My time with The Independent Florida Alligator was defined by love and laughter.
Yes, I spent countless early mornings, late nights and short-lived weekends stressing, complaining and sometimes crying over looming deadlines, a brutal news cycle or unedited drafts. But this newsroom gave me the community I needed when I reluctantly moved to Gainesville in Fall 2022, and it fostered friendships that will last until the end of time.
I had the honor of spending six semesters with the most comical, cool and creative people I have ever met. Despite our differences and disagreements, we shared the common purpose of keeping student journalism afloat. I like to think we had fun while doing so.
Something special happens when you put a horde of student journalists into a newsroom office together. It’s a sort of magic that you can’t find anywhere else. Being a student journalist is exhausting. This industry requires sacrifice and thick skin. Blood, sweat and tears are inevitable. But the people make it worth it.
To my partners in crime, Alissa Gary and Zoey Thomas, you made me feel loved and supported when I needed it the most. From the moment we broke out into our first round of giggle fits during staff interviews, I knew we were in for a good semester together. Being your digital managing editor was everything I ever wanted.
Alissa, I look up to you so much. Your constant composure, even in the face of panic and problems, is remarkable. If your dream was to be The Alligator’s editor-in-chief, my dream was to serve by your side.
Zoey, my brilliant data prodigy, thank goodness for Norman Lewis’ classes. The best thing to come out of that class was this friendship. Empathy is one of the world’s most powerful tools, and you wield it with grace and strength. The Alligator is in good hands.
Corey Fiske, even though you didn’t remember me after living in the same freshman year dorm hall and studying abroad together in Italy, I hope you know how excited I was to become your friend this semester. Your laugh is infectious, and your one-liners are always on point. And thank you for the homemade brownies. I really needed those.
Juliana DeFilippo, if you were a “My Little Pony” character, your cutie mark trait would be candor. I’ll miss the quizzical look you give when I say something that doesn’t make any sense.
Shaine Davison, our resident DJ and tea dealer, you might be widely recognized for your humor, but I’ll remember you for your resilience and musical talent. Ben Platt better watch out.
Noah Lantor, please never change. Your ambition and go-getter attitude will take you far. Hopefully down the road our paths will cross again, and we can split a Twix bar. Shoot for the stars, my friend.
Sydney Johnson, you define what it means to be a girl boss. You ran our multimedia desk like the Navy. Our photographers, videographers and designers were lucky to work under your tutelage. I hope they know that.
Vera Lucia Pappaterra — oh, how far we have come. Watching you grow as a reporter and now as an editor has been among the highlights of my college career. You are fearless. After three semesters spent working with you, I am happy to say you no longer scare me.
Maria Avlonitis, you are a powerhouse, and we thrived because we had you on our team. You are the superhero who answered our cry for help, and your commitment to your reporters and to this paper inspired us all to work harder.
Pristine Thai, our resident cat lady and AP style sorceress, I love you dearly. Thank you for your strange commentary, which is forever preserved in the quote bag. No matter where we go in life, I know you will always be stalking my iPhone location.
Luke Adragna, you’re the brother I never had but always wanted. Your compassion, patience and kind presence was a support system I relied on throughout this semester, even if you didn’t know it. Thank you for making me smile.
Mandy Roman, our quiet warrior. Our motley crew can be loud and overwhelming, but you preserved an aura of calm and collectedness. Every newsroom needs that anchor.
And, Megan Howard, I trust you will hold the newsroom accountable and welcome the next team with open arms. In the meantime, please refrain from any fistfights with social media influencers. Stay fierce.
In summary, it’s the people that make the quietly aging newsroom on Southwest 13th Street come to life. This place gave me hope when I felt lost, and it reignited my confidence when I was frightened. It gave me a family.
Thank you, The Independent Florida Alligator, for being the most fun I’ve ever had.
Sophia Bailly was the Fall 2025 digital managing editor.
Sophia is The Alligator's Fall 2025 digital managing editor. She previously served as the enterprise editor and university editor, as well as a beat reporter for three semesters. She has also interned for The Times-Picayune and The News & Observer as a politics reporter. Her non-journalistic passions include long-distance running, reading mystery books and listening to Florence + The Machine.
