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VOLUME 116 ISSUE 29 Not officially associated with the University of Florida

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UF Senate passed few bills this semester

Seven bills have been passed this semester compared to 19 last Spring

By Maia Botek Alligator Staff Writer

This semester, UF’s Senate continues a trend of passing fewer legislation compared to previous years.

Every Tuesday evening on the ground floor of the Reitz Union, the UF Student Government Senate meets to discuss and vote on legislation.

During meetings, some Senators play computer games like Octagon, do homework in Canvas or scroll through social media.

Seven bills have passed this semester and seven bills were passed last semester, compared to 19 last Spring.

The Senate once held lively debates and weighed issues like the impeachment of former Student Body President Michael Murphy and the interpretation of the Student Body constitution.

Of the seven bills passed this semester, two made changes to SG’s structure, two revised SG’s codes with clarifications and three were resolutions, also known as statements of support.

One of the bills, SSB 20221000, authored by former Pro-Tempore Noah Fineberg,

removed the power of other SG members except for Senators and the Student Body President, Vice President or Treasurer to author or support legislation.

Another dissolved the Internal Affairs agency and transferred responsibilities to the Senate and Student Body President as well as increasing resources for the Student Body Treasurer’s office.

SSB 2022-1006 was authored by Judiciary Committee Chair John Brinkman.

In the most recent Senate meeting Tuesday, Change and Gator Senators worked together to sponsor and pass a resolution condemning Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, though Senators debated specific clauses in the bill.

Change Senators hoped to see a clause included that recognized the University of Florida’s transgressions against the LGBTQ community, specifically through the Johns Committee, which sought, interrogated and removed students and faculties from campus. Gator Party Senators struck it down, and the clause was not included.

Another bill was a resolution

SEE SENATE, PAGE 4

Leo Ramsey-Watson // Alligator Staff

Meera Sitharam, UF professor of computer science and engineering, discusses the importance of academic freedom at #FreeUF Academic Freedom Day on Wednesday, March 30. Read more on pg. 2

UF graduate assistants protest for better wages

About 70 protesters chanted for increased pay outside Tigert Hall

By Gregorio Ruiz-Perez Alligator Staff Writer

As cars drove past University Avenue, many honked their horns to support graduate assistants who were advocating for wage increases. People marched, chanted, held signs and used chalk to leave their message at Tigert Hall Friday.

Graduate Assistants United at UF protested for increased wages after delayed attempts at bargaining. GAU normally reopens salary negotiations with UF at the beginning of every Fall semester, but the university has since delayed a deal twice, each for 90 days.

About 70 people showed up for support,

including City Commissioner David Arreola, and a few attendees walked up the building's stairs to give speeches on their struggles. For two hours, attendees chanted phrases like “Top 5 school, Top 5 pay” and “gator pay bites” in hopes the university administration would agree to another bargaining session.

UF and GAU didn’t make a wage increase deal by March 30. Instead, the university informed GAU Thursday that it would need a second delay lasting another three months to work out the numbers.

It’s a stalling tactic, said July Thomas, a 30-year-old UF physics graduate assistant and mayoral candidate. The university’s refusing to meet in hopes that people lose

interest.

“What they're trying to do is they think if they wait long enough, it'll lose steam, and they're just making the situation worse for themselves,” Thomas said. “Especially now that the inflation is through the roof.”

Thomas has been an assistant in the college of physics for six years, but their pay increases have been basically flat, making them maintain a strict budget.

However, rising housing costs and food prices have made it difficult for them to manage.

UF cannot do anything about inflation, but it can at least help meet basic needs in the interim, they said.

The GAU initially asked for $38,833

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT

Driver in Maggie Paxton hit-and-run tries to change plea

UF opened its doors to 28 NFL clubs last Monday. Read more on pgs. 6 & 12

UF Jewish community celebrates Shabbat

NFL scout outwith Gators Storyteams description finish comma, pg#

He unsuccessfully tried to plead no contest, pg. 8

Students make find family away from home, pg. 7

salary but has come down to $29,450, which would cost UF an estimated $10.7 million, said Esteban Rodofili, a 30-yearold graduate assistant and GAU’s chief bargine.

The wage increase would amount to less than 0.5% of the $2,458,870 million spent by UF in employee compensation and benefits.

Based on the MIT living wage calculator, single adults living in Alachua County need $31,695 to have what is considered a living wage. The minimum stipend that graduate assistants receive at UF is $21,333, which is more than $10,000 below the livable wage.

The wage GAU is asking for is based on the minimum pay graduate assistants at the University of Georgia receive. The group chose UGA based on location —

SEE PROTEST, PAGE 4

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2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

Weather Free UFToday’s Coalition hosts teachin on academic freedom PROFESSORS, STUDENTS SPOKE ABOUT ONGOING ISSUES TO GAIN MORE SUPPORT AND AWARENESS

By Elena Barrera Alligator Staff Writer

Echoes of grievances from eight UF professors rang out across the Plaza of The Americas Wednesday morning.

Students and professors from the Free UF Coalition banded together to host a teach-in event to inform passersby about the university’s academic freedom struggles.

Eight professors spoke out in November about their rights being barred by the university, raising questions about the institution’s independence from the state government.

Since then, students and faculty have been working to spark change around the campus. The United Faculty of Florida, UF Young Democratic Socialists of America, UF College Democrats and the United Campus Workers organized the coalition and the outdoor event.

Ten speakers stood at the center of Plaza to talk about the history of academic freedom at UF and ways to help protect professors’ academic integrity.

The event’s central location attracted students to take a pause from their day and listen to a few minutes of the speakers’ speeches. Coalition members also stood on the outskirts of the event passing out flyers ready to educate anyone willing to listen.

A professors’ speech booming over the portable sound system

caught 21-year-old statistics junior Francesca Carbone’s attention. Carbone, who is on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student council, said academic freedom was a major discussion in the Fall.

Faculty members wanted to meet with CLAS student council to hear from students, many of whom were on the professors’ side. The faculty was happy to have their support and know they weren’t alone, she said.

“Professors are the ones teaching us,” she said. “I would like them to not be censored in what they believe they should be teaching. What’s the point of coming to a public university if they’re going to be censored about what they’re supposed to say?”

Three student musicians performed in between the speakers. Organizers wanted to include live music to draw people in and bring the threehour event to life, said Allan Frasheri, president of the UF Young Democratic Socialists of America.

Frasheri and the vice president of YDSA recently went to the Student Government chambers to talk about the administration’s censorship of faculty. It was clear the majority of UF Senators had no idea what he was talking about, he said.

“When the people who are elected to represent you don’t even know what’s going on, that’s harming your interests,” he said.

Frasheri said this issue is just as important for students. He talked about how professors’ academic integrity affects them in the classroom.

Infringements on professors’ freedom harms students’ ability to take classes they want and devalues academic degrees by degrading the reputation of the university, he said.

Leo Ramsey-Watson // Alligator Staff

Rachel Hartnett, a 34-year-old English graduate student, and Bryn Taylor, a 25-year-old rehabilitation science graduate student, pose for a photo at the #FreeUF teach-in on Wednesday, March 30.

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Just as much as students need to take a stand, Frasheri said the administration should protest pressure from the state legislature more.

“They should actively oppose foreign interference, like political influence, on our university, especially when it goes against the mission of the university,” he said.

The issue at hand, he said, is that the administration is self-regulating themselves to avoid conflict with the state.

“I would say morale is low,” said Steven Kirn, a UFF and retired faculty member. “There is fear, and there is a sense that it’s smarter to put your head down.”

Anything that takes away from the pursuit of the truth and knowledge has a detrimental effect on students and learning, Kirn said.

Part of the learning process involves putting students outside of their comfort zone, he said, but legislation is preventing professors from teaching topics that might make someone uncomfortable.

“That stifles what university education is supposed to be about,” he said.

If professors are constantly worried about whether they can say, teach or research certain topics, it creates an unhealthy environment, he said.

This is not a new issue; it has historical precedence, and UF has a long history of academic integrity violations, he said.

Hopefully the event helped people to see the importance of academic freedom and why the community needs to take a stand, he said.

“It’s not like you snap your fingers and suddenly you got a revolution,” he said. “It’s more like you start a fire here, you start a fire here and just like wildfires sometimes they grow together, and then you got a movement. So, this is our little small fire.” @elenabarreraaa ebarrera@alligator.org

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4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

UF stalled wage negotiations for a second time PROTEST, from pg. 1

Athens has comparable living costs to Gainesville. Previously, the union had also asked for $34,794, which is the minimum pay at the University of Michigan, a school closer to UF in university rankings.

“There have been delays, but I have confidence that we can reach a deal,” Rodofili said. “We’re all Gators here, and there is no reason for 29% of GA’s not to be able to buy groceries.”

The last time UF administration and

GAU met was at a bargaining session at the end of February, where about 100 people questioned the university on its intent to provide increased wages. Soon after, the GAU held a protest in response to the lack of seriousness, said Meridith Miska, the 36-year-old co-president of the GAU and geology graduate assistant.

“We really are just here to get UF at the table to tell them to stop delaying,” Miska said. “We really just want to be able to pay for the things that we need to live our

basic lives.”

Bryn Taylor, a 25-year-old graduate assistant in rehabilitation science and communication chair, said UF has given just one proposal since the bargaining session began. It included a one-time flat raise of $1,300 but would also get rid of the non-tuition fee relief that the university provides. It would be a raise of around $60 a month, Taylor said.

“Why the hell would we do that?”

Taylor said. “People aren't gonna improve

their living conditions with 60 bucks a month — people aren't gonna be able to see the doctor with 60 bucks a month.”

GAU is asking for a minimum wage increase to help the graduate assistants at the bottom who are making starvation wages, Taylor said. But a one-time raise that expires when the current union is gone isn’t enough.

“Do you want your teachers to not be able to feed themselves?” Taylor said.

“Do you want your teachers to have to use food stamps? Do you want them to have to take out thousands of dollars of loans every year, to be able to afford their basic expenses — all of that is going to come back into their productivity and the quality of work that they do.”

Kasey Pham, a 26-year-old biology graduate assistant, is at UF on a fellowship and is paid around $31,000 a year.

“I’m glad that I’m not being paid the minimum,” Pham said. “That’s the reason why I can actually afford to live here at all, and anybody who’s being paid anything below that is struggling right now.”

Ashley Hamersma, a 24-year-old biology graduate assistant, gets paid the minimum wage and has found it difficult to afford her medical expenses and housing.

“I very much consider dropping out of my program because it is so stressful to find housing that has a price that I can actually deal with,” Hamersma said.

In the apartment she rented last year she paid $850, but it lacked heating and was advertised as a 1 bedroom apartment when it really was a studio. Now in her new apartment, she has dealt with flooding, cockroaches and mold, which she’s allergic to. It got so bad that she had to move into a friend's place.

Her medical issues have also increased her cost of living expenses as well.

“I have a chronic illness as well as ADHD, and both of those things are really difficult to deal with on the stipend we’re given,” Hamersma said.

Her medication is difficult to afford because her university insurance only offers a couple providers meaning she cannot doctor shop.

“I've just had a very stressful time actually affording everything and jumping through all the hoops that I've had to, with research, with teaching, with other work and with this unpaid stuff I do for the department,” Hamersma said.

Gregorio Ruiz-Perez // Alligator Staff

Members of the UF community protest for higher graduate assistant wages in front of Tigert Hall on Friday, April 1.

Senators before the pandemic held lively debates, passed more bills SENATE, from pg. 1 supporting Black History Month and the third upheld Gainesville’s zero waste initiative. All three resolutions were authored by Change Senators.

While Senator Santiago has successfully authored legislation, some of the reason why bills and amendments aren’t being heard is because the Gator-Partycontrolled judiciary committee blocks them before they reach the chamber, he said.

The Judiciary Committee is a subdivision of the Senate that hears legislation prior to Tuesday

meetings. The committee decides if a bill is constitutional and if the Senate will vote on it. Currently, all committee members are part of Gator Party.

This semester, the Judiciary Committee blocked legislation like a resolution against false information pertaining to COVID-19.

At Sunday's committee meeting, a resolution supporting the restructuring of the RTS bus app, which students have complained about, was postponed indefinitely. The legislation was written by Change Senator Grace Shoemaker.

“The Judiciary Committee just

kills legislation that have merits,” Santiago said. “So legislation that we want to pass never gets proper debate.”

Senator Brinkman didn’t respond to requests for comment about the Judiciary Committee's decision to veto legislation or how many bills have passed in time for publication.

Bills that are postponed indefinitely cannot be introduced again to the Senate until after the next election.

For other leaders in the chamber, like Majority Party Leader Emily Pecora, being involved with legislation is the reason why she wanted to

become involved in the Senate.

“I hope to inspire senators to talk to their constituents and work with their fellow senators to solve problems on campus,” she wrote in an email. “My ultimate goal is to make UF a place where every student on campus feels like they belong.”

Senate President Elizabeth Hartzog and Pro-Tempore Olivia Green also made promises when elected to strengthen relationships between the parties and representation of students.

Hartzog described plans for tabling, where students could interact with the Senators that represent them.

@GregRuizPerez1 gruiz-perez@alligator.org When asked specifically about the amount of legislation that has passed this semester, Pecora, Green and Hartzog did not respond in time for publication.

Students who would like to make public comment, which is a five-minute speaking period open to anyone in the student body during Senate meetings, can submit requests to the Senate President and Secretary until 24 hours before the meeting.

The next Senate meeting will be held in the Senate Chamber at 7:30 p.m. on April 5 and two bills are up for first reading. @BotekMaia mbotek@alligator.org

El Caimán

LUNES, 4 DE ABRIL DE 2022 www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman

El conductor en el atropello y fuga de Maggie Paxton intenta cambiar su declaración, sin éxito AMIGOS Y FAMILIARES ASISTIERON A LA AUDIENCIA EN APOYO A PAXTON

Por Troy Myers Escritor del Caimán

Traducido Por Marian Hernandez Escritora del Caimán

Más de cincuenta asistentes en persona y cuarenta espectadores en línea se reunieron en silencio en los minutos previos a la audiencia de cambio de declaración de culpabilidad de Joshua Figueroa el lunes por la mañana.

Figueroa está siendo acusado de matar a la estudiante de la UF, Maggie Paxton, en un atropello y fuga que ocurrió el 9 de diciembre de 2020.

Anteriormente se declaró inocente, pero decidió cambiar su declaración a no disputar, sin admitir ni negar la culpabilidad de los cargos.

El juez no aceptó el cambio de alegato con la sentencia mínima propuesta por el abogado de Figueroa, Robert Rush. Figueroa, su madre, su padre y Rush se sentaron en silencio sin rechazo visible.

Los amigos y familiares de Paxton y los bomberos estaban sombríos cuando se presentaron en el juzgado penal del juez Stephen P. Mickle para escuchar las declaraciones del

impacto de la víctima y la decisión del juez Phillip Pena sobre la declaración de culpabilidad del acusado.

Figueroa y su abogado propusieron la sentencia mínima, cumplir cuatro años con 10 años de libertad condicional después de un delito grave. No pudieron ser contactados para hacer comentarios.

Deborah Rothenburg, fiscal estatal adjunta de la Oficina del Fiscal Estatal del Octavo Circuito Judicial, le dijo al juez que 10 años de libertad condicional por un delito grave le permitirían al acusado demostrar si es una persona decente que cometió un error, o si es, de hecho, un criminal y que solo fue capturado esta vez.

La familia Paxton expresó en las declaraciones de los testigos de las víctimas que creen que el acusado debe rendir cuentas por completo, y el juez dijo que el tribunal tiene dificultades para aceptar el cambio de declaración de culpabilidad.

Los asistentes se ofrecieron pañuelos entre sí. Algunos salieron de la sala del tribunal con lágrimas en los ojos cuando Rothenburg le informó al juez lo que sucedió la noche del accidente.

Rothenburg le dijo al juez Peña después de discutir con la familia que el estado no está de acuerdo con la declaración de culpabilidad, expresada además por las declaraciones de impacto en la víctima del amigo de Paxton, Kylee Borg, la madre de Paxton, Lisa, la hermana de Paxton,

Mantente al día con El Caimán en Twitter.

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Holly, y el padre de Paxton, Jim. El juez Peña dijo que el tribunal tampoco está de acuerdo.

Borg subió al estrado primero para compartir su declaración con respiraciones inestables y una voz vacilante.

Ella le dijo al juez que el acusado había cambiado la vida de todos para siempre y que es inaceptable que se permita que el acusado continúe participando en la sociedad mientras ella y todos los afectados por la muerte de Maggie sobreviven.

Borg compartió con el juez Peña cuán cercanos eran Paxton y ella.

Borg y Paxton, que en ese momento eran estudiantes de primer año de la UF, estuvieron cuatro meses juntas cuando se suponía que tendrían cuatro años más juntos en la universidad, dijo Borg.

Terminó su declaración diciéndole al juez que quiere que Figueroa nunca olvide lo que le hizo a Paxton esa noche de diciembre de 2020.

Lisa Paxton caminó lentamente hacia el estrado, respirando profundamente en el camino. Comenzó su declaración diciéndole al juez que no ha vuelto ni volverá a ser la misma desde la noche en que mataron a su hija.

“La que me convirtió en mamá se ha ido para siempre”, dijo Lisa Paxton.

El tiempo no ha aplacado el dolor ni el pedazo de su alma que le arrancaron, dijo entre lágrimas. Lisa

Portraits, murals educate students on COVID-19. Read more on pg. 8

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a Dios en prisión”, dijo Lisa Paxton.

“Al menos una onza de Él”.

Holly Paxton, la hermana de Maggie, abrió su declaración, mientras se limpiaba las lágrimas, con su recuerdo de los hechos ocurridos la noche en que se notificó a su familia. Holly se despertó con los "gritos desgarradores" de su madre y encontró a su padre abrazándola en el piso de su casa con dos policías parados afuera de la puerta principal.

Holly Paxton tiene recuerdos constantes y pesadillas de esa noche, explicando al juez lo difícil que ha sido la vida para todos desde que el acusado mató a su hermana.

“Poner un pie en mi propia casa me hizo sentir mal”, dijo Holly Paxton.

Ella le dijo al juez Peña cuán diferente la tratan en la escuela, incluso acosada con preguntas personales invasivas. Sollozaba hasta que le costó respirar, dijo.

“La definición de egoísta es falta de consideración por los demás”, dijo Holly Paxton. “Esto describe exactamente al acusado ante usted hoy”.

Las manos de Figueroa estaban en su regazo y su mirada caída.

Lee el resto en línea en alligator.org/section/elcaiman. @Troy_Myers1 tmyers@alligator.org

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UF encourages vaccination with art

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compartió con todos que está en constante angustia, desesperación y miedo paralizante de que algo le haya pasado a su hija menor o a alguien más a quien ama.

El 17 de marzo, dos estudiantes de la UF se vieron involucrados en atropellos y fugas separadas con horas de diferencia. Mackenzie Mullen fue atropellada mientras conducía su pequeña moto en la avenida University, a pocas cuadras de donde Maggie fue atropellada, y sufrió heridas graves. Prateek Sharma fue atropellado y asesinado por un conductor ebrio mientras caminaba por la acera en la calle Southwest 34th.

“Revivo esa noche todas las noches, imaginándomela tirada en la calle sola”, dijo Lisa Paxton.

Le dijo al juez Peña lo orgullosa que está de su hija y de todos sus logros, dirigiendo su atención a Figueroa y al puñado de personas que se presentaron por él. Señaló al acusado, a su madre y a su padre diciéndoles que no hay excusa ni disculpa por lo que Figueroa le hizo a su hija. Los tres se sentaron estoicamente.

Lisa Paxton recordó los siete meses que tomó la investigación del Departamento de Policía de Gainesville para encontrar a Figueroa y su vehículo, que estaba escondido en el patio del taller mecánico de sus padres.

Terminó su declaración deseándole algo a Figueroa.

“Espero que el acusado encuentre

Para obtener actualizaciones de El Caimán, síganos en línea en www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman.

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6 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

PRO DAY

Florida football players aim to make statements at Pro Day

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Linebacker Lancedrick Brunson at Florida Pro day. Brunson ran a five-second 40-yard dash and leapt 31 inches on the vertical jump.

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Running back Malik Davis reaches out for a 39.5-inch vertical jump at Florida Pro Day.

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Running back Dameon Pierce participated in various drills in front of NFL scouts Monday.

Defensive lineman Zachary Carter looks on between drills.

Carter showed off his elite athleticism Monday.

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

CULTURE

Shabbat traditions give Jewish students home away from home CHABAD AND HILLEL LEADERS SHARE THEIR OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH AWAY FROM HOME

By Jared Teitel Avenue Staff Reporter

A congregation forms on a Friday night under a brightly-lit synagogue, reciting and singing aloud hymns and prayers that toast to a hard week’s end.

An hour service of Hebrew readings is then reconciled by a relaxing dinner of matzah ball soup, gefilte fish, latkes and brisket. But this isn’t before additional blessings are conducted over the glass of wine and slice of challah bread consumed before the main course.

The next morning, a second service commences as congregates are reminded of lessons in the Torah and the work of the prophets in the Nevi’im, passages from the Tanakh — the Jewish holy scripture. The day of prayer is brought to an end by another service in the afternoon, celebrating more of the Torah.

This day of Sabbath — better known as Shabbat — is a biblical tradition that holds great weight to observers coming from all branches of the Jewish community.

The Tanakh notes the creation of the universe, the Earth and mankind within a six-day period — God taking the seventh day to rest.

A full day’s celebration of completing a laborious week became a staple of Jewish tradition, occurring every week on Friday’s sundown and ending on sundown Saturday when the lights go out for bedtime.

Although a holiday typically is observed at home in the company of family, Shabbat has become an important campus tradition of UF Jewish students’ lives — fostered by

Jewish leaders, students and other observers.

This common practice has allowed UF Jewish community members to surround themselves with each other and embrace their common heritage.

Nicole Buenavida grew up in Venezuela where she was surrounded by a vibrant Jewish community. Despite not being a consistent observer of Shabbat throughout her childhood, she always knew the day to be a celebration with a small, tight-knit group of family and friends.

That was until her love for the celebration was renewed at UF in Fall 2017.

“One of the main concerns before coming to college was [having] a Jewish community,” the 22-year-old biomedical engineering junior said. “It’s obviously different to be celebrating Shabbat (at) … a square table with no more than 20 people than coming to Chabad and celebrating a Friday dinner with over 100, 150 and even 200 students.”

In an effort to continue her practice of Conservative Judaism, Buenavida stumbled upon Lubavitch Chabad, an on-campus Jewish organization and synagogue. The expansive size of UF’s Jewish community came as a shock, but Buenavida became deeply involved in Chabad, befriending more Jews her age and eventually being appointed president.

“I started growing more and more in Judaism and even more religious than I even was at home,” she said.

Raised in a Conservative Jewish household, Buenavida remembers lighting candles in the home on Friday nights with her mother and aunt and praying for health and happiness while the men partook in a brief religious service at the temple.

On other nights when women did attend services, she recalls embracing white articles

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of clothing with fellow congregates as they sang along to “Lekha Dodi,” a prayer welcoming the “bride,” or the end of the week.

Coming from a Sephardic Jewish background, which originates in Spanish and North African regions, Buenavida knew staple Shabbat lunches and dinners to include cuisines and ingredients originating from Arabic countries like grape leaves and Mahshi — vegetables stuffed with different meats and rice. But as Chabad fostered Jews of different backgrounds, Buenavida came across foods that became a whole new part of Shabbat.

“It was kind of shocking for me,” she said.

“Instead of seeing the Moroccan fish … my mom would make at home, I started seeing the gefilte fish.”

For Rabbi Jonah Zinn, executive director of UF Hillel — another Jewish organization — the celebration of Shabbat was also a familial experience. This idea of family has pervaded Zinn’s values he promotes within UF’s Jewish life.

“The blessings over the meal, blessings over the challah [and] the children — those are all a different category of Shabbat rituals that don’t take place in the synagogue, but rather people practice in the context of family,” said Zinn, 40. “On campus, we combine all of those rituals into a single Shabbat experience where students will have the communal worship experience and then will join together for a communal Shabbat blessing experience.”

This emphasis on community and togetherness makes the celebration of Shabbat particularly special for Zinn. He said its unique ritual of a public Torah portion reading on Saturday morning creates a fuller experience with family and friends compared to its Friday evening counterpart.

“I think the communal element is core to Jewish life,” he said. “Shabbat is a particularly visible example of that.”

United under the tradition of Shabbat and other days of commemoration, each branch of Judaism possesses its own unique approach to observance based on the scriptures they draw upon.

“In Orthodox Judaism — and to some degree in Conservative — they look at the Rabbinic understanding of what constitutes work,” Zinn said. “For example, in biblical times there is no talk about electricity on Shabbat.”

This interpretation makes activities such as cooking a hot family dinner something hard to reconcile on Shabbat in Orthodox tradition, considering the dependence on electrical ovens and stovetops in modern times.

Additionally, the prohibition of financial expenditures during the hours of Shabbat is taken more lightly within modern sects of Judaism like Reform, which looks to activities like a night out at the movies or a day at the beach for quality family time, Zinn said.

Reflecting on why he decided to devote his livelihood to Jewish study, Zinn once again notes his faith’s capacity to foster a community of support and companionship. “[Jewish tradition] takes difficult times, and it gives us the strength to persevere through that adversity,” he said. “That’s a huge part of the work we do on campus: building a community that gives us meaning and ensures that every Jewish student has the opportunity to find their people.” @jaredteitel @jteitel@alligator.org

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8 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

Driver in Maggie Paxton’s hit-and-run case unsuccessfully tries to change his plea FRIENDS AND FAMILY ATTENDED THE HEARING IN SUPPORT OF PAXTON

By Troy Myers Alligator Staff Writer

More than 50 in-person attendees and 40 online viewers silently gathered in the minutes leading up to Joshua Figueroa’s change of plea hearing Monday morning.

Figueroa is being charged with killing UF student Maggie Paxton in a hit-and-run that occured Dec. 9, 2020. He previously pleaded not guilty but decided to change his plea to no contest — neither admitting or denying guilt to the charges.

The judge didn’t accept the change of plea with the proposed minimum sentence by Figueroa’s attorney, Robert Rush. Figueroa, along with his mother, father and Rush all sat in silence without visible rejection.

Paxton’s friends and family and fire rescuers were somber as they filed into the Judge Stephen P. Mickle Criminal Courthouse to hear victim impact statements and Judge Phillip Pena’s decision on the defendant’s plea.

Figueroa and his attorney proposed the minimum sentence, serving four years with 10 years of felony probation after. They were unable to be reached for comment.

Deborah Rothenburg, assistant state attorney for the Office of the State Attorney Eighth Judicial Circuit, told the judge that 10 years of felony probation would allow the defendant to prove if he is a decent person who made a mistake, or if he is, in fact, a criminal and was only caught this time.

The Paxton family expressed in their victim witness statements that they believe the defendant needs to be held fully accountable, and the judge said the court is having difficulty accepting the change of plea.

Attendees offered each other tissues. Some

stepped out of the courtroom with tears in their eyes as Rothenburg informed the judge what happened the night of the crash.

Rothenburg told Judge Pena after discussion with the family that the state is not in agreement with the plea. This was further expressed by the victim impact statements from Paxton’s friend Kylee Borg, Paxton’s mother Lisa, Paxton’s sister Holly and Paxton’s father Jim. Judge Pena said the court isn’t in agreement either.

Borg took the stand first to share her statement with unsteady breaths and a wavering voice.

She told the judge that the defendant had changed everyone’s lives forever and it’s unacceptable the defendant is allowed to continue living in society while her and everyone affected by Maggie’s death scrapes by.

Borg shared with Judge Pena how close Paxton and her were. Borg and Paxton, who were UF freshmen at the time, had four months together when they were supposed to have four more years together in college, Borg said.

She ended her statement telling the judge that she wants Figueroa to never forget what he did to Paxton December 2020.

Lisa Paxton slowly walked to the stand, taking deep breaths on the way. She began her statement by telling the judge she has not and will never be the same since the night her daughter was killed.

“The one who made me a mom first is gone forever,” Lisa Paxton said.

Time has not fixed the pain or the piece of her soul that was ripped away, she said through tears. Lisa shared with everyone that she is in constant distress, desperation and paralyzing fear that something has happened to her youngest daughter or someone else she loves.

On March 17, two UF students were involved in separate hit-and-runs within hours of each other. Mackenzie Mullen was hit while riding her scooter on University Avenue — a

few blocks from where Maggie was hit — and had critical injuries. Prateek Sharma was hit and killed while walking along the sidewalk on Southwest 34th Street by a drunk driver.

“I relive that night every night, imagining her lying in the street all alone,” Lisa Paxton said.

She told Judge Pena how proud she is of her daughter and all her accomplishments, turning her attention to Figueroa and the handful of people that showed up for him. She pointed at the defendant, his mother, and father telling them there is no excuse or apology worthy for what Figueroa did to her daughter. All three of them sat stoically.

Lisa Paxton recalled the seven months it took for Gainesville Police Department’s investigation to find Figueroa and his vehicle, which was hidden in his parents’ auto shop yard.

She finished her statement hoping for one thing for Figueroa.

“I do hope the defendant finds God in prison,” Lisa Paxton said. “At least one ounce of Him.” Holly Paxton, Maggie’s sister, opened her statement, while wiping away tears, with her recollection of the events that happened the night her family was notified. Holly was awoken by the “gut-wrenching screams” of her mother and found her father embracing her on the floor in their home with two police officers standing outside the front door.

Holly Paxton has flashbacks and nightmares of that night, explaining to the judge how difficult life has been for everyone since the defendant killed her sister.

“Stepping foot into my own home made me feel ill,” Holly Paxton said.

She told Judge Pena how differently she is treated at school, even bullied by invasive, personal questions. She would sob until it was hard to breathe, she said.

“The definition of selfish is lacking consid-

eration for others,” Holly Paxton said. “This exactly describes the defendant before you today.”

Figueroa’s hands were in his lap and eyes down.

Jim Paxton, Maggie’s father, embraced his daughter as she sat down. He made his way to the stand.

“There will be no college graduation, there will be no career, there will be no love of her life, there will be no wedding, there will be no grandchildren to spoil,” Jim Paxton said.

He called Figueroa a coward for taking his daughter away, for not staying on the scene to help and for hiding for seven months until GPD took him into custody.

“I’m not inclined to accept the minimum sentence,” Judge Pena said. “This does not appear to be a minimum case.”

The judge set the next court date for the afternoon of April 20 and expedited a two week presentence investigation report —documents showing the legal and social background of the defendant to determine if there are circumstances that may influence the severity or leniency of sentencing.

On April 20, the court will review findings from the presentence investigation and further statements from both sides.

As the court was adjourned and the defendant and attendees that showed up for him were leaving, a long-time friend of Maggie’s yelled out from the pews “F*** you,” before Figueroa left the courtroom.

Friends and family members gathered in the hallways outside, sharing laughs, hugs and memories of Maggie. Most of them said they will be back here on April 20 to take the next step forward. Like Maggie’s favorite saying, “Progress over perfection.” @Troy_Myers1 tmyers@alligator.org

A gentle encouragement: Art provides new incentive for COVID-19 vaccinations, discussions A UF-FUNDED VACCINE CONFIDENCE PROJECT SPREADS ACCURATE COVID-19 INFORMATION

By Fernando Figueroa & Lucille Lannigan Alligator Staff Writers

COVID-19 informational flyers are being swapped out for artistic displays.

A UF-funded arts and vaccine confidence project on campus aims to spread accurate information about COVID-19 and vaccines as part of a larger campaign.

In Alachua County, 70% of the population at least 12 years old are vaccinated against COVID-19 as of the week of March 11, according to the Alachua County COVID-19 dashboard.

On Tuesday, a blue tent stood in front of a mural promoting unity in getting vaccinated. Students visiting the tent could find snacks, tote bags, free condoms and even Narcan.

Workers for both the mural project and UF HealthStreet were also surveying students on why they thought their local community was or wasn’t getting vaccinated. They were also guiding students toward the vaccination van that was parked

by Library West next to the B’z Gelati food truck.

According to the CDC, the largest age demographic who has yet to get the vaccine are those between the ages of 18-29: the project’s target age range.

With Florida’s vaccination mandate prohibition, 66.22% of the state’s population is fully vaccinated.

The number of daily doses administered in the state has slowly dwindled to a record low of 10,257 on March 16, according to Our World in Data.

The event is part of Engaging Arts for Vaccine Confidence at UF, an initiative led by Natalie Rella, to promote vaccine confidence. The initiative granted seven different projects with grants between $3,000 to $10,000.

Alexandra Rodriguez, a research division intern at the Center for Arts in Medicine, led the mural project “Work COVID Silly, Gators.”

The multi-mural project hosted its first event on Monday and will host its next event on Friday. The project curator, Jenna Horner, artist and Gainesville resident, chose artists Brittany Webber, Cristi Lopez and Amelia Cecilia to paint three murals. Two are outside Library West and the third is at the Springs Residential Complex.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines were also available at the event.

A 2021 Georgia installation of public art promoting vaccination inspired Rodriguez to take on the project, she wrote in an email.

Gainesville artist Lopez drew inspiration from a piece she completed in 2021 commissioned by the Chicago Design Museum and the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Her mural reads “Protect each other,” with five vaccinated people of different ethnicities and genders embracing one another.

Her piece was inspired by United Colors Of Benetton, a progressive fashion company that used multiethnic and disabled models in the 1980s and ‘90s.

“I would hope that these murals can show people that there’s a way to promote vaccination awareness in a positive way,” Lopez said. “Because I think the tactics that are used are often shaming, very negative and very guilt ridden.”

Some people are adamantly against the COVID-19 vaccine because they do not like being told what to do, Lopez said. She hopes the murals are a gentle encouragement rather than an order.

The murals will display QR codes with links to a survey about the project’s impact, a guide to nearby vaccination sites and the CDC website.

Exhaustive COVID-19 coverage has also decreased, especially with the Russo-Ukrainian War, Rodriguez said.

“So, to bring about talking about vaccination again in a way that is not stale, I think is incredibly important,” she said.

Last week, UF promoted getting vaccines through art, this time with photography.

On March 21, a vaccination bus with 54 available COVID-19 vaccines was parked on the Reitz Student Union lawn while Dr. Giuliano De Portu, a photographer and UF Health Shands ER doctor, snapped headshots of students who provided proof of vaccination or chose to get vaccinated on site.

This portrait project was conceptualized by Nicole Villanueva, a UF

arts and medicine program alum who wanted to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. Her family experienced firsthand stress from the pandemic due to her dad working as an ER doctor and both she and her parents getting COVID. She reached out to Dr. De Portu and Nicole Morgan, a UF grad student, to help her put the project together.

The team received $5,000 from UF to put on this two-phase project in November, Villanueva said.

Dr. De Portu shot portraits of 20 students, two of which received a booster shot, Villanueva said. These students will receive a free digital copy of their professional headshot.

The organizers will display the portraits along with students’ statements on why they chose to get vaccinated in April.

Villanueva believes the arts are a vehicle to make people relate to messages by presenting information in an easily digestible way. She hoped free portraits would provide an incentive for students to either get vaccinated or raise awareness by having their portrait taken.

“I just hope that it makes people reflect upon everything that we’ve been through as a society,” she said.

“When they see the image … it’s reflecting on … each person who has been impacted by COVID in a lot of different ways.”

Dr. De Portu has worked as an ER doctor for 11 years, and he said he’d never seen as many people die as he saw with COVID-19.

Vaccines, he said, are a wonderful way that science has allowed people to protect themselves from

numerous diseases. He hopes this project spreads awareness among students and helps protect other people from getting sick or dying.

“Everybody can relate to arts,” he said. “I think arts, to some extent, is more intertwined in the community and maybe sounds more appealing than just a flier with a bunch of data.”

Rebecca Arias, a 29-year-old UF plant science senior, stopped by the vaccination bus after seeing a flier on campus. She received the COVID-19 vaccine last year as soon as it was offered on campus but was looking to get a professional photo done for her career portfolio.

She thought the campaign was a smart way to catch students’ attention.

“In reality, the people that wanted to get vaccinated already did, so now you’re left with people that have made excuses or just not wanted to,” Arias said. “Sometimes you have to give them a little incentive to do so.”

Arias got vaccinated after she ended up in the emergency room for another illness and was surrounded

by COVID-19 patients.

“I could see those people on ventilators … in rooms that have a special pass and negative pressure, and the nurses that were basically in astronaut suits,” she said. “Of course I’m going to get vaccinated. I don’t want to be a part of that.” @fernfigue ffigueroa@alligator.org @lucillelannigan llannigan@alligator.org

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ANSWERS: 1A-Ponder 5A-Remit 6A-Rouse 7A-Client 1D-Pursue 2D-Numeral 3D-Enthuse 4D-Moment B-Mount Rainier

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solution on page 10

©2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

answer on page 10 Release Date: Monday, April 4, 2022 Release Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2022

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/sports

TENNIS

Florida positioned to contend for another national title THE RECENT SUCCESS FOR THE GATORS HAVE THEM IN A GREAT SPOT TO MAKE ANOTHER POSTSEASON RUN

By Joshua Morgan Sports Writer

Florida men’s tennis is coming off its first national title in program history and has provided ample evidence this season that it could be the next team to repeat.

The last collegiate tennis team to accomplish back-to-back championships was Virginia, who were champions for three consecutive years between 2015-17.

The Gators opened the season at the top of the rankings, but a loss in their first match against then-No. 5 TCU quickly dethroned the king of the hill. It was the first time Florida had ever lost its opening match of the season.

Since then, however, the Gators have enjoyed considerable success, their only other loss of the season coming against Texas during the ITA Indoor Championships. Florida is currently running high on a 12-game win streak that has encapsulated the entirety of SEC play, and is now just three matches away from completing a perfect SEC season.

UF has been in a tug of war as of

late with TCU for the No. 1 ranking, but recently reclaimed the top spot.

With a match against the Horned Frogs under their belt, the Gators are now hopefully well equipped to get another shot at them, and other top teams, during the NCAA tournament.

Freshman Nate Bonetto said the team will continue the same day-today operations that got them to the top last season.

“We try not to focus too much on the winning and losing,” Bonetto said. “I think more for us, it’s about being a process-oriented team, focusing on the process and trying to get better every day.”

One key aspect of Florida’s success has been dominance in doubles. The team’s top pairing, senior Sam Riffice and sophomore Ben Shelton opened the year unranked and struggled through the early part of the season.

The duo broke through their obstacles and have won the last six-ofseven games, rising to No. 11 in the most-recent doubles rankings.

Senior Andy Andrade and graduate student Mattias Siimar have excelled, compiling a 15-3 record together and placing at No. 27 in the rankings.

The Gators have been just as good in singles play, sporting six ranked players, including the No. 1 player in the nation: Shelton.

The Gainesville native has built

off his strong freshman season with a sterling 15-2 record this season, facing a number of the top players in the country. Though Riffice manned court one early in the season, Shelton is 9-0 since taking over and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Riffice equally benefited from the change, as he has risen to No. 26 in the rankings by going 9-0 during his time on court two. Last year’s ITA singles champion is 13-4 on the season.

It hasn’t just been a two-man game for the Gators, as they lay claim to one of the nation’s deepest lineups.

No. 93 Andrade has matched Riffice’s 13-4 record while breaking and improving upon the program record for most all-time singles wins (127).

No. 98 Duarte Vale, No. 120 Josh Goodger, and No. 121 Siimar round out Florida’s lineup with winning records across the board.

Additionally, a recent development has been the breakout of Bonetto. The No. 16 recruit in the class of 2021 has emerged as a clutch player for the Gators, making the most of his seven singles appearances with a 6-1 record.

As one of just two freshmen on the team, Bonetto attributes much of his early success to being able to learn from the veterans around him.

“We have a lot of pretty old guys on this team and it’s awesome to

learn from them and get to experience being around them,” Bonetto said.

The Bend, Oregon, native gifts an extra body to support the Gators’ sixman lineup. The extra man allows Siimar to shift his focus on doubles, but also gives head coach Bryan Shelton plenty of options moving forward as the team competes for another national title.

Bonetto believes this is one of the team’s greatest advantages.

“Having as many good guys as we do on this team definitely gives you a level of comfort when playing matches because you know all 10 guys are totally capable of winning matches,” Bonetto said. “It’s also super motivating because you look around and see

nine other guys that are amazing tennis players. It makes every guy come out and bring it every day because they know they have to.”

One challenge the Gators surely won’t look over will be the upcoming SEC tournament on April 20-24.

Despite winning the regular season SEC crown last year, it was Tennessee that emerged victorious in the SEC tournament. The Gators want to fill that gap in their trophy case this year.

Florida has just three matches left in 2022 before it gets the opportunity to do just that. @JoshuaMorgan37 jmorgan2@alligator.org

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Florida men’s tennis sits on top of the world, riding a 12-match win streak after a national championship campaign in 2021.

GYMNASTICS

Thomas, Wong lead Florida to NCAA Championship FLORIDA’S 198.775 IS A PROGRAM RECORD AND THE THIRD-HIGHEST SCORE IN NCAA HISTORY

By Madeline Lawson Sports Writer

Senior Trinity Thomas’ flawless execution in her opening double layout pass on floor demanded the audience's attention.

Her effortless combinations guided her into the final tumbling pass, where she floated across Neville Arena and was textbook perfect in her front-full to front layout.

Thomas picked up the 16th and 17th perfect scores of her career in the dominant performance by the No. 2 Gators at the Auburn Regional final Saturday night, setting a program record and sending them to the NCAA semifinal round in Fort Worth, Texas.

The 18-time All-American extended her career events record total to 106, and claims sole ownership of third in Florida’s allaround career wins list with 24.

Thomas secured her first 10 of the night in the opening rotation on floor, making it her fifth perfect score on floor this season and second-consecutive meet with a perfect score. She was awarded her next 10 of the night the following rotation on vault.

The York, Pennsylvania, native charged down the runway and stuck her Yurchenko 1 ½ to keep Florida in excellent position early on in the meet. The 10 on vault became her eighth perfect score, and leads the nation this season.

“Continuing to believe in myself and trusting myself is my most important thing,” Thomas said. “I focus on the details. I focus on the big things and just literally trusting myself is the thing I can do better.”

This was also Thomas’ second-consecutive meet with two perfect scores. She earned a 10 on floor and bars in Thursday night’s second-round win.

“Those are the routines that [Thomas] does every day in the gym,” head coach Jenny Rowland said. “It’s so great to see her come out and be so confident in herself and so calm and own her gymnastics.”

Freshman Leanne Wong is already halfway to a Gym Slam in her first season. She earned her first 10 on bars against Arkansas Jan. 28. Saturday, Wong drilled her vault landing for another perfect score.

Wong replaced her previous career-high all-around score of 38.850 with a 39.875.

Thomas tied her career-high and nationleading all-around score, 39.900.

Florida’s massive 198.775 is a school record and the third-highest team total in

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NCAA history. UCLA and Stanford remain tied with the overall highest score of 198.875.

“It just goes to show what 18 individuals who give their heart and soul day in and day out can do,” Rowland said. “So thankful for the staff and for this amazing team to keep pushing themselves to be the best that they can every day.”

Freshman Sloane Blakely matched her season-high bar score of 9.900, while graduate student Megan Skaggs stuck her routine for a collegiate-best 9.950.

The Gators put their competition to shame, leading No. 7 Auburn by .700 after the third rotation, followed by No. 10 Kentucky (1.100) and No. 15 Denver (1.150).

UF broke another program record to close out the night with a 49.750 team total on beam.

Skaggs led off with a 9.925 that would later be dropped because Blakely, Wong, Thomas, graduate student Alyssa Baumann and senior Leah Clapper all earned 9.950s on the apparatus.

Blakely had excellent elevation on her side aerial to full, sticking the landing.

Baumann’s 180 extensions on her leaps and Wong’s breathtaking fluidity stood out amongst the elite Gator performances.

The night came down to the Wildcats and Tigers fighting for runner-up. Separated by

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.400 heading into the final rotation, Kentucky needed to hit every performance it had left to book its ticket to the Championship.

UK senior Arianna Patterson fell in the final pass of her tumbling series on floor.

Sophomore Isabella Magnelli and senior Anna Haigis redeemed their teammate by earning 9.900s. Junior Raena Worley tied her season and career-high at 9.975, but it wasn’t enough to topple the Tigers.

Auburn freshman Suni Lee, who leads the nation on beam, controlled her combinations and connections to earn a 10 on the apparatus. Fifth-year Drew Watson tied an Auburn program-record vault with a 9.975, and the Tigers earned a team total 197.775 to advance.

Denver turned out some great routines, but it wasn’t enough to stay in contention with the SEC powerhouses. The Pioneers posted a final score of 197.225.

“We still have more to give,” Rowland said. “We’ve got two more weeks, we keep dancing.”

The Gators now move to the NCAA Championship semifinal round in Fort Worth, Texas, April 14. Florida will compete in the second semifinal at 6 p.m. against No. 3 Michigan, No. 7 Auburn and No. 11 Missouri. The meet will be broadcasted on ESPN2.

Follow us for updates

For updates on UF athletics, follow us on Twitter at @alligatorSports or online at www.alligator.org/section/sports.

@MadsLaws mlawson@alligator.org

12 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

FOOTBALL

Scouts take notes as Florida football hosts Pro Day a month before NFL Draft KAIIR ELAM, ZACHARY CARTER AND DAMEON PIERCE WERE THE GATORS GARNERING THE MOST PRAISE

By Joseph Henry Sports Writer

As the NFL Draft looms, Gators looking to make it at the next level put forth their best effort to stand out among hundreds of draft-eligible prospects.

The pressure is immense when a room full of eyes gaze at a single athlete on the field, every minute detail being scrutinized. Through the stress of the pre-draft process, Florida defensive lineman Zachary Carter said it best 一 every opportunity is a blessing.

Carter was one of 15 UF football players to workout during Pro Day at the Florida Indoor Practice Facility Monday. Wide receiver Rick Wells was slated to participate, but ultimately was not present. Representatives from 28 of 32 NFL teams were on site in Gainesville, getting an up-close look at the Gators’ prospects.

The morning began with each player being measured for their height and weight. Then, their strength and agility were put to the test.

Cornerback Kaiir Elam, who had just been at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis a few weeks prior, was the prospect no one could look away from.

He impressed with a 37.5-inch vertical jump, which would have been good enough to tie him for fourth at the Combine. Elam moved on to record 10 bench-press reps and a 4.21-second time in the 20-yard shuttle.

The Riviera Beach, Florida, product is the lone Gator expected to land in the first round. In the latest mock draft from Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports, he has Elam landing with the Pittsburgh

Steelers at pick No. 20. The corner’s athleticism and ball skills were on full display during individual drills at Pro Day. Elam was Florida’s lock-down guy on the outside in 2021, and quarterbacks would rarely even think to throw his way. He tallied just one interception and five pass breakups on the season, but it’s Elam’s football IQ and elite man-toman coverage skills that ultimately make him a first-round prospect.

Contrary to common practice, Elam did say Monday that he is entering the draft without an agent and instead has a team of family and friends supporting him.

“I just rely on them,” Elam said. “They have done right by me my whole life.”

Elam has set up multiple interviews with NFL franchises but opted not to get into the specifics.

Beyond the Gators’ star corner, Carter is the other big name from the Florida defense entering this year’s draft.

In 2021, he was second on the team in two categories, totaling eight sacks and 11 tackles for loss. The redshirt senior was a dominant force on the defensive line and a notable veteran presence in the locker room.

On Monday, Carter had a chip on his shoulder. He is currently projected as a day-two pick, but believes he is better.

“I wanted to come out here and show that I’m one of the top defensive linemen in the draft,” Carter said.

The Tampa, Florida, native ran a 5.06-second 40-yard dash, just a hair slower than his effort at the Combine. Carter really started to shine once position-specific drills began. He and his teammates worked with coaches from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals to demonstrate their burst off the line and tackling abilities.

Carter is a big defensive end, standing 6-foot-

4-inches and weighing in at 285 pounds. His size mixed with his athleticism makes him a unique prospect and a steal if he does end up in the round two-to-three range.

On the offensive side of things, it was all about the running backs.

Prospects Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis were electrifying as always. Both backs are fresh off seasons with more than 500 yards on the ground, an especially impressive task in an offensive that had plenty of mouths to feed.

The tandem combined for 18 touchdowns, but both runners were held back by the split workload. Yet, Pierce always stood above his teammate and still does heading into the draft.

Currently the third-best half back according to PFF, Pierce wields a lethal combination of quickness and power. He showed this off in drills Monday, making quick cuts and accelerating to top speed with ease. The Bainbridge, Georgia, product sits in the same conversation as Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III and Iowa State’s Breece Hall. Depending on team fit, Pierce could realistically be the first running back off the board and shapes up to be a daytwo selection.

Pierce’s backfield partner, Davis, doesn’t have the same buzz, but did impress at Pro Day. His 39.5-inch vertical jump and 10.7-inch broad jump caught scouts’ attention early. Davis’ 4.71 second 40-yard dash did leave something to be desired; it would have been the slowest time among running backs at the Combine.

Davis does have opportunities lined up, though, having multiple conversations with NFL teams. He also has a meeting set up with the Dallas Cowboys soon.

Flipping back to the defensive side, defensive lineman Antonio Valentino felt he had a good day Monday. As more of an interior player, Valentino thought he showed that he does have

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Cornerback Kaiir Elam participated in Florida football’s Pro Day Monday along with 14 other prospects. good athleticism.

He ran a 5.28 second 40-yard dash, jumped 29.5 inches in the vertical and bench pressed 25 reps. In position drills, Valentino was the standout, alongside Carter. The Columbus, Ohio, native has a workout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scheduled in the upcoming weeks.

Another performance of note came from defensive tackle Daquan Newkirk. He led all participants with 29 reps on the bench press.

The NFL Draft in Las Vegas begins April 28 and will wrap up April 30. The Alligator Sports desk will have updates whenever Gators get selected, and all rounds of the draft will broadcast on ESPN and NFL Network. @Josephhenry2424 jhenry@alligator.org

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