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UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

Darvin Nelson

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter

In grade school, mystery books were the only kind of books I could tolerate. While my peers were reading The Fault in Our Stars, I either had my nose in a Nancy Drew novel or was in the middle of a chapter in Encyclopedia Brown. There was something about the characters’ ability to investigate a situation that I was envious of. So naturally, as I grew up, I gravitated to the idea of working in a student news environment.

Fresh out of high school, during Summer B 2019, I googled if UNF had a student news organization. That’s how I found Spinnaker, a warm nook in the Student Union with a welcoming staff. I started volunteering immediately. Since then, I’ve navigated almost half of the positions in the news department and learned tremendously from each.

I’m a photography major, so for me, combining photography and writing has been a successful recipe for informing others through effective journalism. Although there are challenges here and there that most journalists face, my curious mind keeps bringing me back to journalism, a truly alluring craft.

All content by Darvin Nelson
UNF Lend a Wing. Courtesy of Google

Watch the Lend-a-Wing grand opening live!

Darvin Nelson, Editor-in-Chief | Feb 5, 2021

Student Government will be hosting the Lend--Wing's grand opening live on Facebook. The process of transferring the food pantry from Hicks Hall to the Student Union has taken a few semesters, but...

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A light rain falls at the U.S. Capitol as preparations continue prior to the 59th inaugural ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Live: Biden and Harris Inauguration

Darvin Nelson, Editor-in-Chief | Jan 20, 2021

Watch the historical Inauguration ceremony of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris live on the White House's website here, or below. https://youtu.be/C-qYgs_yOXA ____ For more information or news tips, or if...

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Graphic by Spinnaker Creative Team.

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Darvin Nelson, Editor-in-Chief | Jan 18, 2021

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) was born in Atlanta, Georgia almost a century ago, yet his philosophy and intolerance for economic and racial inequality still live on. Dr. King’s children carry...

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Photo by Colin McCann.

Campus activities for the Spring 2021 semester

Darvin Nelson, Interim Editor in Chief | Jan 5, 2021

Campus life before 2020 was filled with kayaking, rock climbing and other fun activities, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the university to apply limits and regulations to campus facilities in order...

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Photo from Deck the Chairs’ Facebook.

Deck the Chairs holiday beach event

Darvin Nelson, News Editor | Dec 2, 2020

Deck the Chairs is an annual celebration in Jacksonville Beach in which citizens display beautifully decorated lifeguard chairs. People come from across state lines to see these creative chairs. “Free...

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Image by Element5 Digital via Usplash.

Orgins of Thanksgiving

Darvin Nelson, News Editor | Nov 26, 2020

Many remember Thanksgiving as a heart-warming 24 hours about scarfing down delicious turkey and spending time with family and friends. But there is some controversy about how the warm holiday is portrayed,...

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President-elect Joe Biden listens as Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, speaks about economic recovery at The Queen theater, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Kamala Harris makes history

Darvin Nelson, News Editor | Nov 17, 2020

Featured image by AP Photo/ Andrew Harnik. Kamala Harris has broken boundaries by becoming the U.S. Vice President-elect. Harris will be the first woman, and woman of color to be VP, but as this may...

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UNF Thanksgiving food drive ends soon

UNF Thanksgiving food drive ends soon

Darvin Nelson, News Editor | Nov 17, 2020

The UNF Psychology Department is collecting non-perishable food items for the Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.   The drive benefits local families enrolled in Head Start, and will end on Wednesday,...

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UNF honors Veteran's Day

UNF honors Veteran’s Day

Darvin Nelson, News Editor | Nov 11, 2020

Featured grapphic by Erika Romanczuk. In honor of Veteran’s Day, UNF President Szymanski will be giving a special message on Instagram (@unfmvrc) today. There will also be an array of honoring events...

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Electoral College explained

Electoral College explained

Darvin Nelson, News Editor | Nov 3, 2020

When you cast a vote, you’re not really voting for the president, but rather a group of people to vote for them called the Electoral College. Many voters may not know what the Electoral College is, or...

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Voter registration deadline extended

Voter registration deadline extended

Darvin Nelson, News Editor | Oct 6, 2020

Governor DeSantis has extended the voter registration deadline to participate in the 2020 general election after the issues with the voter registration site on Monday evening. Secretary of State Laurel...

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"Cobra Kai" review

“Cobra Kai” review

Darvin Nelson, News Editor | Oct 6, 2020

Loyal fans of the original 1984 “The Karate Kid” may not be too eager about the spin-off “CobraKai” at first, but it might grow on you. “Cobra Kai” is interesting enough to watch, but certainly...

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UNF Osprey Sculpture. Photo credit Jonathan Merin.

UNF ranked one of the best national colleges

Darvin Nelson, News Editor | Sep 15, 2020

UNF has been ranked one of the best national universities by the U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 edition of “Best Colleges,” for the second time. UNF has also been ranked among the “Best Regional”...

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Remembering Sept. 11, 2001

Remembering Sept. 11, 2001

Darvin Nelson, News Editor | Sep 11, 2020

Featured Image by Spinnaker Creative Team Today marks the anniversary of the tragic Sept. 11, 2001 events. At 8:46a.m., the time the first plane hit the North tower of the World Trade Center, a moment...

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Are you sleeping well?

Are you sleeping well?

Darvin Nelson, News Editor | Sep 4, 2020

Sleep deprivation is no stranger to college students and is surely detrimental to your health. With remote classes and extra free time, students may have been getting much more sleep, but some may also...

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Annual Perseid meteor shower peaks soon

Annual Perseid meteor shower peaks soon

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Aug 11, 2020

The annual Perseid meteor shower will peak in the pre-dawn hours of August 12 and 13. The week after, from midnight to dawn any morning, should produce a few meteors as well, according to NASA. Meteors...

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Today is Son and Daughter Day?

Today is Son and Daughter Day?

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Aug 11, 2020

You’ve heard of Mother’s day, Father’s day, and maybe even Grandparent’s day - but did you know that there’s a Son and Daughter day?  The origins of this day go back 1930s Missouri, according...

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How to vote by mail

How to vote by mail

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Aug 10, 2020

Presidential elections happen every four years, but this time it’s gonna be a little different. Coronavirus has altered our reality and caused us to make many changes in everyday life, but now it has...

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How do hurricanes get their names?

How do hurricanes get their names?

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Aug 3, 2020

Matthew, Irma, Dorian, and now Isaias are all names of hurricanes that have trailed through Florida, but where do their names come from? “Using names for these storms makes it much easier for meteorologists,...

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UNF launches self-screening tool

UNF launches self-screening tool

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Jul 28, 2020

Unf has launched a self-screening tool to help students and faculty keep track of their health.  The self-screening tool can be accessed through the Safe Ospreys App and online through the Daily Self-Screening...

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Netflix's "Cursed" review

Netflix’s “Cursed” review

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Jul 24, 2020

Featured image courtesy of That Hashtag Show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLTdy6PfotA There are many shows and movies produced about the tales of Camelot, but they all generally follow the same...

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Is coronavirus testing accurate?

Is coronavirus testing accurate?

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Jul 23, 2020

In the past few months coronavirus cases have surged in Florida, with over 380, 000 confirmed COVID cases as of today.  Many are rushing to the testing centers to know whether or not they have...

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What will it take to host the R.N.C.?

What will it take to host the R.N.C.?

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Jun 26, 2020

The Republican National Convention (R.N.C) is expected to be held here in Jacksonville this fall from August, 24 through August, 27. How much will it cost Jacksonville, and what will it take to host it?  The...

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Blast from the Past: Sky High

Blast from the Past: Sky High

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Jun 24, 2020

After recently watching Sky High again, I was met with overwhelming nostalgia. Characters, such as Mr. Medulla, that I completely forgot about and scenes that were as great as I remember were in action...

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History of Juneteenth

History of Juneteenth

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Jun 19, 2020

Today is the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, a national holiday that celebrates the end of slavery. In light of recent events, such as the BLM movement and the retraction of confederate statues, the...

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The future of movie theaters amid COVID-19

The future of movie theaters amid COVID-19

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Jun 17, 2020

Going to the movies is one of those activities that require being around strangers for an extended period of time, so it doesn't seem like the best idea in the midst of COVID-19. The coronavirus has threatened...

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Official BSU statement to the Osprey community

Official BSU statement to the Osprey community

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Jun 10, 2020

UNF's Black Student Union (BSU) executive board and committee released an official statement regarding recent racial injustices: "To the University of North Florida Students, Administration, Alumni,...

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Blast from the Past: Heroes

Blast from the Past: Heroes

Darvin Nelson, Features Editor | Jun 9, 2020

Featured image from sreenrant.com. Heroes ran from 2006-2010, and every episode is awe-inspiring.  A group of people, from all over the world, begin to realize their extraordinary abilities...

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