Jessica Pereda is in her fourth year at the University of Florida. She is pursuing a journalism degree with a certificate in teaching English as a second language. She worked for the Independent Alligator and WUFT. In 2013, she worked at the New York Times Editing Center in Gainesville. She has experience in writing and photography as well as marketing and public relations.

Pereda was born in Miami, where she was raised by her large Hispanic family. She spends her off hours reading, cooking and trying to figure out where she will find her next recipe. In the future, she hopes to travel and report on international news. She also hopes to go to a school abroad to teach English.