NSUCO - The Visionary Fall 2010

the VISIONARY • Summer/Fall 2010 28 Featured Student Leader BY OD-3 ERNESTO “ERNIE” CEPERO Site Student News eye YOUNG “ERNIE” (CIRCA 1986) My first experience working in the optical business was 25 years ago when my parents opened Cepero Opticians in Miami, Florida. In 2000, I graduated as a licensed optician from Miami Dade College (MDC) and went on to work in the family business. In 2001, Alan Sobel, O.D., from Miami-Dade College allowed me the opportunity to shadow him once a week for an entire year. After a few months with Dr. Sobel, I knew I wanted to be an optometrist. I have been fortunate enough, prior to entering NSU, to experience the various aspects the field has to offer. For example, I was the optical man- ager and contact lens technician at our optical shop that was located within an M.D. practice, worked part-time as an instructor at MDC’s Opticianry Program, served as a li- censed optician at Sears Optical, and as an ophthalmic technician at Bas- com Palmer. In 2007, I was accepted into NSU’s new Pre-Optometry Program (POP). After finishing the POP year, I knew I wanted to become more involved with my class. Fortunately, as an OD-1, I was elected as class presi- dent and earned BSK honors. As class president, I have been able to organize activities such as exam reviews by the professors, lab checkout practice relays, and student-led class reviews. I also became involved with the Florida Optometric Student Association (FOSA) and will become FOSA president begin- ning this summer. Thanks to my involvement with FOSA, I was able to travel to Tallahassee the past two years for Legislative Day to support Florida optometry. I was also elected SGA secretary last semester and look forward to attending the AOA conference as NSU’s AOSA delegate and the FOA conference in Orlando this summer. As we enter the clinical part of our edu- cation, I look forward to continuing to lead the class of 2012 members as we strive to be the largest graduating class ever at NSUCO. My Perspective