As a recent American citizen, Irvin Morales bleeds red, white and blue. As a Publix employee, he also bleeds green. Morales’ path to the “American dream” began 15 years ago, when his mother immigrated to the United States empty-handed from El Salvador. In hopes of becoming a store manager, he now is in his final semester before earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration at FSU Panama City.

When Sam E. Nole came to FSU Panama City thanks to a scholarship from the AT&T Foundation, her whole world was computer science. When she wasn’t working on a new program or learning new tricks of the trade, she would unplug and recharge her battery in a home that seemed like nothing but a box.

Cana Sylvester knows about life on the stage. Introduced to acting as a child, she went on to perform in productions at Mosley High School, majored in theater at Gulf Coast State College and was a cast member in the Disney College Program.