Author: Stacie Boyls

Graduation style advice often splits into two extremes: play it completely safe or chase every trend. Neither quite works for a moment like this. What you wear walking across that stage should feel like you, refined, intentional and built to last beyond the day itself.

Meet Sam Henderson, assistant professor of theater and film, who serves as the reader that announces names during graduation. His voice has swept graduates across the commencement stage using his skills as an accomplished actor and professor since 2021.

A new student-curated exhibition at Washington Gallery invites viewers to reimagine the human figure through the lens of contemporary art.

What began as an experiment has quickly become one of Baylor’s most unlikely but enveloping success stories. In its first official season, Baylor’s varsity esports program has established itself among top collegiate competitors, pushing them to the brink of national prominence.

As the spring semester intensifies and academic pressures rise, Baylor’s annual Diadeloso celebration provides students with a much-needed opportunity to step away from coursework and reconnect with campus life.

As graduation approaches, Baylor seniors are preparing to leave behind more than lectures and late-night study sessions. However, before leaving, students have an opportunity to explore parts of the city they may have overlooked. The following destinations offer a reminder of what Waco has to offer.

After operating for several years with externally sourced beans, For Keeps Coffee & Bakery has quietly transitioned to roasting its own coffee in-house — a move staff said has deepened both their craft and their connection to the product they serve.

Taking a gap year does not mean abandoning your goals. It means strengthening your ability to pursue them. It allows for reflection, growth and, perhaps most importantly, recovery. When you return — whether to school or another path — you do so with clarity rather than exhaustion.

After months of anticipation and a steady stream of aesthetic teasers, Melanie Martinez has returned with “HADES,” a dark, synth-laced alt-pop project that leans heavily into the sonic and visual world she has spent years perfecting.

What began as a half-joking comment about “majoring in ‘Hadestown’” has evolved into a three-year creative undertaking for North Richland Hills senior Annalise Shero — one that blends Greek mythology, philosophy and music into a fully realized original production.

Flower Mound sophomore Leilani Hoang recently launched Healing Harmonies, a new Baylor student organization that connects student musicians with opportunities to perform in service of local Waco communities.

In a recent interview with Matthew McConaughey, Timothée Chalamet sparked controversy by saying he didn’t want to work in ballet or opera because “no one cares about this anymore.” While this has sparked conversation on the relevance of these areas, students across both art forms disagree with Chalamet’s take.

Boba tea has taken the world and college campuses by storm, offering overworked students a moment of relief via sweet treat. As a college student with several boba tea options scattered around Waco, the obvious question emerges: which boba shop actually serves the best drink?

For local hairstylist Katelyn Rankin, beauty and aesthetics have always attracted her creative eye. Noticing a deficiency in the Waco hair scene, Rankin started planning to build a clientele for colorful designs.

If you’re tired of hitting Panda Express at the SUB, fear not, Waco has a budding collection of locally run Asian restaurants. From poke bowls to sushi and bubble tea, these beloved spots offer Baylor students affordable, flavorful options just minutes from campus.

Madelyn Gregg pursued watercolor and yearbook design as a hobby while primarily focusing on athletics in high school. Art was always present in her life, but it wasn’t until her senior year that it bloomed into something more intentional that has now become a side hustle and passion for Gregg.

From Sing beef to parking complaints, Yik Yak has once again found its footing on Baylor’s campus — delivering everything from lighthearted memes to anonymous drama.

The object of this article is not to scrutinize your personal upbringing, family or church; however, if your own questions were routinely shut down and reframed as a “lack of faith,” you might consider the uncomfortable reality that you were indoctrinated into your beliefs.

All-University Sing is a spectacle built on visuals as much as it is on vocals and choreography. While set pieces and lighting establish atmosphere, costumes often serve as the clearest bridge between concept and character.

Under the bright stage lights and carefully guarded themes, first-time All-University Sing participants at Baylor discover newfound excitement and appreciation for performing arts.

In a college culture dominated by notifications, infinite scrolling and algorithm-driven outrage, a growing number of students are quietly opting out of the digital agenda. Instead, students are turning to analog hobbies to reclaim attention, creativity and mental clarity.

For avid concertgoer and obsessive poster collector Larry Cartmell, the brilliance of these artistic displays was obvious. This February, that collection steps out of Cartmell’s personal space and onto the walls of Art Center Waco in “If These Walls Could Talk.”

The Baylor Wind Ensemble is traveling through the cinematic ages this week with its upcoming concert, “A Night at the Movies,” a film-focused program set for 7:30 p.m. Friday in Jones Concert Hall. The free concert marks the first time in Baylor Wind Ensemble history that an entire program is dedicated to movie music.

Swig, a Utah-based soda chain known for its customizable “dirty sodas,” is set to open its first Waco location near Baylor University. The drive-thru shop is expected to open May 15 at 1011 S. 10th St., Suite 170, according to Waco city records and a reel posted on the official KCEN News Instagram page.

St. Louis junior Ava Janes is starting the Waco Symphony Student Ambassadors, a new organization aimed to provide career advancement for anyone interested in arts management nonprofit organization, and hands-on experience in a professional setting.

Creativity and entrepreneurship run wild with Sherman junior Mazie Ann Petelski, who reframes artistic success through her work as a tattoo artist. Petelski, a fine arts major with a concentration in printmaking, is also a first-year tattoo apprentice at Southpaw Ink in Waco.

Between strict housing rules, tight budgets and limited square footage, decorating can feel more stressful than exciting. Still, your living space plays a huge role in your comfort, productivity and overall happiness, making personalization worth the effort. No one wants damage fees or a lame dorm or apartment, so check out this curated list of renter- and dorm-friendly renovation ideas that will personalize your space without breaking the bank.

From sweet to spice, the chai latte has been a reliable coffee alternative for drink enjoyers across the U.S. While Waco has a wide variety of drink spots, I set out to find the best chai, ultimately rating them based on affordability, presentation and taste. Each category is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with five representing an average. This week, Common Grounds, Brú, Pinewood Coffee Bar, Heritage Coffee and For Keeps were put to the test of creating a delicious coffee house staple.

With the new year upon us, major planetary shifts and refreshed energy mark the perfect time to reflect on and manifest your goals. If you’re at a loss for where to start, Austin astrologer Laura Cowan provides professional insight for each zodiac sign and what to expect for this coming year.

For many of us, the holidays are a sore reminder of what could have been. Lean on the supportive members of your family if you can. Cling to those who love you and accept the help they offer. You are not a burden, and family is all around you, even if you haven’t met them yet.