Lifestyle

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LIFESTYLE 4/15/24 10:21am

Limelight Records twin duo release their self-titled debut album

By Charlotte Pfabe

Whether they're blending their voices to create heavenly harmonies or playing dazzling melodies on piano and guitar, Ali and Andi Dalton find comfort in performing together. As identical twins, Ali and Andi have been writing music together for a few years and recently released their debut album, titled “Ali and Andi,” on March 31. Ali and Andi’s music falls into the singer-songwriter, folk genre, with plucky guitar lines and breathy vocals layered on top of one another to create a chorus of harmonies. Andi and Ali returned to their hometown on April 5 to celebrate the release of their album with a release party and performance.

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LIFESTYLE 4/13/24 9:46pm

Elon Motorsports hosts community car show

By Monika Jurevicius

Cars of all generations gathered in the back of Schar Center for the Elon Motorsports car show. 60 participants from the Elon community came together to sponsor or enjoy the event. Elon Motorsports club hosted the car show for an end-of-year event on April 13 with partnerships from other North Carolina universities and the local community. Local car group Burlington Cruise In joined the group of students in the event. Vice President of Elon Motorsports Quintin Lasky said the event was to introduce new motorsport enthusiasts to the community, as well as bringing the experienced groups together.

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LIFESTYLE 4/13/24 2:25pm

Photo Gallery: Elon University hosts annual spring pride event

By Rachel Holley

The Gender and LGBTQIA Center at Elon University hosted its annual spring pride event on April 12 at Young Commons. The event was open to the public in hopes of educating the community on LGBTQ+ identities, with the theme “Flower Power.” 

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LIFESTYLE 4/11/24 4:11pm

Elon Performing Arts presents Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” for spring play

By Nia Bedard

Elon University’s performing arts department presents William Shakespeare’s comedy, “As You Like It” for the main stage spring play from April 11 to 13. “As You Like It” will be performed in McCrary Theater in the Center for the Arts on April 11 and April 12 at 7:30 p.m. and on April 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 or free with an Elon ID and can be purchased on Elon’s ticketing website. When deciding on productions for the 2023-24 season, director and Elon professor Kevin Ortos advocated the play to the season selection committee.

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LIFESTYLE 4/11/24 12:35pm

Elon University Percussion Ensemble examines music from international composers

By Ruth Cruz

The Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert explored a beautiful mix of sounds from around the world. Students performed a variety of music from international composers on April 10 in Yeager Recital Hall. The Percussion instruments included rattles, cymbals, gongs, hand drums, shakers, marimbas and more. Ensemble director and music instructor Isaac Pyatt focused on the complexities of sound from various instruments to create harmony. He said a talented musician can alter any object to create beautiful melodies. Pyatt said he hopes he can transform student experiences and enhance their musical journey through percussion instruments.

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LIFESTYLE 4/9/24 10:43am

Grand Night features student-produced music theater, emotional senior send-off

By Katharyn MacDonald

In four sold-out shows of song, dance and looking back on college journeys, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre students performed together in Grand Night — a collage of performances that showcased the program’s talents — on April 5 and 6 in Elon University’s Roberts Studio Theatre. Students directed, music directed and choreographed 15 numbers across many genres. Caroline Borio, assistant student director and senior performer, said everyone always looks forward to doing their senior class number. Assistant Professor of Music Theatre Courtney Liu, who managed Grand Night with Guest Instructor Jane Lanier, called it a “real tear-jerker.”

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LIFESTYLE 4/6/24 11:05am

Holi celebration educates students about Hindu culture, spreads awareness for diverse religions

By Ruth Cruz

Elon University’s Truitt Center celebrated the end of winter and the warmth of spring with the Holi Festival of Colors at Speaker’s Corner on April 5. Holi represents hope and new beginnings in the Hindu culture. The spring festival includes colored powder — or gulal — or colored water. Holi aims to commemorate connection and companionship, as well as bring the community together to acknowledge diverse cultures. The festival also teaches students about India, Hinduism, and traditional stories reflected in the celebration. University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement Kirstin Boswell encourages students to participate in these events, which offer opportunities to learn about diverse cultures.

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LIFESTYLE 3/25/24 5:16pm

Elon Watches: Avatar the Last Remake

By Lucy Samuels

Three things: 1) No, it's not as bad as the movie. 2) ‘Show don't tell’. And 3) … why? After five years of production and a change in leadership, Netflix released its own live action adaptation of Nickelodeon’s iconic series: “Avatar the Last Airbender.” By trying to set itself apart from the original show (created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko), it’s lost the key elements that made the animated series so good in the first place. While not as bad as the infamous M. Night Shyamalan film, the new Netflix rendition is far from honorable.

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LIFESTYLE 3/22/24 3:51pm

Elon campus police, Residence Life offer safety tips for spring break

By Jordyn Forni

Spring break is quickly approaching, beginning after classes on March 22. Before leaving campus, students must properly secure their living spaces and vehicles for safety — according to Residence Life and campus police. Student Life urges students to unplug all appliances, hide valuables that they plan to leave behind, secure non-perishable food, dispose of perishable food, empty all trash cans, turn off all water faucets, set their thermostats to 50 degrees, as well as lock all doors and windows. Director of Residence Life Kristen Carrier said students should bring their keys with them upon departure from campus.

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LIFESTYLE 3/20/24 9:44am

Elon professor sheds light on college students with eating disorders

By Nia Bedard

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, Eating disorders generally begin to develop between the ages of 18 and 21 which is mainly college students. While in college, students participating in classes can be involved in clubs, internships or work creating a high workload and causing students to demand a lot of themselves. Elon psychology professor and clinician, Bilal Ghandour, whose research revolves around perfectionism and impulsive behaviors, has found that eating disorder behavior evolves from a strong sense of needing to be perfect and an inability to let go of high demands.

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LIFESTYLE 3/19/24 12:15pm

Student art gallery shapes future artists, promotes diverse perspectives at Elon University

By Ruth Cruz

The annual Juried Student Exhibition will be open through April 18 in Gallery 406 at Arts West. The student gallery featured 28 unique pieces that reflected concepts of identity, race, and community. A Juried Exhibition is an artwork gallery and competition that selects the best expressive art in a showcase. Chair of the art department Samantha DiRosa collaborated with students in the art program to promote the gallery. She said the gallery was a student effort that provided career opportunities for students to gain experiences in their field.

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LIFESTYLE 3/19/24 10:17am

Elon University DJs electrify college party scene

By Charlotte Pfabe

There’s a new wave of musical entertainment on the rise that has swept through Elon’s campus — DJs. DJs, also known as disc jockeys, are performers that play and mix pre-made music live. Shawn Kelly, an Elon senior and computer science major, found DJing during his sophomore year of college. Performing under the name 'djskelly,' he used his musical background and computer science knowledge to teach himself how to mix music. Since beginning his journey of making music and performing, Kelly has amassed over 24,000 followers on Instagram.

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LIFESTYLE 3/18/24 5:55pm

Original play by Elon student explores intersections of LGBTQ+ identities, Catholicism

By Sarah T. Moore

Senior Mallorie Sievert is determined to fill a gap in Catholic theater exploring LGBTQ+ themes and narratives. Inspired by the combined experiences of seeing a queer retelling of Joan of Arc at the Globe Theatre in London, visiting Santa Catalina monastery in Peru and her own Catholic upbringing, Sievert wrote a play about LGBTQ+ Catholic nuns in the 17th century. The play, which is part of her honors thesis, follows the love story of Ana and Teresa, who Sievert said were based on the biblical archetypes of the “whore” and the “bride,” respectively.

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LIFESTYLE 3/17/24 1:33pm

Professors handle students' mental health issues with university resources

By Jordyn Forni

Allen Russell, a professor of mathematics, has recognized a shift in campus mental health. Russell has been teaching at Elon for 27 years. While he saw its presence, he said mental health didn't appear to be a larger issue on campus until the 2000s. Russell himself struggled with anxiety during his return to campus after teaching virtually, and he believes that many students share in this experience. He has encountered students in tears stressed about "college life," he said. Sociology professor Karen Wirth attributes the uptick in the need for mental health resources partially to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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LIFESTYLE 3/15/24 12:08pm

Student dance concert at Elon University explores connection, female stereotypes

By Sarah T. Moore

Senior Madeline Trigilio has always expressed herself through movement. After receiving a Rhoades Research and Choreography Grant, Trigilio is processing and expressing her emotions through dance — while also presenting her research. Through performances of the Rhoades Grant Dance Concert from March 15 to 16, Trigilio and senior Jessica Werfel will explore their respective research topics through dance in Roberts Studio Theatre. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on March 15, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on March 16. The March 15 performance is currently sold out, but tickets are free and can be reserved online for the remaining performances.

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LIFESTYLE 3/14/24 11:43am

Juxtapositions, Asian American Composers challenge historical European stereotypes

By Ruth Cruz

Elon’s Department of Music collaborated with Soprano Jennifer Lien to present Juxtapositions: European Orientalism, Asian America, & Asia in Whitley Auditorium on March 13. The program explored the stereotypes portrayed by European Musical Orientalism and created a platform for Asian American voices. The performance emphasized the challenges Asian women endured under European colonialism. Soprano Jennifer Lien and Pianist Douglass Jurs presented a beautiful sentiment of Asian culture within historical contexts. Lien is known for her presence in contemporary and chamber music. As a Classical Western European Opera singer, Lien said she noticed a lack of Asian voices in her studies of European composers.

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LIFESTYLE 3/12/24 9:06am

Elon women’s track, cross country proud to be female athletes

By Keely Garcia

Sophomore track and field sprinter Mya Joy Lee has run track and field since she was in fourth grade and said always knew she always knew that she wanted to be a college athlete. While she has faced some setbacks, including an injury her freshman year, she is grateful to have had the support of her teammates along the way. Elon’s award-winning track and field team is made up of 59 female athletes, while the cross country team — that holds two conference titles — has 28 female members.

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LIFESTYLE 3/11/24 10:37am

Women beyond borders: Students navigate experiences abroad

By Cassie Weymouth

Elon has been ranked first in undergraduate students who participate in study abroad for the 18th time. Many of these students are women with varying experiences, often dependent on the culture within the country of their choice. Allegra Laing, executive director of the Global Education Center, encourages all female-identifying students to study abroad. She advises them to engage with other female-identifying students from the country they are staying in to learn how to safely navigate that specific culture. Laing also takes into consideration that other identities, such as race, religion, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation, can also play into a student’s experience abroad.

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LIFESTYLE 3/10/24 1:29pm

Elon University’s first fashion club promotes education, awareness, inclusivity

By Nia Bedard

Phoenix Fashion is Elon University’s first fashion club whose mission is to educate others about the fashion industry, promote sustainability, create clothing pieces and showcase garments. Sophomore Brooke Gustafson established Phoenix Fashion to create an organization that could educate others on fashion and sustainability, but still be a place where people can look and feel good regardless of their skill set, knowledge of fashion or gender. Though Gustafson is studying abroad and was unavailable for comment, Interim President of Phoenix Fashion Tia Wohl and the club’s artistic director, Elise Whitaker, said the club is still upholding Gustafson’s vision for the organization.

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LIFESTYLE 3/9/24 1:10pm

Elon Performing Arts explores complexities of identity

By Ruth Cruz

Elon Performing Arts students explored the beauty of the spring season with their Spring Dance Concert in McCrary Theatre on March 8. The performance focused on family and diversity within the constructs of society. The concert also allowed students to create a unique style and explore their passion for dance. Senior Isabella Sessa said she began her dancing career at a young age when her mother signed her up for dance classes. Sessa said she fell in love with the beauty and creativity that exemplifies the art of dance.

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