"Mr. Two-Bits" to Retire from Gator Football

By Ashley Griffith

GAINESVILLE, Fla.,--After 60 years of leading the spirit and cheers of thousands of screaming Gator fans, George Edmondson—known as “Mr. Two-Bits,” is retiring.

Edmondson started his historical mark in Gator history in 1949 at a game against The Citadel, and ironically ended it with the Gators playing The Citadel again Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008 with a staggering win of 70-19.

After fighting in the Navy in War World II, Edmondson moved home to Tampa and was invited to a Gator game with some friends. At the time, the Gators were losing pretty badly, so he was astonished that the UF fans in the stadium were booing their own team.

He was immediately propelled to cheer when others booed. He started a trend. Soon people were coming to his section to watch his cheering, and began to cheer themselves. By the end of that historic first Citadel game, he had his entire section cheering along.

The rest is history. Throughout the next 60 years he has earned the name “Two-Bits” for his random cheering and unyielding devotion to his team for six decades. “I believe you support your team, your players, your coach, no matter what,” Edmonson told Mike Bianchi from the Orlando Sentinel. “Teams face enough negativism from the opposing fans; they don’t need it from their own fans, too.”

That is exactly what Edmondson has done. Although the Gators are on top of the world now, Edmondson has seen his team through all the rough times, multiple coaches and losses, all the way to their BCS National Championship in 2006.

And today, Edmondson said good bye to it all. He came onto the field in his traditional dress shirt and slacks and bellowed his last cheer. “Two bits! Four bits! Six bits! A dollar! All for the Gators, stand up and holler!”

Some fans in the crowd were given free cardboard Mr. Two-Bit ties as a memorandum for his last day at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

University of Florida students have mixed emotions about Edmondson’s retirement. UF student Mary Deaver said, “I’m kind of sad because we are losing a UF tradition;” however, considering Edmondson is 86, she said she can understand his retirement.

Other students claimed they didn’t really know or care about his retirement or tradition with Gator football. UF student Patrick Bobek said “I never heard of Two-Bits before I got into UF.”

Long-time Gator fans had something different to add. “He takes with him an epic era where football was appreciated, and he showed us the true meaning of a fan,” said Gator fan Roy Moxam.

While the Gators are currently ranked number three in the country, set to play the SEC Championship game on Dec. 6, 2008, and eyeing a slot in the National Championship game, Mr. Two-Bit’s cheers and legacy will live on in the hearts of fans and students everywhere.

In Debt Before You Start?

By Ashley Griffith

ORLANDO, Fla.,--With the United States economy in the midst of a financial crisis, Valencia Community College is taking steps to inform students on debt protection and the importance of financial literacy.

Eunice Cruz, president and founder of Victorious Overcoming Women (V.O.W) Ministries spoke at a Valencia skill shop entitled “Understanding Debt and protecting your Credit" on Thursday.

“The average college student graduates with $40,000 dollars in debt,” said Cruz. She focused on explaining to the students the importance of understanding student loans, credit cards, and your own personal credit score.

Valencia student Bernice Rivera thought the skill shop was especially important for college students because “many students get credit cards and max them out.” One of the most detrimental factors in debt protection Cruz focused on for students was student loans.

The most important advice Cruz offered is to “Read the fine print! Education is important, but you have to understand how much it is going to cost,” she said.

Also included in the skill shop were the issues involved in credit scores. Cruz explained to the students what factors affect your credit score, and how to restore your credit. "When you sign up for a credit card you are now being identified by a three digit number: your credit score,” said Cruz.

Students found the skill shop effective in demonstrating the importance of being financially savvy. “I don’t have credit card, but if I had one, I would know what to do,” said Valencia student, Jennifer Ilojiole.

Sarah-Jane Kenyon takes 2009 LPGA Card

ORLANDO, Fla.,--Sarah-Jane Kenyon, the newest member of the LPGA tour 2009 visited Valencia Community College to speak to students about her career Monday evening.

Kenyon is a fourth-year Duramed Futures tour member, and this year she successfully finished four top five finishes in seven events, which have now led her into a full time career with the LPGA tour.

Kenyon, originally from Queensland, Australia, came to the United States in 2005. “”It’s the best place in the world to play,” said Kenyon. “It has the best tour, and the best players come here.”

In the past few years, Kenyon has played in the Futures tour, the Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) tour, and in 2009, she will begin her full time status on the LPGA tour.

Playing golf has personally and professionally been a positive experience for Kenyon. She met her fiancée, Duane Smith, through the sport, so she said “personally it’s been great!”

The wedding is set for Jan. 10, 2009 in her hometown in Australia.

Earlier this year, Kenyon was diagnosed with Celiac disease, which is a digestive disease that interferes with the absorption of nutrients of food. Upon discovering her illness, Kenyon has changed her diet, which she claims has “made a bit of difference this year particularly” for her playing.

Kenyon has recently become an ambassador for the National Celiac Foundation to increase awareness and funds for the cause. “There is really no awareness for it in America,” said Kenyon.

Although Kenyon has a full time LPGA tour ahead, a wedding, and her non-profit work for the National Celiac Foundation, when referencing her career she said, “It’s definitely worth it.”

"Impeach Barack Obama" Groups Surface on Facebook

By Ashley Griffith

ORLANDO, Fla.,--A few short days after the 2008 presidential election results were announced, hundreds of Facebook groups have been created calling for President-elect Barack Obama’s impeachment.

Of the 169 groups that have been created, one group has collected over 5,000 members just three days after Election Day.

The group is entitled “Impeach Barack Obama,” and currently has 5,781 members. Included on the group page is a description of the aim of those who are preparing for Obama’s impeachment, group discussion posts, photos, videos, and related groups admiring Obama’s opponent in the election, Republican John McCain.

Yet these claims are not in favor of McCain, “we would all be in a similar group for John McCain if he was elected president,” said group member Tom Jaslikowski.

Jaslikowski claims that he, like the creator of the group, is a “libertarian,” and a more suited candidate to change President Bush’s policies would have been Republican Ron Paul.

The group description states that every president recites the following oath from Article II, Section I of the Constitution: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

“This group has been created under the assumption that it takes approximately seven seconds for a modern day president to violate this oath,” said the creator of the group, Ellen Finnigan.

Facebook members have mixed feelings about the groups. “He may not be my first pick for a president, but people see potential in him. Give him a chance before talking about impeachment,” said Facebook member, Kendra Hamilton.

Some of the other group members claim that Obama is a socialist, and “if you want to help America, impeach Obama.”

One “Impeach Barack Obama” group member stated “we hope that we are wrong and Obama brings peace and prosperity, but the evidence indicates otherwise.”

Facebook member, Danielle Machado said, “He hasn’t done anything wrong yet, and the majority of people in American voted for him, so it’s a waste of time because impeachment is not going to happen.”

Comments on the group’s discussion board have a variety of attitudes about the group and Obama’s plans for the U.S. Some are blatantly attacking the creators for their lack of optimism, while some are in compliance with the idea of impeachment.

As the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama will be the inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2009, and will be the first African-American president.