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.
The former US President, Donald J. Trump, is on trial to determine if he is responsible for the Capitol riots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtDavmp0Olo
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For more information or news...
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...
Lend-a-Wing has been moved from Hicks Hall and been merged with the Game Room in order to make it more accessible for students. Ospreys share their opinion on the matter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ibqjOBwhwA&ab_channel=SpinnakerTV
Video...
UNF has doubled COVID-19 cases within the span of one week multiple times, and according to the current report, it very nearly happened again.
Spinnaker reached out to UNF in response to the...
UNF has gone from 22 COVID-19 cases to 43 cases within a week -- almost hitting a 100 percent increase again.
UNF previously experienced a 100 percent increase over the course of one week in Oct....
Spinnaker safely roamed the campus to ask UNF students how they feel about Howard the Duck’s disappearance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agC1-kgLMOg&ab_channel=SpinnakerTV
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the following counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning until approximately 4:15 p.m.: Southwestern Nassau County, Southeastern Baker...
An on-campus COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be open for UNF faculty who are over the age 65 to get vaccinated on Tuesday, Feb. 2, and Wednesday, Feb. 3.
The vaccinations will take place at the UNF Field...
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
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For more information or news tips, or if...
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...
After the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the House of Representatives convenes to vote on an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump.
Watch the historic impeachment proceedings live at the...
Scott Bennet will begin serving as UNF’s vice president of Administration and Finance starting today, Jan. 11, after serving the role as an interim since early 2020.
“Working for UNF the past...
Darvin Nelson, Interim Editor-In-Chief
• January 8, 2021
The UNF Department of Diversity Initiatives (D.D.I.) has released a statement on their Instagram regarding the recent riots that breached the Capitol in Washington D.C.
“Each day, we are confronted...
Darvin Nelson, Interim Editor in Chief
• January 8, 2021
The UNF Dean of Students is requiring all UNF students enrolled in the Spring 2021 semester to take the UNF COVID-19 Education Program.
Even if you have taken the Fall 2020 COVID-19 Education Program,...
Darvin Nelson, Interim Editor in Chief
• January 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...
A production of “Messiah On the Move” will be performed virtually by the UNF choral program. The hour-long performance will involve three student choral ensembles, faculty soloists, and the UNF Lawson...
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, UNF housing will require all residents planning to live on-campus for the spring 2020 semester to be tested for coronavirus during the week of Jan. 4, 2020.
“All...
UNF alumni Diana Greene has been named Florida’s 2021 Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS). She inspires future educators at UNF to accept...
Jacksonville’s 34th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, usually held at the Landing, will now be held at the James Weldon Johnson Park tonight, Dec. 8 at 6:15 p.m.
Mayor Lenny Curry, who’s...
Early in the year when COVID-19 hit, the unemployment rate reached 14.7%, and millions of Americans lost their jobs and some later lost their homes to eviction or not being able to pay rent. A program...
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...
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,...
The UNF Bookstore will be having a “More the Merrier” cyber sale from Wednesday, Nov. 25 until Monday, Nov. 30.
Gifts, clothing, and accessories will be discounted.
Ospreys can save more on...
Fall semester is coming to a close and it's time for Ospreys to register for spring classes.
Students are encouraged to meet with their advisors in order to plan a sufficient schedule for the next...
Featured image courtesy of Brain Cahn/ZUMA Wire via Mother Jones.
In January of 2021, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will step into White House and begin their term in office. A president’s first 100...
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...
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,...
International Education Week (I.E.W.) starts today, and celebrates the academic and cultural exchange programs worldwide. From Monday, Nov. 16 until Thursday, Nov. 19, UNF will celebrate the week with...
The UNF sociology, anthropology, and social work programs will be working with Fulda University of Applied Science in Germany through the Globalized World Program for an intercultural learning opportunity.
“We...
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...
Ospreys may be eager to know what spring of 2021 may look like, and how the university came to a conclusion for what's best for the school. UNF says they are working hard to create a safe plan for students.
“We...
Spinnaker safely ventured on-campus to ask our fellow Ospreys about their thoughts on the presidential election.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiqBaAQCfmc&ab_channel=UNFSpinnaker
Featured image...
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...
For centuries, humans have been consuming dairy milk, but non-dairy alternatives are on the rise. Both cow milk and plant-based milk have their pros and cons, but which type of milk is best for you to...
Featured Image of Judge Brent Shore in Duval County Courtroom by Bob Self.
A judge resigned as chairman of the Duval County Canvassing Board on Thursday, after uncoverings of his donations to the Trump...
A UNF biology team conducted a year-long research study of the population of Jacksonville’s urban alligators. The team wanted to observe how alligators behave in large cities, and found that there are...
Let’s face it, whether we’re in the shower or home alone for a while, we sometimes exchange a few words with ourselves. So, if you’ve been wondering if it's normal to talk to yourself and crack up...
Downtown Jacksonville is safely hosting a spooky “Halloweek” with a socially distanced movie screening of the Disney classic “Hocus Pocus”, food trucks, and more. Jacksonville's new “Halloweek”...
Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris visited the UNF campus to campaign early voting within the local community. Spinnaker documented the scene:
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For more information or news tips, or...
Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris brings her campaign to Jacksonville to encourage early voting after a pause due to several of her staff testing positive for COVID-19.
Among the first day...
Spinnaker safely ventured on-campus to ask students their opinion on the cancellation of Spring Break. Ospreys had mixed feelings about the cancellation.
https://youtu.be/291W3RbFKxc
Featured image...
Governor DeSantis has appointed UNF Deaf and Interpreter Education instructor June Ann LeFors to the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind (FSDB) Board of Trustees (BOT).
“The opportunity to serve...
Many abusers can seem charming and fun at first, and won't blatantly abuse at the beginning of a relationship. Though, there are some red flags that can occur within the early part of the relationship...
The UNF archaeology program is staunchly digging through the Big Talbot Island this semester and unearthed some amazing artifacts -- including one that’s thousands of years old.
UNF Archaeology...
Upcoming graduates may be excited to hear that UNF is expected to hold the Fall 2020 commencement celebration virtually on Friday, Dec. 11, according to an Osprey email.
Part of the commencement will...
Just last week, the university reported 11 positive COVID cases. A week later the number doubled. According to the university’s website, UNF has a staggering 100% increase in student self-reported COVID...
The UNF LGBT Resource Center is celebrating LGBT History Month with some special events to celebrate bisexual, queer, and pansexual communities via Zoom.
#BeBrave / Friday, Oct. 9:
A joint event...
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...
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...
Floridians encountered slow responses or error messages on the voter registration site on Oct. 5 -- the registration deadline.
Potential voters trying to access the website might have been met with...
Darin Nelson, News Editor
Featured image by Justin Nedrow
The University notified students and faculty that a UNF adjunct instructor and two former professors have passed away this month, in an Osprey...
Darvin Nelson, News Editor
Governor DeSantis has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, restaurants, and bars state-wide. The new executive order allows businesses to operate at full capacity.
Local...
Spinnaker went around campus to ask fellow students their opinions on Netflix’s French movie Cuties.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSUo_sUP7Mc&ab_channel=UNFSpinnaker
Granted all interviewees...
Do you like fishing? Well phishing is kind of similar, but while you won't catch a monster bass, someone could catch your Instagram password.
Scam emails are really annoying, but unfortunately our...
Let’s admit it, some students have some pretty child-like handwriting, while others can easily communicate with their gorgeous writing skills that our elementary teachers loved. So why do some people...
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”...
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...
Jill Biden, potential First Lady of the U.S., held a virtual panel discussion about schools and education here in Jacksonville.
The meeting discussed the status of the education system among the pandemic,...
Darvin Nelson, News Editor
U.N.F. Students for a Democratic Society (S.D.S.) released a statement on Facebook consisting of demands for the U.N.F. administration.
The S.D.S. demands are the following:
...
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...
UNF and Eckerd College are working together to reduce plastic in the oceans. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) awarded both institutions a $150,000 grant, called “Toward Sustainable...
Starting today, there will be free walk-in COVID-19 testing available for UNF students.
Testing is held in Osprey Landing Building W, in room 100 from Mondays-Thursdays from 9a.m.- 2p.m.
Students...
Today, at the UNF Fine Arts Building, UNF’s Students for a Democratic Society (S.D.S.) protested police brutality regarding the events in Kenosha, Wis. and the arrest of a S.D.S. member there.
On...
If you’ve been at UNF this week, you may have noticed that the campus is reminiscent of a ghost town - as if Thanos gave it a little snap. There are still people here and there, but it’s nothing close...
By now, most students are familiar with the popular video software, Zoom. This white-collar facetime network has become a crucial resource for the world to communicate virtually, and boy did it pay off....
The Princeton Review has listed UNF in a feature of “2021 Best Colleges: Region by Region.” The publication considers UNF to be academically outstanding and well worth consideration when students are...
The UNF Dean of students, Andrea Adams-Manning, shared an important message regarding the enforcement of UNF policies and the consequences of engaging in risky behaviors that risk the health, safety, and...
If you didn’t know, students were required to take the COVID-19 Education Course through canvas before the August 14 deadline. The University provided this course in order to ensure a more healthy and...
Recently, President Trump stated in a memorandum that the federal loan payment pause will be extended through December 31 of this year, meaning students won’t have to pay loans until 2021. Earlier, this...
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...
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...
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...
Governor Desantis met with Mayor Curry and other local officials at UNF for a roundtable discussion about sports in schools, for the upcoming school year, amid coronavirus.
“When we went to distance...
https://twitter.com/CityofJax/status/1291392129776967680
Governor Desantis is meeting with Mayor Curry and other local officials at UNF for a roundtable discussion about distance learning and the status...
Jacksonville’s Museum of Science and History (M.O.S.H.) will be hosting a sensory entertainment show filled with “laser lights, high-def images and digital sound collide to create a Cosmic Concert.”
Tickets...
Jacksonville’s Sunray Cinema will be hosting a few drive-in movie showings this week.
Inside Out (2015):
August 6 - Gates open at 7p.m. / Showing at 8p.m.
Mandy (2018):
August 6 - Gates...
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,...
Since 1948, The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) has been working globally to promote health and improve medical research and access. On July 7, this year, Trump formally announced his intention to depart...
Mayor Lenny Curry has proposed a budget of 1.34 billion for the upcoming fiscal year.
Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams wants $6 million more dollars for the J.S.O. budget, making a total of $481...
The Student Wellness Complex (S.W.C.) plans to reopen, in phases, on August 17, when Fall classes begin.
The S.W.C. has some guidelines that are expected to be followed:
Prior to using the center,...
With everything going on this year so far, climate change hasn’t really been on the forefront of news, so how is the earth doing?
The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), a group of...
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...
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...
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...
Last week, UNF shared an update on returning to campus in the fall. They have emailed another update specific to UNF employees returning to campus:
“To prepare for a successful reopening in the fall,...
UNF has emailed an update on the status of returning to campus in the Fall. Here are some highlights from the text:
Shared Responsibility:
“A successful return to campus will depend on all of our...
Last week, multiple Jacksonville Attorneys -along with several residents and business owners- filed a lawsuit against the city, the Trump campaign, and the Republican National Committee. The lawsuit was...
Neowise is a rare comet that was located 194 million miles from the sun on March 27 of this year. The comet was named after the Near Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, the mission that discovered...
UNF has created the nation’s first MedNexus, a “university-based medical and healthcare nexus.” The University sent out an email announcing the creation, which was approved $6 million in funding...
Featured Image from Emorja Roberson Facebook.
Emorja Roberson is a UNF alumni that graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance. According to his website, “As of May 2017,...
Lots of Americans will celebrate the Fourth of July by illuminating the night sky with sparklers, smoke bombs, roman candles, ground spinners, and many other types of firecrackers. We’ve all seen different...
Last year, the Swooptroupe put on a great performance of The Sound of Music. This season, the Swooptroupe presents The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy.
Audition dates will be on September 12...
Technology plays a huge role in today’s world as many aspects of life, such as academics and entertainment, are being moved online and are cyber-connected in some way.
Nimit Maru, Co-founder of Fullstack...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Last week, the UNF Women's Center held a public Zoom meeting where students and faculty could discuss racial injustice and trauma. Dr. Rudy Jamison (The Center for Urban Education and Policies) and Dr....
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,...
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...
