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Ellie Nas

I am a print/digital journalism alumna of the University of Central Florida. I love to write articles on topics pertaining to social justice and small communities. My writing ranges from fun and creative to covering collective rights.

Check Out My Best Work

NSM.today •

Walt Disney World files lawsuit against DeSantis: Here’s why

Walt Disney World filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday for violating the company’s right to freedom of speech and for "government retaliation," according to a legal document.

The lawsuit by Disney stated that there was targeted “government retaliation — orchestrated at every step by Gov. DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech," according to the legal document.

Disney also stated the government retaliation threatens its business operations, jeopardizes its econom
Central Florida Lifestyle •

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Celebrates 25 Years and Earth Day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrated its 25th Anniversary and Earth Day! Park visitors were in for a fun-filled day, starting with festivities at the Tree of Life in the morning and meeting Moana upon her arrival on the island.

The celebrations at the Tree of Life kicked off the day with a musical performance from the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe. Guests could even participate and dance with the group!

Guest speakers made an appearance as well. Animal Kingdom Vice President Sarah Riles commemorat
Central Florida Lifestyle •

How To Save a Life: Administering Narcan and CPR

Knowing when to act in a life-or-death situation can be stressful, so it is good to be prepared. If you are CPR-certified or carry Narcan, you can be a crucial asset in a medical emergency.

While knowing CPR is handy in any situation, using it when a loved one has used drugs may save a life. Sen. Rick Scott sent a letter on March 13 to all Florida School Superintendents notifying parents of a fentanyl crisis.

Florida was the second top nation for fentanyl overdose in 2021, according to the Flo
NSM.today •

'Enough is enough': UCF community reacts to deaths of Iranian protesters

Although recent rumors of mass Iranian executions are untrue, UCF students, alumni and professors continue to keep up with updates and protests for Iranian human rights.

“Whenever I hear, one kid has been killed, it has torched me,” said Sara Hjz, a protester and UCF Ph.D. candidate. “I have friends, classmates and cousins back there. They are brave enough to endanger their lives for their values, and I wish I were next to them.”

Protests broke out two months ago and made national headlines af
NSM.today •

"Stand up, fight back": Crowds gather for Rally for Collective Rights at Orlando City Hall

Crowds and guest speakers gathered to rally against recent controversial bills being passed in Florida at Orlando City Hall on Feb. 26.

These recent bills affect LGBTQ+ rights, immigrants, people of color and those with a reproductive system.

Bills such as "Don’t Say Gay" bill and the "Stop WOKE Act" have been striking fear and anger in students, teachers and parents who believe Black and LGBTQ+ voices should not be silenced or censored in the classroom, according to Independent.

The "Don’t S
NSM.today •

Neo-Nazis spotted near UCF taunting bystanders

Neo-Nazis were spotted sporting antisemitic symbols and waving swastika flags on Saturday at Waterford Lakes Town Center in East Orlando.

The rally was organized by the National Socialist Movement, and several unidentified individuals were seen donning swastikas, taunting bystanders and yelling "white power," according to eyewitness accounts and videos.

Hannah Mason, senior advertising and public relations major, said she first saw the incident after seeing Snapchat videos her friend sent to h

Hard News

A collection of my hard news stories.

NSM.today •

Walt Disney World files lawsuit against DeSantis: Here’s why

Walt Disney World filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday for violating the company’s right to freedom of speech and for "government retaliation," according to a legal document.

The lawsuit by Disney stated that there was targeted “government retaliation — orchestrated at every step by Gov. DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech," according to the legal document.

Disney also stated the government retaliation threatens its business operations, jeopardizes its econom
NSM.today •

'Don't Say Gay' bill passes the Florida Senate

The "Don’t Say Gay" bill passed the Florida Senate by a 22-17 vote on Tuesday and is awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ overview and signature.

If the bill gets DeSantis' signature, it will go into place July 1, before the new school year.

The bill, Florida's Parental Rights in Education, would prohibit the discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in students from kindergarten through 3rd grade. It would also allow parents to sue schools if topics of LGBTQ+ identity come up in the classroom.

The 2019 Nationa
NSM.today •

Breaking the glass screen: UCF alumna speaks on women in gaming

A game designer broke the glass screen and addressed the glitch of representation in the gaming industry on Friday during the online virtual speaker series "Women in Games and Interactive Media."

Alexia Mandeville, lead game designer at Niantic and UCF '14 digital media alumna, spoke on her experiences and journey as a woman in the gaming industry and what she wishes digital media majors will take from her.

“I hope that people understand that they can do anything. There are all these rules in
NSM.today •

Neo-Nazis spotted near UCF taunting bystanders

Neo-Nazis were spotted sporting antisemitic symbols and waving swastika flags on Saturday at Waterford Lakes Town Center in East Orlando.

The rally was organized by the National Socialist Movement, and several unidentified individuals were seen donning swastikas, taunting bystanders and yelling "white power," according to eyewitness accounts and videos.

Hannah Mason, senior advertising and public relations major, said she first saw the incident after seeing Snapchat videos her friend sent to h

Featured Articles

A collection of my feature articles. 

A Thrill-Seeker's Guide: Conquering Roller Coasters and Extreme Attractions

Some people are into theme parks for the food, characters, and family bonding. Others are into them for the thrills, adrenaline, and sense of adventure when conquering a new ride. If you are the latter, you definitely know how to enjoy a theme park. Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your trip so you can take on every ride like a  pro. ‍If you’re wanting to hit every thrill ride the parks have to offer, make sure to make an itinerary on what rides to hit and when! Construct a l...
VoxPopuli •

Community leader answers DeSantis book bans by opening library

In Orange County, there's more than one way to get books about Black history into students’ hands.



While Gov. Ron DeSantis's administration is working to remove books and other media from classrooms and school libraries under the guise that they teach , community leader Lawanna Gelzer has found a way to make all kinds of books available — but particularly those about Black life, Black history and by Black authors.

An Orlando activist who fights against systemic racism, Gelzer opened the Ms
VoxPopuli •

Oakland juggles multiple water projects

In late October, the Town of Oakland announced it had received in state funding for its water system bypass project intended to provide residents with high quality drinking water in case of a water main break. The grant money will help cover half the construction costs, and the bypass is expected to be completed next summer.

State Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson, who represents District 44, which includes Oakland, helped procure the grant.

“There has been a great deal of growth in Central Florida,
NSM.today •

'Enough is enough': UCF community reacts to deaths of Iranian protesters

Although recent rumors of mass Iranian executions are untrue, UCF students, alumni and professors continue to keep up with updates and protests for Iranian human rights.

“Whenever I hear, one kid has been killed, it has torched me,” said Sara Hjz, a protester and UCF Ph.D. candidate. “I have friends, classmates and cousins back there. They are brave enough to endanger their lives for their values, and I wish I were next to them.”

Protests broke out two months ago and made national headlines af

Visuals and Multimedia

A collection of my photo galleries, videos and best photos I have taken.

NSM.today •

'Enough is enough': UCF community reacts to deaths of Iranian protesters

Although recent rumors of mass Iranian executions are untrue, UCF students, alumni and professors continue to keep up with updates and protests for Iranian human rights.

“Whenever I hear, one kid has been killed, it has torched me,” said Sara Hjz, a protester and UCF Ph.D. candidate. “I have friends, classmates and cousins back there. They are brave enough to endanger their lives for their values, and I wish I were next to them.”

Protests broke out two months ago and made national headlines af
NSM.today •

Photos: 'Stand up, fight back', crowds gather for Rally for Collective Rights at Orlando City Hall

The Rally for Collective Rights was held at Orlando City Hall on Feb. 26. The rally goes against recent bills being passed in Florida, such as the 15-week abortion ban bill, which limits the time one can receive an abortion; the "Don't Say Gay" bill, which bans the teaching of LGBT+ knowledge in the classroom; and the Stop Woke Act, which would ban discussion on critical race theory in schools. Hundreds of people went to the rally along with guest speakers to discuss their experience as minorities and how these bills may affect them.

Magazine

A collection of my magazine writings

Central Florida Lifestyle •

Big Blue Bus of Fantastic Fashion: Canyon Couture

This big blue bus gives a different name to ‘fast’ fashion. Sara Bartlett, small business owner of Canyon Couture, sells vintage, sustainably sourced, and handmade clothing out of a school bus she turned into her own shop.

Bartlett started the shop around 2019 when she purchased an old school bus and renovated it to fit her business to combine her love of travel with a job that gives her a lot of freedom.

“I just always wanted to work for myself. I like making my own hours,” Bartlett said. “I
Central Florida Lifestyle •

Unique Christmas Traditions From Around The World You Should Know

If you’re all about traveling during the holidays or learning new traditions, remember the custom way to celebrate them! Many countries and states have wonderful Christmas traditions you can embrace, whether on your travels or looking for a new way to enjoy the holidays from home.

While we have advent calendars in the States, Germany was the first to use them to mark off the days before Christmas! Get an advent calendar this December to enjoy a surprise each day while counting down to Christmas
Central Florida Lifestyle •

4 Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes That Will Make You Jolly

Holidays can be a difficult time for someone with food restrictions. If you do not consume gluten, many recipes are perfect for the whole family to enjoy without anyone feeling left out at the table. If you cook for a loved one with an allergy, just cook in a gluten-free space to avoid cross-contamination!

These stuffed mushrooms will be a perfect pre-game before the main course, and the nuts and herbs will have you in the holiday spirit.
• Hollow out mushrooms by taking out stems (save on the
Central Florida Lifestyle •

2023 Holiday Gift Guide To Make Shopping A Breeze

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and it’s time to decide on the perfect gifts for your loved ones. From items they can use daily to fun surprises that remind you of them, there’s a lot to choose from this year in this holiday gift guide.

A smartwatch is the perfect gift for your loved one who is always on their feet. Whether they want to track their steps or check the time at work, this watch will be something they can use daily!

An Amazon Echo would be a beneficial addition to the h
Central Florida Lifestyle •

New Orlando Restaurants to Take by Storm if You’re a Foodie

Are you a foodie looking for your next favorite hidden gem? Well, you’re in luck because Orlando restaurants are constantly popping up throughout town. Check out one of these newly opened Orlando restaurants for a delicious experience. Ranging from vegan food to authentic New York City restaurants, you’ll love at least one of these hot spots.

Claiming to have Orlando’s first Korean BBQ in a cup, this restaurant recently opened in August and is ready to serve some tremendous Korean street food.
Central Florida Lifestyle •

Halloween Events for Adults so Affordable It’s Scary

Celebrating Halloween isn’t just for kids. If you want to hit the town and have fun without splurging at the theme parks, it’s still possible to enjoy Halloween in Orlando. Check out these adult-friendly events to make the most of this year’s spooky season.

Halloween weekend offers you a bar crawl with the chance to experience “adult-style trick or treating” as you hop from bar to bar in costume. The bar crawl will be on October 27 and 28, as well as October 21 if you already have Halloween pla
Central Florida Lifestyle •

Embrace the Wurst: The Best Oktoberfest Events in Orlando

Prost! Mark your calendars and plan to celebrate Oktoberfest locally and enjoy culture, music, beer, and delicious foods. Oktoberfest is an annual 16-day-long Volksfest that originated in Germany in the 1800s and celebrates Bavarian culture, but the festivities are widely famous for the amount of beer consumed. Despite the name, Oktoberfest is held from mid-September to early October.

From bar hopping to beer gardens, you can check out Oktoberfest at several locations in Greater Orlando and sur
Central Florida Lifestyle •

Join The Movement To Help The Planet: Plastic-Free July

This summer is the best time to reduce your plastic footprint and better the planet and oceans.

Plastic Oceans states that 380 million tons of plastic are produced yearly, with 50% estimated for single-use purposes. Taking up the challenge of Plastic Free July this year will ensure that you can find alternatives to one-time-use plastic products.

Plastic Free July is a challenge from the Plastic Free Foundation that encourages minimizing the use of single-use plastic products. Registering for t
Central Florida Lifestyle •

Summer In Florida: Human Trafficking Is Here

Vacation is a time to forget your troubles and let loose, but you should always stay on high alert and pay attention to your surroundings to avoid human trafficking schemes.

Florida ranks third in human trafficking cases, according to Osceola County’s Sheriff’s Office. The three types of human trafficking to avoid are sex trafficking, forced labor, and domestic servitude. The most common places for trafficking in the state are tourist hubs like Orlando, Miami, and Tampa.

Human Trafficking Sear

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Email: ellien3200@gmail.com

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