Blair Troop, a 20-year-old mechanical engineering student, inspires school spirit by dressing up as a Stormtrooper from “Star Wars.” Troop wears his armor, painted the UCF colors of black and gold, at various school events to rally the crowds and encourage a sense of tradition among students.

Story by Katie Lewis, Amanda Palmeira, Samantha Rosenthal and Pamela Wanderley

Two men from opposite sides of the world ended up living in the same swamp in the middle of nowhere — and they’re both giving each other hell. Robert King fights to preserve the rural Black Hammock, a community 10 miles north of UCF, from being consumed into the rest of the urban sprawl of East Orlando while Joel Martin, owner of Black Hammock Airboat Adventures, keeps the tourists coming back. Both want to preserve the Black Hammock for different reasons but one thing is for sure: the Hammock is changing one way or another for good.

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Gemini Blvd., UCF’s only co-ed a cappella group, belted their way into history this past semester after they made an appearance at a regional semifinal contest, becoming the first group to represent UCF at the competition. But after a disappointing finish, they look ahead to the group’s future as the freshmen arrive and the seniors say goodbye.

Story by Jason Clary, Johnathan Kuntz, Dany Son and Kyle Warnke

Kylie Koscoe, owner and Chief Mad Scientist at Mad Science, a science program that teaches kids about science and related fields through hands-on experiments, uses her previous acting experience and love of science to help kids understand certain topics they might not be able to learn and interact with in school because of budget concerns. With a limited theater scene in Orlando, Koscoe, who majored in theater at Hollins University in Roanoke, Va., had trouble finding any solid acting jobs. However, she stumbled upon Mad Science, which has allowed her to combine her love for theater and science, something [...] Continue Reading…

Jeff Sonksen is the artist behind the ever-expanding mural on Seminole Wekiva Trail in Longwood. Sonksen is an unemployed cabinetmaker, who paints the portraits at his Longwood home and displays them on a fence owned by his parents, Larry and Mary Gerry. After months of not getting a phone call for work, Sonksen began painting to keep busy during the economic downturn. Sonksen is a self-taught painter who never studied art, and never seeks attention from the trail. Sonksen has transformed the fence along the trail into a gallery of movie stars, musicians, artists, athletes, and historical figures [...] Continue Reading…

Former residential architect Mark Burginger had envisioned his idea for Qubits, a construction toy, around the time he was in college, but it wasn’t until he lost his job during the recession less than five years ago that he and his wife went forward with this vision for a toy. Burginger and his family had previously marketed Qubits, which can bend and snap together to create many three-dimensional figures, in their hometown, Bend, Ore., but they decided that the Orlando market would allow for more potential and success. Now living in Oviedo, Fla., just outside Orlando, Burginger, with [...] Continue Reading…

Two UCF seniors struggle to make waves with their business start-up, a waterboard production company based out of their garage, as they face stiff competition from rival retailers.

Story by Andrea Fuguet, Samantha Rosenthal, Tyler Vazquez and Kyle Warnke

The marksmanship NJROTC team at Oviedo High School redefined the stereotype of a great shot when the all-girl team became National Champions. Leaving behind a growing team that had become family to them, the girls headed off to the Grand National Championship in Anniston, Ala. closer than ever.

Story by Meagan Cahuasqui, Lurvin Fernandez and Emon Reiser