Monday, August 26, 2024

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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024

VOLUME 119 - ISSUE 2 Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

Inflation rocked the Gainesville community. How are the locals faring?

ALACHUA COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE TRYING TO COPE WITH RISING EXPENSES, WHERE THE COST OF LIVING IS 4% HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE

By Natalie Kaufman Alligator Staff Writer

Noah Lantor // Alligator Staff

A child waves the Venezuela flag during an Aug. 17 protest at Depot Park. Read more on pg. 3

Not even the celebrated Gatorade sports drink, a product of Gainesville, is immune to inflation.

Paying an extra dollar or two for a pack of Glacier Freeze is merely inconvenient for some, but price hikes are becoming more burdensome for others. Beyond the supermarket, steady cost increases on essentials signal choppy waters ahead for consumers nationwide, including those in Alachua County.

For Tamara Torres, a Gainesville resident in her 50s, the cost of living in Alachua has become nearly untenable.

Torres, a single mother, works at the Wawa convenience store on West University Avenue and makes barely

enough to scrape by, she said.

Alachua County's cost of living is currently 4% higher than the national average, and homeowner’s insurance rates increased by more than 40% in the past year.

While prices are starting to cool, millions of Americans still feel the pinch of high essential costs. Many may echo Torres’ frustration as they rein in their discretionary spending to provide the necessities for their families.

On a tight grocery budget of $150 a week, Torres laments she and her two sons “don’t get everything [they] want.”

Data from the 2020 U.S. Census ranks Florida as the fifth most expensive state, behind California, Nevada, Mississippi and Washington. As hordes of Californians and New Yorkers flock to the Sunshine State, longtime Florida residents like Torres consider moving elsewhere in search of more affordable living.

“I’ve been trying to get out of Florida for years,” she said. “[The state] is

SEE PRICE SHOCK, PAGE 4

Mori Hosseini: a trail of university power, past and present

UF’s Board of Trustees chairman was a key player in the era and aftermath of Sasse’s presidency

By Vivienne Serret & Annie Wang Alligator Staff Writers

When nine top donors and administrators recounted the full story of former UF President Ben Sasse’s resignation, one name came up for each of them — Morteza “Mori” Hosseini.

Hosseini, a CEO and major Republican donor, has served as the UF Board of Trustees’ chairman since 2018.

The board has influence over the employment of Sasse’s former staff members. It’s unclear how many of the staff Sasse hired have remained employed at the university, including previous aides from his time as a United States Senator. Several remain in the UF directory, but they are missing main web pages or profiles on the President’s Cabinet website.

Hosseini’s position comes with considerable power, including the ability to override certain presidential decisions. Hosseini also influ-

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT

Story description finish with comma, pg# Tennis

Sophomore worked into lineup. Read more on pg. 11.

enced major initiatives across the university, like the expansion of the J. Wayne Reitz Student Union.

In a Board of Trustees meeting on July 23, Hosseini said he asked UF’s Chief Financial Officer Taylor Jantz to allocate $25 million to support faculty “who work so hard to serve our students and do great research.”

Hosseini did not elaborate on how the $25 million would be distributed.

Sasse’s spending spree

Sasse's office employed more than 30 staff members, a stark con-

Downtown parking

City government raises prices, pg. 5

The Avenue: Vintage thrift

Gators pick up retro merch, pg. 7

trast to interim president Kent Fuchs, who had fewer than 10 during his presidency.

James Wegmann and Dan Dillon are among those still listed on the UF President cabinet website and are believed to still be employed.

Wegmann, salaried at $432,000, is Sasse’s former Senate communications director and serves as UF’s vice president of communications. He works remotely from Washington, D.C. Wegmann replaced UF spokesman Steve Orlando, who made

$270,000 a year in the position. Additionally, Orlando had nearly 30 years of experience in UF media relations before he was demoted to Wegmann’s deputy.

Orlando has not responded to The Alligator’s inquiries.

It still remains unclear the status of: • Raven Shirley, Kari Ridder and Kelicia Rice, who are ex-Senate staffers and served as presidential

SEE MORI, PAGE 3

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2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024

SummerToday’s conflictsWeather in UF’s Student Senate loom as elections approach

VOLUME 119 - ISSUE 2

NEWSROOM:

A recap of important Senate summer events and fall plans in the lead-up to Senate elections

By Avery Parker Alligator Staff Writer

While campus remained largely quiet over the summer, UF's Student Government was active with budget bills, Senate vacancy rules and procedural changes.

This fall, summer legislation will begin taking effect. It will see further debate and give way to new conversations. Meanwhile, Senate members are readying themselves for another election season in October.

A look back at the summer

The 2024-2025 budget, drafted by budget committee chair Damien Rodriguez (VisionOff Campus), passed 62-7 to ensure continued funding for SG, Student Government Productions and other student organizations.

The legislation, one of the summer’s most attentiongrabbing, passed without Change Caucus amendments. The caucus originally sought to reallocate money away from Accent and SGP — branches that bring speakers and performers to campus — and toward student organizations.

Sen. Aaron Rubaii’s (Vision-Off Campus) “Stop the Stall” bill, which sought to reduce public comment time in the Senate, brought Vision and Change Caucus members into a contentious debate in June.

Change resoundingly opposed all three volumes of the legislation, which removed senators’ ability to speak during public comment at the start of Senate meetings. It also reduced general public comment from five minutes per person to three.

The Senate also passed the Procedure for Unexpected Replacements for Student Senators, or PURSS. Both caucuses supported the legislation, which amended the process for filling vacant seats when senators unexpectedly resign.

Previously, resigning senators would name a replacement for the Senate Selection Committee and the Replacement and Agenda Committee to vote on. However, a Vision-proposed bill sought to remove that procedure and instead leave the decision up to the Vision-majority selection committee.

The bill failed on the Senate floor, and PURSS resulted from caucus negotiations.

Resigning senators may still name their replacement. But, if the replacement candidate fails to receive a majority vote, then

the Replacement and Agenda Committee will suggest a new candidate for the Senate to vote for.

Aside from legislation influencing the Senate’s internal practice, resolutions aimed at benefiting the student body also passed.

The GOGGLE resolution voiced Senate support for a safety goggle collection and distribution program to aid students who can’t afford expensive laboratory equipment. Another resolution advocated for sleeping pods on campus to provide students with a place to nap.

Senators maintain mixed reactions

Vision Caucus Majority Leader Julia Seifer (Vision-Off Campus) lauded the benefits the new legislation will bring to students.

The Senate also passed a budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal school year.

“We’re on track now to be ahead of the game and do a good job of making sure that everyone gets their money when they’re supposed to,” Seifer said.

Funding will go to projects like improving the Reitz Union’s game room and Flavet Field and supporting the newly created Gender and Sexuality Protection Agency (GASP), she added.

Change Caucus Minority Leader Anamika Naidu (ChangeBeaty Towers) and former Sen. Annika Singh (Change-CLAS) said they were frustrated and disappointed with the summer’s legislation.

Singh expressed distress over the PURSS Act’s proposal.

“It was a no-nuance strike of the entire contents of the compromise,” Singh said. “It effectively makes the Senate chamber more exclusive when it’s harder to replace people.”

Naidu also criticized Stop the Stall, emphasizing that without access to public comment, senators are unable to show documents and can bring up fewer topics during debate.

“This whole concept of ‘Stop the Stall’ really is not that effective,” she said. “Every meeting that we’ve had [since the bill’s passage] has still gone equally as long as it did before.”

Looking ahead to the fall

Despite the PURSS Act’s passage, Naidu fears replacement procedures will come up again.

Naidu is staunchly against repealing PURSS, though it may enter the conversation, she said.

Change senators have limited power as the minority, Naidu

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added. However, she and Singh said they hope students will pay greater attention to Senate affairs now that fall classes have started.

UF statutes prohibit parties from campaigning outside of the election season, which begins four weeks prior to the first election day and ends immediately after polls close.

Fall student government elections will be Oct. 8 and 9.

Neither Change nor Vision Party's social media accounts can operate outside of the election season, or they risk being disqualified as a party.

Those restrictions prevent senators from accessing and communicating with UF students, Naidu said. She also said Vision supports those restrictions, which have been in place for years, because it has a stronger, more Senate-intuned voter base among fraternities and sororities and, thus, does not need to campaign as heavily.

“I wish people understood that, if they are confused about the election, if they are confused about what actually goes on in the Senate, they need to know that is happening on purpose,” Naidu said.

Seifer’s fall plans for Vision Caucus focused more heavily on legislation.

“I reached out to my senators and asked them what they’re particularly passionate about and what they plan on working on,” Seifer said. “The things that came to mind the most are sustainability, mental health, physical health.”

She highlighted a number of initiatives, including one to add a menstrual product dispenser to the Health and Human Performance building’s ground floor, installing a headshot booth at Heavener Hall, and undisclosed plans to assist students suffering from food insecurity.

“People should come to Senate meetings to let us know specifically what they’re looking for,” Seifer said.

Student Senate meetings occur on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. inside the Reitz Union’s Senate Chamber and are open to the public. @AveryParke98398 aparker@alligator.org

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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024 ALLIGATOR 3

In wake of Venezuelan elections, Gainesville Hispanic community gathers support 80 PROTESTED IN DEPOT PARK AUG. 17 AFTER CONTROVERSIAL ELECTION RESULTS LED TO POLITICAL UNREST

By Delia Rose Sauer Alligator Staff Writer

After Venezuela's presidential election results erupted in an international outcry, Vanessa Volkmann decided to get involved with politics for the first time.

The 27-year-old Gainesville veterinarian stepped in to help organize a local protest, which brought about 80 people to Depot Park Aug. 17. Volkmann knew the election would be unfair, but she was still devastated by the results, she said.

“The good thing is that this time, there’s more noise on the international level,” she said. “That means we have more help.”

Nearly a month after the election, Gainesville residents are still gathering support for Venezuelans. Local community members wait for the next call for protest while student organizations brainstorm how to help.

Nicolás Maduro defeated opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia in Venezuela's July 28 election, despite the opposition party revealing that González won more votes. Venezuelans cite blatant election corruption, as Maduro controls The National Electoral Council of Venezuela, or Consejo Nacional Electoral, which determines the winner. Citizens argue he put himself back in power.

Maduro’s 11-year-long reign led 7.7 million Venezuelans to flee the country and left 19 million residents without basic necessities,

like healthcare and food.

When Venezuela’s opposition leader, María Corina Machado, called for worldwide peaceful protests to challenge the election results, Volkmann found herself constantly checking social media.

“There is not a Venezuelan who isn’t up to date with the news right now,” Volkmann said.

Depot Park was the best location for a Gainesville protest, she said. As a parent herself, she wanted a space for her children to join the movement without endangering their safety.

Angel Prato, a 44-year-old journalist from Venezuela, is no stranger to protesting. He was among the crowd at Depot Park.

Now living in the United States, he uses his organization Líderes Libres to advocate for the CNE to release accurate election data.

He also calls for the restoration of human rights and due process for Venezuelans, especially for those who have been wrongfully imprisoned. He said there needs to be international support for Venezuela and against Maduro’s regime.

Prato said Gainesville protesters have the privilege of gathering to support their country when freedom of speech, press and assembly is heavily criminalized in Venezuela. More than 2,000 people have been jailed for peacefully protesting, according to the BBC. “Our weapons are our voice,” Prato said. “This is to raise awareness about the anguish and persecution that exists within Venezuela.”

Read the rest online at alligator.org. @_delia_rose_ drosesauer@alligator.org

UF Board of Trustees, Morgan Mori Hosseini and his UF history the wrote in an email response that he

MORI, from pg. 1

advisers to Sasse.

• Penny Schwinn, who was hired as UF’s inaugural vice president of PK-12 and pre-bachelors programs.

Schwinn was allowed to work remotely from her home in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hired with a starting salary of $367,500.

• Alice James Burns, the former scheduler for Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC), was hired as Director of Presidential Relations and Major Events. She salaried at $205,000..

• Raymond Sass, Sasse’s former chief of staff, was paid $396,000.

He continued living in Maryland despite his newly created role as UF’s vice president for innovation and partnerships.

• Taylor Sliva, Sasse’s former Senate press secretary, was hired to be UF’s assistant vice president of presidential communications and public affairs, another new position. He was salaried at $232,000.

The university has not responded to The Alligator’s public records request regarding the status of employment for Shirley, Ridder, Rice, Schwinn, Burns, Sass and Sliva.

DeSantis and Hosseini

Several reports from The Washington Post and other news outlets outline Hosseini’s notable contributions to Gov. Ron DeSantis. In 2018, DeSantis had taken several undisclosed trips on private jets belonging to Hosseini.

In 2019, Hosseini donated a golf simulator worth $27,500 to DeSantis’ mansion and provided him with private flights as recently as February.

In 2021, DeSantis reappointed Hosseini as chair of the Board of Trustees.

Hosseini has also served as a trustee at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University since 1999. The private non-profit costs an average of

$42,408 a semester in tuition alone.

In 2022, Hosseini’s companies gave at least $361,000 to political groups aiding DeSantis’ reelection campaign, with a report by The Orlando Sentinel noting, “Hosseini has donated nearly $3.5 million over nearly two decades” to conservative committees, the Republican Party and GOP candidates.

For DeSantis’ 2024 presidential campaign, Hosseini was amongst several donors who donated more than $1 million to DeSantis’ political action committee, The Alligator previously reported.

UF interim president Kent Fuchs said he is unsure of Hosseini’s political affiliation, but maintains that the chairman of UF’s Board of Trustees is expected to work closely with the Senate President, Speaker of the House and Governor, regardless of where they stand politically.

“Does he have strong personal relationships? Absolutely, he does,” Fuchs said. “He uses that to work on behalf of the university. He’s not a politician at all.”

Hosseini is not compensated for his work at the University of Florida but dedicates extensive time and energy to the institution due to his passion for it, Fuchs said. Although Fuchs has had disagreements with Hosseini and previous chairs, he added that they have always found common ground for the sake of the university.

Florida attorney John Morgan, a leading Democratic fundraiser who graduated from UF’s law school, referred to Hosseini as a “money guy for the [government]” in an email to The Alligator.

Morgan alleged he most recently gave the university $1 million. In a series of social media posts on X, Morgan said he knew many of the UF Board of Trustee members — especially James W. Heavener.

However, when asked by The Alligator if he had any comments on

didn’t know enough about them, but that, “they are political appointees who do what the governor wants.

Basically, toothless tigers who donated to his campaign.”

Others who took to X to share their frustrations, such as Republican Representative Matt Gaetz and the DeSantis administration, have not responded for comment.

After nine attempts to contact, Hosseini has not responded to The Alligator’s inquiries about Sasse’s resignation or the donors and officials who testified to the extent of his involvement.

What’s coming next

On Aug. 15, Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal, took to X to announce that his agency would be reaching out to the Florida Board of Governors to offer auditing support and said that the Board should, “investigate this issue to ensure tuition and tax dollars are being properly used.”

DeSantis’ office has not responded to inquiries regarding the audit’s current status.

Still, Sasse has expressed an interest in becoming president emeritus and will be teaching college classes at the Hamilton Center, a GOP-mandated civic program with a focus on the education of classic Western literature, Western philosophies and the foundation of American politics.

As part of his severance package, Sasse will also receive a $1 million base salary until 2028. However, the realization of Sasse’s plans and the future of his employees are all dependent on the approval of the UF Board of Trustees — and especially on Mori Hosseini. @vivienneserret vserret@alligator.org @wynwg awang@alligator.org

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4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024

Democratic National Convention sparks new Alachua County voter interest STUDENTS AND LEADERS SHARE A SENSE OF HOPE AS THE CELEBRATION INVITES THOUSANDS TO CHICAGO

By Morgan Vanderlaan Alligator Staff Writer

The 2024 Democratic National Convention commenced Aug. 19 in Chicago with hats sporting “Demo(b) rat” and speakers ranging from President Joe Biden to SNL star Kenan Thompson.

Thousands of delegates, organizers and voters flocked to the windy city, packing Chicago’s United Center in a four-day celebration.

In Alachua County, Democrats are clear on what’s needed to win the upcoming November election: higher voter turnout.

With workshops, caucus meetings and networking opportunities, the DNC was the place for those in the weeds of voter registration to learn new strategies.

Since Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee, 33,000 new volunteers have become involved in the Florida Democratic Party, said Florida’s 25th Congressional District delegate Charles Horowitz.

The 21-year-old UF political science and classical studies senior hopes these new volunteers will help break the Republican supermajority and bring the momentum to turn Florida blue in November.

“We know that when we fight, we win,” he said.

For Horowitz, the best part of the convention was leading 14 delegates during the DNC as the youngest Florida whip. Whips are in charge of guiding fellow delegates during the convention and are elected by their congressional districts to represent the primary voters' presidential pick at the DNC every four years.

With less than 100 days to the election, Horowitz hopes the party will continue to fight for a Democrat in the White House.

At the DNC, Horowitz was inspired by the enthusiasm he saw from delegates, especially those from Florida.

At times, the convention looked more like a concert than a conference, with

performances by P!nk, Stevie Wonder and John Legend. During the roll call, each delegation danced to a different song to recognize their state; Florida’s was Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” a UF staple always played in between the third and fourth quarter of home football games.

“Bill Clinton used to say that Republicans fall in line and Democrats fall in love,” Horowitz said. “Over the past week, we've seen that both are possible at the same time. We are the party of joy, we are the party of discipline, and we're going to make sure that we win.”

Voter registration in Alachua County On the final day of the DNC, Harris officially accepted the Democratic nomination. During her speech, she advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza and a peaceful return of all hostages held by Hamas. Horowitz said he appreciated the clarity Harris brought on her stance towards the issue, especially with the conflict being a topic that resonates with younger voting bases.

But not all were satisfied with Harris’s statement. Protesters lined the streets outside the United Center each day of the DNC, holding signs and yelling names of Palestinians killed during the conflict.

Activists demanded a delegate in favor of a ceasefire to have a speaking slot during the convention, but their requests were denied.

Millions watched Harris’s speech at the DNC from the comfort of their homes.

One of those constituents was Vice Chair of Alachua County Democrats J. Maggio, who said the passion and messaging brought from the DNC has made his job canvassing in Alachua County easier.

Since Harris was made the nominee, Maggio has seen more people volunteering with the Democratic Party in Alachua County, mirroring statewide trends. A new sense of excitement has also arrived along with those volunteers, he added. As the general election gets closer, Maggio hopes this enthusiasm will continue to grow.

“It's not quite 2008, but it feels a whole lot more like it than when Biden was on the ticket,” Maggio said.

Affordable housing, high inflation PRICE SHOCK, from pg. 1 horrible when it comes to help.”

Torres said receiving financial assistance from the state is cumbersome, citing the unwieldy process of filing an official request for help. Plus, Florida imposes strict constraints on state beneficiaries. Households must make little to no income to meet the requirements, and qualified recipients are only eligible to receive four years of aid. Simply put, those who earn enough to get by are unlikely to obtain the extra help necessary to get ahead.

Torres feels her back is against the wall without sufficient aid to lighten the load. For now, she and her two sons live in a hotel room, and they hope to settle

into something more stable once costs aren’t so high.

“It’s very difficult,” Torres said.

“It’s $500 a week that we have to pay [for accommodations], and thank God, it’s the three of us.”

The high living costs also pose concerns to younger residents of Alachua County, including university students who might consider making Gainesville their home after graduation.

Jacob Yancey, a 27-year-old Gainesville resident, lived on and off in the city from ages 8 to 18.

After completing an advanced degree program in Nashville, Tennessee, he returned to Alachua County, planning to put down roots and establish his career as a mental health counselor. Still, he remains uncertain about the future and

Luis Castañeda // Alligator Staff

Kamala Harris speaks at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois As of Aug. 25, 158,417 people are registered to vote in Alachua County.

Despite this, the Aug. 20 primary polls saw a turnout of only about 22%, with less than 36,000 ballots cast.

At the DNC, there was an abundance of red, white and blue, with flags draped from lamp posts and signs reading “USA.” The patriotic messaging shows that Harris is a way for everyone, including students, to reclaim what it means to be an American, said 20-year-old UF political science junior Nathaniel Pelton.

In the 2016 election cycle, Pelton said the Republican Party tried to take patriotic symbolism away from the Democrats, which he hopes to re-incorporate while canvassing. Pelton, who also serves as the National Organizing Director for Dream

worries that current students who want to settle in the city post-graduation will not have the means.

“The rent here is crazy … for a lot of young people, especially young grads,” he said. “It’s going to be really difficult for them to afford housing.”

As of 2024, the median house price in Gainesville is $295,500, up 2.6% from 2023. For comparison, Tallahassee’s homes cost 11% less, and rent is 23% lower, too. Yet the difference in cost of living between the two cities remains almost negligible: about 1% lower in Tallahassee.

Florida is also bracing for an aggressive hurricane season, and home insurance premiums will reflect the risks.

Yancey, who has roommates, said he’s sure the cost of their disaster coverage plan will increase substantially as the state prepares for an onslaught of

for America, hopes the Democratic party continues to reshape patriotic values into a progressive future.

Dream for America is a Gen-Z-led nonprofit focused on mobilizing young voters across college campuses. The organization participates in voter registration drives, promotes student engagement in politics and canvasses for local and national candidates.

“Harris' campaign presents a vision for the future where we can look beyond our ideological differences and unify as one America,” he said.

heavy wind and rain. Aggressive hurricanes and corresponding insurance hikes are “pretty par for the course for Florida,” Yancey said.

While many Alachua County residents won’t have to worry about home insurance, they must contend with soaring rents.

Most students, like Lucy Craft, a 20-year-old Santa Fe College graphic design junior, live in dorms or apartments. Craft said she feels trapped in an unideal living situation.

“I have to actually budget now, and we had to move into a place that I didn’t want to move into because of the cost,” she said.

After living in Gainesville for two years, Craft said she does not foresee being able to afford a home or enjoy significant upward mobility. If she were to buy something permanent, she anticipates it would be a trailer

@morgvande mvanderlaan@alligator.org

on a plot of land.

Like Yancey, Craft said she spends more than she’d like on groceries — approximately $150 per week, as much as Tamara Torres does to feed three people.

G’orgeous Grandison, a UF criminology sophomore, said she spends between $50 and $100 weekly at the grocery store and knows two-person households that pay nearly four times as much.

The 19-year-old predicts the cost of living in Gainesville will become less affordable over the next five years. And she doubts young people will be able to afford to own Gainesville homes anytime soon.

“No,” she said. “Especially if you live close to the university.” @Nat_Kauf nkaufman@alligator.org

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024 ALLIGATOR 5

Midnight Underground hosts monthly themed ‘Dark Dance Parties’ THE EVENTS ENCOURAGE SELF-EXPRESSION AND CONNECTION THROUGH DANCING

By Sara-James Ranta Alligator Staff Writer

Iridescent scales and a mirrored disco ball freckled a crowd of mermaids, pirates and witches. Techno music and synth-pop guided the movements of platform shoes and roller skates.

Dark dance parties are themed monthly events held at downtown Gainesville’s Midnight Underground bar. The events aim to bring together diverse communities, from goths to cosplayers to the EDM crowd, and encourage selfexpression and connection through dancing, costumes and interactive experiences.

The Aug. 25 dark dance party theme was “Dark Aquatic,” bringing together vendors, a costume contest and a live art show. A portion of the proceeds went to Florida Springs Council, a nonprofit organization focused on springs conservation, in a nod to the aquatic theme.

Kristin Powers, a 43-year-old Gainesville resident and organizer of the dark dance parties, uses “dark” as a theme to embrace the parts of the human experience that are often overlooked. It’s not meant to be horror-themed or overtly morbid, they said.

“Each event is a different theme because we’re trying to bring different people together,” Powers said. “This is an opportunity to get to know the people that you’re dancing next to.”

Studded with watercolor tattoos and equally multicolored hair, Powers said the events are intended to create a safe and inclusive space for “outsiders,” or people who may not feel like they fit in elsewhere. Creating a place for outsiders started from Powers’ connection to the Gainesville goth community, they said.

“There are people in our community that explicitly said ‘This is the first time I felt like I could be myself,’” they said.

“Those are the people that I’m getting out to.”

Shyne Loper, a 29-year-old Gainesville resident, is the general manager of Midnight Underground. She said the dark dance parties bring more people to the Midnight Underground, where much of their marketing relies on online posting and word-of-mouth.

Loper describes Midnight Underground as the “kitchen junk drawer” of local event spaces, where “no two events are the same,” she said.

“Dark Future,” themed around Neo-Tokyo cyberpunk-

Armand Raichandani // Alligator Staff

Organizer and DJ Kristin Powers jams out at Saturday night’s dark aquatic dance party, held at Midnight Underground. apocalypse, was the first party hosted at Midnight Underground and the “best financial night Midnight Underground ever had,” Loper said.

The second event, held in late July and named “Dark Circus,” centered around playful clowns and oddity acts.

Midnight Underground hit capacity three separate times in a single night, Loper said.

“Every event they’ve done so far has been wildly successful,” Loper said. “We now have bands reaching out to us that didn’t know we were equipped to host live bands.”

King Bada, a 36-year-old Gainesville resident, performed a “liquid light show” during the Dark Aquatic dance party.

Using oils, paints and dyes, Bada used 1990s tech equipment to create a “live lava lamp” without a computer to digitize effects.

With fingertips spattered in different colors, Bada took light boards and different panes of glass to “spin” colors together, along with a video camera to project the scene on the wall of the bar.

Vendors like Bada enhance the experience of the dark dance parties, he said.

“We get to show people other art that’s not just music,” he said. “I like meeting other vendors and seeing other different things that people are doing and experimenting with.”

Jason Catron, a 44-year-old Starke resident, is the owner of Milestone Mercantile, a small laser engraving business

working mainly with wood. His work uses visual puns, including a two-dimensional wooden airplane with the word “f*ck” on it, marketed as a “flying f*ck.” As an “old-school goth,” parties in darker scenes are something that feels like home to him, he said.

“It’s always great because you get a really nice mix of people,” he said. “You get to watch how different people react to your products on your table.”

Quinn Martin, a 35-year-old Gainesville resident and software engineer, most enjoyed how each dark dance party was more than just a showcase of music, he said.

“There’s always interactive activities to do, [such as] photo booths,” he said. “There’s decorations and themes and it’s conceptual.”

Martin said the dark dance parties have joined local bars The Wooly and The Atlantic to make a “trifecta” of locations where members of the goth community can thrive.

“It’s really crazy that two years ago there were zero goth nights, and now there are three at least,” he said. “This night is really welcoming. It’s not just for goths.”

Jill Dumas, a 47-year-old Gainesville resident, realtor and professional clown, attended the Dark Aquatic dance party. She previously performed as a clown at the Dark Circus event and won the “silliest” costume award at the Dark Aquatic event.

Dressed in an array of bright colors and rolling around in skates complete with knee-high socks, Dumas felt the event was a “safe space and a positive environment,” she said.

“As a member of the queer community myself, I’ve found over the years … a lot of events have really become inclusive,” she said. “I’m a believer that every minute of your life, you have an opportunity to choose to be happy and enjoy it.”

Jennifer Massimin, a 34-year-old Gainesville resident, won the “best overall” costume award for her interpretation of a scary anglerfish.

Using liquid latex and thin plastic, she created the mouthpiece to mimic an anglerfish’s skinny, sharp teeth. She included a small reading light with a lace overlay attached to her head to represent the fish’s unique luminescent fin ray.

Massimin comes to the events to “have fun and be herself,” she said.

“You don’t have to look a certain way here and party, we can all dance together,” she said. “We’re not scary, even though we’re goth.” @sarajamesranta sranta@alligator.org

Why downtown Gainesville parking changes are upsetting businesses and customers Prices rose in downtown core in an effort to decrease traffic

By Sofia Meyers Alligator Staff Writer

After parking rates in downtown Gainesville rose in July, some customers and business owners are worried about the future of downtown life.

Home to multiple small businesses ranging from nutritional food to records, downtown Gainesville is an eclectic spot many UF students and Gainesville residents frequent. Approved in a March 21 Gainesville City Commission meeting, a new pricing system for downtown parking was implemented over the summer. The city proposed the changes after receiving feedback from downtown stakeholders and analyzing a 2023 parking study.

The city’s goal in enforcing these parking rates is to decrease the amount of time spent in “high demand” spaces in the popular parking areas of downtown Gainesville, according to Rossana Passaniti, a spokesperson for the city.

After the changes, parking in the cen-

ter of downtown Gainesville costs 50 cents an hour with a two-hour time limit for on-street spaces on weekdays, according to the City of Gainesville. Outside of the “downtown core,” parking is slightly cheaper — 25 cents an hour or less, with no time limit.

For off-street parking on weekdays, it’s 50 cents an hour with no time limit. In the Southwest Parking Garage on weekdays, there’s no time limit, and it’s also 50 cents an hour.

Permits can also be granted, which cost $40 monthly or $100 quarterly, according to the city’s website. Employees of downtown businesses can purchase a discounted monthly permit at $20 per month.

On weekends and holidays, parking downtown will be free. This excludes parking spots in downtown’s Southwest garage.

The new parking rates raise concerns amongst businesses residing in downtown Gainesville.

Melanie Floyd is the owner of Gainz-

villeHub, a small business in downtown Gainesville that serves smoothies and food. She said she’s concerned about how parking has impacted her customers’ experience when going downtown.

“People don’t want and shouldn’t pay when wanting to visit a local shop,” Floyd said.

Other businesses are also concerned about these new parking rates, including Andrew Schare, the owner of Hear Again Records, a record store in downtown Gainesville.

“I think it’s a big turn-off for a lot of people who have been used to going downtown,” he said. “Maybe three times a week someone will see something they want. Now they have to pay the city.”

The issue is also concerning to Schare as a Gainesville resident, he said. He’s lived in Gainesville almost his whole life, and he thought his tax dollars were already going toward maintaining public streets.

When the idea to change parking downtown was first proposed in 2022, Schare

gathered “well over a thousand” signatures from people at the counter of the store, he said.

“We submitted a survey we did among all the business owners,” Schare said. “I guess it just fell upon, I guess intentionally, deaf ears.”

To some customers, the changes in parking prices make it inconvenient to drive to and park downtown.

Jayme Rudd, a 20-year-old UF business junior, travels downtown often to spend time at Wyatt’s Coffee.

“I used to go downtown pretty often during the week because I like to study at local shops there,” she said. “Now, I do not want to go through the hassle of having to pay to park.”

Customers can pay with any of the six pay stations and can pay with coins, credit cards or the Passport Parking App, according to the City of Gainesville.

The new rates will go into full effect mid-August and are expected to be enforced starting Sept. 16. @sofiameyer84496 smeyers@alligator.org

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024 www.alligator.org/section/opinions

Column

Welcome back, students!

M

ost of you probably don’t know how quiet it is here when you’re gone. It’s really, really quiet. So quiet you can hear the construction crew tearing up the road and creating your next traffic jam a half mile away. Or the other construction crew a half mile in the other direction. You hear the more-than-occasional preview tour coming through, and you hope they get inside somewhere before that thunderstorm you see rolling up drenches them.

OK, so it’s not SO quiet. But what is generally missing is the sound of your voices. What is missing is your energy. You transform this place,

and we’re glad you’re back. From my first days as a lecturer and graduate student, I’ve been involved in higher education for 36 years, and still, the first days of class never get old.

While that excitement doesn’t change much, the students certainly have. Compared to students of three decades ago, studies say you are a much more diverse group in terms of race, gender, income level and many other factors. Studies show you are more socially involved than people your age have been in years.

You volunteer more. You take up causes — justice is important to you, and the lack of it troubles you more.

More of you work while going to school. More of you face financial strains. And because all the news of the world is at your fingertips, far too many of you carry the weight of the world in your hearts. When that combines with the normal stresses of completing your assignments, anxiety, depression and other hazards can ratchet up. I see you as more willing to be open about what may be stressing you, and that is a VERY good thing. Never be afraid to reach out. There are people on this campus whose job it is to help you through tough times. And know that the faculty supports you as well.

This year’s first day comes at a

consequential time in this country and in the world. After a pandemic, racial reckoning and backlash, and an even-more-toxic-than-usual political environment, it seems like we’ve been saying that a lot. My hope for you is that you are able to welcome dialogue, embrace difference, insist on respect and see that we are bound together by similar aspirations — aspirations that brought us here.

OK, that was a lot of serious stuff. But listen up — if you aren’t having fun here at UF, you are doing it wrong. So, remind yourself to take the time to laugh with your friends, sing loud and off-key (no judgment here) and make some memories.

Just remember to hydrate on those hot football Saturdays (with WATER, you hear me??).

At the College of Journalism and Communications, we teach storytellers of all kinds, and we recog-

Column

The chase for prestige: a required cost or misallocation?

W

e come at a time of great harmony. Fall semester is a period for UF students to celebrate and rejoice in a new cycle of possibilities and opportunities for the new academic year.

While this time is meant for new beginnings, it’s important to feel grounded and conscientious of turning points on our campus. Some would call these recent events the “elephant in the room,” an event that is hard to ignore.

Ben Sasse, former president at University of Florida, sent out a public statement via X on July 18, stating he decided to resign af-

ter 17 months due to a long history of family health issues. I first felt surprised and melancholy. However, I looked back at an insightful lesson my professor taught me which is “Gators have thick skin.” This means to become resilient during challenging times.

A month later, an article published by The Alligator revealed the negligent spending of former president Ben Sasse. This article further criticizes his choices, such as hiring previous GOP participants as UF staffers. This criticism is rooted in expecting a top college administrator to be politically celibate in his policies for the Uni-

versity. These reports were well structured and laid out specific allegations and directed the audience to create a new impression of Ben Sasse.

Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/ opinions.

Abraham Hilu opinions@alligator.org

Abraham Hilu is a UF political science senior.

nize that we are all writing our own story.

For this year, I wish you one positive, raucous, pageHub Brown turner of a opinions@alligator.org chapter.

Oh, and one more thing: watch this space.

By “this space,” I mean this grand old newspaper, the Independent Florida Alligator. You might have noticed lately that they break a lot of news around here. When national networks and major newspapers are following your lead, you may be on to something. Happy headlines, folks.

Hub Brown is the dean of UF College of Journalism and Communications.

Call for columnists

T

he Alligator opinions section thrives on local and student voices.

This Fall we are looking for columnists to join our staff. Columns run around 500 to 750 words and take a stance on a topic of the writer’s choosing. Columnists typically write about Florida politics, student life, identity and other pertinent topics. Once hired as a columnist, you’ll be expected to contribute two to three pieces a month.

We also want to invite the community to submit one-time columns to express their points of view. Contact our opinions editor mhoward@alligator.org with any questions or columns.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Alligator.

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.

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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

FOOD

First look: The Eatery @ Broward Hall re-opens, and it’s almost twice the size THE UF DINING HALL REOPENED ITS DOORS AUG. 22 AFTER AN EIGHT-MONTH EXPANSION

By Rachel Mish Avenue Staff Writers

The Eatery @ Broward Hall reopened its doors to students and Gainesville residents Aug. 22, doubling the hall’s original size and reworking its entire menu after an eight-month expansion and renovation project.

With a $25 million budget, the project expanded the once 20,000 -square- foot dining hall to about 39,000 square feet. The updates also include additional seating, increasing the hall’s original 550-person capacity to 750 and a back seating area with a ramp for

wheelchair access.

Marc Cruz, the UF director of culinary, said before the expansion, all chefs cooked from one shared kitchen. The expansion added individual kitchens to each food station, making it easier to feed a large number of students, he said.

“It [the expansion] gives us the ability to actually function, to handle big volumes,” Cruz said.

Mueller said students can feel safe knowing allergens are kept in separate kitchens and storage areas. Delicious Without, a new addition to the dining hall, offers options like chickpeas, spinach and roasted tomatoes for students with allergies.

“The cool thing is, any student who goes over there [Delicious Without] can still get a great meal,” Mueller said.

The dining hall also added the digital sauce dispenser Heinz Remix, making UF the first school in the country to have the machine.

Addison Alsobrook, a 19-year-old UF data science and sports management sophomore, said the renovations changed his opinion on the Broward dining hall.

“I preferred Gator Corner over the original Broward,” he said. “I prefer it [The Eatery @ Broward Hall] over Gator Corner now.”

Courtland Thomas, the UF district marketing director, said the project aims to provide food options to people on and off campus, including families and UF alumni.

“One of the misconceptions about campus dining is that it’s only for students that live on campus or have a meal plan,” Thomas said.

“This is going to be a cornerstone of the University of Florida for future gators to come.”

Thomas said the hall was designed to host frequent and special events for students. Students can expect to find a late-night pizza window by the hall’s Brick and Basil station in October, but its hours have not been announced yet.

“At the end of the day, [The Eatery @ Broward Hall] is where ‘love where you chomp’ really comes from,” Thomas said.

The Eatery @ Broward Hall is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. It plans to host a grand opening in September.

Entrance costs $9.30 for breakfast, $11.40 for lunch and $12.00 for dinner. @mish_rache62827 rmisch@alligator.org

FASHION

Flashbacks welcomes students THE LIMITED-TIME DROP INCLUDED OVER 80 VINTAGE UF CLOTHING PIECES

By Juliana DeFilippo Avenue Staff Writers

Gainesville residents and thrift enthusiasts gathered at Flashbacks Recycled Fashions Aug. 24 for its annual vintage Gator drop.

The limited-time event featured more than 80 true-vintage Gator pieces, including a Reebok ski jacket and a 1978 UF-themed Garfield shirt.

Tatum Nichtberger, the 34-year-old Flashbacks manager and head buyer, organized the drop and began by handing out numbers to 48 people standing in line as early as 10 a.m. The number system allowed customers

to leave the line and come back when doors opened at noon.

Nichtberger said the store prepared for the drop by buying vintage pieces throughout the year.

“The really cool pieces we put aside to save for this,” she said.

Timi Sobanjo, a UF environmental engineering major senior, attended the event looking for UF sweatshirts and was shocked to find how fast items flew off the racks.

“I was 23rd in line, so everyone just kind of came rushing in,” Sobanjo said.

Like Sobanjo, Sydney Hinton, a UF art sophomore, frequently shops at Flashbacks and came to the event after seeing its Instagram promotions. Hinton said she prefers vintage UF merchandise because of its charm and unique style.

“I love it because I feel like they have a

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wide range of stuff, like stuff from the ‘20s up until modern day,” Hinton said.

Today, students like Hinton embrace second-hand shopping, but Tatum Nichtberger, Flashbacks’ manager and daughter of the shop’s owner Steve Nichtberger, has watched thrifting attitudes change over time.

Nichtberger attributes the store’s change in popularity to the COVID-19 pandemic when thrifting became “cool” on social media.

“We had people come in and walk with their arms tucked in, disgusted by thrifting,” she said. “We had people that would be like, ‘Oh if my parents found out I was in a thrift store, they would yell at me.’ I think social media has really changed it, so now people learn that you can find really cool pieces.

There’s no stigma around it anymore.”

During her time at Flashbacks, Nichtberger has gone from seeing the stigma around

second-hand shopping to watching the store exceed capacity during major events, which inspired the vintage Gator Drop’s number system.

“About two months ago, we did a bag sale, and we just kind of let everyone in,” Nichtberger said. “We had only done one or two big events before, and it got to about 80 people in here. We were like, ‘This is actually unsafe,’ so we had to start holding the door.”

Samantha Savoy left the vintage drop with a UF banner and sweatshirt. Shopping second-hand allows her to buy on a budget, said Savoy, a UF business management sophomore.

“I can buy a lot, but not spend that much money,” Savoy said. “I like shopping, but I don’t like spending money.”

Flashbacks plans to announce a vintage market in late September or early October and a Y2K drop in four to six weeks. Dates will be announced on its Instagram page. @JulianaDeF58101 jdefillipo@alligator.org

Gobierno local

La comunidad reflexiona sobre la representación hispana.

Read more on pg. 8.

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La comunidad hispana local reflexiona sobre la pérdida de representación en el gobierno de Gainesville LOS DEFENSORES DE LA COMUNIDAD SE PREGUNTAN, ¿QUÉ SIGUE? Por Eneida Escobar Escritora de El Caimán

Mientras Gainesville da la bienvenida a los funcionarios locales recién elegidos, los miembros que forman parte y están involucrados en la comunidad hispana se encuentran reflexionando sobre lo que depara el futuro para su representación en la política local.

Un anuncio de la Comisionada de la Ciudad en el Asiento A, Reina Saco, la única miembro hispana de la Comisión de la Ciudad de Gainesville, en el que declara que no se postulará para la reelección, ha generado preocupación y contemplación, pero también esperanza.

Sin la presencia de Saco en la comisión, los residentes se preguntan si sus voces seguirán siendo escuchadas en los pasillos del poder.

La salida de Saco marca un momento significativo para la comunidad. La cubana de primera generación ha arraigado sus raíces en su trabajo, participando en la mejora de la Línea de Idiomas de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Alachua y añadiendo una posición de Gerente de Asuntos de Inmigrantes en el gobierno.

“Realmente es algo que tenía que hacer por mí misma y por mi familia”, dijo. “Amo esta comunidad. Por eso me postulé para el cargo, y quería hacer algo bueno por ella, y creo que

hemos logrado algunos de esos pasos”.

Con su salida, surge una pregunta: ¿Quién aboga ahora por los temas más relevantes para los residentes hispanos de Gainesville?

Gracia Fernandez, una salvadoreña y dominicana de primera generación de 29 años y coordinadora del Departamento de Acceso a Idiomas e Inmigración del Condado de Alachua, dijo que es tanto optimista como pragmática.

“Creo que es realmente desafiante... porque, como alguien que forma parte de la comunidad, sabes exactamente cuáles son las necesidades de tu comunidad — cuáles son los desafíos que enfrenta tu comunidad”, dijo.

Fernandez reconoció que, aunque la partida de Saco deja un vacío, también abre la puerta para que otros den un paso adelante.

“Reina es una líder increíble... dejará un vacío del tamaño de Reina en nuestro gobierno y en nuestra comisión”, dijo. “Pero deja la ciudad en muy buenas y capaces manos”.

Fernandez dijo que cree que la responsabilidad de la representación no recae solo en una persona.

“Hay tantos de nosotros en nuestra comunidad”, dijo.

“Realmente es responsabilidad y deber cívico de todos nosotros levantarnos”.

Fernandez señaló que Gainesville y el Condado de Alachua tienen el potencial de ser una comunidad diversa e inclusiva donde todas las voces sean escuchadas.

Gainesville es la ciudad más grande del Condado de Alachua, con una población de poco menos de 146,000 habitantes. Las personas hispanas constituyen el 12% de

la población, según el Censo de los Estados Unidos de 2023.

La ciudad ha priorizado el acceso a idiomas, un tema recurrente en la comunidad.

La línea de idiomas de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Alachua y la adición de una posición de Gerente de Asuntos de Inmigrantes dentro del gobierno son dos iniciativas de las que Saco dijo estar orgullosa. Ella tiene la esperanza de que el acceso a idiomas continúe prosperando sin ella.

Saco dijo que James Ingle, quien ocupará su puesto, ha mostrado interés en aprender sobre la cultura hispana.

“En realidad solíamos tener tiempo de conversación en español porque éramos vecinos”, dijo. “Aunque no es miembro de la comunidad, le importa”.

Valeria Maggiolo dijo que siente el peso de la subrepresentación profundamente. Un viaje complicado y prolongado desde Venezuela la llevó a Gainesville en enero.

La estudiante de biología de tercer año de 21 años en la UF todavía busca un lugar donde pertenecer; ha reflexionado sobre los modelos a seguir y la representación a la que puede mirar.

“Es bastante difícil porque... como hispanos que viven en Gainesville, queremos estar algo representados y ser considerados al tomar grandes decisiones en Gainesville”, dijo Maggiolo, “especialmente porque ya hay una gran comunidad de hispanos viviendo aquí”.

La historia de Maggiolo ha sido una de adaptación y de conocer personas con las que se puede relacionar en su nuevo entorno.

La falta de líderes hispanos visibles en posiciones de poder ha hecho que sea más

difícil para ella conectarse con su nueva comunidad, dijo.

Para Maggiolo, la presencia de modelos a seguir hispanos en el gobierno no solo es importante, sino esencial para fomentar un sentido de inclusión y posibilidades para ella y otros como ella, dijo.

Naomi Eshghi, una estudiante de segundo año de administración de empresas en la UF de 19 años y venezolana, enfatizó la importancia de la confianza entre la comunidad hispana y sus líderes.

“La gente siempre confía más en los suyos, por lo que definitivamente no van a confiar tanto en el gobierno”, dijo, señalando que los funcionarios fuera de la comunidad hispana pueden no comprender completamente sus necesidades únicas.

Para Eshghi, el aumento de la representación es vital para garantizar que las perspectivas de la comunidad hispana sean adecuadamente entendidas y atendidas por el gobierno local.

Ella cree que es necesario que las voces hispanas estén en posiciones de poder para inspirar y guiar a la comunidad, especialmente en ausencia de un representante hispano claro, dijo.

“Cuanta más representación, mejor”, dijo.

A medida que las primarias llegan a su fin y las elecciones de noviembre se avecinan en la nación, la comunidad se muestra cautelosa pero esperanzada de que sus voces serán representadas en los lugares donde se toman decisiones. @EneidaMariaEsc eescobar@alligator.org

Local Hispanic community reflects on loss of representation in Gainesville government COMMUNITY ADVOCATES ASK THEMSELVES, WHAT’S NEXT?

By Eneida Escobar Alligator Staff Writer

As Gainesville welcomes newly elected local government officials, members part of and involved in the Hispanic community find themselves reflecting on what the future holds for their representation in local politics.

An announcement by City Commissioner At-Large Seat A, Reina Saco, the only Hispanic member of the Gainesville City Commission, stating she will not seek reelection has prompted concern and contemplation, but also hope.

Without Saco’s presence on the commission, residents are left wondering whether their voices will continue to be heard in the corridors of power.

Saco’s departure marks a significant moment for the community. The first-generation Cuban has embedded her roots into her work, taking part in perfecting Alachua County Public School’s Language Line and adding an

Immigrant Affairs Manager position in government.

“It really is something I had to do for myself and for my family,” she said. “I love this community. That's why I ran for office, and I wanted to do good for it, and I think we've achieved some of those steps.”

With her exit, a question arises: Who will now advocate for the issues most pertinent to Gainesville’s Hispanic residents.

Gracia Fernandez, a 29-year-old first-generation Salvadorian and Dominican and the coordinator of Alachua County’s Immigrant and Language Access Department, said she’s both optimistic and pragmatic.

“I think it's really challenging... because as someone who is part of the community, you know exactly what your community's needs are — what the challenges that your community faces are,” she said.

Fernandez acknowledged that while Saco’s departure leaves a void, it also opens the door for others to step up.

“Reina is such an incredible leader... she’ll be leaving a Reinasized hole in our government and in our commission,” she said. “But she leaves the city in really good and

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capable hands.” Fernandez said she believes that the responsibility of representation does not rest on one person alone.

“There are so many of us in our community,” she said. “It’s really all of our responsibilities and all of our civic duties to stand up.”

Fernandez noted Gainesville and Alachua County have the potential to be a diverse and inclusive community where all voices are heard.

Gainesville is the largest city in Alachua County with a population of a little less than 146,000. Hispanic people make up 12% of the population, according to a 2023 U.S. Census.

The city has prioritized language access, a circling issue in the community.

Alachua County Public School’s language line and the addition of an Immigrant Affairs Manager position within the government are two initiatives Saco said she’s proud of.

She’s hopeful language access will continue to flourish without her.

Saco said James Ingle, who will fill her seat, has shown an interest in learning about Hispanic culture.

“We actually used to do Spanish conversation time because we were

Players prepare for season. Read more on pg. 11.

neighbors,” she said. “While not a member of the community, he does care for it.”

Valeria Maggiolo said she feels the weight of underrepresentation keenly. A complicated and lengthy journey from Venezuela led her to Gainesville in January.

The 21-year-old UF biology junior is still searching for a place of belonging; she’s reflected on what role models and representation she can look towards. "It's quite difficult because … as Hispanics living in Gainesville, we do want to be somewhat represented and be considered when making big decisions in Gainesville,” Maggiolo said, “especially because there is a huge community of Hispanics already living here.” Maggiolo’s story has been one of adaptation and meeting people she can relate to in her new environment. The lack of visible Hispanic leaders in positions of power has made it harder for her to connect with her new community, she said.

For Maggiolo, the presence of Hispanic role models in government isn’t just important — it’s essential to fostering a sense of inclusion and possibility for herself and others like her, she said. Naomi Eshghi,

a Venezuelan 19-year-old UF business administration sophomore, emphasized the importance of trust between the Hispanic community and its leaders.

“People always trust their people more, so they’re definitely not going to be as trustworthy of the government,” she said, noting that officials outside the Hispanic community may not fully understand its unique needs.

For Eshghi, increased representation is vital to ensuring that the perspectives of the Hispanic community are adequately understood and addressed by the local government. She believes there’s a need for Hispanic voices in positions of power to inspire and guide the community, especially in the absence of a clear Hispanic representative, she said.

“The more representation, the better,” she said.

As primaries come to a close and November’s elections loom over the nation, the community is hesitant yet hopeful their voices will be represented in the places where decisions are made.

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King Features Weekly Service

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phy “Me: Stories of My Life”?

6. HISTORY: What was the first © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc. National Monument proclaimed in the answers below 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. What Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback threw three interceptions in the team's 27-17 loss to 9. inGENERAL the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl XXX? KNOWLEDGE: What was the name first from 2. Racecar driver Juan Manuel Fangio,of whothe won United five FormulaStates’ 1 World Championships 1951-57, hailed from what country? nuclear-powered submarine?

3. What member10. of theGAMES: Edmonton OilersWhat won the 2024 Trophy for MVP of the areConn theSmythe four railplayoffs despite being on the losing team in the Stanley Cup Final? road properties in Monopoly?

4. Nicknamed "Terror," what South African boxer was the first Black man from that country to hold a world championship belt when he Answers won the WBA flyweight title in 1980?

5. In 1899, Boston dentist Dr. George Grant received a patent for what groundbreaking piece 1. 63,360 inches of golf equipment?

Search extraterrestrial 6. In what 19982. sports comedy filmfor did star Adam Sandler dispense intelli"high quality H2O" as gence slow-witted Bobby Boucher?

3.played Below or seasons insufficient 7. What NFL team its first two with Hagemeister Park as its home field?

4. Grover Cleveland © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc. 5. Katharine Hepburn answers below 6. Devils Tower, 1906 7. The Philippines Trivia Test answers 8. “The Matrix” 9. The USS Nautilus 10. Pennsylvania, Short Line, Reading and B&O May 25, 2020

Personals

18

1. TELEVISION: was host of the "Good Eats" cooking show?many 1. Who MEASUREMENTS: How 2. GEOGRAPHY: Which nation's inches are in anickname mile?is "Land of Fire and Ice"?

3. MUSIC: What the title of Madonna's firstWhat Top 10 hit?does the 2. was ASTRONOMY: 4. MOVIES:acronym What does theSETI acronym AT-AT refer to the "Star Wars" movie series? mean tointhe scientific 5. LITERATURE: Which famous entertainer started a children's book-giving community? program called Imagination Library? What does the Lat3. the LANGUAGE: 6. ANIMALinKINGDOM: bird's mean eye is larger its brain? prefixWhich “sub-” inthan English?

7. U.S. CITIES: U.S.PRESIDENTS: city's nickname is The District?

4.Which U.S. Who was the 8. HISTORY: In which modern country is the ancient of Babylon only president to serve twocivilization nonconlocated? secutive terms?

9. GENERAL5.

KNOWLEDGE: How many articles are in the20th-cenU.S. Constitution?

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3. The name for the Albuquerque Isotopes Minor League Baseball club was inspired by a fictional team from what TV comedy series?

4. Jim Covert and Ed Sprinkle, two members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020, spent their entire playing careers with what NFL franchise?

5. What traditional Japanese martial art is literally translated as “the way of the sword”?

6. Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated what mixed martial arts superstar in a 2017 boxing megafight in Las Vegas?

7. What Croatia-born basketball player won three NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls from 1996-98 and was the 1996 NBA Sixth Man of the Year?

Answers 1. 13. He hit eight of them in his 1962 rookie season.

2. The Big Whistle.

3. The Simpsons.

4. The Chicago Bears.

5. Kendo.

6. Conor McGregor.

7. Toni Kukoc. © 2020 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

6. Ostrich.

7. Washington, D.C. 8. Iraq.

9. Seven.

10. Airbnb.

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2. Iceland.

3. "Borderline."

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Sports Quiz answers

16: HEALTH SERVICES

3: SUBLEASE

17: TYPING

4: ROOMMATES

18: PERSONALS

5: REAL ESTATE

19: CONNECTIONS

6: FURNISHINGS

20: EVENTS/NOTICES

7: COMPUTERS

21: ENTERTAINMENT

8: ELECTRONICS

22: TICKETS

9: BICYCLES

23: RIDES

10: FOR SALE

24: PETS

11: MOTORCYCLES/MOPEDS

25: LOST & FOUND

12: AUTOS 13: WANTED 14: HELP WANTED

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FOOTBALL

Patience and persistence: Ja’Markis Weston and Derek Wingo’s UF football journey THE REDSHIRT SENIOR EDGE RUSHER AND MIDDLE LINEBACKER ARE PREPARING FOR THEIR FIFTH AND SIXTH SEASONS AT FLORIDA

By Max Tucker Sports Writer

Over the past six years, Florida football players, coaches and fans experienced some of the highest and lowest points in program history.

Nobody may have a better understanding of this than redshirt senior edge rusher Ja’Markis Weston and redshirt senior linebacker Derek Wingo.

Despite a wacky 2020 season filled with COVID-19 rules and regulations, UF was coming off its thirdstraight New Year’s Six bowl game appearance. The future under former head coach Dan Mullen looked promising.

Weston entered his redshirt

sophomore season in 2021, but the program started to spiral, leading to a coaching change amid the worst three-year stretch of Florida football since the 1940s.

But Weston — who was recruited

by Mullen to play wide receiver and is now embarking on his fourth position at UF — provided an ultimate team-first mentality.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” Weston said. “I have no complaints.

Going in day in and day out, working with my brothers, just being able to be here with them to show them the ropes. Not self-serving, but being able to just bring everybody together as one.”

After playing receiver in his first three seasons at UF, Weston transitioned to the defensive side of the ball, where he played safety, linebacker and now edge. He’s also provided a valuable role for the special teams group as a gunner.

Today, it’s more common than ever for a player to hop in the transfer portal, whether it’s to pursue more playing time or a new head

coach. Weston’s mindset was just the opposite.

“It’s all about taking advantage of your time,” Weston said. “That’s what I stayed here for. [I’m] just trying to pour into the young guys, making sure they do the right thing and holding them up to the standard that was set way before us.”

Weston’s production for the Gators likely wasn’t what he envisioned when he arrived at UF. After choosing Florida over Penn State and Tennessee, he caught just six passes for 81 yards and one touchdown in his first three seasons donning the orange and blue.

But the lessons on and off the field were an invaluable experience for Weston. His commitment to the program despite his lack of in-game reps and position changes taught him a life-long lesson.

“There’s a lot to learn with football,” Weston said. “You just got to put your head down and be able to grow and be able to be versatile. It’s going to add up later on.”

After receiving nearly 30 Division

I offers, Wingo had high hopes for his collegiate career. He was named the 2019 Gatorade Florida Football Player of the Year but has been unable to solidify himself in a starting role for the Gators.

Entering his fifth year at UF, redshirt senior linebacker Derek Wingo has also had a taste of both the recent successes and failures of the program.

“I’ve had the unique opportunity here at the University of Florida,” Wingo said. “When you think about everything that I’ve been through here, two different head coaches, four different strength head coaches, three different position coaches [and] four different DCs.” Stepping into a leadership position can be difficult, but Wingo embraced it. He has a keen understanding of the winning history within the program and is driven to get Florida back to elite status.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Wingo said. “Passing things down to guys younger so that we’re all able to get better as a whole because when

you’re being a leader to others, it’s really just helping you at the end of the day as well.”

The quarterback position in football is often thought of as the most crucial one in the sport. It’s not only important they know how to read a defense or make an audible, but to have someone who embraces his teammates’ hardships.

This is exactly what the Gators have in redshirt senior quarterback Graham Mertz. The Wisconsin transfer is entering his sixth collegiate season and has been at the forefront of Florida’s improved culture and brotherhood during Weston and Wingo’s final seasons.

“This is the closest team I’ve ever been on,” Mertz said. “I think the guys genuinely love each other. They care about each other…

They’ve done that work ahead of time because they want to, not just because they have to, [and] you see that transfer to the field.” @Max_Tuckr1 mtucker@alligator.org

MEN'S TENNIS

Kevin Edengren seeking to carry momentum after solid finish to Spring season THE SOPHOMORE WORKED HIS WAY INTO THE LINEUP FOR THE GATORS HALFWAY THROUGH THE SPRING

By Chandler Hawkes Sports Writer

The last Florida men’s tennis team’s season ended with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to UCF in the NCAA Tournament. But this Fall, the team will look to take a step forward.

Head coach Adam Steinberg is entering his second year at the helm with two new assistants by his side: Max Koller and Anthony Rossi.

This year’s team features seven returning players, including sophomore Kevin Edengren, who won five singles matches in a row to end the regular season and will be seeking to continue his strong play this Fall.

“That was big to get those wins later in the season,” Edengren said. “And you know, I want to continue that streak that I had for this Fall. So, yeah, I'm super pumped and super motivated for that.”

A common narrative in tennis is the more comfortable you are, the better your performance will be. This rings true for both the physical and mental aspects of the game.

Edengren is a prime example of what happens when you settle into a collegiate program and get comfortable with your sur-

roundings and new style of play.

When Edengren arrived on campus in January, it was his first time being a part of a team and in a college tennis environment. He was also new to playing most of his matches on a hard court surface.

These adjustments, along with a roster containing impressive depth, kept Edengren out of Florida’s competing lineup until early March.

“It was a bit difficult to come in the spring,” Edengren said. “I would rather prefer to come in in the Fall so you can adjust more with the coaches, the team and the school a bit more.”

One of the biggest adversities Edengren overcame was the stylistic change in his game.

Edengren trained in Spain on red clay, which causes a slower, more defensive style of tennis — a playstyle he succeeded with in the past. By comparison, hard-court tennis in the U.S. is faster and more aggressive.

Florida’s coaching staff knew that Edengren had to adapt his play style if he wanted to be successful at UF despite his accomplishments throughout his career in Spain, Sweden and Malaysia.

“He bought into play[ing] more aggressive and trying to change some things, and things started to click for him,” Steinberg said. “Just playing more aggressive [and] looking to come forward more, I think building his game around his forehand more than he ever has, I think it's important for him.”

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Gabriella Aulisio // Alligator Staff

Kevin Edengren plays against a North Florida player on Jan. 19, 2024.

Once Edengren understood the coaching staff’s vision, his results and confidence improved. He re-emerged in the Gators’ lineup March 10 on the road against No. 9 Tennessee and made a statement, winning in

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straight sets.

From that point on, Edengren won eight of his last 11 singles matches, including five victories in a row to close out the regular season.

Edengren’s teammates noticed the change in his mentality on the court as he displayed his talents on a new level.

“He's become confident in himself,” graduate student JanMagnus Johnson said.

“I think he's just more confident in his game, he's bought into all the advice from the coaches and stuff and working really hard off the court as well.”

Johnson also said it’s important to have a strong bond both on and off the court with teammates and coaches. He and Edengren spent hours together studying and hanging out, and it contributed to Edengren’s oncourt success.

“You want to create good relationships with everyone, and I think the quicker you can kind of get to have a close relationship with your teammates [the better],” Johnson said.

With the Fall season approaching, Edengren is excited to get started with his new teammates and freshly hired coaches.

“We have a strong team this Fall,” Edengren said, “and it's also a motivating feeling when you get new coaches and new teammates to show them we are on a winning team. We are very gritty out there. It'll be fun.”

Follow us for updates

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

@HawkesChandler chawkes@alligator.org

12 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024