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Maria Fernanda Valente Pereira

UCF Journalist student. Writer for the Charge News and Staff writer for the

 Centric Magazine issue 14th

The Charge •

K-pop Knight unites students through music and dance

Music filled the Cape Florida Ballroom Monday night as students jumped into synchronized choreography, cheering and dancing along at UCF’s K-pop Knight event.Hosted by the Campus Activities Board in collaboration with LGBTQ+ Services, the event brought together students through K-pop–themed activities, including a dance competition, photo card decorating, phone charm making and free boba tea.
Sara Benyamine, junior mechanical engineering major, is the special events director for CAB and...
The Charge •

Bookmark bar offers cozy, creative space for book-loving students

Students painted, decorated and flipped through books at Foxtail Coffee Co. in the John T. Washington Center during the Campus Activities Board’s Bookmark Bar on Tuesday. Bookmark Bar, hosted from 4 to 7 p.m., invited students to bring their favorite books and take part in hands-on activities, including custom bookmark-making, bracelet crafting, painting coasters and decorating wooden frames. 
A themed drinks menu from Foxtail Coffee was also available for purchase, adding to the atmosph...
The Charge •

Residents report consecutive late-night safety incidents at College Station apartments

After two late-night incidents on Feb. 6 and Feb. 7, first-floor residents at College Station, a student apartment complex, say repeated reports of men peering into windows and attempting to access units have left them fearful and questioning management’s response.Two residents, who requested anonymity for safety reasons and will be identified by their initials, described encounters in February that they say follow similar incidents dating back to last year.
UCF student S.C. said that in...
The Charge •

'Spreading love': Valentine's Day event focuses on connection, friendship

As the sun set over UCF's Memory Mall on Monday, students convened on the lawn for an evening of crafts, conversation and film.UCF’s Campus Activity Board hosted “A Knight to Remember,” a free Valentine’s-themed event that invited students to slow down and connect during a busy point in the semester. Starting at 5 p.m., the event featured bouquet-making with pipe cleaners, pot painting, love letter stations and an outdoor screening of “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." 
For Eiva Tinney and...
The Charge •

Faculty and students rally over 0% faculty raise, demand action from Cartwright

Faculty and students gathered outside UCF's Student Union patio on Wednesday to protest a proposed 0% salary increase for faculty, calling on university leadership to reconsider compensation priorities following UCF’s achievement of preeminent status.The rally, organized by the United Faculty of Florida at UCF, brought together professors, staff and students who marched to Millican Hall to deliver postcards addressed to UCF President Alexander Cartwright. The postcards, written by both faculty a...
The Charge •

'Disney at Dark' event brings childhood nostalgia to Memory Mall

Students gathered across Memory Mall at UCF on Thursday evening, filling the lawn with conversation, music and movement as “Disney at Dark” brought campus life outdoors.Kicking off at 5 p.m., the event, hosted by the Campus Activities Board, celebrated Disney nostalgia and community engagement. Despite the cold weather, the space was filled with students participating in hands-on activities, socializing with peers and enjoying performances.The event offered arts and crafts stations where student...
Centric •

Fashion in Rewind

In fashion, time isn’t linear, it loops. A pair of Juicy Couture pants from 2006 might resurface in 2025, and “dead” trends like skinny jeans or Ugg boots are suddenly spotted on social media platforms again. The speed of online spaces has compressed decades of fashion trends into months. But on UCF’s campus, students are stopping the clock.“I still wear high-rise jeans all the time,” said Anna Dziamalek, a senior health sciences major. “They’re comfortable and flattering. If something looks goo...
The Charge •

Far from home: UCF professors explain how they came to teach in Orlando

When UCF students walk into class, they may not think about how far their professors have come to stand there. For many educators guiding discussions and grading papers, the journey to UCF began thousands of miles away —across languages, continents and rebuilt lives.The university's global identity is often defined by its over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries, according to UCF Global. The story of its diversity doesn’t end in the classroom seats. It continues at the fron...
Centric •

SeaWorld Makes a Killer Debut: First-Ever Howl-O-Scream Fashion Show

As excitement built and chills traveled through the crowd, the lights dimmed and dancers took over the stage. SeaWorld Orlando turned fear into fierce looks on Aug. 28, as it debuted its first-ever fashion show to commemorate five years of Howl-O-Scream. Trading tricks for chic, the event presented new scare house themes and concepts, giving the exclusive audience an experience to die for.Theme parks such as Universal Studios, Seaworld and Busch Gardens, offer Halloween experiences for its guest...
The Charge •

‘Refresh and Rebalance’ brings health, wellness to campus

The UCF’s Campus Activities Board hosted a Refresh and Rebalance event on Memory Mall Tuesday morning, bringing together fitness vendors, campus resources and students for a free outdoor pilates class and wellness fair.The event featured a mat pilates session led by Jet Set Pilates Winter Park, promotional tables from Fabletics and other local wellness organizations, and participation from campus resources, including Wellness and Health Promotion Services and Counseling and Psychological Service...

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