A variety of donuts are displayed in a glass case at **Doughfee Donuts and Coffee**. The selection includes donuts topped with chocolate frosting, pink icing, powdered sugar, sprinkles, and marshmallows. Metal tongs rest in the foreground near a tray of sugared treats.

Doughfee Donuts and Coffee
By: Jessica Lee

Ton Mao opened Doughfee Donuts and Coffee in the summer of 2023 with a mission rooted in his personal experience. Inspired by his son, who is on the autism spectrum, Mao set out to create a space that is both accessible and welcoming to families, individuals with sensory sensitivities, and others who may benefit from a more inclusive environment. 

The café, known for its reasonably priced donuts, coffee, and savory items, has quickly developed a reputation as a community-oriented business. Its atmosphere emphasizes comfort and flexibility, with an approach that accommodates a wide range of needs and backgrounds. 

Kingston, Mao’s son, has played a visible role in shaping the café’s identity. According to Mao, the idea for Doughfee originated one evening when Kingston was playing with Play-Doh and began forming small donut shapes. It was this moment that inspired the concept behind the business. 

Today, Kingston remains involved in the café, and his influence is reflected in menu items. The “Kingston Meal” is named after his favorite meal to eat—chicken tenders and fries.  

Doughfee also serves as a platform for local collaboration. Mao displays flyers and information from nearby small businesses throughout the café, encouraging community engagement. A shelf near the entrance features work from local artists, providing them with an opportunity to showcase and sell their creations. This effort has helped foster connections across a diverse group of entrepreneurs and creatives in the area. 

The menu also reflects Mao’s cultural background. Items like ube cheesecake donuts and savory options like egg rolls highlight Asian-inspired flavors. A Cambodian-style donut, described as soft with a candied glaze, is among the café’s most popular items and is inspired by Mao’s grandmother. Other menu staples, including a spam sandwich, continue to draw regular customers. 

Through its combination of personal storytelling, cultural representation, and community engagement, Doughfee has established itself as more than a typical neighborhood café. Its focus on inclusivity and local support has contributed to a growing customer base, many of whom return not only for the food but also for the sense of belonging the space aims to provide.

An audience watches a presentation at the UNF Flight Deck. A large screen displays student photos under headings for "JOURNALISM," "DATA ARCHITECTURE," and "BROADCAST MEDIA." A speaker stands at a podium next to stage monitors and desks branded with the UNF logo.

UNF Flight Deck
By: Will Raffier

In April of 2025, Mayor Donna Deagan officially signed off on a funding bill, approving the University of North Florida’s 3 million grant. With this grant, the university wants to create the UNF Flight Deck: a new sports facility to help increase student enrollment and STEM careers.  

The UNF Flight Deck has 42, state-of-the-art computers each at their own station giving individuals their own personal space. It is open to any active UNF student and allows for a community to be formed around the esports space. 

Esports are much more than just video games, for UNF it is an opportunity to have students take their academics a step further and get into experiential learning that could benefit their future careers. Tom Screech, the UNF Esports Manager, says that esports offer similar experiences to sports management. The new programs give students the ability to learn marketing,broadcasting and sports management skills in an unconventional way.  

Claire Campo, one of the two Esports Program Student-Assistants, says that the program made her realize how much she enjoys the logistics behind larger events.  

“Working in the esports program has helped me realize that I want to pursue a masters in higher education management and work in the university system,” Campo said.  

Outside of career skills, the program has helped reinvigorate players to get back into games and has even released a competitive flame inside of Justin Tuazon, who is now competing in the Overwatch World Cup. He represents team Philippines in an international competition. 

 “I thought that, since I was coaching, I would get some play time too… I saw the tryouts and decided to try and got on the team,” said Justin. 

Esports are evolving from video games into careers, community building, and a way for people to get in touch with themselves. What is typically seen as an isolating hobby has been turned into a community and career building activity.  

A banner for the World of Nations festival features a circular logo with a globe and figures holding hands, surrounded by the text "EXPERIENCE THE GLOBE." The word "CELEBRATION" is partially visible on the right. The banner has a purple geometric pattern and is displayed in front of a wire fence.

World of Nations
By: Lorelys Rea

The World of Nations Celebration brought cultures together in Jacksonville through different music, dances, and food from around the world. The two-day festival took place on February 28 andMarch 1, 2026. The festival was held in downtown Jacksonville, giving the community a chance to experience traditions, food, and performances from different countries without traveling far from home.  

Visitors were able to walk through rows of booths representing different countries from regions including Argentina, Cameroon, and Jamaica. Throughout the day, these booths offered traditional dishes and information about their culture. There were also live performances for people to enjoy. This festival featured a Parade of Flags, which is an opportunity for representatives of their own country to walk through the festival holding their national flags.  

For many volunteers, this festival was more than just entertainment. It was also a way to bring awareness to their culture and celebrate their treasured roots. Deana Zuluaga, a Panamá booth volunteer, said events like World of Nations gives people an opportunity to keep their identity alive while living in the United States.  

“Being able to do something like showing who we are and what is a representation of our culture just helps tie us back to our roots,” Zuluaga said.  

Food and dancing are two major ways this festival highlights different cultures. Throughout the day, visitors gathered at the stage to watch performers showcase traditional dances from their country; while food vendors prepared traditional meals. This event gives visitors the opportunity to learn about cultures in a unique way, and taste flavors that they may not have been familiar withbefore.  

The World of Nations gives people an opportunity to showcase cultures that are often not seen. Būnduke Ramadan, a South Sudan performer, said that this festival gave them a chance to show South Sudanese culture. 

“People know South Sudanese when it comes to basketball or modeling, but they don’t always get to see our traditional dances and food,” he said. “Being able to showcase that to the world means so much.”  

This festival highlights the diversity in Jacksonville, creating a space where people come together to share their cultures while feeling proud of where they come from.  

Those who missed this year’s event, the festival is expected to return next year to continue celebrating cultures around the world, where the community comes together as one.