FREE PLANTS

10 SPRING 2020

Plant class creates positive experiences for Honors students

UF students are well-acquainted with the sight of hordes of people exiting Turlington, their arms full of plants. Hopes high and hands dirty, each student carries a plant with a different destiny. Some will die within the week, while others will flourish and become a constant companion. This is the plant class, formally known as Plants, Gardening and You. ORH1030 is known to UF students for its free plants, given out weekly. “The plant class is a class that I’ve wanted to take basically ever since I found about it,” said Megan Palm, a fourth-year business administration student. “I’d heard about it and seen people with plants, so I was like, ‘This will be awesome!’” Palm found the class motivated her own botanical aspirations. “It’s kind of inspirational, for when I’m trying to grow plants in the future,” she said. “He recently gave out strawberry plants, and I think that’s going to be my favorite to see if I can actually grow this fruit I’ve always bought.” In addition to strawberry plants, the course was known for sweet tomatoes, marigolds and coleuses. But the class offered Palm even more than free plants, she said. “Even just repotting the plant, watching it grow and kind of being able to contribute to that is really stress-relieving,” Palm said. “It’s kind of nice just to see something outside of classes and work in college; something more nature-related.” It seemed a common opinion that Clark was a great professor for the course. “He’s very good at keeping people engaged in topics that perhaps might seem kind of dull,” said Megan Cannan, a sustainability studies and political science student. “He was talking about turf grass last class, and I was like, ‘Oh that’s really cool.’” Cannan herself found the class helped her relax after stressful periods. “I like getting the plants and seeing them when I wake up in the morning or if I’m staying up late studying,” Cannan said. “I have a little bit of life in my room, you know?” She also mentioned the class, being during her last semester, helped her reconnect with the pureness of learning.“It’s not like I’m taking this class to benefit myself in some sort of monetary way or ambitious sort of way,” she said. “It’s just to add to my personal life and to remind me that it can be fun to learn about new things.” The class wound up being an overall good experience that Cannan would recommend to others. “It’s a very friendly environment and you get that from the get-go,” she said. “If you just go in with a positive spirit and just embrace it, then you’re going to do well, and you’re going to enjoy your experience.”

Story by Soumya Kona Design by Soumya Kona Photos courtesy of Megan Palm and Megan Cannan

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Q&A:

JOEY FLAHAVAN

MAJORS: PHYSICS & MATHEMATICS Q: What is SHO? A: SHO exists to bring together a diverse community of Honors students to focus on self-growth, forming connections, and developing academically by providing a variety of events in which they can express themselves and explore different aspects of the program and UF as a whole. We want to make everyone’s time in the Honors program as meaningful and enjoyable as we can. Q: What is your favorite event in SHO? A: The Honors Involvement Conference holds a special place for me. I have been on the small committee that has planned it for the past two years – the only two years that we have been running it – and have gotten to help build it up from the ground. It offers Honors students a chance to connect with organizations and opportunities that are seeking their talents through membership or application. The end result, with its formality and great presentations, is always a great sight to see.

STUDENT HONORS ORGANIZATION

TERRY DERIAS

MAJOR: NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES Q: What is your role in SHO? A: I am currently serving as the president of the SHO board this year. My roles include serving as the official spokesperson of SHO, writing agendas and leading all officer and board meetings, planning events for students of the Honors program, and overseeing the three committees of SHO: Academic and Professional, Community Engagement, and Diversity and Inclusivity. Q: What is your favorite SHO event? A: My favorite SHO event is Luminaire, our annual fine arts showcase for Honors students. This showcase features various mediums of art, including paintings, poetry, music, and dance. The event includes art viewing, socializing, light snacking, and an art contest that includes scholarship prizes. Last year, a total of $750 was given out as scholarship prizes. Luminaire will be taking place on Apr. 17 this year, so mark your calendars!

HONORS ENSEMBLE

12 SPRING 2020 KYRA KIMBALL

MAJOR: NURSING Q: What is Honors Ensemble? A: Honors Ensemble is a non-audition ensemble for anybody in the Honors Program who plays an instrument and wants to make music with others. It doesn’t matter our skill level, everyone is welcome! Q: Why did you join Honors Ensemble? A: I played the violin and was in orchestra from 7th grade to junior year in highschool and I just love playing my instrument and making music. When I moved to Florida my junior year and school didn’t have an orchestra, I thought I’d never be able to play in a group again. But when I toured UF Honors last spring they mentioned Honors Ensemble and it was one of the reasons I wanted to come here and be in Honors!

Q: What is your favorite song that Honors Ensemble has done? A: My favorite song we have done so far is probably the Harry Potter piece we are working on right now for the spring concert!

Honors Clubs Story by Emma Schindler Design by Soumya Kona Photos courtesy of respective clubs

HONORS FIRST GENERATION

MATTHEW FARRELL

MAJOR: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

LUMINARIES

COSETTE BROWN

MAJOR: HEALTH EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR

Q: What are Luminaries? A: Luminaries are the official ambassadors for the UF Honors Program, and by sharing our individual experiences that UF Honors has fostered for us, we hope to recruit the best and brightest students from around the world to also partake of our program and reap its benefits. Q: What does Honors First Generation do? A: The club puts on a monthly General Body Meeting and social for Honors students who are the first in their family to go to college. Q: What do you like most about the organization? A: I like having a personalized source as a first year student in honors for information and insight on campus. Also, they put on events for us. Q: What is your favorite event that Honors First Generation puts on? A: We have climbed to the top of Century Tower, and we had lunch with President Fuchs. I’d say that’s my favorite event.

ALLY FLEISCHER

MAJORS: CRIMINOLOGY & FAMILY, YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SCIENCES

Q: What made you join Luminaries? A: I joined Luminaries because I went on an Honors tour during my junior year of high school and I loved the passion that the student presenters had. I wanted to bring that same energy to other prospective students and families. I wanted to make them as excited about UF as I am.

Q: What do you like most about Luminaries and why? A: I love interacting with the students and their families most. My favorite part of the tour is panels and one on one lunch break because it allows me to talk about my experiences and answer questions from the students.

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Parks and Nature

Around Gainesville

During this semester, it can be difficult to take a break from the stress caused by hard classes. Spending time outdoors can be a nice way to relax and enjoy the weekend. In and around Gainesville there is a large list of gorgeous outdoor areas that are available to the public.

PAYNES PRAIRIE PRESERVE STATE PARK

North Section: 4801 Camp Ranch Road South Section: 100 Savannah Blvd Hours: 8 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. (every day) Price: $6 per vehicle

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is a natural reserve located close to the University of Florida campus. Although the Prairie used to be a lake, today it is a savannah that is home to a larger variety of animals throughout the year.

The North entrance of the park contains the La Chua Trail and the Alachua Sink, which can be viewed by a boardwalk.

The South, entrance is about ten minutes from campus. This section of the park has a visitor’s center, an observation deck, along with Wacahoota Trail, Cones Dike, Jackson Gap, and Chacala Trail.

The observation tower and Wacahoota Trail located right outside of the visitor’s center are great places to see the wildlife from afar. On certain days there are herds of bison, wild horses, deer, alligators, and birds.

If you are looking for a way to get further into the prairie, you can take Cones Dike trail, which is located behind the picnic area and bathrooms near the visitor’s center. To the right of Cones Dike Trail is Jackson Gap and Chacala Trail. Alongside hiking, you can also bike and camp at the prairie. If you are planning on going when the weather is warm, bring a lot of sunscreen and bug spray!

LAKE WAUBURG

North Shore: 133 Regatta Drive Hours: 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Tuesday to Friday) and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)

South Shore: 312 White Hurst Rd, Micanopy, FL 32667 Hours: 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Tuesday to Friday) and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)

Lake Wauburg is located near the south section of Paynes Prairie. The area is free to UF students, if you show your Gator 1 card. There are two sections of this area as well. Kayak and canoe rentals are located at the north end of the lake.

If you are looking for other ways to spend time outdoors, the south section has trails, volleyball courts, picnic pavilions, rock walls, and a rope course. You can also rent out equipment using your Gator 1 card, such as volleyballs, frisbees, and helmets if you are rock climbing.

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SWEETWATER WETLANDS PARK

325 SW Williston Road Hours: 7 a.m. to sunset (Monday to Sunday) Price: $5 per vehicle

If you are looking for long trails leading to scenic views of nature, Sweetwater Wetlands Park may be the place for you. The park has long natural trails and boardwalks leading into a gorgeous wetland area. There is a wide variety of birds and other animals that can be seen while on the trails. This park is also a great place to picnic with friends. Unlike some of the other parks mentioned, large portions of the trails are not in the shade of trees, so make sure to pack sunscreen and bring water!

BIVENS ARM NATURE PARK

3650 S Main St Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (every day) Price: Free

Bivens Arm Park is located near Sweetwater Wetlands Park. The park has a shorter, forested trail which also leads to a small marsh. Bivens Arm is a small part of Paynes Prairie. However, the trail provides a unique view and is not as long as the trails that are found in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. If you don’t have a lot of freetime, it is a nice place to relax in nature and picnic with friends. Since it is a forested area, don’t forget to bring bug spray, especially when it gets warmer in Gainesville.

DEVIL’S MILLHOPPER GEOLOGICAL STATE PARK 4732 Millhopper Road Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Wednesday to Sunday) Price: $4 per vehicle

The Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is located further away from campus. However, the park provides a very unique experience. A trail located in the park leads you down to a sinkhole that contains a miniature rainforest. The amount of steps you need to climb down may seem daunting, but when you reach the sinkhole it is definitely a sight like no other. The area has been used for years by researchers and archaeologists to learn more about the history of the area.

Story by Gina Crespo Design by Gina Crespo Photos courtesy of Ava Diercksen

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