When Friday rolls around after a long week, students can finally catch their breath after 5 days of class, work and responsibilities. All that’s left to do is decide how to spend their weekend. Historically, a stereotypical college kid can be found at a local bar on any given Friday night, forgetting their worries with drink in hand.

This is still a reality on campus, but lately, we see a different Friday night becoming more common. A night that includes entertainment instead of intoxication, reflecting instead of forgetting and mocktails instead of cocktails. There is no denying the growth of this trend, with many brands profiting on nonalcoholic drink lines and dry businesses emerging to accommodate a generation with waning interest in the cliche weekend habits. 

The catalyst of this movement is a combination of several factors— mental health being a large one. 58% of Gen Z said they plan to drink less in the new year solely to improve their mental health; this is a significant 45% increase from the year previous according to Circana 2025. 

The correlation between drinking and mental health is unique right now. With social media technology emerging in society alongside Gen Z, strict self-image management has become a non-negotiable. What happens in a weekend no longer stays there, but instead leaves a permanent digital footprint. 

The weight of maintaining a positive image means that a night out is far less freeing than it used to be, contrasting to an age where students and young adults were able to let loose with little “evidence” or negative effects.

Another factor in this trend is Gen Z’s increased awareness of physical health. In a society hyperfocused on holistic wellness, some young people are deciding that alcohol is no longer compatible with their lifestyle.

On top of this, many students are expressing fatigue of the clubbing lifestyle, choosing instead to partake in eclectic activities or more diverse entertainment on the weekends. 

The buzzword an increasing number of Gen Z is using to identify their stance on alcohol is “sober-curious.” The term describes a person taking a step back from the late-night partying lifestyle to experiment with more diverse sober activities, often involving new hobbies, craft workshops, and lattes or mocktails.

Whether for public image management or personal wellbeing, society is shifting to keep up with the growing “sober-curious” audience. Even the local Ozark Charcuterie & Wine Bar introduced their first mocktail to their menu last week, which is a telling decision for an establishment with “wine” in the name to make.

Fayetteville in particular has seen lots of creative dry events on the calendar this year. Instagram page “fayettevillecitylifestyle” promotes local Northwest Arkansas businesses and events, giving us a glimpse into what students and residents have been into lately. Each monthly post lists events like “Game Night at Meteor Cafe,” “Downtown Fayetteville Coffee Crawl,” and “Yoga at Fayetteville Public Library.” The page spotlights new businesses from Iris Art House & Supply Co.; an art shop and maker hub, to Artemis Temperance Lounge; a non-alcoholic lounge and venue–proving that local interest is expanding beyond just happy hours.

Bo Counts, owner of Pinpoint and the new Artemis Temperance Lounge, has been involved in the NWA bar scene for long enough to see its evolution. He said that he has noticed Gen Z becoming tired of the same type of bars, cheap booze and lack of diverse third spaces. 

Counts reflected on a time when Dickson street had something for everyone. Common Grounds was a late night coffee cafe for all ages, and Smoke & Barrel hosted indie bands and independent music almost every night, just to name a few. According to Counts, the Fayetteville nightlife used to have a diversity we do not see anymore, with spots for anyone from art school students to Greeks. 

He thinks the nature of the forgotten spots he grew up with are the missing piece to this generation, and an answer to the public’s demands. “People are craving a space like this, but they don’t know it yet. They don’t know what they’re missing.”

Counts’ latest endeavor, Artemis Temperance Lounge, is an alcohol-free bar focused on authentic discovery and diverse community. The vibe is cool and dimly-lit by night, decorated with unique art on the walls and eclectic furniture. The space hosts various pop-ups and events from live local bands to ceramic workshops to art showcases.

“I wanted to bring back some of those spaces that Fayetteville lost,” Counts said. “Something that’s about the community, and it’s not necessarily centered around, ‘oh, we’re just going to the bar to get drunk.’” 

The new lounge operates with a goal of being that lost “third-space,” providing weekend activities for those looking for something besides drinks at Tin Roof. Many Gen-Z students are tired of the same weekend routine and crave something new, but struggle finding other places worth their time and money.

Businesses attempting to fulfill the demand of a growing sober-curious population face difficulties creating something that can compete with a traditional bar, however. A Dickson Street bar automatically has an established value because of the audience for a known spot with familiar drinks. Non-alcocolic bars have to fight for their success.

“The challenge is, are there enough people here to support what we’re doing and not just be like, ‘hey, that’s so cool?’”

It is not that Counts is anti-alcohol, in fact his first project was creating the well-known pinball and cocktail lounge Pinpoint back in 2018. He simply observed the local need for a different kind of entertainment and shifted his focus from cocktail to mocktail. 

Nonalcoholic drinks plastered with the snappy “mocktail” label are growing in popularity within Gen Z. Everyday we see more brands capitalizing on the sober trend with wide varieties of non-alcoholic beverages that mimic the taste of familiar cocktail flavors.

Even popular beer and seltzer brands have released versions of their products without the alcohol, such as Michelob Ultra Zero and White Claw Zero Proof. The goal is to provide a fun and familiar drink while catering to a sober-curious generation.

Counts, however, dislikes the term mocktail. He instead refers to the Artemis beverages as non-alcoholic, claiming that the prefix “mock” is negative. 

“It’s like a fake drink,” Counts said. “A cruddy imitation of something you’d rather have.”

Alcohol-free bartending has advanced past just pouring Sprite and Grenadine in a cup, with mixologists spending years testing different formulas, crafting their own syrups and utilizing modern culinary technology. Now that there is a growing interest in non-alcoholic drinks with the same intentionality and complexity as traditional cocktails, their efforts are appreciated rather than seen as novel.

Counts argues that it is harder to create an interesting drink without the backbone of a spirit. “To create a beverage that makes you want to sip it and think about it, and isn’t just ‘fruit punch:’ that’s the goal.”

Artemis is intentional in their efforts and is far from just a bar with no alcohol, priding itself in the varieties of events hosted at the venue and mixologists who aim to tailor quality drinks that are actually worth your money. Many spots we see popping up have similar motives, to decentralize alcohol and give young people a more diverse Friday night experience without sacrificing a good time.

A weekend on Dickson is well-spent at Tin Roof or YeeHawg, no doubt about it. But for the growing number of “sober-curious” students looking for an entertaining Friday night without the hangover, new options like Artemis Temperance Lounge are opening up every day. Taking a step back from familiar weekend habits does not have to mean missing out on that “night-out” experience, and quality events and entertainment are out there waiting to put something fresh on your calendar.

The post Dickson Goes Dry: A College Town’s Response to The Mocktail Movement appeared first on Hill Magazine.

Spring brings forth warmer temperatures, longer days, blooming flowers — and kittens. For cat lovers, a season full of newborn kittens is an exciting prospect. However, as kitten season arrives, animal shelters and rescue groups face a wave of new challenges. Through community support, these challenges can be managed, helping to ensure a safe and healthy start for every kitten.

Kitten season coincides with early spring through late fall, peaking during the warmest months. In most parts of the United States, spring marks the time when many animals begin to mate and give birth. According to the National Wildlife Federation, higher fertility rates during this season are attributed to greater access to resources, such as food, that are essential for survival. 

During kitten season, unspayed female cats enter into their estrus cycle, commonly referred to as “heat,” more frequently. The estrus cycle can last up to 21 days, and if a cat does not mate during this period, she will go out of heat for around seven days before the cycle repeats. Pregnancy typically lasts between 64 to 71 days, with cats usually giving birth to four to six kittens per litter, though that number can reach up to 12, according to VCA veterinary hospital. Oftentimes, cats give birth to multiple litters throughout the season.

This influx of kittens often places a significant strain on shelters and rescue groups, as the amount of resources needed to care for them can become overwhelming. Medical care, food and space become high demand. 

In 2019, Jennifer Pokrandt, founder and executive director of Mew Cat Rescue, saw the need for greater animal support in Northwest Arkansas. Mew is a foster-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit cat rescue that was founded in Bentonville. Since its opening, Mew has saved over 4,500 cats.

“Kitten seasons hits big time and all at the same time,” Pokrandt said. “The flood hasn’t hit yet, but we expect any day. They (kittens) start to be seen more once mamma brings them out, and they start walking.” 

Mew offers a foster program that gives cats and kittens temporary homes until they are ready for adoption. Once kittens reach 2.5 pounds, typically around 8 to 9 weeks old, they are ready to be adopted. Having enough fosters is vital to sustaining Mew’s work, especially since the organization currently does not operate a physical facility to house cats. 

Finding fosters is one of the greatest challenges during kitten season. For those looking for a temporary companion, consider fostering this kitten season. 

“We would love to have more fosters in the Fayetteville area,” Pokrandt said. “We pay all expenses, so the foster doesn’t need to worry.” 

Another urgent need for Mew, and for most shelters and rescues in Northwest Arkansas, is donations. Kittens are extremely susceptible to illness, so funds are critical for maintaining their health during this time. 

“Kitten season takes thousands of dollars to get through, from supplies to vet care,” Pokrandt said. “We can only keep operating with donations.” 

Kittens under 4 to 5 weeks old must be bottle-fed, which requires intensive time and care. Finding bottle-feeders also proves arduous. 

“Kittens can die in hours without milk,” Pokrandt said.  “Rescues have to find a person willing to stay up all night for weeks to feed round the clock every few hours.” 

If a kitten can remain with its mother while it is still within the bottle-feeding age, this is the best option to increase the likelihood of survival. This also ensures that kittens are not unnecessarily brought to shelters, where resources are limited. 

Katherine Guerrero has worked as a shelter attendant with Fayetteville Animal Services for four years. She said that kittens are frequently found and brought to shelters because people are unaware that their mother is nearby. 

“Usually, mothers hide their kittens and feed them when nobody’s around,” Guerrero explained. 

Attentively observing the kittens and their nest can be an easy way to tell if the mother is still caring for them. If the kittens appear calm and well-fed, it is likely that their mother is close by, and they should be left alone. If a mother has abandoned her kittens, they may be dirty, crying from hunger or found in an unkempt nest. 

When one comes across stray kittens, the best thing to do is wait to see if their mother returns. Guerrero said that she recommends waiting at least 24 hours before intervening. This is extremely important because kittens that remain with their mothers have a much higher chance of survival, as a mother’s milk contains vital nutrients and antibodies. 

One of the most impactful ways to reduce the strain of kitten season is through spaying and neutering. Fayetteville Animal Services offers a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program, in which community cats are spayed or neutered and released afterwards.

 “This helps reduce the pet population,” Guerrero said. “Last season, we saw a greater decrease in kittens than we have previously, so it’s working.” 

Low-cost spay and neuter services are also available to qualifying families through the Fayetteville shelter. Across Northwest Arkansas, there are an abundance of organizations that offer similar programs, including Lester C Howick Animal Shelter, Humane Society of the Ozarks and Best Friends Pet Resource Center. Choosing to adopt from local shelters and rescue groups is another way individuals can be of aid this season. 

Isabella Galloway, an engineering student at the University of Arkansas, adopted a kitten in June 2025 from Best Friends Pet Resource Center, located in Bentonville. Best Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with locations across the United States, providing adoption, spay/neuter and educational programs.

“Best friends has a kitten room where they allow the kittens to roam freely,” Galloway said. “Whenever I got there they had just gotten a big shipment of kittens, and there were so many people in the room. As soon as I saw [my kitten], I knew he was mine. It was honestly a fight to get him because everyone wanted him. He was so cute.”

Galloway said that she chose to adopt from Best Friends because she knew that it was a good organization. Best Friends also frequently waves their adoption fees, so her kitten was completely free. Additionally, her kitten’s vaccinations were up to date, and he was already neutered. 

“I think I really wanted a kitten because I wanted a companion in college,” she said. “I think having a cat helps with mental health a lot, especially in college where you can feel lonely.”

However, she also explained that a kitten could be difficult for time-constrained students to handle because they have very high energy and require a lot of attention. For those with little time, adopting a kitten might be too stressful. Galloway said that she already had another cat, so her kitten had an additional companion.

“If I was adopting a singular cat, I would probably get a fully grown cat around 2-3 years old to avoid that stress,” she said. “Before you get a cat in college, I would recommend doing some research to make sure that it will fit into your lifestyle and that you know how to care for it. Getting a cat is a really big responsibility that will always have to be at the top of your priorities, but it’s worth it.”

With kitten season approaching, consider how to make a difference. Whether it’s by fostering, donating, adopting or simply spreading awareness, community support can give vulnerable kittens the chance to find forever homes.

The post Small Paws, Big Futures: Protecting Kittens this Season  appeared first on Hill Magazine.

The thick southern drawl is everywhere from books to TV shows to movies. Arkansas is placed firmly in the south, but in Northwest Arkansas, many people lack the thick drawl of a southern accent. On the surface, it seems that this way of speaking has disappeared.

NWA is part of the Ozark region, a region linguistically associated with the Ozark accent. According to Rachel Whitaker, a historian at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, the Ozark accent is a subcategory of the Southern accent with some pronunciation coming historically from the Appalachian region of the United States.  

Whitaker is an eighth-generation Ozarker. When she was growing up in the Ozark region in the 1980s and 1990s, the Ozark accent was still spoken in the region. However, Whitaker says that she no longer has hers and that her vowels have gotten longer. According to Whitaker, in the 25 years since she moved to Oklahoma, she has begun to sound more like an Oklahoman. 

Dakota Pirtle moved from Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Fayetteville, Arkansas, within the past several years to live with her partner, Enoch Anglin. Anglin has moved throughout their life to various parts of Arkansas, but is primarily from the small town of Hoxie.

According to Anglin, they find themselves subconsciously changing the accent they speak with depending on the social context. In academic settings, for example, they speak with less of a southern drawl. In a brief account, Anglin described an experience of being told they had a really strong accent, but to them, they thought they sounded “normal”. 

Pirtle compared her experience of living in Jonesboro to her experience living in Fayetteville, saying that in Jonesboro, when Anglin and her went to Walmart, they heard people just being southern, but that when ‘they’ go to Walmart off M.L.K Jr. Blvd, it isn’t the same.

Gunnar Holstead moved to Fayetteville from Monticello, Arkansas. Where Holstead is from, everybody speaks with a thicker accent and, in his own words, sounds kind of like him. In his experience, when he needs to speak to those in higher positions or have a serious conversation, he speaks more clearly. According to Holstead, there isn’t much of that same accent here in Fayetteville. Though he stated that he is from the Great Plains area rather than the Ozarks.

Whitaker stated that the Southern accent is regional and localized in a lot of ways. She mentions that the areas between the Northwest corner of Arkansas and the Southeast corner of Arkansas have their own distinctions. According to her, the Ozark accent doesn’t exist as it once did, and the changes in the accent spoken in Northwest Arkansas are the result of the consumption of mass media. However, she said that there is still a holdover of some of the words and phrases used in the Ozarks.

Whitaker states that the accent seen in Northwest Arkansas is similar to that of the accent seen in the American Midwest. She thinks this is a result of everybody watching the same people on TV and the same people on streaming services. In her opinion, English is a fabulous language that is just constantly evolving and absorbing. 

In Anglin’s hometown they state that everyone has a Southern accent, not always necessarily a very thick Southern accent but definitely noticeable to others if they left the region. However, in Anglin’s experience, the newer generation’s accents have declined in their thickness.

Pirtle works at a behavioral health hospital in Fayetteville and states that many of the patients she works with do not have a Southern accent. She thinks that some of the decline in the prevalence of the Southern accent is a result of the internet and social media. 

Anglin stated that they have noticed a change in the slang words they use; they began to notice this change in the 2010s during the initial explosion in short-form videos on YouTube and Vine. 

In Holstead’s opinion, Fayetteville lacks the Southern Ozark accent as a result of the influx of students to the University of Arkansas. In his experience, people from Texas speak differently than how Ozarkers do. Holstead also admitted that his speech patterns have adapted slang from social media. For example, Holstead said he uses terms like “fire” and “lit.”

When asked how he thought the Southern accent in Northwest Arkansas would continue to change, Holstead stated that he assumes it will be gone in the future. In Holstead’s opinion, the type of people who move to Fayetteville are not the type of people to keep traditional Southern accents alive. 

In Anglin’s opinion, the Southern accent won’t die off completely. Just as many people assimilate linguistically to the dominant culture, people on the outskirts continue to pass on the accent.

Pirtle explained that Southern accents are a minority in the United States, and that over time they will probably be spoken less, but that she hopes that they will remain. Pirtle said that often people have commented on her thick Southern accent. She often thinks to herself, “Y’all are from Arkansas, too. Why don’t you have a Southern accent? Why do you sound like that?” 

The Ozark accent has declined in Northwest Arkansas. The decline in accent can be attributed to immigration to the NWA area, but as Whitaker explained, modern media consumption and globalization have played a role. On her program on the Ozark accent, Whitaker said that she often tells people, “it’s not that you speak bad English, your English is just different because there are old rules, there’s old pronunciation.”

The post The Decline of Southern Accents in NWA  appeared first on Hill Magazine.

The frigid winds of winter are in the past, and the sun has started to warm up students’ daily walks through campus; evidence that Spring is upon the University of Arkansas. With this temperature change, another season lies just beyond the horizon: concert season. As students work their way through the semester and closer to the summer, they move nearer to a plethora of concert dates and live music events by their favorite artists. 

While some crave the intimate events of smaller local artists, like the ones that perform at George’s Majestic Lounge on Dickson Street, others count down the days to their next big concert date in a stadium.

Among the headlining news in nationwide music updates, artists Harry Styles, Tame Impala and Bruno Mars all announced tour dates in January for the remainder of 2026. 

Freshman University of Arkansas student Sania Parise said she acquired tickets for a Harry Styles show this October for his Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally tour. Other than wanting to see artists solely for their music and production, Parise said she loves to get dressed up for the themes of each concert she attends as well, getting inspiration from apps like Pinterest. 

“For Taylor Swift, I wore a more glittery outfit, and for Lana [Del Ray] I wore more pastels and tried to fit more of her aesthetic,” she said. 

Music is one of the many tools students use to stabilize their mood and explore the expression of their interests everyday.  Parise said that motivates her through her day, and allows her to be more creative with how she spends her downtime. 

“I love listening to music while I drive because it clears my mind,” she said. “It makes me super focused, even when I’m getting ready.”

For others, music also serves the purpose of providing comfort and nostalgia, especially for out-of-state students. 

Freshman Ellie Wyckoff said her two older brothers exposed her to a wide range of music genres, which allowed her to curate her own taste and become obsessed with different sounds as well. She attributes her love for R&B and rap to her brothers, and her interest in indie genres to her own discovery,  combined with the music interests of her friends. 

Music not only weaves its way into her workouts and walks to class, but into her friendships; Wyckoff said it plays a huge part in them, to the point that when a new album drops it’s a big deal, and they all listen to it together.

Wyckoff is planning on attending the Austin City Limits music festival in Austin, Texas in October. She attended this two-weekend festival in 2025, and said she was so infatuated with the experience that she has to go back. 

“It truly felt like a cultural experience,” she said. “I was able to see headliners like Hozier, but I also found a lot of small artists that I didn’t know prior to ACL, which was really cool.”

With so many artists employing social media managers to film their performances and teasers in this modern era of music communication, fans don’t always need to see their favorite artists live to experience their talent firsthand. Wyckoff said that live performances are just a different feel that cannot be rivaled by any other viewing of the artist.

“With all the fans [in the room] you capture so much more energy that you wouldn’t otherwise have…you kind of get to see what [the artists] are like as a person, too,” she said. 

Music’s role in Wyckoff’s life has been one of escapism and release of the day that she experiences outside of her earbuds. 

“For me, music has genuinely helped me with problems in my life,” she said. “I think most students love music because it offers an escape for them.”

Sophomore Sarah Schwaller was also introduced to the idea of music as an act of expression from a family member: her dad.  She said her dad’s knowledge of music influenced the way she interacted with different genres throughout her childhood, and affects the way she interprets new songs now. 

“He very much makes an effort to teach us about the [music] he loved to listen to when he was me and my siblings’ ages, and he also tries to discover new music and new artists,” she said. 

Schwaller described how her dad and his friends first heard the artist Tame Impala in a bar in Austin back when the band had just started to release music, which allowed her to become familiar with them at a young age. 

“I’ve been listening to Tame Impala since they were very, very new, so it’s fun to see them grow and become so big,” she said. 

Music has also made its way into how she shares her interests with her dad: Schwaller explained how she often tries to hide songs that she loves from him in the chance that he also loves it and plays it continuously.

“I gatekept a song by the Neighborhood, ‘Devil’s Advocate’ because I knew he would love it,” she said. “I kept it from him for a couple years, then he finally heard it, loved it… and now I’m going to their concert with him this year.”

As a student who attends about one concert a month, Schwaller has experienced both large stadium tours and intimate listening venues. She said that smaller venues have unique advantages that the larger shows lack. 

“At George’s [Majestic Lounge], you have opportunities to speak to the artists after, which I haven’t experienced anywhere else,” she said. “You can just go and introduce yourself, and say hello, and I just think that’s really cool.”

Most of all though, Schwaller said she appreciates how there are so many different interpretations of the same music, which has brought her closer to so many different people on campus, unified under the interest in one particular song, or artist. 

“There’s so much music that I’ve been able to talk to other people about, and they’re like ‘oh my gosh, I love that song too,’ because of the story that that song tells,” she said. 

Schwaller described sharing song interests with others as a form of emotional connection, unique to others that one would form with classmates or even friends.

“I think college students having the opportunity to listen to the music that they like and share it with others so openly is good for the human experience; it brings people closer in such a large community.”

The post On the Record: Students Experiencing Live Music and Discovering New Artists  appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By November, polling places all over Arkansas will see long lines stretching out the doors. But before the general election, communities are first preparing for a quieter, yet critical step. 

Midterm elections are held halfway through a president’s four-year term to determine which candidates will fill a wide range of federal, state, and local offices. This year, the primary elections run from March 3 through Sept. 15 and will decide who appears on the ballot in Nov. for positions including the U.S. Senate, U.S. House districts, secretary of state, state Supreme Court Position 3, county sheriff and various tax initiatives. Arkansas primaries are held on March 3, with runoff elections to be scheduled for March 31. 

“I think midterms and local elections are incredibly important because those are the ones that are really making decisions that impact your own life,” Political science instructor at the University of Arkansas Summer Woehr said. “The people who are elected in these elections are the ones making those day-to-day decisions that are going to have that effect.”

Despite the stakes, Arkansas is known to have a low voter turnout in midterm elections. The past midterm election saw only 41.5% of registered voters cast ballots, placing the state among the lowest in the nation. The Arkansas secretary of state’s office projected that just 20% to 25% of the state’s 1.8 million registered voters will participate in this year’s primaries.

Woehr said that one of the main factors for the low turnout is the lack of competitive races. 

“We see a lot of people running against candidates that maybe don’t have quite the same level of experience, expertise, knowledge as the person holding office, the incumbent,” Woehr said. “So, it creates this perception that it doesn’t really matter what voters do and they believe that it doesn’t matter if they show up and vote.” 

In the 2026 cycle, several high-profile statewide incumbents face little to no primary competition. Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is running unopposed in the Republican primary for a second term. Key statewide officials such as the state’s Republican lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor and treasurer also face no primary challengers in their primaries.

Young voters are one of the groups with a consistently low turnout. According to the U.S. Elections Project, voters ages 18 to 29 had the lowest participation rate in the previous midterm election, with 25%, compared with 50% among voters ages 45 to 59.  

Still, some students say that the mindset needs to change and that civic engagement begins with showing up at the polls. 

“I think voting is a powerful voice and it’s our privilege as adults to use that voice to create change,” U of A student Fiona Pearce said. “Everyone should vote.”

Without young voters participating, policy decisions are left to the older generation, whose experiences and perspectives may differ from those of younger residents and not reflect the concerns that young adults are facing today. 

“Voting is our role, and it helps create a system that benefits everyone,” Samantha Sievert, also a U of A student, said.

Woehr said colleges should provide students with information about upcoming elections and deadlines to have a higher turnout for elections. 

“I think one of the key aspects for a university or a college is educating young people and by that just providing information for you guys,” Woehr said. “So, making sure that students are aware of upcoming elections, making sure that you are aware of that, and making sure that one vote in some of these races could make a significant difference.”

Tanner Quiett, another U of A student, took the opportunity to vote early while visiting her home in Texas. 

“The whole process took me about 10 minutes,” Quiett said. “Definitely way better than going on Election Day, and there’s also significantly more locations to vote, in most counties, for early voting.”
Through the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website, residents can check their voter registration status, confirm polling locations and review sample ballots to prepare for the Nov. midterm general election. For local election information, including early voting locations and key deadlines, voters in Fayetteville can visit the Washington County Election Commission. Voters are encouraged to research candidates and make a plan ahead of time to ensure their voices are heard.

The post Student Voices, State Impact: Arkansas Primaries Approach appeared first on Hill Magazine.

The end of a cold winter signals the return of Fayetteville’s favorite outdoor activities. Residents of “The Natural State” live and breathe for the fresh Arkansas air, and students at the University of Arkansas can be seen on walks and runs the moment the sun peeks through. The culture in Fayetteville differs from most college towns in its passion for the outdoors and staying active with a growing number of U of A students joining run clubs, going on group walks or practicing on the pickleball court. 

Students wasted no time swapping the treadmills for trails as soon as the snow melted, and Josie, a student employee at the University Recreation + Wellness center, said that she saw a noticeable drop in the number of students in the gym when the weather started to warm up. 

“Seeing them outside on a walk in short sleeves makes me want to leave here and join them”, Joise said. 

One day, students are watching the snow melt from the stairmaster, and the next, they are gathered at Wilson Park gearing up for a run, as if on cue. In Fayetteville, there is no fooling yourself that tomorrow is the day to get outside when the city around you wastes no time. It creates a kind of urgency in a world that enables “bedrotting” and “doom-scrolling”, and this urgency is something students come embrace. 

Prioritizing health and wellness is a common trait among Fayetteville’s residents, and a change in seasons signals a change in how it is expressed. Founding Executive of the U of A Wellness Society Victoria Watson said that it is her “cue” to go outside when it is sunny–even if it is still in the mid-40s.

“The treadmill can get boring because you’re kind of looking at nothing,” Watson explained, “I like walking outside and being around nature.” 

It is in Fayetteville’s DNA to yearn for the outdoors because of the scenery and nature of the city, with the U of A website boasting that the nation’s best outdoor amenities and hiking trails are only a short drive from campus. Northwest Arkansas has built the city around the mutual appreciation for fresh air, accommodating U of A students with countless trails, sport courts and crosswalks.

The Razorback Regional Greenway is the backbone of the NWA trail system, spanning over 40 miles and connecting Fayetteville to 5 other cities. Almost every trail leads back to this one, making it a locally beloved piece of the city’s infrastructure. Kessler Mountain is a popular hiking spot to spend the day and earn a breathtaking view at the top, and is only one of over 50 parks found in Arkansas. Fayetteville prides itself on its nature and active culture, and makes consistent efforts to uphold its values and earn its top 10 spot as “Best Place to Live” (U.S. News & World Report) year after year.

Students agree that the local culture is largely what encourages them to be active and take advantage of the outdoors more than their hometowns. Watson agrees that the atmosphere in Fayetteville is more outside-focused and nature-focused than what she grew up around.

While many students get outside to clear their heads during midterms or get some alone time to think, the city infrastructure has become an increasingly popular third space to socialize. Between “Hot Girl Walks”, run clubs and outdoor yoga, the largest “hot spot” on campus is simply just outside your door. Watson said that her favorite way to walk is with friends, adding that she could go for hours just chatting.

The hottest sneakers and the newest athletic set are social symbols, setting personal records on runs earns bragging rights, and first dates are more likely to be at the pickleball court than a fancy restaurant. 

Many students get fresh air with a peaceful walk or jog alone or with friends, and many enjoy adding a competitive aspect to keep things interesting. Training for a marathon or signing up for a tennis tournament are becoming increasingly popular ways to spend your free time. 

Watson shared that her go-to outdoor Spring activities include tennis and pickleball, reading, and going on walks with friends.

Every college campus has its unique trend. Freshmen come back home after their first semester having picked up certain traits of their school’s students, such as a hairstyle or way of dressing. For the U of A, it’s an appreciation for the outdoors and a love of moving your body. Living in Fayetteville comes with a built-in accountability to make every sunny day count.

Daylight Saving Time is right around the corner on March 8, meaning longer days and warmer weather is in view. The trails will be bustling, and students will be taking advantage of every opportunity for outdoor activity. In true Fayetteville style, get outside this Spring and do not miss out on the options available to the city.

The post Trading Treadmills for Trails: Fayetteville Gets Outside appeared first on Hill Magazine.

Yoga has always been a workout conducive for busy college students; it offers a chance to relax, de-stress and find some present movement for those with stacked schedules. Recently, students at the University of Arkansas have started to support local businesses that seek to kick their yoga practices up higher- 95 degrees Fahrenheit higher. 

Heated yoga takes the flow of yoga and hikes up the intensity by causing people to break a sweat in poses that were once soothing. The temperature controlled workouts have risen in popularity at UA with several local heated yoga/flow studios in Fayetteville, like Nooma and Spoonmoon, and ELXR in Johnson.

These studios offer a variety of class types- ranging from slow, Yin-Yoga-like flows, to high intensity mat pilates with weights. The diversity of class types provides students a chance to try new workouts week-to-week and stay consistent with their movement goals. All of these classes are performed in heated rooms with temperatures up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Student Kylie Martin started working at the Nooma location in Little Rock Arkansas during her senior year of high school, and now works at the location in Fayetteville. 

“It’s not like 100 degrees out in the Arkansas summer- it’s not humid,” she said. “It comes from infrared panels, so it doesn’t feel as suffocating.”

Martin says the type of exercises at Nooma are different from any other class she has attended, which motivates her to attend class daily. The workouts combine yoga-based philosophy on mindfulness and a high rate of movement to create a fusion that keeps their brand unique and authentic. 

“The style of movement at Nooma is more focused on how you feel during the movement rather than if you’re doing the movement correctly,” Martin said. 

Nooma repeatedly implements this rhetoric in their mission statement. According to their website, Nooma is an environment where how you feel is valued more than how you look. They enforce the philosophy of meeting people where they are at, which can attract customers, and especially college students who are new to yoga and workout classes in general. 

“It’s as much of a mental regulation for me as it is physical,” Martin said. 

The popularity of heated workout studios around Fayetteville has opened up some new job opportunities for students as well. Sophomore Caroline Hatfield has been a Nooma instructor for about three months after attending classes starting her junior year of high school.

Hatfield says instructing has helped her create even stronger relationships with the people she attends classes with in a new way.

“It gives me a sense of community outside of my regular friends, but I love that I can invite my close friends as well,” she said. “It’s a good way to spend time with each other.”

Hatfield says that attending heated workout classes has visibly become more popular in the past year among college-age students, specifically girls, and that social media is a key factor in this. 

“I feel like a lot of people go just to get a cute picture [to post],” she said “I’ll even post it too because it’s cute, and it’s also a way to brag on your friends that instruct.”

Like Martin, Hatfield also said that the heat aspect of the class makes her feel accomplished both mentally and physically. She said that the combination of yoga, pilates, barre, weight lifting, and dance at Nooma is incomparable to other workouts she has attended. 

“I’ve never gotten a better workout than sweating for an hour… it gets all the stress out after a long day or a long week,” she said. 

A different take on heated yoga flows is woven into the practices at ELXR yoga studio in Johnson, Arkansas. Here, no weights are needed to have a sweat-inducing workout under the infrared panels- each of their three categories of classes (Power Flow, Deep Stretch, and Flow & Stretch) combine the mindful movements of Vinyasa yoga with the intensity of pilates-like workouts in correspondence with their class names.

Gabby Kellar, a freshman at the U of A, has been attending ELXR classes for four years. While other obligations have required Kellar to take a step away from yoga for certain periods during these past four years, she says she loves ELXR and yoga too much to stay away for too long.

“I really love the instructors, and it’s such an amazing workout… The teachers are so focused on making sure I know what I need to do to not injure myself during the poses, and it makes me feel so empowered and safe,” Kellar said. 

Kellar says that the practice of yoga in her life has become so integral to her growth as a person, that it led her to enroll in the 200 hour Yoga Teaching Certification Course offered by ELXR this summer after talking with a few instructors at the studio in Johnson.

“Yoga is one of my favorite things to do. The other day, I ended up talking to a teacher after [class] and she told me that [yoga teacher training] was one of the best experiences of her life,” she said. “I want to do it to get better at yoga, and eventually, I want to work there- that’s an environment where I can definitely see myself working.” 

While attending these workouts also helps alleviate stress and preoccupations about her day, she said, one of the biggest motivators for her to continue practicing yoga is the chances the movements open for mobility when she gets older.

“My goal is to still be able to move a lot when I get older,” Kellar said. “Yoga is a great way to make sure I keep my longevity in my ability to move and make sure I’m staying healthy without doing any extreme exercise [to injure myself]- I just want to do it for my future self.”

The diverse landscape of Fayetteville and the hub that it serves for employees and students from across the United States for educational and job purposes has allowed it to grow into an area where students especially have the liberty of a variety of workout spaces and opportunities; yoga being one of them. With this relatively recent interpretation of yoga in the addition of heated infrared panels and the combining of movement styles, students are free to find what exercise means for them in their lifestyles when aligning with their schedules, skills, and mental health. Studios like Nooma and ELXR are now more spaces where students can find worth in themselves outside of their studies and obligations, and, more importantly, where they can reinvent who they are and what version they want to bring to each day.

The post Turning Up the Heat: Heated Workouts On the Rise appeared first on Hill Magazine.

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.