the most amazing people I have been so lucky to have met during my years here.

Here’s an update: Just went to Flagstaff this past weekend for the fall colors again!