For the victims of Katrina, she helped plan a food drive for America’s Second Harvest, amassing over 250 pounds of food.

Edlin Mannapperuma

Senior, Social Work

Any high school senior who is going through the college application process can tell you how hard it can be to find a school with the right fit. Large school or small? Great athletics or parents' alma mater? Then there are students like Edlin Mannapperuma who "desire to be a part of the best degree programs in the country."

Edlin found the perfect place to work toward her dream of becoming "an effective and successful social worker" in Florida State's College of Social Work, which is ranked in the nation's top 25.

Her academic accomplishments evidence her abilities. She has appeared on both the Dean's List and The National Dean's List, and she has been inducted into the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society, as well as Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society at Florida State.

Edlin has made a significant difference to Florida State and the surrounding community through her involvement in the United Way's Elder Care Services, the American Heart Association, and the Oscar Arias Sanchez Hispanic Honor Society (OASHHS). For the victims of Katrina she helped plan a food drive for America's Second Harvest, amassing over 250 pounds of food. At Christmas, she helped raise over $600 in gifts for under-privileged families in the area. Recognizing her dedication, her fellow OASHHS members elected her president, an accomplishment Edlin considers to be one of her greatest experiences.

"Being involved in such activities with other students who want to make a difference" is what she enjoys most about Florida State. She will continue to be involved—she plans to pursue a master's degree in Social Work before embarking on her career.