Monday, 3/8/2021 by The Independent Florida Alligator

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VOLUME 115 ISSUE 24

MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

Not officially associated with the University of Florida

One year later: The COVID-19 pandemic how to act just because it’s been so long.”

Twelve months. Three semesters. One atypical year. March 11 marks the first anniversary of when COVID-19 –– a deadly virus sweeping the world –– shut down our campus. On that day in 2020, UF President Kent Fuchs emailed students notifying them that all classes would be online starting March 16 and encouraging them to leave town. It was a moment that would change the course of the next year, and for many, their entire college experience. With scheduled in-person graduations and widespread vaccine promises, UF administration is beginning to discuss a return to normalcy. But nearly 250 people in Alachua County have died with COVID-19 complications, according to The New York Times. Grandparents hugged their grandchildren through plastic tarps; life milestones were reduced to drive-thru services; and people died alone after exchanging final goodbyes over FaceTime. No matter what life looks like post-pandemic, one thing is certain: Those who perished won’t be here to see it. Students have altered their lives to follow social distancing protocols, stressed over online classes and attended club meetings over Zoom. Outside the classroom, they missed packing Saturdays in The Swamp, crossing the stage in a cap and gown, loading buses to formals and spending Starbucks-fueled all-nighters in the library. A year later, UF students reflect on the impact of the past year. While some talk about their return to an empty campus, others explain how their college memories have been confined to computer screens and kitchen tables.

Melody Palmer

Melody Palmer remembers standing in line for Chipotle when she read an email from UF informing students classes would transition online. She remembered thinking if all classes would end up online, she would just go home to Port Orange, Florida. While home, the 20-year-old UF sustainability studies Palmer sophomore lived with her 97-year-old grandfather. Due to her grandfather being at increased risk, she was cautious about leaving the house for his safety and avoided it as much as possible. “I think I’ve lost a lot of respect for some people during the pandemic, just by seeing the people who like to go out,” Palmer said. “I don’t know if I can view you in the same way.” Alexandra Quintana

Alexandra Quintana said the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic allowed her to take a break from being stuck in a routine and reflect on herself and the world around her. “I feel like I’m a completely different person,” Quintana, a 19-year-old UF political science sophomore, said. “I feel like we all are. I feel like there’s no way we could be the same

By Jiselle Lee Alligator Staff Writer Lily Olsthoorn

Lily Olsthoorn shaved her head during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an eventful time in her life, she said. In the homestretch of her high school senior year, she was waiting on college decisions, preparing for a water polo competition and dealing with a breakup — all while the world was entering a Olsthoorn global pandemic. “The pandemic was pretty much a catalyst for a lot of healing. Even though it’s the opposite of what you’d expect, I feel like I’m giving myself more chances for my mental health to get better,” the 19-year-old UF undeclared freshman said. “So overall, I’d say it’s been positive for me.” Olsthoorn’s two older brothers are UF alumni, and she remembers the energy of the school when she visited them here five years ago. The memory is preserved in her head

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT The routine’s rhythm

Floridadescription Story gymnastics finish boasts with comma, the bestpg# average score out of every team in the nation, but it takes work to dominate this exercise. Read how the team prepares the routine, pg. 11

Quintana

Ashley Hicks // Alligator Staff

A timeline of the last year, from the first COVID-19 case in Florida to vaccinations at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in February. as a reminder of the way things used to be, but she can’t fathom experiencing the UF that way herself. “In the last couple months, I’ve been really trying so hard to meet people,” Olsthoorn said. “And I feel like I’ve gotten a little bit better at talking one-on-one, but when I’m going to be back in like a big social setting, I won’t know

COVID-19 in cultural trends

Reflecting on pandemic trends from baking bread to new work from home attire, pg. 6

A year of online classes

Students reflect on a year at UF in online learning, pg. 4

after that.” After they were sent home from UF, she and her friend Gabrielle Adekunle created Take Action Florida, where she is currently the vice president. The lobbying organization, which focuses on education and activism on different social issues, will focus on gender and sexuality issues for Women’s History Month. “I feel like that’s why the movement like the Black Lives Matter movement picked up when it did because we were all just really empathetic and understanding at that time,” Quintana said. “We had nothing else to do but sit down and listen.”

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2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021

One deadToday’s following shoot-out with Weather Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO CALLS ABOUT GUNFIRE IN EAST GAINESVILLE

By Chasity Maynard Alligator Staff Writer

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies shot and killed a person during a shoot-out in East Gainesville Friday. At about 4:07 p.m., ACSO deputies arrived at 2325 SE 46th Terrace, a house near Eastside High School, after they received a call about gunshots, sheriff’s office spokesperson Sgt. Frank Kinsey said. When deputies arrived, someone began shooting at them, he said. Multiple deputies shot back, and the person was shot and killed. ACSO spokesperson Art Forgey said the department would not release names or details on the individual or deputies involved as of Sunday evening. Deputies found another person at the scene of the shooting with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, and that person was taken to a local hospital, according to Forgey. It is unclear how many times they were shot, and their condition is unknown as of Sunday evening. Josh Vaughn, who has rented a house on Southeast 46th Terrace for about two years, saw and recorded some of the incident on his phone. When Vaughn pulled onto the street on his way home Friday afternoon, he said he saw a woman running down Southeast 46th Terrace who seemed hysterical and kept looking over her shoulder. He offered to help her. The woman told Vaughn her son shot her, and she pulled down her shirt to reveal a gunshot wound on her shoulder, he said. She appeared to be running from a man in his late 20s or early 30s who was farther down the road. The woman asked to use Vaughn’s phone to call her other son, he said, but the call went to voicemail. The man began running through neighbors’ backyards, Vaughn said. Within minutes, police flood-

ed the street and found the man. It was unclear who began shooting first, but Vaughn heard several gunshots and the woman pleaded for the police not to kill her son. “She was screaming for the police ‘not to kill my son, don’t kill my son,’” Vaughn said. He eventually saw officials carry away the man’s limp body, he said. Vaughn recognized the woman and the man she called her son, he said, but does not know their names. He’s seen them in the neighborhood, and he believes the man’s partner gave birth in the last few weeks. The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on paid leave per department policy while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the ACSO Office of Professional Standards investigate the deputies’ actions, Forgey said. The sheriff can allow the deputies to return to work, he said, but they cannot respond to calls until the investigations close. In 2016, ACSO was involved in the police killing of Robert Dentmond , a 16-year-old who called 911 to say he was suicidal and was later shot while carrying a replica assault rifle. A grand jury determined the teen’s death was justified later that year. An ACSO deputy also shot and killed 39-yearold Gino Martin Palazzollo in 2017, who they said refused to drop his gun.

VOLUME 115 ISSUE 24

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Kinsey said deputies were not wearing body cameras Friday, but ACSO will review footage from the vehicles’ dashboard cameras. The Florida Highway Patrol and Gainesville Police Department arrived to help ACSO, with dozens of law enforcement vehicles surrounding the site. The scene was cleared by Saturday. FDLE will further investigate the shooting. As of Sunday night, there is no threat to the public and the crime scene is clear. ACSO will hold a news conference Monday to release more information on the investigation, Forgey said. Lucy Lannigan contributed to this story @chasitymaynard0 cmaynard@alligator.org

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Law enforcement from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office stand near crime scene tape on Southeast 46th Terrace on Friday, March 5, 2021, where a person died after a shootout between ACSO deputies and the individual.

Early voting begins for the 2021 Gainesville Regular Election THE WINDOW RUNS FROM MARCH 5-13 AT FOUR LOCATIONS By Jack Prator Alligator Staff Writer

Early voting in Gainesville for the 2021 Regular Election began March 5 and runs until March 13. Commissioner Gail Johnson faces Gabriel Hillel for Gainesville’s At-Large B seat and Commissioner Gigi Simmons comes up against Desmon Duncan-Walker for the District 1 seat. Voters can go in person to vote early from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at four locations: the Supervisor of Elections Office, the Millhopper Branch Library, the Reitz Union and the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center. Masks are encouraged, but not mandatory, at the county elections office. But UF issued a re-

minder in February that masks are required for voters at the Reitz Union. CDC guidelines for social distancing will be observed in both polling locations. Per Florida law, photo and signature identification is required to vote. A Florida driver's license, Florida identification card, passport, debit or credit card, military identification, student identification, retirement center identification, neighborhood association identification or public assistance identification can be used to vote. This will be the last city election to be held on its own. In 2018, Gainesville voted to hold city and county commission elections together in August and November starting next year. A sample ballot is available on the Alachua County voting website. @jack_prator jprator@alligator.org

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MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 ALLIGATOR 3

4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021

Students recap one year since COVID-19 CLASSES, FRIENDSHIPS AND CAMPUS LIFE HAVE TRANSFORMED IN THE LAST YEAR By J.P. Oprison and Sofia Echeverry Alligator Staff Writer

Nearly a year after the COVID-19 pandemic spread to UF and caused a campus shutdown, students are still grappling with the challenges of the last year and ongoing restrictions. In the middle of the Spring 2020 semester, students and professors were uprooted from their regular routines and sent away from campus. Since then, they’ve had to adapt to online classes, semester reopening plans that professors continue to debate, new safety precautions and finally the rollout of vaccines. But the changes haven’t been easy. Virtual graduations, reduced capacity at football games and the rise and fall of COVID-19 cases have made for a tough past year. Many students have had to navigate questionable quarantine procedures, the loss of 2021’s Spring Break and study abroad cancellations. Sihini Atalugama said she’s met about 10 new people since starting college — an unheard-of low for her. “I know for sure that if it were a normal semester I would’ve made so many more friends,” the 19-year-old UF microbiology freshman said. “I definitely would’ve met and connected with a lot more.” Atalugama lived in Hume Hall in Fall 2020, but moved back home after Thanksgiving and is taking classes online during Spring because of health concerns. She’s at high risk for permanent lung damage if she gets COVID-19 because of a history of chronic bronchitis and asthma. Although she misses seeing her friends, Atalugama said she appreciates the alone time self-isolation has granted her. Separated from her peers, she said she is able to focus on herself. “When it’s just me and my laptop, I definitely have a lot more time to think about Protect Yourself Others what Help I prioritize, what’s best for and my person-

al health, and work through anything that’s stressing me out,” she said. Her parents and brother are also working or attending school from home, she said, so she tries to play her part in helping her family maintain the separation of home life and work life. “I saw this Tweet, ‘it’s not working from home, it’s actually living at work,’ so it’s really important that we don’t abandon the mindset that this is still our house,” she said. She said she encourages her family to take breaks and open the windows when the weather is nice. She tries to make their situation feel like summer with an added responsibility instead of “living at work,” she said. Atalugama said she doesn’t know what typical college life is, so she appreciates upperclassmen being sympathetic to the unique struggle of starting college during a pandemic. Even after she enters private spaces, Riley Aceto forgets to take her mask off; it’s become a habit for the 19-year-old UF applied physiology and kinesiology freshman to keep her nose and mouth covered. Although attending class over Zoom has made her into an auditory learner, Aceto said, she has struggled with her classes. She’s only been a college student during the pandemic, so she doesn’t know whether her academic struggles are due to the difficulties of college or online learning. “I don’t feel like I’ve learned anything in a year,” she said. “I haven’t been in a single UF classroom — ever.” Aceto started college in Fall 2020. When she moved to campus, she felt UF’s virus safety precautions, such as limiting dorm guests to one at a time, would make it harder to meet people. Because of this, Aceto decided to join a sorority and became a sister in Alpha Omicron Pi in Fall 2020. Mayra Acosta, on the other hand, said she enjoys online classes. “I’m an introvert, so I enjoy just waking up and going into classes,” the 22-yearold UF animal sciences senior said. “When from COVID-19 professors have recorded lectures, it’s even

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better, because I can just watch it on my own time.” Though Acosta feels like her academic performance has improved in online classes, she said there have also been challenges. “I would say the most challenging thing is motivating me to go outside and get some form of exercise, just because it can be difficult just being all day at home, sitting in front of a computer,” Acosta said. As a transfer student, Acosta said she spent only one semester at UF before the pandemic hit. She still hasn’t been to a Gators football game nor the many activities or events on campus, she said. “I wish I would have been here as a four-year student,” Acosta said. “That way, I could have experienced all of those typical things that Gators do, rather than transferring in.” Isabella Tassistro, a 21-year-old UF psychology junior, hasn’t had an in-person class since last Spring. While it’s convenient not having to travel between home and class, she said, she’s had a mostly negative experience with online classes, as it’s hard to leave her apartment. “It’s just hard to get out if you don’t already have an excuse to get out,” Tassistro said. “And it’s hard to focus in Zoom classes compared to being there in person.” She misses traditional college experiences — hanging out and studying with friends, walking around campus and grabbing Krishna lunch at the Plaza of the Americas. Before the pandemic, it was easier to meet up with friends, she said. But now, foresight and planning are often involved to ensure everyone has been safe. She’s had to distance herself from friends she has looser ties to because she felt the need to limit the number of people she regularly interacts with, she said. “I have reduced my circle of friends that I actually see just because I can’t be seeing all these people for COVID spread reasons,” Tassistro said. After the pandemic, Tassistro hopes UF keeps its procedures like hand-sanitizing stations and a mask requirement on campus. Like Tassistro, Aubrey Mys also has to

teach and motivate herself to stay on track with online classes. “There are the professors available sometimes for office hours and such, but it isn’t the same,” the 20-year-old UF psychology and sociology junior said. Certain classes are easier for her online and save her time, such as sociology- or elective-based classes that are more assignment-based and in which the material comes more easily. But she said for classes like human anatomy or math- and sciencebased classes, she has to motivate herself to read the material, teach herself the concepts and watch the lectures from the professors. But no matter the class, she feels like more work is involved with online learning. “I feel like, especially with being home and having other responsibilities, your workload never seems to end,” Mys said. Despite the pandemic, Mys is doing health care disparity research for her major, which is something she’s always wanted to do. But with everything going virtual, she worries other students may struggle to get involved. She said she worries she will lose some of the virtual opportunities she has gained during the pandemic as everything returns to normal. She explained her situation to the UF undergraduate research program and was able to be connected to the right opportunities through there. She wrote in a text that she’s now working closely with the UF Center for Undergraduate Research. “I’ve been lucky in the sense that I’ve been able to navigate around it a little bit, and I’m still able to do research completely virtually and participate in a lot of activities virtually,” Mys said. Given the circumstances, Mys advised students to try to make the best of their college experiences anyway. “It might not be ideal or what you thought college will be but still try to create those opportunities for yourself,” Mys said. “It’s just trying to reach out, have those connections and continue to try to make a college experience for yourself, whatever that might look like.” @joprison joprison@alligator.org @sofecheverry secheverry@alligator.org

MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 ALLIGATOR 5

COVD-19, from pg. 1 Isabela Martinez-Moure

Isabela Martinez-Moure remembers waking up with heavy breathing after having nightmares that she hadn’t graduated from high school. “I was lacking closure so much that my brain couldn’t process that I was done,” the 19-year-old UF business administration freshman said. As a high school senior, she was very involved, working on events for student government and leading as Martinez-Moure captain of her school’s sailing team. She regrets never saying goodbye to her teachers and coaches. Martinez-Moure never imagined how the pandemic would change the vision she had of her life in college. She said she had a hard time transitioning from her close relationships with people in Miami to involving herself with new people and activities at UF. “It was definitely hard going from such a tight-knit community where people know you for who you are to coming to a new school where the reality is, unless you get involved, you’re just a number,” she said. Ben Whitman

Ben Whitman, a 20-year-old UF industrial engineering sophomore, said the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t affected him as much as it has other people. “I still do my normal stuff like going out with my friends,” he said. “I’m not totally changing my life.” Although he wishes he could meet more people, Whitman said he enjoys scuba diving with Gator ScuWhitman ba Club and participating in outdoor activities hosted by Outdoor Adventure Recreation, such as canoeing and hiking. Alesha Wallen

During the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alesha Wallen was itching for a dramatic style change. Lockdown allowed her to go through a transformation that increased her confidence in her appearance, she said. She updated her wardrobe and put together a skincare routine that made her complexion better than ever. “I remember when the pandemic first started, I would just sit in front of my mirror, get ready and put on clothes just to feel good,” the 18-year-old UF biology freshman said. Although Wallen said she made an effort to improve her

style, her motivation for school tanked and now social situations feel draining. “I think I’ve become more introverted where I’ve become unable to talk to people in class and bad at starting conversations,” she said. Wallen said the social anxiety she developed over the COVID-19 pandemic has become so overwhelming that she can’t imagine Wallen how she will adapt when all classes are in person and she will have to attend large lecture hall classes. “One of the biggest changes for me was the difference between last semester and this semester in the number of people on campus,” she said. “Like the change was so crazy for me walking around and seeing more people, like when I go to Starbucks and have to wait in an actual line.” Everett Schwieg

When UF first announced its campus shut down, Everett Schwieg was excited to take a break from his sophomore year spring semester. “A year ago, we didn’t imagine that the pandemic would be still going on,” the 20-year-old UF biomedical engineering junior said. “It was a little more lighthearted at the time.” A lot has changed for him since then — he finds himself spendSchwieg ing more time alone than before. Schwieg feels like online classes have made the past year especially lonely. “Going to class and meeting up with people after was very natural. I didn’t feel like I was having to push myself to go out,” he said. “But now I’m always trying to push myself to not sit in my room all day.” With one year left at UF, Schwieg hopes he will return to having more in-person classes. “I’ve never been a huge fan of online learning, even before COVID,” he said. “I liked having a routine and attending my classes.” Renier Rodriguez

This past year has made Renier Rodriguez more grateful for his supportive friend group. Two weeks ago, he texted a friend and fellow UF student that he was feeling alone. On Friday, they decided to catch up with each other on a walk around Turlington Plaza. “It’s been really motivating to see that people are there for you,” the 20-year-old UF political science sophomore said. “And it’s great to find motivation within yourself to do your

own things that you actually want to do.” After the COVID-19 pandemic started, Rodriguez immediately went home to South Florida to help his family. He took care of his little brothers for his mom, who is an essential health care worker. When his family contracted COVID-19, he found it hard to help them and maintain his studies at the same time. Rodrgiuez Rodriguez also said he misses the team sports he participated in his freshman year. He played basketball and volleyball competitively and soccer and football recreationally at UF before the pandemic. During the start of the pandemic, Rodriguez took a sports hiatus. However, he became insecure about his weight gain. Now, he tries to visit the park when it’s empty to shoot some hoops by himself or with a small group of friends. “Physical activity is my relief,” he said. “I started doing individual exercises because I just couldn’t deal with it anymore. It was affecting my mental health as well.” Cameron Johnston

When Cameron Johnston pictured his college years back in high school, he imagined walking around a busy campus and attending giant lecture halls alongside hundreds of people. However, like many others, Johnston did not get the college freshman year he imagined for so long. “It was so unexpected,” the Johnston 18-year-old UF nuclear engineering freshman said. “My whole year was online and didn’t have any in-person classes. I never went to any clubs. I never went to any parties. I didn’t get to hang out.” Johnston said he wants a real college experience, but any return to normalcy would probably begin with a gradual shift. “I think the impact of people being socially distanced and wearing masks sometimes in public might stick around,” he said. “Some people just might never feel comfortable going back.” Portraits taken by Julia Cooper // Alligator Staff @jiselle_lee jlee@alligator.org

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COVID-19

A year in quarantine trends FASHION, FOOD AND MORE PREVAILED IN AN UNPRECEDENTED YEAR By the Avenue Staff The COVID-19 pandemic has been a force of change across the globe, bringing about new health standards, new work atmospheres and new hobbies. Thursday marks one year since COVID-19 shut down UF’s campus. Shortly after, county and state-wide stay-at-home orders ensued. As residents adapted to the early aughts of the pandemic, much of the nation united in participating in lockdown trends. Stuck at home, people spent more time in the kitchen baking bread and making the TikTok famous dalgona, or “whipped”, coffee. Classic pastimes like jigsaw puzzles rose in popularity alongside newer games like Animal Crossing and Among Us. Netflix’s Tiger King dominated the conversation and TikTok

influencers danced across nearly every screen. For many, taking up new hobbies was a way of reducing stress and decreasing anxiety during otherwise overwhelming times. Reflecting on the past year, the Avenue staff compiled a list of some of their favorite trends created while we were all alone together. Work from home fashion

As work transitioned out of the office and onto the kitchen table, companies across industries scrambled to market work-from-home products. The fashion industry debuted “workfrom-home chic” and pushed leisure clothing as consumers jumped at the chance to exchange office attire with pajamas and sweatpants. By May, pajama sales had increased by about 143%, according to Adobe Analytics market research. Meanwhile, pants sales were down by 13%, indicating a clear trend toward

SPOTIFY comfort and leisure clothing. A professional top with sweatpants or leggings became a staple outfit for Zoom meetings or classes. Comfort, however, was not the only goal people had in mind when getting dressed for the day. Michelle Komisarchik, a 21-year-old UF political science and criminology junior, said she continued to dress for productivity amid the pandemic. “Usually when I have a big day ahead of me and I want to feel productive, I put on an outfit that will make me feel that way,” Komisarchik said. “I’ll walk out of my room in a dress and a sweater or mom jeans or something like that, that might not be the most comfortable, but it kind of makes me feel mentally ready for the day.” While she also had her fair share of sweatpant days, she said dressing for productivity provided a sense of continuity during the pandemic. For many, expressing individuality is a central function of fashion and style. Komisarchik said she believes the pandemic has given people the opportunity

to experiment with how they express themselves through fashion. “I feel like trying to find new ways to do that can be refreshing in a time where your days are so monotonous,” she said. Baking Bread

Left with no routine and time to kill, baking bread became a popular hobby — even for those who had never before experimented with loaves from anywhere beyond grocery store shelves. Initially, the activity stemmed from necessity. Along with their stockpiles of toilet paper rolls and Clorox wipes, anxious shoppers hoarded loaves of bread, forcing others to take matters into their own floured hands. Once dry yeast also flew off the shelves, interest in sourdough bread boomed. The trend eventually took an economic toll, with King Arthur flour sales rising more than 2000% in March. By the end of the month, flour had disappeared from grocery stores and the Internet. Julianne Owen, a 19-year-old UF aerospace engineering major, got involved in the hunt for King Arthur flour. After her mom snatched one of the last bags from her local grocery store, Owen said she hopped on the bandwagon and made a loaf. “I wanted to pick up a new hobby,” she said. “I had more free time than I’ve ever had before — I didn’t know what to do with myself.” Owen said she took up the activity around early June after her parents started trying out bread recipes they read online. After experimenting with different recipes, she stumbled across one for French bread that became her favorite. The loaf became a staple around the house, she said. “I baked 22 loaves of bread in 22 days,” Owen said. “It was a good way to take my mind off the stress of the pandemic.” Even though COVID-19 restrictions have loosened, Owen said she’s still kneading dough every time she goes home — and occasionally in her dorm kitchen.

Scan to listen to the Avenue’s International Women’s Day playlist.

TikTok Dances

Social video sharing app TikTok has quickly become one of the favored social media platforms of Gen Z users. A hallmark of the app is TikTok dances, in which “influencers” with large followings and the everyday user alike post videos of themselves performing short dance routines to different trending songs. Mackenzie Kurth, a 20-yearold UF advertising sophomore, said TikTok dances were one of the trends she picked up over the last year. “I’m a semi-retired competitive dancer, so learning simple dances on a social media app was fun for me,” she said. Kurth said two of her favorite dances from her quarantine days were to the songs “Supalonely” by Benee and “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion. The “Supalonely” dance was created by TikToker Zoi Lerma and the “Savage” dance was created by Keara Wilson. Kurth said the simplicity of TikTok dances is what allowed users to hop on dance trends, and while the choreography of these dances has evolved, she continues to learn them. “I don’t know how I would’ve managed without TikTok during the stress that came with the peak of quarantine.”

Aubrey Bocalan // Alligator Staff

Keep up with the Avenue on Twitter. Tweet us @TheFloridaAve.

Doll Shoes

Florida Guard Kiara Smith regularly tiptoes around defenses in her size 5.5 shoes. Read more about how she orchestrates Florida’s offense with the help of her small feet, pg. 12

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MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 ALLIGATOR 7

Florida expands access to vaccines, but excludes higher education faculty UF PROFESSORS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN DESANTIS’ EXECUTIVE ORDER TO VACCINATE TEACHERS

By Alexander Lugo Alligator Staff Writer

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent executive order expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to some essential workers, such as law enforcement, firefighters and K-12 employees over the age of 50, but excluded higher education faculty. The United Faculty of Florida, UF’s faculty union, published a statement on its website Thursday expressing disappointment in the governor’s decision to ignore higher education faculty in his vaccination plans. The order takes effect Tuesday and includes people who are deemed at high risk of COVID-19 complications by doctors. “The United Faculty of Florida (UFF) and the 22,000 people we represent congratulate the public servants who are now eligible for the vaccines and celebrate their chance at hope,” the statement said. “Nonetheless, we are appalled by the governor’s decision to exclude college and university workers from this mandate.” Union president Paul Ortiz sent an email to UF President Kent Fuchs Friday requesting that he urge Gov. DeSantis to include higher education staff in Florida’s vaccine program. Fuchs responded by saying UF has been in contact with state officials since December to reach that goal. “All we’re asking President Fuchs to do is please use your power and authority as president of our university to ask Gov. DeSantis to include higher education staff and faculty in that vaccine queue,” Ortiz said. UF Health has offered vaccinations to staff members over 65 years old since January. A Centers for Disease Control study found U.S. counties where many college students attend in-person classes faced a 56% increase in COVID-19 cases in August. Another study in the Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering journal included UF in an analysis that found most COVID-19 related deaths on campuses were faculty. Still, UF pushed forward with plans to offer in-person classes to about 15,000 students this semester — a decision that caused ten-

Chasity Maynard // Alligator Staff

UF President Kent Fuchs receives his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. UF professors are still waiting for their vaccines after Gov. Ron Desantis excluded higher education faculty when access to vaccines was expanded to other groups, including K-12 teachers over 50, on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. sion between UF administration and faculty. On Feb. 8, Alabama expanded vaccine eligibility to employees in the education sector, including higher education staff. The Alabama public health website does not indicate that one needs to be a resident to get a vaccine in Alabama. Some higher education faculty from across Florida, Georgia and Mississippi have been driving to Alabama to get vaccinated, Ortiz said. “I think it’s great that Alabama has stepped up,” Ortiz said. “But I think it’s shameful that Florida, a state of 22 million people, has to rely on the goodwill and graces of a much smaller state.” Ortiz said he is hopeful higher education staff will be included in Florida’s next vaccine expansion, but others did not express

the same optimism. Pamela Gilbert, an English professor at UF, said UF Health is doing the best it can during a difficult situation, but she’s not satisfied with the state’s rollout of the vaccine so far. “The emphasis on campus has been ‘Oh, well, spreading is not happening in the classroom.’” Gilbert said. “Great, but when you bring 50,000 young people in a town, spreading happens outside the classroom.” States currently allowing higher education faculty to get vaccinated include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas and Wisconsin. Vaccines in Alachua County are currently available for people over the age of 65, K-12 teachers 50 or older, law enforcement 50 or older, firefighters 50 or older, medical workers and

people with high-risk medical conditions. Gilbert sympathized with K-12 school children who she said need to get out of the house right now more desperately than college students, but she hopes that higher education staff are included in the next phase of the vaccine expansion. “It really does seem like there was no plan in advance that he had so he’s sort of making it up as he goes along every day,” Gilbert said referring to Gov. DeSantis. “If people knew ‘Oh, this is the order, this is who’s gonna get it next’ then people would understand. But right now it’s like Thunderdome out there.”

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VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED to transport cancer patients to treatment. Flexible schedule. Training and liability insurance provided. Please call 800-227-2345 if interested.

St. Francis House is a homeless shelter located in downtown Gainesville. Our mission is to empower families with children to transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency by providing case management, housing, food, training and educational resources in a secure environment. If interested in volunteering please contact the volunteer coordinator at 352-378- 9079 ext 317 or sfhcoor@stfrancis.cfcoxmail.com St Francis House depends on monetary support from individual donors and community businesses in order to provide meals to the homeless and the hungry. To make a donation by mail, please send checks payable to St. Francis House P.O. Box 12491 Gainesville Fl 32604 or our website at Stfrancishousegnv.org

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answer on page 9 Release Date: Monday, March 8, 2021 Release Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Los Puzzle Los Angeles Angeles Times Times Daily Daily Crossword Crossword Puzzle Edited Lewis Editedby byRich RichNorris Norris and and Joyce Joyce Nichols Nichols Lewis

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ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE: PUZZLE: ANSWER TO PREVIOUS

03/01/2021 03/02/21

03/08/21

03/02/21 03/08/21

MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 ALLIGATOR 9

16 Health Services

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View 3 is wrong. It should look like the blocks below:

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5. John Kennedy and Joe Biden

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2. Chocolate Thunder.

7. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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ScrabbleGrams solution

8. U.S. STATES: The highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States can be found in which state? 9. ENTERTAINERS: Which American actor and comedian was born Eric Marlon Bishop? 10. TELEVISION: Which 1950s Western series featured the theme song "Happy Trails"?

Sudoku solution

5. Figure skating legend Sonja Henie hailed from what country? 6. What infamous corporation held naming rights to the Houston Astros' stadium from 2000-02? 7. What team selected Purdue running back Mike Alstott in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft?

Stickelers answer

answers over there

King Features We

1. Tommie Aaron, brother of Hank, hit how many home runs in his seven-season Major League Baseball career?

May 25, 2020

1. The Territorial Cup is a trophy awarded in the college football rivalry series between what two teams? 2. What nickname did Stevie Wonder bestow on Philadelphia 76ers legend Darryl Dawkins? 3. What endurance race did drivers Hurley Haywood and Scott Pruett each win a record five times? 4. Craven Cottage stadium in London is the home ground of what English Premier League football club?

Sports Quiz answers

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January 27, 2020

solution over there

King Features Weekly Service

by Fifi

1. MEASUREMENTS: How many Rodriguez inches are in a mile? 2. ASTRONOMY: What does the acronym SETI mean to the scientific community? 3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin prefix “sub-” mean in English? 1. LITERATURE: Which 19th-century novel 4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the serve two begins withonly thepresident sentence,to "There wasnonconno secutive terms? LITERATURE: Which 20th-cenpossibility of5. taking a walk that day"? tury movie star penned the autobiography “Me: Stories of My Life”? 2. CHEMISTRY: Which element's Latin name 6. HISTORY: What was the first is hydragyrum andMonument goes by proclaimed the symbolinHg? National the United States? 3. HISTORY:7.Who was the first Where female is the GEOGRAPHY: island of Luzon located? detective in8.theMOVIES: United Which States,sci-fi hiredmovie by the has tagline, “Reality is a thing of the Pinkerton the Detective Agency in 1856? past”? 9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What 4. ADVERTISINGS SLOGANS: What States’ product's was the name of the United first nuclear-powered 1970s advertising slogansubmarine? was, "I can't 10. GAMES: What are the four railroadthe properties Monopoly? believe I ate whole inthing"? Answers 5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Only 1. 63,360 inches two Catholics 2. Search for extraterrestrial intellihave served as president of the United gence Below or insufficient States. Who3.4.are they? Grover Cleveland 5. Katharine Hepburn 6. MOVIES: 6.TheDevils "StarTower, Wars" movie series 1906 7. The Philippines was partly filmed in which African country? 8. “The Matrix” 9. The USSdoes Nautilus 7. LANGUAGE: What the name Boca 10. Pennsylvania, Short Line, Reading andmean B&O in Spanish? Raton (Florida)

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20 Events/Notices

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10 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021

UF Summer study abroad trips canceled, moved to end of Summer 56 SUMMER PROGRAMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CANCELED, BUT 37 PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE

By Sofia Echeverry Alligator Staff Writer

Hundreds of UF students had plans to travel around the world this Summer. But due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, their plans have been postponed or canceled. Despite UF’s increasing confidence that the COVID-19 pandemic is coming to an end, 56 UF Sponsored study abroad programs for this Summer have been canceled. 37 still plan to run and three will operate virtually with students based in the United States, said Associate Director of Study Abroad Services Jill Ranaivoson. The UF International Center is deciding on a case-by-case basis whether the more than 500 study abroad programs currently available should operate, UFIC Dean Leonardo Villalón said. He said some programs have been or will be canceled because they haven’t fulfilled their enrollment quotas. Others are limited by their destination countries’ travel restrictions, such as Australia, which has closed its borders, he said. “This is obviously extraordinarily disappointing for everybody concerned,” he said. “We’re in the business of trying to make it possible for students to study abroad and encourage them to do so.” Students may choose to study abroad to experience new cultures, fulfill credit requirements or meet people from around the world. Last year, all UF Sponsored study abroad programs were canceled starting in February following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ranaivoson said. Some students were forced to return to the United States after their UF

Sponsored program was canceled, while other students in exchange programs decided to stay in their new country. This Summer, four out of five study abroad programs in the department of Spanish and Portuguese studies have already been canceled. UF in Rio de Janeiro will be one program that will operate virtually this Summer. The students in virtual programs will be based in the United States and attend classes. Depending on the program, online classes will be taught by UF faculty or an institution from the destination country. The programs also include virtual cultural components. UF in Rio de Janeiro will have online classes led by both UF staff and IBEU (Instituto Brasil-Estados Unidos) and virtual excursions. The College of Journalism and Communications also canceled all of its Summer programs, including a trip to Tokyo to cover the Olympics. UFIC must consider each country’s policies regarding COVID-19 testing, quarantining and entry for travellers from the U.S. Sometimes, Villalón said, these considerations make it easy to decide to cancel a program. If the country won’t allow travelers, then the program can’t take place regardless of other factors. For programs that aren’t so clear-cut, Villalón said UFIC is considering each individually. UFIC will aim to notify students about whether or not a program will still be happening about four to six weeks before its start, he said. In an attempt to prevent cancellation, UFIC is working to shift dates for certain programs from the beginning of summer to the end to increase the possibility the trips will take place, Villalón said. If a program is canceled, students

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already admitted will be given priority if it runs again. Money is one of UFIC’s main concerns when deciding whether to cancel, postpone or continue with the programs, Villalón said. In most cases, he said, the programs will be canceled before students begin payment. In the event a program gets canceled after students have paid a deposit or other fees, they will be reimbursed completely. However, if the program goes forward but a student decides not to participate due to safety reasons, UFIC’s normal cancellation policies apply, Villalón said. Apart from student financial concerns, Villalón said UFIC must also consider its own finances when making the decision. When COVID-19 canceled UF’s Summer 2020 study abroad programs, UFIC had to refund more than $650,000 total to about 2,000 students — a tedious process, he said. Some programs require non-refundable down payments, which means UFIC will lose the money if they decide to cancel the trip. “We’re negotiating as hard as we can on every possible program to make sure that there are no expenses up-front until we know for certain whether programs are going to run to try to minimize everybody’s liability, including ours,” he said. Growing up with a Canadian mother, Olivia Dodge learned to endure and love traveling long distances. “She’s traveled all around the world a few times, so I just know that was always something I wanted to do,” Dodge, a 21-year-old UF mechanical engineering junior, said. But now, she’s worried she won’t experience everything her study abroad program usually has to offer.

Dodge planned to attend the UF in Dublin Engineering Internship program last Summer, but it was canceled due to COVID-19, she said. While her goal this year was to participate in both the Dublin and UF in Iceland programs, the Iceland trip was postponed from this Spring to late Summer—its new dates conflicting with the Dublin trip. Dodge said she ultimately chose to continue with the Dublin program. Aside from the experience of living in a new country, she is counting on this program to fulfill some of her elective requirements. Canceling the program would mean dropping either her economics or business administration minor to graduate on time, Dodge said. She’s planning on using what she learns during the program to

help her in her future position as a nuclear officer within the U.S. Navy. “I was really hoping to learn a lot for my future job through this internship,” she said. “I would feel a little less confident going into my future profession without this kind of experience.” She will also be living in homestay accommodations, she said. If her homestay family is uncomfortable housing her, she won’t have a place to stay. Despite the uncertainty and limitations surrounding her summer plans, Dodge remains hopeful she will be able to travel to Ireland. “I think my family is a bit tired of how optimistic I have been about the situation,” she said. @sofecheverry secheverry@alligator.org

Aubrey Bocalan // Alligator Staff

MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 www.alligator.org/sports

GYMNASTICS

How Florida designs its floor routines UF GYMNASTS DESCRIBE HOW THEY DEVELOP THEIR SPORT’S EXCITING TECHNIQUE

By Zachary Huber Sports Writer

Junior Trinity Thomas completed her split leaps to perfection. She then tumbled diagonally across the floor but stayed in control. She then sprung in the air, stuck the landing and grinned as the music softened. The Gators fans in the O’Dome rose to their feet and erupted with cheers and adoration as Thomas recorded her second 10 of the season on floor at the Feb. 26 meet against No. 12 Auburn. It marked her third career perfect score on the exercise. “That’s one of the best routines I’ve ever done in competition,” she said. “I honestly didn’t really care about the score.” Every Florida gymnast sets a goal before she steps on the mats centered in the O’Connell Center. They want to leave it all on the floor, like actresses on the last night of a play’s run. The Gators rank first in each of the sport’s four events, according to Road to Nationals. But no event energizes a sold out, socially distant home crowd like an electrifying floor routine. Volunteer assistant coach Jeremy “J3” Miranda and several Gator gymnasts broke down how they design breathtaking routines like Thomas’. Many gymnasts enjoy the floor routine because they can exhibit their creativity and personality. The vibrant display of expression and athleticism draws fans’ intrigue into the

event. Florida allows its gymnasts to choose the track for their performance. Miranda listens to music all the time and even keeps a master spreadsheet on his computer to help the athlete find the perfect tune. They can take it a step further and choreograph their whole routine, too. Junior Sydney Johnson-Scharpf did just that during the offseason. The song selection demands the most time. Gymnasts begin to find the ideal melody after a season concludes. The hymn must motivate the gymnast to perform their best. Once they finalize their song choices, Miranda and Florida cut the music to blend perfectly. Each gymnast has different preferences based on when they want to knock out their tumbling passes and leaps. Judges give a baseline 9.4 score on every floor routine, Miranda said. The gymnast can generate .6 of bonus points to earn a 10 potentially. One of those moves must include a leap combination that’s rewarded with a tenth in bonus. The last five tenths come from each tumbling pass in the routine. At the end of the summer, it’s time to choreograph. The process pushes the athletes to their mental limits because they hate mistakes. “They’re all perfectionists,” he said. “They all want to get a 10.” Choreography takes trial and error because the gymnasts explore what works and what doesn’t. Florida’s gymnasts always run to Miranda to add new moves to their exercise. The coaching staff then focuses on

making their routine appear effortless, Johnson-Scharpf said. Coaches focus on building the team’s endurance through practice exercises. Landings are the cherry on top of a routine. The junior concentrates on her facial expressions when dancing on the mat to emphasize her performance. Each of Florida’s routines tells a different story, she said. She hasn’t configured the story she hopes to tell, but she wants to symbolize a puppet coming to life. Many Florida gymnasts named junior Nya Reed as their favorite on floor. She collaborated with Miranda to design a routine with as much sass as possible. The junior bounces, points her left index finger upward and makes it rain to Princess Nokia’s “Tomboy,” Megan Thee Stallion’s “Captain Hook'' and Nicki Minaj’s “Chun-Li.” Reed specifically chose all female artists because that was important to her, she added. The key to her performance, Reed said, is to compete the same way she practices. She highlighted the need to focus on one skill at a time, such as keeping her toes pointed and her legs straight. Despite how natural she appears on the floor, Reed despised the event at first. She said nerves filled her thoughts before she competed. Coaches scolded her for how she kept her gaze on the mat and failed to make eye contact, Reed said. To work through these fears, coach Jenny Rowland instructed the team to line the outside of the floor during practices. She then told Reed she had to

Ortega Genesis

The anniversary of a sportless March

oday, I sit outside my apartment. On a lemon-colored chair as I drink black tea, wear sweats because they’re cozy and write on my laptop. Tomorrow will mirror today. And the next day, and the next day. And the next day. My beverage might become the only variable. But I have lived this for nearly 365 days. And it will likely continue for many more. Because March 2020 never really ended. Nearly a year ago I met up with friends at The Social at Midtown. We always met up on Wednesday nights; it’s an Alligator tradition. I stood at the bar, ordered a pitcher and balanced my attention between the television screens above me and my iPhone’s. We knew of COVID-19. We figured the virus’ spread would invade our lives inevitably not suddenly. At 9:37 p.m., the NBA suspended the rest of its season. More dominoes fell. I left the bar that night numb to reality as it presented itself. I awoke with the reality hanging over my head. I wanted nothing more than to write for The Alligator. It’s why I chose to attend UF. That spring, I was hired and covered lacrosse. I even made plans to travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to cover the Gators play another No. 1 team. But the virus left me, a few months into my first semester as an Alligator sports writer, without sports. I isolated, my routine disappeared and days blended into each other. Sports acted as a calendar. My schedule intertwined around games. But that facet of life faded, and life slogged during the AlligatorSports has a podcast. The AlligatorSports Podcast is available on your preferred streaming platform. Episodes are released every Wednesday.

lock eyes with everyone on the team. Reed truly emerged from her shell after her first meet in the O’Dome Jan. 11, 2019. The arena bursted with applause and Reed witnessed how much fans love her routine and her sassiness. Her confidence soared, she left her fears behind and grew a passion for competing on floor. “She’s just a ball of energy,” Johnson-Scharpf said. “She has so much sass, and I love her personality and she just really shines out there.” Johnson-Scharpf adores Reed’s routines because she tumbles powerfully and gets massive height when she flips around the mat. “She is a great performer,” she said. “I love [her floor routines] more and more every year. She’s just grown so much.” When Johnson-Scharpf takes the floor, she walks to a corner of the mat and slumps over. As the tango music picks up, she springs to life. The junior choreographed her routine with her mother’s help during the quarantine. Johnson-Scharpf didn’t struggle to calculate her movements and synchronize them to the beat with her background in dance. “I’m very in tune with my music,” Johnson-Scharpf said. “I just kind of let myself come up with what comes to my head.” Reed bragged about how much she could watch Johnson-Scharpf’s floor performances on repeat for days. “That girl is a performer,” Reed said. “I know every part of her routine. I love doing it with her.” She couldn’t believe that JohnsonScharpf crafted her own routine. But Reed often struts with JohnsonScharpf during practice because she knows every second of her perfor-

mance. It’s also an every meet performance for Florida to dance with its teammate from the sideline. Another gymnast captivates Florida fans’ attention through her routines: sophomore Payton Richards. The Illinois native’s music choice reminds fans of Fall Saturdays in The Swamp. The audience sings along to the late Tom Petty’s hits as she bounces across the floor. She sways her arms to “I Won’t Back Down” and then strings an air guitar to “Runnin’ Down A Dream'' before her final tumbling pass. She also diversifies her music with AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” and “Back in Black.” Richards knew Petty’s songs because she grew up listening to him. Her parents blared his music while she played in the nearby lake at their Illinois lakehouse. “I just kind of wanted to do something like that and support my Gainesville community,” she said. “I grew up with four brothers, so we kind of listened to a lot of older music.” But Thomas steals the show with her powerful tumbling and signature moves. She flexes like a butterfly, prowls across the floor like a tiger in a jungle and plays the floor like a drum. Miranda said they keep her trademark moves, such as flexing her right leg over her shoulder, because they have become synonymous with 10s. However, one patented move makes its way into every routine despite how different each performance looks — the Gator chomp. @zacharyahuber zhuber@alligator.org

pandemic. A Michael Jordan documentary returned some excitement to our lives. But only once a week. After that glorious episode, there was nothing fresh. Nothing exciting. Nothing to drop a bit of money on, if your state allowed it. Korean Baseball brought some of that excitement back. But only if you dared to wake up early or stay up late enough to follow its schedule. Bundesliga returned first. I felt rejuvenated watching Erling Haa- Christian Ortega Twitter: @unofficialchris land’s figure flash in yellow across the screen. I forgot what it was like to be able to watch multiple sports. I felt as though I took that luxury Email: cortega@alligator.org for granted. Other European leagues picked up games, and as the U.S. attempted to handle the pandemic, so did North American sports. The fall semester then picked up. I had college football to care about again; some coaches said some things they probably shouldn’t have. But sports were back. It’s still surreal. After a year, everything remains unfamiliar. Covering sports is worse. I’m always afraid to get skipped in the Zoom chat queue during virtual media availabilities. Limited opportunities to travel, report in-person or do most of the things I love about my job. A vaccine is out, but we still haven’t figured out how to distribute them. But things slowly improve. We’re not there yet, but we’re nearing the end. We just need a little more patience. So that when it’s safe, we’ll return to stadiums, sit together and watch sports again — together.

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12 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Kiara Smith and her shoes find the right fit at Florida SMITH’S JOURNEY TO SEC BASKETBALL INVOLVED CHALLENGES SUCH AS HER KNEE INJURIES AND RARE SHOE SIZE

By Griffin Foll Sports Writer

Star Florida guard Kiara Smith took the hardwood Thursday in the SEC Tournament, possibly wearing orange and blue for the last time. The 5-foot-10-inch redshirt senior dropped a career-high 36 points, but Smith and the Gators returned home empty-handed as No. 17 Kentucky prevailed. Kiara capped off the 26th 1,000-point career in UF program history. At first glance, nothing stands out when Kiara darts around the court. Only an incredibly observant individual notices something odd: her size 5-and-a-half shoes. When her kicks hit the hardwood, they carry her story, experiences and challenges. UF struggled to find Kiara’s rare shoe size. Jordan, the shoe brand Florida women’s basketball uses, didn’t produce shoes that fit Kiara, said Serena Lamar, director of women’s basketball operations. Jordan extended its size spectrum in the wake of Kiara’s specification. “Even some of the shoes now, they just can’t design them the way that they’re intended to at that small of a shoe,” Lamar said. Grethel Agiula // Alligator Staff

Kiara Smith dribbles in a 77-70 loss against Alabama on Feb. 18. The 5-foot-10-inch redshirt senior dropped a career-high 36 points Thursday in a season-ending loss against Kentucky.

The struggle shadowed Kiara’s every step on any court. Her shoe size always inched around the small end of the scale, so she often felt neglected as teammates donned matching shoes, Kiara’s mother Deborah Smith said. “She learned early that it is okay to be different,” Deborah said. Now, Kiara embraces her shoe size and finds it rather amusing given her height. “It’s always funny to see, when I get shoes, how small they look on my foot,” Kiara said jokingly. Kiara owns around 30 pairs of basketball shoes, but she prefers her pair of Russell Westbrooks for games. Kiara’s atomic orange editions resemble UF colors and feature an orange base with hints of hyper crimson, melon and a teal Jordan logo. Akin to her shoes, Kiara endured an unusual path to Florida, where she found the right fit. Following back-to-back Maryland state titles, Kiara originally planned to play for Syracuse. But after sustaining a pair of knee injuries in high school, Smith committed to National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Advanced Software Analysis College. While she redshirted the first year, Kiara averaged a team-high 16.7 points on 50.4% shooting and carried the Avengers to a 22-2 record in the 2017-18 season. Following her lone playing season in Brooklyn, Kiara migrated south. “With two ACL tears and one meniscus tear, you would think that she wouldn’t be playing right now,” Deborah said. Kiara stuck to a clean diet and hit the weightroom to remain on the court — something she didn’t focus on at ASA. She targeted the muscles around her knees like the quadriceps and hamstrings. The stronger they are, the more likely she’ll stay healthy. The atmosphere differs, too. Brooklyn’s college fanbase paled in comparison with Gainesville’s. New York City is home to eight major professional sports teams in addition to a plethora of Division I colleges. Sports fans in the city often support different teams than their next-door neighbor. Gainesville offers little beyond college athletics. On any given Florida basketball gameday, the O’Connell Center draws thou-

sands of Gator fans from all ages who unite to cheer on the orange and blue. “Here, I can walk into a store, and somebody knows who I am,” Kiara said. Kiara traded the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple for a more laid-back town in Gainesville, Deborah said. “With the traffic in New York, it can be a hassle getting around,” she said. “I think she feels a lot more comfortable in Gainesville. I know I do.” Living in the Sunshine State required a long-distance relationship between Kiara and her parents. While Brooklyn is only a four-hour drive from Kiara’s hometown, District Heights, Maryland, Gainesville is nearly 800 miles away. “It was an adjustment cutting the cord and letting my baby girl fly off on her own,“ Deborah said. Deborah put her faith and trust in God that Kiara would blossom on-and-off the court. Unlike most athletes, Kiara’s journey to Division I basketball hardly involves genetics. Kiara’s mother didn’t play sports, and her father only dabbled in baseball. “It’s totally a gift she has from up above,” Deborah said. Kiara began her basketball journey small, as a 4-year-old who pleaded to play on her older brother’s basketball team. The recreation center director said she was too young but offered her a spot on the roster if she sunk a spontaneous basket. Smith — in hopes of kick-starting her career on the hardwood — delivered under pressure. With the bucket, her deep love for basketball flourished. As Kiara’s redshirt senior season comes to an end, she must decide if she wants to pursue professional basketball. But Deborah envisions a different version of her daughter after college. “I just want her to be a role model and encourage young people to stay on the right path — to be a mentor to those coming up behind her,” she said. Despite her next steps, Kiara will seek her next best fit, either on or off the court. @GriffinFoll gfoll@alligator.org