UNIVERSITY TRANSITION OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM

2016

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE

Table of Contents
Staff Bios...............................................................3
Mentors Bios.........................................................6
Students Bios........................................................9
Favorite Tweets and Quotes................................ 18
Favorite Hangouts...............................................20
Superlatives.........................................................22
Fashion................................................................24
Talent Show.........................................................28
Music/Dance........................................................31
Trips.....................................................................33
Work & Play.........................................................42

Staff

MAS Staff

Dr. Sam
Lopez

Mrs. Jodi
Turner

Mr. Shawn
Simmons

Ms. Cynthia Gray

Cynthia Gray is the office

manager at MAS and
enjoys the positive work
environment. She noted how
Charlotte has grown at a
very fast rate, and is a great
place for college students to
find opportunities. In contrast
to the heat, winter is her
favorite season, and shes
always glad when students
get back on campus in the
fall.

Director

Associate Director

Assistant Director

Dr. Sam Lopezs concept

for UTOP involves not being
afraid to try new things.
Although we can learn
from failure, we can miss
opportunities because we
are afraid of failure. Director
of Multicultural Services
since 2008, Dr. Lopez
worked for 13 years in the
space shuttle program, and
has a doctorate in Physical
Therapy.

Working in the MAS office for

almost 20 years, Jodi Turner
is a graduate of Howard
University, a member of Delta
Sigma Theta sorority, and
the chair of Charlotte Alumni
Cotillion. She is pursuing her
Ph.D. in Leadership Studies
at NCA&T University, and
values education because
there is always something
for us to learn.

Shawn Simmons has worked

in the Multicultural Academic
Success (MAS) department
for UTOP since 2012.
Assistant director for MAS,
coordinator for Building Better
Brothers, and coordinator
for UTOP, Simmons insists,
Working
with
students
to help strengthen them
academically, and forming
leaders on campus and in the
community would have to be
the best parts of my job.

Office Manager/
Administrative
Support Assistant

MAS Staff

Grayson Collins Yolanda Kennedy

Patrice Wilson

Student Coordinator

Graduate Assistant

Graduate Assistant

UTOP Student Coordinator

Grayson Collins graduates in
December 2016 (at 19!) with
plans for graduate school.
Undergraduate major has
been English, with a focus in
language/digital technology
and a minor in technical
writing. She recommends
the botanical gardens as a
great place to take a break
from studying, and also to
see beautiful plants.

UTOP Graduate Assistant

Yolanda Kennedy attended
UTOP in 2006 and has been
involved ever since. She
recently to China and Korea
to do research for higher
education, and is currently
working on her doctorate in
education leadership, with
a concentration in higher
education. She says, You
only live once so enjoy life to
the fullest.

Patrice Wilson is a graduate

student in the Latin American
program;
she
doublemajored in her undergraduate
studies with degrees in
Spanish and Latin American
Studies. A first-generation
college student, she brings
the gifts of understanding,
compassionate,
empathy,
perseverance,
and
the
desire to stop injustices to
her community. Favorite
song: Intentional by Travis
Greene

Nakia
Wortherly-Foye

Student Coordinator
Nakia
Wortherly-Foye
appreciates that there is a
comfortable study space
for each kind of learner
on campus, and she
really enjoys the botanical
gardens. She manages a
lot of UTOPs small group
activities
and
primarily
recruits and prepares staff
manuals/weekend activities.
Long-term shed like to work
for the United Nations.

Mentors

UTOP Mentors

Aaliyah Arrington Merritt Blanks

Aaliyah was born in Halifax
County,
now
lives
in
Wallace, NC, and would
like to become a state
prosecutor. She has traveled
to Cancun, Mexico and
her favorite food is steak.
Aaliyah was very shy and
started entering pageants at
the age of 13. She won six,
and says pageants helped
her become more confident
and outgoing.

Tyriq Evans
Tyriq Evans participated
last year as a mentee
and believes that UTOP
helps students further their
college career by setting
them up for success.
Majoring in Mathematics, he
plans to minor in secondary
education. His favorite part
about being a UTOP mentor
is that he gets to plan and
then take part in small group
activities.

Merritt Blanks is a sociology

major because he loves
learning about people and
prefers conversation-based
classes. Hes a mentor
because he didnt have one
when he started college;
so far he has been able to
build relationships with the
mentees and learn from
them also. After grad school,
he wants to become a dean
of students at a university.

Tymel Carson

Azia Dixon

Tymel Carson is a Criminal

Justice major, involved in B3,
SAFE, Black Student Union,
Voluntary Outreach, Campus
Activity Board, and on the
e-board that incorporates
individuals not by skin but
by ideas and thoughts.
Becoming a mentor has
made me a more genuine
person as a whole, and that
is what the goal of coming to
college should be.

Azia Dixon was a mentee

in 2013 and has been a
mentor since 2014, to
give other students the
same experience I had.
Majoring in Psychology
with and a minor in
Criminal Justice, Azia
wants to work in Human
Resources to see people
grow within companies
thats my main thing.

Makeda Harris Thomasina Pearce

Makeda Harris, named
after the Queen of the
Sheba, is known to her
friends as Keda. A health
communications major with
a minor in public health,
she aspires to manage a
hospital. A mission trip to
the Bahamas helped her
realize the importance of
appreciating her life and
never taking things for
granted.

Thomasina Pierce is from

Brooklyn, NY and was a
mentee last summer. Her
advice? Dont fall victim
to peer pressure. If a
relationship stresses you
out to the point where your
grades are dropping and your
happiness is compromised,
drop it. Take advantage of
the opportunities you are
presented withdont let
them pass you by!

India Pitts
An only child, mentor India
Pitts appreciates having
a very loving extended
family who would always
get together for her
birthday parties. Although
shes a small-town girl
who fell in love with a
big city, India is proud
to call several places
home: Macon, Gray, and
Milledgeville, Georgia!

UTOP Mentors

Majid Powell

Kendra Shaw

Kris Sherrod

Jakkia Taylor

Majid Powell is a rising junior,

Middle Grades Education
major who aspires to become
a teacher, and ultimately,
to work in educational
administration
as
an
assistant principal, principal,
or even a superintendent.
His motto: P.U.S.H. (Pray
Until Something Happens).
This is his second year as
a mentor, and hes also
involved in Leadershape.

Kendra Shaw decided to

become a UTOP mentor
because her mentor was
amazing
and
inspired
her to give back to the
program. She received a
full scholarship to UNCC,
as well as study abroad
opportunities. So far Kendra
has studied in London
and also hopes to study in
South Africa or Spain. Shes
majoring in Biology.

Kris Sherrod is a rising

senior from Raleigh, North
Carolina. Motivated by his
parents, Marsha and James,
Kris is a Finance major. No
matter what career path he
chooses, he will work hard
to provide for his family. His
involvement includes Black
Student Union, Building
Better
Brothers
(B3),
Advanced and Innovative
Minds, and Collegiate 100.

When two friends who

were UTOP mentors invited
Jakkia Corae Taylor to apply,
she saw it as an opportunity
to guide students and be
the mentor that she never
had. Rae looks forward to
mentees reaching out to her
during the fall. Shes a senior
Psychology major and is
interested in becoming a
residence coordinator.

Krystal Tillman
As a young child Krystal
endured many obstacles
in her life that might have
hindered many people from
continuing on to do great
things.
She learned so
much from her mother, and
as a mentee, her mentors
were always there for
her socially, physically, or
mentally and when she just
wanted to return the love
she was shown.

Students

UTOP Students

Taylor Adams
Born in Charlotte, Taylor
Adams was on her high
schools speech and debate
team, cheer team, student
council, and leadership
council. Taylor is also very
active as a youth ministry
leader and a junior treasurer.
A competitive dancer since
age three, Taylors most
valuable possession is her
family--I appreciate them
so much.

Raphael Bikai
Raphael
Bikai
believes
that in life youll face
different adversities and
you must master the art
of
finesse.
Fascinated
with the mind, he wants to
become a psychiatric nurse
practitioner. Raphael is firstgeneration in a family that
immigrated to the U.S., and
his main goal is to make not
only himself proud, but his
family as well.

Briana Anthony Michael Austin Jaylaan Bennett

To Briana Anthony, community
means connection.
In 10
years, she would like to have
graduated med-school and
be a practicing Pediatric ENT;
Charlotte has many internships
available which could open
the door to new opportunities
and lasting connections. She
is passionate about helping
people. Her motto: Dont strive
to make your presence noticed,
make your absence felt.

Michael is a Computer
Science
major
from
Durham, and a human
resource specialist in the
National Guard. His role
model is Kawhi Leonard
from the San Antonio Spurs,
and Michaels motto is, It
doesnt matter where you
were born in life, its up to
you to figure out where you
take it.

Alishia Bowman Anthony Bratcher

Alishia Bowman is from
Mooresville.
When
her
father died two years ago,
it taught her to find herself
and become a stronger
personfor herself and
for others. Shes majoring
in Public Health, while
focusing on Health Care
Administration. Fave quote:
Above all else, guard your
heart, for everything you do
flows from it.

Anthony Bratcher is from

Greensboro; he remembers
playing in wheat fields
at his grandmas house
when he was a child. His
favorite food is sushi,
and he has a passion for
designing
houses.
He
values his family the most,
and he especially misses
his dad and his stepmom.
So far hes maintained a
good GPA.

10

Jaylaan Bennet plans to

be a nursing major, and
also to minor in Spanish.
She really likes the UTOP
program and feels it helps
her set a foundation for
study habits. While she
is getting a head start on
college, she is looking
forward to networking, and
plans to run for freshman
class president.

Gregory
Brockington
Gregory Brockington Durham
is currently in the Marines
Reserves for eight years, and
will depart for basic training in
October. A Psychology major,
he wants to become the
president of a record label,
become a part of the Secret
Service, join a SWAT team,
or become a State Trooper.
Travel goal? Dubai. Dream
car? Bugatti.

UTOP Students

Jerrel Bushel
Although Jerrel will major
in pre-kinesiology to work
in athletic training, he also
plans to join the basketball
pep band and the ultimate
frisbee
club.
Jerrels
theme song is Legend
by Drakeit inspires him
to be the best he can be,
leave an impact on others
lives, and make the world a
better place.

Makala
Carrington

Makala Carrington was a

high school cheerleader in
Fayetteville, held multiple
leadership roles, served
more than 250 volunteer
hours, and obtained 66
college credits before she
arrived at UNCC! A Public
Health major with a minor
in Aerospace Studies, and
plans to join the United
States Air Force. She enjoys
making others laugh.

Krystina Culley Michelle Delucia

Krystina Culleys gift is her
ability to listen and connect
with others. From Danville,
Virginia, she plans a career
as a financial analyst or
finance attorney. Theme
song? Wales Sunshine
May the optimism of
tomorrow, be your foundation
for today. Role model? Her
mother: There are no such
things as failures, but only
lessons and successes.

From NJ, Michelle DeLucias

goal is to provide physical
therapy for athletes, and
she believes a community
is a place we can discover
ourselves. Theme song?
J. Coles Love Yourz tells
people to love themselves
and what they have. Fave
quote: Being deeply loved by
someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply
gives you courage.

11

Tyler Congleton

Daniel Costa

Tyler Congletons idea of

a perfect day is sleeping
in and going to the beach,
and her role model is her
father because he built a
business from the ground
up. Tylers favorite trip was
to France and London a few
months ago with her mom
and sister, and shed like
to learn to speak a foreign
language fluently.

Daniel considers growing up

in the town of Greensboro a
gift, because those around
him were very supportive of
everyone in the community.
Daniel
is
considering
pursuing
a
major
in
Business Administration with
a concentration in Finance.
Thomas Jefferson is his role
model: In matters of style,
swim with the current; in
matters of principle, stand
like a rock.

Christian
Dickerson

Whitney Grady

Christian Dickerson is from

Greensboro and loves video
games and dancing, and
sees himself working for a
major gaming developer
as a gaming engineer.
Inspired by his mother and
appreciative of all that shes
done and sacrificed for him,
he brings his gentleman-like
qualities and generosity to
campus, and wants to put
his all into his studies.

Whitney
Grady
plays
violin and piano and
looks up to her grandma
because shes very wise.
A decade from now, she
will be an athletic trainer,
live in the suburbs with
a husband and kids. Her
plans include getting her
doctorate in kinesiology.

UTOP Students

Mamebassine
Gueye
Mame
Bassine
Gueye
hopes to graduate with a
double major in Finance
and International Business.
From Raleigh, Mimi would
like to be a stockbroker and
is ready to work for all the
things she wants. UTOP
has definitely met Mimis
expectations. And does she
love being a 49er? Yesss, of
course!

Tiscia Haigler

Dezmon Hall

Shekinah Hall

Tiscia Haigler is from Dudley,

NC and she likes the contrast
of going to school in a larger
city. In 10 years, Tiscia plans
to complete a dermatology
residency. Her inspirations
are her grandmother, who
encourages Tiscia to be
helpful, kind to all, and an
overall well-rounded person,
and Maya Angelous poem
Still I Rise.

Dezmon Hall was born in

Miami and at seven, his
family moved to Charlotte.
He loves horror movies,
and his determination to
set a goal and accomplish
it. Since high school, Dez
has been part of YBM
Leadership Alliance. Hes
preparing to be a computer
engineer and hopes to run
his uncles business.

Shekinah Mikalah Halls

older sister went through
UTOP as well. Mikalahs
major
is
elementary
education, and she wants to
be either a second or third
grade teacher. She believes
that children dont get the
attention that they need,
and she wants to give them
the foundation required to
succeed.

Jala Hayes

Ahmad Hill

Candis Hoskins Jasmine Johnson

A triathlete who plays softball,

volleyball, and soccer, Jala
Hayes is originally from
Selma, Alabama. A prekinesiology
major
who
aspires to open her own
physical therapy practice,
Jala says right now her
focus is on working towards
making good grades and
making the much-needed
personal connections she
will need after graduation.

Ahmad Hill comes from a

large family in Camden,
near Elizabeth City, NC,
and first heard about UTOP
when he came to the SOAR
program. He likes that
Charlotte is the second
largest finance city in the
U.S. with an abundance of
internship opportunities. An
aspiring Business Finance
major with a concentration in
accounting.

One of the quieter UTOPers,

Candis Hoskins also has a
great sense of humor. She
believes that her childhood
environment
living
in
Greensboro allowed her to
become more mature and
overcome obstacles. Although
she has not yet declared a
major, she is currently following
a pre-health professions
track in hopes of becoming a
veterinarian.

12

Jasmine, a UTOPer from

Monroe, North Carolina,
has an incredible talent
in singing. She has been
singing ever since she
was a little girl and has
performed in many places.
Jasmine loves her talent;
to her it is life and means
everything to her.
She
aims to be a singer in the
future, and she looks up to
Rihanna as an inspiration.

UTOP Students

Stephanie Lam
Stephanie Lam took AP
Studio Art in her senior
year in Mooresville and
completed a 24-piece art
portfolio. She is going to
major in Computer Science,
and her brother is also at
UNCC. In 10 years she
wants to have a successful
career as a game developer.
Theme song? Keep Your
Head Up by Andy Grammer.

Isaiah Lassiter Shelby Lattimore Erikah Lawson

Isaiah
Lassiter
wants
to be a pre criminal
justice major, strengthen
the image of police as
protectors, and show his
community that police can
be trusted. His life theme
is
Mahatma
Gandhis
Be the change that you
wish to see in the world,
Isaiahs role model is his
older brother.

Born in Long Island, New

York,
Shelby
Lattimore
moved to Raleigh in the third
grade. Shelby wants to be an
elementary school teacher
and open a daycare for
children who have visual or
hearing impairments, or other
physical disabilities. She has
two sisters, her Dad is her
best friend. she has never
eaten an Oreo, and she can
tell you a lot about the Mantis
Shrimpher spirit animal.

Erikah Lawson is from

Raleigh
and
believes
that everyone should be
offered an opportunity
similar to UTOP to get
used to college life.
Erikah feels that she has
a second home at UNCC
and plans to major in PreKinesiology.

Casey Mack

Neariah MandisaDrummond

Cameron Locust Kaitlyn Luckman

Cameron Lanier Locust
is from Sanford, NC, is
enrolled with a major in
Nursing and wants to be a
nurse anesthetist, then a
department head within a
hospital or private practice.
Camerons role model is
his father, who takes care
of those in his family and
others as well. Song? R
Kellys You Saved Me.

Kaitlyn (Kate) Luckman

is a Biology Major on
the Pre-Med track and
she wants to be through
medical school in 10
years. From a small rural
county in western NC,
she feels at home in Niner
Nation. Kate likes to knit,
paint, and play piano and
marimba. Her parents are
her biggest inspirations.

Casey was born in Grass

Valley, California, and his
family moved to Asheville,
NC in 2006. As a junior, he
traveled to Germany for a full
year through his involvement
in Rotary. Besides feeling
at home, Casey also came
to UNCC because of the
amazing business program
it has and its central location
in Charlotte.

13

Neariah Mandisa spent most

of her childhood in New York
City; her mother Ashanti
taught her to be a peaceful,
positive, and productive
LEO!
She
also
likes
Queen Beys Always stay
gracious and is ready to
be successful. Neariah has
an ardent interest in film,
technical theatre, and all
things creative.

UTOP Students

Diana Maruri
A Charlotte native, Diana
Maruri wants to redefine
stereotypes
of
Latina
women. She places a high
value on education, plans on
majoring in Kinesiology and
then attending a chiropractic
school. Mother Teresas
Spread love everywhere you
go; let no one ever come to
you without leaving happier
fuels her positivity and
passion to help others.

Amari McLain
From Winston-Salem, Amaris
majoring
in
Business
Management and also plans
on receiving her MBA and
J.D. Shed also like to start
programs to help those who
are less fortunate, and travel
to a new country every year.
Mom Michelle inspires Amari
to do her best in everything
and to never give up.

Catrisse McDowell Leilani McGhee Jasmine McGregor

From Greensboro, Catrisse
Caroline McDowell plans to
study Exercise Science on
a Pre-Kinesiology track to
become a Physical Therapist.
She graduated Summa Cum
Laude, a member of Western
Guilford
High
Schools
first Advanced Placement
Capstone Academy class.
Catrisse brings her personal
gift of spreading positivity
through singing.

Leilani McGhee is from

a close-knit family that
includes her sister and both
parents in Fayetteville. Shes
majoring in Psychology,
her favorite color is red
and favorite artists include
Future, 2NE1 and celebrity
Zendaya. One day shed like
to own her own business,
have a family and at least
two dogs.

Jarren Mebane Sarah Melendez

Jarren Mebane grew up in
Burlington, NC, and chose
UNC Charlotte because of
its Engineering program.
Joining UTOP brought him
into a community with other
freshman that had similar
mindsets of getting ahead
and prospering. The best
advice Jarren has received
about college is, You are
your resume, meaning that
networking is everything.

Sarah Melendez is a prenursing major and wants

to be a flight nurse at a
Charlotte hospital when
she graduates. Her father
makes her favorite food
Puerto Rican rice and
beans. He hates for the
rice to stick, so he takes
three hours to make the
dish. If he doesnt make it,
it doesnt taste the same.

14

Jasmine
McGregor
will
major in Psychology and
then pursue graduate school
to help people with mental
illnesses.
She
strongly
believes in what Macklemore
quoted: Dont try to change
the world, find something
that you love, do it every
day, and do that for the rest
of your life. And eventually,
the world will change.

Wesley Moore
Wesley Moore lives by Dr.
Seuss lines: Today you
are you! That is truer than
true! There is no one alive
that is you-er than you! His
strongest support is from
caring parents Wesley and
Sherri, and loving sister,
Kaela, in Winston-Salem.
Hed like to complete medical
school and help others as a
healthcare professional.

UTOP Students

Aishah Omotosho

Allyson Panell

Aishah Omotosho grew

up in Alexandria, VA and
moved to North Carolina
at the start of high school.
Aishah plans to major in
Social Work in college,
and then to get her
Masters degree. UTOP
kept her busy, and she
expects that Fall semester
will be even busier.

Allyson Pannell lives by the

motto YOLO because life
is all about experiencing
new things without regrets,
including participating in
UTOP! From King, NC, near
Winston-Salem, she hopes
to become a pharmacist.
Favorite things so far at UNC
Charlotte include student
dorms, meeting new people,
and getting involved in the
campus community.

Juwan Reddick

Jeffrey Rondo

Inspired by his brother, Juwan

Reddick aims to be in the
music industry ghostwriting,
producing, or performing. His
father inspired introspective,
deep, and free thinking
through his lectures, stories,
and perspectives. Juwan
brings an open mind, a caring,
compassionate heart, and a
willingness to help others to
his UNCC community.

Jeffrey Rondo is a Charlotte

native, and he decided to
join a summer academic
program to get a strong
start on his college career.
Hes also very excited
about the social aspect of
college, including football.
He played basketball in high
school, and is interested in
becoming an athletic trainer
for a pro sports team.

Stacey Perez
Morales
Stacey Perez Morales is a
Chemistry major aspiring to
become an obstetrician and
gynecologist who would like
to practice in Florida. She
moved from Puerto Rico to
the Raleigh area when she
was four. To her new UNCC
community, Stacey brings the
ability to motivate others and
a stress free environment to
those around her.

Jehanne Pilgrim
Jehanne Pilgrim chose UNC
Charlotte because of its
incredible nursing program
and internship opportunities.
The diversity on campus
allows her to meet people of
different backgrounds, and
she really loves the botanical
gardens. After graduation,
she wants to travel for a year
as a nurse, and her longterm goal is to work for the
United Nations.

Joshua Shepherd Nylah Singleton

Joshua
Shepherd
has
always wanted to be a
superhero, because they
saved even strangers lives.
Just like Josh, they protect
their communities without
question and know that it is
their sole purpose on Earth.
With a Biology degree in
hand, Josh plans to go to
medical school to become a
top physician in the military.

15

From Greenville, NC, Nylah

Singleton also attended Pit
Community College and
earned 6 college credits. In
her free time, Nylah likes
to shop and cook. Nylah
decided to attend UTOP
because she wanted to
have a 4.0 GPA, make new
friends and connections,
and familiarize herself with
the campus.

UTOP Students

Deja Stover

Aubrey Surgers Nicole Sutherland

Briana Sutton

Deja Stovers family includes

an active duty service
member, so shes used to
joining new communities
frequently. Consequently, she
is more than excited to join the
UNC Charlotte community,
UNCCs black community,
as well as her community of
Psychology majors! Shed
like to go straight to medical
school and help others
through a private practice.

Aj
Surgers
defines
community as the total
cooperation of individuals in a
given place, and friendliness-both qualities he learned
from a very loving home
and community. He wants
to pursue UNCCs business
school to prepare for a career
in sports management. Ajs
biggest role model is Jesse
Owens, who prevailed in
spite of so much adversity.

Nicole Sutherland describes

herself as nice, caring
for others, and outgoing.
Favorite activities include
singing, volleyball, basketball
and reading. She wants to get
to know not only students, but
also faculty. Nicole aspires
to first graduate from UNC
Charlotte, and eventually
attend law school.

From Rolesville, NC, Briana

Sutton is the youngest of
five, and her sister is a
UNCC alum. As someone
who loves to help others and
is interested in the medical
field, becoming a Nurse
Practitioner seems to fit.
She appreciates her parents
as role models who have
sacrificed to create a good
life for her family.

Tammy Tang

Sarah Tillet

David Tyler

Brittany Walker

Tammy Tangs family has

a restaurant in Mooresville
and her role model is her
father. One day she wants
to study abroad, and also
visit Asia to meet the rest
of her family members.
An Accounting major, her
favorite quote is, To the
world you may be one
person; but to one person
you may be the world.

Sarah Tillett says, MAS is

very proactive getting the
word out about UTOP, and
I was drawn into learning
more.
Mentor
Aaliyah
encouraged me to do it
because she told me I would
not regret it. Sarah knows
now that Aaliyah was right,
and appreciates all the
experiences that UTOP has
offered her.

David Tyler is a native of

Virginia and a graduate of
UNCGs Middle College.
Greensboros
News
&
Record hired him, and he
is pursuing a degree in
communications to work on
TV. A quote he lives by is
Im not an artist, I am art,
meaning that how he lives
life should be considered
art itself.

Brittany Walker is from Elon,

a first generation college
student in her family, and her
mothers dedication and hard
work make her Brittanys
role model. Because she
has learned to not take
anything for granted, she
likes Rihannas Nothing is
Promised. Shed like to major
in Nursing or Psychology and
become a pediatrician.

16

UTOP Students

Marcus
Washington

Jimaune
Williams

Chrishon Wright

Marcus Washington says,

Before I got to UNCC I was
afraid Id have no clue how
to get to my classes and that
college was going to be the
hardest experience in my
life. UTOP is an excellent
educational
program
that has helped me get a
head start on my college
experience with a 4.0 GPA.

Jimaune Williams has a

lot of favorites--artist Big
Sean, the Good Music
label, LeVeon Bell and the
Pittsburg Steelers, and Ole
Miss. The UNC Charlotte
campus and the city of
Charlotte have also become
faves, along with his major
in pre-dentistry. He adds
another: UTOP has been
the best decision Ive made.

An engineering major from

Eden, NC, Chrishon Wright
played sports in high school
and was in various clubs
and honors organizations.
Chrishons parents really
pushed him to come to
UTOP and now hes glad
because hes met so many
amazing people. Favorite
artist? Kanye West. Favorite
little brother? Christian: 13.

17

Favorite Quotes
and Tweets

Favorite Tweets and Quotes

EC: Going into

Fall semester
with a good GPA
#UTOP16 was
good to me

#UTOP16

Thomasina Pearce:
#uncc20 #utop16
don't be afraid to
come out of your
comfort zone! All
Bestfriends were
once strangers

Grayson Collins:
Late nights but lots
of fun. I have also
enjoyed getting to
know people
and making
new friends.

#UNCC20

Michelle DeLucia:
It's such a privilege
to be a part of
#utop16, couldn't
be happier

Favorite Hangouts

Favorite Hangouts
Most Fun Rooms to Hang Out In

Room 514 Kate, Sasha, Erikah, Nylah, Jerrel, Dez, Jimaune, Jarren, Anthony
Room 535 Stacey, Whitney, Candis, Brittany, Michael, Isaiah, Neariah, MiMi,
Bre
Room 536 Rondo, Christian, Josh, AJ, Makala, Taylor, Raphael

Places UTOP 16 WILL NOT Hang Out

Study Hall
The 550 Lounge
Atkins Library

Who does UTOP 16 like to hang out with?

Because everyones name was mentioned at least once, along with the vote of
everyone, UTOP 16 enjoys hanging out all-together.

21

Superlatives

Superlatives
Most Dramatic

Most Outspoken

Kindest

Deja

Shelby

Bri

Christian

Casey

Mike

Biggest Flirt
Jasmine
Anthony

Best Sense of Humor

MostAccident Prone
Tiscia

Taylor
Cameron

Jeffrey
Biggest Night Owl

Loudest

Michelle

Deja

Raphael

Jeffrey
Most Inseperable

Best Personality
Ally

Makayla & Jayla

Jarren & Anthony

Josh

Quietest
Stephanie
Ahmad

Best Advice Giver

Future Mentor

Best Smile

Leilani

Jaylaan

Leilani

Isaiah

Josh

Jerrel

23

Fashion

Niner Fashion

25

Fashion

26

Fashion

27

Talent Show

Talent Show

29

Talent Show

30

Music/Dance

Music/Dance

32

Trips

Exit Strategy
On a bright Friday afternoon, UTOP students took a fun trip to Exit Strategy. Exit Strategy
is an activity center that features a variety of themed rooms including Quest of Honor,
Bank Heist, Cabin in the Woods, and The Final Sacrifice.
The objective of the game is different in each room, yet
the premise is the same:
Participants have to come
up with a plan to escape
with limited time, as each
team has only 60 minutes
to complete the room.

UTOP Mentor Kendra with UTOP participant

Whitney as they wait for the bus and vans to
take UTOP 16 to Exit Strategy

After you choose your

game,
an
employee
escorts you into the
corresponding room and
gives a few instructions.
UTOP Mentors showing UTOP pride!
It was during this time
that we learned that we
had unlimited hints, and we received other essential details
as well. Inside the room, there are clues hidden within
seemingly normal objects in the room that we had to find to
excel at the game.

This experience was a great chance to get to know the diverse group of people involved
in the UTOP program. The activity was a great way for UTOP participants and mentors to
build their collaboration skills in
an unfamiliar setting. The teams
were picked at random for this
activity, so existing groups of
friends werent on the same team.
Though a bit uncomfortable, this
forced UTOP students to meet
new people and network with
one another, ultimately creating
new friendships as teams left the
rooms. Though some teams were
not successful with their mission,
the game brought everyone
together to achieve a common
goal.

A successful UTOP team with its prize: The diamond from Queen City Bank Heist!

34

Exit Strategy resulted in a win for

everyonedespite the figures
shown on the 60-minute timer!

Lazy 5 Ranch
On Saturday, July 9, the students participating in UTOP took a trip to the Lazy 5 Ranch in
Mooresville, North Carolina. The Lazy 5 Ranch is owned and operated by Henry Hampton, who
has been raising and handling exotic animals for over 35
years. On May 22, 1993, his dream came true when the Lazy
5 Ranch came to
life. The ranch is
named after the
owners
family,
as he described,
consisted of five
lazy people. The
ranch is now home
to more than 750
animals from six
continents. Visitors
can watch the
animals from either
the comfort of their
cars or from horse-drawn wagons. The safari-style trail
is 3.5 miles long.
UTOP students piled onto three wagons that included
buckets of animal feed. Ranch staff talked to us about
each of the animals we saw that ranged from tiny baby pigs to giraffes. They explained where the
animals were from and how they
acted with each other. When we
fed the animals from the buckets,
it felt really weird when they licked
our hands.
At the end of the trail, we got off
the wagons and went to the petting
zoo where we walked through to
see different animals. Cage-free
peacocks roamed all over the
ranch trails.
Our trip to the Lazy 5 Ranch was
interesting, although some people
didnt like the animals. Overall,
the trip was a good bonding
experience for our group.
35

Bowling

36

Levine Museum

37

Movie
On June 6, 2016, UTOP participants went to see
London has Fallen, a movie directed by Babak Najafi.
The film focuses on a terrorist attack in London that
takes place at the funeral for the British Prime Minister.
It follows Mike Banning, a secret service agent that
works very closely with the U.S. President, as Mike
tries to do his job and save the President from a
televised assassination.
Before the movie began we all waited patiently outside
the Student Union movie theater. Once everybody
walked into the theater, they immediately started
fighting for the best seats along the middle row. Once
everyone was seated, the movie began, but no one
expected the force of the blasting speakers. We felt
like we were part of the warfare that took place on the
screen, and that enhanced the experience.
Attending this movie was unlike any regular theater
visit. People cracked jokes, laughed, and made loud
comments, and this continued throughout. However,
there was not a dry eye in the room when Lynne died
after the tragic helicopter accident. The whole theater
was at the edge of its seats throughout, but it seemed
super unrealistic and corny since the movie followed
a very predictable plot line. Overall, the event was a
lot of fun and much better than most people expected.

Charlotte Knights Game

39

Carowinds

40

Skating

Work & Play

Class Time

Down Time

44