Woman hands out T-shirts at the Souls to the Polls event on Nov. 3, 2024. Read more on pg. 5.
Voter apathy remains high among Alachua County unhoused population
DISTRUST IN THE GOVERNMENT AND PAST FELONIES CREATE BARRIERS FOR HOMELESS VOTERS
By Vivienne Serret Alligator Staff Writer
Unhoused individuals often struggle with the hardships and stigma associated with homelessness, but stereotypes and unhoused status don’t mean they can’t exercise the right to vote. Yet many of them are still choosing not to.
Some unhoused individuals feel as though politicians say one thing but mean another, said Arthur Luke, a 69-year-old homeless Gainesville resident. He believes young people are being indoctrinated and don’t understand what they’re voting for.
Luke, who has three sons and said he’s been in Gainesville “too long,” is just one of the estimated 639 homeless people in Gainesville, according to the Alachua County 2024 count. While this election cycle is pivotal for many, many unhoused people re-
UF canceled symposium on Gaza conflict
The event was later moved off-campus
By Avery Parker Alligator Staff Writer
A symposium in support of Palestinian causes was moved off campus one day before it was scheduled to take place.
UF’s General Council said the event was wrongfully listed as university-sponsored.
“This event’s organizers wrongly marketed the event as a UF-sponsored event,”
university spokesperson Cynthia Roldan said in an email. “It is not a university event and was not compliant with the university’s use of space policy.”
The War in Israel and Palestine, hosted by Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine and Students for Justice in Palestine, was relocated to the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Gainesville Nov. 1.
Adrian Roitberg, a UF chemistry profes-
sor, reserved the room for the symposium, although he said he did not plan to attend. The day before the event, he received an email from Flora Marynak, who works at the computer science engineering building, saying “that nobody should show up.” University police later contacted him with the same message.
While Roitberg did not have strong connections to the event, he said UF “should not shy away from these kinds of conversations, completely independent of the content.”
main uninclined to vote.
Luke doesn’t like politics, but would have voted for former president Donald Trump because he’s “not a bad guy,” he said.
“We gotta work for all [people], not just one," Luke said.
Legislation targeting homeless people
Several homeless encampments were shut down after House Bill 1365 went into effect on Oct. 1. Signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in March, the bill seeks to prevent city and county governments from allowing people to sleep in public.
Earlier this year, unhoused individuals near Gainesville’s Southeast Fourth Place were given a five-hour timeframe to leave the sidewalk they had lived on for months, The Alligator previously reported. For the unhoused like Luke, policies like HB 1365 only solidify their mistrust of the government.
Homeless people often lack support and are forgotten by politicians, Luke said, noting that many homeless people like him
Event organizers Malini Schueller, a UF English professor, and Marilyn Wende, a UF health, education and behavior professor, said they were unconvinced by UF’s reasoning.
“The reason that they gave is smoke and mirrors,” Schueller said. “We were given the excuse of, ‘This is not a university event and space,’ because the lawyers are too clever to voice what is really at issue here, which is that anything that might relate to Palestine is out.”
Schueller said the university’s decision was extremely disappointing, especially after having dedicated 35 years to UF in its
FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR UPDATES
SEE HOMELESS, PAGE 3 SEE SYMPOSIUM, PAGE 4
Armand Raichandani // Alligator Staff
Today’s Weather
Over half of Alachua County voters cast ballots ahead of Election Day
Nov. 3 was the last day for early voting, and Nov. 5 is Election Day
By Morgan Vanderlaan Alligator Staff Writer
As he walked into the Reitz Union Career Connections Center, Cameron Driggers joined the ranks of over six million early voters in Florida.
The relatively short line he waited to cast his vote was a product of advance voting. This process allows Americans nationwide to vote before Election Day via absentee ballot or at an in-person early polling location.
In Alachua County, over 50% of registered voters have already cast their vote. According to the UF election lab, over 60 million citizens across America have voted as of Oct. 31. There are eight early voting locations across Alachua County. All are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Oct. 21 to Nov. 3. For the 2024 election, early voting numbers are already expected to surpass the 2020 cycle in which nine million people across Florida early voted.
Driggers said he was torn between who to choose for the top of the ticket this election cycle.
Despite being motivated to vote because of the Florida state amendments, the 19-yearold business administration sophomore said he was still unsure whether to vote for Democratic candidate Kamala
Harris or Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
Driggers struggles to swallow how the Biden administration has handled the Israel-Gaza conflict, he said. While most people will be voting for either Trump or Harris, he said, the United States should not confine itself to a twoparty system.
However, one thing Driggers said he knew for certain was that early voting was the best decision on how to cast his ballot this cycle. In-person early voting means voters have multiple days to choose from to exercise their opinion, instead of being confined solely to Election Day. That makes things more convenient, he said.
With a constantly busy schedule, Jasur Talipov, an 18-year-old UF political science freshman, said early voting was the option that best fits into his schedule. Waiting until Election Day to vote opens the door to scheduling conflicts and could lead to missing elections altogether, he said.
Choosing who to vote for is a very personal decision, said Talipov, a registered Republican. He emphasized that, especially in the student population, people need to be educated on who the candidates are on their ballot and what issues each representative stands for. While Talipov declined to comment on which presidential
Have an event planned? Add it to the alligator’s online calendar: alligator.org/calendar
candidate he would be voting for, he emphasized the importance of the election.
“For me, it just came down to which candidate not only did I agree with more, but which one I would see as a better president,” he said.
Outside of in-person early voting, prospective voters also have the option to fill out an absentee or mail-in ballot and drop it off in a secure dropbox or at the Supervisor of Elections Office.
As a first-time voter, Gavin Schwanke, an 18-year-old UF legal history freshman, said he wanted to prioritize ease and efficiency in his voter plan. Schwanke said he chose to vote via a mail-in ballot to avoid Election Day crowds.
Schwanke said he felt honored to vote this election cycle. Major pressing issues for Schwanke this year are immigration restrictions and the fiscal policies of each candidate, he said. As a registered Republican, Schwanke said he would “clearly” be voting for Trump.
“I think it's a very crucial aspect of voting to allow students to have more opportunities to vote.”
@morgvande mvanderlaan@alligator.org
officially associated with the University of Florida Published by Campus Communications Inc., of Gainesville, Florida
352-376-4458 NEWSROOM:
Editor-In-Chief
Engagement Managing Editor
Digital Managing Editor
Senior News Director
Metro Editor
University Editor
Siena Duncan, sduncan@alligator.org
Alissa Gary, agary@alligator.org
Ella Thompson, ethompson@alligator.org
Nicole Beltrán, nbeltran@alligator.org
Bailey Diem, bdiem@alligator.org
Sophia Bailly, sbailly@alligator.org
Kylie Williams, kwilliams@alligator.org
Opinions Editor
Enterprise Editor El Caimán Editor
Megan Howard, mhoward@alligator.org
Alexandra Burns, aburns@alligator.org
Nicole Beltrán, nbeltran@alligator.org
Sports Editor
Assistant Sports Editors
Multimedia Editor the Avenue Editor
Max Tucker, mtucker@alligator.org
Jack Meyer, jmeyer@alligator.org
Madilyn Gemme, mgemme@alligator.org
Copy Desk Chief Isabella Sanin, isanin@alligator.org
Editorial Board
DISPLAY ADVERTISING
Advertising Office Manager
Siena Duncan, Alissa Gary, Ella Thompson, Megan Howard
352-376-4482
Sales Representatives Cheryl del Rosario, cdelrosario@alligator.org
Sales Interns
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
Paige Montero, Sirin Bektas, Michelle Gilman, Rebecca Jones, Caroline Murray, Madison Kahn
Nethumi Ratnayake, Sofia Korostyshesky, Rachel Al Baissari
352-373-3463
Classified Advertising Manager Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org
352-376-4446 BUSINESS
Comptroller Delia Kradolfer, dkradolfer@alligator.org
Bookkeeper Cheryl del Rosario, cdelrosario@alligator.org
Administrative Assistant Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org
352-376-4446 ADMINISTRATION
General Manager Shaun O'Connor, soconnor@alligator.org
President Emeritus C.E. Barber, cebarber@alligator.org
SYSTEMS
IT System Engineer Kevin Hart
PRODUCTION
Production Manager
Namari Lock, nlock@alligator.org
Publication Manager Deion McLeod, dmcleod@alligator.org
Got something going on? Want to see it on this page? Send an email with “What’s Happening” in the subject line to engagement@alligator.org. To request publication in the next day’s newspaper, please submit entries before 5 p.m. Please model your submissions after the above events and keep them to 150 words or fewer. Improperly formatted “What’s Happening” submissions may not appear in the paper. Press releases will not appear in the paper.
The Independent Florida Alligator is a student newspaper serving the University of Florida, published by a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) educational organization, Campus Communications Inc., P.O. Box 14257, Gainesville, Florida, 32604-2257. The Alligator is published Monday mornings, except during holidays and exam periods. The Alligator is a member of the Newspaper Association of America, National Newspaper Association, Florida Press Association and Southern University Newspapers.
of an officer of Campus Communications Inc.
The Alligator strives to be accurate and clear in its news reports and editorials. If you find an error, please call our newsroom at 352-376-4458 or email editor@alligator.org
Noah Lantor // Alligator Staff
Political signs stand on the corner of Museum Road and Reitz Union Drive in Gainesville, Florida, on Oct. 31, 2024.
How the unhoused population votes
are just tired of “that bullsh*t.”
Besides politics, homeless individuals also struggle to feel comfortable with other government-sponsored fields.
Ali Morrison is a volunteer at Heart for the Homeless Gainesville, a chapter of an international non-profit organization providing clinical outreach and free heart screenings to homeless people.
Morrison, a 21-year-old UF applied physiology and kinesiology senior, said many unhoused individuals mistrust the healthcare system. This bleeds into mistrust of the government, leading to voter apathy, Morrison said.
Morrison has spoken to many homeless people who have had traumatic experiences with the medical field and said many feel wronged, forgotten or hurt. Yet helping homeless individuals establish a little more faith in the healthcare system will gradually lead them to establish faith in the government, Morrison said.
“They probably actually have to do a lot more work to survive than a lot of us do,” Morrison said. “I think it's very easy to forget when you come from a lot of privilege that we were given such a far head start.”
Getting the unhoused to vote
Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward said a lot of homeless people don't feel comfortable with institutional processes like voting — it's not first on the list for most people who are sleeping in a tent, he said. Similarly, many unhoused people have felony records and probably don't have the resources to have their rights restored, Ward said.
In a 2018 report by the National Low In-
come Housing Coalition, “formerly incarcerated people are nearly 10 times more likely to be homeless than the general public.”
Another report by prisonpolicy.org found that rates of homelessness are especially high for women and people of color.
While Ward acknowledged the difficulties unhoused people face, he also said there were resources readily available within the community, such as reaching out to Alachua County’s Supervisor of Elections office.
“It's pretty possible for anybody who is registered to vote and knows there's an election to be able to get it done,” Ward said.
Aaron Klein, the Director of Communications and Outreach for Vote Alachua, encouraged unhoused individuals to call or visit the website VoteAlachua.gov. The website outlines how to register to vote, update registration information and check polling places.
“We want to make sure we have only eligible voters in the voter rolls,” Klein said.
“But we also want to make sure that we're not violating anyone's due process to being eligible to vote.”
All that’s required to vote for unhoused individuals is a form of identification and a mailing address, which can be a local shelter, according to vote.gov. Other addresses that can be used include a nearby religious center, a P.O. box at a local post office or the home address of a friend or family member who lives nearby.
For those without a driver's license, state IDs can be issued at a local DMV office. Resources are available for unhoused individuals to get any ID costs waived if needed.
Beyond Gainesville, other Florida-based organizations focused on politics and policies are making it a point to reach the unhoused and get people registered to vote.
“That's a community we always keep in mind when it comes to protecting marginalized Floridians,” said Cameron Driggers, the executive director of the Florida Youth Action Fund, a progressive, statewide organization dedicated to providing all Floridians with better resources and education.
Driggers, a 19-year-old UF business administration sophomore, said Youth Action Fund has been able to canvas homeless shelters about amendments on Florida’s ballot and the presidential election coming Nov. 5.
Two amendments that have been a fo-
cal point in media coverage include Amendment 3, which would allow adults to possess recreational marijuana products, and Amendment 4, which would legalize abortion to fetal viability, or about 24 weeks.
“A lot of these folks struggle to get back on their feet and to get out of the epidemic of homelessness because our state criminalizes…trivial things like marijuana use,” Driggers said.
@vivienneserret vserret@alligator.org
Madison McClelland // Alligator Staff
How accessible are voting stations to homeless people?
Is there a political divide among Gainesville’s men and women?
STUDENTS, EXPERTS PARSE THE ELECTION GENDER GAP
By Natalie Kaufman Alligator Staff Writer
Twenty-year-old Allison Wilcox said she has a dirty secret. While she’s never worn a MAGA hat or waved a Trump flag, she’d love to see the former president return to the White House.
The Santa Fe College nursing junior believes she’s part of the “silent minority” of women backing Donald Trump. Her fellow female Republicans, she said, keep their politics close to the vest.
“I've known friends for years who I just found out are conservative just because they didn't want to vocalize that, because they're afraid of the social backlash,” Wilcox said.
The issues that are most important to her are the economy and immigration. Wilcox said she’s also a staunch supporter of Israel, which she believes puts her at odds with Kamala Harris.
Wilcox said she doesn’t agree with everything Trump says, how he says it or what he stands for, but she’s willing to vote for him anyway on a slate of tax, border and foreign policy positions.
Still, a majority of women align with the Democratic Party.
A USA TODAY/Suffolk University national poll reported that 53% of participating women decisively back Kamala Harris, while only 37% of men do. The reverse is true of the discrepancy between women and men supporting Trump.
If the polling data holds up come Nov. 5, a 16% difference between men and women voters would produce the largest gender gap in a presidential election on record. In past races, votes between candidates were more evenly split between men and women.
Tim Marden, chairman of the Alachua County Republican Party, doesn’t believe in the political gender gap. He said he encounters a similar share of men and women at Republican rallies.
“Some of the discussions surrounding gender divisiveness and
things like that are more on the created news side than the actual view of the landscape of what's happening,” he said. “I think men and women alike that I'm around are both equally conservative.”
About 43% of women say they plan to vote for Trump this election cycle, compared with 54% of men.
Women have been a reliable Democratic voting bloc for 40 years. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, they have drifted further to the political left. Nearly four in 10 women rank reproductive healthcare as their No. 1 issue this election. Voters trust Harris over Trump by 30 points in handling abortion.
Bodily autonomy and LGBTQ rights are at the top of Kylie Rydberg's mind. The 21-year-old UF family youth and community sciences junior said she’s backing Kamala Harris.
Rydberg attributed the widening gender gap in American politics to an entrenched fear men have of ceding control to women.
“Putting other women in power, I feel like it does kind of scare them a little bit,” she said.
Susan Bottcher, a member of the Alachua County Democratic Executive Committee, agreed with Rydberg. Bottcher said Trump appeals to men who are uncomfortable with the idea of a woman at the helm of government.
“They find it so difficult to have a woman as a supervisor or a boss, or, you know, heaven forbid, president of the United States,” she said. “[Men think] if you vote for a woman, somehow, something's going to be taken away from you.”
UF associate professor of women’s studies Trysh Travis said Trump’s demeanor and rhetoric repel young women.
“Even progressive women who are not pearl-clutching old ladies like myself have been sort of more generally appalled by Trump's just boorish and aggressive stupidity,” she said.
The former president has turned up the dial in recent pub-
lic appearances, deviating from his campaign’s prepared remarks to crack jokes or hurl expletives at his opponents.
Travis said what alienates young women from Trump captivates a growing number of their male counterparts. Those disillusioned with traditional politics may find Trump’s behavior and message compelling.
“[It’s] telling men, ‘We have the solution, and if you trust us, we will make everything right again, and you will have the earning power and the social authority and respect that you believe is your due as an American man,’” she said.
In the final sprint to the White House, Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, have starred on nine podcasts with predominantly male listenerships. The episodes pander to young men’s interests, ranging from wrestling and golf to cocaine and conspiracy theories.
Trump has decidedly reached a wider audience than Harris, drawing over 25 million views on
YouTube broadcasts of the podcasts.
Nineteen-year-old UF Pi Sigma Alpha president Zane Menendez has listened to several podcasts featuring Trump. He said that although the episodes aren’t politically substantive, they’ve helped the campaign gain traction with men under 30.
“I feel like playing at that is an interesting way of trying to get votes from people who aren't necessarily concerned with what's at stake but more about what's cool,” he said.
More than 100,000 Alachua County residents have already cast their ballots. Data indicate women across Florida are outpacing men in early voting. According to a news analysis of turnout data by Fresh Take Florida, about 54% of early voting ballots cast by Friday were women’s, with Republican women leading turnout.
@Nat_Kauf nkaufman@alligator.org
Community moves Gaza symposium off UF campus
SYMPOSIUM, from pg. 1
English department.
Wende added the cancellation felt like another barrier for students to understand Palestinian issues.
“They [UF] need to understand that they cannot silence us,” she said.
After the event was relocated, academics like Judith Butler and activists like Ranna Abduljawad gave talks related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Speakers gave talks on topics like hu-
manitarian crises in Gaza and the West Bank, U.S. politics concerning the conflict and ways in which to have conversations about Gaza. Abduljawad, a Jacksonvillebased activist, discussed the conflict’s history in relation to the militant group Hamas.
Abduljawad said Hamas has become a point of over-focus in the conflict, especially given that Hamas is not as active in the West Bank as it is in Gaza.
Nevertheless, she described raids she experienced as a child living in the West
Bank under the guise of seeking out militants.
“[Soldiers] can come into your house, come and pull everything upside down–the closet, the bed, the mattress,” she said. “We literally have to stand on the side and watch them do that to our private and personal belongings.”
She also discussed her experience with children who came to the U.S. after suffering extreme injuries during military operations, including a boy who lost part of his skull and a girl whose bones were crushed
in the rubble of a collapsed building.
Abduljawad said people living in the U.S. have a special responsibility to speak out against international conflict, especially with the country’s support for and allyship with Israel.
Helping students better understand the conflict will support long-term results for the Palestinian movement, she added.
“We have this responsibility now, we became the voice of Gaza,” Abduljawad said. “We are the voice of these kids.”
@AveryParke98398 aparker@alligator.org
Jea Nace // Alligator Staff
Thomas Vu: newly elected school board member discusses childhood and accountability
What are his platform goals and visions in the lead-up to his school board seat?
By Sara-James Ranta Alligator Staff Writer
When Thomas Vu first stepped into a classroom, he felt more at home than he’d ever been.
“School became a place of, almost like a refuge,” he said. “I loved to learn, and it almost felt like an escape and a validation.”
Vu won the District 2 seat on the Alachua County School Board on Aug. 20, defeating incumbent Diyonne McGraw. Now, as the 37-year-old Gainesville resident prepares to take his seat on the ACSB, Vu said he is driven to make that same safe, empowering environment a reality for every student and teacher in the district.
Vu, a son of Vietnamese refugees, grew up in a family that he said urged him to “keep his head down and don’t make waves.” When he was in elementary school, he discovered his dad had a secret family, which left his mother to raise him alone, he said.
“I was just being nosy, rifling through my grandmother’s stuff in her room, and I found pictures of what ends up being my half-sister’s fourth birthday,” he said. “And it’s a half-sister I didn’t know about, no one knew about.”
When Vu was young, he was bullied in school for his Asian descent and experienced backlash for coming out as gay. Looking back, Vu said he felt many aspects of his struggles were normalized.
“Someone makes fun of an Asian kid by doing slanty eyes and things like that,” he said. “How am I supposed to expect other people to love and embrace me for who I am … when the very people who should love you the most don’t accept you?”
Vu said his experiences fueled a “strong call to action” that ultimately drove him to run for the school board, and the campaign journey allowed him to fully embrace it.
Vu graduated with a finance degree from UF. He worked as a civics teacher and math teacher for grades six to 12 then spent two years in the ACPS district office, and now he works remotely overseeing the design of online courses for a Georgia school district. He lives with his husband, Joshua Bellamy; their dog, Charlie and three cats: Lucy, Peach and Grayson. Vu’s platform and future goals for the ACSB fall in one regard — board accountability.
Platform and vision
To Vu, ACPS emerged from the pandemic as a district “in crisis,” where maintaining long-term goals fell through due to a lack of consistency.
“I’d say everything now is just exacerbating issues that have already existed and completely ignoring the realities of the landscape we’re in,” he said. “Let’s actually do a good job, instead of looking like we’re doing a good job.”
On the administrative side, Vu said he believes the ACSB delegates too much power to the superintendent. The broader approach past leadership has taken has caused major changes without a board vote, he said. In addition, he said current board policies don’t force the board to vote enough on changes.
Both of these issues are coupled by what Vu said is a “lack of program evaluation,” where there isn’t a guarantee to taxpayers or teachers, who are implementing new policies from the board.
“We just spend a bunch of money at something and hope it worked,” he said. “To me, it’s crazy that we ask teachers to do things, but we don’t even tell them if it worked or not.”
Vu said this leads to a lack of public accountability, where the community no longer has faith and confidence in the district. Vu said the conversations he had with citizens about homeschooling and ACPS enrollment rates also drove him to continue the campaign trail.
“There’s no reason why the population of Alachua County has steadily increased the last 10 years, but our enrollments in our public schools have gone down year after year,” he said. “Even today, when it’s hard to fill classrooms with certified teachers … we still mistreat them.”
Vu said he wishes to see more metrics reported every year so the board has more correlative, comparative data to pinpoint internal policy issues.
Vu said conversations on the campaign trail helped him further understand the struggles ACPS families face, even if he isn’t a parent himself.
“I cried a lot with people about how hard it was for them to be parents today,” he said. “It’s really upsetting how much the system condescends to parents and how little it does to truly help them and their kids.”
Colleagues and community perspectives
District 3 Board Member Sarah Rockwell met Vu at a lunch meeting when he was seeking out endorsements from other elected officials, she said.
With a background in finance and math, Rockwell said she’s most looking forward to Vu “deep diving” into the district budget. She also said she believes it’s “extremely beneficial” that Vu has middle and high school teaching experience, noting many board members primarily have elementary teaching experience.
Rockwell observed Vu had a “broad coalition of support” on the campaign trail, where he was able to speak to voters with a wide variety of perspectives and find common ground with them, she said.
“I think that Thomas has shown he is a consensus builder and a collaborative problem solver,” she said. “I think that will serve us very, very well as a board.”
Rockwell’s advice to Thomas is to have a “thick skin” as he steps into his board seat. When the board is the face of the district, Rockwell said she advises him to listen and respond to the community with compassion.
District 1 Board Member Tina Certain met Vu when he was a teacher as she was visiting schools after she was elected, she said.
Certain said many of his goals align with her visions for the board, including positively impacting student outcomes, making the district more accountable and developing a functioning strategic plan.
Vu also shares Certain’s concerns about the student achievement and performance of Black students, she said.
Certain said she foresees Vu going through the same challenges every board member went through — the transition from a candidate to campaigning and then to an elected official.
“I think I’m hopeful that he will come into the fold, so to speak, learn his role quickly and mesh his current knowledge,” she said. “He would marry that knowledge with his ability to be a board member.”
Ashley Webster, a 36-year-old registered nurse, lived in Gainesville since 2008 but recently moved to Alabama. She’s been friends with Vu for nearly 20 years, and met him as they were both working at Olive Garden to put themselves through college, she said.
To Webster, Vu’s openness to constructive feedback and “emotional intelligence” are the qualities that stand out most to her.
Although she never envisioned Vu becoming a teacher when they met, she said Vu’s passion “transformed” after she had kids and when he started teaching middle school.
“I remember him having this realization of ‘Oh my gosh, I’m not just a teacher, the education system really, really impacts kids as a whole,’” she said. “I really think that’s when I started putting things together … I should probably pay attention to what the school board is doing.”
Webster said the community should trust Vu because the accountability he wants in ACPS is something he also wants in himself.
“I think that the most important aspect is … what’s best for the kids,” she said. “So that’s what he’s going to fight for, even if there’s conflict, even if it challenges the status quo.”
Courtney Shannon, a 42-year-old raised in Gainesville and a previous resident, met Vu when he shadowed her class at Lincoln Middle School when he was a student at Santa Fe’s Educator Preparation Institute.
When Vu became a full-time math teacher at Lincoln, Shannon said she also observed a “not quick to judge” quality she feels will serve him well on the school board.
“He’s got a level of follow-through that is really well-suited for someone who’s moving into a public service role,” she said. “I think it’s a win for the whole county.”
Looking ahead
Vu, who considers himself an introvert, said his younger self never envisioned he’d be a school board member.
“It’s kind of this acceptance where other people, even when I was running, would be like ‘You’re a leader, whether you like it or not,’” he said.
Vu will be sworn into the school board on Nov. 19. Although he is unsure of the challenges he’ll face, he said he’s hopeful about the future of ACPS.
“I can say for sure, I’m never going to stop trying,” he said. “I always want to make things better.”
@sarajamesranta sranta@alligator.org
‘Our vote is our voice’: Souls to the Polls event hopes to increase Black voter turnout
CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS HOST BLACK HISTORIC EVENT IN GAINESVILLE
By Kairi Lowery Alligator Staff Writer
Dressed in their Sunday best and ‘Black Voters Matter’ T-shirts, more than 500 citizens of Gainesville’s Black community joined together in music and educational celebration to incentivize others to perform their civic duty — voting.
On the last day of early voting, Nov. 3, the Alachua County Branch of the NAACP, the Community Impact Corporation, African American Accountability Alliance and other cultural organizations hosted Souls to the Polls — a historic community tradition meant to educate Black voters on local and national candidates.
To do this, both incumbent and first-time local candidates were invited to campaign and share their beliefs.
Those present included Alachua sheriff candidates Chad Scott and Pamela Anderson, State Attorney candidate Brian Kramer, State Senator candidate Sylvain Doré, Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton and others.
Black voter turnout for early voting was lower than expected, especially with so many Black candidates on the ballot, including Scott and Anderson.
“In the Black precincts, we weren’t where we should be,” said Evelyn Foxx, Alachua County Branch NAACP President. “We’re hoping we could reach 75% of the African American vote.”
So far in Alachua County, 32% of Black voters have cast their early voting ballot, 1% less than the state-wide average of 33%, according to the Division of Elections’ Early Voting.
The NAACP hopes to reach this threequarters vote on Election Day, as some people will only vote on Nov. 5, Foxx said.
Cultural organizations like the NAACP and African American Accountability Alliance shared their endorsements with attend-
ees through physical copies outlining who to vote for. While some organizations differed in preferred local election candidates, a common denominator was Kamala Harris for president.
“It’s not all 100% agreement on things,” vice chair of Alachua County Democrats Jay Maggio said.
But, despite the number of candidates at the event, no Republicans showed up, he said.
Historically, Alachua County has voted Democrat, he said.
Along with candidates, former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness Anna Nesby performed, exciting attendees about the importance of voting.
The event also worked to include young future voters with popcorn, cotton candy and a bounce house.
“If you come out, we’ll feed you hot Sunday supper and provide entertainment, but also invite the candidates to come,” pastor and founder of Community Impact Corporation Karl Anderson said.
After attending, residents could walk di-
rectly into the Supervisor of Elections office and cast their vote, Anderson said.
“Our vote gives us power,” he said. “Our vote is our voice.”
Voting is especially important in this election where so many big-ticket amendments are on the ballot, said Veita Jackson-Carter, president of the Gainesville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.
“This is the most consequential election of our time, not just at the presidential election, but the impact starts in our communities,” she said. “We’re not voting just for now, we’re voting for the future.”
Delphine Jackson, who came to the event straight after her Sunday morning service at Greater Bethel AME Church, said she is excited to vote on Amendment 4, a pro-choice policy, in such a high-stakes election.
“People need to know who to vote for — what to vote for,” she said.
@kairiloweryy klowery@alligator.org
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2024
www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue
THEATRE
A glimpse backstage with stars of “The Music Man” as they prepare for closing weekend
The UF School of Theatre and Dance celebrated its final day of the 1957 musical adaptation on Oct. 27
By Tanya Fedak Avenue Staff Writer
Being a con man in 1912 River City, Iowa isn’t the easiest job, especially when it comes to singing and dancing to convince citizens to give you their money. Throwing in plaid, warm wool suits? Forget about it.
But when Ethan Garrepy and Jaime Brustein take the Black Box Theatre stage as the only two con men in “The Music Man,” it appears as though everything they do comes with ease.
From Oct. 16 to Oct. 27, the UF School of Theatre and Dance put on a nine-show run of the musical, which follows traveling conman Harold Hill, played by Garrepy, who goes from town to town persuading citizens of his “plan” to form a boys marching band. After collecting payments for instruments and uniforms, he skips town, starting his pursuit of his next victims. But this time, it’s a little different.
“Things happen that normally don’t happen in other towns,” Garrepy said with raised eyebrows, hinting at the show’s plot. “It’s super fun.”
When Garrepy, a 20-year-old UF musical theatre junior, first auditioned for the show in spring, they had their mind set on playing Hill. As an actor, it’s common to always “have your eyes on the lead,” and Garrepy was ready to work for it, they said. Even after booking the role, Garrepy never stopped giving it their all, leaving everything on the table to prove this was the type of role they could do.
Although they were working on “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at The Hippodrome Theatre at the time they were cast, Garrepy dedicated multiple hours a week to memorizing the music, conducting dramaturgical research and discovering who their version of Hill was.
However, there was one thing Garrepy wouldn’t sacrifice for the charismatic conman: their mullet.
“You can’t touch the mullet,” Garrepy said with a smile.
To keep their beloved hair intact, Garrepy is called to the Black Box Theatre an hour earlier than the other members, showing up two and a half hours before Oct. 26’s 7:30 p.m. showtime, the night before the final show. Garrepy walked through the doors of the McGuire Pavilion at 5:00 p.m. Sitting in the wig room backstage, Garrepy’s hairdresser, Sherri Trimble, works to put their hair in pin curls. There’s not much commotion – only two other cast members join Garrepy, occupying three of the six mirrors for wig preparation.
As Garrepy fidgets with some of the hairpins, waiting to hand them to Trimble, they point out how some of the wigs used in the show are rented from a New York wigmaker who worked for Broadway shows like “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Wicked.” Garrepy’s Harold Hill wig was hand-tied by Ryan Moore, a visiting lecturer in costume technology at the School of Theatre and Dance, adding
Keep up with the Avenue on Twitter.
Tweet us
@TheFloridaAve.
different colors and textures to make it look more realistic.
It takes about thirty minutes for Trimble to pin Garrepy’s wig on, but there was a lot more work that went on behind the scenes, Garrepy says.
The wardrobe team completed molds of the cast members’ heads to ensure the wigs were fitted properly. The process required cast members to sit in chairs and wrap plastic wrap around their heads. The styling team then traced the members’ hairlines before removing the plastic, filling it with foam and letting it mold.
“That’s the most weird thing I’ve ever done,” says Garrepy’s fellow cast member Javier Colazzo Lopez as he prepares to have his hair pin-curled. Lopez, a UF freshman, plays traveling salesman Constable Lock and a River City kid in the musical.
With the wig secured to Garrepy’s head, they take one final look at themself in the mirror, tilting their head to ensure everything looks and feels show-ready. With two hours left until Garrepy takes the stage, their next stop is to get a microphone. At the sound system behind the audience, there are three crew members and two other cast members. As it gets closer to the show, everyone will be out and getting ready together, Garrepy said.
As a crew member tapes a microphone to the left side of Garrepy’s face, Garrepy points out the set. It’s a small space with a 200-seat capacity, but the crew makes it work, Garrepy said. Each building on the stage has windows where lights will turn on, signifying the time of day to the audience. Some of the show’s buildings are also moveable and turn around to become other objects, such as a bookshelf, podium and library desk.
The audience is placed on two sides of the stage, creating an almost diamond-shaped setup. Garrepy said the intimate setting makes the audience feel like they are a part of the story.
“We try to include them as much as possible,” Garrepy said.
Growing up in the arts, Garrepy often attended performances as an audience member and loved feeling like a part of the story. They eventually tried their hand as a performer and haven’t looked back since, they said.
But it hasn’t always been the glitz and glamor that’s commonly associated with being a performer. Garrepy recalled life as a queer actor, spending most of their career playing “comedic side characters” and “more funny queer roles.”
“I thought that the type I had sort of been put into was going to be it for the rest of my career and that those were the only characters I was gonna get the opportunity to play,” they said.
During Garrepy’s second year at UF, they walked into the audition room for “The Music Man,” ready to push themself to prove they were capable of something more.
Six months later, Garrepy stands in the
bathroom one floor above their dressing room, putting on makeup as they prepare to play the show’s leading character, which they said has been a significant turning point professionally and personally.
“Being given the opportunity to show that this is something that I can do without having to feel like I’m compromising some part of my identity, I think, is super cool,” they said.
An hour and 15 minutes until the show starts, Garrepy makes their way downstairs to the dressing room to complete another step of their pre-show routine: listening to their Harold Hill-inspired playlist. To get themself into character, Garrepy filled the Spotify playlist with a combination of songs they thought Hill would listen to and those that are reminiscent of the character. Because it’s a musical, Garrepy also added a few songs from the show’s original soundtrack.
“In this specific show, I mention a lot of composers or band leaders,” Garrepy said. “I wanted to make sure that I had at least one song from each of those [references]. That way, when I’m talking about them on stage, I have an idea in my head of exactly what I’m talking about.”
As Garrepy stands outside the dressing room and scrolls through the playlist, pointing out the songs related to the show, their scene partner Jaime Brustein walks through the stairwell doors. Brustein smiles when he sees Garrepy, and the two jump into a conversation about fantasy football.
Brustein said UF’s musical theatre program decided to start a league this season, and Garrepy is currently doing the worst. Brustein offered him some advice, but not too much. He wants to win, but unlike his character, he plans to do so honestly.
Brustein, a 21-year-old UF student pursuing a bachelor’s in musical theatre and a master’s in business management, plays Marcellus Washburn, the other con man who becomes Hill’s “right-hand man.” After previously booking dancing roles, Washburn is Brustein’s first leading role. Although Garrepy said it’s common for actors to pine for leading characters, Brustein said he knew he wanted to play Washburn.
Walking into auditions six months ago, Brustein remembered a piece of advice “The Music Man’s” choreographer and Broadway veteran Andrew Cao gave him: “As much as you think the audition process is about you, it’s not,” Cao said. “You are there to help the casting team. They are rooting for you. They want you to be good.”
Brustein’s audition attitude followed him into the nine-performance run of “The Music Man,” and he now deems it the “screw it” mindset. Instead of psyching himself out before making his principal debut, he’ll remind himself of this mentality: “There’s only one Jaime Bru,” he said. “My way isn’t always the best, but it’s very particular. When I’m entrusted [with a role], I feel like I have great
ownership of it.”
However, Brustein wasn’t originally entrusted with the role of Washburn. Reflecting on auditions, he said he performed poorly and didn’t receive a callback. Unafraid to advocate for himself, he contacted the director and asked to gain access to the callback room.
“I said, ‘With all due respect, this is important to me, and I’ve been prepping the materials throughout the year,’” he said. “So I asked permission. I said, ‘Can I please do the callback for Marcellus? I know you didn’t ask me to. I think I can do it.’”
Sitting on one of the couches above the Black Box Theatre and listening to the chattering of audience members arriving, Brustein remembers the confused faces of his now-castmates when he walked into the callback room after the director approved his email request. These castmates have now become a family, and if he never sent the email, he may not be there today, he said with a smile.
There are only 45 minutes left until the show begins, and it’s time for Brustein to get into character for the role he fought so hard to play. Washburn is the “wired” and “zany” comic relief of the show, he said, and sometimes all it takes to get into the right headspace is plastering a smile on his face and “turning off his brain.”
But before he shuts his brain down, he makes sure to have a coconut water and Costco-brand protein bar.
The protein bar isn’t necessarily to help play Washburn, though. Brustein said the musical program at UF is a very Broadway-oriented training program. Although the experience is “prolific” and teaches him a great deal, Broadway isn’t necessarily for him. He’s got other career goals on his mind, he said.
“Even though Broadway’s dope, my dream is to be Magic Mike in Las Vegas,” he said, his face serious. “I’m not even joking. Magic Mike. Las Vegas. So, that’s why I have the protein bar — to get in shape.”
After Brustein graduates in December, he said he is off to New York for a five-monthlong dance training program. The program will allow him to sharpen his skills to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing the fan-favorite male stripper, he said.
“I watched the movie, and I was like, ‘I actually think I was built for this,’” Brustein recalled. “Some people are built to be doctors, lawyers, writers. I was made for Magic Mike, and I believe that firmly.”
There’s now only 30 minutes until Brustein greets the audience as Washburn, and the voices of eager audience members outside grow louder by the second. This is the secondto-last show before “The Music Man” closes, and he soaks in these final pre-show moments. He glances at his iPhone to check the time, then puts it in his pocket as he stands up. He takes a breath, straightens his shoulders and walks through the doors leading backstage, where a protein bar and coconut water sit waiting for him.
@ttanyafedak tfedak@alligator.org
on pg. 8.
www.alligator.org/section/opinions
Why should you vote red: Was the 25th Amendment invoked or not?
Election day, Nov. 5, will be the central event that will forecast American policy for the next four years. In the past month, Donald Trump’s and Kamala Harris’ campaigns have gone full throttle in convincing the American public why they should stay with the status quo or go back to old policies through Trump’s executive hand. Before you go out and cast your ballot, please consider these points.
The Harris campaign has come into question due to its constant maneuvering for public approval. Harris, a far leftist, has appeared to be seen as conservative or moderate. One prime example is a recent interview where Harris vehemently states that Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, would ban guns and inherently take away your Second Amendment right. Not only is this thought-provoking, but Harris needs to explain how Trump will ban guns. This exchange, along with other examples, gives me the impression the Harris campaign is purely motivated by appeasing the American public by advertising attractive policies for voters that would not initially vote for her.
The overarching theme is the lack of integrity and accountability. Harris chooses to ignore addressing these discrepancies
The
Iin her statements and backs it with a heartwarming laugh that attempts to connect with voters. The American people are not voting for someone they would want to hang out with — they are looking for a political party that will aid them in their personal lives against pressing matters such as housing affordability, job security, preserving their income after taxes and health.
Although displayed in red, the Trump campaign should be looked at with an array of colors that symbolize people from different backgrounds who are in support of the Trump campaign. Robert F. Kennedy, in a recent rally at Madison Square Garden, explained that the current Democratic party has evolved from its original identity. He says, “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.” RFK has been a role model for young people and inspired many through his political expertise. If the Democratic party could not clearly explain why it didn’t integrate RFK into the DNC and why it rejected his principles, then his statements have evidential backing.
There is still no clear explanation for how Harris became the presidential nominee. The 25th Amendment explains that if a
president cannot perform his civic duties, the vice president will take their place. In Harris’s case, there has been no explicit confirmation that Harris has invoked the 25th Amendment. Not only is this deception, but it is a slap to the current constitution. If Harris did not invoke the 25th Amendment, how could she surpass other Democratic nominees?
opinions@alligator.org
Actions speak louder than words; while many words are thrown by the Democratic Party, it has not backed those promises from the past four years in office. Voting red will declare accountability towards the DNC, stating that it cannot forecast intelligent rhetoric and evade promises after the fact; it is not fair to the American public.
Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/opinions.
Abraham Hilu is a UF political science senior.
“Election Police”: Another Republican shenanigan bullying minorities and women of the “free” state of Florida
n 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis made national headlines when he created the Office of Election Crimes and Security, a so-called “election police” force designed to investigate and prosecute alleged voter fraud. The timing was no coincidence. As DeSantis cemented his political ambitions and positioned himself for a presidential run, he needed to appeal to a specific base. In creating this office, DeSantis wasn’t protecting democracy — he was pandering to conspiracy theorists and sowing doubt in the electoral process, all while laying the groundwork for voter intimidation and going after petitions and amendments to please his voters. And now, in 2024, we are seeing the full, dangerous impact of this move.
This office was established without substantial review or significant evidence to justify its necessity. By the end of the 2024 budget cycle, this office will have spent $6,665,874. Even though widespread voter fraud has been repeatedly debunked, the Republican superma-
jorities in Tallahassee pressed forward with it to raise doubts in voters’ minds. This isn’t just a political stunt. It’s a real threat to the rights of everyday Floridians, especially women and minority communities, and every single Republican who voted for that bill, including my opponent Rep. Stan McClain, is just as guilty as DeSantis for these fear tactics.
It was reported this past September that officers were going door-to-door to question voters about their signatures on petitions. Just imagine the fear of law enforcement challenging your petition’s legitimacy at your front door. And who are the primary targets of these intimidation tactics? Women, minorities and anyone who dares to support causes like reproductive rights or voter expansion.
The DeSantis administration has spent about $20 million on radio and TV advertising against Amendments 3 and 4 while threatening TV stations with criminal prosecution if they do not remove ads from the supporters
of these amendments. At the same time, they use our tax dollars to fight lawsuits against their unconstitutional actions in court, produce large documents with the hope that they will impress and use state websites to parrot political talking points. These are acts of pure intimidation.
The timing of this escalation is telling. Amendment 4 is on the ballot, a pivotal referendum to enshrine abortion rights in the Florida Constitution. This election is about life-and-death decisions for women in Florida and their allies. The DeSantis administration knows women, particularly young women and women of color, are turning out in droves to vote for this amendment. By casting doubt on the integrity of the voting process and creating bureaucratic hurdles, this administration hopes to suppress this very turnout.
The assault on voting rights doesn’t stop there. For years, this administration has chipped away at voter access, particularly for
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Alligator.
opinions@alligator.org
communities of color. We’ve seen voter roll purges, stricter ID requirements and new rules on where and when to drop vote-bymail ballots. Voters find themselves having to re-register multiple times or jump through hoops to request a voteby-mail ballot. Why not have everyone with a government-issued ID be automatically registered — this would save millions of headaches. The goal isn’t “election security.” The goal is voter suppression.
Read the rest online at alligator.org/ section/opinions.
Dr. Sylvain Doré is the Democratic Nominee for Florida Senate, District 9.
The Alligator encourages comments from readers. Letters to the editor should not exceed 600 words (about one letter-sized page). They must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s name, classification and phone number. Names will be withheld if the writer shows just cause. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, style and libel. Send letters to opinions@alligator.org, bring them to 2700 SW 13th St., or send them to P.O. Box 14257, Gainesville, FL 32604-2257.Columns of about 450 words about original topics and editorial cartoons are also welcome. Questions? Call 352-376-4458.
Abraham Hilu
Dr. Sylvain Doré
El Caimán
LUNES, 4 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2024
www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman
Gainesville celebra El Día de Los Muertos, honrando la herencia y la comunidad
LAS CELEBRACIONES LOCALES COMPARTEN TRADICIONES, HISTORIAS Y RECUERDOS EN UN HOGAR LEJOS DE CASA
Por Eneida Escobar Escritora de El Caimán
A medida que el sol desaparecía el 1 de noviembre, la comunidad de Gainesville cobró vida con los coloridos sonidos y vistas de El Día de Los Muertos. Esta festividad mexicana tradicional, observada el 1 y 2 de noviembre, honra a los seres queridos fallecidos a través de altares vibrantes, ofrendas y otras celebraciones culturales.
Día de Los Muertos, reconocido por la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura como Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial, tiene raíces en antiguas tradiciones aztecas y fue adaptado posteriormente para coincidir con los días festivos católicos de Todos los Santos y los Fieles Difuntos.
A lo largo de Gainesville, en algunos espacios comunitarios, el día sirvió como un puente entre culturas y una poderosa celebración de recuerdo.
A pesar de estar a miles de kilómetros de México, los residentes de Gainesville mantuvieron el ánimo alto al traer tradiciones culturales únicas que enriquecen el área local, con el Día de Los Muertos como una de las más visibles.
En la Universidad de Florida, la Asociación de Estudiantes Mexicanos Americanos, o MASA, organizó un evento abierto tanto para el campus como para la comunidad de Gainesville en general.
Maria De La Cruz Mora, estudiante de maestría en el Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos y vicepresidenta de MASA, expresó lo significativo que fue crear un espacio inclusivo en el campus.
MASA organizó una celebración el viernes en el Gran Salón del Reitz Union incluyendo componentes educativos, con miembros que explicaban la importancia cultural de la festividad a los asistentes.
“Hemos incorporado muchas partes educativas”, dijo Mora. “Entonces, para nosotros significa mucho informar y educar, proporcionar orientación sobre las diferentes representaciones simbólicas, diferentes tradiciones”.
Los miembros de MASA, de diversas regiones de México, compartieron sus perspectivas únicas, ilustrando cómo las costumbres de Día de Los Muertos varían ampliamente dentro del país.
“Al estar compuestos de estudiantes de todo México, compartimos diferentes aspectos de la tradición, así que significa tener… este círculo de ‘Oh, puedo compartir contigo un poco de mí y de mi identidad y lo honraremos’”, dijo Mora.
Para José Barco, presidente de MASA y estudiante de último año en ciencias de la computación de 21 años, El Día de Los Muertos tiene un significado profundamente personal.
“Aprecio mucho la festividad porque realmente unifica no sólo a las personas dentro de la cultura, sino a las personas en general, ya que se relaciona con un aspecto muy humano de la vida, y ese aspecto es la muerte”, dijo Barco.
Describió cómo el evento en la Universidad de Florida ofrece una oportunidad única para la reflexión y conexión.
“A veces, cuando piensas en los conceptos o simplemente recuerdas a un ser querido fallecido, puede sentirse aislante”, dijo.
La familia de Barco, que vive en Orlando, ahora celebra la festividad de una manera más privada.
Al crecer, a menudo escuchaba historias de sus padres, quienes experimentaron celebraciones más grandes en México, con música y baile. Las celebraciones fueron una gran parte de la infancia de sus padres, dijo.
Sin embargo, sin una comunidad mexicana cercana, su familia observaba la festividad de manera más tranquila.
“Para nosotros, no teníamos esa especie de comunidad mexicana más grande donde crecí, así que no era como un evento comunitario”, dijo. “Era más bien solo reflexionar sobre la tradición”.
Justo más allá del campus, La Tienda, un restaurante mexicano local, proporciona un sabor de hogar para muchos que celebran el Día de Los Muertos en Gainesville.
Jhovany Santiago, residente de Gainesville de 32 años originario de México quien ha trabajado en el restaurante por más de 14 años, compartió cómo el restaurante ha observado
anteriormente la festividad con decoraciones y vestimenta tradicional.
“En años anteriores, el personal se disfrazaba un poco para celebrar”, dijo Santiago. “La gente que viene al restaurante lo aprecia”. Destacó la importancia de servir platos mexicanos auténticos como tacos, tortas, mole y barbacoa durante la temporada.
Santiago reflexionó sobre el orgullo que siente cuando los clientes experimentan la comida mexicana tradicional en La Tienda. “La gente reacciona a la comida aquí porque es más auténtica de lo que podrían encontrar en otros lugares”, dijo. “Es comida mexicana”. Santiago espera que los visitantes se lleven algo más que una comida.
A nivel nacional, esta festividad se celebra cada vez más, ya que familias en todo Estados Unidos recuerdan a sus seres queridos y comparten la cultura mexicana.
A través de las celebraciones en la universidad y en los negocios locales, los residentes de Gainesville honran tanto la vida como la memoria, compartiendo la alegría y las tradiciones de El Día de Los Muertos, uniendo a los miembros de la comunidad de diferentes orígenes en una celebración de recuerdo. Esto deja a Mora con un sentimiento especial — se trata de tener el espacio para celebrar la vida y la muerte juntos, dijo.
“No es solo para estudiantes mexicanos, sino para estudiantes que han sido afectados por la pérdida de un ser querido”, dijo Mora.
@EneidaMariaEsc eescobar@alligator.org
Gainesville embraces El Día de Los Muertos, honoring heritage and community
LOCAL CELEBRATIONS
SHARE TRADITIONS, STORIES AND REMEMBRANCE IN A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
By Eneida Escobar Alligator Staff Writer
As the sun disappeared on Nov. 1, Gainesville’s community came alive with the colorful sights and sounds of El Día de Los Muertos. The traditional Mexican holiday, observed on Nov. 1 and 2, honors deceased loved ones through vibrant altars, offerings and other cultural celebrations.
Día de Los Muertos, recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, is rooted in ancient Aztec traditions and later adapted to correspond with the Catholic feast days of All Saints and All Souls.
For some community spaces across Gainesville, the day served as a bridge between cultures and a powerful celebration of
remembrance.
Despite being many miles away from Mexico, Gainesville residents kept their spirits high by bringing unique cultural traditions and enriching the local area, with Día de Los Muertos as one of the most visible.
At UF, the Mexican American Student Association, or MASA, hosted an event open to both the campus and the broader Gainesville community.
MASA hosted a celebration Friday at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom including educational components, with members explaining the cultural significance of the holiday to attendees.
Maria De La Cruz Mora, a master's student at the Latin American Studies Center and Vice President of MASA, expressed how meaningful it was to create an inclusive space on campus.
“We’ve incorporated a lot of educational parts,” Mora said. “So for us, it means a lot of informing and about educating, providing guidance on the different symbolic representations, different traditions.”
MASA members from diverse regions of Mexico shared their unique perspectives, illustrating how
Mantente al día con El Caimán en Twitter. Envíanos un tweet @ElCaimanGNV.
Día de Los Muertos customs vary widely within the country.
“Being composed of students from all over Mexico, we share different aspects of tradition, so it just means having… this circle of ‘Oh, I can share with you a little bit of me and my identity and we’ll honor it,’” Mora said.
For Jose Barco, MASA’s president and a 21-year-old computer science senior, El Día de Los Muertos has a deeply personal meaning.
“I really appreciate the holiday because it really unifies not only people within the culture, but people broadly, because it relates to a very human aspect of life, and that aspect being death,” Barco said.
He described how the event at UF provides a rare opportunity for reflection and connection.
“Sometimes, when you’re thinking of the concepts or just wanting a past loved one, it can feel isolating,” he said.
Barco’s family, living in Orlando, now celebrates the holiday more privately.
Growing up, he often heard stories from his parents, who experienced larger celebrations in Mexico, complete with music and
dancing. The celebrations were a large part of his parents’ childhoods, he said.
However, without a nearby Mexican community, his family observed the holiday more quietly.
“For us, we didn’t have that sort of larger Mexican community where I was growing up, so it wasn’t like a communal event,” he said. “It was more so just thinking about the tradition.”
Just beyond campus, La Tienda, a local Mexican restaurant, provides a taste of home for many celebrating El Día de Los Muertos in Gainesville.
Jhovany Santiago, a 32-year-old Gainesville resident from Mexico who has worked at the restaurant for over 14 years, shared how the restaurant has previously observed the holiday with decorations and traditional attire.
“In previous years, the staff would dress up to celebrate a little bit,” Santiago said. “The people who come to the restaurant appreciate that.”
He highlighted the importance of serving authentic Mexican dishes like tacos, tortas, mole and barbacoa during the season.
Santiago reflected on the pride
he feels when customers experience traditional Mexican food at La Tienda.
“People react to the food here because it’s more authentic than they might find elsewhere,” he said. “It’s real Mexican food.”
Santiago hopes that visitors leave with more than a meal.
Nationwide, this holiday has become increasingly celebrated, as families across the United States remember loved ones and share Mexican culture.
Through celebrations at the university and in local businesses, Gainesville residents honor both life and memory, sharing in the joy and traditions of El Día de Los Muertos and uniting community members across backgrounds in a celebration of remembrance.
It leaves Mora with a special feeling — it’s about having the space to celebrate life and death together, she said.
“It’s not just for Mexican students, but it’s for students that have been affected by the loss of a loved one,” Mora said.
Síganos para actualizaciones Para obtener actualizaciones de El Caimán, síganos en línea en www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman.
@EneidaMariaEsc eescobar@alligator.org
How to Place a Classified Ad:
● ● MUSICIAN NEEDED ● ● at Lake City Fla's Bethel Methodist (GMC) to play traditional hymns in Sun-Worship. To inquire, please call Pastor Louis 352-658-0847 11-4-5-14
● ● Yard Work - Part Time ● ● Need student for Yard Work, 6-12 hours per week. $16 per hour. Digging, LandClearing, Raking, Mowing, other chores. SW Gainesville. Reply to MH575@Cox.net 122-24-4-14
5 Real Estate
10 For Sale
● Affordable RV Camping Near Campus! ● Convenient location just minutes from UF. Safe, quiet, perfect for game day weekends. Water, electric, and Wi-Fi. Reserve your spot today! 352-372-1026 katesfishcamp.com Book Early – Limited Spots! 12-2-24-8-15
in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 888-460-2264 11-4-38-15
AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-967-1158. Have zip code of property ready when calling! 11-4-44-15
Don't Pay For Covered Home Repairs Again! Our home warranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. We stand by our service and if we can't fix it, we'll replace it! Pick the plan that fits your budget! Call: 1-888-521-2793 11-4-42-15
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP & RESTORATION: A small amount of water can lead to major damage and mold growth in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! Call 24/7: 1-866-7824060. Have zip code of service location ready when you call 11-4-45-15
PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for a quote or inspection today 1-877-644-9799. Have zip code of property ready when calling 11-4-45-15
DRUG PROBLEM?
WE CAN HELP! 24 HOURS 7 DAYS CALL NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS 352-376-8008 www.uncoastna.org pr@uncoastna.org
Need CPR Training?
(352) 727-4733 www.GatorCPR.com CNA Prep Classes from GatorCNA.com 12-2-24-15-16
Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 844-958-2473. 11-4-68-16
HIV ANTIBODY TESTING
Alachua County Health Dept. Call 334-7960 for app’t (optional $20 fee)
Events/Notices
Free Quick Notes on Florida 2024 elections Voters can protect reproductive freedom by voting for the initiative that protects the right to abortion and for Vice President Harris and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell who are champions for reproductive rights. Or voters can choose Rick Scott who favors a ban on abortion 6 weeks after conception. Trump flips flops but has favored punishing women who seek abortions.
https://internationalmosaic.com/criticalsenate-races-and-their-impact-on-womensreproductive-freedoms/ 11-4-24-2-20
1. MOVIES: What was the name of the tournament in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"?
1. MEASUREMENTS: How many inches are in a mile?
2. GEOGRAPHY: What was the name of the train service that started in 1883 between Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul)?
3. LITERATURE: Who did the pigs represent in the allegorical novel "Animal Farm"?
4. ART: Which European city houses the Reina Sofia museum?
2. ASTRONOMY: What does the acronym SETI mean to the scientific community?
5. TELEVISION: What is the product that Don Draper makes an ad for in the final episode of "Mad Men"?
3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin prefix “sub-” mean in English?
6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of unicorns called?
7. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which presidential retreat is officially named the "Naval Support Facility Thurmont"?
4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms?
8. MUSIC: Which composer is featured in the film "Immortal Beloved"?
9. HISTORY: The Great Wall of China was mostly built by which dynasty?
10. FOOD & DRINK: What kind of fruit is also known as the Chinese gooseberry?
5. LITERATURE: Which 20th-century movie star penned the autobiography “Me: Stories of My Life”?
2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
6. HISTORY: What was the first National Monument proclaimed in the United States?
7. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the island of Luzon located?
8. MOVIES: Which sci-fi movie has the tagline, “Reality is a thing of the past”?
1.
1. In 1987, what Minnesota Twins third baseman became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit home runs in his first two postseason plate appearances?
2. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo played college football for what team?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What was the name of the United States’ first nuclear-powered submarine?
3. What two soccer teams played in the notorious 2006 FIFA World Cup knockout stage match dubbed the "Battle of Nuremberg" that had four red cards and 16 yellow cards issued?
4. What 1986 made-for-television movie starred Vanessa Redgrave as transgender tennis player and ophthalmologist Renee Richards?
10. GAMES: What are the four railroad properties in Monopoly? Answers
5. Name the mixed martial arts fighter from Ohio who successfully defended his UFC heavyweight title three times from 2016-18.
1. 63,360 inches
2. Search for extraterrestrial intelligence
6. In September 2003, Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson played his final Major League Baseball game as a member of what team?
7. What German racecar driver, winner of the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, holds the Formula 1 record for most career starts without a podium finish?
3. Below or insufficient
4. Grover Cleveland 5. Katharine Hepburn
Devils Tower, 1906
The Philippines 8. “The Matrix”
The USS Nautilus
Pennsylvania, Short Line, Read-
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2024
www.alligator.org/section/sports
Florida soccer’s Lauren Donovan remains inspired by Abby Wambach’s legacy
THE UF SENIOR MIDFIELDER GREW UP IDOLIZING WAMBACH, EVEN NAMING HER DOG AFTER HER
By Amanda Roman Sports Writer
It was 2011, and the U.S. Women’s National Team faced a 2-1 deficit against Brazil in the World Cup quarterfinals. Nine-year-old Lauren Donovan watched in awe as Abby Wambach made history. Little did she know, she would later follow in Wambach’s footsteps in college.
Former U.S. forward Megan Rapinoe passed the ball to Wambach, who scored a goal in the 122nd minute to tie the match and force a shootout, where the U.S. claimed victory.
“I remember watching that game specifically,” Donovan said. “It was my mom and dad's anniversary, we were actually in New Smyrna Beach. And I remember watching that exact goal and [Wambach] talking about it to this day.”
Today, Donovan wears the same Gators logo on her uniform that the two-time Olympic Gold medalist did. As a senior midfielder for the UF soccer team, Donovan has become a key player for Florida, embodying Wambach’s legacy as a Gator that she has always admired.
FOOTBALL
While every athlete grows up idolizing a pro, it was different for Donovan. She never thought she would represent the same team that Wambach once did. But now, she is proud to carry the same legacy that Wambach left behind.
“Surreal is the best word to even say,” Donavan said. “To watch someone ever since I was a little girl, and to try to fill her shoes into this program, it's so cool. I talk about this all the time that it's not just Abby. It's all the Olympians that come through Florida.”
Wambach has not only inspired a generation of players at UF, but she has also left her mark on how the game is played. Donovan attributes a large part of how she sees and approaches the game to Wambach.
“I find Abby Wambach a lot similar to my play, maybe not position, but using our head a lot,” Donovan said. “And just growing up like her, Alex Morgan, that group of national team players are who I grew up watching literally every game.”
Wambach’s and Donovan’s styles of play bear a noticeable resemblance, as both players can deliver in high-stakes moments and leave a lasting impact on the field.
Wambach helped lead Florida to a national championship victory in 1998, but she continues to offer support to her alma mater. Donovan described how Wambach has taken the time to meet with the Gators to offer advice and support.
“Just being able to talk to her, ask her
questions and be totally vulnerable with her, and her being vulnerable back to us,” Donovan said. “I would say we all agree she's close to our program.” As a transfer student-athlete from Minnesota, Donovan has not exactly had the most traditional path to landing at UF. After two seasons up North, she took a chance on herself for what could lie ahead.
Both of Donovan’s parents earned their master’s degrees from Florida and are lifelong Gator fans. The family’s connection to Florida’s soccer program runs so deep that they even named their mixed Australian Shepherd after Wambach.
Lauren’s father, Dan, recognized the impact that Wambach and women’s soccer had on his daughter. Dan believed that naming their dog after the all-time great was a fitting tribute to how much Wambach meant to Lauren.
“The thing that always stood out, that I always liked, was how fearless and gritty she was and that aerial presence that Abby has,” he said.
Donovan has the unwavering support of her family. Dan and his wife Laura attend every single one of Lauren’s games, similarly to Wambach’s parents during her time at Florida.
Dan has established himself as the “flag guy” for the Gators’ home games, meaning he’s tasked with bringing infectious spirit to the stands at Donald R. Dizney Stadium by waving a flag and rallying UF fans together.
“I've had [the flag] since I was in grad school here,” Dan said. “I'm like, ‘You know what? I'm pulling that flag out. I'm taking that everywhere we go’… Then I figured out a way to start sneaking the flag into the complex so that I could run around with it.”
As Donovan continues her college soccer career, she will seek to carry on the legacy of past Gator Greats, hoping to etch her own name into UF history.
With hopes of playing professionally, Donovan will continue to draw inspiration from Wambach, her parents, and of course her iconic dog, Abby, by her side.
“She [Donovan] embodies a student, person, player, at a high level,” UF head coach Samantha Bohon said. “It's exciting when you see players like that have some success.”
Donovan’s inspiration from Wambach has translated into valuable production for the Gators this season.
She helped Florida secure its first win of SEC play against a top 25-ranked team since 2019. Donovan scored two goals in UF’s match against No. 22 Texas, marking the first multi-goal match of her college career.
“What an experience, especially having it be here at Florida,” Donavan said. “My two first collegiate goals, two in the same game. It was a full circle moment of, ‘This was the reason I was supposed to be here.’”
@mandy_romannn aroman@alligator.org
Third-string quarterback Aidan Warner thrusted into Florida football spotlight amid
THE GATORS WILL TURN TO REDSHIRT FRESHMAN WARNER FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE
By Max Tucker Sports Writer
When Florida redshirt freshman quarterback Aidan Warner announced he was transferring from Yale to UF in Spring 2024, he wasn’t greeted with words of encouragement from his peers.
The Gators football program is known for earning commitments from top-level high school athletes, making it difficult for players who aren’t in the team’s starting lineup to see much playing time. This is something Warner became all too familiar with when arriving at UF.
Warner was named the thirdstring quarterback for the Gators before the season started, sitting behind sixth-year redshirt senior quarterback Graham Mertz, and highly coveted five-star true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway.
“A lot of people were telling me, ‘Are you done playing football?’” Warner said. “‘You’re gonna go there and sit the bench,’ I put my head down and decided that I was gonna work and prove myself. I’m kind of shocked myself that I am where I am right now. I never would have expected this.”
The Winter Park, Florida native spent his freshman season redshirting as a backup quarterback at Yale before deciding to pack his bags and move to Gainesville. Adapting to a new lifestyle after moving from Connecticut to Florida was an uphill battle for Warner, when he found out he had a significant injury that he was never aware of. Warner tore his ACL during his final week of practice last season at Yale, he said. Despite the evident skepticism of his peers, he was welcomed with open arms by his teammates at Florida. “It was a tough first month here [at Florida],” Warner said. Mertz has played an integral role in the locker room, not only as Florida's starting quarterback but also as a leader for younger players on the team such as Warner. Grow-
alligatorSports has a podcast! The alligatorSports Podcast releases episodes every Wednesday and can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your other preferred streaming platform.
ing up a Gators fan, Warner has always had a strong affinity for UF. While there’s a significant difference between cheering on Florida’s football team from the bleachers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and running onto the field as the starting quarterback, Mertz has done his part in preparing Warner for this transition. “I kind of fit in with Graham,” Warner said. “I think our personalities are very similar. We both have big personalities.”
Just a few weeks ago, Florida head coach Billy Napier said Warner was “standing around eating ice cream.”
But when the Gators faced the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs in Jacksonville Nov. 2, the last thing on his mind was hot fudge or rainbow sprinkles. With just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter of UF’s game against UGA, Lagway endured a significant hamstring injury that could sideline the true freshman for an unknown amount of time — maybe the rest of the season. As Lagway was carted off the field following his injury, Warner was called to lead the Gators to vic-
Follow our newsletter Love alligatorSports? Stay up to date on our content by following our newsletter. Scan the QR Code to sign up.
Ryan Friedenberg // Alligator Staff Florida Gators quarterback Aidan Warner (16) throws the ball downfield during the second half at TIAA Bank Field on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
tory in perhaps the most crucial and adverse moment of Florida’s 2024 season. Warner was unable to secure the win for the Gators, although his teammates still took note of his efforts in the contest.
“I'm proud of Aidan and the way he stepped up,” UF senior wide receiver Chimere Dike said. “My favorite thing about the way he played was
continuous injuries
he didn't flinch. We could see [in] his eyes he was out there competing. He's going to continue to get better.” Warner’s abilities on the football field have been closeted this season, largely in part to the aforementioned roles of Lagway and Mertz. Nevertheless, the Yale transfer has already shown significant progress in Florida’s recent practices. Two weeks ago, Warner started taking reps with UF’s second-string offensive unit, Napier said. It’s a role that Warner has thrived in. However, it will need to translate to the field on game days for the Gators to have any hope of having a successful end to their season. “I have confidence in him,” Napier said. “He's had some really good practices the last couple weeks. The kids love him. He has got some self-confidence and he's got arm talent. He cares about Florida. So we'll rally around him.” Florida will hit the road this week to take on No. 5 Texas in Austin Saturday at noon ET.
@Max_Tuckr1 mtucker@alligator.org
Follow us for updates
For updates on UF athletics, follow us on Twitter at @alligatorSports or online at www.alligator.org/section/sports.
