





Cindy Lasseter Smock, better known to her more than 500,000 TikTok followers as “Sister Cindy,” came to Plaza of the Americas on Monday, Feb. 7.
A former UF student from the ‘70s, Smock came with her husband George Edward “Jed” Smock Jr., who she said converted her when she was a student.
A viral sensation, Smock was met with a crowd of over 500 students that dwindled throughout the day. She said on her TikTok that she will be at UF until Wednesday, Feb. 9.
Alan Halaly is a third-year journalism major and the Spring 2023 Editor-in-Chief of The Alligator. He's previously served as Engagement Managing Editor, Metro Editor and Photo Editor. Alan has also held internships with the Miami New Times and The Daily Beast, and spent his first two semesters in college on The Alligator’s Metro desk covering city and county affairs.
Ashleigh Lucas is a second-year journalism student at the University of Florida and the photo and video editor for The Alligator. She previously worked as a photographer and videographer at The Alligator, and was the photo and video editor in the fall of 2022. In her freetime she enjoys binge-watching cheesy TV shows, practicing her photography skills and reading any book she can get her hands on.
Gators win national championship
Apr. 8Beer, firecrackers and chants of “it’s great to be a Florida Gator” were flung in the air as the Gators won the national championship, quickly prompting spectators to jump out of their chairs and over the fence onto Second Avenue.
Final Four: How Gainesville celebrated its victory
Apr. 7When UF’s Final Four matchup against the Auburn Tigers ended in triumph, Gainesville roared. Students stormed the streets. Bar floors shook. Fireworks exploded. The Gators had just advanced to their first National Championship since 2007. Take a look at how the city celebrated.
Remembering UF student Nyla Holland
Mar. 10Holland, a UF animal sciences sophomore, died in Gainesville March 2. She was 20 years old. Family and friends remember Holland as a resilient, energetic and loving jack-of-all-trades.