Two Flagler College Gargoyle editors and an Advanced Reporting class student won national awards in the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence competition, including a first place finish for opinion writing. This marks the first time a Flagler student has earned a national SPJ award.

By Hannah Bleau | gargoyle@flagler.edu

In the midst of a bleak economy, Americans have still turned to gourmet cupcakes as the new, affordable luxury item. Gourmet cupcake shops are prospering.

Small businesses have been struggling the past five years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 200,000 small businesses have gone under between 2008 and 2010. The same cannot be said for the cupcake industry. Market research center NPD found that approximately 669.4 million cupcakes were sold October 2010 to October 2011 – in the midst of the economic crisis.

By Tiffanie Reynolds | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The whir of her cell phone, set to vibrate, goes off beside Susan Peters’ bed. She picks it up, already knowing the call is from the Betty Griffin House, walks to the bathroom, puts on her already folded change of clothes and drives to Flagler Hospital.

By Joshua Santos | gargoyle@flagler.edu

During the Flagler College Gargoyle trip to the New York City National College Media Convention, Joshua Santos rented a bike and strapped on a GoPro for a ride through city.

By Alexa Epitropoulos | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The last thing Michael Shannon expected while attending a family wedding was to be discriminated against because of the person he loved.

Shannon was staying at a Clearwater hotel with his mother when he realized that several LGBTQ social networking sites and dating sites were blocked from the server. More than that, Shannon’s complaints were received with the manager’s assertion that it was a “family hotel.”

By Justin Katz | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The 2012-2013 school year is quickly coming to a close, but the new Student Government Association (SGA) Executive Board is already planning for next year. While their plans have not formally been reviewed by the Office of Student Services, new board members are hopeful to make an impact.

By Joshua Santos | gargoyle@flagler.edu

During a recent dig, St Augustine City Archeologist, Carl Halbirt, found three old wells buried underneath the future site of Flagler College’s new communications building Pollard Hall.

By Jonathan Persson | gargoyle@flagler.edu

It is the beginning of a new area.

In 2020, the sport of wrestling will no longer be part of the Olympics. A decision made by the International Olympic Committee, they state that there is nothing wrong

By Danielle Ruckert | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Daily routine: wake up, brushteeth, pour cereal, check emails, check Facebook, check LinkedIn, get job offer? This is what happened to Ryan Chenney, 2012 Flagler College graduate, with a request for his resume and salary bid.

By Kelcee Mader | gargoyle@flagler.edu

A night of drinking can change a life forever. Not only can drinking and driving effect the intoxicated driver, but it can also effect the passengers of the vehicle as well as innocent bystanders and the families of the injured.

By Tiffanie Reynolds | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Gov. Rick Scott’s visit and cabinet meeting at Flagler College on April 2 honored teaching efforts throughout Northeast Florida, as well as marked the upward climb in the economy.

By Madison Ciklin | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The Florida National Guard, headquartered in St. Augustine, will be seeing some changes after sequestration furloughs, but still seeks to improve operations even with the upcoming cuts.

By Matthew Goodman | gargoyle@flagler.edu

David Walker, the founder and CEO of the Comeback America Initiative, says its time that the public holds its government accountable. Walker, who spoke at the March 26 Flagler College Forum on Government and Public Policy, emphasized the government’s lack of economic progress over the past 12 years. “We are a leader but not (in) the dominant position we used to have,” he said.

By Jonathan Persson | gargoyle@flagler.edu

As of next year, the fall and spring academic calendars for the 2013-2014 school year have been altered so that more education and success can be achieved. How will this effect current students and professors alike at Flagler College?

Flagler College Communication students won 17 awards, including six first places, in the Society of Professional Journalists 2012 Mark of Excellence Awards for Region 3, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

The Gargoyle, Flagler’s online-only, student-run newspaper won a total of 15 awards, including five first place awards. Two students — Lauren Ely and Adam Hunt — from Associate Professor of communication Helena Sarkio’s Adanced Reporting class won two awards, including a first place for Ely in Online Feature Reporting. Both of those stories were also published in The Gargoyle.

By Megan Denneny | gargoyle@flagler.edu

St. Augustine’s IHOP, located at 2600 North Ponce de Leon Boulevard, has gotten a facelift.

The space is newly renovated into a unique restaurant called Jaybirds, which caters to all different types of cuisine. Jay and Margaret Martens co-own the restaurant with Jay’s brother, Rainer Martens, and his wife Julie.