Connor Dacey
My name is Connor Dacey and I am currently a Freshman here at The Florida State University. I am 18 years old and from Rockledge, Florida (originally Boston). I have been interested in meteorology since I was eight years old when I first witnessed the development of a tornado a mile away from my home. Since that point, I have been interested in meteorology and knew that I wanted to become a meteorologist. Beginning in third grade, I have participated in multiple local and state science fairs, winning almost every year for my studies on different meteorological phenomenon. I have won both 4th and 3rd place at the state level for my research on improving hurricane forecasting. I was also granted the honor of President of the National Honor Society of my high school and graduated with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. I want to run for Vice President of the AMS because of the support the AMS has provided me over the years. I won the American Meteorological Society Award for six consecutive years for my research and was also granted the Freshman Undergraduate Scholarship from the AMS this year. It would be a privilege to be able to represent FSU’s chapter of the AMS and help other individuals, as they helped me. I believe I have the previous leadership skills and the determination to help our AMS chapter grow. Anything I can do to give back to the organization that helped me get to where I am today would be a huge honor.
Nikki Perrini
Like many of us, weather has always had a special place in my heart. In 5th grade, I was chosen to be the “weather girl” on my daily morning show, reporting only the high, low, and if it was cloudy, sunny, or partly cloudy outside. From that year forward, I was caught. My name is Nikki Perrini and I’m a meteorology major, with a strong desire to one day broadcast. I’ve been a Girl Scout since the age of five and have received my bronze, silver, and gold awards. In my free time, I run and have played the violin since second grade. In high school, I held an officer position of my Symphonic Orchestra, and was also the President of both the Ecology Club and the National Honor Society. This year I have been very involved with events put on with AMS, attending the physics’ open house, working at the North Florida Fair, clean ups, and of course Relay for Life etc.
The Vice President of such a prestigious chapter of the AMS, should be well rounded, and have certain qualities. They should be honorable, yet respectable, and ready to listen to the concerns and recommendations of the chapter, especially when it comes down to speakers at meetings and the end of the year banquet, two of the main responsibilities. To be hard working, dedicated, and persistent are another three characteristics, which I have proven through Relay for Life, by attending all of the team captain meetings, fundraising events such as bake sales, and my relentless Facebook notifications. Time management is also important. For example, keeping up with my own classes, while also being able to plan the AMS meetings and making them as successful and resourceful as possible, are jobs I am ready to take on. Because I will not be taking any of the big three next year, I will have plenty of time to dedicate. Finally being able to fill in for the President is a key component, which I feel confident in being able to accomplish. I promise to take full responsibility in all of these roles, and be the best that I can be.
Getting involved with AMS/NWA, was by far the best decision that I made this year, and could not be happier with all of the opportunities I have been given. Through our chapter I have not only grown as a person, but I have also met some great friends and meteorologists, found a reliable support system, and have further more guaranteed that I have chosen the right path in my life. I have a lot still to learn, and hope to be given the opportunity to show this chapter what I really have to offer.
Sean Viale
Hello all,
My name is Sean Viale, I’m currently finishing up my third year of college. Next year should end with me having a meteorology degree in hand. Coming into college I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I just picked what looked fun. Luckily for me it has worked out great. I love learning about the weather, although I could use less calculus, and I’ve made some great friendships within the major. It would be an honor for me to serve as the Vice President of the AMS next year, although I’m excited just to involve myself more often. I only started involving myself fall of 2011 and every time I take part in meetings or events I really do enjoy all of it. Next year my only difficult class will be synoptic so I will have plenty of time to give my full attention to AMS if I am elected VP.
Lauren Visin
My name is Lauren Visin and I am currently a sophomore majoring in Meteorology and Media/Communication Studies. I’ve been a full member of the AMS for a year now, and I was a team leader for the FSU Weather Show this past school year. I am also co-captain of the current AMS Relay for Life team, and I’m a member of both the FSU Honors Program and Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
But enough about me! I want to run for a position in AMS mainly because I want to give back to a group of people that has given so much to me. The people of this department have made me feel nothing but welcome and have connected me to some amazing people and pushed me farther than I ever thought I’d go. That’s what I feel the goal of the AMS is – to connect meteorologists of all fields with meteorology students in order to give our students a leg up in the professional world, to grow camaraderie among members of our field, and to encourage academic and
professional success for meteorologists and meteorology students. The previous leaders of this chapter have made the AMS an organization that works for its members, and I want to maintain that focus and even expand on it. As an officer in the AMS, I especially want to provide more informative workshops for members looking at all fields of meteorology – research, operational, and broadcast. Another important goal of mine is to expand the AMS and get more Meteorology students involved in the chapter from the very first year they are in the department, giving them a support system for a very difficult major and growing the AMS into a larger, more mainstream organization at FSU.
Hello! My name is Max Tsaparis and I am running for President of the N. FL Chapter of the AMS/NWA. I will be a senior next year and have the experience it takes to be president of this organization. I have been involved with the AMS/NWA since my freshman year and am currently serving as the Science and Outreach Chairman. Through this position, I coordinate service projects and outreach events so the community can learn about who we are and what we do. I have also had the privilege to see how the current president, Jonathan Belles, and other past presidents have operated to make each year of the AMS/NWA successful. Besides my work in this organization, I am also a Service Scholar on the FSU campus and am an Eagle Scout so I know how to work with large groups to accomplish goals that promote positive, sustainable change. One of the largest problems about being a meteorology student and being on the board for the AMS/NWA is that people feel they cannot allot enough time to focus on this organization coupled with their difficult classes. Fortunately, I have divvied up the “Big Three” Meteorology courses and am only taking Synoptic next year so I will be able to focus all my attention on making sure this organization and its goals are successful. Thank you.
