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Wednesday, June 18, 2025

A glance at reality for Gainesville City Commissioner-at-Large Reina Saco

Reina Saco and her family immigrated from Cuba to the United States when she was 4. They were held in a refugee camp for about a year before being paroled. Today, she is a Gainesville city commissioner-at-large -- a highly educated woman who strives to assist low-income and immigrant community members while maintaining the city's safety. Saco recently gave birth to her first child, Jojo. She works with her husband, Adam, to balance motherhood and government all at once. Holding a powerful position as a woman, immigrant and mother puts her in uncomfortable and dangerous situations daily, yet she remains brave and bold in her actions, words and lifestyle. 


Madilyn Gemme

Madilyn Gemme is the Spring 2025 Multimedia Editor and a second-year specializing in visual journalism. You might recognize her work for several other organizations, including the UAA, Strike Magazine, WUFT and SG. In her free time she enjoys traveling, watching new movies and running her business, Gemme Photography.

Related

On May 21, the Florida Gators visited the White House, marking the third time the team has made the trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The team was invited after becoming the NCAA basketball champions, something the president and Gators fans across the nation were eager to celebrate.

A look back at the Gators' visit to the White House

On May 21, the Florida Gators visited the White House, marking the third time the team has made the trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The team was invited after becoming the NCAA basketball champions, something the president and Gators fans across the nation were eager to celebrate.


Beer, 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. 

Gators win national championship

Beer, 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. 


When 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.

Final Four: How Gainesville celebrated its victory

When 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.


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