Phil Wheeler and his Piranhas

Phil Lester Wheeler is a 21-year-old senior at Frostburg State University who is studying Mass Communications with a minor in Public Relations. He has 2 older sisters, Amaris and Keisha, and he went to Lanham Christian School before graduating and coming to FSU. In many aspects of his life, Phil would be considered a normal college student. He likes to watch movies, listen to music (R&B, hip hop, rap), and he likes to go to the gym when he’s not in class. In many other ways, however, Phil is unique and stands out because of his charisma and individuality. Within minutes of interviewing Phil, he told me about his love for his family, Steph Curry, and his three pet Piranhas. Yes you read that correctly… I said pet Piranhas. “I have three Piranhas in a 29 gallon tank at home (PG County). I wanted to bring them to school but it was too much work to try to transport their huge tank. I’ve had about ten Piranhas in total, but only currently have three. My first three Piranhas were named Titan, Aries, and Zeus. After they died, I stopped naming them. A couple of them ate each other because I wasn’t there to feed them”. Understandably enough, Phil’s mother doesn’t love to take care of the Piranhas, so a few died when he went away to college. Since then, Phil reminds his mom to take care of them and he believes they are in good hands. “I try to stay on her about taking care of them, but they might be dead when I get home”. Phil bought his first few Piranhas in 2015, and plans to keep having this unusual pet in the future. Overall, Phil is a laid back guy who doesn’t seem to take life too seriously. Even with the every day stresses of being a college student, Phil keeps a smile on his face and brings a positive energy to those around him.

Amber Assad: Up and Coming Writer

By: Ethan Vandeck, ENGL336

Amber Assad, born in Miami, Florida but raised in Bethesda, Maryland, where she went to BCC High School, is currently a student at Frostburg State University. She is a sophomore and is currently working towards her English major. 

Amber decided English as her major because she has an interest in writing. After graduating from FSU, she wants to write for either a newspaper or a magazine. Her favorite course at FSU so far is Journalistic Writing. "I love Andy Duncan! He's great!", exclaimed Assad.

When Amber is not attending classes, she likes to volunteer in her community and listening to music. In fact, one of her talents is that she can play the ukulele. She also likes riding and tending to horses.

an interview of frostburg student ethan vandeck

The peer whom I interviewed is named Ethan Vandeck. He is originally from Denver, CO, but he lives in Rockville, MD when he isn’t at Frostburg. He attended Rockville High School in Rockville, MD. He came to study at Frostburg because he is interested in political journalism. He's 22 and a transfer student, so this is his first year here! He likes to read newspapers and browse websites. He is an English major at Frostburg. His favorite color is blue. When asked why he liked journalism, he responded that he enjoys the process of reading information and telling it to the public. He would like to work for a newspaper or as a writer when he graduates. A fun fact is that he worked on the newspaper at his High School, called "The Rampage". 

A Home All Over The World The Story Of Torie Costa

A Home All Over The World:

The Story Of Victoria Costa

Written By: Alexus Clanton ENGL336

Pictured: Torie Costa 

Victoria Costa , also known as Torie is a current junior at Frostburg State University. Pursuing a degree in English with a concentration in professional writing Torie plans to become a free-lance writer for a big company or join the Peace Corps for two years to teach English to those in underdeveloped countries. Besides being a student Torie loves to spend time writing, hiking, surfing, and working out.

Torie also has a thrill for traveling. She has traveled to the London, Germany, Austria, Trinidad and Tobago, and more. Getting the opportunity to travel so many places it must be hard to choose which would be the best out of all. “Trinidad and Tobago was hands down more different than the rest, but it came with a lot of struggle.” In a country where she stood out and the crime rate is extremely high you must be cautious to your surroundings. “With all this being said, however, this was by far the most beautiful place(s) I have ever been to. Especially Tobago. The beaches are beautiful, littered with wild goats and clear water, I’ve never seen anything like it. With plentiful amounts of coral, the walls lining the hotels were made up of huge coral pieces and stone.”There was most definitely a culture shock Costa exclaimed. 

Combining both her passions of writing and traveling she has considered creating a travel blog. “I plan to start one when I start traveling more. It is hard to travel as a student, unless I study abroad, of course.” A home all over the world is the name of her story because she has family all over the world who don`t mind lending her a place to stay when she gets that itch for adventure. Having that resource and a passion of writing will make Torie`s travel blog aspirations become a reality. 

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