More than 200 people gathered in a field near Southwest Recreation Center Monday evening to honor Nyla Holland, a UF student killed in a traffic collision outside the complex Sunday night.
In a quiet tribute, loved ones laid bouquets and stuffed animals on a table in memory of Holland, a 20-year-old UF animal science sophomore and dedicated member of the UF Reserve Officers Training Corps. Gospel music played as attendees stood in silence, shielding flickering candles from a gentle breeze. Some held hands and exchanged comforting embraces.
The vigil began and ended with a prayer.
“We will see Nyla again,” Holland’s father told the crowd. “She is in the arms of God, and there's no better place.”
Holland was driving her moped on Hull Road near Southwest Recreation Center when she collided with a car, ejecting her from the scooter. Emergency crews transported her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Gainesville Police Department is investigating the incident and is urging any witnesses of the crash to contact the department’s public information officer.
Among the three Holland siblings, Nyla was known as the “wild child,” her father said with a smile.
“Nyla had a fire, and that fire is not out,” he said. “We live with that fire; we have that fire. She will be remembered. She will be in our heart always.”
Fellow ROTC cadets attended the vigil in uniform. One cadet recalled a moment encapsulating Holland’s resilience: she had once volunteered as goalie for the ROTC intramural soccer team.
“She did not block a single goal, but she smiled the whole time,” the cadet said, drawing laughter from the crowd. “I think that embodies her spirit and the spirit of ROTC and the spirit of Florida Gators — that when you get knocked down she got up every single time.”
One of Holland’s roommates, who had known her since sixth grade, spoke through tears about their bond.
“I don’t have any siblings, so she was a sister to me,” she said.
One of Nyla’s biology lab partners said she was the highlight of the class and led him to develop some of his closest friendships.
“You’re just dreading being there,” he said, referencing the lab period. “But being there in a room with Nyla for three hours made it all worth it.”
In the wake of Holland’s death, UF is providing counseling services to students. Students can reach out to U Matter, We Care or the Counseling Wellness Center. ROTC students will be provided with support through the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps.
“Our hearts are with Nyla’s family and loved ones during this difficult and painful time,” UF spokesperson Cynthia Roldan wrote in a statement.
Kali Migliaccio, dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, wrote in an email to students recalling Holland as an “outgoing and driven student,” “soft-hearted and kind” and “always having the best smile.”
The university has reached out to Holland’s family to provide support, Migliaccio added.
As the vigil drew to a close, attendees followed Holland’s family as they placed flowers and a picture of her in front of the recreation complex’s sign near Hull Road.
Contact Michael Angee and Shaine Davison at mangee@alligator.org and sdavison@alligator.org. Follow them on X @michaelangee and @shainedavison.
Shaine Davison is a second-year journalism major and the university graduate school and Santa Fe reporter. Outside of classes, she enjoys spending time with friends and studying at coffee shops.
Michael Angee is a second-year journalism major and the Student Government reporter. When he's not at the Gainesville Sun building, he enjoys cooking and listening to music with friends.
