CONTENTS

10 14

18 21 24 26 29 33 37

History of the Reporter by Carmen Cruz

A Walk Through the Archives Into the History of Our Organization

Coming of Age: Across Mediums by Hayle Morgan

The Media that Made Us

2000-2023: The Shared Life of the Class of 2023 by Emily Derrenbacker

The Timeline of the Senior Class’ Collective Memory

The Game of Graduation by Eleanor King and Luke McClatchy

An Inside Look Into Stetson Senior Student Athletes

Struggle Meals Past & Present by Carlye Mahler and Carmen Cruz

How Being Broke is Timeless

Rising in the Ranks by Kaelyn-Rose Miranda

Trading Out the Cadet Ranks for Butter Bars

Artistic Sights and Artisanal Snacks by Carlye Mahler and Ciara Kelley

Arts and Appetizers Through the Αges - Our Study Abroad Journey

Unpacked: The Wisdom Edition by Chase Berger

Seniors Share Their Wisdom With Incoming Newbies

AsFlorida’s oldest collegiate publication, The Reporter has a long and storied history of service and partnership with Stetson University. Interestingly, though, very few Hatters are familiar with this integral part of our history. So, before I bow out of these hallowed halls for good, I made it my mission to take a trip through our archives and condense our thousands of publications for your viewing pleasure. Let’s take a walk.

The oldest surviving publication (that I could find) dates back to 1887, a mere four years after Stetson’s founding. Allow me to do the math for you; that makes our organization a whopping 136 years old at the time of this issue’s release. Back then we were called the DeLand Collegiate, and we printed a new issue each month. The editor-in-chief at the time was “Miss Lizzie Webb,” and an annual subscription would run you 50 cents.

This particular edition featured a story about the much anticipated upcoming break. “The approaching vacation is hailed with joy by the students, who have been poring over their books for so many weary months… What picnics, fishing parties and boating excursions are in reserve for us! And above all, how much time we editors will have for sleep and peaceful dreams in which the business manager will not appear asking for more manuscript!!”

As the updated name would suggest, we began publishing new issues weekly around this time. This administration was led by co-editor-in-chiefs Elizabeth Winegar and Louise McKinney. Subscription prices jumped to a dollar, and a Stetson-themed cartoon and ad followed the title page of new releases.

In addition to student-centered news, poems and cartoonish drawings were also printed. We boasted an impressive sports section back then, and we took care to provide comprehensive summaries of recent scholastic events. Interestingly, our school’s seal was embossed on the front pages.

This marked the first of many special satiric editions that would be released annually, on April Fools Day. It was entirely composed of phony articles meant to surprise and humor its readership. Even the name was a riff on the updated title of our organization: The Reporter.

This edition had articles like “Pope’s Pub to Be Opening Soon” and “Elections Said To Be Fixed.” The tradition was carried on (with a few years skipped along the way) until 2016, which itself featured a tasteful collection of memes and a jorts breakdown. That year (2016) also marked the pivotal moment where The Reporter moved its format from traditional newspapers to magazines.

Looking back on our organization’s long and storied history fills me with pride. We have survived over a century of trials and we have overcome obstacles the likes of which few are privy to. I am honored to have had the opportunity to contribute to its legacy, and am equally as excited to see how it evolves and grows once I’m good and gone. So, re-