Virtual Y&G Conference | 2
An interview with Gavin Guion | 4
What’s Yaggin’?
New to the game
Students participate in annual YMCA legislative conference
Gavin Guion shares his rap influences, artistry, and aspirations
The Hurricane CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Friday, March 19, 2021
Wilmington, North Carolina
Volume 16, Issue 3
A matter of honor
Curriculum changes strengthen academic opportunities by J.R. Johnston
Honors classes aren’t going away-- but they are changing. When news of proposed changes to honors credit first broke in early February, students were concerned. “As someone who was planning on taking many honors classes next year, hearing that [they] may be eliminated was very troubling. I am enrolled in Honors Mandarin, and I think that colleges may see a disconnect if I am not able to take Honors Mandarin again,” sophomore Jagger van Vliet said. Some teachers hesitated to embrace the possible changes to their course offerings. “A lot of band students take the course for the honors credit, and many students might stop taking band if honors wasn’t a thing anymore,” band director William Camp said.
Parents were also worried about the potential impact of the change. “My daughter (senior Alex Johnson) has taken advantage of many honors classes, and I’m confident that taking [them] made her a better student and helped her get into the college of her choice,” Mrs. Beth Johnson said. There were legitimate reasons behind the decision. Upper School Director Lynne Kenney and Head of School Ed Ellison noted that leading private schools across the nation either have already eliminated or are beginning to eliminate honors courses in an effort to achieve “mastery” and reduce grade inflation. Removing the honors designation would eliminate having to have a certain average in the prerequisite course. The change would allow students opportunities
to take classes and electives that they had previously been ineligible to take. On March 10, the administration announced that the new curriculum will retain honors courses and offer a plethora of AP options as well as additional courses that will count toward the Engineering Certificate program. Fine arts students must take one year of a class such as filmmaking, chorus, photography, or publications before applying for honors credit. Teacher approval is required. In the English department, juniors and seniors not enrolled in AP-level courses will take semester courses such as Contemporary Literature, Sports Literature, Power to the People, Environmental Justice, and Readers as Writers that will
Reward for honors. Hurricane section editor Makenzie Mills works on the March issue in Honors Publications. A third-year staff member, she was responsible for editing student articles and designing the layout of the Activities page. Photo: Jan Reid
fulfill the English requirement for graduation. Other changes include new semester classes and an expanded slate of computer science offerings, including Cyber Security and Web Design. Mandarin I will be added as well. Most of these changes will affect rising freshmen and
sophomores. “No matter what, student well-being is always the root of our decision-making as an administration. Our top priority is to continue all of the academic achievement that makes CFA so special now while being sure to grow the school to new heights,” US director Lynne Kenney said.
Crushing Corona Prom postponed: is it even going to happen? Making it through the rest of the year, safely by Bellamy Koonce
One of the most anticipated events in high school usually happens in April, right before AP exams. But will prom even take place? The original venue was the Bellamy Mansion, which changed to Bakery 105 in downtown Wilmington. However, administrators felt
that this location would not be safe to socially-distance in such a small space. Dancing six feet apart seemed impossible. SGA members are unsure if and where prom will take place. “Prom is currently on the leadership’s team agenda for
discussion. We are still in a holding pattern and are unsure whether we will be able to hold a traditional prom,” Dean of Students Jamison Fee said. As of March 16, prom had not been officially canceled. If it does happen, it will certainly look very different from all of the rest.
Last prom ever? Will Dahl, Liza Murtagh, Alena Gianoplus, Hope Gallop, Sophie Mitchell, and Delilah Mills were sophomores when Prom 2019 took place at the Cameron Art Museum on April 13. Photo: Jan Reid
What’s inside
Academics......................................2 Activities.......................................3
Arts and Entertainment..........................4 Lifestyles..........................................5
by Anders Ljung
As COVID cases slowly decline nationwide, and with only a couple of months left in the school year, many schools across the nation are starting to return to in-person learning. The CDC has stated that it is appropriate to open schools back up to the public, as long as students are aware of the safety precautions. “I didn’t think we would be in school for more than a month when we first came back in August. I thought we were going to be like all the other schools across the nation and have to do remote learning for a while,” Andrew Basinger said. An increase in positive cases across the upper school after the holiday break caused administrators to stress how important vigilance is to ensure safety. “I’m very proud of the
way the CFA community has handled COVID, and as long as everyone follows the regulations we should be able to make it through the rest of the year safely,” Nurse Amy Croom said. The CDC has predicted that the COVID vaccine will become more available in the future, and estimated that most people will be vaccinated by the fall of 2021 (in the US). Many faculty members have already been vaccinated. Students looked forward to a time when life would be easier. “During COVID it’s been difficult to learn, just because it feels so abnormal compared to other years. I hope when I get to college vaccinations will be available, and also that we can return to a normal lifestyle,” Anne Frances Frazier said.
Opinions..............................................6 Senior Feature........................................7 Senior Stats.............................................7 Sports...........................................8
2
Friday, March 19, 2021
ACADEMICS
For the future
The Stress Factor
by Ali Blackwell
Students and alumni discuss everything college
On Febuary 11, 38 Upper School students responded to a survey asking the sources of their academic stress.
by Alena Gianoplus
What better way to learn about college than to hear from CFA alumni themselves? On January 5, alumni panelists Tershona Branch, Ariana Baginski, Eric Kanzinger, Libby Moore, and Ireland Berry talked to students about their individual experiences at their respective universities. College counselors LeighAnn Hodges and Justine Worthington led the discussion with questions for the panelists, and students asked their own questions at the end of the session. Panelists began by describing the transition from CFA to college. According to Berry, a senior at Auburn University in Alabama, college was enjoyable because it made her very independent, but it was hard to see her friends go home for the weekends while she was
not able to. For Kanzinger, a senior at Elon University in North Carolina, CFA helped his transition into college, as he thinks the school makes people more well-rounded by providing opportunities to get involved in a variety of activities. Panelists also discussed their involvement with their campus outside the classroom. “Freshman year I didn’t get involved too much because I wanted to get situated with college. One thing I’m involved with now is NC Fellows at UNC, where students talk about how we want to impact the world and grow as students and people,” Branch said. Libby Moore talked about her unique situation as a student-athlete on UNC’s women’s soccer team.
“My life is very different from my friends’ lives at Carolina. Most days I have weightlifting classes, lunch, practice, films, recovery, mandatory freshman tutors, and homework. I’m very busy, especially on game days,” she said. Panelists described how choice their course of study. “As an undecided major I knew I needed to experiment a lot. I am interested in molecular engineering, so I decided I would start with that and transfer if I did not like it,” Baginski said. She attends the University of Chicago. Roommates were another topic altogether. “I had a bad experience going with a random roommate. I would suggest searching for someone you think you’d like hang out with,” Kanzinger said.
Remote experiences by Sara Paige Harvey
Remote learning is not the vacation that everyone thought it would be. Students have battled the ongoing pandemic for almost a year while navigating their academic lives through the inperson and remote chaos. Recent exposures to COVID-19 have resulted in more students having to quarantine. “I found out I was exposed after spending time with a friend from another school who started having COVID symptoms. She tested positive, so I had to quarantine and wait five days to get tested myself. I contacted the school so I
could be put on the remote learning list, and then I talked to all my teachers individually to give them a heads up,” Betsy Porter said. There are specific protocols in place when the school is notified of an exposure. “When we are notified that a student or a students’ sibling has been exposed, our head health advisor, Nurse Amy Croom, updates me. She tells me to pull them out of their class and send them to our health clinic. Their parents will pick them up, and she will explain what actions are necessary to take,” US Office Manager Jessica Gaskill said. Zooming in. Remote student JR Johnston works on an assignment. After a family member contracted the virus, he notified the school and prepared for a two-week quarantine that began on February 18. “I missed being in-person, but remote learning allowed me to work at my own pace,” he said. Contributed photo
Planning ahead. Alumni panelists discuss college topics and answer students’ questions during the Alumni Panel held over Zoom on January 5. “Talking with the alumni about their personal experiences was super-informative. They gave us specific advice for situations they encountered at college, and they told us cool stories,” Davon Peebles said. Photo: Anna Itzkowitz
College Board challenge College commitments AP exam changes take many by suprise by Julia Johnston
Recent updates to the AP exams call for two separate administrations: in-person and online. However, some exams may only be offered in one format. The first administration (May 3-17) is in-person with paper and pencil and is how the majority of CFA students will take their exams. The second administration is
remote and takes place after May 17. This serves as either makeup exams or exams for students whose only option is online. AP Spanish Language is the only class that will not provide a remote version of the exam. Each exam takes place at the same time for all of our students, even the ones who are not in the US.
2021 AP exam schedule Monday, 5/3 8:00 a.m. US Gov 12:00 p.m. AP Physics C
Monday, 5/10 8:00 a.m. AP World History 12:00 p.m. AP Macroeconomics
Tuesday, 5/4 8:00 a.m. AP Cal AB & BC 12:00 p.m. AP Human Geo
Tuesday, 5/11 8:00 a.m. AP Seminar 8:00 a.m. AP Spanish Lang. & Culture 12:00 p.m. AP Psychology
Wednesday, 5/5 8:00 a.m. AP English Lit. 12:00 p.m. AP Physics 1 Thursday, 5/6 8:00 a.m. AP US History 12:00 p.m. AP Computer Science A Friday, 5/7 8:00 a.m. Spanish Lit. & Culture
Wednesday, 5/12 8:00 a.m. AP English Lang. & Comp. 12:00 p.m. AP Microeconomics Friday, 5/14 8:00 a.m. AP Biology 12:00 p.m. AP Environmental Science Monday, 5/17 8:00 a.m. AP Comp. Science Principles 12:00 p.m. AP Statistics
by Cameron Arné
The class of 2021 had more challenges than previous classes when applying to colleges. Since COVID-19 made in-person college tours unavailable, students had a more difficult time finding their interests. However, they were able to persevere through the process to tackle the acceptance stage of college applications. “This year had a huge shift for the senior class as well as the college counselors. Since COVID, students have had the choice to apply at
colleges that are test-optional, test-waivered, or test-flexible,” college counselor Leigh Ann Hodges said. Although there were many challenges, that didn’t stop students from applying to their school of choice. Some students have not heard back from schools, but others have committed to their choice of college. “I only applied to UNCW because it is so close to home. I knew if the restrictions applied to next year, it would be easy to adapt. Staying close
to home also allows me to see my parents more,” Michael Rosen said.
Figuring it out. Kevin Mascia and college counselor Leigh Ann Hodges look through the “Best 385 colleges” book to see what the expectations are for him. “I am really looking forward to college, I can’t wait to meet new friends and learn new skills such as cooking,” he said. Photo: Cameron Arné
What privileges should rising seniors have? by Liza Collie “Seniors should be able to have unlimited tardies to class as long as they have a good grade. After three years of hard work, we should be able to have some leniency.” George Wall
“If possible, I would love to be able to have a senior lounge next year. I think the lounge is a great place for seniors to bond and hang out. It can also be a place for seniors to get work done.” Raney Webb
“I really hope we can go back to having offcampus lunch, assuming it is safe to do so. My friends and I have really missed out on it this year, and it’s also something underclassmen look forward to.” Addie Bloom
Friday, March 19, 2021
3
ACTIVITIES
‘Canes Roll
With COVID-19 safety precautions in mind, SGA leaders packed the week of February 1-5 with activities for students and faculty. The executive members organized festivities and created themes that would appeal to the interests of all students. To kick-start Spirit Week, students and faculty flaunted their best hats and ‘70s-inspired clothing on Monday. During break, the
Making the most of Homecoming by Makenzie Mills
seniors astonished other grades and faculty with a flash mob, performing a choreographed routine to the song “Funky Town.” “Anne Frances made a video of the choreography and sent it out for the class to learn. I enjoyed participating in it with my friends,” Anna Gherardi said. Dressed in Zoom professional clothing, students participated in relay races in the Quad
during Flex on Tuesday. “All the grades had a blast. The balloon-popping race came down to the wire,” Tanner Macpherson said. Searching their closets and channeling their inner cheesiness, students and faculty participated in the Wacky Tacky Tourist theme. “I wore a Hawaiian shirt and a bucket hat,” Audrey Dahl said. Sporting their best jerseys on
Thursday, students competed in kickball at the church field and bingo in the Commons during Flex. The Chess Club also hosted a tournament at the church. “I wore a Vince Carter Toronto Raptors jersey,” Hunter Hawking said. On Friday, seniors in togas and members of the Homecoming Court united in a walking parade around campus. Parents parked in the
lower lot to wave from their cars. Basketball games and a cheer routine in the evening were livestreamed. The Varsity girls and boys basketball teams defeated Fayetteville Academy 62-20 and 63-18, respectively. “It was special performing the routine as a team. The Friday night events celebrated our close-knit community,” cheerleader Eve Berg said.
Hurricane pride. Delilah Mills, Anne Frances Frazier, and Anna Itzkowitz perform a choreographed dance in the senior flash mob on February1.•Sophie Schroeder, Myia Robinson, and Bellamy Koonce strike a pose in the Homecoming dance during halftime of the varsity boys basketball game on February 5.•Liza Murtagh, NoelChristian Smith, and Alex Johnson uphold the class flag wearing togas in the parade on February 5•Abby Smith and Elle Burnette cover spaces during a Bingo match in the Commons on February 4.•Imogen Marino poses in her ‘70s ensemble on February1.•Evan Das boots the ball on February 4 in the kickball match. Photos: Rilee Bahner, Makenzie Mills, Cameron Toler, Cameron Arné, Alex Johnson, Liza Murtagh
Suit, tie, slippers
YAG moves to Zoom
by Betsy Porter
With in-person conferences canceled for Youth and Government members across the country, the Cape Fear delegation used Zoom to converse with students from other North Carolina schools during the virtual legislative conference on February 12-14. “There’s no question that students missed the social experience of having the conference in-person and meeting students from all over the state,” delegation leader Julie Capps said. The switch to virtual conferences was especially tough for seniors who had become well-acquainted with in-person events. “As Chief Justice, I’ve had to work hard with other officers to prepare new materials for the online conference that we’ve never had to make in
years prior,” Brooks Meine said. First-year participants were especially disappointed. “Mrs. Capps and the YMCA have done an excellent job to keep us engaged, but it’s hard to form friendships over Zoom,” Cooper Herrett said. Online YAG especially affected the media division, as journalists were unable to interact with students face-toface. “Many of us media members are used to interacting with the departments, but this year it was difficult to gather information to cover,” Alex Johnson said. Despite the challenges, members hoped that the experience would be just as rewarding. “We are trying to make everything feel as normal as
possible; despite YAG being virtual, we are all still very excited for the conference,” Natasha Matt said.
Zoom professional. Will Dahl attends a virtual YAG meeting on February 14 from his home. “To my surprise, the experience in chambers was still extremely enjoyable despite it being over Zoom,” he said. Contributed photo
Checkmate Chess Club sponsors first tournament by Kathryn Emmart
The defense was strong, but they were ready to attack. Players prepared for the challenge of the first chess tournament on February 4. Joey Politi organized the Chess Club Tournament for Upper School students. Matches were held in the church during Flex. Students signed up in advance to guarantee a spot in the tournament. The chess tournament was a 24-student bracket with an optional losers bracket. The finalists, Liam Cannon and Michael Papagikos, played to
win a Wendy’s gift card for a year of Frosty desserts as well as House points. After a heated match, Papagikos won. “Liam blundered his queen and then resigned. I have played him multiple times before, and we trade off wins and losses,” Papagikos said. Third runner-up James Johnson and fourth runnerup Tate Sheally lost in the semifinals to Cannon. “With more than 20 people participating, it was very competitive. The players were ranked new to advanced,” Sheally said.
Your move. Michael Papagikos plans his next move in the final match against Liam Cannon on February 4. “I came out strong in the Italian game until I got too risky when I went for the botez gambit. I was ultimately unable to come away victorious,” Cannon said. Photo: Joey Politi
Students find service despite COVID-19
Paying it forward by Tyler Beacham
Although it has been especially difficult to find service opportunities, students have continued to serve others in school, city, and nation-wide communities. On February 8, Beta Club announced that Upper School students could socialize with students in the middle school. There were time slots available during lunch on Tuesdays to those interested in field games, yoga, art, and music activities. Freshman Sara Paige Harvey helped to plan the event. “The goal is to help out teachers and hang out with younger students,” she said. The National Charity League, an off-campus philanthropy organization with many student members, found ways to keep members
active inspite of COVID-19. Historically, seniors in NCL were required to do a senior project. Bellamy Koonce took charge by planning a drive to collect blankets, socks, and cards for care bag in support of Going Beyond the Pink, an organization founded by a breast cancer survivor to help men and women through their treatment.
Warm and cozy. Bellamy Koonce poses at her dining room table with her blanket collection. “We’ve collected 90 blankets,187 cards, and 159 socks,” she said. Contributed photo
Senior superlatives
by Will Dahl
On February 8, the senior class voted on senior superlatives. Best in an Emergency: Sasha An, Tyler Arb Best to bring home to parents: Alden Forkin, Andrew Basinger Best Sense of Humor: Anne Frances Frazier, Noel-Christian Smith Best Dressed: Alex Johnson, Anders Ljung Best All Around: Delilah Mills, Will Dahl Friendliest: Bellamy Koonce, Mason Bouchard Most Intellectual/Likely To Change the World: Elizabeth Hodgen, Noah Durham Most Likely To Succeed: Lilly Chiavetta, Brooks Meine Most Athletic: Devon Cavanaugh, Gavin Guion Most Dependable: Liza Murtagh, Luca Basilio Most Talented: Natalie Pressley, Charlie Murtha Best School Spirit: Anna Itzkowitz, Davon Peebles Most Likely To Be A CFA Parent: Berkeley Scharf, Will Lewis
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Friday, March 19, 2021
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Don’t stop the presses
Pubs staff battles COVID to finish yearbook by Megan Connaughton
Silhouettes on the stage. Colonel Mustard (Dalton Mitchell) with the wrench, Mrs. White (Raney Webb) with the rope, Mrs. Peacock (Audrey Dahl) with the dagger, Mr. Green (Mason Bouchard) with the lead pipe, Miss Scarlet (Delilah Mills) with the candlestick, and Professor Plum (Jack Waldrop) with the revolver pose for a tableau. Clue was performed January 30-31 in the Brown Family Theater. Photo: Jennifer Avery-Robison
Actors bring classic whodunit to stage by Cameron Toler
Theatre in the time of COVID-19 has faced many challenges, but still managed to stage two full productions before winter break. The winter play, Clue: On Stage, was originally meant to be Noises Off, but was changed because of safety concerns for actors and audience alike. Technical Director Benedict Fancy, Mr. Bill Kanzinger, and Jagger van Vliet filmed the show, which featured all of the famous board game characters like Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, and Colonel Mustard, on January 30-31. It was streamed on February 6-7. Staging a show like Clue
From court to studio, Gavin Guion is by Davon Peebles
When you hear the name Gavin Guion, you may think of a tall, athletic, All-Star basketball player. While he may seem quiet and reserved, there is also a creative, instrumental side to his personality. Over the past year, Guion and alumnus Georges Lefebvre ‘20 collaborated on their own rap album called 24 Bibles. “The idea all came from Georges after we started rapping on the bus to and from basketball games to pass the time,” he said. They wrote their own lyrics
Get a Clue
presented a lot of challenges for the actors. “Playing a character like Mrs. White was challenging but still rewarding, regardless of having to wear masks and [the lack of] physical contact,” Raney Webb said. The show had a full crew with 15 set changes and an array of set pieces and props. “The first consideration to make was how we keep this cast socially distant while still establishing what scene we are in. We were able to use the stage floor as the famous Clue board and add a camera angle to provide a new perspective for the audience,” Fancy said.
Davis Kranchalk and Jack Glynn designed the lighting and sound for the show. “I had 58 sound cues which is more than I’ve done for any production ever. It was draining and long but worth it in the end,” Glynn said. There were also challenges to overcome in rehearsals. “Often, rehearsals couldn’t occur on stage due to space constraints and social distancing, so we used the theater as a whole,” Rehearsal and Production Stage Manager Lilly Chiavetta said. After filming had finished, the show was edited and was available to watch by families at home for $25.
More than an athlete and rapped their parts while album called “The Second Lefebvre produced the beats. Coming,” he said. “The inspiration mostly came from just seeing other people make music and being curious about what our own would sound like,” Guion said. After releasing the album, there was no time to rest. The boys hopped back into the lab to keep writing and grinding. “Next time Georges and I are in person On the come up. The album cover of 24 Bibles together, we plan features a cartoon drawing of alumnus Georges to make a follow-up Lefebvre and senior Gavin Guion. Contributed photo.
The scent of spring: Something Rotten! by Anne DeVeaux Trask
The Upper School musical, in the form of Something Rotten! by Wayne Kirkpatrick, will begin filming March 26. Due to the closure of Thalian Hall, the show is being performed on campus. The musical is the story of the Renaissance and two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, who are playwrights stuck in the shadow of Shakespeare. The brothers struggle to create a show that will finally put them on the top. When a soothsayer explains to Nick that the future of theater includes actors singing, acting
and dancing all at the same time, they set out to create the world’s first musical. The musical features large upbeat musical numbers, and cheesy comedy. Seniors Charlie Murtha, Lilly Chiavetta, Alex Johnson, Davis Kranchalk, William Dahl, and Davon Peebles have featured roles in the show, along with 24 other cast members. “The dates of the musical have been pushed back as far as possible. In the interest of being able to make shows happen this year, we have had to reinvent the wheel each time. Due to not only our
creative process, but also extra remote weeks and quarantine, our calendar dates had to keep changing,” Director Jennifer Avery-Robison said. Something Rotten! will be streamed April 9-11.
Students in Honors Publications have been working on yearbook pages since August. Adviser Jan Reid hopes the yearbook will be finished by the end of April, which is typically later than the past years. “Because of our COVID schedule, we have not progressed as rapidly as we normally would,” she said. The 2021 Shoreline will contain 308 pages. Staffers have completed the senior pages, fall sports and fall activities spreads, and are currently working on winter sports and club pages. One production challenge
has been finding new topics to replace cancelled activities. “We decided to devote more spreads to overarching aspects of student life,” coeditor Will Dahl said. Topics like pets, trucks, and staying fit have replaced Prom, Fall Festival, and Grandparents Day. Another complication involved team and group pictures. Safety measures limit how close people can be, so getting club photos and team photos has been a challenge. Staff members are using the portraits taken by Strawbridge Studios to create composites instead.
Hard work pays off. Co-editors Alden Forkin and Will Dahl proof the sports divider for the Shoreline yearbook. “Proofing is such a tedious job. Making sure all the technical errors like spelling and allignment are taken care of,” Forkin said. Photo: Jan Reid
Rising with the High Tide
by Elle Harmon
High Tide is a yearly magazine advised by Mrs. Maureen Vanscoy and Mrs. Emily Fancy. This publication features the art, photography, and literature of upper and middle school students. Although going remote from March to May prevented the publication of the 2020 High Tide, the staff is determined to publish the 2021 version. The editorial staff includes Jagger van Vliet, Lilly Chiavetta and Natasha Matt. “I’m super-passionate about writing, so I’m involved with the making of High Tide. I wanted to see how a piece of mine goes through the process of being put in the magazine,” van Vliet said. Each year the High Tide staff chooses a theme for the publication. “Last year the theme was Growth; this year,
we chose two contrasting themes: togetherness and isolation,” Editor Natasha Matt said. Students who are interested in submitting their art, photography, and writing should use the Google Classroom code MB6Q333.
Cover story. Helena Rojek ‘19 created the art entitled “Heart Flutters” that was used on the 2019 High Tide. Image courtesy of Maureen Vanscoy
Scholastic Art Competition winners
Shallow Still Life by Elena Crvendakic Honorable Mention Mandala Flower Earrings by November Woditschka Gold Key and being considered for national awards Fig Tree by Elizabeth Hodgden Honorable Mention
Friday, March 19, 2021
5
LIFESTYLES
Celebrating Valentine’s Day
Love in the time of COVID by Lilly Scoutelas
Just like Christmas and Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day came with an important decision to make: to gather together or remain sociallydistanced. While no one wanted to bring COVID-19 into a relationship, everyone wanted to celebrate the occcasion with their loved ones, rather than spend Valentine’s Day alone. Valentine’s Day in the time of COVID called for a lot of creativity when it came to making plans. With restaurants closed or with limited seating, coming up with a fun, safe way to celebrate was tricky. Students searched for unique gift ideas and found ways to celebrate while following COVID guidelines. Gifts ranged from simple things such as candy and stuffed animals to handmade items that reflected their
relationships. “I [like to give] people their favorite candy; and I also like receiving my favorite candy as a present. This year I am going to make my family’s favorite baked goods for Valentines Day,” junior Raney Webb said. “My boyfriend and I are going to celebrate Valentine’s Day and his birthday because they fall on the same day. I am going to make him a cake and a DIY gift with some of our inside jokes,” senior Anna Itzkowitz said. Some students wanted to spend time with their friends, especially since quarantine and lockdown had limited their contact and social activities. “I went to Osteria Cicchetti with some of my friends and celebrated “Galentines Day” instead of Valentine’s Day. We wanted to go to our favorite
restaurant and spend time together outside of school while trying to be as safe as possible,” freshman May Boney said. Other students and staff spent the holiday at home because they wanted to
ensure that their family was safe from COVID. This decision meant that the plan to celebrate had to involve creativity. “My husband and I will be cooking a meal together instead of going out to a
Most popular love songs
Sweet treats. You can’t go wrong with a box of cookies for Valentine’s Day. “I have a long-distance boyfriend and he sent me a box of treats. It was such a nice surprise because we did not get to see each other on Valentine’s Day,” senior Allison Raible said. Contributed photo
Honoring our seniors
When in-person dining won’t do, it’s
by Delia McFarlane
by Alex Johnson
Paying homage to the class of 2021 You can’t miss the banners that decorate the fence along Hurricane Alley. Members of the Senior Special Project Committee came together to create banners and signs. The banners include the senior’s portrait, name, and “Class of 2021” on the top. The idea came from senior parent Christine Peebles. “It has been a great way to showcase the seniors at the start of their last semester,” she said. They hung the banners on January 18 when school was closed. These celebratory banners,
the first of their kind, help everyone driving past to acknowledge the seniors. “It’s been very heartwarming to have our class represented together in the front of the school,” Devon Cavanaugh said. The staff also created yard signs that read “Cape Fear Academy loves our seniors, Class of 2021.” “I really appreciated the yard sign. It made my son Campbell feel special and a little bit more normal considering the unusual year,” Allyson McFarlane said.
Front and center. Senior banners line the fence along the practice field. Senior parents created the posters and installed them on January 18, while school was closed for Martin Luther King Day. Photo by Delia McFarlane.
1. “I Will Always Love You” --Whitney Houston 2. “My Heart Will Go On” --Celine Dion 3. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” --Elvis Presley 4. “Crazy in Love” --Beyoncé 5. “Just the Way You Are” --Bruno Mars 6. “Make You Feel My Love” --Adele 7. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” --Aerosmith 8. “Thinking Out Loud” --Ed Sheeran 9. “Wonderful Tonight” --Eric Clapton 10. “Crazy For You” --Madonna
Time for takeout Although many families enjoy cooking a meal and sitting down at the table together, sometimes takeout is the most efficient option. Wilmington has a plethora of takeout restaurants. Some restaurants specialize in takeout, and others offer the option along with in-person dining. “Whenever I get takeout, it’s right after school because I have a busy schedule most afternoons. I often go to Playa Bowls, an açaí bowl place, two or three times a week,” Mason Bouchard said. With the COVID-19 pandemic, takeout has increased in popularity. Even though many restaurants offered takeout before, others added the alternative solely because of COVID-19. While Governor Cooper has relaxed the in-person dining restriction to 50 percent capacity, some restaurants
Where do you get your news?
On February 11, students were surveyed on how they receive their news; 29 responded. by Kathleen Moulton
restaurant. My favorite gift to receive on Valentine’s Day is flowers; I also love giving others their favorite flowers along with some candy,” Upper School Director Lynne Kenney said.
still choose to solely offer Students Jamison Fee said. takeout and delivery. Long after COVID-19 ends, “Osteria Cicchetti was one takeout will remain a viable of my favorites when inalternative for those who person dining was common don’t have time to cook. before COVID. Their takeout wasn’t as popular before, but now I get it all the time especially when I have a big game or tennis match so I can load up on carbohydrates,” Tyler Beacham said. Takeout includes a variety of genres, but Chinese is one of the most popular. “I usually get Ming Wok on South College Road. It’s usually just for my wife and I after the In a rush. William Dahl enjoys a fast meal from Zaxby’s before rehearsal on February 10. “Before play kids go to bed. It’s rehearsal, I love to calm my nerves with a six-piece a special treat for tender platter with lots of Zax sauce and an Arnold ourselves,” Dean of Palmer,” he said. Contributed photo
Streaming your favorite TV shows and movies
Tuning in by Martha Trask
Over quarantine, people have been watching television more often than usual. There are many different streaming services people can access, such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and HBO Max. “I have every streaming service possible,” Liza Collie said. “Netflix is my favorite, even though I’ve seen almost everything good on it.” A new feature added to streaming shows during the pandemic was a website called Netflix Party, now
Top 10 Netflix shows 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Firefly Lane Bridgerton Cocomelon Jenni Rivera: Mariposa de Go Dog Go Henry Danger Fate: The Winx Saga Invisible City Demon Slayer Gabby’s Dollhouse
known as TeleParty. TeleParty is an easy way to watch movies and shows with friends without physically being together. “I watch Lucifer with my sister who’s away in college,’ Collie said.
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Friday, March 19, 2021
OPINIONS
Letters Editor to the
Our readers write
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Coach Kelly Courtney, who has been an excellent Varsity and JV cheerleading coach for the past two years. Due to COVID-19, we had to follow many new rules and guidelines, such as no more stunting. This didn’t stop our outstanding coach from putting together an amazing routine with incredible music. We still had our annual bow exchange and 6:00 a.m. practice to maintain our traditions, while also creating new ones like doing Hurricane Alley every game day. We made so many great memories together and I can’t wait for next season. I know that Coach Kelly Courtney has many new great ideas to share with us.
Jennifer Avery-Robinson, Mrs. Kanzinger, and Mr. Ben Fancy for all of their hard work; during the world of COVID, theaters are dark all over the world, but because of their dedication and passion for theater and for the students involved, this school has been able to put on two amazing productions. No matter what happens with the rising positive case numbers and the upcoming musical, I am so happy that we were able to do the great productions we did.
I would like thank Mr. Fee and the SGA. They have been able to make this hard year that is full of restrictions a little less stressful by giving us the opportunities to do socially-distanced games during flex. These games are very important for students mental health. With this option it gives those who are not feeling up to par the chance to let loose and relieve some stress.
Elle Harmon
Liza Collie
Cameron Arné
I am very grateful for Mrs.
Anne DeVeaux Trask
I would like to thank Mrs. Maria Marquez for being understanding with projects and test grades and how stressful school can be. She is super nice and gives us time during class to kind of chill because a 90-minute class can be a lot. I would like to thank all of the students, faculty, and administrators that helped with the Class of 2021 yard sign drop. I was so surprised and excited when I saw the sign in my yard, and I am so grateful that CFA organized this for the seniors. In a year that is so different, it was so thoughtful of the school to organize the yard signs in order to make the start of our second semester of senior year better.
Alden Forkin
The Hurricane Staff Editors-in-chief: J. R. Johnston, Bellamy Koonce, Anders Ljung Activities: Editors: Makenzie Mills, Betsy Porter Reporters: Tyler Beacham, Will Dahl, Kathryn Emmart Academics: Editors: Alena Gianoplus, Julia Johnston Reporters: Cameron Arné, Ali Blackwell, Liza Collie, Sara Paige Harvey Arts & Entertainment: Editors: Davon Peebles, Cameron Toler Reporters: Megan Connaughton, Elle Harmon, Anne DeVeaux Trask
Lifestyles: Editors: Alexandra Johnson, Lilly Scoutelas Reporters: Delia McFarlane, Kathleen Moulton, Martha Trask Sports: Editors: Campbell McFarlane, Liza Murtagh Reporters: Rilee Bahner, Ali Raible, Whitson Weinberg Senior Stats: Editors: Anna Itzkowitz, Jack Reger Senior Feature: Alden Forkin Adviser: Jan Reid
The Hurricane is published five times a year for Upper School students and faculty by School Paper Express of Wappingers Falls, New York. Unsigned opinions are those of the editors and do not reflect the opinions of faculty or advisors. We invite our readers’ opinions. You can e-mail your letters to jreid@capefearacademy.org. Please limit your letter to no more than 200 words. Unsigned letters will not be published. All letters are subject to editing and condensation.
Reflection on disaster
A not-so fresh start to the new year 2020 was one of the most abnormal years our generation has ever experienced, with society persevering through many difficult times including periods of racial injustice and the COVID pandemic. There was hope, going into 2021, that things would be different; most Americans were ready to leave their 2020 experience in the past and go into the new year with high spirits. On January 6, 2021, we got the exact opposite of what we had wished for: domestic terrorists stormed our United States Capitol, inciting destruction and violence inside a historical landmark and federal building. After a year filled with negativity, it was devastating to see something so horrible. Watching Americans wantonly damage and destroy property was sickening and worrisome. The purpose of the riot was to prevent Congress from affirming the electoral college
Hey Y’all
vote. After President Trump ordered a recount of votes in some key battleground states, many supporters began to believe there was fraud in the voting process. However, both parties followed the democratic process that is carried out every four years, and the results that came from the election were a direct display of the opinions of the people. The year was also one of severe tension between the Democratic and Republican parties, and we expected to see disappointment from the defeated party after the election. The last things we expected to see were damaged offices in the Capitol, stolen objects, and multiple disgusting displays of hatred. As the attack on the Capitol occurred, Trump tweeted to his followers that the riot would not have happened if the election hadn’t been stripped from him. He then
told all attendees of the riot to “go home with love and peace, and to remember this day forever.” During the stampede, members of Congress took shelter where they could, huddling under tables, behind barricaded office doors, and other “undisclosed locations.” Luckily every policy-maker survived the attack. Yet the building itself wasn’t safe from the protesters. After hours of rioting, the FBI and local police agencies cleared the Capitol, but the violence that took place will never be forgotten. To see our former President justify the terrorism that took place on January 6 is both shocking and disgusting. We are horrified that he stood by and justified death, destruction, and the spread of hatred as part of a “revolution.” Let us hope that the rest of 2021 yields a renewed sense of unity and peace within our country.
a column by Bellamy Koonce
Wow, I can not believe it is already the second semester. Time has really flown by. This year has been full of ups and downs. COVID-19 has tried to take everything away from us, but our school has managed to make this year special. We have had the senior lounge snacks, senior night for sports, senior banners, senior signs, etc. Although we have lost a lot of opportunities, we have gained so many positive memories. I will never forget driving to school on Martin Luther King Day for cheer practice and seeing my senior portrait on the fence. I was so in shock, I had to drive around the school one more time to get a good look at it. Ultimately, what I am trying to say is that in a year full of negatives, there have still been many positives. Now, I know what some of you are thinking: is prom even happening? I know this is a concern for myself as well as the entire senior class, but
senior prom is only one event in our life. There will be formals and dances at college and similar events later in life. What we need to focus now on is staying safe as a class. If we have prom, there is a possibility that our graduation will be messed up because COVID cases might rise. Personally, I think we need to focus on the long run and stay safe, so we can enjoy graduating from high school with all of our family and friends. I know not having events like Holly Ball and prom is devastating, but I am here to tell you to focus on all that we do have. We have a school that cheers us on and supports us in all of our endeavors, both now and in the future. We have families that love us. We have friends that are one phone call away. We are physically in school and are actually able to see our friends daily and have special
commemorations of our senior year such as the senior banners. We are back where we belong. I love all of you, and feel blessed to be able to hopefully bring some positive vibes into your life during these negative times. All we can do is continue to focus on how this year has been good despite COVID-19.
S
Friday, March 19, 2021
SENIOR STATS Sasha An
Mason Bouchard
Would you rather be a passenger in a car, or behind the wheel? Passenger. I like to relax a little so it’s perfect. Do you want a tattoo? Yes, but I’m not sure what I want yet. If you could pick a celebrity parent, who would it be? John Legend because he and Chrissy Teigen seem like a wonderful family.
Have you ever been out of the country? If so, where? I’ve been to two different countries, Canada and Costa Rica. If you were stranded with a food, what would it be? It would have to be Playa Bowl. That stuff is divine. How long have you been at CFA? I’ve been at CFA for about 7 years. I first came in fifth grade.
Alden Forkin
Gavin Guion
Elizabeth Hodgden
Have you ever been out of the country? If so, where? Yes, I’ve been to Germany, Spain, Japan, and some other countries. My favorite place is Salzburg, Austria. If you were stranded with a food, what would it be? Panda Express orange chicken 100%. Tell us your go-to car playlist. Any playlist made by Alexandra Dugan.
Have you ever been out of the country? If so, where? Yes, I have been to Jamaica before. If you were stranded with a food, what would it be? Salmon for sure. If you could pick a celebrity parent, who would it be? Lebron James. He probably has the best basketball tips. How long have you been at CFA? I’ve been here for 5 years.
Have you ever been out of the country? If so, where? I’ve been to Switzerland, Italy, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. If you were stranded with a food, what would it be? Mangoes. How long have you been at CFA? 6 years.
William Lewis
Delilah Mills
Charlie Murtha
enior tats
By Jack Reger and Anna Itzkowitz
Have you ever been out of the country? If so, where? I have been to France, England, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, Honduras, and Ireland. If you were stranded with a food, what would it be? Wild West Wings (flats only) from Wild Wings Cafe. How long have you been at CFA? I have been at CFA for 9 years.
Would you rather be a passenger in a car, or behind the wheel? Behind the wheel. I don’t like putting responsibility on someone else. Do you want a tattoo? Yes. I’m thinking a dinosaur, or a sketch of my lake house. If you could pick a celebrity parent, who would it be? The Professor from Gilligan’s Island. He was a smart guy who could teach me a lot.
Would you rather be a passenger in a car, or behind the wheel? Passenger most of the time(but if it’s Devon, I will gladly drive). Do you want a tattoo? Maybe, we will see. I don’t think my mom would be too happy with me. If you could pick a celebrity parent, who would it be? Harrison Ford. I think he would be such a fun parent.
Erik Head By Alden Forkin
What extracurricular activities are you involved in on and off campus? I am the captain of the Varsity Cross Country and Track teams, as well as our first Robotics Team. I’ve also been on the math team for a few years now, and have gone to states with them twice. I am also the president/ head of the youth group at Wesley Memorial UMC (the pumpkin church).
Chase Stephens
What is your favorite thing about Robotics? I love building and testing different designs from scratch, and learning how different parts of the robot come together to achieve an outcome.
What are your plans for the future? I plan to attend Texas A&M University in the Corps of Cadets next fall, where I’ll study Biomedical Engineering and possibly Entomology. I don’t know what career path I will pursue, but I know I’ll have many options with a degree in Biomedical Engineering.
Would you rather be a passenger in a car, or behind the wheel? Behind the wheel. Do you want a tattoo? Yes, I want a tattoo of Amir Shaheen on the bottom of my right foot. If you could pick a celebrity parent, who would it be? Freddie Gibbs. He seems like a chill dude and a fun parent.
Berkeley Scharf
Getting to know...
Can you tell me about your AP Research project you’re currently working on? My AP Research project aims to solve the issue of local freshwater algae blooms. Wilmington is growing like a tumor, and one of the costs of this growth is habitat fragmentation. The remaining fragments are unstable, and a simple algae bloom can kill the aquatic ecosystems. My research seeks to address this problem by coming up with a way to limit algae blooms without harming the rest of the ecosystem, since the local habitat fragments can’t take much damage without failing and the present algae prevention methods are either ineffective or harmful.
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What is something not many people know about you? I have a two-year-old oak tree in my room named Groot. Is there a quote or philosophy that you live by? If so, what is it and why? “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant” -Jesus (Mark 10:43). In my four years of being a leader (on the XC team), I never personally succeeded or enjoyed the sport to its fullest until I embraced this style of leadership. Working for something bigger than myself allowed me to motivate and push the team to victory, while giving me the strength to succeed more than ever before. Leadership is never about you, and once you accept that, you can do much more than you ever thought possible.
Would you rather be a passenger in a car, or behind the wheel? I would rather drive since some of my friends cannot drive well at all. Do you want a tattoo? I probably won’t get one, but if I had to, I would get “precalculus” on my back. If you could pick a celebrity parent, who would it be? Jim Carrey. He’s a funny guy.
Whit Stephenson Would you rather be a passenger in a car, or behind the wheel? Behind the passenger seat. Do you want a tattoo? Yes, I want a tattoo of a deer, because that’s the first thing that came to my mind. If you could pick a celebrity parent, who would it be? Spongebob, because he’s a sponge.
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Friday, March 19, 2021
SPORTS
Moving on up Basketball teams reach for the goal by Liza Murtagh
Unstoppable. Vytas Nausedas goes up for a layup in the Homecoming game against Fayetteville Academy on February 5. The Varsity Boys Basketball team won 63-18 to improve their overall record 8-2 and entered the CRC Tournament as the number one seed. Photo: Makenzie Mills
After dealing with canceled games and changes due to Covid-19, the JV Boys, Varsity Girls, and Varsity Boys Basketball teams looked for success in the Coastal Rivers Championship Tournament. The JV Boys battled through overtime on February 12 to defeat Coastal Christian High School 42-39. The win earned them the CRC JV Boys Basketball Championship. Miles Gibson was named Tournament MVP. “We played really well as a team. We had some ups and downs throughout the game, but we kept motivating each other and got through it to finish with a win. It means a lot to be named MVP, but I definitely could not have done it without the help of my team,” Gibson said. With a 39-30 win over Fayetteville Academy on January 9, the Varsity Girls Basketball team advanced to
the CRC Championship round. They fell in the final to Coastal Christian High School 28-51 on February 12. “Our greatest strength was our teamwork. We cheered each other on and played our best. We’ve been working on our defense and communicating as a team,” Bella Erichsen said. The Varsity Boys Basketball team sought to defend their title of CRC Tournament Champion for the third year in a row. With a 61-20 win over Fayetteville Academy on January 9, the team advanced to the CRC Championship and was one step closer to a third title. On February 12, the team achieved that success with a 38-32 win over Coastal Christian High School. Imran Armstrong was named Tournament MVP. “Being named MVP is a testament to the hard work that I have put in. We have
been working really hard as a team to improve. Hopefully, our hard work, preparation, and dedication throughout the entire year will pay off in the state tournament,” Armstrong said. In the first round of the NCISAA 3A State Tournament game on February 16, the Varsity Girls Basketball team lost to Cary Christian Academy 27-57. The varsity girls finished their season with a 9-4 overall record. On the same day, the Varsity Boys Basketball team, who received the #3 seed, defeated Parrott Academy 44-35 in the first round of the NCISAA 3A State Tournament. They advanced to the quarterfinals in Raleigh where they upset the #2-seeded Grace Christian School 29-28. In the semifinals on February 23, the Hurricanes fell to Gaston Christian School 85-55. They finished the season at 15-5.
Rocking the water Varsity Swim Team takes home a trophy
When you can’t be there in person
When the Varsity Swim Team officially ended their season, they went out with a bang. The girls’ team finished the 2021 NCISAA Division II as State Runner-up, the highest finish in school history for a varsity swim team. The boys’ team placed eighth overall.
The fans in the stands who The proceeds from the $35 cheer on their teams are cutouts will support future one of the most important Family Partnership initiatives. elements of a sports game. To fill the empty seats, the Family Partnership created cardboard cutouts of students who sent in pictures. These were placed in the bleachers for basketball games and any gym activities. Ms. Lauren Stasiak was in charge of videoing the fan cutouts during the game. “Each fan cutout was featured Real or fake? Walker Morrow, Miles Gibson, on the livestream during Noah Law, and James Johnson stand next to school students’ fan cutouts designed basketball games and two lower to promote school spirit. These cutouts fans were chosen to win were placed in the bleachers before the homecoming basketball game. Photo: Cole Dittmer prizes,” she said.
by Whitson Weinberg
Individual results: First place: • Liza Murtagh: 200 IM, 100 breaststroke • 200 freestyle relay team: Leah Murtagh, Avery Bishop Taylor Crane, Liza Murtagh. • 400 free relay: Leah Murtagh, Avery Bishop Taylor Crane, Liza Murtagh Second-place: Avery Bishop: 100 butterfly Third-place: • Taylor Crane: 50 freestyle
A need for speed. On November16 during a inter-squad meet, Sydney Cortina races to the finish line in her first 500-yard freestyle. “It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it felt great in the end,” she said. Photo: Liza Murtagh
• Leah Murtagh: 100
backstroke Fourth place: Avery Bishop: 200 freestyle Fifth place: • Sara Paige Harvey, Liza Wells, Elliot Wells and Katie Meine: Girls 200 medley relay:
• Leah Murtagh: 100
freestyle Sixth place: • Taylor Crane:100 freestyle • Jason Huang, Collin Hinson, Ray McDonald and Andrew Basinger: Boys 400 freestyle relay
The inconvenience of wearing a mask while exercising by Rilee Bahner
mask since most of the other teams we play don’t even correctly wear them. It is hard to wear a mask while
Superbowl 55: who wins? by Campbell McFarlane
Masked misery Playing sports was significantly harder than in previous years because of the stringent COVID restrictions. “When we forget our masks, we are not allowed onto the pool deck or around the team. We also need to have a mask to put on immediately after we get out of the pool,” swimmer Leah Murtagh said. Only a few games into the winter season, Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order that every high school athlete needed to wear masks at all times. Varsity basketball player Caden Bariglio found the switch difficult to bear. “It was annoying when I found out I had to wear a
by Allison Raible
running because it’s hard to breathe. It’s annoying when it falls down because you get in trouble,” he said.
Despite the setbacks due to Covid-19, the NFL season went relatively smoothly. The best two teams in the most popular sport in America went head to head on February 7, 2021. The 11-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers challenged last year’s champions, the 14-2 Kansas City Chiefs, at Raymond James Stadium, the home of the Buccaneers. Students and teachers were polled about the big game; 70.6% of the respondents believed the Chiefs, with
Survey says:
Buccaneers Chiefs Hands together. Anna Itzkowitz and Sydney White cheer for the basketball teams from the bleachers. “It was hard to hear people call the cheers because the masks muffled their voices. It was also agitating because the masks would fall down during the cheers,” White said. Photo: Cole Dittmer
young star quarterback Patrick Mahommes, would win out over the Buccaneers, even with veteran Tom Brady as quarterback. That prediction turned out to be wrong. The Buccaneers beat the Chiefs by a score of 31-9. “I voted for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because you can never bet against Tom Brady,” Adlai Wood said.
29.4%
70.6%