Lifestyle

Auburn artist awarded South Arts State Fellowship

By Layla Hyatt | Lifestyle Editor | August 6

South Arts announced its 2026 State Fellows for the annual Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Visual Arts program on July 23. The Alabama Fellow for Visual Arts is Jeff Schmuki, who is based out of Auburn, Alabama.

Four guitar outlines filled with various floral and natural images are set against a light background.

Back to school fun: August events in the Auburn-Opelika area

By Layla Hyatt | Lifestyle Editor | August 3

As students return to school this August, the Auburn-Opelika has plenty of events to ring in the new semester. Read on for a list of local events to catch this month.

A group of young children in red KidCamp shirts gather around a table as a young man with a microphone shows them small bread-shaped breadboards.

AU student's electronics startup bridges engineering gap for students

By Layla Hyatt | Lifestyle Editor | July 24

The product-turned-startup of one Auburn University student is reshaping STEM education for school-aged children, from kindergarten to middle school, after winning a $75,000 award.

Three postage stamp designs feature an American flag, an electric guitar, and colorful fireworks against a navy background.

Friends, fun and fireworks: July festivities in the Auburn-Opelika area

By Layla Hyatt | Lifestyle Editor | July 1

July in the Auburn-Opelika area is full of farmers markets, patriotic celebrations and family-friendly events. Read on for a list of local events to catch this month.

Dealing with the distance: Leaving home for the first time

By Brychelle Brooks | Former Editor-in-Chief | June 29

Homesickness is one of the most common experiences to new college students. Leaving home for the first time might be difficult for students across the country. Especially when coming from a different coast, students might feel intimidated when moving to college.

Pinball machines at Rock 'N Roll Pinball in downtown Opelika on March 24, 2024. | Archive photo

Auburn-Opelika after dark

By Gracie Goodman | News Editor | June 25

Going out as a student at Auburn University is almost a rite of passage. For many, weekends mean packed dance floors and long lines at Skybar and Southeastern. However, Auburn’s nightlife goes beyond those two bars. Whether you don't drink, prefer smaller crowds or simply aren’t 21 yet, Auburn still offers plenty of ways to have a fun night.

A softly colored pink bedroom features a bed, a desk with a lamp, a window, and decorative elements on the walls.

What to actually pack for a freshman dorm

By Emily Edgy | Lifestyle Writer | June 23

Living in a dorm is a unique experience. The space is small, and students are extremely limited on what you can fit. When packing, it's important for students to be selective on what they bring to maximize the space provided. Here, we will go over what is truly necessary as freshmen prepare to pack for the coming school year.

A large sign displays "FOOD BANK OF EAST ALABAMA" in bold letters, next to a modest brick building with multiple windows.

Giving back: Volunteer spots in Auburn

By Katelyn Smith | Assistant Lifestyle Editor | June 19

For students trying to get involved at Auburn, volunteering is a way to get plugged in to not only the University but also the city itself. It involves giving back to a community in need, and several organizations search for volunteers of every skill set throughout the year.

Aubie autographs a kid's football helmet during A-Day.

A look into the year at Auburn

By Layla Hyatt | Lifestyle Editor | June 16

Auburn has no shortage of campus events and traditions. From the dozens of First 56 events to A-Day in the spring, Auburn hosts plenty of opportunities to show up and connect with others.

Two hands are clasped together firmly, with fingers intertwined, set against a soft purple background.

To be or not to be: Should freshmen break up with their high school sweethearts?

By Jennifer Santiago | Content Editor | June 3

After crossing the stage at graduation, high school graduates must say farewell to family, childhood friends and the only home they’ve ever known. Among these goodbyes, some incoming freshmen weigh whether to remain steady with their high school sweetheart or hold out for future flames on the Plains.

A blue figure sits on Samford Lawn while another figure waves, surrounded by lush green trees and a clock tower in the background.

June events to look forward to in the Auburn-Opelika area

By Layla Hyatt | Lifestyle Editor | June 1

From art scenes to sports, there is plenty to do this month in the Auburn-Opelika area. Read on for a list of local events happening in June.

Nancy Barry teaches students from BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose how to use an autoharp. Contributed by Nancy Barry.

Auburn professor leads music program for students with disabilities

By Emily Edgy | Lifestyle Writer | May 7

Music is an important part of the human experience and an outlet for expression, but it can be inaccessible to people with disabilities. Nancy Barry, professor and program coordinator of music education, established BraveHeart Music Outreach to provide music education for students with disabilities. Through the BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose (BCPP), Barry is helping students explore the joy of music.

The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University.

Boys and Girls Clubs of East Alabama to host 36th annual Great Futures Gala

By Foster Mayhall | Lifestyle Writer | May 4

The Boys and Girls Clubs of East Alabama (BGCEASTAL) will host its 36th annual Great Futures Gala at the Jay and Susie Gouge Performing Arts Center on May 7. The ticketed event will act as an opportunity for the Auburn community to learn about the organization's mission and provide a chance to support its goals of raising up Alabama's future leaders.

Three men stand together, smiling and posing with a trophy in front of a colorful backdrop featuring the text "DALLAS DRIVE."

Studying in the spotlight: An Auburn student’s experience with professional cheerleading

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | May 3

On March 27, Aleks Slavich, senior in biomedical sciences, experienced a victory larger than he could ever imagine. Slavich competed on Dallas Drive, a professional cheerleading team, and helped bring home the win with his fellow teammates at the Professional Cheerleading Championship in Nashville, Tennessee. The team's triumph over Miami Metal brought the league their first championship title, but Slavich found himself on the championship-winning team by chance.

The text features the word "DRAMA" in bold red letters, with a diamond ring accentuating the letter "R," topped by the word "The" in a smaller cursive font above.

Radical acceptance: 'The Drama' review

By James Dewberry | Assistant Opinion Editor | April 29

"The Drama" begins as any rom-com would, amidst the jitters of wedding planning and the recounting of adorable first impressions and embarrassing dates, but director Kristoffer Borgli’s 2026 film, starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya, is anything but an ordinary rom-com.

A pair of hands holds a small figure enveloped in light, set against a dark background with a face partially visible above.

A reflection of our nation: 'The Pitt' season 2 review

By Cullen Emerson | Columnist | April 23

A New York Times opinion column from February titled “The Television Show Every American Should Watch” deconstructed HBO’s critically acclaimed poster child, "The Pitt," claiming the show is a direct reflection of the current state of our chaotic country. I see the analogy of the column as rightfully fitting to the first season of "The Pitt," and even more to the second season.

Pictured, each of the main actors in "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike". from left to right: Reid Williams (Spike), Sarah Schomburg (Nina), Morgan Mckenzie (Cassandra), Director Scott Phillips, Harrison Dunn (Vanya), Rebekah Taylor (Sonia), Elizabeth O'Malley (Masha)

Auburn University Theatre Department presents 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike'

By Foster Mayhall | Lifestyle Writer | April 22

From April 9 to 18, the Auburn University Department of Theatre and Dance put on a production of "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" on the Black Box stage in the Telfair Peet Theatre. Serving as the final performance of the Department's 2025-26 season, the play was a send-off for the senior actors and a demonstration of up-and-coming freshman talent.

A cartoon character with a red cap and mustache gazes upward at brightly colored stars in a dark, starry background.

A jolly Jumpman's jaunt: A review of 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie'

By Foster Mayhall | Lifestyle Writer | April 13

"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," based on the popular 2007 Nintendo game of the same name, released in theatres on April 1. Despite its explosive box office opening, the film has proven rather controversial in terms of critical reception.

A cow's nose is gently touching a person's hand, who is offering food while standing behind a green gate.

From hooves to scales: Vet Fest showcases animal science at Auburn

By Katelyn Smith | Assistant Lifestyle Editor | April 11

Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (AUVCM) hosted its third annual Vet Fest on April 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located at their campus on Wire Road, this free, family-friendly event invites the entire Auburn community to learn and see what the college of veterinary medicine does. With plenty of educational and hands-on activities, Vet Fest aims to both educate and entertain its guests.

A large, brown, segmented creature with long limbs is set against a geometric background of intersecting lines.

'Project Hail Mary' review: 'Amaze, Amaze, Amaze'

By Emily Edgy | Lifestyle Writer | April 10

On March 20, “Project Hail Mary” hit theaters, engaging audiences with its remarkable cinematography, exhilarating story and painfully endearing characters.