Meet The Cardona Family — College Park
We both grew up in Polk County and loved the ‘small’ town we lived in (which is why we loved this area). We have been married for 11 years. The sparkle in our eye is our 6 and 1/2 (don’t forget the half) year old son Jacob. We have a boxer named Zoe that keeps us on our toes as well. Brian completed a residency program in Ann Arbor, MI where Andrea and Jacob fell in love with the snow. Upon leaving the residency we wanted to come back home or close to it. We stumbled upon this magical College Park area when Brian started working at Advent Health in downtown. We have loved it here and are so thankful to be part of this community.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Brian is a surgical Physician Assistant with the heart and lung transplant team at Advent Health. Andrea was a victim advocate, taught elementary gifted for years, and is now a SAHM and currently teaching 1st grade (class of 1 haha) this year.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
We love Tornatore’s, the cubans at College Park Cafe and of course Jeremiah’s too.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We are entering our 3rd year in College Park and just love it!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Marguerite McNeill, director of Monarch Learning Academy here in College Park, has to be the most interesting person. She is amazing. She always has a smile, a positive attitude and gives back to her students, the families and the community every chance she gets. I wish I could be more like Ms. Marguerite!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
We would love to visit the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. Our family loves adventure and what an amazing site to see with scenery much different than we have here in Florida!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Well not really “one” but one series of shows haha. We are working through all the Marvel shows and movies in chronological order. It taking forever but so much awesomeness!
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Anything country – but Brad Paisley and Lady Antebellum are Andrea’s go-to’s.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
We absolutely love how the College Park has everything you need right here! Its like a great little utopia in the middle of the city.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Andrea opened and directed a nonprofit Victim Advocacy program, FLA Four Legged Advocates, that specialized in helping victims of sexual assault. We were the first in the nation to utilize canine partners to help victims of crimes feel more comfortable in the criminal justice process. After being awarded an innovation award from DOJ, Andrea taught a class for them on how to utilize canine partners and could not be more elated than to say this program can now be found throughout the US.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Andrea got the amazing opportunity to go dog sledding on a glacier in Alaska. It was like being in a National Geographic photograph, untouched land all around you. It was amazing. If you get the chance, it is a must do! Cannot wait to take Jacob one day.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My (Andrea’s) favorite month is November. The weather is fabulous and everything fall is magical. Plus at the end of the month, I can decorate for my favorite holiday, Christmas! I think Brian and I can both agree that the single best day on the calendar is our son’s birthday. He made our family whole and we wouldn’t be the same without him.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Most definitely NOT 2020
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My son. Everything we do is to try to make his life and future better.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
The aroma of freshly baked cookies, fresh apple pie with cinnamon and vanilla come to mind…I’m feeling a theme here. Ha
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family – Comfort – Play
