FAU Blind Student, Sees Everything in Her Own Way

If you go to FAU, chances are you have seen a girl using a guide stick to make her way around campus. Her name is Annmarie Bedard, a junior at FAU. Bedard was born 17 weeks premature and diagnosed with retinopathy at 2 months causing complete blindness in her left eye.  Although doctors had little hope for her when she was born, she is now a self-sufficient student that requires very little help.

If you weren't already impressed you can read more about Bedard and her struggles at the Universty Press Online and their article title "Success Beyond Sight."

FAU Musician Releases New Single "Go"

Jamal Bonaparte, also know as Dheft, is an FAU sophomore and a recording artist. Dheft was discovered after displaying his talents in a local singing competition.

According to Dheft's  website, he is a solo artist who expresses his own vibe through instruments, including piano, viola and guitar. Dheft began singing at an early age. "Coming from a family of musicians it was a very easy transition from initial speech to melodic vocals," said Dheft. 

Dheft has performed in clubs all over South Florida, including Miami, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. He has also performed in locations like Tennessee, Naples, and Key West.

You can keep up with Dheft's music at these sites:

• Facebook: Search Dheft
• Official Website
• MySpace
• Twitter

FAU on MTV

The popular TV network MTV recently came to FAU. It wasn't to feature FAU, but FAU sophomore and business major Kristy Myer. Myer was on a show called "Is she Really Going Out With Him?" The show was inspired by the popular website "Hot Chicks with Douchebags."

According to MTV, "the show aims to tear down the mystery behind pop culture's unexplainable phenomenon: beautiful and innocent who fall for overly tanned, self-absorbed douchebags."

Kristy started on this show with boyfriend Vinny Nocera and a cast of mutual friends. Nocera was titled a "Gamecock" because he seems to have a fixation with with being like a peacock.

Myer spent the episode arguing with Nocera over the common relationship problem, his friends. Myer told me that she had a great time filming the show. "Having cameras follow us around was fun and it was really cool to see ourselves on TV," said Myer.

Her episode aired once in January and is set to air again on Mar. 1, at 6 p.m, on MTV.
To check-out the full episode click here.

FAU Tennis Player Find Succes on YouTube

A popular trend in the collegiate sport world is to post YouTube videos of yourself demonstrating your talent. But what sets this athlete apart from the rest is that she has been given a scholarship to play tennis at FAU.

Dominique Wimmer is a sophomore from Guntramsdorf, Austria, and started playing when she was around 6. Wimmer has won a number of International Championships, but that wasn't enough for coaches in the United States. Wimmer said, "Coaches search for videos there, and all the coaches I spoke with wanted to see a video, so I posted them on YouTube instead of sending in a hard copy."

Wimmer said she has really enjoyed this experience and considers this a great opportunity. "We don't have a University system in Europe, with athletic scholarships, like the U.S."  Wimmer finds Florida to be the perfect place to play tennis and even finds her classes interesting. 

To watch videos of Wimmer, click here.

FAU goes Old School: Ballroom Dancing

FAU is full of many clubs that most students don't know about, but FAU senior Amanda Aandalen still managed to find a club that was perfect for her. Aandalen is the current president of the FAU Ballroom Dance Club. This club was founded in the Fall of 2006 by Jennifer Gonzalez and Kira Hays with dedicated support from sponsors Pat and Sharon Talerico. This a social and artistic student organization that works with the Department of Theater and Dance. The club currently has about 20 members and hold practices twice a week.

Aandalen got involved with the club after attending its Valentine's Day fundraiser and shortly after became the President of the club. Aandalen recently worked to put together the Polish Club Fundraiser.

The event was on Feb. 20, and raised about $400 after expenses. Aandalen said, "The event was for the club's costumes and other various expenses. We have sponsors, but we don't like asking them for money."

You can learn more about the club and its events by e-mailing Amanda Aandalen or visiting their website.