The Blue Banner

The Student Voice of UNC Asheville
Community members gather along Broadway with signs to gain the attention of the cars passing by.
UNCA explores options for urban forest, sparking community concerns
Firestorm employee Glenn Coco holds “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, a commonly banned and challenged book about racism. 
The rise in book bans raises fears of suppressed voices for educators
UNC Asheville's 2025 Homecoming court poses with their crowned royal family.
Homecoming court family results skewed at the gender line
Ramsey Library stands tall on the UNC Asheville campus amidst DEI removal across the UNC schooling systems.
Sudden removal of DEI in UNCA curriculum causes concerns among staff and students
Compilation of water damage
Sprinkler Head Bursts in Mills Dorm, Flooding Two Rooms: Freezing Temperatures to Blame.
Head coach Matt Frost engages tennis players
Tennis team chases another title, one match at a time
The UNCA Men's Basketball team huddles up around the coaches mid-game to figure out the next play.
NCAA considers extending competition eligibility to five seasons for UNCA athletes and beyond
UNCA dance team performs at a women’s home basketball game.
UNC Asheville’s dance team fights for recognition as an athletic team of their own
Athletes on the UNCA swim and dive team walk into a meet at Liberty University.
UNC Asheville swim and dive team prepare to close out the season
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
Inhaler rocks a sold-out Orange Peel show with memorable alt-rock songs
Inhaler rocks a sold-out Orange Peel show with memorable alt-rock songs
Unlock holistic wellness: how yoga and acupuncture harmonize mind, body and emotions for optimal health
Unlock holistic wellness: how yoga and acupuncture harmonize mind, body and emotions for optimal health
The remnants of the flood of the French Broad River remain in the River Arts District three days after Hurricane Helene hit.
The Grammys show Southern Appalachia the country has forgotten about them
Jason Miller's Music Column: Valentine’s Day Edition
Jason Miller’s Music Column: Valentine’s Day Edition
Pictured: Faith Hedgepath, a former student of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and one of the first significant cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in North Carolina.
Voices Unheard: The Unspoken Stories of Indigenous Women
Students gather at the game room in Highsmith to celebrate the first day of its reopening.
UNCA game room opens for the rest of the semester
Hyannis House sign made by students on the gravel path leading from the campus to the student space.
Hyannis House closure causes concern for students over the future of diversity spaces
Harvest Records inventory lines back wall.
Harvest Records celebrated its 20th anniversary as vinyl records continue to inspire a new generation of musicians in Asheville
Love: a look into a cultural shift in reality with the Center For Inspired Education
Love: a look into a cultural shift in reality with the Center For Inspired Education
Pictured: Delaney Wildcatt, member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Being acknowledged: recognizing Indigenous students at UNC Asheville
Palestine Protest with the B.B.C.
UNCA takes on the N.C. College Media Conference
Asheville 2025 Mardi Gras Parade
Investigating Eastern Hemlock Damage with Brayden “Bee” Giffin
The Best Trivia Game In Town at Well Played Board Game Cafe
Assembly Required Toy Exposition
A glance at Save UNCA Woods
Exploring the Hendersonville Fairy Trail
Impact of Hurricane Helene on Asheville Botanical Gardens
Turning of the Maples photo gallery
Banned Books Crossword
Sci-Fi Movie & TV Characters Crossword
Pop culture word search
Student involvement word search
A Holiday crossword
Exploring UNCA’s Admission, Financial Aid, and Recruitment with Mavie Marcos
Love Songs Throughout The Decades – Valentine’s Day Spotify Playlist
SOS Episode 5: Bryce Long and the UNCA theater department
SOS Episode 4: Adam Pohl and Ultimate Frisbee
The Blue Banner: Staff Writers’ Takeover
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The Blue Banner

The Student Voice of UNC Asheville

The Blue Banner
All content by Joshua Staley
Canva created by Joshua Staley.

Healthy aging starts now: how staying active can help prevent falls later in life

Joshua Staley, News Editor, jstaley2@unca.edu
December 10, 2024
Talk... to a healthcare provider, pharmacist, family and friends. Exercise... to improve your balance and strength. Act... to get your eyes, ears and feet checked annually. Make... your home safer.

Standing Strong NC: an interview with Ellen Bailey, co-chair of the NC Falls Prevention Coalition

Joshua Staley, News Editor, jstaley2@unca.edu 
December 4, 2024

Autumn-loving bulldogs appreciate Fall foliage across the country

Joshua Staley and Sarah Booth
November 4, 2024
The UNC Asheville quad after a light dusting of snow and rain on Jan. 19.

Snow falls on Asheville, except it doesn’t

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, News Editor
February 8, 2024
Graphic by Joshua Staley.

Welcome Back Bulldogs

Joshua Staley, News Editor, jstaley2@unca.edu
February 1, 2024
This doctor takes some time off from trying to cure the plague to model for the camera.

[Photo] UNC Asheville students haunt the campus in style this Halloween

Sydney Mason, Joshua Staley, Arts & Features Writer, smason6@unca.edu
October 31, 2023
Composting bin at the Highsmith Grotto.

UNC Asheville loses its composting program

Addison Wright and Joshua Staley
September 21, 2023
Welcoming back the Bulldogs

Welcoming back the Bulldogs

Joshua Staley, Co-Editor-in-Chief, jstaley2@unca.edu
August 31, 2023
UNC Asheville senior Sebastian Cothran, now Haywood County’s tax collector-elect.

UNC Asheville student supplants Democratic incumbent for tax collector

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, Sports Editor
November 16, 2022
various signs around the park displaying HHN.

Bulldogs off the leash: halloween horror nights delights with frights

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, Sports Editor
October 26, 2022
A scare actor waits patiently for their prey.

Mel’s “Die-In”, where the food’s to die for.

Universal’s legendary monsters clash inside the Legends Collide haunted house.

Several brave souls wait to catch the subway for the Descendants of Destruction haunted house.

various signs around the park displaying HHN.

The Pumpkin Lord welcomes those that enter Universal.

The Creature From the Black Lagoon relaxes as it welcomes travelers into the Dead Coconut, a lounge bar at Universal.

A witch attempts to put a spell on attendees.

This devil looks to drag attendees to hell.

A teleportation pod prop from the movie The Fly, by David Cronenberg, starring Jeff Goldblum.

Enter the 1950’s home of the future with Bugs: Eaten Alive, a haunted house at HHN.

Senior Corey McVay works with Career Peer Molly Newburger.

A look into the role student employees play at UNC Asheville

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, Assistant News Editor
April 5, 2022
Mathias Farley completes a problem while Dr. Christine Boone surveys his solution.

UNC Asheville’s music department keeps on rocking through the pandemic

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, News writer
March 21, 2022
Lisa Wilcocks and rally organizer William Najger showing support for Ukraine.

Staff and students weigh in on the war between Russia and Ukraine

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, News writer
March 7, 2022
Atmospheric Sciences Professor Christopher Hennon working from his office in Rhodes Robinson Hall.

Students and faculty weigh in on UNC Asheville’s changing mask mandate

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, News writer
March 2, 2022
Exercise can be a great self care strategy for relieving stress.

Dealing with depression and anxiety at UNC Asheville

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, News writer
February 22, 2022
Student Affairs Case Manager Co-Kima Hines works in the Governor's Hall housing office.

Reshaping New Year’s resolutions into more achievable goals

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, News Writer
February 17, 2022
Asheville artist Braethun Bharathae-Lane enjoying a sunny day with Ruby.

NFTs and what they mean for the Asheville art scene

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, News writer
February 7, 2022
Students and teachers connect via Zoom.

Instructor implements controversial mandate involving Zoom cameras

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, News writer
January 31, 2022
Students make the most of a sunny day on campus as they move from one class to another.

A return to normalcy as students begin to attend in-person classes

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, News writer
January 25, 2022
Photo by Joshua Staley Rocky the Bulldog welcomes students to Chestnut Hall

UNC Asheville works through rising omicron cases

Joshua Staley, jstaley2@unca.edu, News writer
January 17, 2022
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