Graduation season has returned, and many college seniors are preparing to walk the stage with more than just academic success to celebrate. These are some of the inspiring stories from students across the state.

At age 5, while most kids are learning to ride bicycles, he was learning how to ride a horse. He didn’t know it then, but those early mornings roping and riding would one day earn him the No. 10 spot in the world at the National Little Britches Rodeo Association finals.

For decades, the historic Matheson House withstood the effects of humidity, major hurricanes and termite infestations. Now, the damage has taken a toll on the property.

Bard & Broadside, a poetry festival held in Gainesville, hosted a creative writing workshop and poetry reading that Lola Haskins led at the Alachua County Library District headquarters on Sunday. The festival is the only one of its kind completely dedicated to poetry in North Central Florida.

Volunteers planted a remembrance garden in an area just north of Gainesville on Saturday to honor Newnansville, a long-forgotten Black community.

Finding a permanent home for the Children's Trust of Alachua County was a top priority for executive director Marsha Kiner.

The first annual plant festival took place Saturday at Waldo City Town Square. Vendors set up tents and sold plants and herbs, as well as other items like toys, quilts, clothing and even farm animals.

When Bethanne Blinder moved to Micanopy from Gainesville in 2015, she became one of many community members to get free uncooked food from a local pantry. She could make her own meals with it at home, but she noticed that many other people could not.

Located on the UF’s campus, Wilmot Botanical Gardens offers therapeutic horticulture, a program like the one Laurent experienced.

At the workshops, a small group of women with a love of both crafting and community come together to handmake greeting cards. The shared activity offers them an escape from their life’s concerns.