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Best Multiple Personality
     Florida A&M University students never know what to expect from Venom the team mascot, because his behavior depends on who’s in the costume. In past years, only one student got to don the wardrobe, but currently five students share the role of the university crowd pleaser. "So many want to participate that FAMU is considering introducing a lady snake or a baby Venom next year," says Delores Dupont-Randolph, SGA business manager. Because Venom’s main goal is to keep the crowd pumped, the scaly reptile does everything from dancing with the cheerleaders to making up his own chants while slithering around the band.

Best Greek Week
     Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students found a great way to have a blast and contribute to the community all at once. Along with tug-of-war and limbo contests, Greek Week gave students a few laughs with the kickoff of an Ugly Man on Campus contest. Twelve fraternities and sororities voted on which picture was the most disturbing, raising $2,650 for the contestants’ favorite charities. After competing in the human-pyramid challenge and the four-man relay race, there was no escaping a few cuts and bruises. For those who made it unmarked, their heads still had to suffer some from the baseball-bat spin experience—a classic event in which students place their foreheads on the end of a bat and run in a circle. A chariot race wrapped up the festivities. Instead of a carriage, one lucky person sat in a shopping cart, while three others huffed and puffed it to the finish line. "Although it was raining, we still had 250 people cheering each other on," says Brian Lutz, student activities assistant.

Greenest School
     Students at Saint Leo University are nothing but a bunch of puttheads. All enrollees receive a free round of golf each week at the Abbey Golf Course across the street from the school, which also is used by the university’s golf teams for practice and competition. According to Meredith Elorfi, director of public relations, it’s a perk worth $20 weekly but also has more to offer students than just recreation. "The biggest advantage of St. Leo’s management of the course is the work opportunities it presents to students, who now have a new on-campus venue for gaining real work experience," Elorfi says.

Best Hay Day
     What’s unique about students traveling to different cities to volunteer at a nursing home? Ten Palm Beach Atlantic College students discovered how uncommon one of these experiences could be when they visited the Retirement Home for Horses in Alachua for a weekend. "They spent time with all types of horses that were malnourished, rescued from research facilities, retired from the police department, or abused," says Louise Lopez, regional projects coordinator. By grooming and feeding the animals, the students contributed to the founders’ motto of creating a safe and tranquil haven for old, abused, or neglected horses.

Best Campus Tradition
     A bunch of students goofing off in the fountain in front of the administration building sounds like trouble. However, at the University of Central Florida, students are encouraged to get wet and wild at "Spirit Splash." For five years, the Friday before the big homecoming game has been reserved for a pep rally at the school’s Reflecting Pond, where attendees dive into the cold water. "So many students show up for the event," says Jean Holt, student activities program coordinator. "I’ve even seen people put their dogs into the pond." The band, cheerleaders, athletes, and dancers all come out to help boost spirit. Holt says the administrators didn’t think the event would be so successful, but now they come out and participate.

Best College Town
     Yes, it’s spring-break headquarters, but Daytona Beach is also home to approximately 17,000 students from Daytona Beach Community College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Bethune-Cookman College, and Keiser College. "Because there are several institutions, there’s a variety of academic programs," says Bruce Cook, director of student activities. "There’s everything from a specialized school, ERAU, to general liberal arts education at DBCC’s UCF branch, and Bethune-Cookman College which is a historically minority school." Students not only benefit from living in this city, but Daytona Beach is also rewarded. "Having so many colleges and universities in such a small area is tremendous for the town," says Mike Jiloty, vice president of special events in tourism for the Daytona Beach area chamber of commerce. "Students and their families visit the city and leave with fond memories to tell when they go home, which is wonderful for our tourism and economical markets."
     Aside from having a wide variety of school choices, the area’s also packed with plenty of recreational options. One of the town’s hangouts is Adventure Landing, an arcade, go-cart track, and water park all in one. The different diversions offer several price packages, so students surviving on a ramen-noodle budget won’t worry about going broke over a day of fun. Baja Beach Club and the Ocean Deck are also a few of the 10 major nighttime establishments students flock to after dark.
     Some people continue their education to expand their minds. Maybe that’s why so many high school graduates decide to pack their bags and travel to Daytona Beach. Students can attend the Florida International Festival during July to listen to the London Symphony Orchestra and gaze at the ballet dancers. Others may prefer to visit the Museum of Arts and Sciences’ planetarium or learn historical facts at the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse. "There are many students who study or are interested in classical music, and they really enjoy the city’s tie to the London Symphony Orchestra," says Jeffrey Ledewitz, ERAU vice president of student life. "We even get them discounted tickets."
     Although this area offers many activities for students, the place to be still remains down on the sand or in the waves. Students obviously think about the beach when choosing a school, Ledewitz says. "It also attracts students who are very active in the environment." This free amusement park can also be a quiet study spot or just somewhere to relax and watch the waves when academic stress builds.

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