Skip to Main Content
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

Heydi Ortiz.

Heydi Ortiz

After being with the Spinnaker for almost three years and taking a year break, Heydi has decided to return. Heydi is a former Editor in Chief of Spinnaker and enjoys writing investigative news stories.

All content by Heydi Ortiz
UNF'S Counseling Center entrance

UNF’s Counseling Center: What’s new?

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | Nov 28, 2022

Attending classes, completing midterms and working a full-time or part-time job all while keeping up with family or friends can be potential stressors in one’s life. The University of North Florida’s...

Read More
Photo by Darvin Nelson

Letter from the Editor: In time

Heydi Ortiz, Editor in Chief | Jun 3, 2020

“We allow our ignorance to prevail upon us and make us think we can survive alone, alone in patches, alone in groups, alone in races, even alone in genders.” -Maya Angelou It’s only the sixth...

Read More
Lend-A-Wing provides food for student free and anonymously. Photo by Spinnaker Media

UNF creates UNF Student Emergency Relief Fund

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Mar 18, 2020

Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, the University of North Florida has created a fund for enrolled students who remain on campus and are dealing with unfortunate housing situations, food insecurity,...

Read More
How to do Valentine's with the Galentine's

How to do Valentine’s with the Galentine’s

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Feb 12, 2020

For most, Valentine's can be a day filled with love and appreciation for your significant other. For others, it’s a dreaded holiday to avoid. But if you’re flying solo on Valentine's day, why not make...

Read More
Photo Courtesy of Unsplash.com

The tragedies on our island

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Jan 21, 2020

**This story was written by Heydi Ortiz, Spinnaker’s managing editor. Heydi has family in Puerto Rico and personal ties to the tragedies that have occurred there.** “The non-stop earthquakes made...

Read More
Student's in class

College and the obsession with attendance

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Jan 8, 2020

College students pay thousands of dollars to attend colleges and universities in hopes of obtaining a degree but students fill the seats of overcrowded lecture halls and turn their attention to the person...

Read More
photo of broken glass on the floor

Jacksonville sees its first ever ‘rage room’

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Dec 10, 2019

Get ready to relieve some stress. Jacksonville is seeing it’s first ever 'rage room' called “Just Smash It” where you can rent out a room with a theme of your choice to smash things. You'll be...

Read More
photo of glow in the dark sign of instagram like

Instagram does the unexpected

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Nov 14, 2019

The Instagram app has gone through many changes in recent years. From allowing users to archive their photos, to allowing users to post longer videos and multiple photos, and being able to switch their...

Read More
Photo of someone taking a test

SAT and ACT: Is it coming to an end?

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Nov 8, 2019

The dreaded SAT and ACT standardized tests that plagued our entire senior year of high school may no longer be a worry for upcoming generations seeking higher education. This is all due to the increasingly...

Read More
FSCJ logo

FSCJ denies claims of alleged attacker on campus

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Oct 10, 2019

Yesterday morning, a tweet about an FSCJ student who was allegedly attacked at Kent Campus was the topic of conversation for Jacksonville college students.  According to FSCJ, this incident never happened. The...

Read More
vegan burgers

A vegan guide to fast food

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Oct 8, 2019

If you’re vegan, or have dairy or gluten intolerances, then you know that finding a fast food place you can eat at is a bit of a struggle. But there’s more the world of fast food has to offer than...

Read More
Young man vaping

What’s new about vaping?

Heydi Ortiz and Alex Bowman | Sep 17, 2019

We’ve all heard countless stories about how vaping is bad for you, but what makes this story different? The effects of vaping are starting to show as six deaths have occurred from vaping devices or products....

Read More
There's a shortage on what?

There’s a shortage on what?

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Sep 10, 2019

There may not be any laws when you’re drinking Claws but there are some flaws. First it was Popeye's Chicken Sandwich and now it’s one of the most recent, popular alcoholic drinks in America. Yes,...

Read More
a couple holding hands on a date

10 unique date ideas for lovebirds in Jax

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Aug 12, 2019

Are you and your Tinder date looking for somewhere to go? Are you tired of the cliche idea of going to the movies? Look no further. Here some date ideas that will for sure impress your date: 1.Take...

Read More
What's open during Summer intercession

What’s open during Summer intercession

Heydi Ortiz, Managing Editor | Aug 5, 2019

  Intercession begins on Saturday, Aug. 3 and goes through Sunday, Aug. 18. If you’re wondering what’s open on campus and what’s closed then here are the special hours of operation and closures: Bookstore: ...

Read More
UNF student on camera

How UNF students feel about the border crisis

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | Jul 5, 2019

A recent photo of a migrant father and his daughter laying deceased in the Rio Grande River after an attempt to cross the border from Mexico into the United States has become what others describe as...

Read More
Photo of a phone that says "Save money"

College student discounts and deals

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | Jul 1, 2019

We all know attending college while working and trying to maintain a safe budget is not the easiest task. Companies are aiming to make this easier for college students through discounts and deals. Here...

Read More
Dorm hallway leading to exit door

Roommate horror stories

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | Jun 19, 2019

Although some students find on-campus living to be a smooth transition from home life, others start out their college experiences with some unfortunate roommate horror stories. “She made comments...

Read More
Twenty One Pilots Bandito Tour

Twenty One Pilots makes a stop in Jacksonville

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | Jun 11, 2019

If you're a fan of their new album Trench then be sure to buy last minute tickets. Twenty One Pilots will perform at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena on June 14 as a part of their "Bandito" Tour. The...

Read More
A stack of books

How wealth influences college admissions

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | Jun 8, 2019

Recent scandals and data continue to fuel the belief that post-secondary education is rigged for the wealthy. With the recent college admissions scandal, involving prominent actresses Lori Loughlin and...

Read More
Apple announces the discontinuation of iTunes

Apple announces the discontinuation of iTunes

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | Jun 3, 2019

After it's long run in the company, Apple announced on Monday that iTunes will no longer be available. According to Bloomberg, the iTunes app has long been overshadowed by  Apple Music. The replacement?...

Read More
The Ogier Gardens had minor damage during the hurricane. Valeree Del Guidice

Herbal Tea@Ten

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | Jun 3, 2019

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaQr9pNSZ9c[/embedyt] On Friday morning, the workshop sponsored by the Department of Recreation and Wellness began with a tour of the Ogier Gardens which consisted...

Read More
The app that turns sleeping into a game

The app that turns sleeping into a game

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | May 30, 2019

On Tuesday, May 28, the CEO of the Pokémon Company announced at a Pokémon press conference that they would be releasing a game much like Pokémon Go, except this game doesn’t involve walking. It involves...

Read More
What is your struggle meal?

What is your struggle meal?

Heydi Ortiz, News editor | May 29, 2019

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXbXaASbh-c[/embedyt]   It’s safe to say that with our busy lives we’ve made ramen noodle meals fancied up with sautéed vegetables or an egg, boxed...

Read More

UNF’s Ogier Gardens serves up the tea

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | May 28, 2019

The UNF Ogier Gardens is serving up an event called Herbal Tea @Ten. The event is meant to educate workshop attendees about how to dry, make and brew their own fresh herbal teas. The guided tour and...

Read More
Lather on the real stuff

Lather on the real stuff

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | May 21, 2019

We hate to break it to you, but according to a recent study from the Brooks College of Health, that homemade sunscreen is not going to cut it. The study, conducted by an associate professor at UNF’s...

Read More
Sippers Coffeehouse on Gate Parkway has an assortment of tables and cubbies perfect for group studying or reading silently.Photo courtesy of Sippers Coffeehouse.

Why you might have the coffee poops

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | May 20, 2019

As college students it’s not uncommon to stop by Starbucks for your daily cup of coffee. After grabbing your iced caramel latte, you head straight to class. As you sit there, listening to your professor...

Read More
New updates coming to UNF Wi-Fi

New updates coming to UNF Wi-Fi

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | May 15, 2019

You might see a change in the UNF wi-fi as  UNF's ITS Help Desk says additional updates to the “UNF- Wireless” network are  being applied this week. Students and employees may be asked to accept...

Read More
 Graphic by Kaitlin Sinardi.

Get your paddles with summer kayaking lessons

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | May 13, 2019

Thanks to UNF’s Division of Continuing Education, you can now check learning how to kayak off your bucket-list. You can now learn the different types of kayaking, equipment, safety, the rules and regulations,...

Read More
Walmart raises minimum smoking age to 21

Walmart raises minimum smoking age to 21

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | May 13, 2019

If you’re 18 and planning on buying tobacco related products, then Walmart and Sam’s Club aren't the places to go. Starting July 1, the company will no longer sell tobacco products or e-cigarettes...

Read More
Summer A hours on campus

Summer A hours on campus

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | May 13, 2019

  If you’re on campus and wondering what’s open or deciding between things to do, look no further. Here’s a list of Summer A hours: Bookstore: Monday, May 13 to Wednesday, May 15:...

Read More
UNF Student, Jesse Martinez, was arrested on April 9.

Martinez sentenced to 6 years in prison

Heydi Ortiz, News Editor | May 10, 2019

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYLxobEoIu0[/embedyt] 23-year-old, Jesse Martinez, was described by his mother as a “bundle of joy” and by the rest of his family and friends as a “quiet”...

Read More
Photo by Camille Shaw

UNFPD reports a missing student

Heydi Ortiz, Police Reporter | Apr 28, 2019

UNFPD was dispatched to The Fountains on April 21, in response to an allegedly missing student, Marisela Analis Myers Vasquez. Upon arrival, police met with Vasquez’s mother who said she last saw her...

Read More
Courtesy of St. Lawrence University

The canning of UNFs philosophy graduate program

Heydi Ortiz, Police Reporter | Apr 24, 2019

Visit the UNF philosophy program graduate page and what will you find? “We are not accepting applications at this time.” Why? After a year of consideration, UNF is canning their philosophy graduate...

Read More

UNFPD responds to battery call in Crossings

Heydi Ortiz, Police reporter | Apr 16, 2019

On April 11, UNF police responded to a battery call in Crossings, Bldg. S. According to the police report, the victim and the suspect began arguing over the smelly food in the trash can that he had thrown...

Read More
photo taken by Heydi Ortiz

UNF opens the Pre[serve] Art Exhibit

Heydi Ortiz, Police Reporter | Mar 30, 2019

The opening of the Pre[serve] art gallery was filled with people wanting to get a glimpse of the art created by student artists and inspired by a place close to home. The Sawmill Slough Preserve is a 382-...

Read More
Crossings Door

Dorm doors failing to close

Heydi Ortiz, Police Reporter | Mar 21, 2019

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex_y8iYRsaU[/embedyt] In February, police reported to a burglary at the Crossings where the students were away for a weekend. Last week, a student had $500 stolen...

Read More
Jason Ford. Photo courtesy of the Dothan Eagle.

Imposter softball coach sentenced to 15 years

Heydi Ortiz, Police Reporter | Mar 5, 2019

Jason Ford pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children back in November of last year, and last week, U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom sentenced Ford to 15 years in prison. Ford was accused of impersonating...

Read More
As a part of the Barnes Initiative, they post a picture and profile of a women in STEM every month in female restrooms.

Women in STEM at UNF

Heydi Ortiz | Mar 3, 2019

The majority of college graduates and master’s level degrees are women and 40 percent of the workforce in the United states are also women, according to the Girl Scout Research Institute. Yet, women...

Read More