Western Kentucky University graduate student forward Olivia Cooke, right, of Ontario, Canada, guards herself as Ohio University junior forward Maia Kaufman kicks the ball at the Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 women's soccer game, at WKU's Soccer Complex in Bowling Green, Ky. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers lost their senior night game against the Ohio Bobcats, 2-1.

From left: Western Kentucky University Gatton Academy juniors Lola Norman of Bowling Green, Ky., Jill Patel of Owensboro, Ky. and Aanyaa Arora of Bowling Green, Ky. watch the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, outside WKU's Hardin Planetarium in Bowling Green, Ky. The WKU campus experienced 97% of a solar eclipse as students gathered outside to view the moment. "I think a part of it (the solar eclipse) is pretty overwhelming," Norman said. "Just like the vastness of it and the rare occurrence, but I think it's also just beautiful."

Kitchen Lead Rasario Carraza from El Salvador makes pupusas for customers on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at Taquería Los Vázquez in Bowling Green, Ky. Restaurant manager Maria Vazquez from Mexico said that her mom owns the business and that her dad is the "right hand." "She's the main cook, she trains everybody in the kitchen," Vazquez said. "Every recipe, everything, it's hers."

Front-row fans hold out their arms during a boxing match at Sigma Chi Fight Night on Friday, March 31, 2023, at the National Guard Armory in Lampkin Park in Bowling Green, Ky. The WKU Sigma Chi Fraternity hosted its "Fight Night" to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

Ebenezer Griffith, 20, a USA Boxing boxer from Louisville, Ky., said he has his sights set on the 2024 Paris Olympics. "At the end of my career when I look back, I want to be an Olympic gold medalist, I want to be the undisputed world champion and I want to sell out Diddle Arena," Griffith said.

Holly Heller, left, hammers metal while Greg Knight assists her at the Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 "Hammer In," at WKU's Kentucky Museum in Bowling Green, Ky. Heller, with her aunt, Andrea Clan, attended the annual "Hammer In" event, which featured forge demonstrations, tinsmithing demonstrations, aluminum pour demonstrations and others. "I think it's a fantastic event that highlights some of man's first creations," Clan said. "I think it's fabulous to go back to those roots and learn how to make something from the ground up."

Philip Woodard, 55, a pottery teacher at The Pots Place in Bowling Green, Ky., said he has been doing pottery for about eight years. "The reason I teach is to pass along my talents and experience making pottery," Woodard said. "Pottery is a passion of mine and I find that teaching is sort of a duty so that others have the same opportunity to enjoy the art of pottery as much as I have."

University of Illinois junior outside hitter Averie Hernandez, jersey 8, of Bloomington, Ill., hits the ball as Western Kentucky University sophomore middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele, jersey 25, of Bettendorf, Iowa, and senior right-side hitter Kenadee Coyle, jersey 33, of Bloomington, Ind. block the ball at the Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 women's volleyball game, at WKU's Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers lost the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini, 3-1.

Incumbent Bowling Green, Ky. Mayor Todd Alcott, left, and his wife Deb Alcott watch the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the White Squirrel Brewery in Bowling Green, Ky. Todd Alcott, of the Republican Party, won the 2024 mayoral election against mayoral candidate Patti Minter, of the Democratic Party. "And I'll say this to Patti Minter, you gave one heck of a fight," Todd Alcott said. "But we've got more."