Being on homecoming court is an accomplishment, but for the candidates in the running this year, a position as UF royalty might not even qualify as their crowning accomplishment.
The six candidates ¿ three men and three women ¿ for UF's homecoming court might differ in interests or major, but the list of scholarships, leadership positions and life experiences among them reaches beyond the homecoming weekend: running with the bulls, gene therapy research or saving lives.
Megan Duda
Megan Duda, a political science senior from Oviedo, found a bit of adventure before being chosen for UF homecoming court.
Duda recently went skydiving and ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, last summer during San Fermín.
"I think I am a newfound adrenaline junkie," Duda said.
When she was a freshman, Duda said she didn't know many people.
It wasn't until she made positive friendships and got involved with on-campus activities that she seemed to find her niche at UF, Duda said.
She has served on the Student Senate, Panhellenic Council and Florida Blue Key's Homecoming program.
She said a solid upbringing has also brought her here.
"I've grown up with a very strong, supportive family that has instilled the values in me that I live by every day," Duda said.
With her family's support, Duda said she knows she can reach goals without fear of failure.
When she graduates, Duda plans to attend graduate school to study public policy.
After that, she hopes to lobby for the interests of Florida's agriculture industry.
Vanessa Douyon
Vanessa Douyon saved her little brother's life.
When he snuck out to the pool and fell in, Douyon pulled him out and attempted to give him CPR.
"Ten years later, I still remind him that he owes me," Douyon said.
Aside from being a life-saver, Douyon writes and performs poetry, describing it as "a sweeter version of Def Jams with a 'Great Debaters' feel."
As the president of both the Florida Cicerones and the Student Alumni Association, she always viewed the Homecoming pageant as a positive showcase for female leadership.
"If you look at an obstacle as if you think you'll fail, you've already determined the outcome," said Douyon, a sociology senior from Pembroke Pines.
"Conversely, if things don't work out my way, I try to find the lesson in the experience and consider myself a winner if I find it."
Douyon is also a J. Wayne Reitz Scholar, Ronald E. McNair Scholar, MUFP Fellow and on the Preview staff.
After graduation, she plans to start a lunch program at a school in Senegal, Africa, and later pursue a doctoral degree in higher education.
Jillian Peters
When Jillian Peters was 10 years old, her home was in three national parks because her parents were rangers.
"It was always inspirational to see people who would serve and show how our national and natural treasures are so important," said Peters, a political science senior.
Years later, she designed and co-sponsored UF's new sustainability minor, a track that focuses on teaching students about maintaining ecological and environmental health, creating economic welfare and ensuring social justice.
Peters also played a key role in developing Gators for a Sustainable Campus.
"We've reached a point in society where businesses affect much more than their clients," she said. "They've become global players in society, and they need to conduct themselves in a socially responsible manner."
She hopes to work as a sustainability consultant when she graduates.
Peters is a bit of a nomad. She studied in Costa Rica and worked a consulting job in Hamburg, Germany, during the summer.
Her collaborative spirit defines her character, she said. By connecting with others and empowering them, she said, people can work together toward a common goal.
Frank Kraemer
Laughing is something Frank Kraemer does best.
"I like to look at the fun side of things and really enjoy life without fretting too much," said Kraemer, an industrial systems and engineering graduate studentfrom Tampa.
"There's plenty of time for that."
During his time at UF, Kraemer said he has tried to take leadership roles whenever he could.
As president of Honors Ambassadors and Engineering Ambassadors, he helps recruit prospective engineering students to UF. Kraemer is also the vice president of the Alpha Kappa Psi co-ed business fraternity.
"Experience - that's what it's all about," he said. "It helps you grow into a viable candidate for the real world."
When he was a resident adviser and hall director at Hume Hall, Kraemer said he got to help freshmen adjust to their first year at UF.
Kraemer is working on his master's degree and hopes to work in a big city after school.
For now, his sights are set on a closer destination.
"I've never been down on the field before," Kraemer said. "Now I get to do that."
Eric Boulware
Eric Boulware keeps tradition close to home.
He went to UF at the same time as three of his family members.
His father teaches at UF; his sister is a second-year medical student; and an older sister graduated with a financial degree.
Boulware's family is his support network.
"I have a strong family," Boulware said.
"I have my dad's voice in my head. He has advice on everything. A lot of times, I don't want to hear it, but I am very thankful for everything he's taught me."
Boulware wants to represent UF, to which he said he owes a great debt.
He recalled waiting on his computer all day before he found out he was accepted.
"My sister screamed my eardrum off," he said.
During his college years, Boulware found his strong family ties and relationship with his church helped.
He has held several titles, including rush chairman for Florida Cicerones, and has served as a First Year Florida peer leader and in the Florida Leadership Academy. He is also a J. Wayne Reitz Scholar.
"I think that the people that I surround myself with are just good people," Boulware said.
Max Weiss
People may consider Max Weiss a renaissance man.
When he learned how to play drums at a young age, he didn't have a band to accompany him. So he decided to teach himself how to play guitar nine years ago and trained on classical guitar for five.
He's also seen success professionally.
Weiss has done medical research in pediatrics and gene therapy for the past three summers in Gainesville.
"I'm very open-minded about the future and doing my clinical rotations," said Weiss, an economics senior and pre-med student.
Weiss followed in his siblings' footsteps by attending UF: All three of his older sisters were Gators.
Over his four years at UF, he has been involved in Accent Speakers Bureau and the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.
He tried out for Homecoming king with a few friends because he thought it would be a fun experience to meet new people.
At the same time, the king is important to Homecoming.
The Homecoming king will be somebody who embodies the Gator spirit, he said.
"It's been a great four years at UF, especially with the national championships," he said. "Now I look back and can't imagine it being any other way."
