a u b u r n u n i v e r s i t y

JamesCALVIN

g u i t a r ’ s n e w e s t p ro t i d g y

exclusive interview with abode love’s:

CROSSFIT ON THEPLAINS

must-have

SPRINGlooks

Laurel Dawn

AUBURN GYMNASTICS:WHAT’S NEXT?

Strength &Community

May 2014Culture.com

CULTURE

CULTUREa u b u r n u n i v e r s i t y

APRIL

4Cover Story:

James CalvinOpens up about being a young musican on the rise. And an-nounces upcoming shows.

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Take an Inside look at CrossFit on the Plains.

All about:Laurel DawnMeet Laurel Dawn. Alabama’s premier designer. From rich interiors to original fine art.

CrossFit onthe Plains

Exlusive in-terviews with

CFP’s staff, and find out why CrossFit works!

From the Editor...m e e t HannahLiz

I’m Hannah. I’m a small town girl, but I’m dreaming big! I come from a big military family, and am the middle child

of 5. I’m from Birmingham, Alabama but my sweet college town, Auburn, has become my heart and home. My college experience has been wonderful to say the least. I am a recent Auburn grad with a degree in Public Relations. I love the beautiful things around me, and have an eye for design. During my time in college, I served as an public relations and market-ing intern for Victoria’s Secret PINK corpo-rate offices. I also held a part-time position with GO Energy based out of Atlanta, GA where I was an account manager and social media manager. Lastly, I was involved at the Auburn University Athletic Department as Student Football Recruiter/Tigerette. I can’t wait to start this new chapter of my life as I dive into the “real-world.” I’m a fun loving girl who loves her family, trav-el, Auburn Football, CrossFit, and anything chocolate.

Auburn UniversityTigeretteWorld Traveler

Paris & London

CrossFitathletes

LipstickloverPhotographer

cupcakeaddict

Auburn FootballFanatic

Photographer

Auburn LadyWar Eagle!2

J A M E SCalvin

As a musician, all I really want is for my music to make people happy. ““

THE NEXT

It’s midnight in Birmingham, James Calvin cozies up with a cup of cof-fee and his beloved Taylor guitar.“This one is by far my favor-

ite guitar,” says Calvin. “I saved up for months for it. After playing my sister’s Taylor, I became ad-dicted and had to have one.” Calvin is Alabama’s youngest performer and has been named ‘guitar’s next protidgy’.

“I don’t know if I like the term protidgy,” says

Calvin. “I work real-ly hard and practice

playing every chance I get. It’s no hassle,

being a musician has become who I am.”

Calvin is only 13 years old, and has nearly

mastered most of Mumford &

Sons, John M a y e r ,

Dave

Mathews Band, and various classic rock hits on his guitar. Calvin started playing guitar two years ago. Since then, he has taken many lessons, per-

formed in front of live audiences, recorded tracks, and even writ-

ten a few of his own songs.“I love performing, I don’t

get too nervous and I love to sing,” says Calvin.

“But I’m not com-fortable enough to play my own songs

in front of people yet.”Calvin loves playing for

friends and family, and will often learn his friend’s fa-

vorite songs to play for them.“I love that my music makes

people happy. Any opportunity to have an impromtu show, I’ll take it.” says Calvin. Calvin is featured every Tuesday night at the Area 41 pizza joint in Mt. Laurel. Calvin also often plays at the Red Shamrock located in Cheslea, Ala. When asked what inspired Calvin to start playing, he credits his big sister Stefanie, and his favorite band Mumford & Sons. “My parents bought me Mumford & Sons concert tickets for my birthday,” says Cal-vin. “It was an amazing experience to wit-

ness my all time favorite band play live. I felt a major connection to every

song, because I play them myself.”Calvin will be performing at the

Chelsea Coffee shop May 15th and Superior Grill on high-

way 280 May 27th at 7 p.m. For more informa-

tion on Calvin and his upcoming

shows, check his Insta-

g r a m .BIGthing4

ALL ABOUTCALVINJames

I don’t go anywhere without my guitar. You never know when an impromtu show could happen, and those are the best. ““

Laurel Dawn Mc-Burney is setting the design and

art world on fire with her very own small businesses: Abode Love and her small paint shop, Laurel Dawn. “I am a girl that has always loved the beau-tiful things around me,”

says McBurney. “I have taken art classes from a very young age as I grew up with a mother who is a professional artist. My life has always been blanketed in creativity”Abode Love started as McBurney’s first step into the interior design world, as she posted her

many home projects and interrior designs ideas on her blog. Abodelove.com became extreme-ly popular, and quickly gained a large follow-ing on the blogosphere. McBurney graduat-ed Auburn University Summa Cum Laude in 2007, with a degree in graphic design and vi-sual communication. “Being surrounded with artists who inspired and challenged me on a daily basis shaped who I am today and I knew

that I would miss it like crazy,” says McBur-ney. “Upon graduating I threw myself into my budding graphic design career-- as another cre-ative outlet, I took to my computer to voice my extreme love for home design, which is where abodelove.com was born.” Along with her two small businesses, Mc-Burney also works full-time as a graph-ic designer for Stu-dent Life, located in

Beautiful Art and Designs From a Small Town Southern Girl

a r e o n l y s o m e of McBur-ney’s many tal-ents. McBurney also has a knack for fine art and painting. McBurney offers large painting, small prints, lucite framing options, and commis-sions on her website. “My newest endeavor is this little paint shop. All of the art in my lit-tle abode is my own -- I have painted flow-ers, petals and leaves for years and have painted and sketched these organ-ic, undulating forms in ev-ery way pos-sible,” says McBurney. “After hearing inqui-ries about the art in my abode I decided toor and graphic design are only some of McBur-ney’s many talents. Mc-

Bur-n e y also has a knack for fine art and painting. McBurney offers large painting, small prints, lucite framing options, and commis-sions on her website. “My newest endeavor is this little paint shop.

All of the art in my l i t t l e abode is my

own -- I have paint-ed flowers, petals and leaves for years and have painted and sketched these organ-ic, undulating forms in every way possible,”

says McBurney. “After hearing inquiries about the art in my abode I decided toof just for myself. Starting this shop has been a re-warding and unbeliev-ably fun challenge.” “My work is bright, organic, and spir-ited. I don’t take my art too serious-ly, says McBurney” For more information on McBurney’s designs and art visit her website, abodelove.com and lau-reldawn.bigcartel.com.

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Interiors, graphic design, and fine art

Birmingham, Ala. McBurney’s home, which is filled with her own interior designs, has been featured in multiple major maga-zines, such as Southern Flourish, Cottage Mag-azine and Birmingham Home & Garden. Her blog, abodelove.com also has many spon-sors. With such great success, McBurney has now started offer-ing her interior design services via edesigns. Believe is or not, inte-rior and graphic design

“I am a girl that has always loved the beautiful things

around me”

Auburn PRAbroadDr. Susan

Wa t e r s and the A u b u r n

Public Relations de-partment are back at it again, taking 15 public relations, communicat ions , and journalism stu-dents across the pond for the study abroad trip of a lifetime. This is the p r o -

gram’s second year to offer the study abroad trip to Au-burn students. Af-ter a successful first trip in summer 2013, the program has now reached max capacity. Waters and her 15 students depart from Atlanta on May 6th and will return after two weeks of trav-

el in London, including

d a y

trips to Bath, Stonehenge, Ox-ford and Paris. After completion of the two-week course, students will receive a three-hour credit in internation-al public relations (PRCM 3080). Stu-dents will gain ex-perience and expo-sure in international public relations with six arranged visits to London c o m -

panies who have a focus on public re-lations, marketing, social media, adver-tising, and broad-cast or print media. “We left our own world behind and took a different cul-ture head on, not knowing exactly what to expect, and left understanding

the im-mense

London20

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LONDON’S CALLING

Girls themed Broadway show, shopping in the big city, and a special day trip to Paris, France. “I can’t fail to mention all of the extra activities we got to experi-ence while we were on our trip,” says junior, Alexis Barranca.. “We enjoyed having high tea at Kens-ington Palace, took day excursions to Oxford and Paris, learned a lot about the field of PR from our busi-ness trips, watched a Broadway show about the Spice Girls, and we all became life long friends.” It’s obvious that this study abroad trip has it all, offering stu-dents a unique experience in one of the world’s more visited cities, London. For more on the AU CLA Communication and Journalism Study Abroad in London trip, check out their blog: http://www.cla.auburn.edu/cmjnlondon/.

differences be-tween two seem-ingly similar coun-tries,” PR major, Anna Beth Jager recalls from her ex-perience. “We may all speak English, but that doesn’t mean we understand each other. It was truly an amazing experi-ence. I feel blessed beyond belief that I had the opportu-nity to explore and learn about different businesses, cultures and people in En-gland and France.” The students of the

2013 London sum-mer abroad trip look back on their experi-ences with happy and nostalgic thoughts. “Part of what made this trip so amazing was the people I got to know throughout the two weeks. Dr. Waters and Richard were our fearless leaders, helping us to navigate Lon-

don and showing us how to appreci-ate a new culture,” says public rela-tions senior, Laura Jean Mueller. “The 11 strangers I basi-

cally met at the air-port have become some of my greatest friends. From al-most getting lost in Paris to rocking out to the Spice Girls, we’ve experienced so much together.” Last year’s group of public relations and communications students became in-credibly close and

were able to learn about public rela-tions practices in an international setting. Last May, students took agency visits to: Ogilvy Public Rela-tions, Pearson Pub-lishing, The Daily Mirror, Impressive PR and Sainsburys. Although, this abroad trip is not all about business, last year’s group of 12 girls explored London and all the fun things it had to offer. Dr. Wa-ters and her group enjoyed a Spice

“Part of what made this trip so amazing was the people I got to know throughout

the two weeks.”

“I feel blessed beyond be-lief that I had the oppor-tunity to explore and learn about different businesses, cultures and people in En-

gland and France.”

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AuburnThe Next Iron Bowl is Uppon Us

Gymnas t i c s :

The Auburn Uni-versity gymnas-tics team will

compete against their biggest rival, the Al-abama Crimson Tide this Valentine’s Day at the Auburn Arena in the most anticipat-ed meet of the sea-

son. Coming off a big road win against No. 10 Arkansas, this could be the year the team beats the six-time National Cham-pions in the annu-al Iron Bowl meet. Despite their tough schedule, the Auburn

Tigers are off to a great start. The Tigers were previously 0-5 on the road against the Razorbacks, but after a stellar performance, the Tigers walked away with their first SEC win of the sea-son with a score of 196.55-196.10.Currently the Au-burn Tigers have a season high score of 196.850, which was a record-breaking road score for the team

against No. 3 LSU. While compared to No. 7 Alabama with a season high score of 197.150. This year’s starting lineup features many freshmen such as SEC freshmen of the week M.J. Rott and National floor cham-pion Kullen Hlawek. Although, Hlawek is currently recov-ering from a leg in-jury and has only been able to com-

This is my favorite meet of the year, I am so excit-ed it’s a home meet.

“ “

pete in the uneven bars event. “Kullen Hlawek is someone we are tying to get a look at in the other events,” said Auburn head coach Jeff Graba. “We feel like she’s getting back to full speed now. So we might be using her in an exhibition role to see what she does.” While the Auburn vs. Alabama rivalry is always exciting, floor and vault specialist Brittany Webster says, “We aren’t really thinking about the rivalry. We are just going to treat it like another meet and stay in our bubble and hit our six routines on each event.” Auburn Gymnastics fans are already anticipating the big meet, former competitive gymnast, Ashley Bur- row, predicts it will be a sell-out at Auburn Arena. “This is my favorite meet of the year, I am so excited it’s a home meet. I’m plan-ning on getting there re-ally early to guarantee I get a seat,” says Bur-row. “Judging by how well the team has been competing this season, I think we have a great chance against Bama.” In 2012 Auburn gymnastics ranked fifth nationally in average attendance with an av-erage of 4,250 fans attending home meets. “We hope a lot of fans come and sell out the arena because we feed off the energy from the crowd, and it makes compet-ing so much fun with so many people there,” says Webster. The Auburn Tigers will compete against the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide Fri-day, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at the A u b u r n A r e n a .

“This is my favorite meet of the year, I am so excited it’s a home meet. Hope-fully our girls will perform their best”

14 15

SPRINGMust Have

looks1

2

4

3

5

Fringed KimonoDon’t want to show too much skin with that new mini crop top? Pair it with a delicate fringed shawl. Pretty lace and a retro hint of fringe have been all over trend reports this spring. Find this fringed shawl at Amour Boutique located down-town on College St.

Denim ShortsIt is all about high waisted everything this season, especially in denim. Jorts and high waisted “mom jeans” have officially made a comeback! Pair these high waisted vintage shorts with a strappy crop top or tee and have an effortlessly cute and young look on spring break. These crochet trim Free People shorts are now available at Behind the Glass located in downtown Auburn on Mag-nolia Ave. Hurry! These shorts sell out fast.

Going out for a nice dinner with the girls this spring break? Don’t forget your favorite printed maxi dress. These dresses are super chic, and most importantly – comfortable! Grab a belt to accentuate your waist and a few long state-ment necklaces, and you are good to go. This chic maxi is now available at Behind the Glass located in downtown Auburn on Magnolia Ave.

Floral Maxi

NeonShe’s always buzzing just like neon neon, as my man John Mayer would say. This spring is all about fun bright colors, and what better way to stand out in the big crowd at Whales Tale than a new neon tank? Pair these tanks with high waisted denim shorts and you are ready to go! These adorable neon pink items are available at U&I Boutique located in down-town Auburn on Glenn Ave.

Cover-up &

And the last, but maybe most important items on our list: light swimsuit cover-ups and a pair of vintage shades. Tired of matching your entire sorority on the beach in your comfort colors tanks? Change it up with this darling cover-up from Therapy: An Auburn Boutique. And while you’re at it, channel your inner Audrey Hepburn with a pair of vintage sunglasses.

Vintage Shades

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Get the look

CrossFit on thePLAINS:

Changing lives, and making Auburn Strong

CrossFit on the Plains, located in the heart of Auburn, Ala. is making a name for themselves as the premier fitness center of Auburn. CrossFit on the Plains was the

first ever CrossFit Affiliate opened in the Auburn/Opelika area, and remains to be the leader in mem-bership and overall member satisfaction, as they of-fer their services to all types of people and athletes. “We are parents, runners, doctors, marines, stu-dents, dentists, teachers, engineers, bikers, swim-mers, husbands, wives, friends, etc. who all share the common goal of wanting to improve our fit-ness and wellness lifestyle,” according to the CrossFit on the Plains website. “CFP’s coaching staff consists of five highly talented, certified, ex-perienced trainers who work closely with the ath-

letes at the gym in an effort to provide the best CrossFit training in the Auburn, Alabama area.” CrossFit is a popular fitness program that em-phasizes constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity. With over 7,000 Cross-Fit gyms worldwide, CrossFit attracts all different types of athletes from military, professional ath-letes, to people just trying to get in shape; Cross-Fit can be scaled to anyone’s ability. CrossFit workouts are often called WOD’s, which stands for “workout of the day” and can include olym-pic weightlifting, power lifting, running, rowing, jumping, body weight movements and many more. CrossFit on the Plains opened their busi-ness in August 2010 in a small gym on An-nalue Dr., starting with only a few mem-

bers. The gym quickly gained momentum as more and more members joined CFP, eventually forcing the gym owner, Dalton Ard, to completely renovate and expand the facility. Cross-Fit on the Plains is now a 5,600 square foot gym and the largest CrossFit gym in the area. “CFP’s coaching staff consists of five highly talented, certified, experienced trainers who work closely with the athletes at the gym in an effort to provide the best Cross-Fit training in the Auburn, Alabama area,” according to CrossFitontheplains.com. CrossFit on the Plains now has more than 200 members and various class times throughout the day, including Auburn University registered P.E. classes that Auburn students can complete for a two-hour credit. “CFP is my home,” says member, Patrick Miller. “ I was hesitant to start CrossFit at first, because I feared it was too hard-core, but joining CFP has been a blessing. The workouts are tough, but I’ve never been this in-shape in my entire life.” CrossFit on the Plains has changed the lives of many. Not only does the fitness facility of-fer an impressive fitness regimen, CFP also has a nutritionist on staff to help members achieve their goals. For more information on how to become a mem-ber of CrossFit on the Plains, visit theirw e b s i t e .

H.E.BSTYLE

&DESIGNS