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Top 25 of 2013: Chasing the Bowl Crashers

December 25, 2013

Orange Bowl Express-xAs 2013 draws to a close, NIU Today offers a look back at 25 of the top stories from the year.

No. 6

The 1,300 NIU students who took the Orange Bowl Student Fan Bus trip began arriving back in DeKalb shortly before noon Thursday, still glowing from an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.

“It was awesome – probably the best experience I ever had,” said Chelsie Bram, a nursing major from Buffalo Grove. “I feel like everybody won. It was a lot of fun.”

“Who wouldn’t have a good time in Miami on New Year’s Eve?” shrugged Jackie Jordon, a senior technology major.

The experience was especially memorable for Anthony Wood and Rachel Sevik.

The two had been dating for a long time, but couldn’t arrange to get on the same bus. That was more than a little disappointing, considering that Wood had stashed an engagement ring in his suitcase.

Understandably excited, he told some of his traveling companions of his plans for a New Year’s Eve proposal on the beach. For the record, Sevik, who also graduated in December with a degree in nursing, said yes.