Devan Coffaro

The Future Political Analyst

Name: Jonathan Beaton

Year: Sophomore

Relationship Status: Single

Major: Broadcast journalism

Minor: Political science

What do you like to do in your free time: Play as much golf as humanly possible. I also enjoy tennis, racquetball, and kayaking. Aside from the outdoors, I love to read.

Do you have any current jobs: Yes, two. I work as a part-time reporter for WDBO FM 96.5 and AM 580. I also work behind the reference desk at the UCF library.

Your dream job: Anything involving politics and journalism, preferably as a reporter or anchor. I'd love to work in Washington D.C. or New York.

Your ideal first date: Dinner in downtown Orlando followed by seeing the Orlando Sypmhony.

What are your "turn-ons" in a girl: A girl who is independent and has her own thoughts and opinions, but at the same time doesn't take herself too seriously.

How about "turn-offs": A girl that is not self-supportive and is overly obsessed with motherhood.

And lastly, what is the hottest outfit a girl can wear: Any type of business attire. CNN's Erin Burnett would be a good example.

Look out, ladies. You can already hear Jonathon on the radio, but you might just see him on TV one day.

One night I was doing the usual “Facebook routine.” My newsfeed, however, was far from the usual. Almost every post made in my hometown (Tampa, FL) was long, heartfelt, and contained the hashtags #ImHonest or #ImHonest2012. Upon further inspection, I found out it was a Facebook page and a social media movement – both created by two aspiring rappers from the Tampa area. So what is I’m Honest 2012? The exact description is below:

#ImHonest2012 is a cultural movement. It's about accepting our identity and individuality; taking back the words that are used against us or the things that are built up within us, and in turn, we are making it a part of our character. There is beauty in flaws. Our generation has so many expectations placed on us that many feel the need to "fit an image." We are taking image back - Self-image.

People are posting long, paragraphed “autobiographies” about their flaws, hardships, and what they love about themselves. It might seem a bit rash to put it all out there on Facebook. Indeed there are a few critics. However, looking past the social media trend, I’m Honest 2012 provides an outlet of catharsis that is free of judgment, and an amazing sense of camaraderie and support has developed from it. Some of these statuses are receiving over a hundred likes, and all of them receive multiple loving comments from peers. Not only is it a cultural movement, but also an effort against cyber bullying.

Have you ever stumbled upon a song that spoke to you? Not just any song that you liked, but one that resonated with your heart? I remember experiencing this my freshman year of high school, when I listened to my first song by Mary J. Blige. My mother had introduced her to me, explaining how her music was inspiring through hard times. She stands today as a personal favorite, and I believe that every woman should listen to her.

Empowering and inspirational, Mary J. Blige relates to women everywhere. She preaches about inner strength, self-respect, love, and learning from the negativity in life. Whether you’re down and out or feeling glamorous, she has it all. Sean Combs (P. Diddy) says, “Her voice is Visual; you can see what she’s saying.”

“In each tear, there’s a lesson. Makes you wiser than before, makes you stronger than you know.”

For the antique enthusiast, it is a treasure trove of goodies. For the poor college student, it is an ocean of jewelry and knick-knacks. For those with more lucrative intentions, it offers unique furniture and collectors’ items. What could this possibly describe? It is none other the Renningers Extravaganza!

Renningers Extravaganza is an antique fair, a flea market, and a farmers market all in one. It travels to Florida three times a year in a little town called Mount Dora. Every third weekend of January, February, and November, the town is flooded with people ready to partake in the event. Being only forty-five minutes away from campus, this event is great for UCF students.

Now I’m sure many of you are thinking this is just another flea market. Wrong. It’s called an extravaganza for a reason! The entire event is located on 117 acres. There are over 1,000 vendors located both inside and outside. Thus, visitors can alternate between the fresh air and sunshine to air-conditioned buildings. Different vendors have different treasures; many of them have saved special merchandise just for this event.

These treasures can range from jewelry, professional artwork, tools, flowers, produce, tribal antiques, fur coats, furniture, vintage surf boards – and this hasn’t even scratched the surface. “They offer quite the variety,” says Sandy Stewart, an avid Renningers attender. “There are things you’ve never seen before, and things you may never see again.”

Sandy learned of Renningers Extravaganza through Southern Living magazine. She made her first trip with her sisters in 2002, and has been hooked ever since. “I knew I wanted to keep going back. You discover something new every time.”