Meet the 2009-2010 Ambassadors
Joanna Ballesteros
Joanna is an agricultural education and communication junior from Clermont. She serves as Collegiate FFA Secretary and is a member of Block and Bridle, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and Sigma Alpha. Joanna plans to utilize and develop her skills as an agriculture educator to create awareness of the academic programs and opportunities in CALS.
Sarah Burleson
Sarah is a junior from Deltona majoring in agricultural education and communication with a specialization in education. She is a member of Collegiate Farm Bureau, Collegiate FFA and Alpha Tau Alpha Honor Society. Before coming to UF, Sarah served as the 2006-2007 Florida FFA State President. After graduation, she plans to teach agriculture in north Florida.
Kaleb Clyatt
Kaleb is a junior from Lake Butler majoring in food and resource economics with a specialization in international food and resource economics. Before transferring to UF, Kaleb completed his associate degree at Santa Fe College. For two years, Kaleb studied the effects of urbanization of Florida's agriculture land, analyzing the environmental, social and economic changes to agricultural communities over the past 50 years. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school and eventually work as an international representative for a major multinational agricultural firm. Kaleb loves to travel and has spent time in Uruguay and Brazil, volunteering in schools and aiding in the construction of local churches.
Kathleen Croy
An animal sciences junior from Clearwater, Kathleen plans to apply to veterinary school. She is a member of the Pre-Veterinary Club and is in charge of the club's intramural soccer team. Kathleen volunteers at the Alachua County Humane Society and the Equine Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UF's Large Animal Hospital. She spent a summer as a turtle care intern at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, helping rehabilitate turtles. Kathleen enjoys experiencing all areas of animal care and is exploring which aspect of veterinary medicine she would like to pursue. She wants to help people understand the beauty and importance of the animals she will work with in the future.
Lillie Emmelhainz
Lillie, a biology senior from Lake Butler, is a transfer student from Lake City Community College where she received her Associate of Arts as a high school student. Lillie hopes to attend medical school and become a surgeon. She enjoys mission work in her community and recently attended a mission trip to Nicaragua. She would love to pursue medical missions abroad following medical school. Lillie is a founder of UF's chapter of Global Medical Training, a volunteer in orthopedic pediatrics and a research assistant in orthopedic oncology at Shands. She is a member of a Christian sorority, Theta Alpha, CALS Leadership Institute and the CALS Honors Program.
Kenny Etienne
Kenny is a family, youth and community sciences senior. He is a transfer student from Santa Fe College where he served as student body president for the 2007-2008 academic year. Kenny currently serves on the Enhancing Black Leadership Committee. He plans to attend law school and aspires to go into public service. Kenny is from Coral Springs and graduated from J. P. Taravella High School. He loves making new friends and is always willing to help.
Stephanie Floyd
Stephanie Floyd is a junior from Lake Butler majoring in animal sciences with an animal biology specialization. She plans to attend dental school and later focus on oral surgery. Before transferring to UF, Stephanie completed her associate degree at Lake City Community College as a dual-enrolled student. She is active in Harmony Freewill Baptist Church where she leads Junior's Church and contributes to special music. Stephanie also works part time at the Union County Public Library in Lake Butler where she has the opportunity to serve others on a daily basis.
Whitney Forrester
Whitney is a food science and human nutrition junior from Ocala specializing in nutritional sciences. She is currently working as a phlebotomist for Munroe Regional Medical Center and aspires to go to physician's assistant school. Whitney hopes to work in the mission field in developing countries. She is a member of UF Campus Crusade for Christ and attends Central Christian Church in Ocala. Whitney's passions include playing the piano, flute, guitar and violin.
Stephanie Gillespie
Stephanie is a biology senior from Tampa with an English minor. An aspiring medical student, she participates in undergraduate research in the entomology and nematology department under Dr. Christine Miller. Stephanie has volunteered at Shands Hospital where she spent time in both the Pediatric Specialty Clinic and Core Lab. Stephanie also completed the UF Honors Program and is currently in the CALS Honors Program.
Nina Guba
A microbiology and cell science and psychology junior from Groveland, Nina hopes to attend dental school at UF. Nina has served as Gator Collegiate CattleWomen Treasurer and is active in Block and Bridle Club, the Pre-Dental American Student Dental Association and Gator Christian Life. Her interest in agriculture stems from her family's traditional farming lifestyle and her personal love for animals. Nina is excited about sharing her passion for agriculture and encouraging others to discover the opportunities that await them in CALS.
Angela Guttmann
Angela is a junior from Pensacola majoring in plant science with a sustainable crop production specialization and French and agricultural and natural resource law minors. She is the UF Agronomy and Soils Club Treasurer and serves as the 2009 Students of Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Sciences National Treasurer. Angela hopes to pursue a law degree to work towards better agriculture policies.
Crystal Hale
Crystal Hale is a senior and transfer student from Santa Fe College. She is from Alachua and is majoring in animal sciences with a beef cattle specialization and an extension education minor. Crystal served the Florida Cattlemen's Association as its 2006-2007 FCA Sweetheart. She is a member of the Alachua County Cattlemen's Association and volunteers with the Alachua County Youth Fair and Livestock Show. Crystal is currently Sigma Alpha Vice President. She is co-owner of a commercial cow-calf operation in northern Alachua County.
Rusty Hartline
Rusty is an agricultural education and communication junior from Plant City with a communication and leadership development specialization. He is active in his fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho. Rusty is co-president of Agricultural Communicators and Leaders of Tomorrow, a club he became involved in as a freshman. As well as serving CALS, Rusty is working with the National FFA Organization as a National Collegiate Agricultural Ambassador. He hopes to increase awareness and support for the agricultural industry and inform students about the opportunities CALS has to offer.
Kristen Kovalsky
A food and resource economics senior from Winter Springs, Kristen is specializing in agribusiness marketing and management with a minor in agricultural communication. This is her third year serving as a CALS ambassador. Kristen is also involved in the National Student Agri-Marketing Association, Alpha Zeta, American Agricultural Economics Association Quiz Bowl and the Agricultural Economics Club. In 2009, she participated in the annual NAMA student marketing competition in which the team became national champions for the second year in a row! As a CALS Ambassador, Kristen enjoys helping students find a field of study they are passionate about. She plans to obtain a master's degree in agribusiness and would like to pursue a career in marketing.
Bernie LeFils
Bernie is a food and resource economics junior from Deltona. He is the vice noble ruler of recruitment for his fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho. Bernie has served as the president of the Block and Bridle Club and Collegiate Florida Farm Bureau. He is an active member of the CALS Alumni and Friends Board of Directors, Florida Cattleman's Association, and Golden Key International Honor Society. Bernie plans to increase awareness of agriculture as well as opportunities available to CALS students.
Whitney Luster
Whitney is a junior from Lakeland majoring in food science and human nutrition with a nutritional sciences specialization. She aspires to become a physician and affect change in her community by improving the well-being of others. Currently, Whitney is involved in the American Student Dental Association, Beta Eta Sigma Honor Society and Black Student Union where she serves as a mentor. Whitney attended the 7th Annual James E. Scott Student Leadership Conference, gaining valuable lessons on how to improve her leadership abilities. She hopes to work on the planning committee for the conference in the future. Whitney is actively involved in her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Kelin Maciejewski
Kelin is an animal sciences junior from DeBary with an animal biology specialization. She enjoys assisting the USDA with studies preventing the spread of invasive Florida mammals and reptiles. Kelin works with state police agencies to prevent drug and alcohol abuse among teenagers and young adults. She is the Alpha Zeta Censor and is a Pre-Vet Club member. Kelin also enjoys working with UF College of Veterinary Medicine researchers and faculty, capturing endangered Florida manatees in Crystal River to perform annual health assessments. As a CALS Ambassador, Kelin hopes to serve as a role model to students and to represent the many possible career paths available in the agricultural industry.
Averiel McKenzie
Averiel is a senior from Plantation majoring in food and resource economics with a marketing and management specialization. He served as the 2007-2008 Santa Fe College Student Body Judicial Secretary and Black Student Union President. After graduation, Averiel plans to pursue a Master of Business Administration. As a CALS Ambassador, he plans to inform future students and families about the opportunities CALS has to offer.
Keri Milligan
Keri is an agricultural education and communication senior from Middleburg. She is Collegiate FFA President and is actively involved with Baptist Collegiate Ministries and Alpha Tau Alpha. Keri has served on the BCM Leadership Team and as undergraduate president for Alpha Tau Alpha. After graduation, she hopes to become an agricultural educator in north Florida. As a CALS Ambassador, Keri plans to inform future gators as well as current students about the opportunities in CALS. Keri is student teaching this spring at Lafayette High School.
Erin Mullen
Erin is an animal sciences senior from Umatilla with an animal biology specialization. She is involved with a UF College of Veterinary Medicine research project focusing on equine reproduction. Erin aspires to be a large animal veterinarian with a focus on food animal medicine. She is enrolled in the CALS Upper Division Honors Program and has been on the CALS Dean's List. Erin is a member of Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority, Golden Key International Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Kayla O'Steen
Kayla is a senior from Lake Butler majoring in food and resource economics with a natural resources, environmental economics and policy minor. She is a member of Baptist Collegiate Ministries where she serves as the women's ministry team leader. Kayla is a member of North Central Baptist Church where she is a member of the choir and helps direct the preschool choir. Kayla has traveled to Nicaragua and Brazil on mission trips.
Brady Revels
Brady is a junior from Bushnell majoring in agricultural education and communication with leadership and agricultural law minors. He is a member of Collegiate FFA, Dairy Science Club and Alpha Tau Alpha. Before coming to UF, Brady served as the 2005-2006 Florida FFA State President and later served as the 2007-2008 Southern Region Vice President National FFA Officer. Brady plans on being involved in increasing awareness of the agricultural industry as well as opportunities available to CALS students. His career goal is to be involved in agricultural education as a teacher or policy maker.
Victor J. Rosado
Victor is a senior from Miami majoring in landscape and nursery horticulture with a management specialization. He transferred from Valencia Community College where he served as student body president of the Osceola campus for the 2006-2007 academic year. He is Environmental Horticulture Club Treasurer. As an avid horticulturalist, Victor competed in maintenance operations and landscape plant installation events in the Professional Landcare Network's Student Career Days in 2008 and 2009. He hopes to inform others of the importance of agriculture as a global industry with an extensive appeal that spans beyond its traditional foundations.
Erika "Rikki" Schwarz
Rikki is an animal sciences junior from Parkland with an animal biology specialization and an African studies minor. She is an Alpha Zeta member and a Hoffman Equine Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Volunteer. Rikki is a peer minister and mission trip coordinator at University Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry. She is also a research assistant in the UF College of Veterinary Medicine's Aquatic Animal Health Program where she is working on projects pertaining to the Florida manatee immune system. Rikki is a lifelong equestrian and enjoys spending time with her two horses. She plans to pursue a large animal medicine career and hopes to work with international livestock development and sustainable community development agencies.
Melissa Short
Melissa is a food and resource economics junior from Alachua with an agribusiness marketing and management specialization and an agriculture and natural resource law minor. She is a returning CALS Ambassador who had the opportunity to travel to Egypt last summer with the program. Melissa is Agricultural Economics Club President, a member of the 2009 National Champion NAMA team, and a part-time employee for her family business, Florida Green Keepers Inc. She cherishes time spent with family and friends; loves riding her horse Candia; and enjoys working cattle, hunting and fishing. Melissa plans to pursue a master's degree in agribusiness and will eventually take over her family business along with her brother.
Carmen Danielle Smith
Carmen Danielle is a senior from Tallahassee majoring in agricultural education and communication with a communication and leadership development specialization. She is a member in SAVANT UF leadership honorary and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Carmen's interest in leadership and gerontology influence her long- and short-term goals. After graduation, Carmen Danielle plans to attend graduate school with plans to become a health care administrator, specializing in nursing home care management.
Julie Smith
Julie is a food and resource economics senior from Bronson specializing in food and agribusiness marketing and management. She has been a member of the National and Florida Association of Realtors since 2006 and practices with her family's business, Prudential Preferred Properties, in Bronson where she plans to continue working after graduation. Julie also works at Abercrombie and Fitch as a model and sales associate and is a member of the Ag Economics Club.
Sabrina Solorzano
Sabrina is a biology senior from Miami with plans to attend medical school. She is a member of Premedical AMSA and was proud to represent UF at the AMSA annual national convention. This summer, Sabrina visited her ancestral country, Nicaragua, where she worked closely with local medical staff in offering medical primary care to the people of Masaya. The educational experience, sponsored by International Service Learning, has been one which has reinforced and deepened her passion for the medical profession. Sabrina also has a passion for the arts and volunteered for Arts in Medicine at Shands Hospital this fall.
Ana Tapia
A natural resource conservation senior from the Tampa Bay area, Ana spent last summer in her native Costa Rica working in one of the botanical gardens, helping in student research and landscaping. She is active in a variety of organizations on campus, including Florida Alternative Breaks and as a resident assistant. As a CALS Ambassador, Ana hopes to continue educating the public through dedicated service.
Morgan Taylor
Morgan is a senior from Sebring majoring in agricultural education and communication with a communication and leadership development specialization. She has served as the alumni relations chair and new member educator for her sorority, Sigma Alpha. Morgan has also served as president and treasurer for Agricultural Communicators and Leaders of Tomorrow. She currently serves as Agricultural and Life Sciences College Council Public Relations Director and is a member of Alpha Tau Alpha Honor Society. Morgan has interned with Congressman Adam Putnam’s Washington D.C. Office and the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. After graduation, she plans to continue promoting Florida agriculture.
Matthew VanScoter
Matthew is a senior from Orlando majoring in food and resource economics with an agribusiness marketing and management specialization. He transferred from Santa Fe College where he gained leadership experience as a Santa Fe Student Ambassador and completed his associate degree in business administration. Matthew has been actively involved with UF Campus Crusade for three years and is a member of the Student Investment Club. He has worked for three years as a stock associate at Publix Supermarkets where he is interested in seeking a position in the marketing division after college. Matthew's favorite quote comes from the book of Jeremiah (17:7), "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence."
Johanna Wilkes
A food and resource economics junior raised in Sarasota, Johanna is pursuing a minor in international development and humanitarian assistance. She is a transfer student from Santa Fe College where she was the Senate President Pro-Tempore and Scientific Exploration Society Vice President. As a Canadian citizen, Johanna frequently travels home to visit her family and spend time with friends. After graduation, she plans to enlist in the Volunteer Service Organization to volunteer in humanitarian aid overseas and would like to work towards a career in the United Nations.