The Upside

Students revisit childhood novels to cope with troubling times

From the well-known "Harry Potter" series to the science-fiction series "Steelheart," students reread some of their favorite books from childhood. 

Caitlin Gooch isn't holding her horses in stopping childhood illiteracy

Based in Wendell, North Carolina, equestrian Caitlin Gooch uses horses to encourage childhood reading, build confidence and increase representation within children’s literature. Savannah Truesdale, a co-worker of Gooch at the children’s daycare, said Gooch’s positivity and passion for her horses captivated her students' attention and made the lesson come to life. Childhood literacy has immense implications for the development of children.

'Reverence and respect': Carrboro honors Black Lives Matter with two murals

Residents and Town Council members hope the mural will keep the momentum of the movement going and bring the community together.

Chill on the Hill: Finding Friends on Facebook

Carolina Performing Arts' Commons Festival gives a digital platform to local artists

“The subject matter that they're dealing with at this time, and for all four of these artists to be young Black artists and to be given a platform for them to speak to the kinds of things they're speaking to, I think is a really powerful thing,” Christopher Massenburg, CPA's program director, said.

UNC junior publishes fictional novel about a young investigative journalist in D.C.

Eleven months after a cold message on LinkedIn, Jocelyn Quinn became a published author with her first book, "Off The Record."

Olivia Rodrigo’s 'drivers license' breaks records and students' hearts

 “I think that everybody is so obsessed with it because, one, there's so much drama behind the song and everybody loves drama,” senior Taylor Edmonds said. “And then two, it's a beautiful song. And three, people love hearing the sad deep emotional songs, especially if they can connect to it because of their own sad emotional experiences that they've gone through.”

UNC students are turning to food TikTok for the latest cooking trends

Food TikTok is known for continuously sparking viral crazes that anyone can try. From folded tortilla wraps to air fryers to whipped coffee, college students have mastered quick food hacks — proving good food can come from even the smallest of dorm rooms.

'Everyone just needs someone': Students share schedules on social media

While classes are currently remote-only, students utilize social media to share class schedules to combat the loneliness of online learning.  

Ackland Art Museum set to reopen at the end of January

With the Ackland Art Museum reopening on Jan. 27, visitors will soon be able to see works in-person such as "holding space for nobility," a memorial to Breonna Taylor. 

Three Orange County towns become first in N.C. to pass LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinances

The nondiscrimination ordinance is a step in the right direction by protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Performance groups dance around rehearsal amid spike in COVID-19 cases

Some student performance groups are set to resume in-person rehearsals this semester, such as Tar Heel Voices, University Bands and Blank Canvas Dance Company. They are all making sure to follow COVID-19 guidelines to ensure maximum safety of participants. Each group has a contingency plan in place should the University move to a fully remote format once again, including one that could prevent Blank Canvas from holding a livestreamed showcase.

Remember the Tar Heels: Three women's soccer stars selected in 2021 NWSL Draft

As Emily Fox, Brianna Pinto and Taylor Otto seek to write their professional stories in the National Women's Soccer League, let’s take a look at the ones they wrote while playing on Dorrance Field. 

TikTok users revive a centuries-old genre with sea shanty videos

“Behind every sea shanty there's a story,” rising junior Maggie Helmke said. UNC students are sharing their thoughts on the newest TikTok trend, which has users sharing sea shanties. 

UNC students look to vision boards to help manifest 2021 goals

Kickstarting a new year, students take New Year's resolutions and manifestation to the next level by creating vision boards. From personal goals such as exercising more to career goals of finding jobs after college, students are testing the powers of seeing is believing. 

Despite adversity and hardship, junior Andrea Santiago persevered through soccer

UNC junior Andrea Santiago's path to the CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship wasn't easy. But despite injuries, natural disasters and personal strife, she recovered, healed and grew to find herself at the top of the mountain. 

Review: 'Anyone can cook’: TikTok’s 'Ratatouille' musical

"Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical" hit small screens nationwide Jan. 1 after garnering vast popularity from what started as a TikTok trend. The musical’s star-studded cast spans from popular TikTok creators like JJ Neimann (@jjneimann) to high-profile stars like Tituss Burgess, a Broadway and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" alumnus who plays Remy, the “rat of all our dreams.” Almost cartoonish in nature, the musical’s filter-esque effects play into the silly and lighthearted nature of the whole digital affair. 

UNC alumna Nancy Stancill writes memoir detailing life as an investigative reporter

UNC and Daily Tar Heel alumna Nancy Stancill has had an extensive career in journalism working across the country, but she has now settled down with her latest memoir, “Tall: Love and Journalism in a Six-foot World.” 

Chill on the Hill: The Best of 2020

'Black Nativity Durham' tells story of the birth of Jesus with an African twist

The press release stated that "Black Nativity Durham" is a “soulful, gospel, celebration about the birth of Jesus Christ” that was originally written by Langston Hughes and adapted by Wendell Tabb, who also directs and co-produces the show, along with Xavier Cason.