08 Ampersand: Roll Call
The person behind the name
17 (un)Fortunate Son On the Absence of Activism at Stetson
21 Photostory Breakdown with Indya McKoy Adventures in Street Photography
Letters From
Moving a million miles an hour. There’s always a deadline, always an email to respond to, always something else to do. It’s human nature, mine included, to constantly look ahead. We want what’s next so badly that we forget we’re living in the moment we once dreamed of. As long as I’ve been a part of Hatter Network, I knew I wanted to be editor-in-chief. I wanted it so much that when I finally got the role, I forgot to take a moment to breathe. I was already focused on the next set of goals, the next dream. To the editors stepping into new roles, to the freshmen beginning the great big college adventure, to the seniors getting ready for their cap and gown, and to everyone in between: don’t forget to be still. Being in the “here and now” doesn’t mean giving up on your goals or the things you want to accomplish this year. It just means remembering to pause and appreciate the moment you’re already in. Because this moment — right here, right now — is worth remembering too.
Editor-in-chiEf, Sara Ward '27
At The Reporter, we’re fortunate to have a space for our words—a space we may not have after graduation. College offers more spaces for creativity and experimentation than most of us will find after graduation. I want to take advantage of right now. More than ever, I look forward to nurturing my creativity, seeking knowledge, and sharing others’ experiences through writing. We are at a pivotal age in a turbulent time, and the things we create now will shape the experiences of those who come after us. So, whatever it is that you do– write, sing, dance, draw, paint, play, speak, build, record, act, curate, photograph, invent, design, sculpt, compose, animate this moment.
copy Editor, KatiE Eudy '27
I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be here. Not in the vague, corny, “live in the moment,” kinda way, but in the messy, chewed-nail, over-caffeinated, eyes-wide-open kind of way. Being here means juggling deadlines, remembering to breathe and making peace with the fact that the ground is shifting beneath me, but I still have the wherewithal to find my footing so I don’t fall. My “here-and-now” is so exciting to plan, but almost daunting to think about; going into my senior year, stepping into the role of Executive Editor, applying to graduate programs (admissions officers, if you’re reading this: heyyyy!), GRE testing, senior research, etc. I feel like I’m running around like a chicken with my head cut off, but I know deep in my heart that everything will fall perfectly into place as it is meant to. It is so affirming to have this kind of overwhelm, though. It feels like “I’ve earned this, and I can do this, even if I’m still figuring it out as I go.” Sometimes, I get caught in the whirlwind of e-mails, stories flying in and out of drafts and the ever-imposing 24-hour news cycle looming over my shoulder with yet another headline I don’t want to read. But I’ve learned to find a certain rhythm in the chaos and to let the noise pass through while focusing on the frequencies I need to by trusting my instincts. In my here and now, I find a strong foundation of friends, family and loved ones who will support me in any next steps I take – even if the next step feels like it's going off a cliff.
ExEcutivE Editor nico alonSo '26
I am the queen of never letting a monitoring spirit know your next move. However, along the way, I admittedly can confuse even myself about the foundation I’m meant to be standing on. As an upcoming senior, this summer I felt myself wishing I could press the “do-over” button. Not necessarily because college was a whirlwind I would like to experience again (Lord knows there’s better things out there for me), but because no matter how much preparation one takes, the next step always requires a fair amount of learning on the job. Although life is more of a merry-go-round than a straight path forward, I remind myself to take control of the moment. Whether we’re on board or not, the time will pass anyway.
Managing Editor dE'vanESE John-BaptiStE '26
I’ve always struggled with the “here” and “now,” that is, being present. Whether it’s stress or ambition that drives me, I rarely am able to take a moment to just breathe and appreciate where I am. I don’t know if I’ll ever get there if I’m being honest. I don’t think it’s hopeless to say that I’ll never be present, but I also don’t think it’s hopeless to try. Because what is the point of living if we don’t at least try to better ourselves and learn something new? I'm learning to accept that sometimes simply trying to be present is the best I can do. I know that the here and now can be scary, whether it’s the state of the world or the state of your personal life. If you are in a chapter of your life that you’d rather not appreciate, I understand. I hope you'll at least take the time to appreciate yourself though, in the here and now. Appreciate your body and your mind for carrying yourself thus far through the storm that you are facing. I am parasocially proud of you and cheering you on-here, now, and always.
nEWS Editor MichaEla haWthornE '26
our Editors
Irrevocably, a new academic year has come upon us, and much is in the air. Political tides are ever-changing, campus is stirring to life again, and the ‘great unknown’ that is this next semester seems to be the adrenaline-inducing cherry on top. As the brand new Arts and Culture Editor going into her sophomore year, it is surreal to be writing this letter. I feel as though it was just yesterday that I first stepped onto Stetson’s campus, naively dreaming about how long the next four years would seem. Mind reeling over my first-ever article I wrote for the Reporter. And yet, here I am, on the other side of that moment. Now is the time, dear readers, to seize the present. We are here, now, and this existence is too fragile to be wasted.
artS and culturE Editor
BrEanna gErgEn '26
Hello my fellow creatives! As we go into a new year of schooling, I feel it is important to reflect upon your past experiences. Going into my last year at Stetson is very bittersweet. To say the least, it has been an interesting experience. It is very interesting to see how much I have changed over the years, and interesting to remember how much I have learned. Being able to be Photo Editor of The Reporter during my last year is such a blessing. I hope to fulfill the position just as much as Jillian did two years ago! To the new Hatters, welcome! I know this is cheesy but, always remember to live in the moment because it will go by quickly.
photo Editor indya McKoy '26
Dear reader, it is my belief that everything is made beautiful in its time and, because of this, that not a moment of our lives will ever be wasted, even when it seems otherwise. Believe you me, I am queen bee of all the busy-bees, so if my schedule is not buzzing, I feel a bit out of sorts. “Why haven’t I finished writing that poem yet?” “Is it too late to learn that language? Or that instrument?” “Should I be calling my sister right now?”— to that, the answer is always “yes.” These are not necessarily poor things to ponder on their own; however, it is the whole hive of them at once that asks “Am I wasting what little time I have in this one, precious life on earth?” in a hundred different, stinging fonts— absolutely no help whatsoever when the truth is that, perhaps, a little dillydallying is not only good for the plot, but good for the soul. Perhaps, some small talk with that one professor will make their whole semester. Perhaps, a smile shared with a stranger will remind them of home right when they miss it most. Perhaps, these moments make what we think of as “wasted meantime,” instead, the “beautiful in-between time” of our stories.
I often take for granted that this is sometimes easier to see as a growing author and editor. From spaces, to letters, to words, to sentences, to headlines, to pullquotes, to titles, to articles, to etcetera, nothing is to be wasted when stories are to be told— so it is in life. For readers, though, it is sometimes tricky to trust the author with writing the perfect ending— so it is in life. But now, dear reader, you and I meet here, on this very same page, and even this will not be wasted. Let us learn to welcome the little moments that will make both this magazine and our lives more beautiful in time. Happy reading!
WEB Editor nataliE rEESE '28
A wise man once said, “I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them”. That man was Andy Bernard from America’s favorite millennial-humor mockumentary, The Office, but hey that’s not the point. As I approach my senior year and my time at Stetson comes to a close, I can’t help but think about my ‘good old days’. About sharing a freshman dorm with a total stranger. About the first time I saw my name in print. About those very special early friendships with the people I now call family. I hate to be nostalgic for freshman year, of all things, but I can’t deny that it was a messy, chaotic, beautiful time for me. Stepping into my new role of creative director, I can’t help but think about that little freshman me, experiencing and achieving more than I ever imagined but still so desperate to be where I am today. I wish I could tell that anxious 18 year-old to slow down and smell a rose or two, but I sure am enjoying the sights further up the road. Ed Helms was right, you really don’t know the good old days until they’re gone, but isn’t the gift of today just as wonderful? So I implore you, dear readers, to live in your good old days every day you can. Don’t get lost in the past or hurry towards the future, be where you are right now. Stay kind and creative, have a good day!
crEativE dirEctor Maria latour '26
Editors
Indya McKoy Photo Editor
Katie Eudy Copy Editor / Fact Checker
Breanna Gergen Arts & Culture Editor
De’Vanese John-Baptiste Managing Editor
Maria Latour Creative Director
Nico Alonso Executive Editor
Sara Ward Editor-in-Chief
Michaela Hawthorne News Editor
Natalie Reese McCoy Web Editor
RepoRteR the
What
is
propaganda you not falling for?
staff
Maria Latour, Creative Director
“The land of the free”
“Everything happens for a reason.”
Music theory
De'Vanese John-Baptise, Managing Editor
Michaela Hawthorne, News Editor
Katie Eudy, Copy Editor & Fact Checker
Breanna Gergen, Arts & Culture Editor
Natalie Reese McCoy, Web Editor
Parker Moore, Spread & Graphic Designer
Arnold Shakirov, Spread and Grapic Designer
Sully Sullivan, Social Media Director
Kids media is just for kids Minimalism
JOINING US
ABOUT US
When it comes to joining Hatter Network, we are never not excited about someone wanting to join our ranks. If you want to write, The Reporter is the place. If you like to appreciate art, music and writing, Touchstone Literary Arts Journal is where it’s at. If you want to create your own podcast, or learn how to use the tech in our radio station, WHAT Radio is there. Hatter Network is an extacurricular media program run by students, for students, to provide them with the information we think they need to know, or an outlet for their creative endeavors.
If you’re interesed in getting involved, please email our Editorin-Chief, Sara Ward, at sward3@stetson.edu or apply on Engage.
The Reporter, as part of Hatter Network, is the oldest collegiate magazine in the state of Florida. We publish four times per year, twice per semester. Florida Sun Printing prints 300 copies per issue on 8.5 x 11 inch, 80# Gloss Test. Most body text is set at 11 point Adobe Garamond Pro or Times New Roman with 13 point leading set with a combination of regular, italic and bold. All pages are designed using Adobe Creative Suite Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign. For additional information please visit hatternetwork.com.
Questions or concerns can be mailed to 421 N Woodland Blvd. Deland, FL 32723 or emailed to hatternetwork@gmail.com.
Labubus
23 Best Places on Campus
What are our writers' top hangout spots?
Photographer, Indya Mckoy ('26)
Model, Sully Sullivan ('26)
08 13 10 17 21 26
Ampersand: Roll Call
The person behind the name
Hurricane Hurdles
Why Storm Season Plagues International Students in Search of Shelter
Mic Check on Main Street
Books and Booking’s Bimonthly Open Mic Night Makes a Stage for Students and Locals at Sidecar Market
(un)Fortunate Son:
On the Absence of Activism at Stetson
Photostory Breakdown with Indya McKoy
Adventures in Street Photography
Stetson Undergrads Reveal What It’s Like to Be Transgender in 2025
How are Transgender Students Balancing Survival with Earning a Degree?
Written by De'Vanese John-Baptiste Graphics and Layout by Maria Latour
Ampers nd
Call: the peRson behind the name &
My parents found my name on a Spanish singing show/talent show. One of the contestants' names was Nashaly. She had a beautiful voice, and my parents wanted her to win,… loved the name and thought it was perfect since my sister’s name is Ashley and my mom’s name is Nancy. My whole family does call me ‘Nana’… My grandparents are Dominican and don’t speak English, so they struggled
JomaR Rosado ’27
Ire so deh way I had geh my name was from my fada. Back in 2004 he had his favorite reggaeton artist which was Don Omar, and his favorite letter is “J” so he done seh ’ire one plus one equal two. We naming he Jomar.
So my dad actually wanted to name me after an anime character, and my mom said no because it was stupid. So my mom, when she was in…around, like, eighth grade (like in American standards), she was going through a really rough time... and there was this guy. His name was
Jamie. He was American. He was visiting Puerto Rico because he was a US soldier, and he essentially helped my mom and saved her life…So my mom wanted to name me after him;...but my dad got jealous, and he was like, “Well, I want to add something to the name…I want to
My mom said that a few months before I was born, she was talking to an individual. I think she was a sweet lady. I don't remember… [but] her name was Isabella…When I was a kid, honestly, I didn’t really like my name because everyone had it..In middle school, I used
to be, like, known for my last name, but now honestly, I actually love my name. It's a beautiful name, especially when you say it in Spanish. It’s just very strong when you say it in Spanish…While I was young…I would just think, “Oh, I want it to be my name, my name only, no one saying my name. My grandpa started calling me Nana, and it kind of stuck my whole life, and everyone else in my family started calling me Nana. It’s very special to me…[Since] I’m only ever called that at home, it reminds me of my childhood and of my family's love.
add Lee. It's named after someone that
Turns out the Lee is after Bruce Lee, the actor. So I'm named Jamie after someone that helped my mom in her life, and I'm named Lee after my dad's favorite actor.
can steal my name”… But now, it fits me…Getting to know myself even more helped me understand why my name was Isabella, and like it wasn't anything else…I would never change it, and I love that my mom considered my name to be Isabella.
soleille VeRtus ‘26
I was born between Hurricanes Francis and June…So I'm born August 31 and the hurricanes began the second to last week in August. And then [Hurricane] Francis was the beginning of September. So literally, like the week that I was born was the only week that we weren't hit with hurricanes. Before my mom went into labor the power was going in and out. There were areas around us that were flooding…and even while we were in the
hospital… it was raining. Everybody was saying it was touch and go. There were plans in case the hospital lost power, all that kind of stuff.
Then I was born at 7:02am and my mom went home a couple hours later. We had power; we had light and there wasn't any rain for the rest of the day. So that's why my name is Soleille. Also Soleil means son in French... My father is also Haitian, so there's that French influence there as well…I think now my name still has the connotation of like light and sun, but it also, for me, means like doing the best
that I can every day, right? Like the sun still comes up every morning. Sometimes there's overcast, sometimes we can't feel the sun, sometimes we can't see it… [but] the sun brings life… So for me, it means to constantly be myself every single day. Even when I'm stressed bad[ly], cold, don't want to be outside, whatever it may be. And to check in with myself and make sure that I'm creating the life that I want to create, and showing up for myself in that way every single day, just like the sun does.
KimbeRly Gill ‘26
So I was talking to my aunt…I was born in the 2000s she was, like, ‘growing up, your mother used to watch a lot of Power Rangers and the Pink Power Rangers’ name was Kimberly…she named you after her.
GabRiel mooReR ’27
Before I was even born, my parents [had] been going to church for quite some time… and they hadn’t really decided a name yet for me…
So my mother waited, and one day she looked into her Bible and just saw big bold letters named Gabriel. So then she decided to call me Gabriel.
[My name] represents so much in the Bible. So it's kind of a reflection of me being very open minded, towards like deliverance, because Gabriel was the
angel to send a message to Mary. So “sharer of good news” and I think I always carry positive energy…Another part to share is Gabriel also being thought of [as a bringer of] strength, and it shows just how resilient I am toward certain situations and just never back down from a “no.” That’s why you just have to stick to your roots and just self-validation, knowing who you are as a person, and don't let anyone try to change that.
Joseph oRtiz ’26
My name is Joseph and I have a middle name too. Which is Daniel, [making my name] Joseph Daniel and the reason why is because Joseph, in Spanish, is Jose… which is my brother's name, and then Daniel, because of my dad. They used to call him in Puerto Rico, his nickname, Danny. So that's where they got the Daniel from.
Written by Breanna Gergen Graphics and Layout by Maria Latour
Why Storm Season Plagues International Students in Search of Shelter
This Could Have Been an Email… Hurricane Housing and Its Hurdles:
Last year’s Hurricane Milton came uninvited in the midst of fall semester, first carving its path across central Florida on October 9, 2024. After a string of university emails which disclosed class cancellations and relocation instructions, faculty evacuated all student residents off campus, away from the coming tempest. Although Stetson vowed in the aforementioned emails to uphold student safety as its “highest priority,” the evacuation procedures left limited options for international students with nowhere to turn, as well as students who were forced to return home to potentially more dangerous locales than DeLand. Prior to campus closing, Stetson Communications made its intentions clear to “...give several days of notice before an evacuation will take place,
especially so that all members of our community will have adequate time to make and implement plans.” Meaning, students and staff had to arrange their own storm housing. The university provided students with numerous resources online via email, Instagram and Facebook, offering guides for go-to emergency supplies, staff support, and generalized safety information. Yet, Stetson Public Safety’s own ‘Severe Weather Guide’, which was recently linked in a postMilton email thread, contradicts P-Safe’s verbal advice to students from the previous 2024 season. While the Emergency Management Team encouraged last year’s residents to relocate to Volusia County shelters, the virtual Weather Guide tells students to avoid public shelters and
to find hotels, if possible, in the event of a crisis. In direct quote from the Guide, “consider public shelters as a last resort. They are usually a public school and have cramped or limited space.” For international students especially, there was little wiggle-room made for financial circumstances and alternative accommodations for housing.
Leonardo Giorgioni ‘26, a psychology major with double minors in mathematics and computer science, is an international student from
the Malaga province of Andalucia, Spain. Giorgioni found himself in this hurricane-housing-pickle last year, with mere days before evacuation from campus. He, along with several other students, were wary of resorting to public shelters. “None of us wanted to stay in local shelters. We wanted a home of some sort because most residents [have] a family to go to…but all of us [were] basically stranded,” said Giorgioni.
Hatters by Day, Good Samaritans by Night
While other students packed up their cars and drove to their homes for safety, Giorgioni was unsure whether he would even have a roof over his head by stormfall. Flying across the Atlantic back to Spain was not an option. But neither was staying on campus. With limited options, he initially turned to WORLD (World Outreach, Research, Learning and Development), which provides year-round campus support for Stetson’s international students. WORLD, along with Residential Living and Learning and The Rinker Center for International Learning, were actively offering alternative housing options and strategies. “WORLD was very much in touch and close working with international students, making sure that we were getting the appropriate shelter,” Giorgioni stated. There had already been numerous Stetson staff and
faculty members who had generously volunteered their homes to host any misplaced students requiring shelter. Luckily, Giorgioni himself was grateful to be welcomed onto the doorstep of a fellow student. “I found a very close friend from computer science class who is a resident of Florida, and offered me to stay at his house. For the period of two or three nights, I stayed with him. I was fed incredibly well by his beautiful family–they took complete care of me,” Giorgioni said with a smile. When asked his opinion about Stetson’s execution of storm protocol, Giorgioni gave credit where it was due. “Communications were very often. Like, one day you would receive three or even four emails from Stetson… hurricanes are incredibly unpredictable and it was completely out of the blue, so it is difficult to predict the outcome
in the best way possible for students, faculty, and hosts that would house those students. They did the best with the little time that they did have,”
Giorgioni replied.
In terms of the university’s reaction timing to the ever-changing storm updates, Giorgioni agreed that faculty dealt with it as expeditiously as was possible. “It is such an urgent situation,
and a situation that is so hard to control. [Stetson] did their best to make students as safe and comfortable as they could get. I would say they were exhaustive, in a good sense of the word…they accounted for everybody,” stated Giorgioni. Undoubtedly, this reporter herself agrees with his stance on Stetson’s speedy magnanimity.
Prep for the Next
As the brand-new academic year rolls in, storm season is also brewing again in the Gulf. This fall, Giorgioni will be maximizing hurricane preparation. In light of his fortunate friendship which provided him shelter last year, he claimed he would be planning on “making some very good American friends,” joked Giorgioni. “Personally, I am preparing myself to adapt,” Giorgioni added.
For international students especially, differing backgrounds and experiences may leave certain individuals in the dark, literally and figuratively. This justifies why it is crucial to be informed. “Maybe they come from the Middle East or they come from Europe, right? In Europe, we never see hurricanes. I mean, we kind of got some Milton aftershock,” Giorgioni admitted, adding, “it’s something that you need to respect. It is a natural disaster like any other. Don’t get confident.”
To other international students and those in residential situations similar to
his own, he advises to “Listen to the authorities and listen to whatever Stetson professionals are suggesting. At the end of the day, they will know what the best thing is for all their students. If we decide to kind of go on our own because we think we know better, that’s when trouble can come,” Giorgioni warns. Thus, it is advised to all students–no matter their origin–to take the time to read those safety emails, and cooperate.
Of course, Stetson Communications will once again extend itself to students as a support system and resource for storm prep. Supply kit item lists can also be found in the university’s Severe Weather Guide, for those who wish to check some boxes. As cliche as it is, native Floridians and international students alike must acknowledge the severity of storms and the danger posed by these annual turbulences. Hatters: stock up on those double-A batteries, and keep your gas tank filled to the brim!
on Main Street Mic Check
Books and Booking’s Bimonthly Open Mic Night Makes a Stage for Students and Locals at Sidecar Market
Written
Natalie Reese McCoy
Though a sometimes sleepy small town, DeLand, Florida, is a diamond in the rough for creatives. Every Friday night, rain or shine, the Artisan Alley Farmers’ Market
features anything from adventure books signed by local authors to sourdough freshly baked by a smiling family of DeLandites, all amidst a backdrop of live music. Once a
Photography Credit: Cole Weeks. DeLand locals (left) socialize and watch a keyboardist and vocalist (right) perform original music at Sidecar Market and Books and Booking’s bimonthly open mic night.
by
Graphics and Layout by Maria Latour
year, DeLandapalooza– the small town’s spoof of Lollapalooza, a famed American music festival– summons local artists and songwriters to an art and music festival on Main Street.
As a Stetson University student and singer-
songwriter myself, events close to campus that encourage original storytelling excite me to no end. So, last semester, I started to wonder; where on earth are downtown DeLand’s open mic nights?
Open Up the Open Mic Nights
Stetson itself is no stranger to open mic nights, having hosted Uncouth Hour, Hatter Network’s weekly student-run open mic night, for nearly thirty years. Be they slam poets, songwriters, artists or comedians, student storytellers congregate in Lee’s Garage of the Carlton Union Building every Thursday night for their five minutes each on the open mic. Where better to begin my search? I was sure some main street savvy raconteur would point this reporter in the right direction. Instead, I met more than a few students seeking a consistent off-campus stage to share their original works with DeLand’s otherwise wellrounded creative community.
“We’re kind of losing our luster,” Breanna Gergen ‘28 said, emphasizing the disheartening lack of a “multimedia locale for artists, poets– I mean, even singer-songwriters, [and] musicians” to shine in.
To these students, an off-campus open mic night seemed an inspiring solution. “Open mic nights have always had a special place in my heart,” Phoenix Medley ‘26 said, “those spaces are so important and invaluable for young poets to get their voices out there and get experience performing.”
Alumnus Ali Burgess ‘25 acknowledged that “DeLand possesses a unique atmosphere… that is so indicative that we could flourish with a creative outlet… I’m sure somewhere
A Sign– A Literal Sign
Miffed, I continued my search on the main street of downtown DeLand and found myself dumbfoundedly staring at the sign I was hoping for– a literal sign– on the window of the aforementioned Sidecar Market, which features an eccentric collection of craft beers, fine wines and specialty coffee sourced from Gainseville’s Resident Coffee Co., as well
downtown there is a coffee shop or a bar that would love a slam poetry [or open mic] night.”
Some students, such as De’Vanese JohnBaptiste ‘26, had already “been encouraging sites downtown that are more community building to do more of that– community building,” John-Baptiste said. “I believe spaces like [Sidecar], those are spaces where we could ask them to, like, go downtown and have poetry slams [or open mic nights].”
Still, after speaking with Stetson students and staff at Uncouth Hour, as well as several DeLand locals, spending hours scouring outdated FaceBook posts from dissolved creative organizations and scrolling through the MainStreet DeLand event calendar, I concluded that even if open mic nights ever existed off-campus, they were certainly elusive. Downtown DeLand was in need of something new.
“We’re kind of losing our luster,” Breanna Gergen ‘28 said, emphasizing the disheartening lack of a “multimedia locale for artists, poets– I mean, even singer-songwriters, [and] musicians” to shine in.
as upcycled mid-century modern furniture, vintage clothing and knick-knacks.
It read “OPEN MIC NIGHT, 6-9pm, EVERY 1st AND 3rd WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH, Books and Booking and SIDECAR MARKET.”
It seemed to me there was something divine about this, so– without a doubt in my mind–
I decided to check it out and chat with its creators, Cole Weeks and Evi Melhado of Books and Booking.
Of Course, an Origin Story
Books and Booking is a booking company that encourages Volusia County’s creative community through book clubs, live concerts and “originals only” open mic nights. Weeks and Melhado, two literature-loving friends with a soft spot for open mic nights, created the company to provide a platform for local artists to perform and give “mutual aid support [for] people who are in need”, as Melhado described. “Being booking promoters that are for the bands and artists and not for money purposes and having a mission behind it was kind of our soul searching idea,” for Books and Booking, Weeks said. Weeks and Melhado are no strangers to the stage themselves– Weeks works as an accomplished concert photographer, capturing crowd surfers and chord strumming artists across the country, while Melhado is a member of Awaystead, an alternative indie rock band in which she wields both electric guitar and otherworldly vocals. “In the music scene, I have been playing with Awaystead for about five years now. Prior to that, I’ve been in bands and I used to book tours for local bands,” Melhado said.
While gigging in the DeLand area, Weeks and Melhado noticed the same as the Stetson students and I had: this small town was in desperate need of an open mic night. More importantly, the booking duo saw the potential for it to be a “good spot to link” scenes for students and locals to share, support, and simply enjoy original storytelling, Weeks said, and as Melhado recalled, “there [was] a breaking point where we [were] just like, we have to jump in on this and make it bigger, because there’s so many good artists and musicians out there that need a platform.”
Without hesitation, Books and Booking began crafting a bi-monthly open mic night on the main street of downtown DeLand.
As for its venue, Sidecar Market was the obvious
choice. “It’s such an artsy and comforting environment, just like the people who work there and own that place. It’s just the vibe,” Melhado mused. “Being able to open this open mic with Sidecar and collaborate with Derek and Jesse,” the owners of Sidecar Market, “was just such a blessing… because they encourage the original music. They love to be there. They love to see it.”
“Being booking promoters that are for the bands and artists and not for money purposes and having a mission behind it was kind of our soul searching idea,”
"
for Books and Booking, Weeks said.
"
Photograph Credit: Instagram via @sidecar.market. The aforementioned doubleentendre sign announcing the open mic night.
Photograph Credit: Cole Weeks. Evi Melhado, co-creator of Books and Booking and Sidecar Market and Books and Booking’s bimonthly open mic night,
plays electric guitar and sings an original song from her band, Awaystead, at the open mic night.
Feedback
So far, the only feedback Weeks and Melhado have heard from the open mic night has been that of positivity– and guitar amps plugging in, of course. The first night, “we completely booked out with early sign-ups, which was amazing,” Melhado said. Since then, DeLand locals have consistently crowded onto the couches and countertops of Sidecar clutching instrument cases, crumpled poems, and freshly crafted drinks between their clapping hands. “It just [shows] that the community really does want a… local open mic,” Weeks said, with a smile.
“Every single night that we have been doing this has been memorable” Melhado reflected.
“I think it’s so cool to see… all different types of art and artists… It’s not one genre, it’s not one type of age group, it’s a bunch of different people, and it’s been the same response of just kindness.”
Mic Check
Readers may be wondering, did I do a mic check on the open mic night? I certainly did.
From Books and Booking’s free book drive to their handwritten words of encouragement, from the unabashed applause to the songwriters blushing after each set, sharing the mic with the sheer talent on Sidecar’s eclectic stage was a blast. The best part? Storytellers of Stetson University, its co-creators have saved you a spot in the queue line.
“We want to encourage everybody from Stetson who has original work… to come share… this is definitely the spot,” Melhado said, smiling.
It is “a judgment-free zone with just kind support and a lot of love… It’s so nice to see everybody mingling after the show and being able to meet other artists and musicians… on the same road as everybody else.”
“And not just artists,” Weeks added, “but even people who come, watch and listen. I’m a concert photographer. I do not write or sing anything. I just enjoy being there in the community that we have started… I’m excited to see some Stetson students out there.”
I’m excited to see some Stetson students out there.
Photograph Credit: Cole Weeks. An acoustic guitarist and vocalist (right) and another vocalist (left) duo perform an original song at the open mic night.
Photograph Credit: Natalie Reese McCoy. Books and Booking’s free book drive, in a basket.
Photograph Credit: Natalie Reese McCoy. A handwritten note for Books and Booking’s words of encouragement basket reads “You have otherworldly worth!!!”
Photograph Credit: Natalie Reese McCoy. Natalie Reese McCoy, the author of this article, sits in Sidecar Market and points to the open mic night.
Written by Nico Alonso Graphics and Layout by Maria Latour
Son:
On the Absence of Activism at Stetson
If the world as we know it collapsed tomorrow, would anyone on this campus take to the streets, or just to YikYak? In my experience at Stetson University, Hatters have shown enthusiasm for three things: free merchandise, cultural credit and vapid gossip that won’t pertain to anything in six months, let alone four years. Somehow, politics never seem to make the cut, except for the performative and hollow infographics that make their way onto Instagram stories and are forgotten about sooner than the story expires. But this wasn’t
In 1969, students of diverse backgrounds and
" (un)Fortunate Ignorance is a choice first and foremost "
the sweltering Florida sun in protest of the Vietnam War; this protest was the last recorded large-scale demonstration on this campus. 60 years have come and gone, and both foreign and domestic political tensions have since been exacerbated, yet the picket signs and outcry for change have subsided substantially within our student body. Meanwhile, students across the nation, from heavyweights like Harvard and Columbia to hometown community colleges, have stood
and governmental organizations, courageous students are raising their signs and voices to protest issues that span the political spectrum, often facing very real consequences for doing so. Students across the nation have proven that they still hold the capacity to voice their concerns in a way that leaves a lasting impact. Stetson, however, remains mostly quiet. Nestled in the mossy, sun-warmed charm of a small Southern town, the university prides itself on being what some would call a “hidden gem,” a safe, beautiful and deeply
“
non-confrontational place where you and your carefully curated, diverse group of friends can share picture-perfect moments fit for the cover of an admissions pamphlet — but some students see through the Rea Swayze ’26 is the Vice President of Stetson Democrats and considers themselves very politically active. Swayze states it plainly, “Ignorance is a choice first
Stuck in the Middle With You
Since that final protest, Stetson has stuck itself in a rut of complacent moderacy, silence and, worst of all, apathy that it has not yet mustered the energy to pull itself out of in either direction, left or right. While, at first glance, it may be easy to see why some students simply choose to avoid extremes for fear of radicalism, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand how people can be so indifferent towards issues that directly impact them, their peers, friends, families, careers and futures. “Politics does not discriminate whether you choose to elect out […] or not,” Swayze said. “And I think that’s what I want more people to understand. The political process does not exist in a vacuum, and just because it does not affect you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t harm someone else.”
This isn’t just a matter of apathy. The disengagement here is more complex than a simple lack of interest. Several bi- and nonpartisan issues have arisen within the last year that students across the political spectrum have been outspoken about. From carry legislation and state government spending, to federal overreach, environmental degradation and the protection of individual rights, something is bound to affect–or at least interest–students in some way. Sure, some students may prefer to prioritize other organizations or extracurriculars over politics, but that excuse crumbles completely considering that many campus groups collaborate with philanthropies directly influenced by politics. The Second
Harvest Food Bank and the Neighborhood Center, organizations with which many Stetson students are involved, are targeted by politicians trying to slash social spending or criminalize poverty
to watch students devote time and energy to causes they care about, like hunger, housing insecurity and community uplift, yet remain utterly silent when those very causes are under direct political attack. This is not all paranoia, either. Over the past decade, universities nationwide have built PR-friendly brands of neutrality, and Stetson is no exception. Protests and demands are increasingly met with bureaucratic deflection or quiet suppression, so students have learned to weigh the cost of action against the benefits of inaction. At Stetson, a campus that routinely markets itself as a safe, peaceful space to “wear different hats,” it is disturbing to me that politics and outspokenness are not on the hat rack. Conflict is thought of by both students and faculty alike as more of a liability than a liberty.
A Word From “The Man”An Administrative Perspective
I do not personally see this issue of political disengagement as the direct fault of Stetson as an institution, and Swayze agrees: “I think Stetson provides the perfect amount of assistance. It is up to the university to facilitate political consciousness, not enforce it. The school offers flash panels and discussions on current affairs and invites political speakers on both sides of the spectrum, which then allows the students to use their agency and attend which events they want.”
To get a deeper look into this, I had a conversation with the Vice President of Campus Life and Student Success, John Downey, PhD, on his perspective of political activism, or the lack thereof, on Stetson’s campus. Downey, appointed in 2023, has seen Stetson through acquiring
many accolades, such as being named by Southern Living as one of the “Most Beautiful College Campuses in the South.” When asked if this image of demure beauty might perpetuate political disengagement in small schools like Stetson, Downey was somewhat surprised. “I don't know the answer to that. If it is, it certainly is not intentional,” he said. Certainly, Stetson has been trying to get students politically educated and active. Downey even noted a concerted effort from Stetson to spark political discussion between students. “We actually … had an entire semester this past spring called ’the free inquiry and expression semester.’ We intentionally brought speakers from a wide variety on the political spectrum, from the right to the left to the center, and invited community members, faculty, staff and students to all participate. Our average attendance was not where I wanted it to be.”
And that is exactly the problem; even when spoon-fed the chance to participate in the buzzing political atmosphere around them, Hatters still shrug their shoulders and turn away.
This Land is your land not mine i don't live here)
It is not uncommon for students to develop a sense of distance from politics in a place that is not exactly their home. Some come to Stetson from other states or countries and may feel detached from local issues, believing they don’t
have the right or responsibility to speak up. But injustice doesn’t stop at a zip code; when friends, professors and people are impacted by policies made in the state, county or city a student lives in – whether or not they plan to stay – they automatically get stakes in the game of life.
I can admit, as a lifelong resident of Miami, that when I was a wee freshman, my local political concerns revolved around issues like
metropolitan development, city spending, public education infrastructure throughout the Greater Miami area and the protection of natural reservations in South Florida. I saw what many see to this day: “What does any part of this tiny, sleepy town have to do with me?”
But after just a few months of living here, I had an epiphany. DeLand, as a city, has such a beautiful, tight-knit community that does whatever it can to support its people. Freshman year, I couldn’t point out Volusia County on a map if my life depended on it, but just last semester, DeLand was the focal point of landmark congressional races, with Josh Weil and Randy Fine facing off to represent Florida’s sixth congressional district. Suddenly, DeLand wasn’t some little Central Florida town to me; it was the epicenter of an uproar from constituents and outsiders alike.
Yard signs, canvassing, phone banking— you name it, both parties were doing it. This was an incredible turning point for a red-locked congressional district, and it had news outlets across the U.S. on bated breath awaiting the election results.
“I know individual politically active students, but as a collective, the student body seems disinterested in politics,” Swayze said. “I used to be on the E-Board of the Stetson Alliance of Gender Equality, but we had to disband this past semester due to the lack of student interest.”
According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, voting by Americans 18 to 29 fell to 42 percent in the 2024 election. Based on 2023-2024
enrollment data, 337 Volusia-native students called Stetson University home, which makes it safe to assume that at least 141 students at Stetson were registered to vote for this turning point congressional election. Aside from these 141, there were 1,203 students from other FL counties, 562 out-of-state students and 204 international students. Although they have decided not to register or change their registration to vote in Volusia, they still reap the consequences of the election as constituents of the sixth congressional district. While we retreat inward to our home districts, policies with real consequences continue to unfold around us. Since the 2024 election, we have witnessed the criminalization of protest, immigrants and U.S. citizens alike being surveilled and sometimes eradicated while foreign policy takes increasingly aggressive forms, like with the recent bombing of Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities. Swayze summarized their general feelings as such: “History is a never-ending story. It does not repeat, but rhymes, and patterns exist if you know where and how to look.”
So no, this isn’t a call to pick up a sign and scream in the middle of Palm Court. This is a call for all Hatters to recognize that silence is a choice and that somewhere between our merch tables, Instagram stories and empty solidarity emails, we have lost the plot and allowed a longstanding culture of quaintness to define what it means to be “engaged” and what must be defended.
The world is watching. What will you let them see?
History is a neverending story. It does not repeat, but rhymes, and patterns exist if you know where and how to look
Photo Story Breakdown
with Indya McKoy
I studied abroad in Austria for one month during the summer, and wanted to use it as an opportunity to explore street photography, so I bought a new zoom lens and got to work! Two of the photos on this page were taken in Innsbruck, Austria, and the photo of the man painting was taken in Venice, Italy.
This photo is probably my favorite! I took this photo in the main square of Innsbruck, Austria of a man handing out free beer. I wanted to make it look a bit more interesting by adding an image on top (in post) to create a double exposure effect (ish).
These photos are not technically street photography but I wanted to include them because I thought they looked really good together. I took both of these after a group hike in the mountains above Innsbruck, Austria.
best plaCes on Campus
Lee Chapel (Natalie Reese McCoy'28)
Davis Hall (Katie Eudy'27)
Palm Court (Breanna Gergen'28)
Library Balcony (Michaela Hawthorne'26)
Curated by The Reporter Exec. Board Graphics & Layout by Arnold Shakirov
Written by Katie Eudy Graphics and
Latour
Stetson Undergrads Reveal What It’s Like to Be Transgender in 2025
Amid recent anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and rhetoric, how are transgender college students balancing survival with earning a degree?
A New Administration
On Jan. 20 President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14168 identifying two biological sexes—male and female—and banning federal agencies from adhering to self-expressed gender identity. Section 2G of the order states that “‘Gender identity’ reflects a fully internal and subjective sense of self, disconnected from biological reality and sex and existing on an infinite continuum, that does not provide a meaningful basis for identification and cannot be recognized as a replacement for sex.”
The attempted erasure of transgender identity has had many implications across the country; the National Park Service removed references to
transgender and queer individuals from the Stonewall National Monument website, replacing “LGBTQ+” with “LGB,” reported NPR in February. The Stonewall Monument honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, which protested a police raid of the gay bar, Stonewall Inn; the uprising is considered a landmark event for LGBTQIA+ civil rights.
Now invisible on the monument’s official website, but vital to history, are transgender and queer activists who pioneered the struggle for equal rights – posing the question, How will American queer and trans activists of our generation be remembered?
Layout by Maria
Attacks against transgender and queer individuals exceed the federal government. On May 17, 2023, prior to Trump’s second presidential term, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a slate of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills into law. The slate triggered a state travel advisory to the community by Equality Florida, a leading LGBTQIA+ advocacy nonprofit. Of the legislative package, House Bill 1521 makes it a crime to use the bathroom unaligned with your sex assigned at birth in public buildings.
Florida Perspective – Poena Grow
Poena Grow ‘27 is a transgender woman and president of Kaleidoscope, Stetson’s gender and sexual diversity student organization. Grow notes a mixed reaction to current events within her community. “Some people are choosing to be more cautious of their identities,” she said. “I have seen many people that were involved in Kaleidoscope step away during this administration, but I've also seen many want to be more vocal about [their identities].”
She also shares how Trump’s presidency has impacted Kaleidoscope as an organization. Though new legislation caused uncertainty during the spring 2025 semester, Kaleidoscope has navigated legal changes and will continue operating.
In February, HB 1496 ‘Gender Identity Employment Practices,’ a bill that removes transgender workplace protections in public spaces, was proposed. HB 75, ‘Display of Flags by Governmental Entities,’ was also proposed in February, and aimed to ban pride flags from being flown at government buildings and public universities. These bills failed to pass in this year’s Legislative Session.
Executive Order 14173 ‘Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity’, signed on Jan. 21, enforces new guidelines for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, requiring broader definitions of inclusivity, which ultimately aim to exclude people of diverse backgrounds. “What is being said is we need to be more inclusive to the larger society,” says Grow on the executive order. “It does not physically change anything about our organization, though.” Kaleidoscope has updated its official documents to reflect that the organization is not exclusively for queer people, in compliance with the executive order. Grow notes that Kaleidoscope will always mention transgender identities in its documents, regardless of legislative changes.
“Hiding [yourself] away is a lot harder than letting it out, no matter what the climate is, no matter who you're with.” " "
In Fall 2025, Kaleidoscope plans to raise awareness of transgender issues without “ostracizing” LGBTQIA+ members and their allies based on political affiliation. Grow also advocates for more LGBTQIA+ events and visibility on campus.
“[Do not] be scared to be yourself,” said Grow. “Hiding [yourself] away is a lot harder than letting it out, no matter what the climate is, no matter who you're with.”
Perspective – Sheridan Macon
Sheridan Macon ’26, a transgender man, experiences both supportive and unwelcoming environments on campus.“I found spaces where I can be me without question,” said Macon, referencing Hillel and the English department. “And then spaces where I [have] found that, ‘Oh yeah, no, I'm getting looks,’ — [so] I avoid them.”
Macon works as a writing tutor and visits classes to give Writing Center presentations, but he has stopped presenting at the Lynn Business Center. “Business professors consistently misgender me, and I always feel wrong after leaving a business class presentation,” said Macon. “[It’s] like I'm being stared at, like people don't know what I am or what to make of me.” Macon also avoids certain Greek life organizations.
Macon said he chose Stetson in part because, as a private university, it is less likely to bend to federal regulations as a result of not depending on federal funding. However, Macon finds Stetson’s silence regarding recent LGBTQIA+
student concerns disheartening.
He references the Fall 2024 Involvement Fair, when Stetson’s Young Americans for Freedom student organization distributed anti-trans posters on campus — displaying the transgender pride flag marked with a red thumbs-down and transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney crossed out with a red circle strikethrough. The slogan, “Bring Back Real Men,” was printed across the bottom. “It really upset a lot of queer and trans students, and the university didn't end up speaking up about it,” said Macon. “It just got swept under the rug.”
Macon recognizes the importance of viewpoint diversity, but feels that transgender students deserve to be vocally protected by the university. “A difference in opinion should not justify overt bigotry,” he says. “It would just be nice if a university who has told us time and time again, in more private settings, that they are committed to protecting their minority students, would just say that quiet part out loud.”
“A difference in opinion should not justify overt bigotry,” "
"
Resources:
Trans Lifeline: translifeline.org
The Trevor Project (ages 13–24): Text “START” to 678-678
Kaleidoscope: kaleidoscope@stetson.edu
Student Counseling Services: (386) 822-8900
Cross-Cultural Center (“Tri-C”): 145 E Michigan Ave, DeLand, FL 32724
apply noW on EngagE
staff WRiteRs
thE World MovES too quicKlyWritE What'S rEal, What MattErS, What'S nExt
You are Here
For this issue’s playlist, we’re asking: what does it sound like to be here? Not “here” in the abstract, but the specific, complicated, hyperlocal kind — the feeling of being rooted in a place, watching things shift slowly (or not at all), navigating silence, stillness, or stubbornness. Maybe it’s a song that echoes your feelings of where we find ourselves, positive or negative, a track you hear walking through this neighborhood, or something your story subject might play in the background.
fortunatE Son - crEEdEncE clEarWatEr rEvival tEMporary toWn - charlES WESlEy godWin What it’S liKE - EvErlaSt
MrS. roBinSon - SiMon & garfunKEl for What it’S Worth - Buffalo SpringfiEld ring of firE - Johnny caSh viEnna - Billy JoEl tuESday’S gonE - lynyrd SKynryd rhododEndron - BElla WhitE thiS land iS your land - Woody guthriE horSE With no naME - aMErica fix you - coldplay
grEEn onionS - BooKEr t. & thE M.c g.’S thE Big rocK candy Mountain - harry McclintocK half rEturn - adriannE lEnKEr In thE MEantiME - JESS ray StalKin’ - duanE Eddy WhitEy on thE Moon - gil Scott-hEron WondEr - aWayStEad clEarEr StatES - aWayStEad SpEctruM nEWS 13 - aWayStEad voguE - Madonna rocKEtMan - Elton John
22 songs, 1 hr 16 min
Curated by The Reporter Exec. Board Graphics & Layout by Maria Latour
Photographer, Indya Mckoy ('26)
Model, Sully Sullivan ('26)
