Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) runs with the ball during a football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Florida Gators on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.
Noah Lantor // Alligator Staff
THE TAMPA NATIVE RECORDED SIX CATCHES FOR 111 YARDS AND TWO TOUCHDOWNS
By Max Bernstein Sports Writer
Sitting with a 1-3 record heading into October, the Gators’ offense needed a spark.
Florida had managed only 11 points per game in its three consecutive defeats.
Following a 55-0 win against Long Island in its opener, it seemed UF's formerly potent attack had run out of gas.
The Gators’ next test wasn't against just any team. The then-No. 9 Texas Longhorns traveled to Gainesville for the
SEE WILSON, PAGE 10
AFTER 26 YEARS AT SFPD, GAINESVILLE NATIVE RYAN WOODS STEPS UP TO THE TOP POSITION
By Leona Masangkay Alligator Staff Writer
There’s a new chief in town for the Santa Fe College Police Department, but his name is
far from unknown.
After rising through the ranks as officer, lieutenant, captain and major at SFPD over the course of 26 years, 58-year-old Ryan Woods began his role as chief on Oct. 1.
“I’ve been at Santa Fe a long time,” Woods said. “I actually get to take it to the next level.”
The Gainesville native has spent his entire
SEE SFC POLICE, PAGE 3
This year marks lowest voter turnout since 2020
Vision Party won the 49 Student Government seats up for election Sept. 30, maintaining its majority in the Student Senate.
Three write-in candidates tied for a 50th Graham Area seat with one vote each. However, the seat will remain vacant, according to Supervisor of Elections Lexi Sederopoulos, as it will no longer exist following Graham Hall’s demolition.
Vision was the only party to register in the election, leaving most of the seats uncontested. Only a handful of independent candidates challenged it after Change Party opted not to enter. It’s the first time in recent SG history one party has run unopposed.
The three independent candidates running for Yulee Area, Hume Area and off-campus positions lost.
This year’s election marked the lowest Fall turnout since 2020.
About 8,100 students voted between Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 — a roughly 18% decrease in turnout compared to Fall 2024, when 9,899 students cast ballots. A hurricane interrupted last year’s election, which split the two voting days between different weeks and could explain low turnout.
Vision representatives declined to comment after results were announced at the Reitz Student Union.
Kayla Arora, a 15-year-old education freshman who ran for an off-campus seat, thought she had a good chance at winning this semester, she said. She credited her loss to the redistricting of off-campus areas into one at-large district in Fall 2024. Arora also announced her plans to run for SG again next semester.
“I tried my best in this election,” she said. “I guess we’ll always have next Spring. I’ll be run-
ning, and I’ll be starting a party next Spring under the College of Education.”
Hume Area independent candidate Gabrielle Ontiveros, a 19-year-old psychology sophomore, said prior to the results she was shocked to see Vision was the only party running.
Ontiveros said she was proud of Vision’s efforts to gain voters despite running unopposed. Vision’s landslide win didn’t surprise her, she added, and she didn’t mind Vision being the only party running, because the cycle of SG alternates parties often.
Ontiveros expressed interest in running again and said she’d consider joining a party depending on who comes along. She added she can see herself joining Vision Party one day.
“I just find the fun in it,” she said. “I think it’s a really good experience to talk to a lot of people on campus and also meet people from other parties.”
Independent candidate Timothy Dillehay, a 19-year-old political science and history sophomore, lost the Yulee area race. The Alligator could not reach him for comment following the results.
Before the election, he told The Alligator his goal would be to improve the student experience at UF.
Change Party senator Andrew Larsen, who was elected in the Spring, attended the Reitz Union results party and said he’s proud of the three independent candidates — particularly Arora, the independent candidate for the offcampus seat, who garnered over 700 votes.
Larsen pointed out the difficulties independent candidates face without a party to fall back on, saying it is difficult to run with no party-wide promotions.
“All three of those candidates earned every single vote that they
got independently, entirely by themselves, and that's a really impressive feat,” he said.
Larsen added he does not believe Vision is an accurate representation of the UF student body, and said he hopes Vision listens to students this semester and holds itself accountable to the voting results.
Voting perspectives
Earlier in the day, students headed to the polls — some supporting friends and others voting in line with their Greek organizations.
Alex Styka, an 18-year-old accounting freshman, said he voted because his friends were voting. He wrote in a friend’s name rather than voting for one of the listed candidates, he added.
“I didn’t feel comfortable voting for someone that I didn’t know, for a position that I also didn’t know,” Styka said.
Styka said he thinks it’s strange Vision is the only party running this election cycle, though he added the situation is “not my beef.”
Styka’s friend, 18-year-old psychology freshman Ellie Roisman, voted because her mom participated in SG during her time at UF, she said, and because her sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi, required it. While the chapter told members it usually votes for Vision candidates, Roisman said, it did not ask her to vote in any specific way.
Roisman added she voted for a friend of hers in the write-in section, though she was unsure for which position.
“I feel like [my friend] would be good just because I didn’t know a ton about the other candidates, and I feel like there wasn’t as many opportunities to learn about them,” she said.
Maria Prieto, a 19-year-old English sophomore, went with a friend to vote. The two of them hope the election will ensure SG’s budget — just under $23 million — is properly handled.
“A lot of money goes into the student government,” she said. “We want to make sure that's going somewhere we can actually choose and be involved with.”
The Vision Party’s tabling outside the Reitz encouraged them to vote, Prieto said.
Mariana Gonzalez, a 19-yearold industrial engineering sophomore, voted for Dillehay, the independent Yulee candidate.
“I think it’s important to vote because you need someone to represent you,” Gonzalez said. “Someone who stands for your values and what you want for the school.”
Engagement Managing Editor
Digital Managing Editor
Enterprise Editor
Metro Editor
Alissa Gary, agary@alligator.org
Zoey Thomas, zthomas@alligator.org
Sophia Bailly, sbailly@alligator.org
Shaine Davison, sdavison@alligator.org
Megan Howard, mhoward@alligator.org
Opinions Editor
University Editor El Caimán Editor
Sports Editor
Assistant Sports Editor
Multimedia Editor
Assistant Multimedia Editor the Avenue Editor
Editorial Board
Advertising Office Manager
Maria Avlonitis, mavlonitis@alligator.org
Corey Fiske, cfiske@alligator.org
Juliana DeFilippo, jdefilippo@alligator.org
Vera Lucia Pappaterra, vpappaterra@alligator.org
Luke Adragna, ladragna@alligator.org
Amanda Roman, aroman@alligator.org
Sydney Johnson, sjohnson@alligator.org
Noah Lantor, nlantor@alligator.org
Copy Desk Chief Pristine Thai, pthai@alligator.org
Alissa Gary, Zoey Thomas, Sophia Bailly, Pristine Thai, & Corey Fiske
352-376-4482
Sales Representatives Cheryl del Rosario, cdelrosario@alligator.org
BUSINESS
Paige Montero, Simone Simpson, Jasmine Chavez, Andrew Han, Makenna Paul, Sofia Korostyshevsky, Lilly Schneider, Ashley Demir, Daniel Sanchez
Angelina Rota-Ono, Juliana Arbelaiz, Sofia Morales-Guzman, Mixtli Huerta, Lara Baran, Alessandra Puccini
352-373-3463
Classified Advertising Manager Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org
352-376-4446
Comptroller Delia Kradolfer, dkradolfer@alligator.org
Bookkeeper Cheryl del Rosario, cdelrosario@alligator.org
Administrative Assistant Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org
352-376-4446
General Manager Shaun O'Connor, soconnor@alligator.org
President Emeritus C.E. Barber, cebarber@alligator.org
IT
System Engineer Kevin Hart
Production Manager
Namari Lock, nlock@alligator.org
Publication Manager Deion McLeod, dmcleod@alligator.org
The Independent Florida Alligator is a student newspaper serving the University of Florida, published by a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) educational organization, Campus Communications Inc., P.O. Box 14257, Gainesville, Florida, 32604-2257. The Alligator is published Monday mornings, except during holidays and exam periods. The Alligator is a member of the Newspaper Association of America, National Newspaper Association, Florida Press Association and Southern University Newspapers.
The Alligator strives to be accurate and clear in its news reports and editorials. If you find an error, please call our newsroom at 352-376-4458 or email editor@alligator.org 352-376-4458 NEWSROOM:
at 2700 SW 13th St. © Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. No portion of The Alligator may be reproduced in any means without the written consent of an officer of Campus Communications Inc.
law enforcement career at SFPD, beginning in 1998.
Former Police Chief Ed Book announced his retirement in May, and a national search for his replacement ensued. After undergoing several interviews, Woods received news he landed the role in late August.
From student to chief Woods began his career in public safety because of his desire to help other people, he said. But that wasn’t the only reason he became a policeman.
Woods said the 1968 crime drama, “Adam-12,” inspired him to become an officer. This led him to attend the Santa Fe College Institute of Public Safety after graduating from Gainesville High School.
Woods got his first job out of college as an officer at Santa Fe. He has been there ever since.
Upon receiving the news of his promotion, he said he felt ecstatic and grateful.
“I can’t even express how honored I am to actually lead our department,” Woods said. “I spent almost all of my adult life here at Santa Fe, so to take that next step is truly a blessing.”
SFPD has a strong, secure foundation and doesn’t need to be reinvented, Woods said. But he said his first order of business is to discuss areas of improvement that focus on the organization’s stakeholders, like students, faculty, staff and visitors.
Community policing — becoming familiar with the people of Santa Fe — is the most important part of being an officer, Woods said. The key to creating that community: being attentive to students and attending events, like plays, concerts or volunteering, he said.
“We make sure we attend almost every single function, not just because we’re the police, but because we are all Saints,” Woods said.
Recognizing the former chief
Woods has worked at SFPD longer than Book, and according to the former chief, Woods helped Book get acclimated to the college.
Book and his wife started planning for his retirement three years ago, after his wife, Lori Book, retired from her 38-year-long career as an elementary school teacher. SFPD is in excellent shape, he added, signaling a good time for the transition.
Book spent over 26 years serving the Gainesville Police Department and 40 years in law enforcement. He joined SFPD in October 2011 and began his second job as a Gainesville city commissioner in January 2023 — a role in which he’ll continue serving post-retirement. He said he helped establish identity and a culture of excellence at the SFPD during his time as chief.
On Sept. 23, Santa Fe officials named the campus’s emergency operations center after Book and presented him with a name plaque to be hung in the center. Later that day, the Santa Fe Board of Trustees presented Book with a resolution, or
printed letter of gratitude, acknowledging his service.
Woods’ colleagues look forward to seeing a familiar face lead the SFPD.
Lt. Mark Barley has worked at SFPD for 18 years. Woods knows the college well, Barley said, and he recognizes where it can improve.
Woods is on the student disciplinary admissions board and chairs the behavioral intervention team, Barley said. He also frequently collaborates with Santa Fe Student Government and athletics.
“We’re all very excited to see the direction that Major Woods can take us,” Barley said. “We’re hopeful that he can build on the legacy that Chief Books has left here.”
Outside of SFPD, Woods serves on the Black on Black Crime Task Force for Gainesville.
Carl Smart, the task force’s interim chairperson, said Woods analyzes trends in crime to see which areas need the most attention.
Woods works with young people in the program to discourage criminal activity, Smart said. He also guided interested students through Santa Fe’s enrollment process to further their educational prospects.
Woods will serve as a role model for people across the county and will be instrumental in future hiring processes, Smart said.
“It means a lot when we have a Black officer at his level, at his rank in the police department who still relates well to the young people,” Smart said.
@leo_amasangkay lmasangkay@alligator.org
By Teia Williams Alligator Staff Writer
The state of Florida executed 64-year-old Victor Tony Jones on Tuesday at 6:13 p.m. by lethal injection for the 1990 murder of a married couple he worked for. His last words were, “No, sir,” according to a witness of his execution.
He is the 13th person executed in Florida this year, which is the most of any U.S. state this year and a record for the state. In 2014, Florida executed eight people, its highest number before this year. Florida has executed 119 people, including Jones, since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
The crime
On Dec. 19, 1990, Jones fatally stabbed Matilda and Jacob Nestor at work in Miami. Jones was employed with their company for two days, according to court documents.
Jones attacked Matilda, 66, from behind as she was walking to the bathroom and stabbed her in the neck.
Jones then went into an office, where he found Jacob, 67, and
stabbed him in the chest. Jacob reached for a telephone in a failed attempt to call for help, and then he shot at Jones five times, hitting him once in the forehead. According to records, Jones robbed the Nestors after the attack.
During the attack, a UPS delivery man looked into the mail slot and saw a man’s feet, legs and blood on the floor. The delivery man requested help from a neighbor and called emergency services.
Police officers arrested Jones upon discovering him alive and seated on a couch, covered in blood.
Jones said his head hurt while sitting in the back of a responding officer’s car. Jones said, "The old man shot me,” according to records, and refused to comment on further details while en route to the hospital.
Two wallets, which were identified Matilda’s and Jacob’s, were found in Jones’ clothes at the hospital.
According to court documents, Jones said he had to leave the hospital because he had “killed those people.” When the nurse asked why, he said, “They owed me money, and I had to kill them.”
Read the rest online at alligator.org.
@teia_williams twilliams@alligator.org
OPEN UNTIL 9 PM EVERY THURSDAY
Thursday, October 9, 6 – 9 pm
Join us for a dance demonstration by powwow performers Duane Whitehorse, Maria Whitehorse-Izzary and Terell Anquoe; artist demonstrations by local artists Mario Mutis and Sylvestre Reyes; beading workshop with Yona Ovdiyenko, Bears’ Beadwork and a coil pottery art activity
Thursday, October 30, 6 – 9 pm
Wine down with a performance by DJ Wax Atom. Free lite bites and desserts, along with wine and beer.
By Angelique Rodriguez Alligator Staff Writer
Oranges — one of Florida’s most iconic symbols — have suffered a major decline in production since the 1980s, when a large freeze event heavily damaged the citrus industry. But one UF graduate student is looking to revive the state’s orange trees and the industry along with them.
Nazneen Qureshi, a UF 26-year-old graduate research assistant in horticultural sciences, is researching how photoperiod — the amount of light a plant receives each day — can help citrus fruits tolerate cold weather, which is currently an “unprecedented territory,” she said.
Citrus plants are usually defenseless in cold weather, according to UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and they’re unable to survive extended periods of time below 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Amid recent harsher winters, the state’s citrus industry is under threat. On Jan. 21, the weather in Pensacola broke records for Florida’s snowiest two-day period since 1895, according to the National Weather Service. It dropped to 13 degrees Fahrenheit.
Breeding cold resistance
Qureshi’s research, done alongside UF horticultural science professor Muhammad Adnan Shahid, looks at whether the amount of light a plant receives influences its cold tolerance.
Qureshi and Shahid will be stationed in Quincy, Florida, with a research team for the next two years, testing whether photoperiod helps citrus fruits survive in cold temperatures.
The research’s results will be useful to citrus growers and UF/IFAS’s citrus breeding program, Shadid said, so they can produce cold-resistant varieties of the fruit.
Research into freeze tolerance among citrus crops remains limited, Qureshi said. It’s important to know what factors boost this endurance so citrus breeders can create crop varieties that are tolerant to cooler temperatures, she added.
“Right now, farmers are having very major losses because of the freeze events, which are not very common,” Qureshi said. “We had 7 inches of snow recently in 2025 January. So in order to develop the freeze-tolerant varieties, we need this fundamental research.”
Freeze impacts Kevin Folta, a UF horticultural sciences professor who specializes in fruit physiology, has grown citrus crops for 10 years. As both a fruit science expert and co-founder of Eggsot-
ics, a family farm that grows varieties of citrus trees, he has seen and experienced how weather changes impact citrus crops.
Folta said his wife, a specialty citrus grower, produces oranges, lemons and finger limes, and they sell their fruits at farmers markets and through restaurants. Their farm in Archer has 18 acres of citrus trees and greenhouses holding about 60 trees.
Folta has seen his crops suffer from freeze events, most recently earlier this year. They experienced nights at 20 to 24 degrees Fahren-
heit, he said, and several trees did not survive.
“The first 24-degree night was the night my son was born, and I couldn’t be there to protect the trees, so we lost quite a few young trees because of the freeze,” Folta said. “Older trees lost early fruit.”
This year has been a weak year for fruit, he said. Folta estimated his farm lost up to $2,000 in trees because of the freeze.
When weather cools down slowly, Folta said, citrus plants can acclimate to the changes effectively. But sudden cold snaps don’t give citrus plants as much time to adjust, resulting in damaged crops. It’s impossible to protect a large amount of trees during cold periods, Folta said.
“You can’t possibly protect massive acreage,” he said.
Folta said he tried to rebuild what was lost, but a few years of production were squandered from just a few days of 20-degree weather.
The industry is under a lot of pressure because of freeze events and low funding, he said. Citrus is an important crop, he said, and there needs to be more money in citrus research.
Florida has a special connection to citrus, Folta said, and it’s critical for UF and the research community to do what it can to expand citrus production.
“Citrus is an iconic Florida fruit,” he said. “It’s on our license plates, and it’s something that goes hand in hand with Florida.”
For Martha Burke, the owner of Camellia Groves in Winter Haven, the citrus industry is a lifestyle. She said her grandfather started the citrus farm 100 years ago, laying the foundation for Burke’s family to grow and sell lemons.
Burke said she can only grow citrus as far north as they can in Central Florida, about an hour east of Tampa, because the weather is hot during the winter, which is ideal for her lemon trees.
She said she worries about climate change and its effects on her farm. The scientific community’s support is a big deal, Burke said. Citrus research is vital to the wellness of the crops of many farms like her own, she said.
“I believe that citrus research is the only thing that’s going to save the citrus industry,” she said.
@angeliquesrod arodriguez@alligator.org
By Alexa Ryan Alligator Staff Writer
Beginning in October, repeat sexual offenders in Florida will serve a minimum of a decade in jail for their crimes.
A new Florida law establishing a minimum jail sentence for people repeatedly convicted of sex crimes is meant to keep sex offenders from continuing to reoffend. But critics worry the bill goes too far, saying judges who normally dole out sentences on a case-by-case basis, with the help of sentencing guidelines, will no longer have as much control over their decisions.
The law gives a minimum sentence of 10 years for possession of child pornography and 15 years for intending to share it. People repeat-
edly convicted of molesting children or elderly people will also receive a minimum 10-year sentence under the law.
These sentences only apply when people are convicted for the second time of a sexual offense.
The law establishing the minimum sentences, House Bill 1455, was part of a series of bills aimed at protecting children against sexual crimes signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in June. Among the other bills passed was Brooke’s Law, which forces social media companies to take down AI-generated sexual depictions of people created without their consent when asked.
House Bill 1455 passed unanimously. But some lawyers disagree with its premise, saying minimum jail time undermines the judicial system.
Before the law took effect, sentencing was left up to judges — meaning each judge had the final say in how long or short someone’s
sentence should be. They took into account factors like specific circumstances and the individual’s past offenses, which could show their actions in a different light and lead to a shorter sentence in some cases.
Now, judges must stick to the mandatory minimum set by law — regardless of the sentence they would have dealt in the past.
Aaron Wayt, the legislative cochair of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, disagrees with mandatory minimum sentences in almost all cases.
“We should trust the judges that we elect. We should trust the prosecutors that we elect,” he said. “We should trust the people in the courtroom to know how to handle that case.”
Wayt said repeat sex offenders — those who committed similar offenses again despite being given second chances — need to be punished more harshly than the first time they were convicted. But
he doesn’t think mandatory minimums are the way to do so.
State Rep. Jessica Baker, who sponsored the bill, said she typically agrees with Wayt’s perspective on the issue of mandatory minimums. But the new law only applies minimum sentences to repeat offenders, not to first-time offenders. That’s why, in this case, she had no issue with the mandatory minimums, she said.
“You have already been given a chance,” she said. “There is no redeeming you. You need to go behind bars because you cannot be in society.”
Baker recalled a detective proposing the bill to her. After she spoke with prosecutors, Baker learned Florida laws on sentencing for sexual crimes are much more lenient than federal laws, she said.
Federal law already sets minimum mandatory sentences for several sexual offenses.
Baker said she hopes the bill will
ensure sex offenders don’t continue to commit crimes.
According to Baker, Florida prosecutors sometimes give cases involving repeat offenders to the federal government because it has harsher penalties. The new bill will allow state and local prosecutors to maintain control and produce consistent outcomes for similar sexual offenses.
“Not only will it make sure that these horrible people are off the street, but it will also create consistency across Florida,” Baker said. During the legislative process, only one legislator, state Rep. Michael Gottlieb, voted against the bill. He eventually opted to approve it in the final vote, allowing the bill to pass unanimously. Gottlieb was not available for comment, his assistant said.
@AlexaRyan_ aryan@alligator.org
By Summer Johnston Avenue Staff Writer
For college students, cooking delicious meals without breaking the bank can be a struggle — especially when your dorm kitchen has barely functional appliances. But college meals don’t have to be bland, time-consuming or expensive.
Embrace the flavors of fall with these budget-friendly original recipes. Although I prefer to shop at Trader Joe’s, most of these ingredients can be found at any grocery store.
Since moving to Florida from my home state of Washington at age 17, I have developed a knack for creating my own cozy autumn season, even without the changing leaves or chilly weather, by creating recipes.
There is nothing like tasting a soft, slightly sweet butternut squash roasted with savory spices. Its nuttiness resembles a cross between a pumpkin and a potato. To get a
well-rounded flavor profile, I would recommend using the Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute.
Lunch: Stuffed Butternut Squash
($1.50/serving)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
• 1 large butternut squash
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 pound of ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder + 1 tablespoon onion powder (or Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons celery salt
• 2 leaves of fresh rosemary
Mozzarella cheese sauce:
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard or save for another use.
3. Drizzle both halves with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Place the two halves hollow side up on a baking sheet. Roast for approximately 45 minutes or until fork-tender.
5. While the squash is roasting, prepare the filling.
6. Pour the ground turkey into a medium-sized pan on medium heat and cook until brown.
7. Season with 21 Seasoning Salute, minced garlic and celery salt.
8. In a small pot over medium heat, combine mozzarella cheese, heavy whipping cream and unsalted butter.
9. Stir until the mixture becomes thick and creamy.
10. When the squash is done roasting, hollow out the middle and place the filling inside.
11. Pour mozzarella sauce on top of the squash and spread evenly.
12. Turn the oven to high broil and place the baking sheet inside to caramelize the cheese
www.alligator.org/section/the-avenue
for 5 minutes or until golden brown. 13. Remove from the oven and garnish with rosemary leaves.
Tip: Make a double batch of the mozzarella cheese sauce and use it for other recipes.
The warm feeling of sitting by a fire and smelling a caramel apple candle is a core autumn memory of mine. For this dessert recipe, I wanted to capture that essence. For most college students, it is hard to find recipes that are only for one person.
This single-serve apple crumble has the spiced cinnamon and warm apple flavors you won’t want to miss out on. For a golden brown topping, I recommend you put the dessert into the oven. However, if you want a quicker process, you can put the apples in the microwave for 2 minutes and add the topping. Then, microwave it for another 2 minutes.
Read the rest online at alligator.org/ section/the-avenue.
@summerajohnston sjohnston@alligator.org
BRING THE STORY OF KING HENRY VIII’S WIVES TO LIFE
By Aaliyah Evertz Avenue Staff Writer
When the bright-colored lights came up on Buchholz High School’s stage on the night of Oct. 2, six young queens stepped forward — not just as the wives of King Henry VIII, but as storytellers reclaiming their place in history.
The school’s production of “Six: Teen Edition” featured pop-
style music, flashing lights and choreography that mirrored a concert performance, showcasing local teen talent while highlighting voices from history.
Drama instructor Shannon Singley, now in her first year at Buchholz after nearly a decade of teaching in Ocala, said students helped choose “Six” as the fall musical.
Entering her first year in the program, Singley had to get to know the students, so she asked what they wanted to put on. When they suggested “Six,” she was im-
Keep up with the Avenue on Twitter.
Tweet us
mediately on board.
The musical, created by Lucy Noss and Toby Marlow, reimagines the six wives of Henry VIII as an all-girl band, each telling her story through witty pop songs. While it touches on their fates, including divorce and execution, the emphasis is on humor, empowerment and reclaiming their voices.
For Singley, the heart of the musical lies in its mission.
“The whole point of the show is to tell the stories of people who don’t get their stories told, people who would otherwise be lost to
history,” Singley said.
Unlike other school productions where faculty take the lead behind the scenes, Buchholz’s “Six” has been shaped by student directors and choreographers. Benny Gurrala, a 17-year-old senior and co-director, said casting and staging was a collaborative effort.
“One big thing we were looking for was people who would blend well and work well together,” Gurrala said. “We had them sing harmonies together … because that’s a big part of the show.”
He said the production was di-
vided into two casts to give more students the opportunity to perform while keeping both casts balanced in talent and ability.
The directing team also introduced creative choices in staging and design. Gurrala said their minimalist set, featuring only thrones onstage, ensured the queens’ voices and choreography took center stage.
Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/the-avenue.
@aaliyahevertz1 aevertz@alligator.org
@TheFloridaAve. MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025
www.alligator.org/section/opinions
This column is intended for general knowledge only and should not be considered professional medical advice. Always consult with a licensed care provider before making decisions related to your health.
If there were a miracle pill that could help prevent chronic illness, improve your mental health and help you live longer, we’d all be lining up for it. This miracle actually does exist — but it’s not a pill. It’s exercise.
Bummer, I know.
I’m not here to convince you exercise is the most fun thing ever. But I believe there’s a form of movement out there for everyone — you just have to find yours.
The truth is, we all need to get moving.
A study involving 1.4 million people found participants with high levels of physical activity had a significantly decreased risk of developing 10 types of cancer, after controlling for body mass index. Exercise is associated with reduced incidence of coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart attacks and Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, strong evidence suggests physi-
cal activity has positive impacts on mental health, selfesteem, stress reduction and emotional regulation.
Lara Caglayan opinions@alligator.org
LThe general recommendation is a minimum of 150 minutes of moderateintensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, plus two days of muscle-strengthening activities (like bodyweight exercises or lifting weights), per week.
In a 30-year study of over 100,000 Americans, participants who met or exceeded the weekly recommendation had significantly lower risks of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease-related mortality and non-cardiovascular disease-related mortality.
Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/opinions.
Lara Caglayan is a 21-year-old UF nutritional sciences senior.
ike many Florida fans, I went into the Oct. 4 game uncertain. ESPN professionals and Reddit users alike claimed the Texas Longhorns would comfortably win against the Gators’ persistent issues this season.
But as the clock dwindled down, Arch Manning made one last attempt to find the end zone and instead — BAM! — a sack sending the Longhorns back to Austin with their horns down.
This was a much-needed win. With all the questions about Billy Napier’s program all across the country, Florida showed the nation exactly who they are. And they did it exactly where they do it best: The Swamp.
The Gators didn’t just get a lucky win last night. They simply played better. They outgained, outhit and outlasted. An offense that played better than they have in weeks gained a gorgeous 457 yards. DJ Lagway played with a presence far beyond his years, extending plays and finishing drives. The offense wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t need to be.
Texas, on the other hand, once an alleged playoff contender, could not get it together. Their run game was absolutely stalled with only 52 yards, and Manning lived up to the nepo baby comments (It’s worth a mention that when Texas did bring in their backup
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Alligator.
quarterback, it was one of their better plays.)
The Gators had a team triumph last night. Taylor Spierto blocked a punt in the second quarter, Dallas Wilson scored his first career touchdown and defense forced a crucial turnover in the fourth.
Ask anyone who was there: This game wasn’t about stats or schemes. It was about the atmosphere. The last time Texas played in Gainesville was 1940; Gatorade hadn’t even been invented yet.
The Swamp, with its sweltering humidity and vig orous passion, made sure only Gators got out alive. Every third down felt like a warzone, every Texas timeout reeked of desperation. Napier said it best af ter the game: “The fans showed up and showed out.”
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.
Edited by Patti Varol
● UF Surplus On-Line Auctions ● are underway...bikes, computers, furniture, vehicles & more. All individuals interested in bidding go to: SURPLUS.UFL.EDU 392-0370 8-14-25-13-10
Donate your vehicle to help find missing kids and keep kids safe. Fast free pickup, running or not, 24 hr. response. No emission test required, maximum tax deduction. Support Find the Children Call – Call 1-833-546-7050 10-6-27-12
● CASH FOR YOUR STUFF ● ● GAINESVILLE COLLECTIBLES IS BUYING Gold/Silver Coins ● Paper Money ● Stamps Watches ● Jewelry ● Silver Flatware Comic Books ● Sports Items Near Campus ● Call 352-776-6591 10-22-25-34-13 You need the money to do what you will Rich at Best Jewelry and Loan has the
NEW CONDOS-WALK TO UF For Info on ALL Condos for Sale, Visit www.UFCONDOS.COM or Matt Price, University Realty, 352-281-3551 12-1-25-15-5
When the heat is on
CASH PAID FOR HIGH-END MEN'S SPORT WATCHES. Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. These brands only! Call for a quote: 1-833-641-0211 10-6-23-13
We Buy Vintage Guitars! Looking for 19201980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D'Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. These brands only! Call for a quote: 1-833-641-6789 10-6-37-13
PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for a quote or inspection today 1-833-542-1732 Have zip code of property ready when calling! 10-6-83-15
When you're stuck out in Oz and you need cash to get home, click your heels three times and think of Best Jewelry and Loan. 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367 12-1-15-15
● Affordable RV Camping Near Campus! ● Convenient location just minutes from UF. Safe, quiet, perfect for game day weekends. Water, electric, and Wi-Fi. Reserve your spot today! 352-372-1026 katesfishcamp.com Book Early - Limited Spots! 12-1-25-15-15
523
3rd
CPR Training? (352) 727-4733 www.GatorCPR.com CNA Prep Classes from GatorCNA.com 12-1-25-15-16
for
(optional
352-371-4367 21-1-15-16 When cash is low and the bills seem out of reach, Best Jewelry and Loan is the surfer's "Pawn
1. MOVIES: In the United States, what is the title of the first Harry Potter movie?
2. GEOGRAPHY: The Prime Meridian Line runs through which major city?
These Might be the Bible Answers you've been Looking for !!! www.MusingsAboutGod.com Logical, Clear, Respectful......ahhhh......... but a little Different ... 10-20-25-12-20
352-371-4367 12-1-15-20 Surf on down to "Pawn Beach" when the tide seems too high. We're your summer cash friends so your blues will be all sky! 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367 12-1-15-21
3. HISTORY: When did federal child labor law start in the United States?
4. ACRONYMS: What does the acronym VPN stand for?
5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president appeared on the 1960s comedy show "LaughIn"?
6. TELEVISION: Which teen show starred Mayim Bialik before she got the role as Amy Fowler on "The Big Bang Theory"?
7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Where did the Minoan civilization flourish?
8. SCIENCE: What pH balance is considered neutral?
an NBA team when the New Orleans Jazz selected her in 1977?
2. What bruising fullback from Arkansas State University won two Super Bowls during his NFL career with the New York Giants from 1985 to 1991?
3. How many playoff games did the Atlanta Thrashers win during their existence in the NHL from 1999 to 2011?
4. Who holds several Toronto Blue Jays team records, including home runs (336), RBI (1,058) and walks (827)?
5. What team selected University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft?
6. First held in 1985, what biennial multi-sport event includes nine participating countries that each have a population of less than 1 million?
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025
www.alligator.org/section/sports
from pg. 1
first time since 1940, bringing along the No. 2 defense in the country.
Enter Dallas Wilson.
In his collegiate debut, the freshman wide receiver grabbed six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, setting UF debut records in all three categories. Wilson's electric performance helped guide the Gators to a crucial 29-21 win over the Longhorns.
Wilson, who missed UF’s first four games while nursing a foot injury, said he kept himself motivated despite setbacks, knowing it would all be worth it when he hit the field donning his No. 6 jersey.
“It meant everything,” Wilson said. “I had all my brothers around me in the room, shoutout to all the receivers. I had [Lagway] pushing me on, I had all the coaches. … Everybody believed in everybody, so it was good coming out there with all the guys.”
The Tampa native became the 18th true freshman receiver to start a game
for Florida and the second to do so this season, after Vernell Brown III. He first found the end zone halfway through the second quarter. On 2nd and 10, Wilson separated himself from defenders on a crafty in-breaking route, and sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway hit the freshman for a 13-yard score.
Then, Wilson made magic happen. With under a minute to go in the third quarter, Wilson was pressed at the line by Texas defensive back Kobe Black on a 2nd and 1. Wilson quickly overpowered Black, who fell to the ground, and Lagway lofted the ball toward the 6-foot-3 receiver. Wilson caught the ball, shrugged off multiple defenders and tightroped the sideline.
Running toward the end zone while being draped by defensive backs Jelani McDonald and Michael Taaffe, he reached across the goal line, putting UF up 29-14. Despite the monumental touchdown grab, Wilson acted like the feat was normal, placing more of his focus on the end result.
“I know a lot of guys were asking me on the sideline, ‘How does it feel?’” Wilson
alligatorSports has a podcast! The alligatorSports Podcast releases episodes every Wednesday and can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your other preferred streaming platform.
Follow our newsletter
said. “I'm like, ‘It feels regular.’ I really don't know how I'm supposed to feel. Let's win the game first, guys. But yeah, it felt good.”
This wasn’t the first time Wilson broke UF program records. In the Orange & Blue Game April 12, he recorded spring game records with 10 receptions and 195 yards. He also grabbed two touchdowns.
However, that was with Harrison Bailey as quarterback, not Lagway. In fact, Lagway said he and Wilson only had about two weeks of practice with one another before Saturday’s matchup, as both struggled with separate injuries.
However, the lack of practice together didn’t stop the duo from showcasing instant chemistry on the field.
“He's a specimen, man,” Lagway said. “He's a great player to have on the field. I told him, ‘every time you play, expect the ball; it's coming your way.’”
Lagway wasn’t the only one with high praise for Wilson postgame.
Florida defensive back Devin Moore, who has been matched up one-on-one against Wilson in practice, said the freshman’s elite performance “wasn’t a surprise.”
Love alligatorSports? Stay up to date on our content by following our newsletter. Scan the QR Code to sign up.
“Since day one, [when] he stepped on campus, he was the guy,” Moore said. UF head coach Billy Napier said Wilson’s ability and competitive spirit were crucial in the Florida victory.
“He's a big, physical player,” Napier said. “He's got unique play strength. Big frame. Just a total creature from a testing perspective, and then he has a competitive spirit that's second to none.”
Wilson isn’t the only freshman receiver to make an impact this season. Brown III has emerged as one of Lagway’s primary targets, leading the Gators in receptions (21) and receiving yards (291) in 2025.
Brown also made a splash in his debut. Against Long Island, the freshman receiver made three catches for 79 yards, including a highlight-reel worthy one-handed 41yard grab.
“You have Vernell Brown making some plays, Dallas Wilson, et cetera,” Lagway said. “It’s just great to have great players around you to be able to just dish the ball out and watch them go.”
@maxbernstein23 mbernstein@alligator.org
Follow us for updates
For updates on UF athletics, follow us on Twitter at @alligatorSports or online at www.alligator.org/section/sports.
By Curan Ahern Sports Writer
Florida’s sophomore quarterback, DJ Lagway, entered Oct. 4 coming off two of the worst performances of his collegiate career. After a five-interception game at LSU and just 61 passing yards at Miami, he made it clear things needed to change during the bye week.
Lagway made an explicit promise to fix the Gators’ offense, which ranked among the worst in the SEC and scored just 11 points per game against FBS opponents.
“I can guarantee that this is not acceptable at all,” Lagway said following Florida’s 26-7 loss to Miami. “We’re done with the playing around stuff. It’s time to get serious.”
Lagway cashed in on that promise against then-No. 9 Texas. The Gators won 29-21, and Lagway recorded a season-high 298 yards and completed two touchdown passes. He also completed 60- and 55-yard passes to freshmen receivers Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson, respectively.
“It’s always great to get a W, especially in The Swamp in front of these amazing fans,” Lagway said.
Through the first four games of the season, Lagway failed to regain the successful streak he had last season. As a freshman, he led the
Gators to a 6-1 record as a starter and was one of the best deep-ball throwers, throwing for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns.
But through four games, Lagway completed just one deep ball, the Gators fell to 1-3 and the offense looked incapable of being effective.
However, it took the sophomore quarterback just one drive to find his footing against Texas.
On the first drive of the game, the Gators marched 84 yards down the field, and running back Jadan Baugh capped off the drive with a five-yard touchdown run.
Florida found the end zone once more in the first half, and Lagway finished with 150 yards when UF entered the locker room.
“I feel like we started off very fast,” Lagway said. “I feel like we got on to them pretty quick and early. I feel like that led to the success.”
Lagway found his success early on by exposing Texas’ defense on short routes underneath. Then he started throwing deeper once the defense began to creep forward in anticipation — that’s when he found Wilson for a 55-yard touchdown. The freshman receiver ran past a Longhorns defensive back, breaking several tackles and tip-toeing along the sideline for the score.
Following the Gators’ upset, Lagway praised his teammates, coaches and the Gators’ execution. He specifically expressed confidence in running backs Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark, along with offensive lineman Jake Slaughter and freshmen receivers Brown and Wilson.
“It’s just great to play good football, and
Noah Lantor // Alligator Staff Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) during warmups before a football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Florida Gators on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.
just being able to play complementary football, that’s kind of the thing that we’ve been preaching and harping on since September,” Lagway said.
The Gators were on a bye and had an extra week of practice heading into their matchup with Texas. Lagway had extra preparation and
earned more 11-on-11 reps, which he only started doing just two weeks before the season due to shoulder and leg injuries.
Baugh praised the offense’s preparation and execution against Texas and said Lagway was telling him all week that “we’re the best in the nation.”
“I was like, ‘Coach, we got this. We know we can win this game,’” Baugh said. “Watched enough film through the week, we prepared, and I think that was the biggest part, preparing the right way … The first couple games we didn’t prepare right.”
Head coach Billy Napier pinpointed film study, self-care and practice habits as the biggest aspects that contributed to Lagway and the team’s victory over Texas. He also said he’s seen the fiery, competitive side of the young quarterback since UF’s loss to Miami.
“He’s grinding throughout the week and he’s studying the opponent, he’s taking care of himself, he’s working in practice,” Napier said of Lagway. “He flips that switch and kind of gets into that competitive spirit in practice.”
The Gators will resume action against No. 5 Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0 SEC) at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.
“The challenge in sport is to be consistent, to be process-oriented, to be motivated by the right things and not have a letdown going forward,” Napier said.
@CuranAhern cahern@alligator.org
By Jeffrey Serber Sports Writer
Daniel Patel has one more chance to bring his Gator Motorsports team to the podium. He’s not leaving anything on the circuit.
Gator Motorsports, a student organization founded in 1991, designs, builds and manufactures formula-style cars in its garage across from Gator Corner Dining Center. Members work all year to complete a car for the annual Formula Society of Automotive Engineers competition in Brooklyn, Michigan.
Patel decided to join the team at his freshman orientation in Summer 2022 after nervously browsing different organizations looking for people to meet. Four years later, the 21-year-old UF materials science and engineering senior is the team captain.
Patel is looking to lead the young group to its first podium finish since 2021 at the upcoming FSAE competition in May 2026. It’s his last chance to do so, as he plans to retire after this season to focus on school. He’s one of the youngest captains in the team’s history — but still the oldest among a freshman- and sophomore-dominated roster.
Patel said he’s on a mission to overcome recent struggles at the FSAE tournament, such as when last year’s car was unable to make it through the endurance test.
To support his fresh team, Patel is establishing monthly lectures for new members while growing personally as a leader and setting the foundation for future teams.
"If the team is doing really, really well, it's always representative of the whole team, but if the team is doing really, really bad, it ends up falling on the captain," Patel said. "There's nobody else above me to pivot blame to or ask for additional points. ... The buck stops with me."
Narrowing in on aerodynamics
Before taking the helm as captain, Patel rose through the ranks in the aerodynamics team, becoming the system engineer and then aerospace lead. The subgroup is responsible for choosing the best possible materials for each car to maximize speed. Now, he’s the first captain in the team's history to emerge from the aerodynamics branch. The team’s members previously
had limited collective knowledge of aerodynamics, he said. But this year, Patel is encouraging the team to strengthen that skill.
This year, the team’s strategy toward racing has become composites-focused, prioritizing creating materials like carbon fiber to increase a car’s strength while decreasing its weight, he said.
"That's the direction we're going to lean toward,” Patel said. “You need somebody who really understands the outside of that area to be able to develop a car."
The team is focusing on the car’s aerodynamics by building a custom inverter for this year's car, the Michigan 26, rather than using an off-the-shelf version as it did previously.
The inverter is the electronic brain bridging the battery and the motor. With a custom inverter, members can access more data on whether the motor provides enough electricity to power the car, because the team’s electrical department programmed it rather than another company.
With this increase in information provided to the team, members can make more adjustments during test runs to improve the car's performance, something the team has struggled with since the 2021 tournament.
Sean Niemi, the team’s faculty adviser at UF, said Patel has corrected mistakes from previous competitions to make the most out of his last chance. For this year's Michigan 26, Patel created a checklist to ensure they wouldn't repeat the mistakes that held them back last year.
"He's seen a lot of things not go right," Niemi said. "Having seen multiple cars built, he's also seen multiple cars struggle getting through a competition."
Using youth as an advantage
Outside the track, Patel said, he looks to grow as a leader with a much younger team. Last year’s group of leaders had significant experience, and most were 23 years old. Patel is one of the youngest captains in the team's history and still the oldest member of the team.
Kevin Lizardo, a 20-year-old UF mechanical engineering junior and chief engineer, said the team’s youth is both a challenge and an advantage.
"They're pretty scrappy," Lizardo said. "They always feel like they have something to prove, which is a phenomenal attitude to bring to the shop."
New members also bring in new ideas that older members might not raise, Lizardo said.
As a freshman, Patel said, he was paradoxically rash and
timid — lacking patience in his project but also lacking confidence in his abilities. As captain, he looks to help younger team members navigate growing pains so they can lead in future years.
"He's learned a lot," Niemi said. "He's overcome a lot of challenges. … He's still growing and pushing ahead and trying to figure out how to go from managing one system, with one or two other people, to now managing a team of 40 to 60 to 80 members, depending on the day."
Patel said one of the biggest challenges of becoming captain is growing into a “people person,” leaving behind his more introverted side that took a significant part of his character when he first joined.
He also said he’s worked on ensuring he is both critical enough of the team's work and comforting to the newcomers, so their morale remains high and encourages them to push through the hard work.
"It's important to make it clear that it's about the design or the specific technical issue and not them as a person,” said Lucja Stawikowska, Gator Motorsports’ chief engineer and a 20-year-old UF mechanical engineering senior.
Patel said he wanted to improve the communication among the team’s nine different departments. During the team’s weekly meetings, each lead is required to provide updates on their staff’s accomplishments. This helps the entire team determine the car's readiness for the FSAE competition.
Department leaders hold lectures once a month to break down the technical concepts and production aspects to new members.
Stawikowska said these mandatory lectures have made all the difference for new members. When she first joined the team, Stawikowska said, different abbreviations and technological jargon confused her at weekly team meetings.
"It was something that I felt like was a barrier to my integration into the team," she said. "It's definitely a good idea, those changes that he's trying to implement."
With all these changes, Patel looks to make a lasting impact on the program's history by returning to the podium. It’s a goal others on the team share, too.
"Everybody wants to see the car podium," Lizardo said. "It's definitely gonna be an amazing feeling when we make it up there."
