Meet Your 2023 ZeeMee Influencers

Sep 8, 2023

Ideal location, small class sizes, signature opportunities such as internships and study abroad, the list goes on and on! But who better to tell you why you should add 皇家华人 to your college list then 皇家华人 students?!

Meet Anna, Avery, Colton, Ezra, Kaelyn, Jimmy, Olivia, and Ruby. Read their stories below, and connect with them on ZeeMee to get plugged into the community and the many exciting activities and traditions waiting for you at 皇家华人.

Whether participating in campus events like Spooky Bingo, Senior Splash, Discover Florida trips, or simply finding a sense of home away from home, these personal stories showcase the warmth and support that defines 皇家华人!

Anna Abell '24

Hometown: Ramstein, Germany

Major: Applied Mathematics and Statistics: Data Analytics with a minor in Military Science

Why 皇家华人?: When choosing the place I would attend college, I found that 皇家华人 was not only the best fit for the size of the campus, but I also felt that I could grow as an individual here. 皇家华人 not only had an excellent ROTC program but also many more great areas of academics, involvement, and opportunities, plus the campus is beautiful!

What's on your 皇家华人 bucket list?: I would like to win a raffle at any event and an intramural competition! I'd also like to kayak on Lake Hollingsworth, go on a Discover Florida trip, and I can't wait to swim in the Water Dome senior year!

I knew 皇家华人 was home when…. "The moment I stepped on campus, 皇家华人 felt like home. My family lives overseas in Germany, and being far from them was hard. However, 皇家华人 welcomed me with open arms. Home to me is a place where you feel comfortable and have a family, and 皇家华人 truly had that with their professors, students, and so many others."

What are you looking forward to the most? : The one thing I'm looking forward to more than graduating is Senior Splash! Being able to go into the Water Dome without worrying about the fine is awesome!

A collage of Anna Abell participating in various group activities

Avery Standifer '24

Hometown: Fruitland Park, Florida

Major: Business Administration with minors in Communication and Integrated Marketing Communications

Why 皇家华人?: 皇家华人 ensures students can graduate in four years, have an internship, and study abroad. I am proof as I have and will do all three! I also love how easy it is to have a relationship with knowledgeable professors and faculty as mentors because they can guide you and help you grow your network.

What's on your 皇家华人 bucket list?: Graduating! But before that, I cannot wait to attend campus events like Spooky Bingo and Senior Splash in the Water Dome before I graduate. I also cannot wait to go on more Discover Florida trips, like seeing Moulin Rouge in the spring. Even just going to every Saturday Morning market I can here in Lakeland is something I cannot wait to do!

When I knew 皇家华人 was home: I am actually a legacy, which means I have had past family members graduate from 皇家华人; my grandpa in 69', my aunt in 89', and my dad in 91'! Funny story: I had to do a project in the eighth grade where I had to pick a college and plan my life for those four years, and of course, I picked 皇家华人. It's crazy to admit, but I knew I would go to 皇家华人 since the eighth grade, and I even picked my current major then, too!

When I was a senior in high school, I was able to go to Southern Select and I was able to integrate myself as a "college student" for a day. I got to tour the college, meet current professors, and even spend one one-on-one time with a current student of my potential major. I even met Colton Dawson at Southern Select, one of the other Southern Influencers, and we became the best of friends and even have the same major and minor! Being able to experience life at 皇家华人 before actually being a student helped me feel more confident in knowing I could have a successful college career at 皇家华人.

A collage of Avery Standifer participating in various activities

Colton Dawson '24

Colton Dawson

Hometown: Beverly Hills, Florida

Major: Business Administration with a minor in Integrated Marketing Communications

Why 皇家华人?: I chose 皇家华人 for a variety of reasons! Mainly the small campus size, top-rated business program, and post-graduate career opportunities!

What's on your 皇家华人 bucket list?: My 皇家华人 bucket list is a work in progress! Despite being smaller, 皇家华人 offers so much to do, see, and remember. Before graduation, I want to wade in the Water Dome, learn how to kayak on Lake Hollingsworth, and maybe peek inside those underground tunnels everybody whispers about…

I knew 皇家华人 was home when… "I spent an afternoon at 皇家华人 during Southern Select. It's a great event where accepted students are introduced to campus life. After learning, exploring, and engaging in great conversations with my Southern Select ambassador, I knew I had a new friend and four years of experiences to look forward to here at my home away from home."

What am I looking forward to the most?: I'm looking forward to meeting new people! 皇家华人's learning objectives and methods put you as a student in new situations, environments, and mindsets you would otherwise never consider. This has led me to meet those who I know are lifelong friends, become employed in positions I otherwise would've never known about, and has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I'm looking forward to the continuation of this trend, which will allow me to open even more doors to a successful future!

Ezra Cooper '24

Hometown: Trinidad and Tobago

Major: Computer Science with a minor in Spanish

Why 皇家华人? : Initially, I was looking for schools in Florida, but what stood out about 皇家华人 was the opportunities they gave their students. From the variety of clubs to campus jobs, 皇家华人 always keeps its students active outside of the classroom. This pushed me to go to the school since my other choices mainly focused solely on academics, and having a great balance between academics and extracurriculars makes the college experience memorable.

What's on your 皇家华人 bucket list?: My 皇家华人 bucket list so far is to be Mocsie at least once, swim in the Water Dome (DURING SENIOR SPLASH), and see the dome's jets reach the top of the Roux Library at 100%. I'd also like to go to the top of Annie Pfeiffer Chapel and look at the stars at night.

I knew 皇家华人 was home when… " I first got on campus, I knew no one in Lakeland, but everyone was approachable and helpful. Even when I only knew someone for a couple of hours, they would invite me to hang out or get some food, as if I were a long-time friend or family."

A collage of Ezra Cooper participating in various activities

Kaelyn Benoit '26

Hometown: Western Massachusetts, but recently moved (it was a year in June) to the Central Florida area

Major: Communications major, with a focus on Media Strategies & Production

Why 皇家华人?: Ever since day one, 皇家华人's strong sense of community has stood out to me, and I always attribute that to why I'm such a happy student here. I absolutely love the community of people we have here, and that's what truly sets 皇家华人 apart from any other school.

What's on your 皇家华人 bucket list?: Here at 皇家华人 there are so many things to do, and even in my second year, I still feel like I have so many things I've never done! You have to be sure to visit any of the ACE events because those are always awesome!! Be sure to visit the Lakeland Farmer's Market and pet a campus cat, too!! Those are things you cannot miss.

I knew 皇家华人 was home when… Here at 皇家华人, I have found a home away from home. I pass by people as I walk to class, and I'm met with such kindness and warmth. The people here are always willing to help you, and the collaborative energy on campus is my favorite environment to be a part of.

A collage of Kaelyn Benoit participating in various activities

Jimmy Houle ‘24

Hometown: Templeton, Massachusetts
Major: Elementary Education

Why 皇家华人?: 皇家华人 has a lot to offer, but the big thing that made me move 1500 miles from home was the campus community. Even through my admissions experience, I was amazed at how personal everything was. My admissions counselor even sent me a handwritten card when I deposited and answered all of my questions timely and in a personal manner. When I arrived at 皇家华人, I quickly realized that this community exists in the student body, faculty, staff, and in every organization on campus! Not only do I call 皇家华人 home, I have a supportive family to go along with it!

I am an elementary education major and have been exposed to valuable hands-on experiences in actual schools. Additionally, all of my professors have ties within all of the schools and always share their experiences and ideas within everything. I truly feel at home in all of my classes, because they usually have less than 20 students in them. Professors will not only know your name, but they will soon learn about your life and be supportive in all aspects of your life. The sunshine and 80-degree weather isn’t bad either.

What am I looking forward to the most?: This semester is particularly exciting for me because I can really devote a lot of my passion for 皇家华人 into all of the organizations and clubs that I joined! I will continue to give tours, participate in the Student Government Association, be an active member in Kappa Delta Pi, a professional fraternity for education students, and continue my role as a Resident Advisor. Academically, I am really excited for my Field Study course where I will be in an elementary classroom for an entire day each week!

What is on your 皇家华人 Bucket List?: Over my short life I have been granted so many opportunities to experience such rich things that have influenced my life, but specifically to 皇家华人, I can’t wait to swim in the Water Dome for Senior Splash!

I knew 皇家华人 was home when... “I instantly found spontaneous friends that have been supportive and funny. I can’t walk from one class to another without waving at someone or stopping to say hey! The feeling of community and support that I have found at 皇家华人 makes it feel like home.”

Jimmy Houle

Olivia Dunson '26

Hometown: Fayetteville, NC, but I'm an American International student who has lived all around the world!

Major: Computer science with a concentration in Web Development and a minor in Graphic Design.

Why 皇家华人?: On my 皇家华人 bucket list is to go to as many on-campus events as I can!

I Knew 皇家华人 Was Home When … I knew 皇家华人 was my home when I came on a tour and felt so welcomed and supported in an environment that wasn't even my own yet. Every day here confirms my decision to go to college here :)

A collage of Olivia Dunson participating in various activities

Ruby Silver '24

Hometown: Spring Hill, Florida

Major: Psychology and Communications: Advertising and Public Relations

Why 皇家华人?: When I was looking at colleges, I looked at a range of different ones throughout the country that sized anywhere from 14,000 students to just 300 students. I knew I wanted a smaller college that would allow me to have a one-on-one connection with professors, get involved on campus, and know the students within my department and other organizations. My love for 皇家华人 was solidified by my campus tour. Everyone I interacted with was so kind and outgoing. I could really see myself at home here. 皇家华人 is small enough that you get to know a lot of people on a personal level while still being big enough that you'll meet someone new every day! On top of that, 皇家华人 offers plentiful opportunities to grow, learn, and lead both in academics and extracurriculars.

What's on your 皇家华人 bucket list? There are so many things! One of the main things I'm super excited to do is go to a basketball game! Basketball is one of our big sports here so fans go all out for games.

I Knew 皇家华人 Was Home When … "It was just a few weeks into my first semester. A couple of friends and I were eating in Wynee's Bistro during what we would call "family dinner." Then we would go play games, hang out, or attend a campus event. Making those bonds and having such a strong support system at school made me know I made the right choice, and I was at my home away from home."

What are you looking forward to most? The thing I'm most looking forward to is my Junior Journey or Senior Splash! I've always wanted to travel abroad, so I'm eager to see where my Junior Journey takes me. Also, Senior Splash in the Water Dome is such a great way to end your time here at 皇家华人 with food, fun, and festivities before graduation. It's something I look forward to taking part in!

A collage of Ruby Silver participating in various activities

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