2024: Conference and Fun in Florida
Early on in my new role at McLennan Community College, several members of our team had the opportunity to travel to Florida State University in Tallahassee for the annual College Student Coaching Conference. It was one of those professional development experiences that leaves a lasting impression—not just because of what we learned, but because of the people we met and the places we saw along the way.
Florida State University (FSU), founded in 1851, is one of the oldest and most respected institutions in the state. Known for its strong academic programs, research, and school spirit, FSU is home to the Seminoles, and its iconic Westcott Building, fountains, and lush campus made for a beautiful backdrop to our time there.
We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown, a uniquely designed hotel with a modern vibe and a triangular, almost sail-like shape that immediately caught my eye. It’s easy to spot in one of the photos on the left-hand page of this spread—tall, angular, and striking against the Florida sky. The hotel is centrally located, making it easy to get to campus and explore downtown.
The College Student Coaching Conference was filled with impactful sessions focused on student success, equity in higher education, and practical tools for academic coaching. From keynote speakers to breakout discussions, it was a great reminder of why we do what we do—helping students navigate college with confidence and clarity.
And then… I saw an opportunity.
Since I wasn’t too far (about a 4-hour drive) from Orlando, I decided to take a little detour and sneak in a quick visit to Disney Springs—a surprise reunion with my son for about 36 hours of magic and memory-making. The right-hand page of this spread kicks off that part of the trip, complete with photos of us by the Disney Springs sign and at the top of the stairs overlooking the bustling crosswalk.
The layout features two themes: beachy tones to represent the Florida coast, and—naturally—Disney magic for the second half of the journey. I designed everything using Cricut Design Space, and my Cricut Maker handled the heavy lifting—cutting out embellishments, drawing the journaling lines, and tracing the two Florida state outlines with marked locations for “Tallahassee” and “Orlando.” These visual cues help tell the story of how far I traveled—and how close I felt to both professional purpose and personal joy.
On the left-hand page, you’ll find a photo of me in front of the hotel, a snapshot of our group at the conference, and a picture of the folder I carried—grounding the spread in both location and time. These little physical markers are often the ones we forget later, which is why I love capturing them in my pages.
The right-hand page continues the theme with warm tones and whimsical touches. There’s a picture of my son and me, plus a few subtle Disney accents. And yes, Mickey Mouse himself makes an appearance—welcoming us with open arms and a cheerful wave: “Oh boy! Looks like we’ve got a scrapbooker in the house—ha ha!”
In the coming days, I’ll be sharing more spreads from our whirlwind visit to Disney Springs.
If you’d like to see how this spread came together, check out the video below and watch the journey unfold—one cut, one photo, one memory at a time.
MASCrapping 