Getting to Know Gainesville, Florida

But First, Get to Know Kate 

Kate Venezio is a fourth-year Telecommunication-News student at the University of Florida. Her perfect day is spent writing on her laptop in a Downtown Gainesville coffee shops, as it pours outside. Editing photos, writing sports feature stories, and updating radio listeners are all things this girl loves to do.

Kate was raised in Orlando, Florida, before moving to Gainesville to attend UF. Kate grew up a "Gator Hater." She loved to root against the Gators in order to support her dream school, the University of Miami. Originally, when applying to universities, Kate applied to UF as a backup choice. Her top two picks did not include the No. 9 ranked University of Florida. Instead the University of Miami and the University of Washington topped her list. 

In the end, she felt obligated to attend a school with a top ten ranking in the nation. In some rankings, UF holds the number one slot. Kate knew if she passed on the opportunity she would ultimately regret it. "Hard worker" doesn't come close to describing her. She devotes her time to reporting for the Florida Gator softball time, writing and recording for ESPN Gainesville/ WRUF. Additionally, Kate generates stories for WUFT News. Interviewing Gainesville Officials such as Mayor Lauren Poe, attending State of the City Addresses, reporting on camera, video editing, and writing for print and TV all are a part of her daily life. She also is a reporter for the Sports in 60 segment, a photographer for the Florida Gators sports teams, and the Secretary of AWSM (the Association for Women in Sports Media), a club close to her heart. This girl can't wait to graduate and work hard to transform her dreams turn into reality. Giving glory and gratitude to the grand Gator Nation, of course. 

This blog will highlight all the golden spots that Gainesville has to offer. This town has way more to offer than the Bull Gator statue pictured above.