My time at UF wasn’t defined by football games, classes or partying at Midtown. It was defined by my time at The Alligator. After my first Sunday meeting at this paper two years ago, I called my mom in tears. I told her I was surrounded by the future of journalism, and I wasn’t meant to be part of it.
I battled something every journalist does: imposter syndrome. My mom told me I was right where I belonged, and as time progressed, I realized she was right. I found a home at UF, and it was in a dingy office filled with people who brought light and warmth to my week. It was full of people who believed in me, and who believe in our collective mission to inform the community.
The staff who fills the paper week after week willingly give up half of their weekend — often facing the Sunday scaries — to collaborate with their peers on stories that matter to our community. This semester, the staff has shown immense bravery in the face of First Amendment restrictions. The Alligator’s reporters are unwavering in their coverage, providing much needed reporting on federal, state and local politics, immigration and university conflicts. It’s a frightening time for journalism, but these journalists are fearless in their pursuit of the truth.
In my first semester here, I really didn’t know much about journalism. My first editor, Christian Casale, asked me for “story pitches” at my first meeting, and the only thought that ran through my head was, “WTF is a story pitch?” However, it was with his patience, guidance and friendship that I found my footing at The Alligator.
Jiselle Lee was another integral part of my first semester. When I pitched a story about the UF surf club, Jiselle asked to be the story’s photographer, which called for her and I to spend a lot of time together. It was sometime between climbing into the surf club’s treehouse (more like a tree platform) and the long beach day covering the club’s contest that we became friends. When she decided to climb the tree, I thought she was crazy. Then, I thought she was awesome and followed her up.
Someone I really looked up to when I first started at the paper was Alissa Gary. We spent two semesters reporting together, one semester desk editing and another as managing editors. Sometimes, it felt like we went through war together. On this last print, you aren’t currently on staff, but I’m still thinking about final print nights with you and how tear-filled they were. I wasn’t ever sure if I was crying because some of my friends were leaving or if it was because you were crying hard enough to move everyone else to tears.
I was a managing editor alongside Siena Duncan, my former metro desk editor. When I became Editor-in-Chief and understood how difficult that role is, I often reflected back on how you handled things. You never came off as anything but absolutely calm, which is something I tried to incorporate into my own leadership style. You were a rock, and you stayed that way through elections, hurricanes and everything in between, and everything was in between.
This semester was accompanied by a vicious news cycle. The Alligator stayed on top of it, and I attribute this to our editors. You will not find a harder working group of people than the 12 who fill The Alligator’s conference room three times a week.
Hailey, sports journalism can be an intimidating place for a woman, but you are not intimidated, and you prove it more and more every day. Noah, I hope you’ll get some sleep as the semester ends, and if I haven’t said it enough: I am so proud of you and your incredible work ethic. Jack and Max, I’m more grateful for our friendship than anything else (however, Metro will always be No.1 at party games).
Syd, we weren’t really friends until we started taking classes together, but it was not long into our friendship that I understood your whimsy. You bring joy with you everywhere you go. Madi, you are the hardest worker in every room. You’re the life of the party. Your soul sparkles, and I feel so lucky to have been your friend and coworker.
Kairi Lowery, Megan Howard and Bailey Diem: Thank you for allowing me to be your desk editor over a year ago. It was a pleasure debriefing your weekends on Sunday afternoons, which felt just as important to me as editing your stories did. It was a full circle moment to see you all become desk editors. It’s been wonderful to watch all of you flourish in your own ways and become leaders at The Alligator. I love you all dearly.
Garrett, you are an incredible reporter (even with some of your word choices…) and an even better editor. The newsroom wouldn’t be the same without you in it. Sophia, I can’t think of an editor I would’ve wanted to work under more than you. Your love for journalism comes from a place of true dedication, which is exactly the kind of journalist we need. Your kindness could spread for miles.
Lastly, Kylie and Nicole — my friends, my sisters in Christ, my All-Female Big Three — we did it. Thank you for having my back this semester. You never let me carry the burden of leadership alone, which is something I did not fully appreciate until the end. You guys embody everything that’s good about humans, and I’m glad I experienced your friendship. I love you both so much.
This paper has been one of the greatest loves of my life. The people were even greater.
Ella Thompson was the Spring 2025 Editor-in-Chief.
Ella Thompson is the Spring 2025 Editor-in-Chief and a fourth-year journalism major. She also worked as the Fall 2024 Digital Managing Editor and the Spring 2024 metro editor. In her free time, she can be found reading, planning a trip or journaling.
