With more than 135 million viewers watching the Super Bowl Halftime Show LX, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, also known as Bad Bunny, became the most watched half time show in history. The use of symbolism weaved throughout his performance rebranded America in the light of what it should look like: a celebration of cultures. In his 14 minutes of screen time, Bad Bunny set in motion a sense of unity within our country and even Fayetteville. 

“His message inspired others by showcasing how powerful love and kindness is in times of oppression, hatred and violence,” University of Arkansas student Adahy Espinoza said. “It united people and gave a voice to those who are in fear.”

Freshman U of A student Olivia Savage agrees that his message of community being bigger than anything else was an important topic to represent with his time on the stage. 

“I think it really showed people that no matter where you’re from you are still part of a community and you still have people around you,” Savage said. “Community spans bigger than what you think and you can always find love and support no matter where you go.”

The overall message that love prevails was encouraging to see according to U of A student Tony Interiano.

“His message was extremely inspiring, especially to me and my community,” Interiano said. “It’s very difficult to not be blinded by hate with the things that are going on in the world.”

While currently living in a society where hatred seems normalized, Espinoza feels his message was a good reminder that community is not something you find, it’s something in your heart that you are born with.

 “It is no one’s place to take that [community] away from you,” Espinoza said. “Let alone hate you for it.”

Despite the controversy of Bad Bunny performing as the half time show entertainment, viewers thought he did a great job at sticking to his original style and not switching gears based on his environment. 

“I liked how he stuck to himself and stuck to his guns,” Savage said. “He didn’t crumple under the pressure of people to change his performance and change his roots and who he is as an artist.” 

Espinoza hadn’t followed up on social media about the discrimination Bad Bunny was receiving before his performance, but she knew he would not care and would stick to what he knows despite the hate. Interiano also mentioned that is not who he is. He doubts Bad Bunny cares about what everyone else is saying.

Even though his lyrics are in Spanish, his message still came across smoothly to the audience members unable to understand his lyrics. Through his use of choreography, inclusivity and even set design, Bad Bunny found a creative way to get his point across to everyone watching. Ending his show by naming off all the countries represented in the United States along with their flags was a piece that stuck out to sophomore U of A student Willow Broach. 

“I thought it was cool whenever he was calling out all the different countries,” Broach said. “We have a very large Hispanic community here, so I’m sure it was nice to see representation.”

After his performance, people used social media platforms to convene about all the parts people noticed and loved the most. According to Broach, she was inspired by the videos people posted of them screaming with pride when he called out their country’s name on television. 

Espinoza agrees that the show was great in this way and also loved how he imitated parts of everyday life to help bring attention to Hispanic culture.

“My favorite parts were the little discrete highlights of Hispanic culture that would pop through,” Espinoza said. “Like the little kid that was sleeping on the chair being a reference to something most Latino kids experienced growing up at family functions.”

Finishing his show with more than a dozen flags held high into the air, Bad Bunny presented a message that broadcasted across the stadium and onto live television stating, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” This moved both Savage and Interiano. 

“This showed people of a different race that they do belong in America, they are important here and they are a part of our culture and environment,” Savage said. “Even though you’re different, America really is about being different from everyone else, bringing it all together and meeting people in the middle.”

A message that seems simple yet is extraordinary to hear in a world where hatred is normalized and publicized, Bad Bunny’s message has inspired people who continue to advocate for a country united through cultures, languages, and people. 

“Love is the only thing that can beat hate,” Broach said. “America thrives on diversity.”

The post Bad Bunny Half Time Show Performance Evokes American Pride appeared first on Hill Magazine.

At a predominantly white institution (PWI), finding a sense of belonging might not be instant for all students. For many Black students at the University of Arkansas,community can be found through spaces like the Multicultural Center and historically Black Greek organizations.

AnReckez Daniels, associate director of the Multicultural Center, said the center’s mission is rooted in creating an environment where students can feel supported and seen.

“We try to be a safe space, a safe hub, a safe haven,” Daniels said. “We try to be a shoulder to cry on, a face to laugh with. We just want to be those people where students feel as if they belong here.”

The Multicultural Center supports student organizations by helping with funding, planning events and connecting students with campus resources. Daniels described his team as experts and explained that when they don’t have an answer for a student, they will guide them to someone who does. Beyond just logistical support, Daniels said the center plays an important role especially at a PWI.

“If students come from communities where most of the people look like them, and then they get here and it’s not like that, they need somewhere to retreat to,” Daniels said. “Somewhere that feels familiar, like a home away from home.”

One of the center’s recent initiatives, “Mirror,”a Black History month photo gallery, had the goal of providingvisibility. What was originally just an idea to capture professional portraits of students transformed into a larger display celebrating Black students on campus.

“I wanted students to have that one picture,” Daniels said. “When they’re older and they pull out a photo from college, I want them to say, ‘This is when I was at the University of Arkansas. This is when I took up space there.’”

For L Jones, a freshman double majoring in political science and communications with a minor in African American studies, the Multicultural Center became a space of belonging early in his first year. 

Jones said he first learned about the MC through a friend who would often spend time there. He said he was curious and decided to visit. 

“I didn’t even know what it was at first,” Jones said. “But when I walked in, it was just people hanging out, studying and talking. It felt like unity.”

Jones said he actually participated in the “Mirror” photo shoot. He said he did not expect a full professional setup with lighting and a backdrop.

“It was a great experience,” Jones said. “Everyone was welcoming and warm. It just felt good to be in that space.”

Seeing the finished gallery left an impact on him, especially due to exposing him to other Black students.

“I didn’t think there were this many of us here,” Jones said. “Sometimes you don’t see everybody all at once. Seeing all those pictures together was powerful.”

Jones said at first college felt very overwhelming, both academically and socially. Having a space where he felt understood helped make the transition easier.

“When I’m stressed, I can go there and just hang out,” Jones said. “It’s like being around family. It’s  a place where I can do my work and talk to people who understand me.”

He added that the center has supported him academically as well by providing peer support and encouragement. He said they have made a difference in his life.

For Antwanette Wilchie, a junior biology major on the pre-dental track, community can be found through leadership and sisterhood. Wilchie serves as president of the Phi Theta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a historically Black sorority founded in 1920 on the principles of scholarship, service, sisterhood and fine womanhood.

“It’s an honor,” Wilchie said. “I feel like I have big shoes to fill. I get to represent our history and continue the principles we were founded on.”

Zeta Phi Beta is one of the organizations under the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), more commonly known as the Divine Nine. Wilchie explained that her chapter is committed to being a community conscious, action oriented organization.

This year, alongside other NPHC organizations, members helped contribute more than 62,000 hygiene items for local women’s shelters. The chapter also volunteers with local organizations in Fayetteville and participates in campus initiatives such as Pack the Pantry.

However, Wilchie said the importance of her sorority goes beyond just service.

“At a PWI, you might not always be in spaces where people look like you or share your experiences,” Wilchie said. “So having places like our sorority, the Multicultural Center or Unity House, those spaces are important.”

Unity House serves as a meeting place for NPHC organizations, housing offices and event spaces. Wilchie described it as a central location where members can host programs and build connections.

Wilchie said Divine Nine organizations also play a larger role in strengthening the Black campus community. While centered around Greek life, many events are open to all students.

“It’s important that we reach out to people who aren’t Greek,” Wilchie said. “There are Black students in other organizations who care about community service and connection. We need more unity on campus.”

Serving as president has also shaped her personal growth. 

“It’s pushed me outside of my comfort zone,” Wilchie said. “Public speaking, leadership and connecting with new people have helped me grow as a student and as a leader.”

Daniels said that while student needs may evolve over time, the importance of belonging will remain constant. 

“The need will always be there,” Daniels said. “This space is a PWI, and it always will be. But what we can do is create spaces where students feel supported.”

In a university where representation can often feel limited, community, whether it’s found at the MC, Unity House, a sorority meeting or a campus  event, makes a lasting difference. For students looking for connection, spaces like the MC and Unity House, as well as RSOs like the Black Student Association, offer a place that ensures Black students do not have to navigate college alone. 

The post Finding community at the University of Arkansas: How Black student spaces create belonging at a predominantly white institution appeared first on Hill Magazine.

Razorback fans unite at the palace in inclement weather.

When January arrived, a familiar panic made its way to Fayetteville. Suddenly, grocery store shelves were empty, rumors spread of days and days of canceled classes, and social media feeds were flooded with talk of “the snowstorm you’ll tell your kids about” heading straight towards Fayetteville. 

On Thursday, students got calls from family members pleading with them to make arrangements and stay safe, and at 5:07 p.m. The University of Arkansas sent out the much anticipated WxAlert text alert cancelling classes for Friday. Students checked the weather app on Friday night to find that a projected 12-14” of snow would be falling overnight, and woke up Saturday morning to see it was true. 

On Saturday Jan. 24, the snow fell hard, the temperature was subzero, and every store and business was shut down as predicted. Roads were coated in a wintry mix of ice, sleet and snow, and you may think that any plans of a basketball game that day were tossed out the window–but you would be wrong.

At 8:00 a.m., before there was even time to shovel snow off the driveway, @Razorbackmbb on X, formerly Twitter, posted that the Razorback game against LSU at the Bud Walton Arena wasis still on, and had been moved from 7:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in an attempt to beat the worst of the conditions;

“Snow day essentials: 

– Boots 

– Hot chocolate 

– Hog basketball”.

When roads are impassable, conditions are lethal, and the governor even declares a state of emergency, the hogs still call. 

“Come on out, the crowds will surprise you”, Matt Zimmerman, Razorback Sports Network analyst and former assistant basketball coach said in a pre-game report on Instagram. “There will be a lot of students here”. 

That evening, students in everything from a full ski-suit to a mere hoodie and sweatpants made the trek to Bud Walton, tickets in hand. 

“My mom was like ‘are you seriously going to a basketball game right now?’” said Hailee, a University of Arkansas freshman. “I was like yeah mom, it’s okay, literally everyone I know is”.

“Generally for an SEC game we’ll get about 4,000 students, but we’ll have more than that”, Zimmerman predicted in his post earlier that day. Sure enough, 4,500 Students rolled their eyes at the weather reports and showed up for their team, and the Arena was at its capacity of 19,200 by the time 4 p.m. rolled around. 

The majority of students didn’t think twice about their decision to make the journey to the game. Hailee recalled that the U of A story on Snapchat was everyone joking about sledding to the game or risking frostbite to be there.

“None of my friends even brought up the idea of not going”, She said.

The circumstances brought students together and fostered camaraderie among them. An anonymous student on the U of A Yik Yak page said that they have never felt closer to the student body than during this snowstorm in a post with over 200 upvotes. 

There’s something unique in a Razorback fan that sees negative temperatures, countless warnings, and over a foot of snow, sleet, and ice as a challenge instead of a sign to stay in bed. As wild as the hogs can seem to an outsider, those within their circle are not surprised by this. 

“Working in the Bud Walton arena, I had no doubt that it was going to be packed”, Avri Kamplain, communications assistant for Razorback woman’s basketball said. “A situation like this brings a different kind of excitement to our community, we all get to come together even if it’s difficult to get there.” 

This “different kind of excitement” filled the arena that evening, from a crowd connected by shared experience of the trek and brought together in the warmth of the Palace. With 9:45 left in the game, Arkansas overtook LSU and, accompanied by the rallies of frenzied fans, achieved the victory with 85-81. 

The adrenaline of a crowd who had just braved the emergency warnings and thrown caution to the wind to show up inevitably brings a unique energy and atmosphere. When asked if the crowd vibe has influence on the court and outcome of the game, Kamlain says definitely, and added that players feel recognized by their fans when the energy is high. 

“I work many press conferences and notice players saying they were confident playing because of how loud the Bud Walton arena got”. 

The confidence of the athletic staff in their fans says a lot about the grit of the Razorback and the no-excuses mindset of the students at the U of A. A sold-out arena is more-or-less guaranteed, regardless of the situation. Grit and loyalty is expected from fans, and that’s what sets the fanbase apart from others. When it comes down to choosing comfort or loyalty, the hogs choose loyalty every time. 

The post Woooo Pig Snowie  appeared first on Hill Magazine.

The 2026 Winter Olympics began Feb. 6 in Italy, spanning from Milan to Cortina. The mountains of the northern region of the country will be the backdrop for the biggest Olympic Games ever: the highest number of athletes, sports, events  and highest anticipated number of viewers and attendees than ever before. 

College students have a special perspective on the games, as many of the competitors on the American team are their age or younger. This year, there are 18 athletes on the team that are between the ages of 18 and 22, providing college students at the University of Arkansas an even bigger reason to cheer on Team USA.

Freshman student Autumn Boyd said the overwhelming feeling of American pride attracts her to the events every two years. Other than the Olympics, she says she only feels this surge of emotion when it is the Fourth of July. 

“I love the togetherness, the feeling like the country is united for something, because we’re so divided all the time,” she said.

Feeling pride in the United States is certainly easy when the medal count stays consistently on the rise throughout the course of the games. Snowboarding two-time Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim is one of the returning athletes to look out for in the coming weeks. 

“The United States is always one of the best [teams] if not the best,” Boyd said. “It’s the same feeling I get when we’re in Bud Walton, and we just want to win.”

The power of competition on a global stage has the strength to unite entire nations, or at least ease their tensions. Amid heightened political tension under President Donald Trump’s administration enforcing immigrant detainment and control, now is as perfect of a time as ever to be on one team. 

Following the fatal shootings by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of an ICU nurse Alex Pretti, and mother Renee Good, both Minneapolis residents, anti-ICE protests have sprung up across the country. Just before the start of the Olympics, Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala was informed of ICE agents accompanying the US team overseas. According to CBS News, Sala said that the agents should not come to Italy, as they do not guarantee they’re aligned with Italy’s democratic security methods.

Needless to say, the elite status of the USA team to deliver success stories and bring home a plethora of medals provides the athletes a unique chance at social change. Olympic athletes have made numerous political statements in the past, especially through their victory celebrations. This year, athletes are taking a stand even before the games have started, speaking out at press conferences and on social media.

At a postgame interview, Minnesota Frost hockey player Kelly Panek, member of the 2026 Olympic team, commented on her view of the social power she wields as an athlete.

“I think people have been asking us what it’s like to represent our state and country. I think what I’m most proud to represent is the tens of thousands of people who show up on some of the coldest days of the year to stand and fight for what they believe in,” said Panek.

With ICE raids continuing in Minneapolis and beginning in other regions of the country, thousands more have started speaking out and protesting in their local communities.

“I think [being an Olympic athlete] is a good opportunity for people to speak up for what they believe in, and to speak up for what they think is right and wrong. Especially with the situation [in the U.S.] today, there’s a lot of strong opinions going around- I think not speaking up says a lot about a person,” said freshman Engineering student Ruby Templeton. 

Seeing Olympic athletes, especially the young ones, model traits like courage and determination on a global platform where millions of people will watch them perform is inspiring to their peers, including some at the U of A. 

Boyd said that seeing 20-year old figure skater Alysa Liu return to figure skating, and now the 2026 Olympics after retiring at 16 is especially motivating and eye-opening to her; that so much can change in just four short years, and that one’s career is not always linear.

“The fact that someone our age would be able to do something for so long, feel burnt out, and come back to doing it…that’s inspiring to me,” she said. 

Students at the U of A and around the globe have access to new ways of spectating the events as well as looks inside footage of the Olympic Village via short-form content posted on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. 

Another student, Danielle Hammig, said that athlete-influencers changed her perspective on the 2024 Paris Olympics, specifically USA women’s rugby player Ilona Maher and USA women’s tennis player Coco Gauff. Hammig said without Maher’s content, she would not have been aware that rugby was a sport in the Summer Olympics, meaning other women and girls worldwide were introduced to it as well. At the same Olympics, now 21-year-old Gauff posted content about her experience at the events, often following viral trends or making humorous videos.

“I feel like Coco Gauff is pretty well-versed in the Tik Tok and social media world, and she makes watching tennis a lot more interesting,” Hammig said. 

Most of all, athletes at the Olympics represent what it is like to be a contributor to a team, a united front of people from a vast variety of backgrounds and opinions, all with the same individual goals for themselves—something that viewers all over the world can absorb and incorporate into their own lives. 

“Sports are a really beautiful thing, because you can meet your best friends through things like your teams and your teammates. And I feel like it’s just really cool that [Olympic athletes] get to represent their sport, their thing that they love so much in honor of their country,” said Hammig. 

In such a time of political discourse and action toward nationwide social change, it can be difficult to remember what it feels like to be a proud American. This February, the athletes competing on the global stage to realize their dreams have a chance to remind fans back home what unity and compassion can feel like, and how powerful they can be.

The post More Than Medals: How Young Olympians Connect with College-Age Fans appeared first on Hill Magazine.

Students assembled outside their high schools holding handmade signs and chanting in unison protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Northwest Arkansas. The demonstration was organized by high school students and reflected growing fear among immigrant families in the Springdale community and a sense of urgency students said they could no longer ignore.

Though the protest was started by high schoolers, its message went beyond Springdale campuses, drawing attention from University of Arkansas students and members of the community who said immigration policies continue to shape their lives.

Springdale high school sophomore Daisy Martinez said she helped organize the protest to stand up for her family and others affected by immigration enforcement. Martinez, who is from Mexico, said ICE activity has caused significant emotional harm within the community.

“They’re separating our families,” Martinez said. “They don’t know what they’re doing to us mentally. They’re just hurting our families.”

Martinez said the goal of the protest was to challenge narratives that dehumanize immigrants and to remind lawmakers and adults that students are paying attention. She said that young people deserve to be taken seriously, regardless of age.

“Even though I’m young, I want to be taken serious,” Martinez said. “We’re all the same. We’re all human beings.”

Springdale High School senior Sophie McClelland, who was partially involved in the organization process of the protest, described the demonstration as a response to what she has as an increasingly concerning issue. She said immigration enforcement has become more evident  in her community, making it impossible for her to remain silent.

McClelland said her mother is a legal immigrant from Russia but many of her friends have undocumented parents. She said ICE activity has created a constant state of fear among students, especially those worried about their families being torn apart. 

“It just makes everybody scared,” McClelland said. “We’re all on edge.”

McClelland explained that immigration policies show up in her daily life through the experiences of her friends, some of whom live with anxiety that their parents could be detained or deported at any time. While McClelland said that while she cannot fully resonate to the fear, she still feels compelled to support those who live with it every day. 

McClelland acknowledged that students do not have the same power as adults but participation itself matters. She described attending the protests as the least she could do to demonstrate solidarity. 

“I can’t do as much as an adult might be able to,” she said, “but I’m going to do as much as I can.”

Other students framed the protests as part of a broader fight for civil rights. Har-Ber High School senior Adriana, who asked that only her first name be used, said she attended because she believes immigration enforcement represents a bigger injustice that affects not just immigrants, but everyone. 

“When the rights of Latinos are infringed upon, everybody’s rights are infringed upon,” Adriana said.

She described the protest as an effort to help not only immigrant communities but American rights more broadly. Adriana said she hopes the demonstration will draw attention from city and state leaders and lead to meaningful change.

“We want ICE immediately out,” she said. “We want ICE abolished.”

Adriana said she believes protests can lead to change, especially when media coverage brings student voices into the eye of the public. 

“You’re here, and that’s news,” she said. “News is what causes change.”

While the protests attendees were mostly high school students, UA freshman Betsy Lopez said the issue affects college students as well. Lopez, a marketing major, attended the protest in support of family members and friends who were too afraid to attend themselves.

Lopez is a Springdale High School alumni and she said returning felt meaningful both symbolically and personally. She said seeing younger students organize a protest over an issue that was important to them gave her hope. 

“I wanted to be there on behalf of friends and family that are scared to go and attend,” Lopez said. 

Lopez said immigration policies continue to affect her family directly. She said that a family member has already been deported and that nearly half of her family is undocumented.

“It does affect us,” Lopez said. “It just feels like there’s nothing we can really do.”

Lopez explained that ICE activity has changed how a lot of families navigate everyday life. She described relatives who are too scared to drive or even leave their homes, having to rely on others for transportation out of fear of being stopped or detained.

“I have a family member that’s scared to drive,” she said. “So we take turns taking her wherever she needs to be.”

Although Lopez said she hopes protests like this can lead to change, she said she feels uncertain whether policymakers will respond. 

For U of A students, Lopez’s presence demonstrates how immigration policies does not stop affecting individuals after high school. Many college students continue to balance their academic lives while worrying for family members back home.

The Springdale protests reflect a new trend of youth-led activism in Northwest Arkansas, where students are using public demonstrations more and more to respond to policies affecting their communities. Participants said their goal was not to disturb, but to be visible to the community.

As chants echoed, students repeated messages they hoped would go far beyond Springdale. They want to be seen as human beings and they want their voices, regardless of their age, to matter.

The post ‘We Are Human Beings’: Springdale students lead ICE Protest, joined by UofA Supporters appeared first on Hill Magazine.

From ancient Indigenous traditions to modern-day customs told through stories of survival and recreation, hunting is heavily embedded within American culture. Autumn is synonymous with the most lively hunting season, but as the weather chills and the leaves fall, familiar moral dilemmas resurface concerning the age-old practice.

Hunters see the act of pursuing and killing game as natural and necessary, while critics contend that hunting is unwarranted and cruel. Across Arkansas, hunters reflect on the distinct role hunting plays in their lives and how they best navigate its ethical complexities. 

The University of Arkansas student sub-chapter of the National Wildlife Society organization aims to connect developing professionals who study conservation biology; the club consistently hosts events in support of conservation efforts and environmental restoration. 

The environmental impact of hunting is debated; it seems paradoxical that the taking of a life could actually bring forth ecological benefits. Officers of the UofA Wildlife Society, Anne Puchalsky and Caleb Temper said that they view hunting as a necessary practice that supports the conservation and preservation of natural resources and wildlife populations. 

“A big reason for this is that hunters care about nature and the animals they hunt,” Templer said. “Someone who loves being in nature and interacting with wildlife is almost certainly going to be a proponent of resource management and species conservation, as a large part of their life is centered around these resources and activities.”

Puchalsky and Templer explained that hunting serves as a reliable source of revenue that is used to maintain environmental conservation efforts. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, since 1934, more than $1.1 billion has been generated from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps alone. 

In Arkansas, this funding is crucial in upholding state conservation projects and wildlife agencies. As explained by both Puchalsky and Templer, conservation programs are indispensable because they support wildlife management, which simultaneously bolsters ecological health. Not only do hunters help fund these efforts, but they also share critical information on species with agencies, collecting samples, along with records of sightings and catches, to send to organizations. 

“This information, collected by hunter participation, allows wildlife biologists and academics to understand things like possible disease spread, population age structure, and the genetics of populations,” Templer said. 

Notably, hunters also play a direct role in population management, in which they prevent species from surpassing the carrying capacity of their environment. If there is a lack of natural predators in an ecosystem, wildlife populations can grow unchecked, leading to greater disease spread, overgrazing, and other issues.

Puchalsky said that there have also been several historical instances in which game populations have dwindled in striking numbers. This effect was largely due to negative human interactions, such as unregulated overhunting and land development, they said. In the past, declines were seen in the species of Black Bears, Elk and White-tailed Deer in Arkansas, requiring conservationists to restore populations. 

“Without conservation efforts from state and local agencies, these species would continue to experience declines in populations and may even be pushed to extinction or extirpation (removal from the region),” she said.

Due to these instances of overharvesting, the sustainability of hunting is also commonly contested. To combat these concerns, hunting is regulated under many federal laws, which are intended to ensure the practice mimics natural predation. 

Hunters’ safety courses must be taken and permits must be obtained before one may participate in hunting, Puchalsky and Templer said. Visibility requirements, weapon restrictions and hunting season restrictions, all based on species breeding times, are also set in place. 

“Bag limits, set by wildlife agencies, regulate the number of a given game species that may be hunted by a person,” they said. “These limits are often developed using scientific data collected by state biologists and other conservation specialists.”

Beyond just environmental services, hunting extends other extrinsic values. Hunting can serve as a way to connect with the natural world, preserve familial traditions and promote cultural practices. While it has been argued that this is an unjust rationale behind hunting, many hunters find great worth in the sport alone.

Alex Pinson, who is now 39, has been hunting since he was eight years old. Growing up in rural Leslie, Arkansas as a child, he said that one of the main reasons he enjoys hunting is because it allows him to connect with the outdoors. 

 “I love to explore the beauty of God’s creation,” Pinson said.

For Pinson, hunting is also a way to uphold family traditions; he taught his two sons how to hunt, making it a valuable bonding experience. He also said that the practice allows him to fulfill his role as a provider for his family by supplying food.

Hunting has long held cultural significance in the U.S. Many Indigenous peoples view hunting as being deeply intertwined with spiritual beliefs. Pinson explained that there is an “old hunters tradition” in which one must take a bite of raw meat from the heart of their first kill. 

“I never did this when I was a kid because I started out hunting on my own, but I remember taking my oldest boy hunting, and after the first deer he shot, we went over to my cousins,” Pinson said. “He was like, ‘you gotta take a bite of the deer raw,’ and my son did it.”

Despite these distinct appreciations, hunters must also grapple with the ethical dilemmas of taking an animal’s life. It is up to every individual hunter to make a conscious effort to carry out the most respectful and ethical practices, Pinson noted.  

Central to this ethical code is the principle of fair chase, which declares that hunters should not use unfair advantages against wild game. Demanding a substantial amount of self-restraint, this involves allowing the animal an honest chance to escape against the hunter’s skills and equipment. 

“I think hunting can be ethical, but that depends upon the hunter’s training and their mindset,” Pinson said. “It’s not an easy thing to do. You’re taking a life. You have to be respectful of that life. I will not make an unethical shot unless I think that I can put the animal down quickly and efficiently without it suffering excessively. I feel like nothing should suffer unnecessarily.”

Like Pinson, Quentin Leake also grew up hunting in Arkansas. Now a student at the UofA, he still frequently devotes time to hunting. Leake said that the appeal of the resources, provided by hunted game, have always been his primary reason for hunting. As a child, he said that he rarely ate store-bought meat, heavily relying upon wild game for nourishment. 

Many hunting critics argue that hunting inflicts unnecessary harm onto innocent creatures, therefore making it immoral. However, sustenance is the most common rationale behind hunting. Compared to commercially farmed meats, wild game is often seen as a healthier, higher-quality alternative, making it the preferred source of food for many. Additionally, the harvest of game is frequently considered a much more ethical and sustainable practice by hunters. 

“Hunting has always been very big in my family,” Leake said. “I remember the first time my dad told me ‘you know we’re poor, so if you want something to eat for dinner tonight you better go hunting,’ so that’s what I did.”

Leake said that he believes game is a more sustainable source of protein than store-bought meats; hunting has a significantly lower environmental impact because it does not release as many greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to factory farms. 

“If you eat meat, you should be hunting. A lot of people are hypocritical when they critique hunting but still eat commercially farmed meats. Commercial agriculture treats livestock much more cruelly than hunting.” 

Leake also said that he does not support trophy hunting, the practice of killing animals simply for the purpose of using parts of the carcass for display. He believes that sport hunting is extremely wasteful

“I probably would not hunt if I wasn’t going to get food from it,” Leake said. “Trophy hunting is unethical. I’m completely against shooting the deer and just taking the antlers to leave the deer to rot.”

The morality of hunting is a deeply personal and culturally charged topic. For some, it’s an act of recreation, sport or conservation. For others, it is a moral vice. Despite these dilemmas, hunting invites reflection on responsibility, respect and the consistent relationship between people, wildlife and the environment.

The post Arkansas Hunters Reflect on Dilemmas of the Age-Old Practice  appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Maeve Sterling

Fayetteville residents and visitors gathered at the Washington County Courthouse on Oct. 18 to participate in the nationwide “No Kings” protest, scheduled to run from noon to 2 p.m. through heavy rain and peak intersection traffic hours.

The event was organized by Zero Hour Arkansas, a local branch of the nonprofit organization of the same name that works toward a “livable planet for all” through climate and political activism. Zero Hour planned and promoted multiple events across Northwest Arkansas, including Bentonville, Little Rock and Rogers.

Local attendees arrived as early as 10 a.m., carrying handmade signs with slogans, political cartoons and caricatures in defense of First Amendment rights and in protest of President Donald Trump’s administration.

By noon, heavy rain poured down, but hundreds still lined the intersection of College Avenue and Center Street. Their voices rose above the rush of passing cars as protesters chanted, “Who’s got the power?” and “We’ve got the power.”

Dara Gaines attended the protest with the Democratic Party of Arkansas to encourage Arkansas citizens to register to vote.

“We’ve learned that people have a lot of frustration to get out right now,” Gaines said. “The way the system is set up, there’s only so much you can do without being in it.”

She said her purpose at the protest was to encourage people to turn their strong feelings into action. Gaines said the protest allows her organization to motivate people when they are experiencing strong emotions and to channel them in ways that create change.

Joe and Jody Rathe, registered Democrats and Fayetteville residents, said they attended the protest to express how they feel about what is happening in Washington and across the country. Although they both expressed a desire to see change in Arkansas, they said they felt grim about the state administration’s – specifically Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ – willingness to listen to citizens.

“Sarah’s not going to say anything,” Joe Rathe said, “Nobody’s going to say anything until you get in the streets.”

Even those with autoimmune diseases, like Corrinnia Briggs, chose to remain in the cold rain because the cause was important to them. Briggs said being at the protest showed her what it was like to be surrounded by like-minded people and that there is still a large group willing to face issues to make something positive happen.

“I’m loving seeing as many people got out in the rain as they did,” Briggs said. “I think it’s really encouraging.”

Briggs is heavily involved in politics and writes letters to local officials. She said she believes the biggest problem Arkansas faces is that no matter how much someone reaches out, it doesn’t feel like anything is being accomplished.She said she believes the response to protests throughout the state will go unnoticed by the governor or even result in something inane.

Throughout the day, cars passed by the protest honking in support, with some drivers holding up their own signs or giving a thumbs-up through their windows. Others shouted expletives and pro-MAGA remarks at the protesters.

However frustrated, protesters were overheard saying, “It’s their own counterprotest. It’s ridiculous, but we respect it.”

Throughout the weekend, Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance poked fun at protesters by posting AI-generated memes on social media depicting Trump wearing a crown, while continuing to deny being called a king. Organizers estimated that 2,700 protests in cities and towns across all 50 states drew more than 7 million people in support of anti-authoritarian and anti-oligarchic causes.

Despite the heavy storm that picked up by 1 p.m., people of all ages, from young children to veterans in wheelchairs, stood proudly through the intensity of the afternoon. Some took shelter on the steps of the courthouse and a church next door, continuing to wave signs and participate in chants.

Becky Sayre, a longtime Democrat, protested with the same spirit she had when demonstrating against the Vietnam War. She said she strongly believes that we can’t let our country fall under fascist rule.

She said she was standing outside for younger people, like her grandchildren, who are depending on her to do what’s right. She said people’s security is at stake, with some being removed from their homes and the streets, as health care benefits become increasingly at risk.

“I have grandchildren and I’m standing for them,” Sayre said. “I want it to be a good world, a peaceful world.”

She said that although she protested against the Vietnam War, this is the first time she hasn’t felt safe in the country, even though she said it shouldn’t be that way.

Sayre explained that she doesn’t blame Trump entirely for the country’s issues. She believes that people are like a garden, meant to be made up of every color, able to work together and create a better country.

“Our leaders should not be dividing us, but bringing us together,” Sayre said.

The post Local residents rally at ‘No Kings’ protest to call for democracy and accountability appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Maeve Sterling

Jeff Kinney, author of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, stopped in Fayetteville for the 11th stop on his tour, “The Partypooper Show,” held in the Fayetteville High School Auditorium. The show, filled with nods to the creation of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” brought laughter, surprises and plenty of audience participation.

Each ticket included an autographed copy of “The Partypooper Show,” along with a collectible card featuring unique illustrations of new Wimpy Kid characters. Audience members whose cards showed designs such as “an evil broccoli in tidy whiteys” were invited on stage with their parents to join Kinney’s wacky competitions.

Daniel Jordan from Pearl’s Books, the independent bookstore hosting the event, opened the show and expressed excitement at seeing “so many young readers” in attendance. After introducing Kinney’s career achievements, including his international bestselling status and Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, the audience watched a video highlighting his creative journey.

Kinney thanked parents for fostering their children’s love of reading, calling it a way to inspire future authors. He encouraged support for local bookstores such as Pearl’s before theatrically revealing a live count of Wimpy Kid sales, joking that “each book would be recalled” if they failed to hit a milestone.

The first game brought two children and their parents to the stage for a balloon race that had everyone laughing. Kinney then treated the crowd to a surprise: the trailer for “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw,” the upcoming animated film on Disney+.

Three children with pink dots on their cards competed in Wimpy Kid trivia, earning laughs when Kinney quipped, “What’s the color of the orange book?” Another round brought a mother-daughter duo to play a Wimpy-themed taste test inspired by Beanboozled, where the daughter got sweet flavors while her mom tasted grass and soap.

Kinney then revealed the cover for “Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2,” drawing playful gasps as Rowley Jefferson was shown trapped in a spiderweb.

Next, an unenthusiastic clown named Hopeless shuffled on stage, delivering a deadpan “six out of seven” joke before disappearing. A mother-daughter pair faced off in a “party punch” race, only to discover the mom’s hidden jug of punch made victory impossible. The rematch, a cup-stacking competition, ended in a tie.

Hopeless soon returned, asking for toilet paper and teasing Kinney with, “J.K. Rowling’s sold more books than you,” before exiting again.

For the next challenge, Kinney hosted a “Try Not to Laugh” game. When a dad failed to amuse his daughter, a Wimpy Kid movie clip played, prompting him to mimic the ridiculous poses on-screen. As he moved, the sound effects shifted to comic flatulence, summoning “Sgt. Stinkwell” from the local “fart police.” 

Kinney, feigning innocence, said, “I’m not a snitch.” The dad was playfully “charged” with public flatulence and handed Gas-X as his warning.

A giant piñata named Bitsy then entered nervously for a game of tag. Three young girls chased her offstage and triumphantly returned with bags of candy.

In another skit, an influencer named Jessica S., playing an exaggerated mom, accused Kinney of “hating children” before storming offstage. Kinney followed the chaos with a “parent dance party,” promising the winners a ride on the “Wimpy Wagon” tour bus. Parents danced while children cheered for their favorites, crowning contestants five and six as the winners.

However, the influencer’s “scandal” caused a fictional drop in book sales. To lift spirits, Kinney showed a montage of the series’s earliest fans, now adults, celebrating its success. At that moment, the show’s goal of 300 million books sold was reached.

As a giant pink strawberry cake rolled on stage, Kinney selected a child and parent to receive the milestone book. When the boy accepted the “300 millionth copy,” the auditorium erupted in cheers, bubbles and confetti. Hopeless the clown then leapt through the onstage cake, capping the chaos with laughter.

As Kinney posed for a group photo with the audience, Jessica S. made one last surprise appearance and pied him in the face to end the night.

By the end of the evening, the event had transformed from a book tour stop into something greater. Kinney made sure to highlight family and the simple joy of reading together. Parents and children shared the same stories and experiences through the book series, reminding people that books can still bring people together in the most joyful way.

The post Laughter, Balloons and Pie: Jeff Kinney brings ‘The Partypooper Show’ to Fayetteville appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Lilliana Cardenas 

If you were to ask someone on campus where their outfit was from, there is a likely chance part of it was thrifted. For students at the University of Arkansas, thrifting is not just a way to save money; it’s a way to express themselves, help the environment and connect with friends. 

“I like going thrifting just because there’s a lot of unique things,” Emma Livingston, a sophomore at the UA, said. “It’s good to find things that have been previously loved, just to combat all the fast fashion and give something more life.”

Livingston said that even though she doesn’t thrift as often as she would like, it’s always a personal and creative experience when she does go. For her, thrifting is a way to experiment with her personal style on a budget. 

“It’s a good way to expand your closet and have a lot of fun pieces,” she said. “I want to be fun in what I wear–different, not just basic.”

Gabby Keller, a freshman at the UA, explained that thrifting originally started as an activity she would do with her friends, but it quickly became a part of her lifestyle. 

“I probably go [thrifting] twice a month,” Keller said. “At first, it was just something fun to do with my friends, but after taking an environmental science class in high school, I learned why it’s important to thrift, because it’s better for the environment and the clothes are typically better quality.”

Keller explained that she now views thrifting as both a creative outlet and a way to be more environmentally mindful.

 “It’s kind of made me more creative in my style,” she said. “I always try to find something that stands out and catches people’s eye.” 

While thrifting is often seen as a better alternative to finding new pieces to add to your wardrobe, Keller is also aware of certain challenges that come along with thrifting.

 “It’s good that more people are doing it,” she said. “But sometimes it feels like people are just over-consuming. They’ll buy a bunch of stuff and then throw it out again. So it’s good and bad at the same time.”

Riley Holt, another student at the UA agreed with Keller’s outlook on thrifting. Holt said she started thrifting right before high school with her aunt and was a part of her school’s “Eco Fashion Club,” which promoted sustainable clothing habits. For Holt, fashion has always been about being creative while also being ethical.

“I’ve been thrifting for years,” Holt said. “I like getting pieces that have already been worn because they kind of have their own story before me.” 

She said the connection she feels to thrifted clothes goes beyond aesthetics. “It just makes me feel more connected to what I’m wearing,” she said. “There’s more personality that comes from it because I know nobody else I know has the same thing.”

Holt explained that she views thrifting as primarily a choice to be more sustainable. 

“I don’t always like supporting brands that are unethical in how they produce clothes or treat their workers,” she said. “When I buy from a thrift store, I know it’s not contributing to new production.”

Social media platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram, have also played a crucial role in promoting thrift culture. Many influencers will post “thrift hauls” and provide inspiration on how to style thrifted articles of clothing, which not only promotes thrifting but also glamorizes it. Livingston said she has noticed how Instagram and TikTok have changed the stigma around thrifting entirely. 

“A lot of people who you see on Instagram with really cool style thrift all their clothes,” she said.

Bear Thompson, the owner and founder of Ozark Vintage Market and 233 Vintage in Fayetteville, has seen firsthand how whatever is trending online affects what people search for in thrift stores.

“There are so many microtrends that happen,” Thompson said. “We kind of see the back end of it. Those microtrends show up a couple months after they’re popular.”

Thompson explained that thrifting has definitely become more mainstream in the past few years. A microtrend is a specific trend that becomes popular for a short period of time.

“It’s beneficial because more people are shopping my stuff,” he said. “But it’s gotten so mainstream that it’s harder to find things.”

Even as more students have been gravitating more towards thrifting rather than traditional shopping, Thompson said the rise of thrifting has its own complications. 

“Fast fashion will always be a thing, no matter how much I dislike it,” he said. “Overconsumption affects everything, from pollution to the amount of Shein products showing up in thrift stores.”

Shein is a fast fashion brand that is notorious for its cheap prices and unethical means of producing items. The company, like many fast-fashion companies, plays a major role in the clothing industries environmental impact. Despite the backlash, these companies remain successful due to their low prices.

While thrifting is gaining more and more popularity, many students and business owners are being mindful of what makes thrifting meaningful, which is the individuality, the sustainability efforts, and the sense of creativity it can instill in people.

The post More Than a Trend: Thrifting in Northwest Arkansas  appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Angie Ramirez

Across the nation, first-generation college students are breaking barriers and forging new paths to success as they work toward their accomplishments. On the annual National First-Generation College Celebration Day held on Nov. 8, college campuses come together to honor first-generation students and spotlight the determination required to navigate higher education.  

On the week of Nov. 3-7, the Office of Transition Programs and Initiatives at the University of Arkansas organized a week of events and activities designed to celebrate, support and connect first-generation students. Throughout the week, students had opportunities to engage with one another through events such as a resource fair, employer panel and social gatherings. These events offered valuable information and career connections as well as a space where students’ experiences could be heard and celebrated. 

At the UofA, nearly one in four students are first-generation. While every student’s transition to college is different, for first-generation students, the experience often comes with a lot of uncertainty. For many, small aspects of campus life, such as finding study resources or understanding financial aid, are new to them. 

The UofA offers a variety of programs for first-generation students, including the 360 Program, the Accelerated Student Achievement Program (ASAP) and the First-Generation Mentoring Program. These programs provide academic support, advising services and opportunities to connect with faculty and peers. 

Freshman landscape architecture major Whitney Juarez said the ASAP helped her settle in her first semester. 

“I’m currently part of the ASAP program where I participated in a summer-bridge program weeks before the fall semester started,” Juarez said. “This program helped me gradually become more used to campus life, allowing the first week of classes to be less scary to navigate.” 

ASAP is a two-year program of peer mentoring, professional advising and academic support for first-generation students from eastern Arkansas communities. ASAP Scholars get awarded scholarships each year upon their enrollment and participation in student success programming. Their Summer Bridge Program takes place for a few weeks in the summer and includes workshops, classes and mentoring opportunities. Students learn about the university and connect with other students as well as faculty. Juarez said that ASAP has made her feel more accommodated in the university as a first-generation student. 

“I was able to get into contact with faculty within Fay Jones School through the university’s First-Generation Mentoring Program that gave me advice on how to navigate certain aspects of design school, which has made my first semester of design school easier to understand at times,” Juarez said. 

Sponsored by the Honors College, the First-Generation Mentoring Program helps first-generation freshmen and sophomore students to navigate life on campus by pairing them with faculty. Through these connections, students can ask questions, seek advice and get more involved on campus. 

For Jarika Phillips, a sophomore majoring in history, adjusting to college life was also a challenge. 

“Navigating how to adapt to university was challenging,” Phillips said. “Since neither of my parents knew anything about it, I was kind of on my own, which can be overwhelming, but I’ve managed.” 

While Phillips said the university has great resources and support systems, she also noted that financial barriers are an obstacle for many first-generation students.  

“The most challenging part is despite the support system there still isn’t enough support,” Phillips said. “I think many first-gen students are from lower income households and there is little to no funding to help aid them even if they have good grades and work.”

Financial stress often adds more pressure to the college experience. More accessible funding would ease that burden and allow students to focus on academics and campus involvement. 

Sophomore psychology major Natalie Dominguez shared that while academics have gone well for her, she struggles to find a sense of belonging.

“I have enjoyed my classes and learned a lot, but I still feel like I have yet to fit in,” Dominguez said. “I still haven’t made any friends or gotten involved much outside of classes, but I am hopeful that I will soon.” 

Despite the obstacles, first-generation students continue to thrive in their education and achieve their goals and dreams. Their stories are a celebration of determination and the transformative power of higher education.

The post The Challenges and Achievements of First-Generation Students  appeared first on Hill Magazine.