Honorable Mention Winner
Rachel Russo
University of Central Florida
Junior in Forensic Science
3.95 GPA

“Where do I begin?” This is probably the thought that goes through the minds of most people when talking about Rachel Russo, 18. When Russo came to the University of Central Florida last fall, she carried a truckload of community projects and club involvement, not to mention more than 50 Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate credits that allowed her to start college as a junior.

“Striving to know the answer, she was my most inquisitive and dedicated student,” says James Bobbitt, IB teacher at Pensacola High School. “She lives for a challenge.”

For most people there’s a transitional phase to go through when starting college, but Russo’s pace never slowed. In fact, she took it up a notch since enrolling at UCF. Russo, a forensic science major, has established an environmental society specifically grounded in beach preservation. “I organized the campus environmental clubs towards one goal: a letter writing campaign to advise the governor of our distress,” says Russo. Since starting “Citizens for the Sea,” a local statute has been passed, prohibiting the importation of colored sand and clay to preserve the white beaches, a several-acre dune reserve has been created to protect endangered species, and numerous protests against Chevron’s offshore drilling have been organized.

Russo’s love of the beach stems further than just protection. Russo, a member of the National Scholastic Surfing Association Women's Division, is doing her part to make surfing more suitable for women, including starting the UCF women’s surf club. “I’m working on a surfboard designed especially for the needs of women surfers,” Russo says. “The current designs cater best to men’s center of gravity and arm strength.”

It doesn’t stop there for Russo. For her fall semester service project, Russo organized a campus-wide Hunger and Homeless Awareness Banquet, raising nearly $1,000 from students alone. “At the banquet, students were told at the door to choose a colored ticket, each of which corresponded to a particular economic class in the actual world proportion,” Russo says. Seats ranged from a five-course meal on fine china to sitting with fake rats and sharing a bowl of rice between five other people. “To conclude, we had local homeless [people] speak about their experience and a documentary to demonstrate how students can make a difference,” Russo says.

All of Russo’s experiences have been afforded to her thanks to the myriad of scholarships she has earned, along with some additional money from a part-time job. “Although I only graduated high school last summer, I feel that I have already begun to make a difference in my university and new community,” Russo says. “I hope to continue to have such a positive influence on society wherever I reside.” RG

Contact Russo at rmr04478@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu