Newberry High School claimed the highest graduation rate -- 98.5% -- among Alachua County public schools despite the county and the state of Florida experiencing drops in overall graduation rates for the 2021-22 school year.
Read More »The Point: Your 2022 news year in review
Take a walk back through all of the Florida storylines we covered for you this year.
Read More »Gainesville Juniors Volleyball serves through merging trend
For years, Gainesville Juniors and Vision Volleyball Club were local youth club volleyball rivals. Then in August 2021, the two clubs merged to form a united Gainesville Juniors and recorded the club’s most successful year ever -- a record-breaking six Gainesville teams qualified for USA Volleyball Nationals. More than a year after the consolidation, the teams have become more competitive and their standing has improved.
Read More »Infamous Diamonds dance competition team dazzles Gainesville crowds
Step up and get bucked down. It’s as simple as that. And the Infamous Diamonds of Gainesville always bring their A-game. Majorette-style dance began in the 1960s, with dance lines at historically Black colleges and universities that typically accompanied marching bands. Shows such as “Bring It!” popularized the hip-hop style of majorette dance and competition in 2014, making it a household dance style for many who were unfamiliar with it.
Read More »Career Academy Showcase provides opportunity for youth across Alachua County
Over 750 people walked through the doors of Eastside High School Thursday evening to attend the annual Career Academy Showcase. Alachua County Public Schools faculty welcomed prospective eighth-grade students and family members to visit different displays to familiarize themselves with the 15 career academies spread amongst all the county’s high …
Read More »National Merit Semifinalists begin breathing a sigh of relief
Alachua County Public Schools announced a record number of National Merit Semifinalists. Forty-five seniors — 26 from Buchholz High School, 11 from Eastside High School and eight from Gainesville High School — earned semifinalist designation.
Read More »Alachua County Public Schools will close Thursday as Tropical Storm Nicole upgraded to Category 1 hurricane
Alachua County Public Schools and the district’s offices will be closed Thursday, the district announced Tuesday in a press release and tweet, as north central Florida braces for impact from Hurricane Nicole.
Read More »A Jonesville man’s story challenges the logic of Florida’s process to award a marijuana license to a Black farmer
It highlights a paradox: To win a license intended to remedy historic inequalities in wealth and access, you might need to be rich and well-connected.
Read More »Gainesville’s native son celebrated with a weekend of music
On this weekend of the late Tom Petty’s 72nd birthday, Heartwood Soundstage of Gainesville hosted and organized Tom Petty Weekend, a celebration of the late rock star’s greatest hits and stories. The celebration started Oct. 20, Petty’s birthday, and ended Oct. 22. On Thursday night, the weekend kicked off with …
Read More »Apprenticeships offer alternative to college education
Apprenticeship is an ancient practice that extends to a vast array of industries. Artists, technical workers and tradespeople all learn through immersive practice under the watchful eye of mentors in their chosen fields. No matter the profession, an organic, personalized approach to teaching is intertwined with trust as apprentices grow into full-fledged professionals. For Jack Manfredi, an artist, the choice between college and apprenticeship was easy.
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