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Vanessa Yanes is leading the publication that once turned her down.
The 20-year-old UF advertising junior serves as editor-in-chief of the student-run fashion and culture magazine Strike. But her rise to the top was anything but effortless.
Born in South Florida to Venezuelan parents, Yanes grew up balancing two cultures — an experience she said shaped her curiosity and ambition. From a young age, education was a priority, and when she arrived at UF, she threw herself into campus life, exploring different paths and communities.
In that search for purpose, Yanes found her place in magazines — and in creation itself.
“Creating has always been my passion and inspiration,” she said.
Before joining Strike, she started her college journey behind the camera as a photographer. But her dream of working on the magazine had been years in the making. Her sister, a former UF student, often spoke about Strike, and Yanes grew up determined to be part of that world.
Her first attempt didn’t go as planned. She applied to join the team during her first semester and was rejected. But instead of giving up, she tried again in the spring, arguing the magazine should trust her talent despite her youth.
This time, she was accepted — and hasn’t looked back since.
“I wake up in the morning, and the first thing I think about is Strike,” she said.
Yanes has always looked beyond the lens, considering the meaning of every element, from makeup to composition, even in her early photography work. But recognizing that as a talent took some time, she said.
“When I was little, I always knew: This looks right, this doesn’t look right,” she said. “I didn’t know why that was a talent, but it was something I really knew I had.”
Her mentors at Strike, meanwhile, saw that potential early on. After being encouraged to apply for leadership positions, Yanes put her name forward for photography director and later for creative director — roles she didn’t expect to earn as a sophomore. But her passion, leadership and unapologetic opinions ultimately set her apart.
After days of silence, she assumed she hadn’t been selected. Then came the call that would change everything: She had been chosen as editor-in-chief.
“She really cares about Strike more than anyone I’ve ever met cares about any organization,” said Mia Tuñón, a 20-year-old UF advertising junior and Yanes’ colleague. “You can tell in her work ethic and in every meeting.”
The role requires not only attention to detail but also a deep understanding of the art each team member brings.
“This magazine that I’m creating — my creative director and I — we really wanted it to feel authentic to the Gainesville community, and not just about a pretty picture,” Yanes said.
Cameron Relicke, a 21-year-old graphic design senior and Strike’s creative director, echoed that sentiment.
“She has a really good blend of creativity and professionalism,” Relicke said. “There was a moment where we shared a tear about just how thankful we are to be working with each other and like feeling seen and heard mutually in our positions. It just feels really good to have an extremely supportive and creative editor.”
As a publication, Strike seeks to build creative communities on college campuses and inspire young artists to explore their craft in collaborative, supportive environments. Yanes’ vision aligns perfectly with that mission.
For her, the goal is not just to create something visually striking but something that feels deeply connected to her city.
It’s about conveying something that “makes Gainesville, Gainesville,” she said.
Yanes’ work is rooted in authenticity and nostalgia, as she views each image as a “time capsule” conveying the emotions, context and story behind the art.
She encourages aspiring creators to speak up and trust their ideas, she said, no matter how they are received.
“If I’d have been silent and had just taken the pictures and not said anything,” she said, “no one would’ve remembered my name.”
Contact María José Cordero in mcastillo@alligator.org . Follow her on X @marprofundo___.
María José Cordero is a contributing writer and a political scientist currently in her first year of a master’s program in Women’s Studies, Gender and Sexualities. She has a keen interest in feminist perspectives and the intersections of politics and social change. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities, soaking up the sun and spending time in nature.
