The Student News Site of University of North Alabama

The Flor-Ala
The Student News Site of University of North Alabama

The Flor-Ala
The Student News Site of University of North Alabama

The Flor-Ala
All content by by Life Editor Melissa Parker
Senior Jessica Kelso puts the finishing touches on a dish from “Lions under the Lights.” “The students that come out of (the culinary program) get an absolutely amazing experience and are doing some pretty cool things with it,” said Director of University Residences Kevin Jacques.

Cooking programs impact students and staff

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
April 29, 2016
Senior Baylee Pirtle created a project to collect food and clothes for children at Weeden Elementary. “As a child, you shouldn’t have to worry about when you’re going to eat dinner,” she said.

Student helps school children with necessities

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
April 28, 2016
Senior Taylor Davis started to volunteer at Colbert County High School after studying abroad. “He always wants to jump in and make the world a better place,” said assistant professor of Education Jessica Mitchell.

Study abroad influences local volunteer work

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
April 28, 2016
Earthworms help the composting process. “The worms are the most important part,” said junior Ashlin Gean.

Composting gives new use for old waste

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
April 22, 2016

Minority believers experience religious pressure in U.S.

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
April 22, 2016
Student volunteers spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18, filling food boxes for the community as part of a Leadership and Volunteerism initiative. During the #ServetheShoals event in April, volunteers can post pictures of service work they are doing to social media. “Really, it’s to just draw attention to the fact that there are a lot of really great things happening in this area with people helping one another and reaching out to one another,” said Assistant Director of Student Engagement Bethany Green.

April event highlights local volunteers

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
April 7, 2016
Recent deaths emphasize life’s importance

Recent deaths emphasize life’s importance

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
April 7, 2016

Program to build female students’ leadership skills

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
March 28, 2016
Students interact with children during the Alternative Breaks trip to Haiti in November 2015. The group will return to Haiti during spring break.

Program offers service opportunities during break

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
March 28, 2016

Moments app beneficial for sharing photos

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
March 26, 2016

Pride of Dixie marching band recognized for excellence

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
March 19, 2016
Officials with the Institute of International Education recently selected Professor of Art History Lisa Kirch for a Fulbright Award to Germany. While there, she will research a written inventory of objects from a palace study in southern Germany.

Fulbright Scholar Program selects Kirch for award

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
March 18, 2016
Examples of posts which students can find on the app Yik Yak.

Apps offer different “hook up” opportunities

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
March 17, 2016

Reports indicate increase in dating violence

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
March 10, 2016
Late History Professor Lawrence “Larry” Nelson teaches a history class. Nelson died Jan. 14, 2014, from a brain tumor. The first in an annual series of lectures honoring him will be March 10 in the Department of Communications building room 131 at 7 p.m.

Lectures honor late professor

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
March 9, 2016
Melissa Parker

Beauty standards restrict individualism and acceptance

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
March 4, 2016
Many people take photos or videos and share them on social media apps such as Snapchat without realizing the consequences.  “Anything on social media, anything on the Internet in general — especially with things like Snapchat where they say it’ll disappear after a certain amount of time —  it never really disappears,” said Associate Director for Digital Communications Jeremy Britten.

Revealing photos flood Snapchat

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
March 3, 2016
PoBoys Cajun Grill’s Molasses Bourbon BBQ Chicken provides a satisfying meal at a reasonable price. This restaurant is on South Main Street in Tuscumbia.

PoBoys offers authentic Cajun cuisine

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
February 26, 2016

Half Minute Horror adds contest to film festival

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
February 25, 2016

Shoals Symphony brings pirates to university

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
February 25, 2016

Snow Ball formal wraps up Snow Daze event

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
February 24, 2016

Snow Daze wraps up with Snow Ball

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
February 20, 2016

Panel addresses important social issues

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
February 20, 2016
Senior William Thompson reads a poem from his published book, “Love’s Deepest Darkness and Brightest Joys.” Thompson said his favorite poem is “Letter to My Future Wife.” He wrote the poem for his wife Kiara Thompson after they dated for four months.

Writing helps Thompson channel emotions

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
February 19, 2016
Community and campus events allow people of all cultures and races to come together to remember the past and change the future. 

Black History events encourage unity and awareness

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
February 13, 2016

Students offer suggestions for an inexpensive Valentine’s Day

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
February 12, 2016
Melissa Parker

Use outings to support restaurant servers

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
February 4, 2016
Human trafficking does not happen just in third world countries.  The “super highway of human trafficking” is Alabama’s Interstate 20 that cuts through Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Anniston, said Fundraising Chair for END IT Alabama David Pinkleton.

Super highway sees more than ‘car’ traffic

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
January 30, 2016
Wildwood Tavern’s “Bomb Squad Dog” explodes with flavor. The restaurant on Mobile Street offers plenty of dining options, including pizza and sandwiches, under $8.99.

Wildwood Tavern’s hot dogs are ‘the bomb’

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
January 29, 2016

Diversity lacking in Oscars once again

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
January 23, 2016

Chocolate lovers ‘crawl’ to downtown Florence event

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
January 22, 2016
Bethany Green Oliver and her husband Tucker have began a nonprofit called High Tide Adventure. This will give high school students an opportunity to seek out adventure while giving back to their community with their services.

Adventure, service focus of new nonprofit

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
January 22, 2016
The pork potato provides a filling meal for even the heartiest of appetites.

New barbeque restaurant offers two dining options

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
January 15, 2016
Corbin Kitts, 6, explains how Elfie will lose his magic if he is touched. Elfie knows all about UNA and the Kitts’ new home. 

Kitts family celebrates first Christmas at UNA

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
December 20, 2015
Jordy Searcy's recently released "Seasons" peaked at No. 7 on the iTunes singer and songwriters chart and No. 5 on the Apple Music charts. Searcy gifted UNA's students and faculty with free downloads. 

Searcy surprises students and staff with ‘Seasons’

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
December 10, 2015

Gratitude: the gift that keeps giving

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
December 8, 2015
Beads for Life  supports women living in severe poverty stricken areas of Uganda. For the past four years the Women's Center has offered these beautiful handmade pieces of jewelry for sale.  Freshman Karlee Mauk examines the handmade necklaces and earrings.

UNA Women’s Center supports women of Uganda with Bead for Life Marketplace.

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
December 4, 2015
Senior Tate Hipps (left) and Justin Argo near the end of their cross-country journey at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. Hipps films the landscape just as the sun rises. Hipps spent 18 months working on his documentary, “Koinonia with God,” which took him across the country and to Guatemala.

Conversations with God: Student captures spiritual journey on film

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
December 3, 2015
Melissa Parker

Winter break offers service opportunities

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
December 3, 2015

Local organization hosts International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
November 20, 2015
Kim Dutton refills the coffee pots at Room in the Inn Shoals. The shelter provides services during the winter months for the homeless community in the Shoals area.

UNA students volunteer for local shelter

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
November 19, 2015

Delicious microwaveable desserts in under 3 minutes

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
November 14, 2015
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 4 Duane Ledford receives the keys to his mortgage-free home. Wells Fargo donated the home to the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Homes4WoundedHeroes program. A home will be given to a wounded veteran in Alabama during Saturday’s football game.

College Republicans raise money, awareness for wounded veteran

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
November 13, 2015

Video app delivers fun in single-second intervals

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
November 6, 2015
Recycling increases chance of healthy environment

Recycling increases chance of healthy environment

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
October 30, 2015
Students dance the night away at Circle K International’s 2014 Fright Night.  “The event is in honor of UNICEF, which is the United Nations Children’s Fund,” said Circle K International Secretary Jaleesa Escott.

Fright Night benefits global children’s organization

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
October 29, 2015

Downtown Florence ghost walk highlights local legends

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
October 29, 2015
Student-decorated shirts from the Clothesline Project surround Memorial Amphitheater during Take Back the Night. The event addresses sexual violence and offers students information on local services.

Event focuses on eliminating violence, providing information

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
October 23, 2015
A girl walks across campus alone. “The Hunting Ground” tackles the topic of campus assaults and their toll on victims.  “The film exposes sexual violence as a prevalent problem on campuses of higher education across the country.  It looks at college campuses as territory for predators,” said Coordinator for Women’s Studies Emily Kelley.

Film addresses national college campus sexual assaults

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
October 22, 2015

Lion Gras chosen as UNA Homecoming 2015 theme

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
October 17, 2015
October is Adopt a shelter dog month and the perfect time to add a furry family member

Owners discuss lives of sheltered dogs

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
October 15, 2015

Exercise helps students cope with stressful college life

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
October 3, 2015
Melissa Parker

Student counseling services can offer stress relief

by life editor Melissa Parker
October 2, 2015
Senior slot receiver Nolan Coffey (21) is sent in motion by quarterback Jacob Tucker (16). Coffey was a walk-on for the Football team as a freshman. He earned a scholarship for his efforts last season.

UNA walk-ons strive for scholarship opportunities

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
September 27, 2015
Spare change makes difference in community

Spare change makes difference in community

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
September 20, 2015
Student Ryan Ferrara looks through the selection of vinyl available at Pegasus Records in downtown Florence. Records have seen an increase in sales this year, according to Nielsen.

Vinyl records spin back into popularity

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
September 5, 2015
Melissa Parker

Campus Climate Survey yields startling results

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
September 3, 2015
LaDarius Prince, self-taught dancer and choreographer, begins and ends each day with dance.

Passion for dance resonates in student’s choreographies

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
August 28, 2015
Jessica Bailey spent six weeks in Italy this summer performing in the Opera Festival in Rome.

Bailey performs in Opera Festival in Rome, Italy

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
August 27, 2015
UNA professors give advice for new, returning students

UNA professors give advice for new, returning students

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
August 24, 2015

RSOs offer students opportunities for extracurriculer involvement

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
August 23, 2015
Senior art student Naomi Mongosa decorates the walls outside the Lion’s Den Game Room with artwork. Mongosa began painting the walls June 8.

Student revamps Lion’s Den Game Room with themed artwork.

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
August 21, 2015
Mascots inspire school spirit

Mascots inspire school spirit

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
July 14, 2015
Actors portray Mephistopheles and Faustus in UNA's production of 'Dr. Faustus'.

Theatres offer opportunities on and off campus

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
July 7, 2015
Roots of American Music Trail offers local history

Roots of American Music Trail offers local history

By Life Editor Melissa Parker
June 24, 2015

UNA counseling services provide care, support for students

by Life Editor Melissa Parker
June 8, 2015
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