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Articles by Melanie Schouppe
Local Muralists Turning Blank Walls Into Social Canvases
The words “Greetings from Newton” are painted onto a dark-colored wall, with a white outline reminiscent of a postage stamp framing the words. The “Greetings From” is in non-bold cursive, while “Newton” is the center point in a bold, detailed image within the letters. The details include the painted images as a capture of the elementary, middle and high schools of the town. Along with other popular landmarks of the location.
The never-ending terrors of acquiring concert tickets
It’s Feb. 10, 2026, and I am in between classes, with my phone and my friends’ group chat ready for whatever updates need to be sent. One other person and I in this chat were tasked with securing three tickets to see Noah Kahan over the summer during his New York show. I can say right away, we didn’t succeed in this task. When I was moved from the pre-sale screen to the waiting room line. I was somewhere in the 30,000’s, while my friend was in the 20,000’s, and our hope went away fast.
From red flags to real love: UK students open up about dating rules
Love is in the air and where is a better place to discuss relationships and people’s dating rules than a college campus? Every person is going to have different red and green flags and reasons for what their hearts desire with their significant other.
The Muppets have returned and are better than ever
I have had a rocky relationship throughout my life with the Muppets franchise. I was one of those kids who were scared of media and costumes that were based around puppets, so I didn’t start watching Muppet content till a bit later in life. Even so, ever since I sat and watched the movie “The Muppets,” I have been a big fan.
How to make a good movie adaptation
As someone who follows a lot of different franchises, I have noticed a recent influx of on-screen adaptations and reboots of books, shows, video games and other media. What can be deemed as a good adaptation can vary a lot depending on the person you’re asking, but for me, I like an adaptation that isn’t scared to make changes while keeping the heart of the story and property. A common problem is a lack of effort in making them stand on their own alongside the original property.
2026 Grammy picks and predictions
It’s Grammy season! With that, it is time to celebrate the world’s best musical sensations in the past year. Since the first Grammy Awards in 1959, the event has traditionally occurred annually in the U.S., with hundreds of artists seeking recognition for their cultural impact and talent. Everyone knows that being awarded a Grammy is a massive honor, especially for rising artists.
The tides of improvement with season two of ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’
Ever since I read “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters,” the second book in the “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series, it has been my least favorite book in the lineup, but the second season of the Disney+ show shed a new light on one of the weaker book plots. Now, did this season of the show change the novel’s ranking on my list? No, “The Battle of Labyrinth” will always be number one, but the changes made for the TV adaptation added a lot to the story.
A wickedly good musical adaptation
“Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good” have become quite a phenomenon inside and outside of the theater community, and now that both movies are out, I can confidently say I think the two movies are wonderful musical adaptations. I saw the theater show of “Wicked” live when I was younger and grew up listening to these songs with my mom and brother during car rides, so I was excited to see this story hit the big screen, and I was not disappointed.
La Coperacha and UK performed ‘Títeres al Baile’
The University of Kentucky and the Mexican-based theatrical company La Coperacha presented “Títeres al Baile,” or “Puppets to the Dance,” a performance telling different stories of death through a cultural lens. The performance took place at the Otis A. Singletary Center on Saturday, Nov. 8, and combined elements of contemporary music and puppetry.
MFA incubator series allows writers to be vulnerable with their work
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) incubator series held its first meeting of the year, providing writers with an opportunity to showcase their work. The event took place on Friday, Sept. 26, at the Commonwealth House on the University of Kentucky’s campus and featured readings by three MFA students and a professor. Erik Zepeda, a second-year MFA student with a focus on poetry, said he helped organize the event as a good place to get the nervousness of sharing your work out.
Thoughts on the MTV Video Music Awards performances
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards show has come and gone, and I feel they hit it out of the park with the performances The award show took place on Sunday, Sep. 7, and featured 18 performances throughout the night and two pre-show sets. All the artists did amazing jobs on their sets, and I think that there weren’t many negatives in the performances. Hands down, my favorite performance of the night was Conan Grey’s, of his song “Vodka Cranberry,” because of the set and the storytelling aspect of it.
Lexington educators and artists celebrate acclaimed playwright before honoring him onstage
A panel of guest speakers gathered at Lexington, Ky.’s Lyric Theatre to explore the cultural legacy of playwright August Wilson, setting the stage for a live production of his memoir the following night. Wilson was a playwright known for putting African American stories into the theater world.
Bear & The Butcher hosts annual Oktoberfest Celebration
Bear & the Butcher brought the experiences and foods of Oktoberfest to Lexington, Ky., through German foods, drinks and a steinholding competition on Thursday, Sept. 11. According to Jason Huff, the assistant general manager of Bear & the Butcher, the event has occurred annually for the last eight years to celebrate the restaurant owners’ German roots. “When we first opened, we opened with homemade sausage, craft sausages,” Huff said.
How Shawn Pryor is inspiring the next generation of authors
Literature is something that shapes youth and adult minds alike. It can be an escape from the stress of the outside world, a chance to see things from a different perspective or a simple form of entertainment. Shawn Pryor is a computer support specialist for the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, but off the clock he’s an author who has written over 60 books ranging from children’s graphic novels to comic books.
‘We gotta have each other’s back.’ Gayla drag show brings together LGBTQ+ community
Gayla, a fantasy-themed drag show, was hosted by the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) to further build and bring together the University of Kentucky’s LGBTQ+ community. Held at the Gatton Student Center on Friday, April 11, the event featured six professional drag queen performers and food for attendees. President of GSA and a junior public policy major, Carson English, said the event provided a chance for students to be involved with the LGBTQ+ community.
The live-action ‘Snow White’ was just okay
Another Disney live-action remake of one of their beloved princess stories has hit the big screen. All I have to say is that it was okay. “Snow White” was released on Friday, March 21, 2025, after numerous online controversies and a disappointing opening weekend at the box office. Even though the internet has thoroughly enjoyed trashing this movie, after seeing it it could’ve been worse. It was not Disney’s best remake by any means, but it still ranks higher than the “Pinocchio” remake.
‘We’re making an impact on the earth.’ Students give back through Plant for the Planet
The University of Kentucky’s Lewis Honors College hosted Plant for the Planet, an event that gave students the chance to participate in making an impact on the campus environment. Students were able to plant tree saplings and learn how to get involved with the environment at the Alumni Drive Traffic Island on Wednesday, April 2.
Admiration: How UK students honor Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month, a time when women across the world are celebrated and honored for their achievements. Some of the Kentucky Kernels staff took to the University of Kentucky’s streets to ask students about important women in their lives. From best friends to grandmas, each student has an important woman in their life. Here are their stories. A mothers love Cries echo around a small hospital room and tears slide down tired eyes. A baby has been born and a new mother has been made.
‘We’re celebrating ourselves.’ Annual drag show brings LGBTQ community together
Lexington’s annual OUTLaw drag show “The Night of 1,000 Icons” provided a safe space for queer youth and the ability to connect to their community. The event, hosted by the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law OUTLaw organization, was held at The Bar Complex on Thursday, March 27, and featured drag performances, drinks and entertainment.
Students roll into midterms with Cosmic Roller Skating
University of Kentucky students spent a night roller skating during Cosmic Roller Skating, an event hosted by the Student Activities Board at the Gatton Student Center. Held on Thursday, March 6, the SAB co-director for campus life, Charles Petty III, said the event gave students a chance to take a break, have fun and easily participate in something that is typically expensive.
The best of the best… for the Academy, at least.
Best Picture: “Anora” | Sammy Wynn The Oscar goes to “Anora,” but should it have? Like many nationwide, I didn’t expect the film to win best picture, especially with other blockbuster hits, such as “Conclave” or “The Brutalist.” Nominated alongside instant classics like those, how could “Anora” possibly win? Well, “Anora” winning was by no means a fluke. This gorgeous film, directed by Sean Baker and starring Mikey Madison, highlighted the sex worker community with honor and prestige.
The entertainment industry needs to relearn how to be creative
Is it just me, or does it feel like original stories in movies, TV and Broadway have become rarer recently? All that I see are advertisements for reboots, remakes, sequels or adaptations of already successful franchises. It screams laziness and a desire for a quick buck. Take Disney, for example. They produced 22 live-action remakes of their popular animated films, with coming this year.
K-pop-themed dance workshop brings students together
A K-pop-themed dance workshop was hosted by the Korean Language and Culture Club (KLCC) to give students a chance to learn the clean and synchronized style of K-pop no matter their level of skill. The workshop took place at the Johnson Recreation Center gym on Friday, Feb. 21. Gloria Ngalula, a junior marketing major, is the president of the KLCC and one of the coordinators of the workshop.
The concerns with dating apps
For our generation, dating apps are central to the dating scene. Some 53% of people under 30 have admitted to using a dating app, primarily Tinder, according to the Pew Research Center. Yet, they offer many challenges to users seeking to find a significant other. People rely on these apps for quick dating and instant emotional satisfaction. When looking for a partner, it’s important to be loyal and have a deep connection, which you can’t get when looking for hookups on an app.
The community behind the Roller Derby of Central Kentucky program
As the chilly air swirls outside on a Sunday afternoon, warm greetings fill the air inside the practice building while the members of the Roller Derby of Central Kentucky (ROCK) catch up before they begin skating. The team laces up their roller skates, clips on their helmets and puts on arm and knee pads, preparing to go into the rink for their practice.
‘Life on Earth’ gallery opens at UK, highlights architects and designers
The University of Kentucky’s College of Design opened its doors for the “Life on Earth” video gallery featuring the work of young up-and-coming architects and designers. The gallery opened on Friday, Jan. 24 at the Gray Design Building on UK’s campus, featuring 18 architects, designers and artists from all over the world, according to the College of Design website.
Wildcat Winter Wonderland welcomes students back to UK
Students were welcomed back to the University of Kentucky after winter break by Wildcat Winter Wonderland, sponsored by UK Campus Housing. In the Gatton Student Center Ballroom, students participated in activities such as ice skating, an inflatable slide, arcade games and a mechanical snowboard on Jan. 16. Returning students could spend the night with peers and partake in winter-themed entertainment.
The magic of Marvel’s ‘Agatha All Along’
One of Marvel’s newest shows “Agatha All Along” is a spellbinding continuation of “WandaVision” filled with many twists and turns. The show premiered on Disney+ on Sept. 18 with its final episode airing on Oct. 30. Its premier reached 9.3 million streams on the week of its release, according to Variety.
Diwali event showcases dancing, music and learning opportunities for students
University of Kentucky’s Indian Student Association celebrated Diwali with its first major event since starting back up this school year after a gap year in 2023. On Nov. 9, in the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom, UK’s Indian Student Association (ISA) hosted an event for the holiday of Diwali. The event included music, dance showcases, a buffet and a dance for the 200 attendees to partake in.
Book of the week: ‘Once Upon a Broken Heart,’ by Stephanie Garber
“Once Upon a Broken Heart,” written by Stephanie Garber, is a fantasy romance novel that shows betrayal and carries a whimsical tone throughout. Main character, Evangeline Fox, navigates her desire for a fairy-tale ending and a tricky deal made with a manipulative fate. The reader sees things through Evangeline’s eyes in this story filled with magic and a quick-moving plot.
A Halloween movie must-watch list
With Halloween right around the corner, the time has arrived to celebrate the season with the best spooky movies. The Kernel Opinions Desk has compiled a list below of their favorite Halloween films for any audience to enjoy: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” written by Melanie Schouppe. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” hit the theaters in 1966, and includes all the iconic characters of Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comics. It’s Halloween for the Peanuts gang.
Let’s talk about the MTV Video Music Awards
The 40th annual MTV Video Music Awards took place on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Excellent performances aside, I can’t say I agree with every category’s winners. My first thought was, “where were the awards?” This is an award show, and I feel like there weren’t many awards that were presented on the stage out of the 25 awards that were given out. Eight awards were announced during the main show and the others were either announced during the pre-show or commercial breaks.
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