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.

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 Jack C. Humphreys

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Halloween weekend at the University of Arkansas is more than a college party—it’s an economic event. Each October, Fayetteville becomes a hub of costumes, crowded venues, and cash flow, as students pour into fraternity functions, bars, and local businesses in what has become one of the university’s most anticipated traditions.

“Halloween has always been one of the biggest weekends of the year for us,” said Ben Bricker, Lambda Chi Alpha’s social chair. “It’s one of those holidays that isn’t family-oriented, and students don’t go home, so everyone’s here ready to celebrate together.”

For Greek organizations like Lambda Chi, that celebration comes with a serious price tag. Bricker says fraternities and sororities now dedicate larger portions of their yearly budgets to Halloween events. “We’ve already seen the effects of how big Halloween has gotten,” he said. “Chapters at the university have started setting aside more money to make it the best it can be. We look for the biggest venues, the best talent, and the craziest production we can fit within budget.”

The Cost of Celebration

Planning begins weeks in advance. Social chairs coordinate venues, book DJs or live acts, hire security, and pay for transportation and decorations—all of which adds up fast. For a large fraternity like Lambda Chi, hosting a weekend function can cost thousands.

While those expenses strain chapter budgets, they also pour directly into Fayetteville’s economy. “These events definitely contribute to the local economy,” Bricker said. “We keep venues in business with rentals and bar spend, and students rely on Uber and other safe-ride options to get around. There’s a big spillover into Dickson Street, too, when people head downtown after our events.”

That “spillover” effect is key. Dickson Street bars and restaurants see packed crowds late into the night, while costume shops and convenience stores experience sharp upticks in sales. Local businesses often plan staffing and inventory around the weekend, knowing thousands of students will be out in full force.

“It’s a big few days for Fayetteville,” said one Dickson Street bartender who’s worked Halloween weekends for several years. “We bring in extra bartenders, and the place is shoulder-to-shoulder until 2 a.m. It’s like a home football game crowd, but in costumes.”

Behind the Scenes: Coordination and Compliance

For all the fun, Halloween weekend in Fayetteville runs on coordination and regulation. According to Bricker, the University of Arkansas and the City of Fayetteville play an active role in ensuring the celebrations are safe and orderly.

“The University communicates with local police to notify them of any off- or on-campus events happening so they’re aware,” he said. “As social chairs, we’re required to supply the Greek Life office with the details of each event in a timely manner so everyone is informed. All of the venues we use have to have the right licenses and certifications to host us.”

Permits, security costs, and insurance fees add another layer of expense to the weekend’s financial equation. But for many organizations, those costs are viewed as necessary investments in keeping the tradition alive—and keeping students safe.

A Tradition That Defines the Fall Semester

Halloween weekend has grown into a signature part of UARK’s fall semester calendar, rivaling even home football games in terms of student anticipation. For many, it marks the midpoint of the semester—a break from 23midterms and a time to unwind before the late-fall academic grind sets in.

Bricker said the weekend’s structure has become a local tradition of its own. “Traditionally, at the University of Arkansas, we celebrate Halloween Thursday through Saturday,” he explained. “Sororities usually have their functions on Thursday, and fraternities host parties on Friday and Saturday. This year, we even have a home game on November 1st, so we’re expecting a great game-day atmosphere with costumes everywhere.”

That overlapping schedule—Greek events, downtown nightlife, and Razorback football—makes for a busy weekend across the city. Fayetteville hotels, rideshare drivers, and restaurants all benefit from the surge in student and visitor activity.

Attendance and Reach

Lambda Chi’s events alone draw anywhere from 800 to 1,500 attendees, depending on the year. Though the crowds are large, Bricker said the majority are University of Arkansas students, not out-of-towners. “We scarcely see visitors,” he said. “Most of our attendees are members and their guests who go here. It’s really a campus thing more than a regional one.”

That focus on local participation keeps the weekend rooted in Fayetteville’s community rather than turning it into a traveling spectacle. Yet the scale of spending—from ticket sales and bar tabs to transportation and food—still makes Halloween weekend one of the most profitable periods of the semester for businesses tied to student life.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Halloween at UARK

As both costs and expectations rise, Bricker sees Halloween weekend continuing to grow—financially and culturally. “The popularity of big Halloween functions is only going up,” he said. “Chapters are investing more every year, and Dickson Street looks forward to it as much as we do. It’s something that brings everyone together, from students to Fayetteville residents.”

The city’s reputation as a college-town hotspot has long relied on the rhythm of football games, graduation weekends, and Razorback events. But Halloween has carved out its own spot on that list, blending the creativity of campus life with the financial boost local businesses count on.

“It’s not just a party,” Bricker added. “It’s part of what makes Fayetteville unique—the way students and the city come together for one weekend. Everyone gets something out of it.”

As Halloween approaches, preparations across campus and downtown are already underway. Venues are booked, DJs confirmed, and costume racks thinned. For Fayetteville, Halloween weekend is more than a night of masquerades—it’s an annual reminder that behind the masks and music lies a micro-economy driven by student life.

The bars may close and the decorations come down, but for many local businesses, Halloween marks a highlight of the fiscal year—and for students, it remains one of the most memorable, and expensive, weekends on the college calendar.

The post Costumes and Cash Flow: How Halloween Weekend Fuels Fayetteville’s Economy appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Samantha Smith

Every Sunday during football season, millions of fans settle in front of their TVs or head to tailgates, ready for another day of fandom and rivalry. Across the country, the rituals of the National Football League dominate the autumn and winter seasons, creating peak moments of shared national tension. But over the years, researchers and advocates have begun sounding an alarm about what doesn’t show up on the field: a troubling uptick in domestic violence tied to football Sundays.

A major study by economists David Card and Gordon Dahl found that in places where the home team was expected to win by at least four points, an “upset loss” corresponded with about a 10 percent rise in male-on-female intimate partner violence in the hours immediately after the game. The increase is concentrated around the final minutes, suggesting emotional volatility tied directly to the game’s outcome.

That said, some experts caution against taking that 10 percent leap too literally. In a recent emergency department study, researchers found no significant spike in assault-related injuries on Super Bowl Sunday compared to control days. PubMed, however, says the reality is complicated: many incidents of domestic violence go unreported, and isolating “game day” as the trigger ignores the persistent patterns of control and abuse that exist year-round. Experts stress that while the stress of a loss can be an accelerant, the true issue is the underlying, chronic climate of power and control within a relationship.

Marcus Pittman, a father of three Arkansas students and lifelong Chiefs football fan, has noticed tension in his household on game days.“It becomes a perfect storm. The alcohol, tension, and disappointment,. You see grown men pounding the couch or cussing the ref, Pittman says. If someone’s already simmering at home, that energy definitely leaks over.”

   Hannah Williams, a junior studying social work, volunteered at a local shelter last season and  she recalled one client who told her she dreaded Sundays. “She said he was more volatile after losses. It’s like Sunday becomes this emotional barometer,” Hannah said. Williams emphasized that many victims feel stuck. “Sunday is when more people are home, harder to get away, and social norms make excuses for aggression masked as passion.”

According to the Roanoke Times, Domestic violence awareness advocates also point to a pivotal moment in 1993 when shelters around the country reported up to a 40 percent rise in calls on Super Bowl Sunday and the day after. Back then, NBC even ran a public service announcement acknowledging the issue. The media dubbed it a “day of dread for women,” framing the game as more than just entertainment.

Sports psychologist Jeff Stotts of Mount Saint Mary’s Academy in Little Rock explained the problem may lie in how deeply fans tie their identity to their team’s performance.

 “The way people consume sports now results in individuals tying their own self-worth and identity into the team, specifically that team’s success,” he explained. “As a result, the wins and the losses begin to feel personal.”

Stotts added that this emotional link can heighten volatility when outcomes don’t go as expected. Stotts nodded that people who make something like sports a major part of your life, your emotional state can be linked to something you have no control over. That lack of control can create instability or anger that spills into other areas of life.

What the research shows  is not that every Sunday is a crisis, but that Sundays, especially when the stakes feel high, can act as flashpoints in already abusive relationships. It’s not football that causes violence, but emotional stress, substance use, and the cultural norms around identity and competition that can push someone over the edge.

Although sports can unite, they can also amplify underlying conflicts. Raising awareness about the circumstances that lead to domestic violence is essential, so individuals and communities can take steps to prevent harm before it occurs.

The post Beyond the Upset: The Troubling Link Between NFL Games and Domestic Violence appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Anna Mason

As the school nights start to shorten and the leaves cast an array of colors over the carved out sidewalks, the University of Arkansas campus showcases the growing anticipation of football season with vibrant reds, creative buttons and calling the hogs. Football at the University of Arkansas is a rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from beating the then fourth team in the SEC, Tennessee, last season and rushing the field to the heartbreaks of close games and staggering scoreboards. 

Sam Pittman was hired as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks at the end of 2019 after the firing of Chad Morris. The 2021-2022 school year was a remarkable year for Pittman, with a record of 9-4 and taking home the win at the Outback Bowl; however, from 2022-2025, the coaching started to suffer in reflection of poor defensive lines, a lack of a tight-knit team and continual loss. 

Lucy Kramer, a freshman at the University of Arkansas, criticized Coach Pittman’s coaching style. 

“I just think that he didn’t lead the defensive lineman very well. I feel like our offence was great – we could like . . . conquer. But then, our defence always fumbled, and then [the other team] would just destroy us every game.” 

Our defensive line was really put to the test, and ultimately lost on that green field when the Razorbacks played against Notre Dame on September 27th. Coming off two major losses (close ones at that, too) against Ole Miss and Memphis, the campus was alive with anticipation and murmurs of hopeful wishes of winning against Notre Dame, which is a non-SEC school. Being a home game, too, turned Fayetteville into a frenzy of red, white, and black. Music through the tailgating tents could be heard all the way on the other side of campus, as if this would bring good luck.

However, as the game proceeded, hope was dwindling and eventually smushed as the final score pixilated the numbers 56-13 onto the jumbotron. Almost the entirety of the student section, and most of the regular seats, were vacant, leaving only crumpled-up candy wrappers and despair. This is not the first time Razorback fans have been disheartened by their favorite college team, but it definitely stung worse than others. 

“I think [Pittman] had a long time to get the results we wanted, and it still felt like we stayed at the same level. I think a new coach was needed.” Lily Weis, a junior at the University of Arkansas, responds, addressing the Notre Dame game and the ultimate firing of head coach Sam Pittman. 

On the same topic, U of A sophomore Josh Brunson opines that firing Pittman mid-season “was not right.” He elaborates on this: “I think it would have been better if he retired. I think [Arkansas] should’ve waited until the end of the year.” 

Sam Pittman “was a good guy,” according to Kramer, and “he seemed like he cared [for the team].” It was ultimately his coaching style, which is the most important aspect of leading a football team to success. 

As the season wanes on and temperatures start to drop, football starts to shift towards the playoffs. Hopefully, with interim coach Bobby Petrino, whom Weis, Kramer, and Brunson believe to be a good choice for the rest of the season, the Arkansas Razorbacks seem to be on the up. 

Brunon notes that a previous game on October 11 against Tennessee “was better in terms of points.” He also notes that Petrino “could turn this team around. I am just excited for a new coach.” 

The post Arkansas Razorback Football: Fumble or Fate appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Annabel Simmons

On Oct. 4, Baum-Walker Stadium was packed with thousands eagerly awaiting performances at the annual Springtime of Youth music festival. Excitement was pervasive in the crowd as attendees anticipated sets from both local bands and popular artists.

Each year, Springtime of Youth is planned by the student-led Headliners Committee, which carefully curates a lineup of performances to reflect the diverse musical tastes of the Fayetteville community. Traditionally held in the spring, the festival was moved to the fall this year.

The committee commissioned four widely known artists to play at this year’s festival: Benét, Snow Strippers, Juicy J and JT. Several other local bands opened for the event, including Oil and Sun, Modeling and Thoughts on Bowling.

While most attendees are typically University of Arkansas students, tickets become available to the public for purchase near the day of the event. Funds for Springtime of Youth are allocated by the Program Allocations Board (PAB), an organization of students from various campus groups. Making affordability one of the festival’s many appeals, tickets are free for students and just $30 for the public.

This year’s festival left audiences with commendable memories and experiences. Attendees ended the night with glowing reviews, affirming Springtime of Youth as a staple celebration of music, community and student-led initiative.  

Ash David, a sophomore earth science major, said that she appreciated the concert’s accessibility. Pinnacle Buses delivered to-and-from the stadium, with eight stops stationed around Fayetteville.

“There was a lot of transportation to be able to get there, and once you did, there was a lot of room for the crowd,” David said. “And, if you couldn’t stand in the crowd, you could go sit and still see the artist.”

Local vendors, such as Spooky Ceramics and Feral Dog Prints, were also positioned nearby the stage, allowing attendees to hear the music while shopping. Many vendors offered creative activities, such as face painting and jewelry making.

Upon arrival, guests were required to scan their tickets and pass through security before entering the parking lot. Volunteers, standing near the entrance, handed out free water bottles to attendees, ensuring everyone had what they needed for a safe and enjoyable experience.

MJ Ferguson, a political science major, said he enjoyed the overall atmosphere of Springtime of Youth, describing it as “intense.”

“Every performance, either the artists or the crowd was going crazy, like doing mosh pits, you know, and yelling the whole time,” he said. “There was never really a moment of just relaxation.”

Local openers, Oil and Sun, Modeling and Thoughts on Bowling, forged this thrilling atmosphere early on, delivering high-energy performances that set expectations high for headliners.  Following with raw and soulful vocals, Benét offered a heartfelt performance.

The Snow Strippers duo hit the stage just as the sun was setting, but their fast-paced electropop anthems and flashing visuals kept audiences captivated. Ferguson said his favorite part of the festival was Snow Strippers closing song, “Under Your Spell.” 

“Everybody in the crowd recognized that song, so everyone was jumping up and down, moving around the crowd and just kind of letting go and being a part of the music,” he said. “And, I haven’t been to too many concerts before, so that was the first moment where I feel like I was truly in that kind of concert experience that a lot of people talk about. [AS1] For those three minutes, that was probably like the peak of, not only the concert, but like low-key my life as well.”

Juicy J brought personality and charisma to Springtime of Youth, engaging the crowd with unpredictable yet humorous comments. He kept boredom at bay, with several attendees nearly joining him on stage by invitation. Hits like “Half On a Sack” from his band Three 6 Mafia and “Dark Horse,” his collaboration with Katy Perry, were crowd favorites.

Nearing the final act of the night, audiences packed the parking lot eagerly awaiting JT’s arrival. The crowd erupted in cheers, from screaming to whistling, once JT finally approached the stage. Although Ferguson said his favorite moment of the festival happened during Snow Stripper’s set, he named JT as his favorite performance overall.

“JT kept me consistently hype,” he said. “You know, with Snow Strippers, there were very high highs, but there were times where I was just standing there and kind of like bumping my head. But, JT, the whole time—even though it was kind of short and sweet—the whole time the crowd was just going crazy.”

JT even brought three fans on stage to dance with her during the song “OKAY,” just before ending the performance slightly early.

“Her performance is something that I’ll always remember, and the energy as she played all of her hits, which I forgot how many she had, made it to where I was consistently energized that whole time,” Ferguson said.

Overall, Snow Strippers was an extremely popular favorite among attendees at this year’s Springtime of Youth.

Mary Viebrooks, an apparel merchandising and product development major, said the duo was definitely her favorite performance of the night.

“They have been one of my top-played artists for over a year now, and I was beyond excited when I heard they were coming here for Springtime of Youth,” she said. “The energy was felt heavily during their set, and I loved the community I felt in the crowd dancing with everyone.”

If attendees found themselves exhausted and in need of a bite after sets, multiple food trucks were also positioned around the venue, offering a variety of options. Choices included Sabae’s Eats, Mo’s Tacos and Churros and Thai Ginger 2 Go.

“My favorite part of the festival was how well put together and intentional everything was,” Viebrooks said. “From the food vendors to free waters everywhere, I definitely felt taken care of. I could tell a lot of work was put into making this a great night for everyone, and the Springtime of Youth crew didn’t fail to deliver!”

The post Music, Community and Student Vision at Springtime of Youth 2025 appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Annabel Simmons

As layers of red and orange begin to coat the trees and brief gusts of crisp air suppress the lingering summer heat, you may find yourself yearning for the fall season. This feeling is particularly familiar to many horror film fanatics, as the changing weather can foster a compelling atmosphere for the indulgence of unnerving visuals.

Sophie Williams-Richmond, an English creative writing major, has a special interest in the horror genre. Because fall encompasses the holiday of Halloween, she largely associates the season with horror movies. The holiday’s modern traditions of dressing in fearsome costumes, trick-or-treating and carving jack-o’-lanterns cultivate the perfect nightmarish setting for viewing horror films.

“Halloween is the scary holiday, the one associated with death, because it is when your surroundings are just beginning to die,” Williams-Richmond said. “But fall also marks a transition. As summer closes and people are more inclined to isolate themselves in their houses, you witness a chill just barely creep in.”

Just in time for the approaching fall season, the Conjuring franchise recently released its fourth and final chapter of the main “Conjuring” series. Following the real lives of two paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), the Conjuring universe is a series of horror films that gained popularity in 2013.

“It’s undeniable that the Conjuring franchise sparked the larger horror trend of the 2010s: a narrative based around the paranormal and spiritual, themes of religion and grief and lore-heavy antagonist,” Williams-Richmond said. “Nearly any major horror movie of the last 10 years has taken notes from ‘The Conjuring.’” 

Despite their many differences, all films of the series are based on similar narratives of ordinary individuals who overcome paranormal forces.

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” (2025) was set to show in theaters on Sept. 5, with producers Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema strategically selecting this release date to capitalize on the start of the fall horror movie season. But will this new installment become the latest addition to horror fanatics’ holiday watchlists?

The film opens with a flashback to 1964, when Ed and Lorraine were still early in their careers and expecting their only daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson). The couple is investigating a haunted mirror –an antique piece adorned with the faces of three infants– when a demonic force provokes Lorraine’s labor, almost causing the loss of their child. Shaken by the incident, the Warrens abandon the case, leaving the fate of the mirror unresolved.

The bulk of “Last Rites” takes place in 1986. The Warrens are retired, and the film trails the family’s ordinary life, honing in on the couple’s legacy. However, Judy begins experiencing intense visions and moments of clairvoyance, making it evident that something unnatural is unfolding around the Warrens. 

Despite their efforts to stay removed from the paranormal scene, the family is gradually drawn back to the supernatural. This transpires as they are pulled closer to their destined confrontation with the Smurls, a frightened Pennsylvanian family plagued by the demonic presence of a cursed mirror – the same mirror that almost took the life of Judy Warren decades earlier.

Grace Swisher, who recently watched “Last Rites,” commented on her boredom throughout most of the film. 

“It was pretty slow paced,” Swisher stated. “It took a while to reach the major plot points. However, there were definitely some good jump scares throughout, but I’m a particularly jumpy person.”

For the first hour and a half, the movie alternates between the lives of Warrens and the Smurls, but the two storylines are seemingly uneventful and mostly revolve around extended family drama.

The film doesn’t gain momentum until its final 30 minutes, when the Warrens finally come to the aid of the Smurls. At this point, the demons shift their focus to Judy, revealing that the Smurls were merely bait to lure the Warrens near. 

“The last 15 minutes was honestly the best part because somebody actually came close to dying,” said Swisher. “I wasn’t exactly let down because that’s what you expect from the franchise, in the sense that it’s thrilling but also pretty cheesy, so if you’re into that, I’d recommend watching.”

The film concludes with a predictable ending, as the Warrens successfully ward off the demons, saving their family alongside the Smurls. Viewers are left with a familiar message about the enduring power of familial love and confronting one’s inner fears.

Luke Hammond, a film lover, said he is not a fan of the “Conjuring” series. 

“I’ve seen all the ‘Conjuring’ movies, besides the newest one,” Hammond said. “Probably, one reason why I won’t go see the newest film is because I kind of expect it to be the same as every other movie in the series. I spend more time laughing than I do being scared, just because they’re kind of ridiculous.” 

He commented that the predictability and lack of originality in the franchise is one of its many weaknesses.

Hammond also pointed out that many horror films are simply “okay” scary movies but fall short as good films overall. 

“I just think that more horror producers should focus on making good movies, that happen to be scary, rather than trying to make mediocre horror movies,” he said. This would require more attention to the technical aspects of filmmaking such as editing, cinematography and music.

For a tasteful blend of horror and quality filmmaking, Hammond recommends “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991), a psychological thriller directed by Jonathan Demme. 

“It feels grounded in a terrifying way,” he commented. “It’s got dialog that draws you in and makes you feel more engaged.”

If “Last Rites” doesn’t quite deliver, there are plenty of popular horror films to watch this horrifying season. “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974), “Vivarium” (2019), “Barbarian” (2022), “The Shining” (1980), “Alien” (1979) and “Hereditary” (2018) were all recommended by film enthusiasts and can be found on streaming platforms.

Whether you’re a die-hard horror fan or just looking for a chilling watch this season, these films promise to deliver dread, terror, suspense and indelible narratives that go beyond predictable jump scares.

The post Exploring ‘Last Rites’ and the Appeal of Fall Horror appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Joseph Rousseau.

In November of 2023, the city of Fayetteville closed Dickson Street’s largest parking lot. By December of 2024, a year later, it had been replaced with a wide-open public park and plaza replete with seating and recreational space, places to find shade and more.

The Upper Ramble is at the center of Fayetteville’s entertainment district, at the intersection of Dickson Street and West Avenue. The Razorback Greenway runs directly through its heart, allowing the park to serve as a prominent hub and gathering space from which pedestrians and cyclists can easily connect to the district’s many amenities. Guests have access to picnic tables, swinging seats, a grassy lawn, and a natural spring-fed water feature; all of this is just steps from many of Fayetteville’s most celebrated restaurants, bars, event venues, food-trucks and more.

Since its opening, The Upper Ramble has hosted numerous free, family-friendly public events. On Friday, Sep. 12, it hosted “Weekend Starts,” a weekly series of community-oriented public events put on by Fayetteville’s Department of Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs. This week’s installment featured live music by Asher Perkins and Friends, a block-printing station organized and led by artist Braxton, and a live painting demonstration by Shay Holloway. Every artist present was local, and all attractions were free to the public.

People of all ages and from all walks of life were drawn to the event for different reasons. Some were art students, there to decorate a free zip-bag or bandana with Braxton; others, like Logistician Eden, came for the promise of free live music. But many just happened to be passing by and decided to stay a while. Alex Christodoulou, professional photographer (and amateur juggler), was on his way home from work and stopped when he heard Asher’s band.

 “I didn’t know it was happening. I didn’t even know what Weekend Starts was,” he said. 

Though he hadn’t planned to attend Weekend Starts, his experience at The Ramble made him a fan. He stated that he intends to return for more events in the near future.

Since its debut in 2022, Weekend Starts has been a success. At a previous week’s installment of the series, Braxton ran a guided terrarium building workshop.

“Before the terrarium event even began, I had a whole line of people waiting to get started,” Braxton said, as they washed off a fox-shaped wooden stamp. 

Braxton’s block-printing station stayed bustling, often with no empty seats, from start to sunset. At the same time, Asher’s band kept a full, enthusiastic audience until the end of their set. The entire park remained busy all evening, from seniors block-printing or enjoying the concert, to young children splashing up and down the water feature; parents, happy to see their kids’ attentions diverted, relaxed and enjoyed one another’s company. All throughout the park, there seemed not to be a single person who wasn’t smiling.

A short walk of some two blocks down the Razorback Greenway brings visitors to the Lower Ramble, the public space along the length of the Greenway between W Center and W Prairie Streets. This space includes the beautiful Fay Jones Woods, as well as a charming little park that bridges Tanglewood Branch Creek. Here, visitors can wade through the creek, experience and learn about the local ecosystem, or attend more free public events.

The Upper and Lower Rambles are two halves of a broader public project known as The Ramble. All put together, they combine into a 50-acre, roughly half-mile corridor of public space that provides safe, convenient walkability between Dickson Street and the newly-developed Prairie Street. According to Fayetteville Arts & Culture Director Joanna Bell, the project aims to help Fayetteville’s general public and creative arts communities grow closer together, so that Fayetteville can more proudly and visibly show off its local character. The Ramble follows a route that connects directly to local cultural institutions like the Walton Arts Center, TheaterSquared and the Creative Community Center; this proximity allows The Ramble to cultivate and expand what Bell calls the heart of [Fayetteville’s] cultural ecology.

According to Bell, The Ramble and the events it hosts are each examples of “public goods.” These are products, services or other resources provided by a government for its people’s use that are non-competitive; one person’s use of a public good does not exclude another person from using it or any other good. 

“Public goods strengthen a place’s sense of community,” Bell said as she dodged out of the way of a high-speed laughing toddler, trailing water behind. “They are what make a place feel like a place.”

What is a city’s responsibility to its people, if not to provide them with as good a place to live as possible? By putting on events meant for people in a space meant for people, rather than for profit, the Parks department is aiming to help Fayetteville strengthen its identity as a city – and it is difficult to argue that they aren not doing a good job. Standing in the middle of a beautiful space, surrounded on all sides by people smiling and laughing together, it may suddenly occur to a person that events like these, looked at from any angle, make Fayetteville a better place to be.

Weekend Starts are only one part of a broader effort by the Parks department to generate public goods through the arts. The Ramble has hosted a multitude of events in the past, including silent discos, light shows, trick-or-treating and much more, and will continue to do so in the future. Weekend Starts’s season will end after their event on Oct. 17, but in the coming weeks The Ramble will host numerous events, such as a ukelele sing-along, a two-night silent disco and lights show, public DJ sets and more.

The event schedule and more information about The Ramble can be found online. Learn more about Asher Perkins and his music on his instagram @asher_perkins. To see the painting Shay produced at the event, as well as other works and more information about her art, follow her on Instagram @artgirlshay. To learn more about Braxton’s art and upcoming events, follow their Instagram @TheRealBraxtonC.

The post Public Goods: How The Ramble and The Arts are Transforming Fayetteville  appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Lillian Sage.

On Aug. 29, pop star Sabrina Carpenter released her seventh studio album, “Man’s Best Friend.” While the album was met with commercial success, even debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 200, the album was the focal point of a lot of criticism on social media. 

Upon the album’s release, there were posts regarding the substance of the album circling all around social media. Users claimed the album was just an extension of her last album, “Short n’ Sweet,” and there was no originality aspect to it along with it being overly sexual and poorly produced. However, now if a person were to do their daily scroll on social media, they would find mostly positive reviews.

Users on social media, especially TikTok, claimed that after a few listens to the album, they started to like it more. The same people pinpointing the album’s flaws became the ones praising it. 

The reactions surrounding Carpenter’s controversial album are just a recent example of the way the internet can work to shape and alter people’s opinions on popular media.

Social media has become an outlet for users to discuss their “hot takes.” According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a hot take is “a quickly produced, strongly worded, and often deliberately provocative or sensational opinion or reaction (as in response to current news).”

The definition implies that a hot take is supposed to be controversial. Controversial content can thrive on social media which works to make hot takes prominent within society. 

Hot takes can be about all different kinds of topics. If a person was to look up “hot take” on TikTok, they would come across opinions as casual as someone’s natural hair color and tipping culture to as serious as relationships and mental health. 

Fred Jennings, assistant professor of communication and technology, has limited his use of social media due to certain negativity that he has seen on his feeds. Jennings said social media gives the opportunity to discuss opinions on things like music and politics, but people will sometimes go over the top. 

Jennings said extreme opinions will be posted just to get interaction on social media. As a result, the hot takes on social media may not always be the original poster’s true thoughts; it may just be a way to make someone go viral. 

“From a uses and gratification perspective,” Jennings said, “we use media for particular reasons, and so if somebody is using social media to get attention, or, even just to rile things up, and if they are meeting that need, then they’re going to continue to do that. And so, I think that people are incentivized to have hot takes.”

Jennings said user’s polarizing hot takes can persuade others to follow this opinion as well as make people feel even more strongly about their own opinions.

Callie Kent, a sophomore marketing major, explained users on social media find it easier to hate on things than to respect them. Kent said when hot takes are made, other users’ opinions can be affected to some degree depending on how significant the hot take is. 

While sometimes hot takes are intended to sway others’ opinions on a subject, other times they are purely trying to garner attention or rile people up.

“I think as we progress people are just going to get more opinionated and they want to be different so bad,” Kent said. “They want to be like ‘Oh, hot take, hot take,’ and it’s cool to have a hot take and have your own opinion, but also don’t do it just out of wanting to stand out. Like not everything needs a hot take.” 

Seth Teague, a business owner, said a positive aspect of social media is that everyone gets to have a voice, not just those with a following. However, this makes it so anyone can have a polarizing hot take and get reactions from people on social media. 

“You want to be able to put your two cents out there,” Teague said, “even if you’re not qualified, you can still put it out. I mean, that’s the beauty of social media, is that you get to engage. There’s no gatekeepers anymore.” 

Kent said she does not see hot takes going anywhere for a long time. 

Jennings said his advice to people who might be tired of seeing these hot takes is to use social media in moderation and find more positive pages. However, Kent has a hot take when it comes to her advice. 

“Get off of social media,” Kent said. “I know it sounds like ‘get off of social media like it’s bad for you,’ but I mean seriously if it’s affecting you, just don’t [get on it].” 

The post Hot Take: Can We Be Done With Hot Takes?  appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Jack Humphreys

Fayetteville, Arkansas, is proud to host a vibrant and growing art scene. Over the past 15 years, independent films have been featured at the Fayetteville Film Festival. This fall, the festival returns Sept. 18–21, hosted at the Fayetteville Public Library’s Event Center with screenings, premieres and conversations about Northwest Arkansas’ film scene.

For co-founder and co-executive director Cassie Haley, the festival represents both a tradition and a hope for the future of NWA films. Founded in 2009, the festival began as a way to support Arkansas filmmakers while exposing outside filmmakers to the potential and beauty of the “Natural State.”

“The original vision was twofold,” Haley said. “One was to encourage people who were working in the industry within our state, because there wasn’t much happening here … and the other goal was to bring outside filmmakers to our state to show them what we had to offer—our crew base, our beautiful locations, and hopefully entice them to come make their movies here.” That vision has paid off. In the time since its inception, the Fayetteville Film Festival has attracted visiting filmmakers with their own projects, as a vibrant film community has grown. More is happening in the Northwest Arkansas film community than when the festival began.

This year’s lineup is arranged through Film Freeway, a submission platform. A team of volunteer screeners spends countless hours rating entries before a committee of jurors deliberates on the selection.

Haley noted that they receive many strong projects, and as a result, not every submission will make the final cut.

“We can have the best project you can imagine, but sometimes we just don’t have the hours to screen everything,” she said.

The 2025 festival offers a variety of content, including narrative features, documentaries, shorts, animation, and even virtual reality projects, which will be showcased in the library’s new VR screening rooms.

All of the films are incredibly diverse. This year, there’s something for everyone with a little bit of everything—drama, horror, comedy.

Highlights include “Tomorrow’s Too Late”, a documentary produced by April Kelly about musician Dillon Holloway, who will perform live during the festival. Another feature is a film directed by Jill Campbell that explores the woman behind the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. “Enthralled”, a locally shot thriller by writer-director Kate Segan, will make its world premiere after already securing distribution.

The organization of the festival has not always been easy. In its infancy, the most challenging part was educating audiences on why independent films matter.

“Educating the public on what independent film was … why you go watch movies that were not in the theaters and not blockbusters,” Haley said.

Funding and venues remain ongoing challenges, but the festival has steadily expanded its ability to host filmmakers and provide accommodations. Once filmmakers see Northwest Arkansas, they fall in love.

For audiences, the festival is both an opportunity for entertainment and education.

“Sometimes I think it’s about the content … but then film enthusiasts, people that just really love watching movies, know they’re going to get unique and interesting content that they’re not going to get at the movie theater,” Haley said.

The chance to meet filmmakers, ask questions in Q&As, and network in the VIP lounge also draws aspiring creatives from across the state.

This year’s screenings began on Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. Students may also be eligible for a discount code, something Haley hopes will make the festival more accessible.

Beyond the premieres and panels, the festival has a lasting impact on Fayetteville and the greater Northwest Arkansas region.

Films shot locally showcase the beauty of the Ozarks, while success stories like “Greater”, the Brandon Burlsworth biopic filmed in Fayetteville, put the city on the cultural map.

It’s helpful for the culture of Fayetteville to keep our local talent local.

As the lights dim and the first films roll, the Fayetteville Film Festival becomes more than an event—it becomes a looking glass into Northwest Arkansas’ creativity and a medium for stories that might not otherwise be told.

For students, filmmakers and audiences alike, the message is clear: independent film has found a home in Fayetteville.

The post Fayetteville Film Festival: A Place to View the Stories of Northwest Arkansas appeared first on Hill Magazine.