Can you believe 2024 is already here? I can say that it has been quite a journey for our chapter this first half of this fiscal year. Our chapter just released our annual sponsorship program, and we want to encourage our partners to support our chapter by purchasing one of the packages. You will receive great benefits including registration for our annual golf tournament and the fall bowling tournament. Thanks for the partners highlighted below for signing up for the sponsorship program and supporting our chapter. If you haven’t signed up, don’t wait any longer and click on the link below to purchase your package.

Sponsorship Package Registration

In October, our chapter held our annual fall bowling tournament with a great turnout. Visit the website (Event Pictures) to see all the bowlers that participated in this great event, and thanks to those that showed up and supported our efforts to raise funds for our chapter local MathCounts competition and our chapter scholarships. Additionally, thanks for all the Halloween costume donations that were donated to Give Kids the World. If you missed this event, make sure you attend next year, you won’t be disappointed, and your employees will have a great time as they bowl and have fun amongst colleagues.

In addition, our chapter had our first luncheon event in November “Wekiva Parkway Section 6: Technical Solutions for a Complex, Environmental Project” which had lots of great information for the challenges encountered during design and construction and the innovative ideas implemented to complete design and construction. Thanks to WGI (Lead Design Firm) and RS&H (CEI) for presenting to the large crowd of attendees.

Equally important, our chapter has a huge commitment promoting Engineering careers to elementary school students. As such, our K-12^th committee has held several events this year at Camelot & Castle Creek Elementary Schools were many of our members presented to the 5^th graders on topics related to engineering. I can’t describe how motivated these kids are when they learn about everything we do. We also have another event at Timber Creek Elementary School on February 2^nd, prepare your 10-to-15-minute presentation and join us. If you want to be part of these events, please see our advertisement emails for this committee. If you have a school that want to add to this committee, please reach out to us to discuss.

The past month we enjoyed our joint event with the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) central Florida chapter 2023 Holiday Gala and let me tell you, what a great event this was. We appreciate the ASHE board members and president (Laura Campos) for inviting us to be part of this joint event. We are looking forward to the 2024 Holiday Gala already.

Our first activity of 2024 is our traditional Holiday Social which will take place this Wednesday January 24^th at Gatlin Hall Brewery. The advertisement is out, make sure you register and come along as we continue our tradition and begin 2024 in great fashion (Click on the button below to register).

We continue to plan and promote our annual golf tournament which will take place at _____ in April. The advertisement is out, and sponsorship opportunities are available. This is our biggest event of the year and the most attended as we typically have between 120 to 144 golfers. If you have attended this event before you know you don’t want to miss it. 

Finally, meet the 2022-2023 Scholarship Recipients: Through your support we were able to provide 5 scholarships to deserving students this past year. Please see below for more information about these up-and-coming engineers.

Ms. Natalia Banciella has been awarded the C.W. Sheffield Memorial Scholarship for $1,250. She attended Lyman High School in the Engineering Magnet program. While at Lyman High School, she participated in Student Astronaut Challenge, was a Mu Alpha Theta member, and served as Captain on the Lyman Crew team. Natalia is currently attending the Stanford University where she would like to study Aerospace Engineering. She love for space began in 2^nd grade when she watch a rocket launch and further blossomed when she enrolled in the MIT Online Science, Technology and Engineering Community (MOSTEC) program where she met a professor who designs satellites. She would like to design rockets but she does not want to become an astronaut. Her ultimate dream would be to be part of a team that finds a new exoplanet.  

Ms. Emma Esteban was awarded one of the Central Florida FES Scholarships for $1,000. She attended Lyman High School. While at Lyman High, she participated in several club such as Mu Alpha Theta and SWENext. She also participated in the Student Astronaut Challenge and SECME, while playing percussion in the band. She is currently attending the University of Central Florida where she would like to study Environmental Engineering. Her interest in engineering began when she would watch her sister participate in engineering programs such as SECME and she wanted to participate too. Emma would like to work in the biofuels industry and work on developing technology that would utilize renewable resources in order to reduce the carbon footprint.  

Mr. Gavin Goodhall was awarded one of the Central Florida FES Scholarships for $1,000. He attended Timber Creek High School. While at Timber Creek High School, he participated in AFJROTC and in Band. Gavin also volunteered at his church on the Tech Leadership Team and at Second Harvest Food Bank. Gavin is currently attending University of Central Florida

Mr. Brady Mashburn was awarded one of the Central Florida FES Scholarships for $1,000. He attended Oviedo High School. During his time at Oviedo High, Brady participated in Weightlifting and NHS while working part-time at Chick-fil-a. Brady is currently attending the Louisiana State University where he is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. His Dad is Brady’s role model and his dad would tell him about his job as a Civil Engineer. Brady is still learning about the different paths that make up Mechanical Engineer, but he does know that he would like to be a part of developing new technology either in cars or AI. 

Mr. Brock Morris was awarded one of the Central Florida FES Scholarships for $1,000. He attended Hagerty High School. While at Hagerty High School, Brock participated in the math club, Brain Bowl and National Honor Society. He also participated in band, swim team, water polo, football, and track. In his senior year he worked at Culver’s Restaurant. Brock is currently attending University of Florida.

If you have a high school graduating senior who would like to study engineering or a child who is currently studying engineering at an ABET accredited University, they are eligible to apply! The 2023-2024 FES Scholarship Applications will be posted to the website in December. Keep an eye out!! Check out the FES website at the following link: https://fleng.org/support-future-engineers/scholarships/

Our main message this year is to encourage all FES-CFL members to get involved. Whether it be at our upcoming golf fundraiser, luncheon events, teach-ins at local elementary schools, or FES-CFL social events, get out there and make the most of your membership!

Alfredo Rodriguez, P.E.

2023-2024 FES-CFL President