




Cindy Lasseter Smock, better known to her more than 500,000 TikTok followers as “Sister Cindy,” came to Plaza of the Americas on Monday, Feb. 7.
A former UF student from the ‘70s, Smock came with her husband George Edward “Jed” Smock Jr., who she said converted her when she was a student.
A viral sensation, Smock was met with a crowd of over 500 students that dwindled throughout the day. She said on her TikTok that she will be at UF until Wednesday, Feb. 9.
Alan Halaly is a third-year journalism major and the Spring 2023 Editor-in-Chief of The Alligator. He's previously served as Engagement Managing Editor, Metro Editor and Photo Editor. Alan has also held internships with the Miami New Times and The Daily Beast, and spent his first two semesters in college on The Alligator’s Metro desk covering city and county affairs.
Ashleigh Lucas is a second-year journalism student at the University of Florida and the photo and video editor for The Alligator. She previously worked as a photographer and videographer at The Alligator, and was the photo and video editor in the fall of 2022. In her freetime she enjoys binge-watching cheesy TV shows, practicing her photography skills and reading any book she can get her hands on.
DJ duo Chainsmokers performs at SwampFest
Apr. 15The Chainsmokers headlined SwampFest at Flavet Field April 14, with DJ opener Riordan. The iconic duo mixed in new material with hits like “Paris” and “Don’t Let Me Down,” also remixing classics like “Teenage Dirtbag” and “Seven Nation Army.”
GALLERY: Thousands attend the first No Kings protest of the year
Mar. 29About 2,000 people gathered at Gainesville’s Cora Roberson Park on Saturday to protest the Trump administration. The protest was part of No Kings demonstrations planned across the country — the third since the series began June 14, 2025, and the first of this year.
UF’s Lettuce Club holds its first eating competition
Mar. 10A crowd of around 40 people gathered by a bench to watch 20 members of UF’s Lettuce Club compete in a lettuce eating competition Feb. 19. Many watched with their own pieces of lettuce in hand, and some even gripped personal bottles of dressing to complement the leafy greens.




