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The Student Voice of UNC Asheville

The Blue Banner

The Student Voice of UNC Asheville

The Blue Banner

Rinta Takagi said he struggles at UNC Asheville due to the language barrier.
English as a second language students say they struggle at UNC Asheville
Hunter Wilson, Sports writer, [email protected] December 6, 2024

International students at UNC Asheville said they struggle due to the language barrier. “Communication is very difficult. It’s so hard for me to keep up,” said Rinta Takagi, a Japanese sophomore student at UNCA.  Takagi said he finds studying...

Southern states becoming hub for Northeast migrants
Southern states becoming hub for Northeast migrants
Emily Koscinski, Arts&Features Writer, [email protected] December 6, 2024

Amidst changes in career paths, climate, and culture, northeastern Americans flock to southern states like the Carolinas, leaving some locals...

On the table sits a laptop with Google Meet pulled up on it, a candle burning, "The Seven Year Slip" by Ashley Poston in paperback, a kindle and a cup of tea.
Readers dig deep into the taboos of romance while praising digital book clubs post Helene
Sarah Booth, Co-Editor-in-Chief, [email protected] December 3, 2024

UNC Asheville students keep in touch digitally, inspired by the online class format widely adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. "One of my...

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....

Decorative Background
UNC Asheville Study abroad program offers transformative experience in Greece
Melody Cosgrove, Arts & Features writer, [email protected] December 6, 2024

UNC Asheville is set to launch a summer study abroad program in Greece, offering students a blend of academic enrichment and cultural immersion....

Real Mature: An introduction to everything working out for me
Real Mature: An introduction to everything working out for me
Abigail Cutler, Arts&features writer, [email protected] December 4, 2024

Breath in. Breath through. Breathe deep. Breathe out. If you close your eyes, you can imagine snow falling inside your apartment. Everything...

UNC Asheville swim and dive members Beatrice Cocconcelli, Tess Peny, Savana Bush, Meli Priesly, Olivia Ciancimino, Miriam Wheatley, Caroline Crouse, Danai Gkogkosi cheering for Swimming Intersquad 2024
Student-athletes struggle to keep everything under control
Danai Gkogkosi, Mcom student contributor, [email protected] December 6, 2024

UNC Asheville student-athletes face intense pressures from high expectations, demanding schedules, social media and stigma, affecting their mental...

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Youthanasia: A 30-Year reflection of the success, personality and message of Megadeth
Connor Sutherland, Arts&Features Writer, [email protected] December 6, 2024

In the mid-1980s, American Thrash Metal band Megadeth was making massive achievements in mainstream heavy metal. With monumental metal albums like “Killing is My Business… and Business is Good!” and “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” Megadeth...

Leprosy: The brutal expertise of death
Connor Sutherland, [email protected], Staff writer • December 6, 2024

In the early 1980s, a change in American youth was underway. The sound of the rebellious 70s Punk genre had begun to shift. The Hard Rock genre had become larger, and with that rise, came the jolting energy and blistering anger of youth. Gripping a divided...

Ride The Lightning: Metallica’s meteoric soar to success
Connor Sutherland, Arts&Features Writer, [email protected] December 6, 2024

Legends, Masters, and Pioneers- all names given to the unmatched talent of Metallica. Born in Los Angeles, in October of 1981, talented guitarist,...

Damaged Cotton Mill Studios sign and debris in River Arts District, Asheville.
Amidst tragedy, Democrats still fail to connect with the common man
Benjamin Ellis, contributor, [email protected] December 4, 2024

In the wake of a second Trump election, pandemonium struck in my university's city. Tucked away in the foothills of Appalachia, known for...

A tale of two Hendersonvilles
A tale of two Hendersonvilles
Samantha Adams, Contributor, [email protected] November 27, 2024

I’ve formerly disclosed my distaste regarding the construction of penthouse apartments in downtown Hendersonville, not solely because I’m...

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