Stuck on Campus for Spring Break…? Here is What You Need to Know.

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Cherie

If you are one of those unlucky students who doesn’t get to go somewhere awesome for spring break (which is almost all freshman) don’t fear I’ve got you covered with everything you need to cure the Spring Break Blues.

It may seem pretty sucky that you have nowhere to go, most likely because you have no cash to do so but, I urge you to please take advantage of your situation. Spring Break is a great time to relax and catch up on those z’s or any homework that needs doing.

I am writing this because, well, I’m currently stuck on campus…so below you can find some great tips and tricks for surviving your Spring Break, the Engineers way!!!

Buy Top Ramen its 20 cents at Walmart.
Stuff to make coffee, it’s cheaper and healthier than energy drinks, although those can be more fun.
Find someone with Netflix and split a month’s cost with them so you can watch whatever you want to pass the time.
Car pool around town and see the sites, bicycling is also great, Prescott is a beautiful place to cruise around in the sun.
Study outside and enjoy the quiet, it’s very relaxing.
Do some homework and review topics that you have trouble with. This is extremely helpful as finals are coming up!!!
Sleep in, but not too much!!
Fill a box of salad items from the dining hall, if you cook these up in a creative fashion and add some rice or pasta (which you can also get from the dining hall) you have a healthy meal to eat comfortably in your room rather than in an awkwardly empty dining hall.
Hang out with new people, there are all kinds of people on campus so meet some more cool ones!!!!
Be like the guys next door and build a massive birthday paddle……weird I know…..
Do your laundry ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!
Clean your dorm, everyone needs a thorough Spring cleaning.
Ask family to come visit.
Get to know your campus more by exploring new areas.
Apply for summer jobs and research ones that you want after college.
Have a good time!!!!!

Air Force ROTC at Embry Riddle Prescott

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Cherie

Tadah! I’m here again and my new topic is Air Force ROTC at Riddle. As I’ve mentioned before I am a freshman cadet on the Prescott campus and I am loving my experience in the Air Force and in college so far. I just thought it would be nice to give you an insiders look at what a week as a GMC (General Military Cadet) is like.

The first thing you need to know is how the Cadet Wing works, there are POC (Professional Officer Candidates) and GMC. The GMC are the lower class and are typically freshman and sophomores in college while the POC are juniors and seniors who have already gone through field training and are simply waiting for life as an officer in the Air Force to begin.The POC must be saluted by the GMC as they are the people running the cadet wing and training us to be officers. Even more important above the POC is the cadre, these guys are awesome!! They teach everyone to be an officer and they make sure we get all our things done on time.

POC Cadets selected to be future pilots in the Air Force

The average week for a GMC cadet is as follows: Tuesday: get up and go to PT. Wednesday: go to Leadership Laboratory where you learn to be a leader and get amazing opportunities to meet people and get involved in the community. Thursday: get up and go to PT. And at some point during the week you might have a flight drill and ceremonies practice, extra PT or a meeting about a flight goal that you want to accomplish. Additionally, you must attend an Air Force class to learn about the Air Force and explore what a career in the military means to you. Its pretty simple and exceedingly fun/rewarding.

There are also AFROTC groups you can be apart of if you wish to get more involved or to become a better cadet. Some of these are Honor Corps, with the 3 teams which are described in my blog entitled “SCIDM- Honor Corps”, Arnold Air Society (these guys are cool), and Silver Wings (an affiliate of Arnold Air Society). All of these groups teach discipline and perfection; so if you are looking to succeed in AFROTC then joining one of these groups would be great for you!

One final note that I must point out is that I urge you if you are even moderately interested in the Air Force, please try out AFROTC if you get the chance. Dive in and give it your all, you may discover yourself living a dream that you had never imagined you would hold.

If you have any questions feel free to ask!!

SCIDM- Honor Corps

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Cherie

Hey there I just got back from a cool competition that Air Force ROTC Honor Corps does every year and I just thought I’d tell you a little about it. First off though I’ve got to tell you about the teams in Honor Corps, there are three: Honor Guard, Rifle Drill, and Sabre drill.

I am a member of the Honor Guard and we basically post and retrieve flags as well as doing other events for football games and flag retiring. Honor Guard has the most variety of all the teams and it is also the one that pay most attention to detail, if you plan on being in Air Force ROTC and you want your uniform to be perfect then please join Honor Guard!! Guard is a lot of work between uniforms and performances but it is very rewarding as all we do honors those who came before us in all branches of the military. For example, each year Guard performs a 24 hour vigil for veteran’s day along with the two other teams. Vigil takes a lot of training, time, and dedication but, it is an entirely rewarding experience as it allows you to experience a fraction of the sacrifice that our veteran’s experienced while serving our country.

The Rifle drill team spins (and occasionally breaks) rifles in variations of four to ten man performances. Rifle team is definitely the more rambunctious of the groups in Honor Corps, but they put on an incredible performance which personally I could never do. They of course, also help with vigil and perform at SCIDM every year. If you get the chance to come by Riddle one of these days you can see rifle and the other teams practicing in the lower fields. Practices are exceedingly interesting to watch and we invite you to stop by and check out the teams. You might be lucky enough and get to learn a few moves with the rifle (it’s a fake one by the way so no worries). If you enjoy it then we definitely encourage you to join one of the teams.

Sabre team is the last team, they are the smallest of all the teams in Honor Corps but, they are pretty epic too. I honestly don’t think I could toss a sharpened sabre around all day and hope that my partner catches it properly. It takes a lot of courage and skill to do something like that in my opinion. Despite how dangerous it sounds almost no one ever gets injured so don’t fear grab a sabre and try it out, they are a lot lighter than the rifles that Rifle and Guard have to carry so if you don’t want to be holding a lot of weight Sabre is perfect for you!! Their performances are also quite impressive, and they performed incredibly at SCIDM.

That’s all I’ve got for now but if you want to see some of our performances please feel free to look at the links below!!

Ten man Rifle Drill Team at SCIDM

Honor Guard Recruitment Video

Sabre Team

Surviving Prescott Winter Weather

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Cherie

Hey there, Its me again, and as you might have guessed I have spent a lot of time at Embry-Riddle and in the Prescott area. Well, unfortunately the rumors about our crazy weather are true, monsoons in the summer and sub-freezing snowy streaks in the winter. I can assure you however, that the peculiarities of this gorgeous place can easily be overcome by anyone who makes the decision to spend their next four years here. The four important things to remember are as follows: layers, vitamin c, boots, and brains. I’ll discuss each of these critical needs to survive the weather here, and also one additional thing that you’ll need: A sense of adventure and a youthful disposition towards the snow!

Layers-YOU WILL NEED THESE! The wonderful thing about layers is that you can wear as many layers of clothing as you want in order to stay warm. You don’t have to go and buy yourself a parka when it hits 19 degrees, just throw on an extra shirt and sweater, grab some gloves and head out. If you are in class and you get too warm later just take a sweater off, no big deal!

Vitamin C- This will keep your immune system up so if you get a little too chilled one day you wont get sick. Getting sick and missing classes is a huge cause of extra stress and low grades in college, avoid it at all costs!! Also, pick up some multi vitamins, these will help maintain your natural balance of minerals and also prevent you from becoming ill. We want you to succeed and the student’s health is our main priority, so if you can’t afford to be these at Walmart, or just don’t have the time to, come on by the Wellness Center at Haas . We provide the medical care you need all week long!!

Boots- You WILL WANT THESE SUMMER AND WINTER!! The monsoons in the summer turn center campus into a giant flowing creek, but don’t worry, the campus is specifically designed to keep the creek out of your path but, we can’t prevent some of the deep puddles that form on the walkways. For this reason I urge you to go buy some rubber ducky boots, you know the kind i mean, they look like your grandmas gardening shoes but they are exceptionally comfortable and dry. Most of the summer students wear these several times a week as it is necessary. On the other hand, for winter you will want a good pair of water proof high top hiking boots. These will keep your feet dry if it rains or snows; they are also quite comfortable as they provide ankle support and traction so that you won’t slip on the ice that forms on stairs and walkways after a big snow. The safety department does their best to keep ice under control but, nature has other plans so please be prepared so you don’t encounter any dangerously slippery situations.

Brains- Please use this, if you attend Embry-Riddle you are obviously pretty smart, so again I ask please use your intelligence!! Observe your surroundings, if a passage way is to icy find a safer path and avoid it. Follow the guidelines for usage of icy pathways and stairs, most stairs and icy areas are marked off by cones to indicate that you must use caution while walking there. Places that are too dangerous will be completely roped off in yellow “DO NOT CROSS” tape. Some campus roads may be closed off because of black ice so please observe this and use caution when traveling anywhere on campus or in Prescott by car or foot. We want you to stay safe!!

The final element that is necessary is a sense of fun, have fun with the weather but, remember to be safe!!!!!

Build a 7 foot tall snowman 🙂

Handy-Dandy College Tips

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Liesl

As is my annual tradition, this last blog before the end of the semester is going to be all about what I have learned this past year at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University! I am nearly finished with my junior year, and even though I thought I learned everything there is to know about ERAU last year, I somehow managed to learn even more about college life this year! So here it goes, my little gems of knowledge that I have collected this past year:

1. Always be prepared (time-wise and otherwise) for emergencies (such as a broken down car) and realize that it does eventually happen to everyone. No one is immune to bad luck, unfortunately.

2. The SGA Office in the Student Union has a free candy drawer, and when you’re lucky, there are sometimes Goldfish. Take advantage of this as often as you can!

3. There are always going to be blocks on your schedule that you have to remove before you can actually register for classes. Don’t wait for the day of registration to go see your advisor! Chances are, everyone else and their dogs are going to be waiting in line too and you probably won’t get all of the classes you wanted.

4. Join as many clubs as you can. There are awesome clubs like Zumba Club, Poker Club, Harry Potter Club, Sky-Diving Club, Ballroom Dancing Club, and so many more! You get to make new friends and the activities are always fun!

5. As weird as this sounds, you should actually look at the fliers posted around campus in passing. Sometimes there are awesome under-the-radar activities going on that are not widely broadcasted.

6. Don’t hesitate to go to Health Services when you’re sick. Even though school and homework are so important, staying healthy is important too! Don’t put off your health because you’re busy! (Such as so many other lessons in life, I had to learn this lesson the hard way!)

7. There is not one single way to get ANYWHERE on campus. All the sidewalks are like zigzags, so don’t waste your time standing at the crossroads wondering which route is faster. Just pick one and chances are you’ll get to class on time.

8. The quiet room in the library is a great place to study, especially when you don’t want to be bothered by tons of people making noise! However, if you’re a library-style-social-butterfly, the top floor is where you can study while you hang out with friends (hello, study groups!).

9. Take advantage of being able to sleep in (yes, sleeping until eight is considered sleeping in!) In the real, working world, you don’t get that luxury!

10. Take chances! Don’t be so risk averse that you miss out on all the fun and miss out on awesome memories. College life is the best kind, so make sure to enjoy it while you can, because it sure flies by!

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

-Ferris Bueller

Cherie Gambino Aerospace Engineering

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Cherie

Hello, everyone! I’m Cherie Gambino, an Embry-Riddle Prescott student from a small town in California. I came to this school for two reasons: Air Force ROTC and Engineering. So far, I’m loving my experiences here. The people are amazingly sweet, the campus is gorgeous and AFROTC is a blast. My best choice to date has been coming to this school.I think my overall favorite experiences have been climbing inside a wind tunnel, building rockets, and being able to tour the campus’s crash lab, all as a freshman student!

In my University 101 class, my professor allowed me to climb inside a wind tunnel because I had been begging him to let us tour them. It was also during this class that we toured the crash lab, which is basically a field full of old plane wreckage that is set up comparably to the original crashes so that students can study the sites and try to establish the probable causes of the crashes. Because of the University 101 class and other great freshman programs at Embry-Riddle, I have discovered so much about this campus and have met some incredible people who I am sure will become long lasting friends as I pursue my career as an engineering officer in the U.S. Air Force.

Prescott Campus

I encourage anyone who is interested in Embry-Riddle to tour the Prescott campus since it is simply beautiful here, there are many programs to explore, clubs to join, and facilities for students to use. Even though I had never toured the campus myself before my first day here, I have fallen in love with this school and also the state of AZ. Because I love this campus so much, I am very excited to have the opportunity to blog about my experiences as a freshman student of the Aerospace Engineering Program, Air Force ROTC, and Air Force ROTC Honor Guard. If you have any questions or would like to know more about me, feel free to ask. I am happy to share with anyone and would love to get to know more about you!

Adam Olimski, Freshman, BS Electrical Engineering

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Adam

Hey there, I am Adam Olimski, an Air Force ROTC freshmen cadet at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I am originally from Orange County, California but then I moved down to the beautiful beaches of sunny San Diego. My favorite hobbies are photography, going to the gym, and taking hikes. I made the big move to Embry-Riddle because of its outstanding reputation throughout the Air Force and community. I am currently studying Electrical Engineering and looking forward to my future, hopefully traveling the world with the Air Force.

Outside of my school work and Air Force ROTC, I am a participant in the AFROTC Honor Guard team. I do spend a lot of time and effort with the Honor Guard; it’s just one of those things you get addicted to. The Honor Guard team has helped me develop my character and my teammates have been there for me like best friends. Another thing I enjoy outside of campus life is the incredible nature. Taking hikes right across the street from my dorm is a great way to just relax and take in the fresh air. I do spend other free time hanging around the dorm playing my epiphone electric guitar with my friends. I also do go to the gym a lot, as I have always been a fitness guy. The gym is my favorite getaway next to hiking, photography and my guitar. Upon coming here I have learned a lot about living on your own. Within only three months of living here I have come to enjoy the life I lead here and appreciate more of everything I do on my own.

My hopes of this blog is to offer a better understanding of the life of a freshman at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and answer any questions you may have about the BIG move to college. Welcome to my blog.

Peter Davidson, Sophomore, BS Aerospace Engineering

Posted on November 5, 2012 by davidsp2

Hey reader! I’m Peter Davidson, a current sophomore here at Embry-Riddle. As much as I love this school, I wasn’t born here, so let me tell you a little bit about myself. I come from the chilly town of Hudson, Ohio (about 30 miles south of Cleveland). I made the 2000 mile trip all the way from Ohio to Prescott for a reason, and that reason was to become an amazing aerospace engineer. Besides working toward my degree in Aerospace Engineering, I am also an Air Force ROTC cadet, and I’m heavily involved with the cadet wing here at Embry-Riddle. I look forward to sharing my experiences as a student and cadet with you as the semester goes on!

Between my hours of studying and other activities, such as commander of the Det. 028 Honor Guard, I find the best ways to enjoy my free time. I have such a large group of close friends here at Embry Riddle, something unique that the atmosphere of Riddle provides. Whether it’s catching a movie, going to the famous Speed’s Deli, or hiking the dells, there is always something to do in Prescott for the adventurous!

I hope you will continue to read my blog as the year goes on. I will be giving you a firsthand account of what life is like here at Embry Riddle. You may find that some of my posts may be reflections of campus life, or perhaps they will be about what I learned in my classes, or simply what we did in Leadership Laboratory in AFROTC. Regardless of what the topics are, I hope you find them enjoyable to read and receive a genuine account of what it is like to attend Embry-Riddle Prescott. So read on about my experiences as they happen to me, and learn why I consider Riddle the perfect school for myself. Enjoy!

Jason Kopczynski, Junior, BS Aeronautical Science

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Jason

Hi! My name is Jason Kopczynski. I am from the awesome and sunny southern California, and I am definitely excited to be a junior here at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ! I am pursuing the Aeronautical Science major with a minor in Aviation Safety, as well as earning my flight certificates and ratings to include the Commercial license with the multi-engine and instrument ratings.

I also work in the Admissions Department as an Admissions Counselor Student Assistant and a Social Media Student Assistant. To add more fun into my college career, I am involved in a number of clubs like the Music club (drum line and jazz band), Air Line Pilots Association ACE club, Flight Safety Foundation. Additionally, I am the President of Catholic Campus Ministries and I am also an Assistant Scoutmaster in a local Boy Scout Troop here in Prescott.

I hope that you find what I do as a student as exciting as I am to live it! I also hope that you are able to learn more about what it is like to be an Aeronautical Science/flight student here at Embry-Riddle. Enjoy!

Maddie Roy, Junior, BS Global Security and Intelligence Studies

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Maddie

Hello there! My name is Maddie Roy, and I’m a native Prescottonian enjoying my junior year here at ERAU. I’m currently in the Global Security and Intelligence Studies (GSIS) program with a minor in Aviation Business Administration, and I’m also a helicopter flight student.

My journey leading up to this semester has been a little bit complicated. I took classes here at Embry-Riddle during my senior year of high school, including Introduction to GSIS. I then spent my freshman year at the University of Arizona in Tucson studying Engineering. That

My dad (left) and my flight instructor (right)

didn’t really work out for me so I decided to come back to study GSIS at Embry-Riddle, which I love. Coming from an aviation family and going to an aviation school rubbed off on me and I decided I wanted to get my private pilot license for airplanes, which I did this summer. That got me inspired about aviation and I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in aviation, but this time while flying helicopters! So I started helicopter training this fall and I couldn’t be happier. You might be wondering how I am going to fit that all into one career. To tell you the truth, I have been wondering the same thing. But I figure, being young and having these opportunities afforded to me, there is no better time to follow your passion.

When I’m not studying Chinese characters or memorizing emergency procedures, I like to take advantage of the abundance of activities that nature provides for us here in Prescott. I also work in the Admissions Department as a Tour Guide/Campus Ambassador, leading tours around our campus and flightline, and sometimes traveling to events with our admissions counselors. Having had a fairly unique college experience, I hope to be able to shed some light for those of you out there who are also coming to Embry-Riddle under a unique set of circumstances.