Honorable Mention Winner
Bryan Wooten
Central Florida Community College
Sophomore in Mechanical Engineering
3.67 GPA
     Inspired by his aunt, a teacher, and his FFA advisor in high school, Bryan Wooten, 20, got involved at an early age. Even before his arrival at CFCC, Wooten planned to make a difference. "My goal has been to make myself more available to the students at CFCC by being more involved," Wooten says.
     "Bryan is the kind of student you love to have around," says Vanessa Baxley, student leadership development coordinator. "He has a natural leadership style which allows him to work very well with an organization."
     Since politics are an area of great interest for Wooten, he serves as the governmental issues chair for the Student Activities Board. His responsibilities include making the student body aware of issues that directly affect them. "Bryan sets high standards for himself, both academically and socially, and has demonstrated great service to others," says Rep. Cliff Stearns. "He’s a true example, not only for his peers, but also for his community." Wooten is extremely proud that he registered more than 200 students and faculty members to vote in local and national elections. His campaign included a campuswide mailing, a registration drive, and a candidate-information table. "I made available to them on campus, information about the candidates and issues before them," Wooten says. "I feel as though I’ve made a significant impact by bringing educated and well-informed students to the polls."
     As a senior math tutor, Wooten helps students who would otherwise be struggling in the subject. "By giving students one-on-one instruction, I can communicate effectively, help build their confidence and thus, their self esteem," Wooten says. Before he began helping in the lab, attendance was rather stagnant; however, numbers have gone up because Wooten constantly tells people that even though CFCC doesn't have labs for physics and chemistry, most of the tutors can help with those subjects as well. His tutoring abilities don't stop on campus. Wooten also gives his time to younger members of his church, students at several local high schools, and even teachers looking to pass the Graduate Record Examinations.
     Outside school, Wooten focuses on helping his grandmother with her local Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis support group. ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease strikes home for Wooten, because his uncle has the disease. Wooten is trying to educate more people about ALS. "I have given presentations in three of my classes and helped students in the nursing program to better understand the disease," Wooten says. "Although people may be trapped in a body that may not work with them anymore doesn't mean they can't make a positive impact on our lives and our communities."
     Two part-time jobs and a Florida Bright Futures scholarship cover Wooten's scholastic fees, while his parents and grandparents pay transportation costs.
Contact Wooten at woo_47@yahoo.com.