I had wanted to join The Alligator since my freshman year, but I never filled out the application until Spring my junior year. I thought it was now or never, time to get off my ass and stop pushing it off.
But when I finally did apply, I was rejected. It wasn’t until a few weeks into the semester I received a call from the then-editor-in-chief asking me to join the ranks.
I’m glad I didn’t say I was too busy.
I have had the time of my life working at The Alligator. First, I was the food reporter, running all over Gainesville tasting chocolate chip cookies and going places I otherwise would have never been. I probably wouldn’t have landed a summer internship without The Alligator, either.
Then I was opinions editor, which was more daunting and time consuming than I imagined, but working with columnists and spotlighting local voices was very fulfilling.
And my last position at The Alligator: the Avenue editor. Working with such talented reporters — Isabel Kraby, Chris Rodriguez, Teia Williams, Aaliyah Evertz and Summer Johnston — has been a dream, and I can’t wait to see what they do next. I’m proud of all of you.
I’d be remiss to not mention my journey to the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival, alongside Isabel and photographer Chloe Martin. Thank you both for doing such an amazing job, and I had so much fun alongside you. Joining Chloe in the photo pit at Cage the Elephant was a life-changing experience.
Before I joined The Alligator, I’d heard it could be a mixed bag. There’s so much variation between semesters, each under new leadership. I’m lucky to have worked with so many amazing journalists — who I now call friends.
I want to say thank you to this semester’s “Big 3”: Megan Howard, SJ Ranta and, of course, one of my best friends and my roommate Zoey Thomas. I’ve been friends with Zoey far longer than I’ve been part of The Alligator, but working together has brought us closer, and I couldn’t imagine spending so much time with anyone else.
And thank you to the past “Big 3s” I’ve worked with and everyone who I’ve ever shared the editors room with. Every crash out only strengthened us. I’ll miss adding songs to the Spotify jam.
Thank you to my first editor, Tanya Fedak, who was the Spring ‘25 Avenue editor. Whenever I’m stressed, I just think, “What would Tanya do?”
And I’d like to give a special shoutout to anyone who has ever heard me complain about The Alligator. I’m sorry for complaining — it’s all been worth it.
I graduate May 3, and after weekly Tuesday and Thursday meetings that run on for hours and Sunday meetings flat editing, I’m ready to move on.
But I know when I look back, I won’t think about the endless meetings and grind mentality. I’ll think about the friends I made along the way.
(And the $5 margs at post-meeting drinks.)
Corey Fiske was the Spring 2026 Avenue editor.
Corey Fiske is a journalism senior and the Spring 2026 Avenue editor. He previously served as opinions editor, as well as food reporter for the Avenue. Over this past summer, he was a reporting intern at the Portland Press Herald. In his free time, Corey enjoys watching new TV shows, eating chocolate fudge brownie ice cream and traveling to new places.
