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‘The time is now:’ 757 rapper KELO SOUL, co-signed by J. Cole, has big aspirations

NORFOLK, Va. — KELO SOUL was determined to meet Grammy-winning rapper and producer J. Cole earlier this month during a visit to Hampton Roads. The local rapper, whose real name is Marckel Bonds, says J. Cole has been one of his favorite artists for as long as he can remember.After a message from a friend in the area, KELO SOUL happened upon J. Cole and Dreamville Records cofounder Ibrahim Hamad at Waterside — driving around in a Honda Civic selling CD copies of his new album — and rapped his lyri...
Photo by Sean Hall
The Trail Blazer •

MSU alum finds perspective as a filmmaker at Appalshop

A Morehead State University alum has brought a unique perspective to filmmaking through their experiences as a young trans Appalachian.

Nik Lee (Class of ‘23) majored in both legal studies and convergent media at MSU and after graduating, the Whitesburg native returned to their hometown of Whitesburg and currently serves as Internal Media Coordinator at nonprofit media organization Appalshop.

In their role, they document events in the community as well as internal events in the organization.

“I like that it’s like a big collaborative process, and I get to meet so many new people that have so many stories,” said Lee. “I feel like my whole life has just been storytelling and trying to get stories out there that nobody hears, and I think film is a really easy way to get people to care about things, so I really love the medium.”
The Trail Blazer •

A Loving Earth Day celebration

Farm-hosted Earth Day festivities to kick off spring.

Loving Farm hosted an Earth Day celebration at Nepton Warehouse, a historical tobacco barn, that featured bands Violet and The Newsroom, Hogtown and Highly Likely.

“It has been a big thing for us that we wanted to share this with our community,” said co-owner Marietta Labbato. “We want to share how we feel about the environment and Earth Day is just a perfect way to bring all of that together.”

Guests were welcome to paint signs for flower markers, walk the farm’s trails and enjoy food from Plant Based Junk. The activities expanded upon last year’s Earth Day event which was centered around guided tours.
The Trail Blazer •

Senior art students have their moment in the spotlight

“All Things Considered” celebrates the talents of senior art students at Morehead State University.

The opening reception for the annual senior art showcase was held at the Golding-Yang Art Gallery on Wednesday. Artwork of various mediums including painting, ceramics, photography and graphic design were on display, representing 25 students across the studio art and art education majors.

“The main requirement is that it has to be from the classes above 300 level, so it is past sophomore year your work then,” said senior Abby Morgan. “But most people choose their best work.
The Trail Blazer •

One student athlete is making a point of impact

An Eagle has his sights set on a national platform.

Hayden Bell, a junior at Morehead State University, broke the university’s air rifle record and qualified for the NCAA rifle championships’ qualifier match. He fired a 598 with 46 center shots at the match hosted by the University of Kentucky, contributing to a team air rifle record of 2375. Bell will be the fifth rifle athlete to represent Morehead on the national stage.
The Trail Blazer •

Local writers create community through creativity

Stories were brewing at Sawstone Brewing Co.

Local writers of all backgrounds met for the monthly Sawstone Writer’s Guild meeting Monday, February 17. The meetings include workshops that challenge creative processes and open floor sessions that allow exchanges of work and feedback opportunities.

“I think it is a good opportunity for people to explore different avenues of creativity,” said Sawstone manager and fellow writer, Rachel Goldy. “Even if they are not the most experienced writer, it is a comfortable place where they can come and learn and grow and put themselves out there.”
The Trail Blazer •

Rybka shoots for the stars

A renowned rifle coach makes Morehead history.

Walt Rybka became the first rifle inductee into the Morehead State University Athletic’s Hall of Fame. Rybka was recognized for his career heading the Morehead State Rifle Program from its 1995-96 season through its 2013-14 season. He was also awarded a Senate Citation by Senator Aaron Reed, Morehead State rifle alumni class of 1999.

“You know, I was pretty much dumbfounded,” said Rybka. “It was a really neat experience and I hope I am deserving of it.”

Saturday’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony recognized Walt and four other Eagle alumni which include Marisa Kamelgarn (women’s golf), Zach Lewis (football), Jade (Flory) Rhoads (soccer) and Benjamin Schmid (men’s tennis).
The Trail Blazer •

Organization was key to defeating Amendment 2

LEXINGTON It was community action and honest messaging that prevented Amendment 2 from becoming state law last November, according to the 2025 KyPolicy Conference’s keynote panel’s description of their strategy.

Kelsey Hayes Coots, campaign manager for Protect Our Schools KY, led the keynote panel Friday with Ellen Mueller and Will Powers, members of the Kentucky Student Voice Team, as they gave their account of steps they took for the defeat of the amendment during this years’ conference of The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy in Lexington.
The Trail Blazer •

A trio is keeping traditional music alive

A blend of harmonized voices, a dulcimer, a fiddle and an upright bass has come together to create a band.

Violet and the Newsroom is an acoustic folk string trio composed of Violet Updike, Anabel Peterman and Clay Wallace, and are students at The Kentucky Center for Traditional Music’s Old Time String Band. The trio were brought together in August 2022.

“I had extra time for classes and my roommate, Ash, was in the old-time band and said, ‘You should come and play with us,’ and I said ‘Yeah, I will.’,” said Wallace.
The Trail Blazer •

MoreLove brings more love to Morehead with holiday meal

Founded only a few months ago, MoreLove seeks to serve as a safe, inclusive space for the community and their first big project is hosting a free community meal at the Stargazer Lounge from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

“We knew that there was a lot of people that, you know, whether they’re here for the college and not go home, disabled people, they can't get out to places,” said cofounder Mel Wriston. “So we just figured the easiest thing for us to do is put on a community Thanksgiving that way, free to all ages, and everybody could come.”

The founding committee of MoreLove took on the Thanksgiving project before the conception of the organization and its board. Over 30 people make up the organization and they anticipate preparing a Thanksgiving meal for over 200 people. Cofounder Elizabeth Banks looks forward to both seeing the team’s strengths shine and serving the community.
The Trail Blazer •

A journey through melodies

A local singer-songwriter is strumming her way through life.

Liz Bowman, hailing from Morehead, Ky, is an alumnus of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State University. Her interest in music started at a young age.

“When I was eight my parents got my brother a guitar, I was not having that, so I learned how to play,” said Bowman. “I learned how to play on a red acoustic guitar with flame stickers on it.”

One of Bowman’s biggest supporters was her music teacher Amanda Wells.

Wells taught at Bowman’s high school later down the road and was there when she started song writing and playing music by herself.

Before graduating high school, Bowman said Grant Alden encouraged her to audition for the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music.
The Trail Blazer •

Bringing the pop punk scene to Main Street.

Guitar riffs and screaming vocals of pop punk filled a theater-turned-bar.

The Stargazer Lounge hosted a pop punk show on Saturday night, featuring bands Parked, Undersoil and A Lot Like Thieves. This genre is true to the ethos of the bar and entertainment venue, opened by Lori Fries and Patrick Dawson in March.

“Patrick had run a punk bar in Tacoma, Washington for over a decade, so he really wanted to get back into bringing that kind of music to people because it’s what his passion is,” said Fries.
The Trail Blazer •

Poppy Mountain wraps 32nd festival

Poppy Mountain, a national bluegrass music phenomenon, closed their 32nd festival Saturday with a young generation of musicians.Known artists, such as Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, were joined by The Cleverlys, The Kody Norris Show and Noah Thompson to wrap up the final night of the festival.The festival hosted seven nights of shows featuring Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Mandalinn Jean & The Midnight Ramblers and Black Powder Express, as well as young up and coming artists such...
The Trail Blazer •

A professor's work shines in group exhibition

Michael Bowen, Morehead State University’s gallery director and sculpture professor, took part in an invitational group exhibition at The Yellow House in Richmond, Virginia. The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts hosted their 58th annual conference in Richmond, Virginia Mach 20-23. During this event, exhibitions popped up throughout the city of Richmond and highlighted artists from across the nation. 
MACHINA | MINUTIAE, curated by Courtney Childers Chapman, is about “int...