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The Student Voice of UNC Asheville

The Blue Banner

The Student Voice of UNC Asheville

The Blue Banner

ReString Appalachia founder Nicholas Williams and Assabet Strings owner Harry Norris in Norris’ Riverside Drive studio.
ReString Appalachia supplies instruments to those who lost them in Hurricane Helene
Emily Moosbrugger, News writer, [email protected] November 20, 2024

A Chattanooga musician and podcast host created a network for western North Carolina’s musicians to receive donated replacements for instruments lost in Hurricane Helene.  “There are so many people that lost multiple, multiple, multiple instruments...

Unfiltered travel: Rediscovering authenticity in a social media-obsessed world
Unfiltered travel: Rediscovering authenticity in a social media-obsessed world
Melody Cosgrove, Arts & Features writer, [email protected] November 20, 2024

As someone who grew up in an era when sharing your every move on social media was completely unheard of, I now find myself longing to lead a...

Students paint pumpkins at Turning of the Maples.
UNC Asheville community gathers late for Turning of the Maples
Emily Moosbrugger, News writer, [email protected] November 12, 2024

UNCA students and faculty celebrate returning to campus with autumn tradition Turning of the Maples, despite bare trees.  “We have to be...

The laptop of a student taking a class from home.
From COVID to Helene: The impact of virtual classes on education
Emily Koscinski, Arts&Features Writer, [email protected] November 3, 2024

UNC Asheville students and faculty say the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause ripple effects in their education system. After Hurricane Helene,...

Destruction from hurricane Helene at the River arts District.
Disconnected: When nature hit the ‘Off’ switch on my screen time
Melody Cosgrove, Arts & Features writer, [email protected] November 3, 2024

Asheville, NC — In an age where many are tethered to technology, Hurricane Helene starkly highlighted what life could look like without it....

Battlecat Coffee manager Hayley Lusk poses in front of the counter.
Hayley Lusk transforms from UNC Asheville student to Battle Cat Coffee manager
Melody Cosgrove, Arts & Features writer, [email protected] November 3, 2024

Hayley Lusk, manager of Battle Cat Coffee’s East Asheville location, has forged an unexpected and fulfilling path since her days as a student...

UNC Asheville fashion spotlight
Rico Morgan, Arts&Features Writer • September 5, 2024

Decorative Background
The view of Lake Michigan from the Pierce Stocking Scenic drive.
Lede your narrative
Sarah Booth, Co-Editor-in-Chief • September 6, 2024

  A beach is nestled on the edge of a small village along the Sleeping Bear shoreline. We stay long enough for the sand to be cold when...

Screenshot of the Hazbin Hotel series page on Amazon Prime.
Must-watch adult indie animations
Nelle Poehlman, [email protected], Sports Writer • May 3, 2024

In recent years, the popularity of indie animation has risen. People have gone crazy for these animations as big entertainment corporations have,...

Injured athlete Viðar Ragnarsson.
Injuries affect athlete’s mental health
Hunter Wilson, Sports writer, [email protected] November 13, 2024

Athletes at division one colleges say they experience mental health issues due to their injuries.  “My injury has affected my mental health...

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Unfiltered travel: Rediscovering authenticity in a social media-obsessed world
Unfiltered travel: Rediscovering authenticity in a social media-obsessed world
Melody Cosgrove, Arts & Features writer, [email protected] November 20, 2024

As someone who grew up in an era when sharing your every move on social media was completely unheard of, I now find myself longing to lead a clickbait life online. Everyone who’s anyone seems to be doing it, so one might assume that giving up privacy...

A review of As Above So Below
A review of As Above So Below
Zoe Lee, Arts&features writer, [email protected] November 8, 2024

Have you ever wanted to feel like you were in hell? This found footage film from 2014 will make you feel tormented but wanting more.   As Above So Below is a horror movie in the style of found footage; a technique in cinema that presents a movie...

Booth's Book Reviews: "Daisy Jones and The Six"
Booth’s Book Reviews: “Daisy Jones and The Six”
Sarah Booth, Co-Editor-in-Chief • November 8, 2024

Rolling off the deep couch cushions onto the floor, my heat-slicked skin sticks to my pajamas.    It is mere hours after Hurricane...

Buckethead shredding an electric guitar at the Orange Peel
Buckethead shreds at the Orange Peel
Connor Sutherland, Arts&Features Writer, [email protected] November 3, 2024

On September 9th, 2024, Guitar Virtuoso, Buckethead, performed at Asheville’s Orange Peel. Blowing away the audience with an incredible combination...

UNC Asheville Chancellor Kimberly Van Noort and Interim Provost Herman Holt discontinue diversity hiring program, causing faculty to respond with petition
UNC Asheville Chancellor Kimberly Van Noort and Interim Provost Herman Holt discontinue diversity hiring program, causing faculty to respond with petition
Sarah Booth, Staff Writer, [email protected] April 29, 2024

A petition, released on April 16 by anthropology and sociology professor Blu Buchanan, along with other concerned faculty supports the continuation...

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