Justice Covert

Featured Articles

My favorite published articles. 

The Charge •

Kaitlyn Felton throws 25th no-hitter in UCF softball history

Senior pitcher Kaitlyn Felton screamed when she struck out the last batter she faced. The right-hander had just made history, throwing her first career no-hitter, and did so without the help of one of her pregame rituals.UCF softball (9-5-1) hosted the Quinnipiac Bobcats (1-4) and Pittsburgh Panthers (6-6) for a doubleheader on Thursday at the UCF Softball Complex. The Knights swept both teams, and in the process, Felton joined 15 other Knights pitchers in the record books. Felton, the starter i...
The Charge •

Former quarterback honors UCF with custom helmet at Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — While at the Senior Bowl, former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel went viral on social media when he honored his time as a Knight by wearing a helmet that featured a tribute to the university. Leading up to the final game of his six-year college career, Gabriel decided to wear a custom-made VICIS helmet that featured the logo of every college he played for. It had a dark gray matte finish with a silver feathered Oregon Ducks logo on one side, a glossy red Oklahoma Sooners logo on th...
NSM Today •

Leading with a loud style: Sarah Willis' journey to UCF

Sarah Willis traveled 3,000 miles to get more opportunities to pitch; in the process, she got the chance to grow into herself."Some people might mistaken her for somebody who is just all about the flash," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. "But she's one of the hardest workers on the team."
When watching a UCF softball game, it isn't hard to find Sarah Willis. Pitchers usually walk to the center circle before an appearance; Willis dances. Batters typically take their time getting to firs...
The Charge •

Mr. 1,000: Darius Johnson reaches milestone in UCF's win over Tennessee Tech

From early mornings in his high school gym in Virginia years ago to etching his name in UCF men's basketball history on Tuesday, senior guard Darius Johnson has arrived.With the Knights up nine points with a little over 12 minutes left in UCF's 80-69 win over Tennessee Tech, Johnson shot an open-look three in front of the home bench. The bucket was his sixth point of the night and 1,000th of his career, a feat only 20 Knights have accomplished before him.
"It means a lot," Johnson said....
The Charge •

Does NASA care about the Earth's new mini moon?

A space rock about the size of a bus will be orbiting Earth for the next two months, but does NASA consider it a priority?Starting last Sunday until Nov. 25, an asteroid called 2024 PT5, classed as a mini moon, has been temporarily captured in Earth's orbit in a "horseshoe" path before it will break loose and hang around in Earth's neighborhood until Jan. 9, only to return in 2055, according to a recent study published by the American Astronomical Society.
Dr. Joshua Colwell, pegasus pro...
The Charge •

Students fend off zombies in new game on UCF's campus

Zombies take over the UCF campus Thursday nights and the only defense is humans equipped with Nerf guns.A relatively new game has begun to take hold at UCF. Coming to the university last spring, "Humans vs Zombies" is an activity that combines strategy, fun and exercise all in one, David Lessman, the game's moderator, said.
"It's a fun way of getting people to work as a group, which is fantastic for just life in general," Lessman said. "But also learning how to change a strategy or learn...
The Charge •

Four UCF players chase NFL dreams, compete in Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — Four UCF players competed in the Senior Bowl this past week, getting the chance to elevate their stock ahead of the NFL Draft in April.An annual event that invites over 100 highly touted college football players from across the country, the Senior Bowl is a spot for prospects to meet with NFL scouts and front offices. The week-long event includes three days of practice and is capped off by an all-star game between two teams, each led by a staff of NFL coaches.
The four Kni...
The Charge •

NASA postpones Artemis again; what keeps us grounded?

NASA wants to land on the moon for the first time in over five decades, but delays have pushed back liftoff once again.During a news conference Dec. 5, NASA postponed Artemis II, a mission to send four astronauts around the moon and back to Earth, until April 2026 – the second setback to the project in the past year.
An ensuing mission, Artemis III, which would land astronauts on the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, was also pushed back. It will be delayed until mid-2027, B...
NSM Today •

UCF's chemistry building set to undergo $40 million renovation in May

UCF's 55-year-old chemistry building is set to begin an extensive $40 million periodic renovation in May, its first renovation in over two decades, to address mold, broken furniture, an inconsistent HVAC system and more, Chemistry Department Chair Michael Hampton said via email.The chemistry building underwent a Facilities Condition Assessment report in October 2020 to analyze the state of the building's infrastructure and systems, said a communications manager familiar with the project via emai...

Sports

The Charge •

Kaitlyn Felton throws 25th no-hitter in UCF softball history

Senior pitcher Kaitlyn Felton screamed when she struck out the last batter she faced. The right-hander had just made history, throwing her first career no-hitter, and did so without the help of one of her pregame rituals.UCF softball (9-5-1) hosted the Quinnipiac Bobcats (1-4) and Pittsburgh Panthers (6-6) for a doubleheader on Thursday at the UCF Softball Complex. The Knights swept both teams, and in the process, Felton joined 15 other Knights pitchers in the record books. Felton, the starter i...
NSM Today •

Leading with a loud style: Sarah Willis' journey to UCF

Sarah Willis traveled 3,000 miles to get more opportunities to pitch; in the process, she got the chance to grow into herself."Some people might mistaken her for somebody who is just all about the flash," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. "But she's one of the hardest workers on the team."
When watching a UCF softball game, it isn't hard to find Sarah Willis. Pitchers usually walk to the center circle before an appearance; Willis dances. Batters typically take their time getting to firs...
The Charge •

Four UCF players chase NFL dreams, compete in Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — Four UCF players competed in the Senior Bowl this past week, getting the chance to elevate their stock ahead of the NFL Draft in April.An annual event that invites over 100 highly touted college football players from across the country, the Senior Bowl is a spot for prospects to meet with NFL scouts and front offices. The week-long event includes three days of practice and is capped off by an all-star game between two teams, each led by a staff of NFL coaches.
The four Kni...
The Charge •

Former quarterback honors UCF with custom helmet at Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — While at the Senior Bowl, former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel went viral on social media when he honored his time as a Knight by wearing a helmet that featured a tribute to the university. Leading up to the final game of his six-year college career, Gabriel decided to wear a custom-made VICIS helmet that featured the logo of every college he played for. It had a dark gray matte finish with a silver feathered Oregon Ducks logo on one side, a glossy red Oklahoma Sooners logo on th...

News

Orange Observer •

Winter Garden residents protest recent property purchases

With one individual purchasing numerous buildings around downtown Winter Garden, residents went to the Winter Garden City Commission meeting Thursday, Feb. 26, to express their concerns.  James Larweth has spent more than $40 million since 2015 buying 36 residential and commercial properties in downtown Winter Garden using 26 different LLCs. Residents fear what Larweth is planning as two small businesses — Polka Dotz and Three Birds Café — at one of his properties already have been told they wil...
The Charge •

UCF plans to restore campus Pulse mural with private donations, officials say

UCF plans to restore the Pulse mural outside the Student Union using funding from private donations, according to university officials.The mural is a memorial for former UCF student Juan Ramon Guerrero and UCF alumnus Christopher Andrew Leinonen, who were two of the 49 killed in the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016.
The Charge learned the news through a statement from Florida state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith via email Wednesday."Years after our work to help commission the Pulse mural ho...
The Charge •

'UCF STANDS WITH Pulse' chalk mural appears on UCF campus

A colorful chalk mural saying "UCF STANDS WITH Pulse" has appeared on the school's campus as protests continue against the removal of the rainbow Pulse crosswalk by FDOT.  A rainbow-painted crosswalk, located along Orange Avenue at the site of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, was removed overnight Aug. 20 by the Florida Department of Transportation, according to a post on X by Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani.The re-painting came nearly two months after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy...
The Charge •

NASA postpones Artemis again; what keeps us grounded?

NASA wants to land on the moon for the first time in over five decades, but delays have pushed back liftoff once again.During a news conference Dec. 5, NASA postponed Artemis II, a mission to send four astronauts around the moon and back to Earth, until April 2026 – the second setback to the project in the past year.
An ensuing mission, Artemis III, which would land astronauts on the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, was also pushed back. It will be delayed until mid-2027, B...
The Charge •

Resolution to upgrade business school lockers in the works, needs more than loose change

UCF Student Government is drafting a resolution that would urge the provost and university to renovate the locker room in the College of Business - with a price tag in the six figures.Student Sens. Chris Corelli and Jaci Lim attended a meeting with Paul Jarley, dean of the College of Business, Darrell Johnson, assistant dean of the college, and Sean Robb, associate dean of the college, Sept. 20 to discuss issues business students have expressed, including problems with the lockers in the Thomas...
The Charge •

Meet Student Government's three new caucuses

UCF Student Government's three new caucuses are tackling more issues facing students — and they're doing it in a brand-new system. 
This semester kicks off the 56th Senate session for SG, according to the organization's website, which began meeting in April and lasts for a year. With it comes the inclusion of three new ad hoc caucuses: Inter-Campus & Transfer, Arab and Sustainability.  The three additions bring the total number of caucuses up to ten, according to the UCF SG website. "I t...
The Charge •

UCF students prepare for Hurricane Helene with Knights Pantry

Knights Pantry didn't amend its item limit for UCF students gathering supplies, even with Hurricane Helene expected to hit Florida's Big Bend region late Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service. Knights Pantry, located at Ferrell Commons, is a resource that offers UCF students with a valid UCF ID a five-item limit for food received through donations, according to the Knights Pantry website. It's open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for the fall semester and offers oth...

My Latest Work

Orange Observer •

PHOTOS: West Orange and Windermere Little League Night

For the first time in the program’s history, Windermere High baseball team had a perfect game. Junior Xavier Roman’s 70-pitch performance Tuesday, March 24, helped the Wolverines top West Orange 10-0 in six innings at the Warriors’ home field. Windermere broke away in the fifth. Up 1-0, the Wolverines scored six of its runs before adding another three the following inning to force the run-rule victory. The game was played in front of a mix of Windermere and West Orange faithful, as well as a bat...
Orange Observer •

Relay for Life of Lake Buena Vista supports American Cancer Society

Yamile Rivera remembers when her mother was diagnosed with stage four mantle cell lymphoma in 2008. She said the doctors gave her six months to live.Rivera has been a volunteer with the American Cancer Society for the past 30 years and said she had not known anyone with cancer before she started. Learning of her mom’s diagnosis, she knew the resources ACS provided and immediately called its 1-800 helpline to learn what to do.She said thanks to the ACS and a cell transplant in 2009 at the Moffitt...
Orange Observer •

Gymnastics USA is building regional qualifiers through the basics

When Nick Kosteski enters the gym to coach the boys’ competitive teams at Gymnastics USA in Winter Garden, he makes his way across a sea of mats and equipment. He is first flagged down, though, by nearby 5- and 6-year-old gymnasts who stop what they’re doing for just one thing: to shake his hand. It’s one of the first lessons the boys are taught at the gym, Kosteski said, making sure they know how to stand up straight, provide a firm handshake and show respect before they ever learn about gymnas...
Orange Observer •

Could more houses be constructed in Southwest Orange?

Orange County staff held a brief community meeting Thursday, March 5, in Olympia High School’s auditorium offering information on a rezoning request that would add 51 homes at 1955 S. Apopka-Vineland Road. Case planner Adriana Caamaño explained in a presentation the importance of future land use and zoning correlation. Future land use can be general, such as commercial, residential or industrial, Caamaño said, while zoning is more specific in regard to, for instance, lot sizes and where homes ca...
Orange Observer •

Winter Garden leaders approve AI answering system

The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved Thursday, Feb. 26, the purchase of an AI public safety non-emergency answering system to better support the Winter Garden Police Department’s dispatch center.The city is set to pay the tech company Aurelian $55,000 per year under a three-year contract for its platform, a tool adopted by departments across the country, including the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in August 2025.Winter Garden Police Chief Steve Graham said the decision to imp...
Orange Observer •

Winter Garden residents protest recent property purchases

With one individual purchasing numerous buildings around downtown Winter Garden, residents went to the Winter Garden City Commission meeting Thursday, Feb. 26, to express their concerns.  James Larweth has spent more than $40 million since 2015 buying 36 residential and commercial properties in downtown Winter Garden using 26 different LLCs. Residents fear what Larweth is planning as two small businesses — Polka Dotz and Three Birds Café — at one of his properties already have been told they wil...
Orange Observer •

AdventHealth Winter Garden CEO leads growth with patient perspective

The sounds of whirring drills and buzzing table saws resonate from just outside Aimee Keller-Pickford’s office at AdventHealth Winter Garden’s campus. Two stories above the construction site, her window overlooks two major expansion projects totaling more than $188 million. Keller-Pickford was brought on as the hospital’s chief executive officer in July 2025, previously having held other executive management positions for AdventHealth across Central Florida during her 31 years with the hospital....
Orange Observer •

PHOTOS: Boots and Salutes

The Pines at Windermere were filled with people ready for a good time in support of veterans and first responders during the inaugural Boots and Salutes, Saturday, Feb. 14.Those in attendance were there to support nonprofits from the Windermere area raising money for Wind River Ranch, a retreat in Estes, Colorado, that aims to help veterans, first responders and their families. The night featured performances from four country artists — Mark Powell, David Lee, Daniel Johnson and Tomara Conrad —...
Orange Observer •

Scholarship collaboration helps families in need

This year, graduating seniors at West Orange High School whose families have been affected by cancer will be able to apply for a scholarship to offer financial assistance when enrolled in a Florida college.It’s happening thanks to a collaboration between the West Orange Scholarship Foundation and the Jimmy Crabtree Cancer Fund, an effort JCCF President Andy Crabtree said was “at the heart” of what the cancer fund does: help families that have been touched by cancer. The nonprofit was created aft...
Orange Observer •

West Orange Dream Center welcomes new executive director

Julia Martinez spent the past 10 years in the luxury automotive industry, praying for an opportunity to return to faith-based, nonprofit work. In January, her prayers were answered.Martinez joined the West Orange Dream Center as its new executive director Monday, Jan. 5. She brings more than 20 years of experience carrying out missions in the Dominican Republic before she settled in the United States to attain financial stability and put her two children through college. “I just fell into the au...
Orange Observer •

Community rallies after fire at Hamlin BJJ academy

One of the first rules Marcos Vinicius teaches his students at the MVBJJ Academy in Hamlin is to never step on the mats with shoes on. However, that rule was broken Dec. 22, when firefighters had to rush in and extinguish flames that forced the jiu-jitsu gym to close temporarily.The owners say the fire was caused by a short circuit in a mini-Pepsi cooler near the front door. It started at about 8 a.m. — hours before the first scheduled class that morning — and soon spread to a small plastic Chri...
The Charge •

UCF plans to restore campus Pulse mural with private donations, officials say

UCF plans to restore the Pulse mural outside the Student Union using funding from private donations, according to university officials.The mural is a memorial for former UCF student Juan Ramon Guerrero and UCF alumnus Christopher Andrew Leinonen, who were two of the 49 killed in the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016.
The Charge learned the news through a statement from Florida state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith via email Wednesday."Years after our work to help commission the Pulse mural ho...
The Charge •

'UCF STANDS WITH Pulse' chalk mural appears on UCF campus

A colorful chalk mural saying "UCF STANDS WITH Pulse" has appeared on the school's campus as protests continue against the removal of the rainbow Pulse crosswalk by FDOT.  A rainbow-painted crosswalk, located along Orange Avenue at the site of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, was removed overnight Aug. 20 by the Florida Department of Transportation, according to a post on X by Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani.The re-painting came nearly two months after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy...
WKMG •

Lake Mary All-Stars survive in extras to advance in Little League Softball World Series

GREENVILLE, NC – The Lake Mary Little League All-Stars stayed alive in the 2025 Little League Softball World Series, defeating the Washington team 5-3 in seven innings.

Cornered in a must-win situation, Lake Mary hung in there with the Northwest region champs through four scoreless innings. The pitchers’ duel stalled after Lake Mary’s Alanna Luu sent one back up the middle to score Rachel Lester and give the All-Stars a 1-0 lead.

Washington answered back in the bottom of the fifth and tied it...
WKMG •

VIDEO: Lake County deputies use drone to catch domestic battery suspect

ALTOONA, Fla. – Using a drone to track him down, deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man accused of domestic battery, a news release stated.

The sheriff’s office said on Facebook that around 5:29 a.m. Friday, deputies responded to a home in reference to a “domestic disturbance.”

After further investigation, the post states, it was determined that the suspect, Joshua High, “had multiple charges” and fled the scene.

[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT!...
WKMG •

Orlando police search for missing man with cognitive condition

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Police Department is asking the public for help in finding a missing 68-year-old man, according to a social media post.

The police announced on X Wednesday that officers are searching for Jean Carius, who was last seen around 8 a.m. Tuesday near the 5500 block of Arnold Palmer Drive.

Officials say Carius was wearing a light blue shirt and dark blue jeans at the time and has a cognitive condition that may affect his ability to find his way home.

The department is as...
WKMG •

Traffic experts say these tips will help save lives during the school year

ORLANDO, Fla. – The American Automobile Association is urging drivers to stay alert on the roads as school begins to return this fall, supplying the public with a list of tips to prevent risky driving habits.

A news release issued Wednesday states parents driving their children to school should add 30 minutes to their morning commute because drivers running late are more prone to speeding, which endangers lives.

AAA says a resourceful tool for drivers to remember is to remember their ABCs:

A...
WKMG •

Space Coast Wing Battle returns to Melbourne with unlimited samples, live music, more

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Battle Bros are hosting its sixth annual Space Coast Wing Battle in Melbourne, allowing attendees to enjoy unlimited wing samples, games and live music.

The event, which is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Wickham Park, will host 24 competitors according to its website, with more coming soon.

A panel of judges will score the wings through a blind taste test based on categories of taste, quality and overall opinion of the wing.

Upon entry, attendees will be...
WKMG •

Lake Mary All-Stars survive in extras to advance in Little League Softball World Series

GREENVILLE, NC – The Lake Mary Little League All-Stars stayed alive in the 2025 Little League Softball World Series, defeating the Washington team 5-3 in seven innings.

Cornered in a must-win situation, Lake Mary hung in there with the Northwest region champs through four scoreless innings. The pitchers’ duel stalled after Lake Mary’s Alanna Luu sent one back up the middle to score Rachel Lester and give the All-Stars a 1-0 lead.

Washington answered back in the bottom of the fifth and tied it...
WKMG •

84-year-old motorcyclist dies after driving off highway in Sumter County, troopers say

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – An 84-year-old Ohio man died in Sumter County after driving off the highway on a motorcycle and colliding with an embankment, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A news release by FHP on Sunday stated the driver was traveling southbound on I-75 near the 306 Milepost when he “failed to negotiate a curve” while exiting into an FDOT rest area.

The motorcyclist drove off the highway, entered a drainage retention area, and collided with an embankment, troopers said.

Off...
WKMG •

Florida teen shoots, kills parents before turning himself in at church, sheriff says

MIDDLEBURG, Fla. – A 14-year-old boy called police from a church in Middleburg early Monday after he shot and killed his parents, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said in a news conference.

Cook said the sheriff’s office received a call from Trevor Lee, who stated that he had killed his parents at his home before walking just over a mile to a nearby church.

When deputies arrived at the church, they took Lee into custody, Cook said.

During a search of Lee’s home, authorities said they found t...
WKMG •

Cocoa police rescue elderly driver after car gets stuck on railroad tracks

COCOA, Fla. – Police officers with the Cocoa Police Department rescued an elderly man after he had mistakenly driven onto the railroad tracks while two trains approached from opposite directions, a news release stated.

Around 10 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to a driver attempting to get his car off the tracks at S.R. 520 and U.S. 1, the release said.

Officials said that communications officers made preemptive calls to the Florida East Coast Railway to slow and stop incoming trains, which...
WKMG •

Man vacationing in Polk County accused of holding woman’s head under water at pool, deputies say

DAVENPORT, Fla. – A 62-year-old man from England is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder and battery after he allegedly tried to drown his daughter-in-law at a Davenport vacation rental home, a news release stated.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to the Solterra Resort on Sunday around 5:19 p.m., where witnesses and the victim told authorities that Mark Gibbon had been arguing with his 33-year-old daughter-in-law in the resort’s swimming pool before attempt...
WKMG •

Orange County may have money for you. Here’s how to collect it

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Clerk of Courts may have some unclaimed money for you in the form of uncashed vendor payments, refunds, restitution or cash bonds, according to a news release.

The news release issued Monday states that the clerk of courts has 7,500 checks with values ranging from as low as 3 cents up to $8,450.

Individuals can check if they have any unclaimed money by visiting the clerk of courts website and viewing the unclaimed checks list.

“Our customers deserve to...
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Orlando Sentinel 2024 Election Live Blog Coverage

Obviously, I hope it leans one way. I don’t want to make any headlines regarding which way. No predictions from me.

John Rhys Plumlee

I was fortunate enough to be granted the opportunity by my professor, Rick Brunson, to help with the Orlando Sentinel's 2024 election live blog coverage on Nov. 5. My shift ran from noon to the polls closing at 7 p.m. I stood outside a voting precinct and interviewed voters as they exited, asking them what brought them out and what issues they found most important.

One of the highlights was speaking with former UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, who drove down from Jacksonville that morning to vote in Orange County, his listed area of residency.

Read the article here

I am concerned if Trump loses, he will contest everything if he doesn’t win. Hopefully, there will be no acts of violence or retribution.

Alan Sims

2025 Reese's Senior Bowl

I covered the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl and live-posted news updates to my X account throughout the week while interviewing players invited to the event in Mobile, Alabama. 

My main focus was the four UCF players competing in the Senior Bowl and former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel's customized helmet, which honored all the teams he played for over his six-year career. 

My X Account

Centric Magazine Editor-In-Chief

I served as the editor-in-chief for the Fall 2024 issue of Centric, the UCF student-run magazine. My responsibilities included approving pitches, setting deadlines and coordinating with the design team regarding the overall look of the final product.

Multimedia Journalism

In my second-to-last semester in the UCF journalism program, I took a multimedia journalism class that allowed me to learn new ways to tell stories. I got a perfect score on the two class projects: an audio slideshow story about O-Town Compost and a video project about a crossing guard who waved at hundreds of cars a day.

Knight Time

"Knight Time" is a weekly college sports show on the Hitting The Field Network, a student-run sports programming network at the University of Central Florida.

Serving as the producer for "Knight Time," my responsibilities included planning rundowns, directing the shows and creating graphics for the show. 

Working on the show's production in fall 2024 and spring 2025 gave me an appreciation for broadcast journalism, creating filmed content and has me hoping to learn more. 

Graphic Design

Coupled with my passion for storytelling, I'm also a fan of graphic design. Below is some of the stuff I've created in Photoshop.

Photography

Want to give a story an added punch? Supply it with the right visuals. Here are some of my favorite pics I've captured over the years.