Volunteers ready to assist outside Indian River Hall.
Scores of nervous parents and anxious students descended on Florida Atlantic University this morning for move-in day, and the emotions ran the gamut under the blazing August sun. Boxes big and small were carefully shuttled to and fro as countless youngsters began breathing their first breath of freedom and independence. Joann Pietrovich was helping her 18-year-old daughter Rebecca unload their vessel.
"It is her first time away from home, and the nerves are definitely present," she said. Rebecca made the trek from Colorado for FAU's highly touted ocean engineering program and said she is "most excited about heading out on my own and beginning to establish my independence."
Lee English and Sheila Mapes had just dropped off their son, 18-year-old Ian English, and they came a long way as well.
"We came from Missouri, and he chose FAU because of the ocean engineering program. He is an avid scuba diver also, and we knew he would chose a school near the ocean," said English.
Mapes said the maternal instinct was in high gear and she wanted to buy Ian more items.
"Lee had to stop me from doing so, and I know it is time for him to start establishing himself. It is just hard to let go," she said.
A bit to the north, I found Dexter Roberts standing near the door to Indian River Hall along with his 8-year-old daughter Deja.
"We just dropped off Shanci, and she is a freshman. I definitely have a lot of butterflies, and it's hard to see your oldest going off, but I am very excited for her also," he said.
Deja said she is going to miss her older sister, but hopes to visit as much as she can.