My name is Lyndsay Brunstetter, and I studied Mass Communications at The University of South Florida. I’m compassionate about preserving the planet, protecting animals, and paying it forward!
Former NFL Cheerleader Saving Abused Farm Animals
By: Lyndsay Brunstetter
Apache Way Farm Rescue, located in rural Plant City, was founded by Lori Matta, who provides a safe home for neglected and abused animals.
Matta started the sanctuary after moving from Boston in 2005. Being a former New England Patriots cheerleader sparked her interest in starting a cheerleading and dance studio for kids. However, after getting into a horrific car accident, and losing a part of her physical abilities, she decided to shift her focus on another passion of hers by saving animals full-time.
It all started when she got back home from college. She got a call about a horse that needed help. Five months later, she rescued six more. Matta has worked every day for hours on end for her animals to live a good life and help them trust again. She even stays with them during the night because she sees them as her babies.
Apache Way Farm distinguishes itself from other animal sanctuaries. The animals learn not to fear humans. They learn to associate strangers as new friends.
“The more I am around animals, the happier I am,” Matta said. “They aren’t depressed, they aren’t pulling you down, and if anything, they give you unconditional love.”
She believes that the problem in society is the “it’s not my problem” mentality. People would rather toss their problems on to someone else than deal with it themselves or at all. From experiences, she has seen people abandon their animals and give their horses to slaughterhouses. However, she knows people from Massachusetts who have come down to Florida to repurchase horses from slaughterhouses.
This organization houses about 40 animals on 10 acres of land. She believes that she was chosen to do this and has continued to do so for 30 years.
She hosts therapy programs for kids who have been bullied and adults with disabilities to find a horse to spend time with to feel better. She is a firm supporter of mental health and knows these animals do provide therapy to people.
She is passionate about supporting those who do not have a voice in our world, whether human or animal.
Matta keeps her stalls clean because some of these farm animals never got the chance to live in a barn, lay on clean shavings or have shelter.
I want them to feel the way we do when we get into a bed with clean sheets. “It’s the best feeling in the world,” said Matta.
One of Mattas’ horses was born in Florida. By the time the horse was six months old, she had lived in 12 different homes. When Matta got this horse, she said that this would be her last home, and now the horse is 28 years old.
After seeing a lot of these animals ripped away from their long-term friends and spiral into depression she could not take it. So, she decided to make a forever home sanctuary. She gives each animal a forever friend and a forever home.
She allows anyone who needs volunteer hours to come and meet the animals and clean their homes. The farm has expenses that need to be paid they are costly to maintain. Matta hopes she can get enough donations to help keep these animals happy and healthy.
Along with a caring heart, Matta has a sense of humor. She started naming her new rescues after her family as a joke-such as naming two goats Mikey and Gordy.
“No one will mishandle and abuse these animals ever again. They will have the best life possible here at Apache Way Farm,” Matta said.
3D Access Lab at USF preserves monuments by creating 3D digital models
By: Lyndsay Brunstetter
The Access 3D Lab at the University of South Florida is making strides in technology, specifically when it comes to 3D printing and laser scanning.
The FARO Laser Scanner creates 3D digital models of historical sites. Natural disasters and bombings have damaged some of these sites. The scanner can digitally recreate these sites and items to preserve it for generations to come.
Laura Harrison is the director of Access 3D Lab. The Access 3D Lab recently scanned the inside and outside of the historic Tampa Heights building that now houses Lee’s grocery. It’s been around since 1884. The purpose of this project is to preserve the legacy of Lee’s grocery by creating a 3D digital model.
“We are planning to incorporate the data we have recorded into maps of Tampa that have often overlooked it,” said Harrison.
Lee’s Grocery store was built 134 years ago. It offered affordable goods to the local community of migrant workers. A few years ago, it was converted from a local grocery store to a pizzeria and craft beer shop. The new owners kept the original name because it meant so much to the Tampa Bay community and wanted to do it justice.
Courtesy of Access 3D Lab
“Ultimately, we want to increase public awareness of it in hopes of offering virtual tours in the future,” said Harrison.
The Faro Scanner scans in two separate phases. The first phase captures points of the area. When the laser reaches something solid like a desk, the laser stops traveling and marks a point. The scanner picks up everything that it sees. Numerous solid white spheres are placed across a surface in a geometric shape which connects the points. The second phase involves pressing the start button and letting the scanner take HD pictures automatically. These two phases are then placed on top of each other to create a 3D color model.
More scanners can be placed around the building to speed up the process.
“This type of work is normally done in a variety of fields such as forensics and architecture,” said Harrison.
As a result, all different kinds of built environments, historical landscapes, architectural buildings can be created into interactive 3D visualizations.
According to the makers of the FARO Scanner, this product has more technological features than any pre-existing scanners. Features include: touch screen capabilities, an eye-safe laser, noise reduction, 4.5-hour battery life, and can also scan objects up to 330 meters away in direct sunlight.
Touch screen capabilities offer the ability to look at the physical images in more detail. The scanner provides eye-safe protection because it says how far to stand away from the laser in the setting mode. Reduction of noise in the picture has improved. The battery life wasn’t as long before, and this scanner’s range of distance has increased by 20 meters.
This laser scanner is also portable which means that this is ideal for world travelers in hunt of their next historical site.
The goal of Access 3D Lab is to use digital resources such as terrestrial laser scanning to enhance research and learning at USF and beyond.
“Going into those spaces with terrestrial laser scanners, we can bring knowledge, accessibility, and engagement to wider audiences because the general public would not be allowed to go,” Harrison said.
Career Services Promotes Free App for Students called Handshake
By: Lyndsay Brunstetter
- Career Services Promotes App That Help Students Find Jobs
- New App Helps Students Find Jobs
- Career Services Promotes Handshake, An App That Helps Students Find Jobs
- New App Connects Students To Jobs
- Career Services Promotes New Way Students To Connect To Jobs
The University of South Florida Career Services department is promoting Handshake, a free app that aims to help current students and recent graduates. Handshake was launched in 2017 after the founders had difficulty finding a job right out of school. The founders saw a lack of opportunities for people whose families were not well-connected, and decided to solve that problem by creating Handshake.
The app uses an algorithm which suggests jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities pertaining to the specific students’ interests. By learning about the students’ goals and experiences, Handshake can find opportunities for them based on what similar opportunities other individuals are looking at.
Adam Zubek, a senior majoring in video production at USF, solely uses only Handshake for career- related opportunities. “I love using the Handshake app. I used to look for jobs on Indeed and LinkedIn, but when I discovered Handshake I quickly found a very competitive internship at the University, which I just finished last semester,” said Zubek.
Algorithms tweak its suggestions by analyzing what the student searches for on the app. All the student needs to do is log in with their school’s Net ID and password. Students can then build up their professional profile by uploading their resume and adjusting the filters to what they are looking for. The app also includes information about upcoming recruiting events such as Career Fairs, Employer Spotlights, Info Sessions, Careers and Coffee, and overall information about the companies and or people that are attending.
Handshake states on their website that they have partnered with over 700 colleges and universities to help students find ideal jobs and internships from over 300,000 employers. It includes 100 percent of the Fortune 500, top financial institutions, cutting-edge tech companies, leading design, marketing agencies and nonprofits.
If a student’s school is not registered on Handshake, students can contact their career center and ask them to look into registering with them. So students can ultimately have more access to resources.
Demi Asensio, a freshman majoring in Mass Communications, always uses the Handshake app because she finds it easy to navigate. “I decided to start using Handshake because a lot of my friends told me about it and I really wanted to see what this app was about. It’s an awesome app and I highly recommend it to other students, said Asensio”
For college students who are always on the go, it can become stressful for them to sit down and plan their future.
Zachary Davies, a junior majoring in computer engineering, hopes to land his next internship through Handshake. “I love that Handshake already knows my interests. I have cut down my time looking for opportunities and have doubled the places I apply to because it is just so easy.”
Chris Maltezos, reflects on his journey as a USF Alumnus
By: Lyndsay Brunstetter
For over ten years, Chris Maltezos taught Great Performances on Film at the University of South Florida for the theater department. He’s now an academic advisor for the Muma College of Business.
Maltezos was born in Chicago and lived there until he was 6 years old. He then moved to Dayton, Ohio for nine years, and then Toledo for 8. It wasn’t a traditional high school experience having had to attend four different high schools. His goal during senior year was to travel back to Florida as soon as possible because his sister and cousins attended the University of South Florida. Initially he was drawn to USF because of its location and his family members attended school there.
“I had very warm, open parents. They told me I could major in whatever I wanted. They did not judge me for anything, and I was very fortunate about that,” said Maltezos.
While attending USF, Maltezos took classes in humanities, voice, piano, and even racquetball.
“I was finding out who I was which I think is important for students at USF finding out who I am so I could transition from adolescent to adulthood and I met a lot of great friends who I am still close with,” said Maltezos.
He feels that life’s experiences and these human connections enable us to discover ourselves to ultimately become productive citizens both professionally and personally.
“I worked part-time at WUSF as a news reporter, and I did an internship with WFLAdowntown. It was a great experience, but it was also the experience that taught me I didn’t want to work in the media,” said Maltezos.
He believes that having an internship can lead to jobs but can also be self-reflective where you know if something is right for you or not.
Maltezos was a teacher assistant for a class called Great Performances on Film from 2003-2008 that his good friend, Kerry Galumph, created and taught. When Galumph left on a Full Bright Scholarship to Romania, Maltezos was promoted to be the new teacher.
Maltezos has a love for film because he believes that people can learn a lot about different cultures. It does not matter if it is the 1920s, 1940s,1980s or 2018, universally people relate to themes such as sacrifice or love because people still are attaining those goals.
“I think film and theater to some extent have helped me understand my world and USF gave me the opportunity to both teach and advise students.” said Maltezos.
Maltezos passion has been mentoring students at USF and introducing them to the world of cinema. He wants them to go after their passions and achieve any dream they set their heart on.
“We are an open campus whether your gender is male, female or transgender. We are a campus that has people from all walks of life, and I think that is healthy and I think that is a great environment,” said Maltezos.
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park
By: Lyndsay Brunstetter
Every year Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa turns into a winter attraction for people of all ages and their dogs to enjoy. This attraction will run from November 16 till January 5.
The outdoor event presented by Tampa Bay Lightning overlooks the Tampa Riverwalk. It will have an outdoor ice skating rink. Tickets are $14 per person to skate for 90 minutes and includes rental skates. Private event skating packages can be accommodated for at the Winter Village 5,000 square feet of real ice in the rink.
The Winter Village will also have 10 boutiques from local businesses. Including Unlock Tampa Bay, The Modern Paws, JF Pop Up Shop, Jadufy Magic Shop, FroDough, Don Me Now, Chef Inspired Popcorn, Black & Denim, Cotton Candy Bar and Circa / FORMA. These boutiques have items such as food, decorative goods, clothing apparel, toys, jewelry, and even dog accessories.
The TECO Line Streetcar partnered with Tampa Downtown to give guests the Winter Village Express experience on specific Sundays. Family and friends can indulge in holiday sweets, listen to holiday music and participate in winter games. This excursion is $5 a person and can be purchased on the streetcar. There are no purchases to be made beforehand as the streetcar is limited in seating.
The installation of lights on all of the trees is new this year. The lights will be synced with specific music at certain times to give guests a light show Winter Village. There is also an abundance of giant colored Christmas trees located opposite the water front’s edge. There are many colored waterspouts near the Christmas trees where small children can be found playing and racing through the water.
Patricia Borczyk, a junior at USF, said: “ This was a great way to take a breather from all of my finals and just enjoy some hot chocolate by the water and watch a wonderful light show.”
Guests can also take pictures by two giant sand sculptures created by Tampa Bay’s local artists, Sandtastic. Sandtastic art sculptures have become an annual appearance. They have been featured in the Clearwater Beach Sugar Sand Festival.
There are a few stations such as the Icicle Craft Kitchen where guests can purchase coffee and or food. There are a lot of seating for families and friends to eat their food. The playground is still open for kids to run around on and benches for the adults to watch their children.
Guests can park at the William F. Poe Parking Garage which is in walking distance of the park. Visitors can park on the street after 6 pm on weekdays and weekends north of Kennedy Boulevard for free.
Eliana Buchholz, a junior at USF, said: “ I love this time of year and when I heard there was going to be an ice skating rink in the park, I knew I had to go and check it out with my friends.”
Lyndsay Brunstetter 